Chapter 1508: Some People Settle Things Through Words (Part 3)

Tension flickered across Ilho Shin Gae's resolute face.

He never doubted his position as the leader of the Beggar's Union. After all, wasn't his title the Tiger Beggar?

However, even he couldn't dismiss the approaching opponent. Because he was none other than Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, Chung Myung.

Kwoong!

A powerful energy burst forth from Gungu Ilho's firm stance, sending a brilliant blue aura in all directions.

"Taap!"

With a short battle cry, the released energy clashed head-on with Chung Myung's sword.

Kwaaaang!

The forceful energy waves swept in all directions, creating a whirlwind. The energy unleashed by Ilho Shin Gae split abruptly, much like a torrential river encountering a sudden cliff.

Chung Myung rushed into the divided space, his gaze chilling.

Paat!

A sinister light flashed as the white sword swiftly approached Ilho Shin Gae's throat.

"Kuk!"

Ilho Shin Gae quickly tilted his head to the side, using his palm to deflect the oncoming sword. It was a simultaneous combination of evasion and defense, yet even amidst his skilled moves, Chung Myung's sword left a red mark on Ilho Shin Gae's neck.

Seogeuk!

A searing pain surged through his throat, but before he could fully grasp it, Chung Myung's ominous black sword twisted like a snake, aiming for Ilho Shin Gae's heart.

Ilho Shin Gae twisted his body without a moment's hesitation, offering no room for a defensive posture.

Seogeuk! Seogeuk!

Chung Myung's sword grazed Ilho Shin Gae's chest and back sharply, causing vivid streams of blood to spurt.

"Haaah!"

Ilho Shin Gae pushed all the strength he had towards Chung Myung, attempting to strike him with a palm strike. However, at that moment, he saw the chilling grin on Chung Myung's face peeking through the released energy.

Paaaat!

Taking advantage of the brief opening, Chung Myung's sword dove in like a serpent. Ilho Shin Gae widened his eyes.

'What?'

Wasn't he supposed to retreat when faced with such overwhelming strength?

Kwaduk!

Chung Myung's sword lodged itself into Ilho Shin Gae's shoulder, causing a horrible sound. His extended arm was forcibly twisted along with it.

Kwaaaaah!

As a result, the direction of the energy slightly veered. Chung Myung effortlessly dodged to the left, smoothly withdrawing like leaves swiftly carried away by a rapid current.

Tas.

Descending from the air with ease, Chung Myung landed on the ground, nonchalantly tilting his head from side to side. The Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword, firmly gripped in his hand, was covered in red droplets of none other than Ilho Shin Gae's blood.

Ilho Shin Gae stared at Chung Myung in a daze.

'How...?'

How could a person be like this?

He had witnessed it with his own eyes and experienced it with his own body, yet he couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

It dawned on Ilho Shin Gae.

'He's on a different level...'

This wasn't about the superiority of skills or the intricacies of techniques. Chung Myung's swordsmanship transcended the dimension that Ilho Shin Gae had envisioned.

'This strong?'

Who in the world wouldn't know that hung Myung from the Mount Hua Sect was strong? Moreover, he was the Elder of the Beggar's Union. It was something he couldn't ignore, something he shouldn't be ignorant about.

Yet, the level of this 'strength' wasn't the issue. Chung Myung's recent movements far surpassed the known martial skills of the widely recognized Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword.

At that moment, a low voice echoed in Ilho Shin Gae's ears.

"Is that technique the Pursuit of Righteousness Eighteen Palms (追義十八掌)?"

"H-How did you...?"

Involuntarily responding to Ilho Shin Gae's answer, Chung Myung clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

"Tsk. An Elder learning a technique only the Sect Leader should know. The Beggar's Union has truly fallen."

- What about Mount Hua?

"Kak! Mind your own business!" [lmfao]

Are you saying they're the same? This and that are different! This and Mount Hua's internal energy technique are not the same! How can you even compare this to those beggars?

Taking a deep breath, Chung Myung twitched the end of his sword as if annoyed.

"Well, whatever. If the one who learned it disappears, it's the same thing."

Scritch.

Chung Myung scratched the ground with his sword, taking a step towards Ilho Shin Gae. At that moment, Ilho Shin Gae involuntarily took a step back.

"Why? Trying to run away?"

Ilho Shin Gae, belatedly realizing his own retreat, flushed red. Chung Myung looked at him with a displeased expression, raising one corner of his mouth.

"What are you saying and what you're doing seem quite different."

"You...!"

"Who can't take big?"

Chung Myung's voice sank coldly.

"That you will restore the Beggar's Union to its rightful state, that you are capable, that you are different."

"..."

"You've never been pressured while standing on the sidelines all your life, so it's easy for you to say that. Just criticize from behind; that's all you have to do."

"You!"

"Tiger Beggar, you seem to think that's quite an impressive title. In another sense, it means there was never anyone worth comparing to you throughout your life, right?"

Chung Myung aimed his sword at Ilho Shin Gae.

"If a tiger that used to be the king among dogs encounters a tiger fiercely fighting in the mountains, it will be bitten to death. It's nothing more than a dog wearing the mask of a tiger. Just a dog barking loudly."

"Shut up, you!"

Ilho Shin Gae couldn't bear it any longer, even though he knew that all of this was just a performance to disgrace him. When had he ever been insulted like this by someone else? Especially by someone from the righteous sect.

"Look at this. Tigers don't bark, they bite. This is why you are just a dog."

Chung Myung smirked darkly and approached Ilho Shin Gae.

Ilho Shin Gae, on high alert, bit his lip until it bled.

The desire to immediately crush that insolent mouth was undeniable. However, Ilho Shin Gae was not a fool. Just by exchanging moves, the outcome was already evident. Absurdly, he couldn't contend with that person. Despite being acknowledged as the best within the Beggar's Union, he couldn't defeat this young member of Mount Hua.

Now, what should he do?

At that moment, other elders who had been watching the situation flew over and stood around Ilho Shin Gae as if protecting him.

"Elder!"

"We will help you!"

Ilho Shin Gae bit his lower lip until it bled. Even the other elders realized it. Ilho Shin Gae alone couldn't handle Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword. It was truly shameful, something he had never experienced before.

"Oh?"

Chung Myung didn't miss this opportunity and sneered sarcastically.

"How admirable of the elders of the Beggar's Union to generously treat a young disciple with such regard. I'm so overwhelmed with gratitude that I don't know what to do with myself."

"Shut up, you!"

Even the faces of the elders turned red with anger. Although it was an urgent situation, the awareness of the shameful act that couldn't be spoken of boldly was still there.

"Although the elders may accept it..."

Chung Myung's gaze focused on Ilho Shin Gae among the elders.

"You pretend to be the king among dogs, but don't mind hiding behind dogs? That's why I can't tell who is a dog and who is a tiger."

"You bastard...!"

"Elders! You must calm down!"

"Are you not aware of the opponent's temperament and speech? Please remain calm!"

Chung Myung laughed loudly. Then, he twirled the Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword that he held in his hand and grabbed it again.

"If you know, then what's the difference? Is there anything you haven't been able to do because you didn't know until now? You obviously knew but pretended not to, right?"

"This..."

"While I want to restore the justice of the Beggar's Union, I can't avoid facing my junior in a joint practice. I don't want to disgrace the Beggar's Union any further, but avoiding the truth and assassinating the Sect Leader is inevitable."

"You...!"

"It's bullshit."

Chung Myung swore like he was laughing. It was as if he wasn't particularly angry anymore.

People grab everything when they have leisure. However, when they are driven into a crisis, they tend to reveal their hidden true selves.

"Does this stench really come from being a beggar's hideout? I don't think so?"

Ilho Shin Gae, who glared at Chung Myung with bloodshot eyes, shouted.

"No matter what method, achieving results is the truth! I will endure this disgrace."

"Oh, really?"

Chung Myung sneered, reversing his grip on the sword, and at the same time, the smile vanished from his lips.

"Even if I say it, you probably won't understand, but let me give you some advice."

Chung Myung's gaze shifted briefly to the side. His companions engaged in a fierce battle against dozens of Beggar's Union elders, despite knowing it was an uneven match and not retreating.

"Righteousness is not an outcome but a process."

"..."

"You probably don't understand this."

Smack!

Chung Myung struck the ground, leaping towards the elders.

"Kill him!"

The elders also exerted their strength, engaging in the confrontation.

Crack!

Jo Gol bit his lip as the sword he had thrown was blocked by a short staff, rebounding and deflecting away.

The swordsmanship, which had clearly dominated the battle until a moment ago, was now consistently blocked.

'Ugh.'

Despite momentarily suppressing the opponent with a skillful move, unfortunately, the advantage didn't last long. Although the Beggar's Union was known for having the lowest average martial arts proficiency among the martial sects, facing elders in large numbers made it impossible to maintain the upper hand.

"No, the more I think about it, the more unfair it seems! Why do we always have to fight like this!"

"Shut up and fight, you brat!"

"I know!"

Jo Gol gritted his teeth.

'But it's still worth holding on!'

They were not surrounded, and the elders were unable to fully concentrate on the battle. While Chung Myung's abilities were undoubtedly trusworthy, the elders couldn't completely trust Ilho Shin Gae.

"Yikes!"

Jo Gol swiftly ducked, avoiding a flying short staff. A few strands of curly hair were severed by the blue energy embedded in the short staff and floated in the air.

"Hayab!"

At that moment, Yoon Jong stepped forward, swiftly taking Jo Gol's place. Yoon Jong noticed Jo Gol's momentary struggle and took over for him.

Jo Gol, now relieved of his duties, quickly surveyed the surroundings.

'We can't endure this for much longer!'

But it was okay. Their goal wasn't to win anyway. As long as they could hold the elders back like this, Chung Myung would definitely resolve the situation with Ilho Shin Gae.

With renewed determination, Jo Gol was about to charge forward when he suddenly halted.

'Hmm?'

Something caught his eye. A suspicious feeling arose on his face.

'What's this?'

He sensed an unusual aura from the ongoing battle on the other side.

Boom!

The clash between the flying short staff and the plum blossom sword caused a strong collision in the air. The force pushed the plum blossom sword backward.

'Pushed back?'

Why?

The strength and weight contained in the elders' staffs were something Jo Gol had experienced. Undoubtedly strong, but being easily pushed back like this was absolutely impossible.

But the plum blossom sword couldn't handle the force from the staff. Moreover, there was no sharpness or strong momentum in its movements.

"Sasuk...?"

Moreover, he couldn't help but be surprised because the owner of the sheatheless sword was Baek Cheon.

"Sasuk!"

That wasn't Baek Cheon's sword. The Baek Cheon Jo Gol knew had a majestic and flawless sword, exuding an overwhelming grandeur.

However, before Jo Gol could react, something happened.

Boom!

The sword struck by the short staff couldn't withstand the opposing force, and for a moment, it bounced upward.

"This guy!"

Taking advantage of the created gap, the short staff, imbued with blue energy, mercilessly pierced through Baek Cheon's chest.

Boom!

Jo Gol witnessed it.

Baek Cheon's body, struck in the chest by the flying short staff, crumbled in the air as if in slow motion.

"No...!"

A desperate scream burst from Jo Gol's mouth, realizing it was already too late.