Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Chapter 77 : Letter

Letter

Two days had passed since they finished guarding the merchant caravan.

In the meantime, Jeong-un had brought his mind and body to their peak.

Now, he was sitting with his companions, discussing their plans to annihilate the enemy.

"What schemes do we even need?"

Baek Il-gang spoke leisurely.

"When I saw them last time, their martial arts were absolutely pitiful. I say we just walk in proudly through the front gate and behead any of them we see."

"What if those fellows were actually their weakest?"

At Jo Gwang's question, Baek Il-gang replied indifferently.

"Even if a bandit group has gathered several dozen strong, how big can the gap in skill be? I bet those we killed were actually their main force."

That thought wasn't much different from Jeong-un's own.

'They weren't just the bottom rank.'

The warriors of the Jeongmu Sect were martial artists who had built their dantian.

No matter how much the enemy underestimated the Jeongmu Sect, it was unlikely they'd have sent their weakest against fellow martial artists.

'If anything, they likely sent their main force to show off their power.'

Ordinary bandits would've been content with collecting tolls.

But these men had established a base here and, for a couple of months, had gone out of their way to display violence and spread terror.

Jeong-un believed this was undoubtedly a show of force.

They did it intentionally to strike fear and prevent any from daring to resist.

Would they have sent only their weakest for such a purpose? Even with brief consideration, it didn't make sense.

'Perhaps after their position here is more secure.'

Later on, they might indeed only send a few underlings to simply collect tolls.

But not now. This was the time when the enemy was likely intent on flaunting their might.

That meant the ones Jeong-un and Baek Il-gang faced had probably been part of the main force.

Still, Jeong-un didn't draw any hasty conclusions.

It was a rule of the martial world to always presume the worst.

If the ones he and Baek Il-gang had felled were really only the lowest rank, it could turn into a bloodbath beyond all imagination.

'Should we opt for a surprise attack, then?'

As a two-striped warrior and their team's leader, the young man kept pondering.

It wasn't the mission's failure he feared. He simply wanted to achieve the best possible outcome, with no casualties at all.

If he'd cared only about completing the mission, he could have done what Jeok Il-do suggested—gather all Jeongmu Sect warriors and just storm the mountain stronghold.

But Jeong-un had already instructed the Jeongmu Sect warriors to continue focusing on guarding the village for the time being.

His words to the Gate Leader had been sincere.

'Jeongmu Sect mustn't lose any more strength.'

They would have to remain here, cooperating with the villagers to protect them in the future.

They too must have realized a lot through this incident.

Overcoming hardship is what builds a martial artist's strength.

Not just endless training, but sometimes experiencing something profound could help them take a step forward.

From Jeong-un's perspective, Jeongmu Sect was in just such a process right now.

"I hope no one sees this as too difficult."

Tang Yerin spoke up.

"Even if they number in the dozens, that doesn't mean their martial arts are twice as powerful, right? Now that we know their location, there's no point hesitating. If we give them time, it'll just work against us."

Though usually prudent, she could sometimes be this forthright.

Often, because she never flaunted her status, people forgot—she was a child of a renowned martial clan ruling the Sichuan region.

It would be stranger for someone like her to be intimidated by mere mountain bandits.

Jo Gwang also addressed Jeong-un.

"Young Hero Yu, I'll follow whatever decision you make."

It seemed these words came after much deliberation, upon hearing Baek Il-gang and Tang Yerin.

He had made up his mind.

"I don't think storming in through the front is a bad idea. Thinking about it, I doubt those blockheads could pull off much in terms of defense."

"Would we really be doing them a favor by clearing a path to their leader's neck?"

Baek Il-gang added leisurely.

Jeong-un laughed wryly at those words.

These people were aware that this was Jeong-un's first mission as a two-stripes, and surely wanted to see it end successfully.

At first, they probably thought of clearing out a mere bandit group as an easy task.

But as time went on and it turned into a drawn-out mission, even their nerves were showing a bit.

'They must already suspect we know their location.'

They'd left a corpse practically at the entrance of the mountain stronghold—it was impossible for even stupid bandits to not realize they were discovered.

While Jeong-un was weighing his options, Baek Il-gang grinned and spoke again.

"I'm fine with going tonight if Young Hero Yu agrees."

"I could go right now, actually."

"Wouldn't it be better for you to stay right here?"

"What was that?"

Each word was heartening to him.

It was camaraderie he'd never truly felt before. For Jeong-un, it was incredibly reassuring.

Just then.

Saaaak―!

From the side, he felt a flash of energy sharply streaking towards them.

Almost simultaneously, a shrill tearing sound pierced their ears.

Jjeojeok!

The nearby lattice door burst apart.

Seureureung!

Jeong-un had already drawn his sword and was pulling it free.

A golden arc flared above the table, slashing directly at the incoming energy wave.

Pahng!

For a brief instant, a burst of energy exploded, making their hair flutter.

'......?'

But compared to the speed of the attack, the force behind it was negligible.

The moment they collided, Jeong-un knew he'd sliced right through it.

'An arrow?'

Recognizing it instantly, Jeong-un pushed off the floor without hesitation.

Taaak!

An arrow charged with true ki—it wasn't the distinctive energy of a martial technique, however.

It had merely been shot using strong brute force. Determining the firing point was easy.

'There.'

As expected, a small-framed man was fleeing at a desperate pace.

He wasn't anyone Jeong-un had seen in the village. His hands were empty now; he must have already thrown his bow aside.

At once, Jeong-un flooded his body with true ki and chased him down. He had no thought of letting him escape.

Perhaps sensing the killing intent behind him, the man turned around in terror.

"M-madness!"

Making eye contact with Jeong-un, the man panicked and ran with everything he had.

But in the very next instant, he was already within Jeong-un's range. Their levels of speed were on completely different tiers.

In a flash, a sharp blade gleamed.

Seogeok!

"Argh!"

The man's right leg was cleanly severed below the thigh.

Losing his momentum from running with lightness skill, he tumbled several times across the dirt.

Jeong-un approached, sword in hand.

"Wa-wait!"

The man, bleeding from his leg, raised his hand and shouted desperately.

"I only came to deliver a letter! I'm just a messenger!"

"Messenger?"

What kind of bandit had a messenger?

But even more incredulous was what came next.

Jeong-un's voice fell cold as he opened his mouth.

"What kind of messenger fires an arrow aiming for someone's head?"

The arrow had been aimed right at Jo Gwang's head.

Weak as it seemed, it carried true ki—if it had hit, it would've meant instant death.

A normal arrow flies in an arc.

But arrows charged with true ki fly straight for their target the moment they're loosed.

The speed and lethality are on a whole different level—it's an art only martial artists can use.

"T-that was just bad aim. It was a mistake!"

"A mistake?"

Jeong-un let out a bitter laugh as he replied.

Maybe it was a blunder. That was what Jeong-un muttered.

If he'd hit, it would've been called skill.

"Was the letter tied to the arrow?"

"Y-yes!"

Seeing Jeong-un apparently interested in his words, the man hastily added,

"The letter was tied to that arrow. It might be a bit torn since you deflected it, but you should still be able to read it. Now, just let me go...."

"Then you're of no use."

"......?"

As the man's eyes went wide, a flash gleamed again.

Saaak!

The last thing the man saw was Jeong-un's hand twitching.

'What a ridiculous fellow.'

With that, he severed the man's head and turned away.

That man had clearly attacked with intent to kill.

There was no reason to let such a one live.

* * *

On returning, his companions already had the letter spread out on the table.

It was a bit torn as the man said but still readable.

It had been cleanly cut and putting it together wasn't hard.

"You're back."

His companions looked at Jeong-un, and their faces showed disbelief.

It seemed the letter's content was to blame.

"What of him?"

"He's dead."

"I see."

Jeong-un answered Baek Il-gang briefly and approached the table to examine the letter.

But what he saw was truly absurd.

"...... An invitation to dinner?"

"They've definitely lost their minds."

At Jeong-un's muttering, Jo Gwang replied.

His face also showed outright disbelief.

Jo Gwang added,

"Dinner? An invitation? I have no idea what those scoundrels are plotting. Unless they've dug some trap and are waiting, how could they think we'd fall for it?"

"And after firing an arrow at someone's head, no less."

At Baek Il-gang's words, Jo Gwang frowned.

"Head?"

"You didn't know? That arrow was aimed right at your head."

"What?!"

Jo Gwang's face instantly flushed red with fury. It seemed he truly didn't know.

"The speed of Young Hero Yu's sword was so blinding, there was no time to see the trajectory! Of course, I ducked quickly, so it's not like I would have been hit..."

That much was true.

When the burst of energy rushed in from the side, all three besides Jeong-un instinctively flung themselves to the floor.

Even if Jeong-un hadn't immediately swung his sword, it was unlikely Jo Gwang's head would have been pierced.

"What will you do?"

Tang Yerin asked.

Her gaze lingered on the broken arrow shaft in her hand.

She was inspecting the arrow more closely than the letter itself.

After finding nothing peculiar about it, she quietly set it back on the table.

It appeared the arrow itself was ordinary.

Jeong-un's eyes fixed on the short phrase written on the letter.

開門設宴, 敬邀光臨.

"We have opened our doors wide and set a feast; we sincerely invite you to attend."

"......."

Honestly, it was laughable.

Not only did the bandits openly use written words to send an invitation, but they sent it to their very enemies.

It was blatantly provocative.

"They're saying they're prepared and waiting for us with everything they have!"

"They're saying they've set a death-trap, and if we dare, come."

"They send a provocation like this after their own losing ten people? They must really be confident."

Each person made a remark, but no one looked nervous.

They looked unbothered, even after the ambush.

While Jeong-un was briefly away, his companions had reportedly completed their own side missions.

They might have crossed the line between life and death several times in the process.

They were already too seasoned to feel fear over something like this.

Of course, being invited to dinner by an enemy was undoubtedly a first.

Meanwhile, Jeong-un, looking down at the letter, thought,

'Doesn't this make things easier?'

There was no reason to refuse. Either way, they had to find and clear out the enemy stronghold.

A halfhearted attack that would scatter the bandits was actually the most worrying outcome.

It was better if the enemy, in their arrogance, gathered in one place and waited.

That way, not a single one would escape.

"Let's accept."

"......?"

At Jeong-un's words, his companions looked at him with puzzled expressions.

It was as if asking why he was going along with their plan.

Jeong-un continued,

"We were planning to charge through the front gate anyway. This actually works out. They're gathered and waiting for us—it couldn't be easier. We just have to go and cut them all down."

"......."

Everyone stared wide-eyed at Jeong-un.

Soon, Baek Il-gang burst out laughing and said,

"Well, put that way, things certainly got a lot simpler. Right? They say they'll wash their necks and wait—there's no reason to shy away."

At that, everyone finally laughed.

Tang Yerin looked at Jeong-un and asked,

"Then when do we go?"

Jeong-un answered without hesitation.

"Tonight."