Jeok Ho could feel the blood in his body turning cold.
Although he had never seen the figure before him, he could immediately recognize who it was.
He had to.
Under heaven, there may be many people, but there are few who could hold him firm with just a word.
And there was no need for further thought when he saw the black robes and the sword at the waist.
"Mount Hua... knight."
A groan-like voice escaped his cracked lips.
Jeok Ho tightened his grip on the sword, gritting his teeth.
Was it possible? There was only one opponent. It might be difficult to defeat that person, but at least an attempt to strike Beok Jeong's neck with a single blow might be possible.
If it meant risking his life...
But Jeok Ho ultimately didn't swing the sword.
It was a gut feeling the moment he met the eyes staring back at him. If he swung the sword, he would die. Without even touching Beok Jeong's neck.
"This is Mount Hua's Chivalrous Knight... No, Plum Blossom Sword Demon."
It was a completely different level from what he had heard.
Even risking his life, he wouldn't reach him. He would just meet his own death.
With a surge of humiliation, Jeok Ho couldn't help but grit his teeth.
At that moment, he sensed the approaching presence behind Mount Hua's Chivalrous Knight. It must be his companions.
If he hesitated any longer, escaping alive would become impossible.
Whether it was mercy or simply deeming it a waste of time to swing his sword at him, Jeok Ho couldn't tell. But regardless, he had to break free from Mount Hua's Chivalrous Knight now.
Jeok Ho silently stepped back.
"...Until we meet again."
With that brief final word, Jeok Ho, who preserved his meaningless pride, glanced briefly at Beok Jeong and disappeared.
Chung Myung glared at Jeok Ho with cold eyes.
And moments later, Hye Yeon, who had belatedly caught up with Chung Myung, turned her gaze towards Beok Jeong.
"Master!"
Wide-eyed, Hye Yeon looked around in bewilderment before screaming.
"Master!"
Flying towards Beok Gye like the wind with her eyes wide open, Hye Yeon lifted up the limp body of Beok Gye as it hung lifelessly.
"Master! Master, please wake up! Master!"
Blood flowed profusely from the deep wounds on his neck and chest. Just by looking at it, one could sense Beok Gye's fate.
Hye Yeon cried out, "Master!"
Tears streamed endlessly from her large eyes as she desperately tried to revive Beok Gye's energy in his dantian.
Was there any effect?
After a while, Beok Gye, who had shown no signs of movement, fluttered his eyelashes. Slowly, his eyes opened. His unfocused pupils stared blankly at Heo Kong for a moment before finally seeing the one who embraced him.
"Hye...Yeon...?"
"Master! You're awake! It's me, Hye Yeon!"
Hye Yeon clasped Beok Gye's limp hand. Beok Gye, who stared at her tear-stained face, spoke with a voice that seemed on the verge of fading away.
"Where... is... the abbot?"
"...He's alive, Master. The abbot... is..."
Hye Yeon couldn't continue speaking as if her throat had been choked.
A small smile appeared on the corner of Beok Gye's lips. To Hye Yeon, that smile looked so comforting.
"Thank goodness..."
Beok Gye's head slowly fell to the side.
Hye Yeon embraced Beok Gye, whose body had collapsed even more. Her shoulders trembled endlessly.
Watching them quietly, Chung Myung sighed and looked down.
It was uncertain whether Beok Jeong had lost consciousness or simply couldn't bear to look ahead, but he remained motionless, his face buried in the ground.
Chung Myung silently strode past Beok Jeong in that state.
Though rage and fury surged within him, now was not the time to vent them.
He had to see with his own eyes. Understand what had unfolded here. Know what the world now had to bear.
*step*
Chung Myung walked on. Past the fallen Beok Jeong, past the sobbing Hye Yeon, and past the perpetually silent Beok Gye.
His steps quickened, accelerating like the wind. The towering trees swayed ominously.
Thud!
Though not far, the distance felt eternal. Perhaps it was a distortion born from not wanting to see the unfolding spectacle ahead.
But escape was short-lived. Passing through the imposing trees, Chung Myung was soon met with an expansive battlefield.
"..."
Chung Myung's lips pressed together.
Blood-soaked earth and strewn corpses.
The land was so vast that it was hard to discern the scale, yet with sharpened perception, he could see the extensive carnage spread out before him.
Chung Myung took it all in, every detail.
The countless bodies, shattered weapons, and the sickening stench wafting even from the distant reaches.
And over the already lifeless bodies, there were those who sought even more slaughter, scavenging like ravens.
A sense of dread washed over Chung Myung. It might as well have been despair.
The horrifying scene before his eyes forcibly dredged up a moment that would never leave his mind.
A slight trembling emanated from his tightly clenched fist.
Soon, his gaze turned toward the center of the battlefield. And there, unsurprisingly, stood someone staring back at him.
Though they shouldn't have been able to spot each other at this distance, the two locked eyes as if destined to meet.
Though they were so far apart, their words still reached.
The movement of those crimson lips formed a voice in Chung Myung's mind, laced with a laugh.
"Oh, oh... A precious guest has arrived."
With an expression as if genuinely pleased to welcome a guest, their eyes gently traced Chung Myung's figure. Though they seemed mild at first glance, there was no one in this under heaven who would interpret that laughter as genuine.
Yet they truly seemed delighted.
"But... Shouldn't you have hurried a little more? Hmm?"
"..."
"Hahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha!"
The booming laughter echoed, shaking Chung Myung to his core.
His fist trembled. Overflowing with rage but unable to vent, brimming with anger but unable to unleash it.
Jang Ilso's laughter continued to echo in his ears.
But unlike Jang Ilso, who surrendered himself to such joy, Hu Jiaming regarded Chung Myung's revealed form with a grave gaze.
Even discerning his appearance was difficult through those eyes.
But the intense killing intent emanating from that person seemed to thrust Hu Jiaming's entire being into a frigid abyss.
Cold sweat trickled down his spine.
He deemed it impossible to approach. How carefully he and Jang Ilso had laid traps to lure away that unpredictable monster from this battlefield. Sacrificing even the life of the Black Dragon King to draw in the Plum Blossom Sword Demon.
And yet, that monstrous being had reached this place before the bloodshed had even cooled.
If only that person's movements had been slightly faster, if their traps had been a bit less intricate, the outcome might have been different.
But regardless, victory now belonged undoubtedly to the Four Tyrants Alliance, and to their alliance lord.
Jang Ilso spoke again.
"As I said."
It was a small voice, as if uncertain if it would reach the distant figure. Yet even if unheard, the meaning Jang Ilso wished to convey would surely resonate.
"Choice."
The laughter lingering in Jang Ilso's eyes took on an eerie glimmer.
And then, he began to approach Chung Myung step by step, like a predator looming over its prey.
"Remember, it's not something to be taken lightly."
Then, unexpectedly, Chung Myung, who had been observing them from a distance, also began to advance. In an instant, Hu Jiaming's eyes widened with a hint of disbelief.
'Surely not...'
*step*
Chung Myung took another step toward them. Hu Jiaming's eyes grew larger with each passing moment.
'Is he really charging in now?'
Here?
Unconsciously, Hu Jiaming clenched his fist tightly.
It was impossible. No matter how foolish one might be, they wouldn't act so recklessly. Especially not Chung Myung. Even if blinded by rage, would he make such a foolish and reckless choice?
Surely not... Yet, strangely, a corner of Hu Jiaming's heart fluttered.
But what if Plum Blossom Sword Demon truly intended to continue this advance?
Hu Jiaming's grip tightened on his fist.
'Here... I can cut off his breath.'
A fierce thirst surged through him, a momentum that seemed to consume his entire body. He didn't need the man to charge; he only needed to get a little closer...
'Just a bit more...'
Perhaps Jang Ilso wouldn't approve.
But this was something that must be done. With the Nine Sects and One Union completely shattered, if they could capture Plum Blossom Sword Demon as well, there would be no one left under heaven to oppose the Four Tyrants Alliance.
It seemed as if under heaven was within their grasp.
'Just a bit more...'
It was at that moment, as Hu Jiaming's fingertips involuntarily twitched.
"Hmm."
Jang Ilso leisurely let out a snort. Then, slowly, he raised his hand.
Everyone, forgetting even to breathe, stared as if entranced at the tip of Jang Ilso's finger.
Moments ago, they had all fought against the Nine Sects and One Union, even achieving a crushing victory. Yet with just a gesture, Jang Ilso effortlessly commanded their attention.
At that moment, Jang Ilso's presence was immense, unmatched by anyone under heaven.
And with that, the loyalty of the Four Tyrants Alliance to Jang Ilso was at its peak.
As Jang Ilso's finger began to descend, everyone present, regardless of their origins or sects, would rush forward to carry out his command.
To tear apart and punish that audacious individual who dared to show his teeth against their alliance lord after accomplishing such a feat.
With everyone holding their breath, muscles tensed to their limits...
"Well, then..."
Snap.
Instead of lowering his hand, Jang Ilso flicked his finger lightly.
It was an instruction whose intent was not immediately clear. As everyone looked on, clueless, Jang Ilso chuckled and spoke.
"Let's retreat. It's only fitting for an evil sect, after all."
In an instant, everyone's faces slackened in astonishment. Even Hu Jiaming, taken aback by the unexpected order, found himself gaping.
But Jang Ilso, as if his decision were the most natural thing in the world, turned on his heel without a trace of hesitation.
"Well, sir alliance lord!"
Quickly following behind, Hu Jiaming called out, and Jang Ilso, now calm, glanced back.
"What's the matter?"
With a casual question, Hu Jiaming suddenly felt dizzy.
Despite their disbelief in Jang Ilso's orders, everyone still hesitated. Jang Ilso swept his gaze over them and said,
"What are you doing?"
A genuinely clear laughter rang out. Somehow, under that sinister smile, as their eyes met, everyone involuntarily cast their gaze downward.
"Retreat. Move!"
"Yes!"
The Four Tyrants Alliance began to move with urgency.
With that command, Jang Ilso glanced back briefly. Chung Myung, who was still approaching, was visible.
With clear enunciation, Jang Ilso spoke.
"There's nothing as repulsive as an actor crawling onto a finished stage. There's no place for you to stand here."
That sneer was etched painfully into Chung Myung's eyes.