Chapter 390: Chapter 390

Chapter 390 – Axe-Destroying King (1)Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang.

He is one of the Five Kings, high-ranking officials of the Heaven and Earth Society, and a supreme master who holds the title of one of the Eight Stars in the martial arts world.

He gained fame and notoriety in Shaanxi province during the war against the Righteous Alliance, single-handedly breaking through the combined attack of Huashan and Zhongnan Sect masters and dismembering them all.

Not stopping there, he beheaded the previous Huashan Sect Leader, Purple-Eyed Sword Cheong Wi-su, who was known to have surpassed the wall, in just over forty moves, earning him the title of one of the Eight Stars.

Those who faced him all felt as if they were confronting a beast rather than a human, such was his savage martial prowess.

-Grooooowl!

An incredibly tall man, seeming to be at least two heads taller than an average adult male.

Muscles so thick that his arm sleeves were about to tear at the shoulders.

He was truly a man with a beastly aura.

Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the appearance of Ho Tae-gang, who approached exuding tremendous pressure.

‘Why is Axe-Destroying King here?’

He couldn’t understand why he had come here.

However, judging from the massive axe slung over his shoulder and the armed subordinates he was leading, it certainly didn’t seem to be with peaceful intentions.

The Shadow Clan warrior who had hurriedly come earlier pointed at him and said,

“H-He knocked down all the gatekeepers of our faction and barged in forcefully…”

“Forcefully… It’s certainly like him, known for his aggressiveness, but to come to the Shadow Clan at a time like this…”

Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon’s gaze naturally turned towards Mok Gyeong-un.

It seemed his return was the cause.

‘It can’t be the Society Leader’s order. Then why?’

Hwan Ya-seon couldn’t help but worry.

Recently, Axe-Destroying King had clashed with Bright Blade King after losing his son.

This was because Bright Blade King’s chief disciple, Woo Ho-rang, was the most likely suspect in his son’s murder.

However, for some unknown reason, he had apparently been unable to fully vent his anger and had only taken one of Woo Ho-rang’s fingers.

He didn’t know why this Axe-Destroying King had come here, but he couldn’t let the situation escalate.

And,

‘I can’t let him see this.’

Dozens of Shadow Clan warriors were collapsed all around the rear garden.

So,

“Please wait. I’ll go and see him first.”

-Ta ta ta tak!

Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon hurriedly ran beyond the pavilion, made a fist-palm salute towards Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang, and said,

“Have you been well, Elder Ho? What brings you to the Shadow Clan’s estate?”

“Shadow Clan Leader. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, thank you for remembering me. But…”

“I don’t have business with you. However, I’ll have to make something clear.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

-Swish!

Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang nodded his head, pointing to someone barely visible beyond the pavilion.

That someone was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.

As expected, but Hwan Ya-seon pretended not to know and spoke carefully.

“May I ask why you’re looking for my disciple, Elder?”

“Since he’s originally a hostage from the righteous faction, I don’t think you’ll have much attachment to him. I’m sorry, but hand that fellow over. If you do, I’ll quietly withdraw.”

At his direct demand, Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon frowned.

He knew the man wasn’t the type to beat around the bush, but this was truly blunt.

To this, Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon tried his best not to show his emotions and said,

“Elder Ho… I’m sorry, but whether he’s of righteous faction hostage origin or not, that child is my precious disciple. How can you, even as an elder, demand a faction leader to hand over his disciple like this? This can’t be excused with just an apology…”

“Sigh.”

Before he could finish speaking.

Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.

-Grooooowl!

As Ho Tae-gang opened his eyes again, an intense aura flowed out along with a powerful gaze.

Befitting a supreme master who had not only surpassed the wall but also held the title of one of the Eight Stars, when he released his aura, the surrounding area was swept by wind from the impact.

“Then I won’t apologize. I’ll take him by force.”

“…Are you really going to do this?”

“I’m warning you in advance. If you don’t want to get hurt, it’s best not to interfere. And understand that I can’t explain everything to you right now.”

-Pat!

As soon as he finished speaking, Ho Tae-gang’s fist shot out like lightning.

It was so fast that even though Hwan Ya-seon tried to dodge it with his unique body technique,

-Pa pak!

‘What?’

-Puk! Kwang!

In an instant, the distance was closed, and he was hit in the chest, crashing into the wall.

The single punch, powerful enough to crumble the wall, made Hwan Ya-seon cough up blood.

‘He truly lives up to his reputation.’

It was power that drew involuntary admiration.

Even though he had managed to deflect some of the impact with the Petal Connecting Wood technique, he still suffered internal injuries.

Ho Tae-gang was known as a being of a different caliber even among the Five Kings.

Befitting a supreme master with the title of one of the Eight Stars, just receiving a single punch made his legs tremble.

-Drip drip!

As blood trickled down Hwan Ya-seon’s mouth, Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang warned,

“Don’t interfere any further. I’ll show restraint only once.”

“Huu… Huu… Why are you after my disciple? He should have no connection to you…”

Approaching him, Ho Tae-gang spoke in a whisper,

“It’s for my son, who must be wandering in the afterlife. I have nothing more to say beyond this.”

“Elder…”

Hwan Ya-seon caught his breath and then straightened his posture.

Seeing this, Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang shook his head and said,

“When I went to Bright Blade King, there was mediation from Miss Wi So-yeon midway, so I had no choice. But now it’s different. If you interfere any further, I won’t be able to end this moderately.”

“Elder… I can’t back down either.”

“It seems words are useless. Further warnings would be meaningless, right?”

-Grip!

Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang then tightly gripped the handle of the massive axe slung over his shoulder.

He judged that he couldn’t be moderate about this.

To deceive someone who wouldn’t be fooled by just taking a finger, he had to show something more substantial this time.

It seemed he would have to inflict some injuries on the Shadow Clan Leader.

‘I’ll surely repay this debt.’

-Pa ang!

Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang swung his axe towards the Shadow Clan Leader.

He displayed tremendous strength, easily swinging the massive axe with one hand.

However,

-Pa a a ak!

He suddenly stopped mid-swing.

This was because someone had appeared in front of the Shadow Clan Leader, blocking the axe’s path.

That someone was,

“…So you’re the child called Mok Gyeong-un.”

Ho Tae-gang clicked his tongue as he spoke, looking at the face that was not just handsome but beautiful.

He had heard that his appearance was extraordinary, but it was indeed a face more beautiful than most women.

However, what surprised him more was Mok Gyeong-un’s boldness.

If he had stopped the axe even a moment later, Mok Gyeong-un, who had intervened, would have had his head split in half.

‘Look at this guy?’

Ho Tae-gang’s eyes flickered as he looked into Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes.

Despite the axe stopping right in front of his face, there wasn’t the slightest tremor in his eyes.

He was incredibly daring, beyond mere courage.

“…Indeed, beyond being a hostage from the righteous faction, you’re a talent that many officials, including Bright Blade King, would covet.”

“Are you Axe-Destroying King?”

‘You?’

At Mok Gyeong-un’s question, Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang raised an eyebrow.

He had thought the guy was quite gutsy for interfering in adults’ fights, but seeing him look straight at him and call him by his title, he was taken aback by such impudence.

Ho Tae-gang’s lips twitched, and then he opened his mouth.

“That’s fortunate.”

“What do you mean?”

“Although it was for show, I was reluctant inside, but now it seems a bit better.”

“For show…”

“Let’s just take one arm cleanly and go.”

-Swish!

With those words, Ho Tae-gang raised his axe high.

-Whoosh!

Then he brought it down towards Mok Gyeong-un’s shoulder with tremendous force.

It seemed powerful enough to split not just an arm, but the entire body in two.

However,

-Pa kak!

‘!?’

Ho Tae-gang’s expression froze as he swung the axe.

This was because the blade of his axe, which he thought would surely have cut off Mok Gyeong-un’s right shoulder, was caught in Mok Gyeong-un’s bare hand.

‘This guy?’

Although he had controlled his strength to a moderate level, thinking him a mere youngster, there weren’t many in the Heaven and Earth Society who could catch his swinging axe with bare hands.

Ho Tae-gang’s eyes sharpened.

Based on the aura he was emitting, he had thought him to be at most one of the Five Tigers among the late-stage Earth Masters.

But it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“You…”

“Didn’t you hear anything from Ho Jong-hyeok?”

“What?”

“Ah. If I had known it would be like this, I should have told him to say something.”

“…What are you talking about?”

To his question, Mok Gyeong-un answered with a faint smile.

“I should have told him to at least mention that your son is serving me.”

At these words, Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang’s face twisted terribly.

He himself didn’t care much about who became the successor, but he had respected his son’s decision to follow Jang Neung-ak, the Society Leader’s second disciple.

But who’s serving whom?

How dare this bastard spout such nonsense?

-Grooooowl!

As anger surged, an enormous amount of true qi flowed out from Ho Tae-gang’s entire body, spreading in all directions, hot enough to sting the skin.

He had intended to put on a moderate show.

But not anymore.

If this was an attempt to mock him using his dead son, he could never forgive it.

Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang spoke, not hiding his boiling anger and even letting out killing intent.

“It could have ended with just an arm for show, but foolishly, you’re risking your life. All of this is your own doing…”

“By ‘for show,’ do you mean Young Master Na Yul-ryang?”

At these words, Ho Tae-gang frowned.

What on earth is this guy?

Even his master, Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon, had only fragmentary information and couldn’t accurately grasp his true intentions, so how did he know?

As he wondered, Mok Gyeong-un casually said,

“Why don’t you honor your son’s last wishes instead of being swayed by the Young Master’s machinations?”

His son’s last wishes?

This bastard truly has a death wish.

Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang, furious to the extreme, could no longer hold back and swung his qi-infused axe towards Mok Gyeong-un…

-Puk!

“Kueok!”

Before he could swing, a fist was buried in his abdomen.

Ho Tae-gang’s eyes bulged as if they were about to pop out, feeling the power that made his rock-hard abdominal muscles, which seemed impervious even to hammer blows, feel insignificant.

Despite being blinded by rage, he hadn’t even perceived the hand movement.

To him, Mok Gyeong-un spoke in a low voice.

“Ah. I made a mistake.”

“……”

“I got bored waiting for the axe to come, and my fist shot out before I knew it.”

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“You look like you’re in a lot of pain. Do you want to continue?”

-Grind!

“Uuuuuuu… Huaaaaaap!”

-Pa a a a ak!

Then Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang finally swung his axe with a roar close to a beast’s cry.

-Swish!

Mok Gyeong-un tilted his head back, narrowly avoiding it.

‘Oh.’

His endurance was impressive, bearing the pain.

As if he had completely overcome the pain, Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang swung his axe fiercely, as though he had regained momentum.

His appearance was like a violent tidal wave in a storm.

-Chwa chwa chwa chwa chwak!

“Khahahahap!”

Seeing this, Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon couldn’t help but feel tense.

Although he knew Mok Gyeong-un had become stronger and was the incarnation the cult had been waiting for, Axe-Destroying King Ho Tae-gang hadn’t received the title of one of the Eight Stars for nothing.

He was a monster who, even when severely injured on the battlefield, would roar like a beast and slaughter numerous enemies.

Even though he had taken a single blow, once he properly gained momentum, he had the capacity to reverse the situation in an instant…

-Puk!

At that moment, Ho Tae-gang’s chin shot upward as he was swinging his axe wildly, and he staggered backward.

‘What!?’

Hwan Ya-seon’s eyes widened.

He hadn’t even seen Mok Gyeong-un move his hand, yet Ho Tae-gang’s head was tilted upward.

“W-What?”

“Why is the Elder…?”

Even Ho Tae-gang’s subordinates, who had been silently watching, couldn’t hide their bewilderment at this scene.

They had naturally thought Ho Tae-gang would one-sidedly beat up Mok Gyeong-un, who was merely a late-stage Earth Master.

But the exact opposite was happening.

‘What on earth is this?’

The bewilderment was the same for Ho Tae-gang himself, the person involved.

He couldn’t prevent his head from tilting back from the impact on his chin, which was protected by full-body protective qi and thick muscles acting like armor.

‘How can this be…’

How could something like this happen?

He had prided himself on being unmatched by anyone in the Heaven and Earth Society except the Society Leader and that person who also held the title of one of the Eight Stars like himself.

But how could such a young man, not even of age…

-Grind!

Ho Tae-gang gritted his teeth and strained the muscles in his tilted neck.

No.

He didn’t know what was happening, but the guy in front of him was not someone to be dismissed as a mere late-stage Earth Master.

He had to face him as a formidable opponent…

“Being tall seems to make it annoying to look up at you.”

“What?”

-Puk! Thud!

At that moment, his shins buckled, and both his knees were forcibly brought down.

As he was forced to kneel, fingers dug into his right shoulder, seemingly paralyzing the nerves, causing Ho Tae-gang to drop the massive axe he was holding.

Simultaneously, Mok Gyeong-un grabbed his neck.

-Grip!

“Kek!”

Unable to bear the humiliation of being caught by the neck in front of his subordinates, Ho Tae-gang raised strong qi in his left hand, attempting to cut off Mok Gyeong-un’s right arm.

However, before his left hand could even reach, Mok Gyeong-un caught it,

-Crack!

“Keuuup.”

And it was bent backwards.

It was even bent in the opposite direction, causing the elbow bone to protrude.

Though he couldn’t scream due to his throat being gripped, his entire body turned red with blood vessels bulging, showing how much pain he was in.

‘…Ha!’

Shadow Clan Leader Hwan Ya-seon’s eyes filled with ecstasy as he watched this scene.

He had been curious about the extent of Mok Gyeong-un’s strength, finding it difficult to gauge accurately, but this was beyond imagination.

To overwhelm a superhuman who held the title of one of the Eight Stars like this.