Chapter 289 – Bonds Come at Unexpected Moments (2)

Taiji Scholar Go Ju-wol was, as his title suggested, a master of Taoism. Having inherited the teachings of the Quanzhen Sect, one of the oldest lineages of Taoism, his internal energy was particularly profound.

Go Ju-wol was said to have an extremely strong sense of chivalry, unable to pass by those in crisis. Having performed countless acts of righteousness throughout his life, he was respected by many people. That's why no one was surprised when he was included in the Righteous Alliance's suicide squad.

Given Go Ju-wol's nature of despising evil demons, it was only natural. So when news spread that Go Ju-wol had lost his life in the final war, many mourned his death.

Go Ju-wol had been known as a dead man for decades. Such a Go Ju-wol had reappeared in the world after all these years, disguised as someone else.

"What on earth?"

Gi Ye-hwa's pupils trembled.

The Go Ju-wol she knew was a hero. As a member of the suicide squad that ended the Righteous-Demonic War, he naturally deserved to be treated as a hero.

If he had revealed his survival, he would have received the admiration of countless martial artists, yet he was actually operating while hiding his identity. It was difficult to grasp how to accept this fact.

"Why would Hero Go Ju-wol threaten the Hao Sect while wearing a human skin mask?"

Gi Ye-hwa muttered in bewilderment.

At this, Eum Yu-kyung's eyes lit up. Her gaze turned toward Dam Ho. Since Dam Ho was also looking at her, their gazes met in mid-air.

When Dam Ho nodded, Eum Yu-kyung said to Gi Ye-hwa:

"I think we need to seriously discuss this matter."

"What do you mean?"

"Miss Gi should know about this too, so I'll tell you now."

Eum Yu-kyung told Gi Ye-hwa about the Heavenly Evil Sect. As her words continued, Gi Ye-hwa's expression changed moment by moment.

First with disbelief, then with doubt, and finally with understanding.

Looking at Gi Ye-hwa's face, one could see that a person's expression could change so diversely in such a short time.

Only then did Gi Ye-hwa feel that her long-standing doubts were being clearly resolved.

After becoming the vice sect master of the Hao Sect, she had access to much more information. But the more she learned, the more the war between the Demon Cult and the martial world became difficult to understand. The way it escalated day by day, and the sudden three-year gap of silence – none of it made sense. But if there had been intervention by the Heavenly Evil Sect in between, everything could be explained.

"So you're saying there was manipulation by the Heavenly Evil Sect in the middle."

"That's what we believe."

"What kind of place is the Heavenly Evil Sect?"

Gi Ye-hwa was genuinely curious.

While Eum Yu-kyung's explanation made her accept that the Heavenly Evil Sect existed, she couldn't understand what they hoped to achieve through the conflict between the Demon Cult and the martial world.

Eum Yu-kyung shook her head.

"We don't know that either. We know it's a religious group that existed before our sect, but nothing is known about them. What faith they pursue, what they want."

"Hmm!"

"Only one thing is certain. They are endlessly plotting conflicts between our sect and the martial world."

"So Miss Eum, you're thinking that Taiji Scholar Hero Go must have been recruited by the Heavenly Evil Sect. Is that right?"

"That's right."

"Are you certain? Couldn't Hero Go have defected and been recruited by the Demon Cult?"

"That possibility is slim. As the world knows, the Divine Cult reveres strength. They easily accept the tyranny of the strong, but they actually hate defectors. Especially if the person in question was a member of the Righteous Alliance's suicide squad, there's no need to say more."

"Hmm!"

Gi Ye-hwa let out a contemplative sound. Eum Yu-kyung's words seemed reasonable. She looked at Dam Ho and Eum Yu-kyung with a stern face. They were silently looking at her face. Only then did she understand their intention. Why they had taught her the secret of the Heavenly Evil Sect.

"You want the Hao Sect's cooperation?"

"That's right."

"Whew! This is truly surprising. Cooperation with the Holy Maiden of the Demon Cult? If martial artists learned of this fact, they would designate our sect as an enemy of the martial world."

"So is it a refusal?"

"As the vice sect master of the Hao Sect, it's a refusal. But personally, I want to cooperate with you."

Gi Ye-hwa knew. By now, most of the people at Lotus Pavilion would be dead. Though officially they were just a pavilion mistress and subordinates, Gi Ye-hwa cared for all of them.

Among the courtesans she led, there wasn't a single woman who sold her body willingly. Each had their own story, and most had at least one or two unfortunate reasons.

Gi Ye-hwa wanted to avenge them.

Eum Yu-kyung said emphatically:

"Then it's decided."

"Yes!"

The two women promised cooperation.

Gi Ye-hwa and Eum Yu-kyung continued talking for a long time after that.

***

A light of emotion appeared on Sage Hyeon-so's face.

Before him lay about forty black pills. A rich plum blossom fragrance flowed from the pills, filling the room.

They were Plum Blossom Divine Pills, which could be called Mount Hua Sect's priceless treasure. These were treasures that could cause the world to be in an uproar if even one leaked out, and there were about forty of them.

His gaze turned to Jong Ri-yeon and Bang Jin-bo standing before him.

"You've all worked hard. And thank you."

"Not at all."

"Hehe!"

Both people's complexions were extremely haggard.

For the past several days, the two hadn't slept properly even once. They had devoted all their energy to making the Plum Blossom Divine Pills.

It wasn't just the two of them who were haggard. Behind them sat the Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters with gaunt faces. They too had contributed to making the Plum Blossom Divine Pills and were feeling great fatigue.

The Blood Spirit Emissary's invasion had made them all very alert. If it hadn't been for Sage Hyeon-so's Taoist power, they would have suffered great damage from the Blood Spirit Emissary's evil arts.

Realistically, it was impossible for Mount Hua Sect's current disciples to accumulate Taoist power equal to Sage Hyeon-so's in a short time. Then they had to at least increase their martial power.

There was only one way to increase martial power in a short time. At least within the limits of what Mount Hua Sect disciples knew.

That was the Plum Blossom Divine Pill.

The fact that Myung Kyung's internal energy had dramatically increased after consuming the Plum Blossom Divine Pill was well known to everyone. Because of this, Sage Hyeon-so decided to gather all the remaining herbs and make Plum Blossom Divine Pills.

Making the first Plum Blossom Divine Pills took a full three days, and the result was only five pills. But having done it once already, from the second time onward, they could make Plum Blossom Divine Pills much more easily. And the time was greatly shortened. Though those mobilized to make the Plum Blossom Divine Pills became half-dead in the process.

Sage Hyeon-so said:

"Thanks to everyone's efforts, about forty Plum Blossom Divine Pills have been completed. I know that Miss Jong's and your blood and sweat are dissolved in the Plum Blossom Divine Pills, and heaven will know it too. Thank you all so much."

"Not at all."

"We only did what we had to do."

The Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters all shook their heads in unison.

"I know that to make Plum Blossom Divine Pills again, we need to obtain an enormous amount of medicinal materials. Though I would like to have all Mount Hua Sect disciples consume Plum Blossom Divine Pills immediately, I'm just sad that we can't. However, I promise you clearly. By any means necessary, I will make and have the other disciples consume Plum Blossom Divine Pills too."

"Infinite Buddha!"

At Sage Hyeon-so's declaration, the Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters showed moved expressions.

The Plum Blossom Divine Pills could only be consumed by the chosen few. Obtaining the medicinal materials alone wasn't easy, and above all, it was a precious item that required the blood and sweat of many people. They were simply amazed by Sage Hyeon-so's magnanimity in wanting to have all disciples consume such an incredible item.

Sage Hyeon-so called Woon Kyung, who was standing beside him.

"Sect Leader."

"Yes! Fourth Uncle."

"You and Myung Kyung should each consume one pill."

"Infinite Buddha! I don't particularly need to consume one."

"I'm the same. I consumed one long ago, so I can skip this time."

Woon Kyung and Myung Kyung were surprised and declined. But Sage Hyeon-so was stubborn.

"You two are the actual core of our sect. Only when you two are strong can Mount Hua have solid roots. So don't decline and consume them."

When Sage Hyeon-so came out like this, the two couldn't decline any further.

"I understand."

"I will do so."

Eventually, the two respectfully received one Plum Blossom Divine Pill each.

This time, Sage Hyeon-so called Won-myeong, who could be called the leader of the Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters.

"Won-myeong."

"Yes! Grand Elder."

"You all consume the remaining Plum Blossom Divine Pills."

"Thank you."

"You all know best how much heart and soul Miss Jong and Jin-bo poured into making the Plum Blossom Divine Pills. You must absorb all the medicinal effects."

"We will keep it in mind."

Won-myeong bowed his head and received the thirty-six Plum Blossom Divine Pills.

Behind him, the Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters' eyes were shining. But before Won-myeong handed the Plum Blossom Divine Pills to them, he first expressed gratitude to Jong Ri-yeon and Bang Jin-bo.

"Thank you, Miss Jong. Jin-bo, I won't forget this kindness."

"We won't forget the kindness of you two."

Following Won-myeong, the Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters all expressed their gratitude in unison. At this, Jong Ri-yeon and Bang Jin-bo's faces turned bright red. Neither was accustomed to hearing compliments.

Sage Hyeon-so smiled as he watched the two.

"You two have also worked hard, so consume one each."

"What? No, we can't do that."

"I can't either."

The two waved their hands and strongly declined.

The Plum Blossom Divine Pills were spiritual medicine for Mount Hua Sect. Though they had contributed to making them, they never dreamed of consuming them themselves.

Sage Hyeon-so forcibly placed one Plum Blossom Divine Pill each in their hands.

"Actually, this is a bribe."

"A bribe?"

"That's right! Who else but you could make Plum Blossom Divine Pills again? So this means consume these Plum Blossom Divine Pills, gain strength, and make them again. Please fulfill this old man's shameless wish."

"Ah!"

Only then did the two almost simultaneously let out exclamations. They could no longer refuse the Plum Blossom Divine Pills. Still feeling burdened, they looked back to see the Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters smiling.

"Miss Jong and Jin-bo are fully qualified to consume the Plum Blossom Divine Pills."

"That's right. Don't worry about us and consume them."

With their smiles, the two could finally relieve their burden.

Clap!

Sage Hyeon-so clapped his hands to draw attention.

"If you're going to consume them anyway, there's no reason to delay. First, the Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters should consume the Plum Blossom Divine Pills. The Sect Leader, Myung Kyung, and all Mount Hua Sect disciples will stand guard."

"We obey!"

"We follow the Grand Elder's command."

The Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters answered in unison.

Outside, all Mount Hua Sect disciples were standing guard in double and triple layers. Now, while they were standing guard, was the safest time. Even so, Woon Kyung and Myung Kyung maintained their guard stance in case something happened.

The Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters all consumed the Plum Blossom Divine Pills and entered meditation. They practiced the Supreme Clarity Heart Method, which was only transmitted to Plum Blossom Sword Masters. Because of this, the energy they emitted was roughly similar.

They didn't hurry and slowly absorbed the medicinal effects of the Plum Blossom Divine Pills, making them their own.

'Ah!'

Bang Jin-bo and Jong Ri-yeon opened their eyes wide. White mist was emanating from the bodies of the Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters. It was proof that their meditation had reached its peak.

The efficacy of the Plum Blossom Divine Pills was truly remarkable, allowing them to gain an enormous amount of internal energy in a short moment. But the fortune didn't end there.

Whoosh!

The mist emitted by the thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters began to enter and exit each other's pores.

The mist emitted by Won Myeong entered and exited Won Gong's pores, and likewise, the mist flowing from Won Gong's body entered and exited another Plum Blossom Sword Master's body.

The mist they emitted was the crystallization of internal energy. Their internal energies were combining to exert greater power.

This was possible because all thirty-six had learned the common cultivation method called Supreme Clarity Cultivation Method.

Now the mist was completely covering the Thirty-six Plum Blossom Sword Masters and undulating. They breathed and absorbed under the same energy.

The powerful energy washed away the impurities accumulated in their blood vessels, and all the blood channels throughout their bodies opened without obstruction.

It was as if an absolute master had performed marrow cleansing for them.

Their energy grew like a snowball in an instant, and the mist undulated as if it would devour all the energy in the world. This was something even the world's Sage Hyeon-so hadn't anticipated.

A misty film appeared in Sage Hyeon-so's aged eyes.

'Primordial Heavenly Venerable!'

A great fortune had come to Mount Hua.

Jin Ja-gang occasionally went out to the black market and joined gambling tables.

As he mastered the techniques perfectly, he won more days than he lost.

However, gambling was truly mysterious. Depending on the type, there were times when he would lose occasionally no matter how much skill he used.

Oh Tae advised him.

“You can’t perfectly control the game alone. That’s why you need people to help you. Sometimes you need to tamper with the dice or cards themselves.”

A high win rate wasn’t much help to Jin Ja-gang. He needed to be able to win perfectly whenever he wanted to win.

“Double Six is a dice technique that usually uses mercury-filled dice. But if the opponent cuts the dice open, you’ll be exposed immediately, so it’s hard to get what you want.”

“What about bone tiles?”

“Techniques for switching bone tiles inevitably result in having too many or too few pieces. That’s also quite risky.”

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“Then what game can I win perfectly using techniques?”

“I’d recommend card fighting.”

It was gambling where various pictures were drawn on oiled paper, and players competed based on the card values of the pictures.

“Ten cards of the same picture make one set, so in big games you use eight sets, and in small games about four sets. The advantage of these card sets is that you can give your opponent whatever cards you want. And there’s one more advantage. The card values don’t really matter.”

“Don’t you win by having good card values?”

“Card fighting has one victory rule. You win if you have even one point higher than your opponent.”

Oh Tae grinned.

“Say I have the second highest card value in card fighting. Then it would be a waste to fold, right? I’d bet a lot of money. Conversely, say I have the second lowest card value. Then naturally I’d think I’d lose. But as I said, card values are meaningless. You just need to be one point higher than your opponent. This drives people crazy.”

“Can I win perfectly?”

“If you combine technique with the psychological elements you like, I can guarantee ninety percent victory.”

“That’s ten percent short.”

“The remaining ten percent, as I said, requires tampering with the cards themselves. Leave that to me. So starting today, hold card fighting cards instead of bone tiles. It’ll be much easier.”

* * *

The paper cards used in card fighting were about the size of a finger and the length of about five joints. They seemed somewhat long, making them appear difficult to hide in the palm or use techniques with.

However, appearing difficult to use techniques with actually worked as an advantage. Depending on the wrist angle, cards could be hidden from opponents, and because they were thin, cards could be switched instantly.

Since he mastered the techniques quickly, Jin Ja-gang learned from Oh Tae how to read and manipulate opponents’ psychology.

Until now, Jin Ja-gang had mostly used unexpected actions to induce carelessness in opponents when facing masters from a weaker position.

But Oh Tae was using a different kind of psychological warfare. He used opponents’ greed to make them self-destruct, or used his own reputation to overwhelmingly pressure opponents. Sometimes he would deliberately lose. By appropriately controlling victory and defeat, he smoothly dominated games.

Such methods opened new eyes for Jin Ja-gang, who had been tormented by the obsession of always having to win.

While learning about card fighting for a month, Jin Ja-gang could hear how the martial world was turning.

All sorts of rumors and information were traded in the black market. Among them were some unfounded or difficult to verify pieces of information, but it was still enough to gauge the general situation.

The approximately two months spent in the black market were of great help to Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang thought it was time to leave.

“What a pity. I wanted to make you my successor. Come back later if you have nowhere to go.”

“Being a gambler doesn’t suit me.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

Oh Tae scoffed.

“Your entire life so far has been gambling.”

Jin Ja-gang smiled without answering. Oh Tae smoked his long pipe and spoke as if casually.

“Before you go, stop by the fabric shop in the neighboring village. I have something stored there, so ask for it.”

There was a fabric shop in Gubuk Village too, so why go to the neighboring village that would take a full hour round trip?

But seeing Oh Tae’s grinning expression, Jin Ja-gang thought there must be a reason.

“Go now.”

“I understand.”

When Jin Ja-gang set out on the road, people acknowledged him from all directions.

Women who usually worked in fields like country wives but transformed into courtesans when the black market opened, and fighters who worked in shops during the day but carried swords to guard the area during black market times all smiled and greeted Jin Ja-gang.

“Have you eaten? Want to eat before you go?”

“Come drink with us this evening.”

Even young women washing clothes by the stream giggled when they saw Jin Ja-gang. Some blushed at Jin Ja-gang’s appearance.

Although they were members of an underworld gang who dealt in stolen goods and engaged in dark work, they still had the scent of human life. They had their own rules and principles.

For Jin Ja-gang, who had lived in suffocating situations, this environment was awkward yet warm. This was true even though he knew these people could never be called good people.

Oh Tae had once said about this:

“We’re back-alley merchants. We provide places to sell human flesh, but we don’t make human flesh. We help find assassins, but we don’t carry out assassinations.”

When asked what difference there was between doing bad things and helping others do bad things, he had answered:

“If someone takes a dump, the shit needs to be cleaned up.”

Jin Ja-gang particularly liked that saying.

It was like nature. It was the cyclical process of being born, living, dying, rotting, and returning to earth.

Someday after finishing his revenge, would Jin Ja-gang be able to live in such nature?

While Jin Ja-gang was walking with such thoughts, a village youth came running frantically.

“What’s wrong?”

“Government soldiers are coming.”

Government soldiers suddenly? The black market was strictly an illegal place. If things went wrong, they could be punished according to law.

When Jin Ja-gang tensed up, the youth chuckled.

“You don’t need to worry. They often drop by to collect bribes. I’m just letting Old Master Oh know in advance.”

Jin Ja-gang briefly looked back, then hurried his pace toward the neighboring village.

* * *

Before long, thirty government soldiers entered Gubuk Village.

Oh Tae heard the youth’s report and came out to greet the soldiers.

But the soldiers’ behavior was unusual. They dragged out not only those in the fields but also villagers who were inside their homes.

Oh Tae asked the soldiers with the most smiling expression possible.

“Gentlemen, why are you doing this?”

“Shut up and get over there!”

The soldiers even pushed Oh Tae away. Then they made people gather in the village center. They couldn’t provoke or harm the soldiers. If they killed even one, thousands would come and massacre the village.

The soldiers surrounded the fifty-odd people of Gubuk Village with spears raised. Oh Tae stepped forward once more.

“I’m the village chief here. I don’t see the captain who usually comes, where is he? There seems to be some misunderstanding, so I think I need to speak with him.”

The soldiers stood guard over the people without saying anything. The uncomfortable atmosphere continued.

Then before long, someone appeared on horseback. He seemed to be the captain leading the soldiers.

Oh Tae’s expression changed slightly. But without showing it, he stepped forward and bowed his waist.

“Are you someone new? I’m Oh Tae, the village chief here. I haven’t been able to visit you and pay my respects. Please forgive my rudeness and come inside.”

However, the soldier captain just silently looked down at Oh Tae without a word.

Oh Tae glanced up at the soldier captain. Their eyes met.

At that moment, Oh Tae tilted his head. He swept his eyes from the soldier captain’s head to his feet, even to the saddle.

Then he straightened his back and put his long pipe in his mouth.

“Huff…”

The soldier captain looked down at Oh Tae from his horse and spoke in an ominous voice.

“Hand over Iron Umbrella Sect’s stolen goods.”

Oh Tae didn’t answer.

The soldier captain spoke again without changing expression.

“If you don’t bring them immediately, I’ll kill everyone here and search for them.”

Oh Tae smoked his pipe without answering.

“Huff. Well now.”

Oh Tae looked over the soldiers, then looked directly at the soldier captain and said to the villagers.

“Boys, these aren’t government soldiers. I wondered why there was no advance notice about coming to collect taxes.”

The villagers’ eyes changed at Oh Tae’s words.

Though disguised as soldiers, the so-called captain’s words lacked any insignia indicating his garrison affiliation.

“Well now. You finally found us. You’re more persistent than I thought.”

Oh Tae asked the soldier captain.

“You’re the ones who swept clean Stone Forest Gang and Poison Valley, aren’t you?”

The soldier captain remained silent, then spat out one word.

“Kill them.”

At that moment, the soldiers attacked the villagers.

Oh Tae blew tobacco smoke toward the soldiers approaching him.

Poison pipe smoke!

The approaching soldiers grimaced and coughed.

“Cough, cough!”

Oh Tae ran over and kicked the soldiers in the chest.

Thud!

Ribs broke and chests caved in as two soldiers were knocked away. The villagers also drew hidden daggers from their legs and bosoms to resist the soldiers.

The soldier captain kicked off his saddle and leaped up. In the blink of an eye, the soldier captain appeared in front of Oh Tae and struck down from above. Oh Tae held his pipe horizontally with both hands and blocked the palm strike.

Crack!

The pipe bent like taffy. The sturdy pipe with an iron core inside had bent from one strike.

From that one move, Oh Tae grasped the situation. Cold sweat flowed. He had never encountered such a master in Yunnan.

“Damn, an incredible master!”

He shook off the soldier captain and stepped back, but when he looked around, the villagers were being one-sidedly pushed back.

Oh Tae shouted.

“You gutsy bastards! Don’t you know that impersonating government soldiers results in the extermination of nine generations!”

At those words, most of those in soldier uniforms flinched. But there were those who didn’t care at all. These were masters mixed among those in ordinary soldier uniforms. Though only a few in number, they were difficult for Gubuk Village’s third-rate underworld members to handle.

Oh Tae had a bitter taste in his mouth.

These were people with backing strong enough not to care about impersonating soldiers. A shadow flickered before his eyes. He hurriedly used footwork to leap away and blew smoke. The soldier captain broke through the smoke and struck with another palm.

Oh Tae quickly retreated, leaving afterimages. Swift movement was one of Oh Tae’s specialties. But the soldier captain followed Oh Tae exactly. He was a master several levels above Oh Tae.

“Ahhhhh!”

“Ahh!”

Screams continued to ring out. Oh Tae also took a palm strike from the soldier captain. Though it was a glancing blow, his shoulder was crushed.

Oh Tae grabbed his shoulder and shouted.

“Run! Don’t fight, just run!”

But escape was impossible due to the masters scattered throughout. When the masters broke arms and legs, the rest finished the job. Screams continued to follow.

“Damn.”

The soldier captain stepped on Oh Tae’s foot. His instep was crushed.

Oh Tae screamed, then suddenly made a pitiful expression and pleaded.

“Sir. I’ll give it to you. I’ll give you whatever you want, so please spare us.”

The soldier captain raised his hand then stopped.

Then Oh Tae lifted his unstepped foot and kicked the soldier captain’s groin.

There was a thud sound, but no sensation of hitting testicles. Among masters, some hide their testicles inside their bodies. Of course, this was proof of high martial arts.

The soldier captain brought down his raised hand.

Oh Tae was hit on the head and everything went black. He fell to the ground. The soldier captain stepped on Oh Tae’s right hand and slowly applied pressure.

“Kugh!”

Still in an emotionless voice, the soldier captain asked.

“Where are the stolen goods?”