Chapter 232
Chapter 232
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 232
Chapter Title: To Shaoxing (3)
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"Who's that old man?"
A short distance from the butcher shop, Buk Taejeong—who had been secretly observing the place while hiding his presence—made a troubled face at the sudden arrival of these people.
While Sima Hyeon was cleaning the butcher shop, quite a few visitors had stopped by. Most were merchants from nearby shops dropping in to greet Sima Hyeon after his long absence. But the atmosphere around the woman chattering away with a constant smile and the old man and young man gazing at her fondly was entirely different from theirs.
'This isn't just casual acquaintance.'
The way the woman reacted to Sima Hyeon suggested their relationship was anything but ordinary.
'Lovers? Family? Or... no way, his little sister?'
Buk Taejeong unwittingly thought of the younger sister who had supposedly gone to the Living Immortal Medical House to study medicine.
'Then are they from the Living Immortal Medical House?'
Buk Taejeong sharply scrutinized Baek Muhyeon and Dokgo Ryong.
Baek Muhyeon, with his sharp and icy expression, exuded a prickly, austere air.
'Definitely fits a Living Immortal Medical House physician.'
Buk Taejeong mistook the vibe from Baek Muhyeon for the confidence—or arrogance—typical of renowned healers.
No matter how he looked at Dokgo Ryong, with his foolish grin, the young man seemed far removed from any physician. Instead, the subtle aura he emitted was something only true masters who had properly trained in martial arts possessed. The sword at his waist confirmed Buk Taejeong's suspicions.
The Living Immortal Medical House had many disciples who trained in martial arts, some of them quite skilled masters. Buk Taejeong pegged Dokgo Ryong as one of those.
In a situation where he thought he'd only need to deal with Ha Huyeon, the unexpected appearance of a master was a major wrinkle. But in focusing too much on Baek Muhyeon and Dokgo Ryong, he completely failed to notice that Sima Jin was a master rivaling or even surpassing Dokgo Ryong.
Nor did he realize that when he had slipped away secretly to report the unexpected variables, Baek Muhyeon's gaze had zeroed in exactly on his hiding spot.
"Variables?"
So Yunbaek asked in an irritated tone.
"Unexpected figures visited the butcher shop."
Buk Taejeong explained everything he had seen and sensed, holding nothing back.
So Yunbaek was unsatisfied with the report.
It was all just Buk Taejeong's impressions; the only concrete fact was that unidentified people had shown up at the butcher shop. He couldn't dismiss the opinion outright, though, leaving a heavy weight in his chest like a stone had been placed there.
"What do you all think?"
So Yunbaek asked his squad members.
"Shouldn't we investigate more? An unexpected variable has appeared, after all."
Hyang Nam said cautiously.
"It's just one guy at most. Even the young one who looks like the old man's guard—I can handle him easily enough."
Dang Geum showed confidence.
"How does he stack up against that Ha Huyeon bastard?"
At Bu Yang's question, Buk Taejeong answered carefully.
"Hard to say for sure without seeing them fight. But my gut says he's a notch stronger. If Ha Huyeon feels like a well-honed blade, this guy feels like a honed blade sheathed in its scabbard."
"What kinda nonsense is that?"
Dang Geum scowled in confusion, but So Yunbaek's expression grew grave.
"If your instincts are right, that means he's a cut above."
"Seems that way."
"This is a headache."
So Yunbaek scanned the squad members in the room. Ten men including himself should have no trouble handling one or two average foes.
Yet for some reason, it didn't feel right. Like he was missing something.
The deliberation didn't last long.
It was a job that had to be done, an order that had to be carried out.
"Still time until nightfall. I'd like to keep eyes on them a bit longer."
As So Yunbaek surveyed the squad, he called out to the man standing farthest back.
"Yo Su."
The man called Yo Su stepped forward. He was of slightly short stature, with a slender build that could pass for a woman's.
"Looks like you'll have to go. We can't risk getting spotted while surveilling."
"Got it."
Yo Su, the squad's best at stealth, nodded without protest.
"Buk Taejeong, you go with him."
"Me?"
Buk Taejeong, feeling an instinctive aversion unlike his usual self, looked reluctant. So Yunbaek's gaze turned icy.
"Yo Su doesn't know their hideout yet. Show him and come back."
"Ah, understood."
Under So Yunbaek's menacing glare, Buk Taejeong dared not object.
Having received orders from Ling Province Lord Gu Yangcho to kill Sima Geon's brothers, the Death Command Killer Squad left Yunryong Inn well past midnight.
In the dead of night when all were asleep, eight shadows moved stealthily and arrived at the Wu family village on the outskirts of Shaoxing.
Just before they entered the village, Buk Taejeong—who had gone ahead to monitor Sima Geon's brothers—greeted them.
"Where's Yo Su?"
So Yunbaek asked.
"Surveilling their hideout."
"Not spotted, I hope?"
"No. Kept maximum distance just in case."
"Any special variables?"
"None."
"Good work."
So Yunbaek nodded slowly and gestured lightly to move out.
When they reached the hideout of Sima Geon's brothers, Yo Su emerged from hiding as silently as a ghost.
No one had noticed his presence, but So Yunbaek wasn't particularly surprised. It wasn't his first time.
"Anything special?"
So Yunbaek repeated the question he'd asked Buk Taejeong.
"Nothing."
"Targets?"
"Left room. That's where the Sima Geon brothers are. Right room has the guests."
"Ha Huyeon and the young guy from earlier are together?"
"Yes."
"Perfect. Easier than expected to take out the targets. Dang Geum, Hyang Nam."
Dang Geum and Hyang Nam's gazes snapped to So Yunbaek.
"You're up. No mistakes."
At So Yunbaek's order, Dang Geum grinned broadly and nodded.
"We'll handle it clean."
So Yunbaek looked over the rest of the squad.
"You lot are with me on the right room guys."
"We attacking?"
After a moment's thought at Bu Yang's question, So Yunbaek nodded.
"We attack. Leaving them could interfere with taking out the targets. Minimize variables."
Even as he decided, a lingering doubt gnawed at So Yunbaek—whether it was the right call. That ominous feeling wouldn't fade.
"Squad leader."
So Yunbaek turned at Yo Su's call.
"What?"
"Doesn't feel right. Just..."
Though Yo Su trailed off, So Yunbaek knew what he meant.
"We can do this. We'll succeed."
Forcing resolve, So Yunbaek began to move slowly, the squad following like shadows.
Ten men moved without a single footstep or breath to be heard.
Entering the courtyard, So Yunbaek gestured, and the group split in two.
Confirming Dang Geum and Hyang Nam heading to the left room where the Sima Geon brothers slept, So Yunbaek signaled the rest.
Yo Su and a few climbed the roof; the others took positions at the windows and doors.
So Yunbaek turned.
Dang Geum and Hyang Nam were ready, awaiting orders. Exchanging glances, So Yunbaek folded his fingers one by one.
When the last finger tucked in, Dang Geum and Hyang Nam kicked in the left room's door and charged. At the same instant, the assault on the right room was about to begin.
"Stop!"
Yo Su on the roof bellowed like thunder.
His comrades, poised to strike, pulled back immediately.
The problem was Dang Geum and Hyang Nam, who couldn't halt in time by a hair's breadth.
Dang Geum, who had burst through the door first, came flying back out, smashing through a window. Hyang Nam suffered the same fate, though unlike Dang Geum—who was out cold—Hyang Nam slammed into a corner of the courtyard while still conscious.
The door opened, and the people they assumed asleep walked out leisurely.
"You've got a sharp one among you."
Baek Muhyeon's gaze turned to Yo Su.
"You, right? The one watching us all afternoon."
At Baek Muhyeon's words, Yo Su realized with a shock that he'd been dancing in the enemy's palm. But his surprise paled next to So Yunbaek's.
'Buk Taejeong, you idiot! Physician? Physician? What part of him screamed...'
So Yunbaek couldn't suppress a shudder at the immense aura radiating from Baek Muhyeon.
Then, through the shattered door, Sima Jin stepped out. Sima Hyeon and Sima Ho followed behind her with tense expressions.
"Fine handiwork. They were pretty nimble, too."
Baek Muhyeon chuckled, pointing at Dang Geum and Hyang Nam sprawled in the yard.
"Must be because they let their guard down."
Despite her first real combat—inflicting fatal wounds on Dang Geum and Hyang Nam with just two counters—Sima Jin remained utterly calm. Sima Hyeon and Sima Ho looked stunned at their unfamiliar little sister.
"From the Blood Death Cult? Or the Heavenly Demon Cult?"
Baek Muhyeon asked So Yunbaek.
With no reply, Baek Muhyeon's eyes narrowed.
"Blood Death Cult or Heavenly Demon Cult—doesn't matter. What matters is you dared to target my disciple."
A pressure like a mountain descended from Baek Muhyeon.
"Kuh!"
Directly in its path, a groan escaped So Yunbaek.
"Kneel."
Baek Muhyeon commanded softly. The pressure intensified.
So Yunbaek nearly buckled involuntarily and desperately circulated his inner energy to resist the crushing force.
Pained groans echoed from all sides.
The squad members were far worse off than So Yunbaek. Some had already dropped to their knees.
"Run!"
Roaring with all his might, So Yunbaek charged Baek Muhyeon.
"Ho!"
Baek Muhyeon admired So Yunbaek defying his aura. But nothing changed.
Baek Muhyeon waved lightly. So Yunbaek's lethal charge faltered.
"Guhhh."
A agonized groan leaked from So Yunbaek.
Pain was irrelevant. Staring at his severed arm on the ground, So Yunbaek's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Think you can escape?"
Ha Huyeon, blocking their retreat with a savage glare, swung his sword. Dokgo Ryong's face, usually sporting a sly grin, burned with fury.
One thought dominated their minds.
'You dared target Jin-mei!'
'Filthy scum! Aiming for my junior sister?'
Ha Huyeon and Dokgo Ryong's killing intent-filled swords began to dance.
The survivors, buying escape with So Yunbaek's sacrifice, desperately resisted—but Ha Huyeon and Dokgo Ryong's skills were beyond their comprehension.
Unable to counter or even defend properly, they collapsed powerlessly.
Buk Taejeong, who had first spotted Baek Muhyeon and Dokgo Ryong at the butcher shop and felt uneasy ever since, was bisected at the waist by Dokgo Ryong's strike and perished. Bu Yang and the others met the same end under Ha Huyeon's blade.
"S-Squad... leader..."
So Yunbaek bit his lips until they bled at the sight of Yo Su staggering forward, clutching his gaping chest wound.
It was all his fault. Ignoring his instincts' warning had led to this pointless slaughter. And now, having lost another arm, he could do nothing.
"Ugh."
With a face twisted in despair, So Yunbaek glared at Baek Muhyeon.
"Old man, who are you? Who gave you the right to interfere?"
"Baek Muhyeon."
"Baek Mu... Blue Dragon... Sword Emperor?"
So Yunbaek's pupils trembled violently.
"That's one of my titles."
"......"
So Yunbaek fell silent.
'Walked right into the tiger's den.'
His demonic grimace softened into resignation.
The final dagger prepared by Gu Yangcho had been broken.