Chapter 1590
Then who the hell are they? (10)
The Lord of the Southern Sea Sun Palace, Sun Supreme [태양존자(太陽尊者)] Jin Pyeong [진평(陳平)], looked ahead with blazing eyes.
Gupailbang and Sapaeryeon were entangled as if two serpents were fighting. It was a perfect situation for a passing crane to reap the benefits.
‘Ryeonju of Sapaeryeon, Jang Ilso.’
The Sun Palace Lord’s face slowly hardened.
The moment he arrived and confirmed the battlefield, he was astoundingly filled with ‘awe.’ A feeling he never thought he would experience in his lifetime.
He did not know all the processes that led to the current result. But he, too, led a sect and ruled as the hegemon of a region.
He could not be ignorant of how difficult it was to create such a spectacle.
And this meant that from now on, the one he must join hands with was an extremely dangerous entity.
However, for now, the task at hand was more important.
“Keep advancing! Show those ignorant fools of the Central Plains the greatness of the Sun Palace!”
“Yes!”
The warriors of the Sun Palace charged fiercely. The earth heated up from the scorching hot yang energy [열양기공(熱陽氣功)] they emitted.
“Ooh!”
“Kill them all!”
They surged forward with an unstoppable force, unleashing their strength indiscriminately.
As the Sun Palace Lord watched with his heavy gaze, a man quickly approached him and bowed his head. He was not a Sun Palace warrior but a person attached to his side by Cheon Myeon Susa.
“Lord. Instructions from the Commander… no, a request. He asks to disperse half of the rear troops to encircle the enemy.”
“Instructions?”
The Sun Palace Lord’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Yes, by that signal.”
The Sun Palace Lord’s gaze shifted. He saw a large green flag fluttering and a red flag leaning diagonally next to it.
“…Interesting. They’re not even an army.”
Although he spoke mockingly, his eyes were heavy and serious.
“Encircle them. Not a single rat should escape.”
“Yes, Lord!”
The Sun Palace warriors began to move swiftly in response to his orders.
Confirming this, the Sun Palace Lord slowly released his hands and started walking forward.
“This… is not a situation where merely filling the numbers will be enough to gain recognition.”
Outwardly, they might praise him, but behind his back, they’d treat him as someone who just put a spoon on a prepared feast. He, too, needed to achieve some merit to save face.
“Now then…”
He quickly scanned the surroundings. Soon, his eyes fixed on a man with sharp internal energy, who was trying hard to suppress his panic.
“Perfect.”
The Sun Palace Lord’s eyes blazed with intense light as he found his prey.
“L-Lord!”
The boiling blood of the Paeng family turned cold.
A cold mask usually covering Paeng Yeop’s face cracked. His fingertips, gripping his sword, trembled briefly.
‘How could I… make such a mistake?’
No matter how desperate, there are things one must not do, yet the ambition to possibly sever Jang Ilso’s head blinded and deafened him.
‘Retreat…’
The moment that thought flashed in Paeng Yeop’s mind, Kongtong’s forces stirred one step ahead. Then, they began to scatter in all directions.
Paeng Yeop was aghast. This was the worst possible move at the worst possible time.
‘That foolish…!’
Paeng Yeop bit his lips tightly. No, perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. Thanks to Kongtong’s foolishness, the attention on them would be somewhat dispersed.
“Gather the family members! We are escaping from here.”
“Lord, it’s not easy! The formation is…!”
“Do you suggest we abandon the children?!”
Paeng Yeop shouted as if spitting out his anger.
Countless gazes were fixated on him. Eyes filled with guilt and resentment.
In the first place, wasn’t it him who brought the Paeng family to this situation?
Those gazes dragged out a memory from Paeng Yeop’s mind. A gaze different from these. Someone who never resented him even in the moment of betrayal.
If that person, if his brother, were here, what would have he said?
Paeng Yeop let out a laugh, inappropriate for the current situation. There’s no need to think about it. The answer was obvious.
“Even if it costs my life, such a thing will not happen. Elders, all of you, help the disciples. Save even one more person and get out of here! You are also part of the Paeng family. Do not disgrace the name of the Paeng family of Hebei!”
“…”
No response was heard. But Paeng Yeop did not waver.
“Hurry!”
Those who saw his resolute face bit their lips and nodded.
“Yes!”
Paeng Yeop gripped his sword as if he would break it.
What’s done is done. But at least he must handle the aftermath. That is his duty as the head of the family.
At that moment.
“The head of Hebei Paeng family.”
Paeng Yeop, about to run forward, flinched and turned his head.
A large man in luxurious golden attire appeared. His outfit was so extravagant it seemed almost gaudy, but his face exuded a strange dignity.
“…Who are you?”
Paeng Yeop asked sharply, staying on guard.
“At this level, it seems you might maintain some semblance of dignity.”
At the blatant disdain in the man’s words, Paeng Yeop ground his teeth.
But he could not act recklessly as he had a guess about this man’s identity.
“…The Sun Palace Lord?”
“Monarch [군주(君主)] is a more fitting title. Expecting such manners from the rogues of Gangho might be too much to ask, though.”
“…”
“Come here, savage. I need your head.”
At those words, the Paeng family members guarding Paeng Yeop became furious and shouted.
“How dare you!”
“Where does this outsider get the nerve!”
But Paeng Yeop, the one insulted, silently raised his hand to stop them.
“Lord!”
“Go.”
“But…”
“Go and gather the children! You must escape from here!”
“…”
“Go!”
“Yes!”
Those who had been guarding him hardened their resolve and ran off, leaving Paeng Yeop behind.
Watching this, the Sun Palace Lord Jin Pyeong smiled approvingly.
“Not bad. You have the capacity to lead a family. There is a reason the fame of the Paeng family reaches even my Sun Palace.”
“…Ha.”
Paeng Yeop chuckled lightly.
Words he had longed to hear all his life, yet no one had ever said to him. Now, he was hearing them from the mouth of his enemy, who sought his head.
“Thank you for the compliment. But the sword of the Paeng family is even more formidable.”
“I hope so. Otherwise, I will have nothing to show off.”
A low hum emanated.
The Sun Palace Lord’s hand began to glow with his unique energy. His hand, which had been glowing yellow, turned red, and finally took on an almost white hue.
The intense heat emanating from it was so powerful that even from a distance of three jang, it made Paeng Yeop’s face flush.
The fearsome Scorching Hot Yang Energy [열양기공(熱陽氣功)].
Unlike the Northern Sea’s Ice Techniques, which couldn’t fully bloom in this conditions, the Southern Sea Sun Palace’s Hot Yang Techniques could be perfectly executed at this moment.
“Divine Sun Palm [태양신장(太陽神掌)]…”
“You know it well.”
The Sun Palace Lord’s eyes blazed as hot as his hands.
“Consider it an honor. You will be the first person from the Central Plains to die by my Divine Sun Palm.”
Simultaneously, an immense heat wave rushed toward Paeng Yeop. The searing heat was so intense it felt like it would scorch his very hair. Within that heat, Paeng Yeop gripped his sword with all his might.
His heart felt like it might burst at any moment. But he couldn’t let that happen.
Paeng Yeop gritted his teeth until they nearly cracked. He had to endure to buy time for his family to regroup and find a way out.
‘I am… the head of the Paeng family!’
His sword slashed fiercely through the incoming storm.
“Argh!”
“Let go, let go! Let go, you damned bastards!”
Screams echoed bitterly even where Beop Jong currently was.
A pack of ravenous wolves was tormenting the disciples of Gupailbang. Attacked from all sides, the disciples flailed helplessly without receiving any proper orders.
It seemed as if Sapaeryeon had only pretended to be defeated easily up to this point.
Was it all part of their plan from the beginning?
No. The cause was… one. That massive flag flaunting its presence even in the darkness.
That flag transformed the enemies into something entirely different from what they were moments before.
Not vague commands to hold and endure, but orders with a clear purpose. That alone changes people.
Rigorously trained individuals will follow orders until their dying breath.
“Argh!”
Once again, someone’s desperate scream pierced the air.
‘Ho Gamyeong…’
They should never have been considered an ordinary group of outlaws. Even knowing that…
It wasn’t that there were no preparations. Preparations were made, but they had already become useless.
‘Lord Paeng, Sect Leader Jongli…’
Moreover, those who should have been handling this situation were all tied up.
Sect Leader Jongli Hyeong was already showing signs of defeat against Haomun’s Munju, and Paeng Yeop, who was facing the man presumed to be the Sun Palace Lord, didn’t seem to be faring well either.
Even Beop Gye, who was like his own limbs, was struggling against the torrent of weapons from Jang Ilso’s subordinates.
Compared to that flag delivering clear orders to everyone, how insignificant was the voice of a person that could barely reach a short distance?
And now, Beop Jong couldn’t even utilize that insignificant voice.
Bound and being torn apart.
Despite the difficult circumstances, the disciples were fighting bravely and reducing the enemy’s numbers, but their limits were clear. The situation had already spiraled out of control.
At this rate, all that awaited them was defeat.
“Do you like it?”
Jang Ilso’s soft voice brushed past his ear.
He couldn’t tell if it was a taunt. Every word from that man was laced with poison.
“…Amitabha.”
Beop Jong, who had been looking intently at the battlefield, turned to face Jang Ilso.
Despite being driven to the edge of a cliff, Beop Jong’s eyes remained unexpectedly calm, reflecting his deep training.
“Is this the move you prepared, Paegun?”
Jang Ilso’s eyes glinted with interest.
“Hmm, you seem more composed than I expected. I thought you’d struggle a bit more, but it looks like you’ve given up.”
Beop Jong replied in a calm, measured voice.
“Paegun, I acknowledge that Sapaeryeon is more formidable than I anticipated.”
After a brief pause, he continued.
“However, I did not take this war lightly either.”
“Hmm?”
“You excel in war beyond anyone’s reach. It is only natural to expect that you would have a hidden move.”
“…”
Jang Ilso’s smile slowly faded. Even in this ruined state, his face, which never lost its smile, began to harden.
“Amitabha.”
Beop Jong chanted quietly.
“I am not so foolish as to leap into the jaws of death without knowing the risks. While I did not anticipate that your hidden move was the Sun Palace, I was certain you would have something up your sleeve.”
“And so?”
Jang Ilso asked quietly, and Beop Jong responded with a stern gaze.
“If this is all you have planned, then today, here, you will die, and Sapaeryeon will lose its name.”
Beop Jong’s words carried no hint of bravado or intimidation – they were delivered as if stating an inevitable truth.
Jang Ilso couldn’t help but question.
“You knew?”
“Amitabha.”
“You already… already knew.”
Jang Ilso’s lips quivered, showing an expression he had never revealed before.
“You prepared for this?”
Jang Ilso asked sharply, and Beop Jong, with calm eyes, looked back at him.
“Why would I not?”
Beop Jong’s reply conveyed everything he intended.
Bluff? No, it was not. In this situation, there was nothing to gain from bluffing.
Jang Ilso stared silently at Beop Jong, as if he had lost his words.
Beop Jong, having regained his composure, softly chanted a prayer.
Creak.
The few remaining rings on Jang Ilso’s fingers clicked together nervously.
Jang Ilso’s blood-dried lips slowly parted.
“The… preparations you’re talking about.”
The dried blood flaked off, revealing the red of his lips once more.
“You’re not referring to Zhuge family that’s currently rushing here, are you?”
Beop Jong’s mouth opened, and his eyes widened as if faced with terror.
“What…?”
Jang Ilso spoke slowly, savoring Beop Jong’s reaction.
“Or perhaps you mean Moyong family, who have been hiding and waiting to join forces with Zhuge family?”
Jang Ilso’s lips quivered more intensely. It wasn’t due to shock or despair but because he couldn’t contain his mocking laughter.
“H-how…?”
Beop Jong’s face, which had seemed composed, was now deathly pale.
“How?”
Jang Ilso asked, chuckling darkly. He looked like a demon with a person’s neck in his grasp.
“Did you really think I would have believed that? That they won’t arrive on time?”
Jang Ilso’s eyes curved, and a menacing smile started to show.
“It’s said that if you want to deceive your enemy, you must first deceive your allies. You believed your words would reach me, so leaking false information back was quite a splendid move for someone as tiresome as Just Sect’s bastards. However, you see…”
Jang Ilso’s thumb grazed his lips, blood staining them eerily.
“What good is it if I’m not deceived? Hm?”
Clack!
Jang Ilso’s rings grinded rough against each other, their resonance distinctly different from moments before.
“Take a guess. What do you think might be happening to them right now?”
Beop Jong, upon hearing this, appeared as if his heart had been ripped out.
❀ ❀ ❀
‘What…!’
The face of Zhuge Jaan [제갈자안(諸葛滋案)], the prodigy of Zhuge family, turned pale.
This couldn’t be happening.
All of Sapaeryeon’s forces were currently on that battlefield. Even the troops Jang Ilso had secretly hidden in Ganguk, after thoroughly tracking their movements beyond the northern borders, had been deployed elsewhere.
Paegun Jang Ilso was sure to secure victory once the battle lines were drawn.
Therefore, assuming defeat and devising a strategy was for Beop Jong to take. If one piece is placed on the board as a counter, disrupting the opponent’s strategy would render theirs useless.
That was the only way forward.
There were no more pieces for Jang Ilso to deploy. Not mere miscellaneous troops, but a lineup of skilled players – a winning hand – was imperative.
Unless martial arts experts suddenly dropped from the sky, it was logical and inevitable that this would be the outcome. However…
Right now, mysterious masked people stood blocking the path of both Zhuge and Moyong families. They were thoroughly obstructing the two that should be heading straight to the battlefield, their identities completely unknown.
On the swords they wielded, a deep blue aura of strength rippled.
Zhuge Jaan’s voice rang out as if in agony,
“Then who the hell are these damned creatures!”
It was a cry akin to the final plea of someone foreseeing the end of their fate.
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