You’ll find out soon enough. (2)

Mangeum Daebu silently gazed at his shoulder. After staring at it for a long time with those cold eyes, a bitter smile grazed the corner of his mouth.

‘…It’s not a pretty sight.’

This is the price of arrogance.

He believed he could negotiate with anyone if he set his mind to it. He thought there were no forces in the world that couldn’t be persuaded with wealth and power. And as the cost of realizing that it was arrogance, he gave up one arm.

Slowly, Mangeum Daebu raised his hand and pressed his palm onto the still-healing shoulder. The intense pain, enough to make him grit his teeth involuntarily, pierced through his head.

‘Not bad.’

Of course, he is not saying it because he is starting to lose his sanity.

Losing an arm is a horrifying thing, especially when it’s the arm a swordsman wields a sword with. It’s hard to even quantify that loss.

But…

‘It doesn’t matter.’

It’s better than losing ones life.

As long as you are alive opportunities will surely come. What Mangeum Daebu paid for his arrogance was a small price to pay.

The problem is from now on.

If he won’t clean up the Demonic Cult, Mangeum Daebu will not be given another chance. We have to get rid of them, by any means necessary.

To achieve that…

Thump!

At that moment, the door of Daejeon[대전(大殿) – main hall or great hall or even a palace] opened, and a person walked in. Without turning his head, Mangeum Daebu could tell who it was.

The jingling of jewelry with every step was the signature sound of Jang Ilso. Mangeum Daebu turned his head to look at him, who was approaching.

Jang Ilso stared at Mangeum Daebu and asked,

“What’s the situation?”

“…It seems they are still in Hangzhou.”

“Slower than I thought. By now, I expected them to have cleared Hangzhou and started moving elsewhere.”

Upon hearing this, Mangeum Daebu remained silent. His expression seemed to hold some disagreement, so Jang Ilso slightly narrowed his eyes and continued,

“Speak up.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Why do you think their advance is slow?”

Mangeum Daebu seemed to contemplate deeply for a moment before he spoke again.

“It’s not that they’re slow.”

“Hmm?”

It was an unexpected response. Jang Ilso tilted his head slightly.

Mangeum Daebu opened his mouth again to elaborate.

“Their speed is actually faster than I anticipated.”

“They took Hangzhou in a day and you haven’t been able to do anything about it.”

“Yes,”

Mangeum Daebu nodded with a dark expression.

“Because their objectives are completely different.”

“Objectives?”

“If Sapaeryeon wanted to occupy Hangzhou, our objective would be to neutralize everyone. We would swiftly eliminate those who resist and place Hangzhou under our control.”

“True.”

“But their objective is not like that. Their objective is quite literally ‘extermination [멸절(滅絶)]’ They aim to erase every living thing in Hangzhou.”

For the first time, Jang Ilso fell silent. He hadn’t had the time to confirm this part accurately due to the rush in receiving the report.

“Extermination?”

A bitter laugh escaped his lips.

“You mean they’re willing annihilate every living person?”

“It seems that way.”

“So, their goal isn’t about dominating the Central Plains but killing everyone who resides there, is that the implication?”

“I can’t be sure of that. However…”

Mangeum Daebu opened his mouth, his expression indicated reluctance.

“Regardless of what their objective is, it’s unlikely to be limited to the Central Plains. In the war a hundred years ago, they devastated not only the Central Plains but even the outer regions.”

As Mangeum Daebu spoke, he vividly recalled the Bishop’s gaze.

“I can’t be sure. I can’t know for certain, but…”

Those weren’t the eyes of someone merely despising people. It was a gaze tinged with more disgust than hatred. It seemed it was his duty rather than enmity.

His one remaining hand trembled slightly. It was only now that he felt like he understood why Magyo had become an object of fear.

However, Jang Ilso’s reaction was slightly different.

“Annihilation…”

He pondered for a moment, then began to chuckle.

“I thought they were completely insane, but they seem rather boring, much more than I thought.”

“…Boring?”

“Yes.”

Jang Ilso twisted the corner of his mouth.

“If there’s nothing to dominate, there’s no reason to fight. What’s the point of a world where there’s no one to control?”

“…They might be trying to create a world for belivers, a paradise where there is no one opposing their doctrine…”

“Nonsense.”

But Jang Ilso cut him off bluntly. His face flashed with disgust for a moment.

“Anyway, there’s no paradise where people live.”

Mangeum Daebu was momentarily shaken. Jang Ilso fierce aura made him shiver.

“Whether it’s this guy or that guy, they’re all spouting unbelievable nonsense.”

Jang Ilso casually glanced over his face. As he did, the twisted expression vanished as if it had been washed away, leaving a calm face just like usual.

“Whatever. It doesn’t matter what they’re thinking. They’re all going to die anyway.”

“…What about the orthodox sects?”

Mangeum Daebu, who had been silent, turned the conversation.

Jang Ilso replied shortly,

“They’re coming soon.”

“…You really secured support.”

Mangeum Daebu looked at Jang Ilso with a renewed expression.

‘This isn’t normal.’

Jang Ilso is from the unorthodox faction. Moreover, he is the leader of Sapaeryeon, holding their reins. For someone like that to be promised support through negotiations with the orthodox sects is no ordinary feat.

No. Even before that… No matter how much they needed it, reaching out to the orthodox sects before anyone else did is a significant move.

Perhaps only Jang Ilso can pull off something like this.

“There’s no need to call it support in particular. I’d like to drag all those orthodox sects in and use them as arrow fodder. But it doesn’t seem like we’re in a leisurely situation for that.”

“…Certainly.”

“So, we need to prepare, Mangeum Daebu.”

Jang Ilso’s gaze momentarily turned cold.

“Originally, it’s a task for Black Ghost Fortress to handle. Just because I step in doesn’t mean you all can just stand aside. You have to play your part.”

Mangeum Daebu nodded slowly. This is an inevitable task.

“I’m prepared.”

“Then, get moving. Accurately assess their positions, gather all remaining forces, and assemble them in Hangzhou.”

“Understood.”

Mangeum Daebu nodded and stepped away. Jang Ilso’s eyes, as he left, had grown chilling.

‘Magyo, orthodox sects, and Maninbang.’

Traders always need to think about how to profit, regardless of how insurmountable the loss might be, even right after suffering a great blow.

In the emotionless mind of Mangeum Daebu, the best courses of action he could take right now began to surface. His task was to select the most practical one.

But perhaps he was too deeply immersed in those thoughts?

Mangeum Daebu didn’t know.

He wasn’t aware of the strange gaze piercing into the back of his head, as if it was toying and strangling its prey.

***

On the riverbank, the main forces of Maninbang assembled. Typically, those who go by the name Evil Faction tend to be carefree. However, the military posture of Maninbang, currently gathered at the river, possessed a firm discipline within their casual demeanor.

“Are preparations complete?”

“Yes, they are.”

Standing beside Jang Ilso, Ho Gameoung replied with a skeptical look as he gazed at the river.

“…Lord Ryeonju. Even though the control of the waterway isn’t complete, relying on them alone…”

“It’s alright, Gamyung.”

Jang Llso smiled wryly.

“Numbers are not the important part. Black Ghost will fill in for that.”

“I understand that. But do you really need to head to Hangzhou yourself, Lord Ryeonju? You’re the pillar of Sapaeryeon. Why should you get involved in this?”

“Gamyung, Gamyung.”

Jang Ilso sighed deeply.

“You’re trying to undermine me, it seems.”

“…”

“I know full well what you are thinking, but you must remember.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes suddenly sparked.

“The moment you are intoxicated by staying under a roof, that shelters you from the storm, enjoying the warmth of a straw mat, aren’t you just like a dog satisfied with a bone, even when you could be a wolf that sinks its teeth into a deer’s neck?”

“…”

“Whether it’s the head of Maninbang or the leader of Sapaeryeon, it’s just a change of outer shell. Tell me, who am I?”

“Lord Ryeonju…”

Subtle pressure began to weigh down on Ho Gamyung, and in that sensation, he shivered and spoke.

“You are Paegun Jang Ilso.”

“That’s right.”

Jang Ilso’s blood-red lips parted, revealing his pearly white teeth. His appearance was akin to a bloodthirsty wolf, craving for blood.

“I am Jang Ilso.”

What more needed to be said?

Then his gaze turned toward the river. A small boat approached their way.

Jang Ilso chuckled.

“Yes, it has to be me. No one else. No one else can handle that sword – it’s too sharp. If it’s not me, no one can wield it properly.”

Ho Gamyeong watched as the boat docked in silence, a faint tension in his gaze.

About ten people disembarked from the small boat and approached them.

Ho Gamyeong observed them in silence.

‘Speaking such words to an enemy might not be appropriate, but they are formidable individuals.’

Those were Ho Gamyeong’s candid thoughts.

This was Gangnam, an area that could be considered an enemy’s territory. With the elite forces of Maninbang gathered here. It wasn’t typical for opponents to approach so boldly.

Although they were enemies, there was no denying their courage.

At the forefront stood a stern-looking man, unfamiliar to Ho Gamyeong. He approached Jang Ilso and bowed respectfully.

“I am Un Geom, a senior disciple of Hwasan. I have the honor of meeting Sapaeryeon’s Ryeonju.”

His manners were polite yet far from servile.

Jang Ilso’s gaze focused on Un Geom’s sleeve. With a strange smile, he spoke slowly.

“You’ve taken a difficult journey. I express my gratitude.”

“No need for that.”

Finally, Jang Ilso’s gaze shifted behind Un Geom, towards Chung Myung.

“Great.”

A slight, childish smile spread across his face.

“Are you considering whether you’ve made the right decision boarding an enemy’s ship, Hwasan Geomhyeop?”

“Well, I’m still thinking about it.”

“Huh?”

“Maybe as a parting gift on the way back, I should just take your head or something. It’s not a common opportunity, you know?”

“Hahaha!”

Jang Ilso laughed as if amused.

“Sure, sure. That’s why I like you.”

Just as Chung Myung seemed about to respond, a disgruntled voice was heard from behind.

“If you came to chit-chat, can I go back now?”

Jang Ilso’s gaze turned to where the voice came from.

“Oh? What a pleasant face this is?”

With gleeful eyes, Jang Ilso looked at Im Sobyeong.

“I can’t believe you even came here to see me off. Does it mean I still have your favor? Perhaps I haven’t lost your goodwill?”

“Can a snake’s offspring gain goodwill? I thought that was something only humans could do.”

“Aw, come on. You’re still as rude as ever.”

The two locked eyes in midair, but their brief standoff was cut short by Chung Myung’s words.

“If you’re done chatting, let’s get going.”

All eyes turned towards Chung Myung.

“Right now,”

Jang Ilso rolled his eyes and laughed.

“If you wish.”

Jang Ilso’s gaze was boiling, while Chung Myung’s eyes were icy cold.

As the sun rose in the east, the forces of Hwasan and the elite members of Maninbang pounded the ground.

Their target was Hangzhou, a land drenched in blood.