Chapter 340: Chapter 340

Namgung Cheon sheathed his sword and looked around.

The moment Yun Gong’s body was split in half and his blood splattered in all directions, everyone stopped fighting.

The martial artists on the Myriad Gold Merchant Group’s side glanced at each other, then raised their swords and slit their own throats.

Splash!

“Ack!”

“Groan…”

Death was indeed instantaneous. No one could stop them, nor were there any who could save them.

Namgung Cheon frowned as he watched all those situations.

“How vicious.”

For a person to commit suicide is by no means an easy task.

Although suicide is something that even those with immense courage cannot properly attempt, they slit their own throats without a shred of hesitation.

It was impossible unless they had received thorough training.

“This is… troublesome.”

Namgung Cheon scratched his cheek.

He had no intention of killing them all.

The purpose was to keep a few alive and drag them to the magistrate’s office, but since every single one slit their throat, it became a highly awkward situation for him.

Soon, he glanced up at the second floor.

“Did he escape?”

The one presumed to be the leader of the Ghost Shadows.

Of course, since it was merely Zhuge Un’s speculation, he did not know if it was true or not, but it was regrettable to have missed him.

He frowned slightly, then soon shook his head.

“Since I am old and my legs are not good, I cannot give chase… This sort of thing should be done by a young fellow.”

Namgung Cheon muttered while looking at Prince Yeong.

At that, Hong Won-chang, who was beside him, smiled awkwardly.

Because he could see the intention to have Jang Sam-tae pursue him.

* * *

Ja Hak-sang ran rapidly.

His movement, leaping in an instant, was very swift.

Although it was a situation where he should have charged with a sword as a martial artist, if he died, there would be no one to deliver all these facts to the Myriad Gold Merchant Group.

Therefore, someone had to live, even if it meant bearing infamy.

‘How ridiculous.’

Ja Hak-sang smiled awkwardly, thinking such thoughts to himself. Until just a while ago, Yun Gong’s cautious, almost obsessive plans had not made sense to him, but the moment he felt Gunjageom’s momentum, a shudder ran through him.

It instilled fear and planted dread.

Although it was brief, he had never felt such a powerful aura.

‘I must inform the Guild Leader as soon as possible.’

Thinking so, Ja Hak-sang wore a bitter expression.

Originally, this role was Yun Gong’s share, not his, but the positions were reversed, resulting in the absurd situation where the one who should fight was fleeing instead.

‘Hunan Dan Family…’

Although the one who newly became the Guild Leader of the Myriad Gold Merchant Group also possessed outstanding abilities, Ja Hak-sang missed Man Hu-ryang when he thought of the Hunan Dan Family.

Because if he had been here, they would not have suffered the humiliation of losing to the Hunan Dan Family.

If he had been here, they would not have lost their influence in Hunan. A man who knew better than anyone how and when to appropriately use outstanding wealth and power.

For that was none other than Man Hu-ryang.

He firmly believed that even if countless people in the world praised Zhuge Un, Man Hu-ryang was the greatest strategist, and there was no one who surpassed him.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?”

At that moment, a voice was heard suddenly.

Startled, Ja Hak-sang turned his head and swung his sword.

The flashing blade instantly grazed the nose of the person who appeared.

“Whoops! Scary.”

The figure that appeared widened the distance in an instant, then closed in once again before he knew it. Watching that, Ja Hak-sang’s eyes trembled.

Only now could he tell who the opponent was.

The one who caused a disturbance at the tavern.

And the one who made food at the street stall.

It was clearly Jang Sam-tae, the servant of the Hunan Dan Family.

“Damned fellow…”

“You damned bastard, what kind of dog-like suffering is this because of you?”

Jang Sam-tae grumbled as he matched his pace with Ja Hak-sang. His expression showed composure, as if he could escape at any time and pursue at any moment.

That irritated Ja Hak-sang’s state of mind even more.

‘He is not strong… If I set my mind to it!’

Running, he gripped his sword once again.

Although it was short last time because he was somewhat surprised, this time he would definitely split his head.

“Our Manor Lord is waiting, how about it? Want to go? Though I do not recommend it.”

“What?”

Ja Hak-sang, who was about to swing his sword, glared.

If it was the Manor Lord of the Hunan Dan Family, it must be Dan Woo-hyun.

But how could the one who should have moved toward Hubei due to Yun Gong’s scheme be here?

He narrowed his eyes at the unbelievable statement.

He wondered if it was a trick to confuse his mind.

“No matter where you go, you will meet him. Because you cannot escape.”

“…”

“Since you are going to die anyway, why not go and verify his face?”

That confident tone wounded Ja Hak-sang’s pride.

‘Fine, let us see how strong he is that even Yun Gong shuddered and tried to keep him away.’

“Where is he!”

“If you go, you will die though?”

“Did you not just say that dying is the same either way!”

“Still, do you not want to live?”

Jang Sam-tae asked teasely.

That single remark irritated Ja Hak-sang’s mind even further. Murderous intent hovered in his eyes, and a momentum surged as if he would swing his sword immediately.

Jang Sam-tae backed away in fright.

As if he grasped the range of the sword, his movements to get out of reach were quite natural.

‘This fellow…’

There are those born with an innate ability to survive.

Those who find a way to survive no matter how weak their martial arts are.

He thought this man named Jang Sam-tae might also be of that breed.

It was also the most enviable ability in this law-of-the-jungle-like Murim.

“Why are you glaring?”

“Son of a bitch…”

“What?”

Jang Sam-tae clenched his fist.

However, perhaps because he lacked the courage to strike, he slyly lowered it. Since it was obvious he would be cut in two if he entered the range.

Ja Hak-sang pondered.

Closing the distance in an instant was entirely possible. But in the brief moment he swung his sword, would the fellow be able to escape the range?

If impossible, he could easily kill him; if possible, it would only serve as a warning.

‘I will kill him!’

But the decision was already made.

Why else would Ja Hak-sang be the leader of the Ghost Shadows?

It was because he enjoyed and loved slaughter more than anyone.

The moment he prepared to close the distance with Jang Sam-tae in one breath.

Shhh!

The surrounding bushes cleared and the scenery transformed.

Jang Sam-tae, who was right in front of him, had disappeared before he knew it.

When he looked straight ahead, sensing a strange vibe, he saw several figures standing blankly.

Jang Sam-tae, who was by his side just a moment ago, was also there.

‘I certainly did not take my eyes off him…’

No matter how fast the lightness art was, he was confident he would not miss him.

Yet how was he over there?

Moreover, in front of him were Demon Heaven Lord wearing a black mask and a person wearing a goblin mask.

It was undoubtedly Gwimyeonja, whom he had heard of through rumors.

There had been rumors that he might be a member of the Hunan Dan Family, and it seemed to be true. However, his build and appearance were slightly different from what he had heard.

And Dan Woo-hyun, the Family Head of the Hunan Dan Family, sat perched on a rock.

“Stop.”

Thud!

Soon, the moment he uttered a single word, both of his feet stopped on their own under heavy pressure.

Crash!

Since his body would not obey, the moment his feet touched the ground, he fell face-down.

“Tsk, tsk. His mental state is a mess.”

Sa Do-hak clicked his tongue and shook his head.

He had also heard of the Ghost Shadows. Of course, since those who actually saw them were few, and the survivors among them were also extremely scarce, he had thought it was just an exaggerated rumor.

But since Dan Woo-hyun had personally cut them down and made them open their mouths, he could tell they actually existed and that the person in front of him was the leader.

However, he felt weaker than expected.

The interest that had lingered on Sa Do-hak’s face vanished.

Furthermore, Jeok Mu-seong, who was disguised as Gwimyeonja wearing a goblin mask, also had the same thought.

The Unorthodox Faction had also made all sorts of efforts to grasp their identity, but had failed every time.

‘It was worth wearing this mask. But are rumors just rumors after all?’

Jeok Mu-seong smiled as he thought so, and adjusted his mask.

It was just then that Dan Woo-hyun’s voice was heard.

“You are a fellow full of only murderous intent.”

Such was Dan Woo-hyun’s first impression of Ja Hak-sang.

Although he did not exude it, his eyes were full of murderous intent.

“Are you… the Family Head of the Hunan Dan Family?”

“Your words are short.”

Crack!

The moment Dan Woo-hyun’s statement ended, Ja Hak-sang’s head spun around.

While he ground his teeth at the invading pain and tried to correct his posture, a club flew in once again, aiming for his leg.

Whack!

Hurriedly raising his leg to dodge it, he thrust his sword.

Clang!

Along with the metallic sound, a heavy impact was transmitted from his grasp. The inner energy of the one who blocked and the one who thrust clashed, creating a strong wave.

Whoosh…

Ma Jang-gang frowned.

It was because the transmitted inner energy was greater than expected.

At that moment, something flew in suddenly. Ja Hak-sang, who had been looking only at Ma Jang-gang, was startled and tried to dodge, but the flying object bound his entire body securely and forced him to kneel on the floor.

“You are quite decent.”

“Muhahaha, do you know how hard I worked practicing this?”

Jang Sam-tae was satisfied as he caressed the steel thread wrapped around his hand. He realized he could bind or manipulate people in this manner, rather than simply digging traps and launching surprise attacks.

Of course, it was something he would not have even thought of without Zhuge Un’s advice.

“Ugh…!”

“You seem to have some fortitude, but this is as far as you go.”

At that moment, Dan Woo-hyun stood up smoothly. Not a shred of interest in Ja Hak-sang could be seen in his eyes.

He was simply full of the will to extract something.

Standing in front of the bound Ja Hak-sang before anyone knew it, Dan Woo-hyun grabbed his hair.

“It was probably about two years ago.”

“…”

What was he talking about?

Ja Hak-sang, his head grabbed, looked up at Dan Woo-hyun. Since he had no intention of opening his mouth no matter what was asked, he simply sneered.

“You attacked a village, did you not?”

“…!”

“And massacred the villagers?”

At every single word, Ja Hak-sang’s eyes trembled. He wanted to hide his expression, but strangely, it was impossible.

The energy inside his body mixed with something, driving him into a helpless state.

Watching that, Dan Woo-hyun wore a sneer on his lips.

“Tell me why you did it… what happened… Spit out everything.”

The cold voice heavily pressured his mind and body.

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