"So? What kind of deal do you want to make with me?"

"A match."

"What?"

"If you win, I will hand over Jin Gumyeong. But if I win, you will retreat as you are. Quietly."

At Cheonyeong's words, the corners of Wiji Gang's mouth, who had been staring blankly, slowly rose.

And soon, it turned into a loud laugh that echoed throughout the Jingagu.

"Hahahaha! How absurd. Is there such a deal in the world?"

"…"

"Why should I do that? There's nothing for me to gain."

"Then try fighting with your life on the line."

"What?"

"I may not be able to win, but I am confident I won't lose."

"You won't lose? With your skills?"

He openly sneered, but Cheonyeong spoke without the slightest waver.

"No, with the Beggars' Sect, Qingcheng, and the Tang Family, and the entire Central Plains."

"Hmm?"

"Do you really think I came here without any thought?"

"…"

"That friend over there is the senior disciple of Qingcheng. That one is the successor of the Beggars' Sect. And in the Tang Family, there are the Sword Emperor, Seoak, and the Sword Immortal. They know I came to Qilian in search of the Jingagu. We might die here. But the aftermath will be considerable." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

At Cheonyeong's words, Wiji Gang, who had been staring quietly, smirked and said.

"Was the only thing you could say your backing?"

"I'm the type to use whatever I can, and I'm not one to put up my pride in such matters."

"Yes, it wouldn't matter what it is. But you're mistaken about something. What does it matter whether you have backing or not? Has there ever been a time when the Central Plains and the Divine Cult were not enemies?"

"…Huh?"

"Countless demonic people, lost in their demonic nature, have crossed the border into Gansu and Qinghai. It wasn't a direct confrontation, but there were many frictions. Nevertheless, the Central Plains could not enter the land of the Divine Cult. Why do you think that is?"

"…"

"Because the losses outweigh the gains."

Wiji Gang said with a cold smile.

"The Divine Cult does not fear war with the Central Plains. But, what about the Central Plains? The disciple of Qingcheng, the successor of the Beggars' Sect… the Tang Family? Do you think their deaths are a reason enough to ignite the flames of war with the Divine Cult?"

Well… now that he thought about it, it seemed unlikely.

There were many disciples, and a successor could just be appointed again.

The Tang Family… phew.

As he said, it might be a pretext for a fight, but it was highly likely that it would end with just raising their voices.

As long as they didn't attack first.

"But it's strange. Why are you so obsessed with Jin Gumyeong? Couldn't you just hand him over? It seems you already have a rough idea that we are involved."

"That's right."

"And yet you want to fight me?"

"It's just too damaging to my pride to hand him over."

At Cheonyeong's words, the smiling Wiji Gang made an absurd expression.

"Pride. I see."

"…"

"Hand over Jin Gumyeong, or I will take him by force."

Wiji Gang shook his head and threatened.

By force.

He meant he would just kill them all and go.

Huh?

Wait a minute, then couldn't he just do that?

Why did he keep telling him to hand him over, even though he had that much power?

Cheonyeong reviewed the situation so far and everything he had said.

His actions, his words, since he had arrived…

Cheonyeong, who was mulling over each one in his head, smirked and said.

"Hey, Wiji Gang."

"What is it?"

"Alright, I understand that the Demonic Cult doesn't care about backing. But what happens if I kill Jin Gumyeong?"

"What?"

At those words, the quick-witted Baekta picked up a sword and held it to Jin Gumyeong's neck, and Wiji Gang's eyes widened slightly.

So it was this way?

Wiji Gang stopped talking and stared at Cheonyeong.

He must be thinking.

Then, after a long while, he smiled and nodded.

"You're annoyingly smart. Well, fine. It can't be helped. I'll accept the deal."

At his words of acceptance, Cheonyeong let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

"Lord!"

"Lord Tang. What are you going to do? That man is…"

No Gwanyeong and Yoo Seongyeon said, looking at him worriedly.

They knew it too.

That Wiji Gang was unfathomably strong.

Didn't they feel a sense of pressure even when he was just standing there smiling?

Still.

Couldn't they pretend to believe in him and cheer him on?

This was like saying you're no match for that guy.

"Wouldn't it be better to take Jin Gumyeong hostage and escape?"

"We'd die before that, you know?"

"Then how about we fight together?"

"You want to get wiped out?"

At the words of No Gwanyeong and Yoo Seongyeon, who spoke in turn, Cheonyeong let out a dry laugh.

"Please step back. You must not interfere. You too, Seongyeon."

"Lord!"

"Lord Tang!"

Cheonyeong, who pushed away those who were trying to stop him, spoke to Baekta.

"Myeongseon."

"Yeah?"

"If I lose, hand over Jin Gumyeong."

"…But."

"Hand him over. A promise is a promise."

"Damn it, I understand."

After receiving a definite answer, Cheonyeong walked forward and stood in front of Wiji Gang.

He was just standing there leisurely, doing nothing, but the pressure was truly great.

"If I am defeated, don't touch the rest. I will do the same."

"All the conditions are favorable to you."

"Whatever."

Towards Wiji Gang, who grumbled pointedly, Cheonyeong smiled and said.

"Wiji Gang, let me ask you one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Why are you trying to take him alive?"

"Is there a reason I have to tell you?"

"No. But at this point, there's nothing more to hide, is there?"

After pondering for a moment, Wiji Gang answered obediently.

"Punishment."

"Punishment?"

"Yes. Punishment."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Only?"

Wiji Gang said with a faint smile.

"You wouldn't know about the Divine Cult."

"…"

"Since Jin Gumyeong has sullied the honor of the Divine Cult, he must be punished by the hands of the Divine Cult. That is the pride of the Divine Cult."

"I see."

He didn't understand.

But it wasn't something he couldn't understand either.

Pride.

They wanted to punish him themselves.

And warriors would sometimes risk their lives for that pride.

"One more thing."

"You have many questions."

"It doesn't cost money. If you don't like it, refuse."

"I permit it."

"It's nice that you're so straightforward."

Cheonyeong, who smiled faintly, said.

"The reason you accepted the deal?"

"What?"

"I can't stand being curious. As for me, I naturally hoped you would accept, but suddenly thinking from your perspective, I wondered why you did."

"A funny question."

"…"

"I am the same as you."

"The same as me?"

"Curiosity."

"Curiosity?"

"Yes, how did you, who are not a descendant of the Eight Immortals, come to learn the Samyang?"

"…"

"But come to think of it, that means the Samyang is that terrifying of a martial art, and also that you are outstanding. To have reached the strong bow at your age without even being a blood relative."

"How do you know that?"

"I saw it when you exchanged a palm strike with Heukmu. It's hard to face him without opening the strong bow."

Cheonyeong's brow furrowed.

He was a man who was not only good at martial arts but also quick-witted.

"Why that expression?"

"No, I just thought you knew quite a lot."

"The defeated always remember many things, unlike the victors who are steeped in peace."

"But you say I'm not a descendant of the Eight Immortals? Then do you know about the descendants of the Eight Immortals?"

"Hoh? It seems you didn't know yet?"

"Unfortunately."

"That's a pity."

A playful look appeared on Wiji Gang's face.

"Then let's leave that as a homework for you to solve. If you learn too much, it will be troublesome for me as well."

"What?"

"Because you'll get stronger. To have the skill to face Heukmu at your young age."

He meant he wouldn't tell him.

Damn bastard.

If you're going to resolve the question, resolve it all, making a person feel uneasy.

"Now, then, shall we begin?"

"Right now?"

"Of course!"

With a bright smile, his aura rushed in.

"Tch!"

The moment he stepped back, the spot where Cheonyeong had been exploded.

"You're quick."

"No, wait a minute, give me some time… heok!"

But Wiji Gang didn't wait any longer.

Wiji Gang's palm strike, which had closed the distance in an instant, dug into his body.

Pugagak!

Wiji Gang's palm strike left a throbbing pain on the forearm he had hastily blocked, and his body was pushed back.

"Is being quick all there is?"

At the sight of Wiji Gang digging in again with a languid voice, Cheonyeong gritted his teeth.

This bastard…

Claaang!

As he struck the continuing attack, a chilling smile appeared on the lips of the flinching Wiji Gang.

"Good. You have to be at least this good!"

An aura much stronger than before rushed in.

Damn bastard, why is he so strong?

Cheonyeong, who frowned, dodged Wiji Gang's attack narrowly and raised his Samyang True Energy.

He put aside his curiosity for a moment.

He had been the one to ask for the match first, and it was a fight he had to win.

Shaking off his distracting thoughts, Cheonyeong began to actively respond to Wiji Gang's attacks.

Claaang! Kwaaang!

Every time their hands and feet collided, a strong shockwave spread in all directions.

The hand that Cheonyeong extended, embracing the Samyang, embroidered the air and then fell all at once.

But Wiji Gang, with a sneer, walked and shattered all the palm forces that were pouring down on his head.

"Is there nothing you can do besides messy hand gestures!"

Claaang!

The space was torn apart with a ferocious roar, and Wiji Gang's attack immediately followed.

"Keuk!"

A huge repulsive force shook Cheonyeong's body.

Indeed…

Unfortunately, he was much stronger than him.

He looked so calm.

Unlike himself, who frowned with a throbbing pain and a nauseous feeling every time they collided.

He had expected him to be strong, but he never thought the difference would be this great.

He didn't even look much older than him.

It wasn't just his internal energy.

He seemed to know how to use his body better than anyone.

His understanding of the forms was deep, and his flow was natural, as if he had not been lazy in his training for a long time.

Boom! Kaboom!

The ground he stepped on exploded, and the air was torn apart by the palm force.

A few dozen seconds soon turned into a fight of several hundred seconds.

As the offense and defense went on, it was Cheonyeong who was being pushed into a corner.

Every time Cheonyeong rolled on the ground to dodge Wiji Gang's attack, a pitiful sigh burst from the mouths of those watching.

They clenched their fists seeing the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, and they had to hold back their bodies from jumping out several times when he was in danger.

It was a series of crises from beginning to end.

But at some point, something sparkling was clenched in Cheonyeong's fingertips.

The Great Despair Scale, made from the scales of the Ten Thousand Gong Baek, which could only be injured by Blade Energy.

It was a fight he had started, believing in it from the beginning.

If he could imbue it with Blade Energy and shoot it, he would be able to aim for the man's life.

So he was chased.

So that the man would let his guard down seeing him flustered in a corner, so that Wiji Gang would come within a distance he could absolutely not dodge.

A swamp.

The man would only realize he had fallen into a trap after he had stepped in deep.

Because all those with strong pride, those who think they are the best, are like that.

Craaack!

"Keuk!"

But the waiting time was too long.

Wiji Gang's palm force, which he couldn't completely dodge, struck Cheonyeong's body, and his bones were crushed each time.

The hem of his clothes, caught by the tips of his scratching fingers, was torn off along with his skin.

But the more it happened, the more venom filled Cheonyeong's eyes.

Just one moment.

A single moment's gap to take the man's life would decide the match.

Because in this fight, the result of who survived was more important than what process was drawn.

Pugagak!

"Keuk!"

A dull impact.

It was a palm strike so unbearable that he would vomit blood, but Cheonyeong, who was floating in the air, deliberately opened his chest wide.

So that he would come.

So that he couldn't help but attack.

"This is the end!"

Wiji Gang rushed in.

The distance was ten feet.

A cruel smile appeared on Cheonyeong's lips.

He absolutely cannot dodge.

The moment he extended a palm strike to decide the match, Cheonyeong gritted his teeth, straightened his body, and vigorously shook his sleeve.

Ping!

The Great Despair Scale drew a white line in the air.

"…A hidden weapon?"

Wiji Gang, who was flustered by the unexpected move, hastily twisted his body.

Thwack!

The flash pierced his shoulder, and a drop of blood splattered in the air.

It pierced.

Surely, it wouldn't be just one shot!

Papapapapak!

Within a distance of thirty feet, countless white lines flew like a flock of swallows.

(End of Chapter)