Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Besieged on All Sides (1)
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'Smell...'
A plausible idea.
Did the Hwarin explosion leave its scent clinging to the body? He didn't know. He hadn't even realized such a smell existed. But if it was strong enough for Fox to track him by scent, it must be potent indeed.
Even if it wasn't Fox, anyone capable of distinguishing that particular odor could have followed him.
So why couldn't he smell anything himself?
His sense of smell had already been overwhelmed or numbed by the Hwarin scent.
The aroma was so intense that from the moment of detonation, he'd reached the point where he couldn't detect it at all.
Or maybe not. Hwarin might have its own unique fragrance.
In that case, only those familiar with Hwarin would pick up on it.
Even now, the scent might be wafting from his body, but no one around could discern it.
Either way, the Hwarin smell lingered on him steadily for three full days.
'Hwarin scent... Heh heh!'
Four Thousand Four chuckled.
He wasn't worried about Fox pursuing him.
Of course, there were issues to resolve with Vanguard, Fox, and the others. They wouldn't understand his killing spree, and he had no intention of making excuses. Murder simply couldn't be tolerated.
This matter had to be settled eventually.
No, it had to be settled now. Vanguard wouldn't take another step alongside him without addressing it.
He had no plans to explain himself, nor to stop his killings. If Vanguard could overlook it entirely and keep traveling together, fine. Otherwise, they parted ways.
Even the Heavenly Annihilation Division's code wouldn't condone murder.
Like the Nameless Wanderer, he'd become cursed to live with killing at the pinnacle of his existence.
Yet bonds of camaraderie had formed between him and them.
Once such bonds existed, he tried to understand them. Even inexplicable actions—he'd assume there was a reason and accept it for now. It clouded clear judgment.
They tried to understand him.
They racked their brains to rationalize his unforgivable murders.
Though issues remained... now that mercy crept into their blades, their swords had dulled. At least toward him.
He shouldn't exploit that, morally speaking... but humans, when death loomed, grasped at anything available. That was human nature.
In any case, the Hwarin scent Fox had left behind became a fine subject for study. While traveling alone, while evading countless pursuers, he'd investigate the smell emanating from his own body.
He wasn't sure if he'd detect it, but it was worth trying.
Damp moisture, a clammy chill, a humid stickiness clinging to his skin.
Someone was there.
'They're definitely pursuing.'
He'd thought the Hwarin had severed all pursuit, yet just as Fox said, someone lay in ambush. Blocking his exact path forward.
'If the Zhuge implanted the scent... then only back then.'
He recalled the procedure inflicted by Zhuge Soso.
There was no other chance to plant it. And if it was embedded via that procedure... unfortunately, there'd be no way to remove the scent.
He'd become someone the Zhuge could track at will.
Of course, he wasn't worried about the Zhuge pursuit yet.
The Zhuge knew of his murders but stayed uninvolved.
For now, they turned a blind eye to the killings.
Second, they had no intent to kill him.
If they did, he'd be dead already. Even sending just that Miserable Little Killer would have finished him. He couldn't match that man in fair martial arts.
The Zhuge had countless ways to eliminate him.
But they used none. They had no desire to kill him.
Then why block his path?
It wasn't Fox or the Zhuge. A third party's forces obstructed him.
'Merchant Sword Saint.'
Four Thousand Four sensed the Merchant Sword Saint's blade amid the clammy aura.
Ssssh!
He plunged into the heart of the damp energy.
The Merchant Sword Saint was a formidable expert. Yet he failed to detect Four Thousand Four's approach.
Four Thousand Four's movements stirred no wind.
He made not a single sound audible even to his own ears.
No noise, no presence, no sensation... a motion born of animal instinct rather than martial arts. The Merchant Sword Saint didn't notice.
'Merchant Sword Saint!'
Four Thousand Four located the hider.
One of the Merchant Sword Saints who'd once raised a blade against him... He hadn't confirmed if they were all gathered, but at least one lurked here.
A Merchant Sword Saint had come!
Did the Merchant Sword Saint detect that scent too?
Ssssh!
Four Thousand Four closed in on the one he'd found.
This one's name was Cheongsu Merchant Sword Saint or something... The Cheongsu Merchant Sword Saint remained oblivious, staring ahead.
He wasn't discerning any scent.
Indeed. The Merchant Sword Saint couldn't detect the smell. So how had they blocked his path?
Those who could smell it: the Zhuge and Fox.
Fox wouldn't have tipped off the Merchant Sword Saints... so the Zhuge Household had.
This was a warning. You can't escape.
A admonition against pointless, wasteful acts like the Hwarin.
'Obediently draw out the Heavenly Annihilation Division, that's the message.'
Ssssh!
Four Thousand Four withdrew from the Cheongsu Merchant Sword Saint.
He could ambush and kill him. But that was it. The moment he struck, the other three would converge. He couldn't slip away like last time. Not without real poison.
Ssssh!
He evaded the Merchant Sword Saint, putting distance between them.
The trouble came after Four Thousand Four retreated.
"This feels really off."
"Ambush!"
Hanbi and Jaja spotted it. No, everyone did.
Four Thousand Four's escorts and pursuers were on a collision course.
Four Thousand Four was no longer between the two groups.
With him gone, the pursuers clashed among themselves.
"You bastards!"
Raging Soul Zenith Blade located Vanguard.
But he couldn't attack. As he lunged, Cheongsu Merchant Sword Saint grabbed his hem.
Raging Soul Zenith Blade understood the implication.
"Tch!"
He slashed furiously at empty air in frustration.
Vanguard's group bristled like enraged hedgehogs.
If the Merchant Sword Saints initiated combat, Fox would fall first. Then it would be four against three, picking off one by one.
A losing fight.
Fortunately, the Merchant Sword Saints showed no intent to attack.
"If you have no business with us, we'll be off!"
Vanguard cupped his fists in salute.
"Hmph! You'll die by my hand one day."
Raging Soul Zenith Blade ground his teeth.
"Hmph! Who kills whom remains to be seen in battle. Don't make yourself a target. Once you do, anyone dies."
Jaja couldn't stay silent.
Raging Soul Zenith Blade pointed his sword at Jaja and grinned soundlessly, baring white teeth.
Jaja mimed slitting her throat at him.
Thus, they confirmed mutual non-aggression.
Why? Why weren't the Merchant Sword Saints attacking? The fight favored them heavily?
Vanguard didn't dwell on it. Evacuating took priority. No need for needless battles or chit-chat with avoidable foes.
"Let's go!"
He tugged Jaja's sleeve.
"Those bastards!"
Raging Soul Zenith Blade gnashed his teeth.
"No choice. As long as the Zhuge protect them, we can't touch them."
"How long will they shield them?!"
"Until the Heavenly Annihilation Division emerges, probably."
"When the hell is that?!"
Raging Soul Zenith Blade seemed bitter at letting Vanguard's group go.
"Anyway, when did that bastard slip away?"
One Flash Demon Blade said, brow furrowed.
"How did he know we were ambushing?"
Splendor Wave Blade added.
"They must've spotted our clumsy ambush."
"You'd know if you'd ever tried it."
"This really doesn't suit me. Better to find the guy and kill him outright—that's our style."
Raging Soul Zenith Blade glared in the direction Vanguard's group had vanished.
"Anyway, we wasted another chance from the Zhuge. We had Four Thousand Four right there."
"Urgh!"
Raging Soul Zenith Blade groaned in agony.
To pursue Four Thousand Four, they'd have to beg the Zhuge again for info. Endure their scorn: "Can't catch him even with tips?"
Regretful requests twisted his guts each time.
"Ah."
Fox sighed.
"What? Something wrong?"
Vanguard hurried over.
"Lost Four Thousand Four."
"What?"
"No scent."
"What do you mean? You said the Hwarin smell would linger for three days!"
"Yes. But it's gone now."
"He erased it?"
"No. Hwarin doesn't wash off that easily. He must've put distance between us."
"Distance?"
"Far enough that I can't smell it anymore. Probably sprinted full speed right after passing the Merchant Sword Saints."
"Shook us off? Why?"
Hanbi tilted his head.
They'd agreed not to attack Four Thousand Four—for the time being. They'd given him an opening. And he knew it; they'd shouted it.
Yet he'd fled at full tilt to evade Vanguard's group?
Fox said,
"I'll track the fading scent, but it's too faint... We'll lose him eventually. Still going?"
"Have to. No choice."
"Got it. Let's move!"
Fox took the lead.
Whoooosh!
A gale whipped through the air. Fierce winds battered them. Cold gusts whistled past their ears.
Full sprint to shake Fox.
Such a dash would instantly draw the Zhuge Household warriors' eyes. He might evade Vanguard, but it'd focus the Zhuge's attention more.
Knowing that, he charged ahead.
First, lose Fox... then dodge the Zhuge pursuit.
But he didn't need to fully evade them. Shake their eyes if possible; if not, no matter.
What he wanted to know was Vanguard's pursuit.
If Vanguard persisted after losing Fox... it wasn't Fox's power. It was the Heavenly Annihilation Division's. Not Fox tracking, but the Division.
He wanted to see how the Heavenly Annihilation Division pursued, and how.
To learn that, first shake Fox. Then see if they caught up again.
Whoooosh!
Cleaving wind in headlong flight.
The Heavenly Annihilation Division's shadow swelled like storm clouds, gathering.