Chapter 371 – Debts Must Always Be Repaid (3)

Blood spurted from Namgung Chang's seven orifices before he collapsed powerlessly. That was the end of Martial Alliance strategist Namgung Chang.

"Ah!"

Someone burst out in lamentation.

That was the beginning.

"For the strategist to end up like that……"

"He truly is terrifying. The Namgung family head, the Sword King Unit, and even the strategist – all of them killed by his hands."

"With this, the Namgung family has been completely ruined by his hands."

To the heroes, the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families were imprinted as iron fortresses that would never fall.

Their presence in the martial world was so overwhelming that they had never once imagined the picture of them collapsing.

To the extent that they couldn't even imagine someone challenging their stronghold that dominated the most prosperous provinces in the Central Plains. But today, before their very eyes, a great family belonging to the Five Great Families had fallen by Dam Ho alone.

The feeling of witnessing the fall of legends that had dominated the martial world until now wasn't as exhilarating as expected. No, it was rather frightening.

If Mount Hua Sect had helped, it might have been different, but all of this was accomplished by Dam Ho's strength alone.

Dam Ho was an existence far beyond their imagination, completely outside any standard.

No words could define him. At least not with words that had existed until now.

A martial artist like Dam Ho had never existed in martial arts history.

If one were to look for martial artists who were simply as strong as Dam Ho, there would be quite many. The first ones that came to mind were the founding ancestors of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families.

They were those who had dominated their eras and created the starting points of today's great forces based on their tremendous martial power. But they were never alone.

Though not recorded in history, they had countless supporters and laid their foundations with their help.

Dam Ho was different from them.

He was thoroughly alone.

Of course, supporters like Mount Hua Sect and Cho Yeon-woon existed, but separate from them, he acted completely alone.

Dam Ho was an iron-blooded warrior with no negotiations and no retreat.

With his individual strength, he had brought down countless absolute masters and sects to stand in this position.

Dam Ho was a martial artist who had walked over mountains of corpses and rivers of blood. Everything he had accomplished until now was solely his own history.

Looking through all of martial arts history, no martial artist had walked such a bloody path as Dam Ho. Not even the successive cult leaders of the Demon Cult who reigned as beings of terror.

That's why he felt more frightening.

It was also the reason they couldn't simply cheer for a martial artist who was creating unbelievable history.

"Amitabha! Amitabha!"

Gwang-cheon closed his eyes tightly and continuously turned the prayer beads in his hands.

Though he had already heard and known about Dam Ho's unbelievable martial prowess, the intensity of shock felt from seeing it directly with his eyes was different.

His shoulders were experiencing slight tremors. He was still relatively well off. Gwang-mun, who had continued to oppose Dam Ho since he came to Shaolin Temple, couldn't even dare to look at Dam Ho directly.

'A demon thirsting for blood. How can a human……'

His shoulders and hands were trembling. He tried hard to regain his composure, but his body was already beyond control.

It was the same for the monks of Discipline Hall. Fear was clearly visible on their faces.

That's when it happened.

In a world where everyone was frozen stiff, there were three people approaching Dam Ho.

"Dam Ho!"

"Brother!"

"Big brother!"

They were Cho Yeon-woon, Bang Jin-bo, and Eun So-cheong.

Unlike the others, their faces were full of joy.

Especially Bang Jin-bo and Eun So-cheong even had tears glistening in their eyes. Dam Ho nodded silently as he looked at them. At this, the two broke into bright smiles.

They didn't care what expressions others were making. They were just happy to meet Dam Ho again.

Dam Ho silently comforted them. Meanwhile, Cho Yeon-woon approached.

"Yeon-woon."

"Now I have confidence."

"……"

"Confidence that I can help you."

Cho Yeon-woon smiled gently and extended his hand. Dam Ho nodded and grasped that hand.

***

"Phew!"

There was a woman wiping the sweat dripping from her forehead with a light sigh. A large man beside her looked at her with a worried expression.

"Are you alright, Miss?"

"I'm fine! It's just a little hot."

"Please tell me if it gets difficult."

"I'm okay."

The smiling woman was precisely Hwang Hye-ryeong. The large man accompanying her was precisely Muk Il-gwang.

The two were heading north after leaving Huangshan's Overlord Stronghold.

Though they were on the road to take refuge at Mount Hua on the orders of her father Hwang Gyeong-mun, her expression wasn't very bright.

Reading Hwang Hye-ryeong's heart, Muk Il-gwang comforted her.

"The Grand Leader will be fine. Don't worry, Miss."

"You think so?"

"I'm certain. The Overlord Stronghold is a natural fortress. As long as the Grand Leader and brothers are determined to defend it, no one can do anything to the Overlord Stronghold. Even the Demon Cult."

"Hearing Il-gwang's words gives me some comfort."

"It's not comfort. That's the truth."

"Right!"

Hwang Hye-ryeong nodded.

Only after confirming her somewhat relieved expression did Muk Il-gwang look around.

Though it had been quite a while since they left Huangshan, they still hadn't escaped Anhui Province. It wasn't because they were lazy. The chaotic situation in Anhui Province made it inevitable.

As the Demon Cult expanded its territory to the adjacent Jiangxi Province, a state of emergency was declared throughout Anhui Province. The leader of Anhui Province had traditionally been the Namgung family.

Though their power had greatly deteriorated after losing the family head and Sword King Unit due to Dam Ho, their position as leader of Anhui Province remained unchanged. This was why the martial families and sects of Anhui Province had no choice but to unite centered around the Namgung family.

Numerous martial artists were stationed on the main roads of Anhui Province. They were conducting searches with blazing eyes to root out Demon Cult martial artists.

Given this situation, Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang's movements had to be cautious. Since there was nothing good about catching the martial artists' attention, they traveled only on roads with few people. Therefore, they still hadn't escaped Anhui Province.

"Once we get out of Anhui Province, we'll be able to pick up speed immediately. So don't worry too much."

"Right!"

Hwang Hye-ryeong nodded. Her face was being dyed completely golden by the sunset.

"Even though the sun is setting, it's still hot."

"You're right. It's sweltering."

"Will we have to sleep outdoors again today?"

"It seems we'll have to. There are no houses on this road. If we go about ten li in that direction, there's a suitable place. We can sleep outdoors there tonight."

"Il-gwang can handle that matter."

"Yes!"

At Muk Il-gwang's answer, Hwang Hye-ryeong smiled again.

He was truly an utterly honest man. That's why she trusted him. Almost on the same level as her father Hwang Gyeong-mun and older brother Dam Ho.

As Muk Il-gwang said, after going another ten li, a place suitable for sleeping outdoors appeared.

There was a hollowed-out area under a huge rock larger than most pavilions that would block any rain or wind. Nearby there was also a small stream, making it truly optimal terrain for camping.

"You must be tired, so please rest for a moment, Miss."

"I'll help too."

"No. I can do it myself."

Even when Hwang Hye-ryeong offered to help, Muk Il-gwang refused. He forced Hwang Hye-ryeong to rest and gathered firewood.

No matter how much it was summer, mountain nights were quite cold. Without lighting a campfire, it was perfect for catching a cold. And fire was absolutely necessary to chase away any wild animals and for cooking.

Muk Il-gwang skillfully lit a campfire and prepared for cooking. Though Muk Il-gwang was as large as a bear, people often thought he would be crude based on his appearance alone, but he was actually a very meticulous man.

He organized the surroundings so Hwang Hye-ryeong could rest comfortably before starting to cook. Though cooking amounted to making simple porridge using dried provisions.

Muk Il-gwang had learned to make simple dishes from Bang Jin-bo when he was at the Overlord Stronghold. All of this was part of his efforts to make Hwang Hye-ryeong even a little more comfortable.

While Muk Il-gwang was cooking like this, the sun completely set and darkness engulfed the surroundings. The temperature dropped sharply. The fact that it had been so hot just moments before felt like a lie.

But because there was a campfire brightly illuminating the surroundings, Hwang Hye-ryeong wasn't flustered. Meanwhile, Muk Il-gwang was steadily making food.

Hwang Hye-ryeong suddenly lifted her head to look at the sky. Then a sea of stars that seemed ready to pour down, filling the night sky, came fully into her vision.

"Ah!"

It was beautiful enough to naturally burst into exclamation.

Muk Il-gwang, who had been cooking, also briefly stopped moving and looked up at the sky like her. A smile similar to Hwang Hye-ryeong's appeared on his face too.

Others might call him a fool for how blindly he cared for Hwang Hye-ryeong. But Muk Il-gwang himself liked this aspect of himself. This moment together with Hwang Hye-ryeong was more precious than anything.

To Muk Il-gwang, Hwang Hye-ryeong wasn't simply the daughter of his lord. He harbored much deeper feelings. Just the fact that he was in the same space with her was enough for Muk Il-gwang to smile.

As the porridge boiled, a savory aroma spread around. Muk Il-gwang instinctively knew the porridge was done and took the pot off the campfire.

"It's ready, Miss."

It was when Muk Il-gwang was ladling porridge into a bowl.

Grumble!

Suddenly the sound of a growling stomach echoed through the darkness.

Instantly Hwang Hye-ryeong's face turned red as she said:

"It wasn't me."

"Miss?"

"I'm telling you it really wasn't me."

Hwang Hye-ryeong waved her hands, worried that Muk Il-gwang might misunderstand. At this, Muk Il-gwang frowned.

That's when it happened.

"I'm hungry! Can I get some food too?"

Suddenly a voice came from the darkness.

Muk Il-gwang shouted:

"Who's there?"

"Ah, I'm not a bad person. You don't need to be so wary."

A woman of mysterious age appeared from the darkness.

She was a woman in her late twenties wearing sky-blue robes. She was a stunning beauty with dreamy, hazy eyes as if she were dreaming. Even the surrounding darkness seemed to retreat at her appearance.

What was unique was the pipa hanging behind her back. The pipa dangling like an ornament added to her already mysterious atmosphere.

The woman's hazy gaze was fixed on the pot in front of Muk Il-gwang.

"I'm really hungry, so won't you share some with me? I'll repay you properly."

The woman grabbed her stomach with one hand and made a pitiful expression. At the woman's appearance, Muk Il-gwang was momentarily at a loss.

That's when Hwang Hye-ryeong stepped forward and said:

"Sister, come here. Let's eat together."

"Really?"

"Yes! Il-gwang big brother has big hands, so he made plenty of porridge. There's enough even if we eat together, so don't worry."

"Thank you! Little sister. You'll be blessed."

The woman smiled brightly and came over to sit down next to Hwang Hye-ryeong with a thump. Her appearance seemed very unpretentious.

Hwang Hye-ryeong first handed her a bowl filled with porridge.

"Please eat."

"Thank you!"

The woman didn't refuse and hurriedly ate the porridge. Muk Il-gwang looked at Hwang Hye-ryeong.

"Miss!"

"It's okay!"

Hwang Hye-ryeong smiled, but Muk Il-gwang couldn't smile.

'I didn't notice her approach until she spoke herself.'

Considering Muk Il-gwang's martial prowess, this was impossible. He didn't let down his guard and watched the woman. Then the woman lifted her head to look at him.

"You don't need to be so wary. I'm a good person."

"A good person?"

"Right! My name is Yo Sa-ran."

"Yo Sa-ran?"

Deep furrows formed on Muk Il-gwang's brow. It was a name he had never heard before. But he couldn't ask any more. The woman who had revealed herself as Yo Sa-ran had buried her head in the porridge bowl again and was eating hurriedly.

"This is really delicious. So delicious."

Her exclamation echoed through the darkness. Her voice spread far and wide, leaving a strange resonance.

An eerie aura spread in all directions from Mu-gak’s eyes upon hearing Jin Ja-gang’s words.

Dust began spreading bleakly in concentric circles from beneath Gong-hon’s feet.

It wasn’t just spreading – the dust was scraping the floor as it was pushed outward.

Scrape, scrape, scrape!

Near Gong-hon, the surface of the floorboards was peeled away as if scraped by something sharp as an awl and pushed along together.

It was so intense that even Ham-geun, Im Yi-eon, and An Ryeong, who had been fighting fiercely, were startled and backed away from each other.

Creak, creak…

The second floor railing, which had collapsed and tilted due to the fallen pillar, shook up and down.

The Cherry Blossom Corps young men didn’t make a peep and kept their mouths shut. There weren’t even any screaming in pain. No sound came from inside the inn at all.

Mu-gak asked with his face completely contorted.

“You came up to devour hungry ghosts?”

While others couldn’t even breathe due to Mu-gak’s overwhelming presence, Jin Ja-gang spoke calmly.

“So hand over that pill. Unless Monk wants to be devoured too.”

Even a threat!

“Arrogant bastard…”

Mu-gak’s killing intent grew even denser.

Skin became sticky and stinging as if having faced salty sea wind all day. The floor became marsh-like, seeming to drag at one’s feet with squelching sounds. The entire view was dyed red, appearing full of blood everywhere.

The aspect from when he massacred three thousand demonic practitioners was fully revealed.

Without being able to say who started it, the Cherry Blossom Corps young men were swept up in extreme terror.

Clatter clatter clatter clatter.

Sounds of teeth chattering came from here and there. Though the young men covered their mouths with their hands, they couldn’t stop the chattering sounds from trembling.

Im Yi-eon frowned and flapped her sleeves greatly to stir and deflect Mu-gak’s killing intent, while Ham-geun briefly exhaled ‘Hup!’ to push away the killing intent. Though An Ryeong had deep internal energy, she wasn’t accustomed to such killing intent and stiffened like the Cherry Blossom Corps young men. She tried to clench her molars tightly, but her body trembled and her upper and lower teeth collided, making unwanted chattering sounds.

In contrast, Jin Ja-gang was still unaffected.

Familiar killing intent. He only felt they shared something of the same nature. While others felt the aura of death, Jin Ja-gang actually felt strongly alive.

Jin Ja-gang had to suppress the corners of his mouth from rising as fighting spirit welled up while answering.

“Telling you to hand over the pill is for your sake, Monk.”

The Cherry Blossom Corps young men also saw Jin Ja-gang responding casually without particularly countering Mu-gak’s killing intent. Goosebumps ran down their spines.

Had they really come to capture such a guy!

Im Yi-eon, An Ryeong, and Ham-geun also looked at Jin Ja-gang anew.

They realized Jin Ja-gang possessed the same dense killing intent as Mu-gak – killing intent that only one who had killed countless people and survived battlefields could have.

Im Yi-eon let out a ‘Huh!’ exclamation and threw out a comment.

“So saying you came up from hell realm wasn’t false.”

An Ryeong’s face reddened.

To have told someone who had experienced and come up from hell realm not to take the world lightly… it was embarrassing.

However, Ham-geun’s expression hardened further.

Jin Ja-gang could no longer be placed in the ranks of junior generation. He was already in the ranks of masters who had surpassed the veteran level.

That meant the situation could become more difficult than expected.

Mu-gak sending away many Arhat monks might have been his mistake.

But Mu-gak laughed as if Ham-geun’s concerns meant nothing to him.

“Poison Dragon. I’ll praise you for at least not becoming a rakshasa in hell realm.”

Jin Ja-gang waited for Mu-gak’s words.

“Gong-hon.”

The moment Mu-gak spoke, Gong-hon’s form became blurred.

Gong-hon had deployed movement techniques.

But where Gong-hon appeared wasn’t in front of Jin Ja-gang.

It was in front of Guan Ren from Taihang Sword Sect.

“…?”

He was one of the three who had poison resistance pills along with Zhuge Gu.

Guan Ren had been frozen near the second floor stairs, unable to move from terror, when he saw Gong-hon appear before him.

Guan Ren turned his head with a vacant expression to look at Mu-gak.

Mu-gak’s hand was feebly approaching toward Guan Ren. Guan Ren couldn’t even think to dodge.

Mu-gak’s finger lightly pressed Guan Ren’s head.

“Crush!”

Guan Ren’s body sank down and instantly disappeared.

A round hole formed in the floor where Guan Ren had been standing, with some unidentifiable bloody mass stuck in the hole.

Mu-gak withdrew his hand.

When the tremendous downward force suddenly disappeared, blood spurted up in reverse from the rebound.

The spurting blood became droplets that fell scattered.

Drip, drop.

The Cherry Blossom Corps young men didn’t want to see but couldn’t close their eyes and only gaped their mouths.

Gong-hon turned to direct Mu-gak’s gaze toward Jin Ja-gang.

Mu-gak said with his twisted mouth.

“I told you. Prove it.”

Mu-gak then brought the poison resistance pill to his mouth. He pushed the pill under his tongue and closed his mouth while chewing.

Jin Ja-gang threw out a comment.

“I said you’d regret it.”

“Even with my limbs in this state, I’ve never regretted anything once.”

Mu-gak said with killing intent gleaming in his eyes.

“Gong-hon.”

Instantly Gong-hon’s form disappeared again. But while moving with movement techniques, he collided with something.

Bang!

Gong-hon was pushed back, leaving a long mark on the floor while protecting Mu-gak with Golden Silk Kasaya and crouching his upper body.

“What, what!”

Gong-hon’s eyes contorted. Jin Ja-gang was blocking the path in front with his hand extended. He had pushed Gong-hon back with energy release.

Gong-hon was flustered. Jin Ja-gang had clearly been behind…

Gong-hon only turned his eyes to glance behind. The figure of Jin Ja-gang who had been standing behind became blurred. The one in front was real.

Mu-gak said.

“Don’t make a fuss. Though it looks strange, it’s Wudang Sect’s movement technique. He just moved before us.”

Jin Ja-gang was impressed. Though Taoist Haewol had said it was a movement technique lost long ago, Mu-gak recognized it at a glance.

Jin Ja-gang smiled while baring his teeth with a killing expression.

“Monk’s discernment is remarkable.”

“Do you know how many times I’ve fought with Wudang Sect Taoists?”

That Jin Ja-gang used Wudang Sect movement techniques was surprising, but those in the inn were amazed for another reason.

How had Jin Ja-gang known which direction Gong-hon would move and moved in advance?

An Ryeong seemed to suddenly realize something and shouted.

“The poison resistance pill!”

There had been three pills claiming to be Asura Blood antidotes. Guan Ren and Yang Yang had eaten their pills, and the pill Zhuge Gu had possessed was just consumed by Mu-gak.

So only Yang Yang from Red Sword Sect remained. If Mu-gak killed Yang Yang, only Mu-gak would possess a poison resistance pill.

Whether the poison resistance pill was effective or not, with the other two dead, there would be no way to know. To know the pill’s effectiveness, there was ultimately no choice but to strike Mu-gak.

This was Mu-gak’s provocation toward Jin Ja-gang.

An Ryeong gulped down dry saliva. She had never seen such a scene before.

Jin Ja-gang’s momentum that had suddenly surged was impressive, but Mu-gak’s pride in trying to break it was also remarkable.

However, Yang Yang, who had become the target, wasn’t in a position to admire.

When Yang Yang realized she had become Mu-gak’s target, her face turned blue and she didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t just Mu-gak. Though unlikely, if Mu-gak were somehow defeated, she would be targeted by others too.

So she put her fingers in her mouth trying to vomit.

“Ugh! Urgh! Ur…”

Pop.

Gong-hon moved again. Jin Ja-gang blocked Gong-hon’s path while swinging his folding sickle. Gong-hon blocked and covered Mu-gak with one arm.

Clang! With the usual metallic sound, the folding sickle bounced off the Golden Silk Kasaya.

Bang!

Suddenly with a loud impact sound, Jin Ja-gang was pushed back almost falling over. Gong-hon’s foot was raised.

Jin Ja-gang tried to stand upright but limped. His left thigh had been kicked and the muscle seemed immediately ruptured.

Gong-hon extended and folded his leg without his upper body shaking at all. It was Shadowless Kick that kicked without moving the shoulder at all. A technique that prevented opponents from detecting the attack at all.

When Gong-hon looked at Jin Ja-gang and smiled viciously, Jin Ja-gang also smiled together. Then while standing in place, he pulled the folding sickle forcefully.

Wobble!

Gong-hon’s leg lifted into the air. Soul Seizing Thread connected to the folding sickle was tied around Gong-hon’s leg.

Mu-gak clicked his tongue ‘Tsk!’ Jin Ja-gang hadn’t noticed the Shadowless Kick, but naturally expected him to use feet since he couldn’t use hands.

Jin Ja-gang wound Soul Seizing Thread around his waist and spun around while pulling Gong-hon. Gong-hon hopped while enduring on one foot then rushed at Jin Ja-gang.

Mu-gak extended his finger trying to touch Jin Ja-gang. Jin Ja-gang slipped away along the floor and went behind Gong-hon. Soul Seizing Thread wrapped once more around Gong-hon’s leg and opposite waist.

“Clever bastard!”

Instead of directly facing Mu-gak, he was targeting Gong-hon who served as Mu-gak’s limbs. Gong-hon leaped on one foot and spun upside down in the air, striking down at Jin Ja-gang’s head with his own head.

When Jin Ja-gang received the Iron Head technique with his palm and twisted his head to dodge, Gong-hon reached out in mid-air and roughly grabbed Jin Ja-gang’s hair. Then he fully extended his untied right foot to kick Jin Ja-gang’s face.

Jin Ja-gang cut his own hair caught by Gong-hon with the folding sickle and escaped from his grip. Gong-hon’s toes barely grazed past Jin Ja-gang’s nose.

Jin Ja-gang tried to bind Gong-hon’s right foot and neck together with Soul Seizing Thread. Mu-gak extended his finger to interfere.

Jin Ja-gang rolled on the floor to dodge.

Thump! A round hole formed in the floor. Jin Ja-gang used Heaven and Earth Eight Defeats technique to draw three needles from his sleeve and throw them. They respectively aimed for Gong-hon’s eyes and Mu-gak’s face. Gong-hon deflected the needles flying at his eyes with Iron Head technique while Mu-gak pulled his collar to protect himself with Golden Silk Iron Beads.

One needle didn’t even hit and flew all the way to embed in the ceiling. Suddenly, a popping sound came from the ceiling and black powder poured down.

Patter!

A bundle hanging from the ceiling had been punctured and ash-like substances were pouring out. Since Gong-hon still had his left leg caught in Soul Seizing Thread, he waved his arms upward to prevent the powder from falling on his head. Jin Ja-gang rushed in and continuously swung his folding sickle.

Clatter, clang!

While Gong-hon blocked with his sleeves, he forcefully lifted his leg bound by Soul Seizing Thread then stomped. The connected Soul Seizing Thread actually pulled Jin Ja-gang sharply. Jin Ja-gang didn’t resist being pulled but instead rammed Gong-hon with his body. Jin Ja-gang’s shoulder and Gong-hon’s shoulder collided simultaneously.

Crack. With the sound, Jin Ja-gang’s face slightly grimaced. Gong-hon lowered his body and rotated. While sweeping the floor, he kicked the back of Jin Ja-gang’s legs as if tripping him.

Jin Ja-gang had both legs kicked simultaneously and his body spun once. He supported himself with his hands on the floor and flipped backward to dodge. Gong-hon leaped in and rammed Jin Ja-gang’s chest with his head.

Thump!

Though Jin Ja-gang blocked his chest with both arms, the shock came through his forearms to his ribs. He even dropped the folding sickle. While being pushed back in mid-air, Jin Ja-gang wrapped Soul Seizing Thread around Gong-hon’s neck.

Gong-hon raised blood vessels on his neck while pulling up his collar to defend. Soul Seizing Thread tightened over the collar. Jin Ja-gang was blown away by the impact of hitting Iron Head technique, then pulled Soul Seizing Thread with both hands to return. Then while pressing down Soul Seizing Thread, he kicked up at Gong-hon’s nose with his knee.

Gong-hon slightly turned his head. Unable to completely dodge, he was hit on the cheekbone.

Crack. Blood droplets scattered in all directions from Gong-hon’s face, which was already bloody and a mess.

Mu-gak extended his hand toward Jin Ja-gang’s body.

Then Jin Ja-gang flicked his finger.

Spark.

A spark flew. Jin Ja-gang struck Gong-hon’s cheeks and head with both hands like clapping.

Blazing Flame Twin Palm!

The floating powder caught fire and exploded on Gong-hon’s head, causing flames.

Whoosh!