Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: When Liquor Is Sweetest
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Do you know when liquor tastes the sweetest?
Sa-pa master Heavenly Ghost Dongbanghyang could say with confidence.
That liquor you drink after a long time tastes the sweetest!
After the victory in the mountain fortress assault, what made him happiest wasn't the victory itself.
It was the supplies piled up like mountains in the warehouses, right at the heart of the supply lines.
"Grrraah!!"
Dongbanghyang savored the rising buzz.
Oh man, look at this. What is it? Liquor. Liquor.
This stuff that was so hard to come by on the front lines was stacked in boxes upon boxes.
And that wasn't all. Meat, grains, and all sorts of things were piled high. The storage facilities were so cold that fresh meat hung untouched without spoiling.
Overflowing supplies. Just that made seizing the fortress worthwhile. He could drink like this every day, and the supply would never run out.
Dongbanghyang guzzled the liquor without restraint. After letting out a loud belch, he leaned back in his chair.
"So? When's the reinforcement coming?"
"I heard it'll take five days."
"Five days. Still, they're coming quick. That's a relief at least."
"Even the Sa-do-ryeon didn't predict this. Who could've guessed we'd successfully raid the fortress?"
"Heh heh. We got lucky."
It wasn't planned. It was pure improvisation.
But the results turned out this good. What else could you call it but luck?
A super-peak expert had been drunk just like him now, and the enemy's guard was lax under the illusion of an impregnable natural fortress.
"Heh heh. Even I think we moved at the perfect time. Don't you?"
"Has the captain's judgment ever been wrong?"
"You slick talker. That's why I keep you around. What about the Heavenly Dragon Society?"
"No movement yet. But they'll move soon enough."
"If the Earth Dragon Commander comes, it'll be dangerous. But the gains from that would be even greater."
Earth Dragon Commander.
A peak Fusion Realm expert.
His absence was nothing short of great news for the Sa-do-ryeon side.
It was like punching a hole in a key area. The benefits from just drawing him away were immense.
They might even get a chance to raid his empty base. It could be trading one fortress and region for the whole thing.
After all, attack is hard, defense is easy. Even an absolute Fusion Realm expert...
Is ultimately human.
With enough people piling on, their ankle gets grabbed eventually.
The longer they dragged this out, the more trouble the enemy would be in. Once the reinforcements arrived in five days and filled the fortress, the Earth Dragon Commander would have to swallow bitter water.
Go retake the fortress? Worry about his original post.
Leave it? Supply lines crippled.
Ah, fortress... you bastard...
You're nothing but a lucky charm to me!
"The Commander will be thrilled to hear this."
"With merits like this, won't you snag a big position in the Sa-do-ryeon?"
"Heh heh. You think so too? If things go well, I might even climb right next to the Commander. Who knows, our eyes might meet, and we could get even closer."
"Don't forget about me then."
"Who're you?"
"...Captain."
"Hahaha! Kidding! Get out."
Dongbanghyang waved his hand lazily.
"Tell the men not to slack off. If even a drop of liquor touches the lips of those on guard duty, I'll snap their necks."
"Understood."
"Not a joke. I'll patrol randomly, so spread the word. If I find any slacker, I'll toss him off the bottom of the fortress myself."
"I'll make sure they stay sharp."
The subordinate left. Dongbanghyang drained the rest of his liquor.
The meat was delicious, and snacks to soothe lonely nights overflowed. From light bites to luxury goods stacked in the warehouse.
All good. All great, but...
Still, no women is a shame.
It's been a while since he tasted a woman's flavor. He really wanted some now...
Can't have it, so it's a pity.
"Liquor is my lover now... tastes bitter. Bitter taste."
Dongbanghyang poured the last drop from the bottle. As he smacked his lips, he suddenly noticed the surroundings noisier than usual.
At first, he thought it was his drunken men causing a ruckus. But soon, he realized it wasn't.
Bell tolls.
Shit! Bell tolls! Intruders?!
Dongbanghyang gripped his greatsword leaning against the wall.
The subordinate who'd left earlier burst back in.
"...Damn it. What's the commotion?!"
"C-Captain! Intruders!"
"Intruders? Did Heavenly Dragon Society warriors attack at night?! You should've reported sooner!"
"N-No, it's not..."
The subordinate swallowed dryly.
"Th-The enemy numbers less than ten!"
"...What? Getting played by fewer than ten? You saying they're Earth Dragon Commander level?"
"N-New faces! Already two peak experts down!"
"What the...? What about the passage to the outside?!"
"Th-The entrance is sealed too! No one's come back from checking...!"
Blocked?
By unknowns?
Dongbanghyang wiped cold sweat. What's this? Heart pounding unusually since earlier.
His instincts were always sharp. Luck followed, letting them take the fortress.
...But now...
His instincts screamed danger.
"Wh-What...?"
Run. Right now.
"G-Gather the men! Now!"
...
The area around the mountain fortress wasn't ideal for infiltration.
Nothing to hide the view. The terrain was carved out for clear surveillance from the start.
No shadows, so we were spotted approaching. The blaring bells made us smash through the closing entrance.
---KABOOM!!!
The wooden gate crumbled under my fierce sword strike. Amid flying debris, warriors shouted.
Sounds mixed. Some charged us. The swinging axes and thrusting swords were laughably light.
No need for me. Three stepped up first, breaking the three Sa-pa intruders in their own ways, yelling fiercely.
"Drop your weapons!"
"Hands up! Or die!"
"Surrender and live!"
Blood sprayed. I watched impassively.
Sa-pa warriors. From the moment of the assault, they poured out from inner buildings like cockroaches.
They'd been drinking heavily; liquor stench everywhere. Some, oblivious, flailed against walls.
Worse chaos than expected. Had they let their guard down without seeing Heavenly Dragon Society's big move?
I signaled the remaining four as planned.
"See you later."
"Later."
The fortress's two entrances.
Four cultists vanished to block them. Just mop-up left.
Sua's hands trembled. I gently held them, straightening her sword grip.
"If you don't want to, quit now."
"...I'm fine, Dad."
With Sua leading, the warriors moved. Three teams. Backed by Death Gate members.
Ones dousing cold water to shake off drunkenness charged. Sua tensed at their numbers.
But I didn't draw her sword for her. She chose this; respect her will.
Sua's sword shook the ground. Beautiful plum blossoms bloomed from her thrust tip.
Illusion Sword and Heavy Sword. A bizarre blend of the incompatible.
The defender's head split in two. She flinched at the bursting blood but quickly steadied and swung again.
Na-rin and Gwang-yang, Baek-hyeon and Gu Hwa-rin moved beautifully too. But I couldn't look away from Sua.
Each of her daughter's moves bore her master's mark. The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordsmanship unfolding was breathtakingly beautiful.
But the Plum Blossom style shifted next. Adapting to need, her energy condensed at the tip.
---KABOOOOOM!!!
The struck air exploded. The three caught in it shattered and scattered.
Beast-like kick momentum. I caught Eun Seol-ran's scent in it.
Righteous Demon Four Swords. Explosive strike sword.
She learned well.
"...You witch!"
A Sa-pa warrior playing dead amid corpses leaped up. His ambush sword was blocked by Sua's bare hand.
Blazing yin energy. Destructive claw within pulverized the enemy's sword.
---CRUNCH!!
Lord Joo Ryeong-ryeong's Nine Yin White Bone Claw. A move eerily similar ripped the enemy's head from his body.
---SPLASHHH!!!
No flinch at the gushing blood fountain. Quickly adapting to battle, she pressed on relentlessly.
Sword tip wavered. The swing path began holding one intent.
Shaking vision. Some sweet scent let me grasp its meaning.
...Mimicking Demon Illusion Technique with Gelro-ro?
As if confirming, some charging foes suddenly halted. Eyes narrowing entranced, weapons dropped.
No small feat. The swift sword subduing it perfectly mimicked Baek Mae's blade.
Black-White Lotus Sword burst from Sua's hand. Moonlight-like flashes smacked defenseless warriors' faces with the flat, knocking them out.
"...Hoo!"
One breath to steady.
In that instant, over ten Sa-pa warriors fell combat-incapable.
Fearsome power. Not just power, but judgment using arts aptly stood out.
Sa-pa warriors hesitated. At renewed surrender calls, some raised hands, kneeling.
"I-I surrender!"
"M-Mercy, sir!"
"You damn bastards! What the hell?!"
Grom amid surrenders. A heavy thud shook the ground as one leaped from a high building.
Fierce energy bloomed. Muscles rippled on the giant far bigger than me.
"I am Heavenly Ghost Dongbanghyang! I've named myself, so you shit-stirrers name yourselves!"
Not just loud voice. Energy from his greatsword danced.
Star-like sparkling energy atop it.
At the sword aura traces, I stepped forward. No matter what, better I handle that.
"Murim Alliance reinforcement captain, Red Cloud."
"Murim Alliance...? Not even Heavenly Dragon Society?! Then what the hell is this?!"
"Drop weapons and surrender. Then you'll live."
"Fuck...! Who the hell are you to order me...?"
Dongbanghyang.
The one Earth Dragon Commander warned of. He roused energy full-body. But his eyes trembled visibly.
...As expected.
Not Sua's prowess; another had swung sword: Gu Hwa-rin. Freshly entered Fusion Realm.
He'd seen the dancing plum blossoms in her fluid moves. And recognized her as above him.
Scared.
Sa-pa style: own life first.
"...One chance! Turn and leave, and this seat will pretend you weren't here!"
"I'll say it once more: drop weapons, surrender. If you don't want needless blood."
"Th-This is final! Scram! Giving you a chance to live! I'm Heavenly Ghost! Famous Sa-pa master!"
"Mine too."
I drew Ghost Sword Black Bead.
"Drop weapons and surrender."
"...Fuck!"
Enemy's greatsword ambushed. Sword tip blazed with full energy.
Whatever blocks it, blow away. I matched the move, rousing power.
No need for Four Elements Unite. One slow, heavy sword suffices.
Flames ignited at my sword tip. Dongbanghyang paled late, spotting it.
But too late.
Fire Wheel Blood Ghost Sword
Second Form
Soul-Pulling Thrust
The merciless blunt sword thrust, parrying his blade. Not content, it devoured his greatsword and the arm wielding it.
---KABOOOOOOM!!!
Late explosion shattered the sword, scattering shards. Fragments hit him as his arm burned near-irreparably; Dongbanghyang gaped.
Power to pulverize even energy-reinforced bones.
Dongbanghyang staggered back. Staring late at the hilt-only sword, he spoke.
"...Ha..."
"Ha?"
"Surrender!!!"
He prostrated flat.
"Spare my life!"
".......?"
Quicker survival instincts than expected; I awkwardly sheathed my sword.
Knows his place, nothing to say but...
Switch too fast, no?