Chapter 109

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter: 109

"Ugh..."

I raised a hand to my neck. Blood had been flowing steadily since the attack back at the barracks. The blood loss must have been worse than I thought because I felt dizzy.

Despite my bold words, I was also battered and bruised.

I had unintentionally put up a brave front. I hadn't realized how serious my condition was while I still had an opponent to fight.

Thud-

I collapsed to the ground and turned my head, looking towards the source of the approaching presence. But all I could see were dense bushes.

"Damn it..."

Gasping for breath, I finally lay down on the ground.

"This is bad."

I sighed in despair. I sensed four presences approaching.

I could hope that at least one of them was an ally, but the situation was too dire to rely on uncertain possibilities.

I didn't even have the energy to speak. All I could do was move my lips.

"If I die here..."

As I muttered those words, thousands of leaves rustled in unison, as if in response.

A wave of rustling leaves, like a swirling wind, brushed against my forehead and flowed away.

"If I die..."

My eyes closed. I tried to force my eyelids open, but I couldn't.

"...I can't..."

The wind continued to flow.

Darkness enveloped my vision.

* * *

Clear skies. White clouds. A gentle, cool breeze.

Just an ordinary day.

And in front of me, my eldest brother stood with a sword in hand.

"Listen carefully."

"When have I not listened, Brother?"

...Eldest Brother.

This was a memory from the time when I was simply called 'Yeon,' without a proper title or even a surname. I was just a kid, not even twenty yet.

"This is not a joke. Listen carefully."

He was unusually stern today, while I felt the same as always. I grumbled to myself, but couldn't avoid the chestnut that came flying towards my head.

"This one lesson I impart to you today will save your life someday,” Eldest Brother said seriously.

I remained indifferent, as usual.

"Who are our enemies?"

"...Everyone?"

All the officials in the court were corrupt.

The governor of Seopyung was more concerned with lining his own pockets than defending the borders. It went without saying that those outside our country were enemies.

So, wasn't it safe to say that everyone surrounding Blood Cloud Fortress was an enemy?

Eldest Brother let out a hollow laugh, as if exasperated.

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

But he didn't scold me.

"It's not entirely wrong, but what I meant was Huawei."

"Ah, yes."

"Even if you master what I teach you today, it won't be of much use against ordinary spearmen."

"Then why learn it?"

"The imperial family of Huawei and their blood-allied families have a unique swordsmanship. It was the driving force behind their empire's establishment. There's also an even more complex and vicious swordsmanship. It's said to be passed down only among the shadow warriors of the Huawei imperial family. I haven't confirmed its existence yet, but that's what Father said. Just keep this in mind. You never know, you might face one of those shadow warriors someday. But the important thing is the former."

Eldest Brother spoke with a solemn expression.

"I will teach you how to overcome that swordsmanship."

"...Overcome it? Is that even possible?"

"Yes. Father researched it. I also contributed a bit."

"Then why does everyone get completely defeated every time they face it?"

"Completely defeated...? That's a bit harsh."

"I apologize. Anyway, why do we always lose?"

"Because it's difficult."

"If you say so... then isn't all failure caused by difficulty?"

"I still can't tell if you're slow-witted or clever. You say that because you haven't faced them yourself. Do you see this scar?"

Eldest Brother pointed to his right cheek. He had an old facial injury. It was a Huawei warrior who had given him that scar.

"The Huawei imperial swordsmanship always requires two things. A greatsword heavier than an ordinary sword, and armor."

"Why?"

"For decisive strikes."

I stared at him blankly.

"Their swordsmanship aims to end the fight in a single blow."

"Sounds good to me?"

"...Let's not go there. Anyway, because of this, they must train their senses to the utmost limit. They need to focus all their senses and concentration on the moment the blade strikes the opponent."

"That sounds strange. What if someone comes and strikes them from behind?"

"That's exactly why they need armor. You'll see later, but the armor worn by the leaders of the Huawei army is unique and easily recognizable from afar. They are dangerous."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Keep one more thing in mind."

"What is it?"

Thump-

Eldest Brother placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't be afraid. You must not fear death."

His eyes, as he spoke those words, seemed strangely empty. Or perhaps, they were so filled with something that they appeared vacant instead.

"If you intend to kill someone, don't fear your own death. That will be your path to survival."

He looked sorrowful.

"I'll keep that in mind too."

"Good, you're responding promptly. Now, let me teach you properly. Take your sword."

Years later, I learned that Eldest Brother had lost a cherished subordinate to that very swordsmanship.

It was Eldest Brother himself who, despite his resolve to kill, feared death. And it was his subordinate who sacrificed himself in his stead.

That's why he treated me, a distant relative with no claim to his affection, like his own brother, suddenly elevating me to a position beyond my station.

But by the time I learned of this story, Eldest Brother had already passed away. I never even had the chance to express my gratitude.

.

.

.

After dozens of exchanges, an opening appeared in my opponent's defense.

"Uwaaaaaaaagh!"

I roared like a beast, raising my sword and striking down. A simple motion. An equally simple attack. My limbs moved instinctively, driven by primal urges, bypassing any conscious thought.

Crack-!

Crunch-!

I felt it through the blade. The sensation of flesh being crushed and bones shattering. My nerves screamed with each gruesome impact.

"Keuh, keuk, keuheok..."

The enemy collapsed, frothing at the mouth. I struck the dying enemy's head once more, and then, as if that wasn't enough, I stomped on it, crushing it beneath my foot.

He was from the imperial family's collateral line, wasn't he? He was quite skilled with the sword, annoyingly so. He also knew that swordsmanship.

I had captured a high-ranking enemy officer, but I had no time to celebrate. I didn't stop until the enemy no longer resembled a human being.

"Fortress Lord."

I turned around.

Our Fortress Lord, clutching his arm and gasping for breath, was drenched in sweat.

Cornered, his back against the wall, he had thrown away his sword and knelt.

"Can you move?"

"...Yes, I'm alright. How about you? Are you unharmed?"

"I'm perfectly fine. You know how strong I am. Do you think I'd be injured after fighting someone like that? I can still take on a hundred more."

"Yes... That's good then."

But my Fortress Lord's breathing remained ragged.

"The Young Master... The Young Master is coming. Please hold on a little longer. The Young Master needs to arrive before we can move you. Please? You mustn't close your eyes."

My position was always ambiguous. Born a commoner, I couldn't hold a proper title. Yet, I was favored by the Fortress Lord's family, so you can imagine how many envied me.

The troops outside were not from Blood Cloud Fortress, but a coalition force assembled from across Seopyung.

As a lowly commoner who had never held a position of authority, I had no power to command them. And my pleas would fall on deaf ears to the commanders who looked down on me.

All I could do was wait for one of the two Young Masters to arrive.

"Yeon-ah."

The Fortress Lord softly called my name.

"Baek Yeon."

My heart, which had been pounding with excitement from the battle, stopped at his words.

"You are my son."

Time seemed to freeze.

There are moments in everyone's life that they can never forget.

And some people live their entire lives defined by a single moment.

"You are my son."

I will forever live with that moment.

* * *

My life was nothing compared to saving my Fortress Lord.

If it weren't for him, I would have died nameless in the streets, my existence fading without a trace.

What did it matter if the life he gave me was used for him?

Indeed, I had followed Eldest Brother's advice. Just as he said, I didn't fear my own death when killing others.

A sudden realization dawned on me.

Jincheon.

He wasn't afraid to die.

"Ha."

I let out a hollow laugh and opened my eyes. How long had I been unconscious? I touched my neck. The bleeding had stopped.

"Crazy bastard."

Why did the most talented person in the world have to be so frustrating?

I cursed Jincheon, who wasn't even present, and got up. S~eaʀᴄh the NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

It seemed I hadn't been out for long. The presences I had sensed earlier were closer, but not right in front of me.

"I'll be back, so stay put."

The dead don't talk, but I still warned the motionless Guui Byeon.

Then, I retrieved my sword and headed towards the approaching presences.

* * *

The cawing of a crow. It was undoubtedly the cry of Prince Ikwon's pet.

But the crow never cried without reason. That meant its cawing was an ominous sign.

Yoo Gueng immediately ran towards the prince's barracks. On the way, he encountered Jo Seunghoe, who had been summoned by the prince.

But when he arrived at the prince's barracks, the prince had vanished.

Instead, the prince's crow lay sprawled on the floor, cawing mournfully, and the interior of the barracks was a complete mess.

One corner was torn open, no longer serving as a wall.

Ambush.

With that word flashing through his mind, Yoo Gueng immediately began tracking the prince's whereabouts. Jo Seunghoe, bewildered, followed Yoo Gueng.

They soon encountered two assassins.

Crash-!

Bang-!

Even their simple sword strikes required Yoo Gueng to exert all his strength to barely hold them off. One of the assassins taunted the struggling Yoo Gueng.

"If you had just relaxed and not interfered, you could have returned alive... You must have worked hard to reach your current position. If you had just focused on your duties, advancement wouldn't be difficult. But you're rushing towards your own death. Needlessly."

Yoo Gueng and Jo Seunghoe each faced one assassin.

It was difficult to grasp the full situation, but they realized these assassins were pursuing Prince Ikwon.

Yoo Gueng gritted his teeth. He had to persevere, even if it was out of sheer stubbornness.

Because he had a reason.

He had vowed to live as a military officer of this country, no matter what, and to face death under the same banner.

He had made that vow barely an hour ago.

Yoo Gueng spat out his words.

"As you said, I'm just doing my job."

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]