Chapter 20
"Is there any chance he's gone senile?"
It's been decades since the Eight Fiends made a name for themselves, far beyond the Black Sect, all over the Jianghu.
Even then, half of them died when Salmak was at its peak, and everyone figured the rest, being as old as dirt, would fade into obscurity...
But, surprise, surprise, this Bloodthirsty Sword Demon looks as spry as a teenager.
"You were being chased by a big shot."
Namgung Huimyeong murmured, and Yurim bit her lip again.
"That's why I told you to run far away, didn't I?"
"It's too late for that now. How did you get tangled up with that old freak?"
"...It seems like it's because of something I'm carrying."
"Something?"
"Yeah. I can't go into details, but I'm hauling some super important thing for my master. I got jumped a bunch of times, and now, even the Bloodthirsty Sword Demon is after it..."
Several times?
'So, the Bloodthirsty Sword Demon's part of some crew?'
The bad guys running wild in the Black Sect are usually pretty disorganized.
There are a few big players, but they're more about throwing their weight around and bossing everyone around than actually leading the evil sects.
Even then, that's just some of them. Most of the top fighters are lone wolves.
Compared to the good guys sticking with the Nine Great Sects, or the Demonic Cult that's all organized like an army, the evil sects are, well, 'unique' if you're being nice, a total mess if you're not.
'For the Eight Fiends, who were always loners, never part of any group, to suddenly settle down...'
What Yurim was carrying was a mystery, and it was anyone's guess who could be powerful enough to boss the Eight Fiends around.
"Can't you just give him the thing?"
"No way! My brothers risked their lives to give me this. There's no chance I'm giving it up."
Flat out no. The Bloodthirsty Sword Demon, who'd been watching with this creepy look, hands behind his back, just chuckled.
"Heh heh. I get it... Giving it up easily isn't going to happen."
The old man slowly circled the five of them, his sword hanging down.
"If you'd played nice, I'd have to kill you quickly, out of respect. Can't have that. Nope. So, kids... Chat all you want, think real hard, and try to figure out how not to die!"
Hehehe. He shook his shoulders, grinned, showing off those black teeth, and whipped out his sword faster than you can blink.
"Give this old Bloodthirsty Sword Demon a real show!"
Whoosh-
The wind from his sword sliced past Seolyeong's cheek and chopped down a tree. Wiping the blood off with her shoulder, Seolyeong snapped.
"He's toying with us."
Namgung Huimyeong replied coldly.
"Stay cool and stand your ground. That old freak wants you to panic and fall apart."
As if he was enjoying getting yelled at, the Bloodthirsty Sword Demon chuckled and swung his sword around like it was a toy.
Every time that sword whistled, Changa shook and grabbed onto Yeoil, so Yeoil hugged her tightly.
Things went quiet for a second.
Yurim gulped and said, sounding unsure.
"...There might be a way. There's someone nearby who could help."
Seolyeong quickly asked.
"Is it the Mount Hua Sect?"
"Uh, no. It's just someone I met on the road. I don't even know their name..."
"Ha. Some random person you met?"
Namgung Huimyeong sounded totally skeptical, and Yurim coughed, looking embarrassed.
"I know it sounds sketchy... but they're really good. They're the reason we even made it this far, and they're why the Bloodthirsty Sword Demon is even involved."
"..............."
"Seriously, believe me! If they help, we've got a shot at winning!"
Sounds good, but how are you going to get this mystery person here?
Yeoil, eyes narrowed, caught Seolyeong's eye. Seolyeong looked like she had a lot on her mind.
You could practically see the words 'Screw it, just knock 'em out and let me handle this' forming in her head.
But Namgung Huimyeong jumped in before Yeoil could even shake her head.
"...Guess we're doing this. I'll hold him off as long as I can. You guys get out of here."
He got in the Bloodthirsty Sword Demon's way every time he tried to circle them, matching his speed.
"Finally making a move, huh?"
While the old creep licked his lips, Yeoil whispered to Seolyeong.
"Seolyeong, help Yurim. She can't move well."
"What? Me? No way. I can barely keep up with him, let alone help..."
"If even Huimyeong can't handle him, you won't make a difference. Help Yurim and get that person here, fast."
Seolyeong looked pissed, but Yeoil wasn't backing down.
Seolyeong hesitated, looking annoyed, then checked her surroundings, scooped up Yurim, and took off in the opposite direction.
The Bloodthirsty Sword Demon watched Seolyeong go, as if he was memorizing her, and stopped moving.
"Heh heh. Waiting and watching the little mice squirm is always fun for an old-timer like me..."
His killer eyes locked onto Namgung Huimyeong.
"But you never know what a cornered rat might do. I won't have much time to play. Too bad."
The moment Namgung Huimyeong gripped his sword again with a tense face, protecting Yeoil behind him.
The Bloodthirsty Sword Demon sprang towards him like an arrow.
"Keuh."
With just one step, Namgung Huimyeong was shoved back more than a foot.
He gritted his teeth, pushed back, and went for the Bloodthirsty Sword Demon's back.
From then on, Namgung Huimyeong went all out.
He wasn't flashy or super fast. Every move of his sword was heavy and precise. No wasted energy.
For a newbie in Jianghu, it was rare to see someone so dominant against a master of the evil sects.
The Bloodthirsty Sword Demon seemed to agree, grinning, and then, catching Namgung Huimyeong off guard, clashed swords again and asked.
"You're pretty good, for someone who's about to die. Who are you, and where are you from?"
The sword felt heavier than before, much heavier.
Namgung Huimyeong, straining so hard the blood vessels in his eyes popped, barely managed to break free and yelled.
"Namgung... Huimyeong!"
"Oh-ho. Namgung Je's kid! Makes sense! Yep, yep. Blood will tell. Of course! And the others..."
"Shut your mouth and focus on me!"
Namgung Huimyeong, eyes blazing, went even more aggressive with his sword.
But he started getting cut up, clearly tiring. He'd blown all his energy trying to pressure the Bloodthirsty Sword Demon.
"Tsk tsk. Tired already? The Sword King's son isn't all that."
At the mention of his father's name, Namgung Huimyeong's breathing became even rougher.
"What do you say? There's not much left to play with. Wanna make a last stand?"
"That filthy mouth of yours..."
"When you die."
The tip of the Bloodthirsty Sword Demon's sword pointed at Yeoil, who was standing behind Namgung Huimyeong.
"That woman's going to die an even worse death."
"..............."
Namgung Huimyeong had never looked so grim.
He tightly gripped his bleeding left shoulder and whispered to Changa.
"...Listen up, Miss."
"Y-Yes?"
"When I give the signal, turn and run like hell with Soyo. Head the way Soyo's stuck-up servant went. If you're lucky, you'll find them.”
