Chapter 359 – Two Lives Wouldn't Be Enough to Survive This Danger (3)
Snort!
When Dam Ho opened the stable door, Black Ghost breathed roughly and greeted him warmly. Behind Black Ghost's back, the sight of a collapsed white horse could be seen.
"That horse?"
"The owner abandoned it."
Servant Ah-ho hurriedly answered.
"Abandoned?"
"Yes! Once he found out that black horse belonged to you, sir, he abandoned it and ran away."
Ah-ho looked thoroughly angry.
He didn't particularly like the bad-tempered white horse. So when it was trampled by Black Ghost, he actually cheered. But seeing it abandoned by its owner, he couldn't bear the pity.
"How can a horse be at fault? It's the owner's fault for training it wrong. I'll try to train it well from now on."
At Ah-ho's words, Dam Ho nodded and led Black Ghost outside. Outside the stable, Hae So-wol and the Hainan Sect disciples were waiting for him. Since their destination was the same anyway, they had decided to go together.
Unlike Dam Ho, they had no horses, but it wasn't a big problem. Since Dengfeng County where Shaolin Temple was located was only about a hundred li away, it was fine to walk.
Dam Ho also decided to walk instead of riding Black Ghost.
The Hainan Sect disciples looked at Dam Ho with reverent eyes. Among them were some who had seen Dam Ho before, but there were many more who hadn't. To them, Dam Ho was an object of admiration and awe. The fact that they were accompanying Dam Ho to Shaolin Temple felt almost like a lie.
Hae So-wol said:
"Then let's depart."
They all left the inn together.
The closer they got to Dengfeng County, the more martial artists could be seen on the streets. They were all martial artists heading to Shaolin Temple. Among them were those who appeared to be from prestigious orthodox sects, and there were also martial artists in shabby attire like wanderers.
Dam Ho walked looking straight ahead without giving them a glance. Since the Hainan Sect martial artists were positioned around him like guards, people couldn't recognize Dam Ho's identity.
Hae So-wol, walking beside Dam Ho, suddenly spoke:
"I thought only Hainan was hot, but this place is no joke either. Maybe because it's already the end of summer."
It was hot weather that made one sweat profusely even while standing still. At least they could endure it because they had learned internal energy, but ordinary people were avoiding going out in the terrible heat.
Dam Ho said nothing. But Hae So-wol wasn't hurt or disappointed. Because she hadn't expected Dam Ho's answer anyway.
During the journey here, Dam Ho hadn't said a single word. Though Dam Ho's silence was uncomfortable, it wasn't unbearable. Rather, being with him was much more comfortable than with other talkative people. At least Dam Ho didn't bother her.
Then one of the Hainan Sect disciples approached Dam Ho. It was Jin Mun-jung, one of Hae So-wol's junior brothers.
Jin Mun-jung was the most cool-headed among the Hainan Sect disciples while also having strong enthusiasm for martial arts.
He carefully called to Dam Ho.
"Dam… Great Hero."
"……"
"I am called Jin Mun-jung, a first-generation disciple of the Hainan Sect. May I ask you one thing?"
Jin Mun-jung's face was full of resolute light.
Though he was considered a talent in the Hainan Sect, compared to Dam Ho he was no different from a firefly before the full moon.
In the past, it was hard to acknowledge that fact, but now he not only acknowledged it but thought it was natural.
That he was speaking to Dam Ho now also took tremendous courage. He also knew how cold-hearted Dam Ho was. Nevertheless, he spoke to Dam Ho because he was that desperate.
Dam Ho looked at Jin Mun-jung. His emotionless gaze was frightening, but Jin Mun-jung didn't avoid Dam Ho's stare.
Finally Dam Ho opened his mouth.
"Speak!"
"There's an unresolved part in the martial arts I've learned. If possible, I'd like to hear Great Hero Dam's insights."
"You want to know martial principles?"
"I'm sorry but… yes."
Jin Mun-jung bowed his head and answered.
He also knew how shameless his request was. But he was desperate enough to ask Dam Ho for teachings. That desperation made Jin Mun-jung risk danger and speak to Dam Ho.
Dam Ho looked at Jin Mun-jung for a long time. At this, the other Hainan Sect disciples watched with tense eyes.
They also knew Jin Mun-jung's enthusiasm for martial arts, but they never expected him to make such a request to Dam Ho at a time like this. If Dam Ho got angry, they would have to deal with the consequences, so they couldn't help but be nervous.
But contrary to their expectations, Dam Ho didn't get angry.
"What are you curious about?"
"Among our sect's martial arts, there's something called the Thirteen Sea Swallow Swords. It's an ultimate technique I've learned, but I can't understand the sixth form called Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike. In the manual, there's clearly this passage…"
"I don't interpret passages."
"Then?"
"Follow me!"
Dam Ho entered the bushes near the road. Jin Mun-jung looked around with a hardened expression for a moment.
Hae So-wol said to Jin Mun-jung with a worried expression:
"Will you be alright? Great Hero Dam is never someone who goes easy on people."
"I know."
"Even so, you must do this?"
"I want to be helpful to our sect."
"Junior brother?"
"To do that, I need to become stronger. If no one will help, at least I should become stronger to help our sect."
"……"
At Jin Mun-jung's unexpected words, the group became solemn. Jin Mun-jung smiled looking at them.
"I'm afraid of Great Hero Dam. But what's more frightening is remaining forever as someone who can't help our sect at all."
The Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike that Jin Mun-jung was stuck on was an important gateway leading to higher levels. He firmly believed that once he overcame this gateway, he would surely encounter a new realm.
Jin Mun-jung gripped his steel sword tightly and walked into the bushes where Dam Ho had entered.
"Hmm!"
"Sigh!"
At Jin Mun-jung's appearance, the Hainan Sect disciples let out deep sighs with complex expressions. Something surged up from deep within their hearts.
At that moment, a roar echoed from within the bushes.
Bang!
"Kek!"
Followed by someone's single scream.
There was no doubt that the owner of the scream was Jin Mun-jung. The pain he felt was vividly conveyed through the scream.
"Again!"
"Aaaah!"
At that moment came Dam Ho's cold-hearted voice and Jin Mun-jung's agonized response.
Swiiish!
The sound of a sword cutting through air and explosions followed in succession. Then Jin Mun-jung was flung out of the bushes and tumbled on the ground.
"Junior brother Jin."
When Hae So-wol tried to support him in surprise, Jin Mun-jung pushed her hand away and stood up. Then he entered the forest again.
Swigak!
A sharper sound than before pierced the eardrums of Hae So-wol and the others. It was a spine-chilling sound.
Kwang!
But as the roar echoed, Jin Mun-jung was flung out again without fail. His entire body was dyed red with blood, and black bruises could be seen everywhere.
"Keuk!"
Jin Mun-jung wiped the blood flowing from his mouth with his sleeve and raised his body.
"I'll go again."
This time, even without Dam Ho's urging, Jin Mun-jung gritted his teeth and jumped into the bushes.
Hae So-wol and the Hainan Sect martial artists watched the scene while holding their breath.
It was no different from striking a rock with an egg. With Jin Mun-jung's skills, he couldn't even scratch Dam Ho's body.
After that, Jin Mun-jung was flung out of the bushes and jumped back in more than ten times.
Whiiiing!
But each time Jin Mun-jung jumped into the bushes, the sound from his sword became increasingly sharper. And finally, almost no sound was made.
At that moment, Jin Mun-jung was feeling a strange sensation he had never experienced before.
All the nerves in his body tingled and his vision suddenly seemed to widen. The air that had been completely blocked by the massive wall called Dam Ho was escaping through a gap as narrow as a needle. To Jin Mun-jung, that place looked like the only sword path his sword could pass through.
"Chaaaat!"
Without realizing it, he let out a great battle cry and thrust his sword.
Like a steel swallow flying through the air, throwing its whole body with all its might.
Shuuu!
Jin Mun-jung's body trembled at the dizzying feeling that all his internal energy was being sucked into his sword through his right arm. But regardless of his feelings, his body was moving on its own.
Pook!
His sword became light and penetrated Dam Ho's body.
At that vivid sensation, Jin Mun-jung's body trembled. The thrilling feeling like lightning passing from head to toe and the ecstasy of enlightenment that came with it made him tremble.
But his ecstasy didn't last very long.
Kwang!
Following a roar, tremendous shock struck him, and he lost consciousness just like that.
"Senior brother Jin!"
"Junior brother!"
The Hainan Sect disciples caught Jin Mun-jung as he fell like a log.
The state of unconscious Jin Mun-jung was truly miserable. His entire body was dyed with blood, and black bruises had formed everywhere. Yet Jin Mun-jung was smiling even while unconscious.
"Such a fool…"
Hae So-wol muttered quietly looking at such Jin Mun-jung. Though she said that, she thought Jin Mun-jung's recklessness was remarkable.
Unable to watch Jin Mun-jung keep charging at Dam Ho while covered in blood, she and the Hainan Sect disciples had rushed into the bushes. And they saw Jin Mun-jung's final attack.
The beautiful strike of a steel swallow throwing its whole body. It was truly perfect Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike. He had finally succeeded in that technique that had blocked and frustrated Jin Mun-jung countless times.
That's why Jin Mun-jung could smile even while unconscious. Knowing the meaning of that smile, Hae So-wol found him admirable.
Hae So-wol raised her head and looked at Dam Ho.
Dam Ho's black robe had a small hole in it. It was the trace of Jin Mun-jung successfully landing the Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike. Though the power was weak and couldn't wound Dam Ho, he had splendidly manifested the technique.
"Thank you."
Hae So-wol thanked Dam Ho.
That Jin Mun-jung could deploy the Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike was entirely thanks to Dam Ho. He had blocked countless sword paths Jin Mun-jung deployed and left only one sword path, forcing him to deploy it through there.
It wasn't done knowing the Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike. It was because he thought that for the technique Jin Mun-jung deployed to exert its greatest power, only the final sword path was possible.
It wasn't calculated with his head. After clashing with his body several times, he naturally came to know it.
Dam Ho looked at the hole in his robe. It was a narrow hole barely wide enough for one finger, but within it was contained Jin Mun-jung's obsession.
Setting aside everything else, Jin Mun-jung's obsession and decisiveness alone were worthy of high recognition.
Dam Ho lifted the unconscious Jin Mun-jung and placed him on Black Ghost's back. The very fact that he put Jin Mun-jung on Black Ghost was proof that Dam Ho acknowledged him.
"Let's go."
Even at Dam Ho's words, the Hainan Sect martial artists hesitated. Because they had seen Jin Mun-jung throw his whole body to break through the massive wall that had blocked his path.
Jin Mun-jung's appearance aroused bitter emotion in the Hainan Sect martial artists along with the challenging spirit of "I also want to break the wall."
The subtle flame rising from deep within their hearts instantly blazed hugely and consumed their hearts.
"Pl-please give me teachings too."
It started with No Kwon-ui.
He was close friends with Jin Mun-jung and also maintained a strong competitive relationship.
He wanted to overcome the wall that Jin Mun-jung had overcome.
He wanted to throw his whole body and challenge Dam Ho too.
He looked at Dam Ho with eyes full of intense yearning. It was a gaze containing the purity of a child wanting something desperately.
Then Dam Ho opened his mouth.
"Then what are you hesitating for?"
"……"
"Come at me!"
The moment he wiggled his finger, No Kwon-ui found himself charging at Dam Ho without realizing it.
"Iyaaaah!"
His rough battle cry shook the forest.
Hae So-wol closed her eyes and muttered:
"Now I don't know either."

But no matter what achievements he had in his prime, he now had a twisted, wretched appearance.

Yet such a voice could come from him?

It was truly suspicious.

Jin Ja-gang tapped his ears with his hands and answered.

“I boiled some noodles. Would you like some? Though there might not be enough for so many people.”

Mu-gak’s eyes opened wide like a tiger’s and another roar burst out.

“ARE YOU STILL NOT COMING TO YOUR SENSES AND TALKING NONSENSE, YOU THUNDER-STRUCK BALD FOOL!”

Boom boom boom!

The inn resonated endlessly.

All the martial artists in the inn were masters. Though it wasn’t painful, their energy and blood boiled as they frowned and controlled their internal energy.

Jin Ja-gang also briefly closed his eyes then opened them.

Then he said.

“Despite appearances, you seem to overflow with vitality.”

Mu-gak’s eyes bulged.

Then Namgung Geol stepped forward.

“Poison Dragon. Don’t lose your manners. This is Senior Monk of the ‘Mu’ generation from Shaolin Temple.”

The previous generation Vajra monk Jin Ja-gang had faced was of the ‘Beom’ generation in his sixties. The generation above that was ‘Hui’. And the generation above that was the ‘Mu’ generation. One generation higher than even Taoist Haewol.

Considering Mu-gak’s age was already approaching one hundred thirty, he was truly a figure equivalent to the history of the martial world.

But Jin Ja-gang naturally didn’t back down.

“If courtesy is bidirectional, then I will.”

“Huh.”

Namgung Geol shook his head.

One of the dharma protectors guarding Mu-gak stepped forward.

A Vajra monk wearing golden kasaya.

The Vajra monk with a solid body two heads taller than Jin Ja-gang came right in front of Jin Ja-gang and looked down. Like the previous Vajra monk, his external cultivation had reached the extreme with bulging solar plexus points, and his forearms were as thick as an adult man’s calves.

It seemed Jin Ja-gang would be crushed and burst if pressed with a hand. An ordinary person’s legs would tremble from the pressure.

Jin Ja-gang raised his head and met eyes with the Vajra monk.

“Is it courtesy for Shaolin Temple monks to suddenly occupy someone else’s shop that’s in business?”

More force entered the Vajra monk’s eyes.

Jin Ja-gang put his hand into his chest.

Doing such an action in front of a Vajra monk was remarkable, but the Vajra monk was also bold enough not to shrink back at all and just stared at Jin Ja-gang resolutely.

Eventually what Jin Ja-gang pulled from his chest was none other than a contract.

The Vajra monk’s eyes scanned the contract. It contained contract terms stating the original owner was temporarily renting the inn to Jin Ja-gang.

In other words, though temporary, this was an inn Jin Ja-gang was operating. By renting a civilian inn, Jin Ja-gang had slightly positioned one foot in civilian territory.

Of course, depending on how you thought about it, it might not matter much. It was especially hard to think that Shaolin Temple, which had embarked on righteous law practice, would be held back by such trivial problems.

But this was Henan and Shaolin Temple’s territory. With a legitimate contract presented, there were certainly uncomfortable aspects to causing a ruckus freely.

The Vajra monk standing in front of Jin Ja-gang spoke heavily.

“Petty tricks won’t work. Just because you operate an inn doesn’t make you a civilian.”

“So…”

Jin Ja-gang waved the contract.

“You still don’t seem to understand, but this means this is an inn. If you didn’t come to eat noodles or stay overnight, then leave. Can’t you understand?”

The Vajra monk’s eyebrows raised.

Those in the inn once again admired Jin Ja-gang. He wasn’t wrong.

What had seemed like excessive acting as an innkeeper and even preparing food turned out to have meaning in every detail.

Jin Ja-gang shifted his gaze to Mu-gak and said.

“You look healthier than you appear, so you should be able to eat noodles. I made broth with vegetables especially for the monks. What will you do?”

If you didn’t come to eat at the inn, then leave – what more words were needed!

Mu-gak’s body trembled.

“Insolent fellow. One moment… I’ll give you. Go ahead and try.”

Without putting internal energy into it, even his voice was powerless like a dying old man.

Jin Ja-gang nodded. Mu-gak’s words didn’t mean to bring noodles but that he would wait that amount of time whatever he did.

“Good. Before that… the monks blocking that door need to move aside. There’s someone who needs to leave.”

The Vajra monk standing in front of Jin Ja-gang bared his teeth and said.

“The people who can leave from here are limited.”

“What does that mean?”

Mu-gak answered in a fading voice.

“Playing ignorant… Others can all leave. But…”

Mu-gak raised his trembling hand and pointed at Ham-geun.

“You…”

Mu-gak’s finger consecutively pointed at Disaster Sword Guest Namgung Geol and Pleasure Heaven Lord Yuk Ha-seon.

“And you, you.”

Mu-gak withdrew his finger and rolled prayer beads while speaking in a frail voice.

“Those three… cannot leave here…”

Though it was the words of a powerless old monk, those words shocked the martial artists in the inn. Being unable to leave the inn was tantamount to a death sentence.

But the designated individuals were unexpected.

Even Jin Ja-gang found it strange that he himself wasn’t mentioned.

Everyone had questions.

Poison sect’s Yuk Ha-seon from the Six Poison Cliques made sense.

But no Poison Dragon?

Moreover, An Ryeong, who was suspected of harming a Vajra monk, was also excluded. Yet Mount Hua Sect and the Namgung family were included while So-min was excluded.

It was an incomprehensible standard.

Ham-geun asked.

“Will you let my disciple go?”

“I cannot… stop the sick.”

Namgung Geol stood up from his seat.

The Arhat monks blocking the entrance all glared at Namgung Geol simultaneously.

Namgung Geol laughed heartily and said.

“I didn’t know the name Funeral Inn would be so fitting. But it seems Shaolin Temple had already decided who to kill and spare. May I ask what the standard for the book of life and death is?”

Even Yuk Ha-seon snorted with a twisted face.

“That’s right. If you take people’s lives arbitrarily without standards, who would accept it?”

Mu-gak opened his small eyes and asked back.

“Who said you should accept it?”

Yuk Ha-seon was speechless.

Mu-gak said.

“It wasn’t a standard made for acceptance in the first place. It’s just sweeping fallen leaves and dusting off dirt… That’s righteous law practice.”

An Ryeong stood up and went to Ham-geun.

“Fortunately, I’m not on the book of life and death, so I’ll take Miss So-min. This is personal without considering Mount Hua Sect and my family’s positions…”

But Ham-geun closed his eyes and pondered.

“Great Hero Ham. There’s no time for this. Senior Monk Mu-gak said Miss So-min could be taken.”

Ham-geun was currently forcibly preventing the poison’s spread by injecting internal energy into vital points, but the already poisoned parts would be rotting.

So An Ryeong urged, but Ham-geun didn’t budge.

“So-min is poisoned with Asura Blood. Since she drank a small amount, if she’s lucky… if she’s lucky, she might survive.”

“I know. So if we take her to our medical house, we can save her.”

When Ham-geun opened his eyes, his eye rims were reddened with sorrow. But his expression was even more resolute than before.

“That’s why I can’t send So-min to the An family medical house even more.”

“Great Hero Ham!”

“Our Mount Hua Sect decided to join hands with the Righteous Alliance. The An family medical house is hostile to the Righteous Alliance and will become our enemy someday. I cannot be indebted now.”

“That’s not the issue! Right now there’s a huge enemy called Shaolin Temple…”

“Shaolin Temple didn’t write Poison Dragon and the An family medical house in the book of life and death. But our Mount Hua Sect is different.”

An Ryeong said with a pained expression.

“Is it right to neglect a dying disciple for such… political reasons?”

“At least for now, it’s the right thing.”

Yuk Ha-seon interjected.

“The traces of Asura Blood remaining in So-min’s body will be a great weapon for Mount Hua Sect to face Poison Dragon in the future. So they can’t send her to the An family medical house even more. If Great Hero Ham can survive, that is, under that premise.”

An Ryeong knew this too. That’s why her heart ached more. If So-min died like this, what difference was it from Pyo Sang-guk earlier!

“Then… at least let me give acupuncture so she can live a bit longer.”

Ham-geun didn’t prevent even that. An Ryeong laid So-min on the floor and took out her acupuncture kit. As a descendant of a medical family, she was also versed in medical arts.

But because she had injured her hands earlier, she had bandages wrapped from her fingers to her elbows and couldn’t perform acupuncture.

An Ryeong took a deep breath and unwrapped the bandages tightly wound around her hands.

Unlike An Ryeong’s fine skin, her forearms had hideous wounds along with bright red handprints. They were wounds that had been torn and were just beginning to heal after barely reattaching.

Suddenly Mu-gak laughed while chattering his teeth.

Mu-gak was looking precisely at An Ryeong.

“Tearing, is it?”

Che-yeol (車裂) is a punishment using carriages to tear a person’s limbs, while cha-yeol (撦裂) is a martial technique of twisting and tearing a person’s limbs by hand.

“Though I sent countless demon soldiers to enlightenment, for committing too much killing… I was dragged to the main temple and subjected to full-body tearing punishment. Thus the flesh, bones, and tendons of my limbs were all twisted and torn except for my right index finger and thumb.”

Mu-gak continued while chattering with laughter.

“At the main temple, there are monks who specifically carry out tearing punishments. Precisely the Arhat monks of the Discipline Courtyard.”

An Ryeong asked calmly.

“So what?”

Mu-gak raised his trembling arm and painfully rolled up his sleeve. His elbows and wrists were all twisted with skin pushed aside, and there even remained old, blackened handprints.

“The Gong-eup you killed was an Arhat from the Discipline Courtyard.”

An Ryeong’s face hardened.

Mu-gak raised his trembling hand and pointed at An Ryeong with the tip of his bent fingernail. Though his hands and fingers all trembled, strangely the pointing tip didn’t waver and precisely indicated An Ryeong.

“Now… you can’t leave either.”

An Ryeong shivered with chills. But she tried to speak calmly.

“What truly arbitrary standards.”

Mu-gak commanded the Arhat monks lined up at the entrance.

“Go. Chase out the remaining An clan minions in Henan.”

Mu-gak sent away all but two Vajra monks and five Arhat monks. This was confidence that this number could subdue everyone inside.

An Ryeong tried to stay calm.

“If only I hadn’t drunk alcohol, I could have been more clever. Can’t be helped.”

Yuk Ha-seon glanced at An Ryeong and said.

“Killing a Shaolin Vajra monk barehanded at that age. Did you indeed learn imperial palace martial arts?”

An Ryeong smiled bitterly and focused on So-min as if having no choice. She breathed carefully and placed acupuncture needles at various points on So-min’s body. Ham-geun could only watch such An Ryeong with complex emotions.

Also, with An Ryeong unable to leave, Im Yi-eon’s situation changed too. Now Im Yi-eon also had no choice but to intervene.

Im Yi-eon cupped her fists to Mu-gak and asked for understanding.

“Master Mu-gak. I came to care for An family medical house bloodline. Please don’t reproach my rudeness too much.”

Mu-gak nodded his chin with difficulty.

“Of course.”

At the same time, Im Yi-eon quietly instructed Son Bi.

“My disciple, you must immediately leave this inn.”

Son Bi firmly shook her head. But Im Yi-eon didn’t accept Son Bi’s resolve.

“Can’t you tell from Master Mu-gak leaving only that small number? Today this master will bury her bones here.”

When tears welled up in Son Bi’s eyes, Im Yi-eon harshly scolded.

“I told you to erase affection! Do you think your acting like this helps me!”

Son Bi bit her lips and bowed her head.

Mu-gak declared.

“I clearly said one moment…”

After one moment, this inn would become a battlefield. Within that, Jin Ja-gang had to resolve the matter of King of Hell’s personal letter.

“One moment is enough.”

Jin Ja-gang went to the kitchen to boil noodles.

Yuk Ha-seon clicked her tongue at Jin Ja-gang’s boldness.

“Then I can’t die like this either.”

Yuk Ha-seon went upstairs for some reason.

Namgung Geol drew his sword and began sharpening it.

A strange atmosphere pervaded the inn.