Chapter 45: Encountering the Blood Lama (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 45: Encountering the Blood Lama (2)
"Hold on, Leader Ye. What is the matter?"
As I blocked the path, Ye Woon came to a halt.
"I was feeling a bit peckish, so I came down to find something to eat."
It seemed Ye Woon and the Sword Palace Squad had been working hard, tilling the flower fields and sowing seeds as I’d instructed. Now, thirsty and hungry, they had descended from the slopes.
Unlike the lower-tier martial artists, however, they kept their swords strapped to their waists even while swinging pickaxes.
Perhaps because he was a master, he managed to spot the Blood Lamas in the distance despite my attempt to shield them from view.
"Aren't those men Blood Lamas?"
At Ye Woon’s words, the Sword Palace Squad began to radiate a sharp, murderous intent.
No. It’s not time to fight yet. Even if we do fight, wait until they’ve eaten their fill and the diarrhea kicks in.
"You are correct. Three Blood Lamas have entered the village."
"Then why are you just leaving them be? It looks like they’re eating something."
"I gave them some boiled potatoes to distract them."
"That’s perfect, then. Let’s attack while they’re preoccupied with their meal," one of the Sword Palace members suggested.
I shook my head. "Not yet."
"Pardon?"
Ye Woon furrowed his brows, his expression demanding an explanation.
"As you know, the Blood Lamas currently operate in units of about twenty. If they encounter a large sect, they bolster their numbers to a hundred before attacking. Since there are only three here, I am verifying if the rest of their group is nearby."
The Sword Palace Squad nodded at my explanation. It provided a logical reason for why I hadn't struck yet.
"I see. You had such a deep intention."
I decided to add a bit of intimidation.
"If those three coordinate their attack, even I would find them difficult to handle."
Ye Woon and the Sword Palace Squad flinched in surprise. They looked at me with disbelief.
You fools, I keep telling you I’m not a master. I’m just a small fry who could be cut down by your swords.
"Rather than a reckless frontal assault, the best strategy is to surround them so they cannot escape, then strike."
If they escaped and alerted other nearby Blood Lamas, we would be as good as dead. These were the monsters who could annihilate a small sect with just twenty men.
Understanding my point, Ye Woon issued orders to the Sword Palace Squad to establish a perimeter. Watching them, I realized that systematically trained warriors really were useful in situations like this.
"And send one person to inform Fairy Doyeon. Tell the rest of the Demon Subjugation Group to prepare for battle."
However, before we could even move, the Blood Lamas noticed us.
"Who goes there!"
One of them had been looking for me to get more rice wine, only to discover me standing there with the Sword Palace Squad.
Beeeeeeep!
The man let out a shrill whistle with his mouth, and the other two quickly rushed toward us.
Dammit. I didn't want to fight this frantically.
I wished everything would go according to plan, but such instances were rare indeed.
"Attack them!"
Before Doyeon could even arrive, Ye Woon gave the order to strike.
The Sword Palace Squad moved in five-man cells, engaging the enemies. Since they lacked real-world combat experience, they were like the bodyguards from before—if they failed to kill when given the chance, they could end up in grave danger.
I figured that having the "small fries" with better survival instincts join in to fill the gaps would at least help them hold their ground.
However, as I watched the Sword Palace Squad’s bladework, those worries vanished. It seemed they had learned a great lesson from the bodyguard incident; the moment they saw an opening, their swords lunged ruthlessly toward the enemies' dead blood points.
Yet, the three Blood Lamas evaded the Sword Palace Squad’s blades with ease.
The Sword Palace Squad was a martial unit known for having individual skills that bordered on first-rate, despite their lack of experience. To think they couldn't handle just three Blood Lamas...
I had heard reports that while individual Blood Lamas were first-rate, their specific martial arts made them difficult to approach. Indeed, their lightness skills were as elusive and ghostly as phantoms.
Furthermore, they were men who had killed many; they showed absolutely no mercy in their strikes.
"Aaaagh!"
Two Sword Palace members were sent flying as a flash of red palms struck them.
"The Poison Blood Palm!" Doyeon cried out from behind.
Having been working in the fields, the entire Demon Subjugation Group had mobilized at my call.
"To think the Blood Lamas have mastered the Poison Blood Palm. That explains it. The Poison Blood Palm spreads toxins in the air, making it impossible to get close. They can fight without issue because they’ve already taken the antidote, but their opponents succumb to the poison while fighting. I thought that technique was forbidden even within the Blood Thunder Sound Temple. I have no idea how it resurfaced. No wonder twenty first-rate warriors could annihilate an entire sect."
As expected of a master, Doyeon was well-versed in various martial arts.
Fearing the Sword Palace Squad would be wiped out, I quickly issued orders.
"Poison Wolf and Smiling Face Sword! Show the Sword Palace Squad exactly how we fight."
In a dire situation like this, people were easily swayed by my instigating words.
"We shall follow the Leader's command."
Poison Wolf Ibu and the Smiling Face Sword led the Demon Subjugation Group into the fray.
"Brother So, Brother Sim, can you show me what you have realized during your training?"
So Gu-chi and Sim Geol gave me a thin smile.
"Very well. We were lacking opponents, but since we have such fine ones today, we shall show you."
The two of them leapt into the battlefield without hesitation.
"My Lord, we shall go as well."
The Twin Heroes of Guiyang spoke up, looking excited as they watched the Blood Lamas.
You guys are supposed to protect me. What are you talking about?
"It is not yet your time. Wait."
Another flash of red light erupted, and a member of the Demon Subjugation Group attacking near Poison Wolf Ibu was sent soaring through the air.
They were outmatched. They were being picked off because they couldn't get close due to the Poison Blood Palm.
Dammit, has the diarrhea not kicked in yet?
I was throwing the Demon Subjugation Group into the meat grinder just to stall for time, but even that seemed ineffective.
Thud!
Two more members of the group rolled across the ground.
"In the end, Fairy Doyeon is the only one I can trust. Will you show these wretches why you are called the Ice Jade Ice Sword?"
Doyeon looked at me and gave a faint, bitter smile.
"I was just about to step in myself."
"Tell the Demon Subjugation Group not to get too close. They'll be poisoned."
Doyeon drew her snow-white sword and soared into the air. Seeing her leap into the battlefield in a single bound gave me some peace of mind.
"But Young Hero Eo, why aren't you fighting?"
Hwang Chu asked, staring at me intently. He was questioning why the "Leader" was sending all his subordinates into battle while staying back himself.
I could improvise an answer to a question like that in my sleep.
"Even if I stepped in now, it wouldn't change much. However, when I do step in, I must ensure their lives are ended with certainty."
Having said that, I began to walk slowly toward the enemies.
"Urgh!"
A Sword Palace member was killed by a Blood Lama’s palm strike while trying to maintain a sword formation.
"Gi-won!"
Ye Woon wailed at his comrade's death, swinging his sword with even greater fury, but the Blood Lamas' movement techniques were so profound that they evaded him easily.
Fortunately, thanks to Doyeon joining the fight, no more members were killed. Whenever someone was in danger, Doyeon would intervene at the perfect moment to force the Blood Lamas back.
As expected of Doyeon.
Even so, Doyeon had to retreat after directly clashing with a Blood Lama. The rumors that there were no weaklings in the Blood Thunder Sound Temple were true. No, seeing it in person, they were even more formidable than the rumors suggested.
"At this rate, everyone's going to end up poisoned and dead," Hwang Chu remarked, his voice heavy.
"Since we don't know how the fight will turn out, you should escape while you still can."
"I'll handle that myself."
I continued to wait for the laxatives to take effect.
It’s been more than enough time for them to kick in.
The battle entered a brief lull. Since the Blood Lamas stopped attacking, the Sword Palace Squad and the Demon Subjugation Group also took a moment to catch their breath and look for openings.
I looked at the Blood Lamas' expressions and cheered inwardly.
It looks like their sphincters are finally feeling the pressure.
I moved closer to them, step by step.
"Where is that foul smell coming from?" one of the Demon Subjugation members muttered.
I felt a wave of relief at those words. I had been anxious because there had been no reaction despite the heavy dose of laxatives I’d used.
Engaging in a fight directly like this went against my "small fry" principles, but right now, I was the only one I could truly rely on.
Is there a chance?
I judged that there was. Looking at how the Blood Lamas were hesitating, it was clear they were struggling to hold back the inevitable.
That was the moment to strike.
I believed that with my lightness skill and drawing sword technique, I could kill them. No matter how great a master was, there would be a lapse in concentration the moment their bowels gave way.
The corner of one Blood Lama’s eye twitched minutely.
Sensing the moment, I issued the command.
"Attack those two!"
At my word, Ye Woon and Doyeon lunged forward. Behind them, Poison Wolf Ibu, Smiling Face Sword, So Gu-chi, and Sim Geol followed with a fierce assault.
I waited just a moment longer.
Seeing that the other Blood Lamas couldn't even move while their comrades were being attacked, they were definitely at their limit.
When another member of the Demon Subjugation Group tried to attack the remaining one, I signaled for them to stop.
It wasn't time yet.
The man’s body began to tremble.
Now. Right now, he’s too distracted by his bowels to focus on anything else.
I kicked off with my right foot.
Since I could now naturally inject internal energy from my upper dantian to my Yongcheon point, I could activate my lightness skill whenever I desired.
Boom!
As I moved, the Blood Lama turned toward me. Startled by my rapid approach, he thrust out a hand.
A red light flashed. The Poison Blood Palm was fired at me.
But he had miscalculated.
Because of the powerful propulsion in my right foot, I had to start slightly to the right of my target to reach it. Only by kicking off with my right foot again midway and leaning to the left could I reach my intended destination.
In other words, I flew in a parabolic arc to the right, so firing a palm strike directly in front of him was useless.
The man had fired the Poison Blood Palm straight ahead, assuming I would attack him head-on because of my speed.
At that moment, I kicked off with my right foot once more.
Boom!
My body veered to the left.
As the man’s neck loomed large in my vision, I drew my sword.
Squelch!
The man, unable to move his lower body freely due to the diarrhea, couldn't dodge properly and took my blade directly.
Meanwhile, another Blood Lama stumbled back after being struck by Doyeon’s sword. I saw that the other one’s face had also turned beet red—his bowels had clearly given out as well.
The struggle to hold it in was written all over his face. Because of that, he had been overwhelmed by Doyeon and wounded.
I kicked off again.
Boom!
As the Blood Lama blocked Doyeon’s swinging blade, I sliced through his chest as I passed by.
"Urgh!"
His chest split wide open.
When only the last one remained, I decided to try something I’d been wanting to use: I injected internal energy into the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet.
As I funneled energy into my wrist, the bracelet vibrated as it drank in the power.
Vroooooom!
It hummed with a low sound that only I could hear.
It worked!
When the man came within a range of about ten feet, I drew my sword.
The Blood Lama easily evaded my blade and retreated. He was wary of my follow-up attack, having seen me kill his comrades in single strikes.
However, even after inhaling the toxin from the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet, the Blood Lama didn't die; he continued to dodge the Sword Palace Squad’s attacks.
What? Is this thing broken?
But I soon realized the reason.
The toxin from the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet causes Qi Deviation by stimulating the blood paths of those who haven't mastered Orthodox mental cultivation methods. If it’s not working, it means these guys practiced Orthodox arts.
I was the fool for assuming they practiced demonic arts just because the Blood Thunder Sound Temple was so infamous.
I don't have enough internal energy to use my lightness skill again right now.
I needed time to gather energy from my various acupoints. The problem was that I had wasted my energy using the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet for nothing.
Fortunately, however, the Sword Palace Squad, Doyeon, and the Demon Subjugation Group launched a coordinated attack, burying their blades into the body of the last remaining Blood Lama.
It was a terrifying thought to imagine what would have happened if they hadn't been suffering from diarrhea.