Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Chain
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As soon as the subordinate who'd gone to Geumcheon returned, U Bal Cho demanded an update in a scolding tone.
"Did you find out anything?"
"Yes. Geumcheon is in complete chaos right now."
His subordinate's response ignited U Bal Cho's fury.
Of course it was chaos. Han Se Yeong was there.
"Why is it 'complete chaos'?"
"The martial artists who went to kill Han Se Yeong were all captured alive."
The rest was obvious without asking.
They'd probably been beaten half to death with broken bones.
But his subordinate's next words were utterly beyond expectation.
"Those martial artists were torn limb from limb and killed right in the middle of the village."
"Torn... limb from limb?"
"Yes. Apparently, Han Se Yeong had them bring horses, then tore off their limbs one by one."
U Bal Cho and the bandits were shocked to the point of convulsions.
"That bastard... he's become far more brutal than he was at Yellow Gate Mountain."
This wasn't someone else's problem.
If they found out about this stronghold here, he'd come charging in and tear them limb from limb just like those martial artists.
Even Deputy Chieftain Myeong Bu Gwi Su looked pale.
He'd heard Han Se Yeong was ruthless before, but he hadn't imagined it was this ruthless.
"How about we hit a major stronghold this time and relocate our base there, Chieftain?"
U Bal Cho had been thinking the same thing.
He'd set up this stronghold to expand his influence in hopes of becoming chieftain of the Eighteen Green Forest Strongholds.
"The closest one is Tiger Shed Stronghold, right?"
Tiger Shed Stronghold was one of the Eighteen Green Forest Strongholds, home to over four hundred bandits.
"It's something we have to do eventually, so starting a bit early isn't bad. We'll take Tiger Shed Stronghold."
The bandits joyfully accepted their chieftain's decision.
They'd rather fight tooth and nail for a more distant stronghold than live in constant fear so close to Han Se Yeong.
"They're coming again. About forty this time."
At Yi Gu's report, Yeonggak stepped forward once more.
"I'd like to handle this bunch too."
Se Yeong nodded in permission.
It seemed more effective for Yeonggak to cripple them than for him to kill them outright.
But the other squad members objected.
"Let me take this one, bro."
"No way, it's my turn."
"I wanna go too..."
With everyone eager, Yeonggak stepped back.
"Fine. But no killing."
Did he know what he was doing? Or was he oblivious?
Paeng Se Gi grew curious about Yeonggak's true intentions.
"You really okay with that? Crippling martial artists for life is worse than death. Wouldn't it be mercy to just kill them cleanly?"
Paeng Se Gi asked out of subtle concern.
But Yeonggak's reply was unexpected.
"Om mani padme hum. I merely follow the Buddha's teachings and worry not for what follows."
The squad members stared at him in stunned silence.
'He hasn't thought that far at all.'
The incoming martial artists looked sharp and skilled, like true experts.
They shouted at the squad members blocking their path.
"We don't want to fight you. Step aside!"
"How can a Shaolin disciple become a bandit's lackey? Demon Buddha, cease your evil deeds and return to Shaolin!"
'Demon Buddha?'
Sigh...
A weary collective sigh escaped the squad members' lips.
With all the martial artists crippled, the nickname Demon Buddha was well-earned.
This time, Paeng Se Gi moved before Yeonggak.
Sss...
Having glimpsed a higher realm, his movements were far swifter and smoother than before.
Thwack...!
The martial artists couldn't even draw their weapons before their limbs shattered under the iron club.
Aaagh...!
Kuuaa...!
Delayed screams of agony rang out, but the club was already smashing another's shoulder.
Yeonggak, Yi Cheon Yeong, and Hahu Yeon joined in, facing off against the martial artists.
Crack!
Slash.
Instead of taking lives, they targeted only arms and legs.
Yeonggak's fists and feet pulverized limbs, Yi Cheon Yeong's sword sliced them off, and Hahu Yeon's spear pierced holes through them.
Dang Ok Yi hurled hidden weapons to down more foes, embedding three in one martial artist's legs.
Kuuaaa...!
The deeply lodged projectiles sent him writhing on the ground in torment.
Sa Sa Un arrived late, drew his sword, and leaped into the fray.
Paeng Se Gi, who'd started the fight, withdrew his club and fell back.
'Definitely different from before.'
Glimpsing a higher realm hadn't massively boosted his inner power.
But his field of vision had widened, and his senses sharpened dramatically.
With broader vision and keener senses, he could read opponents' movements in advance and respond accordingly.
Kuuaaa...!
Huuu...!
All forty-odd martial artists writhed on the ground.
"Om mani padme hum. Depart now from this realm of blood and death."
Yeonggak clasped his hands and bowed to the groaning martial artists on the ground.
A young martial artist then screamed in rage.
"Demon Buddha! One day, I'll kill you...!"
Yeonggak gazed at him and murmured.
"What a pitiable soul."
"Most of those who went after Han Se Yeong ended up crippled. They never even saw him—it was the Tenth Squad's doing."
A warrior who'd returned from Geumcheon reported.
"The squad's starting to take after Han Se Yeong."
The Strategist didn't so much as twitch.
"Yes. Shaolin's Yeonggak is already called the Demon Buddha. The martial world is hoping the Murim Alliance will step in."
The Strategist shook his head.
The Alliance would act if the squad held back, but Shaolin, Mount Hua Sect, Paeng Family, Tang Family, and Hahu Family were involved.
They were disciples and heirs sent by their sects and clans—killing them would sour relations with the Alliance, obviously.
Especially Paeng Family's Heaven Dominating Blade King, who was too much to handle.
"Any word from Zhongnan or the Moyong Family?"
"Nothing notable yet."
"I see."
The Strategist seemed surprised.
Zhongnan had always been inscrutably sinister, but the Moyong Family head was narrow-minded and not one to stay quiet.
"Probably because Emei Sect's Sword Queen made a move. Where's the Sword Queen now?"
The Murim Alliance didn't know she'd already lost to Se Yeong and died.
Only the squad members and the dead knew of her demise.
"No rumors at all."
The Sword Queen had always been cold-tempered, ignoring others and following her whims.
'No matter how profound Se Yeong's skills, he can't match the Sword Queen.'
He pitied Se Yeong.
Killing the Iron Wire Fairy had sealed his fate.
That's why he hadn't sent Alliance warriors.
"Back to your duties."
Dismissing the warrior, the Strategist sank into thought.
'Paeng Family's Heaven Dominating Blade King will go after Han Se Yeong too... He won't survive that.'
Rumors swirled that the upright Heaven Dominating Blade King had rushed to Sichuan seeking Han Se Yeong.
Since Paeng Family members said it themselves, it was likely true.
Haa...
"What a shame for a once-in-a-millennium prodigy."
Clang clang clang...! Clang...!
Paeng Se Gi's greatsword clashed fiercely against Se Yeong's iron club.
Thud...!
Se Yeong's form vanished after swatting aside the greatsword slicing at his waist.
Paeng Se Gi spun desperately, trying to swing his blade upward.
But the iron club was already aimed at his jaw.
"Your movements are still too big. Strike short and hard."
"Thanks, bro."
Paeng Se Gi bowed deeply, sheathed his greatsword, and stepped back.
Habits were truly hard to break.
He thought he'd fixed it, but it slipped out unconsciously.
"Keep repeating short, hard strikes. Next, Yi Cheon Yeong."
Yi Cheon Yeong drew his sword and stepped forward as Se Yeong pointed to him.
Shing...
"Let's begin, Han Daehyeop."
He immediately unleashed the Fourteen Strokes Plum Blossom Sword.
Clang clang...! Clang...!
Sparks flew as sword met club.
Se Yeong parried with his club until Yi Cheon Yeong completed all fourteen strokes.
Among the squad, Yi Cheon Yeong was the calmest and most passionate about training.
The Fourteen Strokes Plum Blossom Sword wasn't profoundly deep, but its forms were flawless.
As Se Yeong watched, a strange feeling struck him.
He'd created the forms but merely refined an incomplete sword art.
"You once said the Falling Petal Sword was the ultimate swordsmanship, right?"
"Yes. That's correct."
Yi Cheon Yeong sheathed his sword, replying with a tense expression.
"Once you master the Fourteen Strokes Plum Blossom Sword, you might glimpse other sword arts. Create your own."
Se Yeong's words shook Yi Cheon Yeong to his core.
"Me... create a sword art?"
"Probably. Mastering the Fourteen Strokes comes first."
Hoo... Huu...
Yi Cheon Yeong could barely breathe.
"Could you... show me even a glimpse of the path I should take?"
Se Yeong looked reluctant.
Yi Cheon Yeong had roughly known the sword art and patched it up, but Falling Petal Sword was unheard of.
"I can't show you your path based on mere guesswork."
Yi Cheon Yeong knew nothing of Falling Petal Sword either.
"Even a guess would do."
Se Yeong, who'd bested Heaven Dominating Blade King and slain the Six Directions Sword Queen, was already a grandmaster.
Thud...!
With no choice, Se Yeong slammed his club into the ground and drew his sword.
"Since it's called Falling Petal Sword, maybe it's like plum blossoms scattering?"
Swaa...
Se Yeong swung, painting drifting plum blossoms in the air.
Not whole flowers, but petals scattering as life ebbed away.
"Just my guess turned into sword forms. It's only a shallow shape without depth."
Without depth, its power was unknown.
Turning shapes into proper techniques was Yi Cheon Yeong's task.
But for him, the sight was more than satisfying.
He nearly reached out to the vanishing petals in longing.
"That's enough for today."
As Se Yeong stepped back, Paeng Se Gi hurried over and pulled the club free.
He always carried it, so it felt odd without it in hand.
"Bro, why are Zhongnan Sect and Moyong Family so quiet?"
Leader Kang answered for him.
"They're probably banking on the Sword Queen, who's already dead. Even if Paeng So Hyeop spreads the word, no one in the martial world will believe it. They'll find out eventually."
The Five Absolutes of the Martial World were absolute powerhouses.
Who would believe one fell to Se Yeong, whose infamy was only just rising?
He'd infiltrated the Murim Alliance to assassinate the Alliance Leader.
His tireless efforts earned him command of the Demon Subduing Squad and the trust of the Strategist and elders.
He grew especially close to the later-arriving spies; they treated him like an older brother.
The Demon Subduing Squad Leader thought dying like this might not be so bad.
Mindless work was fine, and boozing with the squad while bragging was fun.
But it was a luxury he couldn't afford.
After assassinating the Leader, he'd surely die.
The Leader's death would be his own.
The Mad Demon Art had severe side effects.
Whether by good or bad luck, his spy comrades' identities were exposed.
They died without talking, so the Alliance likely didn't know about him yet.
But it wouldn't be long before his own cover blew.
Hoo...
Panting, he moved again.
Most urgent was keeping mobile to evade pursuit.
Heh heh...
The Leader halted with a hollow laugh.
Assassins in black Yaksha masks blocked his path.