Chapter 258 – Time Flows Like Water (2)

The first emotion felt upon entering Huayin County was desolation.

Huayin County boasted an enormous scale that spoke of its past glory. Large halls were visible everywhere, and the streets were wide and clean. But the streets were extremely quiet.

Though a city of this size should normally be filled with many people, such scenes were completely absent in Huayin County.

Silver Family Castle unpacked at a small inn within Huayin County. The two-story wooden inn was extremely shabby. Though there used to be many large and luxurious inns before, this was now the best among operating inns in Huayin County.

Jeok Yong-cheon said to his group:

"Rest here today and climb Mount Hua tomorrow. Everyone drink moderately and get good rest."

"Yes!"

With their answers, the merchant caravan members dispersed to their rooms.

Jeok Yong-cheon looked at Moon Su-gyeol and Jo Won-myeong.

"You two can stay here as well."

"Thank you, Hero Jeok."

Moon Su-gyeol made a respectful gesture thanking him. Jo Won-myeong beside him also bowed.

"Thanks to you we could come here comfortably. We won't forget Silver Family Castle's consideration."

"Not at all, Young Hero Jo. I too enjoyed traveling together."

"Thank you."

"Then rest well."

"Yes!"

Jeok Yong-cheon waved his hand and walked away.

Regret that had been carefully hidden until now appeared on Jo Won-myeong's face.

Eun So-cheong was nowhere to be seen.

After briefly dining together the first day, Eun So-cheong no longer showed herself. It was the same here. She had gotten off the carriage and gone to her room before Moon Su-gyeol and Jo Won-myeong.

Moon Su-gyeol placed his hand on Jo Won-myeong's shoulder and said:

"Let's go to our room first."

"Yes! Uncle."

The room assigned to the two was a double room and among the cleanest in the inn.

"Unexpectedly we've ended up coming to Huayin County."

"Indeed."

"Meeting Silver Family Castle unexpectedly, then becoming connected to Mount Hua Sect again. I really don't understand how the world works."

"I think the same."

Jo Won-myeong answered while sitting in a chair.

Though the world simply knew them as an uncle-nephew pair with strong martial arts, they had another identity unknown to others.

Team Leader Yi of the Martial Alliance's Dark Cloud.

That was Moon Su-gyeol's true identity.

Dark Cloud was the Martial Alliance's secret intelligence organization completely unknown to the world. Not just its existence but the number of members and their true identities were also top secret.

Even in the Martial Alliance, only a few leaders knew of Dark Cloud's existence. Among them, only Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san, Vice Leader Jo Ui-myeong, and Military Advisor Namgung Chang knew the details about Dark Cloud.

Moon Su-gyeol was known as a wandering hero roaming the world without a fixed home, but in reality he was regularly collecting and reporting information about the world to the Martial Alliance together with his nephew.

"Has there been any notable movement from Mount Hua Sect lately?"

"Nothing special has been reported."

"Is that so?"

Moon Su-gyeol stroked his beard with his hand.

Jo Won-myeong silently watched Moon Su-gyeol. Though privately his uncle, officially Moon Su-gyeol was also his superior. He had to follow Moon Su-gyeol's decisions.

Moon Su-gyeol muttered:

"I'm not sure if we're needlessly making trouble, but I can't help being curious."

"I feel the same, Uncle. How about naturally gathering information while staying here?"

"Hmm!"

"If we hover around Miss Eun, answers will come."

Jo Won-myeong revealed his true thoughts. At this, Moon Su-gyeol briefly furrowed his brow.

During the journey here, he could sufficiently notice that his nephew had developed feelings for Eun So-cheong.

It was natural for a young man in his prime to be interested in a beautiful woman. Moon Su-gyeol had no intention of blaming Jo Won-myeong for such things.

'Brother always wanted that kid to start a family early. Miss Eun would surely please Brother too.'

Jo Won-myeong's father Jo Hwan-cheon and Moon Su-gyeol were sworn brothers who met in the martial world. Though not blood relatives, the two shared closer bonds than real brothers.

Moon Su-gyeol nodded.

"Let's do that. Since we've come this far, spending some time here wouldn't be bad."

"Thank you, Uncle."

"But be careful in your actions. I hear Silver Family Castle's leader cherishes Miss Eun tremendously. If you carelessly make her an enemy, the Martial Alliance could fall into great difficulty so be especially cautious."

Silver Family Castle was one of the Martial Alliance's greatest supporters. The enormous funds they provided were a reliable strength for the Martial Alliance.

"Am I a child? Don't worry, Uncle."

Jo Won-myeong beat his chest and boasted confidently. At this, Moon Su-gyeol smiled with satisfaction.

Opening the window revealed Mount Hua in the distance.

Eun So-cheong muttered while looking at the scenery visible through the window.

"Beautiful. Mount Hua."

"Just considering its unyielding spirit, it could be called the greatest under heaven."

Jeok Yong-cheon who had opened the door and entered answered thus.

Eun So-cheong smiled and nodded.

"Its spirit certainly seems the greatest under heaven. How about them?"

"They've gone to their rooms."

"Were there any requests or words?"

"None."

"That's good. I was worried they might be bothersome."

"Who would dare bother Young Lady? You needn't worry about such things. Even if there were, this Jeok Yong-cheon wouldn't stand for it."

"Thank you, Hall Master Jeok."

"You're too kind, Young Lady."

"I wish tomorrow would come quickly."

Eun So-cheong's face was full of anticipation.

It had taken a full three years to come here.

It was by no means a short time.

The girl who had been just young had grown enough to exude a woman's fragrance, and the dark clouds that had covered the world had somewhat thinned.

***

Moon Su-gyeol left the inn early in the morning.

His nephew Jo Won-myeong was still sound asleep. Moon Su-gyeol didn't bother waking the sleeping Jo Won-myeong.

Morning walks were his old habit. The habit of organizing his complicated thoughts while looking around the empty morning streets and planning the day's tasks had developed after becoming Dark Cloud's team leader.

Dark Cloud was scattered throughout the world collecting information that could help the Martial Alliance. Though Dark Cloud launched three years ago had little role initially, now it had somewhat established itself and was efficiently collecting information.

Though Dark Cloud was scattered throughout the world collecting information, activities in Shaanxi Province alone were particularly low. They only collected ordinary level information and maintained almost indifferent observation regarding Zhongnan Sect and Mount Hua Sect, the two pillars of Shaanxi's martial world.

Moon Su-gyeol shook his head at these various complex thoughts.

'Making judgments is for the Military Advisor and leadership. My job is just collecting information.'

Since they unexpectedly came to Huayin County where Mount Hua is, he just had to collect whatever information he could.

Moon Su-gyeol organized his thoughts thus and walked.

As he had almost circled Huayin County once, day broke and people began coming out and moving on the streets one by one.

It was time to return to the inn. Just as Moon Su-gyeol's footsteps turned toward the inn.

Suddenly he stopped walking.

His gaze was fixed on one spot.

A woman in gray clothes entered Moon Su-gyeol's view. The woman's attire was very plain. But even shabby clothes couldn't hide her curved figure.

She wore a fairly large bamboo hat and covered her face with white cotton gauze. But even so, she couldn't completely hide her inherent beauty.

Moon Su-gyeol couldn't take his eyes off the gray-clothed woman for a while. It wasn't simply because he was captivated by the woman's beauty.

'It doesn't match.'

She didn't match this street.

People who live in one place for a long time become part of the scenery. Similarly, people who lived in Huayin County long develop an atmosphere matching Huayin County.

People who don't match the street's atmosphere are mostly outsiders. Normally her being an outsider wouldn't be a problem at all.

She could come to Huayin County unexpectedly like Moon Su-gyeol, or come on merchant business like Eun So-cheong. Nevertheless, the woman's appearance was somehow alien. So Moon Su-gyeol couldn't take his eyes off her even more.

That's when it happened. As if sensing Moon Su-gyeol's gaze, the woman turned her head to look at him. After confirming Moon Su-gyeol, the woman walked between the crowds.

Moon Su-gyeol immediately ran to where the woman had been but she had disappeared without a trace.

"Hmm!"

A bewildered expression appeared on Moon Su-gyeol's face.

Though there were many people on the street, disappearing from his sight so instantly was by no means an easy feat.

'Something's there.'

His instinct was whispering.

Over the past three years, he had met and monitored countless people as a Dark Cloud member. One lesson learned from that was to never ignore his instincts.

Moon Su-gyeol looked at the street where the woman had disappeared. Behind the street where people came and went, the massive form of Mount Hua was visible like a folding screen.

Moon Su-gyeol immediately returned to the inn and woke Jo Won-myeong.

"Get up."

"Uncle?"

"Quickly get ready."

"What?"

"We're going to Mount Hua too."

"What?"

"I'll explain the details later. Get up quickly."

"Alright."

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Jo Won-myeong quickly got up from bed. Meanwhile Moon Su-gyeol looked at Mount Hua.

'She's definitely connected to Mount Hua Sect.'

Whatever the reason, Moon Su-gyeol thought it was worth noting if connected to Mount Hua Sect.

Just then commotion arose outside the inn. Looking out the window, Silver Family Castle's merchant caravan was busily moving. They were preparing to leave the inn, connecting horses to carriages and wagons and checking luggage.

Eun So-cheong could be seen getting into a carriage. Just before boarding the carriage, Eun So-cheong raised her head and looked up at the inn. Then her eyes met Moon Su-gyeol's.

Eun So-cheong showed a faint smile and slightly bowed her head. Moon Su-gyeol also nodded in acknowledgment.

Eun So-cheong gave orders to the merchant caravan.

"If everything is loaded, let's depart."

"Yes!"

With energetic answers, the merchant caravan departed.

Though Mount Hua looked so large it seemed right next door, they had to travel quite far along the main road even from Huayin County. That's why they had to hurry.

Eun So-cheong was resting her chin on her hand while slightly leaning her head out the window. Huayin County's scenery quickly passed before her.

Now quite many people were coming and going on the streets. Eun So-cheong watched the busily moving people with deep eyes.

Thud!

The carriage shook greatly while turning a street corner. Eun So-cheong's body jerked along with it.

That's when it happened.

Silently the carriage door opened and someone entered.

Eun So-cheong's eyes widened in surprise at the stranger's appearance. But she didn't make the mistake of screaming.

Dozens of merchant caravan members were outside. Especially caravan head Jeok Yong-cheon was a renowned master in the martial world. The fact that even such a Jeok Yong-cheon couldn't detect the woman's appearance meant she was a master exceeding Jeok Yong-cheon's level.

Instead of screaming, Eun So-cheong calmly looked at the person who had intruded into the carriage.

The gray-clothed visitor wearing a bamboo hat. Though her face couldn't be confirmed due to the cotton gauze, her curved figure was enough to guess she was a woman.

"You must have very urgent business? Sister. To enter without even knocking."

"I apologize for that, Miss Eun."

"You know me?"

"I heard Silver Family Castle has a beautiful little fox called Little Fox. Is that right?"

"Who are you, Sister?"

Eun So-cheong's pupils wavered slightly.

Little Fox was Eun So-cheong's title. She had gained such a title after successfully completing several major deals for Silver Family Castle.

In other words, the other party accurately knew and had come looking for her.

The gauze-masked woman said:

"No need to be so wary. I just want to catch a ride to Mount Hua in your carriage. I won't cause any harm to Miss Eun."

"Mount Hua?"

Dan Ryeong-gyeong had raised her internal energy considerably, causing her hair to shoot upward toward the sky. The sleeve of her empty arm fluttered endlessly.

For a moment, Baek Li-jung’s gaze went to Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s arm and returned.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong said.

“Spare… him.”

Baek Li-jung sneered.

“How convenient. Everything that needs to die has gathered in one place.”

Baek Li-jung put strength into the hand gripping Heavenly Vermillion Blade.

Venerable Woo-am spurted blood violently.

“Cough!”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s face turned bright red with anger.

“Stop. Isn’t this enough?”

“I don’t know what you mean by enough. After meeting for the first time in decades, is that all you wanted to say?”

Baek Li-jung raised his head to the sky, then spoke as if suddenly remembering.

“Right. Come to think of it, you once said that to me. My wife said that if she had chosen Woo-am instead, it would have been better than now.”

“…”

Venerable Woo-am chuckled softly.

“Hey now, didn’t you just say… that I was drawing water with a broken gourd? That Ryeong-ryeong had never even dreamed of a future with me.”

Baek Li-jung said without changing his expression.

“You only choose to believe what you want to believe. Since when did you trust my words so well?”

“Well, look at this son of a bitch.”

“You’ve aged uselessly. The truth comes from the mouth of the living, not the dead. That’s the truth of the world.”

Venerable Woo-am looked at Dan Ryeong-gyeong with a bitter expression.

“Ryeong-ryeong, I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong sighed.

“The one who knew about the existence of Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art and approached me, who used me to steal the remaining incantation from you, all of that was him. And I… rather should apologize to you.”

“Don’t do it.”

“No, if not now…”

Venerable Woo-am smiled faintly.

“I already know.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong closed her mouth. Baek Li-jung’s lips contorted and his eyebrows rose.

“You know everything? Did you just say you know everything?”

“Yes. I know you told Ryeong-ryeong to meet the Enlightened Teacher and obtain the latter half incantation. You used Ryeong-ryeong because you were afraid to face me.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong nodded.

“You threatened Ryeong-ryeong by saying you’d spread rumors about her meeting the Enlightened Teacher. Conversely, you threatened the Enlightened Teacher by saying you’d reveal to the martial world that he was meeting me, right?”

“That’s right.”

“He was very saddened that I couldn’t settle my heart and wavered because of Ryeong-ryeong. And he was also angry. About me secretly passing Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art to Ryeong-ryeong.”

At that time, Dan Ryeong-gyeong, unable to resist Baek Li-jung’s threats, went to meet Enlightened Teacher Yelu Huan.

Yelu Huan didn’t look favorably upon Dan Ryeong-gyeong. He thought she had seduced Venerable Woo-am to steal secret techniques while being married to another man.

Moreover, she had even come to threaten him…

Tragedy occurred there.

Yelu Huan later learned the truth and blamed himself greatly, but couldn’t bring himself to tell Venerable Woo-am and lived hiding it.

Venerable Woo-am struggled to raise his head and look at Baek Li-jung.

“Since you say you know, something suddenly comes to mind. Ten years ago, Yelu Huan suddenly left saying he would wait for my forgiveness out of the blue. Was that also related to you?”

Baek Li-jung spoke with a furrowed brow.

“I merely told him to choose. Whether he wanted the Qingcheng sect to be exterminated like the Dan family for the crime of collaborating with the Demon Cult, or whether he wanted his friend to know that he had violated the woman he admired. Then he came over to our side on his own.”

“Yes. So I kept thinking for ten years. What did that friend do wrong… And after thinking, I came to a conclusion. Probably that was…”

Venerable Woo-am couldn’t finish his words and closed his mouth. Instead, he glared at Baek Li-jung and said.

“It’s all your fault! If not for you, none of this would have happened!”

Baek Li-jung twisted his sword. The blade embedded deep in Venerable Woo-am’s shoulder scraped bone as it turned.

Venerable Woo-am gasped and gritted his teeth as he spoke.

“You bastard! If you were going to resent someone, wouldn’t it have been enough to resent just me alone!”

“Resent?”

Baek Li-jung laughed “heh heh.”

“When I knew about your relationship with the Demon Cult follower, do you know how much I thought it was a good opportunity? Do you know how happy I was when I overcame fear and realized what I could do?”

“That’s why you’re a son of a bitch.”

“Hmm.”

Baek Li-jung erased his smile and slowly raised his killing intent. Venerable Woo-am’s life hung by a thread.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong gritted her molars and raised her one arm. Long cloth wrapped around her arm stood on edge and slowly unwound.

“If you don’t let him go, you’ll die here.”

Baek Li-jung seemed to think for a moment before speaking.

“I’ll spare him.”

At the unexpected words, Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s eyes flinched.

“What?”

“If you answer my words correctly, both of you.”

Venerable Woo-am, with death already approaching and his eyes turning black, said to Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

“I’m already finished. Don’t be deceived by that bastard’s tricks and quickly take your companions and leave.”

“No, you can live. You will definitely live.”

Baek Li-jung spoke with an amused expression.

“Poison Dragon went to the Guizhou branch and met the Enlightened Teacher. The Guizhou branch is finished. Truly a troublesome fellow.”

It seemed Jin Ja-gang had succeeded in obtaining Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art from Yelu Huan. Since Yelu Huan would also return to the Fire Cult, Venerable Woo-am’s mental burden would be somewhat lessened.

Baek Li-jung asked.

“But why didn’t I go to Guizhou and come here instead?”

Venerable Woo-am felt something strange about Baek Li-jung’s question.

Indeed, if the latter half incantation of Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art was the goal, finding Jin Ja-gang would be much faster. Or perhaps he could catch him anytime so he left him alone?

But it didn’t feel like that was what he was asking.

Baek Li-jung asked again.

“All I know about Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art is up to the Five Light Dikes. So how did I manage to build up to the Seven Light Dikes?”

Chilling.

Venerable Woo-am felt a chilling sensation from Baek Li-jung’s smile.

The Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art that Baek Li-jung knew must have been obtained through Dan Ryeong-gyeong. When Venerable Woo-am taught Dan Ryeong-gyeong the incantation, he deliberately didn’t use Fire Cult terminology.

But why was Baek Li-jung using the term “Seven Light Dikes”!

Even while dying, goosebumps rose all over his body.

He realized that Baek Li-jung had extended his reach deeper and wider than he had thought.

“Ryeong-ryeong! Run away!”

Chuckle.

At the moment when Dan Ryeong-gyeong was bewildered not knowing the reason and Baek Li-jung chuckled softly.

Venerable Woo-am used his last strength to raise the greatest internal energy of his lifetime.

Qingcheng sect’s internal energy became whirlpools boiling in his entire body’s energy channels.

With only his palm remaining without fingers, he grasped Heavenly Vermillion Blade. The startled Baek Li-jung tried to twist and pull out Heavenly Vermillion Blade, but Venerable Woo-am used suction like Baek Li-jung had done to pull Baek Li-jung’s hand and wouldn’t let go.

Venerable Woo-am used Taoist immortal techniques to draw essence to the brain, pulling internal energy to his head.

The method of Returning Essence to Supplement the Brain.

Then without delay, he struck his head against the ground.

BANG!

Cracks instantly spread in all directions from where he struck with his head.

Then all of Elder Sky Peak shook and a huge earth tremor occurred.

CRACK!

The place where Venerable Woo-am had been began to collapse. Baek Li-jung along with it.

“Brother Woo-am!”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong extended her Flying Silk to try to save Venerable Woo-am, but though Venerable Woo-am couldn’t see, he shook his head as if he knew what Dan Ryeong-gyeong was trying to do even while falling. With his head cracked and covered in blood, he even showed a faint smile.

Elder Sky Peak was the highest peak of Qingcheng Mountain. The bottom was unfathomably far. If you fell, it would be difficult to even find the corpse.

Baek Li-jung struck Venerable Woo-am’s body with his palm in mid-air, pulled out Heavenly Vermillion Blade and swung it. Venerable Woo-am’s neck and torso were divided into several pieces.

Baek Li-jung tried to leap upward by stepping on falling rocks.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s eyes turned red with bloodshot veins.

Grind!

Dan Ryeong-gyeong raised her internal energy to the extreme and poured palm strikes down the cliff.

“Die… you cursed evil spirit!”

BANG! BANG BANG!

She smashed all the rocks that looked even slightly suitable for Baek Li-jung to step on.

Rumble.

The peak’s end continued to collapse and dust clouds rose thickly.

When Baek Li-jung no longer had rocks to jump on and step on, even while falling he glared at Dan Ryeong-gyeong with a terrifying expression. He pointed at Dan Ryeong-gyeong with the tip of Heavenly Vermillion Blade and made a gesture with his finger across his throat.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong used all her strength to send another palm strike.

BANG!

Though Baek Li-jung blocked Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s palm strike, the pushing force made his falling speed even faster. Baek Li-jung was soon buried in clouds of dust and could no longer be seen.

“Huff, huff huff. Huff!”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s whole body was soaked with sweat as she stared down blankly.

Her legs trembled and she wanted to collapse immediately, but she gritted her teeth and endured.

If she collapsed like this, it would dishonor Venerable Woo-am’s death.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong bit and bit her teeth to pieces, holding back tears as she turned around.

Venerable Woo-am had said companions were here.

His voice, which had worried about her even while dying, remained echoing in her ears.

However, what was the reason he had suddenly told her to run away?

Why had he said such a thing?

* * *

“Kill any who resist without delay.”

At Thunder Brand Sword Ye Jin-gyeong’s command, White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion and Sword Hero Squad warriors attacked the Evil Sect members of Qingcheng Mountain.

Thunder Brand Sword Ye Jin-gyeong didn’t miss the opportunity. Though it felt like picking up food that others had prepared, he had no choice if he wanted to achieve even a little more merit.

The Evil Sect members, already seriously damaged by Baek Li-jung, found it difficult to face the triumphant Martial Alliance warriors.

Though Eight Flying Demon Hero Gu Ryun with one leg and Human Demon Gam Chung were fighting hard, there were limits. The Evil Sect members were continuously driven up the mountain. There had been one landslide-like rumble from up the mountain, but there was no way to know what it was from below.

“Is the Fairy Maiden still not here?”

“At this rate we’ll all die!”

There were barely twenty people left.

Eight Flying Demon Hero Gu Ryun shouted.

“We came prepared from the start! Stop whining and hold on!”

While fighting White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors, Gu Ryun’s protruding shinbone caught on the stairs and he fell. White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors rushed in like a pack of wolves, stabbing spears and swords at Gu Ryun. He blocked with his shield, but the shield was also torn to shreds. If even that was pierced through, he would die.

“Damn it! To think I’d die to these small fries!”

Gu Ryun shouted as if it were unjust.

Then suddenly blood poured down over Gu Ryun who was lying on his back.

Roll roll.

Heads rolled next to Gu Ryun. The heads of White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion warriors who had just been attacking Gu Ryun.

“Huh?”

In Gu Ryun’s eyes, he saw long cloth cutting through the air. It was the Flying Silk that Dan Ryeong-gyeong carried wrapped around her shoulder.

“Fairy Maiden!”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong was stirring up the battlefield, wielding her Flying Silk.

“Sorry for being late!”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong had definitely regained her former physical condition. Though she had lost one arm, her movements weren’t that awkward. Her movements themselves seemed much improved.

Every time the Flying Silk cut through the air, warriors’ necks were severed.

Thunder Brand Sword Ye Jin-gyeong stepped forward. Having had his big prey stolen by Baek Li-jung and feeling bitter, he couldn’t miss this prey called Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

Capturing the Shandong Enchantress would more than make up for all his previous failures.

“Are you the Shandong Enchantress? Your reputation is well known…”

But while Ye Jin-gyeong was stepping forward, suddenly someone called him from behind.

“Wait.”

When Ye Jin-gyeong turned around, it was an elderly female monk from Mount Emei. She had a gaunt build with her left eye covered by an eye patch, and her expression looked extremely sharp.

‘Why is a Mount Emei nun here?’