Chapter 53 – Welcoming Uninvited Guests (2)

Chapter 53 – Welcoming Uninvited Guests (2)

As So-mu sprinted toward Hanzhong, a large pack was slung across his back.

After leaving Luoyang, he had traveled through several other cities. If he returned too quickly, others might find it suspicious.

*I hope she likes them.*

He had spent his time wandering around to buy gifts for So-so. Not knowing what to get, he had simply bought whatever caught his eye. There were snacks for children, as well as instruments like flutes and tung flutes. He had spent nearly a month's worth of his military salary.

*Sigh. Raising a daughter alone is truly no easy task.*

Though his purse was light, his heart felt full now that he had bought the gifts. Gliding across the water of the Yangtze River using the water-gliding technique, he soon entered Shaanxi. Before long, he was due to arrive at the Han River, south of Hanzhong.

***

Meanwhile, in the center of Hanzhong, the standoff between Il-gwang and the Evil Dragon Corps continued.

Because Il-gwang's aura was formidable, the Evil Dragon Corps soldiers did not dare move easily. Above all, a terrifying fist qi flickered around his hands.

"You insolent bastard! Do you have any idea who we are?!"

The Evil Dragon Corps was one of the Song Empire's famous elite units. Two officer-rank soldiers stepped forward, projecting their sword qi. Although it was a two-on-one situation, Il-gwang did not back down in the slightest.

"Keep flapping your gums, and I'll rip your heads off."

At that moment, the crowd of onlookers stirred. Several people recognized Il-gwang's face.

"Th-the great hero is here!"

"He's the one who saved my child!"

"Yes! Let those wicked bastards taste his wrath!"

The gathered crowd began to cheer for him one by one. The moment they saw Il-gwang, their fear vanished. In their memory, his power was nothing short of invincible.

Conversely, the Evil Dragon Corps soldiers grew extremely displeased. The citizens were openly denouncing them as villains. Although they had pillaged in many places, they had never encountered a reaction like this. They could not possibly feel good about it.

The soldiers in the rear glared at the citizens.

"Shut your mouths!"

"Open your mouths again, and I'll kill you."

Just as the terrified crowd was about to fall silent, Il-gwang gestured mockingly at the Evil Dragon Corps.

"Quiet down and come at me. I'll pull out all your teeth."

It was a touch-and-go situation. If a fight broke out, casualties would be inevitable. The two officers flanked Il-gwang.

Just as they were about to move.

A roar echoed from somewhere, freezing everyone in place.

"You scoundrels! How dare you terrorize the citizens?!"

Everyone's gaze shifted to the source of the voice. It was General Jang Yang. Behind him, a hundred members of the Wolf Fang Squad gripped their sword hilts.

The fist qi and sword qi vanished simultaneously, halting the fight. They could not fight in front of the Military Commissioner.

The captain of the Evil Dragon Corps stepped forward and said, "This is an order from the Privy Councilor. You have no authority to stop us, General."

"Do you still call yourselves soldiers of the Song Empire?!"

The captain replied without yielding, "We are currently in a state of war with the Hui Dynasty. By national law, during wartime we can forcibly conscript necessary supplies and labor in any city. This order has already been issued under the authority of the Military Commissioner."

"Shut your mouth!"

Jang Yang was well aware of the national law. However, what these men were doing was pillaging for personal indulgence. He could not allow them to harm the citizens of Hanzhong.

"The Privy Councilor said that if you interfere with the conscription, we are to arrest you."

Finding no other fault, Jang Jun had clearly set a trap. But Jang Yang was not one to back down.

He was about to roar again, but he was forced to stop. The citizens, driven to fury by the threat of General Jang Yang's arrest, moved first.

"Who on earth made such a law?!"

"Why is the military conscripting women?! You bastards!"

"We don't need soldiers like you!"

"Take this! Ptooey!"

The Evil Dragon Corps captain's face contorted with rage, and a murderous aura flared from him. These were lowly commoners who usually didn't even dare meet his eyes. This reaction was entirely unexpected.

He could not tolerate it. Pests who dared rebel had to be suppressed with terror. He barked a cold order to his subordinates.

"Kill everyone who just spoke."

Five soldiers drew their swords and lunged toward the citizens.

However, there were those who were even faster. An equal number of Wolf Fang Squad members darted forward, blocking the citizens. Their hands and feet moved like lightning, striking the lunging Evil Dragon Corps soldiers simultaneously.

*Thud! Crack!*

"Arrgh!"

"Urgh!"

The soldiers stumbled back, their faces filled with disbelief.

Who were they? They were the Evil Dragon Corps, a unit known to have few rivals in the Song Empire. Their pride could not accept this. They no longer cared about General Jang Yang.

The Evil Dragon Corps captain roared in fury, "You're all going to die today!"

With that cry, a hundred swords leaped from their scabbards. The Wolf Fang Squad members drew their swords at the same time.

"Go ahead and try."

Coincidentally, the numbers were roughly equal. The Evil Dragon Corps and the Wolf Fang Squad faced each other.

However, the Evil Dragon Corps, who had confidently drawn their swords first, blinked in shock. The opponents they had dismissed as insignificant were all projecting sword qi. Every single one of them.

"I said, try it."

"Should we come to you?"

The Wolf Fang Squad continued to provoke them. But the Evil Dragon Corps hesitated, seemingly struck dumb.

What was sword qi? It was a high-level technique possible only for those with at least thirty years of internal energy. They could not believe the sight before them.

While several in the Evil Dragon Corps could project sword qi, the entire opposing squad could do so. If a fight broke out, it would be a slaughter. Without Jang Jun, they were completely outmatched.

A sudden silence fell over the street of Hanzhong. Then, Jang Yang roared once more.

"From now on, if anyone lays a hand on the citizens, cut them down immediately!"

The Wolf Fang Squad members shouted in unison, "Yes, General!"

"Understood!"

After standing awkwardly for a long moment, the captain of the Evil Dragon Corps finally backed down.

"You will regret this."

He sheathed his sword and turned away, his subordinates following close behind. Once the Evil Dragon Corps vanished, the citizens erupted in cheers.

"Whoooo!"

"Long live the General!"

However, Jang Yang could not feel at ease.

"All of you, dismiss."

Sending the Wolf Fang Squad back, Jang Yang returned to his office. The excessive tyranny of the Privy Councilor made it impossible for him to focus on his work.

An hour later, the very thing he had feared occurred.

*Bang!*

The office door was thrown open. Jang Jun walked in, his face twisted in a scowl.

At this blatant disrespect, Jang Yang's brow furrowed. Seeing that the man had even brought his sword, it was clear he was resolved to make a move.

"Are you going to remain seated in front of your superior?"

At those words, Jang Yang reluctantly stood and asked, "What is the meaning of this?"

"You ask because you do not know? You have interfered with soldiers performing duties on my orders. That is insubordination."

"I know you came here harboring a grudge over Jang Jin-sang. If I have done wrong, report it to the imperial court and proceed according to the law."

"How dare you speak his name so casually!"

Jang Jun took a step forward. Then another.

With every step he took, a suffocating murderous aura rolled out, constricting Jang Yang. However, the fierce energy dissipated just before it reached him.

A cold draft swept through the office. The distance between the two closed to within ten feet.

As they glared at each other, someone suddenly came running into the office. It was a young girl, about five or six years old, holding a small basket with a few fruits.

"Grandfather, do you want to eat this?"

"Leave this room for a moment."

So-so, who had casually set the basket on the desk, suddenly locked eyes with Jang Jun.

She was suddenly gripped by fear. Her face stiffened, and her entire body froze. Who could remain calm in front of an enraged Flower Realm master? Children were no exception. It was the instinct of someone who had trained in martial arts.

Jang Yang spoke urgently once more.

"Go outside, quickly!"

A child wandering around the military camp was not a major offense. However, a scheming smile spread across Jang Jun's face.

"Is she your granddaughter?"

Jang Jun's left hand moved like lightning, grabbing So-so by the scruff of her neck. Suspended in the air, So-so could not resist.

"Let go of me!"

Her short limbs flailed, but she posed no threat to Jang Jun.

"Aren't you curious what it feels like to lose a close family member?"

Jang Jun's expression and tone suddenly changed. He had finally revealed his true colors.

His face contorting with rage, Jang Yang gripped his sword hilt and roared, "Let go of her this instant!"

Jang Jun smiled mockingly, as if he had trapped his prey. While holding So-so with his left hand, he lowered his right hand.

Then, his palm darted toward Jang Yang's face.

*Smack!*

The sound of a collision rang out. In an instant, Jang Jun retreated in surprise. He rotated his wrist and stared ahead. Someone had blocked his attack.

"So you did have someone backing you."

From behind Jang Yang, a man clad in black emerged. He had sharp features and cold, icy eyes. Yet, his face was entirely expressionless.

The Shadow King's eyes turned toward Jang Yang. It was a glance asking if he should kill the man.

Jang Yang had no choice but to hesitate. Not only was he unsure if it was possible, but killing the Privy Councilor could lead to charges of treason.

Contrary to their thoughts, irritation flared within Jang Jun.

"You are an assassin. But you chose the wrong opponent."

Drawing his sword, he threw So-so toward the office wall. He threw her with lethal intent. An ordinary child would surely have died.

However, contrary to Jang Jun's expectations, So-so executed a perfect breakfall, planting her feet against the wall and landing safely. Then, she looked toward the entrance of the office and burst into tears.

"Wahhh… Father, that bad mister hit me…"

Her voice was thick with sorrow.

Sensing an ominous presence, Jang Jun looked back. Standing there was So-mu, his face contorted in rage.

*Thump.*

The pack slung over So-mu's shoulder dropped to the floor.

"Go outside for a moment…"

Crying, So-so picked up the fallen pack and walked out.

Once the child was gone, So-mu's lips moved, sending a silent transmission to the Shadow King.

A breath later, the Shadow King's hand struck the back of General Jang Yang's neck.