Chapter 178: Chapter 1. Time Brings New Encounters (3)

Dam Ho changed into new clothes.

Black leather upper and lower garments, along with a martial robe covering his torso and reaching his knees. Dam Ho's appearance evoked the image of a great black panther.

"It suits you wonderfully."

Jong Ri-yeon exclaimed in admiration at the sight.

As the shopkeeper had boasted, the clothes turned out truly magnificent. And they suited Dam Ho perfectly.

Dam Ho nodded.

Beyond the style, he was pleased with how it felt to wear. There was no restriction whatsoever on his joint movements.

Dam Ho looked at Jong Ri-yeon.

"Thank you! I'll wear it well."

"That's enough."

Jong Ri-yeon smiled.

The two of them mounted their horses. It was time to leave Xinyang.

Jong Ri-yeon asked.

"You haven't forgotten our promise, have you? To take me to Yeogang."

"No."

Dam Ho nodded.

He wanted to see Sage Hyeon-so as soon as possible. But he couldn't break a promise he had already made. Besides, to reach Shaanxi Province where Mount Hua was located, they had to pass through Yeogang.

"Who's in Yeogang?"

"Someone who needs a physician's help."

"Is that so?"

"Someone who has been waiting for only me for a long time."

"No matter how brilliant a physician you are, you can't save everyone."

"I know that. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't make any effort. I have to try as far as I can."

Jong Ri-yeon smiled.

She had thought about it all night.

She didn't have a heart as unwavering as Dam Ho's, and she didn't have the confidence to.

But she intended to do her best.

If she did her best and still couldn't help, then it was beyond her domain. That was the conclusion she had reached.

At her resolute words, Dam Ho nodded.

"So be it."

"Let's go!"

She spurred her horse first.

Dam Ho also mounted the Dark Steed and followed.

The two left Xinyang and headed north.

In the distance, the magnificent Dabie Mountains came into view. The Dabie Mountains, renowned for their beauty, were indeed beautiful even from afar.

"It's a shame. The Dabie Mountains are a place I've always wanted to visit."

Fearing pursuit by the Murim Alliance, she hadn't visited even once, despite being so close at Nanwan Lake. It was a lasting regret for Jong Ri-yeon.

Dam Ho gazed at the Dabie Mountains in silence.

Having spent his childhood on Mount Hua, the beauty of the Dabie Mountains didn't particularly move him.

In such contrasting moods, the two rode in silence for some time.

The horse Jong Ri-yeon rode wasn't as exceptional as the Dark Steed, but it had remarkable endurance. Even after riding for a long time, it showed no signs of fatigue. Thanks to this, the two had covered considerable distance shortly after leaving Xinyang.

"Whew! Let's rest here for a moment, shall we?"

Jong Ri-yeon wiped the sweat from her brow with her sleeve.

"Very well."

It was about time to rest anyway. The Dark Steed and Jong Ri-yeon's horse both needed a break.

Dam Ho looked around.

Near a small stream, there was a suitable clearing. In the center of the clearing sat a large flat rock, perfect for resting.

"Let's rest there."

"Yes!"

The two sat together on the rock.

Jong Ri-yeon rummaged through her bundle and produced two small rice balls wrapped in lotus leaves. She had prepared them before leaving the inn.

She handed one to Dam Ho.

"Eat. I made them in a hurry, but they should still be edible."

Dam Ho nodded and took the rice ball.

The rice balls Jong Ri-yeon had made were quite tasty. Though they looked rough, they were packed with enough ingredients to serve as a full meal.

As Dam Ho ate the rice ball, he thought of Bang Jin-bo.

If Bang Jin-bo were with them, they would certainly be having a proper meal here. He missed those days, but didn't regret them.

Fighting the Demonic Cult warriors at the Overlord's Nest had made him realize clearly: staying with Bang Jin-bo any longer would put the young man in danger.

Whether he liked it or not, Dam Ho was at the center of a maelstrom of blood. If Bang Jin-bo stayed with him, he too would be swept into the vortex.

At the Overlord's Nest, Bang Jin-bo could cook to his heart's content and open his own restaurant under his own name.

Dam Ho believed that was the best path for Bang Jin-bo.

Jong Ri-yeon quietly watched Dam Ho's profile as he ate the rice ball. A strong jawline and deep-set eyes.

His face was clearly unchanged from before. But Jong Ri-yeon felt something had changed.

While the two ate in silence—

"We'll rest here for a moment."

"Yes!"

Suddenly, voices clamored loudly. When they raised their heads, they saw over ten carriages and several dozen people.

On the flags planted atop the carriage roofs, four characters were clearly written: Morning Fire Trading Company.

Jong Ri-yeon looked at the flag and murmured.

"Morning Fire Trading Company?"

"Do you know of it?"

"Of course I do. It's the greatest trading company in the world. When discussing the world's commerce, the Morning Fire Trading Company is always at the center. Their vast wealth is said to encompass the entire world."

"The greatest in the world…"

"No one knows exactly how much wealth they've accumulated over the past several decades. But if they wished, they could buy all of Henan Province. That's the scale of the fortune they've built."

The owner of the Morning Fire Trading Company was Won Hwe-sang.

Won Hwe-sang's epithet was the Thousand Gold Insect.

He possessed an almost supernatural talent for sniffing out money, and would venture into any danger if there were profits to be made—that was the origin of his title.

The Morning Fire Trading Company even operated an escort agency under its umbrella. The Morning Fire Escort Agency was said to be brimming with formidable experts. Even the unruly Green Forest bandits were reluctant to confront the Morning Fire Escort Agency.

"Looks like we have company."

Someone from the Morning Fire Trading Company stepped forward.

He appeared to be in his late thirties. He carried himself more like a scholar than a martial artist. But that was merely his outward appearance.

His name was Yun Sa-il, the Outer Hall Master of the Morning Fire Trading Company. He held the epithet Poison Heart Asura, testament to his extraordinary martial prowess.

Though he was the Outer Hall Master, he rarely personally accompanied trade caravans. His presence on this journey indicated its great importance.

Yun Sa-il rode his horse toward Dam Ho and Jong Ri-yeon.

"I am Yun Sa-il, the Outer Hall Master of the Morning Fire Trading Company. I apologize for imposing on you, the honored guests who arrived first. However, this is the only suitable resting place nearby, and I would ask that we share it. Please receive us, uninvited guests that we are, with your generous hearts."

Yun Sa-il's words were extremely courteous.

He maintained his manners without being servile.

Dam Ho nodded silently in assent.

"Thank you!"

Yun Sa-il bowed and returned to his group.

"Very well, we shall rest here for a time. Make sure to eat and drink your fill."

"Yes!"

The Morning Fire Trading Company's warriors and merchants dismounted. With so many people gathered, it would have been noisy, but they were extremely orderly, and no one spoke out of turn.

Even as they gathered in small groups to eat their provisions, the Morning Fire Trading Company's people never showed an untidy appearance.

They looked more like soldiers than merchants or martial artists.

Seeing this, Jong Ri-yeon exclaimed in admiration.

"There's a rumor that the Morning Fire Trading Company has extremely strict discipline and never harms others. It seems the rumor is true."

They didn't even approach where Dam Ho and Jong Ri-yeon were eating quietly. To Jong Ri-yeon, this was a display of courtesy.

Dam Ho's eyes narrowed slightly.

Yun Sa-il inspected the warriors and merchants to ensure they were eating properly, then approached the largest carriage.

Unlike the other carriages, the large carriage's exterior was finished with luxurious materials and adorned with elaborate patterns.

Anyone could easily guess that a very important person was inside.

"Young Mistress."

Yun Sa-il called out carefully to the person inside the carriage. After a moment, the carriage door opened, and Yun Sa-il entered.

When Dam Ho and Jong Ri-yeon had nearly finished their rice balls, Yun Sa-il emerged from the carriage.

Yun Sa-il came directly toward Dam Ho and Jong Ri-yeon.

"Our mistress would like to meet you both. If it is acceptable, would you join us for a moment?"

At the unexpected invitation, Jong Ri-yeon looked at Dam Ho. If Dam Ho refused, she had no intention of entering the carriage.

She expected Dam Ho to decline. But his answer exceeded her expectations.

"Very well."

Dam Ho headed toward the carriage.

"I'll come with you."

Jong Ri-yeon hurried after Dam Ho.

The interior of the carriage they entered with Yun Sa-il was extremely luxurious. Inside was a large bed covered with red brocade, and upon it, a beautiful young woman was having her nails groomed by an attendant.

Dressed in magnificent silk robes, the woman wore a veil over her face, obscuring her true features. But the eyes visible above the veil were extraordinarily seductive.

Yun Sa-il bowed to the woman.

"I have brought them, Young Mistress."

"Wait outside."

"Understood."

Yun Sa-il and the attendant withdrew carefully. Only then did the woman raise her head and look at Dam Ho and Jong Ri-yeon.

"I apologize for the sudden summons. I am Won Seol-hwa of the Morning Fire Trading Company. Having spent the past few days in the carriage without seeing anyone, I thought to have a conversation, and so I took the liberty of inviting you."

"Is that so?"

"That's right. The great hero Won Hwe-sang of the Morning Fire Trading Company is my father."

"I thought as much!"

"You seem to know of me?"

"Who in the world doesn't know of Hero Won and Miss Won?"

"Is that so? But while you know of me, I don't even know your names. Would you give me the opportunity to learn them?"

"My name is Jong Ri-yeon."

"Ah!"

In that instant, an exclamation involuntarily burst from Won Seol-hwa's lips.

"You know of me?"

"Who doesn't know of the Divine Physician Jong Ri-yeon? I never imagined that a guest I happened to invite would be such a distinguished person. It's a pleasure, Miss Jong. Ah, should I call you the Divine Physician?"

"Please call me as you prefer."

"Then I'll call you Miss Jong."

Won Seol-hwa's seductive eyes curved gracefully.

Her gaze turned to Dam Ho.

"And you, sir?"

"He is a companion traveling with me on personal terms. He is extremely taciturn and doesn't speak much, so please understand."

Jong Ri-yeon answered on his behalf.

She knew better than anyone the weight and terror that the name Dam Ho carried.

She saw no need to reveal Dam Ho's name and cause trouble.

As if sensing her thoughts, Dam Ho said nothing.

Won Seol-hwa nodded.

"There are countless people in the world, and just as many stories. I understand."

"Thank you for understanding."

"Not at all! Before that, I should remove this suffocating veil."

Won Seol-hwa removed the veil covering her face. Her beautiful features were revealed, and for a moment, it seemed as if the interior of the carriage had brightened.

Noble beauty graced her face, and her lips were red as roses. Against skin white as snow, her black eyes glowed with a subtle, seductive light.

She was a beauty who could captivate any man.

Jong Ri-yeon marveled at her beauty.

"You are beautiful."

"As are you, Miss Jong."

The two women complimented each other's appearance, and Dam Ho watched the scene in silence.

Woon-jeong could not help but be surprised.

The Dark Venerable Master that Dan Ryeong-gyeong had mentioned was none other than the current sect leader of Qingcheng Sect. Dark Venerable Master was also the senior brother of Taoist Bok-cheon, who was Woon-jeong’s master.

“Primordial Heavenly Venerable!”

Woon-jeong exclaimed the Taoist invocation while fully revealing his shocked feelings.

“Are you saying that our sect’s leader has touched demonic martial arts? If you continue to damage our sect’s honor any further, I will absolutely not stand for it!”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong did not even get angry.

She merely looked at Woon-jeong with a strange expression, which was similar to the expression she had shown when first meeting Jin Ja-gang.

Woon-jeong continued to be angry.

“There was a reason we were told not to associate with evil faction people! They said you bewitch people with a few words and deceive with falsehoods, and those words were not wrong at all!”

Bian Bu stopped Woon-jeong.

“Hey now, you stubborn Taoist. If we had such thoughts, would we have left you alone when you were absorbed in your trance earlier? We would have ripped off your limbs, cut out your tongue, gouged out your eyes, and made you into pickled vegetables while still alive.”

“Th-that’s…!”

Perhaps imagining Bian Bu’s words, Woon-jeong’s eyes widened.

As expected, Bian Bu’s eloquence was as smooth as if oiled. However, Woon-jeong shook his head to dispel such thoughts.

“I felt respect because you seemed wise, but your actions are truly those of evil faction people! Please let me down now. I owe you one life, so I swear by the Heavenly Venerable that I will definitely repay it. But today doesn’t seem to be the right time.”

Bian Bu snorted.

“It won’t be just once. When you were in your trance, we could have killed you ten times, we could have killed you when putting you in the carriage, and before that when you were about to die to Dancing Buddha, we could have just left you alone. Adding all those up, the lives you owe us number at least twenty. As an orthodox faction person, shouldn’t you keep your word? We’ll let you down soon, so don’t forget your promise to repay twenty lives’ worth of debt.”

Woon-jeong’s face turned red and blue.

“What, how did it increase so much… When did I ever make such a promise… No, why does the calculation work out that way in the first place!”

Bian Bu glared at him. Bian Bu was skilled at handling naive marks like Woon-jeong.

“Just the principal alone is twenty times, you unworldly Taoist! Do you know how expensive the interest on life debts is? In the martial world, those who don’t immediately repay favors are called scoundrels, and the interest law of ‘daily life, daily interest’ applies. Daily life, daily interest means that for each day that passes, the interest on the life debt increases by one.”

“I’ve never heard such words before!”

Bian Bu ranted even more frantically.

“Do my words seem false? A martial world newcomer is now doubting someone who has rolled around in the martial world for half a lifetime? Shall I write a debt certificate right now and take it to Qingcheng Sect’s leader? Then the debtor won’t be Taoist Woon-jeong but Qingcheng Sect itself – shall we really try that?”

Woon-jeong’s eyes widened. Cold sweat even began to bead.

“Shall we try it? Shall we go to Qingcheng Sect?”

“That’s not… wait, please hold on. First, let’s talk…”

“Talk about what! Shall I go around telling everyone in the world that a Qingcheng Sect Taoist ran away without paying his life debt?”

“No, a life debt isn’t money, so how can you say I’m defaulting on it? Qingcheng disciples don’t speak with forked tongues!”

As soon as those words came out, Bian Bu immediately changed his attitude.

“Well… if you put it that way…”

Bian Bu firmly grasped Woon-jeong’s hand and nodded.

“Ahem, then I’ll trust the Taoist’s words.”

“Of course you should trust me! I won’t tarnish Qingcheng’s name! Qingcheng disciples…”

But even while speaking, Woon-jeong thought something was strange.

“This doesn’t seem right…”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong smiled and said.

“Elder Bian, leave it at that.”

Bian Bu withdrew with an easy smile. He didn’t forget to shrug his shoulders at Jin Ja-gang, who was leaning against one side watching.

“Did you see? You may be good at killing people, but worldly wisdom is another matter entirely.”

“I learned well.”

Woon-jeong looked at Jin Ja-gang and Bian Bu with an uncomfortable expression.

“Excuse me?”

His expression asked what was going on.

However, Dan Ryeong-gyeong intervened and said to Woon-jeong.

“Until we leave Sichuan, Emei Sect will be pursuing us. Meeting Emei Sect now would be uncomfortable for both sides, so we’ll let you down after passing through Sichuan. You can return then.”

“I’m not afraid of Emei Sect.”

“If the Taoist is in our carriage, we too will feel somewhat at ease until we escape Sichuan. Consider that as repaying your life debt. How about it?”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s gentle words were easy to accept in contrast to Bian Bu’s threatening tone. Woon-jeong quickly nodded, afraid Dan Ryeong-gyeong might change her mind.

Actually, he still had many questions. He wanted to ask about the relationship between Dan Ryeong-gyeong and Qingcheng Sect’s leader. But he was afraid that if he spoke wrongly, he might not even recover his original position, so he couldn’t carelessly open his mouth.

Woon-jeong just quietly kept his mouth shut and leaned against a corner.

Since Dan Ryeong-gyeong sat in meditation and entered breathing exercises again, the inside of the carriage quickly became quiet.

***

Clatter, clatter.

Woon-jeong was sleeping very comfortably. It was probably due to fatigue, but compared to Jin Ja-gang, he seemed to have too little wariness toward the world.

Jin Ja-gang, who had grown up fighting natural enemies in the wild, and Woon-jeong, who had been raised preciously like a flower, were clearly contrasted to anyone watching. Even Bian Bu seemed incredulous, shaking his head.

So much so that even Soso had not yet fallen asleep. Of course, Soso too had experienced the terrible incident of Guizhou Medicine Sect’s massacre, so tension had become ingrained in her body.

Jin Ja-gang couldn’t practice breathing exercises with his body anyway, so he just sat leaning against something.

Then he suddenly grabbed the curtain covering the carriage window. He wondered whether to open it or not.

All the carriage windows were covered with thick curtains. It was impossible to tell from inside whether it was day or night.

“Just leave it.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong spoke with her eyes closed.

“My friends scattered in all directions trying to shake off pursuit, but it seems we won’t be able to avoid their eyes until we leave Sichuan.”

Jin Ja-gang nodded and stepped away from the window.

However, he said one thing.

“Once we leave Sichuan…”

Jin Ja-gang looked at the carriage curtain and continued.

“It would be better to return and go to Huguang through Qingcheng Mountain.”

Bian Bu, who had been dozing, woke up and asked.

“Huh? What? We’re barely escaping from Sichuan and you’re saying to go back to Sichuan?”

However, Dan Ryeong-gyeong agreed without much comment.

“Let’s do that.”

Only then did Jin Ja-gang lean back and close his eyes.

For the first time in a place teeming with those who sought his life, he was resting while trusting others.

With his eyes closed, Jin Ja-gang organized his complex thoughts.

Perhaps this was the second and final opportunity given to him.

Ahead waited an incomparably powerful enemy unlike any he had faced before. And there was also Mang Ryo, whose schemes were difficult to guess.

As Bian Bu had said, they were people who would do anything to protect what they had achieved.

Until now, Jin Ja-gang had thought he needed to abandon everything and become a vengeful spirit to face them.

However, the events he had experienced this time changed many of his thoughts.

First, Jin Ja-gang came to know that he too had things he must protect.

It could be an individual like Soso, or it could be a group of many people. It could be keeping promises or repaying someone’s kindness.

Though he couldn’t specify what it was, these were very precious things that Jin Ja-gang had to protect. Things he couldn’t abandon for revenge, and shouldn’t abandon.

Jin Ja-gang had newly realized this time that he possessed such things.

It was also the power to distinguish what was most important to him now. It was his own heart that he had failed to see and passed by when blinded by revenge.

He couldn’t say he knew everything yet… he would probably go through several more trials and errors in the future.

But having barely found these things this time and engraved them deep in his heart, he would never forget them again.

***

Holding a woman’s hand carelessly is something that goes against propriety.

However, when seeing a woman who has fallen into water, regardless of gender, one should naturally take her hand and pull her from the water to save her. That is the duty of a person and the true expedient means necessary for living.

***

For some reason, he recalled very old memories of studying while smelling the fragrance of hundreds of types of flowers blooming in Hundred Flower Valley.

Jin Ja-gang slowly fell asleep while muttering.

“Expedient means…”

***

Five Emei Sect nuns in gray robes were running toward them.

The nuns ran almost flying along the ridge. It was truly swift lightness skills.

“We’ve almost caught up! Hurry!”

They could see the carriage running below the cliff.

However, the nuns could no longer catch up to the carriage and had to stop suddenly.

This was because several figures were blocking the path ahead.

No, to be precise, rather than blocking the path, they were simply looking down at the departing carriage while having a conversation.

But they absolutely could not pass by while ignoring them.

They were Tang Li-sim and Tang Ha-ran of the Tang family, and one upright old Taoist from Qingcheng Sect.

The old Taoist greeted them and spoke.

“Emei Sect is a bit late.”

Jeong-yo, who was leading the Emei Sect nuns, came forward and put her palms together.

“Amitabha. Are the benefactors also here because of Shandong Enchanting Flower and Poison Dragon?”

The old Taoist nodded, and Tang Li-sim looked over the nuns while answering.

“That’s right. Excuse me, but aren’t you Master Jeong-yo of Emei Sect?”

“That’s correct. From what I can see, Enchanting Flower and Poison Dragon seem to be in that carriage, don’t they?”

“They should be.”

“Then why aren’t you pursuing them and staying here instead?”

“That’s because…”

Tang Ha-ran, who was beside them, answered.

“Because we decided not to pursue them.”

Jeong-yo’s eyebrows furrowed.

“May I ask the reason?”

“If the Tang family has a reason to pursue them, please tell us, Master.”

Tang Ha-ran had just passed the age of twenty, while Jeong-yo was over forty. At the very least, she was an elder of the martial world, so proper courtesy should be maintained, but Tang Ha-ran wasn’t doing so at all.

Jeong-yo’s expression became unpleasant. Being spirited was good, but shouldn’t there be discernment of time and place!

However, there was a more urgent matter, so she let it go.

“I understand. Since the benefactors of the Tang Family Great Compound seem to have other purposes, I won’t ask further.”

“Hmph.”

Tang Ha-ran even snorted while turning her head to look at the carriage. This was truly rude behavior. The Emei Sect nuns glared at Tang Ha-ran with displeased expressions.

Jeong-yo restrained the nuns and looked at the old Taoist from Qingcheng Sect.

“What about you, Taoist?”

“My disciple is in that carriage.”

The Qingcheng Sect old Taoist who kept his back straight was none other than Taoist Bok-cheon.

“Ah, so you’re Taoist Bok-cheon. This is good. Then it would be right for you to join us in pursuing the carriage to rescue your disciple.”

However, Bok-cheon Taoist deflected.

“I heard Master Myowol was badly injured.”

“Amitabha, her condition isn’t good due to poison. However, thanks to your concern, there’s nothing wrong with her life.”

“It seems you’re late compared to us because you had to treat Master Myowol and receive her report.”

“Reporting on incidents that occur outside the temple is the duty of our sect’s disciples.”

“Since my disciple harmed Master Myowol, if I rescue my disciple, will you take him to Emei Sect?”

“Taoist Woon-jeong is a key figure in this incident, and his involvement with the evil faction is clear…”

Taoist Bok-cheon looked directly at Jeong-yo with his long, narrow eyes and asked.

“So you’re saying you’ll take him.”

“I’m sorry, but I hope you’ll cooperate.”

Taoist Bok-cheon suddenly raised his voice and shouted in a rigid tone.

“Emei Sect should have originally acted only as observers, limiting themselves to watching and mediating, yet not only did they harbor killing intent as Buddhist disciples and take action, but now they’re trying to shift their own mistakes onto other sects!”

Taoist Bok-cheon’s voice rang out powerfully and echoed.