Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Blood Fiend Ambush
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"Senior, you're really planning to hand over money just because that guy demands it?"
"Of course. Messing around with money tends to have nasty consequences."
"Hm, what a shame."
"However... if it's confirmed that this case is connected to the Demonic Cult, then that merchant can be considered involved as well, right?"
"Ah, then we'd have something to nab him by."
"I'm not one for wasting money. Otherwise, just call it charity."
When Jegal Yeong readily shoved the blank check at the merchant, I wondered if she was getting too carried away with the thrill of spending.
But hearing it now, it sounded like a solid plan.
She never miscalculates in these matters.
"Is this about the spot?"
"Yes. It matches the terrain the merchant sketched. That has to be it."
"Now it's my turn to step up, right? Right?"
"Not yet. We'll know once we check it out."
According to what the merchant confessed,
the bastard making the Blood Fiend Pills had set up nest in the northeastern plains of Fujian Province.
Money really is the best, huh?
He even handed over a map describing the surrounding terrain.
But plains, of all places.
'Pulling stunts like this out in the open?'
Fujian Province was perfect terrain for plotting conspiracies.
Mostly mountains, thick with underbrush.
Open fields like this were actually rare.
And that made it suspicious.
'If it were a cave, it'd make sense.'
Caves.
Damp, crawling with bugs and rats—ideal.
No sunlight, hard to escape.
The worst environment for a base, but for shady dealings, one perfect condition:
Easy to collapse if needed.
As long as you're prepared to be buried alive too...
Nothing hides evidence like a cave.
So putting up a building in the open plains with no cover for this kind of scheme? It didn't add up.
"By the way, how long are those ronin planning to tail us?"
"Who knows. They said there's still balance due, so they'll stand guard."
"They insist?"
Lounging along,
keeping a wide berth from us while scanning the surroundings—the ronin.
Fewer than the number Jegal Yeong had lavished money on, but still a decent group.
'This stinks too.'
Something smelled off.
Ronin never give change—they take all or nothing.
In my eyes, those bastards definitely had ulterior motives.
Guys who'd bolt yelling foul if the client died, now offering extra guard duty?
Wouldn't be weird if they turned blades on us right now.
'We'll see when we flip the cards.'
The simple reason I wasn't scattering them immediately:
This could be a clue, or evidence.
Even if they went berserk on Blood Fiend Pills, it was fine.
Any one of our trio could suppress them in seconds.
And the other thing was...
"What brings you to such a remote place?"
It was then.
That an old man in black hemp robes appeared before us.
Dressed like he was screaming "I'm a doctor!"
But the wind carried the scent of blood.
"We got a tip about Blood Fiend Pills being made here."
"Oh, that vicious drug that turns people into cripples just by eating it? You've come to the right place."
Jegal Yeong's declaration drew an exaggerated, clownish fuss from the old man.
"What kind of trick is this?"
"We both know what's up, so no need to hide it, right?"
At the same time, the old man gestured.
How had so many crammed into that tiny shack?
Black-clad figures poured out through doors and windows like a flood.
Roughly fifty, by my estimate, surrounding us.
All gripping weapons—not here to dance, that's for sure.
"No need to flip the place inside out now."
"Haha, that's what I've been thinking... but it seems the young lady needs some manners training!"
"Don't you think tacking on polite speech everywhere is the weird part?"
"Let's see how long you can keep acting so relaxed!"
A thick killing intent prickled the skin.
With the old man's booming shout, the fight began.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'As expected, a trap.'
While wary of the black-clad mob readying their charge, Jegal Yeong thought.
If things go too smoothly, suspect first.
Good thing she hadn't let her guard down.
Ronin live and die by coin, sure.
But even trash like Blood Fiend Pills could be their trump card.
Hiring ronin on purpose to draw eyes?
All to test the enemy's reaction.
'They were waiting for us.'
Even that merchant might be their plant.
Or maybe overthinking.
Either way, one key thing mattered.
'Are these Demonic Cultists or not.'
Could just be Demonic Faction riffraff crawling into Fujian.
The King of Ronin didn't seem the type to block visitors unless invading.
So, push them hard.
Force their hidden cards.
"Senior, break through the west first!"
"Got it!"
Textbook for encirclement: punch through one point.
At Jegal Yeong's order, Hwangbo Seyul swung her greatsword and charged the black-clads.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Collapse A strike laden with destructive force
Kwajik!
Hwangbo Seyul's blow carried the momentum of shattering boulders.
Sensing the killing intent even through the mask, an attack thick with intent to pulverize foes.
The western encirclement broke in an instant.
'Good. Now spread a barrier centered there...'
The enemy ambush started the fight, but momentum favored them.
Grab Yi Se-woong and shift there.
Turning her head toward him, Jegal Yeong saw.
Seokeok!
Yi Se-woong mercilessly slashing the black-clads.
She'd witnessed his prowess against the Huangshan Sect before.
But then he'd held back against Orthodox Factions.
Now, his blade knew no mercy.
Pushuk!
Each swing felled one.
A black-clad lost life.
His sword relentlessly targeted their hearts.
"Aim for the heart! Or smash them completely!"
Yi Se-woong shouted, keeping mobile.
Jegal Yeong fended off surrounding black-clads while watching him.
'!'
That instant, a black-clad lunged at her side.
Without hesitation, Jegal Yeong thrust her sword into its heart.
If Yi Se-woong said so, there was reason.
'Time to prepare.'
The enemies' assault fiercer than expected.
Might need to play her hidden card early.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The battle tide turned sour.
The old man, so leisurely upon meeting Yi Se-woong's group,
lost his smile as skilled underlings dropped one by one.
'As expected of the White Yang Corps.'
They claimed to mediate disputes,
but really existed to summarily execute those defying the Murim Alliance.
The Alliance Leader's blade cut sharp.
'Time for me to step in.'
First to eliminate: that young punk.
Timing to burst the attached grunts—he'd been waiting.
But the bastard targeted hearts like he knew.
'The Deputy Leader was right.'
Speculation for now.
Fighting would confirm.
Just then,
Yi Se-woong charging the leader met him.
"Strutting after killing a few small fry—pathetic."
"Dropping the fake politeness now?"
"Hah... Let's see how long you keep your back straight."
Starting with condescension,
but the old man had no intent to toy.
Full force.
Circulating his Blood Fiend Heart Technique, he roared.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Blood Fiend Heart Technique Blood-red aura surges
"I am Gong No-cheol! Third Captain of the Blood Fiend Squad!"
Naming the Blood Fiend Squad drew no reaction.
As expected.
Push, and he'd show his colors.
Gong No-cheol wrapped his right fist in qi and charged Yi Se-woong.
Blood-red qi rippled.
Chaeng!
A sound unbelievable for sword on fist.
Qi clash.
Eyes on Yi Se-woong's qi gleaming white, Gong No-cheol said,
"Not bad for a young punk!"
"You've wasted your years."
Just a greeting anyway.
Left hand up, right down.
Fingers splayed like a tiger's maw.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Blood Fiend Fist - 3rd Form: Tiger's Maw Fangs of qi target the throat
Huuk!
Missed barely.
Yi Se-woong retreating but swinging—didn't forget.
Twisting to parry, Gong No-cheol inwardly admired.
'Qi control on my level!'
Wished it mere imitation.
But the punk had strength beyond his years.
'Impressive.'
Gong No-cheol surged his inner energy, accelerating.
Chaeng, chaeraeng!
Chain attacks.
Shoulder charge into side slash.
Feint head strike, fist to wrist.
Yet Yi Se-woong held balance—then a crescent kick drummed his thigh.
Peok!
Some gain.
Yi Se-woong stepped back twice.
But,
'When did he!'
Gong No-cheol took a hit too.
Sword mark an inch from his heart.
A bit deeper, instant death.
'Got careless!'
As Gong No-cheol probed,
Yi Se-woong hunted his life.
Mutual killing intent—natural.
Gong No-cheol refocused.
This move, end it.
'Drench throat in blood.'
Corpse piles, blood seas.
Shatter all obstacles.
Burn this body for the great cause.
⚡ ULTIMATE ACTIVATED ⚡ Blood Fiend Fist Secret Art: Corpse Mountain Blood Sea 80% of inner energy ignited, body becomes arrow
Eighty percent of his inner energy.
Burned wholly, honing body to an arrow.
Crimson qi flowed over his form.
String it like a bow,
Gong No-cheol punched toward Yi Se-woong.
'Block if you can!'
In a blink, fist at his nose.
In accelerating time, Gong No-cheol saw.
Sword flying at him.
Its qi turning blue.
'!'
The moment blades met,
Gong No-cheol's qi, fierce to shatter all, crumbled.
As if never there.
Dissipated.
Seokeok!
Gong No-cheol's right arm flew.
Next, heart or head.
He could predict.
Yet Gong No-cheol
revealed indescribable joy, grinning maniacally.
"Found you at last! It was you!"
Shouting, he drummed his chest with his remaining arm.
Detonated his essence qi.
No time to gauge amount.
Squeezed all, leaped back.
"Think we didn't know the Deputy Leader's seeds withered in Huangshan? All your doing, traitor spawn!"
"Tch."
"Disgusting betrayer! So the offspring was here!"
Gong No-cheol frantically rummaged his bosom.
What he drew: a firework.
Peng!
Pulling the fuse, acrid smoke with foul stench billowed skyward.
"This place becomes your grave today!"
Not even stemming blood gushing from his arm,
Gong No-cheol glared at Yi Se-woong with bloodshot eyes.