Chapter 50
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Ambush of the Sword Shadow Corps
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“What?”
Jong Chil’s words couldn’t have been gentle. He wanted to reach Soju quickly, indulge in some debauchery there, and then hurry back to Heochang. Just thinking about the torment he’d endured from the Sword King made him shudder in rage.
The five men’s expressions twisted slightly at Jong Chil’s gruff remark. They were all clad in white robes, with black swords at their waists. They were the Sword Shadow Corps.
“We have no business with the likes of you.”
One of the Sword Shadow Corps warriors spat that out as he glanced up at the carriage roof. They glared piercingly at the Sword King.
The Sword King’s eyes gleamed as he watched them. He’d thought they were here for Dan Hyeong-u, but it seemed he was their target this time.
“So, you’ve come for me?”
The Sword King hopped lightly down from the carriage. He scrutinized the five men closely. They were highly trained, their sharp auras palpable.
“Ho. Looks like you’ve trained hard. Fine, I’ll take a look.”
The five men cupped their fists in salute at the Sword King’s words.
“Our thanks.”
Then they leaped off toward somewhere else. The Sword King frowned slightly at the sight. He was uneasy about leaving the carriage unguarded. Glancing at Dan Hyeong-u, he saw the man nod. Only then did the Sword King relax and follow the five.
Once the Sword King and the five men vanished, another group approached shortly after. They wore the exact same attire as the ones who’d taken the Sword King away.
“We’ve come to test your skills.”
The five newcomers drew their swords without preamble. Murderous intent poured from their blades in thick waves. Jong Chil flinched and trembled at the killing aura. But that was all. He was constantly exposed to the Sword King’s presence, and he’d gained plenty of experience alongside Dan Hyeong-u. Mere killing intent wasn’t enough to faze him.
Dan Hyeong-u shot Jong Chil a quick glance before drawing his own sword. The moment the five men’s eyes lit up, he slashed horizontally with a flick.
Shiiik!
The air whistled as it was cleaved. The ground in front of the five split along the sword’s path.
Kwarrrrk!
The five leaped back in alarm. But that attack was merely the beginning.
From the long, arcing fissure in the earth, five earth dragons erupted. They writhed forward like moles burrowing through soil, charging at the five men.
The five Sword Shadow Corps warriors summoned their protective aura in panic and launched into the air. But the earth dragons exploded upward from where they’d stood.
Kwaaang!
It was like a small volcano erupting. Rocks and dirt surged from below, engulfing the five men.
Every pebble, every grain of soil was infused with qi. The five swung their swords desperately to fend them off, but it was futile.
Kwajijik!
“Kaaak!”
Their swords shattered on impact with the stones. With dying screams, they burst into fountains of blood, splattering everywhere.
It had all happened in an instant.
Jong Chil stared blankly at the scene. He’d never witnessed anything like it, nor any martial art like that.
Moments later, the Sword King strolled back casually, utterly unscathed and unchanged from when he’d left.
Jong Chil still gawked at him vacantly.
“Did this fool eat something bad? What’s with him?”
“Ah, uh, sir. A-Are you alright?”
“What if I’m not? You think I’d lose to trash like that?”
“N-No, of course not. I just…”
“Forget it. Thanks for worrying, I guess.”
The Sword King hopped back onto the carriage roof as he spoke. He wrinkled his nose toward Dan Hyeong-u.
“Ahem. Anyway, don’t smell any blood around here, do you?”
At his signal, the carriage set off. He didn’t mention the five who’d lured him away, but Jong Chil was certain they were no longer of this world.
Sword Shadow sat with a furrowed brow.
He’d sent fifteen subordinates as a test.
Sword Shadow never moved personally unless he was certain. He delegated most tasks to his men. That was why the Sword Shadow Corps had the largest numbers among the squads, with the most recruits.
Of course, their individual skills were a bit lacking, but that hardly mattered. What truly counted was Sword Shadow’s own prowess.
He’d sent fifteen: five to face the Sword King, five to challenge Dan Hyeong-u, and the last five to seize Geum Yu-hwa from the carriage while Dan Hyeong-u was occupied—after killing the driver Jong Chil, naturally.
Yet only five had returned.
“I didn’t expect victory, but this is shocking.”
They said he’d slain five Sword Shadow Corps members with a single swing from atop the carriage—and reduced them to bloody mist without a trace. He had no idea what had become of the five sent against the Sword King.
“So the Sword King exceeds expectations too?”
He’d told the five facing the Sword King to flee if things went south, to have at least one survivor return. Their total annihilation meant they hadn’t even had that chance.
“I’ll need to readjust my estimates of the Ten Great Experts.”
Sword Shadow pondered long after. He didn’t like Demon Shadow either. But he saw himself as rational, cold, and logical—unlike Demon Shadow.
Yet Demon Shadow had proposed an alliance first. That should have been his idea. It was utterly out of character for Demon Shadow.
“There’s definitely something to it.”
One of the five Sword Shadow Corps warriors standing before him spoke cautiously at his mutter.
“Are you aware that Demon Shadow Squad used three Heavenly Thunders?”
Sword Shadow’s eyebrow twitched. He hadn’t heard. He’d only been ordered to relay a message to Demon Shadow and take over if he failed.
“Three Heavenly Thunders? They must’ve used them on those guys, right?”
“Precisely, the Salt King Stronghold that controls Hongtaek Lake used them.”
“And the result?”
“The Salt King Stronghold is no more.”
Sword Shadow’s face twisted. He hadn’t expected foes who could withstand even Heavenly Thunders. Of course, he was confident the Salt King Stronghold wouldn’t fall to them either. But not while protecting a group.
“Go to Demon Shadow.”
He commanded one subordinate. In the end, Sword Shadow had no choice but to commit for minimal losses. Perhaps the Assembly Leader had foreseen it all.
A chill crept down Sword Shadow’s spine.
The carriage entered Soju and headed straight for the Golden Lotus. The Golden Lotus headquarters, with branches across the land, matched its prestige in scale and splendor.
The group disembarked and were led inside by pretty maids in yellow robes.
“Welcome.”
A young man bowed politely upon their entry. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, a handsome man in subtly golden robes.
“Gold Plum. Glad you made it safely.”
“Young Master.”
Geum Yu-hwa beamed and hurried to him. The man was Yu Baek-sang, vice leader of the Golden Lotus.
“Thank you truly for escorting Gold Plum safely.”
Yu Baek-sang bowed again.
He guided them to a deep room in the building. It was spacious, with a large table laden with delicacies from land and sea.
The meal had been prepared precisely for their arrival.
“It’s lunchtime anyway, and you must be hungry. Please enjoy at your leisure.”
The group took their seats and began eating slowly.
Dan Hyeong-u’s senses had sharpened lately, letting him savor flavors more acutely. He doubted he could stomach tough monster meat again.
His ritualistic dining left a deep impression on Yu Baek-sang too.
With their stomachs filled, the group turned to liquor and serious talk.
“First, our thanks again to Sword King senior for protecting our Gold Plum.”
“What did I even do? Right?”
The Sword King glanced at Geum Yu-hwa, who bowed slightly and whispered to Yu Baek-sang. True to form as vice leader, he listened with an unwavering gentle smile.
“So that’s what happened.”
Yu Baek-sang nodded after hearing her out.
“My apologies for offending you, senior.”
“No need. What’s there to take offense at?”
“No, it’s not right. All I can offer is money—it’s regrettable.”
The Sword King inwardly admired his words and nodded.
“Impressive for someone so young. You’ll achieve great things.”
The mood warmed at the Sword King’s praise. Yu Baek-sang subtly eyed Dan Hyeong-u. He couldn’t tell a thing from appearances. An accomplished martial artist himself, he prided himself on discerning others’ skills. Yet Dan Hyeong-u showed no traces of cultivation at all.
“Hero Dan seems quite unique.”
Dan Hyeong-u ignored him, focused on his food. Yu Baek-sang awkwardly looked to the Sword King for backup. But the Sword King just turned away. Living together had taught him that prodding Dan Hyeong-u like this was pointless—and risky.
Merchant-like, Yu Baek-sang deftly shifted topics with a smile to ease the awkwardness.
“Oh, speaking of which, have you heard the intriguing rumor?”
“What rumor?”
“They say the Heavenly Qi Master’s secret vault has appeared. Ever heard of it?”
The Sword King’s eyes sparked with interest at the mention. The Heavenly Qi Master was a once-in-a-generation genius worth his attention.
“What’s that about?”
“You know his abilities were vast. He created many wondrous items in life, and this is supposedly where he stored them.”
“Ho, intriguing. What kind of items?”
“Weapons, mostly. Bizarre hidden ones, fire bombs, even famed swords. Word’s spread, and everyone’s in a frenzy.”
“Sounds fun. What’s the Golden Lotus doing?”
“We’ll scout it, of course. Oh, the Henan Escort Bureau must be swamped.”
Jong Chil’s gaze snapped to Yu Baek-sang at the mention. Their eyes met briefly before he continued.
“The Heavenly Qi Master’s vault is in Henan’s Cheonjung Mountain, they say. Martial artists are flooding there. The Martial Alliance already shifted troops to the Henan Escort Bureau in Heochang.”
“The Martial Alliance to the Henan Escort Bureau?”
“Seems they knew beforehand, handling it quietly. But just as they ramped up, the rumor leaked—almost like someone spread it deliberately.”
The Sword King’s eyes sharpened. It smacked of those recent agitators.
“Many are condemning the Martial Alliance—and the Henan Escort Bureau aiding them. But it should be fine; Alliance warriors are stationed there.”
Dan Hyeong-u paused mid-bite at that. He stood.
“Ah, finished eating? Have a drink before you go—why leave now?”
Dan Hyeong-u eyed him briefly. Yu Baek-sang involuntarily stepped back under his gaze.
Dan Hyeong-u turned to the Sword King.
“We’re going back.”
The Sword King’s face soured.
“What? Is that any way to talk? Stay the night. Today or tomorrow makes no difference.”
Dan Hyeong-u nodded, then looked to Jong Chil.
Jong Chil hesitated. He wanted to leave tomorrow too, but couldn’t refuse Dan Hyeong-u. His deliberation lasted mere moments. Dan Hyeong-u didn’t wait.
“I’ll go ahead.”
He turned and took a step—then vanished.
The Sword King stared blankly at the spot. He’d seen the step, but nothing after.
This wasn’t mere speed. Even top experts could miss with eyes alone. But the Sword King perceived qi. If Dan Hyeong-u were just fast, he’d sense the trail. Yet from that step, not even qi remained.
He had truly ‘disappeared.’
“Ha ha. That guy’s in such a rush. Ha ha ha.”
The Sword King’s hollow laughter echoed in the air.