Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Ambush at the Inn
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Shhrrk—
The beaded curtain rattled, emitting a clear sound.
"……."
The inn fell into a silence as profound as if cold water had been poured over it.
The group pushing through the curtain numbered seven, each one strikingly unique.
Two women entered first, so breathtakingly beautiful that they made eyes widen.
Following them was a cute young girl and a stern-looking elderly man.
Bringing up the rear were three young men.
It was impossible to guess what purpose had brought this motley crew together, but they scanned the room and nodded in satisfaction.
"We've been riding nonstop for four days, and the horses are exhausted. If lodging is available, we'll stay here tonight."
Shim Wijin, one of the young men, spoke up.
"Finally, some rest."
"Great."
"Sounds good."
"Haha, it's been ages since I'll lie on a proper bed instead of hard ground."
"Yay!"
The group chimed in eagerly, as if they'd been waiting for the words.
The only one who didn't respond was Cheonhwi, the other young man, who scanned the inn's interior with keen interest.
'Oh ho.'
The atmosphere in the inn was peculiar.
It had been bustling with noise before they entered, but silence had descended the moment they appeared.
One might think it was just a temporary lull from new arrivals, but...
The fleeting glances he'd caught.
Those quickly vanishing looks had clearly been ones of wariness—or outright hostility.
'...Let's see what happens.'
As he smirked at the patrons hastily averting their eyes when caught staring...
"Welcome!"
A middle-aged man, apparently the innkeeper, approached, rubbing his hands together like a fly.
"Oh, dear guests! Here for a meal?"
"Is lodging available by any chance?"
Shim Wijin stepped forward to ask.
"Of course! Absolutely!"
The innkeeper's face lit up.
He eyed Shim Wijin and the group expectantly before cautiously inquiring.
"How many rooms might you need...?"
"How many do you have?"
"Four left, good sir."
Shim Wijin glanced at Sohee Lord.
She nodded up and down emphatically, so he asked the innkeeper,
"How much for all of them?"
"All of them?"
The innkeeper's eyes widened.
"Tw-twelve strings of cash."
"Here. Keep the change."
Shim Wijin handed over a pouch as he spoke.
The innkeeper unfolded it carefully, and his mouth split into a wide grin.
"Thank you, sir! I'll show you to your seats right away!"
He bustled about energetically, naturally guiding the group to empty spots.
"We'll prepare a hearty spread!"
The excited innkeeper departed.
"How long until we get there?"
Shinui grumbled as he sat.
It had been four days since leaving Mount Hua Sect.
They'd raced in a carriage without rest, but they hadn't even reached Shaanxi Province, let alone its heart, Xi'an.
Shim Wijin replied calmly.
"At least two months."
"Two months minimum?"
Shinui furrowed his brow.
"That long?"
"It's a great distance. It takes time."
"Tch."
Shinui clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and turned his head sharply. Sohee Lord approached and spoke.
"I'll make sure we arrive faster. Right, Wijin?"
Shim Wijin faltered slightly but met her icy gaze and answered promptly.
"Yes, possible."
"Tch, it'll shave off a few days at best."
Shinui stuck out his lower lip.
He didn't like the situation at all.
Heading to Qinghai Province in the first place.
He shook his head in exasperation and clicked his tongue again.
He had no fond memories of the imperial court.
Once, Shinui had treated the late emperor's illness. Impressed by his skills, the court had tried every trick to keep him from leaving.
Because of their tactics, he'd wasted four years there.
If the late emperor hadn't released him, he might have been trapped forever.
Clicking his tongue, he looked at Cheonhwi.
"Why suddenly decide to go to Qinghai...?"
"You didn't have to come along."
Cheonhwi smirked.
"It's not too late. Head back to Mount Hua now if you want."
"...You mean that?"
"Yes."
"What about the treatment?"
"Not my problem."
Cheonhwi shrugged nonchalantly.
"I'm just the escort."
"But you know the real purpose of this journey."
"Real purpose or not, I just follow the sect leader's orders."
"……."
Speechless, Shinui rubbed his forehead.
"Hah. What good is talking to you?"
He regretted his words immediately.
From what he'd seen of Cheonhwi so far, the kid really wouldn't say another word.
"I mean, just kidding."
He backpedaled hastily.
"Tch, too bad."
Cheonhwi smacked his lips regretfully.
Shinui's brows knitted tighter.
He'd expected as much, but hearing it stung.
"You show no respect for this elder to the end."
"I've been plenty respectful."
"You insolent brat."
As Shinui pouted at Cheonhwi, who wouldn't yield an inch...
"Um, guests...?"
The cook emerged from the kitchen, hesitating before bowing deeply.
"S-sorry. The food will take time because there's so much."
"Haha, no problem."
"Take your time."
Shim Wijin and Jeokgeom spoke gently, and the cook set down his tray.
"I brought Dragon Well tea instead. Please wait with this."
The apologetic cook placed the teapot and cups on the table.
"Hahaha, it's fine."
"Dragon Well? It's been a while."
As everyone reached for the teapot...
"I'll have some first."
Cheonhwi snatched it first and poured himself a cup, sipping.
"They used something pricey."
"Really? Then me too..."
"Pour me a cup."
"Me too..."
"Later."
Cheonhwi brushed off the others' hands reaching for the pot and looked up.
"Isn't this a bit sloppy?"
"Pardon?"
"What do you mean?"
"Martial Uncle?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The group was taken aback by Cheonhwi's sudden words.
But he ignored them, poured another cup, and handed it to the flustered cook.
"Want a cup?"
"Oh, no, how could I drink a guest's tea?"
The cook waved it off.
"It's fine. Drink."
"No, even so..."
Cheonhwi stared at the persistently refusing cook and smirked.
"Why? No antidote ready?"
"Pardon?"
The cook's eyes flickered for an instant before vanishing.
He forced an awkward smile.
"Guest, what do you mean by antidote...?"
Cheonhwi raised his index finger, crimson energy flaring from it.
In that moment.
Whoosh!
The cook jerked his head back at unbelievable speed, dodging the crimson glow.
"Assassin!"
"This inn...!"
The group finally grasped the situation.
Jeokgeom and Seollan drew their swords, while Shim Wijin and Soryeong jumped up to shield Sohee Lord and Shinui.
The cook, who had barely evaded, twisted his face in fury.
"When did you notice?"
"From the start."
The cook laughed chillingly.
"Quite the bluff."
"You're the sloppy ones, aren't you?"
"Sloppy?"
"You've been ready since we walked in. You can't even hide your killing intent now... Sigh."
Cheonhwi shook his head at the surroundings, sneering.
"And that hand."
"Hand?"
"What cook has hands so pale, smooth, and flawless?"
"……!"
The cook's pupils shook.
"In that brief moment...?"
"Oh, and..."
Cheonhwi tapped his neck.
"Your human skin mask is sticking out."
"What?!"
The cook clutched his neck frantically.
"Sloppy."
"……!"
"If you're going to do it, do it right."
The cook bit his lip.
But soon, he grinned chillingly, twisting his mouth.
"...Heh, fool. You knew it was a trap and drank anyway?"
The cook spoke confidently.
Even if he'd spotted the pre-set trap, stepping into it meant the end.
'Poisoned with Crane Top Red in the tea—he'll die soon... Huh?'
He glared at Cheonhwi in confusion.
The poison should have spread through his body by now, yet Cheonhwi showed no change.
"H-how are you fine after Crane Top Red...?"
"Oh! So this was Crane Top Red?"
"Crane Top Red?!"
"What?!"
The group, who had been warily watching their surroundings while listening, recoiled and pulled away from the teacups.
Crane Top Red was infamous for killing instantly upon ingestion, without even a few breaths.
And it was in the tea they'd nearly drunk!
"No wonder it was a bit bitter."
As Cheonhwi spoke, he extended his index finger.
A blackish-green liquid beaded at the tip and dripped down.
Sizzle!
A hole burned into the wooden floor, black smoke rising.
"Crane Top Red...!"
The cook's body trembled.
"Immunity to Ten Thousand Poisons...?!"
"Not quite that far."
Cheonhwi smirked.
"Immunity to a Thousand Poisons, maybe?"
"You bastard!"
Thinking it mockery, the cook bellowed.
"Kill them all!"
In that instant, the patrons who had vanished mid-meal poured out from all sides.
Boom!
Cheonhwi unleashed New Hundred Changes Steps to evade them, closing in on the cook and thrusting his fist.
"Hup!"
The waiter gulped and met the fist not with evasion, but by clapping his palms together.
The fist collided with the palms.
Bam!
The air exploded.
"Huh? Still standing?"
Cheonhwi praised the waiter, who had only staggered back despite taking Flying Form Fist head-on.
"Not bad."
"...Grit! You...!"
The shouting man slapped his face and tore off the skin.
Riiip!
"Taking off the human skin mask now...? Just put it back on."
Cheonhwi gazed pityingly at the man clutching the mask.
Life must have been tough.
Pity welled up.
Each feature of the man's hidden face was decent individually, but they didn't harmonize at all.
"You dare mock me?!"
The man, eyes bloodshot, hurled the mask away and charged.
"Ah."
Cheonhwi sighed involuntarily.
"You should pick that up. Don't throw it away."
"You to the end—!"
The man lunged in rage.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Cheonhwi dodged the man's slashing hands with head tilts.
Then—
Shoom!
He countered with Flying Form Fist.
Thud!
It smashed into the man's mouth, splitting lips and shattering teeth.
"Ouch."
Startled, Cheonhwi withdrew his fist.
"Too much?"
He scratched his head apologetically.
The man's face was as gruesome as it could get.
"Y-you... tholid thon of a...!"
Lisping through broken teeth, he thrust his hands into his sleeves and yanked them out.
Glinting blades—two daggers shot toward Cheonhwi, seizing his attention.
"Good mental fortitude."
Cheonhwi tilted his head to dodge.
Then grabbed the man's throat.
"Who's behind... Huh?"
As he tried to meet the man's eyes.
Drool—
Blackish blood poured from the man's mouth onto Cheonhwi's wrist.
'Suicide?'
No pulse from his grip.
Cheonhwi frowned, peering into the gaping mouth of the dead man.
A tiny pellet in his molars.
"Tch."
Cheonhwi dropped the body that had bitten a poison pill.
"Their leader must be competent."
This wasn't a mere killer.
Yet he'd chosen suicide over failure, fearing whoever issued the orders.
Cheonhwi surveyed the surroundings.
Jeokgeom and Seollan handled the rushers with ease.
'No worries there.'
His gaze landed on Sohee Lord.
The only one without martial arts, protected by Shim Wijin.
Soryeong toyed mercilessly with attackers before her.
'Same here.'
Seeing the inn's chaos nearing its end without his intervention, Cheonhwi slowly turned his head.
"Come out already."
He addressed empty air, receiving no reply.
"Such a hassle."
Suddenly, a chilling gleam from his waist slashed the air.
"...Guh!"
A masked man with bulging eyes plummeted from above.
Cheonhwi raised his index finger.
Flash!
Crimson lightning struck several points on the waiter.
Thud!
Finger wind sealed his pressure points; he collapsed limply.
Cheonhwi swiftly pressed the mute acupoint and pried open his mouth.
"Hm? No poison pill?"
Confirming none, he closed the mouth and removed the mask.
An ordinary face beneath.
Like any street youth. Cheonhwi asked,
"Where are you from?"
"……."
"Don't want to answer?"
"……."
"Sheesh. Heavy-lipped one."
Cheonhwi smiled at the blinking captive.
"Need to change venues first."
Eyes on the noisy fighters, he lightly kicked off the ground.
The man's eyes widened.
'...!'
Just one step.
A single stride, and the scenery had utterly changed.
'A r-room?'
As the shocked man gaped...
"Now, let's talk."
Cheonhwi sat in a chair in the empty room, dropping the man to the floor.
Thud. He met the fallen man's eyes.
"Where are you from?"
Same question.
Same silence.
"See how long you hold out."
Cheonhwi raised his finger, firing finger wind at the man's abdomen.
Pfsh!
The belly rippled.
"……!"
His face contorted.
"You endured that?"
Cheonhwi eyed him in surprise.
It was a Heavenly Demon Divine Cult torture technique: injecting qi into the Sea of Agony acupoint to forcibly convulse the muscles.
Most screamed like demons on impact.
"First time seeing someone not even groan."
A smile crept across Cheonhwi's lips.
"Trained assassin? Then time for harsher methods..."
Recalling various Cult tortures...
Sob—
The writhing man looked up, tears and snot streaming.
"Hm? If it hurts that much, just answer..."
Finding it odd that he endured without speaking, Cheonhwi belatedly realized.
"Oh right! I sealed the mute point earlier. No wonder."
'Of course.' Cheonhwi chuckled and released it.
Instantly, the man erupted.
"G-great hero! This lowly one has no connection to the attackers. Just happened to be here..."
Words poured like a flood.
"Pl-please spare me! My vixen of a wife and rabbit-like kids wait at home."
Fearing death or resealing, he desperately claimed innocence from the assailants.
Wrong opponent.
Cheonhwi looked down at the kneeling, pleading man.
"How can I believe that?"
"Th-that's..."
"For someone unrelated, your stealth and lightness skills were impressive."
The man's body shivered.
Cheonhwi's gaze held zero emotion.
'D-damn! Branch head, can't help it! Orders or not, I gotta live!'
Sensing mortal peril, he squeezed his eyes shut and yelled.
"I'm from the Hao Gate!"