The Mad Dog Inspector of the Martial Alliance

Chapter 122 : The Beginning of the War (2)

The Black Way members of the Four Black Alliance rushed at Jang So-gil like flying tigers, as if they had been waiting.

That was to be expected; if they hadn't prepared after he had so loudly declared his attack, it would have been stranger.

Like the groups of the Black Way, their hands held not swords and spears, but back-alley weapons like iron chains, rakes, studded clubs, or nets.

A blue aura flared up on Jang So-gil's right arm as he looked at them. He was raising the cold qi of the Soul-Stealing Ice Art.

Around the time the cold qi that had started from his shoulder reached his fingertips, Jang So-gil struck out. A lightning-fast finger strike hit the philtrum of the one in the lead.

The philtrum was one of the vital points of the human body. The brain shook and breathing stopped. Naturally, the flow of true qi also stopped. Then the cold qi that spread from the philtrum covered his entire face.

Jang So-gil, flicking his fingertips, struck out again.

In one breath, he scattered cold qi towards nine people at once. Their philtrums, the space between their eyebrows, and their collarbones froze in an instant.

"......!"

Jang So-gil smiled as he watched them fall without even being able to scream.

"Finger techniques are also useful."

The Sun-Shooting Sword Art was a secret art that contained all the essence of the Diancang Sect.

When the Sun-Shooting Sword Art was performed with a spear, it became the 'Sun-Piercing Spear'.

When performed with bare hands, it was called the 'Nine-Piercing Sun Finger', the hand that pierced the nine suns.

"I-it's different from what I heard!"

The reaction of the Black Way group was quite amusing. As if they had seen an impossible sight, they looked back and forth between Jang So-gil and their comrades with a bewildered face.

It was an ambiguous sight, as if they were seeking agreement or comfort.

'Their military discipline is a world of difference from the martial artists of the Seomun Clan.'

How could they win a fight when their emotions were so agitated? It would be better to continue the attack at that time, or at least shout loudly to arouse their fighting spirit.

Well, that was probably the difference between a criminal and a martial artist. It was impossible for those who only knew how to bully the weak and those who had dedicated their lives to martial arts training to be the same.

"Still, their fighting spirit is quite something."

Although they lacked the military discipline of a trained martial artist, they were overflowing with the unique fighting spirit of the Black Way group. Since there was no way they could live by running away, they did not lose their spirit even after losing nine comrades in an instant and rushed in, filled with malice.

Jang So-gil raised another stream of true qi. When he swung the White Azure Divine Sword, which was clad in sword qi, from bottom to top like a half-moon, the arrows blocked by the sword split in half and fell to the ground with a clatter. It seemed that a lot of archers were in ambush.

While Jang So-gil's long hair, like his sword, spun around in a circle. Yang Gwan rushed out like an arrow.

"I'll take care of the archers!"

"Good. Go!"

The lightness skill that Yang Gwan used was, surprisingly, the Plucking String Body Step. That lightness skill, which turned one's body into an arrow to gain a powerful rushing force, was also very compatible with spearmanship. Under Jang So-gil's permission, Yang Gwan had focused on practicing the Plucking String Body Step during his closed-door training.

The Plucking String Body Step was the martial art of the first-generation disciples of the Diancang Sect. Although it was common sense that martial arts were not to be taught outside the sect, a sect that had been exterminated had no one to protest. This much was well within the discretion of Jang So-gil, who had inherited the lineage of Diancang.

"Go to heaven-!"

"Hic!"

Yang Gwan, who had closed the distance in one go, thrust his spear. The 'Poisonous Dragon Exiting the Cave' of the Yang Family Spearmanship, a powerful wave of qi containing the mystery of rotation and spiral, arose. The pavilion where the archers were positioned was cut away with a 'kwadeudeuk' sound, like a rock being cut by the wind.

Through the collapsing pavilion, this time Jang So-gil flew up. He cut down one enemy with the White Azure Divine Sword, and kicked back the daggers they threw with his feet, running without stopping.

Concealment using the terrain, ambush, surprise attack, none of it was a problem. A dragon soaring through the clouds could not be stopped.

You could not hide from the dragon's eyes, and the dragon's claws could tear down mountains.

A dragon covered in white frost had opened the beginning of the war.

"My goodness. The Fire Dragon is one thing, but was the Ghost King that strong?"

Song Baek muttered as he watched the rampaging Jang So-gil.

For someone who had not been in the martial world for long, it was a very outstanding martial art. Although he had not been able to participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly because the timing was not right, if Jang So-gil had shown his face at the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, he could guarantee that the ranking of all the dragons except for the Cloud Dragon would have been lowered by one step. Jang So-gil would have obtained the nickname of the Ice Dragon there.

This was a statement that included the Sword Dragon himself. Even Song Baek, who was called the Star of Fame and was considered the next in line for the sect leader, could not easily declare victory, as Jang So-gil's martial prowess was so special.

The Lamp of Enlightenment approached Song Baek, who was standing blankly with a dumbfounded expression. He smiled and stroked Song Baek's head.

"This is not the time to be so surprised, is it?"

"Ah!"

The inspector had written a proclamation and aroused the righteous indignation of the martial artists. And he had become a model himself and had jumped into the forefront of the war with the Four Black Alliance.

Since he had announced the beginning first, the Huashan Sect had to be the one to follow right after. Hadn't they promised it as the price for the Dark Fragrance Float? They should not lose that opportunity while being surprised.

Song Baek, who had come to his senses at the gentle words of the Lamp of Enlightenment, flapped the sleeve embroidered with a plum blossom and raised his hand high.

"The Huashan Sect will follow the Ghost King!"

Song Baek rushed forward before anyone else, and a breath later, the martial artists of the Huashan Sect responded. Following them, countless martial artists kicked off the ground and soared into the air.

As the martial artists ran forward, spreading a thunderous sound of footsteps, the ground was overturned and dust was pushed back.

It was a spectacle comparable to the charge of a cavalry.

The Lamp of Enlightenment, watching the scene, stroked his snow-white beard. The corner of the mouth of Hyeonam Jin-in, who was guarding his side, moved slightly upwards. It was a faint smile, as if he were happy.

"It reminds me of the time of the Great War against the Demonic Cult. I feel like I've become ten years younger."

"Hyeonam, if you say it like that, doesn't it sound like you miss the Great War against the Demonic Cult?"

Although the words sounded like a reprimand, the tone was not.

Since Yeondeung was also smiling faintly. Hyeonam just shrugged his shoulders.

"Because that time was more enjoyable than the current martial world, which is moved by money."

"That's not something the head of the finance pavilion who is in charge of Huashan's finances should say, and it's even less something a martial artist of the orthodox sect should say."

"Hahaha. Did I make a slip of the tongue?"

"But, I can't say I don't understand."

The current martial world was a boring place. They moved because of gains and losses, and because of money. If it was not beneficial to their own sect and noble family, they would not do it. If their interests clashed, they would bet money or property and lead to a peace settlement and solve it through dialogue.

In such a climate, and in an era where they had to be mindful of the government or the imperial family.

"It's boring. Very boring."

In the current world, there was no great evil or threat. But justice shines brightest when it fights against evil. If there was no evil, justice could not shine, so the martial world was gradually becoming a boring place.

Had he ever fought with all his might after the Great War against the Demonic Cult had ended? The Lamp of Enlightenment's shoulders trembled slightly. This was not fear, but the excitement of a martial artist.

"How long has it been since I got involved in a fight in the secular world? I can't help but get excited."

"That statement of yours, Sect Leader, is also not something a Daoist should say."

"That's why I haven't been able to ascend to heaven even at this age."

When a fight was this enjoyable, how could he ascend to the immortal world and become an immortal?

The Lamp of Enlightenment, laughing 'heoheoheo', his eyes sparkled. It was the eye of a child who had gotten a new toy, the eye of a child who was tearing off the wings of a dragonfly.

"The Black Killing Hegemon King, Ha Hu-yeong, Ha Hu-yeong. I've heard of his notoriety, but I've never had a chance to fight him. I hope he's as strong as he's recorded in the Martial Arts White Paper."

In the Martial Arts White Paper written by the eccentric Seo Gwangdaesa, the Black Killing Hegemon King, Ha Hu-yeong, was ranked 37th among the martial artists of the world. It was hard to find such a toy.

Hyeonam, looking at the antsy Lamp of Enlightenment, asked.

"Then in your opinion, Sect Leader, when and where do you think the Black Killing Hegemon King will appear?"

"He is the head of a group. If he's such a fellow, he won't be an absurdly foolish blind man, so he must understand the current situation well."

The situation was clear at a glance. This fight had begun with the inspector of the Martial Alliance declaring war on the Four Black Alliance.

It was good to arouse the righteous indignation of the people of the world. But a person who only talked about justice with his mouth could not represent the orthodox sect. The one who had spoken the words had to fight at the very front.

Jang So-gil the inspector, to become a model for everyone, to become a central point, had jumped in first and stood at the forefront.

Hyeonam Jin-in, worried, asked again.

"The Black Killing Hegemon King himself will surely appear to aim for the inspector's life. If you're right next to him, I don't know, but in the midst of this chaotic battle, is it okay to be at this distance?"

The Black Killing Hegemon King was a renowned master. If he revealed himself while ambushing the inspector, even the Lamp of Enlightenment would find it difficult to block him from a distance.

"Well. As I said a little while ago, the Black Killing Hegemon King is not that foolish."

The Four Black Alliance had already been driven as a public enemy of the orthodox sect. Even if they killed Jang So-gil, this war would not end.

In such a situation, they would not choose to tear off the dragon's reverse scale.

"If that child is killed, it won't end with the Four Black Alliance being uprooted. The Black Killing Hegemon King will regret being alive. Because he will make the Thunder and Lightning Sword Emperor angry to the core."

The Thunder and Lightning Sword Emperor was Gumen Long's nickname in his youth. The Lamp of Enlightenment, recalling the old days when Gumen Long, enraged by the death of his disciple, had single-handedly, literally, ground down a branch of the Demonic Cult, shook his head.

"Is the Alliance Leader's anger that terrifying?"

"It's a sight I don't want to see again. That's not a person, it's a disaster."

"Then how will the Black Killing Hegemon King come out?"

"I think he'll probably try to capture the inspector and negotiate. But looking at that child's martial arts, he's not at a level to be easily captured. It seems there's no need to stick close and protect him. So I will watch that child's back from here and see how Ha Hu-yeong will come out. Hyeonam, what will you do?"

"As for me..."

Hyeonam stealthily took off his blue outer robe. Under the outer robe was the Daoist robe of a Plum Blossom Swordsman, embroidered with a splendid plum blossom.

Hyeonam, wearing the clothes of a Plum Blossom Swordsman and holding a Plum Blossom Sword, narrowed his eyes.

"Following the Star of Fame, I'm thinking of returning to active duty for a while."

"That would be good. It will be interesting."

A tone of voice as if he were genuinely envious. Hyeonam finally burst out laughing.

"Hahaha. You're still the same. Then is it okay if I take my leave first?"

"It's not a problem to win, but it will be a problem if the children get hurt. You should play with them well."

"Is there any doubt?"

Yeondeung, looking at Hyeonam's back as he disappeared into a dot, shifted his gaze to the headquarters of the Four Black Alliance.

Flames were burning, and on one side, snow was falling. The wind blew and a spray of blood shot up.

The scent of war, the excitement of battle.

In the midst of that, the calm eyes of the Lamp of Enlightenment stared at Jang So-gil, who was visible as a small figure in the distance.

"His political insight is high and his capabilities are outstanding. As he is called the Golden Ear, his main talent must be commerce, but his talent related to martial arts is also not bad. Although he doesn't have the 'wu xing' to understand ten things by seeing one, he has the talent to perfectly understand one thing by seeing one. So that's enough to become a master."

An outstanding talent in all areas of literature, martial arts, politics, and commerce.

If he were in the Huashan Sect, he would immediately take him in as a true disciple and make him the future sect leader.

Although Song Baek's talent for martial arts might be much higher, the other parts were incomparable.

"Thunder and Lightning Sword Emperor, what merit did that hateful fellow have that such a blessing rolled in on its own?"

Yeondeung, with a feeling of envy, frowned.

(End of Chapter)