Chapter 1264: Kill Them All (Part 4)

The silence that had descended on the once chaotic battlefield could be considered an extraordinary event.

Those who had been tearing into each other and wielding their swords came to a halt due to the presence of one person and a few words.

'Is this even allowed?'

Guo Hansuo also felt a significant shock and discomfort at Chung Myung's words.

Who was Ho Gakmyung? He wasn't only a military commander of Myriad Man Manor but also undeniably the vice leader of Myriad Man Manor.

No, at this poin, he could be described as the second-most key figure in the Evil Tyrant Alliance, dominating Gangnam.

While there were many notable figures in the world, in terms of importance throughout the entire Kangho, he was someone who, if not counted within ten fingers, could not be ignored within the span of twenty fingers.

But who? What?

'Is that man in his right mind?'

No matter how strange a person may be, if you watched them consistently, you could somewhat understand them over time. However, the more Guo Hansuo observed, the more inexplicable Chung Myung became.

"...I think we've met before."

Now, he was tilting his head, looking at Ho Gakmyung. Observing Chung Myung like this made one question the fundamental nature of 'understanding.'

"Well... Chung Myung."

In the chilling atmosphere, Yoon Jong approached quietly and whispered to Chung Myung.

"He's Ho Gakmyung, Ho Gakmyung."

"..... Ho, what?"

"Ho Gakmyung!"

"Who's that?"

Yoon Jong's face twisted strangely for a moment.

"Ho Gakmyung! This guy! Ho Gakmyung! The name that came up every time we had a meeting! The military commander of the Myriad Man Manor!"

"Oh!"

Chung Myung clapped his hands, his eyes sparkling.

"I know who he is!"

"Do you finally remember?"

"The bastard who always follows Jang Ilso around and causes trouble!"

"..."

Yoon Jong momentarily covered his eyes with one hand.

'Right. It's a relief that he knows that at least.'

It was better than not knowing.

Where was it, that...

"Ah, sorry."

Chung Myung chuckled and shook his head at Ho Gakmyung.

"I'm not particularly bad at remembering faces of people... but...."

"You're quite bad at it, Chung Myung."

"No, not really. I just didn't consider those kinds of bastards as people."

"...That also makes sense."

Chung Myung smiled and said.

"It's just that every time I see you, there's such a flashy guy accompanying you, you know. Sorry about that."

"..."

"To be honest, it's the truth. With a guy with makeup on dancing in the front, would anyone notice you? It's not my fault."

Once again, a strange silence fell.

It seemed like a very inappropriate thing to say...

'But it makes sense.'

'Honestly, it's Jang Ilso's fault.'

'Being plain isn't a crime...'

Chung Myung chuckled and looked at Ho Gakmyung again.

"It looks like you're traveling separately without Jang Ilso. Are you okay? All alone?"

All eyes were focused on Ho Gakmyung.

In truth, those were quite humiliating words. Ho Gakmyung was the unwavering vice leader of Myriad Man Manor, regardless of what anyone said. Such words could not help but be demeaning to him. It was nothing short of an insult being poured in his face.

Especially... in the world of the Evil Sect where the martial arts of the leader were more crucial than anything else, Ho Gakmyung, who wasn't particularly outstanding in martial arts, had reached his current position due to Jang Ilso's absolute favoritism.

Though it was only a few words, Chung Myung's words carried the implication that 'You are nothing more than a fox guarded by the tiger named Jang Ilso.'

Upon closer inspection, since that statement wasn't entirely wrong, the sense of disgrace felt by Ho Gakmyung would likely be even greater.

Everyone awaited Ho Gakmyung's reaction, curious about how he would express his anger.

However, even amidst everyone's gaze, Ho Gakmyung still had the same expression. With his usual calm eyes, he casually opened his lips.

"It's a very impolite remark, but... if the opponent is from Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, impoliteness should be expected."

Though blunt, the voice was oddly resonant. Chung Myung's eyes narrowed slightly.

Ho Gakmyung nodded calmly, facing Chung Myung.

"Rather, it's an honor that Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword remembers my face."

There was no trace of sarcasm in his voice. Ho Gakmyung was simply accepting Chung Myung's provocation with composure.

And that statement made those present here reconsider the significance of facing Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword.

Wasn't the military commander of Myriad Man Manor, or rather, now the military commander of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, Ho Gakmyung, acknowledging the honor of being recognized by Chung Myung? It was a statement that made those standing with him realize how remarkable he was.

"But... it's a bit surprising."

Ho Gakmyung's gaze left Chung Myung and touched each member of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, like a piercing stare.

"Why did you come all the way to the remote land of Southern Island?"

The atmosphere cooled down in an instant. Chung Myung tsked and clicked his tongue.

"What a boring bastard."

He tried to shake him off a bit, but Ho Gakmyung remained unfazed.

Chung Myung knew. In terms of experience, this type was the most difficult to deal with.

"No taste for being surprised."

"No."

Surprisingly, Ho Gakmyung raised his head.

"I'm quite surprised. I never imagined that I would meet you all here."

"...?"

"What Lord Ryeonju said wasn't wrong. Those truly frightening aren't the strong, but the mad..."

Understanding was elusive. The situation, and the intentions of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance.

No. It wasn't that he couldn't understand their intentions. He understood them. Perhaps they wanted to save the Southern Island Sect, for the sake of righteousness or to secure more strength to confront the Evil Tyrant Alliance later.

What Ho Gakmyung didn't understand wasn't their intentions.

"May I ask one thing?"

"As as much as you want."

"The Southern Island Sect, one of the Ten Great Sects in the Myriad Man Manor, is undoubtedly an important sect. However... do you truly believe that your lives here are less important than the Southern Island Sect's?"

Some people's complexions changed at his words. It was a question delivered so calmly that it became even more oppressive.

"To bluntly, saying that one shouldn't make mistakes is simply wrong. Because, no matter who you are, people can't help but make mistakes. The important thing isn't to avoid making mistakes; it's not to make fatal mistakes."

"..."

"In my opinion, what you all did now seems to be a fatal mistake. What do you think?"

Aren't you surprised?

Ho Gakmyung never spoke a lie among his words. He couldn't even remember the last time he was so flustered.

When the signal exploded in the back, he thought it was just the people from the Southern Island Sect playing tricks, but never did he expect to see the members of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword here.

However, surprise only lasts a moment.

"I don't particularly like saying this kind of thing..."

For the first time, a faint smile appeared on Ho Gakmyung's lips.

"Receiving unexpected gains is what people say during times like these. I never imagined that I would see you guys here as I dealt with the likes of the Southern Island Sect."

Baek Cheon's face stiffened.

'Ho Gakmyung... Jang Ilso's right-hand man.'

He thought the man would be greatly surprised.

Seeing the current situation, he expected him to panic and launch an attack. But instead, Ho Gakmyung calmly stopped the battlefield and observed them. This fact created a different kind of pressure on Baek Cheon.

Jang Ilso was a capricious beast.

And the Demonic Cult was like a beast steeped in madness.

In general, that was the case. Until now, those they faced were unpredictable and formidable opponents, beyond the common sense of ordinary people.

But Ho Gakmyung was different.

There was no trace of madness reflected in those cold, sinking eyes, as seen in the bishop.

All that was visible was a chilling intellect and an impressive calmness.

'... Is he a hunter?'

Being chased by a hungry beast from behind was truly frightening.

But what about being chased by someone trying to hunt you from behind?

Could that be considered better than being pursued by a hungry beast?

It was at that moment when Baek Cheon thought that the fact that Ho Gakmyung had come here might be an even greater misfortune.

"A mistake?"

A crooked voice of rang out.

"Well, it could be."

Chung Myung chuckled and stepped forward.

"But you seem to be unaware of something."

"Hmm?"

"A mistake is something, you see."

Chung Myung's lips slightly parted, revealing white teeth.

"It only has meaning to someone who has the ability to identify and exploit it!"

Paaah!

In an instant, Chung Myung's Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword swung like lightning. A crimson blade aura bloomed in the air.

Swishhh!

The blade aura flew straight toward Ho Gakmyung's neck at an astonishing speed. However, Ho Gakmyung had no intention of dodging and simply gazed at the blade aura coming towards him.

"Ha!"

At that moment, with an exuberant voice, one of the people standing next to Ho Gakmyung leaped at a terrifying speed.

At the moment he blocked Ho Gakmyung's path.

Kwaaaaaang!

The clash of swords and sword aura erupted in all directions like fireworks.

"Charge!"

"Got it!"

Baek Cheon, who regained his senses, grabbed the collar of a Southern Island disciple who was still dazed and pushed him back.

"Board the ship! Right now!"

"Yes? Oh... Yes!"

Only then did the Southern Island disciples, who were collectively regaining their composure, rush towards the ship. The moment Chung Myung fired his sword energy, Mount Hua's disciples were already running toward the ship, jumping over and stabbing at those who stood in their way.

"Don't let them escape!"

"Yes!"

At the cry from somewhere, the main force of the Myriad Man Manor also rushed forward with full force.

The silent battlefield suddenly boiled up again in an instant.

Gwayang, the leader of the Blood Sword Sect, quietly watched Chung Myung's back as he ran, twirling his wrist.

"...Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

As he muttered softly, a cold voice reached his ears.

"He is not someone you can deal with."

"Ha ha ha."

Gwayang let out a laugh.

He was the head of the Blood Sword Sect. Unless it was Jang Ilso, there was no reason for him to hear such words. However, instead of feeling bad, he seemed to enjoy it, even laughing.

"That may be true. A monster."

The throbbing pain from his wrist proved that fact.

One playfully threw a sword energy and one wielded his sword with all his might, but the one who suffered damage was him. Of course, it might be difficult to discuss the highs and lows of martial arts just with that, but it was enough to tell how strong the opponent was.

"But... there's no need to go that far."

Gwayang revealed his teeth and smiled.

"Even tigers can be torn apart by a pack of wolves. What we're doing is not a duel, it's a hunt."

At his words, Ho Gakmyung nodded slowly.

"Exactly."

It didn't matter what he did.

This was Southern Island, the southernmost part of the Central Plains. Even if it wasn't a tiger but a dragon... no, even if it was something surpassing a dragon, the fate that awaited those who set foot here was only one.

"Make sure to kill him."

"Isn't it time to report to Lord Ryeonju?"

"... It's not too late to report it after killing him."

At his words, the leader of the Blood Sword Sect showed a strange smile.

"If you'll take responsibility, I'll welcome it."

Turning his head and looking at Chung Myung, his eyes gleamed with murderous intent.