Chapter 479
by Heavenly CatChapter 479 – Toying With The World Always Comes At A Price (1)
Jo Manor settled in Taigu twenty years ago. When Jo Manor was first built, people had much to say. Rumors circulated about how a great trading company would be coming in, or that it would be a place for a retired high official to stay. But contrary to such people's expectations, the owner of Jo Manor was an ordinary person. Though he had earned much money operating a trading company in his youth, now he had settled everything and came to Taigu to spend his retirement.
Actually, he spent his retirement as if he existed yet didn't exist. Though he occasionally went out, he spent most of his time at Jo Manor. Because of that, not many people had seen him.
People respectfully called the owner of Jo Manor Lord Jo. Because when great disasters or droughts struck Taigu, he generously distributed grain for relief.
Jo Manor's main gate was firmly closed today as well. It wasn't particularly strange since Jo Manor's gate didn't open unless there was something special.
Clip-clop!
At that moment, the sound of hooves breaking Jo Manor's silence was heard.
The moment the heavy, dull hoofbeats were heard, even the surrounding air seemed to sink heavily.
A pitch-black horse without a single stray hair mixed in was walking toward Jo Manor's main gate. The man sitting atop the pitch-black horse was also entirely black.
His disheveled hair like a lion's mane, the blood-colored cloak worn on his body, everything was so pitch-black that it gave an ominous feeling just from looking.
The man was precisely Dam Ho. He had appeared at Jo Manor riding Black Ghost.
Dam Ho silently looked at Jo Manor for a moment. Outwardly, Jo Manor didn't seem to have anything strange about it. It was just an ordinary manor that could be seen anywhere, seeming to have no connection whatsoever with the martial world.
He too wouldn't have thought this place strange if he hadn't heard the information from Gi Ye-hwa. But Gi Ye-hwa couldn't have lied. It was information she too had risked her life to find out.
Dam Ho dismounted from Black Ghost's back and walked toward the main gate.
One step, then another step.
When the massive gate drew close to one step ahead, Dam Ho raised his fist.
Bang!
The massive gate easily twice as tall as an ordinary person's height shattered as if a thunderbolt had exploded.
"Wh-what?"
"What's happening?"
At the sudden calamity, the people who had been inside Jo Manor startled and rushed out.
Most of them were ordinary people who hadn't learned martial arts. They wore dumbfounded expressions at Dam Ho's appearance, who looked ominously like the death god.
One among them gathered courage and asked Dam Ho.
"Wh-who are you? Why is a martial artist here?"
"Is Jo Gwan-il here?"
"Who are you to be looking for the Manor Lord?"
"Tell Jo Gwan-il to come out."
"What's that?"
Anger rose on the face of the man who had gathered courage to ask Dam Ho.
Though he didn't know Dam Ho's identity, he was enraged by the behavior of calling the Manor Lord he most respected as if he were a neighborhood dog.
"Isn't this guy crazy? Do you think the Manor Lord is someone who comes when you tell him to? The Manor Lord is…"
Thwack!
Instantly the man's head vanished without trace from atop his shoulders. His headless body stood stock-still like a stone statue, then soon lost its balance and toppled backward.
At the situation that made them doubt their eyes, people only blinked, then after a moment recognized the situation and screamed.
"Aaaah! Murder."
"To commit murder at Jo Manor."
Those who hadn't learned martial arts were startled and only screamed, while those among them who appeared to have learned martial arts rushed toward Dam Ho while emitting fierce momentum.
Instantly Dam Ho's gaze sank even deeper.
When the martial artists approached within reach, intense currents swirled around Dam Ho's body. Violent Demon Energy had unfolded.
"Kyaaak!"
"Aaak!"
Those swept up in the violent force were flung in all directions with desperate screams. Their appearance shattered as if they'd been torn limb from limb was no different from chunks of meat.
"Hup!"
"Gak!"
The people who saw that sight widened their eyes in shock and covered their mouths with their hands.
They had never once seen such a horrific sight.
Goosebumps rose all over their bodies, and their entire beings trembled. Their minds went blank and their spines shook, not knowing at all how to accept the situation before their eyes. Literally in a state of panic.
Though he had turned over ten people into chunks of meat with just one move, there was no change whatsoever in Dam Ho's gaze. Rather, he looked even colder. Such an appearance of Dam Ho's made people's spirits even more frightened.
Dam Ho's appearance of suddenly barging into the peaceful Jo Manor and committing murder didn't seem like that of a fellow human. But no one dared attempt to ask why. Because they had seen the appearance of their comrades who had just stepped forward and become chunks of meat.
At that moment, a young man appeared pushing through the people.
The young man who appeared to be in his early twenties spread both arms wide and blocked Dam Ho's path.
"Stop. Who on earth are you to cause a disturbance at Jo Manor?"
The handsome-looking young man's eyes were full of anger.
Even at a glance, he looked different from other people. He possessed extraordinary spirit and dignity.
Dam Ho asked.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Jo Cheong-woon. The Jo Gwan-il Great Hero you're looking for is my father."
The young man who revealed himself as Jo Cheong-woon stared straight at Dam Ho. Though fear was present on his face, servility didn't exist.
Jo Cheong-woon found the man before his eyes truly terrifyingly frightening. The man who invaded the peaceful Jo Manor and committed indiscriminate slaughter only looked like a demon to his eyes.
Dam Ho asked.
"Where is Jo Gwan-il?"
"Why are you looking for my father? If you wish to see my father, withdraw today and return later after following proper procedures. Then you'll be able to see him."
Jo Cheong-woon raised his voice.
He tried hard to show a dignified appearance. But to anyone watching, his appearance looked precarious like a candle before a typhoon.
Everyone watched Jo Cheong-woon with anxious hearts.
Jo Cheong-woon was Jo Manor's Young Manor Lord. Because he was usually gentle yet thoughtful, many people at Jo Manor sincerely followed and cherished him.
Distributing grain when drought struck Taigu had been entirely his decision. Some of the people now at Jo Manor were people he had taken in.
Because of that, they were ready to throw their bodies to save Jo Cheong-woon if necessary. But no matter how high their spirit soared, reality was cold.
Dam Ho looked at Jo Cheong-woon without blinking an eye. Instantly Jo Cheong-woon's face contorted unpleasantly. His heart was being squeezed by spiritual pressure.
Though Dam Ho was merely looking, his heart was shrinking to the point of bursting. Sweat poured down his face like rain, and his waist bent like a shrimp.
"Gack! Gak!"
His breathing grew labored as if it would stop at any moment.
"Save him?"
"Let's save the Young Manor Lord."
At the moment people who couldn't bear to watch tried to step forward.
"Stop!"
With a resonant voice, a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his early fifties revealed himself from inside the manor. He seemed to lightly kick the ground, and soon he had shortened the distance and reached within reach of Dam Ho. He was precisely Jo Manor's Manor Lord, Jo Gwan-il.
He hurriedly injected internal energy into Jo Cheong-woon's back and asked.
"Are you alright? Cheong-woon."
"I-I'm fine."
As resonant internal energy entered, Jo Cheong-woon regained his original complexion. He stroked his throat and let out a sigh.
At that sight, everyone widened their eyes in surprise.
Because though most of them had been together at Jo Manor for over twenty years, they didn't know at all that Jo Gwan-il had learned martial arts. The extreme lightness skill Jo Gwan-il had just shown was clearly a tremendous level even to those who hadn't learned martial arts.
"The Manor Lord learned martial arts?"
"What? What's going on?"
People fell into confusion and murmured.
Meanwhile, a flustered expression was evident on Jo Gwan-il's face. Whether it was because of Dam Ho who had suddenly appeared and committed slaughter, or because of the Jo Manor members murmuring about him, was unknown.
Jo Gwan-il removed his hand from Jo Cheong-woon and asked Dam Ho.
"Who are you? Who are you to commit slaughter at Jo Manor?"
"Are you asking because you don't know?"
"What does that mean? I truly don't understand what you're saying."
"Do you really think so?"
Instantly Jo Gwan-il pressed his lips tightly shut. Because Dam Ho's gaze staring at him seemed to say he knew everything.
Suddenly Jo Gwan-il's atmosphere changed completely. His flustered expression from just before had vanished without trace, and he was exuding a cold atmosphere along with a cold gaze.
He asked.
"It seems you came knowing my identity. Am I right?"
"Evil-Repelling Azure Lotus Sword Jo Mu-geuk, that's your true identity."
Instantly Jo Gwan-il squeezed his eyes shut. It was an action acknowledging Dam Ho's words.
The people of Jo Manor began murmuring.
"The Manor Lord was originally a martial artist?"
"That can't be!"
They wore expressions full of confusion. The same was true for Jo Cheong-woon, Jo Gwan-il's son.
It was surprising that Jo Gwan-il had learned martial arts, but Evil-Repelling Azure Lotus Sword?
Evil-Repelling Azure Lotus Sword was an expert from a generation ago who remained in many people's memories due to his outstanding performance during the First Orthodox-Demon War. Because of that, he was still occasionally mentioned even now.
"That can't be! Great Hero Jo of Evil-Repelling Azure Lotus Sword lost his life at the end of the First Orthodox-Demon War."
"Our Manor Lord is Great Hero Jo of Evil-Repelling Azure Lotus Sword?"
Many people wore expressions of disbelief. Especially Jo Cheong-woon couldn't believe Dam Ho's words and shouted loudly.
"Our father isn't Jo Mu-geuk but Great Hero Jo Gwan-il. What nonsense are you spouting? Father, tell him it's not true. Tell that person he's come to the wrong place."
"…"
"Father?"
Jo Cheong-woon's pupils shook. The appearance of Jo Gwan-il who couldn't answer and only pressed his lips tightly made him think Dam Ho's words were true.
He questioned Jo Gwan-il again.
"Father! Are you really Evil-Repelling Azure Lotus Sword? Then why did you hide it? Isn't it a proud alias for fighting against the Demon Cult?"
"That's…"
Jo Gwan-il hesitated again without easily answering this time too. That appearance gave Jo Cheong-woon conviction that Jo Gwan-il had been Evil-Repelling Azure Lotus Sword Jo Mu-geuk.
At that moment Dam Ho's lips opened.
"And there's more. True…"
"Shut up!"
Instantly Jo Gwan-il rushed toward Dam Ho while reaching his hand toward the main hall. Then a sword flew and was caught in his hand. He had pulled a sword that was inside the main hall using void grasping.
Swish!
A sharply honed sword revealed itself and was swung like lightning toward Dam Ho.
A brilliant mass of light condensed on the sword, it was sword energy.
Sword energy that only martial artists who had entered the absolute realm could manifest was displayed by Jo Gwan-il. That meant Jo Gwan-il was an absolute expert.
Bang!
An explosion burst forth.
Dam Ho had unleashed Shattering Star Fist.
Both people's bodies simultaneously shook from the impact. But there was a decisive difference between the two.
While Jo Gwan-il withdrew backward and regained his balance, Dam Ho rushed forward.
Swoosh!
The sight of Dam Ho approaching low to the ground like a swallow was eerie. His hair scattered and fluttered disheveled, and his two eyes sank even more heavily.
'Those eyes?'
Those eyes that seemed to know all truth were frighteningly terrifying.
He had another hidden identity besides the alias Evil-Repelling Azure Lotus Sword. A secret he couldn't tell even his child, that he had to take to the ends of hell.
He was Heavenly Evil Cult's True Demon Envoy.
Usually he lay low as Jo Manor's Manor Lord, but whenever the Cult Leader or Noble Envoy summoned him, he secretly went out and operated as True Demon Envoy.
Though he didn't know how Dam Ho knew that fact and came, he absolutely had to kill him and seal his mouth. If the fact that he was Heavenly Evil Cult's True Demon Envoy became known, his child Jo Cheong-woon would have no place to stand in the martial world.
"Die!"
He truly attacked Dam Ho with all his might.
He couldn't use the evil arts he learned at Heavenly Evil Cult. The moment he used evil arts, everyone would suspect his true identity more. Because of that, he fully unleashed the sword skill that had earned him the alias Evil-Repelling Azure Lotus Sword.
Shugak!
The sword energy stretched long like a whip. The sword energy that stretched as far as three jang flew aiming for Dam Ho's throat like a viper. But disappointingly, the sword energy couldn't exert much power before Dam Ho.
Bang! Bang!
With two strikes of his fists, the sword energy surrounding the sword vanished. It was an unbelievable sight even while watching.
Ulk!
As the sword energy he'd worked hard to raise vanished, powerful shock pierced his internal organs. He had suffered internal injuries.
Jo Gwan-il hurriedly tried to unfold a life-saving technique and withdraw backward. But Dam Ho didn't let him go.
Grrrr!
Intense attractive force occurred and pulled his body.
"Kuuu!"
Jo Gwan-il endured by raising his internal energy but it was useless. Little by little his body was pulled toward Dam Ho and created deep furrows in the ground. Beads of sweat formed on his face.
He saw Dam Ho's tightly clenched fist.
It was Dam Ho's fist that had taken countless people's lives until now. Its appearance full of calluses looked like a blunt nail.
To Jo Gwan-il, Dam Ho's fist looked like the death god's spear. Something he absolutely couldn't escape no matter what he did.
Instantly Jo Gwan-il sensed his death.
He wasn't afraid of dying. Because he'd thought such a moment might come someday. But even if he died, his secret absolutely mustn't be revealed.
Though he himself had dipped his feet in the muddy water called Heavenly Evil Cult, he wanted to be remembered as a proud father to his child at least.
If his child learned the fact that he was Heavenly Evil Cult's True Demon Envoy, how contemptuous would the child's gaze be? He absolutely had to prevent such a thing.
"Uaaaah!"
He released a battle cry and released all the energy in his entire body. He even added the innate energy that could be called the source of life.
Lurking Blood Explosive Demon Art.
It was a technique of dying together with the enemy by exploding the blood and internal energy of the entire body.
"We're going to hell together, Fist Demon!"
He spread both arms wide and rather threw his body toward Dam Ho.
"Father!"
"Manor Lord!"
Jo Cheong-woon and the people of Jo Manor called Jo Gwan-il until their voices broke. But Jo Gwan-il paid no attention and released energy even more explosively.
At that moment Dam Ho's Shattering Star Fist exploded.
Kwaaaaang!
With an explosion, a tremendous storm of energy raged inside Jo Manor.
"Kuk!"
"Uaaak!"
People swept up in the storm rolled on the ground with screams, and walls and halls collapsed like sand castles.
It was a scene as if a volcano had erupted in the middle of Jo Manor.
Dam Ho stood upright at the center of it.
At his feet rolled a miserably crushed mass of blood. The mass of blood crushed like well-ground meat was precisely Jo Gwan-il who had unleashed Lurking Blood Explosive Demon Art.
"Kuuuu!"
A low groan flowed out past his lips.
He had survived even suffering severe injuries that would have killed an ordinary person dozens of times. But he was only barely maintaining his breath relying on his formidable internal energy. He was one step before his breath stopped.
"Plea…se the secret…"
He pleaded.
It wasn't that he feared his own death. He feared more that his secret would be revealed. He feared the betrayal his child would feel after his death.
Dam Ho knelt on one knee and met his gaze.
His utterly indifferent gaze made Jo Gwan-il, who had reached a dying state, even more terrified.
Dam Ho said in a low voice.
"Then speak."
"What should I say?"
"There are more besides you, aren't there. Heavenly Evil Cult's envoys."
"That's…"
Jo Gwan-il's pupils shook violently.

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