Chapter 205
Chapter 205
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 205
Chapter Title: The Fiend's from the Evil Sects?
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Even Sokulgae, Paeng Jung-hyuk, and Namgung Ryong—who rarely showed any change in expression—stared at Namgung Hyeok with bewildered eyes.
Namgung Hyeok unleashed his quiet fury.
“I know the habits of those Evil Sect bastards inside and out. No one else has the guts to touch my stuff.”
……It was just a wild guess.
Shouldn’t there be some basis for it?
The trail had gone completely cold, so how did he jump straight to the Evil Sects?
Even those who thought they knew Namgung Hyeok well were left speechless once again by his shocking line of thinking.
But Namgung Hyeok seemed to have already made up his mind.
“These bastards dare touch my stuff? Just let me catch them.”
Paeng Jung-hyuk asked Namgung Hyeok, who was baring his teeth.
“What do you plan to do, Young Lord? Should we head back to the Namgung Clan for now…?”
“Head back? What the hell kind of heading back? No returning until I find my spirit pill.”
“But there’s no way to track them…”
The trail was completely gone, and it would take time to get information from the Beggar's Sect.
What more could they do here?
Everyone thought the same as Paeng Jung-hyuk.
Sokulgae chimed in, trying to persuade Namgung Hyeok.
“Please don’t. Come to our branch hall, have a hot cup of tea, and wait leisurely…”
“How long would that take?”
“A day or two…”
“You think those bastards will sit still for a day or two?”
Of course not.
Unless they found the base, even the fastest information would have gaps.
They had chased the ones just twenty li away moments ago, and in less than a moment, they vanished without a trace.
Cunning foes like these wouldn’t be easy to track down in just a day or two.
A proper Beggar's Sect could have found the base faster, but right now, they were distracted by the Hwanggu Order, focused on the Myeonhwa Mountains.
‘At least a full day, minimum.’
Sokulgae scratched his head vigorously.
Namgung Hyeok spoke quietly.
“Let’s ransack them.”
“Pardon?”
“I said, let’s ransack them.”
“Oh, sure, ransack. Dust everything, clean out the trash…”
As Sokulgae spoke, he looked at Namgung Hyeok and flinched.
Madness gleamed in Namgung Hyeok’s eyes.
No, something beyond madness.
Sure enough.
The corner of Namgung Hyeok’s mouth curled up wickedly.
“If we ransack every Evil Sect around here, something’s bound to turn up.”
“Pardon?”
Ransack the local Evil Sects?!
“Ar-Are you insane!”
“That doesn’t make sense!”
“No, Young Lord! That’s not right! How are we supposed to take on the Evil Sects by ourselves?”
“The Evil Sects? Which ones?”
Outcries erupted from all sides.
“No way!”
Even Namgung Ryong bellowed in disbelief.
What? They didn’t know who the fiend was, so wipe out every Evil Sect around?
All the local Evil Sect forces?
What kind of mad idea was this!
‘This is too far. He’s crossed the line!’
Taking on Evil Sect forces with this group was impossible, no matter how you looked at it.
Worse, if they charged in now, no one could rein in Namgung Hyeok.
From his current momentum and aura, he wouldn’t stop until the fiend showed up.
No, it was certain.
Sokulgae said urgently.
“Young Hero Namgung Hyeok, that can’t be right! We don’t even know if the fiend’s really from the Evil Sects, and wiping out all the local ones? There’s so many of them!”
“It’ll work.”
“……Even messing with innocent, upright Evil Sect forces is a bit…”
“Upright?! Innocent? Evil Sect bastards? Are you crazy?”
“Ah, no, I misspoke… Could you let go of my collar first?”
Shake, shake.
Namgung Hyeok’s eyes were bloodshot as he gripped and shook Sokulgae’s collar.
“There are no good Evil Sects in this world.”
“But if we just search a little…”
“Evil Sects are one of two things: the ones who’ll touch my stuff, and the ones who already did! And they’ve either met me already or they will soon!”
Hey, doesn’t that apply to us too…?
Everyone’s eyes unconsciously turned to Namgung Ryong.
Ah, brother.
What sin did you commit in a past life to have a guy like that as your little brother…?
In the solemn atmosphere, Namgung Hyeok shouted.
“Sokulgae! Right now, compile a full list of all local Evil Sect forces and bring it here.”
“Y-You’re really doing this?”
“You think I’m joking? They touched my spirit pill!”
It was then, as Namgung Hyeok’s momentum heated the valley.
Namgung Ryong stepped forward.
“No.”
His firm refusal brought color back to the dirt-pale faces.
No one had dared speak up to Namgung Hyeok, but with Namgung Ryong stepping in, it felt like a ray of light from behind.
Paeng Jung-hyuk and the others cheered inwardly.
Yeah, stop him!
You have to stop this.
It’s insane!
Namgung Hyeok furrowed his brow.
“Why?”
“War. With the Evil Sects. Think carefully.”
“War with the Evil Sects?”
“The whole Namgung Clan.”
“Ah, war.”
Namgung Hyeok’s mind raced.
His grip on the collar loosened, blood returned to Sokulgae’s face, and people nodded.
Right, war.
If the Namgung Clan—even with this number and status—overturned Evil Sect forces, it’d be no different from a declaration of war!
Even if the Evil Sects were cowed lately, such a war would burden the Namgung Clan, just finishing reorganization and preparing for emergencies.
War brought no benefits to the Namgung Clan yet.
“Yeah?”
“Mm!”
“Then we hide our identities.”
“……Huh?”
What?
……How?
Namgung Hyeok smirked.
“What’s so hard about that?”
“……”
“Sokulgae. When you bring the list, make sure to match the numbers with night infiltration gear.”
Namgung Hyeok grinned at the stunned group.
“We’ll just wear masks, easy.”
……That’s not the point, you idiot!
Namgung Ryong stared at the ground, Paeng Jung-hyuk clutched his neck, and Sokulgae looked to the sky.
‘Father, I came to the Namgung Clan because of this guy, and now I’ll have to wear a mask.’
‘Gang Leader, this isn’t right. This madman’s trying to get me killed.’
What made it even more absurd was that the Thunder Dragon Squad had already given up and was discussing shift rotations, while Geum Cheom-sang sighed and brewed tea.
Sighs echoed everywhere as Namgung Hyeok beamed.
Hum de dum.
“Where should we start ransacking?”
Something had gone terribly wrong.
* * *
The Evil Blade Sect was an unorthodox faction based in Goseon, on the border of Jiangsu and Anhui Provinces.
For ten years, they had settled in Goseon and wielded influence, their position surpassing even major sects.
Everyone within ten li of the Evil Blade Sect’s reach paid taxes and tribute, so their prestige naturally pierced the heavens.
Especially in Jiangsu Province, with no major Righteous Sects of note, they didn’t need to watch anyone’s eyes.
Evil Blade Sect Leader Galmun stroked his goatee and gazed at the night sky.
“Shouldn’t we move to the capital soon? We can’t stay satisfied in this backwater forever.”
“A wise thought, Sect Leader. If we establish ourselves in the capital and push toward the coast, our main sect’s momentum will rise endlessly.”
“Mentum. Hm.”
Galmun exhaled lowly at his subordinate’s words.
“First, we advance to the center. Jiangsu is a land without a master right now. The others are probably thinking the same.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Perfect timing. Before the Namgung Clan’s momentum swells, leaving Goseon isn’t a bad idea. The Black Dragon Sect below is starting to breathe down our necks too. Better dodge the storm.”
Galmun clicked his tongue, displeased.
His subordinate asked quietly.
“Then, we wrap everything up here?”
“Wrap up…”
“It’s a whole sect relocating—not a simple matter. We’ll need considerable funds to settle stably.”
“Right, good idea. Then wrap up quickly and…”
Galmun trailed off, tilting his head.
A black shadow sliced through the night sky where clouds hid the moon, flying lightly over the wall.
Like a single bird.
“Were night birds always that big?”
“Pardon? Night birds?”
“There, a night bird.”
“Hm? My internal energy isn’t as refined as yours, Sect Leader…”
“Quiet.”
Flutter flutter!
Dozens of night birds burst over the wall.
Galmun’s mind blanked for a moment.
Someone invading the Evil Blade Sect’s walls in Goseon—dozens at once? He’d never even imagined it.
Intruders in the Evil Blade Sect, rulers of Goseon for over ten years?
No way.
It couldn’t be.
Night birds…… But they’re too big?
Those eyes just now…
“Aw, shit. We’re made.”
“What?”
“Charge!”
Charge?
Chaaarge?!
Boom!
The insolent-eyed “night bird” kicked off the wall.
The moon peeked from behind the clouds just in time, illuminating the flying figure in brilliant moonlight.
By the time they confirmed the black night clothes and masked face, the intruder was already upon them.
The terrifying lightness skill and stealth were horrifying.
‘An ex-expert!’
Galmun’s eyes bulged.
“Intrud, intruder… Gahhh!”
“Shh!”
The masked man’s hand shot out powerfully.
Speed too fast to react, momentum overwhelming!
‘Am I dying like this?’
Suddenly?
Like this?
When we were planning to head to Jiangsu’s heart?
As his life flashed before him.
Bam!
A neck-twisting impact spun Galmun’s body with a crackle.
“Puhwaaak!”
Whirrr!
Thud!
Galmun spun like a top before crashing heavily to the ground.
Pat pat.
“Damn, I was gonna head straight to the sect leader’s quarters.”
The masked man shook his hands and turned.
Galmun’s subordinate looked up at him with trembling eyes.
‘Wh-What the…’
To him, the masked man seemed to have dropped from the sky.
Goseon’s top expert, Galmun, hadn’t even reacted—now foaming on the ground.
Who the hell was this?
Who would assassinate(?) the upright Evil Blade Sect Leader!
As he reached for a hidden weapon, he spotted the dark group approaching from behind and collapsed.
“No, really! How do you go straight for this? I just wanted to sneak into the warehouse…”
“Eye contact.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind.”
The masked man waved lightly and looked away.
“Hey.”
“……”
“Where’s the sect leader?”
“……Th-There.”
“Yeah, where.”
“Th-There.”
“Hm?”
“At your feet.”
“……”
The masked man—Namgung Hyeok—let out an impressed exclamation.
He turned to Sokulgae.
“See, beggar? Worked out perfect.”
“……You’re insane.”
“What?”
“No, what now?”
“What do you mean? We got a hostage, so clear a path and open the warehouse.”
“……”
Wow, is this what the Namgung Clan’s second young master should say?
Hostage?
Sokulgae’s pupils shook violently.
‘……Gang Leader. No, Master. This guy’s a freak just moving—where do I even report first?’
Jumping Evil Sect walls, grabbing the sect leader as hostage.
Ha, hahaha.
Namgung Hyeok beckoned with a finger.
“Hey, Paeng.”
“……Don’t call me that!”
“You ransack the warehouse here, stuff it all in sacks.”
“Th-Thievery…”
“We’ve crossed the line, might as well. Diversion tactic, diversion.”
Diversion tactics aren’t like this.
‘……Father, I want to go home. The young heir of the Hebei Paeng Family is thieving.’
Against his will, his body was already searching the sect leader’s room for the safe.
‘Tell me if this is right, Father.’
Clink, clink.
Namgung Hyeok smiled contentedly and gestured.
Tak Hyuk-dong chuckled as he hoisted the fallen Galmun.
“Kahaha, I’ll hold him. Any funny business, snap his neck!”
Jang Ung knocked out Galmun’s trembling subordinate from behind.
“Guh!”
With a brief groan, Namgung Hyeok grinned.
“Then shall we go put the rest to sleep?”
“Pardon?”
……Hey, then why bother jumping the wall!
“What?”
“……”
“Why?”
“……”
“We’ve got a hostage. That’s fine, right?”
As Namgung Hyeok asked innocently, everyone gave up thinking.
Namgung Hyeok laughed.
“Let’s go! Ransack those Evil Sect bastards’ homes!”
The birth of a great bandit.