Chapter 1034: We're Not There With Him (Part 4)

The slowly approaching boat reached the river bank.

Yoon Jong, gazing at Jang Ilso standing on the boat, felt it once again.

It was truly strange. No matter what conversation they were having or whatever situation they were in, everything would change the moment that man appeared.

Whether it was when he saw him in Mount Hua, at the top of the Daesan Mountains, or at the Black Dragon King's Castle and Plum Blossom Island, the feeling was the same.

He had always felt this way when facing dramatic situations, but at this moment, he understood it clearly. Jang Ilso was someone who could change the atmosphere just by his presence.

Amidst the strange silence that could erupt at any moment, Jang Ilso slowly raised his hand.

His hand, hidden beneath his wide and ornate sleeves, revealed a multi-colored ring that dazzled Yoon Jong's eyes.

"This...?"

Jang Ilso, covering his lips with his hand, widened his eyes.

"Was it not an appropriate moment for me to intervene?"

It wasn't a particularly strange thing to say.

However, it somehow created a sense of discomfort. Hearing such ordinary words coming from Jang Ilso's mouth was as disconcerting as a Buddhist monk cursing the Buddha.

Jang Ilso, who had disembarked from the boat, leisurely walked toward them.

Splash.

The sound of his feet lightly touching the water echoed in everyone's ears.

Jang Ilso stopped at a suitable distance, casually bowed to Hyun Jong, and then spoke.

"If you're having a private conversation... I could have given you some space and come back later. I do have some sense of propriety, you know."

He smiled as if mocking himself.

Baek Cheon was about to lose his temper, but Chung Myung's calm voice was quicker.

"If you had any sense of propriety, would you have thrust your face into this place all by yourself?"

"Hmm?"

Chung Myung said, revealing a smirk.

"Or perhaps, are you getting tired of your companion now and want to separate your body from your head?"

"Haha."

Jang Ilso chuckled briefly.

"Don't get too angry. We're on somewhat good terms now, aren't we?"

The Five Swords ground their teeth, but Chung Myung remained unflinching, his expression icy as he confronted Jang Ilso.

"I'm sorry, but it would be nice if you could understand our position a bit. Just sharing the same air as someone like you is unpleasant."

"That's a bit disappointing."

"So why don't you clear things up and tell us what you want to say."

Jang Ilso's smile deepened. In the ominous atmosphere, everyone unconsciously clenched their lips.

Alone against the dark night, Jang Ilso's presence shone vividly. It was more intense than any other appearance they had seen so far.

"Do you understand the situation?"

"Thanks to someone who kindly informed us."

Chung Myung's words made Jang Ilso shrug his shoulders exaggeratedly.

"That's quite a headache."

Chung Myung fell silent, but Baek Cheon eventually couldn't contain his boiling anger.

"You acted all high and mighty, but you couldn't handle a single demonic sect, so you came all the way here? It seems that the Evil Tyrant Alliance is nothing special."

The Five Swords looked at Baek Cheon with surprise. The anger they felt towards Jang Ilso may have been different from each other, but they couldn't bring themselves to scoff at him.

However, Baek Cheon seemed unfazed by Jang Ilso's imposing presence. No, perhaps he was reacting this way because he was overwhelmed by it. That's just the way Baek Cheon was.

"Tsk, tsk."

Jang Ilso gave Baek Cheon a disdainful look and then turned his gaze towards Chung Myung.

"Mount Hua folks have no manners. Interrupting when adults are having a conversation. Someone should teach them a lesson, don't you think?"

"I don't think you understand."

"Hmm?"

"In Mount Hua, we are taught to only respect those who deserve it."

"...."

"I'd rather show respect to a passing dog than to someone like you."

"Hmm. That sounds like I'm not as good as a dog."

"You got it."

Jang Ilso chuckled, raising the corners of his mouth. Baek Cheon tightened his grip on his sword, perhaps unconsciously.

However, Jang Ilso just shrugged his shoulders as if it was of no concern.

"Respected members of the righteous sects sure have high standards. Treating me with such reverence, it's quite heartwarming, don't you think?"

"...."

"To be honest, it's a little amusing, isn't it?"

"It's a stretch."

The smiles on both their faces grew even wider, but their eyes remained sharp as if they were daggers aimed at each other.

"Can't handle a single demonic sect..."

Jang Ilso muttered to himself, still pondering Baek Cheon's words. He sighed loudly and cast his eyes downward.

"Well... it's not entirely wrong. That's the truth. But..."

With cold eyes, he looked at Chung Myung and beyond to Baek Cheon.

"You need to understand that if I can't handle the Demonic Sect, it's not just us who wil burn in that fire. The fire... will burn across the entire Central Plains. It will reach beyond the Yangtze River, to Hanam, and to Shaanxi."

"Cut the nonsense and get to the point. What do you want?"

To Chung Myung's question, Jang Ilso's smile at the corner of his mouth intensified to the point where it seemed to flicker like flames.

"I don't need much. Just a single sword should suffice."

"A sword?"

Jang Ilso nodded slowly.

"It's hard to explain, but it seems like my sword doesn't quite work well on those guys."

Chung Myung's expression grew slightly rigid.

"So, there's no other way, is there? Even if it's unfamiliar and dangerous, I have to borrow a sword that works well. A sword that I can use to... stick it in that bishop or something's throat."

Jang Ilso gazed at Chung Myung with a glint in his eye.

"A blade as sharp as they come."

Chung Myung's face turned completely cold now.

From the beginning, he had anticipated that Jang Ilso would come seeking assistance.

'Because he's of the Evil Sect.'

An ordinary martial artist might be able to do something. But if, as Jang Ilso's words implied, the actual bishop had appeared, the real bishop known to Chung Myung, the Evil Sect would never be able to defeat him.

Once a master of the devil path crossed the line, they would tear the martial path to shreds.

If what symbolizes the righteous sects is righteousness, and what symbolizes the evil sects is desire, then what symbolizes the demon sect is none other than malice.

Not malice towards the Evil Sect but malice towards humanity.

Even Chung Myung finds it hard to comprehend the principles, but either way, the demonic magic suppresses ordinary martial arts, rendering their skills ineffective. He had only learned this through countless battles in the past.

But...

'He's never faced them directly, but figured it all out through speculation...'

He didn't want to admit it, but Jang Ilso was truly a chilling man.

However, what was scarier may not be his mind that grasped everything, but his determination to go beyond this river without any doubt in his own thoughts.

"A sharp blade..."

Chung Myung, lost in thought, voiced his thoughts.

"The crazy Evil Sect might not understand, but being a renowned sword requires qualifications."

"Hmm?"

"You're not qualified to wield a renowned sword."

"Well, maybe?"

Jang Ilso chuckled slyly. Then he abruptly stopped his laughter.

"Let's put an end to the banal metaphors, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

"..."

"I need you to decapitate that crazy bastard. The more time it takes, the worse the situation becomes. The sooner you make a decision, the better."

"Do you think I'd join hands with a guy like you?"

"No. no. That's not it, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

Jang Ilso shook his head.

"This is not about holding hands. You deal with the bishop as you do, and I deal with the bishop as I do."

"..."

"You haven't forgotten, have you? You owe me your life once?"

Chung Myung ground his teeth softly. Jang Ilso's shoulders shook as if he was holding back laughter.

"Why? Do you think you can erase a life debt owed to a mere Evil Sect member?"

Chung Myung stared at Jang Ilso with cold eyes.

"Is that so?"

"Hmm?"

Jang Ilso raised his head, and Chung Myung calmly replied.

"What will you do if I say I don't owe the Evil Sect anything? Kneel and beg?"

"Kneel? Hahahahahahahat!"

Suddenly, Jang Ilso burst into wild laughter. His mixed emotions reverberated throughout the Yangtze River. The Five Swords wobbled as if they were hit by a sudden burst of energy.

"Kneel? Did you say kneel? Me, Jang Ilso? Hahahahahahahat!"

Jang Ilso laughed as if he would shed tears. His dazzling jewelry swung loudly and noisily. It was an eerie and bizarre scene.

After laughing as if he couldn't believe it for a long time, Jang Ilso looked straight at Chung Myung. His eyes were piercing and piercing. Slightly reddened, his eyes shone between his pale, lifeless white skin.

"That's right. Did you say that Jang Ilso should kneel and beg?"

"..."

"Then I'll do it."

Chung Myung's face stiffened, but Jang Ilso smiled even more calmly.

"If you wish, I'll give it to you."

Step.

Jang Ilso took one step closer to Chung Myung.

"Kneel."

Another step.

"Bow your head and thrust it into the ground."

The distance between Chung Myung and Jang Ilso was getting dangerously close.

"If you need more..."

Gradually, Jang Ilso approached Chung Myung and whispered in a strangely heated voice.

"Even lick your shoes, begging for help. Please help me. Please. Please. Please."

Bak Cheon, who had been looking at the whole scene as if spellbound, unconsciously took a step back.

He felt his body hair bristling.

Even though he understood in his head that all these actions were typical exaggerations by Jang Ilso, understanding didn't make it any more acceptable. Just by hearing that voice, he felt like a chilling snake was slithering through his entire body.

'What on earth is that guy...?'    

Step.

Jang Ilso took one last step and looked down at Chung Myung's face.

"If you wish, I can give you whatever you want. Is that enough for you?"

At that moment, Chung Myung reached out and grabbed Jang Ilso's collar, pulling him down. Jang Ilso's body bent, and their eye levels aligned closely.

Growling, Chung Myung glared at Jang Ilso.

"Listen carefully. You piece of trash."

"..."

"Something like a debt is fine. I would have gone there myself even if you didn't ask. So remember this clearly. Neither Mount Hua nor I are moving because of your insignificant matter."

Thud!

Chung Myung pushed Jang Ilso's chest. Jang Ilso staggered back a few steps and smirked.

"Of course."

"Get ready properly. You're going to have to work hard to deal with us."

"Of course..."

Jang Ilso, about to nod with a sneer, suddenly stopped and looked at Chung Myung with a puzzled expression.

"Us?"

"Yes, us."

"..."

"You said you needed the sword to cut the bishop's throat."

"Right..."

"These..."

Chung Myung gestured behind him with his chin.

"Is the sword."

His voice penetrated Baek Cheon's ears sharply. The latter unconsciously clenched his fist.

"They don't look particularly sharp."

"You can have high expectations."

Chung Myung revealed it while smiling.

"I forged them myself. They will become sharp enough to cut not only the bishop's throat but yours as well someday."

"That's something to look forward to."

Jang Ilso looked at the Five Swords with a mysterious smile. After a while, he slowly turned around as if his business was over.

"We'll leave at the break of dawn."

"..."

"Then... See you again, children of the righteous sects."

Jang Ilso walked away from them as slowly as he had come.