Chapter 135: What is Emptied is Filled in Turn (1)

Dam Ho and Bang Jin-bo walked slowly, each holding the reins of their horses. Upon the horses, Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang were circulating their energy.

The internal injuries they had sustained were far from minor.

In particular, the injuries Muk Il-gwang had suffered were extremely grave.

The only saving grace was that the internal energy he cultivated was stable enough to be circulated even on horseback, allowing him to continuously heal himself throughout the journey.

Thanks to this, Muk Il-gwang's condition was improving rapidly.

Hwang Hye-ryeong's expression was also considerably more at ease than before. She rode atop Heuk-gwi and gazed down at Dam Ho.

She found the sight of Dam Ho walking steadily forward, holding the reins in silence, reassuring.

She did not know why, but whenever she looked at him, her heart warmed, and a sense of comfort washed over her, as though she were being protected.

It was the first time she had ever felt such a thing, and the unfamiliarity brought a measure of bewilderment. Yet even that bewildering feeling was not unpleasant.

Whether Dam Ho was aware of Hwang Hye-ryeong's gaze or not, he continued walking in silence. After some time, he suddenly halted.

A man stood blocking the mountain path ahead.

"Brother!"

Bang Jin-bo immediately broke into a wide grin.

"You rascal! You seem to have put on even more weight since we last met."

The man who smiled and teased Bang Jin-bo was none other than Cho Yeon-woon.

"Tch! Where have I gained weight? I've only lost it."

"Heh heh! You rascal. You don't realize how round and plump your cheeks are? Take a look in a mirror before you speak."

"Really? After not seeing each other for so long, this is what you greet me with?"

"I'm only teasing because I'm happy to see you."

Cho Yeon-woon ruffled Bang Jin-bo's hair roughly and approached Dam Ho.

Dam Ho asked.

"How did you find us?"

"The path you would take is obvious. A little thought and it was easy to figure out."

"Is that so?"

"You don't need to worry. There will be no more pursuers."

"Why is that?"

"A terrible commotion has erupted. The fuss you caused has been rendered insignificant by comparison…"

"…"

"The Demonic Cult has finally taken the field. Three hundred of the martial artists who were sent to track you were massacred by a single individual."

"Three hundred?"

"Yes! Everyone within a ten-li radius was killed. And all by one person."

Dam Ho's eyebrow twitched. It was a story difficult to believe.

"Massacred by a single individual?"

"As hard as it may be to believe, it is the truth. The opponent is a master of sonic arts. The attack came without warning, and over three hundred men were wiped out in an instant."

"Sonic arts…"

"Truly a terrifying master. No one within ten li survived."

So Cheonsan had vanished as suddenly as he had appeared. But just before his disappearance, a martial artist stationed outside the ten-li radius had witnessed the aftermath.

So Cheonsan had smiled and revealed his identity to the man. It was the confidence of the strong, but for the Martial Alliance, it was tantamount to humiliation.

"Because of that, the Martial Alliance is in chaos. The entire organization has been toyed with by a single man."

Dam Ho's gaze deepened.

He recalled the conversation he had overheard through Eum Yu-gyeong and Sin Mu-wol's transmission. The name So Cheonsan had certainly been mentioned.

'They spoke of needing to prevent the Cult Leader's unchecked advance. Is there a rift within the Demonic Cult?'

It was not yet certain.

"They have recalled all the pursuit squads they sent to track you. With the Demonic Cult's invasion becoming a reality, they will not be able to concern themselves with you for some time."

"I see."

"It is fortunate. For you, and for the Martial Alliance."

In truth, the one in the most difficult position had been Cho Yeon-woon himself.

Over twenty pursuit squads had been organized to track Dam Ho. Cho Yeon-woon had been forced to lead one of them, against his own will.

When the dozen or so squads were massacred by So Cheonsan, he had been only a few hundred zhang from the site.

Had he been any closer, he too would have suffered grievous damage from So Cheonsan's sonic attack.

Though he had escaped with his life, the shock he had received was far from trivial.

The fact that men with whom he had been breathing and conversing only moments before had been annihilated by a single sonic attack filled him with a profound terror.

"During the Demonic Cult's first invasion decades ago, the one who inflicted the greatest casualties on the Righteous Alliance was a monster who practiced sonic arts. I suspect this Ten-Li No Life employs the same art."

"…"

"In any case, I must return now."

"To fight the Demonic Cult?"

"I am a disciple of Baek Jeon-mun. By now, Master should be leading the disciples to the Martial Alliance as well."

Jang Il-san's hatred for the Demonic Cult was truly fearsome. Upon hearing word of their emergence, he had immediately raised the Baek Jeon Banner and was marching south.

Once the Baek Jeon Banner was raised, the disciples of Baek Jeon-mun were obligated to gather beneath it. Even Cho Yeon-woon, a former banner master, was no exception.

Dam Ho looked at Cho Yeon-woon in silence. Cho Yeon-woon smiled faintly.

"My, what a burning gaze."

"…"

"Be careful! The Demonic Cult has diverted much of the attention from you, but you are still a wanted man."

A look of genuine concern was evident on Cho Yeon-woon's face.

Dam Ho nodded.

"I will."

"Farewell."

"Take care."

In that instant, Cho Yeon-woon's eyes went wide.

He had not expected to hear Dam Ho tell him to take care.

"Haha! Don't worry about me. I am Cho Yeon-woon, after all!"

Cho Yeon-woon thumped his chest and declared boldly. Dam Ho watched him intently.

"Then farewell. Fatty, you take care as well."

"I told you I'm not fat!"

"Haha!"

Cho Yeon-woon waved his hand and departed.

Dam Ho and Bang Jin-bo watched Cho Yeon-woon's retreating figure in silence.

When Cho Yeon-woon had finally vanished from sight, Hwang Hye-ryeong spoke.

"He seems like a truly wonderful person."

"He is!"

Dam Ho nodded.

Though they had not known each other long, Cho Yeon-woon had always been sincere. In the Murim, such men were rare.

'A friend…'

Dam Ho did not move until some time later.

As Cho Yeon-woon had said, no one pursued them further. Bang Jin-bo was relieved.

The thought that no more people would die at Dam Ho's hands brought peace to his heart.

Though Bang Jin-bo had grown accustomed to Dam Ho, watching people die before his eyes was never easy.

"Hehe!"

Without realizing it, Bang Jin-bo smiled as he walked.

After parting from Cho Yeon-woon, Dam Ho, Bang Jin-bo, and the others swiftly left the hillside and at last entered Hubei Province.

The first rumor they heard upon entering Hubei was, as expected, about the Demonic Cult.

The shock left by So Cheonsan, the Ten-Li No Life, was truly immense. Because of that single individual, the people of the Central Plains came to understand the terror of the Demonic Cult.

Everywhere one went in the Central Plains, the talk was of the Demonic Cult, and people feared the unknown—when the cult would launch its full-scale invasion.

"The Demonic Cult…"

Hwang Hye-ryeong shook her head.

Though young in years, she was well aware of how fearsome the Demonic Cult was. From her earliest childhood, Hwang Gyeong-mun had drilled it into her ears.

Even Hwang Gyeong-mun, who feared nothing in the world, would inadvertently show a flash of fear whenever the Demonic Cult was mentioned. That impression had been so vivid that fear had quietly taken root in Hwang Hye-ryeong's heart as well.

'How many more people will die this time?'

The mere thought cast a shadow over her heart.

Just as Hwang Hye-ryeong sighed without realizing it,

"Let us camp here for the night."

Dam Ho's voice resonated beside her ear.

Hwang Hye-ryeong, snapping back to her senses, looked around.

Dam Ho had stopped at a clearing near a reed thicket along an unnamed river. The reeds encircling the area gave it a rather cozy appearance.

Having decided to camp, Bang Jin-bo approached Muk Il-gwang.

"Brother!"

"Hm?"

Muk Il-gwang blinked, not understanding.

His appearance was fearsome to behold. An ordinary person would have wet themselves at the mere sight of his face, yet Bang Jin-bo treated him with complete ease.

'Does this child not fear me?'

The question crossed his mind.

But Muk Il-gwang did not know. He did not realize how thick-skinned Bang Jin-bo had become from following Dam Ho around.

No matter how fearsome Muk Il-gwang's appearance, it could not compare to Dam Ho. Dam Ho was the most terrifying person Bang Jin-bo had ever known, and simultaneously the most trustworthy.

No matter how fearsome Muk Il-gwang might be, he could not rival Dam Ho. Thus, Bang Jin-bo could behave comfortably even in his presence.

"You know how to build a campfire, right?"

"Of course!"

"That's good. Brother, please start a fire."

"What about you?"

"I'm going to catch us some dinner."

"Dinner?"

"Yes! Since the river is large, there should be plenty of good fish."

Bang Jin-bo intended to go fishing.

While in Akyang, he had purchased fishing line and a hook.

Bang Jin-bo found a long branch, attached the line and hook, and baited the hook with lard he had bought at a village they had passed through on the way here, mixed with grain.

Hwang Hye-ryeong watched Bang Jin-bo prepare his fishing gear with an expression of wonder.

"Can I come with you to fish?"

"Of course."

Bang Jin-bo nodded readily.

The two of them walked toward the riverbank together.

Muk Il-gwang, suddenly left alone with Dam Ho, wore an awkward expression.

As a warrior of the Dragon-Rising Banner, Muk Il-gwang had feared nothing. Yet Dam Ho was unlike any martial artist he had ever encountered. He was the only one who made Muk Il-gwang feel fear.

Muk Il-gwang spoke cautiously.

"B-Brother."

Dam Ho looked at him in silence.

His jet-black eyes were so deep they seemed to have no end. Within them, not a single fragment of emotion existed.

"I-I'll just go gather some wood."

Muk Il-gwang stammered involuntarily.

When Dam Ho nodded, Muk Il-gwang exhaled a breath of relief and hurriedly departed.

Dam Ho, now alone, gazed toward the river.

He could see Bang Jin-bo and Hwang Hye-ryeong fishing, chatting softly as they did so.

A fragment of emotion surfaced in Dam Ho's eyes.

It had been nearly twenty years since he had last seen his sister. But his sister did not even know of his existence.

Perhaps that was only natural. When Dam Ho and Hwang Hye-ryeong had been separated, she had been only two or three years old.

It was only to be expected that she could not remember his face, or even their parents'.

But Dam Ho remembered Hwang Hye-ryeong perfectly. He remembered how much their parents had cherished her.

Their father had always told Dam Ho to look after Hwang Hye-ryeong well, saying,

"If I am gone, you will be the head of the household! Ah ha ha!"

He had always said that.

So much time had passed that her face no longer came to mind easily, yet the hearty laughter of their father and the scent of his sweat remained remarkably vivid in his memory.

He had no intention of revealing to Hwang Hye-ryeong that he was her brother.

They had lived such different lives. He simply wished for each of them to continue living their own lives, as they always had.

'Ga-ryeong.'

Now living under the name Hwang Hye-ryeong, she was Ga-ryeong. A strange brother's presence was not something she needed.

While Dam Ho was sorting through his thoughts, Muk Il-gwang returned with an armload of branches.

Muk Il-gwang skillfully set the branches alight. When the campfire was burning, Bang Jin-bo returned with Hwang Hye-ryeong.

In Bang Jin-bo's hands was a rather large carp.

He scaled and gutted it right there by the river.

"Tonight, it's roasted carp!"

Bang Jin-bo set the carp on the ground and said. He produced various spices and dried grains, stuffed them tightly into the fish's belly, and then coated the outside with river mud before placing it over the fire.

Bang Jin-bo never wasted a moment. While waiting for the carp to cook, he boiled porridge with grain flour.

Watching the meal come together so quickly, Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang's jaws dropped.

"Young brother, you are a true genius."

Muk Il-gwang raised his thumb in approval. Hwang Hye-ryeong nodded in agreement.

Mouths of both were watering.

A short while later, their exclamations of delight echoed through the reed thatch.

"Wow! This is absolutely incredible!"

"It's delicious."

Dam Ho watched silently as Hwang Hye-ryeong ate the roasted carp with a look of pure happiness.

While Sim Hak was grinning from ear to ear with joy, Mang Ryo slowly spread out the information on the bamboo slips.

That the Zhuge family had positioned themselves in the mountains near Lan Family Village, tracking Snake Scorpion Poison King’s route and anticipating where he would pass through.

However, Snake Scorpion Poison King had suddenly settled down in Lan Family Village and wasn’t moving.

That it had already been over half a month since this began.

Therefore, the Zhuge family, who were covering all expenses, were in distress and urgently requesting support from the Martial Arts Alliance, among other things.

“Half a month?”

Mang Ryo couldn’t help but chuckle.

How very like Jin Ja-gang.

By regularly showing himself and then suddenly changing his schedule, he had made those lying in ambush ahead look like fools chasing chickens.

Mang Ryo knew. That Jin Ja-gang wouldn’t move.

He would only move the moment the Zhuge family lost patience and moved first.

That was Jin Ja-gang’s way of doing things, his pattern of behavior.

Seeing Mang Ryo laugh, Sim Hak also smiled and chimed in.

“Isn’t it ridiculous? I actually couldn’t laugh because Advisor Mang was here, but it really was funny.”

Mang Ryo found Sim Hak’s words puzzling. He had laughed because he knew Jin Ja-gang’s behavior patterns and could imagine how flustered the Zhuge family must be, but what did Sim Hak know to be laughing?

“What did Strategist Sim find amusing?”

“Isn’t it funny? Usually they act all high and mighty calling themselves martial artists, but what they’re doing there is just hiding quietly for half a month. Tsk tsk. And then they’re making a fuss asking for support… Wait, we’re affiliated with Huguang Province, so why are they asking us to provide money? Did anyone force them to play hide-and-seek there?”

The sight of one hundred and fifty people struggling without supplies was amusing just to imagine.

With such large numbers, it wasn’t easy to quickly procure materials from nearby areas.

At minimum, if each martial artist ate two rice balls a day, they would need two sacks of grain daily. Half a month would be thirty sacks. It was by no means a small amount.

The Zhuge family probably hadn’t anticipated such a situation either. They had been confident only in the power of the Nine Palace Eight Trigram Formation that wouldn’t let even a mouse escape, but they hadn’t expected that mouse to loiter outside without entering.

If they moved carelessly now, Jin Ja-gang might flee.

From Zhuge Ming’s perspective, he might be acting cautiously because he didn’t want civilians to be harmed by poison, but from an outside view, there were somewhat laughably puzzling aspects.

“Anyway, so we decided to send support supplies through the Yunnan branch tomorrow. We’re paying for it. No matter how absurd it is, we can’t let people starve.”

Listening to Sim Hak’s grumbling, Mang Ryo casually asked in passing.

“Ah, is that so? You’re sending support supplies tomorrow?”

However, Mang Ryo’s single eye was sparkling from deep within, contrary to his indifferent tone.

* * *

Returning to his room, Mang Ryo shook off his anxious feelings and thought about when Jin Ja-gang might move.

“He’s held out for half a month…”

Jin Ja-gang had a talent for surprising people.

Mang Ryo still couldn’t forget.

Nine years ago, when that young fellow Jin Ja-gang attacked the Poison Gate.

How he had waited under the table in his room and stabbed an iron skewer into his leg.

Jin Ja-gang was that kind of person. Whether he was a genius or not was unclear, but he instinctively knew how to strike at people’s weak points.

Anyway, Jin Ja-gang was trapped in Lan Family Village. The moment he left, he would be immediately surrounded.

So was he trembling with anxiety in the village? Not at all.

Even at this moment, he would be seeking a way to escape.

Since this problem was inevitable anyway, he was surely preparing to move at the moment most advantageous to himself.

Waiting for when those who had been waiting became exhausted and their concentration dropped the most.

So when would that be?

“He’ll hold out for at least another ten days.”

No matter how skilled martial artists were, unless they were masters, camping outdoors for more than half a month would stiffen their bodies. Especially now with winter approaching.

However, no matter how much their combat effectiveness declined, it was still the Eight Trigram Nine Palace Formation. The Heaven’s Net and Earth’s Trap formation that the Zhuge family was proud of.

For the current Jin Ja-gang to break through there would probably be nearly impossible.

The assassin sent from Sichuan had succeeded in assassinating Zhuge Yan but died without returning. If you considered that to be the limit of Jin Ja-gang’s current abilities, it would probably be quite accurate.

To escape the Eight Trigram Nine Palace Formation with that level of skill was out of the question.

Somehow, he had to create a situation favorable to Jin Ja-gang.

“Then…”

Which way should he send a message?

Currently, Mang Ryo had connections to two places.

He had to use one of them to help Jin Ja-gang.

Mang Ryo fell into thought, tapping his brush tip.

But Baek Li-jung was thinking of shaking up Sichuan. Knowing that made him even less inclined to contact Sichuan.

“Hmph. I shouldn’t even glance at Sichuan for the time being. How dare they try to use me?”

Just the thought of being used to draw out Sichuan made him feel bad. If there was an alternative, there was no need to use Sichuan.

Mang Ryo immediately began writing a letter.

* * *

The evil faction’s matriarch, Wishful Fairy Maiden Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

She frowned at the sudden news that arrived.

“Providing food supplies to the Zhuge family?”

A subordinate showed Dan Ryeong-gyeong the letter that a carrier pigeon had brought and said.

“The Zhuge family is apparently having more difficulty with food supply problems than expected. Therefore, the Yunnan branch of the Martial Arts Alliance is sending food carts to Lan Family Village.”

The subordinate explained with detailed information.

“From what I’ve investigated, they plan to load grain onto five carts with twenty porters and thirty guards.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong was lost in thought for a while as she put tea leaves in the teapot.

“About three of our masters would be sufficient to seize the food supplies. If we do that, the Zhuge family will run out of food within ten days and will have no choice but to move.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong didn’t answer immediately but pondered more deeply.

The existence of that child Jin Ja-gang was truly peculiar.

Whether his martial arts or background had value worthy of such attention – that wasn’t the case. Of course, by killing Zhuge Yan, he had proven his potential to some degree, but that was all. The martial world was overflowing with people who had that level of talent.

Yet Jin Ja-gang was receiving tremendous attention from someone.

Did that mean he had that much usefulness? Or was he simply performing the role of bait by receiving attention?

Did Jin Ja-gang truly have value beyond being a disposable pawn? No, did he even have value as a useful pawn to begin with?

Something seemed strange.

So naturally, Dan Ryeong-gyeong couldn’t help but be interested in Jin Ja-gang too.

Even if she felt something was wrong, it was difficult to make hasty judgments until she knew the reason.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong raised her hand to her subordinate as if telling him to continue what he wanted to say.

The subordinate reported.

“There are rumors that immediately after this matter ends, the Martial Arts Alliance will launch a major attack on our side. Because of this, the Zhuge family also seems desperately eager to catch Snake Scorpion Poison King. If we make this matter fail, we might be able to create a situation favorable to our side.”

After listening to the explanation for a while, Dan Ryeong-gyeong asked back.

“You mean the boy has that much significance to the Zhuge family?”

“Since Zhuge family blood was harmed, I believe the meaning of revenge is great.”

“If it’s such an important matter… are you saying the Zhuge family has just left the boy alone for over half a month?”

“The boy isn’t simply staying at an inn, but is packing his luggage daily and then unpacking it again.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong slowly stirred the tea leaves as she spoke.

“He’s deceiving them.”

“Yes. Since he’s acting as if he might leave at any moment, the Zhuge family doesn’t know when that will be, so they can’t easily move.”

“No, not that boy – the Zhuge family is the one deceiving.”

“Pardon?”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong wore a bewitching smile as she sipped her tea.

“The renowned Zhuge family can’t handle one boy for twenty days and is floundering. They’re just guarding the path without any countermeasures to the point where food supply problems arise…”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong drank her tea and smiled again.

“The basics of prolonged warfare are logistics. The Zhuge family, who once served in the military, couldn’t have planned tactics while neglecting the most important material supplies.”

“Then…”

“If the talk about urgently procuring food supplies hadn’t come up, I might have almost been fooled too.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong stated decisively.

“The Zhuge family is playing a shallow trick.”

The subordinate asked with difficulty.

“I find it hard to understand. So what can the Zhuge family gain from this? Rather, since they haven’t acted properly for twenty days, won’t they just invite mockery from others?”

Glug glug.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong poured more tea as she spoke.

“Mockery becomes meaningless the moment results appear. I think the Zhuge family has thrown bait to draw us out. They know that boy as a person from our dark path. So they think we’ll step forward.”

The Martial Arts Alliance was somehow seeking expansion through war. Seeing how they even spread false rumors that Snake Scorpion Poison King was from the evil faction, the situation was even more dangerously explosive.

However, the evil faction wasn’t ready to fight yet.

In such circumstances, they couldn’t deploy masters for something that was likely a trap. Losing evil faction masters would be regrettable, and it could give the Martial Arts Alliance an excuse.

“Then… what should we do about the letter? Should we just ignore it?”

“No. That would disappoint both those who worked hard to prepare and us who should respond. Have a few mountain strongholds in the Yunnan branch area move with bribes.”

“However, since the poison sects had controlled Yunnan for a long time, even the few remaining strongholds are nothing but riffraff. I’m not sure if such people can seize the Martial Arts Alliance’s carts.”

“That’s exactly why they’re perfect. If even such small fry can seize them, we can confirm that the Zhuge family is aiming for something.”

“Ah… I understand what you mean.”

“There’s no time, so move immediately. Oh, and one more thing.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong, who had been choosing her words for a moment, added one more command.

“If this trick fails, the Zhuge family will move immediately. Give the Jin family boy a hint that the Zhuge family will move. It would be good if we could bring him out, but the Zhuge family won’t easily let him go, so that would be difficult.”

The subordinate’s expression darkened.

“Currently, Lan Family Village is completely under the control of the Zhuge family and the Martial Arts Alliance. It will be difficult to approach again after pulling out all our personnel.”

“But we can’t let the boy be caught unaware. It will be difficult, but please do your best.”

The subordinate bit his lips tightly and nodded.

“I obey!”

The subordinate instantly became a shadow and disappeared.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong put the letter in her hand and clenched her fist. White smoke rose slightly and ash fell in an instant.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong got up from her seat and looked out the window. Then she muttered to herself.

“What meaning does this boy have to you? You’re… still immersed in conspiracies and schemes, dirty tricks. Someday that will become a dagger that returns to you intact.”

It was a voice that seemed somehow tinged with regret.

* * *

Zhuge Ming checked the carts that had arrived loaded with food supplies.

Only half the carts had made it. The rest had been robbed or burned, they said.

Several martial artists had died and the workers were also injured.

However, Zhuge Ming didn’t get angry.

Zhuge Ming’s expression didn’t change much as he looked at the emptied carts.

One martial artist in shabby condition who had been guarding the carts came before Zhuge Ming. Though he looked ready to collapse at any moment, the martial artist’s eyes shone brightly.

He wore ordinary clothes but was actually a high-ranking martial artist belonging to Azure Dragon Great Sword Pavilion.

“The enemy?”

“They were ordinary bandits. There were three attacks, but not a single master among them.”

“They didn’t take the bait.”

“It seems so.”

“The information definitely leaked.”

“As you expected.”

A few ragtag bandits couldn’t be used to implicate the evil faction.

“Too bad. Since the other side showed minimal sincerity, we’ll have to be satisfied with that much. Instead, we also learned that the other side has no intention of saving Snake Scorpion Poison King. Please convey this well to the Pavilion Master. Since we can’t wait indefinitely, we’ll have to start wrapping up this matter soon.”

“Understood.”

After the martial artist withdrew, Zhuge Ming unconsciously started to unfold his fan to fan himself, then realized the wind was quite chilly and lowered it again.

Zhuge Ming looked at Zhuge Son-gi and said.

“It’s already been almost a month.”

“That’s right.”

“We go down to Lan Family Village in the near future.”

Zhuge Ming wore a murderous smile.

“Not leaving a single one alive.”

Zhuge Son-gi’s eyes gleamed. He fully understood the meaning of what Zhuge Ming wanted to say.

“Yes, elder brother.”