Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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Lee Gwang seized the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Thousand Tiger and immediately began applying the Eight Trigrams Seal on him.
The Eight Trigrams Seal, a secret torture technique of the Thunder God Style, inflicted excruciating pain on the victim—no one but a man forged from steel could endure it.
Pukwak!
"Aaaahhh!! Spare me... please... I'll tell you everything."
The pain was so intense that three veins in his temples burst simultaneously as the Thousand Tiger screamed like a madman. Lee Gwang paused the torment momentarily and spoke with a pitying tone.
"You should've just talked from the start. Well, being an Embroidered Uniform Guard, I suppose you had no choice."
"Ugh..."
I stuck out my tongue at the sight.
I'd used the Eight Trigrams Seal myself before, but the victim looked like he was suffering the torments of hell. Even a top elite like this Thousand Tiger, trained in every form of interrogation, couldn't hold out for half an incense stick's time before spilling everything.
"Where's the real General Huang Yan?"
"Hah... haah... In Asan Hong..."
Kwajik!
Without hesitation, Lee Gwang gouged out the Thousand Tiger's right eyeball. The lens spilled out transparently as he shrieked.
"Aaaahhh!!"
"You think you can feed me vague misinformation? Do you think I haven't worked in an intelligence agency's interrogation division?"
"S-sorry... spare me... please..."
Puk!
Lee Gwang crushed the eyeball underfoot.
Then, in a flat tone, he said,
"Listen well. I can detect your body's reactions, the involuntary muscle twitches you can't control, even the trembling of your heart—to discern truth from lies. No matter what you say, I know instantly if it's a falsehood."
"Hah... haah..."
"Don't think I won't kill you. I've kept one of those corpses over there alive, after all."
The Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand Tiger's face twisted in despair. Right then and there, his spirit truly broke.
He hesitated before asking,
"Will you... spare me...?"
"Depends on your information."
For about the time it takes to burn one incense stick, the Thousand Tiger recited his intel. Whenever Lee Gwang asked a question, he answered eagerly. It seemed he believed no lies could slip past someone who could read even his heartbeat—the information rang true with sincerity.
"Now for the second round of interrogation."
Once he'd heard enough, Lee Gwang stanched the bleeding, then spent another incense stick's time meticulously extracting details. It felt like a verification process.
When the Thousand Tiger, his stamina nearly gone and on the verge of passing out, finally slumped, Lee Gwang quietly struck his death point.
Thuk.
As the Thousand Tiger's neck snapped forward, Lee Gwang muttered,
"It was painless."
"Master. What do you plan to do?"
Lee Gwang answered Jin So-cheong's question without a moment's hesitation.
"We're returning to the hall."
"Pardon?"
"If General Huang Yan is imprisoned in Luoyang's Great Torture Prison, breaking him out by force is impossible. And if we push further, it'll turn into high treason."
Listening from the side, I blurted out in disbelief,
"Isn't massacring the Embroidered Uniform Guard like this already high treason?"
"For most, yes. But not for me."
"......?"
"No time for explanations. Burn all the traces and let's go."
The three of us spent half a shichen gathering the corpses and debris.
We piled them together, doused them in oil, and set them ablaze.
Roarrr!
The Embroidered Uniform Guard would handle it anyway, but doing it ourselves put our minds at ease. They might tamper with the martial arts marks on the bodies to frame someone, after all.
'This is pretty brutal... but I'm getting numb to it.'
Committing such a massacre and incinerating the bodies was utterly villainous, yet none of us here cared. As the savory smell of burning flesh wafted through the air, Lee Gwang said,
"There's a girl peeking from over there. Know her?"
"Pardon?"
"She's been debating whether to show herself since earlier."
I focused my inner energy in the direction of Lee Gwang's gaze. Sure enough, a young girl was peeking out from the bushes.
Using my spiritual sense, I naturally guessed it was Miho and hurriedly called out.
"Miho! You followed us all the way here?"
"Hiiing..."
Miho waddled over, sniffling, and buried her face in my chest.
She sobbed innocently, just like a pure young girl.
"It was scary..."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it..."
As if it scared her.
Knowing her as a gumiho, she'd probably watched the whole thing cackling from hiding. Once she'd assessed the situation, she came in putting on this act.
I patted her soothingly, but my heart pounded, fearing Lee Gwang might suddenly attack.
"Your heartbeat's racing loud."
Miho's cheeks flushed slightly.
It wasn't arousal from her—it was tension from the threat of life and death—but I saw no need to explain.
I introduced her to Lee Gwang.
"This is Miho, traveling with me. She's a shaman friend."
"Hoo... a shaman, eh."
"She's no suspect."
"I'll trust you."
Lee Gwang accepted it readily.
I sighed inwardly in relief, cold sweat trickling down. I hadn't lied outright. Knowing now how sharply he could spot deceptions, I'd have to be more cautious around him from now on.
Clack clack.
And so, I followed Lee Gwang back to the Azure Dragon Martial Hall with Jin So-cheong.
Guanzhong felt peaceful, as if the massacre days ago had been a lie.
Back at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall, I unpacked my things and sorted out Miho's accommodations.
Seeing her, Lee Gwang said,
"You want to join the Azure Dragon Martial Hall too?"
"Yes! I do!"
Miho's theme for this transformation seemed to be 'innocent shaman girl.' Her acting was so flawless even Lee Gwang couldn't see through her true nature.
Nodding, he said,
"Then join as a third-line trainee."
"Got it!"
"I'll waive the training fees."
And so, the great yokai Miho began learning martial arts at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall.
"......"
I watched the whole process, utterly baffled.
That late night, Miho visited my room.
She'd snuck in stealthily using transformation arts. Now in the form of a voluptuous beauty, she stroked my jawline and said,
"Why were you so tense earlier?"
"Don't joke. You're a yokai, right? What were you thinking, showing yourself to Lee Gwang? What if he catches you!"
I protested vehemently. I'd held my tongue earlier due to his sharp eyes, but when she appeared, I was truly on edge. The thought of fighting him to the death to protect her made my vision darken.
Miho pretended to ponder deeply, then smiled softly.
"Don't worry. Yokai can master martial arts just fine. Inner energy is just qi flow, after all. Drawing on my inner core's power should be no different."
"That's not what I mean..."
"Kyahaha, I know, I know."
Then she suddenly hugged me tight.
The unexpected embrace stirred my heart. She nibbled my earlobe lightly.
"Eut."
Electricity surged through me.
Her nibble sent chills down my spine, and my lower abdomen suddenly throbbed erect. The gumiho's lustful aura intensely stimulated my body. It felt like I'd wet myself any second. Miho giggled.
"Oh? Already?"
I hurriedly circulated my inner energy to suppress the arousal and said,
"Ugh, quit playing around."
Miho wrapped her silver tail gently around my wrist and said,
"My job is to protect you for ten years. It'd be hard if I'm not close, right? I'll stay by your side as the human girl 'Miho' for the next ten years."
I couldn't help but snap irritably.
"Then stay quiet."
"Hmm~ Just with words?"
"What do you want then?"
"Obviously, buy me food."
I was floored.
"The great yokai gumiho's gluttony..."
Miho pouted primly.
"Hmph, it's been centuries since I returned to the Central Plains. Isn't it natural to crave tasty food? Dongyoung was too barren; the cuisine wasn't diverse at all."
"Fine."
I sighed and pulled out the hidden box of gold and jewels.
It contained treasures from the pirate chief's secret stash. I grabbed a handful of shiny gems and necklaces and said,
"Live it up with these for ten years."
Miho's eyes narrowed.
"Hmm~ Think this covers it?"
"Ugh... what more do you want?"
"Hmm, love?"
"What..."
Crash!
Miho suddenly lunged, knocking me over.
She breathed slowly, gazing at me with desperate eyes. It looked like she was pinning me down. I could easily escape with inner energy, but baffled, I said,
"What are you doing?"
A seductive fragrance wafted. Her eyes locked onto mine.
"Baek Woong. I'm curious. After descending from the heavens to the mortal world, no one acted for my sake over centuries. You're the first to ask for something, to help—not under my enchantment."
"......"
"And it makes me jealous."
Her jade fingers gently stroked my hair. Unconcealed longing filled her eyes.
"I'm jealous of... that past-life version of myself you regret so much."
Miho likes me too.
But it's more obsession or curiosity than love.
I'd never dated, but I could tell it was fundamentally different.
I wanted to understand her feelings. Yet her obsession didn't resonate. I'd rarely thought of being loved by anyone.
Staring at her, I said,
"You're right. Something like this happened before too."
"What?"
"It was when resting in some village. You seduced me then, but I refused."
"Why...?"
Sighing at her question, I answered,
"Because I have a goal."
"Defeating that Demon Horse Hall?"
"Yes."
"Don't you think it's unrealistic?"
"You said the same then. My answer's the same now."
Still lying down, I replied slowly.
"Until I achieve it, I can't do anything else."
"......"
"Even if you want me with your enchantment, it changes nothing."
"Baek Woong. Aren't you living too harshly?"
Miho got off me. Turning her slender, peerless beauty's back, she walked away and said,
"What tormented you was mere [memories]. What you're living is the [present]. It'll become the past anyway—so why not enjoy the now?"
"That way, I'd regret it for sure."
"Regret?"
Propping myself up halfway, I continued,
"I've regretted plenty already. I just don't want more."
"Hmm..."
Miho suddenly teleported right in front of me.
"Eh."
She peered into my eyes, then wrapped her arms around my head and kissed me fiercely. Warmth tangled in my mouth, a pleasant scent tickling my nose. Her bewitching power made me crave her voluptuous body, but I forcibly held back.
After a long, endless kiss, Miho smiled seductively.
"My pride's hurt."
"What?"
She giggled.
"Now you've done it. I'll make you beg for me over these ten years. Ohoho."
Shiiiik!
Miho vanished like lightning.
The events felt dreamlike; I sat dazed. I'd endured till the end, but my lower abdomen was soaked sticky with semen. Despite my utmost restraint, her full-force gumiho allure had forced my body's reaction.
"Ughhh... that damn fox."
Sighing, I stripped, changed clothes for the night, and headed to do laundry. Too embarrassing to entrust to anyone.
Thwack thwack thwack!
Beating clothes with a paddle at night felt ridiculous.
'This damn...'
And my hatred for the Demon Horse Hall deepened.
The next day, I went to Lee Gwang and began training.
Having fully gauged my level, he skipped lengthy talk and said,
"Follow the way of the sword. Focus on the Ten Thousand Victory Sword Formula."
"Yes."
"It suits your aptitude."
That transcendent strike I'd shown him must've solidified his resolve.
Eyeing him, I said,
"May I ask a question...?"
"What is it?"
"My master said our Thunder God Style is mortal enemies with the Wind God Style."
"Correct."
"But he also said our arts hold a seventy percent win rate against theirs. He never properly answered back then—so why were we driven out by the Wind God Style?"
"......"
Lee Gwang looked like I'd landed a solid hit.
He shook his head.
"It's a deeply complicated history. But one thing's certain: we weren't inferior in martial prowess."
"Yes..."
Seemed like a secret he couldn't share yet.
Gazing at me intently, he said,
"You seem burdened by your talent, so I won't push too hard. But I'll teach you everything I can to the best of my ability. I, Lee Gwang, am thrilled to have a new Thunder God Style disciple like you."
"Thank you."
I first demonstrated the Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship and Ten Thousand Victory Sword Formula.
Having broken through to transcendent realm, my forms flowed flawlessly without hitch, seamless and precise. Especially fusing two or more key formulas—it succeeded smoothly, doubling my swordsmanship's power from before.
Watching, Lee Gwang eyed me oddly.
"You're not just using pure Thunder God Style techniques—you're mixing several to bolster your arts. What methods?"
"You saw right through it."
I scratched my head sheepishly and answered. No point hiding from him.
"I'm using the True Qi Guidance Method from the Mysterious Heaven Divine Art to control complex flows, and the Thunder Wind Upward Strike from the Hua Clan's One Hundred Eight Needles to induce automatic adhesion. It helps greatly with intricate formulas."
"Mysterious Heaven Divine Art and Hua Needle Arts...!! You've learned superb first-class arts."
"It was a fortuitous encounter."
Lee Gwang seemed genuinely shocked.
I explained to him how the Mysterious Heaven Divine Art and Hua Clan's One Hundred Eight Needles worked.
After listening and pondering, he said,
"That's an application I never considered. But it's inefficient on inner energy consumption relative to effect."
"Is that so?"
"Probably a flaw you didn't notice due to your Heaven Spirit Pill-level inner energy."
Lee Gwang said,
"Teach me those formulas. I'll study them a bit."
"Yes."
Just days after I taught him the key formulas of the Mysterious Heaven Divine Art and Hua Clan's One Hundred Eight Needles—on the third day exactly—Lee Gwang said to me,
"Try it like this."
He taught me a new formula seemingly derived from those arts.
Skeptical, I followed his instructions.
Shushushushuk!
"......!!"
I was stunned realizing the inner energy surging from the Ten Thousand Victory Sword Formula was far stronger and more natural. The once-clumsy aids of Mysterious Heaven Divine Art and Thunder Wind Upward Strike had balanced within me, birthing something like a new art.
My skills grew this easily?
Stunned still, Lee Gwang said contentedly,
"Let's make this a new Thunder God Style secret technique. How about Baek Woong Formula?"
Incredible.
He'd created a new secret art in mere days from hearing it once.
I'd proposed it, but he'd perfected it.
This man before me was a true martial genius.
Feeling oddly vexed, I sourly replied,
"The name's too tacky..."
"......"
But in the end, per Lee Gwang's insistence, the new technique became the Baek Woong Formula.
He wanted to pass it to Jin So-cheong too and asked my permission. I agreed readily, then practiced the Baek Woong Formula on my own.
My skills surged. With it, true qi flowed smoothly; I could now use variations impossible before. This effortless growth stemmed from breaking through the wall.
The anomaly occurred a month later.
It was an event I could only call an anomaly.
"Long time no see."
The man slowly walking in through the Azure Dragon Martial Hall's front gate had a face unforgettable even in dreams. That mask, demeanor, Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander's attire—only one such figure existed in my memory.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard Supreme Commander!
"......!!"
Seeing him, my blood boiled reverse. I wanted to charge but forcibly held back.
The Supreme Commander stopped before Crouching Dragon Hall; Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong emerged to greet him.
"Hey! Get back inside!!"
The hall's instructors chased away the swarming disciple spectators hollering at the outsider, until only four remained: the Supreme Commander included.
They faced off on the training ground, three zhang apart.
Whooo.
A cold wind blew.
The Supreme Commander smiled at Lee Gwang.
"Good to see you, friend. Fifteen years?"
Lee Gwang replied dryly.
"Indeed."
"I'm sorry about the Sickness Valley incident. Didn't expect you'd step up personally."
"I had no intention of moving much. I know the Embroidered Uniform Guard acts for patriotism. But you crossed my taboo."
The Supreme Commander looked incredulous at Lee Gwang's impassive response.
Then, after a pause, he burst into wild laughter.
"Hahaha!! Taboo! No one but you, Azure Dragon, could say that to the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
"Rather displeasing. You thought five troops could stop me?"
The Supreme Commander shook his head.
"Not at all. As I said, we didn't anticipate you. Even if Jang Kyung-ik begged for aid, we figured it'd be one or two righteous or evil sect members at most. Who'd think that fool would boldly request you directly."
"Hardly bold, no?"
"Kehhehe, you underestimate your old Azure Dragon infamy. Jang Kyung-ik would piss and faint at your mere shout."
"......"
Listening, I finally grasped the full picture.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard hadn't expected Azure Dragon Lee Gwang at all. They'd likely ambushed five troops using fake General Huang Yan as bait to eliminate naive vigilantes. But Lee Gwang showed up and demolished them, disrupting their plans.
The Supreme Commander glanced at me and said,
"As rumored, you've taken a new disciple."
"So it is."
"Your disciple's chivalrous fame echoes across the seas. Congrats on a fine student."
"Why not take one yourself?"
"My work's too secretive for disciples."
After idle chatter, the Supreme Commander said,
"As we both know, we can't touch you. The Previous Emperor's Azure Dragon Rank privileges still hold. But remember: step beyond self-defense, and you'll inescapably face treason charges."
"You've turned into a real idiot. Come all this way just to threaten?"
Lee Gwang's jab made the Supreme Commander flinch, trembling—as if unprepared for such words from an old friend.
Regaining composure, he said,
"Then what? If it weren't you but someone else, I'd mobilize a hundred thousand troops to exterminate their entire clan! Let's end it here and part ways."
"Seems you're bored to death."
"What..."
Scraping at the Supreme Commander's nerves slyly, Lee Gwang smiled coldly.
"If you're that bored, how about instructing my disciples a bit?"
"Instructing?"
"Well, stuck in the palace's fox den so long—curious if your divine arts deepened. Do me this favor, friend."
"......"
The Supreme Commander glared fiercely at Lee Gwang, then said,
"Fine."