Ho Cheon-an, with a great sword in one hand and Dong Bo-wi in the other, headed toward Cheon-ho Sect.
Son Mi-ok blankly stared at the scene until she snapped back to reality when the feet of the dragging Dong Bo-wi disappeared from sight.
As she anxiously scanned her surroundings, she noticed Miss Yeo Il-ye gazing up at the commotion, watching as Ho Cheon-an vanished.
In a hurry, Son Mi-ok approached Yeo Il-ye and said, “W-we have to stop him!”
“Huh? It’s fine. Although he’s acting like he’s going to kill Dong Bo-wi, the honorable person has a lot of affection in his hands.”
“I don’t care what happens to someone like Dong Bo-wi! What I’m worried about is Ho Cheon-an! Cheon-ho Sect is the strongest sect in this Ak-yang region! They have thousands of gatekeepers in the sect. How could he storm in alone?!”
“Yeah, I’ve heard rumors about Cheon-ho Sect too. It is quite large and has a solid network from hosting martial artists visiting Dongjeong Lake. And I heard there’s a Hwa-gyeong Martial Artist as well.”
Son Mi-ok was about to lose her mind at Yeo Il-ye’s calm explanation. How could she let Ho Cheon-an go in alone knowing all of this?!
“Knowing that, why did you allow Ho Cheon-an to head to Cheon-ho Sect alone? To face such a sect, preparation is necessary! Let me help prepare, but first, you must stop Ho Cheon-an!”
Finally, Yeo Il-ye realized what Son Mi-ok was worried about and smiled.
“You think the honorable person can’t handle Cheon-ho Sect? Just to ask, is there a hidden weapon at Cheon-ho Sect that I don’t know about?”
“That’s… not really the case…”
Faced with Yeo Il-ye’s direct question, Son Mi-ok hesitated for a moment. It would be rude to flatly say that Ho Cheon-an was inferior to Cheon-ho Sect.
“If that’s the case, then there’s no problem. No, from now on, Cheon-ho Sect won’t even dare to act up in front of the restaurant.”
Son Mi-ok’s eyes wavered at Yeo Il-ye’s words. What is this absolute trust? How can one Hwa-gyeong Martial Artist possibly compete with Cheon-ho Sect, but if it’s Ho Cheon-an, then he can?
“So please, calm your heart and wait.”
At Yeo Il-ye’s confident tone, Son Mi-ok swallowed. Is it really possible for just one person to face Cheon-ho Sect?
—
The sight of someone being dragged was enough to attract the attention of travelers.
“Whoa! Is that guy Dong Bo-wi?!”
“The Cheon-ho Sect’s rumor master Dong Bo-wi?”
“Let go! I said, let go!”
As the passersby recognized him, Dong Bo-wi began to flail, perhaps out of shame or because the sect was nearby.
Thud!
So, I just whacked that head with the hilt of my great sword.
“Gah! Great Cheon-ho Sect…!”
Smack!
Thud!
Though his mouth was shut, I couldn’t help but hit him once more because I was displeased with his actions. Silencing the guy, I continued walking until I encountered a grand gate, guarded by Cheon-ho Sect members in their uniforms.
The gatekeeper saw me dragging Dong Bo-wi and, astonished, yelled and unsheathed his weapon to charge at me, but he paled at my aura and hesitated back.
“Y-you should know this is the domain of the Great Cheon-ho Sect!”
“I know.”
I replied and strode straight toward the main gate, ignoring the gatekeepers, who looked at me in disbelief, their weapons drawn, unsure what to do.
I shot them a glare. Why?
Because the gate of Cheon-ho Sect was wide open.
I was in a situation where I wanted to dramatically kick down the firmly closed gate and make a grand entrance, yet here I was, deflated.
So, I stepped over the threshold of Cheon-ho Sect, filling my lungs with air.
Instead of entering like a pheasant instead of a chicken, if I can’t smash the sect’s big door, then I have to create chaos across the entire sect as compensation.
[Come out, Sect Leader!!!]
Boom, boom, boom!
My lion’s roar echoed, loud enough for everyone in Ak-yang to hear. The nearby gatekeepers clasped their ears, nearly collapsing from the volume, while the sturdy buildings and walls of Cheon-ho Sect trembled, kicking up dust.
“W-what’s going on?!”
“W-what’s that noise?!”
Cheon-ho Sect’s martial artists poured out in shock. They were startled to see me standing on the threshold while dragging Dong Bo-wi.
“Hey! Who do you think you are?!”
“Let the rumor master go at once!”
I obediently tossed him toward the martial artists. At that moment, a peak expert, who seemed somewhat influential in the sect, stepped forward to speak.
“What kind of outrageous act is this! How dare you disparage our sect’s rumor master and expect to remain safe?!”
“It was that guy who first humiliated me.”
The face of the peak expert twisted at my words. Surely many of Dong Bo-wi’s past misdeeds flashed before him.
“How dare you insult our Heavenly Demon Sect in front of my face, and at the same time accuse me of oppressing innocent people? I demand an apology for the humiliation this guy has caused me!”
“Heavenly Demon Sect…? Your henchman…?”
“That enormous great sword… then you must be the author?”
The faces of the sect members and the peak expert turned pale as they recognized me. The expert turned to glance at Dong Bo-wi. He was hiding behind the sect members, cursing quietly.
“Nonsense! Nonsense! That guy is a fake claiming to be the Brain Knife Outcast!”
The peak expert had a face that expressed nothing but chaos and confusion. Dong Bo-wi was desperately trying to cover up the incident, but he realized my words were the truth.
“I will apologize on behalf of the rumor master’s conduct.”
“Are you the sect leader?”
“I’m not the sect leader, but…”
“Then get lost!”
The peak expert’s face twisted with humiliation, but he had no choice but to clear his expression.
Swish!
Crack! Crack!
I drew my great sword, enveloping myself in sword energy. The intention to demonstrate strength made it impossible for him to linger on feelings of offense.
“That clown over there said I was fake. If so, this means that ungrateful rumor master from Cheon-ho Sect has been spouting nonsense all along, claiming I, the Brain Knife Outcast Ho Cheon-an, learned sorcery and built an unclean foundation. Isn’t it clear that you’re admitting to the willingness to tolerate such a rumor until now?”
“N-no! That’s not…!”
[Shut your mouth! Even at this moment, you liars’ rumor master is shouting I’m fake, and yet you’re trying to cover it up?!]
I didn’t give him any chance to retort.
[Learned sorcery? Concealing power through unclean means? I won’t forgive anyone who spouts such blasphemy! You’re slandering me for supposedly tarnishing Dongjeong Lake and oppressing the innocent? Did you think I’d let those words pass without dealing consequences?!]
What’s the most important thing a martial artist must have before demonstrating their strength?
A justification.
Swinging a big stick with a flimsy rationale often invites a backlash in different ways. So, to shatter Cheon-ho Sect, I needed a big justification.
But the young hero Dong Bo-wi personally delivered me the perfect justification to go rampaging.
I made it possible to announce today’s ‘all-access pass’ to Cheon-ho Sect without worrying about a thing.
—
So now that I had an all-access pass, let’s get to having some fun.
Just before the grand main course, I was about to put the Cheon-ho Sect martial artists to the test with my great sword while preparing to perform the Seven Thunder Defense Technique.
“Stop!”
A man who looked just like Dong Bo-wi appeared, leading a group of people. He was unmistakably the sect leader, and I observed him and the elders standing behind him.
Considering his elderly demeanor and strong martial arts, they seemed to be elders, with one even reaching the Hwa-gyeong level, possibly leading the sect’s elite in this procession.
As I reached this initial conclusion, the sect leader proudly cleared his throat and spoke.
“Hero of the Martial World, I am Deung Sa-pyeong, the sect leader of Cheon-ho Sect.”
Right, if they’ve prepared thoroughly, I should also respond with a worthy move.
“Hero? Well, it seems that in front of me, you wouldn’t dare call yourself a henchman of the Demon Sect or someone practicing sorcery!”
My sarcasm instantly stiffened the atmosphere.
I suppose they didn’t expect me to slang off right in front of their sect leader.
But the elder who had reached Hwa-gyeong seemed to see this as an opportunity.
“You brash fool!”
The Hwa-gyeong expert lunged at me with a roar. Seeing the distinct sword energy emanating clearly, I raised my great sword to block his attack.
Kwang!!
The clash of energies exploded, and I took a step back, letting some of my momentum spill. Outwardly, and perhaps actually, the elder seemed to have the upper hand.
“Ooh, it’s Director Cheokwi!”
“Indeed, it’s Elder Yi!”
Elder Yi, called Cheokwi, raised his sword, pointing it at me.
“You’re already far overstepping, and the sect leader is treating you with respect, yet you dare to speak that way! I shall punish your rudeness today!”
With that, he charged forward. Observing his clearer and more powerful energy than before, it was evident that he was attacking in earnest.
In response, I activated my brain wave to match Cheokwi’s offensive.
Rumble!!
As the brain wave burst forth, my momentum erupted explosively. The peak expert’s face showed confusion and panic as he felt the immense power and overwhelming thunderous pressure.
But the dice had already been cast.
With his unimpressive martial arts and energy, and my specialized brain power combining explosive might and the One Strike Blade Technique’s essence, I was certain.
At this moment, I could completely overpower Cheokwi with a single blow.
I contemplated while stepping on the One Cut Blade’s path.
What would be the best way to resolve the current situation for Cheon-ho Sect?
Obviously, to physically subdue me and force my mouth shut.
But could the Cheon-ho Sect actually attack me right now?
Their rumor master humiliated me, attaching bogus rationalizations to attack, only to suffer a backlash. Would they really launch an assault against me aroused in anger?
If this fact came out, even if they managed to subdue me, it would entail a considerable narrative that might lead to questioning whether they could continue being acknowledged as a sect. During that encounter, they could lose track of me or find themselves entangled in accusations due to additional breaches. Thus, it was reasonable to assume that Cheon-ho Sect might simply fall apart.
So, the only realistic response Cheon-ho Sect could take was to humbly wait until my anger subsided.
But would Cheon-ho Sect, which reigned as the local tyrant in the region, want to make that choice?
Certainly, internally they would be simmering with dissatisfaction.
Amongst them, who would be the most dissatisfied with the current situation? Surely the sect leader would find the scenario distasteful, but at this moment, the most irritated individual was set in stone—Elder Yi, who thought he could take me on.
Let’s think for a moment in Cheokwi’s shoes. If he were to just strike me down and win, his name would spread throughout the Central Plains.
How boring it must be to be faced with such an opportunity and only be forced to endure it!
Having to stand there, mere viewers while a sumptuous feast lies within reach, his mood must be incensed.
As if to seize that moment, Elder Yi pulled out his sword and charged at me.
Why?
Because without losing anything, the chance to gain just rewards had come.
After exchanging one blow to gauge my strength, should he feel confident, he could keep pressing until the situation was settled.
Cheon-ho Sect might not be able to avoid damage, but certainly, in the best-case scenario, the matter would close, and he would earn fame for defeating me.
Should he find his assault faltering, he could simply act distressed and retreat.
What if someone later cast doubt on that moment? Claiming that he merely acted out of a momentary spurt of indignation would suffice.
That’s how he must have evaluated the situation.
It wasn’t just Cheokwi; all the sect leader and elders standing behind him were likely thinking the same.
Caught in this exchange, none of them had the will to stop him when they clearly had more than enough time to intervene five times over. Instead, they just kept their mouths shut and eyed the surroundings.
But their judgment was flawed.
Their calculations contained no possibility of me swiftly overwhelming Cheokwi.
I contemplated while stepping onto the path of the One Cut Blade.
If only Wi Seoryeon had come with me to Ak-yang, what a perfect example of a situation for displaying strategy.
Desire.
They were intoxicated by greed, dancing like puppets according to my will.
The penalty for the rumor master’s folly was the sect leader’s desire to resolve matters without paying the price, all while Elder Yi yearned to crush me and gain a reputation.
Simply put, even a minor quarrel and a tad of animosity led them to greedily fall right into my trap, without even considering the potential fallout for themselves.
They were indeed perfect gullible fools.
Bang!!!
“Ugh!”
The consequence for such fools would be that their ultimate means of stopping me—the Hwa-gyeong expert—couldn’t withstand the strength of my thunderous impact and dove face-first into the ground, spitting blood.
