Chapter 329
Chapter 329
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 329
Chapter Title: Forgotten Captive
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'I forgot.'
Cheonhwi shot a glare at the man gripping Ho Gwanggae's nape.
Was he past forty?
The middle-aged man, his thick beard a mix of black and gray hairs here and there, was enveloped in powerful, solemn internal energy radiating from his entire body.
It felt on par with Pung-ri, not lacking in the slightest.
"You're late."
Pung-ri let out a chuckle as he spoke.
He seemed to have regained his composure.
Yet even amid that, the icy glare he shot at Cheonhwi was fiercely sharp.
"It couldn't be helped."
The man clutching Ho Gwanggae's nape, Black Ghost Unit Leader Kang Ak, worked his mouth. His gaze, too, remained fixed on Cheonhwi.
"The opponent was so strong that finding an opening was difficult."
"...That's true enough."
As Pung-ri nodded in agreement.
Thud.
Black Ghost Unit Leader Kang Ak took a step forward.
In that instant, his figure suddenly grew larger, shifting positions in one breath to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Pung-ri.
It was a blink of an eye.
Demonstrating astonishing visual acuity, Kang Ak casually tossed Ho Gwanggae toward Pung-ri.
It was almost like handling an object.
"Here."
"Good."
Pung-ri's eyes widened as he caught Ho Gwanggae from Kang Ak, small wrinkles forming at the corners.
Soon, he seized Ho Gwanggae's hair and yanked him up, opening his mouth.
"How about a deal?"
"What? A deal?"
Cheonhwi stared, as if wondering what nonsense that was.
But Pung-ri ignored Cheonhwi's expression and tone, continuing indifferently.
"I'll hand this guy over to you."
Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed.
He must have some ulterior motive.
There was no way he'd hand him over nicely.
And as expected, Pung-ri stared straight at Cheonhwi and immediately stated his demand.
"In exchange, don't pursue us while we escape Bloodless."
Pung-ri swallowed his rage as he spoke.
In truth, he wanted to smash that face—the one who'd severed his own fingers—into a pulp.
But he had to stay calm.
Even using this guy as a hostage offers no guarantee of victory.
Through several clashes, he'd felt to his bones the prowess of the opponent before him.
A master above his own level.
Even with the Black Ghost Unit Leader present and the Black Ghosts surrounding them, killing this enigmatic bastard would inevitably demand sacrifices.
They hadn't even properly completed their mission yet. Losing their forces like this would be the worst outcome.
So, we retreat for now.
A gentleman's revenge takes ten years—not even that long.
He'd extract blood debt for those three fingers later, no matter what.
"What do you say?"
Pung-ri asked in a low tone.
Even as he predicted the response inwardly.
He can't refuse.
He naturally assumed the offer would be accepted.
For good reason: when he'd first seen his subordinate in such a wretched state, the man ahead had already shown anger.
And now, just let him die like this?
Absurd.
Even if he makes a false promise, it doesn't matter. Once we poison this guy and flee, he won't be able to chase. Just seal the deal.
As he anticipated the deal closing and pondered escape routes.
"No thanks."
A cold voice replied.
Pung-ri's face twisted at the utterly unexpected refusal.
"You don't care if this guy dies?"
"Yeah, do whatever."
Despite Pung-ri's outburst, Cheonhwi responded nonchalantly.
"Kill him if you want. Up to you."
Cheonhwi spoke in an indifferent tone.
It was a voice as chilling as a cold snap.
"He's been as good as dead since you captured him anyway. Whether then or now, what's the difference?"
Pung-ri's gaze turned icy.
"Killing us is more important than your subordinate's life right now?"
"Exactly."
"Over something so trivial, you'd abandon your subordinate..."
"What a joke. You didn't even blink when your own subordinates died."
"......"
Pung-ri's mouth clamped shut.
It struck right at the core.
But soon, he twisted his lips.
"Quite the bluff."
With those words, he released the hand gripping the hair, and Ho Gwanggae collapsed pathetically.
"Can you still say that now?"
Spitting words laced with mockery, he lifted his foot toward the fallen Ho Gwanggae and stomped down on his right forearm.
Crack!
The sound of bone breaking echoed.
"Eup!"
Overwhelmed by agony, Ho Gwanggae's eyes bulged as drool spilled from his mouth.
Pung-ri, having deliberately provoked him, glared at Cheonhwi with cold eyes.
But what returned was calm speech.
"What are you waiting for? Gonna kill him or not?"
"If you're doing it, hurry up."
His serene gaze, devoid of emotion, gleamed blacker than the night sky.
Then, watching Ho Gwanggae struggle to open his eyes, he moved his lips.
"But you'll have to deal with the aftermath yourselves. Get ready."
Pung-ri bit his lip at the resolute voice that showed no intent to continue talking.
The deal he'd assumed would succeed had crumbled pointlessly.
What now?
A transmission struck his ear.
It was the Black Ghost Unit Leader, who had overheard their conversation.
...What choice do we have?
Pung-ri transmitted sharply.
With the deal failed, they had only one option left.
The Black Ghost Unit Leader nodded immediately.
And at that moment.
Shweeeek!
Spears and swords lunged at Cheonhwi from all directions.
The Black Ghost members, who had been lying in wait, unleashed their fierce killing intent and began their combined assault.
Cheonhwi's eyes sank coldly.
The moment killing intent rose in his pitch-black, abyss-like pupils.
Swish—
A crimson trajectory pierced them.
Hwamwol, emitting a faint aura, traced a sword path, cleaving them apart.
Splatter!
Blood sprayed everywhere as the charging Black Ghost members collapsed.
It happened in an instant, perhaps why.
There were no screams.
Only the clatter of shattered weapons and the thuds of the dead bodies hitting the ground.
"Form the Combined Assault Formation!"
The Black Ghost Unit Leader bellowed.
His shout carried urgency.
In that moment, dozens of Black Ghost members appeared, moving to encircle Cheonhwi.
Front and back, left and right, above and below.
They seized every angle to target him, lunging while biding their chance.
But the opponent was a transcendent master.
Splatter!
Blood sprayed in all directions.
Each time the crimson trajectory etched the air, the assailants fell helplessly.
It was overwhelming.
Yet the Black Ghost members pressed on without pause, gradually tightening the encirclement around Cheonhwi.
Sharp spears and swords swung relentlessly, and the crimson trajectories continued without respite.
Shattering weapons. Overwhelming sword winds. Blood splattering everywhere.
In moments, the Hwatian Tower became a scene of carnage, resembling hell itself.
"...Just who the hell is he?"
Pung-ri, watching it unfold, muttered to himself and wrinkled his nose bridge.
Pure, refined energy. Crimson sword paths spraying blood. And the Nine Heavens Thunderclap.
An arrogant personality.
Each was a striking feature, yet no matter how he racked his brain, he couldn't pinpoint the identity.
Gazing long at Cheonhwi amid the slaughter, Pung-ri lowered his head.
This guy's no longer useful...
As the cold-eyed man moved to end Ho Gwanggae's life.
No. He could be useful.
Recalling something, Pung-ri slowly turned to look at the Black Ghost Unit Leader.
"We need to combine our attacks."
"I know."
The two nodded, facing each other.
Normally, masters of their caliber teaming up would bruise their pride.
But this wasn't the time for such pride.
The enigmatic foe before them far exceeded their calculations.
Pung-ri looked up and said.
"Hand it over."
The moment the words ended.
Whoosh—
A spear dropped from above, naturally falling into his right hand.
It was the divine weapon, Sun-Shooting Spear.
Gripping the azure-shafted Sun-Shooting Spear, he slowly regulated his breathing.
Whoosh—
The pure white armor enveloping his body, the White Lion Heart Armor's protective qi, rippled, emanating uncontrollable killing intent.
"Can you draw his attention first?"
"...Why?"
"I've thought of a way to create an opening in that monster."
With that, he lowered his head.
Following his gaze to Ho Gwanggae below, the Black Ghost Unit Leader's eyes gleamed.
He understood.
Soon, he nodded and, like Pung-ri, drew up his internal energy.
In that instant.
Black aura flowed from his feet, shattering the cracked floor to pieces.
Then his figure vanished.
Fwoooom!
A fierce wind blew belatedly.
The backlash from his ultimate Shadow Phantom Step created a semicircular gust.
Crossing the space in one leap, the Black Ghost Unit Leader thrust his sharp hand blade at Cheonhwi, who was scattering sword strikes, like a bolt of lightning.
It was an action in a split second.
Cleaving the air, the Black Ghost Unit Leader brought down his rigidly extended hand blade.
Toward Cheonhwi's crown.
The black energy gathered on his hand blade rippled, transforming into a sharp blade's form.
His signature ultimate technique, Black Kill Hand, unfolded.
Shweeeek!
The energy of his unique heart art, Black Sand Heart Art, carried a perilous edge as it swiftly sliced the air.
Just as his hand blade neared Cheonhwi's head.
Boom!
Black shockwaves burst outward.
Cheonhwi's raised sword, Hwamwol, had parried the Black Kill Hand upward.
"...!"
The Black Ghost Unit Leader's eyes widened.
Even just watching, one could sense its formidable power. But clashing directly, it was on another level entirely.
His hand blade trembled from the impact.
Impossible!
Disbelief surged to his throat.
He felt the layered hand strength, built with Black Sand Heart Art energy, crumbling.
In panic, he pulled his foot back.
A move to gather his energy.
Hurry!
As he glimpsed the illusion of his hand being severed and prepared to use Shadow Phantom Step.
Crack!
Something crunching sounded.
The sword blade forcibly pushed the hand blade wrapped in energy, and he felt bones shattering under the force.
"Kuh!"
As he grimaced with a groan.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, something blood-red intervened between them.
Cheonhwi extended his left hand to swat it away but furrowed his brow.
Ho Gwanggae?
As Cheonhwi momentarily hesitated upon confirming the blood-soaked Ho Gwanggae thrown at him.
Crunch!
A sharp spear pierced through Ho Gwanggae's shoulder joint, spraying blood as it lunged forward.
"Die!"