That’s not just a small number. (5)
Chung Myung’s heel fiercely struck the head of the fleeing enemy.
“Ahhhh!”
The absurd sight of a person being literally nailed down left the nearby Sapas in a state of panic, filling the streets with screams.
“It’s Hwasan Geomhyeop!”
“Maehwa Geomgwi! He is here!”
Fame is a peculiar thing indeed. Just because one’s reputation soars doesn’t mean their skills have suddenly skyrocketed along with it. Despite Chung Myung’s elevated reputation from the Hainan expedition, it didn’t necessarily mean his abilities had grown at the same pace.
But the Sapas facing Chung Myung couldn’t afford to think otherwise.
“Ahhhh!”
Just the fact that Chung Myung appeared here was enough to evoke immense terror, leaving no room for escape. However, there was no need to try to flee desperately. Before the idea of “escape” could even cross their minds, Chung Myung’s sword had already descended upon them.
“Uwaaaah!”
Chung Myung’s strike sent the enemies flying, unable to even scream as they were knocked away.
“These bastards!”
They were simply no match. It was only natural. How could the scattered thugs gathered here hope to withstand Chung Myung, whom even the elites of Maninbang couldn’t handle?
With a casual swing of his sword, they would surely be swept away like fallen leaves in an autumn breeze. However, the force Chung Myung wielded was overwhelmingly powerful for his opponents.
Seol Sobaek exclaimed in understanding.
“As expected of Dojang! A tiger gives its all even when catching a rabbit…”
“You bastards came from Gangnam, didn’t you! You must have felt pretty good back then! I’ll kill you all! Waaaaaah!”
“..doing their best…”
Chung Myung’s eyes flashed wildly as he raged like a starving wolf. The feeble members of the Evil Sects screamed and fell.
Feeling something strange, Seol Sobaek looked up at the sky for a moment, then quickly composed himself.
“Let’s go together, Dojang!”
“Kill them all!”
Ignoring Seol Sobaek’s oddly weakened voice, Chung Myung swung his sword. His eyes glimmered with a grotesque madness that was frightening to meet.
‘He’s really enjoying himself.’
Im Sobyeong clicked his tongue as he watched Chung Myung kick the fleeing Sapa in the back of their head. Well…
“It’s surprising he hasn’t had a fit of rage yet.”
Considering he’s never been a particularly patient man, how twisted must he have felt being driven from Hainan to here? If those men being beaten had any fault, it was simply their bad luck to fall into the hands of Chung Myung.
“But, Nokrim King!”
“Hmm?”
Im Sobyeong glanced back. Namgung Dowi, his face pale from the exertion of his inner strength, stood there. He asked, as if he didn’t understand,
“I-Is it really okay to be running wild like this? Shouldn’t we just finish what we need to do and get out of Chengdu quickly? If Maninbang shows up…”
Im Sobyeong stared at Namgung Dowi for a moment and then clicked his tongue briefly.
“Maybe the real fool was someone else.”
“Are you insulting me right now?”
“Oh. You may be slow, but your intuition is sharp. As expected of Namgung.”
“You bastard!”
Just as Namgung Dowi was about to grit his teeth, Im Sobyeong responded nonchalantly.
“There won’t be any reinforcements. At least not until we’ve had our fill of fun in Chengdu.”
“What?”
“In other words, Maninbang isn’t in a position to come here right now. They’ll be tied up for at least three more days. Somewhere to the east.”
Namgung Dowi looked at Im Sobyeong with eyes that seemed to say, ‘What nonsense is this bandit spouting now?’ Im Sobyeong shook his head.
“Anyway, just take it like that.”
“Don’t brush it off like that, explain it. Explain!”
“Ah, an explanation?”
Im Sobyeong looked at Namgung Dowi with a triumphant smile and said.
“Just follow orders.”
“What?”
“It’s the command of the General. Do you really need an explanation? When he says do something, you do it. Tsk tsk. Haven’t you figured out the situation yet?”
“…”
“Hmm. This is really convenient. I don’t even need to waste my breath.”
“…But this bandit…”
“General! Generaaaalll! Namgung’s Young Lord is slacking off here!”
“Damn it! I’m going, I’m going!”
Namgung Dowi ran off, cursing in a manner unbefitting someone with the noble Namgung name. Im Sobyeong laughed heartily at his retreating figure. Then he glanced at Chung Myung.
‘What an impressive guy.’
Im Sobyeong had also perceived that the situation in Chengdu had become precarious. However, that bastard Jang Ilso was no fool either – he must have had a reason to leave Chengdu.
For Cheonumaeng, Chengdu had long been a burdensome asset with more risks than rewards. Trying to seize it could easily lead to being surrounded by Sapaeryeon.
Normally, one would rather avoid such risks. Besides, wasn’t it urgent to lead the Tang clan’s members to Hwaeum?
“…That would be the typical way of thinking.”
But that man had turned it completely upside down. If there was nothing to gain from occupying a place, then simply don’t occupy it. If there was a risk of being surrounded upon entering Chengdu, bring only a small group that wouldn’t be surrounded. If it was difficult to handle all the defenders with a small group, then bring a small group with the power of many.
And the result? They were experiencing it firsthand right now.
“Do not flee! Anyone who runs will face the wrath of Ryeonju!”
“Anyone who retreats will be killed! Didn’t I say I’ll kill you?”
The members of Maninbang shouted amidst the chaos of the fleeing smaller Evil Sects’ members. But those who were completely terrified did not stop, despite the desperate threats. They climbed over walls and scrambled over their comrades in a frenzied escape.
“You… you vermin!”
After all, Sapa were still Sapa. They could be the most formidable force when their morale was high, but once they lost that morale, they were nothing more than grains of sand.
And unfortunately, these people had no strength to gather the scattered grains of sand again.
“B-Budaeju! We’re collapsing! They’re coming!”
“T-This…”
The face of the one called Budaeju turned pale as he realized the dire situation.
“Those damned bastards! Why are they coming here? Why!”
These aren’t people who can be assessed merely by their numbers. With that few people and that much strength, they could wipe out several sects in a single night without leaving a single ant behind.
This was unheard of. The leaders of such powerful sects abandoning their subordinates and gathering in one place to fight. There are basic principles that the world adheres to, but the scene unfolding before them shattered all those principles.
“Request reinforcements, immediately!”
“Request from where? Ryeonju is currently…”
“Request from anywhere! Damn it, just anything!”
“Daeju! In front! In front!”
“What?”
Instinctively turning his head, he saw it. The gleaming white blade that had crept up right before his eyes. And the intense red aura that enveloped the blade.
‘Damn it..’
Swoosh!
With a slicing sound, a head soared into the air. Chung Myung, who had decapitated a man in one swift motion, flicked the blood off his sword with a spin and cracked his neck.
“Talking about reinforcements now, are we?”
“Ugh…”
“As for other lowlife sect members, if they’re the kind to blindly follow orders, there’s no need to stab them in the back…”
Chung Myung smiled brightly.
“You guys aren’t like that, right?”
“Ugh…”
The members of Maninbang hesitated and stepped back from Chung Myung. Had their uniforms ever felt this cursed before?
Chung Myung shrugged.
“Oh, there’s no need to worry. Sure, if I were to vent my grudges, I could go on for three days and nights, but fortunately… I’m not the only one here who holds a grudge against you.”
“Huh?”
“Take it easy, take it easy. If you go too hard, people will get scared.”
The members of Maninbang looked puzzled. Then they quickly understood what he meant.
Swoosh!
Figures with a fierce blue aura pouring out of their eyes appeared behind Chung Myung. The members of Maninbang recognized them immediately by the swords they held.
“Aaaaargh!”
Piercing screams echoed through the sky of Chengdu. Chung Myung smirked.
“Tsk. They just never listen, do they?”
“Please come over here, Young Master!”
“But, right now outside…!”
“If you stay there, you’ll get hurt! Don’t you know that common folks like us can’t handle getting caught in something like this without being left in pieces?”
“..Yes, I know. But…”
Jo Ung kept glancing back at the door with a face full of regret, even as he stepped back. It was clear that something significant was happening outside, but lacking martial arts training, he couldn’t make sense of the situation from a distance.
“But it seems a battle is happening. Perhaps…”
“Oh, Young Master! What did you say to me just a moment ago? You said nothing like that would happen! If you stick your head out now and get caught in something, not only you but everyone will die! Don’t you understand?”
Jo Ung closed his mouth tightly and nodded. It was true. At times like this, keeping a low profile was the best course of action.
“What are you all doing? Stop peeking and get inside, now! Hurry!”
“Yes, yes! Head executive!”
Those who had been hesitating in hopes of something turned away reluctantly. But just at that moment,
Boom!
The gate, which had already been damaged and hastily repaired, exploded again. In the confusion, everyone shrank back and looked towards the gate.
‘Who…who…’
As the rising dust cleared, a figure came into view. A swordsman stood there, resting a blood-dripping sword on his shoulder. His gaze was chilling.
“You…you…”
The swordsman’s cold eyes swept over them. Then, with a seemingly emotionless expression, he tilted his head slightly to the side.
“Uh…is it this the wrong house?”
“That’s right! You crazy bastard! Why are you breaking someone else’s gate and making a scene?”
“It was already broken! Why are you blaming me?”
The bickering between the two at the entrance left the onlookers in stunned silence.
“Ch-Chung Myung Dojang?”
“Geo-Geol-ah!”
Jo Ung’s mouth dropped open. Why on earth was that crazy guy here…?
“Brother!”
Jo Geol called out to Jo Ung.
“Haha! We’ve come to rescue you!”
It was a truly moving moment. The despair and anxiety that had filled his heart were replaced by a surge of warmth and emotion. Just as Jo Ung was about to surrender to this new feeling, the disgruntled voice of the head executive pierced his ears.
“You said he wouldn’t come because he’s too quick-witted.”
“…”
“What?”
“Haha…”
Jo Ung murmured with an embarrassed laugh.
“Maybe he’s not as smart as we thought.”
“What? Brother, what did you say?”
“…Nothing.”
Nothing at all.
________
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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