Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Take It as a Given.
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The vice captain of the Dragon Subjugation Squad, Wi Sajun, was leading exactly half of the squad's members down a mountain path in Hunan Province.
"From here on, it's a fork in the road, so take half the men and go that way."
That was the order from the captain just moments ago at the fork, splitting them into two groups.
The Dragon Subjugation Squad he belonged to had come here on orders from the Murim Alliance to wipe out the brutal unorthodox bandits plaguing Hunan Province.
Bandit subjugation.
It was one of the easiest missions the squad ever took on.
But...
"Ugh..."
"Vice Captain, please slow down. We're worried your wound might reopen."
"...Got it."
He was the second strongest in the squad after the captain, yet incredibly, he'd taken a deep gash from just a single bandit.
No... could you even call that guy just a bandit?
Wi Sajun recalled the movements of the bandit he'd clashed with earlier.
At first, he seemed no different from the other bandits, but the moment their blades met, he knew. The guy had a substantial amount of internal energy in his body.
And that swordsmanship. It was no ordinary style.
The movements looked flashy and full of openings, but when you tried to exploit them, his blade was already piercing your vital points.
In that free-flowing, fluid swordplay, Wi Sajun had his side sliced open. Only after his subordinates rushed in were they able to subdue the man.
"If my men hadn't helped, what would the outcome have been?"
Wi Sajun simulated the duel in his mind.
And the result...
"I would've lost..."
It was his defeat.
The thought that he'd lose in a fair fight left a bitter taste. Was that why?
"Ugh..."
Blood welled up from his side, bringing even sharper pain.
Seeing this, one of his subordinates cried out in alarm.
"V-Vice Captain! Halt! Everyone, halt!"
"No... I'm fine..."
This is nothing. It was just a momentary lapse in judgment. He tried to say as much, but the group had already stopped.
The subordinate who'd called the halt examined Wi Sajun's wound closely and spoke.
"Whew... It's not spurting too badly. Let me change the bandage. Rest a bit before we go."
"...Yeah, thanks."
Time was tight, but they decided to take a short break. As the subordinate rebandaged him, he asked,
"Does it hurt a lot, sir?"
"It's fine."
"That's a relief. This path is so flat, there's no risk of the wound reopening from rough movement."
"......"
Wi Sajun had no choice but to nod at his subordinate's words. In truth, he'd never seen such a flat, easy mountain path.
"From the intel we gathered beforehand, this road was paved, making life much safer for merchants."
"......"
The subordinate glanced around before whispering the rest.
"...Vice Captain. Is it right for us to subjugate these people? And that guy the captain killed earlier... he was a civilian..."
"Stop... just stop..."
Wi Sajun waved him off, cutting off what came next. He knew exactly what the man wanted to say.
Just before, at the second outpost along the path...
There had been a few bandits posing as guides.
Captain Dokgo Young had cut them down in a single stroke, even though they were unarmed. That much was understandable.
But...
"...Captain."
"What's up, Vice Captain?"
"Those bandits we just killed, fine. But those over there are merchants. How can you point your sword at civilians..."
"Hmm... Vice Captain. Do they look like merchants to you?"
"W-Well, then..."
"They look like the same unorthodox scum to me."
Wi Sajun recalled the scene that followed and grimaced.
The merchants, clueless as their vital points were slashed. And... Dokgo Young, smirking as if he enjoyed the sight.
Truth be told, Wi Sajun had known Dokgo Young's true nature for a long time. Even so... he couldn't tell a soul.
His family was a vassal clan to the Dokgo Clan.
If even one of his minor actions offended the Dokgo Clan... it could spell the end for his entire house.
And it wasn't just him.
Every member of the Dragon Subjugation Squad was directly or indirectly tied to the Dokgo Clan.
That's why Wi Sajun had no choice but to tell his subordinate,
"Forget everything you saw back there."
"......"
He knew it was cowardly...
"The ones the captain killed were just more unorthodox scum."
...but he had no choice. He had to survive too.
"...Yes, sir."
Understanding Wi Sajun's intent, the subordinate nodded gravely.
Seeing his subordinate bend to reality and look away weighed heavy on Wi Sajun's heart. To shake off the stray thoughts, he decided to get moving.
"Alright, we've rested enough. Let's head out."
To subjugate all the mountain paths spanning Hunan Province, they had to hurry. At Wi Sajun's command, the men rose without complaint.
Just as they were about to set off again...
"Huh...?"
His senses picked up someone approaching.
Likely an enemy, but just one person coming their way.
"...Everyone, watch the rear."
Wi Sajun ordered his men, then turned around.
Sure enough, someone soon appeared. He wore martial robes, and his strikingly handsome face stood out first.
He approached slowly, unperturbed even after spotting the dozens of warriors. Wi Sajun demanded his identity, but...
"Who the hell are you?!"
"......"
...the man just stared silently at the squad. Then...
"It's you guys, right?"
...he asked in a flat, emotionless tone, as if checking in.
The vague question—"It's you guys, right?"—but everyone understood. The moment the man reached for his sword, Wi Sajun shouted.
"Everyone, draw your—"
No, he tried to shout.
But...
Slash—!
"......!"
...he couldn't finish at the sight before him.
'What just happened...?'
Just one swing. A single draw of the blade.
Yet in that single motion...
"......"
...the four men at the front were hit.
Not their necks severed. It was as if... a divine beast had swatted them with its massive paw—their upper bodies were flung clean off.
"......"
As everyone's minds froze at the impossible scene, Wi Sajun snapped to first.
"...Everyone, draw your swords! Form up and surround—"
They'd already lost four men.
Even in formation, gaps would form from the missing spots, so preventing further losses was key.
But...
Step.
Slash—!
With each step and swing from the man,
his subordinates died without even a chance to scream.
"Hah..."
Wi Sajun watched, breathless for a moment.
How overwhelming. What could a rabbit do before a tiger's maw?
Nothing but close its eyes and pray for a painless end.
Seeing his men shredded by the blade wind, Wi Sajun felt the urge to duck low and curl up on the ground.
But...
'No...'
...he wasn't in a position to run. He had to fulfill his duty to the men still alive.
Like an egg against a rock, he had to throw himself in.
So deciding, he hefted his leaden arm like a stone and swung at the man. Seeing this...
Slash—!!
...the man swung back.
'Ah...'
Wi Sajun sensed his end. His heart ached at the chill, but he had no regrets.
He'd done his duty, after all.
But...
"......"
...the expected pain never came.
Puzzled, he opened his eyes and...
"Ah..."
...saw his remaining subordinates collapsed behind him. The man's blade energy had passed him by, slicing them all instead.
Before he could grieve, the man slammed Wi Sajun's face into the dirt. Then came a flat voice.
"Name. Affiliation."
"M-Murim Alliance Subjugation Force, Dragon Subjugation Squad Vice Captain Wi Sajun...!"
He answered reflexively, no time to think.
No shame in spilling everything to the enemy who'd slaughtered his men. Only terror ruled him now.
"Your other group's strength."
"Five li ahead at the fork, the captain and twenty men went right..."
"Bang Sam... I mean, the guy blocking your path at the entrance. What happened to him?"
"W-We subdued and bound him for guiding, then took him along. The captain probably has him now."
"I see... so that's how it is."
Having gotten all he wanted, the man raised his hand again. Wi Sajun squeezed his eyes shut.
That's when.
"Ugh..."
"......!"
A faint groan reached Wi Sajun's ears. He whipped his head around wildly, scanning like a madman.
And...
"Ah..."
...he saw one of his subordinates still clinging to life, twitching.
Wi Sajun pleaded desperately to the man.
"...Sir Hero! Please spare him...! I'm fine—! At least save my subordinate! He'll bleed out like this...! Please...!"
"......"
"We were wrong...! I beg you! I can't presume to guess the depths of your rage, but please show mercy."
The man looked down at the pleading Wi Sajun, then slowly spoke.
"You're misunderstanding. I'm not angry right now."
"...Pardon?"
"Sure, I'm pissed off as hell, but I'm not mad at you guys specifically. Murim Alliance warriors subjugating bandits... that's just natural."
"Then..."
"Exactly."
In that moment, Wi Sajun met the man's eyes.
'Ah.'
It would've been better if they burned with malice.
The man's gaze was utterly indifferent, like Yama pronouncing hell's verdict on a mortal.
"Take it as a given that you die by my hand now."
Thud.
Those were the last words Wi Sajun heard before death. And... an abyss-deep darkness he'd never forget, even in the afterlife.