Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 95

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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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#095

Red waves ripple along the darkness.

Countless brothels and taverns lined up in rows, creating a splendid street similar yet different in nature to the Red Lantern District that had been beyond the mountain range.

Though the scale was somewhat smaller, its density was much higher,

and the sound of pipa continuously flowed from the streets. The laughter of courtesans, the shouts of drunkards, and the calls of innkeepers mingled together, creating a murky atmosphere.

-Thud!

-Swoosh swoosh swoosh!

Guk and I became two streaks of black lightning, leaping over the rooftops of the red-tinted buildings.

Each time we leaped over a roof, the cool yet gradually warming spring night air of the approaching season brushed past our lips.

Red light from the world below repeatedly flickered across the face of Guk, who was swiftly running ahead, then disappeared.

“My lord, he’s turning again.”

“Right.”

Continuously casting my gaze downward, I leaped over another roof.

The third contact was moving with much more meticulous awareness of his surroundings than expected.

It wasn’t as if he had noticed us tailing him, yet he had turned through alleys three times already.

He even passed through a shop with passages on both sides, changed clothes, and exited through the opposite entrance.

And I, of course, as well as Guk beside me, didn’t miss any of it.

‘I didn’t expect him to be this thorough.’

For me, it was natural to do this with countless experiences from my previous life.

But that was based more on experience rather than innate perception.

However, Guk was a martial artist from a related background whose main duties as a guardian would have given him almost no experience in tracking, stealth, or observation.

Yet from the very beginning, after I guided him a few times, he perfectly covered my blind spots with his natural perception.

‘Indeed, is this what it means to be a deputy commander of the Eighteenth Division of Baekjao, even among the strongest elite guardian corps of the Namgung Family?’

Moreover, even as I used Dangcheonswaeya to move from building to building, he somehow managed to follow despite falling slightly behind.

“To think it’s difficult enough for me to keep up…! My lord, you are remarkable.”

It seemed Guk was also surprised by something about me in his own way.

His eyes were gradually becoming brighter with something unintended, which was somewhat burdensome, but I decided to let it pass.

“There it is. His footsteps have clearly slowed down.”

I nodded at Guk’s words.

At the end of the alley stood an old tavern.

From the outside, it was just a shabby shop.

Especially compared to the blazing night scene of the Red Lantern District ahead, this place was so run-down that not even a mouse would pass by.

But seeing that only made me more certain.

This is the place.

“He’s going down underground.”

“How many do you think are down there?”

At my question, Guk thought for a moment.

“Since it’s their main base… at least fifty. There will naturally be Black Dao Disciples, and there might also be recruited wandering martial artists from various sects. Of course, in terms of martial arts level, there probably won’t be any notable masters, but…”

Guk trailed off.

“Down there, a situation completely separate from martial arts levels will unfold.”

“Because it’s confined?”

Guk agreed.

“Yes. Fighting many-against-one in a confined space is extremely disadvantageous. Even in our guardian corps, when a master we can’t handle attacks, the primary principle is to lure them into narrow spaces for combat. I honestly don’t recommend going in.”

Guk spoke, then said “Ah,” and added:

“I want to clarify in advance that this is by no means disregarding my lord’s abilities.”

“I know.”

There were many martial artists who had never experienced real combat or life-and-death battles, and among the later-generation disciples of prestigious sects, many had only fought on open sparring arenas.

What Guk was warning about now was exactly that kind of thing.

Not knowing the difference between group combat and individual combat, the nature of life-and-death battles splits into completely different characteristics depending on terrain and available space – the difference is like that between fire and water.

The problem was that even the masters who should teach this had rarely faced such situations themselves, so while they might teach martial arts, they wouldn’t mention these situations at all.

As a result, countless later-generation disciples would end up dumped in sewers, riddled with holes like honeycombs by small fries two or three levels below them – opponents they could have slaughtered within five breaths on level ground.

In other words, for us assassins, the decisive weapon that could determine victory or defeat was terrain, and dragging fights into group combat rather than one-on-one battles.

I muttered.

“But hearing about that principle from Guk’s mouth is quite surprising. I didn’t know the guardian corps had such awareness.”

Assassins often described themselves as weasels hunting tigers.

How should weasels hunt tigers?

First, overwhelming numbers. And terrain.

Giving up on cutting the throat in one strike, they start from the feet and swarm like bees, biting and retreating repeatedly.

In that process, inevitably each time the tiger’s front paw strikes, weasels get knocked away, but the end result is ultimately a tiger torn to pieces and collapsed from exhaustion.

What surprised me now was like hearing a confession from a tiger’s mouth that they kept in mind the strategies we weasels use in our own fights.

In a way, the guardian corps and assassin corps were like sword and shield.

Of course, through countless clashes, I thought they might have such thoughts, but hearing such views directly from someone in the guardian corps, with whom I would normally never have any connection across time, felt strange.

‘The end of all paths truly leads to one place.’

Guk suddenly asks.

“But what did you mean just now, my lord, when you said ‘the guardian corps too?’ You should be a martial artist, yet those words sounded as if you had once been immersed in a different world.”

For a moment, I was at a loss for words.

I made an awkward excuse.

“No. Well, I just remembered something else I read in a book.”

“Ah, that phrase. I know about that.”

Guk acted knowingly.

“Wu Biaoyun told me. He said ‘I read it in a book’ is my lord’s verbal habit. He said that once you truly gain my lord’s trust, you’re guaranteed to hear that phrase at least once every three days. I guess I’ve finally earned my lord’s trust too.”

“…That guy should just focus on managing the annex properly instead of spouting such nonsense.”

“There’s more besides that. He said the next level of trust is sharing a meal and eating fish together. He bragged that he’d already reached that stage and teased me about it. So I really want to eat fish dishes with my lord next time too.”

I pressed my fingers firmly against my temples.

“…Fine, just focus on what I’m saying. I’ll tell you what we’re going to do from now on. Did you confirm earlier when we circled around that there’s only one entrance over there?”

“Yes. There are no additional entrances.”

“Then it’s simpler. Before we start, let me say one thing. You won’t draw your sword during any part of this process.”

“…What?”

“It’ll cause trouble.”

Guk tilted his head. His expression showed he didn’t understand.

“Then how are we supposed to fight?”

“Do you know what that place is?”

“Isn’t it their main base?”

“It is their main base. And half of your earlier guess was wrong – there won’t just be Black Dao Disciples and wandering martial artists in there.”

I spoke while catching the faint scent drifting in the wind.

“The core money sources of the Black Dao will be in there too. I can faintly smell intoxicating incense on the wind.”

“…What? The smell of intoxicating incense? It does seem like there’s a sweet fragrance, but how can you distinguish this…”

Guk looked skeptical as he stared at the shabby entrance.

“Are you saying they’re indulging in pleasures in a place like that? The entrance has trash rolling around and looks run-down.”

“People with real money actually try not to show it. Because they have a lot to lose. And if their tastes involve the underworld, they hate exposure more than anyone. Given the nature of this world where no one trusts each other, when entertaining key officials, it’s natural to do so at your most vulnerable weakness, your heart. Because it also provides reassurance to the other party. No matter how savage this underworld is, there’s no fool stupid enough to gamble with their own heart at stake.”

I stretched my crouched body and stood up.

“Remember when I stopped you earlier? The moment you use martial arts, especially swords and weapons, it leaves big traces.”

I spoke emphatically.

“For this fight, the picture I’m drawing in my head is ‘not a rampage by a Namgung Family master’ but ‘a disturbance by an unidentified martial artist who knows some fists.'”

At those words, Guk let out an exclamation as if realizing something.

“You’re creating confusion again.”

“I don’t know yet how I’ll use this confusion we’ve built up later. It would be hypocritical to say I do. But if I comfort myself thinking it’ll be fine and neglect each detail, leaving traces of myself, those will accumulate and at some point, the initiative will pass to the opponent.”

I said coldly.

“If we don’t expose our identity here, then in the future, no matter what we do, even if we make revelations, we can choose when to reveal and our options will be broader. Therefore, we absolutely cannot leave any traces of Namgung Family martial arts in this fight.”

“I understand what you mean. However, for that to happen first… surely not.”

Guk looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it.

“You’re not planning to fight in there alone, are you?”

“Do you trust me?”

Guk answered immediately.

“Of course.”

“Then just follow me. And only do what I tell you. But-“

I walked forward.

“Inside there, there’s one thing I’ll order you to do. No matter what happens, you must protect that one thing.”

“…”

Guk moistened his dry lips.

Then he said.

“Even if the building collapses, I will complete the mission you give me.”

“Good.”

“Then what do we do now?”

I smiled with satisfaction.

“From now on, we launch a surprise attack.”

Guk blinked.

“…What?”

And I walked forward fair and square.

-Creak.

I opened the door of the juru.

Stairs leading downward came into view.

A sweet fragrance wafted up.

I went down the stairs with heavy footsteps.

After a moment of darkness, it rapidly brightened like broad daylight.

Before my eyes was another massive pleasure district.

And unlike the shabby entrance, everything visible was filled with luxurious items.

Inside were several drunkards intoxicated with alcohol.

They raised their heads to look at me.

“What the hell are these guys?”

“Are they customers?”

“Hey, manager. Were there any additional guests coming today?”

I didn’t answer.

I slowly looked around inside the juru.

A massive crimson silk-lined corridor.

On both sides of the corridor were numerous open rooms.

A place filled with marble banquet tables and pleasures. Red silk curtains hung at every room entrance.

Golden gleaming candlesticks.

Half-naked dancers.

Sweet fragrance between rose-pink and purple.

People swaying languidly.

Wine bottles scattered underfoot that I had never seen before, gilded with golden cranes.

On the tables were all kinds of delicacies from land and sea.

People with loosened clothing ties appeared to come from various backgrounds based on their attire and accessories.

Among them were even people who appeared to be imperial officials.

It was luxurious and elegant.

Such people, intoxicated with alcohol and aphrodisiacs, moved from room to room, accompanied by women’s laughter.

At the end of the corridor was a Lotus Platform.

On the vast red stage, courtesans draped in thin cloth were swaying their bodies.

The sounds of pipa and erhu flowed continuously, languidly, as if about to break but never quite stopping.

“Stop. Who are you people?”

And at some point, a man in black clothing blocked our path.

“What the hell. These guys.”

“There shouldn’t be any more additional guests today, right?”

Black Dao Disciples emerged from various parts of the corridor.

In their hands were iron clubs and birch wood cudgels.

Some held awls, others drew sharp, gleaming swords.

“Are you customers?”

At their head came a man with a large scar across his face.

“If you’re customers, you should have entry passes. Please present them.”

The number was slightly over fifty in total.

-Creak creak creak…

Dozens of candles hanging from the ceiling swayed slowly.

I looked to the side.

There was a massive table made of marble.

On top of it were numerous wine bottles and food waiting to be taken into rooms.

I raised my head and said.

“Right? Guk.”

“Yes, indeed… I’m impressed.”

“…What the hell. These bastards.”

The Black Dao Disciple closest to us narrowed his eyes.

-Swish.

They were quick to catch on.

As soon as they sensed something was amiss, what they drew were real swords.

“Hey. Where did you come from. You’re not customers, right?”

The atmosphere of all the Black Dao Disciples who had been guarding as a last resort completely changed.

“How did you know to come here? Are you guys from other black martial arts circles? What’s this, the guy behind is carrying a sword? Anyone can see he’s a martial artist.”

The Black Dao Disciples snickered.

Three from the front approached.

They surrounded me and grinned wickedly.

“These bastards came to this underground place by themselves? Just the two of them? Do they have ten lives?”

“Or maybe they came here without even knowing what this place is.”

“Isn’t he frozen because he’s about to piss himself?”

“Before we start, let me say something simple.”

I spoke in a calm voice.

“While I’m giving you a chance, disband now. Of course, you can’t just disband – hand over all funds and ledgers related to Yaxiang Guild, and a list of all associated business premises. Everything. Then I’ll let whoever hands it over leave with all limbs intact.”

-…

Silence suddenly fell.

The pipa music stopped.

The dance of the courtesans on the Lotus Platform slowed down.

The Black Dao Disciples looked at each other’s faces.

They seemed to doubt their ears.

And everyone looked at us again.

The lead Black Dao Disciple’s face contorted.

“What is this bastard saying, you crazy-“

“A refusal, then.”

-CRASH!!!

My fist drove into his face.

“…Gack!”

The Black Dao Disciple’s face caved in as he flew backward.

The Black Dao Disciple’s body spun around.

He crashed through a table, tangling with the food.

Wine vessels shattered.

Alcohol splashed everywhere.

The chopstick holder toppled over.

Plates broke and wooden fragments shot upward,

as he collapsed in a tangle with the group of courtesans on the lotus platform.

A courtesan screamed.

“Kyaaaah!”

Countless Black Dao Disciples turned to look at me.

“What, what the hell, this bastard!”

“He just took someone out in one hit…!”

I removed my blood-stained robe and tossed it aside.

“Guk.”

“Yes.”

I grabbed a pipa that was placed beside the table, holding it upside down.

“Block the entrance.”

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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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