Chapter 386 – When the Way is One Foot High, the Devil is One Zhang Tall… (2)

"Hehe! With everyone gone, it feels lonely."

Hwang Gyeong-mun muttered while looking at the empty courtyard.

The courtyard that would normally be bustling with children running around was completely empty today.

Immediately after the massacre at Gwang-ryong Stronghold, the elderly and children had already been evacuated to Jang-heung Stronghold in Zhejiang Province. Because of this, more than half of the mountain Stronghold was completely empty.

"I wonder if they all arrived safely."

Though he thought nothing would happen, he couldn't help but worry.

The increase in worries was proof of aging – Hwang Gyeong-mun keenly felt his age.

"Normally, I should have already passed on the position of General Leader and retired."

Today, Hwang Gyeong-mun's heart felt particularly weak.

That's when it happened.

"General Leader!"

A middle-aged man wearing tiger skin called out to him as he approached.

Golden Blade Tyrant Bear Yong Cheol-gyeong.

He was the leader of Iron Bear Stronghold, one of the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds.

As soon as he heard that Overlord's Strongholdress had evacuated the elderly and children to Jang-heung Stronghold, he led his Green Forest bandits into Overlord's Strongholdress. He had rushed over to contribute whatever meager strength he could.

The joining of Yong Cheol-gyeong and Iron Bear Stronghold's martial artists was a great help to Hwang Gyeong-mun. As soon as Yong Cheol-gyeong joined Overlord's Strongholdress, he handled most affairs large and small on behalf of Hwang Gyeong-mun.

Thanks to this, Hwang Gyeong-mun's trust in him was tremendous.

"What's the matter?"

"Urgent news has arrived from the guys who went to assess the situation below the mountain."

"Urgent news?"

Hwang Gyeong-mun's face hardened like stone.

"Signs have been identified that the Demon Cult's elite forces are heading toward the Namgung Family."

"Is that true?"

"It's been confirmed several times already. They say several military posts have already fallen to them."

"In the end…"

Hwang Gyeong-mun closed his eyes tightly.

The worst situation he had hoped would never come had finally occurred. Behind his closed eyes, he seemed to clearly see Anhui Province soaked in blood.

"Has their strength been assessed?"

"They're moving in thoroughly dispersed groups, so we haven't been able to assess it at all."

"Mmm!"

"For now, I've ordered the boys to try their best to find out."

"Well done!"

Hwang Gyeong-mun nodded and opened his eyes.

His eyes were clear and bright, as if they had never been filled with anguish.

He had cast off everything that could become regret.

The elderly and children had been sent to Jang-heung Stronghold, and his only daughter had been sent to Mount Hua Sect. With no remaining regrets, he could fight without reservations.

"Issue an alert to the mountain Stronghold."

"Understood, General Leader."

"Cheol-gyeong!"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"What for?"

Yong Cheol-gyeong was puzzled by Hwang Gyeong-mun's sudden words.

"For voluntarily rushing to a place where you might lose your life. I'm truly grateful."

"Ah! What are you saying? Don't say such things. What else do Green Forest bandits have to boast of besides loyalty? Not being able to rush over when other Stronghold leaders rebelled before remains my eternal regret. This Yong Cheol-gyeong will now share life and death with the General Leader."

Yong Cheol-gyeong turned away with an embarrassed expression.

Hwang Gyeong-mun smiled as he watched Yong Cheol-gyeong's retreating figure.

Iron Bear Stronghold, where Yong Cheol-gyeong was the leader, was a thousand li away from here. Located in Shandong Province, it was safe from this bloodshed. Yet he had deliberately led his entire force here.

To this place where he might die.

'Thank you.'

Hwang Gyeong-mun's gaze suddenly turned toward the sky.

Today, he particularly missed his daughter's face.

'Are you traveling safely? Hye-ryeong.'

***

Dam Ho, Cho Yeon-woon, and Bang Jin-bo stood together outside Shaolin Temple's mountain gate.

Cho Yeon-woon watched Dam Ho loading luggage onto Black Ghost and said.

"You'll need to hurry to reach Anhui Province."

Cho Yeon-woon had already heard the circumstances from Dam Ho.

He didn't try to hold Dam Ho back. Rather, he pushed his back, telling him to go quickly.

If she was Dam Ho's sister, she was like a sister to him too.

His gaze turned to Bang Jin-bo. Bang Jin-bo was naturally preparing to follow Dam Ho. Cho Yeon-woon didn't try to stop such Bang Jin-bo.

Bang Jin-bo was already recognized as a proper martial artist.

Though Cho Yeon-woon jokingly called him Mount Hua Grand Chef, the weight of that alias was never light.

It carried weight second only to the Nine Martial Dragons. At least among the newly emerged rising talents, he could be considered the best.

The current Bang Jin-bo would be helpful, never a burden.

"All loaded."

Bang Jin-bo dusted off his hands after loading all the luggage onto the horse.

Bang Jin-bo's horse was specially provided by Shaolin Temple. Though not as good as Black Ghost, it still belonged to the class of famous steeds.

It showed how much Shaolin Temple cared about Dam Ho.

Dam Ho approached Cho Yeon-woon.

"I'm going."

"Be careful!"

"You remember what I told you?"

"Heavenly Evil Cult? Of course."

Cho Yeon-woon nodded vigorously.

"Especially be wary of Jeok Gyeong-cheon. He's not someone you can trust."

"I'll be especially careful. Trust me."

"I trust you!"

At Dam Ho's words, Cho Yeon-woon smiled broadly. Receiving trust from someone like Dam Ho was never easy.

Because Cho Yeon-woon was trustworthy, Dam Ho could leave the Martial Alliance. Cho Yeon-woon was the only friend Dam Ho trusted. He would be able to lead So-cheon, Hae So-wol and others well.

Cho Yeon-woon patted Dam Ho's shoulder and said.

"You be the one to return safely. I'll be waiting."

"I will!"

"We've talked too long unnecessarily. Go on."

"Mm!"

Dam Ho mounted Black Ghost.

Bang Jin-bo also mounted his horse and said.

"I'm going too. You also need to be especially careful, brother. I should have been there to take care of you."

"That nagging again!"

"Honestly, I'm most worried about you among us. You already have a track record."

"Yes, yes! It's infinite glory that Mount Hua Grand Chef worries about me. I'll be especially careful."

"Tch! Just wait until I come back."

"Got it."

The two men chuckled.

Though they bickered every day when they met, there were no others who worried about each other as much as they did. Their eyes looking at each other contained affection.

That's when it happened.

"Jin-bo!"

A young maiden hurriedly ran down from the mountain gate. The one who arrived at the gate panting was Eun So-cheong.

"So-cheong!"

"How could you leave without saying goodbye? I almost didn't get to see you."

Tears were welling up in Eun So-cheong's eyes. Bang Jin-bo approached such Eun So-cheong and wiped away her tears with his hand.

"It gets harder the more we talk. And I'll be back soon."

"Still, you should say something."

"I'm sorry!"

"I won't say much. Please be careful!"

"Yes!"

Bang Jin-bo nodded vigorously.

"And… be careful!"

"Of what else?"

"Other women."

"Huh?"

"Be careful of women. If you cheat, I won't let it slide."

Eun So-cheong pouted her lips.

After gaining the alias Mount Hua Grand Chef, quite a few people had approached Bang Jin-bo. They were all women around Eun So-cheong's age.

To young female martial artists, Bang Jin-bo was a very attractive existence. The martial power to defeat Dae Gun-sang, one of the Four New Stars, plus he was from Mount Hua Sect and had Dam Ho's protection.

If things went well with Bang Jin-bo, they would gain tremendous backing. Perhaps that's why many female martial artists had openly approached Bang Jin-bo.

Even with Eun So-cheong keeping a close watch beside him, they still did so – who knew how much they would cling if he were free.

"What are you talking about? Don't worry. I only have you."

"Really?"

"Of course!"

"I'll trust you!"

"Yes!"

Bang Jin-bo nodded vigorously.

"Ugh! I can't bear to watch this sickening display anymore. Damn! Anyone would think you've been dating for years."

Cho Yeon-woon grumbled from the side, but Bang Jin-bo and Eun So-cheong paid no attention. Cho Yeon-woon's eyes narrowed, but he didn't say anything more.

Dam Ho held Black Ghost's reins and said.

"Let's go!"

"Yes!"

Bang Jin-bo parted from Eun So-cheong and mounted his horse. Only then did Dam Ho's gaze turn to Cho Yeon-woon.

The farewells were already finished. There were no more words. They just looked at each other's faces and nodded.

Dam Ho lightly kicked Black Ghost's flank. Then Black Ghost began racing at frightening speed.

"Ah! Wait for me, brother!"

Bang Jin-bo belatedly followed behind him.

"Jin-bo!"

Eun So-cheong gazed endlessly at Bang Jin-bo's retreating figure as he quickly disappeared. Cho Yeon-woon approached her side.

"You don't need to worry. That guy is strong."

"Yes!"

"By the way, he's an enviable guy."

"What do you mean?"

"Having such a beautiful and rich woman as his girlfriend. What do you see in that guy that makes you cry like that? You're ten times too good for him."

"Hmph! No matter how much you praise me, I have nothing to give."

"Tch! As expected, it doesn't work."

Cho Yeon-woon pouted and approached So-cheon and others. Only then did Eun So-cheong turn to look at Cho Yeon-woon's retreating figure. A faint smile appeared on her lips.

She knew too. That Cho Yeon-woon was deliberately speaking lightly to cheer her up.

He was truly a good person.

Even after losing everything to the Demon Cult, he always smiled. Sometimes it felt eerie, but still, being on the same side, he was a man she could rely on.

Cho Yeon-woon said to So-cheon and others.

"Well, shall we start moving too?"

***

"The Fist Demon has departed."

"What's his destination?"

"We couldn't find that out."

At Heavenly Wolf Guest Gu Ui-jin's words, Jeok Gyeong-cheon frowned.

"Does he seem to have noticed something?"

"We don't know that either. However…"

"However?"

"He's smarter than we thought. He seems to carelessly commit slaughter with brute force, but he always produces the best results. He knows how to efficiently use his strength."

"So?"

"If we let him go like this, we don't know what variables he might create using his martial power. Rather…"

"Rather, eliminate him?"

"Exactly."

Gu Ui-jin answered without a moment's hesitation. His face was already filled with thick killing intent.

Jeok Gyeong-cheon asked.

"Would it be possible?"

"It's possible."

"If we're careless, we might repeat the mistake of underestimating the enemy. Perhaps he's already approached the truth to some degree."

"That's all the more reason we need to eliminate him."

Gu Ui-jin's voice naturally rose, and his killing intent grew thicker. Like his alias Heavenly Wolf Guest, he looked like an untamed wild wolf.

Jeok Gyeong-cheon looked at such Gu Ui-jin for a moment.

They had been together for decades. Just by looking at his face, he could tell what he was thinking, and personally, he was a younger brother he trusted more than anyone.

No matter what task he assigned, Gu Ui-jin would surely accomplish it admirably. But not this time.

"We focus on our work here."

"Brother!"

"There's no need for us to come forward and spill blood."

"I'm confident I won't spill blood."

"Don't underestimate the Fist Demon. Among all those who have died by his hand so far, there wasn't one who wasn't a master. Among them were quite a few masters comparable to you."

"…"

"It's not that I don't trust you. It's just that our work here takes priority. He's not our responsibility."

"I… understand."

In the end, Gu Ui-jin answered with an expression of having no choice. But his eyes clearly showed he couldn't accept it.

Jeok Gyeong-cheon left such Gu Ui-jin behind and threw open the window wide. Then the entire view of Shaolin Temple and the Martial Alliance came into sight at a glance.

"The world will change soon. You should think about how to make good use of our juniors in the suicide squad."

Jeok Gyeong-cheon smiled broadly.

Yeong-gwi stopped walking.

Diluted blood water was pooled on the ground.

Looking around, blood had splattered everywhere before being washed by rainwater.

Jin Ja-gang got down from her back and carefully walked forward together with Yeong-gwi.

About twenty steps into the side of the main road, five corpses lay neatly arranged, half-submerged in muddy water. Rainwater had collected there, so if a little more time had passed, they would have been completely submerged and might not have been discovered.

“Mount Hua Sect.”

However, unlike their orderly arrangement, the corpses’ bodies were damaged in various ways. Heads were burst and limbs were broken. There were holes throughout their bodies.

On the other hand, there was also a corpse that was intact without a single external wound. Jin Ja-gang flipped back the eyelid of the corpse that died intact. It was so deep red it was almost black. This was because blood that had burst from inside had coagulated.

The belly was also somewhat swollen, and when Jin Ja-gang pressed the corpse’s belly, it was quite hard.

Yeong-gwi approached. Yeong-gwi knelt beside Jin Ja-gang and unhesitatingly cut open the corpse’s belly.

Slice.

No blood flowed out. Instead, the belly skin split open and a lump that looked like liver burst out through the split skin. It was a lump of coagulated blood.

“Advanced internal crushing technique completely burst and melted all the internal organs.”

Jin Ja-gang said while looking around at the corpses.

“Limb amputation by blade, fractures, skull depression… Not unfamiliar.”

“Shaolin Temple passed through here a day and a half ago. Mount Hua Sect that blocked Shaolin Temple’s path ended up like this.”

“It seems we’ll be able to pass through Mount Zhongnan more easily than expected.”

“Wait a moment.”

Yeong-gwi searched the pockets of the dead Mount Hua martial artists. She took out everything including Taoist scriptures and pouches.

“Monks don’t search the pockets of the dead. Usually they kill and take things away.”

Yeong-gwi opened all the pouches to check. Most contained various items like wound medicine.

Yeong-gwi’s expression hardened. It was when she took out a small box about the size of two fingernails from one silk pouch.

When Yeong-gwi opened the box, a refreshing fragrance emerged along with an extraordinary pill.

“Jade Spirit Pill. Mount Hua Sect’s elixir. Having this means at least head disciple level or higher.”

“How strong is head disciple level?”

“Each one corresponds to about a Vajra monk level.”

Yeong-gwi held out another box containing a Jade Spirit Pill.

“There were two such people, and both are dead.”

Yeong-gwi stood up and said.

“Their travel speed isn’t fast. At our current pace, we’ll catch up to Shaolin Temple within a day.”

“That’s good.”

Yeong-gwi stared at Jin Ja-gang.

“Good? According to what you discovered, their number is only half at nine. Yet with this level of force, even if we catch up, there’s no way to handle them. Especially if they join with the other half that went toward Chongqing…”

“They set out from the beginning targeting King of Hell. Naturally they would have that level of force.”

“We’re the ones who have to face such people.”

“We also targeted King of Hell, didn’t we?”

Yeong-gwi frowned.

“The ‘we’ I mentioned and the ‘we’ you’re talking about seem to have different meanings.”

“It seems so.”

“Even if we catch up to Shaolin Temple, without countermeasures we’re just courting death. I can’t agree to that.”

Yeong-gwi gritted her teeth and said.

“Because you have to die by my hand.”

Jin Ja-gang met Yeong-gwi’s eyes but soon shook his head.

“I said I would allow three attacks, not that I was entrusting my life. When I said I would allow three times, it meant I wouldn’t kill you until then. If you still target me after that…”

Jin Ja-gang couldn’t continue his words. Yeong-gwi’s lips were trembling.

She seemed extremely indignant, and also seemed to be resentful as if he was being too much.

Yeong-gwi said forcefully.

“I know that much without you reminding me. I know, so don’t die. At least the fate of our Leper Mound is hanging on your shoulders too!”

“I understand.”

Another awkward atmosphere.

“Let’s rest for a moment.”

Yeong-gwi turned her body sharply and went into the bushes.

After that, Jin Ja-gang and Yeong-gwi discovered the corpses of Mount Hua martial artists several more times.

* * *

Splash! Splash!

Nine Shaolin monks were racing down the main road with identical steps and strides. Though their heights and builds varied, their speeds were the same. Every time the Shaolin monks stepped with their Great Strength Divine Nail technique, water splashed to both sides of the road.

The Shaolin monks were passing through a main road with tall trees growing on both sides.

Whoosh, whoooosh!

On both sides where the Shaolin monks were running, over ten shadows passed the Shaolin monks by leaping through trees.

The Shaolin monks glanced left and right with sharp eyes. The martial artists who had been running by stepping on trees faster than running looked at the Shaolin monks.

The Shaolin monk running in front, Beom-hae, raised his hand and stopped. The other Shaolin monks also stopped all at once.

The martial artists who had been leaping through trees jumped down in front of the Shaolin monks. Several more blocked the retreat from behind. Nearly twenty people had surrounded the Shaolin monks.

Beom-hae stood to the side, looked around front and back, and chanted Buddha’s name.

“Namo Amitabha.”

Among the martial artists, a middle-aged man with graying hair stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said.

“I am Gi-san of Mount Zhongnan. I have a few words to ask Monk, so I rudely blocked your path.”

But Beom-hae didn’t respond to those words. One of those blocking the rear drew his sword and shouted.

“There’s no need to ask more. Though they pretend to be monks in appearance, they are vicious ones who randomly harmed our sect’s disciples. We must cut their tendons and give them severe beatings to escort them to our sect!”

It was a Mount Hua Sect martial artist. Several Mount Hua Sect martial artists stood beside him as well.

Mount Zhongnan’s Gi-san raised his hand to stop them.

“Mount Hua Sect’s Hero Eun, please wait a moment. No matter how difficult things have been, since we agreed to join forces, you must follow my control in our Mount Zhongnan territory.”

The Mount Hua martial artists gritted their teeth and glared at the Shaolin monks.

But one of the Shaolin monks chuckled. He was a monk of ordinary build who appeared to be only about twenty years old.

Mount Zhongnan’s Gi-san frowned and gestured with his chin.

One of Mount Zhongnan’s large and fierce-looking martial artists boldly approached the smiling Shaolin monk. Being two heads taller, he looked down at the monk with a rough expression.

“Even though we know perfectly well what you bastards are doing, we were treating you politely out of courtesy, and you laugh?”

The young-looking monk opened his mouth even wider and grinned mockingly.

The Mount Zhongnan martial artist bared his teeth.

“You young monk bastard…”

The young-looking monk flinched and moved. The Mount Zhongnan martial artist immediately confronted him and tried to draw his sword.

At that moment, water splashed from under the Mount Zhongnan martial artist’s legs.

Splaaaash!

It was because the young-looking Shaolin monk had kicked the Mount Zhongnan martial artist’s legs.

The Mount Zhongnan martial artist’s legs flew to the side. Both legs had been severed at the knees and the cut parts bounced away.

The Mount Zhongnan martial artist was too stunned to feel pain and had a blank expression. His height suddenly shortened so he had to look up at the young-looking monk. The young-looking monk’s leg was already stretched up in front of the Mount Zhongnan martial artist’s eyes.

Thud!

The monk struck down with his foot and crushed the Mount Zhongnan martial artist’s head and torso. The Mount Zhongnan martial artist instantly became horrible chunks of flesh and collapsed.

Due to the pouring rain and muddy water on the ground, blood spread in an instant.

The young-looking Shaolin monk said.

“Young monk? Though this humble monk is indeed a late-generation with the character Beom, it’s been over ten years since I passed seventy. Young people these days truly have no manners.”

“How cruel!”

The Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan martial artists all drew their weapons at once. Venom appeared in their eyes.

“To become a monk yet have such vicious hands!”

“Since when has Shaolin Temple looked down on our Mount Zhongnan Sect so much!”

The young-looking Shaolin monk, Beom-gon, arrogantly raised his head and looked at the Mount Hua and Mount Zhongnan martial artists.

“It seems you still don’t know who we are.”

A small-built middle-aged monk picked up Beom-gon’s words.

“Stone Vajras.”

Hearing those words, Gi-san’s eyes contorted.

The ‘Stone’ in Stone Vajra means ‘precious’ or ‘to cherish’ or ‘pity.’

Shaolin Temple’s Vajra monks were well-known and famous, but Stone Vajras were not famous.

This was inevitable, as Stone Vajras were the eldest disciples of the direct masters who carried on the Breaking Sect lineage.

Originally, unless the Breaking Sect gained power, they were people who would never have opportunities to act outside Shaolin Temple in their lifetime.

Beom-gon said.

“Now that you know who we are, it would be best to step aside.”

Mount Zhongnan’s Gi-san hardened his face. He knew that the Absolute Buddha Sect’s Stone Vajras were going to Sichuan.

But one person had already been brutally murdered. To let them pass through Mount Zhongnan’s territory like this would greatly damage the sect’s pride.

“Whoever you monks are, wherever you’re going, since you acted rudely in our Mount Zhongnan territory, the price for that…”

Interrupting Gi-san’s words, another monk said to Beom-gon.

“Fourth Elder, what are you saying? Even if Fourth Elder doesn’t know, we still have far to go. If we go to Sichuan like this, our bodies will stiffen up. Who will take responsibility for us?”

It was Beom-hae, not Beom-gon, who answered.

“No need to worry. Moths who don’t know the value of life will keep rushing at us.”

Gi-san’s face contorted.

“What are you saying…”

Beom-hae said.

“We were originally eighteen. But why we split up along the way…”

Beom-gon picked up the words.

“It was because we hadn’t come out into the world for so long that we had no opponents to loosen up against. If all eighteen went together, nothing would be left, so we split in half.”

Gi-san felt a creepy sensation. He immediately took out a small bow and shot it upward. A whistle was attached to the arrow, making a loud noise as it crossed the air.

Shriiiiek!

Shriek, shriek! Soon responding whistle sounds were heard from all directions.

But the Stone Vajras didn’t stop Gi-san’s action. They seemed rather welcoming.

Beom-hae rolled his prayer beads and said.

“Great compassion and transformation, Bodhisattva breaking and subduing. Namo Amitabha Guanyin Bodhisattva. Disciples, listen.”

The Stone Vajras all straightened their backs and drew up their internal energy. Flashing divine light burst from their eyes.

The Mount Zhongnan and Mount Hua martial artists tensed, gripped their weapons tightly, and drew up their internal energy in response.

Beom-hae opened his mouth.

“Send the fallen and foolish beings to Amitabha Buddha so they may achieve Buddhahood.”

Simultaneously, the Shaolin monks flew in all directions.

Thud, thud, bones burst and limbs flew as screams began erupting instantly.