Chapter 279 – Bonds Cannot Be Predicted (1)

The next day, Dam Ho and Eum Yu-kyung set out at dawn and arrived at their first destination, Dujiangyan. This was the place from which Geom Yul-cheon had sent his letter.

Dujiangyan was an ancient irrigation system built by Li Bing, a governor of Shu during ancient times, along with his son Li Lang. It served to prevent flooding and supply water to nearby farmland. Thanks to this, the agricultural lands around Dujiangyan could be cultivated without worry of water shortages, making the area extremely prosperous.

Eum Yu-kyung quietly surveyed Dujiangyan.

Numerous people walked through the streets, but hardly any paid attention to their group.

As a place where waterways and official roads intersected, Dujiangyan had long been a hub for many travelers. Even outsiders with slightly unusual appearances were not uncommon here, so the locals paid little mind to strangers. However, even among such people, the Black Ghost that Dam Ho rode stood out unmistakably.

"Wow!"

"Look at that horse. It's absolutely stunning."

Not a single stray hair marred its jet-black body, and its muscles rippled like endless waves with every step. The Black Ghost's physique became even more pronounced as it moved.

Naturally, Dam Ho, who rode the Black Ghost, and Eum Yu-kyung, who rode alongside him, also drew attention.

A man with an ice-cold demeanor and a mysterious woman whose face was half-covered by a cotton veil-an ideal combination to attract notice.

Many eyes followed the two. Some gazes held pure curiosity, while others carried strong wariness.

Though Dam Ho and Eum Yu-kyung hadn't been active in the martial world for long, both had experienced as much as seasoned veterans. They calmly accepted the numerous stares as they entered an inn.

As the two, exuding an extraordinary aura, appeared, the innkeeper hurried over.

"Welcome."

"Do you have rooms available?"

"Yes! We do. What kind of rooms would you like?"

At the innkeeper's words, Eum Yu-kyung glanced briefly at Dam Ho. His head and shoulders were covered in thick dust from the journey.

"We'll take a separate annex."

"The annex is expensive. Is that alright?"

"That's fine. We can bathe there, right?"

"We always keep facilities ready for our guests to bathe."

"Then we'll take it."

"Please follow me."

The innkeeper led the two to the annex. Surrounded by high walls, the annex was free from outside gazes and had three rooms.

As soon as they rented the annex, Eum Yu-kyung went into a room to bathe. Leaving Eum Yu-kyung in the annex, Dam Ho headed alone to the dining area.

Since it was still early for dinner, the inn was quiet. Only three or four tables were occupied, and even those seated were engrossed in their own conversations, paying no attention to Dam Ho.

Dam Ho took a seat by the window. After ordering simple food from the waiter, he gazed outside.

Many people were passing by. While there were several who appeared to be martial artists, most were ordinary folks untrained in martial arts.

As Dam Ho quietly observed them, it happened.

Tap!

Someone silently sat across from him.

It was a woman dressed in plain clothes. Her loose-fitting attire concealed her figure, and her face was covered with a cotton veil, hiding her true appearance.

"It's been a while, Hero Dam."

The woman's eyes, visible above the veil, curved gently.

Dam Ho recognized the familiarity in her gaze. After staring intently for a moment, he spoke.

"Gi Ye-hwa."

"To think you'd recognize me. Your keen eye is as sharp as ever."

The woman slightly lifted her veil, revealing her face.

Her beauty was as radiant as a blooming rose. Exuding the allure of a mature woman, her presence could easily captivate any man-yet Dam Ho's gaze remained unchanged.

"How are you here?"

"Because you were looking for me."

Gi Ye-hwa gave a faint smile.

She was the mistress of Celestial Pavilion and also the vice sect master of the Hao Sect.

Dam Ho stared intently at Gi Ye-hwa. His gaze was so intense that she slightly turned her head to avoid it.

Her gesture was incredibly alluring, enough to mesmerize any other man, but it had no effect on Dam Ho.

Covering her face with the veil again, Gi Ye-hwa spoke.

"That gaze of yours is as intense as ever. It's hard to bear."

"Didn't you say you were at the headquarters?"

"That's right."

"How did this happen?"

"Would you believe me if I said the headquarters is in Sichuan Province?"

"…"

"I see you don't believe me. You're right. The headquarters isn't in Sichuan Province. I only came here because there was something I needed to investigate."

"It must be something significant."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because you came in person."

"Hero Dam, you seem to overestimate me. I'm not that important."

"I trust my own eyes."

At Dam Ho's curt reply, Gi Ye-hwa fell silent, at a loss for words.

Letting out a sigh, Gi Ye-hwa spoke.

"Phew! Hero Dam, you're truly intimidating."

"…"

"You have the ability to deduce truths without any process. From the perspective of someone in the Hao Sect, that's a skill I’d most desire. You're right. The headquarters determined that the situation in Sichuan Province is unusual, so they sent me here. They must have thought my direct observation and judgment would be reliable."

When Yun-jeong's letter arrived at the headquarters, Gi Ye-hwa had already left. The letter was forwarded to Sichuan Province, and Gi Ye-hwa received it just a few days ago.

"Even so, I never imagined I'd meet Hero Dam here."

There was also a branch of the Hao Sect in Dujiangyan. As soon as Dam Ho entered the city, news reached Gi Ye-hwa through the local branch.

Gi Ye-hwa shook her head. Her nose tingled with a strange sensation.

Wherever Dam Ho was, a storm of blood always followed. Already, she felt as though she could smell the faint scent of blood.

"What has happened here?"

"Phew!"

Gi Ye-hwa let out another sigh.

A look of conflict appeared on her face, hidden behind the veil.

The Hao Sect was more sensitive to the world's trends than anyone else. As an organization formed by the lowest classes for survival, this tendency was inevitable. Consequently, they were stricter about secrecy, never easily leaking even the smallest piece of information.

Gi Ye-hwa's presence in Sichuan Province was also due to the judgment that the events here would significantly impact the Hao Sect's survival.

Gi Ye-hwa silently gazed at Dam Ho for a moment. At that instant, her mind was racing with complex thoughts. Countless ideas crossed her mind.

Dam Ho watched her in silence. His gaze was heavy and composed.

Finally, having completed her calculations, Gi Ye-hwa spoke.

"It seems I must be honest with Hero Dam."

"…"

"As Hero Dam knows, there are hardly any places where our Hao Sect members do not exist. Even in areas dominated by martial artists, butchers, outcasts, and courtesans are necessary. Sichuan Province is no different. Though not conspicuous, many of our members are engaged in various livelihoods here."

"And?"

"Some of our members have gone missing."

Dam Ho's eyes narrowed.

"They didn't just leave Sichuan Province?"

"One might think so. But the number of missing individuals is too large to dismiss it as such. Especially, many key figures from the Sichuan branch have disappeared."

"Have you found the cause?"

"That's what I need to find out now. That's why I came to Dujiangyan."

Gi Ye-hwa's expression was deeply serious.

As the number of missing members increased, so did those deserting the Hao Sect. For an organization whose lifeblood was its members, this was a grave threat.

Ultimately, the Hao Sect's leadership decided to send trusted individuals to uncover the truth. Thus, Gi Ye-hwa, the vice sect master, was chosen.

"Why are you here, Hero Dam? Surely, it's not for Hao Sect matters."

"…"

"What's the matter?"

Even at Gi Ye-hwa's question, Dam Ho did not answer. Watching him lost in thought, Gi Ye-hwa spoke.

"Tell me. Perhaps I can be of help."

"Are you suggesting mutual assistance?"

"Hero Dam possesses martial prowess, and we have a dense information network throughout Sichuan Province. I believe we can be of sufficient help to each other. Isn't that why you contacted me before coming here?"

"Exactly."

At Dam Ho's candid reply, Gi Ye-hwa smiled as if she had expected it.

Meeting Gi Ye-hwa was fortunate for Dam Ho as well.

Due to Sichuan Province's unique, insular terrain, outsiders faced strong wariness. Gathering information here was no easy task.

Gi Ye-hwa's face drew close enough for Dam Ho to feel her breath.

"So, are we cooperating?"

Dam Ho gazed at her face for a moment before nodding.

"Alright."

"Good."

Gi Ye-hwa's smile deepened.

—

Rustle!

A boy emerged, pushing through the grass. With sun-tanned, dark brown skin and a bright smile, the boy was none other than Bang Jin-bo.

On Bang Jin-bo's back was a large woven basket filled to the brim with various herbs.

Looking at the herbs in the basket, he muttered to himself.

"I hope this is the right one."

Bang Jin-bo had spent the entire day wandering the mountain. He navigated the rugged and treacherous Mount Hua as if it were his own backyard.

Having climbed up and down Mount Hua for three years, his body had naturally shed excess fat and gained muscle. As a result, he now possessed a well-balanced physique.

Bang Jin-bo gazed westward. The sun was still in the sky. However, he knew well how quickly the sun set in the mountains.

Especially on a tall and rugged mountain like Mount Hua, the sun disappeared in an instant, and darkness fell swiftly. No matter how accustomed Bang Jin-bo had become to Mount Hua, the pitch-black darkness where he couldn't see an inch ahead was dangerous.

Bang Jin-bo hurriedly employed his lightness technique.

Tap! Tap!

Like a mountain goat, he leaped from one rock to another.

It was a lightness technique called Rock-Sky Flight.

This technique was created by Dam Ho for Bang Jin-bo, who roamed the harsh terrain of Mount Hua daily to gather herbs.

As the name Rock-Sky Flight suggested, there was no better lightness technique for scaling rocks. It was perfectly optimized for Mount Hua, a mountain composed entirely of massive rock formations.

"Haha!"

Bang Jin-bo burst into laughter as he employed Rock-Sky Flight.

In the three years he had spent on Mount Hua, Bang Jin-bo had made tremendous progress. His body felt lighter, and as he freely wielded his lightness technique, he experienced a profound sense of freedom he had never felt before.

Like a mountain goat, Bang Jin-bo hopped between rocks, ascending toward the summit of Mount Hua.

How long had he been using Rock-Sky Flight? Before he knew it, he had reached Dark Dragon Ridge, considered the backbone of Mount Hua.

Beyond Dark Dragon Ridge, Lotus Peak came into view.

With a pleasant smile, Bang Jin-bo moved forward. His light, skipping steps were incredibly buoyant.

"Hmm!"

At that moment, Bang Jin-bo suddenly paused and tilted his head.

Frowning slightly, he scanned his surroundings.

"What's this?"

It felt as if ants were crawling over his skin, a tingling sensation. It was a feeling he had never experienced since learning martial arts.

Bang Jin-bo looked around for a while. But no matter how much he searched, he couldn't detect anything unusual. The tingling sensation on his skin had also disappeared.

"Was it my imagination?"

Scratching his head for a moment, Bang Jin-bo resumed walking.

"What are you doing over there?"

A familiar voice called out from the other side of Dark Dragon Ridge.

"Ah, Sister?"

"What are you doing by yourself?"

Approaching with a smile and light steps was none other than Jong Ri-yeon. At her appearance, Bang Jin-bo's face lit up, and he ran toward her.

"Did you wait long?"

"I waited a lot. You said you'd be back soon, but you didn't return until the sun was setting."

"Sorry. Hehe!"

"So, did you gather a lot of herbs?"

"You'll be surprised when you see them. Let's go."

"Alright."

The two walked side by side, their figures soon disappearing beyond Dark Dragon Ridge.

Right after they vanished, a strong wind suddenly blew over Dark Dragon Ridge. The wind swirling above the ridge momentarily formed a human-like shape before dissipating and blowing toward Lotus Peak.

Thud!

Jin Ja-gang’s left palm collided with Baek Li-jung’s right palm.

Jin Ja-gang had poison needles between his fingers, but the needles couldn’t withstand Baek Li-jung’s palm force and bent.

Jin Ja-gang felt chills run down his spine.

It was a mistake.

He already knew from touching hands that Baek Li-jung’s internal energy was far superior to his own, but he hadn’t realized it was this overwhelmingly powerful. Being too absorbed in the Grappling Technique and carelessly meeting him head-on was truly a grave error.

But since he was already in a twisted position, he couldn’t flee or dodge. Jin Ja-gang judged that he had to sacrifice his arm. Jin Ja-gang barely held on while drawing a small dagger from his waist.

If he didn’t cut off his arm, Baek Li-jung’s internal energy would rush through his palm and destroy Jin Ja-gang’s organs.

However, Baek Li-jung wouldn’t allow it. Baek Li-jung applied even more force to his palm technique.

Baek Li-jung’s internal energy penetrated through Jin Ja-gang’s palm and entered his palm center.

Crack crack!

Starting from Jin Ja-gang’s back of the hand, the blood vessels and muscles in his forearm swelled as if about to burst in succession.

Jin Ja-gang’s entire body hair stood on end and his body stiffened as if paralyzed.

Pop.

His wrist joint was pressed and his elbow twisted.

Jin Ja-gang couldn’t hold on and bent his legs. The force of Baek Li-jung pressing down was so strong that no matter how much strength he exerted, he couldn’t straighten his legs. Jin Ja-gang’s legs, using all his might to resist, trembled violently.

During this, doubt flashed through Baek Li-jung’s eyes.

He had put eighty percent of his strength into this Internal Heavy Hand Technique.

At this level, even Dan Ryeong-gyeong or Elder Bok-cheon would have difficulty withstanding it head-on.

So why was Jin Ja-gang still holding on?

Why couldn’t his internal energy penetrate deeper than the elbow?

Moreover, Jin Ja-gang and he used the same source for internal energy cultivation methods. If they had the same source, shouldn’t Baek Li-jung, with higher achievement, naturally overwhelm him?

While Baek Li-jung’s palm force hesitated, Jin Ja-gang built up the dike in his left palm center to maximum and raised his internal energy. He drew out all the vortex power generated from the middle dantian, right Yongcheon, and Huiyin dikes to block.

Feeling the Vortex Rush from the Fourth Light, Baek Li-jung’s eyes glinted coldly.

The sight of Jin Ja-gang struggling desperately reminded him of Baek Li-gwon.

The reason Baek Li-gwon, who had surpassed the seventh star of Heavenly Blade Divine Sword, couldn’t defeat Jin Ja-gang was because the ten stars of Heavenly Blade Divine Sword were originally designed based on the Fifth Light of Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art.

Only upon reaching the eighth star of Heavenly Blade Divine Sword could one barely cope with the early stages of the Third Light. This showed how powerful Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art was.

But even setting aside Heavenly Blade Divine Sword, Baek Li-jung couldn’t understand why Jin Ja-gang of the Fourth Light was still resisting when Baek Li-jung had long surpassed the Seventh Light.

Baek Li-jung applied more force. He drew up another ten percent of his strength. Because Dan Ryeong-gyeong and Elder Bok-cheon were present, it was difficult to pour out his full power with the tenth star without reserve.

However, Baek Li-jung soon regretted not using his full strength.

Jin Ja-gang’s energy and blood were strangely heavy and thick. The energy and blood were too dense and sticky. This was almost equivalent to having blocked energy and blood channels. With the Vortex Rush of the Fourth Light added to this, Baek Li-jung’s internal energy couldn’t penetrate and was only destroying the meridians where they made contact.

Pop, pop.

Jin Ja-gang’s forearm swelled as his skin tore and crushed muscles protruded, spurting blood. Using his internal energy with full force, blood leaked from burst capillaries on his right side for the first time in ages. Blood vessels burst even inside his eyes, turning them bright red with blood.

He exerted so much force that he couldn’t breathe and his head became dizzy. Despite the side effects of the Clarity Elixir, Jin Ja-gang was pushed almost to the point of losing consciousness.

Baek Li-jung was almost disgusted seeing Jin Ja-gang whose eyes still hadn’t died despite all this.

With muscles rupturing and blood vessels being compressed until blood burst, his whole body must feel like it was being torn apart. Yet Jin Ja-gang hadn’t screamed even once.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong, who had followed behind Baek Li-jung, thrust the Non-Killing Sword toward Baek Li-jung. With Jin Ja-gang spurting blood from his entire body, every moment was critical.

Baek Li-jung didn’t stop pouring Internal Heavy Hand Technique into Jin Ja-gang and faced Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s Non-Killing Sword with his Heavenly Vermillion Blade.

When the pressure briefly weakened, Jin Ja-gang squeezed out his remaining strength and raised his right hand. From near the fingernail of the little finger he had bitten earlier, colorless poison fluid was dripping along with blood.

Jin Ja-gang raised his trembling right hand above his head. The poison fluid mixed with blood dropped. Jin Ja-gang caught the poison fluid in his mouth, held it on his tongue, and pursed his lips to gather force. He intended to aim for Baek Li-jung’s side eye while he was looking at Dan Ryeong-gyeong and spit the poison fluid.

But then Myowol unexpectedly intervened.

Myowol kicked Baek Li-jung’s waist.

Thud!

Baek Li-jung, caught completely off guard, was struck and slid sideways. In the process, he allowed Dan Ryeong-gyeong one sword strike, getting a cut below his eye.

Myowol grabbed Jin Ja-gang’s neck with her left hand and shouted shrilly.

“This one is mine! If you want to kill him, you give up an eye too!”

Baek Li-jung looked at Myowol in disbelief. Myowol’s suppressed killing intent had surged up and she couldn’t control herself. Myowol exploded with killing intent and tried to gouge out Jin Ja-gang’s eye with her other hand.

But Jin Ja-gang forcibly turned his head and bit Myowol’s hand.

Crunch!

Jin Ja-gang’s teeth dug into Myowol’s bony hand.

Myowol had also had her fingertip bitten off by the Bald Brothers before, losing the tip of her index finger. Being bitten by Jin Ja-gang again, she became so enraged that she raised her hand regardless of whether flesh was torn off.

Jin Ja-gang spat the torn flesh and blood at Myowol’s face. Without even closing her eyes, Myowol kept them wide open and struck Jin Ja-gang’s head.

Thud!

With his neck held by Myowol’s hand and his temple struck, Jin Ja-gang’s eyes lost focus. Myowol lifted Jin Ja-gang’s neck up and threw him down hard.

Bang!

Even as his back was struck, Jin Ja-gang kept his right hand raised. Two needles flew toward Myowol’s face. Myowol blocked in front of her face with her hand. She caught both needles between her fingers. Jin Ja-gang had aimed for Myowol’s left cheek and cheekbone where her blind spot was, but failed.

Jin Ja-gang’s hand, having used all his strength, dropped down as he completely lost consciousness.

“This… this…!”

Myowol raised her foot in rage. If she stomped down like that, Jin Ja-gang’s chest would be crushed.

Elder Bok-cheon threw his body and shoulder-checked Myowol. Myowol leaned back and hooked her arm under Elder Bok-cheon’s armpit, throwing him. Elder Bok-cheon’s body spun as he grabbed Jin Ja-gang’s collar. Holding Jin Ja-gang, he was thrown and rolled on the ground several times before barely getting his bearings and standing up.

“Cough!”

Elder Bok-cheon spat blood from his mouth again due to his pierced lung.

Myowol approached Elder Bok-cheon and Jin Ja-gang while emanating streams of killing intent.

Then.

Stumble.

Myowol’s legs swayed. Myowol’s expression became puzzled.

But I blocked the needles?

Myowol looked down at her hand. Her hand had turned black. Where she had been bitten, the flesh was rotting at the tooth marks.

Myowol slowly raised her head and looked at the unconscious Jin Ja-gang being held by Elder Bok-cheon. Myowol ground her teeth and roared like a beast.

“Ahhhhhh!”

Seeing this, Baek Li-jung decided not to linger here any longer. It was already too late. Having been hit by Jin Ja-gang’s poison, Myowol would be difficult to help now.

Baek Li-jung had also been delayed too long because of Jin Ja-gang.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong blocked Baek Li-jung’s path as he tried to leave.

“Running away? Who said they’d let you do that?”

Baek Li-jung glared at Dan Ryeong-gyeong and said.

“Don’t you want to save the kid and the Taoist?”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong flinched. It was a threat that if she blocked him to the end, he would kill Jin Ja-gang and Elder Bok-cheon first. Jin Ja-gang was unconscious and Elder Bok-cheon couldn’t breathe properly, in no condition to fight.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong bit her lips.

“You haven’t changed, then or now. Utterly despicable. You.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong stepped aside. Baek Li-jung mocked Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

“Don’t be pleased. I’ll come for your head soon enough. Your life is just extended by a very little.”

Baek Li-jung immediately used lightness skill to leap away and leave. He moved to personally deal with the Zhuge family warriors.

Elder Bok-cheon coughed and apologized to Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

“I’m ashamed. Because I was defeated.”

Not even a moment after Baek Li-jung went down, screams began to ring out. They sounded like the screams of Zhuge family warriors.

For the Qingcheng Sect disciples or Evil Sect members, they couldn’t stop Baek Li-jung. It would only increase meaningless sacrifices.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong shook her head.

“We can’t fight anymore either, so let’s retreat.”

When all the Zhuge family warriors died, next would be the turn of Qingcheng Sect and Shandong Evil Sect. They had to flee now.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong looked at Myowol.

“Ughhhhh…!”

Though Myowol was glaring with both eyes wide, she actually couldn’t move properly as she was busy blocking the vicious poison that had entered her body.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong shouted.

“Brothers! Retreat!”

Elder Bok-cheon also painfully whistled to signal Qingcheng Sect to flee.

When the Evil Sect members and Qingcheng Sect retreated, Mang Ryo and Baek Li-jung didn’t block them. They began massacring while chasing the Zhuge family warriors scattered in all directions.

The pitiful screams of Zhuge family warriors continued to ring out with increasing frequency.

* * *

Baek Li-jung wiped the blood on his Heavenly Vermillion Blade with a dead Zhuge family warrior’s clothes and sheathed it.

Limp, limp.

Mang Ryo, with blood all over both hands, approached Baek Li-jung.

“Done. All dealt with. Not one alive.”

Baek Li-jung looked at Mang Ryo with a hardened face, not even glancing at him. Strictly speaking, what should have ended easily had become a mess because of Mang Ryo alone, so his mood couldn’t be good.

Baek Li-jung quietly asked.

“There should be one more left.”

“Ah, right.”

Mang Ryo approached Myowol, who was sitting cross-legged fighting the poison. Myowol’s face alternated between red and pale as she circulated her energy.

“You’ve been hit by his poison. Let me help you.”

Myowol answered with rough breathing.

“Thank you…”

Mang Ryo placed his hand on the Mingmen acupoint below her spine. Mingmen was a very dangerous acupoint that couldn’t be carelessly exposed to just anyone. This showed how much Myowol trusted Mang Ryo.

However, Mang Ryo pretended to inject internal energy into Myowol’s Mingmen acupoint and then simply pierced through her back.

“Kugh!”

Myowol’s eyes widened. Mang Ryo’s hand penetrated through her spine and came out below her solar plexus. There was a large hole punched through her solar plexus area. Myowol swayed and fell forward, then raised her head to look at Mang Ryo. With her spine broken, she couldn’t exert strength in her legs or raise her upper body.

“You… why did you…”

Mang Ryo, dripping blood from his hand, spoke with a seemingly sad expression.

“I actually liked you very much, nun. But Mount Emei has now decided to help Poison Dragon, and if you remain, you’ll be a hindrance to both Mount Emei and Poison Dragon. Having to choose between Mount Emei and you, I had no choice.”

Myowol’s voice trembled.

“This poor nun… trusted you… believed we shared the same suffering…”