Chronicles of the Martial God’s Return - Chapter 46

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A man pinched his nose as he passed through the dim space, the acrid stench of medicine burning his nostrils.
When he reached the source of that smell, he opened the door cautiously and peered inside.
Within lay an old man.
The gaunt elder seemed to have neglected even basic meals; his entire frame had withered like sun-bleached bone, and with his eyes fixed in an unblinking stare at a single point, his appearance was rather grotesque.
“Is it progressing well?”
“…….”
“I asked if it’s progressing well.”
“Keh-heh-heh, wait just a little longer. It will be soon.”
The old man smiled darkly and moved his hands with swift precision.
He placed medicinal ingredients into a small vessel filled with liquid, shook it to mix, then examined the contents.
“Hm!”
The old man took a deep breath, inhaling the aroma, and laughed.
“This is it! This is exactly what I wanted!”
“Hah, truly you are remarkable, Old Master Chu. No wonder the Heukdo Society didn’t let you go.”
“Keh-heh-heh, that hardly matters now. But have you found the one who destroyed the Heukdo Society?”
“Not yet, I’m afraid. You would think there’d be word by now, but even when he moves about wearing that face, nothing surfaces. Either he’s gone very deep to ground, or perhaps he’s already dead…….”
“That can’t be! The one who destroyed the Heukdo Society, dead?”
Old Master Chu.
That was the name he went by in the Heukdo Society.
He had been tasked with manufacturing medicinal elixirs and poisons, and under the Heukdo Society’s patronage had enjoyed considerable wealth and prestige.
When the Heukdo Society collapsed and fractured, it was this very man who took in the directionless Old Master Chu.
The man smiled broadly at him, speaking soothing words not to worry.
“Put your mind at ease for now and focus on making the medicine. We will find that bastard and kill him ourselves. Isn’t that the agreement we made?”
“Quite right! Why else would I cooperate with vermin like you? Go and seize him—drag him before me at once!”
The man’s expression darkened.
The old master was already publicly marked by the Murim Alliance, and with the Heukdo Society in ruins, he had nowhere else to go—it was this man who had taken him in.
Yet vermin?
He felt the urge to tear the old man limb from limb right then, but he swallowed the rage. There was still much to gain from keeping this human around.
He forced a smile and nodded.
“By the way, have you heard? It seems the County Magistrate found some Opium when he was suppressing bandits.”
“Suppressing bandits? That cursed County Magistrate?”
“Nothing certain, of course, but it appears he’s trying to bring it discreetly to the Royal Palace…….”
“We must seize it at all costs! Even if it’s a failed attempt, it could expose me!”
“So serious?”
“Just as a swordsman’s technique carries the essence of his understanding, any medicine or poison carries the refinement of its maker. If someone even moderately knowledgeable were to examine it, my existence would be revealed in no time.”
The man stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Hearing the old master’s words, he realized this was no small matter to overlook. Old Master Chu was someone whose very existence could never be revealed to the world.
Not only was the Murim Alliance hunting him, but many others as well—if he were seized by rivals or met an untimely end, the man would have nothing left to gain.
He nodded.
“Understood. I’ll send the subordinates out immediately.”
“Everyone who knows of the medicine’s existence must die. The County Magistrate included—not a soul in the County Office must draw breath.”
“Fear not, Old Master Chu.”
The man smiled coldly and turned to leave.
This much he could certainly accomplish.

***

“We march straight to the Royal Palace from here! Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir!”
Hong Won-chang nodded with satisfaction, listening to the sharp, ringing affirmation.
After the collapse of the Heukdo Society, the way the constables looked at Hong Won-chang had changed.
Their eyes now shone with perfect trust and reverence.
Hong Won-chang nodded approvingly, then turned his gaze elsewhere.
There stood four figures in constable’s garb.
One was a woman who had dressed as a man to avoid detection, yet her inherent beauty could not be concealed—the constables around her kept glancing sidelong at her.
Beside her stood Dan Woo-hyun, with Gwon Mu-jin and Jang Sam-tae also present.
All of them wore constables’ uniforms, and he found himself caught in the illusion that his own standing had somehow risen above theirs.
“Ahem! You are not to leave my side, not for a moment.”
“…….”
Dan Woo-hyun, thus singled out, lifted his gaze slightly to observe Hong Won-chang, who was already mounted on his horse.
‘You?’
At a loss for words, Dan Woo-hyun’s expression turned incredulous—whereupon Hong Won-chang let out a small, deliberate cough and leaned in close.
“G-great one, I am the highest-ranking official here. You ought to show proper deference.”
“……I understand.”
“You must address me formally. I am the County Magistrate, and you are merely a constable.”
“…….”
Dan Woo-hyun stood silent, thinking.
Was this fool actually enjoying this? True, they had agreed to wear constable’s garb, but that hardly made them his subordinates. Yet here he was, savoring every moment of authority.
“Go on, try it. Say ‘Yes, I understand,’ to me.”
Hong Won-chang’s face had broken into a grin—the gleeful expression of a child playing pranks.
Dan Woo-hyun was about to speak with weary amusement when Jang Sam-tae stepped forward.
“That’s enough foolishness. Save your playacting for somewhere else.”
“W-what did you just say?!”
“What did I say? Am I wrong? You never dare speak like that in ordinary times, yet now suddenly you’re all formality?”
Hong Won-chang’s eyes widened sharply as he fixed Jang Sam-tae with a glare. But Jang Sam-tae, already accused by Hong Won-chang of being a criminal, did not back down—the two locked eyes in silent confrontation.
Clap, clap!
Then came the sound of applause.
Turning slightly, Dan Woo-hyun saw that it was he himself who was clapping.
“So you do have some use after all.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. It’s just that you’ve relieved some tension in me—don’t concern yourself with it.”
Jang Sam-tae, bewildered, could not hide his confusion. Hong Won-chang felt much the same, though he could do nothing but turn away.
Countless constables were watching Hong Won-chang intently.
“Move out!”
As she watched the foremost constables advance, Namgoong So-hye reflected on their strategy. Word had been spread that opium seized from brigands was being transported to the Royal Palace.
Yet only a select handful—ten souls in total—were truly involved.
The genuine constables accompanying them numbered scarcely more than five, and beyond Hong Won-chang, the group consisted only of Dan Woo-hyun, Jang Sam-tae, Gwon Mu-jin, and Namgoong So-hye herself.
With such careful disguises in place, they had presented more than enough vulnerability to draw an attack.
‘Will they truly come for something like this?’
It was merely opium, after all.
Though those who produced it would certainly be displeased to see evidence reach the palace, was it truly valuable enough to risk assaulting a County Magistrate? The doubt gnawed at her.
Dan Woo-hyun, however, was convinced they would come.
-When something is made, the maker’s distinctive hand is always evident. Once this reaches the palace for examination, his identity will be laid bare immediately.
‘So that is why Jekal Chong-sa was so desperate to find the opium.’
Namgoong So-hye nodded, understanding Dan Woo-hyun’s words transmitted silently. Indeed, Jekal Chong-sa had been obsessed with locating the opium from the start.
Though in the end they had found nothing.
Namgoong So-hye glanced sideways at Dan Woo-hyun.
‘What manner of person is he, truly?’
He possessed an exceptional gift for perceiving what lay ahead and moving accordingly.
Brilliant, one might say? Yet his Martial Power was far from weak.
The ability she had witnessed in him before was so profound that Namgoong So-hye could scarcely imagine it—such height of power.
One need only recall how he had handled Ma Dok-jin as though the man were a child.
‘But his nature is somewhat…….’
There was something cold about him, a tendency to draw firm lines between himself and others.
His manner of speech tended toward arrogance of the highest order; he conducted himself as though nothing stood above him.
And yet, he took care of his own circle remarkably well.
Without fanfare, he looked after Jang Sam-tae and Gwon Mu-jin; as for Dan So-mi, he was utterly besotted—there was no other word for it.
Witnessing such tenderness, it was hard to call him truly arrogant.
‘I cannot fathom what drives him at all.’
Namgoong So-hye shook her head slowly.
No matter how she puzzled over it, his thoughts remained a closed book to her.
She released a short breath and turned her attention elsewhere.
Rustle—!
Then came a strange sound.
Dan Woo-hyun, who had been leading at the front, smiled with composed ease, while Gwon Mu-jin brought the horses to a halt.
And at that moment.
Swoosh-swoosh-swoosh-swish—!
The sky filled with arrows flying upward.
“Enemies!”
One of the constables cried out loudly.
Whistle!
Thunk-thunk-thunk-thunk!
At the sickening sound of arrows striking, everyone’s faces darkened—uncertain how many would fall.
Yet no one died. They all stood where they were, untouched.
The arrows had devastated the ground around them, but a sudden gust of wind had deflected every shaft, leaving not a soul struck.
Still, relief washed over them, and no one seemed to think it strange.
The wind had been so perfectly natural.
Rustle!
At that same moment, the masked figures emerged one by one from hiding.
There were roughly thirty of them, all bearing the bearing of trained martial artists.
“You wretches! Do you know who I am, daring to commit such savagery?”
“Bloodshed Without Question.”
Hong Won-chang glanced at Dan Woo-hyun.
Just as Dan Woo-hyun had anticipated, they had revealed themselves. And they drew their swords immediately.
“Kill.”
Rustle!
The order fell, and the enemies surged forward without hesitation. The killing intent radiating from their bodies was extraordinary—they meant to leave no survivors.
“Then take them alive.”
Dan Woo-hyun’s gaze shifted to Gwon Mu-jin and Jang Sam-tae.
Both men understood the meaning perfectly well, and they drove hard off the ground, charging toward the masked assailants.
The melee had begun.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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