Chapter 334 – Fear Ruling Over Fear (3)

The faces of Zun-yi County's people peering through window cracks at West Alley showed the light of fear.

The sight visible through the door crack was so horrific that people were afraid to see it even in nightmares. Likely, since the place name Zun-yi came into existence, such a terrible disaster had never occurred before.

A thick smell of blood was drifting in through the open door cracks.

"Heave!"

"Ho-how is this possible?"

People retched at the acrid, bloody stench that pierced their noses, and tears flowed.

The streets were completely covered with black corpses and the wounded. They were martial artists from Black Martial Hall who had annihilated the White Merchant House and seized control of Zun-yi County just a day before.

"Ugh!"

"P-please save me!"

Those still breathing looked up at Dam Ho with faces covered in blood. Their eyes were filled with fear.

When Pavilion Master Cho Gwan died, what they chose was to flee.

They couldn't dare resist.

The moment they opposed, they died.

That single thought filled their minds. No other thought emerged.

Only fleeing was the way to survive. So they fled with all their might.

But Dam Ho, the monster the world called the Fist Demon, didn't allow them to flee.

He chased the fleeing Black Martial Hall martial artists and killed them one by one.

Despite limping on one leg, he was incredibly fast. They fled at full speed, but Dam Ho caught up with ease and wielded his terrible fist.

Each time he swung his fist, one person invariably fell. Resistance was utterly impossible.

Some died, some suffered severe injuries.

The Black Martial Hall martial artists didn't know what determined the difference. In fact, they didn't want to know. They were merely grateful to have saved their lives at this moment.

"Krek!"

"Hraaaaah!"

Weeping burst forth from among the survivors.

Martial artists who valued pride more than life shouldn't shed tears in front of everyone. Yet none of those shedding tears here felt shame.

They were merely grateful to be alive.

No hatred toward Dam Ho arose.

The overwhelming fear had completely shattered their self-esteem, their pride, and their spirits.

A martial artist with a broken sword could make a comeback. But a martial artist whose spirit was broken could never rise again.

It was as good as receiving a death sentence as a martial artist. This was the punishment Dam Ho had inflicted on the surviving Black Martial Hall martial artists.

Dam Ho stood among those who had barely saved their lives.

His newly purchased black martial robe and long cloak were stained red with people's blood. His appearance, completely dyed red with blood, was something people feared to see even in dreams.

At that moment, Dam Ho opened his mouth.

"I'm not interested in how you live."

"Ugh!"

"It doesn't matter if martial artists fight among themselves. You can join hands with the Demon Cult or oppose them. I have no great expectations of you anyway."

Dam Ho paused for a moment.

Everyone held their breath and stared at Dam Ho's face.

The fallen Black Martial Hall martial artists, the people peeking through window cracks, all opened their eyes wide, waiting for Dam Ho's next words.

When everyone's tension reached its peak, Dam Ho continued speaking.

"But keep the line. Live within the martial world. Don't cross that line further. I won't tolerate it."

"Ugh!"

It was a mad proclamation that could be dismissed as the raving of a madman. But no one in this place could laugh at Dam Ho's words.

The one uttering such mad proclamations before them possessed sufficient power and qualifications to do so.

The weight and presence pressing on the chest were different. So not even breathing loudly was permitted.

Having said everything, Dam Ho turned and walked away.

"Hwaaaaah!"

"Krek!"

Only then did long-suppressed tears and sighs burst forth from all around. Those who had barely survived trembled while weeping. Everyone in Zun-yi County witnessed their appearance.

"Here…"

As Dam Ho approached the inn, the innkeeper, who had been holding Black Ghost's reins, offered a bundled cloth containing provisions. Though Dam Ho's appearance, soaked in blood, was frightening enough, there wasn't a trace of such feeling on the innkeeper's face. Rather, he looked at Dam Ho with admiring eyes.

To martial artists, Dam Ho might have been a living catastrophe. But to an ordinary person like the innkeeper, Dam Ho was a hero.

In this world, it was commonplace for martial artists to commit tyranny. Those without power could only endure everything silently and bear it, thinking it was fate.

No martial artists had stepped forward for their sake. Though they spoke of righteousness and proclaimed they should maintain order.

In fact, when the woman had been sexually assaulted by Black Martial Hall martial artists that morning, there were martial artists with training in the inn. But they cowardly didn't step forward.

The reason was that good was good, and they didn't want to make enemies of fellow martial artists.

When no one stepped forward, the only one who did was Dam Ho.

He was merciless and showed no hesitation. His cruel methods made clear why the nickname "Fist Demon" had been attached to him.

Many had died cruelly at his hands. Yet the innkeeper didn't think Dam Ho was frightening because of what Dam Ho had said about "the line."

Dam Ho strictly kept the line.

He showed killing intent only toward martial artists and harmed no one else.

Knowing this fact, the innkeeper didn't fear Dam Ho. Rather, he looked at him with admiring eyes.

'I too will become a martial artist like that mister.'

The innkeeper made this vow repeatedly.

Dam Ho received the reins and provisions from the innkeeper.

"Thank you."

"No, no."

The innkeeper shook his head firmly. His face was flushed red.

Dam Ho loaded the provisions on Black Ghost's back and mounted. The innkeeper bowed toward Dam Ho's receding back and said:

"Thank you."

The Fist Demon.

Rumors about the one who ruled fear with fear started in West Alley and spread to Zun-yi County and then throughout all of Guizhou Province.

***

Crazy Dragon Stronghold was one of the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds, located in Nine Flower Mountain in southern Fujian Province.

While most of the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds were positioned in the heart of the Central Plains, Crazy Dragon Stronghold was isolated in a remote location. Because of this, interactions with other Eighteen Strongholds were extremely limited, and it followed its own independent path.

The master of Crazy Dragon Stronghold was Ko Cheon-ryul. His nickname was precisely Crazy Dragon. The name Crazy Dragon Stronghold came from his nickname.

Ko Cheon-ryul was forty-two years old this year. As both a man and a martial artist, he was in his prime. His height exceeded six chi, and his facial features were so fierce they brought tigers to mind. His piercing gaze made few dare meet his eyes. Added to this, the Bloody Wheel Saber Method he had learned from an eccentric he met as a child had reached its peak, emanating an imposing tyrannical atmosphere.

Among the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds, there was not uncommon talk that Ko Cheon-ryul would become the next grand stronghold master.

Though the current grand stronghold master Hwang Gyeong-mun was still active, he was already elderly. His authority as grand stronghold master remained, but it wouldn't be strange if he deteriorated at any time.

Because of this, various talk surrounded the succession.

Ko Cheon-ryul hadn't openly expressed it, but he was one of those eyeing the successor position. In fact, he believed his chances of becoming grand stronghold master were quite high.

Three years ago, his potential competitors had largely died due to a rebellion incident.

"Hehe! Though Muk Il-gwang's martial arts are impressive, he's still just a youngster. In terms of both experience and martial arts, I'm a level above."

"That's true. Naturally, the stronghold master should lead all the bandits."

Vice Stronghold Master Yeo Sang-moon played up to him. At that, Ko Cheon-ryul burst into hearty laughter.

"Krahahaha! Vice Stronghold Master indeed knows what he's talking about."

"If I don't know, who would? I'll assist you diligently at your side until you become grand stronghold master."

"That's right! Once I become grand stronghold master, you'll become the stronghold master of Crazy Dragon Stronghold. So work hard."

"I'll dedicate myself body and soul."

"Hehehehe!"

Ko Cheon-ryul smiled pleasantly. Beside him sat two beautiful women. They were women kidnapped from merchant groups passing through Nine Flower Mountain.

Crazy Dragon Stronghold had over a dozen more such women. They all had become Ko Cheon-ryul's playthings.

If Grand Stronghold Master Hwang Gyeong-mun had known, he would certainly have raged. But Crazy Dragon Stronghold and Overlord Stronghold where Grand Stronghold Master Hwang Gyeong-mun resided were over a thousand li apart. There was no way for Hwang Gyeong-mun to know what happened here.

"That old man won't live much longer anyway. Hehe!"

"That's right. He should have retired long ago."

"Banditry means plundering freely, enjoying, and drinking. If we had to follow strict laws and codes, why become bandits at all?"

"Absolutely."

It was when Vice Stronghold Master Yeo Sang-moon was playing up to him by agreeing.

BOOOOOM!

Suddenly a ferocious wind swept through, and the sky covering Nine Flower Mountain darkened.

"What's this?"

Ko Cheon-ryul lazily looked up at the sky. The clear sky was now covered by pitch-black clouds, darkened as if night had fallen. And there was a cold wind blowing up from the mountain below. Something felt wrong.

"What's this?"

"Kyaaaak!"

Ko Cheon-ryul pushed away the women clinging to his sides and stood up.

His entire body was covered with goosebumps, and his shoulders trembled with minor seizures.

His body was reacting instinctively to an inexplicable sense of crisis.

His drunkenness cleared instantly.

He was a master of martial arts. And a powerful master at that, one ambitious enough to aim for the grand stronghold master position of the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds. Though he hadn't reached the absolute mastery realm, his martial prowess was strong enough not to fall behind the elders of prestigious orthodox sects. It was inconceivable that such a master would feel a crisis for no reason.

"What's wrong? Stronghold Master?"

"Gather all the men."

"Sir?"

"Dammit! Gather them right now. Didn't you hear me?"

"Ah, understood."

When Ko Cheon-ryul became fierce, Vice Stronghold Master Yeo, noticing the sudden change in atmosphere, hurriedly rushed to where the subordinates were staying.

"Dammit! What is this?"

Ko Cheon-ryul grabbed a large saber hanging on the wall.

The blade was as wide as an average woman's waist, a massive giant cleaver. With the giant cleaver in hand, he stared down the mountain.

Shortly after, fully armed bandits gathered around him.

"What's the matter? Stronghold Master?"

"What are you staring at?"

Confused bandits who still hadn't grasped the situation murmured. Suddenly, Ko Cheon-ryul let out a lion's roar.

"Get your weapons, you bastards!"

Booooom!

His lion's roar echoed and resonated through Nine Flower Mountain. Understanding the situation, the bandits drew their weapons.

They had never seen Ko Cheon-ryul so tense before.

Then it happened.

Whooooosh!

Suddenly the air in the area began thrashing madly.

The robes of Ko Cheon-ryul and the bandits fluttered incessantly.

At that moment, Ko Cheon-ryul shouted:

"He comes."

All eyes focused where Ko Cheon-ryul was looking. The bandits' eyes widened greatly.

"Ah!"

"What?"

Massive darkness was surging up from below the mountain.

Like a giant hungry beast devouring its prey, the darkness was consuming light and growing in size. At the center was a single man.

A man who appeared entirely black, as if all the world's darkness was concentrated in him. He was bringing darkness with him.

They swore they had never once seen such a sight. In fact, they had never even imagined it.

Their mouths fell open from overwhelming, unbearable fear that assaulted their minds, and drool dripped down.

Ko Cheon-ryul gnashed his teeth and shouted:

"Who are you?"

Suddenly the darkness swelled greatly and an answer came back:

"I am the Sovereign of Ten Thousand Demons."

The Zhuge family youth shouted.

“The Zhuge family is no longer a lackey of Yangtze River Sword Sect! Our Zhuge family has already left Yangtze River Sword Sect. The brothers and young ladies here are the same!”

It turned out that all the youths here were rising stars from sects that had left Yangtze River Sword Sect this time. They had gathered together to strengthen their bonds.

Besides the three great sword sects of Jiangdong – Taehang Sword Sect, Seongso Sect, and Hong Sword Sect combined – there were also the Hwangbo family and the Peng family from Hebei. Especially Murong Cheon from the Murong family was one of the Three Dragons along with Baek Li-gwon and Yang-jeon.

With rising stars of this caliber gathered in one place, their combined strength was considerable. To be called rising stars in famous families or sects meant there would be virtually no peers who could match them.

Of course, that didn’t apply to Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang looked around at the rising stars and said.

“You seem to have forgotten, but shouldn’t you have been curious about why I possess a sword command in the first place?”

Unexpectedly, the rising stars weren’t flustered. They looked as if wondering why he was asking something so obvious.

A sword command was proof of Yangtze River Sword Sect’s promise to guarantee one’s identity and support all activities. It could be seen as Taoist Haewol’s proxy.

But they weren’t curious about Jin Ja-gang possessing a sword command?

The Zhuge family youth snorted.

“Hmph, that’s only natural.”

At his words, Jin Ja-gang felt a severe sense of disconnect.

Jin Ja-gang thought briefly then said to Woon-jeong.

“Let’s just go back.”

“What?”

Woon-jeong asked back as if he couldn’t believe Jin Ja-gang’s words. Unexpectedly, Jin Ja-gang wasn’t angry and was calmly suggesting they return.

“Are… are we really just leaving?”

“I think we’ve seen enough scenery.”

“Well, yes…”

Woon-jeong hesitated then turned around to follow Jin Ja-gang.

The rising stars shouted.

“Stop right there!”

Jin Ja-gang turned around and asked.

“This is the second time.”

“What?”

“That you’ve picked a fight with me.”

Ordinary people don’t keep count of such things. Counting the number of provocations was a warning not to cross the line.

The Zhuge family youth’s complexion worsened. But strangely, the corners of his mouth were smiling.

“So what are you going to do about it? Go ahead. Run wild like thunder all you want. It’s only for now anyway.”

Jin Ja-gang stared at the Zhuge family youth. He couldn’t understand what kind of recklessness this was. Did they really believe Jin Ja-gang wouldn’t act because there were many people around?

Somehow it sounded like they had something to rely on despite leaving Yangtze River Sword Sect.

“What do you mean ‘only for now’?”

A young lady from the Hwangbo family shouted.

“It means our Righteous Alliance won’t leave you alone!”

A young lady from Hong Sword Sect continued.

“The Righteous Alliance is a gathering to establish justice in the martial world and punish villains like you who run wild without fear!”

Jin Ja-gang asked back.

“Isn’t there already the Martial Alliance?”

“No! The Martial Alliance is already finished. We’re going to create a new martial world with new hope!”

A youth from Taehang Sword Sect also gritted his teeth and added.

“The Righteous Alliance is led by the greatest hero of the martial world, Indestructible Heavenly Sword Hero Baek Li. Many heroes from various sects including us are gathering under him. Scum like you won’t even be able to set foot anywhere.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at them and said.

“That seems different from what I heard.”

“What?”

“Isn’t the Righteous Alliance a gathering that follows Taoist Haewol’s will? Yangtze River Sword Sect is also there. But leaving Yangtze River Sword Sect and denying the Martial Alliance is strange.”

“Hmph. You don’t know anything. Our Righteous Alliance respects and follows that person’s noble will, but we don’t follow Taoist Haewol himself. Rather, Taoist Haewol bears responsibility for making the martial world like this. And there’s evidence that he conspired with demonic cults to maintain his position!”

The Taehang Sword Sect youth shouted excitedly.

“He hid a demonic cult’s Enlightened Teacher in Guizhou branch for decades and deceived everyone until now. And you helped that demonic cult’s Enlightened Teacher there, so you know well. Plus, seeing you carrying that sword command now means Yangtze River Sword Sect is no different from being in the same group!”

These people believed that Taoist Haewol and Yangtze River Sword Sect had colluded with demonic cults. Same with Jin Ja-gang. That’s why they didn’t find it strange that Jin Ja-gang was using a sword command.

Originally, it was Indestructible Heavenly Sword, not Taoist Haewol, who had imprisoned Yelu Hwan in Chongqing.

But if they already believed this much, even if Jin Ja-gang told them the truth, they wouldn’t believe it.

Someone had cleverly instilled wrong facts by exploiting their boiling youthful passion.

‘Baek Li-jung!’

Baek Li-jung, who created the Righteous Alliance, was undoubtedly the culprit. He was shifting the blame for anything unfavorable to him onto Taoist Haewol and Yangtze River Sword Sect.

So these people might firmly believe their cause was the world’s justice.

Or perhaps the justification someone threw them aligned with their own interests…

Jin Ja-gang stared at the Taehang Sword Sect youth. Perhaps burdened by that gaze, he shouted as if driven to desperation.

“The era of the Righteous Alliance will come soon! Then both the unorthodox sects that run wild without fear of heaven and the clinging Qingcheng Sect will be finished!”

Woon-jeong, who had been listening quietly, got angry again.

“What? No, why do you keep picking on our Qingcheng?”

The rising stars mocked Woon-jeong.

“Look at this nothing relying only on Poison Dragon.”

Woon-jeong’s expression hardened. Woon-jeong had never left Sichuan, but had skills enough to once capture Jin Ja-gang. Moreover, his loyalty to Qingcheng Sect was strong, so he couldn’t tolerate insults to his sect.

“Apologize for what you said about our Qingcheng.”

“Apologize? How impudent…”

The rising stars emitted killing intent. Each raised their internal energy.

But then Jin Ja-gang, standing still, suddenly spoke.

“There’s no killing intent.”

“What do you mean!”

To the rising stars’ question, Jin Ja-gang answered.

“I don’t feel any killing intent from you.”

At those words, the rising stars emitted even denser killing intent.

They raised their internal energy, prepared to attack, and spread refined killing intent befitting rising stars of prestigious families.

Nine people concentrated their killing intent toward Jin Ja-gang and Woon-jeong. An ordinary person’s legs would tremble and they’d barely be able to stand.

But Woon-jeong just scratched his temple with a confused expression. He could sense the killing intent, but didn’t think it was particularly threatening.

“Huh, that’s strange?”

Woon-jeong hesitantly looked at Jin Ja-gang.

His eyes asked why the killing intent was like this.

Jin Ja-gang nodded slightly as if understanding.

Woon-jeong had also experienced quite a lot unexpectedly. Especially just recently, he had experienced the killing intent emitted by Shaolin’s Beom-mong, Zhongnan Sect’s Bulgi, and Funeral Parlor’s Yeong Hyeon-sa.

Back then, he really felt like he was going to die. But the rising stars’ killing intent now felt like killing intent for show rather than truly intending to kill someone.

Having experienced it directly, the comparison was stark.

“You’re right. Hmm, there really is no killing intent. No, it’s as good as none.”

But from the rising stars’ perspective, being told they had no killing intent while emitting it made them even angrier.

“Ugh!”

“These… these bastards… still looking down on us!”

The Hwangbo family’s young lady shouted again in a sharp voice.

“Hmph! The Righteous Alliance’s masters will come soon. Once they arrive, someone like you…”

Only then did Jin Ja-gang understand why these rising stars were so confident.

“Ah.”

Righteous Alliance masters were coming. So these people were keeping Jin Ja-gang here.

“How long will it take?”

“How long will what take?”

“The time for those Righteous Alliance masters to arrive.”

Perhaps thinking there was no more need to hide, the Zhuge family youth answered confidently.

“He entered Wuhan just a while ago. It’s too late to try running away now.”

“Then it’ll take at most about one meal period.”

“A short time. That’s how much time your life has left.”

“I don’t understand.”

Jin Ja-gang quietly asked back.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t think you could survive until then.”

Jin Ja-gang slowly turned his head and looked at the rising stars with indifferent eyes.

The rising stars flinched. At his unwavering straight gaze, the rising stars even felt some fear.

Someone shouted.

“You don’t seem to know, but Brother Murong here is Fire Dragon, one of the Three Dragons. If we all combine our strength, do you think we can’t last one meal period!”

Silent Dragon and Swift Dragon had died to Jin Ja-gang. But if they didn’t think of winning and just held out, they thought it was worth trying.

Woon-jeong asked seriously as if talking to himself.

“What kind of master is coming that they think they just need to hold out until then? A really amazing master must be coming.”

The rising stars answered confidently.

“He’s someone who could steam and eat someone like Poison Dragon alone and have leftovers.”

Poison Dragon had already left countless battle records. Yet they were this confident, which meant truly amazing person was coming.

“He’s a great hero who fought alone against Taoist Haewol and revealed truths no one else could discover. He even accomplished what no one else could do.”

Déjà vu.

Jin Ja-gang felt a very familiar feeling from the rising stars’ tone. At the same time, even memories still vividly remaining in the depths of his memory.

He thought he knew who it was.

“Fine.”

Jin Ja-gang made up his mind.

Jin Ja-gang smiled very slightly, raising the corner of his mouth, and said.

“Anyway, fortunately for you, think that you lived because I didn’t draw my blade this time.”

“How dare!”

“What do you take us for!”

The rising stars got angry, but their hands didn’t leave their sword hilts. They were feeling fear toward Jin Ja-gang, who showed no disturbance at all from their killing intent.

Jin Ja-gang called Woon-jeong.

“Taoist Woon-jeong.”

“What!”

“They insulted Qingcheng Sect, but is it okay to endure it?”

“…What?”

Woon-jeong went “hmm” and pondered briefly.

Then he nodded as if understanding.

“Sigh. It can’t be helped. Then I’ll close my eyes for a moment. Do as you wish. Whether you massacre them or cut their bodies into several pieces, I won’t care.”

“…?”

“I was trying to help them because I thought you might do that, but they kicked away their fortune themselves, so it can’t be helped. Sigh…”

Jin Ja-gang said to Woon-jeong, who had already closed his eyes.

“It’s not something I should do, but something Taoist Woon-jeong should do. They seem to need sermons, not beatings.”

Woon-jeong turned his head pretending not to know.

Jin Ja-gang called Woon-jeong.

“Taoist Woon-jeong?”

“Alright. I get it.”

Woon-jeong seemed to be gradually becoming worldly and cunning as he was exposed to the martial world.

Woon-jeong stepped forward boldly and picked up an empty brass bowl and a long brass chopstick from the table.

The rising stars were startled.

“What are you planning to do to us!”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“We’re going to do as you wish. Since you said you’d capture me, there’s no need to go through trouble. We’ll wait here.”

“What?”

“It means I want to see who it is before leaving.”

“This, this bastard…”

“Taoist Woon-jeong. Please.”

Woon-jeong said.

“Don’t resent me. I feel like I’m being used by Poison Dragon somehow, but since you kept bringing up my sect, I have no choice either.”

Woon-jeong struck the brass bowl.

Clang!

Instantly, the rising stars’ bodies trembled.

“Ugh!”