As he moved slowly along the official road, Kang Chan had already detected the presence of those hiding for a long time.
‘They are holding out persistently despite the freezing weather.’
Kang Chan pretended not to notice the hidden figures and focused on their energy.
‘How can a human possess such raw, beast-like killing intent?’
He wondered what kind of training one would have to undergo to possess such energy. Just as he was thinking it was a truly remarkable skill, they began to move.
In an instant, a group surrounded Kang Chan.
They were certain that Kang Chan would be surprised, but he looked at them with a calm gaze, as if he had been waiting for them.
“What business brings you to me?”
As the surrounded man showed such composure, a flicker of bewilderment passed through the eyes of the opposing group.
A man walked out slowly from among them.
“Kang Chan, Master of the Heavenly Mandate Hall.”
His low voice was filled with caution and hostility.
“You know me well. But why call me with such a gloomy voice?”
“You are quite relaxed.”
“It is just my natural disposition.”
“Why not hand over the Mangwon-cheon-pae and go on your way instead of engaging in a useless war of attrition?”
“Why should I do that?”
“Unless you are a Haomen Disciple, that token has no meaning.”
“Who said that? Who said I am not a Haomen Disciple?”
“You are being stubborn. Do you truly wish to see blood?”
“I don’t necessarily want it, but I’m not the type to avoid it either.”
Realizing that words would not work, the opponent shook his head.
“As the leader of this group, I command you. Kill that man and recover the token.”
“Command!”
With the order, the momentum of the group changed. They began to close the distance toward Kang Chan.
“Wait!”
Kang Chan dismounted his horse and pulled the Mangwon-cheon-pae from his robes.
“Look closely, all of you. This is the Mangwon-cheon-pae. If you are Haomen Disciples, drop your weapons and kneel immediately!”
As the token appeared in Kang Chan’s hand, the group’s movements faltered. They were flustered by the unexpected situation. Kang Chan shouted once more.
“How dare you! Do you dare challenge the authority of the Mangwon-cheon-pae? Fall back and kneel this instant!”
Kang Chan’s voice, infused with internal energy, echoed within a radius of 10 jang.
The group hesitated, glancing at Pyo Seung.
Sensing the atmosphere was becoming suspicious, Pyo Seung drew his sword and rushed toward Kang Chan.
“Everyone, attack!”
A whirlwind of sword energy silently aimed for Kang Chan’s waist.
Kang Chan stepped back, twisting his body to easily avoid the attack, and then struck the face of a Seomyeongdae member approaching from behind with his elbow.
*Crack!*
“Urgh!”
The man, struck squarely in the face, collapsed instantly.
Creating distance from Pyo Seung, Kang Chan drew the Demon Axe from behind his back and shouted.
“If you challenge the authority of the Mangwon-cheon-pae, you must be prepared to give up your lives from this moment on.”
The Seomyeongdae instinctively sensed danger and took a step back. Pyo Seung’s heart grew cold at the sight of movements so fast and natural that he couldn’t even tell when Kang Chan had evaded and counterattacked.
Kang Chan shouted toward Pyo Seung and the Seomyeongdae.
“From now on, I will distinguish between those who must die and those who are allowed to live.”
At that moment, a massive surge of energy erupted from him.
Nanseol’s smile and her advice to do his best flashed through Pyo Seung’s mind.
‘Ah, so this was it.’
Pyo Seung let out a hollow laugh.
When he learned that the Munju had been defeated by this man, he should have looked into him more deeply. Now that he faced him directly, everything became clear.
Pyo Seung shouted to the Seomyeongdae.
“He is alone! Deploy the Seomyeong-yunhoejin!”
It was a formation created by the Seomyeongdae to deal with powerful experts. It was a cursed formation that would not end until one side was dead.
The members of the Seomyeongdae took their positions according to the Eight Trigrams around Kang Chan and rushed in quickly.
Even as they deployed the formation, Kang Chan observed their energy. Only killing intent remained; no other emotions existed within them.
‘Nothing left but killing intent. This is truly the work of a wicked person.’
As the Seomyeong-yunhoejin unfolded, an overwhelming killing intent poured from the eyes of the Seomyeongdae members.
‘Not a single one of them deserves to live.’
The Demon Axe flew toward the man attacking with a blade. The man attacking from the front raised his blade to block the Demon Axe.
*Shatter!*
The blade was smashed into pieces.
The moment he tried to slit the man’s throat, blades flew in from all directions. They had abandoned all defense, attacking with the sole obsession of killing Kang Chan.
Kang Chan leaped into the air to avoid their attacks and drew in a massive amount of Jui Gi.
He could no longer allow those who had abandoned their humanity to remain in the mortal realm.
The Demon Axe, held high toward the heavens, fell toward the earth.
*Rumble… BOOM!*
The Myeolcheonse of the Blood Axe Heavenly Spirit.
For the first time in actual combat, its majesty was revealed.
With a deafening roar, the accumulated snow soared into the sky, obscuring all vision.
As the snow that had been flung into the air slowly settled back to the ground, a gruesome sight was revealed.
It was a scene that was hard to believe had been created by human hands.
Every living being within 5 jang of Kang Chan had been scattered into indistinguishable pieces of flesh.
The only survivor was Pyo Seung, who had been watching everything from outside the Seomyeong-yunhoejin.
Even he was barely breathing, bleeding from his entire body due to the aftermath of the Myeolcheonse.
“How… truly a mon… ster…”
“If you happen to be born again, please be born as a human and live like one.”
As Kang Chan turned away, Pyo Seung’s body collapsed limply. Mong, carrying the exhausted Kang Chan on his back, walked slowly along the official road.
‘Mong, I am very tired. Let’s go home.’
When Kang Chan arrived at the entrance of the Heavenly Mandate Hall, many people were outside waiting for him.
They had heard how Kang Chan handled the Seomyeongdae and Pyo Seung, and each was lost in deep thought.
As Kang Chan dismounted, Nanseol approached him and bowed quietly.
“Nanseol, Master of Haomun, offers her gratitude to Hall Master Kang.”
“Ah, you make me feel awkward as soon as I arrive. Master, have you been well?”
“I have no face to show you, Hall Master.”
“In that case, I look forward to your cooperation in the future.”
Kang Chan pulled the Mangwon-cheon-pae from his robes and held it out to Nanseol. However, Nanseol could not bring herself to take it immediately, and tears began to flow quietly.
To her, the Mangwon-cheon-pae was not just the symbol of authority of Haomun; it was like the final breath of her late father.
Taking the token with both hands, Nanseol pressed it to her chest and bowed deeply once more.
“As long as I live, I will never forget this grace and will surely repay it.”
“I would be grateful for that. Haha.”
Kang Chan smiled and looked around. Everyone was looking at him with bright faces.
“Congratulations on your safe return, Hall Master!”
Pang Gipyeong, who had been watching with a pleased expression from the side, stepped forward and took Kang Chan’s hand.
‘If I had turned such a person into an enemy… I get angry just thinking about it again.’
“You’ve worked hard. I am glad you are safe.”
“Actually, it was very difficult. Even now, I feel like I’m going to die of exhaustion.”
One week had passed since Kang Chan returned to the Heavenly Mandate Hall.
In that time, the people who had fled due to Haomun’s attack had all returned to their places.
Nanseol received oaths of loyalty from ten Mang-jangs, including Chu Gyeong, and remained out of sight, busy with the task of moving Haomun’s headquarters from Wuhan to Hangzhou.
Inside the office of Cheongangmun.
Kang Chan had summoned the executives of the Heavenly Mandate Hall for a meeting.
“Please report on the current situation of the hall.”
Chonggwan Gwak Jagoh stood up and began his explanation.
“Currently, our operating funds are coming in without issues from the Cheonrangpa and the Heukhobang in Suzhou. However, as the number of warriors has increased, our expenditures are rising.”
“Why has the number of warriors increased?”
“I will explain that.”
Hong Hyeon stood up and spoke.
“Among those in the underworld, there were those who were disappointed that they couldn’t apply during the first selection due to various circumstances. We have accepted some of them as reserves for now and are waiting for your judgment, Hall Master.”
“Ah, I see. I’ll go see them myself once the meeting is over. Chonggwan, please continue.”
“It seems we need to repair the manor a bit more. Specifically, for the ManSudae, we need space for experiments, so we are preparing to purchase the land behind the manor.”
“Proceed if it’s necessary. How do you plan to arrange the funds?”
“We still have the wealth we took over after clearing out the Baekryonghoe and the Heuksa-pa.”
“Then use that.”
“Understood.”
“Next, the Cheongeomdae?”
Squad Leader Hong Hyeon stood and reported.
“The current number of members in the Cheongeomdae is 212, and the reserves I mentioned earlier number forty-three.”
“And let’s take this opportunity to separate Squad One from the Cheongeomdae and create a special unit.”
“Understood. Also, for the nine other squads, the squad leaders and vice-leaders have reached the first-class realm, and most of the other members have reached the second-class realm.”
“Good job. Is everything well with the ManSudae?”
“We’re always having fun. Haha.”
ManSudae Leader Heo Junggwang, who had been dozing off, answered in a fluster.
“I am very comfortable thanks to everyone’s hard work. I look forward to your continued efforts.”
Just as Kang Chan was about to wrap up the meeting, Gwak Jagoh quickly added more information.
“A while ago, Kang Bulhae visited. He mentioned hearing that the Myeonggeomdae would eventually join Cheongangmun and asked if we could select more children from the Cheonrangpa, most of whom are orphans, if they desire it.”
“Understood. I will contact the Cheongangmun Master and let you know once a decision is made. Is there anything else to discuss?”
“No. That is all.”
“Then let everyone go back to their duties.”
As he left the office after the meeting, Pang Gipyeong was waiting for Kang Chan outside.
“Elder, what is the matter?”
“Shouldn’t we loosen our muscles after a long time?”
“Shall we spar for the first time in a while?”
***
The empty lot that Kang Chan and Pang Gipyeong frequently used.
The surrounding ground was pitted in places, showing the traces of numerous fierce battles that had taken place there.
The two were sitting side by side on the same rock where Pang Gipyeong had been sitting the first time he called Kang Chan over, each holding a bottle of liquor.
“You keep your promises well.”
Pang Gipyeong said, shaking his liquor bottle.
“Am I not a man of the underworld? To those in the underworld, promises and loyalty are life.”
“Listen to you, you rascal. Is it only the underworld that keeps promises and loyalty? How wonderful would the world be if everyone in it just kept those things.”
“Haha, is that so? Old man, that’s good liquor. Be sure to appreciate it while you drink.”
“Don’t be silly… Who you drink with is what’s important, not the type of liquor.”
Pang Gipyeong took a sip and quietly stared at the side of Kang Chan’s face as he looked ahead. In just a few months, Kang Chan seemed to have surpassed a realm he himself had never reached.
And he likely hadn’t even used his full strength.
He had thought Kang Chan was like a monster when they first met, but now it felt embarrassing to even try to put it into words. He looked forward to seeing just how strong he would become.
“Thank you for protecting the hall while I was away.”
“Did you know?”
“I heard the basics from the Haomun Master.”
“I cannot keep delaying my family’s request.”
“I am already so grateful for what you have done.”
“Don’t feel too burdened, as I didn’t do it just for your sake. The time I spent with the children was precious to me as well.”
“Are you going back to your main house now?”
“I thought so, but they told me to go to the Cheonyeon Union.”
“The Cheonyeon Union?”
“Yes. It seems the atmosphere in the Kangho is becoming quite suspicious lately.”
“I see.”
“You should be careful as well. As you surely know, there are many eyes watching you.”
“I understand.”
“And I’ll say it again, please forget what happened with the children.”
“I’ve already forgotten all of it.”
“If those words are sincere, would you visit the Cheonyeon Union once?”
“I will certainly visit if the opportunity arises.”
“Yes, I’ll trust you. Since farewells are cumbersome, I should leave right now.”
“You should at least say goodbye to the ManSudae Leader before you go.”
“I already said my goodbyes a moment ago.”
“I see. Then, please travel safely.”
“Do not forget your promise.”
After hearing the confirmation once more, the Gunja Do, Pang Gipyeong, left the Heavenly Mandate Hall as quietly as he had arrived.