Chapter 49
Chapter 49
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Shadows on the Wall
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“What?”
Dark Heaven Unit Leader Yeo Wi-gang's voice rose sharply.
“Ju Hak was dragged off to the Ilhae Merchant Guild.”
Crunch.
At his subordinate's words, Yeo Wi-gang ground his teeth viciously.
The request from Young Master Zhuge Gak of the branch family had been to assess the skills of Wudang's First Generation Disciple, Jinmu.
Having heard he might be an aura realm expert, he had dispatched Ju Hak, his subordinate with the finest stealth and disguise abilities—one step, ten changes.
But not only had he been spotted while surveilling, he'd been captured. Right in front of a crowd, no less.
“You worthless idiots. The elite of the Zhuge branch family can't even handle one First Generation Disciple and fails the mission?”
His gut boiled over, his head throbbing as if it might burst.
“What should we do?”
“……”
Yeo Wi-gang's brow furrowed instinctively at his subordinate's question.
The Ilhae Merchant Guild was practically Wudang territory right now. And since it was the young master's request, he hadn't even reported it to the family head.
“Which Wudang disciples are currently at the Ilhae Merchant Guild?”
“Jingung the Qingyun Sword Dragon, along with nine Second Generation Disciples under him, excluding Jinmu.”
“Hm.”
It was no meager force.
The Second Generation Disciples were negligible, no matter how many, but Jingung's presence was a massive thorn.
'Damn it.'
Yeo Wi-gang clutched his pounding head.
Rumors were already spreading through Dangang District that the Zhuge branch family had schemed behind the subjugation of the Heavenly Hand Bandits.
Zhuge Murin had received a harsh reprimand from the main family, and his outer faction subordinates were running themselves ragged to suppress the gossip.
If it came out now that the branch family's Dark Heaven Unit had secretly surveilled Jinmu—the hero of the bandit subjugation?
It wouldn't end with mere thunderous rage.
If Wudang made an issue of it, it could deal a fatal blow to the Zhuge branch family in Dangang.
And if that blocked Family Head Zhuge Murin's path to an elder position in the main family?
The mere thought was horrifying. Not only Zhuge Gak, but his own head wouldn't stay attached to his shoulders.
Ju Hak had to be rescued before anyone learned he belonged to the Zhuge family.
Besides, he was a warrior at the entry to the aura realm. Whoever had captured him couldn't be some run-of-the-mill fighter.
“Call the Dark Heaven Ten Elites. I'll move out myself.”
“Pardon? Without the family head's approval?”
“You fool. You think I'd get approval at a time like this?”
“But…”
“Quiet. We infiltrate the Ilhae Merchant Guild at midnight tonight.”
“Understood, Leader.”
His subordinate felt uneasy but had no choice but to obey the order.
The responsibility would fall on Yeo Wi-gang anyway.
A moonless night shrouded in clouds.
As the Ilhae Merchant Guild's compound in central Dangang District fell into deep slumber,
'Leader! Suspicious figures approaching.'
Iron Bone Dog's brow furrowed deeply at his subordinate's report.
The ones stealthily approaching the guild until moments ago had suddenly vanished.
They were exceptional. Their ability to mask their presence was no joke.
'Could there be others watching the Ilhae Merchant Guild besides us? Or enemies?'
The lurkers hiding along the guild's outer walls.
They were the surveillance team from the Dangang branch of the Beggars' Sect.
At the command of Yang Sobang, the Storm Beggar revered by beggars across the Central Plains, the branch leader had issued an emergency mobilization to his beggar network.
While nearly a hundred beggars investigated everything about 'Jinmu,' Iron Bone Dog and his team had been stationed around the guild's perimeter.
Considering Jinmu's formidable prowess, he had brought not only himself—a top-class expert—but only the best from the branch.
But it hadn't been difficult. Jinmu had gone out, returned, and immediately gone to sleep.
Then these sudden intruders left Iron Bone Dog deeply unsettled.
'Who the hell are they? I wasn't informed of anyone else surveilling.'
Clad in black night clothes and cloaked in darkness, their identities were impossible to discern. The moment his side spotted them, they would spot his side too.
What to do?
He couldn't make a judgment. Their identities were unknown. All he could do was wait for them to move first.
The figures approaching the Ilhae Merchant Guild in black night clothes.
They were none other than Yeo Wi-gang and the ten finest experts of the Dark Heaven Unit.
Three of them had even reached the aura realm.
This should be enough.
With everyone asleep, they would scale the walls, rescue Ju Hak, and slip away. The clouds hiding even the moonlight made conditions perfect.
But.
'Halt!'
A chilling sensation made Yeo Wi-gang signal his men urgently just before scaling the wall. In response, the warriors called the Dark Heaven Ten Elites melted into the shadows instantly.
'W-what is this?'
A faint sensation caught in his senses.
The presence of his own kind.
Stealth experts.
And not just one or two. They emanated from spots all along the guild's walls.
Masters.
Ones equal to or greater than his group, without a doubt. Even Yeo Wi-gang couldn't pinpoint their exact positions.
'At least ten or more?'
Was this a trap?
Were Wudang's Taoists lying in wait for them?
Impossible. Wudang Taoists wouldn't stoop to stealth.
Tension prickled across Yeo Wi-gang's skin.
But they couldn't just wait. They were the ones in a hurry. Ju Hak had to be extracted before his identity leaked. Time was their enemy.
'Damn it. No choice.'
Yeo Wi-gang immediately ordered his men.
'Take them out swiftly.'
Whoosh!
In the thick darkness, sharp glints of hidden weapons laden with lethal intent flashed from all directions.
Clang!
Metallic clashes rang out harshly, but no forms were visible.
Assassins and stealth experts never revealed any identifying traits to protect their identities.
With night clothes and face masks, their origins were hidden, and they used weapons and techniques unlike their usual ones.
In other words, neither side knew the other.
Not until the masks came off.
“Kuh!”
As one struck by a hidden weapon revealed himself, several blades flew at him.
Clang clang!
Another figure appeared, deflecting the blades.
Night clothes clashing with night clothes.
No way to tell friend from foe. Only their own side recognized each other via secret signals.
As the fight intensified, they no longer hid.
With evenly matched skills, they focused on techniques over stealth.
But no victor emerged.
'Civilians! Hide your presence!'
When a drunken stagger approached the distant walls, both sides halted and vanished simultaneously.
Silence fell as if no battle had occurred.
“Urp!”
The drunk stopped in an alley to vomit noisily.
“S-so dizzy.”
Then he staggered off into the darkness.
Whoosh whoosh!
As if on cue, the hidden fighters resumed after catching their breath.
Melee begat melee.
Blood sprayed, night clothes tore to shreds.
Swordsmanship, lightness skills, stealth—all too evenly matched. Their battle raged evenly until dawn neared.
Ching, ching!
“……”
I want to sleep.
Ching, ching.
He wanted more sleep, but the faint metallic sounds grated on Jinmu's nerves. In the profound quiet, they stood out sharply.
Even plugging his ears didn't help.
Clang, ching! Ching!
Once noticed, the sounds grew louder, vibrating his eardrums.
“Damn it all!”
Jinmu finally threw on his robe with an irritated scowl.
“Which bastard's practicing swordplay at this hour, screwing around!”
He'd already had a restless night after meeting that beggar bastard Yang Sobang.
Fuck, you're all dead today.
Jinmu flung open his door, turning his head to trace the sounds. He headed toward where they grew louder.
“Yeah, loud enough to wake the dead. Whoever you are, you're not getting away with this.”
But it wasn't the garden or courtyard…
The outer wall?
Wearing a puzzled expression, Jinmu leaped lightly onto the wall where the clangs echoed.
“……”
What the hell was this situation?
Masked figures panted raggedly, blades aimed at each other.
They looked exhausted, covered in wounds, yet glared without yielding an inch.
What? Who are these guys?
Bewildered by the absurd scene, Jinmu tilted his head.
“Hah!”
“Cha!”
The brief respite ended as they charged again.
But their movements were no joke.
Flawless, practical swordsmanship stripped of forms and flourishes. To wield such blades required dissecting techniques—undeniable products of rigorous training.
Moreover, some radiated clear sword auras, aura realm experts or very near it.
Yet their skills were too evenly matched. No quick resolution in sight.
What the hell? Where did a horde like this come from? And why fight next to someone else's house?
But watching grew entertaining.
Wasn't spectating fires across the river or others' fights the world's greatest fun? Thoughts of punishment for waking him had vanished.
How much time passed?
Enjoying the show, when one masked fighter glanced tiredly and startled upon seeing him.
“J-Jinmu?”
His words halted the fight abruptly.
“Huh? You guys know me?”
Their eyes suggested both factions did.
Am I that famous?
Well, fame was good. It meant his achievements and reputation were rising.
But masked acquaintances near the Ilhae Merchant Guild posed a problem.
Near the guild, knew him, masked, armed with blades.
Conclusion?
“Who the hell are you bastards?”
A chilling blue sword energy rose from Jinmu's body, a cold smile curling his lips.
“……”
“……”
At Jinmu's question, the opposing sides exchanged panicked glances.
“Damn it! Retreat!”
Both leaders shouted simultaneously, their subordinates launching into the air.
Hm, is this what they call the fisherman's profit?
Jinmu was fully prepared, they were worn from prolonged fighting, and he'd roughly gauged their skills while watching.
Jinmu's fingers bent against his thumb, then flicked, infused with blue sword energy.
Flick! Flick flick!
Projectile energy, equal to sword qi.
Intent energy, imbued with will to curve as desired.
Jinmu's current realm.
Two fierce blue sword energies shot toward exactly two of the masked figures.
They raised blades to block, but the curving energies pierced their thighs.
“Kuk!”
“Urk!”
No need to catch them all. They'd already exhausted each other.
Jinmu decided to nab just the two strongest from each side.