Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: I Finally Caught You
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The warriors of the Huangbo family were rushing forward.
Their target came into view.
A small, three-story building in the distance.
Having received intelligence that it was one of Nameless's small bases, they had hastily dispatched their warriors.
According to the intelligence, there were fifteen enemies.
The Huangbo family sent thirty warriors. They weren't the most elite, but they were skilled enough that defeating fifteen enemies should not have been a problem.
Just as they arrived at their destination, a hint of confusion touched the faces of the Huangbo warriors.
The atmosphere felt strangely chaotic.
But that was no reason to let the enemy be.
"First squad, through the main gate. Second squad, enter through the second-floor windows. Third squad, wait outside and deal with anyone who tries to escape. Now, hurry!"
At the leader's command, the Huangbo warriors moved in perfect sync.
Some swarmed through the entrance, while others leaped to the second floor and went in through the windows.
And so, the battle began.
The fight was not over quickly. The warriors of Nameless were quite skilled.
However, instead of fighting with all their might, some tried to slip away, only to clash with the Huangbo warriors waiting outside.
With their forces divided, the already outnumbered group found the fight even more difficult.
Thus, one of Nameless's bases was eliminated.
And an identical battle unfolded at a similar building far away, ending with a similar result.
When the fighting was over, the leader assessed the situation.
"How many casualties?"
"Seven dead, five injured."
The leader's expression darkened. The enemy's resistance had been fiercer than expected, and the losses were too great.
With losses already piling up from the fight against Nameless, rumors were circulating that the family's prestige might be shaken. Suffering such heavy casualties here only added to his distress.
"And the enemy?"
"We killed eleven and captured three."
"Three?"
The leader looked at the reporting warrior with a puzzled expression.
Eleven plus three was fourteen. He had clearly been told there were fifteen enemies.
"No one escaped. It seems one of them slipped away before we arrived."
The leader furrowed his brow.
"This is a problem. We'll have to interrogate the survivors and catch the one who got away."
Of course, that decision would be made not by him, but by the family elders.
The leader had no doubt that the elders would make the same choice.
However, he didn't know that the exact same thing was happening at the other base.
* * *
Byeok Taesan had captured one man from each of the two bases.
Each base had fifteen men, and he had taken the one who was clearly the strongest and in charge.
The members of the Underworld Sect had carefully bundled up Byeok Taesan's captives and moved them to the inn, allowing the matter to be handled quietly without anyone noticing.
On the top floor of the inn's annex, the two captives lay sprawled on the floor, tightly bound.
The two men were shocked to see each other there.
They were acquaintances.
They had often crossed paths in Nanchang.
However, neither had the faintest idea that the other belonged to Nameless.
Meeting here, they realized the truth and were struck anew with fear at how formidable and insidious Nameless truly was.
And they grew terrified of Byeok Taesan, who had captured them so easily.
While the two men were trembling in fear, Byeok Taesan was leaving the inn again.
The initial interrogation of the two men was to be handled by the Underworld Sect.
Byeok Taesan always came last.
After all, once he extracted and burned their souls, further interrogation would be impossible.
Byeok Taesan left the inn at a leisurely pace. Hwaok walked beside him.
"The situation is escalating quickly."
Hwaok said, taking a step ahead.
She was to guide Byeok Taesan to where Hyeokryeon Hwi was.
"Finding the two new bases was good, but sending warriors there has created holes in the city-wide net."
"The Huangbo family proceeded without even considering that? They're so different from before."
In Byeok Taesan's memory, the Huangbo family, though they led with their fists, were not as simple-minded as they appeared.
Once they made a move, they would push forward without looking back, which made them seem that way, but before that, they would plan meticulously, weighing every detail.
"It seems they decided that holes of that size wouldn't matter."
Byeok Taesan scoffed.
"What hole doesn't matter? I heard their leadership was completely replaced. They've certainly changed."
The Heavenly Demon was the one who had caused that replacement of leadership.
More than half of the Huangbo family's leaders had been killed by him.
Of course, if they hadn't attacked first, the Heavenly Demon wouldn't have killed them so ruthlessly.
"So, do you think that man, Hyeokryeon Hwi, will be able to escape Nanchang?"
"It should be possible if he throws out some tempting bait."
And Hyeokryeon Hwi would certainly do so.
"Bait..."
"It's highly likely he'll use some of the Nameless experts in Nanchang as bait."
Byeok Taesan nodded.
Indeed, the bait would have to be that significant for the Huangbo family to bite. Plus, depending on which masters he used as bait, he could even force some losses on them.
"Then the most amusing thing for us to do would be to wait for him outside Nanchang."
Hwaok looked at Byeok Taesan, her eyes slightly wide with surprise.
"Can you figure out which path he'll take to escape?"
Hwaok's eyes gleamed with confidence.
"I can."
* * *
Hyeokryeon Hwi moved alone.
He had originally brought a total of thirty warriors with him.
They were true masters, handpicked with the utmost care.
They split into groups of ten and rescued the Nameless warriors who were fighting the Huangbo family.
Meanwhile, Hyeokryeon Hwi sought out groups of Huangbo warriors, striking at their weak points.
As formidable as the Huangbo family was, they still couldn't catch Hyeokryeon Hwi.
How could their weaker members possibly stand against him?
'There's another one.'
Hyeokryeon Hwi had already found his fourth group. He ignored any that included a strong fighter who might give him trouble.
It didn't matter.
He hadn't come to destroy the Huangbo family, but to secure his subordinates in Nanchang.
At the intersection of two main roads, a group of no less than fifty Huangbo warriors had gathered.
There were about five decent masters mixed in, but they were nothing compared to the true experts of the Huangbo family.
Hyeokryeon Hwi approached them swiftly.
Shhhk!
Hyeokryeon Hwi's sword danced at a blinding speed, slicing through the necks of the Huangbo warriors.
In an instant, half a dozen heads flew into the air, spraying blood.
Hyeokryeon Hwi plunged into the midst of the Huangbo warriors, his sword moving even faster.
Shhhk!
Clang, clang, clang!
"An enemy!"
The Huangbo warriors belatedly responded, but a dozen of them fell without even getting a chance to throw a punch.
Hyeokryeon Hwi swung his sword sharply and simply broke through the group.
Shhhk!
Four more warriors fell.
Then, the five masters charged at Hyeokryeon Hwi.
Without a backward glance, Hyeokryeon Hwi fled the scene.
"After him!"
one of the five masters shouted.
The Huangbo warriors swarmed after Hyeokryeon Hwi.
A triumphant smile formed on the lips of the fleeing Hyeokryeon Hwi.
'I've finally hooked one.'
After four attempts, he had hooked a group of fifty.
Now, a sizable hole must have opened in the Huangbo family's net.
Hyeokryeon Hwi adjusted his speed, luring them toward another group of Huangbo warriors.
After forcing the two sizable groups to merge, he moved stealthily and swiftly to shake them off.
Hyeokryeon Hwi recalled the dejected faces of the Huangbo warriors who had lost him and smiled pleasantly.
It felt as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.
It might have seemed like he was moving randomly, but in truth, he had planned meticulously and followed that plan as closely as possible.
That was why he was able to rejoin his men.
Seeing that his subordinates had all gathered, Hyeokryeon Hwi quickly led them away.
"Alright, all that's left is to escape. Follow me."
Having shaken and tangled the Huangbo family's net, Hyeokryeon Hwi knew the escape route with perfect accuracy.
He slipped through the holes in the Huangbo family's net one by one.
But no matter what, he couldn't escape Nanchang without being caught at least once more.
Facing the final hurdle, Hyeokryeon Hwi signaled to the men behind him.
Three masters, who had received prior instructions, broke away from the group.
They increased their speed and shot ahead of Hyeokryeon Hwi.
The sounds of battle began to drift from up ahead.
The three masters had charged into the position held by the Huangbo warriors.
Moreover, that position included several of the Huangbo family's elders.
Hyeokryeon Hwi quietly slipped past, keeping a slight distance from the fierce battlefield.
And just like that, he was out of Nanchang.
Having escaped Nanchang, Hyeokryeon Hwi finally looked relieved as he picked up his pace.
There was no need for caution anymore. He just had to move quickly.
"Our destination is Changsha. Everyone, pick up the pace."
"Yes, sir!"
With a powerful reply, they all increased their speed. Hyeokryeon Hwi, of course, was at the very front.
After running for about half a quarter-hour, two black dots appeared in the distance.
Hyeokryeon Hwi's eyes widened.
"Byeok Taesan?"
Recognizing the face of one of the dots, Hyeokryeon Hwi gripped the hilt of his sword, his expression suggesting this was a welcome development.
He intended to draw his sword and cut him down as he passed.
"Who do you think you are, daring to block my path?"
Hyeokryeon Hwi accelerated even more. The distance between him and his followers naturally grew.
Byeok Taesan watched the charging Hyeokryeon Hwi with a calm gaze.
"Step back a bit."
"Yes."
At Byeok Taesan's instruction, Hwaok took about three steps back.
Hyeokryeon Hwi's gaze was fixed on Byeok Taesan. Though he saw Hwaok, he paid her no mind.
He channeled the overflowing energy from his entire body into his sword. A deep, blood-red light streamed from Hyeokryeon Hwi's eyes.
At this, Byeok Taesan furrowed his brow.
"The stench of blood is overwhelming."
The moment those words left his lips, Hyeokryeon Hwi arrived before Byeok Taesan and immediately drew his sword to strike.
Kwwwwwaaaaa!
A deep, blood-red light also coated the sword. And indeed, the metallic smell of blood filled the air.
Crack!
"Gah!"
Hyeokryeon Hwi's vision suddenly went black. His neck hurt as if it were about to snap.
It seemed he had momentarily lost consciousness. He had no idea what had just happened.
His sword was only halfway drawn, and all the strength had drained from his body.
His vision, which had gone dark, slowly returned.
Byeok Taesan's face came into blurry view.
He wanted to say something, but no sound came out.
Gradually, his vision cleared.
Byeok Taesan's form became distinct.
He was currently being held by the neck in Byeok Taesan's hand.
He saw Byeok Taesan's other hand slowly rise. The golden vambrace on his forearm somehow seared itself into his sight.
For a moment, the golden vambrace spewed forth a golden light.
And a tremendous aura erupted from Byeok Taesan's hand.
Just from that aura passing near him, Hyeokryeon Hwi's entire body trembled.
'Wh-what is this monstrous power!'
It was a colossal power the likes of which he had never experienced in his life. Hyeokryeon Hwi's eyes slowly turned to look at Byeok Taesan.
As it happened, Byeok Taesan was also looking at him.
The corners of Byeok Taesan's mouth lifted slightly.
The smile was so terrifying that Hyeokryeon Hwi nearly wet himself. His body shook uncontrollably.
"I finally caught you."
Trembling, Hyeokryeon Hwi couldn't help but wonder what had happened to his subordinates.
If enough of them were still unharmed, they might be able to change the situation somehow.
Suddenly, the pain in his neck intensified.
"Guuuh!"
Hyeokryeon Hwi groaned. Sensation was fading from his body.
Byeok Taesan tossed Hyeokryeon Hwi aside.
Thud.
Lying on the ground, Hyeokryeon Hwi could finally check on his subordinates.
His body wouldn't move, but he could still turn his head.
Hyeokryeon Hwi blinked.
His men should have been right there. Even if they had been defeated, shouldn't there at least be bodies?
But there was nothing.
Hyeokryeon Hwi began to tremble like a leaf, and then he lost consciousness.