Chapter 266 – When Ice Melts, Water Naturally Flows (1)

Three years had already passed since the Martial Alliance was formed.

In this short time, the Martial Alliance had grown tremendously. Now its influence had expanded to the point where it could operate its own forces without support from sects like the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families.

Over three years, the Martial Alliance had absorbed numerous wandering warriors and gathered them as its forces. Thanks to this, it had grown noticeably in external appearance, and the scale of the Martial Alliance had also increased.

During the three years when the Demon Cult's invasion had temporarily slowed, the Martial Alliance's power reached its peak. Though it initially felt somewhat like an appendage of massive sects like the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families, now it had completely become independent and even surpassed them in terms of influence.

Given this situation, countless people visited the Martial Alliance daily. There were lines of people waiting to enter at the Martial Alliance's main gate.

Thanks to this, Yueyang where the Martial Alliance was located was also enjoying its greatest prosperity.

If one had to pick the most crucial places in the Martial Alliance, it would be the Alliance Head's Hall and the Military Department. Though Alliance Head Nam Cheon-san's presence was faint at first, as time passed he demonstrated stable leadership and became the true center of the Martial Alliance.

One reason the Martial Alliance could grow so large today was Nam Cheon-san's existence. Nam Cheon-san's reputation drew people. And if one had to pick another, it would be Military Advisor Namgung Chang.

Namgung Chang demonstrated great skill in obtaining even more support from various sects, contributing to the Martial Alliance's expansion of influence.

Many people trusted Namgung Chang and lent him strength. Thanks to this, he became the Martial Alliance's undisputed second-in-command. Though called second-in-command, his power and influence in the Martial Alliance were by no means below Nam Cheon-san's.

The scale of the Military Department proved this fact. The Military Department had expanded repeatedly until now it was comparable to a decent mid-sized sect.

The Military Department had a hall dedicated to collecting information coming from all over the Central Plains. At the hall named Heaven's Ear Hall, hundreds of carrier pigeons came and went daily.

A carrier pigeon arrived at Heaven's Ear Hall as the sun was setting.

A small black container was attached to the pigeon's leg. The black container signified top secret information. Even in Heaven's Ear Hall, only a select few could open the black container. Wi Bo-yeol, head of Heaven's Ear Hall, was one of the few people who could open the black container.

"Hmm!"

A contemplative sound escaped his lips as he opened the black container and confirmed its contents.

Wi Bo-yeol quickly ran with the note to the largest hall in the center of the Military Department. It was Military Advisor Namgung Chang's residence.

At that time, a meeting of the Military Department's key personnel was in progress at Namgung Chang's residence.

"Military Advisor!"

Since an important agenda was being discussed, Wi Bo-yeol who suddenly opened the door and barged in couldn't be viewed favorably.

Namgung Chang and the Military Department's leaders glared at Wi Bo-yeol. But Wi Bo-yeol paid no attention and strode toward Namgung Chang.

Namgung Chang asked with furrowed brows:

"What's the matter?"

"Urgent news from Shaanxi Province."

"Shaanxi Province?"

Namgung Chang's eyes shone.

Shaanxi Province was where Mount Hua Sect was located. And Dam Ho existed at Mount Hua Sect.

'Dam Ho!'

Just recalling that name filled his head with anger. So Namgung Chang had to forcefully suppress his anger.

Wi Bo-yeol quickly handed the note to Namgung Chang.

"Dark Cloud Team Leader Yi sent it."

"Hmm!"

Namgung Chang took the note Wi Bo-yeol offered and began reading. As he read the note, his expression hardened.

"What does it say?"

The Military Department's leaders showed puzzled expressions at Namgung Chang's reaction. But Namgung Chang just frowned without easily answering.

'The Demon Cult's elites reappeared at Mount Hua Sect of all places? And Dam Ho?'

Unpleasant emotions he had been trying to forget vividly revived.

For the past three years, Namgung Chang had practically neglected eastern Shaanxi Province where Mount Hua Sect was located.

At the time, Mount Hua Sect had lost almost all its forces from the Demon Cult's invasion. It was a strategic judgment that no matter how great Mount Hua Sect's potential, they couldn't recover their former glory in a short time. Of course, it also contained personal resentment toward Dam Ho.

Because of Dam Ho, the Namgung Family had lost its leader and was declining day by day. And Namgung Chang was someone who cherished the Namgung Family more than anyone. Naturally Dam Ho had to be a thorn in his side. But since he couldn't do anything about Dam Ho with force, he had substituted revenge by neglecting Mount Hua Sect until now.

It wasn't so surprising that Dam Ho personally killed Demon Cult masters. He had been an untouchable monster even three years ago. But Mount Hua Sect was different.

They had lost numerous masters three years ago. The damage they suffered was so enormous they had no choice but to walk the path of decline.

No matter how extraordinary Dam Ho was, it was just individual strength. No matter how talented he was, it was impossible to raise the level of fallen Mount Hua Sect in a short time.

Not just Namgung Chang but most martial artists thought so. That was the common sense they knew.

'But Mount Hua Sect has remarkable elites? Able to instantly annihilate the Demon Cult's Five Elements Destruction Squad? How is that possible?'

It was hard to believe. But Dark Cloud Team Leader Yi Moon-su-gyeol who sent the urgent message was not someone who would lie.

Namgung Chang's gaze sank deeply.

'If Mount Hua Sect really recovered its former glory? Or if they didn't lose all their forces?'

Either way, it meant Namgung Chang and the Martial Alliance had misjudged.

Though the Demon Cult had been quiet for the past three years, it was incomplete. It was a precarious temporary peace that could be extinguished instantly if a strong wind blew.

Knowing this fact, Namgung Chang had made the Martial Alliance even stronger over the past three years, and formed closer ties with sects that survived the catastrophe then.

Thus he had drawn and executed a grand plan. But Mount Hua Sect didn't exist anywhere in the picture he drew. He had intentionally excluded them.

Namgung Chang handed the note he received from Wi Bo-yeol to the other leaders. The leaders read the note in turn.

Their expressions were not much different from Namgung Chang's.

The Martial Alliance's Military Department gathered those who prided themselves as the smartest in the Central Plains. Naturally their pride had to be great. They couldn't accept the fact that the picture they had drawn was distorted.

"Is Team Leader Moon's report certain? Couldn't he have been mistaken?"

"That's right. Realistically, it's impossible for Mount Hua Sect to regain its former glory. Team Leader Moon must have misunderstood."

"The damage Mount Hua Sect suffered three years ago wasn't something that could be recovered in just ten or twenty years. Isn't that why our Martial Alliance abandoned Mount Hua Sect? Our judgment was certainly not wrong."

As the leaders raised their voices, the Military Department became as noisy as a marketplace. Amid this, Namgung Chang remained silent. The noise of others talking didn't even enter his ears.

'Dam Ho, Dam Ho.'

He repeatedly muttered Dam Ho's name.

Just recalling that name filled his entire body with displeasure. To Namgung Chang, Dam Ho's existence was like a double-edged sword.

There was no sharper tool for dealing with the Demon Cult, but if handled carelessly the sword wielder could also be greatly wounded. And Namgung Chang wasn't confident in handling the sword called Dam Ho well.

Namgung Chang bit his lip hard. Even then, the Military Department's leaders were each raising their voices. They too were as confused as Namgung Chang.

Dam Ho was that kind of existence.

He was a being of chaos that no one could define. He was like an unpredictable ball, impossible to control.

Through numerous clashes three years ago, Namgung Chang and the Military Department's leaders had clearly realized this fact.

At some point, the leaders' voices died down. Instead, their gazes were gathered on Namgung Chang.

They were waiting for Namgung Chang's decision.

Namgung Chang finally opened his mouth.

"Send Dark Cloud Teams 2 and 3 to Huayin County for surveillance."

"Should we make contact?"

"Just observe for now."

"But that…"

"Fist Demon is there. Can you handle him?"

"…"

Everyone froze at Namgung Chang's words. They lowered their heads avoiding Namgung Chang's gaze.

Mount Hua's Fist Demon Dam Ho.

The fiercest and most violent person in the world. With such powerful martial arts that few could face him. No one here wanted to confront him who was like a living thunderbolt.

Namgung Chang continued speaking:

"Avoid direct contact with Mount Hua Sect and attack the outskirts. Mount Hua is still a place where people live. Those who supply food, those who sell weapons, there are countless ways to obtain information. Use every method you can think of. Surely an opportunity will come."

'Opportunity?'

The leaders briefly showed puzzled expressions. It was such an unexpected statement. But Namgung Chang's atmosphere was so heavy they didn't dare ask what he meant.

'An opportunity will surely come. To erase Fist Demon from this world…'

Blood was flowing from Namgung Chang's tightly clenched lips.

***

The Upper Palace at the peak of Lotus Peak was the residence of Mount Hua Sect's leader. All Mount Hua Sect's affairs big and small were decided and carried out here. Given this situation, many people usually came and went from the Upper Palace. But that was the story from three years ago.

Fortunately it could maintain its original form avoiding catastrophe, but the Upper Palace's scenery was desolate like an abandoned building. There were no guards, and hardly anyone visited.

It was evening when someone appeared at such a quiet Upper Palace.

The man walking with a slight limp in one foot was Dam Ho.

He opened the Upper Palace's door without hesitation and entered. Three men were gathered inside the Upper Palace.

"Ho!"

The first to greet him was Sage Hyeon-so.

"Master."

"You've come?"

The warriors greeting Dam Ho on either side of Sage Hyeon-so. The one on the left was Woon Kyung, and the one on the right was Myung Kyung.

Three years of time had made their gazes even deeper. They stood up to greet Dam Ho. Sage Hyeon-so also put down the brush he was holding and stood up.

"You've come at a good time. I just finished organizing everything."

A yellowish book was placed in front of Sage Hyeon-so. Until just before Dam Ho entered, he had been writing in the book with a brush.

The words "Great Clarity Sword Technique" were clearly written on the cover.

Dam Ho asked:

"Is it the last one?"

"Yes! The Great Clarity Sword Technique is the last martial art. With this I've organized all of Mount Hua Sect's martial arts I know into books."

"You've worked hard."

"What hard work? It's just what a scholar priest should do."

Sage Hyeon-so smiled.

Though he spoke calmly, the content within was by no means ordinary.

Three years ago, Spirit Treasure Palace which had stored Mount Hua Sect's martial arts burned down. Martial arts manuals were a sect's foundation. That foundation had all turned to ashes in the flames.

Woon Kyung had despaired.

Since the sect's secret techniques had all disappeared, it seemed impossible to revive Mount Hua Sect.

That's when Sage Hyeon-so stepped forward. All of Mount Hua Sect's supreme arts were in the head of this scholar priest. He made books of all the supreme arts he knew in his spare time.

It was by no means an easy task. Since not even a single word could be wrong, he was extremely careful. Because of this, it took a full three years.

Sage Hyeon-so showed a relieved expression.

"Now it's the sect leader's role. Please take good care of Mount Hua."

"How could I?"

Woon Kyung didn't know what to do.

He had originally planned to recommend Sage Hyeon-so as the new sect leader. But Sage Hyeon-so firmly refused. Saying he was suited to be a helper, not a leader.

So Woon Kyung tried to put Dam Ho at the forefront. Of course Dam Ho refused too. The last one remaining was Myung Kyung. But Myung Kyung also declined saying he was too young.

In the end, only Woon Kyung remained. Thus Woon Kyung became Mount Hua Sect's new leader.

Woon Kyung carefully held the Great Clarity Sword Manual to his chest.

The Great Clarity Sword Technique was a supreme art that only elders could learn even within Mount Hua Sect. It was a precious martial art that would lead Mount Hua's revival.

Dam Ho said:

"Have Won Myeong learn it."

"Won Myeong? Not Won Chung?"

Woon Kyung looked at Dam Ho with a puzzled expression. But Dam Ho was firm.

"It suits Won Myeong."

"If you say so."

Thus the owner of the Great Clarity Sword Technique was decided. Woon Kyung trusted Dam Ho that much. Dam Ho had fought with the disciples more than anyone. So he thoroughly understood their characteristics and qualities.

Dam Ho's gaze turned to Myung Kyung.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes! Senior Brother."

"Follow me!"

"Yes!"

Myung Kyung followed Dam Ho outside with an energetic answer. Woon Kyung and Sage Hyeon-so followed behind them.

The command barracks set up at the foot of Qingcheng sect’s mountain.

Thirteen sect leaders from the small and medium sects surrounding Qingcheng sect had gathered in one place.

Thunder Brand Sword Ye Jin-gyeong’s Sword Hero Squad and White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion had been completely annihilated, and Indestructible Heavenly Sword Baek Li-jung was missing. On top of that, the Tang family had suddenly lifted their siege and returned, making the situation strange.

“Is there no contact from the Martial Alliance’s main headquarters?”

“Not yet. Even if reinforcements come from Shanxi and Huguang, it will take time.”

“What does Mount Emei say?”

“Mount Emei is a Buddhist sect, so they said they won’t participate in attacking first.”

“So you’re saying we have to charge into Qingcheng Mountain by ourselves?”

“If we succeed, we’ll achieve great merit, but…”

The sect leaders’ faces looked troubled. They could hold their position with Mount Emei backing them, but attacking was too much. There were Evil Sect masters who had killed Thunder Brand Sword, especially the Shandong Enchantress. The casualties among ordinary disciples would be severe.

“Going in by ourselves would be reckless.”

“But we can’t maintain this siege here forever, can we?”

“That’s right. With hundreds of people gathered, food is also a serious problem. The Martial Alliance says they’ll pay the costs later, but nearby food supplies have run out and we’re transporting from far away. As you know, the nearby Guizhou branch was completely destroyed by Poison Dragon…”

The sect leaders fell silent with grim faces. If only the Guizhou branch had remained, such problems could have been supported without much difficulty.

The sect leaders sighed.

“We can’t retreat now…”

They resented the Tang family and blamed Thunder Brand Sword and Indestructible Heavenly Sword.

“I can’t believe the Martial Alliance didn’t predict such events.”

“The Alliance Leader was severely injured, so they must be in chaos too.”

The sect leaders voiced their complaints.

“We were unlucky to get involved in this mess.”

“We should have left with the Tang family.”

But then there was commotion outside.

“Please come out!”

The warriors shouted.

The sect leaders lifted the tent flaps and came outside.

Someone was walking through the middle where the warriors had split left and right.

The sect leaders’ eyes widened.

“Baek, Hero Baek Li!”

Though his entire body was cut up with tattered clothes covered in bloodstains and black dirt, it was definitely Baek Li-jung.

“H-how did this happen? Why only now…”

Baek Li-jung’s eyes flashed sharply as he spoke like talking to himself.

“Am I a bit late?”

“You’ve been missing for seven days and nights.”

“Hmm.”

Baek Li-jung held up a head.

“I was looking for a lost head.”

What Baek Li-jung held up was Venerable Woo-am’s head.

“Gasp!”

The sect leaders swallowed their groans.

The sect leader of Qingcheng sect, one of the ten great sects of the martial world, and one of the Three Taoists of “One Scholar, Two Buddhists, Three Taoists, One King,” had officially died.

This also meant that Baek Li-jung had finally surpassed Venerable Woo-am and ascended as a new powerhouse of the martial world.

Venerable Woo-am had been dead for a long time, so no blood flowed from the severed neck, and his face even showed traces of birds and beasts eating the flesh. Yet somehow he seemed to be smiling, making it extremely eerie.

“Ugh.”

Several people standing nearby with weak stomachs swallowed their saliva.

Baek Li-jung smiled slightly and said.

“Let’s go in. I’m hungry.”

Baek Li-jung led the way into the barracks. The sect leaders followed him in, and one of them ordered the warriors to bring food.

It was a handful of dried jerky.

“We apologize. Food supply isn’t working properly, so this is all we have now. We’re roasting deer hindquarters, so if you wait a moment…”

Baek Li-jung sat in the barracks, threw the jerky into his mouth in one bite, then gestured.

“No need to roast it, just bring it as is.”

Baek Li-jung chewed and tore at the raw deer hindquarters the warrior brought.

“I heard on the way that you’re preparing to withdraw?”

“That’s…”

The sect leaders glanced at each other before one spoke.

“With Thunder Brand Sword dead and the Tang family withdrawn, we can’t attack Qingcheng Mountain with just our strength.”

For some reason, Baek Li-jung seemed absorbed in eating and didn’t appear to be listening to the sect leaders.

Baek Li-jung pulled and broke tough tendons with his teeth while chewing and speaking.

“That’s understandable. Now that I’m back, you don’t need to worry. As soon as I recover my strength, let’s go deal with the remnants. By the way, there’s not enough food.”

“As we said, there are supply problems, and even this was obtained by hunting. All that’s left are organs and hide…”

“Bring it all.”

The sect leaders were dumbfounded. The warriors brought half a deer that was still being butchered.

Baek Li-jung tore at the deer flesh without even removing the hide, and when that wasn’t enough, he even tore into the organs.

The sect leaders fell silent at Baek Li-jung’s strange behavior and overwhelming aura.

While they were relieved that Baek Li-jung had returned, the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

“Did I eat too ravenously?”

Baek Li-jung laughed heartily while holding up the deer’s heart.

“It looks a bit unsightly, but please join me.”

One of the sect leaders had no choice but to speak as a representative.

“I am Na Il from Seven Star Gate. Hero Baek Li, there’s something you need to know.”

“Ah, Sect Leader Na from Seven Star Gate. Nice to meet you. But… hmm, everyone’s expressions are strange. What’s wrong? Don’t be troubled and speak comfortably.”

Seven Star Gate’s sect leader Na Il opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Silent Dragon is dead.”

Pause.

Baek Li-jung stopped while chewing the heart.

“Who?”

“Poison Dragon. While heading to Guizhou, he was killed along with Swift Dragon from the Yang family.”

After maintaining a long silence, Baek Li-jung let out a long breath.

“Whew.”

The sect leaders tensely swallowed their dry saliva.

Silent Dragon Baek Li-gwon was both Baek Li-jung’s adopted son and disciple. It was well known that Baek Li-jung cherished him specially.

With such a Silent Dragon dead, it was hard to fathom how great Baek Li-jung’s grief must be.

“I see…”

Baek Li-jung slowly chewed the heart.

Squish squish.

The chewy yet crisp texture of the raw heart dripping with blood was clearly conveyed through sound.

“As a disciple, he was exceptionally trustworthy and kind, but as a son, he was a fool who wasn’t reliable at all.”

With blood streaming from his mouth and hands, Baek Li-jung continued speaking.

“He was stubborn and single-minded, which was good as a disciple, but he wasn’t clever enough to live in the world. He always caused his father worry.”

The sect leaders found it difficult to comfort Baek Li-jung.

“We’re sorry to bring you bad news.”

The sect leaders gave Baek Li-jung space to have time alone. Baek Li-jung remained alone, continuing to chew the deer’s parts.

“Poison Dragon.”

Chew, chew…

He chewed everything without discrimination, hide, claws, and all.

“Poison… Dragon.”

Crunch, crunch.

“Poison… Dragon…”

While muttering, he unconsciously reached out his hand, but what he touched wasn’t the deer but Venerable Woo-am’s head. In the meantime, he had devoured the entire half deer.

Baek Li-jung turned Venerable Woo-am’s head to face forward. He didn’t like the seemingly smiling expression.

“You, even in death you’re causing serious trouble. If you hadn’t stimulated my appetite, if I had gotten up and come out quickly, then maybe I could have saved my son. Right?”

Baek Li-jung pressed Venerable Woo-am’s cheek with his finger to break his teeth and tear his mouth. He changed the smiling expression to a crying one.

Baek Li-jung’s hand holding Venerable Woo-am’s head trembled. Baek Li-jung was suppressing his emotions with superhuman patience.

“Poison. Dragon.”

Baek Li-jung shed bloody tears while laughing. The name of Poison Dragon Jin Ja-gang was carved into his bones, into his marrow.

* * *

The small and medium sects of Sichuan were considerably uplifted by Baek Li-jung’s return. With the super master Baek Li-jung present, they could reorganize their forces without worry and proceed with preparations to subjugate Qingcheng Mountain.

And as if things were going well, unexpectedly even the Zhuge family joined.

Zhuge Ming, Zhuge Yon’s uncle and the Zhuge family’s second-in-command, had come leading fifty Zhuge family warriors.

“Though the enemy numbers are few, each one’s skill is not low, so fighting recklessly is not right. Our side should also have a few masters step forward to eliminate the Evil Sect members one by one with minimal casualties, but when they’re cornered, they’ll definitely flee. The rest should rather maintain a solid siege from the bottom of the mountain.”

Naturally, what Zhuge Ming proposed was the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation. He planned to trap Qingcheng Mountain with the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation using personnel including warriors from small and medium sects, then capture every single one without exception.

The sect leaders from small and medium sects agreed and handed command authority to Zhuge Ming. Zhuge Ming explained that even without perfectly understanding the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation, it could show sufficient power in three days.

“But before that, one thing.”

Zhuge Ming looked at the sect leaders and Baek Li-jung and said.

“You must have all heard about the incident at Guizhou. It’s confirmed that Poison Dragon is heading this way.”

The sect leaders from small and medium sects glanced at Baek Li-jung. Baek Li-jung couldn’t hide his anger for a very brief moment but endured it well.

“Among us are those who have scores to settle with him. Therefore, I propose we lure him in first. Even if not, if he starts using poison outside the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation, the formation won’t function properly.”

The meaning was to lure Jin Ja-gang into Qingcheng Mountain and annihilate everyone together.

All the sect leaders agreed. And finally, they waited for Baek Li-jung’s judgment.

Baek Li-jung didn’t refuse either.

“Let’s do that.”

Zhuge Ming looked at Baek Li-jung.

“Though our family’s grudge against him is not small, his head… I’ll leave it to the Pavilion Master.”

“No. Take the head from there.”

Baek Li-jung said with a sinister expression.

“Everything except the head, even a fingernail fragment or a strand of hair, I’ll take it all.”

Zhuge Ming created several loose gaps in the siege under the pretext of practicing the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation. And he planted appropriate traps in those gaps. He thought someone with Jin Ja-gang’s meticulous nature would definitely check and pass through there.

* * *

Jin Ja-gang entered Sichuan and first checked news about Qingcheng Mountain.

Qingcheng Mountain had not yet fallen. And he confirmed that Baek Li-jung had appeared and the Zhuge family had joined. There seemed to be room to break through the gaps.

But Jin Ja-gang didn’t go.

He circled around Qingcheng Mountain, observed more, then actually left Qingcheng Mountain.

And when he reappeared at Qingcheng Mountain, four days had passed.

* * *

Both Mang Ryo and the Shandong Evil Sect members trapped in Qingcheng Mountain, and the Martial Alliance members guarding the lower slopes were all tense.

Hundreds of martial artists in different situations were holding their breath, waiting for just one person, Jin Ja-gang.

Meanwhile, commotion arose at midday when the sun was high in the sky.

A warrior standing guard ran over shouting.

“Poison Dragon! He’s appeared!”

Zhuge Ming and the sect leaders immediately gathered.

“Where!”

The warrior swallowed dry saliva with wide eyes and said.

“He entered the southwestern siege line that Harmony Gate is in charge of!”

“Is it really him?”

“Yes. Handsome appearance and limping with his left foot.”

“Where is he going?”

The warrior answered with wide eyes as if bewildered.

“H-he’s coming this way.”

“Which way?”

“Right here, he’s coming exactly toward where the command post is!”

“What!”

The sect leaders looked back and forth between Zhuge Ming and Baek Li-jung in disbelief.