Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Into the Tiger's Den
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To catch a tiger, you must enter the tiger's den.
I recalled my master from my past life, who often said this.
That's why I walked into the trap, knowing full well what it was.
But my master had also asked if it was right to just charge in blindly.
I pondered his words deeply and came to a conclusion.
If you have no teeth, you fight with your gums. When the lips are gone, the teeth are cold.
That was my conclusion this time.
Around this time, my master, Asura Corps Commander Hwang Cheonho, would have been dominating the battlefield against the Red Turban rebels. I knew every detail of his whereabouts.
Shhhk.
The man reading the letter let out a dry laugh.
Who did you say sent this?
...The Great Young Lord of the Namgung Family of the Central Plains, sir.
Namgung... Namgung, you say.
He is currently in charge of one of the fronts against the Green Forest.
And his record?
Asura Corps Commander Hwang Cheonho scanned the Namgung Family's achievements related to Shandong and wore a look of disbelief.
Their stagnant progress took a sharp turn for the better exactly five years ago.
It changed the very day the one called the Great Young Lord set foot there.
The aide standing beside Hwang Cheonho spread a stack of organized documents across the desk.
In Shandong, across Mount Shandong and Mount Tai, he seems to have dealt with the bandits who were trying to expand their territory. Twenty-two mountain fortresses were cleared, and the majority of the troublemakers were eliminated. As a result, complaints from herb gatherers, ginseng hunters, and local villagers have ceased, and we were able to preserve a significant number of Asura Corps members who were previously dispatched.
It was an unbelievable achievement for a group of only about one hundred and fifty men.
Was there anyone in the Central Plains martial world who could produce such clean and satisfying results? Hwang Cheonho smiled in satisfaction.
So, what is he requesting?
A request for support.
After five years of silence.
They didn't have many resources to spare. The Red Turban rebels were rampant, and diverting troops elsewhere would create openings and leave them vulnerable.
And yet.
Hes worded this in a way that makes it impossible for us not to go.
The justification is solid. Citing the proverb of the tiger's viciousness, he states his intention to find all the villagers who have disappeared and to eradicate the problem at its root.
He should know about the non-aggression pact between the government and the martial world.
He has exploited a loophole perfectly. There are many aspects where inaction on our part could lead to problems.
His curiosity about the sender, the Great Young Lord of Namgung, deepened. It felt as if this person knew him better than anyoneknew that he valued justification but never acted carelessly.
A sense of inner kinship bloomed on its own.
Are there any problems? The review must be complete.
The non-aggression pact between government and martial artists.
The government and the Central Plains do not interfere with one another. Although the Imperial Family had conscripted martial artists from the Central Plains, it was an unwritten rule and a silent promise not to meddle further.
None, sir. If you wish it, it can be done as you desire.
Is that so.
Hwang Cheonho, who had been gazing down at the letter, pushed back his chair and slowly rose.
I'll go ahead first.
Where are you going, sir?
I need to report to my superiors, don't I?
...Commander.
Yes?
Hwang Cheonho turned at his aide's question.
How should we prepare?
How, you ask.
His eyes curved into crescents. Asura Corps Commander Hwang Cheonho recalled the letter tucked in his clothes and spoke.
Full force.
Sir! I will carry out your command!
Separate from being cautious, when you need to make a show of force.
You must do it more decisively than ever.
That was Hwang Cheonho's way.
Why is the government...?
The government never cared before. What in the world.
N-No way.
Even the warriors of the Namgung Family reacted as if they couldn't comprehend the situation. Namgung Han and Namgung Seok, the heads of the Shandong branch, in particular, had often seen their requests for support or reinforcements fall through or be ignored.
That made this situation all the more incomprehensible.
But.
If there was someone who could make such an extraordinary situation happen.
If there was someone who always defied common sense and pulled off the most incredible feats.
If such a person was here.
That person was none other than.
They arrived right on time.
Great Young Lord?
What.
...Don't tell me you were aiming for this?
I was. You don't like it?
The Great Young Lord, the prodigy of the Namgung Family.
Those who turned to the Great Young Lord were flabbergasted to see him enjoying the situation, thinking, of course, it was him, but in truth.
I disliked the stares focused on me, so I shrugged and looked toward the three chieftains before me.
To deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your allies. I had Namgung Daemyeong send a carrier pigeon, and thankfully, the timing was perfect. It was something I never would have dared attempt if I didn't know Hwang Cheonho's every move.
Moreover, if I hadn't grasped the character of Asura Corps Commander Hwang Cheonho in such detail, this would have been in the realm of the impossible.
I had beaten the astronomical odds and made this strategy a success.
It was a situation I could afford to enjoy with a bit of leisure.
You were running your mouths so well, but now you're silent.
Just as I said, all three chieftains had fallen silent. They were merely observing the situation, their eyes darting about.
I was enjoying this, but inwardly, I remained vigilant. Since confronting them, I had offered no carrots, only the stick.
Even a cornered mouse will bite a cat. When they thought the battle was won, only to have it snatched away, they would surely struggle to survive by any means necessary.
I was wary of the madness that might erupt from them. At least one concern had yet to be resolved. As I was mulling it over.
Fortunately, a solution naturally presented itself, courtesy of those feeling far more pressure than we were.
...Whose idea was this?
Mine.
Hosan watched me with wary eyes, his own lips tightening at my relaxed expression.
How did you persuade the government? They shouldn't have been able to come so easily because of the non-aggression pact.
The matter of the villages you bastards attacked is something the government can certainly intervene in. I made sure to highlight the issues that were being swept under the rug.
It was an inescapable situation. Moreover, there was no reason to avoid an opportunity like this, where decisive action would lead to certain merit. It was a tempting prize.
Even if it hadn't been Hwang Cheonho. I just believed that if it was Hwang Cheonho, he would definitely come.
At this, Great Spirit Fist Hosan's eyes twitched.
Annoyingly clever, aren't you.
Is that a compliment?
...Theres no way for all of us to survive.
Good, you have a conscience after all.
Even from a moral standpoint, having this many bandits was a significant threat to the populace. Someone of the Asura Corps Commander's stature knew this, which is why he came in person.
The Asura Corps possessed enough troops to completely seal off the hundreds of bandits, leaving no gaps or escape routes, and they had the organization to avoid being easily overwhelmed.
Their number was a thousand.
Clang.
From below, the clash of weapons was heard along with a thunderous roar.
All units, advance!
The Asura Corps operated like a special task force, but its foundation was that of a military unit. With their tight formation, their spear tips were sharp and fierce, unyielding even as the disorganized bandits rampaged.
They were likely the very image of a formidable army.
CRUNCH!
With every move the Asura Corps made, flesh and blood were torn asunder.
Kuaaaaargh!
Crack.
It wasn't the strength of individuals, but the unified might of a legion, intertwined under the name of a corps.
Th-Theyre breaking through!
BOOM! KABOOM!
Despite the chaos of the bandits charging in hordes, the spear tips of the Asura Corps pierced through them without wavering.
Hold them back! Throw everything you have!
The desperate bandits shrieked and screamed at the Asura Corps, struggling against the approaching threat. It was a desperate fight for survival.
Lets negotiate.
Gwangbae stepped forward, shaking the woman in his left hand. It was Yu Mimi.
If you let the three of us go, I guarantee not only the woman but this one too will be unharmed.
Gwangbae raised his foot over the thrown body of Namgung Gamyeong.
I realized this was all they could do.
Vermin.
I felt sorry for the bandits who had trusted and followed them. The three chieftains showed no hesitation, not even sparing a glance for their own subordinates.
At my words, the chieftains shook the hostages as if to say they didn't care.
I offered a carrot.
I will open a path for you.
At my words, the three men's eyes lit up.
However, if you continue to hold the hostages, there is no room for negotiation.
You might chase us.
If you lack the confidence even for that, then you'll have to choose to die here.
The three chieftains were like wild dogs.
...A tiger knows its responsibilities and acts with pride. But a wild dog is not the same. They are creatures that hide when they must hide and flee when they must flee.
They knew exactly when to act and when not to.
And now.
I was telling them that this was the only moment their hostages would be of any use.
We will hold the hostages only until we are out of here.
Understood. For the safety of the hostages, the Iron-Blood Sword Saint and I will accompany you.
After pondering my words, Great Spirit Fist Hosan nodded. The mention of the Iron-Blood Sword Saint seemed to bother him, but he realized it was their best option.
If it was only two people.
I glanced at the Namgung warriors to reassure them, and they opened a path according to my will. It was the only opening in the pandemonium that Mount Shandong had become.
Thud, thud.
Three chieftains and two hostages.
And my uncle and I followed, walking in silence toward the ridge of Mount Shandong.
The time felt long and slow.
The chieftains walking ahead lifted their heads.
They have an uncanny sense of when to strike. Just as even a formidable predator cannot handle a pack of wild dogs.
My uncle's sword tip and mine moved simultaneously. As did the shadow following me.
SWOOOOSH!
Thud, thud.
The moment the path down the mountain came into view, we moved to sever the arms of those holding the hostages, but.
Not bad.
For a pack of wild dogs.
With heightened vigilance, the chieftains threw the hostages into the air to protect their arms. They, too, had intended to abandon the hostages and flee.
Fortunately.
...You brought another rat with you.
I shrugged at Hosan's words. Black Tiger had safely caught the two hostages flying through the air. After catching the unconscious hostages, Black Tiger checked their condition and nodded.
Hoo.
Phuhuhu.
Gwangbae, Pyo Gap, and Hosanthe three chieftainsturned to face us. Seeing them laugh, I too raised the corners of my mouth, revealing my teeth.
How very, very foolish.
...
So simple-minded. To think youd let us go like this. What are a few hostages to you? Give up any thought of catching us.
The wild dogs cackled. At the entrance to Mount Shandong, they acted completely at ease. Though they had given up the hostages, they seemed delighted to have escaped safely.
Honestly.
What was there to be so happy about?
I was happy too.
And it seemed I wasn't the only one.
They say patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. I have endured for a long time. Because of her, in your clutches.
Iron-Blood Sword Saint An Baek, my uncle, took a step forward.
Thankfully, she is safe. I am truly grateful.
He took another step.
...And because of that gratitude.
A storm erupted from the Iron-Blood Sword Saint An Baek's entire being. It was an aura that could fill Mount Shandong and more. At the same time, it was a tempest of blades that could slice through all three chieftains at once if they dared to turn their backs.
I will kill you in a single blow.
But as my uncle was about to leap forward and cut down the three chieftains, someone blocked his path.
Uncle.
It was me.
What are you doing?
Sorry, but Im first.
This is no time for jokes...
My uncle looked at me and stopped mid-sentence.
Thud, thud.
I had no intention of yielding.
Just as much as the rage bursting from my uncle, I too had a knot of fury coiled in my chest.
The energy filling my entire body surged. It was the aura of the Heavenly Thunder Imperial Divine Art, which had nearly reached its peak.
Shing.
On the tip of the smoothly drawn sword.
A faint aura of lightning flowed, writhing like a dragon. That was my wrath.
I'll have to make you understand just who you dared to touch.