Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 91

“I wonder… would Ice Flower really want that? And if you become a demon, you might even try to harm her… Do you still want it? Your feelings for Ice Flower…”

“Shut up. Don’t say any more. Either way, it’s better to become a demon than to live like a bug as I am now. I choose my own path. So, even if it’s you, my senior brother, I won’t forgive anyone who stands in my way. If you can’t help me, then just stay quiet. Just watch what I do.”

With those words, Blood Hand Heavenly Child turned his body. It seemed he was about to leave. But Choryang’s words, spat out at his back, grabbed at his ankle.

“You’re still foolish. If it becomes known that you have that secret manual, do you think you’ll be safe? You idiot.”

“What, what did you say?”

Come to think of it, Choryang’s words weren’t wrong.

“Fine. If you truly want to master it, I won’t stop you. But promise me just one thing.”

Blood Hand Heavenly Child didn’t turn around. Choryang’s request continued to his back.

“Promise me that you won’t master more than the 8th level, no matter what. If you do that… I’ll allow you to use this training room.”

It was truly an unexpected offer. Blood Hand Heavenly Child hesitated for a long time, as his senior brother, who he thought would stop him at all costs, made such a proposal.

‘Well, it’ll be hard to avoid the Sword Emperor’s eyes anywhere else anyway. This place might be a safe zone where I can train in the martial arts without being seen by others…’

“Okay. I’ll do that.”

Blood Hand Heavenly Child turned around. His eyes, looking at his senior brother, revealed a complex mix of emotions. Choryang sighed.

‘Is this how it had to end? That guy will do anything for Ice Flower. And he doesn’t care about what happens to himself. He’ll try to complete the martial art no matter what. If it’s an unavoidable path, it might be better to keep him under my watch…’

★ The shadow’s movements, infiltrating the Great Punishment Hall under the cover of darkness, were like the wind, like a drifting fog, its form unclear.

Sss sss sss

Who would call this a human movement?

‘Hmm… Approaching Ja-Un isn’t difficult. The problem is how to get her out. To rescue her, I first need to subdue the eyes that are watching her. I might have to kill at least thirty people to get out of the palace. And that’s only if I’m not discovered. If I am, I can’t guarantee my life.’

Mad Demon Lord was extremely tense. One mistake could endanger not only himself but also the life of Heavenly Fragrance Jade Peak. He didn’t get lost since he had already come in and investigated yesterday. He soon moved to his target location. As expected, there were ambushes everywhere, but it wasn’t easy for them to discover Mad Demon Lord. He moved through the shadows of the palace, using the Heavenly Demon Concealment Technique [a technique that allows one to blend into shadows] to its extreme.

‘The positions of the ambushes are pretty much the same as yesterday. That’s a relief.’

Mad Demon Lord, having infiltrated the palace, moved along the ceiling of the long corridor. Below him, he could see women who seemed to be the palace maids assigned to this palace. He continued to move forward for a long time after the maids had passed. The place where he stopped was in front of a door at the end of the corridor. He remained attached to the ceiling, observing the situation inside.

‘Five guys on the roof! Two on the ceiling! Two in the wall spaces, and three hidden on the floor. As expected, she’s under heavy surveillance.’

He carefully reviewed how he would rescue her once again. He had to act quickly and without any mistakes to increase the chances of success.

‘I need to get her out of the palace within half a quarter of an hour [about 3.75 minutes]. And it’ll take one quarter of an hour to get out of the Great Punishment Hall… The problem is the bodies. I can’t take her out without killing those guards. If the bodies are discovered sooner than expected, things will get out of hand. Hooo…’

He took a deep breath internally. It was then. He detected someone approaching from the end of the corridor.

‘Damn it…’

It was two maids and one black-clad warrior. They soon arrived in front of the door, and one of the maids opened her mouth to speak to Heavenly Fragrance Jade Peak inside.

“Young Lady, we’ll be entering for a moment.”

When there was no response from inside, the maid opened the door. And the three entered. Mad Demon Lord just stared blankly as they closed the door and disappeared.

‘Damn it… of all times.’

He focused his hearing, concentrating on the sounds coming from inside.

“Young Lady. You must accompany me for a while.”

It seemed to be the voice of the black-clad warrior. Then, a welcome voice followed.

“Where are you asking me to accompany you?”

“You’ll see when you get there.”

“Who sent you?”

She asked persistently.

“Follow me. There is someone who wishes to meet you, Young Lady.”

“I… don’t meet anyone except the Grand Elder. Did he send you?”

There seemed to be a pause, and an awkward silence flowed. Mad Demon Lord hesitated about what to do. He could kill the guy and all the guards around him at once. But if he did, he couldn’t avoid a bit of a commotion, and that alone would increase the chance of being discovered. So, he had no choice but to wait a little longer.

“It’s not the Grand Elder who sent us, but…”

“Then, I can’t go. Go and get the Grand Elder’s permission.”

Even though she was a prisoner, she still had a dignified attitude. A smile crossed Mad Demon Lord’s lips.

“You must go. I have a duty to take you, Young Lady, even if I have to use force. I’ll report to the Grand Elder later.”

Silence fell again. Mad Demon Lord hoped she wouldn’t go.

“Okay.”

‘This is getting complicated…’

A moment later, the door opened. Through the opening, he saw the three who had entered earlier and one more person. Mad Demon Lord was so happy that he almost called out her name. He carefully moved along the ceiling, following the direction they were going.

[Ja-Un. It’s me.]

Shudder

“Young Lady, what’s wrong?”

One of the two maids who were attending to her, startled by her sudden stop and trembling, asked in surprise. But she was still skillful.

“It’s nothing. I just feel a chill, like I’m not feeling well.”

[Ja-Un. I’m nearby. I know that you’ve lost all your internal energy and can’t use telepathy. I’m going to rescue you now. You must have suffered a lot during this time.]

Heavenly Fragrance Jade Peak was about to shed tears. The voice of her beloved, which she had hoped to hear even in her dreams, sounded like a hallucination, and when she realized that he had entered a dangerous place to save her, it overwhelmed her with emotion.

“Just a moment.”

Ja-Un suddenly stopped the black-clad warrior, who turned around in confusion.

‘What? Why is she doing this?’

Mad Demon Lord was just as surprised.

“I’m not feeling well right now. Can we go another time? I think I’ll feel better soon…”

“Young Lady, why are you suddenly doing this?”

“Ah, okay. Let’s just go.”

‘That’s definitely a signal for me to hear.’

[I understand. Ja-Un. Is your word that there will be a better opportunity soon?]

Heavenly Fragrance Jade Peak slightly nodded her head while walking. No one noticed anything strange about her actions.

[Hmm. I understand.]

Mad Demon Lord had no choice but to follow their group. After leaving the palace, the group moved along a path made of blue-green stones that connected the palaces. Mad Demon Lord carefully observed his surroundings. Once they were completely out of the palace, he hardly felt any ambushes. The black-clad warrior was taking them quite far, guiding them to a different place instead of the palace nearby. Mad Demon Lord carefully followed them, waiting for Ja-Un to give him a signal.

[Ja-Un. You know the situation here well, so give me a signal when a suitable place appears.]

Again, she nodded her head. Compared to Mad Demon Lord’s usual impatient personality, this was a very cautious decision. Instead of recklessly starting something, he was trying to increase the chances of escape in the most advantageous situation. They were going around a palace. Compared to other places, the opposite side was a small forest, and it was relatively deserted. A spark of life began to return to Heavenly Fragrance Jade Peak’s eyes.

“It’s right now.”

The two maids and the black-clad warrior, who were walking ahead, were dumbfounded by her sudden words. But that feeling didn’t last long.

Thud

The three of them fell sideways almost simultaneously. And soon, Mad Demon Lord’s figure appeared in the area. He didn’t seem to have any intention of enjoying their reunion, as he was busy throwing them into the forest.

“I missed you so much… you have no idea.”

Mad Demon Lord, who quickly approached her side, took her hand.

[I know everything. The situation isn’t good right now, so let’s get out of here first.]

“I… I feel like I have no regrets even if I die now.”

[What are you saying? Die…]