Chapter 172: Beast King Sect (2)

While Jang Woo-hyun was away, Jin Ha-un had been moving together with the Beast King Sect. He knew well how they operated.

When beastkin were led by someone with a normal way of thinking, like Maeng Ye-ju, they did not cause much trouble. But when she was absent or they had to move separately, they often turned into beasts in behavior.

Logical thinking or reasonable judgment vanished, and they tried to solve most matters through force.

For example, suppose a tiger said an apple was red and a wolf said it was blue after looking at the same apple in front of them.

The two would then start arguing, and the way they resolved it was by exchanging blows.

After the fight, whatever the winner said became the truth.

If the tiger won, the apple was red; if the wolf won, the apple was blue.

It might sound ridiculous.

But in the Beast King Sect, where there were plenty of actual dogs, such “dog talk” was accepted as common sense.

Dan Hong’s reason for wanting to make Maeng Ye-ju the Sect Leader was also because of this—because of the beastkin’s ignorant behavior and their tendency to act purely on instinct without thought.

Naturally, Jin Ha-un thought Jang Woo-hyun would solve problems in the beastkin’s way.

That was something he was good at.

‘But Hyung-nim doesn’t know.’

Jang Woo-hyun might have traveled with the Beast King Sect, but Maeng Ye-ju had always been by his side. Because of that, he did not know much about the true nature of beastkin.

Jin Ha-un explained the situation again, admitting he had been wrong in his assumption.

“It’s fine. This is actually better.”

But Jang Woo-hyun welcomed it instead.

At first, Jin Ha-un was a bit doubtful, but when it came to fighting, his sworn brother was far more of an expert than him, so he decided to trust him.

‘Hyung-nim will handle it.’

Cho-su also did not oppose Jang Woo-hyun’s plan and began making his own arrangements.

In the end, the three of them moved toward the Beast King Sect’s main division.

“No! Don’t! Hey, you bastard! Jang Woo-hyun!”

Kang Yong, infamous as one of the sect’s troublemakers, panicked and tried to stop him, but no one listened.

Even for someone regarded as a troublemaker, Kang Yong did not go this far. What Jang Woo-hyun was about to do was madness.

But it was already too late. Hearing Jin Ha-un’s explanation had solidified Jang Woo-hyun’s resolve. If that was the beastkin way, he would respond in kind.

‘Perfect timing.’

The so-called Seventeen Lords.

He had been curious about the strength of the Ten Sects and Three Clans’ leaders, and now he had a chance to experience it firsthand.

Of course, Jang Woo-hyun had no intention of going completely wild. The Beast King Sect was not an enemy.

Even on the way to the Beast King Sect’s main division, Kang Yong kept trying to dissuade him. He wanted to calm the situation before anything serious happened.

“Kang Yong! What are you doing?”

Just as they reached the main division’s front gate,

a passing wolf beastkin spotted Kang Yong and called out to him.

A wolf beastkin, slightly shorter than Kang Yong, with brown fur. Kang Yong’s face twisted when he saw him.

“Senior Brother Won Jeong.”

“What’s with all the shouting? And who’s that next to you?”

In response to Won Jeong’s question, Jang Woo-hyun stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jang Woo-hyun.”

“Jang Woo-hyun? The Cheonrin Sword Alliance?”

When Jang Woo-hyun nodded, a spark of competitive spirit lit up in the wolf beastkin’s brown eyes.

“No! Don’t! Senior Brother, you mustn’t! Step back! No! Shoo, go back!”

Kang Yong waved his arms, trying to wedge himself between them.

But Won Jeong strode forward, grabbed the back of Kang Yong’s neck—despite Kang Yong being the bigger one—and tossed him backward.

“I said no!”

Ignoring the airborne Kang Yong, Won Jeong spoke.

“Would you honor me with a bout?”

“As much as you want.”

The moment Jang Woo-hyun agreed, Won Jeong kicked off the ground.

With a loud crash, someone rolled inside, tumbling past the Beast King Sect’s massive gate.

The nearby beastkin looked at the unexpected arrival with puzzled faces.

“What the heck?”

“Wait, isn’t that Won Jeong?”

“It’s really Senior Brother Won Jeong.”

Inside, there were about twenty beastkin. When they saw Won Jeong rolling in, they hurriedly rushed outside.

“What happened?”

“What’s going on?”

“Kang Yong? What are you doing here?”

Outside, the beastkin found Kang Yong wearing a flustered expression.

“What’s this about?”

“What happened?”

“It’s nothing. Go back inside. Senior Brother just fell over, that’s all.”

“Fell over? He rolled in, not just fell.”

“Yeah, Senior Brother Kang, did you really fight Senior Brother Won?”

Since Kang Yong was perfectly capable of doing such a thing, the other beastkin asked.

“Then why did Senior Brother Won Jeong suddenly… Oh! Isn’t that Master Jin Ha-un?”

Someone recognized Jin Ha-un and greeted him warmly.

“Gasp! It’s the Cheonrin Sword Alliance!”

Some of them recognized Jang Woo-hyun too.

While some wagged their tails and welcomed Jang Woo-hyun and Jin Ha-un, others—like Won Jeong—suddenly had a change in expression.

They immediately understood what was going on.

“Master Swordsman, are you the one who did that to Won Jeong?”

A fox beastkin with a sword at her waist stepped forward to speak on behalf of the group.

“Well… it just sort of happened that way.”

Even though a disciple of the same sect was injured, the beastkin laughed.

They could tell how Won Jeong had acted without even seeing it.

“May we join in as well?”

“I’m a bit busy, so why don’t you all come at once?”

The beastkin who had been rousing their fighting spirit suddenly froze.

It was because they thought Jang Woo-hyun was looking down on them.

“Fine. Since the Cheonrin Sword Alliance’s name carries weight, I won’t refuse.”

Only the fox beastkin showed no emotion at Jang Woo-hyun’s words and drew her sword.

The moment she drew her sword, a fierce aura surged in from all directions.

The beastkin, having finished their preparations, charged at Jang Woo-hyun.

But…

The result was obvious.

Crack!

The sound of bones breaking.

Bang!

The sound of something shattering.

“Gaaah!”

“Argh!”

Along with screams, various noises rang out before all the beastkin were sent flying.

“What’s going on?”

“What happened?”

“An enemy!”

At that commotion, voices from deeper inside could be heard, and soon a group of beastkin poured out.

“Ah…”

Kang Yung gave up on stopping them and closed his eyes behind them.

‘I don’t even know anymore.’

Beastkin were smashed one after another as soon as they appeared.

At first there were about ten of them, but as time passed, the number of fallen exceeded fifty.

The commotion gradually grew, and stronger figures began to emerge.

It was during this uproar that Dan Hong appeared, and she quickly brought the situation under control.

Jang Woo-hyun explained to her the purpose of his visit, stating that he wanted to meet the Beast King Sect Leader.

Once Dan Hong stepped in, matters progressed swiftly.

In no time, he was granted an audience with the Beast King Sect Leader.

The justification was more than sufficient—after all, Jang Woo-hyun had recently saved Dan Hong, Maeng Ye-ju, and other beastkin.

“I wonder what kind of request you’ll make.”

Dan Hong, personally guiding Jang Woo-hyun, asked.

“It’s nothing much. I just hope to receive a bit of help.”

Since Jang Woo-hyun closed his mouth after that, Dan Hong did not ask further.

She was curious about his request, Jin Ha-un was curious about what his sworn brother would show next, and Cho-su was busy thinking about how to escape if trouble arose.

Only Kang Yung, bringing up the rear, worried about what was about to happen.

‘It’s already too late to turn back.’

The meeting with the sect leader had been set.

There was no stopping it now, nor any way to flee.

Inside the grand audience hall of the Beast King Sect.

True to the name Beast King Sect, most of those gathered were beastkin.

The eyes of the beastkin lined up on either side varied—

Some gazed with curiosity, some with competitive spirit, and others with hostility toward Jang Woo-hyun’s group.

Step. Step.

Though many people were present, the only sounds that filled the hall were their breathing and the footsteps of Jang Woo-hyun’s group.

Jang Woo-hyun stopped five jang away from the massive stone chair.

Seated upon it was a giant white tiger beastkin.

Baek Kang, the Beast King.

Leader of the Beast King Sect and one of the Seventeen Lords.

The king of beastkin, called the pinnacle of their kind.

“I am Jang Woo-hyun. It is an honor to meet you.”

Jang Woo-hyun greeted first.

Upon hearing him state his name directly, the surrounding beastkin stirred restlessly.

This was the weight of the name “Cheonrin Sword Alliance’s Jang Woo-hyun.”

Until recently he had been considered merely a rising expert, but after saving Dan Hong and Maeng Ye-ju, at least within the Beast King Sect, his reputation differed from other sects’ views.

Tap. Tap.

Baek Kang’s finger tapped the armrest of his stone chair. As if on cue, silence fell over the hall once more.

Though many beastkin were present, all combined could not match the presence of Baek Kang alone.

In the silence that descended, the single remaining beastly eye—due to an old injury—fixed on Jang Woo-hyun.

Though he had not shown any intent to attack, a savage aura could be felt writhing within.

‘So this is one of the Seventeen Lords.’

The power of a leader commanding a massive force in the Central Heavens’ murim.

Feeling Baek Kang’s strength, Jang Woo-hyun clenched his fist.

‘That name wasn’t an empty boast.’

Baek Kang, too, was surprised at Jang Woo-hyun.

His current level was far beyond that of a mere rising expert—his strength was such that even Baek Kang found it hard to accurately gauge.

Seeing him in person, Baek Kang understood—rescuing the Beast King Sect’s Great Elder Dan Hong had not been mere luck.

After a brief impression, Baek Kang spoke.

“You requested an audience, I hear.”

His voice carried a growl like a beast roaring in a cave.

Just hearing it made one’s body shiver— the instinctive fear a human feels before a predator.

Jin Ha-un trembled slightly, while Cho-su unknowingly took a step back.

But Jang Woo-hyun was different.

At the Beast King’s presence and aura, the corners of his lips rose slightly.

A pleasant thrill.

It was a pressure he could endure without trouble.

And as always, he measured the distance to his opponent and gauged their strength.

At this level…

‘This might be worth a try.’

Although he had not yet seen Baek Kang’s full power, he was not someone unreachable like the Taecheong Divine Sovereign or the Dragon Emperor of the Heavens.

There was a good chance of victory.

“Heh heh heh.”

Perhaps sensing Jang Woo-hyun’s thoughts, Baek Kang’s body twitched for a moment, and he laughed fiercely.

“Bold, aren’t you?”

“My apologies, it’s a habit.”

Whoever the opponent, he always measured the distance and assessed them.

It was something Jang Woo-hyun had done endlessly until now.

“A good attitude. I wish my men would learn from you.”

Baek Kang liked that Jang Woo-hyun showed such nerve without being cowed by his reputation.

“So, why did you want to see me?”

“I requested this meeting because I have a favor to ask.”

Baek Kang nodded for him to continue.

“Not long ago, I rescued the Beast King Sect’s successor, Fierce-Fisted Heroine Maeng, and the Great Elder Dan Hong. For that, I would like a reward.”

Baek Kang also liked that he spoke so openly about what he wanted.

‘A martial artist should have at least this much backbone.’

Now that he met him in person, he understood why Maeng Ye-ju, Kang Yung, and Yeom Jong-myung had wanted to bring him here.

“It’s not going to be a simple reward, is it?”

If it were, he would not have asked to meet him directly. As expected, what Jang Woo-hyun brought up was not a typical reward.

“No. I would like to take Senior Maeng with me.”

The surrounding beastkin began murmuring again.

Dan Hong, who had been looking at Jang Woo-hyun with satisfaction from behind, pricked up her ears in surprise, while Kang Yung blurted out, “I don’t even know anymore,” a thought he should have kept to himself.

That was how startling Jang Woo-hyun’s request was from the Beast King Sect’s perspective.

When Baek Kang slightly furrowed his brow, the noisy hall fell silent once more.

Everyone present could feel it—Baek Kang was now angry.

And because of that, his aura changed from before.

A fierce energy spread out in all directions, startling even the Beast King Sect members into stepping back several paces.

The grand hall fell quiet again.

Everyone held their breath, but Jang Woo-hyun’s group acted as if it didn’t concern them.

The moment Maeng Ye-ju’s name came up, Jin Ha-un muttered, “Gasp! Could it be a proposal?” while Cho-su quietly whispered from behind Jang Woo-hyun, “Should I bring out the artifact?”

It wasn’t that the two of them didn’t understand the situation, nor was it because they possessed overwhelming power.

Jin Ha-un and Cho-su had experienced the power of a True Immortal alongside Jang Woo-hyun.

So even if the Beast King revealed his might and fierce beastkin surrounded them, they would not be intimidated.

Having once faced the power of a True Immortal—a force that surpasses fear and despair, making one abandon all hope—this much was easy to endure.

On top of that, although they didn’t know exactly how much stronger Jang Woo-hyun had become, they had heard that he shattered the giant hand of the True Immortal when they met again.

Because of that, they were all the more unworried.

They believed Jang Woo-hyun could overcome this crisis without fail.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep