The carriage that had rushed over came to a stop about a dozen paces away.
The fifteen martial artists escorting the carriage also dismounted.
Among them were Geom Mugeuk and Jin Ha-gun.
But the Black Snake Division Lord was only staring at the carriage.
He was tense at the thought of meeting the Unorthodox Alliance's Young Alliance Leader.
He had only heard rumors; this was the first time he would meet him in person.
‘Just what kind of man is he?’
The carriage door opened, and Bi Sa-in stepped out.
The Bi Sa-in of this moment was not the one who was teased by Geom Mugeuk and joked about being a picky eater.
He was the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance, exuding a powerful presence with a cold and chilling aura, reeking of blood.
‘As expected! A successor is truly a successor!’
Those watching could not help but feel such admiration.
Bi Sa-in slowly walked out towards the Black Snake Division Lord.
The Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path, no, the Fifteen Wolves, followed behind him.
The Black Snake Division Lord's first impression upon seeing Bi Sa-in's face up close was this.
‘He's damn scary!’
He had heard rumors that the Young Alliance Leader had a strong impression, but he had not known it would be to this extent.
Not only that, but the martial artists escorting him also looked far stronger than he had anticipated.
At that moment, the Black Snake Division Lord's gaze naturally turned to one person.
Even though the man revealed no aura, his eyes were drawn to the youngest martial artist standing at the end of the line.
When their eyes met, the other person grinned.
‘Is he insane?’
It was the first time in his life he had ever seen an escort warrior smile in such a situation.
But now was not the time to worry about that.
"Greetings, Young Alliance Leader."
The Black Snake Division Lord bowed respectfully, but Bi Sa-in merely gave a slight nod.
"I have heard much of the Division Lord's reputation."
At the chilly response, the Black Snake Division Lord thought his prediction was correct.
‘As expected! He's trying to establish discipline?’
In truth, Bi Sa-in's coldness was not for that reason.
He already held no good feelings for them, who were notorious for all sorts of dirty deeds, especially the fact that they even kidnapped and sold children.
"I have prepared fine wine and food in the village below. Shall we go together?"
"No need. Let's talk here."
"Very well. The weather is also quite pleasant, as if it knows a distinguished guest has arrived today."
The Black Snake Division Lord signaled Song Chung with his eyes.
Song Chung then brought over a box containing the Sun Moon Sword.
"This is a small token of my sincerity."
He offered the box containing the Sun Moon Sword to Bi Sa-in.
‘Can he still act so stiff after receiving this?’
This gift would turn that stiff wild boar's bristle into soft sheep's wool.
The First Wolf of the Unorthodox Path stepped forward and received the box in his stead.
This was because a hidden weapon could be concealed inside.
Once it was confirmed to be safe, he took the sword from the box and handed it to Bi Sa-in.
Bi Sa-in drew the Sun Moon Sword.
Revealing its sharp blade, the Sun Moon Sword captured the gazes of all who used a sword.
"A fine sword."
It could not compare to the Black Demon Sword that Geom Mugeuk possessed, but among ordinary treasured swords, it was a masterpiece that could be counted on one's fingers.
It was truly a gift that the Black Snake Division Lord had given with a heavy heart.
"It suits you well, Young Alliance Leader."
Just then, Geom Mugeuk's telepathic message reached Bi Sa-in.
Give that sword to me.
He was not the type to ask for a sword out of greed.
What are you trying to do now?
You should at least give a gift of this caliber to the youngest of the Fifteen Wolves.
Bi Sa-in looked at Geom Mugeuk.
He wondered what scheme he was up to, but how could he possibly know the depths of that abyss-like heart just by looking?
"Fifteenth Wolf!"
"Yes."
As Geom Mugeuk stepped forward, Bi Sa-in bestowed the sword upon him.
"This is a welcome gift for becoming the Fifteenth Wolf of the Unorthodox Path."
"I will receive it with gratitude, Young Alliance Leader!"
Geom Mugeuk accepted the sword without hesitation.
From that sight, Jin Ha-gun could tell.
There was no way Bi Sa-in would give a sword received from the Black Snake Division to Geom Mugeuk, so it must have been Geom Mugeuk's intention.
After accepting the sword, Geom Mugeuk turned and bantered with Jin Ha-gun via telepathic message.
Didn't I tell you to become the Fifteenth Wolf? He gave it to me because I'm the youngest and cutest.
If you're cute twice, he might give you the entire Unorthodox Alliance.
Then half of the wish I made on a shooting star would come true.
When Bi Sa-in gave the Sun Moon Sword to his subordinate, not only the Black Snake Division Lord but all the Black Snake martial artists he had brought with him were startled.
The Black Snake Division Lord, in particular, was in shock.
He had given a sword he cherished dearly, only for it to be given away to a subordinate right in front of him?
‘This is an insult to me.’
An unbearable rage surged within him, but he suppressed it with effort.
The one who could not endure it was the Black Hound.
He roared.
"Young Alliance Leader!"
Having lived his entire life with insolence, even the title of Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance could not stop him.
Rather, he had been looking for an opportunity.
A chance to show his loyalty to the Black Snake Division Lord, and to show others how much nerve he had.
It was especially an opportunity to decisively put Song Chung, who was sucking up to the Division Lord, in his place.
"That sword is a gift our Division Lord gave to you, Young Alliance Leader. Is it not a breach of etiquette to give it away to a subordinate?"
Bi Sa-in simply looked at him with that frightening face, as if he found him pathetic.
The Black Snake Division Lord quickly stepped in.
"A breach of etiquette? What insolence is this towards the Young Alliance Leader? Apologize at once!"
Of course, the Black Snake Division Lord's inner thoughts were the same as the Black Hound's.
The Black Hound had satisfyingly said what he himself had wanted to say.
He had brought him along for this very purpose, after all.
At the Black Snake Division Lord's scolding, the Black Hound lowered his head and spoke.
"My apologies. I committed an impertinence, believing that sword is not one that just anyone can wield."
However, what could be felt from him was not a sincere apology, but persistent dissatisfaction.
If the other party had not been the Young Alliance Leader, curses would have already flown from his mouth.
It was not just the Black Hound; the other Black Snake martial artists standing behind him thought the same.
The atmosphere naturally stiffened.
Bi Sa-in sent a telepathic message to Geom Mugeuk.
Is this what you wanted?
Then came an unexpected reply.
It's still lukewarm.
It needs to be brought to a rolling boil.
Geom Mugeuk spoke to the Black Hound.
"Did you say not just anyone can wield it? I am not just anyone."
As Geom Mugeuk spoke condescendingly, the Black Hound's face hardened.
He was barely holding back because it was the Young Alliance Leader, but now the youngest-looking punk was stepping up and speaking down to him.
"The Young Alliance Leader cherishes me more than some measly sword. Isn't that right, Young Alliance Leader?"
As Geom Mugeuk asked him directly, Bi Sa-in wore a troubled expression.
Jin Ha-gun, who was watching, considered himself lucky not to be in that situation.
In the end, Bi Sa-in gave a slight nod.
"See? He said he cherishes me more, didn't he?"
Watching the triumphant Geom Mugeuk, Bi Sa-in sighed inwardly.
He could already hear Geom Mugeuk's voice in his ears. 'You said you cherished me, so why are you doing this? Didn't you say you cherished me?'
‘He's going to tease me with this for a while.’
Meanwhile, the Black Snake Division Lord could not understand the situation.
The Young Alliance Leader gives a sword away to his subordinate, and that subordinate steps up to ask if he cherishes him?
‘What on earth are they plotting?’
But the situation was only just beginning.
Geom Mugeuk took out something new to heat up the atmosphere even more.
What he pulled from his robes were a few sheets of paper.
"Actually, I did some prior investigation on you people. I received this before arriving here."
The contents written on the paper were information about the Black Snake Division sent by Silver Moon.
It detailed who had committed what deeds and how they had conducted their business until now.
The Black Snake Division Lord looked at Bi Sa-in with an expression that asked what in the world was going on.
However, Bi Sa-in was staring at Geom Mugeuk with a similar look in his eyes.
It seemed he had not read the contents held in the young man's hand.
Judging by this reaction alone, it did not seem like a pre-arranged act.
‘What in the world are these people?’
No, and if he did an investigation, he should have shown it to the Young Alliance Leader.
Why was he keeping it in his robes? The more the Black Snake Division Lord thought about it, the stranger it was.
Geom Mugeuk pushed one person into the ever-growing flames.
"Who here is the Black Hound? Let me see your face."
The Black Hound was startled to be called out so suddenly.
Moreover, the one who called him was the youngest punk who had been getting on his nerves this whole time.
"It's me."
The dissatisfaction he could not express to the Young Alliance Leader turned into rage directed at Geom Mugeuk.
"You have eyes, a nose, and a mouth. No matter how I look at it, you're human too, so how could you commit such acts?"
The Black Hound flared up in anger.
If it were not for the Young Alliance Leader, he would have already drawn his sword and charged.
Seeing the Black Hound on the verge of exploding, the Black Snake Division Lord stepped forward.
If he did not stop him now, swords would be drawn.
"He is someone who serves a distinguished person. Do not act rashly!"
He then asked Bi Sa-in.
"By the way, for what reason did you summon me?"
After a series of unexpected events, he was finally asking the reason for his summons.
Bi Sa-in's answer was just as unexpected.
"I summoned you because I have an order for you."
An order? He used the word 'order,' not 'request.'
The Black Snake Division Lord was inwardly displeased, but he smiled even more brightly and said.
"Please state your command."
Unexpected words flowed from Bi Sa-in's mouth.
"I hear you've been kidnapping and selling children?"
The Black Snake Division Lord was so shocked that he was momentarily speechless.
‘What is this now?’
It seemed he already knew, so he could not lie.
No, there was no need to lie.
What problem could something like this be?
"That is correct."
Then, Bi Sa-in gave a firm command.
"From now on, cease."
Not only the Black Snake Division Lord, but all the Black Snake martial artists were surprised.
"May I ask for the reason?"
It was at this moment that Bi Sa-in could feel he had changed.
If he had not met Geom Mugeuk, this was something that would never have happened in his life, and words he would never have spoken.
And Bi Sa-in asked himself.
Is this truly something you want to do? Or are you doing it reluctantly because of Geom Mugeuk?
At least he could find the answer to that question.
"Because I do not permit it."
The cause might be Geom Mugeuk, but he himself could not tolerate this act.
An Unorthodox Path that kidnapped and sold children was not his Unorthodox Path.
"From this point forward, if you kidnap even a single child, your Black Snake Division will disappear from the Martial World."
Since getting out of the carriage, Bi Sa-in had not emitted even a small bit of aura.
He spoke these words calmly, but a fearful and heavy silence flowed through the place.
The Black Snake Division Lord had reached his limit.
His pride was wounded beyond repair, and his anger had reached its peak.
"Do you understand?"
After the Black Snake Division established its position, no one had dared to order him around.
He would gouge out the eyes of those who opposed him and cut off their limbs to feed to the pigs.
That was the life he had lived.
The Black Snake Division Lord finally lowered his head and answered.
"Understood."
Just as Bi Sa-in turned to walk back to the carriage.
Someone shouted from behind.
"Return the sword and then leave!"
The one who shouted was the Black Hound.
The Black Snake Division Lord could endure it, but the Black Hound could not.
The fact that he had endured this long was only possible because he had used up a lifetime's worth of patience.
Geom Mugeuk turned to him and said.
"If you can take it, then try."
As if he really meant to do so, the Black Hound stepped forward.
The ones whose expressions hardened now were not Geom Mugeuk, Bi Sa-in, or Jin Ha-gun.
It was the martial artists of the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path.
Although Geom Mugeuk was not a true member of the Thirteen Wolves, he was wearing the same attire as them.
And yet, a member of the Black Snake Division had dared to challenge him.
It was a clear sign that he looked down on them.
The Black Snake Division Lord quickly shouted.
"If you do that, you will face retaliation. Stand down!"
Geom Mugeuk moved according to the Black Snake Division Lord's intention.
He looked at Bi Sa-in and said.
"Let's agree that even if I die, you will absolutely not seek revenge."
How could the Black Snake Division Lord or the Black Hound possibly know that all of this was Geom Mugeuk's intention?
Bi Sa-in nodded his head.
"I promise on my name as the Young Alliance Leader. This duel will end as a duel between the two of you."
The Black Hound drew his sword and stepped forward.
He was not on par with Black Night, but he was still the third strongest in the Black Snake Division.
Geom Mugeuk took out the Sun Moon Sword.
"Shall we test how good this sword is?"
Knowing that the Black Hound would fight with it out of pride, the Black Snake Division Lord interjected.
"That would be unfair. Use your own sword."
Geom Mugeuk looked down at his Black Demon Sword.
"Wouldn't that be even more unfair?"
The Black Snake Division Lord had no way of knowing what he meant.
"Well, if you wish. Let's do that."
Geom Mugeuk stepped forward.
The Black Hound was only thinking of defeating his opponent somehow and earning merit.
He would retrieve the Sun Moon Sword and reclaim his place by the Black Snake Division Lord's side.
"I'll show you the skills I've honed through real combat, coming up from the very bottom!"
The Black Hound thrusted his sword and charged.
Thwack!
In an instant, Geom Mugeuk's Black Demon Sword was embedded in his left shoulder.
"Huh?"
It was so fast he did not even know how he had been stabbed.
He wondered if it was a dream.
Again, thwack!
This time, he stabbed the right shoulder.
Only then did excruciating pain surge from the previously stabbed left shoulder.
The moment the Black Hound screamed, the Black Demon Sword stabbed his elbows in quick succession.
Geom Mugeuk usually finished his opponents with a single strike, but today was different.
He severed the joints of the most painful spots one by one.
"Aaaaaargh!"
A horrific scream erupted, but Geom Mugeuk's sword did not stop.
With each stab, the places where a human feels the most pain were severed.
Bi Sa-in and Jin Ha-gun looked at each other.
It was the first time they had seen Geom Mugeuk kill someone so painfully.
He was not one to act without reason, so the two of them silently watched his actions.
The Black Snake Division Lord did not dare to intervene.
No, it was too late to intervene.
The Black Hound had already been stabbed dozens of times and was a ragged mess.
What was more surprising was that he was still breathing.
That meant the one doing the stabbing was a master.
When there were no more places to stab, a single streak of the sword cut across the last remaining spot.
His head, separated from his body, rolled to the side of the Black Snake Division Lord.
It was the moment his dream of being by the Division Lord's side came true.
The Black Snake Division Lord looked down at the Black Hound's head, which was staring up at him with wide-open eyes.
‘The martial arts of a mere escort was at this level? And the youngest one at that?’
Had he been bluffing about showing them how dirty their hands would have to get to erase them, when faced with such people? His body trembled uncontrollably.
Bi Sa-in's telepathic message reached Geom Mugeuk.
This was your intention all along, wasn't it?
From the beginning, he had no intention of just giving the Black Snake Division a warning and leaving.
Correct.
By my standards, these people also belong to the category of absolute evil.
After a moment's pause, Bi Sa-in asked.
If I too come to belong to that absolute evil later on, what will you do?
Geom Mugeuk walked over to him and handed him the dispatch he had received earlier.
There's no way you would become this kind of person, is there?
As Bi Sa-in read the contents, his expression grew increasingly grim.
The deeds committed by these people, led by the Black Hound, were not simple acts of evil.
Their atrocities were so cruel and inhuman that even a demon would shake its head.
Raping a young daughter in front of her parents was a common occurrence, and they had even locked a family with no knowledge of martial arts in one place and burned them alive.
Now he understood why Geom Mugeuk had asked for the Sun Moon Sword and guided the atmosphere in this direction.
He could also see why he had killed the Black Hound so painfully.
Normally, Geom Mugeuk would have just wiped them all out, but considering his own position and authority, he had deliberately set the stage to kill him, and was holding back as much as possible.
Bi Sa-in's face flushed hot.
After all, these people also belonged to the same Unorthodox Faction.
Bi Sa-in strode over to the Black Snake Division Lord.
He held out the dispatch to him and asked calmly.
"Are all these your doings?"
While the Black Snake Division Lord hesitated, unsure how to answer, a chillingly blue and eerie evil energy flowed from Bi Sa-in's eyes.
"I'm asking if you ordered it."