Chapter 24 – Don’t Give Up Already

Chapter 24 – Don't Give Up Already

A dark green robe fluttered beneath his finely-featured face.

The emblem of the Sichuan Tang Clan was engraved on the chest.

There was no one here who did not know what that meant.

The hegemon of Sichuan.

An orthodox sect that was more like an unorthodox sect, said to always cut off the breath of an opponent they once targeted.

"…S-Sichuan Tang Clan…"

One of the men in black, turning pale as if he had seen a ghost, threw down the sword he was holding and fled in the opposite direction.

Fleeing when at a disadvantage was not a foreign concept to the unorthodox path.

However, he did not realize that the opponent behind him did not permit it.

Tang San-ho, who had reassured Namgung Yeon with an incredibly warm voice until just moments ago, reached out toward the fleeing underworld bandit.

Swish!

It was not a far distance.

The cold sound of the air tearing grazed the ears.

"Where are you going? I never said you could leave…"

Along with a voice that was even colder and more chilling.

The languid, relaxed tone of voice did not match the situation, making the contrast all the more chilling.

Seeing the flying dagger that sliced past his earlobe and embedded itself in the tree in front of him, the man in black slumped to the ground. It was quite a laughable sight as he trembled in fear, not even daring to look back.

Vile blood trickled down from his sharply sliced earlobe and cheek.

Watching that scene, Tang San-ho returned Ghost Hand Sword Soul's threat exactly as it was given.

"What did you say again…? Ah, you said if someone targets your back on the battlefield, there are only two choices. So, what shall we do now? Shall I slice off your neck?"

The words, which had been flipped in an instant, wound chillingly around the ears of the Red Blood Gang members who were standing on their two feet.

"Ha! Right, since the one holding the sword was the Namgung brat, the one throwing stones was the poisoner of Sichuan. Now I finally get it!"

Although he was flustered by the unexpected situation for a moment, the first to regain his senses was the Red Blood Gang Leader, Ghost Hand Sword Soul. Without a reply, Tang San-ho merely shrugged his shoulders and scanned the situation in front of him with chilly eyes.

"Why did you only bring Yeon and leave me out? I felt left out…"

At the calm and gentle words that seemed fit for one's friends, the corners of Ghost Hand Sword Soul's eyes trembled.

"How dare you be so fearless. Do you know where this place is, to wag your arrogant tongue in front of me?"

"The Red Blood Gang Leader who fled to avoid the poisoners of the Tang Clan. A low-class band of unorthodox martial artists who steal the purses of those who look weaker than themselves, and plan to strike it rich and run away when the assembly begins… am I right?"

"…Ha."

"Y-You crazy bastard…!! How dare a mere wretch like you spout nonsense in front of the Gang Leader!"

As Ghost Shadow expressed his anger loudly, feeling extremely indignant, Ghost Hand Sword Soul, who had instead cooled down at the provocation, spoke.

"Enough. Unless it is a surprise attack, that fellow's attack is nothing special."

"…Gang Leader!"

"The moment they reveal themselves, hidden weapons lose their meaning. Today, I will pull out your arrogant and insolent tongue."

As Ghost Hand Sword Soul finished speaking and pointed the sharp tip of his sword, Tang San-ho curled the corners of his mouth up and said with a smile.

"Hmm… I did not expect to use this in actual combat so soon."

In his hand, drawn from his sleeve, were five flying daggers.

"…I am still practicing. Since your head might fly off if something goes wrong, make sure to dodge it well on your own."

***

Just what was this fellow's identity?

Was there anyone among the rising stars of the Sichuan Tang Clan who possessed this level of martial prowess?

It was incomprehensible why this fellow, who possessed a conspicuously fine appearance and a matching bloodthirstiness in a clan that loved to show off, had not revealed himself until now.

A sword, sharp like a flash of light, cut through the air.

Swiiish!

"You rat-like bastard…!"

Ghost Hand Sword Soul lunged forward time and again with flashing eyes, but Tang San-ho merely dodged as if playing a game.

When he kept dodging the sword path without any proper attack or counterattack, Ghost Hand Sword Soul shouted with a face rising with irritation.

"Just how long do you intend to do nothing but run away!"

Swiiish! Swish!

The moment he felt puzzled by the sword that failed to reach.

"Ah, now I think I get the gist of it."

Tang San-ho, who had been lightly dodging the attacks, finally came to a halt with those words as his last. Not wanting to miss this opportunity, Ghost Hand Sword Soul kicked off the ground into the air in a single bound and slashed his sword down.

However.

Claaang!

A flying dagger flew toward his sword as if it had been waiting.

Due to Tang San-ho's attack, which was in complete inverse proportion to the sword's direction, speed, and even power, the sword ended up falling from his hand.

"Ugh…!!"

Ghost Hand Sword Soul glared with wide eyes at the throbbing pain in his wrist.

He then hurriedly picked up the sword dropped at his feet and poured out a fierce attack once again.

Clang! Claaang! Clang!

"…?!"

But could this even be called an attack?

As if he already knew where the sword would head, flying daggers that precisely occupied the line blocked Ghost Hand Sword Soul's sword every single time.

'Just what in the world is this…!'

The attacks laden with internal energy could not extend properly and were all blocked.

"…Kugh!"

A twitch.

Since there was a blocked path where he thrust, the horrible sensation of the internal energy drawn up from the dantian flowing backward twisted his body.

Claaang! Clang!

Even the attacks that closed the distance and struck in were completely blocked.

A pushing force when he thrust forward, and an upward-striking force when he slashed down, blocked the sword path every time. The surging internal energy became tangled, and nausea gradually welled up.

Only then did Ghost Hand Sword Soul realize the situation he was in.

'No way. It was not that he dodged… did he analyze it?'

Tang San-ho, who he thought was merely dodging his sword strikes, had remembered all of his sword paths and neutralized them just like that. At this nonsensical method, Ghost Hand Sword Soul went beyond confusion and felt a chilling shiver run down his spine.

'…This makes no sense.'

It was not only Ghost Hand Sword Soul who stiffened with astonishment.

In the minds of everyone present, only a single thought existed.

'This guy is a monster.'

The reality that suddenly descended upon them soon became despair and fear.

For a guy who remembered everything he saw once with his eyes and reversed it to neutralize it, by what on earth means could they…

Ghost Hand Sword Soul unconsciously lowered the sword that had been pointing toward the air.

Seeing this, Tang San-ho narrowed his brow and spoke as if cheering him on.

"Ah, how can you give up already? This time, dodge well and attack. Okay?"

"…Ha."

Paradoxically, did that fellow really not know that this was a more terrifying situation? The Red Blood Gang members, who were quite notorious in Sichuan, gradually lost their will to fight at Tang San-ho's voice, which continued as if coaxing a child.

Ridiculously, even while continuing his attacks, Tang San-ho would pause his attacks for a moment if they dropped their swords or lost their balance.

As if telling them to hurry up, pick up their swords, and attack again because he would wait.

It also resembled the expression of children playing with toys.

"…Heup…"

Fear was contagious.

Starting with Yuk-seo, who covered his mouth while trembling violently, the men in black who had been pouring out sword strikes while surrounding Tang San-ho came to a halt.

That an opponent who could rip open their necks at any moment had used them as practice targets was enough to drive them all into sheer terror. Those who had lost their will to fight were no longer a threat. But had they ever been one to begin with? They thought.

"What…"

Ghost Shadow, who was trading blows with Namgung Yeon, felt a strangeness in the sudden silence and turned his gaze.

There were eyes looking at him from the air.

What he met was Tang San-ho's quiet, endlessly deep…

"………"

At that moment, he realized.

That he had to flee from those eyes.

His judgment was quick, and the steps that kicked off the ground were even quicker.

Without hesitation, Ghost Shadow dashed in the direction opposite of Tang San-ho.

He did not know where he was heading, but such a thing did not matter. Only one thing was important right now.

'Flee… I have to flee. Anywhere, to a place where that monster cannot find me…'

Intense fear paralyzes reason.

Like a rabbit chased by a tiger, Ghost Shadow ran only hoping to survive.

"…!!"

"M-Me too…!!"

"Argh!"

Starting with that, clattering and clanking metallic sounds echoed on the ground.

Including Ghost Hand Sword Soul, who was bleeding from being cut by flying daggers multiple times, the Red Blood Gang members who threw away their swords began to scatter and flee.

"…Brother!!"

Namgung Yeon called out to Tang San-ho like a scream.

They had to catch them.

Even if half of their strength was gone, the underworld bandits who had nothing to lose would not give up on that plan.

But how were they to catch those who were fleeing in all different directions?

The moment Namgung Yeon looked at Tang San-ho, who had suddenly approached in front of him, with a desperate expression and opened his mouth.

"Broth…"

"Yeon. Who told you to just follow strangers around, huh?"

Words that did not match the situation at all flowed from Tang San-ho's mouth.

"…Pardon?"

"It is a good thing I found you, but what would have happened if I had not? No, and if you are going to go out, you should tell me first before leaving. Is running away from home a habit of yours? Sigh, anyway, I will deal with you later. Brother is angry."

"N-No… Brother, more importantly, do you not know their plan? We must quickly catch them…!!"

"Leave them be."

Despite Namgung Yeon's urgent words, Tang San-ho waved his hand dismissively.

"I said it is fine. Even if we do not chase them, they cannot escape anyway."

"What does that mean…"

Not understanding this situation, Namgung Yeon asked back.

"Let's see, it is about time they arrived."

"………?"

At that moment, a familiar figure gradually entered the vision of Tang San-ho, who was gazing into the distance.

"…Young Master! Are you alright!"

To think that voice would become so welcome.

Suppressing the chuckle that slipped out, Tang San-ho waved his hand and said.

"Brother Jae-shin. You are late."

Behind Tang Jae-shin, who was running hurriedly, the warriors of the Sichuan Tang Clan could be seen binding the fleeing Red Blood Gang members. Ghost Shadow, who had fled early on, was also captured in their hands as if they had closed the dragnet from all directions.

"Cowardly bastards who only throw hidden weapons from behind and spray poison, how dare you…!!"

At Ghost Shadow's resentful words, Tang San-ho grimaced and shouted.

"Cowardly? Co-ward-ly? Wow, in all my life… is that something adults who swung swords as a group at a single kid should say?!"

"…Y-Young Master."

"Did your conscience and thoughts go on an outing holding hands? I spared you once, but without even knowing grace, you kid… kidnap… Ah, the more I think about it, the more pissed off I get…"

Tang San-ho, whose anger seemed to rise step-by-step, held the back of his neck and sharply scanned those who were kneeling.

At that moment, Ghost Hand Sword Soul, with a grim face, asked in a low voice.

"…Let me ask one thing. No matter how much of a master of hidden weapons you are, there is no way I would not feel the sign of an attack filled with killing intent. Just what kind of underhanded trick did you use?"

Ghost Hand Sword Soul, who believed that losing half of his strength at the very beginning had been the fatal mistake.

He was still unable to accept that bizarre situation. Had there been only one or two people who had hidden their bodies and targeted him so far? Yet, as someone who sensed the presence of killing intent more keenly than anyone, he had unfailingly paid back those attacks.

Yet, it was a sneak attack that even he had failed to notice. His subordinates who lost their lives in an instant numbered nine.

It was an impossible realm for an orthodox brat who was barely around the age of fifteen.

"Goodness, complaining even when spared, I feel a bit wronged…"

Tang San-ho, who had been frowning at his question, muttered.

"…What?"

"It is exactly as I said. Since there was no intent to kill, you did not feel the presence."

"What does that mean…"

Only then did astonishment and chaos gradually fill the pupils of Ghost Hand Sword Soul as he scanned the surroundings.

It was because the warriors wearing the green robes of the Sichuan Tang Clan were binding his subordinates, whom he had thought were dead.

Although he had thought the boy killed nine of them in an instant, this ghost-like fellow had kept every single member of the Red Blood Gang alive.

"Just why…?"

…Why did he not kill them?

Hearing the voice of Ghost Hand Sword Soul muttering in a dazed tone, Tang San-ho smiled, his clear eyes shining.

"Death is but a moment, while punishment lasts. Where do you think you are going so easily?"

Realizing the meaning hidden in those words, Ghost Hand Sword Soul's body trembled violently.