Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Value of a Word - 8
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I told them to close the inn's doors for now. There might be another attack, after all.
Watching the servants and errand boys grab their weapons, I turned my gaze to Sayoon.
"Is the spot you got hit earlier okay?"
"Yes. Of course. I can still fight more."
The sight of the little girl clenching her fist tightly was truly reliable. I nodded to her before spreading out a map of Island Flower Village.
"The government office has soldiers, so they should be fine... The first place we should head to is the village chief's house. That road connects to the path from outside, so it'll be easy to spot any enemy movements."
I pictured the kindly old village chief. He didn't know a lick of martial arts, but he was wise and always resolved disputes in the village with his calm tone. If he died, chaos might erupt in Island Flower Village.
With our decision made, Sayoon and I headed toward the village chief's house. Along the way, we saw a few injured soldiers. After helping them get back on their feet and entrusting them to the frightened villagers, we pressed on. That's when Sayoon, who had been silent, finally moved her lips.
"Who do you think they are?"
"Who knows..."
There were too many possibilities.
First and foremost, it could be the Iron Blood Clan's doing.
The Crimson Star Sect had claimed Island Flower Village as their territory and lent them their name for protection.
But if Island Flower Village took a major hit and fell into chaos?
From the Crimson Star Sect's perspective, it would tarnish the honor they held so dear.
To restore that honor, they'd have no choice but to send down disciples to guard the village for a while.
And with their manpower stretched thin protecting the village, the enemy could pick them off one by one.
Second possibility.
This could be one of the recurring events: an assault by the Beast King.
The Beast King was one of the corrupted immortals, capable of controlling demonic beasts while using sell-swords bought with money and power to sow chaos in the empire.
Half the events during no-event periods in Celestial Moon revolved around his attacks. That's why the gallery dubbed him the "Eternal Nuisance King."
By the lore, the Beast King predated the Iron Blood Clan and had been causing trouble long before them, so I couldn't rule out his involvement in this raid.
Third: fallout from the Demonic Cult's invasion of the empire.
Whenever something blew up in the martial world, you could chalk half of it up to the Demonic Cult and sleep easy.
They wielded sinister sorcery, commanded demonic beasts, and stirred up chaos with their sell-swords—just like the Beast King.
And the places that bore the brunt were usually the domains of the world's powerhouses.
Beyond that, there were the evil sects' schemes, or any number of longstanding events baked into the lore. Pointing fingers at any one culprit was impossible.
...
Should I just say it's the Iron Blood Clan?
"Well, who they are doesn't matter anyway."
Sayoon gripped her sword tightly.
Haha. This girl. Hahaha.
Sayoon stared straight ahead with proud eyes and stepped forward, her face set in determination.
It was because, at the fork in the road to the village chief's house, another black-clad figure—just like the one from before—was heading that way and bumped right into us.
"...I hear clanging metal. Looks like the senior sisters are protecting the chief. Let's take this guy down quick and move on."
"Yeah."
The black-clad man spotted us and sized up the situation in an instant.
He raised his sword with a growl.
"...Tch. Looks like the idiot got taken out."
"Yeah. You idiot."
I hurled a stone right away.
Sayoon dashed forward the moment it bounced off his sword with a clang.
Star Flow Step
Eerie footsteps mimicking the motion of stars
The black-clad man's eyes widened in surprise at her bizarre steps that flowed like shooting stars.
Clang! Clash! Clang!!
In an instant, their swords clashed three times. Sparks flew from the ferocious exchanges, but neither the man nor Sayoon showed much change in expression.
Was this just probing each other out?
"You little punk...!!"
His voice dripped with killing intent. The dagger in his right hand aimed for Sayoon's throat. She twisted away, and I chucked another stone at him.
Slash!!
His thrusting kick meant for Sayoon instead booted the stone aimed at his head. Seizing the opening, Sayoon stepped back and noted a few strands of her hair drifting down. She quietly positioned her sword at mid-guard.
"...Hidden weapons."
"You won't call it cowardly, right?"
A sharp blade protruded from the toe of his right leather boot before retracting. Sayoon glanced at it, took a slow deep breath, and steadied her mind.
"Not much real combat experience, huh? Your body's stiff. Scared of hidden weapons popping out anywhere? Heh. Pathetic. Pathetic. Go suck on your mom's tit some more."
"My mother's passed away."
"...Tch."
Even a mom-jab didn't faze Sayoon. Man, immunity to burns like that.
The black-clad man seemed caught off guard that his taunt fell flat.
But he wasn't backing down out of guilt or anything.
He just crept forward, dragging his feet along the ground.
Then, licking his lips with a serpentine smile like he'd spotted prey, he lunged.
His body slithered side to side. The dagger shot toward her throat with blinding speed.
Black Snake Step.
A footwork favored by evil sects—great for left-right strikes, but weak against overhead attacks.
He must've figured Sayoon, being shorter, couldn't strike from above.
"What?!"
Sayoon kept her tense expression and leaped lightly at the last moment. As she soared well past adult height, the man's eyes bulged in shock.
Heavenly Star Kick Combo
Star Flow Step leap into aerial kick
Spinning mid-air, Sayoon booted him square in the head.
Star Flow Step leap into Heavenly Star Kick combo!
Wow! She learned well!!
It was even a combo from the tutorial.
Perfectly executed, just like in the illustrations. As he toppled forward, Sayoon thrust her sword. The sharp tip trembled slightly.
But he wasn't a pushover either—he didn't buckle from one hit. He spun and flung his dagger.
Whoosh!!
Sayoon dodged with just a tilt of her head. But she didn't fully evade it...
This bastard!!?
A scratch on that porcelain face!!
Splat!!
His sword pierced his throat in payback, but I couldn't contain my rage.
I twisted the blade as I yanked it free, unleashing a geyser of blood.
Sayoon backed away to avoid the spray, caught her breath, and flashed me a faint smile.
"I won. Let's go!"
"You got a scratch on your face..."
"Huh? Oh. This is nothing."
"Nothing my ass."
I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket. And some golden wound salve.
"Wh-whoa?! I-I'm really fine?! Isn't that golden salve? It's expensive!"
"This much is nothing."
"...O-okay."
Opening the fancy box released a cool, refreshing scent as the salve appeared. Sayoon's eyes went wide at the luxurious container.
No wonder. This stuff was pricey.
A whole canister cost a gold ingot—top-shelf salve made by a divine healer.
"Here. Hold still."
"I can apply it myself."
"You don't even have a mirror."
"Ahaha..."
Sayoon gave an awkward laugh and squeezed her eyes shut. Were her lashes just that long? Even closed, they framed her face with a beauty beyond her years.
But who cared about that now!
Sayoon had a cut on her face!
"Gotta make sure it doesn't scar..."
"For a martial artist, a little scar like this is a badge of honor..."
"Toss that badge in the trash. There. Done."
At least it wasn't deep. With consistent application, it'd heal fine.
I placed the remaining salve in Sayoon's small palm.
"Huh?"
"Can't resell it now that it's been opened, and you'll put it to better use than me. You'll be fighting more than I will."
The box held enough for about ten uses. With the Iron Blood Clan fights and potential events ahead, handing it over like this made sense.
I had more at the trading company anyway. Could order extras if needed.
Sayoon hesitated, then bowed her head deeply.
"Thank you."
"No big deal. You saved my life, after all. Back at the inn, and this guy too."
I pointed at the fallen man.
"Yeah... Oh, right. We gotta hurry!"
"One sec first. Let's check his pockets."
"Pardon? Okay."
Iron Blood Clan? Beast King? Demonic Cult?
Or just some random thug?
Something might turn up.
But nope. Just like the guy at the inn, nothing to identify him.
"Too bad."
"Yeah. Let's go."
The clanging grew louder—they must be fully engaged over there.
Sayoon and I ran to the village chief's house and found Yuhee battling four black-clad foes.
"Senior Sister!!"
My stone and Sayoon's charge were enough to twist the faces of the black-clad attackers mid-Linked Chain Formation against Yuhee.
"Innkeeper Yu!!"
The village chief, trembling from the back, shouted urgently. I rushed to his side, and only then did Yuhee relax. She shattered the formation from outside and ruffled Sayoon's hair as she arrived.
"Aigoo, my pretty little one. Right on time! That's why I love our baby sis!"
"Ehehe..."
"Alright. Let's do this."
When people trained in the same arts fought together, their synergy was potent. All the more for Crimson Star Sect disciples who shared meals, lodging, and near-daily formation drills—like sisters.
"Haaap!!"
"Yah!!"
The girls moved swiftly and sharply, like starlight piercing the vast, dark night sky. They dodged the onslaught from the black-clad assailants and began counterattacking.
"Y-yeah! Crimson Star Sect!"
Were his survival instincts kicking in? The chief clenched his fists and yelled.
"Kill them! Rip them apart! Show those bastards they have no future—"
"The kids can hear you. Tone down the vulgarity."
"Ahem."
The chief cleared his throat awkwardly and gripped my arm tight.
"By the way, Innkeeper Yu. Who are those guys?"
"Beats me... Didn't they say anything when they came for you?"
"Not really... Just that they had to come along."
What a pain.
Guess we'd have to capture one and torture him after all?
Then Yuhee's sword severed one black-clad woman's arm. Seizing the gap in their formation, Sayoon stepped on Yuhee's shoulder and leaped, smashing his head with a Heavenly Star Kick.
As he tumbled groaning, light flared from Yuhee's sword.
Sword qi.
She was unleashing an advanced Crimson Star Divine Art technique.
"Hup!!"
With a low shout, she unleashed starlight.
The destructive power within the star demolished all barriers in its path toward its target.
Star Soul Sword
Destructive starlight shatters all defenses
Star Soul Sword.
The destructive soul within the starlight shattered the black-clad man's sword and pierced his heart in one blow.
"Gahk..."
Two down. That was enough to turn the tide.
"D-damn it."
"I didn't sign up for this..."
They faltered.
Realizing they were outmatched, the foes began retreating.
"Damn... Where's the backup...!"
Backup?
There was more?
As shadows crept over Sayoon and Yuhee's pretty faces,
I asked the black-clad men.
"Backup?"
"...."
"Answer, and I'll let you live."
"...W-we... We were hired..."
Hired?
By who?
One of them gritted his teeth as I stared.
"Damn it! I never wanted this job from the start! That guy was bad news—"
Stab!!
Something long protruded from the shouting man's chest.
A blade.
He stared down in disbelief before collapsing. The one beside him opened his mouth to scream, but a sharp blade burst from his throat too.
I, Sayoon, and Yuhee turned that way.
"...Oh dear."
It was a woman in the same black garb as the others.
She smirked, clutching several long blades—the same ones that killed them in one strike.
Her presence was on another level.
Just walking sent prickling killing intent washing over us.
This one.
We couldn't win.
I froze.
Glancing around, the chief had fainted from the pressure, Sayoon was grinding her teeth till they bled, and Yuhee's eyes were wide open.
And so, this mere arrival had us all on edge as she approached.
Click. Click.
Each step carried weight.
Straight nose,
black eye makeup.
Blood-red lips.
Black hair cascading to her waist.
And.
Vmmm...!!
The black aura cloaking her body.
Demonic qi—the mark of a Demonic Cultist.
In this dire moment, my mind raced, calculating escape routes.
Good thing I didn't blurt out Iron Blood Clan. Would've been embarrassing...
"...Who are you."
"None of your business... You. The men?"
Her hand moved seductively. Iron claws gleamed on her fingers as she twisted her red lips into a grin.
Beautiful.
But equally dangerous.
Her abyss-dark eyes fixed on me. I averted mine, playing dumb, but it didn't work.
"Don't play coy. Come with me. Refuse... and you know? I'll take an arm. Don't make the others die like dogs."
Damn it.
No choice, huh.
Now was the time for me to step up and buy time.
Stall with talk till Chaejin arrived—then we could live.
I recalled a top 100 list of Demonic Cultist-pleasing tidbits and stepped forward.
"Innkeeper?!"
"Stay back!"
Girls.
I'm better at stalling Demonic Cultists than you.
"I'll buy us time somehow. Go get Senior Sister Chae."
"Oh? Moonlight Sword's here? Then I really gotta hurry. Wonder if we'll have time to chat?"
"Before that. I don't know why you're after me and the chief, but as a Demonic Cultist, surely you'll enjoy a few tales I have. How about hearing them first to judge my worth?"
"Hmm~?"
"You don't look dumb enough not to know the value of a word."
What to say, though?
The whereabouts of Sama Jun, the Demonic Strategist who stole a sacred relic and fled?
The location of the missing half of the Half-Demonic Heavenly Art?
The forgotten Demon God's temple?
A secret passage to the Demonic Cult?
Or...
Screw it. Spill anything to buy time.
"Ahaha. I like confident guys like you."
She flashed a dangerously beautiful smile, winking and licking her lips.
"Even if I cut off an arm, stay cocky..."
KABOOM!!
What the—
Where'd the lady I was just talking to go?
More like, could a human even make that sound?
Like being rammed by a raging bull. The poised woman flew back with a massive crash, tumbling across the ground with a groan.
"Some crazy bastards lurking outside Island Flower Village? Thought something was up... Good thing I cleaned 'em quick and rushed over."
The one who'd blasted her away with a greatsword casually planted it in the ground.
She swept back her blood-red, rose-vibrant hair and tied it tight with a worn leather cord, then turned to us.
"Innkeeper Yu. I didn't arrive too late, did I?"
With one cool smile, she eased our tension.
Crimson Star Sect's Senior Disciple.
Hongryeon.