Chapter 420 – Receiving Guests with Utmost Sincerity (2)

"Hmm!"

Cho Yeon-woon casually glanced at the pavilion.

It was the pavilion where the suicide squad's leadership, including Jang Jin-myeong, had gathered. Everyone was assembled there except for Snow Mountain Blade Guest Lee Seol-hwi.

Cho Yeon-woon deployed the Thousand Li Ground Listening Technique, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation inside. However, an energy barrier had been spread around the pavilion, blocking sound waves from escaping. Because of this, he couldn't learn anything about what conversation was taking place inside.

'Is there a secret so important they need to deploy an energy barrier?'

Everyone gathered at Silver Treasure Escort Agency had volunteered for the suicide squad anyway. He couldn't help but wonder what secret needed to be kept even from martial artists recruited for the same purpose.

That's when it happened.

"What are you doing here?"

A clear, melodious voice reached him.

When Cho Yeon-woon turned his head, he saw a woman wearing purple cotton clothes. The woman with hair elegantly arranged in three tiers and crescent-shaped eyebrows that were particularly beautiful was precisely Hae So-wol.

Cho Yeon-woon smiled awkwardly.

"Just…"

"It's blocked by an energy barrier, so it won't work."

"……"

"I tried too."

"Damn it!"

At Hae So-wol's words, Cho Yeon-woon couldn't help but blurt out his inner thoughts. Hae So-wol muttered while looking at the pavilion.

"I don't know what secrets they have so many of."

The distance from Shaolin Temple to this place was over a thousand li. Normally, riding horses, it would be sufficient to arrive in about ten days, but because they moved secretly, it inevitably took twice that time.

No matter how unfamiliar they were with each other, if they moved together for over twenty days, they couldn't help but grow attached and open up to conversation.

Indeed, Hae So-wol had grown quite close to So Bo-won. She was able to hear in detail about how So Bo-won participated in the suicide squad during the first Righteous-Demon War and what fierce battles she fought.

Her conversations were greatly helpful to Hae So-wol. So Bo-won particularly cherished Hae So-wol as a fellow woman and gave her many teachings. But the more she conversed with her, the more Hae So-wol felt an unknowable wall.

Invisible but definitely existing, that wall higher and more treacherous than Mount Tai.

So Bo-won was definitely hiding something. The problem was that she couldn't even guess what it was. Therefore, she too, like Cho Yeon-woon, had tried to secretly eavesdrop on the conversation inside the pavilion. Of course, her attempt was blocked by the energy barrier and came to nothing.

"What on earth are they hiding? Hero Cho, don't you have some idea?"

"I'm not certain yet."

When Cho Yeon-woon hesitated, Hae So-wol stepped closer.

"Hero Cho!"

"……"

"I think we're trustworthy companions. Don't you think so, Hero Cho? Please tell me the secret. We're in the same boat."

"Sigh!"

At Hae So-wol's words, Cho Yeon-woon quietly let out a sigh. Then Hae So-wol took another step closer.

"I already suspected that Great Hero Dam and Hero Cho know secrets you can't tell others. And that they're very dangerous. So I've been pretending not to know, but I think it's time we should know too. What do you think?"

Hae So-wol's eyes were clear and deep. The moment he saw such eyes, Cho Yeon-woon realized he could no longer hide about the Heavenly Evil Cult.

"Sigh!"

"I'll definitely keep the secret."

"Actually…"

Finally, Cho Yeon-woon told her the truth he knew. That besides the Demon Cult, the Heavenly Evil Cult existed, and that their true purpose was unknowable.

Hae So-wol calmly listened to all that story. Even until Cho Yeon-woon's story was completely finished, she didn't blink once.

"Heavenly Evil Cult…"

Truth was like an awl hidden behind thin cloth. Though thoroughly concealed, with just a little force it would pierce the cloth and reveal its substance.

Hae So-wol recalled memories from three years ago. When she came into the martial world to meet Eun So-cheong, she had been attacked by unidentified assassins.

That incident became the catalyst for the Martial Alliance's creation. At the time, she simply thought she had been ambushed by the Demon Cult, but looking back now, there were many strange things.

The most puzzling thing was that the Demon Cult had no reason to specifically target Hae So-wol. Though Hae So-wol was one of the Nine Martial Dragons, she wasn't someone with enough presence to influence the martial world's general situation.

There was no reason for the Demon Cult to specifically target such a Hae So-wol and make the martial world alert.

'So the Heavenly Evil Cult used me to cause the Martial Alliance's creation?'

Finally all doubts were resolved. But her expression wasn't very comfortable.

'A third force instigating conflict between the Martial Alliance and Demon Cult from the shadows. Who would believe such a fact if told?'

Finally Hae So-wol quietly let out a sigh.

Only then could she understand how much Cho Yeon-woon must have worried.

"Thank you. For telling me the truth."

"Rather, I'm sorry for telling you late. As you know, it's not something I can discuss carelessly."

"I understand."

Hae So-wol nodded while looking at the pavilion.

"So some of them might be people related to the Heavenly Evil Cult."

"Maybe all of them."

"Sigh!"

Hae So-wol finally let out a frightening sigh.

The truth was so heavy and scary it was hard to breathe.

"Does Great Hero Dam also know this fact?"

"Of course. He's the one who told me this fact."

"Mm!"

"He's been fighting them for a long time already."

"Great Hero Dam was carrying too big a burden alone. Then Hero Cho's change of heart and joining must also be because of the Heavenly Evil Cult."

"Well, something like that."

"Thank you. That's all I can say."

At Hae So-wol's words, Cho Yeon-woon showed an embarrassed expression. But that was only momentary, as he soon looked at the pavilion. The tightly closed door was opening and they were coming out.

Led by Jang Jin-myeong, So Bo-won, Gu Ui-jin and others came out in a line. Their complexions were somehow stiff. But seeing Cho Yeon-woon and Hae So-wol, they showed natural expressions as if nothing had happened.

"What conversation were you having here?"

"Just discussing various things."

"Is that so?"

At Cho Yeon-woon's calm answer, Jang Jin-myeong quietly nodded. But Jang Jin-myeong's eyes were gleaming sharper than ever.

Despite the blade-like gaze that seemed to see through one's inner thoughts, Cho Yeon-woon's expression didn't change at all. The same was true for Hae So-wol.

After briefly examining them, Jang Jin-myeong soon smiled.

"Seeing you get along well makes me feel good too. You are the hope and last bastion of the martial world, aren't you?"

"Your words alone are gratifying enough."

"Not just words. I really think so."

Jang Jin-myeong said this without blinking an eye.

Cho Yeon-woon couldn't help but inwardly admire such behavior from Jang Jin-myeong. Throughout the journey here, Jang Jin-myeong had never shown Cho Yeon-woon any weakness.

The opponent was a seasoned fox. Nothing was more dangerous than carelessly revealing emotions before a veteran who had experienced everything. Therefore, Cho Yeon-woon also had to constantly strive not to reveal his inner thoughts.

While such an untimely war of nerves was taking place:

"Brother."

Eun So-cheong suddenly called Cho Yeon-woon while running toward the guest reception hall.

Everyone's gazes naturally turned toward Eun So-cheong.

Eun So-cheong looked very urgent.

"What's wrong?"

"From Divine Flower Merchant Group…"

"Divine Flower Merchant Group?"

"Yes! A delivery request came from Miss Won Seol-hwa of Divine Flower Merchant Group."

"What does that mean?"

"They're asking us to deliver the rock salt we brought this time to the Demon Cult on their behalf."

At Eun So-cheong's words, Jang Jin-myeong, So Bo-won and others looked at each other's faces. The rock salt that Silver Treasure Escort Agency's merchant group had brought was entirely a camouflage item to hide the existence of Jang Jin-myeong and others. Therefore, they hadn't thought about having to deliver it somewhere.

When they met Won Seol-hwa last time, rock salt came up in passing conversation, but they never expected Won Seol-hwa to ask them to deliver it to the Demon Cult on behalf.

"Is that kind of thing common normally?"

"Absolutely not. A massive merchant group like Divine Flower Merchant Group would never ask a lesser merchant group to make deliveries on their behalf. Of course, the current situation is particularly exceptional."

"Exceptional?"

"Yes! Since the fact that Divine Flower Merchant Group is the Demon Cult's outer court was revealed, their trade outside Demon Cult-controlled areas has been blocked. Naturally, obtaining salt has become difficult too."

"Hmm!"

Cho Yeon-woon's gaze darkened. Because he smelled something suspicious.

That's when it happened.

"Asking us to deliver rock salt? Then isn't this a golden opportunity for us to enter the Demon Cult without any inspection?"

The owner of the voice was precisely Jang Jin-myeong.

Among the previous suicide squad martial artists, he was the eldest and possessed tremendous martial power, so he was naturally playing the role of the group's leader.

The gazes of Cho Yeon-woon, Hae So-wol and others turned toward Jang Jin-myeong.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly as you heard. If we disguise ourselves as Silver Treasure Escort Agency's merchant group, won't we be able to enter the Demon Cult without bloodshed? Then achieving our purpose would become much easier."

"It might be a trap."

At Eun So-cheong's words, Jang Jin-myeong glared at her.

"Why do you think so?"

A chill could be felt in his voice. For Eun So-cheong, who hadn't learned martial arts, it was hard to endure.

Naturally her face turned pale.

"Th-that's…"

At that moment, Cho Yeon-woon naturally stepped between Jang Jin-myeong and Eun So-cheong. Then the pressure and chill directed at Eun So-cheong were blocked.

Eun So-cheong slightly bowed her head to express gratitude to Cho Yeon-woon, then continued speaking.

"Miss Won of Divine Flower Merchant Group is absolutely not someone who gives her own benefits to others. No matter how urgent the situation."

"But didn't you just say with your own mouth? That trade elsewhere is blocked and they're struggling to obtain salt."

"Of course that's true, but…"

"Salt is an absolutely necessary item for daily life. If it's missing even for a day, big problems arise. What food doesn't contain salt? So for them, it's like fire falling on their feet, isn't it?"

Jang Jin-myeong's voice naturally rose.

He was called the Thousand Man Great Enemy Sword. When such a fearsome martial artist capable of facing a thousand alone raised his voice, naturally others had no choice but to hold their breath.

Even fellow previous suicide squad martial artists.

Silence came to the hall.

"Of course I don't not understand your concerns. You might worry it's the enemy's trap. But life doesn't always have flower paths spread before it. Sometimes we must choose thorny paths knowing they're dangerous. Of course, we'll pay considerable sacrifices in the process. But if it's for establishing martial world justice, where could there be more glorious sacrifice? It was the same decades ago. Everyone said it was dangerous and tried to dissuade us. But under Death God's guidance, the suicide squad ambushed the Demon Cult's main base and ultimately achieved victory."

Jang Jin-myeong's voice even contained a trace of madness.

Cho Yeon-woon's gaze slightly changed.

'Dangerous!'

That type of madness would sweep not only oneself but surrounding people into violent emotional torrents, making rational thinking impossible.

Moreover, if it was madness displayed by an absolute master like Jang Jin-myeong, it would make even martial arts masters unable to resist.

Indeed, not only Hae So-wol, evaluated as the best among rising masters, but even previous generation masters like So Bo-won and Gu Ui-jin were being influenced by Jang Jin-myeong's madness.

Only Cho Yeon-woon and Eun So-cheong under his protection were free from his madness.

"There's no glory without sacrifice. If you volunteered for the suicide squad, you'd know that fact better. You didn't come here to live anyway, right? If we can grasp a chance for reversal through the suicide squad's sacrifice, there's no greater glory. Isn't that right? This is a golden opportunity. If we miss it this time, when will such an opportunity come again?"

"……"

When Jang Jin-myeong's words ended, suffocating silence came. No one dared answer carelessly.

Even Cho Yeon-woon couldn't refute Jang Jin-myeong's words. If he argued with Jang Jin-myeong at this moment, it would be tantamount to asking for a fight.

Throughout the journey here, Jang Jin-myeong had always shown only a courteous demeanor. But that was merely a thoroughly calculated appearance.

"Assemble the suicide squad. We absolutely must not miss this opportunity."

Jang Jin-myeong drove home his point. ​

Jin Ja-gang’s consciousness gradually spread to his surroundings.

Simultaneously, all the senses of his body opened wide and the range of physical perception slowly expanded along with consciousness.

Jin Ja-gang listened carefully. Joyful voices were coming from somewhere.

“Let me see too.”

“What… why are you doing that?”

“Hey, you might have done something strange to the dice without me knowing.”

“You’re quite sharp. Have you rolled dice somewhere before?”

“Don’t think about cheating and take out new dice.”

“Tsk. Alright.”

Jin Ja-gang’s consciousness headed toward where the sound was coming from.

Despite having his eyes closed, he felt a clear scene as if seeing with his eyes.

One side of the garden, a little away from Jin Ja-gang.

Bian Bu and Taoist Master Bok-cheon were sitting facing each other with a strange tension flowing between them. Woon-jeong and So-so were cheering for each of them from the sides.

Jin Ja-gang watched what the two were doing.

Perhaps they had become bored while guarding Jin Ja-gang and were playing games. But Bian Bu and Taoist Master Bok-cheon were having a battle of wills over dice.

Jin Ja-gang found it amusing.

What were these bold people doing when the martial world was about to be in chaos?

With thousands of people dying, were they concentrating as if betting everything on a battle of wills over a single die?

No.

Jin Ja-gang judged that he had thought wrongly.

Jin Ja-gang had wanted this kind of ordinary daily life. He was fighting for this.

So even if the world ended right now, it might be right to enjoy daily life as daily life. That was right.

If you only worry about the sky falling and only worry about the earth caving in, even daily life would collapse.

Jin Ja-gang smiled and decided to concentrate his consciousness more to watch their battle of wills.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon said to Bian Bu.

“That Woon-jeong fellow was hanging around gambling dens like never before and playing by throwing dice alone, so I wondered what was wrong, and you taught him gambling?”

“Isn’t Taoist Woon-jeong also a grown adult now? How long will you treat him like a child?”

“Enough of such talk. Come out and let’s play once.”

“Hmph. It seems you’re sulking because I taught gambling to your disciple, but your own dice handling skills aren’t ordinary either?”

Even with the two’s battle of wills, Woon-jeong and So-so weren’t anxious. Rather, they were watching the two’s psychological warfare with great interest. Jin Ja-gang felt like he could hear Woon-jeong and So-so giggling inside.

Jin Ja-gang looked at Taoist Master Bok-cheon. He tried to feel Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s mood. Though Taoist Master Bok-cheon was frowning, he seemed more joyful than ever.

Then Taoist Master Bok-cheon suddenly slapped his neck and looked around.

“This Tang family has so many creatures crawling around, how is it that I can’t sense people coming?”

But Taoist Master Bok-cheon was startled when there was no one behind him.

Woon-jeong spoke as if asking why he was acting that way.

“Master, no one came.”

“Hmm?”

For just a moment, Taoist Master Bok-cheon and Jin Ja-gang’s eyes met. Of course, Taoist Master Bok-cheon’s gaze couldn’t see Jin Ja-gang’s consciousness with his eyes and only passed by. Because of this, Jin Ja-gang could tell that Taoist Master Bok-cheon was truly flustered. He could also feel his embarrassment.

“Strange.”

Bian Bu laughed making an exaggerated sound.

“What’s strange about what? You’re just embarrassed because you think you’ll lose after blaming the dice for nothing, right?”

“Hah, what do you take me for? Just give me the dice quickly.”

Bian Bu was about to give him the pair of dice but gripped them and made him promise.

“You keep your promises.”

“Don’t worry. If I speak with two tongues, I’m a son with two fathers.”

“Why go that far? In our world, we just call them dogs. If you lie, you’re a dog.”

“Whether bastard or dog. One of the two.”

“So keep your promise.”

Jin Ja-gang became curious about what promise the two had made.

Then Woon-jeong said to Jin Ja-gang.

‘The loser agreed to call the winner older brother.’

Ah, I see.

But suddenly Jin Ja-gang had a strange thought and looked at Woon-jeong. Woon-jeong wasn’t looking at Jin Ja-gang.

Who had spoken? Was it right that Taoist Woon-jeong had spoken?

So-so said.

‘We said it.’

Jin Ja-gang was surprised and looked at So-so. So-so was playing a slight finger game with Woon-jeong and wasn’t even glancing toward Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang wondered whether he had just heard auditory hallucinations, or whether all of this was an illusion.

* * *

Northern Heaven unorthodox sect’s Su Su-jin pointed her white hands sharply and repeatedly stabbed at Master Haewol. Master Haewol swayed his body. White light like rays of light seemed to penetrate and pass through Master Haewol’s body.

The attack power of Small Hand Demon Art was strong but not difficult to avoid. What was really troublesome was the light emitted by Small Hand Art. The flickering light in front of his eyes scattered, making it impossible to see properly. No matter how deeply Master Haewol’s eyelids covered his pupils, the rest of his vision was completely covered by light.

Master Haewol closed his eyes and while avoiding Su Su-jin’s attack, grabbed her left wrist. Su Su-jin was startled and tried to pull her arm away. Master Haewol pressed her wrist tightly with his thumb.

Su Su-jin’s face twisted in pain. Her fingers trembled and spread out, and her wrist began to bend.

SNAP!

Her wrist broke and bent.

Su Su-jin gritted her teeth and didn’t scream.

Northern Heaven unorthodox sect’s Go Lu-bon ran over and hugged Master Haewol tightly from behind. But no matter how Go Lu-bon strained and pressed, Master Haewol’s spread arms didn’t close.

Still holding Su Su-jin’s broken wrist. When Master Haewol held the broken wrist and lifted it up, Su Su-jin finally screamed.

“KYAAAAH!”

Go Lu-bon gave up trying to suppress Master Haewol with strength and struck his lower back with his elbow from behind.

Thud thud.

He was definitely hitting but it didn’t feel like hitting.

Master Haewol’s body rippled like soft cotton. Go Lu-bon shouted and head-butted Master Haewol’s back of the head with his forehead.

CRACK!

Only then did Master Haewol’s head shake as if he received a little shock. Master Haewol lowered his head then leaped backward, rather head-butting Go Lu-bon’s jaw. Go Lu-bon’s head bounced back and he staggered and retreated.

Since he was still gripping Su Su-jin’s broken arm, Su Su-jin’s face was completely twisted in pain. Su Su-jin, veins bulging, kicked Master Haewol’s groin. Master Haewol closed his legs and caught Su Su-jin’s ankle between his thighs. Though Su Su-jin tried with all her might to pull out her foot, the foot caught between Master Haewol’s thighs didn’t budge at all.

Master Haewol’s eyes rose, pushing up his eyelids.

Kill.

Su Su-jin shuddered at Master Haewol’s killing intent. Master Haewol extended his hand that wasn’t gripping the wrist and touched Su Su-jin’s solar plexus with his fingertips.

Wudang Sect’s Inch Force. Veins stood out on Su Su-jin’s twisted face. Su Su-jin’s hands shone the brightest they ever had.

FLASH!

Master Haewol’s retina was colored with light that flickered for a moment. His pupils opened and his eyes lost focus. Su Su-jin escaped from Master Haewol in the meantime.

Go Lu-bon, angry from being hit in the jaw, stripped off his upper garment and rushed at Master Haewol. Master Haewol turned his body and struck Go Lu-bon’s belly with his palm.

Go Lu-bon bent his waist saying “Ugh!” but soon straightened his body and slapped Master Haewol’s cheek. Master Haewol leaned his upper body back to avoid Go Lu-bon’s slap.

Master Haewol again struck Go Lu-bon’s chest and belly with his palms.

SMACK! SMACK!

Go Lu-bon staggered but seemed not to have received much damage and attacked Master Haewol. The lumps on Go Lu-bon’s body acted as natural armor, cushioning the impact.

“Ahahaha!”

Go Lu-bon was hit and fell but soon shook his head and got up laughing. It was a confident laugh as if bare hands couldn’t do anything to him.

Master Haewol stared at Go Lu-bon then raised his finger.

THUD!

Go Lu-bon’s right eye burst from being hit by finger wind.

“AAAAAH!”

Go Lu-bon grabbed his eye and screamed.

Master Haewol stomped his foot. The deck planks rippled like waves toward Go Lu-bon.

CRACK!

The planks bent and all the wedges and nails popped out, and when it reached Go Lu-bon, it made even Go Lu-bon stagger. Master Haewol struck Go Lu-bon’s chest with palm force. Go Lu-bon couldn’t step properly and floundered, then slipped and fell into the river.

SPLASH.

Then shadows intricately woven like spider webs covered over Master Haewol’s head.

* * *

The situation flowed interestingly.

They agreed to call each other older brother?

Though Taoist Master Bok-cheon was over sixty, his strong martial arts made him look forty, and though Bian Bu was also in his sixties, he looked like he was seventy. So whoever called the other older brother would seem strange to others.

Bian Bu pointed at Taoist Master Bok-cheon as if asking Jin Ja-gang to take his side.

‘This Taoist here says he dislikes gambling yet is very very familiar with dice. Is there such a two-faced Taoist in this world?’

When Jin Ja-gang shook his head and looked again, Bian Bu wasn’t speaking to Jin Ja-gang but was still only looking at Taoist Master Bok-cheon.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon looked at both Bian Bu and Jin Ja-gang ‘simultaneously’ and said.

‘In my youth, I saw many Taoists ruined by gambling, so I learned some techniques as preparation! Don’t drag Poison Dragon into this and let’s settle this quickly. Poison Dragon, you don’t take this person’s side either.’

Jin Ja-gang now gave up trying to confirm who was speaking to him. Such things were meaningless. Whether auditory hallucination or illusion, the essence doesn’t change.

Jin Ja-gang casually asked calmly.

‘What’s wrong with you two?’

‘Hmph. What’s wrong? We’re just comparing whose luck is better with dice.’

He couldn’t tell who answered, or whether Jin Ja-gang had really asked and received an answer. But when his doubts about whether it was auditory hallucination or illusion disappeared, all worries immediately vanished.

And Jin Ja-gang could watch the bet more joyfully.

“Alright, here I go!”

“Throw it!”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon picked up the dice.

Using all his strength to spin the dice in his hand, he threw them with all his might.

“Come out! Double six!”

* * *

Northern Heaven unorthodox sect master Black Horse, with a dark face long like a horse’s, threw a net toward Master Haewol. Needles were attached wherever the warp and weft of the net crossed, and weights were attached to the ends so that once caught, one couldn’t escape.

Master Haewol spread his arms toward the sky with his eyes out of focus. Soft and gentle palm force poured out and flowed gently through the air. The iron net Black Horse threw flowed to the side like being pushed by waves and passed by Master Haewol.

Black Horse hurriedly pulled the rope connected to the net to change direction. Master Haewol, unable to see ahead, slightly raised his head and stomped his foot. Master Haewol’s body shot out like an arrow and rammed into Black Horse’s chest.

CRACK! Black Horse’s sternum caved in and Black Horse was pushed and fell into the river like Go Lu-bon.

SPLASH!

Then hot heat approached over Master Haewol’s head.

WHOOSH!

Samadhi fire flames fell.