Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Patience - 1
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Was it because of the persistent stares? The woman, who had been laughing awkwardly, subtly averted her gaze when her eyes met mine.
"Then it's settled. We're already on the way, so there's no need to change course. Just know we'll be cutting back on rest time. Jin Hyun, training might get delayed, but I hope you understand."
"Understood."
Normally, we'd follow running drills with sword training, but with this situation, they couldn't prioritize my schedule. The Fist Emperor promised some sparring sessions later as compensation before urging his horse onward.
"What about you?"
"I'll run, of course."
"Then I'll run too. You girls, follow behind the Fist Emperor."
"Yes, miss."
"Got it."
With the Fist Emperor and the two maids gone, Ju Yuri and I resumed our run. My energy had recovered a bit during the short break, so it wasn't too taxing.
"You seem to have a real grudge against lecherous fiends. Something happen?"
"Scum like that always drag the Evil Faction's name through the mud. That's all it is—it rubs me the wrong way."
True enough. As the daughter of the Four Black Alliances' leader, she had to care about the image of their evil coalition. She probably wanted to take down trash like that herself.
And with the Fist Emperor along this time, she might even boost her own reputation if things went well.
From her perspective, it was all upside.
"But it feels like there's more to it."
"...Hoho. Busted, huh? There's actually a mission at the Heavenly Martial Hall to catch a seductive witch. Sharp eye, though—how'd you figure it out?"
"Just thought about what you'd gain from joining this."
"Hohoho! And you?"
"Who knows."
My reason for tagging along?
Nothing special.
I was just doing it because it felt necessary.
We kept running until we reached Iron Horse County, a massive city in eastern Sichuan. Pretty big place to be tormented by a single lecherous fiend.
It was still night, so the gates were closed. Outside, people waited for them to open.
Among them were the Fist Emperor and Ju Yuri's maids.
"Finally here?"
"Were you waiting for us?"
"Mm. But no need to head in just yet. I did some preliminary scouting before you arrived."
"Scouting?"
"Well, more precisely, the county officials handled it."
He'd leveraged his imperial status to obtain their report, delivering the news casually as he handed it over. Let's see what it said.
[Lecherous Fiend Sighting Report]
The fiend appearing around Iron Horse and Gi Jung Counties goes by the alias Drunken Lewd Demon, a notorious Evil Faction expert.
Confirmed successor to the infamous Drunken Perfect Demon of Sichuan, wielding Heaven-Earth Blood Claw and Drunken Lewd Radiance Art.
Current victims: ...
Drunken Lewd Demon Jun-pyeong.
I knew this guy. A side character from the novel, a peak-level expert specializing in aphrodisiac poisons in combat.
In the story, he dosed a heroine with aphrodisiac and tried to have his way, only to get killed by Wi Cheonryong—providing justification for her to fall into the protagonist's arms.
He was just a quick disposable extra in the book, so I hadn't paid much attention. But a peak expert causing havoc in reality? Definitely not trivial.
"Reports say his lightness skill is exceptional. Even the Beggar Clan's Thousand-Li Lone Walker couldn't keep up."
Thousand-Li Lone Walker, one of the Beggar Clan's Seven Great Disciples, famed for peerless lightness skill among their experts.
If even he couldn't catch up...
"He's pouring his yin-nourished qi into lightness skill."
"Likely. With impure qi like that, his options are limited—lightness skill or defensive barriers."
"If he bolts for real, he'll be hard to catch... What do we do?"
Ju Yuri voiced her concern, and the Fist Emperor shrugged.
"Catch him before he runs."
"His movement arts are no joke, though..."
"Arrogant fool publicly announced his next target. Said he'd kidnap the county magistrate's daughter this time. Makes sense to stake out there."
I finished the report and handed it back casually.
"Drunken Lewd Demon isn't that sloppy."
"He's done it before when picking yin-nourishment targets."
"I know the Drunken Lewd Radiance Art. He's cunning. Everything's probably for one goal."
"Oh ho. Really?"
"The art maximizes yin-nourishment effects from specific birth charts. Better to find that woman and guard her."
"Hoo... Sword Heaven said you'd be useful, but I didn't expect this kind of insight."
The Fist Emperor clapped my shoulder and grinned.
"Ever thought of enlisting? I could slot you under me."
"Haha. Honored, but... not yet."
Stopping the Blood God's descent came first.
At dawn, gates opened, and we entered the county seat, heading straight for the government office.
I figured they'd bar entry due to the emergency, but the magistrate welcomed us with open arms.
Hard not to, with imperial blood—Fist Emperor no less—in the mix.
"Martial artists are protecting my daughter, but with Your Excellency here..."
"This setup's solid enough without me. More importantly, show me the household registry."
"Pardon? Yes, sir."
He could've been disappointed about not personally guarding his daughter, but facing this man, he held his tongue.
Just fetched the thick registry as ordered.
The Fist Emperor handed the hefty tome to me.
"Maximizing yin-nourishment from someone born under a special alignment..."
Right. Drunken Lewd Radiance Art emphasizes birth charts. It draws maximum yin from those with strong yin constitutions.
Recalling the novel, I scoured the registry for matching profiles.
Found one.
A commoner girl just come of age.
"She's in the county. Let's verify."
"Mm. Do that. You two, stay here."
He bluntly ordered Ju Yuri's maids.
Too many people just complicated things. Fair point, so with her permission, they stayed to support the office.
"Let's go."
A constable guided us to her home—a plain, unremarkable.
Hence the Fist Emperor's sour expression.
"Targeting a place like this... Why wait till now?"
"Probably waiting for peak yin energy. New moon night's the strongest."
Not grabbing her early ensured stable yin buildup.
Keeping her cooped up risked unstable psyche, stunting yin growth.
Calculated bastard.
Even announcing targets to divert eyes from his real prize.
"Wasting effort on theatrics."
"Evil Faction's reputation's gonna tank. Sigh."
Plan set: The three of us hide nearby, nab Drunken Lewd Demon on sight.
We waited in concealment, wary he might come early. Nothing happened.
Their stares bored into me.
Lips bitten, I wondered if I'd misread.
Did I screw up?
Then proof came.
A black-clad, masked figure vaulted the wall under cover of dark.
"He's here."
Moments later, he emerged carrying a limp woman. The Fist Emperor's fist lashed out.
- Thud!!
"Gaaack?!"
Ambush success. His fist strike hammered the masked man's side, sending him tumbling with a scream, dropping the woman.
"You held back."
"State wants a public execution. Let's check... Yep. Matches the office sketch."
Unmasking the stunned fiend confirmed: Drunken Lewd Demon Jun-pyeong.
Coughing blood, shackles slapped on, the Fist Emperor hoisted him effortlessly, glancing around leisurely.
"You two clean up and head to the office."
"Yes!"
"Got it!"
He vanished in a flash, leaving the unconscious woman. After returning her inside, I drew my sword as Ju Yuri gripped her whip.
A venomous-looking middle-aged woman appeared before us.
"...Sly Yin Witch?!"
"You know her?"
"...One of the mad lecherous fiends who absorbs yang then kills the target. And... a Four Black Alliances fugitive. Didn't expect her with him."
Gritting her teeth, Ju Yuri drew her whip. The Sly Yin Witch laughed mockingly.
"Ohohohot!! Thought the Fist Emperor spooked me...!! Perfect! I can rip that brat's daughter apart right here!!"
Deep grudge, apparently.
Didn't mean I'd sit it out.
I stood beside Ju Yuri, sword ready. The Sly Yin Witch scowled, lips twisting.
"Mmm... Tasty-looking man. Hehe. Fine. I'll kill the girl first, then have you. So behave? Promise I won't kill you."
How thoughtful.
Too bad.
I plan to kill you.