Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: The Path We Must Take (3)
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Deep in the mountains, on a pathless trail, a man ran desperately for his life.
His breaths came in ragged gasps, his eyes slightly unfocused, his body covered head to toe in blood. Only his sheer willpower kept his legs moving.
“Ugh!”
With a short cry, the man tripped over a tree root protruding from the ground and fell.
Lacking even the strength to get up, he lay there flat on his back, staring at the sky.
Through the towering trees, a brilliantly clear sky shone down. And floating in that sky was a black dot.
“Damn bastards.”
A curse burst from the man’s lips.
He heaved rough breaths for a long while, gazing at the sky, before pulling out the messenger pigeon he clutched to his chest. It was the one thing he’d managed to protect despite his wounds.
He tore a strip from his clothes and scrawled a hasty message in his own blood. Then he stuffed the cloth into the tube tied to the pigeon’s leg.
“Sorry. I wanted to send you off from somewhere safer. Please, hang in there.”
Locking eyes with it and lightly kissing its head, he infused his desperate prayer and released the pigeon into the sky.
As if hearing his wish, the pigeon flapped its wings vigorously and soared away in an instant.
Right then, the black dot drifting lazily in the sky began to move.
Watching the Azure Eagle—that had snatched every one of his comrades’ messenger pigeons—take flight, the man bit his lip hard.
‘I was too complacent. Who’d have thought they’d target the pigeons.’
Jang Chu, an elite disciple of the Beggar Clan locked in a fierce intelligence war against the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Shadow Fragrance network to aid the Nangong Clan. It stung not just that they’d lost the momentum, but that he might not even get to relay the new intel he’d uncovered.
“This is the end of the line for you, you rat.”
The cold voice from behind made Jang Chu’s eyes sink darkly.
‘You’ve come.’
Jang Chu slowly raised his upper body and turned around.
Three men approached from about thirty feet away. Leading them were two dogs slightly larger than cats—specially bred and trained by Shadow Fragrance. Their senses of smell were so acute that once they locked onto a scent, escape was nearly impossible by ordinary means. That was why, despite several chances, Jang Chu and so many comrades had failed to shake their pursuers and lost their lives.
Having completed their task, the dogs withdrew to one side and lay down on their bellies.
Jang Chu’s gaze toward the dogs gleamed fiercely.
Taking a deep breath, he slowly rose to his feet. Then he drew the two daggers from his waist. Thinking it his final desperate struggle, the Shadow Fragrance agents watched with mocking sneers, as if daring him to try.
“I won’t die alone!”
Roaring, Jang Chu charged. He hurled the daggers with all his remaining strength. But their trajectory was odd. They weren’t aimed at the agents sneering at him, but at the dogs waiting off to the side.
With his severe injuries, he couldn’t hope to match the agents head-on, so he chose to whittle down their forces instead of charging foolishly.
No matter how well-trained or capable the dogs were, they couldn’t dodge daggers thrown by a Beggar Clan elite disciple with his last ounce of energy. The agents had to intervene to protect them, but they hadn’t anticipated Jang Chu targeting the dogs, so their reaction was slow. By the time they moved to block, both daggers had already pierced the throats of their targets.
A moment’s carelessness had cost them Shadow Fragrance’s precious assets. Especially the man who’d raised and trained these dogs since birth—his eyes went mad with rage.
“You filthy rat scum.”
Lightning-fast, the man’s fist smashed into Jang Chu’s face. Having poured everything into the throw, Jang Chu took the blow defenselessly.
The Shadow Fragrance agent trampled the collapsing body, blood spraying everywhere.
Jang Chu endured the merciless beating.
Amid his fading consciousness and darkening vision, he glimpsed the black dot plummeting helplessly.
‘…….’
He didn’t know the pigeon’s fate. But in the eagle’s fall, he read a possibility.
In the end, as Jang Chu’s breath ceased, a faint smile touched his lips.
Late at night, the Ha Hu Clan reinforcements finally emerged from the mountain path, halted their march, and began to rest.
Weary from days of forced marching since leaving their main estate, exhaustion was plain on everyone’s faces. They’d normally taken it slower, but news of the impending Heavenly Demon Cult assault on the Heavenly Peak Fortress had forced their haste.
“Everyone looks worn out.”
Ha Hu Hyo, leading the reinforcements, gazed worriedly at his retainers.
“We’ve pushed hard, yes. But we’ve gained a day’s time because of it. Resting once we reach the fortress should be fine.”
Ha Hu Geun, designated as the next clan head, handed over a waterskin as he spoke.
“No need.”
Lightly refusing, Ha Hu Hyo looked around.
“No sign of any settlements.”
“If memory serves, we need at least twenty more li before a village appears.”
“It’s far.”
“Night’s deep, and we’re all beat. Let’s camp here, brother.”
Ha Hu Myeong, standing back-to-back with Ha Hu Hyo, suggested.
“What do you think?”
Ha Hu Hyo asked Ha Hu Geun.
“Uncle’s right. Even if we reach a village, there won’t be lodging for this many.”
“Very well. We’ll do that.”
At Ha Hu Hyo’s decision, the retainers bustled about in groups, lighting fires and preparing simple meals.
“By now, Elder Poison Fang and the Tang Clan retainers should have reached the Heavenly Peak Fortress.”
“Likely. They said they’d gotten close.”
Ha Hu Geun recalled the last report from the fortress.
“I wondered why they couldn’t wait a few days and rushed off—it was to rescue Elder Soaring Heaven Sword. Without Elder Poison Fang, we’d have had a disaster.”
Ha Hu Hyo and Ha Hu Geun nodded in unison at Ha Hu Myeong’s words.
“Heaven hasn’t abandoned us.”
Ha Hu Hyo’s voice trembled slightly.
Thinking of Nangong Gyung, who’d dashed east and west to fend off the Heavenly Demon Cult’s attack, a pang hit his chest.
“By the way, any word from those friends? They left before Elder Poison Fang, so they should’ve arrived ages ago.”
Ha Hu Myeong asked.
“They’re delayed cleaning up the Blood Forest.”
“Right, the Blood Forest. I was floored when I heard. Who’d imagine the mighty Blood Forest getting smashed like that?”
“Their base at Jade Mountain isn’t far from the Heavenly Peak Fortress, so they’ll make it on time. Maybe they’re already there.”
“I’ll finally get a proper look at how that guy fights. Honestly, I’m curious. I know he’s strong, but seeing it myself is different.”
Ha Hu Myeong was buzzing with excitement at the chance to witness Sima Geon’s prowess, ignoring how formidable the enemies they’d face truly were.
“There’s just one thing that worries me.”
“Worries? What?”
“The Heavenly Peak Fortress Lord’s temperament is so stubborn. I’m concerned how he’ll treat Young Master Sima’s group.”
“Plenty to worry about. Even a stubborn man knows timing and place. If a group leader can’t grasp his own situation, he’s no better than a fool.”
Ha Hu Myeong dismissed it as needless concern, but Ha Hu Geun, who knew Sanggwan Cheon’s personality well, remained uneasy.
“Nephew has a point. Even Elder Poison Fang seemed worried about it.”
Ha Hu Myeong’s eyes widened at Ha Hu Hyo’s words.
“Even Elder Poison Fang?”
“Yes.”
“Heavens! Lord Sanggwan was a hero everyone admired, but his son’s different, it seems. What if that fool pretends to be mad and rejects Young Master Sima’s group?”
“…….”
Ha Hu Hyo couldn’t answer easily.
“We can only hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Ha Hu Geun spoke softly, but his voice lacked strength.
“Elder.”
“Come in.”
At the permission, Joo Seunggeon entered the room cautiously.
“What is it?”
Sword Demon Dragon, lightly sipping from a cup with Phantom Soul Fist, gestured for him to sit and asked.
As Joo Seunggeon sat, Phantom Soul Fist offered him a cup.
“The Ha Hu Clan reinforcements have arrived.”
Sword Demon Dragon poured liquor into Joo Seunggeon’s cup and inquired.
“Where?”
“Sang Ung.”
“Sang Ung?”
At Sword Demon Dragon’s puzzled look, Joo Seunggeon gave an awkward smile.
“I’m not familiar with it either. But……”
Joo Seunggeon set down his cup and pulled a map from his bosom.
“We’re here now, and the Ha Hu reinforcements crossed the mountains to reach Sang Ung here.”
“Close.”
“Yes. Half a day’s march.”
“Then why hesitate? Strike them now.”
Phantom Soul Fist’s eyes gleamed murderously.
“Their forced march has tired them out.”
“Same for us, no?”
“True, but we can fight in top condition without pushing ourselves.”
“But……”
Sword Demon Dragon cut in before Phantom Soul Fist could continue.
“Is that place Cheonri Plains?”
“Yes, right here.”
The spot Joo Seunggeon indicated was relatively close to their position but quite distant from Sang Ung where the reinforcements had arrived.
“Rest well tonight and wait for them at Cheonri Plains. They’ll have to keep moving, so we hold the stamina advantage. Plus, it’s thick with pampas grass.”
“Good for ambushes.”
“Exactly. Perfect for ambush and encirclement, letting us exploit our numbers.”
“Understood. Move at dawn tomorrow?”
“Their departure’s uncertain, so to be safe, yes, at first light.”
“Got it. Plan accordingly.”
It was an order to treat him as a guest.
As Joo Seunggeon rose, understanding,
“By the way, any trace of the Divine Demon Division Leader?”
Joo Seunggeon’s expression stiffened slightly.
“Gang Hwang says he’s vanished completely.”
“Not at the Heavenly Peak Fortress?”
Phantom Soul Fist frowned and asked.
“Yes. Rumors say the Fortress Lord rejected the Divine Demon Division Leader’s group, but it’s unconfirmed.”
“What? Rejected them? Why?”
Phantom Soul Fist asked again, baffled.
“Seems he distrusts them because of their Heavenly Demon Cult ties.”
“Hah!”
At a loss for words, Phantom Soul Fist stared blankly at Joo Seunggeon.
Sword Demon Dragon let out a hollow chuckle and raised his cup.
“Heaven is on our side.”