Chapter 196: Will Stronger Than Poison Exists (3)

Following the Demonic Cult's recent assault, an atmosphere of war hung over the Shouzhou branch. Reinforcements had arrived from nearby sects, and the Martial Alliance had also dispatched emergency troops.

The Demonic Cult's forces that had attacked the Shouzhou branch had established camp on nearby Mount Heng and were regrouping their strength.

The distance between Mount Heng and Shouzhou was a mere two hundred li or so. For a martial artist of exceptional movement technique, it was a distance that could be covered in a single day.

The tension of war escalated with each passing day, and anxiety was etched on every face. The war clouds that had gathered over Shouzhou now spread to neighboring Shanyin County and even to Zhengyang.

Word of the clash between the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance at the Shouzhou branch had reached the ears of Sage Hyeon-so.

"So they have clashed after all."

He released a heavy sigh.

The confrontation between the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance had been reported even here at the North Boundary Mountain. Naturally, Sage Hyeon-so was plagued by worry.

"I cannot simply pack up the children and leave…"

He was responsible for more than ten children. Moving with that many was arduous enough; finding a new place of residence was even more difficult.

"Ahh…"

In every direction, Sage Hyeon-so's worries multiplied.

"Grandfather!"

From a distance, Ha-yeong came toddling over. Though Sage Hyeon-so's face was heavy with concern, the moment he saw Ha-yeong, a smile bloomed.

"What is it?"

"That…"

"Hmm?"

"There's another grandfather."

"Another grandfather?"

"Uh-huh!"

Ha-yeong nodded.

A puzzled expression appeared on Sage Hyeon-so's face.

"Will you show me where he is?"

"Uh-huh!"

Ha-yeong nodded again and took Sage Hyeon-so's hand. Through her small palm, warmth was transmitted, and Sage Hyeon-so momentarily forgot his worries and smiled.

Ha-yeong toddled along, leading Sage Hyeon-so.

"Really?"

"Is that true?"

Ha-yeong had led him to the entrance of the Clear Stream Valley. Where the stream flowed, the children under Sage Hyeon-so's care were gathered in a tight cluster, listening to someone speak.

"Heh heh! Of course it is true. Shall I show you?"

"Yes!"

"But my body is not well at the moment, so it will have to wait."

"Aw! I knew you were lying."

"Ha ha ha!"

The old man laughed heartily despite the children's jeers.

He appeared to be a good ten years older than Sage Hyeon-so. His hair was as white as freshly fallen snow.

The old man gazed at the children with a faint smile. His eyes were filled with a warm light.

Then, turning his head toward Sage Hyeon-so, he spoke.

"Oh my! It seems the guest's commotion has drawn the host out. My apologies."

"Not at all."

"My name is Cheon O-gyeong. I was passing through and found the scenery here so lovely that I stopped without permission."

"Not at all. I too am merely staying here temporarily. How can anyone claim ownership over the grandeur of nature?"

"Heh heh! Your gracious words are deeply appreciated."

The man who had introduced himself as Cheon O-gyeong smiled. From his manner of speech and the light in his eyes, Sage Hyeon-so sensed a profound depth of wisdom.

'This is no ordinary man.'

He had never encountered such a deep, penetrating gaze even among the senior brothers of the Mount Hua Sect. It left a lasting impression on Sage Hyeon-so.

"If you are not too busy, might I offer you a cup of tea? I would be honored to serve."

"I hope I am not imposing."

"Not at all."

"Then, with your kind permission, I shall accept."

Cheon O-gyeong rose from his seat. His ethereal bearing became even more pronounced.

'If immortals exist, they must look like this.'

Sage Hyeon-so marveled inwardly as he observed Cheon O-gyeong.

Though he himself was a Taoist who pursued the Dao, Cheon O-gyeong's appearance evoked the image of a true immortal.

The children crowded around Sage Hyeon-so.

They chattered and giggled.

"That grandfather is really funny."

"What is so funny about me?"

"Well, he says he can fly through the sky!"

"What?"

"It's funny, right? How can a person fly through the sky? So when we asked him to prove it, he said he couldn't right now. Ha ha ha!"

The children burst into innocent laughter.

Cheon O-gyeong scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression. Sage Hyeon-so offered an apology on his behalf.

"I apologize. The children are rather mischievous. I hope they have not caused you any trouble."

"Not at all. It has been a long time since I have been around such pure-hearted children. I am enjoying myself."

"I am glad you see it that way."

"Oh! By the way, what is your Taoist name?"

"How did you know I was a Taoist?"

A look of surprise appeared on Sage Hyeon-so's face. At present, he was not wearing his Taoist robes but ordinary clothes. At least by outward appearance, there was no way to tell he was a Taoist.

Cheon O-gyeong smiled.

"How could I not, when you radiate such profound spiritual energy?"

"Spiritual energy?"

Sage Hyeon-so wore a puzzled expression. Cheon O-gyeong's smile deepened.

Sage Hyeon-so gazed at Cheon O-gyeong's smile in a daze for a moment before suddenly realizing his own state and flushing with embarrassment.

"Amitabha. My name is Hyeon-so."

"So you are Sage Hyeon-so. It is an honor to meet you."

"No, the honor is mine."

"Might you have any rice wine in addition to tea? My mouth feels rather parched, and wine would be more welcome."

At Cheon O-gyeong's words, Sage Hyeon-so burst into laughter.

"Ha ha! I do have plum wine that I brewed last autumn."

"Plum wine is wonderful."

"It has not been long since it was brewed, so the flavor has not fully developed yet. But I believe it is still drinkable."

"Ha ha! This old man is in luck today. Not only have I met a Taoist as spiritually refined as yourself, but I am also fortunate enough to enjoy delicious plum wine. I do not know how to repay such kindness."

The two returned to the dwelling with the children.

Cheon O-gyeong sat on a bench and took in the surrounding scenery. A cool breeze swept through, gently lifting his hair.

"How pleasant. What a fine place."

Looking at the North Boundary Mountain in its entirety, it was desolate and barren—except for this Clear Stream Valley, where warm sunlight streamed down. With the addition of the cool breeze, there could be no finer place.

At that moment, Sage Hyeon-so emerged carrying the jar of plum wine. He had not even removed the lid, yet the fragrant aroma already clouded the senses.

"I was unable to prepare any snacks."

"What need have I for snacks? With such magnificent scenery, fine company, and a cool breeze, what more could one desire?"

Cheon O-gyeong's words resonated deep within Sage Hyeon-so's heart.

Without hesitation, Sage Hyeon-so broke the seal on the jar. The aroma of the wine intensified.

The two took turns pouring for one another.

Neither knew the other's true identity, but neither cared.

Such was the nature of true connoisseurs of wine. When those who appreciated its taste came together, only the present moment mattered.

Sage Hyeon-so felt an inexplicable kinship with Cheon O-gyeong, and Cheon O-gyeong likewise found Sage Hyeon-so to his liking.

How many rounds had they exchanged?

Their faces had turned a healthy red.

"How truly fine this is. To share a cup with a brother like you—this must be the second finest day of my life."

Before long, they were calling each other brother and younger brother.

As it turned out, Cheon O-gyeong was more than twenty years Sage Hyeon-so's senior. With age came a wealth of knowledge.

Astronomy, geography, Taoist scriptures, military strategy—there was no field where his knowledge did not reach. Thanks to this, no matter what topic Sage Hyeon-so raised, their conversation flowed without a hitch.

Sage Hyeon-so could not help but admire Cheon O-gyeong. In all his years, no one had ever inspired such admiration.

"You are truly remarkable, Brother. Today, sharing this fellowship with you, is the second finest day of my life as well."

"Is that so? I am curious—when was the first?"

"When I accepted my disciple."

"Ho! You as well?"

"Then you too?"

"Indeed. I also once took a disciple. Watching that child grow was the most joyful moment of my life."

Cheon O-gyeong drained his cup.

A trickle of wine ran along his white beard.

The wine tasted particularly fine when drunk while reminiscing about one's disciple. Sage Hyeon-so felt the same. He drained his cup while thinking of Dam Ho.

The smiles that appeared on their faces were naturally similar.

Sage Hyeon-so asked.

"Where is your disciple now?"

"Who knows. I have heard he is well, but I do not know where he is at present."

"He seems to live freely."

"Free? I hope that is truly the case. Free from all bonds."

"Is that so? I am the same. Come to think of it, it has been four years since I last saw my disciple."

"Four years without seeing your disciple? Are you not curious about how he is doing?"

"No news is good news, I suppose."

"Heh heh! Were you always this detached?"

"If only everything in the world went as one wished. He is grown now, and I cannot keep him restrained forever. Life is short—if he wishes to live as he chooses, who am I to stop him?"

"You must trust your disciple a great deal."

"I do. He is a deeply flawed fellow, but he has inherited at least seventy percent of my insight."

"Is that so?"

Sage Hyeon-so thought that Cheon O-gyeong's pride was considerable.

Cheon O-gyeong murmured in a low voice.

"Since I took him because he was useful, I expect he will prove so."

"Excuse me?"

"There are things like that."

Cheon O-gyeong smiled gently. From that smile, Sage Hyeon-so glimpsed the ease of a supreme master.

Suddenly, a shadow crossed Sage Hyeon-so's face.

Though he lived in seclusion from the world, he was not without perception.

As far as he knew, there was no martial artist in the orthodox sects who possessed Cheon O-gyeong's aura.

'That means…'

As though reading Sage Hyeon-so's inner thoughts, Cheon O-gyeong's gaze turned to him.

"There is still wine left, is there not? With such fine wine before us, let us not trouble ourselves with heavy thoughts. Whatever comes after, it will come."

"I understand."

"Thank you. For understanding…"

Cheon O-gyeong drained his cup. The fragrance of plum blossoms lingered in his mouth.

Sage Hyeon-so raised his cup in kind. Cheon O-gyeong spoke as he watched.

"You have no doubt already guessed, but I am from the Holy Sect."

"Is… is that so?"

"And you must be from the Mount Hua Sect. That profound yet plum-blossom-laden spiritual energy can only be cultivated at Mount Hua. It is a truly unfortunate thing that we of the martial world must fight each other like this."

"Brother… will you not be joining the battle?"

"Not all who belong to the Holy Sect desire war. There are factions like mine that do not wish for conflict."

"It seems there are many factions within the Holy Sect."

"That is because our history is so long. What the martial world knows of the Holy Sect is but a fraction of the whole. People believe that during the great war between the orthodox and demonic paths, the Holy Sect was destroyed. But that was only the defeat of the war faction. The rest endure. And now the war faction has regained its former glory—no, surpassed it."

Cheon O-gyeong extended his cup. Sage Hyeon-so filled it to the brim.

His feelings were too complex for words.

A member of the Demonic Cult—surely a practitioner of the Demonic Path—and yet Cheon O-gyeong's bearing was reminiscent of an immortal. Even his speech carried a refined dignity.

Could one simply label Cheon O-gyeong an evil person because he hailed from the Demonic Cult? Was every person from the orthodox sects truly righteous?

Sage Hyeon-so, who had witnessed all manner of corruption even within the Mount Hua Sect—one of the pillars of the orthodox path—could not say so with certainty.

'What is righteous, and what is demonic?'

His unceasing questions rose and faded in his mind.

“Stop now…”

Tang Ha-ran couldn’t speak because her voice wouldn’t come out, and she could only cry.

However, Jin Ja-gang had not yet reduced his fighting spirit at all, completely separate from Tang Ha-ran’s wishes.

Taoist Bok-cheon, who had been watching Tang Ha-ran shed tears, nodded with a gloomy expression. He had hoped it wouldn’t be so, but his thoughts had ultimately proven correct.

Taoist Bok-cheon had already read the same emotions as now in Tang Ha-ran’s eyes when she had looked at the carriage before.

He couldn’t say he knew well about romantic feelings between men and women as a Taoist. However, he couldn’t fail to recognize those eyes.

Because his senior brother had been showing exactly the same eyes as Tang Ha-ran for decades, and he had been watching such a senior brother from beside him for decades.

Having seen an impossible relationship, he had some feelings of supporting Tang Ha-ran on one hand.

However, there wasn’t particularly anything Taoist Bok-cheon could do.

What remained now would be how Jin Ja-gang would accept it. Could Jin Ja-gang, who came from a medicine sect, really accept the daughter of the Tang family, which was like the head of the martial world’s poison sects?

But… what happened afterward was a completely different aspect from what Taoist Bok-cheon had thought.

Jin Ja-gang rushed at Tang Ha-ran in one bound, trying to stab a needle into the neck of the crying Tang Ha-ran!

“Good heavens…!”

In contrast, Tang Ha-ran was just exposing her white nape while shedding tears to the point where she couldn’t even see ahead. Complete defenselessness.

Tang Ha-ran, who had been one of the outstanding martial talents even in the Tang family, had become nothing but a gentle sheep before a wolf from the moment she realized she had fallen for Jin Ja-gang. Yet Jin Ja-gang was rushing to devour the gentle sheep who couldn’t even resist and could only cry!

Taoist Bok-cheon was greatly alarmed.

How could it be something an ordinary person could do – to see a woman crying pitifully while looking at him and then rush to kill her upon seeing that!

There was no time to think further.

Taoist Bok-cheon immediately decided to intervene.

He drew up his internal energy to the maximum and stomped his foot.

Bang!

An afterimage remained as if Taoist Bok-cheon’s body had stretched long.

Bow Body Bullet Shadow!

There was no time to leisurely block it. Jin Ja-gang’s momentum was that fierce.

Taoist Bok-cheon, who had flown explosively with Bow Body Bullet Shadow, grabbed the back of Jin Ja-gang’s neck and threw him away.

Jin Ja-gang flew several zhang and rolled around. Since Taoist Bok-cheon didn’t have the leisure to control his strength, Jin Ja-gang received the full impact. He stood up from the rolling motion but couldn’t handle the force and sat down again.

Jin Ja-gang forcibly fitted his dislocated shoulder back by hitting it against the ground, then stood up.

Taoist Bok-cheon became angry.

“You crazy b*st*rd!”

But Jin Ja-gang moved his fitted arm and rather glared at Taoist Bok-cheon.

“What are you doing?”

Taoist Bok-cheon shouted with anger.

“What am I doing! Look at what you were trying to do just now! How can you point a blade at a young lady who is crying while looking at you! You scoundrel, it wasn’t right to pretend I sent voice transmission earlier either!”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“No limits! Having no conditions was the condition of the martial contest. What did I do wrong?”

Gasp.

Taoist Bok-cheon flinched. That was what Jin Ja-gang said was correct. Logically, Jin Ja-gang’s words were right, but emotionally they weren’t.

“Were you really trying to kill Young Lady Tang?”

“Depending on the situation.”

“You heartless fellow.”

At Taoist Bok-cheon’s words, Jin Ja-gang asked back.

“Then what should I have done? This was the only chance I could win.”

Taoist Bok-cheon shouted sternly.

“You scoundrel! I don’t like that attitude of yours! Sometimes there are things more important than victory or defeat. If you just throw everything away and only kill, you’re a murderer, not some descendant of the orthodox faction!”

Jin Ja-gang didn’t back down at all.

“I won’t deny it. However, Taoist, you interfered in a legitimate contest. How will you take responsibility?”

“This fellow dares to demand that I take responsibility without any regard for hierarchy!”

Taoist Bok-cheon ground his teeth.

Jin Ja-gang said firmly.

“Where is there hierarchy in what’s wrong!”

“These… I went to the trouble of bringing and saving those who were being chased and on the verge of death…”

Taoist Bok-cheon was angry enough to devour Jin Ja-gang. However, Jin Ja-gang looked straight at Taoist Bok-cheon and said.

“Taoist, you clearly said so. That you gave up your position for the sin of having a stupid disciple. To make empty words now is shameless talk.”

Having been called shameless, Taoist Bok-cheon’s anger rose to the top of his head. When in his life had he ever been insulted this much by a greenhorn!

“Oh ho, is that so? Thank you for enlightening me about my dullness.”

“Not at all. You taught me that wrong things must be corrected at any time.”

Taoist Bok-cheon was beyond angry to the point of being dumbfounded.

“You scoundrel! I can’t find you lovable no matter how much I try!”

Taoist Bok-cheon was about to point at Jin Ja-gang when he raised his hand, but something felt strange about his hand.

A needle was stuck in the back of his hand.

“…”

It seemed Jin Ja-gang had stuck it when he hurriedly grabbed and threw Jin Ja-gang’s nape earlier.

Taoist Bok-cheon even felt deflated.

He pulled out the needle and blocked the poison from spreading with his internal energy. During the argument, the poison had spread quite a bit, making his entire hand numb.

“You… do you know what this means?”

Taoist Bok-cheon’s voice had become much calmer. Unexpectedly, Jin Ja-gang answered calmly.

“I know.”

Jin Ja-gang had been thinking of fighting even Taoist Bok-cheon if necessary.

Even in that hectic moment of being grabbed by the nape and thrown, he had planted a move in advance thinking of the future.

From the moment Taoist Bok-cheon interfered, he was no longer Jin Ja-gang’s ally.

Moreover, this wasn’t a problem that would end with just Taoist Bok-cheon.

“If by any chance… though such a thing couldn’t happen, if I were to die by your hand, you and your companions would make all of Qingcheng Sect your enemy.”

“I know.”

“You knew and still used your hand on me?”

“Aren’t we enemies now?”

“That’s…”

It was an answer that was difficult for Taoist Bok-cheon to respond to. Even if he said no, if Jin Ja-gang felt that way, that would be correct.

“So. What were you planning to do after killing me?”

“I was going to take the antidote and leave with my companions. As I’ve been doing until now.”

These were words that fully captured Jin Ja-gang’s situation of having to wander without anywhere to rely on. Taoist Bok-cheon had nothing to say. Perhaps this was his own fault for not understanding Jin Ja-gang’s situation.

“To fight all of Qingcheng Sect… I don’t know about other things, but I’ll acknowledge your guts.”

“I don’t fight because I have guts. I fight because I have no choice.”

“This fellow… doesn’t think of losing even once!”

“I understand. I’ll lose for you.”

Taoist Bok-cheon’s mouth fell open.

In all his life, this was truly the first time he’d met such a person.

Vicious. So vicious.

Should I just kill him outright? Taoist Bok-cheon even had killing intent at that thought.

But then Tang Ha-ran, whose tears had stopped but still had a crying tone in her voice, said.

“Please stop. I lost.”

Tang Ha-ran stood up, swallowed her tears, and rose weakly.

Then she slowly approached Jin Ja-gang.

“I misjudged the person.”

Tang Ha-ran was now politely using honorifics to Jin Ja-gang. Tang Ha-ran was twenty-one years old, two or three years older than Jin Ja-gang.

However, Tang Ha-ran now had no choice but to acknowledge Jin Ja-gang.

A man who wouldn’t back down even before Taoist Bok-cheon and was prepared to fight all of Qingcheng Sect.

He was already a man far beyond what Tang Ha-ran could handle.

Perhaps Tang Ha-ran had unconsciously read such ambition and spirit in Jin Ja-gang’s eyes.

Perhaps that’s what attracted her.

Tang Ha-ran approached Jin Ja-gang. She stood right in front of Jin Ja-gang and met his eyes, but there was no longer any hostility there.

Tang Ha-ran calmly held up the antidote in her hand. However, her hand was slightly trembling.

“This is the antidote.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Ha-ran for a while, then finally accepted the antidote.

Tang Ha-ran said without moving.

“If I return like this, I won’t be truly alive even if I live. Since I lost, please kill me.”

Jin Ja-gang immediately refused.

“I got the antidote, so that’s enough.”

However, Tang Ha-ran said in a much calmer voice.

“You owed me one debt. Do you remember, if I may ask?”

“I know. However, if that’s a request to kill you, I absolutely cannot grant it.”

“Then I won’t say that. But instead…”

Tang Ha-ran slowly knelt and bowed to Jin Ja-gang with proper etiquette, then raised her eyes that still had tears welling up to look up at Jin Ja-gang.

“Would you please take me in?”

Jin Ja-gang’s time stopped.

Jin Ja-gang met Tang Ha-ran’s gaze.

All the earlier hostility had disappeared from Tang Ha-ran. Her cheeks were reddish and her eyes were moist with moisture. Even her usually fierce eyes had softened and looked comfortable.

For the first time, he thought she was beautiful.

However, they had just been fighting to the death. For Jin Ja-gang, this was somehow an awkward situation.

Jin Ja-gang didn’t answer and first opened the antidote to taste it.

Tang Ha-ran watched Jin Ja-gang without taking her eyes off him and waited.

After tasting it, Jin Ja-gang closed the cap and returned it to Tang Ha-ran.

“Why…”

Jin Ja-gang’s expression looking at Tang Ha-ran was very complex.

“Is this the antidote?”

“That’s what I was told…”

Tang Ha-ran, who realized something, opened the antidote cap and tasted it. Then she immediately spat it out with saliva.

Ptui.

A severe fishy smell lingered in her mouth.

This wasn’t an antidote.

Tang Ha-ran’s face, which had been red with embarrassment while looking at Jin Ja-gang, gradually became distorted.

“Mang Ryo…! That b*st*rd!”

A cold chill formed in Jin Ja-gang’s eyes when he heard the name Mang Ryo.

* * *

Meanwhile, Mang Ryo had been very busy.

When he gained power, he had thought countless times about plans and methods to use that power.

Now that he had almost everything, this was the time he should be busiest.

So Mang Ryo sent countless carrier pigeons and wrote letters with the help of the Tang family’s information organization.

Tang Qing would censor them, but it didn’t matter.

Someone like Tang Qing had the habit of obsessively keeping what he said once for the sake of his authority. Since he said he would leave it to Mang Ryo, he would watch anyway unless things became a complete mess.

Squeak, squeak.

While Mang Ryo sat in a chair, below him an old man called the Tang family’s best hidden weapon craftsman was adjusting Mang Ryo’s new prosthetic leg.

“It’s done.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Mang Ryo stood up, walked around, and tapped his feet, then asked.

“The hidden weapons were a bit weak before… they couldn’t penetrate Iron Robe Three at all. Don’t you have hidden weapons that can pierce protective energy?”

The old craftsman answered bluntly.

“Hidden weapons that can pierce protective energy like Iron Robe Three or Golden Bell Cover are very expensive, so only direct family members use them.”

“That damn money, money… if things go wrong because of that, who will take responsibility?”

“There’s not enough even for direct family members to use.”

Mang Ryo held up the King of Hell Plaque. The old craftsman frowned.

“I can’t do protective energy, but I’ll install hidden weapons that can pierce Iron Robe Three level…”

At that moment, Mang Ryo struck the old craftsman’s head with the King of Hell Plaque.

Thwack!

“Ugh!”

As the old craftsman was about to fall, Mang Ryo followed and swung the King of Hell Plaque.

Thwack thwack!

The old craftsman’s head cracked and blood flowed thickly.

“St-stop…!”

Thwack! Thwack!

Mang Ryo just kept hitting without saying anything.

The old craftsman covered his bleeding head with his hands and let out a single scream.

“I’ll bring it! I’ll bring it!”