Chapter 152: Summary (2)

A martial artist of the White Martial Society, whose arm had been torn off, fled while bleeding. After his shout, the others who had prepared to escape began to retreat in a hurry.

Even though the White Martial Society was a group crazed by battle, they were no fools. They knew to stretch their legs only where they could lie down.

Laughing Little Fox, Dan Hong.

That tiny fox Beastkin was a monster they could not hope to contend with.

“Retreat! Get out! Everyone, get out!”

The White Martial Society members pulled out their Flying Apparatuses as fast as they could and fled.

Watching their backs, the little fox Beastkin opened her mouth again—then closed it.

Tup! With that sound, two more arms were ripped off.

The two people whose arms were torn off suppressed their bursting screams as they desperately tried not to fall off their Flying Apparatuses.

In the end, the White Martial Society disappeared even faster than they had appeared.

‘What is this monster?’

Jin Ha-un stared at the fox Beastkin with tension.

‘She got behind me, and I didn’t even notice.’

Moreover, he couldn’t quite grasp the principle behind the power she had just displayed.

Jin Ha-un assessed the distance to the monstrous fox Beastkin. Then, he readied his grip to swing his sword at any time.

She clearly seemed to be connected to the Beast King Sect, but having just witnessed her power, Jin Ha-un couldn’t relax.

On the other hand, Maeng Ye-ju was different from Jin Ha-un. Her previously scrunched expression had now brightened completely.

“Elder!”

Maeng Ye-ju dashed up to the fox Beastkin.

Due to her height, which was close to seven cheok, the already tiny fox Beastkin looked even smaller.

When the fox Beastkin reached out her arm while making a strange “Oh-ho-hong” laugh, Maeng Ye-ju hugged her and lifted her onto one shoulder.

“Have you been well?”

“Of course. How long has it been? Elder, have you been well? Ah, I should introduce you. Ha-un, say hello. This is Dan Hong, Great Elder of the Beast King Sect.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jin Ha-un.”

“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard stories from Yung.”

As Dan Hong’s smiling gaze landed on him, Jin Ha-un flinched involuntarily. Just being looked at gave him considerable pressure.

Seeing Jin Ha-un’s reaction, Dan Hong’s smile deepened.

“Hmm, good. Now I understand why they call you the Sword Demon.”

Just as Kang Yung had said, Jin Ha-un was an exceptional martial artist. And seeing him reminded her of someone.

“It’s a shame I didn’t get to see Jin Master’s sworn brother.”

Although Kang Yung said Jin Ha-un was also excellent, he mostly talked about Jang Woo-hyun. Dan Hong was curious about the one whom that reckless Kang Yung praised so relentlessly.

“Is the Sword Hero not here yet?”

“No, but he’ll appear soon enough as if nothing happened.”

A strong belief was visible in Jin Ha-un’s eyes. That alone showed how much he trusted Jang Woo-hyun.

Seeing such sincere trust warmed Dan Hong, and she smiled brightly once again.

“Elder, but why are you here?”

Because Dan Hong rarely left the sect, Maeng Ye-ju asked.

“I came to see our Ye-ju.”

“Me? Why all of a sudden?”

“For now, since the battle’s not over, let’s head over there.”

Dan Hong pointed to the battlefield still engulfed in chaos. Carrying her on her shoulder, Maeng Ye-ju performed Lightfoot Technique.

“Ye-ju.”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to make you the Young Sect Leader.”

“…Pardon?!”

The unexpected words caused Maeng Ye-ju, who had been running, to stop in her tracks.

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“This war has shown me—the Beast King Sect needs to change.”

“Uh… I don’t understand how that connects to me becoming the Young Sect Leader?”

Sitting on Maeng Ye-ju’s shoulder, Dan Hong patted her head and continued.

“The Sect Leader only wants to run wild. Jong-myeong is suffering just trying to rein him in.”

“…”

“This war made me realize—it’s time for us to change. And you, Ye-ju, are the most suitable to lead that change.”

The six successors of the Beast King Beast King Sect.

All of them were more beast than human, just like the Sect Leader.

‘It’s impossible with those kids.’

It was time for the Beast King Sect to change. And Dan Hong believed only Maeng Ye-ju could lead that new change.

That’s why she had broken her long seclusion and come out.

To place Maeng Ye-ju in the position of Young Sect Leader.

“I’m still not good enough. There are other senior brothers, too.”

At Maeng Ye-ju’s words, Dan Hong let out another “Oh-ho-hong” laugh.

Hearing that sound from the side, a smile also formed on Jin Ha-un’s face. It was an odd laugh but somehow comforting.

“What you’ve done lately hasn’t been insignificant.”

She had tracked down Bi Ik-ryeon, uncovered their plot, saved the Beastkin, and obtained the top-tier Dharma Treasure, Purple Gold Restraint. After that, she continued to fight Bi Ik-ryeon and the Ascension Cult, raising the name of the Beast King Sect.

“Uh… honestly, I just helped a bit. A friend did most of it.”

Most of the accomplishments were due to Jang Woo-hyun.

The battle with Bi Ik-ryeon, summoning Wind-Passing Great Sage to rescue the Beastkin, and defeating Sa Do-woong.

Jang Woo-hyun had taken the lead, and she had merely supported him.

Dan Hong shook her head at Maeng Ye-ju’s response.

“Chance meetings may be fate, but it’s your ability that turns them into bonds. Because you acted rightly, he stayed with you. He helped you because you’re a good person. So, that’s your achievement.”

Dan Hong, sitting on Maeng Ye-ju’s shoulder, leaned slightly and wrapped her hands gently around her head.

“I hope our Ye-ju becomes the Young Sect Leader. What do you think?”

“…I’m still not sure.”

Though Maeng Ye-ju had long lived as the disciple of the Beast King Sect Leader, she never had firm thoughts about becoming the next Sect Leader. That’s why she couldn’t answer clearly.

“I see. Then let’s end the talk here for today. We can speak again another time.”

Dan Hong hopped off Maeng Ye-ju’s shoulder and waddled off on her small legs.

“Ye-ju.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“I hope you become the Young Sect Leader, but I won’t force you.”

“Yes.”

“But watch closely what happens now. It’s the path you may one day walk.”

After smiling at Maeng Ye-ju, Dan Hong turned her head.

And her aura changed.

The sudden wave of energy made Jin Ha-un tense up.

Dan Hong’s Will-Form Qi spread, enveloping the battlefield. She stretched out both arms and clenched her fists.

At that moment—

Thousands of invisible beasts tore into the Bi Ik-ryeon martial artists fighting against the Beast King Sect disciples.

“Gaaaah!”

“Urgh!”

All that could be heard from the battlefield were screams and the sounds of flesh being ripped apart.

A small fox with a smiling face. Laughing Little Fox, Dan Hong.

Her other name was Cheonjan Aksu (Thousand Residual Evil Beasts).

In her prime, she was a renowned Beastkin who made a name for herself in the Central Heavens Martial Realm.

Watching the battlefield where thousands of invisible beasts rampaged, Jin Ha-un was struck with fear—then shook his head.

‘Focus! Focus!’

Though fear crept into his heart, he refocused on the battlefield.

And he thought—

What would Hyung-nim have done?

‘He would’ve tried to learn even here.’

Suppressing his confusion, he tried to learn anything he could. Jin Ha-un was becoming more and more like his sworn brother.

Kwa-gwa-gwang! Kwajijik!

In the distance, a Bi Ik-ryeon airship carrying reinforcements was crushed midair by an invisible massive beast.

Despite the unknown immense force, Jin Ha-un tensed and strengthened his gaze, determined not to miss a single moment.

“This one here is Jang Jang Woo-hyun Oppa.”

“……”

Jang Woo-hyun silently stared at the talking Tree Person who was spouting nonsense.

“Okay, okay. It was just a joke. Why the serious face?”

Cho Ryeong nonchalantly waved her hand as if nothing had happened.

“With first meetings like this, you need humor to ease the mood. Oppa, if you’re that stiff, girls won’t like you.”

Jang Woo-hyun turned his head away, thinking, ‘You wouldn’t be popular even with that.’

“I greet my benefactor. I am Yong Seo-hee of the Divine Dragon Family.”

When they reached the bedroom while talking with Lee Ahn, the rescued woman had already regained consciousness.

“That pill was impressive. This unni was low on strength, but I recovered quickly. As expected of a great fighter Oppa—you carry good medicines too.”

As she spoke, Cho Ryeong slowly approached and stood beside Jang Woo-hyun.

“But what’s with that guy? The skeleton that was locked up earlier? Why’d you bring him? It’s creepy. I told you to just slice him below.”

As Cho Ryeong kept making unnecessary comments while drawing her finger across her neck, Jang Woo-hyun lightly grabbed his sword.

‘The limbs are fine, but he’s wood—maybe I can cut off a leaf or two?’

He wondered if that would finally shut her up—but quickly dismissed the idea. Cho Ryeong would be loud even if chopped into firewood.

‘Burn me! I’ll heat you up!’

Imagining that voice made the strength leave Jang Woo-hyun’s hand.

This insane Tree Person might be the most difficult being for Jang Woo-hyun to deal with.

“What’s with that look? Gonna try me? Fine, bring it!”

Cho Ryeong stepped back and raised her arms, as if inviting a strike.

Jang Woo-hyun merely shook his head.

“We don’t have time to play with trees. We need to get out of here.”

Seeing the two, Lee Ahn stepped in.

“What? Why? We still have things to take here!”

“This place was powered by the strength of that woman and me. If you’ve got any sense, you’ll realize what’s about to happen now that both of us are free.”

“Ah……”

The manor of Yang Jeon-gun was currently floating in the sky. If the power source stopped now—one could easily guess what would happen.

“Also, from what I heard on the way, that bastard Yang Jeon-gun isn’t even dead yet. He might return, so we need to get out of here fast.”

“Then let’s move quickly! Everyone, prepare!”

“What are you even trying to do?”

Jang Woo-hyun asked the hastily moving Cho Ryeong.

“What do you think? We’ve been through hell. We’re taking everything we can!”

Cho Ryeong intended to loot all the items Yang Jeon-gun had collected.

“Move! Quick! Hurry up! Oppa, help too! Unni, lend a hand! As for that skeleton… do what you want.”

“I’ll help as well.”

“Perfect.”

Under Cho Ryeong’s command, a few in the bedroom began moving swiftly and guiding the others.

Shortly after—

The group arrived at a thick iron door.

“Oppa, the door!”

At Cho Ryeong’s shout, Jang Woo-hyun drew his sword and swung it.

Uwoooong! Kurung!

To prevent theft, various spells, mechanisms, and curses were triggered—but Jang Woo-hyun slashed through all of them.

“Inside!”

Breaking through the door, they found various Dharma Treasures and minerals piled up.

“Hurry, grab everything. Oppa, take what you need too. You can take over half. I’m willing to yield that much. After all, you’re the one who saved us all.”

After glancing inside, Jang Woo-hyun shook his head.

“I don’t need anything.”

He didn’t particularly need anything, nor did he use artifacts. And the Inner Robe didn’t have enough space to carry all the Dharma Treasures and artifacts here.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Then we’ll divide it among ourselves.”

“Sure. If I need anything later, I’ll grab it myself.”

“Got it. Hurry and pack everything into the Inner Robe. Then let’s move on. There’s another place.”

Jang Woo-hyun was about to go with Cho Ryeong to another storage room—but stopped in his tracks.

“Why’d you stop? We need to hurry.”

“Hold on.”

Jang Woo-hyun stood still and drew Yongwangrin. For some reason, Yongwangrin had been humming and trembling.

‘What’s going on?’

As he tried to infuse Will-Form Qi into Yongwangrin—

Suddenly, Yongwangrin moved on its own and transformed into a beast’s mouth.

Tup! Tup! With that sound, a massive monstrous mouth devoured the Dharma Treasures and minerals in the storage.

Everyone froze at the bizarre sight.

In an instant, most of the minerals and Dharma Treasures that had filled the storage disappeared.

Clang!

A few items not swallowed by Yongwangrin fell to the floor, and one rolled to near Jang Woo-hyun’s feet.

In that baffling situation, Jang Woo-hyun’s gaze turned toward it.

A familiar item. The one that rolled was a fist-sized orb, with a needle inside pointing directly at Jang Woo-hyun. It was the artifact Seok Hae-gang had shown him.

And where that artifact had rolled from were several disk-shaped artifacts—the same ones the cultivators of Changyeongmun used to track Jang Woo-hyun.

‘Did he eliminate the Changyeongmun cultivators and steal their artifacts?’

Seeing the scattered artifacts, Jang Woo-hyun realized how Seok Hae-gang had found him. Likely, Yang Jeon-gun had removed the Changyeongmun cultivators and stolen their belongings.

As Jang Woo-hyun made his reasonable deduction—

“What’s this? You said you didn’t need anything?”

In the now-quiet storage, Cho Ryeong’s sharp voice rang out.

As Jang Woo-hyun turned toward the voice, he saw the Tree Person standing cockily with her arms crossed.

“Look at you. Like some shady mushroom.”

At Cho Ryeong’s quiet mutter, “Pig,” Jang Woo-hyun found himself at a loss for words.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep