Chapter 34. You Bastard? Are You from Zhongnan Sect? (Part 4)

When?

Confusion flashed in Gong Munyeon's eyes.

He hadn't sensed any presence approaching. Yet, right in front of him, stood a person.

Who is it?

Gong Munyeon's emotions shifted from confusion to bewilderment as he identified the owner of the voice.

The figure was clad in tight-fitting black night clothes, a black mask covering their face, and a sword in one hand.

"..."

To anyone, this outfit screamed "bandit."

But...

Gong Munyeon's gaze involuntarily shifted upward. The blazing sun shone directly into his eyes.

Is this guy insane?

A bandit roaming the streets in broad daylight? Was this even a plausible situation?

"...Did you just say something?"

Someone else voiced Gong Munyeon's question. The masked figure turned their dull eyes toward the speaker.

"Here, I'm talking... cough! cough! cough! Ugh... Who else would be talking... cough! Me?"

"..."

Gong Munyeon stared blankly at the bandit.

Is he about to die?

Is he an old man?

His hunched back, emaciated body that seemed more like a skeleton, and the aged complexion visible around his eyes suggested he was quite elderly.

Or perhaps a dying young man.

Nah, that couldn't be.

"What's your business? You don't seem like a passing traveler."

The masked figure coughed a few times before shaking his head vigorously.

"Ugh. I'm going to die like this."

"..."

"Can't you tell what's going on just by looking?"

"...I can't."

"What do you think a guy dressed like this in broad daylight is?"

"A lunatic?"

"..."

"...Or maybe senile?"

"A bandit! A bandit!"

"Ah, so you're a bandit. I had a feeling."

Gong Munyeon couldn't help but chuckle.

A bandit with such a pitiful appearance that he couldn't even catch a mouse.

Of course, one shouldn't underestimate an opponent based on appearances alone. But this guy wasn't just about appearances.

Though he held a sword, there was no aura of a martial artist who had trained in the martial arts.

Then again, any sensible martial artist wouldn't roam around in such attire in broad daylight. Only a madman would do such a thing.

"Hey, old man."

Gong Munyeon waved his hand as if shooing a fly.

"I see you're after wealth, but don't throw your life away for nothing. Just go back."

"After wealth... cough! My greed... cough! cough! Agh! It's you bastards!"

"...What are you even saying?"

"Ugh."

Seeing that communication wasn't working, the masked figure patted his back a couple of times, then raised the sword he had been using as a cane and pointed it at Gong Munyeon.

"I'm not here to steal your wealth. I'm here to reclaim what's mine."

"Weren't you just saying you're a bandit?"

"Even if I speak nonsense, you should understand perfectly."

"...Huh."

Gong Munyeon frowned.

When things don't go well, all sorts of trashy people show up.

"You'd better leave before I strike you down."

"Try it."

"This guy's serious!"

Just as Gong Munyeon was about to shout, the tip of the masked man's sword pointed at him.

"You didn't seem like a fool, but you really can't understand words."

Gong Munyeon shut his mouth.

A brief silence followed.

After staring at the masked man for a while, Gong Munyeon asked in a slightly changed tone.

"Are you from Mount Hua?"

At Gong Munyeon's words, the merchants' eyes widened.

"Mount Hua?"

"What do you mean, Lord Gong?"

Gong Munyeon didn't answer the merchants' questions. Dealing with this annoying fly was more important.

The masked man tilted his head.

"You know well."

"I thought the matter with Mount Hua was settled."

"The matter with Mount Hua is settled. But my matter isn't."

"Did the sect leader send you?"

"Do I look like someone he'd send?"

"...No, I guess not."

Gong Munyeon acknowledged Mount Hua's sect leader, Hyun Jong, in his own way. While he couldn't deny that Hyun Jong was a frustrating person, he was someone who upheld his own sense of justice.

He wasn't the type to send someone behind his back after saying he'd let things go.

"Are you saying someone from Mount Hua is defying the sect leader's will?"

"It's fine."

The masked man shook his head.

"I'm not in a position to listen to that kid's every word."

Gong Munyeon's face darkened.

A former generation?

Though masked, the hunched back, emaciated body, and aged voice suggested this person was quite old.

And considering his tone toward the Mount Hua sect leader, he might be of a higher status than the sect leader.

Which meant the person before him could be a former master of Mount Hua.

But I don't see any sign of a master's demeanor.

He couldn't grasp what to believe. Gong Munyeon, who usually remained calm in front of anyone, found the person before him utterly bizarre.

Gong Munyeon hardened his expression.

"I didn't know Mount Hua's affairs could be so petty."

"Petty?"

The masked man snorted.

"This is why we shouldn't take in black-haired beasts. What would Lord Yeon say if he saw you now?"

"...Who's Lord Yeon?"

The masked man, Chung Myung, narrowed his eyes.

Huh? What's this?

He doesn't know Lord Yeon?

Lord Yeon was the lord of Taehwaru when Chung Myung was at Mount Hua. If Gong Munyeon had taken over Taehwaru, he should know him.

But he doesn't know Lord Yeon?

Chung Myung tilted his head.

Something smells.

And it smells really bad. Maybe this isn't the work of a few money-crazed bastards.

"Well, it doesn't matter."

Chung Myung flicked his sword.

"The sect leader might be kind enough to let you take that wealth, but I'm petty and uneducated, so I can't let that slide. I'd like to break your legs, but out of respect for the sect leader's orders, I'll let you go. Leave the cart and get lost. I won't catch you if you do."

"Haha."

Gong Munyeon let out a hollow laugh.

"Hey, do you think I'm stepping back because I'm weak?"

"Yes."

"..."

Gong Munyeon was too stunned to continue.

This guy's way of speaking is strange. Every time we talk, I feel like I'm hitting a wall.

"Ahem! You're greatly mistaken. I'm stepping back to avoid making a big scene, not because I can't handle a masked bandit."

"Haha. You talk well... cough! cough! Aaaah-choo! Ugh... I'm dying."

Seeing the masked man bent over coughing, one couldn't help but feel pity. If the situation allowed, one might even rush to support him.

His trembling limbs and hunched back that seemed unable to straighten made one's eyes well up.

"...Old man. If you leave now, I won't catch you. You look like you're struggling, so don't stand there and just go."

"Old man? I'll freeze to death."

Despite appearances, he's actually a fresh-faced youth.

Though he's resting now.

Ugh, this innate energy is killing me.

His body was far from being in good shape. He had no choice but to use his innate energy, but he hadn't expected the side effects to be this severe.

After all, he was supposed to be in seclusion for three months, yet he was running around the neighborhood. No wonder his body was in such a state. At least these guys mistook him for an old man, which was fortunate...

"No need for long talks."

Chung Myung swung his sword.

"Those who want a beating stay, the rest leave now. If it were the old me, I'd have beaten you without question, but I've learned something recently, so I'm holding back. Don't provoke me."

"You talk big."

Gong Munyeon also saw no need for further conversation.

"Last warning. I won't show any more mercy."

"Got it. Tell those guys behind you to come out."

Gong Munyeon was startled.

He noticed?

Behind him were hidden guards. They were so skilled that most wouldn't even sense their presence.

"Come out."

As soon as Gong Munyeon's order was given, a dozen warriors leaped out from the bushes.

"Huh?"

"When did these people get here?"

The merchants, who hadn't expected this, clung to the cart in fear. Of course, they wouldn't have noticed.

"One more time!"

Whoosh!

Gong Munyeon, who had intended to give the old man one more chance to retreat, was silenced by a sound he never wanted to hear, even in his dreams.

The sound was so crisp that his shoulders twitched involuntarily.

And then...

Thud.

The warrior who had leaped forward first fell sideways. His slightly raised leg trembled, suggesting he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.

Chung Myung clicked his tongue and raised his sword.

"Anyway!"

Whoosh!

"Kids these days!"

Whoosh!

"Talk too much!"

Whoosh!

"In my day, it wasn't like this!"

Thud!

Before anyone could grasp what was happening, five warriors were already on the ground. Even seeing it, the situation was hard to comprehend.

"Tsk."

Chung Myung sheathed his sword and slung it over his shoulder. Then, leaning on his cane, he glared at Gong Munyeon.

If a robust man had done this, it might have been an impressive sight. But seeing the emaciated, hunched Chung Myung in such a stance was too pitiful to watch.

"Kid."

Chung Myung chuckled.

"You don't seem to know, but in the past, no one who ignored my words walked away with their limbs intact. If words don't work, you're just a beast. And beasts need a whip. Shall we see if that whip works on you?"

Chung Myung walked toward Gong Munyeon, sword slung over his shoulder.

Seeing this, the warriors behind Gong Munyeon hesitated, completely intimidated.

"Step back! Useless fools."

Gong Munyeon, pushing the warriors back, stepped forward, gritting his teeth.

Did Mount Hua still have someone like this?

I thought they were a tiger with its teeth and claws pulled out. No, that's still true. The only mistake was forgetting that a tiger can kill a man with just its front paws, even without teeth and claws.

"I can't understand why someone like you has been in seclusion. If you had stepped forward, Mount Hua wouldn't be in this state."

What do you know?

Just as Chung Myung was about to speak, Gong Munyeon preempted him with a sharp tone.

"One, you've chosen the wrong time. I've been wanting to strike Mount Hua, and this is perfect. If someone of your caliber dies by my hand, the sect leader will surely lament. Prepare yourself."

Gong Munyeon gathered his energy.

The surrounding grass surged upward, carried by his energy. This wasn't the aura of a mere innkeeper of a county.

"That's more like it. I knew you had something."

Chung Myung's eyes gleamed.

"Don't worry. I won't hit your mouth."

Otherwise, how would you talk?

Chung Myung walked toward Gong Munyeon, swaying slightly. At that moment, Gong Munyeon raised both hands and charged at Chung Myung.