Chapter 177
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Unbelievable (1)
The Iron Ball Grandpa's armory had every weapon under the sun. It was a complete collection of all weapons used in the martial world of the Central Plains today—from swords and blades to spears and all sorts of hidden weapons.
"Too heavy..."
He picked up a dagger and set it back down.
"Too wide."
He set the short sword aside as well.
He was searching for a weapon suited to Shadowless Flight, but nothing felt right in his hand.
"This one's got too much whoosh..."
He picked up a cross dart and put it back.
The cross dart was sharp and keen, but that very edge would only betray Shadowless Flight, announcing its presence.
It had to flow silently.
Even when deflecting hidden weapons, the enemy shouldn't sense a thing.
There was another way.
If it was fast enough to surpass all sound and sensation, that too would be Shadowless Flight.
A thwip! was fine. But that sound had to come after the weapon had already pierced its target. A thunk! was good too. Yet even that had to echo out only after the weapon had passed through, after the deed was done.
To face off against Crimson Moon or Mia, it needed that kind of speed.
In short, he needed a Shadowless Flight that couldn't be blocked even if known in advance. Or one so delayed that the enemy only realized it after everything was over.
No weapon in the armory could produce that level of stealth or speed.
'I didn't have high hopes anyway...'
Four Thousand Four chuckled softly.
He hadn't expected to find the perfect fit in Iron Ball Grandpa's armory. But he had hoped handling various weapons might spark some inspiration.
He planned to craft his own.
A weapon for Shadowless Flight... Bamboo would do, iron would do. As long as it could achieve the stealth and speed he desired, he'd make it from anything.
But nothing came to mind.
Surveying the armory wasn't a waste, but he hadn't found anything worth taking.
Then, from the far side of the armory... voices murmuring beyond the wall drifted in.
Fox had arrived.
Iron Ball Grandpa had said he'd feed her and send her in, and sure enough, here she was.
Four Thousand Four started to leave indifferently. But then... he stopped dead.
"Chasing that bastard around is gonna get me killed before my time."
"I know."
"You know, and you still chase him?"
"I can't help it anymore. It feels so empty without him by my side."
"Just one question. What's so great about Four Thousand Four?"
"How do I even put it? Everything."
"Something happen between you two? Did you sleep together or...?"
"Eek! What are you saying? Nothing happened!"
"No need to freak out if there's nothing to hide. Doesn't he know you're a girl?"
Fox panicked and hurriedly pressed a finger to her lips. Quiet.
Iron Ball Grandpa looked at her with pity.
"Tsk tsk! From that reaction, he still doesn't know. You're smart, but such a fool sometimes. Don't worry. No matter how sharp their ears, they won't hear us in here."
Only then did Fox exhale in slight relief.
"That guy's head over heels for some Zhuge fox lady, right? You know that?"
"I know."
"You know and still chase him? No pride?"
"Hoho! Guess not."
Iron Ball Grandpa offered her noodles seasoned with anchovy broth.
"Eat up. Fill your belly first. Love games or life-and-death matters, you gotta eat first."
"Crimson Moon's nearby."
"So?"
"...?"
"I didn't do anything wrong. The ones cozying up to the head office? That's them, not me. Got nothing to do with me, Crimson Moon, or Heavenly Commander. So just eat."
'Fox!'
Four Thousand Four frowned.
Iron Ball Grandpa knew he was in the armory. He knew Four Thousand Four's hearing could easily pick up their words.
Yet he had this conversation anyway... as a courtesy, to let him know.
A courtesy to Four Thousand Four, and to Fox, who couldn't voice her feelings.
Still, the shock that Fox was a woman was immense.
He'd seen her as a cute little sister... but a woman... She'd already given him the dormant Fire Lin and Fire Thunder, no strings attached. Just survive, she'd said.
Was that favor born of affection too?
Four Thousand Four smacked his forehead.
Now that he thought about it, it all made sense. Memories flashed by like a lantern show—every action she'd taken in detail.
They'd never slept together, never bathed together, and even in crowds, she'd never relieved herself... No, no need to think of that. Her skin was too soft for a man, her eye smiles, her white even teeth... How had he not realized she was a woman?
It was because they'd been in Nineteen Hells together.
A woman disguised in a prison of only men—her disguise must have been masterful.
That's all he could say now.
'You were a woman all this time. Whew.'
Four Thousand Four let out a deep sigh.
They couldn't travel together anyway. She was bound by head office orders.
One meal... after one meal, she'd leave.
"Ha! Vanguard, you come and don't even say hi? I'm hurt."
Fox approached with a bright smile.
"I was gonna ask about you anyway. What's your deal with Blue Flame?"
"Ha! That herb's got me in real trouble."
Fox scratched her head.
Vanguard's gaze hardened as he pressed on.
"You can make Fire Lin and Fire Thunder. Thought you might be tied to Wall Thunder Gate. Even wondered if you were Phantom Throw's heir. But Twin Demon Siblings?"
"Vanguard, can't we just drop it?"
"Hard to talk about?"
"For now... You'll find out someday, but it's awkward for me to say."
"Hmph! Fine then."
"Jaja?"
Hanbi jumped in right after Vanguard finished.
Asking if Jaja came too.
Fox shook her head.
"Jaja senior... Whew! Hard to say. Jaja senior's likely becoming Straw Boss Leader. She'll pick a couple from Martial Camp, three or four from Nineteen Hells."
"I see. She's taking that path after all. Good for her. Real good. Heh heh!"
Hanbi laughed awkwardly.
Jaja as Straw Boss Leader meant his ties with her were severed for good.
The martial world was vast, but narrow for assassins. Still, Straw Bosses rarely crossed paths—only on joint missions with two or three, maybe four. And Vanguard wasn't even a Straw Boss anymore.
They might meet as enemies someday... but never as friends again.
Fox sidled up to Four Thousand Four and tapped his shoulder.
"Hey! Long time no see. Missed me?"
Four Thousand Four just smirked.
"You show no emotion. Just say you like it or not. Being so stone-faced means no girl's gonna like you."
"Fox."
"What? Don't play cool. Stone-faced and cool is the worst."
"Good to see you. Really."
"Huh? Ha! Did that come from Four Thousand Four? I didn't mishear? Say it again. You said good to see you?"
"Yeah, good to see you. Haha! Think that'll get me a girl now?"
"Something's off. Change is good, but too much is bad. Oh! Vanguard, mind if I tag along?"
The three men's eyes snapped to Fox.
"I know what you're worried about."
"Then you know. Our paths have diverged..."
"Someone told me not to worry about head office. Said I can move freely from here."
Their gazes intensified.
"Who gave that permission...?"
"Met Crimson Moon. She pulled me from Thunder Prison and let me go. So it's really fine."
"If you say so, then tagging along's okay. Head office issue's yours to solve anyway."
"Hahaha! Knew you'd say that, Vanguard. Hahaha!"
Fox laughed in a manly way.
The next day, Fox got busy.
She set up in a quiet spot and dove into herb refining. No—into making Fire Lin and Fire Thunder.
What she crafted wasn't ordinary gunpowder. A fingernail-sized bit could bring down a house.
"So many folks my martial arts can't even graze. Damn world, why so many experts?"
She grumbled, but everyone knew it was for Four Thousand Four.
He didn't wait long.
Just three days into staying in Iron Ball Grandpa's underground chamber, a missive arrived from head office.
Thud!
Iron Ball Grandpa tossed the missive to Vanguard as usual.
"Really... head office assigning us an assassination?"
"Why ask me? Open it and see."
"Hmph!"
Vanguard grunted and unsealed it.
"Mm!"
His grunt turned grave upon reading.
The missive was blank. Not a drop of ink, just empty paper.
This wasn't a normal order.
Not the usual assassination for Straw Boss Leaders. This was a special command beyond even their reach.
Head office had a group for such tasks.
Called Ghostfall... Their martial arts were said to be invincible. Any one stepping into the martial world could claim fame as sword ghosts.
They handled special commands.
"Know how to decode this?"
Vanguard showed Iron Ball Grandpa the blank paper.
Iron Ball Grandpa pointed to a small jar instead of answering.
"Dip it in there and pull it out. Letters'll appear."
"Ah, got it."
Vanguard took the missive to the jar.
Clear water sloshed inside. No smell, like plain water. But of course it wasn't.
"These come often?" Vanguard asked, dipping it in.
"No, first time."
"Then how'd you...?"
"I know the method. Always have the reagent ready. Never thought I'd open that jar. Looks like head office plans to use you lot hard. Honestly... non-assassins playing assassin, head office ordering defected Straw Bosses... Sheesh! This old man's clueless."
"Same here."
Vanguard pulled out the soaked missive. Eyes on it,
"Gasp!"
Not a grunt—a cry of alarm.
"What does it say...?"
Iron Ball Grandpa half-rose, then sat back.
Vanguard raised a hand. Stay back. He even turned away to hide the contents from prying eyes.
"Th-this... absurd..."
What could make Vanguard so shocked?
Iron Ball Grandpa didn't ask.
Maybe it was natural. The double-secured missive's arrival had already sparked the shock.
Iron Ball Grandpa's face darkened.
'If it shocks you that much... Vanguard, looks like your luck's run out. Whew.'