Chapter 184: The Age of Dragons and Tigers (3)

Hyeon-gwang was one of the Hyeon generation elders of the Mount Hua Sect. Naturally of a quiet temperament, and the youngest among the Hyeon generation, he had rarely ventured into the public eye.

Because of this, even within the Mount Hua Sect, aside from the first-generation disciples, few knew of his existence.

Hyeon-gwang, who ordinarily rarely left the mountain gates, had not only done so but was now staying in Luoyang, Henan Province.

He was residing at the Hwayang Inn near the South Gate of Luoyang. The Hwayang Inn was the grandest and most splendid inn in all of Luoyang. It was a place that neither the poor nor vagrants dared enter.

Hyeon-gwang occupied a private wing of the Hwayang Inn.

"Hah! I never thought I would leave Mount Hua in my lifetime."

He let out a soft sigh.

"Is something troubling you, Master?"

Ho-gyeong, who stood nearby, asked.

Ho-gyeong was Hyeon-gwang's sole disciple. He shared his master's quiet disposition and had accompanied him to attend to his needs.

Ho-gyeong had spent his entire life on Mount Hua. This was the first time he had stepped beyond the mountain gates.

Hyeon-gwang looked at Ho-gyeong with a warm smile.

"It is nothing. Are you uncomfortable in any way?"

"No."

"I have caused you trouble by dragging you along."

"Not at all. I am glad simply to be able to stay by your side, Master."

"Your words alone are a comfort."

"I do not speak empty words."

"I know."

His disciple's sincerity momentarily made Hyeon-gwang forget his worries.

Hyeon-gwang had descended Mount Hua and come to Luoyang to make contact with Shaolin Temple.

Hyeon-cheon, the Grandmaster of the Mount Hua Sect, desired a closer alliance with Shaolin Temple. The reasoning was that by coordinating with Shaolin, the foremost power of the martial world, they could more effectively counter the Demonic Cult.

The key figures of the Mount Hua Sect were each occupied with important tasks and had no time to spare. Thus, Hyeon-gwang, who was relatively unoccupied, had been sent to discuss cooperation with Shaolin.

Ho-gyeong asked.

"Master, shall we ascend to Shaolin Temple tomorrow?"

"We will not be going to Shaolin."

"What?"

Ho-gyeong wore a puzzled expression. He did not immediately understand.

"Shaolin will send someone here."

"Here?"

"That is correct."

"Who?"

"I do not know the details, but will it not be someone of importance?"

"Would it not be simpler if we went up ourselves?"

"The Demonic Cult will surely have eyes on this place as well. If they learn that the Mount Hua Sect is making contact with Shaolin, do you think they will stand by idly?"

"I see."

Only then did Ho-gyeong nod in understanding.

Having spent his entire life within the confines of Mount Hua, Ho-gyeong was excessively pure. He knew nothing of the world's filth or its conspiracies.

Hyeon-gwang did not wish to stain his disciple with the grime of the secular world if he could help it. But with the world in turmoil, he could not cling to his own desires forever. That was a source of deep regret for Hyeon-gwang.

Hyeon-gwang gazed out the window.

With the emergence of the Demonic Cult, chaos was spreading across the land. Yet here in Luoyang, it was as though they existed in another world, the city blazing with light.

Though clearly diminished from before, countless people still strolled the streets, drinking and enjoying themselves.

Hyeon-gwang could not understand this. Having lived his entire life on the mountain, the sight of these common folk seemed alien to him.

"Oh, by the way, have you heard the news?"

"What news?"

"About Un-gyeong, Senior Brother."

"Hm?"

Hyeon-gwang tilted his head. Ho-gyeong continued.

"Un-gyeong is said to be staying in Shouzhou."

"What is he doing in Shouzhou? Did he perhaps find Sage Hyeon-so?"

"I do not know that much. He only sent word that he would remain in Shouzhou for the time being."

"Hmm!"

Hyeon-gwang's expression hardened.

Sage Hyeon-so was his senior brother. But they were not particularly close. They had different masters, and both detested anything complicated.

Because of this, even knowing that Sage Hyeon-so was suffering from the trouble of taking Dam Ho as his disciple, Hyeon-gwang had not helped or stepped forward. Those actions now weighed upon his conscience.

"I wonder if he is well. I hope nothing has happened to him."

"What could happen? He is an elder of the Mount Hua Sect, after all."

"But he does not practice martial arts. He has no means of self-defense, does he?"

"I cannot fathom how a disciple like the Fist Demon emerged from under a man like that."

Ho-gyeong also knew of Dam Ho.

The lame disciple of Mount Hua.

The elders had rejected Dam Ho, and the disciples had mocked him.

Shamefully, Ho-gyeong had been one of them. Looking at the lame Dam Ho, he had thought only that a cripple was tainting the waters of Mount Hua.

Because of this, when Dam Ho had been unable to return to Mount Hua thirteen years ago, he had not felt particularly regretful. He had even forgotten that Dam Ho existed.

The Dam Ho who had faded from memory came back to life only a matter of months ago.

The Fist Demon, who had struck down countless martial heroes and spread fear throughout the martial world, was in truth the shame of the Mount Hua Sect—Dam Ho.

At first, he could not believe the rumors. But when even Myeong-gyeong, the greatest genius of the Mount Hua Sect, acknowledged his defeat to Dam Ho, he had no choice but to believe.

Dam Ho, once scorned by all, had become an absolute master, acknowledged not only on Mount Hua but throughout the world.

Though he had been branded a public enemy of the martial world and rejected, his overwhelming power was undeniably real.

Hyeon-gwang let out a sigh.

"Hah! We were all wrong. How could Taoists who cultivate the Way have judged a person by his appearance and rejected him so?"

"I am ashamed. I too kept my distance from Cheong-gyeong based only on his outward appearance."

"Now they wish to bring him back to Mount Hua? I cannot fathom the Grandmaster's thinking at all. Moreover, did the Murim Alliance not designate him a public enemy?"

"Surely they think that is a price worth paying. After all, they do not completely trust the Murim Alliance."

"That may be so. People think they can have it both ways, but I never imagined Mount Hua would stoop to this."

As Hyeon-gwang shook his head…

Knock!

Suddenly, someone rapped on the door of the private wing.

Tension flashed in the eyes of Hyeon-gwang and Ho-gyeong, and then a voice came.

"Hyeon-gwang, this is Kwang-hae from Shaolin."

"Kwang-hae?"

Hyeon-gwang and Ho-gyeong exchanged glances.

The Kwang generation was the elder rank at Shaolin.

Hyeon-gwang hurriedly opened the door. Before him stood an elderly monk with a white beard that reached his chest.

Nine red precept marks upon his brow, and a wise light in his eyes.

Even without an introduction, one could instinctively know that this old monk was a僧 of Shaolin Temple.

"Amitabha! I am Hyeon-gwang from Mount Hua. It is an honor to meet such a great monk of Shaolin."

"Great monk is too kind. Ordinarily, Senior Brother Kwang-mun should have come, but he sustained unexpected injuries, so I came in his stead."

"Oh dear! What on earth happened?"

Kwang-hae answered with a bitter smile.

Though it had not been made public, Shaolin Temple had sustained severe damage. Not long ago, an intruder had inflicted grave injuries upon not only the One Hundred and Eight Arhats but also Kwang-mun himself. And So-cheon, once called the hope of Shaolin, had been gravely wounded and was still receiving treatment.

The culprits were only two. But in truth, it was one man who had dealt the damage to Shaolin. Because of this, Shaolin Temple was currently in a state of mourning.

Shaolin had insisted on holding the meeting in Luoyang precisely because they did not wish to reveal the battered state of the temple.

Behind Kwang-hae stood over a dozen young monks. They were the first and second generation disciples who had followed Kwang-mun. They watched Hyeon-gwang and Ho-gyeong with curious eyes.

Hyeon-gwang said to Ho-gyeong.

"Go outside and guard the entrance with them."

"Yes! Master."

Ho-gyeong answered and went out.

It was his master's intention for him to form connections with Shaolin's young monks during this opportunity. Ho-gyeong preferred solitude, but he could not disregard his master's wishes.

"Amitabha!"

Shaolin's young monks welcomed Ho-gyeong with smiles.

Once the disciples had all gone out, Hyeon-gwang and Kwang-hae sat down to confer.

The two represented the Mount Hua Sect and Shaolin Temple respectively. They each conveyed their sect's positions and began to harmonize their opinions.

During that time, Ho-gyeong was conversing with Shaolin's disciples at the main entrance of the private wing.

"How is Mount Hua? Being located at the forefront, you must feel quite insecure."

"That is true. Given the events of thirty years ago, we are especially sensitive."

"I see. With the Demonic Cult's attacks growing ever more fierce, it is a worry."

"The Murim Alliance should hold them back, should they not? After all, it is the one organization that gathers the power of the entire martial world."

"Amitabha!"

Both Shaolin and Mount Hua shared the same anxiety.

Above all, Ho-gyeong and Shaolin's disciples were still young. Youth brought vigor, but before a future that could not be guaranteed, their spirits inevitably shrank.

As they were exchanging words…

"Pardon the intrusion, but is this the place where the secret meeting between Shaolin and Mount Hua is being held?"

"Huh!"

At the sudden voice, Ho-gyeong and Shaolin's monks were startled.

Turning their heads, they saw a red-haired, red-bearded old man standing before them, grinning broadly.

Behind the old man stood over a dozen martial artists.

"Wh-when did you…"

Disbelief was written across Ho-gyeong's face.

Though they had been conversing leisurely, their senses had not been dulled. Yet the old man and his followers had approached right before them without being detected at all.

Had the old man so desired, their lives would already be forfeit.

Ho-gyeong swallowed dryly and asked.

"Wh-who are you, sir old man?"

"Ha ha! A disciple with no manners. I believe I asked the question first—is this where the meeting between Shaolin and Mount Hua is taking place?"

Ho-gyeong and the monks exchanged glances. The old man burst into hearty laughter.

"I suppose I asked an unnecessary question. With these bald heads right before my eyes. Naturally, you are from Shaolin Temple. And you must be from the Mount Hua Sect."

The old man was still laughing. But the instant Ho-gyeong and the monks saw that smile, they felt an indescribable terror and their bodies stiffened.

They used their qinggong to leap backward and shouted.

"Ambush!"

"Tch! Truly unmannered brats."

The old man waved his hand as though bothered. The gesture was simple, as though swatting away insects, but it contained a terrifying depth of cultivation.

BOOM!

The violent impact caused the air to explode.

"Cough!"

"Hah!"

Ho-gyeong and the monks vomited blood and dropped to one knee.

Black Heart Demonic Hand—the name of the martial art the old man had unleashed.

A technique passed down through a single lineage, it boasted fearsome power.

"Ho-gyeong!"

"Hyeon-cheon, Woo-cheon!"

Hyeon-gwang and Kwang-hae burst forth.

Seeing their disciples collapsed on the ground, they did not hesitate and unleashed their respective techniques at the old man.

Plum Blossom Clear Heart Palm and Enemy Annihilation Claw.

Both were supreme techniques even within the Mount Hua Sect and Shaolin Temple.

Crash!

A tremendous surge of energy from their palms hurtled toward the old man.

Boom!

But the martial arts they displayed were effortlessly shattered by the old man's Black Heart Demonic Hand.

"Kuh!"

"Amitabha!"

They were sent staggering backward, deep footprints carved into the floor where they had stood.

A bright smile spread across the old man's face.

"Useless resistance only increases your suffering."

"Who are you?"

Hyeon-gwang wiped the blood from his lips with his sleeve and asked.

"You already know. Why bother asking?"

"The Demonic Cult?"

"My name is On Sang-cheon."

On Sang-cheon neither confirmed nor denied. He simply wore an enigmatic smile.

From the other's reaction, Hyeon-gwang was certain he was a member of the Demonic Cult. No one else would have reason to attack them.

On Sang-cheon spread both hands wide. His palms gradually darkened. Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Hyeon-gwang and Kwang-hae exchanged a glance and attacked together.

Crash!

A thunderous roar echoed through the Hwayang Inn.

The group stayed in the village for two days.

Bian Bu also felt much better after getting proper rest, and Dan Ryeong-gyeong and Woon-jeong’s injuries improved considerably.

However, Jin Ja-gang didn’t stay still and continued wandering around the village, making the group curious. His behavior was very different from typical fugitives who would hide quietly to avoid being discovered.

“Young Hero Poison Dragon is busy all day. Did he find a woman or something?”

“What? Already? Poison Dragon benefactor’s appearance is handsome, but still, that’s too fast.”

“Ah-eo-eo?”

Bian Bu, who had been listening to the conversation between Dan Ryeong-gyeong, Woon-jeong, and Soso, shook his head.

“That’s unlikely. Poison Dragon is such an irritatingly meticulous fellow – would he go around looking for women?”

Woon-jeong asked.

“Why is he irritating?”

Bian Bu thought of what had happened at Lan Family Village and shuddered.

“Before becoming friends with Poison Dragon, drinking even a sip of water was dangerous, grabbing door handles was dangerous, and even packing luggage to escape was dangerous. I don’t know how many times I almost died back then, ugh…”

Indeed, Woon-jeong also had experiences of getting lost while chasing Jin Ja-gang and getting poisoned.

“That’s true. He’s a scary benefactor.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong also nodded. She too had experience. When Jin Ja-gang first met Dan Ryeong-gyeong, he had put poison in tea or evaporated poison to create poison mist. If Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s martial arts hadn’t been high, she would have been more than sufficiently affected.

Only Soso shook her head saying no and defended Jin Ja-gang, but the three people who had already been victimized didn’t agree with Soso.

Just then, Jin Ja-gang returned.

Soso ran to Jin Ja-gang and shook her head while gesturing with her hands and feet.

Bian Bu asked on behalf of the group.

“We’ve been making many speculations about why you’ve been wandering outside all day. You’re looking around the village geography in preparation for when pursuers come, right?”

Jin Ja-gang answered simply.

“Yes.”

Woon-jeong interjected.

“But, Poison Dragon benefactor. For someone in a fugitive position, wouldn’t it be better to hide to avoid being discovered by pursuers?”

“There are times when hiding is better, but right now our pursuers are the Zhuge family and Emei Sect.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

The group thought about Jin Ja-gang’s words and understood.

Avoiding pursuit by the Zhuge family and Emei Sect was an extremely difficult task. There was no telling when they might follow and how they might attack. In that case, rather than just hiding, it might be better to secure escape routes beforehand.

Bian Bu shrugged his shoulders, saying his words were correct.

“Poison Dragon’s actions always catch people off guard.”

Even when facing Dancing Buddha, if it hadn’t been for Jin Ja-gang’s ability to catch people off guard, the group wouldn’t be alive now.

However, Jin Ja-gang didn’t change his expression even while hearing praise.

“That’s good. Then I think we need to use that element of surprise once more now.”

“Huh? Why again?”

“Martial artists who aren’t merchants entered the village this morning. They seem to be pursuers from the Zhuge family or the Martial Arts Alliance.”

“Heh, they’ve already followed us this far.”

Certainly, Jin Ja-gang wandering around was, despite some risks, very helpful for grasping the situation.

“There’s a merchant group leaving the village shortly. It would be good to follow behind them.”

Woon-jeong asked back.

“Right now?”

“No. We’ll depart this evening before sunset and follow behind the merchant group.”

“Why?”

“We also need time to prepare. While following the merchant group, we might encounter pursuers coming from ahead, or we might be caught up to from behind.”

Bian Bu nodded.

“If we follow at a distance, we won’t arouse suspicion from the merchant group, and our cart wheel tracks will mix with theirs.”

Jin Ja-gang judged that preparing for when they were caught was more important than fleeing quickly.

Jin Ja-gang looked at Dan Ryeong-gyeong and asked.

“Will you be alright?”

“Of course.”

Though it was a short time, Dan Ryeong-gyeong had also rested well and was entering the recovery stage.

Jin Ja-gang also told the evil faction member who had been driving the cart to change carts.

“Then let’s depart in an hour and a half.”

Naturally, the group was acknowledging Jin Ja-gang’s leadership. Even with Dan Ryeong-gyeong present, this was the case. Watching what Jin Ja-gang did naturally instilled confidence.

It was a strange trust where they could believe in Jin Ja-gang’s actions precisely because they had been victimized by him.

While everyone was packing, Dan Ryeong-gyeong called Jin Ja-gang to the adjacent room for a private conversation.

“I’ve recovered a considerable portion of my internal energy, but since we don’t know what might happen ahead, I want to transmit the remaining oral instructions of the Jade Void Nine Light Five Thunder Toad Technique in advance.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong sat cross-legged and had Jin Ja-gang sit facing her in the same position. However, Jin Ja-gang had problems with the qi and blood in his left side, so he couldn’t sit cross-legged properly and his posture was crooked. This was also due to having limped for many years.

“When the ankle twists to the left, the waist twists to the right, and when the waist twists to the right, the spine twists to the left, gradually throwing off the body’s balance. In your case, young hero, your left shoulder is sunken, so you’re twisted in all directions – up, down, left, and right.”

“I’m aware of it. Living in a narrow space for a long time made me this way.”

For eight years, he had chiseled with picks while crouching as much as possible in mine shaft caves. He had walked through dark tunnels on his tiptoes, feeling his way. Even a normal person’s muscles and bones would have twisted under such circumstances.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong nodded as if understanding. If he was aware of it, there was no need to nag unnecessarily.

“You’ve heard about the origins of the Five Thunder Toad Technique that I mentioned before. The Toad Technique is a Taoist martial art that dams flowing internal energy and then bursts it all at once to explosively generate internal energy. However, since it often leads to the demonic path of evil, orthodox practitioners are generally advised to avoid learning it.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong paused briefly before continuing.

“Also, the Five Thunder Heaven-Shaking Technique is a method used by the demonic path, a mental cultivation method that maximizes power by rotating internal energy in specific meridian sections. It can be said to have the same roots as Mad Blood Heaven technique.”

That’s why Dan Ryeong-gyeong knew about Mad Blood Heaven technique and why Jin Ja-gang could quickly become familiar with the Five Thunder Toad Technique.

“The Five Thunder Toad Technique combines the advantages of both. Rather than simply damming water, it creates five whirlpools to generate much more turbulent internal energy currents. This is called Whirlpool Dam Breaking, and the five whirlpools each symbolize the Five Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.”

Whirlpools.

What had felt like cart wheels to Jin Ja-gang.

“Whirlpool Dam Breaking…”

“However, the Toad Technique concentrates internal energy in the meridians that serve as dams, creating serious risk of internal injuries, while the Five Thunder Heaven-Shaking Technique damages and ruptures the meridians in the sections where whirlpools occur. Both are certainly supreme divine techniques, but they are mental cultivation methods that use one’s own lifespan as collateral. Therefore, even martial artists whose internal energy exceeds twenty years are considered to be in danger if they use such mental cultivation methods for more than ten years.”

Jin Ja-gang’s current condition was exactly that. Every time he used internal energy, his meridians were destroyed and blood vessels torn. Mad Blood Heaven technique was a martial art that continuously injured oneself.

“Nevertheless, the reason I’m transmitting this martial art to you, young hero, is because when one reaches the pinnacle of the Five Thunder Toad Technique, the only path that can offset those side effects opens up.”

“That is…”

“That is precisely the Jade Void Nine Light Five Thunder Toad Technique.”

“Then what I learned isn’t the complete Jade Void Nine Light Five Thunder Toad Technique?”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong nodded.

“Nine Light refers to when Buddha held sermons in nine places, and the white tiger emitted light from its eyes nine times. Jade Void Nine Light means nine locations within the body, and by building dams in each location to disperse the whirlpools, it pursues much more stable power. That is, nine dams are created. If you, young hero, have succeeded in gathering power in one of them – the middle dantian – then you can be considered ready to begin the Jade Void Nine Light Five Thunder Toad Technique.”

Suddenly Jin Ja-gang asked.

“There’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“You said the Jade Void Nine Light Five Thunder Toad Technique is related to Qingcheng Sect. Also, from your words, it seems you’re not on good terms with them now. So why didn’t you object when I suggested we go that way?”

“As I said, the person who completed the Jade Void Nine Light Five Thunder Toad Technique is Qingcheng Sect’s sect leader, Dark Venerable Master. The person we actually need to be careful of is rather Dark Venerable Master’s junior brother, Taoist Bok-cheon… Anyway, the reason I didn’t oppose going to Qingcheng Mountain was because I thought your suggestion that it would be safer there was valid. Also…”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong smiled faintly with her pale face.

“I was curious how far your luck extends. I’ve only managed to build five of the Nine Lights and haven’t even seen the remaining Four Lights. Therefore, I can’t advise you about the subsequent profound mysteries.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong spoke to Jin Ja-gang as if entreating.

“If you, young hero, are interested in the Jade Void Nine Light Five Thunder Toad Technique and want to open the final path, you’ll need to obtain the remaining profound mysteries that I couldn’t get from Dark Venerable Master.”

The side effects of Mad Blood Heaven technique – qi and blood being destroyed, the body deteriorating and dying.

If there was a way to offset those side effects, Jin Ja-gang had to try as far as he could.

Not wanting to die was no different for Jin Ja-gang than for others. He had simply often prepared for death in order not to die. He had simply thought he could die at any time.

“I understand.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong smiled.

“My judgment that you were weak was very wrong. You are stronger than anyone else, young hero.”

It was certain this wasn’t just referring to Jin Ja-gang’s martial arts.

—

Jin Ja-gang received the oral instructions for the Jade Void Nine Light Five Thunder Toad Technique from Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

The oral instructions were still difficult and required deep enlightenment.

However, the learning speed was completely different from when he had to go through trial and error entirely alone without a proper teacher. When he asked about parts he was curious about, he could immediately get satisfactory answers.

Therefore, Jin Ja-gang could memorize and understand the oral instructions very quickly while correcting his mistakes.

—

“Without… a roof?”

Bian Bu was flustered looking at the cart placed before them.

Surprisingly, the cart Jin Ja-gang had requested had no roof. Jin Ja-gang’s boldness was beyond absurd.

While their appearances could be roughly concealed by wearing long robes, the five people excluding the evil faction member were the problem.

An old man with a rat mustache, Dan Ryeong-gyeong with outstanding beauty, a young Taoist and a mute girl, and Jin Ja-gang with handsome features for a man.

If there was someone who knew them and had been pursuing them from Sichuan, this was a composition that would seem suspicious at least once.

Bian Bu was at a loss for words.

“It feels like being dragged to a battlefield as an arrow target without even a shield.”

Woon-jeong was also so surprised he couldn’t close his mouth.

“Are you seriously planning to travel in this thing?”

Soso also looked fearfully at the open cart. Dan Ryeong-gyeong was equally incredulous and just chuckled.

Jin Ja-gang explained to the group.

“If the danger of not being discovered because of one roof is negligible, then not having one would be much less risky.”

Jin Ja-gang loaded the cart, which was like a wagon without a roof, with plenty of food. Alcohol, meat, and even snacks. To anyone watching, it looked like they were going on a pleasure trip.

They even decided to part ways here with the evil faction member who knew the route. After all that, Jin Ja-gang climbed onto the driver’s seat and took the reins with absurd composure.

Bian Bu looked at the sky and grumbled.

“It looks like it’s going to rain…”