Chapter 309
Chapter 309
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 309
Chapter Title: Unexpected Conclusion
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Park Ji-mun and Cha Ryong unleashed their hidden reserves of power, and the true duel began.
Explosions roared everywhere, flashes of light blazed, and shockwaves left dozens of craters in their wake.
Until just moments ago, a few people had been able to track their exchanges with their eyes, but now no one except Ju Tae, Kim Mu-gwan, and Ban Go could follow their clashes.
To the warriors who had never witnessed absolute masters in action, Park Ji-mun and Cha Ryong looked like war gods descending from the heavens.
Boom!
Kaboom!
"Step back!"
"It's dangerous!"
As the shockwaves reached them, the warriors hurriedly retreated.
"Whoa..."
"To think humans could be that strong."
Amid the gasps of awe and shock, Park Ji-mun and Cha Ryong unleashed ferocious attacks on each other in a trance-like state. It was a deadly onslaught where a single moment's lapse could cost their lives—no quarter given, no retreat.
"He's full of surprises," Ju Tae marveled.
Kim Mu-gwan nodded in agreement.
"Given that the Great Prince sent us after them, I expected no ordinary foes, but this exceeds even that."
"No, not them—Park. He's been hiding his full strength all this time?"
"Any need to? He just hasn't faced an opponent worth going all-out against. Same for both of them, I'd say."
"How does such a small plot of land produce so many experts?"
Kim Mu-gwan chuckled at Ju Tae's words. Ju Tae added,
"If you and Park had a kid, it'd be a sight. Ki radiating from the kid the moment it cries out?"
"Hahaha!"
Kim Mu-gwan burst into laughter.
That was when it happened.
"Those are demon cultists who crossed over from the Zhao Kingdom! We must aid the great heroes of the Sun and Moon Twin Swords!"
Someone shouted out of nowhere.
Kim Mu-gwan and Ju Tae whipped their heads toward the source.
"If we don't help, we could lose the great heroes to those fiends! Everyone, charge!"
It was a young man in a blue robe.
Twitch.
"What the hell's that bastard saying? No way they're buying that nonsense and charging in, right?"
"Everyone's too caught up in the excitement to think straight. At this rate, there'll be needless casualties. Best to pull back for now."
Kim Mu-gwan's concern became reality in an instant.
"Aid the great heroes!"
"Attack the Zhao Kingdom demons!"
Waaah!
The warriors drew their swords en masse and charged.
Even Ban Go was stunned by the sudden turn.
Demons from the Zhao Kingdom?
And they were calling Ju Tae and the others demons from Zhao, not them—what absurdity.
Right then, Park Ji-mun, mid-assault, suddenly leaped toward Kim Mu-gwan and Ju Tae. Dust cleared, revealing Cha Ryong.
"Huh?"
Ban Go's eyes widened. Blood streamed from wounds all over Cha Ryong's body.
"Cha Ryong!"
Whoosh!
Ban Go kicked off the ground and landed beside Cha Ryong. Almost simultaneously, the warriors surged past them toward Ju Tae, Kim Mu-gwan, and the rest.
Waaah!
"What the hell just happened? Calling them Zhao Kingdom demons?"
Cha Ryong stared daggers at Park Ji-mun without a word.
Ju Tae and Kim Mu-gwan had already vanished with phenomenal lightfoot skill. Just before leaving, Park Ji-mun and Cha Ryong locked eyes in midair.
Cha Ryong's gaze flickered. He saw the contempt in Park Ji-mun's eyes.
[See you next time.]
Park Ji-mun left those words and pursued Ju Tae and Kim Mu-gwan.
* * *
A deserted alley with no sign of life.
After Ju Tae's group departed and the chaos settled, Cha Ryong and Ban Go confronted the blue-robed youth—the very one who had shouted about Zhao Kingdom demons.
"...So the Strategist had you tailing us in secret?"
"Understand our position. The Strategist said not to intervene unless absolutely necessary."
Twitch.
Cha Ryong's eyes wavered.
"So you thought I'd lose and yelled that they were Zhao Kingdom demons?"
"...!"
The blue-robed youth's face stiffened as he realized Cha Ryong's aura had turned deadly.
Thud!
"Gah!"
The youth doubled over with a strangled cry.
Cha Ryong's right hand pierced his chest, protruding from his back.
"To think scum like you delivered the worst humiliation of my life."
"Ugh..."
Crunch!
"Arghhh!"
Cha Ryong ripped out the youth's heart.
Still unsatisfied, he stomped the youth's face mercilessly.
Crack!
"You're pretty pissed."
"Strategist, that old bastard..."
"Could be the Lord's orders. Enough."
Ban Go hurried to calm Cha Ryong. In these moments, he looked like an innocent boy.
"Damn it!"
Boom!
Cha Ryong stomped the ground and turned away.
Ban Go followed, asking,
"Where to?"
Cha Ryong walked in silence. Ban Go didn't press further. He'd never seen Cha Ryong this furious.
* * *
Shaking off the pursuing warriors was child's play.
Moments later, atop a sheer cliff, the three looked down at the scattering mob, brows furrowed.
Kim Mu-gwan eyed Park Ji-mun.
"Must sting, having victory nearly in hand."
"Looked that way?"
"Didn't it?"
"Without the interruption, we'd have gone at least two hundred more exchanges. Maybe more."
Park Ji-mun narrowed his eyes and continued.
"Anyway, this means we failed the Great Prince's orders..."
"Couldn't be helped. Don't sweat it."
"There'll be other chances. Head back to the Paeng family for now and figure out a plan."
Park Ji-mun sighed deeply at Ju Tae's words and turned.
"No injuries?"
"Wrist's a bit sore, otherwise fine."
"Mind if I ask something?"
"Shoot."
"Was that back there your all, Park?"
Ju Tae's question drew only a cryptic smile from Park Ji-mun.
"Not your all?"
"Feels good to cut loose for once—I'm starving. Let's move."
"..."
* * *
For someone who'd fought a brutal battle, Cha Ryong bore no serious internal injuries—just minor sword cuts.
But he considered it a defeat, and his gut burned as if fatally wounded.
Ban Go applied golden sore medicine to the cuts but, uncharacteristically, said nothing.
He knew Cha Ryong was seething.
Gulp gulp!
Cha Ryong downed a bottle of liquor.
His third already. Considering he rarely drank on missions, his turmoil was plain.
Cha Ryong asked,
"Did you know? About the Strategist attaching a tail to us."
"I'd have said something if I did."
"Ban Go."
"Yeah?"
"Don't ever betray my trust."
"You don't trust me? I really didn't know!"
Gulp gulp!
Cha Ryong uncorked his fourth bottle.
They were in an inn on the market street. The first floor still held warriors who'd followed them and refused to leave.
With no clear victor, they didn't see Cha Ryong as defeated. His divine display against Park Ji-mun only deepened their reverence for him and Ban Go.
Ban Go glanced around cautiously before asking,
"What now? Word of today will reach the Paeng family for sure."
The Paeng family had already refused duels repeatedly; this would make them even warier.
Cha Ryong drank in silence. Only after emptying the fourth bottle did he speak.
"We're dropping the Paeng family."
"Then the Mo Yong clan?"
"No—heading south."
The distance from Hebei Province to Liaoning Province could be long or short.
Today's spectacle drew too much attention; rumors would reach Liaoning fast, straight to the Mo Yong clan.
No point in a wild goose chase—south it was.
Cha Ryong rose and opened the window. Warriors filled the first floor of the inn opposite.
He gazed down thoughtfully. Ban Go approached.
"What about those guys? Keep 'em around?"
"Yeah. If I can forge them into a proper force, they'll be a huge asset. Most are still low-level, but numbers alone make a force to reckon with. So first things first."
"What?"
"Money."
"Money? Why money all of a sudden?"
"Can't command that many without funds."
"Ah."
Ban Go tilted his head, then asked,
"But where to get a big sum quick?"
"Got a good plan... but they can't know."
Cha Ryong explained to Ban Go, who grinned his signature eerie smile at the end.
"Kekeke. Sounds fun."
"They follow us as great heroes. If they learn we're breaking the righteous path, many might turn their swords on us. Stay sharp on everything. Got it?"
"Got it. But isn't it weird?"
"What?"
"We've never exactly played the hero, nor hunted unorthodox demons or cultists. Why do they call us great heroes and tag along?"
"To them, we're true warriors who worship only the martial way and pursue strength."
"Ah..."
Ban Go nodded in understanding.
Meanwhile, Cha Ryong's gaze darkened. Park Ji-mun flashed in his mind.
'Did that bastard go all-out?'
His rage stemmed from believing Park hadn't.
That final contemptuous look.
It was the gaze of the strong upon the weak.
'Damn it...'
* * *
Paeng family annex.
Unable to finish their duel with the Sun and Moon Twin Swords, Ju Tae's group returned and discussed plans over drinks.
Ju Tae said,
"Moon Pavilion's tailing them, so once we pinpoint their trail, we pursue. Paeng family and court are in—tracking won't be hard. You okay?"
"Fine except the wrist. Should heal in a day or two."
Park Ji-mun twisted his wrist as he spoke.
"No matter how I look at it, too many oddities for mere fame-seeking. Experts like that have no small sects or backings. We need to handle this properly."
Ju Tae and Kim Mu-gwan nodded solemnly.
Then a clear voice drifted from outside.
"May I enter?"
Kim Mu-gwan opened the door to reveal a young Moon Pavilion warrior.
"Come in."
The warrior entered and spoke at once.
"Found them. Holed up in an inn half a day's ride away."
Kim Mu-gwan asked,
"Tails in place?"
"Yes. Relay hawks for updates—word the moment they move."
Kim Mu-gwan turned to the others.
"Move now?"
"Right away."
"I'll guide you."
Before departing, they met family head Paeng Mun. And gained an unexpected companion.
The Paeng family's eldest son, Paeng Do-seong, joined the trio.