Book 6 Chapter 40

The Third Ambush

From Gong Sun Il Chwi, the Esteemed and Revered Sword Master,

While carrying out a crucial mission entrusted to him,

Su Dok Geo, the Chief of the Soul Hunting Division of the Hidden Pavilion,

Felt his head would split from the pressure these days.

An event that was difficult to believe with his own eyes

Had already occurred twice.

Fortunately, there were no casualties, but they were clearly assassination experts. As someone involved in espionage, he couldn't just let such an incident slide.

So, he dispatched his subordinates to investigate, but they hadn't secured any significant clues yet.

Unable to request cooperation from the Hubei branch due to the secret nature of his mission, he was at a loss, pacing restlessly.

"Why is it that ever since I took on this task, nothing has gone right!"

He felt suffocated with frustration.

"Who on earth would target the disciples of the Cheonmu Academy?"

This was a dangerous matter that could potentially make the entire righteous faction their enemy if handled incorrectly. It was impossible for ordinary thugs to commit such an act so readily. Moreover, the fact that no traces were left on the bodies suggested how rigorously trained these individuals must have been.

There were only two places capable of wielding individuals with such skill on this scale.

"Could it really be them?"

However, both of these places were so formidable that he couldn't easily raise the issue based on mere speculation.

Just then.

"Krrk!"

The brief death throe was short. Su Dok Geo, turning his head unconsciously, saw an unbelievable sight.

A tall, emaciated old man was playfully pushing a sword, like an iron skewer, into the neck of one of his Soul Hunters. It was as if he were just toying with him.

"Tsk! Tsk! I didn't hear anything about dealing with the buzzing flies around, did I? What are these pests?"

The bony old man grumbled, his sword moving incessantly. Behind the emaciated old man, a greatly obese old man, with a benevolent smile, soothed him.

"Bear with it! Aren't these mere youngsters something that can be dealt with as an afterthought!"

"This is overtime! It's already exhausting enough to control that one fellow, are you just going to stand there and watch?"

"Ho ho ho! Don't cry wolf! How much energy can it possibly take to catch these little minnows? That's why you don't lose weight!"

"That's why you don't lose weight either!"

The gaunt old man retorted grumpily. The plump old man continued to smile.

The two men looked as if they were out for a stroll.

"Gulp!"

Despite his incessant grumbling, the old man's hands never stopped their work.

Before his subordinate could defend himself after the sword was pulled out, the harsh old man's sword cleanly severed his breath. The emaciated old man's movements were incredibly fast and precise.

Su Dok Geo was helpless against the old man's terrifying single sword stroke. His subordinates, who had shared hardships and joys with him, met their end like butterflies caught in a spiderweb, unable to resist the old man's blade.

"It's getting boring just watching."

Only then did the plump old man, who had been watching from the sidelines as if observing a fire across the river, draw his saber. It was a massive saber that looked heavy. With a single sweep, he swung the great saber.

"Fwoosh!"

"Crack!"

"Kwahhhk!"

The old man's single saber stroke felt less like cutting and more like smashing. The sight of him swatting people away like flies with his saber was truly terrifying.

"N-no way!"

As a member of the Hidden Pavilion, Su Dok Geo could recall the identities of the old men.

There were only a few individuals in this line of work who possessed such cruel yet clean skills, a pair consisting of a plump old man and an emaciated old man. They were figures who were shunned even within the underworld. Those even the dark path avoided!

Then, are those old men…

"Heaven and Earth Twin Killers! Soul Summoning Sword (Chohonggeom)! King of the Underworld Saber (Myeongwangdo)!"

A gasp of shock escaped Su Dok Geo's lips.

The tall, emaciated old man, like a bare branch, was the Heavenly Killer, Chohonggeom, and the excessively plump old man was the Earthly Fiend, Myeongwangdo. They were notorious figures who could even silence crying children in the underworld.

"No, where did these old monsters, who disappeared five years ago, suddenly pop out from?"

If his guess was correct, he had truly stumbled into a grave situation. There was no chance of victory as things stood.

"Hehehe! Quite a clever child! That's correct. Then you deserve a reward, don't you?"

Unfortunately, Su Dok Geo's guess was accurate.

The Heavenly Killer let out a sinister laugh and looked at Su Dok Geo. Su Dok Geo felt a chill run down his spine. A demonic glow flickered in the Heavenly Killer's eyes. They were an uncanny gaze, almost inhuman. The word "sinister" was a perfect fit.

'There's no chance of winning in a head-on confrontation!'

His only hope was his legs.

"Fwoosh!"

Without regard for his dignity, Su Dok Geo hastily retreated.

Escape!

For someone engaged in clandestine intelligence, an unyielding spirit that defied death was not a virtue. Surviving by any means necessary and relaying the information! This was the greatest mission for anyone in intelligence.

"How insolent!"

The Heavenly Killer shot his sword towards Su Dok Geo, who had already retreated more than five paces. Sword energy, like a light arrow, shot out from the tip of his skewer-like sword and flew like lightning. To dare to withdraw from the presence of the Heaven and Earth Twin Killers was incredibly arrogant.

"How was it?"

The Earthly Fiend asked.

"I missed!"

The Heavenly Killer replied after briefly looking at his hand. To think he would miss… his pride was wounded.

"Hoho! The little rat is faster than it looks! Or has your skill rusted?"

"Perhaps I've rested for too long."

"Shall we pursue?"

The Earthly Fiend asked for his opinion.

"No need! Your legs would be sufficient to catch him, but isn't there something more important right now? I'll send one of the kids."

"That's right!"

"He'll never escape!"

The Heavenly Killer said resolutely.