"Jo Gwigwan-nim, how's the situation?" Xin Qu Tao asked over the phone.
"We're preparing for the final battle. The White Tiger forces are gathering. Don't worry about us—just protect the kids. No matter what happens, they can't be harmed," Gwigwan said.
Xin Qu Tao nodded despite being on a phone call. "...Understood, I will—"
Before he could finish, he saw two of his subordinates escorting a man inside. It was Jin Xi, the God of Destruction—one of Zu Pengguan's nine coveted masters.
"Hey, Chazuo! Xin Huitao! What do you think you're—" Before Xin Qu Tao could complete his sentence, Jin Xi grabbed him by the head and hurled him aside.
The two subordinates wore guilty expressions, but more than guilt, they showed fear. Fear of Jin Xi.
Jin Xi approached one of Gwigwan's students and reached for the oxygen mask, but Xin Qu Tao interrupted him. "Wait! Don't move! I am Xin Qu Tao, bodyguard of Tian Wai Tian."
He executed a reverse roundhouse kick at Jin Xi's face. But Jin Xi didn't even flinch. Xin Qu Tao flipped midair, landed on Jin Xi's shoulders, locked his legs around Jin Xi's neck in a chokehold, then bashed his elbows down onto Jin Xi's head. It did no damage whatsoever.
Jin Xi grabbed Xin Qu Tao's leg and slammed him into the ground, creating a crater. Xin Qu Tao was badly bruised. Jin Xi ordered Xin Qu Tao's two subordinates to collect Gwigwan's students.
"...Take these bastards."
Chazuo and Xin Huitao each picked up one of the boys. A nurse who had rushed in after hearing the commotion tried to stop them, but Jin Xi punched her in the stomach, killing her instantly.
Chazuo slid into the driver's seat and urged Xin Huitao to hurry. "Move quickly, Xin Huitao! We don't know who might be on our tail! We have to leave now!"
Suddenly, Xin Qu Tao staggered in front of the car, battered and bleeding. "...You...can't...leave..."
Jin Xi stepped out of the car. "What's the point of going this far? Tian Wai Tian is doomed to fall."
Xin Qu Tao replied, "Because I don't want people disrespecting Zu Pengguan-nim's death anymore. And because Jo Gwigwan-nim, who sacrifices for others, is the true master of Tian Wai Tian."
Jin Xi didn't seem pleased to hear Xin Qu Tao's speech. He threw a punch at Xin Qu Tao's stomach. "...Fine. Die well."
The punch should have connected—but nothing happened to Xin Qu Tao. Between them stood Baki Hanma, grinning. "I don't know... I don't know anymore... This might be the best mission of my life! Strong guys one after another! It feels unreal!" Baki said with a manic laugh.
Jin Xi stared at Baki in surprise. "How did he do that?!" He turned to Baki. "Who are you? Why are you interfering? Your eyes—"
Before he could finish, a kick sent him flying. He didn't even have time to process what was happening before an overhand punch smashed him into the ground.
Baki stood before him, bouncing on his toes with a grin. Jin Xi staggered to his feet. "Are you a guard of Tian Wai Tian?"
Baki smiled, then vanished from Jin Xi's sight. Another punch connected with Jin Xi's jaw, sending him crashing into the car. Baki appeared before him and unleashed a flurry of punches into his face. Jin Xi was shocked. "What is this guy?! How is he so fast?!"
After a moment, Baki stopped. Jin Xi lay there, all his teeth broken, his face a mass of bruises.
Jin Xi stood up, blood dripping from his shattered face. He raised his fists.
Baki grinned.
Jin Xi threw a punch.
Baki lifted his leg straight up, then brought his heel down hard on Jin Xi's head.
CRACK
Jin Xi collapsed face-first into the pavement. He didn't move.
Baki laughed. "That's it?!"
Xin Qu Tao walked over to Baki. "Thank you. I would have failed Jo Gwigwan-nim's first order if not for you."
Baki shook his head. "No need to thank me. It's my job."
Suddenly, Baki felt a strong—very strong—presence from behind. He immediately spun around to see Hansu Seong walking toward them. Though he couldn't tell exactly what was happening, he understood: something was very, very wrong with Hansu Seong.
Hansu didn't say anything. He just launched a back kick straight at Baki's ribs. Baki shifted to the side. The kick missed by inches.
Hansu spun and threw an axe kick downward. Baki blocked with both arms. The impact pushed him back two steps.
"Hansu Seong-ssi, what are you doing?!" Xin Qu Tao shouted.
Hansu didn't answer. He threw a roundhouse kick at head height. Baki ducked under it and countered with a front kick to Hansu's chest. Hansu twisted and took the hit on his side, then immediately fired back a side kick. But the attack didn't connect with Baki.
Hansu feinted low, then jumped and threw a spinning roundhouse kick. Baki leaned back. The kick passed right by his face. Hansu landed and immediately threw a twisting kick. Baki caught it with both hands and redirected the force, throwing Hansu off balance.
Brrring! Brrring!
Suddenly a phone rang. Hansu pulled out his phone and checked the caller ID. It read "Taehoon's mom ❤️." Suddenly, Hansu Seong seemed to return to normal. He answered the call.