Chapter 417: You Came Alone
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 417: You Came Alone
Night had fallen. It was about the time when the martial artists of the Tang and Pe clans would begin their patrols.
Knowing the hour had come, I rose to my feet.
“…”
The moment I stood, I sensed an unfamiliar presence right beside me.
Huh?
I let out a quiet sigh once I recognized who it was. There was only one person who would be at my side at this time of night.
When did she even get in here?
As expected, it was Namgung Bi-ah.
My bed was already cramped enough, but sharing it with a tall girl like her made it feel even tighter.
More importantly,
How did I not notice her?
It was troubling that I hadn't woken up when she entered my room and slipped into my bed. While I might have grown accustomed to her presence, this level of unawareness was potentially dangerous.
I understood that Namgung Bi-ah had a nearly imperceptible presence, but not even sensing her entry was a problem. What if she had come in to slit my throat…
Though I seriously doubt she would ever do such a thing.
I was startled by how much I had let my guard down. Was it because Namgung Bi-ah herself had grown stronger? It almost felt like I was starting to rely on her. I resolved to be more cautious in the future.
With that thought, I carefully got up.
“…”
Trying not to wake Namgung Bi-ah, I gently brushed a strand of her hair. She didn't seem to fuss over it much, but it felt as soft as silk.
I probably looked like a creep doing this.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, I withdrew my hand and quietly left the room.
Outside, I found the White Ripple Sword waiting for me. She must have peeked inside, because she greeted me with a knowing, mischievous smile.
“Ah, isn't youth wonderful?”
She must have seen Namgung Bi-ah in my bed. What was I supposed to do with this woman?
“…It’s not what you think.”
“Oh, of course, this big sister understands everything.”
“You clearly don’t understand a thing! What do you mean by–”
“It’s all the same when you’re young! No need to explain yourself! I swear I won’t tell a soul, you know?”
…Please.
I had plenty I wanted to say, but I was used to the White Ripple Sword’s nonsense by now. This wasn’t the first or second time. I had more pressing matters to attend to.
I turned my attention to the direction where I could feel his presence and felt a slight tension grip me.
Will one day be enough?
I had hoped it would be, but honestly, I didn’t know.
Blaze-
As I enveloped myself in heat, I faintly sensed Qi emanating from the White Ripple Sword. For all her eccentricities, she was still a master martial artist who knew when to be serious.
She didn’t ask where I was going.
Even so, I felt her Combat Qi stirring, and from the way her hand rested on her sheathed sword, she seemed to understand what I needed from her.
As I expected.
She was not someone to be underestimated. Confirming her readiness, I leaped into motion, quickly picking up speed.
My destination was the Ghostly Mountain, the lair of the Green Forest Bandits.
* * *
The Poison Emperor, Tang Bi Seung.
He was the former ruler of the Tang Clan and grandfather of the current Lord. Rumors in the Central Plains claimed that if he were still alive, the Three Venerables would have been the Four Venerables, with him honored as the Poison Venerable.
He was a master said to be on the verge of achieving Ten Thousand Poisons Immunity, a great Lord credited with elevating the Tang Clan's prestige. But in reality, he was not so great.
At least, that was what Tang Duk believed.
-You are a failure.
He remembered Tang Bi Seung looking down at him with eyes of ice.
Piled on the cold stone floor behind him were the bodies of children, none older than nine or ten. They had all been granted the Tang surname by Tang Bi Seung himself.
-My Lord. But this child’s bones are exactly as you desired-
Tang Duk had pleaded desperately, but the old man’s gaze remained unchanged.
-A perfect vessel is useless if it cannot learn Poison Arts. Take it away.
Upon hearing those words, Tang Duk had broken down into desperate sobs, screaming and begging for his life.
Yet, Tang Bi Seung never halted his steps. Only after the sound of his footsteps had faded completely did the basement fall silent, save for Tang Duk’s cries.
The silent men who remained then began to approach him. When their hands finally covered his eyes, Tang Duk awoke from that long nightmare.
He opened his eyes, his black pupils reflecting the moon overhead. He realized he had been dreaming.
“…Whew.”
Pushing his heavy eyelids open, he shifted his giant frame.
What a terrible dream.
A memory he could never forget remained as vivid as ever.
Am I being reminded because the time is near?
As he drew closer to his desired goal, the memories of his past seemed to sharpen. It made sense. Tang Duk knew his entire life had been shaped by his inability to forget.
Crack.
He stretched his muscles and began to walk. Pushing through the tall grass, he arrived at a clearing where a group of men were gathered.
Seeing Tang Duk appear, the men immediately rose to their feet.
“Boss.”
“Report.”
“It appears they are making camp there for the night.”
Tang Duk stared into the distance. The tall grass blocked his view, but he knew the Tang Clan bastards were all there. The bloodline of that damned old man who deserved to be torn apart was gathered in one place.
If Tang Duk had one regret,
I should have killed that old man with my own hands.
His greatest regret was that the Poison Emperor, Tang Bi Seung, had died of old age, escaping his vengeance.
Crack.
The thought made his fists clench.
He committed all those atrocities only to die peacefully in his sleep.
A wave of anger and killing intent erupted from Tang Duk, causing the bandits around him to shiver. The aura was dense and horrifying.
“Our objective remains unchanged,” Tang Duk said, his eyes burning with murderous intent. “We wait until they cross the river.”
“At their current pace, it will take them about a week to reach the river. Is that acceptable?” one man ventured to ask.
In a flash, Tang Duk’s hand shot out and seized the man by his hair.
“Ugh…”
His hand was so large he could lift the man with ease.
“What? Should we all just rush in and die without a plan?”
“…Ughhh…”
“Even when urgent, we must do what is necessary. Understood?”
“Y-Yes…”
Only after hearing the choked response did Tang Duk release his grip.
He was the one who most desperately wanted to attack and tear them all apart. But it was currently impossible with both the Poison King and the Lord of the Pe Clan present. His plan was to wait for the river crossing.
The Tang Clan was escorting a prisoner; on the boats, the bandits would have a significant advantage. The situation was perfect.
This was the first time in twenty years the Tang Clan had embarked on a journey like this. For Tang Duk, who had waited all this time, it felt like a miracle. He could be patient a little longer. He had already waited decades; one more week was nothing.
He would do anything to see the Tang Clan fall.
Tang Duk forcibly suppressed his killing intent and steadied his breathing. He couldn’t afford to make a mistake now.
“Report to me when the patrols return,” he ordered. Then, his eyes glinted. “And one more thing. The Lesser King of Hell. I want any information you can find on him. Immediately.”
“Understood.”
Tang Duk gritted his teeth as he gave the order. That bastard was still an enigma.
How had the Lesser King of Hell found the men he sent? And an even greater mystery—how had he known who was truly pulling the strings?
How did he figure it out?
How could he taunt me while knowing everything?
Did that mean the Poison King knew as well? That possibility had forced Tang Duk to alter his plans as a precaution.
The crucial part was the message the Lesser King of Hell had sent.
[You failure.]
That was what he had said.
Judging by that…
…This bastard.
Does he not only know my name, but my entire history—things no one else should know?
No, that’s impossible.
Everyone involved in that incident was dead. All of Tang Duk’s "brothers," everyone connected to it, had lost their lives, except for those of pure Tang blood.
Then how does he know?
It felt wrong to dismiss it as coincidence. Could it really be?
Frustration swelled in Tang Duk’s chest. Gripping his spear tighter, he thought,
I’ll capture him, ask my questions, and then kill him.
He had already decided to take the Lesser King of Hell alive. All he needed to do was torture the answers out of him.
As Tang Duk moved through the tall grass with that thought,
“…!” He suddenly froze.
His focus sharpened as he stared intently in one direction. Thick trees blocked the view, but he could feel it clearly. There was definitely something out there in the distance.
Tang Duk swung his spear toward the source of the mysterious presence.
Swooosh-!
Craaaack-!
The spear cut through the air with immense force, sending a terrifying wind blade that annihilated the trees in its path. However, the powerful wave didn't travel far.
Slam-!
Blaaze-!
When it reached a certain point, it vanished abruptly in a quick explosion.
Tang Duk felt it clearly. Someone had blocked his attack.
He also sensed an intense, dense heat emanating from the same direction. It was scorching hot. The heat seemed to beckon him.
Tang Duk leaped toward it.
As he drew closer, the sensation grew clearer. In the darkness, he could see a purple flame burning alone. The heat was like a beacon, a command for him to approach.
You dare to order me?
Tang Duk smirked and increased his speed. A piece of flying ember grazed his cheek.
In mere moments, Tang Duk arrived at the flame's origin.
Slaaam-!
A massive shockwave erupted outwards as his giant body landed, kicking up a cloud of dust that obscured his vision.
Swoosh-!
With a single sweep of his spear, the dust vanished.
When his sight cleared, he couldn't help but let out a disbelieving laugh at what stood before him.
“…How absurd.”
He was speechless.
Tang Duk sharpened his senses, scanning the area for other presences, but he could only detect one—the person standing right in front of him.
After confirming this, Tang Duk asked, “You came alone?”
A young man answered calmly, “As you can see.”
“…Hah, you came alone? Without any support?”
“Why would I need any? I’ll tell you this so you don’t worry—the Poison King didn’t come.”
Tang Duk found it hard to believe, but he had a more pressing question. “What gives you such confidence?”
He stared at the young man with a terrifying smile. The youth had a slight build, but his presence was formidable. He stood with his hands behind his back, wreathed in flames, staring back at Tang Duk without the slightest reaction.
“You should be hiding deep within the forest,” Tang Duk continued. “Yet you reveal yourself so openly?”
“Hide?” The young man tilted his head in apparent confusion. “Why would I?”
“Why? Because I am going to crush you right now…!”
Tang Duk knew exactly who this young man was. How could he not? This was the one who had taunted him. A young master who wielded a powerful Flame Art. His identity was obvious.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Lesser King of Hell.”
Haha.
Suddenly, the young man began to laugh out loud. Tang Duk frowned at the sound.
“What are you laughing at? Have you lost your mind because you’re about to die?”
“Oh, sorry. Is it because it’s been a while? I just found it funny.”
“What?”
“So you’ve always been this stupid, huh.”
A horrifying aura burst from Tang Duk’s body at the blatant mockery.
“…You dare…! You must not know your place, brat, just because the world praises you. Do you have any idea who I am to speak to me like…!”
“Who? You’re just a failure.”
Those words caused something to snap inside Tang Duk. It was certain now. This bastard knew something. Strangely, that fact made Tang Duk feel almost glad.
“Fine. I swear I will kill you right here, on this very spot.”
Just as Tang Duk was about to channel his Qi, firmly gripping his spear,
Rumble.
“…!”
A sudden, sharp pain wrenched his abdomen. Confused by the strange sensation squeezing his insides, he heard a voice from in front of him.
“I’m glad you seem to like my gift.”
The tone was playful.
Step.
A footstep sounded, drawing closer.
When the Lesser King of Hell was near enough, he leveled his gaze with Tang Duk and spoke softly.
“Let’s have a nice, long talk, shall we?”
Tang Duk struggled to hide his shock as he looked into the Lesser King of Hell’s eyes.
For some reason, they were shining with a faint purple light.