Chapter 83 : Chapter 83

Chapter 83. Ah, so this is what injustice feels like (2)

In any case, the outcome did not change.

Unless the Sichuan martial world was composed of utter fools, there was no need to even ask which side they would choose when weighing the Murim Alliance against Limitless Gate.

“As the Clan Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, I will speak.”

Look. Was it not the Tang Clan Head who stepped forward first and made his position clear?

The Sichuan Tang Clan was a family that harbored a ruthless resolve, willing to use any means for the sake of the clan.

It was painfully obvious what decision such a clan head would make.

“Our Tang Clan will not accept reconciliation.”

See? Just as expected……

“What?!”

True Master Cheongheo, who had been wearing a satisfied expression, was struck dumb.

The Tang Clan Head looked at him as if asking what the problem was and said, “You heard me correctly. Is there some problem?”

“Tang Clan Head…… are you serious?”

He wanted to ask if he had lost his mind, but this was as softened as he could manage.

Yet the Tang Clan Head did not even blink.

“Of course I am serious.”

“How can you possibly—”

“Clan Leader Han is our Tang Clan’s benefactor, a man of chivalry who alone extended his hand when all under heaven turned their backs on the Sichuan martial world, and—”

“That is—”

“Listen to the end. I am not finished speaking.”

“…….”

“Above all, I simply trust the man chosen by my son and daughter. Our Tang Clan never abandons its own blood!”

At the Tang Clan Head’s resolute words, all of the wavering Tang Clan disciples steeled their resolve.

Why would the Sichuan Tang Clan trust and follow Han Cheong-un?

There were more than enough reasons.

And then……

“Our Emei Sect is the same.”

“Abbess Hyeonwol?!”

“I cannot say it equals the Tang Clan Head’s debt, but I, too, believe I owe Clan Leader Han. And……”

Abbess Hyeonwol lifted the corner of her mouth slightly and said,

“There is something I have wanted to say at least once since my youth, Hyun Won.”

She called him by name, not by title.

Then—

“I have never trusted you.”

“…….”

True Master Cheongheo clenched his teeth.

The Emei Sect and Shaolin represented the Buddhist sects, and politically they had long stood in opposition to him, who represented the Taoist sword sects.

Because of that, there had often been political clashes between them since their younger days.

But……

‘Even so, would she really go this far? Has that old woman finally lost her mind?’

And if things went this way, the problem became serious.

If the Emei Sect and the Sichuan Tang Clan took this stance……

“Our Qingcheng Sect will also follow Clan Leader Han’s decision.”

At this point, even Qingcheng stepping forward was no longer surprising.

True Master Cheongheo shot a sharp glare at the Qingcheng Taoist.

“Changing your words because the situation changed—”

“That is something you are quite good at.”

“…….”

“Is that not so, True Master Cheongheo?”

True Master Cheongheo ground his teeth as if they might break.

Since becoming the Sect Leader of Wudang, this was the first time things had unraveled so completely before him.

He turned his gaze toward the Beggar’s Gang as his last hope.

“You are the Sichuan Branch Leader of the Beggar’s Gang, are you not?”

“That I am.”

“For the sake of the entire Beggar’s Gang, I ask you to make a wise choice.”

Mentioning the entire Beggar’s Gang was a veiled threat.

If you act obstinately here, the Beggar’s Gang may end up at odds with Wudang.

Seok Gu was not foolish enough to miss that implication.

But……

“Before that, let me ask one thing.”

“What is it?”

“State my name and my sobriquet.”

“……?”

“My name and my sobriquet.”

“Ahem…….”

True Master Cheongheo’s expression stiffened.

Seok Gu, who had his arms crossed, twisted his face slightly and said,

“Well, well. This is something. A man asking a favor doesn’t even know the name, surname, or sobriquet of the person he’s asking.”

“…….”

“No matter how much of a beggar I am, how am I supposed to live with my pride intact? Right, boys?”

“That’s right, brother.”

“This is discrimination against beggars.”

“He’s looking down on us because we’re beggars.”

“But isn’t it okay to look down on beggars?”

“……Is it?”

“Ahh, that’s kind of ambiguous…….”

Seok Gu glanced at the snickering beggars and smirked.

“Hopeless bastards…….”

If he was going to lead such hopeless bastards, then as the Sichuan Branch Leader, he at least had to make the right decision.

Just like now.

Seok Gu brought his hands together and gave a proper clasped-hands salute to True Master Cheongheo.

“As the Sichuan Branch Leader of the Beggar’s Gang, I formally state our position. We will support Clan Leader Han’s decision.”

“…….”

True Master Cheongheo pressed his lips together and only glared at Seok Gu.

Seok Gu did not yield at all under that gaze and said,

“True Master, please withdraw now. Someone with no intention of fighting should not be on the battlefield.”

Then Seok Gu pulled out his iron staff and swung it through the air once more.

And with that as the signal……

“Good. Shall we start again?”

“Let’s finish this, you unorthodox bastards…….”

All martial artists of Sichuan steeled themselves once more.

It was a battle they had thought was already over.

The excitement had cooled, the blood had gone cold.

Anyone who valued their own life would not want to fight again.

But……

‘These bastards…….’

Even so, the momentum of the Sichuan martial world surged sky-high.

So much so that even the Myriad Poisons Demon Snake hesitated.

Instead, the problem lay elsewhere……

“We’re doing this again?”

“Damn it, I thought it might end easily…….”

The unorthodox side’s morale did not rise.

Orthodox martial artists were taught that throwing away one’s life for honor was natural.

But the unorthodox were different.

For them, survival came first, profit second.

Honor ranked perhaps third.

They lacked the motivation to reignite a battle they thought was already finished.

And decisively……

“My interest has cooled.”

The Red Blood Saber Ghost was the first to step back.

“Demon Ghost!”

The Myriad Poisons Demon Snake shouted angrily, but the Red Blood Saber Ghost ignored him and said,

“I have already achieved my objective sufficiently. This kind of harvest is rare.”

As he spoke, the Red Blood Saber Ghost’s eyes smiled in satisfaction.

Even though the lower half of his face was completely covered, the thick smile was unmistakable.

Only one person understood the meaning of that smile.

‘That blood-crazed monster…….’

Han Cheong-un knew.

He knew the Red Blood Saber Ghost’s true nature.

Territory or interests were not that important to him.

What truly mattered was blood.

If possible, harvesting even more of the strong.

By the time this battle erupted, his objective could already be considered fulfilled.

In that sense……

‘This feels unpleasant. Is it really right to let him go?’

The Red Blood Saber Ghost’s withdrawal was something Han Cheong-un disliked as well.

If possible, he wanted to finish him here.

But……

‘No. I’ll endure it this time.’

To catch a bigger prize, sometimes one had to ignore the nibbles of small fish.

Han Cheong-un quietly watched as the Red Blood Saber Ghost gathered his subordinates and withdrew.

Then—

“So, what will you do? Myriad Poisons Demon Snake.”

“……”

The Myriad Poisons Demon Snake clenched his teeth.

There was really nothing to think about.

No matter how strong the Poison Hand Gate was, it could not wage war alone against the entire Sichuan martial world.

If that were possible, why would he have joined hands with others in the first place?

Moreover……

‘I still can’t gauge this brat.’

He could never say it aloud, even if his mouth were torn open, but the Myriad Poisons Demon Snake feared Han Cheong-un.

He hated to admit it, but Cha Mugyeom was stronger than him.

Purely in terms of martial arts.

Could he handle someone that even Cha Mugyeom could not defeat?

“You don’t have confidence, do you?”

The Myriad Poisons Demon Snake flinched.

Han Cheong-un’s words, tossed out as if he had read his thoughts, startled him to the core.

With his spine damp with cold sweat, he heard Han Cheong-un say decisively,

“If you don’t intend to fight, then get lost. I’ll spare your life for now.”

CRUNCH.

In the end, the Myriad Poisons Demon Snake also turned his back.

“We’re withdrawing!”

The Eight Gates of the Evil Way, victory just within reach.

They all turned their backs at once and began to retreat.

What was the difference?

There was no need to say it. Everyone already knew.

People’s gazes naturally turned toward two individuals.

And—

“One guy demanded half of the Sichuan martial world, and another just sends them packing with momentum alone.”

“Seriously.”

“Damn…… this is why you have to choose the right side.”

“Yeah. Exactly.”

With nothing in the world to their name, they had nothing to hold back.

The Beggar’s Gang members began chattering one by one.

Other sects did not join in, but they smirked and tacitly agreed.

True Master Cheongheo, a master of reading the room and political maneuvering, clenched his lips and trembled.

It had been his table, his feast.

Someone had kicked it over and then set up an even better one.

How was he supposed to endure this humiliation and disgrace?

All the sects of Sichuan were looking at him with ridicule.

At him, the Sect Leader of Wudang and an elder of the Murim Alliance.

But venting his anger here would be foolish.

It would only draw attention to his blunder.

Here, instead……

“Amitabha…… admirable, admirable…….”

He suddenly looked at Han Cheong-un, gave a deep clasped-hands salute, and said,

“I had heard rumors and tales, but I did not know Clan Leader Han’s excellence was so great.”

“……?”

“……?”

Everyone’s mouths fell open.

Was it not absurd?

Just moments ago, he had treated Han Cheong-un like a foolish child and pressured the entire Sichuan martial world with a forced choice.

Yet the instant the unorthodox faction withdrew, he turned like this.

“Is this what they call political skill?”

“No, it’s shamelessness.”

“Aren’t those the same thing?”

“To think he’s a Taoist, of all things…….”

Whispers spread, but True Master Cheongheo deliberately ignored them.

Those small fry did not matter.

What mattered now was having this brat before him accept his apology and wrap things up as favorably as possible.

‘From the looks of it, he’s not completely dull.’

Though he had only observed him briefly, True Master Cheongheo had considerable confidence in his judgment.

This brat named Han Cheong-un had guts and a fairly sharp mind.

His martial prowess went without saying.

Even if he had been humiliated here, building a good relationship with such talent was not a total loss.

And……

‘This brat must know it too. That joining hands with me is more beneficial than remaining at odds…….’

Exactly.

He was the Sect Leader of Wudang and an elder of the Murim Alliance.

Moreover, he was one of the strongest candidates for the next Alliance Leader.

What would one gain by making an enemy of him?

True Master Cheongheo spoke again to Han Cheong-un.

“Through my failure to properly read the overall situation, I nearly caused great harm to the entire Sichuan martial world.”

“…….”

“It was the mistake of this foolish one who failed to grasp Clan Leader Han’s intentions. I ask for your forgiveness.”

“…….”

Frankly, this was bowing quite low.

Even those who had been watching while labeling him shameless changed their expressions slightly.

No matter what, if a figure as prominent as the Sect Leader of Wudang apologized to such an extent, should not the younger Han Cheong-un accept it and reconcile?

Amid such gazes, Han Cheong-un, who had been silent, opened his mouth.

“No.”

“……What are you say—ugh!”

“Just die! You damned bastard!”

Han Cheong-un thrust his spear urgently, and True Master Cheongheo barely evaded the attack.

After widening the distance, he shouted angrily,

“Wh-what are you doing?!”

“Just die already!”

Han Cheong-un was genuinely enraged.

He looked ready to rush in again to finish it.

But……

“Clan Leader. That’s enough.”

“Master, please restrain yourself.”

Dang Jin and Dang Seoyeon rushed in to stop him.

Han Cheong-un swung his spear and shouted at the top of his lungs,

“What restrains me? I’ve harbored decades of resentment toward that old bastard!”

“Easy. Calm down, Clan Leader.”

“Do I look like a cow?!”

“Please hold back, Master. Be good, all right?”

“I’m not being the good guy!”

To be fair, True Master Cheongheo had indeed provoked Han Cheong-un’s trigger.

After suffering betrayal at his hands and enduring years of pain, Han Cheong-un knew better than anyone the filth hidden behind that man’s hypocritical, lofty mask.

And now that very man was engaging in political scheming right before his eyes.

How was he supposed to endure that?

Han Cheong-un had not even reacted like this when the leader of the Eight Gates of the Evil Way withdrew, so how could he be expected to hold back now?

“None of that matters. Today I’ll…… ngh…….”

The problem was that Han Cheong-un’s condition was not normal.

Considering the injuries he had sustained in his duel with Cha Mugyeom, it was impressive he could even lose his temper like this.

In the end, Han Cheong-un lost consciousness and collapsed.

“Master! Masteeer!”

Dang Seoyeon wailed, while Dang Jin—

“Haah, what a troublesome guy. He finally passed out.”

The difference in temperature between the siblings was striking.

Dang Seoyeon shot her brother a sharp glare, then said,

“Father. Master’s condition is not good, so I will take him away first.”

“Oh, yes. Do so.”

As Dang Seoyeon carried Han Cheong-un away, the Tang Clan Head turned to the still-dazed True Master Cheongheo and said, “True Master, there is one thing I wish to ask.”

“……What is it?”

“Answer honestly. What kind of grudge do you have against my son-in-law?”

“Huh?”

“He may be somewhat free-spirited and bold, but he is not someone who loathes and hates others to that extreme. So why does he react like that only when he sees you?”

At that, True Master Cheongheo replied with genuine grievance in his voice, “Clan Leader Han and I are meeting for the first time. How could there be a grudge?”

“Then why does Clan Leader Han act like that?”

This time, Abbess Hyeonwol interjected.

She looked at True Master Cheongheo with eyes full of suspicion and said,

“He looked as if he were facing an irreconcilable enemy. He is not normally like that.”

“I am truly wronged.”

Then the Qingcheng Taoist also narrowed his eyes and joined in.

“Frankly, it is hard to believe.”

“No, why would—”

“Is it not common knowledge in the murim what kind of darkness lies within you, True Master? How could we believe you?”

The finishing blow came from Seok Gu, the Iron Mesh Beggar.

Others nodded with looks that said, “That’s true.”

“…….”

True Master Cheongheo Hyun Won.

For the first time, he realized—

‘Ah, so this is what injustice feels like.’