Chapter 211
Chapter 211
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: To the Black Dragon Sect
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sogeolgae swallowed hard as he stared at Namgung Hyeok.
“Y-You’re not thinking of storming the Black Dragon Sect, are you?”
“Storming? What’s that about.”
“R-Right?”
“We’re gonna clean ’em out.”
You bastard!
Sogeolgae gawked at Namgung Hyeok, eyes bulging.
His eyes fixed on Namgung Hyeok.
Namgung Hyeok stood there with a deadpan look, slouching indifferently.
‘...This madman. He’s serious. Dead serious. Actually serious!’
No, thinking about it, Namgung Hyeok had never been one to bluff.
If he said he’d do it, he did it.
That was Namgung Hyeok.
Even from their brief time together, Sogeolgae judged him to be that kind of man.
And he shockingly kept his word.
Hadn’t he gone through with his declaration to wipe out all the local unorthodox sects from the start?
Even the Blood River Sect had twice as many members as reported, yet he’d pulled it off.
So naturally, his words about heading to the Black Dragon Sect were also sincere.
‘But the Black Dragon Sect! The Black Dragon Sect!’
Even if Namgung Hyeok’s martial prowess far surpassed peak realm experts, this was reckless.
Common sense said one hand couldn’t beat ten.
The Black Dragon Sect was on a whole different level from the Blood River Sect.
While the Blood River Sect was just a mid-tier faction operating around Taeju, the Black Dragon Sect dominated over half of Zhejiang Province as a major power.
Their warriors’ skill levels weren’t even comparable to the Blood River Sect’s.
No matter how skilled Namgung Hyeok was, he couldn’t overcome their sheer numbers.
“D-Do you even know where the Black Dragon Sect is?”
“It’s in Zhejiang Province.”
“No...”
Damn, where do I even start explaining this?
Look at that innocent, clueless face.
“The Black Dragon Sect is seriously dangerous. Do you think they could stand up to the Nangong family for no reason? They’ve swallowed up Zhejiang Province! Sure, they’re keeping their heads down now because the Nangong family’s momentum is rising, but the scale is different. They’re not on the same level as riffraff like the Blood River Sect—different level, got it?”
Sogeolgae shouted in excitement. Blood River Sect Leader Jo Cheolrok, who’d just been demoted to “riffraff” in his own presence, let out a groan beside him, but Sogeolgae ignored it.
“Even the Nangong family would think twice before charging in, and you wanna do it with this tiny crew? You’d be lucky to hit one of their branches and get out!”
Tangling with the Black Dragon Sect, who claimed dominion over an entire province, was an enormous risk.
“What if we get caught? How do you plan to deal with the fallout? What if it sparks a full war?”
“War?”
“Yes! War! If they find out who we are...”
“Nah, no way.”
“Huh?”
Why’s he so damn sure?
Sogeolgae felt off-balance at that confident display.
The Nangong family and Black Dragon Sect were already at a standoff.
It was a powder keg ready to blow...
“What’s the problem?”
“That’s why war would...”
“War maybe if it was just us. But we’re fighting them too?”
“...Them?”
“We’ve got the Hebei Peng family’s young master right here.”
Peng Zhonghe stared at Namgung Hyeok with a startled face from the side.
Sogeolgae’s jaw dropped.
Whoa, insane?
Using the Peng family from here?
“And Sword Pavilion’s here too.”
“...!”
So Hye-yeon flinched and pulled up her mask.
“And you’re a Beggar Clan division leader, right?”
“I said I’m against...”
“That doesn’t erase what we’ve done so far.”
...He’s right.
We did hit those Jiangsu unorthodox sects together.
Namgung Hyeok shrugged.
“The Black Dragon Sect would have to be crazy to pick a fight with the Nangong family, Hebei Peng family, Beggar Clan, and Sword Pavilion all at once.”
“R-Right.”
Sogeolgae and the others found themselves nodding along without thinking.
It was so convincing it shut up even those who’d been yelling about inevitable war if caught.
“Yeah. With the Hebei Peng family...”
“Exactly. No matter how big the Black Dragon Sect is, they’re no match for the Beggar Clan.”
“Hmm! And if they have to face the Nangong family on top...”
Peng Zhonghe, who’d been shocked at first, shrugged along with the crowd’s reaction.
“Hahaha! Young hero Namgung Hyeok is right. As long as my family’s around, it’s impossible! We don’t even need the Beggar Clan.”
“W-What?! Hmph! How dare riffraff like the Black Dragon Sect eye our clan?”
“Didn’t you say the Beggar Clan’s busy with other stuff right now?”
“We’ve still got numbers!”
Geon Cheon-hwi shook his head at the two getting heated.
‘They fell for it again.’
After a heated argument, Sogeolgae caught his breath and looked at Namgung Hyeok.
He furrowed his brow and spoke.
“Fine! All good, but what if we get caught? Even if no war breaks out, getting nabbed isn’t gonna end well, right?”
“What, death or hostage at worst?”
“...”
Ugh, dropping something this huge like it’s a pebble on the road?
‘T-This lunatic! I thought he had big ambitions, but he’s just plain crazy!’
Sogeolgae’s assessment of Namgung Hyeok kept flipping on the spot.
Hiding his bewilderment as best he could, Sogeolgae asked,
“Still, shouldn’t we prepare? Prepare! Charging into the Black Dragon Sect without a plan is a disaster waiting to happen!”
“So we just gotta not get caught!”
“...”
“We’re not going to fight. We’re going to grab my stuff.”
Same damn thing, you punk.
Sogeolgae gave up thinking.
He’d reconfirmed that common sense didn’t apply to Namgung Hyeok.
He turned his head.
At least convince the ones still clinging to reason...
“Haha! Unorthodox sects are unorthodox, big or small! We’re not fighting—we’re just grabbing some goods!”
“We gotta smack down the unorthodox!”
“Punish the wicked!”
Peng Zhonghe, Peng Yeon-hwa, and So Hye-yeon’s lines were pure gold.
Gold.
The Thunder Dragon Squad went without saying.
‘Damn it all.’
At that moment, Namgung Hyeok grinned, scratching at his nerves.
“Scared?”
“...”
“The Beggar Clan isn’t chickening out on some unorthodox sect, right?”
“...N-No, we’re not scared?”
“That’s the Beggar Clan spirit.”
“B-But still, with this many people...”
“Not enough bodies, huh?”
“...”
“Perfect. Was wondering what to do with those guys.”
“...?”
“Just bring ’em along!”
Huh?
Everyone’s gazes whipped around.
In the direction Namgung Hyeok pointed, Blood River Sect Leader Jo Cheolrok sat there dazed.
“...Unorthodox sect?”
“Grab their leader as hostage, and they’ll follow.”
Namgung Hyeok tossed out “hostage” like it was nothing.
Everyone was speechless.
It transcended common sense.
Recruiting unorthodox sect goons just because short on numbers?
They were awed by Namgung Hyeok’s prejudice-free, ideology-transcending attitude.
Sogeolgae sighed.
‘He’ll squeeze every drop out of anything he gets his hands on!’
They’d realized Namgung Hyeok’s terrifying side.
Namgung Hyeok shrugged.
“There, numbers fixed.”
Sogeolgae’s jaw dropped.
‘You idiot! Numbers don’t mean those kinda numbers!’
But against his wishes, everyone agreed.
Peng Zhonghe shouted.
“Now we’ve got the numbers—let’s get it done quick!”
“I’ll throw the first punch!”
“Punish the wicked!”
Peng Yeon-hwa and So Hye-yeon jumped up, raring to go.
The Thunder Dragon Squad was already sharpening blades and gearing up. Their speed and readiness outclassed everyone else.
Jo Cheolrok stared blankly ahead.
Before he knew it, Geon Cheon-hwi’s sharp blade was at his throat.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead from the chill.
‘Damn it all. How’d I end up like this!’
His Blood River Sect crumbled overnight, and he, who’d ruled Taeju like a king, reduced to a hostage...!
‘Raid the Black Dragon Sect? The Black Dragon Sect?’
What kind of madness is this?
He’d only been wary of them entering Jiangsu—never dreamed of clashing directly.
With this crew, stepping into their turf was suicide.
Sure, these guys had solid backing, but his crew?
Who’s gonna take responsibility for me?
Then, Tak Hyeok-dong bellowed.
“Your sect leader’s captured. Try anything funny, and off goes his head! Want him alive? Obey the Black Wind Squad!”
His booming voice, axe-wielding pose, and bear-like bulk hit all the right notes.
It screamed “proper unorthodox thug.”
If Jo Cheolrok weren’t subdued, he’d have applauded in admiration.
Jo Cheolrok looked at his men.
The kneeling subordinates were being released one by one.
They glanced at him, eyes reddening—heartbreaking.
‘Sorry. It’s my failure that’s got us here! But I’ll get revenge on these bastards and wash away this humiliation!’
Jo Cheolrok gazed at his men with burning eyes.
‘Just this once. Endure this once, and we’ll repay today’s grudge!’
His men who’d shared joys and sorrows ruling Taeju would understand.
Look.
They were already exchanging glances and nodding!
Yeah, that’s...
“Argh!”
“Fuck it, kill us or let us go!”
“Run!”
Seven out of ten of the bound hundred-plus subordinates bolted without looking back.
Everyone stared blankly as the Blood River Sect goons kicked up dust fleeing.
Those left were the ones who couldn’t escape in time, got caught midway, or just gave up.
Namgung Hyeok let out a hollow chuckle.
“Man, unorthodox punks never change, huh?”
“...”
“Damn thick-skinned with the loyalty, right?”
At Namgung Hyeok’s words, Jo Cheolrok gave a defeated laugh.
“Heh, hehehe. Hahaha, fuck, unorthodox bastards...”
Life is fleeting, huh.
Not a shred of brotherhood.
Over a decade of ups and downs, gone in a flash—utterly hollow.
‘If I ever go back to unorthodox life, may my corpse rot!’
Tears welled up.
“Hey, crying?”
Yeah, so what?
“He’s crying? Hey, he’s crying!”
Fuck, can’t even wallow in sentiment.
What sin did I commit in a past life!
Namgung Hyeok cackled at Jo Cheolrok before turning away.
“Whew, up by forty now.”
“...”
“Huh?”
Namgung Hyeok tilted his head.
Jo Cheolrok, wiping tears, followed his gaze.
How much time passed?
Tadadadada-!
The Blood River Sect men who’d vanished like the wind came sprinting back from afar.
Their momentum and desperation stood out.
Jo Cheolrok’s eyes widened.
“Khuh! You bastards! You came back!”
Sorry for thinking you treacherous scum.
“This is unorthodox loyalty! Khahaha, I haven’t lived my life in vain... Huh?”
What’s that in the back?
Hold on, their faces look weird?
Doubt crossed Jo Cheolrok’s joyful, emotional face.
Behind the returning Blood River Sect men.
Dust clouds rose in their wake.
Dududududu-!
An enormous roar shook the earth as massive footsteps thundered.
“W-What?!”
Jo Cheolrok stared ahead in panic.
Namgung Hyeok muttered beside him.
“They’ve got a tail?”
“T-Tail?”
“Who’re those guys?”
“N-No idea?”
“If you don’t know, who does, you punk!”
Smack!
“Kek!”
Jo Cheolrok clutched his head, eyes tearing up in shock. Then, his fleeing men helpfully cleared things up.
“Enemies! Enemies!”
“Run!”
“Fuuuck! Two raids in one day?!”
The escapees whooshed past in the opposite direction.
Then, a horde poured in from beyond the main gate, overwhelming it.
Around a hundred strong.
Black-masked, radiating murderous intent, they surged toward the Blood River Sect like a tidal wave.
“Sweep ’em all!”
“Waaaaah!”
Jo Cheolrok’s jaw dropped.
“W-What the hell are those guys?!”
Namgung Hyeok eyed the panicking Jo Cheolrok pitifully and muttered.
“Black masks on shady bastards...”
Namgung Hyeok’s eyes gleamed.