The Lazy Young Master of the Jin Clan

Peong—!!

About half of the estate was blown away by the explosion.

It was the estate of a sect called White False Gate.

“Ugh! Get away!”

The gate of White False Gate opened, and blackened martial artists poured out.

At the same time, they shouted that someone had used explosives to attack White False Gate.

The total number of casualties was about one hundred and twenty.

Fifty were seriously injured, and thirty were lightly injured.

The number of people who died from the explosion reached about forty.

“It’s clear that the one who caused this explosion is the heretic group called the Heretic Path's Alliance!”

“I heard a rumor that they drove out the Martial Alliance and took over the martial world.”

“They’re planning to finish off the righteous martial world for good!”

As the saying goes, a word without feet travels a thousand miles.

The explosion that started from White False Gate also occurred in other sects belonging to the righteous path.

Although the scale was a little smaller, the rumor spread uncontrollably fast due to the explosion that had caused casualties.

Of course, behind it were the gossips and beggars who liked to spread rumors.

“Phew! That’s a relief.”

The branch masters of the Beggars' Sect, who were enthusiastic about spreading the rumor, wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads.

Although it was just a matter of spreading a rumor, there was no one who did not know the importance of this operation.

“What about the rest?”

“The Hao Sect is spreading the rumor themselves. If necessary, they’ll even make up rumors that don’t exist.”

“Hmm… rumors are bound to be exaggerated and distorted.”

A rumor was like a small snowball rolling down a snowy mountain.

As it passed, it was inflated more than its original size, and it was difficult to find its original appearance.

“By the way, trying to join hands with the Hao Sect now feels like a thorn in my mouth.”

“Isn’t it because you secretly ate grilled fish?”

“Sh-shut up! Stop joking around and move quickly! The war has already begun!!”

As the branch master shouted this and disappeared, the beggars gathered in one place and whispered.

“Look at him getting mad because he feels guilty.”

“A fellow more like a beggar than a beggar.”

The beggars said this and were disposing of the corpses that were said to have died from the explosion.

Those corpses were people who had already died from illness, old age, or accidents.

The beggars of the Beggars' Sect, who had created fake casualties using this, moved secretly, wearing masks.

Now, the rumor they had created would spread beyond a thousand miles and throughout the Central Plains.

***

“They say that there have been many casualties due to large and small explosions throughout the Central Plains. The public is saying that the Heretic Path's Alliance is using explosives.”

“Interesting.”

Ju Cheon, who had heard the interesting rumors that Seolpyeong had brought, burst out laughing.

“Is it Zhuge?”

Due to the great explosion on the plain, the righteous martial world had suffered enormous damage that could not be recovered.

But if you looked at it from the perspective of the entire righteous martial world, it could be said to be a minor damage.

In fact, hearing the news that the righteous martial world had been defeated, numerous sects that had been silent, trusting the Martial Alliance, began to roll up their sleeves and step forward.

“They’re saying they won’t be damaged by explosions anymore. They’re very cunning.”

By now, the Martial Alliance and the righteous martial world must have realized.

Who was behind the Heretic Path's Alliance.

“I didn’t plan to use it anyway, but the heavens must be in quite a predicament.”

Ju Cheon said this and tapped the armrest with his finger.

“Seolpyeong.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

“The explosion they created is a kind of signal.”

“A signal, you say…”

“A signal to announce the start of the war.”

“Then… is the Martial Alliance finally moving?”

“Yes. Bring Ma Seongun.”

“…I understand.”

Seolpyeong, who had received the Alliance Leader’s command, had to force his steps, which were not readily moving forward.

‘That monstrous fellow.’

Ma Seongun had become strange for some time now.

He had heard that something had become strange since his defeat to Jin Sohyun, but now it had gone beyond that.

In fact, the masters of the heretic martial world were disappearing, and behind it was Ma Seongun.

He was using the masters of the heretic path as a good side dish and was making them his own entertainment every night.

Thanks to that, the martial artists of the Heretic Path's Alliance were suffering from nightmares from cleaning up the corpses every day.

“It’s terrible.”

Seolpyeong frowned at the terrible smell of blood that pierced his nose like a needle.

Seolpyeong, who had reached out, grabbed the doorknob, and entered, discovered a puddle created by the blood that had flowed from the dead bodies.

And Ma Seongun was sitting in that puddle, humming a tune.

“Have you been well?”

“I don’t see Mu Yu. Where did that bastard go?”

“The Great General Manager… has disappeared.”

“Disappeared?”

Seuk—

As Ma Seongun stood up, the blood that had collected in the puddle of blood dripped from his body.

Ma Seongun, who did not care about this, approached Seolpyeong step by step and then swept back his hair, which was stiff with blood, with one hand.

“Where is Mu Yu?”

“He is…”

“If the smell of lies comes from your mouth one more time. You will die.”

A sly smile appeared on Ma Seongun’s mouth.

The deep and dark energy flowing from his voice made Seolpyeong’s body stiff.

Like a small herbivore in front of a beast of prey.

“Mu Yu… has run away. At the command of the Alliance Leader… because I tried to kill him…”

“Is he alive?”

“He… probably is.”

“Eating a dog that has been tamed is something the Heretic Path's Alliance Leader is good at. Isn’t that so?”

“…”

As Seolpyeong couldn’t say anything, Ma Seongun grabbed his head and pushed it to the side.

Seolpyeong, who was pushed by the irresistible force, had to roll on the floor.

Seolpyeong, who had barely succeeded in controlling his body, felt that his left hand, which was supporting his body, was broken.

Nevertheless, he did not show his pain.

“The Alliance Leader…”

“I know.”

Ma Seongun disappeared through the open door.

Seolpyeong looked at his back and then frowned, grabbing his left hand.

“What is the Alliance Leader going to do with such a monster?”

Will he be able to deal with Ma Seongun even after the war is over?

Seolpyeong bit his lip, engraving the tragic scene that Ma Seongun had created in his two eyes.

***

Ma Seongun walked along the familiar path and reached the place where Ju Cheon was.

It was originally said to be the seat of the Martial Alliance Leader, but Ma Seongun was not very interested.

“Did you call?”

“You really came. I didn’t think you would answer my call. By the way, what a terrible smell of blood. How many did you eat?”

“Have you ever eaten while counting the grains of rice you eat?”

At Ma Seongun’s question, Ju Cheon shrugged his shoulders once and then answered with a smile.

“Of course not.”

“Neither have I.”

“I asked a foolish question.”

“If you called me for a useless reason, you’d better be prepared this time. I’m tired of it now. Right now…”

Ma Seongun’s blood-red eyes stared straight at Ju Cheon.

“To the point where I want to eat you.”

“Don’t worry. The signal for the start of the war has sounded, so your enemy will come soon.”

“Jin Sohyun…!”

“Yes. He is coming. He will ride on the Martial Alliance, receive their protection, and follow the path I have made to reach you.”

“Kekeke…!”

Every time he thought of Jin Sohyun, Ma Seongun’s mouth was full of saliva.

Saliva mixed with blood dripped from between his open lips.

That appearance was no different from a beast.

“So wait a little longer. Soon… you will have the best meal you will ever have.”

***

Peolleok—!

The White Dragon Flag, which symbolized the alliance, was raised high.

Behind it, the flags symbolizing the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families rose in order, and then the flags symbolizing the Green Forest, the Beggars' Sect, and the Hao Sect also rose side by side.

That was not all.

In addition, the flags of the sects that had rolled up their sleeves to help the Jin Clan and the righteous martial world also soared.

The sight of the numerous flags soaring was truly a spectacle.

“I never thought we would stand shoulder to shoulder with the Martial Alliance in our lives.”

At Palbong’s mumble, Gilsimun smiled faintly.

“Don’t get excited. Anyway, bandits like us are just like ants’ lives.”

“Heeik! Really? Aren’t we in the rear?”

“Why do you think the Martial Alliance placed the bandits in the rear? We are now entering a place of death. A canyon made of castle walls… surrounded by enemies on all sides.”

“Th-that means…”

“We might have to face the heretic bastards who are rushing in from the rear.”

Gulp—!

Palbong swallowed his dry saliva and held his pounding chest.

According to the formation arrangement that Zhuge Suk had given to everyone, the Green Forest and the Beggars' Sect were placed in the rear.

He was happy because he was not at the forefront.

But now it seemed that they were entering a tiger’s den and were in a position to block the other tigers that were trying to enter the den.

“…Can we survive?”

Gilsimun shook his head.

But Kang Seopyeong said.

“We have to survive. How unfair would it be to die in a place like that after all this? So listen carefully! You bastards!”

Kang Seopyeong shouted at the trembling bandits.

“Anyway, fighting is what we always do! If we win this battle, we’ll get a big share and come out! Do you understand!?”

“Yes!”

“The girls you like, the wine, the meat, and the money! You can have it all. Do you understand? It’s a chance to become the rich people you were so envious of!”

“Waaaah—!!”

“So.”

Kang Seopyeong slung the axe with a chain over his shoulder.

“Survive. Somehow.”

“Yes!!”

At the loud shouts of the bandits, the martial artists who were walking with them at first frowned, but then they nodded their heads.

Survive somehow.

That was the mindset of the righteous path martial artists who were facing the decisive battle.

And Cheon Yusin, who was at the forefront, rode forward with the leaders.

“Alliance Leader.”

Cheon Yusin, who was riding a horse, turned his gaze at Gwak Doyeop’s call.

Gwak Doyeop, who was riding a horse next to him, said with his gaze fixed on the front.

“After this war is over… can you continue to serve as the alliance leader?”

The proposal of the former alliance leader, Gwak Doyeop, had a different meaning.

Although the influence of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families, which could be said to be the mainstay of the Martial Alliance, was very large in selecting the alliance leader, the influence of the former alliance leader was also large.

Anyway, in selecting a successor, the choice of the former alliance leader who had been in charge of the alliance leader position was very important.

That’s why Gwak Doyeop’s proposal had a great meaning.

“I thought you didn’t like me very much.”

“I don’t like you.”

Gwak Doyeop said with a smile.

“But, I realized through this incident. That the alliance leader doesn’t just have to be a good person.”

Gwak Doyeop turned his gaze and looked at Cheon Yusin.

“I realized through this incident… that the alliance leader needs an unyielding, firm mindset, strong martial power, and ambition.”

“And also cunning.”

At Cheon Yusin’s playful words, Gwak Doyeop smiled.

“That is also true.”

“I’ll think about it. Looking at it now, the Martial Alliance is no different from a beggar with no home or temple, is it?”

“That is also true.”

“So for now… let’s go get a house.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

Cheon Yusin and Gwak Doyeop led their horses together.

Behind them, beyond the procession of numerous martial artists, a man was walking.

Next to him were Cheon Gasung and Cheon Yerang of the White Moon Palace.

Beomkang and Yonghui, the descendants of the Five Great Masters, followed.

Namgung Seoru, Jongyeorak, and Hyeok’ugun were also with them.

Their goal was only one.

To escort the flying sword that would pierce the heart of the Heretic Path's Alliance.

(End of Chapter)