Chapter 39
Chapter 39
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: One Day's Tribulation (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*Whoosh!*
The figure of the Black Shadow Assassin instantly melted into the darkness.
The conversation had just ended. Now, the only thing left was to silence Ouyang Jue by killing him.
“……”
In the dead silence, Ouyang Jue widened his stance, relying solely on Severing Manifestation.
He bent his knees slightly, ready to react at any moment, and brought his iron-braced right elbow forward.
Just then, a very faint shadow flickered before his eyes.
*Grit.*
Gritting his teeth, Ouyang Jue swung Severing Manifestation diagonally.
“Hmph!”
At the same time, four daggers clashed with Severing Manifestation from different directions.
As if they knew he would move that way, the Black Shadow Assassins let out a sound of surprise when Ouyang Jue defended.
-Not bad... or rather, your eyes seem sharp.
At that mental message, the three martial artists nodded.
If he had tried to block only one, he wouldn't have been able to stop the other daggers.
Moreover, the sharpness and power emanating from Severing Manifestation's blade.
It was far more menacing than the rumors had suggested.
-Beyond our expectations.
So we'll finish him here.
*Swish.*
At a hand signal from the Black Shadow hanging from the ceiling, the other shadows leaped to different locations.
Though he noticed the entire process, Ouyang Jue silently watched them.
Then, an expression of annoyance spread across Ouyang Jue's face.
‘This is getting annoying.’
An ink-black sword energy began to spread over the Black Shadow Assassins' daggers.
From that single exchange, Ouyang Jue had roughly deduced that they all practiced the same school of martial arts.
That made them even more troublesome.
The joint attacks of such individuals were usually flawless and difficult to break through.
Despite this, Ouyang Jue quipped in a relaxed voice.
“Look at you, all trembling with fear.”
“……!”
Was that the signal?
Four daggers, aiming to bind Ouyang Jue's limbs, devoured the darkness and flashed with a brilliant light.
Even Ouyang Jue didn't know what kind of martial arts they used.
However, he had a rough idea of how they would attack.
An assassin's martial arts usually cloud the opponent's vision and make their body feel heavy.
‘Don't be deceived, don't hesitate.’
Holding Severing Manifestation, Ouyang Jue cleared his mind.
A blade is merciless.
It is a weapon that can kill anyone, whether the opponent is a sage who has realized all truths or a Buddha.
So how could he entertain other thoughts, even if they were just grunts?
Ouyang Jue's knees bent slightly, and he immediately executed the Plum Blossom Steps, charging forward.
The shadow in front of him saw this and laughed.
‘Foolish bastard!’
The dagger held by the shadow dropped to the floor, and all of its internal energy was concentrated into its iron-braced leather gloves.
If it could block Severing Manifestation for even a moment, the other Black Shadows could finish Ouyang Jue.
Just as the shadow was about to mock Ouyang Jue's foolishness, it suddenly felt something strange.
‘……He stopped?’
*Thud!*
As smoothly as flowing water, Ouyang Jue stopped one step away from the shadow and stomped his foot.
What followed was the Life-Taking Emperor-Shattering Shoulder Strike.
A merciless force, swung with one foot as a pivot, slammed into the shadow.
“Kuaargh!”
Seeing this, the three martial artists' eyes filled with even deeper killing intent.
The dead were dead.
It was better to deal with the enemy before them than to linger on what was already lost.
But they did not know.
How Ouyang Jue fought when there were no witnesses.
Ouyang Jue's wrist twisted at an angle, grabbing the waist of the shadow that was about to fly into the wall.
It was a perfect grappling technique!
The move was reminiscent of Kunlun's Crane-Catching Dragon Hand, causing the Black Shadows to frown.
-This isn't what we were told!
-Did the Mount Hua Sect even have shoulder strike techniques?
Then, seeing what Ouyang Jue threw, they fell into silence.
No, it was a shock that left them speechless.
“……?!”
*Thwack!*
Their vision momentarily darkened, and then they saw three daggers embedded in someone's body.
They could tell who it was just by their attire.
The martial artist who had just been killed by Ouyang Jue's Life-Taking Emperor-Shattering Shoulder Strike was impaled on the daggers, spewing hot blood.
‘To throw a dead man behind him as a shield!’
This was by no means the way of a Daoist.
The three martial artists drew spare daggers from their waists and briefly exchanged words.
-Was his use of the Plum Blossom Sword Arts a lie?
-No. That was definitely the Plum Blossom Steps.
-Then how can he act like such a ruffian?
Just then, a cold sneer formed on Ouyang Jue's lips.
“Is it right to gossip amongst yourselves with someone standing right in front of you?”
“……”
“Well, it's over now anyway.”
As soon as Ouyang Jue shrugged, the three martial artists felt presences gradually approaching.
At least thirty of them.
They must be the Beggars' Sect members and the secular disciples of the Mount Hua Sect who had been watching the Black Dragon Gang nearby.
It wasn't as if they had no time left and had to commit suicide.
The three martial artists glanced at the dead shadow and cast aside their remaining emotions.
All that remained was the cold determination to escape this place and plan for another day.
Their gazes turned cold and fixed on Ouyang Jue, who blocked their path.
“Move!”
“And if I say no?”
Ouyang Jue imbued Severing Manifestation with a deep rage.
* * *
*Crash!*
Following Ouyang Jue's words, Iron Wind, who had demolished one of the building's walls, surveyed the interior with a serious expression.
He noted the wood used to absorb moisture and the layers of dirt applied to completely seal the space.
‘He noticed this from the outside.’
I thought he was just some ruffian Daoist who acted all prim and proper.
‘By the way, why is he so rude only to me? Could it be because I peeked at... that?’
Iron Wind stole a sideways glance at Ouyang Jue before turning his gaze forward again.
After observing for a while, Iron Wind spoke.
“Un-gag that bastard.”
At his words, a shabbily dressed beggar removed the gag binding the martial artist.
As soon as he did, thick blood trickled down.
To prevent him from committing suicide, his teeth had been completely shattered, but one couldn't shake the feeling that there was a malicious intent behind it.
“Uh, ugh……!”
“Tell him to stop his nonsense and write it down.”
The beggar faithfully relayed the command.
“He says to write it down!”
*Smack!*
The beggar brutally struck the back of the martial artist's head, forcing him to his knees.
At the same time, an indescribable killing intent radiated out.
“Kuuugh……!”
Though three of his comrades were dead, he was an elite of the Black Dragon Gang, a Black Shadow Assassin trusted by the Red Tiger Demon.
How could someone like him be beaten by a damn beggar?
As the martial artist trembled violently, trying to break free from the ropes, Ouyang Jue took a light step forward.
He approached him and asked.
“It seems breaking your teeth wasn't enough. Perhaps the treatment was lacking for a man of the Unorthodox Faction like you.”
“……?!”
“Should I give you a proper taste of it?”
As Ouyang Jue pretended to pull out his fingernails, the martial artist was forced to recall his own powerlessness.
How could he possibly defeat the man he couldn't beat even in a four-on-one fight?
As he silently lowered his head, Ouyang Jue scratched the back of his own head as if embarrassed.
It was an act clearly conscious of the people around them.
“Can't you take a joke?”
Ouyang Jue shrugged, and the frigid atmosphere finally began to thaw.
But Iron Wind knew.
That Ouyang Jue was more than capable of doing it skillfully.
A dry laugh played on Iron Wind's face as he watched the so-called elite of the Black Dragon Gang tremble in fear.
‘What a sly snake. He must have already started something.’
But he couldn't very well ask him directly.
Just cleaning up the mess Ouyang Jue had made was enough to give him a headache.
The Martial Alliance might send people any moment now.
Iron Wind scraped the surface of the gunpowder with his fingernail and put it in his mouth.
Judging by this shitty taste, it was definitely gunpowder.
-Just like a beggar, you'd taste shit to figure out what it is.
At Ouyang Jue's mental message, Iron Wind shot him a sullen look.
-Must you hurt a listening beggar's feelings like that?
-I take it back.
Iron Wind's eyes grew profound for a moment.
-By the way, why did you, who didn't want to make a big scene, do all this? Weren't you just assessing the situation to handle it quietly?
-…….
Ouyang Jue considered telling him about the fool but kept his mouth shut.
Attracting his interest would likely bring misfortune to the remaining woman.
Unless one is strong, it's better not to draw the attention of the martial world.
Instead, Ouyang Jue's voice was laced with deep anger.
-Is that what matters right now? The Senior-most Brother of the Mount Hua Sect was struck down by these bastards!
-So, did you find anything about that?
At that mental message, Ouyang Jue slightly shook his head.
-It's highly likely that the one called Red Tiger Demon has it.
-That's not good.
Having said that, Iron Wind looked at the beggar who had approached him.
“What is it?”
“Well……”
The beggar carefully whispered into Iron Wind's ear.
“There was a massacre outside just a moment ago.”
“Another one besides Guardian Village?”
Though he looked a bit shabby, he was using a unique Beggars' Sect technique that mixed strange arts to transmit his voice through extremely faint vibrations.
This meant the information the beggar brought was important.
Iron Wind pressed the beggar.
“That can't be all, can it?”
“Well…… it seems to be the Red Tiger Demon.”
“What?”
The beggar made it clear he was certain.
“There are traces confirming it was the Red Tiger Demon starting from about ten li outside the south gate, and it's said he was wearing Daoist robes before burning the village, just like at Guardian Village.”
“Which direction?”
“Following the base of Mount Zhongnan, down toward Huguang province.”
At those words, Iron Wind looked puzzled.
As far as he knew, the Red Tiger Demon wasn't the type to flee after causing such an incident.
“Is that really true?”
“I can swear on my knot.”
*Tsk,* a sneer spread across Iron Wind's lips.
“Hey, you rascal. With just one of those, can you even hang anything below?”
“Hey, why are you being like this!”
As the beggar huffed, Iron Wind burst into loud laughter.
This time, he adjusted his vocal technique so others could hear.
“Haha, alright. I understand. You may go now.”
As soon as the beggar disappeared outside the Black Dragon Gang's base, Ouyang Jue asked.
“What was that about?”
“It seems the Red Tiger Demon was outside. They say he fled. In the process, he supposedly massacred a village……”
At those words, Ouyang Jue recalled the people of Guardian Village he had killed.
Iron Wind was just as perceptive.
His next words came as a mental message.
-Guardian Village was you, wasn't it?
-What makes you think that?
-A great villain like the Red Tiger Demon wouldn't leave behind a monument like that. Besides, it was Black Dragon Gang territory to begin with.
Iron Wind picked his nose with his little finger.
-The Shaanxi branch is finished as of today anyway, and since there are no martial artists left, wouldn't it be good to pin this stain on him?
At that, Ouyang Jue narrowed his eyes and asked.
-A debt?
-A debt? What are you talking about? You told me before. That you'd owe me for taking care of that Severed Madman.
A playful smile appeared on Iron Wind's face.
-Wiping your name from this incident would be a piece of cake…… What do you say?
At those words, Ouyang Jue glanced around at the crowd.
Right near him stood the Wise Paragon Sword, one of the secular masters of the Mount Hua Sect.
Moreover, the beggars who had swarmed here were all formidable fighters.
Even if it was a branch of the Black Dragon Gang, this many people were more than enough to ensure its defeat.
When Ouyang Jue gave a small nod, Iron Wind chuckled and spread his hands wide.
“After a brief chat…… Junior Ouyang wants to share the credit. What do my fellow martial artists think?”
There was no need to hear the answer.
-The Mount Hua Sect's master, Wise Paragon Sword, and 32 others, demolish the Shaanxi branch of the Black Dragon Gang for the crime of their vile acts against Ha Jin-ak, the Fire Cloud Red Mist Sword.
This rumor swept through the entire martial world.
In the midst of it all, Ouyang Jue was merely one of the 32, remaining as a promising rising star of the younger generation.
Three days passed, and Iron Wind came to find Ouyang Jue.
“By the way, pug-nose, what are you going to do with the gunpowder?”
An ordinary Daoist would hand it over to the authorities to set an example, but…….
Ouyang Jue gave a different answer.
“A good card is meant to be saved, not played right away.”
At that, Iron Wind remarked that he was a fellow who knew how to say charming things and handed over a bottle of his prized liquor.
Then, Iron Wind asked.
“When are you thinking of returning to Mount Hua?”
“When the person I need to meet arrives.”
Ouyang Jue gulped down the liquor, marveling at its refreshing taste.
* * *
Bai Cheong-il, arriving late, maintained a blank expression as he watched the Shaanxi branch being demolished by the authorities.
With great effort.
He repeated to himself that he had to endure it here.