Jin Pyeong, the Sun Lord of the South Sea Sun Palace, gazed ahead with eyes ablaze.
The Nine Sects and the Four Tyrants Alliance were tangled like two fighting serpents. It was a sight akin to a skilled fisherman catching his prey.
"The alliance lord of the Four Tyrants Alliance, Jang Ilso."
The expression on the face of the Sun Palace Lord gradually hardened.
Upon arriving at this battlefield, he felt an unexpected sense of reverence. It was an emotion he believed he would never feel towards anyone else in his lifetime.
While he didn't know all the processes leading up to the outcome before him, he himself was a leader who commanded respect and ruled over a region.
He knew how difficult it was to create such a scene.
And this meant that the person he now had to ally with was an incredibly dangerous existence.
But for now, the immediate situation before him was more important.
"Continue the advance! Let the ignorant fools of the Central Plains know the greatness of the Sun Palace!"
"Yes!"
The members of the Sun Palace surged forward fiercely. The heat qi they emitted caused the ground to burn hot.
"Oh!"
"Kill them all!"
Without sparing any effort, they pushed forward with the force of breaking bamboo.
As the Sun Palace Lord watched with solemn eyes, someone quickly approached and bowed their head beside him. It was not a palace member, but the Thousand Faces Scholar, Dam Yeohae.
"Sir Palace Lord. It's a directive... No, a request from the military advisor. They ask to scatter half of the forces in the rear to surround the enemy."
"Have you received the directive?"
The eyes of the Sun Palace Lord narrowed slightly.
"Yes, through the water qi."
The gaze of the Sun Palace Lord shifted. He saw large fluttering green flags, accompanied by slanted red flags.
"...They're doing something interesting. Even though they're not an army."
He spoke with a tone of disdain, but his eyes were heavy.
"Surround them. Make sure not a single rat boy escapes."
"As you command!"
The palace members swiftly began to carry out his orders.
Confirming their movements, the Sun Palace Lord slowly loosened his grip and began to walk forward.
"This... It seems this situation won't be enough to receive proper treatment just by filling the space."
Outwardly, he would offer support, but behind the scenes, he would treat them as if they had only laid out a spoon on a fully set table. It was a matter of maintaining dignity.
"Where...?"
He quickly scanned his surroundings. Soon, he spotted someone with sharp eyes, someone desperately trying to suppress their panic—a man with a keen sense of danger.
"Interesting."
The Sun Palace Lord's eyes, filled with fervor, met the sharp gaze of Sobyeong.
"Family lord!"
The boiling blood of the Peng Family turned cold.
Gold flickered on the cold mask that covered Peng Yeob's face. His trembling hand, holding the sword, shook slightly.
"I... made such a mistake."
Even if it was desperate, there were things one should not do. But perhaps, he could still reach Jang Ilso's throat with his blade.
"Retreat..."
The moment those words crossed Peng Yeob's mind, the ground beneath him suddenly shifted, then quickly crumbled away.
Peng Yeob was caught off guard. Wasn't this the worst move made at the worst possible moment?
"That foolish...!"
Peng Yeob bit his lip fiercely. No, perhaps it was fortunate. Thanks to the foolishness in the cave, the attention diverted away from them, even if only a little.
"Take care of the family members! We're escaping from here."
"Family lord, it's not easy! The current formation..."
"Do you mean to abandon the children?"
Peng Yeob shouted vehemently.
Countless eyes were directed at him. Eyes filled with guilt and resentment.
Wasn't it you who brought the Peng Family here and led them to this point?
Those eyes brought back a memory from Peng Yeob's past. Different from these eyes. The gaze of someone who never blamed him even in the moment of betrayal.
If that person, his brother, were here, what would he say?
Peng Yeob couldn't help but smirk at the thought. There was no need to think about it. The answer was already clear.
"Even if I were to die, such a thing cannot happen. Elders, all of you, step forward and rescue the disciples. Even if just one more person survives and escapes from here! You are all members of the Peng Family. Do not tarnish the name of the Hebei Peng Family!"
"...?"
There was no response. But Peng Yeob remained steadfast.
"Hurry!"
As the others finally nodded with their lips tightly pressed, Peng Yeob seized the moment with determination.
Already, what had been done couldn't be changed. But at least, he had to make amends. That was his duty as the family lord.
At that moment.
"I am the family lord of the Hebei Peng Family."
As Peng Yeob was about to step forward, he jerked his head back in surprise.
A man dressed in elaborate gold attire with a sturdy build stood before him. Despite looking overly ostentatious to the point of being frivolous, there was a subtle grace in his face.
"...Who are you?"
Peng Yeob asked sharply, on guard.
"At this level, it seems it would be enough to maintain a degree of dignity."
Ignoring the disdainful tone, Peng Yeob gritted his teeth at the dismissive remark.
However, he couldn't act on impulse because there was still speculation about this person's identity.
"Is it the Sun Palace Lord?"
"Lord would be more appropriate. It might be too much to expect Martial Arts World ruffians to adhere to such etiquette."
"...Hmm."
"Come here, savage. I need your neck."
At these words, the Peng Family members guarding Peng Yeob bristled and shouted.
"How dare you!"
"How dare these barbarians!"
But Peng Yeob, who had been insulted, raised his hand silently to stop them.
"Sir Family Lord!"
"Go."
"But..."
"Go and rescue the children! They must escape from here!"
"...Yes!"
With resolve, the ones guarding the rear dashed away, leaving Peng Yeob behind.
Watching their departure, the Sun Palace Lord, Jin Pyeong, smiled approvingly.
"Not bad. A family leader with no lack of leadership. There's a reason why the name of the Peng Family echoes all the way to the palace."
"Ha."
Peng Yeob chuckled wryly.
It was a phrase he had wanted to hear all his life. But no one had ever said it to him. Hearing it now, through the lips of an enemy aiming for his life, was ironic.
"Thank you for the praise. But the Peng Family's resolve is even more formidable."
"I hope so. That way, I'll have something to boast about too."
Boom!
The Sun Palace Lord's hand pulsed with a unique energy. The hand, initially burning yellow, quickly turned red, almost white-hot at the core.
The intense heat emanating from it even caused Peng Yeob's face to flush.
The terrifying heat qi.
Unlike the ice technique of the North Sea, which failed to fully utilize its essence, the heat qi of the South Sea Sun Palace was perfectly deployed in this moment.
"The Solar Palm..."
"You know it well."
The Sun Palace Lord's eyes gleamed as intensely as his hand.
"Consider it an honor. You'll be the first person from the Central Plains to die by my Solar Palm."
Simultaneously, an immense heat surged towards Peng Yeob. It was a heat so intense it seemed to scorch even his hair. In the midst of it, Peng Yeob gripped his sword with all his might.
His spirit felt like it could break at any moment. But he couldn't afford that.
Peng Yeob gritted his teeth. He must endure. Only by enduring could he rescue the family members and buy time for an escape route.
"I am... the family lord of the Peng Family!"
Swirling with the force of his resolve, his sword swung fiercely.
"Aaaargh!"
"Let go! Let go of him, you bastards!"
The screams echoed harshly, reaching even Beok Jeong's ears.
A starving horde was ravaging the disciples of the Nine Sects. Surrounded and torn apart from all sides, the disciples of the Nine Sects could only struggle helplessly.
It seemed like all their preparations against the evil sects had been in vain.
Was this what they had aimed for from the beginning?
No. There was only one cause... that giant flag looming over them.
That flag had turned the enemies into something entirely different from what they had faced moments ago.
It was not just a vague order to block and resist, but a clear command with a distinct purpose. Just that alone changed people.
Even those thoroughly trained would continue to follow orders until their dying breath.
"Aaaargh!"
Once again, someone's desperate scream pierced Beok Jeong's ears.
'Hu Jiaming...'
They should never have underestimated them as mere evil sect martial artists. Even though they knew that...
They had prepared, but their preparations had become futile.
'Peng Family Lord, Sect Leader Jongli...'
Moreover, those who should have been able to manage this situation were all tied down.
The situation with Jongli Hyeong, caught by the Underhanded Gate Master, was already clear, and Peng Yeob, who seemed to be facing the Sun Palace Lord, didn't look good either.
Even Beok Gye, who was as powerful as his counterpart, was struggling against the taoist attacks unleashed by Jang Ilso.
Compared to the clear orders conveyed by that flag, the voice of the person within arm's reach seemed insignificant.
And now, Beok Jeong found himself unable to even use that insignificant voice.
His head was restrained, his body torn apart.
Even in this dire situation, although the disciples were fighting valiantly to reduce the enemy's numbers, the limit was starkly apparent. The situation had already spiraled out of control.
If things continued like this, all that awaited them was defeat.
"Does it please you?"
A calm voice, tinged with mockery, brushed past Beok Jeong's ear.
It was impossible to tell if it was mixed with sarcasm anymore, considering the venom in all of that person's words.
"...Amitabha."
As Beok Jeong turned his head to face the battlefield, he met Jang Ilso's gaze.
Amidst the dire circumstances, Beok Jeong's eyes, which should have been filled with panic, were surprisingly calm, as if his deep cultivation had kept him more composed than expected.
"Is this what the benefactor prepared?"
Seeming intrigued, Jang Ilso's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hmm, you look better than I expected. Did you give up entirely? I thought you would put up more of a fight."
Beok Jeong spoke calmly, his voice steady.
"Benefactor, I must admit that the Four Tyrants Alliance is more formidable than I anticipated."
Then, after a brief pause, he continued.
"However, I too have not taken this war lightly."
"Hmm?"
"In war, you're unmatched in your cunning. It's only natural to assume you have a hidden move up your sleeve."
"..."
Jang Ilso's smirk gradually faded. Despite the chaos surrounding them, his face, which had maintained a smile until now, began to harden.
"Amitabha."
Beok Jeong nodded silently, like a head monk.
"Not knowing that would be foolish. Although I didn't know it was the Solar Palace, it was natural to assume you had something up your sleeve."
"...So?"
As Jang Ilso asked quietly, Beok Jeong stared at him firmly.
"Why wouldn't I expect that from the leader? If this is all there is to your plan, then today you will die, and the Four Tyrants Alliance will lose its name."
Beok Jeong's words carried certainty and intimidation. They were delivered matter-of-factly, as if stating a fact already determined.
Jang Ilso couldn't help but ask.
"...Did you know?"
"Amitabha."
"I already... already knew."
Jang Ilso's lips trembled, revealing a face that no one had seen before.
"Did you prepare for this?"
Jang Ilso asked sharply, to which Beok Jeong responded with a calm gaze.
"Why wouldn't I expect such a thing from the leader?"
Beok Jeong's reply contained everything he intended to convey.
Pride? No, it wasn't that. There was no point in boasting in this situation.
Jang Ilso looked at Beok Jeong as if he had lost his words.
Beok Jeong, now seemingly regained his composure, began to softly recite Buddhist prayers as if he had never lost them.
Clack.
Jang Ilso's finger rubbed against a ring, one of the few remaining, and they clicked together uncertainly.
Jang Ilso's blood-dried lips slowly parted.
"Well... about that preparation."
Blood flakes fell as his lips moved, revealing patches of red.
"You're not suggesting they're talking about the Zhuge Family that's rushing here now, are you?"
Beok Jeong's mouth fell open, his eyes widening in horror.
"W-What...?"
Jang Ilso slowly spoke, relishing Beok Jeong's reaction.
"Or... could it be referring to Moyong Family, who joined forces with the Zhuge Family while hidden all along?"
The trembling of Jang Ilso's lips intensified. It wasn't due to confusion or despair; it was because he couldn't contain his amusement.
"H-How...?"
Beok Jeong's face, which had seemed to regain its calmness, now turned pale without a trace of blood.
"How could you...?"
Jang Ilso chuckled, asking again. He looked like a demon with a person's neck in his grasp.
"Did you really think I would believe that? That I would believe your words about them not arriving on time?"
Jang Ilso's eyes widened.
"It's said that to deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your own allies. Well done. It was quite a brilliant move to leak information to me, believing that I would hear what you said. But, you see..."
Jang Ilso's thumb brushed against his lips, spreading the bloodstains on them.
"What's the use if I'm not fooled, huh?"
Clack!
Jang Ilso's ring clicked roughly. The resonance was completely different from before.
"Take a guess. What do you think is happening to them right now?"
Beok Jeong pondered as if his heart were being torn apart.
❀ ❀ ❀
"Damn it...!"
The face of Zhuge Family's family lord, the divine strategist Zhuge Zian, turned ashen.
This... was truly an unthinkable situation.
The forces of the Four Tyrants Alliance were all on that battlefield now. Even the forces that Jang Ilso had carefully concealed had left Hubei and moved elsewhere after tracking down their traces.
If Tyrant Jang Ilso has set the board and there's another piece placed on the opposite end, the strategy devised by the other side would become useless.
That's how it should have been.
Jang Ilso had no more pieces to deploy. It wasn't just a random assortment of pieces but a formidable lineup of experts.
Unless experts suddenly dropped from the sky, it was common sense and an expected outcome.
But...
At this moment, masked individuals were blocking the path of both the Zhuge and Moyong families. They completely obstructed the two families, who should have been heading straight to the battlefield, and their identities were unknown.
The swords they wielded were imbued with a verdant true qi.
Zhuge Zian's voice echoed as if he were facing the end of fate.
"Who the hell are those damn bastards blocking our way!"
It sounded like the desperate cry of a man facing his doom.