Chapter 203
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 203
Chapter Title: The Dead (3)
“We have to go after Mian Sosal.”
Vanguard declared their death sentence.
To them, Mian Sosal was no different from a grim reaper. He was an unshakable ally when on their side, but as an enemy, there could hardly be a more vicious foe.
“The three of us?”
Hanbi asked.
“That’s right. The three of us.”
“Heh heh heh! That’s as good as telling us to die.”
“Hanbi.”
Vanguard fixed Hanbi with a calm gaze.
Hanbi stared back indifferently, meeting those eyes. They were utterly serene.
“Hmph! Scared, huh? What’re you trying to say?”
“Jaja’s dead.”
“……”
For a moment, Hanbi’s eyebrow twitched.
They had once been family, but Four Thousand Four had split them apart.
Those who betrayed the Heavenly Annihilation Division alongside him, and those held back by the edict of mourning.
That rift back then had become eternal.
“Who…… got her?”
Hanbi asked quietly.
“The Blue Wolf Sect Leader.”
“Blue Wolf Sect? Was there even a sect like that?”
“Apparently there was. Must’ve let their guard down.”
“No. It wasn’t carelessness. The Blue Wolf Sect Leader…… he’s an incredible master. On par with the heads of the Five Great Families.”
Fox spoke up before Vanguard could finish.
Fox’s face was expressionless. The mirth had vanished, leaving only a chill aura.
“You seem to know a lot about the Blue Wolf Sect Leader.”
Hanbi smirked.
“That’s because I’m the Fox of Bireung Mountain. To live up to that name, you’ve gotta be on top of all the murim intel.”
The conversation ended there.
Normally, they’d chatter about who the Blue Wolf Sect Leader was, how strong he might be, and so on. But now…… they’d lost interest. No reason to ever cross paths with him, or even want to.
Jaja had died at the hands of someone worthy of killing her. That was some small comfort.
Anyway, she was gone. Just like Four Thousand Four. And soon, they would be too.
“If you want out, get out.”
Vanguard said to Fox.
“Pfft! You think you can just bail whenever you feel like it? Sure, I’ve rebelled a time or two on a whim…… but I’m bound by the edict too. Heh heh!”
Fox laughed bitterly.
“Alright, then. Shall we focus on Mian Sosal? We’ve gotta take him down somehow.”
“Even Four Thousand Four might struggle.”
Fox muttered.
“You take Mian Sosal. If you can manage that.”
Vanguard looked at Fox as he said it.
He was talking about a head-on fight. Even knowing they were several levels below.
Nod! Nod!
Fox answered with a nod.
“You and I are the ambush squad. We’ll probably all get wiped out anyway, but what can we do? We’ll fight till we can’t.”
“I don’t mind dying.”
“Heh heh heh!”
Hanbi responded to Fox’s words with laughter.
They had all lost the will to live.
Jaja, you really went and did it.
Hanbi gazed up at the night sky.
The moon showed only half its face. On any other night, a half-moon would’ve been fine, but not tonight.
Jaja had liked Fox.
Who’d have thought she’d fall for a guy as sleek as him…… Maybe because she was so strong herself, she was drawn to someone who seemed a bit softer.
Either way, she’d never said a word about it.
She’d kept it buried in her heart…… Waking up each morning to see his face, moving together, smelling his scent right beside her—that was enough. Nothing more to wish for.
How pathetic was that?
Jaja, I really liked you.
Hanbi gave a wry smile at the half-moon.
He’d be joining her soon…… What would she say when they met in the afterlife? You made it this far? Or just her usual deadpan You’re here?
I’ll be there soon.
Hanbi truly wasn’t afraid of death.
Kept saying you’d live. That you’d survive.
Fox lay awake through the long night, thinking of Four Thousand Four.
Another woman was planted in his heart. She knew that, yet she still loved him. If asked why, she had no good answer…… She just did.
How could Four Thousand Four beat Old Bones?
He hadn’t even unleashed his secret weapon before falling. Old Bones was the real deal.
I’ll be there soon. No other women there…… If you’re still thinking of someone else, I won’t stand for it this time!
Fox laughed.
Death didn’t scare her. If anything, she looked forward to it.
Good thing their opponent was Mian Sosal. No way they’d survive.
What…… do I do with these guys?
Vanguard’s night deepened. So did his worries.
He wanted to save Hanbi and Fox somehow…… He couldn’t just throw them to Mian Sosal.
Assassins like them were destined to die as wanderers, far from home.
Dying in bed didn’t suit them. It was luxury beyond their station.
No way to save them.
No way to pull them from this mission, and even if he did, another death sentence would come soon after. Just like this one—nothing but death in the cards.
The Heavenly Annihilation Division planned to discard the Seventeen Assassins.
If death’s the only end, then die we shall. Dying together’s not a bad way.
No matter how deeply he pondered, there was no path to save them. They were too precious to shove into death’s jaws, but he was helpless.
Swish! Thud!
An arrow flew from somewhere and embedded in the ground. Barely a pace from where Vanguard lay.
Aimed at Vanguard?
He didn’t even glance at it from his prone position.
“Those bastards are really hounding us.”
Hanbi called out.
“Ignore it. They won’t die if we don’t.”
Vanguard replied indifferently.
The arrow bore a scroll. Likely a dispatch detailing Mian Sosal’s movements.
A prod to hurry up and die.
Any other time, he’d snatch it for the intel…… But he knew the Heavenly Annihilation Division’s intent. No need to rush.
Yet Fox had already crept over and yanked the arrow free.
“Tch!”
Vanguard clicked his tongue.
Ignoring him, Fox unfurled the scroll and read it by moonlight.
“Mian Sosal’s holed up in Huapo. Looks like he had a few drinks and crashed. If we leave now, we’ll run into him by dawn tomorrow…… Vanguard, can’t sleep? Let’s go.”
“I’m sleepy. Dying for some shut-eye.”
“You can sleep like a rock tomorrow.”
“Ugh! Damn it, damn it!”
“No sleep coming, weather’s nice and cool, moon’s bright. Everything’s perfect—what’s the holdup?”
“Fine, let’s go!”
Vanguard shot to his feet.
There are right and wrong ways to die.
Excessive bleeding is bad. A slashed heart is worse. Severed head? Worst of all.
No method can revive those.
But in swordfights, those are the most common deaths. Especially split hearts, livers, lungs. Or throats.
Even White-Clad Horse Physician couldn’t save them.
So if you’re gonna die, die properly. Instant death is a hassle; a mortal wound with a sliver of life is ideal…… But you don’t get to choose.
Here’s hoping for a clean end……
“Here!”
Soso handed over a booklet.
“……?”
“Mian Sosal’s art is the Soaring Heaven Dragon Sword. Also called the Loyal Sword. I wrote down everything I know. Use it as reference.”
“We’re not even fighting Mian Sosal……”
“Not now, but you’ll cross paths someday. My hunch is, you two will clash hard. Life or death. You’re dragon and tiger.”
“Heh heh heh! I’ll grant Mian Sosal’s the dragon, but calling me tiger’s too kind.”
“Read it. It’ll help.”
Soso forced the booklet into his hand.
“Remember when I said I loved Three Sages’ Plum Blossom Thirty-Six Sword Forms?”
“Yeah.”
“Mian Sosal’s his disciple…… But it’s weird. The Soaring Heaven Dragon Sword isn’t Mount Hua Sect’s art. Totally different from the Plum Blossom forms. Different essence. Not something like Three Sages would touch—too kill-focused.”
“Hm.”
“That’s why? Mian Sosal never mentions Mount Hua. Talks about his ‘home sect’ instead. So most murim folk don’t link him to them.”
Four Thousand Four focused on Soso’s words.
Not because of Mian Sosal. The topic didn’t matter. He listened because she was speaking to him. To hear her voice, to share this conversation—it fascinated him.
“Found a way yet?”
After rambling solo about Mian Sosal for a while, she suddenly asked.
“Way? For what?”
“To save Vanguard, Hanbi, and Fox.”
“Not yet.”
“Hurry. They’ll blow up by morning.”
“Morning?!”
Four Thousand Four scowled.
If they fought at dawn, he’d have to be there. Where would it be? Hopefully close.
Soso smiled, reading his mind.
“Fight’s over there…… Right there.”
She pointed to the river ferry village.
Huapo, they called it. An hour’s trek from here.
“Mian Sosal’s drunk and asleep. Vanguard’s crew’s marching through the night sleepless. No time left. Want to save Vanguard? Decide fast.”
Soso stood, giving him space to think.
“You two, when did you start talking casually?”
Jaja spoke up.
“A few days ago. Figured I’d need her help.”
“She your limb now?”
“She’s helping find the missing family head.”
“None of my business. You saving Vanguard like me?”
“Planning to.”
“He’ll like that?”
“……”
“Nah, my mistake. You and Vanguard aren’t that close. Hanbi even less. Got it. You’re saving Fox. You know she’s a woman, right?”
“……”
“You…… Gotta pick one—Fox or this girl. Looks like you already have. Follow your heart. Who’s gonna complain? Whoever you save, I can save one too. So I’ll tag along.”
“Senior!”
“Can’t be the only ghost. Let’s see how many pile up. Save who we can; if not, oh well. Not like saving ‘em changes much.”
Jaja rose with a wry smile.
Fox?
Soso had overheard.
Not eavesdropping. Jaja’s voice was loud—impossible to ignore. Probably on purpose. To make sure she heard.
‘Fox is around, so stay out’—something like that?
Fox…… is a woman?
Soso’s eyes rippled like waves.