Chapter 157: When the Rain of Chaos Falls, the Sleeping Dragon Stirs (1)

A woman was walking down the street. Even among a multitude of people, her curvaceous figure and mysterious aura made her stand out at a glance, drawing the eyes of many.

Had she been an ordinary maiden, she might have blushed under such intense gazes. But she walked along without so much as a change in expression, as though this sort of attention was entirely familiar to her.

The woman's name was Eum Yu-gyeong.

After her fight with Dam Ho, she had left Hunan Province and traveled north. She was now in Dengfeng County, Henan Province.

Dengfeng County was home to Mount Song. And upon Mount Song stood Shaolin Temple, the foremost of the Nine Great Sects and the spiritual pillar of the Buddhist faith.

It was commonly said:

All martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin.

Every martial art in the world had its roots in Shaolin.

After the great master Bodhidharma had transmitted the Muscle-Tendon Classic and the Washing Marrow Sutra, countless martial techniques had been created.

Among them, the most famous were the Seventy-Two Supreme Arts.

While other sects might have regarded even a single one of these as a supreme secret art, Shaolin possessed no fewer than seventy-two.

It was not just the Seventy-Two Supreme Arts. Shaolin held a vast number of supreme techniques unknown to the outside world.

For that reason, martial artists implicitly recognized Shaolin Temple as the foremost of all martial traditions. Had Shaolin harbored ambitions of conquering the Murim, the world might already have been theirs.

The Wudang Sect was widely regarded as the only faction with the power to rival Shaolin, but even it fell considerably short in terms of pure martial strength.

It was no idle boast that all martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin. Shaolin's martial heritage was as vast as it was deep.

For that reason, Shaolin's influence extended not only throughout Dengfeng County but across the entirety of the Central Plains.

Many came to learn even the most basic of Shaolin's martial techniques. Among them were a considerable number of martial artists already well-known in the Murim.

For this reason, the people of Dengfeng County were quite favorable toward martial artists. Many walked the streets carrying swords and blades, but no one regarded them with fear.

Thanks to this, Eum Yu-gyeong could stroll the streets without worrying about the gaze of others.

The air in the streets was thick with reverence for the martial arts. In Dengfeng County alone, there were countless individuals who had learned at least a smattering of Shaolin's martial arts.

Though their aptitude had prevented them from becoming Main Mountain Disciples, they had all mastered at least one or two of Shaolin's basic techniques.

Eum Yu-gyeong envied the atmosphere of Dengfeng County.

'I wish the Holy Cult could have a day like this too.'

Perhaps most of those who belonged to the Demonic Cult shared her wish.

Eum Yu-gyeong soon dismissed her thoughts and began her ascent of Mount Song.

Mount Song was known as the Central Mountain among the Five Sacred Mountains of the Central Plains.

It lacked the sharp, piercing aura of Mount Hua, but in its place, a majestic yet comforting spiritual energy permeated every corner of the mountain.

After climbing for some time, the mountain gate of Shaolin Temple came into view. Standing before the imposing gate, two monks kept watch. They were the guest接待 monks of Shaolin.

Though Shaolin was a martial sect belonging to the Nine Great Sects, it was at its core a Buddhist temple. Hundreds of visitors came each day to pray and offer incense.

The task of the接待 monks was to distinguish between ordinary visitors and martial artists with special business, and to guide them accordingly.

"Amitabha! Laywoman, please halt for a moment."

The接待 monks blocked Eum Yu-gyeong's path. She stopped without protest.

"What brings you to our temple?"

"I happened to be passing through Dengfeng County and wished to stay at Shaolin for a night and offer prayers."

"I see. Have you learned any martial arts?"

"I have learned a little for self-defense. Is there a problem?"

"Not at all. However, if you wish to stay overnight at the temple, you must leave your weapons here. Would that be acceptable?"

"That is fine."

Eum Yu-gyeong agreed readily. The接待 monk smiled gently.

"Then please write your name and sect in our guest registry. I will then guide you to the guest quarters."

"Thank you, Venerable One."

Eum Yu-gyeong handed her sword to the接待 monk and wrote her name in the registry.

[Eum Yu-gyeong, born in Hami, Xinjiang. Yin Family Fortress. Has practiced family martial arts.]

"Being from beyond the borders, I have never heard of the Yin Family Fortress."

"That is understandable. It is a small household in Hami."

"I see. Very well. Please follow me."

"Yes!"

Eum Yu-gyeong followed the接待 monk.

"At present, the areas open to ordinary visitors are limited to the Reception Hall, the Main Buddha Hall, and a few other locations. We ask for your understanding."

"Why is that? Most other temples seem to open everything to visitors."

"That is because Shaolin is not merely an ordinary temple but a martial sect that teaches and practices martial arts. Furthermore, because of its long history, there is a great deal to preserve. We ask that you understand why we cannot open every area."

The接待 monk explained in detail without a trace of displeasure on his face.

The接待 monk's dharma name was Hae-u.

Hae-u held a fairly senior position among the接待 monks, and he enjoyed explaining Shaolin's history to visitors at the gate. His pride in Shaolin was immense.

While listening to Hae-u's explanation, Eum Yu-gyeong arrived at the guest quarters.

The guest quarters were located near the mountain gate of Shaolin. Surrounded on all sides by high walls, they were completely isolated. But because the guest quarters and the martial arts grounds that surrounded them were so vast, one felt no sense of confinement whatsoever.

Hae-u assigned one of the rooms to Eum Yu-gyeong.

"You may stay here. The evening meal is one hour away, so please make your way to the dining hall at the back."

"Thank you."

"Then please rest comfortably."

Hae-u bowed and withdrew.

Left alone, the smile vanished from Eum Yu-gyeong's face.

"Impressive."

Shaolin had not interrogated her about her identity. This was the opposite of other sects, who would pry and verify thoroughly.

In Eum Yu-gyeong's eyes, all of this appeared as the confidence of the strong.

A thousand years of accumulated strength and experience. And the self-assurance that came from it.

Yet they were not entirely unguarded.

The guest quarters were completely separated from Shaolin's main compound. There was no means of accessing Shaolin's important buildings from here.

To Eum Yu-gyeong's eyes, Shaolin appeared a dragon's pool and tiger's den.

"Hah."

Eum Yu-gyeong sighed involuntarily.

She wished she had a choice, but as always, the situation was never so accommodating.

Eum Yu-gyeong spent her time in the guest quarters, taking care to observe the meal times strictly and to minimize her visibility to others.

She made her move after the evening prayers had concluded. On her way back with the others, she quietly slipped away onto a side path.

Eum Yu-gyeong produced a mask from her robe and donned it. She had prepared it before entering.

With her face concealed, Eum Yu-gyeong moved stealthily.

Though she had never been to Shaolin before, its layout was committed to memory. Those who had risen to a certain position within the Demonic Cult were required to study the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families.

Eum Yu-gyeong moved without a sound.

Though Shaolin was the foremost of the Nine Great Sects, its security was strangely lax in certain areas. Thanks to this, Eum Yu-gyeong was able to reach her destination without difficulty.

The Scripture Library.

This was the heart of Shaolin, where all its martial texts and Buddhist scriptures were preserved. It was no exaggeration to say that Shaolin's history and capabilities were all housed here. For that reason, the Scripture Library was surrounded by a far more stringent security network than any other building.

Over a dozen warrior monks guarded the exterior of the Scripture Library. Their gazes were sharp, their martial cultivation clearly far from ordinary.

"Hah."

Eum Yu-gyeong took a moment to steady her breath.

An ordinary warrior would have been so intimidated by the warrior monks' aura that they would not even dream of infiltrating the Scripture Library. But she was different.

To prepare for such occasions, she had not only mastered martial arts but also reached perfection in the arts of stealth and infiltration.

The Ethereal Cloud Walk.

It was a secret stealth technique of the Demonic Cult. By concealing one's body and presence within the atmosphere, it was invisible to all but those who had reached the absolute pinnacle.

Eum Yu-gyeong deployed the Ethereal Cloud Walk and approached the Scripture Library. The warrior monks were standing guard not ten paces away, their eyes wide open, yet they did not notice her approach.

Eum Yu-gyeong slipped safely inside the Scripture Library.

The interior of the Scripture Library was truly overwhelming. Countless shelves were packed with texts without a single gap. Among them, a great number were martial manuals.

The Seventy-Two Supreme Arts were here, as were supreme techniques from other sects that had found their way to Shaolin over the years. If even a single one of these were leaked, the Murim would be thrown into chaos.

But Eum Yu-gyeong did not spare so much as a glance for these texts. What she sought was something else entirely.

Her eyes rapidly scanned the titles on the shelves.

'The Thousand-Day Secret Record.'

That was the name of the text she sought.

It was a book written thirty years ago by a man called the Celestial Observer, providing an objective account of the Great War between the Orthodox and Demonic factions.

The Celestial Observer had traveled the battlefields for a thousand days during the latter stages of the war, recording everything he witnessed without embellishment. That record was the Thousand-Day Secret Record.

'The Celestial Observer was present on the battlefield where our Holy Cult's sacred relic disappeared. The Thousand-Day Secret Record must contain the details of that time.'

She had only recently learned of the Thousand-Day Secret Record's existence. To find the sacred relic, this record was essential.

Eum Yu-gyeong swiftly passed more than a dozen shelves. A look of anxiety crept onto her face.

'If I cannot find a clue to the sacred relic even in the Thousand-Day Secret Record, there will be no way to stop the Cult Leader's unilateral actions.'

She was one of the very few within the Demonic Cult who did not wish for the Great War between the Orthodox and Demonic factions to occur.

How much time had passed?

Eum Yu-gyeong's eyes lit up.

'Found it.'

On the corner of the last shelf, a book with the title "Thousand-Day Secret Record" clearly visible was tucked away.

Eum Yu-gyeong quickly pulled it out and skimmed through it.

"It is genuine."

"Amitabha! I wondered what you were looking for, and it turned out to be the Thousand-Day Secret Record."

In that instant, a calm voice came from behind her.

Eum Yu-gyeong felt a chill run up her spine.

'When?'

She had been on heightened alert the entire time. She had checked repeatedly that there was no presence within the Scripture Library. Yet the other's voice carried an air of having been watching her from the very beginning.

Eum Yu-gyeong turned cautiously. There stood a young monk in a plain gray robe.

He appeared to be in his early twenties, with a youthful face.

His pitch-black eyes, pure and untainted, and his innocent smile were striking.

"Who are you?"

"Amitabha! This humble monk is called So-cheon."

"So-cheon? One of the Nine Heavenly Dragons?"

Eum Yu-gyeong's face showed a flash of alarm.

Was there anyone in the Murim who did not know the name So-cheon?

So-cheon was a once-in-a-generation genius who had mastered fifteen of the Seventy-Two Supreme Arts to their pinnacle. It was said that he was the greatest prodigy in Shaolin's history, and for good reason.

Rumor had it that So-cheon loved practicing martial arts more than eating, and spent most of his time either in the training grounds or in the Scripture Library.

"Amitabha! Who might you be, Laywoman? And why do you want the Thousand-Day Secret Record? It is not a particularly special text."

"A worthless stone to one person may be more precious than gold to another."

"You are no ordinary person. Then again, an ordinary person could not have infiltrated Shaolin's Scripture Library. Where do you come from?"

"Were you watching from the beginning?"

Eum Yu-gyeong answered his question with a question of her own. So-cheon smiled brightly.

"Amitabha! This humble monk has been here from the start."

"Then you watched me search for this text? Why?"

"It was interesting. Most who come here seek martial manuals, not miscellaneous records like that one."

Eum Yu-gyeong's expression hardened.

If he had been here from the beginning and she had failed to detect his presence, his martial cultivation might have surpassed her own.

Swoosh!

The moment she realized her disadvantage, Eum Yu-gyeong leapt out of the Scripture Library.

So-cheon shook his head.

"As I thought!"

He did not look the least bit concerned.

How could he? This was Shaolin.

"Intruder!"

The warrior monks standing guard outside spotted Eum Yu-gyeong as she burst out and raised the alarm.

The quiet temple was awakened.

The warrior monks mobilized, and the deep, resonant sound of bells echoed throughout all of Mount Song.

"Amitabha!"

So-cheon's figure vanished from the Scripture Library.

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“But don’t the orthodox factions greatly dislike the dark path? There would naturally be cases where the three sects join forces.”

“The only case where the three sects, not just them but all Sichuan martial artists, join forces is one situation. When there’s an invasion by external forces. Whether it’s the demonic cult, the dark path, or even…”

Bian Bu shrugged his shoulders.

“The Martial Arts Alliance.”

“Not necessarily… right?”

“Well, that’s right. As with all worldly affairs, nothing can be absolutely guaranteed. Political deals can be made at any time. But even in such cases, rather than directly intervening in Martial Arts Alliance affairs, they would probably just turn a blind eye… That’s what I think. For us, that would be the best outcome.”

Bian Bu turned his head to look at Dan Ryeong-gyeong, who was sitting cross-legged at the back of the palanquin.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong had her eyes closed, but having heard all the conversation between Bian Bu and Jin Ja-gang, she added a comment.

“The doctor says you need to recuperate for more than half a year, so even if it’s frustrating, endure it well during that time.”

“Will you be returning to Shandong, my lord?”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong smiled slightly.

“It would be better for you if I weren’t here, as it would have less negative influence.”

Not long after that, a report came from ahead.

“We’ll soon enter Qingcheng Sect’s territory.”

It was the voice of the bald warrior who was Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s subordinate. Surprisingly, this enormous palanquin carrying three people was being carried and run by two bald warriors, one in front and one behind.

These were the Guangtou Brothers – the older one was Yang Dae and the younger was Yang So. From the outside, it was difficult to distinguish between the older and younger brother.

However, in the martial world, they weren’t called the Guangtou Brothers but rather the Brain-Head Twin Monsters. “Brain-head” was a derogatory term for the head, meaning a bag containing the brain. It was mocking terminology suggesting their heads weren’t used for their proper purpose but only served to contain brains. They were called this because they showed absolute obedience only to Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s orders.

Of course, according to Bian Bu, if you carelessly babbled the term “Brain-Head Twin Monsters” in front of them, your dreams that night would be very disturbing.

In any case, to reach Dayi, they had to pass through the territory of one of the three sects, Qingcheng Sect.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong, who had been keeping her eyes closed, suddenly opened them, and simultaneously the palanquin that the Guangtou Brothers had been carrying while running also stopped.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong waited for a moment, then said.

“Continue on.”

Only then did the Guangtou Brothers begin running again.

Bian Bu was puzzled, wondering what had happened.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong was about to explain the reason when Jin Ja-gang spoke first.

“Someone was watching the palanquin.”

“Huh? Really? I didn’t feel anything.”

Bian Bu scratched his head sheepishly.

“It’s just my feeling. I felt as if someone was peering inside the palanquin.”

Having passed through numerous life-and-death situations, Jin Ja-gang was as sensitive to killing intent as any master.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong looked at Jin Ja-gang with a strange expression before closing her eyes.

“That’s correct. It seems Qingcheng Sect is curious about us. As long as we don’t come forward to provoke them, it should be fine.”

Since Dan Ryeong-gyeong didn’t provide further explanation, Bian Bu also closed his mouth.

* * *

Thanks to the Guangtou Brothers running swiftly with lightness skills while carrying the heavy palanquin, they arrived at Dayi in just a few days.

As if preparations had been made in advance, the palanquin entered a small manor on the outskirts.

“Welcome. Was your journey comfortable?”

An elderly man who appeared older than Bian Bu and a young girl who looked about fifteen or sixteen came out to greet them.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong nodded in greeting.

“It’s been a long time, Elder Yeom. And Soso.”

The girl looked at Bian Bu and smiled brightly, then bowed her head to Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

Elder Yeom had servants guide them inside.

“Please come inside.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong and Bian Bu seemed to have business with Elder Yeom and went to the inner quarters, while only Jin Ja-gang, as a patient, was moved to the guest quarters.

Having spent several days in the cramped palanquin, his whole body ached. In fact, he could barely sit properly.

Jin Ja-gang lay on the bed to rest and tried to sleep.

But just as he was about to fall asleep, the door quietly opened.

Soso entered carrying a basin containing medicinal water and white cotton cloth.

“I can do it myself.”

When Jin Ja-gang woke up and tried to sit up, Soso silently stopped him. Then she began removing the dirty bandages.

Jin Ja-gang’s face flushed with embarrassment. However, he wasn’t in good enough condition to be embarrassed. Blood vessels had burst in various places forming scabs, and due to burns, all his skin had peeled off and become festered with pus forming, making it disgustingly horrible.

The wound on his chest split by sword energy was still gaping open, showing the flesh inside.

Yet even while looking at this terrible sight, Soso’s expression didn’t change at all. She looked like it must hurt a lot, but there was no sense of disgust or reluctance at all.

Her touch was delicate and careful. Jin Ja-gang was embarrassed but had no choice but to entrust his body to the girl’s care.

Soso removed the dirty bandages and ointment, even cutting away matted hair. Then she wiped his body with medicinal water and wrapped him from head to toe with clean cotton cloth.

After caring for Jin Ja-gang for a very long time, Soso put the dirty bandages in the basin and stood up.

“Um…”

When Jin Ja-gang called, Soso, who had been about to leave, turned around.

“Thank you.”

Soso smiled without answering, nodded slightly, and left the room.

Jin Ja-gang felt strange.

* * *

There was almost nothing for Jin Ja-gang to do at this manor.

He ate, slept, and rested. Soso brought him meals every day, changed Jin Ja-gang’s bandages, and cared for him extremely devotedly. Anyone could see it was the utmost sincerity.

Thanks to this, Jin Ja-gang’s condition improved day by day. On good days, he would leave his room and take short walks in the back garden.

But there was one strange thing.

He hadn’t exchanged a single word with Soso.

“She can’t speak.”

“Pardon?”

Bian Bu came out of the room and sat on the stepping stones, stuffing dried tobacco leaves tightly into a long bamboo pipe and lighting it. Thinking about it seemed to make him uncomfortable, so he took a long draw from the pipe, tapped it, and spoke.

“Soso is from Guizhou’s Medicine Sect and has been here for about eight years? She was sold as a servant to a wealthy family, and I found and brought her here.”

“I see.”

“It’s not congenital.”

Bian Bu opened his mouth and pointed inside.

“It was cut. Here.”

Bian Bu sighed and put the pipe back in his mouth.

“They cut her tongue so she couldn’t speak, in exchange for sparing her life. You could say she was fortunate to survive, but what wrong did that young child do? Ugh.”

Come to think of it…

Jin Ja-gang remembered something he had heard before. When that fellow Wang Yisheng from Poison Valley heard that Jin Ja-gang came from the Medicine Sect, he had asked if he came from the Central Plains Medicine Sect.

“What happened to the Medicine Sect in the Central Plains?”

“The Poison Sect and Medicine Sect never got along well from the beginning. I don’t know about Yunnan, but in the martial world there were always big and small fights. Then about ten years ago, there was a very big incident.”

“An incident?”

“The Medicine Sect attacked the Poison Sect.”

“What?”

Jin Ja-gang was greatly shocked. He thought he had misheard.

It was the complete opposite of what had happened in Yunnan?

“They even attempted a preemptive surprise attack, putting the Poison Sect in great difficulty. Of course, when the Poison Sect counterattacked, most of the Medicine Sects that participated in the fighting were annihilated, and the remaining Medicine Sects were either absorbed into the Poison Sect or disbanded.”

Bian Bu tapped his pipe.

“The most widely accepted theory for why the Medicine Sect failed is that they didn’t consider the Sichuan Tang Clan. The Sichuan Tang Clan’s power is tremendous. Even while being attacked, they organized a Poison Sect alliance and systematically struck at the Medicine Sects.”

Jin Ja-gang was bewildered.

Until now, he had thought the Poison Sect was the aggressor and the Medicine Sect was the victim. But the truth was the opposite?

No, perhaps what was important was the reason for fighting. The Poison Sect might have continuously provoked the Medicine Sect.

“What was the reason for fighting?”

“The Medicine Sect used the pretext that the Poison Sect was manufacturing forbidden poisons, while the Poison Sect claimed they were attacked first. But since they had always had routine disputes, I think it was emotional issues that had accumulated and exploded.”

Jin Ja-gang’s heart pounded.

“We also… had no choice…”

These were the words that Iron Mountain Gate’s Gang Gyu had said while dying. When Jin Ja-gang asked why they had tortured and killed innocent people, Gang Gyu had died leaving behind bitter laughter.

“Afterward, the Poison Sect joined the Martial Arts Alliance, and the Medicine Sect perished with nowhere to appeal. No one wanted to side with the Medicine Sect and incur the Martial Arts Alliance’s displeasure.”

The shock of learning that the world he had believed in actually had a different hidden truth.

The impact was by no means trivial for Jin Ja-gang.

“I always thought the Medicine Sect was the victim. That’s why I never hesitated in taking revenge. But…”

His voice trembled at the end.

“You don’t need to feel guilty. If I were in your position, I would have done the same.”

“I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing.”

“Listen here, I told you. The world isn’t simple enough to clearly divide cause and effect, your side and my side. Each Poison Sect is different and each Medicine Sect is different too. And that was something that happened in the Central Plains – the circumstances are different from Yunnan where you were. What’s important is that you establish correct standards for judgment going forward.”

Jin Ja-gang clenched his fist, which still wouldn’t form properly. He felt the peeled skin pulling and tearing, with blood seeping out.

His head was foggy and he still couldn’t think clearly. It felt like his head was full of mist.

Just then, Soso was returning from doing laundry, and Bian Bu waved at her with a smile. Soso bowed her head in greeting and went on. It seemed to be lunchtime, so she was probably going to the kitchen to cook.

“But if you’re really uncomfortable about it, you could temporarily stop your revenge and first find out what really happened. That might be the priority.”

Jin Ja-gang listened to Bian Bu’s words while watching Soso’s retreating figure.

Looking at Soso, who couldn’t speak because her tongue was cut, he couldn’t think that the Medicine Sect had done wrong. Naturally, he thought the Poison Sect must be the evil side.

However, knowing the facts, that might be a result that the Medicine Sect had brought upon itself.

Watching the bright figure of Soso entering the kitchen, Jin Ja-gang remained confused.

* * *

Which side was right and wrong?

Now that he thought even Mang Ryo might be a victim, Jin Ja-gang let out a bitter laugh.

But though he laughed outwardly, his heart was troubled.

If the Medicine Sect had attacked the Poison Sect first, then the Poison Sect’s counterattack was justified. Then was his revenge against that Poison Sect the right thing to do?

If so, then the Poison Sect survivors – like Mang Ryo – seeking revenge against him in return would also be justified.

This was too theoretical a discussion, but for Jin Ja-gang, it was something he absolutely had to think through.

“I probably shouldn’t stay here much longer.”

If it was true that the Medicine Sect had launched a preemptive attack on the Poison Sect, and if people actually recognized the Poison Sect as orthodox, then Jin Ja-gang shouldn’t continue relying on the dark path.

At the very least, his revenge for his mother, grandfather, and the people of Hundred Flower Valley had to be righteous. It absolutely couldn’t appear to others as actions of the dark path. Wasn’t Jin Ja-gang already being perceived as a master of the dark path?

“Let me stop imposing and leave as soon as my body recovers.”

Jin Ja-gang decided to focus on recovering his body as quickly as possible.

Without wasting time, he practiced the Medicine Sect’s self-healing breathing techniques while lying down. He sent internal energy very slowly, weakly, and continuously to give vitality to his wounds, being careful not to accidentally trigger Mad Acupoint Piercing.

Sometimes he failed and Mad Acupoint Piercing would activate on its own, but he didn’t get discouraged and continued attempting the breathing exercises steadily. He didn’t know when he would next have the peace of mind to practice such cultivation.

Bian Bu came to visit occasionally, but when Jin Ja-gang wouldn’t engage with him, he would get bored and leave again.