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Do you know when alcohol is the sweetest?

The Sapa Master, Heavenly Ghost Dong Bang-hyang, could say it with confidence.

The alcohol after a long time is the sweetest!

After winning the siege of the mountain fortress, the happiest thing wasn’t the victory itself.

It was the supplies piled high in the storerooms like a mountain.

“Ugh!!”

Dong Bang-hyang took a long swig of the bubbling drink.

Wow. Look at this. What is it? Alcohol. Alcohol.

That alcohol, which was hard to find while fighting on the front lines, is stacked up by the box full here.

Is that all? There are also thick piles of meat and grains along with it. The storage facility is cold enough that unspoiled fresh meat hangs there.

Overflowing resources. Just that alone made the conquest of this mountain fortress worthwhile. At this rate, even if he drank every day, the amount wouldn’t seem to decrease.

Dong Bang-hyang drank freely. After a hearty burp, he leaned back in his chair.

“So? When will the reinforcements arrive?”

“I heard it will take five days.”

“Five days, huh. Well, it’s still coming quickly. That’s a relief.”

“Even the Sado Clan didn’t foresee this. Who could’ve predicted we would succeed in the siege?”

“Ha ha ha, we were lucky!”

It wasn’t planned. It was just an improvisation.

Yet the outcome turned out so favorable that there was no other way to put it but “lucky.”

At just the right moment, there was a top-tier master drunk like himself, and under the alias of a natural fortress, the enemy’s vigilance was relaxed.

“Heh heh, I think I moved ideally at the right time. Don’t you agree?”

“Has the leader ever been wrong in his judgment?”

“This guy. You really know how to flatter. That’s why I keep you around. What’s going on with the Cheonryong Association?”

“They’re not moving. But they will surely act soon.”

“If the Dragon of the Earth were to come, it would be dangerous. But the profit we stand to gain is greater.”

The Dragon of the Earth.

A master who has entered the Huaxing stage.

If such a person vacates their position, it would be enormous news for the Sado Clan.

It’s like having holes in important regions. Simply getting them to vacate would yield significant benefits.

A complete house burglary might become possible. Just exchanging one fortress and one region could be an option.

It’s said that attacking is difficult, while defending is easy. Even if it’s a top-tier master in the Huaxing stage…

In the end, they’re still human.

If several people rush in, they’ll surely get caught.

The longer they stall, the more the enemy would be troubled. When the reinforcements arrive in five days, it would be like swallowing bitter water for the Dragon of the Earth.

If they move to take back the mountain fortress, they’d be worried about the place they used to guard.

But if they just leave it be, there would be major supply issues.

Ah, fortress. You’re nothing but a lucky charm for me!

“Lianju will surely be pleased with this news.”

“With a great achievement like this, wouldn’t Lianju get a high position in the Sado Clan?”

“Ha ha ha. You think so? If all goes well. Maybe I could even rise to Lianju’s side. Who knows, we might even fall in love and get closer.”

“Just don’t forget me when that happens.”

“Who are you again?”

“…Captain.”

“Ha ha! Just kidding! Get out of here.”

Dong Bang-hyang waved his hand casually.

“Tell the kids not to get too relaxed. Mention that if even a drop of liquor gets into the mouths of those on guard, I’ll twist all their necks.”

“Understood.”

“I’m serious. I’ll inspect them suddenly, so let them know. If anyone is lax, I’ll throw them under the fortress myself.”

“I’ll tighten their vigilance.”

The subordinate left. Dong Bang-hyang tilted the remaining alcohol.

The meat was delicious, and there were enough snacks to soothe his lonely heart. From snacks to luxury goods, everything was stacked in storage.

Everything was perfect. All great, except…

It’s a pity there are no women around.

Hasn’t it been quite a while since I tasted a lady? I’d really like to have a taste…

But that doesn’t seem to be happening.

“Alcohol is like a lover… the taste is bitter. So bitter.”

Dong Bang-hyang downed the last drop of the bottle. He snapped his tongue and suddenly realized the surroundings were strangely loud.

At first, he thought the noise was from the drunken subordinates causing a ruckus. But after a while, he could naturally tell that wasn’t it.

The sound of a bell.

Damn! It’s the sound of a bell! Has someone invaded?!

Dong Bang-hyang tightly gripped his great sword, which he had leaned against the wall.

A subordinate who had gone out earlier rushed back in.

“…What the hell is all this noise?!”

“C-Captain! We have intruders!”

“Intruders? You mean the warriors of the Cheonryong Association are attacking at night?! You should have reported that to me sooner!”

“Th-That’s not it…”

The subordinate swallowed hard.

“The opponent is fewer than ten!”

“…What? We’re being pushed back by fewer than ten people? Are they some kind of Dragon of the Earth?”

“I-D-They’re unfamiliar faces! Two peak masters have already fallen!”

“What do you mean…?! What happened to the passage leading outside the fortress?!”

“Th-The entrance is also blocked! From the looks of it, all those who went to survey the situation haven’t returned…!”

Blocked? By unknown assailants?

Dong Bang-hyang wiped his cold sweat. What’s going on? My heart has been pounding strangely fast since a while ago.

He had always trusted his instincts. And it was also luck that allowed him to succeed in the siege of the fortress.

…But now…

Yet now, his instincts were warning him strangely.

“What are…?”

He had the urge to run away right away.

“Gather the kids! Immediately!”

. . .

The area around the fortress was not easy to invade.

There was nothing to obscure their sight. It was a place where the terrain itself was stripped away for easier surveillance.

Without a single shadow, they were naturally spotted while approaching. With the bell ringing loudly, they broke through the closing entrance.

—Bang!!!

The wooden door collapsed as the blade struck hard. Amidst the falling debris, the warriors shouted.

Voices intertwined. Some even charged at them. Axes swung down, swords sounded shrill.

I didn’t even need to step forward; three people stepped up first. The three warriors of the Sapa broke down the incoming Sapa with their own methods while shouting ferociously.

“Drop your weapons!”

“Hands up! Or die!”

“Surrender, and you will be spared!”

Blood splattered everywhere. I stared at it blankly.

The warriors of the Sapa. The moment the attack began, they burst out from within the buildings like cockroaches.

The smell of alcohol wafted from them as if they were already heavily drunk. Some didn’t even recognize the situation and leaned against the wall, floundering.

A situation more chaotic than expected. Had they been negligent thinking the Cheonryong Association’s large movements wouldn’t come?

I exchanged signals with the remaining four as I had planned in advance.

“Let’s meet again later.”

“See you later.”

At both entrances of the fortress.

The four members of the Demon Cult vanished to block the two. What remained was extermination.

I could see Sua’s hands trembling. I carefully grabbed them to help her hold the sword properly.

“If you don’t want to, you can give up right now.”

“…I’m fine. Daddy.”

The warriors led by Sua began to move. Three groups. Behind them, the Sapa members followed.

Those who had a cold splash of water to shake off the drunkenness began to rush in. I could see Sua getting extremely tense at the number of incoming enemies.

But I didn’t draw my sword on her behalf. Since she chose this, I would just respect her decision.

Sua’s first sword shook as it trailed along the ground. A beautiful plum blossom bloomed at the tip of her sword.

Light and heavy swords. A bizarre sword technique that blended two contradictory styles.

The head of the one defending split into two. Sua flinched for just a moment at the burst of blood, but soon composed herself and wielded her sword again.

The movements of Narin, Gwangyang, Bai Hyun, and Gu Hwa-rin were also beautiful. But I could not take my eyes off Sua.

In every single move of my daughter, the essence of a friend’s martial arts was imbued. Just watching it unfold was incredibly beautiful—a Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

Yet in the next moment, that Plum Blossom technique changed. Shaping as needed, a concentrated force gathered at the sword’s tip.

—Boom!!!

The air split open. The bodies of the three caught within were completely shredded and scattered.

With the ferocity of a beast’s foot swinging down. I caught a whiff of Eun Seol-ran’s fragrance within that whirlwind.

It’s the Yuma Seven Swords. A sword that strikes with explosive momentum against the opponent.

She really learned it well.

“…This witch!”

A Sapa warrior, pretending to be dead amidst the bodies, suddenly stood up. He swung his sword at us unexpectedly, but it was blocked by Sua’s empty hand.

The burning, seething energy. And within it, the destructive artistry shattered the enemy’s sword completely.

—Crack!!!

Ju Ryeong-ryeong’s Bone Shattering Technique. An endlessly similar martial art ripped the head from the enemy’s body.

—Splash!!!

Even as the fountain of blood erupted without stopping, Sua did not falter. Quickly growing accustomed to the battlefield, she continued forward without hesitation.

The tip of her sword shook. The very path of her sword began to embody a single purpose.

A swaying vision. For some reason, I understood what that sword path meant from an inexplicable sweet scent wafting around me.

…Is she imitating the demonic illusion technique with her sword path?

Some of the enemies charging in, as if to signify that, suddenly stopped in their tracks. They dropped their weapons, squinting their eyes as if in a trance.

An achievement utterly outstanding. The sword that subdued it resembled Bai Hyun’s blade perfectly.

In Sua’s hand, the Black and White Lotus Sword erupted. A flash resembling moonlight struck all the defenseless warriors to render them unconscious.

“…Hah!”

Just one moment to steady her breath.

In that fleeting instant, more than ten Sapa warriors fell into a state of combat incapacity.

Impressive power. Not only was that might considerable, but the judgment to use her martial arts at the right time was also striking.

The Sapa warriors began to sense the situation. With another call to drop their weapons, some raised their hands and knelt on the ground.

“I-I surrender!”

“P-Please spare us! Great Person!”

“Damn it! What kind of nonsense is this?!”

Amidst the cries for surrender, a resounding crash fell. A person jumped from a tall building with a bang— and the ground shook.

An ominous potent energy arose. From the body of a giant much larger than me, the muscles tensed.

“I am Heavenly Ghost Dong Bang-hyang! I’ve revealed my name, so you lot who caused this disgusting mess must also reveal yours!”

The voice was not the only thing loud. The energy emanating from his great sword danced as if it had a life of its own.

Above it, energy like twinkling stars blossomed.

I stepped forward against that trace of formidable energy. Other than anything else, that was what I should be facing.

“I am Jeok-un, the Captain of the Martial Alliance’s Reinforcement Warriors.”

“Martial Alliance…? You’re not even with the Cheonryong Association?! But what the hell is going on?!”

“Drop your weapons and surrender. Then I won’t kill you.”

“Damn it…! Who do you think you are giving orders like this…?”

Dong Bang-hyang.

The one warned by the Dragon of the Earth surrounded his body with energy. But for some reason, his eyes were trembling.

…So it’s true.

Even without Sua’s martial prowess, there was still another master wielding a sword. Gu Hwa-rin. A person who had just entered the Huaxing stage.

He must have seen the plum blossoms drifting within those graceful movements. And at the very least, he surely recognized that she was above his level.

He must be scared.

As a Sapa warrior, valuing his own life above all.

“…I’ll say it once more! If you turn around and leave now, I’ll pretend I didn’t see you!”

“I’ll say it one more time. Drop your weapons and surrender. I don’t want to see useless bloodshed.”

“Th-This is the last time! Get lost! This is your only chance to save your life! I am Dong Bang-hyang! I am a master of the Sapa whose name is known far and wide!”

“I’m also at my last.”

I drew the Ear Sword, Black Pearl.

“Drop your weapons and surrender.”

“…Damn it!”

The enemy’s great sword surged with inner power as it swept through the air.

Filled with energy, it carried the intent to blow away whatever stood in its way. I raised my power in sync with that movement.

I didn’t even need the alignment of the temple. A single slow, heavy sword was enough.

Flames ignited at the tip of the sword. Realizing it too late, the color drained from Dong Bang-hyang’s face.

But it was already too late.

Fire Wheel Blood Demon Sword

Second Form

Dan Hoon Choo

The dull sword came down mercilessly, crashing against the enemy’s sword. With a deafening sound, not only did it consume Dong Bang-hyang’s great sword, but it also swallowed the arm that wielded it.

—Boom!!!

With a delayed explosion, the broken great sword scattered everywhere. The fragments struck him, and Dong Bang-hyang’s arm was almost entirely burned to the point of being incapacitated.

The destructive power was on the verge of turning even the strengthened bones to dust.

Dong Bang-hyang staggered back. Looking at what was left of his sword hilt, he opened his mouth.

“…Ha…”

“Ha?”

“I surrender!!!”

He flat-out fell to the ground.

“Spare my life, please!”

“…….?”

To his unexpectedly swift response, I couldn’t help but sheathe my sword with a sour expression.

He understood his situation well, so I had nothing to say…

But isn’t this change of attitude a bit too fast?

 

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