Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Ruthlessly and Cruelly
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“Wang Ji-kyeong has many enemies, so he always travels with a retinue of martial artists. Among them are the Black and White Twin Swords, elite experts from the unorthodox sects whom he trusts implicitly.”
The Black and White Twin Swords were infamous powerhouses in the northern Central Plains.
Hailing from the unorthodox paths, they possessed exceptional martial prowess and brutal temperaments, leaving countless victims in their wake. Whenever trouble arose, Wang Ji-kyeong would step in to smooth things over—a poorly kept secret by now.
“When he ventures out, he brings about twenty escorts. All of them are top-tier martial artists from the jianghu. The Black and White Twin Swords lead them.”
“Taking out the Black and White Twin Swords would be like cutting off the snake’s head.”
“Exactly.”
Go Mi drew a scroll from her bosom.
“This is a map of Wang Ji-kyeong’s estate. The red dots mark locations believed to hold his wealth.”
Yi Hwan marveled anew.
After selecting Wang Ji-kyeong as their first target, he had ordered more detailed intelligence—and in just one day, she had procured even a map of the estate.
Go Mi asked,
“Have you decided how to proceed?”
“Roughly.”
“Shall I join you?”
“No. The Moon Lord stays out of it. We’ll handle the bloodshed. Focus instead on gathering intel on the others.”
“Understood.”
“Mu-ok.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“We’ll need to summon your lineage. My sister’s estate has plenty of empty rooms, so house them there and assign them to guard duty while they settle in.”
“Understood.”
Yi Hwan interlaced his fingers and leaned back.
“Now we just wait for the prey to move.”
* * *
Wang Ji-kyeong was called “Lord” not for noble birth, but for his vast wealth.
He plunged into any venture that turned a profit, from usury onward, amassing a fortune over decades that was truly staggering. The number of those ruined and left weeping blood in his wake was beyond counting.
Wang Ji-kyeong wielded that wealth to bribe high officials and hired jianghu warriors to crush anyone requiring a show of force.
He hesitated not at murder for late repayments, and even a single day’s delay often meant total seizure of assets.
Thus, in time, he earned the moniker Dark Emperor.
Even Wang Ji-kyeong, however, had matters beyond his control.
* * *
A massive frame with greasy jowls on a round face, and eyes so narrow and long—buried in flesh—that it was hard to tell if they were open or shut.
Wang Ji-kyeong toyed with his teacup, narrowing his eyes further.
Clink.
“If not for that damned princess, I’d do as I please. What a nuisance.”
“You mean the Song Clan?”
“Yeah. I went to press them on the interest, but surprisingly, they didn’t seem like a fallen house at all! And why do you think that is? All because of the princess.”
“What power could a princess wield? She’s no different from the Fourth Imperial Prince—just a discarded imperial spawn. Rumors of the Crown Prince’s protection are nonsense too. If true, he wouldn’t have let them fall this far.”
“Still, she’s imperial blood. That’s why they’ve held out this long. To the power brokers, she’s worthless, but to ordinary merchants, it’s another story.”
“That makes sense. By the way, how did they afford buying those two inns? Our intel showed they had nothing left.”
“They say even a rich man takes three years to starve. Let alone a clan once second to none under heaven—they’ve got that much tucked away.”
“Then they should pay the interest, no? They begged to borrow it not long ago. The nerve.”
As his aide raised his voice, Wang Ji-kyeong’s eyes narrowed even more.
“Interest swells when payments lag—that’s no loss for us. The issue is securing some of the Song Clan’s old market share before the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group expands further.”
“You plan to compete with the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group?”
“Why not? Though you seem frightened of them.”
“With the Empress backing them, who wouldn’t be? Honestly, anywhere else is fine, but I’d rather not tangle with the Yellow Dragon Merchant Group at all.”
It was then.
“Milord, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
Creak.
The door opened, admitting a man in imperial yellow robes. His sharp features and the sword scar raking his cheek lent him a chilling air.
“The carriage is ready. Shall we depart?”
“And the Black and White Twin Swords?”
“Yes. They await outside.”
“Very well.”
Wang Ji-kyeong donned his outer robe and stepped out.
In the courtyard of the city’s grandest estate stood a carriage flanked by about twenty escorts.
All exuded an extraordinary aura, but two in particular drew the eye: middle-aged men clad in black and white robes.
They were the unorthodox elites Wang Ji-kyeong trusted without reservation—the Black and White Twin Swords.
Everyone bowed deeply to Wang Ji-kyeong, but they merely cupped their fists in salute. He seemed unperturbed, as if it were only natural.
The yellow-robed man opened the carriage door.
“Please, board.”
Before climbing in, Wang Ji-kyeong smiled at the Twin Swords.
“Take good care of me today, as always.”
“Yes, Milord.”
Moments later, the carriage bearing Wang Ji-kyeong passed through the gates. Unlike typical escort formations, the Black and White Twin Swords brought up the rear.
* * *
Trailing Wang Ji-kyeong’s group were two riders on horseback.
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok.
Yi Hwan eyed the Black Sword intently.
“Not bad. They can even retract their auras.”
“With arrogance written on their faces, they’re nothing to worry about. Types like that usually overestimate themselves.”
“Arrogance is dangerous, but carelessness is deadlier. Like yours right now.”
“……Yes.”
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok kept a discreet distance from the group. Yi Hwan, of course, wore a human skin mask.
Clop! Clop!
The official road bustled with travelers, forcing the carriage to match a walking pace.
In no rush, Yi Hwan leisurely took in the scenery. It was harvest season, and fields lining the road teemed with activity.
“When did you say your lineage would arrive?”
“Tomorrow at the latest.”
“That soon?”
“They all possess reliable lightness skills. Some elders outpace even me.”
“Not bad.”
Whoosh!
A pleasant breeze blew. The cloudless blue sky seemed too fine for bloodshed. But heaven’s whims defied expectation.
Rumble!
The clear sky suddenly darkened, thunder cracking as rain poured down.
Whoosh!
Wang Ji-kyeong’s carriage picked up speed.
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok maintained a suitable gap in pursuit.
Thud thud thud!
Fewer people on the road allowed faster progress. How long had they ridden?
The drizzle swelled to a downpour, winds howling fiercely.
‘The weather aids us.’
Yi Hwan scanned ahead.
A sharp bend loomed, roadside branches thrashing in the gale.
“That spot will do.”
“Yes.”
Abandoning their horses, they plunged into the woods.
They overtook the group and reached the site. There, Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok donned masks.
“For the plan to succeed, they must feel terror worse than death. Never forget: we must kill the most ruthlessly and mercilessly.”
“Understood.”
Shing.
Swords drawn, Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok awaited the approaching carriage with Wang Ji-kyeong.
Crack!
Whoosh!
The torrent blurred vision, but it hindered them not at all.
Thud thud thud!
At last, the carriage entered striking range.
Cheol Mu-ok moved first.
Whoosh!
Leaping skyward, he plummeted vertically, cleaving a guard’s torso in half.
Splat!
“Argh!”
“Huh!”
“Ambush! Defend!”
“Gah!”
Another split in twain and tumbled.
For all that Wang Ji-kyeong paid a fortune for these elites, Cheol Mu-ok was leagues beyond.
“You dare!”
The Black Sword vaulted into the air.
His descending blade cleaved raindrops, poised to split Cheol Mu-ok’s skull.
Boom!
Cheol Mu-ok parried and retreated. The White Sword had closed in.
Yi Hwan struck then too.
Not at a man, but the carriage.
Hummm!
A humming surge pierced the deluge, slamming the carriage door.
Boom!
“Another foe! Protect Milord!”
“Block them!”
The Black Sword abandoned Cheol Mu-ok for Yi Hwan. Before he arrived, two guards lost heads to Yi Hwan’s blade. Through the shattered door, Yi Hwan glimpsed Wang Ji-kyeong cowering in terror.
Their eyes locked; Yi Hwan’s gleamed blood-red.
“Gasp!”
Wang Ji-kyeong wheezed as if punched in the gut. None could face that horrifying gaze without flinching.
Flash!
A streak hurtled at Yi Hwan.
The Black Sword’s sword aura.
Yi Hwan twisted aside. It pierced a tree behind.
Thud!
Ignoring the Black Sword, Yi Hwan targeted Wang Ji-kyeong inside. Guards blocked him. The Black Sword dropped before Yi Hwan, lunging with bisecting strokes.
Boom!
Clashing blades sparked. Rain sprayed from the shockwave.
Yi Hwan rebounded, slicing a guard’s waist, then charged Wang Ji-kyeong again—thwarted once more.
Meanwhile, the Black Sword’s eyes darkened gravely.
‘This bastard… he’s deliberately sticking to that spot!’
At first, he hadn’t noticed. But after exchanges, he realized Yi Hwan clung to the ruined carriage door.
Stranger still: he seemed to target Wang Ji-kyeong yet held back full power.
‘What’s your game?’
“Argh!”
A death cry rang out.
“……!”
The Black Sword’s eyes bulged. Before him fell the White Sword—head severed from body.
“Brother!”
“Urk!”
Wang Ji-kyeong cried out in shock from the carriage. Having witnessed it up close, and trusted the White Sword utterly, it felt like the sky collapsing.
Yi Hwan smiled coldly.
‘Now it’s your turn.’
Yi Hwan’s sword arced through the air. Five streaks of white light plummeted at the Black Sword’s head.
Yi Hwan’s strike was so swift, the Black Sword failed to register them. Fatal error.
Boom!
The Black Sword parried Yi Hwan’s sword. But blood sprayed from his scalp.
Splatter splatter splatter thud!
“Guh!”
With a strangled groan, the Black Sword stiffened like a log and toppled backward.
“Black Brother!”
Wang Ji-kyeong wailed from the carriage.
Yi Hwan exhaled raggedly.
“Huff huff huff!”
He looked winded from battle to any observer.
Cheol Mu-ok arrived, breathing heavily too. But their eyes gleamed cold.
[This is enough. We withdraw.]
[Yes.]
Boom!
Yi Hwan and Cheol Mu-ok vanished into the woods. Not forgetting a parting shout.
“Evil tyrant Wang Ji-kyeong! Next time, we’ll have your head!”