Chapter 223 – Leaving No Lingering Attachments (2)

The next morning at dawn, Dam Ho loaded Sage Hyeon-so and the children into a large carriage. Having decided to leave, there was no reason to hesitate.

Sage Hyeon-geom and the disciples of Mount Hua Sect watched Dam Ho with complex expressions. To them, Dam Ho was an object of both love and hate.

Although Dam Ho himself denied being a disciple of Mount Hua Sect, they already thought of him as one of their own.

Dam Ho's martial prowess and actions had naturally earned their respect. Nevertheless, they could not stop him from leaving. They knew Dam Ho's personality – once he made a decision, he never went back on it.

Sage Hyeon-geom approached Dam Ho.

"Do you really have to go?"

"I've already decided."

"Where do you plan to go? If you haven't decided yet, how about coming to Mount Hua?"

"If Master recovers and wants to, maybe. But not right now."

"Sigh! I was planning to take Hyeonso to Mount Hua… But things have changed."

Sage Hyeon-geom sighed.

He would have liked Dam Ho to go to Mount Hua Sect, but things don't always go as one wishes.

Sage Hyeon-geom quickly cleared his mind. If there was one thing he realized while breaking through the wall blocking his progress, it was that everything has its own time.

Water flows separately on long journeys but eventually meets in the sea. Likewise, human connections will eventually come together. There was no need to be hasty.

"Farewell. Don't worry, I will protect this place."

Sage Hyeon-geom waved his hand.

His gaze, which had always been as sharp as a honed blade, changed to be like a different person. Even the Mount Hua Sect disciples were not yet accustomed to Sage Hyeon-geom's dramatic transformation.

Knowing that being gentle can make one stronger, Sage Hyeon-geom's gaze had also changed. But the Mount Hua Sect disciples' attainment was still insufficient to understand this fact.

Dam Ho drove the carriage away from the Shouzhou branch.

Woon Kyung and the other Mount Hua Sect disciples watched the back of the departing carriage. Their gazes were truly complex.

"Cheon Gyeong, please go safely."

"Ma…ster!"

It is said that one's arm bends inward.

Seeing Dam Ho being rejected by the warriors of the Murim Alliance, an attachment to Dam Ho grew in their hearts instead.

Chuk! Chuk!

Several disciples made fist-and-palm salutes towards the departing Dam Ho. And the wave of salutes spread to everyone.

Dam Ho suddenly stopped the carriage.

It was because of a man and a woman blocking the road. Both were people Dam Ho knew.

'Cho Yeon-woon, Hae So-wol.'

The man was Cho Yeon-woon, and the woman was Hae So-wol.

Cho Yeon-woon approached.

"I wonder if you're leaving because of me."

"I'm just leaving because there's no reason to stay here."

"Then that's good."

Cho Yeon-woon's complexion was not good, as the shock of receiving the Jinmu Formation had not yet faded. But his eyes still shone as brightly as ever.

This time Dam Ho asked:

"Will you stay here?"

"Unlike you, this is my battlefield. It's where I belong. So I can't leave yet."

"Is that so?"

"When desires differ, paths also differ. I will face the Devil Cult here. Baekjeonmun was created to face the Devil Cult after all."

Knowing Cho Yeon-woon's pride in Hundred Battles Sect, Dam Ho silently nodded.

The Hundred Battles Victory Flag, symbol of Hundred Battles Sect, was a gift from the martial allies for standing at the forefront of war. Cho Yeon-woon was prouder of the Hundred Battles Victory Flag than anyone.

"The Hundred Battles Victory Flag will arrive here soon. Fighting the Devil Cult under the Hundred Battles Victory Flag is everything in my life. So this place is a seat of glory for me."

Cho Yeon-woon smiled.

His master was coming here with the Hundred Battles Victory Flag. Cho Yeon-woon was waiting for the moment when the Hundred Battles Victory Flag would unfurl.

This time Hae So-wol spoke:

"Where will you go?"

"Somewhere quiet."

"I see."

Hae So-wol gazed at Dam Ho intently. Complex and subtle emotions swirled chaotically in her eyes.

Dam Ho was the eye of the storm.

He could slaughter enemies with tremendous power, but the aftermath affected allies as well. That's why even those on the same side couldn't feel at ease around Dam Ho. That was the reason Dam Ho had to leave this place.

"Please send word. I'll visit sometime."

"Sure."

"Then see you next time."

Hae So-wol said goodbye first.

There was regret left, but she decided not to linger. She turned around coldly. Cho Yeon-woon followed after her.

Dam Ho also set off on his journey, leaving them behind.

At that moment, Jong Ri-yeon poked her head out the carriage window.

"Won't you regret it?"

"What regret?"

"Leaving them behind."

"They're not children. They're true martial artists with unwavering beliefs. The decisions made by such people who stake their convictions should rightfully be respected."

Hae So-wol and Cho Yeon-woon had firm convictions. Those with convictions were trying to do what they believed was right, trusting in their own strength. There was no room for Dam Ho to intervene.

Jong Ri-yeon nodded. Somehow she felt she could understand Dam Ho's words.

Jong Ri-yeon suddenly asked:

"But do we have a place to go?"

***

The world was in turmoil.

It was said that a full-scale clash between the Murim Alliance and the Demonic Cult had begun in Shouzhou. Rumors circulated that fierce battles were taking place daily, resulting in numerous casualties.

The war with the Demonic Cult was not just happening in Shouzhou. Large and small conflicts were occurring throughout the Central Plains, plunging the world into chaos.

The great war between the righteous and evil sects was like an endless swamp, swallowing up numerous sects and martial artists. Rumors of hundreds dying here and hundreds more dying there were endlessly heard.

It was an era of chaos. The war showed no signs of ending, and was rather expanding.

While the winds of chaos engulfed the world, there were places that were slightly removed from it.

One of those places was the Green Forest.

In times of chaos, the bandits of the Green Forest should have been rampant, but for some reason they were quiet as mice this time. It was strange enough to question, but people preoccupied with the great war had no leisure to wonder about it.

In Mount Huang was Overlord's Stronghold, the headquarters of the Green Forest. And Hwang Gyeong-mun, the overall leader of the Green Forest, reigned in Overlord's Stronghold*.

[Note from TL- Overlord’s stronghold was previously translated as Emperor’s Palace in Manhwa.]

Recently, the Green Forest experienced a great calamity. Jo Yunsan, the leader of Black Water Stronghold, had incited other leaders to attempt rebellion.

Fortunately, Hwang Gyeong-mun was able to suppress the rebellion, but the damage to the Green Forest was enormous. Immediately after suppressing the rebellion, Hwang Gyeong-mun began reorganizing the Green Forest.

Prohibiting plunder, selecting new stronghold leaders, and other busy activities meant several months quickly passed.

In that time, the Green Forest found stability, and Hwang Gyeong-mun gained some breathing room. As Hwang Gyeong-mun found leisure, some peace came to Overlord's Stronghold as well.

"Haah!"

A boy with a slightly plumper build than average was lying spread-eagled on a hill. Rough breaths escaped through the boy's lips.

The boy's face was drenched in sweat and flushed red.

"Martial arts really are tough."

Though he said that, a pleased smile appeared on the boy's face.

The boy was Bang Jinbo.

In just a few months, Bang Jinbo's face had changed beyond recognition. Especially, he had lost a lot of weight, and his jawline was starting to show on his face.

It was a change that occurred while learning the Five Elements Gentleman Technique. The Five Elements Gentleman Technique that Hwang Gyeong-mun had passed down was a martial art that handled the energy of the five elements.

To handle the energy of the five elements required extremely delicate control of inner power. A sensitive personality that naturally felt energy keenly and didn't miss even small changes was essential.

Those aspects matched well with Bang Jinbo. To distinguish the tastes of numerous ingredients and create harmony, a delicate sense naturally had to develop.

Bang Jinbo tried to feel and harmonize the energy of the five elements with the delicate senses he had naturally acquired while cooking. Thanks to those efforts, he noticeably lost weight and his skin gained a glow. Above all, the most encouraging thing was that his sense of taste became even more sensitive.

It was the greatest achievement for Bang Jinbo, whose main occupation was cooking.

"Hmm!"

Bang Jinbo took a deep breath. The fresh air pleasantly filled his lungs.

At that moment, someone approached Bang Jinbo.

"You seem to be in a good mood."

"Ah, Sister!"

Bang Jinbo immediately got up.

The person who had quietly approached without a sound was Hwang Hye-ryeong.

"Were you practicing martial arts?"

"Yes!"

"You're working hard."

"I have to, so I can be of help when I meet Hyung later."

Hwang Hye-ryeong nodded at Bang Jinbo's answer.

Bang Jinbo was learning martial arts with the sole intention of being of even a little help to Dam Ho. Knowing that effort made her even more proud of him.

"What about the Stronholdl Leader?"

"The same as always."

"Is he training too?"

"Yes!"

"The Stronghold Leader is working hard too."

"Father learned a lot from that incident too."

"I guess so…"

Bang Jinbo nodded his head.

In the martial world, those without strength were not respected. Only those with power had the right to make their voices heard. Hwang Gyeong-mun must be working hard at training because he keenly felt that fact.

Bang Jinbo patted his bottom and said:

"Let's go, Sister."

"You're not going to train more?"

"I'm not in the mood somehow. I think I'll cook instead."

"That's fine with me."

Hwang Hye-ryeong smiled pleasantly.

Now she was used to Bang Jinbo's cooking. After eating Bang Jinbo's cooking, food made by others tasted bland.

The two walked side by side down the hill.

A wind blew. The wind that had been only cold now carried warmth.

'It seems summer will come unusually early this year.'

Somehow it felt that way.

It was then.

"Oh, Sister?"

Bang Jinbo suddenly called out to Hwang Hyeryeong.

"What?"

"Over there!"

Bang Jinbo pointed his finger towards the base of the mountain. Hwang Hye-ryeong's gaze naturally followed where Bang Jinbo's finger was pointing.

In that moment, Hwang Hye-ryeong's eyes wavered.

A carriage was climbing up the steep slope of Mount Huang. Although it was said that Overlord's Stronghold had recently improved the road leading up to Mount Huang, it was not an easy path for such a large carriage to climb.

An ordinary horse would have collapsed from exhaustion before even reaching halfway up the mountain. Yet a single horse was pulling that heavy carriage up the rough mountain slope.

It was a jet-black horse without a single mixed hair.

Purururu!

Seeing the jet-black horse that kept going without ever stopping, even while constantly blowing rough snorts as if struggling, Bang Jinbo's eyes widened greatly.

"Black… Ghost?"

He immediately recognized the identity of the horse. It was the same for Hwang Hye-ryeong.

The two looked at each other's faces for a moment.

"Could it be?"

Almost simultaneously, the two ran down the mountain slope.

Bright smiles had already appeared on their faces. They ran down with their bodies bent forward as if about to fall, and barely managed to stop by grabbing onto the wall of the carriage.

"Haa! Haa!"

They looked up at the carriage while exhaling rough breaths. There was a familiar face of a man in the driver's seat.

"Hyung!"

"Oppa!"

"It's been a while."

The man looking down at them with unusually black eyes was none other than Dam Ho. Bang Jinbo and Hwang Hye-ryeong threw themselves into Dam Ho's arms.

Jin Ja-gang and Tang Ha-ran finally left the Tang Family Great Compound.

From afar, Tang Ha-ran gazed at the Tang Family Great Compound’s estate with misty sadness in her eyes.

Jin Ja-gang waited until Tang Ha-ran had sufficient time to sort out her feelings.

Tang Ha-ran stood on the hill for a long time, looking down at the Tang Family Great Compound.

One watch period, two watch periods…

Though it took an extremely long time, Jin Ja-gang never once rushed Tang Ha-ran.

He quietly watched over Tang Ha-ran from a distance that was neither intrusive nor too far away.

The world was dyed in sunset glow, the sun set, and twilight began to fall.

Only then did Tang Ha-ran finally open her mouth.

“Hey there. You’re there, right?”

Jin Ja-gang, who had been sitting, also got up.

He answered with a rustling sound instead of words.

Tang Ha-ran said.

“How long are you going to leave me standing here? Please take me with you.”

Jin Ja-gang smiled calmly and answered.

“Miss, you may now walk as you please.”

“I know that. But…”

Tang Ha-ran turned around and looked at Jin Ja-gang. Tears were still welling up in her eyes. Her cheeks were all red from how much she had cried.

Tang Ha-ran said while sniffling.

“I can’t lift my feet with my own strength.”

Jin Ja-gang instinctively embraced Tang Ha-ran. Tang Ha-ran, who had seemed like she wouldn’t move like a stone statue waiting for her husband’s return, was held in Jin Ja-gang’s arms.

Tang Ha-ran sobbed for a moment, then gripped Jin Ja-gang’s hand tightly. And she prepared to lift the feet that wouldn’t move.

Finally, outside the Tang family.

Having always annihilated enemies from the Tang family’s side, now she had become someone who would be pursued by the Tang family until the day she died.

Tang Ha-ran took her first step.

One step, one step.

Those steps that had been so awkward soon became natural, and before long Tang Ha-ran was able to walk alongside Jin Ja-gang without any difficulty.

“I’m sorry. Were you bored because of me?”

“No. It’s fine.”

“You’re really a thoughtful person. Too good for a woman like me to like. Why did such a person end up coming this far?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I probably already know most of that story.”

Tang Ha-ran trailed off with a bitter expression.

“I’m sorry…”

It was an apology with a completely different meaning from her earlier sorry.

Jin Ja-gang only nodded without answering. Though he had decided to accept Tang Ha-ran, it was still a somewhat confusing time for Jin Ja-gang as well.

* * *

Since Jin Ja-gang was covered in blood all over and Tang Ha-ran was dressed in wedding clothes, they caught people’s attention.

The two didn’t enter the crowded capital city but chose mountain paths where few people traveled.

There was a pair of eyes keenly following their movements.

Just as the person dressed as an ordinary hunter was about to follow Jin Ja-gang and Tang Ha-ran.

A Tang family master blocked his path.

The two faced each other silently.

The Tang family master spoke first.

“Don’t forget that this is Sichuan.”

The hunter asked back.

“Sichuan doesn’t belong to the Tang family, does it?”

“But this is right at our family’s doorstep. I’ve seen you in this area for ten days. I know you were scouting our family.”

“I have no interest in you people now, so step aside.”

“Unfortunately, I cannot do that. One of those two received our family’s King of Hell’s Slip.”

It was the Tang family master’s warning not to touch the Tang family’s prey. The hunter responded immediately.

“I happen to need to retrieve the Death Warrant that our family issued to one of them. Moreover, the one who received the King of Hell’s Slip has already been expelled from the Tang family, so they’re not a Tang family person, are they? Then there’s no reason to interfere with our Zhuge family’s business.”

“One hundred days from today!”

The Tang family master spoke decisively.

“For one hundred days, they’re still Tang family, but not Tang sect people. Therefore, we cannot leave their disposal to others’ hands. I trust the Zhuge family will understand.”

Both the Tang family and Zhuge family were martial families that had to follow both family regulations and martial sect regulations. He emphasized that they were in the same situation.

After thinking for a moment, the hunter answered.

“If you put it that way, I’ll be satisfied with accumulating a small debt this time.”

The Tang family master cupped his fists.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

The Zhuge family hunter also cupped his fists in reply.

“Please give my regards to Lady Plum Blossoms.”

The two exchanged polite bows, then walked past each other toward their respective destinations without looking back once.

* * *

It was already time to go to bed for the evening.

Tang Qing gathered all the younger generation blood relatives in front of the burned Library Pavilion.

From teenagers to those in their twenties.

All were those who would be responsible for the Tang family’s future.

About a dozen people, both male and female, all stood in a line receiving Tang Qing’s sharp gaze while listening to his instruction.

“You must have all heard about what happened today.”

As Tang family rising stars, they were all receiving successor education to lead the next generation Tang family. Therefore, they were qualified to access Tang family’s high-level information to some degree.

Moreover, rumors within the family spread quickly. Especially successors eyeing the glorious throne worked harder than anyone to learn about family affairs.

One intelligent-looking boy who appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen answered.

“Poison Dragon. He’s the successor of the Yunnan Medicine Sect who gained fame by indiscriminately massacring Poison Sect martial artists, then later gained renown by defeating Young Phoenix and Silent Dragon.”

Tang Qing walked over and stood in front of that boy. Tang Qing’s build was small, shorter than the child. But the child didn’t dare look down at Tang Qing and knelt.

“Who killed Young Phoenix?”

“Poison Dragon…”

Tang Qing clicked his tongue as if pathetic.

“We killed her.”

“What?”

The children’s eyes widened in surprise.

“She died from our poison. Not Poison Dragon. And we even sent an assassin to tie up loose ends, but the assassin was killed by Poison Dragon and didn’t return.”

Tang Qing paused, then asked again.

“Since it was Young Phoenix’s death, you all must have watched with interest. And now you know we used poison and even sent an assassin. Then who is the person you should be most wary of?”

While the children were reading the mood, one girl answered.

“Poison Dragon.”

Tang Qing immediately approached the girl and slapped her cheek.

Slap!

The girl staggered but stood straight again.

Tang Qing looked at the boy next to her. The boy hurriedly answered.

“The Zhuge family!”

Slap!

Tang Qing moved to the next one.

“I, I don’t know…”

Smack!

Tang Qing slapped the cheeks of all the standing children. In an instant, one side of their cheeks swelled red and their lips burst.

Tang Qing asked again while huffing angrily.

“Young Phoenix died and the assassin died too. But Poison Dragon is alive, and one of the escort warriors who was with Young Phoenix is still alive. And that escort warrior testified that Poison Dragon killed Young Phoenix. The Zhuge family doesn’t even know about the assassin’s existence. Then who should you be wary of?”

Tang Qing began asking in reverse order.

“The escort warrior!”

Smack!

The first child who was hit on the opposite cheek sat down on the spot.

“If not the escort warrior, then who, who…”

Slap!

The next child raised internal energy to protect their cheek, fearing Tang Qing’s slap. However, Tang Qing’s internal energy reacted against the child’s internal energy, causing the cheek to burst and teeth to break.

“Ahhhhh!”

The child rolled on the ground clutching their face. Tang Qing instead kicked the fallen child and moved to the next one.

It was the intelligent boy who had answered first. That child answered while sweating profusely.

“The escort warrior is correct, but not a simple escort but a retainer of the Zhuge family!”

Tang Qing had wanted a detailed answer.

Though he didn’t know the name, thinking that much was sufficient, Tang Qing lowered his raised hand.

However, he slapped all the children after that boy.

In an instant, both cheeks of all the children except that boy swelled up.

Tang Qing ground his teeth.

“You’re all ruined! You must have heard! That I said I would make Poison Dragon my successor!”

The children gritted their teeth and endured.

“But how is there not one who protests! Among those receiving successor education, not one rebelled! Since when did our Tang family become full of wishy-washy people with no spirit, ambition, or venom! How can I trust you people and entrust the Tang family to you!”

Grind.

Tang Qing ground his teeth loud enough for the children to hear, then raised his hand again.

Slap! Smack! Slap!

“Do you know how much I wanted that fellow even while being threatened by him?”

Slap! Slap!

“I met a real talent after so long and truly wanted him. I wanted to trade you lot and exchange you for him! Idiots, dullards. Inferior to even Ha-ran.”

Tang Qing hit the children’s cheeks and kicked them for over half a watch period. The children’s faces swelled, tore, and became bloody.

Though they managed to remain standing, they were all trembling and couldn’t stand properly.

Still huffing with unresolved anger, Tang Qing extended his hand to the side and a scholar ran over to offer white cloth. Tang Qing’s hand was covered in blood. When wiped with the white cloth, blood came off eerily. However, Tang Qing’s hand was unharmed. Though he had hit hundreds of times, it should have swollen or bruised, but it was completely fine.

“Put these brats in the snake pit for a month.”

The children looked at Tang Qing with horrified eyes.

The scholars standing behind Tang Qing immediately prepared documents with expressionless faces and received Tang Qing’s seal. Soon Tang family warriors approached and began taking the children away.

The children couldn’t resist and were dragged away trembling. Tang Qing’s anger was extreme. Though he said in words to rebel, if they actually rebelled, there was no telling what would happen to them.

No, who in the Tang family could rebel against Tang Qing?

Probably no one except Tang Gui-ok.

The children realized they would have to endure a month in the snake pit and bit their lower lips tightly.

There was a reason for gathering them in front of the burned Library Pavilion.

Right next to it was the Phoenix Pheasant House, and underground there was the snake pit.

Tang Qing pointed with his finger at the intelligent child who had answered well several times. Though the boy’s face was bruised here and there, he was notably better off than the other children.

“You stay. You’re at least somewhat useful.”

The boy was delighted.

“Thank you! I’ll work hard.”

“You get the dark cave for three months specially.”

The boy was flustered.

“What?”

He couldn’t understand why he was receiving a harsher punishment than others when he had answered so well.

But Tang Qing cut off the child’s question with one sentence.

“I’ll be watching. My expectations are high.”

The boy swallowed bloody saliva.

Since he said he had expectations, there was no refusing. The child was dragged to the dark cave under warrior escort with a despairing expression.

“Whew.”

When Tang Qing let out a long sigh, Tang Gui-ok, who had been sitting in the shadows behind watching, finally asked.

“Are you finally relieved of your anger?”

“Do you think I’m doing this to relieve anger? With the great enterprise one year away, they were too pathetic so I wanted to toughen their mental armor.”

“Do you still want that child?”

Surprisingly, Tang Qing couldn’t answer that question. He wanted him but couldn’t handle him, and when he tried to handle him by force, he rebelled even more, leaving even Tang Qing helpless.

Tang Gui-ok said.

“There are still one hundred days left. Let’s wait and see.”

Tang Qing nodded.

“Let’s do that.”

Then as he was about to return to his chambers, Tang Qing suddenly stopped.

“Oh right, I should send a message to that fellow Mang Ryo.”

One of the standing scholars ran over and immediately prepared to write.

“If he fails to fulfill his promise, it would be better for him to just die there. If he returns with no results after causing this trouble, I’ll make him experience what hell on earth truly is.”

Tang Qing spat out the words while grinding his teeth.

“Personally.”