Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Mad Wind Bandits' Ambush
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Rough sand winds whipped through the Akan Desert.
The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad, having ventured deep into the desert, was crossing an endless expanse of dunes.
All the squad members were trudging along the desert ridges on foot, save for one who stood apart from the rest.
Thud, thud, thud thud.
A pair of pitch-black Black Dragon Twin Horses, their coats dark as the night sky, appeared in majestic stride, their hooves pounding the sand.
Trailing behind them was a carriage adorned in lavish reddish-gold embroidery, and the man seated at the driver's perch was none other than Jang Wi. Anyone could easily guess who rode inside.
"……."
Hyeok Mulin, who had been meditating inside the carriage to circulate his energy and regulate his breathing, paused for a moment and glanced down through the slightly lowered window.
One of the nearby squad members had dark circles under his eyes and cracked lips, a far cry from how he'd looked at the start of the journey.
The others were in no better shape.
Confirming this, Hyeok Mulin withdrew his hand from the window.
'Just as I expected.'
It had been four days since they'd entered the desert.
They'd packed only the bare minimum of rations from the outset, and those had run dry. Water was scarce too, barely enough to wet their throats.
On top of that, the scorching desert heat made sweat pour like rain, and the periodic sandstorms left their bodies caked in grit.
'The physical toll must be immense. But that's not the end of it.'
Right now, the squad members were under double the strain—not just bodily exhaustion, but mental pressure as well.
Being the Heavenly Demon's escort didn't mean their only duty was protection.
But protecting the Heavenly Demon was undoubtedly the most critical and solemn task.
From their very first mission, they'd been assigned to guard him on a perilous outing into unknown dangers. Excitement took a backseat to the overwhelming burden and tension.
'Both body and mind must be pushed to the brink of fatigue.'
To make matters worse, Hyeok Mulin had tipped off Ji Wolhon before departure, engineering an even harsher environment.
It was to gauge the baseline of the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's combat prowess—and to assess their potential for growth.
"Left Protector. How much longer until we arrive?"
"We should reach the destination within half a shichen."
Almost there.
This should make for a fine test.
Hyeok Mulin closed his eyes and resumed his meditation until they arrived.
Time passed, and they reached a certain village.
As they neared the entrance, they spotted the village chief waiting ahead.
He had been standing there with hands clasped tightly in anticipation. Upon the squad's arrival, he hurried to the carriage, prostrating himself on the ground and praising the Heavenly Demon.
"Oh, Cult Leader! I never dreamed my humble petition would bring you all this way in person! How ever can I repay such grace...!"
"Is there any duty more important than hearing the words of the faithful? Rise from there."
"Yes! Please, this way! You've traveled far and must be weary—let us first prepare a place for you to rest!"
At Hyeok Mulin's words, the chief led the way into the village with eyes brimming with emotion.
As the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad followed, villagers gathered to watch and greeted them with warm cheers.
Amid the enthusiastic welcome, they were ushered into an inn.
The chief stood proudly before it and spoke.
"This is the finest inn in the village, one I run myself. For the duration of your stay, esteemed Cult Leader and escorts, we offer unlimited lodging and meals to ensure your comfort."
Hyeok Mulin glanced briefly at Ji Wolhon.
Who then addressed the squad.
"We rest here today before subduing the Mad Wind Bandits. We depart tomorrow, so take it easy tonight."
"Whew!"
"What a relief!"
The squad members let out sighs of relief.
Honestly, they were on the verge of collapse, and the inn before them was a godsend.
They yearned to recover their strength, even if it meant delaying by a day or two.
"Can you prepare meals for about thirty men right now?"
"Of course! Unpack in your rooms and give us a moment!"
Ji Wolhon nodded at the chief's eager response, then commanded the squad.
"Unpack your gear and assemble downstairs in the inn. Do it now."
"Yes!"
With a resounding reply, the squad members poured into the inn.
Hyeok Mulin descended from the carriage at a leisurely pace and sent a telepathic message to Jang Wi.
『You stay outside and guard the carriage. It shouldn't take long.』
『Understood.』
Hyeok Mulin then entered the inn with Ji Wolhon.
The interior was surprisingly spacious and clean—a typical village inn, nothing out of the ordinary.
Hyeok Mulin naturally took the center seat, and soon the squad members, having unpacked, gathered swiftly.
The cook must have been deft-handed; within less than a shichen, platters of hearty dishes piled up before them.
Gulp.
After days of gnawing on dried, tough jerky and hardtack, the sight of real food brought life back to their eyes.
They swallowed hard, restraining themselves with iron discipline, awaiting permission.
At Ji Wolhon's order, one squad member sampled bites from various dishes.
Closing his eyes to savor, he nodded after a moment.
"No poison."
"Good."
All eyes turned to Hyeok Mulin.
He gazed at the food with half-lidded eyes, then slowly reached for his chopsticks.
After picking up a piece of meat and eating it, he nodded to Ji Wolhon.
Who then announced to the squad.
"You may eat."
"Finally...!"
The squad members brightened and raised their chopsticks.
Just as they were about to devour the food...
"Hold."
Han Baek halted them in a low voice.
Puzzled by the sudden interruption, they looked his way as he called over a waiter.
"Is something wrong, sir?"
Without a word, Han Baek filled a cup with water.
He held it out and said,
"Drink it."
"Pardon?"
"I said drink this water."
Han Baek stared at the waiter with clear eyes.
But the waiter gave an awkward smile and declined.
"I just ate lunch, sir. No room left."
"Then just a sip."
"Even that's a bit..."
"Then just touch it to your lips."
Despite the refusals, Han Baek pressed on.
The squad's attention fixed on the waiter, the atmosphere growing tense.
"……."
With no escape, the waiter swallowed dryly.
In that instant, he drew a dagger from his sleeve to strike at Han Baek's head.
But.
Swish!
Han Baek drew his sword in a flash, severing the man's wrist before slicing his throat.
The body crumpled limply to the floor, a chill settling over the inn.
Turning to the squad, Han Baek said,
"The water's poisoned."
Hyeok Mulin's lips curved in satisfaction.
As expected, he caught it.
In their fatigued state, it was easy to let vigilance slip.
The food came first, with water pitchers arriving later to tempt them mid-meal when throats grew dry.
Most would relax after the food tested clean, but not Han Baek.
Even pushed to his limits, he'd sensed the danger acutely.
"So this is a trap?"
"Yes. The bandits have likely already surrounded the inn."
The squad's faces fell in dismay, but only briefly—bandits disguised as villagers revealed their true colors and began filing into the inn.
Leading them was the village chief—no, the Mad Wind Bandits' deputy leader, the Bone-Seeing Black Demon Deung Yeom, striding in boldly.
"Kekeke! Thanks to that unexpected petition, we've got the Cult Leader right where we want him!"
Sneering with mockery, he continued,
"The plan veered off course a bit, but now that you're in here, you won't leave on your own two feet! So if you die quietly, I'll grant you a painless—"
Mid-rant, he froze, eyes trembling as he stared ahead.
Bandits and squad alike followed his gaze to Hyeok Mulin.
And in that moment, all doubted their own eyes.
Hyeok Mulin sat calmly, eating as if nothing had happened.
"How dare you ignore me while I'm speaking...!"
As Deung Yeom trembled in outrage, Hyeok Mulin raised a hand and spoke indifferently.
"Ji Wolhon."
"Yes."
"Deal with them."
"Yes!"
He commanded the squad,
"Protect the Cult Leader without a scratch. Annihilate the enemy."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
As his orders rang out, the squad drew weapons.
They charged without hesitation, battle erupting.
Clang clang clang!
The inn filled with clashes of steel and chaotic movements.
Yet Hyeok Mulin ate on peacefully, like a lone figure adrift on a serene sea.
Amid this jarring contrast,
Bam!
Man Hyobom smashed through the door and charged outside.
Dozens of bandits waiting there rushed him.
"Hup!"
Drawing his saber back, he held his breath and unleashed Full Moon Overlord Saber in all directions save the inn.
Sickle-shaped sword strikes tore through the bandits like leaves in the wind.
Deung Yeom bit his lip, glancing between the fallen outside and the struggling inside.
'Th-this...!'
The situation was dire.
He'd scraped together the Mad Wind Bandits' elites, yet the escorts far exceeded expectations.
'I need to fall back.'
Defeat was inevitable. Deung Yeom slipped through his men toward the exit.
Just as he neared the shattered door...
"Where do you think you're going?"
Danri Hyang, leaning against the entrance, blocked his path.
Startled, Deung Yeom sized him up.
'Only this one's watching me.'
One guy's no problem—I can kill and break through.
He flicked needles from his sleeve—vicious poisoned darts that killed in ten seconds on contact.
Ting!
Danri Hyang deflected them effortlessly with his blade and closed in.
Desperate, Deung Yeom retreated, hurling daggers, but Danri Hyang batted them aside relentlessly.
Finally within reach.
Whoosh!
His thrust grazed Deung Yeom's throat, blade to the neck.
Deung Yeom froze.
'I... lost? To this guy?'
Trembling with rage, he smirked suddenly.
"You can't kill me."
"...What?"
"Kekeke! I'm the only one here who knows the Mad Wind Bandits' lair! You came to rescue hostages, right? Kill me, and you'll never find them. Can't do something that stupid!"
"……!"
Danri Hyang's eyes wavered.
If true, he couldn't kill him...
Step. Step.
Then Hyeok Mulin rose.
His heavy footsteps carried him straight to Deung Yeom.
Who flinched, then smirked triumphantly.
"You heard that, right? Let me go, and out of respect for your sincerity, I might tell you the—"
Slash.
"……!"
Squad members' eyes widened in shock.
Before Deung Yeom finished, Hyeok Mulin severed his head in one stroke.
As all fell silent in stunned disbelief, Hyeok Mulin wiped his mouth calmly.
"No need for him to talk."
I already know where the Mad Wind Bandits' lair is.