Chapter 979: There's No Way Not To Believe It (Part 4)

Thud thud thud.

The sound of the boat scraping against the sandy cliffs could be clearly heard. Shortly after, a man in red clothing descended slowly from the stationary boat.

"…Jang Ilso."

Baek Cheon's face contorted horribly.

At the moment he looked at that man's face, it seemed like his blood was boiling in the opposite direction. He felt the urge to rush forward and thrust his sword into the man's throat right now. The other disciples standing next to him didn't seem much different as they tensed their shoulders.

Then, Baek Cheon's gaze landed on Chung Myung. At that moment, he took a deep breath as he watched the seemingly calm and unresponsive figure.

Not far from each other, Jang Ilso, with a smiling face, and the expressionless Chung Myung were facing each other. Their attire and expressions were in stark contrast, creating a tense atmosphere, making everyone on the island hold their breath.

As Jang Ilso flicked his finger, a fallen ring on the ground was drawn into his hand. He slowly put the ring back on his long finger and examined the Black Dragon King.

"...You've become a sorry sight."

His gaze shifted to the severed remains of the Black Dragon King's arms. As if he had seen something he couldn't bear, Jang Ilso furrowed his brows. Then, he smoothly smiled again as he looked back at Chung Myung.

"How about it, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword? Do you really need to cut his throat?"

Chung Myung couldn't help but burst into open laughter in response.

"Need it?"

Chung Myung's foot pressed down on the Black Dragon King.

"Gwaaargh!"

From the Black Dragon King's mouth came a stifled groan.

"This?"

Jang Ilso slightly shrugged his shoulders in an exaggerated manner.

"Since you're someone who belongs to a righteous sect where talents are as common as clouds, you might not understand my perspective. But in the Evil Sect, it's not easy to find someone like him."

"…."

"My position is such that I have to pick up and use whatever I can, no matter if it's a bug or an idiot. Isn't it pitiful?"

"Still playing around like a little child, I see."

"I'm glad you admit it. That's my special talent."

Jang Ilso chuckled.

"So... how about sparing his life?"

"...."

"If the Black Dragon King has become a cripple with his arms severed and no longer poses any threat in your opinion, you can leave him here, and I'll make sure to take good care of him."

"Why should I do that?"

Chung Myung's icy gaze seemed like it could penetrate Jang Ilso in an instant. After briefly locking eyes, Chung Myung smiled slyly.

"No, no. I can do that."

Like a wolf being attacked, he bared his teeth and stared at Jang Ilso with all the hostility he could muster.

"If you're willing to offer your worthless neck as compensation."

"Hahahaha."

Jang Ilso leisurely brushed his fair neck.

"This, this... I didn't realize this neck was so valuable. It's so coveted by the Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

A hint of madness glittered in his pale eyes. Anyone who received that gaze would be chilled to the bone just by the look in his eyes.

"But it's difficult. No matter how insignificant this is, it is too precious to exchange for the life of one bug-like bastard."

The Black Dragon King shivered as he trembled under Chung Myung's foot. Even though he barely survived thanks to Jang Ilso, being subjected to this treatment was too cruel, especially for someone who was once the absolute leader of the Yangtz River.

But he couldn't even open his mouth.

Because he knew that if he vented his anger, Chung Myung's sword would swiftly cut his throat. He had faced Chung Myung directly and knew that this man was not someone who hesitated in the face of murder.

"Go on, say it."

Chung Myung tossed the words as if he were tossing something unimportant.

"Go ahead and boast with your pretty words. Tell me why I should save this guy. And why should I..."

His chilling gaze pierced Jang Ilso.

"...save you."

Jang Ilso's red lips drew a sinister smile.

'It's creepy.'

It wasn't a joke. Meeting his eyes directly gave an eerie feeling, making his spine tingle.

'I thought he might have gone mad for a bit.'

This wasn't madness; it was more like pure malice.

As Jang Ilso's pale, slender hand tightened under his sleeve, the rings clinked against each other, making a clacking sound.

Jang Ilso briefly glanced at his hand, and his eyes darkened for a moment. Adorning his entire body with jewelry allowed him to understand his own condition most accurately. The fact that his hand tightened involuntarily, regardless of his will, meant that he was experiencing an intense murderous intent against Chung Myung.

'Do I want to kill him?'

Right here, right now?

Was it worth discarding everything he had planned so far, no matter the cost, to eliminate Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, who was threatening enough to warrant such action? His thoughts about Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword were still not settled, but his instincts were clearly telling him so.

By any means necessary, he had to kill Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword right here and now.

What Jang Ilso's instincts were controlling was his will to live. Currently, his instincts regarded this small warrior as a more pronounced threat than anyone he had ever encountered.

Jang Ilso let out a small laugh as he raised his hand to cover his face.

He didn't want to show his anger that could be exposed on his face to anyone. His face was concealed, but between his long fingers, cold light emanated from his exposed eyes.

He wanted to cut it.

He wanted to sever that neck, drench his hands in blood.

However...

"A price..."

Naturally, Jang Ilso rejected his own thoughts.

It was doing what pigs did, unrestrained impulses that prevented him from distinguishing between right and wrong and acting only according to his instincts. That was the kind of behavior he hated the most from the common masses.

"What do you want, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword?"

"..."

"Tell me. Say what you want. I can grant you whatever you want. Even if it's..."

The smooth voice filled with poison whispered into Chung Myung's ear.

"Even if it is the undeserving mercy to let you off this island alive with you begging on your knees for it."

"..."

As soon as the words ended, a blue aura burst from all the Mount Hua Sect's disciples' bodies. Their eyes turned bloodshot, and they seemed to be ready to charge at Jang Ilso with swords drawn at any moment.

"Don't be reckless."

The one who suppressed the atmosphere that seemed about to explode at any moment was none other than Un Geom. As soon as his words ended, the anger that was about to erupt from the Mount Hua Sect disciples disappeared as if it were a lie.

It had to be that way.

Un Geom's words were heavy at any time, but in front of the Myriad Man Manor and Jang Ilso, the weight was even greater. There was no one who could be more angry in front of Un Geom.

Once again, the Mount Hua Sect's swordsmen, who had regained their composure, remained silent. However, their swords still emitted a bright blue light, pointing at Jang Il-so.

Then, Chung Myung spoke again.

"Jang Ilso."

"Hmm?"

Chung Myung's eyes were excessively emotionless.

"Don't misunderstand."

"Misunderstand? Me?"

"You know nothing."

For a moment, Jang Ilso's expression slightly changed. Chung Myung's words sounded not as empty and vain chatter, but full of meaningful implications.

Chung Myung continued.

"What do you think is the reason you were able to set foot on this island without losing your head?"

Jang Ilso quietly gazed at Chung Myung.

"Naturally, did you think I wouldn't kill you? Did you think I would accept your proposal just to keep one more person alive?"

Chung Myung revealed this, laughing.

"A foolish Evil Sect member who thinks the world revolves around their own desires."

Jang Il-so responded to the provocation without any reaction. He just answered in a toneless manner.

"So what's your reason?"

"…."

"May I ask what the great reason Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, who protects the commoners of the central plains, has for not severing the head of this wicked subhuman of the Evil Sect?"

Even when facing such an insulting taunt, Chung Myung showed no reaction. He simply responded indifferently.

"Providing answers to a fool is a tiresome task, but that too is the duty of a superior. Clean your ears and listen carefully, you lowly fool. The reason I haven't killed you is just one."

"…."

"Because it's not within my authority."

Jang Ilso's eyes narrowed.

It was a very subtle change in expression, but those who had been observing Jang Ilso up until now could clearly recognize it. For the first time, his usually self-assured face displayed a puzzled expression.

"What do you mean?"

"Even a three-year-old child would understand it."

Chung Myung scolded coldly.

"I have to explain it to a lowlife like you. I am just a sword of the Mount Hua Sect. There is only one person in the world who decides at whom the Mount Hua Sect's sword will be aimed."

At that moment, Jang Ilso's gaze shifted. Not to Chung Myung, but to someone behind him.

"If you want to return with your miserable life, bow your head and pray to our Sect Leader. Because if it weren't for him, no one here would be able to save you."

Scrape.

The dark sword that had been touching the side of the Black Dragon King's neck scratched the sand. It seemed like a warning that, as long as his Sect Leader gave the order, it could cut Jang Ilso's throat right now.

A hint of bewilderment flashed on Jang Ilso's face, which was usually smooth and expressionless as if painted.

'Obey the Sect Leader's command?'

What was this absurd nonsense?

Of course, he knew he belonged to the Evil Sect while they belonged to the righteous sects. He understood that they had their own rules to abide by, unlike the Evil Sect where strength ruled everything. Hasn't Jang Ilso been taking advantage of that fact to make enormous gains?

But that was a story for ordinary martial artists.

There is no way that an ordinary, clueless Sect Leader could control something like Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword. Besides, Hyun Jong didn't even fit within the boundaries of a regular Sect Leader.

However, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, who was arrogant enough to look down on even the leaders of the Ten Great Sects and Five Great Families that ruled the world, and was so vicious that he clearly showed his murderous intent even in front of the leader of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, was following Hyun Jong's orders?

Jang Ilso was so dumbfounded that he could not help but laugh out loud. But this bizarre statement was quickly proven to be true.

Even in the face of Chung Myung's absurd words, no one in the Mount Hua Sect showed even a hint of doubt. Not even a trace of suspicion crossed their expressions. They were simply accepting Chung Myung's words as a matter of course.

The moment he realized this fact, cold sweat poured down Jang Ilso's back. It was an unprecedented level of confusion and tension.

'So now I've entered the cave with my own feet?'

He thought that the negotiation's subject would naturally be Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, which was why he was able to enter here alone. The brilliant Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword would not be able to ignore the fact that Jang Ilso dying here would be a loss to the Mount Hua Sect.

However... what if the subject of the negotiation was Hyun Jong?

Jangilso couldn't help but smirk for a moment.

'Perhaps this might become my grave.' 

He gradually straightened his back, confidently walking towards Hyun Jong, who was observing him.

His long robe fluttered slightly as he adjusted his robe lightly, and Jang Ilso approached Hyun Jong with a graceful stride, a flawless display of respect.

"Jang Ilso of the Evil Tyrant Alliance."

He gazed at Hyunjong with eyes as deep as a full moon. They had met before, but he behaved politely as if he were meeting Hyun Jong for the first time.

"I have the honor of meeting the lord of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect."

Hyunjong, with a slight sigh, returned the courtesy.

"I am Hyun Jong, the lord of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance and the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect. Nice to meet you again, Paegun."

As expected, he was extremely polite.

However, the coldness of the blades hidden inside his words chilled the hearts of everyone who watched the scene.