Chapter 89: He Who Acts Alone and Moves Alone, the Lone Wanderer (2)

Hae So-wol raised her head.

A piercingly blue sky filled her vision. It had been quite some time since she had seen such a clear sky, without a single cloud.

Life at the Agyang Sword Sect had not been unpleasant. But having remained within its walls for so long, she had grown somewhat restless.

Having stayed only here, she was cut off from news of the outside world. She decided she would leave before long. This much had been enough to save face for Sang Ma-gyeong-won.

It was then that she sensed an unfamiliar presence in the rear garden.

Two strangers stood at the garden entrance. A middle-aged man in a light blue scholar's robe and a young man with a gentle countenance.

The moment she saw them, Hae So-wol's face visibly stiffened. It was due to the extraordinary aura emanating from both of them.

The middle-aged man's aura was formidable, but the young man's bearing was sharp enough to put her on edge. Like a well-tempered sword.

It had been quite some time since she had encountered such an aura.

At that moment, the middle-aged man, perhaps sensing Hae So-wol's unease, spoke first.

"There is no need to be so tense, Miss Hae. We are people from the Namgung Family."

"The Namgung Family?"

"That is correct. I am Namgung Chang, an elder of the Namgung Family."

"Hae So-wol of the Haenam Sword Sect greets Elder Namgung."

At Namgung Chang's introduction, the startled Hae So-wol hastily clasped her fists in salute. Namgung Chang smiled.

"I am also pleased to meet you, Miss Hae. This is Namgung Su, a prodigy of the main family."

"I am Namgung Su of the Namgung Family. Please treat me well, Miss Hae."

"The pleasure is mine, Young Hero Namgung."

Namgung Su and Hae So-wol exchanged formal greetings.

Namgung Chang watched the two with a satisfied expression. But Hae So-wol did not relax her guard.

It was the weight carried by the three characters of Namgung Chang's name.

Her master, Neung Cheon-wol, had named Namgung Chang as the person she must be most cautious of among those she would meet at Dongting Lake.

When Hae So-wol had asked why, Neung Cheon-wol had answered:

'Because Namgung Chang is the most brilliant mind within the Namgung Family. Those who know him call him the Sitting Clairvoyant.'

The Sitting Clairvoyant.

The one who, while seated, can see a thousand li.

In a way, the greatest reason the Namgung Family had achieved such explosive growth was Namgung Chang himself.

The head of the Namgung Family was Namgung Cheon, a great sword master. He was a martial artist of extraordinary talent—the first in two hundred years to complete the Imperial Sword Style within the Namgung Family.

Namgung Cheon was a quintessential martial artist.

Though he was undeniably the head of the Namgung Family, he had no interest whatsoever in managing its affairs.

His sole obsession was the way of martial arts.

It was Namgung Chang who, in his stead, made and directed all the decisions of the Namgung Family.

The second-in-command and caretaker of the Namgung Family, a brilliant strategist. And at the same time, a recluse who had completely hidden himself from the world.

That Namgung Chang had now emerged into the world. Hae So-wol understood full well how significant that was.

'That must mean the gathering being held here is of utmost importance.'

As Hae So-wol's expression hardened, Namgung Chang offered a warm smile.

"Miss Hae is a good person."

"Pardon? I don't understand."

"I mean that a martial artist of your caliber would stay here out of consideration for Sect Leader Sang Ma's face. Even if you had refused, he would not have been able to say a word."

"That is…"

"You need not explain to me. Thanks to you, I was able to explain the situation to him easily."

"Then?"

"I told him that an important gathering would be held. That was more than enough to save his face. So there is no longer any need for you to remain here. Why not come with us?"

"Is that alright?"

"You must verify that Jincheon Rai has appeared. That is something you cannot do from here."

"I understand."

"Well thought. As it happens, I am scheduled to meet your martial uncle tomorrow."

"My martial uncle?"

"That's right! Your martial uncle, Oh Geun-ui, is an old friend of mine."

Oh Geun-ui, the White Whale Swordsman.

An elder of the Haenam Sect and a renowned swordsman in the southern Central Plains.

"Is my martial uncle coming in person?"

"The matter is that important. Besides, I couldn't very well leave you here and meet with him. Come with us. I suspect Sect Leader Sang Ma will no longer ask you to stay."

"Understood."

Hae So-wol nodded.

As Namgung Chang had said, there was no reason for her to remain. She had already done more than enough to preserve Sang Ma-gyeong-won's dignity.

"Your belongings?"

"This single sword is enough."

Hae So-wol raised her beloved sword, the Wall Image. Namgung Chang nodded.

"That should suffice. You'll need nothing more."

Namgung Chang suddenly looked at Namgung Su.

"Su!"

"Yes, Uncle."

"You should learn from Miss Hae's attitude."

"Understood."

Namgung Su agreed without the slightest reluctance. His composure caught Hae So-wol's attention.

The aura she sensed from Namgung Su was in no way inferior to her own. That a man of such caliber could agree so readily to being told to learn from another—that in itself was remarkable.

It was proof that Namgung Su was no ordinary person. Yet Hae So-wol had never once heard the name Namgung Su.

"Su was in closed-door training for a very long time. That is why even within the main family, there are few who know of him."

"……"

"It is his first time venturing into the world at my side, so there is much he does not know. I hope you will be of assistance, Miss Hae."

"If I can be of help."

"I am certain you will be."

Namgung Chang replied with unwavering confidence.

"Understood."

"You two will form a fine bond. Just as your martial uncle and I once did."

Hae So-wol nodded silently.

The three departed the Agyang Sword Sect.

True to Namgung Chang's confidence, Sang Ma-gyeong-won did not try to detain Hae So-wol.

They headed for the Namgang Inn, located near Dongting Lake. The Namgang Inn was as large and clean as the West Wind Inn, and it drew many visitors.

The Namgang Inn was bustling with people from early afternoon. They gathered in small groups around tables, and their voices were so loud that conversations could be clearly heard without straining.

"So it's true that Shin Gang-hyeol-seong committed a massacre at Seocheon Mountain Villa?"

"True indeed! Even the master of Hongam Mountain Villa suffered because of it."

"My word! Shin Gang-hyeol-seong. What a blood-soaked alias."

"After the death of the Hengshan Sect's Sect Leader, they're also calling him the Fist Demon."

"Whew!"

Nearly every table was discussing Dam Ho.

The only words heard were Shin Gang-hyeol-seong, or the Fist Demon.

Namgung Su's brow furrowed involuntarily.

"It appears a demon has emerged in the martial world."

"From time to time, one appears to disrupt the world."

At Namgung Chang's response, Namgung Su's eyes sharpened.

"He has poor timing. To appear here of all places."

The gathering of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families was not far off. Where the rulers of the martial world assembled, there was no room for a demon.

Namgung Chang smiled at Namgung Su.

"It would be good experience to test yourself against him."

"If the opportunity arises, I will not hesitate."

"Good. I look forward to it."

At Namgung Chang's enthusiastic response, Namgung Su smiled. But his expression quickly darkened.

'The Four Sovereigns have been in seclusion for over thirty years. The only thing we can trust is the founding of the Alliance.'

***

"Haa!"

Bang Jin-bo let out a quiet sigh.

It had already been five days since Dam Ho left the inn. He was long overdue to return, and it was only natural to worry.

"He'll come back safely."

Bang Jin-bo tried to think positively.

There was nothing he could do in the current situation. He could only wait.

"I should go for a walk."

Hiding in his room would not bring answers.

As Bang Jin-bo was about to rise from his seat—

Knock knock!

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"May I come in for a moment?"

A familiar voice reached his ears.

A smile blossomed on Bang Jin-bo's face, for the voice belonged to Eun So-cheong.

"Come in."

The moment Bang Jin-bo answered, the door opened and Eun So-cheong appeared. But she was not alone. Behind her, a familiar face could be seen.

An elderly man with a goatee and a stern demeanor—none other than Do Hak-gyeong, the Head Chef of the Cheonha Jeil Ru.

"How did you come all the way here, Elder?"

Bang Jin-bo hastily bowed his head.

Though an unfortunate incident had occurred at the Cheonha Jeil Ru, Do Hak-gyeong was still a senior and a chef worthy of respect.

"May I come in?"

"Yes! Please, come in."

Do Hak-gyeong strode in, and Eun So-cheong followed calmly behind.

Eun So-cheong apologized first.

"I'm sorry! Chef Do said he wanted to see you."

"No, it's fine."

"What about that man?"

"He hasn't come back yet."

"Oh? That must be hard for you."

"No, it's alright."

At Bang Jin-bo's answer, Eun So-cheong smiled.

It was heartening to see Bang Jin-bo trying to stay positive despite his obvious anxiety.

Bang Jin-bo's gaze turned to Do Hak-gyeong.

"But what brings you all the way here? It's quite a distance."

"I came to speak with you directly."

"With me?"

"Yes! I'll be blunt. Would you consider working at the Cheonha Jeil Ru?"

"Pardon?"

Bang Jin-bo blinked like an ox. He could not immediately comprehend Do Hak-gyeong's words.

Do Hak-gyeong clicked his tongue at the sight.

"Tch! I am offering you a chance to join the Cheonha Jeil Ru. I, Do Hak-gyeong, am asking you personally."

"That—that is…"

"After you left, I did a great deal of thinking. I'm getting on in years, and I'm not what I used to be. Using the Heavenly Fragrance Grass was proof of that. In my prime, I would never have relied on a spice like that. That is why I thought I should retire before it's too late. But when I considered retiring, I realized the Cheonha Jeil Ru has no proper chef. They're all mediocre at best."

When a great tree takes root, it becomes difficult for other trees to grow properly nearby. The Cheonha Jeil Ru was the same.

Do Hak-gyeong's towering presence had brought the restaurant great renown, but conversely, it had prevented other chefs from growing to their full potential.

If Do Hak-gyeong retired now, the decline of the Cheonha Jeil Ru was as certain as fire illuminating one's path. That was why, after much deliberation, he had come to find Bang Jin-bo.

With talent like Bang Jin-bo's—who had recognized the use of Heavenly Fragrance Grass—he was certain to become an excellent chef. His fundamentals were solid, and he was still young.

If he trained under Do Hak-gyeong for a few years, he would surely grow into a remarkable chef.

"What do you think?"

"That—that is…"

At the unexpected proposal, Bang Jin-bo wore a dazed expression.

Though he had used the Heavenly Fragrance Grass and embarrassed Do Hak-gyeong, his skill was genuine. If Bang Jin-bo learned cooking from him, he would surely grow immensely.

If his father had been alive, he would have told him without hesitation to train at the Cheonha Jeil Ru. But Bang Jin-bo could not give an answer so quickly.

"When Hyung returns, I'll discuss it with him."

"I won't force you. But training at the Cheonha Jeil Ru would undoubtedly be a great opportunity for you. So please, think it over carefully."

"Yes!"

Bang Jin-bo's heart was pounding.

No, but it might not be an antidote.

It could be his intention to mock and ridicule him as he watches him eat what he thinks is an antidote!

But judging by his expression, it really seems to be an antidote…

Wang Yisheng became confused.

Jin Ja-gang, seeing Wang Yisheng hesitating, said:

“I thought as much.”

Jin Ja-gang suddenly stepped back.

Wang Yisheng, watching Jin Ja-gang’s reaction, reached out with his stiffening hand and picked up the paper. If he waited any longer, taking the antidote would be useless anyway. It was a desperate situation, so he might as well try taking it.

But his hands were already trembling so badly that he could barely grasp the paper.

‘If it really is an antidote, you’re making a mistake. If the poison is relieved even slightly, even if it costs me my life, I’ll at least take one of your arms with me!’

But Wang Yisheng couldn’t pick up the paper.

Thwack!

It was because an iron needle had pierced the back of his hand. The needle went through his hand and into the ground.

“…Kuh?”

The unexpected turn left Wang Yisheng momentarily stunned.

Wang Yisheng could only stare at Jin Ja-gang.

After telling him to pick up the antidote, why?

But Jin Ja-gang had already picked up another iron needle that had fallen to the ground.

Why?

Wang Yisheng looked back and forth between Jin Ja-gang and the paper on the ground.

The antidote, it really is the antidote!

So he threw a real antidote but intended to prevent him from taking it!

When this thought struck him, Wang Yisheng used all his strength to reach for the paper with his other hand.

But his body was paralyzed, making his movements slow, and Jin Ja-gang easily stopped him.

That hand too was pierced by an iron needle and pinned to the ground.

Death was approaching.

But that, if he could just eat that, he could live!

Unable to use his hands, Wang Yisheng tried to lower his head toward it.

Thwack!

An iron needle stuck into the ground in front of the paper. No matter how he moved his head, the iron needle blocked him from picking up the paper with his mouth.

“Ugh… AAAAAAAH!”

With both hands pinned to the ground, Wang Yisheng howled like a beast. He had been forcibly enduring the pain, but even that had its limits.

He couldn’t eat the antidote that was right in front of him.

Let me eat the antidote!

Wang Yisheng looked at Jin Ja-gang with desperate eyes.

Jin Ja-gang coldly said:

“My sense of morality toward you people extends only this far.”

His tone was cruelly detached.

“Urgh. This is too… isn’t this too cruel! Just kill me instead!”

“Is that so? I heard that Iron Umbrella Sect tore out the tongues of Medicine Sect people who begged to be killed because the pain was too unbearable. What about your Poison Valley?”

“Ugh…”

Wang Yisheng couldn’t say anything.

“It hurts, it hurts so much. Please…”

Wang Yisheng’s body twisted. His face turned pale, and his lips trembled. The extreme pain was unbearable.

Wang Yisheng desperately cried out:

“Kugh, kuk. P-please, have mercy…”

“You treat others’ lives and suffering lightly, yet you can’t bear your own pain? I have no intention of listening to pleas from such people.”

“Kugh…”

Wang Yisheng’s head grew dizzy.

Drip, drip.

Blood flowed from his seven orifices-eyes, nose, mouth, and others.

There was a popping sound from his body, and suddenly he felt refreshed.

The pain disappeared. The terrible pain that had been tormenting Wang Yisheng until just now vanished as if it had been a lie.

That was a far worse sign.

It meant that even the sense that could feel pain had died.

Wang Yisheng looked up at Jin Ja-gang with eyes pooled with blood.

“Am I… dying?”

Despite trying not to, his voice trembled.

“Am I… going to die?”

Only then did Jin Ja-gang approach. Jin Ja-gang, barely suppressing his murderous intent to beat Wang Yisheng to death, asked:

“Where are the other two people?”

“Answer me… am I… am I going to die?”

“Yes.”

“I never thought… I would die like this…”

Wang Yisheng barely managed to keep himself from collapsing as his body lost strength.

“Where are the two people?”

Jin Ja-gang asked again.

Wang Yisheng laughed while vomiting blood. It was a small act of revenge, refusing to answer.

Jin Ja-gang gave up on getting an answer. He hadn’t expected much to begin with.

“Then go. To hell.”

“Y-you vicious bastard. Fine. As you say, I’ll go to hell first… and wait for you.”

Wang Yisheng finally couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed. His head fell into the pool of blood on the ground.

Splash!

Jin Ja-gang looked down at the fallen Wang Yisheng.

“I might be late, so don’t wait too long.”

But Wang Yisheng could no longer hear those words.

Jin Ja-gang calmed his murderous intent and walked past Wang Yisheng’s corpse.

Two more remained.

* * *

Kang Gyu was sitting cross-legged, circulating his internal energy.

Black sweat mixed with blood continuously flowed out. Still, as the leader of a sect, he had enough skill to expel ordinary poisons with his internal energy. But this poison was so potent that he was struggling to drive it out.

In fact, it had been too long since he was poisoned, so he had missed the window when he could have expelled it.

Still, thanks to his energy circulation, his condition wasn’t getting worse.

But Yang Tae, who was standing guard, was different. Without any treatment, his condition was continuously deteriorating.

“Urgh…”

Yang Tae glanced at Kang Gyu. But there was no sign that he would finish his energy circulation anytime soon. Judging by Kang Gyu’s face turning red and blue, he still had a long way to go.

Yang Tae tried to endure as much as he could, but the pain was becoming unbearable. Yang Tae reluctantly called out to Kang Gyu.

“S-sect…”

But at that moment.

Limp… limp, limp.

Someone drenched in blood as if they had bathed in it was coming down from the mountain, limping.

‘A limping man?’

Yang Tae felt a chill run down his spine as he recalled the words he had just uttered.

‘The limping man!’

He had heard rumors about the limping man within the poison sects.

And now, someone who appeared to be the subject of those rumors was coming down from the mountain.

That direction was the path that thirty Iron Umbrella Sect warriors had taken in the morning, and also the direction Wang Yisheng had gone earlier.

‘Could it be… they’re all dead? Even Brother Wang?’

Yang Tae quickly looked behind the limping man. However, there was no sign of anyone else besides the limping man.

That meant…

‘He did it alone?’

Yang Tae cursed the sect leader who still hadn’t moved and secretly slipped poison needles between his fingers.

Strike first to win! Some might say it goes against martial etiquette, but for Yang Tae, who used hidden weapons, there was no more effective attack method than a surprise attack.

Yang Tae prepared to throw the poison needles at any moment.

‘Just a little, come a little closer.’

Because he wasn’t feeling well, he couldn’t throw as far as usual. He needed to be closer to hit accurately.

But the blood-covered man, Jin Ja-gang, stopped about ten paces away and came no closer.

‘Damn it! Just come a little closer!’

While Yang Tae was feeling frustrated, Jin Ja-gang looked over Yang Tae and Kang Gyu.

“You’re in the middle of energy circulation. Are you standing guard?”

Then he suddenly nodded.

“That’s good.”

“Huh?”

Jin Ja-gang looked around and walked toward the forest. He picked up a fallen branch from the ground and gathered some fruit from a nearby tree.

He lit a fire with the branch to make a campfire, then took out several long chopsticks, skewered the fruit, and began to roast them.

‘What is this? What kind of nerve does he have?’

Yang Tae was very uncomfortable, not understanding Jin Ja-gang’s intentions.

Jin Ja-gang calmly roasted the tree fruit in front of Yang Tae and Kang Gyu.

Soon, a fragrant aroma began to waft over.

It was a familiar scent.

‘Quince?’

Quince is a very common fruit in autumn.

But the quince Jin Ja-gang held was unripe and greenish. It’s hard and astringent, not a fruit that can be eaten.

Is that why he’s roasting it? No, even so, who eats roasted quince?

Yang Tae’s face contorted.

“What are you up to!”

Yang Tae glared at Jin Ja-gang with intensity, but Jin Ja-gang remained calm.

“Ah, don’t mind me.”

Yang Tae was flabbergasted.

“You’re doing strange things right in front of me, and you expect me not to mind?”

“I see.”

Jin Ja-gang said as he continued roasting the quince.

“Someone I met up there told me that one should maintain a sense of morality. I’m not sure if you people are worth that much, but I’m trying.”

Yang Tae was furious.

“That’s… something to be said by someone who comes covered in blood from head to toe?”

“I suppose it could be seen that way.”

“What?”

The way Jin Ja-gang dismissed Yang Tae’s words made him even angrier.

But despite his anger, he couldn’t act rashly. The distance was too great to throw his hidden weapons effectively.

Moreover, Jin Ja-gang seemed so confident that it appeared he had something up his sleeve!

‘This guy…!’

The only thing Yang Tae could rely on was Kang Gyu recovering his strength through energy circulation.

But Kang Gyu still showed no signs of finishing.

Yang Tae was anxious.

He needed to stall for time until Kang Gyu finished his energy circulation, but if it took too long, he himself would be in danger. His legs were already on the verge of giving out.

‘This damn sect leader! Get up! Hurry!’

Contrary to Yang Tae’s wishes, neither Kang Gyu nor Jin Ja-gang made the first move.

When the quince was sufficiently roasted, Jin Ja-gang picked it up and ate it.

Crunch, crunch.

Jin Ja-gang grimaced as if it tasted sour. When he bit into a seed with a crack, he spat it out.

After finishing one, he burned the chopstick in the campfire and started eating another quince skewered on a different chopstick.

His demeanor was so natural that Yang Tae was completely dumbfounded.

“What happened to Brother Wang and the Iron Umbrella Sect disciples?”

Crunch, crunch.

Jin Ja-gang stared at Yang Tae while chewing the quince.

“Who is Brother Wang?”

Yang Tae was about to explain who Wang Yisheng was but felt it would be too pathetic, so he closed his mouth.

He decided to just ask what he was curious about.

“Was it you who poisoned us?”

“Yes.”

“When on earth did you poison us? I’ve never even seen you before.”

“Actually, we’ve met.”

Jin Ja-gang took another bite of the quince and used the quince peel to wipe the blood from his face.

Only then did Yang Tae recognize Jin Ja-gang.

“Ha! You’re the one who caused the chicken commotion at the inn! So you were the limping man!”

Thinking back, he did seem to have trouble with his leg then. He had thought it was because of the chickens, but it was simply because he was limping!

At that moment, a thought flashed through Yang Tae’s mind like lightning.

Chickens!

It was certain that the limping man had poisoned them at the inn. Then the most suspicious moment would be when the limping man released the chickens.

“Last night, you made the chickens run wild by putting poison powder on them…!”

But as he spoke, it didn’t seem right.

It wasn’t the chickens.