Chapter 260 – Time Changes Many Things (1)

Silver Family Castle's merchant caravan raced quickly down the main road. Fortunately there were no major problems as the road to Mount Hua's entrance was well-paved.

Just a bit more and they would reach Mount Hua's entrance.

"We're almost there."

Just as Jeok Yong-cheon was about to sigh in relief.

Neigh!

Suddenly the horses running in front collapsed forward with rough cries. The impact caused the wagons they were pulling to overturn and block the road.

"Stop!"

The carriages following behind quickly halted their horses seeing this sight.

"What happened?"

Jeok Yong-cheon quickly dismounted and approached the front. He saw horses struggling on the ground and overturned carriage wreckage. Most prominently visible was thick wire tied across the road.

The galloping horses had clearly tripped on the thick wire and collapsed.

"This is? Everyone be alert."

Jeok Yong-cheon drew his sword while shouting a warning.

Pat pat!

At that moment, a group jumped out from the bushes on both sides of the road. It was about a hundred warriors wearing yellow, red, blue, black and white clothes.

"Who are you?"

Jeok Yong-cheon glared at them and shouted. But instead of answering, the attackers attacked.

Clang clang clang!

"Kuh! Block them!"

"You b*st*rds…"

The sounds of clashing weapons and curses rang out everywhere.

The attackers were the Five Elements Destruction Squad. They ruthlessly attacked Silver Family Castle's merchant caravan.

"Argh!"

"Save me!"

The scene instantly became a battlefield. People's screams filled the air and metallic sounds rang chaotically.

Eun So-cheong stuck her head out the carriage window.

"What's happening?"

"We're under attack, Young Lady."

"Attack?"

"Stay inside and don't come out."

"But… alright."

Eun So-cheong bit her lip and nodded.

Though Eun So-cheong had excellent business skills, her martial arts weren't very good. In the current situation, it would be fortunate if she didn't become a burden let alone help.

Moreover, Silver Sword Ghost Hand Jong Ri-su who usually guarded her wasn't by her side now. It was truly the worst situation.

Eun So-cheong thought of Eum Yu-kyung.

'Was this why she apologized?'

These were clearly pursuers following Eum Yu-kyung.

Even then, the battle was heading toward its peak.

The situation wasn't good. Most of those falling with screams were merchant caravan warriors. It was truly an overwhelming difference in strength.

The Five Elements Destruction Squad was truly terrifying. Like mutes, they swung their weapons without saying a word.

Jeok Yong-cheon trembled seeing this sight.

"These ones are human butchers."

One can understand the intent behind martial arts by seeing their form. The martial arts unleashed by the Five Elements Destruction Squad were designed to kill humans as efficiently as possible. They contained no way or meaning. They were truly the ultimate in simplicity – a butcher's martial arts.

Five Five Elements Destruction Squad members attached themselves to Jeok Yong-cheon.

Clang clang clang!

Their attacks continued without pause like wagon wheels. So Jeok Yong-cheon had to continuously swing his sword to block their attacks.

His back was already soaked with sweat.

The force contained in the enemies' attacks was very intense. Though Jeok Yong-cheon was a supreme master, their reckless wave attacks made chills run down his spine.

"Kuhk!"

"Ugh!"

Even then, the merchant caravan warriors fell with screams until less than half remained.

That's when it happened. His eyes caught Five Elements Destruction Squad members approaching the carriage.

"Stop!"

Jeok Yong-cheon tried to run toward them, but the Five Elements Destruction Squad members attached to him persistently held him back.

Meanwhile, the Five Elements Destruction Squad members who approached the carriage raised their swords. They were going to stab into the carriage to kill Eun So-cheong inside.

Jeok Yong-cheon's face turned pale white seeing this sight.

"N-no!"

Just as his desperate cry rang out.

"How dare you commit slaughter at Mount Hua."

Along with a cold voice, over ten warriors jumped into the battlefield.

"They must be demon cultists."

"Cut down all the demons."

The warriors who jumped into the battlefield swept away the Five Elements Destruction Squad attacking the merchant caravan with terrifying momentum.

Swoosh!

Sharp sounds of splitting air cut through.

The Five Elements Destruction Squad who had been butchering the merchant caravan were pushed back by the momentum of the newly arrived warriors.

"What in the…"

Jeok Yong-cheon watched that sight with an unbelieving expression.

The newly appeared ones were Taoist priests wearing ordinary Taoist robes. But the momentum they emanated was by no means ordinary.

Like plum blossoms growing through harsh winter cold, noble yet cold energy swirled around them. Each time they swung their swords, it was as if plum blossoms bloomed in the air.

"P-Plum Blossom Sword?"

Jeok Yong-cheon instantly recognized the martial arts they were using. He couldn't not recognize it.

The Twenty-Four Forms Plum Blossom Sword they unleashed was one of Mount Hua Sect's most famous martial arts. And only Mount Hua Sect's elite Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen could learn the Twenty-Four Forms Plum Blossom Sword.

"B-but the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen should all be dead."

Jeok Yong-cheon muttered blankly, forgetting he was under joint attack.

No one in the martial world didn't know that when Mount Hua Sect suffered great catastrophe three years ago, most first and second generation disciples including the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen lost their lives.

People in the martial world thought Mount Hua could never regain its former glory since its core first generation disciples and supporting second generation disciples who acted as its backbone were completely wiped out.

Reviving lost secret techniques was nearly impossible. Above all, warriors like Mount Hua's Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen couldn't be raised with just secret manuals.

Warriors like the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen could only barely be raised with the previous generation's experience and teachings, plus the sect's full support. So everyone thought Mount Hua had ended.

The martial world's consensus was it would take over several decades to regain its former glory. And that was only if heavenly fortune was on their side.

However, as if mocking the martial world's consensus, Taoist priests unleashing the Twenty-Four Forms Plum Blossom Sword appeared now. This was impossible without being Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen.

Swoosh!

"Kugh!"

"Kuh!"

Their swords were truly terrifying. They were cutting down those demons who had been butchering the merchant caravan without hesitation. The sight seemed so surreal it didn't feel real.

"Good heavens! The Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen."

Not just Jeok Yong-cheon but the entire merchant caravan was shocked by their overwhelming martial might.

Swoosh!

Their swords cut through the air.

They didn't even form sword energy that warriors of that level commonly unleashed. They just maximized the sword's principles without wastefully expending energy.

The Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen were unstoppable.

Each time they swung their swords, one Five Elements Destruction Squad member definitely lost their life. Like farmers harvesting in autumn, they were reaping the lives of the Five Elements Destruction Squad.

"Kuhk!"

"Kuh!"

Screams rang out everywhere.

The merchant caravan warriors didn't dare join the fight and just blankly watched that sight while retreating.

"Good heavens! Are they really Mount Hua Sect's priests?"

"Hadn't Mount Hua already fallen? How could they have such strength…"

"The world was wrong. Mount Hua never fell. How could a sect possessing such warriors have fallen?"

They watched the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen fighting with blank expressions.

The swords unleashed by the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen were extremely efficient. Like branches with all twigs cut off, they flew the shortest distance to reap enemy lives.

It was different from the original Twenty-Four Forms Plum Blossom Sword.

Though the essence was the same, it seemed modified into the optimal form for taking human lives.

"You b*st*rds!"

Finally Ya Hon, leader of the Five Elements Destruction Squad, burst out angrily.

He couldn't believe the sight of just over ten Plum Blossom Swordsmen overwhelming the Five Elements Destruction Squad he led.

"Impossible… Hadn't Mount Hua lost all its spirit?"

"Indeed it had."

One of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen approached Ya Hon and spoke coldly.

Ya Hon asked:

"Are you really the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen?"

"That's right. We are indeed the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen."

"But? Surely you were all wiped out three years ago."

"Indeed. The previous Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen were massacred by you lot. We are the new Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen who inherited their will."

"New… Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen?"

"That's right."

The priest Won Myeong answered coldly.

Won Myeong was Mount Hua's third generation disciple.

When the great catastrophe occurred three years ago, he barely saved his life by hiding in the secret cave with other third generation disciples.

His master who taught him died, and his master's master died. And many others died.

He had never cried so much in his life. He cried and cried until no more tears would come.

At that time only despair remained. He thought Mount Hua was finished since all the sect's elders were killed.

But Mount Hua didn't end. Mount Hua's potential wasn't just what was known to the world.

Mount Hua started again from ruins. They raised warriors again from completely burned ground, created something from nothing.

The result was the new Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen.

Not even all Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen had come, just some. Yet their strength was overwhelming the Five Elements Destruction Squad.

Won Myeong burst out angrily.

"How dare you set your filthy feet on Mount Hua. We will never forgive this."

"Kugh!"

Won Myeong charged at Ya Hon.

Swoosh!

His sword cut through the air targeting Ya Hon's neck. Ya Hon barely deflected Won Myeong's sword by unleashing a defensive technique.

Clang!

Won Myeong's sword was deflected. But the sword instantly drew a gentle arc and targeted Ya Hon's neck again.

Powerful yet elegant, gentle yet fierce.

Ya Hon gritted his teeth and deflected Won Myeong's sword again. But Won Myeong's sword shot back at Ya Hon like a magnet after being deflected.

As lines overlapped lines, afterimages formed in the air. What the numerous straight lines overlapping created was a single plum blossom.

It was Plum Blossom Blood Storm Wind, the ultimate move of the Twenty-Four Forms Plum Blossom Sword.

The plum blossom Won Myeong created in the air scattered chaotically in the blood wind. Ya Hon gritted his teeth and unleashed Black Spirit Void, the strongest ultimate move he knew.

Dazzling sword energy rose from his sword and struck at the plum blossom Won Myeong created.

The plum blossom and sword energy clashed.

Boom!

The sword energy Ya Hon created was extinguished helplessly like a candle in the knife wind brought by the plum blossom.

"Kyak!"

Ya Hon fell with a desperate scream as knife wind wrapped around his entire body. His entire body was covered in blood.

He muttered while kneeling.

"H-how could mere Plum Blossom Swordsmen have such might?"

Even the previous generation's Plum Blossom Swordsmen didn't possess this level of martial power. Though Plum Blossom Swordsmen were among Mount Hua's finest warriors, they weren't enough to overwhelm him, leader of the Five Elements Destruction Squad, like this.

The young Plum Blossom Swordsman before him possessed overwhelming martial power surpassing the previous Plum Blossom Swordsmen. Ya Hon couldn't understand this fact at all.

"H-how?"

"You wouldn't know. What hell we went through. We fight life-and-death battles with him every day."

"Him?"

"Yes! Mount Hua's Fist Demon. We fight every day to survive against him."

Deep killing intent filled Won Myeong's eyes.

Jin Ja-gang left the Guizhou branch and went to the place where he had parted with Tang Ha-ran.

Tang Ha-ran was nowhere to be seen.

Several days had already passed. She had said she would make the safest choice for the child, so she had probably moved to avoid pursuers.

His heart felt empty.

Though he had expected this would happen, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

Jin Ja-gang washed himself in the stream and stopped by a village.

He happened to see merchants resting at a teahouse with their pack donkeys. Since information was directly related to profit for merchants, they would likely be quite quick with rumors.

‘Perfect.’

There was no better place for eavesdropping than roadside teahouses. However, when Jin Ja-gang entered, the merchants became more cautious with their words. It was the same not just with Jin Ja-gang but when other people passed by.

Their wariness was extreme. Probably because of what had happened in Guizhou, they seemed worried about causing trouble by speaking carelessly.

‘This will be difficult.’

Jin Ja-gang visited several more teahouses in the village but gained little. Not just merchants but other people were also being careful with their words.

It seemed he would need to have a meal and rest briefly while thinking about what to do next.

‘What happened at Qingcheng Mountain?’

He was quite frustrated because there were many things he was curious about.

Just as Jin Ja-gang was about to enter an inn, an elderly beggar approached him. The beggar stared directly at Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang took out a few coins and gave them to him.

The beggar pocketed the coins and said.

“Someone wants to see you.”

“Me?”

“You’re the only person who’s handsome with sharp eyes, skin like white jade that could rival Chang’e of the Moon Palace, yet walks with a limp.”

While speaking, the elderly beggar kept looking Jin Ja-gang up and down, finding his white and transparent skin strange.

Jin Ja-gang thought for a moment before answering.

“Let’s go.”

The beggar led the way and Jin Ja-gang followed.

The beggar left the village and went down under a bridge over a remote stream. There were a couple of huts roughly covered with straw mats. It seemed to be where beggars lived.

Three or four young beggars were playing outside the huts and looked at Jin Ja-gang and the elderly beggar. A young beggar pointed at one of the huts with his finger.

The elderly beggar lifted the straw mat and entered the hut.

“I brought him.”

Unexpectedly, inside the hut was someone Jin Ja-gang had never imagined.

It was an elderly Taoist from the Qingcheng sect. The old Taoist was sitting with two old beggars around two large chickens and a broken gourd bottle containing cheap wine. They were tearing at the food ravenously with their hands, so everyone’s fingers and mouths were greasy with oil.

The old Taoist seemed unbothered by mingling with the dirty beggars and said to Jin Ja-gang.

“Fellow Taoist, you’ve worked hard. Come sit here. It’s someone’s feast day over there. If you haven’t eaten yet, come have some food.”

The old Taoist gestured to Jin Ja-gang. The beggar who had brought Jin Ja-gang was already uninterested in him. He had quickly sat between the two beggars and was tearing at chicken.

Though the sight was enough to kill one’s appetite, Jin Ja-gang sat down without concern and tore off a piece of chicken.

“Thank you. I was just about to have a meal.”

Having lived eating spoiled, rotten, and poisoned things, he wouldn’t be disgusted by this level. The beggars rather grumbled that their food was being reduced.

The old Taoist smiled in admiration.

“Oh ho. A fellow Taoist with rare eating habits. This poor Taoist’s religious name is Chang Ryang, and I’m something like a sect brother with Taoist Bok Cheon.”

“Why did you want to see me?”

Chang Ryang spoke without caring about the beggars’ presence.

“I’m curious about your movements and wanted to share news about how the world is turning. How about it? Could you tell me first?”

Jin Ja-gang glanced at the beggars. They seemed focused only on eating, desperate to consume as much as possible.

“These are this poor Taoist’s old friends.”

Information was something Jin Ja-gang needed anyway. He was immediately curious about what had happened to Dan Ryeong-gyeong, Bian Bu, and Soso who had been at Qingcheng Mountain.

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“I know why you’re attacking the Martial Alliance, but I want to ask what you plan to achieve until you stop. If it’s difficult to say, you don’t have to.”

“There’s no reason to hide it. Ten years ago, I will exact payment from those involved in the bloodbath of the Yunnan Medicine Sect.”

“The Yunnan poison sects that were directly involved have all been destroyed by your hand. However, looking at the bigger picture, the Tang family’s involvement cannot be ignored, and the Martial Alliance’s absolute support also had a major influence.”

“There are still those who were directly involved. I plan to think after meeting them first.”

“If you mean people from that time, two remain. Advisor Mang Ryo of the Inspector General’s Office and Pavilion Master Indestructible Heavenly Sword Baek Li-jung of the Azure Dragon Great Sword Pavilion.”

Surprisingly, Chang Ryang knew a great deal about Jin Ja-gang’s story.

“Your words are correct, Taoist.”

“But unfortunately for you, the situation has become somewhat complicated.”

“What do you mean?”

“Indestructible Heavenly Sword Baek Li-jung went up to the main mountain and contact was lost, while Advisor Mang Ryo is helping the Shandong Evil Sect trapped on the main mountain. He disguised himself and went up, completely annihilating the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion. This is what came from Mount Emei.”

Jin Ja-gang couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

Baek Li-jung going missing was one thing, but why was Mang Ryo helping Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s group again?

“The Shandong Evil Sect owes you a debt, and the Shandong Evil Sect has incurred a debt to Advisor Mang Ryo. Either way, if you don’t go to Qingcheng, it wouldn’t matter.”

According to Chang Ryang, Qingcheng Mountain was currently surrounded by Sichuan sects, the Tang family, and Mount Emei. Without external assistance, they would be subjugated before long.

“It seems you don’t need to go save them…”

Despite his complicated feelings at Chang Ryang’s words, Jin Ja-gang immediately shook his head.

“I owe them my life.”

Chang Ryang posed a question.

“For you, which comes first, revenge or repaying kindness?”

After thinking briefly, Jin Ja-gang answered.

“Though I’ve never forgotten revenge for even a moment, I haven’t given up being human.”

These words determined Jin Ja-gang’s next action.

Chang Ryang scratched his head with his greasy hands.

“I thought you were called an Asura because you’re a murderer who kills people cruelly, but it’s not that. You’re an Asura because you keep pushing yourself into suffering.”

“Asura…”

It felt strange to hear the word Asura from someone else’s mouth.

“Asura are beings hated by both gods and humans, caught in endless conflict and fighting while trapped in worldly desires. You, who deliberately choose the difficult path, truly suit being called an Asura.”

“I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not. I’m just doing what I must do.”

“Being frequently mentioned in the martial world is itself a compliment for a martial artist. And the martial world’s opinion about you is turning out quite interestingly.”

“I’m listening.”

“When you first massacred the Yunnan poison sects, many were horrified by the cruelty of killing ordinary civilians.”

“That wasn’t my doing.”

“No one believed those words at the time. But now it’s different. You escaped from the Zhuge family’s formation, turned the Tang family’s library to ashes and escaped, and this time even destroyed the Martial Alliance’s Guizhou branch. But throughout all this, you didn’t touch civilians. So the evaluation of you has changed greatly.”

Chang Ryang took the shabby gourd bottle from a beggar and continued speaking to Jin Ja-gang while taking a sip.

“You’re fighting against the Martial Alliance that no one has been able to touch until now. Everyone thought your actions were like throwing eggs at rocks, but you’re achieving your goals one by one. The martial world is generous about revenge! If your actions continue to be justified, more people than expected will come to support you.”

Jin Ja-gang asked back.

“Including the Qingcheng sect?”

“Sect brother Bok Cheon actively recommended it. There was also tacit approval from the sect leader, and Woon Jeong kept pestering about it.”

“I honestly find it hard to believe that Taoist Bok Cheon recommended me.”

Chang Ryang laughed.

“Though outwardly stern, Sect brother Bok Cheon has an upright heart. The Martial Alliance has oppressed our Qingcheng before. Since you and we have the same purpose, everyone didn’t oppose it.”

Jin Ja-gang was puzzled.

“Didn’t you leave Qingcheng Mountain to avoid getting involved in complicated matters?”

“Qingcheng doesn’t run away. Qingcheng is still fighting.”

“But the Qingcheng sect’s disciples left the main mountain, and it will be difficult to recover the Taoist temples for some time.”

Chang Ryang smiled meaningfully.

“Qingcheng’s disciples are no longer confined to the narrow Qingcheng Mountain. Rather, the entire martial world has become Qingcheng’s sphere of activity. Three thousand disciples including direct lineage will all become Qingcheng’s eyes and ears, hands and feet.”

Jin Ja-gang finally understood why the Qingcheng sect had so easily abandoned Qingcheng Mountain and left. By spreading their disciples throughout the martial world, the Qingcheng sect avoided major storms while being able to gather information from all directions and harass the Martial Alliance. Considering the skills of Qingcheng sect disciples, even scattered separately, each was a force that couldn’t be ignored.

“The Martial Alliance can no longer annihilate our Qingcheng in one blow. And they’ll have to be more tense than before. Qingcheng sect disciples will be everywhere in the martial world. Just as beggars are everywhere in the martial world, Qingcheng disciples are also everywhere…”

The beggars stopped eating chicken and stared at Chang Ryang.

Chang Ryang cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Anyway, you’ll be able to receive help anywhere there are Qingcheng disciples. Let me show you Qingcheng’s symbol.”

Chang Ryang drew a symbol on the ground with a chicken bone.

Three triangular dots.

“These dots represent the Three Pure Ones of Jade Pure, Supreme Pure, and Great Pure. When these dots are present, it means a Qingcheng disciple is nearby. Conversely, you can leave this symbol to request help.”

“Understood. Then is there anything I should give in return for receiving help?”

“Qingcheng disciples walk the path they believe is righteous regardless of orthodox or unorthodox. It’s not a path taken for compensation.”

Jin Ja-gang fell into thought briefly.

Even just listening to martial world trends or information was not easy for Jin Ja-gang. Being able to know information about Mang Ryo or Baek Li-jung in a situation where Qingcheng Mountain was surrounded was possible because the Qingcheng sect had connections everywhere.

He couldn’t continue his revenge alone forever. Being alone had limitations.

After deliberation, Jin Ja-gang decided to accept the Qingcheng sect’s goodwill.

“Thank you. However, if I receive help, I too will not turn away from the Qingcheng sect.”

Perhaps after experiencing Woon Jeong, Taoist Bok Cheon, and Venerable Woo-am, his thoughts about the Qingcheng sect had become favorable, which is why he didn’t refuse. It could also be seen that he already had some relationship with the Qingcheng sect.

Jin Ja-gang parted from Chang Ryang and left the hut.

He also received news about Tang Ha-ran from Chang Ryang. Tang Ha-ran, who had parted from Jin Ja-gang, was staying in a small hermitage on Mount Dae Bang under the protection of a Qingcheng sect disciple.

Jin Ja-gang headed immediately to Mount Dae Bang with joy. It was half a day’s distance and a place he would have to pass through to go to Qingcheng Mountain anyway.

Jin Ja-gang stopped at the market to buy food and clothing, then hastened his steps toward Mount Dae Bang.

However…

The hermitage on Mount Dae Bang where Jin Ja-gang arrived was completely devastated.

The hermitage was completely destroyed and collapsed, and the courtyard was full of bloodstains.

Jin Ja-gang’s hair stood on end.