Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Let's Go! To the Tang Family! (4)
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Inside the dark mansion.
The Tang Family of Sichuan was in utter disarray.
Pressure from the investigators dispatched by the Murim Alliance.
And within Sichuan itself, vicious rumors persisted nonstop—claims that the Blood Ghosts were kidnapping women and children.
"Family Head."
"……."
"I will prove Sichuan's innocence."
"And how do you plan to do that?"
"I'll take the lead, scour Sichuan, and track down the Blood Ghosts."
"……."
Tang Soso, the daughter of the Tang Family, sought to turn the tide.
"By the Tang Family's creed, we repay favors twofold and grudges tenfold."
"Can you pull it off?"
At the Family Head's question, Tang Soso silently nodded, her emerald eyes gleaming.
"I'll conduct a discreet investigation within the Tang Family. Tang Soso, you gather evidence from outside."
"Understood."
"Take Blood Venom and the nine warriors with you. Leave at once."
"Yes, Family Head."
The Tang Family's Hidden Fragrance Poison Phoenix bowed her head and departed the Tang Family.
It had been fully three weeks since we set out for Sichuan.
Zhuge Ji-yeon, still unaccustomed to lightness skill, was thoroughly worn out, so we paused to rest. We gathered dry grass and branches to build a campfire.
"Got anything to start a fire with? Doesn't seem to be any flint around."
I tilted my head, and Ji-yeon confidently pulled something from her bosom.
-Whoosh!!
The fire starter from Ji-yeon's bosom spat out a blazing flame.
"Lighters are so handy every time I see one."
She beamed, calling it a lighter while gazing at the fire starter.
'...Is she nuts?'
I nearly let a curse slip out.
But spewing profanities at one's disciple went against a master's virtue, so I cleared my throat and simply corrected her terminology.
"Fire starter."
"Huh? What's that?"
"Lighter isn't right. Fire starter is the proper term."
"R-Really?"
Ji-yeon eyed me oddly.
I furrowed my brow, and she squeaked, frantically repeating, "Fire starter! Fire starter!"
"Right. That's what you call it from now on."
"Y-Yes, Master!"
I smiled in satisfaction, and Ji-yeon peeked at my expression before awkwardly mirroring my grin.
She poked at the dry grass with a twig and spoke up.
"Normally, lighting a bonfire like this would be pretty risky... but with you here, Master, I don't feel worried at all."
I chuckled at her giggling face and gently stroked Snow Python, who had crawled out from my bosom.
"...Master, you really seem like some kind of immortal sage."
"Oh?"
"Yeah... handling a spirit beast like it's no big deal."
Ji-yeon's eyes sparkled.
I tilted my head, wondering if Snow Python was really that impressive.
"It's not some amazing spirit beast. Just... kinda cute, that's all."
[Master...! You dare reduce this exalted one to a mere cute earth dragon!?]
"Yeah."
Snow Python burst out in fury, but it wasn't scary at all.
It was just a tiny little spirit beast, after all.
Nothing frightening about it.
"Still, an earth dragon's a dragon. You're just an imugi."
[Eeeeek!]
Ji-yeon stifled a laugh at the indignant cry.
Snow Python shot her a glare.
[W-What's so damn funny!]
"Snow Python."
[Kh... khmmm...]
I called its name, and it immediately drooped its head.
Then it coiled up beside me and blankly stared at the campfire.
'Sulking, huh.'
For a spirit beast, it pouted way too easily.
I'd thought it was some enlightened being.
But the more I watched, the more it seemed like a spoiled kid.
'Head full of flowers.'
Oh well, what could I do?
It was my companion until the moment I died here.
I had to look after it.
Annoying as it was, it had its cute side.
I slowly stroked Snow Python, who smiled faintly in response and spoke.
[...Master, I'm sure you sensed it too.]
"Yeah."
"Huh? Sensed what?"
Ji-yeon tilted her head.
Its realm was about on par with Ji-yeon's, but its actual prowess outstripped hers.
Even sharp-eyed Ji-yeon hadn't noticed yet.
'Roughly a dozen.'
They'd been encircling us, slowly closing in.
"Ji-yeon."
"Yes?"
"……."
I didn't bother with the bamboo hat beside me and simply roused my energy.
"Close your eyes."
"...!!"
Only then did Ji-yeon seem to sense something.
"Snow Python, protect Ji-yeon."
[Understood.]
This time, it felt like I'd need my real sword, not the wooden one.
I wouldn't kill rashly, of course.
But I had to defend my body.
'Two at peak entry level, seven first-class entry, one mid first-class... that right?'
Figuring that was about the count, I briefly hesitated before summoning a surge of blue energy.
Without the hat, using the lost arts of Mount Hua or Wudang could spell trouble.
Here, it made sense to draw on the pinnacle of the righteous factions: the Sword Sovereign's techniques.
The Nangong Tyrant Sword Style.
Swift, heavy, and exquisitely precise swordsmanship worthy of the title "Imperial Sword."
And when that Tyrant Sword met my monstrous inner power...
"Come out while I'm asking nicely."
My voice alone could shake the world.
No sooner had I spoken than flying needles shot from the darkness.
-Clang!!!!
They never touched me, deflected in an instant.
'...Saliva-based?'
Saliva needles meant...
'Sichuan Tang Family?'
High chance the Tang Family of Sichuan was targeting me.
Why would a righteous faction come after us?
Ji-yeon was right behind me.
It made no sense.
I scowled, about to bellow for them to show themselves again—
"...How far has the righteous faction rotted?"
"……."
A girl's voice rang out.
From the shadows emerged a woman with long, jet-black hair.
Judging by her attire, she was a Tang Family daughter.
She carried no sword, but the qi on those needles matched hers perfectly.
My doubts only grew.
Why attack us?
"Why is the Tang Family attacking—"
"You bitch. A Blood Ghost."
"What...?"
She cut me off mid-question. What kind of manners were those?
And after interrupting, she had the gall to call me—a full-fledged righteous faction member—a Blood Ghost.
[M-Master!! Show them the plate!]
Fury nearly drove me to slit her throat right then, but Snow Python's voice snapped me back. I rummaged in my sleeve and pulled out the jade plaque.
Front: Zhuge.
Back: Noble Person.
I flipped it back and forth for her to see, and she just stared at me blankly, making no move.
"I am a noble of the Zhuge Family and a proper member of the righteous factions. Why are you attacking?"
She seemed almost convinced, so I lowered my sword and reined in my energy.
Then...
"Ha."
She let out a sigh.
"Fine... even the Zhuge Family makes sense. If the Tang Family fell victim too."
"...?"
She muttered something suspicious.
But her words confirmed it: she and her warriors followed Tang Family orders.
I started to sheathe my sword—
"Die."
"...!?"
-Shrieeeek!!!!
I didn't even see the throwing motion before the hidden weapons were hurtling at me.
-Clang!!!!!
"...Without even drawing your sword."
"……."
Luckily, I swung my sheathed blade and knocked them away.
To show such discourtesy even after seeing my plaque...
"Looks like you really want to die."
Guess that meant I could put her down.
The atmosphere shifted in an instant.
'What...!?'
A crushing pressure bore down madly.
Tang Soso, the Tang Family's eldest daughter, gritted her teeth.
The figure before her was undoubtedly a Blood Ghost.
Red eyes. Red hair.
Who wouldn't peg those as Blood Ghost traits?
On top of that, grim rumors had been swirling through Sichuan lately.
Blood Ghosts abducting women and children.
The Murim Alliance, Tang Family, and Emei Sect hadn't turned a blind eye. They'd launched an investigation immediately.
And they'd latched onto a lead.
Right inside the Tang Family.
The Alliance had put heavy pressure on the Tangs.
Unable to endure it, Soso had sought and received her father's permission. She'd led her warriors out to capture a Blood Ghost herself and prove their innocence.
After days of investigation, she'd encountered one at the Chengdu border.
And right after, Soso was stunned.
"...Master......"
"Zhuge Ji-yeon...?"
She'd heard it from afar, but clear as day.
The voice of the Zhuge Family's precious golden child.
Looking closer, there was Ji-yeon in Soso's sights.
'Why are you here...?'
A wave of revulsion hit her.
Watching a righteous faction girl fawn over an evil Blood Ghost, calling it "Master"—it turned her stomach.
Especially seeing her tremble before the specter of the Evil Alliance and so readily accept its words.
Soso made a vow.
'Can't let them live.'
She absolutely could not let these two leave this place alive.
So she'd struck.
But now Soso's pupils quivered.
A foe they should have swarmed and slaughtered screaming...
'Just his killing intent alone...'
His killing intent had annihilated her entire squad.
"Wench."
"...!?"
A voice like the heavens thundering echoed right beside Soso.
She whipped her head around.
"...Do I really look that much like a Blood Ghost to you?"
"Ah......"
Tang Soso instinctively knew she was done for.