"The cleanup is mostly done. You all can rest now."
At Munhu's words, about fifty men sat down where they stood. Despite being in a warm region, the chill rising from the ground was quite harsh. Even on a good day, winter was still winter. It wasn't the best temperature for resting.
One of the men, seemingly uncomfortable, dusted off his seat and approached Munhu.
"Master."
"What is it?"
"Aren't you going to rest, Master?"
"No need. My stomach doesn't feel great after eating all sorts of things at Cheongsu Gate."
The man grumbled.
"You must have enjoyed it. I heard the old master of Cheongsu Gate lives in luxury."
"They live like a king with porcelain and carpets."
"If it were me, I'd just live there in comfort. Why bother trying to join the sect by pulling strings with the Elder..."
Munhu's eyes sharpened.
"Watch your mouth, you fool."
"Ah, I'm sorry."
"They say even walls have ears. Don't let any words slip out that shouldn't."
The man scratched his head awkwardly.
"By the way, when is the Elder supposed to arrive?"
"Trying to change the subject, are you?"
"I'm genuinely curious. I need to know when he's coming so I can rest easy."
"I don't know. It should take about half a day."
"That long?"
"The distance is quite far, isn't it?"
The man sighed.
"I always wonder if it's okay for him to go to such places alone. Didn't he only take you to Cheongsu Gate?"
"Such places? What do you know about it to say that?"
"I don't know exactly. But isn't it similar to Cheongsu Gate?"
Munhu shook his head.
"I heard it's where the Elder's mother's grave is."
"What? So the Elder came all the way here to pay respects at the grave?"
"What did you think it was?"
"...Just something."
"He's been saying that for years. Always saying he's an unfilial son for not visiting his mother's grave, making time to visit no matter how busy he is."
The man stroked his chin, seemingly surprised.
"The Elder has that side to him."
"You fool?"
"Ah, I'm sorry. I was being presumptuous again..."
"The Elder is a great person. We're staying under him, hoping for success, but it's hard to find someone as humane as him."
"That's true."
"So be careful not to let any talk about the Elder slip out, even by mistake. If it causes trouble for the Elder, it will also affect our path to success. Understand?"
"Don't worry."
"You're the one I'm most worried about, you fool."
Munhu scratched his head and walked over to where the men were gathered.
"Enough of that, is there anything to eat?"
"You said you ate a lot at Cheongsu Gate? Why suddenly, when you said your stomach was upset?"
"It was fancy, but too salty and greasy to eat much."
"Heh, you can't even appreciate expensive food. It seems you don't have the fortune for good things, Master."
"These brats, really?"
As they joked and laughed, one of the men frowned.
"Uh... What's that?"
"Why, man?"
"That scene over there looks strange?"
"What is it!"
"Is that a tree? Why are the trees breaking like that?"
"What are you talking about?"
Munhu turned his head to where the man was looking.
At the same time, a loud explosion echoed.
Boom!
The sound of air tearing and bursting. At the same time, trees falling left and right shattered into pieces and scattered.
Munhu's eyes widened.
Screeeech!!
With a terrifying sound, a person was approaching at an incredible speed.
'...?!'
The face of the person, or whatever it was, looked as fierce as a demon, with hair blown back by the speed.
Even more, the demon carried a giant sword as tall as himself on his back.
Right behind him, a golden dot flickered and followed at his feet.
Munhu shouted without realizing it.
"Everyone, be careful!"
Bang!
In the midst of rushing like a storm, he kicked off the air once.
'Walking on air?!'
Walking on air, the highest level of movement technique, meaning to walk in the air at will.
Seeing him kick off the air, it seemed like walking on air, but the movement was so explosive that it was hard to be sure.
The mysterious demon rose, blocking the high sun.
Whoosh!
With the sound of a string snapping, the demon descended rapidly, gripping the giant sword on his back with both hands.
Fwoosh!
As a reddish, bloody aura burst from the demon's entire body, fear crept onto Munhu's face.
"Dodge it!"
Rumble!
"Hmm?"
Jeong Il-ryong glanced back.
Oh Kyung-hwa tilted his head.
"What's wrong?"
"...Nothing. I must be getting old, hearing things."
Oh Kyung-hwa chuckled.
"That's not something the famous Sword Immortal should say."
"Haha, you're the only one who still treats this old man like a person."
"Treating you like a person? You're one of the most powerful figures in the Heavenly Alliance, aren't you?"
"Don't say things you don't know. Do you think all young people are like you these days? They treat respect for elders like stones on the roadside."
"Haha! I'm over fifty, and you call me young? Well, it's not bad to hear."
Jeong Il-ryong looked at the shadowed forest in the distance.
A large man sat on a rock, and behind him, beasts with glowing red eyes lay hidden in the bushes.
"Those must be the famous beasts."
"I don't know about famous, but those are the beasts."
Then, the man turned his head this way.
The man's eyes, looking at Jeong Il-ryong, shone with interest.
Swoosh.
An intangible wave of energy seeped from the man's body. At the same time, a pungent smell wafted over, a smell only found in carnivores.
Oh Kyung-hwa waved his hand with a face of annoyance.
"Smelly things."
But Jeong Il-ryong didn't show any sign of it.
He quietly looked at the man and asked in a calm voice.
"What is your name?"
"Yulang."
"Yulang... indeed."
A voice of admiration flowed from Jeong Il-ryong's lips.
"So you're the Yulang, the beloved disciple of the Beast Palace Lord. One of the two closest to becoming the next lord?"
In Yulang's eyes, a blue light flickered. In the center of his blue eyes, which even invaded the whites, was a small black dot. It was like looking into the eyes of a wolf.
"They say the martial arts of the outer lands are different from those of the central plains. They may seem similar, but they're so strange that even a master can be caught off guard."
"...."
"Looking at you, I can see. It seems mixed with the martial arts of the central plains, yet it's entirely different. Moreover, the latent energy... Even the top masters of the central plains would struggle to last ten moves."
Despite the evaluation, Yulang didn't care at all. He just looked at Jeong Il-ryong with piercing eyes and then quickly turned his head.
Oh Kyung-hwa sneered.
"See? That's how they are. They don't know a thing about manners."
"Haha, it's a different world they live in. We can't just criticize them for not knowing our manners."
"Why are you so lenient with that guy?"
"Lenient? It's just a simple greeting anyone can do."
"Hmph! By the way, how do you know who that guy is?"
Jeong Il-ryong nodded.
"I know. I have to know. The Four Palaces of the Outer Lands are organizations that are not lacking in the martial world. They may be quiet now, but it's only natural to know about those who could become enemies or allies."
"I don't see why that's natural. If they're allies, we join hands, and if they become enemies, we just crush them."
"You need to temper your temper if you dream of reaching higher places."
Oh Kyung-hwa snorted.
"No need. I'll live and die as a warrior. Of course, I want to be treated accordingly."
"Haha."
Jeong Il-ryong replied with a hearty laugh and slowly bowed his upper body.
"Anyway, I hope we can end this light conversation here. It seems we don't have much time."
"You say that, but you're someone who could talk for half a day. But fine, I agree we don't have much time."
"Yes, yes. So..."
Jeong Il-ryong's eyes gleamed. It was a look mixed with greed and madness, not fitting his sage-like appearance.
"Where is the Calamity God Jewel?"
Oh Kyung-hwa tapped his chest with his finger.
"It's in my possession."
"Let's finish the deal first. Hand it over."
"If you want to buy it, you should show you have the money first."
"Haha. It's not my first time doing business, but you're quite stingy."
"I can't help it. This time, I'm here as an agent sent by the higher-ups, not for personal business."
Jeong Il-ryong nodded.
"I understand."
He took out a small golden pouch from his bosom.
"Here it is."
"Is this 'it'?"
"Yes. Let me tell you in advance, it's twice as good as the previous one. You'll be satisfied when you deliver it."
"You managed to get something like this."
"Even though I look like this, I'm the Elder of the Heavenly Alliance. I did have to put in some effort."
Receiving the pouch, Oh Kyung-hwa took out a similar-sized pouch from his bosom. Unlike Jeong Il-ryong's red pouch, it was a blue pouch.
"Thank you."
Jeong Il-ryong smiled as he received the pouch.
Though his face was smiling, his eyes were trembling with excitement. Known for his political prowess within the alliance, he couldn't control his emotions.
Oh Kyung-hwa was inwardly puzzled.
'The Calamity God Jewel... Is that jewel really such an important item?'
He knew it was precious, but he didn't know its use. It didn't emit any extraordinary energy, nor was it a dazzlingly beautiful jewel.
Disliking curiosity, Oh Kyung-hwa asked frankly.
"But what is that jewel that you hand over such an item?"
"Haha, something that might be a rotten piece of wood to someone can be firewood to warm a room for someone else. Just think of it as something I need."
"I see."
Oh Kyung-hwa clicked his tongue. It was a roundabout way of saying he wouldn't tell. He probably wouldn't say until the end.
'Stingy old man.'
Jeong Il-ryong, who had put the pouch in his bosom, clapped his hands.
"Well, with this, the deal is concluded."
"Indeed. Are you leaving right away?"
"I'd like to chat about the world with you as before, but I'm quite busy. Aren't you busy too?"
"Well, I am, but I have time for a few drinks."
"Haha, that's what I wanted to hear."
Oh Kyung-hwa waved his hand with a face that said he found everything bothersome.
"The main city is nice, but it's full of boring people. There's no one as pleasant as the Elder."
"The higher-ups will be upset."
"Hah! Upset? They'll just be worrying about what goes into their mouths. How about it? Why not join the Iron Blood City?"
"Huh! Are you offering me a position?"
"What's wrong with that? It's only natural to covet capable people."
"Thank you for saying so."
"Why not seriously consider it..."
"But you know."
"Hmm?"
Jeong Il-ryong smiled warmly.
"Are you in a position to make such an offer to me? After all, you're just a branch leader."
"Hmm, if you keep talking like that..."
Thud!
Bloodshot eyes appeared in Oh Kyung-hwa's eyes. Jeong Il-ryong's hand was already embedded in his heart.
Jeong Il-ryong shook his head.
"Fix that reckless personality of yours in the afterlife."
"Ugh..."
Splat!
As the hand was pulled out, Oh Kyung-hwa collapsed. He died instantly.
"Gasp!"
"Leader?!"
Jeong Il-ryong looked back.
"Hmm, how many small fries did he bring?"
He looked at Yulang.
"What do you think? You've already eaten your fill, but how about another meal with those guys?"
Surprisingly, Yulang's lips curled up.
"Of course."
"A mother's grave? Nonsense."
"Ugh!"
"If you don't speak properly, I'll really kill you."
"I just heard it like that... Please..."
Seoryang, who had been staring blankly at Munhu, let go of his grip.
Thud.
With Munhu as the last, all fifty men fell to the ground.
Twitch!
Covered in blood, Seoryang clutched his right arm. In his trembling hand was a five-foot-long giant sword that Madongpil had retrieved for him.
That arm tried to move on its own. The hot smell of blood wafting into his nose made him want to kill all the fallen ones without realizing it.
Crackle!
Even without using it, the dark aura burned on its own.
'Hmph, I knew it would be like this.'
The Dark Shadow True Demon Art wouldn't calm down. The closed Hell's Gate was struggling to open on its own.
Seoryang growled like a beast.
"Damn it, let's just deal with that guy and go."
At least he would get the price of a leg. Even in another body, thinking of that guy made his severed right leg ache.
"Just wait, you bastard!"
Whoosh.
As soon as the demonic energy gathered in his feet, boom!
Seoryang's body disappeared with a loud noise.