Chapter 42
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Bloodbath at Flower Moon Tower
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Sohyeon's largest and most magnificent pleasure house, the Flower Moon Tower, had been entirely reserved today by the Hundred Sword Society and the Hyeoncheon Sect. It was to mark a historic moment between the two factions.
"Still as noisy as ever."
Someone muttered coldly as they stepped into the tower. It was Hyeoncheon Sect Leader Hyeon Je-yeong.
Hyeon Je-yeong's words made Jeon Cheol-ryang bristle for a moment, but he swallowed his anger. Today wasn't the day to let emotions take over.
Hyeon Je-yeong walked up and sat down in front of Jeon Cheol-ryang.
Their gazes clashed in midair. In any other situation, these two would never have sat face-to-face like this.
"So, have you given it some thought?"
Hyeon Je-yeong nodded at Jeon Cheol-ryang's question.
"Ten years."
Jeon Cheol-ryang's face lit up with satisfaction at the response.
"Good. Ten years... that should be plenty."
With their agreement reached, a scribe from the corner of the tower rushed over and swiftly prepared ink and brush. A document was drawn up on the spot, and thus the Hyeoncheon Sect and Hundred Sword Society joined hands.
"Alright. Let's start by discussing when we'll smash those bastards."
Hyeon Je-yeong frowned slightly at Jeon Cheol-ryang's words. She didn't like his impatience. But for now, he was right. Those scum needed to be crushed as soon as possible.
Just as Hyeon Je-yeong opened her mouth to speak, the ceiling of the tower came crashing down.
Kaboom!
Amid the debris from the shattered ceiling, five men dropped down. They wore robes embroidered with the character for "demon" on their chests and wielded massive sabers in their hands.
Whoosh!
Vast saber energy surged from the swings of the five men's blades like crashing waves. Hyeon Je-yeong and Jeon Cheol-ryang, caught off guard by the sudden ambush, rolled aside to dodge the saber qi.
"What the hell are you scum?!"
In response to Jeon Cheol-ryang's shout came only sabers brimming with immense power.
Clang!
Jeon Cheol-ryang's sword, drawn in an instant, blocked a saber head-on. The sharp ring echoed through the tower.
The Hyeoncheon Sect and Hundred Sword Society warriors waiting outside flooded in.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Shing! Shing!
Swords flashed in unison, but the five men swung their massive sabers relentlessly to parry. Their movements were relaxed. And a strange energy began to seep from their bodies bit by bit.
Hiss...
Soon, that energy enveloped the entire tower. It was overwhelming demonic qi.
"The Black Sword Sect alone must've been a bit much for you. Good thing we stepped in."
One of the saber-wielding men muttered. Irresistible demonic qi erupted from his body.
The people inside the tower trembled on unsteady legs, forcing themselves to stand. It felt like swinging their swords once would break them free of the binding, but they couldn't manage it.
"Well then, shall we wrap this up? We can't fall behind the others."
With that low mutter, the tower turned into a sea of blood.
Hyeon Je-yeong glared at the five men in disbelief right up to the moment her head was severed last. The tower fell silent.
"Orders came to assemble near the target. Hurry."
The five men of the Demon Shadow Squad slipped out of the tower, eyes gleaming.
The thick stench of blood piled up inside began to seep slowly outward.
Demon Shadow gazed at the inn with bored eyes. It was a mission after a long time. Since it came from him, it had to be carried out without fail, but something about it rubbed him the wrong way.
To think he and the entire Demon Shadow Squad were being deployed against just one person—it was humiliating.
Even if the target was one of the Ten Great Experts, he alone would suffice. If it were against all Ten Great Experts at once, it might make a little sense. Of course, they'd be the ones on the losing end in that case.
"I just don't like it. All for one damn kid."
Demon Shadow muttered softly as he scanned the Demon Shadow Squad seeping into position all around.
"Those guys are too rigid for their own good."
He shook his head. Even when he was drowning in drink, they never strayed far. Always awaiting orders, endlessly training. That was why they were thrilled at this rare new command.
"Tsk tsk. Guess I have to understand."
Demon Shadow turned his gaze back to the inn.
"Still... these nobodies keep swarming in. Did we pick the wrong day?"
He frowned and glanced to one side. Five men with swords at their waists were heading toward the Flower Shadow Tower.
"Namgung clansmen, huh. What are they doing here?"
Demon Shadow's head began to ache. He hated complicated situations like this. Scheming wasn't his job. Better to leave that to someone else.
"Guess I'll watch a bit longer. It's not time for the Demon Shadow Squad to reveal itself yet."
Demon Shadow quietly melted into the shadow of a building.
Namgung Han was heading to the Flower Moon Tower, accompanied by four family warriors. The reason he'd come all the way to Sohyeon was none other than the Hyeoncheon Sect and Hundred Sword Society.
Both factions had deep ties to the Namgung family. As sword-based sects, they couldn't avoid connections to the prestigious sword house of Namgung.
Though relations between the two weren't great, they'd never crossed the line, so the Namgung family had turned a blind eye to most things.
But the emergence of the new Black Sword Sect had changed that.
The Black Sword Sect openly pressured and provoked the two factions. Astonishingly, they didn't yield an inch against them—in fact, they dominated.
Truth be told, the rift between the two made it easier for the Black Sword Sect. Had they united, the Black Sword Sect never would've dared. But the Black Sword Sect had exploited that gap cleverly, putting both in dire straits.
Namgung Han had come to Sohyeon to ease their feud, even if just a little. With the Namgung family stepping in, they'd have to save face.
The real reason the Namgung family backed the Hyeoncheon Sect and Hundred Sword Society—beyond ties—was intelligence that the Black Sword Society's true target was the Namgung family.
They were harassing just those two for now, but once secured, the Namgung would be next, or so the rumors went.
Of course, the Namgung family wouldn't flinch at such talk, but it still soured the mood. Best to nip it in the bud. And the Hyeoncheon Sect and Hundred Sword Society were perfect for "preventing" it.
As Namgung Han approached the Flower Moon Tower, he wrinkled his nose. A sudden wave of blood scent hit him.
"Hm, quite the thick stench of blood...!"
Namgung Han leaped inside the tower. He could only stand there, stunned in horror.
The Flower Moon Tower was a living hell. Blood and corpses everywhere.
"Young master, over there—the Hyeon Sect Leader and Jeon Society Head."
One of the family warriors who'd followed muttered quietly. Namgung Han turned and saw two headless corpses. Their faces were unmistakably Hyeon Je-yeong and Jeon Cheol-ryang.
"Grrrh! Who the hell dares?!"
Namgung Han ordered two warriors to clean up inside the tower. He himself stepped out to investigate what had happened.
The Sword King frowned at the killing intent creeping in from all sides. In a situation where stealth was key, to approach so brazenly with open hostility—only a madman would do such a thing.
"Tsk tsk tsk. The Demonic Alliance has no capable people left."
The Sword King rose slightly. The sun hadn't set yet. Geum Yu-hwa couldn't possibly be asleep, but he needed to warn her just in case.
As the Sword King stepped out toward Geum Yu-hwa's room, she emerged from hers as well. She'd felt the same choking killing intent enveloping her body. It was that thick.
"Will it be alright?"
Geum Yu-hwa asked, face full of worry. The Sword King smiled faintly.
"Didn't I say I'd protect you?"
The Sword King drew his sword and spread his senses outward. He felt the movements and killing intent of countless people. They were advancing boldly yet covertly toward the inn's rear garden.
The door burst open as Jong Chil came rushing out.
"Wh-what's going on?!"
Jong Chil could feel the killing intent permeating everywhere too. He was utterly flustered. He'd never experienced anything like this. Such vicious intent.
Dan Hyeong-u appeared behind Jong Chil. His expressionless face recalled Jo Seol-yeon's words from before their first escort mission.
Big brother, you absolutely have to stay safe.
Dan Hyeong-u nodded. There was no reason he wouldn't be safe. He'd returned alive from that hell. This world was peaceful by comparison. Even now, with killing intent filling the air.
Dan Hyeong-u turned to look at the Sword King and Geum Yu-hwa. Jong Chil had already decided to help. The issue was Geum Yu-hwa and the Sword King. Dan Hyeong-u reached a simple conclusion: help Geum Yu-hwa too. The Sword King rubbed him the wrong way. And even without his help, the Sword King could survive on his own.
As the killing intent thickened, the Sword King's expression hardened. Black-clad figures began revealing themselves one by one. He spoke quietly to Jong Chil and Dan Hyeong-u.
"Looks like I won't have the luxury to look after you two. Fend for yourselves."
Jong Chil glanced stiffly at Dan Hyeong-u at the Sword King's words. Dan Hyeong-u remained expressionless.
The Sword King turned his head slightly toward one side. A fierce aura began rising from there.
"Heh heh heh. Never dreamed the Sword King would be here. Who could've guessed the Sword King moved for gold?"
The Sword King snorted at the man's face.
"Hmph. You dare speak to me, you mere Black Blood Sword?"
The newcomer was Black Blood Sword Jin Cheon-hyeok, known as the strongest in the Demonic Alliance aside from the Alliance Leader himself. He was also the Vice Alliance Leader.
"Of course, I'm no match for you. But even the Sword King is just a man with two arms and two legs. Do you know how many we've poured into this from the Demonic Alliance?"
The Sword King didn't need Black Blood Sword to spell it out. The experts filling the inn and surrounding it were all formidable foes. And there were too many. Alone, he could fight and escape, but with Geum Yu-hwa, it was impossible.
This doesn't bode well.
The Sword King's complexion darkened slightly. But he was still the Sword King, Yeom Cheol-gun.
"Fine. Let's start by taking your head, Black Blood Sword."
As the Sword King drew his sword, Black Blood Sword flinched and retreated. The overwhelming presence emanating from the Sword King crushed not just him but everyone around.
"Urk... as expected of the Sword King. But we've prepared thoroughly this time, so watch yourself."
Black Blood Sword gritted his teeth and slowly drew his sword. Crushed by the presence, he couldn't just bare his neck without one.
"Haaah!"
With a fierce shout, intense inner energy burst from Black Blood Sword's body. It shattered the Sword King's presence and spread outward. He closed the distance in a flash and swung.
Clang!
The Sword King blocked leisurely. A smirk played on his lips as he countered.
Clang clang clang!
Dozens of sword strikes poured toward Black Blood Sword. He parried, but doubted if he was truly blocking them all. Lift his sword once, and uncountable strikes hammered down.
"Guh!"
Black Blood Sword retreated in shock. The Sword King was far stronger than he'd imagined—or than most people had.
"What are you waiting for?! There's only one enemy!"
At Black Blood Sword's shout, warriors leaped in from all sides. There were too many for the Sword King to handle alone. Hidden figures at the rear were also launching hidden weapons stealthily.
Black Blood Sword charged again, swinging to keep the Sword King occupied. If he could just slow him down a bit, it'd be a win. Kill the others, kidnap Geum Yu-hwa, and it was over.
No time to worry about Geum Yu-hwa's safety now. The opponent was the Sword King.
Clang clang clang!
Slash! Slash!
The Sword King's blade moved like lightning. Black Blood Sword blocked by instinct, but the Demonic Alliance warriors around him couldn't. Corpses piled up around the Sword King.
Geum Yu-hwa clung close to the Sword King, face pale with shock. This was the safest spot now.
"They really came prepared. Did you drag every last one from the Demonic Alliance?"
Black Blood Sword gave a wry smile at the Sword King's words.
"Close enough. Even you can't handle this. No matter how great the Sword King, you can't fight the entire Demonic Alliance."
Strictly speaking, the Greenwoods Bandits were in on it too, sending high-ranking experts. But most were outside the inn.