Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Two Villages
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Hong Geolgae leaped onto the rooftop and spoke.
"What is this? You're not going to pursue them further? You're just going to let them go?"
Dang Mujin shook his head.
"Even if we did, it wouldn't mean much."
The distance was already far, and the fleeing assassins were scattering in ones and twos.
If they hurried, they might catch and kill three or four more, but unless they killed them all, it wouldn't change much.
Dang Mujin crossed his arms. The situation wasn't great.
Still, there was a small gain. They had confirmed the direction the fleeing men were heading.
Not a single one was running west or south—they were all bolting north or east.
That confirmed it: Salmak's main base was in Yangyang, northeast.
'The Chain Soul Old Man's information was spot on.'
Hong Geolgae asked Dang Mujin.
"If we move quickly, we could arrive in Yangyang ahead of them. Why not get there first and ambush them?"
Namgung Myeong answered in Dang Mujin's place.
"We only just entered Shangshin Village. You want to run two or three more days without proper rest and then fight who-knows-how-many of them? Do that, and Dan Seol-yeong becomes a widow right away. Can you handle that?"
"Who's talking about becoming a widow?"
Dang Mujin grumbled. But Namgung Myeong wasn't wrong.
"Anyway, it's already too late, so let's recover our condition first and move slowly."
"Got it."
Dang Mujin's group trudged toward the inn.
Unlike earlier, when people had swarmed shouting about the Medical Dragon's appearance, no one in Shangshin Village approached them now.
Well, it would be stranger if they did, with bloodied swords in hand.
Namgung Myeong glanced around and spotted an assassin's corpse sprawled in the street.
To keep the blade from rusting, he needed to wipe off the blood and debris before sheathing it.
Namgung Myeong rubbed his sword on the corpse's clothing and then slid it into the scabbard.
The bloodied sword was gone now, but people still kept their distance.
They knew the group's weapons weren't just for show—whether the sword was sheathed or not made no difference.
Of course, the villagers also knew Dang Mujin's group weren't villains.
But martial artists were inherently intimidating to approach.
You might get free acupuncture from a famous physician, but cozy up to a famous martial artist, and you'd get a free sword thrust instead.
Dang Mujin let out a sigh.
It felt strange—people who had buzzed around like bees and chattered excitedly just moments ago were now keeping their distance as if they'd spotted a ferocious beast.
As Physician Dang Mujin, he received the people's affection, but as Warrior Dang Mujin, he faced their wary glances.
He could understand why the Eccentric Physician had such a prickly personality.
*
"Goodness, you've all worked hard."
"Right this way, sirs!"
Fortunately, the innkeeper and waiter didn't seem too wary of the three.
Thanks to that, Dang Mujin's group could enjoy a relaxed dinner.
"Won't we ruin your evening business because of us?"
When Dang Mujin asked, the innkeeper burst into hearty laughter.
"Evening business? Who cares—lunch was booming thanks to you all."
The waiter nodded. He had felt fear toward Dang Mujin's group, but an even greater goodwill overshadowed it. How long had it been since his legs didn't ache?
As the innkeeper brought out the food, he cautiously defended the villagers.
"If I may overstep, I hope you young heroes don't think poorly of Shangshin Village folk. It's such a peaceful place—they rarely see anyone drawing a blade."
"I understand."
"No empty words. They're just startled now, but give it two or three days, and they'll creep closer. I guarantee it."
The innkeeper's firm faith in the villagers and his generous spirit were endearing.
Dang Mujin picked up his chopsticks with a gentle expression.
*
A peaceful night passed.
The next morning, as the three stepped out of the inn, they ran into a man.
He was about Dang Mujin's age or slightly older. A long sword hung at his waist, his eyebrows were thick, and his attire neat.
Having met all sorts on the road, Dang Mujin no longer startled easily at the sight of people.
But this man was unusual. Despite his youth, he had clearly surpassed the peak realm.
'Lately, why do I keep running into peak experts?'
Dang Mujin eyed him steadily. He could see why other martial artists always commented on his or Namgung Myeong's age.
It felt off—like seeing a chick with a full-grown comb.
Unlike Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae, who didn't recognize him, Namgung Myeong did.
"Long time no see, Hyeon-gong."
"Namgung Myeong. Didn't expect to see you here."
Hyeon-gong. A familiar name. Dang Mujin searched his memory.
Soon enough, he recalled where he'd heard it.
Either the Eccentric Physician or Namgung Myeong had mentioned him: Rising Dragon Sword Hyeon-gong, a promising talent of the Wudang Sect. It was odd he hadn't remembered sooner, with clues like his youth and peak-level skill.
Namgung Myeong was acknowledged as top among the younger generation.
Yet no one called him the absolute best. Someone clearly outshone him.
That was Rising Dragon Sword Hyeon-gong, hailed as the Wudang Sect's greatest prodigy amid their recent rise.
Even two years ago, when Dang Mujin first met Namgung Myeong, Hyeon-gong was said to have broken through to peak realm.
But Hyeon-gong and Namgung Myeong didn't seem on friendly terms. Hyeon-gong asked in a calm, businesslike tone.
"I heard there was a fight and came to check. Were you involved?"
"Yes."
"Why did you draw your sword?"
"Those guys were Salmak assassins. Need another reason?"
Assassins. If true, there was no question of right or wrong—letting them go would have been the problem.
"Any proof?"
"Strip the corpses. They'll have butterfly tattoos."
Hyeon-gong nodded at Namgung Myeong's immediate reply.
"I'll verify the tattoos later. But why would assassins come after you?"
"Assassins come after me? No—they're the ones I came after."
"You sought out assassins? How did you know they were in Shangshin Village?"
"No. Shangshin Village wasn't the destination. We just passed through. Looks like you didn't even know Salmak's base is in Hubei."
Hyeon-gong frowned at Namgung Myeong's sarcasm.
"First I've heard of it. Who told you?"
"Can't say who the tip came from. And the source isn't the point, right?"
Namgung Myeong dodged without lying outright—a wise move. Getting tangled with the Demonic Cult could muddy things.
Listening to the exchange, Hong Geolgae whispered to Dang Mujin.
"Why's this Hyeon-gong guy suddenly showing up and prying like this?"
"The Wudang Sect's in Hubei."
True to their new sect status, the Wudang Sect was expanding influence from Mount Wudang.
Sect influence came in two forms.
First, among martial artists: simple enough. More peak experts and renowned masters meant greater sway.
But influence among common folk was different.
To build that, a sect needed the locals' trust.
Belief that the Wudang Sect would handle troubles in the area.
As their influence grew, people would turn to them for issues the officials ignored.
Eventually, even for official matters, they'd come to Wudang first. That was true influence.
Hyeon-gong spoke.
"Why are you going after Salmak?"
"You think I'm taking a commission from them? Obviously to cut off their heads."
Hyeon-gong felt a twinge of urgency.
Salmak's infamy spanned the Central Plains—even novice martial artists steered clear of their messes.
Yet rumors of mighty experts in Salmak were absent. They'd survived by keeping information sealed, not overwhelming force.
Striking Salmak would be a major feat for the Wudang Sect and Hyeon-gong.
He tested the waters.
"Can just three of you take down Salmak?"
"Who knows. Have to see for ourselves."
"If it's too much, hand over the intel and step back. Wudang will take the lead."
Namgung Myeong saw through him: craving credit, wanting to spread Wudang's name.
But he had no intention of backing down easily.
"No can do. Who hands revenge to others?"
"Revenge?"
Dang Mujin answered for Namgung Myeong.
"Revenge for my master."
Hyeon-gong sized up Dang Mujin.
His aura was borderline peak, but impressive nonetheless.
'And he looks younger than me—or even Namgung Myeong.'
Until recently, Hyeon-gong held an unchallenged spot among the young generation.
Now Namgung Myeong appeared with massive gains, followed by this slightly lesser talent—and even the beggar wasn't negligible.
'Not bad.'
Hyeon-gong eyed Dang Mujin briefly, then refocused, deep in thought.
Seizing full control and claiming all credit for Wudang and himself was ideal.
But the intel lay with Namgung Myeong and his men. Tricking or coaxing them seemed tricky given Namgung Myeong's sly demeanor.
He hadn't been like that before— a year in the streets had turned him sly as a fox.
'Even Salmak's base being in Hubei is humiliating. Outsiders resolving it would be a bigger disgrace. Our face would be utterly lost.'
After pondering, Hyeon-gong offered a compromise.
"Mind if I join?"
Wudang dipping a toe in.
Their share of credit would shrink, but it'd all go to Hyeon-gong—better for him.
At the same time, Dang Mujin thought of Dan Seol-yeong.
No need to make anyone a widow—bring others along, she'd said.
One more like Hyeon-gong wouldn't flip the dynamic.
"Sure."
Dang Mujin accepted with a touch of arrogance.
*
Salmak's leader, Black Cicada, clutched his head.
No gains from recent seclusion training were frustrating enough, but dire news hit at dawn. And the situation was murky.
'Do those guys know our base location for sure?'
Unlikely. Among outsiders, only the Chain Soul Old Man knew. No reason for him to tip off this Medical Dragon. Other factors aside.
"What will you do?"
Black Cat, watching nearby, asked. He'd just heard the same report from the Shangshin escapees.
Black Cicada pondered.
Peak-or-higher assassins at the base now: three including himself and Black Cat. Call in the one nearby, and four.
Opponents: three youths. One-armed, presumed son of Sword Ghost Namgung Jincheon; Medical Dragon versed in sword and medicine; tagalong beggar.
'That Medical Dragon... definitely tied to the Eccentric Physician. Sword style matches, they say.'
Anyway, Salmak had enough to handle three. With luck, capture the Medical Dragon and sell to the Demonic Cult.
'Problem is them reaching out externally.'
Black Cicada asked Black Cat.
"Any unusual Wudang activity?"
"Nothing like that."
"Good. We wait. But if Wudang moves, abandon base immediately."
Cold assessment.
Pride meant nothing before profit.
Black Cat asked.
"If we abandon, where to?"
"Not sure yet, but we'll pass through Sichuan. Time to show how Salmak survived this long."
Medical Dragon's hometown was Chengdu, they said.
Not Qingcheng Mountain or Emei—Chengdu proper.
No major sects there. Qingcheng's Chengdu branch existed, but a mere branch couldn't stop Salmak.
Arrogant Qingcheng wouldn't mobilize for one physician anyway. Practically lawless.
Couldn't wipe out Namgung Clan, so make the Medical Dragon pay instead.
Raid his family home, kill half on site, hold the rest hostage and kill slowly.
"Touch Salmak, and pay more than you bargained for—that's the lesson."
Black Cicada grinned confidently.