Chapter 382 – The Earth Burns and People Shed Tears (1)

Hwang Hye-ryeong stretched and left the inn room. Her complexion was pale. ​

The first person she saw when she came outside was Muk Il-gwang. ​

"Miss, are you alright?" ​

"Il-gwang!" ​

"How are you feeling?" ​

"I'm fine now. I think I can leave today." ​

"That's a relief." ​

Muk Il-gwang let out a sigh of relief at Hwang Hye-ryeong's answer. ​

Originally, they should have left the inn a few days ago. But their plans fell through when Hwang Hye-ryeong suddenly became ill. ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong had suffered from a sudden high fever. The doctor who was called with difficulty said it was a physical illness from fatigue. Since she hadn't properly rested after leaving Overlord's Stronghold, it was perhaps an inevitable result. ​

In the end, they had no choice but to stay at the inn until she recovered, and only today had Hwang Hye-ryeong become well enough to move. ​

"I asked the kitchen to make porridge. You may not have much appetite, but please go down to the dining room and eat." ​

"Shall I?" ​

"You need to eat even a little for much faster recovery of your strength." ​

"Alright. Help me up." ​

"Please take my hand." ​

Muk Il-gwang extended his large hand. Hwang Hye-ryeong relied on his hand and took steps. ​

Having lain in bed for so long, she had no strength in her entire body. Still, Hwang Hye-ryeong made an effort to walk. If she didn't eat because it was difficult, her already weakened stamina would only decline further. ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong, who barely came down to the first floor relying on Muk Il-gwang, made a slightly surprised expression. ​

"Sister?" ​

The person sitting alone in the middle of the dining room was Yo Sa-ran. ​

"Little sister!" ​

Yo Sa-ran raised her head and looked at Hwang Hye-ryeong. ​

"Didn't you leave? Sister." ​

"Plans changed." ​

"Really?" ​

"More than that, how's your body? You were severely ill." ​

"It seems to have finally calmed down." ​

"That's good! Come here. Let's sit together." ​

"Yes!" ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong didn't decline and sat across from Yo Sa-ran. Yo Sa-ran's gaze turned toward Muk Il-gwang standing behind Hwang Hye-ryeong. ​

"Why don't you sit down too?" ​

"I'm comfortable standing like this." ​

Muk Il-gwang answered bluntly. Yo Sa-ran smiled softly when she read the light of wariness on his face. ​

Since traveling together, Muk Il-gwang hadn't lowered his guard against her for even a moment. Though Muk Il-gwang's attitude could be annoying, Yo Sa-ran didn't think so. ​

For martial artists, being wary of others was natural. Rather, she liked Muk Il-gwang's such attitude. ​

When Muk Il-gwang gestured, a waiter came running with a bowl containing porridge. ​

"This is nutritious porridge with various tonics. You don't know how much care the Great Hero has shown." ​

The waiter set down the porridge bowl while praising Muk Il-gwang. At this, Muk Il-gwang made an embarrassed expression and looked elsewhere. ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong smiled softly and picked up the spoon. ​

She didn't know how many tonics were in it, but it was definitely delicious. She ate the porridge little by little but without stopping. ​

Yo Sa-ran watched such Hwang Hye-ryeong with interest. ​

When her stomach was somewhat full, color gradually began returning to Hwang Hye-ryeong's pale face. Only then did Muk Il-gwang show a relieved expression. ​

He didn't know how surprised he was when she suddenly became ill. Though he wanted to leave this place quickly, he had forced himself to stay because he had to care for her. ​

"I think I'll live." ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong muttered as she put down the spoon. ​

Finally, her energy was gradually returning. ​

Even though she had learned martial arts, she hadn't known she would become so severely ill. She truly felt like she had narrowly escaped death. ​

Yo Sa-ran asked. ​

"Are you okay?" ​

"I think so." ​

"That's good." ​

"I think I caused unnecessary worry to sister. I'm sorry." ​

"Sorry is…" ​

Yo Sa-ran shook her head. ​

She stared at Hwang Hye-ryeong for a moment. At this, Hwang Hye-ryeong made an awkward expression. ​

"Little sister seems like a really good person." ​

"What?" ​

"That's why I like you." ​

Yo Sa-ran smiled brightly. At this, Hwang Hye-ryeong's expression became even more awkward. ​

Muk Il-gwang looked at Yo Sa-ran with an uncomfortable expression. ​

It was a connection that should have parted several days ago. But because Hwang Hye-ryeong became ill, the connection continued. That fact bothered him. ​

Muk Il-gwang was also a renowned master in the outlaw world. He thought that with the two axes on his back, he wouldn't easily lose to anyone. ​

Naturally, his insight was as great as his martial prowess. In his view, Yo Sa-ran was definitely not an ordinary existence. Everything was ambiguous, like looking at a fog-covered mountain. ​

The fog covering her was so thick that he couldn't tell if it was a mountain as large as Mount Tai or as small as the village's back mountain. That's why it was even more uncomfortable. ​

Muk Il-gwang said to Hwang Hye-ryeong. ​

"Miss, you should get up now." ​

"Ah! Right." ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong nodded and stood up from her seat. ​

"Sister, we'll be going now." ​

"Alright! If there's fate, we'll meet again. Go on." ​

"Yes!" ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong bowed slightly to Yo Sa-ran and came outside the inn with Muk Il-gwang. ​

"Whew!" ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong took a deep breath. ​

As fresh air filled her lungs, her mind became much clearer. ​

"Did I cause a lot of delay?" ​

"Not at all." ​

"I'm sorry! And thank you!" ​

"There's nothing to be sorry about or thankful for. Protecting the miss is my job. It's something I should naturally do." ​

Muk Il-gwang turned his head to look elsewhere as if embarrassed. Hwang Hye-ryeong looked at such Muk Il-gwang with a gentle smile. ​

"If we go a little further from here, there's a fairly large village. We'll need to get horses there." ​

"Take care of it." ​

"Yes!" ​

The two walked diligently. In the middle, Hwang Hye-ryeong would stop as if slightly overwhelmed, but each time Muk Il-gwang would also stop and match her pace. ​

They repeated walking and resting like this. Walking like this, they were able to come quite a distance. ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong's face was flushed red from walking for a long time and being out of breath. This made her look even more beautiful. Muk Il-gwang gazed at her face in fascination. ​

He came to his senses after detecting the presence of people walking from the opposite side of the official road. ​

About ten people were walking filling the entire official road. ​

'Martial artists?' ​

Muk Il-gwang's eyes sank deeply. ​

The official road was a path anyone could use. Meeting martial artists in such a place wasn't particularly special. Especially in times of war like now. ​

The problem was that the atmosphere emanating from the martial artists was not ordinary. Their appearance of walking filling the entire official road as if there was nothing to fear, and their fierce gazes were particularly irritating. They were like wolves with gleaming eyes searching for prey. ​

That's when it happened. ​

"Il-gwang!" ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong called him quietly. ​

"Yes! Miss." ​

"Let's pass by quietly." ​

"Understood." ​

Muk Il-gwang nodded quietly. ​

He and Hwang Hye-ryeong stepped aside to one side of the road and waited for the martial artists to pass. ​

As they got closer, their appearance became clearly visible. Their hair was matted from not washing for who knows how long, and their faces were full of black grime. The gray robes they wore were full of dust, and weapons like swords and blades were dangling between the robes. ​

"Heh heh! Aren't we going to get scolded by the Hall Master at this rate?" ​

"How would the Hall Master know if we don't tell him?" ​

"True! If even this much entertainment isn't allowed, what's the fun in living?" ​

They were laughing and chattering about something amusing. Each time, yellow teeth were visible. ​

'Blood scent?' ​

The moment they passed by, a terrible smell of blood penetrated Muk Il-gwang's nostrils. It was such an intense blood scent that his mind became dizzy for a moment. ​

It was when Muk Il-gwang unconsciously frowned. ​

"Look at this?" ​

"It seems he's noticed." ​

"Seems like it." ​

Suddenly the martial artists stopped and began chattering among themselves. Instantly, Muk Il-gwang felt intense crisis. ​

The martial artists turned their bodies to look at Muk Il-gwang and Hwang Hye-ryeong. ​

"It's a woman?" ​

"Pretty?" ​

"Indeed! Very pretty." ​

What appeared on their faces was definitely lust. ​

Realizing this, Muk Il-gwang blocked Hwang Hye-ryeong's front and said. ​

"Just go." ​

"Oh? The bear actually talks." ​

"The meat chunk is acting tough just relying on his size. Heh!" ​

But the martial artists instead mocked Muk Il-gwang. ​

Muk Il-gwang's eyes turned cold. Because he detected that the atmosphere had changed. ​

That's when it happened. ​

Swish! ​

Without warning, the martial artists ambushed Muk Il-gwang. Their swords emitted blue light and cut through the air. ​

"How dare!" ​

Clang! ​

But their attacks were blocked by Muk Il-gwang's large axe. Since he was already prepared, Muk Il-gwang's counterattack was immediate. ​

Whoosh! ​

The axe as large as a child's torso exploded with tremendous axe energy. The martial artists who had launched the surprise attack made somewhat bewildered expressions. ​

"Look at this." ​

"Not bad!" ​

"Still just a meat chunk though." ​

They instead emitted fighting spirit and attacked Muk Il-gwang. ​

"Miss! Please step back!" ​

"Yes!" ​

Hwang Hye-ryeong nodded and stepped back. She knew that in times like this, her stepping back to widen the range of movement would actually help Muk Il-gwang. ​

Muk Il-gwang swung his axe and shouted. ​

"Who are you? Reveal your identities!" ​

"Heh! Ask the King of Hell in the underworld." ​

They instead mocked Muk Il-gwang and attacked. ​

Clang clang clang! ​

The axe and the wanderers' weapons clashed, sending sparks flying in all directions. Each individual's martial power couldn't compare to Muk Il-gwang, but with more than ten people combining attacks, the power was tremendous. Therefore, Muk Il-gwang also had to focus on defense for a while. ​

In an instant, they clashed more than ten exchanges. ​

The wanderers' attacks were truly fierce. They were cruel like wolves targeting prey, and persistently penetrated what they thought were weak points. ​

At some moment, Muk Il-gwang's eyes turned ferocious. ​

"Demon Cult, you are martial artists of the Demon Cult." ​

Muk Il-gwang had already fought with Demon Cult martial artists several times. Therefore, he remembered their characteristics and techniques. ​

"Quite observant." ​

"You have one more reason to die." ​

"Die!" ​

The wanderers' eyes turned eerily. ​

As Muk Il-gwang said, they were martial artists of the Demon Cult. Precisely, they belonged to the Divine Fire Hall of the Demon Cult's inner circle. ​

Before coming here, they had massacred a small military post called Daegeum Military Post. They killed to their hearts' content, plundered, and enjoyed slaughter. ​

Having already seen blood, their spirits were considerably elevated and overflowing with confidence. That's why they weren't intimidated even seeing Muk Il-gwang's massive frame and thought they could easily subdue him. ​

After subduing Muk Il-gwang, their plan was to rape the pretty woman beside him. But contrary to their expectations, Muk Il-gwang was a tremendous master. ​

Clang! ​

"Grr!" ​

"This bear-like bastard!" ​

Each time they clashed with the large axe, weapons broke and their bodies shook greatly. The counter-force contained in Muk Il-gwang's axe was that terrifying. ​

Muk Il-gwang's eyes turned fierce. ​

"Hyat! Whirlwind Mad Rending Slash!" ​

Instantly, two axes rotated and scattered tremendous axe energy in all directions. ​

Whoooosh! ​

Storm-like axe energy devoured everything. ​

There were no screams, no counterattacks. ​

Where the storm passed, countless pieces of flesh poured down like rain. It was truly the terrifying power of Whirlwind Mad Rending Slash. ​

During the past three years, Muk Il-gwang had further developed, and now possessed skills that wouldn't lose to any master. ​

"Whew!" ​

It was when Muk Il-gwang was controlling his rough breathing and collecting his axes. ​

"Tsk! Too late." ​

Suddenly someone's voice echoed in his ears. ​

Whoosh!

Rain poured down ceaselessly.

Due to the swollen river, Yeong-gwi could no longer run along the riverbank.

“To go by land, we have to choose between two places.”

Jin Ja-gang, carried on Yeong-gwi’s back, asked.

“Where?”

Since Jin Ja-gang’s voice could be heard right next to her ear, even though she knew it perfectly well, Yeong-gwi kept startling.

“Either pass through Shaanxi to enter Sichuan, or cross over Chongqing. But Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect are in Shaanxi.”

Both were essentially enemies to Jin Ja-gang and the Poison Gate. The moment Jin Ja-gang’s whereabouts were discovered, they would obviously risk their lives to attack.

On the other hand, Chongqing could still be considered relatively safe as the Yangtze River Sword Gate’s influence reached there. However, they would have to cross treacherous mountains, so they would endure tremendous hardship in such weather. It could take twice as long.

“It’s a matter of whether to take the risk of fighting or choose a difficult environment.”

Warm breath touched her nape, making Yeong-gwi startle again.

“Th-think about such things to yourself! You just need to make a decision!”

“Understood.”

Startled.

“Just tell me the conclusion!”

“We’ll go through Shaanxi.”

“What? Why?”

“…”

Yeong-gwi gritted her teeth.

“Y-you can talk at times like this.”

“Nature cannot be helped. But if it’s people…”

“I know, so stop talking. I knew you’d be like that.”

Yeong-gwi’s heart pounded again at Poison Dragon’s audacity in treating the renowned Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect as mere ‘people.’ Any ordinary person would have said they’d rather go around through Chongqing than face Mount Hua Sect or Zhongnan Sect.

Yeong-gwi adjusted her grip on Jin Ja-gang and began running again.

“Hey. Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

“It’s uncomfortable.”

“Bear with it. I’m uncomfortable too.”

“Why did you ask? You told me not to talk.”

“…Just because.”

Though they wore rain capes, they couldn’t avoid getting wet. Therefore, Jin Ja-gang’s body was practically pressed against Yeong-gwi’s back.

Every time Jin Ja-gang spoke or breathed, her nape tickled from his warm breath.

But… having that warmth wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

* * *

Drowsiness came.

Even trying to fight off sleep, his eyes strangely kept closing. The side effects of the clarity potion that had always helped in desperate times were useless now.

Yeong-gwi’s back felt very warm, as if his whole body was melting.

‘Is it poison…’

Even thinking it himself, it was a ridiculous excuse, but he felt strangely calm.

If he had to describe the feeling, it was like fitting a missing piece into a broken gear.

It was cozy.

It was truly strange.

To feel drowsy while being carried on the back of a woman who could put a blade to his throat at any moment.

To be acting carelessly while going to fight an unpredictable enemy.

When there was so much to think about.

In a situation where enemies could appear at any time, when he should constantly observe and memorize the surrounding geography as he always did.

Nothing came to mind and nothing entered his sight. When he briefly opened and closed his eyes, completely different scenery had already flashed by.

It was hard to endure. He just wanted to relax and sleep.

Though his body was chilled from the rain, the warmth rising from their touching backs was as warm as a furnace. At some point, he had even forgotten it was raining.

Jin Ja-gang dozed like a cat by the stove and finally fell asleep.

* * *

Yeong-gwi’s lightness techniques were truly excellent.

Pop.

A distance of one zhang disappeared with each step. She ran without hindrance over muddy water and slippery mud. Though carrying Jin Ja-gang, she seemed to feel almost no weight, leaving only small traces from her toes on the ground.

Though they had lost considerable strength including Piercing, Thousand Face Blade Master Ro-gwan’s words that she had the best skills among those remaining weren’t false.

However, Yeong-gwi’s front was soaked with rain. Because she was running at high speed, Yeong-gwi was taking all the falling rain with her body. Relatively, Jin Ja-gang was hardly getting rained on.

She had been running for at least two hours since morning.

Now it was time to rest briefly and have a meal.

“Hey.”

Yeong-gwi called Jin Ja-gang.

“…”

Jin Ja-gang didn’t respond.

“Hey?”

Snore…

“Hey…”

Yeong-gwi called Jin Ja-gang several times before realizing he was asleep and letting out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

Could one fall asleep on someone else’s back? Even while running through rain like this?

She felt strange.

This wasn’t because Jin Ja-gang was ignoring her or trusting her.

Yeong-gwi muttered.

“I know your body is uncomfortable. And since you’re smart, it’s not like you haven’t made efforts. But this is too much…”

Yeong-gwi continued running without resting though it was time to rest.

“I’m warning you, don’t feel at ease thinking I can’t attack you because of the great deed. Whether after the great deed ends or even before, I might put a blade to your throat at any time.”

Why did she need to say such things when Jin Ja-gang probably wasn’t even listening? Yeong-gwi thought even this was somehow strange.

But…

When was the last time she had been in close contact for so long with a living person whose hot blood flowed properly?

Born with a disease called heavenly punishment, she had only been beaten and chased by people. Had she ever felt warmth this close?

Even though her disease had now healed and no longer progressed, she couldn’t get close to people. No, people wouldn’t come close to her.

So all that remained for Yeong-gwi were the people of Leper Mound.

Even the older brother who died to Jin Ja-gang wasn’t her blood brother. He was a sworn sibling she gained after coming to Leper Mound.

But just as Leper Mound’s people were like family, he too was like a real brother to Yeong-gwi.

A surge of emotion.

Something hot welled up in Yeong-gwi’s chest for no reason.

She hated herself for harboring strange feelings toward someone she should hate, and on the other hand, she disliked being in such a situation.

Now she just ran.

She ran and ran, only hoping her pounding heart wouldn’t reach Jin Ja-gang.

* * *

The rain briefly subsided.

Yeong-gwi found a shabby shrine, put Jin Ja-gang down, and rested briefly.

Jin Ja-gang, who had awakened at some point, immediately went around looking for firewood after being set down.

The shrine seemed to have been visited by beggars and travelers several times already, with most wooden items torn apart and traces of fires on the floor. Jin Ja-gang similarly tore off dry planks and lit a fire.

Jin Ja-gang and Yeong-gwi said nothing.

The atmosphere was somehow awkward.

Jin Ja-gang spoke first.

“Where… is this?”

Having dozed the whole time, he had no way of knowing how far they’d come.

“Shangzhou.”

It was where they had just entered Shaanxi from Henan.

Mount Hua Sect was nearby to the north, and Zhongnan Sect was to the west in their direction of travel.

“We need to be alert from now on.”

Jin Ja-gang’s face reddened. He understood what she meant. Having slept the whole way, he couldn’t not know.

“Understood.”

“…”

Words disappeared again.

Crackle, crackle.

The damp firewood burned while emitting heavy smoke.

* * *

Tang Qing opened the door of his office and stepped outside.

Through the open door, about a hundred scholars could be glimpsed bowing their heads in greeting.

It had been four whole days since Tang Qing had emerged from being holed up in his office.

His hair was greasy and unkempt, his clothes completely wrinkled and dirty. He had barely eaten, making his cheeks slightly hollow.

But only his eyes sparkled more than ever.

“To my sister.”

Tang Qing led all the servants who would serve food and attend to him toward the room of family head Tang Gwi-ok.

There wasn’t just Tang Gwi-ok in the family head’s room, but one more person.

It was a small old man with a bent back. But despite his bent back, his back was very high. A large hump protruded from his back.

The old man was none other than a hunchback.

The hunchback old man greeted Tang Qing with his hands behind his back, holding a cane.

Tang Qing’s mouth opened wide to his ears upon seeing the old man.

“Hehe-hehe! Hehehehehe!”

The hunchback old man looked at Tang Qing indifferently, neither surprised nor afraid.

Tang Qing threw himself into a chair as if leaping and said.

“You came.”

“I came.”

Then servants swarmed around Tang Qing. Some washed his hands and face, several took off his shoes to wipe his feet. In an instant, they arranged his hair and changed his outer clothes to new ones. And another fed him food during all this.

The hunchback old man continued watching this scene without saying anything special.

Tang Gwi-ok said.

“Please understand. This is also after four days. If the Divine Physician hadn’t come, he still wouldn’t have come out.”

Divine Physician An Yul-jin!

The hunchback old man was precisely the supreme master of the An family medical house and the Divine Physician with the world’s best medical skills!

An Yul-jin answered bluntly.

“I should understand that much. He’s quite a busy fellow.”

Tang Qing laughed while chewing pancakes.

“Since when were we friends? Do they call someone who stabs you in the back a friend these days?”

An Yul-jin replied without being flustered.

“People like you and me can become friends anytime, and can also become enemies overnight.”

“Not interested. Trust is life in business. You’re like a bat with no credibility.”

“Living in the imperial palace makes such choices unavoidable. You learn that there are no eternal enemies or allies by your side even for a moment. One wrong word and you become a corpse wrapped in straw mats carried out that very night.”

Tang Qing’s grooming was finished. Tang Qing half-ate his food then dismissed the servants.

Unlike before, having become clean, Tang Qing looked at An Yul-jin and smiled coldly.

Then he opened his mouth.

“If you came to make excuses, stop the bullshit and get lost.”

An Yul-jin’s eyebrows twitched. Tang Gwi-ok sighed and shook her head.

“Older brother.”

Tang Qing burst into loud laughter.

“Now I feel refreshed!”

An Yul-jin spoke again without being greatly shaken.

“You must already owe me a debt.”

“Thanks to you, I ate the Medicine Sect well. If I had overlooked it unknowingly, my head would have rolled while sleeping. I’m always grateful to you.”

“Is this the attitude of someone who’s grateful?”

Tang Qing glared at An Yul-jin with small eyes and smiled with his torn mouth.

“Shaolin Temple decided to strike the An family? Your ass caught fire so you came running to me in shock, didn’t you?”

“A child called Poison Dragon is digging behind you. He’s probably gotten quite close.”

“As expected of my son-in-law! Starting with no clues, he’s gotten that far. Didn’t I tell you? He’s a guy who allows no competition.”

The latter words were directed at Tang Gwi-ok, not An Yul-jin. Tang Qing turned his head back to An Yul-jin.

“That’s all? It’s a bit weak to change my mind. Actually…”

Tang Qing lowered his voice and spoke to An Yul-jin as if discussing something important.

“I know that my son-in-law is coming with rebels to take my head. And I know how many of them there are. How’s that, surprising?”

An Yul-jin with a hardened expression added words.

“Then you must also know Shaolin Temple is coming here.”

Tang Qing burst into laughter again.

“Of course I know! But it’s too late!”

Wrinkles gathered on An Yul-jin’s brow.

“What do you mean it’s too late?”