Chapter 898: I Thought You'd Become a Dragon (Part 3)

[fixed]

"Out of nowhere?"

"Wow, this..."

The disciples of Mount Hua stepped back.

If Chung Myung and Tang Gunak were to engage in combat, the consequences wouldn't be limited to life and death. It was expected to have far-reaching repercussions that would be difficult to bear.

However, along with their concerns about being swept into the situation, they also began to have a clear sense of anticipation.

Tang Gunak.

He was so familiar to the Mount Hua Sect that they often failed to appreciate his authority. He was not only the head of the Sichuan Tang Family, one of the Five Great Families, but his name alone carried significant weight.

Poison King Tang Gunak.

That name was certainly no less significant than the leaders of the Ten Great Sects in the Yangtze River. In some ways, it was even more highly regarded.

Yet, right now, it was Tang Gunak who stood boldly in front of Chung Myung, not concealing his aura.

No matter how much Chung Myung was hailed as a future leader of Kangho under the title of the Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, he couldn't yet compare to Tang Gunak.

Yet, none of the Mount Hua disciples watching this strange confrontation showed any sign of worry toward Chung Myung. They were simply watching the outcome of this match with intense interest.

What was clear in their eyes was their unwavering trust in Chung Myung.

'It's a new feeling.'

Baek Cheon's tightly closed lips trembled faintly.

The sight of Chung Myung and Tang Gunak facing each other seemed to overlap with a scene he had witnessed before. The two individuals he had met at Jo Gol's house, and the ten-round match that had taken place.

That was the beginning of their relationship.

However, Baek Cheon knew. At the time, it was not a proper match. The intervention of Tang Peng in the middle of the match had ruined the outcome, but from the beginning, it had only been a competition with the rule that victory would be acknowledged as long as the ten moves were blocked.

However, unlike back then, now the two of them faced each other with no condition.

"...Isn't it too hasty? Even if that's the case, there's still Sect Leader."

Yoon Jong spoke with a somewhat uneasy tone, and Baek Cheon shook his head in response. Then, he spoke firmly.

"Sect Leader will understand as well."

"But... Isn't it common courtesy, especially between close friends, to be more careful? To engage in martial arts immediately upon meeting each other."

"What you're saying isn't wrong. However..."

Baek Cheon continued speaking clearly, keeping his gaze on the two individuals.

"Sometimes, it's just how it is. There are times when you don't need such formalities."

The sensation of the flowing air reached his fingertips.

Tang Gunak knew his focus had reached its highest level. He stared at Chung Myung on the other side, refraining from letting his lips curl up involuntarily.

'Life is full of unknowns.' 

When he first met Chung Myung in Sichuan, could he have ever imagined that this young swordsman, like a thunderstorm, would be engage in such grand martial arts?

Watching Chung Myung effortlessly accepting his aura, Tang Gunak felt a surge of pride and excitement.

He had become stronger.

Without a doubt.

After all, this young swordsman had always performed feats that exceeded his imagination. So he must have become much stronger over the last three years.

That's why he wanted to know.

Just how strong his young friend had become. And if Tang Gunak could still catch up to his strength.

It was the moment when his endless concentration pulled his body's muscles taut.

"Ah, how scary."

"...."

While Tang Gunak was raising his energy to the fullest, Chung Myung joked with a relaxed posture.

"You don't have to act so fierce. After all, it's just sparring."

"...Is that so?"

"Yes, it is."

Tang Gunak, who had been watching Chung Myung intently without losing his composure, chuckled briefly.

"I have one question."

"Yes?"

"Do you think anyone has survived in front of me while being so casual?"

"..."

Chung Myung eyes slightly widened. But soon those widened eyes formed a soft curve.

Chung Myung smiled and answered.

"Yes."

"What did you say?"

"There must be someone. At least one person, right?"

Tang Gunak and Chung Myung exchanged smiles as their brief conversation ended. The current dialogue mirrored the one they had during their first encounter in Four Seas Merchant Company.

Indeed, Chung Myung had survived while being casual in front of Tang Gunak, and he was the first person to become his friend.

"So, how about it? Should we go for another ten rounds?"

"...Even a hundred rounds might not be enough."

"It seems like you're exaggerating too much for the Tang Family Lord."

"Because I am the Tang Family Lord, I couldn't say one thousand rounds out of pride."

"...You've become quite modest lately."

"All thanks to someone."

Tang Gunak chuckled lightly.

It really wasn't a joke. He felt that even giving him a thousand rounds would not be enough. He had been continuously building up his energy, attempting to suppress Chung Myung, but he couldn't seem to grasp Chung Myung's strength.

'It feels like trying to divert the flow of a river.'

Tang Gunak wanted to know. The previous battle on the Yangtze River, where Chung Myung faced Jang Ilso and survived, had earned him a reputation in the martial world.

However, he and Chung Myung knew that surviving such an encounter did not necessarily make him equal to Jang Ilso.

So, what about the current Chung Myung?

Did he acquire the strength to face Jang Ilso and the Evil Tyrant Alliance now?

'We'll find out when we check.'

A throwing knife emerged from Tang Gunak's sleeve. With the throwing knife held between his index and middle fingers, a sharp and formidable aura exuded from Tang Gunak's body, akin to a honed and deadly sword.

At that moment.

Sheeen.

Chung Myung, in response, slowly drew the Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword. He held the sword, glinting in the sunlight, assuming a position facing downwards.

The posture was soft and gave no indication of strength. However, as Tang Gunak watched, he inexplicably felt breathless. It was just a basic stance, but there was something different about it, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what. Nevertheless, it was undoubtedly distinct.

Tang Gunak's lips curved slightly.

He contemplated saying, 'Be careful,' but decided against it. There was no need for such consideration with Chung Myung standing in front of him.

Tang Gunak's gaze met Chung Myung's eyes in mid-air.

Shrek.  [ ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ]

Tang Gunak's fingers closed tightly around the throwing knife as he was about to shatter it.

Once, they were the playful throwing knives known as the "Chunbiho" [?추혼비] used by Tangbo.

When the surging internal energy from the Dantian was infused, the Chuhonbi erupted with a loud and resounding sword cry.

The gazes of Chung Myung and Tang Gunak collided in midair.

Pangrrrr.

Suddenly, the throwing knife that Tang Gunak had been holding unexpectedly appeared in the air.

Paaaaaaaa! Chaaeaeaeang!

It was accompanied by two different types of loud noises echoing in all directions.

Guak Hye opened his eyes wide.

'...What?'

He couldn't understand what had happened, even though he had been watching right in front of him.

'Oh, wait sec... so, the two of them were facing each other...then suddenly the dagger appeared from above and made a loud noise?'

There wer only two differences from the initial scene.

It was Tang Gunak with his hand extended forward and Chung Myung holding his lowered sword diagonally.

'What the...'

Guak Hye, still confused, heard a voice that seemed to bring salvation to his ears.

"...This is insane."

"Unbelievable."

"Of all the things to witness in life..."

Guak Hye turned to see Baek Cheon, Yoo Iseol, and Jo Gol with expressions of disgust. Thinking that they had figured something out, he couldn't help but ask.

"What, what just happened?"

"Just a typical exchange."

"Huh?"

Baek Cheon said sullenly.

"The attacking side threw the dagger, and the defending side blocked it, that's all."

"Oh, I see..."

"However..."

Baek Cheon bit his lip slightly and continued.

"The process happened so quickly that the sound came afterward."

"..."

"It's simple, isn't it?"

'That's it?'

Guak Hye's face turned pale.

So... in front of his eyes right now, Tang Gunak threw the throwing knife, and Chung Myung deflected it upward, but the process happened so quickly that he only saw the dagger floating in the air?

'What kind of battle is this?'

Guak Hye had also gained significant confidence through his grueling training, but the scene before him now shattered that confidence in an instant.

A different league. Could those words ever be more fitting?

"Guak Hye."

"Yes? Oh... yes, Sasuk!"

"Don't miss a single moment of this duel."

"..."

"It will help you someday, just like we were helped."

"I understand."

Guak Hye and the disciples of Mount Hua, who were previously lost in despair, looked up at his words.

"Hmm."

Chung Myung casually flicked his sword. A subtle sense of dull pain from his wrist created a peculiar feeling.

"It seems like the title 'Poison King' is a little meaningless, don't you think?"

Tang Gunak, who was retrieving the swirling throwing knife from midair, shrugged his shoulders.

"Thanks to someone."

"Tsk, I gave away too much."

Chung Myung grinned.

Of course, he knew. Tang Gunak didn't put all his effort into their previous duel. Because as a proud martial artist, it would be disgraceful to exert all his power on a rookie like him.

But even taking that into account, the power and speed contained in this knife far surpassed the old Tang Gunak.

'Reminds me of the old days.'

Many things brought back memories of Tang Bo.

And this situation meant one thing.

After Chung Myung's visit to the Tang Family, Tang Gunak focused only on hidden weapons, not poison. For several years, he tirelessly sharpened himself without any complacency.

Overcoming the limits of poison.

"...It couldn't have been easy."

Changing one's roots meant undergoing a much more grueling process than ordinary training.

But Tang Gunak nonchalantly shook his head, as if it wasn't a big deal.

"It's not just Mount Hua."

"...What do you mean?"

When Chung Myung reacted with a puzzled expression to Tang Gunak's words, Tang Gunak responded with a calm yet resolute tone.

"From the perspective of Mount Hua who races ahead, it might seem as if everything else is standing still."

"...."

"But that doesn't mean we, who watch Mount Hua's progress, are just sitting there. Slowly, step by step, we are steadily moving forward."

Tang Gunak tightened his grip on the throwing knife.

"So, I don't plan on giving up the lead just yet. It's my role to bring down the Evil Tyrant Alliance, not yours."

Chung Myung's lips twitched.

It was an expression that forcibly suppressed a laugh that was about to burst out due to eagerness and joy.

- Didn't I say I'd take care of the Heavenly Demon? Taoist-hyung, just watch from behind!

"Anyway...."

After all, blood doesn't lie.

Chung Myung slowly lowered his sword. What Tang Gunak had just said was the best thing one martial artist and comrade could say to another.

If that's the case...

Chung Myung clenched the sword tightly, the corner of his lips curling up. The green tassel hanging from the sword's tip swayed lightly.

He too, then, had to prove himself as a martial artist and a comrade. He had to prove that his time spend was not in vain!

Paaaaah!

At that moment, three daggers thrown by Tang Gunak turned into three streaks of light and shot toward Chung Myung.