Chapter 407
Chapter 407
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 407
Chapter Title: Dyed (6)
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"Where are you, Jin Gok-ryang! If a guest has come, shouldn't you at least offer them a cup of water!"
I entered the cavern and bellowed at the top of my lungs while following the scent of blood and chill leaking from deep within.
"Come out with your head while I'm asking nicely. Otherwise, I'll roast you and eat you!"
It was at that moment my master asked a question.
- ...That's not a nice way to put it at all. And why are you yelling so loudly? Won't the enemies hear and come swarming?
'That's the point.'
This was to draw Jin Gok-ryang, holed up deep in the cavern, closer to qi deviation even a little, while also luring out the forces protecting him.
'There are bound to be guys guarding Jin Gok-ryang anyway, and the structure doesn't allow sneaking in. Better to thin them out on the way in than get sandwiched from both sides... These guys really aren't decent folk.'
No sooner had I thought that than enemies charged toward me from deep inside the distant cave, their eyes glowing crimson.
However, the enemies' appearances as they drew near didn't seem like those of rational humans.
Grrr...
"Not decent folk? ...They're not even human."
From the drool running from their mouths to using all four limbs to propel themselves like beasts.
The charging foes looked exactly like those monsters who had improperly absorbed the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Sleep Explosion Pill.
"Assassin!"
- Yes, my lord.
I swiftly summoned Assassin and cut down the charging monsters in tandem with him.
Splatter! Splatter!
Splaaatter!!
Meanwhile, I sorted through the thoughts flashing in my mind.
'...Doesn't seem like they have support from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.'
The monsters' skin was uniformly dark and swarthy, their arms unnaturally long, resembling the natives of the Southern Frontier.
It seemed the Tomb King had used them as test subjects.
'The Tomb King, who oversees the Blood Cult's alchemy chamber.'
This matched my guess that the Cult Protector King guarding the cavern was the Tomb King.
In that case, there was nothing to hold back for.
'The Tomb King became a Cult Protector King thanks to his knowledge and skill in alchemy, not his martial prowess.'
I began striding forward boldly, preparing for any contingencies.
Splatter! Splatter!!!
There were many monsters, but those without reason were no match for the combined assault of me and Assassin.
Thus, I drew steadily closer to the cavern's depths.
Splaaatter!!!
The metallic tang of blood grew thicker at my nostrils with every step.
'...This foul blood stench isn't from me being splattered with the monsters' blood.'
I instinctively realized I was nearing Jin Gok-ryang's location.
At the end of those steps, I finally faced a door made of millennium hardened iron.
'Assassin. Return for now.'
- Yes, my lord.
To hide my available cards, I reverse-summoned Assassin.
Then, to create an entry, I swung Regret wrapped in qi.
Creeeeak!!!
From the gap that formed, hot steam burst out like the lid of a steamer suddenly popping open.
Hiss!!!
The temperature was utterly different from the chill permeating the path so far, and even the hue was an unsettling scarlet gas.
I immediately blew it away.
At once, a blood stench assaulted my nasal membranes as if they might melt.
"...Blood Silk."
There, thousands of human-made cocoons hung from the ceiling.
In the center, seated in the lotus position, was Jin Gok-ryang receiving a transfusion of primal blood extracted from the cocoons via leather tubes.
'I'd read about it in records, but seeing it in person...'
A wave of revulsion swept through my mind.
But there was no time for idle admiration.
Swoosh!
I swung Regret toward the tubes supplying Jin Gok-ryang with primal blood.
Splatter!
The moment I severed one nearby tube carrying the primal blood.
A disheveled old madman standing opposite charged at me.
"No!"
His wild, unbound hair and scarlet eyes.
I instantly recognized his identity.
"Don't touch anything! No!!"
The madman rampaging and lunging was undoubtedly the Tomb King, master of the Blood Heaven Asura Palace's alchemy chamber and ranked fourth among the Blood Cult's Cult Protector Kings.
Clang! Clang!!!
Claaaang!!!!
'If we were in a righteous sect's training ground, the Tomb King would've been a formidable opponent.'
No, even without this place, he would have been.
Though his martial arts might fall short, the Tomb King had profound expertise in poison arts and alchemy, having carved out his own unique fighting style.
'But not here.'
Right now, the Tomb King had three things to protect.
This facility, the culmination of his alchemical arts.
The Blood Demon Jin Gok-ryang.
And his own body.
"What do you mean 'no'! Yes it will!!"
I fully exploited that, swinging Regret wildly.
Splaaatter!!
Threatening the Tomb King while severing the leather tubes.
"You damned bastard!!"
Then, feigning a strike at Jin Gok-ryang.
"The real damned bastard is your cult leader!"
"You wench!!!"
"Just kidding."
"...Harmful Mouth?"
"I want to kill you first, old man."
I unleashed a barrage of sword strikes at the Tomb King.
Swoosh!
Swoosh! Swoooosh!!!
Of course, even as I did.
To hasten Jin Gok-ryang's qi deviation even slightly, I didn't stop hurling taunts to grate on his nerves.
"Jin Gok-ryang! You can hear me, right? What cult leader? That old bastard was spot on. You're a moron! If you were just dumb, that'd be fine, but you're a coward too!"
"How dare you speak of the Cult Leader that way! Shut your mouth!"
"Of course not! Why should I listen to you? If you've got the skill, make me! Here, I'll stick out my tongue nice and easy for you to cut. Elebelebbleble."
"You! Youuu!!!"
Clang! Clang!
"Oops. Forgot what I was saying because of that old geezer. Where was I? Gok-ryang-ah! Answer when someone talks to you! Oh right, I said you're dumb and a coward!"
Clang! Clangclangclang!!
"If you sense something fishy from below, you should've come out yourself. Sending only the Blood Wind Corps just because you're too proud is why this happened! You were doomed anyway, but if they'd been here, your hideout's situation might've been a bit different! You idiot!"
At my antics.
My master chimed in.
- My disciple, but really... If I had to pick the best talent you possess in the world, it's your tongue. Forget World's Greatest Junior or New Generation's Top Hero. You should be called the World's Sharpest Tongue.
At that moment.
Veins writhed on Jin Gok-ryang's face.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, Namgung Yun and Do Jung-gwang, the first to break off from the unit led by Eon Yong-un.
They were slightly on the back foot against the Human King and his legion.
They weren't being overwhelmingly pushed, but since the Human King's forces numbered twice theirs from the start, it was clear the situation would worsen as their strength dwindled.
Namgung Yun bit his lip.
'......'
He recalled what Eon Yong-un had said before departing the camp.
'Pride and bamboo. And this fight isn't like a dormitory showdown.'
Pondering those words amid furiously swinging his sword, a realization flashed through Namgung Yun's mind.
He hurriedly sent a transmission to Do Jung-gwang.
[Senior, let's retreat.]
At Namgung Yun's words, Do Jung-gwang furrowed his already narrowed brow further and replied.
[What? You telling me to run? Weren't you here not as the Namgung family young master?]
[That's not what I mean.]
[It is. You looking down on us bandits? If we didn't come, fine, but now that we're here, no one's running! Everyone in the martial world looks down on us mountain folk as bandits. But step on us, and we squirm!]
[I'm not looking down on you. I'm asking you to make a tactical withdrawal and return.]
[?]
[Regardless of your resolve, senior, no one will think it strange for bandits to retreat. Nor will they find it odd that the Namgung eldest son stays. Besides, I'll be a prime capture target.]
[......]
[Just as you said, because I'm the Namgung young master. They'll target me, and I can hold out a bit. In that time, circle back and hit them from behind.]
At Namgung Yun's resolve to stake his family prestige and life on this.
Do Jung-gwang felt awe, transcending age and status.
'...Is this the true strength of the orthodox martial world?'
A question arose simultaneously.
Do Jung-gwang transmitted the doubt in his mind.
[You're offering to be bait, but what if we really bolt that way? You trust us? Trusting that monster Gok-ryong?]
[Didn't you say it yourself, senior? That you squirm when stepped on. I trust that spirit. This transmission might arouse suspicion if it drags on. No other way. Let's begin.]
As their conversation ended.
Do Jung-gwang spat a curse and turned.
"Damn it! This won't do! I stuck to these orthodox bastards thinking we'd get some scraps if we beat 'em, but if we all die, what's the point! Run!!!"
The bandits followed Do Jung-gwang, fleeing for their lives.
"Damn! I said from the start this was a bad idea, didn't I?!"
"Now's not the time for that! Just rabbit it, you bastards!"
Bandits inured to flight, and without prior warning, their retreat looked utterly like a ragtag routed mob.
The demons fighting them sneered.
"Pfft. You've become kites with cut strings. Namgung Yun."
"......"
"He's got value in all sorts of ways! Capture him!"
Confirming that, Namgung Yun prepared to unleash the Namgung clan's secret art, Emperor Sword Form.
"Come."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The moment Namgung Yun began swinging his sword crackling with thunder qi.
The Crimson Army, led by Doggo Cheol and Jeong Hyeon, was in complete disadvantage.
It couldn't be helped.
Their path was lined with outposts and gates they'd overcome, exhausting and wounding their forces.
The Ox King's mighty cavalry legion opposing them was the strongest after the Blood Wind Corps.
And their numbers reached thousands.
Clang! Clang!
Clangclangclang!!!
As the weary Crimson Army fought, their momentum faltered.
Scholar of Equal Numbers Son Cheon-jeong urgently spoke to the other Crimson Army leaders.
"We should retreat."
At Son Cheon-jeong's words, Sa Gyeom flatly refused.
"Ridiculous. Run away wearing ghost masks?"
"Not a full retreat! Reform the lines! Leave a delaying squad to block one of the gates we passed and wait for reinforcements."
At that, Sa Gyeom asked Doggo Cheol and Jeong Hyeon.
"What do the Division Leader and Daoist think?"
Those words made Jeong Hyeon recall Eon Yong-un's advice.
'...Constantly devise ways to survive.'
On the surface, it sounded like simply "survive somehow."
"Guh."
"Cough."
With True Blood Unit members collapsing nearby, his thoughts leaned that way.
'Right and wrong before one's eyes are always simple.'
The old Jeong Hyeon chased only what was righteous or not in plain sight.
But now he knew the world's affairs weren't just black-and-white Taiji.
'Applying the time spent with Young Hero Eon changes the meaning entirely.'
One mustn't fixate only on immediate life and death.
The will of those resolved to death.
And choices to preserve the will of fellow Daoists sharing that resolve.
'...Has Young Hero Eon always made such choices?'
After a moment's deliberation, Jeong Hyeon, having steeled his resolve, spoke firmly.
"We endure. To retreat, one gate isn't enough. At least three. The delaying squad will need to sacrifice accordingly."
At that, Doggo Cheol agreed.
"I concur with Sword Dragon. Considering the effort, sacrifice, and time to reach this gate... Retreating means new sacrifices proportional to the distance when we return. We trust the reinforcements and hold."
The discussion ended there.
Following True Blood Division Leader Doggo Cheol's will, the Crimson Army held position, reforming lines.
Clang! Clang!
Clangclangclang!!
To aid him, Jeong Hyeon began drawing Taiji.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Swoooosh!!!!
Amid the flurry of death cries, long after Jeong Hyeon gritted his teeth and swung his sword.
"Reinforcements!"
As an ally's shout rang out.
Several shadows leaped over Jeong Hyeon's head and landed.
"Wudang Five Heroes! It's the Wudang Five Heroes!!"