Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: An Invitation to the Sky Dragon Fortress Prison
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“Hurry up and get in!”
*Thwack!*
“Ugh!”
Gloomy Rain Valley and the other four executives of the Seven Valleys of Carnage were thrown into the Martial Alliance’s underground prison. The guards kicked them without hesitation.
Ordinarily, it would have been unthinkable for Martial Alliance guards, whose skills were merely second or first-rate, to be kicking members of the Seven Valleys of Carnage.
After all, these men were infamous public enemies, notorious for their cruelty.
However, with their acupoints sealed by the Alliance Leader and other masters, the members of the Seven Valleys of Carnage were currently unable to use their martial arts.
Furthermore, their limbs were bound, and they had suffered severe internal injuries.
The guards treated the infamous Seven Valleys of Carnage with extreme roughness.
*What good is being strong now?*
*You’re caught and can’t do a damn thing.*
It wasn’t that the men of the Seven Valleys of Carnage hadn’t tried to resist. They had struggled desperately with all their might, but it had been useless.
Gloomy Rain Valley, the youngest of the Seven Valleys, couldn’t hide his despair.
Even Poison Scorpion Valley and Falling Sun Valley, the strongest among those captured, had been defeated without a fight. That said it all.
Falling Sun Valley had been in charge of the formation meant to trap Baek Mu-heun. His formations were renowned for their power, but at some point, the formation had shattered, and warriors from the Orthodox Sects had stormed in.
*Could it be?*
His ominous premonition had not been wrong.
Falling Sun Valley had already been captured by the Orthodox Sect masters. Too late, they realized that they hadn’t cornered Baek Mu-heun; they had walked into a trap.
Poison Scorpion Valley, the strongest of the group, quickly assessed the situation and tried to flee. However, his path was blocked by the Plum Blossom Sword Venerable, Jin Hong.
The difference in skill was palpable. He knew it without even crossing blades. A great river flowed between Jin Hong and Poison Scorpion Valley.
An insurmountable wall.
But Poison Scorpion Valley did not give up.
Who was he? He was the Third Valley of the Seven Valleys of Carnage, a man who had mastered the essence of poison arts. He desperately channeled his poison arts and charged at the Plum Blossom Sword Venerable.
The result…
…was nothing but a horrifying scream.
Brother Poison Scorpion Valley was captured by the Plum Blossom Sword Venerable before he could even withstand ten moves.
The Plum Blossom Sword Venerable, Jin Hong.
The man was a monster.
Even as a master who had just stepped into the Transcendent State charged at him, unleashing a poisonous mist, he remained utterly composed.
Poison Scorpion Valley’s poison arts were torn apart by his brilliant plum blossom swordplay. The poison mist scattered helplessly. In the end, Poison Scorpion Valley was powerless as Jin Hong closed the distance in an instant and delivered a flurry of swift strikes. His entire body was slashed to ribbons.
It was truly in the blink of an eye. No, it was impossible to follow with the naked eye.
Three were left. Brother Death Spirit Valley was taken down before he could even do anything. The Alliance Leader, Du Baek, had instantly closed in and thrown a punch. The Alliance Leader’s strike was enough to leave Brother Death Spirit Valley on the verge of death.
A single blow. His brother lost consciousness. It all happened in a matter of seconds. No matter how much of a master of the Profound State he was, Death Spirit Valley was still a master who had reached the pinnacle…
Was the Profound State on a completely different level from the Transcendent State?
It was only after Gloomy Rain Valley saw Black Face Valley fall to the Perfected One Heoseon of Wudang that he could truly understand. The Seven Valleys of Carnage ruling the world? What a joke. They were nothing but frogs in a well.
‘Ah, Brother Wasted Blood Valley. My poor brother, you’ll be caught soon. Your foolish younger brothers who followed your judgment will rot in this prison first.’
Just as Gloomy Rain Valley was giving up all hope while looking at his fallen brothers, Namgung Jin swung his sword without even drawing it from its scabbard, and a blunt impact struck his head.
There was nothing he could do.
*Thud!*
With Gloomy Rain Valley subdued by Namgung Jin, the situation was over. They were thrown into the prison with severe internal injuries.
The five members of the Seven Valleys of Carnage knelt, covered in blood.
Before them, the Alliance Leader, Du Baek, sat on a chair. A truly terrifying killing intent pressed down on the five men.
The Profound State. A supreme master. Before Du Baek, the Seven Valleys of Carnage were nothing more than mice before a cat.
“Alright, let me ask a few things first. You call yourselves the Seven Valleys of Carnage… So what did you do to the Fierce Sword Sect?”
“…”
They were all paralyzed by fear, daring not to answer.
It felt like they would be killed the moment they spoke of what they had done to the Fierce Sword Sect. However, while everyone else remained silent, one man spoke up. It was Gloomy Rain Valley.
He had already accepted his situation.
It didn't seem likely they would be spared for groveling, but he had to answer. Who knew? They might let them go.
“Can’t you tell just by looking? They’re all dead.”
Hearing Gloomy Rain Valley’s answer, Du Baek slightly lessened his killing intent. He then continued his questions.
“Any survivors?”
“There are no survivors. We are not so soft.”
“Right, you trash. So, was your target a man named Baek Mu-heun?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“We received a request.”
“From whom?”
“Those bastards from the Demonic Cult.”
“Who from the Demonic Cult?”
“I don’t remember that far back. I only agreed because the Demonic Cult bastards said they’d give me a martial arts manual. I don’t bother memorizing names unless they’re a target.”
“Right. It’s a wonder you’ve survived this long with that ignorant head of yours.”
“…”
“Then, one last question. The one acting as the Sect Leader of the Fierce Sword Sect right now, is he your leader, Wasted Blood Valley?”
“…”
It was a question where the answer was obvious even without a reply. The intention behind such a question was merely to observe his reaction. In this case, not answering was an affirmation.
“I suppose I asked something too obvious.”
“If you let us go… for the rest of our lives…”
“You’ll live in repentance?”
“Ye-yes.”
Du Baek’s killing intent, which had subsided, flared up once more.
“Then why did you do something you’d have to repent for?”
“…”
“You slaughtered all the disciples of the Fierce Sword Sect. So what if you repent? Will they come back to life?”
“…”
“Then where are they supposed to seek mercy? To whom can they vent their pain and injustice?”
“I-I was wrong.”
“I’m not saying this because I want to hear your damn apology.”
“…”
“You have committed an unforgivable act. There will be no leniency. The Plum Blossom Sword Venerable and the elders of each sect have gone to capture Wasted Blood Valley and Brilliant Light Valley. They will be here soon.”
*We’re doomed.*
The Alliance Leader had no intention of letting them go. Then why not kill them now?
“Wh-what are you going to do with us?”
“Just wait a moment. The one who will make good use of you will be here shortly.”
And then, the Soul-Stealing Immortal, Jang Ryang, descended into the underground prison.
***
Wasted Blood Valley, the leader of the Seven Valleys of Carnage, witnessed the defeat of Jo-gok, a warrior they had personally raised. His opponent was Yan Hwa-taek of the Jinju Yan Clan. He had smashed the head of Jo-gok, who Wasted Blood Valley had been certain would win.
‘Jo-gok was defeated? How can this be?’
Moreover, Yan Hwa-taek wasn’t even a well-known name among the younger generation. Had the Jinju Yan Clan always been this strong? No. In Hebei, it was the Peng Clan that was famous, not the Yan Clan.
The Peng Clan was strong, yes, but the Yan Clan? He hadn’t even considered them a threat. Was he underestimating the strength of the Orthodox Sects?
Just then, a warrior approached him. He wore a sword with a plum blossom crest at his waist.
‘…’
Wasted Blood Valley knew who this man was. The sweat trickling down his palm was proof enough. The face looked youthful, but that wasn't his real age.
‘My brothers have failed.’
The regular reports from his subordinates had ceased. Furthermore, he was surrounded by elder-level figures from prestigious clans and major sects.
Brilliant Light Valley and his subordinates also realized the gravity of the situation and became highly alert.
‘The plan should have been perfect. What in the world went wrong…?’
Just then, the Plum Blossom Sword Venerable, Jin Hong, spoke.
“Sect Leader of the Fierce Sword Sect, your disciple has just passed away in the medical hall. I offer my deepest condolences.”
Wasted Blood Valley was so dumbfounded by Jin Hong’s words that he retorted.
“My disciple is dead. Why are you surrounding me?”
“You will have to come with me for a moment.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I have no choice but to take you by force.”
Before Jin Hong could even finish his sentence, Wasted Blood Valley reached for the hilt of his sword. But he couldn’t feel anything in his hand.
*Slice.*
“Wh-what…!?”
The Plum Blossom Sword was already drawn. The sound of the sword strike followed a moment later. Red blood flowed. Pain washed over him.
Even the iron plate wrapped around his wrist had been cleanly severed.
*Slice, slice.*
“Gah!”
Before Wasted Blood Valley could even draw his own sword, Jin Hong had severed the tendons in his limbs.
*Splatter!*
Wasted Blood Valley was by no means weak. However, there was a world of difference between someone unprepared for battle and someone who was fully prepared.
Especially one who had already recognized the hopelessness of being surrounded. Wasted Blood Valley and Brilliant Light Valley had lost their will to fight.
Despite the scent of blood scattering in all directions, the VIP room remained quiet. It was the same method they had devised to capture Mu-heun. This time, the Tortoise Unit had stepped up and set up a formation at the Fierce Sword Sect’s location.
Beside them, Gu Pae-seon and Ok Cheon-u were subduing and binding Brilliant Light Valley.
Jin Hong flicked the blood from his Plum Blossom Sword with a single motion and said, “These are Unorthodox Sect members disguised as the Fierce Sword Sect. Bind them all and transport them to the underground prison.”
As soon as his words fell, the members of the Martial Alliance moved swiftly, binding all the members of the Seven Valleys of Carnage who had disguised themselves as the Fierce Sword Sect and dragging them away.
Jin Hong sheathed his Plum Blossom Sword again and cupped his fist towards Gu Pae-seon and Ok Cheon-u.
“It is an honor to meet the two Cloud Dragons of Kunlun. Thank you for your help.”
Gu Pae-seon and Ok Cheon-u also cupped their fists and replied.
“Think nothing of it. Have you been well, Plum Blossom Sword Venerable?”
“I have.”
Just then, Gu Pae-seon stepped past Ok Cheon-u and moved closer to Jin Hong.
“I know you have a strong sense of justice, Plum Blossom Sword Venerable, but you must not try to kill someone immediately just because they are from the Demonic Cult. A time may come when we must cooperate with those we align with, regardless of their origins.”
Jin Hong knew why Gu Pae-seon was saying this to him. But he was no fool. The days of recklessly swinging his sword were long past. During his time roaming the Central Plains, he had already encountered beings known as monsters and ghost spirits.
The very things the Alliance Leader called strange phenomena. Some among them were beings whose victory could not be guaranteed even if they fought the Alliance Leader, himself, or the Supreme Taiji Sword Emperor of Wudang.
However, his change of heart was very recent, and it was true that he had previously swung his sword based on origin alone… So Jin Hong nodded and said, “I will keep that in mind.”
Gu Pae-seon and Ok Cheon-u paused, looking surprised for a moment, but then resumed walking to continue their meeting.
***
*Chirp!*
[Master! It looks like the situation is over!]
[Yes, it seems so to me as well.]
[What’s going to happen to those guys now!?]
[Who knows? We’ll have to use them as much as we can.]
[Of course! You’re so cool, Master!]
Mu-heun felt a slight ache in his ears. Cheon-hyang’s fussing was probably the greatest in the world.
Meanwhile, Mu-heun’s attention was elsewhere.
‘The Seven Valleys of Carnage disguised as the Fierce Sword Sect has been dealt with… Now, let’s see. It will all depend on how I use the Butterfly’s Dream I obtained from Chi Pyeong Temple.’
Mu-heun touched the prayer beads on his wrist.