Chapter 491 – Everything Converges to One (1)

Kwaang!

With a roar, Cho Yeon-woon was smashed into a boulder. The house-sized boulder shattered to pieces and Cho Yeon-woon knelt and vomited blood. Fresh blood dyed his chest red.

"Krrgh!"

Cho Yeon-woon wiped the blood flowing from his mouth with his sleeve and raised his head.

Kwarrrr!

Lightning flashed within the ominous black energy that covered the sky completely black, and thunder sounds echoed. The earth cracked with 'zzzeok' sounds, and fierce storms swept through.

It seemed like the world's end had come.

People lost their words at the sight where they couldn't even imagine humans fighting humans.

Both Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists and the Demon Cult's martial artists just stared at the battlefield with fearful eyes, mouths agape.

That place was a battlefield of gods.

It was a mad fight waged by those who'd far transcended human limits.

Though countless martial artists were here, no one dared to interject into their fight.

"What on earth…"

"My goodness!"

Among those shocked was Yo Sa-ran, one of the Demon Cult's Four Great Commanders. She'd never met a match-like opponent even once except for Dam Ho. She possessed such earth-shattering martial prowess, but even she couldn't dare intervene in the gods' battle unfolding before her eyes.

Kwarrrrung!

Heaven collapsed, and the earth let out painful screams.

Though Yo Sa-ran had experienced more fights than anyone, she swore this was her first time seeing such a scene.

"This is…"

When she trembled, Cho Yeon-woon, who'd caught his breath, suddenly stood up.

Though he'd become covered in blood and his entire body was miserably ruined, not a hint of fear existed on his face.

"Chyaaat!"

He threw his body into the battlefield again without a hint of hesitation. Geom Yul-cheon, who'd been fighting Cheok Gwan-hyeol, glanced at him with a side look.

"You're late!"

"Sorry! I was catching my breath for a moment."

At Cho Yeon-woon's answer, Geom Yul-cheon nodded wordlessly. Though he seemed calm at a glance, the fact he was gritting his teeth showed he too had nearly reached his limit. In that brief moment Cho Yeon-woon was absent, tremendous burden had been placed on his entire body.

When Cho Yeon-woon joined, he could catch his breath for a moment. But that didn't mean the crisis had ended.

Uuuuung!

Even in that moment, Cheok Gwan-hyeol's demonic energy was showing its might. The surroundings were being devoured by his demonic energy and shaking.

Not only spatial sense but even distance sense was invaded by demonic energy and inaccurate. This place seemed like a separate space disconnected from the world.

At the center of it was Cheok Gwan-hyeol.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol wrapped in demonic energy could no longer be seen as the same human. He was a demon god itself.

"Die!"

Chyuhwahak!

With a gloomy voice, fragments of demonic energy flew toward them.

"Chyaaat!"

Cho Yeon-woon deployed Eight Desolations Divine Fist's ultimate technique with a powerful spirit shout.

Though his entire body was covered in wounds and his blood and energy were boiling, Cho Yeon-woon didn't care and exerted full power.

'I must stop him and end this chaotic era.'

Only that one thought filled his mind.

He didn't think about what future would unfold after this fight. Because he knew too well that if they couldn't defeat Cheok Gwan-hyeol, no future would exist.

It was the same for Geom Yul-cheon.

Though he'd created the Divine Demon Order, he had greater affection for the Demon Cult than anyone. If the Demon Cult had been going down the right path he thought, he wouldn't have risen in rebellion like this.

Eum Yu-gyeong, Sin Mu-wol, Myeong-cheon, and many people's expectations hung on his shoulders.

'I must stop the Cult Leader's rampage. If I can't, no future will exist for the Divine Cult.'

For the cult's survival, for the cult members' future, he had to eliminate Cheok Gwan-hyeol. His existence being used by Heavenly Evil Cult was harmful not only to Central Plains but to the Demon Cult.

'Cult Leader!'

He'd once been someone Geom Yul-cheon respected more than anyone.

That the Demon Cult, which had been in tatters after the First Orthodox-Demon War, could achieve today's prosperity was entirely thanks to him. But his existence no longer helped the Demon Cult. Because of his existence, the Demon Cult was rushing toward irreversible catastrophe.

Someone had to stop his rampage. And the protagonist had to be himself. Only then could he smoothly lead the Demon Cult.

Geom Yul-cheon's eyes were looking at a farther place.

Kwaaa!

He deployed Thunder Striking Art with all his might. Each time, lightning flickered throughout his entire body.

It was Thunder Striking Art whose might had doubled from learning Heavenly Demon Divine Art, the Cult Protecting Divine Art. Yet it wasn't inflicting particular damage on Cheok Gwan-hyeol.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol was a massive wall.

He was a stronger existence than any opponent Geom Yul-cheon had faced until now. His intense presence weighed heavily on Geom Yul-cheon's shoulders.

Though he didn't want to admit it, he couldn't defeat Cheok Gwan-hyeol alone. It was the conclusion he'd reached after Cho Yeon-woon was flung away and he faced Cheok Gwan-hyeol alone.

Geom Yul-cheon's gaze turned toward Cho Yeon-woon. As if by coincidence, Cho Yeon-woon's gaze was also toward him.

The moment they saw each other's eyes, they could know each other's intentions.

At this moment alone, their hearts communicated wordlessly.

'Join forces.'

'Coordinated attack.'

From then on, their movements changed organically.

When Geom Yul-cheon shook Cheok Gwan-hyeol's vision, Cho Yeon-woon delivered a strike, and in the opposite case, Geom Yul-cheon attacked.

When the two's movements changed organically, Cheok Gwan-hyeol was also briefly confused. If he'd maintained his usual reason, he could have responded much more efficiently, but right now he was wrapped in madness and couldn't think calmly.

Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon's coordinated attack amplified Cheok Gwan-hyeol's madness.

"I'll kill you all."

Kwaaa!

The black demonic energy that had covered the sky like spreading a large cloth seemed to be absorbed into Cheok Gwan-hyeol's body, then fluttered only around his body. At a glance it seemed the might had weakened, but Cho Yeon-woon and Geom Yul-cheon weren't deceived by the appearance.

It was a phenomenon appearing because the demonic energy condensed. Rather, when it covered the sky until just now was easier to deal with. The condensed demonic energy not only doubled in might but also doubled in efficiency.

Chyuhwahak!

The demonic energy extended like a black whip and attacked Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon.

Kwakwang!

"Krrgh!"

"Mm!"

The two people struck hard by the whip made from demonic energy let out stifled groans and retreated. Because even though they hurriedly drew up protective qi, the shock shook their internal organs. But that was only momentary, and the two soon charged toward Cheok Gwan-hyeol again at frightening speed.

Kwakwakwang!

Explosions burst forth continuously.

Demonic energy surged, lightning flickered. And Eight Desolations Divine Fist's mighty force made the air ripple.

Blood splattered, and flesh was torn.

Cho Yeon-woon was miserably ruined to the point his features couldn't be recognized, and Geom Yul-cheon's appearance was not much different. But only their eyes were shining more brightly than ever.

At such two people's appearance, Cheok Gwan-hyeol became even more enraged.

"These vermin-like things…"

Swishswishswish!

Instantly the darkness covering his body became blades and flew toward the two. He'd clustered demonic energy and made it like energy projection.

Demon Spinning Wheel Energy, the technique boasting the most explosive might in Heaven Encompassing Demonic Art, was deployed.

Cho Yeon-woon and Geom Yul-cheon's eyes widened. They too recognized the extreme vicious might contained in Demon Spinning Wheel Energy.

The energy projection blades thin as a cicada's wings were trembling precariously. As if they would burst any moment if touched lightly.

"Damn it!"

"Krrgh!"

Cho Yeon-woon and Geom Yul-cheon both without question drew up protective qi to protect their entire bodies.

Kuwaaaang!

At that moment, the energy blades launched with Demon Spinning Wheel Energy exploded.

"Kheuk!"

"Krhup!"

The two caught in the explosion were blown away like falling leaves.

"Alliance Leader!"

"Order Master!"

The martial artists of both forces who saw that sight let out alarmed cries. But not one person dared step forward to help them. Because Cheok Gwan-hyeol flew his body ahead of them.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol was rushing in with momentum to cut their throats in one stroke. Demonic energy swirled like a storm around his entire body. He became a sandstorm of the desert that devours everything. And swallowed Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon.

Krrrrr!

The black storm howled.

Within it, pure white lightning flickered and unprecedented mighty force extended. Those swept up by it instantly became ash and disappeared.

"Krrp!"

"Step back!"

Both Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists and the Demon Cult's martial artists hastily retreated. Their faces were filled with fear.

It was a fight that far transcended what they could imagine. Because they'd never imagined such a fight even in dreams, the fear they felt was even greater.

As the situation became like this, they wished for Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon's victory. Because they could clearly predict what result would come the moment Cheok Gwan-hyeol won.

If Cheok Gwan-hyeol won, hell would surely unfold at this place. It would definitely be so.

Tremble!

Their bodies trembled on their own. They felt chills as if catching a cold. It was a phenomenon everyone commonly felt at this moment.

Zzzejeok!

The earth they were standing on cracked like spider webs then burst open.

"Uncle Master! Please be careful."

Myeong-gyeong stood before Taoist Hyeon-so. He swung his sword to protect Taoist Hyeon-so from the explosion.

Taoist Hyeon-so looked at the battlefield where three people were tangled fighting without blinking an eye. Though he couldn't confirm the three people's forms because they were covered by the sandstorm, he could vividly feel their fierce energy waves.

The demonic energy extending from Cheok Gwan-hyeol was overwhelming Cho Yeon-woon and Geom Yul-cheon. The two were fighting well but were insufficient against Cheok Gwan-hyeol.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol's martial prowess was close to unprecedented.

He felt wondering what martial artist under Heaven could handle him.

'Ho-ya!'

Suddenly he missed his disciple.

Because he felt that if it were Dam Ho, he could ably face Cheok Gwan-hyeol. But he soon shook his head.

As master, he couldn't always just rely on his disciple. Dam Ho had his own fight. The fight here had to be ended by those here.

'I must help.'

Suddenly Taoist Hyeon-so's eyes sank deeply and a mysterious light rippled. And a stream of voice flowed from between his lips.

"Though the demonic path may be prosperous, it cannot pierce Heaven's net, for this means evil cannot defeat righteousness. Heaven's way is truly mysterious, reaching everywhere without exception. If it is not the path, do not walk it, and evil paths that are not righteous have nowhere to set foot. This is Heaven's will, so all wicked things shall lose their power and fade away."

His voice was quiet but strangely clearly penetrated people's ears. The moment people heard Taoist Hyeon-so's voice, they felt their hearts becoming strangely calm.

His voice penetrated the demonic energy and reached Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon too. The sacred words containing Taoist Hyeon-so's spiritual power didn't greatly affect the two. But conversely, it greatly affected Cheok Gwan-hyeol.

"Krrgh!"

Cheok Gwan-hyeol let out a groan as if beaten by an iron hammer. Because Taoist Hyeon-so's voice actually affected him.

Focus momentarily returned to his two eyes filled with madness.

Taoist Hyeon-so's voice filled with spiritual power momentarily shook the evil energy invading his mind. So Cheok Gwan-hyeol could momentarily regain reason, but conversely his movements became dull.

Geom Yul-cheon, who'd been cornered, didn't miss that opening.

"Chyaaaaat!"

He squeezed out his last strength and flew his body toward Cheok Gwan-hyeol, and Cho Yeon-woon followed behind.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol sensed their movements even while his spirit was shaken.

"You bastards!"

Kwaaa!

When he spread both hands wide, unprecedented mighty force burst forth. But because his spirit was shaken, it wasn't as perfect as before.

Geom Yul-cheon deployed Thunder Armor, Thunder Striking Art's fourth technique. Then lightning wove like armor and protected his entire body.

Ppazijik!

With sounds like roasting beans, demonic energy burst on Thunder Armor.

Following that, One Punishment, Hundred Warnings, Thunder Striking Art's strongest technique, was deployed. Instantly the black sky covered with demonic energy was dyed white.

"Krrp!"

At the intense might incomparable to before, Cheok Gwan-hyeol was shocked and his body briefly stiffened. In that time, Cho Yeon-woon flew his body becoming a dragon.

Geom Yul-cheon's attack opened a path for Cho Yeon-woon. In Cho Yeon-woon's eyes, the path Geom Yul-cheon opened was clearly visible. Cho Yeon-woon rushed there.

Pssss!

His clothes became powder and scattered in the wind, revealing bare skin. And the black prosthetic leg that had been thoroughly hidden until now showed itself.

The lightning energy Geom Yul-cheon emitted dwelt in the steel prosthetic leg. At the pain of electric current flowing through his whole body, Cho Yeon-woon gritted his teeth. But he didn't stop moving.

Cho Yeon-woon instinctively knew this was the last chance given to them. He couldn't miss that chance.

Cho Yeon-woon poured everything he had into this one strike. All the internal energy he'd accumulated until now and all the essence of Eight Desolations Divine Fist.

Zzzeeeeng!

His prosthetic leg struck Cheok Gwan-hyeol's temple hard. From the recoil, the steel prosthetic leg shattered like dust and Cho Yeon-woon's body was flung backward.

"Kheheok!"

Cheok Gwan-hyeol vomited blood.

Because the energy and lightning dwelling in Cho Yeon-woon's prosthetic leg flowed into his head.

Momentarily Cheok Gwan-hyeol's mind flew far away. But unlike his head, his body instinctively reacted. Even while his mind flew away, he deployed protective qi to protect himself.

Kwaaa!

Demonic energy swirled around Cheok Gwan-hyeol's body. But unlike until now, it was extremely incomplete. However, Geom Yul-cheon and Cho Yeon-woon, who'd already exhausted all their strength, couldn't attack him.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol stood blankly and blinked his eyes.

His mind had always been cloudy as if fog had settled since receiving Pungwolhoe Dan Gong-wol's ambush. But the lightning-infused strike from Cho Yeon-woon was clearing the fog filling his mind.

Madness disappeared and reason returned. Following that, the memories that had been hazy vividly revived.

The fragment of memory he'd forgotten.

The memory he might have tried to bury, or might have been sealed.

"Do you want to live?"

Ho Cheon-myeong asked, and Cheok Gwan-hyeol nodded.

And Ho Cheon-myeong planted the seed of a heart demon in his mind. The secretly planted seed grew Cheok Gwan-hyeol's madness, and bloomed at Dan Gong-wol's ambush.

That was the truth.

Kkadeuk!

Cheok Gwan-hyeol, who finally learned all the truth, gritted his teeth.

"Ho Cheon-myeong!"

He suddenly raised his head and burst into a lion's roar.

"Krrreugh!"

"Heok!"

At his lion's roar, the assembled heroes swayed.

Cheok Gwan-hyeol's gaze suddenly turned west. Precisely that place where Mount Zhongnan was.

"Is it that place?"

It was a distance far too far to sense with human senses, but Cheok Gwan-hyeol could know. Because he felt him calling.

I am here.

He, Ho Cheon-myeong, was saying so. And answered Cheok Gwan-hyeol's call.

"I'll kill you."

Cheok Gwan-hyeol flew his body.

Instantly Taoist Hyeon-so's face turned deathly pale. Because a terrible premonition assaulted him. He hoped it was merely a delusion, but the premonition felt by a Daoist priest with such high spiritual power was close to clairvoyance sensing future events.

"N-no! We must stop him. If we can't stop him from going, something terrible will happen. Myeong-gyeong, carry me on your back. We must follow him."

"Yes! Uncle Master!"

Myeong-gyeong carried Taoist Hyeon-so on his back without knowing why. And flew his body following Cheok Gwan-hyeol. Seeing that, several people followed behind.

Cho Yeon-woon followed supported by Bang Jin-bo, and Geom Yul-cheon also received help from Eum Yu-kyung. Jong Ri-yeon also flew her body protected by Mount Hua Sect's martial artists.

Silence came to the place they'd left.

When the leaders disappeared in an instant, the remaining people didn't know what to do. But soon the Thirteen Streams' martial artists persuaded the Demon Cult's martial artists and began withdrawing. Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists blankly watched them withdraw.

They instinctively realized. That their war had now ended.

Far beyond their reach, the war of those who'd transcended human limits continued. They couldn't dare predict how the result would turn out.

Finally all the Demon Cult's martial artists withdrew, and the humans' war was drawing to a close.

“……”

An Ryeong was silent for a while, then opened her mouth.

“Shaanxi Merchant Association.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at An Ryeong.

“It’s the channel our family used when we needed to make secret contacts. Ten years ago during the Medicine Sect incident, not only with Physician Bell Healers but also when contacting the Tang Family and afterward, whenever we needed to move closely, we used the Shaanxi Merchant Association’s communication network.”

Jin Ja-gang also realized in that moment.

The Central Plains were vast. To frequently exchange secret communications required building a huge communication network very widely and densely. It was impossible with ordinary forces.

Though An Clan Medical Family was a very famous family in the martial world, they lacked the ability to establish and operate a nationwide communication network.

Only forces at the level of the so-called Ten Great Sects and Eight Great Families could have their own nationwide communication networks. The difference was whether they had a system that could receive rumors and information about events occurring throughout the entire martial world fastest and send down orders in response.

So An Clan Medical Family inevitably used merchant associations with distribution networks extending throughout the Central Plains and with high trust from long transactions as their communication network.

“Ordinary letters can use express riders, carrier pigeons, or escort agencies, but really important information is often sent through merchant association distribution networks. Most small and medium sects have all done it that way. And…”

An Ryeong paused briefly.

“The Shaanxi Merchant Association also informed us that the Medicine Sect was trying to strike the Poison Sect.”

Jin Ja-gang’s eyebrows twitched.

“Grandfather confirmed the truth with Physician Bell Healers, and then… you know the rest.”

An Ryeong stood up and looked at Jin Ja-gang.

“That’s the content of the Shaanxi flag you wanted to know about, Poison Dragon. If there are any more clues you want to find, it would be good to look into it even now.”

Son-bi grabbed An Ryeong’s wrist. However, An Ryeong shook off Son-bi’s hand.

“I have to go. Though it might already be too late as Poison Dragon said.”

An Ryeong immediately jumped off the moving carriage.

She was probably going to find An Yul-jin.

However, time-wise, An Yul-jin had already entered the path of death. Even if An Ryeong went, there was a high chance she’d be too late. Rather, An Ryeong might even be in danger.

Son-bi looked at An Ryeong’s back with pity.

Justice will prevail in the end.

An Clan Medical Family fell into their own trap, so whom could they blame?

Jin Ja-gang recalled again the information An Ryeong had given.

Jin Ja-gang’s prediction that the Hungry Ghost King was related to merchant associations was correct.

Tang Qing prepared for the great undertaking through merchant associations, and An Clan Medical Family used the merchant association’s communication network.

Jin Ja-gang’s expression became more serious.

Perhaps, Great Buddha might not be the Hungry Ghost King.

No matter how large and wide Shaolin Temple’s forces were, they couldn’t possibly control all merchant associations and trading companies.

The reason to meet Great Buddha grew even greater.

Tap tap.

Son-bi tapped Jin Ja-gang’s forearm and wrote on the carriage wall.

—An Ryeong… is pitiful.

Son-bi looked at the liquor bottle An Ryeong had left behind.

—An Ryeong suffered. About An Clan Medical Family’s survival methods. She loathed and hated it but had no choice but to follow for the family’s sake.

“I know.”

Son-bi hesitated a bit then wrote.

—But there’s something you might not know. An Ryeong respected you. Even before meeting you.

Jin Ja-gang’s deeds of running forward burning everything blocking his way for the single purpose of revenge alone were no different from legend just by the episodes.

Revenge was the highest chivalry recognized throughout the entire martial world.

An Ryeong had felt great awe toward Jin Ja-gang who was straightforwardly accomplishing what she herself couldn’t do.

—She acted especially gruff toward you because she projected onto you the image she had been thinking of.

Without answering, Jin Ja-gang only nodded, then sat down again, held Divine Ladle River Sword, and entered qi circulation practice.

Jin Ja-gang’s external wounds had already almost healed, so the outside was clean.

Even while Jin Ja-gang was circulating qi for healing, Son-bi looked outside the carriage for quite a while.

***

The carriage arrived in Wuhan in the morning.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage that entered Wuhan city slowed down.

Jin Ja-gang looked at Yeong-gwi and Son-bi in turn. Yeong-gwi nodded and Son-bi shook her head. However, the meaning was the same. They wouldn’t go back.

Yeong-gwi immediately disguised herself, got off the carriage, and disappeared into the crowd.

Son-bi went to the market with Jin Ja-gang to dispose of the carriage. After handing over the carriage at a reasonable price, she stared at Jin Ja-gang.

—Can you give me one day?

When Jin Ja-gang nodded, she wore a small smile and took Jin Ja-gang to a fabric shop. Son-bi handed the fabric shop owner a large amount of silver and rented out the entire shop. Then she tried this and that fabric and selected dark navy blue fabric.

—Please come back tonight, customer.

Son-bi chased Jin Ja-gang out of the fabric shop.

—Come on, hurry and go.

Then she immediately gathered workers and began sewing and making clothes.

Jin Ja-gang looked inside from outside the fabric shop for a moment then turned his steps.

Flutter.

The sound of a pigeon’s wingbeats.

A man holding a cage stood behind him, then bowed to Jin Ja-gang. The man handed Jin Ja-gang a small note and three tubes thick as a finger with both ends sealed. They seemed to be items that arrived via carrier pigeon.

Jin Ja-gang opened the note first.

If my little tricks worked, these items should have reached you well.

Jumping in to catch a bear without preparation, how reckless. Tsk.

I’m roughly sending only what I can give now. I hear there’s lots of useful stuff in Zhuge Family’s Treasure Vault nearby, so drop by if you have time.

If by bad luck you fail to achieve your purpose and attain nirvana, it’s your fault so absolutely no need to come visit. Restless dreams are really unpleasant.

I’ll take good care of Poison Heaven, so don’t worry.

Jin Ja-gang laughed at the writing in tiny letters.

“It’s not like you to be so wordy.”

It was King of Hell Tang Qing. The reason Tang Qing wrote so long was likely because his worry for Jin Ja-gang was that great.

Jin Ja-gang sent the man away and went to a deserted place to open the tubes and check.

The first tube contained a viscous liquid and the second tube contained black powder.

Jin Ja-gang tasted the poison in each tube.

Just briefly touching his tongue, his body heated up intensely and heat began rising to his head. The world spun and hallucinations began appearing. His head throbbed and felt stuffy as if water filled his brain. His pupils repeatedly contracted and expanded as tears mixed with pus streamed down.

Merciful Eyes. One of the Tang Family’s three absolute deadly poisons!

Though it meant the eyes with which Buddha compassionately views all beings, it was an extreme poison among extreme poisons that melted the brain and burned the eyes, making brain fluid flow out through the eye sockets.

Jin Ja-gang waited for it to subside, swallowed the remainder, and tasted the black powder.

His entire body’s skin became hot as if on fire. It was much more painful than when his skin melted in the Chaotic Heaven Pond and his flesh touched sulfur vapor. Even Jin Ja-gang, who was accustomed to considerable pain, twisted his body unable to endure.

Then his skin became maddeningly itchy. When Jin Ja-gang scratched his forearm, boils formed, the skin reddened, and pus flowed. Because it was Jin Ja-gang it was this degree, but if it had been someone else, the skin would have torn and pus would have streamed out.

Burning Ointment.

Annihilation melted a person’s internal organs to kill, Merciful Eyes melted the brain, and Burning Ointment melted the skin.

Truly the worst three poisons.

Jin Ja-gang even absorbed Burning Ointment and opened the last tube.

The third tube contained not poison but bloodsucking lice he had seen before at Tang Family Great Garden.

The louse came out of the tube and crawled up to Jin Ja-gang’s hand. However, it didn’t bite Jin Ja-gang’s hand. Through its unique instinct, it knew it would die if it bit Jin Ja-gang’s hand. When Jin Ja-gang moved poison energy, it moved in the opposite direction accordingly. Depending on how much poison energy he controlled, he could make the bloodsucking lice move at will.

Jin Ja-gang drove the bloodsucking lice into the tube and closed the opening.

Though Tang Qing said he roughly sent them, they would have been the best items available immediately.

“Get the rest from the Zhuge Family…”

As it was, Asura Scripture was destroyed and after using many hidden weapons, Jin Ja-gang had almost nothing in hand except Folding Sickle. Of course, he had come planning to obtain from city blacksmiths, but dealing with Great Buddha with items obtained just anywhere was also ridiculous.

Yet he was told to get the rest from the Zhuge Family.

It hadn’t even been two weeks since Jin Ja-gang killed Zhuge Mun, head of the Zhuge Family. Tang Qing couldn’t not know, yet saying this was indeed like King of Hell.

Tang Qing was well pointing out that it wasn’t time to consider circumstances or manners.

“Zhuge Family…”

The Zhuge Family estate was very close to Wuhan.

***

Jin Ja-gang found the Zhuge Family estate in half a shichen.

He didn’t hide or secretly infiltrate.

He went openly and told the gatekeeper.

“I came to collect the debt of the Death-urging Talisman.”

The Zhuge Family estate went into emergency. They knew Jin Ja-gang was going to meet Great Buddha but never thought he’d suddenly stop midway to come to them.

The Death-urging Talisman was issued to kill Jin Ja-gang. However, far from killing Jin Ja-gang, only the family’s experts died one after another, and just recently even the family head Zhuge Mun died.

And finally Jin Ja-gang came to collect the debt from the Death-urging Talisman.

Failing the Death-urging Talisman was unavoidable, but they couldn’t avoid responsibility. However, at this time when most experts had died at Jin Ja-gang’s hands, fighting would also be meaningless.

Jin Ja-gang presented one day of time and waited.

There was no time to deliberate long. Eventually the oldest elder in the Zhuge Family stepped forward before Jin Ja-gang prepared for death.

“I heard you’re going to meet Great Buddha, yet you took time to stop by us? Should I be grateful?”

Behind the elder, Zhuge Family members holding weapons swallowed dry saliva watching the situation.

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“Since you issued the Death-urging Talisman, we should settle accounts. I can’t live forever with a blade at the back of my head.”

“Settle accounts. We should. So, what do you want? Our family’s annihilation?”

“That would be good too. You won’t stop even if I tell you to anyway.”

Blood vessels bulged on the elder’s wrinkled face.

“That’s right!”

“Then there’s not no other way. Annihilation is annihilation, and I have to collect the debt for the Death-urging Talisman.”

“Hmm? You mean to pay for the Death-urging Talisman in a different way?”

“Treasure Vault.”

The elder’s face twisted. Jin Ja-gang wanted weapons from the treasure vault before meeting Great Buddha.

“You… killed even the family head and now covet the family treasures? Rather just kill us all and take…!”

Jin Ja-gang frowned.

“Am I a bandit?”

Jin Ja-gang grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground with a displeased face and scattered it.

Whoosh!

The ordinary yellow earth became pitch-black poison powder as it was scattered. The elder and Zhuge Family members felt the poison energy, were startled, and retreated.

“If you don’t like it, I’ll just kill everyone and take it.”

The Zhuge Family members’ faces twisted.

Isn’t that being a bandit?

At that moment, the Zhuge Family members felt they couldn’t communicate with Jin Ja-gang and their spines grew cold.

***

The Zhuge Family members watched with stiff faces the back of Jin Ja-gang carrying a load and leaving.

Absurdly, this must be what it felt like to be robbed blind.

If rumors spread that he plundered the Zhuge Family’s armory to fight Great Buddha…

However, worrying about later was somehow better than becoming a handful of poison water and melting right now.