A thunderous roar shook the air.It was as if countless claps of thunder overlapped, the sheer force of the tremors violently shaking the ground.

    Explosive energy surged across the vast land, so intense that even the martial artists of the Gongya Clan—who had been fleeing moments ago—forgot their purpose and turned back in shock.

    They had just received instructions to lure the noble clans toward the Comrade of the Rogue Order.

    "So-ga-ju, over there…!"

    "I see it!"

    Hwaaaak—!

    The seven martial artists of the Gongya Clan came to an abrupt halt, their lightness techniques kicking up fierce winds. A thick cloud of dust burst beneath their feet.

    But compared to the enormous cloud of debris rising ahead, their disturbance was nothing.

    "The qi of the noble clans… it''s completely vanished."

    "…A massacre."

    Stunned voices murmured in disbelief. Grand Princess Gongya Jeong and her retainers widened their eyes.

    They had been wary even as they lured the powerful noble clans into their trap.

    Anyone who had witnessed the death of Zhuge Clan Leader would have assumed that the Black Sovereigns of Ipwang Fortress were not in good condition.

    "Verify if our tributes have been properly delivered… and prepare grain relief for the commoners. This time, no one in the clan will oppose me."

    Gongya Jeong murmured, almost to herself.

    It was something that had met with resistance time and time again.

    The Gongya Clan did not stoop to vulgar acts of plunder. However, they were also not a family that openly showed mercy to commoners.

    At most, they would host banquets to prevent the rampant looting that occurred when other noble clans organized martial arts tournaments.

    But they had never taken it upon themselves to regularly open their granaries during prolonged famines. After all, the time would soon come when food would be more valuable than gold.

    Yet now, not a single member of the clan voiced opposition.

    The leadership of the Gongya Clan remained silent. They had no choice.

    Because at that very moment, Ma Gwang-ik emerged from the cloud of dust.

    Step.

    The tendrils of translucent energy dissipated from his lowered hand, momentarily twisting the drifting dust into wisps that resembled the coils of the underworld.

    Even the blood dripping steadily from beneath his sleeves was ominous. His injuries from the battle with Zhuge Clan Leader had likely reopened due to the recoil from using forbidden techniques.

    Saaaah—

    A dry wind swept the dust away, gradually revealing the scene behind him.

    You didn''t buy this chapter

    Buy Now (10 coupons) sea??h thё N?vel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.