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C120ª Part: Why Are You Doing This to Me?
The combat skills of the Demon Warriors vary greatly.
Some have poor basic skills and have only reached an internal strength level comparable to that of a beginner, while others are truly exceptional, combining outstanding skills with great internal strength.
Unfortunately, Sama Dan, known as the "Phantom Butcher," belonged to the first group.
Even after the previous Boss of Guangfeng, Gu Munbeom, was defeated by him, he refused to accept his defeat, as Sama Dan's combat skills were mediocre at best.
As soon as Sama Dan drew his saber, he charged forward.
Sama Dan, known for his speed, moved so fast that he was almost invisible.
His attacks were swift, circling around Yeon Jeokha and delivering five consecutive slashes.
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang.
Yeon Jeokha effortlessly deflected all the attacks, his face impassive and calm.
Gu Munbeom, seeing this, shouted briefly:
—“If this reaches the ears of the Great Chaeju, we’ll all die! Fall back!”
Instantly, the bandits loyal to Gu Munbeom retreated.
Of the fifty men, thirty left the battle.
Sama Dan's lieutenant, Heo Ung, shouted angrily:
—“What are you doing?! Are you disobeying the Boss's orders?!”
But Gu Munbeom and his men didn’t move.
—“Fine! Damn bastards! When the Boss finishes with that boy, you'll answer to me!”
Heo Ung, grinding his teeth, ordered his men to attack Yeon Jeokha’s companions.
Shim Tong leapt in front of them.
—“Ha! Idiots! You're courting death!”
With a shout, Shim Tong charged into the bandits with his sword in hand.
—“Ah!”
—“Aaah!”
In the blink of an eye, five bandits fell, bloodied and defeated.
The remaining fifteen bandits backed away, frightened by Shim Tong's skill.
—“What are you waiting for?! Attack! Damn it, attack!”
Heo Ung shouted, but no one moved.
Meanwhile, Sama Dan continued launching desperate attacks at Yeon Jeokha.
Clang, clang, clang, clang.
Yeon Jeokha deflected each blow with ease, without moving from his spot.
Finally, Sama Dan stopped, panting, and Yeon Jeokha looked at him calmly.
—“Are you finished? Have you got nothing more to show? You’re no better than Shim Tong like this.”
Yeon Jeokha appeared bored.
To him, Sama Dan was the weakest of the Demon Warriors he had faced so far.
Sama Dan, furious, replied:
—“I am both a member of Nokrim and a Demon Warrior of the Yoomyung Cult. If you stand against us, you won’t survive. Why are you doing this to me?”
The Yoomyung Cult had a base in Shandong, known as Guangming Manor. The leader of Guangming Manor was Ungjaegwi, the Demon of Illusion, whom Yeon Jeokha had faced three years earlier in the incident at the Pavilion of Harmony and Peace.
—“Why did you kill and loot the villages near Five Peaks Mountain?”
—“I told you, we needed supplies.”
—“If I find a year’s worth of supplies and riches in your warehouse, what will you do? Would you mind if I check?”
—“I’ve already answered your questions. Now tell me, why are you doing this to me?”
In reality, Sama Dan didn’t want to fight against the Grand Inspector.
He knew that the enemy's skill was superior and that he couldn’t face the consequences.
—“Maybe you haven’t heard of me. I am Yeon Jeokha, son of the Moon-Splitting Swordsman. I’ve had multiple conflicts with the Yoomyung Cult. Is that enough of an answer? I think there’s nothing more to say.”
With those words, Yeon Jeokha charged at Sama Dan.
Sama Dan, surprised, raised his saber in a desperate defense.
Yeon Jeokha unleashed his Dragon and Tiger Windstorm technique.
A powerful gust of wind in the shape of a dragon tore through Sama Dan’s defenses, ripping his attack apart.
—“Aaaah!”
With a cry of agony, Sama Dan was flung backward, his body covered in wounds.
Yeon Jeokha didn’t give him time to recover and charged again, this time using his True Classic of the Nine Heavens as One technique.
His sword descended upon Sama Dan’s body, slicing him in two.
But instead of dying, Sama Dan’s body began to mutate.
His flesh tore, and a monster emerged, twice as large and more terrifying than before.
—“Grrr, grrr.”
Sama Dan growled, his black eyes fixed on Yeon Jeokha.
—“Wow!”
Yeon Jeokha couldn’t help but exhale a sigh of astonishment.
Each Demon Warrior he faced was different.
Sama Dan, now a monster, circled Yeon Jeokha with confidence.
Suddenly, the giant lunged at Yeon Jeokha with incredible speed.
—“Watch out!”
Yeon Jeokha barely had time to block the blow with his sword.
—“Bang!”
The impact was like striking an iron wall.
Yeon Jeokha staggered back, barely maintaining his balance.
Sama Dan continued his assault, his fists falling like hammers.
—“Bang, clang, bang, clang!”
Each blow rang out like metal against metal, forcing Yeon Jeokha to retreat.
Suddenly, Sama Dan opened his mouth, and a shower of burning lava rained down on Yeon Jeokha.
—“Ah!”
Yeon Jeokha raised his sword, deploying the Wheel of Devastating Wind technique.
A great storm formed above his head, scattering the lava.
Even so, a few drops fell on him, burning his clothes and skin.
—“Damn it!”
Yeon Jeokha leapt upward, avoiding another of Sama Dan's blows.
From the air, he unleashed the Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship.
Once again, his sword descended upon Sama Dan, crushing his head.
—“Crash!”
Sama Dan’s head shattered, but before he could fall, something else flashed in Yeon Jeokha’s mind.
A vision of a dark, deep tunnel appeared before his eyes.
Yeon Jeokha looked around, searching for an exit.
A faint light glimmered at the end of the tunnel.
Yeon Jeokha tried to move towards it but was pulled back.
Suddenly, he was back on the battlefield, watching Sama Dan’s lifeless body crumble to dust.
—“Fushhh!”
Gu Munbeom, who had been nervously watching, emerged from his hiding place.
—“Grand Inspector! I am Gu Munbeom, the Boss of Guangfeng. Thank you for saving us! I’ll never forget this debt.”
—“Take me to the warehouse.”
—“Yes, yes, right this way.”
Gu Munbeom, terrified, led Yeon Jeokha to the warehouse.
—“Clang!”
Gu Munbeom opened the warehouse door, revealing several people huddled inside. They were the villagers from the nearby towns, captured by Sama Dan.
—“It wasn’t me. It was them, really. If the Grand Inspector wishes, they can all be released…”
—“Release them.”
—“Yes, yes, of course. They’re not worth much anyway. It’s better to let them go.”
Although Gu Munbeom spoke convincingly, his face clearly showed his displeasure.
Yeon Jeokha looked at Gu Munbeom and said:
“Release them right now!”
“Yes, yes. Did you hear that? Everyone out. Go back to your homes. If anyone stops you on the way, tell them the Grand Inspector has let you go.”
“Yes, yes. Thank you.”
“Thank you, Grand Inspector.”
The people, bowing repeatedly to Yeon Jeokha and Gu Munbeom, left one by one.
Once everyone had left the warehouse, Yeon Jeokha spoke.
“If I hear that you’re capturing and selling people in Guangfeng… I’ll turn you to dust.”
Faced with the threat of being turned to dust, Gu Munbeom’s face paled. He had just witnessed Sama Dan disintegrate into dust moments ago.
Gu Munbeom misunderstood and thought that Yeon Jeokha had the ability to do that.
“Oh, no! It’ll never happen! Trust me. As you can see, I’m not someone who says one thing and does another.”
“It doesn’t matter. If you want to be turned to dust, feel free to say two, even three things.”
“Jeje, please don’t say that, even as a joke. It really won’t happen.”
Gu Munbeom, with a nervous expression, watched Yeon Jeokha closely.
Namgung Cheon, Namgung Yeon, and the rest of the group returned to the carriage, but Yeon Jeokha remained in front of the warehouse, seemingly indecisive.
Shim Tong looked at Gu Munbeom and clicked his tongue.
“Tsk tsk! What a dull guy. How did he become Boss like this? Do you want the Grand Inspector to sleep outdoors?”
Finally, Gu Munbeom, realizing his mistake, hurriedly brought out a silver package from the warehouse.
“I almost became an ingrate. Please accept this as a token of my gratitude, and, please, whenever you pass through here, don’t hesitate to visit us. We’ll treat you with the utmost respect.”
Only then did Yeon Jeokha walk away without looking back, moving quickly.
Shim Tong, almost snatching the package of money, quickly followed Yeon Jeokha.
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