Chapter 153
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: This Area's Crazy Bitch is Me
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The Jeongun Merchant Group raid incident.
It was recorded as a massive event that shook Anhui Province. It was said that the Baekje and Cheongpung Merchant Groups had conspired to attack the Jeongun Merchant Group, which had gained the upper hand through mine development.
However, the full picture that emerged could not be seen as a mere raid. There was a force pulling the strings behind the Baekje and Cheongpung Merchant Groups. Immediately after the incident, the leaders of both merchant groups were found dead.
Surprisingly, the mastermind behind the raid was revealed to be the Oseong Sect, one of Jiangsu Province's Ten Great Sects. Evidence surfaced that the Oseong Sect had used bizarre methods to enhance internal energy and modify human bodies.
As the Nangong Family and the Beggars' Sect stepped in to unravel the case, circumstances linked the Oseong Sect to the recent human trafficking ring. The continent erupted in fury, with calls to exterminate the sect pouring in.
But when they arrived at the Oseong Sect, the successor had vanished, and over half the sect's buildings had burned down.
Proposals were made to list the Oseong successor as a wanted criminal and pursue them. The pursuit squad was formed swiftly. Within a day, it was assembled and focused on hunting down the Oseong Sect's Yi Gi-ho.
The silver lining was that the incident, which had nearly ended without identifying the true culprits, was resolved. Had the Oseong Sect dominated Anhui's commerce, who knows what catastrophe might have unfolded.
The Sword Emperor, who resolved the matter, was recognized for his merits and received the acclaim of all. Though formal, he was deemed flawless as the next Murim Alliance Leader.
"We did as you wished."
"You did well."
"But why go that far?"
"They won't find him anyway. Better they think the case is closed like this."
It was in the same vein as the human trafficking incident.
Mujin finally visited the Nangong Family now that the Jeongun Merchant Group had stabilized, buying time until the owner's deadline. Though time remained, victory tilted toward the Jeongun Merchant Group.
Anhui's mid- and small-scale merchant groups were no match for them in competition. The Jeongun Merchant Group also lacked the capacity, busy absorbing the Baekje and Cheongpung groups.
In the room sat the Sword Emperor, Sword Commander, and Great Lotus. Hong Mu-gae was due to arrive soon. He was pretending to pour the Beggars' Sect's intelligence network into finding the Oseong successor.
At the same time, groundwork was laid for the next operation. Efforts were made to fan the flames of gossip.
"Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"You did well. If it was too shocking, stay home next time. I don't want to send a tender-hearted woman out into the world."
"...Grr! Is that what you say?!"
"It's something a martial artist must endure. If you want comfort, I'll give it. Is that what you want?"
Nangong Yeonhwa snapped to attention at Mujin's coldly precise words, like a blade. She had every reason to feel slighted, but there was no fault in them. In another sense, he was treating her not as a woman, but as a martial artist. Otherwise, he might have just comforted her and been done.
"A lot of people died."
"For a martial artist living by the sword, death is always close at hand. You can't survive as one without growing accustomed to it."
"You act like you're immune, but it's fine to say it to others?"
"That's why I said you did well."
Nangong Yeonhwa had a point too. Mujin couldn't swear he'd judge coldly if his family's lives were at stake. But what could he do? Blood is thicker than water.
"You're a real bastard!"
"If it's that unfair, get as strong as me. Then you'll lose the bare minimum."
Protecting everyone—that wasn't confidence; it was empty arrogance. Life's variables were endless. Even one person's were countless, let alone in a world where countless lives intersected. Who could presume to know what might happen? All one could do was strive to live without regrets.
"If only you weren't so sharp-tongued."
"Truth is bitter on the tongue."
"Fine, you're right. Everything you say is spot on. Happy now?"
"If you understand, that's good."
Nangong Yeonhwa accepted it there and fell silent. She knew it was just her being spoiled. Yet strangely, it comforted her.
The deeply troubled Sword Emperor asked Mujin,
"Are you planning to leave the shadowy forces be like this?"
"They cut off their tail using the Oseong Sect. Think pursuit will work?"
The Sword Commander nodded in agreement. But doubts lingered.
"The setup was near-perfect. Had you not told us, we might have overlooked it. Still, isn't pouring effort into finding the Oseong successor a waste?"
"Do we really need to find them?"
Ah!
Only then did the Sword Emperor and Sword Commander grasp why Mujin had pushed to list the Oseong successor as wanted. In truth, Yi Gi-ho was likely already dead. Even if alive, it posed no major threat.
Listing them anyway created a pretext for the Murim Alliance to pursue at need. It would be hard to find them regardless, but it secured the voice to act when the time came.
Hong Mu-gae, quick on the uptake, planned to drag out the search indefinitely, grasping Mujin's intent.
Ahem.
Mujin felt smug about his own clever strategy.
-Expressing others' opinions as your own? Shameless.
'We're one.'
-Shut it.
'Yeah.'
It was the Demon King's view, but since he lacked a public voice, Mujin cherry-picked the essence.
One body—my merit is mine, yours is mine too.
Perfectly natural.
But that's that.
The Demonic Cult of the Demon God, the true architects of the grand scheme, would be watching the Nangong Family closely. With no telling what moves they'd make, full preparation was essential. Dismissing the enemy after a few victories could prove disastrous.
"We must be cautious from now on."
"If you know so well, why not take some burden off me?"
"I've got wife and kids."
"Does that make me a lonely old bachelor?"
As Mujin slipped away like an eel, the Sword Emperor clung on incredulously. Using an elder repeatedly—what nerve.
"Your kids are grown; must be gratifying."
"Is that something to say in front of them?"
"You're no pushover."
"That's my line."
The Great Lotus, knowing Mujin's temperament, showed no reaction, while the Sword Commander brooded. For the family's sake, they needed to join forces with him. Ideally, he'd take the forefront.
On one hand, possessing unimaginable power at his age yet shunning fame was impressive.
"How about a clean spar?"
No way?
How was that clean?
Why resort to fists when words turned against him? Shameless rogue.
Yet he was the Nangong Family's pinnacle, representative of righteousness—the Sword Emperor. Mujin knew well his father's unyielding spirit, never backing from a challenge.
"...Oof, my back! Rain coming?"
Clutching his waist, the Sword Emperor beat a hasty retreat.
The left-behind son and granddaughter grimaced.
Unyielding where?
"Old age and back pain make for misery. Ah, no chance to use it, but heading to the bridal chamber?"
This thick-headed punk with his loose lips!
Definitely.
'Not quite.'
The Sword Commander shook his head.
The blistering sun scorched the desert.
Scorched sands burned hot. Even in this dry, barren wasteland, people lived.
Nomads and merchants traversed it on horseback or camels. Their presence brought life to the desert. But where people lived and money flowed, not all was good.
Where there's light, there's shadow—like the gangs claiming dominion over the parched sands.
Especially infamous were the two nightmare groups of the desert: the Black Wind Society and Red Wind Society. They extorted tolls at whim or pillaged and murdered on a whim.
To desert dwellers, they were nightmares best avoided even in dreams. Surviving an encounter was blessing enough.
Clatter-clatter!
Thirty riders galloped across the sands. Their horses wheezed to the brink but didn't stop.
Terror and desperation etched on their faces hinted at the peril.
They couldn't stop.
They had to flee to their turf ASAP. But horses, pounding unceasingly through sun-melted sands, tired.
They'd fed stamina pills for bursts, but effects waned.
Thud, crash!
A horse collapsed mid-gallop.
"Damn it! Ditch the horses."
In the desert, horses were priceless, but now wasn't the time.
Dismounting, they unleashed lightness skill.
Clatter-clatter!
What could drive such desperation?
Incomprehensible, but survival's urgency was clear.
They ran far before halting.
Huff, huff!
Sunset approached. Darkness would soon fall. Even locals lost their way in the dark desert. Expert guides using stars were rare.
Panting, they caught their breath.
"They won't come now, right?"
"Probably not."
"That vicious bitch—I'll kill her myself!"
"Really?"
"Shut up!"
The leader shuddered recalling the woman. Just thinking of her chilled him.
A moment's lust had nearly sent him to the afterlife while bedding her.
"How many died?"
"Over a hundred."
Back at base, reprimands awaited. But survival was solace. Hesitation would have silenced complaints forever.
"Water?"
"You think?"
Desert-bred, they endured heat a day without water, but frantic flight parched their mouths with bloody froth.
In that moment of relief.
Chill!
A cold wave hit, but they dismissed it. Staring disbelievingly toward the source.
Crackle-crack!
Sands cool post-sunset, but not this fast. Frost blanketed the area like instant ice sheet.
Moon and stars illuminated the space.
A pure white woman absorbed the light, beaming radiantly. Beautiful to the point of pain, yet their blood froze.
Kuhuhuhuhu!
Her snow-white grin was exquisite, but none laughed.
Don't judge by looks.
"...You crazy bitch!"
Kuhuhuhuhu!
A white gale surged toward them.
The Black Wind Society's fifth sub-leader, Yagul Gok, trembled in rage. That madwoman had slain over a hundred subordinates. Now she threatened his life.
"You dog bitch, die with me!"
Kuhuhuhuhu!
The glacial storm was a force of nature. Those swept by the terrifying chill along her sword froze instantly.
Swish!
Yagul Gok, who'd swung his curved blade, glanced at his waist. Half severed. No blood flowed—frozen on cut. His blood chilled body-wide.
"Brothers won't forgive..."
His body froze blue before finishing, cracking.
Crackle, crumble!
Fissures shattered his frozen form into rubble.
Wherever she walked, iced men crumbled like sandcastles.
Kuhuhuhuhu!
Amid the gruesome scene, her smile dazzled. But her now-white hair contrasted her beauty chillingly.
Kuhuhuhuhu!
Speak.
Even without words, the pure white ice flower above her head told all.