Chapter 160. The Long Night Brings Many Dreams [夜長夢多]
Even Yeon Jeokha, who was usually not very perceptive, understood the meaning behind the words.
"Haha. It's nothing, no need to be so formal. Leader Yu, take good care of my brother. And Leader Yeon, I'll come see you before I leave as well."
Yeon Jeokha didn’t refuse the offer. He hadn’t asked for it, but since it was being offered, he saw no reason to turn it down.
Shandong Province.
Hwajeon Village in Chuseong.
Around midday.
Three men were walking toward the village entrance. They were the Three Immortals of Kunlun who had left the Kunlun Mountain. They were following the direction indicated by the demon-hunting octagonal compass.
As he observed the peaceful village, Sage Tae Eul murmured.
"Hmm. Could the compass be broken? We’ve been following its direction and only found peaceful places."
Sage Tae Ryeong, who was in charge of the compass, replied with a serious expression.
"Still, since the compass has been spinning occasionally, it doesn’t seem to be broken. We must trust the direction it points us to."
Sage Tae Mu nodded in agreement.
"Although the compass has changed direction several times, it’s been consistently pointing south recently. I think we’re on the right path."
Tae Ryeong’s face brightened.
"Yes, as long as we’re on the right path, everything will be fine. Haha."
Chatting amongst themselves, the three sages entered an inn they found along the way.
While they waited for the food they had ordered, they overheard an interesting conversation.
Jang Sam was speaking to his friend Lee Sin:
"Do you remember the big fight between the martial artists at the village entrance about a month ago?"
"How could I forget? Why do you ask?"
"I overheard some merchants talking about it a few days ago. The story they were telling was very similar to what happened here. I think those who died that day were experts from the Yoomyung Cult."
"What exactly did you hear?"
"They say that in Shandong Province, the Grand Inspector of Nokrim killed the Demon Warriors of the Yoomyung Cult."
"So? Martial artists kill each other every day."
Lee Sin seemed indifferent.
"Listen to this. They say that those warriors turned into strange monsters right after they died. Horns grew on their heads and blades on their fingertips, like demons. When the Grand Inspector of Nokrim killed them again, they disintegrated into dust and disappeared."
"Really?"
"Yes, they say several people in Ha Hyeopjeom village saw it. Now they call the Grand Inspector of Nokrim the God of the Nine Heavens. They even erected a shrine in his honor."
"And those monsters were really the Demon Warriors?"
"Yes, they were. The bandit boss turned into one of the Demon Warriors and committed many misdeeds until he was defeated by the Grand Inspector of Nokrim."
"Wow!"
"Impressive, right? Something similar happened here, didn’t it?"
"Yes, there were huge monsters, over three meters tall, and others with horns on their heads. They say they disintegrated into dust as soon as they died."
Lee Sin recalled the story the village chief had told him since several people had witnessed it.
"Don’t you understand yet? Here, too, the Grand Inspector of Nokrim fought against the Demon Warriors. It’s the same."
"So, is Nokrim at war with the Yoomyung Cult?"
"I don’t know. But it seems that those monsters were the Demon Warriors."
Sage Tae Eul, who had been listening, suddenly approached the two men.
"Sorry to interrupt. May I ask you a few questions?"
Jang Sam and Lee Sin were startled by the interruption.
"Oh, you startled us. What do you want, sir?"
"I heard you mention that monsters appeared in this village. Is that true?"
"Haha. It seems you’re interested in those stories. Yes, about a month ago, there was a big fight between martial artists here, and something strange happened. The village chief and several people witnessed it."
"Did they say that the bodies of two martial artists turned into monsters?"
"Yes, and according to the merchants, this has happened several times in other places as well."
"Were they really huge monsters with horns on their heads?"
"Yes, everyone in the village knows about it. Right, Lee Sin?"
"Yes, that’s true. The village chief and several people saw it while working in the fields."
"Wow! I see. Thank you for the information."
Sage Tae Eul thanked them and stepped away.
Returning to their table, Sage Tae Mu couldn’t contain his excitement.
"Big brother, it seems the compass is working correctly. That means the monsters are appearing in the south. We must hurry."
But Sage Tae Eul shook his head.
"No. It’s not about hurrying. They say the Demon Warriors turn into monsters after they die. That means if they don’t die, there won’t be any monsters. Now I understand why the compass was moving that way."
Sage Tae Mu looked thoughtful.
"So, the compass was pointing to the places where the Demon Warriors died."
"Exactly. But what’s intriguing is why the Grand Inspector of Nokrim is killing the Demon Warriors."
Sage Tae Mu nodded, puzzled.
"Yes, that’s strange. Nokrim is known for its misdeeds, but he’s killing the Demon Warriors of the Yoomyung Cult."
The Yoomyung Cult, though a sect, was considered part of the Evil Faction, which is why the Justice Alliance had declared them enemies the previous year.
Sage Tae Eul, looking at his companions, said:
"When we arrived on the continent, the compass pointed east. Then, it started moving south. If what the merchants and villagers are saying is true, the Grand Inspector of Nokrim might be chasing the Demon Warriors."
"Could be."
"But why?"
Sage Tae Mu and Sage Tae Ryeong didn’t question Sage Tae Eul’s words.
Their travels seemed to indicate that their target was on the move.
"We must find the Grand Inspector of Nokrim. Then we’ll know if the compass is connected to him. Somehow, I think we’ll find him by following this direction."
Sage Tae Eul surprised Sage Tae Ryeong with his words.
"Are you saying he’s the leader of the monsters?"
"Haha! No, just that by following the compass, we’ll inevitably run into him."
"Ah, I see!"
Sage Tae Ryeong slapped his knee in understanding.
Although he sometimes seemed absent-minded, he had a deep connection with the Dao.
That’s why the Sect Leader of Kunlun had entrusted him with the demon-hunting octagonal compass.
Only he could discern if the direction of the compass was correct or not.
The skills of the three sages were complementary: Sage Tae Eul’s mystical arts, Sage Tae Mu’s mastery of Swordsmanship, and Sage Tae Ryeong’s deep understanding of the Dao.
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Early May.
Hoguang City, Dongho County.
The sunset.
Yeon Jeokha and his group’s carriage arrived at Chotian Terrace in Dongho.
They had left after lunch, and it had taken them half a day to get there.
When the carriage stopped, everyone began to get off.
"Ah, finally in Dongho!"
Yeon Jeokha stretched and shouted, waking up from sleep.
Passersby looked at him curiously.
Shim Tong, the Old Shim, glared at them.
Yeon Jeokha couldn’t help but comment.
"Old Shim, why are you glaring at everyone so hostilely?"
"If I don’t, they’ll keep staring at us like we’re some kind of spectacle."
"Is that so? Then keep it up."
"Understood."
Shim Tong continued glaring at the curious onlookers.
"There seems to be a stronghold there."
"Seems? It is a stronghold, isn’t it?"
Yeon Jeokha grumbled as he looked in the indicated direction.
On the hillside, beside a vast lake, stood a large mansion.
There were no boats in sight, just the open entrance and armed warriors coming and going.
It wasn’t clear if it was a stronghold or the residence of someone powerful.
Yeon Jeokha turned to Namgung Yeon for confirmation.
"Sister, is that the Dongho stronghold?"
"I think so. The stronghold is supposed to be visible from Chotian Terrace."
"It looks peaceful."
"Maybe it’s because of the lake..."
Namgung Yeon gazed at the lake nostalgically.
The Namgung Family was also situated near a lake, which made her miss her home.
"Ah, now I remember that the Namgung Family was near Sohor, right?"
"Yes."
Namgung Yeon smiled bitterly.
The Namgung Family and Musansocho were in the same region. If they had known that the Martial Mountain Maiden was a Great Demon General, they might have avoided the tragedy.
At that moment, the coachman Lee San cautiously approached.
"Young Master, they say that is the Dongho stronghold. It will take us about twenty minutes to get there. Do you want to go now or look for a nearby inn?"
Yeon Jeokha didn’t respond immediately.
It was an uncertain hour.
"Sister, what should we do?"
"They say the long night brings many dreams. Soon it will be known that you arrived at Gyochang Village. As you saw with the Viper of the Yangtze, the bandits are cunning. We must strike before they can prepare."
"Let’s go. Coachman, hurry!"
Yeon Jeokha followed Namgung Yeon’s advice without question.
Lee San, with a serious face, returned to the path.
He agreed with Namgung Yeon.
It was safer to strike before the bandits had time to prepare.
The carriage started moving.
This time, Yeon Jeokha sat beside Lee San.
Determined to complete the mission quickly, Lee San skillfully drove the carriage.
"Hey, slow down! Do you want to overturn the carriage?"
"Don’t worry, the slope isn’t that steep. Everything will be fine."
Lee San’s skill was remarkable.
The carriage swiftly descended the hill and sped toward the Dongho stronghold.
Yeon Jeokha felt nervous, fearing the carriage wheels might break.
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HIS (Novel)
Could u translate "absolute sword sense "novel from the chapter 254 and more
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