Chapter 320

“Stupid leper bastards.”

At the curse words Tang Qing spat out, the leper assassin who had come wearing a mask looked up at Tang Qing. The leper assassin’s eyes were tinged with rebelliousness.

Tang Qing gritted his teeth and said.

“If you look at me with those eyes one more time, I’ll pluck them out and throw them to the dogs. How dare a mere messenger glare at me?”

The leper assassin bit his teeth tightly and lowered his head.

“I gave sufficient warning that you shouldn’t underestimate Poison Dragon. How did Thousand-Faced Tiger handle things so poorly!”

Tang Qing was so angry that even his voice trembled.

The leper assassin bit his teeth and said as if spitting through his teeth.

“Ghost Piercer went out personally but couldn’t return. Our Leper Mound did our best.”

Ghost Piercer was Leper Mound’s second-in-command, whom Tang Qing had also met. By losing Ghost Piercer, Leper Mound had essentially lost half their strength.

“Not yet.”

“Pardon?”

“Leper Mound’s most powerful sword still remains. Leper Mound’s leader, Thousand Faces Common Blade Roh Gwan!”

Telling the leader to step forward was equivalent to telling them to stake everything Leper Mound had.

“But if that happens…”

Leper Mound’s status would fall. Poison Dragon and the leader would be treated as equals. If the leader even failed, Leper Mound would face the worst situation.

Dissolution.

They would certainly have all their profitable businesses stolen by other poison sects and be torn apart and absorbed.

The leper assassin knelt and presented the box he had brought.

When he opened the box’s lid, it revealed neatly arranged round-shaped gold ingots called gold yuan treasures.

“According to the rules of the Six Poison Cliques, we return the reward money and pay ten times the compensation.”

“Hmph.”

Tang Qing kicked the box as if he didn’t want to see it.

The heavy box slid sideways until it reached someone’s feet.

An old man with hunched shoulders and waist kicked up the box with his toes. The box flew up and rested on the old man’s shoulder. The old man caught the box with his bandaged hands.

Despite the box’s considerable weight, the old man’s shoulder wasn’t pressed down at all.

The old man said to the leper assassin.

“Tsk tsk. Leper Mound’s reputation has been overshadowed by a single youngster. Then let our Funeral Parlor take charge of this matter.”

Funeral Parlor! Like Leper Mound, it was one of the poison sect factions belonging to the Six Poison Cliques.

Since Funeral Parlor had stepped forward instead, Leper Mound’s role was over. The leper assassin bowed to the old man and Tang Qing, then retreated backward.

Tang Qing clicked his tongue and said.

“Yeong Hyeon-sa. Have you thought of a way to kill him?”

Funeral Parlor’s master Yeong Hyeon-sa, who uniquely had both hands wrapped in bandages, chuckled and asked back.

“Does killing one person require a method?”

Tang Qing’s narrow forehead wrinkled as frown lines appeared.

“This time you must be even more careful. He’s certainly become much stronger than before.”

“Death doesn’t discriminate between high and low and is equal to all. Even the world’s greatest master cannot avoid death when it comes.”

Funeral Parlor was the name of death.

It was a place created by those who live for the dead.

Yeong Hyeon-sa said seriously.

“I’ll prepare a paulownia coffin well mixed with pine resin and oil for him. I’ll wrap him in shroud cloth made of thorny vines, put him in the coffin alive, and tie the coffin ropes. I’ll lower him to the bottom of a deep swamp from which he can’t escape even in death, making him wander even the path to the underworld. I’ll make sure he cannot enter nirvana and that the troubles and sufferings of this world follow him forever even in the afterlife.”

It was a curse-filled statement that sent chills down one’s spine. However, Tang Qing knew this was like a resolution ritual for Yeong Hyeon-sa.

Tang Qing finally relaxed his expression as if somewhat relieved.

“Pray for his soul’s rest. May it be the worst rest.”

Yeong Hyeon-sa replied with a stoic expression.

“King of Hell, please wait. I’ll bring my finest obituary.”

* * *

There are roughly three routes to get to Zhejiang.

Taking the well-maintained official road up to Henan and down to Zhejiang.

Going straight through Huguang Province.

Going by water along the Yangtze River.

However, Henan Province had the danger of Shaolin Temple, and Huguang Province required passing through Jiangxi where the Martial Alliance headquarters was located.

Jin Ja-gang chose the waterway.

For Jin Ja-gang, who wasn’t familiar with water, being on ship was dangerous, and the route was obvious, making it dangerous. However, due to the ship’s characteristic of having narrow movable space, if he encountered enemies, Jin Ja-gang, who used poison, could have an advantage.

Jin Ja-gang contacted Qingcheng Sect. He needed to report the progress of recent events and receive help.

Qingcheng Sect came to the Yangtze River ferry where Jin Ja-gang was waiting.

It had been a while since Master Bok-cheon and Woon-jeong came together. Since both were living as wanderers, they carried packs on their backs and held walking sticks.

As soon as Woon-jeong saw Jin Ja-gang, his eyes reddened with anger.

“Poison Dragon. Why on earth did you do such a thing?”

Jin Ja-gang quietly looked at Woon-jeong who was angry before even greeting.

“Zhongnan Sect is a sect respected by many people. But, but why did you horribly kill an innocent Zhongnan disciple?”

Seeing that Master Bokcheon wasn’t stopping Woon-jeong, he seemed curious too.

“Let’s move locations.”

Jin Ja-gang led the two to a tea house with almost no customers.

Jin Ja-gang briefly considered how much he should tell the two about Taoist Haewol. Since Taoist Haewol was supposed to be recuperating within the alliance, he couldn’t carelessly reveal it.

Probably even within Yangtze River Sword Gate, only Namgung Won and the Wudang and Mount Heng martial artists he had met recently knew of Taoist Haewol’s movements.

“Poison Dragon!”

Master Bok-cheon stopped Woon-jeong and said.

“Tell us exactly as it is, but if it’s difficult to speak about, don’t say it at all. Did you do it?”

“Yes.”

Jin Ja-gang chose his words and asked.

“How much do you know about Taoist Haewol, Master?”

Master Bok-cheon frowned and thought before answering.

“Honestly speaking… as you know, the relationship between Indestructible Heavenly Sword, who received Taoist Haewol’s favor, and my senior brother Woo-am wasn’t good. We didn’t even join the Martial Alliance. You can say we know almost nothing.”

“Then have you heard about forces with evil intentions trying to control the martial world?”

“Such forces have always existed throughout martial world history and have been there at any time. Even if there are those plotting somewhere now, it’s not a big deal.”

Qingcheng Sect, with its strong Taoist character pursuing non-action and naturalness, wasn’t much help to Jin Ja-gang.

With the mindset of “what does it matter this way or that way,” they didn’t mind leaving their main mountain and wandering.

Woon-jeong pestered Master Bok-cheon.

“But Master, I’m curious. Why did Poison Dragon do such a thing?”

Master Bokcheon looked at Jin Ja-gang silently.

Jin Ja-gang had no choice but to answer.

“Brother Pyo betrayed me.”

“If I betray Poison Dragon, would you kill me the same way?”

Woon-jeong’s voice had thorns. He seemed truly angry.

Jin Ja-gang acknowledged.

“Probably.”

Woon-jeong’s cheeks and forehead turned red. As Woon-jeong was about to get angry, Master Bok-cheon struck Woon-jeong’s head with his staff.

Thwack! Thwack!

“Crazy fool. Say something that makes sense. Just don’t betray anyone. What shame does a betrayer have to get angry?”

“But… but! It’s disappointing… between us…”

Jin Ja-gang quietly looked at Woon-jeong, who looked like he was about to cry.

So-min had said the same thing.

That it was disappointing.

Now he could emotionally understand what kind of feeling that was.

Jin Ja-gang called Woon-jeong.

“Taoist Woon-jeong.”

“What?”

Woon-jeong looked with a sulky expression, then his eyes widened seeing Jin Ja-gang’s unexpectedly gentle expression.

“Don’t worry too much.”

“Huh? That means…”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“If Taoist Woon-jeong betrays me, I promise to send you off with as little pain as possible.”

“…What?”

Woon-jeong was flustered.

“That doesn’t seem like the answer I wanted!”

Master Bok-cheon patted Woon-jeong’s head and laughed.

“That’s the best treatment for a Poison Dragon. You fool, don’t expect too much from one walking the path of Asura. When an Asura’s teeth become dull, that’s the day they die.”

Woon-jeong pouted.

“But…”

Master Bok-cheon ignored Woon-jeong and looked at Jin Ja-gang. Jin Ja-gang asked.

“How did the request I made go?”

“It went well. But will it really work? It’s too dangerous.”

“This is the best opportunity. If it’s Wishful Fairy, I can trust her.”

“I’m not worried about that side. I’m worried about your safety.”

“It’s always been like that. Don’t worry too much.”

“Hmm.”

“Are you hesitant because Wishful Fairy is from the unorthodox sect?”

“No. Wishful Fairy is… a victim who lost her family due to Indestructible Heavenly Sword’s false accusations. If you want to spread your will in the martial world, it would be good to walk the path you think is right rather than following what others call orthodox or unorthodox.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Woon-jeong, who was listening from the side, pouted and said to Master Bok-cheon.

“Master also can’t practice what you preach, yet you say that to others.”

“This brat?”

Thwack!

“I said the right thing, so why are you hitting me!”

“Originally, medicine that’s good for the body tastes bitter.”

Woon-jeong was confused.

“Then Master’s mouth should be bitter, so why does my head hurt?”

Master Bok-cheon glared and scolded.

“If you don’t shut that mouth, next time I’ll give you the punishment of silence for two weeks.”

Woon-jeong immediately shut his mouth.

Master Bok-cheon grabbed Woon-jeong’s head and pushed him toward Jin Ja-gang.

“Take this fellow. He can take care of himself, so having even one person to watch your back will be helpful.”

“Will that be alright?”

“He’ll be better than you on water. If necessary, he knows how to cross waterways with water-walking techniques.”

Woon-jeong’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Master Bok-cheon.

“You’re telling me to follow Poison Dragon? Then can I meet So-so?”

Woon-jeong grinned at the thought of meeting So-so.

“Tsk tsk. This fellow needs some discipline. Look at that state.”

Woon-jeong was carefree, having no idea what would happen ahead.

Master Bok-cheon clicked his tongue and said to Jin Ja-gang.

“Anyway, I heard you’ve also formed relationships with Yangtze River Sword Sect. There must have been reasons. You have many allies. Use everything you can. Be especially careful and return safely.”

Come to think of it, Jin Ja-gang had gained unexpectedly many allies.

Qingcheng Sect, Emei Sect, Yangtze River Sword Sect, and Shandong Unorthodox Sects.

It was something he couldn’t have imagined before. He had doubted whether he could even finish his revenge. He thought he might fight and fight again until dying miserably somewhere alone.

But somehow he had come this far.

The enemy forces were still powerful and mysterious, but Jin Ja-gang had also become stronger and grown even more.

“I will never retreat. And…”

Jin Ja-gang thought of Taoist Haewol. Taoist Haewol had already gone to a point of no return and could never come back.

But Jin Ja-gang had those waiting for him.

“I will definitely return alive.”