Chapter 258
Chapter 258
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 258
Chapter Title: Brother-in-Law's Rescue (9)
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A weapon like a net might seem a bit out of place in the martial world, but in truth, few weapons are as effective against a master.
A master lives in a different timeframe than a novice.
As long as they don't let their guard down, they're almost never struck by a stray blade.
The same goes for when they face multiple opponents.
But what if their movements are restricted by a net?
What if, on top of that, the net is a divine weapon that can't be shaken off?
Nine times out of ten, death is the only outcome.
Just like the situation I'm in right now.
*Kwoooosh!*
Weapons flying from all directions struck the War Dragon Aura.
Every one of them was a master, and after absorbing dozens of attacks, the War Dragon Aura trembled violently.
It was clear that if I allowed even a few more attacks, the War Dragon Aura would reach its limit.
In other words, I was in considerable danger.
Of course, that's only if I had no way to deal with it.
*Thwip. Thwip thwip. Thwip. Boom!*
The stealthily launched Battle Lord Arrows pierced the heads of three men around me.
For the last one, I added more energy to cause an explosion, creating distance between myself and the enemies.
"What in the...!"
The enemies' expressions changed drastically at the sudden ambush.
Although its power was weaker than the Sword Ki Control, considered the pinnacle of swordsmanship, its stealthiness was far superior due to the weapon's nature.
Its movements were also freer.
When launched at such a moment, even a master couldn't avoid having their neck pierced.
"You're not the only ones with divine weapons."
"Grr! What are you doing? Kill him now!"
The enemies' assault began anew.
Normally, I would have focused on defense, even if it meant letting the War Dragon Aura burst, but not now.
'I have to deal with the net first.'
Because nothing else can be done until that net is gone.
"Go! Battle Lord-mon!"
The Battle Lord Arrow shot like a streak of light toward the man holding the net.
"Hmph!"
As if he had been prepared, the man retrieved the net and spread it before him.
*Pang! Kwang!*
The net, folded in half to form two layers, unfurled in the air with a sound like bursting air, and the Battle Lord Arrow struck it with an explosive boom.
Just as the two divine treasures began a contest of strength against each other.
*Thwack, thwack, thwack.*
"Kuh."
Weapons flying from all directions grazed my body.
Their power was such that I would have been severely injured without the Dragon Scale Armor.
A fiery pain even shot up from a spear wound in my leg.
'I should learn Diamond Body or something.'
*Grit.*
The assault I had braced for was over. Now, it was my turn.
I gritted my teeth and took a step.
As the tenth level of Flying Heavenly Wind and the twelfth level of War King Step blended together, the surrounding scenery changed in an instant.
*Kwoong!*
The ultimate form of Phantom Step.
"......!"
The moment I arrived right in front of the man controlling the net, I unleashed the Explosive Death Force at the head before me.
*Kwaaaang!*
The attack happened in the blink of an eye, but in that brief moment, the man executed a palm technique and blocked the Explosive Death Force.
"Keuh. I blocked it."
"Good job, you bastard."
Forcing him to counter the Explosive Death Force so he couldn't control the net.
That was my aim.
*Puk!*
"Keuk!"
The moment the net fell to the ground as he was busy blocking the Explosive Death Force, the Battle Lord Arrow shot forward like a bullet and pierced his forearm.
Even so, he didn't let go of the net, so I unleashed the small Ultimate Death Force I had prepared and sliced off his entire wrist.
*Sgeuk!*
"Kuaaaack!"
Even as he screamed, the man launched a kick and struck my head.
*Pow! Thud, thud, thud.*
My body was pushed back, flying more than ten meters before crashing into the ground.
The internal energy imbued in that kick was just that formidable.
A dizzying pain washed over me, and the sky spun.
But.
"Kehehe."
I'd stolen a divine weapon. What was a little pain or injury in comparison?
I could take a hit like this anytime.
'Even better.'
Since I'd already been sent flying, I turned my body and prepared to flee.
"Get him!"
Finally realizing what had happened, the Golden Shadow Guards rushed toward me.
But what could they do?
"See you next time."
I possessed the unparalleled movement art, Flying Heavenly Wind, and the rare body-strengthening art, War King Step.
*Kwoong!*
With the net, still attached to the severed wrist, slung over my back, I used Phantom Step and ran toward the main hall where the emperor resided.
***
Find him!
He's this way!
Squad Alpha, to the east! Squad Bravo, search the west!
Where is the Communications Officer?!
Golden Shadow Guards, protect His Majesty!
Shouts erupted from all directions.
It was a complete cauldron of chaos.
It was only natural.
Even if a fire broke out in the outer districts where commoners lived, the army would be dispatched to extinguish it.
A fire in the imperial palace would naturally cause an even greater uproar.
Moreover, since I, the arsonist, had disappeared, a significant number of them had to move to protect the emperor's safety.
Of course, the emperor wasn't my target.
*Fwoosh.*
'Hehehe, it's burning well.'
Worried about innocent casualties, I had stuck to the outer areas as I set the fires.
Naturally, I had used my Seventh Sense to check if anyone was inside before starting each fire.
I continued for a quarter of an hour.
With the fire spread and enough time bought, I was just about to wrap things up and withdraw when...
"You incompetent fools! How could those who guard the imperial palace be so disgraceful!"
I saw Lee Mu-cheong, surrounded by nearly thirty Golden Shadow Guards.
For a moment, I considered killing him right here, but I soon shook my head.
'Tsk, it's a bit awkward to escalate things any further.'
As a member of the martial world's upper echelon, knowing when to get involved and when to stay out was a virtue I had to uphold.
'Consider yourself lucky.'
Leaving Lee Mu-cheong behind, I used Flying Heavenly Wind to escape the imperial palace.
With all the Imperial Guards having rushed to the palace to fight the fire, the path to the south gate was not difficult.
Thanks to that, I reached the rendezvous point Yu Ryong had told me about without being spotted.
When I opened the door and went inside, Yu Ryong, Woo Je-jun, and Sa Ma-heun were standing guard over the unconscious Myo San.
"......"
The look in Yu Ryong's eyes as he stared at me was a bit strange, though.
"What's with the glare? You got a problem?"
"Didn't you say you were going to draw their attention?"
"And I drew it properly, didn't I?"
"No."
Yu Ryong sighed as if a headache was surging through him, clutching his head.
It seemed he was under a lot of stress from rescuing the scholars.
Seeing this, I'm convinced the secret to a long life is one's mindset.
After all, I did far more work and felt no stress at all.
Perhaps having calmed down, Yu Ryong spoke in a steady voice.
"Young Master Jin... No, thanks to Hall Master Jin's... rampage, we achieved our objective. We weren't caught, and no one was hurt. But to set fire to the imperial palace!"
"As long as the emperor isn't dead, it's fine."
Yu Ryong's jaw dropped, his eyes filled with disbelief.
*Clank.*
I let out a sigh of relief and took the net I'd been carrying on my back, setting it down.
Seeing the severed wrist still attached despite my frantic running, I could feel the previous owner's tenacity.
At that moment, Yu Ryong pointed a finger, his voice strained.
"Th-that, surely that's not...!"
"You know it?"
"Of course I do! That's the imperial treasure His Majesty the Emperor personally bestowed upon his most favored military official, the Heaven's Net!"
"Ooh! Is it expensive?"
"It's a treasure rumored to have been used by the Supreme Emperor. Its value is immeasurable."
Right, I had to get something this good to make the trip worthwhile.
"Hah, but how did the Heaven's Net end up in your hands, Hall Master Jin? And what's with the wrist attached to it?!"
"I fought and took it. He wouldn't let go, so I just cut off his wrist and brought it along."
I thought he would let go on his own after being pierced by the Battle Lord Arrow.
"Are you saying you cut off the wrist of the Deputy Commander of the Golden Shadow Guards, the one most favored by His Majesty?"
"Whose wrist would it be then?"
Yu Ryong squeezed his eyes shut.
Then he held out his hand.
"Give it to me. I will make a suitable excuse and return it so your identity isn't revealed."
"Are you crazy?"
"Pardon?"
"Why would I return something I fought so hard to take?"
"But...! This isn't just some spoil of war; it's an imperial treasure."
"By that logic, I'm a living treasure of the Nine Dragons Fortress. And look, if I had lost, wouldn't they have taken all my things? Right?"
Woo Je-jun and Sa Ma-heun hurriedly nodded.
"Indeed. The Hall Master's words are absolutely right."
"I think so too."
As expected of those properly educated under me, they only spoke the truth.
"See? They think so too. Huh? Your eyes are looking weird again."
"......"
Yu Ryong sighed again, then insisted in a firm tone, as if he couldn't back down.
"Setting fire to the imperial palace is already tantamount to high treason. But to also steal a treasure cherished by His Majesty the Emperor! This is absolutely unacceptable."
"High treason, my ass. Did this guy here commit some crime to deserve dying?"
"......"
Yu Ryong fell silent when I pointed at Myo San.
Just as a heavy silence fell upon the inn, a troop of Imperial Guards swarmed in through the back door.
"What?"
For a moment, I thought it was a trap and raised my hands, but from between the Imperial Guards emerged the Right Commander, Jo San-myeong.
Judging by the pure energy radiating from him, his personal martial prowess seemed formidable.
"You've done well."
"I only did what had to be done."
"No. You have single-handedly accomplished what thousands of Imperial Guards could not. How could your contribution be considered small?"
Jo San-myeong praised Yu Ryong's achievement in a voice full of dignity.
Even though I did all the important work.
As I glared at him with dissatisfied eyes, Jo San-myeong turned his head toward me.
"Could we speak for a moment before you leave?"
"The water in Nanjing doesn't seem to agree with me; my stomach's been acting up for a few days. I just want to leave as soon as possible."
"How dare you!"
"Do you know who you're talking to!"
Jo San-myeong's subordinates flared up at my near-disrespectful refusal, but what did I care?
I completely ignored them and picked up the net to leave when another voice called out.
"...Mujeon."
The unconscious Myo San had regained consciousness.
For an ordinary person who had fainted to suddenly wake up was by no means a natural phenomenon.
Nine times out of ten, the Right Commander must have used some trick to wake Myo San.
"Could you not speak with the Right Commander?"
"No. I'm going straight home. Just go back."
I had to leave now to make it to the wedding on time.
"...He is a loyal subject for the ages. What could be more important than a conversation with such a man?"
"Your sister's wedding."
"......!"
Myo San blinked his eyes, his mouth agape.
*Thump.*
I pressed a vital point and knocked him out again.
"It seems Scholar Myo also wishes for us to speak."
"As you heard, I have a wedding to attend."
"I will write you a certificate that will allow you to pass through Jiangxi Province."
Well, in that case.
"Very well. But only for a quarter of an hour."
"That is sufficient."
***
A short while later.
I was facing Jo San-myeong in an empty room in the inn's rear courtyard.
"Hmm..."
When he wore armor, he exuded the aura of a traitor who would bite down on a weakness and never let go, but his appearance in plain clothes was different.
"Cow thief."
Yes.
He had the exact feel of a cow (牛) thief.
"Hm? Did you call me?"
"Ah... yes. I was just wondering why you wanted to see me."
I looked down at the net in my hand and spoke.
"Let me say this first... this is mine."
"Treasures only exist because the empire exists. Compared to your contribution, I do not think it an excessive reward."
"It's not a reward, it's a spoil of war. Because I fought and took it."
"...I see."
"Anyway, why did you want to see me?"
"Have you any thought of working for the country? I will ensure you receive the best treatment."
"Are you delirious?"
"......"
Asking me to join the army twice... This cow thief really says the most dreadful things.