Chapter 17: Displaying Divine Might-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 17: Displaying Divine Might-1
Step. Step.
The sound of footsteps reached Sun-woo’s ears as he sat with his eyes closed.
What is that?
Startled by the sudden sound, Sun-woo snapped his eyes open and quickly gripped his sword.
Judging by the volume, the sound seemed to be coming from outside the cavern. Perhaps it was due to his hearing becoming extremely acute after reaching the Super-Peak Realm, but even though the source was a considerable distance away, the footsteps sounded as loud as if they were right in front of him.
Step.
Step.
However, the footsteps didn't belong to just one or two people. The sounds of various footfalls, differing in weight and rhythm, began to fill his ears in a chaotic jumble.
Who is it?
The only person who should have known about this hideout was his master, Lee Jae-won, yet there were clearly multiple people approaching.
Sun-woo glared at the cavern entrance, his body tensed with caution.
Soon, the footsteps grew louder until the figures finally revealed themselves inside the cavern.
"As I thought, you were here. Jang Sam."
"Ju Gwang!?"
The first man to appear was Ju Gwang of the Great Tyrant Blade. Behind him, four other men emerged.
Among them was Giant Dragon Spear, the man Sun-woo had previously fought. All of them were powerful warriors at the Peak Realm.
"Address me as Vice Hall Master Ju Gwang, you insolent brat."
"Why are you here?"
"That’s what I want to ask. What possessed you to commit such an act?"
"Vice Hall Master, it’s all a misunderstanding. I never killed Lady Paeng..."
"You must have suffered so much. It’s been hard, hasn't it?"
Ju Gwang spoke with a warm, kind demeanor. It was a complete reversal from his previous attitude in the Law Enforcement Hall’s interrogation room, where he had already branded Sun-woo a criminal and barked orders at him.
Sun-woo felt a wave of unease at Ju Gwang’s sudden change in tone.
This guy isn't the type to act like this.
In Jang Sam’s memories, Ju Gwang was a man who had started as a wanderer; no matter what he said, his speech was always laced with a certain roughness. This sudden gentleness was suspicious.
"We’ve found the real culprit. Your name has been cleared."
Sun-woo’s face brightened at those words. He had been agonizing over whether to fight or flee when Ju Gwang arrived. To hear that his name was cleared was a massive relief.
"However, there is a problem. The culprit hasn't been caught yet. To the public, you are still the perpetrator."
"What? Why?"
"The culprit is a high-ranking official, so it’s difficult to dig into them carelessly. That’s why the arrest is being delayed until we find definitive evidence."
Sun-woo nodded, finding the explanation plausible. If a high-ranking official was involved, it would indeed be difficult to expose them.
"So, for now, you’ll have to be bound as we go, Jang Sam."
At Ju Gwang’s command, the squad leaders of the Law Enforcement Hall approached Sun-woo, carrying ropes.
"Wait a moment, Vice Hall Master! I’ll go to Master on my own two feet."
"Unfortunately, that’s not possible. Officially, Jang Sam, you are a criminal who escaped after overpowering the warriors of the Law Enforcement Hall. If we brought such a heinous criminal before the Alliance Leader without even binding him, it would look ridiculous."
"But isn't my cooperation proof of my innocence!?"
"No matter how innocent you are, you cannot face the Alliance Leader while unrestrained. Those are the regulations. The regulations."
Sun-woo fell into thought. Having briefly served in the Law Enforcement Hall as a squad leader in the past, Jang Sam knew that Ju Gwang wasn't lying.
According to the Alliance Law, anyone who had committed a crime or was under suspicion had to have their physical freedom restricted before they could face the Alliance Leader. It was a law created to prevent potential assassinations or escapes.
Still, something felt incredibly off. His head understood the logic, but his heart was uneasy.
Nevertheless, he eventually held out both hands.
Despite his suspicions, Ju Gwang was the teacher who had laid the foundation of his martial arts in place of the irresponsible Lee Jae-won. He didn't want to believe that such a man would do something to harm him.
This was only possible because a part of Jang Sam’s heart still trusted Ju Gwang.
Of course, from Sun-woo’s perspective, the man was untrustworthy—he had already decided Sun-woo was guilty during the interrogation—but he decided to trust Jang Sam’s memories for now.
Click.
Steel restraints clamped firmly around Sun-woo’s wrists. Then, iron-reinforced ropes began to wind around his body.
Tight.
Tug.
The pressure was immense; they were binding him with incredible force. To exert this much pressure on a body that had become even tougher after reaching the Super-Peak Realm, they must have been pulling the ropes to their absolute limit.
"Take it easy, you bastard," Sun-woo muttered to Giant Dragon Spear, who was tightening the ropes.
"I have no intention of listening to a murderer."
"I told you, I’m not a murderer!"
Thwack!
Suddenly, someone struck the back of Sun-woo’s head.
"You!!! You did that to Seol-mae!!"
The one who struck him was a warrior named Yong Il-hoe, a squad leader of the Law Enforcement Hall.
"What are you doing!?" Ju Gwang shouted at the sight, but Yong Il-hoe replied through tears.
"This bastard is a shameless killer who murdered Seol-mae. And yet he acts so brazenly!!"
Sun-woo felt more confusion than offense at being hit. Wasn't he framed for the murder of Paeng Ji-yoon? Who was this Seol-mae that Yong Il-hoe was talking about?
It was then.
Slap!
Another squad leader struck Sun-woo across the cheek.
"You son of a bitch, my sister...!!"
The man’s face was beet-red with rage as he glared at Sun-woo.
"Are you kidding me? Who the hell is your sister?"
"Ha Ye-ra of the Phoenix Hall!"
"I’m asking who that is, man!"
"She is the poor woman you brutally raped and murdered before dumping her in a brothel!"
It was Giant Dragon Spear who answered his question.
"I suppose the names of the women you’ve already killed aren't worth remembering? Truly a depraved lust demon."
Sun-woo was dumbfounded by the response. He had been framed and stuck in this hideout for half a year. When could he have possibly committed such crimes?
"Not just Ha Ye-ra, but also Lady Yoon Ji-hwa of the Geumjeop Sect, and Ak So-seol, the fiancée of Yong Il-hoe over there... countless female martial artists were raped and murdered by your hand. Their bodies were all found in horrific states."
"I’m telling you, I didn't do it, damn it!"
"Why don't you stop acting, Jang Sam? We’ve already secured all the circumstantial evidence."
"I was framed for killing Paeng Ji-yoon and have been stuck in this hideout for six months! What are you talking about!?"
"No, you likely moved back and forth from this hideout to kidnap the female martial artists of the Cheonmu Alliance. Since no one but the Alliance Leader knew the location of this secret hideout, it’s only natural that we couldn't find you."
"I’m telling you, once we get to Master, all this misunderstanding will be cleared up!"
"I’m sorry, but you won't get a chance to argue your case, Jang Sam."
Sun-woo felt a creeping sense of dread at Giant Dragon Spear’s words.
"What?"
"The Cheonmu Alliance Leader has excommunicated you and declared you a Public Enemy of the Murim."
"..."
Sun-woo was so shocked he couldn't speak. Hearing the words 'Public Enemy of the Murim' made everything feel surreal.
No matter how indifferent a master Lee Jae-won was, Jang Sam was still his eldest disciple. Yet, Lee Jae-won had finalized the charges against the disciple he had raised for twenty years without even giving him a chance to explain. He had branded him the public enemy of all martial artists.
Being declared a Public Enemy of the Murim was no small matter. In a world filled with grudges, even a killer who committed mass slaughter was often treated with relative leniency if the killings were motivated by a personal vendetta.
Sun-woo’s eyes widened at the fact that he, who was merely a suspect in a murder case, had become a Public Enemy. He turned his shocked gaze toward Ju Gwang.
The warm expression Ju Gwang had worn earlier had vanished, replaced by a coldness that felt like a lie.
"Vice Hall Master... how could this...?"
"Don't resist and meet your end quietly, Jang Sam. It’s over for you."
"What do you mean!? You said you believed me!"
"Of course I believe you. But the world does not, so there is nothing I can do."
"You... you son of a bitch."
Tears fell from Sun-woo’s eyes.
To the boy who had lost his parents to bandits and was taken in by Lee Jae-won only to be neglected with a single manual, Ju Gwang of the Great Tyrant Blade had been a father, a teacher, and a friend.
Even when everyone else criticized him as a dullard, Ju Gwang was the one who comforted him, saying it wasn't his fault and that the martial arts were simply difficult. Ju Gwang’s betrayal cut deeper than even that of his master, Lee Jae-won.
"You’re still such a crybaby. I told you so many times to fix that."
The tears flowed uncontrollably. It was only natural, given how much Jang Sam had relied on Ju Gwang.
Ju Gwang felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he watched. It wasn't that he had no affection for Jang Sam, but his hands were tied.
Paeng Ga-ryeon, with whom he had an improper relationship, wanted Jang Sam dead, and even his master, Lee Jae-won, had offered up his disciple as a scapegoat. There was nothing he could do in this situation. He was simply following orders.
He had raised him like a son, but he wasn't his real son, after all.
Ju Gwang justified his actions to himself and turned away. It was slightly uncomfortable to look Jang Sam in the eye.
Tsk, poor fellow. In your next life, don't be born as the disciple of a man like the Alliance Leader.
After offering a silent prayer for Jang Sam’s soul, Ju Gwang commanded the squad leaders.
"Bring Jang Sam. We are heading up to the Cheonmu Alliance."
"Understood!"
He began to move toward the passage first. He felt that listening to Jang Sam’s crying any longer would only increase his guilt.
The squad leaders obeyed with discipline and began to drag the weeping Jang Sam away.
Sob. Hiccup.
Jang Sam wept incessantly. His face became a mess of tears and snot, looking quite pathetic, but he didn't care and wailed loudly. He poured out his tears as if he were emptying a lifetime’s worth. It was a mixture of resentment, rage, and sorrow toward Ju Gwang and Lee Jae-won.
Drip. Drip.
Then, at some point...
Stop.
The tears that had filled his eyes suddenly ceased.
"Phew... I’m done crying now."
Having finished his bout of weeping, Sun-woo let out a refreshing smile and began to chuckle.
The tears shed out of betrayal toward Ju Gwang and Lee Jae-won were Jang Sam’s emotions. From Sun-woo’s perspective, who had never liked those two to begin with, there was no reason to feel sad or betrayed. Lee Jae-won had simply acted like Lee Jae-won, and Ju Gwang had acted like Ju Gwang.
Hadn't he prepared for this exact worst-case scenario?
With all his emotional baggage toward Ju Gwang and Lee Jae-won washed away with his tears, all that remained was rage and a desire for revenge.
"You motherfuckers... you’re all dead."
Sun-woo leaned forward and sent internal energy to his lower body. Then, with a sudden burst of power, he leaped backward. It was a feat made possible by his mastery of the Wind-Dust Step, which allowed for instantaneous changes in direction.
Boom!
"!?!"
"!?!"
The squad leaders were caught off guard by Jang Sam’s sudden movement. Consumed by their anger, they had forgotten to strike his acupoints, and they now realized their mistake.
After landing safely in the back, Sun-woo flexed his muscles and shattered the restraints.
Crack!
Then, concentrating his internal energy, he tore through the iron-reinforced ropes wrapped around his body.
Clatter.
The squad leaders watched in horror as the iron ropes fell to the ground. Those ropes possessed enough tension to restrain even a tiger, the king of the mountains. Even for a Peak Realm master, breaking them so easily was impossible.
"You, Jang Sam! Come back here this instant!"
"Don't give me that shit. I’m dead if I get caught, so why would I come back?"
"This is a grave act of treason against the Cheonmu Alliance Leader! Do you understand what you’re doing?"
"If I’m going to die either way, I’d rather die fighting as much as I want."
"You demon! Everyone, subdue Jang Sam!"
At Giant Dragon Spear’s command, the squad leaders began to surround him. They watched each other, waiting for an opening to strike.
Sun-woo glanced at the squad leaders' weapons.
Yong Il-hoe and Beon Han-man were swordsmen, Ha Im-su was a saberman, and Giant Dragon Spear used a spear.
Among them, the one with the most threatening weapon was Giant Dragon Spear. Since his weapon had a longer reach than a sword, it would be incredibly annoying if he positioned himself to thrust from a mid-to-long range while the others engaged in close combat.
Sun-woo lunged at Giant Dragon Spear first.
Seeing Sun-woo rush him, Giant Dragon Spear swung his massive spear through the air, aiming a rapid thrust at Sun-woo’s abdomen.
However, to Sun-woo, who had reached the Super-Peak Realm, the strike was agonizingly slow, as if time itself had slowed down.
Sun-woo drew his sword, parried the spear, and slammed a palm strike into Giant Dragon Spear’s chest.
Thud!
"Aaaagh!"
With his chest caved in, Giant Dragon Spear died instantly.
"I’ve hated you ever since you started running your mouth."
The other squad leaders were stunned. While Giant Dragon Spear’s chest was being crushed, the rest of them hadn't even been able to react. This was impossible for someone with Jang Sam’s level of martial arts, which was only at the Peak Realm.
"Jang Sam! You’ve learned demonic arts!"
"You filthy demonic spawn!!!!!!"
Enraged by Giant Dragon Spear’s death, the squad leaders charged at Sun-woo all at once.
Yong Il-hoe’s sword lunged for his throat, while Beon Han-man’s sword aimed for his heart. Ha Im-su’s saber slashed toward his abdomen.
Sun-woo stepped back slightly, dodging their attacks. However, they continued their assault, pressing him further. They repeatedly thrust and slashed, aiming for vital points that would deal near-fatal damage. As expected of squad-level warriors of the Cheonmu Alliance, their coordinated attacks were quite pressuring.
Thump.
Sun-woo felt the wall against his back as he retreated. He had reached the edge of the cavern.
The squad leaders, pressing him with their joint tactics, rejoiced. Yong Il-hoe aimed for his face, Beon Han-man for his heart, and Ha Im-su for his stomach.
"This is the end, you brat!"
"Die, you demon!"
Clang!
Tang!
Stab!
However, their wish to see Sun-woo die was not granted.
Sun-woo tilted his head to the side, dodging Yong Il-hoe’s sword as it lunged for his face. The sword ended up buried deep in the wall. As for Beon Han-man and Ha Im-su’s attacks, the Overlord Ghost-Face Armor reacted to the sensation of the blades and deflected them instantly.
Yong Il-hoe struggled desperately to pull his sword out of the wall, but it wouldn't budge.
Sun-woo didn't miss the opportunity and pierced Yong Il-hoe’s throat.
Squeltch.
"Gurgle..."
With his throat pierced, Yong Il-hoe began to make a wet, bubbling sound.
Schwing.
As Sun-woo pulled his sword out, blood spurted, and the man collapsed.
"Now there are only two left, right?"
Having killed two Peak Realm masters in an instant, Sun-woo turned to Beon Han-man and Ha Im-su with a chilling smile.