Chapter 49

<Chronicles of the Martial God's Return – Chapter 49>

Chu Bang-ji turned his gaze outward.

Just as the Sect Leaders had said, a person presumed to be Namgung So-hye was seen elegantly unleashing sword strikes.

Her appearance as she wove through the numerous disciples was a figure to which the modifier 'beautiful' naturally belonged.

However, his gaze was directed entirely elsewhere.

“That fellow is……?”

Clenching his fists, his eyes flared as he stared at a man.

Jang Sam-tae.

He was a man highly likely to be in league with the culprit who overthrew the Black Dao Association.

He felt disgusted thinking about the things he had done to find that guy from the moment the Black Dao Association collapsed until now.

Because it had taken a considerable amount of time to even teach the disguise technique to the Sect Leader of the Seven Horns Sect.

“You bastard! I finally found you!”

Gritting his teeth hard, Chu Bang-ji roughly opened the door and stepped outside.

“W-Wait! Chu Bang-ji! We must find out what on earth is going on!”

“Don't you see it by looking? It means the work you guys have been pushing forward so far has been caught red-handed. Hehehe.”

“Keugh……!”

“But do not worry. Isn't it enough as long as we kill them? And you have not forgotten, have you?”

“…That fellow?”

“Yes, if you cannot kill that fellow here on the spot, do not even dream of my help.”

Their choices had narrowed.

Since Namgung So-hye had personally raided the place, they had to assume that the Murim Alliance also knew about this matter.

Therefore, those who had intended to run away with the money immediately had no choice but to change their minds.

They had a trump card left, and the opponents were only four people at best.

Furthermore, since it was a situation where they could no longer expect Chu Bang-ji's help unless they killed the man over there, there were very few choices they could make.

The three men looked at each other and nodded.

Now that things had turned out this way, they had to step forward.

Because without Chu Bang-ji, they were merely powerless Sect Leaders of small and medium sects.

* * *

‘It was true.’

Clang, clang, clang-!

Namgung So-hye quickly moved her sword and began to suppress her opponents. She did not feel sorry just because she had raided them abruptly.

For the swordplay they were displaying now.

Was identical to that of the masked men they saw a moment ago.

If so, it was clear that this place was related to opium trafficking.

Their martial arts were quite heavy and strong.

If it had been in the past, she would have struggled, but her blade, which had changed since meeting Dan Woo-hyun, was sharper and carried the power to decisively suppress the opponent by targeting gaps.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh-!

She slashed, and slashed again.

She intended to let no one escape this place.

The three sects forming the Three Paths Association were places registered under the Murim Alliance. If crimes were committed in such places, it was only proper that the Murim Alliance punish them.

Moving with more energy than Gwon Mu-jin or Jang Sam-tae to bring down even one more person was the purpose she currently held.

‘I had hoped so much that it wouldn't be!’

Blood trickled down from her lip, which she bit, unable to contain the rising anger.

The Murim Alliance was the symbol of the Orthodox Faction.

All sects registered there must practice justice fitting of that name.

Was that not why the organization called the Murim Alliance protected them?

And yet, to commit such ugly evil acts while wearing the mask of the Orthodox Faction?

The more she thought about it, the more her resentment soared.

Her sword became a level sharper and rapidly swept through the surroundings.

The ultimate techniques of the Namgung Family blossomed, and her elegant movements made observers lose their minds.

“In front.”

Clang-!

At the suddenly heard voice, Namgung So-hye quickly looked ahead and ducked. Then she rapidly moved her sword from left to right.

Slice-!

Two men collapsed as they sprayed blood.

Without letting down her guard, Namgung So-hye backed away and took her starting stance once more. In such a chaotic battle, a brief moment of carelessness would soon cost one's head.

Clang, clang-!

Blocking the blades and fists aiming for her life from all directions, Namgung So-hye's sword radiated light.

At the same time as a flashing beam arose, thirteen sword paths were drawn.

It was a divine feat that was unbelievable even when seen with one's own eyes.

“Thank you.”

Namgung So-hye expressed her gratitude to the owner of the voice who had warned her a moment ago.

“More importantly, look over there. It seems they have finally come out.”

Just as Dan Woo-hyun said, four people were seen approaching. Three were unmistakably the Sect Leaders forming the Three Paths Association, and the other one was somehow familiar.

Where had she seen him?

Ransacking her memory, Namgung So-hye shouted loudly.

“Chu Bang-ji!”

“Hehehe, if you are the Phoenix Squadron Leader, it makes sense that you would know this old man's face. Well, is Namgung Cheon doing well? It seems it is about time for him to go… but there has been no news at all.”

“Shut up!”

Namgung So-hye erupted in fury and gritted her teeth.

If Chu Bang-ji was behind all of these people, the identity of that bizarre opium also fit together to some extent.

It was clear that Chu Bang-ji had created it.

Therefore, it was several times more effective than other medicines, and the moment one inhaled it even once, an unbreakable addiction symptom would occur.

“Sam-tae.”

“Yes?”

Dan Woo-hyun, who was quietly watching the three men, called Jang Sam-tae, who was gasping for breath on one side.

He ran over in a hurry and looked at the three people Dan Woo-hyun pointed at.

“That guy is the one.”

“That guy?”

“The guy in the middle. The traces of disguise remain on his face.”

“That guy?”

Jang Sam-tae pointed his finger in a daze.

Pointing toward the one in the middle.

“Yes. That guy.”

‘So what does he expect me to do?’

Jang Sam-tae broke into a cold sweat.

Although traces of disguise were not visible to his eyes at all, the guy standing in the middle, as if he had eaten something wrong, had bloodshot eyes, and the muscles all over his body were rugged as if they would burst at any moment.

He felt like he would die the moment he attacked for some reason.

“You must capture that guy.”

“Me?”

“Then do you want me to do it?”

Jang Sam-tae swallowed hard and smiled awkwardly.

Because the look Dan Woo-hyun cast at him was extremely bloodthirsty.

‘He could do it much faster himself, yet he always makes me do it. Damn it…’

He had absolutely no desire to fight such an ignorant bastard in this already difficult situation.

He stole a glance at Gwon Mu-jin, but his gaze did not waver from the person standing on the right, and Namgung So-hye was looking at the left.

‘Why the hell are they choosing their opponents as they please?’

Jang Sam-tae was dumbfounded.

No, just looking at him standing in the center, wasn't he the strongest among those three?

Naturally, someone with the skill to match him should step forward.

He glanced at Dan Woo-hyun, but saw only the corners of his mouth curved in a smile.

“Seeing his sturdy legs, he seems rather confident in his lightness art.”

“Lightness art?”

“Yes, but who is faster in lightness art?”

“…Isn't it me?”

“Yes, you will be the fastest here after me.”

“……!”

Upon hearing those words, Jang Sam-tae surged with strength as if he had gained a massive army.

Because Dan Woo-hyun never spoke empty words.

“I will do it! Since he used my face, I must do it!”

“Yes, if you feel like you are going to die…”

“If I feel like I am going to die?”

“Just ram into him.”

In the end, it was telling him to fight with the mindset of dying.

Although his motivation evaporated rapidly, there seemed to be no way to resolve this situation. Jang Sam-tae clenched his fists with an awkward smile.

“You! It's you! The culprit who overthrew the Black Dao Association!”

Just then, a loud voice was heard.

Since it was close to a scream, Dan Woo-hyun turned his head and scowled, as if he did not want to hear it. Chu Bang-ji was pointing his finger at Dan Woo-hyun.

“Seeing that fellow Jang Sam-tae bowing to you, there is no doubt! You, it was you!”

“Quiet, old monster.”

“I will kill you, I will kill you!”

“Did I not tell you to be quiet?”

Dan Woo-hyun scowled.

Chu Bang-ji's sharp, iron-grating voice and tone were highly grating.

“Taking away my sanctuary! Killing my family! The bastard who stole everything from me was you!”

“Old monster… shut your mouth.”

A bizarre wind blew.

Only in Dan Woo-hyun's eyes could he see a bright red wind hovering around Chu Bang-ji.

Dan Woo-hyun narrowed his eyes.

The red wind symbolized those who carried disaster with them.

That meant he was an existence that brought harm to Dan Woo-hyun. A person completely bound by ill fate.

Seeing that wind for the first time in a long while, Dan Woo-hyun let out a hollow laugh.

He had not wanted to accumulate any more ill fates, but in the end, he saw the red wind once again.

Was this also fate?

“Hurry and kill him! I will tear his limbs apart and crush the things you hold dear!”

“You really do not understand what is being said.”

In the hand of Dan Woo-hyun, who narrowed his eyes, a tiny wind hovered. Everyone stared with wide eyes at the phenomenon as if space itself was distorting.

Subsequently, the wind that left Dan Woo-hyun's hand leisurely settled on Chu Bang-ji's body.

Before long!

Rumble, crash-!

“Arghhh!”

It soon became a typhoon and began to swallow everything.

Chu Bang-ji's entire body was mangled as if thrown amidst hundreds of blades, leaving not a single piece of flesh behind.

Even the term 'shattered to pieces' did not fit.

At the absurd spectacle unfolding before their eyes, everyone gasped and broke into a cold sweat.

How could a human display such martial prowess?

“Th-This is impossible!”

“…….”

“How could such a thing…”

Everyone realized that it was something that could not be done by a human's realm.

For that reason, they trembled in fear.

Fear of Dan Woo-hyun was engraved into them, and they also realized that no trickery would work against him.

The three Sect Leaders froze, not daring to move.

Because they were too terrified that the man's gaze would turn toward them.