Chapter 191
Chapter 191
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"There you are."
Cheol Woo emerged from the cabin and walked toward Sima Geon, who was leaning against the railing, gazing silently at the moon shrouded in clouds.
"Want a drink?"
When Cheol Woo shook the bottles in both hands, Sima Geon reached out.
"What's with the long face so late at night?"
"Nothing."
"Worried about the kid?"
Sima Geon took a swig without a word.
"With a master like you who'd die for your disciple watching over him, what do you have to worry about? And that senior brother's no slouch either. Heh heh heh! Still, it'll take a while for the bruise on his face to fade."
Cheol Woo burst into laughter, recalling Dokgo Ryong's face black-and-blue.
"Why'd you go so hard on him?"
"He was too cocky. Probably because he's got such a great master teaching him martial arts—overflowing with confidence. Hard to find anyone around with skills on his level, but he needs to learn once and for all what happens if you run your mouth carelessly in the martial world. And did you see the way the captain looked at our little one?"
"No clue."
"Grinning like an idiot, half out of his mind. That look rubbed me the wrong way. Heh heh heh!"
"Still, you might've overdone it a bit."
"I know. Look here—Sima Jin still left her mark from pinching me."
Cheol Woo stuck out his log-like forearm. With all the scars, it was impossible to spot where she'd pinched him.
"Anyway, we should head back soon. Bring Hyeon and Ho along. Even if we've exchanged letters, those guys must miss us too."
"Yeah, we should."
As Sima Geon nodded and brought the bottle to his lips,
the door to the cabins swung open. Yawning Thunderclap stepped out with the massive Black Wolf in tow.
"Why're you out here?"
Cheol Woo asked.
"This guy's been cooped up too long."
Thunderclap stroked Black Wolf's head as he spoke.
"And folks are getting antsy."
Black Wolf shook himself off as if to say it wasn't his fault.
Just as it hadn't been easy finding a ship in Sichuan that would take Black Wolf aboard, it was no simple task in Wulin either. Fortunately, with help from the Living Immortal Medical House, they boarded a merchant vessel bound for Nanking. But to everyone except the group, Black Wolf was an object of terror. Even after strictly promising they'd ensure he never harmed anyone, nothing changed.
"Good call. Just leave him here. It's easier for everyone."
Sima Geon said, watching Black Wolf rub his head against his leg.
"That's the plan."
"Hey, no drinks for me...? And what's she doing out?"
Cheol Woo scowled at Jin Lim, who was peeking slyly through the half-open door.
"Idiot! 'What's that thing' when you see a person?"
Jin Lim glared at Cheol Woo, then smiled and handed Sima Geon the tray she'd brought.
"Sister Su Rin said you'd be out here, Young Master Sima."
"What's this?"
"Night snacks. Everyone seemed peckish, so I whipped up something simple, but there's more than I thought. No skills to speak of, but give it a try."
"Ha ha! No way."
Sima Geon chuckled lightly. During their travels, he'd learned Jin Lim's cooking was exceptional.
"Night snacks at this hour?"
"Dummy, that's why it's night snacks—'cause it's late."
After jabbing at Cheol Woo, Jin Lim took a bottle from the woman following her.
"Just snacks didn't seem right, so I brought this too."
"Oh, booze. What kind...? Jian Nan Chun!"
Spotting the famous Sichuan liquor, Cheol Woo instinctively reached out.
Jin Lim smacked the back of his hand hard.
"Keep your filthy paws off. This isn't for you, so don't even think about it."
She placed the bottle on the tray and continued.
"The branch leader sent it, figuring you'd be troubled over your brother. He remembered it's what the Tang Clan favored."
"Ah, I see."
Sima Geon nodded, looking sheepish.
"Please thank Leader Neung."
"Will do. Then I'll be off."
Cheol Woo flashed a bright grin and quickly followed behind Jin Lim as she turned.
"That's really all the booze?"
"What're you on about?"
"You know I'm here and bring just that tiny bottle? Come on, there's more."
Cheol Woo wheedled slyly.
"Nope."
"There is."
"I said no."
"Bet there is."
"......"
Jin Lim sighed and glared fiercely.
"'That thing' again!"
"Ah, my bad. It just slipped out."
"......"
"Really."
After staring him down for a long moment, Jin Lim pulled out the hidden bottle.
"Call me that one more time."
"It was a mistake."
Cheol Woo snatched the bottle from her hand with glee and turned, but Jin Lim tugged his sleeve gently.
"It's stronger than what you had at the Tang Clan. Eat some snacks with it."
"What? Booze like this is best straight. That's true drinking."
Cheol Woo thumped his chest and walked off. A quiet sigh escaped Jin Lim's lips.
"Idiot."
"Kugh!"
With a short scream, former Mount Hua Sect elder Pung Yang collapsed limply.
His neat robes were torn to shreds, and his snow-white beard was soaked in blood.
Lying on the ground, Pung Yang's gaze drifted unconsciously toward Lotus Flower Cave.
In his fading consciousness, he was simply worried for the young disciples hiding there in fear—but he hadn't considered that it might expose them to the enemy.
"Looks like a few rats are hiding."
Red Sand Hall Leader Wol Ju, his head wrapped in red cloth symbolizing Red Sand Hall, sneered murderously as he headed toward the cave.
The battle that began at noon dragged into late night. As he finished atop Lotus Peak—also called West Peak—overlooking the world, Palace Lord Um Jeok So called out to Wol Ju.
"Wol Ju."
"Yes, Palace Lord."
"Leave them."
"But..."
"We need some survivors to spread the word of Mount Hua Sect's end."
"Understood."
Wol Ju withdrew carefully.
Um Jeok So leisurely enjoyed the serene moonlight and the starry sky brimming as if about to pour down. Before stepping away, he tossed a small pebble toward Lotus Flower Cave.
A startled rustle rose briefly, then vanished.
"Brats! This big brother's name is Um Jeok So. If anyone asks, that's what you say. Kahahaha!"
Um Jeok So turned with a mad laugh and descended the mountain.
Upon reaching Golden Chain Pass, where West, East, and South Peaks converged, his subordinates who had finished their tasks awaited him.
"Why so late, Palace Lord?"
Ma Uk yawned as he asked.
"I never thought it'd take this long, but I was starting to worry."
Um Jeok So glanced at the towering Lotus Peak in the darkness and replied to Left Sword's words.
"The view from Lotus Peak was just too good."
"I get it. Same here."
Left Sword, who had scaled South Peak—Falling Goose Peak—nodded in understanding.
"Yeah? It was cool and all, but I didn't wanna linger."
Ma Uk, who had swept through the Taoist temples on East Peak—Morning Sun Peak—looked puzzled.
"Anyway, better hurry. The strategist must be waiting anxiously."
Ma Uk took the lead, quickening his pace.
After scouring every Taoist temple scattered across Mount Hua on the way to Jade Heaven Garden and eliminating even the ants, Iron Blood Palace subordinates who had been awaiting Palace Lord Um Jeok So's return greeted them.
Upon arriving at brightly lit Jade Heaven Garden, Jong Yo, who had come out to meet him, bowed deeply.
"Congratulations on the victory, Palace Lord."
Um Jeok So grinned and raised a hand lightly. Cheers of victory erupted from all sides.
The roars continued, chaining one after another.
Unable to wait longer, Jong Yo approached Um Jeok So.
"Please, come inside. We've prepared a modest celebration for the triumph."
Um Jeok So nodded and raised his hand. The cheers cut off instantly.
"The strategist has prepared a victory feast. Everyone, let's go."
"Waaah!"
Another roar shook Mount Hua.
By the time Um Jeok So, mingling with his subordinates in revelry, faced Jong Yo again, dawn was near.
"Damn it, even if it's just a bunch of Taoists, how can there be no booze?"
Um Jeok So grumbled the moment he sat.
The mood with his men had been fine, but holding a feast without alcohol clearly irked him.
"My apologies. I sent men urgently to procure some, but the nearest city selling liquor is too far, and no farmsteads around had any."
"Forget it. I'm not blaming you, so don't worry. What about the meat? From the farms?"
"We hunted it."
"Good work. No booze, so no meat either, right? Lucky we got some, or we'd be filling our bellies with grass. Ah, wonder if Zhongnan Sect's the same."
Jong Yo glanced at Um Jeok So's expression before speaking.
"Zhongnan Sect's a bit different."
"Different? Aren't they Taoists too?"
"They are, but a tad more worldly, shall we say? Mount Hua disciples do partake in liquor and meat, but only when away from the sect. Strictly forbidden at the main peak. Zhongnan Sect doesn't fuss over time or place, from what I hear."
"No way."
"......"
"For real?"
"Yes."
"Damn, shoulda gone to Zhongnan Sect. No wonder those old geezers went without complaint."
Iron Blood Palace had split forces to raid Zhongnan and Mount Hua. Um Jeok So recalled the elders' glee at being assigned Zhongnan and fumed.
"They must've had a proper party, unlike us."
Um Jeok So didn't even consider defeat for the Zhongnan group. He knew Zhongnan—one of the Nine Great Sects—had power, but Iron Blood Palace's forces were overwhelming enough to dismiss it.
"It likely wasn't as easy as you think. Unlike Mount Hua, which sent over half its forces as reinforcements to Shaolin, Zhongnan had a smaller support contingent and thus fuller strength."
"That's why we threw most of our forces at them. If they can't take it in that setup, they deserve to die."
"The assault succeeded, no doubt. Just with more casualties than here."
"They wouldn't go down quietly, so unavoidable. How many did we lose?"
"Exactly twenty-nine dead."
"That many?"
Um Jeok So asked in surprise.
This was Mount Hua. Even weakened by sending reinforcements to Shaolin, losing fewer than thirty men to topple the mighty Huashan Sect? No one would believe it.
But Um Jeok So had reason to react so.
He hadn't held back his subordinates in the Huashan fight.
When striking Jade Heaven Garden to kill the sect leader, or facing the elders—Huashan's core—he moved first. Charging ahead, he eliminated the biggest threats personally.
"Casualties from those sweeping the scattered temples. Seems there were unexpected masters."
"Can't be helped. That old guy on Lotus Peak alone would've taken several if not for me. Probably same elsewhere."
Um Jeok So nodded, recalling Pung Yang's superior skill among Huashan foes.
"Oh, right—no word from Blood Cult yet?"
"Too soon for a reply. Our proposal might not have reached their leadership."
"I see."
"Yes. We moved too fast. Could've tested the waters first."
Jong Yo sighed.
"Who knows. We're this far; didn't wanna dawdle. Anyway, we'll wait. Once they confirm Huashan's smashed, they'll take our alliance more seriously."
He spoke casually, showing no real regret.
"Speaking of—any trace of the Divine Demon Division Leader?"
"Confirmed they're heading home from the Tang Clan, but tracking precisely is still lacking."
"Huh. Doesn't matter. Word'll reach their ears soon enough. Curious if they'll come find me again."
His eyes gleamed coldly, utterly convinced they would.