Chapter 186
Chapter 186
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 186
Chapter Title: An Unlikely Alliance
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Six young people sat in a deserted, quiet teahouse.
They were Bu Eun-seol, Hyeok So-jin, the Zhuge siblings, and the Huangfu brothers.
“So…”
Bu Eun-seol, who had been listening silently to Zhuge Se-un’s story, finally spoke.
“…the Zhuge, Huangfu, and Moyong families, with the Zhuge clan at the center, intend to deal with the newly emerged Spirit-Severing Madman yourselves.”
The Zhuge, Moyong, and Huangfu families.
Among the Eight Great Families, these three were not only the most active in the martial world but also shared a close bond.
That was why, upon the appearance of the Spirit-Severing Madman, they had immediately joined forces to form a pursuit party.
‘Just as I thought.’
Bu Eun-seol nodded faintly, as if he had expected as much.
The Zhuge family, in particular, was known to emerge whenever trouble brewed in the martial world.
Back at the inn, Bu Eun-seol had noticed the Six Harmonies Fan tucked into Zhuge Se-un’s waist and guessed he was from the Zhuge family.
Thus, he had surmised they had come to the martial world to deal with the Spirit-Severing Madman.
“But how do you intend to catch this Spirit-Severing Madman, who is said to be as elusive as a ghost?
“The main forces of our three families have already picked up his trail.”
“His trail, you say.”
Seeing Bu Eun-seol’s unconvinced expression, Zhuge Se-un’s long, phoenix-like eyes flashed as he continued.
“Of course, the Spirit-Severing Madman is a master of escape. He surely knows he is being pursued by the main forces of three families.”
He took a sip of tea before continuing.
“He will likely evade the pursuit by avoiding the blocked and surrounded escape routes. That is why we have decided to join forces and track his movements ourselves.”
Bu Eun-seol let out a low hum.
Zhuge Se-un had phrased it as tracking his movements, but the meaning was clear.
They intended to bypass the pursuit teams sent by their families and deal with the Spirit-Severing Madman themselves.
“Then why are you asking us to accompany you?”
Bu Eun-seol asked with a puzzled look.
Three of the Eight Great Families had already united to catch a single madman.
They had more than enough manpower; there was not a shred of reason to invite outsiders.
“Young Master Bu and Young Master Hyeok are not only highly skilled in martial arts, but you also possess a great sense of justice.”
Clearing his throat, he smiled.
“Ordinarily, one would have focused only on dealing with the river pirates, but you, Young Master Bu, considered the plight of the common people first.”
Zhuge Se-un wore a faint smile.
“I believe the most important thing in the martial world is the path of chivalry. And only those with such a heart can capture a vicious fiend.”
His gaze shifted between Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin as he went on.
“Moreover, you two are indifferent to fame and fortune. You quietly left after dealing with the pirates, even though most of the credit belonged to you.”
“You need us for our sense of justice alone?”
“Of course not. A sense of justice is merely the foundation.”
“The foundation, you say.”
A smile touched Bu Eun-seol’s lips.
“If you truly intend to capture him without greed, is there any need to act separately? Wouldn’t it be better to request additional forces at the suspected location and deal with the Spirit-Severing Madman that way?”
“Of course, part of our reason for wanting to capture him is to build our reputation. It’s not that we are completely without ambition.”
Zhuge Se-un spoke honestly.
“However, the fact that the main forces of our three families have joined together became known far too quickly. As long as the Spirit-Severing Madman, a master of escape, is aware that three units are pursuing him…”
He sighed for a moment, then shook his head.
“He will certainly evade the pursuit. That is why we advised them to form a new pursuit unit or to split the three units to block all possible escape routes. But… our advice was not taken.”
In short, they had presented their opinions to the elders of the three families, but their words had fallen on deaf ears. Thus, the younger generation decided to take matters into their own hands.
‘They are severely underestimating the Spirit-severing Madman’s abilities.’
According to the information compiled by the Nine Kills Squad, the Spirit-Severing Madman’s skills, contrary to what was known, had long ago reached the Transcendent Realm.
And yet, they were trying to chase him based on mere rumors circulating in the martial world?
‘Or perhaps they are overconfident in their own abilities.’
“Of course, it’s possible the Spirit-Severing Madman is a stronger master than is known.”
Zhuge Se-un continued, as if he had read Bu Eun-seol’s mind.
“That is why we intended to recruit the Heavenly Physician Scholar, with whom my brother Huangfu and I are acquainted. But he had already left for Yunnan.”
“The Heavenly Physician Scholar?”
It was a name he had never heard before.
As Bu Eun-seol tilted his head, Zhuge Se-un explained.
“He has largely refrained from activities in the martial world, so his fame is not widespread, but he is a master from Wudang.”
“A disciple of the Wudang Sect, you mean?”
“Indeed. He is a lay disciple, but he has deeply mastered the Taiji Sword Arts and possesses a brilliant strategic mind.”
Zhuge Se-un had planned to recruit the Heavenly Physician Scholar, whose skills were comparable to the masters of the Moyong family, to ensure they could handle the Spirit-Severing Madman without issue.
“The Spirit-Severing Madman’s Bone-Penetrating Saber Art is filled with cruel and fatal techniques, so there is a high probability it will display unexpected power.”
Zhuge Se-un said with a serious expression.
“That is why we wanted to recruit the Heavenly Physician Scholar to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances… but since he has left for Yunnan, we were left disappointed.”
He paused to take another sip of tea before speaking again.
“But then, on the merchant ship, we witnessed your outstanding martial arts. Meeting you, Young Master Bu and Young Master Hyeok, whose skills are no less than the Heavenly Physician Scholar’s, must be fate.”
They understood the path of chivalry, were indifferent to wealth and fame, and possessed outstanding martial skills.
For Zhuge Se-un, who needed to deal with the Spirit-Severing Madman, the two of them were an opportunity he simply could not pass up.
“Young Master Bu.”
Zhuge Se-un spoke once more with conviction.
“Will you join us?”
‘Perfect.’
A faint smile graced Bu Eun-seol’s lips.
In truth, the only reason he had allowed Zhuge Se-un to approach him was in the hope that he might know of the Spirit-Severing Madman’s whereabouts.
And now, he was being offered a ride right to his enemy? It couldn’t get any better than this.
“Let’s give it a try.”
“Thank you.”
Zhuge Se-un beamed and cupped his hands in respect.
The Huangfu brothers, however, merely stood by in silence, their expressions displeased.
“Rin.”
Zhuge Se-un, deliberately ignoring their discomfort, turned to Zhuge Seo-rin.
“Since Young Master Bu and Young Master Hyeok have agreed to join us, please explain the current situation to them.”
“Yes.”
She then spread a detailed map of the Guangxi region on the table.
“Right now, the advance units of the three families are pursuing the Spirit-Severing Madman, who has left the vicinity of Si’en Prefecture. We are scheduled to meet with the second young master of the Moyong family, Moyong Gyeong, here.”
Zhuge Seo-rin explained carefully.
“After we rendezvous with Young Master Moyong, we will lie in wait on a path in Wuzhong Mountain, where we expect the Spirit-Severing Madman to appear.”
“You’re saying the Spirit-Severing Madman will come to Wuzhong Mountain?”
“If our prediction is correct.”
When Zhuge Seo-rin smiled, the inside of the teahouse seemed to brighten.
In that instant, the Huangfu brothers’ mouths fell open in a goofy grin.
‘So they have other interests.’
It seemed the Huangfu brothers had another reason for joining this venture.
“Well then…”
Zhuge Se-un rose to his feet and said energetically.
“Let us depart!”
***
Two carriages were speeding along the main road.
One carried the Zhuge siblings and the Huangfu brothers, while the other held Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin.
“Hmph.”
Hyeok So-jin let out a deep sigh and spoke with a dissatisfied expression.
“Something about this just doesn’t feel right.”
“What do you mean?”
“Can you really call this a journey through the martial world… no, a fight?”
Hyeok So-jin crossed his arms, his face a mask of discontent.
“No matter how much of a fiend he is… to hunt him down in a group like beaters cornering an animal. It just doesn’t sit well with me.”
Ever since he had entered the martial world with Bu Eun-seol, he had always fought life-and-death battles from a position of disadvantage.
But this time, they were on the opposite side, using superior numbers to crush a single opponent… it naturally left a bad taste in his mouth.
“I believe I’ve told you this before.”
Bu Eun-seol, having seen through Hyeok So-jin’s thoughts, said calmly.
“It is not just fierce battles that make a martial artist grow. One can also advance their martial arts through diverse experiences.”
“Well… I suppose so.”
Hyeok So-jin, who was about to retort, clamped his mouth shut as his eyes met Bu Eun-seol’s.
He looked just like a younger brother who couldn’t dare talk back to his stern older brother, swallowing his words instead.
Seeing this, Bu Eun-seol was suddenly reminded of Heuk-pyo, who was likely training his martial arts back at the Dong-pyo-seo-rang.
With his outstanding talent and diligence, his martial progress must be advancing by leaps and bounds each day.
“And there is no need to worry.”
Bu Eun-seol, staring intently at Hyeok So-jin, spoke in a meaningful tone.
“There is no guarantee that we will have the upper hand in this fight.”
“What?”
“Despite being pursued by three advance units from the Eight Great Families, he hasn’t been caught easily, has he? Perhaps…”
“Whoa!”
At that moment, the low cry of the coachman was heard.
The carriage soon came to a halt in front of a shabby manor, a short distance from the town.
This was the Falling Star Manor, where they were to meet the second young master of the Moyong family, Moyong Gyeong.
“Brother Zhuge.”
Emerging from the manor was a handsome young man dressed in flamboyant clothes with an ornament in his ear.
He was Moyong Gyeong, the second son of the Moyong family head and one of the Seven Gallants and Three Prodigies, known as the Flashing Flying Sword.
“Brother Moyong.”
Moyong Gyeong greeted Zhuge Se-un and the Huangfu brothers warmly.
But when Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin walked up behind them, he blinked his eyes.
“And they are…”
As his eyes filled with wariness, Zhuge Se-un quickly explained.
“The Heavenly Physician Scholar did not keep his promise. So, in his place, we have Bu Eun-seol, Young Master Bu, and his sworn brother, Hyeok So-jin, Young Master Hyeok.”
Moyong Gyeong’s expression instantly soured.
Not only had he never heard their names, but the two men’s auras were utterly ordinary.
“Even so. Are you saying you’re just going to let some strangers join us for this affair?”
“It was not sudden. On our way here, Young Master Bu and Young Master Hyeok…”
Zhuge Se-un launched into a lengthy explanation of Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin’s martial prowess and sense of justice, recounting how they had swiftly dealt with the Jiao Dragon Gang’s pirates.
But Moyong Gyeong’s expression did not improve as he listened in silence.
Zhuge Se-un then put on a serious face and explained again.
“The Spirit-Severing Madman is a murderer who has roamed the martial world for over a decade, evading pursuit from both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions.”
He looked Moyong Gyeong straight in the eye and continued.
“His skills may be greater than what is known… We must bolster our forces to subdue him without trouble.”
“But can you really call them a significant addition to our strength based on them having dealt with mere river pirates?”
Moyong Gyeong asked cautiously, but his meaning was clear: he was looking down on Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin.
Flustered, Zhuge Se-un said in a low voice.
“Even if that’s not the case, it’s enough if they can just buy us some time.”
When Moyong Gyeong still looked unconvinced, Zhuge Se-un wiped the sweat from his brow.
He was worried that Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin would feel offended and turn back.
However, despite having heard the entire conversation, the two men showed no reaction.
‘Their character is excellent as well. Truly upstanding men!’
He mistakenly believed that Bu Eun-seol and Hyeok So-jin were holding back because they were not only patient but also possessed a noble character.
But the reality was completely different.
「Brother Bu. A new frog in a well has appeared.」
「Be quiet.」
「Aren’t you being a bit unfair? Since another frog in a well has shown up, shouldn’t you be the one to give him a stern lesson?」
The two men were paying no mind to Moyong Gyeong at all, instead exchanging trivial chatter through telepathic messages.