Chapter 392: Seeing Hell (2)

Dam Ho gave Muk Il-gwang the Plum Blossom Divine Pill to consume. ​

Though it was a rare treasure in the world, he didn't think it was a waste. ​

He was a man who risked his life fighting and shed blood to protect his sister. The Plum Blossom Divine Pill could be obtained again, but such a man could not be found again. ​

After consuming the Plum Blossom Divine Pill, Muk Il-gwang entered qi cultivation. And Dam Ho guarded by his side. ​

The sight of Muk Il-gwang practicing qi cultivation and Dam Ho sitting silently beside him somehow harmonized well. ​

Not far from them sat Hwang Hye-ryeong and Im Ju-ha. ​

The place they were at was a small thatched hut on a hill near the inn. It was a kind of safe house that Hao Sect used only in emergencies. ​

Fortunately, they had prevented the inn from being completely consumed by fire, but they could no longer use that place. Their identities had already been exposed. ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong apologized. ​

"I'm sorry. Because of us." ​

"No! Thanks to you, I got to see my sister's big brother in person and feast my eyes." ​

Though she said that, subtle fear lingered in Im Ju-ha's eyes as she secretly looked at Dam Ho. ​

The Demon Cult members who dragged innocent people in to use as tools were frightening, but what was more frightening was Dam Ho who killed even such people without mercy. ​

'A cold-blooded killer without blood or tears indeed.' ​

Though martial world rumors were said to be inflated several times over from reality, in Dam Ho's case the rumors seemed to fall short. Dam Ho's appearance and majesty were that shocking. ​

Only then did she seem to understand why Hao Sect's Vice Leader Gi Ye-hwa had so earnestly urged her. ​

— Never oppose him, cooperate. ​

Gi Ye-hwa's voice seemed to echo anew in her ears. ​

"Thank you. I'll never forget this kindness." ​

"If you think of it as kindness, speak well to your big brother." ​

"I will." ​

"Thank you!" ​

That's when it happened. ​

"Everyone must be hungry, right? Come have a meal." ​

Suddenly a cheerful voice was heard. Turning her head, she saw Bang Jin-bo gesturing for them to come. ​

A smile bloomed on Hwang Hye-ryeong's lips. ​

"Shall we taste Jin-bo's food after a long time? I'll gain weight for once." ​

"Really?" ​

"You'll probably be amazed. You might even experience heavenly taste." ​

Im Ju-ha honestly scoffed until then. ​

Due to circumstances, she was disguising as an inn owner and had tasted all the delicacies in the world. ​

But such thoughts completely vanished the moment she put a piece of meat made by Bang Jin-bo in her mouth. ​

'What is this?' ​

She felt paradise in her mouth. ​

Her tongue was dancing. ​

When she came to her senses, a plate was already empty. Im Ju-ha forgot her dignity and held out her plate to Bang Jin-bo. ​

Bang Jin-bo smiled and filled her plate with food. ​

As the Five Elements were interconnected, the energy that could be contained in food also increased. Thanks to this, the food not only became more delicious but also boosted vitality. ​

Im Ju-ha was shocked to feel her entire body filled with vitality. ​

At that moment, someone's alias that had risen as a legend in the martial world came to mind. ​

'Mount Hua Grand Chef.' ​

A young master who suddenly appeared and made a name at Shaolin Temple. ​

He uniquely styled himself as a chef. But with overwhelming martial power, he defeated Dae Gun-sang, one of the Four New Stars, and rose to become one of the best rising talents. ​

"Young Hero is Mount Hua Grand Chef Bang Jin-bo." ​

"Hehe!" ​

Bang Jin-bo scratched his head awkwardly with an embarrassed expression. It was hard to see him as one of the best rising talents. But Im Ju-ha wasn't fooled by such outward appearances. ​

'Come to think of it, he calls the Fist Demon his brother, so how much teaching must he have received? The Fist Demon must have raised him with great care.' ​

She came to her own conclusion and convinced herself. ​

Then Hwang Hye-ryeong said to Bang Jin-bo. ​

"Your skills have improved even more since I last saw you. You must have trained hard." ​

"Hehe!" ​

"Thank you! I feel much more energetic thanks to you." ​

"I'm glad it was helpful." ​

"I lived thanks to you. You're my lifesaver." ​

"Hey! What's this over such a small thing." ​

"No. I'm really grateful!" ​

As Hwang Hye-ryeong repeatedly expressed gratitude, Bang Jin-bo made an awkward expression. ​

That's when it happened. ​

"Mmm!" ​

Muk Il-gwang opened his eyes with a soft groan. Thanks to this, everyone's attention focused on him and Bang Jin-bo could escape the awkward situation. ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong immediately ran to Muk Il-gwang. ​

"Are you okay? Il-gwang." ​

"Miss!" ​

"How's your body?" ​

"Good. Very energetic." ​

Muk Il-gwang rose from his seat. ​

His entire body overflowed with energy. Rather, he was more vigorous than before his injury. No trace of internal injuries remained at all. ​

Muk Il-gwang twisted his body this way and that, then discovered Dam Ho. ​

"Elder brother, thank you." ​

He bowed his head deeply in greeting. ​

Though he couldn't move while practicing qi cultivation therapy, his eyes and ears were wide open. Therefore he understood all the circumstances. ​

Dam Ho nodded. ​

"You worked hard." ​

"Not at all. It was just what I should naturally do. I'm only sorry that my martial arts were weak and caused Miss to suffer." ​

"You did your best." ​

At Dam Ho's words, Muk Il-gwang made a moved expression. ​

If something had happened to Hwang Hye-ryeong, not only would he have no face to see Dam Ho, but he would no longer find meaning to live. ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong had now become his everything. Risking his life to protect Hwang Hye-ryeong was natural for him. But being acknowledged by Dam Ho for that fact was a separate matter. ​

Dam Ho moved toward where Hwang Hye-ryeong and Bang Jin-bo were. Muk Il-gwang carefully followed behind. ​

"You must be hungry, eat first." ​

Bang Jin-bo offered the food he had set aside for them. ​

The two nodded and ate. Unlike Dam Ho who slowly savored the taste bit by bit, Muk Il-gwang hastily shoveled it into his mouth. ​

For the past few days while practicing qi cultivation therapy, he hadn't eaten a proper meal, not even a bowl of porridge. Thanks to this, his stomach was stuck to his backbone. ​

He emptied a bowl in an instant but his hunger didn't subside. ​

"More…" ​

"Here you go." ​

Before Muk Il-gwang could finish speaking, Bang Jin-bo smiled and offered a bowl full of food. ​

"Huh?" ​

"There's still plenty left, so eat slowly." ​

"Th-thank you." ​

"Not at all." ​

Bang Jin-bo smiled and turned his gaze to Dam Ho. ​

Dam Ho was silently emptying his food. Dam Ho's appearance of eating as slowly as possible and chewing thoroughly was almost reverent. ​

It was a very familiar sight to Bang Jin-bo, but it only looked terrifying to Im Ju-ha who was with them. ​

In the burning inn, she had clearly seen Dam Ho's incredible and unbelievable martial prowess. And his cruelty. ​

An ordinary martial artist wouldn't have killed ignorant people like that. Even if it was incited by the Demon Cult. ​

Perhaps sensing Im Ju-ha's gaze, Dam Ho raised his head to look at her. The moment their eyes met, Im Ju-ha flinched. ​

She prided herself on having experienced everything as a Hao Sect branch leader, but she had never encountered a martial artist like Dam Ho. ​

Dam Ho's emotionless gaze was too harsh for her to handle. ​

"H-hello, Great Hero Dam. Th-thank you for your help." ​

She found herself stammering without knowing it. Because she wanted to break the awkward silence somehow. ​

"Gi Ye-hwa?" ​

"Pardon? You mean the Vice Leader?" ​

"Where is she now?" ​

"Ah, she probably returned to headquarters." ​

"Is there a way to meet her?" ​

"I can send communication." ​

"Then send communication." ​

"Pardon? But there needs to be a reason… No. I'll send communication right away." ​

Im Ju-ha quickly answered. ​

Her mouth was parched and it felt like all the blood in her body had dried up. Just the fact of being in the same space as Dam Ho was making her entire body tense. ​

Her gaze suddenly turned toward Bang Jin-bo and Hwang Hye-ryeong. ​

The two were laughing and conversing as if being beside Dam Ho was nothing. To Im Ju-ha, that scene felt mysterious. ​

'How can they laugh like that with the Fist Demon beside them? When my flesh is trembling like this.' ​

She felt she would never get used to him no matter how long she stayed near Dam Ho. ​

That's when it happened. ​

"Branch Leader." ​

Im Ju-ha's subordinate approached with an urgent expression and whispered in her ear. After hearing all of her subordinate's words, her expression hardened beyond measure. ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong asked. ​

"What's wrong?" ​

"The Demon Cult's elite forces have finally gathered near Hefei." ​

"Hefei?" ​

"Yes! Where the Namgung Family is." ​

At Im Ju-ha's answer, Hwang Hye-ryeong tilted her head. That was already something she had expected. She couldn't understand why Im Ju-ha would make such a serious expression over just this much. ​

Im Ju-ha took a deep breath and continued. ​

"That's not the important part." ​

"Then?" ​

"Some of the Demon Cult elite forces gathering in Hefei were ambushed by a group and suffered heavy damage." ​

"Then isn't that good? It means the Demon Cult took that much of a blow." ​

"Even if those who attacked the Demon Cult were Overlord's Stronghold?" ​

"What do you mean? That's impossible…" ​

Instantly Hwang Hye-ryeong's complexion turned deathly pale. ​

Overlord's Stronghold was the head of the Green Forest Eighteen Forts. And there was her father Hwang Gyeong-mun. ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong quickly shook her head. ​

"That can't be. Father wouldn't launch a preemptive attack on the Demon Cult." ​

There was no way Hwang Gyeong-mun would launch a preemptive attack on the Demon Cult first. He had even evacuated all the elderly, weak, and women to other mountain forts to minimize damage, so there was no reason to stir up trouble now. ​

Im Ju-ha quickly continued. ​

"Right! There's no way Overlord's Stronghold would attack the Demon Cult first. Actually, our intelligence network detected no signs of Overlord's Stronghold coming down from the mountain. Someone disguised themselves as Overlord's Stronghold." ​

"Who on earth? For what reason would they disguise as Overlord's Stronghold?" ​

Though Hwang Hye-ryeong was usually more clever than anyone, at this moment her mind went blank and she couldn't think of anything. ​

Dam Ho put down his bowl and spoke. ​

"The Namgung Family." ​

"Yes! The Namgung Family. They definitely disguised as Overlord's Stronghold elite and ambushed the Demon Cult. Because of this, some of the enraged Demon Cult masters headed toward Overlord's Stronghold." ​

"Are you certain?" ​

"I'm certain. Hao Sect's intelligence network within Anhui Province is still intact." ​

Im Ju-ha answered without a moment's hesitation. ​

Dam Ho's gaze sank deeply. ​

"The Namgung Family threw their final gambit." ​

"Yes! By dragging in Overlord's Stronghold, they clearly intend to disperse the Demon Cult's forces and make all of Anhui Province a battlefield. It's a plan with no loss for them anyway. I don't know who devised the plan, but it's chillingly cold and frightening." ​

Im Ju-ha shook her head. ​

Muk Il-gwang threw down the bowl he was holding and stood up. ​

"We must go to Overlord's Stronghold immediately." ​

Overlord's Stronghold was like his hometown. ​

Though Hwang Gyeong-mun had entrusted him with Hwang Hye-ryeong's safety, he couldn't just watch Overlord's Stronghold in mortal danger. ​

In his excitement, his barely healed wounds opened and blood flowed, but he didn't even feel the pain. ​

Muk Il-gwang's gaze turned toward Dam Ho. ​

"Elder brother!" ​

Dam Ho read the intense longing in his eyes. ​

"Big brother!" ​

This time even Hwang Hye-ryeong joined in. ​

Tears had already filled Hwang Hye-ryeong's eyes. ​

Dam Ho reached out to gently stroke Hwang Hye-ryeong's head, then stood up. ​

It was where someone who had raised his sister like his own daughter lived. He was one of the few benefactors Dam Ho had. ​

That alone was more than enough reason to help him. ​

"Let's go quickly." ​

Before long, Bang Jin-bo had packed all the dishes in a bundle and loaded them on the horse. He had prepared to leave the moment he heard Im Ju-ha's words. ​

Im Ju-ha couldn't understand these people's reaction. Mount Hua was highly likely to become the fiercest battlefield. No matter how they helped Overlord's Stronghold, the other forces that had entered Anhui Province wouldn't leave them alone. The hellish path he would have to walk seemed clearly visible before her eyes. But Im Ju-ha couldn't dissuade Dam Ho. ​

Dam Ho was an existence who suited hell better than anyone. ​

In her eyes, she could already see Dam Ho standing tall in the middle of hellfire. ​

“There’s someone you should be wary of.”

Before departing, Yuk Ha-seon gave a warning.

“The one who showed the most outstanding performance in this battle with the Stone Vajras was someone called Soul Seizing Hall Master Tang Sang-yul. He took the heads of no less than four Stone Vajras.”

The name Tang Sang-yul was already stored in Jin Ja-gang’s memory.

The original owner of the Soul Seizing Thread.

“I know who he is. And I have a debt to settle with him too.”

It was the debt regarding the two legs of the craftsman Beon-woo who had repaired the current Soul Seizing Thread.

“Good that you know. Soul Seizing Hall Master is someone who, despite being in his late forties, was already a candidate for the next family head. That he demonstrated his skills even at some risk was probably largely due to being conscious of you, Poison Dragon. Since King of Hell has marked you as his successor.”

“I see.”

“But what’s strange is that Soul Seizing Hall Master is someone on the side of the current family head, Lady Li Hua, rather than King of Hell.”

Jin Ja-gang also remembered. In front of the underground prison, Tang Sang-yul had specifically stayed by Tang Gwi-ok’s side rather than King of Hell, and moved according to Tang Gwi-ok’s commands.

“He might intervene in some way to interfere with or harm your work, so be sure to keep it in mind.”

“Understood.”

Jin Ja-gang left first, leaving the three leaders behind.

* * *

Thud.

Jin Ja-gang stopped while walking through the rain.

The footsteps following behind also stopped.

“You don’t need to follow anymore.”

“…”

Yeong-gwi opened her mouth after a long while.

“I couldn’t hear the details. But… I don’t think it’s right to send you off like this.”

“It’s not a matter of right or wrong. It’s a path I’m taking to survive.”

“But…!”

Jin Ja-gang nodded to Yeong-gwi.

“Don’t worry. I won’t die.”

Yeong-gwi spoke heavily.

“Yes… if it’s you, you’ll somehow survive. Take care of yourself.”

“Then.”

Jin Ja-gang, who threw out a light farewell, hurried on his way and left.

Yeong-gwi gazed endlessly at Jin Ja-gang’s retreating figure.

Then she quietly murmured.

“It’s not because I’m afraid you’ll die. It’s because… your wife is there… that’s why…”

Yeong-gwi couldn’t finish her words and closed her mouth.

Whoooosh.

The rain seemed to be getting thinner, as if it was finally about to stop…

* * *

Jin Ja-gang didn’t hide and move but walked openly on the main road.

The heavy rain had lessened somewhat, but Sichuan couldn’t avoid the effects of flooding either. Along the way, he could see damage everywhere.

Rivers had overflowed greatly, submerging previously intact villages, and all crops in the fields had been swept away. The violently raging rivers carried household goods, broken houses, and even corpses of dead animals.

The whole world seemed dyed only with misty white fog and yellow muddy water.

Poor people who had lost their homes gathered everywhere, living in hastily built huts.

When he reached areas where people were densely packed, he could hear coughing sounds everywhere.

Cough cough.

Having been wet in humid weather for almost more than a fortnight, people had caught colds.

Even when they managed to gather firewood, it was wet and wouldn’t burn properly, only producing acrid smoke.

Adults, both men and women, were walking around getting rained on to find food. They struggled to retrieve dead livestock being swept away, and among them were those trying to catch fish by throwing nets. They could be swept away and killed by river water with just a misstep, but having no food, they had no choice.

Children were the same. They wandered the flooded fields, covered in mud, catching mole crickets called earth dogs. As the rainy season neared its end, mole crickets and water beetles were everywhere.

But even if they survived by catching and eating those for now, once the blazing heat arrived, they would quickly become hard to find.

That would be the worst period of hardship.

As Jin Ja-gang passed them, several approached with outstretched hands, begging.

He could ignore adults, but he couldn’t ignore children who extended their hands with lips trembling blue from cold.

In less than a day, Jin Ja-gang had given away all the provisions he carried.

As he got closer to the capital, the rain lessened. The times when it rained also decreased greatly.

But that was becoming more of a problem.

It became difficult to find drinking water.

Wells were covered with sediment or filled with rainwater, and with no rain falling, it became hard to collect rainwater to drink.

People had no choice but to do laundry and draw water to drink near rivers where all kinds of corpses and filth floated downstream. Some were even relieving themselves upstream.

Jin Ja-gang’s brow furrowed with worry.

This was the source of plague after floods following the rainy season.

All kinds of filthy waste overflow with river water and cover the foundation of life. People have to live on that dirty land and drink contaminated water. When blazing heat suddenly arrives after being cold due to the rainy season, disease spreads even more rapidly from then on.

But such situations after floods are something anyone can predict.

How does King of Hell Tang Qing plan to cause more problems here?

‘King of Hell. What are you planning to do using those pitiful people?’

Moreover, the identity and purpose of the demons hiding behind this were still unknown…

His shoulders felt heavy.

Jin Ja-gang looked at the people with a dark expression for quite a while, then departed for the meeting place.

* * *

The place where the meeting would be held was a small grass hut.

Faint moonlight leaking from the moon’s halo entered through the hut’s pierced roof, barely allowing one to distinguish surroundings.

Drip drip. Drip.

Water droplets leaked through roof gaps and fell to the floor.

Jin Ja-gang waited for Tang Qing in the darkness.

Swish.

Someone of small stature entered, pushing aside the hut’s straw mat door.

It was King of Hell Tang Qing.

Tang Qing plopped down in front of Jin Ja-gang.

The dim moonlight reflected off Tang Qing’s eyes, glinting palely.

Jin Ja-gang quietly stared at Tang Qing. Tang Qing’s small eyes also looked at Jin Ja-gang.

Drip… drip…

Except for the sound of dripping water, only small breathing sounds echoed in the hut.

Tedious time passed.

As time passed, moonlight also moved little by little. The moonlight leaking through the ceiling gradually moved from wall to floor. Whenever dripping water touched the moonlight, the moonlight scattered brilliantly for an instant.

Sparkle…!

Sparkle!

And very faint drum sounds could be heard from far away.

Boom… boom…

It seemed to be drum sounds announcing time as they were near the capital.

Tang Qing opened his mouth.

“It’s the third watch. It seems the others won’t be coming.”

It was the first words spoken in a full hour.

Tang Qing showed a long smile.

“What to do? The cowards ran away. Now what will you do alone?”

Jin Ja-gang also finally spoke. No, rather than speaking, he asked as if he didn’t know.

“Ah, were you waiting for someone?”

When moonlight sparkled off the dripping water, he could see King of Hell’s eyes distorting in the darkness.

Look at this guy?

“Are you mocking me? You weren’t waiting for the others?”

“I thought you had something to say. You didn’t speak up earlier.”

Jin Ja-gang took out three thin wooden tablets from his bosom.

Though the moonlight was dim, Tang Qing wasn’t someone who couldn’t read the writing on the wooden tablets.

They were wooden tablets stamped with the seals of Thousand Face Blade Master Ro-gwan, Red Flower Immortal Yuk Ha-seon, and Mine Chief Gap-tak-yeon.

“Well well?”

Tang Qing’s mouth twisted.

Signatures and seals pressed in blood.

“A joint petition?”

Tang Qing laughed.

“So what.”

Jin Ja-gang’s eyes turned cold.

“King of Hell.”

Tang Qing’s mouth, face, and eyebrows twisted even more. He seemed to be forcibly holding back ridicule.

Jin Ja-gang said coldly.

“Leper Mound! Pleasure Heaven! Coal Mining Office! I am authorized by the three Poison Sect Cliques to make this motion!”

“Giggle giggle!”

Tang Qing laughed but Jin Ja-gang paid no mind and shouted firmly.

“King of Hell Tang Qing, listen! The three Poison Sect Cliques have resolved that since you have caused serious harm to the Poison Sect faction, your representative position shall be stripped and a new Tang family representative elected!”

Jin Ja-gang threw the three joint petitions in front of King of Hell.

Tang Qing’s mouth split to his ears. His small eyes opened round.

“So?”

“Do you intend to ignore the resolution?”

“Why should I follow such a resolution?”

“One who does not follow the Poison Sect’s six cliques’ resolution.”

Jin Ja-gang spoke.

“I understand it’s subject to summary execution.”

“So?”

“Isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

Tang Qing giggled.

Suddenly.

Drip.

One raindrop leaked and fell from the ceiling.

It hit the leaking moonlight and flashed, scattering light. Though it was a small sparkle, in the dark interior it was brighter than any other light.

Brief though it was, enough to cover the pupils of Jin Ja-gang and Tang Qing in the room with light!

Instantly Jin Ja-gang raised his Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art to the extreme of six dikes and moved. It was extremely quick action for someone who had been motionless for over an hour.

Jin Ja-gang held a long acupuncture needle in his right hand and stabbed upward from below at Tang Qing’s chin, using the square drawn by the light.

Thud!

Tang Qing caught Jin Ja-gang’s wrist with his left hand.

Their internal energies clashed.

Boooooom!

Tremendous energy waves burst and swelled from Jin Ja-gang and Tang Qing’s bodies. The small hut’s interior filled with spherical energy waves. The energy waves pushed against the hut’s walls and roof and burst out all at once.

CRAAASH!

The hut’s walls and roof shattered instantly and the entire hut flew away.

Sizzle, sizzle!

Jin Ja-gang and Tang Qing’s internal energies were still repeatedly colliding. Jin Ja-gang’s hair stretched toward the sky and Tang Qing’s hair also stuck out in all directions.

Both glared with raised eyes and continued emitting internal energy.

Even so… Tang Qing was laughing. His mouth split to below his ears split even more until blood formed. Blood droplets at his mouth corners were pushed by the energy waves and floated into the air, blown backward.

Jin Ja-gang gritted his teeth and used all his strength to push the acupuncture needle into Tang Qing’s chin.

Sizzle, sizzle.

The acupuncture needle was embedded fingernail-deep in Tang Qing’s chin, glowing red-hot. No, looking closely, it wasn’t embedded. The needle’s tip was bent. Jin Ja-gang’s fingers holding the needle burned, giving off the smell of burning flesh.

Jin Ja-gang’s whole body became drenched in sweat. A single drop of sweat also formed on Tang Qing’s forehead.

The internal energy clash stopped.

Just as Jin Ja-gang was about to make his next move…

Swooooosh!

Countless human figures swarmed from all directions like a tide. The appearing martial artists pointed spears at Jin Ja-gang.

Over dozens of spears were pointed at Jin Ja-gang. Moonlight reflected off the numerous spear points, flashing blindingly bright.

The spears stopped with their tips stabbing Jin Ja-gang’s flesh, with no gap even for a hair. Dozens of spears were slightly embedded in Jin Ja-gang’s entire body.

There were over hundreds of people holding spears like this.

Hundreds of people were completely pressed against Jin Ja-gang alone, pointing spears. The spear points gradually pressed into Jin Ja-gang’s body.

Thread-like blood flowing from the stabbed areas covered his whole body like spider webs.

Jin Ja-gang neither feared nor trembled. But with his whole body pierced by spear points, he couldn’t move at all.

And Tang Qing… laughed.

Hehehe! Hehehehe!