Chapter 1424: Is This the Sichuan Tang Family? (Part 4)

"Great, Great Master! Th-the Evil Tyrant Alliance... They've reached the city gate now!"

Upon the subordinate's words, Jo Woong's (趙雄) face tensed with anxiety.

'Of all times, why is Father absent on an expedition!'

Trying to calm his tightening throat, Jo Woong swallowed dry saliva as he turned his head to look ahead.

"Is everyone following the instructions?"

"Yes. We've instructed everyone to retreat into the inner courtyard and remain cautious."

"Don't even let out a breath!"

"Yes!"

Large droplets of sweat rolled down Jo Woong's forehead.

The news of Paegun's arrival had just reached the Four Seas Merchant Company [Jo Gol's family's company, forgot the name] a little while ago. It was already too late to escape. So, all Jo Woong could do was pray that Jang Ilso's grudge wouldn't reach the Four Seas Merchant Company while he held his breath.

"I-Is everything going to be alright?"

"...It should be."

Jo Woong swallowed dry saliva again before speaking.

"I've heard that Paegun is feared throughout the realm, but he hasn't caused much trouble for the common folks who haven't mastered martial arts. If we stay silent and keep our breath, he might not bother us unnecessarily."

His reasoning wasn't solely based on Paegun's reputation.

The Tang Family was in this city. If Paegun was targeting them, there was no way he would waste time at a place like the Four Seas Merchant Company, right?

"B-But... can we really say that Paegun and us have no connection at all?"

At that moment, the subordinate spoke with a trembling voice. Jo Woong gave him a glance, and after hesitating for a moment, the subordinate continued.

"I heard the Evil Tyrant Alliance considers Mount Hua Sect as their enemy. A-And, isn't your brother a disciple of Mount Hua?"

"..."

"But even so, would they just leave us be? We're the enemy's family, and moreover, they are heartless villains from the Evil Sect, aren't they?"

Jo Woong's hand trembled slightly.

His younger brother, Jo Gol, was not just an ordinary disciple of Mount Hua. He was one of the most renowned figures among Mount Hua, one of their Five Swords.

If, as rumors said, the Evil Tyrant Alliance held such deep resentment towards Mount Hua, it was unpredictable what they might do to the Four Seas Merchant Company, Mount Hua Five Swords Jo Gol's home.

"There won't be such a thing."

"But..."

"I can't not say there won't be such a thing. Don't worry and quickly go check on the disciples! Hurry!"

"Yes... Yes, Great Master."

Watching the subordinate reluctantly move away, Jo Woong bit his lips tightly. Of course, he knew that the other's concerns were not entirely unfounded. However, at this point, there was no other option. If he showed any hesitation, it would only spread anxiety to everyone.

They were just ordinary merchants. If the Evil Tyrant Alliance decided to target the Four Seas Merchant Company, what use would it be to run away? They would be caught and killed within ten miles, without a doubt.

So, now, all they could do was hope that Jang Ilso would pass by without realizing that this place was Jo Gol's hometown.

And then, the moment arrived.

"Oh, they're coming!"

A frightened voice echoed from outside. Startled, Jo Woong rushed out towards the still-open main gate.

As he raised his head, he saw a procession walking down the wide street in the distance.

'...Paegun Jang Ilso.'

It was instantly recognizable.

No two people in the world would wear such flamboyant attire. [um, ackshually...] Moreover, following behind him were figures draped in ominously red robes, and amidst them, a tall man with a red flag fluttering. His pale face stood out eerily.

Jo Woong, who had momentarily lost his composure, snapped back to attention and gave orders.

"Close and lock the gates! Quickly!"

"Yes! Yes, Great Master!"

Thunk!

The massive gate of the Four Seas Merchant Company closed swiftly.

Clang!

A large iron gate fell, securing the entrance. Confirming the tightly closed gate with both eyes, Jo Woong unconsciously clasped his hands.

'Please...'

"Hmm."

Jang Ilso leisurely looked around while strolling through the city's streets, seemingly unperturbed. Despite being the largest city in Sichuan Province, there wasn't a single ant visible in his eyes.

"Oh dear. I didn't expect a warm welcome, but this is rather harsh, isn't it? I never knew the people of Sichuan were so cold-hearted."

Jang Ilso chuckled and cast his gaze into the distance. The fastest route to the Sichuan Tang Family passed through this city. However, the reason he chose this path was not solely for that.

He needed to let them know. Who was here? Who would be the one to rule over this place from now on?

A subordinate's whisper reached Jang Ilso as he took slow steps, seeming to pause for a moment.

"Hmm?"

Jang Ilso's steps slowly came to a halt. Simultaneously, those following him all stopped.

"...Is that so?"

Jang Ilso's head turned very slowly in the direction of the sound. The focal point was a large signboard with the name "Four Seas Merchant Company" hanging on a grand building.

A twisted smile appeared on Jang Ilso's lips.

Boom!

"Uh, ugh!"

The sturdy door, securely locked, shattered as if hit by a cannonball. Fragments of the door scattered in all directions, and the ground seemed like it might collapse at any moment.

Everyone sat down, covering their heads, but Jo Woong couldn't. Not because he wasn't scared, but because he witnessed a spectacle before he could even be frightened.

Standing beyond the broken gate was a man.

A man adorned in elaborate robes embroidered with dragons, his entire body adorned with ostentatious accessories. His face, as white as snow, with blood-red lips, caught the eye. But more than anything, what captivated Jo Woong's gaze were the man's eyes.

Jo Woong had traveled across the realm as the Grand Master of the Four Seas Merchant Company. Thanks to this, he had seen various rare things with his own eyes.

However, no matter what he compared those eyes to, he couldn't find an explanation for the intensity in them.

A snake? That wasn't even a funny suggestion. Even if the deadliest viper were to see that gaze, it would likely be more frightened. Trying to describe the meaning behind those eyes was an impossible task, even likening them to an unknown and incomprehensible creature.

Those two eyes, whose contents were completely unimaginable, were now staring directly at Jo Woong.

"Hmm..."

Jang Ilso let out a faint nasal sigh. With that small sound, the world that had momentarily come to a standstill began to move again. It was an uncomfortable sensation for Jo Woong.

Turning his gaze away from Jo Woong, Jang Ilso, moving slowly from left to right, observed the Four Seas Merchant Company as if searching.

"They say this is... the home of one of Mount Hua's Five Swords, Jo Gol."

After a while, Jang Ilso's eyes, which had paused, once again met Jo Woong's.

"Is that right?"

Jo Woong couldn't offer any response.

It wasn't just because the answer might choke him. Even if he had a perfect answer to completely avoid this, he wouldn't have been able to bring himself to speak. It was as if he had seen a snake right in front of a mouse.

Jo Woong's entire body froze, and his back shivered with goosebumps.

Looking at the rigid Jo Woong, Jang Ilso raised the corner of his mouth.

"It seems so."

Jang Ilso, as if exploring, examined Jo Woong before asking,

"So, are you... the brother of that child?"

Jo Woong's Adam's apple moved as if trembling. His throat, dry from tension, hurt just swallowing saliva.

"There is a bit of resemblence. Hmm."

He approached Jo Woong slowly. 

Thud. Thud.

A leisurely gait.

Jo Woong didn't even know what he was feeling at the moment. It wasn't just fear. Even if the grim reaper were approaching, Jo Woong wouldn't have trembled like this. While the fear of death is a fact, every person has to accept it at some point.

However, the feeling this man conveyed was different. Jo Woong's breath was involuntarily stifled, and his body tightened. He didn't know what would happen, what he might endure. Everything seemed to be swept away in chaos.

'Is Gol-i... fighting against a creature like this?'

Against such a monster?

At that moment, Jang Ilso, who had arrived right in front of Jo Woong, stared at him intently. Like a snake eyeing its prey.

"Do you know who I am?"

"..."

"Answer me."

Jo Woong's body involuntarily trembled.

"Quickly."

"Well, Jang Ilso..."

"..."

"P-Paegun... Paegun Jang Ilso..."

"You know it."

Jang Ilso chuckled as if impressed.

"Well then, I understand. It seems there's quite a connection between your brother and I."

Countless thoughts flashed through Jo Woong's mind for a moment.

Deny it. Even if he was heaven's law, he must deny this relationship. That was the only way everyone could survive.

Gol-i had already left the family. Their connection with him had already been severed. He wasn't a brother anymore. So, it was unfair and meaningless for Paegun Jang Ilso to unleash his wrath upon them.

But all those thoughts ultimately couldn't find their way into words. Jo Woong, who couldn't bring himself to deny his brother, shivered but remained silent.

"Oh?"

Seeing him like that, Jang Ilso vaguely nodded as if guessing his inner thoughts.

"Right. Brothers are a good thing. Family should be like that. You should be prepared to share your fate to call it a family, right? Isn't that so?"

Jang Ilso, approaching closely, raised his hand and lightly grasped Jo Woong's neck. His nails pricked Jo Woong's throat.

Even with a light tightening of the large hand's grip, Jo Woong's neck would fall limp like lifeless straw. It would be a signal that no one in this company could survive.

Jo Woong's complexion, facing the dreadful crossroads of fate, turned as pale as a blank sheet of paper.

Jang Ilso tilted his face and approached. Then, in Jo Woong's ear, he whispered softly, very softly.

"So..."

A devilish and husky voice.

"Give my regards."

Jo Woong's eyes widened involuntarily.

"I've been here. Do you understand?"

Pulling his head back, Jang Ilso, with both eyes wide open, looked at the frozen Jo Woong and smiled with a sneer.

"Your response?"

Jo Woong, unable to open his mouth, nodded desperately with all the strength he could muster. In response, Jang Ilso took a step back, nodding his head.

"Alright. You're a good kid."

Smirking at Jo Woong's dumbfounded expression, Jang Ilso turned on his heels without any trace of hesitation.

"Work hard. Pay your taxes regularly. Hahaha."

Waving his hand over his head as he would to a dear friend, Jang Ilso soon led his group away.

Staring at the place where Jang Ilso had left, Jo Woong finally felt his legs loosen. He slumped into the spot where he stood. The sweat that had flowed down from his entire body quickly soaked his clothes.

"G-Gr... Great Master!"

A subordinate who rushed in belatedly quickly supported him, but Jo Woong pushed him away with trembling hands, declining assistance.

"...I'm fine."

Jo Woong stared blankly outside the now gate, so quiet as if nothing had happened.

Not even a trace of Jang Ilso remained.