Chapter 11
Chapter 11
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Chapter 1: Beyond Humanity (11)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Have you heard the rumors? Things are really bad between those two sects, right?”
“That’s right. It’s gotten worse lately.”
“To think they’d fight right here in the marketplace.”
“It’s not like they’re trying to kill each other. Look at them now. They seem pretty fierce, but no one’s bleeding or fallen yet.”
“Oh, you’re right!”
It was worlds apart from the man fighting in the back alley earlier.
Back then, every swing of his sword had sent chills down the spine with its murderous intent.
This was different.
They pushed and pulled at each other, clashing and separating, only to clash again—like a staged performance, thrilling to watch. No wonder crowds gathered to spectate.
“Miss, over there.”
It wasn’t just the fight worth watching.
Something else caught the eye. Sang pointed to one side with his finger.
“!!”
Amid the throng of onlookers stood a group of young people exuding an extraordinary aura. Men and women mixed together, standing side by side in a carefree atmosphere. Their clothing matched it—wide sleeves spread open, baggy pants giving off a relaxed vibe. It wasn’t the typical attire seen in Shanxi Province. Their outer robes were uniformly reddish, but the rest highlighted each person’s individuality.
“Who are they?”
“That’s the Jinju Eon Clan, the top fist law sect in Hebei. I heard all the major sects were watching the fight’s developments, and it looks like it’s true.”
Their outfits and vibe seemed casual, but the energy they radiated was anything but.
It felt like diamond-hard power, honed to perfection. The women were no exception. Their bright, cheerful faces watched the marketplace brawl, yet an aggressive edge subtly emanated from them.
“They don’t look easy either.”
And they weren’t the only ones catching the eye.
A bit farther out, even more conspicuous, was another group.
They wore martial robes in pale yellow with dark brown triangular patterns. Like the Jinju Eon folks, they were all young. Unlike them, though, there were no women—just men. Their youthful vigor matched the others, but they gave a far more refined impression.
The more you looked, the more impressive they seemed.
If the Jinju Eon warriors first grabbed attention with their flair, these ones hit harder the longer you noticed them—truly intimidating. Once your gaze locked on, the Jinju Eon group faded from mind in an instant.
“No wonder they don’t look easy. See what’s hanging at their waists?”
“Oh! Sabers!”
“The Great Unity Fortress is famous for its saber arts, but these guys are on another level entirely. They’re the saber wielders of the Hebei Peng Clan, hailed as the foremost saber sect in the martial world.”
“Hebei Peng Clan!!”
When martial artists discussed the pinnacle of the Central Plains, they named the Nine Great Sects and Six Major Clans.
One of the six most formidable families in the vast Central Plains.
Even the Iron-Blood Emperor’s imperial house couldn’t ignore their wealth and might.
“Impressive, truly. And they’re all so young...”
Seeing them in person proved their reputation well-deserved.
The fight between Great Unity Fortress and Taehaeng Gang barely registered anymore. Even the Jinju Eon warriors seemed affected—constantly glancing back, whispering among themselves, clearly aware of the Peng saber wielders.
“Ignore it and hurry up. No time to dawdle here.”
The man far ahead turned back to urge them on.
Not that he was ordinary himself.
She looked at the man’s back again.
A fresh shock struck Seol’s mind.
He spoke as if the Jinju Eon or Hebei Peng meant little, and he seemed to possess power on their level. His face only showed annoyance at the crowds.
Ooooh! Waaah!
Leaving the cheers and escalating brawl behind, they entered a dank back alley once more.
The alley path was damp, puddles of mud everywhere. They pushed through the darkness for a while. As the cheers faded into the distance, the man stopped in a corner and said curtly.
“This way.”
Creeeak.
He opened a rickety side door. Stairs led upward. Hidden midway up a high wall, they had to jump to climb.
Splat.
Dirty footprints marked the steps in abundance. They ascended two flights of grimy, earthen stairs.
Suddenly, pristine steps appeared. Before these new stairs lay a thick mat, about three steps wide, clearly meant for wiping filthy alley feet.
Tap, tap.
The man brushed his feet casually on the mat and climbed without pause. Faint prints marred the clean steps, but he ignored them. He ascended another flight like it was his own home, then turned to them.
“Quit dawdling and come up.”
The sisters were dazed.
They climbed and looked around. Their eyes widened instinctively. Ancient porcelain lined the corridors, and elegant wooden walls bore masterful landscape scrolls hung long and low. It was an opulently luxurious inn. Faint music drifted up from below.
“This way.”
They passed a corridor lit by soft lanterns in antique style. The man led them to a room in the corner. He pulled a jingling keyring from his bosom and thrust a intricate bronze key into the door’s lock.
Clunk.
The door was thick. As he flung open the cloud-ornamented wooden panel, he muttered.
“Always... I told them to leave a light on. How much could a candle cost?”
The man entered.
“Dark as hell.”
He grumbled on. A hiss sounded as flint struck. The lantern flared, brightening the doorframe. His voice continued.
“Come in.”
Sang, Seol, and Hyang exchanged glances. As always, Sang first, then the Seol and Hyang sisters. The three stepped inside.
“……!”
Though the sisters had lived without want, the room’s splendor left them awestruck. The size alone was staggering. They’d expected a cramped corner room, but it was spacious enough to run around in. Fit for high officials or famed martial artists. The central table was premium rosewood, and separate bedchambers seemed attached—three curtained doors lined the inner wall.
“Take those off. No one here to see anyway.”
The man pointed at the sisters’ bamboo hats.
They hesitated briefly, then untied the strings under their chins almost in unison. No point keeping them on indoors after coming this far.
“Sit.”
Now he gestured to the chairs.
Round-carved wood with curved backs—exotically ornate, unlike anything local. Surely from south of the Yangtze.
“What in the world...”
Seol’s eyes flickered with wonder.
She’d stayed in fine inns before, accompanying her father on outings to renowned spots. But nothing like this. The room’s curation showed impeccable taste. The owner’s identity piqued curiosity. Simple rosewood table and bold chairs harmonized perfectly. Crimson ceiling drapes, wall-hung flower-and-bird paintings—nothing lacked.
“Don’t expect tea.”
The real surprise was this man before them.
He plopped into a chair with eerie naturalness.
She couldn’t quite grasp it.
To fit such a room, one had to be born to it. No matter the silk robes or jewels, mismatched origins showed. It should feel like a mismatched patch on a painting. But not him. He owned the space like home. Ragged clothes, three swords even—utterly at ease. Bizarre.
“No long talk. Tell me the places you suspect.”
The question aimed at Sang.
Sang furrowed his brow under the man’s gaze. He countered.
“Places we suspect...?”
“The fiend.”
“No clue at all.”
“Lying if you say nothing even crossed your mind.”
“…….”
The man’s gaze pierced like a sword tip. Sang glanced at the sisters, then spoke firmly, resolved.
“If I must name one... I’d say Great Unity Fortress.”
Seol and Hyang were stunned instead. Seol glared at Sang, eyes wide—how could he suspect and not mention it till now?
“Great Unity Fortress, huh...”
A different light gleamed in the man’s eyes.
Pure intrigue. He smirked, murmuring meaningfully.
“Could it really be...?”
The man rose. He pushed back his chair leisurely, slung the three swords haphazardly over his back. Chains on the scabbards jingled cheerily—clink!
“Old foxes have many tricks, young pigs know nothing. Great Unity Fortress from an uninvited guest’s lips—unexpected. Can’t let this slide.”
The man stepped to one wall.
Beside the splendid flower-and-bird scroll, he twisted a bronze floral ornament on the wooden panel.
Grind.
A mechanism whirred. He placed a hand on the wall beside it.
Thump, thump, thump.
Three taps. A crisp elderly voice seeped from within.
“Any commands?”
“Keep everyone out.”
“As you order.”
“Order my ass.”
An old voice.
Likely from the next room over. Yet it sounded like from inside the wall. Eerie, unnatural everywhere.
Now the man turned to the three.
“Not just blocking entry. Can’t leave carelessly either. Want out? Bet your life.”
Seol frowned, about to speak. The man drove it home.
“Didn’t get it? Stay inside, you’re safe.”
He strode to the door. Seol shot up, asking.
“Y-you’re leaving...?”
“Got somewhere to be.”
“Leaving us like this?”
“Told you. Stay inside.”
“But where to?”
“Something to check.”
He said it and truly opened the door, stepping out.
Clank.
The key locked behind.
Sang rushed, grabbed the handle. Bi-directional lock—wouldn’t budge.
“We’re... trapped.”
Force could break it, but the man’s warning lingered.
Bet your life to leave.
The three stood dumbfounded.
“Should we just force it open? How can we trust him...”
The words slipped out.
Sang didn’t dismiss Seol’s. With his usual blank—feigned blank—face, he murmured low.
“He said it’s safe, but being locked away doesn’t sit right. Miss.”
“Exactly.”
Sang eyed the wall.
The one the voice came from. Seol and Hyang followed his gaze. Felt like eyes watched from within.
Sang rose, approached the wall. Then—
“Don’t.”
The voice was Hyang’s, surprisingly. Sang and Seol turned. Hyang shook her head firmly, continuing.
“Same for you, Sister. Better not think of leaving. Wait here.”
She seemed to steel herself. Sang eyed her, surprised.
“But Miss.”
“Just stay.”
Hyang insisted, cutting him off. Face half-frightened, half-unfazed.
‘Come to think...’
Hyang’s earlier whine about the alley flashed.
Just a whine?
She’d refused the dark alley—and at its end, they’d witnessed a bloody slaughter.
Coincidence?
No way.
The man said it.
Hyang stronger than Seol. Body and mind.
Seol nodded, sat by Hyang.
Hyang had uncanny instinct. Seol wouldn’t ignore it.
“Alright. We stay, like you say.”
Hyang nodded back.
Seol added.
“Sang, I know you’re itching to go, but let’s wait for now. If he wanted us dead, he could’ve back there.”
Sang frowned, troubled.
His gaze lingered on the wall, then door.
Bet your life weighed heavy.
“No choice. We stay.”
Sang conceded gravely.