novelraw Chapter 405 : Don’t Lay a Finger on My Friend
Chapter 405 : Don’t Lay a Finger on My Friend
Chapter 405: Don’t Lay a Finger on My Friend
"To think we’d end up like this..."
Pang Giyok muttered in a heavy voice, as though the blame lay on his own shoulders.
In moments like this, the one who came most vividly to mind was none other than Yong Hwarin.
‘If Hwarin had been here, we never would’ve ended up in this mess.’
Not being able to come with Yong Hwarin was a regret that weighed on their hearts.
The Huji Cavalry had planned to first gather their resolve and, on their way, stop by the Heavenly Central Sect to meet Yong Hwarin and seek his thoughts.
Even Namgung Yoo, who had once fought alongside Yong Hwarin and Young Master Il of the Heavenly Demon Castle, deeply lamented his absence.
Pang Giyok was certainly an outstanding prodigy, but he still felt unpolished—like an unrefined gem that hadn’t shed its youth.
‘Hwarin predicted and commanded situations like a seasoned veteran of a hundred battles. Even when things got dire, I never felt anxious under his lead. Giyok, though talented, still lacks that.’
Of course, he didn’t voice such thoughts.
In truth, no one felt that more acutely than Pang Giyok himself.
“Kuaaaagh!”
A fourth scream pierced through the forest, then silence fell like a heavy shroud.
When the cries ceased, So Yonghwa spoke first.
“Hehe, looks like it’s over.”
“Ah!”
Pang Giyok turned toward the forest where Dang Cheolgi and the others had entered, despair clouding his eyes.
“Hahaha! No one can escape from the Elders of the Demonic Bloodflame Sword!”
At his words, not a single one among the Huji Cavalry retorted.
The infamous name of the Bloodflame Sword had been drilled into them since childhood.
‘If even they’ve come, it’ll be impossible for us to survive this day. And with more than two hundred experts from the Demonic Cult and Dark Echo Valley... how could we possibly escape?’
Even after steeling their hearts, the grim reality soaked them in despair.
Flap—!
At that moment, the birds in the forest suddenly scattered as someone emerged from between the trees.
Sanbi smiled, thinking it was the Bloodflame Sword Elders returning.
Just imagining them bringing back the severed heads of the fallen heirs made his body tingle with excitement.
But the man who stepped out wasn’t them.
It was someone no one had expected to appear here.
“The Greatest Sword Under Heaven!”
Sanbi’s mouth fell open, and So Yonghwa shouted in shock.
Having witnessed the Sword Debate of the Three Externals, they immediately recognized Jo Wonmook, The Greatest Sword Under Heaven.
“How could this be!”
Jo Wonmook approached slowly, four severed heads dangling from his grasp.
Whip!
He threw them toward Sanbi.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
The sound of skulls hitting the ground echoed chillingly.
“Why... why would you kill these men, Greatest Sword Under Heaven?”
Sanbi demanded, his voice trembling between anger and disbelief.
Jo Wonmook’s brow twitched slightly.
“These bastards poisoned me thirty years ago and killed my kin! Meeting them here today was mere chance—but avenging them is only natural! And you... how dare a brat like you raise your voice at me?”
Though his tone was low, Sanbi suddenly felt his entire body tremble violently as his knees buckled.
He would’ve collapsed entirely had the warriors behind him not stepped forward to block Jo Wonmook’s overwhelming aura.
Even so, Sanbi was terrified. The killing intent emanating from that distance was enough to make his blood run cold.
So Yonghwa quickly stepped forward.
“Honored senior, may I ask what brings you to this place?”
He assumed Jo Wonmook must’ve simply passed by and stumbled upon them.
“Hm. I came here because my junior asked me to.”
“Junior...? Whom do you mean?”
“Ah, Yong Hwarin.”
The words struck everyone like a thunderbolt.
For Jo Wonmook to call Yong Hwarin junior brother was proof enough that their relationship was anything but ordinary.
“What... what did he say to you?”
“He told me his friends were in danger and begged me to come to their aid. And he said... not to spare the ones attacking them.”
“Mmm.”
Both So Yonghwa and Sanbi let out short, strained sighs.
“Senior, please be careful. You could end up making enemies of both the Demonic Cult and Dark Echo Valley.”
Sanbi’s warning carried an undertone of threat, to which Jo Wonmook chuckled softly.
“I’ve lived my whole life without bowing to anyone’s will. Now you tell me to watch where I tread? I’ve always cut through anyone who blocked my path—whether it be a beggar or the emperor himself!”
The words were arrogant, yet from Jo Wonmook’s lips, they didn’t sound insolent—they sounded true.
Only he in all of the Central Plains had the right to speak that way.
“The ones I cherish most,” he continued, “are my friends and those who share my will. If someone like that asks for help, I’d stake my life to answer that call! Will you stand in my way?”
Behind him, Yu Maelim gazed at Jo Wonmook’s back, her face tinged pink.
This—this unyielding spirit—was why she admired him.
Jo Wonmook was the living embodiment of Heaven and Earth, I Alone Am Supreme.
His age meant nothing to her.
At first, she’d respected him as the purest form of a martial artist, one who lived according to his own ideals... but before she knew it, admiration had turned into love.
Even as an elderly man, Jo Wonmook looked more dashing to her than any youth.
Sanbi and So Yonghwa felt their excitement drain away.
To think that even The Greatest Sword Under Heaven was within Yong Hwarin’s reach—how could they continue this hunt now?
The thrill of cornering the heirs vanished, replaced by a chill like plunging into icy water.
Still, Sanbi and So Yonghwa trusted the two hundred elite warriors behind them.
Even if they couldn’t defeat Jo Wonmook, they believed they could at least take down half of his companions.
If they backed down now, they would never sleep soundly again.
“It seems this Mount Seokyo will soon be renamed Blood Peak.”
At Sanbi’s words, So Yonghwa shouted,
“Form ranks! We’ll bury our enemies here!”
In unison, the Demonic Cult and Dark Echo Valley warriors drew their swords, killing intent surging.
Birds and beasts fled in panic as the forest shook.
The collective aura of over two hundred martial artists rose like a wave of fire devouring the mountain.
“It’s you who will be buried here!”
Suddenly, two men burst out from the ridge, shouting loudly.
Sanbi and So Yonghwa scoffed at the sight of the two middle-aged men who had appeared so suddenly.
“And who the hell are you supposed to be?”
One of the men clicked his tongue.
“Kids these days... no manners at all. Guess you’ll have to die to learn respect.”
The man with the dark gleam in his spear stepped aside, letting the rougher one with a heavy saber advance.
“We are the ones who govern Mount Tianzhong and Mount Seokyo. We heard that people with foul energy were roaming here, but we didn’t expect it to be the Demonic Cult and Dark Echo Valley. Leave now while we’re speaking politely.”
Sanbi laughed scornfully.
“Hahaha! So now even mountain bandits dare to threaten me?”
In truth, their ragged appearances did make them look like bandits.
They were none other than Pil Gye-young and Bang Yeorip, who had made their base in Mount Tianzhong.
Bang Yeorip slammed his spear into the ground.
Boom!
The shockwave was powerful enough to shake the earth.
Feeling that overwhelming qi, Sanbi flinched.
A bandit... with the inner power of a Fourth Jiazi expert? Impossible!
“We are the Captain and Vice Captain of the Hidden Dragon Unit of the Heavenly Central Sect! Watch your tongue!”
At those words, Sanbi and So Yonghwa exchanged glances.
The title alone told them these men were mercenaries under the Heavenly Central Sect.
But the surprise quickly turned to sneers.
“So what? Two of you think you can—”
Bang Yeorip struck his spear twice against the ground.
“Who said it was just the two of us?”
Boom! Boom!
From the ridges, more than a hundred warriors emerged—members of the Heavenly Central Hidden Dragon Unit.
Jo Wonmook had known they were there, but the others hadn’t sensed their presence at all.
‘Impossible... these men give off an aura like the Heavenly Sword Division itself. Who are they?’
Namgung Soomyung and Namgung Yoo exchanged a look, the same thought flashing through both their minds.
Just how much power was Yong Hwarin hiding?
Their curiosity turned to awe—and then to fear.
‘To think... he’s my friend. I’m truly lucky.’
Every heir of the great clans standing there felt exactly the same.
They could not help but marvel at Yong Hwarin’s ability to draw an absolute master like Jo Wonmook to his side,
and it was equally astonishing that those who were no less skilled than the elites of their own clans were residing on Mount Tianzhong.
At that moment, a small head suddenly popped out from behind Bang Yeorip and Pil Gye-young.
“Sasook!”
When Dang Cheolgi saw the little girl flicking her tongue playfully as she greeted him, he laughed.
“Du-hwa, is that you!”
Beside Dang Duhwa stood Hae Cheolryeong.
They were masters from the Grand Marshal’s Office, who had rushed over upon hearing the scouts’ report that the Demonic Cult forces had entered Mount Tianzhong.
Yong Kijoong had ordered them to oversee Mount Tianzhong and Mount Seokyo under the banner of the Heavenly Central Hidden Dragon Unit.
When the two had set out from their mountain base, Hae Cheolryeong and Dang Duhwa, who had been visiting at the time, decided to accompany them.
Realizing that they were now completely safe, Dang Cheolgi finally relaxed.
The young heirs who had brushed against the gates of death let out sighs of relief.
Sanbi and So Yonghwa, realizing that fighting now would only result in their own deaths instead of their enemies’, decided to change tactics.
“We shall withdraw! Open the way!”
When So Yonghwa shouted confidently, Pang Giyok, Pil Gye-young, and Bang Yeorip hesitated for a moment, uncertain how to respond.
But the battle-hardened Bang Yeorip gripped his spear and barked,
“Withdraw? You think this is your own house you can come and go as you please?”
“You truly wish to see bloodshed?”
So Yonghwa shouted back unyieldingly.
Indeed, if so many warriors clashed here, countless lives would be lost.
When neither side replied, Sanbi spoke again.
“Then we’ll be leaving!”
Just as he was about to issue the retreat order—
Boom!
A young man descended from above, landing squarely between Sanbi, So Yonghwa, and Pang Giyok.
Upon seeing him, Pang Giyok shouted,
“Hwarin!”
Namgung Yoo, overjoyed, ran forward as well.
“Hwarin!”
But Mo Biyoung, who had landed right after alongside Hong A-yul, subtly blocked Namgung Yoo with her body.
Even now, a woman’s instinctive wariness was quick to act.
At Yong Hwarin’s appearance, both Sanbi and So Yonghwa gasped and instinctively staggered back three steps.
“W–Where are Brother Mun and Brother Ok?”
Sanbi’s voice trembled. Inside, he cursed himself for stuttering like a fool, forcing himself to glare at Yong Hwarin.
“I’ll leave what became of them to your imagination.”
Both Ok Girin and Moonwoo had brought with them formidable warriors—enough to overpower even several peak masters.
The fact that they hadn’t been able to subdue even one Yong Hwarin spoke for itself.
So Yonghwa swallowed hard.
“We... we were about to withdraw!”
The young heirs found it exhilarating to see Sanbi and So Yonghwa, who had been so arrogant before, cowering before Yong Hwarin as though facing the King of Hell himself.
“Withdraw? Says who?”
Yong Hwarin murmured quietly.
Yet the low tone carried far greater weight than any shout.
“There’s something I swore long ago— Those who harm my kin will never be forgiven. If you seek mercy, go beg at Shaolin Temple! Before Yong Hwarin, such mercy does not exist!”
Sanbi and So Yonghwa’s faces twisted.
“Must we truly fight?”
Sanbi asked almost pleadingly, but Yong Hwarin smirked and turned toward Pil Gye-young.
“Captain of the Heavenly Central Hidden Dragon Unit, hear my order!”
At those words, Bang Yeorip’s eyes widened.
‘This brat dares to issue orders to my commander?!’
Just as he was about to object, Pil Gye-young stepped forward and bowed his head.
“I receive your command.”
Bang Yeorip frowned—he didn’t like seeing his superior bow to Yong Hwarin—but decided it must be an act to maintain morale and kept silent.
“The Heavenly Central Hidden Dragon Unit shall eradicate the vermin that have infested Mount Tianzhong!
Leave not a single one alive!
Show all of Murim that touching the Heavenly Central Sect is the gravest mistake of their lives!”
As a former general, Pil Gye-young knew how crucial this moment was.
Showing leniency now would only invite further provocation. Even if sacrifices had to be made, this battle had to set an example.
“Pil Gye-young, Captain of the Heavenly Central Hidden Dragon Unit, receives the Young Sect Leader’s order!”
He echoed the command and shouted,
“The Heavenly Central Hidden Dragon Unit begins exterminating the vermin—now!”
The warriors, once part of the disbanded Grand Marshal’s Office, had long carried deep resentment in their hearts.
Now was their chance to release it.
“Uaaaaaah!”
Their roar shook the heavens as they drew their blades, their killing intent spreading across the entire mountain.
Yong Hwarin looked at Sanbi and So Yonghwa.
“You’ll pay dearly for laying a finger on my friends.”
As Yong Hwarin unsheathed the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword and advanced, Sanbi and So Yonghwa’s eyes darted frantically, searching for escape routes instead of preparing to fight.
Namgung Yoo muttered under his breath,
“Damn, he’s gotten even cooler.”
Mo Biyoung replied,
“My Young Master has always been cool. He didn’t become cooler—he is cool.”
Namgung Yoo caught something in her tone.
“Young Master? Don’t tell me you’re in love with him?”
He couldn’t help but ask, suspecting she might secretly admire Yong Hwarin.
“Do you think just anyone gets to call him Young Master?”
Mo Biyoung said proudly, gazing fondly at Yong Hwarin’s back.
Namgung Yoo sighed and muttered,
“Damn it... should I stop being his friend?”
Pang Giyok shook his head with a helpless smile.
Even now, the women’s ability to focus on such trivial matters in the middle of a battlefield was astonishing.
Yong Hwarin stepped toward Sanbi and So Yonghwa.
The two, seeing him draw closer, suddenly charged forward—only to veer off and flee once they were within five jang.
“What the—”
Yong Hwarin, ready to fight, let out an incredulous laugh.
“Unbelievable.”
The heirs of the noble clans couldn’t help but burst into low chuckles.
“Heh heh!”
The very men who had once exuded murderous intent toward them were now fleeing with their tails between their legs before Yong Hwarin—and the sight was absolutely priceless.