Chapter 616: Making an Example
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 616: Making an Example
The protesters were aghast.
They had never expected Jang Sun-woo to act so recklessly.
In the Murim, seniority and generational standing were generally held in the highest regard. No matter how strong one’s martial arts were, it was customary to show respect to those of a higher generation. Failing to treat a senior with proper decorum usually resulted in being branded a graceless rogue and facing public condemnation.
Yet, Sun-woo was spitting out insults without a shred of basic Murim etiquette—and he was doing it to seniors who stood far above him in seniority.
How could they not be shocked?
The man was a lunatic. A complete and utter madman whose depths couldn't even be measured.
"Do you realize that your words and actions disgrace not only your sect but your master as well?!" Cho Poong raised his voice, bellowing a stern rebuke at Sun-woo.
"I was expelled, so I don't really care."
"Even if you were expelled, your essence remains unchanged! You are still bringing shame upon your former sect!"
"You're going to badmouth the Tang Clan?" Sun-woo asked back, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. He was asking if the man truly had the guts to insult them.
"............"
Upon hearing that question, Cho Poong’s mouth snapped shut. He couldn't possibly do it.
Who exactly was the Tang Clan? Even after being half-destroyed by the Demonic Cult, they remained the undisputed power of Sichuan. Furthermore, the Tang Clan was led by the Poison King, Tang Jin-cheol, a man rumored to have reached the Half-Immortal Stage.
How could he dare mock such a clan with his mere three inches of tongue? It was out of the question.
"Why'd you go quiet?" Sun-woo asked, feigning curiosity.
"............Regardless, you are in the wrong. How can you hurl such foul language at a senior of the Murim?"
"I told you. I don't give respect to bastards who ate their age through their assholes."
"Are you saying we've lived all these years for nothing?!" Cho Poong flared up, his voice rising in indignation.
"Do you think you've lived them well?" Sun-woo continued, his expression full of mockery. "Under the pretext of demanding an explanation, you lot set up camp in front of someone else's house and spent three days and nights shouting and screaming. Do you think that's acceptable behavior?"
Sun-woo glared at him with a cold gaze as he spoke.
"We simply... wanted... an apology from you!"
"An apology for what?"
"Did you not defend the Demonic Cult by claiming they weren't the culprits behind the Shandong Blood Massacre?!" Cho Poong screamed, sounding as if he were the victim.
"Why should I apologize?"
"What?! Are you admitting to defending the Demonic Cult right now?!"
"I simply said the culprit of the massacre might not be the Demonic Cult. How does that translate to defending them?"
"I heard the scene of the incident was thick with Demonic Energy! How can you claim the Demonic Cult isn't the culprit?!"
"Is the Demonic Cult the only place that uses demonic arts?"
"The Cheonmu Alliance Leader himself guaranteed it was the work of the Demonic Cult!"
"If the Cheonmu Alliance Leader told you to die, would you do it?"
"That's not what I'm saying!"
"What's the difference? Nothing is as terrifying as blind faith. You're just assuming the Alliance Leader is right no matter what."
"Are you saying the Cheonmu Alliance Leader lied?!" Cho Poong asked, his face twisted in disbelief.
" I'm just saying he could be wrong. Why are you being so extreme?"
"That's nonsense! The Alliance Leader, wrong?!"
"Believe whoever you want, that's your business. I've given you enough of an explanation, so get lost." Sun-woo waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away an annoying fly.
"No! we must receive an apology! If we let this slide, the vengeful spirits of the Shandong Blood Massacre will never be able to ascend!"
This is getting annoying.
Sun-woo felt his irritation beginning to boil over. Every single one of them was fueled by stubbornness and emotional manipulation. they flocked to rumors like vultures, and even when told the truth, they only heard what they wanted to hear.
"He's right... Apologize!"
"Apologize!"
"Countless spirits are weeping blood because of your words!"
"Apologize at once!"
Perhaps emboldened by Cho Poong’s words, the protesters in the area began to shout in unison.
They say an individual is insignificant, but a mob is strong. Though each one was pathetic on their own, their collective shouting created a formidable roar.
Why am I standing here listening to this bullshit? Sun-woo pondered inwardly.
He wondered why he was even bothering to listen to their nonsense one by one. No matter how much he listened, they were just a bunch of losers who contributed nothing to his life. They were grown adults throwing a tantrum like children; why was he entertaining them?
Wrooooooom.
Suddenly, Sun-woo began to release his energy.
"Kugh!"
"Ugh... Argh...!"
"Heugh... Ack..."
The protesters, who had been shouting with one heart and mind, let out pained groans simultaneously as if on cue. An overwhelming pressure was crushing their entire bodies.
"Individual freedom should be respected," Sun-woo said in a calm tone. "On the condition that it doesn't cause harm to others."
He glared at the protesters with a sharp gaze.
"I spoke my mind according to my own free will. And I believe that claim should be respected. Just as I have respected the opinions of others."
Wrooooooom.
The pressure emanating from Sun-woo’s body began to grow exponentially.
"However, you lot have invaded my territory and are causing me continuous harm simply because you don't like my opinion." Sun-woo opened his mouth, his eyes piercing through them. "This is an infringement on my freedom, and I intend to vent a righteous anger in response. So that my rights are never violated again."
Wrooooooom.
Faint but distinct red wisps of energy began to flow from Sun-woo’s body. These red vapors completely enveloped the entire crowd of protesters. Soon, a massive semi-circle of energy formed around them.
Tremble, tremble, tremble.
Seeing this, the protesters began to shake violently. Though they didn't know what the red energy was, it was obvious at a glance that it was something ominous.
"I will ask you one more time." Sun-woo glared at the trembling mob. "Will you leave now as if nothing happened? Or will you stay here and endure the full weight of my wrath?"
Sun-woo gave them a chance. A final opportunity to escape this place. It was a small mercy for anyone who might have been dragged along without knowing any better.
"............"
But despite his mercy, not a single person left. They stood their ground, shivering, as if they had no intention of moving.
"I see you've all decided to stay." Sun-woo continued in a flat voice as he looked at them. "Your will is firm, but I wouldn't call you wise."
Sun-woo shook his head slightly from side to side, as if in pity.
"However, that choice is also your freedom, so I shall respect it."
Sun-woo stared at them with cold eyes.
"Endure it to your heart's content!"
Swooooooosh!
As soon as Sun-woo finished speaking, the red energy surrounding them surged inward all at once, lunging at the terrified protesters. Their entire bodies were instantly consumed by the red mist.
"AAAAAAAGH!!!"
"It hurts! It hurts!! It hurts so much!"
"UAAAAAAAGH!"
"It's hot! I'm burning! It's too hot!"
"Ack! Aaack! Aaaaack!"
"Hwaaaack!"
The protesters began to roll on the ground in unison, letting out agonizing screams. Their faces were contorted in extreme suffering.
"Hwaaaaaagh!"
"Save... Save meeeee!"
"Uwaaaaaah... Uwaaaaah!"
"Kugh... Hicc... Hicc... It hurts... It hurts..."
Soon, some of them even burst into tears, unable to withstand the pain filling their bodies.
"Hwaaaaa... Hwaaaaaa."
Cho Poong was a mess of tears, snot, and drool as he wailed in pain. The agony was so immense that the word 'horrific' was the only thing that suited it.
When the red energy first surrounded them, he hadn't been that worried. He thought that no matter how reckless Jang Sun-woo was, he wouldn't dare kill him in the middle of the Cheonmu Alliance. He figured there would be some pain, but it would be manageable, and he could use it as leverage to squeeze a larger payment out of the person who had commissioned the protest.
However, his thoughts changed completely the moment the red energy invaded his body. The pain was beyond anything he could endure.
They say the greatest pain a human can feel is scorching pain. The red energy gifted him exactly that. It felt as if his entire body were being consumed by flames. It was agonizing. The sensation of being slowly burned from his fingertips and toes inward drove him to the brink of madness.
"Uwaaaaaah... Uwaaaaaah..."
He eventually broke down in loud sobs. Unable to bear the extreme pain, his emotions simply burst.
He regretted it. He regretted accepting the request to protest in front of the residence of the World's Greatest Martial Artist.
He regretted provoking him with such arrogant words.
He regretted not leaving when he was given the chance.
"UWAAAAAAAAGH!!!!"
His wailing grew louder as time passed. His regret likely grew just as much.
*
"AAAAAAAGH!"
"Uwaaaaaah!"
"Hicc... Hicc..."
"Kuuuuugh."
In front of the residence, the agonizing screams of the protesters filled the air. Every single one of them was expressing extreme pain with their entire bodies.
One person was clawing at the ground until their fingernails were completely ruined. Another had bitten their lip so hard that blood was gushing out. One man’s teeth were falling out because he was grinding them so fiercely. Some were convulsing so violently on the ground that their clothes had worn away, leaving them half-naked.
Sun-woo watched them with a stoic expression. It was a gruesome scene, but he didn't seem to have the slightest intention of withdrawing his energy.
There was no reason to. He had already resolved to make an example of them.
Sun-woo thought to himself: if he started tolerating this, there would be no end to it. He didn't know how many times people had come to him spouting nonsense.
First, it was Heo Sam-gwan. He had tried to force Sun-woo to fulfill his duties as the World's Greatest Martial Artist. Then it was the leadership. They had tried to force him into the war, masking their own selfishness as the 'greater good.' And finally, it was this mob. They demanded explanations and apologies based on mere rumors.
Because he had stayed quiet, all sorts of people were constantly seeking him out as if he were some neighborhood dog.
That was why he needed an example. A thorough example that would make anyone think twice before coming to him with their bullshit.
Sun-woo looked at the protesters convulsing on the ground. Every face was a mask of pure agony.
Of course it hurts.
Sun-woo knew they had no choice but to suffer. He had released a diluted version of the Scorching Poison—the same poison that had made Joo So-yang, a master of the Mid-Transcendent Realm, wet herself. There was no way these people could withstand it.
They were likely all suffering from the sensation of being burned alive. And they were likely repenting. Repenting for coming here to protest against him. Repenting for not leaving when they had the chance.
Hurt a little more.
Sun-woo’s eyes glittered as he watched them seize on the ground, waiting for them to suffer just a bit longer.
.
.
.
.
.
.
After some time had passed...
Swooooosh.
Sun-woo slowly began to withdraw the Scorching Poison. He felt that one Il-gak was more than enough time for them to experience true agony.
He looked down at the protesters lying on the ground, now that all the energy had been cleared. Even though the pain had subsided, they were still trembling. The aftereffects of the agony hadn't yet faded.
"If you come again, it won't end in one Il-gak."
Sun-woo spoke to them in a calm, flat tone. Upon hearing those words, the protesters' complexions turned deathly pale. They were horrified to learn that the hellish agony had only lasted for a single Il-gak.
Sun-woo looked at them one last time before turning around without a hint of lingering attachment. He slowly began to walk back into his residence.
The protesters could only watch his retreating back with eyes full of terror until he had completely disappeared from sight.