Chapter 15: Who Asked for Help? (4)
Chapter 15: Who Asked for Help? (4)
The Kongtong Sect.
They were the undisputed overlords who had held their ground in Gansu Province for the longest time.
Even among the Nine Great Sects and One Union or the Five Great Families, there were those whose relationships were strained due to overlapping territories, but the Kongtong Sect stood entirely alone in Gansu.
Well, about two hundred years ago, they had split that influence with the Twin Dragon Sect, but aside from that brief period, they had boasted an unwavering, rock-solid presence.
Though they were often criticized for their lack of initiative, they were still a pillar of the Nine Great Sects. Their strength was beyond question.
One of the Kongtong martial artists, a Taoist who appeared to be in his early forties, approached Go Seok-hyeon.
"Are you the Sect Leader of the Twin Dragon Sect?"
"I... I am. I am Go Seok-hyeon, the leader of the Twin Dragon Sect."
"I am Yun-gi of the Kongtong Sect."
The way he identified himself while offering a polite fist salute was the very picture of a distinguished member of the Orthodox Faction. As soon as he revealed his name, the crowd began to stir.
"It’s the Sword of Wise Governance."
"Oh, so that’s the man..."
"As expected, he has the aura of a hero."
The Sword of Wise Governance.
In the Kongtong Sect, which rarely engaged in external affairs, this man was the one who had made the biggest name for himself over the past twenty years. He was a man who never hesitated to do what he believed was right and possessed the drive to see his thoughts through to action.
At times, he would even ignore the instructions of his own sect and charge ahead on his own. As a result, he had gained fame through countless heroic deeds and was considered the most likely candidate to become the next leader of the Kongtong Sect.
"It is an honor to meet the Sword of Wise Governance," Go Seok-hyeon said, returning the salute respectfully.
Yun-gi replied calmly, "How great must your distress have been at this invasion by the Unorthodox Faction? You may rest easy now."
"Does that mean..."
"The Kongtong Sect will never turn a blind eye to the hardships of its neighbors."
With that, Yun-gi turned his back to Go Seok-hyeon, walked past his fellow disciples, and stepped to the very front.
"Listen, Blood Saber Sect!"
As his thunderous voice struck their ears, the members of the Unorthodox Faction frowned, their breathing growing heavy. This was the effect of the Kongtong Sect’s internal energy method, the Demon-Subduing Divine Art, which embodied the principle of 'Purge Evil, Manifest Righteousness.'
When facing the Unorthodox or demon warriors, that energy suppressed and restricted the opponent's mind and body. Having seized the initiative, Yun-gi continued.
"The justice of the martial world has fallen to the ground, and the Unorthodox Faction continues to gain power, but for your hands to dare reach into the territory of our Kongtong Sect... We cannot tolerate this situation!"
Yun-gi drew his sword, tossed the scabbard aside, and declared, "If you do not withdraw this instant, you shall realize just how fierce the sword of Kongtong can be."
At his signal, he and his disciples released their momentum all at once. Though there were only about thirty of them, the pressure exerted by these Kongtong elites made the hundreds of Blood Saber Sect members hesitate.
However...
"Silence!"
A single, shrill voice flipped the situation on its head.
"Any man who retreats without my permission will experience hell firsthand by my own hand."
The Blood Saber Sect members, who had been cowed by Ma Jae-ho’s menacing killing intent, gritted their teeth and straightened their backs. The Kongtong Sect’s momentum was grand, but their leader’s killing intent was far more terrifying. Above all, they knew their leader was exactly the kind of man who would actually make an example out of one or two of them.
"Hmph, pathetic fools..."
Having steadied his subordinates, Ma Jae-ho looked at the Kongtong Taoists before him and spoke.
"I wondered what those Twin Dragon Sect nobodies were relying on to act so bold... I see. So you’re just a fox borrowing the tiger’s authority? How laughable, now that the Murim Alliance is gone."
Yun-gi replied, "The Twin Dragon Sect did not ask for our help. We came here purely of our own volition."
"Ha! Do I look foolish enough to blindly believe the words of you Orthodox hypocrites?"
"It matters not whether you believe it. More importantly, make your choice, Blood Wolf Wanderer!" Yun-gi glared at Ma Jae-ho. "Will you withdraw quietly? Or will you stand and fight against our Kongtong Sect?"
A choice between two paths.
Depending on Ma Jae-ho’s next words, this place could turn into a battlefield. Under everyone’s gaze, Ma Jae-ho thought for a moment before opening his mouth.
"The Kongtong Sect, eh..."
"..."
"To be honest, I didn't plan on clashing with you lot just yet. I intended to poke at you after gathering a bit more strength."
At those words, the crowd breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed there would be no bloodshed here today, at least. However...
"But you see," Ma Jae-ho wasn't finished. "Regardless of plans or whatever, you think I’m going to tuck tail and run just because I’m scared of some incense-smelling, bottom-tier Taoists?"
"..."
"Hehe... Do I look like the kind of man who could live with such a disgrace?"
"..."
"I am the Blood Wolf Wanderer, Ma Jae-ho!!!"
With a savage lion’s roar, killing intent erupted from Ma Jae-ho’s body like a bursting volcano. He drew his saber and shouted, "If you thought the name of the Kongtong Sect could intimidate me, you were dead wrong. Today, I’ll send your heads back as a declaration of war against Kongtong!"
As Ma Jae-ho unleashed his energy, a momentum as sharp as a blade spread in all directions.
"Hmm..."
Was he always this strong?
For the first time in a long while, Yun-gi felt a chill run down his spine.
The Blood Wolf Wanderer, Ma Jae-ho. He had heard the name. Since they were of a similar age, he had even felt a certain competitive spirit toward him.
I expected him to be strong since he’s a disciple of the Heaven-Shattering Martial Emperor, but to think he’d be this much.
It looked like he would have to engage in a duel where the outcome was uncertain for the first time in ages. No, to be honest, he might even be at a slight disadvantage. But...
I am a disciple of the Great Kongtong Sect.
If he were the type to shrink back because things were difficult or dangerous, he shouldn't have picked up a sword in the first place. He shouldn't have become a hero of the Orthodox Faction.
Hardening his resolve, he said, "Disciples, prepare yourselves."
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
"Come, you Unorthodox scum!"
The Kongtong Sect steeled their resolve.
"Hmph, since when did Kongtong get so cocky?"
"There’s barely thirty of you. I’ll bury you all right here."
"Hehehe. It’s been a while since I’ve tasted the blood of a Taoist."
The Blood Saber Sect members also let their momentum boil over. And then...
Step, step.
Someone walked up behind the Sword of Wise Governance, Yun-gi.
Without taking his eyes off Ma Jae-ho, Yun-gi spoke toward the presence. "Please step back. It is dangerous."
"..."
"We of the Kongtong Sect will handle this... Gack!"
Whack!
It was the sound of someone being struck on the back of the head with a shoe.
To be more precise, it was the sound of Patrick Schneider taking off his shoe and smacking the Sword of Wise Governance, Yun-gi, right on the back of the head with it.
"...?"
More than the pain, Yun-gi was struck by the sheer absurdity of it. As he whipped his head around, he saw...
"You little brat, how dare you try to cut in on someone else's meal? You want to die that badly?"
"Uh... Uh..."
What was this? Why was a back-alley thug here?
Was the Twin Dragon Sect actually an Unorthodox sect too? Had he just stumbled into a dispute between two Unorthodox factions? That wouldn't be good.
To the utterly bewildered and confused Yun-gi, Patrick said, "Listen, you punk. Someone snatching my prey right out from under me is the eleventh thing I hate most in this world. You hear me? Huh?"
"..."
Yun-gi didn't know about anything else, but there was one thing he absolutely had to ask. "Why do you have so many things you hate?"
Patrick puffed out his chest and said proudly, "Ahem!"
* * *
Gape!
Moon Yul’s jaw hit the floor.
When that man, the Bong Gong, approached the Sword of Wise Governance and started taking off his shoe, Moon Yul wondered what on earth he was doing. Even when he held the shoe in one hand and pulled it back, Moon Yul thought, Surely not.
He never imagined the man would actually use it to smack the Sword of Wise Governance on the back of the head.
"That... that... S-Sect Leader!"
He hurriedly looked for his master. However...
"Ah! Sect Leader!"
"Senior Brother, the Sect Leader has collapsed!"
"Waaaaah! You can't die!"
Regrettably, it seemed this sight was too much for his master to handle. Seeing his master fallen backward while clutching the back of his neck, Moon Yul snapped himself into focus.
Part of him wanted to lie down right next to his master, but he couldn't do that.
I have to keep it together.
"Se... Senior Sister. Why is that hu... no, why is the Bong Gong acting like that?"
His senior sister simply shrugged. "He can't help it."
"What do you mean he can't help it?"
"Didn't you hear him? Someone snatching his prey is the eleventh thing he—"
"Gaaah! Is that what’s important right now?!"
"It is important..."
"No, no, I wasn't shouting at you, Senior Sister."
When Persona’s expression turned sullen, Moon Yul was the one who panicked. But that was one thing...
What is he planning to do?
He would just have to watch and find out.
* * *
"W-What do you think you are doing?!"
The first person to confront Patrick wasn't Yun-gi, who had been hit, but his junior disciple. Forgetting that the Blood Saber Sect was right in front of them, he pointed his sword at Patrick and shouted, "How can you treat someone who came to help like this? Where is the justice in this?"
"Who asked for help? Huh? Did I ask for help?"
"..."
The disciple’s mouth fell open.
Regardless, Patrick continued to rant and rave. "You lot just waltz into someone else's territory. Because of you, that Unorthodox piece of trash over there thinks I actually asked for help! What are you going to do about it? Huh? What are you going to do?!"
"Grrr... Then are you saying the Twin Dragon Sect can handle the Blood Saber Sect on its own?"
"Is that even a question? Dealing with those kids is like eating cake after dinner."
"Cake?"
"Never mind what that is. The point is, it’s none of your business, so get lost! You stinking goat-beards!"
"Haaaa..."
"Why would I need help dealing with trash like that? Go on, shoo! Shoo!"
The Kongtong Taoists stared, dumbfounded, as Patrick shooed them away like stray dogs.
What is wrong with this guy?
What is wrong with this guy?
And they weren't the only ones who were furious.
"Hehehe... You dare play games right in front of me, the Blood Wolf Wanderer?!"
"You, just wait a bit. I’ll deal with you after I send these kids away."
"How dare—"
"I said wait! Seriously, you Unorthodox types never listen."
"..."
For the first time, Ma Jae-ho realized that when anger surpasses its limit, it turns into a sense of hollow absurdity.
Regardless, Patrick only said what he wanted to say and did what he wanted to do.
"I’ll settle the situation. First, Kongtong. You guys, leave. And Blood Saber Sect? You guys, come at me. Alright, let’s sta—"
"W-Wait a moment."
"Wait for what now? Let’s just fight already."
"Are you saying the Twin Dragon Sect will face the Blood Saber Sect alone?"
"I keep telling you, yes."
"That is impossible. They have over three hundred men."
"That’s a perfect number for a beatdown."
"The Blood Wolf Wanderer, Ma Jae-ho, is a disciple of the Heaven-Shattering Martial Emperor and is counted among the fifteen greatest saber-users of the Unorthodox Faction."
"Fifteen? What’s with that awkward number? It should be three, five, or ten at most. You’ve got to cut it off cleanly."
"..."
"Tsk, tsk. Things weren't like this in the old days. Kids these days are so lazy. It’s the end of the world, I tell you. The end of the world."
"..."
What is this? I can't follow the flow of this conversation at all.
Don't worry. That’s only because you’re a normal person.
Then, Yun-gi’s junior disciple, Yun-oh, spoke up. "Senior Brother, let’s go. There’s no need to help them while enduring such humiliation."
"Junior Brother, no, wait a moment..."
"Go on, get. Hurry up so we can start the fight."
"You, stay quiet for a second..."
"Even that man is telling us to leave!"
"I cannot. If we leave, the innocent commoners will—"
"I told you, catching those guys is easy even without you lot!"
"Stop your boasting!" Yun-gi finally snapped, unable to take it anymore. He shouted at Patrick in genuine anger. "Are you really going to ignore the suffering of the innocent people of Cheonsu County just for the sake of your own pride?"
"Who’s letting the commoners suffer? All I have to do is catch those pieces of trash, right?"
"How dare you call me—"
"Hey, I told you to wait!"
"The Blood Wolf Wanderer is not someone to be taken lightly!"
"He is light. Very light. So just go. This is giving me an ulcer. Move it, you punks!"
If the Sword of Wise Governance, Yun-gi, was the most frustrated by Patrick’s dismissive behavior, the one who was the most enraged was...
"I’ll kill every last one of you brats!"
It was the Blood Wolf Wanderer, Ma Jae-ho. His simmering rage finally exploded. His saber was drawn with lightning speed, slashing viciously toward Patrick.
Tsk...
Yun-gi tried to extend his sword to block the attack. However, since the attack wasn't aimed at him, his reaction was slightly delayed.
Did I fail?
Because he moved so suddenly, his sword stance was unstable. At this rate, even if he blocked it, he would be overwhelmed by the force. But then...
Gape!
Yun-gi didn't see it. All he saw was the result.
Before he knew it, Ma Jae-ho’s head was snapped back toward the sky, and Patrick was standing before him with one knee raised.
Moving far faster than Ma Jae-ho’s attack, Patrick had driven his knee into Ma Jae-ho’s chin. And then...
"I told you to wait. You really don't listen."
Before Ma Jae-ho could even hit the ground, Patrick’s next attack flew.
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Third Form.
Flash Dragon Strike.
A brilliant flash of light.
It was the signal flare announcing that the Radiant Dragon Hero had returned to the martial world.