Chapter 167: Forced Growth-4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 167: Forced Growth-4
A choice had to be made.
Should they remain here and face their master’s enemy, whose identity remained a mystery?
Or should they retreat for now and wait for a better opportunity?
They had to choose.
And that choice rested with So-yu.
"We must leave this place."
"But Master, this is the one who killed the Grandmaster."
In-ho questioned her, surprised by her words. So-yu shot him a sharp glare.
"Did I teach you to face an enemy without any preparation?"
"No, Master."
"I, too, wish to avenge my master. That is precisely why we must retreat this time."
It was only half-true.
So-yu felt a burning desire to confront them immediately and reduce them to ashes. However, it was nearly impossible to fight while protecting In-ho in a chaotic battlefield where all manner of lethal techniques would be flying.
These were the people who had killed her own master.
Therefore, retreating was the right call for now. Furthermore, she was considering separating In-ho from her temporarily to keep him safe. She hated the thought of being away from him for even a moment, but it was a necessary choice if she wanted a future with him.
"Then... should we move out now?"
"The letter says to go to the Murim Alliance. It seems the Alliance intends to send a guide."
"Then we'll have to meet that guide."
"Correct. Fortunately, the meeting place isn't far from here. It’s a day’s journey, so we can make it. Pack your things."
As soon as So-yu gave the word, In-ho began packing quickly. He stuffed easily consumable food, like jerky, into his knapsack. Once their light packing was finished, they descended the mountain.
Their legs didn't falter despite the steep slopes. After running for a full day, they arrived at the meeting place.
A man named Yun-seok was waiting for them in a corner of an inn.
"Greetings, Flame Wheel Master."
Introducing himself as a member of the information-gathering unit operated by the Alliance, he pulled a map from his robes, suggesting they skip the pleasantries.
"Regrettably, there is no chance of losing them completely. They’ve already established a surveillance net in the vicinity."
He spoke while pointing at the map with his finger.
"A surveillance net established so quickly? That’s strange. How did they know we were here?"
So-yu expressed her doubt regarding the hostile forces that had appeared without any warning.
"That part hasn't been uncovered yet. It’s likely because the Flame Wheel Master’s face is well-known. Have you appeared in public recently?"
At Yun-seok’s question, So-yu and In-ho’s brows furrowed. They both recalled the commotion at the market.
"......"
When the two remained silent, Yun-seok clicked his tongue.
"I see it happened. Well, what can you do? It’s not like you knew things would turn out this way."
"Then, is there a way to escape?"
In-ho asked, thinking of a desperate last stand. Yun-seok nodded.
"A breakthrough. That is the only way."
Yun-seok’s finger pointed to a specific spot.
"The terrain here is rugged, so even if pursuers catch up, they won't be able to surround us easily. Our first goal is to cross into Sichuan through this path around sunset."
"It would certainly be difficult to form a pursuit net in a place like that. But... the downside is that it won't be easy for us to move through, either."
So-yu added, staring intently at the map.
"Agent Yun. This may be an unreasonable request, but could you assist In-ho while we move?"
"I was actually going to suggest that myself. My martial arts are not as strong as yours, Flame Wheel Master, so I will assist Young Master Kang while you stay alert for any enemy ambushes."
So-yu nodded slowly at Yun-seok’s words. Their roles were decided.
"The sun will set soon. Let’s review the plan one last time."
The three of them turned their eyes back to the map.
*
Night in the mountains always arrived quickly.
Just as Yun-seok had predicted, the enemies began their pursuit the moment they started running through the mountains. Whether they intended to gauge the fugitives' strength or simply wear them down, they followed from a set distance.
"Holy shit, that scared me."
In-ho brushed his chest, looking at the hidden weapon that had just grazed the top of his head. It was only because visibility was poor that he survived; had it been broad daylight, his skull would have surely been pierced.
Clang!
Of course, that was only assuming the hidden weapon reached its mark. So-yu was parrying every single projectile aimed at In-ho.
"The number of incoming weapons is increasing."
So-yu spoke as she swatted away more hidden weapons with her hands. Their number and intensity were growing. It felt as though the enemy was testing her limits, which soured her mood.
They continued to run along the mountain paths, even venturing into trackless areas. The fugitives ran in a straight line, stepping over jagged rocks. Yun-seok helped In-ho, whose lack of cultivation caused him to stumble a few times.
"It looks like they’re tightening the perimeter."
"We’re going to be surrounded at this rate, aren't we?"
At In-ho’s worry, So-yu closed her eyes for a moment. She weighed various options before choosing the most certain method.
"In-ho."
"Yes?"
"You must stay safe."
"What do you mean by—Master!!!"
So-yu, who had been running alongside them, began to lag behind intentionally before suddenly pivoting and sprinting in the opposite direction.
"Master!!!"
So-yu grew distant as she charged toward the pursuers. In-ho tried to turn back to follow her, but Yun-seok snatched him by the scruff of his neck.
"Don't do anything reckless. The Flame Wheel Master will be fine."
In-ho struggled to break free from Yun-seok, but the man’s grip was so incredibly strong that his posture didn't waver even as he leaped through the air.
"......"
Carrying In-ho halfway over his shoulder, Yun-seok moved rapidly across the tree branches, crossing the mountain. He ran for over thirty minutes before stopping in a clearing surrounded by trees.
Crossing a mountain while carrying an adult male would be taxing for most martial artists, but his breathing remained steady. When Yun-seok released his grip, In-ho, who had been dangling, fell to the ground with a thud.
"I have to go to my master."
In-ho forced himself up, his knees trembling as he thought of So-yu fighting alone.
"The Flame Wheel Master will be alright."
"I know my master is strong. But we don't know how strong the enemy is! I can't just wait here blindly!"
In-ho glared at the composed Yun-seok, but the man raised a hand to cut him off.
"That’s not what I meant."
"Then what do you mean?"
"The target isn't the Flame Wheel Master, so she will be safe."
At Yun-seok’s words, In-ho’s mind went blank.
Thump-thump.
His instincts sensed the danger faster than his mind could process the words. His heart rate accelerated, and his head began to spin. Facts he had overlooked until now returned as haunting questions.
The Beggar's Sect protects the identity of their clients, so how did the Murim Alliance find out where we were?
Why did I assume Yun-seok was from the Murim Alliance based on a single letter?
Why did the enemies only threaten us instead of attacking, despite having far superior numbers?
And...
The person who delivered the news of the Grandmaster’s death... what organization did they belong to?
In-ho felt like a mere pawn being played on a massive board.