Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: The Road to the Imperial Capital (2)
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There were two corpses.
One clad in black robes, the other in yellow.
Ju Tae examined the bodies and spoke.
“Both were killed by palm strikes. And neither had any items or markings that could reveal their identities.”
Yi Hwan inspected the corpses struck by palm techniques.
Opening their chests revealed clear handprints, the shapes highly distinctive.
“This one was hit by the Emei Twelve Palms. That makes it almost certain that old woman is the Merciless Sword Nun.”
The Emei Twelve Palms was the Emei Sect’s signature martial art, said to rival the Bare-Hand Demonic Skill once one surpassed a certain realm.
[How does he even know something like that?]
[No kidding.]
Ju Tae and Cheol Mu-ok exchanged glances, eyes wide. The emergence of such a master was shocking enough, but Yi Hwan identifying the foe’s technique from wounds alone was even more astonishing.
“Were these dead men sent by the Second Prince?”
“Possibly.”
Yi Hwan walked to the edge of the roof. He then scanned the inn across the way.
A room on the same floor where he had stayed. Its window was shattered, and no one was inside.
Cheol Mu-ok, Ju Tae, and Go Mi approached him. Gauging the distance between the inns, their faces hardened.
It was nearly impossible to leap that far in one bound to reach the roof. Yet Yi Hwan insisted the old woman—presumed to be the Merciless Sword Nun—had crossed in a single jump.
“The road to the Imperial Capital is shaping up to be a real hassle.”
“Not necessarily.”
“Pardon?”
“Heavenly experts are scary, but peak assassins are even worse. The Merciless Sword Nun trains in orthodox arts, so she’s unlikely to know assassination techniques. Just stay sharp on the way.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
Here too, Yi Hwan showed no hint of agitation. Go Mi stared at him, lost in an odd thought.
‘I wish the heavens would collapse once. I wonder if he’d stay this calm.’
* * *
‘Damn it….’
In the darkness, Mun Chi-yong couldn’t hide his dismay.
He had timed his assassination for when Yi Hwan parted from his group and entered his room alone.
At that moment, he was certain Yi Hwan was as good as dead. But then unrelated foes crossed paths, and soon after, an old woman from the opposite inn slew his two assassins.
Had she and the others not withdrawn first, his other subordinates would have perished too. Her martial prowess was that formidable.
‘Are they the Second Prince’s hidden escorts? Or are they after the Great Prince like us?’
Mun Chi-yong prayed for the latter.
If that old woman was secretly guarding Yi Hwan, assassination was off the table.
Whoosh!
Wind clawed at Mun Chi-yong’s face. Fixing his gaze after a quiet sigh, he turned to his men and issued orders.
“Double-check for anything that could reveal our identities.”
“We discarded everything as instructed. The dead ones too, so no risk of exposure. But who was that old woman?”
“How should I know? I just hope she’s not one of the Great Prince’s hidden old guardians.”
“Even if she’s after the Great Prince like us, isn’t that a problem? We could clash again in a critical moment like tonight.”
“No need to worry. As long as someone kills the Great Prince, that’s what matters. Let’s move.”
“Yes.”
As he turned, Mun Chi-yong stared at Yi Hwan’s inn. Too far to see clearly, but they were surely on high alert after the rooftop disturbance.
‘This failure just heightened their guard for nothing.’
Irritation settled in Mun Chi-yong’s eyes.
* * *
“Gah!”
Pa Pa, the Merciless Sword Nun, gazed down at her subordinate, who let out a final groan before vomiting black dead blood.
The wound was fatal—no immortal healer could save him. His nerves severed, he writhed in agony.
“S-sorry. I… couldn’t be of help, Pa Pa.”
The Merciless Sword Nun placed a hand on his head.
Her resolute eyes filled with deep pain for a moment.
It was time to let him go.
For her, who cherished her subordinates dearly, it was a cruel and heartbreaking decision.
“Don’t worry about His Highness. Or your family. You suffered following a fool like me all this time—thank you. Now go in peace.”
“Th-thank you…”
Thud!
As his head lolled to the side, the Merciless Sword Nun closed her eyes and stood motionless for a long while.
The remaining two watched her silently.
Soon, she rose.
“Bury him somewhere easy to find. We’ll join you when it’s done.”
“Yes, Pa Pa.”
Watching her subordinates vanish into the dark, the Merciless Sword Nun bit her lip again.
Her eyes swirled with bewilderment and fury.
‘Lost a subordinate to random thugs without even reaching him.’
If it had happened while targeting Yi Hwan, she’d be less enraged. But something else infuriated her even more.
‘I had no choice but to use the Emei Twelve Palms to save them. If someone recognizes the marks on the corpses, my identity will be exposed.’
Leaving traces.
It was an unforgivable blunder. If Yi Hwan’s group figured her out, the backlash could be severe.
Assassinating royalty was strictly taboo across all three kingdoms. No formal law, but a 200-year unspoken rule—like dying in battle, but on another level.
‘Still, I’ll kill him.’
“Hoo.”
The Merciless Sword Nun exhaled deeply, staring at the roof of Yi Hwan’s inn.
Too distant to confirm, but people were up there. No doubt his group.
‘His companions are all young. Less chance they’d recognize our sect’s signature art. The Great Prince certainly wouldn’t.’
With that reassurance, she sat, awaiting her men’s return.
Whoosh!
The midnight disturbance thus ended.
But this close was the start of a brutal chase.
* * *
The next morning, the journey resumed.
Trailing Yi Hwan, Go Mi recalled last night and tilted her head.
‘How did he spot Emei Sect arts at a glance? They’re not even from our Yeon Kingdom.’
Amazement mingled with wonder. Only a martial arts savant could do that.
Whoosh!
The wind was fierce today.
The overcast sky threatened rain, leaving the official road nearly deserted.
‘Bad feeling about this.’
Tense, Go Mi scanned the surroundings and front and rear sharply. Five ahead, about ten behind. But until they showed their hands, identifying assassins was impossible.
‘At least no old woman.’
A few women, but all young.
Of course, no guarantee they weren’t killers. If the dead were Second Prince assassins, everyone visible was a potential threat.
Go Mi eyed Yi Hwan.
Only his back visible, yet he exuded calm. Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae at his sides were the same.
Even the rear warriors moved with utter nonchalance. Go Mi gave a wry smile.
‘Are we the only tense ones?’
Only she, Ye Mu-sa, and Song Cheon-mu were on edge.
Go Mi glanced at Ye Mu-sa.
“Got anything to chew?”
“Here.”
Ye Mu-sa handed over jerky.
Go Mi chewed. It helped ease tension.
Rumble!
Thunder growled.
Humidity rose with the wind. Go Mi frowned.
‘Rain would be the worst.’
Blizzards or storms were every assassin’s favorite. Easier to approach unseen, far less chance of detection.
Lower detection meant higher success—especially for the Merciless Sword Nun.
Plip plip!
Rain began to fall.
Then Yi Hwan’s voice rang out.
“Shall we run?”
Go Mi looked ahead.
The walkers ahead had ducked into a roadside shrine to escape the rain, clearing the path.
Thud thud thud!
All galloped at full speed.
Go Mi glanced back while riding. Four horsemen behind.
But they didn’t accelerate, and the gap widened instantly.
‘At least they’re not here.’
Go Mi turned forward.
Then a bird flew up from the rear riders—signaled by one.
Thud thud thud!
* * *
Thud thud thud!
Yi Hwan’s group raced at top speed.
Unused since the Southern Legion, the horses brimmed with stamina. Mountain-bred, their base endurance far exceeded average mounts.
Thud thud thud!
Yi Hwan led.
His warhorse, a champion, outpaced in speed and endurance. Cheol Mu-ok shouted in alarm.
“Maintain distance! The gap’s widening too much!”
Yi Hwan looked back.
Indeed, it was pulling away fast. He slowed slightly, ordering all.
“Don’t slack until the horses tire.”
“Yes!”
Yi Hwan checked rearward.
Fortunately, no pursuers.
‘These are battle-hardened elite warhorses. Once the gap opens, catching us is near impossible.’
Yi Hwan’s lips curled faintly.
‘They must be panicking. Heh heh heh.’
* * *
‘Damn it….’
The Merciless Sword Nun’s face twisted in dismay.
Yi Hwan’s sudden sprint had opened the distance in a flash. She now appeared as a young woman.
No human skin mask needed—masterful disguise technique plus bone-shrinking skill did the trick.
Thud thud thud!
She and her two black-robed men raced to close the gap. But Yi Hwan’s group had vanished from sight.
Twitch…
A spasm tugged at her eye.
‘Blasting off at such an unexpected time. Did he know we were here?’
* * *
‘Those are them.’
Mun Chi-yong’s eyes flashed as he watched the Merciless Sword Nun’s group thunder after Yi Hwan.
‘Who the hell are they?’
Clearly targeting Yi Hwan, but origin unknown.
A blue-robed man murmured.
“One’s down.”
“The one slashed at the inn must’ve died. Ignore them—pursue the Great Prince. On to the next waypoint!”
“Yes!”
* * *
As the horses tired.
The city outskirts loomed. Dusk was falling.
Cheol Mu-ok said.
“I saw a bird fly up when we started running. If it’s the Second Prince’s messenger pigeon, their allies are likely waiting in that city.”
“Sharp eyes.”
“I was fully focused.”
Yi Hwan had seen it too.
Thus, no plans to enter the city. Go Mi approached from behind.
“No pursuers trailing. Seems we shook them.”
“We shook the Zhao Kingdom side, but as Mu-ok says, the Second Prince’s men are probably waiting in that city.”
Yi Hwan turned to Ye Mu-sa with a faint smile.
“Experienced at camping?”
“No worries! Did it like meals during training!”
Ye Mu-sa beamed confidently.
“Then we camp in the mountains tonight.”
“Got it.”
All turned toward the hills.
Go Mi, scouting idly, caught Ye Mu-sa’s glance and blinked. Her expression toward Yi Hwan was peculiar.
[What’s with that face?]
[The Great Prince smiled at me.]
“…….”
Go Mi looked baffled.
[Heart pounding like crazy?]
[Yes.]
Pinch!
[Get a grip.]