I thought I had won.

I was sure that the Great Despair Scales that followed would pierce through his body just like the first one that had pierced his shoulder.

But at that moment.

Wooooong!

With a rough vibrating sound, Wiji Gang's clothes swelled up as if they would burst.

"Haaap!"

The energy that burst out with a shout created a deafening roar.

At the same time, a tremendous energy wave spread out like a concentric circle, and for a moment, a swell appeared on the ground centered on Wiji Gang's feet.

Soon, the ground exploded sequentially from near to far.

Cheonyeong, who was swept away by the spreading shockwave, was thrown out like he had been hit by a giant blunt weapon and rolled on the ground.

"Keuk!"

He was covered in dirt and blood.

"Uweeeek!"

What he spat out from the unbearable nausea was black blood.

The ground was stained not just red, but black.

"Haak, haak."

Blood came up every time he gasped roughly.

Lying face down, he raised his head and looked ahead with tired eyes.

Dozens of feet of ground had been completely overturned, and not a single blade of grass remained on it.

And in the center.

Wiji Gang stood with his upper garment torn, revealing his bare skin.

He met Cheonyeong's gaze.

He had a very displeased expression. He walked towards Cheonyeong with a face that looked angry.

The sound of the overturned ground crumbling under his footsteps grew louder, but Cheonyeong couldn't move a muscle.

His body wouldn't move.

It was because he had suffered severe internal injuries.

Damn it, I lost.

It seems the Demonic Cult has raised a proper one.

A laugh escaped him.

This was a trump card on his part too, but he didn't know the man had such a monstrous move.

But even while trembling, Cheonyeong tried to get up.

He didn't want to lie face down.

Because it felt like he was bowing his head to him.

His body, which he had barely managed to get up, staggered, unable to find its balance.

"Lord!"

"Lord Tang!"

No Gwanyeong and Yoo Seongyeon ran over.

They couldn't come because they were holding Jin Gumyeong hostage, but Baekta's gaze was the same as theirs.

Yoo Seongyeon aimed his sword at the approaching Wiji Gang, and No Gwanyeong supported Cheonyeong.

"Let… go."

"Lord!"

Cheonyeong pushed away No Gwanyeong's hand.

"Seongyeon."

"…?"

"Move."

"B-but."

"Move. This is my fight. And this… was a promise. Step back, all of you."

Cheonyeong pushed Yoo Seongyeon away and walked forward step by step.

The two could only watch with pained faces, no longer able to block him.

It was a warrior's match.

Even if he died, wasn't it his choice?

Blocking him would only tarnish his honor.

"Lord Tang! It would be better to flee! As you usually do, according to practical interests…!"

Yoo Seongyeon shouted once more, but Cheonyeong shook his head.

Damn bastard, did he have to say that in a situation like this?

He didn't even have the strength to flee.

Cheonyeong stopped walking, and Wiji Gang also stopped walking.

The hole pierced in his shoulder was visible.

The blood that had flowed because he hadn't stopped the bleeding had stained his arm red.

Still, I got one hit in.

"What was that?"

At Cheonyeong's smirk, Wiji Gang answered calmly.

"Quell."

"Quell?"

Although it was just one character, there was no name more fitting.

Because his strike really seemed to press down on everything.

"It was a good name."

"It is the martial art that fought against the Samyang."

"Three hundred years ago?"

"Yes."

"Tch, the Samyang Divine Lord would be displeased if he saw me like this."

"So it seems."

At his obedient agreement, Cheonyeong let out a dry laugh.

Cheonyeong thought he would at least acknowledge his skill in putting a hole in his shoulder…

"Why hidden weapons?"

"What?"

"I have not heard that there are hidden weapon techniques in the Samyang."

"I am not a blood relative. And quite some time has passed."

"I see. But to think it's a miscellaneous art. Is that why it's weak? The Samyang I imagined was not like this."

"It's not weak, you're strong."

"Am I?"

"You are."

"…"

"Are you going to kill me?"

"We'll see."

"We'll see?"

Cheonyeong tilted his head.

We'll see?

"You still need to grow more."

"What?"

"You need to become even stronger, because as you are now, you are not enough to be their opponent."

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't I say? I am the third."

"What does that mean?"

Cheonyeong, who was asking with a frown, let out a dry laugh when he saw his smile.

The third.

It meant there were two more above him.

"You, don't tell me? You were thinking of using me as a tool to get rid of your competitors?"

"I was."

"What?"

"But it's disappointing. I'm wondering if you, who only use miscellaneous techniques, will be of any use."

"This bastard…"

"Anyway, I'll have to let you live today."

"What?"

"Because the interferers have flocked."

"Interferers?"

Cheonyeong asked back, but he smiled and stepped back.

And a sharp sound of something cutting through the air filled the space.

Thwack!

And a heavy sword that flew in was stuck in the spot where Wiji Gang had been standing before he stepped back.

It was a familiar sword.

"Lord Tang!"

The one who appeared with a familiar voice was Sword Emperor Namgung Hyeok, and Maeng Segwang appeared behind him.

Namgung Hyeok, who blocked Cheonyeong's front, drew his sword and aimed it at Wiji Gang, and Maeng Segwang glared at Wiji Gang before him.

"You damn demonic bastards! How dare you set foot in the Central Plains!?"

At the sight of Maeng Segwang revealing his presence, his voice echoing through the mountain foothills, Heukmu stepped forward to Wiji Gang's side as if to protect him.

Is it because the situation is like this?

The sight of the two of them was very welcome.

Still, if you were going to come, you could have come a little earlier.

It was just a pity that the match was already over.

"Lord Tang, are you alright?"

"…Yes."

"Alright! Your body is a complete mess."

While Namgung Hyeok was asking about Cheonyeong's well-being, Maeng Segwang ground his teeth and glared at Heukmu and Wiji Gang.

"Who are you!"

"A junior greets Seoak and the Sword Emperor. I am Wiji Gang, the third disciple of the one who rules the Divine Cult."

Wiji Gang seemed to already know about the two of them.

Well, he must have been watching all along.

Since he must have been counting the days until he could conquer the Central Plains.

"The Cult Leader's disciple?"

"That is correct."

"Hmm."

Was it because of his status?

Or was it because of the aura that was subtly emanating from Wiji Gang's body?

Maeng Segwang asked again with a frown.

"It must have been your doing."

"That is correct."

"Correct? Do you know the responsibility that comes with those words!"

"I have not done anything that requires me to take responsibility."

"What did you say?"

"If you wish, I can experience the high fame of Seoak, but for now, I will explain the situation."

"What?"

"Lord Tang and I made a deal and had a match. As you can see, I won."

"A match? A deal?"

At Wiji Gang's calm explanation, Maeng Segwang and Namgung Hyeok looked at Cheonyeong.

Cheonyeong slowly nodded.

"Since I won, I wish to achieve my objective. Will you stop me?"

"Hmph."

Wiji Gang was polite and courteous all along, so Maeng Segwang and Namgung Hyeok hesitated.

Since a person of the Demonic Cult had set foot in the Central Plains, it was a matter that wouldn't be satisfying even if he were beaten to death right away, but wasn't the party to the deal Tang Cheonyeong?

"Myeongseon."

Cheonyeong called Baekta in a low voice.

It was a small, weak voice, but since everyone was listening intently, Baekta brought Jin Gumyeong.

"Give him."

"But…"

"A promise is a promise."

At Cheonyeong's smile, Baekta let out a deep sigh and handed over Jin Gumyeong.

Heukmu took him, examined him, and after confirming that he was alive, handed Jin Gumyeong over to his subordinate.

Seeing them feed him a pill, it seemed they were going to take him alive to the Demonic Cult.

"I have achieved my purpose for coming to the Central Plains. May I take my leave now?"

At Wiji Gang's question, Namgung Hyeok and Maeng Segwang frowned and looked at Cheonyeong.

Although they were divided between the righteous and the demonic, they said there was a promise between warriors.

For them to step in was no different from ignoring Cheonyeong.

Realizing that the decision had been passed to him from their gazes, Cheonyeong spoke to Wiji Gang.

"…Wiji Gang."

"…?"

"I'll come looking for you soon."

"Looking? Jin Gumyeong will be dead by then."

"Jin Gumyeong? He died when his limbs were cut off by me."

"…"

"What I need to find is today's defeat, and my pride."

"Heh, I see. I will wait with pleasure."

Wiji Gang, who smiled lightly, added one more thing.

"But as you are now, you won't even be able to cross the border. You'll die before you even meet me."

"That's my business."

"Discard the miscellaneous arts. You can't win against me with something like hidden weapons."

"No, I'll make a hole in your forehead with those hidden weapons. For sure."

"Then, do as you please."

Wiji Gang, who smiled brightly, bowed politely to Namgung Hyeok and Maeng Segwang.

"If the opportunity arises, let's meet again."

He said his goodbyes and left.

Everyone just stared blankly at him as he disappeared into the distance.

"Hey, is it alright to let him go like that?"

"Then go chase him now."

"Damn it…"

As Namgung Hyeok sheathed his sword, Maeng Segwang sighed and lowered his fist.

It was something that couldn't be reversed since it was already decided, and for now, Cheonyeong's treatment was the priority.

Ignoring the annoyed Maeng Segwang, Namgung Hyeok supported Cheonyeong, carefully sat him down, and took out a small pill from his bosom.

"This is a miraculous pill made with the secret formula of the Namgung Family."

"Thank you. I will not refuse." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I will stand guard. Calm your internal energy."

"Yes."

Cheonyeong immediately swallowed the miraculous pill that Namgung Hyeok offered and entered a state of energy circulation.

Since his internal injuries were severe, it was impossible to heal them completely, but he could prevent them from getting worse.

Only after a long period of energy circulation did Cheonyeong's breathing finally stabilize, and he asked Maeng Segwang and Namgung Hyeok.

"What happened? How did you two?"

"What do you mean, what happened? Don't you know, you who acts like you're the smartest in the world?"

"We came to save Lord Tang."

Maeng Segwang snapped curtly, and Namgung Hyeok smiled and answered.

"Came to save me?"

"After you left for Qilian, the assassins came. They were disguised as a merchant group."

"I see."

"I found them, I did!"

Maeng Segwang said as if showing off his achievement, and Cheonyeong expressed his gratitude.

Namgung Hyeok calmly explained the situation.

"They had big guts. For fellows who specialize in ambushes to have a direct confrontation with the three of us. I heard they had Gu, so I subdued them and asked them a few things."

"So you did."

At Namgung Hyeok's words, Cheonyeong let out a smirk.

The Sword Emperor, the Sword Immortal, and Seoak.

It seemed the assassins had met their match.

And he finally understood why Jin Gumyeong hadn't known about his attack.

Since they had been subdued, the Gu hadn't died, so he hadn't known.

"But you managed to get a confession out of them."

"That friend has quite some expertise in that area."

At Namgung Hyeok's words, Maeng Segwang puffed up his chest, crossed his arms, and lifted his chin.

"Then what happened to the Tang Family?"

"The Sword Immortal is guarding it in case something happens. There shouldn't be any trouble."

"That's a relief. And thank you. The Tang Family has received a great favor."

"Heh heh, a favor? Is it as great as the favor Namgung has received from you? The Sword Immortal said so too. That it's not even close to repaying the favor Qingcheng has received."

"Is that so?"

As Cheonyeong smiled faintly and nodded, Maeng Segwang cut in.

"Not me! I don't owe you any favors, so now you have to repay me. You know what I mean, right?"

"Pardon?"

"As you know, I'm from the unorthodox faction. I'm different from them, so when I do a job, I must get a reward! You know what I mean, right?"

Why did he keep asking if he knew what he meant?

He was about to die from being so out of it.

"I saved all your family members, so you have to repay me big. Big. You know what I mean…"

"My goodness, if I hear it ninety-seven more times, it'll be a hundred! Why do you keep asking if I know?"

"You son of a bitch! You stay out of it! You rolling stone."

"What?"

"Ah, I have nothing to say to you. Lord Tang. You know what I mean, right? A big reward! Huh?! You know how you have to repay that reward, right?"

At Maeng Segwang's shouting words, Cheonyeong let out a bitter smile.

"Gosh, even at his age… Is the matter between a man and a woman something that can be achieved by shouting like that?"

"You take care of your own business! I'll do as I please with my daughter!"

At the sight of Maeng Segwang, who didn't even seem to be listening, Namgung Hyeok shook his head and looked at Cheonyeong, saying.

"But you, did you know from the beginning?"

"Pardon?"

"That this place was an assassin organization created by the Demonic Cult."

(End of Chapter)