Chapter 246
Chapter 246
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 246
Chapter Title: Ambush
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Amid the crowd, the Ghost Valley Lord stared at Cheol Mu-ok and Tae-seon. Confirming that only Cheol Mu-ok and Yeo Mu-sa were with her, just as his subordinate had reported, he broke into a satisfied smile.
‘If that woman is the princess of the Blue Wolf Tribe, she must have come here for a major deal. If the princess dies in the Yeon Kingdom’s capital and the deal falls through, even Tae Mu-rang won’t let it slide.’
He had to rack up some achievements.
Because Ghost Valley had openly supported Crown Prince Jo Gwang on the surface, it still hadn’t earned Jo Yun’s full trust.
He had discarded even his pride to follow Jo Yun’s orders in pursuit of the two-hundred-year-old mission, but until he gained that trust, he couldn’t fully utilize Zhao Kingdom’s intelligence network.
He needed to produce results to win Jo Yun’s confidence, gain access to more information, and track down the traces of the Three Kings’ lineage.
‘With the Yeon Kingdom’s emperor declaring Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World, a huge number of martial artists have flocked there. Gaining trust at a time like this shouldn’t be too hard.’
The Yeon Kingdom’s non-aggression policy had rocked all three kingdoms, but Zhao—more than anywhere else—had heavily recruited martial artists, putting its national military on high alert.
The Ghost Valley Lord fixed his gaze on Cheol Mu-ok passing right in front of him. Knowing his prowess already, he had no intention of rushing in.
That was when Tae-seon’s voice pierced the Ghost Valley Lord’s ears.
“Shall we stop by our fabric shop for a bit? Now that we’re out, I need to buy some silk for Father.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
‘Ma’am? So she really is the princess.’
A gleam flashed in the Ghost Valley Lord’s eyes.
That was when Cheol Mu-ok turned to look their way.
Their eyes met for a split second, but as Cheol Mu-ok quickly looked away, the Ghost Valley Lord breathed a sigh of relief.
He scanned the surroundings. Ghost Valley’s elite assassins, disguised as ordinary folk in various spots, awaited his signal. He had deliberately excluded Hong-seon’s close aides, as they lacked coordination experience.
The Ghost Valley Lord gave his subordinates a nod and followed Tae-seon’s group at a discreet distance. He was confident this plan would succeed.
‘Use the so-called hero’s weakness to separate him from the princess.’
That was the basis of his certainty.
* * *
Cheol Mu-ok gave a wry smile as he watched Tae-seon’s steps lighten as if the tension had vanished.
‘She seemed so tough...’
When he first saw her, Tae-seon had been a warrior woman of the great plains. Even en route to the Yeon Kingdom’s Imperial Palace—fresh from a war—she hadn’t shown a hint of faltering.
But now, she was the picture of an everyday woman one might spot in any market.
Then Tae-seon turned to him.
“We’ll be together for at least half a month, so let’s settle on how to address each other first.”
“Whatever’s comfortable.”
“Cheol Guard? Cheol Young Hero? Which do you like?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Guard feels off, so Cheol Young Hero it is. Okay?”
“Sure.”
“Then, Cheol Young Hero, book us a room at that inn from earlier. I’ll swing by the fabric shop and meet you there.”
“No need to book—plenty of spots available. Besides, my mission is to guard the princess until we return to headquarters, so we go together.”
“Alright, then.”
Moments later, the three entered the fabric shop. Tae-seon couldn’t tear her eyes from the finest, priciest silks from Haedong.
Meanwhile, Cheol Mu-ok stood at the entrance, eyeing the passersby. It was just ingrained habit—no real worry of an ambush.
He glanced at Tae-seon.
The shop owner was busy bundling a massive amount of silk. Cheol Mu-ok couldn’t help but smirk at the sheer volume.
‘Buying a ton, huh.’
That was when it happened.
“Aaack!”
A woman’s scream—like silk ripping—rang out from nearby.
“Help! Aaack!”
People rushed over.
But Cheol Mu-ok didn’t budge. He was loyal only to Yi Hwan’s order: protect Tae-seon.
Eyes watched him. The Ghost Valley Lord’s.
‘Damn...’
His eyes filled with dismay. He’d assumed Cheol Mu-ok would rush to the pleading woman, but the man hadn’t twitched, as if it meant nothing to him.
The plan to exploit the hero’s weakness crumbled in that instant.
A Ghost Valley assassin approached from behind.
[Just rush them?]
The Ghost Valley Lord scanned the fabric shop’s surroundings.
Far from the main street, foot traffic was light. Strike fast and vanish before any commotion—seemed feasible.
‘Take out that guy, and the rest will be a breeze.’
Murderous intent flared in the Ghost Valley Lord’s eyes.
[Take him out first.]
[Understood.]
At his command, assassins disguised as commoners emerged from all sides.
They shuffled toward the shop at a pedestrian’s pace, like anyone else on the street. The Ghost Valley Lord stepped forward too.
Cheol Mu-ok still hadn’t spared them a glance.
[No killing intent until you’re within five zhang.]
His transmission voice drilled into the assassins’ ears simultaneously.
The distance closed.
Ten zhang, eight, six...
Right then.
Shing!
Cheol Mu-ok drew his sword. It let out a metallic ring, transforming into a massive blade.
Clack-clack!
“Halt.”
That single word made the assassin approaching from the left flinch. Realizing he’d been spotted, he instinctively leaked killing intent.
With no one around suddenly becoming several figures, Cheol Mu-ok’s suspicions were confirmed—they were foes with ill intent.
Whoosh!
The Ghost Valley Lord launched himself.
The assassins charged Cheol Mu-ok in unison.
Instead of meeting them head-on, Cheol Mu-ok leaped into the shop and snapped the pillar supporting the awning meant to shield from rain.
Boom!
Crash!
The awning collapsed, debris and dust flying everywhere, blinding the Ghost Valley Lord and his men momentarily.
Undeterred, the Ghost Valley Lord fired energy blasts through the dust. The assassins unleashed indiscriminate attacks into the shop.
Boom!
Kaboom!
The roof couldn’t withstand the impacts, collapsing in explosions of dust.
The Ghost Valley Lord burst through the flying debris into the shop.
The entire sequence unfolded in a blink.
But inside was only the trembling shop owner. No sign of Cheol Mu-ok, Tae-seon, or Yeo Mu-sa.
Twitch.
“Damn...”
“That way!”
The Ghost Valley Lord’s head snapped around like lightning. Cheol Mu-ok, Tae-seon, and Yeo Mu-sa were fleeing across rooftops.
“Capture them at any cost! Pursue!”
Whoosh!
The Ghost Valley Lord and assassins vaulted upward in unison.
* * *
“They’re after me?!”
“Likely.”
“Then just fight them!”
“Don’t know who they are—better to evade for now.”
Whoosh!
Cheol Mu-ok’s group fled at top speed. Glancing back, pursuers trailed about thirty zhang behind.
The gap narrowed steadily.
Alone, Cheol Mu-ok could shake them instantly, but the Ghost Valley assassins’ lightness skills outpaced Tae-seon and Yeo Mu-sa.
Tae-seon shouted.
“Don’t fall behind! Keep up!”
“I’ll hold them off! Young Hero, get Her Highness to headquarters fast!”
Yeo Mu-sa veered toward the pursuers.
“No!”
As Tae-seon tried to turn, Cheol Mu-ok scooped her waist like a hawk snatching prey.
“They’re experts. If they catch us here, the princess is at risk.”
“Let go! Put me down!”
“Too late.”
“...!”
Tae-seon’s eyes widened.
She saw Yeo Mu-sa collapse, spurting blood. More shocking was the pursuers’ skill.
Yeo Mu-sa was a notable expert in the Blue Wolf Tribe, assigned by Tae Mu-rang to guard their princess. For her to fall without lasting exchanges meant the foes were beyond Tae-seon’s reckoning.
Meanwhile, Cheol Mu-ok checked directions.
‘Opposite of headquarters...’
In the panic, they’d fled the wrong way from the Golden Army command post. Too late to turn back now.
He eyed ahead. The city outskirts appeared, beyond which mountains ringed the city.
“Can you keep running?”
“...Yes.”
“Then into those mountains.”
Whoosh!
Tiles rained from the roofs they’d crossed. Startled homeowners peeked out, spotted the Ghost Valley Lord and assassins, and fled inside in terror.
Cheol Mu-ok checked Tae-seon’s face.
Fortunately, she wasn’t badly winded. Her inner energy ran deeper than it seemed. A small mercy.
Then Tae-seon pulled something from her bosom—a star-shaped hidden weapon. She hurled it at the pursuers.
Swoosh!
An assassin batted it away with his sword.
But?
Boom!
“Argh!”
The assassin tumbled with a short scream. Not dead, but the gap widened instantly.
Swoosh!
Another flew.
Seeing their comrade fall, the assassins twisted aside.
This time, the weapon exploded right beside them.
Bang!
“Urk!”
“Poison smoke! Careful!”
Another assassin dropped out.
Tae-seon’s face hardened. Her trump card had underperformed.
By then, they’d reached the mountain foothills and plunged into the forest. The Ghost Valley Lord was now within ten zhang.
Clang!
Tae-seon drew her sword mid-stride. More like a sword-broad than a blade—rare in the Central Plains.
“This way.”
Cheol Mu-ok veered right. Had to reach somewhere near headquarters before getting caught.
‘Where’d these guys come from...’
He sensed danger. Alone, fine—but with Tae-seon, fighting rashly endangered her.
The foes closed in relentlessly, and Tae-seon’s breaths grew ragged.
Cheol Mu-ok scanned sharply ahead, spotting a dense thicket of massive trees, and turned that way.
If evasion failed, choose terrain favoring outnumbered combat. The tree-packed area was ideal.
Swoosh!
A chilling aura flew from behind.
Cheol Mu-ok hugged Tae-seon’s waist, spun, and whirled his greatsword like a windmill.
Boom!
Using the recoil, he accelerated briefly, reaching the spot and releasing her.
He exhaled deeply and turned.
Swish!
Facing the arriving foes, he backed against a giant tree. Tae-seon did the same beside him, raising her sword in both hands.
“You came to this hidden spot on your own two feet. Guess I should thank you before killing you. Heh heh heh.”
“Faces I’ve seen before.”
Cheol Mu-ok recognized their aura vaguely but couldn’t pinpoint who. None looked familiar.
Sizzle.
The blue glow on his greatsword shifted to blood-red. No holding back from the start.
“If you chased us, quit dawdling and come in. Whoever you are, get in here.”