Chapter 285 – Green Is the Same Color, But It Can Also Play Separately (1)

Nun Eun-yeop's pupils trembled.

Her eyes were filled with the image of Dam Ho. Standing there covered in the blood of Tang Il-rang and the Soulless Wolves, Dam Ho hardly looked like a human being.

"Where on earth did someone like him come from?"

Thick veins bulged on the back of her hand that held the Buddhist whisk, but Nun Eun-yeop didn't even notice. Her entire body was covered in goosebumps.

'A demon.'

This was the thought that filled her mind.

Dam Ho, who had slaughtered the martial artists of the Tang Sect, a renowned righteous sect, did not appear to be a normal human being.

Suddenly, her eyes met Dam Ho's.

The moment she saw his gaze, she flinched. The chief disciple of the Emei Sect, a renowned righteous sect, had been intimidated by merely meeting his eyes. Nun Eun-yeop couldn't accept this fact.

"Who are you?"

She deliberately raised her voice. She even infused it with her internal energy to avoid appearing intimidated.

Standing straight, raising her aura, she unleashed a thunderous voice.

"How dare you kill martial artists of the Tang Sect in Sichuan Province? How can you disregard the code of the martial world?"

It was a display of dignity befitting the chief disciple of the Emei Sect.

Her shout, infused with profound internal energy, echoed throughout the street. Even those who had fled far away from the midnight commotion trembled at her voice.

The problem was Dam Ho. He was not someone who would be swayed by her lion's roar.

Despite hearing Nun Eun-yeop's thunderous voice, his expression remained unchanged. Like an emotionless statue, Dam Ho stood motionless, amplifying Nun Eun-yeop's anxiety.

Thick beads of sweat rolled down her back, soaking her clothes.

"Master."

Jung So-cheon and So Yul-hee, standing beside her, looked at her with anxious expressions. They too had been intimidated by Dam Ho's overwhelming presence.

They had grown up under the protection of the massive Emei Sect. Where would such sheltered individuals have seen such a horrific scene before? They had completely forgotten the possibility that the Tang Sect martial artists killed by Dam Ho might be poison people. Dam Ho's martial prowess and appearance were that shocking.

Nun Eun-yeop needed to be a pillar for them. She could not show any sign of wavering. So she pressed even harder.

"Answer me. Who are you?"

"…"

"Are you deliberately ignoring the Emei Sect?"

Nun Eun-yeop was afraid of Dam Ho. But she believed in the name of the Emei Sect.

The illustrious reputation of the Emei Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects and one of the three major powers in Sichuan Province.

"I don't know why you attacked the Tang Sect martial artists, but if you come with me to the Emei Sect, I will ensure you receive a fair trial."

"…"

In that moment, Dam Ho's eyes narrowed. Suddenly, the air within a radius of several dozen jang around Dam Ho turned cold, as if winter had arrived.

Shiver!

Nun Eun-yeop trembled at the sudden chill. Her instincts were warning her of danger.

'I should retreat.'

Though her mind whispered this, her pride held her back.

That's when Dam Ho spoke for the first time.

"The Emei Sect, you say?"

"That's right!"

"Are you in league with the Tang Sect?"

"What?"

Nun Eun-yeop was about to flare up. But the moment she saw Dam Ho's eyes staring at her, she couldn't.

'I'll die.'

In Dam Ho's eyes, she saw a vision of her own death. The extreme sense of crisis had triggered a foresight beyond mere premonition.

Only then did Nun Eun-yeop realize.

The man before her didn't care much about names like the Tang Sect or the Emei Sect.

To him, what mattered was whether someone was an enemy or not, not hollow names like the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families.

Only then did the veil of prejudice covering Nun Eun-yeop's eyes fly away, and she saw Dam Ho clearly.

Disheveled black hair, black windbreaker robe-what she had missed was Dam Ho's leg.

Though she hadn't noticed it when he was facing the Tang Sect martial artists, he was clearly limping slightly.

In that moment, the title of the most dangerous figure in the current martial world flashed in her mind.

"Fist… Demon?"

"…"

Dam Ho didn't answer. But because of this, Nun Eun-yeop was even more convinced that he was the Fist Demon.

"But you were supposed to be in seclusion at Mount Hua."

For the past three years, the fact that Dam Ho had not left Mount Hua was known throughout the world. The same was true for Nun Eun-yeop and the Emei Sect.

In their minds, they had the preconception that Dam Ho would remain in seclusion at Mount Hua and not come out. That's why they failed to recognize him despite seeing his most distinctive characteristic.

Dam Ho took a step toward Nun Eun-yeop. His slight limp was visible.

It had become his trademark.

Everyone in the world now knew how those who had underestimated or belittled him because of that limping appearance had met their end.

-If you see a man in black clothes with a limp, be extremely cautious, and pay attention two or three times over. He might be the Fist Demon.

This was the legend of the Fist Demon that had spread throughout the martial world.

Nun Eun-yeop could no longer maintain her composure. From the moment she realized the man before her was Dam Ho, the strength left her legs, and she could barely stand.

"I asked you. Are you in league with the Tang Sect?"

A low voice, rumbling like a beast from deep within his chest, ominously penetrated Nun Eun-yeop's eardrums.

Nun Eun-yeop bit her lip firmly, realizing that the fate of the Emei Sect depended on her answer.

"Master."

Jung So-cheon and So Yul-hee looked at her with anxious expressions. They too didn't know whether they should consider Dam Ho an enemy based on Nun Eun-yeop's answer.

While Jung So-cheon was trying to maintain her composure, the younger So Yul-hee couldn't hide her fearful expression.

She had no idea that the man she had approached so warmly yesterday was such a terrifying person. Like a day-old puppy not knowing to fear a tiger, that's exactly what she had done.

'How did I appear in his eyes?'

So Yul-hee trembled, realizing she had stepped to the gates of the underworld and back.

At that moment, Nun Eun-yeop struggled to speak.

"The Emei Sect is not on anyone's side."

"You're saying you're not on the Tang Sect's side?"

"That's right. Our Emei Sect is on the side of justice."

"How ridiculous."

At Dam Ho's single remark, cracks appeared on Nun Eun-yeop's face. She tried to make excuses several times, her lips moving, but no voice came out.

Finally, Dam Ho stood before her. Nun Eun-yeop was pinned down by Dam Ho's aura, unable to move.

Nun Eun-yeop smelled the scent of a beast from Dam Ho. The raw, primal scent that only those who had torn apart living beings and survived could possess.

Only then did Nun Eun-yeop realize that Dam Ho was fundamentally different from her.

'Not just a difference in caliber… but in species. This man…'

Nun Eun-yeop gritted her teeth. Blood flowed from her gums, but she didn't even notice.

The focus in her eyes was fading. The raw, fierce killing intent emanating from Dam Ho was consuming her reason.

"S-stop it."

Unable to bear the pressure, Jung So-cheon unconsciously drew her sword. She instinctively realized that if she continued to be consumed by Dam Ho's presence, her mind would collapse.

Dam Ho's gaze turned to Jung So-cheon. Her sky-blue eyes were visible. Though filled with fear, there was still fighting spirit in her eyes. It was quite different from Nun Eun-yeop, whose mind had partially collapsed.

But that was all. It was difficult to expect more.

That's when it happened.

"Sigh! Hero Dam. I think it's better if I speak."

Eum Yu-kyung, who had been watching, stepped forward.

Though she wasn't pleased with the Emei Sect's stance, she couldn't just watch them become crippled or die at Dam Ho's hands.

Dam Ho briefly furrowed his brow. The disciples of the Emei Sect watched with bated breath. It was clear that their fate would be determined by Dam Ho's decision.

At Eum Yu-kyung's earnest gaze, Dam Ho took a step back. Only then did the formidable pressure crushing the three people disappear.

"Haaah!"

Nun Eun-yeop finally released the breath she had been holding. The same was true for Jung So-cheon and So Yul-hee.

Eum Yu-kyung looked at them and said:

"As you can see, the Tang Sect has created poison people. The fact that the Tang Sect, a renowned righteous sect, has created poison people is a significant issue that could incur the wrath of the entire martial world. Surely the Emei Sect doesn't intend to overlook this?"

"That's not it. But…"

Nun Eun-yeop desperately shook her head.

"But what?"

"The Tang Sect must have had their reasons. The Tang Sect is the spiritual pillar of Sichuan Province. Though they occasionally engage in political matters, they still advocate for the righteous path."

"Just because they advocate for the righteous path doesn't mean they always walk the right path. People with human faces but beast hearts can be found anywhere."

"That's…"

"I don't want to explain further to the Emei Sect. I just want to say, consider the circumstances carefully. Don't just say we're wrong without thinking."

Eum Yu-kyung's voice was very calm. But it carried an irresistible pressure and strength.

Nun Eun-yeop was overwhelmed by Eum Yu-kyung's demeanor.

"Please judge wisely. And I hope you make the right decision."

"Alright. Let's say, giving you the benefit of the doubt a hundred times over, we overlook this matter. But the Tang Sect will never stay quiet."

"Is that all you can say?"

"What?"

"Giving the benefit of the doubt a hundred times over? You shouldn't say such things. You're the chief disciple of the Emei Sect. One of the Nine Great Sects and a spiritual pillar of Sichuan Province. If, as you say, the Emei Sect only looks at justice, you shouldn't be concerned about the Tang Sect's reaction. Don't you agree?"

"…"

Nun Eun-yeop trembled. She lowered her head.

She had nothing to say. Eum Yu-kyung's words had stirred the conscience deep within her heart that she had been ignoring.

Numerous thoughts flashed through her mind.

The Emei Sect, the Qincheng Sect, the Tang Sect.

Three sects, each powerful enough to be a dominant force in other regions, were all concentrated in Sichuan Province.

Sometimes they opposed each other, sometimes they united, and that's how they coexisted in Sichuan Province.

After centuries of rubbing against each other, they had influenced and been influenced by each other, gradually becoming the same color.

Given these circumstances, it had become routine to understand and speak for each other in most matters. That's why, even when seeing poison people, she had convinced herself that there must be a good reason.

"Hah!"

Nun Eun-yeop let out a sigh.

Only then did she realize what her problem was. And she opened her eyes.

When Nun Eun-yeop opened her eyes, Dam Ho and Eum Yu-kyung were no longer in front of her.

"Where are they?"

"They left."

The one who answered was Jung So-cheon.

While Nun Eun-yeop had closed her eyes and was lost in thought, Dam Ho and Eum Yu-kyung had left. But Jung So-cheon didn't dare to try to stop them.

"I made a big mistake."

"Master?"

"They were right. I should have been more concerned about the fact that the Tang Sect created poison people rather than questioning them. I'm ashamed to face you."

"No, that's not true."

Jung So-cheon shook her head. So Yul-hee did the same.

So Yul-hee muttered, looking in the direction where Dam Ho had disappeared:

"The Fist Demon… I never imagined. That he was such a terrifying person."

She trembled.

"Not just you. I thought the same. They say the martial world is vast, and extraordinary individuals are as numerous as grains of sand. That saying is true."

"What if he harbors ill will toward our Emei Sect?"

So Yul-hee looked at Jung So-cheon and Nun Eun-yeop with a worried expression.

Nun Eun-yeop let out a sigh.

"We must try to handle this well, even now."

"How?"

Jung So-cheon asked with a puzzled expression.

"First, let's gather the bodies of the Tang Sect martial artists. Then we need to contact our sect. The Sect Leader will make a decision."

"So we're postponing the search for the missing people?"

"We have to. This is more urgent."

That's when it happened.

"Look at that."

So Yul-hee pointed at the bodies. As Nun Eun-yeop and Jung So-cheon looked in the direction she was pointing, their eyes widened.

Hissss!

The bodies of the Tang Sect martial artists were melting, emitting a pungent poisonous smoke. Their bodies were rapidly turning into poisonous blood and disappearing without a trace, and the three people stared blankly at the scene.

The man screamed as if crying.

“I answered everything you asked, why…!”

“I’m grateful for that.”

Jin Ja-gang bit his molars tight and put internal energy into the Soul Seizing Thread, pulling it. The Soul Seizing Thread was pulled through the man’s body.

Thud.

His neck and fingers were severed and rolled on the ground.

Black Scale Blade spat blood and looked at Jin Ja-gang.

“Are you planning to kill all of us?”

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“Ten years ago, did you participate in the bloodshed between the Poison Sect and Medicine Sect?”

Black Scale Blade smiled bloodily.

“I did. I bathed in the blood of Medicine Sect bastards. I’d never been so excited in my life.”

“The Iron Umbrella Sect leader said that the Poison Sect attacking the Medicine Sect was unavoidable. Do you know anything about that?”

“No. Such things are commonplace in the martial world. The strong live and the weak die. Iron Umbrella Sect was a frontier sect in Yunnan, what power could it have had? If they wanted to live, they had to do as ordered.”

“Who gave the orders?”

Black Scale Blade spat bloody saliva and cursed.

“Go to hell and find out, you murderer. Do you think I’ll say even one word to the bastard who killed my sworn brother?”

“Who is your sworn brother?”

“The Iron Umbrella Sect leader.”

Jin Ja-gang walked toward Black Scale Blade.

“You don’t know which force was behind him?”

“Don’t waste your effort. Even if you pull out my fingers and slice my feet, you won’t hear a single word from my mouth.”

“If you knew who it was, you couldn’t have waited here with that level of skill.”

Black Scale Blade’s face contorted.

“Don’t look down on me. Do you know who I am!”

Jin Ja-gang looked directly at Black Scale Blade and said.

“I’ll say it again, even if you know who it is, you cannot take revenge. You will not leave this place alive.”

Black Scale Blade’s face contorted to the extreme at Jin Ja-gang’s chilling words.

“So what are you saying?”

“If you’re bitter about being used and abandoned, I’ll continue in your place.”

Black Scale Blade raised his internal energy and shouted.

“Stop your nonsense!”

Black Scale Blade pulled out his embedded cleaver and threw it at Jin Ja-gang.

“Die!”

Blade energy poured from Black Scale Blade’s cleaver.

Jin Ja-gang built internal energy raised through Mad Blood Heaven Cultivation in five dikes, creating Vortex Rush.

Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art Fifth Light.

Internal energy nearly approaching that of Fairy Maiden Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

Fountain Bullet!

Finger wind shot from his thumb struck the cleaver’s side from an angle.

Clang!

The cleaver’s blade energy shattered, a hole pierced through the center, and the cleaver vibrated wildly. Black Scale Blade’s grip was torn. Black Scale Blade dropped his cleaver and threw a punch.

Jin Ja-gang received Black Scale Blade’s punch with the back of his hand. This was Jin Ja-gang who had fought with grappling techniques against masters counted among the best throughout the entire martial world in Sichuan. That experience could never be ignored. Jin Ja-gang received Black Scale Blade’s punch with Touch-Link-Follow and deflected it as is.

Black Scale Blade’s upper body leaned back and swayed.

“Ugh!”

Jin Ja-gang struck Black Scale Blade’s exposed chest with his left hand.

Capturing Dragon Crusher.

Hand techniques that improved Drilling Dragon Claw to match Jin Ja-gang’s fighting style.

Crunch!

Jin Ja-gang’s five left fingers embedded in Black Scale Blade’s chest. They pierced flesh and broke bone. Black Scale Blade’s movement stopped. Black Scale Blade could feel Jin Ja-gang’s fingers embedded in his heart.

Jin Ja-gang said.

“You came this far for revenge for the Iron Umbrella Sect leader, but those who used Iron Umbrella Sect abandoned you without taking revenge. If they had wanted revenge, I wouldn’t be alive.”

“So you’ll take revenge for us? You’re the enemy, so you’ll take revenge on yourself?”

Black Scale Blade laughed incredulously and blood flowed from his mouth.

Jin Ja-gang shook his head.

“It’s not me. I came to take revenge for myself, my sect, and the Yunnan Medicine Sect. I can’t take your revenge, but I’ll make those who used the Yunnan Poison Sect and Iron Umbrella Sect pay the price.”

“Those who used Yunnan, you say. Kekeke. Are you trying to persuade me now by claiming to be from Yunnan?”

Black Scale Blade spat curses.

“Crazy bastard.”

“Decide.”

Black Scale Blade, who had been silently glaring at Jin Ja-gang, said.

“You’re right. If I couldn’t beat you, how could I take revenge on them?”

Jin Ja-gang listened quietly. Black Scale Blade continued.

“I don’t know who they are. But the stolen goods were sold through Old Man Oh in Gubuk Village.”

“Old Man Oh.”

“They don’t know that fact. So handle the rest yourself.”

Black Scale Blade forcefully pulled his body backward. Blood spurted from the five holes in his chest.

Thump, Black Scale Blade knelt and smiled bloodily.

“You killed Silent Dragon and Swift Dragon… A dragon has emerged from Yunnan.”

Black Scale Blade soon fell forward and died.

Jin Ja-gang looked at the remaining trembling men but left Iron Umbrella Sect’s manor without touching them. If they weren’t Iron Umbrella Sect warriors, there was no reason to kill them.

Gubuk Village was a day’s distance from here.

* * *

Gubuk Village wasn’t a large village. However, it was situated alongside a large waterway with terrain that could connect in all directions. Large markets would open periodically, drawing people by boat.

The stolen goods were likely also disposed of on market days.

When Jin Ja-gang arrived at Gubuk Village, no market was open.

Jin Ja-gang went around asking about Old Man Oh.

However, while the villagers responded kindly, they clammed up whenever Old Man Oh was mentioned.

But while passing along a road, someone suddenly spoke as if to themselves from the roadside.

“Why is Poison Dragon looking for me?”

Jin Ja-gang stopped walking and turned to see an old man sitting under a wall, leisurely smoking a long pipe while looking at Jin Ja-gang. Jin Ja-gang looked at the old man and said.

“Fourth time seeing you. Are you Old Man Oh?”

He was a small-bodied, ordinary-looking country old man. His eyes were also cloudy and his teeth sparse and missing.

“Fourth time? You’ve been watching all that?”

“When I first entered the village sitting in a tea house, at the wharf when I looked around the market, behind me when I asked directions from a pockmarked woman, and on the neighboring porch when I entered this alley.”

“Hoho.”

The old man’s eyes gleamed with admiration.

“The rumors about Poison Dragon weren’t false. Right. I’m Oh Tae. Others call me Old Master Oh. Call me whatever’s comfortable.”

“I’m looking for stolen goods that came from Iron Umbrella Sect.”

Oh Tae’s expression slightly hardened. He tapped out his pipe and refilled it with tobacco, lighting it.

Puff.

Blowing out smoke, Oh Tae said.

“Speaking of which, I heard strange fellows went around collecting items from ruined Poison Sects. Do you know who they are?”

“I don’t know.”

“They’re probably not from here. No one came looking for this place.”

Oh Tae showed his yellow teeth in a grin.

“What Gubuk does is, it’s Yunnan’s largest black market.”

“Black market…”

An underworld marketplace where all sorts of deals are made. From human flesh to stolen goods, all illegal transactions take place.

Gubuk Village served as such a black market.

“When money gathers, people gather, and when people gather, goods gather. This place has brothels that only operate on market days, and gambling dens. Stolen goods from all over Yunnan are also disposed of then.”

“I see. Thank you for the detailed explanation.”

“What. If I didn’t tell you, who knows what would happen to me.”

Oh Tae grinned again.

“You’re fine even after inhaling my poison smoke, so what can we do against Poison Dragon?”

The smoke from Oh Tae’s pipe contained poison. It smelled fragrantly of tobacco but had paralysis poison mixed in.

Of course, it didn’t work on Jin Ja-gang. Jin Ja-gang had known it was poison smoke from the start, but since it had no major effect anyway, he had left it alone.

Oh Tae tapped out the poison tobacco into an iron case and sealed it.

“Just hearing Poison Dragon was coming, half the young ones here are already scared. You don’t seem to know, but your reputation is widespread.”

“Isn’t it infamy?”

“Of course it’s infamy. What good deeds have you done to want to be called a chivalrous hero?”

Oh Tae scolded as if incredulous.

Jin Ja-gang had continuously met only opponents stronger than himself, so he hadn’t had the chance to directly feel his reputation. But in reality, in the martial world, Poison Dragon was almost like the name of death’s messenger.

He had swept through Yunnan’s five major Poison Sects, set fire to the Tang family’s heart in Sichuan, and was the first to break the Zhuge family’s death warrant. Moreover, he had killed three of the Three Dragons Four Phoenixes, the family’s later-stage masters.

It was a situation where his name couldn’t help but become known.

“But unlike the rumors, you seem like a friend with manners. Follow me.”

Oh Tae walked ahead with his back hunched and hands behind his back. Jin Ja-gang followed Oh Tae into a shabby building. The outside was a shabby three-story pavilion that looked ready to collapse, but the inside was surprisingly clean.

“This is my business place.”

Inside were several fierce-looking young men whose eyes were full of wariness as they looked at Jin Ja-gang.

Oh Tae stamped his feet.

“Cowardly bastards. Move quickly and set up the board.”

The young men busily moved to bring tables and chairs. Oh Tae sat on one side and offered Jin Ja-gang the opposite side. Jin Ja-gang sat across from him.

“You said you want to know where Iron Umbrella Sect’s stolen goods went?”

“That’s right.”

“I can’t just tell you.”

“But I don’t know how to gamble.”

“It’s fine. It’s a very simple picture matching game.”

“I understand. What do you want?”

“Let’s make a deal. If you don’t like it, you can kill everyone here, including me, and leave.”

“That won’t happen. Probably.”

Oh Tae chuckled and laid out tiles in front.

They were square tiles made of ivory, yellowed from long use. The backs were red and the insides were white. On the white side were various pictures including birds, flowers, insects, mountains, and trees drawn in cursive style.

“Look carefully at the pictures on the tiles.”

Oh Tae selected four tiles from among those with various pictures. He flipped the tiles to show their patterns.

Flower, fish, bird, deer.

After showing the patterns, Oh Tae flipped them face down to hide them. Then he began shuffling them with his hands.

“The rules are simple. While I shuffle the tiles three times, you need to guess what I’ll flip. If you do, you win, and I’ll tell you how the stolen goods were disposed of.”

“What do I do if I lose?”

“Just go as you are. Leave here as if nothing happened. How about it? Can you keep that promise? Of course, even if you don’t, there’s no one who can stop you. But you’ll never be able to find out where the stolen goods went.”

Jin Ja-gang nodded in agreement.

“Let’s try.”

“Now, watch carefully. I’ll shuffle the tiles then flip one.”

Oh Tae shuffled them around and flipped one tile.

It was the bird pattern.

“Can you guess the rest?”

Jin Ja-gang pointed to the remaining three tiles and said.

“In order, fish, deer, flower.”

Oh Tae flipped the tiles. They came out exactly as Jin Ja-gang said.

“Hoho. You do have good eyes.”

Oh Tae flipped the tiles back and shuffled them again.

This time Oh Tae flipped the bird and fish tiles.

Jin Ja-gang guessed the remaining two.

“In order, flower, deer.”

Oh Tae opened the remaining two tiles to confirm.

“Hoho, excellent. You got them all right. Then this is the last time.”

Oh Tae shuffled the tiles and slowly flipped them one by one. But he opened as many as three tiles.

Fish, bird, flower.

And he pointed to the one tile that wasn’t flipped. It had to be the deer picture. Jin Ja-gang looked at Oh Tae, wondering what this meant. Oh Tae was grinning broadly.

“Now, guess.”

“Deer.”

Oh Tae smiled and flipped the tile. A single dragonfly was drawn on it.

Jin Ja-gang couldn’t believe his eyes. It wasn’t sleight of hand, and it didn’t seem like he had shuffled quickly or used tricks.

“Most martial artists think they can see through any trickery if they enhance their eyesight.”

Oh Tae erased his smiling expression, changed to a fierce look, and sneered.

“You were wrong, so get lost as promised.”