Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Let Them Slaughter Each Other
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Of course, Namgung Cheon-hu didn't obediently follow Yang-hui's urging.
"Our Namgung Clan is set to act as a separate detachment starting from the march in a few days. We've been preparing accordingly."
"That's correct. But we've received intelligence."
"Then shouldn't you at least tell me what the intelligence says? You haven't even mentioned the purpose of the march."
It was a valid point. But it could be dismantled with a single sentence.
"At the previous council of elders, you said it yourself. You are from the Baek Clan, and the Namgung Clan is merely a follower, so you'll simply obey."
He had said exactly that, even though he had immediately jumped in with objections when Yang-hui proposed a strategy that deviated from expectations.
Regardless, the fact that he had said it was undeniable.
"Please honor your words. Time is of the essence."
Namgung Cheon-hu had no choice but to comply.
"......Very well."
"We assemble at the main gate of the main house in half a shichen."
Having succeeded in what was more notification than persuasion, Yang-hui now had to prepare for the march himself.
He had no idea how it would turn out, but he intended to create utter chaos no matter what.
Half a shichen later.
Over forty warriors from the Baek Clan, Tang Clan, and Namgung Clan had gathered.
With more than thirty peak-level experts, it was truly an assembly of elites.
"I'll explain on the way. Everyone, follow me."
Noticing Namgung Cheon-hu about to ask something, Yang-hui took the lead and unleashed his lightness skill.
Even while moving, he glossed over the details without a full explanation.
At some point, Namgung Cheon-hu's patience ran out, and he asked directly.
"Young Master Baek. Stop beating around the bush and at least tell me the destination. We need to know what might happen to decide on countermeasures and issue prior orders."
'Hmm. Should I give a vague answer and gauge his reaction?'
"We're far enough now that I can tell you. We're heading to strike the black dao factions of Honam."
"Honam?"
"Yes. Intelligence indicates that the black dao of Honam have stepped in to provide support."
"Then there won't be few of them. Why bring only about forty?"
"According to intelligence, the main house's plans have been leaked. That's why we've selected only those we can trust and set out without revealing the objective."
It was all a suitable fabrication—pure lies.
Well, his conversation with the Black Shadow Hall Leader could be considered intelligence of a sort.
But it was enough to shut Namgung Cheon-hu's mouth.
'Suddenly your head's getting complicated, huh, you bastard?'
Feeling a secret thrill, Yang-hui sent a transmission to Jeon Seol-ha, who was running beside him.
-Seol-ha. Thanks for stepping up so readily.
-What are you talking about?
Among the group, there were two who weren't from the Baek Clan, Tang Clan, or Namgung Clan.
Jeon Seol-ha and A-du.
He was honest about it.
-You knew and still came along. You're the insurance in this operation.
The reason for bringing Jeon Seol-ha was that her sound arts were advantageous against groups of enemies, and also to play the Jeon Clan card if needed.
The clever Jeon Seol-ha surely realized this.
Yet she replied with a bright smile.
-Insurance? Helping my senior brother is the duty of a junior sister, isn't it?
Such words made him truly grateful.
A real man repays both favors and grudges many times over.
He would return it greatly in the future.
"Little brother, we're entering Gilju from here on."
They had left Baek Clan territory and reached an area dominated by the black dao.
But Yang-hui didn't stop his lightness skill.
"From now on, we avoid the main roads and travel only through mountains and fields."
To evade any possible eyes.
"Combat may break out immediately upon reaching the destination, so conserve your internal energy and stamina."
Crossing the vast expanse of Gilju—the westernmost part of Gangseo, bordering Honam—took a full four shichen.
They finally halted at the border.
'Good, we have quite some time left.'
They had set out in the day and arrived at night.
To confront the black dao of Honam, they'd have to wait until dawn.
"Everyone, rest. The Baek Clan will handle the watch, so the Namgung Clan—our most vital force—should focus especially on recuperating."
It was all excuses to keep the Namgung warriors from wandering out of sight.
He wasn't sure yet if they had joined hands, but that very uncertainty demanded vigilance.
After resting through the night, the sun peeked over the ridge again.
-Young master. A group of warriors is approaching from the west.
-Judging by their attire, they're black dao, estimated at one hundred and twenty-three.
-About half have unified uniforms, suggesting they belong to a single sect.
'The Hyeongsan Sect bastards have sixty, and they've scraped together other black dao rabble.'
He relayed the transmission and prepared for battle.
Beyond the busily arming warriors, he observed Namgung Cheon-hu's face.
An inscrutable blank expression.
It didn't matter. He'd find out soon enough.
-Seol-ha. From now on, monitor Namgung Cheon-hu's expressions and demeanor.
-Yes, senior brother.
Perhaps having heard that the Baek Clan's march was days away.
The black dao were leisurely traveling along the main road.
Naturally, the black and white groups ended up facing off on the road.
The black dao stirred upon noticing them.
Yang-hui stared piercingly at the one in the most ornate attire among them.
'Hyeongsan Yinblood.'
Backed by the Blood Slaughter Union, he had become one of Honam's black dao leaders.
The vile bastard who claimed to be the Hyeongsan Sect leader while using the plaque from the sect Yang-hui had personally wiped out.
"Unexpected guests. I didn't expect a welcoming party."
Stepping forward, Hyeongsan Yinblood called out with feigned cheer.
He always had the same attitude in his previous life.
Concealing his true intentions while needling people.
"Did you stuff straw in your head, or are your eyes rotten? Do we look like we're here to welcome you?"
Hyeongsan Yinblood shut his mouth for a moment.
He hadn't expected such blatant cursing.
"Who might this young noble be?"
"You know damn well who I am, bastard."
"If I knew, why would I ask, dao friend?"
Dao friend meant a comrade walking the same path.
A term usually used by Taoists for others.
"Dao friend? I'd rather befriend a dog than a brainless bastard like you."
"Quite the foul-mouthed dao friend."
"What? I don't have the talent to understand dogshit, so I have no idea what you're saying."
"......"
Hyeongsan Yinblood fell silent again. He hadn't expected such reckless responses.
"The Baek Clan's young master. It's an honor to meet the famed Ascending Sword Dragon."
"Didn't you say you didn't know who I was?"
"What brings the young hero of the orthodox factions into black dao territory?"
"Didn't you say you didn't know?"
"......And with dozens of warriors, no less."
"Didn't you say you didn't know?"
"......"
The third silence. He finally caught on. There was no intention of proper conversation.
'Childish, but this is the right way to counter that bastard.'
The guy needled people at any opening.
He needed to strike first and implant in his thick skull that he wouldn't lose in wordplay.
"Not answering? Didn't you say you didn't know who I was?"
"It seems dao friend has no intention of conversing."
"How does a person converse with a dog?"
"Haha, it's not impossible. There are people worse than dogs in the world."
"Well, this young master hates wasting time. But I can give you one chance."
He asked one thing.
"Why are Honam scum coming to Gangseo?"
"Just out for a stroll with my subordinates. Nothing left to see in Honam."
"Oh, bullshit."
No matter what he said, Yang-hui planned to dismiss it as nonsense.
To have any real conversation with that bastard, he needed to rile him up more.
"Trying to talk to a dog really was foolish."
Shaking his head, Yang-hui watched Hyeongsan Yinblood's facial muscles twitch subtly.
'The provocation is starting to work.'
"Ascending Sword Dragon. You know everything, as you said. Let's cut the bullshit. How did you learn my sect was passing through here?"
The bastard seemed ready to talk now.
Time to extract information.
"From the one who joined hands with you, obviously."
Not a lie. He learned it thanks to the Black Shadow Hall Leader.
Yang-hui recalled the last conversation before parting with the Black Shadow Hall Leader.
"Black Shadow Hall Leader. Our Baek Clan's primary goal is to escape the Namgung Clan's oversight and schemes. So here's my proposal: We'll target only the black dao of Honam and Gilju."
"How can I trust your words?"
"I stake the Baek Clan's honor on it."
"How arrogant, claiming the righteousness of the Heaven-Covering Sword from the Baek Clan."
It was a proposal made after learning of Hyeongsan Yinblood's involvement.
In response, the Black Shadow Hall Leader offered one piece of information.
"I'll tell you the date and route the Hyeongsan Sect and other Honam black dao will enter Gangseo. Let's see how you use it."
That was the full story, but from Hyeongsan Yinblood's perspective, he couldn't be sure it was the Black Shadow Hall Leader who leaked it.
Being a cunning bastard, he had likely woven a web of connections everywhere.
'Wonder which one he's thinking of.'
Then it came.
-Senior brother. Something's definitely up with Namgung Cheon-hu.
The transmission from Jeon Seol-ha, whom he had asked to watch him.
So he was showing suspicious signs.
In that case.
"Hyeongsan Yinblood. Unlike you, I trusted people. Foolishly, that is. Time to pay the price."
The bastard, who had been scrutinizing Yang-hui's gaze and expression obsessively, burst into mad laughter.
"Hahaha! Hahahaha! Calling me a fool! It's been ages since I heard that! Haha!"
Killing intent spread thickly.
"Even knowing the info, you brought only about forty. They look like experts, but are you sure? Seems like you'll be the one paying for your arrogance. Or is that just me?"
Honestly, he could have prepared greater forces.
There were two reasons he didn't.
A larger group increased the risk of detection en route.
And it might dilute the main objective.
"Forgot the justification we gave already? Heaven-Covering Righteousness. Sending villains just because the odds are against us isn't our way."
As Yang-hui drew his sword, the Baek Clan members followed suit.
The Tang Clan members prepared their poisons and hidden weapons.
Slightly later, the Soaring Heaven Sword Squad, at Namgung Cheon-hu's signal, raised their swords last.
-Kieeeek!
The sword trembled. A hawk's cry erupted with the vibration.
"What good is warriors' bickering? The victor is always right. Let's see who's correct."
"Finally, something sensible. I'll make you regret it, brat."
As the Hyeongsan Sect and black dao unleashed their vicious killing intent.
Yang-hui smirked faintly and stepped back.
"Regret? Ridiculous. The Great Namgung Clan knows no regrets in its path!"
"......"
"......?"
"Young Clan Leader Namgung! Teach these arrogant, clueless fools the laws of the Great Namgung!"
The Baek Clan members, pre-warned, retreated in unison.
The Tang Clan was already positioned at the rear, naturally forming a formation with the Namgung Clan's Soaring Heaven Sword Squad at the front.
"In battle, command belongs to the leader of the strongest force! From now on, the Baek Clan and Tang Clan will follow the Namgung!"
"......Young Master Baek."
He spoke of command and such, but the stage was already set.
No avoiding a frontal clash now.
Namgung Cheon-hu had maintained a blank expression throughout, but now he couldn't hide his dismay.
"We obey, Young Clan Leader!"
'Whether you've joined hands or not, I still don't know for sure. But you know what?'
A grin crept up.
'You're both definitely enemies of the Baek Clan, right?'
So...
Come on, kill each other now.