Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 52
>Chapter Title: Jang Neung-ak (3)
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In an instant, the banquet hall in the guest hall garden was dyed in silence.
It was because a result entirely different from what they had expected—no, a sight they hadn't even imagined—had unfolded before their eyes.
'No way?'
One man on the lower seats looked dumbfounded.
He was Wi Maeng-cheon, the Two Peaks Nameless Sword, who had become Mok Kyung-un's Shikshin and was possessing a man named Jong-im, his own trusted subordinate.
Wi Maeng-cheon knew Go Yeon-hu's martial prowess better than anyone.
He had even clashed with him directly.
But this was beyond shocking.
Just a day ago, he had sparred with Mok Kyung-un and was certain that his skills couldn't defeat Go Yeon-hu, one of the Five Tigers.
'What the hell is going on?'
How could his martial arts have risen so much in just one day?
No, this was progress that defied common sense.
Go Yeon-hu wasn't someone who could be taken down so easily.
'......What the hell is this?'
He wasn't the only one shocked.
Go Chan, possessing Ha Chae-rin's body as a guard, tried his best not to show it, but he couldn't hide his inner astonishment at this outcome.
It was incomparable to what he had seen on the street not long ago.
'Is that guy really a monster?'
How could he grow this strong in such a short time?
It was utterly incomprehensible.
Then, a tongue-clicking sound came from beside him.
'!?'
It was Ho Jong-hyeok, the leader of the Three Peaks Annihilation Squad, standing with a hand on his waist, tilting his liquor cup.
Ho Jong-hyeok muttered while clicking his tongue at the sight.
"Tsk. An unexpected reinforcement."
He seemed shocked too, but oddly, a flicker of battle lust showed on his face.
What was with that reaction?
But then,
"Groooar!"
Go Yeon-hu, whose face was smashed into the floor, slammed both hands down and tried to use the recoil to push himself up.
However,
-Bam!
Mok Kyung-un pressed down on his head again, smashing his face back into the floor.
The trembling in Go Yeon-hu's body, which had been shaking violently, soon stopped.
He had apparently passed out.
At the sight of him, the silent banquet hall began to stir.
Mok Kyung-un lifted his hand from Go Yeon-hu's head, straightened his waist, and looked at Jang Neung-ak, the leader's second disciple.
Jang Neung-ak's gaze toward Mok Kyung-un changed.
Until now, it had merely been the look of eyeing a ripe fruit, but now wariness appeared in his eyes.
'......This guy's martial arts have advanced further?'
Go Yeon-hu's skills were in no way inferior to Woo Ho-rang, who was also called one of the Five Tigers.
No, in some aspects, Jang Neung-ak had considered him a cut above.
Yet he had been felled in just one exchange?
Jang Neung-ak spoke.
"You...... have reached the pinnacle."
-Murmur murmur!
'Pinnacle?'
'Did he just say pinnacle?'
At his words, the warriors on the lower seats stirred.
The pinnacle of the transcendent realm.
It was a level that surpassed the Five Tigers, known as the top late-stage prodigies, reaching executive-class prowess.
Among the executives with titles like Four Valleys Leader, Three Lords Leader, or Five Kings, there were none who hadn't reached or approached the pinnacle of the transcendent realm.
In the orthodox martial world, each of them was equivalent to a sect leader of a mid-to-small faction or a top master of a great sect.
At this, Jeo Mo-pal spoke in disbelief.
"Pinnacle? My lord, even so......"
"Jeo Mo-pal."
"Brother Ho?"
"Still haven't noticed?"
"Noticed what?"
"That guy has no injuries."
"Injuries?"
At those words, Jeo Mo-pal's pupils trembled.
He hadn't realized it until now, but there were no wounds visible on Mok Kyung-un.
He had heard it was a fierce clash with Seo Hye-in, the Four Peaks Floating Mist Squad Leader, yet not a single scratch marred the exposed areas of Mok Kyung-un's body.
"......This guy's more of a monster than he looks. Not a single wound against Woo Ho-rang?"
At Jeo Mo-pal's words, Seo Hye-in spoke in a grave tone.
"With Grand Leader Go collapsing in one move right in front of you, and you're saying that?"
"......"
-Swish!
Before long, the warriors on the lower seats, along with the Four Peaks' Seo Hye-in and Five Evils Iron Arm Fist Jeo Mo-pal on the upper seats, circulated their qi and assumed combat readiness.
The moment he felled Go Yeon-hu in one move, that guy had surpassed the level of a late-stage prodigy.
It was as good as possessing executive-level martial prowess.
At this point, the only ones who could face him one-on-one were his lord Jang Neung-ak, who had received the leader's teachings, and......
The gazes of Seo Hye-in and Jeo Mo-pal on the upper seats turned toward an unexpected figure.
It was none other than Ho Jong-hyeok, leader of the Three Peaks Annihilation Squad.
Why were they looking at him like this?
Go Yeon-hu, known as the strongest among the leader's retainers and the top of the Five Tigers as One Peak, had been defeated in one move—why direct such gazes at him?
At that moment,
"What? Those looks?"
Ho Jong-hyeok spoke in an annoyed tone as he downed his liquor cup.
Then Jang Neung-ak opened his mouth.
"Ho Jong-hyeok."
"Yes, my lord."
"I never thought I'd have to reveal a hidden card in a place like this."
At Jang Neung-ak's words, Ho Jong-hyeok's eyes, which had been consistently bored, changed.
His presence grew heavier and sharper, one might say.
Jang Neung-ak said to him,
"Can you handle him?"
"It should be manageable enough, but I can't guarantee victory. Not with that movement from earlier."
"Then I'll assign Jeo Mo-pal as well. Subdue him and make him kneel."
"You're really putting me in a tough spot. Are you sure?"
"This is my manor anyway. It doesn't matter if they see."
"......Understood. I accept your command."
With those words, Ho Jong-hyeok smiled at Go Chan, who was possessing Ha Chae-rin beside him, and said,
"Wait a moment. I'll be back soon."
'Kuaaaah!'
At his words, Go Chan inwardly convulsed.
Even as he scolded himself in his mind to stay in character, such casually tossed words from this guy were burdensome beyond measure.
It was then, as Ho Jong-hyeok reached for the handle of the massive axe set behind him.
"Why not end this pointless fight?"
Mok Kyung-un said toward Jang Neung-ak.
Jang Neung-ak scoffed.
"You rejected the offer of loyalty, claimed to come stirring trouble on behalf of my eldest senior brother, and now you say no pointless fights...... Do I look like a joke to you?"
"Of course not. I merely came to make an offer you need."
"Shut your mouth!"
Before his words could finish, Jang Neung-ak's shout reverberated everywhere.
Infused with inner power, the resounding cry made the warriors on the lower seats clutch their ears in unison.
Of course, Mok Kyung-un's expression didn't change in the slightest.
Jang Neung-ak pressed him.
"I don't know what schemes you're plotting by joining hands with my eldest senior brother, but the moment you slipped from my grasp, you became my enemy."
"Isn't that defining things too hastily?"
"Defining? Don't make me laugh. Did you think I wouldn't know you met with my eldest senior brother?"
"Yes. We did meet."
"Right. Then you can't deny......"
"Thanks to that, I ended up making enemies with Young Master Na Yul-ryang, which is quite troubling."
"What?"
At Mok Kyung-un's words, Jang Neung-ak's expression hardened instantly.
He had assumed that since he defeated Woo Ho-rang, subordinate of his youngest junior sister Wi So-yeon, and even his right-hand man One Peak Go Yeon-hu in one move, he must have allied with Eldest Senior Brother Na Yul-ryang.
What was this nonsense?
"You made an enemy of Eldest Senior Brother?"
"Yes."
Jang Neung-ak narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow.
"Are you trying to deceive me with lies right now, in front of me?"
"Of course not. Young Master Na Yul-ryang is probably itching to kill me as we speak."
"Itching to kill you?"
"Yes."
At Mok Kyung-un's words, Jang Neung-ak snorted derisively.
This guy was scheming against him.
What kind of person was Eldest Senior Brother?
He was a cold-blooded man who didn't even consider most people around him as human.
He didn't even acknowledge his fellow disciples like them.
For such an inhuman Eldest Senior Brother to see a worm like you as an enemy?
"Foolish cur."
"......"
"You don't know Na Yul-ryang. You expect me to believe that nonsense that he'd see you as an enemy? It'd be more realistic if you said he views you as an insect."
-Swish!
With those words, Jang Neung-ak nodded toward Three Peaks Ho Jong-hyeok.
"Hoo."
Ho Jong-hyeok let out a shallow breath, gripped the massive axe, and descended from the platform.
Seeing the axe, Mok Kyung-un recalled his conversation with the Dark Lord.
[The Five Tigers, huh. Among Young Master Jang Neung-ak's retainers, there's one who's the trickiest to mess with.]
[Who would that be?]
[Annihilation Squad Leader Ho Jong-hyeok.]
[Ho Jong-hyeok?]
[Yes. Heard he leads the Three Peaks in the Five Evils Society.]
[Three Peaks means third in rank.]
[That's the apparent rank.]
[Apparent rank?]
[Of course, his actual martial prowess might not match One Peak Go Yeon-hu or Two Peaks Wi Maeng-cheon. But considering his father's prestige, his position doesn't make sense.]
[His father must be someone special.]
[Axe Destroyer King Ho Tae-gang.]
[Axe Destroyer King? One of the Five Kings?]
Five Kings.
The top executives propping up the Heaven-Earth Society.
But it didn't end there.
[Not just any Five King. He's one of the eight masters said to have reached the highest realm in the current martial world.]
[No way......]
[Yes, one of the Eight Stars.]
That massive axe that seemed like it could cleave a man in two was surely the Annihilation Axe, known to have been crafted for Ho Tae-gang to unleash his signature martial art, the Axe Destroyer Heaven Gang Method.
'A son taught by one of the Eight Stars......'
A spark of interest lit in Mok Kyung-un's eyes.
Excluding the Six Heavens, the Eight Stars were called the current martial world's top masters.
It would be stranger if he had no interest at all.
-Grrrrrr!
The right arm muscles of Three Peaks Ho Jong-hyeok, dragging the axe along the floor as he approached, were extraordinarily bulging.
Likely developed to freely wield that massive Annihilation Axe.
Following to assist him, Five Evils Iron Arm Fist Jeo Mo-pal's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
'Am I finally going to see Brother Ho's true power?'
The Five Evils Society had one secret.
A secret known only to its members and their lord Jang Neung-ak.
Even the warriors on the lower seats didn't know it.
It was the existence of the true One Peak, hidden from view.
'True One Peak. My lord's hidden blade.'
Everyone might think One Peak Go Yeon-hu, top of the Five Tigers called the finest late-stage prodigies, was the Five Evils Society's strongest, but reality differed.
The true strongest in the Five Evils Society was Ho Jong-hyeok.
His actual martial prowess had reached the pinnacle of the transcendent realm.
-Swoosh!
Ho Jong-hyeok lifted the massive axe he had been dragging, the Annihilation Axe, and lightly swung it through the air.
Even that casual swing generated powerful wind pressure, sending sharp aura scattering in all directions.
'As expected, impressive.'
If just the wind pressure was this much, properly unleashing his power would bring something astonishing.
Ho Jong-hyeok approached Mok Kyung-un and said,
"Hey. Don't hold it against us for ganging up. It's not a duel—my orders are to subdue you."
Mok Kyung-un shrugged indifferently at his words.
Then, he promptly drew something from his waist.
It was a small pouch attached to his belt.
"What are you doing?"
Ho Jong-hyeok asked.
Mok Kyung-un didn't answer and instead looked at Jang Neung-ak as he spoke.
"Seeing this might change your mind."
With that, Mok Kyung-un tossed the pouch toward Jang Neung-ak on the platform.
"Where!"
-Thud!
Fearing some trick, Four Peaks Seo Hye-in intercepted it instead.
But the pouch was lighter than expected.
He wondered if it contained hidden weapons, but apparently not.
"Young Master, this is......"
"Ignore trivialities. Subdue him quickly."
Jang Neung-ak showed no interest and issued orders to Ho Jong-hyeok and Jeo Mo-pal.
At that, Ho Jong-hyeok shot toward Mok Kyung-un, swinging the massive Annihilation Axe at his neck.
-Swoosh! Shrieeek! Crack!
As the Annihilation Axe cleaved the air, wind pressure and blade intent split the banquet hall's tables.
Thanks to that, the spectating lower-seat warriors had to scatter and retreat.
Jang Neung-ak raised the corner of his mouth slyly at the sight.
With Ho Jong-hyeok at the pinnacle of the transcendent realm, plus Jeo Mo-pal, subduing him shouldn't be difficult.
'Daring to mock me?'
Let's see if such words come out after I peel that hide off you.
It was then.
"Y-Young Master?"
Four Peaks Seo Hye-in called to Jang Neung-ak.
Jang Neung-ak, focused on their clash, replied annoyedly.
"Tell me later."
"I-I'm sorry, but you need to see this first."
"I said later."
"Young Master!"
"What, disobeying me ri—...!?"
Jang Neung-ak's expression, about to berate Seo Hye-in, froze solid.
It was due to something in her hand.
It was none other than an eyeball.
The moment he saw the eyeball with a silver sheen in the pupil instead of black, someone's image flashed rapidly through Jang Neung-ak's mind.
It was Eldest Senior Brother Na Yul-ryang.
[As expected of the Thunderbolt Fist King. To force even this out of me.]
Na Yul-ryang's voice and appearance were still vivid.
During the duel with Thunderbolt Fist King Won Byeong-hak, his right eye's pupil had suddenly turned silver.
After that, the flow of the battle changed drastically.
Recalling it in a flash, Jang Neung-ak's pupils trembled.
This eyeball was too familiar.
'No way?'
This is......
It was right then.
-Boom! Clang!
At the successive explosive sounds, Jang Neung-ak's gaze turned sideways.
'!?'
There lay Five Evils Jeo Mo-pal face-down, head stomped under Mok Kyung-un's foot, and Ho Jong-hyeok staggering back with one axe blade broken.
All this had happened in the brief moment his eyes were away.
[Chapter 52: Jang Neung-ak (3)] End