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That this is mere mockery. That the words spilling from the mouth of that demon are solely to drag them down to the ground, trample, ridicule, and laugh at them.

But… Was there anyone who was not shaken?

The moment the word ‘life’ came out of Jang Ilso’s mouth, was there a single person here who did not have the slightest hope and desperation in their heart?

Namgung Dowi closed his eyes tightly.

‘I…’

The moment Jang Ilso’s words were heard, even Namgung Dowi, who had braced himself for death, felt an intense impulse. The urge to live. The fear of not wanting to die.

Had there been no onlookers around, perhaps he might have knelt before Jang Ilso, clutched at his legs, and begged.

Please save me. I don’t want to die. Not yet… … I don’t want to die yet.

Would anyone be different?

No matter how uprightly one tries to stand, could the desire to live be any different? Jang Ilso’s one word was so easy to dig out the deep-seated and concealed desire.

“This….”

Namgung Hwang, teeth clenched, found himself unable to utter a word.

Perhaps he was feeling exactly what Namgung Dowi was. The tremor in his hands was not solely due to anger towards Jang Ilso, but anger toward himself for not being courageous at that moment.

In the end, Namgung Hwang bellowed with a seething voice.

“This wicked creature!”

Jang Ilso looks at him with a strange gaze.

“This time it’s wicked, huh.”

“…….”

“Hmm. Well… That’s a word I fancy. Wicked, vile, cowardly… Whatever, anything’s fine. I like it. But…”

Jang Ilso shook his head slowly.

“In this situation, it’s not appropriate. Namgung Hwang. Now’s not the time to hurl insults at me.”

Namgung Hwang sealed his lips. He had hoped to fathom Jang Ilso’s inner thoughts for a moment, but it was in vain. With his abilities, he couldn’t look into the depths of that monster.

“It’s not something to think about negatively.”

Jang Ilso gently turned and slowly approached Namgung Hwang. Though Namgung Hwang’s sword remained on guard, Jang Ilso was, once again, unperturbed and relaxed.

Reaching Namgung Hwang’s side, Jang Ilso whispered softly into his ear.

“Now… Namgung Hwang. Think about it, huh? You need to think desperately. Being abandoned isn’t necessarily a bad thing, is it? You become free. Don’t you think so?”

“…….”

Namgung Hwang bit his lips and glared at Jang Ilso. His blood-stained face, scattered hair, and bloodshot eyes were all so pitiful.

But did Namgung Hwang realize?

What it means for a swordmaster, who needs to maintain distance, to cede this much space to a fist martial artist. This action alone unmistakably proves that he is faltering.

“Your kind…”

He said as if chewing out.

“Are you suggesting we become your minions? Do you think our Azure Sky Namgung Family will become dogs of the Evil Sects?”

He shouted loud enough so that everyone who was shaken by this devil’s voice could clearly hear.

“If dying is our fate, then dying it is, we won’t be your dogs! Don’t be ridiculous, Jang Ilso!”

At those words, everyone concurred. Survival is crucial for everyone. But there are values that even survival cannot trade.

Azure Sky Namgung Family.

Deaths were acceptable, but becoming minions of Jang Ilso isn’t. If they were such that they could, they wouldn’t have forsaken peace and stormed into this plum island.

At the moment when strong resentment against Jang Ilso seemed to envelop everyone.

“…a dog?”

Jang Ilso, calm yet puzzled, slightly cocked his head, and once again, everyone’s gaze was forcibly drawn to him.

“Again… That’s another strange thing to say. I don’t understand.”

Jang Ilso arched his eyebrows and exaggeratedly laughed at Namgung Hwang.

“Gamyeong-ah.”

“Yes, Ryeonju-nim.”

“Did I ever say such a thing to them?”

“You did not, not at all.”

Ho Gamyeong answered immediately as if there was nothing to think about. His face, which contrasted with Jang Ilso’s, was expressionless to the point impossible to guess what he was thinking.

“Then why are they saying such things?”

“It is because everyone thinks within their limits. It’s only natural that they can’t catch up with Ryeonju-nim’s thoughts. They’re not to blame.”

“Hmm. Right. You have a point.”

Jang Ilso, who nodded leisurely, looked at Namgung Hwang with a broad smile.

Namgung Hwang could only watch the conversation, which was like a piece of Peking opera.

From the moment Jang Ilso arrived, everyone seemed to be moving according to the roles Jang Ilso had scripted. Even breathing, getting angry, and venting frustration seemed part of it.

“No, that’s not it, Namgung Hwang. And…”

Jang Ilso’s eyes shifted from the Namgung Hwang to the sword warriors of Namgung Family.

“Namgung Family.”

It seemed to indicate that the authority to decide on this matter lies not only with the Namgung Hwang but also with the sword warriors of Namgung Family.

“Why do you think I’m deceiving you?”

“…….”

“Because I am of Evil Sects?”

“…….”

“I’m just speaking the truth.”

They’re being drawn in.

To that voice. To that tone. To every gesture.

“Let me say it once again. What I want isn’t that. There’s no need to become a dog or join Evil Tyrant Alliance. All I want is one.”

The thin mouth twisted.

“All you have to do is say the words ‘Please save me’ from your mouth. Yes, that’s all.”

Everyone looked at him in rapture.

Not just Namgung Family but also the pirates of the water fortress were the same. Both eyes looking at him were filled with despair.

It was truly a miracle that the faces of the many people filling the island were dyed in the same color.

Is he in his right mind? Is he seriously saying those words right now? Why is that? Why would he? Why?

Jang Ilso chuckled as he stood amidst the countless eyes full of disbelief and astonishment.

“It’s not hard, is it? Right?”

“…….”

“That’s all it takes. Just that and I’ll spare your lives. The moment you say those words, I will let you go. Right there. To the northern side of the river where you so desperately wanted to return. To the comfort and peace of your homes.”

The whisper of the demon undoubtedly carries a fatal poison beyond imagination.

But… even if they know that fact, nothing will change.

How can one ignore such sweet words?

“I’ll even let you take the bodies. Even though they died here, they deserve to be buried in their hometown, right? Yes? Because they fought harder than anyone else.”

The sword warriors of Namgung Family could not overcome their instincts and looked away. The images of their fallen family and comrades, whose eyes hadn’t even closed in death, were seared into their memories.

“It’s not hard.”

Jang Ilso spoke as if comforting a child.

“Just one word. Just one word and it’ll all come true. In the name of Paegun Jang Ilso….”

Then he paused slightly.

Let everyone wait with thirst for his words.

“…I promise.”

A profound silence followed his dangerously sweet offer.

And then someone opened their mouth. As if possessed.

“Save u….”

“No!”

At that moment, Namgung Dowi quickly reached out and covered the person’s mouth. Then he shouted with an angry face.

“Jang Ilso!”

Jang Ilso made a slight frown.

“My, my. Such a noble leader is silencing those who wish to live, pushing them towards death. How disgraceful. Even Evil Sects wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“Shut up, you son of a beast! What kind of trickery is this!”

“Hm?”

“Don’t underestimate Namgung! We won’t fall for your tricks…”

At that moment, Jang Ilso’s eyes, which had always been gentle, were violently distorted. The momentum was surprisingly harsh, thus Namgung Dowi stopped talking without even realizing it and took a step back.

In the light-colored eyes, there was a lot of toughness as if a blue flame were blazing.

“You think I’m underestimating you?”

Jang Ilso gritted his teeth.

“Let me tell you, young master-nim. It’s not I who am underestimating you – it’s you underestimating yourselves.”

“…….”

“Shaolin has abandoned you. No, Righteous Sects have abandoned you. I will ask. Do you think any of the sects that follow the Shaolin to the other side of the river will be willing to shed blood for you?”

No one was willing to answer that question.

Of course, they’d like to shout yes. They want to yell, ‘Don’t look down on the chivalrousness of the Righteous Sects’.

But haven’t they seen it already? How Shaolin abandoned them, the sect that protects Jungwon, abandoned them.

“To them, your lives are so insignificant. But… no, it’s not them. It’s you who consider your own lives even more insignificant.”

“…….”

“Life isn’t like that.”

Kkkiiik.

The sound of Jang Ilso’s rings rubbing against each other sent a chilling noise echoing.

“In the first place, the value of your life is up to you to decide. At least I was. Lodging a knife into the stomach of a so-called friend, biting through the throat of a so-called comrade, rolling around in filth, and biting the cliff with your teeth when the arm is broken!”

“…….”

“Surviving is like that.”

Everyone knew these words were neither a threat nor a persuasion. They were Jang llso’s rawest, most sincere thoughts.

“But… don’t look down on you?”

Jang Ilso bared his teeth.

“If you don’t look down on those who choose death because they can’t say a single word asking for their life, then who in the world can you look down on? How can I treat those who consider themselves less worthy than insects with respect? Tell me, young man! By what right do you decide the death of someone whose mouth you’ve silenced?”

Namgung Dowi’s hand trembled.

If Jang Ilso had spoken even a word more, Namgung Dowi might have collapsed on the spot.

However, Jang Ilso relaxed his intensity at that moment. His shoulders drooped lazily as if he was bored.

“It’s not hard.”

“…….”

“Your death will be forgotten by everyone. The glory gained in death is nothing but crumbs thrown to the dead by the living. Just a worthless crumb plucked from the vast bounty of war.”

Someone swallowed dryly, another clenched their fists tightly.

“To die holding on to those crumbs… That’s so sad. Don’t you think so?”

He almost nodded.

To that whispering voice.

“So… just say it.”

Jang Ilso’s face, which had lost its harsh aura, appeared again with a bright and charming smile.

“Please beg to be saved. That’s all you need to do. That’s all, and you can survive.”

Step. Step. Step.

Jang Ilso walked toward Azure Sky Sword Squad. Then, to a member of Azure Sky Sword Squad who couldn’t even think of holding his sword anymore, he whispered.

Softly, but loudly and slowly enough for everyone to hear.

“Do you want to live?”

The person who heard that voice froze like a stone statue on the spot.

“You want to live. Everyone wants to live. But those who want to use your life wisely say it is easy. A martial artist should know how to give up their life for pride. We have to throw away our lives like stubble for the sake of chivalrousness.”

Eyes tremble. The questions that arise in the shaken heart of the sword warrior are recited by Jang Ilso.

“For what?”

“…….”

“No, no. You’ll realize when you live. Pride isn’t as grand as you think. It’s like the night that passes by if you close your eyes for a moment. So… just say it. Say you want to live. I want to live.”

“I, I….”

Eventually, tears flowed from the eyes of the member of Azure Sky Sword Squad swordsman.

A sword warrior who has been trained through countless years of harsh trials. The sword of Namgung, who is not afraid of death and is prepared to protect the name of Azure Sky with their life… is crying like a child right now.

Unbearable pressure.

The hope given like a thread and the great despair that followed.

At the end of the conflict, the will or chivalrousness was powerless in front of a person who twisted their heart.

“Shhh. There, good.”

They couldn’t resist the words pouring out of that red lips.

“Now say it, with your own mouth.”

Azure Sky Sword Squad member’s eyes didn’t know where to go. Sobbing with a hoarse voice, he wept.

Trembling hands that couldn’t find their place… finally grasped the hem of Jang Ilso’s sleeve.

“Save me….”

“Stop it, Paegun.”

Then, Namgung Hwang intervened.

His voice was powerless as if it no longer belonged to him.

“…You’ve had your fun.”

It was as if the soul had been sucked out, or he had aged several years in an instant.

Namgung Hwang’s head slowly dropped.

“We….”

In a voice devoid of any vitality, he spoke.

“We’ve… lost.”

It was the moment when everything about Namgung Hwang crumbled.