Sunk In Grief (5)

Tianshan usually refers to Qilian Mountain in Gansu Province. Qilian Mountain was separately a representative mountain of the Qilian range, but the Tianshan range could also be said to extend from that very place. So, in a broader sense, Tianshan referred to the Tianshan Mountain Range. For that reason, Qilian Mountain was recognized as the eastern end of the Tianshan range.

The old man pointed something out to Neung Je-gang. It was a naturally formed, extremely perilous cliff.

“What is it?”

“That is the place commonly called the Wailing Wall.”

“The Wailing Wall?”

“That’s right. Those who are chased out of the Central Plains and come all the way here see that wall and sense their own fate. That they must live and die lonely lives here in Tianshan. They call it that because they weep in front of it.”

“I see.”

“But for that very reason, most people live around this area. They are people who have not lost the hope that someday they may return to the Central Plains.”

“…….”

Neung Je-gang did not know why the old man was saying such a thing. He clearly seemed to have something he wanted to say, but he could not readily bring himself to say it.

“So, about that contract from earlier.”

“Yes.”

“Is it still valid?”

“Have you changed your mind?”

“There happens to be a man living nearby whom I truly wish would die.”

“What evil deed did he commit?”

“They say he killed about twelve people in the Central Plains. But after coming here, he killed even more. And only guides like me, at that.”

“Why?”

“His reason was that if someone came from the Central Plains looking for him, guides like us would be the ones to find him.”

Killing people over something that had not even happened yet was the typical conduct of a villain. Neung Je-gang nodded.

“What is his name?”

If it was not an old name, he would remember it. Lists of such vicious wanted criminals were always prepared and posted where they could be seen while coming and going.

“Ghost Blade. His name is Ghost Blade.”

It was a name Neung Je-gang remembered as well. And just as the old man said, he was a man who had taken twelve lives.

But if Neung Je-gang’s memory was correct, he was not alone. Ghost Blade traveled together with Axe Demon. Wherever he was, Axe Demon had always been there too. That was why, in the Central Plains, people called them together as Ghost Blade and Axe Demon.

“Is he alone? He should have a friend.”

“He did have a friend. His name was probably Axe Demon. But he was killed by someone else.”

“Who killed the Axe Demon?”

“Yes, his name was Blood-Squeezing Demon.”

“Ah, Blood-Squeezing Demon!”

It was also a name he had heard before. If Axe Demon had been killed by him, he could understand. No matter how formidable Ghost Blade and Axe Demon were, they could not compare to Blood-Squeezing Demon.

“Is there a Blood-Squeezing Demon in Tianshan too, by any chance?”

“They say so, but I don’t know where he is.”

“Ah, that is unfortunate. It would have been good if you knew. But what should we do? Seeing Mushik Poison Demon is more urgent for me.”

“Do not worry about that. Ghost Blade happens to be along the way to Mushik Poison Demon. It is close to here.”

“If it is on the way, stopping by would not be bad. Let us go there.”

“Thank you. If you just kill that man, I will tell you the residences of several demon heads I know.”

“Is that so? That works out well.”

Neung Je-gang answered while observing the old man’s expression. But although something seemed suspicious, no trace of it appeared outwardly at all. If this appearance of the old man was an act, he could truly be called an impressive person.

After telling him where Ghost Blade lived, the old man hid where he could not be seen. Neung Je-gang slowly approached the place said to be Ghost Blade’s residence.

“Who are you?”

He was not someone with insignificant skill. Considering that he had already noticed him even though Neung Je-gang had paid no attention at all.

“Are you Ghost Blade?”

“Who are you? There should be no one who knows I am hiding here.”

“I came from the Central Plains.”

“The Central Plains? Did you come to catch me?”

“That is not it, but while I am at it…….”

“While you are at it? This Ghost Blade is just something to do on the side? Who are you to say such arrogant words?”

“Me? I came from the Eastern Depot. I came for another matter, but I heard you were here, so I came to see your face.”

“The Eastern Depot! What truly tiresome bastards. Even the Martial Alliance gave up on me, and you dare say you will catch me?”

“You really are a noisy bastard. Who said I came to catch you? You are not even worth taking back alive. Just die here.”

Neung Je-gang felt it was a waste to drag out the time with needless words, so he decided to deal with him quickly.

“You bastard!”

Ghost Blade grew enraged at Neung Je-gang’s words. Ghost Blade’s attack began.

Rumble.

“…….”

He could not even scream.

Thud.

The old man saw it from afar. It was only one move. He was gone in one punch. Ghost Blade, of all people. The old man could not close his gaping mouth. It had been this easy, so he felt empty, wondering why he had suffered so much because of Ghost Blade all this time.

Neung Je-gang picked up Ghost Blade’s sword, which could prove Ghost Blade’s identity, and approached the old man.

“D-did you kill him?”

“That is correct.”

“Th-then what I saw must have been real. Killing Ghost Blade in one punch, I mean.”

“I was lucky.”

Neung Je-gang urged him with his eyes to set off.

“Ah, forgive me. I was just too shocked. This way.”

The old man was trembling. Whether he felt fear toward Neung Je-gang or something else, he had an anxious expression.