Chapter 438 – One's Own Sect's Safety Takes Priority Over the World (1)

"Great Tiger Emerges!"

"Haap!"

"Chyat!"

In a large training ground, numerous children were practicing martial arts under an instructor's guidance. The sight of hundreds performing the same technique in unison was quite spectacular.

"Good. Next is Dragon Ascends to Heaven."

The instructor's vigorous voice echoed resonantly through the training ground, and the children powerfully executed the technique.

The bluestone floor rumbled with thuds, and the children's powerful battle cries made Mount Hua resound.

The place where they practiced was the old site of Taiping Palace.

In Mount Hua's blade-like terrain, the widest flatland was precisely where Taiping Palace stood.

Taiping Palace, modeled after the celestial realm's Thirty-Six Heavens, was immensely grand. All matters great and small of the Mount Hua Sect occurred here, and this was where disciples practiced martial arts.

When the Demon Cult invaded, Taiping Palace was devastatingly destroyed. But with the Eun family's support, Taiping Palace regained its original appearance.

Someone was nodding while watching those practicing martial arts at Taiping Palace's training ground.

"Won-gong surprisingly has a talent for teaching."

The refined-looking elderly Taoist was precisely Master Hyeon-so, who held the highest seniority in the Mount Hua Sect.

"I was surprised too. I thought he was introverted due to shyness, but when teaching, he's more passionate than anyone."

The one answering was Woon Kyung, the sect leader of Mount Hua Sect. Behind him followed Myeong-gyeong, First Sword of Mount Hua.

They were the core figures currently leading the Mount Hua Sect. If Master Hyeon-so was the sect's spiritual pillar, Woon Kyung was the practical commander, and Myeong-gyeong symbolized martial power.

Thanks to these three, the collapsed Mount Hua Sect could be rebuilt to this extent. The sect was rapidly reclaiming its former glory.

The children now learning martial arts at Taiping Palace's training ground were newly recruited disciples. Only children with exceptional talent from the secular world and near Shaanxi Province were secretly selected and accepted.

The instructor teaching them was Won-gong, one of the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen.

Originally Won-gong was a third-generation disciple. Due to his introverted personality, he didn't stand out much as a second-generation disciple, but after experiencing one blood calamity, he practiced martial arts more zealously than anyone. His personality also changed to become passionate, and he rushed forward for Mount Hua Sect's affairs regardless of danger.

He especially devoted himself to teaching young disciples, knowing they were Mount Hua Sect's future.

Under Won-gong's guidance, the children were growing noticeably. Master Hyeon-so and others took great comfort in the children's growth.

After watching the children for a while, Master Hyeon-so suddenly spoke.

"Some children stand out."

"As expected, you noticed. There are exceptionally talented children."

Woon Kyung smiled broadly.

For a sect to develop across generations, disciples with outstanding talent had to continuously flow in. In that respect, Mount Hua Sect was fortunate. Many of the children who entered this time had considerable talent.

Though not as much as Dam Ho or Myeong-gyeong, they were still rarely seen talents. They were pillars who would lead Mount Hua's future.

Normally, second-generation disciples would be assigned as masters to teach them step by step, but now was a chaotic era where one couldn't see even an inch ahead. Without such leisure, everything had to be handled swiftly.

It was already decided that the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Swordsmen would personally teach them. Considering the swordsmen's young age, it was truly an exceptional measure.

Master Hyeon-so looked at Woon Kyung with a pleased expression.

Woon Kyung was leading Mount Hua Sect unbelievably well. His becoming sect leader was truly a masterstroke.

That's when it happened.

"Sect Leader!"

Suddenly someone came running breathlessly up from the mountain base. The moment they confirmed who it was, deep furrows formed between the three people's brows.

The one running up was second-generation disciple Yu-gong. He was tasked with gathering external information.

His running like that meant something had happened outside.

"What's wrong, Yu-gong?"

"It's, it's serious!"

"Speak calmly. What happened?"

At Woon Kyung's words, Yu-gong caught his breath briefly before continuing.

"Large-scale Demon Cult movements have been detected."

"The Demon Cult?"

"Yes! Large forces have been spotted advancing from the Yueyang main base."

"Is that true?"

"It's information from Hao Sect. It should be accurate."

"Mmm!"

At Yu-gong's words, the three people groaned.

Hao Sect was providing information to Mount Hua Sect due to its special relationship with Dam Ho. They knew well from past experience how accurate Hao Sect's information was.

"What happened? Why would the Demon Cult suddenly move after being quiet?"

"The Martial Alliance dispatched a suicide squad to assassinate the Demon Cult's key figures. It seems the stimulated Demon Cult is moving in retaliation."

"That foolish… Did they think a method used decades ago would work again?"

Master Hyeon-so shook his head.

Humans by nature tend to repeat previously successful methods when situations become difficult. But when crises reach their peak, utmost caution is needed. Because the enemy with brains will certainly prepare to avoid falling for the same method.

"So how many forces came out?"

"Not precisely determined yet, but it appears most of their combat power has been mobilized."

"Mmm!"

Finally Master Hyeon-so groaned.

Woon Kyung and Myeong-gyeong's expressions were no different from Master Hyeon-so's.

Though they knew this day would come, facing it was utterly disheartening.

Master Hyeon-so looked at Woon Kyung in silence.

Though by seniority he was the elder, Woon Kyung was Mount Hua Sect's leader. For the sect's discipline, he believed Woon Kyung's decisions must be respected and followed.

Woon Kyung closed his eyes thinking deeply. Master Hyeon-so and Myeong-gyeong waited in silence until his thinking finished.

After organizing his thoughts, Woon Kyung opened his eyes.

"Myeong-gyeong."

"Command me, Sect Leader martial brother."

"You need to go to Zhongnan Mountain."

"Zhongnan Sect?"

Myeong-gyeong looked questioningly.

Zhongnan Sect, like Mount Hua Sect, had suffered great damage three years ago and was in seclusion. They too were doing their utmost to reorganize while secluded. But they had no external activities, so internal conditions couldn't be known in detail.

Both based in Shaanxi Province, Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect had repeated cooperation and conflict for hundreds of years. In peacetime they competed and conflicted; in chaos they cooperated to defeat common enemies.

Woon Kyung thought now was the time to join hands with Zhongnan Sect again. Since he as sect leader couldn't leave Mount Hua Sect, he would send Myeong-gyeong as First Sword of Mount Hua to match their standing.

"Will they open their seclusion and receive me?"

"If it's you, Zhongnan Sect won't neglect you carelessly. The weight carried by First Sword of Mount Hua is never small."

"Understood. I'll go to Zhongnan Sect."

"You must definitely secure their cooperation."

"Of course."

"While you're gone, I'll recheck Mount Hua Sect's internal forces."

"Understood. Then I'll go to Zhongnan Sect immediately."

"Mm!"

Once Woon Kyung's permission fell, Myeong-gyeong also greeted Master Hyeon-so and left Mount Hua Sect immediately.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"Please remain within Mount Hua Sect, Grand Master Uncle, and monitor well lest the Heavenly Evil Cult invade. Currently only you can repel their sorcery."

"Understood. I'll do so."

Master Hyeon-so nodded.

Woon Kyung's expression darkened.

With the Demon Cult moving in earnest, countless people would surely die. Many martial artists would die, but ordinary people unrelated to the martial world would also lose their lives swept up in war.

"Infinite Buddha!"

"Don't worry too much. Though the Demon Cult's momentum is tremendous now, it cannot be maintained forever. All things flow according to natural order."

"I understand with my head, but my cultivation isn't deep enough to accept it with my heart."

"I understand."

"By the way, has there been contact from Ho?"

"None!"

"Aren't you worried?"

"Isn't no news good news?"

"That's true, but…"

"He's a strong child."

"Come to think of it, I said something unnecessary. Rather than worrying, I'm growing Mount Hua Sect by relying on the Fist Demon's prestige."

"You say strange things."

"We must acknowledge what should be acknowledged. Though Ho is called Mount Hua Fist Demon, no one in the world thinks Ho is beneath Mount Hua. Rather, they think Mount Hua Sect is under Ho's umbrella. Most children who entered to learn martial arts at Mount Hua Sect now came because they admire Ho."

"Is that so?"

"I'm truly grateful to Ho. Even more so that he hasn't abandoned Mount Hua Sect."

Woon Kyung's words contained sincerity. Master Hyeon-so merely smiled, knowing his heart.

Master Hyeon-so looked at the distant sky.

'Are you well?'

***

'Master!'

Dam Ho suddenly raised his head to look at the sky. Because it seemed he heard Master Hyeon-so's voice.

Dam Ho silently gazed at the sky for a long time. What returned him to reality was the sound of cutting wind and children's fierce battle cries.

"Haap!"

"Yup!"

Turning his head, he saw the Namgung brothers attacking Bang Jin-bo together. Their fight was so fierce it couldn't be seen as young children sparring.

The Namgung brothers truly attacked Bang Jin-bo with their utmost. But Bang Jin-bo received and deflected their attacks easily while counterattacking.

Swish!

The sound of Bang Jin-bo's short saber cutting air rang out menacingly. Though not using internal energy, Bang Jin-bo was doing his best.

Clang!

The short saber and Namgung brothers' swords clashed fiercely, erupting metallic sounds. The fight was fierce enough that it couldn't be called sparring.

Bang Jin-bo unfolded Plum Blossom Saber. His saber technique was so elegant it couldn't be believed he wielded a short saber.

Whenever the short saber moved, plum blossoms bloomed and fell repeatedly. The Namgung brothers facing him were mesmerized by the brilliant plum blossoms flickering before their eyes.

Bang Jin-bo was deeply immersed in Plum Blossom Saber. Though he'd practiced and displayed martial arts countless times, this was the first time he'd been so deeply immersed.

Coming here, he'd sparred with the Namgung brothers daily.

At first he was careful lest they get hurt, but as their skills rapidly improved, that became unnecessary.

Not only Namgung Seon-hwi, but Namgung Yeong-hwi's development was also dazzling.

Perhaps because Great Expansion Cultivation Technique was taking effect, Namgung Yeong-hwi's body gradually changed into a form suitable for learning martial arts. Though not yet remarkable, compared to the beginning, much development had been achieved.

Sparring with the Namgung brothers made Bang Jin-bo think much.

Until now, those Bang Jin-bo fought were all famous in the martial world. They were martial artists who couldn't be called weak. While facing them, he had no leisure to check his own martial arts. But the Namgung brothers were different.

They were much weaker than him. He had to consider them. Even deploying the same technique, he had to control his strength.

Originally swinging a sword with full power isn't difficult. Because one just needs to use full strength. But reducing power was twice as difficult.

Therefore Bang Jin-bo had to reconsider his martial arts from the beginning while thinking about strength distribution. Restarting from basics, he gained unexpected enlightenment and perspective.

At some point, the Namgung brothers' sword paths entered his eyes. Though the two brothers' achievements were still meager, they still contained Namgung family's hundreds of years of essence.

Bang Jin-bo rapidly absorbed the strengths of Namgung family swordsmanship. But the Namgung brothers didn't just benefit Bang Jin-bo. They too could dramatically improve their skills while encountering Mount Hua Sect's martial arts.

Thus they grew while absorbing each other's strengths. Eventually they came to resemble each other.

Dam Ho silently watched that scene.

It was a chaotic age.

In this turbulent world, the only thing that could protect oneself was one's own ability.

Bang Jin-bo was still just a young bird, but someday he would gain large sturdy wings to fly the blue sky alone. And Dam Ho felt that time wasn't far off.

Tang Yak was guarding outside while his subordinates went inside Tang Qing’s quarters to capture Tang Ha-ran, preparing for any unexpected situation.

However, no one came toward Tang Qing’s quarters. Family head Tang Gwi-ok was already dead and the leadership who hadn’t joined the rebellion were being attacked.

There was no one to stop the rebellion. In this chaos, there would be no one to take care of Tang Ha-ran as well.

Tang Yak was waiting for her subordinates when she frowned with displeasure. The subordinates who should have come out were not emerging.

“What are you doing! Hurry up and drag her out!”

“…”

There was no answer.

Waaah waaah!

Only the baby’s loud crying could be heard from inside.

But even that was brief.

Soon the child’s crying also stopped.

Tang Yak drew her short sword and cautiously approached the door. The door was closed.

A heavy scent of blood wafted out.

The smell of death!

Tang Yak immediately slashed the door with his short sword. The door split into four pieces. Tang Yak kicked the door and entered the room.

BANG!

However, the moment she entered the room, Tang Yak was horrified.

“Ugh!”

The room was filled with poisonous energy.

That was the source of the death smell.

All the subordinates who had entered were lying face down, dead. They had collapsed while trying to approach Tang Ha-ran.

The old woman who had helped with Tang Ha-ran’s childbirth was also dead from poisoning.

Tang Yak circulated his internal energy to resist the poison energy. The poison was so deadly that his skin immediately stung and his eyes became dry.

And Tang Ha-ran…

She was sitting on the bed with one leg raised, wrapped only in a thin blanket with her chest exposed, holding the baby in one arm while nursing.

Tang Ha-ran, covered in sweat and breathing heavily, glared at Tang Yak who had entered.

Meeting Tang Ha-ran’s murderous gaze, Tang Yak gripped his short sword tightly and lowered his eyes.

The child Tang Ha-ran was holding.

Poisonous energy was flowing from the nursing baby. Terrible poisonous energy.

“That is… Poison Dragon’s child…”

Tang Ha-ran, with sweat-soaked hair hanging down, shouted.

“Back away!”

Tang Ha-ran glared at Tang Yak. Tang Yak unconsciously hesitated under the intimidating aura Tang Ha-ran exuded. However, she gritted her teeth and took a step forward.

No, she tried to approach but actually stepped back instead.

The poisonous energy was too severe to dare approach.

Tang Yak spun her short sword around, grabbed the blade, and held it upside down.

“You need to die.”

Tang Ha-ran stared at Tang Yak without any retreat.

Tang Yak raised her arm to throw the short sword.

But then.

Chillingly, someone’s voice suddenly came from above his head.

“Medicine Immportal… damn bastard, leaving without finishing properly? He left only the mother and child alive.”

Tang Yak was startled and threw his short sword upward. But the next voice came from right in front of her, below.

“Ill-mannered thing.”

Tang Yak’s hair stood on end.

She couldn’t move.

How could she not know this voice!

The voice came from below because its owner was short in stature.

He… he had awakened.

Tang Yak trembled violently.

Why now!

Tang Yak couldn’t even look down due to the murderous intent emanating from below her chin.

“Those who don’t even have the guts to look at me dare commit such treacherous acts? Wretched bastards…”

“Please… forgive me…!”

Before Tang Yak could finish speaking, her body was torn apart.

SLASH!

Blood sprayed everywhere.

From within the blood spray, a short figure looked at Tang Ha-ran and the child while speaking.

“That child’s poison awakened me. Indeed, Poison Dragon’s child is different. A little one who knows how to protect his own life from birth.”

Tang Ha-ran looked steadily at the figure.

“Will you look at the child before leaving?”

The figure chuckled.

“The child spared his mother, but it doesn’t seem like he’ll spare his grandfather. I don’t know. Someday… if there’s a chance, I might see him again.”

The figure turned around with apparent regret.

Tang Ha-ran asked.

“Where are you going?”

“What face would I have to remain here? I’m just trying to clean up the mess I made before leaving.”

The figure paused briefly before asking Tang Ha-ran.

“Ha-ran-ah.”

“Yes, grandfather.”

“Was your dream to become our family’s empress?”

“You remembered.”

The figure smiled bitterly.

“Take care of your postpartum recovery well. Otherwise, your joints will ache when you get old. The new family head must be healthy.”

As the figure left the room, armed scholars immediately rushed in from all directions.

These were Tang Qing’s subordinates who had survived Jin Ja-gang’s hand.

Then Tang Ha-ran stopped the figure once more.

“Won’t you at least give the child a name before you go?”

The figure hesitated briefly, then snorted.

“I should be the one to name him, but I’ll leave it for Poison Dragon who thinks lightly of his elders to worry about. That’s my revenge against him.”

The figure laughed heartily at something amusing and led the scholars.

“Let’s go.”

The scholars followed the figure out.

Tang Ha-ran watched the figure’s retreating back and bowed her head briefly.

***

Downstream of the Min River.

Countless ships were entangled in chaotic battle.

It was a fight between evil faction and Demon Cult warriors guarding poison and salt. Leper Mound and Pleasure Heaven, Coal Mining Group. And Funeral Parlour joined belatedly.

The Poison Sect had come hurriedly, riding crude ferries, but since their opponents weren’t warships either, they weren’t at a great disadvantage. Their numbers were also considerable, so once hand-to-hand combat began, they actually gained the advantage.

“WAAAAH!”

CLANG CLANG CLANG!

“GAAAAH!”

The sounds of weapons clashing and death cries rang out chaotically from all directions.

“Damn! Where did these people come from!”

The few evil faction masters shouted in panic.

“Remove the sacks covering the salt! Split them open and scatter the poison!”

The warriors pulled out sacks containing Five Paths Fatal Poison and cut them with swords. Crystals of Five Paths Fatal Poison spilled out. The warriors scattered the Five Paths Fatal Poison crystals at the Poison Sect warriors while resisting fiercely.

“Dissolve the poison and apply it to swords!”

“They’ll die once they’re hit anyway!”

The evil faction and Demon Cult warriors hastily dissolved poison in the blood of corpses and coated their weapons. No matter how much of a poison sect they were, they didn’t have resistance to other poisons.

Pleasure Heaven’s female warriors also scattered poison powder, Coal Mining Group used pickaxes imbued with poison energy. Leper Mound also used poison-coated hidden weapons, and Funeral Parlour used large coffins and poison-coated daggers.

All kinds of poisons ran rampant, creating a chaotic situation.

It was different from ordinary fighting. Instead of blood splattering and flesh flying, a terrible poisonous stench filled the air. Those who vomited or soiled themselves from poison appeared everywhere.

The Poison Sect’s Three Cliques had slightly more masters, but avoiding blind poison in such chaotic combat was not easy. Even a graze from a poison-coated blade would slow one’s movements, making it impossible to avoid attacks coming from all directions.

Both masters and ordinary warriors were poisoned indiscriminately.

Coal Mining Group’s Tap Tak-yeon split an evil faction warrior’s head with his pickaxe and gritted his teeth.

“These damn bastards…”

The fight continued for quite a while.

The evil faction and Demon Cult warriors were also prepared to die, so they didn’t retreat easily, causing considerable damage to the Poison Sect’s Three Cliques as well. Some even set fire to their own ships. The poisonous smoke from burning Five Paths Fatal Poison scattered in all directions, creating an even more chaotic situation.

In the midst of this, a half-destroyed ship floated down from upstream.

Someone holding a huge sword stood at the bow.

The evil faction and Demon Cult warriors were pleased to see the great sword. Conversely, the Poison Sect’s Three Cliques’ expressions turned grim.

Thunder Emperor Ga Mu-ru was a supreme master beyond the level of ordinary experts. If he intervened, this fight would surely end in defeat.

However, as the ship approached, their expressions reversed.

Jin Ja-gang, wearing the Thousand-Year Turtle Shell and carrying the great sword on his shoulder, was surveying the battlefield with a fierce expression.

Yeong-gwi’s expression brightened the most among those fighting alongside the Poison Sect’s Three Cliques.

The shock of the evil faction warriors was even greater than the Demon Cult’s.

“Surely, the Great Emperor couldn’t have…!”

Jin Ja-gang holding Ga Mu-ru’s signature weapon, the great sword, meant that Ga Mu-ru had been defeated!

Moreover, Emei Sect nuns were riding together behind Jin Ja-gang. The name of Emei Sect, one of the Two Buddha Schools and one of the Ten Great Sects of the martial world, carried even more weight in the current situation.

Jin Ja-gang leaped onto the nearest ship.

A terrified Demon Cult warrior tremblingly swung a poison-coated sword at Jin Ja-gang.

“AAAAH!”

SLASH!

It lightly cut Jin Ja-gang’s arm. Thread-like blood flowed.

Jin Ja-gang quietly glared at the warrior who had cut him.

Seeing Jin Ja-gang’s right arm hanging limply, another warrior gained courage and threw a hidden weapon. The hidden weapons struck Jin Ja-gang’s shoulder and abdomen not covered by the Thousand-Year Turtle Shell.

Jin Ja-gang still didn’t move, only continued glaring.

Another person poured Five Paths Fatal Poison crystals on Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang’s eyes flashed. Jin Ja-gang swept his great sword like lightning with his left hand.

The body of the one pouring Five Paths Fatal Poison on Jin Ja-gang split in half as the great sword embedded in the deck.

THUD!

Then the entire deck split in two.

CRAAACK! The hull twisted as it broke apart.

WHOOOOSH!

The power of Jin Ja-gang’s blade belatedly reached the river water, sending up a column of water.

Jin Ja-gang threw away the great sword while being drenched in the falling spray. Then he untied a round bundle from his waist and held it high.

FLUTTER!

The bundle unraveled, revealing Ga Mu-ru’s head wrapped inside.

AAAAHHHHH!… It was as if Ga Mu-ru was screaming silently.

Tremendous momentum erupted from Jin Ja-gang’s entire body, covering the whole river.

Jin Ja-gang, who had awakened as a ruler, possessed even more powerful momentum after defeating Thunder Emperor Ga Mu-ru. The continuously emanating intimidating aura was truly tremendous.

“Uh, uaaaah…”

Warriors sat down hard upon seeing Ga Mu-ru’s head.

They instantly lost their fighting spirit.

Jin Ja-gang threw away even Ga Mu-ru’s head and began walking. He crossed from the sinking ship to another, then continued walking. All sorts of poisonous smoke rose and Five Paths Fatal Poison covered him, but he paid no attention.

They crawled away on their knees.

Only then did the evil faction and Demon Cult warriors realize.

Jin Ja-gang hadn’t responded not because he was hurt or afraid.

He was showing them that nothing worked.

Whether poison or anything else.

Jin Ja-gang crossed ships in sequence.

No one interfered as Jin Ja-gang passed. The fight had already stopped from the moment he held up Ga Mu-ru’s head. Everyone trembled while looking at Jin Ja-gang, overwhelmed by his momentum. They stepped back and made way before Jin Ja-gang. How could they defeat Jin Ja-gang, who was unaffected by poison and had defeated Thunder Emperor Ga Mu-ru through force?

A path naturally opened.

Yeong-gwi ran over and knelt before Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang praised Yeong-gwi.

“Thank you for your hard work, Yeong-gwi.”

Yeong-gwi looked at Jin Ja-gang with a moved expression.

Worry, relief, and pride all dwelt together in Yeong-gwi’s eyes.

Yeong-gwi wiped away tears briefly and stood behind Jin Ja-gang.

Pleasure Heaven’s Yuk Ha-seon, who had lost his legs and couldn’t participate in battle, watching from afar, admired.

“Indeed, Poison Dragon! Ending the fight with just Ga Mu-ru’s head.”

Coal Mining Group’s Tap Tak-yeon also flapped his large ears and said.

“Not content with surpassing King of Hell, now even Thunder Emperor… He’s no longer a dragon of the frontier.”

Leper Mound’s Thousand Face Demon also spoke to Tab-tak-yeon.

“Aren’t you grateful I convinced you? Otherwise, you’d be one of those split body parts over there.”

“Hmph. I can’t deny that. But recognizing Poison Dragon’s value directly was my insight.”

Tap Tak-yeon and the old official naturally looked toward Funeral Parlour. Funeral Parlour had lost their leader to Jin Ja-gang, but at this moment, they must have thought it was good to have joined again.

On the river, only traces of fierce battle remained without further disturbance. Over a hundred salt ships and ferries were destroyed and burning, emitting toxic smoke.