Chapter 308 – There's No Tiger's Den Like This (2)

"How dare you ignore the Martial Alliance's inspection and flee. If you thought you'd be safe after doing that, you're gravely mistaken."

"To despise the Martial Alliance."

The martial artists surrounded Jang Gyu-ho while shouting angrily. With more than ten martial artists, all radiating extraordinary presence, surrounding him, the atmosphere was truly murderous.

'Martial Alliance?'

Jong Ri-yeon showed a bewildered expression at the sudden situation. But that was only momentary, and she soon regained her composure and ran toward Jang Gyu-ho. Bang Jin-bo followed behind her.

"Wait a moment. What is the meaning of this?"

She spread her arms and blocked in front of Jang Gyu-ho.

The martial artists showed bewildered expressions for a moment at Jong Ri-yeon's sudden intrusion. But they soon flared up with anger and said:

"He is a criminal who fled without receiving inspection from the Martial Alliance."

"Criminal?"

"That's right."

The one who appeared to be the leader among the martial artists spoke confidently.

Jong Ri-yeon looked directly at his face and asked:

"Who are you?"

"I am Lim Hap-chu, Group Leader of the Fifth Group of the Martial Alliance's Outer Hall."

"Lim Hap-chu? You're saying you're a group leader of the Martial Alliance's Outer Hall?"

"That's right."

"What business does the Martial Alliance's Outer Hall have in Huayin County?"

At Jong Ri-yeon's provocative words, Lim Hap-chu's expression contorted. It was because the atmosphere Jong Ri-yeon gave off was extraordinary.

"Who are you?"

"I asked first. What business does the Martial Alliance have in Huayin County?"

"I told you. We came to catch a criminal."

"Criminal? Who?"

"This person."

Lim Hap-chu pointed at Jang Gyu-ho with his finger. Then Jang Gyu-ho desperately shook his head and said:

"I am not a criminal."

"Then why did you flee?"

"Didn't you try to steal my goods by being unreasonable?"

"Unreasonable? How dare you deny the Martial Alliance's actions?"

For a moment, Lim Hap-chu's face turned red. Then Jang Gyu-ho raised his voice even more:

"I already explained sufficiently to you. These are goods going to Mount Hua Sect. And didn't you confirm they were medicinal herbs? Then why are you trying to confiscate them?"

"How can I believe that you're a disciple of Mount Hua Sect?"

Lim Hap-chu's cheeks were trembling.

"I am certainly a lay disciple of Mount Hua Sect."

"Anyone can claim to be a lay disciple. How would I know if you're really a lay disciple of the fallen Mount Hua Sect? When I tried to verify that, you fled. I absolutely cannot forgive your insolence."

Lim Hap-chu's eyes were already bloodshot red.

Watching this, Jong Ri-yeon immediately understood what the situation was.

"He is definitely a lay disciple of Mount Hua Sect."

"Hmph! How can I believe that?"

"I am Jong Ri-yeon. Though embarrassed, I am called by the nickname Divine Doctor."

"Divine… Doctor Jong Ri-yeon?"

Lim Hap-chu's eyes trembled.

He too was a martial artist. As a martial artist, he couldn't not know Divine Doctor Jong Ri-yeon.

"Are you really the Divine Doctor?"

"That's right. She is indeed Divine Doctor Jong Ri-yeon."

Bang Jin-bo, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward and spoke. Then Lim Hap-chu said irritably:

"I cannot believe it."

"Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. What's important is that person is a lay disciple of Mount Hua Sect, and you dare to enter Mount Hua's territory and persecute Mount Hua's disciples."

"Damn!"

"Though Mount Hua Sect has closed its gates, isn't it overstepping authority for the Martial Alliance to invade this place, which is like an inner courtyard, and try to arrest lay disciples?"

Jong Ri-yeon's voice was very gentle. But it resonated clearly. Clear enough for people nearby who were watching this entire scene to hear.

A briefly bewildered light flashed across Lim Hap-chu's eyes.

He too knew he was being unreasonable. But this was also something he was doing under orders. He didn't know the reason, but since orders had come from above, he had no choice but to follow them.

Shake Mount Hua Sect.

That was the order Lim Hap-chu had received from above.

He raised his voice:

"Since it's come to this, let's all go to the Martial Alliance and settle this matter. Everyone follow me."

"Go to the Martial Alliance? You want us to go to Hunan Province, thousands of li away from Shaanxi Province?"

"That's right."

"You're really shameless. You come into Huayin County and that's what you say? Do you think that makes sense?"

"How dare you disregard the Martial Alliance's authority?"

"Who's disregarding the Martial Alliance's authority? Rather, you're the one disregarding Mount Hua's authority. No matter how much Mount Hua Sect has closed its gates, this is going too far. Did you send an official document to Mount Hua Sect before entering here? If not, then you've invaded Mount Hua's territory without permission."

"This woman's nonsense is remarkable. Anyone listening would think it's real. I don't need to hear any more. I'll escort even that woman to the Martial Alliance. Subdue them."

"Yes!"

The subordinates who had been quiet until now drew their weapons with their response. They pressured Jong Ri-yeon, Jang Gyu-ho, and others while pointing their weapons.

That's when it happened.

"You bastards! Who are you to point swords at Miss Divine Doctor?"

Suddenly someone jumped between them with an angry shout.

The white-haired old man was none other than Old Man Jang, Jang Gyu-ho's father. When he stepped forward, people who had only been watching until now came forward.

"What has the Martial Alliance ever done for us that you're causing trouble in Huayin County?"

"Those people are indeed disciples of Mount Hua Sect. Don't lay a hand on them."

It wasn't just one or two people. In an instant, a wall of humans was formed around Jong Ri-yeon, Jang Gyu-ho, and others.

This bewildered Lim Hap-chu and the Outer Hall martial artists. They hadn't expected so many people to step forward.

The eyes of Huayin County residents looking at them were full of hostility. They were people who had lived their entire lives under Mount Hua's shadow.

Though Mount Hua Sect had closed its gates now, their pride in Mount Hua Sect hadn't diminished one bit.

When Mount Hua Sect was thriving, no sect could cause such disturbances in Huayin County. Even the Martial Alliance had to maintain courtesy.

Because they remembered those times, their anger was immense.

Lim Hap-chu felt irritation surge up in an instant.

"How dare!"

He knew their anger was justified. He also had unavoidable reasons. But he didn't want to explain himself humbly to such lowly ignorant people.

He shouted at the people:

"If you don't all step back, I'll execute you in the name of the Martial Alliance."

"Hmph!"

But not a single person stepped back. At this, Lim Hap-chu's face turned even redder.

He shouted at his subordinates: "Those people are also accomplices. Give them all a good beating."

"Yes!"

The Outer Hall martial artists flared up with killing intent.

Though many people were blocking their way, they weren't afraid at all. They were all martial artists who had learned martial arts above a certain level. They were confident they could compete with disciples of other major sects without shame. Much less people who hadn't learned martial arts, no matter how many there were, couldn't frighten them.

"Attack!"

"Chaat!"

They deployed martial arts toward the people blocking their way. They had no intention to kill. But they planned to break an arm or leg to teach them a lesson.

Swish!

It was the moment their swords and sabers sharply cut through the air.

"Ha! This is really ridiculous."

With a quiet voice, Bang Jin-bo jumped between them. The Outer Hall martial artist, surprised by the sudden intrusion, shouted:

"Wh-what?"

"What do you mean what? This is Mount Hua Sect's Head Cook."

With a blunt answer, Bang Jin-bo's fist flew.

For a moment, the Outer Hall martial artist saw an illusion of plum blossoms scattering in the air.

Thump!

"Kereuk!"

With a scream, he was sent flying.

That was the beginning.

"Oh my!"

"Hureok!"

With screams, the Outer Hall martial artists fell one after another.

Just before falling to the ground, they all saw illusions of plum blossoms blooming in the air.

It was the Plum Blossom Fist.

The Plum Blossom Fist was the basic fist technique that all main mountain disciples of Mount Hua Sect learned. But its power was by no means weak.

Though it looked light like plum petals blown by wind, the Plum Blossom Fist had power as heavy as an iron mace.

The Plum Blossom Fist that Bang Jin-bo deployed properly utilized that power.

In an instant, five or six Outer Hall martial artists were rolling on the ground. With the situation like this, the Outer Hall martial artists who had been charging at people confidently became frightened and hesitated.

Lim Hap-chu's pupils shook.

"Who are you?"

"I told you. Mount Hua Sect's Head Cook."

"How dare you mock me? How could a mere cook have martial arts…"

"Is there a law saying cooks can't learn martial arts?"

Bang Jin-bo answered bluntly.

Mount Hua Sect had transmitted martial arts to Bang Jin-bo.

Dam Ho and Master Hyeon-so had modified the Five Elements Gentleman Technique that Bang Jin-bo had learned to be suitable for learning Mount Hua Sect's martial arts. Thanks to this, Bang Jin-bo could learn Mount Hua Sect's martial arts without restrictions.

Cold sweat ran down Lim Hap-chu's back.

He too was a martial artist who had learned martial arts. He couldn't not know that the Plum Blossom Fist Bang Jin-bo deployed inherited the orthodox lineage of Mount Hua Sect.

'Tsk!'

He thought the matter was getting bigger and bigger. But it was like riding a tiger. He had already mounted the tiger's back. He couldn't retreat now.

He raised his voice:

"Does Mount Hua Sect dare to interfere with the Martial Alliance's activities?"

"You keep repeating the same thing, mister! You're the one who invaded Mount Hua's territory without permission and caused trouble."

"Shut up."

"What good are ears if you don't try to listen?"

"How dare you insult me. I won't forgive you."

Lim Hap-chu drew his sword and charged.

Swish!

His sword sharply cut through the air. The killing intent contained within reached his skin.

Bang Jin-bo's complexion hardened. It was because the opponent's killing intent was real. Lim Hap-chu was really trying to kill him.

For a moment, Bang Jin-bo's gaze changed.

He could overlook things until now. But if the opponent really had killing intent and was trying to kill him, he absolutely couldn't forgive it.

Those who came with killing intent had to be met with the same killing intent.

That was a precious lesson he had learned from Dam Ho.

"Chaat!"

The short sword hanging at his waist was drawn. It was a kitchen knife used in cooking.

Swish!

Sword energy burst forth from the kitchen knife like firecrackers in succession. And the sword energy bloomed plum blossoms.

Lim Hap-chu's eyes opened wide.

"Pl-Plum Blossom Sword Technique?"

There was only one sword technique in the world that created plum blossoms with a sword.

Twenty-Four Step Plum Blossom Sword.

Bang Jin-bo deployed with a saber the sword technique that only Plum Blossom Sword Masters could learn. Its power was by no means inferior to the original Twenty-Four Step Plum Blossom Sword.

Clang clang clang!

"Kreuk!"

Lim Hap-chu, who had blocked the plum blossoms at first, eventually fell backward with a scream. Long wounds had formed on his chest and side, with blood flowing freely.

If Bang Jin-bo hadn't shown mercy in his attacks, his breath would have been cut off long ago.

"Kreuk!"

A groan flowed from Lim Hap-chu's mouth.

At this sight, the Outer Hall martial artists who were still standing froze. They hadn't expected that a young boy would defeat their group leader Lim Hap-chu in a single exchange.

"This can't be."

"The group leader in just one exchange…"

The prowess of the boy who called himself Mount Hua Sect's Head Cook was weighing down on their hearts.

Bang Jin-bo looked down at them and said:

"Mount Hua is not weak enough or soft enough for you to look down upon. No one is allowed to despise Mount Hua. Even if the target is the Martial Alliance."

"Ugh!"

"Take these people and get out."

Bang Jin-bo's voice resonated thunderously throughout Huayin County.

The Outer Hall martial artists supported the fallen ones and hurriedly left Huayin County. It was the moment when Bang Jin-bo's three-character name was deeply engraved in their minds.

It wasn't just the Martial Alliance's martial artists. All the martial artists who had secretly entered Huayin County were repeating Bang Jin-bo's name.

Mount Hua Sect's Head Cook Bang Jin-bo.

He was finally revealing his name to the forefront of martial world history.

Sim Hak distorted his face and asked.

“I heard Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect sided with Poison Dragon. Was that your doing?”

“Well, you could say that.”

Sim Hak asked in a sharp voice.

“Good. So what’s this method you’re talking about? What exactly is it that makes you so confident?”

Mang-ryo chuckled again and answered.

“Taking sides.”

“What? That’s not working right now! They can’t give definite answers about being on our side, so what are we supposed to do?”

Mang-ryo smiled and asked Sim Hak.

“When regional lords compete for hegemony, what’s the most important point?”

“Of course it’s legitimacy.”

“Exactly, legitimacy! If you grasp that legitimacy, you’re halfway there.”

Sim Hak snorted.

“The martial alliance leader isn’t a king’s position. Master Haewol was originally elected by joint recommendation of various sects, so what legitimacy are you talking about?”

“So ultimately, what matters for those who want to become martial alliance leader is who can make more sects their allies, right? That’s how recommendations gain strength.”

“That’s right.”

“The method to make those wavering between joining us or not is simple. Give them justification to join our side without hesitation.”

“How do you give justification? And strictly speaking, Master Haewol’s legitimacy is closer to Yangtze River Sword Sect. Wudang Sect with power comparable to Shaolin Temple, Namgung family which is the strongest among martial world families. As long as those two remain with Yangtze River Sword Sect, it’s difficult for others to claim Master Haewol’s legitimacy.”

“We just insist we have legitimacy.”

“…!”

Sim Hak stared at Mang-ryo incredulously. He almost cursed him as a madman.

“No, this person… there are other things to insist on… Would others believe it just because we insist? Everyone clearly knows Yangtze River Sword Sect originated from Master Haewol’s hands?”

Mang-ryo smiled with the corners of his mouth raised long.

“Wudang Sect, Namgung family. With just these two, it’s no exaggeration to say they have the greatest military power of orthodox sects. But why did Master Haewol try to create a new framework despite having orthodox sects’ greatest military power?”

Sim Hak’s head became complicated.

“Was he dissatisfied?”

“Something must have been dissatisfying. That’s why he kept the sword pavilion master close until now. Though not anymore.”

Mang-ryo looked at Sim Hak and Baek Li-jung in turn and asked.

“Now, before we start, there’s one thing to confirm.”

“Speak.”

“Our goal is martial alliance leader. But Master Haewol is still alive. At the last moment, Master Haewol might change his mind. What will you do then?”

Sim Hak’s face turned pale.

“This crazy! N, n, now you’re saying that as if…”

Then, sharp killing intent filled the office. The source of the killing intent was Baek Li-jung.

Sim Hak hunched his shoulders and trembled.

Baek Li-jung’s eyes glinted like a beast.

Mang-ryo didn’t need to confirm. That answer was already sufficient.

“Good to be certain.”

Mang-ryo said.

“They say Poison Dragon has appeared in Chongqing. Yangtze River Sword Sect was active in Jiangxi, right? Let’s shake up Yangtze River Sword Sect first.”

* * *

Baek Li-jung proclaimed to the martial world in the name of Azure Dragon Great Sword Pavilion:

Fellow practitioners must already know that Master Haewol, martial alliance leader and patriarch of orthodox martial arts, was attacked by those with ulterior motives.

Since then, the Martial Alliance’s Guizhou branch was annihilated by demonic cult attacks, and unorthodox forces shook Sichuan. The orthodox martial arts that have protected righteous energy for a thousand years now face their greatest crisis.

This is truly regrettable and concerning.

As one orthodox practitioner hoping for the martial world’s peace, how can I just stand by and watch!

Therefore, I proclaim: I will establish the Righteousness Association with like-minded heroes to uphold Master Haewol’s righteousness.

Until Master Haewol fully recovers from his injuries and returns to his proper position, our Righteousness Association will inherit his will without any personal agenda, eradicating evil, protecting justice, and defending orthodox martial arts.

Righteous heroes! Come to the Righteousness Association!

The Righteousness Association is the hope for protecting orthodox martial arts, and uniting as one is the only way to fight against demonic heretics. Never forget this truth!

The martial world stirred.

Righteousness Association!

Baek Li-jung was one of the top masters of the martial world, having defeated Qingcheng Sect’s Shadowless Venerable among the “One Person Under Heaven, Two Unmatched, Three Paths, Two Kings.” Though taking a hit from that youngster Poison Dragon was somewhat of a flaw, he remained the head of Azure Dragon Great Sword Pavilion, the Martial Alliance’s military organization.

Moreover, Baek Li-jung quickly absorbed even White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion, which lacked a leader. He exploited the situation where a new head of White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion couldn’t be appointed due to the martial alliance leader’s absence.

Based on massive military organizations, Baek Li-jung began absorbing small and medium sects rather than large sects to build up the Righteousness Association’s size.

* * *

Word spread in Chongqing that Poison Dragon was looking for stolen goods from Iron Umbrella Sect.

Not only those coveting Jin Ja-gang’s wealth but even those watching him flocked to Chongqing.

In this process, Iron Umbrella Sect’s stolen goods came in frequently.

Occasionally, some brazen individuals brought non-stolen items and tried to make demands, but Jin Ja-gang accepted even those.

However, there had been no meaningful progress so far.

Then.

A middle-aged man in silk clothes with a gaunt appearance came to see Jin Ja-gang.

Like most who brought Iron Umbrella Sect’s stolen goods, the middle-aged man met Jin Ja-gang alone in a room. There he produced a thin booklet.

The middle-aged man said.

“This is a transaction ledger of goods entering Iron Umbrella Sect’s manor.”

Jin Ja-gang’s eyes lit up with interest. Finally, one of the things he was looking for had come.

“Would you like to gamble?”

“I usually enjoy gambling, but today doesn’t seem like the time.”

“Then what do you want?”

“I’m Wang Mo from Gangwoo Trading Company. I was simply asked to deliver this booklet to Young Master.”

“By whom?”

“If you want to know, how about taking the booklet and coming to meet them with me?”

He said “them.”

Even if this was a trap, he couldn’t avoid meeting them.

“Understood.”

Jin Ja-gang left the wealth with Yeong-woon and others and headed to the adjacent room with Merchant Wang.

In the adjacent room, two people in their thirties, a man and woman, were waiting.

“You really came!”

They seemed to have learned some martial arts but were ordinary people.

Merchant Wang introduced Jin Ja-gang.

“Here is Poison Dragon.”

“I’m Jin Ja-gang.”

The woman looked at Jin Ja-gang and asked.

“You’re called Poison Dragon? Are you really a descendant of medicine sects, Young Master?”

“I’m from Hundred Flower Valley.”

The man exclaimed.

“Ah, I remember. Hundred Flower Valley. Right. I’ve met Elder Son before.”

Jin Ja-gang was quite surprised that they knew his maternal grandfather Son Wi-hak.

The man and woman introduced themselves.

“We’re also from medicine sect branches. She’s from Original Flower Sect, and I’m from Red Medicine Sect, both from Jiangxi medicine sects.”

Their pleased expressions seemed genuine.

But he couldn’t trust them based on words alone.

“Why did you want to see me?”

The woman from Original Flower Gate answered.

“We had to meet Young Master. To confirm if you’re really from medicine sects.”

The man from Red Medicine Sect answered.

“And it’s not just us but more medicine sect survivors. They’re all living in hiding.”

Knowing Jin Ja-gang wasn’t letting his guard down, the woman said.

“Young Master Jin. You can’t believe us right now, but if you know who’s backing us, you’ll be able to believe. There are those caring for not just us but medicine sect survivors.”

“Where is that?”

The woman hesitated briefly then said firmly.

“Yangtze River Sword Sect.”

Jin Ja-gang listened calmly, but inwardly couldn’t help being surprised.

Wasn’t Yangtze River Sword Sect the confidant of martial alliance leader Master Haewol!

He couldn’t shake off a strange feeling.

The man said.

“If Master Wang here hadn’t introduced us to Yangtze River Sword Sect, all medicine sect survivors would have died at poison sects’ hands by now.”

The woman said.

“Gangwoo Trading Company is based in Jiangxi and had dealings with not only our medicine sects but Yangtze River Sword Sect. Thanks to that, when that incident happened, we received help and could escape to Yangtze River Sword Sect.”

The two thanked Merchant Wang once more. Merchant Wang slightly shook his head.

“No. As a trading company, we couldn’t ignore Jiangxi medicine sects we’d long traded with. That was also the company head’s will, and thanks to Yangtze River Sword Sect members sharing that intention.”

If Yangtze River Sword Sect, Master Haewol’s confidant, was helping medicine sects, did that mean Master Haewol was helping medicine sects?

Jin Ja-gang had many thoughts. It was difficult to answer or decide anything immediately.

The man said.

“We’ll introduce you to Yangtze River Sword Sect’s righteous people, so meet them.”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“I understand the Martial Alliance is pursuing me. Isn’t Yangtze River Sword Sect an organization formed by Martial Alliance member sects?”

“Of course it is. But they’re very interested in you. They don’t want to meet you to harm you.”

But Jin Ja-gang didn’t give a definite answer about meeting Yangtze River Sword Sect.

“I wonder why they didn’t come directly.”

The man and woman made troubled expressions.

“Because Young Master caused a bigger commotion than expected. Countless eyes are watching the gambling den. Moreover, in times like these with the martial alliance leader absent, if Yangtze River Sword Sect’s contact with you is revealed, they’ll be in great trouble. That’s why we had to go through such complicated steps.”

“You’re the rising star most talked about in the martial world these days. There are many who are very hostile to you, as well as those trying to recruit you. Either way, you’re being watched.”

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“Is Yangtze River Sword Sect trying to recruit me?”

“I can’t say precisely, but they seem to want to know your purpose. If your intentions align, they think it could be helpful.”

“I have no reason to hide my purpose. I intend to reveal the full truth behind medicine sects’ bloodshed and take revenge for my sect.”

The woman persuaded Jin Ja-gang.

“Then all the more reason to meet Yangtze River Sword Sect. They know more information than us. They’re also working to uncover the secrets behind medicine sects’ bloodshed. That booklet sent to you is also one of the evidence pieces obtained by Yangtze River Sword Sect.”

Merchant Wang said.

“Yangtze River Sword Sect consists of heroes doing righteous work. If your intentions match, they’ll be great help to you, Young Master.”

Jin Ja-gang didn’t decide immediately.

Nothing in this world is free. If you receive something, you must give something. He couldn’t know what Yangtze River Sword Sect wanted from him.

“Could you give me time to think?”

“Several heroes from Yangtze River Sword Sect are currently in Chongqing, but they can’t stay long. When decided, please contact Master Wang from Gangwoo Trading Company here.”

Was this a trap, or a new opportunity?

Jin Ja-gang decided to examine the booklet and ask Yeong-woon and others about Yangtze River Sword Sect first, returning to the original room.

Yeong-woon’s Wudang Sect was also one of the sects that had joined Yangtze River Sword Sect.