Chapter 73
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Ambush at Hoa Pavilion
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“Phew…….”
Nangong Seong let out a long breath, drenched in blood.
His clothes were torn in places from the assassins’ daggers, but he bore no serious wounds.
“Weak…….”
Why was that?
As he blankly checked his condition, Nangong Seong’s brow furrowed.
The attackers’ skills hadn’t been as strong as expected.
Of course, they probably hadn’t anticipated him staying behind……
In any case, the enemy’s main force was surely waiting at the trap they’d set in Hoa Pavilion.
Good for him, but not so much for Yu Hyun, was it?
“Jungsan!”
“……?”
Nangong Seong called out to Jungsan, who was picking out the survivors among the fallen foes and knocking them out thoroughly.
“Uncle is in danger! We need to hurry and help him.”
“…….”
Jungsan stared blankly at the worried Nangong Seong, then smirked.
“Jungsan!”
“…….”
When Nangong Seong shouted again, Jungsan sighed and shook his head.
Then, suddenly, he clasped his hands behind his back, hunched over, scrunched his face into deep wrinkles……
Ah, Gu Jo-jin?
As Nangong Seong made a face of realization, Jungsan nodded and began writing letters in the air with his finger.
“Yu Hyun…… the Chief has…… marked? If harm comes…….”
The last character was “none” (無).
Nothing left behind…… meaning not even a corpse?
Jungsan stopped writing after the final character and gathered the remaining survivors, sealing their acupoints thoroughly.
“…….”
Come to think of it, Jungsan showing up here alone meant Gu Jo-jin had gone to Yu Hyun.
With that monstrous Gu Jo-jin by his side, no matter how strong the attackers were, they couldn’t touch Yu Hyun.
But a sudden question arose.
Why? Why was the Water Dragon King treating Yu Hyun so importantly?
He was a fiend from the unorthodox sects.
One classified as a top-tier threat by the Justice Alliance, no less.
Yu Hyun had voluntarily become the leader of the Dormant Dragon Squad, making him a righteous faction member now.
They were enemies by affiliation, and he’d even smashed Black Flag Stronghold under the Water Dragon King’s command— so why help this much?
“…….”
Now that he thought about it, things hadn’t made sense from the start.
His uncle returning unscathed after being captured by the Water Dragon King, and accompanying them on the way to Hainan Island this time.
And treating him like an old friend with that attitude and speech? It was downright weird.
He’d seemed eager to teach something the whole way…… What the hell?
He’d never asked, and Uncle had never explained, leaving his head in a tangle.
Maybe Jungsan knew?
“Jungsan, do you perhaps…….”
“…….”
Jungsan tilted his head at Nangong Seong’s question.
Ah…… right, he can’t speak.
Giving up on getting answers from him, Nangong Seong felt relieved that Yu Hyun was safe, yet sank into new worries.
A man who might become the Nangong Clan’s son-in-law and a great righteous warrior shouldn’t get too chummy with the fiend king……
But for now, he needed to head to Yu Hyun.
He trusted the Water Dragon King’s prowess, but an extra pair of hands never hurt, right?
* * *
“Gae Du-sin.”
“Yes?”
“Show me your Thug-Beating Staff Technique.”
“Yes? Suddenly?”
“……Yeah. Suddenly.”
“…….”
As soon as they entered the forest path, Gae Du-sin tilted his head at Yu Hyun’s abrupt command.
What? They were clearly heading to catch assassins who’d set a trap, and now this random Thug-Beating Staff Technique?
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
As Gae Du-sin stared dumbly at Yu Hyun, sparks flashed before his eyes.
Damn, always hitting out of nowhere……
But even through the throbbing pain in his skull, Nangong Seong’s words rang clear.
Never defy him.
Never…… defy……
“Don’t wanna?”
Swish.
As Yu Hyun expressionlessly raised his fist, Gae Du-sin hurriedly drew his green bamboo staff from his belt.
“I’ll do it! I am!”
“Should’ve done that from the start.”
Yu Hyun stopped walking and leaned against a nearby tree.
Why the Thug-Beating Staff Technique?
Obviously, because he had to beat down some bastards from here on, and the best technique for beating bastards was the Thug-Beating Staff Technique.
Of course, he knew it better than anyone and could probably execute it several times better than the current Beggars’ Sect Leader……
But first, he needed to watch Gae Du-sin perform it. Had to pretend to mimic it later to avoid suspicion.
And above all, he needed time to vent the boiling rage inside him right now.
Getting angry before facing the enemy was bad. Anger amplified power but could also dull the senses.
With who-knows-what waiting ahead, he had to cool his chest and head, maintain cold clarity.
“Phew…….”
As Yu Hyun took a long breath, sharpening his mind like a blade, Gae Du-sin gripped his green bamboo staff, steadied his breath, and began the Thug-Beating Staff Technique’s thirty-six forms, starting with Drunken Eight Immortals Steps.
“First form, Smashing the Road-Blocking Bastard Dog—Fierce Dog Blocks the Road! Followed by swiftly leaping to smash the bastard’s head—Staff Strike to the Crown…….”
“…….”
“The staff gets bitten by the bastard, so poke the eyes and snatch it back—Great Hound Snatches Staff!
Gae Du-sin was excitedly explaining each form’s name as he performed, but it left a bad taste.
The anger he’d been suppressing started bubbling up again……?
Forget the rest— glancing at him every time he mentioned “bastard”……
“Hey!”
“……Yes?”
As he transitioned from the third to fourth form, Yu Hyun bellowed.
“No form names. Those lame names look even lamer…….”
“Ah, yes…….”
Gae Du-sin pouted slightly at Yu Hyun’s remark.
Hey, at least let me vent like this.
“Then, starting over! Hahap!”
“…….”
Gae Du-sin demonstrated the Thug-Beating Staff Technique from the first form again.
Quietly, calmly……
Watching the technique flow like water, Yu Hyun smirked.
Kid’s putting in effort. He’s improved a lot.
As he admired inwardly, Gae Du-sin suddenly felt puzzled.
What’s this?
The Thug-Beating Staff Technique felt…… faster than before.
And the transitions between forms were incredibly smooth.
Even without infusing extra energy, the staff’s wind whistled fiercely.
Such a clear difference…… why?
“……!”
Realizing something in a flash, Gae Du-sin’s eyes widened.
The only recent change was the Drunken Eight Immortals Steps Yu Hyun had shown him to learn.
Nothing else made sense.
Just changing how he walked had transformed the accompanying Thug-Beating Staff Technique this much.
Nangong Seong’s words resurfaced— training like a madman with him and ascending to qi mastery.
Maybe, just maybe, he could too……
Gae Du-sin vowed inwardly.
Uncle…… I’ll serve you better from now on.
Please examine this Thug-Beating Staff Technique thoroughly and grant me one great breakthrough!
Feeling his respect for Yu Hyun sprout like bean sprouts in a jar, Gae Du-sin poured his heart into each latter form.
Even the ones that never worked before— how were they so perfect now?
It energized him naturally. Felt utterly refreshing.
Wanted to keep going.
Swing the green bamboo staff faster, more precisely.
Swish swish swish.
His intent stirred his inner energy automatically into the staff, and drawn by joy, Gae Du-sin unknowingly advanced a step further.
Trajectories overlapped on the staff’s path, changes upon changes layered.
The wind from the swung staff shredded the air.
Whiiiiiir.
In an instant, the wind roared stronger.
Like a gentle breeze turning into a gale.
Pa pa pa pa pa pa!
The divinely inspired green bamboo staff’s movements made the air scream in agony.
“Haaap!”
With Gae Du-sin’s mighty kiai, the staff filled the forest, meticulously stripping every leaf from the surrounding trees.
Ruuuumble……
The Thug-Beating Staff Technique’s ultimate final form.
The Heaven-Earth Staff that leaves not a single bastard behind engulfs the world.
This feeling of sweat soaking his white robes…… good.
Just a bit more, a little longer.
Until he grasped the edge of the next realm……!
Filled with burning aspiration, Gae Du-sin returned to the first form, Fierce Dog Bl……
“Enough!”
“……Road-blocking bastard.”
“What?”
“Yes?”
The flow cut short, Gae Du-sin muttered regretfully, then flinched and reflexively replied upon seeing Yu Hyun’s glaring eyes.
“Let’s go. I’ve seen enough.”
“…….”
Crack.
Yu Hyun snapped off a thick branch nearby and quickened his pace.
“Hurry! The bastards are waiting.”
“……Yes.”
Gae Du-sin stared wistfully at his sweat-slick palms, then followed Yu Hyun.
Yeah, the bastards are waiting.
But so regrettable. Feels cut too short……
The more he thought, the more disappointing, but staying in Yu Hyun’s good graces would surely bring another chance.
Handle the urgent matter first……
“I’m coming too!”
Gae Du-sin hurried to stick to Yu Hyun’s heels.
“What’s with you? Back off!”
“Aww, why? The mountain path’s rough— I’ll clear the way. Hup, hup hup!”
“…….”
Gae Du-sin dashed ahead, hacking away protruding branches and weeds.
Yu Hyun couldn’t fathom why Gae Du-sin was acting up……
How long did they climb the mountain path?
Following the distant hazy light, they pushed through the woods and reached a small clearing with a cabin.
The sky had darkened completely by now.
Only faint moonlight and the dim glow leaking from the cabin lit the clearing.
Hoa Pavilion, my ass……
Rustle, rustle, rustle.
Yu Hyun strode straight to the clearing’s center without looking around, while Gae Du-sin followed warily, eyes sharp on all sides.
Reaching the cabin, Yu Hyun halted.
“These bastards call this a trap…….”
“……?”
Yu Hyun smirked and muttered, then drew a deep breath.
“Come out, you bastards!”
His curse echoed thunderously through the deep night forest clearing.
But even after the echoes faded completely, no response came.
“Shall I check it out?”
“…….”
As Gae Du-sin glared at the cabin and spoke, Yu Hyun smirked and shook his head.
Cabin? Light? That’s just set dressing.
No one’s inside.
“These bastards won’t come out, huh?”
“……Yes?”
Gae Du-sin looked at him puzzled amid the tension, but Yu Hyun ignored him and unleashed his spirit energy.
The spirit energy from the Spirit Heart Core Method was the purest in the world.
Like the qi of great nature……
Though gathered slower than inner energy and impossible to master fully without spirit beasts or herbs, once amassed, its power far surpassed inner energy.
Just like spirit beasts storing spirit energy in their bodies……
Shoooo.
Spirit energy poured from Yu Hyun’s body like threads, spreading everywhere.
Carried on the flowing wind, in the grass’s sway.
Soon, the surroundings touched not his eyes but his skin, painting vividly in his mind.
“Huh?”
Sensing something suddenly, Gae Du-sin startled and backed away from Yu Hyun.
What’s this?
Some unfamiliar energy brushing over his body……
Not the qi sense of inner energy users.
Something he’d never felt before.
And its source was clearly Yu Hyun…… what kind of person is he?
As Gae Du-sin eyed his uncle in confusion, that familiar smile crept onto Yu Hyun’s lips.
But colder, more chilling than before……
“There you are!”
“……!”
Tok! Pew pew!
With his shout, a pebble flicked up by his toe landed in his hand, then shot swiftly toward the woods.
Whiiiiiish! Thud!
“Argh!”
A scream?
Nothing was felt?
As Gae Du-sin’s eyes widened, scanning around,
Sinister murderous intent arose from all directions, soon filling the clearing where Yu Hyun and Gae Du-sin stood.