Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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"...They're here!"
The Brocade Guards had come charging in!
I was perched on a tree branch in the forest, keeping watch in all directions, when I sensed a suspicious aura approaching. This spot was at the entrance to the village path, so I'd been vigilantly monitoring it nonstop. About six days had passed since Mangnyang and I first arrived, and I was starting to get bored, when suddenly, in the afternoon, the enemy burst in.
There were ten auras in total. And judging by their magnitude, they were unmistakably Brocade Guards.
'A Thousand Commander level among them, too.'
They were about seventy or eighty paces away. I quickly leaped down from the tree and hid myself. Since I'd concealed myself so swiftly, they passed by without spotting me. Confirming they were heading toward the village, I immediately turned around and made for the secret passage behind the village.
"The enemy is here."
Mangnyang and the Hyeoncheon Taoist tensed up at my report.
"Hmm, so they've come!"
"The sorcerer won't be far behind in showing up at the village."
We were using a barn in the building with the secret passage as our temporary base. We'd stayed at an inn at first, but lacking reliable communication, we'd set up here to eat and sleep, ready to slip out the back to the plaza if needed.
Mangnyang spoke.
"This is where it gets crucial. We don't know exactly when the sorcerer will appear. So from now on, we need to move nimbly to separate them effectively."
"We should head into the village proper."
"Let's hurry. The sorcerer will appear near the plaza without fail, so we'll wait there in advance."
Clunk.
The three of us packed our gear and headed into the well's secret passage. As we walked the tunnel, the Hyeoncheon Taoist said,
"Our disciples must have passed Yeoncheon by now... It's frustrating not to time it right."
"It's fate. Three of us will suffice—let's do this."
Emerging from the well's secret passage, we found a kitchen. We'd already confirmed the passage's effective use, so I unhesitatingly opened the kitchen window and leaped out. Rather than sneaking around to avoid eyes, it was far better to dash straight to the mansion.
Thud.
Soon after, the Hyeoncheon Taoist grabbed Mangnyang by the scruff and leaped outside. Mangnyang, dizzy from the sudden drop—easily ten paces high—spun his head and muttered,
"Martial artists really are monsters. Jumping down without a second thought."
"This isn't the time for complaints. Are you ready?"
"Of course. Just get me to my position."
It didn't take long to race across rooftops to the plaza. Climbing to the roof of the tallest six-story pavilion, the people below showed no sign of noticing us. Humans rarely look up at lofty heights. Mangnyang grinned.
"This spot is perfect."
He strode into the room atop the tallest pavilion. Inside, the pavilion's owner—a certain merchant guild master—was leisurely gazing at the scenery.
Thud.
Before the man could react, I rushed in and struck his pressure points, knocking him out cold. After blindfolding the fainted merchant and tucking him under the bed, Mangnyang drew the Five Fires Seven Golden Threads to prepare his sorcery.
To use the treasure, he needed a place to focus his mind, and since the sorcerer would be defenseless while manipulating flames from afar, it had to be safe. This sixth-floor rooftop room met the conditions perfectly.
From here, Mangnyang would wield the Five Fires Seven Golden Threads to assault the Brocade Guards—and ultimately aid me and the Hyeoncheon Taoist.
Watching the process, the Hyeoncheon Taoist shot me a disapproving glance.
"This isn't right."
"It couldn't be helped. Forgive us. Didn't I explain beforehand?"
"Sigh... I trust Mangnyang's words, but you must apologize to the man himself."
"I will, without fail."
Like hell I would.
I inwardly scoffed at the Hyeoncheon Taoist's words. We were doing this to eliminate the Brocade Guards' backlash from the start—why reveal ourselves and apologize? But I kept that to myself.
Peering down, the Hyeoncheon Taoist asked again,
"I'll confirm once more. Is there a Peak Expert among them who can perform Convergence Arts?"
His gaze fixed on one expert blended into the village crowd. Sensing auras himself, he'd spotted the man's plain clothes hiding a top-tier First-Class Expert. Of course, we were suppressing our own presences, so they hadn't noticed us.
"High chance there isn't. They seem high-ranking in their organization, and since they haven't sniffed us out, they're not the type to come sniffing individually. Assume one or two Peak Experts and a dozen elite First-Class ones."
"Hmm... Even hearing it again, it's a formidable force... That one's aura alone surpasses our sect's elite disciples. At that level, they could wipe out a mid-sized faction overnight. Where did these monsters come from?"
The Hyeoncheon Taoist's lament was justified. A single Brocade Guard unit's power, led by a Thousand Commander, outstripped most martial sects. I'd seen one Thousand Commander and two officers hold their own against the all-out Hyeoncheon Taoist—mere three against him. No way a common village could resist if they attacked.
I asked the Hyeoncheon Taoist,
"Hyeoncheon Taoist. Do you sense any evil qi?"
"I can't tell. Nothing yet. It's so peaceful and serene, I can hardly believe such an evil sorcerer will appear."
"......"
We might end up waiting here a full day like this. Bracing for a prolonged battle, I calmly monitored the plaza.
The anomaly struck an hour later, as the sun began to set. I watched from the window, Mangnyang poised to activate his sorcery, the Hyeoncheon Taoist meditating—when he suddenly opened his eyes and cried out.
"No! Such evil...?!"
Rumble.
That instant, a black orb materialized in the plaza's center, unleashing a howling gale.
"Arghhh!"
"W-What's happening?!"
Pedestrians screamed or fled in panic. Where the dark orb vanished, a familiar figure emerged.
"It's out!"
I shouted like a madman.
Yellow robes, the Flute Freak!
A monster straight out of nightmares had burst forth.
'That weird sorcery letting it appear out of nowhere was real!'
Amid the plaza's chaos, its presence loomed enormous.
As before, it raised an arm to its lips, flute ready to spread madness. Knowing those nearby would go insane once it played, I knew we had to move now.
Flash!
"You evil bastard!"
My silhouette and the Hyeoncheon Taoist's plummeted to the ground almost simultaneously. Using the Thousand Catties Fall to accelerate descent, then feather-light landing for a charging assault. The Hyeoncheon Taoist struck first at the Flute Freak, who flailed in startled panic.
But something blocked the Taoist's sword.
Clang!
"Hup. Strong."
A black-clad man, arm numb and trembling faintly from the clash. He'd slipped into the plaza unnoticed, watching for the sorcerer's emergence—just like us. His identity was obvious.
Thousand Commander!
The leader of this ten-man Brocade Guard unit had appeared. Blocking the Hyeoncheon Taoist's strike marked him as Peak Expert caliber. Spotting his face, I grimaced.
'Ryu Thousand Commander.'
Coincidence or not, the Sixth Bureau's commander from my fifth life was here. The Flute Freak retreated, spared, and beside it, the Brocade Guard unit had silently assembled—ten in total, all positioned for the plaza.
'They knew the sorcerer would appear here, too.'
Instantly, it became two against eleven.
Ryu Thousand Commander smirked at me.
"You little punk had a chance but didn't attack me? Why?"
I replied,
"If I'd lunged, your ten would've ambushed me."
True. Like the Taoist, I could've struck the Flute Freak on landing. But instinct felt off, and sure enough, the ten Brocade Guards were subtly directing killing intent at me. Moving then would've drawn a barrage on me—or the Taoist.
"Hahaha... Impressive. That martial realm at your age."
Ryu laughed heartily, eyes cold. Glancing at his Brocade Guards, he said,
"Plan change. Exterminate them here."
"Exterminate... That easy?"
"Hmph. You don't even know who we are, yet a mere martial artist blusters."
He sneered. From his view, a full unit against two was suicide. Even the Taoist could be crushed by numbers—that was his calculus.
But I sneered back.
"You're the one blustering without knowing who we are."
Whoosh!
Boom!
"......!!"
That moment, Mangnyang unleashed the Five Fires Seven Golden Threads. Dozens of paces-wide flame pillars erupted outside the village—not one, but simultaneous blasts lighting the village like day. Ryu visibly faltered as flames engulfed the surroundings swiftly.
Roar.
"Arghhh!"
"Eeeeek!!"
Terrified, people fled every which way. No fires spread in the streets, nor was it scorching, but massive flame walls outside shattered sanity. Of course, Mangnyang controlled them—no innocents harmed. Better yet, no meddlesome bystanders for us.
Surrounded by flames, Ryu bellowed,
"Retreat! Plan failed! Secure the sorcerer and escape!"
"As if."
Boom.
Suddenly, embers fell afar outside, forming a river of fire that surged, erecting a flame wall splitting the Brocade Guards' formation. Three isolated, Ryu sensed the manipulation.
Glaring at me, he growled,
"Your doing...?"
"Mine and my comrade's."
Ideally, Mangnyang would've incinerated them, but impossible. Activating the treasure beyond his station cost Mangnyang ten years of life, dozens of formations, the no-kill constraint, and immense focus.
The non-lethal condition barely satisfied the treasure's spirit. At best, he could isolate and thin their numbers.
"You mad bastard. Know who you've crossed?"
"I do."
I unleashed fiercer killing intent.
"Brocade Guards slaughtering thousands for twenty gold nyang, stipends, and promotion—murderous fiends!"
"......!!"
Ryu's face hardened further. He and the others paled, realizing I knew their scheme.
"Doesn't matter how you learned. Your fate's sealed."
No more words needed, he roared. Retreat cut off, motive for total annihilation surged.
"Kill! No leaving without their heads!"
I snarled back.
"Won't? You can't!"
Clang!
Ryu and the Hyeoncheon Taoist's sword qi clashed fiercely. I launched toward the remaining seven Brocade Guards. While the Taoist held Ryu, I had to dispatch the rest to end this.
I surged forward like a tiger.
"Let's dance!"
The seven were battle-hardened elite First-Class Experts, some nearing Peak. No hesitation—they eyed my charge with disbelief.
"Hah?"
"Moth to flame!"
The front Brocade Guard unleashed his swordsmanship, sinuous as a snake's tongue. As expected, his proficiency rivaled mine.
I gritted my teeth.
'Let's do this.'
Normally, facing seven near-equals would've been suicide.
Yet I charged, trusting Mangnyang's words.
Days ago, strategizing in the village, his memory surfaced.
[How to face a Brocade Guard unit? Depending, you and the Taoist could take them together. Even if not, no big deal.]
[No big deal? What?]
Mangnyang had smirked.
[Didn't you notice? You're overly cautious, but the Taoist was wary facing you. I came here mostly because of you—eighty percent.]
[What're you saying?]
Confidently,
[You're scared shitless for your skill. Never fully unleashed that internal energy and talent...]
[Hmm.]
[Against Brocade Guards, just give your all as usual. You're way stronger than you think.]
Boom!!
"Arghhhhh!!"
"Gaaahhh!!"
Thunder Spirit Qi exploded. Simultaneously, the snake-sword Brocade Guard blocking me burst apart from the waist up; a flanking blade-user lost an arm.
My sword spun half-circle, slashing from crown to crotch a Brocade Guard a pace away. Too fast to dodge, he toppled, eyes glazing, blood fountaining as he split.
Splatter.
Momentum left, I struck head-on another wielding cotton saber; he flew three paces, blade-first, barely recovering in shock.
"......!!"
I'd just poured full internal energy into the thrust. Yet three Brocade Guards became sword ghosts in under three exchanges. My power extended further, destructive range and speed leagues beyond before!
"Th-This?!"
Clang!
Clang!
Ryu, pressing the Taoist, faltered seeing my rampage. The Taoist seized momentum. I smirked at Ryu, raising my sword.
"Time to wrap up!"
"You bastard."
"Don't underestimate me!"
The remaining four rallied in fury. Imperial elites, unbroken by comrades' absurd deaths. But they no longer scared me. I'd realized my strength.
'Right. My five years weren't wasted!'
Walking the martial path, pursuing Thunder God Style day and night. Yet Master Lee Gwang despaired and quit teaching; Jin So-cheong pitied me. No worthy foes since, breeding only inferiority.
But truly—Thunder God Style let me wield my internal energy properly, multiplying strength several-fold! Sect secrets added finesse, erasing weaknesses.
Crackle.
My sword hummed with thunder qi. Eyes glowing blue as it flowed, boosting reflexes and speed. This was Thunder God Style's realm: wielding Thunder Spirit fully.
Focused power, explosive release!
The Thunder Spirit wielder gains momentary freedom, multiplied speed.
Bang.
Briefly, my body cracked air. A charging Brocade Guard's head quartered instantly. My foot grazed ground, flames scarring it.
Thud!
Sword dance flowed again. Forcing sword qi against me, his blade snapped; left arm flew; heart burst finale. Before blood sprayed, I was onto the next.
Swoosh.
Swoosh.
Keen winds whistled. At peak acceleration, no explosion—just sword light flashing fivefold. The two standing there stiffened. Moments later, red lines etched bodies, blood erupting spectacularly.
Sploooosh...!!
Back to the blood mist, I flung sword blood in a circle, tracing a ring on ground.
The sequence took under ten exchanges.
Mid-duel, the Taoist and Ryu froze, staring dumbstruck. The Taoist cried tremulously,
"Wh-What was that? Such swordsmanship exists?!"
"This lunatic..."
Ryu muttered shakily. He sensed facing me head-on meant death. Ignoring them, I lowered my sword.
'I'm not crazy. Thunder God Style is.'
I'd held this power yet couldn't last a hundred exchanges against Jin So-cheong. Realizing the style's monstrous nature hit hard. Swallowing bitterness, I told Ryu,
"Battle's decided. Surrender nicely, or go down fighting?"
"......"
Flame walls blocked his last three; 2v1 against us was hopeless. No breaching the blaze. He laughed maniacally.
"Kuhahaha! You madmen!! See the flames? Win or lose doesn't matter—we're all dead!!"
"Just you."
"What..."
Calmly to the Taoist,
"He's an officer—plenty to interrogate. Cripple his limbs, grab that sorcerer, and torture answers."
The Taoist nodded.
"Quickly."
Mangnyang's flame control maxed at half an incense stick. Settle this before. Luckily, it was imminent. Ryu despaired as we advanced swords raised.
"You filthy curs!!! Ganging up cowardly!"
I said coldly,
"Who cares."
The Taoist added,
"Demonic paths aren't human."
Flash.
Clang!
"Arghhh!!"
Our joint assault overwhelmed Ryu. A cut above, he desperately defended; even my Thunder Spirit bursts couldn't land fatally yet. But thirty exchanges in, right arm severed, left leg exploded—he sprawled.
Slice.
Thud.
"Gu... urk..."
Catching his falling arm, I said,
"Hyeoncheon Taoist. Keep him from suicide."
"Got it."
Then I approached the yellow-robed sorcerer, idly watching. Knowing the face behind the mask, I scowled. Seeing it again grated.
'Hmph. More drivel, and I'll torture you to death.'
Then.
The Flute Freak extended a hand.
[ .... $&*#(@*$&*@!!]
Not human tongue.
Its sorcery language.
Flash!
Dark energy burst from its hand, enveloping me. I'd dodged instinctively, but speed irrelevant—it hit.
It hadn't been idle; preparing counter!
'Damn!'
Too lax assuming no martial arts?
Gave it too much time, too.
Gritting teeth, I braced for death—ready to bite tongue if agony hit.
......
Nothing.
'Huh? What?'
Baffled, I blinked at it. Disbelieving, tentacles writhed under yellow robes, trembling.
[Impossible! My spell fails on a mere human! Unthinkable!]
I retorted,
"Spell? What's that?"
Startled, its tentacles froze.
Then panicked cry.
[How do you understand our tongue? What are you? This can't be!]
"Tongue...?"
I realized: unlike fifth life's end, where it force-fed telepathy to avoid beating,
Now, I'd comprehended its native speech midstream. Unconsciously translating. Though I couldn't speak it yet.
Curious, I flashed the Heavenly Dark Secret Book. Last time, it'd broken mentally seeing it.
"Maybe this?"
[ ......!!]
Tentacles halted sharply again.
Eyes rolling, it sighed defeatedly.
[Kuhuhu... Yes... Stronger curse upon you... No wonder mine fails...]
"Curse? What're you on about?"
It burst laughing.
[Kuhahaha!! Thanks!! Realized I must escape!]
Boom boom boom.
"...Urk!!"
Its body exploded into flesh chunks post-words.
'The bastard could self-destruct!'
Dodging tentacles and green blood, I evaded. The watching Taoist gawked at the freakish blast. Even seasoned, he stammered,
"Wh-What the hell was that?"
Exhausted, I replied,
"No idea. But..."
"But?"
"We won for sure."
Roar.
Soon, Mangnyang's flame walls vanished—time up.
Outside whirlwinds dissipated clean. Despite inferno, village unscathed.
Splatter.
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
The three trapped in flames died gruesomely by our hands. Villagers fled, no witnesses—extermination unhindered.
The Taoist said,
"Stop bleeding and treat before interrogation."
"Keep him breathing."
Ryu writhed worm-like in blood, limbs gone, points sealed. Pity flickered, but without prep, I'd be him.
Wiping emotional tears,
"Whew..."
Yes.
For the first time in six reincarnations—
I'd succeeded in purging the cultist.