Chapter 212
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 212
Chapter Title: Five Beasts (2)
Vanguard's limits had become clear.
Vanguard couldn't assassinate Four Thousand Four. He couldn't assassinate Little Whisper, Crimson Moon, or Old Crook either.
Vanguard knew his own limits all too well.
It wasn't about "easy" or "hard" anymore. He could now say "can do" or "can't do."
Just like Vanguard, the others were starting to recognize their own limits as well.
Unable to kill the substitutes, they turned their swords on each other.
Yesterday, Hanbi and Jaja had fought. The day before, Vanguard and Fox had clashed. And today, Hanbi had coldly declared he would kill the wounded Fox.
"How's the wound?"
"Wound? What wound?"
"I heard you took a slash from Vanguard yesterday?"
"What's with the nonsense this early in the morning?"
"No need to hide it. Everyone saw you take that hit. That's why I'm saying this... since you're wounded and can't properly unleash Executioner's Twin Hands... I'm planning to kill you today. Oh! Of course, only if you're okay with it."
"I'm fine with it. Go ahead."
"Heh heh heh!"
"Ah! How much should I go easy on you? Nah. Forget it. I'll decide. Don't drag it out like an annoying fly. The weather's nice today... I need a break."
Fox was in no condition to move.
The blow from Vanguard had been devastating. It looked like he'd need at least a month of recovery.
Yet Hanbi was set on attacking Fox in that state, and Fox was accepting it.
None of them were in their right minds.
"This place is really nice. So quiet."
Zhuge Soso had come up the mountain after a long time.
The last time was when she'd left the bodies of Vanguard and Hanbi behind. It had been nearly four months.
Four Thousand Four had brewed arrowroot tea and brought it.
"It's the mountains, so no fancy tea."
"This is the best tea there is. What's better than something that smells good, tastes good, and is good for the body?"
"It's hot, so let it cool before drinking."
"I know that much. You know what? You're the only one who treats me like an idiot."
"I've never treated you like an idiot..."
"No one else ever says stuff like that to me. They barely say anything at all, really. Afraid of embarrassing themselves if they point out what I already know."
"Because you're smart."
"Haven't heard 'smart' in a long time. They don't use that word with me either. I heard it when I was little, a kid, but then suddenly, even that stopped."
Slurp!
Four Thousand Four drank the arrowroot tea.
The bitter, fresh aroma of arrowroot spread through his mouth.
"By the way, I noticed on the way up... things look pretty brutal down there. What happened?"
"You're asking even though you know."
"Hohoho! You're no fun. Can't you play along just a little at times like this?"
"No time for that down there. They've lit the fuse on death itself. I just hope it ends with one slash and done, no matter who it falls on."
"It might stop at a reasonable point. Seventeen Years Old... he seems to have a strong spirit."
It wasn't a strong spirit. They were cornered, lashing out in desperation. People are weakest when facing death, but the moment they discard their lives, they become invincible.
"How long will they keep this up?"
Zhuge Soso looked at Four Thousand Four as she spoke.
Zhuge Soso knew what was happening down the mountain.
No one had to tell her. No one was watching. Even without glancing their way, she knew.
"Anything more to give?"
"Nothing. I've given everything."
"Surprisingly little information."
"If there was more, we'd have found it. Think we couldn't?"
"I see."
Four Thousand Four took a big gulp of arrowroot tea.
Throughout the winter, Zhuge Soso had sent information nonstop.
To no one in the world... not even those with Four Thousand Four knew. She'd gathered and delivered the news.
She had the Green Fragrance White Rat.
The Green Fragrance White Rat was connected to Four Thousand Four, so it could find him anywhere.
Zhuge Soso used it to pass tiny bits of information.
No one could know this.
She had to fool the Zhuge clan, Vanguard's group, Heavenly Annihilation Division, the orthodox martial world... everyone with eyes open.
Every two or three days.
Tiny notes tied to its ankle, small enough for free movement.
Not just the Zhuge patriarch's disappearance, but info on the Five Great Families and the Three Demon Clans too. Everything she knew about the orthodox martial world and Heavenly Annihilation Division, she gave without holding back.
Impossible without complete trust in Four Thousand Four.
Of course, he couldn't claim it was everything about the Zhuge clan. Suspicion might say plenty remained hidden.
Four Thousand Four didn't think that way.
He fully trusted her words now: nothing more to give.
"We'll move as soon as the weather warms."
"When?"
"Can't send word."
Meaning, not even to her.
"Hate to say it, but... stay alive."
"..."
Four Thousand Four couldn't reply.
Zhuge Soso left as silently as she'd come.
Many saw her.
Vanguard's group saw her. The Zhuge clan's protectors who'd escorted her saw her.
Completely different from her secret deliveries via Green Fragrance White Rat.
This time, out in the open.
The two had been together only briefly.
Four Thousand Four brewed tea; she drank. During that hot sip... just a tea's worth of time, a fleeting moment, they talked.
No secretive or vital words exchanged.
If someone listened nearby, they'd hear easily. No hiding.
She left cleanly too.
Like a traveler bumping into an acquaintance, chatting briefly, then parting.
No trace of confidential talk between them.
Near winter's end, spring's approach: a woman visited, then left.
Thwack!
Four Thousand Four tossed a twig.
Hanbi was there.
Sitting in the shadowed woods, glaring at Fox like a rock-hard statue.
Four Thousand Four, who'd thrown the twig at Hanbi, approached the sprawled Fox.
"Stop."
"Tch!"
At "stop," Fox grunted metallically and stood.
As he came down from the cave, Vanguard and Jaja emerged from hiding.
"Six."
Four Thousand Four said curtly.
"Two on the left."
Vanguard replied instantly.
"Right or back?"
Jaja asked Fox.
"Back. Sis, take the two."
"Got it."
Jaja and Fox exchanged glances.
"Me on this side?"
Hanbi, from the woods, glanced back at his hiding spot and said.
Four Thousand Four said no more. They didn't hesitate either. As if no words needed, they turned indifferently.
Whoosh! Shooo!
"Urk!"
Blade winds rose; a short scream burst.
Even after Zhuge Soso left, some lurkers remained. Six in total, scattered east, west, south, north.
Four Thousand Four had spotted them.
Everyone knew now. They hadn't before, but with senses razor-sharp, they found them instantly.
"Earth Concealment? Which ones?"
Vanguard muttered.
Zhuge Soso was under surveillance. Many sects, Five Great Families, Three Demon Clans watched her. North Star watched; Heavenly Annihilation Division watched. Countless sects eyed the Zhuge clan, especially her movements.
"Ugh! The stench."
Fox's irritated voice came too.
Hidden watchers often stayed put long, handling business in place.
Fox's guy had apparently done just that.
"Kek!"
A death rattle from Jaja's direction.
All moved silently. Handling the lurkers.
They'd likely reported back already. Or left secret marks somewhere. That Zhuge Soso met someone.
Few among them would recognize Four Thousand Four.
He wasn't a martial artist. Successor to Death Verdict. Bringer of death from shadows. By nature, none knew him.
Zhuge Soso had met an unknown someone.
That's why they lingered.
If any recognized him, they'd have fled in shock.
Even those wouldn't escape Four Thousand Four's notice.
He'd sensed them the moment Zhuge Soso appeared.
Someone met... then death.
Their sects would wonder desperately who.
"One used Earth Concealment, another Wild Sand Escape. Too many use Earth Concealment to ID, but the other was Heavenly Annihilation Division."
"Beggar Clan here."
Fox walked over laughing.
"Beggars must not know filth. Nearly died from the smell."
Fox wiped blood from his blade on his eyes.
"Unknowns here too. Should've crippled one first to question. Sitting target... couldn't ID the sect. Sorry."
"Five Elements Bewilderment. Wudang Sect."
Hanbi trudged over saying.
All fell silent.
Already ID'd: Wudang, Beggar Clan, Heavenly Annihilation Division disciples. Watching Zhuge Soso.
Heavenly Annihilation Division expected, but Wudang and Beggar Clan...?
"Position exposed. We move. Anything left?"
As Four Thousand Four asked, Fox shook his head.
They'd come empty-handed; nothing to take.
Not items. Traces revealing identity.
Training martial arts left marks.
Masters could guess forms from sword scars alone. Proficiency level, then match to active experts easily.
Any revealing trace.
"None."
"Me neither."
All shook heads.
"Go."
Four Thousand Four moved first.
Planned to go when spring warmed. Still sorting Zhuge Soso's info. Head stuffed full.
Meant to organize calmly.
"Where to?"
Jaja asked. Then, without answer:
"If nowhere set, give free time. Place to go."
"Not yet."
"..."
"No one stopping movement. But for visiting sects, better with me. Heavenly Annihilation Division and I aren't on good terms anyway."
Four Thousand Four spoke as if understanding Jaja's intent.