Chapter 283
Chapter 283
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 283
Chapter Title: Defying Orders
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The expressions of the Extermination Squad members following Abbess Sohye were far from pleasant.
It was because of the whispers rising from all around as they watched the passing Extermination Squad.
"Is that the extent of their support?"
"The Murim Alliance has abandoned us."
The disciples of the Emei Sect couldn't hide their disappointment upon seeing the Extermination Squad.
The older nuns tried their best to appear composed, but the younger disciples didn't even bother concealing their letdown.
"...Bittersweet."
Hogwanggae muttered.
The other Extermination Squad members nodded in agreement, cautiously voicing their discontent.
"We came risking our lives, too..."
"Even if they're a disappointing force, did they have to say it so openly?"
As some pursed their lips,
"Think of it the other way around."
Muhong said in a low voice.
"If your own sect were in peril and a hastily assembled detachment of nothing but green, inexperienced juniors arrived, how would you feel?"
"..."
The entire Extermination Squad fell silent.
Putting themselves in the others' shoes, they immediately understood their sentiments.
It was then.
"Go!"
A thunderous shout erupted.
Right in front of them.
Abbess Sohye, her face flushed red, could no longer hold back as she glared at the whispering disciples around her and bellowed.
"These are benefactors who came to aid our sect—how dare you spout such nonsense instead of welcoming them!"
The disciples shrank back.
Shame washed over them, and they bowed their heads as if to hide their faces before retreating.
Abbess Sohye, who had been glaring at her disciples, turned around, clasped her hands together, and apologized to the Extermination Squad.
"Forgive us for showing such an unsightly display."
At her apologetic demeanor, the Extermination Squad members waved their hands dismissively.
"N-no, it's fine!"
"You don't need to go that far..."
Abbess Sohye shook her head.
"Failing to appreciate those who came to help is undoubtedly a grave error."
She emphasized firmly.
She was extremely displeased with her disciples right now.
Of course, the Murim Alliance's support being so meager was disappointing.
But that had nothing to do with these men.
They had come risking their lives, yet the disciples gossiped openly.
Her face burned with embarrassment.
"I'll discipline the disciples for this misconduct. We're almost there—just a bit further."
With that, she resumed walking.
Silence fell once more.
For a moment, only the sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet.
Thud.
Abbess Sohye halted.
Stopping before an antique hall, she smiled warmly.
"Amitabha. Unpack your belongings here and rest."
She clasped her hands and withdrew.
Soon, only the Extermination Squad remained.
"...Let's unpack."
Hogwanggae broke the silence.
"The Captain isn't here yet. Rare chance to rest."
He deliberately lightened his tone to lift spirits.
That's when,
"I'll take my leave."
Danri Gwancheon spun on his heel.
Startled by the sudden action, Hogwanggae was surprised but quickly understood upon seeing his grave expression.
"Heading to Qingcheng Sect?"
"..."
There was no answer.
But Hogwanggae knew immediately.
"The Captain won't let that slide."
"I know."
Danri Gwancheon bit his lip.
Of course, Ami Sect was the Evil-Black Alliance's target for now, but he was worried about Qingcheng Sect.
"Still, I must return. With Qingcheng in danger, how can I, as a disciple, sit idle..."
"Can't have that."
A low voice interjected.
Startled, Danri Gwancheon turned.
Cheonhwi was approaching with his usual carefree stride.
"Captain..."
"Didn't I say no leaving the Extermination Squad without my permission?"
A shadow fell over Danri Gwancheon's face.
For a moment.
"I beg you, Captain."
He bowed deeply.
The prideful man lowering his head so readily shocked the entire Extermination Squad.
But Cheonhwi was unmoved.
"Why should I?"
Ignoring the bow entirely, he continued curtly.
"I gave you two chances to leave before, and you chose to stay."
Danri Gwancheon bit his lip.
It was true.
Despite two opportunities to depart the Extermination Squad, he had chosen to stay, accepting all conditions.
But the situation was different now.
"Our sect is in danger."
He pleaded earnestly.
Though currently part of the Extermination Squad, Qingcheng Sect was far dearer to him.
It was his home, where he had lived and grown since his earliest memories, however faint.
But Cheonhwi didn't budge.
"Intelligence says Emei Sect is in greater danger than Qingcheng right now, doesn't it?"
It was intel from Sacheon connections.
Given the Evil-Black Alliance's path, Emei Sect lay squarely in between, so unless they detoured massively, Qingcheng wouldn't be hit first.
And even with a detour, word would reach Emei first anyway.
Staying here was the right call.
"Still, you never know."
Danri Gwancheon didn't give up.
Emei Sect wasn't even on his mind. His head was filled solely with Qingcheng Sect.
"Oh? Isn't this outright defiance?"
Cheonhwi's lips twisted.
The Extermination Squad members flinched involuntarily at that warped smile.
"...What did you just say?"
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out.
Not a woman's—a man's.
And the first to react was Danri Gwancheon.
"That voice—could it be...?"
He whipped his head around.
In the distance, a middle-aged Daoist in Qingcheng Sect robes approached.
"M-Martial Uncle Namcheon!"
Danri Gwancheon shot forward.
Namcheon regarded the approaching Danri Gwancheon with a icy tone.
"Are you refusing your assigned duty to return to your sect?"
Stunned by Namcheon's unprecedented chill, Danri Gwancheon replied.
"Our sect is in danger, so I must help..."
"Who said our sect is in danger?"
Namcheon scolded him in that same frigid voice.
"The one in danger now is not our sect, but Emei Sect. Yet you're pretending not to see it."
"That's..."
Danri Gwancheon faltered.
It was exactly as said.
Going to Qingcheng now equated to ignoring Emei's plight.
"We taught you poorly."
Namcheon was nearly furious.
"Your talent in martial arts led us to focus on training your skills, neglecting to instill the mindset of a Daoist and righteous sect disciple. Forgetting what must be upheld—that's our failure as teachers."
"I only wish to aid our sect..."
"Silence!"
Namcheon glared fiercely at Danri Gwancheon attempting to defend himself.
"The one in danger now is not our sect, but Emei Sect. Do you think our sect will crumble without your help!"
Danri Gwancheon flinched at the roar.
He had never heard such a shout within Qingcheng Sect before.
Namcheon, still glaring, turned sharply.
"My apologies."
He calmly apologized to Cheonhwi.
No matter that he was a Qingcheng disciple; right now, he was just another Extermination Squad member.
Defying the Captain's orders was a grave offense.
"We failed to teach him properly."
Cheonhwi stroked his chin without much reaction.
'Was Qingcheng Sect always like this?'
The Qingcheng Sect he knew in his past life was a place of martial-obsessed Daoists.
Yet here they were, acting so righteously.
Then Namcheon widened his eyes and declared,
"I'll educate him properly."
At that moment.
"No."
Cheonhwi waved it off.
"I'll handle it."
"You will?"
Namcheon looked briefly surprised, then nodded.
Danri Gwancheon was currently an Extermination Squad member.
Disciplining him fell to the Captain, Cheonhwi, not him.
"This isn't my place."
Namcheon stepped back.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Crack, crack—
Cheonhwi lightly rolled his neck.
His gaze fixed on Danri Gwancheon.
"Draw your sword."
Cold sweat beaded on Danri Gwancheon's forehead.
In the past, he would have rejoiced at such a spar.
But now, something felt off.
"I'll etch it into your head—or rather, your body."
Cheonhwi gripped his scabbard as he spoke.
"What happens when you defy your Captain's orders."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Yibin, Sichuan Province.
A middle-aged beggar draped in a straw mat at the dockside stared piercingly at the Yangtze River.
How long had he been gazing at the vast expanse?
"So they're coming like that...!"
Suddenly, the beggar's eyes shook violently, as if struck by an earthquake.
Dozens of ships, each several dozen feet long, were swarming across the mighty Yangtze.
And atop those dozens of vessels rode countless people.
Yeon Jeonggae, deputy leader of the Beggars' Sect Sichuan branch, swallowed quietly at the breathtaking sight that stole his breath.
"Murderous... bunch."
Drip—
A bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
He knew who they were.
The Evil-Black Alliance's elite forces.
They advanced northward at an unprecedented speed.
Mobilizing such numbers usually posed logistical nightmares with funds and provisions, but they moved effortlessly.
Thanks to the name on the ships' flags: Great Grace Merchant Association.
They covered the travel costs, with branches along the route supplying food.
Yeon Jeonggae shook his head at the "Great Grace" emblazoned on the flags.
"At this rate, they'll arrive even faster than reported."
He had expected delays with such a horde.
But reality outpaced expectations.
The tiger called Evil-Black Alliance had sprouted the vast wings of the Great Grace Merchant Association, yielding astonishing results.
Swipe—
Yeon Jeonggae wiped sweat with his sleeve, his gaze shifting naturally.
To the lead ship.
Larger and more ornate than the rest, yet it carried only about ten people.
Few in number. But the pressure emanating from that vessel overwhelmed all others combined.
"Once they all arrive, Sichuan will become hell..."
The mere thought was horrifying.
As he shook his head slightly, his gaze locked abruptly.
On the prow.
A young woman sat there, one hand gripping a four-foot-long-stemmed pipe.
'That woman...'
Yeon Jeonggae's eyes wavered.
Her attire was unique.
A veil draped from her nose revealed only her eyes—sharp and fox-like.
And her clothing?
In this biting cold, she wore a glamorous palace gown baring her shoulders.
A bewitching figure and gaze that could captivate any man at a glance.
But Yeon Jeonggae felt terror.
He knew her identity.
Blood Tower Fierce King Nongjil.
One of the Seven Night Elites, direct subordinates of the Evil-Black Alliance Leader.
"Rumored to be well over forty, yet she looks that young..."
His clenched fist dripped sweat.
She appeared just past her twenties.
Even with youth-preserving arts, maintaining such vitality spoke of profound inner power.
"I must relay that they're arriving soon..."
As Yeon Jeonggae, having assessed the situation, turned to go—
'Hm?'
His eyes met Nongjil's.
Chills raced up his spine.
The distance: over two hundred張.
He was using the Beggars' Sect's special Heavenly Eye Technique to observe from afar.
Yet she stared straight back...
'I've been spotted...!'
At that instant, Nongjil's eyes curved.
In a chilling, eerie smile that froze Yeon Jeonggae solid.
'Gasp! No way?!'
Nongjil leaped from the ship without hesitation, landing lightly on the water.
'W-water striding!'
Yeon Jeonggae desperately pivoted his rigid body and bolted.
Whoosh!
He unleashed the Beggars' Sect Whirlwind Body Technique, hurling himself into the woods.
'M-must escape!'
After trampling branches for about a ke (moment)—
"Hah!"
Yeon Jeonggae, sprinting onward, abruptly halted the technique and froze.
"W-when!?"
A figure sat on the branch he was about to step on, pipe in hand.
The moment their eyes met.
"Hoo."
The figure—Nongjil—exhaled, smoke billowing from beneath her veil for a moment.
Tap.
She tapped ash from the pipe downward.
All the spent ash fell.
After clearing it, Nongjil propped her chin with the pipe hand and lifted her head.
"Been a while since I saw a Beggars' Sect disciple."
Her sharply upturned eyes scanned Yeon Jeonggae, then dropped abruptly.
"Three knots... Branch deputy, huh."
Her eyes curved like crescent moons upon noting the knots at his waist.
"Good enough as the first sacrifice."
No sooner had she spoken than the pipe swung horizontally, tracing a long arc.
In that instant.
Shhh—
A fine line appeared across Yeon Jeonggae's widened eyes—his neck—and his head detached, plummeting helplessly.
A geyser of blood erupted.
Nongjil deployed her energy membrane, blocking the falling droplets above her head.
A display of astonishing skill.
Gazing briefly at the blood trickling down the translucent barrier, she refilled and lit her pipe.
Smoke soon billowed.
Through it, her eyes gleamed with sinister light.
"Seeing blood after so long has me thrilled."
Her voice laced with excitement, her venomous gaze rolled about before locking on one spot.
Her destination.
Mount Emei in her sights.
"Time to taste the blood of nuns again after all this time."