Chapter 123: The Fluttering of a Butterfly's Wings Summons the Storm (2)

Eum Yu-gyeong's eyes, hidden behind the veil, wavered. The other's gaze was telling her: he knew who she was. It was impossible. At least, no one in the current Murim should know her true identity. She had only recently entered the martial world. Few knew her true nature, and none of them were here.

"Ridiculous."

She cried out firmly. Dam Ho answered indifferently.

"The Demonic Cult—or should I say the New Cult?"

"……"

In that instant, a slight tremor ran through her shoulders. Eum Yu-gyeong's gaze toward Dam Ho turned to ice. Dam Ho continued unperturbed.

"Your name is Eum Yu-gyeong, isn't it?"

"Who… are you?"

"You don't remember."

Dam Ho dismounted from the Dark Stallion. Even then, Eum Yu-gyeong had not recognized him. Dam Ho walked toward her and spoke.

"You've killed quite a few people since then, it seems."

"What?"

"Back then, I told you—I would be the first person you killed. So I would at least remember your name."

"That was… could it be?"

Eum Yu-gyeong's pupils shook violently. A very old, faded memory surfaced in her mind. The Heavenly Silver Demon Fortress. The last refuge of the Demonic Cult. The righteous sect warriors who had pursued them all the way there. And among them, a young boy. He, like the man before her now, limped slightly on his left leg. But the martial arts he had displayed were still seared into her memory like a brand.

"You are from the Mount Hua Sect… Dam Ho."

"So you remember now."

"How are you alive?"

"Is that what you want to know?"

"Yes."

Eum Yu-gyeong nodded involuntarily. She was in a state of profound shock. The Thunderfire Bombs used to collapse the Heavenly Silver Demon Fortress numbered in the dozens. The explosion had been visible from more than a hundred li away, completely burying the area. Yet he had survived.

Eum Yu-gyeong's eyes trembled. It was a story that defied common sense. But she had no choice but to believe it—the image of Dam Ho from her memory and the Dam Ho standing before her now overlapped to a significant degree. However, it was impossible to fully reconcile his current appearance with the past. Setting aside the outward appearance, it was his temperament that was different. It was as though a volcano on the verge of eruption stood before her. He appeared calm on the surface, but magma seethed within his chest, ready to erupt at any moment.

"I held on stubbornly."

"That is…"

"Right to the end—and so I survived."

Dam Ho smiled. Or rather, it looked as though he smiled—the corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly.

Eum Yu-gyeong suddenly looked down at her palm. Moisture beaded on it—she was sweating. 'Am I nervous? I—' She had never once felt nervous since entering the world. She possessed exceptional martial skill and possessed the tenacity of one who had clawed her way out from the very bottom of hell. The warriors of the Central Plains had grown complacent through prolonged peace. They might be strong, but they lacked the will to fight. Such warriors could never make her nervous.

But Dam Ho was different. He was honed to a razor's edge. One wrong move in front of him and she would be cut down in an instant. Even a supreme powerhouse like Eum Yu-gyeong found his presence suffocating.

A man dressed entirely in black, his left leg slightly limping. Eum Yu-gyeong recalled a recent rumor about just such a figure.

"So you were the Fist Demon. How…"

The unspoken words—'did you become so strong'—remained trapped in her mouth. She was curious about many things, but she knew that no matter how many questions she asked, Dam Ho would not answer.

"I have one question."

"What?"

"What is your position within the Demonic Cult?"

"That I cannot say. It is classified."

"Is that so? Your saying that makes me even more curious."

Eum Yu-gyeong's face hardened. She had read the hidden hostility in Dam Ho's words.

"I would advise against it."

"What?"

"I have no desire to become your enemy."

"That is not your decision to make."

"Oh?"

"It is your answer that decides."

Dam Ho's words sent a chill through Eum Yu-gyeong's blood. She had read the killing intent in his gaze. Within those fierce eyes that seemed ready to erupt at any moment lurked a terrifying killing intent. Even within the New Cult she served, few possessed such murderous resolve.

Dam Ho's image brought a certain man to her mind. 'He may be on par with Yul-cheon…' But she quickly shook her head. The two men might appear similar, but they were fundamentally different. If Dam Ho was a savage beast, then Yul-cheon was a disciplined hunter. Who was stronger and who was weaker could not be judged rashly—but it was clear that they were two entirely different kinds of people.

Eum Yu-gyeong's hand gripped her sword hilt. Dam Ho's eyes narrowed.

"Is that your decision?"

"Personally, I regret what happened to you. But that is not sufficient reason for me to reveal everything."

Eum Yu-gyeong was resolute. Dam Ho nodded. He had expected as much. From Eum Yu-gyeong's entire being, a frost-like aura was radiating. Her killing intent was sharper than that of any martial artist he had encountered thus far.

Sheung!

She drew her sword. It was her declaration that she would speak no further. Eum Yu-gyeong disliked fighting without cause, but she was not the type to avoid battle. This was the sword that had taken the lives of Iron Crown Sage and countless Daoists. Killing intent was naturally soaked into her blade. Twelve years ago, before she had met Dam Ho, she had not killed a single person. But the woman she was now was different. She had carved her way out of hell, and much had changed. There was no longer any hesitation about killing.

Moon-Setting Divine Sword—a secret sword art passed down within the Demonic Cult through a single lineage. Legend held that one who had mastered the Moon-Setting Divine Sword could strike down even the moon hanging in the night sky.

Hooong!

Eum Yu-gyeong's sword emitted a hum. The air pricked at the skin like needles—an invisible wave of killing intent was stimulating the surroundings.

Dam Ho's gaze sank deep. Eum Yu-gyeong's aura was definitely sharper than any martial artist he had encountered before.

Pat!

Eum Yu-gyeong lunged at Dam Ho. Flowing Current Step—one of the Demonic Cult's secret movement techniques, also passed down through a single lineage. Like flowing water, Eum Yu-gyeong rode the current and closed the distance to Dam Ho in an instant.

Clang!

A metallic ring erupted before Dam Ho's eyes. It was the sound of Eum Yu-gyeong's sword clashing with his Silver Net Hand. Sparks flew and both of their bodies shook. The unexpected impact made Eum Yu-gyeong's body lurch. But instead of retreating, she pressed forward. Combat was all about momentum. She knew well that whoever yielded in the initial clash of spirits would never seize victory. She did not enjoy fighting without reason, but once a battle began, she had to become the victor. That was the law of survival she had learned at the bottom of the Demonic Cult.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Eum Yu-gyeong's sword and Dam Ho's Silver Net Hand clashed again and again. The Moon-Setting Divine Sword she displayed was terrifying. Whenever she detected even the slightest opening, her blade would lunge like a venomous snake at Dam Ho's vital points. Unlike other Central Plains martial artists, she did not wastefully project sword qi and squander her internal energy. Instead, she condensed her energy only at the moment of impact—a divine technique. A sword that was natural as water yet hard as rock—that was Eum Yu-gyeong's Moon-Setting Divine Sword. Severing Moon Flying Sword and Moon-Setting Blood Mountain's techniques were unleashed in succession. A relentless chain of attacks with not a breath in between.

An ordinary martial artist would have already lost their life by now. But her opponent was Dam Ho. Power gathered in his fist like a nail. Eum Yu-gyeong's face appeared before him. His Fortress Breaking Fist hammered down toward her. Eum Yu-gyeong raised her sword to block desperately.

Boom!

"Ngh!"

A suppressed groan escaped Eum Yu-gyeong's lips.

Crack!

Hairline fractures spread across the surface of her sword like a spider's web. Eum Yu-gyeong's expression changed entirely. A single punch from Dam Ho had altered the balance. And his aura shifted as well.

Chill!

At the very instant Eum Yu-gyeong felt a sense of crisis—

Pweeeeng!

Dam Ho's foot traced a strange arc and descended like a whip onto the top of her head. It was the Demonic Kick. Eum Yu-gyeong employed Reverse Current Step to retreat. Reverse, the opposite of Flow. Even as she withdrew, she did not forget to swing her sword.

Crash!

Two streams of sword energy collided with Dam Ho's Demonic Kick, and a thunderous explosion erupted. Both of their bodies shook. A line of blood appeared at the corner of Eum Yu-gyeong's mouth.

'Strong!' Her honest sentiment. A true master could gauge an opponent's level with a single exchange of techniques. Her sword hand ached. If her grip had been even slightly weaker, she would have dropped her sword. Dam Ho's fist carried a weight as heavy as a mountain. Each clash sent tremors through her very organs. 'At this level, he can truly be compared to Yul-cheon…' He was the strongest person she knew—one whose will could withstand any storm and whose strength rivaled Mount Tai itself. He was their spiritual pillar, a comrade and leader who could be trusted and relied upon. Because of him, they had made it this far. Eum Yu-gyeong had never thought she would meet another like him. He had been that unique a presence.

But Dam Ho, standing before her now, was shattering her preconceptions with his terrifying martial might. At this level, she could not guarantee victory without going all out.

The moment she reached that conclusion, Eum Yu-gyeong's eyes changed. Dam Ho smiled—a smile so cold it was chilling.

"It's about time."

Because of them, he had been trapped in the lightless underground for twelve years. Someone had to repay that debt.

Dam Ho clenched both fists and lunged toward Eum Yu-gyeong. But just then—

Whisssht!

An ear-splitting sound of something cutting through the air tore from behind. A murderous presence of terrifying magnitude pressed upon his back. Dam Ho's body spun like a top, his elbow and fist lashing out like a whip. A single strike of the One-Strike Wall.

Clang!

In that instant, accompanied by a metallic ring, a sword was deflected away. The deflected sword spun through the air and was caught by someone's hand.

Dam Ho's face hardened as he identified the sword's owner. The man had an average build and unassuming attire, yet he did not look ordinary at all. He held the deflected sword, his face as perfectly sculpted as a work of art, with deep, melancholy dark eyes. Behind him, he carried a large wooden case on his back, from which the handles of four swords protruded. Including the one he now held, the case was designed to carry a total of five swords.

But Dam Ho's expression had not changed because of the man's appearance. It was because the man had his arm draped over Bang Jin-bo's shoulder.

"Hyung!"

The man with his arm around Bang Jin-bo's shoulder smiled gently at Eum Yu-gyeong.

"Martial Sister, you kept me waiting quite a while."

Zhuge Yan’s eyes glinted maliciously.

Jin Ja-gang said.

“It’s strange to be called trash by those who barge into someone else’s house and carelessly touch their belongings. And who exactly are you calling evil faction?”

“You! Snake Scorpion Poison King!”

“I’ve heard others call me that, but that doesn’t make me a member of the evil faction.”

“How ridiculous.”

Zhuge Yan felt worse as her stomach was bothering her. The warriors seemed severely poisoned, but her own damage wasn’t too severe.

Zhuge Yan drew up her internal energy and prepared to attack.

“This doesn’t seem like a situation that can be resolved with kind words.”

Jin Ja-gang found it strange as the image of himself speaking to Dan Ryeong-gyeong earlier unconsciously overlapped with Zhuge Yan’s appearance.

Orthodox faction members, especially those famous for their high chivalry in the world, all hated the evil faction. That was almost close to hatred.

Of course, there were reasons for that. Since childhood, they had heard countless times about bandits who threatened others and stole money, and villains who treated human lives like fly lives.

Jin Ja-gang had also unconsciously hated and despised the evil faction. He disliked anything that even included the word “evil faction.” Perhaps that’s why evil faction members didn’t call themselves evil faction but referred to themselves as the dark path.

However, now that Jin Ja-gang had been labeled as evil faction, it seemed somehow unreasonable.

What about Baek Li-jung, who was called a great hero?

What about the actions of the orthodox factions who raised the banner of chivalry when the Medicine Sects were being massacred by the poison sects?

Their actions were no different from the evil faction, yet why did they still remain as orthodox faction?

As Dan Ryeong-gyeong had said.

Was it not orthodox faction but political faction business?

Perhaps, becoming a target of hatred just by being labeled as evil faction might not be the right thing.

Jin Ja-gang had such thoughts. Thoughts that were undoubtedly very dangerous.

However, having come this far, he simultaneously thought that whether he had such thoughts or not didn’t really matter.

Jin Ja-gang organized his thoughts and asked Zhuge Yan back.

“This time I’ll ask you. Who are you people who trespass into someone else’s house, carelessly touch their belongings, and try to draw swords without warning?”

He had only heard from Dan Ryeong-gyeong about the Three Dragons and Four Phoenix, but hadn’t heard who they were.

Zhuge Yan looked incredulous.

‘He doesn’t know us?’

The Zhuge family, as descendants of Kongming, mainly wore white clothes with jade-green robes, and embroidered feather patterns symbolizing Kongming’s fan on their waist belts and collars.

Moreover, sword tassels indicating membership in the Martial Arts Alliance dangled from the ends of their sword hilts. These were tassels made by twisting silk threads into the shape of the character “martial”.

So anyone who had made a name for themselves in the martial world would know that the people here were from the Zhuge family and belonged to the Martial Arts Alliance.

Looking at Jin Ja-gang, Zhuge Yan could tell he really didn’t know.

She wondered if they had found the wrong person. But that couldn’t be. Three warriors were currently poisoned and vomiting blood.

Feeling something was off, Zhuge Yan answered briefly.

“I came from the Zhuge family. And who are you?”

Jin Ja-gang was more surprised than expected by the unexpected answer.

‘The Zhuge family?’

The Zhuge family was a well-known martial family in the martial world and a prestigious orthodox faction. It was a powerful family that had produced numerous scholars and martial masters and was firmly established in the martial world.

When Jin Ja-gang lived at Hundred Flower Valley, even when he was young and didn’t know much about the world, he had heard of the Zhuge family’s name.

Heavenly High Wisdom, Chivalrous Family Zhuge… meaning the Zhuge family’s wisdom reached the heavens, and as descendants of the Crouching Dragon, they were skilled at reading heavenly secrets and handling mechanical formations. Rather than martial arts, they performed chivalry through wisdom, earning the nickname “Chivalrous Family.”

However, their martial arts were also not low, proudly placing their name among the pillars of martial families.

A young lady who appeared to be his age.

That composure seemed to stem from complete faith in the halo of the Zhuge family name and absolute confidence in her own martial arts.

That’s why she would have enough confidence to come looking for Jin Ja-gang, who was rumored to have destroyed Poison Valley.

Jin Ja-gang felt a strange emotion.

He could sense the gap between himself and Zhuge Yan in front of him.

Jin Ja-gang, whose life had been twisted from the start and who had to struggle through carnage, versus Zhuge Yan, who had received family support and walked the most stable and smooth elite path.

The gap of cruel fate was fully conveyed through Zhuge Yan’s confident expression.

How else could she be said to be stronger than Shadow Bureau’s Goe Song despite not having a single visible scar?

‘Counted among the Three Dragons and Four Phoenix, a master surpassing Goe Song… She only looks to be my age, yet she’s already become a hero renowned throughout the martial world. But I am… called Snake Scorpion Poison King?’

He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

‘Haha…!’

The difference in starting points, the difference in birth had led to this.

He could understand Guo Wu’s actions from long ago.

How envious he must have been of descendants of prestigious orthodox factions like Zhuge Yan who traveled the martial world with youthful vigor.

If Jin Ja-gang was envious of Zhuge Yan now, Guo Wu from before must have felt even more so.

That envy and jealousy, those twisted desires had crossed the line and led him into the abyss of destruction…

Meeting someone from a martial family he had admired since childhood was quite an unfamiliar experience for Jin Ja-gang.

Of course, the wound from first meeting a great hero of the martial world was so great that he had become cynical about everything afterward.

Jin Ja-gang’s contemplation was interrupted by Zhuge Yan’s sharp cry.

“I asked who you are!”

Jin Ja-gang thought for a moment, then answered casually.

“I am a descendant of Hundred Flower Valley.”

Perhaps not expecting such an answer, Zhuge Yan asked back.

“What? Where is Hundred Flower Valley?”

Hundred Flower Valley wasn’t a great sect famous enough to be known in the martial world, and it had officially disappeared nine years ago. There were thousands, tens of thousands of similar small and medium sects. If they had only been active in the Central Plains, no matter how broad one’s knowledge, they wouldn’t know about Hundred Flower Valley.

“Hundred Flower Valley is a branch of Yunnan’s Medicine Sect. It was destroyed nine years ago after being attacked by the poison sects.”

Zhuge Yan looked at Shin Yung.

They had come after hearing he was a secret warrior of the evil faction, but suddenly he was saying he was from the Medicine Sect – how absurd.

Shin Yung explained what he knew.

“Medicine Sects are generally between orthodox and evil, but they were closer to the orthodox side than the evil faction. I heard that a great fight broke out due to discord with the poison sects, most died, and the Medicine Sects were disbanded.”

“Ah, that incident. I remember.”

Zhuge Yan asked Jin Ja-gang accusingly.

“So? Are you insisting now that you’re not evil faction but a descendant of the Medicine Sect?”

“Is there a reason I should lie?”

“Evidence?”

Those words amused Jin Ja-gang.

“Do you have evidence that you’re from the Zhuge family?”

Zhuge Yan incredulously spread her arm to show him. She seemed to want to display the clothing that showed she was from the Zhuge family.

“Do you think there are people in the martial world who aren’t from our Zhuge family but could walk around in such attire?”

It was tremendous confidence. However, it also meant she thought it was natural to the extent that it didn’t seem like arrogance.

Anyway, Zhuge Yan frowned slightly at the unexpected situation.

It would have been a simple matter if he had just been an evil faction figure.

Zhuge Yan confirmed with Jin Ja-gang again.

“Then you mean you’re not the mastermind behind this Poison Valley incident?”

“What I did is correct.”

Jin Ja-gang answered calmly.

“The poison sects are enemies of our Medicine Sect. Erasing the poison sects is my destiny.”

“Then you have no relationship with the evil faction?”

“At least, not in this matter.”

Zhuge Yan thought for a moment and said.

“Fine. If that’s what you say, I’ll believe you. But you’ll have to say what you just told us once more.”

Jin Ja-gang asked back.

“To whom?”

“I believe your words, but the higher-ups in our alliance won’t believe you. You’re already suspected of being an evil faction figure and were scheduled to be on the kill list soon.”

Jin Ja-gang listened silently.

“If it was legitimate revenge, you can clear your suspicions by explaining the circumstances in detail. You’re lucky. That person happens to be at the Azure Dragon Great Sword Pavilion of the Martial Arts Alliance in Huguang Province.”

Jin Ja-gang felt déjà vu.

Long ago… very long ago… but that unforgettable feeling was exactly the same.

The feeling when Baek Li-jung promised to resolve injustices fairly and justly!

“You know well too. The most fair and just person in the martial world, known as a great hero, Hero Baek will personally help with your matter.”

Shiver!

Jin Ja-gang felt goosebumps all over his body.

“Hero Baek… you mean Baek Li-jung?”

Shin Yung frowned at the casual mention of the respected great hero’s name, the name of Baek Li-jung who had given them opportunities, but Zhuge Yan didn’t care.

“That’s right, Hero Baek Li-jung. I knew you’d know.”

“I know him well.”

Know him? Of course.

Though in a completely different meaning from what Zhuge Yan was saying.

Because he was the last person Jin Ja-gang had to kill…

***

If Jin Ja-gang just agreed to come along, Zhuge Yan would have nothing to lose.

Bringing him back as a cold corpse would be the worst option.

Bringing him back alive would be the best option.

Jin Ja-gang’s background didn’t really matter much. That was something the Martial Arts Alliance, Baek Li-jung, would handle.

No, it might actually be even better for Baek Li-jung.

Due to the mass killing incident at Yunnan’s Poison Valley, Baek Li-jung had been in quite a predicament recently. The opposition faction was politically pressuring him and demanding accountability.

But if it was revealed that it was due to past grudges between poison sects and Medicine Sects, it wouldn’t be Baek Li-jung’s responsibility.

If that happened, it would also greatly help Zhuge Yan and her relationship with Baek Li-gwon, Baek Li-jung’s eldest disciple and adopted son, whom Zhuge Yan was courting.

Either way, it would mean successfully completing the mission.

‘Simple?’

Zhuge Yan unconsciously licked her lips slightly with her tongue. Excited about success, she imagined her reputation rising.

A look of joy appeared as if she had caught something big.

Jin Ja-gang was watching that expression.

Jin Ja-gang suddenly felt disgusted.

He felt like vomiting.

He had to grit his teeth to avoid vomiting. Even her pretty face looked ugly.

Jin Ja-gang decided.

“…will.”

Lost in thought, Zhuge Yan didn’t hear Jin Ja-gang’s words and asked back with a smile.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear. What did you say?”

“I’ll go.”

Zhuge Yan’s expression brightened.

‘Got it!’

It was like taking candy from a baby. She felt all her various concerns had been for nothing.

But then Jin Ja-gang added.

“Alone.”

“What?”

“I said I’ll go to the Martial Arts Alliance alone.”

Zhuge Yan’s face contorted. Zhuge Yan had to escort Jin Ja-gang for it to be recognized as her achievement.

“Why?”

“There is someone who gave legitimacy to the incident where Yunnan’s poison sects attacked and destroyed the Medicine Sects, and manipulated the whole story.”

“Who is that?”

“Baek Li-jung.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s answer, Zhuge Yan and Shin Yung were struck speechless.

They were dumbfounded at hearing such an absurd story.

Grind.

Zhuge Yan ground her teeth.

“How dare you… mock me with such preposterous words?”