Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Assault on the Dormant Dragon Stronghold
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I headed toward the center of Fengga Village. The Tang siblings and Gu-ak were facing off against twelve bandits.
From what I could sense with my qi perception, the strongest among the bandits was at the second-rate realm.
Even the three of them could easily suppress that level.
Yet they were still in a standoff. The reason was obvious.
"Drop your weapons right now! Or we'll kill you all!"
There were six hostages. Two bandits were holding one each.
Yang-hui approached the Tang siblings and Gu-ak alone.
"Hui, my brother. Sorry about this. We couldn't deal with them like we said."
"It's fine. This was all part of their setup from the start."
Dangun immediately caught on to what Yang-hui meant.
"That explains why they came out like they were waiting for us."
One of the bandits, annoyed by their conversation, pressed his blade against a hostage's throat.
Blood beaded up soon after.
"Do we really have to make an example of someone before you'll listen? I said drop your weapons!"
No one in the group complied with the bandit's demand.
Giving in to such a clumsy threat would only complicate things further.
"Little brother. How about we accept the sacrifice and take them all out?"
"I was thinking the same as Great Hero Gu, Brother Hui."
Unless they were willing to throw away their own lives, Gu-ak and Dangun were right.
The hostage villagers were pitiable, but they couldn't risk their necks to save them.
But.
I could feel the gazes of Fengga Village folk hiding in nearby homes, watching us.
Yang-hui tossed his sword to the ground, still in its scabbard.
-Brother Dang. I have a plan.
He stepped forward as he sent the transmission.
"I'm Baek Yang-hui of Baek Clan Manor, the unruled master of Gangseo. I'll be your hostage, so let the villagers go."
"Ha! Why the hell should we?"
"You're targeting us, that's why you're pulling this crap. Do as I say, or we'll just kill you all. At least with me as hostage, you can negotiate with us. What's it gonna be?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yang-hui glanced at Gu-ak.
Gu-ak, unleashing the aura of a peak realm master—Intent Wounds People.
"Intent Wounds People...!"
"A—a peak realm expert!?"
Only then did the bandits' faces stiffen.
They'd thought these were just clueless merchants to fleece, never expecting a peak realm master among them.
"If I wanted to, killing trash like you would be child's play. What's your move?"
"...Fine. But we'll only release half the hostages."
"Do what you want. Just let all the kids go."
Of the six hostages, the three children were released, and in exchange, Yang-hui knelt before the bandits.
The bandits aimed their blades at him from all over, refusing to let their guard down even an inch.
"Now let's talk terms. Hand over the wagons. We'll release the hostages after we all withdraw."
Yang-hui flashed a chilling smile at the smugly shouting bandit.
"I refuse."
Six blades pressed against his body.
All held by second-rate realm martial artists.
He traced a path in his mind to escape with minimal injury.
Then, he shot to his feet with lightning speed.
Puuk! Puuk! Puuk!
Three blades sliced his skin.
But that was all they managed—merely grazing the skin.
Thousand Artifact Steps, Rapid Swift Exchanges.
"You bastard!"
The bandits swung in unison, but they were too late.
Yang-hui grabbed one by the collar, using him as a shield against the blades.
Puuk! Puuk!
"Kaaak!"
Having shed their assault with Cicada Shell Shedding, it was his turn now.
With Empty Hand Seizes White Blade, he snatched a sword and mercilessly slit the man's throat.
"Brother Dang! Brother Gu! Kill them all!"
There was no need to shout.
The moment Yang-hui escaped the hostages' grasp, the Tang siblings and Gu-ak had already leaped into action.
"You bastards! We still have three hostages here!"
"Oh, really? Go ahead and kill them."
"Wh-what?!"
The remaining three "hostages" were in league with the bandits.
The faint inner energy in their dantians was proof enough.
"You think we won't kill them if we say so?!"
One bandit slashed a "hostage's" arm.
These idiots really had no clue.
I'd already figured out they were in cahoots.
"People of Fengga Village! Are these really hostages?"
A presence stirred from a nearby home, and an old man stepped out.
"They're villagers, alright. But they're the bandits' lackeys."
"Are you the village head?"
"I'm Feng Zhong-san, head of Fengga Village."
Yang-hui gave a slight bow to the brave village head and shot him a knowing glance.
"Time for you bandit scum to head to the afterlife."
It took a mere half incense stick of time to clean up the twelve—no, fifteen including the fake hostages.
"We only subdued three without killing them. Might need them to talk."
Yang-hui shook his head at Dangun's words.
"Just kill them. We can hear the details from the villagers."
One of the bandits, witnessing this, cried out in desperation.
"You bastards! We're from Dormant Dragon Stronghold! Aren't you afraid of the consequences? If we don't return, the stronghold master will raze this place!"
Well, aren't they helpful?
That changed things a bit.
"Dormant Dragon Stronghold? Bandit trash calling themselves dragons these days."
"The master, Lord Dormant Dragon, won't let this slide!"
Lord Dormant Dragon? Never heard that title before.
Yang-hui turned to Chui-dal, who had approached while guarding Jin Geum-bo.
"Know it?"
"Heard of it from escorts who'd been to An-hwi Province."
"Yeah?"
"Word is, he's first-rate realm."
"Is that so? Small fry then."
In his past life, he'd passed through Fengga Village and never heard the name.
Meant they were nobodies who'd be wiped out in a decade or so.
"Brother Dang, we can kill them all. They'll come swarming anyway if we wait... No."
Considering the damage to Fengga Village, maybe better to strike the stronghold first.
"Brother Dang. Just get the stronghold's location out of them."
"Leave it to me."
Without hesitation, Dangun tore into the bandits' flesh and injected poison.
The torture began, and in less than an incense stick, they had everything on Dormant Dragon Stronghold.
Chui-dal watched with a pale, horrified face.
"Chui-dal."
"Y-yes, brother."
"Too much?"
"Well..."
"These are the ones who used kids as shields and put daggers in women's hands."
"I know. I know, but..."
He was just a fourteen-year-old boy on his first outing into the martial world.
His head might understand, but his heart didn't.
Especially since he had hang-ups about death and killing due to his father's past.
But.
Chui-dal, I want you by my side in this life too.
So he had to tell him.
"Chui-dal. Righteousness and purity are usually one and the same. Righteous faction folk are also pure path followers. But black and evil are different."
"..."
"When dealing with evil, don't hold back mercy. It'll only hurt you."
"...Understood."
He didn't seem convinced despite his reply.
But there'd be plenty more chances ahead.
They killed all the bandits.
In the meantime, villagers gathered around the group.
"Thank you, young heroes. And we're sorry."
Behind the village head, the woman who had ambushed Yang-hui trembled.
"I heard from my daughter-in-law. It happened because our grandson was taken hostage. Please show mercy..."
The village head, who looked to be in his seventies, knelt before Yang-hui, who was only fifteen, begging forgiveness.
The woman behind him clutched her son, whose face looked familiar.
Fengga Village head.
A young face, but familiar.
The young Fengga Village head from his past life, who'd come bearing a bottle of liquor.
"What's the child's name?"
Feng Ga-ho.
"We named him Feng Ga-ho."
"I see. Elder, you did nothing wrong. Why kneel?"
"B-but..."
I knew. Even if they'd repelled the bandits, they were outsiders and martial artists.
From a commoner village head's perspective, caution was key.
"Chui-dal."
"Yes, brother."
"Why do you think the village head knelt?"
A brief silence. Then Chui-dal answered.
"Because we're martial artists."
"Right, and wrong."
Yang-hui's sword tip pointed at the bandits' corpses.
"It's because of vermin who use martial arts for plunder."
The unorthodox at least kept lines they wouldn't cross. Too many eyes watching.
But bandits were different.
A cesspool for those who'd crossed every line, unable to linger in cities or villages.
That was why they were thieves.
"We should be the ones apologizing, Village Head. The bandits set this up after spotting our group approaching."
He bowed deeply, leaving the village head flustered and awkward.
"N-no, please don't, hero."
"Dormant Dragon Stronghold ends today. Consider this amends for the minor trouble we've caused."
The villagers' faces lit up instantly.
They must have suffered greatly.
Looked like they'd even been paying tribute.
"Merchant Jin. The escort might be delayed another day or two. Sorry about that."
"How could I stop young heroes from righting wrongs? I'm fine with it."
"Thank you for your understanding."
After expressing gratitude, Yang-hui looked to Gu-ak.
"Brother Gu. Stay here and protect Merchant Jin and the villagers."
"You sure? Wouldn't it be better if I went?"
With a peak realm expert like Gu-ak, wiping them out would be a breeze.
"This is an escort mission. The principal's safety comes first."
Unable to argue, Gu-ak nodded silently.
"Besides... we can handle it ourselves."
Yang-hui glanced at the Tang siblings.
The Tang Clan revered justice above all, second to none.
Dangun and Dangyeon's faces were ice-cold.
Expressions that promised no mercy in their strikes.
...Just like the one Yang-hui wore now.
"Alright, let's go. Time to wipe out the vermin."
The Tang siblings and Chui-dal followed behind Yang-hui as they leaped away.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The bandit stronghold's location, tortured out of them.
About half a shichen from Fengga Village, deep in the mountains.
-The stronghold's pretty big.
-Impressive scale for a new outfit.
-Still just bugs. Brother Dang, Sister Dang, hit the rear with a sneak attack.
-What about you, Brother Hui?
-I'll draw their eyes from the front and charge in.
-Diversion tactic. Got it.
After sharing the simple plan, they split off.
Yang-hui drew his sword from the start, slinging it over his shoulder as he strolled to the stronghold's main gate.
Naturally, the sentries sounded the alarm.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Who?"
Even as bandits swarmed out, Yang-hui didn't lose his composure.
Of course, he spread his qi sense wide, probing their dantians.
"You're in no position to call anyone else scum, you bastards."
"Cheeky brat!"
"Whatever."
He drew inner energy from his dantian.
Not yet at peak realm, but...
"Get your damn head out here!"
Intent Wounds People. His energy-laced shout echoed thunderously, sending birds fleeing in flapping panic.
Soon, a burly man with an eight-cheok greatsword appeared.
"Not bad presence. Who are you?"
Best not mention Fengga Village, just in case.
Plenty of excuses anyway.
"A hero looking to smash a bandit den and make a name for himself!"
"Puhahaha! You dare take on Lord Dormant Dragon's stronghold? Got a nickname, kid?"
"Ever heard of Ascending Sword Dragon?"
A sneer crossed Lord Dormant Dragon's face.
"Shameless pup. A nobody like you claiming such a flashy title."
"Ah, yeah, the rumors haven't spread yet. But from now on, it'll be unforgettable—so spread the word."
Bwoooong!
Yang-hui's sword hummed with vibration.
"Oh, wait. You'll all be off to the afterlife, so no rumors from you."
Stepping Thousand Artifact Steps, Yang-hui's form soared over the stronghold.
Kang!
"Kuh, you damn brat...!"
Shock etched Lord Dormant Dragon's face.
The power behind the sword. Far too immense for a kid.
Still, as a stronghold leader, he had some chops—and quickly judged.
Can't win alone! Call for backup!
"Too late, bastard."
Yang-hui grinned.
"Cough!"
Lord Dormant Dragon spewed a bowlful of blood.