Chapter 60: Other People's Celebrations Are Not Always Joyful (1)

In Nam-hak's eyes as he regarded Cho Yeon-woon, there glimmered a trace of contempt. Nam-hak glanced at the wine bottles scattered around Cho Yeon-woon.

"You remain the same. The one thing that never changes."

"If it changed easily, I would not be human."

"I pray you become a man worthy of the Hundred Battles Victory Banner, Yeon-woon."

"What? Does the Hundred Battles Victory Banner catch your eye, Nam-hak?"

"Do not speak so carelessly with that open mouth of yours."

Nam-hak's gaze turned cold.

His blade-like eyes caused everyone nearby to hold their breath.

Suddenly the center of attention, Cho Yeon-woon merely shrugged. He showed no sign of being intimidated by Nam-hak's gaze.

"The Drunken Cloud Dragon, Cho Yeon-woon?"

"Is he truly the great romantic of the Murim?"

The crowd began to whisper.

Drunken Cloud Dragon—a dragon that wanders through the clouds while drunk.

That was Cho Yeon-woon's epithet.

Though he did not number among the Nine Martial Dragons, in some respects Cho Yeon-woon was even more famous than they were.

Decades ago, when the Demonic Cult had risen in power, the Murim had crumbled helplessly before their relentless onslaught. Countless sects were destroyed, and an immense number of martial artists perished.

While most sects wandered in confusion, a few had risen to stand against the tide.

The Mount Hua Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, had taken the vanguard and in doing so had suffered the greatest losses.

At that time, the Mount Hua Sect had wagered not only the fate of their sect but the destiny of the entire Murim against the Demonic Cult's onslaught. Thanks to them, the Murim was able to catch its breath, and there emerged the leeway to launch the Righteous Alliance, a coalition of countless sects.

The Righteous Alliance soon launched a great counterattack against the Demonic Cult. At the forefront of that battle, a man had distinguished himself with extraordinary valor.

A vagrant who had attained the ultimate truth of the saber.

He was brave.

Countless masters of the Demonic Cult fell to his blade. No matter what wound he sustained, he never retreated, advancing with an indomitable will.

Those who were moved by his courage gathered around him.

And so, a new sect was born with him at its center.

The sect of vagrants who had won a hundred battles in a hundred fights. Hence its name: the Hundred Battles Sect.

The great martial artist who led the Hundred Battles Sect was Jang Il-san.

The people gave him the epithet Demon-Slaying Divine Saber and praised his name. And to commemorate his great martial achievements, they crafted a banner and presented it to him.

The Hundred Battles Victory Banner.

It was a tribute from the righteous fighters of the Murim, honoring Jang Il-san and the Hundred Battles Sect for their hundred victories in a hundred battles.

The Hundred Battles Victory Banner was not merely a symbol of the Hundred Battles Sect's majesty. It embodied the pride of the righteous warriors who had triumphed over the Demonic Cult.

Cho Yeon-woon was a disciple of that Hundred Battles Sect. Not merely a disciple, but the sole direct disciple of Jang Il-san, the sect's master.

The Murim placed great expectations upon Cho Yeon-woon. His Master was a hero of the war against the Demonic Cult, and they expected the disciple to grow into an equally great hero.

But Cho Yeon-woon cruelly shattered those expectations of the righteous fighters and lived his life drunk. Hence the epithet: Drunken Cloud Dragon.

A dragon, yes, but a drunken one that did not qualify for the Nine Martial Dragons.

Some even called him the greatest romantic of the Murim.

Drunken Cloud Dragon, the greatest romantic of the Murim. But neither epithet was particularly glorious. If anything, they carried more mockery than praise.

Nam-hak's gaze as he regarded Cho Yeon-woon was no different. He made no effort to conceal his contempt.

"What brings you here? This is quite far from the Hundred Battles Sect."

"Where there is wine, could I be absent? I was passing through these parts and happened to hear that a grand celebration was being held at the Red Cliff Manor."

"If you came to drink, then drink quietly and leave. Do not cause trouble for no reason."

"What trouble would I cause?"

"Surely you are not asking because you do not know?"

"And you—since you have come to a celebration, why not smile a little? There is no need to put on that intimidating look all the time."

"I have warned you, Yeon-woon."

"I know! I have already committed it firmly to memory, so there is no need to repeat yourself. It hurts my ears."

Cho Yeon-woon dug at his ear with his little finger. At his attitude, Nam-hak's brow shot upward.

Cho Yeon-woon, seemingly indifferent, raised his cup once more and addressed Dam Ho.

"Sorry for the noise, friend."

Dam Ho regarded Cho Yeon-woon in silence. Cho Yeon-woon winked at him.

Only then did Nam-hak's gaze turn to Dam Ho. But Dam Ho was not looking at him. Nam-hak's jaw muscles twitched. But to say anything more would be beneath his dignity.

Nam-hak turned around so violently that he stirred the wind.

"Take care."

Cho Yeon-woon's voice came from behind him. But Nam-hak did not look back.

The disciples of the Tongsu Sect followed in Nam-hak's wake.

Cho Yeon-woon drained his cup and muttered.

"Tch! What an unlucky fellow. He thinks everyone fears him just because he puts on a fierce look. A blockhead."

He sensed the stares of those around him. It seemed he would not be able to drink in peace after all.

"Going to get scolded by my Master again? That man's nagging lasts half a day, if people only knew. Ha ha ha!"

He muttered to himself and giggled. In some ways, he seemed utterly free of care.

In stark contrast to Cho Yeon-woon, who chattered ceaselessly to himself, Dam Ho did not utter a single word. The crowd regarded the two with bemused eyes.

"Your friend is quite remarkable. Was he always this quiet?"

"Were we ever friends?"

"Why? Is it awkward?"

Dam Ho did not reply. An ordinary person might have been wounded by Dam Ho's response, but Cho Yeon-woon was no ordinary person.

"Well, what does it matter? If it is truly awkward, we can simply become friends from this moment on."

"…"

"I mean it. So let us be friends."

Cho Yeon-woon even seized Dam Ho's hand and pleaded. The more he did so, the deeper Dam Ho's gaze sank.

'Friends?'

In over thirty years of life, not a single person had ever addressed him with such a word.

Those of his generation who saw his lame leg had always reacted in one of two ways.

Contempt, or pity.

It was the same with others as well.

They had no interest in who Dam Ho was as a person. They merely judged him by the disability that showed on the surface.

Those of the Mount Hua Sect, with whom he had been closest, were no different. Nor were the martial artists from other sects whom he had joined when investigating the Demonic Cult.

No one had ever approached him as a friend on equal footing.

Dam Ho looked straight into Cho Yeon-woon's eyes. Cho Yeon-woon did not avert his gaze, meeting Dam Ho's stare head-on.

"Is it pity?"

"Pity? Ah, the leg?"

Cho Yeon-woon's gaze fell to Dam Ho's leg.

For a brief instant, Cho Yeon-woon had seen that Dam Ho limped. For a martial artist, it was a fatal weakness. But Cho Yeon-woon answered as though it were nothing.

"What about it?"

"Is it not embarrassing?"

"Everyone carries some disability as they live. So what if the leg is a little off? There are plenty of people with disabilities of the heart."

Cho Yeon-woon smiled.

There was not a trace of pretense in his smile.

***

Lee Sin-pung's residence was situated at the deepest recess of the Red Cliff Manor. Surrounded by meticulously tended gardens, it was a natural fortress into which no uninvincible soul could set foot.

A barrier formation was deployed around the gardens, and at the sole entrance, elite martial artists of the Red Cliff Manor stood watch in rotating shifts.

Lee Sin-pung had not emerged from his residence for some time. It was so difficult to even glimpse his face that even members of the Red Cliff Manor's own household found it nearly impossible.

Unless one was among his inner circle, one could not see Lee Sin-pung's face. For newly arrived martial artists, there were those who did not even know what he looked like.

So deep was his reclusion that his epithet was the Hidden Forest Tiger.

A great tiger hidden in the forest—that was Lee Sin-pung.

The reclusive Lee Sin-pung had begun to show himself only a few days prior. Despite his reclusive nature, he could not indefinitely ignore those who had come to celebrate his sixtieth birthday.

In the end, Lee Sin-pung had left his quarters and entered the main hall. And now, the main hall's front gates stood wide open, with countless people holding rare and exotic gifts, waiting for the chance to meet him.

Among them were Mun Su-gyeong and Jwa Sang-cheon of the Hyunhyeon Sect. In their hands they held the precious gift sent by their Master, Mun Se-gang.

Though they had announced themselves as coming from the Hyunhyeon Sect, they were required to stand in line and wait their turn like everyone else.

For them, it was a humiliation difficult to bear. But conversely, it meant that their sect, the Hyunhyeon Sect, was of no particular consequence—at least compared to the other sects that had gathered here today.

That was the reality of it.

"Damn it!"

Jwa Sang-cheon muttered under his breath. Mun Su-gyeong shot him a glare.

"Senior Brother."

"I know. But it still makes me angry."

"You must endure it. Compared to the Red Cliff Manor, our Hyunhyeon Sect is truly insignificant."

"Hmph!"

Jwa Sang-cheon snorted when—

From behind, the crowd suddenly began to buzz.

"It is martial artists from the Tongsu Sect."

"It is the Thunder Martial Hero, Nam-hak."

Mun Su-gyeong and Jwa Sang-cheon's gazes naturally turned behind them. They could see over a dozen martial artists parting the crowd as they approached.

At the forefront, a man radiating an overwhelming presence strode forward. It was none other than Nam-hak of the Tongsu Sect.

His arrival was enough to stir the martial artists who had gathered to meet Lee Sin-pung.

Though many had come to see Lee Sin-pung, none among them possessed the presence or background that Nam-hak commanded.

They were crushed by the overwhelming aura Nam-hak emanated and did not dare open their mouths. The same was true for Mun Su-gyeong and Jwa Sang-cheon.

Jwa Sang-cheon gritted his teeth and glared at Nam-hak. But Nam-hak did not so much as glance at Jwa Sang-cheon. Or rather, he did not even register his existence.

To Nam-hak, Jwa Sang-cheon was of no more consequence than that.

At that moment, someone emerged from within the main hall.

A middle-aged man with a goatee, appearing to be in his early to mid-fifties.

"It is Chief Steward Gu."

The crowd murmured at the sight of the middle-aged man.

The man's name was Gu Jung-myeong, the Chief Steward of the Red Cliff Manor and the most trusted confidant of Lee Sin-pung.

Though many people waited here, there had not been a single instance of Gu Jung-myeong coming out to greet them personally. At least not today.

The rarely-seen Gu Jung-myeong had come out in person. It spoke volumes about just how important a figure Nam-hak was.

"Of course. He is a martial artist raised with the full effort of the Tongsu Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects."

"No matter how formidable the Red Cliff Manor, they cannot disregard the Tongsu Sect."

Whether Gu Jung-myeong did not hear the crowd's murmurs or simply chose to ignore them, the smile on his face did not waver.

"A distinguished guest has arrived. Young Hero Nam-hak. I am Gu Jung-myeong, Chief Steward of the Red Cliff Manor. I have come by the Master's order to welcome you."

"A pleasure to meet you, Chief Steward Gu. I am Nam-hak of the Tongsu Sect."

Nam-hak offered a courteous cupped-fist salute.

The Red Cliff Manor was one of the two great powers that divided Gansu Province with the Tongsu Sect. Its Chief Steward was the second most powerful figure, equivalent to an elder of the Tongsu Sect. He deserved to be treated accordingly.

"You are as imposing as they say. The Master awaits you. We are truly honored to welcome a guest from the Tongsu Sect."

"I too am honored to meet the distinguished Manor Master. My Master asked me to convey his congratulations on the Manor Master's birthday."

"Oh! What greater joy could there be. Please, come inside. Young Hero Nam-hak."

Gu Jung-myeong took Nam-hak by the hand and led him in. His manner could not have been more warm and welcoming.

Everyone watched Nam-hak with envious expressions. Among them were Mun Su-gyeong and Jwa Sang-cheon.

Jwa Sang-cheon bit his lip.

'What is a Nine Martial Dragons worth? Just you wait. Sooner or later, my fame will surpass the Nine Martial Dragons.'

Thick veins bulged on the backs of his fists.

That day, Lee Sin-pung and Nam-hak conversed for quite some time. But what they discussed remained unknown.

Mang Ryo was able to deduce one additional detail from the scene at the Stone Forest Gang’s manor.

The fact that Jin Ja-gang had used not only arsenic but also cinnabar poison together suggested that he didn’t have much arsenic left to use freely.

If he had an abundance of arsenic, there would have been no need for additional elements like tea leaves or mugwort; he could have simply killed everyone with arsenic alone.

Jin Ja-gang’s arsenic was not ordinary arsenic. It was an arsenic poison so potent that even Mang Ryo shuddered at its strength. The fact that almost none of this poison remained was, in itself, an advantage for Mang Ryo.

Mang Ryo stroked his beard thoughtfully.

“Well then, the key now is to figure out where you went after leaving the Stone Forest Gang.”

His gaze fell on the corpse lying closest to the entrance.

It was Jo Yang, who had served as the leader of the Stone Forest Gang.

“Jo Yang, dead Jo Yang. Tell me, where did Jin Ja-gang go?”

The corpse, of course, remained silent.

Mang Ryo continued to ponder deeply.

‘How much did Jo Yang reveal? How much of the full story did Jin Ja-gang manage to uncover?’

The answer to that would determine Jin Ja-gang’s next move. Mang Ryo needed to predict Jin Ja-gang’s path and prepare accordingly.

‘The place he’ll head to next is…’

Jin Ja-gang was the type to repay in kind what he received.

If Jin Ja-gang had obtained enough information to act, there was a high likelihood that his next target would be Poison Valley, the faction that had ordered the destruction of the mine shaft.

In comparison, Iron Umbrella Sect and Shadow Bureau would likely be lower on his priority list, as they had less direct connection to Hundred Flower Valley.

However, attacking Poison Valley would be extremely difficult for Jin Ja-gang. Poison Valley was, in essence, the de facto leader of Yunnan’s Five Great Poison Sects. It was on an entirely different level from eliminating the rabble of the Stone Forest Gang.

But then, a sudden thought struck Mang Ryo.

Jo Yang had an unexpected streak of stubbornness. One could call it tenacity in a positive light, or recklessness in a negative one. Mang Ryo had exploited that very trait to incite Jo Yang into rebellion.

This led to a new question.

‘Did Jo Yang actually talk? Did he reveal that Poison Valley gave the order?’

If he hadn’t spoken, Jin Ja-gang’s path would need to be reconsidered from scratch.

‘This is getting unnecessarily complicated.’

Mang Ryo wandered the scene, lost in thought.

Before long, however, his musings were interrupted by the arrival of others.

Three experts from Yunnan’s poison sects entered the manor.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Elder Mang, the first from Yunnan to rise to prominence in the Martial Arts Alliance,” said Do Nam-gi, an elder from Iron Umbrella Sect, one of Yunnan’s remaining Three Great Poison Sects after the fall of Stone Forest Gang.

Iron Umbrella Sect was a faction that used iron umbrellas as weapons, and its members, regardless of rank, always carried umbrellas of varying sizes.

Gu Sang-wol, an expert from Shadow Bureau, also nodded in greeting to Mang Ryo. Shadow Bureau was known for its assassin-like operations, renowned for moving in secrecy compared to other poison sects.

Their presence here today was, in itself, unusual. Perhaps it reflected the gravity they assigned to the annihilation of Stone Forest Gang.

Lastly, Noh Yuk, an expert from Poison Valley, looked at Mang Ryo and offered a greeting.

Mang Ryo straightened up, tucking his crutches under his arms, and returned a fist-and-palm salute to the three experts.

“Ho ho, so all of the Three Great Poison Sects have come out.”

Do Nam-gi from Iron Umbrella Sect sniffed audibly. He had a peculiar appearance with a fist-sized nose, and he had a habit of frequently sniffing and touching it.

“You’ve practically become a full-fledged member of the Martial Arts Alliance, haven’t you?”

He was referring to Mang Ryo’s fist-and-palm salute. Members of poison sects typically kept their hands hidden in their sleeves.

Their sleeves often concealed all sorts of poisons and hidden weapons, and performing a fist-and-palm salute with both hands would leave them unable to react quickly in an emergency, so they habitually avoided it.

Mang Ryo let out a hearty laugh.

“I’m just offering a greeting, not using my hands for anything else. Is there any reason I can’t perform a salute?”

It wasn’t an incorrect statement, but inwardly, Mang Ryo smirked. The reason he performed the salute was out of confidence that he could handle these three even with both hands occupied. Of course, they had no idea of Mang Ryo’s true thoughts.

Gu Sang-wol from Shadow Bureau spoke up.

“As you can see, the Stone Forest Gang has been completely annihilated. We arrived the day before and have been observing since, but we’ve found nothing new.”

Do Nam-gi asked Mang Ryo directly.

“Sniff, what’s the Martial Arts Alliance’s view on this?”

At that, both Gu Sang-wol and Noh Yuk turned their attention to Mang Ryo.

The Stone Forest Gang was both a Yunnan poison sect and a member faction of the Martial Arts Alliance. To annihilate the Stone Forest Gang was tantamount to declaring war on both entities simultaneously.

For the Martial Arts Alliance, which encompassed over seventy percent of the current martial world’s factions, failing to resolve this matter would be a significant blow to their reputation.

But for Yunnan’s poison sects, it was far more serious than a mere matter of face. This wasn’t the first time a Yunnan poison sect had been attacked.

Less than ten years after the Extreme Poison Sect’s annihilation, the same thing had happened again. Who could say whether their own sect would be next?

“Hmm.”

As Mang Ryo appeared to be on the verge of speaking but remained silent, Do Nam-gi pressed him.

“Elder Mang, now’s not the time to hold back. Though you’re with the Martial Arts Alliance now, you’re still of poison sect origin, aren’t you? Tell us straight-what does the Alliance think? Sniff.”

There was a reason Do Nam-gi kept pressing for the Martial Arts Alliance’s stance. He believed the attack on the Stone Forest Gang was tied to the Alliance’s internal politics.

Mang Ryo laughed inwardly.

‘If you think that way, it makes things easier for me.’

But outwardly, he said something different.

“Of course, I’m of poison sect origin. That’s a fact that won’t change until the day I die…”

At that moment, Mang Ryo suddenly realized something.

Jin Ja-gang’s next move.

Mang Ryo stopped mid-sentence and looked down at his own arm.

Goosebumps rose on his skin!

It was a kind of evidence proving that his thoughts were not mistaken.

Abruptly, Mang Ryo turned the question back to Do Nam-gi.

“By the way, how did you come to be here, Brother Do?”

“I came on the sect leader’s orders after hearing there was trouble at the Stone Forest Gang.”

Mang Ryo asked the same question of the other two. They gave similar answers.

Do Nam-gi, puzzled, asked why he was inquiring.

“Is it strange that we’re here? The Stone Forest Gang is like our brothers. If we, fellow poison sects, didn’t come when they were attacked, wouldn’t that be the strange thing?”

“Indeed, indeed. As brothers, it’s only natural for you all to come check on the Stone Forest Gang after they’ve been harmed.”

Mang Ryo nodded.

It was a word that could help predict where Jin Ja-gang’s arrow of vengeance would point next. Unconsciously, Mang Ryo let out a faint smile.

Noh Yuk from Poison Valley frowned and urged him.

“Don’t just smile to yourself-say something. What’s the Martial Arts Alliance’s stance?”

“Ah, my apologies.”

Mang Ryo pretended to choose his words carefully before speaking slowly.

“It seems this incident was orchestrated by opposing forces within the Martial Arts Alliance. That’s the view from the Alliance.”

Since Mang Ryo was an investigator representing the Martial Arts Alliance, his words carried weight.

Noh Yuk from Poison Valley ground his teeth.

“Didn’t they say all the disloyal elements within the Alliance had been purged?!”

Mang Ryo continued to smirk inwardly.

After all, eight years ago, no one had believed Mang Ryo’s claim that Jin Ja-gang was responsible for the destruction of the Extreme Poison Sect.

So, Mang Ryo had changed his approach.

He gave them the answer they wanted to hear.

More precisely, it was the answer Baek Li-jung wanted.

Mang Ryo had altered his testimony, claiming that the opposing faction within the Martial Arts Alliance had attacked the Extreme Poison Sect instead of Jin Ja-gang.

In return, Baek Li-jung had eliminated his opposition, and Mang Ryo had gained entry into the Martial Arts Alliance.

Noh Yuk’s earlier comment about the disloyal elements within the Alliance being purged referred to exactly that.

These poison sect members believed the destruction of the Extreme Poison Sect was the work of a faction within the Martial Arts Alliance opposed to the poison sects.

Mang Ryo adjusted his tone and spoke.

“I thought so too. But it seems some remnants remained.”

Do Nam-gi also expressed his anger. Fiddling with his nose, he shouted.

“Why do they keep targeting us! They use us when it suits them, and now this!”

Mang Ryo, too, put on an angry expression as he spoke.

“Brothers, trust me. I will get to the bottom of this and ensure that the traitors within the Martial Arts Alliance who targeted our Yunnan poison sects are brought to justice. If I can’t appease the wronged spirits of the Stone Forest Gang’s warriors, I’ll offer my own neck!”

Mang Ryo’s resolute declaration was highly effective. The three poison sect experts, moved by his pledge to stake his life on the matter, nodded silently with tight lips.

“So, I ask the three of you to do your utmost to protect the evidence here from being tampered with by anyone. As soon as my investigation is complete, I will return to the Alliance and submit my report immediately.”

“Understood.”

“With us here, no one will tamper with the evidence.”

However, Mang Ryo had no interest in Baek Li-jung’s opposition or his position within the Martial Arts Alliance.

For Mang Ryo, the only thing that mattered was Jin Ja-gang.

Everything that would unfold from now on would revolve solely around Jin Ja-gang.

If it meant tormenting Jin Ja-gang to death, Mang Ryo was willing to sacrifice the entire martial world as an offering.

The grand beginning of his revenge.

Very soon, that starting point would open.

Mang Ryo glanced at the three poison sect experts surveying the scene and stroked the eye he had lost to burns.

It had been stinging since earlier.

The reason for that was obvious, even without saying it.

“Well now, who will be the first?”

Fortunately, none of the three heard Mang Ryo’s muttering.

* * *

The experts from Iron Umbrella Sect, Shadow Bureau, and Poison Valley weren’t the only ones dispatched to the Stone Forest Gang.

Warriors tasked with various duties were also sent, some guarding the lodgings while others roamed the village, questioning residents about anything they might have witnessed.

Two warriors from Poison Valley were among them.

The warriors kicked at the door of a house.

“Anyone in there, come out!”

A middle-aged man emerged, trembling with fear, and opened the door.

“W-what’s the matter?”

“Have you seen any suspicious people recently?”

“Suspicious people? N-no, I haven’t. On the day the manor burned, I was so scared I just hid.”

The warrior with slit-like eyes glared at the man intimidatingly.

“Speak properly, will you?”

“I-I don’t even know what happened that day!”

The bald warrior from Poison Valley beside him bared his teeth and joined in the intimidation.

“Think hard. These are the people who dared to attack our brothers. If you’re hiding anything, you’ll regret it.”

“Eek! Why would I lie?”

At that moment, a young warrior from Iron Umbrella Sect dressed in green passed by. His face was so covered in soot that it was hard to make out his features, as if he had been doing something messy.

The young warrior noticed the two from Poison Valley and spoke to them.

“You’re working hard. Have you found anything out? I… I got scolded for not finding anything.”

“Tsk Tsk. Poor young friend from Iron Umbrella Sect. We haven’t found anything yet either. We’re shaking down everyone one by one.”

“Sigh, I see.”

The soot-covered young warrior from Iron Umbrella Sect nodded to the Poison Valley warriors and continued on his way.

Limp, limp.

At that moment, the middle-aged man, watching the young warrior’s retreating figure, seemed to recall something and spoke up.

“Ah… Now that I think about it, there was a beggar from out of town a while back. Hardly any outsiders come to our village, so I thought it was odd…”

“What? A beggar? Not a group, just one person?”

“Yes. Just one.”

“Tell us more!”

“Well…”

The man grimaced as if struggling to remember, then continued.

“He looked completely like a beggar… but seemed young…”

“And?”

“I remember he was limping.”

“Limping?”

“Yes. Like that warrior who just passed by.”

“What? The one behind us?”

A chill ran down the spines of the slit-eyed warrior and the bald warrior from Poison Valley, and they turned around simultaneously.

The young warrior from Iron Umbrella Sect, whom they thought had passed by, was standing behind them, looking up at them.

Smiling, with white teeth gleaming.