Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Big Fish
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“We failed.”
“Failed?”
Hwe Ong stared at the reporter with a baffled expression. The one who had come to report was Mu Hyang, the total overseer of the Life-Death Society's Hidden Shadow division. Though masked, the heavy sway of her chest with every step made it clear she was a woman.
“All five were found in the reed fields of Dunhuang's southern market.”
“Cause of death?”
“Nan-jang and Mu-ja had their throats slit, Pal-bi and In-hon were done in by short weapons shaped like hidden projectiles. Gong-yeol was killed with a Vajra Hammer.”
“Gong-yeol fell to a Vajra Hammer?”
“Yes.”
“The Vajra Hammer is Mu-ja's weapon.”
“Using someone else's weapon—especially the enemy's—requires a dire situation and quick thinking. Given that, the one who took out Gong-yeol is most likely that Black Wind fellow. He probably got hit by the Vajra Hammer while dealing with Mu-ja. Then he clashed with Gong-yeol and pulled it from his own body to stab him. That's clear.”
“So Nan-jang was done in by that Ara bitch.”
“They said her throat was cut with a sword. But Mu-ja was reportedly killed by a weapon closer to a saber than a sword.”
“That means he fought at least three of them.”
“Exactly.”
“The Thunder Hammer and Vajra Hammer...”
“They weren't there.”
“Hmm. Heavy losses.”
“No helping it.”
“Did you look into what happened with the Wind Brigade?”
“You mean Fengdai?”
“Yeah.”
“Fortunately, I met someone from the Wind Brigade. He said there was no mutiny.”
“Then?”
“They were handed over to the Blood Wolf Clan under the same old terms. The day the war ended, they were attacked by the Blood Wolves and scattered.”
“And the funny part? The Wind Brigade members never received any pay.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“They said they'd give all the dead men's shares to the survivors once the war was over.”
“In other words, embezzlement?”
“Exactly. He fabricated a story that the Wind Brigade mutinied and took out General Gun Cheokjeon and the other four to cover it up.”
“No evidence, of course?”
“Some Wind Brigade survivors are alive, but who would believe them?”
“And yet Joo Chang-cheol is still trying to eliminate Black Wind and Ara...”
“Even the sturdiest dam crumbles from a single hole. He's probably preemptively removing a potential fatal blemish.”
“That makes sense. How many do we have left?”
“All the unranked are here, ten specials, thirty first-grades, twenty second-grades, a hundred third-grades, a hundred fourth-grades, and three hundred fifth-grades.”
“Keep only the fifth-graders and prepare everyone else for deployment.”
“That many?”
“I don't like sending them in dribbles and waiting for results. Better to wipe them out in one go and come back together.”
“Am I going too?”
“Of course.”
“Got it. I'll prepare.”
Mu Hyang nodded and left.
News of Ak Muyoo and Ara wasn't known only to the Life-Death Society. Joo Chang-cheol's group had also been informed that Ak Muyoo and Ara had entered Dunhuang.
“They say he's going around in a black hat and sand-proof mask.”
Warrior General Hwang Bo-seung said.
“Do you think there's a reason for that getup?”
Joo Chang-cheol asked.
“Maybe he's gathering Wind Brigade members.”
Hwang Bo-seung replied.
“To claim innocence?”
“Likely.”
“They're not so stupid as to think anyone would believe their barking?”
“Cornered rats have to do something.”
“True enough.”
“The problem is the ones in the capital.”
Seven Wonders General Paeng Suk said.
“The ones in the capital?”
Joo Chang-cheol looked at Paeng Suk.
“To the Three Dukes or the Imperial Command East Depot faction, we're prime meat to chew on.”
“Indeed.”
Joo Chang-cheol nodded.
“Adal's mother hired assassins, but they failed.”
Flame Flower General Ok Chogi said.
“They got paid, so they'll keep at it until the job's done.”
Joo Chang-cheol nodded.
“Suppose Black Wind and Ara make it all the way here. What then?”
Heavenly Defeat General Dok Gunpae asked.
“The Three Dukes or East Depot might take them to meet His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Then...”
“We can't let them set foot in the capital...”
Whoosh!
Joo Chang-cheol swung his arm sharply.
Shuuuak!
Thud!
The hidden weapon from his hand pierced the window.
“Urk!”
A low cry followed, and something fell.
The five men rushed to the window and flung the door open. But the one who cried out was nowhere to be seen.
“No one there!”
Joo Chang-cheol bellowed.
“Yes.”
“Intruder! Find and eliminate!”
“Understood!”
Soon, the Heavenly Pursuit General's residence buzzed with activity.
“Looks like we need to handle this personally.”
Hwang Bo-seung said.
“The closest place to Dunhuang is Hwang Bo-sega, right?”
“Yes.”
“You go there yourself. Handle it cleanly.”
“Understood.”
Hwang Bo-seung clasped his fists and exited.
“Can't find them?”
Joo Chang-cheol shouted down below.
“Nothing!”
“...Keep searching!”
“Yes!”
Paat! Paat!
A black-clad figure raced through the darkness. Without pause, he vaulted over the wall of a grand estate.
“Who goes there?”
As he cleared the wall, thick killing intent shot from all sides. It pinned him in place, ruthless and unyielding.
“I'm First Concubine Myo Yo. Escort me to the Imperial Command East Depot Lord.”
The intruder removed her mask. Revealed was a peerless beauty with catlike features. Red Bird Myo Yo—she was Wi Ji Ha-seung's most trusted first concubine, also his secret consort.
“Ah, right away.”
The man hurried off.
“This way.”
Another appeared to guide her.
This place was fortified with formations that changed nightly, impassable without knowing the shifts.
Of course, someone like Myo Yo knew the ten-day cycle by heart, but she feigned ignorance.
Soon, she passed the formations and entered the main hall. Waiting was a man so stunning he could be called peerless—pity he was male.
Known as Flower Face for his blossom-like beauty, he was Wi Ji Ha-seung, head of the East Depot, one of the empire's top power organs.
Though over sixty, his face and hands bore not a single wrinkle, as if aging backward.
Rumors said he'd caught the eye of an emperor fond of catamites in his youth, but neither confirmed it, so truth remained unknown.
“Injured?”
A neutral voice flowed out.
“Joo Chang-cheol was stronger than expected.”
“Where?”
“Chest.”
“Show me.”
Myo Yo approached Wi Ji Ha-seung and shed her night clothes' top. Skin whiter than white jade gleamed. Despite her petite frame, her curves were voluptuous, breathtakingly so. Yet Wi Ji Ha-seung's eyes didn't flicker.
“Your big chest saved you.”
He placed his palm on her breast.
A hidden weapon protruded from his fingertip.
“Unavoidable. This is the pinnacle of hidden weapons, Thunder Core.”
What he extracted was a blue projectile under an inch long.
He set it aside, applied medicine. Each touch made Myo Yo tremble.
“What did he say?”
Wi Ji Ha-seung asked as he treated her.
“About Wind Brigade Captain Black Wind and Ara.”
“Ara?”
“The daughter the Heavenly Yu Merchant House lord got from a concubine.”
“Didn't she go to Emei Sect and become a nun?”
“We thought so, but she's in Dunhuang with that Wind Brigade Captain Black Wind.”
“Black Wind, accused of plotting rebellion and killing five generals, is in Dunhuang?”
“Y-yes. And Joo Chang-cheol seems intent on keeping Black Wind and Ara from reaching the capital.”
“Did you learn why?”
“He didn't say. Just that if they return, it'll be big trouble for them. Also, the Heavenly Yu Merchant House lady requested a hit on Black Wind and Ara.”
“Intriguing. Both the merchant lady and Joo Chang-cheol gunning for them. Maybe there's a dark secret behind the five generals' deaths, starting with Gun Cheokjeon?”
Wi Ji Ha-seung's hand slid downward.
“Th-that...”
Myo Yo's face flushed crimson, breath quickening.
“You'll investigate.”
“Y-yes.”
“The Three Secrets' poison masters want to earn their keep.”
Long called the Great Capital—not Peking—this place harbored three secret organizations: Forbidden Heaven Secret (Gold Heaven Secret), Nine Dragons Demons, and Red Society. Together, the Great Capital Three Secrets.
Founded by a fallen emperor to protect the imperial house, he selected the strongest from officialdom and the martial world. Some said the founding emperor succeeded because he seized them. They were that powerful.
Yet they never emerged openly.
Living deep in shadows, few knew of them; now forgotten. Wi Ji Ha-seung had taken them in.
“Wh-what if Black Wind won't listen?”
“Use this beautiful body to enslave him and drag him here. You can do it?”
“Y-yes.”
Myo Yo closed her eyes.
Wi Ji Ha-seung's touch was deft and cunning.
“How fares the Great Heaven Heavenly King Division?”
“W-we learned the Heavenly King operates as Ak Cheon-hyu.”
“Ties to Central Plains martial world?”
“No known warriors or factions closely linked to the Heavenly King.”
“No one coming and going from Great Heaven Heavenly King Division?”
“The Heavenly King's son, Joo Mu-yu, scurries about, but no notable followers.”
“In the capital, we must watch Joo Cheon-hyu closest. Other groups watch too, but never take eyes off him.”
“Yes.”
“Your chest wound should heal en route.”
Wi Ji Ha-seung withdrew.
“I'll go.”
She fastened her clothes and left.
Clack!
As the door to Wi Ji Ha-seung's quarters shut, Myo Yo's eyes turned icy. A stark shift from her earlier moans.
Leaving the estate, Myo Yo issued orders to her subordinates. They'd meet at her house.
Back home, Myo Yo headed straight to the bath and stripped. Short but perfectly proportioned, she seemed tall. She scrubbed until her skin squeaked, then emerged. A woman entered—Myo Yo's maid, Ha Mi, also scantily clad. Ha Mi was quite the beauty too.
Myo Yo lay prone on the table.
Ha Mi toweled her back dry. Once done, Myo Yo turned.
“Injured?”
Ha Mi eyed the chest wound.
“The old fox applied medicine.”
“No wonder your body reeks of seduction—from the old fox.”
“You feel it?”
“Even more bewitching.”
After drying the front, Myo Yo lay prone again. Ha Mi poured oil on her back, massaged slowly. Back done, she oiled the front. Once absorbed, she wiped residue, dressed her.
In semi-martial, semi-official attire, wingless hat atop her head.
She went to the parlor. Three sipped tea: a horse-faced elder, a giant like an iron pagoda, and a woman radiating mystic aura.
The horse-faced elder was Gold Heaven Secret's poison lord and First Secret of the Gold Heaven Ten Secrets, Mo Gwang. The hulking man: Nine Dragons Demons' poison lord, Invincible War Demon Cheol Geuk-yang. The mystic woman: Red Society's poison lord, Lion Iron Queen Sa Sa-yeong.
“Pleased to meet you. I'll explain on the way.”
Myo Yo greeted.
“Where to?”
Sa Sa-yeong asked.
“Destination's Dunhuang.”
“Far.”
“Yes.”
Myo Yo smiled faintly and rose.
Soon after, Myo Yo, Ha Mi, and three others boarded a carriage and departed her house.