CLS-Chapter 160

Chapter 160  

Deok-sam, guarding the gates of Luoyang, furrowed his brow at the strange sight of flickering lights in the distance.  

“What in the world is that?”  

At his words, Mui scurried over and peeked out.  

“…There’s more than one or two, sir.”  

“Hmm.”  

A deep frown etched itself onto Deok-sam’s forehead.  

‘Should we investigate?’  the 

The number of lights was staggering. What had started as a few had multiplied into a river of flames, illuminating the night. It was hard to imagine such a gathering unless a riot had broken out—but who would dare incite chaos in Luoyang?  

“Shall we go check?”  

“No. First, report to the superiors and hold our post.”  

Leaving the gates unattended would cost them their heads. Their duty was to guard the gates, not meddle in affairs outside.  

“But, sir…”  

“Hm?”  

“Those lights… they seem to be creeping closer, don’t they?”  

“…Eh?”  

Deok-sam’s eyes widened as the bizarre scene unfolded.  

From the river of lights, the ones at the center began flickering out, as if darkness itself was devouring them.  

‘How… eerie.’  

It was as though the shadows were carving a path through the sea of fire. The remaining lights recoiled, then surged forward, chasing the retreating darkness.  

“They’re coming this way, sir!”  

“Y-Yeah?”  

The darkness, now breaking free of the light, charged toward Luoyang.  

‘This is the clearest omen of calamity I’ve ever seen.’  

Who could have imagined darkness would descend upon Luoyang so visibly? Deok-sam half-wished he could call a Taoist priest to perform an exorcism.  

“Send a report! Tell them something’s heading for Luoyang!”  

“But if I do, the bad luck might stick to me, sir! The commander will grab me by the collar and yell, ‘Can’t you even file a proper report?!’

Deok-sam’s eyes twitched.  

The darkness…  

It was extinguishing the lights as it advanced toward them.  

Once the darkness fully broke through, the remaining lights surged forward in a massive wave, chasing it.

‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime sight.’  

It was almost majestic.  

“What the hell is happening?!”  

“How should I know?!”  

Deok-sam trembled uncontrollably.  

He couldn’t fathom the exact nature of the event, but one thing was certain: something colossal, beyond their comprehension, was approaching.  

Gripping his spear tightly, Deok-sam barked orders.  

“S-Send someone to the gate! Tell them to dispatch troops! Now!”  

“Understood!”  

Mui summoned a guard from the wall, explained the situation, and practically kicked him down the stairs.  

‘No wonder my dreams were restless last night.’  

Deok-sam gulped and widened his eyes. The river of light would reach them soon.  

Then, something indistinct caught his eye on the road where the darkness had settled.  

‘What’s that?’  

A dot grew larger, gradually taking shape.  

‘A carriage?’

Deok-sam’s eyes bulged at the sight of a snow-white carriage pulled by four white horses. Only high-ranking officials could ride such a vehicle. If one was fleeing toward Luoyang with a horde in pursuit… the situation was dire.  

‘Wh-What do we do?’ 

Logic dictated opening the gates, but letting in an unverified identity was forbidden. And Luoyang’s gates were sealed at night.  

As Deok-sam agonized, the carriage barreled toward the gates at breakneck speed.  

‘Holy…’  

As it drew closer, the scene became clear. A mob of armed figures chased the carriage, their weapons glinting ominously.  

“What the hell is going on?!”  

Deok-sam’s mind reeled.  

Why were they chasing that carriage?  

Who was inside?  

His answer came from a young man standing atop one of the horses. The youth steadied himself, then looked straight at them.  

‘Huh?’ 

Deok-sam stared in awe. Balancing on a galloping horse was no small feat—even the famed Mongol riders couldn’t pull that off.  

Suddenly, the youth straightened and pulled something from his robes.  

‘What’s that?’  

A golden object glinted as it was raised high. The distance and darkness made it hard to discern, but the pursuers’ torches cast enough light to reveal it moments later.  

In an instant, a radiant golden glow erupted, illuminating the heavens.  

“Wha—?!”  

Deok-sam gasped. As his eyes adjusted, the object became clear:  

A small sword.  

A golden dagger, intricately engraved, now unmistakable.  

Deok-sam’s face paled.  

Though the engraving was too distant to read, he knew exactly what it was. Gate guards lived by one legend:  

If someone presents a silver token, escort them quietly.  

If someone presents a golden token, become their servant.  

If someone presents a golden sword, the city is doomed—prepare to die.  

The Embroidered Blade of the Censorate.  

‘N-No way.’  

Deok-sam shook his head.  

Surely, not all golden daggers were the Embroidered Blade. And if it was, why would it be brandished so openly? The Blade was a secret, sacred artifact.  

It couldn’t be…  

Just as Deok-sam reached this conclusion, the youth’s voice roared across the distance.  

“Royal Inspector!”  

“…M-Madness!”  

“Make way!!!”  

The moment the words hit Deok-sam’s ears, his body spun like lightning. Without thinking, he bellowed:  

“OPEN THE GATES!!!”  

His bewildered subordinates stared. Deok-sam screamed, his voice tearing:  

“Open them! Now! If that carriage doesn’t get through, we’re all dead! Move! It’s the Inspector! The Embroidered Blade is here!”  

“Eeeek!”  

Realization dawned. If the Inspector came to harm because of their delay, they’d all lose their heads. In a frenzy, guards scrambled down the walls, some even sliding down ropes.  

“Pull! Faster!”  

“Turn it! Turn the wheel!”  

Dozens of guards heaved at the gate’s pulley, straining like oxen.  

“Turn it! If we don’t open this in time, we’ll never lift another thing—except the lids of our coffins!”  

“Aaaah! Buddha help us!”  

Chaos erupted, but the pulley spun wildly. Everyone clung to it desperately. Even ten oxen couldn’t have raised the gate this fast.  

And then—  

SNAP!  

“…huh?”  

A horrific noise filled their ears. The pulley, unable to bear the strain, shattered.  

“Oooh…”  

As they stared in shock, Deok-sam rushed over.  

“What are you doing?! Open the gates!”  

“T-The handle broke, sir.”  

“What?!”  

Deok-sam shoved through the crowd and saw the shattered handle lying on the ground. His legs gave out, and he collapsed.  

“…We’re doomed.”  

His wife and children still depended on him, but now they’d all be heading to the afterlife together.  

‘No wonder my dreams were restless.’ 

Tears streamed down Deok-sam’s face.  

But luckily for them, the Inspector approaching was no ordinary official.  

“MOVE!!!”  

A thunderous voice rang out from beyond the wall.  

“Huh?”  

The intention was good, but the timing was not.  

BOOM!

With a deafening explosion, the gates blew apart.  

“Aaaah!”  

A shockwave blasted through, sending Deok-sam spinning into the air like a leaf.  

“I swear, if I ever work again after a bad dream—Waaaah!”  

Unaware that the gates—and half the guards—had been vaporized, Wei Yan-ho laughed uproariously atop his horse.  

“Wahahaha! Go! Faster!”  

“Where to?!”  

Seo Mun Da-yeon’s voice was ragged. Wei Yan-ho didn’t hesitate.  

“Where else?! The Supreme Heavenly Righteous Alliance! Move!”  

Seo Mun Da-yeon gritted his teeth at Wei Yan-ho’s exhilarated face.  

‘I didn’t sign up to travel with this lunatic!’ 

The man was clearly unhinged. Who grinned like that in this situation?!  

“Faster! Faster!”  

“Shut up, you idiot!”  

Gong Mu-jin, sprinting alongside the carriage with qinggong, snapped.  

“Get them!”  

The torch-wielding mob, foaming at the mouth, closed in. Luoyang’s streets trembled as if under invasion.  

“There!”  

“Look out!”  

Wei Yan-ho deftly shoved bystanders aside with his sword, clearing the path. Seo Mun Da-yeon urged the horses onward, unhindered.  

“Ahead!”  

Wei Yan-ho looked up. At the end of the road stood a massive structure.

“Wow! It’s huge!”  

“But, Young Hero Wei!”  

“Yeah?”  

“This isn’t the gate! You need to go around!”  

Wei Yan-ho glanced back.  

At this speed, turning was impossible. Slowing down meant the bloodthirsty mob would overtake them.  

“Keep going straight!”  

“What?!”  

Wei Yan-ho grinned, sheathing the golden blade and drawing his sword.  

“You know what they say!”  

“…Wait. Whatever you’re planning—just don’t! I’ll find the gate!”  

Seo Mun Da-yeon’s plea fell on deaf ears.  

“The great path has no gate! If there’s no gate, we’ll make one!”  

“That’s not what it means, you madmaaaan!”  

Gong Mu-jin’s mournful cry echoed through the darkened streets of Luoyang.