Return of the Mount Hua Sect

A bitter smile crossed his lips as he stared at the empty shoulder with cold eyes for a long time.

“…This looks terrible.”

This was the price of arrogance.

He believed he could negotiate with anyone if he wished. Because he believed that there was no force in the world that could not be appeased by money. He gave up an arm in return for realizing that it was arrogance.

Slowly, he raised his hand and pressed the stump of his not-yet-healed shoulder. The intense pain was enough to make him clench his teeth drilled into his head.

‘Not bad.’

Of course, he’s not saying this out of his mind.

Because losing an arm is a terrible thing. In particular, it was difficult to measure the loss of a swordsman losing a sword arm.

But….

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‘Doesn’t matter.’

It’s better than losing a life.

As long as he’s alive, opportunities will definitely come. Considering the price of his arrogance, he got off cheaply.

The problem starts now.

If he doesn’t clean up that Magyo, he won’t be given another chance. He must eliminate them by any means necessary.

To do that……

Kung!

At that moment, the door to the great hall opened and a person walked in. Even without turning his head, Great Master could tell who it was.

The jangling sound of ornaments with each step was synonymous with Jang Ilso. Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold turned his head and saw Jang Ilso approaching him.

Jang Il-so asked, staring at Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold.

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“What’s the situation?”

“…It still seems to be in Hangzhou.”

“They’re slower than I thought. I thought they would have cleared Hangzhou by now and started moving elsewhere.”

At those words, Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold kept his mouth shut. With a look of disagreement on his face, Jang Ilso squinted his eyes slightly and said.

“Say it.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Why do you think their advance is slow?”

Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold seemed to be thinking deeply about something, but then he opened his mouth.

“It’s not slow.”

“Hm?”

It was an unexpected answer. Jang Ilso slightly tilted his head.

Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold opened his mouth again and elaborated.

“Their pace is actually faster than I anticipated.”

“A day has passed, and they haven’t been able to do anything about Hangzhou. Are you saying this is fast?”

“Yes.”

Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold nodded with a dark face.

“Because their objective is completely different.”

“Objective?”

“If Evil Tyrant Alliance attempts to occupy Hangzhou, our objective would be neutralization. We’d swiftly slaughter any resistance and place Hangzhou under our control.”

“That’s right.”

“But that’s not their objective. Their objective is literally annihilation. To erase everything alive in Hangzhou.”

For the first time, Jang Ilso was silent. He hadn’t been able to verify this part in the rush to gather reports.

“…Annihilation?”

A hollow laugh escaped his lips.

“Are they planning to kill every living person?”

“It seems so.”

“Then their goal is not to dominate Jungwon, but to kill all its people, is that what you mean?”

“I can’t be certain of that extent. However…”

Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold opened his mouth with a face that said he didn’t want to even think about it.

“What’s certain is that their objective, whatever it may be, won’t be confined to Jungwon. After all, in the war a hundred years ago, they turned not just Jungwon but even the outer palaces against us.”

While he spoke, the image of the bishop’s gaze vividly came to Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold’s mind.

“I don’t know. I don’t know exactly, but….”

That wasn’t the way to see people. What was in those eyes was contempt rather than hatred. It seemed closer to obligation than enmity.

The tip of his remaining hand slightly trembled. He now seemed to understand why Magyo was such an object of fear.

However, Jang Ilso’s reaction was slightly different.

“An annihilation….”

Jang Ilso mulled over the word and then began to chuckle.

“I thought they were crazy people, but they turned out to be more boring than I thought.”

“…Boring?”

“Right.”

Jang Ilso twitched the corner of his mouth.

“If there is nothing to dominate, there is no reason to fight. What’s the meaning of a world with no one to hold onto?”

“…They may be trying to create a world just for religious believers. There are no opposition… A paradise of their own.”

“That’s a stupid story.”

But Jang Ilso dismissed it outright. A flicker of disgust crossed his face.

“Anyway, there is no such thing as paradise where people live.”

“….”

Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold trembled for a moment. Jang Ilso’s brutal killing intent made him cringe.

“This one, that one, they all just spout dreams.”

Jang Ilso lightly brushed his face. Then, the killing intent and distorted expression disappeared as if washed away, and only the usual relaxed face remained.

“Well, whatever. It doesn’t matter what they think. They’re the ones to kill anyway.”

“…What about Righteous Sects?”

Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold, who had been silent, subtly changed the topic. Jang Ilso answered briefly.

“They’re coming soon.”

“…So you really managed to get their support.”

Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold looked at Jang Ilso with a new look on his face.

‘It’s no ordinary matter.’

Jang Ilso is of Evil Sects. One that holds the Ryeonju throne of Evil Tyrant Alliance which has established the hegemony of Evil Sects at that. It is not normal for such a person to be promised support through consensus with Righteous Sects.

No. Even before that… No matter how necessary it is, the idea of ??reaching out to Righteous Sects first is a great thing in itself.

Maybe this is something only Jang Ilso could do.

“It’s not something that can really be called support. I’d like to attract all those Righteous Sects and use them as arrowheads, but it doesn’t seem like the situation is that easy.”

“…Indeed.”

“So you must prepare, Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes briefly turned cold.

“This should have been the task for Black Ghost Fortress. Even if I step in, you guys can’t just back out. You need to play your part.”

Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold nodded slowly. It was an unavoidable situation.

“I am prepared.”

“Then move. Pinpoint their location accurately, and gather all remaining forces to converge on Hangzhou.”

“Understood.”

Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold nodded and took a step forward. As he caught a glimpse of Jang Ilso and went out, his eyes had already settled into a chilling calm.

‘Magyo, Righteous Sects. And Myriad Man Manor.’

As a merchant, he should always ponder ways to profit. Even if it’s right after suffering massive, irreparable damage.

In the mind of the expressionless Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold, the best possible strategies he could undertake began to surface. Selecting the most realistic one was his duty.

But perhaps because he was too absorbed in thought?

Great Master of Ten Thousand Gold did not realize.

The strange gaze embedded in his back. That mocking, predatory stare, as if playing or tightening its grip on its prey.

* * *

The main forces of Myriad Man Manor lined up on the riverside.

In general, people who bear the name Evil Sects tend to be free-spirited. However, the forces of Myriad Man Manor arrayed now carried a firm discipline within their freedom.

“Is everything ready?”

“It’s done.”

Ho Gamyeong, standing next to Jang Ilso, answered and looked at the river with uncomfortable eyes.

“…Ryeonju-nim. No matter how long the control over water fortress is not over, but only by themselves…..”

“It’s fine, Gamyeong-ah.”

Jang Ilso smiled.

“Because numbers aren’t important. Black Ghost Fortress will fill in the numbers.”

“…I understand up to that point. But is there really a need for you to go to Hangzhou yourself? Ryeonju-nim is the axis of Evil Tyrant Alliance. Why would you engage in such a matter…”

“Gamyeong-ah, Gamyeong-ah.”

Jang Ilso sighed deeply.

“You are trying to ruin me at every moment.”

“….”

“I know full well what you are thinking. But you have to remember.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes suddenly gleamed ominously.

“The moment you become intoxicated by the roof that protects you from wind and rain and the warm rice, even a wolf that clamps its teeth into the neck of a deer turns into a mere dog, satisfied with thrown bones.”

“….”

“Whether it is Bangju of Myriad Man Manor or Evil Tyrant Alliance, the only thing that changes is the shell. Tell me, who am I?”

“Ryeonju-nim….”

A subtle pressure began to press on Ho Gamyeong’s whole body. Trembling at that sensation, Ho Gamyeong opened his mouth.

“Paegun Jang Ilso.”

“Right.”

Jang Ilso’s blood-red lips parted, revealing his pure white teeth. He resembled a wolf starved for blood.

“I am Jang Ilso.”

No more words were needed than that.

Then Jang Ilso’s gaze turned to the river.

He saw a ship approaching their way. Jang Ilso chuckled.

“Yes, it doesn’t have to be me. No, there won’t. That blade is too sharp. No one but me can handle it properly.”

Ho Gamyeong kept an eye on the approaching ship. A flicker of tension passed through his eyes.

A small boat arrived, and about ten people disembarked and approached.

Ho Gamyeong looked at them in silence.

‘I don’t know if it’s right to say this to an enemy… but they are formidable.’

It was his honest impression.

This place is Gangnam. For them, this could be considered enemy territory. And in front, all the elites of Myriad Man Manor are gathered. Nevertheless, approaching something so boldly is not something that is normally possible with mere courage.

Despite being enemies, one couldn’t deny their bravery.

At the forefront stood a man with a stern look. Ho Gamyeong, slightly unfamiliar with him, watched as he approached Jang Ilso and bowed respectfully.

“I am Un Gum, first-class disciple of Mount Hua, greeting Ryeonju of Evil Tyrant Alliance.”

It was polite but never servile.

Jang Ilso’s eyes turned to the empty sleeve of Un Gum. Jang Ilso, with a strange smile, slowly opened his mouth.

“You’ve come a long way. Thank you.”

“It was nothing.”

Soon, Jang Ilso’s eyes turned to Chung Myung, who was standing behind Un Gum.

“Right.”

A ghostly smile spread widely across his face.

“How does it feel to be in the enemy’s ship, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword?”

“I’m still thinking about it.”

“Huh?”

“I was thinking of cutting your head off as a gift on the way back. It’s a rare opportunity, right?”

“Hahahahaha!”

Jang Ilso laughed as if amused.

“Yes, yes. This is why I like you.”

The moment Chung Myung was about to say something, an irritated voice came from behind.

“If you’re here to chat, can I go back now?”

Jang Ilso’s eyes turned to the source of the voice.

“Hoo? Isn’t this a pleasant face?”

Jang Ilso looked at Im Sobyeong with smiling eyes and laughed.

“I never thought Nokrim King would grace us with his presence. Seems I haven’t lost all my charm yet?”

“Do snake bastards even know charm? I thought that was something only humans could do?”

“My, my. Still as sharp-tongued as ever.”

Their gazes intertwined in the air.

However, their brief confrontation was abruptly cut off by Chung Myung’s interjection.

“If you’re done talking, let’s get going.”

Everyone’s eyes were focused on Chung Myung.

“Right now.”

Jang Ilso laughed, his eyes twinkling.

“If you wish.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes were boiling with intensity, and Chung Myung’s eyes were bitterly cold.

The moment the sun rises in the east.

The elites of Mount Hua and Myriad Man Manor kicked the ground.

The target is Hangzhou.

A land stained with evil.