CLS-Chapter 279

Chapter 279

“……Isn’t that Wei Yan-ho over there?”

“It seems like it.”

Cheong Yeong-ja and Jang-il watched the confrontation between Wei Yan-ho and Gwang Mu-ryang with fascinated expressions. Though fierce battles were taking place elsewhere, nowhere else drew greater interest than that spot.

“Is it possible?”

“If we think about it realistically, wouldn’t it be too much?”

Cheong Yeong-ja was cold in his assessment.

‘No matter how much we’re talking about Wei Yan-ho……’

It wasn’t that he was dismissing Wei Yan-ho.

Just from what he had shown so far, there were more than enough reasons to raise one’s evaluation of Wei Yan-ho. If there was still anyone who dared to look down on Wei Yan-ho, they wouldn’t be qualified to roam the martial world.

Setting aside all other reasons, as long as he had the record of beating down the Dark King who was currently causing the most havoc and forcibly turning Do Wan into a masked man, no one could doubt Wei Yan-ho’s strength.

‘But even so……’

Cheong Yeong-ja’s eyes followed Gwang Mu-ryang.

Hadn’t Gwang Mu-ryang shown the majesty of simultaneously facing Plum Blossom Sword Ghost, Wei Jeong-han, and Wei San-ho all by himself?

Of course, since Plum Blossom Sword Ghost had already been injured by Gwang Mu-ryang, it would be unreasonable to say he faced all three at once.

‘But it at least means he’s stronger than Master Uncle.’

Who was the Sword Ghost?

He was a universally acknowledged candidate for the title of Greatest Sword Under Heaven and Mount Hua’s Greatest Sword. Though there were countless strong individuals in the world, those who could confidently claim to be stronger than Plum Blossom Sword Ghost wouldn’t exceed ten, and even if you combined all those who could be considered his equal, they wouldn’t exceed twenty.

And wasn’t this the same Gwang Mu-ryang who had unilaterally pressed Plum Blossom Sword Ghost and even injured him?

‘No matter how strong Wei Yan-ho is said to be, he couldn’t be stronger than Master Uncle.’

He knew that common sense didn’t apply to Wei Yan-ho, but there had to be limits to that. He absolutely couldn’t believe that Wei Yan-ho was stronger than Gwang Mu-ryang, who had defeated Plum Blossom Sword Ghost.

“Still, it’s Wei Yan-ho, isn’t it? If it’s that monster bastard……”

“Think realistically.”

“……”

Cheong Yeong-ja spoke with a stern expression.

“Besides, what’s important right now isn’t whether Wei Yan-ho can handle that bastard. Even if he blocks him, would the situation change?”

“No.”

“Then shouldn’t we first do what we need to do? Gather the people toward the back.”

“But didn’t you say the back was a cliff?”

“There’s a gentle slope next to the left Plum Blossom Hall. It won’t be easy for ordinary people to go down, but if the people around help, they should be able to manage it. First, we need to gather them in the back, then open a path in that direction.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“I’ll give out the orders. You also quickly spread word of the situation.”

“Yes!”

As Jang-il ran off, Cheong Yeong-ja looked at Wei Yan-ho with a stern expression.

‘Nothing would change even if he blocks him?’

Not a chance.

Cheong Yeong-ja knew too. In this kind of battle, the entire aspect of combat would completely change depending on which side the strongest person belonged to.

The mindset of those fighting while thinking they could win just by holding out until someone from their side arrived was bound to be different from those fighting with the thought that it would be the end if someone came over to this side.

And naturally, the difference between the two would grow larger.

‘I know rationally that it doesn’t make sense, but……’

He didn’t think Wei Yan-ho would defeat Gwang Mu-ryang. The best he could hope for would be for Wei Yan-ho to unite with Wei San-ho and Wei Jeong-han and help them withstand Gwang Mu-ryang’s offensive.

Even so, he found himself strangely hopeful.

‘I must be getting old.’

Watching Wei Yan-ho approach Gwang Mu-ryang with a swaggering gait, Cheong Yeong-ja clenched his fists tightly.

“You, did you just curse at me?”

Gwang Mu-ryang looked at Wei Yan-ho with an utterly bewildered expression. This young punk who had suddenly appeared was walking toward him with a swagger, like a thug going to beat up a neighborhood dog.

“Yeah.”

“……Heh heh.”

Gwang Mu-ryang could finally understand the meaning of being left speechless. Having surpassed the limits of bewilderment that a person could experience, words truly wouldn’t come out as if it were a lie.

‘Wait.’

Wei Jeong-han and Wei San-ho.

Then?

“Are you that bastard called Wei Yan-ho?”

Wei Yan-ho’s head tilted to the side.

“Strangely, lately everyone who sees me seems to know me. Did wanted posters get distributed or something?”

“Hu hu hu hu.”

Gwang Mu-ryang chuckled lightly.

“So you’re that divine hero who defeated the Dark King. Indeed. If it’s to that extent, you have reason to be proud. Excellent. I acknowledge you.”

Wei Jeong-han snorted.

“Hmph! A fool who’d get conceited over an enemy’s praise……”

“Heh heh heh.”

“……”

Wei Jeong-han’s head slowly turned.

There stood Wei Yan-ho with an expression that showed he didn’t know what to do with himself after receiving praise. Seeing Wei Yan-ho scratching his head with both cheeks flushed red, what could he say……

“……Hey, you bastard.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Wei Yan-ho couldn’t control the joy bursting forth. He seemed to know what kind of situation this was and was trying his best to restrain himself, but laughter kept escaping, making him look troubled.

“Hey, you bastard! He’s an enemy! An enemy! A Demonic Cult bastard is praising you, and you’re happy about it?”

“Then what should I do! I’ve never received praise in my life, so I have no immunity to it!”

“……Keuk.”

Wei Jeong-han pressed his stinging eyes tightly.

What a sad story this was.

To have never received praise in one’s life.

‘Wait, this isn’t a sad story!’

Come to think of it, wasn’t all of that Wei Yan-ho’s own doing?

“Young hero……”

“Heh heh heh.”

“Excellent beyond your years……”

“Eh heh heh heh heht!”

“……”

Gwang Mu-ryang smacked his lips with a displeased expression.

Even looking at it coldly, he was an excellent young man worthy of praise, but if he wanted to have a proper conversation, it seemed he’d have to skip this stage.

“Keuh-hem, in any case!”

Gwang Mu-ryang pointed at Wei Yan-ho.

“For father and son to all come seeking death at my hands. It’s good that my work has been reduced, but I’m afraid the ghosts of the Guangdong Wei Family might appear in my dreams.”

Clap!

Wei Yan-ho, who had slapped both cheeks hard to calm his expression, gripped his sword crookedly.

“Praising someone to make them let their guard down is a good strategy, but it won’t work on me.”

“……I never did that though?”

“How cunning!”

“No……”

“I should have believed what they said about Demonic Cult members being ruthless.”

“No! Hey!”

Gwang Mu-ryang felt very wronged. He had spoken with good intentions, so why was it being taken that way?

“Well, anyway!”

Wei Yan-ho glanced sideways at Wei Jeong-han and Wei San-ho. Seeing his family members with their entire bodies stained with blood, veins bulged on Wei Yan-ho’s forehead.

“To torment my already frail father!”

“……Hey.”

Wei Jeong-han’s body flinched.

Frail!

I even get treated as a Righteous Hero Sword when I go out, but if you say that, what happens to father’s dignity!

“No matter how lazy I am, I’m not lazy enough to just leave someone who beats up my father.”

“That’s something to be proud of.”

“I’ll make you pay the price for tormenting the elderly and weak.”

Wei Jeong-han hung his head low.

As Wei Jeong-han, who had instantly become a frail elderly person, hung his head with a pitiful expression, Wei San-ho patted Wei Jeong-han.

“……Still, his filial devotion is sincere, isn’t it?”

“That?”

If he’s sincere in his filial devotion twice more, he’ll probably beat up dad.

“……The method is a bit wrong, but his heart is admirable.”

“Sometimes I think you’re too lenient with Yan-ho.”

“I’m being objective about it.”

Wei Yan-ho swung his sword through the air.

“I’ll pay back what Father and hyung suffered ten times over, so you’d better prepare yourself.”

“Heh heh heh heh.”

Gwang Mu-ryang laughed helplessly.

“……I don’t know what kind of spectacle this is.”

A High Priest of the Demonic Cult with martial arts that could dominate the world was being toyed with by a wet-behind-the-ears kid.

“You may have martial arts worthy of confidence……”

“Eh heh heh heht.”

“Stop it, damn it!”

Gwang Mu-ryang’s voice grew rough.

“Just what kind of confidence do you……”

“Ah ah……”

Wei Yan-ho raised his hand to cut off Gwang Mu-ryang’s words.

“I don’t know if the Demonic Cult fights with words, but we fight with swords, you know? If you’re going to fight with words, go over there toward the Imperial Palace – there’s a place for taking the civil service exam, so take the exam and engage in political strife. Right now, I’d prefer if you’d just do some sword work.”

“……”

“They said the Demonic Cult was full of really manly people, but as expected, Father’s words can’t be trusted. I think you’d do well as a eunuch.”

“Noooooooo!”

Gwang Mu-ryang, with rage rising to the tips of his hair, shouted.

“The games end here. Today I’ll cut off the Guangdong Wei Family’s lineage.”

“Hmph, that’s what this side…… Eh, by any chance, are you married? Do you have any children?”

“Keuaaaaaak!”

Gwang Mu-ryang leaped forward and swung his hand. Jet-black energy sliced through space and flew toward Wei Yan-ho.

“Wow, scary.”

Wei Yan-ho slightly leaned his body to the side and avoided the incoming energy.

Swish.

“Huh?”

He thought he had avoided it perfectly, but his sleeve was cut off. The energy Gwang Mu-ryang had launched had more destructive power than Wei Yan-ho had expected.

“Wow, mister. You’re strong?”

“……Whew.”

“No, should I call you old man?”

Grind grind grind.

Gwang Mu-ryang was properly experiencing a type of human he had never seen in his entire life.

“I’ll kill you as miserably as possible.”

“I was just asking! I was just asking, so why are you getting angry? Can’t I even ask?”

“Keueueung.”

Thinking that mixing words with that bastard might kill him from high blood pressure, Gwang Mu-ryang let his arms hang down.

After taking one deep breath to regain his unshakeable mind, Gwang Mu-ryang looked at Wei Yan-ho with cold eyes and said:

“I’ll praise you for avoiding that. But don’t expect any more mercy from me. You’ll learn with your body just what a great sin it was to toy with me.”

“I never toyed with you though?”

“This……”

“Ah, and also.”

Wei Yan-ho grinned and said:

“You keep saying things like you’ll make me pay the price, or you’ll make me understand……”

“……”

Wei Yan-ho pointed his brilliantly shining white sword at Gwang Mu-ryang.

“When someone weaker than me keeps saying things like that, it gets on my nerves, you know?”

“Weak?”

“Ah ah, I know mister is strong. But being strong is a relative concept.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Gwang Mu-ryang laughed helplessly.

Interpreting what Wei Yan-ho was saying now, didn’t it mean that while Gwang Mu-ryang was strong, Wei Yan-ho was even stronger?

“You young punk are arrogant beyond measure.”

“Master said that too, actually.”

“Hmm?”

“He said that when I go out into the martial world, there will be many bastards who say I’m arrogant, or that I’ve lost all sense of fear, or that I’m unbearably impudent.”

“……”

“And he taught me how to deal with that too. First, if I give one stab to the ribs of bastards who spout such things, no one will dare call you impudent to your face. What do you think?”

“Keuk keuk keuk keuk keuk.”

Gwang Mu-ryang laughed strangely and raised both hands. Jet-black energy began to gather around his fingernails.

“Eh, you don’t seem to understand. Then……”

Wei Yan-ho brandished his sword and began charging toward Gwang Mu-ryang.

“Try taking a hit first and then think about it.”