Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: The Bulbiin's Zither
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The three men had a simple meal of cold porridge while discussing personnel assignments for the mission. Yi Jeong-baek spoke first.
"I suggest splitting our group in two. A scouting team and a guard team."
"Do they know about this hideout too? A guard team?"
Yuk Jin-yang voiced his doubt, and the answer came right away.
"I believe so. Otherwise, they couldn't block us so perfectly every time. It's puzzling why they haven't attacked here with that kind of force, though."
"Maybe they planned to tighten the noose slowly and finish us off for sure."
Yi Jeong-baek nodded and outlined his plan in detail.
"Right now, the core strength of our group is us three. How about one stays here to protect the wounded?"
"I'll stay, then."
Yuk Ryul volunteered readily.
"That keeps things balanced. I'm still worth about as much as the two of you combined, after all. If we tilt the strength to one side, the enemy will surely strike the weaker one. So you two go ahead."
"Then Yuk and I will go alone. From our past experience, scouting draws less attention with fewer people."
"Indeed, better to move with a small elite force."
Yi Jeong-baek turned to Yuk Jin-yang.
"Are you skilled in rear scouting as well? They might come after us in earnest."
"I won't fall behind."
"Good. Let's hurry."
They emptied their bowls and stood up.
Yi Jeong-baek unleashed his lightness skill the moment they left the hideout. Yuk Jin-yang matched his pace right beside him and asked,
"Have you already located the clinic?"
"I've memorized most of the layout inside Gokbu for infiltration."
The pair headed west.
Gokbu County sprawled out from the ancestral hall of the Kong Clan and their vast estate where the descendants resided. Normally, one would orient by the government offices, but the prestigious clan's presence dominated.
Yi Jeong-baek added as they ran,
"That's why the markets are scattered. It's quite a distance, so brace yourself."
"No need to worry."
The two leaped onto rooftops, racing freely with lightness skill to take the shortest path without navigating alleys.
Less than a quarter-hour passed before the streetscape changed. Near the hideout, tiled halls stood in rows, but here it was mostly shanties. A foul stench hung in the air.
Yi Jeong-baek raised his arm, pointing to a distant, dilapidated building that looked utterly desolate.
"That's the place."
"A renowned physician must have set up here once."
"I don't follow."
"Who else opens a clinic near a slum if not to treat patients from the area?"
That was when it happened. A sudden killing intent surged from behind.
Whoosh!
He slapped away a dart with the back of his hand, only for a spear thrust to fly from empty air. A human silhouette faintly materialized late. It was White Lotus Cult thugs.
Yuk Jin-yang halted and spoke.
"I can imagine the troubles you've faced. Appearing without warning must make them tricky to handle."
"Glad you get it."
With that casual exchange, the two drew their weapons.
A massive presence of a large group rose like raging wildfire.
No sign of the Hwangbo Clan warriors, but their numbers were overwhelming. Yuk Jin-yang quickly scanned the surroundings, extending his senses to cover directions beyond sight. His expression soon twisted.
There were too many enemies. Easily dozens.
Frontline blockers ahead, watchers on ridges and roofs, ambushers in empty houses aiming darts or bows—visible or sensed.
It was like a formation layered with a heavenly net and earthly web. Either pre-set ambushes or impossibly quick mobilization despite surveillance.
Yuk Jin-yang asked,
"Retreat? Or break through?"
"Break through. Can't back down now."
"Fortunately, they don't seem that strong."
Muttering that, he stepped into Moon Stream Subtle Steps. The enemies bustled into formation—a circular siege enveloping them.
Soon, killing intent stabbed from all directions. Streams of energy coalesced into a wall-like face, akin to towering waves.
A barrage of diverse weapons gleamed with sharp energy.
The scale rivaled the Tang Clan's famed Dark Rain of a Thousand Needles—no, perhaps deserving that name itself. Such idle thoughts flickered.
But only that far.
"I'll clear the path. Follow me."
Yuk Jin-yang boldly declared, imprinting the trajectories of incoming weapons. He reverse-calculated their techniques' flows, plotting the optimal breakthrough route.
True energy from his soles propelled him, tracing the path ahead. A way through.
His form slithered through the crowd like silk. Amid fluid spatial maneuvers, flashes occasionally erupted, felling screamers in droves.
"Wh-what?!"
"Block them! Block!"
Mad gazes clung persistently. Silver Dew Sword devoured blood ravenously in response. The buildup of encirclement scattered incomplete. Finally, the path fully opened.
He pressed on, leaving the clamor behind. Yi Jeong-baek handled pursuers from the rear.
"Don't push too hard! More might be waiting!"
"This is fine."
Yuk Jin-yang replied curtly and kept running. Inevitably, some overtook to block ahead. Smug foes blustered.
"Better to die obediently. Then salvation awaits you."
"The Eternal Mother's embrace is vast. Even for heretics like you, she will gladly accept."
Instead of words, he swung his free left arm. A palm strike arced in a half-circle. Moon Maiden Divine Art energy surging through his body burst from his palm.
Ten Thousand Rivers Single Source Art's Copying Dance: Light Breeze Step became a gale. It struck the fool charging head-on. Far beyond mere impact, it unleashed tremendous power.
Boom!
Flesh shreds scattered, blurring vision. Sprayed blood reddened Yuk Jin-yang's hair as he passed the mangled corpse.
Not satisfied with one, he advanced. Silver Dew Sword's slashes chained, cleaving more foes to sustain momentum.
A slaughter in an instant. No more blockers ahead.
Nearly half a shichen after pursuit began,
they suddenly sensed no more footsteps chasing. Believing they'd shaken them, they headed for the clinic.
Upon entering the dust-laden interior,
visitors had arrived first. Glowing eyes from the shadows fixed on them. A sunbeam pierced the caved roof, illuminating the once-dark features.
Yi Jeong-baek's eyes widened. Yuk Jin-yang was equally startled inwardly.
A slender woman in silver-gray robes awaited. On her lap lay a seven-stringed zither.
Unlike her harmless appearance, her aura was chillingly sinister, instinctively triggering alarms.
Yi Jeong-baek lamented with a voice drawn from his dantian,
"Even the Bulbiin has come out...!"
The White Lotus Cult called branch leaders across the realm "Bulbi," or "Bulbiin"—those reborn after accepting the Eternal Mother's teachings and fully washing away the five impurities. A grandiose title befitting a deranged cult.
Yi Jeong-baek and the Bulbiin seemed acquainted. She smirked back at him.
The Bulbiin toyed with the zither strings and spoke,
"Yes, I came myself. Your paths were too predictable. Waiting bored me, so how about we settle this now?"
Her pomegranate-red, tiny lips moved softly. Though a whisper, it rang clear.
"Why not stay holed up safe in your hideout? Bursting out suddenly made me guess what happened."
"..."
"Your route led to one conclusion: some of you wounded too badly to move. So you came scavenging for herbs. Right?"
Twang. Her delicate white hand plucked a string.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, powerful energy erupted centered on her. Formless force ravaged half-rotted walls and roof outward.
Sound arts, said to harmonize all things with sound. Despite the grand claim, rarely respected in the jianghu—seen mostly as a lavish hobby for officials and nobles.
Yet Yuk Jin-yang didn't dismiss sound arts. He'd once faced a master.
Shattering hundreds of heads single-handed was nightmarish. Years later, that distant jade flute melody haunted his nightmares.
Rumble!
The whole building shook but barely held. Sunlight poured through breaches, brightening everywhere. The pair recoiled. Her sound prowess was no trifle.
Fortunately, no traps or formations triggered. The woman sneered,
"Surprised? I'd be disappointed if this scared you. Just brightening the dim surroundings."
"Shut your mouth, you wicked witch."
Yi Jeong-baek spat, glaring.
"No bite in your bark. Oh, worrying about your subordinates?"
She covered her mouth laughing.
"No need to fret. I have compassion too—no intent to send them to death."
"Death?"
"Yes. My arts don't distinguish friend from foe. No spare energy to mind underlings while facing you. And this will be your grave."
With that nonchalant remark, the Bulbiin swept all zither strings.
Whoosh!
Resonance spread waves. Energy carried through air surged like tides toward them. They countered with their own bursts, but this was mere prelude.
The Bulbiin began playing in earnest.