Ep72 - I Spent the Night with the Youngest Daughter of the Martial Arts Leader

# Chapter 72: Night With the Martial Alliance Leader's Youngest Daughter "Senior, are you really going to hand over the money just like the guy asked?" "Of course. It's never good to mess around with money." "Hmm, it's a pity though." "However... if we confirm that this incident is connected to the Demon Sect, we can assume that the merchant is involved too, right?" "Hm. If they act, they'll probably get caught." "I'm not one to waste. Or, we could just consider it a kind of charitable donation." When Jegal Yeong casually offered a blank check to the merchant, he wondered if he was getting a bit too carried away with the thrill of spending money. Listening to him, it seemed like a plausible plan. In matters like these, he never made miscalculations. "Is it around here?" "Yes. It matches the terrain the merchant described. It must be over there." "So, it's my turn now, right?" "Not yet. We'll know when we take a closer look." According to the merchant's confession, the individuals manufacturing the Red Blood Pills had nested in the northeastern plains of Fujian Province. Is money truly almighty? They even provided a map of the surrounding terrain. But plains? 'They're concocting schemes in a place like this?' Fujian Province had the perfect landscape for brewing conspiracies—mainly mountains and dense forest. The open field where they supposedly stayed was rare. That was suspicious. 'Unless it's a cave.' Caves: Damp, perfect for bugs and rats to crawl around. No sunlight, and inconvenient for escape. It's the worst kind of place to use as a base camp but exactly the kind of environment those engaged in dubious activities would favor because... You can bring it down if needed. As long as you are prepared for the possibility of being buried alive... There's no place as apt for hiding evidence than a cave. Therefore, it didn't make sense to put up a building on an open field and do such things there. "By the way, how long do those drifters plan to follow us?" "Who knows? They said they were guarding us because there was an outstanding balance." "Really?" The drifters loitered around us, keeping their distance while glancing about. Though fewer in number compared to the money Jegal Yeong had scattered, there was still a significant crowd. 'This is suspicious too.' Something felt off. Drifters never offer refunds. From my perspective, those guys certainly had ulterior motives. Why would they go so far as to guard us unless our contractor's death seemed profitable? It wouldn't be odd for them to turn their weapons on us at any moment. 'I guess we'll see once we open them up.' The reason I wasn't dispersing them right away was simple. This could also serve as a clue or evidence. Even if someone else tried a suicide attack with Red Blood Pills, it wouldn't matter. Any of the three of us could swiftly subdue them. And there's another reason... "What brings you to such a remote place?" At that moment, an old man dressed in black hemp cloth appeared before us. He was obviously dressed as a traditional physician. But there was a distinct scent of blood riding the wind. "We're here following a report that Red Blood Pills are being manufactured at this place." "Oh, the vile medicine said to turn people into ruin just with a single ingestion? You've come to the right place." Jegal Yeong declared, and the old man responded in a playful, exaggerated manner. "What are you planning?" "Since we all seem to know what we need to, there's no point in hiding it." Simultaneously, the old man gestured. How so many people were hiding in that tiny house was beyond me. Suddenly, a mob of men in black clothes came pouring out through the door and windows. Roughly estimating, there seemed to be about fifty surrounding us. All of them armed, they clearly weren't here to dance with us. "No need to rummage through the inside." "Haha, I've been thinking this since earlier... but it seems the young lady might need some etiquette lessons!" "Don't you think it's strange to go about with formal speech all the time?" "We'll see how long you can keep that composure!" The sharp, life-threatening aura was palpable. The loud cry of the overconfident old man signaled the start of the fight. * 'As expected, it was a trap.' As he remained wary of the black-clad attackers ready to charge in, Jegal Yeong thought to himself. When things seem to go too smoothly, it's always a good idea to question them. He was glad he hadn't let his guard down. Drifters live and die by money. Even something as worthless as the Red Blood Pill could be their ace in the hole. Hiring drifters to draw attention was all to observe the enemy's reaction. 'Actually, they seemed to be waiting.' By now, it was possible that even that merchant had been planted by them. Or am I overly skeptical? Either way, the crucial question was simple. 'Are they part of the Demon Sect or not?' It could just be a faction from the Unorthodox Sect crawling into Fujian Province. Since the Drifter King didn’t seem the type to block visitors unless there was a breach. That's why we needed to press them. To reveal their hidden ace. "Senior, break through to the west first!" "Got it!" When surrounded, the basic tactic is to break through at one point. Receiving Jegal Yeong's command, Hwangbo Seyul swung his greatsword and charged at the black-clad men. Crash! Collapse. The force behind Hwangbo Seyul's strike carried the intent to destroy. Sensing the murderous intent that was palpable even through the masks, the attack clearly intended to crush the opponents. In an instant, the encirclement on the western side was broken. ‘Great. Now I can set up a barrier centered there...' Though the skirmish started with an enemy ambush, things were flowing well. Let's take Lee Seung and move over there. With that in mind, Jegal Yeong turned his gaze to where he was. There stood... Slash! Lee Seung, ruthlessly cutting down the black-clad attackers. Having previously witnessed his abilities when he fought against the Hwangsan Sect, He had held back against them due to their orthodox affiliations, perhaps? Now, however, Lee Seung’s blade showed no mercy. Every stroke of his sword claimed a life. His strikes relentlessly targeted the hearts of the black-clad aggressors. "Aim for the heart! Or smash them completely!" Lee Seung moved continuously, shouting as he went, while Jegal Yeong kept an eye on him, all the while dealing with the black-clad attackers swarming around them. '!' In that moment, a black-clad foe came aiming for his side. Without a moment's hesitation, Jegal Yeong thrust his sword into the adversary's heart. If Lee Seung had said so, there must be a reason. 'Time to prepare.' The onslaught of the enemies was more intense than anticipated. He might have to reveal their prepared tactics a bit sooner than planned. * The situation wasn't looking good. The old man who had acted so leisurely when they encountered Lee Seung and his companions had lost his smile as his experienced minions fell one by one. ‘As expected, the Baekyang Group lives up to its name.’ They claimed to have been established to mediate disputes, but in reality, it seemed like they existed to summarily execute those who didn’t follow the will of the Martial Alliance. The single blade of the Martial Alliance Leader was indeed formidable. ‘It’s time for me to step up.’ The first to be dealt with would be that young man. He had been waiting for the right time to crush the minions clinging to the enemy, as if aware of that, the adversary relentlessly aimed for the heart. ‘The master's words were right.’ It was mere speculation at this point, but once they fought, it would be clear. At that moment, he faced off against Lee Seung, who rushed to strike him down. “Only a small fry and acting so full of yourself.” “Finally dropping the useless formal speech?” “Let’s see how long you can keep that back straight.” Though he began with mockery, the old man didn’t intend to underestimate his opponent. With all his strength, he commenced an attack by harnessing the Red Blood Arts. “My name is Gong No Cheol! I am the third division leader of the Red Blood Platoon!” Even upon revealing the name “Red Blood Platoon,” there was no response. Just as expected, when pushed, the opponent would reveal their true colors. Gong No Cheol laced his right hand with energy and charged at Lee Seung. The red energy, like blood, swirled menacingly. Clash! The sound didn’t seem like just a clash between a sword and a fist. It was the collision of energies. Seeing Lee Seung’s energy shine white, Gong No Cheol spoke out. “You’re quite something for someone so young!” “You seem to have wasted your years.” It was just a polite exchange. Left hand above, right hand below. The position of the fingers resembled the open jaws of a tiger. Red Blood Fist’s third technique, “Tiger’s Threat.” The manifested sharp teeth of energy targeted Lee Seung’s neck. Whoosh! Unfortunately, it missed. As Lee Seung retreated, swinging his sword all the while, Gong No Cheol admired him inwardly. ‘His control of energy is on par with mine!’ If only he were some young novice just pretending to wield energy. But the young man possessed strength beyond his age. ‘Impressive.’ Gong No Cheol increased the turbulence of his internal energy and accelerated. Crash, smash! His decision was the chain-attack charge. Charging in with his shoulder to target the side, then feigning an upward bash to jab with the wrist. Yet even as Lee Seung maintained his balance, Gong No Cheol's swift downward kick slammed his thigh in a vicious arc. Thunk! A minor hit. Lee Seung stepped back twice. However… ‘When did this happen!’ Gong No Cheol found himself in trouble too. A sword mark about an inch long was carved near his heart. Had it been just a bit deeper, it would have been fatal. ‘Had I let my guard down unconsciously?’ As Gong No Cheol paused to assess his opponent, Lee Seung fixated on seizing his life. After both parties revealed their lethal intents, it was only natural. Gong No Cheol refocused himself. He would end it in the next move. “Soak the neck in blood.” Build a mountain of corpses. All that blocks shall be but crushed. Pledge this body to the great work. Red Blood Fist’s secret technique, “Mountain of Corpses, Sea of Blood.” The pinnacle of Gong No Cheol’s martial power. He burned up to transform his body into a single arrow. The crimson energy flowing through his body. Using it as a bowstring. Gong No Cheol lunged at Lee Seung with his fist. ‘Stop it if you can!’ In the blink of an eye, his fist was upon Lee Seung. In the rapidly accelerating time, Gong No Cheol saw it. The sword flying toward him. The energy wrapping around that blade, glowing an ominous blue. ‘!’ At the moment of impact with Lee Seung's sword, Gong No Cheol's fierce red energy, threatening to destroy everything, collapsed. As if it never existed in the first place. Vanished. Slash! Gong No Cheol's right arm was severed. Next, the enemy would likely target the heart or head. Even so, Gong No Cheol, Barred his emotions, wearing a gleeful smile. “I finally found you! You are the one!” As he shouted, he struck his chest with his remaining arm. Activating his core energy. No time to measure how much remained. He squeezed out everything and leapt back. “Did you think we wouldn’t know the seed sown by the master in the Hwangsan Sect withered? That was all your doing, wasn’t it?” “Tsk.” “You disgusting traitor! So the descendant is here!” Gong No Cheol urgently rummaged in his pocket. Producing a firework. Bang! Pulling the fuse, a foul-smelling, acrid smoke erupted, filling the sky. “This place will be your grave today!” Blood oozing from his arms, without concern for stopping it. Gong No Cheol glared at Lee Seung with bloodshot eyes.