Lying on Brushwood, Tasting Gall (4)
Gang Ryang's eyes widened as if they might tear apart.
Who the hell is that?
It was a truly flashy entrance. His clothes were frayed and tattered at the hems, shredded by the explosive momentum of his charge. It meant he'd thrown all caution to the wind, focusing solely on speed.
And this power...?
Flash!
Flash!
He'd unleashed tremendous inner energy to shatter the Heuk Yang Dae, but it seemed he hadn't fully dispersed the remnants. True energy rippled across his body, scattering in bursts of lightning-like brilliance.
Gang Yun's eyes wavered.
This guy's insanely strong!
He was a master beyond imagination, evoking memories of Gang Ryang's late father in an instant.
Looking down at Gang Ryang's shocked gaze, Yeon Hojeong felt an indescribable emotion swell within him.
So we meet like this again.
All the Five Divine Generals had treated Yeon Hojeong with utmost respect. But most of them were older than him. Dismissing age as irrelevant in camaraderie, they'd insisted that anyone worthy of their loyalty deserved to be called hyungnim, and many did so.
But Gang Ryang was genuinely younger than Yeon Hojeong. Perhaps that's why he'd been especially deferential, even in private.
And now, in this life, they crossed paths once more.
Yeon Hojeong turned his head.
"Stabilize your breathing. Get it under control before you recover your energy."
"Pardon...?"
"Close your eyes and focus on your blood flow. Make sure every single muscle fiber gets circulation going."
"W-Wait! Who the hell are you?!"
"Fall behind, and I'll leave you."
Gang Ryang swallowed hard. The low, sunken voice carried a chilling authority that demanded obedience. It was an overwhelming presence.
Damn it.
This wasn't the time for questions. Doubts flooded his mind, but Gang Ryang shut his eyes and regulated his breath without hesitation. He didn't fully trust this stranger, but he had no choice.
Huuuuuh.
Realizing Gang Ryang was settling his breathing, Yeon Hojeong glared at the Heukjang.
...!!
The Heukjang felt chills crawl up his spine.
An incredible master!
The intangible aura emanating from him swirled wildly, like a storm unleashed.
Where did a monster like this come from?!
At that moment, five surviving Heuk Yang Dae warriors staggered to their feet from the devastating assault.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed.
The Heukjang shouted, "Scatter!"
Thud thud thud!
Too late. Yeon Hojeong vanished in an instant, and all the survivors spewed blood as they collapsed.
Yeon Hojeong brushed off his hands. Blood dripped from his fingers onto the ground.
Splat!
The Heukjang unleashed his movement technique northward.
I can't win against this guy!
He didn't even have time to figure out who his opponent was. Getting caught meant death. Even the strongest under Heuk Yang—the Heukjang himself—felt terror before Yeon Hojeong's murderous martial prowess.
Whoosh!
Kicking off the valley stream, the Heukjang's footwork was astonishingly swift.
First, escape this monster! Report to the lord...
Then—
"Gasp!"
Skreech!
The Heukjang abruptly halted his technique.
...!!
Yeon Hojeong stood there nonchalantly, hands behind his back, just five jang ahead.
"Not bad skills."
"......"
"But you know."
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"That martial art... it doesn't look like anything from the black path, no matter how I see it."
The Heukjang's eyes shook.
"Why's that? Feels familiar somehow. That eerie true energy wafting from your footwork... it's completely different from anything in the Central Plains martial lineages."
Ssssh.
His rampaging energy gradually settled. But the killing intent in his eyes intensified.
"Where'd you learn that martial art?"
Woooong.
A subtle glow emanated from the Heukjang's hands. No escape meant he had to fight.
I'm done for.
Death dawned on him unexpectedly. He'd never imagined ending like this. But if it was fate, he'd accept it without complaint.
My lord. Though this lowly one dies far from home, please achieve the great cause and become the pillar of the gyo...
Fwoosh!
Gasp!
A massive hand filled his vision, lunging forward. It was a hand, yet not—it resembled a gigantic tiger baring its fangs.
Crack!
The Heukjang ducked and seized Yeon Hojeong's wrist with both hands.
Bujeolbak!
Gripping wrist and forearm, he twisted the arm while closing in for ultra-close range. His right knee targeted the groin as his hardened forehead aimed for the face. A fluid, natural motion honed through thousands—tens of thousands—of repetitions.
Thud!
Crack!
"Guhk!"
The Heukjang's vision flashed white. Agony like his soul might flee his body surged through him. His forehead, meant to crush the nose, felt split in two instead.
"Oh ho."
A broad grin spread across Yeon Hojeong's face.
"So that's why it felt familiar."
Crack.
"Kuhk!"
His mind snapped back amid excruciating pain. The knee aimed at the groin had shattered under a identical knee strike.
Even then, one hand clung desperately to Yeon Hojeong's forearm. Impressive willpower.
Yeon Hojeong wrenched his arm violently.
Crunch crunch!
"Kraaak!"
The right arm, stubbornly gripping, snapped from the elbow. Not crushed by inner energy or brute force—torn ligaments and shattered bones via reverse joint manipulation. A flawless technique requiring profound anatomical knowledge.
"Was it called Bujeolbak?"
Staggering in agony, the Heukjang froze in shock.
He knows Bujeolbak?!
Thud!
"Kek!"
The Heukjang's body dangled in midair. Yeon Hojeong had grabbed his throat and hoisted him up.
Danger!
As his intact left arm swung for the head—
Tsssss.
Ominous killing intent flooded in like thick fog. The Heukjang's body stiffened. The overwhelming malice pouring through his four limbs and thousand pores bound his movements.
Then, Yeon Hojeong's voice whispered in his ear.
"Which of the three are you?"
...?!
"Saneum? Or Gwanghyeol? Or maybe Sinhwa?"
"Gasp!"
The Heukjang's eyes bulged.
Yeon Hojeong's smile deepened.
"Bingo. Which one are you?"
"H-How do you know about us?!"
"Who knows. How'd I figure it out?"
Roooar!
The killing intent blanketing the area erupted like roaring flames. Yeon Hojeong's beaming face twisted into demonic fury.
"You've caused more than enough damage already, you dog bastards."
Blazing hatred. Rage on the verge of explosion. He'd modulated his inner strength for the Heukjang's ears alone, but excitement nearly made his voice boom.
A rare lapse for the usually cool, calculating Yeon Hojeong.
"I'm just so thrilled to see you."
Yeon Hojeong slammed the Heukjang down.
Boom!
Unable to contain his fury, he'd put too much force into it. The Heukjang felt every bone in his body pulverize, his mind going blank.
Who is he?
Forcing his fading consciousness, the Heukjang looked up at Yeon Hojeong.
Who the hell knows us so well...?
Suddenly, he gasped.
Hahaha!
A booming, hearty laugh echoed faintly. The Black Path Grandmaster's mad cackle, unable to contain joy and rage. Yeon Hojeong threw his head back, laughter bordering on insanity.
The Heukjang paled.
Behind the erupting guffaws, a terrifying aura exploded like a volcano.
Crazy bastard!
A mad demon. Worse than the gyo's most ferocious, brutal unit came to mind. Even those maniacal butchers seemed saner than this young man.
After a long bout of laughter, Yeon Hojeong looked down at the Heukjang with a smiling face. His expression beamed, but his eyes boiled like molten lava.
"Looks like we've got a lot to talk about."
Yeon Hojeong stomped on the Heukjang's dantian.
Splat!
* * *
Gang Ryang swallowed hard.
"Breathing stabilized?"
Yeon Hojeong approached with an expressionless face, dragging the Heukjang's ragdoll-like body.
Insane.
The Heukjang's flesh was mangled beyond recognition. Without his clothes, you couldn't tell if it was man or beast.
Yeon Hojeong dropped him with a wry smile.
"Tough bastard."
Thud.
A grotesque groan leaked from the fallen Heukjang's mouth.
Gang Ryang stifled a gasp.
He's still alive?!
In that state, his thread of life clung on. Pitiable, even as an enemy.
"How's your body?"
"Pardon? Ah!"
Gang Ryang bowed hastily.
"I don't know who you are, but you've done me a great favor. I swear to repay this debt."
"You'd better. I don't move for free."
Arrogance dripped from his voice. Strangely, it reassured Gang Ryang. Pure goodwill would've been suspicious.
"May I have your name? Once my business is done, I'll seek you out to repay—"
"What's this 'business' of yours?"
"Pardon?"
"Isn't it killing Yang Cheon, the one who wiped out Gwi Cheol Geom Mun?"
Gang Ryang jolted.
"H-How did you...?"
Thinking back, this man had called his name the moment he burst in.
He knows about me?
He should've realized sooner. Chaos had made him forget.
Caution shadowed Gang Ryang's face.
Seeing it, Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
So honest.
His emotions showed plainly. He'd never been one for deception, but this level of naivety was unexpected.
"Enough nonsense. Gather the corpses. We need to erase the traces."
"......May I ask one thing?"
"Shoot."
Gang Ryang's eyes sharpened.
"Are you with Muk Ryong Bu?"
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"If I were, would I have bothered killing them all?"
"You never know. Maybe you're after the credit, trying to monopolize the Gwi Cheol Geom Mun heir..."
"Even going so far as killing allies? With my skills, I could've just kidnapped you."
"......!"
Gang Ryang faltered. Fair point.
As Yeon Hojeong gathered the bodies, he said, "I'm not with Muk Ryong Bu. If anything, I'm here to pry info from them."
"Pardon?"
"Details later. Hurry with the corpses..."
Then—
Straightening up, Yeon Hojeong looked south.
"Well, well."
Gang Ryang's gaze sharpened.
"What's wrong?"
"......"
"Benefactor?"
"Muk Ryong Bu's sending more. Pretty vicious killing intent."
"What? Gasp! More enemies?!"
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"I like it."
"W-What do you mean?"
"Fools fighting over credit. Love the idea."
Swoosh.
Yeon Hojeong donned one Heuk Yang Dae warrior's mask.
"This just got easier. Keep up properly. Can't follow? You're on your own."