Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Secret Story (1)
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“Heh heh heh! This feels absolutely amazing!”
The young head of the Red Flame Clan, Ma Wook, raised his glass high and shouted.
Though his entire body was covered in wounds from the battle that had dragged on until evening, the pain had long since vanished in the joy of victory.
“Ugh, those vicious bastards. Now I get why the elders back home warned us not to mix with them.”
The head of the Ghost Spirit Clan, Left Sword, poured liquor over his shoulder.
Every time the tangled blood and dirt washed away from his wounds, a mix of pain and pleasure twisted his face, making his body shudder.
“Huh? Come to think of it, I heard something like that too back in the day. Those Tiger Bone Hall guys lived up to their name—fierce as hell.”
“Exactly. Even after pulling so many men to hit the Southern Martial World, they still gave us a real fight. If it weren't for the Poison Blood Demon, we'd be the ones lying dead. Here, have a drink to that.”
Left Sword offered a glass to Yin Tickso, who had fallen silent.
Yin Tickso silently extended his cup, his expression different from usual.
The man who showed the most emotional swings and expressed them openly was, strangely, keeping his mouth shut.
“What's up? Something wrong?”
Left Sword asked as he handed over the glass.
Yin Tickso clinked glasses slowly, downed his drink in one gulp, and spoke irritably.
“That old bastard.”
“Who? The Tiger Bone Hall's hall... No, the former hall master?”
Yin Tickso nodded at Ma Wook's question, then pulled up his robe.
“Huh?”
“What? You got injured?”
Ma Wook and Left Sword exclaimed in unison.
“After mastering the Immortal Spirit Subduing All Poisons Technique, I honestly thought I had an indestructible diamond body. I even tested it a few times in the last fight. But nope.”
Yin Tickso snatched the bottle from the table as he sat.
“It was just that the weaklings couldn't scratch me. When that Tiger Bone Hall old man's hand dug into my side, I nearly jumped out of my skin.”
His face twisted as if the mere thought annoyed him.
“That's weird. It didn't look like a serious hit.”
Left Sword tilted his head, recalling the scene of Yin Tickso fighting Tiger Bone Hall's former master, Mun Eok.
He had been a bit surprised when Mun Eok's hand pierced Yin Tickso's side, but seeing him counter and drop the old man right away, he'd assumed it was no big deal.
“It wasn't life-threatening. No major organ damage either. But the fact remains that old coot cracked my diamond body. Means someone stronger than him could be even more dangerous.”
Unlike the grave Yin Tickso, Left Sword didn't seem too concerned.
“How many masters like that are out there? If you're that worried, just use some Poison Blood Demons as bodyguards. Honestly, they're stronger than you.”
It could have been an insulting remark, but Yin Tickso just burst out laughing.
“Heh heh heh! Fair point. They've trained proper martial arts, after all. And their combat experience is no joke.”
“Train harder too. Boost your skills, and no one in the world could handle you.”
Ma Wook gave Yin Tickso a thumbs-up.
“Don't worry about me—worry about yourselves. You looked pretty lacking out there. Stronger foes are coming, and that level won't cut it.”
“Hey, don't be like that. We're already busting our asses.”
“True. It doesn't happen overnight. Damn, maybe we should try that Immortal All-Poisons Subduing Spirit Technique too.”
Yin Tickso snorted at Left Sword's words.
“I could do it for you if you want. You up for the real challenge?”
“Heh heh heh! Just talk. Wouldn't do it for a billion gold.”
Left Sword, who knew all about the All-Poisons Subduing Spirit Technique from Yin Tickso's explanations, shuddered and shook his head.
“By the way, you hear about the elders making a move?”
Ma Wook, having just emptied his glass, asked with a slightly serious face.
“Yeah. Thought they'd act sooner—took them long enough. Their asses must be heavier than I figured.”
“Don't underestimate it. Sure, they're all waiting to die, but these are men who dominated an era. No telling what power they still hold.”
“You saying we'd lose?”
Ma Wook shook his head at the sharp edge in Yin Tickso's voice.
“Nah. With you here, we can't lose. Just saying it won't be the one-sided beatdown like today. We'll take heavy losses too. Like you said, we're still lacking.”
Yin Tickso's hardened expression softened at Ma Wook's deflated tone.
“Fights like today's...”
“Valley Lord.”
Blood Slaughter Master's voice cut Yin Tickso off.
“Come in.”
As Blood Slaughter Master opened the door and entered, Yin Tickso raised his glass and asked.
“What is it?”
His voice dripped with irritation from the interruption.
“A guest has arrived.”
“A guest?”
Yin Tickso looked baffled.
They were in the Tiger Bone Hall master's office, soaked in blood—who would visit this place?
“From the Heavenly Demon Cult, maybe?”
Left Sword asked.
“No.”
“Then probably someone wanting to join us.”
Ma Wook said smugly.
“Really?”
Yin Tickso asked again.
“You should meet him first.”
Blood Slaughter Master left without further explanation and returned with a middle-aged man.
The man's appearance was grotesque.
His left leg dragged uselessly, his right arm hung bent at an unnatural angle. Half his face was hideously scarred from burns, the marks trailing down his neck—clearly his whole body had been scorched.
“Who're you?”
Yin Tickso scanned him from head to toe with a bored expression.
The middle-aged man bowed slowly, greeting in a raspy, metallic voice.
“Jong Yo of the Ghost Gate Clan pays respects to the Lord of Myriad Poison Valley.”
“It's been a while, Diamond Yaksha. And...”
The Blood Light Martial Emperor turned to Sima Geon.
“Divine Demon Leader.”
“Yes. Long time no see.”
Sima Geon gave a light bow toward the Blood Light Martial Emperor.
“I heard you'd gone far away, but here we are meeting like this.”
“Things just worked out that way. Had a few things to check too.”
“Hmph. I heard you refused help, citing Heavenly Demon Cult origins. But now that death's knocking, you're begging for your life, huh?”
Before the Blood Light Martial Emperor finished, Sang Gwan Cheon—drenched in blood—roared like a beast.
“Shut your mouth! We never begged for help and never will. These guys aren't here because we called them.”
The Blood Light Martial Emperor looked at Sang Gwan Cheon with scornful eyes.
“I worried a bit about running into them at Heavenly Pavilion. Honestly, anyone from the Heavenly Demon Cult would think the same—not me personally. They're that formidable. But then I heard some pathetic fool turned down their aid. 'We'll offer our lives ourselves'—music to my ears. On the other hand, I wanted to see that idiot's face and ask how he could think something so stupid.”
The Blood Light Martial Emperor smirked at Sang Gwan Cheon, whose expression shifted repeatedly, then asked.
“Did you really reject them just because they're from the Heavenly Demon Cult?”
All eyes turned to Sang Gwan Cheon, loaded with meaning.
Sang Gwan Cheon puffed out his chest and declared proudly.
“Of course. How could we entrust our safety to Heavenly Demon Cult scum? Better to die than suffer that humiliation.”
“Kuhahaha!”
Thunderbolt Monk Chuseung doubled over laughing.
The Blood Light Martial Emperor laughed along but winced, clutching his side—the embedded blade must have nicked an organ, causing sharp pain.
“So that's your stance. Still want to save these rejects after hearing that?”
Sima Geon let out a light chuckle at the Blood Light Martial Emperor's question.
“Seems like you're misunderstanding something.”
“Misunderstanding?”
“Do I look like I'm here to save them?”
“Then why are you here? Why attack those kids?”
The Blood Light Martial Emperor pointed at the Eighteen Bandits' corpses, fallen pathetically.
He wanted instant revenge for his loyal disciples who'd guarded him for decades. But his condition was poor, and the man before him was far too dangerous.
“Just cut down some obstacles.”
“Obstacles...?”
Anger flared on the Blood Light Martial Emperor's face.
“It's revenge for my elder too.”
Before the Blood Light Martial Emperor could respond, Sima Geon walked toward Ha Hu Yeon.
Though Black Wolf had saved her life, Ha Hu Yeon's wounds were graver than expected.
“You okay?”
“I can bear it. But...”
Ha Hu Yeon trailed off.
Sima Geon gently stroked her lowered head and surveyed the surroundings.
Amid the corpses, he spotted warriors of the Ha Hu Clan.
'Hm.'
His eyes flickered at Ha Hu Hyo, dead with eyes wide open.
“Ah!”
Ha Hu Yeon suddenly jerked her head up, frantically searching for someone with a panicked face.
“What?”
“M-My father...”
Ha Hu Yeon whipped her head around wildly until she saw her father, barely standing with his cousin's support. She exhaled in relief. But seeing fewer than ten Ha Hu clansmen gathered, she fell silent.
“Sorry. Said I'd come quick, but I was too late.”
“No, Brother. No reason for you to apologize.”
Ha Hu Yeon, knowing why Sima Geon hadn't come to Heavenly Pavilion, shot a resentful glance at Sang Gwan Cheon.
Just then, Dang Cheon Hwa crossed the battlefield toward Sang Gwan Cheon.
“Poison Freak Elder showed up too.”
“Yeah.”
Sima Geon turned to Dang Cheon Hwa.
“Oh, you've arrived, Elder!”
Sang Gwan Cheon greeted him with ecstatic fervor.
The Poison Freak's arrival was like a heavenly army to the beleaguered Heavenly Pavilion.
Dang Cheon Hwa ignored Sang Gwan Cheon, scanning the area.
Too many had died and fallen. Most were Heavenly Pavilion forces and allied warlords who'd rushed to defend it.
His hand trembled on his staff at Sang Gwan Baek's pitiful corpse.
“Satisfied now?”
“Pardon?”
“You got what you wanted. Satisfied?”
“What do you...”
As Sang Gwan Cheon rolled his eyes trying to grasp Dang Cheon Hwa's meaning, the elder bellowed in fury.
“You brainless fool!”
“Elder!”
Sang Gwan Cheon couldn't help bristling at the sudden insult.
No matter their friendship, he was Heavenly Pavilion's master. Such treatment before everyone shamed not just him but the pavilion.
The surrounding executives' faces soured too, sharing his thoughts.
“These people rushed here to aid Heavenly Pavilion. They knew the danger, knew they might die, but came for the greater cause. Their precious lives vanished because of your damn pride. Because of your worthless stubbornness.”
“That's too harsh.”
“Harsh?”
Dang Cheon Hwa's eyes blazed.
His staff swung toward Sang Gwan Cheon.
Sang Gwan Cheon dodged frantically, to no avail.
The staff veered oddly, pummeling him mercilessly. No one dared intervene amid the elder's terrifying killing intent.
Dang Cheon Hwa stopped, grabbed Sang Gwan Cheon's nape, and roared.
“Look! See what your pathetic pride wrought!”
“...”
“How many lives could have been saved if you'd accepted their help? Your uncle wouldn't have died so miserably.”
Sang Gwan Cheon shoved Dang Cheon Hwa's arm away roughly.
“Aren't you ashamed! A man revered as a righteous elder—how can you tell us to accept aid from demonic scum?”
Dang Cheon Hwa faltered momentarily at Sang Gwan Cheon's zealous gaze.
“Ha! That bastard's got some funny lines.”
Cheol Woo cracked his knuckles threateningly as he approached.