There was no time to celebrate the victory.

The battlefield, which had been winding down, froze coldly.

Following the path that the wildcats had cleared at Baekta's command, a young man clad in a black robe walked in.

Cheonyeong, whose gaze had been stolen by him, was finally able to confirm those who followed behind him.

Men who seemed to have wrapped their bodies in black.

They, who appeared with the darkness, weighed down the area heavily.

"It's Jin Gumyeong. Fortunately, he's still alive."

At the voice of the skinny old man who followed behind, the young man glanced at Jin Gumyeong, whom Baekta was examining, and then looked at Cheonyeong.

"You are… hmm."

The young man, who was about to say something, scanned Cheonyeong's body once and then smiled, looking at him with a strange gaze.

"What's your name?"

"…?"

"Your name."

"Why do you ask?"

As he answered with narrowed eyes, the old man behind the young man frowned.

Killing intent.

But it was a kind he had never felt in the Central Plains.

No, he had never felt such killing intent even in his past life.

Cheonyeong flinched at the killing intent that dug in like a sharp wind, as if it were cutting his skin.

But he tried hard to maintain his composure and said in a displeased tone.

"I don't know who you are, but it seems they don't teach manners where you're from."

"What? Manners?"

"Yes, a mere dog that is being raised is baring its teeth and growling at the person its master is conversing with."

At Cheonyeong's words, the furrow on the old man's brow deepened, and his killing intent grew stronger.

But the young man, on the contrary, burst out laughing as if it were amusing.

"Hahat! My, my. You're quite a strong-willed friend. Usually, people's knees would buckle just from making eye contact with Heukmu. Heh heh, as I recall, you're the first to compare Heukmu to a dog."

At the young man's laughter, Cheonyeong's insides felt stuffy, as if they were blocked.

Damn it, the killing intent emanating from the old man alone was comparable to that of the Three Western Sovereigns…

This was not good.

On the other hand, the young man who appeared to be his master was relaxed.

"Are you from the Demonic Cult?"

When Cheonyeong asked, the young man made an even more amused expression.

"My, I asked the question first. Well, it doesn't matter. That's right. But we call ourselves the Divine Cult. It's only you people who call us the Demonic Cult."

It was an answer without hesitation.

The Divine Cult.

It seemed to be what the people of the Demonic Cult called themselves.

Cheonyeong had never met them even in his past life.

Because even though the righteous and unorthodox factions sometimes bickered and fought, the Central Plains had been peaceful all along.

It was only recently that he had learned that they had invaded the Central Plains.

A whopping three hundred years ago.

After the battle with the Samyang Divine Lord, they had been quiet.

But there was no one in the Central Plains who did not know that they were a being like a great river.

On the surface, it seemed calm and peaceful, but the great current flowing beneath it became a flood with every heavy rain, sweeping the world, and sometimes suddenly changing, twisting its direction and altering its course.

A place with the power to change even the direction of the Central Plains.

That was the Demonic Cult.

So, the Central Plains had been extremely wary of the appearance of the people of the Demonic Cult, and even if they showed the slightest connection to them, they would rise up like a swarm of bees and drive them out.

But he had no qualms about revealing himself.

His insides felt even more stuffy at his words, as he spoke without hesitation and nodded.

It occurred to him that perhaps he was not just higher in status than the old man named Heukmu.

No, didn't his whole body seem to stiffen at his laughter?

While glaring at the young man, Cheonyeong gestured to everyone around him to quell any potential impulsive actions.

"Now, then, how about you answer my question?"

"Answer?"

"Your name."

The young man asked again with a smile.

"I am the Lord of the Tang Family, Tang Cheonyeong."

"Tang Cheonyeong? Hoh? You are?"

The young man, who tilted his head and looked at him, nodded as if he knew the name.

"I see. So you are Tang Cheonyeong."

"You know me?"

"How could I not? Your name is shaking Sichuan."

"That's surprising. I didn't know my name was known even in the Demonic Cult."

"I'm the type who likes to hear news of the strong. Especially news of a young strong person like you."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"But, an introduction isn't just for one side, is it?"

At Cheonyeong's question, the young man smirked.

He wouldn't hide it.

Because his expression was overflowing with confidence.

"Wiji Gang."

"Wiji Gang?"

"Yes. The third disciple of the one who encompasses ten thousand generations."

Cheonyeong understood his identity at once.

Ten thousand generations meant a long time.

In other words, the supreme one.

The young man, Wiji Gang, was the third disciple of the Demonic Cult's leader.

Of all the people to run into…

It seemed he had nothing better to do.

What was there to pick up in the Jingagu that a man who was the third disciple of the Cult's leader would appear in the Qilian Mountains, which were no different from a remote mountain village?

"You're a quick-witted friend."

"It was an expression anyone would know. But what brings the third disciple of the Cult's leader to Gansu? Just showing your face in the Central Plains could be a pretext for war."

It was a question to find out his purpose, but Wiji Gang had a look of amusement.

"That's right. You people treat the Central Plains as if it's a land we shouldn't even set foot in."

Wiji Gang sneered.

"Isn't it funny? It's just land, so what kind of boundary is there that you try to exclude us so much?"

"Because your steps come with darkness, like now."

"With darkness… an interesting expression. If you people didn't block us, we could sometimes come like the sunlight that has passed through the darkness."

"That could be. But, your intention is clearly conquest. And no one wants that."

"A wise answer to a foolish question. You're right. We like conquest."

He smiled brightly, and Cheonyeong had to swallow hard.

He was smiling, but the tension that was constricting his body wouldn't disappear.

There were only a few who followed him, but the old man named Heukmu and everyone else looked extraordinary.

If a fight broke out…

Numbers would be meaningless.

"But not today. I was just ordered to bring that man."

As Wiji Gang pointed his finger at Jin Gumyeong, Baekta flinched and blocked him.

"You're going to take Jin Gumyeong?"

"Yes, if you hand him over, I promise to leave quietly."

"And if I refuse?"

"Refuse?"

Wiji Gang grinned.

At the same time, it felt as if the sky had collapsed.

The air was extremely heavy.

Seeing that the surprised expression was not just on his face but had spread to everyone around him, it meant that a space of about thirty feet had fallen under his control in an instant.

After opening the Middle Dantian, the strong bow, he had been confident that he wouldn't lose to anyone he fought…

Cheonyeong, whose anger flared, pushed his Samyang Divine Art to its limit, straightened his back, and pushed back against Wiji Gang's pressure.

But in an instant, the smile disappeared from Wiji Gang's face.

"Samyang Divine Art?"

"…?"

At his words, Cheonyeong's eyes widened.

He had only just revealed his aura, but he recognized the Samyang Divine Art?

Wiji Gang, who was looking at him with a cold expression, spoke to Cheonyeong with a gaze that was completely different from before.

"Samyang… hmm, so that's how it is. So it happened. Jin Gumyeong must have omitted it from his report. Since he's a clever and cunning man."

It was a strange thing to say.

His words, as if he understood something, lingered in his ears.

So it happened?

"The attack on the Jingagu must have been because of the Samyang Divine Art."

"What?"

"No. It was a question that didn't even need to be asked. You and I are also bound by an ill-fated connection."

It was all a monologue he couldn't understand.

Him and himself?

Bound by an ill-fated connection?

As Cheonyeong was feeling frustrated, unable to resolve his confusion, Wiji Gang smacked his lips and said.

"A pity. It would have been delicious to eat if it were a little more ripe. I'll be taking Jin Gumyeong now."

"What?"

"Heukmu."

Wiji Gang didn't answer the question back and gave the order, and Heukmu strode over.

"This man!"

As the incensed Cheonyeong frowned, No Gwanyeong, who was waiting by his side, blocked Heukmu's path.

"Stop!"

"…"

"I will not tolerate you taking another step closer!"

Even at the coldly shouted words, Heukmu didn't care.

On the contrary, he sneered at No Gwanyeong's attempt to block him and took a step.

"You bastard!"

Paang!

No Gwanyeong stepped in front of Heukmu and quickly extended a palm strike.

Claaang!

No Gwanyeong's palm strike and Heukmu's palm strike, which he had struck back with, collided, creating a fierce shockwave.

But the real thing was the move that followed.

Why else would he be called Gwi-su, the Ghostly Hand?

Even if the palm strike was blocked, a fatal move that could not be seen remained…

At that moment, Cheonyeong felt a chill from the smile on Heukmu's lips and moved without delay.

Claaaaang!

"…"

Heukmu, who had taken a step back with the intense shockwave, looked at him with a clearly displeased expression.

And when he raised his head and looked, Cheonyeong was standing in front of No Gwanyeong.

"Lord! Why?"

No Gwanyeong, whose attack had been blocked, looked at Cheonyeong's back with a bewildered expression.

"Elder."

"…Yes?"

"Please step back."

"…"

"Hurry."

Although he was full of bewilderment and displeasure at being blocked, No Gwanyeong did not question him further.

There must be a reason why Tang Cheonyeong was doing this.

No Gwanyeong gritted his teeth and stepped back, and Heukmu smiled coldly at Cheonyeong.

"You young brat have good senses. If I hadn't blocked, the head of that man called Gwi-su would be in my hands."

"Yes, it seemed so."

Cheonyeong obediently nodded.

His move just now.

He already knew No Gwanyeong's other move.

The moment the second attack was about to begin, what was on his lips was a sneer and the confidence that he could easily crush him.

If he hadn't blocked, No Gwanyeong would have died.

To Heukmu, whose presence was comparable to the Three Western Sovereigns.

"But why did you block? I know that people of the Central Plains value the pride of others and do not interfere in others' fights, even if it means death."

"Because he is a precious person to me. Protecting my precious people is my pride."

"Precious? You're quite a sentimental fellow."

Heukmu, with a sneer, turned his head and glanced at Wiji Gang.

It felt as if he were asking for permission.

As Wiji Gang smiled and nodded, Heukmu smiled brightly and looked at Cheonyeong.

"Are you prepared?"

"Prepared?"

"You blocked my path, so you should be prepared for death."

Heukmu's aura amplified in an instant.

His killing intent materialized and spewed out, and as the dust on the ground was pushed back by his aura, Cheonyeong frowned and took out the Great Despair Scale.

A formidable energy.

If it were before, he might have been crushed, unable to even breathe properly.

This was a big problem.

If Heukmu in front of him was this strong…

Cheonyeong was worried about Wiji Gang, who was smiling as if watching from behind.

What if he was as strong as Heukmu?

There was no chance he could win against the two of them.

No, even if he won against Heukmu, he would surely be seriously injured.

Also, they couldn't all fight together.

Because it was obvious they would all be killed.

What could be more foolish than fighting knowing you're no match?

"Wiji Gang!"

"…?"

"You said you were ordered to bring Jin Gumyeong!"

Cheonyeong ignored Heukmu and shouted at Wiji Gang.

"I will never hand over Jin Gumyeong. So, let's make a deal!"

At Cheonyeong's shout, Heukmu laughed as if it were absurd.

"You crazy bastard. Why should the Third Young Master make a deal with you?"

"…"

"Block if you can. I will take him."

Heukmu took another step, and Cheonyeong shouted again.

"Wiji Gang! I, the leader of this group, have stepped forward, but are you going to hide behind your subordinate's back!"

At the tearing shout, Wiji Gang smirked and stopped Heukmu.

"Third Young Master!"

"Let's hear him out for now."

One word was enough for him.

To make Heukmu, who might have martial prowess comparable to the Three Western Sovereigns, step back.

(End of Chapter)