Chapter 14
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: All Die (4)
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Taiyuan, Crimson Flame Gang.
The Crimson Flame Gang's headquarters—a five-story red pavilion once used by the Hao Clan as a brothel, now painted black—still burned with unrelenting heat even in the dead of night.
It was because the debate on how to deal with the Diamond Escort Agency showed no signs of ending.
"I've told you already. We need to show them what happens when they cross us!"
A middle-aged man with his long hair carelessly tied back slammed his fist on the table laden with a wine cup and small snacks.
Bam!
"They're getting cocky because we're sitting idle, thinking we're pushovers. We have to wipe them all out and make an example!"
Bloodlust emanated from the thick-necked middle-aged man's bulging veins. He was Mae Sa-cheong, one of the Crimson Flame Gang's two elders.
He had a notorious reputation as a villain who committed extreme acts at least once a month, unable to control his bloodthirsty impulses.
"I don't know... That's not feasible. War brings blood, and blood weakens our forces."
A middle-aged man with half his face scarred by burns shook his head firmly.
From afar, his appearance evoked the image of a Shaolin defrocked monk. He was Joo Gwan, the other elder of the Crimson Flame Gang.
"The other evil sects are already eyeing our territory like hungry wolves. We should avoid war at all costs."
"So you're saying we just sit back and watch those arrogant bastards from the Diamond Escort Agency strut around?"
"Assassination. We slip in at night and quietly take them out."
"No. If we're fighting, we kill them all. Taking out one or two won't cut it."
"Killing just one as an example instills more fear."
"That's way too complacent...!"
"Enough!"
Gu Ma-seok, the Crimson Flame Gang leader, who had been watching the elders' argument, stomped the floor with his foot.
Bam!
A wave of energy rippled through the hall like crashing waves.
The two elders clamped their mouths shut at the display of qi mastery that only those with profound inner arts could achieve.
"I was already thinking it was time to remind everyone of the Crimson Flame Gang's power. It's about time these fools started forgetting our terror."
The gang leader, with his massively broad shoulders and hulking frame, set down the wine cup that looked comically small in his hand.
"That clueless punk who doesn't know the heights of heaven... I'll show him myself what—"
Kaboom!
A deafening explosion like a cannonball detonating echoed from outside. It was the sound of the Crimson Flame Gang's main gate shattering, debris scattering everywhere.
"G-Gang leader!"
A subordinate rushed in, blood trickling from his forehead.
"The Golden Ghost Indestructible has invaded!"
"...!"
The faces of the two elders and the gang leader twisted in demonic fury.
"Insolent bastard! Like a pup that doesn't fear the tiger. He's rampaging like a mad dog!"
Crunch!
Unable to contain his rage, the gang leader pulverized the armrest of his chair with his grip alone.
"How many? How many did he bring with him?!"
The subordinate spoke with an expression like he didn't want to relay the message himself.
"O-One..."
"What?!"
"What kind of lunatic...!?"
He came alone to the inner sanctum of the Crimson Flame Gang, renowned as one of Shanxi Province's three great evil factions?
So boldly, without a shred of fear!?
As the elders' faces contorted in shock and fury, the hall's doors exploded inward, sending the subordinate tumbling across the floor.
Bang!
Kang Moo-jin, who had shattered the doors with his emanating energy alone, floated smoothly into the hall.
"So this is your filthy lair."
Thud.
Landing as softly as a cat despite his bear-like build, Kang Moo-jin regarded the two elders and the gang leader with an impassive expression, then flashed a sly grin.
"Nice to meet you, vermin. Kang Moo-jin of the Diamond Escort Agency, here to deliver our message."
* * *
Crimson Flame Gang leader Gu Ma-seok eyed the massive young man before him with intrigue.
'He looks the part, at least.'
Gu Ma-seok, whose physique was called Mount Tai in strength and size, was no slouch himself. Yet this youth towered a full head taller, his frame even more solid and compact.
It was impossible to imagine the grueling training required to forge such a body.
'But arrogant.'
Youthful audacity had its privileges, but this Kang Moo-jin took it too far.
Daring to invade the Crimson Flame Gang, where Gu Ma-seok—an unmatched transcendent master in Taiyuan—resided.
And it wasn't just Gu Ma-seok. Flanking him like wings were the two elders, transcendent masters on par with him.
In other words, the Crimson Flame Gang now housed three of the five transcendent masters in all of Taiyuan!
'Just a brat.'
Gu Ma-seok was aware of the recent buzz around the Golden Ghost Indestructible.
But cutting down Mount Hua Sect's green novices or nobodies didn't make a true name. That was mere child's play.
To earn real fame, one needed feats like beheading a bandit stronghold leader or cleaving a righteous family's patriarch in two.
Just as Gu Ma-seok himself had done.
"Tch."
Gu Ma-seok addressed the youth, whose bloodlust clouded his brain like a half-wit.
"Did you bring that neck here because you can't wait to die?"
Gu Ma-seok sighed and shook his head.
"You're out of your mind. Daring to invade the Crimson Flame Gang, home of the Mountain-Breaking Sword."
The gang leader clicked his tongue pityingly as he glared at Moo-jin.
"Did you think a sneak attack and some tantrum would let you win? You pathetic fool."
The two elders flanking him nodded in agreement.
"He's lost his mind."
"No sane man would do this."
Snap!
Gu Ma-seok snapped his fingers, and the left and right doors of the hall flew open. Subordinates poured in like a flood.
Pat-pat!
Simultaneously, hall enforcers from the rear encircled the escape route.
In an instant, Kang Moo-jin and his ten subordinates were trapped like rats in a cage.
"Heh."
Gu Ma-seok rose with a sinister smile.
"What did you think charging in without a brain or fear would accomplish? That smashing the gate with ten men changes anything? You idiot."
"Wrong. I'm alone."
"What?"
Gu Ma-seok furrowed his brow, unable to comprehend Moo-jin's words.
"I smashed the gate by myself. And I'll dismantle the Crimson Flame Gang by myself."
"...What?"
"The subordinates behind me are just here for apprenticeship. They need some audiovisual education too."
"...Hahaha!"
Gu Ma-seok burst into manic laughter, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent as he glared at Moo-jin.
"You alone will bring down the Crimson Flame Gang? With me, Gu Ma-seok, here?!"
"That's right."
"You're not just fearless—you're insane."
Shing!
Gu Ma-seok drew the greatsword at his waist.
Thicker than an average man's forearm, the blade was marred with bloodstains that sent chills down the spine just looking at it.
"There's only one way to cure a madman's folly, since ancient times."
Step—step—
Gu Ma-seok advanced toward Moo-jin, building his aura with each step.
As the distance closed, ferocious energy thickened, pressing down heavily on the hall.
"Ugh..."
"Kuh."
The Crimson Flame Gang subordinates with weaker inner power grew pale and staggered under the mere pressure of his aura.
Moo-jin's subordinates behind him bit their lips until they bled to steady their swaying bodies.
"The Mountain-Breaking Sword Art I wield is a supreme swordsmanship that can cleave mountains at great completion."
Step.
Gu Ma-seok halted just close enough for a swing to graze Moo-jin's scalp.
"It'll slice through your puny flesh like cutting tofu."
Vmmm!
A hazy gray sword qi manifested over Gu Ma-seok's roaring blade.
"...Hah!"
"Such a monstrous sword qi!"
Moo-jin's subordinates gaped in horror at the sword qi that engulfed the blade and extended even farther beyond the edge.
They never imagined an evil sect leader would possess such profound arts and overwhelming might.
"For your arrogance... I'll start by severing that arm!"
While pinning the foe's gaze with words, Gu Ma-seok channeled ample inner energy into his blade. He unleashed his technique with a bloodthirsty swing.
Thud!
His thrusting foot dug deep into the floorboards, surging inner power enveloping his body.
Mountain-Breaking Sword Art. Ultimate Technique. Giant Sword Pillar Slash.
A massive sword capable of felling palace pillars plummeted toward Moo-jin's shoulder.
'Die!'
Seeing Moo-jin stand frozen without reaction, Gu Ma-seok envisioned the arm shearing off from the collarbone.
It was only natural—exploiting carelessness with his signature ultimate move from the start.
Even fellow transcendent masters couldn't block this Giant Sword Pillar Slash.
Whoooosh!
The blade cleaved the screaming air as it descended on Moo-jin's collarbone.
Claaaang!
Blazing yellow sparks erupted in all directions amid an explosive roar and shockwave.
The sheer power, evident from the sound alone, left everyone in the hall aghast.
Everyone except one.
'Cla-clang?!'
Gu Ma-seok's face twisted in bewilderment.
It should've felt clean with a satisfying slice, but instead, the rebound nearly wrenched the sword from his grip.
"That all?"
"...!!"
Everyone, including Gu Ma-seok, gaped with eyes nearly popping out.
"H-He's unscathed?!"
"He took the gang leader's ultimate technique without a scratch...!"
Elders Mae Sa-cheong and Joo Gwan collapsed to the floor in shock.
Having experienced the gang leader's ultimate technique firsthand, they knew better than anyone how absurd this was.
"Th-This can't be."
"Impossible...!"
As all recoiled in disbelief, Kang Moo-jin stared at Gu Ma-seok impassively.
"That all?"
"H-How in the world... Gahhhh!"
Gu Ma-seok poured strength into the blade halted atop Moo-jin's shoulder, trying to drive it down.
But the sword didn't budge, as if frozen in place.
Moo-jin's shoulder, where blood should have gushed, was merely torn in his clothing—otherwise intact. Instead, Gu Ma-seok's face flushed red from the effort, like a babe sucking milk.
"Enough of this useless...!"
Sighing as he glanced at the blade, Moo-jin's eyes suddenly widened in fury.
"You son of a bitch I could chew up and spit out...!"
Moo-jin's face contorted demonically upon seeing his blood-red robe vertically split along the blade's path.
"H-Hiiik!"
I-mok, the patrol agent blended among the Crimson Flame Gang comrades, screamed and crumpled to the floor.
His face drained white, unable to breathe properly, his pupils shook wildly in terror.
'I-I have to run...'
Dragging his butt backward, I-mok shoved his comrades aside frantically and bolted.
"Uwaaaak!"
Only I-mok knew what lay ahead.
What happened when that monster's robe tore.
"W-We’re all gonna die!"