Chapter 170

Chapter 170
Chapter: 170

Chapter Title: Long Time No See (1)

—

“Argh!”

In a single instant, two trackers perished without achieving anything.

“Tsk, I instructed you to settle it without a sound.”

Sobinta made a clicking noise with his tongue, appearing quite displeased, while Yogong shot a fierce look at his subordinates. Then, acting as if he had a valid reason, he remarked,

“Their agility didn’t resemble that of typical trackers.”

Sobinta’s expression crumpled in annoyance at the explanation Yogong offered.

“Does that make it acceptable? They are still just trackers.”

“I—I am truly sorry.”

As Yogong, who had only invited more trouble with his pointless defense, stumbled over his words with a crimson face,

“Division Leader Senior Brother, I have a vital report from the scouts.”

Yoon, an elder of Ma Bulsa, spoke up while carefully reading Sobinta’s temper.

“Oh! Is that so? What did they find?”

Yogong, who had been trapped in a humiliating spot, suddenly brightened and inquired.

“The Sword Empress has arrived at the Tang family estate. They are preparing for a poison demon challenge and a duel later this afternoon.”

Hearing that completely startling name, Yogong became paralyzed. Conversely, Sobinta showed a flicker of curiosity.

“Did you just mention the Sword Empress?”

“Yes.”

“That is peculiar. I was under the impression the Sword Empress perished last year.”

“Ah, that refers to the previous titleholder. The one currently with the Tang family is her protégé, pursuing the Sword Empress Successor Path…”

Yoon offered a swift and concise summary regarding the Sword Empress Successor Path.

“Hmm, regardless, a person of that status could be a significant complication.”

Sobinta’s demeanor became noticeably more guarded upon learning that the Sword Empress’s abilities were considered elite even within the Central Plains martial community.

“It is not entirely a negative development, however.”

At Yogong’s comment, Sobinta’s thick eyebrows arched upward.

“What is your meaning?”

“Since the old days, it has been said that the Sword Empress Successor’s duels are incredibly violent. While they might not result in death, I hear that significant and minor wounds occur quite often. This might actually present a perfect opening for us.”

“An opening, you say.”

Sobinta gave a nod after reflecting for a moment.

“Indeed, that might be the reality of it. We do not necessarily require the Sword Empress’s head, but it could greatly enhance the headquarters’ prestige. How much further until we reach the Tang family?”

“Roughly two shichen.”

“Instruct the scouts to maintain a tight watch. We shall launch our assault the second the duel concludes.”

“As you wish.”

Following a sharp look from Yogong, Yoon quickly retreated.

“Perhaps rather than taking her life…”

Sobinta whispered with a cruel grin, then wiped the expression away when he realized Yogong was watching.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“She truly is powerful.”

Manchu, poking only his head out from behind a boulder, watched in awe at Sima Geon’s crushing dominance as she overwhelmed the practitioners of the Brain Sound Monastery.

The conflict had only lasted a geng, yet more than a dozen monks were already sprawled out around her.

“What about the Division Leader’s prowess?”

Neujeon let out a small laugh as if no words were required.

“Brother Cheol Woo is quite the sight as well.”

Even while trapped within the Brain Sound Monastery monks’ formation, Cheol Woo betrayed no hint of dread—instead, he struck back like a ferocious predator.

The strikes coming from the enemies were powerful enough to make him waver at times, but none managed to land a lethal hit. The more he was bruised, the more insanely he fought—such was the nature of the Diamond Yaksha, Cheol Woo.

“But the one who is truly startling is big sis.”

“Quite right.”

“Because of big sis, I have truly grasped just how horrifying poison techniques can be.”

Manchu and Gayu nodded in sincere agreement with Neujeon.

She did not exhibit the absolute control Sima Geon possessed.

Nor did she show the brutal power of Cheol Woo.

She took far more hits than the other two and found herself in many life-threatening spots. Yet So Surin never wavered.

Her physical form, even more resilient than Cheol Woo’s, acted as a shield against the enemies’ non-stop attacks, while the poison energy radiating from her entire being cut through their vital organs like jagged blades. Additionally, the Ink Moon Palm Technique passed down by Dang Cheonhwa was another devastating tool she utilized.

Throughout the previous year, Manchu had seen the most radical improvement. However, So Surin’s abilities had expanded massively as well. She was now capable of perfectly directing the poison energy dormant within her, using it expertly at her discretion, and her grasp of the Ink Dragon Palm Technique had moved past tenfold mastery. This was the fruit of endless labor, training against Sima Geon and Cheol Woo at every opportunity.

“Black Wolf is holding his ground too, yet here we are stuck like this.”

Manchu let out a sigh, observing Black Wolf skillfully evading the monks’ crescent blades and hitting back like a bolt of lightning.

“It cannot be helped. Sadly, they are beyond our capacity to handle.”

Neujeon offered a bitter grin.

When Cheol Woo initiated his genuine provocation, Sima Geon had sent a mental message to Neujeon, Manchu, and Gayu.

She had commanded them to clear their minds and simply run as far as possible the moment the fighting began. They had all suppressed their doubts, feeling slightly offended. But once the clash started, their perspective shifted.

Not a single individual among the more than thirty opponents was less skilled than Neujeon. In fact, the prowess of the few high-ranking monks exceeded that of elders from prominent sects.

Shhwick!

Sima Geon evaded five lines of sword energy grazing the earth with a few simple steps, then brought down her Heavenly Demon Sword.

The light emanating from the Heavenly Demon Sword lit up the surrounding area.

The glow layered upon itself several times, bursting into a brilliant display.

It was the Myriad Phenomena Sword technique left by the Blood Sea Demon Lord: Sword Flower Overlap.

Boom boom boom boom!

Accompanied by a massive blast, the Brain Sound Monastery monks pursuing Sima Geon fell back in a state of chaos.

The two who had taken the brunt of the strike were already dead, rolling across the ground.

The force from Sima Geon’s attack swept through the clearing once more, relentless in its intensity.

“Amitabha!”

The monk who was targeted squeezed his eyes shut.

It was a terrifying strength that was impossible to grasp or identify without facing it directly.

“Keurk!”

The monks who barely managed to stay standing collapsed one after another, coughing up dark red fluid filled with bits of torn internal tissue.

“From what place did such a demon emerge…”

Kari, who was leading the Brain Sound Monastery’s best toward the Tang family outpost, gaped at Sima Geon in total shock.

He had heard fragments regarding the Divine Demon Division from the survivors of Ma Bulsa once or twice.

Assertions of great feats in bringing the Demonic Cult together or being the Supreme Sword of the Demonic Path—he had laughed it off every time.

Frogs in a small hole shouting nonsense, pathetic justifications from the defeated.

But facing it personally, they were the true frogs in a small hole. There was a world of gap between rumors and the truth. Brain Sound Monastery possessed no such master.

Kari, slumped on the dirt trying to catch his labored breath, slowly stood up.

Only a few disciples who had managed to hold on were left. He had to find a way to preserve them.

“Senior Brother.”

Nahora came closer, clutching a crescent blade that had been snapped in two. His frame was soaked in blood from deep gashes.

Swapping looks, they gathered their remaining power to charge at Sima Geon.

The martial techniques performed by the two elders of Brain Sound Monastery, putting their lives on the line, carried a force that even Sima Geon could not disregard.

Sword energy infused with the Thunderclap Barrier Force.

As the terrifying energy tore through the environment, cracking the ground and tossing soil and rocks, a single beam of light sliced through the cloud of dust.

At that same moment, the chaotic air grew still as if nothing had occurred, and the floating debris fell to the ground like a fabrication.

Kari and Nahora were unable to process what had happened to them.

They could not understand why blood was spraying from their respective brothers’ chests, or why their sight was fading so quickly.

The two slumped down without finding the answers to their confusion.

“Hoo!”

Sima Geon, who had struck through the Brain Sound Monastery elders’ hearts using the First Form of the Single Heaven Nine Style—Extreme Sphere Radiant Flash—let out a deep breath and put her blade down.

Cheol Woo was finishing off the few remaining survivors.

The clash at an unexpected time and place against unexpected enemies had concluded more quickly than they had thought.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Is this the outpost for the Tang family?”

Cheol Woo asked, stretching his neck to look around.

“Uh, most likely.”

Manchu answered with a slightly flustered look on his face.

“What sort of reply is that? Are you certain?”

Cheol Woo pushed for an answer.

“How am I supposed to know? That is just what the farmer we encountered earlier told us. This is my first visit here as well.”

Manchu looked quite annoyed.

“Tsk tsk, and you are supposed to be a member of the Beggar Clan.”

Manchu’s face turned red at the sound of Cheol Woo’s tongue-clicking.

‘Just because I am in the Beggar Clan does not mean I am all-knowing!’

He wanted to yell it out, but he remained silent.

So Surin, catching the look on Manchu’s face, started laughing.

“It is perfectly normal not to be sure if you have never been here. Why talk such nonsense? If you are so annoyed, just ask someone. There is a man right there.”

So Surin pointed toward a man who was rushing somewhere in a hurry.

“Fine. Those who are thirsty must dig the well.”

Cheol Woo muttered something that sounded like a proverb and called out to the man.

“Hey, you over there. A moment.”

The man, who was running at a frantic pace, finally noticed Sima Geon’s group and stopped abruptly, flinching.

“Wh-what do you want?”

Cheol Woo’s brow twitched at the man’s look, which suggested he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

“Is this the Tang family outpost?”

At the mention of the “Tang family outpost,” the man’s expression shifted slightly. Through his fear, his eyes grew a bit dark, and his pupils shifted rapidly.

“It is, but for what reason are you looking for the Tang family outpost?”

“There is no reason for you to know why. It seems we are in the right place, though. No wonder I haven’t seen a single soul around. So, which path leads to the main Tang family estate?”

The man looked at Cheol Woo and the rest of the group behind him without saying a word.

“Stick to this path and you will arrive there.”

Leaving those short words, he spun around and hurried away. Cheol Woo let out a frustrated sigh as the man quickly put distance between them.

“So irritable. What is wrong with the people in this region?”

“They say the members of the Tang family have a rather unique disposition.”

Neujeon shook his head at Gayu’s remark.

“No, anyone encountering the Deputy Leader right now would have that reaction.”

“What are you talking about?”

Cheol Woo gave him a glare.

“Take a look at yourself. Your hair is caked in dirt, and your blood-drenched clothes are ripped everywhere. And why haven’t you cleaned off the blood on your neck properly?”

“There is blood on me?”

Cheol Woo smeared his neck with a finger he’d wetted with spit where Neujeon was pointing.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting. You’re on the wrong side!”

So Surin slapped Cheol Woo’s back in distaste.

“Hey, people are approaching from over there.”

Manchu yelled, pointing in the direction the man had gone. More than twenty men were coming closer with hostile vibes; at their front was the same man who had spoken awkwardly with Cheol Woo before disappearing.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Cheol Woo rubbed his head at the man, feeling more irritated than actually angry.

“This looks like a simple error. I will clear it up.”

Concerned about a fight breaking out, Manchu walked forward toward the coming group.

“Who are you people? Why are you searching for the Tang family outpost?”

The man in charge, Dang Ho-kyeong, asked firmly.

He had quickly gathered the remaining people from the village, but he looked at Sima Geon’s group with suspicion due to their dark appearance.

“Beggar Clan disciple, Manchu.”

“Beggar Clan? I haven’t seen your face in these parts. And who are they?”

His tension lowered a bit at the mention of the “Beggar Clan,” but Dang Ho-kyeong stayed on guard.

“We are from the Hangzhou branch. These people are…”

As Manchu quickly began to explain,

A young man came sprinting from the south, covered in sweat.

“H-Ho-kyeong bro? What is everyone doing out here?”

Dang Ho-kyeong’s face lit up when he saw the youth.

Dang Eun-pyeong, who worked at the main residence, was a bright talent of the Tang family, and he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve while breathing heavily.

“These individuals were asking about the outpost, and they looked suspicious, so…”

Dang Ho-kyeong’s sentence trailed off. Dang Eun-pyeong caught sight of Sima Geon’s group and shouted in astonishment.

“Is that not Hero Sima?”

In contrast to the smiling Dang Eun-pyeong, Sima Geon and her companions looked confused. Only Manchu, who knew him, gave a bright smile and a nod.

“It has been quite a while.”

“Indeed. It feels as though we only just met at the Hahuu Clan, but more than a year has already passed.”

Remembering that he had been part of the Tang family’s party for the Hahuu Clan’s funeral, they all acted with familiarity.

“What brings you all to the outpost… Ah, you are here for the Sword Empress Successor Path, aren’t you? I hurried over as soon as I heard the news. A duel between the Sword Empress and Great Uncle—my heart beats faster just thinking of it. Let’s go, there is no time to waste standing here. We might miss it.”

Everyone was stunned by Dang Eun-pyeong’s fast-paced talking. However, one point was certain.

“Sword Empress Successor Path—does that imply the Sword Empress is currently at the Tang family?”

Sima Geon asked to make sure.

Her tone carried a small note of hope.