Even the Buddha has abandoned you. (5)

Jeok Ho felt the blood in his body turn cold.

Though he had never seen the person who had appeared before him, he instantly knew who it was.

Of course he did.

There were countless people in the world, but not many could make him freeze with just a single word.

Seeing the black robes and the sword at his waist left no room for doubt.

“Hwasan… Geomhyeop.”

The name escaped his lips in a groan.

Jeok Ho gritted his teeth, gripping his blade tightly.

Could he do it? There was only one opponent. It might be difficult to defeat him, but at least an attempt to strike down Beop Jong’s head might be possible.

If he risked his life…

Clench.

But Jeok Ho couldn’t bring himself to swing his blade.

The moment he met those eyes staring back at him, he knew. If he swung his sword, he would die. He wouldn’t even get close to Beop Jong’s neck.

‘This is Hwasan Geomhyeop… No, Maehwa Geomgwi.’

This was a level completely beyond what he had heard of.

Even if he risked his life, he wouldn’t reach him. It would be a dog’s death.

Grit.

Overwhelmed by the sudden surge of humiliation, Jeok Ho couldn’t help but clench his teeth harshly.

At that moment, he sensed people quickly approaching behind Hwasan Geomhyeop. It must be his companions.

If he hesitated any longer, Jeok Ho knew he wouldn’t escape alive.

Whether it was mercy or the belief that fighting him was a waste of time, he couldn’t tell. Regardless, now was his chance to leave while Hwasan Geomhyeop kept his sword sheathed.

Jeok Ho retreated.

“…See you again.”

With those final words, preserving at least some of his pride, Jeok Ho shot a glance at Beop Jong and vanished.

Chung Myung watched him with cold eyes.

Moments later, Hye Yeon, who had caught up with Chung Myung, fixed his gaze on Beop Jong.

“Abbot…!”

Hye Yeon’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at Beop Jong, then quickly looked around. He screamed almost in desperation.

“Elder!”

Hye Yeon rushed to Beop Gye, whose condition was visibly dire. He cradled his battered body, feeling how lifeless and limp it was.

“Elder! Elder, stay with us! Elder!”

Blood flowed profusely from the deep wounds on his neck and chest. The sight alone was enough to tell him Beop Gye’s fate.

Hye Yeon screamed in anguish.

“Elder!”

Tears streamed from his large eyes as he desperately tried to channel energy into Beop Gye’s dantian.

Did it have any effect?

Shortly after, Beop Gye’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Eventually, his eyes opened slowly. His unfocused pupils stared blankly into space for a moment before barely recognizing the person holding him.

“Hye… Yeon…?”

“Yes, Elder! It’s me! Hye Yeon!”

Hye Yeon grabbed Beop Gye’s limp hand. Beop Gye, looking at Hye Yeon’s tear-streaked face in a daze, opened his mouth in a voice that seemed ready to extinguish at any moment.

“The Abbot…?”

“…He is alive, Elder. The Abbot…”

Hye Yeon could not continue, as if his throat were choked.

A faint smile appeared on Beop Gye’s lips. To Hye Yeon, that smile seemed incredibly peaceful.

“That’s a relief…”

Beop Gye’s head slowly tilted.

Hye Yeon held his limp body tightly. His shoulders were trembling endlessly.

Chung Myung, who had been watching silently, looked down quietly.

It was unclear whether he had lost consciousness or simply couldn’t bear to look ahead, but Beop Jong had his face buried in the ground, motionless.

Chung Myung, seeing Beop Jong like that, stepped forward without a word.

Naturally, rage surged and resentment boiled, but now was not the time to let it out.

He had to see with his own eyes what had happened here, what the world would have to bear from now on.

Step.

Chung Myung walked past the collapsed Beop Jong, the weeping Hye Yeon, and the eternally silent Beop Gye.

His pace quickened, soon accelerating like the wind. The towering trees, growing high and feeling oppressive, rustled softly.

Taaaaat!

Even though the distance was not far, it felt as if it stretched on forever. Perhaps it was a distortion created by his unwillingness to see the scene that was about to unfold with his own eyes.

However, the escape didn’t last long, and as he passed the ominously towering trees, a vast plain spread out before Chung Myung’s eyes.

“…”

Chung Myung bit down on his lip.

The ground soaked in blood and the death scattered upon it.

The land was so vast that it might seem like just a small part, but even the distant horizon he could see was filled with the ‘horrors’ of the battlefield.

Chung Myung took in every single detail, leaving nothing out.

Countless corpses, broken weapons, and the indescribable stench of death reaching even this far.

And over the already lifeless bodies, those who craved more slaughter were circling like crows.

Chung Myung felt a wave of nausea. Perhaps it was a sense of despair.

The dreadful horrors before him forcibly dragged to the forefront of his mind a moment that would never disappear from his memory.

Crunch.

A twisting sound escaped from his tightly clenched fist.

After a moment, his gaze shifted to the center of this battlefield. As expected, the one at the center was also staring back at Chung Myung.

Although they were separated by a distance where they shouldn’t be able to see each other, it was as if they had agreed to lock eyes. Like it was fate.

Despite being so far apart, he could hear it.

The movement of those red lips formed a shape that conjured a soft, mocking voice in Chung Myung’s mind.

“Oh dear, oh dear… A precious guest has arrived.”

As if genuinely welcoming a dear guest, his eyes curved gently. He seemed almost serene, but now, there was no one in the world who would take that smile at face value.

He truly appeared to be enjoying himself.

“But… shouldn’t you have hurried a bit more? Hmm?”

“…”

“Hahahaha! Hahahahahahaha!”

The booming laughter struck Chung Myung.

Chung Myung’s fists trembled. Frustration welled up with nowhere to go, anger surged but couldn’t be released.

Jang Ilso’s laughter continued to ring in his ears.

But unlike Jang Ilso, who was indulging in his amusement, Ho Gamyeong, with a gravely serious expression, stared intently at Chung Myung, who had finally revealed himself.

It was difficult even to distinguish his appearance.

But the intense killing intent emanating from him seemed to push Ho Gamyeong into a freezing cave, despite the distance between them.

His back was suddenly damp with sweat.

He had believed it was impossible for him to come. He and Jang Ilso had laid their traps with meticulous care to remove this unpredictable monster from the battlefield. They had even sacrificed the Black Dragon King without hesitation to draw in Maehwa Geomgwi.

Yet, before the blood on the battlefield had even cooled, that monstrous bastard had arrived.

Had his movements been a bit quicker, had their trap been a bit less precise, the outcome would have been different.

But in the end, it was clear that Sapaeryeon and Jang Ilso had secured victory.

Jang Ilso spoke again.

“So… didn’t I tell you?”

His voice was so soft that it was doubtful the distant figure could hear him. But even if the words didn’t reach, Jang Ilso’s intent would be unmistakably conveyed.

“Choices…”

Jang Ilso’s eyes, which still held a trace of amusement, suddenly gleamed malevolently.

Then he began to step toward Chung Myung, slowly, like a predator intimidating its prey.

“…are not to be made lightly.”

At last.

Chung Myung, who had been glaring at them from afar, also took a step forward. A strange light flickered in Ho Gamyeong’s eyes.

‘No way…’

Step.

Chung Myung took another step toward them. Ho Gamyeong’s eyes widened even more.

‘Is he really going to charge at us?’

Here?

Unconsciously, Ho Gamyeong clenched his fist tightly.

It’s impossible. No matter how foolish he might be, he wouldn’t make such a rash move. Especially not Chung Myung. Even blinded by rage, he wouldn’t make such a stupid and reckless choice.

Yet, despite that certainty, a strange unease stirred in a corner of his mind.

What if Maehwa Geomgwi truly had no intention of stopping?

Ho Gamyeong clenched his fists.

‘We could end his life here…’

A severe thirst surged through him, threatening to consume Ho Gamyeong entirely. The distance didn’t matter – as long as they got just a bit closer…

‘Just a little more…’

Maybe Jang Ilso didn’t want it.

But it had to be done. With Gupailbang completely shattered, capturing Maehwa Geomgwi would mean no one in the world could stand against Sapaeryeon.

The world seemed within reach.

‘Just a little more…’

At the very moment when Ho Gamyeong’s fingers twitched in anticipation.

“Hmmm.”

Jang Ilso let out a leisurely hum. He then slowly raised his hand.

Everyone, as if spellbound, watched his hand, forgetting even to breathe.

They had all fought against Gupailbang, emerging victorious. They were deeply intoxicated by their triumph, yet a mere gesture from Jang Ilso instantly commanded their full attention.

Such was the immense presence Jang Ilso held. At this moment, none in the world could match him in stature.

The loyalty of Sapaeryeon to their leader was at its peak.

As soon as his hand descended, everyone present, regardless of their origin or sect, would charge forward. They would tear apart and punish the audacious one who dared to bare his fangs at their leader, who had accomplished such feats.

In that heavy moment when everyone held their breath and their muscles tensed to the limit…

“Well then…”

Snap.

Instead of lowering his hand, Jang Ilso lightly snapped his fingers.

It was a command with an intention that wasn’t immediately clear. Everyone looked on in confusion, and Jang Ilso smiled faintly.

“Let’s retreat, as befits the Evil Sect’s scum.”

For a moment, everyone’s faces went blank with surprise. Even Ho Gamyeong was caught off guard, his mouth hanging open.

But Jang Ilso, as if this decision was the most natural thing in the world, turned without hesitation.

“R-Ryeonju!”

Ho Gamyeong hurried after him, calling out. Jang Ilso looked back with suddenly calm eyes.

“What is it?”

The question was so nonchalant that Ho Gamyeong felt dizzy for a moment.

Everyone else still hesitated, not believing Jang Ilso’s command. Jang Ilso glanced around at them.

“What are you doing?”

He flashed a clear, yet somehow chilling smile. Those who met his gaze quickly averted their eyes.

“We’re retreating. Move.”

“Yes!”

Sapaeryeon began to bustle with activity.

With that command, Jang Ilso cast a quick glance over his shoulder. Chung Myung was still walking towards them.

Jang Ilso mouthed the words clearly.

“There’s nothing more pitiful than an actor who insists on taking the stage after the performance is over. There’s no place for you here.”

His mocking sneer hit Chung Myung’s pained eyes.