The Unknown Ruffians (3)

“Chief, what took you so long? I’m freezing to death here—and dying of exhaustion too!”

Even when Majil saw the massive pile of wood that Neung Je-gang had cut and bound with his Heaven-Silk Fiber rope, he still grumbled.

“Just start the fire.”

Je-gang loosened the Heaven-Silk Fiber cord, tucked it into his robe, and sat down to meditate.

He had consumed much of his true energy during the earlier battle—especially while hiding under the corpse through the illusion technique.

Illusion arts drained far more inner strength than one realized. Still, it was worth it—he had overheard their talk and confirmed that the Heavenly Poison Grove remained unscathed.

A single round of Breath Circulation Cultivation would restore his energy, so there was no real loss.

“Was gathering wood really that exhausting? What’s with the sudden meditation?”

Majil muttered as he walked over to stand beside Je-gang. Though he spoke lightly, the gesture was protective—keeping watch while his leader recovered.

A fire crackled to life in the cave, quickly filling it with warmth. They took out their rations, roasted them over the flames, and shared what little they had left.

When Je-gang opened his eyes again, he saw the old man Kang asleep beside the fire, a faint smile softening his face.

“What happened out there, Chief?” asked Cheong Yeon.

“Nothing,” Je-gang replied, shaking his head. He walked over to the donkey and grabbed a handful of the remaining feed.

‘We’ll need fresh meat soon, before our food runs out.’

The rain still hadn’t stopped. The fire had already burned out, and now the cold, wet air became their new enemy. The mountain’s weather was unpredictable.

He sat at the cave entrance, eating quietly while keeping watch. If enemies appeared again, he was ready to strike instantly.

The others dried their clothes by the fire and settled down however they pleased—some meditating, others lying back to rest.

They were no longer bothered by sleeping on bare ground. When they’d first arrived on Mount Aenae, they would lay out bedrolls before resting, but not anymore.

The rain poured for two more days before finally stopping. As soon as it did, sweltering humidity surged, choking the air.

“If I ever come back here again, I’m a dog!” grumbled Song Seok-jin, dragging his weary feet.

The others were in no better shape. The damp heat was worse than simple warmth—it sapped strength with every breath. Only Go So-jeong and Neung Je-gang still looked composed.
Even the old man Kang, though aged, seemed unbothered, while Majil, despite cultivating True Fire Energy, was visibly irritated.

“How much farther do we have to go?”

It hadn’t even been a full day since the rain stopped, and they still hadn’t escaped the burned section of the forest.

Among the group, Song Seok-jin was the biggest problem. Ever since his first encounter with Je-gang, the atmosphere between them had been tense, and he now complained over every trivial thing.

His endless chatter from the rear was clearly wearing down the others.

Still, Je-gang said nothing. There was no point in rebuking a man for running his mouth.

Through the annoyance and fatigue, they finally reached a part of the forest untouched by fire—a dense, green jungle once again.

“From here on, no noise,” said the old man Kang. “Animals that escaped the fire will have gathered nearby. I can avoid them from the front, but if one ambushes us from behind, even I can’t protect you.”

At that warning, even Song Seok-jin closed his mouth.

The group pressed on quietly into the forest.

They had walked for some time when—

Grrr!

“Ugh!”

Song Seok-jin froze. He had fallen silent earlier, but his habit was stronger than his discipline—he had started talking again before long. And now he paid the price.

A spotted leopard, easily over three meters long, leapt for his throat.

He barely rolled aside, drawing his sword just in time. But the beast didn’t retreat—it circled him leisurely, gauging the reactions of the others.

If the humans charged together, it would have to decide whether to fight or flee.

“What are you all waiting for? Help me kill this thing!”

Seok-jin shouted, but the others didn’t move. They simply kept leading the donkey forward.

Seeing the group walk away, the leopard’s killing intent spiked—it thought the humans were fleeing in fear.

It roared and prowled closer, its muscles rippling beneath the wet fur.

Seok-jin backstepped toward the group’s direction, slashing his sword wildly.

“Hey! Where are you going? Bae Ji-sang, you bastard!”

He yelled desperately for his friend. Despite his skill being more than enough to handle a leopard, he begged for help.

But the group ignored him—each of them had received Je-gang’s silent transmission: Do not interfere.

It was his mess; he would deal with it himself.

“You cowards!”

When the group was out of sight, Song Seok-jin finally exhaled sharply and steadied his stance. His blade hummed as he released his killing intent, proving he hadn’t truly been afraid.

With a sharp flash, sword energy exploded.

The leopard screamed once and dropped lifeless to the ground.

Seok-jin grinned coldly in the direction the others had gone.

“What’s this? Did the fire throw them off my trail? Why haven’t they launched a second strike yet?”

He hoisted the leopard’s corpse and hung it across a branch, painting strange symbols onto nearby trees with its blood.

“That Secret Shadow bastard’s no ordinary man… He must’ve noticed something. I’ll have to slow them down somehow. Ah—yes, that’ll do.”

He wiped the blood from his fingers onto the leopard’s fur, then cut off one of its legs and began walking toward the group’s trail—smearing blood on trees as he went.

At last, he saw them ahead.

“Hey, you bastards!”

Gone was the fearful tone from earlier.

He ran up and hurled the severed leopard leg at Bae Ji-sang. Blood splattered across the group.

Everyone frowned; no one enjoyed being doused in blood.

“You heartless dogs! Your friend was in danger, and you just walked away? Some friends you are!”

He stormed toward Bae Ji-sang, his voice raised as if ready for a fight.

“Oh dear,” murmured the old man Kang, sighing as he looked at the severed limb.

“What is it?” asked Je-gang, watching as the two men quarreled.

“The fool dragged the blood scent here. Every predator within range will be coming this way soon. Let’s hope there aren’t any starving ones nearby.”

With that, Kang quickened his pace. The others followed close behind—everyone except Bae Ji-sang and Song Seok-jin, who were still arguing.

“Hey, wait for us!” shouted Seok-jin, abandoning Bae Ji-sang and running after the group.

Bae Ji-sang stared after him in disbelief.

“Damn it… you miserable bastard.”

He muttered under his breath, wiping leopard blood off his clothes before hurrying to catch up.