Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Standing Vigil
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Ma Yeon-gi pondered what lay ahead for him. But he didn't need to dwell on it for long. Turning himself over to the Martial Alliance was the best course of action. He couldn't do anything right now, but if Dan Hyeong-u would just disappear, he had any number of ways to claw his way back to life.
"Should we bed down here for the night?"
Ma Yeon-gi, lost deep in thought, jumped at Dan Hyeong-u's words. Was he seriously thinking of taking a short break?
'That guy's no human. He's a monster! A devil! A demon!'
Ma Yeon-gi thought to himself. Glancing at the others, he could tell they were nursing similar thoughts.
"Let's rest here tonight and head out early tomorrow. At this pace, we'll reach Hyeong Mountain by tomorrow night."
As everyone stood speechless, Umun Hye quickly gathered her wits and spoke up. If she didn't, he looked ready to charge off again right then and there.
The group let out a collective sigh of relief the moment Umun Hye finished. Dan Hyeong-u nodding in agreement burned itself into their minds.
Dan Hyeong-u walked off to one side and stood there. He planned to sleep standing up anyway, so he'd picked the most comfortable spot. The place he chose was wide open, with nothing around.
There were rocks and plenty of trees nearby, but he'd cleverly avoided them, positioning himself in a completely exposed area. It was the most visible spot, but that also meant he'd spot anyone approaching first.
'If only he had eyes in the back of his head.'
Jegal Rin thought as he hurriedly prepared his bedroll. They hadn't eaten yet, and he was hungry, but the mood wasn't right for it. They needed to rest now, fast.
Silence soon fell. Everyone had settled in to sleep.
Even as Ma Yeon-gi lay down, he trembled with dread at the sight of Dan Hyeong-u standing there. The others knew he slept upright, but Ma Yeon-gi didn't, so his reaction was only natural.
'How the hell can he do that? Has he truly forsaken his humanity?'
Ma Yeon-gi closed his eyes, finally abandoning the last shred of hope he'd clung to.
Umun Hye lay still, staring at Dan Hyeong-u. Truth be told, she was the only one in the group who'd sensed something off. Because of that, sleep wouldn't come easy.
Dan Hyeong-u was rushing too much. Normally, he wouldn't skip meals just to move faster. He always made time to eat properly, even if he ran hard. After all, wasn't he the type who loved his food?
Yet today, he hadn't eaten a single bite. Of course, that meant no one else got to either.
'Sure, no one would drop dead from missing a day.'
Still, Umun Hye wanted to know why. Dan Hyeong-u wasn't the type to act without reason.
In the end, Umun Hye sat up. Curiosity wouldn't let her rest until she asked. That's how it'd always been, and that's how it'd stay.
She rose and approached Dan Hyeong-u. He stood with eyes closed, but they snapped open the instant she drew near.
Flash!
A gleam shot from Dan Hyeong-u's eyes. Umun Hye startled but didn't react much.
"You scared me! Warn a girl next time."
Dan Hyeong-u stared at her silently. Umun Hye met his gaze and flashed a beaming smile—one so seductive it would've overwhelmed any ordinary man in seconds. But Dan Hyeong-u just looked at her impassively.
"Why the rush?"
At her question, Dan Hyeong-u turned his head slightly, as if dodging the issue.
Umun Hye grinned amusedly and stepped around to face him directly.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
She smiled again, radiantly. Dan Hyeong-u watched her for a moment before speaking.
"Just."
"Just?"
Umun Hye waited for more. There had to be something.
"Worried."
His words caught her off guard.
"Worried? About who? Grandpa Sword King, maybe?"
Dan Hyeong-u turned his head again. Umun Hye paused in surprise, then nodded.
"I see. But you don't need to worry. They're strong, all of them."
Anyone else fretting over the Sword King or Sword Demon would get laughed out of the room. But because it was Dan Hyeong-u, she could nod along. It struck her that to him, the Sword King might be no different from anyone else.
"I'm off to bed. You should rest too, Young Master Dan."
Umun Hye said with a bright smile. Sometime between, she'd switched from calling him "young hero" to "Young Master."
As Umun Hye returned to her spot and lay down, Dan Hyeong-u gazed up at the sky. Countless stars poured into his eyes.
Thanks to her, he'd taken a moment to reflect. Dan Hyeong-u was worried about the Sword King. About what might've befallen him. About his granddaughter. About the Sword Demon who'd chased after him.
It was a strange, warm feeling—new to him.
"Should've given him some Harmonized Qi."
Harmonized Qi was the energy he'd once infused into Jo Seol-yeon. It came from perfecting the Three Talents Miraculous Art's unity—essentially Dan Hyeong-u himself.
He stared at the stars a while longer, then closed his eyes. Tomorrow, he decided, they'd eat something proper.
In Nanchang of Jiangxi Province stood the Medical Immortal Sect.
A martial sect that trained and passed down techniques, it was even more renowned for its medicine. Sect Leader Jeong Cheol-yeong was hailed as the Medical Immortal for his supreme skill and virtue.
Truth be told, the sect's martial arts weren't exceptional. Yet even mid-tier rivers-and-lakes factions dared not touch them. It wasn't just because of the Martial Alliance's protection.
The Medical Immortal Sect treated demonic cultists or unorthodox warriors reluctantly, in line with Alliance backing. They wouldn't outright refuse life-or-death cases but sent away anyone less critical.
Even so, the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods Bandits had never struck during their heyday—not out of respect for the healing, but fear of the sect's hidden might.
The sect's own power was middling, but those sheltering there were not. Its vast compound housed countless wounded.
And with the injured came droves more—guards, attendants, mostly martial artists, many top experts among them.
The sect's arts were average, but the ancillary force drawn by its medicine was not to be trifled with.
A band of men appeared in Nanchang. Black-clad, stone-faced, they marched toward one destination: the Medical Immortal Sect.
Among the emotionless warriors walked a few with more life in their expressions. They fell in step naturally, converging as one.
"Everyone here?"
At the man's question, they checked among themselves.
"Ma Yeon-gi's not back yet."
The questioner scowled.
"That bastard took fifty Black Warriors and still isn't here? Dealing with some piddly Yu Family Manor?"
He was leader of the Second Warrior Unit. The Demonic Alliance's new strike force consisted entirely of Black Warrior Units—five hundred-man detachments strong, a thousand total. Immense power.
The Demonic Alliance was a massive organization. It boasted hordes of warriors. Top experts had mostly perished to the Sword King, Golden Union, and Martial Alliance, but rank-and-file had survived in droves.
The Greenwoods fared similarly, their bandit nature preserving even more. Most had become Black Warriors.
Those who'd refused were still banded under the Demonic Alliance name, dreaming of revival—though quietly shunned within.
Anyway, the leader was irritated. Ma Yeon-gi ranked high among commanders.
Controlling a hundred Black Warriors at once was rare—nearly unit-leader caliber.
He surveyed the assembled warriors. A hundred fifty, flawless save for Ma Yeon-gi's missing fifty. They'd completed their missions without a single loss.
He nodded involuntarily. Black Warriors were truly formidable. A hundred fifty could handle the Medical Immortal Sect easily.
Ma Yeon-gi's fifty would've made it smoother, but no matter.
"We go without him. He can join later. We can't miss this window."
The sect's major forces had just departed. Martial Alliance warriors and Jegal clansmen wounded in the Heavenly Qi Master's secret chamber had left yesterday.
Now the place was nearly empty. Other factions' patients remained aplenty, but nothing compared to the Alliance men.
That gap wouldn't last. Such vacancies were rare in the sect's history. Martial artists relied on strength, got hurt often. Spots filled fast.
"Surround the sect. Over the walls on my signal."
Black Warriors sprang into action at his order, encircling the compound.
Commanders directed them verbally, but the warriors moved on intent alone—without intermediaries if a unit leader spoke.
The limit was proximity, though the range was vast. And betrayal was impossible.
Orders from the Demonic Alliance Lord, unit leaders, or commanders seeped naturally into their wills. They had to obey.
This set them leagues above jiangshi. No stiff corpses these—Black Warriors thought, adapted. Perfect for surprises.
The leader watched them move nimbly, then eyed the commanders beside him.
'They still don't realize they're no different from Black Warriors.'
A bitter smile touched his face. He was the same.
Above them all loomed the Demonic Alliance Lord. None could defy him.
Resolve hardened on the leader's features. To topple the Martial Alliance, such trifles had to be forgotten. Only then could true vengeance come—for the Alliance and Golden Union alike.
Soon, Black Warriors ringed the sect. The main gate stood perpetually open—a gesture of welcome to any patient.
The leader eyed it, then glanced at the lingering men who hadn't become Black Warriors yet clung to the Alliance. Trash, in his mind.
"Tell Ma Yeon-gi the op's started when he arrives."
He strode toward the gate as they bowed obsequiously. Hidden in his sleeves gleamed poisoned daggers—for the first eyes to spot him.
That would signal the assault.
Black Warriors needed no complex plans. Untrained yet synergistic, they found optimal strikes instinctively.
Sometimes formations, sometimes lone wolves swiftly eliminating foes.
The leader crossed the threshold.
Inside waited sect warriors trained in sect arts, servants, even non-martial physicians.
He spotted five warriors first. They eyed him entering, mouths opening to speak.
Good they were warriors, he thought. Daggers flew from his hand.
Shwick! Shwick!
Thud!
"Gahk!"
They pierced throats precisely. The men hadn't even seen them coming. Overwhelming.
That signaled it. Black Warriors vaulted the walls, commanders trailing leisurely.
The leader watched the ensuing slaughter impassively, strolling deeper in.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Block them!"
"Call for reinforcements! Too many foes!"
Clang! Clash!
Shouts and steel rang out everywhere. The sect reacted swiftly. Patients abounded, but so did warriors and experts.
Ordinary fighters or healers fell to Black Warriors inevitably. The foes were monstrously strong.
Fierce battles erupted all around. True experts able to match Black Warriors had emerged.
The leader muttered as he watched.
"Not easy."
He hadn't expected a cakewalk. The sect was no pushover. Black Warriors slowed; he regretted Ma Yeon-gi's absence more. With his fifty, they'd have carved a better path.
The leader pressed inward slowly. Let Black Warriors handle the experts here.
His target: the Medical Immortal Sect Leader himself. Renowned in arts as in medicine, but the leader had faith in victory. A few warriors barred his path—reduced to bloody mist in moments.
Thus he delved into the sect's heart.