Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Long Time No See (1)
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"Argh!"
With a single scream, two hunters lost their lives pointlessly.
"Tch, I told you to handle it quietly."
Sobinta clicked his tongue with a displeased look, and Yogong glared at his subordinates. Then, as if making excuses, he said,
"Their movements didn't seem like ordinary hunters."
Sobinta's face twisted in irritation at Yogong's excuse.
"Is that supposed to justify it? They're hunters all the same."
"I-I'm sorry."
As Yogong, who had stirred up trouble with his needless excuse, floundered with a flushed face,
"Division Leader Senior Brother, urgent word from the scouts."
Ma Bulsa's elder, Yoon, spoke while gauging Sobinta's mood.
"Oh! Really? What'd they say?"
Yogong, who had been in an awkward spot anyway, perked up and asked.
"The Sword Empress has arrived at the Tang family. They're planning a poison demon duel and sparring match this afternoon."
At the completely unexpected name, Yogong froze. Instead, Sobinta showed interest.
"Did you say Sword Empress just now?"
"Yes."
"That's strange. I thought the Sword Empress died last year."
"Ah, that's the previous Sword Empress. The one at the Tang family is her disciple, walking the Sword Empress Successor Path..."
Yoon quickly and briefly explained about the Sword Empress Successor Path.
"Hm, in any case, someone of that caliber could be a major variable."
Sobinta's attitude grew noticeably more cautious upon hearing that the Sword Empress's skills were top-tier even in the Central Plains martial world.
"It's not all bad, though."
At Yogong's words, Sobinta's thick eyebrows shot up.
"What do you mean?"
"It's said from ancient times that the Sword Empress Successor's sparring matches are extremely fierce. Not to the point of taking lives, but major and minor injuries happen frequently, from what I hear. This could even be a great opportunity."
"An opportunity, you say."
Sobinta nodded after a moment's thought.
"Indeed, that could be the case. We don't particularly need the Sword Empress's life, but it could elevate headquarters' honor. How long until we reach the Tang family?"
"About two shichen."
"Tell the scouts to keep a close eye on things. We'll strike the moment the sparring ends."
"Understood."
At Yogong's glance, Yoon hurriedly withdrew.
"Perhaps instead of killing..."
Sobinta muttered with a sinister smile, then erased it upon noticing Yogong's gaze.
"She's really strong."
Manchu, peeking just his face from behind a rock, gaped at Sima Geon's overwhelming prowess as she dominated the Brain Sound Monastery's monks.
The fight had only lasted a geng, yet over a dozen monks already lay fallen around her.
"What about the Division Leader's skills?"
Neujeon chuckled as if no explanation was needed.
"Brother Cheol Woo is impressive too."
Even amid the Brain Sound Monastery monks' encirclement, Cheol Woo showed no fear—in fact, he counterattacked like a raging tiger.
The enemies' counterattacks were fierce enough to shake him occasionally, but none landed a fatal blow. The more injuries he took, the more ferociously he rampaged—that was the Diamond Yaksha, Cheol Woo.
"But the truly amazing one is big sis."
"Exactly."
"Thanks to big sis, I've really learned how terrifying poison arts can be."
Manchu and Gayu heartily agreed with Neujeon.
She didn't display Sima Geon's overwhelming dominance.
Nor Cheol Woo's ferocious might.
She allowed far more attacks than the two and faced plenty of perilous moments. Yet So Surin never backed down.
Her body, tougher than even Cheol Woo's, shielded her from the enemies' relentless assaults, while the poison qi emanating from her entire form sliced through their vitals like sharp blades. And the Ink Moon Palm Technique taught by Dang Cheonhwa was another powerful weapon she wielded.
In the past year, Manchu had improved the most dramatically. But So Surin's skills had grown tremendously too. She could now perfectly control the poison qi latent in her body, deploying it skillfully at will, and her mastery of the Ink Dragon Palm Technique had surpassed tenfold completion. It was the result of ceaseless training, sparring with Sima Geon and Cheol Woo whenever possible.
"Black Wolf's holding his own too, but here we are like this."
Manchu sighed, watching Black Wolf dodge the monks' crescent blades nimbly and strike like lightning.
"Can't be helped. Unfortunately, they're beyond what we can handle."
Neujeon gave a wry smile.
When Cheol Woo began his serious provocation, Sima Geon had sent a transmission to Neujeon, Manchu, and Gayu.
She ordered them to think nothing and just flee far away the moment the fight started. They all hid their doubts, feeling a bit hurt. But once the battle began, their minds changed.
Not a single one among the over thirty foes was weaker than Neujeon. In fact, the skills of the few leading monks surpassed those of major sect elders.
Shhwick!
Sima Geon dodged five strands of sword qi skimming the ground with just a few steps, then swung her Heavenly Demon Sword.
The glow rising from the Heavenly Demon Sword illuminated the surroundings.
The radiance overlapped multiple times, exploding in splendor.
It was the Myriad Phenomena Sword left by the Blood Sea Demon Lord: Sword Flower Overlap.
Boom boom boom boom!
With a massive explosion, the Brain Sound Monastery monks attacking Sima Geon staggered back in disarray.
The two who had faced the assault head-on were already dead, tumbling over.
The momentum from Sima Geon's strike swept the area anew, unrelenting.
"Amitabha!"
The targeted monk clenched his eyes shut.
A terrifying power incomprehensible, unrecognizable without experiencing it.
"Keurk!"
The monks who barely endured collapsed one by one, vomiting dark red blood mixed with shredded organ fragments.
"Where did such a monster come from..."
Kari, leading Brain Sound Monastery's elites toward the Tang family outpost, stared at Sima Geon in disbelief.
He had heard bits about the Divine Demon Division from Ma Bulsa survivors once or twice.
Claims of meritorious deeds in unifying the Demonic Cult or being the Supreme Sword of the Demonic Path—he'd scoffed each time.
Frogs in a well spouting nonsense, pathetic excuses from losers.
But experiencing it firsthand, they were the real frogs in the well. There was a world of difference between hearsay and reality. Brain Sound Monastery had no such expert.
Kari, slumped on the ground catching his ragged breath, slowly rose.
Few disciples who had held out remained. He had to save them somehow.
"Senior Brother."
Nahora approached, holding a crescent blade snapped in half. His body was drenched in blood from severe wounds.
Exchanging glances, they mustered their last strength to attack Sima Geon.
The martial arts unleashed by Brain Sound Monastery's two elders, staking their lives, wielded power even Sima Geon couldn't underestimate.
Sword qi laced with Thunderclap Barrier Force.
As the horrifying force ravaged the surroundings, splitting the earth and scattering dirt and stones, a single beam pierced the dust cloud.
Simultaneously, the turbulent air calmed as if nothing happened, and the flying debris settled like a lie.
Kari and Nahora couldn't comprehend what had befallen them.
They didn't understand why blood was gushing from their senior and junior brother's hearts, why their vision blurred so rapidly.
The two collapsed without resolving their doubts.
"Hoo!"
Sima Geon, who had pierced the Brain Sound Monastery elders' hearts with the First Form of the Single Heaven Nine Style—Extreme Sphere Radiant Flash—exhaled deeply and lowered her sword.
Cheol Woo was finishing off the last survivors.
The unexpected time, place, and foes ended faster than anticipated.
"Is this the Tang family outpost?"
Cheol Woo asked, craning his neck around.
"Uh, probably."
Manchu replied with a somewhat flustered face.
"What kind of answer is that? Are you sure?"
Cheol Woo pressed.
"How should I know? That's what the farmer we met earlier said. It's my first time here too."
Manchu looked indignant.
"Tsk tsk, and you're supposed to be a Beggar Clan disciple."
Manchu's face reddened at Cheol Woo's tongue-clicking.
'Being in the Beggar Clan doesn't mean I know everything!'
He wanted to shout, but no voice came out.
So Surin, noticing Manchu's expression, burst into laughter.
"It's natural not to know if it's your first time. Why spout nonsense? If you're frustrated, ask directly. There he is."
So Surin pointed at a man hurrying somewhere.
"Right. The thirsty dig a well."
Cheol Woo spouted something profound-sounding and called out to the man.
"Hey, you there. A word."
The man, running frantically, finally noticed Sima Geon's group and flinched to a halt.
"Wh-what do you want?"
Cheol Woo's brow furrowed at the man's expression, like he'd seen something he shouldn't.
"Is this the Tang family outpost?"
At "Tang family outpost," the man's face subtly changed. Amid the fear, his eyes darkened slightly, pupils darting.
"It is, but why are you looking for the Tang family outpost?"
"No need for you to know why. Looks like it is, though. No wonder I haven't seen a single ant around. So, which way to the Tang family proper?"
The man glanced at Cheol Woo and the group behind without a word.
"Follow this road and you'll get there."
Leaving those curt words, he turned and walked away. Cheol Woo let out a frustrated breath as the man quickly distanced himself.
"So prickly. What's with people around here?"
"They say Tang family folk have a bit of a unique temperament."
Neujeon shook his head at Gayu's words.
"Nah, anyone meeting the Deputy Leader right now would react like that."
"What nonsense?"
Cheol Woo glared.
"Look at yourself. Hair matted with dirt, blood-soaked clothes torn everywhere. And why haven't you wiped the blood on your nape properly?"
"Blood on me?"
Cheol Woo rubbed his nape with a spit-wet finger where Neujeon pointed.
"Ugh, gross. Wrong side!"
So Surin smacked Cheol Woo's back in horror.
"Hey, people are coming from over there."
Manchu shouted, pointing the way the man had gone. Over twenty men approached with menacing auras; leading them was the same man who'd spoken uncomfortably with Cheol Woo before vanishing.
"What's this situation?"
Cheol Woo scratched his head at the man, more annoyed than angry.
"Seems like a misunderstanding. I'll explain."
Worried about a clash, Manchu stepped forward to the approaching group.
"Who are you? Why are you looking for the Tang family outpost?"
The leader, Dang Ho-kyeong, demanded.
He'd hastily gathered the remaining villagers, but eyed Sima Geon's group warily due to their ominous vibe.
"Beggar Clan disciple Manchu."
"Beggar Clan? Haven't seen your face around here. And them?"
His discomfort eased slightly at "Beggar Clan," but Dang Ho-kyeong remained uneasy.
"From the Hangzhou branch. These folks are..."
As Manchu hurriedly explained,
A young man came running from the south, sweating profusely.
"H-Ho-kyeong bro? What's everyone doing here?"
Dang Ho-kyeong's face brightened at the youth.
Dang Eun-pyeong, based at the main house, was a promising talent of the Tang family, wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve amid heavy breaths.
"These guys were looking for the outpost, seemed suspicious, so..."
Dang Ho-kyeong's words cut off. Dang Eun-pyeong spotted Sima Geon's group and exclaimed in surprise.
"Isn't that Hero Sima?"
Unlike the beaming Dang Eun-pyeong, Sima Geon and her group looked baffled. Only Manchu, who recognized him, smiled brightly and bowed.
"Long time no see."
"Indeed. Feels like yesterday we met at the Hahuu Clan, but it's already been over a year."
Recalling he was part of the Tang family's condolence delegation to the Hahuu Clan, they each acted familiar.
"What brings you to the outpost... Ah, you're here for the Sword Empress Successor Path, right? I rushed over hearing about it too. A spar between the Sword Empress and Great Uncle—my heart races just thinking about it. Come on, no time to stand here. We might be late."
Everyone was dazed by Dang Eun-pyeong's rapid-fire words. But one thing was clear.
"Sword Empress Successor Path—does that mean the Sword Empress is at the Tang family?"
Sima Geon asked for confirmation.
Her voice carried a hint of anticipation.