Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Embroidered Uniform Guard
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Imdong was a region about four hundred li northwest of Luoyang. Naturally, it was too far to cover in a single night. For roughly three days, Ryu Cheon-ho and I switched horses and snatched naps at inns as we made our way to our destination. When we were about fifty li from the Imdong border, Ryu Cheon-ho spoke up.
“Do you know what kind of place Iron Field Village is?”
“It must be somewhere easily cut off from the outside world.”
Ryu Cheon-ho looked genuinely surprised.
“Huh. You’re sharp. I didn’t even explain, and you got it right away.”
“Well, to keep things secret, they can’t pick a place with heavy traffic from other regions.”
“Exactly. Cut two bridges, and it’s completely isolated. Perfect spot for this mission.”
Clop clop...
We’d just raced down a major road on horseback, so now we were taking a short break. I nudged my horse forward slowly and said,
“I have a question. What kind of person is this Grand Sorcerer? Is he part of the imperial family too?”
“Hmm... I shouldn’t tell you this, but your case is special. The timing lined up awkwardly, so you skipped the recruit training and got thrown right in... Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone else.”
Normally, they reinforced the verbal hypnosis we’d already undergone during recruit training and briefed us on all the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s secrets. From the talk of timing, it seemed they were short-staffed and desperate, so they’d shoved me straight into the Six Divisions after I came in on an Embroidered Uniform Guard recommendation.
“Understood.”
“He’s an indispensable part of this plan. He subjugates the villagers’ minds and plays his flute for three days and nights straight, putting them into a nether serenity state. Then he spreads the doctrine to the awakened ones, turning them into loyal minions. After that, it’s just a cycle of offering sacrifices to summon enough demonic beasts.”
His words were utterly matter-of-fact and dry. Ryu Cheon-ho had overseen blood-soaked human sacrifices for years, so there wasn’t a shred of guilt or hesitation in him. Pretending ignorance, I asked more.
“Where did he learn such mystical sorcery? Is he one of those sorcerers from the Gate of Visiting Immortals you hear about?”
“Who knows... Probably not. He never says a word about it, but the incantations and rituals he chants are wildly foreign. And his appearance...”
“......?”
“Don’t freak out when you see him. He’s grotesquely ugly.”
A fleeting look of nausea crossed Ryu Cheon-ho’s face. For a man who discussed human sacrifices and massacres without batting an eye to show that expression, this Grand Sorcerer Flute Fiend must be a monster like no other under heaven.
I asked again.
“But these demonic beasts getting summoned... They just appear out of empty air?”
“You’re full of questions, aren’t you? Well, everyone is at first.”
“Sorry.”
“No worries. Hmm... The demonic beasts burst up from the ground.”
“...Pardon?”
“Just like I said. They don’t pop out of nowhere—they tunnel up from underground. Makes you think the Grand Sorcerer calls them during his ritual.”
“......”
My jaw dropped slightly.
If that was true, these weren’t otherworldly monsters—they were creatures that had been living somewhere in this world all along. And they traveled deep underground. The thought of such beasts lurking out there, hunting for prey, sent chills down my spine. I voiced my honest feelings.
“Is the power of these demonic beasts meant to wipe out the White Lotus Cult? I don’t get why we’re summoning them.”
“You don’t need to understand. We just follow orders.”
“......”
“But... probably not. They play a key role in the secondary ritual, so we won’t be using their combat strength directly. Only the Grand Sorcerer and His Imperial Majesty know the full details, I’d wager.”
Ryu Cheon-ho spilled high-level intel like it was nothing. He probably didn’t find my questions suspicious and was certain the brainwashing was taking hold. Plus, he was confident no sane person would betray the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
‘Can’t dig much deeper without raising suspicion.’
I decided to dial back the probing.
“Got it. So my job is to guard the sorcerer, right?”
“Guard? Could be... Anyway, with your level of martial arts, nothing should be too tough.”
He was a peak expert himself—pretty high up the ladder—and sizing me up accordingly.
“You flatter me.”
“Not at all. It’s been ages since a talent like you came in on recommendation. Might even pave my way up. Haha!”
“Haha...”
I forced a weak laugh.
Even as we bantered like this, there wasn’t a hint of malice or cruelty on Ryu Cheon-ho’s face. He took pride in his position and seemed to build genuine bonds with his subordinates. You could tell from his speech alone that he wasn’t rotten to the core.
And yet, for the sake of the imperial court and his twisted patriotism, he’d driven thousands to their deaths. It was evil that even the devil himself couldn’t argue against being beaten for. No demonic cult leader or grand fiend in the jianghu could match Ryu Cheon-ho’s wickedness. Realizing how mismatched a person’s nature and actions could be left me with a strange feeling.
Who had turned Ryu Cheon-ho into a devil?
“We’re almost there. Cross this mountain, and we’ll hit the bridge to Iron Field Village.”
“Won’t the vanguard have cut it already?”
“No chance. Operations start when I arrive. The bridge gets severed last.”
He was right.
The bridge creaked but stood intact. Horses could cross no problem.
Ryu Cheon-ho stopped before the suspension bridge. It spanned about ten zhang, with nothing but empty air below—precariously linking the cliffs. His eyes twitched as he muttered to himself.
“Hmm. Was gonna use explosives, but it’s so flimsy... Might as well just cut it. Less trace the better...”
I crossed the suspension bridge, a chill running through me at his mutterings. The man who’d been all smiles until now was laser-focused on slaughtering the village.
Ryu Cheon-ho and I reached the base camp ahead of Iron Field Village about half a shichen later. It was a shack hidden in tall grass, well-camouflaged from prying eyes. Waiting there were the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors from the Six Divisions who’d arrived ahead of us.
“You’ve arrived!”
“Yeah. Status? Just you?”
Only one warrior was inside the shack. He reported to Ryu Cheon-ho.
“We just got here too. The rest are infiltrating the village, scouting key figures’ residences and movements.”
“When will they return?”
“About three shichen.”
“Got it. We move to suppress the village as soon as they’re back.”
I glanced around the shack and said,
“Cheon-ho, the Grand Sorcerer isn’t here...”
“Don’t worry about it. He’s probably already in the village. With his mystical arts, he doesn’t need us fretting over him.”
“Hmm...”
“He’ll come to us once suppression’s done.”
That was valuable intel too.
‘The Grand Sorcerer doesn’t always move with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. It’s less partnership, more mutual exploitation... And this Grand Sorcerer has special sorcery beyond just the flute.’
Take out either the Guard or the sorcerer, and the plan crumbles preemptively. More strategic options opened up. Lost in thought, I said to Ryu Cheon-ho,
“Cheon-ho, I’ll infiltrate the village too. Want to help the seniors.”
“No. You don’t know disguise or bone-shrinking techniques, do you? One slip-up with the villagers, and the plan’s ruined. Stay put here.”
“Understood.”
I realized I needed to learn disguise and bone-shrinking arts. Not just for now, but they’d be useful long-term. Problem was, who could teach them? Bone-shrinking especially required special tendon and bone methods—beyond any ordinary person.
Ryu Cheon-ho said,
“If you’re antsy, patrol within one li of here. Keep an eye out for intruders.”
“Got it.”
Perfect timing. Managing expressions around Ryu Cheon-ho was wearing thin, and I needed space to think. I left the shack and climbed a tall tree to survey the area. No way anyone wandered these remote woods idly.
But that thought didn’t last. A human shadow flickered in my vision. I shot toward it like lightning, covering the seventy-zhang gap in no time.
“Kyaa!”
A sharp cry. I clamped her mouth shut before it fully escaped. I signaled silence to the terrified face staring back. Killing her would be easy, but I couldn’t.
“Be quiet.”
Just a simple village girl.
Mid-teens, maybe. She struggled briefly with my hand over her mouth, then went limp, giving up. I spoke calmly.
“Don’t scream. Got it?”
“......”
Her tongue flicked my palm, slathering it with spit.
“Hey, gross.”
I pulled my hand away, muttering. She grinned mischievously and said,
“What’s big bro doing here? From another village?”
“Yeah. Got lost on the road and ended up here.”
“Come to our village! I’ll give you food.”
Her beaming smile was adorable. Full of innocence.
“......”
I’d fooled her into thinking I was a traveler, but my heart grew heavy.
Once the plan kicked off, a kid like this gets torn apart and violated by zealots? Honest villagers turn to slaughter and human sacrifice, then the whole place burns in a massacre? The bloody stench of the Grand Sorcerer’s altar still haunted me. I’d thought I was numb then, but looking back, it shook me deep.
‘Shit, one of the warriors is coming out.’
Probably taking a piss. Footsteps from the shack. He spots the girl, he executes her on the spot. I rushed to the girl.
“Kid, head straight back to your village from here. Okay?”
“But you said you’re lost?”
“It’s fine. I’ll backtrack. See you later.”
“Okay~”
She scampered off into the grass.
Some time later, an Embroidered Uniform Guard warrior approached where I stood. He’d probably come to chat from the start.
“Hey, newbie. Nice to meet ya.”
“A senior?”
Tall, handsome. A few years older than me, maybe. Probably more, but youthful looks. He grinned.
“Yeah. From Supreme Sword Sect myself. Jang Hyeon of Supreme Sword Sect—big name in Luoyang’s later-generation talents back in the day.”
“I see.”
Jang Hyeon’s face twisted oddly.
“But word is, you’re from Guanzhong Azure Dragon Martial Hall, yet came in on Supreme Sword Sect recommendation.”
“......”
Ryu Cheon-ho must’ve blabbed to him already. Thinking Ryu was loose-lipped, I said,
“The Supreme Sword Sect Lord accepted me.”
“Who said anything? Just bummed out. Supreme Sword Sect couldn’t handle a country bumpkin like you? If I’d been there...”
“If you’re mocking me, I’m done listening.”
“Haha. Can’t be helped. If we weren’t on mission, I’d give you a proper thrashing.”
My mind was already a mess, and Jang Hyeon’s needling pissed me off. I snapped back without holding back.
“You bark too much. Guess you should bark and find out. That way, no one realizes how weak you are.”
“W-what?!”
Jang Hyeon took the bait instantly. His face flushed purple as he whipped out his sword in a draw.
Shing!
His draw was masterful—I dodged on pure reflex, channeling qi. Any jianghu scrub would lose their head to that first strike. Precise and blindingly fast.
Thud.
“Urk...”
I sidestepped leisurely, then surged in with Thunder Shadow Step, slamming a fist into his gut. His failed draw left him wide open—even knowing it was coming, he couldn’t evade. Jang Hyeon shuddered in agony, consciousness fading.
“You... how... that instant speed... too fast...”
His face crumpled forward. One gut-shot hard enough to churn organs—knockout inevitable.
This guy outclassed the three great disciples I’d faced from Supreme Sword Sect. But still no match for me. Confirmed again: I was way above average Embroidered Uniform Guard level. Master Lee Gwang’s assessment of vice-commander class was spot-on. I sneered at Jang Hyeon.
“That’s fast? You wouldn’t last a breath against Jin So-cheong.”
I grabbed the unconscious Jang Hyeon by the scruff, dragged him under a tree, and propped him up. Then pondered my next move.
Charge in now and stop the massacre?
Watch calmly a bit longer?
Or a third option?
I reached a conclusion after agonizing.
‘I won’t move until the full slaughter begins.’
Thanks to Mangnyang. Even solutions I couldn’t see, his wisdom might find. As he’d said, better gather more clues than act rashly. Recklessness brings disaster.
Three days until the villagers are fully brainwashed. Watch till then. Too much unknown about the Grand Sorcerer, need more on Guard movements. Intel could pop anywhere.
Shortly after, I pressed Jang Hyeon’s acupoints to wake him. Crouching before his fearful face, I whispered a threat.
“Senior, I’ve got no grudge or love for Supreme Sword Sect. Don’t take out inferiority on me—if a dumb country hick like me has to solve it, it’s with fists. We’re Embroidered Uniform Guard now—sect doesn’t matter, right?”
“...Urk...”
“Let’s call this nothing and get along, Guard Warrior Jang Hyeon.”
“G-got it.”
He got it instinctively. Three breaths to kill him, and I’d have no qualms.
Jang Hyeon and I walked back together to avoid suspicion. Ryu Cheon-ho, reading a book, didn’t bat an eye.
Step step.
“Returning!”
Exactly three shichen later, as dusk fell, the scouting Embroidered Uniform Guards returned en masse. Disguised to a one. Spotting Ryu Cheon-ho, they bowed in unison. He scanned them coldly and said,
“Report results.”
“Yes, sir.”
They detailed key villagers, buildings, and intel one by one. Ryu Cheon-ho, eyes closed, sorted it mentally, then spoke.
“Good. We wait here. When the sorcerer’s flute sounds, we launch. Eliminate interferers, cut all external comms. Make sure the op succeeds!”
“Yes, sir!”
The flute sounded exactly a day later.
Kee-reeling—
Just past noon, a low, eerie, grotesque piping echoed. I heard it first—itching the ears, subjugating the mind. The other Guards prepped for battle almost simultaneously.
Preps didn’t take long. Ryu Cheon-ho commanded the bowing men,
“Suppression begins! Move!”
I followed the others into the village.
Soon, leaping rooftops, I confirmed: villagers clutched heads, trembling, frozen. Deadly to those without qi or weak minds. Some staggered on—likely martial artists or breath trainers.
A senior Guard said,
“Ignore the movers. They’re no threat. Focus on assassination targets.”
I suggested,
“Shouldn’t we find the Grand Sorcerer?”
“Good point. Baek Woong, track the flute’s source.”
Probably no real need, but as newbie, better sideline me safely. Straight to kills on debut too risky—could botch things.
“Yes, sir.”
Swoosh!
I broke off, acting solo.
Murderous intent coiled low in my eyes.
‘I’ll find him.’
Locate the Grand Sorcerer first, extract him.
Interrogate for all intel.
Torture if needed.