A faint smile formed at the corner of Geom Ujin’s mouth.
Because the words of Pungcheon Sect Leader—that not a single person should die for the young sect leader—were his own will as well.
Gwon Ma had been seeing that kind of smile on the Sect Leader often these days, and he was truly glad. It was a smile he had often seen in his youth, but at some point, he had become unable to see it.
Gwon Ma knew. That the Sect Leader had grown weary while leading the sect.
A man who had dominated the Central Plains was now trapped in the Taesaui—how suffocating must it be? Because he was a man of such strong sense of responsibility, he could not simply kick away the Taesaui and rise up.
Perhaps the Sect Leader had felt depressed all along. That his relationship with the Demon Lords had been distant for a time was likely because of that.
The one who broke that was none other than the young sect leader. And it wasn’t just the Sect Leader. He had pulled even the Demon Lords, who had fallen into their own darkness, back out into the light.
Just as he had rescued him when he was trapped in a great hole that threatened to collapse the cliff.
“We must all survive and show off to the young sect leader, mustn’t we?”
Everyone agreed with Pungcheon Sect Leader’s words.
Yes, in this fight, no one must die. Because that would be a true victory for Geom Mugik. They had received much from that young, inexperienced young sect leader; now it was time to give back.
The Sword King asked Pungcheon Sect Leader.
“Did you not say you had suffered much at the hands of the young sect leader?”
At the tavern here as well, he had complained to him several times. He had spoken loudly on purpose so that Geom Ujin could hear.
“That is so.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
Pungcheon Sect Leader revealed his honest feelings.
“Because I have received even more.”
Pungcheon Sect Leader’s gaze turned toward the Sword King. Was it because he had promised to name the tavern and had spent a few days together here?
“And even if it weren’t for the young sect leader, surely I cannot afford to lose you to the likes of him?”
“You nearly came to danger, Sect Leader.”
Earlier, when Hwamugi had approached him, Pungcheon Sect Leader had felt death.
Had he ever felt death so vividly?
“There are five of us. Even if it weren’t you, someone would have saved me.”
Only now was Pungcheon Sect Leader making a joke, but the Sword King took that joke seriously.
“Which is precisely why you might not have been saved. Because there are five of you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Because everyone would assume someone else would save you.”
Pungcheon Sect Leader put on a deliberately startled expression.
“Could it be that I really almost died? No! I still have things I want to do piled up like Mount Tai!”
The Sword King’s gaze turned back to Hwamugi.
“If we do not kill him, you will not be able to do even a single one of them.”
Pungcheon Sect Leader could tell. That even though the Sword King had suffered internal injuries, he wanted to keep fighting.
“Will you be alright?”
“Yes.”
The Sword King had felt it while fighting Hwamugi. That this was an opponent he could not defeat.
But he had no intention of retreating like this.
As long as his internal energy remained, he had to make that Thousand Kill Star expend even a little more internal energy and pass the fight on to the next person.
Because the internal energy remaining in him would become attacks flying toward those who remained. He had to take even one blow in their place before passing it on.
And there was something more important than making him consume internal energy.
Those who had yet to fight this battle were watching.
Making them learn even a little more about Hwamugi—that was important.
“Will you be alright, Sect Leader?”
“I am a man born and raised among rough sandstorms. A fight like this is merely a scuffle in a greenhouse.”
He had brought up the greenhouse story to say this. Pungcheon Sect Leader spoke while looking at Hwamugi, who still had only his head poking out from the darkness.
“Is it warm in the greenhouse?”
Screeeeeech.
Hwamugi tore apart the darkness shrouding the lower half of his face with his hand and emerged.
“Your martial arts may be nothing to behold.”
His killing intent had grown even more intense. While facing seven masters, his primal killing intent was climbing to its limit as well.
“But at least you are no coward like someone.”
The Sword King parried the mocking words aimed at Jin Paecheon.
“He is being cautious and wise.”
If he were to overexert his injured body in battle and have the Gentleman Sword taken from him, nothing could be worse.
“Before we fight, there is something I wish to ask the person inside your body.”
Because this was the Sword King—a man who, unlike Pungcheon Sect Leader, did not seem the type to say such things.
Hwamugi nodded with an expression that said, “Do as you please.”
“But who is in charge? I have something to ask the leader.”
Hwamugi immediately grasped the Sword King’s intention.
“You think to cause internal division with such words? You have used your head, but it is useless. These people were never one to begin with.”
Hwamugi’s gaze turned to where Geom Ujin, Jin Paecheon, and Baek Jagang stood.
“Just as no matter how friendly they act, they are existences that can never become one.”
Geom Ujin and the two alliance leaders said nothing. He was not wrong.
Because once this fight ended, they were in a relationship where they would have to place each other’s names in the position of greatest enemy.
The Sword King spoke as if declaring a certainty.
“Because the young sect leader is here, this time will be different.”
Hwamugi made a surprised expression. First Pungcheon Sect Leader, and now even the Sword King.
“You truly favor the young sect leader. I am curious what sort of punk he is.”
“Then why did you not go to the young sect leader yourself?”
At that question, Hwamugi’s expression flinched before he soon formed a cold smile.
“I left the young sect leader to the Dark Palace Lord.”
“Not because you are afraid of the young sect leader?”
Hwamugi snorted at Pungcheon Sect Leader’s words.
“I am not afraid even with all of you gathered here; would I be afraid of the young sect leader?”
At that moment, goosebumps rose at Baek Jagang’s ears as he listened.
Which part was the lie? That he was not afraid even with all of them gathered? Or that he was not afraid of the young sect leader?
From the composure Hwamugi had shown until now, Baek Jagang could tell.
*The Thousand Kill Star fears the young sect leader.*
Earlier, when Baek Jagang had conversed via sound transmission with Ju Gasin, he had guessed that Hwamugi might have some weakness.
Now was the moment he realized that weakness was Geom Mugik.
Baek Jagang thought of Geom Mugik. To think even this Thousand Kill Star felt fear.
He felt that perhaps Geom Mugik was truly a fate bestowed by the heavens.
Hwamugi charged at the Sword King.
“I will kill all of you, and I will kill the young sect leader too!”
Once again, the two men’s swords clashed in the air.
With just a few exchanges, the Sword King’s insides were shaken.
It was speed and power he could not adapt to despite having exchanged many moves, not to mention the killing intent that had grown even stronger.
But the Sword King’s will was no less than that killing intent.
*Even if it is only a single move, I will do my utmost to exhaust you.*
Of course, Pungcheon Sect Leader was not merely watching the two fight.
Cheonoe Hyeolma Gong, Gwangsa Hyeolpung.
Swaaaaaaaash!
Wind whipped toward Hwamugi.
A martial art demonstrated in this situation—how could it be mere wind?
It was a wind of death that tore apart protective astral energy.
But Hwamugi was not the slightest bit disturbed. Even in that fierce wind, Hwamugi did not blink an eye and remained focused on his fight with the Sword King.
Pungcheon Sect Leader was not surprised.
His opponent had endured the Samyeol Wasang with the Cheongeunchu, and when trapped there, had torn his way out in the blink of an eye.
Still, thanks to Gwangsa Hyeolpung, the Sword King obtained an opening to unleash his sect’s unique martial arts in earnest.
Though he was absolutely inferior in internal energy, he began a fight of great internal energy consumption.
Muhyeong Shingeom, Second Form: Muhyeong Chamgyeok.
The moment the Baekhwageom trembled in the air.
A streak of sword energy as fast as lightning struck down at Hwamugi’s body.
Hwamugi dodged the unavoidable attack. What he unleashed this time was the footwork of Ju Gasin, the Demon Path Alliance Leader from three hundred years ago.
Gwangse Cheonwangbo.
He dodged the attack as fast as light with footwork as fast as light. It was a miraculous footwork that made one realize he had taken hits with his body until now simply to show off his skill.
The Sword King’s attacks continued.
Muhyeong Shingeom, Fourth Form: Muhyeong Pung’u.
Formless sword energy poured down like wind and rain from all directions.
“Excellent!”
Hwamugi swung his sword in all directions with an excited face. He showed that he could block even wind and rain.
Bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang!
The walls shook from the impact, and shattered debris and dust rained down from the ceiling.
Thud-thud-thud-thud.
The moment the shattered wreckage obscured their vision was the moment the Sword King had aimed for.
In order to unleash precisely this technique.
Shwiiiiik!
A sharp wind sound cut across the hall!
Hwamugi was extending his sword straight ahead.
Screeeeech.
A horizontal line began to form on the wall behind Hwamugi. The height at which that line was drawn was exactly where Hwamugi’s neck was.
The line drawn from the end of the wall continued to where Hwamugi stood. If it continued, it meant Hwamugi’s neck was cut.
The drawn line stopped beside Hwamugi’s neck. Now, a red line should have been drawn on Hwamugi’s neck.
Screeeeeeech.
From past Hwamugi’s neck, the line began to be drawn again.
Muhyeong Shingeom, Seventh Form: Muhyeong Ilsaeng.
The very technique that had severed the Dark King’s neck.
Hwamugi had blocked that lethal strike.
“This one surprised me a bit.”
Hwamugi laughed. The Hwamugi standing before them was an immortal and indestructible monster.
Hwamugi rushed at the Sword King again.
Clang! Clank! Claaang!
As if determined to kill him this time, Hwamugi pressed the Sword King even more fiercely.
The Sword King foresaw it. That he would now have difficulty enduring even fifty moves. In a fight where more than ten moves passed in an instant, fifty moves would come quickly.
Right then, the Sword King saw Pungcheon Sect Leader take something invisible from his body behind Hwamugi.
Pungcheon Sect Leader’s ultimate secret technique.
*Muhyeongchang!*
It was a Muhyeongchang infused with all the internal energy Pungcheon Sect Leader had saved.
In an instant, Pungcheon Sect Leader’s and the Sword King’s gazes met.
—*If only it can hit, I have confidence it will pierce the Thousand Kill Star’s body.*
It was right then.
Ting!
The Sword King’s Baekhwageom could no longer endure the attacks and escaped his grasp.
The next moment, the Sword King’s two hands grabbed Hwamugi’s wrist. At that moment, Hwamugi realized.
That the Sword King had intentionally dropped his sword.
Shwiiiiiik.
At the same time, a powerful energy was felt from behind.
The Sword King pulled up all his strength to keep him from moving. In that instant, Hwamugi read a will prepared for death in the Sword King’s eyes.
*You may pierce through me as well!*
Swaaaaaack!
In the next moment, this time the Sword King saw it. Hwamugi smiling cruelly.
Hwiik.
In an instant, the two men’s positions were reversed. Though he had pulled up all his internal energy to resist, he could not withstand Hwamugi’s strength.
As Hwamugi turned the Sword King around, the flying Muhyeongchang soared toward the Sword King’s back.
Swaaaaack.
Then Hwamugi saw again. The Sword King was not flustered, and his two eyes were calm.
*Could it be?*
The Sword King had not raised his protective astral energy.
The Sword King had expected that no matter how hard he held on, their positions would change like this.
If so? From the beginning, his intention had been to let the Muhyeongchang pierce his own body and, with that momentum, pierce Hwamugi as well.
The Sword King did not let go of his hands gripping Hwamugi until the end. A body that should have died by Geom Mugik’s hand—heaven must have kept him alive until this moment.
But the Muhyeongchang stopped right in front of the Sword King’s back.
Pungcheon Sect Leader had not thrown the Muhyeongchang; he had charged directly while holding the spear.
Throwing it would have been fastest and most effective, but Pungcheon Sect Leader had worried about their positions switching. He had not known the Sword King was trying to sacrifice himself.
Ssssssh.
The Muhyeongchang held in Pungcheon Sect Leader’s hand disappeared. Against another master, he would have tried to kill him with this Muhyeongchang.
But against Hwamugi, this Muhyeongchang would only get in the way. It was an opponent even the Spear King could not defeat.
Thud!
At Hwamugi’s palm strike, the Sword King and Pungcheon Sect Leader overlapped and were pushed back.
“Good! If you cannot do it, I will pierce through together with you!”
Hwamugi swung his black sword.
Shwiiiiik.
The Sword King did not dodge. If he dodged, Pungcheon Sect Leader behind him would be stabbed.
But having dropped his sword to grab Hwamugi’s arm moments ago, he had nothing but his body.
This time, the Sword King pulled his protective astral energy to the limit. Even if he was pierced, he hoped Pungcheon Sect Leader would not be stabbed as well.
Shwiik!
Stab!
The black sword pierced through the protective astral energy and embedded itself in the Sword King’s chest.
The moment Hwamugi pushed the sword, trying to run him completely through.
Tak.
The black sword stopped in midair.
Someone had grabbed his sword with a bare hand.
“You grab my sword with your hand?”
It was Gwonma, rushing in before anyone realized.
The hand gripping the black sword was not bare. Gwonma wore the Tusin gauntlets that Geommugeuk had given him as a gift.
Hwoooong!
Thwack!
The fist of Gwonma’s other hand slammed squarely into Hwamugi’s face.
Rumble, boom boom!
Simultaneously, a tremendous peal of thunder rang out.
As the black sword embedded in Geomwang’s chest was drawn out, Hwamugi was sent flying backward.
In that brief moment, Gwonma instantly pressed the acupoints on Geomwang’s chest to stanch the bleeding. Fortunately, the blade had missed his heart, and because it had been stopped before penetrating through, he had avoided a fatal wound.
“You should have dodged!”
Pungcheon Cult Leader shouted furiously at Geomwang, who had recklessly taken the blow with his body instead of dodging.
“…You should have thrown the Muhyeongchang.”
In the end, the two had saved each other.
“Thank you for saving me.”
To Geomwang’s thanks, Gwonma nodded once with a stoic expression.
Hwamugi was covering his ears rather than his struck face. The thunderous sound that had erupted when Gwonma’s fist struck his face had nearly torn his eardrums.
That fury was directed at Gwonma.
“An empty cart makes the most noise.”
But Pungcheon Cult Leader stood on this side.
“Why do you think that cart is empty? It’s empty because it must carry your corpse.”
Hwamugi’s killing intent intensified, but Pungcheon Cult Leader had already taken the injured Geomwang and gone to where Geom Woojin and the two alliance leaders were.
Geom Woojin did not ask Geomwang if he was alright. Geomwang would rather hear these words than *are you alright*.
“You fought well.”
Geomwang lowered his head, as if ashamed. He wished he could have fought a little better, but this was his best.
“And don’t ever do that again.”
Geom Woojin knew he had tried to sacrifice himself.
Geomwang lowered his head. It was a rebuke for having tried to die when he had promised to protect the Young Cult Leader. Yes, it was enough that someone understood.
*I will use the life remaining to me for the Young Cult Leader.*
Then someone walked toward where Gwonma stood. It was none other than Baek Jogang.
Hwamugi had taken a blow, but that didn’t mean Gwonma could face him alone. Baek Jogang judged that now was the time for him to step forward.
Baek Jogang stood beside Gwonma. Never in his life had he imagined a day would come when he would fight on the same side as this man.
As two new figures appeared, Hwamugi spoke loudly as if delivering an oration.
“The Cult Leader and Alliance Lords gather to wage a wheel battle! Who exactly is the villain and who is the hero?”
Pungcheon Cult Leader readily conceded the point, taking the wind out of his opponent’s sails.
“Frankly, judging by looks alone, you two are indeed the villains.”
Baek Jogang looked at Gwonma and shared his thoughts on the earlier fight.
“Everyone was too polite.”
Jin Pacheon needed no mention; by his standards, Geomwang and Pungcheon Cult Leader were likewise.
But with Gwonma?
“Since he wants to be the hero.”
Killing intent began to flow from Baek Jogang’s body. It was an unspeakably sinister and icy energy, unlike anything seen before.
“Let’s properly play the part of the villains.”