Chapter 46

Chapter 46
## Chapter 46. A First-Rate Warrior Who Gathers People (5)

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Jin So-un representing the Taeul Sect.”

“…….”

“…….”

I pressed my hands together in a respectful martial greeting as I introduced myself, but the fighters provided by the family merely offered faint, dismissive nods.

“I go by Yeong-yeong.”

Contrasting sharply with the silent indifference of the male fighters sent by the family, the woman positioned slightly behind them returned a polite, clasped-hands greeting.

Peculiarly, this woman kept the lower half of her face completely concealed, nose included.

While it was commonplace for women to wear sheer veils that merely softened their features, her covering resembled a solid mask favored by nocturnal infiltrators.

Upon closer inspection, the paired blades resting over her shoulders were notably compact.

“I intend to begin my preparations for the pursuit now. I assume there are no objections?”

Receiving no verbal reply, I gave a brief nod and walked toward the heart of the settlement to locate the local woodsmen.

“I was under the impression you were forbidden from employing Hunters.”

The remark came from one of the previously silent fighters.

“I have no intention of hiring them.”

“Then for what reason are you seeking a Hunter out?”

“There are goods I wish to purchase from one. Did the restrictions declare commerce forbidden as well?”

The fighter paused to consider this, spoke a word of concession, and stepped backward.

“The directive only prohibited the utilization of specialized artifacts or exceptional treasures.”

Although the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent was classified as a terrifying Demonic Beast, in my current state of cultivation, it did not present an insurmountable threat.

Even without relying on the Black Dragon Sword or utilizing the Flying Dragon Claw, a concentrated execution of the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm would easily shatter its skull.

However, taking such a direct approach would inevitably invite baseless protests, or worse, accusations that I was concealing forbidden martial techniques.

If the situation appeared utterly unfavorable to his interests, the Grand Elder would likely break his word and keep Jegal Cheon-gi confined.

‘Given that he kept Jegal Cheon-gi locked in Prison for eight long years, he is entirely capable of such malice.’

To prevent that, I opted for a strategy that would completely shatter Jegal Jeong’s composure.

Reaching the modest dwelling of a Hunter situated at the village boundary, I noticed a scattering of rabbit and fox pelts suspended in the courtyard.

Yet, it was evident that recent expeditions had been barren; the actual harvest was pitifully sparse compared to the numerous lines waiting to be filled.

“It is all because of that cursed Lesser Dragon.”

A rugged, bearded middle-aged man—whose appearance hovered between a woodland brigand and a woodsman—spat on the ground as he grumbled.

“What exactly do you mean by that?”

“The monster treats Mount Geummok, Mount Bokryong, and Mount Hwadong as its personal domain. No other creatures dare show themselves anymore.”

The widespread devastation wrought by the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent was clearly profound.

“At present, the beast is merely consuming the mountain settlements, but if this persists, a true catastrophe awaits us.”

“What sort of catastrophe?”

“From time immemorial, predatory beasts develop an insatiable craving for human flesh. They say once a tiger feasts on a person, it loses all interest in common game, do they not? Soon, every household will be mourning. What are the Jegal Clan and the Murim Alliance doing about it? They strut around boasting of their martial prowess, but do they intend to use their skills merely to season soup?”

Hearing the woodsman’s scathing critique, one of the escorting fighters bristled and moved to intervene, but the rugged Hunter sprang up fearlessly, gripping a wood-chopping axe. Fortunately, the second fighter raised an arm to restrain his companion, averting a bloody altercation.

“Setting that aside, do you manage to capture any wild boars?”

“Those are the only creatures we occasionally snare. The gluttonous beasts cannot handle their starvation and eventually wander down. Even so, it yields no profit. Whenever we construct deadfalls, that wretched Lesser Dragon simply devours the trapped swine whole.”

“Understood. Would it be possible for me to purchase those wild boars from you?”

“The boars?”

“Indeed. Furthermore, I wish to acquire every single one captured by the other Hunters in this area. I am prepared to offer three pieces of silver for each carcass.”

“You mean to say you will provide three silver taels for a single wild boar, young master?”

“……I will, but.”

I tilted my head slightly, amused.

“Why the sudden shift to formal etiquette?”

“Good heavens, what are you implying, sir? How could a lowborn man like myself fail to show proper deference to a generous patron such as you?”

A light chuckle escaped me at his instantaneous transformation, and I pressed on with my requirements.

“Kindly inform your peers that I shall buy every wild boar secured from this moment forward. I require roughly twenty in total. They can be living or deceased, provided they were taken within the last twenty-four hours.”

“Rest assured, sir. If a single man brings in five, will you honor that rate for every last one?”

“For the fifth specimen, I shall bestow an additional five taels, bringing its price to twenty silver taels.”

“Consider it done!”

“Ah, a final inquiry. Are you acquainted with any local Herb Gatherers?”

—

The direction provided by the woodsman led me to a simple thatch-roofed cabin resting at the base of Mount Geummok.

An array of harvested flora was laid out across the dirt courtyard to dehydrate, and an elderly man and woman seated upon a wooden deck barked in outrage the moment we arrived.

“You mindless fool!”

The old gentleman thrust the long stem of his tobacco pipe toward the feet of one escort.

The warrior had carelessly planted his boot directly onto the drying vegetation.

“That irreplaceable medicine is utterly ruined, so how do you intend to make amends?!”

Unlike the timid Chief Heo, this veteran Gatherer bellowed with absolute fearlessness, completely unfazed by the weapon strapped to the warrior’s hip.

“Hmph. What an exaggeration. A bit of loose soil does not render the plant useless. Very well, I can provide compensation. Name the amount.”

“You arrogant brat! Does an apology not precede commerce?! I have no use for your coins! Remove yourself from my sight!”

In the midst of the shouting, a peculiar piece of desiccated root resembling tree bark caught my attention.

“Oh? Could this be the legendary Heavenly Medicine Root?”

“……Eh?”

“I was under the impression that unearthing Heavenly Medicine Root intact is exceptionally rare, and preserving it in such a pristine form is rarer still. What method did you employ?”

“How does a young swordsman recognize Heavenly Medicine Root?”

“Since my youth, I preferred roaming the wilderness over poring through scholarly texts, allowing me to glean extensive wisdom from elderly foragers. They always emphasized how arduous it is to dry Heavenly Medicine Root into this dense, bark-like state. How did you manage such a feat?”

The elder stroked his silver beard, clearing his throat self-consciously.

“Well, that happens to be a proprietary technique of mine, so I cannot simply disclose it to a stranger!”

“Perfect out of place……. Oh! Is this not the elusive Sea-Mountain Seed?”

By systematically extracting details from the Secret Record of Ten Thousand Herbs, I gradually placated the old man’s simmering irritation.

“Did you once train as a forager yourself?”

“I actually implored the veteran Herb Gatherers of my youth to instruct me, but they concluded I lacked the innate sensitivity for the craft.”

“Naturally. Quite so. The gathering of rare herbs is not a trade suited for the ordinary populace. Regardless, what purpose brings you to my door? Judging by your blade, you did not journey here for an apprenticeship. Are you seeking to make a purchase?”

“That is correct, Venerable Elder.”

I then itemized the specific flora and quantities I required.

“You desire five geun of every single one of those varieties?”

The old Gatherer, who had been maintaining an air of superiority, looked visibly stunned for the first time.

“Are you a commercial trader? We already maintain an exclusive agreement with an established merchant guild.”

“Ah, do not let that trouble you. I am merely an extravagant buyer offering double the standard market rate.”

“……!”

The elderly man’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

“You truly intend to pay double?”

“You mentioned earlier that traversing the peaks has become perilous due to the presence of the Lesser Dragon, correct? It is only proper that I include a compensation for the danger involved.”

“Ha ha. Tell me, are you another affiliate of the Jegal Clan like these silent guards? The Jegal Clan certainly does not conduct business with such generosity.”

“In what manner do they acquire goods?”

“Hmph! Under the pretext of buying directly from the source, they demand we surrender our harvests at a lower price than what the commercial guilds offer us.”

“Haha, I see. I assure you, I have no connection to the Jegal Clan.”

“Then who are you?”

“I am a disciple representing the Taeul Sect.”

“Aha, Taeul, Taeul, you say? The name is unfamiliar to my ears, yet the title itself carries a certain dignity that suggests a righteous foundation.”

The expressions of the Jegal Clan guards twisted into grimaces resembling furious demons, their skin flushing crimson with suppressed anger.

—

On the path leading back toward the settlement.

“Senior Brother, I shall return to that cabin to ensure that old wretch never utters another disparaging word against the Jegal Clan again.”

“…….”

The disposition of the family fighters could not have been more hostile.

I stepped into the path of the individual who seemed prepared to sprint back and assault the elderly Gatherer.

“Did the Grand Elder command you to disrupt my preparations?”

“What are you implying?”

“If not, is treating the common folk with unprovoked malice considered standard behavior within the Jegal Clan?”

The more mature fighter knitted his brows in irritation.

“Those peasants survive solely by the benevolence of the Jegal Clan. Yet they display zero gratitude for that protection. Do you truly believe such ungrateful people warrant respect?”

“Your reasoning is flawed. No entity can thrive in total isolation. Just as the Jegal Clan provides security to the citizenry, the citizenry sustains the Jegal Clan with their labor.”

“Hmph. In what conceivable way do these simpletons benefit our great family? Can you provide concrete proof for that claim?”

“That is precisely what I intend to demonstrate right now.”

—

Jegal Hyeon-un stepped into the depths of the Prison compound for the first time in quite a long while.

Given his need to navigate the political currents of the Elder Hall, and knowing specifically that the Grand Elder, Jegal Jeong, thoroughly despised such interactions, he strictly avoided this sector unless an urgent matter demanded it.

“Cheon-gi. Are you within?”

A brief moment later, a metallic clanging echoed from inside the cell.

The boy was almost certainly immersed in his mechanical designs once again.

Among his three offspring, Cheon-gi was undeniably the one who possessed the sharpest intellect suited for the family’s legacy.

He had mastered literacy entirely on his own, favored ancient scrolls over childhood amusements, and frequently neglected his nourishment when absorbed in his research.

There had been a time when Jegal Hyeon-un genuinely believed that Cheon-gi would be the one to guide the destiny of the Jegal Clan.

-Yes, Father. Have you arrived?

Cheon-gi’s muffled voice drifted through the heavy barrier.

“Have you taken your meal?”

-Yes. I have eaten.

“What occupied your time today?”

-I was engaged in my studies.

“What manner of study?”

-…….

The ensuing silence made it entirely obvious that he had been secretly reviewing Mechanism Formations once again.

This particular obsession was a constant source of sorrow for Jegal Hyeon-un.

“Were you indulging in the forbidden study of Mechanism Formations again?”

-……Forgive me, Father.

“Does that subject truly hold such sway over you?”

-……I consider it essential for our future.

“For what reason?”

-The traditional Mystic Gate Formations demand astronomical resources to establish, and their upkeep is a constant drain on our treasury. Conversely, once properly constructed, Mechanism Formations endure indefinitely and require minimal maintenance.

It was precisely this philosophical defiance that had driven the family elders to confine Jegal Cheon-gi in Prison.

Two years had already passed in this manner.

The confinement must have been stifling beyond measure, yet Jegal Cheon-gi’s resolve proved more unyielding than even the stubbornness of the Elder Hall.

-Uh, Father.

“Speak.”

-I received word…… that an outsider arrived at our gates seeking an audience with me.

The boy’s tone carried an uncontrollable trace of hope.

He was likely unable to repress his astonishment that an individual had journeyed specifically for him—someone who had been cast aside and unacknowledged by his own flesh and blood his entire life.

“……Hoo. I presume Yeong-yeong relayed this information to you?”

-I apologize, Father. I strictly commanded her to cease her visits.

“No matter. Regardless, you shall not be permitted to meet him.”

-What?!

Jegal Hyeon-un pondered how best to soften the blow, before choosing to bluntly state the realities of the situation.

That way, Jegal Cheon-gi would abandon any futile expectations immediately.

-W-What are you saying, Father?! The Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent?!

RATTLE, RATTLE.

The heavy door vibrated violently as if the occupant were trying to force it open.

“Do not be alarmed. It is for this reason that I explicitly assigned Yeong-yeong to accompany him. If he is to have any hope of conversing with you, he must first survive the encounter, must he not?”

-Ah, Father. This is madness. Please dispatch our elite martial artists immediately to assist the Great Hero.

“Did you fail to grasp the terms dictated by the Grand Elder? If the boy accepts the aid of any martial artist, his challenge is forfeit.”

-But still…….

“Even if a lethal crisis develops, Yeong-yeong is bound to extract him safely. Therefore, remain calm.”

-Father!

Turning his back on Jegal Cheon-gi’s frantic pleading, Jegal Hyeon-un retraced his steps toward his administrative quarters.

“Hm?”

The inner grounds of the estate were uncharacteristically chaotic and bustling.

Martial artists were sharpening their blades, while Spell Practitioners were meticulously arranging their ritual implements.

Furthermore, expansive parasols designed for travel and specialized mounts were being prepared for departure.

“Ah! Clan Head! You are here.”

The family’s Chief Steward, hurried past but stopped to address him.

“What is the meaning of this commotion?”

“The Grand Elder has declared his intention to ascend Mount Geummok at sunrise.”

“Mount Geummok?”

“He harbors severe doubts regarding whether that youth from the Taeul Sect is genuinely pursuing the beast.”

“What has he discovered?”

“According to the scouts dispatched to monitor his movements, the young man merely loitered around the town briefly before securing a room at a local tavern to feast and sleep.”

“Is that so……?”

“The Grand Elder finds this behavior highly duplicitous, and has resolved to investigate alongside the Council of Elders.”

Jegal Hyeon-un let out a weary smile.

That small-minded elder had been thoroughly embarrassed by young Jin So-un, and now that Jin So-un was behaving unpredictably, the old man simply could not contain his suspicion.

Even so, Jegal Hyeon-un found the deployment of the Spell Practitioners to be a massive overreaction.

The financial cost of mobilising even a single Spell Practitioner was immense; did the Grand Elder truly intend to deplete family resources for a petty excursion?

“He likely fears an unexpected ambush by the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent.”

“Pardon me?”

Jegal Hyeon-un instructed the Chief Steward,

“Informing the attendants that I shall be joining the excursion as well.”

“Sir?”

“My own curiosity has been piqued. I wish to observe firsthand how that young warrior intends to subjugate the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent.”

—

As dawn broke and I stepped out of my lodgings, I made my way directly to the Hunter’s property.

Though I had extended no invitation to the Jegal Clan guards, they remained fixed to my shadow at a deliberate distance.

“You have arrived, sir.”

“Hah!”

A total of eight wild boar carcasses were already arranged across the Hunter’s dirt yard.

“You managed to harvest all of these in a single night?”

“Every able-bodied woodsman in the territory scoured the ridges until daybreak to secure these for you.”

“Most impressive. Has anyone managed to bring in a set of five?”

“Not as of yet.”

“A pity.”

“Do not lose heart just yet, sir. We expect to retrieve two more before dusk.”

Out of the initial eight, it appeared this burly Hunter had personally harvested three.

“I shall await the outcome.”

“Ah, and Old Man Kang delivered his initial batch of vegetation at first light.”

“Are those the bundles?”

“Yes, sir. He mentioned he would transport the remainder shortly.”

I inspected the massive piles of flora stacked neatly to one side of the courtyard.

“What purpose do you have for such a massive quantity of vegetation?”

“Would you object if I utilized your courtyard for a short duration?”

“It is entirely at your disposal.”

—

As the morning progressed, a multitude of iron cauldrons procured from the local eateries were arranged in rows within the Hunter’s yard.

After emptying an entire bundle of the harvested flora into each vessel, we stoked the kindling beneath them and commenced boiling the contents.

The Hunter departed for the upper ridges once more to inspect his remaining overnight snares, while I distributed ten copper pieces to each of the tavern hands who had transported the cauldrons, instructing them to maintain the fires.

Simultaneously, I sliced open the underbelly of the first wild boar and cleared out its internal organs.

“What is the meaning of this ritual?”

The elderly Herb Gatherer arrived, pushing a handcart laden with the remaining flora.

“Must the leaves not be thoroughly stewed to extract their potent essence?”

“Granted, but who prepares medicinal extracts in such a primitive fashion? Who could possibly consume such a bitter brew?”

“This concoction is not intended for human consumption.”

“Then who?”

“The Lesser Dragon shall be the one to partake.”

“What did you say?”

The old Gatherer’s mouth fell open in sheer disbelief.

“You intend to offer these rare medicinal blends to that monstrous Lesser Dragon? Have you lost your faculties? That creature has feasted upon human flesh.”

“Do not misinterpret my actions, elder. I am preparing this feast specifically to bring about its demise.”

“You expect to defeat the Lesser Dragon using stewed vegetation?”

“Precisely.”

Finishing my explanation, I siphoned the concentrated fluid from the boiling cauldrons, retrieved the softened, dark plants from within, and packed them tightly into the cavity of the dressed wild boar.

I then took a sturdy needle and silk twine to bind the creature’s belly closed.

“What is this overwhelming aroma? Is there a plague in the village?”

“Ugh, and what is the reason for this mountain of swine?”

“Word spread yesterday that a wealthy patron is offering three silver taels per boar. That is why every man in the district abandoned his chores for the mountains.”

“It appears their entire harvest has been accumulated here.”

Drawn by the pungent medicinal odor, a crowd of inquisitive villagers began congregating outside the Hunter’s residence.

What struck me as remarkable was that among the gathering, not a single peasant displayed any hint of reverence or terror toward the armed Jegal Clan guards.

Instead, they cast disparaging glances and treated the elite warriors with quiet disdain.

“They say that young man intends to slay the Lesser Dragon.”

The moment one of the tavern hands tending the hearth muttered those words, the whispers traveling through the crowd escalated into an uproar.

“What nonsense are you speaking? Slay the Lesser Dragon?”

“He claims this method will allow him to trap the beast.”

“Can such a thing be true?”

“Impossible, it must be an empty boast. Even the mighty Jegal Clan refuses to confront it directly. How could a solitary youth achieve what they cannot?”

The skepticism among the onlookers intensified, and eventually, several villagers stepped forward to confront me directly.

“Young man. Is it true that you intend to hunt the Lesser Dragon?”

“That is my purpose.”

“By what means?”

“I shall demonstrate, provided you are willing to offer a bit of assistance.”

“……Hm. What sort of assistance do you require?”

A middle-aged villager who had been watching me with deep cynisism stepped forward with lingering doubt.

“Kindly stuff the inner cavities of these remaining boars with the boiled vegetation, just as I have done.”

“That is the entirety of the task?”

“Yes.”

Though still thoroughly skeptical, the middle-aged man knelt down and began participating in the work.

Seeing him join, other villagers began volunteering one after another.

“Good heavens, if you bind the flesh so loosely, the mixture will spill out instantly. Step aside and let me handle the stitching.”

“Even when removing the entrails, you must retain the thickest layers of fat. This is meant to entice the Lesser Dragon, is it not?”

“Exactly so.”

In this manner, the local populace steadily integrated themselves into the preparation, just as additional hunters arrived with fresh catches from the ridges.

Some specimens arrived alive and thrashing, while others were deceased and stained with blood.

The hunt had evidently been pursued with frantic energy. The final count reached an impressive twenty-five wild boars.

“Keep the living beasts restrained apart from the rest, and prepare only the deceased ones.”

I compensated the woodsmen immediately upon delivery, and bestowed a single silver coin upon each villager who had lent their hands to the labor.

As the gathering grew increasingly boisterous, virtually the entire population of the settlement began migrating toward the yard, abandoning their daily routines.

When the assembly reached nearly two hundred individuals, a frantic shout echoed from the perimeter.

“The Jegal Clan has arrived!”

The villagers, who had been working with the joyous energy of a festival, instantly froze as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over them, turning their gazes toward the path.

The entourage from the Jegal family arrived in magnificent, ostentatious garments, comprising elite martial artists and high-ranking Spell Practitioners.

Desiring absolutely no interaction with the nobility, the commoners silently parted, leaving a wide berth for the newcomers.

“What is the meaning of this spectacle?”

Jegal Jeong demanded, stepping forward.

“I am making the necessary arrangements to capture the Lesser Dragon.”

“I distinctly recalled forbidding any external assistance for this trial.”

“Did your restrictions not explicitly state that I was merely prohibited from receiving aid from martial artists or Hunters?”

“…….”

“Surely, Grand Elder, you do not harbor anxiety that I might defeat the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent with the aid of unarmed, ordinary laborers?”

“Ahem…….”

“Regardless, what brings your illustrious presence here? If you return to your estate and wait, I shall undoubtedly present the beast’s corpse to you.”

“Your conduct is so profoundly irregular that I felt compelled to personally verify your progress.”

“You are indeed an exceptionally cautious individual.”

Once the preparations were finalized, I secured several transport carts from the village and commenced the ascent up Mount Geummok, escorting the processed boars.

The elite forces of the Jegal Clan, alongside a massive contingent of local villagers, followed directly in my wake.

“W-What is the meaning of this gathering?”

Chief Heo and the local farmers who scratched out a living on the slopes looked utterly bewildered by our arrival.

“I intend to eliminate the Lesser Dragon here and now.”

“The Lesser Dragon, you say? Has the Jegal Clan finally resolved to deliver us from this plague?”

At that instant, the elderly Herb Gatherer bellowed in frustration.

“The Jegal Clan? Do not make me laugh. Those cowards came merely to spectate.”

“Then…… who shall face it?”

“I shall face it.”

I replied firmly.

“Y-You, Young Warrior?”

“Indeed.”

“But, sir…… that Lesser Dragon is an absolute monster……”

“Be at ease. I am fully aware of its nature, so there is no need for worry. Instead, would you mind offering a bit of assistance?”

“H-How can simple farmers assist you?”

“Kindly evacuate every resident from this settlement immediately.”

“……?”

“Do this, and from this night forward, your families will never again live in terror of being consumed by the Lesser Dragon.”

—

I systematically cleared both the Jegal Clan entourage and the local populace out of the mountain village.

Within the abandoned settlement, nothing remained except for twenty stuffed boar carcasses and five living wild boars bound to stout posts, squealing in distress.

“Would it not be prudent for you to withdraw as well? The Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent is a creature of unmatched savagery.”

When I directed my voice toward the rooftop where Yeong-yeong was concealed, her hidden presence fluctuated for an instant.

-The Clan Head explicitly commanded me to ensure your survival, Young Master.

“Your intervention will not be required.”

Offering a brief nod, I strode toward the nearest living boar, seized its binding rope, and drove my blade across its throat.

SQUEEEEEAL!

Failing to perish instantly, the beast shrieked in agony as dark crimson fluid saturated the earth.

As I proceeded to slit the throats of two additional boars in rapid succession, the final two began baying with absolute hysteria. As the chorus of agony reverberated through the valley, the surrounding timberland finally began to vibrate.

FLAP-FLAP-FLAP-FLAP.

Massive clouds of birds erupted from the canopy, beating their wings in a frantic escape.

The ancient trees of the forest began to sway violently, row by row.

That localized disturbance was steadily progressing directly toward the clearing.

The reason I had selected this specific mountain village as the execution ground was because the serpent had already associated this location with accessible human prey.

“Come to me.”

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE.

The moment a profound vibration resonated through the soles of my boots, I executed the Ghost-Breathing Step, completely vanishing my physical presence.

A heartbeat later, the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent breached the tree line, flattening the dense forest with its titanic mass.

HISSSSSSS.

It parted a maw as cavernous as a residential dwelling, unleashing a piercing hiss that rattled my eardrums and vibrated straight through my skull. I instantly clamped both hands over my ears to withstand the pressure.

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE.

A monstrous form stretching fully twenty jang in length.

An armor of scales so dense it gouged deep trenches into the earth with every undulation.

Confronted by the sheer majesty of the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent—a creature I had previously only envisioned through descriptions—I found myself momentarily stunned.

‘To command an ordinary martial artist to confront such a force with nothing but a sword… it is no wonder so many lives were thrown away.’

The apex predator surveyed the clearing before locking its gaze precisely onto the structure where Yeong-yeong lay hidden.

It had detected her concealed aura.

Just as I debated whether I should reveal myself to draw its attention, the serpent fortunately turned away, its focus pulled by the scent of the wild boars.

In a flash, it snapped its jaws around a living boar that was thrashing so violently it seemed on the verge of fainting, swallowing the beast whole in a single, fluid motion.

Despite the boar being a substantial specimen of considerable mass, it vanished into the serpent’s gullet without a trace.

As if that massive meal had done nothing to satiate its hunger, the creature immediately seized another living boar along with one of the stuffed carcasses simultaneously, shoving them down its throat.

From that point forward, all caution vanished.

Like a starving beggar presented with a royal banquet, the monster began vacuuming up the remaining carcasses without a moment’s pause.

Yet, the precise moment it turned to retreat toward its mountain lair.

HISSSSSSS.

The beast let out a strangled cry, its entire body convulsing in sudden agony.

Its massive throat began contracting violently as it desperately attempted to regurgitate the wild boars it had just consumed.

Wasting not a single second, I bolted from cover and hurled a massive boulder straight at its head.

THUD.

Struck by the stone, the serpent recognized my presence through its haze of pain and charged at me with terrifying speed.

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE, CRUNCH, CRUNCH.

As the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent thrashed blindly, the fragile wooden dwellings of the farmers disintegrated into splinters one after another.

After a tense pursuit where I utilized every ounce of my agility to evade its snaps, the beast apparently realized it could never match the velocity of the Unrivaled under Heaven Movement Art, and halted to renew its efforts to expel the contents of its stomach.

Predicting the move, I instantly altered my trajectory and drove the full might of the Ten Thousand Transformations Invincible Fist squarely into its lower jaw.

THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD.

While the impact failed to penetrate its iron-like hide, the sheer kinetic force violently forced its jaws shut, preventing it from vomiting.

Another frantic sequence of evasion followed, but the monster’s movements were visibly deteriorating.

KRAK, KRAK.

It convulsed desperately, seeking to rid itself of the toxic feast, but its internal organs refused to cooperate.

KRAAAAAK.

Dark blood began leaking from the seams of its locked jaws.

This was absolute confirmation that the highly concentrated medicinal herbs packed inside the dissolving boars had successfully integrated into its system, attacking it from within.

KRAAAAK! KRAAAAAAAK!

Every single time the creature attempted to purge its stomach, I stayed glued to its flank, striking its jaws to ensure nothing was expelled.

And a short duration later.

THUD.

The titanic entity collapsed onto the ruined earth, its movements ceasing entirely.

‘The moment is now.’

I immediately closed the distance and pressed my hand against the beast, activating the Azure Dragon Bracelet.

While it lacked a condensed Inner Core, its colossal physical form had accumulated vast reservoirs of natural Spiritual Energy throughout its lifespan. Furthermore, given that the Azure Dragon Bracelet had previously neutralized the lethal toxins of the Human-Faced Spider, this combination of Spiritual Energy and specialized Poisonous Qi would serve as an exceptional catalyst for my own cultivation.

Deprived of the Flying Dragon Claw, I pressed my covered wrist firmly against the hide, absorbing the escaping energy just as the villagers, who had been watching from the safety of the perimeter with bated breath, began creeping back into the settlement.

“H-He truly brought it down?”

“H-He defeated it with such ease?”

“Unbelievable.”

The commoners, who had initially been too terrified to approach, took heart when they witnessed me standing unharmed atop the motionless Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent, and they began swarming into the clearing.

“Is the monster truly deceased?”

“The wretched Lesser Dragon is no more!”

“The Lesser Dragon has fallen!”

“The Young Warrior has truly delivered us from the Lesser Dragon!”

“The solitary swordsman has slain the beast on his own!”

Led by those who firsthand verified the absolute demise of the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent, the gathered villagers and mountain farmers unleashed a triumphant roar that shook the very foundations of Mount Geummok.

“WAAAAAAAH!”