It felt as if the qi was about to reverse flow and wreak havoc within the body. This wasn't due to the qi emitted by the two themselves; rather, the mere fact that they were openly hostile toward each other, and that the others were forced to watch from so close, caused their qi and blood to surge uncontrollably.
Their situations differed, as did what they possessed and what they were capable of. Yet neither seemed to care, refusing to yield an inch.
The tension was taut, like a stretched string.
The one to break that intense silence was a small sigh escaping from Jang Ilso's lips.
"Ha."
Though faint, it struck like a blade instantly severing the tightly stretched string.
At the slight twitch of Chung Myung's shoulder, Jang Ilso subtly stepped back.
A suffocating silence settled.
Calmly retreating, Jang Ilso looked at Chung Myung with disbelief he could not hide.
"Well…"
As Jang Ilso stepped back, Chung Myung moved as well. This confirmed the threat was no bluff. Had Jang Ilso shown even the slightest hint of attack, Chung Myung's sword would have flown straight toward his neck without hesitation.
"…You're really out of your mind," Jang Ilso said.
His words could be taken as admiration, criticism, or perhaps both. Chung Myung scoffed in response.
"I don't think that's something you should say."
Jang Ilso shook his head.
"No. It matters because I say it. People I acknowledge as crazy are truly rare."
"But this guy?"
Normally, Mount Hua's disciples would have reacted by agreeing or rebutting, but now they couldn't even open their mouths. The standoff between these two was so heavy and sharp that they dared not intervene.
Baek Cheon understood clearly.
Though Jang Ilso was the one who stepped back first, doing so amidst such tightly intertwined killing intent was no easy feat. Stepping back meant revealing a gap.
Who would dare show a gap in front of Chung Myung?
So even in retreat, it was not a sign of weakness but a testament to Jang Ilso's guts.
'This guy and that guy.'
To call this a battle between dragon and tiger would be an understatement, brimming with lethal intent.
Witnessing this standoff up close was the greatest fortune for a martial artist, but the greatest misfortune for those nearby.
"A confirmation…"
Jang Ilso clicked his tongue leisurely, then gave a slight, twisted smile.
"Of course, I'm not the type to avoid direct confirmation… but it depends on the opponent. I'm not bold enough to risk my life against the world-renowned Mount Hua Sword Saint."
"…You're talking nonsense," Chung Myung bared his teeth.
Everyone knew Jang Ilso was not one to value his life, and those who had watched him here knew it even more. That obvious nonsense annoyed him.
But Jang Ilso raised both arms slightly as if surrendering and stepped back. His expression and movement showed no fear; rather, a persistent mockery was woven throughout.
"So, shall we step back around here?"
"A-alliance Lord!!"
Ho Ga-Myung shouted in deep confusion at Jang Ilso's statement. He knew that Jang Ilso did not simply mean stepping back a few steps.
"We can't let those guys go like this!"
Faced with fierce opposition, Jang Ilso sighed deeply and looked back at him.
"Ga-Myung."
"That's not like you, Alliance Lord! That Mount Hua Sword Saint must be killed without regard for face! He must…"
"Ga-Myung."
At the second calling of his name, Ho Ga-Myung closed his mouth. Jang Ilso's voice was soft, without a trace of irritation, making it impossible to disobey.
Jang Ilso sighed and said to Ho Ga-Myung,
"I didn't realize you were so ambitious."
"…Sorry?"
"You wanted to kill me that badly?"
"…W-what do you mean…"
Ho Ga-Myung was greatly flustered. Jang Ilso looked at him and Chung Myung alternately, displeased.
"Don't you understand? The one whose life is held hostage now is not the Mount Hua Sword Saint, but me."
"…Yes?"
When Ho Ga-Myung asked what that meant, Jang Ilso looked back at Chung Myung without answering.
"Thirty percent. Probably around that."
Chung Myung's eyes showed surprise at those words.
"…That's right."
Jang Ilso sighed deeply.
"Anyway, the Justice faction's martial arts are dirty too. Recovering thirty percent of your internal qi with just a brief breath intake. The Evil Sect must be living in sorrow."
Jang Ilso shook his head in disgust.
"With thirty percent of his internal qi, cutting my weak and frail neck now wouldn't be that difficult."
Surprised, Ho Ga-Myung opened his eyes wide.
Here stood him, the Thousand Faced Scholar, and the elites of the Red Dogs and Black Ghost Fortress—all ready to protect Jang Ilso—but Chung Myung could pierce through them all and cut Jang Ilso's neck?
'Ah, no…'
Lost in thought, Ho Ga-Myung bit his lip suddenly.
Hadn't he already seen Chung Myung fighting the high priest?
Considering that persistence and boldness, Jang Ilso's words were not entirely wrong. Even if his body was torn and crushed, Chung Myung would definitely try to swing a sword at Jang Ilso's neck at least once.
'Can he really not be stopped?'
Ho Ga-Myung was momentarily conflicted. But the conclusion was simple: he could never gamble with Jang Ilso's life. Even if there was a one percent chance of his lord being in danger, they must be the ones to retreat.
Seeing Ho Ga-Myung's face change, Jang Ilso shrugged.
"Do you understand? Begging for life is…"
Jang Ilso's eyes drew a circle.
"It's actually this side."
Though he said his life was in danger, Jang Ilso's face showed no discomfort or fear.
But Ho Ga-Myung was different. Growing uneasy, he tried to stand between Jang Ilso and Chung Myung, but Jang Ilso tapped his shoulder and pushed him away.
"Tsk. What a disgrace."
"But…"
"No need to worry. Unless I make the first move, that sword won't fly to my neck."
Jang Ilso gave a strange smile and asked Chung Myung,
"Right?"
"…If only you shut that mouth, maybe."
"Hahahahaha!"
At the blunt answer, Jang Ilso burst into loud laughter.
Right now, Chung Myung could kill Jang Ilso. But if that happened, all remaining Mount Hua disciples would have to bury their bones here, including Chung Myung himself.
It's absurd, but if Jang Ilso lives, they live; if he dies, they die. So Chung Myung can kill Jang Ilso, but conversely, can never kill him.
"Hmm, no choice then."
Jang Ilso snorted and muttered. Everyone's attention was on him as he finally spoke.
"I'll let you go."
He said briefly and shrugged.
"As a courtesy to a comrade."
"Bullshit."
"Goodness, so cynical. I'm speaking sincerely."
Jang Ilso shook his head helplessly, then narrowed his eyes and looked around as if making a decision.
"Let's see…"
After scanning the area for a moment, he grinned.
"Over there."
Jang Ilso left everyone standing as they were and calmly walked away. No one could stop him—not Mount Hua's disciples, nor Jang Ilso's subordinates, nor even Chung Myung, who held Jang Ilso's life hostage.
After heading far away, Jang Ilso quietly looked down. It was a ruin, so ravaged by battle that its original form was unrecognizable.
Boom!
Jang Ilso stomped the ground hard. The earth echoed loudly as something rose from beneath.
'A crate?'
Mount Hua disciples tensed. Jang Ilso was known for unpredictable actions, so suspicion arose about what trick he was up to this time.
"That's right."
But Jang Ilso calmly opened the crate as if unaware of their expressions. Taking something out, he slowly walked toward Mount Hua's disciples.
"Here."
Jang Ilso threw what he held to Chung Myung. Everyone flinched in surprise, but Chung Myung caught it calmly.
All eyes focused on what Chung Myung held. Baek Cheon let out a hollow laugh. It was utterly absurd.
That pure white porcelain bottle was definitely…
"…Alcohol?"
It was a bottle of liquor.
"Why are you so surprised? Do you think I'll gobble it up or something?"
Jang Ilso chuckled and let out a lazy sigh.
"If it's a big alcohol house in Hangzhou, they usually have liquor storage underground."
"…"
"If we fought together, sharing a drink to wash away blood is our way. I don't know if the esteemed Justice faction folks would like the lowly Evil Sect's way…"
Before Jang Ilso finished, the sound of a cork popping rang clearly. Chung Myung glanced at Jang Ilso, tossed the cork aside, and drank straight from the bottle without hesitation.
"…Hmm."
A small smile bloomed on Jang Ilso's lips.
He also pulled the cork from his bottle and drank straight like Chung Myung.
It was certainly a strange sight.
Enemies who had fought together, now silently facing each other while drinking. On the land filled with stillness, only the faint sound of their drinking spread.
Both seemed about to empty their bottles at once, but at some moment, neither was first; they lifted the bottles from their mouths.
Their gazes tangled in the air. Chung Myung's eyes were cold and calm, while Jang Ilso's eyes burned with a strange intensity.
Jang Ilso spoke.
"Next time…"
"Yeah."
Chung Myung continued Jang Ilso's words.
"It's your neck."
Smiles appeared simultaneously on their lips. The killing intent overflowed without any attempt to hide.
After staring at each other for a long time, Jang Ilso was the first to turn his body.
"Let's go, Ga-Myung."
"Yes, Alliance Lord."
Ho Ga-Myung, quickly following Jang Ilso, glanced toward Mount Hua. Grinding his teeth, he said,
"Go north. Only that path is allowed. If you stray from it, you die."
"…"
"I hope and hope you ignore my warning."
After those words, he followed Jang Ilso. The Red Dogs and Black Ghost Fortress, who had surrounded Mount Hua, also broke the siege and withdrew.
Chung Myung, staring long at the departing Jang Ilso, suddenly raised his voice.
"Hey, Jang Ilso."
Jang Ilso stopped in place as he was walking. He only turned his head to glance at Chung Myung.
When their eyes met, Chung Myung snorted a laugh.
"Debt paid."
Jang Ilso's eyebrows twitched slightly. Chung Myung said,
"The debt is paid. There won't be a next time."
"Ha…"
On Jang Ilso's pale face, his blood-red lips formed a chilling curve.
"Ha ha. Hahaha…"
Jang Ilso laughed low like a demon and spat out,
"See you again, Mount Hua's Sword Saint."
Jang Ilso gave a sly smile toward Chung Myung, withdrew his burning gaze, and walked forward again.
Until Jang Ilso and his followers disappeared from sight, Mount Hua's disciples stood frozen in place for a long time.