Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Bloodline Pavilion (2)
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Bloodline Pavilion was one of the powers entrenched in the city.
Not simple-minded street thugs, but a proper unorthodox faction, for what it was worth.
To classify it precisely, it was more like a business run by gangsters.
While righteous sect folks obsessed over face and preached about knights and grand justice, unorthodox bastards only cared about their own well-being.
What would such scum use their martial arts for?
Obviously, to covet and plunder others' possessions.
Forcing nearby merchant groups into mergers and extorting tribute.
Running gambling dens on sparring matches to rake in cash.
Gathering homeless courtesans to operate pleasure houses.
Their operations came in all shapes and sizes.
Sure, might makes right, but that didn't make it any less revolting.
No wonder they were called Evil Demonic Outlaws or Black Path riffraff.
As such, the size of their main base varied by how much they'd devoured from ordinary folk, and Bloodline Pavilion's compound was on the larger side among them.
Cheongun sauntered leisurely toward the manor's rear garden.
"Man, they've gobbled up a ton."
Cheongun muttered in a gruff tone.
Anyone would mistake it for some sect's manor rather than an espionage outfit's headquarters.
The building's layout was grand and imposing, just like the Justice Alliance branch on Qingcheng Mountain.
Not that it couldn't pass for a Demonic Cult sub-branch... but anyway, it was a scale impossible without ruthless plundering over the years.
"Don't the righteous sects collect protection money too?"
"Do they force it out of people like you lot?"
"……"
Before Jin Cheon-u could pick his words, Cheongun continued.
"Hey, Black Fiend Sword."
"...Black Fiend Sword."
"From now on, you're escorting me to the Pavilion Lord."
Jin Cheon-u blinked dumbly.
Escort him where?
And this punk was dropping all pretense of politeness now.
"Why do you need the Pavilion Lord?"
"I ask the questions. Lead the way."
"Come on, you expect me to just say 'Yes, sir!' and take you there? We're supposed to be on the same side, aren't we? Even if I'm uneducated, you think I'd have no loyalty at all?"
"Oh, loyalty. Cool."
"Ahem."
Jin Cheon-u cleared his throat.
Cheongun smiled with uncharacteristic benevolence and asked,
"Alright. Last words then?"
"Pardon?"
"Leave your dying words. Asking special 'cause it's cool."
Jin Cheon-u caught on instantly.
Loyalty was one thing, dying was another.
Decision made in a flash, he strode ahead with a hearty grin.
"Follow me. I'll guide you."
"What, no loyalty? Trash."
"On second thought, I've never even properly talked to the Pavilion Lord."
"Yeah? Then lead on."
"Y-yes."
Crazy bastard. Lunatic. Son of a bitch.
Jin Cheon-u swallowed his curses and guided the way.
"Mind if I ask one thing?"
"What?"
"I have no clue what you're thinking, young hero, but can't we call it quits and head back?"
"Head back? Why would I leave a prime spot like this? Cut the lame excuses and guide properly. Where's the Bloodline Pavilion Lord?"
"No, seriously, what are you gonna do barging alone into the Pavilion Lord's lair? Know how tight security is? You're not here to fight a war single-handed..."
At that, Cheongun, who had been staring blankly, replied.
"Spot on."
"Pardon?"
"Yeah. Here for war."
Cheongun smirked.
What, you think I came to sightsee?
That's why he'd stubbornly sent Namgung Yeol packing despite her insistence on tagging along—to finish things once and for all.
"Uh, are you insane?"
Cheongun circulated his inner energy.
Jin Cheon-u quickly added,
"...Got any plan at least?"
"Plan? Why?"
"You wouldn't charge into an enemy stronghold crawling with masters without one."
Plan? Nope.
Why would he need one?
Look around!
How many batteries... er, demons were there?
Demons everywhere he looked.
Demons all around.
Demons as far as the eye could see.
Every brush past them set his nerves on edge, his dantian tingling—a sensation more precious than rare millennium snow ginseng.
If he gained enlightenment in this state, even that legendary realm of shedding bones and exchanging marrow might be within reach.
Ah, precious.
How could he leave these behind?
"Not confident."
"Right?"
"Nah, not confident I'll leave any alive."
"……"
Jin Cheon-u was about to lose his mind.
This brat... no, madman was utterly unpredictable.
He'd brought him because refusing meant death, but getting caught smuggling in a wanted fugitive would doom him too.
Chasing him off wasn't an option either.
Yell "Help, he's threatening me!" and the bastard might just kill him alone as "revenge" and bolt—worst death ever.
Fuck, driving me nuts.
Jin Cheon-u was sharp.
Sharp enough that his mediocre martial arts hadn't stopped him from climbing this far on wits alone.
He'd always navigated danger unscathed.
Thanks to his keen instincts.
And now, for some reason, his gut screamed that Cheongun was about to stir up hell.
"Haa, this way."
"Got it."
About fifteen minutes later,
they reached the Forbidden Hall's gates.
A wooden plaque reading "Pavilion Lord's Residence" hung over the peeling red-lacquered doors.
The Pavilion Lord's quarters.
Knock knock knock!
Jin Cheon-u hesitated before knocking.
The door cracked open, and a man's head peeked out.
"Who is it?"
"Jin Cheon-u."
The man scrutinized his face.
"Who?"
"You don't know me? Black Fiend Sword Jin Cheon-u."
"Black Fiend Sword? Your nickname?"
"Fuck."
Jin Cheon-u grumbled and pulled out his identity token.
"One of ours, huh."
"……"
"Newbie? Come in."
The man nodded, opening the door.
Cheongun, watching silently, patted Jin Cheon-u's shoulders as he passed.
"Hang in there."
"……"
...Jin Cheon-u felt inexplicably sour.
Sword already drawn, Cheongun leaped inside.
The Forbidden Hall's interior came into full view.
A long central aisle stretched ahead, ending in a throne-like jade chair ornately decorated.
A woman lounged there with a bored expression.
Obviously the Pavilion Lord's seat.
Flanking both sides stood bandit-looking thugs in rows—dozens at least.
Jin Cheon-u, entering late, whispered just loud enough for Cheongun.
"That's the Bloodline Pavilion Lord, Bloodline Sword Sovereign."
"Knew it."
Cheongun nodded unconsciously.
Seeing her face jogged his memory.
Currently Bloodline Pavilion Lord, but later she'd head one of Heavenly Demon God Cult's three major intel groups, the Blood Demon Squad.
She practiced the Devour Infant Soul Art.
A demonic art that boosted inner power by consuming children's vital souls... i.e., human flesh. A trash heap who'd kidnapped kids nonstop to master it.
"Her own strength aside, she killed the previous lord with her scheming and took the seat."
"Yeah?"
"Her silver tongue sows chaos—watch out or don't."
Cheongun blinked.
This guy, worried for him?
What a clown.
Then, Bloodline Pavilion Lord Wi Yeong-hwa spoke.
"Who the hell are you punks?"
"You're the Pavilion Lord?"
"I asked first, idiot. No need to answer anyway. I remember your face. The one we put a bounty on at Filth Gate recently. Cheongun, was it?"
You bitch.
Found you at last.
"Crawling here on your own two feet? You're not just crazy, you're stark raving mad."
With that, a barrage of filth spewed from both sides.
Spare your dog life, dismember you, pretty face so we'll whore you out—classic Black Path vulgar "encouragement."
Cheongun stood still, taking it.
In the chaos, the Pavilion Lord subtly flexed her fingers, channeling sound arts.
While yapping to buy time, faint cyan energy misted from between her fingers.
Jin Cheon-u gulped, eyeing motionless Cheongun.
So cocky coming in, now just standing there?
Intimidated by the vibe?
'Watch the mind games.'
He was about to warn when—
"!!!"
Cheongun vanished.
Dust faintly swirled where he'd stood.
As they scanned bewildered—
Krunch!
A sound like eggshell crunching echoed.
Jin Cheon-u jerked his head up in shock.
Cheongun now stood beside the Pavilion Lord.
One oddity: the head of the woman who'd sat so imperiously moments ago was gone.
Well, precisely—gushing blood, rolling on the floor.
Shing—!
Cheongun sheathed his sword with a blank face.
Red droplets trickled down the blade.
He eyed the stunned thugs calmly.
"Bloodline Sword Sovereign Wi Yeong-hwa is dead."
"......"
"From now on, I'm the Bloodline Pavilion Lord."
"......"