Ong So-hu could hardly believe the current situation. Not only was he shocked that the Gold-necked Hwan possessed enough martial prowess to defeat Ong Mungyu, but how many in the Gangho could sever the arm of a Hyeongsan martial artist during combat?
The Samdae Jeja immediately rushed to the garden, locating Ong Mungyu’s blood points and staunching the bleeding from his arm. As Ong Mungyu had confidently claimed, the cross-section of his severed arm looked crushed, as if it had been slammed somewhere and torn apart.
Facing a stunned Ong So-hu, Gold-necked Hwan said,
“It’s unfortunate.”
“…Unfortunate?”
Ong So-hu asked back, dumbfounded.
“As you saw, I had no choice but to counterattack with a dangerous killing move first. Since my dantian was exposed, if I had aimed for the palm, I’d have been crushed at the vital bone juncture. If I had used the killing move first here—and if this were really Hyeongsan—not just an arm but a neck would have been severed.”
Gold-necked Hwan said this as if it were natural, then glanced at Namak Geomgun. Ong Mungyu’s breathing gradually stabilized after the Samdae Jeja located his blood points and stopped the bleeding.
The air in the garden calmed. Ong So-hu knew well that Ong Mungyu had struck first with the killing move aimed at the dantian.
But how could he possibly say that not only was he betrayed by some petty Samga, but his future as a promising successor was stolen?
After finishing his calculations, Ong So-hu took a stance and unleashed a ki formation.
The ki swelled greatly, tracing the form of a sword. It wasn’t merely wrapping the edges of the sword; it was a realm where ki was channeled through the sword to extend its reach.
A sword energy level where the sword itself need not strike to harm a person. Ong So-hu opened his eyes wide, proving that he was indeed a first-rate master.
“Are you intending to surrender?”
Gold-necked Hwan asked. Ong So-hu’s gaze darkened. It was time to show these upstarts the reality of the Gangho.
“I follow the principle of the Gangho. Where is the strong who keeps a pact with the weak?”
“That’s a cowardly excuse!”
The voice came from Geumsurin. Her hands trembled. It was the first time she had spoken to a martial artist like that.
But what infuriated her most was the way they looked at her like a snake, threatened Gold-necked Hwan, and broke their promise.
“Since a woman speaks without restraint, you clearly lack proper education.”
Ong So-hu spoke in a gloomy tone.
“If you become my concubine, there will be much for me to teach you.”
Though it was a glance of dismissal, in the eyes of a great farmer, it carried a sinister meaning. Geumsurin fought back shivers and adjusted her clothing inwardly.
“I’ve heard too many filthy words to hold my tongue.”
Geumwolsang stepped forward in front of Geumsurin, drawing his sword. The situation was on the verge of erupting.
Ong So-hu was the first to strike. At his signal, flashes of swordlight erupted from various places and flew fiercely.
Geumsurin and Geumhwacheong could only hear the clashing swords and see the flickering light. The difference between martial artists and ordinary people was this great.
Ong So-hu gradually pressured his opponents using the essence of the Gu Hyang Geombeom. He attacked fluidly, using nearly every direction.
The sword techniques that served as the foundation for all Hyeongsan martial arts unfolded gracefully.
From all sides, a rain of sword strikes surrounded Geumwolsang. Geumsurin clasped her hands to her mouth; it seemed as though Geumwolsang would be pierced by the sword barrage.
However, Geumwolsang gathered his ki amidst the onslaught and carved out a small path.
Seom Seom Geuk Geuk’s technique. The swordlight advanced in a straight line. It was a thought to envelop the incoming martial arts with a single point.
Due to the nature of focusing ki at the tip of the sword, just an advance or a strike would cause a heavy blow.
Geumwolsang’s sword clashed with Ong So-hu’s lead foot and the tip of his advancing sword.
Ong So-hu’s eyes widened. He knew Geumwolsang had learned formidable martial arts but had never imagined it would be strong enough to put him on the defensive.
Geumwolsang pressed closer than expected. The tremendous speed and sharpness of his sword were unparalleled. Such a feat was impossible without an explosive internal force.
“There’s more internal power than I thought.”
Ong So-hu judged and withdrew all the sword energies spread in various directions, blocking Geumwolsang’s sword.
Boom!
Ong So-hu was pushed back, and dust swirled from under his heel.
Geumwolsang did not miss this opportunity.
Ong So-hu, feeling underestimated, unleashed a large killing move. His weight balance had already shifted backward.
The initial move of the Igungcheonroe Sword Technique—the Noegang Santoe—unfolded.
Geumwolsang rolled forward to weaken himself, then stabbed toward Ong So-hu’s head. His speed surpassed that of Seom Seom Geuk Geuk, which had come out of the scabbard.
The reason he could unleash such explosive internal power and swordsmanship was precisely because he had absorbed the Dokgakhawang’s Inner Pill.
“I’ve got you.”
When Geumwolsang thought so, Ong So-hu lowered his stance and dropped his sword just before the blades clashed with the ground.
Ong So-hu spun the sword blade from below.
From the outside, it looked like lightning striking within a whirlwind.
The clashing sword energies made terrifying sounds as they fell apart.
Blood flowed from Geumwolsang’s shoulder and cheek, and Ong So-hu staggered. It was the difference in the quality of sword energy.
“To topple Hyeongsan, this is just a small lightning bolt.”
Ong So-hu sneered. Though secretly surprised, he had no confidence in defeat.
At the very least, he had to cripple one direct descendant of the Hwanggeum Family before he could report back to his father.
Ong Mungyu’s severed arm was no problem. His father might get angry briefly but would calm down once another outstanding disciple was fostered.
However, if Ong So-hu went ahead and sacrificed the Samdae Jeja’s lives as promised, he himself would be in danger. His mind raced, prioritizing his own survival.
Just as Ong So-hu was about to step forward again, everyone’s gaze naturally lifted to the sky.
An enormous pressure descended upon the garden, as if the sky itself was collapsing.
Everyone thought the black dot in the sky was a mere speck.
The black dot fell onto the garden like a meteor—right between Ong So-hu and Geumwolsang.
Crash!
The earth cracked, and chunks of soil were thrown upward. Dust filled the air as was only natural.
Ong So-hu saw it clearly.
The thing that just fell was the exact same technique Geumwolsang had just used.
Its ki, power, and speed were far superior but it was the same move.
With the sound of the sword cutting through the wind, the dust settled cleanly to the ground.
The one who appeared was someone Ong So-hu knew well.
Of course. It was the person Hwanggeum Family feared most.
Cheonryu Yuseonggeom Gwak Jindo. He carried a strange jumyeoni on his shoulder.
“Namak Geomgun’s son, Nongsa, is having a bad year.”
Ong So-hu could not even respond to the insult to his father.
The domineering aura emanating from Gwak Jindo overwhelmed Ong So-hu’s nerves.
“You openly refuse to keep your pact; you’re neither a gentleman nor a true man.”
“…Is the Hwanggeum Family turning Hyeongsan into their enemy?”
Ong So-hu barely uttered these words. It was his last-ditch intimidation.
Each syllable cut through his throat like a knife, chilling his heart.
Whether Gwak Jindo knew or not, he chuckled.
“Planting a spy to find out your farm is exposed—what shameless nonsense is that?”
Gwak Jindo’s words made Ong So-hu retract his tongue. They were true.
“Hyeongsan is already our enemy.”
Then Gwak Jindo untied the jumyeoni and threw it toward Ong So-hu.
The jumyeoni fell at Ong So-hu’s feet, and from the loosened pouch rolled out a human head.
These were the spies Hyeongsan had planted inside Hwanggeum Family’s Oedang.
Ong So-hu realized he had been completely outmaneuvered.
Right now, the Hwanggeum Family was like an open-mouthed tiger.
To think they would carelessly gather intelligence was a grave mistake.
“Master Gong, please return safely. Attacking an unprepared enemy is not the way of the Gangho.”
“My younger brother has lost his arm.”
“That’s the price of using the killing move first.”
The righteous cause was entirely on Hwanggeum Family’s side. They treated Ong So-hu perfectly.
The Hwanggeum Family’s direct descendants had been expecting him and had been preparing from the beginning.
“…You will regret this, Senior.”
Ong So-hu gritted his teeth and called the Samdae Jeja.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait.”
Gold-necked Hwan spoke at that moment. Ong So-hu was tormented by the impulse to silence this calm young man.
“They are the pact’s lives. Shouldn’t we protect them?”
“Hmph.”
“Giving their lives without consent is your doing.”
With Gold-necked Hwan’s words, the Samdae Jeja’s expressions darkened. They all looked at Ong So-hu with a mixture of fear and resentment.
Ong So-hu felt wronged. Who would have imagined that Ong Mungyu would lose to a younger, less experienced upstart?
“I have never heard of wagering someone’s life in martial combat.”
Gwak Jindo sneered. If these words spread to Jungwon, Ong So-hu would become a laughingstock.
Hyeongsan’s reputation would also suffer greatly.
To stake the lives of his young disciples and disgrace himself by fleeing so shamefully—many of the Samdae Jeja were barely younger or the same age as Ong Mungyu.
He would surely be condemned by the Dao.
Only now did Ong So-hu realize how great a mistake he had made by agreeing so thoughtlessly.
“Then, shamelessly, I ask one more favor.”
Ong So-hu finished his thought. If this matter spread to Hyeongsan, the Jangmunin might not even tolerate it, and the very sect could be thrown into chaos.
That must never happen.
“I will offer the lives of the Samdae Jeja. But taking all the young disciples’ lives will be a burden even for the Hwanggeum Family.”
“So that’s why you want it kept secret?”
Gwak Jindo smiled with interest. Ong So-hu nodded.
“And bring my younger brother’s life as well. After all, he would want that. What use is a martial artist who has lost an arm?”
Gwak Jindo laughed, a smile full of contempt.
Though it seemed as if he spoke with concern for the younger brother, it was in fact asking for murder and extermination to keep the secret.
And those were his own Munpa disciples and his younger brother.
Then Ong So-hu would return to Hyeongsan and wail about how the Hwanggeum Family had lost everything due to an ambush.
Gwak Jindo, who had lived long in the Gangho, assessed the situation and shook his head in disbelief.
“Killing a person who’s already unconscious is a bit much.”
Instead of Gwak Jindo, it was Gold-necked Hwan who spoke, having lost words.
Ong So-hu understood the implication: they did not want to soil their hands.
Burning with hatred for Gold-necked Hwan, Ong So-hu drew his sword and strode toward the unconscious Ong Mungyu.
The blade plunged into Ong Mungyu’s neck.
Ong Mungyu convulsed violently, breaking his limbs before falling still.
Hyeongsan’s most promising successor, the heir of hope, died without even a breath.
Gwak Jindo glanced briefly at Gold-necked Hwan. Gold-necked Hwan subtly nodded.
“Alright, then farewell. No need for an escort.”
“Even if you say so, I must decline, Senior.”
“I feel good having met such an interesting friend.”
Ong So-hu said nothing and turned his back.
The final looks from the Samdae Jeja stabbed into Ong So-hu’s conscience like daggers.
Ong So-hu immediately used Hoesanbo—the fastest escape technique in Hyeongsan—to slip away from the sect.
The remaining Samdae Jeja trembled uncontrollably.
It was understandable, for at their feet lay Ong Mungyu, his neck pierced by a sword.
“We caught a bigger fish than expected.”
Gold-necked Hwan said to the Samdae Jeja.
Ong So-hu was so deceived that he failed to see this clearly.
There was no reason to kill these Samdae Jeja.
They were living Bigyuk of Hyeongsan’s secret techniques.