Chapter 296: Chapter 296

Namgung Cheon’s hands trembled.

Deep in the mountains quite far from the Hunan Dan Family.

In that place where Sado Hak, Namgung Cheon, and Jang Sam-tae were, some stories leaked out for a while.

As the two listened carefully to every single thing that had happened while going from Mount Tianshan to Mount Changbai, and even the bloodbath that erupted at Mount Changbai, their expressions were stained with shock.

They said there were thousands of corpses.

Cutting down a person is easy for a human. However, when the number exceeds dozens, even cutting them down becomes difficult.

Dan Woo-hyun slaughtered hundreds of times that amount.

And avoiding such a Dan Woo-hyun, countless people fled.

Based on that fact, a thought arose that the downfall of the Unorthodox Faction was probably the doing of these people.

In that they were wearing blood-red robes, it could be said to be a conjecture close to certainty.

Even just these stories were already shocking and unbelievable, but the words that followed surprised the two even further.

“W… What…?”

“Is that truly the truth?”

Looking at Sado Hak who clutched his collar, Jang Sam-tae hurriedly nodded.

It was also a story he still did not want to believe, but since he did not deny it himself, it did not seem like a lie at all.

“The Martial God… himself?”

“Well… I heard something like that.”

Jang Sam-tae replied, scratching his head.

Letting out a sigh, he wondered if he had spoken in vain.

From Jang Sam-tae’s perspective, it did not matter whether he was the Martial God or not, but to the two martial artists, it seemed to carry a massive weight.

“That fellow… is that legend?”

Sado Hak trembled all over.

Countless stories inside his head.

The protagonist of so many legendary stories he had heard and grown up with since childhood.

That it was none other than Dan Woo-hyun?

The greatest human disaster in the entire world.

The strongest, number one man, regardless of east, west, ancient, or modern times.

The one whom such modifiers still followed to this day.

The legend of whom it was said that even though a thousand years had passed, no one had caught up to him yet, and there was also no one who boasted they could surpass him.

Sado Hak felt shivers down his whole body.

“…”

“It is my money.”

“…Hmm, legend.”

“I have no money.”

“I did not do it.”

“The legend…”

Sado Hak and Namgung Cheon broke into a cold sweat.

They must surely be thinking the same thing.

Perhaps Jang Sam-tae also guessed to some extent what they were thinking, as he smirked without realizing and turned his head.

The more they thought, the more there were rather funny things.

“What are you talking about so much?”

Just then, Dan Woo-hyun parted the bushes and showed himself. Speak of the tiger and he shall appear, as they say, and that saying seemed exactly right.

Failing to feel even his presence, Sado Hak and Namgung Cheon turned their heads without realizing.

At the moment they finally had that legend before their eyes.

“Pfft…!”

“Khehehe…”

They burst into laughter without realizing.

No matter how much they thought about it, he did not match the legend.

As they giggled, holding their bellies and bursting into laughter, Dan Woo-hyun’s gaze sank heavily.

“Speak.”

“Khehehe, n… nothing.”

“Hahaha.”

Dan Woo-hyun’s gaze swept back toward Jang Sam-tae. As the heavily sunken gaze returned, his body cringed without realizing.

Since Jang Sam-tae turned into a mouse in front of Dan Woo-hyun, unlike those two, it was unavoidable for him to feel intimidated for no reason.

“Did I not tell you that useless words always bring disaster?”

“I… I did not say much, sir.”

When Dan Woo-hyun frowned, Jang Sam-tae put his head to the ground in fright.

His tearful face made it seem as if he felt somewhat aggrieved.

‘Damn it… in the first place, when those two old men ask, how can I not answer?’

They were none other than the strongest figures counted under the heavens.

Since they were those who could make anyone open their mouth if they put their minds to it, Jang Sam-tae’s tears blinded his eyes.

“Ahem! In any case, I understand well. Although I was extremely surprised, well… pfft…!”

“…”

Namgung Cheon, who had been speaking with a solemn expression, eventually burst into laughter and bowed his head. Because no matter how much he thought about it, he did not feel that the legend they knew and Dan Woo-hyun were the same person at all.

Indeed, rumors were not to be trusted.

“Hmph…! Okay, let us let that slide! In any case, is what happened in the Unorthodox Faction not your responsibility in the end?”

“Why is that my responsibility?”

Sado Hak shot a glare at Dan Woo-hyun. In any case, because Dan Woo-hyun had stepped forward without preparation, that many people fled, and they eventually formed a group to survive and dragged down Jeok Mu-seong.

It was also proof that Dan Woo-hyun was involved in this matter.

“You should have made sure those fellows could not do anything…”

“Would it have been fine if I had killed them all?”

Chill!

Everyone present felt goosebumps rise all over their bodies. Although it was a casually spat out statement, the sense of intimidation loaded within it was enough to crush even Namgung Cheon and Sado Hak.

Had the word “kill” ever been this terrifying?

Trickle.

Cold sweat beaded on the foreheads of the three.

“That is a bit much… is it not?”

“Y… Yes.”

Sado Hak nodded at Namgung Cheon’s question.

They had heard he had already cut down thousands of masters.

Although it was unknown how many had fled, that alone was equivalent to having shown a martial prowess that neither Sado Hak nor Namgung Cheon could perform.

“But it is strange. Even though their leader died, they moved systematically to swallow the Martial Emperor Castle…”

“Is he not alive?”

At Namgung Cheon’s question, Sado Hak frowned and looked at Dan Woo-hyun. There were plenty of cases where a leader was alive because they were not dealt with properly.

Just like Murong Hyeok-mun had tried to kill Namgung Cheon but failed.

Or like how many people had run amok to kill Jeok Mu-seong, but he was alive just as he was now.

However, Dan Woo-hyun shook his head at that question.

“No one can escape before me.”

He said resolutely with a firm expression.

No one could escape before his sword.

In particular, the single sword strike that killed the Blood Demon was one of the true powers he possessed, a move imbued with power that even the Eight Immortals would fear.

No matter how persistent the Blood Demon was like a cockroach, this time, being alive itself was impossible.

Dan Woo-hyun had that certainty.

“They even have ten masters as strong as you, elders! How does that make any sense?”

Jang Sam-tae, who had his head pressed to the ground, also muttered with an uncomprehending face.

Although the name of the Five Emperors was by no means light, Jeok Mu-seong had spoken it.

Consequently, it seemed certain that ten martial artists around the level of the Five Emperors, or those comparable to them, were indeed gathered.

If so, a question arose.

Who on earth.

Was commanding them?

Dan Woo-hyun narrowed his eyes and let out a groan.

Things he had not bothered to think about until now were rising one by one.

* * *

“Phew…!”

Jeok Mu-seong performed meditation in a comfortable atmosphere for the first time in a long while.

The one standing guard by his side was none other than Gwon Mu-jin.

Since they were at least on close terms having shared meals at the Martial Emperor Castle, he seemed to have set him by his side in that he could trust him more than others.

Standing guard for someone performing meditation over several hours was by no means an easy task.

However, Gwon Mu-jin did not leave his side for even a single moment and steadfastly kept his place.

Although his affection for his former lord had already vanished and did not exist, since Gwon Mu-jin had served him once and raised his sword for him and the prosperity of the Unorthodox Faction, some lingering feelings seemed to remain.

Watching Jeok Mu-seong compose his breathing, Gwon Mu-jin asked cautiously.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, at least I feel better.”

Although his internal energy had not returned perfectly, he had recovered to some level.

Since this Central Plains Martial World was a place where one never knew what would happen when, he had passed a single crisis.

Jeok Mu-seong glanced back.

“You seem to have changed a lot in the meantime.”

“It is all thanks to my lord’s grace.”

“My lord…”

Jeok Mu-seong let out a small laugh.

Previously, when speaking of Gwon Mu-jin’s lord, it meant Ma Dok-jin. However, now he knew that he followed Dan Woo-hyun rather than Ma Dok-jin.

Although bitter, he felt somewhat pleased by that growth.

“But are you really alright? The Martial Emperor Castle, like this…”

“It will likely disappear.”

Jeok Mu-seong let out a deep sigh.

The Martial Emperor Castle has lost its leader.

It was announced that Jeok Mu-seong, the absolute ruler of the Unorthodox Faction and one of the Five Emperors, was dead, and others had taken that place.

At first, many would protest, but that too would soon quiet down.

Absolute power was originally like that.

It was the same logic as Jeok Mu-seong being unable to budge before Dan Woo-hyun.

“However, since I am alive, the Martial Emperor Castle is not dead yet.”

Jeok Mu-seong put murderous intent in his eyes.

He was retreating like this now, but it was not over yet.

It was absolutely impossible that Jeok Mu-seong, who was called the sun of the Unorthodox Faction, would end like this.

He would reclaim the Martial Emperor Castle.

The resolve to reclaim his castle from those rascals was harbored in Jeok Mu-seong’s gaze.

This was especially so because the Martial Emperor Castle was no different from Jeok Mu-seong’s life.

“Did the families betray you?”

“It must be seen that way.”

Grit!

The sight of the dying elders and guards was still vivid in his eyes.

It was a scene he could not forget even until death.

“Please… achieve what you desire…”

Gwon Mu-jin bowed his head, supporting his resolution.

Although he could no longer take up his blade for the Unorthodox Faction, it was clear he had grown there, so he wished to support it even from afar.

Jeok Mu-seong looked at Gwon Mu-jin.

The man who was once the pride of the Unorthodox Faction.

Although he was now beside that elusive man named Dan Woo-hyun, the heart and strength Gwon Mu-jin possessed would be of great help to Jeok Mu-seong.

Was it for that reason?

Jeok Mu-seong looked at Gwon Mu-jin and spoke.

“Do you have any thoughts of coming with me?”

At that single question, Gwon Mu-jin’s eyes wavered. It was a statement from the mouth of none other than the one who had been the sun of the Unorthodox Faction.

His mind surged, and conflict arose.

However, soon letting out a sigh and calming his mind, Gwon Mu-jin spoke.

“I am sorry. I have chosen this place as my grave.”

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