Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: The Faceless Ones
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We tracked the Blood Cult.
The method itself was simple. Just apply the same approach we'd been using all along.
But the process wasn't smooth. The enemies had surpassed the level of ordinary warriors.
"We need to subdue them cleanly. Without leaving any traces."
"You're asking me to do something unbecoming of my station!"
The Blazing Heaven Fist Demon's overwhelming might proved helpful here. He excelled at smashing and exploding things, but his foundational realm was the Fire Transformation stage.
He easily subdued warriors several levels below him. The key was that the enemy was never just one.
I had to join in as well. Gripping my sword, I ambushed them while minimizing injuries.
The timing and method required layer upon layer of meticulous preparation.
From the subdued spies, we uncovered another link in the chain.
But not everything connected perfectly.
"Soul Subjugation isn't omnipotent. The moment the target exploits a gap in their memories, they'll break free from the hypnosis. The longer it goes on, the easier those fabricated memory gaps are to spot."
"So it's a race against time."
"...It's urgent now, but we need to move even faster. The key is to extract as much intel as possible before they realize we're onto them."
We cut back on sleep. We scoured the streets, sifting out Blood Cult spies from the crowds.
Knock them down, subdue them, extract information. Repeat.
In the midst of it, we crossed paths with a few familiar faces.
"The scent of someone I admire...?"
For some reason, Seo Cho-hee-the young lady of the Northern Gate Book Family from the Rakshasa Sect in Yeongam- was there.
"...A familiar aura, somehow...?"
Even Yeon-gwang, who inherited the Brain Force Sword from the Black Snake Sect, whom I considered fairly close.
We bumped into those two familiar figures on the streets. But we turned away without a word.
We were busy, and to them, I was a stranger. My old human-skin mask had been torn to shreds long ago.
I simply noted in my heart that they were safe and moved on.
Changes began stirring on the Blood Cult's side as well.
"You bastards!"
Those who'd been ambushed without defenses started bolstering their guards. Some links severed entirely.
Signs that the Blood Cult had caught on to our presence. Even so, we didn't stop.
We pressed forward. Repeated our work.
We fought. The Blazing Heaven Fist Demon subdued the foes, and I backed him up.
Small talk dwindled. No one spoke even during meals.
We simply reviewed the next target's info as if it were routine. Black Orchid's ledger, once one book, now spanned three.
"...We're filling it with physiognomy sketches too. Names could be fake."
By the time we'd uncovered over sixty branch members...
That's when we faced them for the first time. A foe stronger than any we'd seen.
"...You bastards the faceless rats stirring up trouble right now?"
Even if the Soul Subjugation was exposed, it seemed not all the tampered memories returned.
They recalled our existence but not our faces perfectly.
We were known to the Blood Cult as the 'Faceless Ones.' Partly because we wore masks bought off the streets.
"What the hell are you after? What do you want?"
From their perspective, it must have seemed bizarre.
We weren't killing the ones we caught. We were letting them go.
"...Doesn't matter. Half-kill 'em and drag 'em off."
The Blood Cult powerhouse raised his sword. The men-clearly trained systematically-drew theirs.
The Blazing Heaven Fist Demon whispered.
"Subduing those bastards without a scratch is even beyond me."
"No need."
I figured we'd reached the endgame. Them coming to us was a blessing.
I drew my sword from its sheath after ages. Ghost Valley White Night rang out with a clear chime.
"Judging by their bearing, they're core Blood Cult members. Loaded with info. Doesn't look like Soul Subjugation will work... Let's end the tracking here and report to the Ghost Horse Squad."
"Ghost Horse Squad? You bastards are Ghost Horse Squad warriors...?"
---Fwoosh.
Crimson aura erupted from the Blazing Heaven Fist Demon's body. His muscles writhed and swelled visibly.
"Kuhuhu. Finally. Time to cut loose after so long!"
"What?! A master! Alert the cult now-!"
"You think I'll let you?"
I instantly unleashed Ghost Shadow Step, circling behind them. Amid Yeongam's night streets, ghost swords danced wildly.
The result was victory. The Blood Cult member, one arm severed, spat blood as he was subdued.
"This can't be...!"
"Whether it can or can't is for me to decide."
"You won't learn a thing from me!"
"We'll see about that."
Black Orchid immediately cast Soul Subjugation. But the cultist resisted fiercely.
"Think some weird spell will work on me?!"
"...He's right. A powerhouse immune to Soul Subjugation... Stronger than me. Nameless."
As the situation grew tricky-should we resort to torture?-a black shadow dropped down by the wall.
"Looks like you're in a bind. Young Master Mu."
"...Young Master Heuk? Where've you been?"
"Making preparations. Reading the overall mood."
Shadows rose behind Black Wind. A group whose faces I couldn't even make out-I lowered my sword.
"...Who'd you bring?"
"Whoa, easy. Young Master Mu and I are on the same side, aren't we? Same goal. Saw you tracking enemies with some pretty crude methods. How much intel you got?"
"You... I knew something was off. You're no ordinary guy."
Black Orchid sighed.
"...Black Wind's crew. Footwork so silent not a sound escapes... You're with Full Moon, aren't you?"
Full Moon.
A name I'd heard once from the First Demon.
Black Wind smirked.
"Won't deny it, Little Black. But hey, we've got our side of the story too. We were prepping to sell some valuable intel at a premium... And lo and behold, looks like our findings overlap with yours."
"...Planning to sell Blood Cult intel to the sects, huh? So? Here to kill us before it leaks?"
"As if! Even for me, that's too much. You see me as some heartless scum with no pity...? That hurts."
Black Wind leaped down from the wall.
"Lemme help tidy up. Hand that guy over to me. Soul Subjugation ain't working, but we've got tricks beyond convenient spells. Less than an hour, and he'll be spilling his childhood friend's name."
"How do we trust you?"
"Little Black, Full Moon deals in info, not assassination or brute force. With Blazing Heaven Fist Demon and Young Master Mu here, you think we'd betray you? Losses outweigh gains. We couldn't wipe you out clean anyway... We'd lose a few key pillars we've nurtured."
"What do you want, Young Master Heuk?"
"Heh. Love a quick talker. In exchange for my help, credit Full Moon as the source. Profit's gone, so at least snag some fame."
"You out of your mind? Swallowing all our hard-earned intel without batting an eye?"
"I'll give something else. Young Master Mu, you need to hide your identity, right? If you're the source, you'll gain the fame you're dodging-troublesome. So, something else."
Black Wind reached into his bosom.
He pulled out three plaques.
"Full Moon's special command plaques. Rare items, only for my VIPs. Any intel from Full Moon at half price. From now on!"
Black Orchid's demeanor shifted. She glanced at me.
"Nameless. Do you trust me?"
"Of course."
"Then, leave this to me?"
"Pardon?"
"I'll handle negotiations with Full Moon. They're one of the top three private intel groups in the cult. No harm in building ties. That rogue's shady, sure... But special command plaques aren't buyable with money."
"......."
"Trust me, and I'll wring out max benefits."
"I leave it to you."
"Thanks."
Black Orchid stepped forward.
"Make all our future intel free."
"...That free...?"
"Who you take me for? Half price is fair."
"If Full Moon's known as the force exposing Blood Cult spies, the gains are huge. We've got the full roster we extracted ourselves. We'll pass it to the sects under Full Moon's name, so let us use Full Moon free."
"...Tch. Even that's a bit..."
"We can negotiate details later. Black Wind, looks like you don't need to be here for the interrogation? Send your underling and chat with me. Deal?"
"Swear no Illusion Demon Mirror Formation."
"I swear."
"Then let's step aside."
Black Orchid withdrew. The Blazing Heaven Fist Demon, who'd been eyeing them suspiciously, removed his mask.
"Full Moon out of nowhere? I knew that black guy's shady..."
"Elder. Fine if we're not the credited source?"
"Wasn't it your doing? I just lent a hand. I only need to restore Mi-ryeong's status. Fame? I've got more than enough already."
Full Moon's men dragged off the one-armed cultist. As things wrapped up swiftly, I looked up at him.
"Thank you for your help, Elder. Without you, I'd have fallen short alone."
"Our goals aligned anyway. What're you saying now? Embarrassing."
"Just stating what I feel. You're my benefactor."
"Then the Blazing Heaven Explosive Sword..."
"I'll repay this debt in some form later."
"Drawing lines already? You brat! I haven't given up!"
True to Black Wind's word, the interrogation took less than an hour.
As the bloodied cultist collapsed, the intel unfolded before us.
The Blood Cult's hidden headquarters in Yeongam, finally outlined. I wiped my face.
"...Now it's truly the end."
"Good work."
Black Wind and Black Orchid returned from their talk.
"...Any longer and she'd have yanked my hair out. How do you talk so well?"
"We can use Full Moon without paying from now on. Some intel restricted, of course. Blazing Heaven Fist Demon, alright?"
"Asking late. I don't care. Never used Full Moon anyway. Don't need fame."
"Knew you'd say that. Nameless, what's next?"
"We have a destination. Young Master Heuk."
"Where to?"
"To the Ghost Horse Squad. We promised them the intel first..."
I headed to our destination.
"Wouldn't Full Moon-the new source-be better tagging along? Best to oversee."
"...Y'know, Young Master Mu, you're sharp. Anticipating exactly what I want. Perfect business partner."
"One more thing to add."
"What?"
"If you can acquire intel, you can bury it too, right?"
"Well... sure?"
"Once this is done, erase my face and name from Yeongam."
"That it?"
"Yes."
"Easy. Leave it to me. I'll handle it. Haha! Let's go!"
...
We sought out the Ghost Horse Squad Leader.
Reuniting after nearly a month, she tilted her chin.
"I've been waiting. Disciple."
"Watch your mouth."
I held back the growling Blazing Heaven Fist Demon and nodded to Black Wind.
He bowed at the waist.
"An honor to meet Squad Leader Ghost Horse."
"Who're you?"
"Black Wind of Full Moon."
"Full Moon? Why's Full Moon popping up here?"
"Small ties with Young Master Mu. We helped with the job. Say we uncovered the Blood Cult roster. A collaboration."
"...Doesn't look that way."
Nine Heavens Jade Maiden rested her chin on her hand. She pondered briefly, then nodded slightly.
"Got it. That kind of deal."
"...As expected, no pushover."
"Simple enough. No worries. Source is Full Moon. Ghost Horse Squad vouches. But I remember who actually worked. Disciple."
"Don't call me disciple on your own!"
"Hand over the roster."
Black Wind passed over the ledgers Black Orchid had written. Nine Heavens Jade Maiden skimmed them and sighed.
"Not just us-tons mixed in other sects too. Even some mid-level key posts. And this ain't all? Hilarious."
"What'll you do?"
"Already set up a network. Send word, they'll gather fast. Rare for three sects to align. Blood winds in Yeongam. But... things might not go smoothly."
Nine Heavens Jade Maiden eyed me.
"Disciple. Yeongam's no sect's home base. Half a year since the incident. Most forces pulled out. Ghost Night Squad traces left minimal manpower."
"......."
"Rakshasa Sect has the most here... but still not huge. Biggest force now? Unaffiliated cultists. Demons drawn by raw power and blood scent. Moment sects move, those maniacs stir. Blood Cult'll exploit 'em for sure. Riots. We'll handle the demons incited by spies-spies included."
Nine Heavens Jade Maiden stated flatly.
"Ghost Night Squad matter on hold. Piling it on Blood Cult purge risks fracturing sects instead of uniting. This'll be Blood Cult extermination, unrelated to Ghost Night Squad. Thus, Ghost Horse Squad can't aid you openly. One wrong move, political fallout later."
"Understood."
"But indirectly, full support. Suppress riots max, control manpower. Within plausible deniability, clear third parties. I'll facilitate as much as possible-use your intel to save what you want."
Nine Heavens Jade Maiden glanced sideways at me.
"I don't let favorites die. Disciple. Don't die. Get everything you seek. Then return to my side."
"Still spouting nonsense to the end! He's my disciple!"
"Next time, leave Blazing Heaven Fist Demon behind."
"You bastard!"
I clasped my hands in thanks.
"When's execution day?"
"As soon as possible. Gather fighters, deny enemy prep..."
Nine Heavens Jade Maiden tilted her head.
"Execution in three days. Rest your weary body, even briefly. Disciple."