Chapter 178. Fate (3)
“What? An attack?”
“Given that they showed up at a time like this, it seems they've been keeping tabs on us. They look like those self-righteous orthodox faction types from the Central Plains, but I don't know their exact identity.”
Pa Sa Leok scowled. Irritation flickered in his blue eyes.
“They look strong?”
“Pretty... yeah, they do. And there are quite a few of them.”
Hang Chun was the type who always flattered him, claiming he was the best—even if it was empty praise. For a man like that to admit the enemy looked strong meant they were no ordinary foes.
“What about the ones we sent to the next village over?”
“Just in case, I sent a few more. They'll join us soon.”
“Good call.”
Good was good, but that didn't stop the rage boiling inside him.
Thud!
Pa Sa Leok's massive fist shattered the stone wall of the warehouse.
“Which fucking bastards are these, anyway?”
This raid on the Hae Ryong Merchant Group wasn't just for kicks. It was at the request of one of the Central Plains' top powerhouses—someone even more vicious than himself.
Of course, no so-called top expert in the Central Plains could sway the Hwarang Group with half-assed persuasion. Pa Sa Leok was sharp and fiercely proud.
But this time, he had no choice. Even the leader of the greatest bandit gang beyond the western borders couldn't ignore that person's order to ally with a Central Plains powerhouse.
“This is why you don't team up with Central Plains scum. Fucking idiots! If they had some small fry tailing us, they should've warned us ahead of time!”
Hang Chun ventured cautiously, “Maybe even they didn't know about them?”
“Obviously. You think they'd deliberately hold back info to stab us in the back?”
Betrayal wasn't impossible. But Pa Sa Leok was convinced that man wouldn't betray him—not out of trust in his character, but because of the situation. Every scrap of manpower was precious to him now, even ants.
“The Martial Alliance.”
Pa Sa Leok snorted derisively.
“If it's a force even he couldn't pin down and we suspect orthodox faction, odds are it's that newly formed Martial Alliance.”
His brain spun with speed belying his enormous bulk. That was why the Hwarang Group had dominated the western frontier for a decade.
Hang Chun's face hardened.
“If it's the Martial Alliance, shouldn't we bolt?”
“We should.”
Pa Sa Leok's expression turned listless in an instant.
“We gotta bolt, but there's no clear escape route. Fight's unavoidable.”
“R-right.”
“Tch.”
Pa Sa Leok glanced at the corner of the warehouse. A dozen young women huddled there, trembling. All were beautiful.
“What a shame. Gotta rip 'em apart without even a taste.”
Rip them apart? The words were ambiguous, but the menace in his tone was palpable.
Pa Sa Leok flashed a meaningful grin.
“Get the spits ready.”
“My lord, the enemy's leader is coming out.”
“I know.”
Mo Yong Woo's icy gaze pierced the broken outer wall toward the inner compound.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The bandits approached, stomping heavily.
Well-trained.
Beyond their martial arts, their bodies felt honed to perfection—not from rigorous training, but forged in countless real battles.
Individually, they're below the Tang Ma Myeol Sa Army, but in a group fight...
That was when it hit.
“...!!”
Mo Yong Woo's face twisted slightly.
“What the hell is that?”
“Those mad bastards!”
Hundreds of bandits swaggered into view. But behind them, around a hulking man with foreign features, the bandits carried iron poles over ten feet long.
And skewered at the tips, replacing flags, were limbless corpses.
Impaled like meat on spits. A sight too horrific for human decency.
Killing intent flared in Jin Pae's eyes.
“My lord, let's sweep them away.”
Even Jin Pae, the eldest and most cautious squad leader in the Tang Ma Army, couldn't contain his rage.
Mo Yong Woo said nothing. Opening his mouth might unleash curses he couldn't hold back.
Then, Pa Sa Leok, emerging from the outer compound, bellowed.
“Heeey!”
The air seemed to ripple. His voice carried an immense resonance.
The Tang Ma Army's warhorses whinnied and pawed the ground in place, unnerved by the eerie power in his voice.
Mo Yong Woo raised his greatsword.
Hummmm!
Geon Gon Pal Gyeok Jin Qi rose in faint wisps from the blade, spreading into an invisible barrier enveloping all directions.
A divine skill no ordinary insight or inner energy could mimic.
The horses calmed instantly, soothed by the familiar aura.
Hoh.
Interest gleamed in Pa Sa Leok's eyes.
A young master from a prestigious house, eh?
He looked around thirty. Yet he wielded such precise energy control. Something Pa Sa Leok couldn't replicate—not due to weakness, but the inherent differences in their arts.
A genius.
Pa Sa Leok smiled. He'd crushed countless so-called geniuses before, toying with them until their pathetic ends.
A well-bred genius from a famed house. Perfect plaything.
Whoosh!
Pa Sa Leok dashed forward, planting himself at the front.
Hm.
Stroking his chin as he eyed Mo Yong Woo from the outer gate entrance.
No half-baked genius.
His eyes told the tale: deep fury mingled with cool caution, staring down at him.
Mo Yong Woo spoke.
“Pa Sa Leok, I presume.”
Well, now.
Interest sparked on Pa Sa Leok's face. Not a tremor in his voice—not feigned calm, but genuine steadiness. Angry, yet serene.
This unexpected poise gave Pa Sa Leok an odd pressure.
Won't be easy to toy with.
Pa Sa Leok scanned the Tang Ma Army.
“Well, damn. Where'd you scrape together these ragtag losers?”
Hiss.
Killing intent erupted uniformly from the Tang Ma soldiers. Already seething at the bandits' atrocities, now insulted—they struggled to compose themselves.
But.
“Choose.”
Mo Yong Woo's words made the collective killing intent waver.
“Disarm and surrender entirely, or face us head-on.”
Pa Sa Leok chuckled.
“You really trust these scrubs that much?”
“You have one ke of time.”
Crackle!
His blazing Geon Gon Pal Gyeok Jin Qi turned Mo Yong Woo's eyes electric blue—more eerie and fearsome than Pa Sa Leok's innate azure gaze.
Pa Sa Leok felt his fist twitch involuntarily.
“Surrender means sealed dantian, severed limb meridians, and ten years in a brain prison. Resist, and you all die.”
“...”
“Survival's your top priority as bandits, isn't it? Even if you have to grovel.”
Pa Sa Leok's smile deepened. Quite the provocative bait—and genuine, making it all the scarier.
“What a brutal offer. Scary enough to make a man wanna live, huh?”
Pa Sa Leok shuddered theatrically for show. Obvious intent to mock.
“Then how about a counteroffer?”
He crooked a finger.
“Kyaaak!”
The bandits parted, dragging out naked women by the hair.
Killing intent surged on Mo Yong Woo's face.
Pa Sa Leok grinned viciously.
“Don't fuck off a hundred li right now, and I'll rip one apart per minute.”
“...”
“Like this.”
No sooner said than a burly bandit seized a woman's throat.
Crunch!
A gruesome sound, and her head tore free.
“Uwaaaah!”
“Kyaaak!”
Blood sprayed everywhere.
And that wasn't all. Two bandits hacked the headless corpse to pieces with their blades.
Mo Yong Woo's eyes reddened with bloodshot fury. No matter how he restrained himself, this crossed every line.
Pa Sa Leok burst into jolly laughter.
“Just a lesson. Obey nicely, and the girls all live. No need to worry.”
“...”
“So? Not a bad deal, right?”
“Touch one more innocent...”
Hiss.
Pa Sa Leok's eyes darkened. The dam he'd held back burst, unleashing his killing intent.
Mo Yong Woo's aura crashed in, making Pa Sa Leok's inner energy writhe wildly.
“...and I'll make sure to kill you first.”
Threat for threat. Even Mo Yong Woo, who'd lived rough, had never faced such barbarity.
But he knew one thing: never trust a villain's proposals or threats.
Show weakness, and it's over.
His response wasn't ideal, but far from worst.
The real deal.
Pa Sa Leok's eyes flashed.
This bastard plans to target me first for real.
Things were getting fun.
Did I misjudge him?
No. Pa Sa Leok had pegged Mo Yong Woo as one prioritizing hostages over annihilation.
Yet he threatened anyway? Just pride?
No way.
This wasn't some amateur he'd crushed before.
He has something up his sleeve.
Experience and sharp instincts pierced the truth instantly.
Pa Sa Leok bellowed.
“Tighten perimeter watch! These bastards have more allies!”
Swish.
The Hwarang Group scanned all around. No formal formations—loose, even. Yet no gaps. Their tactics, built from endless experience, were like feral wolves.
Pa Sa Leok roared with laughter again.
“Hey, kid. When negotiating, don't let your hidden cards show.”
Watching Pa Sa Leok guffaw at the sky, Mo Yong Woo spoke.
“Half a ke remains.”
“...?”
“After half a ke, your fate is sealed. Choose wisely.”
“Oh ho.”
Pa Sa Leok's blue eyes gleamed.
“You're one entertaining pup. Ain'tcha?”
“...”
“I said I'd spare the hostages if you behave, but you keep pushing like this? No fun.”
Pa Sa Leok crooked his finger again.
Then a thunderous roar erupted from Mo Yong Woo.
“If you wanna see your boss die!”
His voice boomed, shaking the area.
“Touch those women, and I'll cleave this pig in half before drowning you all in the sea!”
Twitch!
His heavy tone dripped with dire killing intent.
Hummm.
Blue energy swirled around the Tang Ma Greatsword, poised for a single devastating slash.
The bandits near the women glanced warily. They'd seen this countless times, but this foe's presence was too overwhelming to ignore.
Sneer crossed Pa Sa Leok's face.
“Gotta admit, you've got balls. Kill me? Got the guts?”
“Curious? Try it.”
“I can't stand mysteries.”
“That's why I'm telling you to.”
Pa Sa Leok, grinning at Mo Yong Woo, bellowed.
“Grab one and rip her!”
“Tang Ma Army! All units, prepare to charge!”
Rumble.
Ominous auras surged.
The bandits exchanged panicked looks, unsure if they should really kill the hostage.
Pa Sa Leok roared.
“You fucks! Since when do you think?! Rip her now!”
“Even if we let them escape, kill the boss first!”
“Kill her already, you bastards!”
“Target the boss no matter what!”
Vicious standoff. No one yielded.
Whoooosh!
Pa Sa Leok finally unleashed his killing intent—aimed at his own bandits.
“Don't, and I'll kill you first.”
Only then did one bandit grab a woman's hair.
Mo Yong Woo's eyes blazed.
“All units, char...!”
That was when a chilling flash pierced the bandit's arm gripping her hair.
Splat!