“What? Who are you?”

“…”

A man approached the main gate of the Sichuan Tang Clan with long strides.

The gatekeepers who were guarding the gate glared at the man with sharp eyes and said in a warning tone.

“This is the Sichuan Tang Clan. Unauthorized persons are not allowed to enter.”

“Permission…”

The man sneered.

“Who gives that permission?”

“Of course… the elders of the Sichuan Tang Clan. Now that you know, go back!”

“Then would you tell them? That a guest has come to the Tang Clan.”

“First, reveal who you are.”

“Ma Seongun.”

The gatekeeper’s face, who had heard the man’s name, turned pale as he repeated his name.

Finally, the gatekeeper, who had finished his thoughts, made a sound with his teeth chattering.

“D-don’t tell me…”

The gatekeeper’s voice trembled.

“The Blood-Sucking… Sword Demon?”

“That’s what they call me.”

“Ugh, ugh, aaargh!!”

The gatekeeper screamed and pulled the alarm bell that was set up next to the main gate with all his might.

At that, several layers of iron bars shot out from under the gate and blocked the entrance, and from inside, another alarm bell rang loudly.

Even then, Ma Seongun stood still with his hands behind his back.

Kugugugung—!

The tightly closed gate of the Sichuan Tang Clan opened halfway, and a middle-aged man appeared from inside.

He looked Ma Seongun up and down and then said.

“Are you really the Blood-Sucking Sword Demon?”

“Yes.”

“Keuheum! I am Tang Heum of the Sichuan Tang Clan. You must have expected the clan head, but I won’t be lacking as a conversation partner.”

“It doesn’t matter who you are. As long as you are someone who can deliver my words inside, that’s enough.”

“Hmm… then I’ll ask you directly. What business do you have at the Sichuan Tang Clan?”

“To make a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“If you open the gate now and hand over the poison and manufacturing methods that the Sichuan Tang Clan possesses, I will kill exactly half and go back. Of course, if you refuse, I plan to kill everyone and take them.”

“You crazy bastard!!”

Tang Heum glared at Ma Seongun with angry eyes.

“Have you already forgotten where you are now!”

“The Sichuan Tang Clan.”

“That’s right! This is the Sichuan Tang Clan that has proudly protected Sichuan through numerous wars and disputes.”

“I’m not curious about your opinion or thoughts. You just have to deliver my words inside. If not, should I assume that what you say and do is the will of the Sichuan Tang Clan?”

“You’re incredibly arrogant!”

Tang Heum slowly lowered his two hands.

At the same time, the long sleeves that covered all of his hands hung down.

“The Poison Monster, Tang Heum. That’s my title.”

“Tang Heum.”

Ma Seongun said in a languid voice, placing his hand on his sword hilt.

“You talk too much.”

That was the end.

The iron bars were shattered, and Tang Heum, a master of the Tang Clan and a famous person in Sichuan who was recognized for his skill in freely training poisonous creatures.

He died without even being able to take out the poisonous creatures he was proud of.

With a clean sword line that went from his left armpit to his right trapezius, Tang Heum’s body was cut in two and he collapsed.

The martial artists of the Sichuan Tang Clan who had discovered this trembled with pale faces.

“Block…!”

Kwang—!!

The main gate of the Sichuan Tang Clan, which had been firm through numerous wars and fights, was shattered.

And by a single swordsman who had come alone.

Ma Seongun stepped on the collapsed main gate and entered the estate of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

The martial artists of the Tang Clan, who had finished preparing for the fight at the sound of the alarm bell, were waiting for Ma Seongun, each in their own starting stance.

“Is Tang Heum… dead?”

“He’s dead.”

“…You must have known where you were coming, right?”

“You keep repeating the same thing. This is the Sichuan Tang Clan. So… what about it?”

“Indeed, I asked a stupid question. I apologize.”

A middle-aged man who had appeared, wearing a long robe that covered his feet, spread his hands to the left and right and commanded.

“The clan head commands. Kill the intruder.”

“As you command!”

The martial artists of the Sichuan Tang Clan who had received the order rushed toward Ma Seongun all at once.

Ma Seongun, who was watching this indifferently, said shortly.

“The gate is open. Kill them all.”

“As you command.”

Eight martial artists appeared through the collapsed main gate of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

They passed Ma Seongun at a fierce speed and began to face the rushing martial artists of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

“It has begun!”

As the fight between the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Mixed Demon Squad began, a group of martial artists who were watching from outside stood up all at once.

“We’re going too.”

After the defeat in the Righteous-Demon War, the Poison Sect, which had been waiting for the right time like a snake that had hidden in a cave, finally revealed its fangs.

They held their own weapons in both hands and quietly seeped in as if poison was spreading through their bodies.

***

“The Hebei Peng Clan has suffered damage close to annihilation.”

“This is not the time for this! Shouldn’t the Martial Alliance also move quickly!?”

With the surprise attack of the heretic martial world that had occurred all at once, the carrier pigeon tower of the Martial Alliance was in a state of chaos.

The work of the carrier pigeon tower was paralyzed by the carrier pigeons sent from the Beggars' Sect, and the carrier pigeons that could not find a place to sit were wandering in the sky.

Of course, the Martial Alliance was not just sitting still.

As the Martial Alliance was known as the union and central point of the righteous martial world, the power that the alliance possessed was more than what was known.

The scale and power of the martial artists that the alliance possessed easily surpassed the Nine Factions and the Five Great Families.

That’s why the Martial Alliance opened its main gate and prepared for battle as soon as the surprise attack occurred.

And at that moment.

A problem arose.

“Alliance Leader!”

At the call of the external general manager, Dokgo Jeokmyeong, Gwak Doyeop, who was dressed in a martial uniform with the dragon symbolizing the alliance embroidered on it and had a sword tucked in his waist, hurriedly came out of his quarters.

“What’s wrong?”

At Gwak Doyeop’s question, Dokgo Jeokmyeong said, sweating profusely from his forehead even though it was the middle of winter.

“A group of martial artists has appeared in front of the Martial Alliance now. But the problem is…”

“Don’t beat around the bush and speak.”

“The one leading them says… that he is the Heretic Path's Alliance Leader, Ju Cheon.”

“What!?”

The appearance of the Heretic Path's Alliance Leader, Ju Cheon.

Gwak Doyeop led the martial artists of the alliance without delay and ran to the entrance of the alliance.

Surprisingly, Ju Cheon was standing there with his hands behind his back.

On both of his sides were the grand marshal of the Heretic Path's Alliance, Mu Yu, and Seolpyeong.

“It’s been a while, Alliance Leader.”

“Heretic Path's Alliance Leader!”

Gwak Doyeop unknowingly drew his sword halfway.

But even then, Ju Cheon did not show any reaction.

He was just watching Gwak Doyeop and the Golden Heaven Guard, the guard of the alliance who were guarding him, with an interested gaze.

Following that, the elder of the alliance and a member of the Hebei Peng Clan, Peng Ogeol, shouted with a posture as if he would draw his sword and rush in at any moment.

“Who do you think you are to shamelessly show your face here! How dare you!!”

Even at Peng Ogeol’s angry shout, Ju Cheon was relaxed.

He made a strange proposal.

“Does the Martial Alliance usually leave its guests outside for so long? The hospitality is not very good.”

“A guest?”

“I came as a guest, so I can be called a guest.”

As Gwak Doyeop was about to step forward, the surprised Dokgo Jeokmyeong and the internal general manager, Zhuge Goun, stopped him.

“It’s dangerous. It could be a trap, Alliance Leader.”

“Don’t worry. And the Heretic Path's Alliance Leader is not a foolish person.”

The two general managers understood the meaning of the alliance leader’s words at once and opened the path they had been blocking.

Gwak Doyeop walked toward the Heretic Path's Alliance Leader, Ju Cheon, along the path that the martial artists of the alliance had opened, and the leaders of the Golden Heaven Guard, Wi Geumseong, and the Fierce Iron Guard, Gam Ak, followed him.

“We cannot back down.”

“That’s right! Alliance Leader.”

Gwak Doyeop, who had realized that he could not push away the two leaders, asked Ju Cheon.

“Will it be okay?”

“Anything.”

Ju Cheon nodded his head leisurely, as if the existence of the two guard leaders meant nothing to him.

At that, finally.

The leader of the righteous martial world and the leader of the Martial Alliance, Gwak Doyeop, and the leader of the heretic martial world and the leader of the Heretic Path's Alliance, Ju Cheon, faced each other in front of the Martial Alliance.

“What are you up to, Heretic Path's Alliance Leader.”

“There’s no scheme. Alliance Leader. I’m just standing here.”

“The Hebei Peng Clan was attacked by the heretic martial world. You’re not going to deny that the Heretic Path's Alliance is behind it, are you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Heretic Path's Alliance Leader!!”

A terrifying aura spewed from Gwak Doyeop’s entire body.

The aura was so strong that Mu Yu and Seolpyeong, who were standing next to Ju Cheon, couldn't even breathe properly.

Ju Cheon glanced at the suffering Mu Yu and Seolpyeong and said.

“At this rate, the grand marshal of the Heretic Path's Alliance is going to suffocate and die.”

“…”

Gwak Doyeop slowly withdrew the aura he was emitting from his entire body, but he still kept his hand on his sword hilt.

“If you want something, say it now. I don’t have time to stand here foolishly like this.”

“I don’t.”

“What?”

“I told you. I don’t.”

Ju Cheon walked slowly with his hands behind his back.

He walked right in front of Gwak Doyeop and then spun around again.

At his strange behavior, Gwak Doyeop felt the limit of his patience.

“What on earth are you doing now.”

“You asked what I wanted, right? Alliance Leader… I really don’t want anything. I’m just standing here.”

“So! Why are you standing here!”

Gwak Doyeop’s voice, who had become frustrated, gradually rose.

“I know that the Heretic Path's Alliance led the heretic martial world and attacked the Hebei Peng Clan. Perhaps this is just the beginning. Where else are you going to attack! Where else are you going to ambush!”

“Gwak Doyeop. They are masterless swords and claws. Whether they bite and kill someone or burn them… I know nothing. I am not their master.”

“Nonsense!”

Gwak Doyeop’s sword was drawn in one go and aimed at Ju Cheon’s neck.

Now, if he just pushed a little more, Ju Cheon would not be able to avoid death in this place.

The moment of death that had come right up to his chin.

Nevertheless, Ju Cheon did not show any sign of fear and rather took a step forward.

Sreureung—!!

As the blade brushed against Ju Cheon’s neck, blood began to trickle down from the cut.

Even at that moment, Ju Cheon did not blink an eye.

“Do you believe that I will not kill you.”

“Shall I tell you the difference between the righteous martial world and the heretic martial world?”

Ju Cheon caressed the blade of Gwak Doyeop’s sword, which was next to his neck, with his fingertip.

“The righteous path needs a cause and a justification, but the heretic path does not need such things. What moves them are not grand things like a just cause, but a very small amount of… desire.”

Ju Cheon took another step forward.

Now, the two were so close that they could feel each other’s breath.

At that, the swords of the two guard leaders came from both of Ju Cheon’s sides.

“If you come any closer, I will cut you down.”

At Wi Geumseong’s warning, Ju Cheon turned his gaze.

Ju Cheon’s and Wi Geumseong’s gazes met.

“Try to kill me.”

“…”

Wi Geumseong’s blade came even closer.

But his sword could not pierce Ju Cheon.

‘He’s not afraid… nor is he resisting.’

At Ju Cheon’s attitude, as if he were ready to die at any moment, Gwak Doyeop could not understand at all.

What on earth was this person moving for?

“Ju Cheon!”

“The weakness of the Martial Alliance is its name.”

“What did you say?”

“A name is a word that defines a subject. The Martial Alliance has the meaning of protecting and guarding the oath that the righteous martial world has made. But that is a shackle. It is not free at all. You are all trapped in the fear that a single individual or organization with great power might rule the martial world, and you have put shackles on each other, and you have given it the specious name of an oath.”

Ju Cheon laughed heartily and continued.

“I have given freedom to the heretic martial world. A true freedom where you can do anything… where there are no shackles. A true freedom for the martial artists who were stuffily tied up by things like systems and laws, oaths and promises, ethics and conscience, where they can do anything.”

Ju Cheon licked the blood flowing from his neck with his tongue after touching it with his fingertip.

“The desire to take what belongs to others is the oldest, purest, and most basic… desire that humans have.”

(End of Chapter)