Chapter 220

Chapter 220
Chapter 220. An Uncomfortable Envoy Delegation (3)

Flame Ghost Consort and Blood Battle.

Twenty years ago, Blood Battle was labeled a menace to the martial world, as was Flame Ghost Consort ten years prior, and both had subsequently withdrawn from society. They were legendary figures of the Black Path.

It appeared they had emerged from hiding upon hearing rumors regarding the establishment of the Black Thought Alliance.

“What a pleasant surprise. You made excellent time.”

Flame Ghost Consort drew near, dusting off her blood-stained palms.

Ak Byeong-bi slammed his heavy iron spear against the ground, offering a stern command.

“Hold it!”

Though Ak Byeong-bi did not seem to recognize either Flame Ghost Consort or Blood Battle, their aura was so menacingly distinct compared to the thugs at the inn that he instinctively braced for conflict.

In contrast, Flame Ghost Consort maintained a playful, flirtatious demeanor.

“Oh my! You wound me with such icy words…”

She pouted, feigning a look of sorrow.

While Ak Byeong-bi clearly bore the marks of age, Flame Ghost Consort appeared to be under thirty, retaining a youthful countenance.

However…

‘Is that woman truly over sixty?’

Knowing the reality made watching her performance a taxing experience.

More pressing was my confusion as to why these two had broken away from their original party to intercept us.

I was far too experienced to buy into the notion that their appearance here was a mere coincidence.

Ak Byeong-bi, refusing to let his guard down, demanded:

“What are you doing here?”

He glanced from the scattered bodies to the cowering bandits.

Flame Ghost Consort clapped her hands together as if the matter were trivial.

“Oh! These individuals were engaging in villainy, so we decided to offer some discipline.”

“Discipline?”

“Precisely! Isn’t it wrong to prey on others’ belongings and lives by acting as toll collectors?”

“…”

Flame Ghost Consort offered a sugary smile, her lips curving upward as she continued.

“If our presence makes you uneasy, feel free to carry on your way.”

“…Hmm.”

Although skepticism remained etched on Ak Byeong-bi’s face, Flame Ghost Consort only gazed at him with a gentle smile.

“Truly. We were merely punishing these fools for posing as highwaymen when they clearly lack the mettle for the trade.”

“I see.”

Perhaps he concluded that this was simply infighting between criminals.

Ultimately, Ak Byeong-bi nodded, pivoted, and shouted:

“Let’s move out!”

Following his order, the wagons began to roll forward.

Throughout the departure, the escorts and the rest of the delegation kept their weapons ready, watching the duo with intense caution.

True to her word, Flame Ghost Consort and Blood Battle stood by and did not interfere.

Yet, as I passed them, I took a look around and exhaled a long breath.

It was a relief that they were letting us pass undisturbed, but…

The amateur bandits were trembling, their faces ghost-white as if they had looked death itself in the eye.

It seemed they had brought their actual farming tools, as they were armed with nothing more than scythes and pitchforks.

…No matter how I tried to ignore them, my gaze kept drifting back.

‘Lord… why did they have to cross paths with Flame Ghost Consort and Blood Battle of all people…’

Had they encountered our group instead, they would have walked away with nothing worse than broken bones and a sound thrashing.

…That should have been the end of it.

I came to a sudden halt.

“What do you plan to do with those men?”

“Jin So-un!”

“Benefactor Jin!”

My traveling companions called out in alarm, but I remained focused on the two masters.

Flame Ghost Consort’s brow twitched.

“Why does this concern you, Young Master?”

“They look like men forced into this life by a desperate harvest…”

I swept my gaze over the subdued, shivering men, then stared hard at the woman.

“Killing them seems excessive.”

“Excessive?”

Flame Ghost Consort tapped her lips with a long, blood-smeared finger and laughed brightly.

“Our companions were lost because of people like these. They must pay the price.”

“And that price is their lives?”

Her gaze sharpened instantly.

“Anyone who enters a world where the strong devour the weak must accept that their life is always on the line.”

“…”

“Besides, if we hadn’t dealt with them, your group would have been the targets of their ambush. Are you fine with that?”

“We aren’t exactly helpless, either.”

“Hmm…”

She studied me with a strange, intense curiosity before speaking again.

“Are you suggesting you would take up arms against us to protect these men who might have tried to kill you?”

It was a direct challenge.

I refused to look away.

I recalled that the martial prowess of Flame Ghost Consort and Blood Battle sat two tiers above the Eight Evils.

A fight here would result in heavy casualties for our side.

“Don’t tell me you stepped into our business without even that level of resolve?”

“…”

Flame Ghost Consort looked away and called out:

“Old Slave Tu.”

“Understood!”

Blood Battle, addressed as Old Slave Tu, grabbed one of the amateur bandits and prepared to crush his skull with a single stomp.

“Crazy!”

I utilized the Taeul Eighty-Thousand Divine Steps to dart past Flame Ghost Consort and intercept his strike.

*Thwack.*

“Aaaagh!”

The bandit whose head had nearly been crushed let out a scream of terror and fainted, his trousers soaking through.

A stinging sensation rippled through me.

Having blocked the blow, my bones felt as though they might shatter if he applied even a fraction more pressure. I used every bit of my strength to shove his foot upward.

*Whirl. Tap.*

Despite the sheer power behind his stomping technique, Blood Battle spun like a leaf in the wind and landed gracefully.

*Clang. Clang. Clang.*

The delegates behind me drew their weapons.

Ak Byeong-bi tightened his grip on his iron spear, Il-myeong clutched his prayer beads to his chest, and Dang Seo-hui readied her concealed daggers.

Blood Battle flashed a delighted grin.

“See? I told you he was a fascinating kid.”

Though the energy radiating from our group was formidable, the two masters continued to chat as if unbothered.

Flame Ghost Consort covered her mouth, giggling.

“Indeed. I heard he was an even more intriguing youth than the Small Buddha. He actually held his own against Old Slave Tu’s leg pressure.”

The delegates’ expressions turned grim.

The fact that she knew the identity of the Small Buddha meant she knew we were the Murim Alliance’s official envoy and was mocking us with her composure.

Blood Battle gestured at me with his chin.

“Brat. What is your sect?”

I met his gaze evenly.

“Isn’t it polite for one to introduce their own allegiance before demanding another’s?”

Blood Battle looked stunned for a moment before erupting into booming laughter.

“Hahahaha. You really are a hilarious kid.”

Then, his smile vanished, replaced by a cold mask.

“So you won’t say?”

Naturally, I wasn’t the type to be bullied into formalities.

“I am Jin So-un of the Taeul Sect.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

I felt it immediately.

The piercing stares of my own delegation were directed at me.

But what did it matter? These opponents were titans of the Black Path who had long been declared public enemies.

My declaration left the duo looking surprised.

“Hm? You’re the Black Flame Dragon?”

“Oh my? Is that so?”

“…”

The two suddenly unleashed their killing intent and closed in.

What was this reaction?

“You look milder than the rumors suggest.”

“Word is you’re the dual successor of the Black Path. Who taught you?”

My mind reeled.

‘Stop spreading ridiculous lies! There’s an ideological inquisitor right here!’

I lacked the courage to voice my internal panic in front of these two masters, so I hastily redirected the conversation.

“Regardless, these men are likely heads of families. Please consider a lighter punishment.”

Flame Ghost Consort remained fixed on me, ignoring my plea, while Blood Battle shook his head with a scowl.

“No!”

“Pardon?”

“I have never spared anyone who dared to obstruct my affairs.”

“…”

Was this not the very temper that had earned him the title of public enemy to the Alliance twenty years ago?

How could he show absolutely no personal growth?

While I stood there, stunned, he crossed his arms and offered a deal.

“But, if you win a wager against me, I will hear your request.”

“What kind of wager?”

“Take three strikes from me. If you do, I will spare them.”

Without hesitation, I pointed at Ak Byeong-bi.

“He is the leader of our party. Could he take them instead?”

“!”

I could feel Ak Byeong-bi’s eyes widening in shock.

But what choice did I have? Even to me, Blood Battle was terrifying.

Blood Battle shook his head firmly.

“No. You are the one who will receive my three strikes. Refuse, and I will execute them all.”

That temper of his was truly a nightmare.

I sighed.

“Very well.”

As I stepped into a sword-drawing stance, curiosity flickered in his eyes.

“Oh? Does the Taeul Sect have a sword-drawing technique?”

“This is my first time hearing that Blood Battle’s tongue was so long.”

“!”

For the first time, surprise registered on their faces.

Of course, the members of the delegation and the escort agency were nearly fainting upon hearing our exchange.

Blood Battle grew serious.

“You knew who we were?”

“Are we starting or not?”

“Huhu, how amusing.”

Since I didn’t respond, Blood Battle stood with his hands behind his back and raised a knee.

Soon, crimson energy coalesced around his foot, and an immense pressure rippled outward.

“This is the first strike.”

*Boom!*

The air seemed to tear as Force Qi shot toward my heart like a bolt.

I channeled my internal energy and unleashed the first movement of the Three Forms of White Moon Ruling Heaven.

*Shweeek—*

Although it began a moment behind his attack, the “Extreme Speed” of my technique was sufficient to meet his Force Qi.

The moment the two energies slammed into each other, a screeching, metallic sound filled the air, piercing our eardrums.

“Haa, haa, haa.”

That single strike had been enough to drain a massive portion of my energy.

“Eh? That sword technique of yours…”

I cut him off quickly.

“Two strikes remaining.”

“The more I see, the more interested I become.”

Blood Battle withdrew his hands from behind his back and curled his fingers into circles.

*Shiiiiik—*

The sound of rushing air echoed as massive energy gathered between his palms.

I prepared the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm and met his blow.

*Bang! Bang! Kwaaaaaang!*

The impact of our energies caused the entire mountain to tremble.

Some of the bandits and wagon-hands nearby were thrown into such terror that they began vomiting blood.

*Whoooosh—*

When the dust settled, Blood Battle looked at me with eyes full of disbelief.

There was a strange, dangerous glint in his gaze.

“Huh… I thought the rumors were exaggerations, but perhaps they were underestimates.”

Having survived the second strike, I was in no condition to respond.

‘I’m going to die at this rate.’

Usually, supreme masters would hold back for the sake of the sport, but this madman Blood Battle had no such restraint.

I maintained a façade of confidence; I refused to lose.

“One strike remains.”

Blood Battle, seemingly exhilarated, nodded.

“Yes, yes. If you withstand this, I will grant your request.”

He took a position and reached out with a simple fist.

A red wave of Fist Force projected from his hand.

It was a basic movement, devoid of tricks, but the terrifying density of energy within it made me curse silently.

‘Damn it… He really is trying to kill me!’

Simultaneously, I unfurled the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven-Earth Sword Formula, channeling every ounce of my internal power into a single blade.

Though the Fist Force appeared slow and simple, I could sense it arriving in an instant.

“Hraaaaaah!”

As the Fist Force and my Sword Force collided:

*Whooom.*

The energy erupted, creating an instantaneous vacuum, and as the air rushed back in, secondary explosions ripped through the area.

*BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.*

I endured to the last, but the sheer force finally shoved me backward.

“Haa, haa, haa, haa.”

Even without moving, my breathing was ragged, and cold sweat drenched my body.

As the smoke cleared, Blood Battle remained standing, staring down at his own fist.

“Well? I won, did I not?”

He smiled at me, noting that I had been forced from my spot.

The instant his gaze flicked toward the bandits, I positioned myself between him and them, pointing the Black Dragon Sword at him.

Blood Battle’s eyebrow arched.

“Do you intend to die in their place?”

“I have no such desire.”

“Then step aside.”

“That, too, I cannot do.”

“Eh?”

Blood Battle’s face, previously playful, stiffened.

“I have been overlooking your insolence because you’re entertaining, but if you don’t want to die, you had best move.”

I didn’t want to die, but I could not watch these people be executed.

“It won’t be that easy.”

“Hah…”

Fortunately, I had withdrawn my body quickly enough to avoid internal damage.

Furthermore, with the three strikes concluded, the envoy delegation had taken their positions, surrounding the two masters.

We were ready to fight at a moment’s notice.

At the very least, we had bought enough time for the bandits to escape.

While I plotted, Blood Battle looked at Flame Ghost Consort.

Judging by her lip movements, she was sending a secret message.

“Hmm?”

Blood Battle made an odd expression and nodded.

Then, Flame Ghost Consort spoke.

“How about this, then? The only reason we were punishing these men is that we lost our original guides.”

They were murdering people because they lost their way?

As I expected, these Black Path maniacs had absolutely no grasp of common sense.

Before I could even react to that insanity, she added something even more absurd.

“Why not let us join your traveling party?”

I was truly at a loss for words.

“Do you even know where we are going?”

“Aren’t you headed for the founding ceremony of the Black Thought Alliance?”

“…”

Flame Ghost Consort widened her eyes.

“Oh, don’t misunderstand. It was a guess. I heard the Murim Alliance had dispatched an envoy.”

“Are you saying you’ll spare these men if you come along?”

Flame Ghost Consort shrugged.

“Of course. The issue is resolved.”

I wasn’t the leader of this group. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t even my party.

If permission were required, I had to secure the approval of Ak Byeong-bi.

I turned toward him, but he gave a subtle, sharp shake of his head.

It was a clear refusal.

I nodded to Ak Byeong-bi, then turned to Flame Ghost Consort.

“Very well. You may travel with us. In return, you must honor your promise.”

“…”

Whether Ak Byeong-bi glared at me from the sidelines as if he wished to kill me was irrelevant. Flame Ghost Consort merely smiled.

“Naturally.”

But, well, had my standing not shifted from being looked at with suspicion to being looked at with murderous intent?

Still, it beat the alternative of someone dying.

Certainly. Absolutely.