Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 682

Hyun Jong stared at Jang Il-So, his eyes wide and unblinking. He felt frozen.

*What is he saying?* Hyun Jong thought, his mind racing.

Brothers? Maninbang and Cheonwoo Alliance becoming brothers?

No… Maninbang and *Hwasan*? That couldn’t be right.

A flicker of confusion, then something darker, crossed Hyun Jong’s eyes. It was a look hard to read, like shadows moving in deep water.

Hyun Jong had lived many years and met countless people. Some were cunning, others were righteous, and some were so mysterious, it was hard to know what they really thought.

But Jang Il-So, standing before him, was the most difficult of them all.

Even simple words from Jang Il-So felt like attacks.

Hyun Jong bit his lip and spoke, his voice less relaxed than before.

“I’m not sure what the Lord of Defeat is talking about.”

Jang Il-So’s red lips curled slightly at Hyun Jong’s reply.

“It’s not that difficult. The Maninbang wishes to join the Cheonwoo Alliance.”

Bewilderment flickered in Hyun Jong’s eyes.

“If the Maninbang joins the Cheonwoo Alliance, we would have nothing to fear. Alliance Leader, will you take the hand of the Maninbang?”

The crowd’s faces turned pale at his words.

The Maninbang?

The Maninbang and the Cheonwoo Alliance joining hands?

This was unbelievable.

But if it happened, it would be huge.

The Cheonwoo Alliance was already shaking the martial world (Kangho). If the Maninbang joined, it would change everything, a truly earth-shattering event.

Even more shocking was that the offer came from Jang Il-So of the Maninbang, not the Cheonwoo Alliance.

Anyone who knew Jang Il-So knew he wouldn’t bow to anyone. Yet, he was offering to bow to the Cheonwoo Alliance?

‘What is he thinking?’

The crowd couldn’t understand Jang Il-So’s fast thinking. They just watched, confused.

Jang Il-So’s strong presence controlled everyone. He made them feel and think what he wanted. It was as if a giant hand was shaking everyone on Hwasan.

The crowd could only stare at Jang Il-So. But Hyun Jong couldn’t. He was the leader of the Cheonwoo Alliance. He couldn’t be swayed, no matter how strong the opponent.

Hyun Jong spoke calmly.

“I understand what the Lord of Defeat means.”

Jang Il-So looked slightly intrigued.

“But that is not possible.”

“Why? Is it because the Maninbang and Hwasan don’t get along?”

Hyun Jong looked straight at Jang Il-So.

“I am the Sect Leader of Hwasan, but I’m also the leader of the Cheonwoo Alliance. This is not the time for personal issues.”

“Then?”

“It is because the Maninbang and the Cheonwoo Alliance are too different.”

Jang Il-So stared silently, as if waiting for him to go on.

“The Cheonwoo Alliance and the Maninbang have different goals. There’s no reason to force them together, is there?”

“So…”

Jang Il-So’s loud voice echoed through Hwasan.

“You don’t want the Maninbang because it’s a demonic sect?”

“Lord of Defeat.”

“That’s strange.”

Jang Il-So looked at Seol So-Baek and Maeng So, who were behind Hyun Jong.

“The Northern Sea Ice Palace and the Southern Savage Beast Palace aren’t exactly good groups either, but you accepted them. What’s the difference between them and the Maninbang?”

Hyun Jong closed his lips.

The line between good and bad wasn’t clear. It would be easy to decide based on what they said they believed, but if a group didn’t clearly say what they believed, there was no way to tell.

As Jang Il-So said, the Southern Savage Beast Palace was more like a demonic sect than a good one, from the point of view of the Central Plains.

“How strange. You can’t accept the demonic sects of the Central Plains because they are different, but you accept the demonic sects from other places?”

“That is…”

Hyun Jong started to speak, but Jang Il-So laughed. It was as if he didn’t want an answer.

“If not that!”

Thud!

Suddenly, he slammed his foot on the floor. A powerful tremor shook the ground.

“Are the Cheonwoo Alliance’s friends just chosen based on what the Alliance Leader likes?”

Jang Il-So clicked his tongue and shook his head as if Hyun Jong was pathetic.

“A child’s game.”

He insulted the Cheonwoo Alliance and then spread his arms wide. His long sleeves fluttered, and everyone looked at him again.

But Jang Il-So, who seemed ready to shout, put his hands behind his back and was silent, as if giving everyone time to calm down.

“Lord of Defeat.”

Hyun Jong spoke slowly.

“Those in the Cheonwoo Alliance are not chosen that way.”

“Hmm?”

Jang Il-So looked at Hyun Jong differently.

“What’s important is trust. We want people who can protect each other. But the Cheonwoo Alliance doesn’t trust the Maninbang enough to trust them with our backs.”

Jang Il-So’s red lips curled into a smile.

“Trust… Trust…”

He nodded slowly.

“That’s right. Trust is important. I agree with the Alliance Leader.”

“So, how do we gain the trust of the Cheonwoo Alliance…”

Jang Il-So looked at the elders of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families behind Hyun Jong.

“How about this? If we destroy one of the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families, would you trust us?”

“What!”

“That madman!”

The enlightened ones gasped.

Lord of Defeat, Jang Il-So.

Everyone knew his reputation. Everyone knew the strength of the Maninbang he led.

But no matter how great he was, he couldn’t talk about the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families like that. Not even someone greater than Jang Il-So could.

“Lord of Defeat!”

Lee Byuk of Cheongseong couldn’t take it anymore.

“Your words are too much. Can you handle the consequences?”

Jang Il-So turned to Lee Byuk.

The moment their eyes met, Lee Byuk stepped back.

“Ugh…”

Was this how an animal felt when facing a hunter?

When he saw Jang Il-So’s burning eyes, he felt like he was being cut by knives.

‘How can this be…’

Lee Byuk was embarrassed. He knew Jang Il-So was strong, but he didn’t know he was this strong.

“Ahahahahahahahahat!”

Jang Il-So suddenly laughed loudly.

“Handle the consequences? Consequences?”

His laughter was full of power. Those with weak inner strength turned pale and covered their ears. His laughter shook them and beat against their eardrums.

Just as some were about to vomit, his laughter stopped. Then, a cold silence filled the space.

“How amusing.”

Jang Il-So’s voice, without laughter, cut through the elders of the Nine Factions and the Five Great Families.

“You smile at the enemy who threatens you, but you can’t handle a small insult.”

He clicked his tongue as if looking down on them.

“Why don’t you deal with the knife at your throat before getting angry at me? You all know that.”

No one could argue with him. Jang Il-So watched them, daring them to answer, and then chuckled.

“How boring.”

He turned to Hyun Jong again. He bowed to Hyun Jong.

“Congratulations again on the founding of the Cheonwoo Alliance. I hope we can forget our issues and have a feast together someday.”

Hyun Jong looked at Jang Il-So and nodded.

“Be careful on your way.”

“Hmm.”

Jang Il-So lowered his head slightly and smiled strangely.

“Alliance Leader.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t think my offer is a joke.”

Jang Il-So looked to one side.

The person he looked at froze.

“You could also support the Cheonwoo Alliance secretly, like the Green Forest King over there.”

Green Forest King?

Everyone looked at the person Jang Il-So was looking at. It was a nobleman in a fancy outfit.

‘The Green Forest King? That man?’

‘Why is the Green Forest King here?’

Im So-Byung bit his lip tightly as everyone stared at him.

“Hahahahat!”

Jang Il-So laughed at Im So-Byung’s sharp look. Then, he turned away.

“Let’s go!”

The crowd couldn’t take their eyes off him. They were curious. They didn’t understand why he was here and why he was acting so strangely.

But no one dared to question Jang Il-So. They couldn’t even call him back, let alone ask questions.

Except for one person.

“Hey.”

Jang Il-So glanced back.

Chung Myung stared at him with a cold look and pointed to the chests on the floor.

“Take it and leave. We don’t need that.”

“Tsk tsk tsk.”

Jang Il-So clicked his tongue and smiled at Chung Myung.

“One should not refuse a gift, even if you don’t like the guest.”

“That depends on the guest.”

“Hoo?”

Chung Myung’s eyes narrowed. At the same time, his eyes became fierce.

“This is the last time you’ll see me and live. The next time you see me will be your last day.”

“Heeeuuuum.”

Jang Il-So nodded, smiling as if he liked what he heard.

“Good. I look forward to that day.”

Chung Myung’s arms were crossed, his hands gripping his forearms tightly. His knuckles were white from clenching, trying to contain his anger.

“Leave. This is all I can take.”

“Hahahahat! How kind. I must run away before my head is cut off!”

Jang Il-So laughed like a child playing tag and shouted.

“Let’s go!”

The Maninbang warriors in their white-red uniforms followed Jang Il-So, who walked away proudly.

Even though he said he was running away, he didn’t look like he was fleeing. He walked like a victorious general.

Those who had been stunned released their tension after Jang Il-So had left. Some even collapsed.

Baek Cheon bit his lip until it bled, remembering Jang Il-So’s back.

“That son of a bitch…”

Chung Myung said calmly.

“Remember him well, Martial Uncle.”

Baek Cheon looked at Chung Myung.

Chung Myung rarely praised someone. It almost never happened.

“That is a monster.”

“And he is a bastard we need to stab.”

“Don’t forget.”

Baek Cheon nodded stiffly.

Of course. He could never forget.

Absolutely.