Chapter 49
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Heavenly Qi Master's Secret Cave
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One of the Demon Shadow Troops warriors asked, and Demon Shadow pondered for a moment. Charging in to fight like this would be foolish. Even the Demon Shadow Troops weren't all that comfortable battling on water.
"We're abandoning the Salt King Stronghold."
At Demon Shadow's words, the boats carrying the Demon Shadow Troops pulled back like a receding tide.
Demon Shadow felt his pride sting. He had been confident that the Demon Shadow Troops could handle any situation. Yet here he was, retreating from the same foe twice. The sense of shame was beyond words.
"Grr! Next time, I won't let them off easy."
Demon Shadow ground his teeth and swallowed his rage.
The Blood Demon tilted his head and furrowed his brow at the news Blood Shadow brought.
"Demon Shadow still hasn't dealt with them? And the Sword King is alive?"
The Blood Demon's expression turned to one of utter disbelief. Blending in his fury, he issued a command.
"What the hell are they doing? This isn't a game. Tell Demon Shadow there's no next time."
"Understood."
As Blood Shadow turned to leave, the Blood Demon's voice stopped him again.
"And send the Sword Shadows. If Demon Shadow fails, they'll take over. It'll be a nice wake-up call."
Blood Shadow vanished.
The Blood Demon shook his head, still frowning.
"Something's off. Feels like things are going sideways."
Episode 10. Heavenly Qi Master's Secret Cave
The Salt King Stronghold's vice leader, Jang Chung, was rowing the boat himself, cold sweat dripping down his face.
Behind him sat the Sword King and his group, while the surviving Salt King Stronghold escorts bustled about, attending to the group and manning the oars.
The Salt King Stronghold had crumbled. They now knew all too well the price of crossing the Sword King.
The dozens of remaining boats had been smashed to pieces, and most of their men had drowned or died. The Sword King had shown no mercy. He wasn't the type to let those who sought his life go free.
"Well? Starting to talk yet? Who's backing you lot?"
This was the Sword King's fifth time asking. Each time, Jang Chung could only claim ignorance. They had received support from "the Society," but that was all he knew.
That was the extent of the trust and hope the Blood Demon Society placed in the Salt King Stronghold.
"I really don't know. It's true. If I did, why would I be putting myself through this hell?"
Crack!
Jang Chung felt his mind go blank as he collapsed in a heap.
"Tch, tsk tsk tsk. So fragile. Can't even take one hit."
At the Sword King's words, Jang Chung regained his senses, feeling utterly wronged to the point of madness. Sure, they'd tried to kill him, so he understood the reaction—but how was he supposed to say what he didn't know?
"Urghhh."
The pain in the back of his head made him groan involuntarily.
"Hurts, huh?"
Forced to grin at the Sword King's mocking question, Jang Chung replied.
"Heh heh. N-no, sir. Not at all."
Just saying it hurt brought the memory of the blow crashing back.
"Then quit sitting there and row!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
Jang Chung shot to his feet and resumed rowing. His head still throbbed.
"So, who's backing you?"
The Sword King's question came right away, throwing Jang Chung into panic. Before, there had been a pause to let the pain fade a bit, but not this time. Another hit like that, and he might not hold out.
"J-just some group called 'the Society.' That's all I know. Really. The branch leader might've known, but..."
"The Society? Huh."
The Sword King pondered what organizations went by "Society." Not many would orchestrate something this sinister. None that he could recall used that name.
"Hmph. No idea."
Cold sweat trickled down Jang Chung's spine at the Sword King's mutter.
"Elder, enough already. He really doesn't know."
Geum Yu-hwa finally stepped in to stop him. The Sword King nodded reluctantly. Fewer hands on deck would inconvenience them more.
"You! Row straight!"
The Sword King vented his frustration with a bellow. Jong Chil, taking it full force, grimaced and swung his sword carefully, powerfully.
The escorts rowed swiftly toward Suzhou.
"What? The Sword Shadow Squad?"
Demon Shadow snapped irritably. He and Sword Shadow were notorious rivals within the Society.
For Sword Shadow to bring his entire squad after Demon Shadow's failure—it sharpened his nerves. And to take over if he failed?
"You think those skinny Sword Shadows can handle them?"
One of Demon Shadow's warriors took the brunt of his anger. Knowing how much Demon Shadow despised Sword Shadow, he silently endured. To them, their captain Demon Shadow was godlike.
"Found you."
Demon Shadow whipped his head around at the voice. A slender man in white stood there, sword at his waist—jet-black against his robes, creating an eerie black-and-white harmony.
"Urgh."
Demon Shadow groaned without responding. Sword Shadow pressed on.
"The Lord's orders. Fail again, and you're done. I'll pick up where you left off."
Demon Shadow's face twisted oddly.
"No more chances?"
He thought hard. He loathed Sword Shadow. But failing and handing it over? Infinitely worse. He had no choice but to commit.
"Let's team up."
Sword Shadow turned, stunned.
"What?"
"Can't do it alone. Neither can you. So, truce."
Demon Shadow's words lacked his usual pride—enough to shock Sword Shadow. What foe could humble him like this?
A strange competitive fire stirred in Sword Shadow. He wanted to see this opponent. To finish what Demon Shadow couldn't.
A weird smile crept onto Sword Shadow's face. Demon Shadow hated it.
"I'll check them out first, then decide."
Demon Shadow scowled.
"Warning you—don't touch him. You'll die."
Sword Shadow snorted.
"Hah, think you could?"
Demon Shadow sighed.
"Sigh. Not me—you'll die to him. Though jumping me would be the same."
Demon Shadow vanished. He couldn't stand Sword Shadow anymore.
Sword Shadow stared at the spot long after. Curiosity and doubt burned in his eyes.
"Demon Shadow, huh... Now I'm curious. Just who is this guy?"
Sword Shadow strolled off leisurely. Suzhou first—their destination.
The new Henan Escort Bureau had been steadily building its foundation since its first escort mission. Advance payment from Golden Lotus Agency, plus more upon completion, gave them financial breathing room.
They expanded solidly—new halls rose, more people joined.
As the bureau grew, Jo Seol-yeon and Hyeong Pyo grew busier. One day, visitors stormed in.
"Feels like ages, and it's barely been any time."
"Sure does."
The two chatted nostalgically at the main gate. Paeng Cheol-yeong and Namgung Jin.
"Anyway, let's head in. Time to see Miss Jo."
As Paeng Cheol-yeong and Namgung Jin entered, escorts spotted them and led them to Jo Seol-yeon and Hyeong Pyo.
"Miss Jo, long time. Glad you're safe."
"Wish we could say the same for the others."
Jo Seol-yeon smiled warmly at their greetings. Time had healed her wounds; she could face the past now.
"Good to see you both."
Her smile dazzled. For a moment, Paeng Cheol-yeong and Namgung Jin thought she'd grown even more beautiful. Just as expected.
The three sat at a table, sipping tea and catching up. Hyeong Pyo stayed nearby.
"Martial Alliance must keep you busy. What brings you here?"
Paeng Cheol-yeong chuckled.
"Worried about you, Miss Jo. And to express our thanks..."
"Thanks?"
"Manor Head Jo saved our lives back then. You're our benefactors."
Jo Seol-yeon couldn't respond. Denying it belittled her father; accepting felt shameless.
"Anyway, we're here on Alliance orders—to support the Henan Escort Bureau as best we can."
"Oh, no need for..."
"Alliance lost face failing to catch the beast. No pressure—it's their call. We're first wave; more Victory Dragon Unit warriors coming."
Victory Dragon Unit help would be huge, but burdensome. And assigning them escorts? Tricky.
"Thank you anyway. Rest up—you must be tired."
They bowed and left. Jo Seol-yeon was now a proper bureau chief. They couldn't treat her lightly.
Guided to spacious quarters (with more Victory Dragon Unit inbound), Paeng Cheol-yeong and Namgung Jin sat grimly.
"Wish it was pure goodwill. Right?"
Namgung Jin smiled faintly.
"Overthinking it. Win-win. We investigate Heavenly Qi Master's cave; Miss Jo gets Victory Dragon muscle."
"Maybe. Still feels off."
Their real orders: Aid the bureau as cover to probe Heavenly Center Mountain for Heavenly Qi Master's secret cave. Alliance Leader's secret directive. Entire Victory Dragon Unit mobilized under escort pretext.
Keep it quiet—news of the cave would shake the martial world.
"All for the martial world. Rest easy."
Namgung Jin lay down. Plenty of beds for incoming comrades.
Paeng Cheol-yeong took a separate room to think.
Days later, Victory Dragon Unit Leader Ha Won-hu led his warriors into the bureau.
"Real escorts alright—top-notch boat handling."
The Sword King nodded approvingly. For their rowing, he spared the surviving Salt King Stronghold men—merely crippling their dantians, barring remartialing. Harsher than death, but they were grateful to live.
Thanks to them, they shaved days off. Procure a carriage, and Suzhou was close.
Jong Chil quickly fetched one—unfancy but solid. Geum Yu-hwa boarded; Sword King and Dan Hyeong-u atop. Jong Chil drove off.
Nearing Suzhou, five men blocked the road.
Jong Chil frowned. Why so many blockers this escort? He glanced at the Sword King, who nodded eagerly.
The carriage halted.