"…Honestly, this crosses the line."
"Exactly."
A hollow sigh escaped from Yoon Jong's mouth.
They had fought dragons and packs of wolves charging at them. After enduring all those brutal battles, now tigers, wolves, and hyenas had all united to surround them?
There was no calculation to be made here. Even with allies like Jang Ilso and the Red Dogs, they were losing. Breaking through this place alone was impossible no matter what.
"…What should we do?"
"What can I do…"
"Think of something! You are our sasuk!"
"I'm not the strategist!"
At Baek Cheon's shout, everyone's gaze sharply turned to Im So-Byeong.
"T-There must be a way, right?"
Receiving those hopeful eyes, Im So-Byeong smiled confidently.
"What do you think of me? Of course, there is."
"Oh?"
Hope filled everyone's eyes. Receiving their trust, Im So-Byeong spoke firmly.
"Since being caught and killed by the Evil Sect bastards would be painful, it's more honorable and preserves the body for us to just cleanly surrender here…"
"Are you crazy?"
"What nonsense is that!"
"You rotten bandit!"
"M-Monk, please calm down."
"…No…"
As the criticism poured in, Im So-Byeong lamented with a face full of grievance.
"Even if Zhuge Kong-Ming came back alive, he would not be able to find a solution here. What do you want me to do?"
"Then you should have solved it before it got this far! What were you thinking helping that Jang Ilso bastard?"
"Otherwise, we were all doomed."
"What's different now?"
"Haha. We just die a little later, right? That moment is important, just a moment. At least we can prepare ourselves mentally… But, monk? Why are you clenching your fists at me?"
Namgung Do-Wei, unable to stand it, cautiously grabbed Hae-Yeon's fist. It seemed like the golden flame in that fist might soon be shoved into Im So-Byeong's mouth.
Baek Cheon gritted his teeth as he looked at those tightening the siege on Mount Hua.
They had fought each other to the death not long ago, yet now the Red Dogs were blending among the Black Ghost Fortress troops as if on the same side. It was so frustrating it made his stomach churn.
'These spineless bastards.'
In a way, it showed how great Jang Ilso's control was, but Baek Cheon was not in a position to calmly admire that fact.
"But these bastards!"
Jo Gul slowly emitted a threatening sword qi toward the Black Ghost Fortress troops closing in.
The approaching Black Ghost Fortress elite flinched and stepped back, but soon smiled meaningfully and closed the distance again.
This was not the reaction they had seen before. The Black Ghost Fortress members had completely regained composure. Mount Hua disciples swallowed dryly and broke into cold sweat from tension.
It was then.
"Well, well."
A voice so unmistakably his rang out clearly. Then, the Black Ghost Fortress elites pressing Mount Hua stopped as if by magic.
With just a short exclamation, Jang Ilso sealed the movements of everyone here and moved leisurely alone in the frozen world. The Black Ghost Fortress elites blocking his path quickly stepped aside to clear the way.
"Who knows."
Enjoying the pouring gazes of awe and fear, Jang Ilso swaggered like an emperor without restraint, heading straight toward Mount Hua.
"Those once proud heroes of Mount Hua…"
A teasing voice, yet one that no one dared to oppose, echoed out.
"Why have you all shrunk back like this?"
Hearing that, the faces of Mount Hua disciples twisted in utter misery.
"Surely you don't think Jang Ilso is… a treacherous bastard who would betray comrades he fought alongside? Huh?"
"…"
"If you thought that, I'd be a little disappointed."
Baek Cheon bit his lip tightly.
He deeply understood what the Desolate Gold Elder must have felt before dying. Was there anyone more terrifying to face than Jang Ilso, who held the initiative at all times?
It felt as if Jang Ilso had plunged his hand into Baek Cheon's chest, squeezing and releasing his beating heart at will.
"This… is quite troublesome."
Jang Ilso, finally close by, chuckled softly.
"You so firmly believe I'm a treacherous bastard… Should I live up to that expectation… or… make a clean getaway?"
Baek Cheon growled.
"Don't spout nonsense when you never intended to let us go from the start."
Sharp words poured out, and a strangely amused expression flickered on Jang Ilso's face. He slowly brushed his face with long fingers.
But before he could reply, Ho Ga-Myung, following behind, spoke quickly, "Lord."
Then Jang Ilso's gaze, fixed on Mount Hua, shifted slightly backward.
"They must be killed."
Ho Ga-Myung was looking at Mount Hua, specifically at Chung Myung, who had his eyes closed in the center.
"It's true they have achievements and gain merit for doing this, but those guys are extremely dangerous. Especially that one…"
"Tsk tsk. Ga-Myung."
Jang Ilso, hearing this, interrupted him with clear displeasure.
"If you say that, I end up looking like a complete scoundrel."
"…Sorry, lord, but in this matter…"
"Of course, expecting loyalty from the Evil Sect is the dumbest thing. I know that, and even they know it. But…"
Jang Ilso's strange gaze turned to Mount Hua, especially Baek Cheon.
"The Evil Sect may have no loyalty, but they do have a code of honor, don't they?"
"Lord… Even so, isn't it wrong to sacrifice practical benefit for honor?"
"Ugh."
Jang Ilso tapped his cheek as if troubled, then looked at Baek Cheon with wide eyes.
"That's right."
"…"
"It may be unfortunate for you, but I'm a more considerate leader than you think. When a subordinate pleads so earnestly, it's not right for a superior to coldly refuse."
"This bastard…"
"So I'm deeply troubled. What should I do? Hahaha!"
Mount Hua disciples bit their lips.
It was like a cat toying with a mouse caught on its foot. Having already caught the prey, they planned to mock it thoroughly before killing.
Baek Cheon glared at Jang Ilso with murderous eyes and said.
"You seem mistaken if you think we are the same as those you've faced before. We may die, but we won't be toyed with."
"…Oh?"
"If you don't know that, that supple neck of yours might get cut off, Jang Ilso."
"Or your head might explode."
"Or a knife might be plunged into your belly."
Watching the growling Mount Hua disciples, Jang Ilso shook his head as if he couldn't help it.
"For wildcats, you sure know how to growl."
Jang Ilso's eyes cooled down.
"But… watching you makes me wonder. Will you still be able to grit your teeth like that when your neck is being cut off?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than he slightly raised his hand.
"Ah, no, no. I shouldn't say that to you. I must correct myself."
A sly smile appeared at the corner of Jang Ilso's mouth.
"Can you still bluff after seeing your comrade's neck cut right beside you?"
"You… bastard!"
Baek Cheon clenched his teeth. Bloodshot veins began to bulge in his eyes.
The subtle fondness Baek Cheon had developed for Jang Ilso while fighting the cult and the Black Ghost Fortress members had vanished completely. Blood rushed to his head. He stomped the ground as if ready to charge forward.
Then, a cold voice from behind grabbed his ankle.
"Do it."
Baek Cheon instinctively turned his head back. It was unthinkable to look away with Jang Ilso in front, but hearing that familiar voice made it possible.
"Ch-Chung Myung!"
"Hey, man!"
"…Damn slow, really."
Sighs of relief escaped from those surrounding Chung Myung.
It was an absurd sight.
Only one more person had joined. They were still surrounded by the Black Ghost Fortress and the Red Dogs, threatened by the world-renowned Jang Ilso and the Thousand Faced Scholar.
But the moment that one person opened his eyes, an irresistible relief settled on the faces of Mount Hua disciples, as if his awakening alone could solve everything for them.
Chung Myung scanned those looking at him and fixed his gaze on Jang Ilso. Jang Ilso also looked back with a strange smile.
"Who's neck are you going to cut?"
A voice like a biting winter wind. At that voice, the Red Dogs instinctively lowered their stance, ready to jump in and guard Jang Ilso's front.
"Try it. Let's see whose neck gets cut."
"Hmm."
Jang Ilso raised his hand and lightly stroked his chin.
"…If it comes to this, the story definitely changes… but isn't this a bit too much? Seems like it's not a situation for threats, right, Mount Hua Sword Saint?"
"That's why I said, try it."
Baek Cheon, still doubtful of Chung Myung's condition, blocked him with a worried face. But Chung Myung lightly tapped his shoulder and stepped forward.
"There's nothing you can't do now, right?"
"…What do you mean?"
"There's no reason to keep an Evil Sect bastard alive once they've outlived their usefulness."
At that moment, Mount Hua disciples clearly saw Jang Ilso's face, which had been wearing a chilling smile, suddenly harden.
But Jang Ilso's hardened expression quickly vanished as if it had never been there. With a relaxed face, he leisurely asked.
"So… I didn't use you, but you used me?"
"That's a triple lifetime honor you get. I used an Evil Sect bastard best used as fertilizer after death. Ah, no need to thank me. No one gets thanks from a tool, right?"
"Hahaha… Mount Hua Sword Saint."
Jang Ilso's face twisted.
"You're still excellent at getting under people's skin. I have to admit that. But… be careful. My patience might not be that great."
"You don't seem to know, but I'm good at something else too."
Chung Myung grabbed the sword hanging at his waist.
"Cutting the neck of a worthless Evil Sect bastard so they realize their place even in the afterlife. How about it? Want to see?"
A sharp blue killing intent flowed from Jang Ilso's eyes. Receiving that gaze, Chung Myung also smiled fiercely.
Righteousness and Evil.
The representatives of the two forces were now revealing their malice toward each other without any restraint.
The fragile bond maintained by their common enemies—the cult and the Black Ghost Fortress—was severed. From that moment, they were nothing but the most hated enemies, nothing more, nothing less.
The suffocating killing intent of the two, returned to their true selves, spread in all directions.