Chapter 117: Making a New Companion (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 117: Making a New Companion (1)
I turned to the members of my Blood Wind Squad and asked, “Are you afraid?”
Suddenly, Jeok Yeong burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha! Brother, what on earth are you saying? Those bastards? You and I alone could send every last one of them to hell in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Why would you even ask such a thing?”
Jeok Yeong spoke with such confidence, likely because he believed I was a super-peak master.
The Twin Heroes of Guiyang chimed in as well.
“My Lord! We are not the same Twin Heroes of Guiyang we once were. While we might not be able to strike a bird from the sky yet, we’ve certainly become strong enough to slaughter a pack of swarming rats.”
Po Zhongyin’s joke prompted a response from the Seven Heroes.
“My Lord! Please leave those scoundrels to us. We wish to show you just how much the Seven Heroes have grown.”
“Squad Leader, instead of just talking, let’s make a wager. Let’s see who can take the most heads.”
When even Poison Wolf Ibu joined in, a faint smile spread across my face.
As they had grown into true masters, their courage and fighting spirit had risen alongside their internal energy.
I gave a sly smirk and said, “Well then, shall we go?”
The Blood Wind Squad was brimming with combat lust, causing the very air around us to pull taut with tension.
But it was then.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The heavy thundering of hooves suddenly echoed, and a troop of warriors appeared from behind us.
Huh? Are those the Divine Light Sect warriors they mentioned?
As the thought crossed my mind, Jeok Yeong spoke up.
“It’s the Blood Wind Squad.”
It truly was the Blood Wind Squad. Leading them was Wu Yishi.
As the Blood Wind Squad made their entrance, I felt the fighting spirit of the Demonic Cult League warriors begin to wither. They clearly hadn't expected the Blood Wind Squad to show up here.
“Counselor Wu, how did you know to come here?”
When I asked, Wu Yishi offered a respectful fist-and-palm salute.
“After entering the Nine Demons Chamber, I heard that the Iron Blood Demon Group had secretly departed, so I followed out of concern. I encountered them on the way, but it didn't look like there had been a fight. Do Geon is not the type of man to retreat so easily, so I found it strange that he withdrew without a struggle and followed his trail here. As expected, the scoundrels of the Demonic Cult League were lying in wait.”
As expected of a military counselor, Wu Yishi had a sharp mind. Most would have simply withdrawn under those circumstances.
The tide of battle had completely turned. The Demonic Cult League warriors had lost their momentum, yet they did not flee.
“Show them the power of the Demonic Cult League!”
As the enemy warriors began to swarm forward, I shouted toward the Blood Wind Squad.
“Am I still the Acting Squad Leader of the Blood Wind Squad?!”
“You are!” the Blood Wind Squad roared in unison.
“Then, in the name of the Blood Wind Squad Leader, I shall give my first and final command!”
“Loyalty!”
Their shout shook the very plains.
“In the name of the Blood Wind Squad, wipe out those rats! Show the Murim exactly what the Blood Wind Squad represents! Attack!”
As I swung my hand down, the three hundred warriors of the Blood Wind Squad charged toward the oncoming Demonic Cult League. Swept up in the heat of the moment, my immediate squad members dove into the fray as well.
“Kyah!”
An exclamation escaped my lips, like the satisfaction felt after a deep draught of Bamboo Leaf Green liquor.
This is the taste! The thrill of having life and death decided by my single word!
This sensation, which only those at the top could experience, was highly addictive. As the Blood Wind Squad moved at my command, a surge of exhilarating pleasure rushed through me.
The Demonic Cult League, already outnumbered, was rapidly decimated as they were also outmatched in individual martial prowess. Though it was a chaotic melee, almost everyone falling to the ground belonged to the Demonic Cult League.
Wherever hundreds of warriors swung their blades, a mist of blood inevitably bloomed.
Seeing it made my heart heavy, but having already steeled myself, it was bearable.
I am a warrior.
And right now, this was war. A war to resist and survive against those who sought to kill me. If I didn't want to kill, I would have to be the one to die. I was gradually becoming accustomed to the death of warriors.
In less than an hour, not a single one of the hundred-plus Demonic Cult League warriors remained alive.
A quick glance showed that the Blood Wind Squad had suffered some casualties, but they weren't at a critical level.
Once the battle concluded, my squad gathered around me. Fortunately, none of my direct members were injured. The stench of blood was nauseating, but I endured it.
“Thank you for looking out for us,” I said to Wu Yishi.
Wu Yishi shook his head.
“It is nothing compared to what you have done for us, Young Hero Eo. It seems the danger has passed, so we shall take our leave. If the other factions realize the Blood Wind Squad is absent from the Nine Demons Chamber, there’s no telling what they might do to harm Chamber Leader Gu. We must return as quickly as possible.”
I had hoped the Blood Wind Squad would escort us all the way to Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress, but my expectations were dashed. Still, as Wu Yishi said, if they were away for too long, Chamber Leader Gu could be in danger, so I couldn't bring myself to ask.
“I understand. Please, travel safely.”
I watched until the Blood Wind Squad disappeared from view before turning to my own squad. Seeing them standing there without a single scratch after fighting the Demonic Cult League made me feel proud. I felt as though an invincible Blood Wind Squad was truly being born.
“You all worked hard.”
I offered a smile to the Seven Heroes, who looked immensely proud of themselves. They seemed flustered and unsure of how to react to my smile.
Those villainous-looking bastards have finally become proper warriors.
Then again, it wasn't just them; even I had become a warrior, so I suppose anything is possible in this world.
“Now that the Demonic Cult League scoundrels are gone, there shouldn't be any other forces threatening us. However, we must remain vigilant.”
I hoped their attacks would end here. But considering the Demonic Cult League’s "Heaven-Earth Dragnet," it was too early to relax.
As I was pondering how to reach Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress safely, my problem was solved when I spotted a group camping around a bonfire.
Thanks to my vision, enhanced by the Circulating Dantian, I already knew who they were, but Jeok Yeong, who had approached closer, looked troubled.
“Brother, they are...”
“My Lord, we should avoid this area.”
“Is that really necessary?” I asked.
Po Zhongyin took up the explanation.
“I don't think there's any need for us to mingle with them. It is an unwritten rule that the government and the Murim maintain a policy of non-interference. There is no reason for us to go near them.”
“It may be non-interference, but is there a law saying we can't be in the same place?”
When I spoke, everyone looked distressed. Any martial artist was reluctant to clash with the government. Since both sides tended to keep their distance, sharing a space was a difficult prospect.
The reason I wasn't listening to Jeok Yeong or the Twin Heroes of Guiyang was that those people weren't just simple officials; they were military officers under the Sichuan Provincial Commander.
Furthermore, seeing the Provincial Commander’s flag on the four-horse carriage meant someone of high status was inside, which made it highly likely that the officers were also masters.
There were about twenty officers, including three warriors who appeared to be first-rate masters.
I figured that if we were with them, neither the Demonic Cult League nor the Divine Light Sect would dare attack us recklessly. If they attacked us, these officials would be caught in the crossfire, which could be branded as an act of treason.
The Provincial Commander was the head of military affairs for an entire province. His position was not one to be trifled with.
“But Brother, why must we join up with them?” Jeok Yeong asked, looking at me.
I couldn't tell them that I wanted to join them because I expected an enemy attack. How pathetic would that sound coming from a warrior?
Using others as a shield out of fear was something a warrior simply didn't do—especially using government officials.
However, I was a man willing to jump into a pit of dung if it meant avoiding bloodshed. A little thing like pride could be tucked into my pocket and taken out whenever I pleased.
“Though the Murim and the government keep their distance, now does not seem to be the time for that. There is a group pursuing them.”
I had only just sensed it myself—the killing intent emitted by a group surrounding and preparing to attack them. Though invisible to the eye, the killing intent caught by my Circulating Dantian’s internal energy was flowing out, encircling the Provincial Commander’s carriage.
“I don't know who is in that carriage, but they are in danger.”
Upon hearing my words, the Twin Heroes of Guiyang gasped in admiration.
“As expected of our Lord.”
Jeok Yeong also nodded, seemingly convinced.
“Let’s observe the situation first before we decide.”
“No, Brother. Shouldn't we warn them of the ambush?”
“No. If you look closely, they already know about the ambush and are prepared. They might look scattered, but they’ve formed a Three Calamities Formation. Moreover, their right hands are already on their sword hilt for an easy draw. They know. If we step in now, we might just ruin their plan.”
No sooner had I finished speaking than people burst from the forest, attacking the Provincial Commander’s troops.
But just as I had predicted, the government troops launched a counterattack.
In particular, one person leaped from the carriage and began slaughtering the attackers indiscriminately. Their skill was so overwhelming that the ambushers gained no advantage and were left rolling on the ground as corpses.
“Huh? That person is...?”
Jeok Yeong looked at me in surprise. I was also startled to see an unexpected figure leap from the Provincial Commander’s carriage.
“Why is Igaryeo of the Ice Palace here...?”
Then I remembered that when I left the Nine Demons Chamber, Igaryeo had mentioned she had business and left early. To think that business was escorting the Provincial Commander’s carriage.
If the person in the carriage required someone of Igaryeo’s caliber for protection, it was possible the Provincial Commander himself was inside.
However, I soon shook my head. If someone of the Provincial Commander’s stature were traveling, they would be accompanied by at least dozens of officers and bodyguards. Yet, there were only about twenty people guarding this carriage.
“Those are members of the Ice Soul Divine Martial Team,” Xing Youzheng said.
The warriors currently attacking the ambushers alongside the officers were indeed members of the Ice Soul Divine Martial Team that Igaryeo had brought with her.
Come to think of it, it seemed Igaryeo hadn't brought the Ice Soul Divine Martial Team to take Wu Yishi, but rather to escort the Provincial Commander’s carriage.
The attackers seemed to be acting individually; their martial arts varied and they lacked coordination. Consequently, the disorganized ambushers were soon routed and fled in all directions.
Seeing the carriage being attacked, I had no choice but to change my plans.
For whatever reason, if people were openly attacking the Provincial Commander’s carriage, and if "Ice Flower" Igaryeo was escorting it, whatever was inside must be of significant value.
There was no need to force a merger with such dangerous people. It was the right judgment to withdraw now, however regrettable.
“The Ice Palace is helping, so they should be fine. It’s best if we withdraw.”
Everyone nodded at my words.
But then, Igaryeo shouted toward our direction.
“Do you scoundrels wish to die, staying there without retreating?!”
When we didn't move immediately out of flustered surprise, Igaryeo barked again.
“If you truly wish for death, I shall not stop you. Ice Soul Divine Martial Team, kill every last one of them!”
It seemed things were about to get ugly, so I stood up abruptly and shouted.
“Wait! Stop! I am Eo Ja-seo!”
My voice, infused with internal energy, echoed through the surroundings.
At my words, Igaryeo soared through the air and landed where we were, eyeing us suspiciously.
“Why is the New Dragon of Sichuan loitering here? Furthermore, it is quite strange that you were secretly watching us.”
At Igaryeo’s words, Xing Youzheng stepped forward.
“How can you say such a thing! Our Lord sensed a group intending to ambush the Provincial Commander’s carriage and intended to help!”
“Then you should have informed us beforehand. Why were you hiding and watching?” Igaryeo asked, tilting her chin up as she looked at me.
Xing Youzheng countered her question.
“We were watching because we saw you were already prepared for the ambush. We feared that if we stepped in prematurely, we might startle the snake by beating the grass. We broke the principle of non-interference between the Murim and the government to help, yet to be pushed like this is deeply unpleasant.”
As Xing Youzheng emphasized his indignation, Igaryeo stared at me intently. Since she hadn't yet let down her guard, I spoke up.
“It seems I have interfered unnecessarily. Do not worry. We shall leave at once.”
Po Zhongyin grumbled.
“We just finished a bout with the Demonic Cult League’s dogs and came to help because we thought you were in danger, only to be met with such suspicion. It leaves a foul taste in my mouth.”
“Enough of that. From their perspective, they have no choice but to be wary. We must be understanding. Let’s go.”
As I turned my back, a voice as clear as a jade flute rolled out from inside the carriage.
“If I were to simply let go of those who came to help me, how could I ever show my face to the people of the Sichuan Murim again? Please, come and have a drink. I would like to offer a cup of wine to the Great Small Hero, the New Dragon of Sichuan.”