Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 891

The air felt heavy, like it was hard to breathe. As soon as I entered the grand hall, every breath was a struggle.

Hwang Se-ak was not a coward. He had built a big group, the Danju Assembly, even in a dangerous place controlled by powerful groups.

But his strong courage disappeared as soon as he entered this grand hall.

Swallowing hard, he tried to keep his head still, but his eyes darted around, taking in everything. This place was truly splendid.

Red and white silks draped the ceiling and walls, so bright they almost hurt his eyes. Everywhere he looked, expensive ornaments glittered, and delicate porcelain vases were packed together, almost too many to count. Even the tall pillars in the center of the hall were carved with beautiful patterns in shining gold. The air smelled faintly of sweet perfume and old wood.

Hwang Se-ak wasn’t sure even the Emperor’s palace was this fancy.

But it wasn’t the splendid hall that scared Hwang Se-ak.

Step by step, filled with tension and caution, Hwang Se-ak walked until he reached the end of the red silk carpet, where he knelt on one knee.

Swallowing hard, he slowly raised his head. His eyes traveled up the high steps before him, and finally stopped on the man sitting on the jade throne above.

Struggling to keep his voice steady, he said,

“Hwang Se-ak, leader of the Danju Assembly, greets the Lord Leader.”

He bowed his head deeply, and saw the man sitting on the jade throne.

He wore a magnificent robe embroidered with gold thread, countless colorful jewels hanging all over his body, skin so pale it was almost white, and a strange laziness in his posture and expression.

Anyone in this world would know who this was just by looking at him.

The Lord Leader of the Four Evil Alliances.

The Monarch of Myriad Affairs.

‘The Tyrant, Jang Il-so.’

Hwang Se-ak’s heart began to pound like crazy.

When did he first hear Jang Il-so’s name? Fifteen years ago? Or twenty? He couldn’t remember exactly, but it was around that time.

At first, he was just a martial artist who became famous in Guangxi. But soon, he made his name known throughout Jiangnan, and before long, he created the Myriad Affairs Union and became its leader.

People started calling the Myriad Affairs Union ‘Shinzhu Opulence’ because they were so rich and powerful…

‘The Lord Leader of the Four Evil Alliances, no less.’

Without a doubt, Jang Il-so was the only one in the world who had risen so high so quickly.

“Heeeuuum.”

The moment Jang Il-so made that faint nasal sound, Hwang Se-ak flinched and hunched over as much as possible. He didn’t even dare to look Jang Il-so in the face.

Three years ago, Jang Il-so, who was the leader of the Myriad Affairs Union, was someone he couldn’t dare to face. But the current Jang Il-so was even more terrifying.

Only three years.

In just those three years, Jang Il-so had taken control of all the evil groups in Jiangnan. He killed all those who resisted and stabbed those who ran away in the back.

He had done something everyone thought was impossible: he united all the evil groups.

Three years ago, Jang Il-so was just one of the leaders of the Shinzhu Opulence, but now he commanded even those leaders as his subordinates. He was the undisputed ruler of evil.

“Hwang Se-ak, is it…”

The moment his name came out of those lips, Hwang Se-ak bowed his head even deeper. He tried to glance up at Jang Il-so, but the tall steps made it impossible to see his face.

Flutter.

Hwang Se-ak heard the sound of Jang Il-so’s robe fluttering.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

Then, the sound of Jang Il-so slowly walking down the steps rang out clearly. Thick cold sweat began to run down Hwang Se-ak’s back.

‘I should have come sooner.’

If he had known that the Four Evil Alliances would really take over Jiangnan completely, he would have rushed over long ago, knelt down, and sworn his loyalty. But Hwang Se-ak didn’t fully trust the Four Evil Alliances and hesitated to make a decision.

The price for that was this situation.

He now had to give everything and wait for Jang Il-so’s decision. Even if Jang Il-so cut off his head for being late in swearing allegiance, Hwang Se-ak wouldn’t dare to resist. Everything he had was in Jang Il-so’s hands.

Step. Step.

Jang Il-so, who had come down from the steps, approached Hwang Se-ak slowly. The sound of the jewels jingling, the sound of the large robe brushing, and the sound of the silk shoes stepping on the floor were like music from hell.

“Stand up and raise your head.”

…

At the voice directly above his bowed head, goosebumps ran down Hwang Se-ak’s entire body.

It felt like a cold snake slithering on his back, or a sharp knife touching his neck.

“Quickly.”

Hwang Se-ak slowly straightened his legs and stood up, raising his head. His trembling eyes met the eyes of Jang Il-so, who was standing right in front of him.

He tried not to swallow the dry saliva in his mouth.

Jang Il-so’s eyes were light in color, yet so deep that it was impossible to know what he was thinking. Hwang Se-ak realized it.

This man was beyond his understanding.

He couldn’t guess what emotions he was feeling, what thoughts he was having, or whether he would be kind or hostile.

There was only one thing someone who was clearly weaker could do.

“I… I was a little late, Lord Leader. P-please punish this foolish me!”

He had to trust everything and beg for mercy.

At that moment.

The corners of Jang Il-so’s red lips curled up softly.

“…A little?”

At that chilling voice, in which he couldn’t feel any emotion, Hwang Se-ak felt the blood in his entire body turn cold.

“It’s quite a bit late to call it a little, don’t you think?”

The tips of Hwang Se-ak’s fingers began to tremble.

All the terrible rumors he had heard about Jang Il-so flashed through his mind. How cruel he could be. How ruthless he could be. How… evil he was.

“L-Lord Leader…”

Jang Il-so smiled gently and said,

“It’s alright. It’s okay. That’s how people are. It’s foolish to blindly trust someone without thinking. It’s only natural to carefully consider all the possibilities before making a decision.”

“Tha-thank…”

“But you see.”

At that moment, Jang Il-so’s eyes narrowed like a snake’s.

Soon, he reached out and lightly grabbed Hwang Se-ak’s face.

He didn’t use any force. He simply covered his face with his outstretched fingers. But at that moment, Hwang Se-ak was terrified of being bitten on the face by a huge beast.

“Hng…”

Jang Il-so’s eyes could be seen between the fingers covering his face.

His eyes, which had been calm just a moment ago, were now burning with anger.

“You’ve been constantly wondering if following me would be good for you, haven’t you? I don’t like guys like you. You’re the kind of guy who would try to stab me in the back the moment I’m in trouble.”

Hwang Se-ak’s face turned pale.

He knew he wouldn’t be welcomed, but he never thought he would be so openly threatened like this. The moment he felt Jang Il-so’s clear anger, his entire body froze and his legs went numb.

“Should I trust someone who might betray me? Or should I end the problem now?” Jang Il-so thought, his red lips barely moving. He looked at Hwang Se-ak, whose whole body was shaking like a leaf in the wind. Jang Il-so smiled, but it was a scary smile. It didn’t look happy at all. It was the smile of a cat playing with a mouse. Hwang Se-ak’s face showed pure terror. It looked like his head might explode or his neck might snap any second.

“Loyalty! I promise loyalty, Supreme Leader!” Hwang Se-ak begged, his voice trembling. “If you want me to be a dog, I’ll be a dog! If you want me to lick your feet, I’ll lick your feet!”

Now, Hwang Se-ak was not a coward. If it wasn’t Jang Il-so in front of him, he would never say such things, even with a knife at his throat.

But right now, he was frozen with fear. It was a fear he couldn’t even explain.

“Give me a chance! Just give me a chance to be loyal to you, Supreme Leader! I will prove it, I promise!”

“Hmph,” Jang Il-so grunted.

As Hwang Se-ak begged, Jang Il-so slowly let go of his face. But then, he gently grabbed Hwang Se-ak’s throat.

“Wrong answer,” Jang Il-so said quietly, his voice like ice.

The color drained from Hwang Se-ak’s face like water disappearing from dry ground, leaving it pale and lifeless.

Jang Il-so’s hand on his neck tightened just a little, as if he was fighting the urge to break it right there. He didn’t need to say anything else to warn Hwang Se-ak. Sweat poured from Hwang Se-ak, soaking his clothes.

Then, Jang Il-so spoke, his eyes meaningful.

“I don’t want a man or a dog. Dogs are loyal, but they are also stupid.”

“Th, then…”

“I ask you, Hwang Se-ak.”

Hwang Se-ak nodded frantically.

“I, I can! I will protect you with my life.”

“No matter what happens?”

“Absolutely! I will surely become the shield that protects you, Supreme Leader.”

Jang Il-so stared silently at Hwang Se-ak. For Hwang Se-ak, it felt like an eternity before the corners of Jang Il-so’s red lips curved into a smile.

“Good.”

“Remember this, Hwang Se-ak.”

“Yes! Yes, Supreme Leader!”

“I don’t care what you did before you joined the Wicked Alliance. It doesn’t matter now.”

“There is only one thing you must remember: you die for me. Only for me. Do you understand?”

“I, I will remember it, and remember it well.”

“That’s not the right answer, is it?” Jang Il-so’s long fingernails lightly tapped Hwang Se-ak’s cheek.

“Will you do it?”

Hwang Se-ak’s eyes wavered. But only for a moment, before a resolute glint settled within them.

“I will do it.”

“If that is so…” A chilling smile flickered across Jang Il-so’s lips.

“Then I, too, shall die for you.”

Hwang Se-ak, his face ashen, slowly nodded.

Jang Il-so looked happy with Hwang Se-ak’s face. He let go of Hwang Se-ak’s neck and shouted, “Wine!”

“Yes, Supreme Leader!” People waiting nearby quickly brought a tray full of wine and cups.

“Hmm.” Jang Il-so, a smile playing on his lips, picked up the wine bottle and filled the cups.

Glug, glug.

After filling both cups to overflowing, he once again brought his hand to Hwang Se-ak’s neck. His long fingernails slowly scratched at the skin.

Hwang Se-ak felt the fingernails on his neck and shivered, but he didn’t move at all. He simply stood there, frozen, awaiting Jang Il-so’s judgment.

Drip.

Red blood trickled down his neck. Jang Il-so brought his blood-soaked fingers over the cups.

Plink!

A drop of blood fell into one cup, and another drop fell into the other.

Flick!

Flicking away the blood from his fingers, he now used his fingernails to cut his own finger. This time, Jang Il-so’s blood dripped into the cups.

Plink.

Jang Il-so mixed blood into both cups. Then he smiled and gave one cup to Hwang Se-ak.

“Drink.”

“I, how could I dare…”

“This is,” Jang Il-so paused for a moment. He wanted Hwang Se-ak to remember what he was about to say.

“The blood you will shed for me someday, and the blood I will shed for you someday.”

“What will you do?”

Biting his lip slightly, Hwang Se-ak accepted the cup Jang Il-so offered. And without the slightest hesitation, he drained the wine in one gulp.

“Good.” Jang Il-so, equally pleased, tossed the remaining cup of wine down his throat.

“From now on, the Danju Association is gone. You are only Hwang Se-ak of the Wicked Alliance.”

Hwang Se-ak knelt on the spot and prostrated himself. He lowered his head deeply, as if trying to burrow into the ground.

“I offer this life to you, Supreme Leader.”

“A truly magnificent gift.” Jang Il-so, patting Hwang Se-ak on the shoulder, flashed a friendly smile. As if the events of just moments ago had all been a figment of the imagination.

“Let us go. One cup of wine is not enough. Let us drink the night away.”

“Yes!”

“Good. I am in high spirits. Haha! Haha! Haha!” Jang Il-so’s booming laughter echoed throughout the great hall.

This was the moment the Danju Association from Kangbuk promised to fully obey the Wicked Alliance, or really, Jang Il-so.