Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1435. You'll have to kill me first (5)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Jeok Ho's eyebrows twitched slightly. The first words that caught his ear were the three words 'Southern Edge Sect.'
'Southern Edge Sect here?'
Of course, he had in mind that Southern Edge Sect might step forward. No matter how much they tried to enact seclusion, if Evil Tyrant Alliance entered Shaanxi in earnest, they wouldn’t be able to just sit back and watch.
But Evil Tyrant Alliance has not yet set foot on the land of Shaanxi. Even so, someone claiming to be from Southern Edge Sect has come to this land of Sichuan. That alone was enough to make his stomach churn.
But what really twisted Jeok Ho's mind was not the name Southern Edge Sect, but the man standing before him.
He had never even heard this man's name. That means someone who hasn't made a reputation in Kangho. Moreover, judging by his appearance, he was barely more than a youth.
If so, it should be a simple matter of cutting him down in one stroke, but strangely, Jeok Ho's Black Dao wouldn't move as easily as he thought.
Could it be that he was being suppressed by this kid's momentum? That can't be. He was Jeok Ho. He wasn't the kind of man to be overwhelmed by some youngster.
And yet, there was only one reason why his dao couldn’t move so freely.
'I can't find any gaps.'
It felt like standing before a massive wall.
Of course, people who swing swords at rocks are more common than one might think. But if the condition was splitting it in a single strike, no one would raise their blade so carelessly.
Just like Jeok Ho now.
"Yi Songbaek of Southern Edge Sect..."
Jeok Ho bit down hard on his lip and glared coldly at Yi Songbaek. Those calm eyes that dared not show even a shred of wavering before him.
"Are you saying you alone will stop us?"
“...I never said I was alone.”
Jeok Ho's eyes widened slightly. Yi Songbaek matched gazes with Jeok Ho with unfazed expression.
"There are others who are just a little late."
As if to prove his words, a group rapidly approached from behind Yi Songbaek.
Paaaat!
A man dressed in white martial robes leapt up, landed next to Yi Songbaek, and stared sharply at Jeok Ho. Unlike Yi Songbaek, this one exuded a blade-like momentum.
“I didn’t know you liked standing out so much.”
At his words, Yi Songbaek kept his eyes on Jeok Ho but bowed his head slightly.
"My apologies, Sahyung. I was in a hurry."
"Tsk."
The man snorted as if displeased and glanced at Jeok Ho.
“Seems we really were a bit late.”
Jeok Ho's face distorted for a moment. This was because the man who had glanced at him nonchalantly turned his gaze to past behind.
'This...!'
For a youngster who had just passed thirty to dare turn his gaze away in front of Jeok Ho, only someone with nerves of steel could pull off such insolence.
But at the same time, Jeok Ho had to admit that his arrogant attitude oddly suited this man.
Perhaps it was because of his striking appearance.
Though wearing the same plain uniform as the man who called himself Yi Songbaek, the aura of this man was completely different from Yi Songbaek.
If Yi Songbaek was like an unshakable ancient tree, this man was like an ornately decorated palace.
What was certain was that within those different auras, there was an undeniable momentum that made it impossible to dismiss them.
'So this is Southern Edge Sect?'
A chill ran down Jeok Ho's spine.
If these who looked to be merely second-class disciples were already this formidable, how strong must the elders and the first-class disciples of Southern Edge Sect be?
It was said that the center of Ten Great Sects was Shaolin, Wudang, and Southern Edge Sect, and it seems those words were no exaggeration.
Tak! Taak!
Soon, dozens of swordsmen lined up around the two men at the center.
“Daesahyung!”
"There's not much to say. Those bastards..."
“Sahyung. You must not forget Sect Leader’s request.”
At the heavy words thrown from beside him, the man with the ornate appearance clicked his tongue and cut his words short. Then he said.
"Rescuing the people comes first. Don't act recklessly."
"Understood!"
Jeok Ho's eyes darkened instinctively.
'Damn it.'
The remnants of Tang Family passed Southern Edge Sect and moved away. But Jeokho couldn't pursue them. The moment he moved, Southern Edge Sect's swords would seize his ankles and drag him down.
'Why now, of all times!'
Jeok Ho unconsciously bit his lip as his anger grew. But then immediately, he opened his eyes wide with flashing killing intent.
'No matter who the opponent is. I'm merely carrying out orders.'
It was when Jeok Ho's internal strength surged toward his dao. A tranquil voice rang out.
“Step back.”
Jeok Ho sharply turned his head toward the one who spoke. At some point, Jang Ilso had crossed the battlefield where the elders were desperately fighting and now stood within arm's reach.
Step back? After coming all the way here? Just because of these few?
A surge of defiance swelled in Jeok Ho's eyes. His hand gripping the dao tensed with strength.
But that momentary anger instantly froze the moment he heard the cold voice that followed.
“Jeok Ho.”
“....”
"Can you not hear my words?"
Jeok Ho briefly glanced at Yi Songbaek and Jin Geumryong, then bit his lip and slammed his foot to the ground. He landed next to Jang Ilso and slightly lowered his head.
"My apologies."
“No. I understand. My blood is boiling too. However....”
Jang Ilso slightly narrowed his eyes as he looked at Jin Geumryong, Yi Songbaek, and Southern Edge Sect disciples lined up behind them.
"We have no choice, do we? Desire is good, but greed invites calamity. Where there are cubs, the mother tiger is never far behind. She'll likely arrive soon."
Jeok Ho's face stiffened. Mother Tiger. That must mean Southern Edge Sect's main force. It means that Southern Edge Sect main force he had just imagined was now flooding toward this place.
"And it's not just them coming this way, is it? The truly dangerous ones are approaching too."
At those words, Jeok Ho closed his eyes.
Indeed, the words weren’t wrong. They might be able to somehow deal with Southern Edge Sect, but Mount Hua was likely heading here now. Perhaps even Tang Family.
Myriad Man Manor is strong. But strength was relative. If they faced the three sects of Mount Hua, Southern Edge Sect, and Sichuan Tang Family, the situation would be completely different from before. They might end up as the ones desperately fleeing across the vast land of Sichuan.
"A bit regrettable... but overambition must be avoided. Shall we withdraw for now?"
“...Ryeonju-nim’s words are absolutely correct. But wouldn’t it be better to at least kill off those few over there?”
Jeok Ho's two eyes turned to Yi Songbaek and Jin Geumryong. Jang Ilso also seemed slightly tempted by the suggestion, his gaze subtly sweeping over the two.
"Not a bad idea... but you should've said so earlier. It's too late now."
"Yes?"
At that moment, several shadows flew in behind Southern Edge Sect's swordsmen.
"See? This is why I dislike old men."
While everyone's attention was focused on Southern Edge Sect, several elders of Tang Family joined in from somewhere and stood behind Southern Edge Sect.
These elders had separated at the beginning of the battle, observed the situation, and then revealed themselves again with the appearance of Southern Edge Sect.
Looking at the elders of Tang Family gasping for breath, Jeok Ho asked with a puzzled face.
"But they're just a handful at best."
"Tsk, tsk. This is why you're always one step behind."
"...What do you mean?"
"Arrogance is the shortest path to hell. Of course, a Tang standing alone on the plains is nothing. You can stomp them down however you want. But a Tang that has obtained a shield to block its front becomes an exceedingly vicious enemy, like a master archer who has seized high ground."
“....”
“And the more cowardly the archer, the more dangerous they are, aren’t they? In that sense, those old men are undoubtedly formidable, no?"
The elders' faces flushed crimson at his words.
“Even if the shield is small, it doesn’t look easy to break. Nothing seems to go my way."
The moment Jang Ilso let out an exaggerated sigh, Jin Geumryong opened his mouth.
"Evil Sects bastard certainly talks well."
“...Hmm?”
“If you’re so confident, come at me. I’ll slice that head right off.”
Jang Ilso’s lips curled into a dark smile at the arrogant gaze.
"Good words. Though the impact seems a bit lacking, saying them while leaning back like that.”
"What did you say?"
Killing intent rose on Jin Geumryong's face. But before he could explode, Yi Songbaek quickly opened his mouth.
“You! Are you not affected at all after killing so many people?"
Jang Ilso's eyes landed on Yi Songbaek.
“How could it not?”
“Then....”
“It brings me joy. Tremendous joy.”
Now even Yi Songbaek's momentum became full of killing intent.
Paegun Jang Ilso. The very person who dyed the world with blood while Southern Edge Sect had gone into seclusion. If he had his way, Yi Songbaek would cut off his head right now, but...
'He's strong.'
He could clearly tell. The man was incredibly strong. His entire body was tingling. Honestly, even if they all staked their lives, they couldn't be confident of cutting him down.
Jang Ilso slowly twirled the rings on his fingers with a languid gaze.
"For mere rabbits, you're quite impudent."
Then he shrugged.
"But I can't play the fox caught in a trap just to teach a few arrogant rabbits a lesson. Let's retreat. Before the frightening tiger arrives."
“Yes.”
Jeok Ho nodded silently. He still didn’t quite understand, but since it was Jang Ilso’s decision, there must be a solid reason.
Just then, Jang Ilso turned with exaggerated flair and sneered:
"And it's not such a great victory as you think, Jeok Ho."
Looking back with a puzzled face, Jeok Ho soon understood those words.
In the field where the rising poison mist had cleared, the sight that emerged was slightly different from what he had expected. The elite of Myriad Man Manor who had charged forward with great momentum to cut down the enemies were all lying sprawled out and convulsing.
"Ghk... Guhhhk..."
Red and black foam bubbled endlessly from their mouths. As they convulsed so violently it sent chills just to look at, they could not overcome the pain and began to tear at themselves and scratch at their exposed flesh. The red flesh thus revealed instantly turned black.
“Ugh....”
A groan escaped Jeok Ho's lips. Just when
There were nearly fifty fallen. A number he wouldn’t have cared about normally, but those who had charged in to fight were carefully selected elites even within Myriad Man Manor.
The fact that they lost fifty of their elites in the process of dealing with only twenty or so elders means that this battle was by no means a profitable one.
Jang Ilso burst into laughter after seeing Jeok Ho's reaction.
"You must’ve thought the Tang Family was a joke. You, a mere Evil Sects.”
Jeok Ho clenched his expression and tried to think. He had experienced poison countless times in the battles of Evil Sects. That was why he knows well how to neutralize it. But now, he could only accept it. The poisons they had dealt with before and the poisons of Sichuan Tang Family were fundamentally different.
"An- Antidote..."
“Hm?”
Jang Ilso’s gaze darkened slightly at the words Jeok Ho had spoken. As if rebuking him, wondering if that was truly a judgment worth making right now.
“...Ryeonju-nim.”
“Tsk, tsk. So kind."
Jang Ilso took slow steps forward.
At his feet were Tang Family elders who had been slaughtered and died, and his subordinates who were convulsing from poisoning. These were subordinates he had raised with great care. Dozens of them convulsed, tortured by poisoning, tearing at themselves in desperation.
“True kindness isn’t like that. This is Sichuan. And enemies will soon arrive. In such a situation, kindness is..."
Jang Ilso looked down at one convulsing subordinate. The bloodshot eyes of the subordinate desperately followed Jang Ilso’s gaze, and Jang Ilso returned with smiled a gentle, merciful smile.
“Yes, I am here.”
Kwadeuk.
Jang Ilso's leg snapped the convulsing man's neck in one swift motion. The subordinate flinched once and soon became quiet.
Jang Ilso spoke in a calm voice.
“Do you understand now?”
At that moment, the rings on his fingers shot out like beams of light.
Kwadeuk! Kwadeuk!
The flying rings instantly pierced the necks of those who had fallen and were convulsing.
“Rye- Ryeonju-nim....”
"This is mercy."
Casting a cold glance over the lifeless subordinates, Jang Ilso turned his head and focused on the disciples of Southern Edge Sect who were still sharply on guard.
'Southern Edge Sect.'
Even if they had moved as soon as they got the news, he had thought it would take them longer to arrive. Apparently, their thousand-weight buttocks had become quite nimble.
"This is why the world is interesting. There are always variables."
Yi Songbaek and Jin Geumryong.
And a powerful group was approaching from a distance. Jang Ilso took them all in with a glance before turning away without hesitation.
“Well then…”
Jang Ilso, who was about to speak one relaxed sentence, suddenly widened his eyes and abruptly turned his head.
Jeok Ho and Red Hounds flinched at the reaction. They knew well how rare it was for Jang Ilso to respond this way.
"My..."
Jang Ilso's expression twisted slightly.
Eventually, a terrible killing intent shot forth. Now not only Jang Ilso, but everyone was forced to turn their heads in that direction. The place from which the killing intent that swept over them was shot.
Something revealed itself at the edge of the barren land.
It was so far away that it appeared only as a dot, but Jang Ilso knew all too well what it was.
"Right, I expected this. If I had made a mistake, I would have died here."
Jang Ilso chuckled and spun around. Then, a terrifying roar thundered from far away.
"Jang Ilsooooooo!"
A roar so terrifying that it froze everyone in place. But only Jang Ilso casually spoke nonchalantly.
"Now, let's withdraw. Before that tiger's fangs dig into my neck."
The sword aiming at his throat.
Seeing the sword named Chung Myung, Jang Ilso pulled up one corner of his mouth with a crooked grin.
|Note
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