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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Under the tranquil moonlight, Jeong Mu-bo and I patrolled the perimeter, guarding against any unforeseen trouble.
As we walked, I asked casually,
“…I hear that physician is the renowned Hidden Healer, Dokgo Hyun.”
“I didn’t intend to keep it a secret. It just… happened.”
“The Hidden Healer of the Hao Clan is said to be one of the Three Great Physicians. Who was that eccentric man who seemed so close to him?”
I already knew.
He was Heavenly Slaughterer, one of the ‘One Demon, Three Sovereigns’.
But it was better to hear it directly from Jeong Mu-bo.
He frowned slightly.
“I… don’t know his true identity. He’s a man of few words and rarely speaks of himself…”
“Hmm…”
“All I know is that he’s close to Elder Dokgo. So I assume he’s an eccentric recluse, much like the elder himself.”
“I see.”
I understood the underlying message.
‘Heavenly Slaughterer hasn’t revealed his true identity to them.’
He’d only told me, and only after a brief observation.
His ability to discern my talent and potential after just one glance was unsettling.
While the ‘One Demon, Three Sovereigns’ were known for their incredible power in that damned Deer Brand novel, it was still surprising.
Heavenly Slaughterer, a master far stronger than even the protagonist in the early stages of the story, was here, living in seclusion with a healer.
‘He seems to be hunting and helping Elder Dokgo… I don’t understand.’
The Strongest of the Unorthodox Faction.
That meant he could unleash chaos in the Jianghu and no one could stop him.
His power likely surpassed entire sects and clans.
I swallowed hard, knowing the extent of his strength as described in the novel.
Jeong Mu-bo’s voice, serious and low, broke through my thoughts.
“As expected, someone’s coming.”
“…?”
“Prepare to fight.”
“What are you…?”
I stared at him, confused, then felt multiple presences closing in.
Their killing intent was perfectly controlled, far more refined than the assassination squad leader’s.
It felt like they were cloaked in shadows.
‘A master of stealth…! They’re so close, yet I didn’t sense them until now…!’
Shing!
I drew my sword.
Jeong Mu-bo, already holding his weapon, narrowed his eyes and turned towards a specific point in the forest.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
“…”
“…”
We remained silent and cautious.
One wrong move could be fatal.
The first strike was crucial.
The figure spoke, his voice filled with rage,
“…Where is the assassination squad leader?”
“…!”
“Answer me.”
He wore a bamboo hat and a cat-shaped mask.
His killing intent, though controlled, was immense, a sign of his mastery.
He seemed poised to unleash it at any moment.
He slowly raised his weapon, a strange, unsettling blade that radiated a sinister aura.
“Identify yourself…!”
Jeong Mu-bo spoke, his voice firm, channeling his energy to match the newcomer’s intensity.
But it was futile.
The masked figure scoffed.
“I am the Shadowless Swordsman.”
“…!”
“That should be enough. Prepare to die, unless you wish to flee.”
He snarled.
Jeong Mu-bo’s voice trembled.
“The Shadowless Swordsman…!”
“…Who is he?”
Jeong Mu-bo whispered, his voice filled with disbelief,
“…One of the Fighting Demon’s subordinates. Probably one of the top five Daoists in the unorthodox faction.”
“Hmm…!”
I understood his apprehension now.
If that assessment was accurate, then the Shadowless Swordsman was a peak master.
He sensed our whispered conversation and attacked.
Swish!
“…!”
We scattered.
Dao Qi ripped through the air, tearing into the ground where we’d been standing moments before.
Boom!
I stared at the scene, with my eyes wide.
‘He’s a peak master…!’
There was a technique called Qi Wave, a level beyond Sword Qi.
It allowed a martial artist to unleash waves of pure energy, capable of causing widespread destruction.
I’d only glimpsed the potential of that technique, but I hadn’t reached that level yet.
His Dao Qi grazed my clothes.
He sneered and closed the distance between us.
“…You’re perceptive.”
“…!”
“You’ll be trouble later. I’ll kill you first.”
Whoosh!
He attacked again, his movements a blur.
I barely managed to parry his blows, retreating deeper into the forest.
I’d lost sight of Jeong Mu-bo.
“Gah…!”
I was on the defensive, overwhelmed by his relentless assault.
He attacked with the ferocity of someone facing a mortal enemy.
I was in mortal danger.
I tried to use a defensive technique, but—
“Don’t make me laugh.”
“…!”
“You think you can stand against me with such paltry skills?”
He pressed his attack, his rage now uncontained.
I was trapped, sweat dripping down my face.
Then,
[Such arrogance from a mere insect.]
“…?!”
“Hmm…?!”
A voice echoed through the air, a calm, detached voice, devoid of anger or killing intent.
It was as if someone was casually commenting on the weather.
The Shadowless Swordsman paused, tilting his head, then flinched.
Time seemed to slow down as I witnessed the impossible.
Swish!
“W-What…?”
“H-How…?!”
The Shadowless Swordsman’s left arm flew through the air.
It had happened so fast, so unexpectedly, that I couldn’t process it.
There had been no warning, no discernible energy.
He stared at the place where his arm had been in confusion..
The voice spoke again,
[Insects are best crushed. Young one.]
It was Heavenly Slaughterer, with his voice laced with amusement.
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