Chapter 72
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Ambush in Hyangsan
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Five hundred li from Changsa lay the massive city of Hwaryang in Hunan Province.
Emerging from the Hyangsan Gorge, Yu Hyun reached the outskirts of Hyangsan County, a small northern village under Hwaryang City, just before sunset.
A village of roughly fifty scattered homes across a vast plain.
Yu Hyun and his group had originally planned to head to the Jeongro Inn at the village center, report to the Alliance, meet the Donggwan Escort Agency that had relieved the Mountain-Sea Escort Agency of their duties, and then set off for Haemando.
As they entered the village mouth, they arrived at a crossroads where a zelkova tree stretched skyward.
Thud, thud, thud.
Perhaps because the sun-baked earth had dried rock-hard, their footsteps echoed loudly.
With the village youths yet to return from the fields, an old villager dozing on the shaded platform amid the long tree shadows lifted his wrinkled eyes to stare at them.
“Greetings, elder.”
Yu Hyun approached with a beaming smile and offered a polite bow.
“……Who might you be?”
“Ah, we’re travelers from Hubei.”
“From that far away? You don’t mean you walked, do you?”
“Of course not.”
“…….”
“Sorry to wake you, but if it’s all right, could I ask you something?”
“Speak.”
“We got separated from our group in Changsa on business and lost our way. By any chance, has a Mountain-Sea Escort group—around twenty men—passed through the village?”
“Mountain-Sea…… Ah! You mean those escorts from earlier today?”
“You saw them?”
“Sure did. Can’t read the name on their banner myself, but a whole bunch showed up, sure enough. Three wagons, I reckon?”
“That’s them, sir.”
“Head that way. Looks like they’ve settled in at the Jeongro Inn.”
“Thank you.”
At the old man’s kind words, Yu Hyun drew a silver coin from his pouch and offered it with respect.
“Goodness, what’s this?”
“…….”
Yu Hyun’s eyes sharpened at the old villager’s instinctive grab for the coin.
“Have a drink with your friends, even in daylight.”
“Ha! Never seen such a generous young man! Thank you, truly.”
“……Yes, sir.”
As the elder pocketed the silver, Yu Hyun grinned brightly and moved on.
Once the group had put some distance between them and the old man, Gye Du-sin glanced back furtively and murmured in a low voice.
“Un-uncle…… that old man…….”
“Quiet.”
“…….”
Gye Du-sin snapped his mouth shut as a bone-chilling smile curled Yu Hyun’s lips.
Pressing on ahead, Yu Hyun forcibly quelled the rage bubbling inside.
Whoever these bastards were, they were treating people like mere stepping stones over a stream.
So damn sloppy……
It was absurd enough that they claimed to have seen the Mountain-Sea Escort—knowing full well every last one was dead—but the old geezer’s fingernails were spotless when he snatched the coin?
If you’re gonna put on an act, at least put in some effort.
Keep that silver close, you assassin scum.
It’ll pay for your coffin on the way to hell.
Yu Hyun strode toward the village center.
Though he smiled, a frigid aura billowed behind him, and Gye Du-sin and Nangong Seong trailed at a careful distance.
[Du-sin…… I told you, get near Uncle when he’s wearing that look and you’re dead for real. I’ve taken enough beatings while he’s raging to know.]
……Thanks to Nangong Seong’s thoughtful warning.
* * *
“They’ve all left?”
“Yes. They said to guide any Murim Alliance warriors or Donggwan Escort folk who arrive.”
The Jeongro Inn’s owner approached the table where Yu Hyun’s group sat.
“Unbelievable. Changing the meeting spot without even a message.”
“Our inn is rather modest…….”
“Tch, these people.”
As the innkeeper bowed repeatedly with an apologetic look, Yu Hyun shook his head in feigned irritation.
But inwardly, he sneered coldly.
Modest inn, my ass. They’ve set the trap somewhere else.
“No helping it, then. Where is this place?”
“Head up the mountain path from here for about two shichen, and you’ll find Hoya Tower. Great views, and more than anything, their brew is top-notch.”
“Oh! Their alcohol?”
Yu Hyun deliberately gulped and feigned surprise.
Tiger Fang, huh? Nice name, you lunatics.
“Quite the unique name.”
“Heh, it was a hunters’ lodge back in the day, they say. But that’s why their liquor and meat are superb.”
“You’re fine just sending us to another inn? Doesn’t hurt your business?”
“Heh, living out in the sticks cures you of greed. We’ve already taken your lodging fee—no loss for me.”
“Hmm.”
Yu Hyun dropped his gaze, pretending to mull it over.
The more he thought, the clearer their reason for not striking at this inn became.
A gorge and a village were different beasts. Killing martial artists and civilians? Worlds apart.
Start trouble smack in the village heart, and the authorities would have no choice but to step in.
And if the Donggwan Escort showed up right after?
The incident would blow wide open.
Whoever they were, they didn’t want their identities exposed.
Which meant that Hoya Tower—or the mountain path leading there—was some deserted spot……
But if this innkeeper posing as the owner and the old man at the entrance were confirmed assassins?
The real innkeeper and a few villagers were likely already dead.
Yu Hyun masked his seething fury behind a bright expression.
Fine, you bastards. Since you’ve laid the board this far, I’ll check out whatever delicious feast you’ve prepared.
I’ll uncover exactly who you are.
What kind of scum treat human lives so lightly—and what breed of scum commands scum like you……
Yu Hyun’s smile deepened, and Gye Du-sin and Nangong Seong edged away once more.
“Makes my mouth water just thinking about it…… Shall we go?”
“Y-yes! Of course! Absolutely!”
Gye Du-sin nodded frantically at the glint in his eyes.
“But what about this? The Donggwan Escort should be here soon…… Can’t keep troubling the innkeeper. Seong-ah, you stay here. Wait and bring them along when they arrive.”
“……Pardon? You’re not all going?”
Before Nangong Seong could reply, the innkeeper interjected with evident alarm.
“Why not?”
“Eh?”
“Sounds like you’re saying I shouldn’t stick around.”
“……N-no, of course not, haha.”
The innkeeper forced a laugh and scratched his head.
Idiot bastard. How do they leave such a sloppy one behind?
Amateur acting means he’s no pro assassin. So who the hell is he?
“Seong-ah, I’m counting on you.”
Guessing Yu Hyun’s intent, Nangong Seong gave a small smile.
“Yes! I’ll handle it.”
“Good. Let’s head out, then.”
As Yu Hyun stood, the innkeeper hastily stepped aside as if ushering them on.
[Seong.]
“…….”
[No mercy with that sword.]
Confirming Nangong Seong’s subtle nod, Yu Hyun and Gye Du-sin stepped out of the inn.
He didn’t know how many assassin scum remained in the village, but he wasn’t worried.
Nangong Seong had improved leaps and bounds, and if that wasn’t enough, the Water Dragon King or the Central Mountain man had his back.
Assassin bastards. You think you’re luring a tiger into your den?
Just watch.
You’ll soon learn if your prey’s a wolf…… or a tiger from the next ridge.
“Hurry before nightfall. I’ll take good care of the one staying behind.”
The innkeeper followed them out, waving farewell, and Yu Hyun and Gye Du-sin soon vanished from sight.
And then……
“Hey, boss. Stomach’s growling—hit me with a bottle of liquor.”
“……”
At the abrupt order, a cold killing intent flickered in the eyes of the innkeeper, who had been watching Yu Hyun’s group go with Nangong Seong on his back.
“Oh, right—I forgot. Of course, coming right up with some snacks. Please wait just a moment.”
“…….”
As the innkeeper dashed into the kitchen, Nangong Seong took a seat in the middle of the inn.
How much time passed after that?
It was around when the sun crested the western mountains, filling the sky with red hues.
Thud, thud, thud……
Before the innkeeper could bring the food, people began trickling into the previously empty inn, one by one—until they surrounded Nangong Seong.
“Hmm, sun’s not even down yet, and already so many scary guests?”
Nangong Seong, waiting alone for his meal, smirked at the men clutching keen daggers instead of sitting at tables.
“Snacks laid out before the drinks even arrive.”
“…….”
“So many you can’t fit them on the table. Guess I’ll start with the ones right in front!”
“……!”
Wham!
Nangong Seong shot into the air, twisting mid-flight. He scanned below with leisurely eyes, then his face filled with sorrow.
Shiiiing!
His strike, mournful as a dirge for the dying, claimed one assassin disguised as an inn worker outright.
All right, one down.
Yu Hyun said no mercy, so no hesitation with the sword.
He had no such inclination toward those who killed without reason anyway……
With his expression shifting rapidly, Nangong Seong’s blade thrummed with deep thunder. The Nangong sword that best matched his fury: Lightning Thirteen Thunders.
Rumble!
With the thunderclap, his sword qi plunged vertically like a bolt of lightning.
Crack! Boom!
“Argh!”
“Gaaah!”
The qi cleaved through daggers and bisected the men behind them.
Having split three or four assassins in one go, Nangong Seong kicked off the floor and swept his sword horizontally.
Clang! Clang-clang!
“Urk!”
This time, his loosened blade carried sorrow.
Moving even swifter than before, generating howling winds, the swordplay unfolded alongside the Nangong Clan’s signature Heavenly Wind Steps.
Shh! Shh!
Where the fierce winds whistled past, ambushers howled in agony—waists slashed, limbs severed.
“Damn it!”
Realizing the fight had gone south, the innkeeper yanked a small flute from his bosom and blew.
Squeeee!
The shrill note tore through the inn.
“You bastard! No matter how skilled your sword…… you can’t take us all……”
The innkeeper gritted his teeth in a grin, then froze.
Beyond the open door stood a man silhouetted against the crimson sunset spilling from the west.
A thick sword held diagonally in one hand, and in the other……
“R-reverse……?”
The innkeeper instantly recognized the limp figure in the man’s grasp—neck lolling like broken bones.
It was the comrade who had gone ahead to the village entrance, disguised as the old man to greet Yu Hyun’s group.
Thud.
“…….”
The man casually dropped the corpse to the floor and stepped inside, the blood-red glow at his back.
Snap-snap, swipe.
Without a word, he splayed five fingers twice, then raised his thumb across his throat.
Though they’d never met, those still inside grasped his message instantly.
Ten outside. All dead.
“Son of a bitch!”
Realizing all was lost, the innkeeper bolted for the back door.
“…….”
But there, impossibly, stood the man who had just been at the front—swinging his broad blade savagely as he closed in.
Wh-when?
“Don’t kill him!”
Just as the man’s blade arced toward the innkeeper, Nangong Seong shouted while fending off the rest.
Shing!
Crack!
“Gaaack!”
The blade flipped flat at the last instant, smashing the innkeeper’s face dead-on and sending him spinning to the floor.