Chapter 375 – In the Storm, It's Not Just a Small Boat That Sways (4)

Nam Cheon-san's eyes trembled. ​

There were only about ten people. Definitely not a large number that could be called numerous. Yet the presence these few people radiated heavily filled the room. ​

Nam Cheon-san was also a top-level master in the martial world, enough to be called Divine Spear, and indeed his martial prowess was so great that there was no one in the Martial Alliance who could match him. Such Jeok Gyeong-cheon was showing tension. ​

Because of the ten or so martial artists standing before his eyes. ​

Some were young, others had aged appearances. There were men and there were women. They truly had varied appearances like ten different people with ten different colors. But they were all emanating powerful presence. ​

Each and every one looked powerful enough to not fall behind Nam Cheon-san, the leader of the Martial Alliance. ​

Nam Cheon-san shuddered. ​

"The people Senior Jeok said he would bring…" ​

"That's right! These are they. It took a lot of time to persuade them to come out from their seclusion. Let me introduce them. Starting from this side, we have Great Hero Yu Seong-wol, Red Star Divine Lord, Great Hero Jang Jin-myeong, Thousand-Enemy Sword, and Lady Hero So Bo-won, Heavenly Mountain Snow Flower. And…" ​

As Jeok Gyeong-cheon's introductions continued, excitement arose in Nam Cheon-san's pupils. ​

Red Star Divine Lord Yu Seong-wol was a master from the same era as Jeok Gyeong-cheon. His personality was cold and calm, unshaken by any threat, and most of all, his martial arts were strong enough that not many could match him. ​

Most importantly, he was close friends with Ho Cheon-san, Blood Light Death God, one of the Four Death Gods. Yu Seong-wol possessed such powerful martial prowess and cold calculation that Ho Cheon-san, who wrote bloody legends, acknowledged him as a friend. ​

During the first Righteous-Demon Great War, he too participated as a member of the suicide squad. He entered the Demon Cult's main stronghold together with Ho Cheon-san and was known to have died gloriously. At least until now. ​

"Are you really Senior Yu Seong-wol?" ​

"That's right. I am indeed Red Star Divine Lord Yu Seong-wol. It's truly pleasant to meet such an outstanding junior of the martial world." ​

"Ah!" ​

Nam Cheon-san unconsciously exclaimed at Yu Seong-wol's greeting. ​

He couldn't believe he was seeing before his eyes a martial artist who had lived in the same era as the legendary Four Death Gods of the martial world, and among them, one who had formed special bonds with the Blood Light Death God. ​

But Nam Cheon-san's surprise was only just beginning. ​

Jang Jin-myeong, who looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, had the alias Thousand-Enemy Sword. He got this alias because with just one sword in his hands, he could face a thousand people. Indeed, during the first Righteous-Demon Great War, he alone faced nearly a thousand Demon Cult martial artists. Though he didn't kill all thousand, he made his name known in the martial world by defeating them. ​

Heavenly Mountain Snow Flower So Bo-won was the supreme master who overcame the physical limitations of being a woman and rose to the very top of the martial world. She was the strongest produced by the prestigious Heavenly Mountain Snow Gate. ​

With a woman's body, she jumped into the fight against the Demon Cult and achieved countless victories. The accomplishments she achieved never fell behind those of male masters. No, they were even more outstanding, and countless people were enthusiastic about her. ​

Though decades had passed, she didn't look very aged. She maintained her middle-aged beauty, and rather had an elegant appearance with dignity, emanating extraordinary intimidating presence. ​

"Please treat me well, Leader." ​

"It's an honor to meet the leader who leads the Martial Alliance." ​

They cupped their fists and greeted Nam Cheon-san. ​

"I can only be grateful that you've taken such difficult steps to come here." ​

A moved light appeared on Nam Cheon-san's face. ​

To Nam Cheon-san, who had been mentally cornered because of Dam Ho, their appearance was more than ten thousand troops. ​

"Coming back to the martial world is not a very pleasant thing, but since we've already come out, we'll do our utmost to help the leader." ​

"Please treat us well from now on." ​

The old masters successively cupped their fists and greeted him. It might have been ceremonial greetings, but Nam Cheon-san's heart didn't see it that way. ​

The self-esteem that had fallen to the floor just moments before soared back to the sky. ​

Though their number was only ten, each was a master who could shake the world thunderously. The joining of such people made Nam Cheon-san feel he had nothing to fear. ​

Nam Cheon-san spoke with a much brighter face. ​

"Facing the great crisis of the martial world, I don't know how reassuring it is to have senior masters who had been in seclusion join us like this. I ask for much help and guidance in the future." ​

"If there are problems, speak up anytime. As I've already said, we'll help with all our might." ​

Gu Ui-jin, who belonged to the youngest among the ten or so masters, answered. His wolf-like appearance was impressive, fitting his alias Heavenly Wolf Guest. ​

Nam Cheon-san smiled at Gu Ui-jin's words. ​

"As it happens, there was a troublesome problem, so this works out well." ​

"What is that?" ​

"There's someone shaking the existing order. Because of him, the strategist died, and the order of the Martial Alliance that I worked hard to establish is being shaken." ​

"Who is it? Who dares to go against the mood of the leader, the supreme being of the martial world?" ​

"You probably already know. Dam Ho… the one called the Fist Demon." ​

Power was contained in Nam Cheon-san's voice. ​

***

Dam Ho indifferently looked at the brightly lit Shaolin Temple. ​

It was just before dawn broke. The time when the world was darkest, but Shaolin Temple was as bright as broad daylight, as if denying such common sense. The Martial Alliance's temporary headquarters attached to Shaolin Temple was also equally lit up through the night. ​

That many people were gathered at Shaolin Temple and the Martial Alliance, and the twelve hours of each day were turning like gears without a moment's rest. ​

Though it was early dawn, the passion they emitted could be felt even by Dam Ho. Dam Ho stood in place like a stone statue, watching all this scenery. ​

Dam Ho had said neither positive nor negative words to So-cheon. Nevertheless, So-cheon and Cheong-un resolved to join forces with Dam Ho. Cho Yeon-woon took these two people outside, saying to leave the troublesome matters to him. ​

They were probably talking together with shared spirit by now. Dam Ho believed Cho Yeon-woon would handle it well. ​

That's when it happened. ​

"Hyung!" ​

A familiar voice was heard from behind. It was Bang Jin-bo. ​

Bang Jin-bo approached and stood next to Dam Ho. ​

Bang Jin-bo, who had to give up his place to So-cheon and Cheong-un without even having time to catch up with Dam Ho after meeting him after a long time. Though he might have felt disappointed, there was no such sign on Bang Jin-bo's face at all. ​

Though his childlike nature hadn't completely disappeared, Bang Jin-bo was now also a proper martial artist. His mental cultivation wasn't shallow enough to show disappointment over such matters. ​

"Hehe!" ​

Bang Jin-bo showed his characteristic smile. Dam Ho didn't say much, but it didn't matter. It was still good. Just the fact of being together with Dam Ho, whom he liked most, made Bang Jin-bo feel the visit to Shaolin Temple was worthwhile. ​

Dam Ho asked. ​

"Mount Hua?" ​

"Everyone's doing well. Many first-generation disciples including the Plum Blossom Swordsmen have entered closed-door training. Ah, the Grand Elder has also entered seclusion." ​

"Master?" ​

"Yes! He said enlightenment was needed to face the Heavenly Evil Cult." ​

Dam Ho nodded at Bang Jin-bo's words. ​

It was a decision fitting of True Master Hyeon-so. ​

Mount Hua Sect was in a state of closing its gates anyway. Since external activities had completely stopped, there was relatively little outside attention. They had to make maximum use of this period to stockpile their strength. ​

The coming battle would certainly be more harsh than any previous battle. ​

"Senior Brother Woon Kyung must be having a hard time." ​

"Eh! Don't even mention it. If you were to pick the person suffering the most mental anguish in Mount Hua Sect, it would probably be him. Watching from the side is agonizing. Still, he's really doing well." ​

Leading a great sect like Mount Hua Sect was no ordinary task. The financial scale was enormous, and there were lay disciples with tangled interests and the sects they established, plus so many other things to think about and calculate. ​

Therefore, to lead a great sect like Mount Hua Sect well, pure martial power needed to be backed up with sophisticated political skills. ​

Fortunately, Woon Kyung's martial power was somewhat lacking, but instead he had excellent political skills and broad talent management abilities. Myeong-gyeong supplemented the lacking martial power, and True Master Hyeon-so served as a spiritual pillar, so he could fully display his abilities. ​

Un-gyeong focused so intensely on work that no one knew when he slept. Many disciples respected such Un-gyeong. ​

Bang Jin-bo told Dam Ho in detail about things that had happened when Dam Ho wasn't at Mount Hua Sect. And Dam Ho silently listened to such Bang Jin-bo's stories. ​

"Ah! That's right. And we created the Plum Blossom Divine Pill." ​

"Plum Blossom Divine Pill?" ​

"Yes! After hyung left Mount Hua, Sister Ri-yeon reproduced the Plum Blossom Divine Pill." ​

Even the world's Dam Ho couldn't help but be surprised by the story that the Plum Blossom Divine Pill had been reproduced. ​

Just the fact that she had revived the Plum Blossom Divine Pill, whose manufacturing method had been lost long ago, in the current era showed what outstanding genius she possessed. But genius alone couldn't create a spiritual medicine like the Plum Blossom Divine Pill. ​

It was clearly visible how many sleepless nights Jong Ri-yeon must have spent. ​

Suddenly Dam Ho reached out and patted Bang Jin-bo's head. ​

"You've worked hard too." ​

"Eh! What did I do? Sister Ri-yeon did everything." ​

Though he said that, proud emotions were clearly showing on Bang Jin-bo's face. In fact, without Bang Jin-bo's help, Jong Ri-yeon would have faced many difficulties in recreating the Plum Blossom Divine Pill. ​

"Ah, right!" ​

Suddenly Bang Jin-bo put his hand into his bosom as if remembering something. After a moment, his hand reappeared holding a small wooden box. Bang Jin-bo held out the wooden box to Dam Ho. ​

"What is it?" ​

"It's the Plum Blossom Divine Pill. The sect leader said to give it to hyung too." ​

"I don't need such things anymore." ​

Dam Ho shook his head. ​

There was a limit to improving internal energy using spiritual medicines. For absolute masters like Dam Ho whose internal energy had already reached its peak, improvement through spiritual medicines couldn't be expected. ​

Dam Ho refused the Plum Blossom Divine Pill, but Bang Jin-bo forcibly put it in his hand. ​

"The sect leader knows too. Still, he said to keep it in case of emergency." ​

Spiritual medicines like the Plum Blossom Divine Pill had value not only as internal energy improvement effects but also as healing medicines. They boasted effects far superior to ordinary internal injury medicines. ​

Martial artists like Dam Ho who threw their whole bodies into battle lived with many wounds. Knowing this fact well, Woon Kyung sent the Plum Blossom Divine Pill through Bang Jin-bo's hands. ​

Dam Ho could no longer refuse such consideration from Woon Kyung. He put the wooden box containing the Plum Blossom Divine Pill into his bosom. ​

"Hehe!" ​

Only then did Bang Jin-bo smile with a relieved expression. ​

Dam Ho stared intently at Bang Jin-bo's face. Though his childlike features hadn't completely disappeared, his physique had grown as large as any ordinary adult. ​

A strong energy could be felt from Bang Jin-bo. It was internal energy so powerful that martial artists of Bang Jin-bo's age could hardly achieve. ​

Bang Jin-bo's accumulated internal energy contained his blood and sweat. Using the Five Elements Gentleman Art, he maximized the original efficacy of food ingredients and repeatedly tested them on his own body. ​

After years of such effort, Bang Jin-bo's Five Elements Gentleman Art had reached the realm of mutual generation. ​

Even if not the transformation of the Five Elements, he had reached a position where he could dream of the realm of mutual understanding. ​

Dam Ho saw through Bang Jin-bo's realm at a glance. If given the right opportunity, Bang Jin-bo would be able to break down the wall blocking his path and grow even more. And Dam Ho knew such a method. ​

"Shall we loosen up our bodies after a long time?" ​

"Right now?" ​

"Is there a problem?" ​

"No!" ​

Bang Jin-bo shook his head vigorously. ​

Receiving guidance from an absolute master like Dam Ho was every martial artist's dream. It was the same for Bang Jin-bo. ​

Though he had set his heart on cooking and was developing the Five Elements Gentleman Art in that direction, he couldn't miss such an opportunity. ​

Bang Jin-bo operated the Five Elements Gentleman Art. Then the energy of the Five Elements moved and colorful heat waves rose from Bang Jin-bo's body. The energy of the Five Elements was being expressed. ​

"Hyah!" ​

Bang Jin-bo immediately unleashed attacks on Dam Ho. ​

Normally, sparring would involve various courtesies and formalities, but Bang Jin-bo had none of that. Having watched Dam Ho fight from the side for the longest time, he knew his fighting style best. ​

The solitary style that pursued ultimate efficiency. ​

Mount Hua Sect's supreme techniques flowed from Bang Jin-bo's hands. Bang Jin-bo truly unleashed his martial arts with all his might. ​

Swish swish swish! ​

The guest hall's training ground at dawn was filled with Bang Jin-bo's shadows. ​

Then someone entered the guest hall with hurried steps. The woman with a tired expression on her face was precisely Eun So-cheong. ​

After Namgung Chang's death, she and other merchant leaders had discussed donation amounts to the Martial Alliance. ​

Though the meeting proceeded in a much more comfortable atmosphere since Namgung Chang, who had been the source of pressure, was gone, reaching conclusions actually took longer. That's why they had stayed up all night. ​

Eun So-cheong's face was full of excitement as she entered the guest hall. It was because of the anticipation of seeing Dam Ho after a long time. ​

"Big Brother, Jin-bo…" ​

Bang! ​

"Urgh!" ​

At that moment thunder burst and someone was flung out to roll at her feet. The moment she confirmed his face, Eun So-cheong's face stiffened. ​

"J-Jin-bo?" ​

The one rolling around covered in dust was Bang Jin-bo. But Bang Jin-bo, as if he couldn't hear Eun So-cheong calling, got up and immediately rushed at Dam Ho. ​

Bang Jin-bo charged at Dam Ho with all his strength. But the wall called Dam Ho was too high. He collapsed and was frustrated countless times. Still, Bang Jin-bo got up again and charged with full strength. ​

"Ah!" ​

At such sight of Bang Jin-bo, Eun So-cheong couldn't take her eyes away. ​

Under the dawn light, the sight of Bang Jin-bo throwing everything he had to crash against the massive wall gave her great emotion. ​

Beom-bon answered.

“Literally, it means to follow me to Shaolin.”

“No, why should we go to Shaolin Temple…”

Mu-gak scolded Beom-bon.

“Great Buddha. That is not the way of the Absolute Buddha Sect. Have you forgotten the agreement not to intervene?”

Beom-bon smiled good-naturedly.

“I’m sorry, Master Uncle. But too many people have already died. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, it would be different, but since I have seen it, what can I do? I cannot kill these people.”

The youngsters gained some hope at the words that they wouldn’t be killed.

“Wh-what happens if we go to Shaolin Temple?”

Beom-bon answered.

“If you follow a monk, you get your head shaved and become a monk. What else would there be?”

Suddenly cutting ties with the secular world to become a monk one day wasn’t an easy thing. They would have to sever all connections with parents and siblings. Moreover, there were several women mixed among the Cherry Blossom Corps youngsters.

But if they became disciples of Shaolin Temple, that story might be somewhat different. It was much better than dying a dog’s death here.

One person swallowed dry saliva and asked.

“W-will we become disciples of Shaolin Temple and learn martial arts?”

“I-I’m a woman. Doesn’t Shaolin Temple have no nuns?”

Before Beom-bon could answer, Mu-gak shouted in a hoarse voice.

“How dare scum like you dream of becoming disciples of Shaolin! You will spend your lives facing the wall in the Repentance Hall, and only the lucky ones will get to see the outside!”

Mu-gak cackled with laughter.

The Cherry Blossom Corps youngsters were horrified.

“What do you mean…!”

It was chilling.

That was something more terrible than dying. They would say they were becoming monks, but how was it different from rotting in prison for life!

Several who had been reading the situation finally couldn’t bear it and ran in all directions. It was no different from hastening death, but somehow it seemed like the Great Buddha would forgive them without killing them if caught. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

“Oh dear.”

Beom-bon waved his pot-lid-like hand as if shooing away flies.

Whoosh!

At that moment, one of the fleeing youngsters was pushed by tremendous wind and crashed into the inn wall.

Crash! The youngster’s body broke through and burrowed into the wall. At the same time, sounds of bones breaking and dislocating could be heard.

Crack crack, crack crack crack!

“Aaaahhh!”

Beom-bon didn’t rest and waved his hand in the opposite direction again. The fleeing youngsters were blown in all directions as if caught in a gale.

“Whoooah!”

Thud! Crash!

Arms and legs were dislocated and bones were broken.

“Kagh!”

“Kghhh!”

Every single one of the fleeing youngsters was slammed down and something was broken.

Then strange shadows began appearing one by one through the hole in the ceiling.

When the youngsters looked up, countless Shaolin monks were standing on the roof, looking down with cold gazes.

Everyone froze. They could no longer think of fleeing.

Mu-gak clicked his tongue.

“Why do they all misunderstand? The only thing better about taking refuge than being subdued is eloquence.”

Beom-bon went to Mu-gak and knelt down. He checked Mu-gak’s pulse, then examined Gong-hon’s condition. Gong-hon’s condition looked more serious on the surface.

Beom-bon stroked Gong-hon’s head, then took out a small pill from his bosom and pushed it into Gong-hon’s mouth.

The pill was so small it was strange how Beom-bon’s fingers could hold it.

After a moment, Beom-bon said.

“Gong-hon. Get up.”

Gong-hon opened his eyes and slowly raised his upper body. Though his face was completely cut, his nose was crushed, and his teeth were showing in a mess, some light had returned to his eyes.

However, perhaps because he couldn’t properly resolve the poison, he coughed while bleeding black blood.

Cough.

“Hmm.”

Beom-bon made a contemplative sound.

Even Shaolin Temple’s miracle pill that could revive the dead couldn’t expel this poison.

Beom-bon touched Gong-hon’s leg to align his ankle, then nodded and stood up.

“Let’s go.”

Gong-hon barely managed to stand up.

Beom-bon comforted the terrified Cherry Blossom Corps youngsters.

“You all come too. Don’t worry too much. Shaolin is also a place where people live. If you gather your hearts, that place will be paradise where Buddha resides, wherever it may be.”

Mu-gak, held in Gong-hon’s arms, looked at the youngsters and smiled menacingly.

“You are lucky. You will get to receive Buddha alive.”

Those words were more terrifying. It felt like they would never escape Shaolin Temple’s Repentance Hall for life. But they couldn’t resist. They would rather be killed, but that wasn’t the case either. They wouldn’t kill them but would break their limbs.

Tremble tremble tremble.

The youngsters followed behind Beom-bon and left the inn. Their faces were filled only with despair.

Soon the Arhat monks on the ceiling jumped down to clean up the corpses and carry the injured.

* * *

Jin Ja-gang and Yuk Ha-seon couldn’t leave Henan as quickly as expected.

Both were in no condition to walk long distances.

They had no choice but to settle in an appropriate mountain cave and obtain clothes from a nearby village. They gave clothes to Yuk Ha-seon, who was practically naked, and found medicinal herbs to apply to wounds.

Only then could Yuk Ha-seon finally catch her breath.

“It seems Shaolin Temple really decided to let us live.”

“Is that so?”

“Seeing that they’re staying put without chasing us even though the Demon Exterminating Monk must have been discovered by Shaolin Temple’s eyes by now.”

Yuk Ha-seon, who had disguised herself as a man and was properly clothed, had returned to her original speech pattern.

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“It’s probably because of King of Hell’s personal letter.”

“The time that can be bought with one personal letter isn’t that much.”

Jin Ja-gang left some medicinal herbs and a little food in the cave and got up from his position.

“Are you leaving?”

“I’ve fulfilled my role.”

Just as Jin Ja-gang was about to leave the cave, Yuk Ha-seon threw out words.

“I guarantee it. It would be better not to wander around in that condition.”

Her tone wasn’t ordinary. Jin Ja-gang stopped walking.

“What do you mean?”

“Think about why I proposed joining hands with you. You said King of Hell considers you his successor, right? And I said I would stand on your side if you wanted. Then…”

Yuk Ha-seon continued.

“There must be others who covet King of Hell’s position. Those who don’t want you to rise to the successor’s position.”

Jin Ja-gang stared at Yuk Ha-seon intently.

“Are you referring to other successors within the Tang Family Main House?”

“The Tang family has no useful successors. That’s why King of Hell is being greedy about you.”

“Then who are you saying is targeting me?”

“Those who must die because of you. The leaders who decide the major and minor affairs of the Poison Sects.”

Jin Ja-gang finally understood what Yuk Ha-seon was saying.

King of Hell was eliminating the heads of the Poison Sect’s Six Cliques to gather power to himself. From the perspective of the Poison Sect’s Six Cliques who suddenly had to die because of Jin Ja-gang, Jin Ja-gang couldn’t be welcome.

“Funeral Parlour and Physician Bell Healers have been eliminated, but Leper Mound and Coal Miners still remain. And… I still remain in Pleasure Heaven.”

Jin Ja-gang fell into contemplation again. He had promised Piercing Ghost not to touch Leper Mound, but if Leper Mound targeted Jin Ja-gang first, he couldn’t just leave it alone.

Yuk Ha-seon continued.

“Even if you’re not interested, since King of Hell has marked you as his successor, you have no choice but to be dragged into it by force. And in the current situation, your life is very precarious.”

Yuk Ha-seon’s words weren’t wrong. Even for Jin Ja-gang who had defeated the Demon Exterminating Monk, no, precisely because he had defeated the Demon Exterminating Monk and was now injured, this was the most dangerous time.

Because the enemies targeting Jin Ja-gang wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity.

After thinking for a moment, Jin Ja-gang asked.

“What about Coal Miners?”

“They’re miners. They handle mineral poisons and are rough and strong. Unlike Leper Mound and Funeral Parlour who move secretly, Coal Miner isn’t afraid of being exposed.”

Jin Ja-gang also knew well about mineral poisons. He had encountered mineral poisons for a long time both at Extreme Poison Sect and in mine tunnels. He also knew about the extreme wickedness of mineral poison’s power.

Since he had considerable resistance to mineral poisons, he wouldn’t be easily affected.

But in any case, now wasn’t the time when he could use his strength properly.

Moreover, didn’t Jin Ja-gang have many other enemies besides the Poison Sect’s Six Cliques?

Jin Ja-gang stopped hesitating and unpacked his luggage. He couldn’t leave the cave until his leg healed.

“Good thinking.”

When Jin Ja-gang no longer spoke and was silently taking out and preparing medicinal herbs, the bored Yuk Ha-seon asked.

“I have something I’m curious about. May I ask?”

“Go ahead and ask.”

Jin Ja-gang expected Yuk Ha-seon to ask about the poison that Mu-gak, Yang Yang and others had taken. But what Yuk Ha-seon asked was a completely unexpected question.

“Funeral Inn. What will you do about blowing up that entire rented inn? Do you have to compensate for damages later?”

Though it was an out-of-the-blue question, Jin Ja-gang answered immediately.

“I already paid for it.”

Meaning he had paid for the inn in advance knowing it would become a mess.

Yuk Ha-seon let out a small laugh.

“Thorough. And kind.”

Again at the word “kind,” Jin Ja-gang hesitated briefly.

Tang Ha-ran came to mind.

Perhaps because she was the first woman he had given his heart to, Tang Ha-ran remained deeply in Jin Ja-gang’s heart.

Jin Ja-gang quietly picked up a stone to crush the medicinal herbs, meaning he wouldn’t accept any more questions.

Tap tap, tap tap.

* * *

Ham-geun was walking while carrying So-min’s corpse on his back.

His internal energy was depleted and his internal injuries weren’t light. He was exhausted. He felt dizzy, his head was hazy, and his mouth was parched. His legs had lost strength.

But he didn’t have the leisure to calmly perform breathing exercises in a place surrounded by enemies.

He had to leave this place as quickly as possible.

Fortunately, as a result of hastening his steps, he could see a village close to Henan. If he could get a cart, he could return to Mount Hua quickly.

Ham-geun quickened his pace.

From the opposite direction, an old man and middle-aged man who appeared to be villagers were walking toward him.

Ham-geun tensed up and put all his strength into his eyes as he observed the two people.

But he couldn’t discover anything strange.

The two people’s faces were very ordinary. They had no particular features. They were the typical appearance of rural villagers you could see anywhere.

The hunched old man was walking with his hands behind his back, while the middle-aged man with a darkly tanned face was simply carrying a hoe on his shoulder as if going to a nearby field.

The two people were approaching.

Ham-geun remained tense until the end and watched them both.

The two people who had been walking from afar naturally bowed their heads to greet Ham-geun when their eyes met. It was the warm smile and greeting you could see in kind-hearted countryside.

Ham-geun also bowed his head and returned the greeting with his eyes. The two villagers finished greeting and passed by Ham-geun as if nothing had happened.

Ham-geun let out a quiet sigh and thought it was fortunate.

But somehow his spine became chilly.

The appearance of the two villagers was too ordinary?

They were so ordinary to an excessive degree that it seemed awkward.

Come to think of it…

Had his own appearance been normal?

No, his body was covered in blood and he was even holding a corpse.

It absolutely wasn’t a normal appearance. Proper villagers should have been startled and run away or sat down in fear.

Yet they had greeted him as if nothing was wrong!

Ham-geun quickly raised his right hand to block his neck.

Prick.

His neck stung.

He had forgotten that his right wrist was gone. But since he had no fingers or palm to block with, even though he raised his arm, it was meaningless. You can’t block your neck with a hand that doesn’t exist.

“Hah…”

Ham-geun stopped briefly and let out a sigh before continuing to walk forward. A thin poison needle was embedded in Ham-geun’s neck.

His steps gradually became slower and his feet began to stumble.

Had he walked twenty steps?

Finally, Ham-geun collapsed forward.

Thud.

So-min’s corpse rolled and Ham-geun’s body convulsed and twitched.

The two villagers turned their heads to look at Ham-geun.

Then, only after Ham-geun’s convulsions subsided and they saw he was completely dead did they hasten their steps and continue on their original path.

Even then, the faces of the two villagers were the same peaceful expressions without any change from when Ham-geun had first met them.