Chapter 169: The Fist Demon and the Sword King Collide (1)

"Whew! I feel alive again."

Cho Yeon-woon drew the cold air deep into his lungs and exhaled a long breath. He was aboard a large vessel, sailing upstream along the Yangtze River.

In high spirits, Cho Yeon-woon smiled and declared loudly:

"'He who is known by few is precious indeed.' To have few who understand me is proof of my worth."

"There he goes again, pretending."

"As usual, his habit of spouting literary quotes whenever he has free time hasn't changed a bit."

The dozen-odd martial artists surrounding Cho Yeon-woon chattered and mocked him. At this, Cho Yeon-woon's expression soured.

"Quiet, all of you!"

"Whoa! Look at that expression of his."

"That expression alone could kill a man. He's gotten worse since we last saw him."

"It was already bad before. If it's gotten worse, that makes it the worst."

Cho Yeon-woon had spoken only once, but dozens of words flew back at him.

The scene reminded him of a marketplace, and Cho Yeon-woon scowled deeply. But the martial artists around him only laughed and joked at the sight.

"Damn it! This doesn't look good. I shouldn't have ended up with these guys."

Cho Yeon-woon shook his head.

The martial artists around him were all disciples of the Hundred-Character Sect.

Some of those who had joined the Murim Alliance along with Jang Il-san had been assigned to accompany Cho Yeon-woon.

"You think it's a privilege to be with Senior Brother? Don't say things like that."

"That's right! Of all people, to be stuck with Senior Brother."

Having spent so much time together, they knew each other better than anyone. That was why they exchanged jokes with such ease.

Of course, some of the words did sting, but it was a level of teasing one could tolerate and move past.

Cho Yeon-woon turned his head slightly. Across from him sat a woman. She cradled a single sword, her three-tiered hair flowing in the river breeze—a beautiful woman.

'Hae So-wol.'

She was none other than the Young Sect Leader of the Hainan Sect, Hae So-wol.

Around Hae So-wol, a dozen or so martial artists of the Hainan Sect were also positioned.

Cho Yeon-woon rose from his seat and walked toward Hae So-wol.

"Ooh!"

"He's got nerve."

The Hundred-Character Sect disciples let out a collective cry of admiration.

Cho Yeon-woon's expression soured once again.

"It's not like that, you beasts."

"Kahaha!"

The Hundred-Character Sect disciples burst into laughter.

Cho Yeon-woon shook his head with a look of disgust and continued walking.

"Miss Hae."

"Yes! Hero Cho."

Hae So-wol rose from the railing and answered.

"I hear the Hainan Sect has also been assigned to Shanxi Province. Is that correct?"

"That's right. Specifically, the northern region of Shanxi Province."

"My junior brothers and I have been assigned to the southern region of Shanxi, so I imagine we will encounter each other frequently."

"It would seem so."

Hae So-wol answered calmly.

After the Tianhua Palace in Yunnan Province was destroyed by the Demonic Cult, the Murim Alliance had been placed on high alert.

While their own base was fully exposed, everything about the Demonic Cult was shrouded in complete secrecy.

The Demonic Cult's military strength and even the location of their headquarters were entirely unknown. For that reason, the Murim Alliance was struggling to deal with them.

The Murim Alliance had committed all its resources to identifying the enemy's headquarters. The Hawoon Gate had been mobilized, and young martial artists were dispatched throughout the Murim to investigate.

Cho Yeon-woon and Hae So-wol had received similar orders.

Each was to lead the disciples of the Hundred-Character Sect and the Hainan Sect and patrol the Shanxi region.

The martial artists of the two sects exuded contrasting atmospheres. While the Hundred-Character Sect disciples had a free-spirited air, the Hainan Sect martial artists carried a restrained, disciplined bearing.

While the Hundred-Character Sect disciples joked and laughed freely with their eldest senior brother, Cho Yeon-woon, the Hainan Sect martial artists maintained their silence, just as Hae So-wol did.

Cho Yeon-woon asked cautiously.

"Just in case, perhaps we should share an emergency contact network?"

"That would be wise."

Hae So-wol agreed readily.

"In Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, there is a place called the Im family tavern. It is run by a retired disciple of the Hundred-Character Sect. If you ever need our help, send word there. I will come at once. The same applies in reverse—please keep the Im family tavern in mind at all times."

"I understand."

"However…"

Cho Yeon-woon's voice suddenly dropped. Hae So-wol looked at him with a questioning gaze.

"Have you heard anything from that man?"

Cho Yeon-woon did not specify exactly whom he meant. But Hae So-wol understood at once.

"Not a word."

"I see. I heard he had entered Anhui Province, but there has been no word since."

"……"

"I just hope nothing has happened…"

Even as he said it, he lacked confidence. The man he knew was never one to back down.

Hae So-wol gazed at the river.

'Dam Ho.'

Complex emotions surfaced in her eyes.

In the current Murim, Dam Ho's notoriety had reached its peak.

The title of Fist Demon held a terror equal to the Demonic Cult. At least for those living in the Murim, Dam Ho was an object of fear.

Naturally, many harbored hostile feelings toward Dam Ho. The Hainan Sect was no exception. From Elder White Sword Gu Ok-bi to the lowest disciple, many feared and despised Dam Ho.

Dam Ho was strong.

So strong that even Gu Mu-ryong, commonly regarded as the foremost of the younger generation, was no match for him.

He had already risen beyond the ranks of the younger generation to stand among the supreme masters of the Murim. Though he should have been the object of universal admiration, he had instead become an object of fear.

Hae So-wol still could not comprehend Dam Ho's path.

'Perhaps I never will…'

***

Dam Ho had stripped off his upper garment and stood in a stream.

He washed the blood and grime from his body with cold water. Every time the cold water touched his wounds, a sharp pain shot through him.

Dam Ho endured without a single change in expression as he doused himself. Each time, his muscles, honed to their utmost limit, twitched.

"Phew!"

Having finished his bath, Dam Ho let out a breath.

Though he had washed away the blood from his body, the heavy scent of it still lingered.

He could not remember how many he had killed. But the blood of those he had slain was seared deep into his body, indelible.

It was a burden he would carry for the rest of his life.

Dam Ho stepped out of the stream.

At that moment, Jong Ri-yeon emerged from the nearby undergrowth and spoke.

"Cold water is not good for the body. Well, you've already bathed, so it can't be helped."

In her hand she held several herbs. She had gathered them from the nearby forest while Dam Ho bathed.

Jong Ri-yeon placed the herbs on a flat stone and crushed them finely.

"I will apply these to your wounds. It should at least help with the external injuries."

Without even asking Dam Ho's permission, she daubed the crushed herbs generously over his wounds.

Where the herbs touched, a searing pain erupted. It was pain on an entirely different level from the cold water. But Dam Ho did not let out a single groan.

Jong Ri-yeon stared intently at Dam Ho's face.

"As I thought."

"What?"

"To be so indifferent to your own pain—you must be indifferent to the pain of others as well."

"……"

"I don't know what is driving you to such extremes, but I think you should allow yourself a little more leniency. There, it's done."

Slap!

With a final pat on the treated area, Jong Ri-yeon dusted off her hands. Dam Ho regarded her with a slight furrow of his brow. But Jong Ri-yeon simply smiled brightly.

"Now, let us go. We cannot stay here forever."

"You intend to travel with me?"

"My goodness! You would leave a lady stranded here?"

"There is nothing good that comes from being with me."

"Because the Namgung Family has marked you as a target?"

"……"

"So have I. As you can see, I refused the Namgung Family's request, so I cannot remain in Anhui Province. I don't ask for much. Just accompany me until we leave Anhui."

"Do you have somewhere to go?"

"There is a patient waiting for me in Yunan, Henan Province."

"Another patient?"

"I am a physician. If someone awaits my help, I must go to them."

"Then why did you not go to the Namgung Family?"

"The Namgung Family has many fine physicians besides me. But Yeon had only me."

"And you made an enemy of the Namgung Family for that?"

"It cannot be helped."

Jong Ri-yeon answered with a nonchalant expression.

As she walked, she continued.

"When you practice medicine, countless temptations arise. Those in power have an especially strong desire for life extension, and they believe money and power can buy anything. If you succumb to such people, you cannot use your medicine for those who truly need it."

"Are you not afraid of them?"

"And what about you? They call you the Fist Demon, don't they? You have killed countless people and become the enemy of the Murim Alliance. What about you?"

"I don't care."

"Nor do I. I don't care."

Jong Ri-yeon smiled a refreshing smile.

Dam Ho looked at her for a moment.

Yunan in Henan Province was, in any case, on the way to the Mount Hua Sect. There was no reason to turn back, nor any need to spend extra time.

"It could be dangerous."

"It might be."

"And yet you would still go with me?"

"Well, it would be better than a woman traveling alone."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. The Murim is far too dangerous for a woman to travel alone. Especially a woman as lovely as myself."

Jong Ri-yeon smiled.

Dam Ho turned and walked away without a word. Jong Ri-yeon hurried after him in a fluster.

"What? I'm not pretty? I hear that all the time, though."

"……"

"I'm serious."

Jong Ri-yeon pressed close to Dam Ho's side, afraid of falling behind. She chattered away brightly.

"Mount."

Dam Ho had her mount Heuk-gui.

Jong Ri-yeon did not refuse and climbed onto the horse. Dam Ho moved to mount as well. But at that moment, his movements froze.

"What is it?"

Jong Ri-yeon looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Ride Heuk-gui and leave this place immediately."

"What?"

"We have a visitor."

"A visitor?"

Jong Ri-yeon's expression hardened.

In that instant, the air grew cold and goosebumps rose on her skin.

"This is…"

"……"

Dam Ho did not answer.

He could feel it—a sharp aura like a blade scraping against nerves, and a powerful presence that dominated the entire area.

The opponent was a single person.

But it was no laughing matter.

What kind of person could fill this entire area with their presence alone?

Dam Ho turned around.

There, hundreds of zhang away, towered an enormous tree. With every gust of wind, the branches at its crown swayed dizzyingly.

And upon a branch as slender as a whip, someone stood.

An elderly man in his early-to-mid fifties, holding a sword to his chest.

The moment she saw the old man, Jong Ri-yeon felt as though an invisible blade had torn through her heart, and her face went pale.

"Th-the Sword King?"

The words had escaped her involuntarily. And her guess was correct.

The old man standing upon the great tree was none other than Namgung Cheon.

The Head of the Namgung Family and a swordsman who had reached the pinnacle of the sword—the supreme martial artist had appeared here.

"We finally meet. Fist Demon!"

He kicked off the slender branch. The branch, bent like a bow, launched Namgung Cheon forward.

He cleared tens of zhang in a single leap, but the distance to Dam Ho still remained hundreds of zhang.

As Namgung Cheon's body fell, a sword suddenly flew from his robes toward Dam Ho.

Tap!

Namgung Cheon used the soles-and-heels movement technique, kicking his right foot against his left heel, and alighted upon the sword.

In that instant, Jong Ri-yeon let out a cry that was almost a scream.

"S-sword Riding Flight Technique?"

Woon-jeong looked at Jin Ja-gang for a long time, then sighed.

Woon-jeong turned around and showed his back to Jin Ja-gang.

“Get on my back.”

“What are you doing?”

“I said get on my back. As you are now, you won’t be able to make it anyway.”

Woon-jeong got angry.

“You said if you don’t go see now, you feel like you’ll never know until you die. I’m also curious. I’m curious to the point of going crazy. So I want to go see together once. What kind of things will happen. I don’t know if this is the right thing for a Taoist to say, but Primordial Heavenly Venerable!”

Jin Ja-gang raised his body and asked.

“Will it be alright to disobey your master?”

“How could it be alright? But I must watch. Rather than living my whole life without knowing, it would be better to do wall meditation for a year.”

Woon-jeong raised his voice.

“Just promise me one thing!”

“Tell me what it is.”

“Later when my master scolds me, you must come and take my side.”

“I’m not confident I can promise that. I don’t know what state I’ll be in as soon as I go to Qingcheng Sect.”

“Ah really, our master isn’t that kind of person!”

Jin Ja-gang got on Woon-jeong’s back.

Despite being similar in build to Jin Ja-gang, Woon-jeong easily carried Jin Ja-gang on his back. Then he began to run. As speed built up, wind and scenery whooshed past Jin Ja-gang’s ears.

With each leap, they advanced a full zhang. It felt quite different from running directly. It was as if gliding lightly over clouds.

‘This is proper lightness skills…’

As if reading Jin Ja-gang’s thoughts, Woon-jeong said.

“How is it? My lightness skills.”

Seeing him speak while running this fast without even his breathing being disturbed much showed he certainly had good skills.

“Impressive.”

Woon-jeong said proudly.

“It’s called Flowing Cloud Steps. Compared to my senior brothers it’s still lacking, but I think it’s skill worth being proud of in my own way. Haha.”

“But the direction is wrong. Not that way, this way.”

“Ah, yes…”

Woon-jeong quickly turned in the direction Jin Ja-gang pointed and ran. Jin Ja-gang said.

“At this speed, it won’t even take a day.”

“What? No. Do people only run? We need to rest and sleep and eat… I also barely ate or slept while following you.”

Woon-jeong grumbled.

“People would be surprised to know that the world’s Poison Dragon can’t even do lightness skills. Young Lady Tang didn’t seem to think of that at all either.”

So Tang Ha-ran had held onto Woon-jeong and then thought ‘this should be enough’ and let him go.

“I see.”

Unfortunately, among what was transmitted from the Medicine Sect, there were no lightness skills that the limping Jin Ja-gang could use properly. Even movement techniques couldn’t be used properly with one side of his qi and blood channels blocked.

But it seemed he would have to learn lightness skills someday. He was lucky this time, but he couldn’t be certain he could receive help next time.

“We need to turn right over there.”

“Understood.”

Woon-jeong changed direction as instructed.

“But somehow the path seems to be getting more treacherous?”

“That’s right. We’re going to cross over that mountain.”

The mountain ahead looked steep at first glance. It was almost cliff level.

“I’m the one running, not you!”

“Can’t Qingcheng Sect’s lightness skills cross mountains?”

“No! Of course not… no, that’s not it.”

Woon-jeong felt like he was being tricked.

Jin Ja-gang said.

“If we cross the mountain, there will be a village. Let’s rest there.”

Woon-jeong felt absurd yet didn’t know if he was doing well, so his feelings were complicated.

However, his master Bok-cheon Taoist had said something.

*The martial world cannot be seen with the eyes. Experience it with your body and realize. A dull fellow like you needs to roll around like that and taste the bitterness of the martial world.*

In some ways, this was also contrary to his orders. But in fact, his master always acted differently from what he said to Woon-jeong.

He would say not to kill people, then completely annihilate dozens of low-quality bandits, and he would say to listen well to elders’ words, yet he himself would even argue with the sect leader.

So Woon-jeong decided to trust his instincts.

Don’t they say like master, like disciple?

He really wanted to see how these incomprehensible events would conclude.

“Ah, fine. Let’s go. Let’s go, what the heck!”

Woon-jeong ran toward the steep mountain.

* * *

While the Zhuge family warriors were frantically moving to find traces of Dan Ryeong-gyeong and the Guangtou Brothers, Mang Ryo was leisurely.

That sight couldn’t look pleasant to their eyes.

Zhuge Son-gi grumbled and said a word.

“This is too much. To think our Zhuge family would become someone else’s hands and feet running around.”

Mang Ryo laughed leisurely and said.

“Ah, am I making you uncomfortable? Then let’s meet separately later.”

“Meet separately when you know where Shandong Enchanting Flower went?”

“Obviously. She must have gone to the manor in Dayi.”

“What?”

“There’s a reason she specifically asked to meet in Guilin in southern Guangxi. To cross from here to Shandong, you have to pass through several tiger dens. In a poisoned state, she wouldn’t dare go that far… So what choice is there? She has to go back the way she came.”

“But if she goes back to Sichuan, our Zhuge family can’t exert power, and the Martial Arts Alliance also…”

“That’s why I made preparations in advance. As soon as Shandong Enchanting Flower returns, we’ll launch a surprise attack on Shandong Enchanting Flower’s manor in Dayi. Probably around tomorrow.”

“The Three Powers of Sichuan allowed that?”

The Three Powers of Sichuan are the three sects: Qingcheng Sect, Emei Sect, and the Tang family.

“Even excluding Qingcheng Sect, the Tang family is already involved. They’re the ones who detoxified and saved Silent Dragon. Moreover, no matter how much they’re called the Three Powers of Sichuan, would they have justification to stop the Sword Pavilion Master from catching those who used poison on his disciple?”

“Still, they won’t welcome Martial Arts Alliance combat forces entering.”

“That’s why we agreed that only Martial Arts Alliance member sects in Sichuan would move. And we added the condition of observation by Emei Sect, which has no relation to this matter.”

“If it’s observation, it’s observation, but what do you mean no relation?”

Mang Ryo showed a slightly annoyed expression.

“Let’s stop there. I think I’ve acted too smart in front of the Zhuge family people.”

Zhuge Son-gi wanted to ask more but closed his mouth after reading Zhuge Ming’s expression. It was embarrassing for Zhuge family people to look shallow in brain battles.

Zhuge Ming said.

“You’re planning to use Emei Sect to catch Shandong Enchanting Flower.”

Mang Ryo smiled.

He didn’t answer, but that meant the words were correct.

Actually, it was a very simple matter.

The Sichuan orthodox factions mobilized this time, no matter how many came, naturally couldn’t overcome Dan Ryeong-gyeong. Many would die. Then Emei Sect, which had said it would only observe, would have no choice but to step forward. How could they remain still with Buddhist principles when people were dying before their eyes?

In the end, Dan Ryeong-gyeong would inevitably be caught by Emei Sect. That’s why he said they could leisurely go and pick up Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

Though it was unlikely, if an Emei nun was injured or killed in that process, it would be even better. That aftermath could become an opportunity to reach even Jin Ja-gang, who was known to be related to Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

“So we just need to go straight up to Dayi. By the time we arrive, everything will be finished.”

Mang Ryo glanced at Baek Li-gwon following behind.

Baek Li-gwon was just silently following them with his mouth shut, not knowing what he was thinking.

* * *

The Guangtou Brothers ran with all their might and arrived at the manor in Dayi. They had run without rest to such an extent that when they arrived, they were in a completely exhausted state.

Manor manager Elder Yeom, Soso, and Bian Bu came running out in surprise.

“Why have you returned again!”

“No! Her arm…!”

“It was a trap after all.”

But Elder Yeom’s expression wasn’t good.

“The timing isn’t good. This side might also have Martial Arts Alliance warriors rushing in soon. Dayi is stirring. I hear some safe houses have already withdrawn.”

“We’ve been completely caught.”

However, Dan Ryeong-gyeong had no choice.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong said with a pale complexion.

“First heat up the room. I need to drive out the poison energy through breathing exercises.”

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong went into the room and sat cross-legged.

Soso quickly followed in to wipe her body and blood and apply medicine to her severed arm.

“Thank you. But that’s enough, so you go evacuate with Elder Yeom first.”

Soso shook her head vigorously.

“This stubborn girl.”

This wasn’t the time to worry about others. Her own body was the bigger problem right now.

After Soso left, Dan Ryeong-gyeong began breathing exercises to drive out the poison energy. Since this was work that shouldn’t be disturbed, the Guangtou Brothers took turns standing guard outside.

“Urgh!”

As soon as she started breathing exercises, black blood surged up from her throat.

The Tang family’s poison was tenacious and vicious. It stuck to various parts of the qi and blood channels, gnawing at the body. They made it so that antidotes wouldn’t work properly unless they were from the Tang family.

But Dan Ryeong-gyeong didn’t have time. If Elder Yeom’s words were true, she had to quickly escape before the Martial Arts Alliance sects swarmed in.

* * *

Snore, snore…

Woon-jeong, who had carried Jin Ja-gang over the mountain to the next village, was completely knocked out at the inn.

Jin Ja-gang pretended to sleep beside him, then got up.

“Mmph.”

Woon-jeong tossed and turned and scratched his belly.

Woon-jeong had made Jin Ja-gang promise several times not to go alone. He had even glared with wide eyes saying he would watch over him.

But in the end, it was Woon-jeong who collapsed first and fell fast asleep.

“I’m sorry.”

Woon-jeong was like a younger brother a few years younger than Jin Ja-gang.

His sleeping appearance was utterly innocent.

Jin Ja-gang quietly got up and left the room.

Thanks to Woon-jeong running hard to bring him, they had arrived faster than expected. From this inn to the manor was only about one hour’s distance even at Jin Ja-gang’s pace.

Even with full preparations, two hours would be sufficient.

Jin Ja-gang left Woon-jeong at the inn, made preparations in the village, then departed for the manor.

* * *

It had been barely half a day since Dan Ryeong-gyeong returned.

Elder Yeom was sitting outside the manor when he suddenly realized that no passersby could be seen in front of the manor at all.

Though the manor was in a somewhat secluded location, it was strange for not a single passerby to pass by.

Elder Yeom went inside and told a servant.

“Tell everyone to gather. There will probably be an attack soon.”

The servant turned pale.

“Yes!”

This manor had only minimal personnel stationed to avoid looking strange from the outside.

The manor’s total personnel was only about twenty people including servants and maids.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong and the Guangtou Brothers also came outside.

“My Lord. How is your body?”

“Manageable enough to move.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong looked at the gate.

“We should greet our guests. Open the gate.”

Servants ran to open the main gate wide. The servants each gripped knives in their hands and watched the gate with tense expressions.

Not long after, several warriors began to appear. Some were outside the gate, some climbed onto the walls to surround the inside.

Bian Bu snorted and pointed at the warriors with his staff-crutch.

“We deliberately opened the gate, yet there are definitely those who leave a perfectly good gate and climb over walls like petty thieves?”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong laughed and scolded Bian Bu.

“It’s not proper etiquette to rebuke visiting guests.”

“Ah, this old mouth is being troublesome.”

Bian Bu loudly said to the warriors standing outside the manor.

“Did I speak rudely and make you feel bad? Why don’t you show your faces? When someone is apologizing, are you going to hide your heads like mice?”

Though he called it an apology, his tone was rather provocative.

“Quite a lot of you have come.”

Just those who entered the manor were nearly a dozen. Including those outside the walls and on the walls, there seemed to be easily over fifty.