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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“…Hero Wi. It’s time.”
I looked at the innkeeper, who had appeared carrying a bundle. He knocked on the door and placed the bundle on the floor in front of me, then unfolded a set of clothes.
“These are for you.”
“Do you have any armor?”
“Excuse me?”
“…No armor. But do you have a mask that covers my entire head?”
“But wouldn’t that obstruct your vision?”
Vision was essential for a martial artist. The innkeeper expressed concern about my request. But I wouldn’t have asked if I hadn’t considered that.
Knights never removed their helmets in battle.
And helmets severely restricted vision.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m used to it. Also…I ordered a sword from a blacksmith in Muga. Could you retrieve it for me? It would be less conspicuous than me going myself.”
“…Understood.”
It was still midday.
If I remembered correctly, the meeting wouldn’t begin until late at night.
I had some time to change and prepare. I had already formulated a plan.
…While there was some uncertainty, the Hao Clan wouldn’t send a transcendent expert just to eliminate me. This shouldn’t be too difficult.
I had experience escorting VIPs.
“Benefactor, are you going to conceal your identity?”
“Whoever is targeting the Hao Clan, delaying the reveal of my identity would be advantageous.”
Longsword techniques weren’t ideal for fighting multiple opponents.
Therefore…I intended to utilize techniques better suited for crowd control.
“Mister, do you think a mask will be enough to hide your identity?”
“A full-face mask should suffice.”
“A masked Mister…that sounds amazing!”
What was so amazing about it?
“Wouldn’t a masked Mister look like a demon? Wouldn’t they be scared and run away?”
“What’s wrong with my face?”
While I looked older than I was, I wasn’t ugly. I shook my head at Hye-ryeong’s strange comment and picked up the clothes.
“Someone might mistake me for a grim reaper.”
My usual attire was mostly black, but this was even darker.
I wasn’t familiar with dyes, but it looked like something an assassin would wear.
“Life in the Martial World is full of surprises.”
A knight dressed as an assassin. The Captain would have scolded me if he saw this.
While one shouldn’t compromise their principles, flexibility was sometimes necessary to save others.
“I’m going to change, so leave the room.”
“…Can’t I watch?”
“…”
Couldn’t she just leave? I glared at her, and she reluctantly left the room. I quickly changed my clothes.
“…Benefactor. Were those scars all from the battlefield?”
“Yes.”
Shot by arrows. Stabbed by spears. Bludgeoned by maces. Cut by swords.
My upper body was covered in scars, reminders of my survival on the battlefield. Whenever I saw my reflection in the water, I was reminded of those days.
“I don’t know how you survived.”
“Me neither.”
I had simply clawed my way to survival.
The Mamluk commander had even tried to recruit me, impressed by my…efficiency in killing his own men.
It was absurd, even now.
While the Mamluks were composed of slaves from various backgrounds, it was still strange that he would try to recruit someone who had slaughtered a third of his men.
Was he that magnanimous, or simply insane?
…Enough.
Dwelling on the past was pointless.
I had a job to do.
“Mokgyeong, I’m entrusting Hye-ryeong to you. I doubt they’ll target her, but you never know.”
“…Leave it to me. I will protect Hye-ryeong.”
“Thank you.”
“Hero Wi, I’ve brought the sword and mask you requested.”
“…It’s more of a helmet than a mask.”
Well, it didn’t matter.
I put on the unnecessarily ornate lion mask and then my bamboo hat.
The innkeeper looked at my bizarre attire with a strained smile.
“It…suits you.”
He was clearly horrified. Flattery wouldn’t…no, it wasn’t worth arguing.
“Can we leave now?”
“Y-yes…”
“Let’s go.”
Time to stretch my legs.
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“I hope everything goes well.”
“It will, Hao Clan Leader.”
“Where is the master you recruited?”
“He’ll be here soon. Don’t worry.”
‘He should be here by now…’
The Wuhan branch leader looked towards the back door of the hall. The Lion Sword needed the Hao Clan’s help, so he wouldn’t run away at this point.
He anxiously watched the door.
Finally, he heard footsteps.
Heavy, thudding steps, like a bull’s.
The door opened.
“Hero Wi…?”
“You…?”
They stared at the strange figure wearing a lion mask and a bamboo hat.
A massive man with broad shoulders, muscles bulging beneath his clothes, radiating a menacing aura.
The two bodyguards beside the Hao Clan Leader placed their hands on their swords, their eyes filled with suspicion.
William ignored their reaction and looked at the Hao Clan Leader.
“Are you the leader of the Hao Clan?”
“Y-yes.”
‘He looks like a demon crawled out of hell. Is this really the Lion Sword?’
Just as the Hao Clan Leader began to doubt, William spoke.
“I’m in disguise, just in case.”
“I see.”
Their eyes met. William looked at the elderly man, whose fate had been decided by a single sentence in the original story.
‘So, this is the Hao Clan Leader. Whether he’s the real one or a double, he’s my client.’
“Welcome, Hero Wi.”
“Call me Black Lion.”
William gave a random alias and looked around the empty hall.
‘It’s quite spacious. And secluded. No one would find this place easily.’
If someone died here, no one would know. Having assessed the layout, he looked back at the Hao Clan Leader.
“When will it begin?”
“In about an hour. You can rest in the corner until then.”
William nodded and sat down in a secluded corner, meditating.
Meanwhile, the Hao Clan Leader watched as the branch leaders began to arrive, his eyes darting around nervously.
‘How many traitors are there? I’ve identified ten. There could be as many as thirty more.’
He had discovered the traitors five years ago, shortly after becoming the Clan Leader.
However, he hadn’t been able to identify the mastermind behind the conspiracy, so he had been hesitant to act.
The position of Hao Clan Leader was based on information and political maneuvering, not martial arts.
Lacking a strong foundation, he couldn’t risk a direct confrontation.
He had managed to eliminate some of the traitors under various pretexts, but they had multiplied like a cancer, their numbers now unknown.
‘This is my last chance. I have to eliminate the traitors and consolidate my power. The chances of success are low, but…’
According to his investigation, the Demonic Cult was behind this.
If they deployed Demonic Cultivators, the Hao Clan would be annihilated.
Even the Hao Clan Leader’s secret techniques weren’t particularly powerful.
Therefore, he had made thorough preparations.
Hidden mechanisms, concealed bodyguards, and…the master recruited by his trusted subordinate.
‘My life depends on the Lion Sword’s abilities.’
“It’s been a while, Clan Leader.”
“Mun-gyeom, is it? How have you been?”
“I’ve been well, thanks to you, Clan Leader.”
Empty pleasantries and formal greetings. The Hao Clan Leader endured the tedious ritual as more branch leaders arrived.
‘To think I would have to eliminate my own people. I have no face to meet the previous Clan Leader.’
But he couldn’t let the Demonic Cult take over the Hao Clan.
His expression hardened with resolve as he surveyed the assembled branch leaders.
“My fellow leaders of the Hao Clan, it’s good to see you all.”
“It’s good to see you in good health, Clan Leader, considering the burden of your responsibilities.”
‘Yun-cheol. The suspected leader of the traitors. We competed for the position of Clan Leader…a despicable man.’
He had lost count of how many times Yun-cheol had tried to poison him. He was a thorn in his side.
However, a clan leader couldn’t openly display such animosity.
He forced a smile, maintaining his composure.
“I have you all to thank for that.”
“Haha, you flatter us.”
A subtle power struggle unfolded in the hall. The other branch leaders watched nervously, gulping.
Two factions.
One of them would meet its end today.
“May I ask the reason for this summons, Clan Leader? There must be something important…”
“Indeed. I’ve summoned you for a very important matter.”
The Hao Clan Leader looked at the assembled branch leaders.
Traitors and loyalists.
How many would stand by him?
‘I can only hope it’s enough.’
“I’ve called you here because…rats have infiltrated our Hao Clan. Rats that reek of the sewers.”
“What do you mean?”
Yun-cheol feigned surprise, asking innocently. The Hao Clan Leader suppressed his anger and answered calmly.
“For years, rats have been scurrying through the Hao Clan. I’ve been tracking them, and now…I’ve finally caught their scent.”
“So…”
“I intend to cleanse the Hao Clan. Therefore…”
The Hao Clan Leader looked at them, his expression a mixture of hope and determination.
Some averted their gazes, their guilt evident. Others met his gaze unflinchingly.
“If you truly care for the Hao Clan, then step forward, you rats.”
“Rats…”
Yun-cheol clicked his tongue and stepped forward.
It was time for the leader of the traitors to reveal himself.
“It’s those who go against the tide who are outnumbered. The rats…are not us, but you, Hao Clan Leader.”
“So, you choose punishment.”
“Do you have the strength to punish us?”
Yun-cheol raised his right hand.
Recognizing it as a signal, the Hao Clan Leader immediately stepped on the pressure plate that activated the hidden mechanisms.
All the doors slammed shut, and the unsuspecting branch leaders scrambled to the corners of the hall, terrified.
They wanted no part in this.
“Demonic Cultivators of the Heavenly Demon Cult! Reveal yourselves!”
At his command, Demonic Cultivators emerged from their hiding places, their killing intent filling the hall.
The Hao Clan Leader felt his breath catch in his throat. He looked at his bodyguards and stepped on the second pressure plate, activating another mechanism.
However, Yun-cheol simply smirked, unfazed.
‘Once this is activated, we can quickly take control!’
“…What?”
The mechanism didn’t activate.
“Ha! Did you really think we wouldn’t anticipate your tricks, Hao Clan Leader?”
“…This hall is sealed. We have more men. Even if you disabled the mechanisms, do you think you can escape?”
“Ha! We’re not the ones trapped! You and your men are! Sura-do! Black and White Twin Demons! Blood Spear! Show them your power!”
The Hao Clan Leader heard the titles of the Demonic Cultivators Yun-cheol had brought and turned to look for William.
With the mechanisms disabled, his only hope was William.
“It’s been a while since my blade has tasted blood.”
“Hehehe…leave some for us.”
“I’d like to finish this quickly and leave.”
Three masters. And about ten Demonic Cultivators.
A chill ran down the Hao Clan Leader’s spine.
“Hao Clan Leader, it’s time for me to reclaim my rightful place.”
With Yun-cheol’s declaration, the battle began.
However, it was interrupted by the strange figure who emerged from behind the Hao Clan Leader.
He radiated a menacing aura, yet his internal energy felt surprisingly weak.
“This looks interesting. Mind if I join?”
“Who are you?!”
“Hehehe, you dare stand before us…?”
“Indeed, brother. Such a large body, yet so little power. It’s pathetic that the Hao Clan Leader is relying on someone like this.”
“But brother, he looks like he would be fun to tear apart.”
Despite their taunts, they remained cautious.
This was likely the Hao Clan Leader’s last resort. They couldn’t afford to underestimate him.
“Let’s get rid of him quickly and take the Hao Clan Leader’s head.”
“I don’t like sharing, but…let’s go.”
“More work for me.”
The four masters aimed their weapons at William. A saber, a spear, and a pair of clawed gauntlets.
William crossed his arms and looked them over.
“Caution is a virtue, but…”
William stomped his foot.
And then,
“This…is impossible…”
Sura-do’s head twisted at an unnatural angle as he crumpled to the floor.
A pathetic end for a peak expert.
Everyone froze.
A single punch.
If their eyes weren’t deceiving them, a single punch had killed Sura-do.
As they stared at him in stunned silence, the masked figure cracked his knuckles.
“I don’t want to bother taking you to the judges…so I’ll deliver your judgment here.”
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[Your Text Here]
This hao clan arc is just William aura farming 😂