Chapter 181
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Lightning Flash Staff (1)
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Lightning Flash referred to the blinding light of a bolt of lightning. Staff meant a walking stick, so put together, it became "a staff that flashes like lightning"—and that was Im Wan-baek's epithet.
It implied he wielded his spear with that much speed.
But in a way that belied his nickname, Im Wan-baek hesitated at Flying Tiger's question. Proof that he had much to ponder. And through this, Flying Tiger became convinced that Im Wan-baek had superiors. Sometimes, answers came without words being spoken.
Superb Hidden Blade truly had someone else in a position to command even Hanjungbo Lord's disciple and a promising elder. Naturally, that person was one of Hanjungbo Lord's own, posing a real or potential threat to the lord out on the battlefield. Moreover, that individual was undoubtedly a core figure in Superb Hidden Blade—perhaps even its leader.
Thus, Flying Tiger's ultimate target surfaced.
'But if he keeps his mouth shut, I won't learn anything right now, will I? Should I coax him, then?'
Flying Tiger watched Im Wan-baek, who was gauging his reaction in the silence, then made up his mind and nodded. He struck Im Wan-baek's pressure points once more, then expertly dislocated the kneecap of his left leg. The second one, after his left shoulder.
Crack.
Flying Tiger's technique was clean, so the pain was minimal, and there would be few aftereffects if set properly later. But from Im Wan-baek's perspective, enduring it hardly felt fortunate.
His limbs were being torn off one by one, after all.
Im Wan-baek stared with trembling pupils, and Flying Tiger shared his thoughts.
"If you won't answer my questions, there's no need to keep your mouth usable. I'm planning to rip out three more. Your remaining arm and leg, and then your head. Endure that, and I'll admit defeat clean and leave."
"Mmph— mmph—"
"The information you know isn't even necessary. It's just a matter of time before it all comes out anyway. Follow the links between you, Elder Shim Heum, and Sheng Wu Gate, and something's bound to turn up, right? That's my problem, though—so worry about yours. Three left."
"……!"
What choice would Im Wan-baek make?
Flying Tiger decided to respect it. He had no intention of sparing him, nor of luring him with lies. Just pressure and observation.
…….
Flying Tiger spoke again.
"I ask the questions. You only answer what's asked. But if you answer faithfully, I'll give you a chance to ask one. Understand?"
Before posing the question, he repeated the same warning like a parrot. Then he released Im Wan-baek's pressure points and asked.
"Who is it?"
Im Wan-baek's eyes quivered. What should he say first? Flying Tiger nodded as if understanding his plight, then moved to strike the points again. Im Wan-baek squeezed his eyes shut and spat it out.
"Petrifying Spear. Zuo Ying-qi. My martial uncle."
"What?"
"Petrifying Spear Zuo Ying-qi. He's my martial uncle."
Hanjungbo Lord Wang Yeo-chun had two senior brothers above him: the first was dead, and the second was that man.
With the dam broken, Im Wan-baek began answering Flying Tiger's questions fluidly thereafter. For things he didn't know well, he'd relay what he'd heard; if even that was lacking, he'd make something up. Flying Tiger advised him there was no need to try so hard.
Shiver.
Those words must have shocked him, for Im Wan-baek paled and mumbled something.
Flying Tiger asked,
"Is that your question?"
"……!"
Flying Tiger had said it multiple times. Answer faithfully, and you'd get a chance to ask.
That was it. Having finished his questions, Flying Tiger was now ready to field Im Wan-baek's.
Im Wan-baek felt choked by the words swirling in his throat.
"Not it? Fine. You've answered sincerely, so one more chance. Just one. Ask your burning question. I'll answer in full."
Should he beg to be spared?
Or throw a question so long-winded it wouldn't end even by dawn?
"Will you kill me once the questions end?"
That was Im Wan-baek's final choice.
"Yes. And when your departed comrades ask why you all came here, tell them this: Zhao Family Manor doesn't forget its debts."
Slash.
Flying Tiger swiftly drew his blade and severed Im Wan-baek's life in one stroke. Then he left.
There were three martial brothers.
The eldest was virtuous but lacking in talent, the second brimmed with it. The third was still too young to judge.
Those around their master had urged him to name the second as successor, and though he'd initially favored the eldest, the master gradually wavered.
Then one day.
The second left only a single letter saying he'd go traveling and vanished. Years passed with no return, and only then did the master and others realize he'd departed to avoid competing with his eldest brother for succession.
It was a noble sentiment, but the second's wish went unfulfilled.
The eldest fell into qi deviation and died suddenly one day. With no word from the second despite endless waiting, the aging master finally named his grown third disciple as successor and handed over everything he had.
This was the tale of second brother Petrifying Spear Zuo Ying-qi and third brother Hanjungbo Lord Wang Yeo-chun. But their story didn't end there.
Seven years ago, Zuo Ying-qi—who had stormed out of his sect—returned to Hanjungbo after eighteen years away. But master and eldest brother were long dead, and the junior brother he'd once seen as mere child had matured into Hanjungbo Lord to greet him.
"Looks like feeding the dog after cooking the rice."
That was Hyeong U-saeng's interjection midway through.
Flying Tiger had finished his business and met Hyeong U-saeng and So Myeong-rang, who were waiting at their prearranged spot. They were sharing what each had been through.
"Something like that. And those who couldn't forget Zuo Ying-qi gathered around him, so many worried it might spark internal strife. But Zuo himself declared he'd step back from the front lines and live quietly—and apparently, he has. Hanjungbo Lord was grateful for the decision, gifting him an entire manor with vast gardens and treating him well in various ways."
"And for the past seven years, he's lived quietly on the surface, even if he gossiped behind closed doors?"
"Yes."
"Then how do Shim Heum and Im Wan-baek know him?"
"Shim Heum was one of Zuo Ying-qi's fervent followers from the start, it seems. Many elders still remember and miss the old him."
"And Im Wan-baek?"
"He occasionally taught not just the sect lord's disciples but young warriors of Hanjungbo as a side gig. Seems it developed into a special bond."
"Hm. So he's popular not just with Hanjungbo's old fogeys but with the young sprouts too?"
"That's right. And from what I've seen so far, Superb Hidden Blade's leadership seems packed with people in similar straits."
Flying Tiger said this recalling Twin Dragon Mo Kyung, whom Ho Ye-hwa had called Superb Hidden Blade's signboard master the day before. Though he'd raided Zhao Family Manor only to get thoroughly trounced by Vice Army Commander Ap Jeong and was no longer of this world, he and Petrifying Spear Zuo Ying-qi shared these traits:
一. They had once shone with exceptional talent in their sects.
一. Though their sects' Martial Qin Alliance was now at its peak, they'd withdrawn from the front lines and been sidelined.
一. Though lacking real power, they enjoyed broad support and wielded great influence.
"Similar straits? Birds of a feather?"
"In this case, yeah—people in like situations banded together. Or maybe whoever first gathered them picked those in similar positions to himself. And their link is, of course…."
"Our Zhao Family Manor—and that bloodbath where so many died horribly became the spark."
Flying Tiger nodded.
What was this "battle that day" Hyeong U-saeng mentioned?
It was during the Martial Qin Alliance's Shaanxi Unification War. At a time when Ye Mountain Zhao Family Manor still hesitated to join.
The alliance side was pressing the anti-alliance forces hard, so their top priority was managing—or eliminating—war variables that could upend a nearly won game.
Chief among them: Ye Mountain Zhao Family Manor.
Shaanxi's premier house by acclaim. Though few in number, every member was a master, and their prestige was immense—mere news of their participation would ripple hugely. Target number one.
After much deliberation, Martial Qin Alliance leadership made a ruthless call. Strike Zhao Family Manor before they fully entered the fray. But executing it openly in broad daylight would earn endless curses, so it proceeded in secret.
Thus, a suicide squad formed.
They secretly assembled nine top masters from their sects, attaching forty squad leaders and above who'd distinguished themselves in the unification war, pulled from the front.
Totaling forty-nine.
A mere handful by war standards, but considering their individual impact, it was massive bloodletting—a bold move. From their sects' view, each was a pillar upholding the present and a beacon for the future.
Yet the squad's core came from today's infamous Four Auspicious Sects: Sungyang Sect, Seokcheon High House, Dance Melody Manor, and Hanjungbo. The rest filled from other sects' masters. Notably, no elites from Lion Hall—alliance's de facto head—joined. Political entanglements at play, but few griped then.
Until the mission ended in a crushing defeat.
The squad sent to ambush Ye Mountain Zhao Family Manor never returned.
Vanished entirely!
One who joined was Sungyang Sect master Hap Ui-gwon Mo Seo-taek, Twin Dragon Mo Kyung's half-brother.
Mo Kyung himself had been invited—by Mo Seo-taek no less.
But he'd politely declined his brother's urging, only beating his chest in regret upon hearing of his death. And so he joined Superb Hidden Blade.
Thus.
From the futile deaths of forty-nine, Superb Hidden Blade was born vowing revenge. The alliance's war ended, but theirs raged on.
Revenge's blade aimed at Ye Mountain Zhao Family Manor; resentment targeted Lion Hall Lord and current Martial Qin Alliance brass.
The shadow over the war. Jianghu's secret history.