Chapter 58
Inside a dark room, Hao Sect Leader Yeo Sang-yang sat cross-legged, recalling his conversation with Deung Cho-chan.
“From today, the Ten-Thousand Gold Gambling House will be operated by the Hao Sect.”
“What do you mean, Brother?”
“I’ll hand over the operating rights of the gambling house to those you can trust.”
“Brother…”
“A place like the Ten-Thousand Gold Gambling House would attract greedy eyes from those coveting your seat anyway. This will make your work easier. You may even use it as bait.”
“Just how far are you planning to go?”
“Within seven days, both the Golden Guard Hall and the Blood-Slaughter Sect will vanish from this land. Avoiding the authorities’ eyes—I’ll leave that to you.”
“Since officials don’t interfere with martial affairs, the Blood-Slaughter Sect’s disappearance won’t trouble them. But… will eliminating the Golden Guard be fine?”
“It doesn’t matter. Leave the retainers untouched for now; only make it seem that the Golden Guard has vanished. During that time, take over the gambling house. The retainers can be dealt with later.”
“…If that is your decision, so be it. I’ll give the order to prepare.”
Faced with the resolve burning in Deung Cho-chan’s expression, Yeo Sang-yang could only nod.
“…By now, it should have already begun.”
He did not worry about Deung Cho-chan. The man was already a supreme master who had reached the Realm of Transformation long ago. A sect like the Blood-Slaughter Sect could be wiped out in less than two hours.
What Yeo Sang-yang worried about was what came after. What would happen to Geum Jin-ryang, Deung Cho-chan’s grandson—whom everyone still believed to be the son of the Golden Guard?
And what if enemies still chasing the Shadowless Divine Bandit discovered his whereabouts?
In his younger years, Deung Cho-chan had never been one to hide from enemies. The only reason he disappeared was after learning of Geum Jin-ryang’s existence.
He had once vowed never to stain his hands with blood again—yet now, he was doing so once more.
“…It’s not the time for me to worry about others.”
Yeo Sang-yang himself would soon wade through rivers of blood. Hunting down traitors would be grueling, and he might even put his own life at risk.
“Once Brother’s task is finished…”
Settling his thoughts, Yeo Sang-yang closed his eyes again.
“It will be a long night.”
Deung Cho-chan lightly vaulted over the tall wall. It was the estate where the Golden Guard resided.
The darkened mansion was utterly silent. Hao Sect’s Shadow Troops had already put everyone into a deep sleep.
Step, step. Without lowering his footsteps, Deung Cho-chan strode toward the Golden Guard’s chambers.
Creak. He slid the door open and stepped inside the bedchamber where the Golden Guard lay asleep. Standing by the bedside, he gazed down at the man’s face.
Perhaps sensing the murderous aura radiating from him, the Golden Guard’s eyes flew open and he gasped.
“Wh-who’s there?!”
But under the crushing pressure of an absolute master, the Golden Guard could hardly breathe, choking violently. Deung Cho-chan eased the killing intent slightly.
“Do you not recognize me?”
“O–oh… S-sir…”
Terror filled the Golden Guard’s eyes as he looked up at Deung Cho-chan.
“So you do remember. Seems your eyes still work fine.”
“…W-what… what is the meaning of this…?”
Even as he stammered, the Golden Guard tried to crawl away from the suffocating aura. Deung Cho-chan gradually restrained it further.
At last, the Golden Guard was free. He scrambled back against the wall, shouting:
“H-help! Guards! Someone! Anyone!”
Deung Cho-chan’s lips curved into a cold, mocking smile.
“How strange. You shout so loudly, yet…”
“Help! Please! Someone!”
“…No one comes.”
Step. Deung Cho-chan moved closer.
“Are you calling for the martial men you bought with my money? Truly amusing. That you thought to stop me with warriors I paid for.”
“Sp… spare…”
The Golden Guard couldn’t even finish his plea.
Step. Another step closer.
“You knew I was a martial artist.”
Step.
“And still, you dared provoke me?”
“…Spare me, please!”
The Golden Guard begged, his face twisted with terror.
“And you knew I was a thief, too, didn’t you?”
Deung Cho-chan’s expression remained utterly blank.
“Then you must also know what it means to covet a thief’s treasure.”
Step. He closed in, now standing directly before him. The Golden Guard could do nothing.
“Now, I’ll show you. It will be worth watching.”
Swish—swish—. The dagger in Deung Cho-chan’s hand flicked twice.
“AAAAAHHHH!”
Thud. Thud. Both of the Golden Guard’s arms hit the floor.
Tap, tap. Deung Cho-chan pressed the man’s shoulder acupoints to stop the bleeding, then sealed his mute point to prevent further screams.
“Come. I’ll show you more.”
Hoisting the armless man onto his shoulder, he leapt out the window.
The Shadowless Divine Steps unfolded—a movement technique so fast even shadows could not follow. Like a bolt of lightning, Deung Cho-chan sped toward the Blood-Slaughter Sect.
“Wh-who goes there!”
A guard at the sect’s main gate shouted when Deung Cho-chan suddenly dropped down before it. Sensing his terrifying presence, the guard was shaken but raised his voice to alert the others.
“Identify yourself!”
“Open the gate,” Deung Cho-chan said in a low tone.
“I said, identify your—”
BOOOOM!
With a deafening blast, the sect’s gates and signboard exploded into splinters.
The guard hadn’t even seen Deung Cho-chan move. In the blink of an eye, everything had been obliterated.
“AAAAH!”
The guard collapsed, screaming.
Ignoring him, Deung Cho-chan strode inside.
From his shoulder, the Golden Guard watched the scene unfold, unable to speak but streaming tears down his face.
Hearing the commotion, martial artists rushed out in droves.
“Who dares intrude! Identify yourself!”
“This is the Blood-Slaughter Sect!”
They drew weapons, blocking his path.
Deung Cho-chan stopped. He flung the Golden Guard down to the ground. The man’s armless body rolled helplessly across the floor like an insect.
“Watch from there. See for yourself just who it was you dared to provoke.”
His cold words cut like ice. Then Deung Cho-chan began walking again. At some point, a strange weapon appeared in his hand—a Sword-Whip, blades linked together like a whip. It was his signature weapon.
Murderous intent spread out from his body, suffocating the air. The martial artists faltered and stepped back.
“Anyone who blocks my path—dies.”
His eyes gleamed with killing light as he flicked his arm.
Clink-clink-clink.
The sword-whip lashed out with a light sound—but the result was anything but light.
“AAAHHH!”
Screams erupted.
Blood sprayed everywhere in an instant. Hands clutching weapons had been severed.
On the stone floor, a trail like that of a giant serpent appeared.
“This is your final warning.”
Those who had been screaming fell silent. For a moment, the entire estate was deathly still.
Then, step by step, Deung Cho-chan advanced. And with each step—
“GYAAHHH!”
The sword-whip slashed again and again. Blood splattered. Arms, legs, and heads rolled to the ground.
Once more—clink. The weapon tore through flesh.
There was no mercy in his strikes. His advance was relentless.
One by one, those blocking his way were cut down.
“R-run!”
“A monster! He’s a monster!”
“What is that thing?!”
Some collapsed where they stood, wailing. Others swung weapons wildly in madness. Still others dropped everything and fled.
But all of them lost their will to fight.
Deung Cho-chan didn’t even glance at those fleeing.
“Block him! Stop him!”
He swung only at those who dared to stand in his path.
“Where is your Sect Master?”
His icy question met no reply.
“Already fled?”
He let out a cold laugh and poured internal energy into the sword-whip. A blue Gangqi (aura of hardened energy) enveloped it.
“Th-the Gangqi?!”
“Spare meee!”
Only a handful still stood.
Suddenly, Deung Cho-chan’s eyes sharpened.
He spotted a man with a massive saber strapped to his back, fleeing at top speed.
A Hao Sect shadow operative landed beside him.
“Please, leave the rest to us.”
“Very well. I’ll leave it to you.”
“As you command.”
He would not chase ordinary escapees.
But if that man was the Blood-Slaughter Sect’s Master—that was a different matter. There were many things he needed to hear.
Deung Cho-chan’s figure shot forward like a lightning bolt.
For the fleeing Sect Master, the night had only just begun—and it would be the longest of his life.
