Chapter 449 : Chapter 449

Vol 2 Chapter 89. Fortunately, It Seems We’re Not Completely Late (4)

The ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Hwangbo Clan advanced relentlessly.

They ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍chose the most foolish yet certain method against the various mechanisms and formations protecting the main house of the Jaegal Clan.

Human-wave ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Tactics.

They ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍literally ground down their manpower to exhaust the mechanisms and reveal the weaknesses of the formations.

It's ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍easy to say, but who would do such a thing?

The ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍warriors of the Hwangbo Clan were individuals who had been nurtured over decades.

To grind down such talent as if they were disposable?

This was not the way of a normal Jianghu person.

Even the Unorthodox Faction couldn't do this for fear of their subordinates’ rebellion.

Yet, the Hwangbo Clan had chosen this foolish method.

However, the effect was certain.

“Clan Head. The enemy has arrived right in front of the main body.”

“What is their condition?”

“More than half of them seem to have died or fallen behind.”

“…How absurd.”

Jaegal Gyeom shook his head.

Military strategy dictates that if 30 percent of one’s forces are lost, one should admit defeat and retreat.

History shows great battles where armies of a million were annihilated, but such cases are extremely rare.

Usually, losing just 30 percent of one's forces is a major defeat.

Losing more than 50 percent could be called a great defeat.

Yet, the Hwangbo Clan, despite losing more than half of its forces, showed no signs of retreating.

‘For what reason are they doing this? The Hwangbo Clan may have an inferiority complex towards our main family, but it shouldn't be to the point of being this relentless.’

Jaegal Gyeom frowned, feeling that the current situation did not make sense.

For a strategist, the worst situation was not winning or losing, but when something incomprehensible was happening.

‘Is it okay to proceed like this? Is it right to execute the plan in a situation where I haven't fully grasped the circumstances?’

The hesitant Jaegal Gyeom.

But unlike a debate on a tabletop, in a real war, there is no time to leisurely deliberate.

“Clan Head. The enemies have reached the final gate.”

The final gate.

It was the last bastion protecting the main building.

And it was also the point where they had intended to lure the enemy according to the original plan.

If they were to proceed as planned, they had to end it here.

But….

‘Is this really okay?’

The persistent questions gave rise to hesitation.

To such a Jaegal Gyeom, the general manager urgently shouted.

“Clan Head. The defensive formation will be breached soon.”

“Mmm….”

There was no time to organize his thoughts.

In the end, Jaegal Gyeom had to make a decision.

“Execute it.”

“Yes, sir!”

And the general manager shouted forcefully.

“Activate the Eight Trigrams Formation!”

In that moment, the final, ultimate formation of the Jaegal Clan was activated.

***

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE.

Heaven and earth moved.

At least, that's how it felt to the people of the Hwangbo Clan.

The sky turned black.

The ground split open.

Rocks suddenly rolled in from all directions.

Flames shot up from the cracked earth.

“Ugh… uwaaaah!”

“Noooo!”

“S-… save… Aack!”

It was truly a natural disaster.

As an overwhelming calamity unfolded that did not permit humans to resist, the martial artists of the Hwangbo Clan floundered like children who had fallen into water and died.

Watching this, the clan head Hwangbo Wicheon smiled and muttered.

“Indeed, so this is the Jaegal Clan’s Eight Trigrams Formation.”

It was truly a divine skill, as if recreating the end of the world by manipulating the harmony of heaven and earth.

It was the ultimate formation of death that served as the foundation allowing the Jaegal Clan, despite its inferior martial prowess, to firmly hold its position as one of the cornerstones of the Five Great Families.

A huge rock fell from above the admiring Hwangbo Wicheon.

At that….

“Hmph!”

Hwangbo Wicheon imbued his fist with Gang Qi and extended his hand toward the rock.

KABOOOM!

The rock shattered into pieces and scattered.

Its remnants fell upon Hwangbo Wicheon.

Watching the remnants of the rock fall on his body with a patter, Hwangbo Wicheon thought.

‘To be unable to even distinguish between reality and illusion. It truly is an ultimate formation of death.’

This formation was different from the previous ones.

It was not something that could be passed by recklessly pushing warriors in.

However….

“Hmph, do you think there is no way?”

Hwangbo Wicheon raised his qi to its peak.

The energy of the Red Thunder began to overflow from his entire body.

Then….

“Did you think you could stop me with such petty tricks!”

With a great shout, he forcefully extended his fist toward the sky.

The powerful Gang Qi that shot out from his fist exploded squarely on something invisible in the sky.

KABOOOOM!

***

“Keok!”

“Cough….”

Several of the formation masters who were concentrating on maintaining the formation collapsed, vomiting blood.

“Immediately replace those who have fallen. Do not let the formation collapse!”

Jaegal Gyeom hurriedly gave orders.

He himself also participated in the formation to support the collapsing one.

“Mmm….”

“Kuuugh….”

An enormous amount of internal energy was being consumed to maintain the collapsing Eight Trigrams Formation.

But the formation masters of the Jaegal Clan also did their best.

They knew that if they retreated now, the survival of their clan would be in jeopardy.

“Hold on! We just have to hold on a little longer.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

At Jaegal Gyeom’s encouragement, the formation masters clenched their teeth and squeezed out their energy.

Certainly, the speed at which the Hwangbo Clan’s warriors were falling inside the Eight Trigrams Formation was much faster than the rate at which their allies were consuming their internal energy.

Although Hwangbo Wicheon was rampaging like mad inside the formation, there were still plenty of formation masters on standby.

This meant that if it became a long-term battle, they had a sufficient chance of winning.

Just then….

“Kuk!”

Jaegal Gyeom’s face turned pale.

And his eyes, which had hastily looked up at the sky, saw a mysterious masked figure standing proudly high above.

“Who? No, more than that…. Could it be stepping on air?”

A monster demonstrating a state that could be called the pinnacle of movement arts was now above them.

Of all times.

The moment Jaegal Gyeom sensed a crisis.

The man with his face covered by a green hood extended his hand.

And….

“Dodge!”

At the same time as Jaegal Gyeom shouted loudly, a countless number of hidden weapons poured down from the sky like rain.

And it wasn't just a large number.

In Jaegal Gyeom’s vision, he could feel the immense energy contained in each of those countless hidden weapons.

And it poured down on the entire Jaegal Clan.

BOOM! KABOOM BOOM! BOOM BOOM!

***

Due to the external attack, the Jaegal Clan’s formation completely collapsed.

Naturally, the warriors of the Hwangbo Clan who were trapped inside the Eight Trigrams Formation also appeared.

“Hmm, well, well….”

Hwangbo Wicheon looked around, smirked, and said.

“Was it you, Fifth Senior Brother, who lent a hand?”

At that, the green-hooded monster who had slowly descended from the sky said.

“It was frustrating to watch.”

“Hmph, I could have broken it by myself.”

“Is there a reason to take the long way around when there is an easy path?”

“Well, that’s….”

In truth, Hwangbo Wicheon couldn't be sure that he could have broken the Eight Trigrams Formation by himself.

Even if he could have, his other subordinates would have all died in the process.

In that sense, the help now was very timely.

However….

“You were the one who helped without me asking, Fifth Senior Brother. Is that not so?”

“You won't even say thank you, even if you die.”

“Hmph. Why would I say such a thing when there is no reason for me to do so?”

At Hwangbo Wicheon’s insistence on prioritizing his pride to the end, the green-hooded monster could only sigh.

He knew well that he couldn’t break that stubbornness.

And what was important now was not Hwangbo Wicheon.

“Finally. The moment to bring about the downfall of the Jaegal Clan has come.”

The green-hooded monster said this as he looked at the main building of the Jaegal Clan, which had been ruined by his attack.

Just then, a man stood up from within the wreckage, clenching his teeth.

“Cough….”

“Hoo, so the clan head is a clan head after all, is he? You managed to survive.”

The one who had stood up was Jaegal Gyeom, the head of the Jaegal Clan.

Although he was in a ruined state, not his usual neat appearance, he was still standing on his two feet.

He then glared ahead with a sharp glint in his eyes and….

“Myriad Poisons Young Master. For you to attack our main family….”

The green-hooded monster looked at Jaegal Gyeom and said.

“Do you know me?”

“The fifth disciple of the Heaven Breaking Martial Emperor. A master of poison and hidden weapons, and….”

Jaegal Gyeom clenched his teeth and continued.

“Presumed to be Dang Gyegwang, the patricide of the Sichuan Tang Clan who was excommunicated decades ago.”

“……”

“Am I wrong?”

At that, the man in the green hood spoke as if quite surprised.

“I don’t know if it’s the intelligence of the Beggar’s Gang or the reasoning of the Jaegal Clan, but….”

He calmly nodded and said.

“That is correct. I am indeed that Dang Gyegwang.”

“Damn it….”

Jaegal Gyeom bit his lower lip hard.

Dang Gyegwang.

He was the nephew of the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

Despite not being from the main family line, he possessed a talent that surpassed the main line.

The Tang clan head of that time had highly valued his nephew’s talent.

He personally taught him the family’s secret arts and accepted him as his top disciple.

But what he received in return was his nephew’s sneak attack.

He had launched a vile sneak attack to kill the clan head and swallow the Sichuan Tang Clan.

Fortunately, the Tang clan head had avoided the sneak attack.

And in his counterattack, Dang Gyegwang was seriously injured and fled.

A patricide who had tried to kill his own kin and coveted power.

The Sichuan Tang Clan immediately expelled him from the family and announced his crimes to Jianghu, designating him as a public enemy.

After that, no trace of him was found.

However….

“I had expected it to some extent. From the moment I received the information that one of the disciples of the Heaven Breaking Sect specialized in poison and hidden weapons….”

“……”

“Let me ask one thing…. Keok!”

Jaegal Gyeom, who was speaking, was sent flying, vomiting blood in the middle of his sentence.

It was Hwangbo Wicheon who had sent Jaegal Gyeom flying with a punch.

“Honestly, what’s a man about to die so curious about that he has to ask questions.”

Hwangbo Wicheon slowly walked forward.

Jaegal Gyeom, in his collapsed state, forced himself up and organized his thoughts.

‘My body is in a bad state from the aftereffects of the Eight Trigrams Formation being forcibly broken. But even if my body were fine….’

He wouldn't be able to win.

Hwangbo Wicheon was that strong.

And he thought he knew why he was so strong.

“Indeed, so you are a disciple of the Heaven Breaking Martial Emperor, are you?”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“Nothing much. It’s just….”

Jaegal Gyeom continued speaking with a smile on his lips.

“It’s just ironic that the new head of the Hwangbo Clan, which was once a part of the Orthodox Faction, is a disciple of the Heaven Breaking Martial Emperor.”

“……”

“I’m curious, so let me ask. Is the Hwangbo Clan now turning to the Unorthodox Faction? Or…. Keok!”

Another punch flew at him.

Jaegal Gyeom couldn't even react and was sent flying backward.

“Clan Head!”

“Damn it….”

The members of the Jaegal Clan who had gotten up after him burst out in frustration.

But they too were not in a good state.

Hwangbo Wicheon ignored them and looked at Jaegal Gyeom, saying.

“You foolish man. Did you think you could sway my subordinates with just those words?”

“Cough…. For that… you seem… quite anxious?”

“Foolish. These men will never defy me, no matter what I do. What you want will never happen.”

At Hwangbo Wicheon’s words, Jaegal Gyeom thought to himself.

‘It’s certainly strange.’

Even though it was revealed that their clan head was a disciple of the Heaven Breaking Martial Emperor, the only ones who showed signs of wavering were the regular warriors.

The elders’ faces showed not a flicker of agitation.

At this rate, it would be difficult to create a division within the Hwangbo Clan.

‘How is that possible? Threats? Bribery? No, those methods wouldn't be enough. Then the remaining means is….’

Jaegal Gyeom’s eyes widened as he said.

“You bastard, did you use evil arts on your own clan’s elders… Keok!”

Hwangbo Wicheon closed the distance in a single step and grabbed Jaegal Gyeom by the neck.

He then said in a growl.

“You talk too much.”

“Kuuuugh….”

“Ask any further questions you have to King Yama in hell.”

Hwangbo Wicheon raised his fist.

And the moment he was about to extend his hand to crush Jaegal Gyeom’s head….

“……!”

He felt a shiver.

At the same time as he felt a sense of danger, Hwangbo Wicheon threw Jaegal Gyeom aside and instinctively extended his fist, gathering his qi.

From the direction he extended his fist, a single flash of light was flying toward him.

KABOOOOM!

A powerful impact.

Hwangbo Wicheon staggered and had to take two steps back.

And what appeared before him was….

“Fortunately, it seems we’re not completely late.”

It was a young man with twin swords slung over both shoulders.