Return of the Mount Hua Sect

There are two reasons why he accepted Jang Ilso’s proposal.

The first was a sense of crisis.

It was because of a sense of crisis that if things continued like this, as Jang Ilso said, they might be defeated without even being able to do anything. Power that builds up to an excessive level is bound to be directed outward, and the best target for that outward power is none other than the Evil Faction.

And the second was…

‘It was a calculation that there would be no loss even if I used him moderately and then discarded him.’

This made it clear.

His second calculation was completely off.

While he had a certain pride in understanding Jang Ilso to some extent, the real Jang Ilso was not something that could be factored into his calculations. From the moment he invit them out to this very moment, no plans had escaped Jang Ilso’s grasp.

‘Was I the one being played all along?’

A chill ran down his spine.

In this war that burned like molten lava, the people who feared Jang Ilso the most may not have been the bastards of that Righteous Faction, but the Evil Faction that fought under him.

Even just thinking of him gave Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold a suffocating feeling. How must the others feel?

“Anyway….”

The Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold hid his innermost thoughts and opened his mouth nonchalantly.

“It turned out to be a profitable business.”

“A profitable business?”

Listening, the Black Dragon King’s face twisted in displeasure.

“That might be from your perspective. My water fortress of Yangtze suffered only losses! Above all, the fact that the Black Dragon Water Fortress’ force was cut in half is irreparable damage!”

The Black Dragon King glared at Jang Ilso with murderous energy radiating from his eyes.

“Jang Ilso! I’m sure you said it’ll bring benefits to the Yangtze River! Did you fool me, bastard?”

“Bastard, you say… Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

Thousand-Faced Gentleman clicked his tongue.

“I knew you were ignorant, but you don’t even know the situation. Watch your mouth, Black Dragon King. This Evil Tyrant Alliance has just started. If the dignity of Ryeonju is harmed, it will not be good for us either.”

“Shut up, you rat-like creature! Weren’t you in cahoots with Jang Ilso to deceive me?”

When Black Dragon King bursts into a rage, Thousand-Faced Gentleman’s eyes instantly turn cold.

“Kekek.”

But then Jang Ilso chuckled softly and opened his mouth softly.

“There’s no need to be so angry. I indeed brought a significant benefit to the Yangtze.”

“…Benefit? Did you just say benefit?”

“Now, no one will stop you from doing anything in the Yangtze River. At least for the next three years.”

The Black Dragon King slightly narrowed his eyes with suspicion.

“But the officials…”

“Even the officials alone will find it difficult to face the water fortress. They’ve always been backed by the Ten Great Sect and the Five Great Family. If they can’t step forward, the officials will turn a blind eye.”

“Hmm.”

“If that’s the case, isn’t recovering from this amount of damage not even a day’s work? In fact, your water fortress might become even stronger.”

Black Dragon King stared at Jang Ilso without saying a word and cleared his throat loudly.

“Are you certain, Ryeonju?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll let it slide this time.”

When Black Dragon King stepped down, Thousand-Faced Gentleman asked, holding a complaint.

“Do you think they’ll keep their promise, Ryeonju?”

“They have no choice but to. No, they will.”

Jang Ilso twisted the corners of his mouth.

“There’s nothing better than dealing with those bound by justification and honor. We don’t need to worry about that.”

“Hmm. I trust Ryeonju.”

The Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold also chimed in.

“Well, the most important thing now is to stabilize the Evil Tyrant Alliance as quickly as possible.”

“That’s right.”

“… Then we’ll return as is, reorganize our sect, and prepare a new system.”

“That we must.”

“But there’s one thing I’m curious about.”

The Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold tilted his head slightly and asked. His eyes were dim.

“If you mobilized the Blood Clan, it wouldn’t have been so difficult to wipe them all out there. Moreover, considering Shaolin, Wudang, and Namgung, wouldn’t the damage have been of great worth?”

“Great worth….”

Jang Ilso rolled up the corners of his mouth.

“What I want is not to win in a battle, but to win in a war. My opponent… No, our opponent is not Shaolin or Wudang, but the entire Jungwon.”

“….”

“Do you know why people fear ghosts?”

“…Isn’t it because they’re difficult to confront?”

“No.”

Jang Ilso shook his head.

“It’s because they know what ghosts are.”

“….”

“A child who doesn’t know about ghosts isn’t afraid even if they see one. But adults who’ve heard countless times what it is and why it’s scary, they fear ghosts.”

The face of the Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold hardened slightly.

“Soon, everyone under the heavens will fear my name and the name of Evil Tyrant Alliance. Things will get a little easier from then on.”

The Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold shook his head.

It was the same when he came here. Even if the man seems to tell everything, in the end, he says nothing.

But one thing is certain.

“It was a good decision to establish the Evil Tyrant Alliance.”

“Hahaha.”

Jang Ilso laughed softly.

“If you think so, don’t be obsessed with the name Black Ghost Fortress. I will also abandon the name Myriad Man Manor.”

“…Understood. We’ll meet soon. There’s a lot to discuss.”

The Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold turned away as if his business was over.

Then, the Black Dragon King also turned around with a satisfied smile. The remaining Thousand-Faced Gentleman looked at Jang Ilso and chuckled.

“The road to hardship has unfolded, Ryeonju.”

“I guess I’ll have to endure it.”

“I look forward to your kind cooperation in the future. Just know that I don’t doubt Ryeonju’s abilities.”

“Of course.”

“Kekekek. This will be fun. Very fun.”

Thousand-Faced Gentleman left with a peculiar smile. As everyone moved away, the cold murderous energy that Jang Ilso had endured burst from his eyes.

“…They are like cunning snakes.”

Behind Jang Ilso, who turned around, a white carriage with eight horses was ready. Ho Gamyeong, who was quietly waiting behind the carriage, greeted Jang Ilso with a wet cloth.

“You’ve gone through a lot. Bangju, no… Ryeonju-nim.”

“It’s quite a mess. What a disgrace. Hngg.”

Jang Ilso groaned. Ho Gamyeong offered a wet cloth with a bitter smile.

“I guess I should’ve brought the subordinates.”

“It’s not like it was out of my hand, it’s fine.”

Jang Ilso, who took the wet cloth, wiped the blood off his body.

“Everything went according to Ryeonju-nim’s thoughts.”

“It’s just the beginning.”

Jang Ilso replied nonchalantly, changing the cloth several times as he wiped his upper body. Ho Gamyeong brought out a pure white robe from inside the carriage and draped it over him. After tidying up, Jang Ilso frowned at his ruined accessories.

“Tsk.”

Udeuk.

He carelessly ripped off the ruined accessories from his body and tossed back his disheveled hair with a sigh.

“Those snake-like cunning fellows won’t easily follow me. Now that the urgent fire has been extinguished, they will try to devour Evil Tyrant Alliance from now on.”

“It will definitely come out that way.”

“Right, that’s what Evil Sect does. They would rather fight each other for a single bean right in front of them than go for bigger prey in the distance. Those guys are a bigger problem than the Righteous Faction.”

If Jang Ilso had completely sorted out Shaolin and Wudang here, what would have followed after would have been obvious.

They will recognize Jang Ilso as an enemy, not the remaining Righteous Faction. Forming alliances behind the scenes, they would’ve fought to eliminate Jang Ilso and Myriad Man Manor and divide the southern territory (Gangnam) among themselves.

This is a testament to the history of the Evil Faction, which has been repeated countless times.

“But… they can’t do that now, can they?”

Jang Ilso slightly raised the corner of his mouth. A peculiar smile spread across his face.

“Evil Tyrant Alliance should not have power on its own. Only Evil Tyrant Alliance under my rule should have meaning. What I’ve gained from this war is not some trivial treaty. It’s the spread of my name, Jang Ilso, throughout the world.”

Jang Ilso brushed his lips with his index finger.

“Fame is nothing more than a worthless piece of trash, but sometimes it can be more powerful than any violence.”

A hint of admiration flashed in the eyes of Ho Gamyeong, who was looking at him.

Since when did Jang Ilso start crafting this picture?

From the time he gathered the leaders of the Five Great Evil Sect?

Or since Mount Hua came to the Yangtze?

Or during the turmoil in the Nokrim?

No, that’s not it.

‘At least when he confronted the Tang Gaju, he must’ve foreseen this.’

That’s why he stopped Ho Gamyeong when he tried to deal with Mount Hua Divine Dragon.

It’s not just about being one step ahead. Jang Ilso is toying with the world on the palm of his hand.

“For a while, there will be continuous battles. It won’t be easy to get the valuables out of the jaws of those snake-like bastards.”

“But Ryeonju-nim will surely succeed.”

“Tsk, tsk. Gamyeong-ah, Gamyeong-ah. You sometimes overestimate me. My head already aches thinking about it.”

Jang Ilso shook his head as he climbed into the carriage. Ho Gamyeong followed him up, closed the carriage door, took out the alcohol he had prepared in advance, and offered politely.

“I have prepared it.”

“Have I ever told you this is why I like you?”

Jang Ilso grinned.

“Our journey is still long, but we can toast for today, can’t we?”

“Of course, Ryeonju-nim.”

“Hahahat!”

It was at that moment, just as Jang Ilso was about to pour the liquor.

“Hm?”

Ho Gamyeong’s head turned towards the carriage door. There was a commotion outside.

‘What’s happening?’

The battle should have already ended.

Jang Ilso frowned and Ho Gamyeong immediately spoke,

“I’ll go and check…”

But just as he was about to rise from his seat,

Kwadeudeuk!

Something sharp suddenly pierced through the wall of the carriage.

For a moment, Ho Gamyeong broke out in a cold sweat.

A sword, so sharp that it seemed it would cut just from its energy, stopped just half an inch from his face as he was hurriedly standing up.

“….”

Had the sword moved just another inch, he would no longer be alive.

“Tsk.”

Jang Ilso, who blocked the sword that had pierced the carriage wall, clicked his tongue.

“So impatient. Hng.”

With that, he sighed, grabbed two bottles of alcohol, and rose from his seat.

Upon opening the door and stepping out of the carriage, he saw that the warriors of Myriad Man Manor were gathered around, protecting the carriage.

And across from them stood a man.

“Step back.”

The warriors of Myriad Man Manor, who looked as if they were about to charge at the man any moment, turned in surprise at Jang Ilso.

“I said step back.”

“Yes!”

The warriors quickly dispersed to the left and right, clearing the way. Jang Ilso, having stepped out of the carriage, drew the sword that had been lodged.

“… Is this sword a parting gift?”

“Give it back. It’s expensive.”

“Tsk. I liked it, though.”

Jang Ilso, feigning regret, threw the sword in his hand to the man. Chung Myung, caught the sword called “Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword” adorned with green tassels, and sheathed it while fixing his gaze on Jang Ilso.

Jang Ilso sighed lightly.

“This carriage is also expensive…”

“If you come to Shaanxi, I’ll buy you a new one.”

“In exchange for surrendering my neck?”

“Shouldn’t you bear that much?”

“Hahaha.”

Jang Ilso threw a bottle in his hand at Chung Myung this time. Without a word, Chung Myung took it to his lips and tilted it back.

Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.

Jang Ilso smiled as he watched Chung Myung drink without any hesitation.

“It tastes good.”

With that, he too began to drink directly from the bottle.

Ho Gamyeong stared blankly at the scene.

Chung Myung, who suddenly rushes to this place where the Myriad Man Manor warriors are encamped and throws his sword at the carriage where Jang Ilso is riding, and Jang Ilso, who offers alcohol to Chung Myung.

He simply couldn’t understand their world.

The two, after taking the bottles away from their lips, looked at each other.

Jang Ilso smirked with a devilish smile. Exposing his teeth, he whispered like a beast threatening its prey.

“Right…”

There was a growl-like tone in his voice, infested with killing intent and hostility.

“After sparing your life once, why have you come back to find me? I don’t think you’re begging to be killed.”

At that, a deep killing intent rose in Chung Myung’s eyes.