Chapter 185: Fate Flows in Unpredictable Directions (1)

Dam Ho's eyes narrowed.

He rose from his seat and walked to the window.

Darkness had descended upon Luoyang, which had been blazing with light. Perhaps because of this, the flames rising from one corner of the city were all the more visible.

The crimson flames soared skyward without restraint.

The surge of energy that had stimulated Dam Ho's heart had originated from the place where those flames now burned.

The force that had just swept through the area was both powerful and ominous—enough to send a chill down even Dam Ho's spine.

"The Demonic Cult… is it?"

Dam Ho murmured coldly.

It would not be surprising if the Demonic Cult had clashed with another sect here. At this very moment, their battles were raging fiercely across the land.

There was no emotion in Dam Ho's eyes.

Whether the Demonic Cult and the world fought or not was no concern of his. He had tried not to care.

The problem was that the place where the flames burned was not far from the inn where he was staying.

The people in the inn had been jolted awake by the sudden roar and the flames.

"What is happening?"

Jong Ri-yeon, who had been sleeping in the next room, also woke and came to Dam Ho's room. Her face was clearly filled with unease.

"It is nothing."

"Nothing? But look at those flames rising so high!"

Jong Ri-yeon's gaze turned to the window.

Crash!

At that moment, something flew through the air and crashed into the inn where they were staying.

"Aaah!"

Jong Ri-yeon screamed involuntarily and threw herself into Dam Ho's arms.

"Ugh!"

The object embedded in the wall was a person. Drenched in blood from head to toe, the figure was so ravaged that its original form was unrecognizable.

Dam Ho, who had been observing impassively, furrowed his brow.

The face of the blood-soaked man writhing on the ground was inexplicably familiar.

Dam Ho gently set Jong Ri-yeon aside and approached the man.

"Urgh!"

The blood-drenched man hung limp like an octopus, raising his head weakly.

His eyes, clouded from the tremendous impact, were unfocused. Everything in the world appeared blurred to him. That was why he did not immediately recognize Dam Ho's face. But Dam Ho recognized him.

"Ho-gyeong."

"Who… is it?"

The man answering weakly was none other than Ho-gyeong of the Mount Hua Sect.

Dam Ho's eyes churned with a multitude of emotions.

It was then.

Through the broken wall, a black shadow revealed itself.

A martial artist holding a wolf-fang saber.

He was one of On Sang-cheon's subordinates. Ho-gyeong had been wounded by On Sang-cheon and was unable to resist properly. As a result, he had sustained grave injuries and been hurled here.

The martial artist with the wolf-fang saber approached to finish Ho-gyeong off for good. Ho-gyeong, whose sight had partially returned, saw the figure of the martial artist.

Ho-gyeong forced himself upright and shouted.

"They are fighters of the Demonic Cult! Flee at once!"

Even gravely wounded himself, Ho-gyeong's first thought was for others. His appearance provoked the martial artist with the wolf-fang saber.

"Hmph! Worry about your own life. The people here will not survive anyway."

The martial artist approached, radiating murderous intent. Dam Ho and Jong Ri-yeon were beneath his notice. A mere flick of the wolf-fang saber would be enough to end their lives.

Ho-gyeong shielded Dam Ho and Jong Ri-yeon and shouted.

"Run!"

Whoosh!

In that instant, the wolf-fang saber flew forward. Ho-gyeong raised his sword to block it, but there was no strength in his grip.

'Is this the end?'

In the moment despair surfaced in Ho-gyeong's eyes…

CRASH!

"Ugh!"

With a thunderous impact, the martial artist attacking Ho-gyeong staggered. The wolf-fang saber in his hand had been shattered, and a gaping hole had been torn through his chest.

"Urgh!"

The martial artist who had attacked Ho-gyeong stared in disbelief, blinking his eyes, then toppled backward like a felled tree.

Dam Ho stood where the martial artist had been. In that critical moment, he had killed the Demonic Cult fighter and saved Ho-gyeong.

Ho-gyeong looked at Dam Ho with an expression of disbelief.

The martial prowess of the Demonic Cult fighter who had attacked him was truly terrifying. Ho-gyeong, a first-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, had been utterly helpless against it. Yet Dam Ho had crushed that fighter in a single blow.

It was a level of power beyond anything Ho-gyeong's understanding could fathom.

Dam Ho turned and looked at Ho-gyeong. Instantly, Ho-gyeong squinted. Dam Ho's face was inexplicably familiar.

"Wh-who are you?"

Dam Ho walked toward him. The moment he saw Dam Ho's slightly limping gait, a name surfaced in Ho-gyeong's mind.

"Could it be Cheong… gyeong?"

His voice trembled involuntarily.

Honestly, he could not recall Dam Ho's face clearly. While on Mount Hua, he had only passed by him a handful of times. But he remembered vividly that Dam Ho had a limp. And then there was the terrifying martial prowess he had just witnessed.

Adding these two facts together, Ho-gyeong became certain that the man before him was Dam Ho.

Dam Ho nodded silently.

"It is true. You truly are Cheong… gyeong. How are you here?"

"What are you doing here? Mount Hua should be far from this place."

"I came with my master…"

Ho-gyeong's eyes widened as he answered absently. Only then did he remember that his master was fighting a powerful expert from the Demonic Cult.

He seized Dam Ho's hand.

"Cheong-gyeong, save the master. The master is in danger…"

Ho-gyeong could not finish his sentence. His eyes rolled back and he lost consciousness. Yet even then, his grip on Dam Ho's hand did not loosen.

He held so tightly that blood could not flow in Dam Ho's hand. Jong Ri-yeon hastily lifted Ho-gyeong.

She drew a silver needle from her bosom and said.

"We must administer emergency treatment. Leave this man to me. You must go and save his master at once."

"……"

"Are you going to stand there dazed? Regardless of the circumstances, these are people connected to you. If you let them die like this, will your master approve?"

Jong Ri-yeon raised her voice. When Dam Ho still did not move, she flushed with exasperation.

"At the very least, you should not feel ashamed when you meet your master again. I am begging you. Please save them."

Dam Ho turned.

In the distance, On Sang-cheon, Hyeon-gwang, and Kwang-hae could be seen locked in fierce battle. Dam Ho began walking slowly toward them.

On the stage of the devastated inn, On Sang-cheon, Hyeon-gwang, and Kwang-hae were locked in a desperate struggle.

But it was not only the three of them fighting. On Sang-cheon's subordinates and Shaolin's disciples were also clashing with all their might.

The street was filled with sword energy and blade winds.

On Sang-cheon was using the Black Heart Demonic Hand to overwhelm Hyeon-gwang and Kwang-hae. Each time his palm struck, they were forced to retreat, not daring to meet it head-on.

But Hyeon-gwang and Kwang-hae were also masters of the highest caliber. They dodged the Black Heart Demonic Hand while unleashing the supreme techniques of Mount Hua and Shaolin in counterattack.

Crash!

The inn, which had barely held together, collapsed entirely under the force of their clash, and the area descended into pandemonium.

The people staying at the Hwayang Inn and nearby establishments fled in all directions to escape the devastation.

"Aaah!"

"Help!"

The streets were instantly filled with screams.

Kwang-hae's eyes trembled.

He was a disciple of Shaolin, the Buddhist temple. He could not help but value human life above all else.

The thought that innocent people were being harmed by their battle naturally caused his hand to waver.

On Sang-cheon did not let that opening slip by.

"Did you think me a joke? To let your attention wander in the heat of battle?"

His hand traced a fluid arc and plunged toward Kwang-hae's chest. Kwang-hae, realizing his mistake, tried to raise a defensive technique, but it was already too late. He had no choice but to concentrate his internal energy in his chest.

The black palm struck Kwang-hae's chest with devastating force.

Crack!

"Ugh!"

Kwang-hae was sent flying backward with a cry of pain.

"Master!"

Shaolin's disciples rushed toward him, but their paths were blocked by On Sang-cheon's subordinates.

Whoosh!

A wolf-fang blade sliced through the air toward them. Shaolin's disciples were forced to retreat.

In that interval, On Sang-cheon launched himself toward Kwang-hae to deliver the final blow. Hyeon-gwang desperately blocked his path, but he looked as fragile as a candle in the wind.

"Master! Ugh!"

Woo-cheon, Kwang-hae's direct disciple, looked as though tears of blood would stream from his eyes. He cursed his own helplessness at being unable to aid his master in his hour of need.

"Worry about your own life, monk!"

On Sang-cheon's subordinate hurled a wolf-fang blade at Woo-cheon's neck. Woo-cheon, his attention consumed by Kwang-hae's plight, could not prepare in time.

Woo-cheon clenched his eyes shut and steeled himself for death.

Boom!

In that instant, a thunderous sound erupted, and Woo-cheon's body heaved violently. A forceful pressure and wind, enough to distort his face, swept over him.

Feeling less pain than expected, Woo-cheon cautiously opened his eyes. Before him unfolded a wondrous sight.

A headless body staggered before him. It was the very subordinate of On Sang-cheon who had been driving him so relentlessly just moments before.

"What?"

Woo-cheon's eyes went wide.

Thud!

The headless body collapsed like a rotten log. Behind it, a walking man came into view.

Blood dripped from his hand. From this, it could be guessed that the man had been the one to send On Sang-cheon's subordinate's head flying.

'Who on earth is this man…'

Clad entirely in black—a black robe, a black raincoat, and black hair soaked in blood and sweat—the man seemed obsessed with the color black.

The man swung his arm wide, flinging the blood from his hand. The motion was utterly natural.

But there was something strange about his gait.

His left shoulder rose higher than his right. He was limping on his left leg.

In that instant, a name surged in Woo-cheon's mind.

'The Fist Demon!'

There were countless martial artists in the world. With fighting a daily occurrence, many had sustained crippling injuries. There were one-armed fighters and many who limped.

But none among them possessed the intense presence and stature of the Fist Demon. Those who had once faced him were so gripped by terror that they could not even bear to utter his name.

Woo-cheon was certain that the man dressed entirely in black was the Fist Demon. It could not be otherwise.

"Who are you? Cough!"

Bang!

The man who had boldly blocked his path was sent flying with a sunken chest.

He had not even seen the man move. He had merely noticed a flash before his eyes, and suddenly the man was before On Sang-cheon's subordinate, followed by the thunderous impact.

The man's unbelievable martial prowess left Woo-cheon and Shaolin's disciples gaping.

CRASH!

"Argh!"

"S-stop him! Aaargh!"

The opponents they had struggled so mightily against were being toppled like straw dolls by the man.

The man was Dam Ho.

Dam Ho's face was colder than it had ever been.

His eyes were deeply shadowed, and his lips were pressed tight, making it impossible to know what he was thinking.

He began walking toward On Sang-cheon.

Hyeon-gwang, already pushed to his limit, was pale and gasping for breath.

The muscles in his limbs had hardened like stone, and he had no strength left to continue fighting. He had already steeled himself for death.

But On Sang-cheon, for some reason, had ceased his attack. His gaze was fixed not on Hyeon-gwang, but elsewhere.

Dam Ho's tense aura could be felt riding the air.

"What?"

Hyeon-gwang's eyes turned to where On Sang-cheon was looking.

On Sang-cheon watched Dam Ho, who limped toward him, with wary eyes.

The moment Dam Ho entered his field of vision, the air around them grew frigid. Conversely, On Sang-cheon's nerves were strung tight as a bowstring.

On Sang-cheon, his brow deeply furrowed, glared at Dam Ho. Then he opened his mouth to speak.

"Who are you…"

Bang!

In that instant, a thunderous sound erupted, and On Sang-cheon's body was sent flying backward.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong, whose body had recovered, noticed surveillance eyes more sensitively than before.

“There have been people following us continuously since morning.”

It was the second time this had happened, three days after passing Mirror Sea.

On the first day too, pursuers had attached themselves shortly after departure, then fallen away.

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“They must be people who don’t know our faces. Like last time, they’ll disappear soon enough.”

Bian Bu grumbled.

“We could just catch them and bury them in the ground to make things quiet.”

Jin Ja-gang replied.

“It’s not that I’m avoiding them because I’m afraid of fighting, but because I don’t know how their information and communication networks operate.”

“I know, do you think I don’t understand that? But the carriage is too slow for that approach. At this rate, it would be stranger if pursuers didn’t attach themselves to us.”

Indeed, the group’s carriage was extremely slow. It was only slightly faster than an ox cart. Moreover, Jin Ja-gang kept stopping to rest intermittently, saying he needed to take breaks. Such a comfortable and leisurely journey was almost a first in Bian Bu’s lifetime.

“They’ve spread webs in all directions and are waiting, while we’re crawling along like slugs – I don’t see how we can avoid getting caught in their webs.”

While listening to Bian Bu’s grumbling, Woon-jeong asked Jin Ja-gang.

“How can Poison Dragon benefactor be so calm and composed? There are pursuers following right behind us.”

“Do I seem composed? I’m also extremely tense and vigilant inside.”

“You don’t look it at all…”

From Jin Ja-gang’s expression alone, one could never tell if he was feeling anxious.

Bian Bu looked at Woon-jeong and said.

“Give up, Taoist. Even if you understand, you won’t be able to imitate it. This is something only people whose guts have spilled outside their bellies can do.”

Jin Ja-gang pointed to the stream ahead.

“Speaking of which, let’s rest briefly up ahead.”

“Again?”

The words “You’re going to rest openly when pursuers are following?” almost came out of Woon-jeong’s mouth.

“Since this is my first time driving a carriage, I suppose I’m not used to it yet.”

“What? This is your first time driving a carriage?”

“I learned from her before we left.”

Woon-jeong realized that Jin Ja-gang had no intention of racing the carriage fast to escape. He was even openly wearing his Taoist hat. When Woon-jeong had questioned whether he should at least take it off and disguise himself, Jin Ja-gang had said it didn’t matter.

“At this rate, it’s not just a matter of getting caught along the way, but almost like begging to be captured…”

“Even if we race fast, there’s no way to avoid them. Even if we took the fastest carriage and fled in the opposite direction, martial artists using lightness skills would catch up within a day or two. Then the probability of having to fight would be ten out of ten.”

When Jin Ja-gang stopped the carriage in the shade, Soso brought out food and prepared for a rest. The group also got off the carriage and made themselves comfortable.

Jin Ja-gang tied up the horses and walked around the area. Since it was winter, there weren’t many useful plants available.

False hellebore roots were the most common. Jin Ja-gang pulled up false hellebore, brushed off the dirt, and chewed the roots.

Crunch, crunch.

Since this was his usual behavior during breaks, it no longer held any particular interest for the group.

“Really, such strange eating habits.”

Bian Bu gave up and stopped paying attention to Jin Ja-gang. Then he picked up a piece of pancake and a bottle of alcohol.

“Well, I don’t know. This is my first time drinking alcohol while on the run in my life.”

Bian Bu took a big gulp of alcohol.

Jin Ja-gang smiled with false hellebore root in his mouth.

“You’re doing well.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong also smiled with a different meaning.

“The presence of those who were following us until just now has disappeared. I can no longer sense them.”

Bian Bu was amazed.

“Well, well. This is truly enough to make ghosts weep.”

The pursuers had disappeared after following for only half a watch period.

Jin Ja-gang nodded.

“They probably think it would be a waste of time to pursue us further.”

Woon-jeong raised a question.

“But anyone can see we’re suspicious. Anyone can see we’re suspicious, yet they just leave?”

Woon-jeong looked even more confused.

Jin Ja-gang explained.

“If people who should be fleeing are traveling slowly on the road without hiding themselves, what would you think?”

“Well… I’d think it was strange.”

“Exactly. Normally it would be proper to hide. But since we’re exposing ourselves, they’d think it even stranger. They might wonder if it’s not bait. They’d worry that we’re using bait to distract their eyes and buy time while the real targets escape elsewhere. In fact, the person who parted ways with us at Mirror Sea is currently going in the opposite direction from us.”

“But the pursuers could directly confirm with us.”

“That’s why we’re taking the road to Sichuan. As long as we’re going to Sichuan, they won’t feel the need to block and check us.”

“That’s right. Once we enter Sichuan, there are so many watching eyes… Eh? What did you say? Sichuan?”

Woon-jeong’s mouth fell wide open.

“Wait, then when are we going to veer off while heading to Sichuan?”

“We’re not veering off – we plan to go all the way near Mount Qingcheng. As soon as we enter Sichuan, we’ll enter Qingcheng Sect’s territory to shake off surveillance from other sects.”

Woon-jeong looked devastated.

Bian Bu looked at Woon-jeong and clicked his tongue.

“Really impressive, so impressive. No matter how uninterested you are, it’s been two days since we departed – are you only curious about that now?”

“No, that’s not it… You should have told me if there was such talk!”

Jin Ja-gang said while chewing roots.

“We discussed this before, but you seemed to have fallen asleep.”

Woon-jeong looked tearful.

“If I get caught after going to Mount Qingcheng now, I’m in big trouble.”

Bian Bu asked back.

“But then how long are you planning to follow us around?”

“Originally I was going to get off after just passing through Sichuan…”

Woon-jeong hesitated. Somehow he had missed the opportunity to part ways and had been with them until now. He couldn’t understand why he hadn’t left when he could have.

“So… Ah…! Why is everyone so desperate to devour me!”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong smiled and said.

“It’s time for Taoist Woon-jeong to return.”

“But, but…”

Woon-jeong looked worried and dejected as he hung his head.

Soso patted Woon-jeong’s shoulder.

* * *

The pursuers appeared two more times but quickly turned back after following briefly.

Once they approached very close before disappearing. So Dan Ryeong-gyeong and Woon-jeong, who had deep internal energy, could overhear their conversation.

“I heard beforehand, but no matter how you look at it, it’s really suspicious.”

“To throw out such obvious bait. Do they think we’re fools?”

“Anyway, it’s the road to Sichuan. As long as they don’t deviate from this route, we don’t need to worry about them anymore.”

Hearing their words, Woon-jeong realized that Jin Ja-gang’s thinking had worked to some extent.

Sichuan was a cave with a tiger’s mouth wide open. No one in their right mind would think of returning to Sichuan.

* * *

There were good points to the carriage going slowly.

Even in the somewhat shaking carriage, they could practice breathing exercises and cultivation. Not only Woon-jeong but Dan Ryeong-gyeong also continuously practiced breathing exercises to tend to her wounds.

Moreover, whenever there was time, Dan Ryeong-gyeong transmitted the Jade Void Nine Light Five Thunder Toad Technique to Jin Ja-gang.

During the ten-odd days the carriage traveled toward Sichuan, Jin Ja-gang absorbed Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s teachings like a water-soaked sponge.

* * *

As soon as they entered Sichuan, Jin Ja-gang drove the carriage quickly into Qingcheng Sect’s territory. He was utilizing the fact that territories were clearly divided among Sichuan’s Three Powers.

The carriage ran safely to near Mount Qingcheng without any interference.

However, Jin Ja-gang and Dan Ryeong-gyeong could feel sharp gazes following them from the moment they entered Qingcheng Sect’s territory.

When Mount Qingcheng became visible in the distance, Woon-jeong looked completely devastated.

“I don’t know anything. Whatever happens now, it’s not my fault.”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“It was Taoist Woon-jeong who said to come meet your master directly.”

Bian Bu chimed in.

“That’s right. Didn’t you tell me to come too? Surely you didn’t lie to this old man?”

Woon-jeong pleaded.

“That’s not it. That’s not what I meant… Sigh… Back then you all said you didn’t want to… Listen, couldn’t you just knock me unconscious and take me along? When I see Mount Qingcheng and have to pass by, my legs go weak and I can’t stand it.”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“To be honest, part of the reason for coming to Mount Qingcheng was to use Taoist Woon-jeong. I thought that if we were with Taoist Woon-jeong while passing Mount Qingcheng, Qingcheng Sect wouldn’t interfere.”

“So I’m essentially a hostage…”

“When I saw how Taoist Woon-jeong dealt with people from the Tang family and Emei Sect, I judged that since Qingcheng Sect isn’t a member sect of the Martial Arts Alliance, they wouldn’t cooperate with other sects.”

“That’s correct. Sichuan’s Three Powers aren’t on particularly good terms.”

“So while passing through Qingcheng Sect’s territory, the gazes of the Tang family, Emei Sect, and Zhuge family will completely disappear, making our subsequent escape easier.”

Woon-jeong sighed.

“But that’s something you’re saying without knowing us well enough. Our Qingcheng rarely moves as a group, but many individuals are extremely obsessive. You won’t be able to pass through so easily.”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“When we leave Qingcheng Sect’s territory, I’ll stay behind.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong seemed to have expected this, but Bian Bu and Soso were greatly surprised, apparently not having thought of it at all.

“What? You?”

“This is the best way.”

Soso grabbed Jin Ja-gang’s sleeve.

“Ah-eo-eo-eo!”

“It’s okay. Since I’m not injured, it’s much more convenient to be alone.”

Bian Bu asked.

“Have you given up on revenge?”

“How could that be? It’s just…”

The words that there were things just as important as revenge that he couldn’t abandon now rose to his throat, but Jin Ja-gang didn’t voice them aloud.

Still, Bian Bu had already sensed Jin Ja-gang’s resolve.

“You’ve changed… You’re different from when we first met.”

Jin Ja-gang smiled silently.

But then, Jin Ja-gang’s face involuntarily hardened.

An old Taoist was walking toward them from ahead on the road. He was thin but tall, keeping his back straight. His hair was tied back in a topknot and his white beard hung to his shoulders.

He was definitely a Taoist from Qingcheng Sect.

But what surprised Jin Ja-gang wasn’t that. It was that the old Taoist had been walking toward them from ahead, yet he hadn’t noticed until he was very close.

The old Taoist looked at the group, then suddenly put his finger to his lips in a gesture for silence. Then he gestured for them to follow. His attitude showed no hostility or particular expression.

As Jin Ja-gang wondered what to do and looked to the side, Woon-jeong’s face was ashen, and Dan Ryeong-gyeong also had a frowning expression.

The old Taoist walked ahead with his hands behind his back, then turned around and gestured again.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong said in a stiff tone.

“Follow him.”

For now, that was the only option.

Jin Ja-gang slowly drove the carriage, following behind the old Taoist.

Crunch, crunch.

While chewing the plant roots he had gathered during their breaks.