Chapter 316 – Fist Demon's Unyielding Spirit (1)

Dam Ho and Geom Yul-cheon stood tall on the boat, gazing at the flowing scenery. Since neither of them were talkative people, the silence continued for quite some time.

After a considerable period had passed, it was Geom Yul-cheon who first spoke.

"The Wind Moon Emperor?"

"He died."

"So it came to that after all? What he wanted?"

"……"

"It seems you found it."

Geom Yul-cheon looked directly at Dam Ho.

It was a gaze seeking answers.

It was also Geom Yul-cheon who had rescued Dan Gong-wol and brought him this far. However, he was busy fighting the Ten Soldiers and didn't witness Dan Gong-wol's final moments.

Dam Ho thought Geom Yul-cheon deserved to hear the answer.

"That place was the foundation of the Heavenly Evil Cult."

"So it was as I thought?"

Dam Ho told him everything he had heard from Dan Gong-wol.

The fact that the Four Divine Emperors had killed all the descendants of the Heavenly Evil Cult, the Double-Headed Winged Serpent drawn on the wall, and even the mysterious Plum Blossom Sword Master who had attacked him. He left out nothing.

Dam Ho spoke calmly, and Geom Yul-cheon listened silently.

Neither adding nor subtracting anything, the story told exactly as it was finally came to an end.

Geom Yul-cheon closed his eyes.

Countless thoughts flashed by like a revolving lantern. It was the Heavenly Evil Cult that he had been tracking for so many long years. They were like water mist. Clearly existing but impossible to grasp, disappearing without a trace when the morning sun rose.

So sometimes he thought he might be obsessing over an illusion that didn't exist.

He had been drawing a picture. But the picture he drew had missing parts here and there. So it couldn't become a complete picture and remained as meaningless scribbles. But Dam Ho's story was filling in those missing parts.

However, there was still something to confirm.

"Did the Wind Moon Emperor definitely tell you to be careful of Lee Gwan?"

"Yes!"

"Iron Blood War God Lee Gwan, the forbidden book, the death squad… So that's how it all connects?"

"……"

Dam Ho said nothing more. Instead, he looked at Geom Yul-cheon.

Geom Yul-cheon's contemplation continued endlessly, and a great picture was being completed in his mind.

It was quite some time later when Geom Yul-cheon opened his eyes. His eyes were shining with conviction.

He looked at Dam Ho. Dam Ho had been silently watching Geom Yul-cheon for a long time. Dam Ho's gaze was seeking an answer.

Geom Yul-cheon had a duty to answer him.

"Before being the absolute rulers of the old martial world, the Four Divine Emperors were old friends. They spent a very long time together and always traveled together. They had particularly strong chivalrous spirits and couldn't just pass by injustice. Such people discovered the last sect of the Heavenly Evil Cult. Naturally, they couldn't just ignore it. They were very rigid and had personalities that knew no compromise."

"……"

"Eventually, they annihilated the last sect of the Heavenly Evil Cult. And many years passed. In that process, some people would have felt doubt about what they had done, while others would have felt regret. Wind Moon Emperor Dan would have been the former, and Iron Blood War God Lee Gwan would have been the latter."

"So Lee Gwan broke the seal on the Heavenly Evil Cult's forbidden book?"

"For now, that seems to be the best explanation."

Dam Ho frowned slightly.

"I don't know what the Heavenly Evil Cult's forbidden book is, but it must be something tremendous enough to stimulate Lee Gwan's hidden desires. Enough to make him stab his old friends in the back…"

"Then the Heavenly Evil Cult we know now is?"

"Do you remember Taiji Scholar Go Ju-wol, whom you killed at the Lotus Flower Tower?"

"……"

"He was a martial artist who participated in the death squad during the first Orthodox-Demon War."

For a moment, Dam Ho's eyebrows twitched. It was because a certain assumption came to mind. Seeing this, Geom Yul-cheon nodded.

"Your thought is correct. Those who led the death squad at that time were the Four Divine Emperors, especially Iron Blood War God Lee Gwan."

"……"

"Doesn't it coincide strangely? Lee Gwan stole the Heavenly Evil Cult's forbidden book, and Go Ju-wol, who participated in the death squad he led, became a member of the Heavenly Evil Cult."

"Then the Heavenly Evil Cult is?"

"Definitely the successor to the death squad."

"Were there any Mount Hua martial artists among those who participated in the death squad?"

At Dam Ho's question, Geom Yul-cheon fell into thought for a moment.

Though he wasn't born at that time, Geom Yul-cheon had collected countless pieces of information while tracking the Heavenly Evil Cult. Even if he didn't know everything, he knew about the major figures.

"From Mount Hua Sect, Jin Gung-ja and several other masters participated."

"Jin Gung-ja?"

Dam Ho muttered quietly.

At that time, Mount Hua Sect's greatest master was Cheon Gung-ja, and the sect leader was Il Gung-ja. And Cheon Gung-ja was also Master Hyeon-so's master.

Jin Gung-ja would have been a master of the same generation as Cheon Gung-ja.

Dam Ho's gaze deepened further. Geom Yul-cheon's gaze was the same as his.

They were never people with poor minds. Rather, they had superior intellects compared to ordinary people. Above all, they shared a tenacity that never gave up.

Their conclusion was one.

For some reason unknown, the death squad that participated in the Orthodox-Demon War at that time betrayed by following Lee Gwan. And they established the Heavenly Evil Cult.

Geom Yul-cheon shook his head.

"The worst scenario."

It was enough to make one sigh naturally.

He looked at Dam Ho. Dam Ho's gaze had sunk deeper than ever.

The moment he saw his face, Geom Yul-cheon felt an unknown thrill.

'Fist Demon.'

He already knew that Dam Ho was strong. So he thought he could certainly become his rival. Indeed, Dam Ho had such ability.

Half of the Demon Cult's Seven Great Demons had died at his hands. Though it was a surprising achievement for the world, Geom Yul-cheon could have done that much too.

The Thunder Stream he had inherited had that level of destructive power. Indeed, he had displayed superior martial prowess against the Ten Soldiers, including Jeong Cheon-ak.

But facing Cheon Oh-gyeong, the inheritor of Sword Stream who could be called the leader among the Thirteen Branches, was a different dimension altogether.

Honestly, he couldn't be confident of achieving victory against Cheon Oh-gyeong either. But the man before him had achieved victory against Cheon Oh-gyeong, the strongest martial artist.

Now he had to acknowledge it.

The man called Dam Ho was much more powerful than he had thought. Perhaps even more than himself…

Geom Yul-cheon's gaze also deepened like Dam Ho's.

'He stands on the opposite side of this Geom Yul-cheon's destiny. He is my companion and destined rival. Eventually, in the end, only he and I will stand at the edge of the martial world.'

Geom Yul-cheon unconsciously clenched his fist tightly. So tight that his nails dug into his palm until blood flowed. But he soon relaxed his fist.

Dam Ho was a disciple of the prestigious orthodox sect Mount Hua, while he was a disciple of the Demon Cult, the leader of the demonic path. When all grudges in the martial world were resolved, they would inevitably clash, but now was not the time to oppose him.

Geom Yul-cheon's gaze became much gentler.

"I don't know for what reason Lee Gwan is succeeding the Heavenly Evil Cult and fanning the flames of conflict between the demonic path and the martial world. But if we leave them alone like this, the martial world and the Divine Cult will surely destroy each other."

"……"

"Dam Ho."

"Speak!"

"I will formally propose to you. Let us cooperate temporarily."

"Didn't you say before that you would handle it alone?"

"I was arrogant. I'm sorry."

Geom Yul-cheon apologized. But he wasn't servile and remained dignified. Dam Ho stared at such Geom Yul-cheon.

'One who has the qualification and power to navigate through turbulent times.'

The Geom Yul-cheon he saw was a hegemon.

Though they might inevitably clash someday, for now he needed his cooperation.

Dam Ho nodded.

"Thank you! Friend."

Geom Yul-cheon extended his hand, and Dam Ho grasped it.

Fist Demon and Unyielding Spirit…

It was a historic moment when the men who would become legends of the martial world and demonic path first joined hands.

***

"Hureok!"

Namgung Chang suddenly kicked off his bed and sat up. His entire body was drenched in sweat.

"Military Advisor, what's wrong?"

A guard martial artist who had been standing watch outside kicked open the door and rushed in. Then Namgung Chang waved his hand.

"It's nothing. I just had a nightmare for a moment."

"A nightmare?"

"My energy seems to be depleted lately. There's nothing to worry about, so go back."

"Yes!"

At Namgung Chang's words, the guard martial artist bowed and withdrew. Right after he left, Namgung Chang threw open the window wide. Cold air rushed in and refreshed his lungs.

Only then did his mind clear up a bit.

Like most nightmares, he couldn't even remember what kind of dream it was. But one thing was certain. In the dream, he was suffering tremendous pain with no end in sight. And the one causing him pain was a person he knew well.

"Fist Demon, have you now started appearing even in my dreams?"

Namgung Chang ground his teeth.

Now his heart was being torn to shreds beyond just trembling with rage.

If there was one blemish in his life that was running on a smooth highway, it was only Dam Ho. It seemed like he could only live if that person disappeared from the world.

"Definitely… I will definitely kill you with my own hands."

Namgung Chang had to cool his anger in the cold wind.

It was quite some time later that he regained his composure.

"Phew!"

Just as he was about to turn around with a sigh, he suddenly heard the guard martial artist's voice from outside.

"Military Advisor."

"What is it?"

"The Alliance Leader is calling for you."

"At this hour?"

"He asks you to come to the Alliance Leader's quarters."

"I understand. I'll prepare myself, so wait a moment."

"Understood."

Namgung Chang hurriedly changed his clothes and went outside. Even as he walked, he wore a puzzled expression.

It was early dawn. There had never been a case when Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san had summoned him at this hour.

'What could it be?'

Nam Cheon-san usually found him very difficult to deal with.

Though he was a great martial artist called by the nickname Divine Spear, he had almost no foundation in the Martial Alliance. Therefore, despite holding the position of Alliance Leader, he had no choice but to be manipulated by Vice Alliance Leader Jo Ui-myeong, Military Advisor Namgung Chang, and the martial world's renowned masters who controlled the leadership.

Nam Cheon-san extremely disliked meeting Jo Ui-myeong and Namgung Chang directly. Even if he was a puppet Alliance Leader, he wanted to maintain his pride.

Knowing Nam Cheon-san's such tendencies, Namgung Chang's curiosity could only grow.

After passing through several checkpoints, he finally arrived at the Alliance Leader's quarters. Then a martial artist standing guard loudly shouted toward the inside.

"Alliance Leader, the Military Advisor has arrived."

"Bring him in."

"Yes!"

Namgung Chang opened the door and walked inside before the martial artist's answer was even finished. It was truly an unhesitating appearance.

"Military Advisor, welcome."

"Alliance Leader. What brings you to summon me at this hour?"

Namgung Chang spoke with a slight edge toward Nam Cheon-san who was welcoming him warmly. Namgung Chang's mood was already disturbed because of the nightmare. Naturally, his voice had to become sharp.

But Nam Cheon-san smiled leisurely as if he was used to it.

The first year or two, life within the Martial Alliance had been difficult for him too. Though he seemed to receive extreme respect on the surface, in reality he was a powerless puppet Alliance Leader. But he endured and endured again for the greater good of the martial world. In the process, his mental suffering was so severe that he developed internal ailments, but now he had become somewhat accustomed to it, making endurance easier.

Also, through such endurance, quite a few followers had emerged within the alliance. Though he had no foundation within the alliance at first, now his foundation had grown considerably, allowing him to voice his opinions. That's why he could freely summon the Military Advisor even at this early hour.

"I called you because I wanted to share good news with the Military Advisor."

"Good news? What is that?"

"A venerable senior from the previous generation has come to help us."

Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Nam Cheon-san's voice was slightly elevated. Conversely, Namgung Chang's mood dropped slightly.

If a senior from the previous generation was helping, it would increase the Alliance Leader's power accordingly. For Namgung Chang and the leadership, this was not particularly welcome news. But since he couldn't show it, Namgung Chang forced a smile.

"That's wonderful. Who might that person be?"

"Rather than me telling you, it would be better to see for yourself."

Nam Cheon-san smiled and pointed to one corner of the room. Then someone slowly walked out from the darkness.

It was an old man who appeared to be in his late sixties with a six-foot tall frame. Even in the subtle darkness, his pupils were shining like a fierce tiger. His dignified gait resembled a tiger, and tremendous presence was emanating from his entire body.

Namgung Chang felt slightly overwhelmed by the old man's presence and made a bewildered expression. Seeing this, Nam Cheon-san smiled as if he had expected this.

"Greet him, Military Advisor. This is the great hero Jeok Gyeong-cheon, the Heavenly Sword King."

"Heavenly… Sword King?"

Namgung Chang's pupils shook.

It was a name that any martial artist living in the current era would have heard at least once.

Heavenly Sword King Jeok Gyeong-cheon.

One who lived in the same era as the Four Divine Emperors and was a member of the death squad during the first Orthodox-Demon War. However, he had mysteriously disappeared afterward, so everyone thought he was dead.

"Are… are you really Heavenly Sword King Jeok senior?"

Namgung Chang's voice trembled as he spoke.

Taoist Haewol chuckled.

“Such an insolent brat. The Reverse Afterimage Confusion Body Technique is a secret martial art that no one in Wudang has mastered. With just that one technique, you could live comfortably for a lifetime. But you say ‘just’? Isn’t that a bit too much?”

“You gave me a lost martial art because openly teaching Wudang martial arts would cause problems. Isn’t that right?”

“Your intuition is truly remarkable.”

“No matter how much the Reverse Afterimage Confusion Body Technique deceives the opponent’s eyes, it’s useless if I can’t penetrate their defense.”

“You’re talking about Shaolin Temple’s iron silk.”

Jin Ja-gang had painfully felt the limits of low-level martial arts. No matter what he did, he couldn’t penetrate Great Master Beom-mong’s iron silk. Even poison needles didn’t work on the Iron Head Technique.

He needed advanced martial arts that could somehow penetrate a master’s protective energy.

“Great Master Beom-mong naturally isn’t an opponent you can beat in a direct confrontation. This time you were lucky, so of course you should run if you encounter him.”

“Do as you please. Then let’s consider there’s no deal.”

Taoist Haewol clicked his tongue.

“Tsk tsk. Listen to the end. I didn’t say there was no method. Have you seen the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit?”

Jin Ja-gang was slightly surprised.

However, the Guizhou branch had reported the escape of Enlightened Teacher Yelu Hwan, and Wudang Sect, as a member of the orthodox path, might know about the Toad Art.

“It’s sleeping quietly now.”

“The ghost in your brain is quite persistent, yet you endured it well. Then… come here.”

Taoist Haewol extended his hand. He extended it gently and slowly, placing his fingertip in front of Jin Ja-gang’s chest. The middle finger almost but not quite touching.

Then he muttered.

“Accumulate power with the entire body.”

Taoist Haewol’s body suddenly contracted and writhed.

“Mark the point and release power.”

The moment Jin Ja-gang heard the words “release power,” he tried to dodge. But before that, Taoist Haewol lightly touched Jin Ja-gang’s chest with his fingertip.

At that moment!

Thump!

Jin Ja-gang flew backward frantically. He was pushed by tremendous force without being able to resist.

Taoist Haewol quickly became distant.

He could already see the ferry he had been riding clearly.

Jin Ja-gang flew over a distance of more than five or six zhang to the opposite riverbank and fell.

Crash!

Jin Ja-gang rolled on the ground several times, then pressed his hands to the ground and flipped to get up.

He felt his chest. There was a very small hole in his clothes.

Other than that, there were no major injuries.

It was bewildering power. If Taoist Haewol hadn’t dispersed the force at the last moment, it wouldn’t have ended with just a hole in his clothes. It would have been enough to smash his spine while punching a large hole through him.

Taoist Haewol stepped on the ferry and leaped across the water surface to land in front of Jin Ja-gang in one breath.

“It’s a technique called Inch Force. One of the methods using Taiji Quan’s energy techniques.”

Taoist Haewol explained about inch force.

“Protective energy like iron silk, especially Shaolin Temple’s Golden Silk Iron Vermillion, can only be destroyed by specialized methods unless you know the weak meridian points. Inch force is one of the few energy-breaking methods you can learn before completely subjugating the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit.”

“Inch force…”

Jin Ja-gang touched the hole in his clothes.

Taoist Haewol gestured to Jin Ja-gang.

“Now, you only have half a day. Since you’ve been so greedy, let’s see how much you can take with you.”

* * *

The Three Venerables of the martial world who lead the martial arts world: three absolute masters.

The leader of the Demonic Cult, the master of Northern Heaven, and the martial alliance leader.

Receiving martial arts instruction from one of them, Taoist Haewol, was the greatest opportunity for Jin Ja-gang.

Having already experienced guidance from Venerable Woo-am and Yelu Hwan, he knew well how precious this time was.

Jin Ja-gang did his utmost not to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

He memorized all the formulas in one watch, asked questions for half an hour, and mastered the basic movements and principles in another half hour. After that, he fought against Taoist Haewol using only the Reverse Afterimage Confusion Body Technique and inch force, practicing as if in real combat continuously.

Like a child constantly demanding milk, Jin Ja-gang endlessly pestered and bothered Taoist Haewol.

Thump!

Taoist Haewol’s inch force struck Jin Ja-gang’s chest.

Jin Ja-gang, whose clothes were now tattered like rags, rolled on the ground again. But covered in dirt from head to toe, he quickly got up and rushed at Taoist Haewol.

One, two, three afterimages remained in the air.

Jin Ja-gang circled to Taoist Haewol’s left. Without looking, Taoist Haewol extended his hand to the right.

Thump!

“Kugh!”

With a groan, Jin Ja-gang flew away. Even in his disheveled state, Jin Ja-gang rushed at Taoist Haewol without rest.

However, Taoist Haewol didn’t truly find it bothersome.

He had seen countless talents and non-talents while at Wudang Sect.

There were geniuses who memorized everything after reading the Thousand Character Classic twice, and geniuses who instantly understood martial arts formulas.

But no genius was as desperate as Jin Ja-gang.

Desperation.

Jin Ja-gang had desperation that drove himself to the limit to the point where watching made one’s liver shrivel.

He himself was the same.

If he hadn’t had a sense of mission from the beginning, he wouldn’t have come this far. Though his path went astray and made the martial world even more precarious, the martial world was his reason for existence and life’s purpose.

Roll roll roll.

Jin Ja-gang, who had been rolling on the ground, got up again and moved.

Using the Reverse Afterimage Confusion Body Technique, he left afterimages opposite to the direction he moved.

Three, four… Faint afterimages circled behind Taoist Haewol.

Taoist Haewol extended his hand to the left. Taoist Haewol’s hand passed through Jin Ja-gang’s afterimage. Jin Ja-gang’s afterimage rose above Taoist Haewol’s head.

Taoist Haewol flinched and tried to block above, then struck to the right.

Whip!

The afterimage of Jin Ja-gang on the right disappeared like being extinguished by the wind from Taoist Haewol’s gesture.

Front!

Jin Ja-gang crouched low from the front and brought his finger to Taoist Haewol’s abdomen.

Jin Ja-gang drew all the whirlpools and eddies accumulated in the five dams to one place. Just as righteousness gathers to become a greater cause, just as various tributaries separate and combine to become the main stream, he gathered different eddies and moved them according to the formula, pouring them all into one spot on his right hand’s middle finger.

Inch force!

Jin Ja-gang’s attack hit Taoist Haewol for the first time!

But Taoist Haewol’s body rippled and Jin Ja-gang felt like he was pressing cotton.

Thud.

Jin Ja-gang’s hand was lightly bounced back, and an explosion occurred beneath Taoist Haewol’s feet.

Bang! Like stepping with True Step technique, dirt burst and the ground shattered. He had diverted Jin Ja-gang’s inch force beneath his feet.

Jin Ja-gang stepped back two paces hesitantly and took his stance again. Though breathing heavily, his eyes were still vivid.

“I won.”

“Right. No matter how crude it looks, that much power is sufficient.”

Crude meant rough and unrefined.

“Is it really sufficient?”

He asked because Taoist Haewol looked unharmed.

“You only used inch force the whole time, so would I get hit knowing that? The speed of power release is still slow. It needs to be at least ten times faster than now.”

Though Taoist Haewol was speaking as seriously as before, somehow his tone seemed slightly softened.

Jin Ja-gang quietly stared at Taoist Haewol. Though his eyes were hidden by eyebrows so the exact expression couldn’t be seen, he seemed to be thinking something else.

When Jin Ja-gang was about to move his body immediately, Taoist Haewol raised his hand.

“Stop. Time’s up.”

Hearing those words, Jin Ja-gang stopped without pestering further. Then he politely cupped his fists to Taoist Haewol.

“Thank you.”

Taoist Haewol nodded slightly, then was silent for a while.

“…”

“What’s wrong?”

When there was still no answer, Jin Ja-gang asked back.

“If you have something to say, I’ll listen.”

“I…”

Taoist Haewol began to speak.

“Have no disciples. Do you know why?”

“I don’t know.”

“They all died.”

Jin Ja-gang couldn’t respond carelessly to those words either.

“I took in three in total, but every one died in accidents before they could bloom.”

“Were they really… accidents?”

Taoist Haewol slightly raised the corner of his mouth instead of answering.

“Two died while I was traveling the martial world pursuing those people’s tracks, and one died while I was organizing Yangtze River Sword Sect. Only then did I realize again the seriousness of what I was trying to do. And I haven’t taken disciples since then.”

For a martial artist, disciples are like children. Sometimes they’re regarded as one body even more than children. They say you feel unity while passing on your progress.

So when he lost his disciples, Taoist Haewol must have been extremely heartbroken.

Taoist Haewol looked at Jin Ja-gang meaningfully.

“I wondered if you could have survived until now if you had been my disciple.”

Jin Ja-gang stared at Taoist Haewol.

“I see people’s character with Golden Beads. I chose those with good character and outstanding qualities. Those who absorbed what was taught like water being absorbed. But seeing you today…”

Taoist Haewol said.

“I realized I chose disciples with too weak hearts for the path I was taking. Those disciples died because of me. No, if only I had given up my intentions.”

Hearing those words, Jin Ja-gang suddenly chuckled.

“So, are you blaming yourself?”

“Why? Am I not allowed to blame myself?”

“When I was at an age where I couldn’t protect myself, when I hadn’t bloomed yet as you put it, I met someone who could have been my teacher.”

“Who was that?”

“Vice Sect Leader Yong Myeong of Medicine King Sect.”

“That’s a name I haven’t heard. But for you to call someone teacher… I’d like to meet him once.”

“He died in my place.”

Taoist Haewol’s eyebrows twitched.

“Not just him, but the Medicine King Sect disciples who followed him too. They sacrificed their lives to save me.”

Taoist Haewol’s eyebrows drooped further. He seemed to have closed his eyes.

“Thanks to that, I’ve survived until now. I was able to take revenge for Medicine King Sect and somewhat uncover the full picture involving medicine and poison sects. And when it comes time to take your head, I’ll reveal the true mastermind.”

“You mean my disciples would be alive if I had died?”

“In the same situation, what would you have done? Would you have saved your disciples?”

Taoist Haewol was silent briefly, then sighed and said.

“I felt truly ashamed. Hearing your words, I was too buried in greater causes. I still don’t know. Could I have died in place of my disciples? Would I have trusted that my disciples would protect the martial world in my place…!”

“So if I had been your disciple, I would have died in your place.”

“What?”

“I mean if the disciples knew their master’s intentions, they would have gladly died to not endanger their master. So as not to hinder their master’s path. That’s not weakness.”

Taoist Haewol became speechless for a while.

Then he suddenly snorted.

“You’re still an insolent brat. Where does a greenhorn lecture an elder who’s lived a hundred years?”

But contrary to his words, Taoist Haewol took something from his sleeve and threw it to Jin Ja-gang.

It was a small jade pendant with golden and red silk threads. Even at a glance, it didn’t feel ordinary.

“Payment for the lecture. Get some clothes. If you enter a shop with the same pattern as carved on that jade, they’ll treat you well.”

“This doesn’t seem like something I should receive.”

“Just keep your promise properly. Never let anyone else take me from you. The remaining dregs of old evils must fall by the hands of the new era.”

I want to die by your hands.

Somehow Taoist Haewol’s inner thoughts seemed to reach him.

But Jin Ja-gang replied coldly.

“I have no intention of becoming a hero. After killing you, what happens next is none of my business.”

Keke!

Taoist Haewol laughed heartily.

“Fine. I won’t entrust you with what comes after. You’re not a hero anyway. Well then, farewell.”

Taoist Haewol stomped his foot and leaped up with a thump, then jumped across the water surface and disappeared in an instant.

Jin Ja-gang watched the direction Taoist Haewol disappeared while gripping the jade pendant tightly.

Then once again he politely cupped his fists in that direction and bowed his head.