The village looked ordinary. No, it only appeared ordinary.

There were passersby and merchants, and even children running around.

Just by seeing this scene, no one would think this place was the "Evil Song Village."

However, although at a glance it seemed like an ordinary village, the glances, the subtle exchanges of looks, and the overall atmosphere among those coming and going were far from ordinary.

We felt the secret exchange of glances, but pretended not to notice as we walked along the road.

"Not everyone here follows the Evil Song Sect Leader. Rather, many are constantly eyeing that position. You can think of it like a 'Green Forest' (녹림)."

Because of that, we did not rush in with speed.

We made sure our movement wouldn’t be perceived as an intrusion or attack. If considered an attack, all the villains of Evil Song would rise up. Whether they liked it or not, they would come out to protect their own territory.

But we were just strangers walking through. That difference was huge, and it was a strategy only possible because Geukak Soma, who knew the nature of Evil Song better than anyone, was with us.

As we walked along the road, we saw about a dozen men and women sitting around in a clearing drinking. They were laughing and chatting noisily, clearly enjoying themselves.

The moment we passed by them,

they suddenly stood up to throw hidden weapons. But before the weapons even left their hands—

Sshhhhh—

Kwak kwak kwak kwak kwak!

Blood Heaven Butcher’s sword aura swept over them a step earlier. We had already anticipated their ambush.

It was fine for them to be laughing, chatting, and playing, but not a single one had looked at us even after we passed. If it had been two or three, maybe, but for a dozen people to not glance once was unnatural.

"Most of the villains in Evil Song would sell their souls for money. The Evil Song Sect Leader probably placed a bounty, expecting our arrival."

I smiled at Geukak Soma’s explanation.

"It must be at least a million nyang."

Then Chwima said,

"Of course, that’s per person, right?"

Joking like that, we kept walking when suddenly ambushers sprang out from the forest on both sides.

This time, Sword Immortal lightly leapt up, spinning in midair once while releasing sword aura. The sword aura scattered in all directions as she spun with the sword.

Those who charged were cut by the sword aura and all fell dead; not a single sword aura missed.

Sword Immortal then descended gracefully back to where she had been walking.

We continued walking as if nothing had happened, resuming our earlier conversation.

"The Evil Song Sect Leader isn’t the richest man in the world. How could he put a bounty of a million nyang per person?"

"That’s why only these kinds of people come out."

Just as Chwima said that, a hidden weapon flew from the bushes ahead.

We all lightly twisted our bodies to evade. The hidden weapons slipped through the five of us. They flew fiercely, as if impossible to dodge, but we all moved lightly and avoided them.

Then Chwima moved. His divine form flashed and disappeared into the bushes. He returned to his original spot faster than when he entered. There wasn’t a single scream about how he dealt with the ambushers.

Coming back, he took a sip of liquor and said,

"I gave everyone a drink, so they’re drinking and sleeping."

I had never seen Chwima fight properly, but just from this, it was clear not to underestimate his martial arts.

We moved on again and arrived at the ferry dock.

"From here, we have to take a boat and cross the river."

We took a boat we found at the dock and crossed the river.

"I'm the youngest here, so I'll row."

Seeing me rowing, Blood Heaven Butcher said,

"When did you learn to handle a boat? You’re very skilled."

"Is there anything I can’t do?"

The other three Ma Jons stared at me.

"Why are you all looking at me like that? That’s why I... row better. And I like being the center of attention."

I joked, but they all looked at me with strange expressions. Maybe because I was too capable.

The boat quickly sliced through the current.

Chwima, who was staring at the river for a moment, suddenly said to Blood Heaven Butcher,

"Seeing you set off against the enemies like that, senior, you’re still in good shape."

Chwima’s sudden praise made Blood Heaven Butcher look clearly embarrassed.

"I just don’t drink much."

Then Sword Immortal said,

"At times like this, just say ‘thank you.’ How come you still don’t lose your temper as you get older?"

She was meddling, but in a soft tone. Usually, she’d be even more stubborn, but this time Blood Heaven Butcher stepped back.

"Thank you."

He said it obediently to Chwima.

"You’re welcome. I just said what I felt."

Sword Immortal looked at Blood Heaven Butcher with a ‘what’s going on?’ expression.

I could feel Chwima’s efforts. That effort was creating change.

Our eyes met. Thank you, brother. You’re doing well.

The attacks continued.

When the boat reached the middle of the river, ambushers emerged from the water and threw hidden weapons.

This time, I jumped up holding the oar and struck them.

I struck, stepped on one, struck another, stepped on it again, and struck again. It seemed insignificant, but it was a technique combining supreme ascending footwork and lightness skill.

Those who jumped up were all hit by the oar, their heads smashed, and they fell into the water. They wore fish scale armor and were the Yellow River Water Ghosts (황하수귀) who roamed the Yellow River area. They had been driven to live in Evil Song Village after plundering passing boats and slaughtering passengers.

The moment I was about to get off the boat—

Bang!

With an explosion, the ferry we were on shattered.

The Ma Jons and I were all thrown into the air. The Water Ghosts poked their heads out of the water and fired poison needles from pipes in their mouths.

Pik pik pik pik pik pik!

But none of the Ma Jons were hit. They moved their bodies in midair, dodging all the attacks. This time Geukak Soma took the lead.

Ping! Piiing! Ping! Ping!

Blood Arrow was continuously released. I had never known Geukak Soma’s wind technique could be released so rapidly in succession.

Those who fired poison needles became corpses floating like dead fish.

The Ma Jons each climbed onto broken boat pieces. Even though the pieces were smaller than a person’s forearm, they didn’t sink.

Splashhhhh—

The wood carrying the Ma Jons cut through the current and moved forward.

Some Water Ghosts raised their heads out of the water far behind, but dared not attack us. Just the method of crossing the river on broken wood using internal energy was enough to kill their fighting spirit.

In no time, we arrived at the opposite riverbank.

Those who could be recognized blocked our way about a hundred jang ahead.

The five warriors blocking us unleashed extraordinary divine techniques.

Blood Heaven Butcher recognized them.

"The Five Evils of Chongqing (중경오사)!"

They were the ones who had committed atrocities while based around the Chongqing area in the past.

"Few remember us after all this time. Old man, who are you?"

"You forgot me."

"You know me?"

Blood Heaven Butcher just smiled faintly.

"Judging from you blocking us, it seems age dulls judgment as well as memory."

The leader’s expression stiffened.

He had charged to kill, but an inexplicable unease stirred within him. The old man was familiar, but he just couldn’t recall where.

"Kill them!"

Though the order was to his subordinates, it was effectively an order for the Ma Jons.

As soon as he finished speaking, we each faced one opponent.

Geukak Soma released Blood Arrow. Unable to dodge the Blood Arrow fired from close range, the leader of the first opponent was pierced in the forehead and fell. Sword Immortal’s sword cut the second one’s neck, and my Changcheon Style spear cleaved the third one’s chest in the blink of an eye. Chwima’s Blood Flow shattered the third opponent’s head, and he collapsed.

Only the leader remained. At the moment they died, his memory returned.

"Ah! You... why are you here?"

His voice trembled. There was a time when Blood Heaven Butcher had shaken the martial world. Back then, no one dared meet his gaze, but time had passed and now they met again here.

The leader desperately tried to flee, but Blood Heaven Butcher’s great sword cut his body in half.

While fighting, I realized something. Though they appeared to fight carelessly, the Ma Jons were all aware of each other. Every move was deliberate, watching carefully how opponents fought. In a way, the ones they cared about most were not the Evil Song villains, but each other. And most closely «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» watched was my movement and martial skill.

Despite that, I didn’t deliberately hide my skill. I didn’t show everything, but I didn’t try to hold back either. I was to become their leader. They had to trust and follow me.

Then came those using poison gas.

Several hidden ones appeared and sprayed us with poison gas.

Blood Heaven Butcher and Sword Immortal simultaneously stepped forward, swinging their sleeves. The poison gas flew back to those who had sprayed it.

Then they collapsed painfully, blood spurting from holes all over their bodies.

This was the first time Blood Heaven Butcher and Sword Immortal coordinated to face enemies here. They looked at each other, their eyes softening.

"Once we get past that field, we’ll reach the Evil Song Sect Leader’s residence."

With about a hundred jang remaining, villains wielding spears poured out all at once from one side.

A huge man at the front held a spear as thick as a pillar.

He was the Giant Strength Ghost Spear (거력귀창), notorious in the martial world. A heterodox expert, he had disappeared after being branded a criminal for attacking the Martial Alliance Headquarters, but now appeared here in Evil Song.

From the opposite side, dozens of villains appeared. Dressed in black martial uniforms and masks, leaving only their eyes visible, they were assassins led by Eunyul (은월). Once renowned as top assassins, they now led the assassin organization here.

From another direction appeared men wearing only undergarments. Standing with dazed eyes, they were drugged.

But if you underestimated their appearance, your whole body would be torn apart. They had far higher martial skill than they looked and felt no pain even when stabbed by swords. If they charged madly, few could handle their momentum.

Not only them, but a group of women appeared, along with hunters and a band of beggars.

Those who appeared were not under the Evil Song Sect Leader’s orders, but each held their own forces. They fought each other, competing for Evil Song’s dominance.

Those forces feared losing their positions when the Evil Song Sect Leader’s followers died.

Their murderous intent and energy directed at us was extraordinary, but the Ma Jons showed no signs of faltering.

Blood-stained-masked Geukak Soma looked down on them arrogantly, arms crossed. That confidence overwhelmed their enemies.

The other Ma Jons were the same. Just standing proudly kept hundreds of villains from daring to attack.

Blood Heaven Butcher stepped forward and shouted thunderously,

"If you want to fight, come at us all at once."

Grrrrrrrrr!

Blood formed along the blade of his Annihilation Great Sword.

His energy was blood red. It was my first time seeing his sword energy, and perhaps because it was blood red, it was truly intense and impressive.

Starting with him, the Ma Jons each released their energy. Sword Immortal’s White Flower Sword was also charged with sword energy. Her sword energy was pure white — a color that suited her perfectly.

As our five energies spread out in all directions, the villains were pushed back by the silent pressure.

If I had come alone or with just Geukak Soma, we would have had to fight all of them.

But with four Ma Jons, no one dared approach us.

Hundreds gathered but only watched from afar, unwilling to attack. Our momentum was one reason, but they also knew we were headed for the Evil Song Sect Leader’s residence and had no desire to fight. Their greed aimed for something bigger.

We resumed walking. At the end of the road was the mansion where the Evil Song Sect Leader lived.

The front gate plaque read "Together Evil Supports Evil" (동악상조). It meant that villains helped each other to complete their evil.

"We must have been noticed and preparations made to wait for us."

I said this as Geukak Soma shattered the plaque with his Fierce Light Rampage Palm. The entire spot where the plaque was attached exploded without a trace.

At the same time, other Ma Jons unleashed their energies simultaneously. The front gate and front wall crumbled into dust.

"If we’d come alone, maybe it’d be different, but four of us together..."

Geukak Soma led the way and added,

"If being prepared meant defense, we’d have to give up our Ma Jon positions."