Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Black Tiger Gang Ambush
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“Grrrr……”
A man sprawled on the floor in a 대 shape, foaming at the mouth. Cheonhwi looked down at the So Heung Bo Leader and lightly shook his hand before speaking.
“Get up.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth.
“I’m up!”
The So Heung Bo Leader sprang to his feet.
His actions had come before his thoughts. He had stood, but his legs trembled uncontrollably.
“Feeling sensible now?”
At the question, he nodded his head vigorously up and down.
“Yes!”
His face was a mess.
A large lump bulged on his forehead, and one eye was bruised black and blue.
What sin did I commit in a past life?
Having endured a merciless beating in less than a keung, he swallowed his tears.
“Now clean up.”
Cheonhwi gathered his internal energy.
The sturdy energy barrier he had erected before the beating vanished.
“Aaaagh!”
“Kaaaagh!”
Screams assaulted his ears.
“Ah! Shouldn’t have killed them.”
Having forgotten the outside while disciplining the So Heung Bo Leader, Cheonhwi moved.
Whoosh—
His figure vanished like an illusion.
“……He’s gone, right?”
The So Heung Bo Leader glanced at where Cheonhwi had disappeared in an instant, then headed outside.
And there, he froze.
“……Holy shit.”
A curse slipped out unconsciously.
Dozens of his subordinates lay unconscious in the corridor outside the door.
“No wonder no one came……”
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi, who had stepped out, half-closed his eyes as he surveyed the So Heung Bo manor.
“They didn’t kill anyone, at least.”
Whether out of awareness as Plum Blossom Sword Guards or not, there were many injured, but fortunately no corpses.
“Internal energy’s grown, so things are different.”
Cheonhwi’s gaze shifted to the center of the battle.
Clang! Clang! Whoosh—
Jeokgeom and Seollan were completely overwhelming the So Heung Bo warriors.
The warriors weren’t particularly strong, but the two handled them with ease.
This meant he could freely wield the increased internal energy after consuming the Platinum Pill.
Plus, after several real battles, they’ve gained some leeway.
Even against So Heung Bo’s bizarre weapons, the two responded calmly, seamlessly integrating their martial arts.
Before, they’d been too busy with foes right in front; now, they watched attacks to the end and countered calmly.
Perhaps because of that.
The two barely moved beyond their immediate radius, astonishingly enough.
Now they finally look like Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
A smile tugged at Cheonhwi’s lips.
Compared to their floundering against Paewangmun’s unique assassins, this was a complete leap forward.
Guess you have to push them to the brink to make them grow.
Thinking something that would horrify them if overheard, Cheonhwi sent a transmission.
『Don’t injure. Subdue only.』
Jeokgeom and Seollan flinched momentarily.
Not knowing why, they gathered their energy to follow the order.
As their sharp auras softened.
“They’re finally tiring!”
“Now!”
So Heung Bo’s morale surged.
“Everyone, attack!”
Seeing it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance, they charged.
But.
Whoosh—
They couldn’t even graze their clothes.
Instead, their attacks were dismantled by Jeokgeom and Seollan’s swords.
Counter-initiative!
A feat difficult without overwhelming force difference unfolded.
Jugo Yul, peeking from behind the main gate, couldn’t hold back his admiration.
“So that’s how it’s done!”
He couldn’t tear his eyes from Jeokgeom and Seollan, who dodged and deflected dozens of attacks with footwork alone.
No, he wouldn’t even think to.
I have to watch closely!
He knew this moment was his fateful opportunity.
“Neutralizing with a single step, and that Profound Heaven Sword Art……”
Moments later, not one stood straight before Jeokgeom and Seollan.
“Ugh……”
“H-Ha, I surrender.”
“Spare us!”
Only those groaning on the ground or kneeling in surrender remained.
Only then did Cheonhwi approach the two.
“Phew, Martial Uncle!”
“Did as you said.”
Cheonhwi nodded at their words.
“Good job. You’ve gotten stronger.”
“Really?”
“For real?”
Rare praise from Cheonhwi—one he gave on the fingers of one hand—brightened their faces.
But only briefly.
“Still not enough, though.”
“Yeah, still lacking.”
Jeokgeom and Seollan burned with renewed zeal.
Should they celebrate subduing mere third-rate to second-rate foes?
“Hm, good.”
Cheonhwi’s lips curved faintly, pleased with their mindset.
He turned.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Pardon?”
“But what about these guys……”
“Leave ’em. They’ll sort themselves.”
Cheonhwi and the two exited the So Heung Bo premises.
Jugo Yul, standing at the gate, watched Jeokgeom and Seollan—who had wrapped it up in mere moments—his eyes sparkling as he shouted.
“Truly remarkable skill!”
As Jeokgeom and Seollan offered awkward smiles, Cheonhwi approached and asked.
“Where’s the next closest?”
Jugo Yul’s face lit up.
“Black Tiger Gang!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Moments later, guided by Jugo Yul, Cheonhwi arrived at Black Tiger Gang and his eyes gleamed.
Oh ho. Look at that guy?
A man stood at the main gate.
In neat scholar’s robes, too refined for a gate guard, he smiled upon seeing Cheonhwi and his group.
“We’ve been expecting you.”
Jugo Yul reacted first.
“You ignored greetings before, only to scorn us. Now Mount Hua Sect Immortals grace your door, and you’re finally scared?”
“How could we not fear Mount Hua Sect?”
Jugo Yul provoked, but the man showed no sign of agitation.
He calmly admitted it, meeting Jugo Yul’s sharp gaze.
“And what you said earlier is a bit distorted. Hasn’t Il Hwa Sect ignored us all this time too?”
“That’s……”
Jugo Yul shut his mouth.
True, Il Hwa Sect had dismissed them as oil and water with righteous and evil factions.
“Let me restate.”
Speaking softly, he glanced at Jeokgeom and Seollan before politely cupping his hands.
“I am Jang Gil, Chief Steward of Black Tiger Gang.”
Jang Gil maintained his smile.
“The Gang Leader ordered me to bring the Plum Blossom Sword Guards.”
As he looked at Jeokgeom and Seollan.
Step—
Cheonhwi stepped forward.
“So, you want to talk?”
Surprise flickered in Jang Gil’s eyes.
He hadn’t expected not the confirmed Plum Blossom Sword Guards, Jeokgeom and Seollan, but another Mount Hua Sect Daoist to respond.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Cheonhwi nodded.
“It could be a trap.”
Jugo Yul hurriedly warned, but.
“Doesn’t matter.”
Cheonhwi spoke as if unconcerned, then to Jang Gil.
“Lead the way.”
“Follow me.”
Jang Gil smiled and opened the gate.
He slipped inside, Cheonhwi following.
“Shouldn’t you stop him?”
Jugo Yul asked the flustered Jeokgeom and Seollan as they moved to follow, but.
“Stop Martial Uncle?”
“You mean stop him?”
The two chuckled.
Who was stopping whom?
“Let’s follow too.”
“Then we’ll head in.”
As the two entered, Jugo Yul stood momentarily unsure, then.
Gulp—
Swallowed dryly and trailed behind.
Following close behind Jang Gil, Cheonhwi glanced at the quiet surroundings and murmured.
“No people around.”
“Sent them inside to welcome guests.”
How long did they walk the silent corridor? They reached a large room.
“Gang Leader. The guests are here.”
“Let them in.”
At the deep voice, Jang Gil flung open the door with a smile.
“Please enter.”
Cheonhwi and his group stepped inside.
A large round table dominated the room. Opposite, a mild-mannered elder rose from his chair.
He cupped his hands toward Cheonhwi.
“Welcome. I am Jo Daeung, Leader of Black Tiger Gang.”
Instantly, Cheonhwi’s lips twisted.
He had caught the fleeting eye signal between Jang Gil and the Black Tiger Gang Leader.
“Why’d you call us?”
The Gang Leader’s eyebrow twitched.
He’d greeted politely, yet ignored completely.
But he suppressed his anger.
The opponents were Mount Hua Sect’s Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
“To make a proposal.”
“Hm, a proposal……”
Cheonhwi smirked and sat.
“Let’s hear it.”
As Cheonhwi boldly crossed his legs, the Gang Leader sat too.
“Very well.”
He addressed the still-standing Jeokgeom, Seollan, and Jugo Yul.
“Won’t you all sit first?”
He proposed, but the three showed no sign of moving.
Then Cheonhwi spoke.
“Sit.”
At the command, Jeokgeom and Seollan sat. Jugo Yul glanced and followed suit.
Then.
Step— step—
Jang Gil stood beside the Gang Leader.
The Gang Leader glanced up at Jang Gil, then stared at Cheonhwi and spoke.
“Shall we join hands?”
The sudden proposal widened the eyes of everyone but Cheonhwi.
“Join hands with an evil sect……?”
“Dare suggest alliance with our sect……?”
“Insane!”
As the three bristled.
“Quiet.”
Cheonhwi said coldly.
Then to the Gang Leader.
“Why join hands?”
“Not permanently—just temporary cooperation.”
Eyes on the three’s fierce reactions, the Gang Leader quickly continued.
“You’ll return to Mount Hua Sect eventually, right?”
“True.”
Cheonhwi affirmed.
They couldn’t linger in Yeonan forever.
“Better to ally with us and seize Yeonan than keep spilling blood?”
“So unite just to topple So Heung Bo and Gui Yu Mun?”
“Yes. Then split Yeonan afterward.”
Cheonhwi snickered.
It sounded reasonable, but much was omitted.
“Gonna gloss over attacking Il Hwa Sect first?”
Cheonhwi’s eyes narrowed.
“Some of your attacks critically wounded Il Hwa members.”
“……We’ll compensate.”
The Gang Leader proposed cautiously.
“Money? Or cede some territory……”
“No, forget that.”
Cheonhwi cut him off.
“Want one thing only.”
“What?”
“Your head.”
Killing intent poured from the Gang Leader.
“No intention to listen from the start?”
“Obviously.”
Cheonhwi’s eyes curved.
“What proper talk with a puppet?”
The Gang Leader’s eyes narrowed.
“Puppet? What……”
Cheonhwi’s gaze pierced Jang Gil.
“How long pretend ignorance?”
Jang Gil feigned surprise at the sudden question.
“What do you mean……”
“You’re controlling with transmissions.”
Jang Gil’s demeanor shifted abruptly.
“When did you know?”
“When?”
Cheonhwi uncrossed his legs.
“From the beginning, obviously.”
Jang Gil’s expression hardened.
“You can read transmissions?”
“Something like that.”
Cheonhwi grinned.
More precisely, not reading, but sensing the unique qi when sending.
“Nonsense.”
Jang Gil narrowed his eyes.
“Black Tiger Gang Leader.”
At the call, the Gang Leader jolted up and bellowed.
“Everyone, attack!”
That instant.
Krunch!
The ceiling collapsed.
Warriors rained down, launching attacks.
“Gasp!”
As Jugo Yul gasped.
“Stick close!”
Seollan, sword drawn, protected him and raised her internal energy.
“Junior Sister, focus on guarding Jugo. I’ll handle the rest!”
As the two engaged.
Swish—
Cheonhwi rose from his chair, eyeing the frozen Gang Leader and Jang Gil.
Gazing at Jang Gil, he said.
“Sloppy ambush.”
“You knew that too?”
“Would be weirder not to.”
Jang Gil’s face subtly stiffened.
“Digging your own grave. Would’ve let it slide if accepted……”
“Think I’d accept that crap?”
Cheonhwi sneered.
“Your brain’s a flower garden.”
Jang Gil eyed the Gang Leader.
“What’re you doing? Attack him now.”
“R-Right!”
As the Gang Leader reached for his sword.
Swish—
Cheonhwi vanished.
“Gurk!”
Closing distance with Dark Fragrance Dart, Cheonhwi seized the Gang Leader’s throat.
W-When did he cover this distance……!
Jang Gil’s pupils quaked.
He hadn’t seen it at all.
Then.
Krunch!
A gruesome sound rang out.
Cheonhwi tossed the neck-snapped Gang Leader to the floor and met Jang Gil’s eyes.
“You’re next.”
Jang Gil felt biting chill in Cheonhwi’s cold eyes and voice.
No ordinary guy! Did Mount Hua Sect have someone like this?!
Biting his lip, he pulled a small bead from his bosom and smashed it on the floor.
Boom!
White powder scattered everywhere.
“Cough! Cough!”
Seizing the obscured vision, Jang Gil swiftly fled through the window.
His footwork accelerated.
Must report to HQ and request reinforcements!
Judging retreat better than uncertain fight for future gains, as he fled.
What?
His vision tilted.
Why’s the ground rising……
With that final doubt, Jang Gil’s consciousness snapped.
Thud.
Looking at Jang Gil’s corpse, Cheonhwi sheathed his sword after severing the head.
“Hm, should’ve asked exactly who’s behind.”
He withdrew his gaze.
“Someone’ll come sniffing around later anyway.”
Meanwhile, white powder wafted through the open window. Inside, Black Tiger Gang members had dropped weapons, hands raised.
“……H-Ha, we surrender.”
“We lost!”
Seeing instant surrenders upon spotting the Gang Leader’s corpse, Jeokgeom and Seollan smirked and sheathed swords when.
Bang!
The door burst open.
“L-Leader! Gui Yu Mun is invading Il Hwa……”
The panting Black Tiger Gang member trailed off in shock.
The sight was that staggering.
The Gang Leader who should be inside lay coldly dead, other Black Tiger members hands-up facing Mount Hua Daoists.
“What is……”
As he panicked.
“What about Il Hwa Sect?”
A voice came from beside.
Startled, he leaped aside to see a youth eyeing him.
“Wh-Who……”
“Never mind. Finish what you were saying.”
At the youth—Cheonhwi’s—icy words, the member’s eyes darted frantically, reading urging glances from his comrades before shouting.
“R-Right now, Gui Yu Mun is invading Il Hwa Sect!”