Chapter 152: Chapter 152
“Gurgle…….”
Cheon-hwi, who was looking down at the Lord of the Soheung Fort collapsed on the floor in the shape of a large character while foaming at the mouth, lightly dusted his hands and opened his mouth.
“Get up.”
As soon as those words ended.
“I’m up!”
The Lord of the Soheung Fort jumped up.
Whether his actions preceded his thoughts, he got up, but his legs were trembling uncontrollably.
“Have you come to your senses now?”
At the question, he nodded his head up and down as if his neck would fall off.
“Yes!”
His face was a mess.
There was a bulging lump on his forehead, and one of his eyes was dyed blue.
‘What sin did I commit in my past life?’
In a short time less than a quarter of an hour, he swallowed his tears after being beaten to a pulp.
“Then clean up the mess now.”
Cheon-hwi gathered his internal energy.
Then, the solid energy barrier that had been deployed before the beating disappeared.
“Uwaaah!”
“Keuak!”
Screams struck his ears.
“Ah! You shouldn’t kill them.”
As Cheon-hwi, who had forgotten the situation outside while educating the Lord of the Soheung Fort, moved.
Swish…
His figure disappeared like an illusion.
“……He left, right?”
The Lord of the Soheung Fort, who glanced at Cheon-hwi who disappeared in an instant, also came out.
And he froze in that state.
“……Damn it.”
A curse unconsciously flowed out.
It was because dozens of subordinates were unconscious in the hallway outside the room.
“No wonder no one came…….”
Meanwhile, Cheon-hwi, who came out, half-opened his eyes as he looked at the manor of the Soheung Fort.
“Still, they didn’t kill anyone.”
Perhaps they had an awareness of being Plum Blossom Swordsmen, there were many injured people, but fortunately, there were no corpses.
“Since their internal energy has increased, they have indeed changed.”
Cheon-hwi’s gaze headed toward the center of the attack.
Clang! Clang! Swish…
Jeok-geom and Seol Ran, the two of them were completely overwhelming the martial artists of the Soheung Fort.
Of course, there was the fact that the skills of the martial artists of the Soheung Fort were weak, but Jeok-geom and Seol Ran were easily subjugating them.
What those words meant was that after taking the White Gold Pill, they could freely control their increased internal energy.
‘On top of that, having experienced real combat several times, they even gained composure.’
The two calmly responded to the extraordinary weapons of the Soheung Fort, and in harmony with that, they were properly executing their martial arts.
If in the past they were busy dealing with the enemies in front of them, now they watched the opponent’s attacks to the end and calmly counterattacked.
Was it thanks to that?
Surprisingly, the two were not moving much from their radius.
‘Only now do they seem a bit like Plum Blossom Swordsmen.’
A smile formed on Cheon-hwi’s mouth.
Compared to when they were bewildered by the unique killing techniques when facing the Supreme King Sect in the past, they were at a completely remarkable level.
‘As expected, those guys’ skills only improve when they are pushed to the edge of a cliff.’
Cheon-hwi, who was having thoughts that would have terrified the two if they heard them, sent a sound transmission.
[Do not inflict injuries, only subdue them.]
For a moment, Jeok-geom and Seol Ran flinched.
The two couldn’t know the reason, but for now, they gathered their internal energy to follow that command.
As the sharp momentum of the two weakened.
“They are finally exhausted!”
“Now is the time!”
The momentum of the Soheung Fort rose to the fullest.
“Everyone, attack!”
Thinking that now was an opportunity that would never come again, they launched an attack.
However.
Swish…
They couldn’t even graze the collars of the two.
Instead, their attacks began to be broken by the swords of Jeok-geom and Seol Ran.
Striking later to subjugate the opponent!
A martial art that was difficult to perform unless there was an overwhelming difference in martial prowess was unfolded.
Ju Go Yul, who was hiding behind the main gate and secretly peeking, could not suppress his admiration.
“So that was how it is unfolded!”
He, who was watching Jeok-geom and Seol Ran dodge and deflect the attacks of dozens of people entirely with footwork alone, could not take his eyes off them.
No, he couldn’t even think of taking them off.
‘I must watch carefully!’
Because he knew that this very moment was a fortuitous encounter for him.
“To neutralize them with just a single step, and on top of that, the Profound Heaven Sword Art is…….”
After a while, there was not a single person standing straight in front of Jeok-geom and Seol Ran.
“Ugh… “
“I, I will surrender.”
“Please spare me!”
There were only those who were lying on the floor groaning, or those who knelt and surrendered.
Cheon-hwi only then approached the two.
“Phew, Martial Uncle!”
“We did as you said.”
At their words, Cheon-hwi nodded his head.
“Good job. Your skills have improved.”
“Is that so?”
“Really?”
At Cheon-hwi’s praise, which was so rare that it could be counted on one’s fingers, the expressions of the two brightened.
However, that was also brief.
“Still, it is not enough.”
“It is still not enough.”
Jeok-geom and Seol Ran burned with enthusiasm.
The opponents were merely second-rate to third-rate, was it something to be excited about just subduing that level?
“Hmm, good.”
Cheon-hwi, who liked their mental state, had the corners of his mouth slightly curl up.
Soon, he turned his body.
“Then let’s go now.”
“Yes?”
“But what about them…….”
“Leave them be. It will be sorted out on its own.”
Cheon-hwi and the two exited the Soheung Fort.
Ju Go Yul, who was standing at the main gate, shouted with his eyes sparkling toward Jeok-geom and Seol Ran, who had cleaned up everyone in less than fifteen minutes.
“You have truly outstanding skills!”
Around the time Jeok-geom and Seol Ran were only letting out awkward laughs, Cheon-hwi approached and asked.
“Where is the nearest place next?”
Ju Go Yul’s expression brightened.
“It is the Black Tiger Gang!”
* * *
A moment later, Cheon-hwi, who arrived at the Black Tiger Gang following Ju Go Yul’s guidance, shone his eyes.
‘Oho. Look at that guy?’
A man was standing at the main gate.
The man in neat scholar’s attire, which was awkward to call a gatekeeper martial artist, had a smile on his mouth upon seeing Cheon-hwi and the group.
“I was waiting for you to come.”
Ju Go Yul reacted before anyone else.
“During this time, far from greeting, you only ignored us. Seeing the Immortals of the Mount Hua Sect visit our sect, it seems you are slowly getting a bit scared.”
“How could I not be scared of the Mount Hua Sect?”
Ju Go Yul provoked him, but the man didn’t show the slightest sign of wavering.
He, who calmly admitted it, met the gaze of Ju Go Yul, whose eyes were sharply open.
“And what you said earlier is a bit distorted. Hasn’t the Ilhwa Sect also ignored our gang until now?”
“That is…….”
Ju Go Yul closed his mouth.
As he said, the Ilhwa Sect had also ignored them, saying that the righteous faction and the Unorthodox Faction could not mix like oil and water.
“Then I will speak again.”
He, who spoke quietly, glanced at Jeok-geom and Seol Ran, and politely cupped his fist.
“I am Jang Gil, the Chief Steward of the Black Tiger Gang.”
Jang Gil spoke while maintaining his smile.
“There was an order from the Gang Leader to bring the Plum Blossom Swordsmen inside.”
Around the time he looked at Jeok-geom and Seol Ran.
Step…
Cheon-hwi stepped forward by one pace.
“In other words, you want to have a conversation?”
Surprise dwelled in Jang Gil’s eyes.
It was because he didn’t know that another Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect would step forward and answer instead of Jeok-geom and Seol Ran, who were definitely Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
“That is correct.”
“Good.”
Cheon-hwi nodded his head.
“It could be a trap.”
At that, Ju Go Yul hurriedly tried to stop him, but.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Cheon-hwi spoke as if he didn’t care at all and said while looking at Jang Gil.
“Please guide us.”
“Please follow me.”
Jang Gil smiled and opened the door.
Soon, he slipped inside, and Cheon-hwi followed behind him.
“Shouldn’t you stop him?”
The flustered Ju Go Yul asked Jeok-geom and Seol Ran, who were about to follow, but.
“You mean Martial Uncle?”
“Stop him?”
The two let out a laugh.
Who would stop whom?
“Let’s follow too.”
“Then we shall enter as well.”
As the two entered, Ju Go Yul stood there not knowing what to do for a moment.
Gulp…
Swallowing dry saliva, he followed behind.
Cheon-hwi, who was following right behind Jang Gil, moved his lips while looking at the quiet surroundings.
“There are no people.”
“I sent them inside to welcome the guests.”
How long did they walk down the quiet hallway like that, they were able to arrive at a large room.
“Sect Leader. The guests have arrived.”
As a thick voice was heard, Jang Gil threw open the room door and smiled.
“Please go inside.”
Cheon-hwi and the group went inside.
There was a large circular table inside the room, and an old man with a soft impression was getting up from his chair on the opposite side.
He looked at Cheon-hwi and cupped his fist.
“Welcome. I am the Leader of the Black Tiger Gang, Jo Dae-woong.”
For a moment, the corners of Cheon-hwi’s mouth twisted.
It was because he saw the exchange of glances between Jang Gil and the Black Tiger Gang Leader that occurred in a fleeting moment.
“Why did you call us?”
The Black Tiger Gang Leader’s eyebrows twitched.
He had greeted politely, but far from accepting it, wasn’t he completely ignoring him?
However, he had to suppress his anger.
Because the opponents were Plum Blossom Swordsmen of the Mount Hua Sect.
“I called you to make a proposal.”
“Hmm, a proposal…….”
Cheon-hwi grinned and sat in a seat.
“Try speaking once.”
As Cheon-hwi confidently crossed his legs and spoke, the Black Tiger Gang Leader also sat in a seat.
“Good.”
While doing so, he looked at Jeok-geom, Seol Ran, and Ju Go Yul, who were still standing, and spoke.
“Before that, won’t everyone sit?”
He made the proposal, but the three didn’t show the slightest sign of moving.
At that time, Cheon-hwi’s mouth opened.
“Sit.”
As Jeok-geom and Seol Ran sat at the command, Ju Go Yul also sat after checking the mood.
Then.
Step… Step…
Jang Gil stood next to the Black Tiger Gang Leader.
The Black Tiger Gang Leader glanced up at Jang Gil, then stared at Cheon-hwi and opened his mouth.
“Won’t you join hands with us?”
At the unexpected proposal, the three except Cheon-hwi opened their eyes wide.
“How can we join hands with the Unorthodox Faction…….”
“How dare you think of joining hands with our sect…….”
“Crazy!”
When the three were about to protest.
“Stay still.”
Cheon-hwi spoke in a cold tone.
After that, he asked the Black Tiger Gang Leader.
“Why do you want to join hands?”
“Of course, it’s not to continue joining hands, but to cooperate for just a very brief moment.”
The Black Tiger Gang Leader, who saw the intense reaction of the three, quickly continued his explanation.
“Wouldn’t you all have to return to the Mount Hua Sect someday?”
“That is true.”
Cheon-hwi affirmed.
As he said, it wasn’t possible for them to continue staying in Yan’an.
“Rather than continue fighting like this and shedding each other’s blood, wouldn’t you rather join hands with us and take over Yan’an?”
“So you’re saying let’s just join forces to destroy the two places, the Soheung Fort and the Guiyu Sect?”
“That is correct. And after that, let’s divide Yan’an in half.”
Cheon-hwi chuckled.
It seemed like a reasonable proposal, but many things were missing.
“Are you trying to vaguely gloss over the fact that your side attacked the Ilhwa Sect first?”
Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed.
“Because of your attack, some of the Ilhwa Sect disciples received fatal injuries.”
“……We will compensate.”
The Black Tiger Gang Leader carefully proposed.
“Is money good? Or perhaps yielding some territory…….”
“No, that’s enough.”
Cheon-hwi cleanly cut his words off.
“There is only one thing I want.”
“What is it?”
“Your neck.”
The Black Tiger Gang Leader emitted murderous intent.
“Did you have no intention of listening from the beginning?”
“Of course.”
The corners of Cheon-hwi’s eyes curved.
“What kind of proper conversation can I have with a puppet?”
The Black Tiger Gang Leader’s eyes frowned.
“A puppet, what does that…….”
Cheon-hwi’s gaze pierced Jang Gil.
“Until when are you going to feign ignorance?”
Jang Gil, who looked at Cheon-hwi asking him suddenly, asked with a deliberately surprised face.
“What exactly are you saying…….”
“You are controlling him by sending sound transmissions.”
For a moment, Jang Gil’s atmosphere drastically changed.
“Since when did you know?”
“Since when, my ass.”
Cheon-hwi uncrossed his legs.
“Naturally, since the beginning.”
Jang Gil’s expression stiffened.
“Are you saying you can read sound transmissions?”
“Similar.”
Cheon-hwi grinned.
To be exact, rather than reading sound transmissions, there was a unique energy when sending them.
“Nonsense.”
Jang Gil spoke while narrowing his eyes.
“Black Tiger Gang Leader.”
At the call, the Black Tiger Gang Leader flinched and jumped up from his seat, shouting loudly.
“Everyone, attack!”
At that moment.
Crash!
The ceiling collapsed.
At the same time, martial artists poured down from above, and they began to launch attacks.
“Gasp!”
Around the time Ju Go Yul swallowed a gasp.
“Hurry and stick to my side!”
Seol Ran, who had drawn her sword at some point, protected him and drew up her internal energy.
“Junior Martial Sister, focus on protecting Young Master Ju. I’ll take care of the rest!”
While the two were dealing with them.
Sreuk…
Cheon-hwi stood up from his chair while staring at the frozen Black Tiger Gang Leader and Jang Gil.
And he spoke while keeping his eyes on Jang Gil.
“What a sloppy ambush.”
“Are you saying you knew about that too?”
“It would be strange not to know.”
Jang Gil’s expression slightly stiffened.
“You are digging your own grave. If you had accepted the proposal, it would have just passed…….”
“Did you really think I would accept such a proposal?”
Cheon-hwi harbored a sneer.
“Your head is a flower garden.”
Jang Gil looked at the Black Tiger Gang Leader.
“What are you doing right now? Without quickly attacking that bastard.”
“A-Understood!”
The moment the Black Tiger Gang Leader was about to draw his sword.
Seureuk…
Cheon-hwi’s figure disappeared.
“Keok!”
Cheon-hwi, who narrowed the distance by unfolding Dark Fragrance Drift, grabbed the Black Tiger Gang Leader’s neck.
‘W-When did he close this distance…….!’
An earthquake occurred in Jang Gil’s pupils.
He completely didn’t see when the distance was narrowed.
At that time.
Crunch!
A gruesome sound was heard.
Cheon-hwi threw the Black Tiger Gang Leader, whose neck bone was broken, to the floor and met eyes with Jang Gil.
“You’re next.”
Jang Gil felt a terrible coldness from Cheon-hwi’s chilly pupils and voice.
‘He is not an ordinary guy! Was there a guy like that in the Mount Hua Sect!’
Biting his lip, he took out a small bead from his embrace and threw it on the floor.
Bang!
White powder spread in all directions.
“Cough! Cough!”
Jang Gil swiftly escaped out the window taking advantage of the obscured vision.
His footwork became even faster.
‘I have to inform the society and request reinforcements!’
Right when he, who judged that it was better to plan for the future rather than choosing a fight with ambiguous odds of winning, was about to run away.
‘What is it?’
His vision began to tilt.
‘Why is the ground suddenly rising…….’
With that question as his last, Jang Gil’s consciousness was cut off.
Thud.
Cheon-hwi, who was looking at the corpse of the dead Jang Gil, sheathed the sword that had severed his head.
“Hmm, I should have asked exactly where the mastermind is.”
He withdrew the gaze he was looking with.
“Since he died like this, at least one person will probably come to find out the situation later.”
Meanwhile, inside the room where the white powder flew out as the window opened, the Black Tiger Gang members had thrown away their weapons and were holding up both hands.
“……I-I will surrender.”
“We lost!”
Right when Jeok-geom and Seol Ran, who saw those surrendering immediately upon seeing the corpse of the Black Tiger Gang Leader, smirked and sheathed their swords.
Bang!
Suddenly, the door opened.
“S-Sect Leader! Right now, the Guiyu Sect is inva… the Ilhwa Sect…….”
The Black Tiger Gang member, who had opened the door while panting, stopped speaking and swallowed his bewilderment.
There was a shocking sight to that extent.
Since the Black Tiger Gang Leader who should have been inside the room was coldly dead, and the other Black Tiger Gang members were raising both hands up while staring at the Daoists of the Mount Hua Sect.
“What is this…….”
Around the time he was flustered.
“What about the Ilhwa Sect?”
A voice was heard from his side.
Startled, he jumped up and looked to the side, and a young man was looking at him.
“W-Who are…….”
“Never mind, just say what you were saying.”
At the chilly words of the young man, Cheon-hwi, the Black Tiger Gang member urgently rolled his eyes for a moment.
After reading the urging gazes of the Black Tiger Gang members, he shouted loudly.
“R-Right now, the Guiyu Sect is invading the Ilhwa Sect.”
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