Chapter 117: Chapter 117

“Something is strange…”

Man Hu-ryang bit his nails as he thought.

Contact with those he had sent to Anhui was cut off. Considering their abilities, it was absolutely impossible for them to be killed by someone.

Even if a completely unexpected hidden master had appeared, with the deity descent method, the Twenty Ghosts, and that guy who controlled them, they should have been more than able to cope with it.

Yet, there was still no contact?

Since it had already been nearly a fortnight, Man Hu-ryang’s anxiety grew even deeper.

“What could have happened… What could have happened…”

He thought and thought, racking his brain.

However, since no clear answer came to mind, he frowned. If they had indeed been defeated by someone, this was not a matter that could be simply brushed aside.

“Is it about time to pull out?”

Unexpected variables disrupt plans.

However, the plan to dismantle the Martial Alliance had already progressed step by step, and seeing Murong Hyeok-mun, who sat on the throne, act as he did and take no action whatsoever regarding the ruined Namgung Family, many people were disappointed and turned their backs.

Factions were already beginning to emerge from below.

Small and medium sects and families banded together, and cliques began to form one by one.

While the Nine Sects and One Gang banded together to maintain their own power firmly, the remaining Eight Great Families were recruiting outstanding talents to prepare for what was to come.

They, too, were implicitly sensing it.

That the Martial Alliance might be shaken to its very roots.

“Hmm…”

Man Hu-ryang smiled.

This was the true state of the Martial Alliance that he had wished for. What fun was there in a power united under a single leader? Was not the Jianghu originally a place where numerous factions existed and had to walk a blood-spattered path among themselves?

The Martial World would soon undergo a great convulsion.

Was that not what the plan was for?

“What is it?”

Just then, Man Hu-ryang turned his head and looked out the window. Though the space was certainly empty, he directed his gaze as if someone were standing there.

– There is movement on the side of the Nine Sects and One Gang. I believe they will take action soon.

“How timely. I was just about to leave anyway… Hahaha, what will they think when they storm into the Alliance Leader’s Palace and see that state?”

Man Hu-ryang laughed, finding it amusing just to think about it.

If the name of the orthodox path was greatly defiled, they would probably put a blade to Murong Hyeok-mun’s throat. However, though he was a Sword Saint who was no different from a cripple, he was still a master who held sway in the Central Plains.

It would never end easily.

“Leave a few kids near him. The more of them they kill, the more severely they will be shaken.”

– Understood!

“Hmm.”

Man Hu-ryang let out a soft groan.

Leaving this place was already decided. It was somewhat unexpected that the Nine Sects and One Gang, who had no greed for power, would move first, but this was a rather interesting situation in its own way.

‘The Eight Great Families… will build their own forces.’

Smirking, Man Hu-ryang stood up from his seat.

Now it was time to leave this place.

“Ah, I forgot. Find out in detail about the matter in Anhui and report back.”

– I will send children to investigate.

“Yes, yes.”

Nodding with a satisfied expression, Man Hu-ryang hurried his steps. The smile formed on his lips did not fade as he anticipated what was to happen in the near future.

* * *

Ma Jang-gang broke out in a cold sweat.

On the way to Henan with Dan Woo-hyun. He was already injured from the ambush, but Dan Woo-hyun was walking without caring about such things at all.

He maintained a firm attitude, as if saying that if he wanted to follow, he should follow, and if he could not, he would be left behind.

Also, what made things most difficult for Ma Jang-gang was none other than.

The lack of conversation.

Dan Woo-hyun simply walked in silence.

He only asked when he did not know the way, keeping his mouth shut like a person who had no interest or concern for anything else.

Even though there must have been many things to ask, such as what he used to do, how much martial arts he had learned, or about Ma Jang-gang himself, he did not open his mouth.

He knew the reason.

Because he was not interested.

Since he had no interest or concern for him, he did not ask. He knew he was a person who wouldn’t be surprising to leave at any moment.

Ma Jang-gang clenched his fists.

Leave? What nonsense!

It was because Dan Woo-hyun did not know properly yet. The strength of this Wolf King Ma Jang-gang. Although he had shown a miserable defeat before him, his actual position in the Central Plains Jianghu was great, and he also had influence.

‘If only he knew that,’ he sighed deeply.

Night fell gradually.

From the perspective of Ma Jang-gang, who was moving with a weary body, he wished he could rest even a little, but Dan Woo-hyun walked for about four more hours and found a spacious place suitable for sleeping outside.

And then he sat down there.

However, unlike Ma Jang-gang who just sat, Dan Woo-hyun silently unpacked his bags, laid them down, and disappeared somewhere again.

“…Damn it.”

Hunting.

In order for a person to move, they must fill their stomach.

Therefore, they had to hunt or get their hands on something edible. However, in a situation where simply moving was the limit, hunting was out of the question.

A few days ago, when Dan Woo-hyun said he was going hunting, there was a time when he had strongly stopped him and boastfully declared that he would go alone.

‘And I starved for dinner.’

Ma Jang-gang blushed, feeling embarrassed just thinking about it.

To think that the great Ma Jang-gang could not even hunt properly.

It was to the point where he could not even lift his face in public.

It felt like only yesterday that he had boasted of showing his cool side and usefulness, but now he felt as though he had become worse than complete trash.

Being taken care of.

This was something that had never happened once in Ma Jang-gang’s life.

While he sat sighing in frustration, a strange sound was heard from one side.

Rustle!

At first, he thought Dan Woo-hyun had returned. However, the sound reaching his ears felt somewhat different from that of a human.

If so, was it a beast?

Ma Jang-gang clenched his fists.

Since his saber was broken and he had nothing to use, he had to use his fists. Since he possessed great skill in fist fighting no less than with a blade, dealing with one or two wolves was easily within his power.

Rustle!

The sound was heard again.

He felt a chill run down his spine.

It was not a wolf.

Nor was it a bear.

Since wolves lived in packs, there was no way a single sound would be heard. If what was coming now was a bear, it would come forward proudly rather than striking the prey from behind.

For a bear had no fear even when facing a tiger.

Then there was only one conclusion.

Swish!

Along with the sound of cutting through the air, he felt a chill. As he turned his gaze, a huge tiger rushed at him as if to pounce. If he were pinned down or bitten by that, it would be impossible to survive no matter how high his internal energy was.

Ma Jang-gang rolled on the ground and dodged it.

Thud!

The huge tiger, landing with a rough sound, growled lowly and glared at Ma Jang-gang. It seemed quite angry at failing to kill him in a single blow.

“It’s… incredibly huge…”

He swallowed hard.

He had seen many tigers so far, but this was his first time seeing one this large.

He wondered if it might be the mountain lord ruling over this mountain. A massive body, sharp teeth, and four paws that looked capable of killing any martial artist in a single swing.

The moment he saw it, Ma Jang-gang felt his life threatened.

He had to face a tiger when he was not even in peak condition. It was no exaggeration to say that he was facing imminent death.

He smiled awkwardly and clenched his fists.

Did they not say even a cornered rat will bite?

“Come on! Come at me!”

It was the pride of a martial artist.

How embarrassing it would be if he died from just a single tiger. As he gritted his teeth and raised his voice, the tiger’s eyes narrowed even further.

It instantly kicked off the ground and rushed forward.

Leaving deep paw prints in the ground, it ran and swung its massive forepaw. A force was felt that seemed capable of bursting one’s skull upon impact.

Ma Jang-gang dodged backward and rushed in blindly to throw a punch.

Thud!

A sound indicating a proper strike was heard, but the tiger’s eyes did not change at all as it swung its forepaw again.

Thud!

A sharp pain was felt in his back. The sensation of claws digging into his flesh was vividly transmitted.

It hurt.

The thought occurred to him for a moment.

However, this was not the time to be crying out in pain. Twisting his body to regain his balance, Ma Jang-gang swung his fist again.

Thump, thump, thump, thump!

He punched in rapid succession.

Instead of striking once, he struck continuously. The punches he threw even cut the wind, creating an illusion that made them look like multiple fists.

The fists thrown with all his internal energy delivered a shock that even the tiger could not withstand. For the first time, the tiger’s roar of pain was heard, and as it retreated swiftly, the beast glared at Ma Jang-gang with a wary gaze.

“D-Damn it…! How tough is it?”

Ma Jang-gang grumbled as he clutched the places where his wounds had opened up.

Even though it was a situation no different from him unleashing his ultimate technique, the beast was still perfectly fine, sending an angry gaze and emitting killing intent instead.

Was the great Ma Jang-gang going to end up like this?

He desperately wanted to turn around and run away immediately, but he could not flee. It would be futile anyway, and if by any chance it caused harm to Dan Woo-hyun, it would be irreversible.

In that case, there was only one conclusion.

Block the beast at the risk of his life.

Clenching his fists, he channeled his internal energy.

He took a stance with a determined look in his eyes like someone about to engage in a life-or-death battle. It was do or die! If he was going to die anyway, he would at least break one of the beast’s teeth.

Did it feel that spirit?

The tiger’s momentum became even more brutal.

Soon, the beast crouched low and bounded off the ground, flying through the air. Opening its massive maw, it had a fierce momentum as if it would seize his neck and bite it off in a single instant.

The moment Ma Jang-gang watched it and threw a punch toward its fangs.

Crack!

With a violent sound like a watermelon crushing, the tiger in front of his eyes disappeared.

‘Huh?’

As he sent a puzzled look, the tiger, which had been blown far away, was pushed back five Zhang and rolled on the ground.

Its body twitched.

And it bled profusely, not even thinking of standing up.

“W-what?”

As he watched it quietly, unable to understand what had happened.

“We will be eating tiger meat today.”

Dan Woo-hyun, who had appeared at some point, approached the tiger with a smirk.

Confirming that it had breathed its last, he dragged the tiger with its massive bulk along with one hand.

“G-Great hero…?”

“You did well not to run away.”

Nodding his head as if he had done well, Dan Woo-hyun smiled. He looked like someone who had been watching this whole situation from the very beginning.

He pulled a dagger from his bosom and began to dress it.

Ma Jang-gang stared at it blankly.

“W-why did you save me?”

If he had found it troublesome, he could have just left him alone. The fact that he had been watching from the beginning must mean he had the thought that it did not matter if Ma Jang-gang died.

Ma Jang-gang could not understand the reason.

At that moment, Dan Woo-hyun spoke as he ripped the hide off.

“It is because your guiding ability is good. You may take pride in it.”

“Is my pride… merely something like that?”

Ma Jang-gang sighed, dropping his shoulders.

No matter how hard he had served by his side, he was only acknowledged for his guiding ability.

Grumbling that this was not what he had intended, Ma Jang-gang tore at his hair.

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