Chapter 143
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Chapter 29: Sweet Lips, Poison Heart [Honey Concealing a Bitter Gall] (3)
He stabbed her with a dagger without any warning.
He's still holding the bloodied dagger upright, ready to thrust it into any spot at any moment.
"Did you really have to stab me like that?"
Zhuge Soso muttered.
There were ears listening from all directions. That's why she'd tried to avoid speaking if possible... but the dagger had lodged in a strange spot. It pierced the Great Transverse acupoint, four inches and five cun horizontally from her navel, and no matter how she tried, she couldn't muster any strength.
Not only was it impossible to circulate her qi, even moving was a struggle.
The external wound wasn't severe. Blood had spurted out, but it had quickly been stanched.
For ordinary folk, getting stabbed by a blade would be a dire event, but for a martial artist, such a wound was just one of the commonplace risks. At least on the surface.
Inside, however, as already mentioned, it was excruciating.
Dizziness flooded the void left by her drained qi. Without energy, she wanted to collapse right then and there. Her qi had been sucked out so rapidly that her limbs trembled uncontrollably.
The internal effects were far worse than the visible gash.
What kind of intent drove that strike? It couldn't have been for show. It was believable enough to have been born of profound malice.
That's why she asked.
But Four Thousand Four, whom she'd expected to offer some excuse, uttered something utterly unforeseen.
"Lady Namso of Hanam's Supreme Division, Zhuge Soso. Quite the title."
"So?"
"To you all, I'm just a Demonic Heretic, a mere assassin. No tomorrow, no hope. Living day to day like a mayfly. A wretch like me could never aspire to a woman like you... but rape? That seemed possible."
"W-what did you say?!"
"..."
Shiiiii!
Four Thousand Four dashed through the forest at breakneck speed.
The Poison Artist Sima Hong had kept his word and held back his poisons. No Deathly Venom Palms, no Poison Mists bloomed.
"You're going to rape me?"
"When we reach this forest's edge, you'll have a brief window of time. I won't miss it."
"You!"
Zhuge Soso was so stunned she couldn't continue.
In that instant, her mind blanked, thoughts evaporating.
Rape? Such a word would never pass Four Thousand Four's lips, not even in death. She'd already thoroughly assessed his character. That's why, despite him being a Heavenly Annihilation Division assassin, she planned to use him as the core of the internal strife.
Four Thousand Four's views on murder were more rigorous than anyone's. Yet when it came to banditry, rape, assault, or other villainies, he was pristine, rivaling any upright gentleman.
He was not the type to say such things.
Yet his current appearance and actions suggested otherwise.
Four Thousand Four's heart pounded. His grip on her waist tightened, and ragged breaths echoed in her ears. Not from exertion, but from uncontainable excitement.
"L-let go."
Zhuge Soso felt a chill of danger instinctively.
"Huhu! A life where today means death and tomorrow the same. If I'm to die anyway, shouldn't I avoid becoming a virgin ghost? You, who bears the title Lady Namso, must know there's no escaping this. So let's make it easy."
"You, you!"
Zhuge Soso's mind went white.
"Poison Artist, open a path for Zhuge Myeong and Mian Xiaosal."
"Kekeke! Better to separate those fools."
"Poison Artist, I'll handle the thinking."
"Hah! Fine, fine. Just reunite them, eh?"
The Poison Artist pulled a green flute from his bosom and began to play.
Pi-ri-ri-ri, swi-ri-ri, pi-ri-ri...
The flute's sound spread deep into the forest.
Moments later, he lowered the flute and glanced at North Command.
"Soon, Deathly Venom Palm wielders will line up before him. Obvious as day. He'll halt for a bit—kekeke! Plenty of time for them to catch up. There, as promised."
Instead of replying, North Command stared at Four Thousand Four racing through the woods. Then he spoke.
"Let's kill that one."
"Huh? Who? Four Thousand Four?"
"Can't stomach a mangy mutt imitating a tiger anymore. Huhu! Rape, eh? A cur dreaming of devouring a phoenix—with bloodied paws, no less."
"Kekeke! Agreed. Never liked him anyway. Dead he goes. Kekeke!"
The Poison Artist cackled.
They had heard Four Thousand Four's words.
Zhuge Soso's went unheard, but his drilled into their ears.
He'd deliberately broadcast his intent.
At the forest's edge, he'd said, he'd torture her. When asked why, he claimed it personal. Now the purpose: rape Zhuge Soso, then do as they pleased.
He'd revealed it early, since they'd learn at the rendezvous anyway.
But North Command couldn't accept it.
Lady Namso was no woman for the likes of Four Thousand Four to touch. If she was human, he was a beast. If he was human, she was a goddess.
Raping Lady Namso equated to raping North Command.
Treating her lightly was treating him the same.
Lady Namso deserved respect.
Above all... North Command had read Four Thousand Four's venomous heart.
Four Thousand Four stabbed Zhuge Soso with the dagger to intimidate the Poison Artist. But hidden in that act was ruthless malice.
It looked like a mere slash, but it wasn't.
Zhuge Soso began to slump limply.
The blade entered the Great Transverse acupoint and surged to the Abdominal Grief point below the ribs. Thus, she lost all strength and sagged. Her qi scattered, unable to gather.
A concealed yin strike, invisible externally.
Four Thousand Four's use of a yin hand signaled his unyielding resolve.
So North Command adjusted the plan.
Kill Four Thousand Four, even if it marred Zhuge Soso slightly.
If she was to be scarred by him anyway, better by another means.
The Poison Artist pressed for confirmation.
"He's seething with killing intent now... To pry Lady Namso free in that state, won't he take a lethal thrust to heart, throat, or head? Four Thousand Four seems the type."
"Sword Sage, Dao Sage. I request a ambush. Strike the arms first."
"Understood."
A heavy voice echoed from the woods.
Ordering an ambush from paragons like Sword Sage and Dao Sage tarnished their honor. Yet they accepted gladly, knowing North Command's heart.
They too had heard Four Thousand Four.
He'd uttered bestial words calmly—not mere words, but acted on them. Did he think Sword Sage and Dao Sage missed the yin strike into the Great Transverse? That they'd only seen the surface wound?
They knew North Command's regard for Lady Namso.
North Command of Heavenly Annihilation Division opposed Lady Namso of the Five Great Clans.
They were destined for grand clash someday.
North Command struck first, targeting her. He didn't expect this trap—utterly inescapable—to fell her fatally. He believed she'd escape, yet dug it as a greeting to build rapport.
But Four Thousand Four dared mar her in that courtesy.
"Poison Artist, what is your proudest lethal poison?"
"Lethal poison? Kekeke! Nothing escaping my hands isn't lethal... but kekeke! Aye, there's one even I can't antidote. Kekeke!"
"Once Sword Sage and Dao Sage sever Four Thousand Four's arms..."
"Got it. Done."
Snap!
North Command raised his hand.
Swish swish swish!
No visible motion, but in the shadows, men moved. Sword Sage and Dao Sage mobilized, and moments ago, the Poison Artist had shot forward.
North Command impassively watched Four Thousand Four dash on.
"That bastard!"
"Hah!"
Zhuge Myeong and Mian Xiaosal scowled in unison.
They'd caught the qi-infused voice. Four Thousand Four's words, unbelievable even heard clearly.
Thwip!
Zhuge Myeong abandoned his men and bolted like an arrow.
Mian Xiaosal swiftly followed. Though rear guard, he now matched Zhuge Myeong shoulder-to-shoulder.
"Block the front. I'll take the rear."
"He's got a blade to Soso's throat..."
"Huhu! Nonsense from the start. Who trusts an assassin's 'trust me'? Their true nature's always been that."
"Settle scores later."
"Block the front, brother. Divert his attention elsewhere if possible."
Four Thousand Four wouldn't spare a glance aside. Undeniable. With the dagger at Zhuge Soso's throat, he'd focus solely on it. No distractions.
That was the issue. His assassin prowess made even ambush daunting.
Attacking Four Thousand Four wasn't hard. Subduing him possible. But blocking his counterstroke? No safe way to rescue Zhuge Soso.
Yet knowing his lechery, they couldn't idly watch.
Shiiiii!
They raced with all their might, no clever plan in hand.
"Fell for you the moment I saw you... but you're no woman for scum like me. Still true. Can't claim you honorably."
Four Thousand Four's deferential speech turned coarse.
"Shut that trap? Stinks."
Zhuge Soso's tone shifted too.
She'd accorded him some respect as an assassin; now utter disdain.
His lust was genuine, his true heart. It oozed from every action and word, felt deepest by its target, Zhuge Soso.
"Once I have you? I've got escape covered. Still trust me? Come along. Pursuit'll be fierce, but your wits and my killer instincts? Child's play."
"Please, just stop talking. The stench is killing me."
"Huhu!"
"Don't laugh. Reeks."
"That reek? Yours to savor from now on."
Four Thousand Four halted.
Zhuge Soso snapped alert, scanning around.
The forest was thinning. About ten-odd zhang from its end. Here, he'd meet the Poison Artist, take the antidote, hand her over. After a half shichen of torture, of course.
Four Thousand Four pressed the dagger tight to Zhuge Soso's throat. Then spoke to the air.
"I am Four Thousand Four."
"So? Think you're special?!"
Zhuge Myeong appeared, blocking the path.
Four Thousand Four used Zhuge Soso as shield, slowly pivoting a full circle in place.
"Dao Sage, Sword Sage, Mian Xiaosal. Hu! Impressive teamwork. Ah, forgot Poison Artist? This lineup'd pin me dead."
"I'll clear your path. Release Soso."
Zhuge Myeong glared fiercely.
"Huhu! Can't even save yourself, yet offering passage? Forgot North Command eyes only Lady Namso. Rest are trash to sweep."
"I'll clear path. Block the rear too."
Zhuge Myeong spoke calmly.
But Four Thousand Four shook his head dismissively.
"I'm resolved to die, no need for mercy paths... Poison Artist! Time for my half shichen torture! All retreat ten zhang, or..."
Stab!
The dagger pierced Zhuge Soso's throat.
Drip drip!
Thin rivulets of blood trickled.
Four Thousand Four declared.
"Decide!"