Chapter 77
"What do you mean? Mok Wigun's party is not there, and they were attacked by the Mok family?"
Baek Seokhu shouted, unlike his usual self. It was because something that shouldn't have happened had happened.
"Didn't we all know that the Mok family could also be a target? That's why we left early."
He had found out the departure time using his connections with the Mok family's side. So he had left much earlier to finish and get out. But how could Mok Wigun have slipped away and the two sides have clashed?
"That's what we barely found out because one of the members who was left behind to guard the rear survived. The Mok family's side was annihilated."
"We were short of one person, and over thirty died. Does that even make sense?"
The Baek family was no match for the Huashan Sect in terms of military power. So they had invested a large number of elites to attack Mok Wigun in order to gain a voice. Because they had to have something to show for themselves to even be able to speak up when a dispute over the thousand-year-old fire carp arose.
But it all came to nothing. The Baek family's power was terribly weakened.
"At this rate, we have no choice but to be dragged around by the Huashan Sect."
Baek Seokhu judged that it couldn't go on like this.
"There is only one way."
He said to Bang So-eung and Baek Jongmun.
"Contact the Mok family. They must have also suffered a great blow if over thirty of their elites died."
"But we've been fighting until now, will they be willing to join hands?"
Bang So-eung said, as if he was skeptical.
"I don't think so. Their Red Tiger Squad has also withdrawn. They must be anxious with their current power."
"That's right. It's burdensome for both us and them to pass through the gorge alone."
Besides, how could they go inside with an enemy left behind? Anyway, after dealing with Mok Wigun's side, they were planning to see the outcome and then go inside. The opponent would have been the same.
"Since it has come to this. We have no choice but to cooperate until we enter the Flame Pond."
Baek Seokhu sent a person to the Mok family, and the proposal was accepted. Because Mok Sonkwang was also thinking something similar.
* * *
"Isn't it interesting?"
Pyon Juksu muttered as he watched the people entering the gorge.
"People are all like that. They move as they think is advantageous to them."
"They were killing each other until just a while ago. But to think that they're moving together, saying they're on the same side..."
Pyon Juksu, who couldn't understand at all. He understood. There would be many people who couldn't understand them, even among the same people.
"They are people who can do anything to achieve their desires. They are not ordinary guys."
In a way, they are very interesting people. Since their desires are so strong, they are also easy people to predict. With the treasure right in front of them, everyone's eyes are turned.
"It's going to be interesting from now on. Since everyone is blind, they won't know anything. Treasures all have owners."
"Then shall we call the kids slowly?"
"No. A little later."
It's okay to rest for now. Because there are still many things that will happen to them.
At that time, the martial artists who had entered the gorge were moving cautiously. Since they knew that a human-faced spider was here, they were tense.
At the very front of the martial artists, Taeseokgwan of the Huashan Sect was walking, talking with Mok Sonkwang.
"Since it has come to this, let's do well until we catch the thousand-year-old fire carp."
"Let's do that. Isn't now the time to join forces?"
Taeseokgwan and Mok Sonkwang talked affectionately, as if they were people who had been close for a long time.
"I think it was said to come out around here."
"Perhaps that cave over there is where the guy lives."
Mok Sonkwang pointed to a cave on one side of the gorge. A cave that looked somehow gloomy and desolate.
"Bring the torches."
When Sa Hongmyeong of the Huashan Sect, who was following behind, shouted, several torches were brought. The torches were a bit unusual, and first of all, they were very long. More than twice the length of a normal torch. On top of that, they were made of iron, not wood.
About ten people received the torches. The strongest people in this group. Taeseokgwan urged the people.
"It would be good if we can catch it, but if it's not possible, just keep it in check."
The target is not the human-faced spider. So there is no need to catch it. The ones who took the lead were Taeseokgwan and Mok Sonkwang.
"It's coming out."
Perhaps knowing that people were coming, the human-faced spider was coming out of the cave. A truly enormous size. One leg was bigger than a person. The bizarre appearance was secondary, and everyone was overwhelmed by its immensity.
Kieeeee-
The human-faced spider, which was making a strange sound and twitching its mouth. At the disgusting sight, a few of the martial artists shuddered.
"Move quickly while we keep it in check."
After saying that, Taeseokgwan rushed at the human-faced spider with a torch in one hand and a sword in the other.
Taeseokgwan, as befitting a master representing the Huashan Sect, pushed the human-faced spider. He attacked with his sword, and if the situation seemed not good, he kept it in check with the torch. The human-faced spider also seemed to be cautious, as if it knew that the opponent was not to be taken lightly.
"It's not a human face."
Pyon Juksu, who was watching from the entrance, said.
"It just looks like a woman's face if you look at it briefly. But it's still strange."
Pyon Juksu thought that Taeseokgwan was dealing with the enemy very skillfully. At this rate, they would pass through the gorge without any major problems.
"Mok Sonkwang is also not to be taken lightly."
"He's become stronger than last time. He must have eaten some other spiritual medicine."
In terms of internal energy alone, it seemed he wouldn't be pushed back by Taeseokgwan. But in terms of skill and sophistication, he was definitely a little lacking.
Still, it was enough to interfere with the human-faced spider's movements. It tried to avoid Taeseokgwan and change its direction to attack the people, but it couldn't move an inch due to the interference of Mok Sonkwang and the other masters.
"Pass quickly."
At Bang So-eung's shout, the martial artists who had been watching slyly moved again. The duel between the human-faced spider and the masters. Where could one see such a sight?
Besides, at first they were afraid, but as they thought it was safe, people who came close to watch appeared. But as always, unexpected accidents happen at such times.
Chiiik.
"Ugh-ah-ah!!"
Suddenly, the human-faced spider spewed out a spider web, and a warrior who had come close to watch was caught in it.
"You foolish brats!"
Taeseokgwan jumped in and tried to cut the spider web. But the human-faced spider's movement was faster than he thought. The warrior caught in the spider web was helplessly dragged away.
"Save me! Please!!"
A hollow cry echoed through the gorge. But the human-faced spider avoided all of Taeseokgwan and Mok Sonkwang's sword strikes and took its prey.
When the warrior came in front of it, it spewed out a spider web and wrapped him up. After making a cocoon like that, it lifted its head and made a strange sound.
Kiiiiik!
A sight as if it was declaring its victory. Seeing that, the warriors were once again engulfed in fear.
"Get a grip! Do you think you came here to play?"
At Mok Sonkwang's shout, everyone came to their senses and moved in a hurry.
"Hey. They didn't block it on purpose, did they?"
Pyon Juksu, who was watching, asked.
"That's right. They could have blocked it enough, and they could have also taken back the one who was being dragged away."
Taeseokgwan and Mok Sonkwang. Their thoughts had matched.
"They must have thought it would be easier to control that way."
"How cruel. To kill a comrade who could have been saved for that."
"I told you earlier. They are people who can do anything for their own purpose."
While Mok Wigun and Pyon Juksu were talking, all the warriors passed through the human-faced spider's cave. At that, the masters with the torches also began to follow the warriors little by little.
"Alright. We don't know what will happen in the future, so be on your guard!"
"As soon as we get out of the gorge, we'll secure a place to stay!"
Everyone had a relieved expression, as if they thought they were safe from the danger of the human-faced spider. The martial artists were getting out of the gorge like that. And they all looked for a place to stay.
"Huh? Over there?"
Someone was surprised and pointed to the front with his finger. And the figure of that warrior disappeared in an instant.
"The real one has appeared."
Mok Wigun muttered.
Mok Wigun had sorted out the situation around the Flame Pond by putting together various pieces of information. There is something in the Flame Pond. It doesn't seem to be the thousand-year-old fire carp, but a spiritual creature or spiritual medicine comparable to it.
Usually, things that are after such spiritual creatures or spiritual medicines are bound to be attracted to them. The human-faced spider is just such a case.
"But a human-faced spider like that has taken up a position in a gorge far from the vicinity of the Flame Pond? That means there's something stronger than the human-faced spider inside."
"What could it be? If it's a creature stronger than a human-faced spider, it must be amazing."
The two of them came down to the ground and walked into the gorge. And when they reached about the middle of the gorge, they kicked the wall, climbed up, and took a place in an empty space. At that, the situation inside could be seen a little better.
The inside was a mess. Screams, strange cries, and shouts were mixed and echoed.
"So it was that guy."
The one that had driven out the human-faced spider and was occupying the inside of the Flame Pond was a giant serpent. Uniquely, it had one horn on its head.
"A single-horned great serpent."
"It feels a bit similar to a basilisk."
Among the monsters that the Demon King's subordinates used, a mid-to-high-level monster. The basilisk, the king of snakes. It was a very tricky opponent to deal with because you would turn to stone just by looking at its eyes.
"It seems to be no less than that guy."
The single-horned great serpent was longer than twenty people. As it slithered by, its height seemed to be more than twice the height of a person. It also had a deadly poison. But the reason why the single-horned great serpent was tricky to deal with was separate.
Tzzzz.
When a person approached, lightning struck from the horn on its head. If you were hit by that, your body would tremble and you would be unable to move. So you couldn't even get close easily.
So there was no way to deal with it. You had to get close and attack, but if you went, you would be hit by lightning. If you were hit by the single-horned great serpent's lightning, your movement would stop or slow down. The single-horned great serpent would swallow such people in one bite.
"Everyone, dodge!"
The people were driven out into the gorge. But they all stopped. It was because the human-faced spider was standing in their way. A human-faced spider in front, and a single-horned great serpent behind.
"Break through the human-faced spider's side!"
Taeseokgwan shouted. The single-horned great serpent was a guy he didn't even dare to try to deal with. The human-faced spider was at least better. But there was something the people didn't know.
Kieeeee.
There was not just one human-faced spider. Human-faced spiders that were half the size of the one they had seen earlier or a little smaller than that rushed out.
"Protector Jin. Gather the remaining personnel in one place!"
Mok Sonkwang shouted. He looked as if he would collapse at any moment. His left arm was gone. It seemed he had been hit by the single-horned great serpent.
Mok Wigun and Pyon Juksu watched this scene from the middle of the gorge.
"Humans die because of greed."
Disaster begins with greed. They are watching that example now.
"You can't blame anyone. Because they came here of their own will."
Someone's misfortune can also be a great benefit to someone else. The two strongest powers in the vicinity of Chang'an had collapsed at once. The Chang'an magistrate would also suffer a great blow, having lost many of the government office's masters. Mok Wigun would fill that power vacuum.
"And there are many things to take care of."
Mok Wigun looked at the few people who were escaping the gorge. Now there were no living people inside the gorge. And there were treasures there.
"Let's go. We have to take what's useful."
Mok Wigun and Pyon Juksu came down to the ground.
(End of Chapter)