Chapter 132
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Chapter 132
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Ahh... (I Love?) [I Love You] (2)
Four Thousand Four maneuvered the boat exactly as shown on the sea chart.
Using the reefs as screens, he moved in silence.
Muffling even the sound of the oars.
As Four Thousand Four rowed, he asked,
"Who guards this place?"
"You really don't listen, huh? We're about the same age—let's just talk casually."
"This feels more comfortable to me."
"Then do whatever you want."
"..."
"Have you heard of the Asura Bloodfish?"
"First I've heard of them."
Four Thousand Four shook his head.
But the others aboard turned pale at the words "Asura Bloodfish."
Fox was trembling violently in particular.
That had to mean he knew more about the Asura Bloodfish than anyone else in the group.
Fox let out a deep sigh and spoke in Miansosal's stead.
"The Asura Bloodfish swim in massive schools of over a thousand. Their teeth are like steel—they can chew through iron. A rickety wooden boat like this? They'd rip the bottom out in seconds. If those things are around here, we're dead meat."
Fox shuddered once more after he finished speaking.
Miansosal sprawled out along the gunwale and said,
"Don't worry too much. Just steer the boat exactly as the chart shows, and they won't appear."
Only then did Four Thousand Four finally understand what the chart was conveying.
The twisting, winding path for the boat wasn't just about using the reefs for cover.
It was the only way to steer clear of becoming Asura Bloodfish bait.
A kind of safe passage, in other words.
The Lesser Isle was armed to the teeth with formidable mechanisms and formations.
An impregnable fortress, truly.
Yet if the formation diagram leaked out, it could be breached in the blink of an eye.
Four Thousand Four provided the perfect example.
Or rather, Zhuge Soso did.
No one barred their path.
Land began to appear in the distance.
Amid the vast ocean-like expanse of water, solid ground finally emerged.
"Where do you plan to go?"
Vanguard said, eyeing the land.
"Who knows."
"Seems like you're thinking of tracking down your hostage-keeper."
"Probably."
"We can't go."
"Aren't you curious whether the main division is really honoring the deal? My hostage was my master's life—the man as close to me as my own grandfather. If I played nice, they'd let him live."
"I have no interest in someone else's hostage."
"I didn't know this, but the world calls him the Green Killer. I only found out after meeting the Warden."
Heavy silence washed over them once more at Four Thousand Four's words.
"How could this..."
Fox muttered, staring at Four Thousand Four as if he couldn't believe it.
Jaja's lips twitched as though she wanted to say something.
But no words escaped.
Vanguard and Hanbi glared at Four Thousand Four with bulging eyes.
The only one not surprised was Miansosal.
He had likely known Four Thousand Four's background all along.
"When did you find out?"
Vanguard asked Miansosal.
"Does it matter? Truth is, I didn't know until recently myself. Heh heh! I figured he wasn't ordinary, but the disciple of the legendary mass murderer Green Killer? Never saw that coming."
Four Thousand Four followed up.
"Seems Zhuge Soso of the Zhuge clan saved this pathetic life for that very reason. Figuring there'd be value in using the Green Killer's disciple. Honestly, it makes no sense to throw a top expert into mortal danger just to rescue one assassin."
This meant even Zhuge Soso had learned of Four Thousand Four's identity late.
Everyone had been completely in the dark until the Shadowless Needle appeared.
The instant Four Thousand Four used it, he transformed from a mere Nineteen Hells inmate into a figure of importance.
And one more thing had become crystal clear.
The murders Four Thousand Four committed were no accidents.
No exaggerations or rumors.
The rumors might not even scratch the surface of the truth.
A man like Four Thousand Four had likely killed far more people than the tales claimed.
They simply hadn't come to light.
Both the Green Killer and Four Thousand Four were genuine monsters.
Not that any figure worthy of Nineteen Hells was ever normal to begin with.
"I'm heading to the Heavenly Annihilation Division's main base. I want to see my master and make sure he's safe. One more thing... my master isn't imprisoned because of me. He's trapped the same way I was—by his own hostage. A double shackle, you see. So naturally, I have to go to the main base."
"Do you know where the main base is?"
"She promised to tell me."
"Zhuge Soso?"
Four Thousand Four nodded.
If she was thorough enough to extract him from the Lesser Isle's mechanisms, it was believable that she knew the Heavenly Annihilation Division main base's location too.
Four Thousand Four was going to the Heavenly Annihilation Division.
Countless interests tangled around this.
But Four Thousand Four was going solely for the Green Killer.
"Heh heh! We don't have any other choices anyway, do we?"
Hanbi said to Vanguard with a self-deprecating tone.
Indeed.
Vanguard, Hanbi, Jaja, and Fox had lost their freedom.
They could escape, but the odds were high they'd be dragged back to the Lesser Isle.
No—they'd be summarily executed this time.
Being taken by Four Thousand Four at least kept their hostages safe.
Even at the Heavenly Annihilation Division main base, they'd accept punishment willingly if it was Four Thousand Four dragging them in.
Thus, their hostages would be spared.
Being taken along was their only option.
Besides, Miansosal was with them.
A supreme expert counted among the top five in the Central Plains martial world.
Vanguard and the others had tried attacking him together but crumpled without lasting even one exchange.
With a master like that along for the ride, escape wasn't even a thought.
"There is one other choice."
Shing!
Vanguard drew his sword.
There was no intent to fight.
No spark of battle spirit or killing intent rose from him.
Vanguard gripped the sword in reverse, pointing it at his own throat.
In that instant,
Clang!
A sharp metallic ring echoed as Vanguard's longsword was shoved aside.
The Shadowless Needle had struck.
What Four Thousand Four had hurled was a splinter of the wooden oar.
Yet it exerted monstrous force, shoving the power-infused blade a full foot off course.
Four Thousand Four said,
"Death isn't in any rush. Dying right at the main base's doorstep is no different from dying now. So... at least take a look around the main base before offing yourself."
"Ha ha! Ha ha ha!"
Vanguard laughed bitterly.
Four Thousand Four had spotted one woman even before the boat reached shore.
The woman who set his heart pounding, cold sweat beading on his skin, and his mouth parched dry.
Of course, she remained utterly oblivious to it all.
Zhuge Soso!
Their relationship allowed no exchange of warm words.
No—that wasn't right.
He had tried to assassinate her father.
She had captured him, slapped a seal on him, and now actively exploited him.
They could never be close.
And yet he harbored no hatred for her.
His heart raced from the moment her figure appeared as a mere speck on the horizon.
"Zhuge Soso coming in person means she plans to squeeze every last drop out of us. Ah! We're all dead men. Die here, die there—death's noose wrapped layer upon layer. Ha!"
Fox said, furrowing his brow.
But Fox's lament was drowned out by Miansosal's shout.
He too had seen Zhuge Soso from afar, before the boat even touched land.
While Four Thousand Four rowed, Miansosal had waved to her, even called out.
He seemed genuinely delighted.
"Soso! Spot on, just like you said! Those guys didn't stray an inch from your plan. Ha ha ha! I figured the Lesser Isle had to have some hidden ace up its sleeve. Ha ha ha!"
"The riverside wind is chilly—why are you out here? Go inside and have some hot tea!"
"Soso! Brought some extra baggage this time—if it's a hassle, I'll just dump 'em in the river! Mind if I bring these guys along? Ha ha ha!"
Miansosal had a lot to say.
He wasn't usually this talkative...
But in front of Zhuge Soso, even he got excited.
He was the man officially betrothed to her.
Having received the marriage pledge from the Zhuge clan head, he supported Zhuge Soso with full backing.
Back when Vanguard and Four Thousand Four were fleeing the Zhuge clan's pursuit, he hadn't shown this level of intimacy...
Now he was playing the doting fiancé to the hilt.
Where did Miansosal's overflowing confidence come from?
Zhuge Soso had entrusted him with an even heavier burden.
In exchange, she had formalized the betrothal.
Whatever it was, it left a bruise on Four Thousand Four's heart.
He envied Miansosal.
Resented him.
And felt bitter at himself for stewing alone like this.
Zhuge Soso—hadn't she been unattainable from the very beginning?
Thud!
The boat scraped loudly against the shore.
Whoosh!
Miansosal was first to launch himself ashore in a blur of motion.
Then he dashed straight to Zhuge Soso and cupped his hands before her with a beaming smile.
"Been well?"
"No major troubles?"
"That damned Gu Bi Soulsealing Formation or Ang Ang Thunderclap Formation or whatever... Whew! Nearly bit the dust."
Miansosal laid it on thick.
He had operated the mechanisms with practiced ease, without a moment's hesitation.
Yet before Zhuge Soso, he played it up like he'd brushed death.
"You've worked hard."
Zhuge Soso bowed her head politely.
"Ah, it wasn't for the thanks... Ha ha! If it helped with what you're doing, that's reward enough. Ha ha ha!"
Zhuge Soso passed by Miansosal, who couldn't stop laughing and chattering away, and stood before Vanguard.
"Didn't expect you to come along."
"Nor did I."
"I'm sending Four Thousand Four to the main base. You okay with that?"
"Ha ha! Feels strange hearing about our own main base from an outsider. We don't even know where it is ourselves, but you seem to know it well."
"Someone told me."
"The main base's location is a top secret even Beggars' Clan and Haomen can't pin down, and yet you found it."
"Figured it might be tough for you to tag along. Shall we prepare lodgings at the Zhuge clan?"
"No need. No bad blood with that guy, so we'll head there together."
"Very well. Suit yourself."
Zhuge Soso dipped her head slightly to Vanguard.
Zhuge Soso stood before Four Thousand Four.
Waiting maids scurried over at once and spread a mat along the lakeside.
"Sit."
Zhuge Soso sat first.
The maids who laid the mat also set down a small lacquered table, piling it high with documents.
"This is the map to the Heavenly Annihilation Division main base."
Before Four Thousand Four could even sit, Zhuge Soso slid over a yellowed sheet of parchment.
"This is the breakdown of the mechanisms and formations laid around the Heavenly Annihilation Division. Their defenses dwarf the Lesser Isle's. Deviate one step from this chart, and assume you're dead."
As Four Thousand Four took his seat, Zhuge Soso placed a white envelope atop the yellowed parchment.
"This has the passcodes for the Heavenly Annihilation Division guards. They change daily, so memorize the one for your arrival date. Botch the response... you get it."
As Four Thousand Four picked up the white envelope and yellow parchment, Zhuge Soso added a yellow envelope atop his hand.
"Once inside, there are five more formations. The twist: each one is patrolled by ferocious beasts instead of men. This is the formation breakdown. How you deal with the beasts is up to you."
Zhuge Soso held out a black envelope.
"Past the formations, you'll run into the defense unit called the Ho-Ho Troop. No unauthorized intruders have ever made it that far—no one's even researched how to get past them. That's on you too. This is a list of the Ho-Ho Troop's members, but it's not complete. We've only identified three or four out of ten."
This time, it was a red envelope.
By now, Four Thousand Four didn't even think to reach for it.
He simply listened to her voice, eyes fixed on the proffered envelopes.
No... on Zhuge Soso's ceaselessly moving red lips.
Pretty.
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