Chapter 374 – In the Storm, It's Not Just a Small Boat That Sways (3)

"By the way, little sister, where are you going? From your attire, it looks like you're going far."

"I'm going to Shaanxi Province."

"That's quite far. Do you have someone you know there?"

"My older brother is there."

Hwang Hye-ryeong answered lightly to Yo Sa-ran's question.

"Older brother? You two must be quite close. You look happy."

"We haven't met for a long time. It's been three years since we last met, so I'm a bit excited."

"Really?"

An interested light appeared in Yo Sa-ran's dreamy pupils.

Though it was just a one-night acquaintance, she found Hwang Hye-ryeong very likable. That's why she was more interested.

"What kind of person is your older brother, little sister?"

"He's a strong person."

"Strong?"

"Yes! Not simply that he fights well and has high martial arts skills, but he's just strong as a person. So I always feel secure when I'm with him."

"How enviable. Having someone by your side you can depend on is truly a great blessing."

"Sister, do you have someone like that too?"

"I had one! But he's dead now."

"I'm sorry."

"What does little sister have to be sorry about? Is it your fault that person died? I'm fine with it, so you don't need to feel sorry."

Yo Sa-ran smiled as if it was nothing and moved forward.

They were currently coming down from the mountain where they had spent the night outdoors. In front, Muk Il-gwang was leading the way.

Hwang Hye-ryeong turned her head slightly to look at Yo Sa-ran.

Despite the quite rough mountain path, she was walking lightly without her breathing becoming rough at all. Only then could Hwang Hye-ryeong be certain. That she was a master who had learned martial arts.

Come to think of it, a woman wandering alone in the mountains without a single light couldn't be an ordinary person. She had just failed to realize this fact, swept up in Yo Sa-ran's mysterious atmosphere.

'What sect is sister a master from?'

Curiosity flooded in like a tide, but Hwang Hye-ryeong didn't bother to ask. To ask about Yo Sa-ran's identity would inevitably require revealing her own identity as well.

Hwang Hye-ryeong didn't particularly want to do that. She didn't know what trouble would arise if she revealed that her father was Hwang Gyeong-mun, head of the Overlord Stronghold and general leader of the Forest of Bandits, and that her older brother was Dam Ho, currently the most destructive martial artist in the martial world.

Most sects in the martial world looked down on or despised the Forest of Bandits, considering them targets for suppression. It was only because Hwang Gyeong-mun held firm and unified the Forest of Bandits as one that they weren't already suppressed by martial world sects.

Therefore, Hwang Hye-ryeong never revealed her identity unless the person was trustworthy. The same applied to Yo Sa-ran.

Though it was true she felt favorable toward her, she couldn't know if she was trustworthy. Most of all, the fact that Muk Il-gwang was wary of her bothered her.

Therefore, Hwang Hye-ryeong maintained an appropriate distance from Yo Sa-ran and didn't engage in deep conversations.

Following Muk Il-gwang, they soon left the mountains and came upon a main road.

"Hmm! It's an official road."

"Yes! If we follow this road, we should be able to reach the next village without difficulty."

"To find the road so easily."

Yo Sa-ran muttered with a dejected expression. Hwang Hye-ryeong comforted her.

"It happens. Let's go to the next village together with us."

"Thank you!"

"Don't mention it!"

Hwang Hye-ryeong smiled and moved forward.

After briefly shaking her head, Yo Sa-ran soon followed beside Hwang Hye-ryeong.

Walking straight along the official road, a village appeared before half a day had passed. It seemed to be quite a large village, with inns and taverns lined up at the entrance. But a strange sight appeared.

About ten martial artists were gathered at the village entrance. Instantly, tension appeared in Muk Il-gwang's eyes. The energy felt from the martial artists was extraordinary.

'Who are they?'

There were about ten martial artists with such prominent presence that they made Muk Il-gwang tense. It meant even the renowned Muk Il-gwang couldn't guarantee victory.

Then the martial artists approached where Muk Il-gwang and others were. Muk Il-gwang became wary and secretly raised his internal energy.

But the martial artists passed by Muk Il-gwang and approached Yo Sa-ran. Among them, a particularly fierce-looking man in his early to mid-forties stepped forward.

The man suddenly began scolding Yo Sa-ran.

"Do you know how much we searched after you suddenly disappeared?"

"Sorry!"

"How on earth… does it make sense to get lost in such a small mountain? You just had to follow behind us. The lord suddenly disappeared and we waited here all night. We…"

"I said I'm sorry. Stop it!"

"Yes!"

The man who had been enthusiastically scolding suddenly shut his lips tight like a clam at Yo Sa-ran's word. But his face was still full of dissatisfaction.

The man's gaze turned to Hwang Hye-ryeong and others who were with Yo Sa-ran.

"But who are these people?"

"I met them in the mountains. They provided dinner and helped me find the way."

"Ah!"

An exclamation burst out before Yo Sa-ran's words were finished. The man bowed to Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang.

"Thank you so much for taking care of our lord."

"Oh, not at all."

"She's not even a child, but she keeps getting lost – it's been troublesome more than once or twice. We're so grateful that you found our lord like this. I don't know how to repay this kindness."

"No repayment is necessary. We were going the same direction so it was pleasant."

"Your words are so kind, I can't express how grateful I am. I truly won't forget this kindness."

Unlike his fierce appearance, the man was quite talkative. Yo Sa-ran watched such a sight with her lips pouted.

"Stop it! If you keep talking like that, what will little sister think of me?"

"Little… sister?"

"Yes! We decided to be sisters."

For a moment the man's pupils shook. But soon he spoke with a nonchalant expression.

"Is that so?"

"Yes!"

"I understand."

"Before we part, let me at least treat you to a meal, so find a proper inn."

"I'll do that."

The man called one of the martial artists standing behind him and ordered him to find an inn with a restaurant.

At this, Hwang Hye-ryeong quickly waved her hands.

"You don't need to do that. We'll be leaving right away."

"Please give us just one chance. There aren't many people our lord treats so warmly."

When the man pleaded earnestly, Hwang Hye-ryeong looked at Muk Il-gwang with a troubled expression. Muk Il-gwang was equally troubled.

Then Yo Sa-ran stepped forward and drove the point home.

"It's just one meal. It doesn't mean much, so don't worry. Still, since we received hospitality, we should give a chance to repay it."

"Alright, sister."

Hwang Hye-ryeong answered with a resigned expression. At this, the man smiled slightly.

Soon after, the martial artist who had gone to secure an inn returned. Everyone followed behind him.

The man subtly fell back and approached Yo Sa-ran.

"My lord!"

The smooth tone from just before disappeared and a cold voice devoid of emotion flowed out.

"Speak!"

"A carrier pigeon has arrived from headquarters."

"Carrier pigeon?"

Yo Sa-ran's eyebrows twitched.

"Golden Divine Pavilion and Divine Transformation Hall have moved to Anhui Province, so we're to rendezvous with them here."

"Rendezvous with those lunatics?"

"That's correct."

"Is the strategist's order certain?"

"Yes!"

"I'll have to follow even if I don't like it. What's the target?"

"The Namgung family."

"I like that."

A thin arc formed at the corner of Yo Sa-ran's mouth. Instantly, cold energy swept in as if the surrounding temperature had dropped. But the man wasn't surprised. It was very familiar to him.

The man's gaze suddenly turned toward Muk Il-gwang who was walking ahead.

"He's no ordinary person."

"I know."

"He might be connected to the Namgung family. Rather, secretly eliminating him would be…"

"Ju-cheon! Since when did you become so talkative?"

Instantly, cold energy condensed in Yo Sa-ran's voice. The moment he heard her voice, the man called Ju-cheon felt all the hair on his body stand on end.

"Hah! I'm sorry."

Instantly the man knelt down and struck his head on the ground. His head split open and blood flowed, but the man didn't care.

"Ju-cheon!"

"Yes! My lord."

"You're lacking one thing. Do you know what it is?"

"I don't know."

"It's romance. No matter how bleak a world we live in, we need to be a little more generous."

"I will keep my lord's words in mind."

"You may rise."

"Thank you."

As soon as Yo Sa-ran's order was given, Ju-cheon quickly got up. Blood was flowing from his forehead.

"Oh my?"

Seeing this, Yo Sa-ran approached Ju-cheon. She wiped the blood flowing on Ju-cheon's forehead with her white, long fingers and said:

"Blood isn't something to be seen just anytime."

"I will keep this in mind."

"Good!"

Yo Sa-ran smiled sweetly in front of him. But Ju-cheon couldn't smile. Because these were words that didn't suit Yo Sa-ran at all. At least as far as he knew.

"Let's go, I'm hungry!"

Yo Sa-ran moved toward the inn.

***

Nam Cheon-san's eyes were deeply sunken.

In front of him lay four empty wine bottles. He had emptied them all by himself in a short time.

His throat felt parched from drinking so much at once. But his mind was clearer than ever.

He wanted to surrender to intoxication but couldn't get drunk.

This was the first time this had happened.

Nam Cheon-san knew the reason.

"Dam Ho!"

His shocking martial prowess still hadn't faded from memory.

That overwhelming destructive power and intense martial prowess, and the tremendous presence that overwhelmed the heroes. Though he didn't want to admit it, he too had been overwhelmed by Dam Ho's presence. That's why he couldn't move even while watching strategist Namgung Chang die miserably.

Nam Cheon-san had been opposing Namgung Chang for years. Namgung Chang interfered in everything and tried to make him a puppet. So he had recruited people like Jeok Gyeong-cheon to build his forces in opposition.

The series of events building power while opposing Namgung Chang had been very difficult. But Nam Cheon-san had steadily built his strength and now had forces that wouldn't yield to anyone. He had acquired the dignity and majesty befitting a leader.

Nam Cheon-san hadn't rushed but tried to slowly absorb Namgung Chang and his followers using that power. By doing so, consolidating his leadership position and annexing the Demon Cult to become the world's greatest was his grand ambition.

"But that bastard ruined everything."

Nam Cheon-san ground his teeth.

In front of everyone, Dam Ho ignored him. Him, the leader of the Martial Alliance.

By killing Namgung Chang in front of Nam Cheon-san, his dignity and majesty fell to the ground. No matter how wrong Namgung Chang was, his punishment should have been left to him as the leader.

He had become a paper tiger in front of everyone.

Now who would truly follow his orders and be willing to sacrifice their lives?

Bang!

Nam Cheon-san, filled with indignation, struck the table with his fist. The solid table made of red sandalwood shattered and scattered in all directions.

That's when it happened.

"I don't know what has made the leader so angry."

At the familiar voice, Nam Cheon-san raised his head to look at the door.

He was there.

"Senior Jeok."

"I've returned, leader."

The one answering with a smile was precisely Heavenly Sword King Jeok Gyeong-cheon. He looked at the wine bottles scattered on the floor and said.

"Drinking alone harms body and mind."

"I'm sorry, Senior Jeok."

"Is it because of the Fist Demon… after all?"

"Did you hear?"

"When I returned, all I heard were stories about him."

"He killed the strategist. Because of that, my dignity as leader has hit rock bottom. Now no one will listen to my orders."

"Tsk! Your heart must be greatly hurt."

"I'm sorry. I showed you something unsightly."

"Not at all! I understand. Anyone would be like that if they suffered the same humiliation as you."

"Senior Jeok!"

"I still support you unchanged. I will be your strength. And these people will also firmly support you."

Jeok Gyeong-cheon pointed to the entrance with his hand. Then about ten martial artists who appeared to be of similar age to Jeok Gyeong-cheon entered the room one after another.

"Who are these people?"

"The martial world's last bastions."

The Cherry Blossom Corps was like a letter sent by Mang Ryo.

Of course, it wasn’t an ordinary letter.

It was a letter wrapped in twisted hatred, with layers upon layers of filthy shells that couldn’t be understood unless opened.

A letter designed solely for reaching Jin Ja-gang…

Mobilizing hundreds of people for that single purpose was also Mang Ryo’s way.

So when he kindly sent such a disgusting gift, there was a reason.

Mang Ryo seemed to whisper in Jin Ja-gang’s ear.

Won’t you try to stop it?

Jin Ja-gang bared his teeth as the unpleasant emotions from meeting Mang Ryo surfaced.

Slowly scratching at his insides while enticing him.

I’m going to do such and such… How about it, will you try to stop me?

Shaolin Temple tried to destroy everything, while Mang Ryo urged Jin Ja-gang to try stopping him.

In the viciously entangled conflict and violence, one wrong step would mean falling into a thousand-fathom abyss.

However.

Jin Ja-gang had already decided.

Jin Ja-gang went to Mu-gak.

Then he took out King of Hell Tang Qing’s personal letter and placed it in Mu-gak’s chest, patting it gently as if comforting him.

Mu-gak asked while bleeding from his mouth.

“Is this… your choice?”

“That’s right. Do you still need proof?”

“You know what will happen if I return with King of Hell’s personal letter?”

“I know.”

“The later Shaolin’s blade comes, the more the world will become hell. Those hungry ghosts, the very hungry ghosts you speak of, will begin rampaging and may reach an irreversible state.”

Jin Ja-gang thought for a moment then answered.

“That doesn’t mean we can burn down the entire world.”

“Why not? You and Haewol are truly lacking! Do you think you can kill thousands, tens of thousands of hungry ghosts and cull the hungry ghost king with such a heart?”

Hungry ghost king.

It was a truly fitting term. Perhaps the target Jin Ja-gang ultimately had to find was precisely the hungry ghost king.

Jin Ja-gang pondered Mu-gak’s words before answering.

“I must continue living in this world even after this matter ends. So I cannot let Shaolin Temple destroy everything.”

Though he didn’t say it aloud, this included Tang Ha-ran and Jin Ja-gang’s own child. It was something Jin Ja-gang had to do to live the future with his wife and child.

Mu-gak barely raised his twisted neck and said.

“I never resented my limbs once in decades, but today I truly regret it! Even though I didn’t underestimate you, I’ve ruined everything.”

“You won’t regret it.”

This was contrary to what he had said earlier about regretting it.

But paradoxically, it ultimately meant the same thing.

Because Jin Ja-gang was telling him to trust him.

Mu-gak spewed blood while unconsciously laughing.

“Madman.”

But Jin Ja-gang had heard those words so often he felt no emotion.

Jin Ja-gang turned his head.

Ham-geun and Im Yi-eon were still fighting.

Clang!

Ham-geun’s sword was cut in half.

Having exhausted all internal energy, his sword steel disappeared. Ham-geun spilled nosebleed profusely while retreating.

Im Yi-eon still maintained sword steel. No smoke had even risen yet.

However, Im Yi-eon didn’t chase Ham-geun.

Ham-geun lowered his sword as if he had no more will to fight.

Im Yi-eon also sheathed her sword. Then she gestured toward Ham-geun.

“Go!”

Ham-geun looked at Im Yi-eon with a surprised expression.

Im Yi-eon shouted angrily.

“You must know you’re shameful! Go. Go and live the rest of your life amid others’ mockery and disgrace!”

Ham-geun’s expression darkened. Ham-geun unconsciously tried to sheathe his sword, but it was impossible with one wrist gone.

Ham-geun dropped his sword with a dejected expression and lifted dead So-min’s corpse with one hand.

Having exhausted his internal energy, he couldn’t use movement techniques either. Bleeding drop by drop from his severed wrist, he carried So-min and left the inn.

Jin Ja-gang didn’t question Im Yi-eon about why she let Ham-geun go.

That was Im Yi-eon’s fight and Im Yi-eon’s choice to make.

Im Yi-eon looked back at An Ryeong.

“Are you alright?”

“No.”

An Ryeong shook her head. True to her medical background, she had already taken self-care measures. But blood continued flowing out. She needed proper treatment.

Im Yi-eon completely poured out her internal energy to burn away the sword steel and quickly performed breathing exercises while standing. After recovering some internal energy, she immediately lifted An Ryeong and stood up.

“Master Mu-gak. Shaolin Temple will have to take responsibility for today’s debt.”

Mu-gak only chuckled.

Im Yi-eon glanced at Yuk Ha-seon then threw a comment to Jin Ja-gang.

“That woman’s life is in your hands.”

Then she stared at Jin Ja-gang briefly.

“I must go to the An family medical house like this. If you happen to meet my disciple… no, never mind. Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

Since Mu-gak had ordered the An family medical house people to be driven from Henan, Im Yi-eon had to take a somewhat dangerous path where she might clash with Shaolin monks. In a state where she hadn’t recovered her internal energy.

So it seemed she had intended to ask Jin Ja-gang to take care of things, but Im Yi-eon ultimately gave up the request and left the inn.

An Ryeong briefly made eye contact with Jin Ja-gang midway, but that was all.

Jin Ja-gang went to the unconscious Yuk Ha-seon. He crushed some medicinal herbs he had and applied them to the wound on her crushed leg, then tightly bound her thigh to stop the bleeding.

Fortunately, whether there was no more blood to come out, the bleeding stopped to some degree.

“Poison… Dragon…”

Yuk Ha-seon had regained consciousness at some point and called Jin Ja-gang in a nearly dying voice.

“About my proposal… have you decided?”

The proposal to join hands with Pleasure Heaven.

Jin Ja-gang didn’t answer.

“It would be better not to speak at length.”

“Are you… going to save me?”

“I’ll leave you in an appropriate place.”

“Unexpectedly kind…”

Jin Ja-gang found a staff of appropriate length without answering and gave it to Yuk Ha-seon as a walking stick.

“You’ll have to get up yourself.”

Yuk Ha-seon groaned while raising her body.

Jin Ja-gang also had torn left thigh muscles, so he couldn’t carry or piggyback Yuk Ha-seon. Supporting her so she wouldn’t fall was all he could do.

Yuk Ha-seon used the staff to support herself on the floor while leaving the inn, then stopped briefly.

Gong-hon was still lying on the floor. And Mu-gak too.

Yuk Ha-seon said a word to Mu-gak like Im Yi-eon had.

“I’ve well received the spicy taste Monk showed. In return… I’ll show the monks some sweetness… soon.”

Mu-gak snorted.

“Be grateful that… I’m letting you live.”

Jin Ja-gang supported Yuk Ha-seon as they limped out of the inn.

“…”

“…”

Inside the inn was as quiet as a mouse.

The floor was completely broken with holes, and the ceiling and second floor railing were tilted as if about to collapse. It was truly a complete mess.

The stench of blood from corpses filled the air, making it horribly gruesome.

The surviving Cherry Blossom Corps youngsters were still reading the situation for quite a while afterward.

They were too scared to move carelessly. People worth leaving like Ham-geun, Im Yi-eon, and Poison Dragon had all left.

But Mu-gak still remained. Though he was poisoned and couldn’t move his limbs, the fact that his mind was clear was troubling.

A few mustered courage and tried to creep along the inn wall toward the entrance. The rest also prepared to move while reading the situation.

Then suddenly Mu-gak’s voice rang out.

“Where are you going?”

Though it was a powerless voice, it sounded like thunder from a clear sky to the youngsters. But gaining courage from the fact that Mu-gak couldn’t move, they barely managed to speak.

“W-we’re also tr-trying to leave.”

“W-we don’t want to stay here.”

Mu-gak clicked his tongue.

“Who said you could come and go as you please? You cannot leave.”

“Th-then are you going to kill us all?”

“Then… you want to survive? After daring to interfere with Shaolin’s affairs?”

At Mu-gak’s words, the Cherry Blossom Corps youngsters gritted their teeth.

“Damn it!”

Someone spat out curses.

It was do-or-die anyway.

Mu-gak was all talk. Wasn’t he the one who couldn’t even move!

The youngsters exchanged glances with each other. They could escape through broken windows or gaps instead of the entrance. If they scattered and fled all at once, he couldn’t catch them all.

“Run!”

At that moment.

Crash! Something broke through the ceiling and fell down.

It was an enormously large mass. Without the slightest exaggeration, it was the size of an ox.

Thud!

The mass landed in front of one youngster who was fleeing. Dusty clouds formed and spread out.

That single mass completely blocked the entrance.

The youngster running toward the entrance collided with the mass, then staggered and bounced off. The mass reached out and caught the bouncing youngster’s head.

The youngster stopped in great surprise after confirming the identity.

It was a person.

Moreover, it was a Shaolin Temple monk.

“Uwaaah…!”

While Vajra monks were already two heads larger than ordinary people, the Shaolin monk before them was even bigger than that. He even had hands so large and thick that the youngster’s entire head could fit in his palm. Compared to his build, the youngster looked like nothing more than a child.

Fortunately, the massive Shaolin monk had a very kind face. On a large face like two watermelons stacked vertically with a solid, square nose attached powerfully, he was unexpectedly smiling so gently his eyes couldn’t be seen.

“It’s alright. It’s alright now, so you can be at ease.”

Pat pat.

The massive Shaolin monk patted the youngster’s shoulder. He was tapping gently like comforting a child, reassuring him.

The youngster was completely frozen while sweating profusely all over his body.

The massive Shaolin monk with a kind expression said toward Mu-gak.

“You were late, so I came to greet you, Master Uncle.”

Perhaps because his resonance chamber was large, his voice didn’t sound human but rumbled with echoes.

Mu-gak answered with a displeased tone.

“Great Buddha. I ended up receiving King of Hell’s personal letter.”

Great Buddha Beom-bon!

Shaolin Temple, which possessed the greatest martial power in the martial world.

He was that Shaolin Temple’s abbot and simultaneously an absolute master counted as one Buddha among One Master Two Buddhas Three Taoists Two Kings.

He had come from the main mountain to this place.

At Mu-gak’s words, Great Buddha Beom-bon asked with a somewhat unexpected tone.

“Oh my… Was Poison Dragon at that level?”

“Flies swarmed around.”

Killing intent mixed with the word flies. The Cherry Blossom Corps youngsters trembled.

Beom-bon nodded.

“I see. Flies indeed. Flies are very bothersome.”

“Yes. It became bothersome.”

“To have the righteous dharma march interfered with. Buddha seems to desire a march of hardship.”

“Perhaps I’m just too old to step forward myself.”

“Namo Amitabha. You don’t look well. I’ll hear the rest of your words after returning…”

Beom-bon raised his head to look over the Cherry Blossom Corps youngsters.

The youngsters still thought Beom-bon was better than Mu-gak, so they watched him with a glimmer of hope.

Beom-bon said with a kind expression.

“You all shall follow me.”

“…?”

The Cherry Blossom Corps youngsters were confused by Beom-bon’s sudden words.

“Wh-what do you…”