Chapter 343 |
Chapter 343
Revenge
Despite his bold words, the Chongpyo Paja did not personally move to raid the caravan.
After all, there were hundreds of bandits at Guanyin Mountain.
Naturally, the leader did not need to personally step in to raid a caravan unless it was packed with formidable experts.
After giving orders to his subordinates, the Chongpyo Paja returned to his tent, scratching his chest and smiling with a grim face.
"Hehehe."
The Chongpyo Paja was thinking about living a life of drinking and women while hiding his identity.
Of course, the money he would rob from the Seonhwa Escort Agency today wouldnu2019t be much, but he had already amassed a significant amount as the Chongpyo Paja.
It was a place unreachable unless one had reached a certain level of qinggong.
u2018The adventures in the tales of the market might have been created by heroes like me. Hehehe.u2019
Of course, he had only hidden treasures there and left no martial arts techniques or insights.
While indulging in thoughts of a future filled with debauchery and idle thoughts...
"Leader!!"
One of his subordinates came rushing to him with an urgent voice.
"We've received a signal! A battle has broken out!"
Naturally, when the leader didn't personally engage in the collection process, they had a signal prepared.
However, upon receiving the report, the Chongpyo Paja frowned.
u2018The Seonhwa Escort Agency from the rural Sang-san County chose to fight instead of negotiating?u2019
He hadnu2019t gone himself, but he had sent as many as fifty men.
Among them were a few formidable fighters from Noklim.
It was clear that a mere rural escort agency couldn't dare to challenge them.
Realizing the situation, the Chongpyo Paja quickly understood what was happening.
"Itu2019s a trap. Someone is targeting us."
"Then shouldn't we go help our brothers?"
Contrary to his grim and seemingly dumb appearance, the Chongpyo Paja quickly calculated.
u2018If they set this trap knowing I'm here, it means they have a plan.u2019
The Chongpyo Paja was not foolish enough to step into an obvious trap.
But the problem was that most of the bandits under him were indeed foolish.
Even if he suggested fleeing, those ignorant bandits would likely start talking about loyalty and other nonsense.
"You fool! If we move as the enemies planned, the damage will only increase. The enemies are likely targeting me anyway, so we will move in the opposite direction. If we do that, those attacking our brothers will chase after me!"nn
He made it seem as though he was offering himself as bait, while in reality, he was also opting to flee.
"Oh! Truly, you are the leader!"
The foolish bandit, with a face unfit for his rugged appearance, was moved to tears by his words.
Having inspired his subordinate, the Chongpyo Paja stepped out of the tent and shouted the same to the waiting bandits.
"Ohhh!"
"As expected of our leader!"
As the bandits, moved by his self-sacrifice, cheered and praised him, the Chongpyo Paja began descending the mountain with the morale-boosted bandits.
Of course, they headed in the opposite direction from where those disguised as the Seonhwa Escort Agency were coming.
After descending for only about a li and a half.
The Chongpyo Paja suddenly stopped and clicked his tongue lightly.
"It seems they are well-prepared."
He had noticed the presence of hidden enemies in the bushes.
"Rats!"
Swinging his axe in the air, the sharp energy emitted from his axe cut through the bushes, slicing through the body of the man hiding behind them.
"Ugh..."
Despite having quickly dealt with one enemy, the Chongpyo Pajau2019s expression did not brighten.
Piiiiiuuu!
As he launched his attack, an unpleasant whistle rang out.
One of the enemies nearby had blown the whistle urgently.
"Kill them!"
"Waaah!!"
The bandits rushed at the remaining four enemies in a frenzy.
The remaining four fled without hesitation.
"Hahaha! Cowards!"
"They dare flee after stepping into the netherworld themselves!"
As the morale-boosted bandits chased after the fleeing enemies.
A whistle sounded again from the side.
Only then did the Chongpyo Paja realize what was happening.
u2018Itu2019s Tianluo Network.u2019
In small groups, they were tracking their location and tightening the net.
There was only one group that could properly set up such a Tianluo Network and would target him.
u2018They are from the Jeongmumaeng!u2019nn
As another whistle sounded nearby.
Piiiii!
About a dozen had already gathered, and their numbers would continue to grow.
"Donu2019t chase them! Break through the front! They are trying to surround us!"
Quickly assessing the situation, the Chongpyo Paja led the charge himself instead of leaving it to his subordinates.
It wasn't for the sake of his subordinates but because the front was the weakest point in the encirclement.
With his axe, he cut through the bodies of those blowing whistles and fleeing.
Slash!
"Kraaaagh..."
As he slaughtered those at the front and pushed forward.
Feeling something odd, he suddenly turned his head.
"Are they letting me go?"
Behind him, a strange scene was unfolding.
As he broke through the encirclement, the enemies blowing whistles only then began to engage the bandits.
It was as if the remaining bandits were the real target.
Despite the oddity, the Chongpyo Paja did not stop.
"Leader!!"
Ignoring the urgent cries of his subordinates fighting behind, he continued descending the mountain.
The Jeongmumaeng had set a trap targeting him.
While he wasn't afraid of their martial artists, the problem was their numbers.
With such a well-prepared trap and a Tianluo Network, their numbers must be substantial.
No matter how skilled he was, there was a limit to his internal energy and stamina.
u2018If that young man named Kwon Je shows up when Iu2019m exhausted, it will be troublesome.u2019
Having calculated everything, the Chongpyo Paja abandoned his subordinates.
As he gained some distance from them, another group of unidentified men appeared.
Piiiii!
This time, instead of letting him go, they blew their whistles and attacked.
Slash!
The man who attacked him was easily split in half, but more of them clung to him stubbornly.
"Worthless worms!"
But bravery alone could not overcome the difference in skill.
Unable to hold out for long, they soon became cold corpses.n
Piiiii!
In the short time they bought, another group blew their whistles and appeared.
Finally, the Chongpyo Paja realized the Jeongmumaengu2019s purpose.
Why did they let him escape the encirclement only to attack now?
u2018Theyu2019ve prepared someone to deal with me.u2019
Understanding their intentions, the Chongpyo Paja quickened his pace.
Piiiii!
Piiiiiiii!
No matter how he moved, the frequency of the whistling around him increased.
The net that Jegal Muhwan had prepared was successfully driving the fish into one place.
And as the net was closing in.
The first spear Jegal Muhwan had prepared appeared.
Unlike the groups of enemies who appeared in sixes or sevens, a single man approached him boldly.
The Chongpyo Paja instantly recognized that this man was the master Jeongmumaeng had prepared to face him.
But recognizing this, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Itu2019s been a while, Chongpyo Paja."
"Hahaha. The master they prepared is just my little brother?"
He couldnu2019t help but laugh at the sight of someone he had nearly killed alone showing up.
"Hehehe. You must still be injured, yet youu2019re overexerting yourself."
"I may look like this, but Iu2019m quite sturdy."
"You certainly look sturdy."
"..."
As Mu-gung shrugged his shoulders lightly, as if he couldn't deny it, the Chongpyo Paja asked with a mocking smile.
"Do you think you can handle me alone just because youu2019ve gained some enlightenment that day?"
"I believe itu2019s worth a try."
Despite his mocking and provocations, Mu-gung answered calmly, making the Chongpyo Paja click his tongue inwardly.
The reason for the small talk while being chased by Tianluo Network was simple. He intended to strike if he saw any opening during the conversation.
u2018Not a hint of disturbance.u2019
Realizing that further conversation was pointless, the Chongpyo Paja swung his axe into the air.
The sharp energy from his axe cut through the air towards Mu-gung, but Mu-gung, with a calm face, narrowly dodged the attack with minimal movement.
As Mu-gung evaded the attack, the Chongpyo Paja closed the distance, swinging his axe.
Maintaining a precarious distance where the axe could reach but Mu-gungu2019s fists couldn't touch his body.n
Against the ceaselessly dancing axe, Mu-gung used the Vajra Immovable Body Technique to narrowly dodge with minimal movements, or blocked unavoidable attacks with the Tathagata Palm.
However, it was still difficult to completely bridge the experience gap. As they exchanged blows, Mu-gungu2019s movements gradually became disorderly.
Slash!
Finally, the axe grazed Mu-gungu2019s side, leaving a small wound.
Buzz!
As the axe came down again to cleave Mu-gung in half.
Seeing no way to avoid it, Mu-gung wrapped his palm in qi and thrust upwards.
Buzzzzz!
As the axe was suddenly infused with strong qi, Mu-gung also quickly gathered his qi, unleashing the Tathagata Palm with maximum force.
Boom!!!
A tremendous explosion resounded
, but while Mu-gung, who reacted hastily, struggled to maintain his stance, the Chongpyo Paja, who had initiated the attack, still had some room to maneuver.
"Itu2019s over!!"
As he swung his axe again to finish the immobilized Mu-gung.
A cold sensation came from his side.
The Chongpyo Paja abandoned his swing and quickly executed the Naryeotagon technique to leap away.
Slash!
Thanks to his bold decision, he saved his life, but a small wound appeared on the Chongpyo Pajau2019s side.
Looking at Mu-gung and the monk who had suddenly appeared, the Chongpyo Paja frowned.
"A monk ambushing and attacking together."
Mu-gyeong, who had just ambushed him, looked disappointed, while Mu-gung snorted.
"My master said itu2019s fine to use any means to defeat evil bastards."
He was referring to Mu-jin.
While Mu-gungu2019s response, uncharacteristic of the righteous faction, momentarily surprised him, the Chongpyo Pajau2019s expression hardened even more.
"You vile scum! Using poison too!"
Shouting, he quickly sealed his acupoints around the wound.
The wound, inflicted by the small sword, had already turned black, indicating poison. He had to take action before it spread.
However, upon hearing his exclamation, Mu-gung wore a puzzled expression.
"You even applied poison?"
Mu-gung hadnu2019t expected Mu-gyeong to use poison.
As the two rugged men stared at him, Mu-gyeong pouted his lips and pointed his small sword at the Chongpyo Paja.
"You said itu2019s fine to use any means to defeat evil bastards, didnu2019t you, senior brother?"