Chapter 329 – The Tree Wants to Stand Still but the Wind Never Stops Shaking (1)

The news that the Martial Alliance had fallen to the Demon Cult spread throughout the world in an instant. Those most shocked by the news of the Martial Alliance's collapse were the prestigious families represented by the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families.

Upon hearing the news of the Martial Alliance's fall, they first confirmed the truth of the rumor. The first emotion they felt upon learning the rumor was true was fear and chaos itself.

With the Martial Alliance fallen, there was no longer an organization to protect them. They had no choice but to protect themselves with their own strength.

Each sect recalled all disciples who were outside and reinforced their defenses. While righteous sects were hiding themselves like this, demonic sects began to run rampant.

Demonic sects that had been suppressed by the prestige of righteous sects began expanding their influence as if they had been waiting. Naturally, they couldn't avoid clashing with sects that proclaimed righteousness.

Conflicts arose everywhere in the world, and the wind of chaos rapidly spread to all regions.

The focal point of the chaos was Sichuan Province.

Due to its characteristically closed terrain, news from inside Sichuan Province originally wasn't well known to the Central Plains. Since the Tang Clan, Emei Sect, and Qingcheng Sect, represented as the Three Lords of Sichuan, also had closed tendencies, such trends were even stronger.

But this time was different. News from inside Sichuan Province was conveyed without filter.

The biggest shock was the Tang Clan's betrayal.

Though they used poison and hidden weapons, the Tang Clan that still pursued righteousness joining hands with the Demon Cult delivered a huge shock to the martial world. The news that the Emei Sect and Qingcheng Sect suffered great damage because of them and chose to close their gates drove martial world people into fear and chaos.

The reason why the prestigious orthodox Tang Clan joined hands with the Demon Cult was unknown. But the shock reached its peak from the single fact that they had joined hands with the Demon Cult and seized Sichuan Province.

The Demon Cult had seized Hunan Province's Martial Alliance, and the Tang Clan had seized Sichuan Province in the west. If the Tang Clan had continued to control Sichuan Province, the world would have been trapped in the encirclement of the Demon Cult and Tang Clan.

If not for Dam Ho.

Mount Hua Fist Demon Dam Ho.

Though the reason wasn't known, when the Tang Clan was seizing Sichuan Province, he happened to be in Sichuan Province. And he clashed with the Tang Clan as if by fate.

The result was the Tang Clan's crushing defeat.

Clan Head Tang Sa-il died, and numerous elites suffered damage close to annihilation. Due to this incident, the Tang Clan suffered irrecoverable damage and chose to close their gates. And the Emei Sect and Qingcheng Sect, which had closed their gates to avoid the Tang Clan, resumed activities again.

It was truly an unbelievable reversal.

A giant sect called the Tang Clan had been subdued by a single person.

The Tang Clan wasn't a simple sect. Though temporary, it was a giant sect with tremendous strength enough to dominate Sichuan Province. Especially because they handled poison and hidden weapons, they had no choice but to be even more difficult to deal with. Therefore, many sects feared the Tang Clan. The Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect also had no choice but to make the humiliating choice of closing their gates.

Such a Tang Clan suffering fatal damage by a single person and closing their gates was a major event that had never once existed in martial world history.

People comforted their wounded hearts from the Martial Alliance's collapse by watching Dam Ho's progress.

Dam Ho was no longer simply an individual martial artist. Nor was he weak enough to be disparaged for having the character for demon in his nickname.

The only individual who could check the super-massive force called the Demon Cult.

An individual whose martial power and influence encompassed the world was precisely Dam Ho.

People's attention was now focused on Dam Ho's movements.

At that time, an emergency meeting was taking place at Mount Hua as well.

Under the leadership of Grand Elder Master Hyeon-so, the leadership gathered in the Upper Palace. Sect Leader Woon Kyung, Myeong-gyeong, Jong Ri-yeon, Bang Jin-bo and others gathered in one place.

Master Hyeon-so said to Woon Kyung:

"Now that everyone has gathered, let's begin the meeting, Sect Leader."

"Yes! Grand Elder."

Woon Kyung bowed his head to Master Hyeon-so, then looked around at the leadership.

"Everyone has heard the news. The Demon Cult has finally revealed its true colors. The Martial Alliance has collapsed, and the Demon Cult has taken its place. Now Hunan Province has become the Demon Cult's territory, not the Martial Alliance's."

"Mm!"

Groans naturally flowed from people's mouths. Though it was news they already knew, the weight felt different hearing it through Woon Kyung's mouth.

"The Demon Cult has now established a base in the Central Plains. They will certainly expand their influence using Hunan Province as a base."

"Isn't Hunan Province a key strategic point even within the Central Plains?"

"That's right. Since land and water routes extend in all directions, movement is easy and there's no difficulty securing supplies. It's also the reason why the Martial Alliance was established there."

People's complexions darkened.

The shock from the fact that the Martial Alliance had collapsed and that a Demon Cult branch had entered where the Martial Alliance collapsed was truly tremendous.

"Fortunately, over the past three years, our sect has been able to steadily reinforce our strength. But that doesn't mean we can be completely free from the Demon Cult's threat. The Demon Cult won't simply be satisfied with just Hunan Province. They will certainly target our sect someday. Therefore, we must reinforce our defenses."

People listened carefully to Woon Kyung's words.

These were the words of Woon Kyung who had become Mount Hua Sect's sect leader. They carried weight befitting his position.

"Speak freely about how we can raise our sect's strength."

"May I say something?"

The first to raise his hand was Won-myeong, the leader of the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Sword Masters.

"Speak, Won-myeong."

"Thanks to Grand Elder, Divine Physician, and Jin-bo's help, our sect was able to recreate the Plum Blossom Divine Pill. And thanks to that, the internal energy of the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Sword Masters and first-generation disciples could dramatically increase. First, I express my gratitude for this."

Won-myeong expressed gratitude to Jong Ri-yeon and Bang Jin-bo. Bang Jin-bo didn't know what to do at that.

Watching him, Won-myeong smiled briefly before his expression soon changed to resolute.

"However, since internal energy explosively increased in a short period, there are side effects of the body not being able to keep up. Therefore, I want to enter closed-door training with the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Sword Masters and first-generation disciples."

"Closed-door training."

"Given the situation, I'm very sorry to say this. But I think we must invest in the future especially at times like this. If we stabilize internal energy through closed-door training and adapt the body to it, martial power will dramatically increase. This will lead to an increase in Mount Hua Sect's overall strength."

"Mm!"

"So though I know it's unreasonable, I'd like to ask the Sect Leader. Please permit closed-door training."

At Won-myeong's words, Woon Kyung frowned briefly. But he soon nodded.

"I'll permit it. We'll somehow fill the gap left by the Plum Blossom Sword Masters and first-generation disciples with the remaining disciples and ourselves."

"Thank you, Sect Leader."

"Not at all. Rather, I'm grateful for your choice."

Woon Kyung knew. How harshly Won-myeong would drive the disciples once they entered closed-door training.

Won-myeong was never an easygoing person. He would probably drive the Plum Blossom Sword Masters and first-generation disciples to their limits. And the Plum Blossom Sword Masters and first-generation disciples would willingly follow.

Won-myeong's junior Won-jin said:

"Don't worry. While senior brother is in closed-door training with the Plum Blossom Sword Masters, we will protect Mount Hua Sect. We'll protect it with our lives, so don't worry and enter closed-door training. However, if you don't become strong enough to satisfy us, be prepared."

"Thank you, junior brother! I'll definitely come out stronger."

"When senior brother and the Plum Blossom Sword Masters come out, it's our turn. We'll become as strong as the Plum Blossom Sword Masters too."

"Of course. Since you also received the Plum Blossom Divine Pill, you'll definitely become strong."

Won-myeong smiled. It was a smile of trust.

They had now become first-generation disciples. That much great responsibility weighed on their shoulders. In the old days, they might have been crushed by the tremendous weight and not known what to do.

But now was different. Numerous hardships had tempered them. Going through all kinds of trials and tribulations, they had become strong. If there was something stronger than martial arts, it was precisely their hearts.

Their hearts had become harder than steel, so now they wouldn't be shaken by ordinary matters.

'Don't we have a dependable Grand Elder and an excellent sect leader? On top of that, Divine Physician and Jin-bo assist with all their might. Moreover, we have Uncle Master Dam Ho. So what is there to fear?'

If there was just one person to lean on and rely on, there was nothing to fear. But Mount Hua Sect had several such people. Therefore, they couldn't help but feel reassured.

Watching the two, other leaders smiled broadly. It was because their enthusiasm was transmitted.

Master Hyeon-so said:

"Yes! Just do that. The Sect Leader and Myeong-gyeong will protect Mount Hua. You just steadily build up your internal strength like that. No matter how strong the wind blows from outside, if only you don't shake, it's no different from a light breeze. Excellent."

Master Hyeon-so's words gave the leadership a strange sense of stability.

If it was the same words, when he said them, strangely they felt reassured and trusted. That's why many disciples believed and relied on Master Hyeon-so.

Master Hyeon-so was Mount Hua Sect's spiritual pillar. No one denied that fact now.

Master Hyeon-so's words continued:

"Our Mount Hua has never once yielded to foreign invasion. Even though we were driven to the brink of annihilation because of that. It was like that during the first Orthodox-Demon War, and three years ago too. We always became strong in the face of crisis, and the stronger the external pressure, the more fiercely we rose."

"That's right. Our Mount Hua will never be broken."

"That's correct."

Myeong-gyeong and other disciples agreed with Master Hyeon-so's words.

Though they had gathered to establish countermeasures, there was no need. They were already mentally and physically prepared. This gathering was merely confirming that.

The meeting ended anticlimactically, and the leadership returned to their respective places.

"Phew!"

Jong Ri-yeon, who had come outside, quietly let out a sigh. Bang Jin-bo said:

"Elder brother, you're thinking about it, right?"

"Does it show?"

"A lot."

"Really? Ugh! I can't control my expressions the way I want."

"Still, that's doing well."

At Bang Jin-bo's words, Jong Ri-yeon smiled faintly.

"Jin-bo has grown up. You even know how to say comforting words now."

"Do I?"

"Thank you! Thanks to you, I feel a bit better."

"Hehe!"

Bang Jin-bo let out his characteristic lighthearted laugh.

Though his laugh was still the same, now a mature atmosphere was emanating from his face.

"Don't worry. Elder brother will return soon."

"I suppose so?"

"Of course. The only place elder brother has to return to is here."

Bang Jin-bo answered confidently.

Mount Hua Sect wasn't a simple sect. To Bang Jin-bo, Mount Hua Sect was a haven and home for his heart. He thought Dam Ho would be the same.

This place where Master Hyeon-so was located was Dam Ho's only support. So he was confident he would definitely return.

Jong Ri-yeon said:

"I don't doubt that he'll return. I just hope he doesn't get hurt too much and comes back. I hope he only has wounds I can heal."

As long as he doesn't die. As long as he's breathing, she was confident she could somehow save him.

"Elder brother will definitely return safely. Don't worry. Elder brother knows that elder sister is waiting here. So he'll definitely return."

"Thank you! Great Uncle Master. Thanks to you, I'm greatly comforted."

"Then let's go make Plum Blossom Divine Pills again, Divine Physician."

"Pfft!"

At Bang Jin-bo's banter, Jong Ri-yeon burst out laughing again. She headed toward the Medicine King Hall with Bang Jin-bo.

There were people watching those two. Master Hyeon-so, Woon Kyung, and Myeong-gyeong.

Master Hyeon-so smiled warmly.

"I'm so grateful to those two."

"That's right. Because those two were here, our sect could recover its strength in such a short time."

"It's truly great fortune for our sect."

Woon Kyung and Myeong-gyeong agreed with Master Hyeon-so's words.

Mount Hua Sect was becoming stronger day by day. Disciples were passionately learning martial arts, and Mount Hua Sect provided sufficient support.

Especially the Plum Blossom Divine Pills distributed sequentially greatly boosted the disciples' morale. The fact that anyone could receive the Plum Blossom Divine Pill if they worked hard made them even more passionate.

"They are Mount Hua Sect's true treasures."

"That's right."

Woon Kyung and Myeong-gyeong exchanged words.

They didn't think of Jong Ri-yeon and Bang Jin-bo as outsiders. Affection dripped from their conversation.

Master Hyeon-so watched the two with a smile.

With Dam Ho absent now, they were the pillars supporting Mount Hua. Because they were here, Master Hyeon-so could make a big decision.

"Sect Leader, Myeong-gyeong."

"Yes!"

"Please speak, Uncle Master!"

"I will also enter closed-door training for a while with this opportunity."

"What? You, Uncle Master?"

Woon Kyung and Myeong-gyeong looked at Master Hyeon-so in surprise.

"The world is only keeping the Demon Cult in check. But they still don't know that an even greater threat exists."

"Do you mean the Heavenly Evil Cult?"

"That's right. To counter their evil arts, I too need greater enlightenment."

Master Hyeon-so's gaze turned toward the sky.

The sky that looked ordinary to others' eyes only felt ominous to him.

Rumble rumble rumble.

Water rushed up more forcefully through the hole in the floor.

Woon-jeong looked down from the deck above and shouted.

“Poison Dragon! Have you lost your mind?”

That was also what Beom-mong, who couldn’t curse due to his dignity as a monk, most wanted to say.

Beom-mong looked incredulous, and Yeong Hyeon-sa silently glared at Jin Ja-gang.

Yeong Hyeon-sa spoke heavily.

“Death is not for showing to others. How utterly reckless. Do not make light of death!”

“Does death have any meaning other than dying?”

At Jin Ja-gang’s murderous sneer, Yeong Hyeon-sa suddenly struck the bulkhead.

Crash!

Thick planks were torn away leaving marks as if clawed and ripped. Yeong Hyeon-sa struck the side wall once more.

Rip! As the wall tore, planks were roughly torn like broken thread, and simultaneously water poured through that hole.

Roooar!

Water rose from below and poured in from the side.

Yeong Hyeon-sa soon submerged his ten fingers in the rising water.

Bubble bubble, green bubbles rose one by one then popped. As the bubbles burst, green bands spread and scattered in the current.

There was no need to ask what he was doing.

Soon, small fish that had been mixed in the pouring water began floating up dead, showing their bellies.

Yeong Hyeon-sa was dissolving Ten Earth Corrupting Poisons in the rising water. Even though it would normally be diluted and weakened, his indifference showed his confidence in the poison’s potency.

“…”

Beom-mong fell silent.

But Jin Ja-gang’s smile only grew more murderous.

Click, Jin Ja-gang released Soul Seizing Thread and threw a loop to the floor.

The cargo hold was already dark with only moonlight shining in. The Soul Seizing Thread hidden in the floor water became completely invisible.

Jin Ja-gang waved his arm. Soul Seizing Thread moved underwater.

Swish.

The fish that had floated up poisoned by Yeong Hyeon-sa’s Ten Earth Corrupting Poisons were sliced apart. Dark red swollen organs protruded due to corpse poison and floated on the water.

Jin Ja-gang retrieved Soul Seizing Thread again.

It was a warning that with feet submerged in water, careless movement could result in ankles being severed by the invisible Soul Seizing Thread.

Poisoned water. Soul Seizing Thread within it. River water endlessly rushing in.

“…”

Beom-mong watched this scene blankly as if stunned, then sighed.

“Haaa. World-Honored One, World-Honored One. What shall we do with these mad ones?”

Both Yeong Hyeon-sa and Jin Ja-gang looked at Beom-mong with unpleasant expressions. Who was he talking about whom?

Beom-mong shouted.

“Fine! This old monk will compromise.”

“What do you mean?”

“I will spare you and your wife.”

Jin Ja-gang’s eyes sharpened. Did Shaolin Temple know about Tang Ha-ran too?

“I refuse.”

“I wasn’t speaking to you.”

Suddenly Beom-mong pulled down a necklace-shaped lock ornament hanging around his neck.

“Child, Hai-ah. Youth, Dong-hae. Little one, Yu-ja. This old monk has something to give you.”

Hai-a, Dong-hae, Yu-ja were all terms referring to children.

Wondering who he was calling, it turned out to be none other than Woon-jeong on the deck above.

“I will transfer this life-lock to you.”

Woon-jeong blinked in surprise.

“What? The life-lock?”

A life-lock was a lock-shaped ornament made with the meaning of locking away a child’s life so they wouldn’t die young through the power of Buddha and immortals. When a child was born, they would be registered as a monk’s or Taoist’s disciple while wearing this life-lock.

Beom-mong’s life-lock was an object equivalent to Beom-mong himself.

“Why would I receive Master’s life-lock?”

“This is the method to save Poison Dragon and Poison Dragon’s wife.”

“Then you should give it to Poison Dragon, why to me…”

“This old monk finds that Poison Dragon fellow very displeasing. So you must convey two words to Shaolin for me.”

Woon-jeong was too kind-hearted to refuse immediately. Thinking that Jin Ja-gang and Tang Ha-ran’s lives were in his hands, he became restless.

“But I’m a Taoist practitioner…”

“Only two words.”

Those two words couldn’t be simple two words!

Woon-jeong made a tearful face.

“Actually, Poison Dragon is better at that sort of thing.”

“I say again, this old monk neither trusts Poison Dragon nor wishes to save him. That’s why I’m entrusting it to you.”

“Sigh, I’m not confident, but then please tell me. I swear by the Heavenly Venerate to deliver it.”

Beom-mong cleared his voice and spoke slowly.

“The alliance leader… dies, and the poison sects are destroyed.”

At the words about destroying poison sects, Yeong Hyeon-sa’s eyes narrowed.

But the one truly shocked by those words was Jin Ja-gang.

“What do you mean?”

Splash splash splash splash.

Now water had risen to their knees. Flesh and organs of poisoned, dismembered fish flowed toward where Beom-mong was.

Beom-mong leaped backward onto a cargo box.

Beom-mong adjusted his robes and said.

“If it’s judged that the Embracing Sect has failed to correct the righteous law of the martial world, the Breaking Sect steps forth. When the Breaking Sect emerges from Shaolin Temple, it’s for only one mission.”

“What is it?”

Beom-mong spoke each word clearly.

“Purification.”

The Breaking Sect preferred radical directions that didn’t discriminate means.

The Breaking Sect’s purification meant destruction through force.

Jin Ja-gang pondered briefly then asked back.

“I see. The Master called himself an assassin, so ultimately murder was the purpose.”

“No. This old monk is merely the advance guard. An advance guard that chooses what to keep and what to discard.”

Beom-mong had somehow returned to his original expression with killing intent gone. However, the words from his mouth were truly unbelievable.

“To properly establish righteous law, we destroy all miscellaneous standards of the martial world. We leave only one righteous law to serve as the standard and destroy everything that doesn’t follow it. This is what happens when the Breaking Sect emerges into the world.”

Jin Ja-gang’s eyes narrowed. Now he understood Beom-mong’s words.

“Then what does it mean that the alliance leader died?”

“I came out to make the final judgment on whether to destroy the alliance leader or leave him be. Originally, the alliance leader was someone who read the great flows of the martial world and acted with heaven’s will. Such an alliance leader left the alliance to meet you. The alliance leader has already lost the power to push forward the banner he raised, and his will has partially passed to you.”

This implied that the alliance leader was as good as dead while simultaneously having a successor.

Beom-mong had deduced that far from Jin Ja-gang meeting the alliance leader.

“It’s presumptuous to say his will was passed on. Of course, I have no such intention either.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s words, Beom-mong slightly snorted.

“The alliance leader is like the sea. His will can never be contained by one person. You are merely one strand of his will.”

Jin Ja-gang sensed something in Beom-mong’s tone. It seemed as if Shaolin Temple knew Taoist Haewol’s true intentions.

At that moment he realized.

“The alliance leader…! Was Taoist Haewol blocking you Shaolin Temple? Was he preventing the Breaking Sect from appearing?”

Beom-mong only smiled faintly without answering.

Anger crept into Jin Ja-gang’s voice.

“So you were looking for the alliance leader? You needed to see with your own eyes and confirm that the alliance leader had left the alliance? To judge whether the alliance leader’s era had ended or not!”

“Don’t seek to know more. If Shaolin is the Yangtze River, you are but a minnow struggling within it!”

Grind grind.

Jin Ja-gang ground his teeth.

“Why. If you knew Taoist Haewol’s true intentions, why didn’t you act earlier? Purification now of all times. What exactly are you trying to do!”

“Don’t be mistaken. Shaolin pursues only righteous law. If it’s not righteous law, nothing else matters. If it weren’t for Yeong Hyeon-sa, you too would have died here.”

Suddenly Yeong Hyeon-sa interjected and asked Beom-mong.

“I ask. How much does Shaolin Temple know about our poison sects?”

“Shaolin has been watching the poison sects for a long time. Whether you’re the masterminds of various chaos in the martial world or not doesn’t matter. Righteous law doesn’t consider sequence. Whether poison sects are leaders or underlings, the fact that you’ve been involved in various evil acts and done improper things is sufficient reason for destruction.”

“If you know that much, it’s sufficient reason for death.”

Yeong Hyeon-sa’s eyes filled with death energy reached even Woon-jeong. Woon-jeong shivered with dread. Yeong Hyeon-sa had no intention of letting go of Woon-jeong who needed to deliver Beom-mong’s message to Shaolin Temple!

Beom-mong threw the life-lock to Woon-jeong.

“I’ll tell you the method. Register Poison Dragon and his wife’s names on the life-lock and go to Mount Song to inform them.”

Woon-jeong shouted in surprise.

“Then what about our Qingcheng!”

“Qingcheng Sect is not this old monk’s concern. Have them go to Mount Song themselves to ask. If you bring this old monk’s life-lock, Shaolin will inform you truthfully.”

“Ah…!”

Watching the despairing Woon-jeong, Jin Ja-gang bit his teeth hard.

Shaolin Temple had decided to eliminate the poison sects. At this rate, Tang Ha-ran at the Tang family would also find it difficult to avoid attack by Shaolin Temple.

Countless ideals clashing endlessly against ideals and ideals.

Countless relationships clashing from individuals to organizations and factions, relationships within relationships within relationships.

Like a scene from hell where everyone wailed their piece, Shaolin Temple chose the most Shaolin-like method.

Shaolin Temple’s most powerful force.

Purification of the martial world through violence.

Shaolin Temple planned to create a new pure land even if it meant overturning the entire martial world. Compared to that, Taoist Haewol’s plan was actually closer to trying to resolve the situation with less damage.

But there was no guarantee that Shaolin Temple wasn’t the “them” that Taoist Haewol had been looking for.

Therefore Jin Ja-gang’s head became complicated. It was very difficult to choose how to judge and what actions to take.

And it was the same for Woon-jeong.

“Poison Dragon…”

Having received the life-lock, Woon-jeong was in a difficult position. If Qingcheng Sect was involved too, he couldn’t avoid it.

Jin Ja-gang said to Woon-jeong.

“You don’t need to worry about me.”

“I’m sorry.”

Then Beom-mong said to Jin Ja-gang.

“It’s bothersome, so you disappear too.”

Jin Ja-gang frowned. Beom-mong said without humor.

“If you interfere and I can’t kill that fellow, the young Taoist will die, and if the Taoist dies, your wife will die too.”

Rumble rumble rumble…

Water had now risen almost to their waists.

Yeong Hyeon-sa said.

“Are the last words finished?”

“It seems so.”

Then Beom-mong lowered the robes draped over his shoulders and pulled down his outer garment to his waist. He revealed his bare upper body covered with all sorts of scars and freed both arms.

Around his ribs, around where the poison needle was embedded, red flowers were blooming.

Red Extinction Flowers.

Beom-mong brought both hands together as if in prayer.

Whooooom, his exposed upper body heated up and radiant light shone brilliantly from his eyes.

Simultaneously, Red Extinction Flowers suddenly began rapidly increasing one by one around him.

Beom-mong had given up blocking Asura poison with internal energy, even removed his golden orchid iron armor, and began gathering all his internal energy.

Tremble tremble tremble.

Beom-mong’s body shook.

Pop… pop.

Below the cargo Beom-mong stood on, concentric circles formed on the surface of the rapidly rising water and water droplets bounced upward.

Pop… pop pop pop pop!

As the water droplets’ bouncing intensified, water spray swirled like a whirlpool around Beom-mong.

Screeeech!

The ship shook and tilted due to Beom-mong’s internal energy.