Chapter 96: Dragons and Tigers Gather in One Place (3)

Dam Ho suddenly turned his head.

The people who had been by the shore of Dongting Lake moments ago were gone. The fisherman's family, and the girl in the tiger-skin vest.

They were people who had nothing to do with him. Yet Dam Ho found that he could not easily take his eyes away from the place where they had disappeared.

Dam Ho stared for a moment at the space they had occupied, then resumed walking. Today, his steps felt unusually heavy.

Dam Ho did not return to the Seopung Inn until well after the sun had set. He was passing through the inn's dining hall when he heard a voice.

"Friend."

A familiar voice accompanied a hand waved in greeting.

The man grinning broadly at him was none other than Cho Yeon-woon. On the table before him, two wine bottles lay toppled.

Perhaps from the alcohol, Cho Yeon-woon's face was already flushed red.

Dam Ho sat across from Cho Yeon-woon. Cho Yeon-woon smiled and offered a wine cup.

"Would you care for a drink?"

Dam Ho silently took the cup. Cho Yeon-woon filled it to the brim.

"Haha! It feels good to run into you here again."

"Did you not say you were going to Yuanjiang?"

"I've already been. There were disgustingly many people. There were so many martial artists it was like looking at a labor market. Hehe!"

Whatever he found so amusing, Cho Yeon-woon laughed and chattered to himself.

Dam Ho quietly drank from his cup.

"The Qingcheng Sect and Kunlun Sect martial artists have also arrived. They are the kind of prominent figures who rarely show themselves, so the whole of Yuanjiang is in an uproar."

"…"

"Now, if the core sects like Shaolin, Wudang, and Mount Hua send their people, everyone will have gathered. Truly remarkable, is it not? For the entire Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families to gather in one place—it has been nearly thirty years."

Dam Ho looked at Cho Yeon-woon's fist as he chattered away. The knuckles bore scabs. The marks of his fight with Paeng Man-yeong.

Dam Ho did not ask the result. But he already knew.

Paeng Man-yeong had been no match for Cho Yeon-woon from the start. Though he was known in the world by the epithet Cloud Dragon, considered subordinate to the Four Dragons, his martial strength was in no way inferior.

Dam Ho, who had fought Nam-hak, knew that Cho Yeon-woon's strength was by no means inferior.

Paeng Man-yeong had not yet reached the level of the Four Dragons. So the outcome was as plain as fire in the night.

Dam Ho drank from his cup. Cho Yeon-woon was about to refill it when a familiar voice called out.

"Hyung!"

A familiar voice suddenly rang out.

Its owner was none other than Bang Jin-bo. He was looking at Dam Ho.

"You returned early."

"Mm!"

When Dam Ho nodded, Cho Yeon-woon looked at Bang Jin-bo with curious eyes.

When Cho Yeon-woon had met Dam Ho at Seocheon Mountain Lodge, Bang Jin-bo had been working in the kitchen, so they had not met. Thus, neither knew of the other's existence.

"Who?"

"Pardon?"

Cho Yeon-woon pointed at himself.

"I am this fellow's friend. And you?"

"Young… brother."

"Young brother? Then you are my younger brother as well. A pleasure!"

"Ah! Yes!"

Bang Jin-bo answered in a daze and looked to Dam Ho.

Dam Ho neither affirmed nor denied it. That meant the man before him was not lying.

"A pleasure! My name is Cho Yeon-woon."

"I am Bang Jin-bo."

"From now on, call me Hyung."

"But…"

"Tsk!"

"Yes. Hyung."

"Hoho! That's more like it."

Cho Yeon-woon let out a mischievous laugh. At that, Bang Jin-bo smiled faintly.

For some reason, he did not dislike Cho Yeon-woon's easy manner. Rather, it felt friendly, and that was pleasant.

Bang Jin-bo looked at the table and furrowed his brow.

"You're drinking without any appetizers?"

"With such fine wine, there is no particular need for appetizers."

"Still, drinking like that will ruin your stomach. I will make some appetizers for you, so follow me."

"You can cook?"

"A little."

At Bang Jin-bo's confident voice, Cho Yeon-woon laughed heartily.

"Really? If my little brother offers to cook, of course I must try it."

Cho Yeon-woon rubbed his palms together and followed Bang Jin-bo. His face was filled with a broad smile.

When they entered the annex, Eun So-cheong greeted them.

"Jin-bo, Mister. Huh?"

Eun So-cheong belatedly noticed Cho Yeon-woon. Cho Yeon-woon gave a mischievous look, glancing back and forth between Bang Jin-bo and Eun So-cheong.

"Oh ho! Look at these two."

"It's nothing like that!"

Eun So-cheong flushed and raised her voice. At that, Cho Yeon-woon's smile grew even more sly.

"What did I say?"

"I told you, it's not like that!"

"Fine! I know, I know."

"By the way, who is this gentleman?"

"You catch on quickly. I am this fellow's friend, which makes me your older brother as well."

"Hmph! Don't be ridiculous. Who is your younger brother?"

"I am older, so of course I am the older brother. Or are you the older brother?"

"That is not what I meant!"

"Ahh! How noisy…"

Cho Yeon-woon picked at his ear. At the sight, Eun So-cheong's shoulders trembled.

He was the first person she had ever met who could provoke her nerves this much upon first meeting.

Bang Jin-bo smiled watching the two of them. He knew that though they bickered, there was no malice in it.

Bang Jin-bo looked at Dam Ho, who was following behind.

"Hyung, is there anything in particular you would like to eat?"

"Handle it yourself."

"Understood. Just wait a moment. Hehe!"

Bang Jin-bo let out his characteristic laugh.

Cho Yeon-woon and Eun So-cheong were still arguing. Because of this, the annex was in an uproar. But Bang Jin-bo enjoyed the current commotion. It felt like living.

He stoked the fire in the hearth and heated the pan. Even as Bang Jin-bo busied himself, Eun So-cheong and Cho Yeon-woon continued to raise their voices.

"This is the place I rented, you know."

"That's fortunate. There must be many rooms, so let me stay as well."

"Who gave you permission?"

"I am Jin-bo's older brother."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Do you think Jin-bo would be happy if I slept outside?"

"Oh! Honestly!"

"Let's share. Would it not be a terrible waste for you to use this entire place alone?"

"Why does waste come up here?"

"I don't know! I'm not leaving until I eat Jin-bo's cooking."

Cho Yeon-woon settled into a seat and refused to budge. Eun So-cheong hopped up and down, but it was like a cow reading the scriptures.

Eun So-cheong's face was flushed red. That made her look even cuter.

"Hehe!"

The smile on Bang Jin-bo's lips did not fade.

A short while later, Bang Jin-bo produced a plate of food.

"Here it is. Dongpo Pork."

The intense, aroma-stimulating fragrance drew Cho Yeon-woon and Eun So-cheong over, entranced.

"Wow! The smell is incredible."

"Of course. Who do you think made it?"

"Ah! It must be her boyfriend."

"Oh! Honestly."

"Stop talking and eat already."

"I really don't like you."

"I'm not fond of you either."

"Hmph!"

"I am hmph as well."

The two argued until the end. But since there was no ill will, they maintained a cordial atmosphere.

Cho Yeon-woon picked up a piece of Dongpo Pork and took a bite, then gave a thumbs up.

"Superb. This is the best Dongpo Pork I have ever tasted."

"Hehe!"

At that, Bang Jin-bo scratched his head.

Cho Yeon-woon took a sip of wine.

"Wonderful. Fine wine and excellent food—could one be happier than this?"

"Hmph! You glutton."

"Haha! That is the life I aspire to. To become a glutton, buried in a sea of wine."

Cho Yeon-woon's laughter rang out, clear and bright.

Eun So-cheong pouted her lips. But she said nothing more.

Though young, she too lived in the Murim world. Through her conversation with Cho Yeon-woon, she had realized his identity.

'Cloud Dragon. This man is unmistakably the Cloud Dragon Cho Yeon-woon.'

Though he appeared drunk at first glance, Cho Yeon-woon's eyes shone brighter than the morning star.

It was only because Cho Yeon-woon was so easygoing that Eun So-cheong could speak to him this way. Otherwise, she would not have dared approach.

Eun So-cheong glanced at Dam Ho.

Dam Ho ate only small amounts of food and did not open his mouth. She now knew Dam Ho's identity for certain. She knew how terrifying a man he was.

How could she not know? He was the man who had turned the Hunan martial world, where the Eun-ga Pavilion was based, completely upside down.

'The Fist Demon and the Cloud Dragon. Truly, only extraordinary people surround Jin-bo.'

As Eun So-cheong looked at Bang Jin-bo with a new expression, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Sister, stop thinking so hard. The sound of your wheels turning can be heard from here, and they are not exactly subtle."

The voice belonged, as always, to Cho Yeon-woon.

"Oh, honestly!"

"Hoho! Would you like some wine?"

"No, thank you."

"Then I can't help it."

Cho Yeon-woon brought the wine bottle to his lips.

Eun So-cheong's reaction was immediate. He could poke her and she would come—it was really fun to tease her.

Cho Yeon-woon thought he would not be bored for a while.

The drinking session continued late into the night.

Cho Yeon-woon shamelessly made himself at home in the annex. Though he received Eun So-cheong's scolding, he stubbornly held out and ultimately claimed victory.

In the end, Eun So-cheong threw up both hands and retreated to her room. After Bang Jin-bo also returned to his room, exhausted, only Dam Ho and Cho Yeon-woon remained in the courtyard.

"Wonderful."

Cho Yeon-woon tilted his head back and gazed at the sky.

Countless stars sparkled, each showing off its own brilliance. It was as though a sea of stars had unfurled.

"Fine wine, fine food, and the everyday company of good friends. If every day could be spent like this, how happy I would be."

His words carried much resonance.

Dam Ho looked at Cho Yeon-woon in silence. Cho Yeon-woon grinned back at him.

"Thanks to you, I got to taste some fine food. Thank you."

"The food was made by Jin-bo."

"Of course, I am grateful to Jin-bo as well. His skills are truly exceptional."

"Mm!"

"Jin-bo will surely become a great chef. I have high hopes for his future. A world in which such a boy can dream—that is the kind of world that should come."

After that, the two were silent for a time.

It was Cho Yeon-woon who broke the suffocating silence.

"I have only one question. I would like an honest answer."

"Ask."

"Are you… by any chance connected to the Demonic Cult?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Because the situation leaves no other choice. A mysterious master who appeared one day as if dropped from the sky. His martial arts are formidable, and his methods are even more ruthless. The number of lives taken by his hands already numbers in the hundreds. Under normal circumstances, you would be declared a public enemy of the Murim world, and no one would fault it."

"I have never once started a fight."

"I know that."

"Then why ask?"

"Because I want to hear you say so yourself. I know that a man like you would never speak an empty word. You would rather die than lie to defend yourself."

At Cho Yeon-woon's words, a strange light flickered in Dam Ho's eyes.

Since his Master, Sage Hyeon-so, no one had shown him such unwavering trust.

Dam Ho spoke.

"I am not a member of the Demonic Cult."

"I believe you."

"What if I am lying?"

"Then my eyes are mistaken. But I trust you. You are not the kind of fellow who would wrap himself in lies."

"…"

"I do not know what you think of me, but I wish to remain your friend. That is my sincere wish."

Cho Yeon-woon's voice pierced Dam Ho's heart.

Jin Ja-gang turned to look at the finance officer. The sight of him pretending to work as if nothing had happened was disgusting.

It was all a scheme to embezzle other people’s money.

When Jin Ja-gang looked at the scholar’s face, he was smirking. It was clear he believed that the person with the money had all the power.

But Jin Ja-gang couldn’t just accept one tael when they were supposed to receive five.

Jin Ja-gang realized he had no further business here.

“I’ll come back in three days and collect the full five taels then.”

The scholar made an irritated face.

“Ah, you just don’t get it, do you? Do you know how busy we are? Come back in three days and wait all day if you want, it’s up to you.”

Hearing this, Jin Ja-gang appeared to think for a moment, then smiled back.

A cold smile.

“You’ll be less busy by then.”

Jin Ja-gang’s smile faded as he left the office.

Behind him, he could hear the mocking voices of the young scholar and the finance officer.

“What a lunatic.”

“Let’s see if he can actually get his money properly.”

But Jin Ja-gang paid them no mind.

* * *

Jin Ja-gang returned to Mr. Jang’s house and explained the situation.

Mr. Jang looked troubled but didn’t blame Jin Ja-gang. He thought Jin Ja-gang’s straightforward personality had prevented him from accepting an unfair deal.

In any case, Mr. Jang would recover in a day or two and could go collect the money himself.

Jin Ja-gang returned to Poison Valley. Someone needed to be available to make repairs if anything broke or was damaged during the assembly in the area Mr. Jang was responsible for.

‘Three days…’

The duration of the poison sects’ assembly.

Whether he could eliminate Poison Valley within that period now depended entirely on heaven’s will.

The day of the poison sects’ general assembly arrived.

Poison Valley opened its gates wide to welcome guests. Representatives from small and medium-sized poison sects from all over Yunnan arrived one after another.

Though they were small sects, many had distinctive appearances and attire, perhaps because they all dealt with poison.

“Welcome!”

“We’re delighted to see you!”

Poison Valley was greeting guests with unusual brightness, but the poison sect members’ expressions were far from cheerful.

It would have been strange to be happy when three major poison sects had recently been completely wiped out.

So despite the Poison Valley warriors’ bright voices, the atmosphere remained heavy.

By morning, the number of people who had entered exceeded one hundred.

Before noon, the opening ceremony was held in the main hall where Jin Ja-gang had worked so diligently.

Chairs and long tables were arranged in a U-shape on the spacious floor of the hall, with representatives from small and medium-sized poison sects seated around them.

When Wei Zong, the Valley Master of Poison Valley, stepped onto the low platform, everyone stood to show respect.

People from poison sects don’t perform the fist-and-palm salute. Most merely gave a slight bow toward Wei Zong.

Wei Zong looked around with a calm smile and gave his opening remarks.

“Thank you for making the long journey here. I am truly grateful that so many of you have come during this difficult time for our Yunnan poison sects.”

Usually, poison sect assemblies included various events.

The main purpose was to discuss the future direction of the poison sects under the leadership of the major sects. Additionally, there would be exchanges of information about new poisons, simple demonstrations, and small martial arts competitions.

But this time was different. All the major poison sects except Poison Valley had been wiped out, and there were ongoing threats against the poison sects.

Wei Zong began to speak.

“Our Yunnan has been relatively sheltered from the turmoil of the Central Plains due to our distance… but the recent state of the martial world has been extremely chaotic.”

Wei Zong continued.

“Moreover, since the incident with the Extreme Poison Sect long ago, we are now experiencing the worst situation. Stone Forest Gang, Shadow Bureau, and Iron Umbrella Sect have all disappeared without a trace.”

Though they had all heard this news before coming, the representatives of the small and medium-sized poison sects still hardened their expressions at the shock.

“If things continue like this, the chaos in Yunnan will intensify, and we won’t be able to avoid the turbulent waves of the martial world. Therefore, I believe we must fill the void left by the three destroyed sects and reorganize quickly to prevent further chaos.”

The eyes of the representatives changed.

The territories that the three sects had occupied. With Poison Valley’s support added to those businesses, it wasn’t a dream to instantly become a major sect.

“However…”

Wei Zong drew out his words.

“As we are now, with each sect separated, it is difficult to defend against potential enemy attacks, which could come at any time. Though it may sound uncomfortable, we must now unite our strength to counter external forces.”

The room suddenly grew quiet.

No one could misunderstand Wei Zong’s meaning.

Wei Zong raised his voice and shouted.

“I propose that our Yunnan poison sects must become one! You may say whatever you wish to me. I am prepared to share everything, be it Poison Valley’s martial arts or anything else, for the sake of our Yunnan poison sects. First, I will distribute the business rights of the four major poison sects that Poison Valley currently manages. After all, if we become one, won’t these belong to all of us?”

The expressions of the representatives darkened.

In truth, they had come prepared for this.

But hearing the direct proposal to “become one” left them with mixed feelings.

It was clear that “becoming one” didn’t mean an alliance of equals. It meant being forcibly brought under Poison Valley’s control.

They couldn’t refuse either. If they did, they would likely end up as cold corpses. Just like the Medicine Sects long ago.

The only fortunate aspect was that Wei Zong was offering to share the business rights held by the four major poison sects. Though they would no longer remain as independent individual sects, they would gain considerable wealth compared to before.

Conflict showed on the faces of the poison sect representatives.

If refusal wasn’t an option, perhaps accepting was the best business decision.

But it was uncomfortable to lose their autonomy and essentially become subordinate to Poison Valley.

As everyone looked around awkwardly in silence, an old man stepped forward.

“Gwei Hu of Snake One Gang.”

Wei Zong gestured with his palm, indicating for him to speak.

The leader of Snake One Gang, Gwei Hu, shouted in a sharp voice.

“I have heard Valley Master Wei’s grand vision. But I oppose it!”

The other representatives were startled.

To openly oppose Wei Zong to his face!

Wei Zong was known for his outwardly gentle personality but inner cruelty. He was also famous for holding grudges.

The representatives unconsciously looked at Wei Zong’s reaction.

But Wei Zong nodded as if this was to be expected.

“I will listen to Gang Leader Gwei’s opinion.”

Gwei Hu raised his voice like an angry man.

“Our most pressing issue is identifying who attacked our poison sects! We don’t even have an outline of who they are, yet you’re suggesting we unite to face them? The order is wrong!”

Gwei Hu’s criticism resonated with many of the representatives.

There were ominous rumors circulating that Poison Valley might be responsible for eliminating the other major poison sects. Among the small and medium-sized sect representatives gathered here, quite a few actually believed this.

Amid the tension, Gwei Hu continued.

“Above all, rumors are circulating that Poison Valley harmed the other poison sects. Have you ever seen smoke without fire? Clarifying this issue should be our priority, Valley Master!”

The atmosphere turned cold at Gwei Hu’s aggressive statement.

The calm smile disappeared from Wei Zong’s face.

Gulp.

The representatives felt uneasy just watching.

Suddenly, Wei Zong burst into laughter.

“Gang Leader Gwei is right! That indeed seems to be the issue that should be addressed first. There should not be even the slightest hesitation in uniting our Yunnan poison sects.”

Wei Zong gestured toward the outside of the hall.

“Bring them in!”

Soon, Poison Valley warriors carried in several stretchers.

They were covered with white cotton cloth, and anyone could tell they contained people.

A strong smell emanated as the stretchers passed by.

When the cloth was pulled back from the dozen or so stretchers placed in the center of the hall, horrific corpses were revealed.

Some corpses were charred black, some had broken necks or torn-off limbs. Some were completely covered in blood, while others appeared relatively intact.

“These are corpses brought from Stone Forest Gang, Shadow Bureau, and Iron Umbrella Sect. Some of you may be able to identify which sect they belonged to.”

Wei Zong spoke with a hardened face.

“I am aware of the rumors circulating. But rather than claiming my innocence a hundred times, it’s better for you to see once with your own eyes. Look carefully. If there is even the slightest room for doubt, I will consider everything void and take my own life by biting a poison pill before all of you.”

Wei Zong even performed a fist-and-palm salute to the crowd.

The representatives took Wei Zong’s pledge seriously. They were also impressed by Wei Zong’s magnanimity in not minding the harsh words spoken earlier.

After Wei Zong finished speaking, people crowded around the corpses. They had been curious about the identity of the villain. The traces of killing left on the corpses might provide clues.

Watching them, Wei Zong smiled calmly. Then his eyes met those of Gwei Hu, who had just been speaking with such a sharp voice.

Gwei Hu gave Wei Zong a knowing smile. Wei Zong nodded slightly in return.

Gwei Hu’s opposition had been planned in advance.

If everything proceeded smoothly in such a coercive atmosphere, it would only increase resistance. They had skillfully shifted the focus from the controversial topic of integration or subordination to the corpses.

‘It’s always better to be thorough.’

The same applied to his promise to distribute the businesses of the other four major poison sects.

‘You get indigestion if you eat alone.’

Sharing wealth wasn’t a problem at all. If he became the unified leader of Yunnan’s poison sects, he could always accumulate more wealth.

Jin Ja-gang was watching the assembly taking place in the hall from a distance.

The assembly seemed to be proceeding smoothly.

The afternoon was already passing.

Jin Ja-gang looked up at the sky.

It was clear and blue without a single cloud.

‘It seems today won’t work either.’

Jin Ja-gang got up with a sense of regret. With the shelter gone, he would have to sleep roughly outdoors.

* * *

The second day.

Despite the welcoming banquet with drinks the night before, the assembly started early in the morning.

The examination of the corpses was almost complete.

Since the corpses had been killed in various ways, it was difficult to identify the culprit. However, it was clear that Poison Valley had not been involved.

In the afternoon of the second day, the corpses were removed, and discussions began about the organizational structure and personnel arrangements for the new unified body.

Like the first day, the second day passed without incident.

Jin Ja-gang checked the weather, but today was also perfectly clear.

‘Another failure today.’

If the weather didn’t cooperate by tomorrow, he would have no choice.

He would have to either force his plan or give up entirely.

But that night.

Under the cover of darkness, a shadow moved throughout Poison Valley.

Though the shadow’s movements seemed somewhat awkward and uncomfortable, it was incredibly agile. It made no sound as it walked, ran, and moved around.

“This can’t be right.”

The shadow tilted its head, then slowly surveyed the surroundings again.

After searching mainly through the kitchen and storerooms without finding what it wanted, the shadow climbed onto the roof of the main hall and looked down at Poison Valley.

“Has he given up…”

A single eye revealed in the dim moonlight.

It was Mang Ryo.

Mang Ryo crouched on the ridge of the roof for a while, then suddenly looked down.

“Hmm?”

Mang Ryo lowered his head and sniffed, sniff, sniff. He crawled around the roof, following the scent.

“Hmm?”

Then he jumped down and landed on the floor of the main hall. Mang Ryo moved around the floor almost like a crawling insect, checking everywhere. He turned over chairs, crawled under tables to smell, and even licked pillars to taste them.

A smile appeared on Mang Ryo’s face.

“That’s more like it. He wouldn’t give up so easily. But things won’t go as you planned. Hehehe.”

Having found what he was looking for, Mang Ryo slipped out of the main hall and Poison Valley as stealthily as he had entered.