Chapter 37
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Assassin's Hour
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Slicing through flesh.
Spilling blood.
The sight of them vying to face the sword in the face of death's terror
It brought back a flood of memories from my past life.
Memories flashed by like a revolving lantern, taking over my entire being and accelerating my pounding heart.
"They said hundreds were spared death because of me, that dozens of missions succeeded thanks to my reckless abandon."
I could say with certainty that I never had a moment of peace.
So, a life-and-death duel like this
The blue sword energy refracted, bending in a bizarre direction mid-air. Against Namgung Sun's aura, I used the Infinite Steps.
I had to get close before my energy was completely depleted. Gathering the last of my strength.
Shink!
The sword tip hovering before my eyes aimed for my heart. I instinctively twisted my body, pulling forward. I thought I had, but a chunk of flesh was torn from my side.
Id grown sluggish. Infinitely slower. The Heavenly Thunder energy that had supplied the channels and vessels throughout my body was rapidly drying up.
As the energy that had filled my entire body vanished.
Hehehe. Why didn't you listen to me?
Before I could even react, the tip of Namgung Sun's sword pierced my right chest. The determined blade held no mercy.
The cold metal easily split my skin.
Even now
You fool.
To the man who still held some lingering affection for me, I grinned, baring my pale teeth. I raised both hands and grabbed the sword piercing my right chest. A searing energy heated my entire body.
Then, before Namgung Sun could react, I reached out and twisted his wrist, the one holding the sword.
So he couldn't escape.
You crazy bastard!
Black Tiger.
Namgung Sun's eyes widened.
He struggled against the ominous energy surging toward his back. He tried to raise his left hand and twist his body to maintain his balance, but.
Shunk!
I took a step forward, grabbing Namgung Sun in something like an embrace. Because of this, he couldn't move no matter how hard he tried. He was completely immobilized.
Crack.
At the same time, the energy that pierced his skin
Stabbed the back of Namgung Sun's neck, pierced his heart, sliced the wrist holding the sword, and mangled his solar plexus.
But for some reason, despite suffering fatal wounds to his vital points, he couldn't die, as if trapped in an eternity of time.
Not an instant death, but a fleeting moment of dying slowly, savoring the pain.
...I will not kill you immediately. For now is the assassin's hour.
Namgung Sun, who no longer had the strength to lift a single finger.
Don't humiliate me just kill me.
Even as the strength drained from his body, he could feel the energy imbued in Black Tiger's dagger. The thought that death would be preferable came to him even as his consciousness faded.
And he was bound by the flesh-slicing pain of Black Tiger's touch.
Slice, slice.
Each time the dagger touched him, Namgung Sun's skin was peeled away, layer by layer. An emotionless gaze, like a fisherman looking at his catch.
For the first time, Namgung Sun felt the terror of death.
...Ugh.
Shunk!
The sinister energy piercing Namgung Sun's dantian mercilessly ravaged his insides. The helplessness a martial artist feels upon becoming an ordinary man.
He resolved to make this man suffer more than anyone in the world, if only on behalf of the collapsing Great Young Lord.
...Stop, Black Tiger. That's enough.
A shadow falling behind Black Tiger stopped his hand.
In that place, filled with nothing but killing intent.
Facing the opponent named Namgung Sun, he felt as if he were
Nothing more than a mouse before a cat, and all the strength left his body.
It seemed like only yesterday that he was proclaiming himself the chosen disciple of the Iron-Blood Sword Saint, An Baek.
And so, he had always been full of pride. Always stiff and unbending.
What did it matter about the Namgung Family's Great Young Lord, the Young Family Head, or the competition for the headship?
Donghwi had secretly believed that if he had used his internal energy, he would have beaten the Great Young Lord back at the Sword Branch Assembly.
But now, he
He found himself backing away from the scene unfolding before him. At the sight of the merciless figure wielding a sword too fast to be seen, Donghwi instinctively hid behind the Great Young Lord and Black Tiger.
Since he wants the Great Young Lord so badly, perhaps with some compromise and negotiation
"Stop, stop! How can you waste your innate energy like that!"
He thought they could survive, but instead, the boy was pouring out his own life force.
It was absurd. He was fighting while gnawing away at his own being. Even if he won this battle, it would be nothing but a pyrrhic victory.
"The Great Young Lord has put his life on the line. Since his intention is clear, I will simply uphold his will."
Hearing Black Tiger's words, Donghwi froze. Their attitudes were completely different. His face flushed with shame at his own retreat.
Compared to them, Donghwi felt like a coward.
Gang Umun had thrown himself into danger and run to find An Baek.
Black Tiger had joined forces with the Great Young Lord to exchange blows with that demon.
Only he.
Only he had been unable to contribute anything.
Even so, Donghwi's gaze was fixed. On the Great Young Lord.
The Great Young Lord's relentless assault met Namgung Sun head-on, and he had to focus his vision several times to keep up. He was improving by the day. There was no hesitation, and he never flinched in moments of crisis.
Cough!
And then, the boy who had been pouring out his life force gave his own flesh.
Despair filled Donghwi's admiring eyes. The boy's skin was so thin that it was pierced, crushed, and split like tofu by the tip of Namgung Sun's sword. Nevertheless, he didn't spare his own body.
...Damn it.
Looking at his own trembling legs, Donghwi gritted his teeth.
Move, damn you.
I said, move.
Pick up your sword.
And swing it.
Be of some help, even if it's just a little.
Trembling, Donghwi couldn't stand how pathetic he felt.
He slapped his thighs. Just move.
Just then.
Seeing the Great Young Lord fall to Namgung Sun's sword, his legs finally moved.
He threw his body forward and caught the Great Young Lord before he could hit the ground. He couldn't let him lie on the cold earth.
G-Great Young Lord
Heh. Pathetic. Why are you looking at me like that?
I'm sorry I-I was so powerless
It's fine. You've only just entered the martial world.
Hearing those words, something rose in Donghwi's throat.
But the Great Young Lord is also new to the martial world.
He's younger than me, yet he fought so bravely, didn't he?
I'm a little tired. I feel sleepy.
Donghwi's despair resurfaced. He couldn't let him fall asleep. That would mean death.
What should I do?
Just as he was thinking that, An Baek appeared. Without a word, An Baek's hands moved over several spots on the Great Young Lord's body. In that instant, the bleeding stopped.
Uncle.
Get some rest. Everything will be taken care of when you wake up.
Thank you.
Having said that, An Baek turned his head and spoke to the dazed Donghwi.
Don't cry, Donghwi. You've been through a lot.
M-Master
You did well.
At the touch of An Baek's hand on his head.
Donghwi finally broke down and sobbed.
Those tears.
Were the helplessness of a haughty young man facing reality.
It was the cry of a frog finally leaving its well.
...Stop, Black Tiger. That's enough.
I won't.
The voice came from behind. Its owner was covered in blood. An Baek, who had appeared carrying the heavily wounded Gang Umun on his back, staunched the bleeding on the fallen Great Young Lord's wounds and tore his clothes to make bandages.
...Think about your priorities. Don't you think even the time spent dealing with that bastard is a waste?
At those words, Black Tiger bit his lower lip and nodded.
I understand. Where should we go?
Wait a moment.
An Baek turned his head.
If you have anything, would you mind sharing? At this level, I think we'll need your help.
Seeing him speak softly while looking up at a tree with no sign of life, Black Tiger, Gang Umun, and Donghwi tilted their heads in confusion. But when two figures appeared soon after, their jaws dropped.
They were familiar faces.
Recalling that they were two of the five men who had assisted Namgung Mubaek at the Sword Branch Assembly, Black Tiger, Gang Umun, and Donghwi felt a chill run down their spines.
They hadn't sensed their presence even once on the way here.
An Baek had recognized them at a glance. Had he known all along and pretended not to?
...As expected of the Sword Saint. You already knew.
How could I not? You were so noisy I couldn't sleep.
It was Pyo Yeong and Pyo Il.
...We didn't expect the Great Young Lord to throw himself at the sword like that.
There was also a desire to keep watching his incredible prowess.
As they spoke, they took out some wound salve and a few small spirit pills from their robes. It was a gesture of sincerity, containing their apology for not intervening sooner.
These are quite useful for recovery. Have him take one every other day.
An Baek accepted the top-quality salve and spirit pills. He nodded at Pyo Il's words. Pyo Yeong's gaze went past the Great Young Lord to the twitching Namgung Sun.
...Hand that man over to us. He'll be difficult to deal with anyway.
A Namgung Family elder had directly targeted the Great Young Lord. Whatever the reason, it wasn't a pleasant story to hear, and an even less pleasant sight to see.
Let's do that.
As An Baek nodded, Pyo Yeong jabbed Namgung Sun's pressure points with his fingertips. With a lightning-fast touch, Namgung Sun's bleeding stopped.
...Don't even think about dying peacefully.
The color drained from Namgung Sun's face, and Pyo Yeong and Pyo Il quickly vanished with him in tow.
Umun and Donghwi, go to the Namgung branch in Jiangsu Province and ask for help. Have them prepare a carriage, horses, food, and a physician.
With that, An Baek lifted the Great Young Lord onto his back.
Black Tiger and I will head there as soon as the Great Young Lord is stable enough to move.
Yes! Understood.
Yes, Master.
The two young men disappeared, and Black Tiger gathered the bodies of their attackers in one place and burned them, erasing all traces.
...I shouldn't have let my guard down. It's been a while since I've been out; I've lost my touch.
Hearing An Baek's grumbling, Black Tiger spoke up.
Why don't you ask me?
About you being an assassin? Everyone has their secrets, things they keep buried.
An Baek shrugged as if to say it didn't matter. Then, he looked at the Great Young Lord sleeping soundly on his back and spoke.
That's what this kid would have said, isn't it?
At those words, Black Tiger nodded. Yes, that's the kind of person he is.
He doesn't dwell on things like my past.
And he trusts me unconditionally.
With that small frame, he sets himself ablaze.
Burning himself out, sacrificing for his companions, and offering his life as if it were nothing.
Rest well, Great Young Lord.
I will protect you.
I will no longer live in hiding.