Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: A Clause of the Death Pact (5)
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A dog chasing a chicken is exactly like the Merchant Swordsman.
If he'd killed Four Thousand Four, he could say whatever he wanted. No, he could even turn it around and demand why some outsider was interfering when he was just avenging his master's death.
But he hadn't killed Four Thousand Four.
The Zhuge Clan was tailing the Heavenly Annihilation Division in secret to catch their tail, and he'd barged in midway to mess it all up.
He had nothing to say, even if he had ten mouths.
"You just had to hold off a little longer. Was that so hard?"
"My apologies."
"They tipped us off that those bastards have the Fire Bell."
"I knew that. But I didn't think he would have it..."
"You think that's an excuse?"
"Didn't I say I have nothing to say?"
"From now on, we can't work with the Merchant Sword School anymore."
"Understood."
Wandering Soul Sword Hwang Su furrowed his brow deeply as he spoke.
The Zhuge Clan's help was absolutely crucial in pursuing Four Thousand Four. Without them, there was no way to catch those guys. They weren't the type to go around spreading rumors about their whereabouts.
Yet the Zhuge Clan tracked them down like ghosts.
He'd heard they had something called the Golden-Eyed Black Hawk—a monstrous tracker that would follow its prey even into the afterlife once it locked on. But this time, they hadn't even deployed it.
And still, they found Four Thousand Four like phantoms.
Those guys never rushed. They'd feast to their heart's content, rest up, and pursue at a leisurely stroll.
Pursuit had never been this easy.
But things like this... the Merchant Swordsman couldn't pull them off alone. Even running till his feet blistered with sweat, he might not catch up. What could he do now? He'd already ruined the rhythm.
"We'll eliminate Four Thousand Four for sure. Don't worry about that."
Zhuge Myeong stood from his seat.
"Young master!"
Blue Water Merchant Yi Song grabbed Zhuge Myeong's sleeve in a hurry as he rose.
"We admit our mistake. But... give us one more chance. How desperate must we have been to act like that?"
"That's exactly why I'm setting you free—to do as you please, chase them however you want."
"Young master, please help us."
Blue Water Merchant Yi Song pleaded in place of the Merchant Swordsman.
The Merchant Swordsman stayed silent.
He knew cutting ties with the Zhuge Clan now meant almost no hope of finding Four Thousand Four later.
After a long pause, Zhuge Myeong frowned and spoke.
"Hm. This is tricky."
"I beg you."
"Fine. On the condition of your absolute cooperation, we'll share the information. But if you act alone like this again..."
"Thank you."
Blue Water Merchant Yi Song hurriedly clasped his fists in a formal bow.
"Hm! As expected of the Zhuge Clan!"
Wandering Soul Sword let out an exclamation of admiration.
"Four Thousand Four is still alive. After that inferno."
"A man who survived the Fire Bell exploding right over his head. Hah! He's a demon incarnate."
Even Blue Water Merchant Yi Song frowned.
When the Fire Bell had detonated overhead... he'd been sure that guy was dead. Certain he'd never see him alive again. It wasn't just any fire—it was Fire Bell.
Yet the bastard lived. And he kept moving forward.
The Zhuge Clan hadn't budged a single step since the flames erupted. More precisely, they'd stayed rooted in the spot where they'd attacked Four Thousand Four.
And from there, they pierced through the blaze with their gaze.
How vast and deep was the Zhuge Clan's intelligence network? Who could grasp such things from a seated position?
"The Zhuge Clan says we can attack him."
"What? Really?"
Blue Water Merchant Yi Song handed a letter to Wandering Soul Sword.
It was true. The letter explicitly stated they could attack and kill Four Thousand Four.
However, the targets were limited to Four Thousand Four alone.
Vanguard, Jaja, and Hanbi were off-limits. They were needed to root out the Heavenly Annihilation Division.
The letter didn't even mention Vanguard's group.
It didn't matter. As long as they could kill Four Thousand Four... And it detailed his direction precisely.
"Let's go!"
The hot-tempered One-Island Beauty Sword leaped to her feet.
"Four Thousand Four?"
"Couldn't find him."
"Ugh!"
Zhuge Myeong and Mi An Xiao Sha groaned in unison.
The Green Fragrance White Rat writhed continuously, relaying Four Thousand Four's movements to Mi An Xiao Sha in detail.
Four Thousand Four had definitely survived.
Yet they couldn't spot him. They'd scoured the flames and beyond, but nothing.
He'd vanished clean away.
"Did you use the Merchant Swordsman knowing something like this might happen?"
"No. I had no idea."
Zhuge Soso shook her head.
"I just vaguely thought... it'd be good to have someone focusing solely on Four Thousand Four. But for this to happen. The world sure is funny."
"Couldn't find Vanguard either."
"Not Vanguard—Fox."
"...?"
"Vanguard can't hide. He's more like a righteous sect warrior. Give him a mission, and he charges through with martial arts. That's why so many of his men died."
"A simple, upright man."
"Hanbi's sharp and upright too. He couldn't pull this off, nor could Jaja."
"Fox, then."
"Fox is incredibly sly. We need to dig up everything on the Fox of Bireung Mountain."
Zhuge Soso said with a smile.
Her "everything" meant down to the color of his underwear.
Family ties, relationships, assets, history—every detail that defined a person.
The Zhuge Clan had specialists for this. No, an entire organization.
They were the shadows. Unseen, they worked in hiding. But they uncovered everything.
Zhuge Soso hadn't used them yet.
Now she would. And Fox was her first target. Defying expectations of starting with Four Thousand Four, she'd dissect Fox from top to bottom.
"What about Four Thousand Four?"
Zhuge Soso nodded.
"Four Thousand Four... I have some idea about him. If I'm right..."
Zhuge Soso tilted her head.
"He'll be poison to the Heavenly Annihilation Division. Maybe even a fatal one that shakes them to the roots."
Fox halted his steps. Of course, from a hidden spot.
"What do we do? Keep chasing Four Thousand Four?"
"We have to."
Vanguard said, furrowing his brow.
The order to eliminate Four Thousand Four came straight from the head office. Unless revoked, there was no choice.
"Got it. We keep tailing him. But we move in secret too. No more clashes with the Zhuge Clan. Everyone understand?"
"That jerk always talks down to us."
Hanbi grumbled.
"Three groups are after us: Merchant Swordsman, Zhuge Clan, Heavenly Annihilation Division. Which do you think is hardest to shake?"
"The head office too?"
"For now. Better not to be seen by anyone."
"Hm. Hard to say outright."
"How does the head office pursue?"
"Heh! If we knew that, a lot fewer people would die."
Vanguard shook his head.
The Heavenly Annihilation Division's pursuit methods were unknown. But they knew every detail of events in the Central Plains. They'd know exactly how Vanguard navigated that inferno.
That pointed to spies.
One of Vanguard, Hanbi, or Jaja was a mole reporting every move to the head office.
But who could it be?
Vanguard, Hanbi, and Jaja stuck together like one body. When could any leave a mark?
Suspecting each other would be the end.
One team had turned on each other—and got wiped out. Strangest part? Even after total annihilation, the Division knew how the last survivor died.
That debunked the planted spy theory.
So how did they track and watch?
"Great chance to figure out who's tailing us and how. But... one favor?"
Vanguard eyed Fox as he replied.
"Must be a tough one."
"It is."
"Shoot. What?"
"Even if you see Four Thousand Four, don't catch him."
"Even if he's committing murder?"
"You'll see him kill plenty. I have a feeling. More precisely, you'll stumble on the aftermath."
"If he's tied to the Soul Wanderer, shouldn't we kill him ASAP?"
Jaja said coldly.
The Soul Wanderer had slain countless souls—so many even he lost track.
If Four Thousand Four was that man... the thought chilled her.
"Four Thousand Four saved our lives."
Fox said in a plaintive tone.
"The guy who detonated Fire Bell over his own head. To stop us clashing with the Merchant Swordsman."
"Hm."
"We owe him that much, don't we?"
"He said he's heading to the Nineteen Hells... so let's endure whatever kills he makes. Fox is right—we owe him."
Vanguard made the call.
Fox then spoke to the air.
"Four Thousand Four, you're nearby, right?"
"What?!"
"Nearby!"
Vanguard, Jaja, and Hanbi quickly scanned around.
No one in sight. Even if there was, they wouldn't spot him. If Four Thousand Four hid for real, no one could find him—not even the Merchant Swordsman's grid search.
Fox explained.
"Anyone who handles Fire Bell reeks of gunpowder. I smelled it. That's how I know he's close."
He'd spoken aloud deliberately.
In case Vanguard changed his mind and tried to take Four Thousand Four down. Even if not, it was safe insurance.
"Isn't it weird? The Zhuge Clan isn't sending people after us. Yet they track us perfectly. Pursued without pursuers. Strange, right?"
"Yeah."
Hanbi answered in Four Thousand Four's stead.
He thought it odd too. Zhuge warriors were far off, yet they followed precisely.
"Just hit me—what if the Zhuge Clan is tracking some scent like I am?"
Only Fox could smell Fire Bell.
Maybe they had their own unique scent.
"Run. I'll follow the smell. Fire Bell lingers three days. After that, even I lose it."
"You idiot! Why say that?!"
Vanguard shot Fox a glare.
Too late. Fox had shown all his cards. Four Thousand Four now knew three days would shake him.
Why blurt it out? Fool!
Fox grinned.
"Means we'll tail from afar for three days. Easy with the scent. Anyway, run hard. If the Zhuge Clan still sticks even when you're fleeing for your life... check for scents or whatever."
Clack!
A pebble rolled from afar.
Four Thousand Four's response. Like a thank-you to Fox.
Fox looked at Vanguard.
"Alright, time for us to hide too? Zhuge warriors will swarm soon. Or maybe the Merchant Swordsman strikes first?"