Chapter 1434: You'll Have To Kill Me First (Part 4)

"These, these guys!"

The faces of the elders turned pale as they saw the enemies charging again.

Did they not see it clearly? How dangerous the Thunder Guns of the Sichuan Tang Family were. Yet, they show no fear at all. How could this happen if they are not willing to risk their lives? 

"Aaargh!"

Although they momentarily gained momentum, unfortunately, they couldn't sustain it. A sinister scream echoed in their ears, shattering everything they had gained.

"Hyung-nim!"

Those who had lived their whole lives as Tang Family martial artists. Those who were feared and respected throughout the land. The emotions that surfaced in their eyes now were confusion and fear.

Should they have fled? Like those who fled without looking back when Tang We spoke, should they have abandoned the futile struggle and at least tried to save their lives? Or perhaps now...

"Spread the poison!"

At that moment, the venomous voice of Tang Byeok erupted from the Tang Family's side.

"Hy-Hyung-nim! Using poison in this situation..."

"What are you doing! Spread the poison now! You fools! Is our goal to defeat them or not?"

Those words sparked a fire in the minds of the elders.

"We will die here. Until the moment of our death, spread the poison, throw the hidden weapons! It's inevitable that they will step on our corpses. But make sure they can't catch up to our family members!"

Tang Byeok shouted with a face covered in blood.

"We are elders of the Sichuan Tang Family! Die fitting that name!"

Typically, a significant reason is needed for someone to risk their life. But sometimes, no significant reason is required. Especially for the elders of the Sichuan Tang Family. What more reason did they need?

In the eyes of the elders who were momentarily seeking a way to save their lives, a deadly aura surged.

"Aaaargh!"

A flying sword pierced one of the elders. However, even with a sharp blade in his chest, the Tang Family elder did not despair.

"Khh..."

At the moment when the elite of Myriad Man Manor was about to squint his eyes, the Tang Family elder let out a bizarre laughter.

Wham!

A pinkish venomous smoke emerged from the elder's sleeve.

"Heuk!"

Although the shocked Myriad Man Manor member tried to pull out his sword, no matter how hard he tried, the sword stuck in the elder's chest didn't budge, as if pressed against a rock.

"The Tang Family..."

The elder's face contorted strangely.

"Do not underestimate the Sichuan Tang Family..."

Chwaah!

Dark liquids sprayed in all directions from the Tang Family elder's sleeve. The Myriad Man Manor member, who received the full impact of the black poison, bit his lips and grabbed the elder's neck.

"Useless old man!"

Crack!

The elder with a broken neck collapsed on the spot. However, the Myriad Man Manor member who severed his life was not unscathed either.

"U...waaah!"

Black blood flowed like a waterfall from the mouth of the Myriad Man Manor fighter. Intense pain, as if being hit in the head with a hammer, enveloped him.

"Spray it!"

At Tang Byeok's shout, poisonous mist simultaneously rose from all directions. Unlike before, it wasn't a wall of poison crashing against the enemy. It was a technique enveloping their own position with poison.

Even though the elders of the Sichuan Tang Family had some resistance to poison, it didn't mean they were completely immune. To willingly wrap oneself in poison in this situation meant a determination to face death. No, it was a determination to bring death closer.

And that wasn't the end of it.

The elders forced the blood poison into their mouths. This poison would undoubtedly poison them thoroughly, but it would also turn their blood into an even more lethal venom. So, those who dared to cut their bodies would not escape unscathed!

Even the various Myriad Man Manor fighters hesitated for a moment at this extreme and horrifying tactic.

However...

"Hahaha!"

What those who unconsciously tried to retreat saw was none other than the red-eyed Hongyeon charging towards them from behind.

The eyes of the Myriad Man Manor members filled with terror for a moment. If they advanced, they would be poisoned, but if they retreated, they would undoubtedly die. Hadn't those crazy Hongyeons never considered them allies from the beginning?

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

The Myriad Man Manor fighters, surrounded on all sides, rushed towards the cloud of poison, cursing their fate.

"Come on!"

The Tang Family elders, affected by the poison, shouted, their voices tearing as they watched the Myriad Man Manor fighters.

"We won't let you go! Never!"

"Aaaargh!"

Tang Sobu flinched and turned to look at the desperate scream that erupted from behind, or tried to.

"Don't look!"

Tang We's shout grabbed her head.

She wanted to block her ears. Close her eyes and turn away from the unfolding situation. But she had no luxury for that now.

'I have to run!'

She knew. She knew what she had to do now. One step. Just one more step. Otherwise, those elders' deaths will turn into meaningless sacrifices.

'I have to survive! Absolutely!'

Tang Sobu pulled Tang We and wiped away her tears.

One step.

"Go!"

At that moment, Tang We pushed her forward.

"Elder!"

Despite Tang Sobu's intense scream, Tang We stood firm.

"Hurry, go! Hurry!"

"But, Elder..."

"Go, didn't I tell you!"

Somehow, Tang We let out a roar like thunder.

Tang Sobu, bewildered, looked at him with bloodshot eyes. Tang We forcefully pushed her away again.

"Go! You must survive! Definitely!"

"Elder!"

Tang We no longer urged her. Instead, he turned away.

In his eyes, the black venomous mist, rising as if reaching the sky, was clearly visible. And within it, the screams and shouts echoed distinctly.

The elders were prepared to die.

But they wouldn't last much longer. They weren't weak, but their numbers were too few, and the enemy too overwhelming.

Not everyone could survive. Someone had to stop them. Someone had to hinder them here.

A momentary conflict flickered in Tang We's eyes.

At the end of that brief struggle, the directive that burst out was something Tang We would never have given under normal circumstances.

"Send the children and women first! Quickly!"

"Yes! Elder!"

Hearing his words, the men handed the children to the women.

"Honey!"

"Come on! Quickly!"

The women, screaming mixed with cries, were pushed forward by the men.

The sight made Tang We's hands tremble for a moment.

Was this right? Was this the right thing to do?

Even if they were men who hadn't learned martial arts, even if they had lost the poison they had accumulated through generations, they were artisans who created hidden weapons and researchers who developed poison.

Was it really right to use them as shields for women who would not help the future of the clan?

He didn't know.

Tang We realized. He couldn't know everything in the world. His belief that he knew more and understood more was purely his arrogance.

Right now he was just listening. Listening to what his heart was screaming. That voice, shouting that he wanted to do something incredibly stupid.

"Lead the non-combatants! Men, support them from behind!"

"Yes!"

Tang We, biting his lips, turned away unknowingly.

"Sorry."

He didn't know the meaning of those words, but the artisans who heard it burst into laughter.

"We didn't make hammers to hit people, but why can't we break humans if we can break iron rails?"

"...Even if we didn't learn martial arts, we are from the Tang Family. Of course, that's how it should be. If it were the other way around, I wouldn't have followed Elder's orders."

"Even if we can't use poison, we are still Tang Family members. Naturally, it should be like this. If it were reversed, I wouldn't have followed Elder's orders."

"If someone who makes poison can't use poison the best, I wanted to prove it at least once. [idk] It worked out well."

Tang We laughed hollowly at the words of the artisans' jokes.

'Did I ignore these people?'

Everyone was from the Tang Family. Yes, everyone.

From the young children playing in the Tang Family's courtyard to the artisans waiting for their last day. They were all from the Tang Family.

"Don't talk nonsense! It doesn't mean we're told to die here! You must survive too! Let's go! Take one more step!"

"Yes!"

At that moment, Tang We turned to charge again.

Pa-aaah!

With the sound of a splitting strike, the rising venomous mist scattered, and a man emerged from it, surrounded by a blue aura.

A middle-aged man with a suppressed gaze. Holding his sword in reverse, Jeokho rushed towards them in an instant.

"Run! Quickly!"

"Yes!"

The Tang Family artisans ran with all their might, but from the start, escaping the pursuit of an absolute master was a dream.

In an instant, closing the distance, the enemy attacked. The Tang Family artisans, seeing the enemy approaching, bit their lips.

"Can't escape!"

Their hammers swung fiercely. The hammers they never abandoned even in the midst of running away from everything were now being wielded to protect the Tang Family.

But their hammers were too weak to face that massive sword.

Wheeeeeng!

With a sound crushing the air, the bodies of the artisans were split in half and shot up. A pitiful and helpless sight. Yet, the Tang Family artisans clung to Jeokho's ankles and, while falling, the pale Tang Family venomous experts sprayed poison persistently.

"Don't mess arround!"

But even those were easily overcome by Jeokho. His usually calm eyes now emanated a fierce murderous energy.

It was meaningless to pick them off one by one from behind. The way to crush those fleeing at once was to break through the front.

Jeokho, blocking them, swiftly moved forward, avoiding their attempts to stop him.

"Go! Hurry!"

Seeing that scene, Tang We turned his body.

"Elder!"

Tang We's hand slipped out of his sleeve. Holding about ten venomous bottles in both hands, Tang We poured the contents of an open bottle into his mouth.

A burning sensation filled his throat, and his body immediately caught fire.

'Gods of heavens above!'

Tang We, poisoned, staggered and rushed towards Jeokho. Jeokho indifferently sliced him.

Whoosh!

But at that moment, a line of red appeared on Tang We's chest, and his vision lost focus.

Jeokho, ignoring Tang We as if it were a matter of course, tried to pass by. However, a line of blood appeared on Tang We's chest, and simultaneously, his hands wrapped around Jeokho

"Hmm?"

"Ca-can't go..."

Jeokho's face distorted. Seeing the blood flowing from Tang We, who was holding onto his leg, and feeling the distant pain, he realized.

"Vile old man!"

Squish!

Jeokho's ink blade dug into Tang We's back in an instant. Tang We convulsed, but the hands entwining Jeokho leg did not let go.

"Can't... go..."

"This guy!"

Squish!

Jeokho's sword cut through Tang We's arms in a single stroke.

"This poisonous scum."

Jeokho bit his lip. Tang We's clothes, grabbed as he fell, were being soaked by deadly venom.

There might be no immediate problem, but if time passed, he would inevitably be poisoned.

"If just don't delay!"

Bang!

Jeokho's eyes emitted a blue light. In front of his eyes, the back of a woman fleeing appeared.

'Go!'

Tang Sobu's eyes were constantly streaming with tears.

The screams from behind were too desperate. And too heartbreaking.

Still, she had to go. She had to.

'Don't cry! I am from the Tang Family!'

Although Tang Sobu did not master martial arts, proving one was part of the Tang Family wasn't solely about martial arts. Those who inherit the blood of the Tang Family should never show weakness in front of the enemy.

"Aaaaah!"

Behind her, another chilling scream echoed. The faces of those who turned around in surprise turned pale.

A child burst into tears.

Someone who chose to sit down right there.

Someone poured a curse in a deafening cry.

Everyone would die. All of them.

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't survive with their own strength. The deaths of everyone sacrificed to save them would be in vain.

Tang Sobu's mouth fell open involuntarily.

"Who..."

Please, someone.

"Someone, please help! Please!"

Then, a fierce shout came from behind her.

"Die, you insignificant ones!"

A cold sensation behind her back was felt. Tang Sobu, instinctively sensing her fate, instinctively closed her eyes tightly.

'Sister!'

Kaaahhh!

But at that moment, what Tang Sobu faced was neither pain nor tranquility.

Just a strong wind. A raging wind that swept over her like something had exploded.

And then.

Thunk.

Something touched her face.

Before understanding what it was, a soft voice reached her ears.

"Are you okay?"

"..."

Tang Sobu opened her eyes wide. In front of her were the unfamiliar features of a man.

"I'm sorry for being too late. However, now you should be fine."

"...What?"

The man patted Tang Sobu's back with a stern face and then passed her, moving forward.

"...Who?"

Tang Sobu's eyes were filled with questions. But her curiosity was not greater Jeokho's

"...!"

Jeokho's face turned cold.

His wrist, grabbing his ink blade, tingled painfully.

'What is this?'

Even if it was an act carried out without much thought, being easily deflected like this was unexpected. No, being deflected wasn't important. What was important was that when the blade touched the sword, he felt a dense, heavy weight, as if he were striking a solid rock.

Jeokho's face twisted.

"You..."

The man blocking Jeokho's way glanced around silently. Many had already shed blood and fallen. If he had arrived a little earlier, many lives that could have been saved were lost.

The man's face hardened.

"Is killing that easy?"

"...Who are you, kid?"

"Lee Songbaek of Southern Edge."

"What?"

Confusion appeared on Jeokho's face. If the other had this level of martial arts, he should've heard the name at least once. However, he had never heard this name before.

"If you want to kill them, you'll have to get past me first."

The man's foot dug into the ground. Lee Song Baek, who stood firmly like a thousand-year-old tree, had clear, bright eyes that shone endlessly.

"Come."

His thick voice spread widely over the static ground.