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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Escape - Part 1
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Seon-u, left abandoned in the interrogation room, plunged into deep contemplation.
'How do I escape from here?'
He sensed that if he stayed put, it was only a matter of time before he was branded a rapist and murderer, destined to turn into morning dew on the execution ground.
Judging from Joo Gwang's attitude, it was clear he had already convicted him in his mind.
He kept repeating the same lines, just waiting for Seon-u to admit his guilt.
No matter what facts Seon-u stated, they were dismissed as excuses or mere alibis, and the words hammered into his head were all aimed at painting him as the killer.
From Seon-u's perspective, fused with Jang Sam's memories, a sense of betrayal welled up at the resolute stance of Joo Gwang, who had been like an uncle to him—but there was nothing he could do about it.
Seon-u began rummaging through Jang Sam's memories for anything that might aid an escape.
But no suitable method came to mind.
Jang Sam had been a peak-level expert, but in the Heavenly Martial Alliance, teeming with elites like the Dragon Pool and Tiger Den, there were nearly a hundred stronger than him and another two hundred on par.
It wasn't a huge number compared to the thousands of alliance members, but it was certainly enough to make escape a daunting prospect.
Allies made them the sturdiest shield; enemies turned them into the most terrifying foe.
Even so, Seon-u refused to give up on escaping.
Alliance law meant castration for rape and execution for murder.
If Seon-u were found guilty, castration followed by execution was the most likely outcome.
Despair upon despair—it was a horrific thought.
He toyed with the delusion that death might return him to his original body, but he had no intention of gambling his one and only life on such uncertainty.
Thus, Seon-u closed his eyes and pondered even more deeply.
The memories of reader Seon-u, who had seen everything from an omniscient viewpoint, swirled together with those of Jang Sam, who had spent nearly twenty years by the protagonist's side.
Flash.
Suddenly, Seon-u's eyes snapped open, gleaming with realization.
A viable method had come to him.
Having settled on his plan, Seon-u sprang into action.
Rather than letting the Law Enforcement Hall have their way, he would hide until his master, Lee Jae-won, returned.
Once Lee Jae-won was back, he would get to the bottom of the truth himself.
No matter how much of a typical third-rate thug from the boonies Lee Jae-won was, surely as a human being, he would at least hear out the excuses of the disciple he had raised with affection for twenty years.
Seon-u rose from his spot and first pressed his ear to the interrogation room door, focusing his hearing.
The thick wooden door blocked all outside sounds completely.
Shhh...
Seon-u channeled internal energy into his index finger and carefully rubbed a spot on the outer side of the door, slowly carving away at it.
Blasting through at once might make too much noise.
So he gnawed at it cautiously, ever so cautiously.
After about fifteen minutes, a hole the size of a finger was complete.
Seon-u peered through it to survey the outside.
At the edge of his vision, two Law Enforcement Hall enforcers on patrol came into view.
They wore official hats and had whistles around their necks to call for reinforcements.
Each also gripped a sword in one hand, ready for any contingency.
Seeing them fully armed, Seon-u tensed up even more.
One wrong move, and it could turn bloody.
Seon-u held his breath, waiting for them to approach.
Thud, thud.
Fortunately, the door wasn't locked, so he planned to ambush them the moment they drew near.
Exactly ten paces from his door.
Nine paces, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
Bang!
Seon-u flung the door open and charged at the enforcers.
Startled, they scrambled into defensive stances, but against Seon-u's fully prepared assault, they were helpless.
He rushed one, striking precisely at the back of his neck to knock him out.
As the other reached for his whistle, Seon-u kicked his jaw, sending it flying.
The brain shake did the trick—the second one collapsed unconscious too.
Seon-u dragged them inside the interrogation room.
Then he stripped the one with a similar build to himself and donned the uniform.
With the hat pulled low to hide his face, he might just slip out of the Law Enforcement Hall.
There were plenty stronger than him, but at this Tiger Hour, no one of significant rank would be pulling night shifts.
So Seon-u could afford to take a bolder gamble.
If caught, he was prepared to fight his way out.
Buckling on the standard-issue saber from the hall and pulling the hat as low as possible, Seon-u slowly stepped out of the interrogation room.
Thud, thud, thud, thud.
Patrols inside the hall usually moved in pairs, so a lone figure like Seon-u might draw suspicion.
He quickened his pace toward the outer passage.
Fortunately, the exit and interrogation rooms were along the same hallway.
Thud, thud, thud.
As the exit neared, Seon-u's steps grew swifter.
He soon reached the main gate and slipped through.
Bang!
Late hour meant no one around except the gate guard.
As Seon-u hurried to move—
"Senior, leaving already?"
The gate guard called out.
"Yeah, I remembered something I left behind."
"No big deal. But a newbie like me in the Law Enforcement Hall can't complain."
Gate duty during Tiger Hour usually fell to the lowest-ranking enforcers.
This guy seemed fresh to the hall.
"Still, Senior, no matter how urgent, you can't just leave your post, right?"
"Yes, it was so pressing I reported up and rushed out."
"That's odd. Besides the patrols, there's no superior to report to in the hall right now."
"Sorry, I was in such a hurry I broke protocol. Forgive me? I'll buy you a drink sometime."
"Of course, Senior. But you seem strange."
"What's so strange?"
"Seniors usually go 'hey you, punk, bastard'—all casual talk. You're so polite, not like a hall enforcer at all."
His tone was innocently oblivious, sending chills down Seon-u's spine.
As Seon-u slowly turned to look—
The guard grinned brightly, whistle already in his mouth.
Screeeeech!
The blaring whistle echoed through the entire hall.
Enforcers on standby leaped into action at the sound.
Without a moment's hesitation, Seon-u spun and bolted.
"The criminal's escaping over there!!!!!!!"
The guard annoyingly pointed and yelled.
Whoosh!
How far had he run when a massive spear flew at him, blocking his path?
Seon-u twisted aside, barely dodging the tip, but it still grazed his side, drawing blood.
Blood seeped from the wound.
Pressing his acupoint to staunch it quickly, Seon-u glared at the spear's wielder.
"Heard a criminal escaped during my training, rushed over—didn't expect the Heavenly Heavy Sword. Kahahahaha!"
The giant man boomed with a deep, gravelly laugh, clearly amused.
This was Dragon Spear Master Joo Seon-gang.
Not from the Six Great Families but from a reputable martial clan, known as heir to the Dragon Spear legacy.
A peak-level expert, his nickname came from his masterful spearwork.
As a fellow peak expert, he wouldn't be an easy mark for a quick win.
"Listen, Joo Seon-gang. This is all a conspiracy, a frame job. Someone's out to slander me."
"Tch. Knew you couldn't keep it in your pants, but rape and murder? Never imagined. Come quietly."
Dismissing it as unworthy of reply, Dragon Spear Master swung without mercy.
Clang!
Seon-u parried with his sword but was sent flying back by the sheer internal force.
Whoosh!
'This bastard's serious.'
Landing safely, Seon-u eyed Dragon Spear Master's movements.
Dragging this out would bring reinforcements, and capture was inevitable.
He couldn't let this guy nab him.
Seon-u kicked off the ground and lunged.
Sword extended straight, charging like a bull.
Dragon Spear Master scoffed, planting his spear to meet the assault.
Clang!
Sparks flew as blade met spear.
With spears disadvantaged up close, Dragon Spear Master retreated to gain distance.
Seon-u pressed relentlessly, denying him space.
"Back off, you leech!"
"Would you? Giving a spearman distance? Not even an idiot would."
Sticking close, Seon-u slashed left and right to pressure him.
True to his peak prowess, Dragon Spear Master blocked leisurely while backpedaling.
Seon-u shifted left and struck.
Clang!
Dragon Spear Master deflected with the shaft.
Seon-u feinted left again and attacked.
But again, effortlessly parried.
Clang!
"Hmph, your strikes are too predictable. Makes me doubt you're really Invincible Martial God Lee Jae-won's disciple. Kahahahaha!"
"Fine by me. Winning's not my goal!"
Seon-u swung once more; Dragon Spear Master blocked with the shaft again.
But Seon-u's assault didn't end there.
He snapped a kick infused with internal energy straight to Dragon Spear Master's chest, launching himself backward.
Thud!
"Guh!"
Dragon Spear Master groaned, aura flaring menacingly from the powered blow.
"You rat! Got some tricks, eh? Taste my ultimate Dragon Spear Thrust! Brace yourself!"
"Save it for later."
Seon-u turned tail and fled.
Circling slowly to attack had been to position himself for escape—it dawned on Dragon Spear Master now.
Furious at realizing Seon-u had never been serious, just stalling to flee, his face reddened as he bellowed.
"You scum!!!! Showing your back in combat?! No shame as a warrior?!"
"Who cares? Gotta live first!"
Seon-u poured internal energy into his legs, sprinting faster.
Dragon Spear Master pursued hotly, but his bulk slowed him—Seon-u pulled ahead.
"You bastard! Halt!"
Ignoring him, Seon-u raced toward his lifeline.
He'd shaken him off for now, but pursuers' shouts multiplied from all directions.
"Heavenly Heavy Sword's there!! Seize him!!"
"Heavenly Heavy Sword escaped the Law Enforcement Hall! Capture him!!"
"Grab Jang Sam!!"
"He can't have gone far. Catch him!"
This way, capture was certain.
Seon-u squeezed every ounce of strength and internal energy to run.
'I won't get caught. Not even if I die!!!'
Squeezing his all, Seon-u arrived at Phoenix Hall, made up solely of female Heavenly Martial Alliance members.
Men's forbidden zone, but with his life on the line, rules be damned.
Seon-u vaulted the wall and cautiously stepped inside.