****
‘This can’t be happening!’
In the midst of being pushed back in such a disgraceful manner, he unleashed his sure-kill strike.
It was the Nine Lives Severing Palm that had felled countless foes up to now.
Only when the blazing sword energy shot like a streak of light and grazed Cheol U’s nape could he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
He figured it would at least inflict a mortal wound, if not outright death. Yet the attack that had pierced even his protective aura yielded nothing more than a minor scratch and a few drops of blood.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen one.”
Cheol U wiped the blood droplet from the wound with his finger, licked it into his mouth, then spat out the reddened saliva with a grin.
The Nangong Family warriors, who had been holding their breath at the murderous intent laced into that smile, couldn’t suppress their shudders.
“Protect the elder!”
At Nangong Hwang’s shout, the Nangong Family warriors snapped out of their fear and moved with swift precision.
Cheol U looked at the Nangong warriors encircling him and smirked broadly.
“Losers without the skills always try to overwhelm with numbers. But you should know that doesn’t work on everyone.”
Just as Cheol U bared his teeth in a feral grin and prepared to charge, Nangong Gyeong, who had already regained his composure, shouted toward Nangong Hwang’s back.
“Stand down. It’s not over yet.”
“But…”
“Do you intend to tarnish the Nangong Family’s honor? Withdraw at once.”
At Nangong Gyeong’s stern command, the Nangong warriors let their swords droop powerlessly. Only then did Nangong Gyeong soften his stern gaze and level his sword at Cheol U.
“You’ve got quite the sturdy frame there.”
Nangong Gyeong smiled softly as he gathered his aura. It was the look of a man acknowledging his opponent and steeling his resolve—though to Cheol U, it seemed like mere bravado, twisting his lips in scorn.
“Bullshit.”
With that dismissive spit, Cheol U snorted hot breath and lunged forward.
“Hold on.”
Sima Geon kicked the limp body of No Geuk between Cheol U and Nangong Gyeong as he approached.
“Huh? Boss?”
Cheol U’s eyes widened at Sima Geon, who had sidled up beside him.
Sima Geon’s face had changed completely in the meantime.
His cheekbones protruded sharply, and a long scar ran from under his left eye down to his jaw. It was enough to make him look entirely different from before.
“Your face…”
Sima Geon quietly reached out and covered Cheol U’s mouth, then eyed the Nangong warriors glaring warily at them.
“You’re from the Nangong Family?”
At his polite and courteous demeanor, Nangong Gyeong gave him a puzzled look before nodding.
“Indeed. I am Nangong Gyeong.”
“I see. My apologies for not recognizing you.”
As Sima Geon dipped his head slightly, Nangong Gyeong’s expression shifted oddly.
He wasn’t one to overestimate himself, but the name Nangong Gyeong held significant weight in the martial world.
Partly due to the Nangong Family’s backing, but also from his own renowned skills since his youth—it was a name anyone in the jianghu worth their salt would know.
Yet this man seemed utterly unaware of him. It didn’t feel like mockery; he genuinely didn’t know.
“Forgive me, but may I ask what brings the Nangong Family here?”
Sima Geon inquired with utmost courtesy.
Nangong Gyeong glanced at No Geuk, who was still twitching faintly, his life hanging by a thread, then spoke.
“Is that man the leader of Gold Tiger Stronghold?”
“Yes.”
“As expected. This puts us in a bit of a tricky spot. Recently, he attacked the Flame Flower Escort Agency, injuring people and stealing goods. Afterward, he extorted a hefty sum from the captives and ransom. It’s the sort of thing that happens between bandits and escort agencies, but this time it went too far. Moreover, the leader of Flame Flower has deep ties to our main family. We came here to hold him accountable, only to learn that another escort agency had fallen to him en route. That agency was…”
Nangong Gyeong turned his head, and Nangong Hwang quickly replied.
“Zhu Hai Escort Agency.”
“Right. Zhu Hai Escort Agency.”
Nangong Gyeong nodded and continued.
“We came to avenge Flame Flower and rescue Zhu Hai’s people. But who are you? Why are you here?”
To Nangong Gyeong’s question, Sima Geon replied with a slightly troubled expression.
“We came here targeting him as well. It’s not personal grudge, but we’ve received… numerous requests from various places.”
Sima Geon quickly rephrased, but Nangong Gyeong latched onto the word “requests.”
‘Requests mean someone hired them to kill him. Assassins? But they’re too crude for that. Bounty hunters, perhaps? For men of that skill to play fixer…” Hmm, intriguing.’
As Nangong Gyeong frowned at Cheol U, who was fidgeting awkwardly, Sima Geon pressed his foot down on No Geuk’s throat.
“Not just the escort agencies—the villainy this man committed was quite severe, it seems. So many people came begging us to handle it.”
As pressure built under his foot, the life rapidly faded from No Geuk’s bulging eyes.
“Stop.”
Nangong Gyeong urgently shouted—he still needed to confirm the captives’ whereabouts—but Sima Geon ignored him and pressed harder.
“Begging us to make him pay for his crimes. With his death.”
Crack!
With a gruesome snap, No Geuk’s neck broke clean.
Even in death, No Geuk’s face looked relieved.
The torment he’d endured since falling into Sima Geon’s hands—right up until Nangong Gyeong’s arrival, though brief—was beyond imagination. Death was the sole blessing releasing him from that agony.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Nangong Gyeong bellowed in fury.
“Just collecting what he’s owed.”
At Sima Geon’s cold retort, Nangong Gyeong said with a frustrated look.
“Who doesn’t know that? But we needed to confirm the fate of the captives he took. It looks like you’ve wiped out every bandit here.”
“Ah, about that—no need to worry. He begged for his life, spilling the secret spot where he stashed his loot. And when he mentioned captives, it seemed to match the ones you’re looking for.”
It was a lie. When Sima Geon had previously turned Gold Tiger Stronghold into a wasteland, he’d already uncovered their hidden chambers.
“Ah! Is that so?”
Nangong Gyeong let out a sigh of relief, masking his growing embarrassment as he asked.
“Where is it?”
“Do you see that large tree next to the collapsed building over there?”
“Yes.”
“He said there’s an entrance to an underground chamber behind it. Go check.”
No sooner had he spoken than the Nangong disciples dashed to the spot he indicated.
Moments later, their excited voices rang out.
“It’s here. A hidden chamber!”
Then cheers followed.
“The captives are here too!”
At the news of the captives, not only Nangong Gyeong but even Nangong Hwang, who had been tense fearing a worsening situation, saw his rigid expression soften.
“You were right. Thank you.”
Nangong Gyeong expressed his genuine gratitude.
“No need. We merely handled what was asked of us. And with the Nangong Family stepping in, they would’ve been saved regardless.”
Sima Geon’s courteous attitude brought a natural smile to Nangong Gyeong’s lips.
“In any case, we’ll take our leave.”
“Shouldn’t you at least see the people you rescued?”
“We didn’t come here intending that, so there’s no reason to. Just a fortunate coincidence. Farewell.”
With a light bow, Sima Geon turned away, and Cheol U, who had been standing with a sour face, gave a curt nod and followed.
Nangong Hwang seethed at Cheol U’s rudeness but could say nothing.
“What kind of people are they?”
“No idea. Never heard of anyone like that in the martial world.”
“They mentioned requests, so probably fixers…”
As Nangong Hwang trailed off, Nangong Gyeong chuckled.
“For fixers, their martial prowess is far too impressive.”
“Yes. I was stunned seeing that giant take Grandfather’s strike unscathed.”
“I felt the same. He’s likely achieved Diamond Indestructibility or something close, maximizing his external arts. A pity, though. We should’ve seen the fight through to the end.”
He paused, staring silently in the direction Sima Geon and Cheol U had vanished, then quietly clenched his fist and murmured.
“Though my odds wouldn’t have been great.”
“Why’d you do it, boss?”
“Do what?”
“Change your face like that. You scared me.”
Cheol U pointed at the protruding cheekbones. Realizing he was still altered, Sima Geon lightly stroked his face. The jutting cheekbones and the scar vanished without a trace.
“Too much hassle otherwise.”
Cheol U blinked in confusion, and Sima Geon explained with exasperation.
“We won’t cross paths with them again, but you never know with people. Better safe than sorry. Imagine if word spread that a couple of village butchers wiped out Gold Tiger Stronghold and tangled with a Nangong expert. What then?”
“Yeah, that’d be a pain.”
Cheol U nodded readily.
“More than a pain. And if our past catches up in the process?”
At the mention of their past, Cheol U halted.
“The world’s full of people who’d freak at the words ‘demonic path.’ You can guess the fallout. We’d get dragged into needless trouble, maybe even put the kids at risk. So I changed just in case.”
“What about me? Changing alone won’t help.”
“No choice. Would’ve been great if I could’ve done you too, but it was too late. Just lowering the odds a bit.”
“Heh! Not bad for a rush job. Pretty convincing.”
“Yeah. Never thought the half-baked Bone Shrinking Technique from Black Dragon Valley would come in handy like this.”
Sima Geon chuckled with Cheol U, then abruptly changed topics.
“By the way, about that old man you fought.”
“Nangong Gyeong or whatever?”
“Right. What do you make of his skills?”
“Strong, yeah. Way above those old bandit geezers. That sword to the throat actually startled me.”
Cheol U unconsciously rubbed his nape and continued.
“Still, if we’d kept going, I’d have won.”
“Obviously, but it wouldn’t have been easy. Could’ve been dangerous.”
Cheol U looked shocked at Sima Geon’s words.
“That serious?”
“Yeah. If my instincts are right. He noticed your Diamond Indestructibility and was surprised, but not scared. He even showed confidence. Like staring down One-Hand Ghost Eye.”
“One-Hand Ghost Eye? Damn that unlucky bastard!”
Cheol U ground his teeth.
One-Hand Ghost Eye had been the trickiest foe among the many Cheol U had felled.
He’d toppled stronger experts, but One-Hand Ghost Eye was a master of Internal Heavy Hand techniques—a natural counter to external art practitioners. It had been a grueling fight, ending in victory only after severing his breath—but not without Cheol U suffering a major injury that sidelined him for months.
“You know Internal Heavy Hand isn’t just for show.”
“Master said the same.”
“If my gut’s on point, that Nangong elder knew it too. And from a master like him…”
“I get it. I wouldn’t have walked away unscathed.”
Cheol U said gravely.
“Exactly. So quit charging in blindly. Tough body’s great, but caution’s key against guys like that.”
“Heh! Tough for me, boss. Dodging and weaving ain’t my style. Real fights mean clashing head-on—win or shatter. You know that.”
“Sigh. Fine, whatever.”
Sima Geon waved irritably.
Conversations like this weren’t new.
Since the One-Hand Ghost Eye bout, he’d warned Cheol U to be careful whenever the chance arose. Yet Cheol U never listened. He probably never would.