As if beckoning them to come down and fight, Hu Il-hyeong stood atop the main gate and stared silently up at the main hall. His eyes, glistening in the moonlight, were so chillingly deep and cold. So utterly void of presence, he seemed not a real person but an apparition from a nightmare.
The first to react to his sky-piercing arrogance was Won Seo-gang.
“Let’s go. I must finish this with Hu Il-hyeong before those wretches interfere.”
Won Seo-gang, his face set with grim resolve, picked up his sword and headed for the stairs. Do Gwang-il also stared at Hu Il-hyeong for a long while before turning away without a word. Following him, I scanned the room and saw that Geuk-hwan had no intention of moving.
Dong Hae-il and Mok Un-jeong simply nodded, as if this was not their fight, and silently wished us luck. Seong-jin, watching everyone’s reactions, asked Heo Geuk, who remained motionless.
“Master, aren’t we going?”
Heo Geuk let out a hollow laugh and glared at his immature disciple.
“You fool, have you already forgotten how your old master nearly died at the hands of that villain Hu Il-hyeong?”
Seong-hu, standing beside him, retorted with a sullen look as if displeased.