Chapter 1433: You'll Have To Kill Me First (Part 3)

"Ah, here they come!"

The faces of the elders of the Tang Family turned pale.

Prepared, they took their positions. However, the moment they saw the evil spirits of Myriad Man Manor rushing like beasts, the word 'fear' flooded their hearts like a rushing tide.

"These darn Evil Sect bastards who won't be cool even if we chew and swallow them!"

If it were ordinary people, they might have been overwhelmed by fear, but these were none other than the elders of the Sichuan Tang Family. Their bodies engraved with years of effort and chests filled with pride from a lifetime of real combat experiences wouldn't easily falter due to lack of practical combat.

"Stay focused! If they break through, our family members will suffer!"

The elder shouted hoarsely.

'Block them!'

There was a profound determination on his face.

The location wasn't ideal. The open field was the worst place for the power of the Tang Family to shine. But even so, if there was a sect capable of stopping the enemy, it would be none other than the Tang Family, right?

"Spread it!"

The moment the enemies rushed closer, a loud scream burst from the mouth of Tang Byeok. Simultaneously, a poisonous fog spewed from the sleeves of the elders like a cloud.

The poisonous fog, emerging in the windless open field, created a massive barrier between the two groups.

A strange, eerie energy emanated from the toxic cloud. The gaze of Tang Byeok, which created the toxic cloud, quickly shot upward.

'Hidden weapons!'

He gripped a feather needle in his hand. If the enemy couldn't break through the front, they would naturally try to leap over this poisonous fog. What they needed to do now was to blow a hole in the defenseless bodies of those who leaped up before they hit the ground!

The elders, who had trained together for a lifetime, seemed to have the same thought. They frantically channeled internal energy, holding sharp hidden weapons in both hands, glaring at the toxic cloud above.

But then.

Paaaah!

The center of the poisonous cloud, dyed in an indescribably fiery color, shimmered as if being twisted. And before their minds could comprehend the change, a series of figures clad in red swiftly broke through the toxic cloud and rushed towards them in an instant.

'What?'

The startled Tang Byeok urgently released the feather needle. However, before the needle could even fall from his hands, daggers from the Myriad Man Manor members pierced through the air between them.

A dagger struck the torso of the leading elder without mercy.

"Aaah!"

A scream echoed. Before the scream could spread, the bisected torso flew, spraying red blood in all directions.

"Kkuk!"

Several elders, one after another, were struck by the daggers and collapsed without even retaliating.

"Retreat!"

"Don't give them any chance to approach! Retreat!"

Amidst the screams of the desperate elders, Tang Byeok's eyes shook violently.

'Without hesitation!'

It wasn't surprising that they broke through the poisonous fog with their bodies. Poison inevitably takes time, even if it's the deadliest poison in the world.

What astonished the Tang Byeok was not that they broke through the poisonous fog with their bodies but that there was no moment of hesitation in the process.

For a person, it was natural to freeze upon seeing a poisonous cloud emerging right in front of them. However, even though they knew that the poisonous cloud in front of them was the deadly poison of the Tang Family, they leaped into it without the slightest hesitation.

'Is this the Myriad Man Manor?'

"Kkahaha!"

Dark energy spread instantly on the face of the leading Myriad Man Manor member rushing towards them. However, the blows from the poisoned daggers wielded by those whose faces were stained black were unexpectedly fierce.

"You bastard!"

The elders of the Tang Family were not just standing idly by. The hidden weapons they exerted with all their might rained down like a storm, piercing the bodies of the Myriad Man Manor members. In an instant, the Myriad Man Manor members, who received hundreds of toxic stingers, transformed into hedgehogs.

However.

Paaaah!

Despite that, the twisted dagger swung by Myriad Man Manor penetrated the chest of the elder standing in front of them.

"Kuhuk..."

With pain that felt like one's body was being vertically torn apart, the Myriad Man Manor member grabbed the elder's shoulder. The Myriad Man Manor member, who looked indescribably bizarre with laughter, twisted the dagger embedded in the elder's chest with all his strength.

"Uuaaah!"

The pain of internal organs being severed, a torment that the elder couldn't endure, erupted into a desperate scream.

"Tang Muuuu!"

Even though they witnessed their brother dying in front of them, the elders had nothing they could do. Because demons were already rushing towards them.

"Uaaaat!"

Darts shot from the elders' hands. Though the close-range darts instantly pierced the enemies' chests, the Myriad Man Manor members, even with darts in their chests, relentlessly swung their swords to cut down the elders.

Slash! Swoosh!

The swinging sword severed the elder's arm and slashed his throat. There was no time to spread the poison. How could they leisurely wait for the poison to take effect when madmen were flipping their eyes, wielding swords right in front of them?

Even the hidden weapons proved ineffective. While the hidden weapons they released were undoubtedly affecting the enemies, that was all. There was no way to stop those who wielded swords while having hidden weapons embedded in their bodies.

"Target their heads! We must finish them off in an instant!"

Tang Byeok shouted fiercely.

However, the enemies were not foolish. While they ignored the darts embedded in their bodies, they thoroughly blocked the darts flying towards their heads and hearts.

At that moment, Tang Byeok wall realized his mistake. They should have kept their distance. Haphazardly trying to block in their place was a mistake. The Tang Family, relying on hidden weapons and poison to suppress the enemies, inherently lacked the necessary resilience.

The moment they allowed the enemies to reach a distance where their swords could reach, the outcome was already determined.

"Kraaaaah!"

At that moment, two groups of enemies rushed towards Tang Byeok. Venomous energy shot up in Tang Byeok's eyes as he faced the charging foes.

"These damn bastards!"

Drawing something like a thunderbolt from his sleeves, Tang Byeok aimed it at the oncoming attackers.

And then...

Kwaaaaaaang!

An enormous explosion echoed, sweeping through the surroundings.

"What?"

Even the elite members of Myriad Man Manor, who were fiercely charging as if they couldn't care less about the flying hidden weapons, turned their heads in surprise. What they saw was no less than three torn bodies that no longer resembled human forms.

"Don't underestimate the Sichuan Tang Family!"

Tang Byeok shouted loudly.

"Don't panic! Use the Thunderbolt Guns! Empty everything you have!"

Before his words could finish, a terrifying round of explosions resounded from all directions.

Following the desperate screams and explosions, the once calm ground quickly boiled with blood and death.

"Hmm?"

Jang Ilso's eyes sank slightly. Tiny wrinkles appeared between his eyebrows. It seemed he was not pleased with the scene before him.

"Explosives?"

"Probably banned hidden gunpowder weapons (禁用暗器) ."

"Gunpowder..."

There was no other reason for the character 'banned'. As the name suggested, gunpowder weapons were not to be used.

The reason the Tang Family banned the use of gunpowder weapons was that their formidable power could attract public attention and involve the authorities. However, there was a more sensitive reason.

"Explosives not even from the Evil Sect. The Tang Family seemed to be in a hurry?"

Jang Ilso chuckled.

Even though it was not a full-scale cannon but a small gun, the fact that gunpowder was used was undeniable. The use of gunpowder inevitably would draw the intervention of the authorities. Hence, even the Evil Sect would not casually touch gunpowder unless it was on a strategic location where the authority's interference could be minimized.

But that elder from the Tang Family pulled out a weapon with gunpowder.

"It will cause significant damage."

Jeokho's concerns were certainly not excessive. Even if there were different reasons, the fact remained that the Tang Family's gunpowder weapons had formidable power.

Those gunpowder weapons were not simple explosives. They were devices that expelled specially designed toxins at high speed using the power of gunpowder and internal energy simultaneously.

Even though they were being bombarded by such weapons, the elite members of Myriad Man Manor didn't seem alarmed, as if their eyes were not visible in the midst of their fierce dancing.

"Let's see."

However, Jang Ilso remained calm.

"That gunpowder weapon."

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim."

"It looks pretty big, doesn't it?"

At Jang Ilso's words, Jokho narrowed his eyes. It seemed quite burdensome to lift with one hand.

"Using gunpowder means they can't shoot multiple times..."

Jang Ilso's mouth twisted into a strange smile.

"Inside those wide sleeves, how many of those do you think are there? After using it once, it becomes a useless weapon."

Jeokho immediately understood the meaning behind his words.

"Annihilate them!"

"Yes!"

Those around Jeokho instantly sprang forward.

The gunpowder weapon they used was not only beneficial to them. The shockwave from the Thunderbolt Guns scattered the poisonous clouds they had created in all directions. Unless they found another opportunity to release poison, they were now exposed and defenseless on this vast land.

If they were left alone, they would eventually collapse. However, Jang Ilso had no intention of letting them off so easily.

"Hongyeon."

The Hongyeons, who had been guarding Jang Ilso's surroundings like a fortress, all turned their heads to look at Jang Ilso.

No response was needed. A response was a sign that the order had been correctly conveyed. Why would such a sign be necessary for those who were concentrating all their attention on Jang Ilso?

Jang Ilso licked his lips with his tongue as if bored.

"It's tedious. When facing the elderly, it drains my energy."

A gleam appeared in the eyes of the Hongyeons.

"Clean them up. I'm a busy person."

Upon his words, the Hongyeons turned their heads to look at the elders of Tang Family.

And then,

Paaaah!

Without a single gesture or short response, the Hongyeons charged. Like wolves starving for prey, they unleashed a horrifying energy as if they had discovered food on the blood-stained ground of Sichuan.

"I'll be back."

And it seemed Jeokho understood Jang Ilso's intention as he deeply bowed towards Jang Ilso.

"Don't go too wild. Those kids should also enjoy it too."

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim."

Jeokho, once again, sighed and drew his sword.

The entire sword was painted black – an ink blade (墨刀). Jeokho, who had unsheathed his favorite weapon, rushed forward with a murderous glint in his eyes.

"Oh dear."

Jang Ilso shook his head.

"Everyone seems too excited."

Think about it, it was understandable. The Myriad Man Manor had grown through numerous wars. Ever since the suppression of the Evil Sect, they hadn't properly tasted the flavor of blood, had they?

For others, it might be just a short break, but for them, it would have been a long period of oppression.

"I hope it's not too brutal..."

Jang Ilso mumbled. Gifts are good things, but excessive gifts can also upset the recipient's feelings.

But...

"There's no other choice."

With a shrug of his shoulders, Jang Ilso slowly lifted his foot.

"Blame your tardiness. Poison King, and... the Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

Chuckling, Jang Ilso walked leisurely, crossing the blood-stained ground as if on a casual stroll.