Kang Sogun

"We are the Ghost Shadow Brigade of the Heavenly Martial Faction!"

The man who appeared to be the team leader of the Ghost Shadow Brigade shouted, but Jo Unryong answered with his saber.

"So?"

As the red light flashed, the two who were blocking the front were swept away.

"Why are you asking for someone else's name?"

Jo Unryong was very displeased that he had answered that he was a passerby when asked who he was.

His theory was always to spread the name of the Fire Dragon Saber, Jo Unryong, wherever he went.

He was already uncomfortable with wearing a mask, and he was very displeased with the situation where he could not answer when asked for his identity.

The team leader of the Ghost Shadow Brigade, seeing that Jo Unryong's swordsmanship was amazing, took a step back and shouted.

"He's a master! Be careful."

"You just realized that?"

Jo Unryong swung his Fire Dragon Saber like a madman and advanced towards the team leader of the Ghost Shadow Brigade.

But the Ghost Shadow Brigade was not to be taken lightly either. Even the Ghost Shadow Brigade that had been surrounding the wall rushed to this side, and a chaotic battle broke out.

Wi Eunghwan took a handful of golden sand from his leather pouch and sprinkled it.

-Thwack!

As the sand, as hard as iron, flew, the Ghost Shadow Brigade members jumped back.

In the meantime, Wi Eunghwan tried to break through, but an arrow flew.

-Clang!

Jungrang thrust his sword and deflected the arrow. Wi Eunghwan used that opportunity to grab his dagger again and throw it.

"Kuh!"

One bastard fell, but the others swung their swords and sabers and deflected the dagger.

The Heavenly Martial Faction's Ghost Shadow Brigade was certainly not to be taken lightly.

***

-Clang!

The spear and the red flute clashed in succession, shaking left and right.

Sim Mabaek almost dropped his spear from the shock that felt as if his grip would be torn. But if he dropped the spear now, everything would be over. Strength naturally entered the hand holding the spear.

Taking advantage of the first strike, he thrust, cut, and struck without a moment's rest, but the opponent blocked well with a red flute that was only a foot long.

It was like hitting a rock. The internal energy contained in the red flute was very strong, and each time they clashed, a cold yin energy flowed into Sim Mabaek's body.

In fact, it was truly rare to meet an internal energy master with a sixty-year cycle of internal energy in the martial world. For Sim Mabaek, who had mainly fought on the battlefield, it was the first time he had met such an internal energy master.

As time passed, the advantage of the first strike and the weapon disappeared. The Blood Flute, who had caught his breath, tried to strike the spear shaft and break it.

The Blood Flute had lost interest in this place when Yeon Hwasim had died. Since the Ghost Shadow Brigade was watching, it was embarrassing to just withdraw, so he had intended to respond to Sim Mabaek moderately.

But Sim Mabaek's spear was not to be taken lightly. Why else would his comrades call him the Demon Spear?

The momentum contained in one spear was sharp, and its movements were ever-changing. Even for the Blood Flute, he could not help but pay close attention.

The Blood Flute, while deflecting Sim Mabaek's spear, occasionally looked at Gongno and Jang Mugang's side.

'Hmph! The Twin Halberds of Noisy Death, he's usually so full of himself, but what is he doing, unable to dispose of that one foolish bastard?'

The Blood Flute sneered at Gongno, who was engaged in a chaotic battle with Jang Mugang. Since Jang Mugang was large, he looked foolish.

It had already been decades since the Twin Halberds of Noisy Death, Gongno, had made a name for himself with his two halberds.

Although the Three Tigers of Shandong had made a name for themselves a few years ago, they were no match in terms of fame or experience.

Nevertheless, Gongno was busy blocking the storm-like attack of Jang Mugang's kitchen knives.

Jang Mugang had originally used a large saber weighing eighty catties, but he had lost it while being chased by the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the past.

After that, since it was not easy to make such a large saber again, he had learned to use two kitchen knives.

Coincidentally, the kitchen knives were perfect for dealing with the strange weapon of the Twin Halberds of Noisy Death.

Moreover, since Gongno had not recovered one of his halberds, he could not properly display his twin halberd art.

Nevertheless, Gongno was a master and a veteran. While continuously blocking Jang Mugang's kitchen knives, he also surveyed his surroundings.

Then he saw that the Blood Flute was taking it easy while dealing with Sim Mabaek.

The angry Gongno shouted.

"You lecherous bastard! Shouldn't you quickly dispose of that bastard and kill that guard bastard!"

"This bastard's spear art is amazing. What are you doing yourself? Unable to take care of one butcher-like bastard."

The Blood Flute retorted.

In fact, the Blood Flute was looking for a way to get out of this place.

And for good reason. A masked man had appeared and was swinging his sword, and each time a red light flashed, the Ghost Shadow Brigade was falling one after another.

'Is that bastard the one called Kang Sogun?'

If so, the martial prowess he was showing now would not be all.

If he clashed with that bastard, he would not be able to get out of the Jeongha Martial Hall easily, and if he dragged it out and the martial artists of the Great Righteous Martial Hall returned, it would be truly troublesome.

'I need an excuse to tell Jo Gaeryang. What should I do?'

The Blood Flute knew that although the Demonic Sword of Qilian, Son Jo, and the others had had one arm cut off, they had returned alive. But Jo Gaeryang had reported that their party had died.

The Blood Flute was sure that Jo Gaeryang had killed them. Although the Ten Guests of Heavenly Martial had a great reputation in the martial world, they were in fact like the dogs of the Heavenly Martial Faction.

It was natural for a hunting dog to be boiled and made into a bowl of soup if it could not do its job.

Although it was unlikely that he would be in such a situation, he needed a few words to tell Jo Gaeryang.

'But this bastard's spear art is really amazing. Should I kill him?'

The Blood Flute had too many thoughts.

He wanted to do it moderately and withdraw, but Sim Mabaek's spear art was so persistent that it was difficult to find an opportunity.

Sim Mabaek, while swinging his spear fiercely, noticed that the Blood Flute was thinking of something else.

-Clang!

The moment the red flute and the spear shaft clashed, Sim Mabaek staggered.

It seemed that he had been unable to withstand the internal energy contained in the Blood Flute's flute and had retreated, and his footwork had become tangled.

The Blood Flute did not think for long.

'As expected, a novice can't be helped. His internal energy is lacking.'

The Blood Flute thought that a golden opportunity to dispose of his opponent had come and unfolded his Flower Shadow Step, approached Sim Mabaek's face, and brought down his red flute.

-Thwack!

-Crack!

Sim Mabaek received the flute with his shoulder. The sound of a bone breaking was heard.

-Stab!

But in that brief moment, a half-foot-long knife was embedded in the Blood Flute's abdomen.

"!"

As a burning pain arose in his lower abdomen, the Blood Flute instinctively wrapped it with his internal energy.

Sim Mabaek, while collapsing on the spot, pressed by the force of the flute, twisted the knife embedded in the Blood Flute's stomach, pulled it out, and then stabbed it again.

-Stab! Stab!

The knife stabbed the Blood Flute's stomach twice in succession.

The Blood Flute staggered and took a step back.

"You... you despicable..."

"What are you talking about?"

At the words that the Blood Flute had spat out like a groan, Sim Mabaek gritted his teeth and sneered, but blood flowed from his mouth.

The internal energy contained in the Blood Flute's flute had shaken Sim Mabaek's internal organs.

It was Sim Mabaek's theory to give up his flesh and take the bone, but the opponent was too strong.

'Give up the small to take the big? Brother! If you meet your match, you'll die on the spot.'

Wi Eunghwan's words came to mind.

Sim Mabaek's mind went blank, and he collapsed.

The Blood Flute also lost strength in his legs and collapsed. Although he had tried to protect his organs with his internal energy, his liver had been shattered by the three stabs that Sim Mabaek had delivered.

He did not have the skill to reattach a severed liver.

"Kuh."

The Blood Flute spat out blood.

"Th-this..."

The Blood Flute tried to say something, but he could not continue because of the blood that was constantly welling up.

Even as he was dying, the Blood Flute had not thought that he would die so absurdly.

When he had looked for the Jeongha Martial Hall, he had been full of anticipation at the thought of entering an empty house and taking a beautiful woman.

He had not even considered the woman's guard, let alone the Three Tigers of Shandong who were said to be by her side. But how had he ended up in this state?

The Blood Flute knelt and raised his head. He died with his eyes wide open, in a posture as if he were resentful of the sky. The moon passed indifferently in the Blood Flute's eyes, which were losing their light.

***

'Pathetic bastard. He only knew how to use his petty tricks. In the end, he died miserably. I knew it would be like this.'

Gongno cursed the Blood Flute inwardly. Although he knew that the Blood Flute was presumptuous, trusting in his own internal energy, he had not known that he would die so meaninglessly.

The outcome of a fight is not determined by the level of martial arts. Variables such as experience and psychological factors also play a role.

Only when one overcomes these various variables can one be called a master. In that respect, the Blood Flute was a master, but he was not a master.

But now was not the time to worry about others.

The stout man in front was not to be taken lightly. The martial arts he possessed were solid, and his attacks were flawless.

A full feeling?

He was so relentless, striking down with his two kitchen knives without getting tired, that it was overwhelming.

It was the first time he had been pushed back like this since obtaining the nickname of the Twin Halberds of Noisy Death.

Gongno had tried to pick up the halberd he had pulled from Yeon Hwasim's abdomen, but Jang Mugang had not given him the chance.

As Gongno was thinking that he should probably withdraw and flee for now, a snorting sound and a cold voice pierced his ears.

"Hmph! Pathetic bastards!"

Although it was a low word, it was a sound of qi that shook the chests of everyone who was engaged in a chaotic battle in the arena.

The fight stopped for a moment.

When everyone looked back, a white-haired old man in a hemp robe was standing on the roof of the building, leaning on a bamboo staff that had a black light, and was looking down at the arena.

Although the old man's appearance was shabby, the energy flowing from his entire body was enough to overwhelm the arena.

Even Gongno was afraid of the white-haired old man and just stood quietly.

"Why is that lecherous bastard like that? Surely he's not dead?"

The white-haired old man frowned.

"He died in a mutual destruction."

Gongno pointed at the collapsed Sim Mabaek with his chin.

"Mabaek!"

Jang Mugang, who was startled by those words, ran. Jang Mugang had been so focused on pushing back Gongno with all his might that he had not had time to look around, so he had not even known that Sim Mabaek had collapsed.

"Brother!"

Wi Eunghwan also ran, seeing that Sim Mabaek had collapsed. Jungrang followed, guarding his back with staggering steps.

Jang Mugang turned over the collapsed Mabaek.

"Phew!"

Sim Mabaek spat out the blocked breath along with blood.

'He's alive.'

But he was not alive. His breath was weak, as if his internal injuries were deep.

"You bastard! Don't die! If you die, I'll wring your neck."

Jang Mugang sat Sim Mabaek up. He was going to infuse him with his internal energy.

Jo Unryong, who had approached with Wi Eunghwan, held out something.

"Have him take this."

It was a pill that had a cool energy.

"Thank you."

Although he was wearing a mask, Jang Mugang, who knew that his identity was Jo Unryong, did not hesitate and took the pill.

As Jang Mugang was opening Sim Mabaek's mouth to feed him the pill, Sim Mabaek raised his hand and blocked him.

"To Miss Yeon... I'm fine..."

Jang Mugang looked at Yeon Hwasim, who was tied to Wi Eunghwan's back.

Sim Mabaek was a sworn brother with whom he had decided to share life and death, and Yeon Hwasim was a person he had promised to protect in exchange for his life.

As Jang Mugang was conflicted, Jo Unryong said.

"I am the one who gave the pill. My will is important."

It meant to feed it to Sim Mabaek. Jo Unryong only had a debt to the Three Tigers of Shandong and had no relationship with Yeon Hwasim.

"Since you gave it to me... let me do as I please."

Sim Mabaek stubbornly refused, even without being able to open his eyes.

"That is an internal injury medicine. That young lady has external injuries, so it will be difficult to see the effect of the medicine."

As Jo Unryong said it again, Jang Mugang fed it to Sim Mabaek without hesitation.

"This brother will surely save Miss Yeon. So hurry up and circulate your qi."

"Who is saving whom? You will all die here."

The white-haired old man's sinister voice swept over everyone's entire body like a snake's tongue.

The white-haired old man jumped down from the roof without a sound.

"I don't think that's something an old man who will have nothing to say even if he dies soon should say."

Jo Unryong let his Fire Dragon Saber hang down and blocked everyone's front.

The Ghost Shadow Brigade members silently approached and stood behind the white-haired old man and Gongno.

"Hehe. So you're the Fire Dragon Saber. I heard the young pup is quite something. But you have no manners. I'll have to kill you first and then go to your master and ask for his crime."

"How dare you mention my master!"

Jo Unryong rushed in like a madman and brought down his Fire Dragon Saber.

Jo Unryong was someone who gained more strength when he met a strong opponent. He brought down his Fire Dragon Saber with all his might.

The white-haired old man's momentum was not to be taken lightly, so it was his intention to gain the upper hand with a first strike.

The white-haired old man lightly raised his bamboo staff.

-Boom

(End of Chapter)