Chapter 102
Chapter 102
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Guiyang Prefecture
-----------------------------------------------------------------
At least there was something to identify the assassin. His severed sword, the Cooperation Peak Sword, lay rolling on the ground.
Yuk Jin-yang picked up the item and returned to where the soldiers were. The situation there had also concluded. Won Yeong, who had been leaning against a tree, straightened up and asked abruptly.
"You caught him?"
Her tone left no room for any other possibility. Yuk Jin-yang nodded and held up Dong Zhongbo's sword.
"Yes. The body couldn't be recovered. But I at least grabbed this."
"Looks like he died gruesomely. Good work."
"What about your side? Seemed like quite a few got away."
"Follow me."
Won Yeong moved away from the soldiers toward a quiet clearing in the forest. Beneath the shade of a massive ancient tree lay several corpses. A foul stench and sinister aura emanated from them.
Examining the bodies closely, Yuk Jin-yang frowned. In the places where hearts and entrails should have been, grotesque insects writhed.
"...Gu poison?"
"Tried to capture them for interrogation, but they ended up like this. Damn ruthless bunch. They planted gu poison in their own hearts just in case of betrayal."
Won Yeong muttered as she prodded the corpses of the assassins—who had died from the Seven Apertures Blood Burst—with an iron skewer.
All the captured assassins were in the same state. The moment they opened their mouths, they spewed poison and died, without even time to attempt an antidote.
"Probably handed the power over life and death to that Dong Zhongbo guy. When he was in danger, he just cut his subordinates' lives short, huh?"
"Hah."
Yuk Jin-yang's expression turned grave as he murmured. He wasn't newly surprised by the assassins' ruthlessness. That was just who they were.
"Isn't this sorcery?"
"Yeah, they must've gotten help from the White Lotus Cult. Assassins use poison too, but gu poison is a different story. And detonating it isn't an assassin's technique."
"Won't get the full story out of them, then."
Won Yeong shook her head.
"Doesn't matter. Not important anyway. Our mission isn't to eradicate the cultists. It's to safely escort Prince Chao."
"By the way, how did you know their origins?"
"The Blood Sword Sect Leader once targeted our clan."
Won Yeong spoke calmly, but her expression was anything but. Her sharpened gaze gleamed with murderous intent. There seemed to be some deep-seated grudge.
"Said he wanted to test the eye technique he mastered after secluded training. He didn't succeed in assassinating the family head—instead, the head took one of his eyes."
"Odd motive for an assassin. Most are the type who won't even swing a kitchen knife without pay."
"Never faced him myself. But they say he's no ordinary assassin. Has his own twisted sense of aesthetics? What nonsense. He's just a slaughter-crazed maniac."
Her tone carried an intense animosity that went beyond mere disdain for a fleeing foe. There was likely a grudge she couldn't share with others.
It wasn't unusual. A warrior's life was like silk woven from favors and grudges. Everyone had their unspoken circumstances.
Won Yeong belatedly realized she was grinding her teeth and awkwardly smiled, patting Yuk Jin-yang's shoulder.
"Let's head back. No time to rest."
The generals and soldiers' attitudes toward the group had completely changed. Where there had once been wariness and suspicion toward these unfamiliar officials, now they showed genuine respect from the heart.
Still, some whispered about their identities.
"Do all central officials have that level of martial prowess?"
"Must be because they're imperial censors who travel often! Probably granted peerless arts."
"From the Emperor himself? Man, they say the Central Plains are full of divine skills and supreme techniques. If I'd gone to the capital in my youth, would I have become a warrior like that?"
"You're lucky you didn't just die in some inn."
Pushing through the idle chatter, the general stepped forward. He cupped his hands in salute. He seemed eager to build rapport this time.
"You've done us a great favor, my lords. How can we ever repay..."
"No need for thanks. We're in a hurry, so rest up and let's depart again."
Yuk Jin-yang replied curtly. The general scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Once they reached Guizhou, they'd likely never cross paths again. Maintaining false identities, building ties would only lead to misunderstandings later. Better to keep distance.
After passing through the forest, the rest of the journey was smooth. The group traveled a few more days.
And finally.
"We've arrived!"
The general pointed ahead.
Beyond the thick mountain clouds hanging low, a towering silhouette faintly appeared. Battlements and watchtowers. They grew ever more imposing as they approached.
Flanked by sheer mountain ranges, with a river cutting through the center—a natural fortress.
A military city to subdue the阴气 of the rivers and mountains and suppress the demons lurking within.
Once called Guizhou for its gold and silver mines, now nicknamed Ghost Province for the spirits said to dwell there.
The castle of Guizhou: Guiyang Prefecture.
Guiyang Prefecture's battlements and watchtowers were manned without fail. Alertness rivaled wartime. Fortunately, the gates were open. They weren't fully blocking passage.
As the group neared the gate, sentries immediately leveled spears.
"State your affiliation!"
His voice echoed thunderously. Yuk Jin-yang presented the censor's badge as prearranged.
The sentry blinked, then glanced back slyly. The gate captain approached, hand on his sword hilt. He eyed the badge suspiciously.
"From the Censorate, eh? But we haven't received any notice..."
Yuk Jin-yang felt a pang of inner panic but responded smoothly.
"Do censors announce their schedules to suspects and summon them?"
With the words, he released his aura. The captain flinched. His martial skill didn't seem high. Or perhaps he knew the dreaded reputation of Ming censors.
The soldiers who had escorted them to Guiyang backed him up.
"These lords saved our lives. They're definitely from the court."
"Must be a mix-up?"
The general chimed in.
"Drop the needless suspicion. We all owe them our lives."
The captain tilted his head toward the general.
"Our lives?"
"Ran into the Ghost Sword Society on the way here. Thanks to these lords slaying Dong Zhongbo, we made it."
The captain's eyes widened.
"Dong Zhongbo? The Gui Province Wanderer Sword?"
"Look at this sword."
The general nodded to Yuk Jin-yang. He had sheathed the Cooperation Peak Sword's scabbard at his waist. Its jade ornament tied with red tassels was distinctive.
Yuk Jin-yang pressed aggressively.
"If you're not obstructing official business, open the gate. His Majesty ordered a report on past achievements and current conditions."
"My apologies. Please enter."
The captain stepped aside and signaled the soldiers. Yuk Jin-yang strode through confidently. Won Yeong, following, transmitted mentally.
—Not bad acting.
—Got a better way? Sometimes you just do what you gotta.
—That was praise.
Guiyang Prefecture's atmosphere was worlds apart from Zhongqing, which they had passed through earlier. The city was utterly lifeless.
The wide avenue, broad enough for two carts abreast, stood eerily empty. The few passersby were all soldiers.
It felt like the entire city had become a military camp.
Even Prince Chao's residence wasn't an official yamen or private mansion. He was staying in a fortress-like encampment. The gate captain explained.
"At night, yao spirits often appear. They crawl in to devour people. For His Highness, safety takes priority over comfort."
Yuk Jin-yang nodded instead of replying. From now on, minimize words. Avoid any slips.
At the office, the captain cleared his throat and announced.
"Your Highness, envoys from the court have arrived."
A heavy voice responded.
"Let them enter."
Prince Chao's office was spacious yet desolate.
Few furnishings, but the walls displayed all manner of weapons.
Swords, spears, bows—not just the five soldierly arms, but all eighteen martial weapons of the jianghu, drawing the eye.
All treasures of the realm, sheathed in scabbards or silk wraps, yet their keen auras seeped out fiercely.
Beyond beaded curtains of glass beads, a human silhouette faintly shimmered. Along with considerable presence. The heavy aura instinctively induced tension.
Pressure like facing a battle-hardened general. Different from confronting the Georyeong Hall Leader. In some ways, it matched the room's austerity. Less innate nobility, more stark solemnity.
The two bowed deeply. Utmost courtesy for an imperial prince.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, an aura burst forth, flinging the curtains wide. They tensed but didn't draw. It wasn't an attack.
'Aura screen.'
A familiar technique.
As intangible energy filled the room, Prince Chao's voice emanated from across.
"You're no censors. Where are you from?"
Not accusatory. Won Yeong stepped forward honestly.
"From the Alliance, Your Highness."
"As expected."
"But how did you know? We thought our disguise perfect."
"In the palace, by Father's side, I faced countless censors and Embroidered Uniform guards. They rarely show courtesy even before royalty if it's mission-related."
Prince Chao chuckled softly.
"Still, you arrived swiftly. Worried you'd show up next season."
"..."
"If you had, I'd probably be dead. Your loyalty in rushing day and night truly pleases me."
Yuk Jin-yang flinched at the ambiguous tone. The prince's calm speech made his intent hard to gauge. As they remained silent, the one-sided conversation continued.
"Anyway, welcome. Thanks to you, I can finally prepare to leave this place."
"If it doesn't offend, could Your Highness share the local situation? Why you've been pinned here... We humbly ask, as it eludes our understanding."
"You've heard of the Ghost Sword Society?"
"Yes."
"On top of that, there's a traitor within. Under court orders, targeting me."