Chapter 309 – There's No Tiger's Den Like This (3)

"Hmm!"

Deung Gwan-yeol's eyes trembled.

The dozen or so martial artists standing behind him also had the same expression. It was because the martial prowess of the boy they had observed from afar was so shocking.

"A cook?"

The boy had revealed himself as Mount Hua Sect's Head Cook. And the martial prowess he had shown was truly shocking.

Those he had faced were martial artists belonging to the Martial Alliance's Outer Hall. The Martial Alliance's Outer Hall consisted of elites so well-trained that disciples of ordinary sects wouldn't dare to challenge them.

Such elites had suffered a crushing defeat even in a joint attack. This meant the boy's martial prowess was exceptional.

"Did he say his name was Bang Jin-bo?"

Deung Gwan-yeol repeated that name several times to engrave it firmly in his memory. It was a name he had to remember. Bang Jin-bo's martial power was that outstanding.

"Such a person is a cook rather than a Plum Blossom Sword Master? What on earth is happening inside Mount Hua Sect?"

He couldn't understand the situation that had unfolded before his eyes.

A mere cook overwhelming the Martial Alliance's elites like this was something his common sense couldn't accept.

"I need to report this to the Alliance first. Sang-un, send a messenger bird immediately."

"……"

The voice of his subordinate, who should have answered immediately as usual, was not heard. So Deung Gwan-yeol called once more.

"Sang-un."

"……"

When still no answer came, Deung Gwan-yeol frowned and turned around. At that moment, his expression froze.

"Wh-when?"

Deung Gwan-yeol's voice naturally trembled.

His subordinates were standing blankly like stone statues. It wasn't because they didn't want to move. It was because of the swords pointed at their necks. Dozens of Taoists were somehow pointing swords at his subordinates.

Gulp!

Deung Gwan-yeol's subordinates couldn't even open their mouths and could only swallow dry saliva. Their faces clearly showed fear.

Deung Gwan-yeol asked with a deliberately calm expression:

"Who are you people? Aren't you afraid to oppress the Martial Alliance's martial artists?"

"So it was the Martial Alliance after all."

At that moment, a Taoist who appeared to be the leader walked out from among the Taoists. He was Won-myeong, who led the Plum Blossom Sword Masters. And the Taoists who had subdued the Martial Alliance's martial artists were the Plum Blossom Sword Masters.

They had been secretly protecting Bang Jin-bo and Jong Ri-yeon from the shadows when they discovered Deung Gwan-yeol and his subordinates and secretly approached to subdue them.

'Damn!'

Deung Gwan-yeol bit his lips hard.

He was the Third Group Leader of Dark Cloud, the Martial Alliance's secret intelligence organization. He had been dispatched to monitor this place in place of Jo Won-myeong, who had been the Second Group Leader.

The disturbance caused by Lim Hap-chu, the Outer Hall Group Leader, was due to his orders. They had deliberately blocked the passages leading to Huayin County and harassed people to examine Mount Hua Sect's strength and response.

Originally, he planned to secretly escape from here after grasping Mount Hua Sect's response and military strength.

Though Lim Hap-chu had caused a disturbance in Huayin County, there was the justification that they had pursued someone who fled avoiding inspection. But Mount Hua Sect's response far exceeded his expectations.

He never thought he and Dark Cloud would be so easily subdued by Mount Hua Sect's Taoists.

'These people are definitely Plum Blossom Sword Masters. But were the Plum Blossom Sword Masters this outstanding?'

He briefly assessed the martial power between themselves and the Plum Blossom Sword Masters. He was thinking of confronting them with force if necessary. But he soon gave up.

They had been subdued without even noticing any signs. This meant the gap in martial power was significant. He couldn't even think of resisting.

Won-myeong walked toward Deung Gwan-yeol.

"Why is the Martial Alliance doing such things in Huayin County?"

"We are…"

"Have you forgotten? Though we chose to close our gates, we are also members of the Martial Alliance. Yet you're doing such cowardly acts in an ally's territory. Is this the Martial Alliance's way?"

"Kreuk!"

"Answer me. Whose orders are these? The Alliance Leader's orders?"

Deung Gwan-yeol couldn't answer. If he answered here that these were orders from Military Advisor Namgung Chang, things would really become serious.

After frantically thinking for a moment, he gave the most mundane answer.

"It's the Alliance's will."

"The Alliance?"

"That's right!"

"The Martial Alliance seems to look down on Mount Hua Sect. To dare do such things in Mount Hua's territory."

Won-myeong's face was full of anger.

Though they had fallen and were forced to close their gates, their pride as Mount Hua Sect disciples hadn't disappeared. He loved Mount Hua Sect more than anyone and had tremendous pride in it.

Because of this, his anger toward the Martial Alliance, which dared to do such things in Mount Hua's territory, was inevitable.

Deung Gwan-yeol desperately made excuses:

"The Martial Alliance never looks down on Mount Hua Sect."

"Then why did you do such things? Did Mount Hua Sect look so contemptible because it closed its gates?"

"That's not it. We were simply monitoring the Demon Cult's movements…"

"Stop with the nonsense that no one would believe. If you insult Mount Hua Sect any further, I won't forgive you."

Won-myeong's angry lion's roar swept through the area.

For a moment, Deung Gwan-yeol's complexion changed completely. It was because he felt the profound internal energy contained in Won-myeong's lion's roar.

It was tremendous internal energy he had never felt even from Mount Hua Sect's Plum Blossom Sword Masters in their prime.

'With this level of internal energy, he could easily be compared to the Martial Alliance's Five Elements Leaders. How can a mere Plum Blossom Sword Master have such profound internal energy…'

The Five Elements Corps was the Martial Alliance's most elite organization.

Since it was the representative organization of the Martial Alliance with its short history, they inevitably had to pay more attention to it. Many spiritual medicines and secret manuals were invested, and thanks to this, the five leaders' martial power had to increase dramatically. Yet now he felt internal energy equal to theirs from Won-myeong standing before him.

For Deung Gwan-yeol, this was hard to believe.

Though he didn't know Won-myeong's Taoist name or internal strength, judging by his age, he could sufficiently guess that he was only about the level of the old Mount Hua Sect's second-generation disciple.

'Mount Hua Sect's second-generation disciple? No, that's not right. Since all the elders died and a new sect leader of the Gyeong generation was born, he should now be called a first-generation disciple. But even so, isn't this too much? For someone who just became a first-generation disciple to have this level of internal energy. What on earth is happening in Mount Hua Sect?'

It was natural doubt for him, not knowing that Won-myeong had taken Plum Blossom Divine Pills and his internal strength had increased dramatically.

Won-myeong and the other Plum Blossom Sword Masters had all taken Plum Blossom Divine Pills and achieved tremendous accomplishments not only in internal strength but also in martial arts. Their current martial prowess far surpassed the former Plum Blossom Sword Masters.

Without knowing the circumstances contained within, it was something Deung Gwan-yeol's mind couldn't understand even if he died and came back to life. It was difficult to bear Won-myeong's angry gaze. So Deung Gwan-yeol lowered his head.

Though it was a situation where he couldn't make excuses even with ten mouths, it was also because he was overwhelmed by Won-myeong's presence.

"We will never overlook what happened today. Remember that Mount Hua Sect may withdraw from the Martial Alliance if there is no proper apology for this."

"With-withdrawal is…"

"Why, do you think we can't do it? Didn't the Martial Alliance abandon our sect anyway, thinking there was no possibility of revival?"

"We didn't abandon you."

"Then why haven't you provided any support until now?"

"That's because Mount Hua Sect closed its gates…"

"Hmph! You're saying something even a dog wouldn't believe."

Won-myeong snorted.

If the Martial Alliance had wanted to provide support, they could have done so anytime during the past three years. Yet they thoroughly stood by and watched.

All Mount Hua Sect disciples were keeping this fact in their hearts.

Suppressing anger and swallowing rage while letting it ferment like that.

"I'll let you go today. Take your gang and leave Shaanxi Province. Otherwise, you'll pay the appropriate price."

"I-I understand."

"Also withdraw all those positioned at the passages under the pretext of inspection."

"I'll do that."

"And make sure to inform the Martial Alliance of this fact clearly. If there's no apology from the Martial Alliance and a firm promise to prevent recurrence, our sect will withdraw from the Martial Alliance."

"I'll convey it for sure."

Deung Gwan-yeol bowed his head.

He already knew the situation had escaped his control. It wasn't something he could smooth over. It was something the Martial Alliance's leadership had to decide and act upon.

'We can't let Mount Hua Sect withdraw from the Martial Alliance. Mount Hua Sect doesn't just have the Fist Demon.'

Though the Fist Demon was strong, there were clear limits to what he could do alone. But if the power of the revived Mount Hua Sect was added to that, the limits would disappear.

Deung Gwan-yeol clearly recognized this fact.

Then Won-myeong said:

"Go. And convey this clearly."

The Plum Blossom Sword Masters withdrew the swords they had been pointing.

"Phew!"

"Ah!"

Only then did Deung Gwan-yeol's subordinates burst out their suppressed breath and touched their necks. Fear was subtly lingering on their faces.

Deung Gwan-yeol and his subordinates took Lim Hap-chu and the Outer Hall martial artists and left Huayin County. Their shoulders drooped as they walked powerlessly.

Won-myeong watched their retreating figures with a cold gaze.

Then one of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters carefully opened his mouth:

"Senior brother, are you really thinking of withdrawing from the Martial Alliance?"

"How could I decide such a momentous matter?"

"Just now…"

"I just said it thinking our martial uncle would say such things. How they accept it depends on their thoughts."

"Ah!"

For a moment, the Plum Blossom Sword Masters understood. But not everyone did. Won-hwa, one of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters, muttered quietly:

"If our martial uncle were here, they would all be dead."

"Hmm!"

The Plum Blossom Sword Masters unconsciously nodded.

The Dam Ho they knew was such a person.

To him, the name Martial Alliance was worth less than a pebble rolling on the roadside.

Won-myeong looked at Bang Jin-bo and Jong Ri-yeon visible in the distance and muttered:

"By the way, when will our martial uncle return?"

***

Dam Ho indifferently watched the flowing river water.

He was traveling up the river with Black Ghost on a horse transport ship.

He never met Geom Yul-cheon, Eum Yu-kyung, and the others in the end. But Dam Ho wasn't curious about their whereabouts. He knew they were people who would seek him out someday if they were alive.

Dam Ho was relaxing his entire body while leaning comfortably against a pillar of the horse transport ship. The wounds on his entire body still hadn't healed. Still, he was recovering at a frightening speed.

Dam Ho's recovery ability and stamina spanned realms that ordinary people couldn't dare imagine. He was showing how far it was possible to go when training the human body to its limits.

Dam Ho breathed slowly. The interval between his inhalation and exhalation was very wide. Like a turtle breathing underwater, he too breathed very slowly.

The longer his breathing became, the more noticeably his wounds improved. It was truly terrifying recovery ability.

How much time had passed like this? Dam Ho suddenly raised his head and looked ahead. His eyes were surging frighteningly.

Far ahead of the horse transport ship's bow, a huge ship was visible. At a glance, it stood out for its enormousness, different from ordinary ships. But what Dam Ho focused on wasn't the ship's external appearance. It was because of the woman in red silk standing at the ship's bow.

A woman with a curvaceous figure and frost-like energy that was particularly impressive. It was the Demon Mother Dan Woon-hyang. Dan Woon-hyang, who had fled from Muli, had appeared again.

"Fist Demon!"

Her voice rang out clearly along the riverside. The reed beds swayed at her cry.

Dam Ho slowly got up. Then Dan Woon-hyang raised her voice even more:

"Fist Demon! If you thought you could safely escape from here, you're gravely mistaken."

The boatmen prostrated themselves and trembled at the tremendous killing intent contained in her voice.

Dam Ho silently looked at Dan Woon-hyang.

That indifferent gaze and silence made Dan Woon-hyang feel even more ashamed.

When Seok Mu-gang was killed by Dam Ho, she had chosen to flee. It was because she felt fear toward the being called Dam Ho.

Though she barely saved her life, the shame and fear she felt then hadn't disappeared.

Only then did Dan Woon-hyang realize.

The fact that there was no way for her to escape from his lingering influence without completely annihilating the being called Dam Ho. So she had returned.

Women began to appear one by one on the huge ship. They were Dan Woon-hyang's followers.

Though there were dozens of women all radiating murderous presence, Dam Ho's expression didn't change at all. Dan Woon-hyang, feeling ashamed by this, raised her hand. Then martial artists in green robes suddenly appeared from the riverside reed beds.

For a moment, Dam Ho's eyes sharpened.

"Tang Clan."

From Qinghai Province, passing through Nanjing to reach the sea, stretching sixteen thousand li.

The land along the river basin alone encompasses two hundred million acres.

This is the grandeur of the Yangtze River crossing the Central Plains.

Yangtze River Sword Sect is an organization of sects active along the Yangtze River basin, with the most famous sects being Wudang Sect and Mount Heng Sect, and others including the Namgung family, Zhuge family, Murong family, and Meteor Sword Sect.

Just the presence of Wudang Sect and the Namgung family, renowned sword sects in the martial world, shows the extent of Yangtze River Sword Sect’s power. This is why Yangtze River Sword Sect is considered one of the Nine Provinces and Six Heavens alongside Northern Heaven, Shandong Unorthodox Sects, and Sichuan Martial Arts.

Jin Ja-gang consulted with the three people, Yeong-woon, Pyo Sang-guk, and So-min, about Yangtze River Sword Sect’s invitation. Since the three had already become involved in Jin Ja-gang’s affairs, they had the right to know what was happening.

“So… what was the content of the ledger like? Was it what Brother Jin was looking for?”

To Yeong-woon’s question, Jin Ja-gang answered.

“It was ordinary transaction records. It contained details of transactions for food ingredients like grains and meat, as well as miscellaneous trades like clothing and stationery. If I had to point out something unusual, all the transactions used only one trading company named Yeongpa Merchants.”

“That’s not particularly unusual. Generally, for daily necessities supplied to sects, especially food, safety is important, so they often use only one place where trust has been built through long trading relationships.”

Pyo Sang-guk said.

“Yeongpa Merchants is a large trading company that travels between Yunnan and parts of Sichuan, including Kunlun Sect. It seems natural that Iron Umbrella Sect used Yeongpa Merchants.”

Yeong-woon said to Jin Ja-gang.

“For instance, our Wudang Sect has continued trading with Gangwoo Trading Company for a long time. If Gangwoo Trading Company mediated a meeting with Yangtze River Sword Sect, it’s trustworthy.”

“But I know nothing about Yangtze River Sword Sect.”

“While people say our sect’s elder established Yangtze River Sword Sect, I heard that practically our Wudang took the initiative. The main purpose is to unite the forces divided between Jiangdong and Jiangnan to do righteous work.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Pyo Sang-guk, a Zhongnan Sect disciple, and So-min, a Mount Hua Sect disciple.

Pyo Sang-guk cleared his throat and said.

“This time I have to object to Brother Yeong-woon’s words. Considering that Master Haewol rose to the alliance leader position with Yangtze River Sword Sect’s full support, it’s hard to see this as a simple gathering.”

So-min also said.

“Actually, our side doesn’t view Yangtze River Sword Sect favorably either. The Namgung, Zhuge, and Murong families are among the Eight Great Families, somewhat at odds with our martial world sects. But because Wudang Sect led the way in bringing in the great families, the influence of martial world sects that traditionally had high influence in the Martial Alliance was relatively weakened.”

Pyo Sang-guk agreed.

“Sister Min is right. To think they even took away the Dragon and Phoenix titles that our side had traditionally used. Thinking of how those family guys boasted about being Three Dragons Four Phoenixes, ugh.”

Interestingly, these people who had gotten along like real siblings were now saying different things.

However, Yeong-woon didn’t get angry and nodded in agreement.

“I can’t deny that the great families’ votes helped in selecting the alliance leader. But we must also acknowledge that this made the Martial Alliance more harmonious.”

Yeong-woon recommended to Jin Ja-gang.

“Meet them first and have a conversation. You can decide how to handle things after that.”

Pyo Sang-guk and So-min also agreed.

“That would be better.”

“Leave this place to us and go.”

“Then I’ll be in your debt, all three of you.”

Jin Ja-gang expressed his gratitude to the three. He decided to meet those from Yangtze River Sword Sect as soon as dawn came when the gambling den closed.

Dawn came, and the Hao Sect members began cleaning.

Jin Ja-gang tried to leave mixed in with the gambling den customers as they left.

But.

Just as Jin Ja-gang was about to depart, he suddenly stopped walking.

Inexplicable goosebumps rose on his nape.

‘Killing intent?’

Before opening the door, Jin Ja-gang sharpened all his body’s senses to detect the energies outside.

It wasn’t much different from yesterday.

The presence of people leaving the gambling den, countless surveillance presences, greedy presences coveting wealth…

‘No, it’s different. Different!’

This ominous feeling was something that was different from killing intent yet clearly had a similar aura to killing intent.

Moreover, Jin Ja-gang saw marks carved into the door handle. These were definitely marks that hadn’t been there before announcing closing time.

Two overlapping triangles, a crude graffiti.

This was a code sent by Qingcheng Sect.

‘Warning symbol!’

It seemed left in great urgency with no more detailed content.

Jin Ja-gang realized his senses weren’t wrong.

Something dangerous was definitely happening.

The three people, Yeong-woon, Pyo Sang-guk, and So-min, wondered from behind.

“Brother Jin, why aren’t you going and standing in front of the door like that?”

“Young Master Jin?”

When So-min called for the fourth time, Jin Ja-gang turned around.

Jin Ja-gang waited silently until all the gambling den customers had left, then said.

“Thinking about it, I should stop now.”

“Why? Even though we said we’d guard it, you’re still not at ease?”

“It’s not that, but I think there will soon be aspects I can’t handle.”

The three were puzzled.

“But the work of collecting Iron Umbrella Sect’s stolen goods isn’t finished yet?”

“We just established our position and are starting to catch clues, but suddenly stopping in the middle?”

“Didn’t you come to Chongqing for this one thing? Or are you anxious about meeting Yangtze River Sword Sect?”

Pyo Sang-guk said.

“Brother Jin, this is Chongqing. Most people can’t act carelessly here. What are you so wary of?”

Jin Ja-gang appeared extremely cautious. The three couldn’t understand why he was suddenly so wary when nothing had happened.

Jin Ja-gang said.

“The master who taught me gambling told me this: No matter how high a hand I have, if my opponent has just one point higher than me, I’ll lose, so ultimately it’s meaningless. Conversely, no matter how low a hand I have, if it’s just one point higher than my opponent’s, I win.”

“But it’s too regrettable to give up. The rice is almost cooked.”

“When my master judged it was dangerous, he abandoned the foundation he’d built over decades and left without regret. I think now is the time for me to make the same judgment.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at the closed door, then looked at the three again.

Yangtze River Sword Sect had come to Chongqing to meet Jin Ja-gang away from others’ eyes. If not now, he might not be able to contact Yangtze River Sword Sect.

However, he couldn’t leave his position with such an unpleasant sensation.

The three people in front were Jin Ja-gang’s helpers and simultaneously his weakness. If something happened to the three, Jin Ja-gang would be the first to be suspected.

Jin Ja-gang looked at the three with a serious expression and said.

“I learned many things while being with you three. But this is as far as it goes.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s smile, Yeong-woon, Pyo Sang-guk, and So-min had nothing more to say. They understood Jin Ja-gang’s concerns.

Pyo Sang-guk sighed.

“This is the first time I’ve felt so powerless. I feel uncomfortable thinking I was a burden throughout our journey together.”

Yeong-woon, like a Taoist, quickly composed his emotions.

“Meeting Brother Jin was truly meaningful. I realized many of my shortcomings too. As a Wudang disciple, personally I hope Brother Jin’s talks with Yangtze River Sword Sect go well.”

So-min showed more regret than the other two.

“Young Master Jin. I really hope we meet again. I’m sorry for misunderstanding you all this time.”

Jin Ja-gang distributed some wealth to the three, asked the Hao Sect members to handle the remaining wealth, then departed for the meeting place.

* * *

A shabby shrine about thirty li south along the river from the gambling den.

This was the meeting place he’d heard from Merchant Wang.

Morning hadn’t yet brightened, so darkness still lingered.

Limp, limp.

Jin Ja-gang hurried toward the shrine.

But when the shrine wasn’t far away, while going down along the riverside, he saw an old monk sitting on a rock ahead.

The bald old monk wearing a bamboo hat used a staff-like Zen staff with a round ring at the end and slightly longer than his height to push up his hat and look at Jin Ja-gang.

He might be around sixty or seventy years old. An old monk with a benevolent expression.

As their eyes met, Jin Ja-gang lightly bowed and tried to pass the old monk, but the old monk spoke in an aged voice.

“Young benefactor, won’t you rest for a moment?”

Early morning with almost no human traffic. An extraordinary old monk met at the path to the meeting place.

This couldn’t be a coincidence.

Jin Ja-gang remained wary while lightly clasping his hands together.

The old monk smiled broadly and said.

“Namo Amitabha Guanyin Bodhisattva. This humble monk is called Beom-mong.”

“I’m Jin Ja-gang. Were you waiting for me?”

“This humble monk comes from Shaolin Temple.”

Shaolin Temple!

The thousand-year-old Shaolin Temple!

The Mount Tai of the martial world that has never wavered under any circumstances and supported orthodox martial arts since the early days of the martial world.

In jest, it was said that at its peak, even if all martial world sects attacked together, it would be difficult to pass Shaolin Temple’s main Sect, possessing such massive military power and the deepest level of martial learning among all martial world sects.

Its very existence symbolized orthodox martial arts, and it was the universally acknowledged standard of righteousness.

A monk from that Shaolin Temple had appeared before Jin Ja-gang.

However, Jin Ja-gang didn’t let his guard down and looked at Beom-mong while maintaining distance.

Beom-mong asked.

“Strange. Very strange.”

Jin Ja-gang didn’t respond. He couldn’t let his guard down.

“Usually when I reveal I’m from Shaolin, people drop their suspicions and feel at ease. But you don’t, benefactor.”

“Is there a reason I should feel at ease?”

“Is there a reason you can’t feel at ease?”

“I don’t know if you’re asking because you don’t know, or if you’re deliberately trying to confirm while knowing. Must I feel at ease just because it’s Shaolin Temple?”

“The path taken, the work done. Doesn’t Shaolin’s history prove Shaolin itself?”

“If I weren’t a descendant of a ruined sect, I would acknowledge those words. Or if evil people had been punished by Shaolin, that too would have become Shaolin’s righteous history. But I have seen Shaolin’s justice nowhere.”

“Can you definitively say it doesn’t exist just because you haven’t seen it?”

Jin Ja-gang’s expression began growing sharper.

Whatever Beom-mong said, Shaolin Temple was also a member of the Martial Alliance. It couldn’t escape from original sin.

“Then I ask: What did Shaolin Temple do regarding the medicine sects’ bloodshed?”

“Namo Amitabha Guanyin Bodhisattva…”

Beom-mong breathed deeply and chanted Buddha’s name.

“I feel your deep sorrow, benefactor. Though life and death are not two but one, though you recite it a hundred times and chant it a thousand times, how can one fully understand a heart that has lost its sect!”

“Master, you still haven’t answered my question.”

“To excuse myself, if you want to know Shaolin’s role, you must first know the Two Great Teaching Sects within Shaolin.”

Teaching Sects refer to methods of educating and leading sentient beings to liberation.

In other words, Two Great Teaching Sects meant there were two sects with different positions regarding methods of teaching.

“They’re called the Embracing Sect and the Breaking Sect respectively.”

Shaolin Temple’s abbot master was known to exercise absolute influence in the martial world.

But two sects within it?

What did this mean?