Memoir of a Regressor - Chapter 57

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Alyo

◈ Memoir of a Regressor ◈

Chapter 57: Assassin Fortress's Assault

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Jangam County was thrown into chaos.

The torrential rain last night had been shocking enough, but while it poured, the heads of four sects in Jangam County had died.

They had been assassinated, and even their guards had all been killed in the process. Throats pierced, hearts burst, necks severed, dantians torn apart.

The work had been so clean that people wondered whether the Assassin Sovereign, the greatest assassin under heaven, had acted.

But it was clearly not the Assassin Sovereign.

That was not how the Assassin Sovereign worked. If there was someone to kill, the Assassin Sovereign killed only that person. If the target was a sect leader, only the sect leader died. That was the Assassin Sovereign's method.

This had been carefully calculated to throw Jangam County into confusion.

So who had done such a thing?

There was no need to buy information from an intelligence organization.

Only one person would do something like this.

The Branch Leader of the Three Phoenix Branch of the neighboring Asura Sword Sect.

Yi Do, the Cruel Demonic Blade.

True to his name, he was truly cruel.

The Jangam Branch of the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect assembled.

Branch Leader Pung Bi-chang, the Giant Spirit Divine Fist, spoke slowly.

“Dang Gu-pae died yesterday.”

Dang Gu-pae was a branch member of the Jangam Branch assigned to guard the Jong Clan's merchant caravan yesterday. They had assumed nothing would happen, as usual. They had been too careless.

We have just returned after taking custody of his body.

“And every martial artist and porter in the Jong Clan's merchant caravan died as well.”

Had it ended there, Pung Bi-chang would not have put on such a grave expression.

“The Clan Heads of the Jong Clan, Wol Clan Manor, Hwang Clan, and Jin Clan died last night. Whose territory is Jangam County?”

“The Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect's.”

“That is right. It is territory ruled by the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect. The culprit is undoubtedly Yi Do of the Three Phoenix Branch. That bastard had the audacity to cross into Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect territory and commit murder. We must reflect on this. No matter how heavily it rained, we completely lost track of his movements. Is that not so?”

“That is correct!”

“Then what must we do now?”

Pung Bi-chang swept his killing-intent-filled eyes over the branch members.

“Revenge. We will have our revenge.”

The entire branch intended to move.

That was when four men entered the Jangam Branch.

“Greetings.”

All four wore black gats. Three had builds that looked as though a gust of wind could carry them away, while the other was more than twice the size of an ordinary person.

No. He was a human pig.

Even with his black gat and face covering, the fat cheeks bulging out were unforgettable.

“I happened to overhear your conversation, and it seems you have not yet received word.”

Pung Bi-chang's brow furrowed slightly.

“Who are you?”

“We are from Assassin Fortress.”

News that Assassin Fortress had entered the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect's service had already spread throughout the martial world. It had reached the point where it could no longer be hidden.

Every branch in the Jeok Nation had withdrawn, and Yi Do, whose debts and grudges with Assassin Fortress ran deep, had entered the Asura Sword Sect. Where else could Assassin Fortress turn?

There was nowhere but the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect.

These four were Protectors raised by Assassin Fortress, all masters who had reached Three Flowers Gather at the Crown.

Pung Bi-chang had reached Five Qis Return to Origin, one realm higher than them, but they were assassins. Assassins killed those above their realm by any means necessary. Even Pung Bi-chang could not help finding four assassins at Three Flowers Gather at the Crown troublesome.

“Branch Leader, may we respectfully ask that you entrust this matter to us?”

“...Is that an order from above?”

“Something like that. It is true that Assassin Fortress has attached itself to the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect, but we have not yet proven our value. More importantly, Yi Do is famous for his brutal methods. Even if the Jangam Branch moves, you must be prepared to lose at least several people...”

“Hah. We are proud members of the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect. What do our lives matter when we are avenging our comrades and restoring order to troubled Jangam County?”

“Truly, your overflowing spirit is worthy of the title Giant Spirit Divine Lord. Still, you must leave this matter to us.”

“Why should I?”

“Consolidating our standing within the Heaven-Breaking Fist Sect is one reason. More importantly, this is our specialty.”

“Your specialty?”

“Yes. First, we will assassinate the Cruel Demonic Blade. Then, just as he did, we intend to assassinate every sect leader in Three Phoenix County.”

“Hmm...”

“We do not doubt the Giant Spirit Divine Lord's abilities, nor do we doubt the abilities of the branch members gathered here. But unlike you, who move openly, moving in the shadows is our specialty. We can handle this in ways different from yours.”

It was a reasonably convincing argument. It made enough sense.

As though they had agreed beforehand, the four assassins performed a cupped-fist salute at the same time.

“Please leave this matter to us. We beg you.”

Pung Bi-chang had not expected them to humble themselves so thoroughly. In the end, the Giant Spirit Divine Lord nodded.

“Give it a try.”

“Thank you.”

* * *

I looked at Un Do-hyeon before me.

The appearance of the one wearing the black gat had changed slightly. His build had grown a little larger as well.

I circled him once and inspected his overall appearance.

It was acceptable.

Furthermore, the robe he wore bore a white chariot with five flames painted on it.

He looked exactly like Yi Maeng-rip.

“However, my lord, the Heavenly Intelligence Gate says another caravan will pass north of Bibong Mountain today as well... Should we send word to the Hong Clan?”

I shook my head.

“Do not.”

“...Yes.”

I gave the doubtful-looking Un Do-hyeon a brief explanation.

“I will go alone.”

“...You will not take me with you this time either?”

“That is right.”

Un Do-hyeon seemed disappointed, but there was nothing to be done.

“I have another important task for you. Listen carefully.”

“I am listening.”

“From now on, I will patrol Three Phoenix County with Yi Maeng-rip, a Protector, before heading north of Bibong Mountain.”

Though it might look as if I acted without a plan, that was never the case. I thought things through before moving.

“Make sure it becomes known that I entered Bibong Mountain. The moment I do, remove your disguise, return to the branch, and write a report.”

“...A report?”

“Write that Yi Maeng-rip, Elder Neung-don's Protector, visited the Three Phoenix Branch today and was killed by Assassin Fortress assassins. Though he was a Protector, he showed pathetic judgment and sold me out to save himself. He even joined the assassins in attacking me. I was wounded and collapsed, but the Assassin Fortress assassins, believing they had already secured victory, killed Yi Maeng-rip and tried to kill me next. However, all the assassins were killed instead. Write it well.”

Un Do-hyeon's eyes widened further with every word, and by the end, his mouth had fallen open.

“...You truly want me to write that...?”

“Yes. Add this as well. Protector Yi Maeng-rip coveted the Three Phoenix Branch's assets and the tribute gifts the clans here had presented to me. He arrogantly claimed it was Elder Neung-don's order and commanded that every tribute gift be sent not to the main sect, but to Elder Neung-don. Attach my written opinion that this matter requires an explanation.”

The meaning behind my words was clear.

“...Are you certain the caravan passing through Bibong Mountain today belongs to Assassin Fortress?”

“I am certain.”

“...Then the Heavenly Intelligence Gate's information is wrong. Would it not be better to go and find out what happened?”

A smile formed on my face.

“Is that necessary?”

“Pardon?”

“They gave me false information and nearly got me killed. If I, the Branch Leader of the Three Phoenix Branch, was nearly put in danger because of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate's incorrect information, then the Heavenly Intelligence Gate must bear responsibility.”

The meaning was simple.

“...At the very least, the Three Phoenix County Branch of the Heavenly Intelligence Gate will not be able to defy you, my lord.”

“The deal I offered them was that they would thoroughly investigate and inform me of the movements of merchant caravans in Jangam County. In return, I would give them a tenth share.”

“That is correct.”

“But in the larger sense, that means I am being swayed by the Heavenly Intelligence Gate's information, and the information they provide determines my movements. Should that order not be reversed?”

Admiration began to appear on Un Do-hyeon's face.

“At first, I suspected Assassin Fortress had intervened during the previous downpour, but that was not the case. They needed time to prepare as well. This time is the right moment.”

Un Do-hyeon swallowed.

“...You know how Elder Neung-don will react, do you not?”

I laughed.

Of course I did.

I never left those who opposed me alone. Elder Neung-don had not crossed the line yet, but if he did, I would kill Neung-don without the slightest hesitation.

“If he is not an idiot, he will realize that I am giving him an opportunity. But if he is more foolish than expected, he will eventually resort to force. Come to think of it, the Asura Sword Sect has...”

“Eight Elders.”

Eight.

“Too many.”

“...”

“Has that answered your question?”

Un Do-hyeon nodded.

“Are you still disappointed?”

Un Do-hyeon smiled faintly and shook his head.

“Then that is enough. Let us depart.”

“Yes.”

* * *

The patrol passed without incident.

A considerable number of people in Three Phoenix County saw with their own eyes that Yi Maeng-rip and I were traveling together. That was both evidence and justification.

We headed for Bibong Mountain, and Un Do-hyeon removed his disguise before returning to the branch.

I crossed the mountain alone. After walking for about two hours, a road appeared before me.

The Myeong Clan's merchant caravan from Jangam County would pass through here today. The Myeong Clan was one of the thirteen clans involved in the Three Phoenix Branch tragedy, and I intended to destroy them eventually. It was somewhat regrettable.

With one hand resting on the hilt of the Cloud Dragon Sword at my waist, I waited at the roadside.

After some time passed, the sound of wagons began to approach.

There were around ten wagons, twenty guards, and twenty porters.

When they spotted me, they stopped in place. A man who appeared to be their representative stepped forward.

“...It is an honor to meet the famous Branch Leader of the Asura Sword Sect... We have nothing to do with what happened before. We will pay a toll, so please pretend you did not see us and let us pass...”

“Stop acting.”

The man fell silent at my words.

I continued calmly.

“From Jangnyeong County all the way here, the debts and grudges that had entangled me were not threatening, but they were troublesome enough. I will give you credit for that.”

“...”

“But that is as far as it goes.”

I drew the Cloud Dragon Sword.

“Let us begin.”

The man smiled.

“As expected, you have provoked Assassin Fortress, the Imperial Guards, and every other enemy you could find. Your boldness is remarkable.”

“So?”

“It is nothing. Both sides are clear about what they want. There is no need to keep acting, nor is there any need to talk. Good. We will begin at once.”

The man was about to give an order when a question suddenly came to mind.

“Before that, I want to ask one thing. Didn’t Mun Hu-do come?”

“...Who knows? Search carefully. Mun Hu-do may or may not be here.”

It was an obvious trick.

Mun Hu-do was not here.

More importantly.

There was no one keeping watch nearby, nor were there any wild animals.

That was enough.

I closed my eyes.

“Kill him!”

I heard the sound of people kicking off the ground as the man shouted.

I opened my eyes.