Chapter 68
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Opening Strike
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Without warning, the Fire Demon surged forth.
Roar.
Splendid halls collapsed, and towering pavilions burned black, crumbling to ash.
"Kyaaak!"
They had stood for ages, carrying that long history with them.
"Aaah."
"P-Please... spare me..."
Innocent folk transformed overnight into sacrificial beasts.
The walls they'd patiently stacked became a massive cage imprisoning them.
Countless people had died, and more were dying still.
"Waaah!"
Corpses littered the ground at their feet—not just one or two. Stab wounds everywhere, eyes bulging in exaggerated disbelief. Every face screamed the impossible.
The Sun-Moon Cult, known as the Demonic Cult.
Their cruelty had shaken the Central Plains since ancient times. These fiends without blood or tears were devotees first, warriors second—their absolute obedience to command transcended even death.
"...Uncle Yu-yeon?"
A tear-streaked boy looked up at the kindly widowed householder.
The man the boy knew was a Sun-Moon Cultist in disguise.
No low-rank warrior corrupted by demonic arts—this was a vengeful spirit, a lingering ghost who'd downed poisoned wine fifteen years prior.
"..."
They were divided by white and black robes, and the man impassively swung his sword down.
Forgetting even to close his eyes, the boy simply stared as the heavy iron blade approached.
Chaeng—!
A chilling clang echoed at last.
The unexpected metallic screech, paired with a brief spark from the blade, was surprising enough.
The man withdrew his bloodless sword and shifted his stance.
Sak.
A longsword grazed the tip of his hair.
The woman who'd shoved him back was Ha Eun-ye, clad in simple light armor.
Tak! Tak!
Two warriors rushed to flank her, shielding the boy as they blocked the man.
"You okay?"
Ha Eun-ye turned from them, kneeling to meet the boy's eyes.
He barely managed to nod in silence.
Her gentle smile, meant to reassure, was beautiful even to another woman—like a flower blooming amid the battlefield.
"We've evacuated all the nearby villagers, Commander."
A Vermilion Bird Unit member approached, skipping formalities.
"This boy's the last one."
"Yes."
"Take care of him."
"Leave it to me."
Guided by the young warrior, the boy shuffled safely from the village. But to the end, he couldn't tear his gaze away—from Ha Eun-ye and that place.
Thud.
Multiple warriors approached the upright figure of Ha Eun-ye.
Mu Geum County's Eastern Magistrate had fled first in this sizable village, leaving devastation in his wake.
"We've sealed all the exits as ordered."
It was a fact they'd all witnessed, standing in the village center.
Rugged mountains and terrain.
Who could've guessed the iron fortress meant to protect from outsiders would become their prison?
Fresh blood pooled, smeared footprints indistinguishable—who's blood was whose? But it was the villagers', unmistakably.
A torrent of grim thoughts amid the tragedy, but no time for sentiment.
"Unnie."
Seo Mun Young-ryeong sought Ha Eun-ye's orders.
Though not Vermilion Bird Unit, Ha Eun-ye held supreme command in this pursuit squad.
Against expectations, Ha Eun-ye assigned Young-ryeong to rear support.
"I'm leaving you with the two commanders, Ryeong-ah."
The two warriors who'd missed the earlier man were now entrusted to Young-ryeong's guard upon return.
"...Please be careful."
Young-ryeong brimmed with youthful spirit, ready to charge, but her judgment was sound. Her own inadequacy would be an eternal shame if it hindered them.
The pursuit squad centered on one man and three women.
"No long speeches."
Ha Eun-ye glanced at the rest, issuing a brief plea.
The goal was within reach.
Warriors scattered in all directions against the Sun-Moon Cultists who'd seized Mu Geum County.
'If only we could quench these flames.'
The heat haze blurred vision like a mirage, battles raging between warriors hurling themselves into the inferno and cultists throughout the village.
A literal fight to the death.
"I wish you all good fortune."
A young man offered a respectful fist salute, stepping back from Ha Eun-ye and the others.
No chance for proper greetings at the briefing, but he was Mount Hua's famed later-generation talent.
Even the ghosts they hunted matched Murim Alliance commander level—fiends who'd reached the Third Realm, no less. He and his junior sisters sought worthy foes with fierce competitive spirits.
"Thank you for guiding us this far, Young Master Seo Mun."
Ha Eun-ye followed suit.
Not out of rivalry, though.
"You want me to withdraw now?"
Stripped of rank, she was just Ha Eun-ye, scanning Seo Mun Jun-sang and his two female escorts.
"I have no authority over you, young master. But as a personal request—please take care."
Their aid had been more than enough.
Ha Eun-ye knew Shandong's terrain well, but not like Seo Mun Jun-sang, born and bred here. It had saved them precious time.
"If you spot that man, run without hesitation."
"...I'll heed your advice."
He bowed deeply, pride aside, flanked by Seo Mun Clan's two escorts.
Everyone knew their roles.
Ku-gu-gung!
Another hall collapsed in the meantime.
Beyond endless flames and smoke, a faint human silhouette stood frozen.
Presences stirred behind it—not just one or two.
"Go on ahead, Ha-unnie."
Tang So-so, hair retied and hidden weapons secured, readily cleared the path.
"..."
Ha Eun-ye's lips twitched; she launched forward at the two women's kindness.
Duty fulfilled, facing her nemesis, even composure strained her.
Ha Eun-ye alighted lightly on a rooftop, vaulting high and low halls.
The cultists didn't pursue.
"It's been ages since we sync up, Tang-unnie."
Baek Ri-seol drew her sword with a faint smile.
"Can we skip that talk?"
"Just regretting the last one fell through."
"Speaking of, where's that guy anyway? Leaving his fiancée to flirt with riffraff."
Tang So-so narrowed her eyes at the white-robed warrior, scolding on Baek Ri-seol's behalf.
'Third Realm... maybe.'
Not easy.
Composed amid the searing heat.
Their personal prowess went without saying; Tang So-so pegged the front man as Mid Realm.
"Henan Blade Hero."
She pointed him out. A first meeting, but renowned.
His fame in Henan, home to Shaolin and Wudang, proved his skill. All here contributed to the righteous martial world's peace.
"Isn't it overkill for a mere clan girl to face so many heroes and luminaries?"
"'Mere clan girl'? Lady Tang, your humility is excessive."
The Henan Blade Hero brushed off the blatant sneer with ease, defying rumors.
"That tempted by demonic arts?"
"Demonic arts hold no interest for me."
Some were drawn. Many. But not him.
"Don't expect understanding. My house's succession is at stake—spare me no mercy."
Playing into Sun-Moon Cult hands via hostages and captives, they drew weapons with grim faces.
"A has-been wretch, but... let's test these ladies' reputations!"
Tang So-so murmured low at the Henan Blade Hero.
"Sa Hong, Captain."
"Yes, milady."
"Let none escape."
Led by Tang So-so and Baek Ri-seol, countless warriors engaged.
Chaeng—!
A clear ring pierced the flames, rousing the moonlit night.
"Aaak!"
Screams and wails erupted under collapsing roofs.
Everywhere glowed red.
Scanning left and right, Ha Eun-ye vaulted halls with resolute face.
Mu Geum County's tallest pavilion.
No match for Heavenly Dragon Pavilion, but one building spared the flames stood proud against wind and embers.
Sabak.
She dropped to the ground, gazing up at the fourth floor.
As the village dimmed floor by floor, lanterns blazed like its ornate facade.
Kkiiik.
Ha Eun-ye pushed open the entrance, leaving the chaos behind.
A brothel.
Familiar layout, thick courtesan perfume, crimson lanterns lighting the way.
Tak!
The door shut automatically.
Isolated from outside noise, thick walls marked it as a pleasure house.
'Hoo.'
Ha Eun-ye steadied her heart.
And stepped forward.
Thud.
Climbing floor by floor, blood overwhelmed the powder scent.
Courtesans and servants slain in the chaos.
Corpses everywhere at her feet—not one or two. Botched work left them mangled, horrific, piteous.
Faces unrecognizable even to kin, but male-female distinction clear.
Bulkeok.
Reaching the fourth floor, Ha Eun-ye flung open the ornate door.
One man. And three women.
Ignoring the outer turmoil, the man lounged with his paunch exposed.
Clad like a local magnate.
Drenched in booze and lust, flanked by women at a lavish table, they lay still.
"..."
Ha Eun-ye eyed the remaining woman.
Perched by the window, pipe in mouth, basking in moonlight with a wistful air.
"Customer?"
She exhaled smoke first.
"Not a place for women. If it's idle curiosity, turn back."
Her beauty rivaled Ha Eun-ye's.
Lustrous white hair unlike an elder's, flawless skin evoking the uncanny.
"I can pretend I saw nothing, even now."
Her voice alone could stir souls.
Detached poise enough to bewitch; any sane man would kneel obediently.
"All wrong."
Ha Eun-ye approached slowly.
Her smile now faintly eerie, unlike before.
"Ah, you're the customer."
The woman finally faced her.
The right one.
No mere curiosity—she couldn't look away.
The long-awaited moment: while the woman stayed cool, Ha Eun-ye raised her sword.
Flash.
Then it happened.
Like the departed magnate, the two silent courtesans lunged with bloodshot eyes.
Ha Eun-ye kept eyes on the woman, flicking her hand.
"...!"
Flawless swordplay.
Two crosses rippled sword waves like water.
Buaak!
Waists severed, skulls split—the halves tumbled past Ha Eun-ye.
"Useful girls, too."
It didn't end there.
Peoseok.
The woman's pipe snapped in half.
"...This too."
Undisturbed, she placed the shortened stem to her lips.
"Huuu—."
Smoke billowed long, wafting on the wind.
"So, what business brings our pretty lady to me?"
The woman asked the obvious.
"To kill you."
Ha Eun-ye answered the obvious.
She'd sown countless grudges, but surely she deserved to know why, by whom.
"Enough preamble, then."
Beyond banal exchange, their auras clashed.
"Hundred Tones Bewitching Harmony, Falling Moon Fragrance."
⟨ Hundred Tones Bewitching Harmony ⟩
The lofty pavilion soon crumbled. Like the surrounding ruins turned to ash.