Chapter 130
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Ambush (3)
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“They’ve left.”
“That damn bastard, wasting our time right up to the end.”
It had taken a full fortnight longer than the original plan. This region had no villages or counties aside from the inn at the foot of the mountain. The locations were distant from one another, and returning meant wasting even more time.
In the end, they’d had no choice but to set up camp and hide out in the mountains. Any exposed traces could lead to serious trouble.
But that wretched bastard had spouted one absurd excuse after another, refusing to climb the mountain. Even as the reports came in, he couldn’t help thinking the man wasn’t right in the head. Unintentionally or not, it had grated on his nerves—and that only made his irritation boil over even more.
“Prepare.”
“Yes, Elder.”
They moved with meticulous precision according to plan, allowing not even a single failure. And yet, the delay beyond expectations had piled up their resentment.
They passed the base of the mountain and reached the midpoint.
The path wasn’t too narrow for a carriage, nor overly wide. Meeting oncoming traffic could force awkward face-offs, with each side flashing their status. Fortunately, occasional wider spots provided some leeway.
Before crossing the ridge, a group blocked the carriage’s path. Their crudely stitched clothes of mountain beast hides, along with their wild, unkempt hair and beards, proclaimed their trade plainly.
In this world, high and low birth were dictated by status and occupation. These were the scoundrels who idled away in the hills, preying on honest travelers for their coin.
“I am Jang Geumtak, the Blade of Ten Evils from the Great Black Rain Stronghold, rulers of Mount Chiljeong!”
“I am Kang Mujin, an honored guest of the Tang Clan.”
As Jang Geumtak puffed himself up as a mountain hero and demanded a toll, Mujin struck first without hesitation.
It was a blatant warning: unless you’re fearless of the Tang Clan, back off right here.
“You dare threaten us with the Tang Clan?!”
“Threaten? No, this is compromise. Can’t you see this venomous serpent emblem? Few houses craft such intricate designs. Anyone with eyes can tell.”
Mujin spoke calmly, laying out the facts in a measured tone.
Jang Geumtak and his bandits hesitated. They’d been mulling over closing up shop early with rain on the horizon when this lavish carriage rolled up—a prime mark. But if the target was truly a Tang Clan guest, that changed everything.
The real issue was that infuriatingly relaxed expression. It screamed, You lot couldn’t touch a Tang Clan guest.
“Insolent cur! Think we’ll swallow that lie? Pay a hundred taels in toll, or you won’t descend in one piece!”
He’d heard the rumors from merchants crossing the pass below: folks pretending to be Tang Clan when they weren’t. Plus whispers of valuables in the carriage.
That’s why he’d named a steep hundred silver taels.
Well, well—they’ve made their move.
Someone planted among the merchants, no doubt. If a carriage came up from the inn, they’d have flagged it as fake Tang Clan.
On the other hand, he wondered why go to such lengths. They had the area surrounded anyway. The intent was obvious, yet they nitpicked in the strangest spots.
“Enough nonsense. Who’d be mad enough to impersonate a Tang Clan guest? The Tang Clan would let that slide? One rumor, and you’d melt away in poison, not a trace left. Might as well fake some other house’s mark—doesn’t even make sense.”
“Think we’ll buy a schemer like you?!”
Jang Geumtak pushed back hard, but doubt gnawed at him. The Tang Clan was one of those places you didn’t touch. Get on their bad side, and you couldn’t eat, shit, or sleep in peace. Only a lunatic would impersonate them.
“Think it over carefully.”
As Mujin crossed his arms and exuded leisure, the bandits began glancing at Jang Geumtak. Even illiterate hotheads like them had experience.
Amid all this, the ones acting relaxed were rare. Either they had the skills themselves or solid backing.
And the Tang Clan? That was backing in spades.
The Great Black Rain Stronghold’s second-in-command, Black Cat, stepped forward. He was the brains of the bunch.
“Boss, just let ’em go?”
“Hey! What about my face?!”
“Since when do we care about face?!”
“You wanna die?!”
“Better than the Tang Clan.”
Those who crossed the Tang Clan didn’t even get clean deaths. They begged for mercy, only to end up neither living nor dying.
The Black Rains weren’t keen on that risk. Even if it was a lie, life trumped it.
Call it stepping in shit today and back off to live long.
Ugh!
He ached to lop off that smug bastard’s head, but what if? In times like these, Black Cat’s counsel was gold.
Bluster led to early graves; patience was the key to longevity. Bandits didn’t survive long by being cocky fools. He’d never seen one who did.
Take their previous boss, for instance.
Some bumpkin with a dopey face crossed the mountain; they jumped him and got sent packing—one strike to the afterlife. Turns out that bumpkin later made a name as “One Fist Invincible.” And this? A Tang Clan guest with ironclad proof. Screw up, and it’s limbo forever.
“Count yourselves lucky today. Scheme again, and no mercy!”
“My thanks for your generosity. I’ll be sure to send a letter to the Tang Clan, praising Great Hero Jang’s magnanimity.”
…What?
Fine words, but the thought of his name reaching the Tang Clan made Jang’s legs buckle.
“They say what the right foot does, the left shouldn’t know. No need.”
“Oh-ho! Humble, too. The Poison King will be thrilled.”
…Gasp!
Why’d the Poison King have to come up?!
Imagining that smiling face before him, Jang’s back drenched in cold sweat.
He’s toying with us.
Killing with words!
Master, such magnanimity!
Jang and his crew paled with every quip from Mujin. Barely an exchange, and they were drained like they’d fought a bloody war.
“If the Great Black Rain Stronghold allies with the Tang Clan, what could be better? Come now—shall we discuss our future collaboration in depth?”
“…Discuss what?”
He’d figured Mujin would scram when told, but instead, the man slung an arm around Jang and hawked the Tang Clan. Infuriating as hell, yet Jang couldn’t resist—shoulder offered up meekly.
Just go, you bastard!
Jang screamed inwardly.
Others watched from a distance, their tempers frayed and appearances ragged after so long in the mountains. They’d thought the target had arrived and the job was done—only for things to veer wildly off course.
“What the hell are those idiots doing?!”
“Looks like the negotiation landed.”
“Why negotiate, damn it! The Black Rains can’t handle him.”
“He’s peddling the Tang Clan now.”
“Why the hell peddle the Tang Clan?!”
The Sichuan Tang Clan—infamous for their pride. They exacted brutal revenge over the pettiest slights, a house that exhausted anyone who tangled with them. That’s why they’d planned a clean, traceless hit.
Per plan, the Black Rains should clash with him. A lowly greenwood outfit like them was no match.
But somehow, talk smoothed it over. They’d even planted agitators as backup, and still no wedge driven.
Damn it all!
Now they were heading to the stronghold together. After over a fortnight roughing it in the peaks, the drag on schedule made tempers snap.
“What a pain.”
Sure, they could wait it out and resolve it eventually—but he showed no sign of leaving. Worse, he was calling in reinforcements. That threw a wrench in things. They’d meant to handle the Black Rains and wrap it up.
“Make them pay. Battle stations.”
“Yes, si—Gahk!”
He was mid-reply when a hole punched through the leader’s forehead. No time for blood to well; the man crumpled.
“What is this… You?!”
Smirk!
They whirled to find Mujin standing there, lip curled in a grin. He flicked a pebble from his fingers.
Whizz—thunk!
The stone nailed a deputy’s forehead. No chance to react. A mere pebble in Mujin’s hand became peak pebble-flinging art.
Pop! Pop!
Each flick snuffed a life without fail. Like fingers cursed with death, he became their grim reaper.
“Think you can just stand there?!”
The clan’s covert kill squad, tasked with dirty work, wasn’t so feeble as to die pathetically.
He charged like a storm, aiming for Mujin’s throat.
Silver Blood Killing Sword, Sixth Form: Silver Scale Blood Slash.
A flash-like sprint into an ultra-swift decapitation. The blinding gleam scrambled vision as it severed the neck.
Claaang!
Like striking indestructible steel?
His full-power strike rebounded feebly, generating terrifying backlash. His body wouldn’t stop quaking.
“Fun.”
Maybe for Mujin. For him? Pure terror—goosebumps unrelenting. He sensed the crisis far from over. But Mujin offered no breather. He’d blocked, then triggered Paekyung to unbalance him.
“…No!”
No use—Mujin unleashed his heavy fist wind without pause. Inner and outer forces converged to extremes, spiraling from the fist core.
It struck true, unleashing unbridled destruction.
BOOOOM!
The covert squad stared in horror. Their leader, Elder Gwang, ranked in the clan’s top five. A sure-kill in any scrap.
Yet Elder Gwang exploded into chunks, red blood spraying in all directions—mere remnants left.
“…Impossible!”
“Don’t just gawk—fight!”
Impressive to them, perhaps. To Mujin? Same old fare. No big deal if one acorn’s twice as big.
BOOM—splat!
Even after clearing heads, Mujin didn’t relent, whipping killing winds at them. Each blast shredded bodies beyond repair.
In moments, most lay dead. Survivors dared not charge. Trained for flawless kills, they faced a slaughter god leagues beyond their world.
“Mercy… Aack!”
Mujin finished meticulously to the last, turning the area into a blood sea. None who’d targeted him survived—no traces spared.
Less than half a koku later, the zone was a realm of death.
Swoosh!
Mujin turned. Jang Geumtak and the bandits gaped, frozen in shock.
Smirk!
Mujin’s smile was fresh as spring.
Jang realized he’d poked a lunatic. No Tang guest—this was a specter. A killer demon turning men to gory pulp before their eyes.
Gulp!
Dreary skies, chill winds—and yet the swallow was thunderously loud in the hush.
Tat-tat-tat!
From the ridge, someone raced soles aflame. His already flushed face burned brighter today. Reaching the scene, he beheld Mujin amid the carnage.
Haaa!
A deep sigh said it all.
“You’re here.”
…This mad bastard!