Chapter 36. Escape (2)
"Of course, you ended up here."
Behind the speaker, the Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion, stood a dense crowd that filled the main street.
Among them were people of all sorts: thugs who looked like troublemakers, young errand boys, a weary middle-aged coachman, and even courtesans dressed lavishly in stark contrast to the grim scene.
They were, quite literally, a ragtag group. But such people were what comprised the Hao Clan.
"So, you've gathered all the Hao Clan members in the prefecture just to capture me?"
"There seems to be a misunderstanding. What I'm after is not you, young hero, but the courtesan who fled. I'll let this matter slide if you hand her over now."
"You're really taking the long way around just to say, 'Hand her over.'"
"That wasn't my intention, but if it came across that way, I can't help it."
The Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion maintained a smile laced with false courtesy. At that, I scoffed at his androgynous face.
"Stop spouting nonsense. Do you think I'll just hand over Seol Lihyang now?"
"That's the part I don't understand. I didn't have time to look into it deeply, but I know you're a son-in-law of the Tang Clan. Then why are you so fixated on a mere courtesan?"
"I could ask you the same. Why is someone as high-ranking as the Lord of the Hao Clan's branch so fixated on a mere courtesan?"
"I already told you. I'm only after my disciple."
"Disciple, my ass. Isn't it because you're trying to treat the side effects of the Absorption Art?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"The defining characteristic of Pure Yin Bodies isn't their Yin Qi quantity but its purity. And the side effects of the Absorption Art are mostly caused by impurities mixed into Yin or Yang Qi."
By absorbing the pure Yin Qi from Seol Lihyang, the impurities in your body's Yin Qi would be partially neutralized.
It's a matter of concentration and balance. It's like pouring clean water into muddy water to dilute it to a usable level.
At that moment, Seol Lihyang picked up a random rock from the ground, wrinkling her forehead as she listened to our conversation.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, but... What are you planning to do with me?"
"You'd be taught an internal energy technique that causes all kinds of side effects but speeds up cultivation... then—"
"Get to the point!"
"The plan is to defile you and then kill you."
"That's messed up!"
Finally realizing the predicament she was in, Seol Lihyang threw the rock in her hand, visibly flustered.
Of course, it never hit the Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion.
Even with restrictions on his internal energy, he was still a peak martial artist. Catching the rock effortlessly, he caused Seol Lihyang to explode in anger.
"The Hao Clan is supposed to be a sect where the weak help each other, right? How can this be allowed?"
"If that were the case, the Hao Clan wouldn't be classified as a dark faction but as a righteous sect. And more importantly, Seol Lihyang, you're not even a member of the Hao Clan; you're an outsider."
"What...?"
Perhaps this was her first time seeing the bare face of martial society. Seol Lihyang was at a loss for words, her lips trembling silently.
The most important thing to the Hao Clan was oneself. Helping each other was merely a means to ensure help when needed in the future.
In other words, if it was in one's self-interest, there was no hesitation to be cruel to outsiders.
The Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion, who had been listening to our conversation, still wore his insincere smile as he spoke again.
"I'll ask one last time. If you return my disciple now, I'll hold you accountable for nothing."
"I refuse. I haven't yet repaid the favor I owe her, so I won't send her into a situation that's clearly a death sentence. And besides..."
I paused for a moment, then smirked as I raised the corners of my mouth.
"I don't listen to those weaker than me."
The expression of the Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion hardened. With a slight flick of his fingers, he gestured to the subordinates behind him.
"Attack. Just don't kill him."
Watching the Hao Clan members charge all at once, I spoke without taking my eyes off them.
"Seol Lihyang, stay behind me."
"What should I do? I still have more rocks!"
"Just don't leave my side. Honestly, you're in the way."
"Ugh. Fine."
Only after confirming that Seol Lihyang had ducked behind me did I lift my sword.
Even though I had somewhat recovered while talking to the Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion, my body was still tired.
And protecting someone while fighting meant I couldn't use my usual reckless, all-or-nothing tactics.
But it didn't matter.
No matter how many there were, the Hao Clan was still a gathering of riffraff.
If I were to fall, it would only be because I was exhausted, not because anyone managed to bring me down.
Two men charged at me first.
Perhaps unwilling to step into the range of my sword, they thrust their long spears from a distance.
But one of them seemed unfamiliar with his weapon, his movements clumsy and his thrusts sluggish.
Aiming for my shoulder and thigh, the spear tips flew toward me.
I swung my sword at the spear that arrived first, focusing my internal energy and pushing with force.
Kkaang!
Sparks flew as the metal clashed, and the spear's trajectory was deflected.
"Whoa??"
The deflected spear tangled with the other man's, causing both of their stances to falter. I stomped on the spear shaft with force.
Kwajjik!
The clumsy one lost his grip on his spear, and the more adept one held on but had his shaft snapped in two.
Both were now incapacitated.
I lunged forward, spinning low to the ground in a wide arc.
"Argh!"
"My leg...!"
The two fell to the ground, their thighs deeply slashed, as if kneeling before me.
I glanced around, emanating murderous intent in all directions.
The Hao Clan members hesitated, their movements faltering.
I swung my sword wide, scattering the blood clinging to the blade.
"Who's next?"
The Hao Clan members exchanged glances, none daring to step forward.
Frustrated, the Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion yelled at them.
"You idiots! Look at his arm! It's trembling from exhaustion! If you can't take him down, at least hold him off! He'll collapse on his own if you wait long enough!"
Though I had tried to hide my state by acting forcefully, I couldn't deceive the eyes of a peak martial artist.
With their spirits reinvigorated, the Hao Clan members began charging in groups, coordinating their attacks.
The ensuing fight was utter chaos.
I parried swords without pause, dodged falling axes, severed entangling whips, and intercepted those trying to bypass me to target Seol Lihyang.
Despite my fatigue, I maintained focus sharp enough to resist the seduction techniques of the courtesans aiding the Hao Clan.
I swung my sword, disarming and incapacitating one enemy after another.
But exhaustion was inevitable.
My breathing grew ragged, my body felt like lead, and my muscles twitched uncontrollably. Even my sword, which never wavered, began to shake.
Eventually, I started to falter in clashes of strength.
Puhk!
"Ugh!"
A staff struck my shoulder. It was something I should have avoided, but my legs failed to respond in time.
I retaliated by slashing at the man's elbow.
Sssk.
"Ggahhh!"
Though my sword struck true, it no longer had the strength to sever limbs completely.
Despite taking down numerous foes, just as many Hao Clan members remained, their eyes gleaming with intent.
Gripping my sword with one hand, I struggled to steady my trembling arm.
As I worked to correct my faltering stance, the Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion stepped forward, brushing past his subordinates.
"Well? Have you changed your mind now?"
"Hardly. Even in this state, I don't think I'm weaker than you."
"Fine. You claimed not to listen to those weaker than you, so let me personally show you the gap between us."
Despite having stayed back until I was thoroughly worn out, the Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion finally decided it was his turn.
Unlike the others, he was truly dangerous. A high-level martial artist, even if he wasn't at his peak.
But I had already made my choice and resolved to face the risks.
Breathing deeply, I lowered my sword into a relaxed stance.
It was more a limp posture than a proper stance, given my near exhaustion.
But this wasn't my first time fighting at my limit, and it wouldn't be the last.
I emptied my mind, casting aside the gratitude the Tang Clan owed to the Hao Clan and even my identity as a Tang Clan member.
I let go of my earlier hesitation to avoid killing.
In life-and-death battles, it isn't brute strength, deep internal energy, or intricate techniques that prevail.
It's the will to end a life, a blade aimed directly at the enemy's vital points.
My killing intent flowed freely, sharp and honed like a tempered blade.
Cold sweat trickled down the face of the Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion, who stood in the full brunt of my murderous aura.
"You're insane. Just who are you?"
"Cheon Hwi-da."
Stepping forward with my left foot, I tilted my body slightly, ready to lunge at any moment.
"A swordsman."
No fancy titles mattered. What mattered was that I still held a sword in my hand.
The message must have gotten through. Silently, the Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion drew his flexible sword from his waist.
The thin blade bent and curved with every small movement.
Placing all my focus on the blade's tip, I prepared myself to intercept any change it made, driving strength into my toes.
Tapt.
With a short push from my ankle, I slid forward, closing the distance in an instant.
Though my speed was slower than usual due to my lack of internal energy, it was enough to surprise him.
"!"
The Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion panicked as my sword aimed directly at his throat.
He twisted his wrist, causing his flexible sword to deflect my blade midair.
Teong!
Though it diverted my attack, the flexible sword wasn't suited for direct clashes.
The blade rebounded, failing to guide my movements or set up a follow-up attack. It was merely a desperate attempt to neutralize immediate danger.
Blood vessels in his eyes burst, and blood leaked from the corner of his mouth as he strained to rally his internal energy.
I had expected this. In times of desperation, those with hidden tricks reveal them without hesitation.
The Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion unleashed a vicious barrage with his sword, undulating like a snake.
But I thrust myself forward, bringing my neck dangerously close to his attack.
"...!"
The Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion was as constrained as I was. A lethal blow would backfire on him too.
Forced to redirect his blade, he left his side wide open.
Taking advantage of the gap, I drove my sword into his ribs.
Puhk.
The blade slipped between his ribs, piercing his heart.
His body stiffened for a moment before collapsing with a massive spurt of blood.
"Khugh! You little bastard... Do you think you'll survive after killing me? How will you deal with the aftermath—"
"You think too much."
Interrupting his words, I twisted the blade, crushing his heart completely.
The Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion collapsed with his eyes wide open.
I murmured to his lifeless body, "For someone in a dark faction, you talk too much."
Not that I was much different.
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[TL]
Happy Christmas! <*~*>