You’ll have to get through me first. (5)

Jeok Ho’s eyebrows twitched slightly. The first two syllables that caught his ears were ‘Jongnam.’

‘Is Jongnam here?’

Of course, he had considered the possibility of Jongnam’s intervention. Despite their Bongmun, when Sapaeryeon would officially invade Shaanxi, they wouldn’t be able to just sit back and watch.

Yet, Sapaeryeon had not yet set foot in Shaanxi. So why would someone claiming to be from Jongnam appear on Sichuan’s land? That alone was enough to twist his insides.

But what truly unsettled Jeok Ho was not the name Jongnam, but the man blocking his path.

He had never heard of him before. Someone who hadn’t made a name for themselves in Gangho. Moreover, judging by his appearance, he seemed nothing more than a youngster.

So it should have been easy to deal with him, yet strangely, Jeok Ho’s Mukdo didn’t move as smoothly as he had thought.

Could it be that he was being pressured by this young man’s momentum? That couldn’t be. He was Jeok Ho. He was not someone to be pushed back by such a novice.

Yet, there was one reason he couldn’t easily extend his sword.

‘Not a single opening.’

It felt like facing a massive wall.

Of course, people swinging swords at rocks were more common than one might think. But if the condition was to split the rock with that sword in a single blow, then no one would easily deflect the sword.

Just like Jeok Ho now.

“Jongnam’s Lee Songbaek…”

With lips tightly pressed together, Joek Ho glared at Lee Songbaek with cold eyes. Despite facing a formidable opponent, Lee Songbaek remained silent and unwavering, without a hint of hesitation.

“Are you trying to stop us alone?”

“I have never said I was alone.”

Jeok Ho’s eyes narrowed slightly. Lee Songbaek met his gaze with an unwavering expression.

“…There are just a few more a little bit late.”

As if to prove his words, a group quickly rushed forward from behind Lee Songbaek.

“Who knew you liked to stand out so much.”

As the man spoke, Lee Songbaek, still fixed on Jeok Ho, nodded slightly.

“Apologies, Sahyeong. Got a bit ahead of myself.”

“Hmph.”

The man snorted as if displeased and glanced briefly at Jeok Ho.

“Seems like we’re a bit late.”

Jeok Ho’s face distorted for a moment. It was because the man who caught a glimpse of him casually turned his gaze to the back.

‘Is he…!’

It was unthinkable for a youngster barely past thirty to dare to avert his gaze in front of Jeok Ho unless he wanted trouble. But at the same time, Jeok Ho had to admit, that insolent attitude strangely suited this man. Perhaps it was because of his flashy appearance.

The man, despite wearing a simple martial arts attire similar to that of Lee Songbaek, emitted a completely different aura. If Lee Songbaek was like a giant tree, this man resembled a dazzling palace. One thing was certain, even in their distinct styles, the imposing presence of each couldn’t be ignored.

‘Is this Jongnam?’

A chill ran down Jeok Ho’s spine. If people who seemed to be mere second generation disciples were this formidable, how strong must the elders and first generation disciples of Jongnam be? The center of Gupailbang seemed to be Shaolin, Wudang, and Jongnam, and it appeared that this wasn’t merely an exaggeration.

Thud! Clang!

Soon, dozens of swordsmen gathered around the two figures.

“Sahyeong!”

“No need for lengthy discussions. Deal with them…”

“Sahyeong. Don’t forget Sect Leader’s instructions.”

At the weighty words thrown from the side, the flashy-looking man stopped talking briefly, then clicked his tongue. And he spoke.

“Rescuing people comes first. Don’t run wild.”

“Yes!”

Jeok Ho’s eyes darkened.

‘Damn.’

The remnants of the Tang family passed by Jongnam and moved away. However, Jeok Ho couldn’t catch them. The moment he moved, Jongnam’s sword would trip him up.

‘Why now of all times!’

Jeok Ho unconsciously bit his lip in rising anger. Then, his eyes flashed with determination.

‘Whoever the opponent is, it doesn’t matter. I’m just carrying out the orders.’

It was a moment when Jeok Ho’s inner strength surged momentarily in response to his opponent’s sword.

A calm voice echoed.

“Step back.”

Jeok Ho turned his head to look at the one who spoke. Suddenly, passing the elders engaged in the fierce battle, Jang Ilso had approached, standing beside him.

Step back? After coming all the way here? Just because of these few guys?

A momentary surge of defiance flashed in Jeok Ho’s eyes. His grip on the sword tightened.

But that momentary anger froze instantly upon hearing the chilling voice that followed.

“Jeok Ho.”

“…”

“Can’t you hear me?”

Glancing briefly at Lee Songbaek and Jin Geumryong, Jeok Ho bit his lip and kicked the ground. As he stepped down beside Jang Ilso, he slightly lowered his head.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I understand. I’m boiling inside too. But…”

Jang Ilso’s eyes subtly twitched as he glanced at Jin Geumryong, Lee Songbaek, and Jongnam’s disciples gathered around them.

“There’s no other choice. Desire is one thing, but greed invites trouble. Behind every young tiger, there’s surely its mother, who will probably arrive soon.”

Jeok Ho’s face hardened. Mother tiger. That must refer to the main force of Jongnam. It meant that the main force he had just remembered was now pushing towards this place.

“And it’s not just them who are coming here. Really dangerous ones are coming too.”

At that, Jeok Ho closed his eyes.

It’s undoubtedly true. While they may handle Jongnam somehow, there might be Hwasan heading their way right now. Perhaps even the Tang clan.

Maninbang is strong. But strength is relative, isn’t it? Facing Hwasan, Jongnam, and the Tang clan, their position will be completely different from before. Perhaps on the vast land of Sichuan, they will have to enact a desperate act of escape.

“It’s a bit regrettable, but… greed is a taboo. Shall we head back now?”

“…Ryeonju’s words are undeniably right. But wouldn’t it be better to just kill and eliminate those bastards?”

Jeok Ho’s eyes turned to Lee Songbaek and Jin Geumryong. Jang Ilso, seemingly agreeing with the sentiment, cast a strange glance at the two.

“Not a bad idea, but… you should have said that earlier. It’s already too late.”

“Yes?”

At that moment, several figures flew in behind Jongnam’s swordsmen.

“Look at them. This is why I dislike old folks.”

As everyone’s attention focused on Jongnam, some elders from the Tang clan, who had joined from somewhere, stood guard behind Jongnam.

They had initially withdrawn at the start of the battle to observe the situation, but with Jongnam’s appearance, they revealed themselves once more.

Watching the panting elders from the Tang clan, Jeok Ho asked with a puzzled expression,

“There are only a few of them, right?”

“Tsk tsk. That’s why you always suffer losses.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Arrogance is the shortcut to hell. Of course, Tang clan standing alone on flat ground is nothing. You can easily trample them as much as you want. But a Tang clan armed with a shield becomes a formidable enemy, like a skilled archer holding the high ground. The more cowardly the skilled archer, the more formidable, right? In that sense, those old folks must be quite something, aren’t they?”

At those words, the elders’ faces flushed red.

“The shield may be small, but it doesn’t seem easy to handle. It’s not something that can be easily solved as I wish.”

As Jang Ilso exaggeratedly sighed, Jin Geumryong spoke up.

“That Sapa guy sure likes to talk.”

“…Hmm?”

“If you’re confident, come at me. I’ll cut your throat.”

Jang Ilso released a deep smile at the arrogant gaze.

“Good words indeed. But you lose some charm when you blurt them out with your butt sticking out like that.”

“What did you say?”

A murderous glint appeared on Jin Geumryong’s eyes. Before he could erupt, Lee Songbaek quickly intervened.

“You! Are you so indifferent even after killing so many people?”

Jang Ilso’s gaze met Lee Songbaek’s.

“Is that even possible?”

“Well then…”

“I’m enjoying this. Very much.”

This time, Lee Songbaek’s demeanor also became more fierce.

Paegun Jang Ilso. The main perpetrator who dyed the world with blood while Jongnam was in Bongmun. He wanted nothing more than to cut his throat right now, but…

‘He’s strong.’

It was certain. He was incredibly strong. Lee Songbaek’s whole body felt numb. Honestly, they all felt they couldn’t handle him even if they staked their lives in it.

Jang Ilso looked at the rings on his fingers with a leisurely gaze and turned them slowly.

“Well, well, you are quite arrogant for little rabbits.”

Then, he shrugged.

“But I can’t end up like a fox caught in a trap trying to fix the habits of a few arrogant rabbits. Let’s go back. Before the fearsome tiger arrives.”

“Yes.”

Jeok Ho nodded silently. He still didn’t fully understand, but there must be a solid reason behind Jang Ilso’s decision.

Then, with exaggerated gestures, Jang Ilso turned around and chuckled.

“And Jeok Ho, it’s not as grand a victory as you think.”

Jeok Ho turned back with a puzzled face but soon understood the meaning behind the words.

The ground, cleared of poisonous clouds, now revealed a scene different from what he had expected. The elite warriors of Maninbang, who had rushed in confidently to cut down the elders, were now sprawled out, each one trembling.

“K-k-kr-r-r-ack… K-k-k-kr-r-r-ack…”

Red and black foam incessantly flowed from their mouths. The sight alone was enough to send shivers down one’s spine. Those who had been convulsing to the point where their bones felt like jelly couldn’t overcome their agony, tearing at their own bodies and clawing at their exposed flesh. The red innards that were revealed were quickly dyed black once again.

“Ugh…”

A groan escaped Jeok Ho’s lips involuntarily.

When… when did this happen?

The number of fallen was staggering, reaching around fifty. While they might not have paid attention to them under normal circumstances, those who had rushed in to face the enemy were among the most elite warriors within Maninbang.

Losing fifty elite warriors in the process of dealing with just twenty or so elders meant that this battle was far from being a profitable venture.

Seeing Jeok Ho’s reaction, Jang Ilso burst into laughter.

“Seems like the Tang clan had quite some fun, huh? Just for the sake of one Sapa bastard.”

Jeok Ho kept his face stern as he shook his head. He had experienced poison countless times even in fights within the Evil Sects.

Therefore, he knew how to handle it. But now, it was impossible not to feel it. The poison they had faced before and the poison of the Tang clan were entirely different from the outset.

“Antidote… We need an antidote…”

“Hmm?”

Jang Ilso’s gaze became slightly somber at Jeok Ho’s words. It seemed as if he was scolding Jeok Ho, questioning if that was a judgment he could make right now.

“Ryeonju…”

“Tsk tsk. So affectionate.”

Jang Ilso slowly began to walk away.

Beneath him lay the Tang clan’s elders who had been hacked to death and his subordinates who were now convulsing from poisoning. They were the subordinates he had painstakingly nurtured. Yet here they were, dozens of them, writhing and convulsing in agony due to poisoning.

“True affection isn’t like that. This is Sichuan, after all. And the enemy will soon arrive. In such circumstances, affection…”

Jang Ilso glanced down at his convulsing subordinate. The desperate gaze of the bloodshot eyes followed Jang Ilso, and he responded with a benevolent smile.

“Yes, I am here.”

Thunk.

Jang Ilso’s foot swiftly severed the convulsing subordinate’s throat. With a final spasm, the body fell silent.

Jang Ilso spoke in a calm voice.

“Do you understand now?”

In that moment, the rings on his fingers became beams of light and shot out.

Thunk! Thunk!

The flying rings pierced through the throats of the convulsing people, ending their suffering in an instant.

“Rye… Ryeonju…”

“This is what mercy looks like.”

With a cold gaze, Jang Ilso surveyed the disciples of Jongnam who were still sharp and vigilant.

‘Jongnam.’

Even if they moved immediately upon hearing the news, it would take them more time to get here. It seemed like their sluggishness had finally dissipated a bit.

“That’s why the world is interesting. There’s always a variable.”

Lee Songbaek and Jin Geumryong.

And then, from afar, there is also a formidable force approaching. Jang Ilso, who had taken them all in with his eyes, turned his head without hesitation.

“Well then…”

As Jang Ilso was about to say something leisurely, he suddenly widened his eyes and turned his head sharply.

Jeok Ho and Red Dogs were taken aback by this reaction. They knew that it was rare for Jang Ilso to show such a response.

“What’s…”

Jang Ilso’s eyes were slightly distorted.

Then, a fierce aura burst forth. Now, not only Jang Ilso but everyone turned their heads to look at one direction. The direction where the intense aura was emanating from.

From the edge of the desolate land, something began to reveal itself.

Though it was far away, appearing as a mere dot, Jang Ilso knew all too well what it was.

“Well, I expected this. I could have died here if I wasn’t careful.”

With a laugh, Jang Ilso turned his body. Then, a menacing roar resounded from far away.

“Jang Ilsooooooooooo!”

It was a roar so fierce that everyone’s bodies stiffened. However, Jang Ilso remained nonchalant.

“Well then, let’s withdraw. Before the tiger’s fangs sink into my neck.”

The sword aimed at his throat.

Seeing the sword named “Chung Myung,” Jang Ilso raised the corner of his mouth slightly.