Chapter 206: Thinking a Tiger is a Cat Even When It's Right in Front of You (3)

The Xuandao Sect was a small sect located in Jinggang Mountain, Jiangxi Province, following the Taoist tradition.

Although it had only about three hundred disciples, each one was an elite, making it impossible for any sect to ignore Xuandao Sect.

The head of Xuandao Sect was Sage Tae Eul. Sage Tae Eul was eighty years old this year. In terms of age and seniority, he was the highest-ranking person among those gathered at the Shouzhou branch.

Sage Tae Eul was not just an old man. He had a strong sense of justice and always stood at the forefront whenever there was trouble in the Murim. He had fought at the front lines and shed the most blood during the battles with the Demonic Cult decades ago. Now, he was once again leading the charge against the Demonic Cult after many years, earning the respect of many.

"With Sage Tae Eul here, we feel reassured."

"Xuandao Sect is truly the light of the Murim."

People who recognized Sage Tae Eul and Xuandao Sect greeted them warmly. Sage Tae Eul responded to each greeting with a kind smile.

"We will surely defeat those wicked Demonic Cult members and restore peace to the Murim. Xuandao Sect and I will dedicate ourselves to the great cause of the Murim."

"Wow!"

Sage Tae Eul's words received enthusiastic support from many.

Although he was known to be over eighty, Sage Tae Eul looked like he was in his mid-fifties. This was due to his immense internal energy.

Sage Tae Eul wore a dark blue Taoist robe and a Taoist hat on his head. He carried a somewhat ornate sword at his waist, which was unusual for a Taoist. The jewel embedded in the hilt was particularly striking.

The sword, called Southern Sky Sword, was a sacred relic of Xuandao Sect. It was said that Sage Tae Eul had killed hundreds of Demonic Cult members with the Southern Sky Sword.

Sage Tae Eul and the Taoists of Xuandao Sect set up camp in an empty lot on the east side of the Shouzhou branch. Although there were no proper buildings or accommodations, it was not a problem for the Taoists of Xuandao Sect.

They quickly set up about twenty tents, creating a decent living space.

Sage Tae Eul ordered the Taoists.

"Everyone, rest well. You have worked hard today."

"Yes! Please rest well too, Master."

"Mm!"

Leaving the energetic Taoists behind, Sage Tae Eul entered his tent.

The inside of the tent was bare and desolate, but Sage Tae Eul didn't mind. He was grateful just to have a place to stretch out his legs and rest.

"The Demonic Cult… We should have eradicated them completely. A moment of mercy has led to this great disaster."

Sage Tae Eul muttered as he stroked the jewel embedded in the Southern Sky Sword.

He was one of the few warriors who had entered the main base of the Demonic Cult during the final battle decades ago. He knew better than anyone how terrible the horrors of war were.

"This time, we must uproot the Demonic Cult completely."

Sage Tae Eul gripped the Southern Sky Sword tightly.

***

The atmosphere at Mount Heng was extremely tense. More precisely, the aura of the Demonic Cult warriors gathered at Mount Heng was piercing the sky.

Not long ago, they had been demoralized after losing So Cheonsan, the Ten-Li Reaper, but now they had washed away their defeat and were burning with fighting spirit.

Eum Yu-Gyeong felt the heightened tension of the battlefield. Even at this moment, the forces of the Demonic Cult were continuously pouring into Mount Heng. Many of them were forces that even Eum Yu-Gyeong did not know.

"The leader is determined."

Eum Yu-Gyeong shook her head slightly.

As a warrior, seeing blood was an unavoidable fate. However, she wanted to avoid meaningless slaughter as much as possible.

Eum Yu-Gyeong hid her complicated feelings and moved her steps. She headed to one of the libraries of the Mount Heng Sect. It was a place where the martial arts books of the Mount Heng Sect were mainly stored, but now there were hardly any books left. The useful martial arts books had already been looted.

The martial arts of the Mount Heng Sect would now be absorbed by the Demonic Cult and reborn as new secret techniques of the Demonic Cult. This was how the Demonic Cult had grown stronger and survived.

Tak!

Eum Yu-Gyeong closed the door of the library.

The looted library had a desolate atmosphere.

Eum Yu-Gyeong stood in the library and looked around for a moment. She didn't feel any presence. But she knew that wasn't true.

"Come out."

Her low voice quietly echoed in the library. But there was no response from inside the library.

Eum Yu-Gyeong spoke again.

"No one followed me, so come out."

"Saintess."

At that moment, a black figure emerged from the shadows of the library. The figure, covered in black from head to toe, had an ambiguous physique, making it impossible to tell if it was a man or a woman.

"It's been a while, Dark Sword."

The figure called Dark Sword bowed in greeting instead of answering. Through the mask covering the face, indifferent eyes could be seen. The eyes, which seemed to have been forcibly stripped of emotion, felt strangely alien.

Dark Sword spoke.

"The master urges you to hurry. He says it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep the leader in check."

"Is that true?"

"He asked you to find the sacred relic and evidence of their involvement as soon as possible, before disaster strikes."

With those words, Dark Sword closed his lips tightly.

"Mm!"

A groan escaped Eum Yu-Gyeong's lips.

The master of Dark Sword was Eum Yu-Gyeong's greatest supporter. Thanks to him, Eum Yu-Gyeong could move freely without restrictions.

If he had spoken so seriously, it meant the situation was truly dire. The master of Dark Sword was not one to speak lightly.

"Tell him that I am very close to finding the sacred relic, so please wait a little longer."

"I will do so. Then…"

With that reply, Dark Sword disappeared back into the shadows. It was always amazing to see such stealth skills.

Eum Yu-Gyeong let out a light sigh as she was about to leave the library.

"Saintess."

Suddenly, a low voice was heard.

Startled, Eum Yu-Gyeong looked up to see a middle-aged man in a blue robe standing in front of the library.

The man, with pale skin as if he had never seen sunlight and deep black eyes, was someone Eum Yu-Gyeong knew well.

Demonic heaven practitioner Sang hancheon.

He was the closest aide to the leader and the most intelligent person in the Demonic Cult. Many people found Sang han-cheon uncomfortable because of his eyes that seemed to see through people, and Eum Yu-Gyeong was no exception.

"General Sang…"

"What brings you to the library of the Mount Heng Sect?"

"I just came to see if there were any useful books left."

"As expected of the Saintess. Even in such a place, you seek to read books."

Sang han-cheon smiled, showing his teeth. The sight felt strangely eerie.

Eum Yu-Gyeong tried to maintain a calm expression.

"What brings you here, General Sang? This is not a place you would usually come to."

"I need a place to stay for a while."

"Are you going to personally command the troops?"

"The leader wants to capture the Shouzhou branch as soon as possible. He is worried that the front line will become entrenched here."

"……"

"As soon as all the forces are gathered, we plan to launch a full-scale attack. But first, we need to make some small preparations."

Eum Yu-Gyeong's eyebrows twitched at Sang han-cheon's words.

The Sang han-cheon she knew was not a talkative person. The fact that he was talking so much to her felt out of place.

'Did he notice something?'

It was possible.

Sang han-cheon had extraordinary intuition as well as a brilliant mind.

But Eum Yu-Gyeong was not someone who would be intimidated by this. If she had been scared by this, she would not have become the Saintess, nor would she have taken so many risks.

"I wish you success in all your endeavors, General."

"Thank you, Saintess."

"Then…"

"Oh! Please convey my regards to Master Hwa."

For a moment, Eum Yu-Gyeong's expression stiffened.

Sang han-cheon passed by her with a smile. Eum Yu-Gyeong stood still like a statue, watching Sang han-cheon enter the library.

Tak!

The door of the library closed, and Sang han-cheon's figure disappeared. Yet, Eum Yu-Gyeong couldn't move for a while.

***

The man's face twisted in pain.

"Ugh!"

"Bear with it. If you're a warrior, show some grit."

At Jong Ri-yeon's words, the man gritted his teeth. Jong Ri-yeon smiled at him.

"That's it."

She quickly applied the mashed herbs to the man's wound and wrapped it with a clean cloth.

The man's face, which had been contorted in pain, looked a bit more comfortable.

"Thank you, doctor."

"You did well."

Jong Ri-yeon patted the man's shoulder and moved on to the next patient.

The Shouzhou branch was filled with patients groaning in pain. They were injured in the battles with the Demonic Cult.

For those who had been suffering without proper treatment, Jong Ri-yeon's arrival was like sweet rain after a drought.

Jong Ri-yeon used her miraculous medical skills to save many patients from the brink of death. However, despite her best efforts, there were many patients she couldn't save.

They were patients who could have been saved if they had received proper emergency treatment earlier or if she had arrived a little sooner.

Jong Ri-yeon treated the patients while blaming herself for not arriving sooner. Because of this, it became widely known within the Shouzhou branch that she was a divine doctor, and many people hoped to receive her help.

The grueling work that started at dawn continued until late at night.

"Haa!"

It was late at night when Jong Ri-yeon finally took a breath. Her entire body was drenched in sweat, and her complexion was pale. She was on the verge of collapse.

Her legs felt as heavy as iron weights. She forced her tired legs to move and stumbled.

"Be careful."

Someone supported Jong Ri-yeon. It was Hae So-wol.

"Ha… Miss Hae?"

"Don't overdo it, Miss Jong Ri-yeon."

"Th-thank you."

"You're welcome."

Hae So-wol shook her head slightly. Jong Ri-yeon looked at her with a surprised expression. From her appearance, Hae So-wol seemed cold, but up close, she realized that wasn't the case.

"I'll take you to your quarters."

"It's okay."

"You're exhausted. You can barely walk."

Hae So-wol looked at Jong Ri-yeon's legs. Jong Ri-yeon could barely stand on her own.

Jong Ri-yeon looked apologetic.

"Then I'll take your help. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. You were trying to save the people here."

"It's my duty. I'm a doctor."

"Not everyone does their duty. Not everyone in the Murim is as kind as you, Miss Jong Ri-yeon. If everyone were like you, the Murim wouldn't be so chaotic."

Hae So-wol's words carried a lot of meaning.

In the past few months, she had grown significantly. She was no longer just a strong warrior but had also matured in character.

War had changed many people's lives.

Hae So-wol was no exception. The two battles had completely changed her outlook on life and her way of thinking. Perhaps because of this, her voice carried a deep resonance.

"Miss Hae?"

"Shh!"

Suddenly, Hae So-wol gestured for Jong Ri-yeon to be quiet. Sensing something unusual, Jong Ri-yeon quickly closed her mouth.

Hae So-wol's gaze swept through the darkness. Her eyes shone sharply.

"Miss Jong Ri-yeon."

"Yes?"

"Intruders."

"What?"

"They're moving towards the annex."

Jong Ri-yeon's face stiffened at Hae So-wol's words.

In the annex were Dam Ho and Sage Hyeon-so.

"Hurry."

Hae So-wol moved first.

Jin Ja-gang looked at the poison blood lice crawling up his hand, then answered Tang Qing’s words.

“I won’t refuse.”

Then he licked the poison blood lice on his arm and sucked them into his mouth.

Tick, tick.

As Jin Ja-gang chewed with his teeth, the sound of poison blood lice bursting inside his mouth could be heard.

Simply crushing them with teeth wasn’t the end of it. The poison blood lice struggled and bit inside Jin Ja-gang’s mouth.

Jin Ja-gang felt his mouth tingle and become numb in an instant. His bitten tongue and palate quickly swelled, filling his mouth completely.

Even the warriors who had been standing inhumanly still without making a sound flinched. Those weren’t poison blood lice that could be chewed with the mouth like that.

Moreover, what kind of person puts poison directly into their own mouth!

The old man looked at him dumbfounded, wondering what kind of act this was.

“Well now, there are all kinds of crazy bastards.”

The nun made a surprised expression saying “Oh my!”

“That must be very painful…”

Something strange immediately appeared in Jin Ja-gang’s lower jaw. His cheeks swelled taut like someone suffering from mumps. Blood formed in his eyes and nose, and bloody pus formed at the corners of his mouth that was forced open by his swollen tongue.

His cheeks and lower jaw swelled and drooped, making his face look terrible to behold.

It was an incredibly potent poison.

If an ordinary person instead of Jin Ja-gang had been bitten by these poison blood lice, they would have died with bloody pus filling their entire body.

But Jin Ja-gang didn’t die and endured it.

Only then did the old man look Jin Ja-gang up and down.

“Hmm. So you do live up to the reputation of being called Poison Dragon? Are you demonstrating that you’re qualified to face me?”

“He seems to not know who you are.”

The nun pointed to the old man.

“This person is the King of Hell.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at the old man, Tang Qing.

King of Hell Tang Qing.

He had a round face with peculiarly small eyes like dots, but his mouth was split all the way to his ears, making him look extraordinarily bizarre. It was a face like a hungry ghost.

Of course, Jin Ja-gang didn’t show courtesy to Tang Qing. Tang Qing didn’t bother to mention this either.

Jin Ja-gang gripped a needle in his right hand. He gathered poison in his little finger, preparing to shoot it out with the needle at any time.

Then he tried to push through the curtain and enter the room where Tang Qing was.

However, Jin Ja-gang couldn’t go further and stopped.

It wasn’t a large room.

It was a small room used as a tea room. Six or seven steps would get him to Tang Qing.

But he couldn’t cross the threshold that separated the parlor from the tea room.

His whole body tingled.

The moment he crossed over, he felt like his entire body would be slashed to pieces and he would die.

What was the reason for this?

The two in front weren’t emanating any aura at all. If even one of them had released killing intent, the poison blood lice attached to the doors would have fled first.

Then…

Jin Ja-gang slowly examined the two people.

And surprisingly, he found the reason not from King of Hell Tang Qing, but from the nun’s side. The reason why he couldn’t carelessly enter the room.

The nun certainly seemed to be sitting casually looking back at him, but her posture kept catching his eye.

Her fingertips, nose tip, and the strange toe positions facing toward Jin Ja-gang.

They felt like blade edges.

It was truly mysterious. Jin Ja-gang felt that if he moved even one more step inside, those blades would immediately stab toward him.

The nun definitely didn’t feel like she was beneath Tang Qing. This nun was the first to make Jin Ja-gang stop with just her posture alone.

Seeing that Jin Ja-gang couldn’t enter and hesitated, Tang Qing said.

“That fellow seems quite startled.”

“He’s still at an age where he has much to learn.”

Tang Qing didn’t even look back at Jin Ja-gang and mocked.

“Would a country bumpkin from Yunnan understand the Three Points Alignment?”

“But he definitely felt it. He’s reading the meridian lines accurately. I think he knew he would be cut the moment he entered.”

The nun accurately pinpointed what Jin Ja-gang had felt.

It was frustrating, but unjust as it was, he was no match for them.

Those two were completely treating him like a child.

The nun looked at Jin Ja-gang and said.

“Three Points means the tips of the hands, nose, and feet forming a straight line without deviation.”

Since Jin Ja-gang still couldn’t speak, he only nodded.

Jin Ja-gang quietly stared at the nun. Tang Qing introduced her.

“This fellow is no ordinary country bumpkin. To not recognize Master Eun of Mount Emei.”

The sect leader of Mount Emei!

It had only been a few years since Master Eun became sect leader, so Jin Ja-gang, who had been trapped in mine shafts, couldn’t have known. However, he wasn’t unaware of Mount Emei, one of the ten great sects of the martial world and a Buddhist sect that stood shoulder to shoulder with Shaolin Temple.

But how could he sense worldly cunning rather than mercy and wisdom from the Mount Emei sect leader?

Jin Ja-gang was even confused.

Master Eun clapped her hands and said to Tang Qing.

“Ah! Come to think of it, what about Taoist Bok-cheon? I understand he promised to preside over Miss Tang’s wedding.”

Jin Ja-gang’s ears perked up.

What was this about?

Tang Qing spoke as if it was nothing important.

“What does it matter who presides over such a wedding? Those Taoists who tediously recite whenever you ask them to do anything are just annoying. We don’t mind, but what does Mount Emei think?”

“I already met with Venerable Woo-am some time ago.”

“Oh, really? May I ask what business you met about?”

Master Eun smiled with narrowed eyes and answered.

“Some time ago, our precious disciple Jeong-yo suffered intolerable humiliation from Taoist Bok-cheon of the Qingcheng sect. Seeing Jeong-yo suffer in anguish for several nights broke my heart. So I visited Venerable Woo-am to request Taoist Bok-cheon’s apology.”

“Those stubborn and dull Taoists wouldn’t have accepted that.”

“It did seem difficult to receive an apology. I just said one thing and left.”

“Hmph. A nun’s single word wouldn’t have been an ordinary single word.”

Master Eun smiled with her eyes.

“Not at all. I merely offered advice that since the world has changed, the Qingcheng sect should also change their attitude.”

At first glance, their conversation seemed like casual talk about recent events between passersby.

But when you reconsider the words, they’re mysteriously chilling.

Telling the leader of the renowned Qingcheng sect outright that the world has changed so they should change their attitude? That wasn’t mere advice but close to a threat!

Mount Emei threatening the Qingcheng sect?

But even more surprising words came next.

“Of course they wouldn’t listen to that either. They’ll have to be ruined before they regret not listening to this nun’s advice.”

“When will you ruin them?”

“Soon? That fellow Mang Ryo seems to have some scheme, so it’ll work out somehow.”

“When that time comes, we’ll lend a hand too. Of course, we’re going to receive an apology.”

Again Mang Ryo’s name came up here unexpectedly.

Jin Ja-gang felt his spine grow cold.

Those two were plotting to attack the Qingcheng sect! According to Mang Ryo’s plan!

But why were they discussing such things in front of Jin Ja-gang?

Jin Ja-gang couldn’t understand the situation at all and felt dizzy.

He couldn’t easily choose what to do.

He couldn’t attack the two, couldn’t just let their words pass, but it was also difficult to believe their words and return to the Qingcheng sect to warn them.

This was actually due to ignorance.

Because Jin Ja-gang was ignorant of martial world politics, he couldn’t accurately interpret their words and intentions.

Tang Qing clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, kids these days have no spirit. In our time, after hearing this much, they would have boldly come and sat down asking for a cup of tea too, demanding to be included.”

“That’s a matter of caliber, isn’t it? Poison Dragon’s caliber only goes that far.”

Jin Ja-gang realized they were testing him.

And that their plan to attack the Qingcheng sect wasn’t a lie either.

But Jin Ja-gang knew the reason the Poison Sect attacked the Medicine Sect. Then the reason these people wanted to attack the Qingcheng sect was simple. Because the Qingcheng sect would certainly interfere.

Jin Ja-gang deliberately bit his swollen tongue and the inside of his mouth. Blood seeped out and the swelling subsided.

“Ptui.”

Jin Ja-gang spat out a mouthful of blood and moved his lower jaw left and right, massaging it with his hand.

Then he asked Tang Qing.

“Before overturning the martial world, you’ll deal with the obstacles first?”

At those words, Tang Qing’s eyes became slightly different from before.

“Oh ho. He’s not complete trash. His mind is sharp.”

Jin Ja-gang also asked Master Eun.

“But what reason does Mount Emei, which isn’t the Poison Sect, have to attack the Qingcheng sect? Is it really because you want to receive an apology?”

“Rather than that exactly…”

Master Eun’s face, which had been smiling continuously until then, suddenly hardened.

“Because they’re useless. A-mi-ta-bha.”

Her mouth wore a smile and her narrow eyes were smiling, but her gaze contained terrible disgust.

Jin Ja-gang’s expression also hardened accordingly.

Master Eun spoke in a cold voice unlike before.

“Can one change the world by being aloof alone? If the world has become a muddy mess and dirty, it’s a practitioner’s duty to jump into the mud themselves to save sentient beings. Whether Buddhist or Taoist sect, even if one becomes a white crane alone, even if one becomes Buddha or an immortal, if sentient beings are suffering, that’s never the way of seeking the Tao.”

Before Jin Ja-gang could respond, Master Eun cut him off.

“The same goes for the benefactor. Even if you consider yourself righteous, what can you do alone?”

Jin Ja-gang closed his mouth.

It wasn’t because he had nothing to say. It was because he heard rustling sounds in the quiet.

Tang Qing said.

“Well, someone seems to have come. Now, there’s no need for busy people to delay time further. Shall we slowly get to the main point?”

When Tang Qing raised his hand, the last remaining blocked wall finally opened.

Tang Ha-ran was sitting there.

She was dressed in wedding attire.

Wearing a splendid phoenix crown and red robes embroidered with gold thread.

Jin Ja-gang didn’t know what this meant and looked back and forth between Tang Qing and Tang Ha-ran.

Tang Qing said.

“Honestly, I don’t like you. You didn’t come here to marry Ha-ran either. Someone who came to marry wouldn’t have those eyes.”

There was no point in denying it anyway. Jin Ja-gang nodded in agreement.

“But you’ve been strongly recommended as son-in-law material, and I’m impressed by your guts, so I’m thinking of considering you in the best possible way. So I’ll give you the opportunity to choose one of three options.”

Tang Qing pointed to the entrance.

“One is to leave this room as you are and return to the Qingcheng sect. No one will stop you. You go to the Qingcheng sect, inform them that the Qingcheng sect will soon be ruined, and die honorably together with them there.”

Tang Qing looked at Jin Ja-gang and read his eyes.

“You don’t like that? Because you don’t have that kind of loyalty with the Qingcheng sect. Then the second.”

Tang Qing pointed to Tang Ha-ran.

“The second is naturally taking Ha-ran with you. Receive the Tang surname and live swearing loyalty to the family as a Tang. If you say you’ll forget the past and start a new life, the family will handle all the aftermath and responsibilities.”

Jin Ja-gang listened quietly, but unknowingly harbored anger at the talk of being loyal to the Tang family.

Tang Qing spoke as if he expected this.

“It would be difficult, wouldn’t it? Being loyal to your enemy’s family? I fully understand your feelings. Everyone has their own circumstances. So I give you a gift as a third option.”

Tang Qing threw a small dagger about a span long in front of Jin Ja-gang.

The dagger fell exactly in front of Jin Ja-gang without a sound.

“Castrate yourself here.”

Jin Ja-gang stared intently at Tang Qing.

Tang Qing raised the corners of his already ear-split mouth and smiled.

“If you castrate yourself here, I’ll give you our family’s eight great extreme poisons, no, the three absolute lethal poisons that surpass the eight great extreme poisons, along with hidden weapons, and truly the highest martial arts transmitted only to our family’s direct lineage. And I’ll send you back nicely. Then you can use that as a foundation to someday come kill me.”

Tang Qing’s smile deepened.

“How about this proposal? Don’t you like the third one best? It would be the most appealing proposal for you! Just by castrating your manhood here, you can take poisons, hidden weapons, and martial arts that everyone dreams of and come for my neck anytime! You absolutely can’t refuse this proposal! Ehihihihi! Ehihi-hiit!”