Chapter 180: Chapter 2. The Wind of Chaos Blows from the North (2)

"You know me?"

At Dam Ho's question, Myeong-cheon smiled enigmatically.

His black eyes sparkled with every wisdom in the world. For the eyes of such a young boy, they were far too deep and profound.

"Hero Dam is more famous than you might think. And also…"

Myeong-cheon's gaze dropped to Dam Ho's leg.

In that brief moment, he had discerned that Dam Ho was limping.

Dam Ho's gaze sank deeper.

The boy's expression, speech, and eyes that seemed to see through a person's heart—all of it was strangely unsettling.

Myeong-cheon was a genius. A prodigy who, upon hearing one thing, understood a hundred. He was one who truly existed perhaps once in a century.

Such genius was exceedingly rare. He could only be described as a gift from heaven itself.

But unlike his brilliant mind, his body was terribly frail. The hours he could spend awake in a single day amounted to barely two shishin. Any longer and his heart meridian would be strained, causing him to cough blood from all seven orifices.

Heaven had granted him a mind that could dominate the era, but not a body to support it.

That was why those who knew Myeong-cheon called him the genius who never wakes.

His only hope was Jong Ri-yeon.

Myeong-cheon smiled.

"That's a relief. You kept your promise, sister. I was starting to reach my limit."

"I told you, didn't I? That I would definitely cure you."

"Thank you."

"But in return, you must keep the promise you made to me."

"Of course."

At Myeong-cheon's answer, Jong Ri-yeon also smiled.

Dam Ho noticed that the bond between the two had existed for quite some time.

"When do you plan to begin treatment?"

"Right away!"

"That quickly?"

"It's better to strike while the iron is hot."

"Well, I'm grateful. This is the moment I've been waiting for."

Jong Ri-yeon looked at Dam Ho.

"Thank you for bringing me this far."

"It was a promise."

"Many people in the world make promises carelessly, but few actually keep them. In that regard, you are truly a special person."

"I didn't bring you here to hear embarrassing words."

"I know. But thank you anyway."

Jong Ri-yeon gave a profound smile.

Dam Ho looked at her for a moment, then turned.

"I'll step outside."

"I'll show you to your room."

The old man led Dam Ho to his quarters.

Watching Dam Ho's retreating figure, Myeong-cheon murmured.

"He's a gentleman who's quite shy, isn't he?"

"He has that side to him."

"He reminds me of our eldest brother, somewhat."

"You have a brother?"

"Didn't you know? I have several older brothers and one older sister above me."

"Why didn't I know?"

"Because I never told you."

"Hmm?"

"Ha ha ha!"

Myeong-cheon laughed heartily. But it was brief—soon his face turned deathly pale.

Laughing so hard after a long time had caused pain in his heart meridian. Blood trickled from his nose. It was truly a cursed body.

'But it's all right! Now I can finally be of help to my brother.'

This was the moment he had waited for his entire life.

For this day, his brother had formed a connection with Jong Ri-yeon's master and provided support in every way possible. And after more than a decade, his efforts had finally borne fruit.

He had waited so long.

When she was on the island in Nanwan Lake, the thing that occupied Jong Ri-yeon's mind most was Myeong-cheon's treatment method. Her master had laid the foundation, but the treatment was incomplete.

She had desperately researched ways to improve the treatment, and in the end, she had been able to perfect her master's insights.

"Don't make it hurt, sister."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'll be using the largest needle, so it will hurt terribly."

"That sounds frightening."

"You sound like an old man."

"Heh heh!"

Myeong-cheon chuckled.

Seeing this, Jong Ri-yeon shook her head.

She had come to know Myeong-cheon through a connection from a previous generation. But she didn't know all that much about him. That was why his old-man-like demeanor was hard to get used to.

"Let's go in. It will be a long night. And it will be very painful."

"Yes!"

Myeong-cheon answered vigorously.

The two walked in side by side.

The moment Myeong-cheon entered the room, he stripped off everything except his undergarments. His body, so emaciated that his bones were visible, came into Jong Ri-yeon's view.

A look of sorrow crossed Jong Ri-yeon's face.

"I told you to eat more."

"No matter how much I eat, I don't gain weight."

Myeong-cheon smiled sadly. That expression made Jong Ri-yeon's heart ache even more.

"Let's begin."

"Yes!"

"It will hurt a lot."

"I'm prepared."

Myeong-cheon clenched his teeth.

Jong Ri-yeon nodded and produced her needles.

"Phew!"

After taking a deep breath, Jong Ri-yeon began her acupuncture.

***

The old man led Dam Ho to the most remote room.

"Please rest here."

"Mm."

"Thank you. For bringing the Divine Physician safely here."

"…"

"Thanks to you, the Young Master may live. I will never forget this kindness."

"You've known Myeong-cheon for a long time, it seems."

"I've been by his side since the moment he was born. He's no different from my own child."

"Is that so? He's fortunate."

"Hmm?"

"To have the devoted care of such a strong martial artist as you."

"…"

In that instant, the old man's expression stiffened. But the awkward look vanished in an instant, replaced by a relaxed smile.

"I don't know what you mean."

"…"

"I'll take my leave now. Please rest comfortably."

The old man hurriedly went outside.

Left alone, Dam Ho murmured quietly.

"Everyone has their secrets."

Dam Ho crossed his arms and gazed out the window.

It was a residence of a rather unique style. The northern courtyard house form blocked outside views, with all spaces opening toward the central courtyard.

In contrast, the room assigned to Dam Ho had its view of the courtyard blocked, while a small window allowed him to survey the distance.

He could see outside, but from within, he had no way of knowing what was happening inside. The space had been intentionally arranged this way.

He could see darkness descending upon the streets.

At that moment, a faint flow of internal power was felt from deeper within the residence. It seemed Jong Ri-yeon had begun treatment.

Dam Ho leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

Countless thoughts drifted past.

Dam Ho did not try to control his thoughts. He observed the process as they branched outward and grew in size on their own.

Self-Observation.

By looking inward, one could accurately grasp one's own existence.

This was the training method he had realized during the previous winter on the island.

By observing oneself with cold rationality, one could clearly identify one's limits. No emotion was involved.

Like wielding a blade, he drew a line, clearly distinguishing what he could do from what he could not.

By repeating this series of training, one could maintain a razor-sharp rationality in any situation.

It was a training method that allowed for the most efficient self-improvement in this common household, without concern for the eyes of others.

Time flowed endlessly.

Senses that had been focused inward now turned outward.

One zhang, two zhang… His senses expanded without limit, and in the end, the entire residence lay within the domain of his perception.

Though countless walls stood in the way, none could block his senses.

Different breathing patterns could be felt.

One deep yet unceasing breath.

It was the breath of the old man who had guided Dam Ho.

'Turtle.'

Dam Ho imagined a giant sea turtle diving into the deep ocean from the old man's breathing. A single breath that could carry one dozens or even hundreds of li—a tremendous internal power like that of a great turtle.

Another breath was detected by Dam Ho's senses.

Stable and unchanging, this breath belonged to Jong Ri-yeon. She possessed only enough internal power to assist in her medical practice.

Dam Ho's senses detected yet another person.

The breath was so faint it seemed it might break at any moment—this was Myeong-cheon.

The breath that was so weak it was a miracle he was alive trembled violently each time Jong Ri-yeon inserted a needle.

From Myeong-cheon's breath, Dam Ho imagined a carp in a drought-stricken pond. The water level had dropped so low the carp's body was nearly exposed, with only its gills still submerged as it gasped for air.

If the water level dropped further, the carp would surely die.

Jong Ri-yeon's acupuncture was replenishing water into that carp's pond. Whatever the principle, that was how it felt to Dam Ho.

Water was slowly flowing into Myeong-cheon's pond. The large carp, which had been barely breathing, was gradually regaining vitality.

There were also crises.

The incoming water flow was blocked and gradually diminished, while a drainage hole burst, sending the carefully collected water gushing out.

Jong Ri-yeon's hands moved more urgently.

Her previously steady breathing quickened, and sweat poured ceaselessly from her brow.

Whether her efforts bore fruit, the outflowing stream diminished and the incoming stream increased. The dried-up pond began to fill with water once more.

Jong Ri-yeon moved her hands busily.

She reinforced the precarious pond walls and widened the incoming channels. The entire process demanded extreme mental concentration.

Jong Ri-yeon accomplished all of it superbly.

Myeong-cheon's pond was filling. The water, which had reached his back, continued to rise without stopping. The great pond became full.

The carp gained its freedom, swimming freely through the water as if it had never struggled for breath. But the pond was too narrow for the carp to swim freely.

The carp desired a larger pond. And Jong Ri-yeon made the pond even bigger for the carp.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The water formed a river and poured into the pond.

The pond had expanded to the point where it could no longer be called a pond. The pond became a lake, and the carp felt no more constriction.

The carp decided to shed its physical form to gain greater freedom. The scales that covered its body fell away one by one, revealing its bare form.

With the constraining scales gone, its body undulated and rippled. Its body elongated and expanded. A snout protruded, and teeth grew. Two whiskers lengthened greatly, and new scales sprouted on its smooth body. And two pairs of legs appeared.

The carp became a dragon.

The dragon rose into the sky.

Dam Ho observed every moment of this vision.

In reality, at that very moment, Myeong-cheon was shedding the cursed heaven-sent affliction that had dominated him and being reborn.

With the sound of cracking bones, everything shifted to its optimal position, and old skin peeled away. New flesh grew, and muscles formed on his previously emaciated body.

"Re…Rebirth and Bone Replacement?"

Jong Ri-yeon cried out in shock.

Her acupuncture had been meant to treat Myeong-cheon's illness. There was no miraculous function to trigger Rebirth and Bone Replacement.

"This…this isn't from my acupuncture. What on earth…"

Someone had arranged something within Myeong-cheon's body. Jong Ri-yeon's acupuncture had served as the catalyst to awaken it.

Not knowing what was happening, Jong Ri-yeon could only gape at the phenomenon unfolding before her eyes.

Dam Ho expanded the domain of his senses.

In that instant, something that had previously gone undetected was caught by his perception.

A presence as massive and solid as a mountain.

Dam Ho's eyebrow twitched.

The moment Dam Ho became aware of him, he too became aware of Dam Ho.

HUMMM!

In that instant, a resonance occurred.

The resonance spread far and wide, and within it, Dam Ho heard a voice calling his name.

Dam Ho's gaze deepened.

He launched himself through the open window and landed on the roof of the building opposite.

On the roof, there was another visitor besides himself.

A giant of a man standing seven chi tall, with a simple, honest face that belied his massive frame. But even in the darkness, his eyes gleamed like oil lamps.

At his waist hung a massive saber wrapped in coarse cloth.

HUMMM!

When they faced each other, the resonance between them intensified uncontrollably.

Resonance occurred only when two beings of equal magnitude met. This meant that the opponent before him possessed a presence as vast and powerful as his own.

The air between the two men grew hot.

The man spoke first.

"So we meet at last, Fist Demon."

"And you are?"

"My name is Geom Yul-cheon."

The man, Geom Yul-cheon, smiled.

Mang Ryo spoke with a seemingly regretful tone.

“I’ll speak to the Sword Pavilion Master myself, so don’t worry about what comes after. In life, there are failures and regrettable things, isn’t that so? The Sword Pavilion Master will understand.”

With many watching eyes, Zhuge Son-gi couldn’t express his anger openly and spoke in a low, growling voice.

“Are you… shifting the responsibility to us now? Using our Zhuge family to your heart’s content and then discarding us?”

“If others heard this, they might misunderstand.”

“You’re speaking in a way that invites misunderstanding!”

“I assigned a Qingcheng Sect Taoist to Poison Dragon and Dancing Buddha to Enchanting Flower. She was even in a state where her arm was severed and she was poisoned. Who could have predicted failure? That was something no one could have foreseen.”

Well, it wasn’t wrong. It had been an absolutely impossible situation for Dan Ryeong-gyeong to escape alive.

Anyone would have thought so.

So they had no choice but to console themselves that such failure was unavoidable.

Still, the fact that Mang Ryo’s words and actions were irritating was well known.

Zhuge Son-gi ground his teeth and said.

“Looking at the results, it was that b*st*rd Poison Dragon who created this mess. And the one who saved that Poison Dragon was none other than you.”

Mang Ryo shook his head repeatedly.

“It wasn’t me. Enchanting Flower saved him. At that time, I had no choice but to make an unavoidable decision to save Silent Dragon.”

“Making excuses to the very end…”

Mang Ryo cut off Zhuge Son-gi’s words.

“Well then, I have urgent business, so I think I should take my leave now.”

“Tsk!”

Mang Ryo looked at Zhuge Ming and left separate words.

“Today isn’t the only day. Someday there will come a day when I help the Zhuge family.”

Zhuge Ming maintained a stiff expression and nodded slightly to avoid revealing his inner thoughts. There was no point in continuing the conversation as it would only bring more shame.

Anyway, the death warrant for Jin Ja-gang was still valid. Even if the personnel who came out this time returned, the pursuit of Jin Ja-gang would not stop.

And what came next…

It would probably be Mang Ryo, who had looked down on the Zhuge family.

“I look forward to it.”

* * *

Mang Ryo was able to enter the inner courtyard of the Tang Family Great Compound for the first time.

The outer courtyard, where large and small square mansions were packed so tightly together that it felt claustrophobic.

But the inner courtyard was the same. The only difference was that it was slightly wider and was one large mansion as a whole, but it was just as cramped and bleak as the mansions in the outer courtyard.

“Hmm.”

The path Mang Ryo was walking also had high walls on both sides, making it feel like walking through a corridor rather than inside a house.

After walking for quite a while, Mang Ryo spoke.

“At this rate, there’s no need to keep the inner courtyard tightly closed. There’s nothing to see anyway.”

There were even engraved stone patterns in the middle of the walls that looked different depending on the viewing position due to shadows. It was perfect for confusing directions.

Anyone entering for the first time would definitely get completely lost and wander around.

The warrior leading the way turned around and warned.

“Be quiet.”

Mang Ryo suddenly stopped and stared at the warrior.

“The In family?”

Among the Tang family’s vassal families, there were several surnames that played special roles. The In family was one of them.

Rather than wondering how he knew this, the warrior responded irritably, annoyed that he had stopped unnecessarily.

“That’s right. So shouldn’t you hurry along now?”

But Mang Ryo clicked his tongue and said.

“Look here. I’m a guest, not a minister from a tributary state who came to offer tribute. Why should I be treated like a prisoner?”

The warrior’s eyebrows twitched.

“What are you doing now? Weren’t you the one who begged to meet the elder?”

“No, I think this is going too far. Wouldn’t you feel bad if you were in my position? Be quiet? What did I say and how much? Huh?”

Mang Ryo gradually raised his voice as he spoke.

The warrior’s face became noticeably flustered. He never thought there would be someone who would suddenly act like this after entering the inner courtyard of the Tang Family Great Compound.

Moreover, he was just a guide. If a commotion arose, he would be the one to receive blame.

“Do you want to die?”

When the warrior took a high-handed attitude, Mang Ryo frowned.

“Frankly, what will you do if I’m not quiet? Will you kick me out, or what? Go ahead and try!”

Mang Ryo struck the wall with his crutch.

Thwack! Tap! Tap!

Chirp chirp!

Birds flew up from various parts of the garden in surprise.

The flustered warrior tried to stop Mang Ryo.

“Look here. I understand, so please calm down for a moment…”

He could feel gazes shooting from invisible places in all directions.

Only then did Mang Ryo cough and pretend to calm down.

“Let’s be careful with our words. Lowly people who just run errands should know their place if they want to live long.”

The warrior’s face reddened with anger.

“Under… stood.”

“Ahem.”

Mang Ryo gestured with his chin to indicate he should guide the way. The warrior kept his mouth tightly shut and began walking ahead.

Thud, thud.

Mang Ryo followed behind the warrior, deliberately making loud sounds with his crutch.

* * *

Even after entering the inner courtyard, it seemed like they had walked for a full hour.

After walking a long way through complex paths, they reached the front of a building.

The warrior waited in front of the door.

Mang Ryo leisurely looked around and waited together. Before long, the door opened.

It was a Tang family woman with sharp eyes.

“He says to come in.”

Mang Ryo looked at the warrior who had been guiding the way and smiled.

“You worked hard.”

The warrior trembled and left without a word. The Tang family woman guided Mang Ryo again. Even after entering the building, they had to pass through several doors before Mang Ryo could finally arrive at a spacious hall. However, unlike halls in other regions, this place was completely blocked off by doors.

The Tang family woman stopped in front of the stairs leading up to the hall.

“Go up.”

Mang Ryo also became somewhat cautious as he climbed the stairs.

It was known publicly that he had stepped down from the position of Tang family head more than ten years ago.

However, he was still the actual master who decided all matters, large and small, of the Tang family.

King of Hell Tang Qing.

It was the nickname by which he was called, meaning that even human life and death depended on his hands.

He was finally going to meet such a Tang Qing.

For the past Mang Ryo, this would have been a great honor and at the same time something to fear.

But now he was a trading partner.

He couldn’t be overwhelmed in terms of momentum.

Mang Ryo put strength in his stomach and stepped up.

Thud!

As Mang Ryo climbed the stairs, a sliding door above opened.

Slide.

But at that moment, Mang Ryo’s mind snapped to attention at the sudden noisy sound.

Chatter chatter.

Sounds that couldn’t be heard at all from outside began to be heard as he climbed to the hall.

And seeing the scene inside, Mang Ryo couldn’t help but laugh.

“Heh heh heh…”

It was an unimaginable scene.

Inside the hall, dozens of people were busily coming and going.

They were having conversations, shouting, and running around. People were frantically working.

Hundreds of bamboo slips and letters piled on dozens of tables. They were sorted and taken down one by one, and just as many new ones were brought in and piled up again.

Moreover, there was an enormous birdcage on one wall where carrier pigeons were constantly coming and going. The hall was so noisy that even the fluttering sounds of the carrier pigeons’ wings were drowned out.

On the other side, there was a furnace for disposing of bamboo slips and paper letters, so even the smell of burning was vibrating.

Why hadn’t any of this sound leaked outside?

It was probably because of one old man surrounded by countless documents in the center of the hall. That old man was deploying a barrier to prevent all sounds in the hall from going outside.

The old man had rice balls placed next to his table as if even the time to move for meals was precious.

Even the great Mang Ryo hesitated about what to do in this marketplace-like place.

“What are you doing? Come here.”

The old man spoke without even looking at Mang Ryo. Mang Ryo walked across the hall toward the old man in the very center.

No one paid particular attention to or minded Mang Ryo. Mang Ryo approached the old man and gave a light bow. However, the old man still didn’t raise his head from the documents.

Thanks to this, Mang Ryo could observe the old man in detail.

White hair sticking out wildly like a lion’s mane. A small, hunched figure.

He had an ordinary appearance. He looked like an old man who would be treated as a beggar anywhere he went. Since he was over eighty years old, it might have been natural.

‘This old man is the Poison King Tang Qing?’

Tang Qing’s eyes swept through the letters and bamboo slips in his hands in an instant. It was absolutely impossible for an ordinary person.

“Why did you do that? Troublesome. Now I have to repair it.”

Tang Qing spoke to Mang Ryo without even raising his head. He didn’t even greet him. This was Tang Qing who didn’t care about such etiquette. Since he already knew who it was, why bother with greetings?

Mang Ryo scratched his cheek. Tang Qing already knew that he had deliberately struck the wall with his crutch and left marks on it.

“The guide was being troublesome, making me go around this way and that. Even after that, he made me go around in circles two more times.”

“I should give a reward to the stonemason who made that. He made you go around three times.”

When Tang Qing snapped his fingers, a nearby scholar immediately wrote down the order and passed it to someone else. It seemed to be content about giving compensation to the stonemason.

Tang Qing still didn’t raise his head and was looking at documents. He didn’t ask Mang Ryo anything more.

Mang Ryo felt like it would take forever if he waited, so he spoke first.

“Actually… I came to complain.”

“Speak.”

“The effect of the Five Fall Death Pill is unsatisfactory.”

At those words, the sound in the hall disappeared for a very brief moment. Several people looked at Mang Ryo tensely. However, Tang Qing was absorbed in looking at documents. His answer was also simple.

“Right. The Five Fall Death Pill is still incomplete.”

Only then did the people in the hall turn their heads and continue their work.

Mang Ryo complained again.

“If you give me an incomplete product, it becomes very difficult for me to do my work.”

In some ways, it could be considered insolent words, but Tang Qing seemed to have no interest in emotional aspects.

“That’s how you complete it. How can you succeed without failure? Do you think the orthodox internal energy cultivation methods that have been passed down for thousands of years can be easily penetrated by ordinary poison?”

“If I use poison and fail, I might receive unnecessary suspicion, wouldn’t I?”

“Me? You?”

Mang Ryo thought for a moment. Looking at the situation, Tang Qing didn’t seem to care whether the Tang family received suspicion or not. No, rather than not caring, he seemed like he could handle it somehow even if such a thing happened.

Mang Ryo had no choice but to shake his head and answer.

“I mean myself.”

“Got it. Bring this.”

The former words were to Mang Ryo, the latter to the scholar beside him. Tang Qing quickly wrote on a small bamboo slip and gave it to the scholar. The scholar took the bamboo slip and went somewhere.

Even during that brief conversation with Mang Ryo, documents continued to pour in. Tang Qing read them without rest. Sometimes there were cases delivered by word of mouth. Even now, regardless of whether he was having a conversation with Mang Ryo, someone immediately interrupted and reported.

“The test in Pingnan failed. Thirty-five people died without being detoxified, and fifty original residents were poisoned.”

Tang Qing spoke without a moment’s hesitation.

“Dispose of them all.”

“Yes.”

The one who brought the message also seemed to have done this more than once or twice, withdrawing expressionlessly to a nearby scholar to request a seal on a letter before leaving. In just a moment, the fate of fifty lives had been decided.