Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#044

 

-Crash!

 

The stone gate disguised as a rock wall opened inward. A blood-soaked man rolled into the hideout, gasping for breath.

 

“This… this is terrible!”

 

Despite his battered appearance, the inner space of the stone gate was eerily quiet.

 

The man who had rolled inside cried out.

 

“All our team members have been taken down. That bastard… that bastard wasn’t just some low-ranking Tang Family member who got lost!”

 

“…After hearing all this…”

 

Five shadows emerged from the darkness as if rising from within it.

 

The one at the front was a giant with a massive shield strapped to his back.

 

To his left and right stood men wielding enormous iron clubs and staffs, and behind them was a man with a steel net in one hand, his eyes gleaming with cunning. At the very back, a man with a bow hung from a high wall in the darkness.

 

Wol Ak O Seong (Moon Mountain Five Stars).

 

A group of powerful individuals consisting of five brothers with the surname Pyo, who in the Sichuan region’s assassination world aspired to surpass even Eclipsenight and reach the Darknight faction.

 

“What the hell have you been babbling about since earlier? First you said some well-dressed young master, presumably a Tang Family guest, came and broke the entrance mechanism before running away, then you went to repair it and came back saying a low-ranking Tang Family disciple was coming. Now you’re saying that was all a scheme?”

 

The giant with the shield, Pyo Hojung, leader of Wol Ak O Seong, glared with bulging eyes.

 

“Do you really want to die? You begged us to take you in as hands and feet of Wol Ak O Seong, saying you’d be satisfied even as a laborer!”

 

“It’s true!! That bastard… that bastard! His clothes were definitely shabby and he approached with clumsy behavior…!”

 

The subordinate screamed.

 

“But suddenly he crushed us like insects with the overwhelming martial prowess of a true warrior…!”

 

“Brother Pyo.”

 

The man with the bow, supporting his entire body weight on a single hook embedded in the high vertical wall, spoke.

 

“Regardless of how much truth there is in what he’s saying, it seems certain that someone troublesome has entered. Could the Tang Family have caught wind of something?”

 

“No, if that were the case, they would have definitely sent word beforehand to be careful. But there was no word at all.”

 

Pyo Hojung muttered calmly.

 

“…Right. Whatever the reason, when a fly enters the house, it’s natural to swat it first and then think about how it got in. Should we handle it the usual way with traps and… that poison?”

 

At his words, the man with the staff standing beside him chuckled.

 

“No, Brother Pyo. Actually, I think this is an opportunity heaven has given us.”

 

“An opportunity?”

 

“Yes. An opportunity for us five Pyo brothers to practice our combined formation. How long will we be satisfied with just one Eclipsenight faction rice bowl in this narrow Sichuan region’s assassination underworld? At minimum, as men born in this era, shouldn’t we at least devour up to Darknight in the Sichuan region’s assassination world before conquering the entire martial arts world, to be worthy of Wol Ak O Seong’s status?”

 

“…Ha! Hahaha!”

 

The giant with the shield laughed.

 

“Well said! Our brother Pyo Hak’s confidence is impressive after he beat down that Gongdong Sect warrior head-on with just his staff last time!”

 

“I also agree as the youngest, following Brother Pyo and Brother Hak’s opinion.”

 

The man with the steel net flashed snake-like eyes.

 

“Everyone in the martial arts world needs to know that we Wol Ak O Seong aren’t just some Eclipsenight types who hide behind traps and schemes to kill enemies, but can do anything when necessary. That way, even if clients are just scared, won’t they add at least one more gold ingot?”

 

Pyo Hojung grinned wickedly.

 

“Good. If that’s what my brothers think, let’s use him as practice for our combined formation this time. I, Pyo Hojung, have chosen my wise brothers well.”

 

Pyo Hojung asked the subordinate.

 

“So, where is that bastard now? Where did you last see him?”

 

“He’s probably still struggling around the entrance threshold, desperately trying to find me.”

 

With the reliable protection of Wol Ak O Seong before him, the fear from just moments ago completely vanished from the subordinate’s face.

 

Instead, what remained on his face was only cunning along with humiliation over what had happened to him.

 

“Practice is practice, but first we should thoroughly weaken him with poison, then use him as a practice partner for the combined formation.”

 

“Understood. It would be a shame if he died, so we don’t need Jacheonamsa – just paralysis poison should be perfect. What kind of guy was he?”

 

Despite his pallor from blood loss, the subordinate spoke with a voice full of bravado.

 

“He was a typical warrior who fights barehanded, confident in his own skills. A perfect example of an arrogant warrior who’s never experienced hardship, never lived a rough life in a safe place, ignorant of the world like an orchid in a garden.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, dying while struggling as practice material in the hands of the Wol Ak O Seong brothers would be the most fitting end for that bastard.”

 

“Hahaha! Are we finally going to take down another warrior head-on!”

 

The one gripping his staff, Pyo Hak, shouted.

 

“That Gongdong Sect warrior before was so full of himself at first, but didn’t he end up crying and begging for his life! When he said he wanted to protect his wife, we killed his wife first, and when he said he wanted to see his mother, we gouged out his eyes – then that grown man wailed like a baby. Wasn’t that taste just killer?”

 

“Haha! Right, exactly right!”

 

“Arrogant warrior bastards. Warriors may have excellent skills, but they’re only strong in one-on-one fights like formal duels, yet they always act so high and mighty – it’s disgusting!”

 

With support from one of the Wol Ak O Seong members, the subordinate shouted even more enthusiastically.

 

“Exactly! That’s it. We need to toy with him! That stupid bastard is probably grinding his teeth in frustration right now, taking out his anger on the surrounding walls after losing me-.”

 

-CRASH!!!!

 

Before the subordinate could finish speaking, the entire rock wall near the entrance exploded outward with a tremendous roar that shook the entire hideout.

 

***

 

In the pitch-black darkness, the blue bloodstains finally ended at a massive rock wall. A dead end.

 

But I could see it. This wasn’t simply a rock wall.

 

An illusion created by the faint flow of formation techniques intertwined. At its center, the space that twisted slightly differently from the surroundings – that would be the core.

 

I didn’t hesitate.

 

-Crackle…!

 

I concentrate.

 

I circulate my qi.

 

The internal energy absorbed through Bukmyeong Singong circulated through my blood vessels and entire body. An exhilaration I couldn’t even dream of during my assassin days. This was my own path that I had pioneered, combining both warrior and assassin methods.

 

-Whooom!!

 

The First Form Body, synchronized with my internal energy, scattered golden light as it increased the density throughout my body and began operating.

 

The Second Form Speed activated, and the muscles and joints in my legs creaked as they tensed to their limits.

 

-Crackle… crackle-crackle!

 

My entire body tingles.

 

Whether it was an optical illusion or hallucination, I could faintly see dim red lightning flickering along my body, appearing and disappearing repeatedly.

 

With a grunt, I clenched my fist with all my strength.

 

Toward the rock wall in front of me, I stomped my front foot with all my might and threw my calloused fist.

 

-CRASH!!!!

 

With a tremendous roar, rock fragments exploded in all directions. And through that cloud of dust, I walked in.

 

“…What? There’s a hideout here?”

 

At my words, all movement inside the hideout stopped.

 

Especially the subordinate who had been boasting just moments before was staring at me with a face pale as if he’d seen a ghost.

 

“How… how… how did you get here?!”

 

“Ah, there you are.”

 

I swept back my black hair.

 

“I almost lost you for a moment. Really. Eclipsenight’s stealth techniques are truly impressive even down to their lowest ranks. It would have been absolutely impossible to find this place through searching without the intent to pursue.”

 

“You… you followed my trail? That’s impossible…! There’s absolutely no way you could have followed… unless?”

 

Then he frantically looked down at his side.

 

He sees the blood that had flowed down.

 

“…You stupid fool.”

 

Wol Ak O Seong growled with furrowed brows.

 

“No, no! It’s not the blood! I thought of that too! But!”

 

The subordinate frantically checked the floor again and cried out, pale with shock.

 

“This is a mine! Due to the nature of the dirt and sand floor, blood would all be absorbed, so there should be limits to tracking-!”

 

I pointed at the floor.

 

“The glowing traces remain like dregs. How could I miss it when you’re scattering light like fireflies as you go?”

 

“…!”

 

The subordinate froze.

 

I look at the floor.

 

Though it was bright with torches lit all around, when I focused, it was clearly visible.

 

The spilled blood was absorbed into the ground, but what remained on top like powder dust were bluish light marks, as if crushed luminous pearls had been scattered.

 

The subordinate, pale as a sheet, hurriedly spoke to Pyo Hojung.

 

“N-no, no! This is a misunderstanding! I didn’t intend this…!”

 

-Crack!

 

An iron mace swung by one of the Wol Ak O Seong crushed his head.

 

“Stupid bastard. You led the enemy right to our base!?”

 

Without even glancing at the falling corpse, leader Pyo Hojung stood up, holding his massive iron shield forward.

 

“…So it’s you.”

 

Pyo Hojung gestured as he rose from his seat. His eyes were filled with puzzlement and wariness toward me.

 

“Not even a group, but alone—seeing you dare to pick a fight with me, Pyo Hojung, and us, your guts must be hanging outside your belly.”

 

With his massive iron shield in hand as a signal, the other four began to surround me in unison.

 

The torches in the vast cavern began burning even more fiercely.

 

My eyes moved keenly, assessing the situation.

 

‘The shield bearer seems to be the leader, and above there’s one with a bow, spear, iron mace, staff, net… five total.’

 

It’s a formation.

 

They’re not just rushing at me in a tangle.

 

These are guys with system and coordination.

 

Watching the five move like flowing water, I followed them with just my eyes and said.

 

“Pyo Hojung? If five travel together in Sichuan and the one with the shield calls himself leader, then you must be Wol Ak O Seong.”

 

“Hehe. You recognize us? Interesting. Interesting. And you’re not even running away?”

 

Pyo Hojung said, watching me take a fighting stance.

 

“Right, whatever you were, I can see you have the will to face us head-on like this. Kuhehe!”

 

I narrowed my eyes.

 

‘The difficulty is incomparable to when I fought fifty Green Forest bandits alone. What should I do.’

 

I look at the surrounding terrain.

 

It seemed to be a plaza where all the mined ore from the silver mine gathered.

 

There were rusted carts and pickaxes, and chains hanging from the ceiling here and there.

 

In the distance, I could see dim light filtering in, and all around, jade-colored green light mixed with silver light reflecting from the silver veins sparkled.

 

Beside that, several waterways flowed with streams of water.

 

‘If I put my full power with internal energy, it might collapse. That can’t happen.’

 

Though Wol Ak O Seong seemed to be standing carelessly, there was a rusted iron door behind them. I could see from their formation that they were guarding against approaches toward that place.

 

The essence of this situation wasn’t originally to wipe out Wol Ak O Seong completely.

 

That was just a small additional objective. If I put all my effort into thinking of them as the main root and eliminating them, running wild regardless of whether the remaining smaller roots are cut off or not, then this entire Sacheon Tang Family situation would end without any resolution.

 

I must prevent that.

 

-Click.

 

Therefore, I quietly withdrew the internal energy that had been flowing into the Ebony Dragon Bracers wrapped around my wrists, which I had intended to resonate.

 

Taking a fighting stance, I think.

 

‘Should I aim for a chaotic battle after all. If it’s a chaotic battle with internal energy restrictions anyway… I might be able to draw out a strengthened form of the third technique by pushing myself a bit more in real combat.’

 

The conclusion of the following fighting stance was different from usual—a defensive form with both feet extended horizontally.

 

The basis of that action was, more than anything, that strictly speaking, there was no real reason to kill the leader of Wol Ak O Seong, who would hold all the information of this place.

 

Don’t I know the ecology of this underworld better than anyone?

 

Though Wol Ak O Seong has some notoriety, the martial arts world is full of all kinds of rumors. Even though their main faction is Eclipsenight, the fact that these five aren’t avoiding a head-on confrontation suggests there might be other aspects I don’t know about.

 

Or perhaps keeping them alive might help build other connections in Sichuan.

 

So even if it’s somewhat rough, subduing them and extracting information about their backers through words would be profitable enough—.

 

“Uh…haha! Uhahahaha!!!”

 

“…?”

 

I hesitate.

 

I doubt my ears.

 

Seeing me take a fighting stance, Pyo Hojung and all five burst into laughter.

 

“What, I hoped it wasn’t true, but you really don’t have a weapon? What’s that stance? Fist techniques? Leg techniques? No… are you really barehanded?”

 

“…”

 

“There’s exactly one thing that dead subordinate got right! Some greenhouse orchid who’s never tasted the world’s bitterness must have gotten some delusions of grandeur from sparring and decided to butt in!”

 

“Seems like a third-rate trash martial artist without weapons.”

 

“Kahaha, and his face is really so gaunt and ugly…”

 

Pyo Hojung pointed at me.

 

“Now I get it. Guys like that are predictable. He probably stayed as a guest at the Sacheon Tang Family by chance, and with nowhere else to lean on, he tried to build some martial reputation to create a place to rely on, even temporarily. Bottom-feeder wanderers like that are destined to wander the wasteland and die alone and miserable. Like a mongrel bastard abandoned even by his master, even by his own mother.”

 

I remain frozen in position.

 

“Brother Pyo! Is there anything to see? Let’s make him like that Gongdong Sect martial artist.”

 

The one gripping a staff beside him licked his lips with his tongue.

 

“He seems to have some venom in his eyes, but that won’t last long either. Later we’ll gouge out those eyes just like that Gongdong Sect martial artist who wailed for his mother!”

 

“…Ha.”

 

I laughed briefly.

 

I withdraw my fighting stance.

 

Seeing that, Pyo Hojung was dumbfounded.

 

“You’re laughing? Can you laugh right now? Do you think we’d spare you even if you begged for your life now?”

 

At his gesture, everyone surrounds me.

 

I mutter with my head down.

 

“…Well, I only need one guy to question. In whatever form… What presumptuous thoughts was I having. As long as they’re breathing, that’s enough.”

 

And once again, the fighting stance that follows.

 

It was a stance with both feet extended front and back, the fingers of the forward hand half-open, and the rear hand clenched in a fist.

 

It was a completely different stance from before.

 

It was identical to the beginning of the fighting stance I had taken since the Red Light Battle.

 

I said.

 

“They say countless people die without ever knowing what they’re good at in their lifetime. You guys seem like brothers too, and this time as well, I only recently realized one true talent of mine.”

 

“Talent?”

 

“That’s cutting off bloodlines.”

 

“…”

 

“Just recently I cut off the Wi Family’s bloodline in Anhui.”

 

Suddenly, one of Wol Ak O Seong holding an iron net hesitates.

 

“…Wait, the Wi Family?”

 

The people around mutter one by one.

 

“If it’s the Wi Family of Anhui, there’s only that incident we heard about through Jeonseoggu.”

 

“Hmph, I’ve heard about that guy’s appearance and characteristics, but could it be him? Anyway, he seems like someone we’ll meet and kill soon enough.”

 

One archer among Wol Ak O Seong looks at me.

 

“They said his presence was really tremendous, let’s see, the facial features of that guy I heard about were definitely distinctive…”

 

He slowly recalls what he heard while looking at me.

 

And his complexion changes.

 

“…Huh.”

 

“Looking at it, there are five of you guys… If your memorial days are all different, your clan must have quite a hard time setting up ancestral rites.”

 

“What?”

 

“So from now on, I’m going to personally perform what’s called proxy filial piety for your clan.”

 

I said with black eyes, and within those black eyes, red light blazing like fire.

 

“From today, your memorial day will be unified to just today. So gratefully accept my kindness, you bastard mongrels.”

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