Those Wearing Black Masks (5)
"I've known it from the moment we set out with you, Young Master Jin. Traveling together with that guy? My ass..."
Seong Moran grumbled as she stripped off her flashy accessories and outer robe.
"I told you from the start that this wasn't a vacation..."
"Who's saying otherwise? Why sneak around eavesdropping on my mutterings?"
No, in this quiet spot, muttering right by my ear was basically begging me to hear it.
"...Once this is over, I'll treat everyone to a lavish feast at Songhyang Pavilion."
"Who'd want to go to some sleazy brothel for men? They say riding a boat on Dongting Lake to enjoy the night view is the real treat..."
In a situation where we had to face off against the Jiencheong faction, bringing up a leisurely boat ride on Dongting Lake was her way of showing consideration. I nodded eagerly.
"Just a night view? How about chartering the biggest, most luxurious boat, with musicians and chefs aboard? That's how you properly enjoy a vacation, right?"
Seong Moran snorted, pursing her lips to stifle a grin.
"Well... that sounds good. But are you sure you're okay with this, Young Master Jin?"
"With what?"
"Spending that much money and clashing with Jiencheong. To be honest, once this is resolved, what do you even get out of it?"
"..."
We'd served as meat shields, but we'd risked our lives on the front lines to block the demonic terrain. Baekdo's hypocrisy wasn't new, but seeing them don demonic masks for their own greed turned my stomach.
"Isn't it just what a swordsman should do?"
"..."
"What's with that look?"
"It just doesn't suit a Black Dao sacred figure talking like that. A Black Dao hero...?"
"...Keep saying stuff like that, and it'll cause misunderstandings..."
"Big Brother, they're on the move."
Geum Pyo turned and reported. I cut off my words and shifted my gaze.
From what looked like an abandoned building on the outskirts of Akyang, three men emerged with a creak of the door. One was the errand boy we'd met at Hwamwolru. The other two were strangers.
The errand boy headed back toward Akyang, while the men moved in the opposite direction.
"They're moving."
"Where to?"
"Probably to verify the intel and report to their superiors. That's when the ringleader will show."
"As expected... you grasp their ways so quickly, like a true Black Dao man."
"..."
This woman, seriously.
The gold-silver-bronze brothers, me, and Seong Moran—the five of us quietly tailed the men.
The gold-silver-bronze brothers and I could use the Ghost Food Steps, so we stuck close. Seong Moran followed from afar, her face full of curiosity.
We arrived at an isolated manor on the outskirts of Akyang. We hid on the roof.
Seong Moran scanned the surroundings with a grave expression.
Are the people hidden somewhere else?
She'd checked every corner of the manor but found no captives. The tight security made the search even harder.
But one thing stood out.
I doubt it.
Why not?
Don't you see all those cart wheel tracks by the back gate? The manor looks rarely used, so why the tracks?
Ah...
Probably for transporting people or food supplies for them.
You really know your stuff.
...What do you mean by that?
Nothing. Anyway, they're somewhere in this manor. Where do you think?
...Haomen's Akyang branch had pretty big underground areas, right?
Exactly.
No sunlight, compartments blocking the inside—they wouldn't even know where they are.
So we have to search underground?
Under the moonlight peeking through the clouds, I pointed to the southern warehouse.
I think they're in there.
Why?
Why else guard a warehouse like that unless it's hiding treasures... or something as valuable as treasure?
Hmm... We should wait for Seonhwa to bring reinforcements.
I shook my head. The plan wasn't that leisurely.
They'll move fast because of Namgung family. Waiting might mean we lose them all. Now that they know Jeonghwa's linked to Namgung Seonhwa, they're probably watching her too.
The best move is to hold them until Namgung Seonhwa arrives.
Seong Moran's eyes widened behind her black mask.
Are you crazy? Just us? There are over eighty here.
We'll make as much noise as possible. Meanwhile, Lady Seong, rescue the captives.
...
Jiencheong's involved, I suspect. If they step in, this won't end well.
Ah, got it. But... don't die.
Understood.
Seong Moran took a couple steps, then glanced back.
Even if you lose an arm or leg, try not to damage your face.
...Is that really your concern right now? Talk about extreme worries.
...Anyway, be careful. I'll move as fast as I can.
I looked at the gold-silver-bronze brothers.
"Lady Seong says don't die. You worried?"
Geum Pyo gripped his sword with a dumbfounded look.
"If she hears Big Brother Jin threw us into Ssangmak Stronghold, she'll faint."
Hey, when did I throw you guys...? But before I could protest, they leaped into action.
Mu Wol-daeju Jeong Somyeong trembled at the corners of his eyes as he heard the report.
Crazy...
Namgung family? Namgung family? How was that possible?
A mere lay disciple from Namgung being involved...?
"You sure?"
"Not confirmed, but..."
"But what? Finish your damn sentence! Don't you know our sect's survival is at stake?!"
"We got intel that Changgung Merchant Group put out a request with the Beggars' Sect to find Jeonghwa."
They must've sensed something off while searching and outsourced it. Plus, the ones looking for Jeonghwa were Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran—famous close allies, lending credibility.
"We were so close to swallowing Cheongjuk Pavilion whole..."
Regrettable, but no choice. If their tail was stepped on here, Cheongjuk Pavilion would be the least of their worries.
"What's the status of Cheongjuk Pavilion's owner?"
"He commissioned Jiencheong and is staying at Seongsa Flower Garden."
The plan was to string it out a few more days, then "find" the daughter and get the contract. But now, no evidence could be left.
"Kill the bitch Jeonghwa and dump the body in Dongting Lake. Mobilize all sect warriors. We're moving the manor."
"Yes!"
"Hurry! If Namgung moves first..."
Kraaack!
Jeong Somyeong's words cut off at the scream from outside.
Guhk! Boom!
A scream followed by an explosive roar. Already here? Time-wise, impossible.
No way. Jeong Somyeong whipped his head around.
"You bastards! You led them here!"
"N-no, sir. We checked three times before coming."
"..."
Then the conclusion was clear. They were experts beyond detection.
Jeong Somyeong's face paled.
"Request help from the sect... No, go straight to Seongsa Flower Garden!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
"I'll handle this myself."
The sight outside the hall was a massacre. Sect elites lay scattered, masked intruders swinging swords mercilessly.
Having glimpsed their skill briefly, Jeong Somyeong quickly judged them beyond his level.
"Everyone, stop!"
He raised his voice higher.
"I said stop!"
Only then did Yuwolmun's warriors pull back.
"What brings Yang Sang-gunja to this remote place?"
As he addressed the intruders, he sent a sound transmission.
Gather all warriors in the manor here.
Then he continued calmly.
"You know this is a manor run by Yuwolmun, right?"
"..."
Even offering a peaceful resolution, the intruders stayed mute as stones.
"If you're after riches, wrong place. This is for our warriors' training."
Still silent. But scrutinizing them, something odd stood out. One was tall and burly, another looked like a kid not fully grown.
Kids...?
The thought heated his blood.
"If you're not talking, why come here?"
Confirming most Yuwolmun warriors gathered, his words shortened.
"Fools. Walking into your own graves."
"..."
The burliest intruder raised his pitch-black sword, just like theirs.
"What are you waiting for?"
The intruder's audacity as "master" snapped Jeong Somyeong's patience.
"Attack! Show them Yuwolmun's might!"
"Yes!"
The paused battle reignited.
In my past life, the technique I used most was undoubtedly the Socheon Sword Technique. Not because it was the strongest, but because it consumed the least internal energy—unavoidable.
Five Yuwolmun warriors charged first.
Focused attacks leave no escape. Instead of retreating, I advanced, thrusting with Socheon Sword Technique.
"Kuhk."
The one pierced in the right shoulder dropped his sword and collapsed.
Dodging a flailing sword in shock, I sliced his heel.
"Kwaaaak!"
Even demons clutch severed flesh and tendons and fall.
Leaping off his body, I struck three warriors' vitals simultaneously.
Clang, clang, thunk.
Two blocks, but the third hit. Blood sprayed as pained groans erupted.
"What are you doing? Kill him!"
More warriors swarmed at the commotion, numbers boosting their courage. Three down, but six more joined.
No different from my past life. Demon fights were always waves of foes, my meager energy depleted, blocking with raw muscle. Instinct-driven swings amid chaos. Desperation or battlefield luck let me once embed my sword in a sword-aura user's neck.
"Kuhk."
"Heok, heok, heok."
"Grrrk."
Just like these Yuwolmun warriors dying from throat wounds now. Those demons wore the same disbelieving faces.
"You idiots! Save the formation for boiling soup!"
The charging warriors fell back. Before they could form up, I clung relentlessly, swinging.
Clang-clang-clang, thunk.
Three exchanges, one down. Again, blood flows.
Similar to past battlefields, yet utterly different.
"Deploy formation!"
Clang-clang-clang.
Thirty swordsmen circled. Yuwolmun's Thirty Yuwol Sword Formation boasted unmatched offense.
"We'll handle this!"
With Eunho's shout, the gold-silver-bronze brothers unleashed White Tiger Death Sword Formation.
Their individual sword styles synchronized as one.
"Geum-eun Gap!"
Eunho's call, and they scattered Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion.
The Thirty Yuwol Sword Formation, poised to shatter theirs, halted like hitting an iron wall.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa.
Outnumbered, yet White Tiger stood rooted.
"Seonghwan!"
Starting with Eunho, illusions bloomed. Dozens... hundreds of phantom swords enveloped the formation.
"Crazy..."
"What the..."
"What is this?!"
Unable to distinguish real from fake, Yuwolmun warriors faltered against the filling sky of Twin Heaven.
Thunk, thunk, thunk—six times. Screams of agony.
"Kuhk."
"Euk."
"Grrk."
I charged the stunned onlookers, unleashing Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion.
"...Huh?"
"Il, illusion?"
Some blinked at intact necks, dazed. Not all.
"Uk!"
"Kwaak!"
"Kuhk!"
Five more fell to hidden true strikes.
I shot forward like an arrow, scattering more Twin Heaven.
Shiiiing.
Dozens of blades flickered, blinding eyes, claiming lives amid.
The numerically superior Yuwolmun warriors began retreating bit by bit.
"You morons..."
Thud.
Their leader leaped from the hall. I flicked my left hand, unleashing Cartoon Invincible Fist.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud.
"Hup!"
Twisting midair, he failed to evade, crashing back into the hall at full speed.
Boom.
The rickety building groaned, dust billowing.
With their leader gone, I swept through the panicked warriors.
Clang-clang-clang-clang.
Clang-clang-clang.
Having gauged our skill, their swords lost ferocity—pure defense for survival.
To me, veteran of countless fields, they were just tasty prey.
Kraaak! Kuhk. Keuk!
Pshh, blood spurted with deflating gasps everywhere.
Yuwolmun warriors watched comrades die, frozen in confusion.
After the yard cleared...
A black shadow dropped from the roof beside me.
Young Master Jin.
Startled by Seong Moran, I asked.
Already rescued them?
No. Couldn't.
Why?
Too many captives. Over ten kids alone.
...
Better to clear fast and extract. Plan change.
As I racked my brain...
Fwoom.
A signal flare burst from the ruined hall, painting the night sky.
"Kuhk."
The leader emerged from the hall, blood trickling from his mouth.
"...Rat bastards. I don't care who you are—don't think you'll leave alive."
No time left. Locking eyes with Seong Moran, I gathered all my energy.
"Young Master Jin..."
"Step back."
Trembling air coalesced in my palm instantly. A third of my dantian emptied.
Kwa-gaga-gaga-gang!
The launched Radiant Heaven Divine Palm engulfed the hall and leader whole.
Kraaak! Kuhk! Guhk!
As swept warriors screamed and fell, Seong Moran and I sprang forth.
We'd never paired just the two of us, but exam experiences synced us wordlessly.
A stable feel, like old Small Justice Squad comrades.
"I, Iron Sword Sect! You... Iron Sword Sect!"
As I lunged to behead the one who recognized her technique...
"Everyone, stop!!"
A lion's roar shook the manor.
"..."
At the entrance stood Jongbyeokgi, clothes disheveled, glaring fiercely.