Chapter 221: Even if I leave, I leave by my own will (3)

Jin Mu-yeong's eyes glinted coldly.

The person blocking his path now was considered the most dangerous warrior in the murim.

Although he had entered the murim much later than the Nine Dragons, he was the one warrior evaluated to be superior to them. That was Dam Ho, standing right in front of him.

Jin Mu-yeong clenched his fist tightly.

The impact from Dam Ho's deflected hand was not small. The tingling sensation made him feel unpleasant.

Just facing Dam Ho made the blood in his entire body feel chillingly cold. But he smiled.

"Master Dam. Don't you realize your actions are actually making things more difficult for Yeon-woon?"

"…"

"This is an internal matter of the Murim Alliance. It's not something an outsider like you should interfere with."

"Is ambushing also an internal matter of the Murim Alliance?"

"Don't misunderstand. It was just an attempt to resolve the situation smoothly."

"It seems the Wudang sect is raising mudfish instead of sword masters."

At that moment, Jin Mu-yeong's expression hardened. Not just him, but everyone gathered in the Great Training Hall held their breath.

Dam Ho was calling Jin Mu-yeong a mudfish. The Jin Mu-yeong who was said to be the greatest talent of the Wudang sect in a hundred years.

Even Jin Mu-yeong glared at Dam Ho with an expression of disbelief.

"What did you just say?"

"I called you a mudfish."

"…"

Anger rose on Jin Mu-yeong's face, which usually wore a faint smile. Conversely, his reason sank even colder.

He looked around for a moment.

The gazes of many were focused on him. Among them were high-ranking officials of the Murim Alliance. They too had awkward expressions at Dam Ho's intervention.

Jin Mu-yeong thought it was rather fortunate.

'A mountain I had to cross eventually anyway.'

Dam Ho was a massive mountain.

Everyone thought so. After killing So Cheon-san of the Ten Li Reaper, his fame had reached a point where it could not rise any higher.

For Jin Mu-yeong, who was secretly aiming to be the next greatest under heaven, Dam Ho was a high mountain he would have to cross eventually. Originally, he had planned to wait patiently and look for an opportunity, but now that the situation had developed like this, there was no reason to hesitate.

"Master Dam. You don't belong here."

His voice was very low, but it contained powerful internal energy that resonated clearly in everyone's ears. That made it even easier to imprint.

"You are certainly strong, and one of the great warriors who will lead this era. But you have no sense of mission, no conviction. You simply destroy what blocks your path and advance."

Jin Mu-yeong paused for a moment and looked around.

Everyone was listening intently to his words. Their concentration was at its peak, emotionally invested in Jin Mu-yeong's voice.

After catching his breath briefly, Jin Mu-yeong raised his voice.

"I acknowledge that you are an overlord. However, this war is not a war of conquest. It's a war to protect the justice of the murim, requiring a noble spirit of sacrifice. This is not your war. Your existence is of no help to us, to this war. Please withdraw from here."

Jin Mu-yeong's voice grew louder, sweeping through people's hearts like a storm.

'Jin Mu-yeong.'

Cho Yeon-woon gritted her teeth.

Jin Mu-yeong was subtly inciting the gathered warriors.

The warriors both needed and feared Dam Ho. Jin Mu-yeong's words were cunningly exploiting their uneasy psychology.

She hadn't known Jin Mu-yeong could incite people with such subtle rhetoric. In fact, many were falling for Jin Mu-yeong's words and agreeing with him.

"That's right. This is a war of the murim. Those who don't follow the order of the murim shouldn't participate."

"If you want to participate in this war, even the Fist Demon should follow the rules of the Murim Alliance."

"How long will he act recklessly like a lone wolf?"

At first only one or two people spoke up, but the voices gradually spread like wildfire until most of the crowd was denouncing Dam Ho.

'Oh no!'

Not just Cho Yeon-woon, but Hae So-wol was also taken aback.

They hadn't expected so many to side with Jin Mu-yeong. The psychology of crowds was truly frightening, as the voices of a few were distorted to represent the will of the entire public.

Some conscientious people thought something was wrong, but they couldn't say anything, overwhelmed by the voices of the crowd.

"Get out of the way."

"Is strong martial arts everything?"

"The Fist Demon is also a demon. He's no different from the demon cult."

The voices of the people poured down on Dam Ho with the weight of a thousand pounds.

Jin Mu-yeong looked straight at Dam Ho.

"Do you see? This is the will of the crowd. The murim does not want you here. You have no reason to stay here either. You've met the master you so desired. Please leave this place and live in peace. That is the way for everyone's benefit."

"Is that so? Is that what everyone wants?"

"Yes, it is."

Jin Mu-yeong smiled as he answered Dam Ho's question.

Joy appeared on the faces of the Nine Martial Dragons, except for Hae So-wol. For them as well as Jin Mu-yeong, Dam Ho was like a thorn in their side.

The war between righteousness and evil was a golden opportunity for the Nine Martial Dragons to soar by obtaining the wish-fulfilling jewel, but they were overshadowed by Dam Ho's presence.

'We must drive him out of here.'

'We should be the ones to achieve merit here.'

The Nine Martial Dragons exchanged glances.

Unable to stand by any longer, Cho Yeon-woon shouted.

"Talk sense, Jin Mu-yeong. Many people are alive because of Dam Ho. Is that reputation more important than people's lives? And the rest of you, that's enough."

Cho Yeon-woon glared at the warriors gathered in the Great Training Hall. But the warriors who had fallen for Jin Mu-yeong's words felt no shame.

The warriors here in the Great Training Hall were all from major sects. They were already the established powers, and they saw Dam Ho as a threat to their rights and status.

Cho Yeon-woon despaired at the sight of such warriors.

"Damn it!"

She felt like crawling into a mouse hole if there was one. To be divided over petty interests when every hand was needed.

Most of all, the ones she was most disappointed in were Jin Mu-yeong and the Nine Martial Dragons. They had lit the fuse of conflict.

"Jin… Mu-yeong. I still thought of you as the leader of the Nine Martial Dragons… I'm truly disappointed."

Jin Mu-yeong did not answer. No, he could not.

He too felt a bit of shame. But he was convincing himself that it couldn't be helped. That's how great his fear of Dam Ho was.

Jin Mu-yeong's gaze turned to Dam Ho.

Until then, Dam Ho had not said a word. His expression remained unchanged, making it impossible to know what he was thinking, which was unsettling.

Still, Jin Mu-yeong was not worried. The atmosphere had already shifted to his side. No matter how strong Dam Ho's martial arts were, he could not reverse the tide once it had turned.

'What will you do?'

Jin Mu-yeong asked with his eyes.

It was now Dam Ho's turn to answer.

"So you're telling me to leave this place. Is that right?"

"That's correct. There's a saying to leave when the applause is loudest. No one will criticize you for withdrawing now, Master Dam. Rather, they will applaud your actions."

"That does sound plausible."

Dam Ho nodded. At that, joy appeared on the faces of the Nine Martial Dragons. If Dam Ho had rejected Jin Mu-yeong's proposal, it would have been quite troublesome for them as well.

Dam Ho did not miss the reactions of the warriors.

Among the warriors here in the Great Training Hall, there were few who wanted him to stay.

A glint flashed in Dam Ho's eyes.

"Alright! I'll leave."

"Really… is that so?"

Jin Mu-yeong's voice trembled as he confirmed. Everything was about to unfold according to his intentions.

"It's true."

"An excellent decision. Everyone will praise your anguished choice, Master Dam."

"However…"

"Yes?"

"Not like this."

"What do you mean?"

Suddenly, Dam Ho's figure disappeared from Jin Mu-yeong's sight.

Jin Mu-yeong quickly drew up his internal energy with an ominous feeling.

Kwang!

"Ugh!"

With a stifled groan, Jin Mu-yeong's body slid backwards. Dam Ho was standing where Jin Mu-yeong had been, with his fist extended.

Jin Mu-yeong felt his hair stand on end. His crossed arms stung. If his reaction had been even a little slower, there would have been a large hole in his chest.

Killing intent flashed in Jin Mu-yeong's eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"I'll leave, but not just like that."

"You…"

"I thought the Wudang sect would raise somewhat more plausible warriors, but I'm disappointed. A mudfish with only grease on its tongue."

"Fist… Demon!"

Jin Mu-yeong was enraged.

The cold reason he had maintained so sharply until now collapsed instantly like a sand castle swept away by water.

Chosen by the thousand-year-old Wudang sect, he had grown up with everyone's expectations. No one had ever spoken such nonsense to Jin Mu-yeong. Not even the elders of the Wudang sect.

Chwang!

Jin Mu-yeong drew the ancient sword at his waist.

The true ultimate technique of the Wudang sect lies not in fists but in the sword. That's what Jin Mu-yeong believed. So he delved into swordsmanship and achieved what he wanted.

"Chaat!"

Jin Mu-yeong's sword traced a beautiful arc. The soft yet powerful line extended to Dam Ho's neck.

Taichi Sword.

The finest sword technique boasted by the Wudang sect unfolded in Jin Mu-yeong's hands. Jin Mu-yeong's sword and body were creating the taichi symbol.

Kwang!

However, Jin Mu-yeong's sword was blocked by Dam Ho before it could create a perfect taichi.

Dam Ho, who had deflected Jin Mu-yeong's sword with a single Disjointed strike, unleashed his charging step.

Bang!

With an intense vibration, Dam Ho's body rushed forward in a straight line.

"Kuh!"

Jin Mu-yeong deployed the Taichi Star Trace technique. A sword barrier in the shape of taichi formed around his body.

Kwang!

The Crushing Palm Strike clashed with the sword barrier.

Jin Mu-yeong's face turned black at the unexpectedly intense impact. But he was a warrior who could compete for the top spot among the Nine Martial Dragons.

Shwaak!

He quickly switched from defense to offense.

In an instant, his sword split into dozens, hundreds, and shot towards Dam Ho.

It was a martial art honed for over twenty years. When faced with a crisis, the ultimate techniques of the Taichi Sword unfolded as naturally as breathing.

Numerous taichi symbols were created and disappeared in the air. And the small taichi symbols gathered to form a large taichi pattern.

The taichi pattern was not just a line of sword energy. It was a harmony created by sword force.

Taichi Illumination and Extinction.

Kuwaa!

The finest technique of the Taichi Sword unfolded towards Dam Ho.

It was a technique executed with all his might. He had never performed it this perfectly even when training alone in seclusion.

Suddenly, greed raised its head in his inner mind.

'I will break your legend. And I will become a new legend.'

As someone who had mastered the Taichi Sword, he was fully qualified to do so.

Dam Ho hurled his body towards theTaichi Illumination and Extinction. His appearance was like a moth rushing towards a flame.

Jin Mu-yeong was certain of his victory.

That's when it happened.

Kuwaa!

Suddenly, an intense rotation of energy occurred around Dam Ho's body. It was the Raging Demon Energy.

Kukwakwang!

As the Raging Demon Energy clashed with the Taichi Flashing, a storm of energy swept in all directions. The gathered warriors were blown away like fallen leaves caught in it.

Jin Mu-yeong's eyes widened.

The finest technique he had deployed was crumbling. The strong energy of the taichi was swept away by the Raging Demon Energy, opening a straight path connecting him and Dam Ho.

Dam Ho crossed that path.

The space was shortened in a single step.

Titing!

Jin Mu-yeong hurriedly deployed a life-saving technique to attack Dam Ho, but it was deflected by the Golden Beetle Technique

Pubububuk!

"Kuhek!"

Dam Ho's fists rained down on Jin Mu-yeong's entire body. His knees buckled, and his waist bent like a shrimp. Fists and knees struck his lowered face over a dozen times.

Jin Mu-yeong's mouth gaped open at the pain he had never experienced before in his life.

Teok!

Dam Ho grabbed him by the collar. Then the Earth-Shattering Strike was unleashed.

As his body flipped and the ground expanded, Jin Mu-yeong's mind went blank.

At that moment, someone's voice rang out.

"Dam Ho!"

Kwang!

Only Tang Qing’s laughter resounded thunderously throughout the hall.

Jin Ja-gang did not react and silently thought.

Tang Qing views and judges the world through a political lens. He uses all situations, objects, and people. That is the King of Hell’s blade.

If one chooses only overly political reasons, that becomes a weakness instead.

Jin Ja-gang thought so. Rather, he thought he could attack the King of Hell using that point as a weakness.

Jin Ja-gang’s thinking was not wrong.

It was just that his opponent had more blades than Jin Ja-gang.

Tang Qing stopped laughing and looked at Jin Ja-gang with a grinning smile. Due to his mouth torn to his ears, even that appearance was bizarrely grotesque.

“What are you pondering? I said it’s a gift? There’s nothing to refuse. Hurry up and accept it.”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“I was wondering if it’s alright to receive such a thing without any price.”

“How much goodwill without price exists in this world?”

Tang Qing’s eyes flashed while still wearing a smile.

“For now, become one of my blades.”

“For now… you say?”

“I’ll sharpen and nurture you well. I promise. As long as you follow me well, after I die, the next world will be yours.”

It was truly a tremendous proposal, but to Jin Ja-gang it was no different from a flower without fragrance.

“Can you handle it? I was originally a blade meant to strike the Poison Sect.”

To Jin Ja-gang’s question, Tang Qing answered.

“My blade enters another’s sheath with difficulty to draw! There’s a saying that when my blade enters another’s sheath, it’s hard to draw. It means that even if it’s mine, when it enters another’s hands, it’s difficult to use as one pleases. Your blade is the same. After entering my sheath, it will become a blade you cannot use as you please.”

Tang Qing spread both arms.

“So, come now… hurry and pull the Soul Seizing Thread.”

Anyone could see Jin Ja-gang was cornered. Jin Ja-gang couldn’t take any action and finally closed his eyes.

He wondered if he should threaten to kill himself if his purpose was himself. Jin Ja-gang’s action unconsciously revealed itself as bringing the Soul Seizing Thread close to himself.

At that sight, Tang Qing giggled and laughed.

“Ehihihihi! Ehihihihihi! If you want to become a son-in-law but then say you’ll die yourself, that doesn’t make sense, you bastard. Ehihihihi. From the beginning, you should have just knelt and begged to be spared. Right?”

Then Jin Ja-gang opened his closed eyes.

The area below his eyes had turned reddish. Sharp enough to make one’s tongue ache appeared at the corners of his eyes.

Several Tang family masters scoffed.

Savage killing intent. The lowest type among killing intents.

However, their mockery disappeared instantly.

As the reddish killing intent around his eyes disappeared, Jin Ja-gang’s presence gradually grew larger. Even masters with considerable internal energy felt their bodies prickling with goosebumps.

The killing intent emanating from Jin Ja-gang gradually intensified like the morning sun. Eventually, killing intent flew wildly like arrows shot by tens of thousands of troops. Some had to raise their internal energy to resist as their bodies stiffened.

“Kugh!”

Someone among the warriors groaned and stepped backward.

But Jin Ja-gang’s killing intent didn’t stop there. The killing intent that had been flying wildly like arrows softened, then suddenly transformed into mist and swirled around.

Like getting soaked by drizzle without noticing until realizing one’s whole body is wet, they were overwhelmed the moment they felt the killing intent.

Warriors with lesser martial arts were already feeling chills and trembling.

Warriors who should accept life and death numbly through repeated training were feeling the fear of death. It was the primordial fear of feeling the annihilation of existence.

In their eyes, Jin Ja-gang appeared as death itself.

Not killing intent using internal energy, but rough wild killing intent emanating from life.

It was also killing intent that could never be seen from someone of Jin Ja-gang’s age.

Moreover, red and blue blood vessels protruded prominently on Jin Ja-gang’s right face, neck, exposed right arm and hand.

He was raising internal energy with Mad Blood Heaven technique.

Because of this, Jin Ja-gang’s appearance looked even more eerie.

Tang Gui-ok nodded slightly.

“How did he reach sovereign killing intent at that age?”

Tang Qing also admired.

“He knows how to create quite an atmosphere. I really like him in many ways. However.”

Tang Qing shook his head to brush away Jin Ja-gang’s killing intent like shooing away annoying mosquitoes, then said.

“I’m getting bored waiting. So, what’s your answer?”

Tendons bulged in Jin Ja-gang’s lower jaw. Jin Ja-gang bared his teeth and spat out words as if chewing them.

“If you want to put me in a sheath, even if you sheathe the blade, you’ll have to always watch where that blade tip is pointing.”

“What can someone in a sheath do? I’ll handle that myself, so don’t worry unnecessarily…”

“Gu Mingfu, successor of the Golden Flower Trading Company.”

Jin Ja-gang muttered someone’s name, then explosively unleashed his internal energy.

Pop.

Blood vessels in his right eye burst and his eye was stained with blood, and the Soul Seizing Thread ring in Jin Ja-gang’s hand was pulled once.

All around became quiet.

As if suddenly releasing a bowstring that had been pulled taut.

Jin Ja-gang’s action triggered silence.

Jin Ja-gang’s bloodshot eyes also made the atmosphere even more ominous.

Furthermore, what was the meaning of what Jin Ja-gang said before pulling the Soul Seizing Thread?

“Lee Wi-haeng, owner of the Sangbo Company!”

This time the voice was a bit louder than before. Jin Ja-gang bit his teeth tightly and pulled the Soul Seizing Thread.

Pop pop!

Blood vessels in his neck burst and blood seeped out.

“……”

Tang Gui-ok made an uncomfortable face and mumbled, and Tang Qing also didn’t speak.

“Wei Guo, elder of the Five Elements Sect!”

Jin Ja-gang pulled the Soul Seizing Thread for the third time.

Pop pop!

Blood burst from his right wrist and head, and Jin Ja-gang’s body was gradually covered with blood.

But…

Suddenly the Tang family warriors were greatly shocked.

“Th-that there…!”

For some reason, blood drops were forming in the middle of the Soul Seizing Thread extending to the underground prison.

This wasn’t Jin Ja-gang’s intention, but it happened due to the characteristics of the Soul Sezing Thread.

Every time he forcefully pushed internal energy into the Soul Seizing Thread, the scale-like fibers of the Soul Seizing Thread stood up sharply. Then, following the direction of the fibers, blood drops came up backwards from the underground prison.

What had happened in the underground prison needed no explanation without looking further.

Blood spurts from severed necks were forming droplets and coming up along the Soul Seizing Thread.

“Song San-in, master of the Wushan Escort Agency!” Just as Jin Ja-gang called out another name and pushed internal energy into the Soul Seizing Thread, blood drops formed on the Soul Seizing Thread and again streamed up along it.

Pop pop pop.

Now Jin Ja-gang’s right half was completely soaked in blood. He had become a blood person, continuously spurting thread-like blood.

Stretching the Soul Seizing Thread to a hundred chi length and injecting internal energy into it was by no means easy. Jin Ja-gang was also considerably overexerting himself.

Tang Qing muttered.

“Spilling blood… blood following… and below that, heads must be rolling.”

Tang Qing’s composure had greatly diminished.

“You bastard. Don’t tell me those names you’re calling out are…”

Tang Qing was speaking to Jin Ja-gang when Jin Ja-gang pulled the Soul Seizing Thread again. Tang Qing’s words were cut off.

“Ha Gang, abbot of Yongxian Temple!”

Pop pop. Thread-like blood spurted from Jin Ja-gang’s body like a spring again. The blood drops formed on the Soul Seizing Thread increased. Blood drops formed in succession and were pulled up.

Tang Qing asked Jin Ja-gang with a somewhat hardened face.

“I’ll ask again. Those names you’re calling out now are…”

“Wang Hanbu, chief administrator of the Southern Trading Post!”

Jin Ja-gang opened his eyes wide and gritted his teeth. He put in all his strength until his canines showed, pushing in internal energy. His face turned bright red as blood continued to spurt.

Jin Ja-gang’s appearance with bloodshot eyes, becoming a blood person and baring his teeth, was close to that of an evil spirit. The Tang family warriors became creeped out and unconsciously swallowed dry saliva.

Tang Qing contorted his face severely and explosively shouted with internal energy.

“A person is asking you a question, you bastard!”

Only then did Jin Ja-gang stop his actions.

Having consumed all the internal energy raised in one breath, even his internal energy was released.

Drip, drip, drip.

The blood of the underground prisoners that had formed on the Soul Seizing Thread dripped to the floor.

“Huff, huff.”

Jin Ja-gang gasped for breath.

However, even though he was panting, he didn’t look tired. He wore a menacing expression with an evil spirit-like face. Though not smiling, he looked as if he would immediately laugh “ehihihi!” like Tang Qing if someone poked his ribs from the side.

Most irritating was Jin Ja-gang’s gaze. From when Jin Ja-gang pulled the Soul Seizing Thread to kill prisoners until now, he had never once taken his eyes off Tang Qing.

Grind, Tang Qing ground his uneven teeth and said.

“You bastard’s son, answer properly. What was the name of the last prisoner you sent up?”

Jin Ja-gang answered without hesitation.

“Won-nyeong, sect leader of the Great Heaven Sect and head of the Chongqing Association.”

It became certain. Jin Ja-gang was calling out the names of those he was killing.

How could Tang Qing not know the meaning of this!

Jin Ja-gang was sharpening his blade. Carving the resentment of the underground prisoners onto each blade edge, so he wouldn’t forget even after entering the sheath.

It was a ritual swearing that someday he would cut Tang Qing’s neck with that blade!

Grind grind grind!

Tang Qing ground his teeth as if to shatter them several times.

“This bastard…”

Murderous intent appeared in Tang Qing’s eyes.

The warriors around Tang Qing suddenly thought Jin Ja-gang’s killing intent had weakened. But in reality, it was because Jin Ja-gang was concentrating his killing intent to respond to Tang Qing’s killing intent.

Tang Qing was feeling an intense temptation to kill Jin Ja-gang at this moment.

A dangerous fellow.

I must kill this bastard now!

It might be shameful and embarrassing to feel threatened by that young blood clot. After acknowledging him and saying he’d take him as a son-in-law, killing him might invite mockery from many.

But he’s dangerous.

This bastard is too dangerous.

I absolutely cannot let him live! Even if it’s certain that my reputation, authority, and face will all be damaged, I must kill him! Forget the promise with Mang Ryo! Even if the great enterprise of scheming for the world is right before my eyes!

Tang Qing’s hand twitched. But at that moment, Tang Gui-ok intervened at just the right time.

“No matter how well a blade cuts, if the edge is forged backwards, it would be utterly useless, wouldn’t it, elder brother?”

At those words, Tang Qing suddenly came to his senses.

Tang Gui-ok had awakened him.

Why was he obsessing over Jin Ja-gang? No matter what, compared to himself, he was just a mere youngster, so why was he responding seriously?

“Was I bewitched?”

He had lost his reason unknowingly, reacting to Jin Ja-gang’s killing intent, unpleasant tone, and rebellious behavior. It seemed he had been influenced by the sovereign killing intent he encountered after a long time.

Tang Qing exhaled deeply to scatter his thoughts.

“Huuuuk!”

Then his mind became clear. His heated head and narrowed vision returned to normal.

How could he compare Jin Ja-gang, who had nothing to rely on but his own life, with what he had built up? He found himself ridiculous for trying to kill Jin Ja-gang even at the cost of abandoning what he had accumulated over decades.

The great enterprise was right at hand, yet he had almost ruined everything by losing his reason over one youngster.

The fellow who made him this excited would have to be killed later, but not now. His responsibility was too great to ruin the great enterprise because of Jin Ja-gang alone.

“Since he won’t accept the gift, I have nothing more to do here. You, as family head, handle the rest.”

As soon as Tang Qing reached his conclusion, he turned around without delay.

The Tang family warriors were briefly confused by Tang Qing’s change of mood, then quickly accepted it.

The absolute ruler’s whim.

It was one of the many blades Tang Qing possessed, a secret treasure that only an absolute ruler could wield.

However, in the end, Tang Qing had returned to political judgment even while drawing out his secret treasure.