Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Ancient Clan's Martial Prodigy
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The group rose from their seats in unison, without a word from anyone. The situation was too urgent for them to linger over drinks. No sooner had Yu Baek stepped out of the inn than he spoke up.
"I'll go fetch the sailors."
"Right, meet us at the dock."
Yuk Jin-yang and Won Yeong headed straight for the harbor.
Even though night had deepened, the streets of Chongqing bustled with activity. There was no sign of anyone heeding curfew. Perhaps the authorities' control simply didn't reach here.
With no other choice, they unleashed their lightness skills, skimming over the densely packed crowds below. The passersby, suddenly confronted with martial artists' aerial prowess up close, screamed in the wake of the rushing wind.
"What the hell?!"
"Using martial arts out in the open like that... Could they be from the Ghost Sword Society?"
"Those sword-wielding bastards always have tempers. What the hell are the officials doing, anyway?"
Their clamor was soon swallowed by the wind as the pair sped past. The dock was drawing nearer. A sudden idea flashed through Yuk Jin-yang's mind.
He spoke up.
"How about splitting the group in half?"
"In half?"
"Yes. We'll race to Guizhou overland. The rest follow by boat—both the brigantine and the passenger vessel."
Won Yeong tilted her head.
"The brigantine makes sense, but why bother with that useless passenger boat now? It'll just slow us down."
"As a contingency for the worst case. We could use it as a decoy, for instance."
The Ghost Sword Society—a cabal of assassins—was targeting Prince Chu. They'd employ every trick in the book, so who knew what dangers lurked in Guizhou.
With the court's involvement, the variables multiplied. They needed to prepare for every possibility. In the worst case, someone might have to sacrifice themselves.
Won Yeong nodded, grasping his point.
"I see what you mean. That passenger boat's gaudiness doesn't suit His Highness's station at all. The enemy will think the same. It'll stand out among the warships, making it easy for them to take the bait."
The sailors assembled at the dock shortly after they arrived. Won Yeong briefed them succinctly, then asked Wang O-gyeong—the man in charge.
"Can you make it to the Guizhou docks as fast as possible?"
"If the winds are favorable... Ten days at most. Since it's not a rowboat needing a huge crew, it should be doable."
Wang O-gyeong added cautiously.
"But anything beyond that is impossible. And if the winds don't cooperate, it'll be delayed a few more days."
"That's fine. As long as you're not too late. Just don't overshoot by much."
"Then trust us. These are seasoned sailors; it won't take that long."
Wang O-gyeong boasted confidently.
Won Yeong turned back and instructed Yu Baek.
"Baek-a, you take the boat and follow behind."
"Me? Wouldn't it be better if one more person joined you?"
"This is Guizhou. The water bandits in the area have quieted down, but trouble could erupt anywhere, anytime. Someone needs to guard the boat."
Yu Baek still looked unconvinced.
"For that, you could send the youngest..."
"But you have more experience. If anything happens, we'll send a messenger bird right away. Let's coordinate carefully so we meet at the right spot. Got it?"
Only then did Yu Baek close his mouth and nod solemnly.
Wang O-gyeong hurriedly prodded the sailors.
"Come on, move it! We need to depart now to hit the deadline."
"I've still got drinks waiting back at the brothel."
"You won't die if you drink later. Get to it. You'll get your fill once the job's done."
The sailors grumbled but sprang into action. As they prepared to set sail, Won Yeong rummaged through her satchel and pulled out a small inkstone and brush.
A snow-white sparrow peeked out from the gap. It was a spirit beast called a silver sparrow. Won Yeong dipped the brush and swiftly penned a letter.
Yuk Jin-yang asked.
"What are you writing?"
"I suspect headquarters might have misjudged. If it's not just a few hired killers but all of Guizhou's assassin sects united against His Highness... We might not handle it alone."
"Even so, does headquarters have the manpower to send reinforcements?"
The Five Harmony Alliance's forces were scattered across the land. Even in Kaifeng, Yuk Jin-yang had rarely seen division leaders or elite warriors.
The distance from Kaifeng to Guizhou was another issue. It had taken the group dozens of days to reach here. Reinforcements requested now might not arrive in time.
Won Yeong brushed off the concern.
"They have the resources. There are people who wouldn't step in unless it's critically urgent."
"You mean the clan heads and the alliance's martial leaders?"
"Yes, exactly."
"Would they really move?"
Yuk Jin-yang was skeptical.
There was a saying in the jianghu: the steps of a master must be heavy. The greater the reputation, the more entangled in grudges and interests—every action required deliberation.
For peerless experts, a single journey could spark uncontrollable ripples. Especially for the alliance's masters.
The Five Harmony Alliance was inherently tied to the imperial court. Under constant scrutiny from the martial world, their high-rankers' movements demanded utmost caution.
Won Yeong saw through his doubts and shrugged.
"This involves not just His Highness but you, a direct scion of the Yuk Clan. The elders won't just sit idly by."
"If so, that's a relief."
Won Yeong tied the letter to the spirit beast's leg and whispered softly.
"Fly to Kaifeng. As fast as you can."
The silver sparrow beat its tiny wings furiously and took off. At the same moment, the boats finished their preparations.
The sails billowed full as they caught the wind, slicing powerfully through the dim waterways before vanishing into the distance.
Procuring horses was simple. They'd brought alliance tokens from Kaifeng. With tensions between the alliance and the court not yet overt, the officials had no grounds to refuse.
"We got through this time, but the return trip might be trickier. Ideally, we'd avoid tangling with them altogether."
Won Yeong muttered as she spurred her mount.
The group rode hard without respite.
Though not the prized one-blood steeds from their last mission, the government horses were still fine mounts. They traversed the winding terrain like the wind.
However, the official road from Chongqing to Guizhou had no relay stations. Only desolate ruins of abandoned post houses remained.
Before departing, they'd heard the road had been neglected for years. Bandits and yokai preyed on the livestock, eyes bloodshot with greed.
In better times, garrison troops would have driven them off, but with elites redeployed to Guizhou against the Ghost Sword Society, there were no spare men.
In the end, the horses collapsed first from exhaustion. It was the third day out. The group grimly closed the eyes of the foam-flecked beast, tongue lolling lifelessly, and salvaged their packs.
Yuk Jin-yang scanned the surroundings as he retrieved his satchel. Twilight was fading fast. Ominous shadows draped the rugged mountains bathed in sunset glow.
"Time to set up camp."
"Yeah. Lucky they lasted this far. We're pretty close to our goal."
Won Yeong glanced around, then pulled out a map. After studying the terrain intently, her expression hardened slightly.
"We need to be careful from here. Two days to Guizhou."
"I'll prepare for ambushes."
Whether yokai or bandits, they all thirsted for human blood. In sparsely populated areas, they lurked unseen. The borders between officialdom and jianghu heightened the risk.
The pair scouted nearby and found a suitable spot. They gathered dry brush for a fire and filled their stomachs with rations.
Once Won Yeong finished eating, she stretched and said casually.
"We should switch to traveler disguises around here."
Yuk Jin-yang tilted his head.
"We already coordinated with His Highness, didn't we? Do we still need disguises?"
"Of course, for him. But can we trust everyone around him? With the Embroidered Uniform Guard involved, betrayal could lurk anywhere."
Won Yeong rummaged in her satchel and tossed him what looked like an identity plaque, along with a loose red robe.
Inspecting it, Yuk Jin-yang realized it was an imperial censor's badge. A symbol of authority for inspectors dispatched to audit officials. Even the alliance couldn't easily obtain one.
It even bore a proper title.
Great Ming Censorate Affiliate, Surveillance Censor.
He asked, startled.
"What's this?"
"A censor's badge. And the robe they wear on inspections. Brought it just in case. Nice having artisans from the upper echelons in the alliance."
Both the badge and robe appeared to be exquisite fakes, not genuine articles.
Yet even to Yuk Jin-yang's discerning eye, they were indistinguishable. Crafted by alliance experts, they might fool court officials too.
"Is this okay? Impersonating a censor isn't something you walk away from lightly."
"When we're snatching a target marked by the Embroidered Uniform Guard? What's that compared to this? As long as we don't get caught."
Won Yeong replied nonchalantly, briefing him on key points.
"When entering the city, you lead. If they ask for ID, flash the badge. No need for long explanations—that makes you look more like one of those bastards."
"Any other guidelines?"
"If they ask your purpose, say you're here to investigate Guizhou's situation. With 'Surveillance Censor' on your badge, no one will dare probe further."
Won Yeong undid her single braid, tied it into a topknot, applied acupoint makeup for disguise, and donned the robe. She looked every bit the handsome scholar.
Her jade-clear eyes had turned a murky brown—no one could recognize her original face. Likely the acupoint technique's effect.
She muttered.
"Being too striking draws trouble. You're not widely known yet, so no need for you to disguise."
"......"
"What?"
Won Yeong donned the robe without waiting for a reply.
Silence had settled around them. A moonless, deep night. The encircling mountains amplified the thick darkness.
The campfire flickered perilously in the occasional dry gusts. Distant beast howls set their nerves on edge.
Shh, shh.
As they huddled by the small warmth, rustling grass reached their ears. Substantial footsteps accompanied it. Roughly a hundred paces away.
Leaning against a tree with eyes closed, the pair jolted simultaneously, eyes snapping open to scan sharply.
—Did you hear that?
Won Yeong's transmission.
—Yes. Quite a few of them.
—Shall we strike first?
Before he could reply, a response came from the darkness.
Thwip!
Something sliced through the night. He snatched it midair: an arrow with a whistling tube—a signal arrow, rare outside military use in the jianghu.
Gripping his Azure Wave Sword, Yuk Jin-yang called out.
"Government troops? Show yourselves."
"...Looks like warnings weren't needed."
Dozens of warriors emerged from the brush. Unlike jianghu folk, they wore sturdy armor, clanking with every step.
The apparent leader stepped forward, bellowing.
"This area is off-limits to civilians. It's been under lockdown for ages. You seem like outsiders, so no punishment—but leave now."
"You provincial captain knows nothing of the world. Don't you recognize this red robe I'm wearing?"
Yuk Jin-yang puffed up pretentiously, mimicking haughty officials he'd seen.
The captain, experienced with officials, softened rather than challenge outright. Easier to dodge blame later.
"My ignorance prevents me from discerning your rank from the attire alone. Please show your credentials."
As rehearsed, Yuk Jin-yang presented the censor's badge. The captain's face stiffened.
"Censorate...? Forgive my rudeness. I beg your pardon for my oversight."
"State your affiliation."
The captain saluted crisply.
"We are troops from the Guizhou Pacification Office's White Tiger Company. I command a Small Flag unit—ten men. Under His Highness Prince Chu's orders, we're hunting the monstrous yokai plaguing the area."
"Monstrous yokai? Can you prove it?"
"Of course."
At his signal, soldiers brought a cloth-wrapped bundle and set it down. Unfurling the blood-soaked fabric revealed a grotesque corpse.
The body was that of an eight-legged beast, but the head was human.
It was a human-faced spider yokai.