Chapter 346 – Wudang's Heaven Is Not the Martial World's Heaven (3)

The Wudang Sect Taoists drew their swords and pointed them at Dam Ho.

"How dare you humiliate Wudang."

"Your guts have swollen, Fist Demon."

They looked ready to swing their swords at Dam Ho at any moment.

That's when someone blocked Dam Ho's path.

"Cut me down first."

It was a young escort who still had traces of youth remaining. He stood in front of Dam Ho with both arms spread, his face flushed red.

"Cut me down too before you pass."

Then a middle-aged escort blocked Dam Ho's path.

"Me too…"

"Damn it all. If you want to take him away, kill me too."

Azure Sky Escort Agency's escorts stepped forward one after another to block Dam Ho's path. The Wudang Sect Taoists wore troubled expressions.

They never expected escorts operating in Wudang's front yard to so blatantly obstruct their actions.

In an instant, a human barrier formed in front of Dam Ho, facing off against the Wudang Sect Taoists. Among them were Nam Woo-saeng and Woo Jo-yang.

They knew this wasn't right. They knew that confronting the Wudang Sect here would mean they could never operate in Jun County again. But they couldn't help stepping forward.

Their hearts commanded them to do so.

Dam Ho had stepped forward for them when they faced difficulties, without any calculation. Now it was their turn to step forward.

"This is…"

Taoist Cheong-mu scratched his head seeing this scene.

He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he never expected all the Azure Sky Escort Agency escorts to block their way.

'Did he win their hearts in that short time?'

Taoist Cheong-mu had to revise his evaluation of Dam Ho.

Until now, his assessment of Dam Ho had been that of a lone wolf. Like a boar hit by arrows, strong only in force but ignorant of the world's ways, rampaging alone.

A boar hit by arrows was an object of fear, not compromise or partnership. So he thought Dam Ho couldn't work with anyone. But seeing the scene before his eyes, his thoughts naturally changed.

"These fellows dare in Jun County…"

"Is Azure Sky Escort Agency looking down on the Wudang Sect?"

Menacing energy rose from the Wudang Sect Taoists.

They were angry.

The escort agency operating in Wudang's territory through Wudang's consideration daring to act against their will was what angered them.

As the Wudang Sect Taoists vented their anger:

"I wonder if I'll do well since it's been a while."

Taoist Cheong-mu stepped forward with a smile. He sat in front of the blazing altar and began reciting incantations.

He was praying for the souls of the dead.

At his sudden action, not only the Wudang Sect Taoists but even the Azure Sky Escort Agency escorts stared dumbfounded. But Taoist Cheong-mu paid no attention and recited the incantations to the end.

The menacing atmosphere settled somewhat.

Dam Ho silently watched the scene.

A Wudang Sect elder was praying for the souls of the dead. Though it might mean nothing to the dead, it would be great comfort to the living escorts.

Indeed, the stern expressions of the escorts blocking Dam Ho's path softened slightly.

"May you go to a good place."

With those final words, Taoist Cheong-mu turned around. A faint smile hung on his face.

"Though inadequate, I did my best. I hope those people go to a good place."

It was an expression that he had done his duty.

Though it might be humiliating, he still didn't erase his smile. His eyes said that since he had listened to Dam Ho's words, now it was Dam Ho's turn to listen.

Dam Ho briefly looked into his eyes and said:

"Let's go."

"Thank you. Please follow us."

Taoist Cheong-mu smiled even more broadly as if he had expected this.

"Great Hero Dam!"

Nam Woo-saeng looked at Dam Ho with worried eyes. But Dam Ho silently passed by him. However, Nam Woo-saeng didn't feel disappointed. He believed without doubt that Dam Ho would return safely.

Led by Taoist Cheong-mu, the Wudang Sect Taoists withdrew like an ebbing tide. Dam Ho was in the center.

Though he was going by courteous invitation, it looked like he was surrounded.

"Is it alright to let him go like this?"

"Shouldn't we follow them?"

Young escorts who saw this scene spoke up. Then Nam Woo-saeng shook his head.

"Are you worried about him? I'm rather more worried about the Wudang Sect."

***

The path up to the Wudang Sect was well paved.

It was a landscape quite contrasted to Mount Hua Sect with its series of sheer cliffs. The extent of Wudang Sect's influence could be seen just by looking at the mountain path.

The Wudang Sect had maintained close relationships with the imperial court since ancient times. Many martial artists produced by Wudang joined the court, and they supported the Wudang Sect in various ways.

Thus the Wudang Sect grew its power under the court's protection, and thanks to this, it boasted the most magnificent pavilion complex and prosperity even among the Nine Great Sects.

The well-maintained path up Wudang Mountain was for the same reason. To build magnificent pavilions, roads were needed to transport materials, and the court had built these too.

This was precisely the path Dam Ho now walked.

Dam Ho's gaze turned upward. Then magnificent Taoist temples became visible. Unlike Mount Hua Sect's pavilions scattered throughout the mountain, Wudang Sect's pavilions were gathered in one place. This made them appear even more majestic.

At Wudang Sect's mountain gate was the famous Weapon Dissolution Pool.

The Weapon Dissolution Pool was where people laid down their weapons in respect for Zhang Sanfeng, Wudang Sect's founder. If one didn't lay down weapons at the Weapon Dissolution Pool, the Wudang Sect considered them an enemy.

The Weapon Dissolution Pool was Wudang Sect's pride and a symbolic place distinguishing friend from foe. Here one's attitude toward the Wudang Sect was determined. In most cases.

But Dam Ho was a special case.

He didn't use weapons. Therefore, he had no weapons to lay down at the Weapon Dissolution Pool. So the Wudang Sect martial artists guarding the pool could only wear troubled expressions.

Finally entering the Wudang Sect, numerous martial artists arrayed in the training ground became visible. At a glance, there appeared to be over a thousand.

Their gazes all focused on Dam Ho at once.

He received the gazes of over a thousand people. Not ordinary people, but those who had learned martial arts with sharp eyes. Any person receiving their gazes would inevitably feel mentally shrunk.

Indeed, they were glaring at Dam Ho with such intent.

The mindset of 'How great could you possibly be?' was clearly revealed in their eyes.

That's when Dam Ho raised his head to look at them. He didn't meet their eyes individually but simply swept his gaze over them.

Saaaa!

Suddenly the air in the area turned chillingly cold, making the martial artists shudder.

'Beast!'

That was the thought that commonly arose in their minds the moment they saw Dam Ho's eyes.

Dam Ho took one step, then another, his black long robe fluttering.

Thud! Scraaape! Thud! Scraaape!

Since the training ground floor was paved with bluestone, the footsteps echoed particularly vividly.

The moment they heard Dam Ho's characteristic syncopated footsteps, the hearts of the martial artists gathered in the training ground pounded greatly.

It felt like needles pricking their hearts. Their lips became parched, and blood vessels in their eyes burst, turning them red.

Their eyes hurt as if they would burst at any moment. So they wanted to look away. But they couldn't.

As if their eyelids were fixed with glue, they couldn't even blink and had to stare at Dam Ho. For the martial artists in the training ground, it was a moment more cruel than torture.

"Immeasurable Buddha!"

If not for a powerful voice filled with internal energy at just that moment, they wouldn't have been able to take their eyes off Dam Ho indefinitely.

"Phew!"

"Mm!"

Only then did sighs of relief burst from people's mouths.

They barely caught their breath and looked toward where the voice came from. There stood elderly Taoists emanating extraordinary presence.

They were Wudang Sect's elders, including Taoist Cheong-wol.

The voice just now had come from Taoist Cheong-wol. It was internal energy befitting a Wudang Sect leader.

It was also a passage showing Dam Ho's presence.

The Wudang Sect leader rarely came out to greet people personally. Even when it happened, it was only for sect leaders of other Nine Great Sects.

When the Martial Alliance was founded, sending only Taoist Cheong-heo instead of moving personally was for the same reason.

Taoist Cheong-wol coming out personally was proof of how highly he evaluated Dam Ho. It was tantamount to declaring Dam Ho to be of the same rank as himself.

Taoist Cheong-wol smiled broadly while looking at Dam Ho.

"Welcome, Great Hero Dam. I regret hosting you at Wudang so late. If I had known earlier that you came to Jun County, I would have hosted you sooner."

Taoist Cheong-wol's voice was very courteous and formal.

The martial artists listening to his words said it was indeed the magnanimity and courteous attitude befitting a Wudang Sect leader. For the leader of the great sect Wudang to receive someone with such a humble attitude was no ordinary matter.

Taoist Cheong-wol elevated his own status by lowering himself. It was no ordinary shrewd social skill.

Dam Ho silently looked at Taoist Cheong-wol.

For ordinary martial artists, this would have been an infuriating scene. It wasn't proper etiquette toward a senior of the martial world.

But because it was Dam Ho, because it was the Fist Demon, everyone kept their mouths shut.

The only person he honored was his master, Master Hyeon-so. He showed respect to no one else. People thought it wouldn't change just because the opponent was Taoist Cheong-wol.

"Why did you call me?"

And as people expected, Dam Ho brought up the main point without even greeting.

"How dare!"

"Show proper courtesy."

At this, Wudang Sect Taoists bristled. But Taoist Cheong-wol raised his hand to restrain their actions.

"Ha! Just as I heard, your temperament is extremely impatient. Truly befitting Great Hero Dam. I wanted to discuss current martial world issues with Great Hero Dam."

"Current issues?"

"To oppose the Demon Cult, wouldn't close cooperation be necessary? Acting alone would be less efficient than many joining forces. If Great Hero Dam promises, our Wudang Sect will promise full support."

"What kind of promise are you talking about?"

"A promise never to antagonize the Wudang Sect, and a promise to devote yourself to the martial world."

Taoist Cheong-wol's final words were infused with internal energy so everyone gathered in the training ground heard them.

He was smiling.

Smiling with genuine sincerity, not pretense.

It seemed like a giant snare had been laid across all of Wudang Mountain. That snare was positioned around Dam Ho, ready to tighten at any time.

Taoist Cheong-wol had shown the magnanimity, tolerance, and humble attitude befitting a Wudang Sect leader before all.

What answer Dam Ho gave wasn't important. How Taoist Cheong-wol appeared was more important. After all, people would remember Taoist Cheong-wol.

Dam Ho silently stared at such Taoist Cheong-wol.

The head of the Wudang Sect wasn't a virtuous leader who embraced many people with virtue. Nor was he a brave general who fought at the front.

"The head of the Wudang Sect is just a fox with a slightly quick mind."

"……"

Suddenly Taoist Cheong-wol's face hardened like stone.

He doubted his ears.

He never expected to hear such harsh words to his face.

"What did you just say?"

"I called you a fox."

"Ha! A fox…"

Taoist Cheong-wol's voice gradually grew colder. A chill passed through his eyes.

"Why do you think so?"

"Because that's how you look."

"Ha! Indeed, they said conversation doesn't work with you, and it's truly so. To be so completely blocked front and back. The Mount Hua Sect leader must have a hard time too. Uncontrolled weapons tend to harm their owners."

"Wudang seems to be like that. Thinking of your sect's disciples as weapons and trying to control them."

"Watch your mouth."

Suddenly Taoist Cheong-wol's voice and tone changed. The smiling face disappeared, revealing sharp eyes and lips like blades.

He whispered in a low voice that others couldn't hear:

"The martial world isn't as laughable as you think. Do you know how we've protected this martial world? Do you know how much blood our Wudang has shed to protect this martial world? Without Wudang, the current martial world wouldn't exist. You should be grateful to us. You should show reverence to us who have protected the martial world until now."

"……"

"So I'll advise you one last time. Become our sword to protect martial world justice."

Black Thread.

The invisible Soul Seizing Thread passed through the Arhat monk’s face.

Swish.

The Arhat monk fell with his eyes rolled back. But when he hit the ground, thud! His severed head couldn’t maintain its form and was crushed as blood and brain matter burst out.

Woon-jeong and An Ryeong watched in a daze.

The Arhat monk’s face slid down in pieces, revealing the cross-section where it had been cut horizontally. Just moments ago, he had been a living person making vivid expressions. But now he was just a lump of meat.

“Ugh…”

Though Woon-jeong frowned deeply, he didn’t turn his gaze away. He pressed his lips together and bowed his head slightly, praying for the Arhat monk’s soul.

An Ryeong looked back at Jin Ja-gang with a complex expression.

Despite the cruel scene, Jin Ja-gang’s expression didn’t change at all.

Woon-jeong’s words about Poison Dragon killing people without batting an eye, just as he appeared on the outside, hadn’t been a joke.

Provoking the Arhat monk from the beginning had probably been a calculated move with this situation in mind.

Jin Ja-gang made eye contact with An Ryeong, then turned his head away, recovered Black Thread’s ring, and immediately began climbing up the slope.

Woon-jeong looked at Jin Ja-gang’s retreating figure and said to An Ryeong.

“Primordial Heavenly Venerate. If our paths differ, it would be better not to travel together. My master said that ordinary people should not follow the path of Asuras.”

Woon-jeong finished his farewell and followed Jin Ja-gang up the slope. An Ryeong looked up, gritted her teeth, and followed behind.

* * *

The three people quickened their pace without speaking.

Climbing the slope had saved them considerable time.

Woon-jeong noticed the lack of human presence, just like before.

“It’s the same as last time. Miss An Ryeong, be careful.”

Woon-jeong gave An Ryeong a hint. An Ryeong only nodded. Her gaze remained fixed ahead.

As they approached the estate where Physician Bell Healers was located, an increasingly ominous atmosphere could be felt.

“Just over this hill is Grand Harmony Courtyard.”

An Ryeong said. That brief moment when the estate behind was hidden by the hill became taut with tension.

For Jin Ja-gang, visiting Physician Bell Healers didn’t need to be such a difficult journey.

What Jin Ja-gang needed to do at Grand Harmony Courtyard was simply confirm whether Physician Bell Healers had stockpiled medicinal materials related to epidemics or not.

But things had become complicated because of Shaolin Temple… and because of one young lady called Burning Phoenix from the An family medical house.

Of course, if Physician Bell Healers cooperated, nothing could be more convenient and better, but it was still questionable whether it was worth enduring such annoyance.

The martial world was dynamically changing every moment.

If he became distracted for just a moment and missed the timing, he could lose all opportunities.

Even now, the martial world, Shaolin Temple, was moving faster than Jin Ja-gang had expected.

Soon he would know whether his predictions were correct, whether his anxiety would become reality.

Then.

They saw one person standing dazedly on the hill. No, he wasn’t standing but staggering down the hill, but his steps were so slow he seemed to be standing still.

The man couldn’t walk properly and swayed left and right as he walked.

He had no choice but to do so, as the left side of his head was severely caved in. Not broken and shattered, but pressed inward. Because of this, his left eye was completely blood-red, while his right eye was shifted toward the corner, making him cross-eyed.

That’s why he couldn’t walk properly and zigzagged back and forth.

“Ugh… ah…”

The man made barely audible groans as he continued coming over the hill.

An Ryeong’s hands trembled when she saw the man.

“Brother Bang…?”

The man with the caved-in left head, Bang Muk, spotted Jin Ja-gang, An Ryeong, and Woon-jeong and quickened his steps.

Stumble! Bang Muk’s feet got tangled and he fell forward. An Ryeong ran more than ten zhang in an instant and caught Bang Muk before he could collapse.

Then she quickly took out her acupuncture kit and placed needles all over his face. Since his left head was so severely pressed in that his brain was damaged, his right eyeball couldn’t fully return to center.

Bang Muk raised his trembling hand toward Jin Ja-gang, not An Ryeong.

In Bang Muk’s hand was a blood-stained cloth. It looked like a small flag, but half was torn so the front characters couldn’t be read, only the character “West” (西) at the back could barely be made out.

“The leader gave this…”

Jin Ja-gang took the blood-stained cloth from Bang-muk.

“I tried to keep… my word…”

An Ryeong shouted.

“Don’t speak anymore! Brother Bang, you can live. You can live, so shut your mouth and concentrate.”

“I’m sorry…”

Only then did Bang-muk smile weakly as if he had fulfilled his duty. His pupils slowly rolled back.

“Brother Bang!”

Bang-muk’s body convulsed. His breath was immediately cut off. Just lasting until now had been remarkable.

Jin Ja-gang looked down quietly at Bang Muk, clenched the blood-stained cloth tightly in his hand, and immediately headed over the hill toward Grand Harmony Courtyard.

The main gate of Grand Harmony Courtyard was destroyed, and the walls had collapsed in places. People’s corpses could be seen here and there.

Crash!

A middle-aged man burst out through the broken gate.

An Arhat monk leaped over the roof to block the fleeing middle-aged man’s path.

The middle-aged man gritted his teeth and attacked the Arhat monk with a weapon called an awl-like spike. The Arhat monk blocked the spike with his forearm while lightning-fast kicking the middle-aged man’s shin to break it, and kicked the back of his other knee from the side to dislocate it.

That entire sequence happened in a single breath. The middle-aged man screamed and collapsed from injuries to both legs. The Arhat monk grabbed the middle-aged man’s head with both hands.

“S-save me…!”

Then the Arhat monk and Jin Ja-gang’s eyes met. The Arhat monk’s eyes took on a strange light. The Arhat monk twisted the middle-aged man’s head.

Crack. The middle-aged man’s neck broke as his head spun around once.

Jin Ja-gang glared at the Arhat monk and approached.

But unexpectedly, the Arhat monk stepped aside.

The meaning of not wanting to fight was clear. It could also be seen as meaning to go inside.

Jin Ja-gang looked at the Arhat monk briefly, then passed him and went through the broken main gate.

Inside the estate was also full of corpses. Heads and chests were caved in, limbs broken and scattered. These were traces left by Shaolin’s external martial arts.

And occasionally, parts cleanly cut as if by swords were scattered about, spraying blood. Since the Arhat monks wore great precept swords at their waists, these might have been traces of using those swords.

Jin Ja-gang continued walking.

Sounds of fighting could be heard.

“Shaolin Temple will never succeed!”

An old man’s voice could be heard shouting desperately.

An old man wearing a long official hat was flying around on top of walls. From his extraordinary movements, he seemed to be the leader of Physician Bell Healers. But one shoulder was already crushed, and his head was bleeding profusely from a split on the side.

A Vajra Monk in golden orchid robes chased him. Each time the Vajra Monk stepped on walls and leaped, they crumbled with crashing sounds.

The old man climbed up to the roof, raised his good hand above his shoulder, and waited for the Vajra Monk to climb up to the roof. The moment the Vajra Monk climbed onto the roof, he folded his thumb and spread his other four fingers, then swung his arm forcefully.

An enormous amount of acupuncture needles spread in a circle and poured down.

“Die!”

The golden-robed Vajra Monk stomped his foot.

Bang! The roof tiles flew up. The Vajra Monk took a deep breath, assumed a horse stance, and punched the floating tiles. His fists moved at invisible speed.

Bam bam bam bang!

Countless fragments of broken tiles shot toward the old man. The tile fragments deflected all the needles while embedding in the old man’s body. Some sharp fragments cut his body, while pointed ones pierced through bone and flesh.

Countless holes appeared in the old man’s body. Like a water jar with holes, blood leaked steadily.

The old man knelt, bleeding. The Vajra Monk walked toward the old man step by step. The old man raised his head to look at the Vajra Monk.

Without a moment’s hesitation, the Vajra Monk struck down on the old man’s head with his fist.

Thud! The old man’s head was completely caved in. The old man died falling forward with his eyes bulging.

The Vajra Monk wiped his bloody hand, bowed with clasped hands, and lowered his head.

“Poison sect faction. Physician Bell Healers, concluded.”

The Vajra Monk looked down at Jin Ja-gang below with expressionless eyes.

Jin Ja-gang also made eye contact with the Vajra Monk.

For a while, neither spoke.

But it was the Vajra Monk who spoke first this time.

“What happened to Arhat Dan-sang?”

“Who is that?”

“A disciple of our temple who went to meet you.”

“I didn’t hear any names.”

The Vajra Monk’s eyes widened.

“This humble monk’s dharma name is Gong-eup. If you harmed Arhat Dan-sang, you will hear my dharma name again before long.”

“I’m not interested in monk’s dharma names even if I heard them a hundred times.”

Vajra Monk Gong-eup’s lips twitched.

Jin Ja-gang glared at Gong-eup and asked.

“Why did you let him go?”

“Who do you mean?”

“Bang Muk.”

Gong-eup’s lips stretched into a long line.

“I don’t know the names of demonic soldiers worth less than dust. But I do remember there was one whose head I crushed but who didn’t die and ran away.”

Though it essentially returned Jin Ja-gang’s words back to him, Jin Ja-gang wasn’t shaken at all.

“You knew I would come and deliberately sent him in a half-dead state for me to see, didn’t you?”

Gong-eup didn’t answer. Jin Ja-gang raised his hand to show the blood-stained cloth.

“‘West’ (西). Did you let him go because you know the character in front of this?”

Gong-eup still didn’t answer.

Jin Ja-gang slowly raised his killing intent.

“Should I find out by force?”

Tingling killing intent reached toward Gong-eup. Goosebumps rose on Gong-eup’s neck and forearms. Gong-eup’s internal energy reacted to Jin Ja-gang’s killing intent, making his qi and blood boil hot, and veins bulged on his shaved head marked with precepts.

Gong-eup raised his internal energy. Yellow aura gathered around his eyes.

“Namo Amitabha Guanyin Bodhisattva!”

Bang!

A explosive sound rang from Gong-eup’s chest, and a great wave rippled through the air. In an instant, Jin Ja-gang’s killing intent scattered and could no longer greatly affect Gong-eup, deflecting around him.

Shaolin Temple’s internal energy, along with Taoist internal energy, was considered among the most stable mental techniques in the martial world.

Gong-eup looked down at Jin Ja-gang with an arrogant expression and sneered.

“Do not rush, Poison Dragon! Your death is not predetermined! Do not throw away the opportunity of heavenly protection obtained through Master Sa-baek’s life-lock!”

Jin Ja-gang’s lips twisted.

“If you thought I was begging for my life because of the life-lock, that’s a huge miscalculation. While people are speaking nicely, you should spill what you know.”

Of course there was no answer. Rather, the sneer at Gong-eup’s lips deepened.

For a moment, it felt almost like killing intent mixed with mockery.

Jin Ja-gang bared his teeth at Gong-eup’s smile and awakened the sleeping beast within.