Chapter 227
Chapter 227
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 227
Chapter Title: Word Flies a Thousand Miles (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Left Venerable, it's me.”
The voice came from outside the door, and Sima Sang hurriedly replied.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Ochu entered.
His sunken eyes and sallow skin made him look utterly worn out, a far cry from the face Sima Sang had seen that morning—clearly, the mental strain had taken its toll.
Sima Sang couldn't help but give a wry smile at how Ochu had completely transformed in just half a day.
“Did you find them?”
“Yes. We did.”
“Where are they headed?”
“It looks like they're making a move on the World's Supreme Cult.”
“The World's Supreme Cult, eh. I see. It's certainly a good target for an attack.”
Ya Gul Soseong, who had been discussing matters with Sima Sang regarding the Saryeong, spoke up.
“But Left Venerable, isn't that place always crowded with people? Things could go wrong if we're not careful.”
“The moment the Saryeong made their move, problems were inevitable. In any case, a crowd makes it easier to attack—they can hide their presence better. Ochu.”
“Yes, Left Venerable.”
“Too late to stop them now, I suppose?”
“Yes. Considering the speed of the pleasure boat carrying Geomgak and Sima Geon, the attack has likely already begun by now.”
“I see.”
Sima Sang nodded.
“Pleasure boat? You don't mean one of our merchant guild's boats, do you?”
Ya Gul Soseong tilted his head, sensing something off.
“That's right. I reported earlier that they had borrowed one from the guild.”
Ya Gul Soseong's face stiffened slightly, as if he had no recollection of it.
“Ah... right.”
“It's worrying. Even if the Saryeong specialize in ambushes and surprise attacks, their opponents are Sima Geon and the Sword Queen. There's a limit to how much they can do hiding among the crowd.”
Ochu added a few words to Ya Gul Cheonkyeong's comment.
“They've also prepared fire ships.”
“Fire ships?”
Ochu briefly explained the fire ships before mentioning the gunpowder at the end.
“We've also confirmed that a large quantity of gunpowder stored at the cult has been removed.”
Everyone's expressions hardened at the word "gunpowder."
This wasn't mere fireworks—it was the kind of powerful explosive capable of harming people, strictly controlled by the authorities.
“This could turn into a real headache.”
Ya Gul Cheonkyeong shook his head at Ya Gul Soseong's words.
“Even if it does, no one can trace it back to us. An official investigation wouldn't lead anywhere. Our real concern is that Iron Fiend fellow.”
“Why him?”
“He's with the Yanghoe Escort Agency, isn't he? They've been gaining fame lately. If his identity gets exposed, we'll have a massive problem on our hands.”
“True enough, that would be trouble. But don't worry too much. Surely he wouldn't be that careless.”
“Would a guy who thinks that far ahead pull off something this reckless? When that bastard gets back, I'll—”
Ya Gul Cheonkyeong shuddered, clenching his fist tightly.
“Anyway, I just hope they all return safely.”
Sima Sang let out a sigh.
The air in the room grew heavy.
Given their opponents, everyone knew the odds of them all returning unharmed were slim to none.
Cheol Woo's eyes snapped open.
'Where...'
Realizing he was underwater, Cheol Woo grimaced.
Pain radiated through his entire body. Fortunately, there were no fatal wounds, but he'd be suffering for days. On top of that, he'd been caught in the blast right in front of him, losing consciousness briefly.
'They're probably worried sick.'
As he started toward the surface, something approached rapidly. Recognizing it as Black Fang, Cheol Woo waved happily.
Black Fang rubbed against him, and Cheol Woo grabbed its scruff, gesturing upward.
Splash!
Cheol Woo, who had plunged into the water amid the exploding fire ship, shot out of the river. Black Fang followed, having swiftly cleared the assailants trying to attack the pleasure boat from below.
When Cheol Woo didn't surface even after some time had passed, the anxious onlookers erupted in cheers at the sight of him and Black Fang.
The moment he broke the surface, Cheol Woo spotted a fire ship bearing down on Geomgak and punched without hesitation.
He shattered the fire ship before the gunpowder hidden in its straw bundles could detonate, then boarded the pleasure boat carrying Geomgak's swordsmen. Black Fang landed right behind him.
Geomgak's swordsmen gave Cheol Woo and Black Fang grateful looks.
“Oh, this isn't my boat.”
Only then did Cheol Woo realize he had boarded the wrong pleasure boat, his expression turning awkward.
He'd lost his bearings amid the chaos and the blast that sent him into the water.
“You okay?”
Jin Rim scurried over like a squirrel and grabbed his arm.
“I'm fine, of course.”
Cheol Woo hid his pain behind a smile.
“But what's up with you?”
He stared oddly at Jin Rim's bloodshot eyes.
“Nothing!”
Startled, Jin Rim quickly wiped her tears and shook her head.
Mistaking her fear of the enemy attack, Cheol Woo patted his chest.
“Hey, don't worry so much. Everything's gonna be fine.”
“Just be careful, you idiot—falling into the water like that.”
Cheol Woo burst out laughing at her pouty face.
“Hahaha! You saw that? Total fluke. Anyway, I'm off. Stay cautious, just in case.”
He winked at Jin Rim and leaped away.
Jin Rim stared blankly at his unexpected playfulness.
“What did I just see?”
Deng Ryeo of the White Sword Unit, eyes wide, asked from beside her. Yang Yujeong smirked.
“What else? A big bear showing off.”
Jin Rim, overhearing, kept her head bowed for a long while.
Boom!
Cheol Woo plunged back into the fray alongside Sima Geon, doing his utmost to block the fire ships, but there were too many swarming from all sides.
The ones targeting Geomgak's boat now veered toward theirs. Inevitably, two fire ships collided with the pleasure boat, one exploding spectacularly.
Flames erupted across the deck, and water rushed in through the hole.
“Put out the fire!”
“Block the water!”
“Too late. We need to evacuate.”
“Signal Geomgak.”
In the pandemonium, with the pleasure boat ablaze and the Wa Ryong Squad in chaos, Go Yangcho quietly issued his order.
“Prepare.”
At Go Yangcho's command, Mi Nok signaled his subordinates hidden among the crowd.
As the Saryeong assassin drew his sword amid the people, the crowd scattered in all directions.
“I'm going first.”
“Take care.”
Mi Nok bowed, and Go Yangcho chuckled lightly, patting his shoulder before turning.
“Let's go.”
With a short shout, Go Yangcho leaped from the World's Supreme Cult's boat, followed almost simultaneously by over twenty others.
“Ambush! Watch out!”
Sima Geon, finishing off the last fire ship, spotted the attackers and yelled. But the Wa Ryong Squad, gripped by panic over the sinking ship, could barely react.
“Argh!”
“Aaaah!”
Screams echoed as Wa Ryong Squad members, defenseless against the Saryeong assault, collapsed lifelessly.
“Our turn.”
Mi Nok eyed another pleasure boat. It wasn't sinking like the first, but it was aflame and in disarray, the blaze refusing to die down.
“As I said, no heroics. Eliminate the target, then withdraw immediately.”
Mi Nok exchanged quick glances with his men and moved first.
A dozen Saryeong followed him, leaping from the World's Supreme Cult's boat.
Sima Geon immediately hurled his Heavenly Demon Sword.
A sword control technique at its peak.
The sword streaked like a beam of light, missing not a single Saryeong, including Mi Nok.
“What the...”
Mi Nok plummeted, staring incredulously at the gaping hole in his chest.
But the sword targeting them wasn't just one.
As the Heavenly Demon Sword swept through them, Neung Cho's thrown sword hurtled in at terrifying speed, engulfing the rest.
“Damn, guess I was doomed anyway.”
A hollow laugh escaped Mi Nok as he faced the sword aimed at his brow.
“Ah!”
Jegal Su squeezed his eyes shut, unable to react to the Saryeong coming for him.
As the assassin's blade neared his throat, a massive form slammed into the foe.
No scream.
The headless body staggered before toppling.
When Jegal Su opened his eyes, sensing something amiss, Black Fang stood guard before him.
Black Fang, following Cheol Woo, had spotted Jegal Su in dire straits and saved him.
“Black Fang!”
Jegal Su tried to hug its neck in gratitude, but Black Fang deftly dodged and charged toward the enemies attacking the Wa Ryong Squad.
Jegal Su looked awkward but quickly grasped the situation and moved cautiously.
'Be careful.'
With no real martial arts to speak of, there was nothing he could do. Staying out of sight and cheering silently was the best way to help his allies.
Go Yangcho, leaping from the World's Supreme Cult's boat, targeted So Surin.
The sole woman among Sima Geon's group—a sure mark amid the chaos.
Though So Surin's skills had advanced leaps and bounds, she couldn't perfectly evade the all-out assault from the Saryeong leader, honed by the Blood Cult.
Even twisting away at Sima Geon's warning, she took a hit to her left shoulder.
Yet, thanks to the Immortal Venom Emperor Technique granting her a body perhaps tougher than Cheol Woo's, So Surin emerged unscathed from Go Yangcho's strike.
No torn flesh or broken bones.
Her face twisted slightly from the physical impact.
Her instinctive grab grazed Go Yangcho's side.
Go Yangcho, aiming to bisect her and swing toward others, jolted as if striking rock. A chilling sensation spread from his side, forcing him to retreat hastily.
“W-what the...”
Staring at So Surin like a monster, Go Yangcho glanced at his sword.
Not a famed blade, but honed sharp enough to cleave human flesh effortlessly. Yet it left no mark on this seemingly delicate woman.
“Who the hell are you?”
“You lunatic! You attack without even knowing who I am?”
So Surin looked utterly baffled.
“Quite the sturdy body... Ngh.”
A low groan escaped Go Yangcho.
He ripped open his robes to reveal skin turning black.
It was rotting rapidly.
Without hesitation, Go Yangcho sliced away the discolored flesh.
He kept cutting until fresh red blood flowed, removing what looked like a full pound of meat without changing expression.
So Surin was genuinely impressed by his ruthless decisiveness. At the same time, she thanked the heavens that his attack had targeted her, not someone else.
For Sima Geon's group, Go Yangcho's choice was a stroke of great luck; for him, desperate to wound Sima Geon, it was bitter misfortune.
Anyone but So Surin—Manchu, Gwa Yu, or Noejeon—wouldn't have withstood his strike. Among those on the boat, only she could block—no, withstand—it.