Dark Mage Vol 1 Chapter 4

s.h.i.+ba had a smile of satisfaction while looking at Dachshund.  Behind him there were countless Bae-sect experts that came to watch the final moment for their former sect leader.
Dachshund had lost all hope of living so he had his eyes closed and he did not move.
s.h.i.+ba already knew that Dachshund didn’t have the slightest inner energy hiding within his body.  s.h.i.+ba briefly stared at Dachshund’s bloodless face then looked around his surrounding.  His eyes flashed with surprise.

“Very impressive.  You butchered the Demon sect’s elder Double Hand Devil and his sect’s 30 experts…

Of course it was s.h.i.+ba, who leaked to Wichung, the escape route Dachshund was taking.  Dachshund would have to be killed eventually, but not by the hands of the Righteous sect’s(TL note: the exact opposite of Demon sect-changed it to Righteous) experts.  Therefore, s.h.i.+ba gave false information to the Righteous sect’s hunting party.  Then only Wichung and the Demon sect’s hunting party was given the accurate escape route taken by Dachshund.  s.h.i.+ba was scheming to borrow the Demon sect’s hand to secretly handle the matter.  He wouldn’t have dreamed that they would have all been annihilated by Dachshund’s hands.

Wichung was ranked sixth in the formal Devil sect rankings and he wasn’t an opponent to be trifled with.  If there was a one on one battle, then it would be hard for him to guarantee that he would win.  He annihilated a peerless expert and his underling elite experts while his body was in bad shape.

He automatically felt respect toward Dachshund. However in the current situation, he could not save his opponent.  The biggest roadblock in the process of him dominating the Bae-sect was Dachshund.  s.h.i.+ba took one step forward and he gently started a conversation with Dachshund.

“Your ability is praiseworthy. It’s really a waste.  If sect leader was a little  bit stupid then I would have let you live.”

Dachshund’s body momentarily moved when he heard s.h.i.+ba’s voice.  However it was only that. Dachshund could not budge with his eyes closed.

“Now I’m thinking about beheading you.  Your head will be hung up on the main sect’s gate and think of it as nourishment for the Bae-sect’s domination.”

s.h.i.+ba looked back and gave a signal with his eyes.  Then two skeptical warriors slowly approached Dachshund with their swords out.   It was to cut the neck of the opponent who wasn’t resisting.  At this moment, something extraordinary happened.

“Kuk.”

The warriors that were approaching dropped their swords and they suddenly screamed in pain. Blood started flowing out between the fingers that was grasping their shoulders.  Simultaneously, he heard a heavy shout from the back.

“Indeed it’s Jo-Hwan-e-San-Ji-Gae(TL note: it’s a name of a tactic. There really is no equivalent translation.  It means waiting for the enemy to be in a disadvantageous position, use deceit to lure the enemy then use any method to nullify the opponents advantage and use your advantage to take out the enemy).
Do you think such a dishonorable stratagem would be able to deceive me, Yorkie?”

The figures revealed themselves after they made it through the bushes.  It was the Iron Blood sect experts that had a sword etched on their chests.  In front of them, Yorkie’s burning gaze was looking at Dachshund.

“Like this.”

When Yorkie appeared, s.h.i.+ba made a bitter expression.  The final moment was hung up when the not so welcomed opponent showed up.  For a moment, Yorkie glared at Dachshund but he turned his head toward s.h.i.+ba.

“I’ve announced once that his life is mine.  I’m letting you know that I cannot concede in this matter. ”

His fiery eyes were indicating that he wouldn’t back down, not in the least.
However he couldn’t back off easily so s.h.i.+ba hardened his face and stepped forward.

“I know how big your grievance is.  However he used to be one of our absolute leaders.  We have a duty to protect his honor”

It didn’t really matter to s.h.i.+ba by whose hands Dachshund was killed.  The problem was the majority of the lower sect members. If Dachshund was exterminated by a person a.s.sociated with the Righteous sect then I’m certain that our morale would fall to floor. s.h.i.+ba is dreaming about dominating the Bae-sect so it wasn’t easy for him to hand over Dachshund.
A fishy smile floated up near Yorkie’s mouth.

“Honor?  What a joke.  Someone who was pushed out from a power struggle doesn’t have any stinking(TL note:changed it, just another idiom that doesn’t translate well, should be ‘freeze to death’ literal translation) honor.”

Yorkie coldly snorted then he took out the sword that was equipped on his waist.
A sword that spread energy showed itself.

“I’ll cut and go past anyone who stands in my way.”

His spirit indicated that he was willing to risk his life if necessary, and his unyielding spirit would not yield. s.h.i.+ba clicked his tongue after seeing his figure.

‘This is annoying.  He won’t back off easily.’

Each of the Steel Blood sect’s experts that came with Yorkie were experts in the Quick sword art.  Even though he is accompanied by Bae-sect’s elite troops, this would not be an easy fight.  Moreover s.h.i.+ba didn’t want to lose his lowest ranked underlings for no reason.  He decided to concede one step.  However he wouldn’t concede easily and it was s.h.i.+ba’s old habit to demand a condition.

“That’s fine.  We’ll let you be in charge of previous sect leader Dachshund’s execution.  However you have to hand over his head over to us.”

Yorkie shook his head.

“I cannot do that.  I promised to offer the b.a.s.t.a.r.d’s head to my master and father as a dedication.  I don’t care about the headless body but I cannot concede the head. ”

“I cannot allow that either.  We yielded a great deal when we decided to let you be in charge of the execution of Dachshund. ”

s.h.i.+ba and Yorkie went into a heated discussion about Dachshund’s head.  They were speaking about him even when he was still alive.  Dachshund, who was listening with his eyes close, felt incredulity fill him.  They were already treating him like a corpse while making so much fuss about it…  He felt like a rotting fish placed on a market display stand.

“Ee-eek.”

Dachshund was over flowing with anger. He opened his eyes and used all of his strength to raise his body.  He was barely able to stand and maybe he was able to do so because of the brief rest he had.  One Steel Blood sect expert shouted after seeing the figure.

“The b.a.s.t.a.r.d got up.”

After hearing that, the experts’ gaze solely focus on Dachshund.  They were all experts of certain skill level.  They all had excellent visions and they understood in one glance what kind of shape Dachshund was in.  They weren’t very wary of him but just in case, several Bae-sect experts launched themselves towards Dachshund’s escape routes to block it.  However even during this situation, Dachshund’s keen eyes found the cliff not to far away.  His goal was that high cliff.

“Ku-ku-kuk.  I won’t meekly follow your design”

Dachshund used all his efforts to move toward the cliff. His control over his legs had failed awhile back so he put all his dying strength into his two hands to crawl.  After seeing this figure, s.h.i.+ba and Yorkie temporarily suspended their heated discussion.  It had been promised that Yorkie could end Dachshund’s life so there was a silent tacit agreement between the two. He decided to kill first then start the conversation later.

“Catch him.”

When the command fell from both of their mouths, the experts present threw their bodies toward Dachshund as their target.  All the experts had advanced Ascending techniques so they were able to reach Dachshund in couple leaps.  One Steel Blood sect expert quickly grabbed the nape of Dachshund’s neck.  He knew the state of the opponent’s body so he wasn’t weary at all.

“Huk.”

The Steel Blood sect expert, who was extending his hand, got frightened out of his wits.  The target that was busily crawling suddenly turned his body and threw something with an unknown energy emitting from it.  He hurriedly took out his sword and hit the object that was flying towards him.

Chaang.

He took evasive action and then retaliated next. It was a move that was completely ingrained to an expert of this caliber. He spun his body and kicked Dachshund underneath his chin.

Puk.

The small body of Dachshund flew through the air like a kite that had its string cut off.  It seemed like he used the opposing force and he bounced without any strength.

“Ah-cha.” (TL note: something you say when forgot something)

The item that fell into two pieces from the sword was an ordinary ring. The Steel Blood sect expert finally realized he had been duped. He let his body fly while grinding his teeth.  He could minutely sense the experts that was hunting from behind throw various hidden weapons.

“Kuk.”

With luck, Dachshund’s body got cooped up in a place not so far from the cliff. He didn’t even have time to feel the pain pierce through his spine before Dachshund reflexively rolled.  The ground sprouted many hidden weapons like it was planted there.  Among them, several had hit Dachshund but his body has long pa.s.sed the point where it felt pain.  Dachshund had no thoughts.  He just used all his energy to roll. Right then a loud sound spread behind him.

“Do you think you can take your own life so easily?”

It was Yorkie’s strident ranting but before he could realize it he felt a sense of emptiness spread throughout his body. After the end of his desperate efforts, he was finally able to reach the cliff.  Dachshunds body was in mid-air and his body started to free fall. His bloodless face had a slight smile.

“Be well.  I will decide my life…”

Unfortunately his last words did not continue.  His head felt like it would be ripped off and also, his body stopped falling.  Dachshund raised his blurry vision while hanging in mid-air.  Then he saw the face of the person holding on to his hair.  Like he predicted, the person who held him was Yorkie.  After confirming who it was, Dachshund’s face twisted.  His dried lips parted and a blunt sound came out.

“Do you really want to cut my head this much?”

“Absolutely yes.”

Yorkie succeeded in grabbing Dachshund by a hair’s breadth and he started using his strength to pull up the body.  His opposite hand was pierced through the cliff like tofu.

If he hadn’t improvised in the life-threatening situation then Yorkie would have fallen down to the abyss.  Soon the Steel Blood sect experts grasped his hand and started pulling them up.  Right then a sickly tearing sound rang out.

Tu-du-du-duk.(tl note: sound of ripping fabric)

Yorkie’s complexion quickly turned for the worse.

“This, hurry and pull me up.”

The Steel Blood sect experts started to move faster as if responding to the desperate feeling However, Yorkie could feel through his hand the sensation of something snapping.  Yorkie understood was happening so with sudden strength, he grabbed Dachshund.

“Eh-it.” (TLN:sound of exertion)

He planned on throwing the body above the cliff before all the hairs had been plucked out.  However, he was disappointed to feel an empty feeling from his hand.

“How could such a thing happen.” (TL note: 이런-I changed it..need more words to convey what it meant in this context “이런.”)

Yorkie had a devastated expression while clenching a bundle of hair that was pulled out.  Dachshund’s hair could not resist the force of it being caught and the whole hair got pulled out. (TL note: oh no MC with a bald spot Q_Q)
Of course, Dachshund’s messed up body started falling down toward the abyss.  Yorkie’s burning gaze landed on Dachshund’s face.  After seeing a faint smile starting to form on his face, Yorkie yelled loudly.

“b.a.s.t.a.r.d!  You cannot die.  You will die by my hands.”

After hearing this, the smile on Dachshund’s face deepened.

After his emotion had been stirred, he almost jumped off into the abyss without realizing it.

“You can’t.  My Lord.”

However, the Steel Blood sect experts stopped him from fulfilling his intent.  Even an unsurpa.s.sed expert would have all his bones broken when falling from a cliff like this.  He sat in place feeling despondent after failing to kill his master’s enemy.  However that lasted only a moment, his eyes started burning with fire.

“I’m going to hunt him down even to the ends of h.e.l.l.  I don’t care if he is already dead.  No mater what I will take your head off and I’ll offer it to my master and father.”

He adamantly spoke and Yorkie gave an order to the experts under his command.

“I’m thinking about retrieving the b.a.s.t.a.r.d’s head from the bottom of the cliff.  So the rest of the sect members should return under the command of the present head of the sect.  Instead only the Dragon-family, who has outstanding martial arts should follow behind me.”

“Yes.  My Lord.”

After Yorkie’s mighty command was given, all the Steel Blood sect members all started to move at once in disorder.  s.h.i.+ba, who was watching this, clicked his tongue.

“His grievance was that deep?”

Now his work was all done.  He approached the precipice to look over the cliff and afterwards s.h.i.+ba shook his head.

“From this height, even at his peak form, I don’t think he would have survived the fall.”

The cliff was high enough that clouds obscured the height.  He had resolved all the worry he held about Dachshund.  s.h.i.+ba turned his head and looked at the Bae-sect experts that were waiting for his command.

“Let’s pull-out.”

s.h.i.+ba smiled as he watched his underling get ready to evacuate.
The smiled turned into a hearty laugh that welled up from his chest.

“Now my world is going to begin.  Bae-sect will be my stepping stone towards my great ambition of uniting the whole Murim.”

The rugged Chun-Ryung Mountain’s cliff started to become restless as s.h.i.+ba burst into a loud laugh.