Chapter 424 – Finding a Path of Life in the Path of Death (3)

"Heave-ho!"

Namgung Yeong-hwi walked toward the campfire carrying an armful of dry branches. Near the clearing where the campfire was blazing, Namgung Seon-hwi was diligently learning the martial arts of the Namgung Family.

Bang Jin-bo was cooking near the campfire, with Nok Su-bing helping beside him.

Namgung Yeong-hwi put down the branches he had gathered near the campfire and looked around. He was looking for Dam Ho.

"Hehe!"

A smile quickly appeared on Namgung Yeong-hwi's face. Because he spotted Dam Ho sitting alone on a rock not far from the campfire.

Dam Ho's face was shrouded in deep shadow. Because of this, it was impossible to tell whether his eyes were closed or open. Naturally, there was no way to know what he was thinking. Still, Namgung Yeong-hwi thought it didn't matter.

Just the fact that Dam Ho was nearby made Namgung Yeong-hwi feel his heart fill up.

From the perspective of the entire Namgung Family, Dam Ho was no different from a mortal enemy. But the still young Namgung Yeong-hwi didn't think such complex thoughts.

The Namgung Family had already fallen anyway, and it was time to start everything over from nothing. They had to shake off past grudges and only look ahead. In such a situation, there was no need to be antagonistic toward Dam Ho.

Above all, Namgung Yeong-hwi liked Dam Ho.

He spoke extremely little and his gaze was also terrifying, but he still liked him. Just the fact that Dam Ho was nearby made him feel secure.

After hearing Dam Ho's advice, Namgung Yeong-hwi had many conversations with his brother Namgung Seon-hwi. When Namgung Yeong-hwi said there was a way for him to learn martial arts, Namgung Seon-hwi was very confused, but still tried to understand.

The brothers talked for a very long time, and thanks to this, they were able to share some of the huge burden they had been carrying on their shoulders. Namgung Seon-hwi's sense of burden had also decreased.

Namgung Yeong-hwi left Dam Ho to be alone and approached Bang Jin-bo.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"No!"

"Huh?"

"It's fine, so you rest too."

Bang Jin-bo said with a smile. Even while talking, his hands didn't stop preparing ingredients.

Namgung Yeong-hwi nodded and sat down near the campfire. Then he began practicing the Great Expansion Mind Technique, one of the secret mental cultivation methods of the Namgung Family.

The Great Expansion Mind Technique wasn't the highest-level mental cultivation method of the Namgung Family. It was a mental cultivation method that anyone of direct Namgung Family bloodline could learn. However, there weren't actually many within the Namgung Family who had learned the Great Expansion Mind Technique.

The Great Expansion Mind Technique was created during the early days of the Namgung Family. Its characteristics were that it was stable and had extremely broad versatility.

The foundation was solid enough to convert to any internal energy mental method without difficulty, and it was stable enough that there was almost no risk of qi deviation. Instead, the speed at which internal energy accumulated was very slow.

Over the past several hundred years, the martial world had developed greatly. Many mental cultivation methods had been improved from the past to allow internal energy to accumulate much faster, and the Namgung Family had also followed this trend, creating many internal energy methods that could quickly build up internal power.

Above all, there was a strong preconception that the Great Expansion Mind Technique was old-fashioned martial arts. Because of this, it was precisely the Great Expansion Mind Technique that was being abandoned even within the Namgung Family.

The reason Namgung Yeong-hwi chose the Great Expansion Mind Technique over other highly efficient mental cultivation methods was because he knew of its special effects.

Although the Great Expansion Mind Technique was slow to achieve results, like Shaolin Temple's Muscle-Tendon Classic, it had the effect of changing and training a person's muscles and bones to make them suitable for learning martial arts.

Someone who mastered the Great Expansion Mind Technique could easily learn any martial art of the Namgung Family. There was just the caveat that completing the Great Expansion Mind Technique itself was difficult.

Namgung Yeong-hwi knew very well how terrible his physical condition was. Rather than immediately learning the Namgung Family's ultimate techniques in his current state, he judged it would be much better to seek qualitative improvement of his body through the Great Expansion Mind Technique first, even if it took a little longer.

Above all, because the Great Expansion Mind Technique was stable, it had the advantage of not needing to be practiced in a separately isolated space.

Namgung Yeong-hwi quickly immersed himself in the Great Expansion Mind Technique.

Watching this, Nok Su-bing muttered:

"The brothers are working hard."

"They have reasons to become strong."

"Everyone has reasons to become strong. It's just a difference between knowing how to become strong or not."

"It's also a difference in will. They have both reason and will."

"So they look admirable?"

"Yes!"

Bang Jin-bo answered without a moment's hesitation. Perhaps this appearance of Bang Jin-bo was unexpected, as Nok Su-bing stared intently at his face.

"Hmm! Quite resolute."

"Is that wrong?"

"No! It's just unexpected."

"What is?"

"I just didn't think Jin-bo would make such strong expressions. I thought you'd live gently, saying good things are just good."

"I used to be like that."

"Then you're saying you're not like that now?"

"I can't live like that forever. Life brings moments of choice, and sometimes you have to make harsh choices and say tough things."

Bang Jin-bo turned his head to look at the Namgung brothers. The two brothers were working desperately in their own way.

Although their paths were different and they might not be able to stay together until the end, and might even become enemies someday, Bang Jin-bo still cheered for their efforts.

Nok Su-bing suddenly smiled brightly.

"You're attractive."

"Huh?"

"I suddenly see you as a man."

"I already have someone."

"What?"

"I said I already have someone. I'll just accept your feelings, big sister."

"Tsk! Anyway, good men are snatched up like ghosts know about it. Who is it? Is she prettier than me?"

"Yes!"

Nok Su-bing wrinkled her nose and glared at Bang Jin-bo. But Bang Jin-bo was already focused on cooking. Such behavior from Bang Jin-bo looked slightly annoying.

'Hmm! This is the first time this body has been ignored like this.'

Nok Su-bing was a member of the Four Death Stars. She was one of the greatest rising talents after the Nine Martial Dragons and was famous for her beautiful appearance. She herself was very confident in both her martial arts and looks, and had never been ignored anywhere.

Whether young or old, all men looked at her with admiring eyes, and she was accustomed to such atmosphere. That's why Bang Jin-bo's way of treating her felt refreshing instead.

In the meantime, Bang Jin-bo had finished cooking.

"Alright, it's ready, so everyone gather."

At Bang Jin-bo's call, Dam Ho and the Namgung brothers stopped what they were doing and gathered around the campfire. Bang Jin-bo distributed the food he had just made to them.

"Phew!"

"Delicious."

The Namgung brothers exclaimed in admiration. There hadn't been a single day they hadn't been amazed since traveling with Bang Jin-bo. The food Bang Jin-bo made didn't just fill their stomachs but seemed to heal their tired minds and bodies.

Nok Su-bing also couldn't help but admire Bang Jin-bo's food inwardly. The more she ate Bang Jin-bo's food, the more vitality seemed to flow through her mind and body.

'Really amazing.'

She had to acknowledge Bang Jin-bo.

Creating such food from nothing in this barren wilderness was impossible for any chef in the martial world. It was something only Bang Jin-bo, who had wandered the martial world with Dam Ho for many years, could do.

Nok Su-bing ate the food Bang Jin-bo made deliciously.

"Ah! I'm full. At this rate I'll get fat. This is no joke."

"Hehe!"

"I'll do the dishes."

"Thank you."

"If you eat for free, you have to pay for the meal."

Nok Su-bing waited for everyone to finish eating before doing the dishes. When she finished washing dishes at the stream and returned to the campfire, it was after Bang Jin-bo and the Namgung brothers had gone to bed.

They seemed very tired and were sleeping soundly huddled together near the campfire.

Only Dam Ho sat alone at a place slightly away from the campfire. Although she couldn't see his face because of the darkness, she could sense that he was awake.

Nok Su-bing approached Dam Ho as if bewitched by something. When Nok Su-bing arrived nearby, Dam Ho looked up at her.

"May I sit beside you for a moment?"

"Sit."

"Thank you."

During the journey here, she had never had a proper conversation with Dam Ho. Not only was Dam Ho naturally taciturn, but the atmosphere flowing from him that seemed separated from the world created an invisible wall. So ordinary people found it difficult even to look directly at Dam Ho, let alone approach him.

Although Nok Su-bing possessed martial power at the highest level among rising talents, compared to Dam Ho she was no different from a child. There was that much of an enormous gap between the two.

Nok Su-bing looked at Dam Ho with eyes filled with awe before opening her mouth.

"How did Great Hero Dam learn such profound martial arts?"

"……"

"Ah! It's not anything else, but I heard you learned martial arts at Mount Hua Sect, yet you don't use Mount Hua Sect martial arts at all."

"Why are you curious about that?"

"My master said so. That if Great Hero Dam truly created his own martial arts and became that strong, he must be a peerless martial artist of this generation."

In the darkness, Nok Su-bing's eyes became hazy. Dam Ho looked at her eyes indifferently and asked:

"Who is your master?"

"Master is a very mysterious person."

"……"

"One day he suddenly appeared and taught martial arts to me when I was still young."

Nok Su-bing's hometown was Qinghai Province, far from Central Plains. It was a small village near Kunlun Mountain at the western end of Qinghai Province.

It was such a remote place that besides the Kunlun Sect that existed on Kunlun Mountain, there wasn't a single decent martial arts sect. Naturally, Nok Su-bing was just a young girl far from martial arts.

One day, an old man suddenly appeared in such a place. And he said to Nok Su-bing:

"Child, your talent is very good. Would you like to learn martial arts from me?"

When the old man lightly waved his hand, a large rock turned to dust and a great tree was cut clean through.

To young Nok Su-bing's eyes, the old man looked like an immortal, and naturally she said she would become his disciple. After that, Nok Su-bing learned martial arts from the old man.

The old man called himself the Nameless One.

The Nameless One stayed in the village for only the first year to build Nok Su-bing's foundation, and after that occasionally visited the village to check her progress before leaving.

When about ten years had passed this way, the Nameless One performed an unknown great technique on Nok Su-bing, and after that her internal energy increased dramatically, allowing her to achieve her current level.

"Nameless One?"

"Yes! Master revealed himself that way. And he commanded me to meet Great Hero Dam. Actually, that's the reason for this martial world journey."

"……"

"Strange, isn't it? I thought so too. When I asked why, Master just said I only needed to meet him. That then I would understand."

Nok Su-bing tilted her head.

Her eyes were shining unusually brightly in the darkness. Dam Ho silently looked at her eyes.

She had eyes like she was dreaming. The focus had disappeared and her face had become emotionless like a doll.

"……"

Suddenly deep furrows appeared on Dam Ho's brow.

Woong!

Though there was no external stimulus, the Dark Soul Mind Technique suddenly moved.

The only people here were himself, Bang Jin-bo, the Namgung brothers, and Nok Su-bing in front of him. There was no reason for the Dark Soul Mind Technique to fluctuate.

Dam Ho's gaze turned cold.

The only one who had changed here was Nok Su-bing. He looked into Nok Su-bing's eyes.

Nok Su-bing's eyes were empty.

Dam Ho's face was reflected, but it only reflected without showing any fragment of emotion or intelligence.

Like a doll.

But Dam Ho saw it. Something else existing within the empty eyes. It was looking at Dam Ho through Nok Su-bing as a medium. And Dam Ho saw it too.

"Who are you?"

Dam Ho asked.

Instantly Nok Su-bing's red lips fluttered.

"Can you see me?"

It was definitely Nok Su-bing's voice. But it wasn't Nok Su-bing's voice. Someone else was speaking through Nok Su-bing's mouth.

"The… Nameless One?"

"Ho! You deduced that far?"

Nok Su-bing made a surprised expression. But her facial muscles were unnatural, as if someone was forcibly pulling them with fingers.

"What technique did you perform on your disciple's body?"

"This child is not my disciple. She's just an intermediary raised to be my eyes and ears."

"Intermediary?"

Dam Ho's gaze turned bleak.

The Nameless One was looking at him through Nok Su-bing's eyes.

He could feel his gaze. That persistently observing stare.

As if trying to grasp everything about Dam Ho, scanning, penetrating, and glaring at him. The opponent was observing and measuring Dam Ho through Nok Su-bing's eyes.

Dam Ho asked:

"Did you send this child to see me?"

"That's right! Because that's the child's purpose. She was raised to be used that way."

"Then I should be able to see you too."

Dam Ho raised the Dark Soul Divine Technique to its extreme. Then he could see it crouching behind Nok Su-bing.

That old and hideous something.

Suddenly a scream burst from Nok Su-bing's mouth.

"Huk!"

At the same time, Nok Su-bing collapsed like a doll whose strings had been cut. The connection with the unknown being had been severed.

Dam Ho looked at Nok Su-bing indifferently.

What he had seen behind her figure had already disappeared and was no longer visible. But its lingering presence and feeling remained vividly. ​

Sim Hak was very nervous.

He couldn’t tell what scheme Mang Ryo was concocting. So he was anxious that Mang Ryo might silence the servants and errand boys after everything was over.

But far from silencing them, Mang Ryo rewarded them generously for doing well. Even that went overboard. He threw them pouches full of silver coins and told them to take them.

Like someone who wouldn’t need money tomorrow.

After finishing his grooming, Mang Ryo became a completely different person.

He looked like a court historian who had spent long years in the Hanlin Academy.

Mang Ryo had spent more than half a day solely on grooming.

Mang Ryo wasn’t bored at all. Sim Hak, who was watching, got tired from being nervous and dozed off instead.

“Well, shall we go?”

At Mang Ryo’s soliloquy, Sim Hak woke up with a start and fell off his chair rolling.

“Are, are you done? Where are you going?”

“Tang Family Main House.”

Sim Hak’s mouth fell open.

He was too incredulous to say more.

“Why groom yourself to go to the Tang Family Main House! No, more than that, why go to the Tang Family Main House!”

“When Master Haewol appeared at Dujiangyan, the Tang family lifted their siege at exactly the right time, right? There had already been some kind of communication between them.”

“Knowing that, you told us to spread rumors that you harmed Master Haewol?”

“I did.”

“And now the person who played a big role in harming that Master Haewol and driving the Tang family into a corner is going to visit the Tang family!”

“I have to go. If I don’t go at this important moment, when will I go? I’ve been waiting for this day for so long.”

“…!”

Sim Hak stared blankly at Mang Ryo.

Mang Ryo was telling them to prepare a palanquin outside when he suddenly remembered something and looked back at Sim Hak.

“Oh, I see. It would be fine to have one spectator. It would be too precious a scene to watch alone.”

Sim Hak grabbed the bed leg and shouted.

“I, I won’t go! Why would I go die in a tiger’s den! They must be sharpening their knives against us!”

“Right. If even Military Advisor Sim thinks that way, the Tang family is cornered. They’re probably desperate to devour us.”

“Then why go!”

“That’s why I’m going.”

Mang Ryo’s single eye flickered.

“Military Advisor Sim.”

“Why, why are you doing this?”

“There was a guy who had nothing, nothing to lose, so he rampaged like naked thunder.”

“But, but what does that matter?”

“That guy gained people’s reputation, rose to high positions, and became son-in-law of a great family. He got a beautiful wife and had children too. He also gained thousands of subordinates he could command with one word and tens of thousands of gold in wealth.”

Mang Ryo spoke with flickering eyes.

“Now he has many possessions. But one day he lost all of that in an instant. If that were Military Advisor Sim, how do you think you’d feel?”

Sim Hak looked at Mang Ryo’s expression and answered.

“If it were me, I’d go mad and jump around frantically. I probably couldn’t accept it with a sound mind…”

Only then did Mang Ryo close his single eye and smile contentedly.

“As expected. I can see why Prefect Baek keeps Military Advisor Sim by his side.”

Sim Hak had a dumbfounded expression.

“Is that a compliment?”

“It’s a compliment. So let’s go.”

Sim Hak was completely frozen.

“I won’t go! I won’t go!”

Mang Ryo grabbed Sim Hak’s nape with one hand and lifted him up.

“Let’s go.”

Sim Hak trembled. But even in the midst of this, Sim Hak couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

“But what you said earlier.”

“Hmm?”

“Isn’t Advisor Mang the same?”

“Me?”

“Advisor Mang also became such a great person that you’re called a patriotic hero. But aren’t you going to the Tang Family Main House with your neck on the line?”

Mang Ryo grinned wickedly.

“Flowery words like hero mean nothing to me.”

Deep hostility was revealed in Mang Ryo’s smile.

Mang Ryo spoke in a desolate voice filled with deep regret.

“I’m someone who died long ago after losing all dreams and hopes.”

Sim Hak felt chills.

After briefly swallowing dryly, Sim Hak asked.

“Will you… make me groom like Advisor Mang?”

“No need. Military Advisor Sim is a spectator.”

Mang Ryo walked out of the cabin with his prosthetic leg wrapped in soft silk while holding Sim Hak’s nape.

“With one cup of wine the rising moon becomes a beauty, with two cups the blue of the river becomes a dear friend. If friends in Luoyang ask about my well-being, tell them a piece of pure heart is in a jade bottle. Rain comes and goes on a clear day, trying to break the soul of a passerby.”

That was a poem Mang Ryo had recited at will when he was in good spirits after first taking Jin Ja-gang’s broken legs.

By the river, a carriage heading to the Tang Family Main House was waiting for Mang Ryo.

Before getting in the carriage, Mang Ryo told a messenger.

“If I don’t return within half a day, depart the ships regardless of reason. Understood?”

* * *

The Tang Family Main House was wrapped in shock as great as when King of Hell Tang Qing was defeated by Jin Ja-gang and fell.

Master Haewol was defeated by Baek Li-jung and fell.

Frankly speaking, there was no way Master Haewol could lose to Baek Li-jung in one-on-one combat and fall. Especially if he had brought in Demon Cult too.

That meant nothing other than that Baek Li-jung had dug a trap and waited.

“Since Northern Heaven unorthodox sect showed themselves, Thunder Emperor Ga Mu-ru must have joined.”

“Bringing in Demon Cult might have been a mistake.”

The Tang family leadership suffered.

Either way, the Tang family faced even more desperate straits.

If they stepped forward now to steal salt, it would be enough to be suspected of being entangled with Demon Cult like Master Haewol.

“Rather… we should have done it with our own hands instead of entrusting it to Master Haewol.”

“We’re trying to block with a hoe what should be blocked with a rake.”

“If we had endured some criticism and stolen the salt, then used our finances to buy proper salt for relief work, we wouldn’t have been cornered like this.”

“How do we handle the aftermath now?”

The Tang family’s future became gloomy.

The leaders’ eyes naturally turned toward Jin Ja-gang on one side. Their gazes mixed with resentment.

They were blaming Jin Ja-gang.

If it hadn’t been for Jin Ja-gang, if rather King of Hell Tang Qing had been in that position, whether things turned to porridge or rice, it wouldn’t have been this difficult!

When Tang Qing controlled the Tang family, they just had to follow along. There was no need for complex worries or thoughts, and even without them, the Tang family prospered.

But what is this now?

Their heads ached and there were no solutions. Though cornered, no one could provide a solution.

If it were King of Hell, if it were Tang Qing, he would have solved this difficulty.

Tang Gwi-ok was not unaware of those gazes.

But Tang Gwi-ok couldn’t blame them either. Tang Gwi-ok too had only managed household affairs under Tang Qing’s rule.

Jin Ja-gang quietly received the leaders’ gazes then spoke as if tossing words out.

“I’ll do it.”

The leadership was puzzled.

“What… do you mean?”

Jin Ja-gang explained for them.

“I mean I’ll do the action Master Haewol tried to do.”

“What?”

“Without borrowing the Tang family’s name. I’ll step forward personally and try to steal the salt.”

Tang Gwi-ok looked at Jin Ja-gang in surprise.

The leadership also asked urgently with anxious expressions.

“Do you think that makes sense? The rumor that you defeated King of Hell has already spread throughout the martial world, and now you want us to claim we’re unrelated?”

“Not only is it impossible for you alone to do what even Master Haewol couldn’t, but even if you somehow succeed, we won’t be free from responsibility!”

Jin Ja-gang looked at the elder who had just spoken and said firmly.

“Bear that much responsibility.”

“What?”

The elder became speechless.

“Say that I acted independently unrelated to the Tang family. Whether you believe it or not, claim that and take responsibility for the aftermath yourselves. It’s already too late to resolve things without any damage.”

The leadership fell silent.

Tang Gwi-ok asked.

“Listen, son-in-law. We can take that much responsibility. But you… will receive the same treatment Master Haewol is receiving. As an eternal… villain in martial world history.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Gwi-ok.

“I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

Then, unlike Jin Ja-gang, he looked around at the leaders and added.

“Of course, it’s not for your sake.”

* * *

Jin Ja-gang left the Tang Family Main House and called together Bian Bu, Taoist Master Bok-cheon, and others. Sword Empress Im Yi-yeon and Son Bi also joined them.

They too had heard the rumors that Master Haewol had died.

They were worried about what would happen next.

Jin Ja-gang brought up the topic.

“I’m going to leave the Tang Family Main House now.”

Though it was an unexpected statement, the quick-witted Bian Bu immediately understood Jin Ja-gang’s intention.

“Poison Dragon. I’m asking just in case… it’s not what I’m thinking, is it?”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon scolded in a stern voice.

“Don’t think useless thoughts!”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“They say the fleet carrying salt has stopped while coming down the Min River. Once it reaches the Yangtze River, we can’t catch up. If not now, there’s no chance.”

“You! Do you want to become an enemy of the martial world?”

Jin Ja-gang stayed quiet then said.

“My only goal was to take revenge for Hundred Flower Valley. I had no other reason to live.”

Bian Bu opened his eyes wide and even spat as he spoke.

“Don’t talk like someone going to die! No, this is almost the same as going to die. But now you have a family. This is your home.”

“That’s right. That’s why I’m going.”

“To protect the Tang family? The Tang family is Hundred Flower Valley’s enemy. I’d rather understand if you said you’d grab your wife’s hand and flee the Tang family! This isn’t even that, so what on earth are you thinking?”

“There’s someone I must kill. He’s the true mastermind behind Hundred Flower Valley’s massacre and simultaneously the one who messed up the martial world’s order.”

“Since when were you a hero! If it’s for revenge, it would be much easier not to bear unnecessary infamy. Understand? This is advice from me as an elder and life senior.”

“It’s not because I’m a hero. It’s for the future.”

“…”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“I have a dream. A dream that the martial world where my wife and soon-to-be-born child will live would be at least better than now.”

Bian Bu asked with a frustrated face.

“So you’re going to die?”

Jin Ja-gang answered. Like Master Haewol had said.

“I’m not going to die, I’m going to find hope.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s words, Im Yi-yeon suddenly seemed to realize and shouted.

“Ah…!”

Though Im Yi-yeon’s complexion wasn’t good due to internal injuries, her eyes held indescribable overwhelming emotion.

“You plan to continue his will! Master Haewol didn’t just ascend as a martial world public enemy. He left his will to you. Am I wrong!”

Continuing his will means inheriting his intentions.

Suddenly everyone realized.

The reason Master Haewol suddenly went to rob salt and died.

Woon-jeong muttered as if dazed.

“Then the Clear Mirror Heart Sutra too… Poison Dragon friend suddenly shedding tears after reading the Clear Mirror Heart Sutra too…”

Jin Ja-gang cut off Woon-jeong’s words and said.

“Now what remains is my business. The rest of you don’t need to get involved in unnecessary trouble. It would be best if you left the Tang Family Main House as quickly as possible.”

Jin Ja-gang left the gazes of those staring at him with blank expressions behind him and immediately turned around to leave.