Chapter 407 – Against One Person – Heavenly Net (1)

Zaoyang was a city located in the northern part of Anhui Province, positioned along the official road directly connecting to Henan Province.

Being a transportation hub, countless people had used this place since long ago, and accommodations like inns and taverns were abundant. But that too was past glory.

After the Demon Cult seized control of Yueyang, most roads leading to the outside were cut off. Demon Cult masters were stationed at major checkpoints to strictly monitor entry and exit from the outside.

Orthodox martial artists from the Martial Alliance or Nine Great Sects were naturally thoroughly blocked or killed, and only martial artists belonging to merchant groups or escort agencies were allowed passage. Even then, only those with clear identities were permitted, and anyone even slightly suspicious was immediately dragged to the Demon Cult to be tortured or killed.

Demon Cult masters had also been dispatched to Zaoyang.

With help from sects that had converted to the Demon Cult, they built a checkpoint on the Zaoyang official road. The checkpoint reminiscent of a fortress emanated tremendous intimidation that felt crushing just to look at.

"Phew!"

Eun So-cheong caught her breath for a moment while looking at the checkpoint built in Zaoyang.

Though Eun So-cheong was seasoned in merchant activities, facing such a checkpoint where the Demon Cult held sway inevitably made her mind and body shrink.

Eun So-cheong's eyes, which had wavered anxiously for a moment, soon regained their usual composure.

Still keeping her gaze fixed forward, she said:

"Everyone be especially careful. Under no circumstances should you step forward. We'll handle everything ourselves."

"Are you really okay?"

"If brother and the others step out unnecessarily, it'll only make things worse. Please leave this kind of thing to us."

"Understood."

Cho Yeon-woon, disguised as a laborer, nodded with a stiff expression.

Though Cho Yeon-woon usually wore a leisurely smile, this time he couldn't hide his tense expression. The same was true for the other death squad members.

If they simply tried to break through with martial arts alone, it wouldn't be impossible, but then the death squad's existence would be exposed to the Demon Cult. Such a worst-case scenario had to be prevented.

The merchant group led by Eun So-cheong gradually approached Zaoyang's checkpoint. Immediately, there was a reaction from the checkpoint.

"Who goes there? Stop right there."

Following the sharp voice, dozens of masters revealed themselves. Their blazing eyes and emanating aura seemed extraordinary.

Instantly, one middle-aged martial artist from Silver Treasure Escort Agency's merchant group stepped forward.

"We are a merchant group operated by Silver Treasure Escort Agency."

He was Nam Ju-myeong, vice leader of the escort group, who had excellent eloquence and considerable courage. Because of this, he often led the escort group in place of leader Jeok Yong-cheon.

Nam Ju-myeong approached the Demon Cult masters guarding the checkpoint without showing any signs of tension. Then a middle-aged martial artist who appeared to be their leader came forward from the Demon Cult side.

He was a master carrying a large broadsword on his back. He rode his horse toward Nam Ju-myeong.

He was one of the Demon Cult's outer hall leaders, a master named Do Gang-il.

"Silver Treasure Escort Agency's merchant group?"

"That's right. We're on our way home after completing a long merchant journey."

"Hmm!"

At Nam Ju-myeong's calm answer, Do Gang-il rifled through the roster he was holding. The roster was densely filled with names of sects and merchant groups based in Anhui Province.

Silver Treasure Escort Agency was written at the very top of the roster. This meant it was a place the Demon Cult also paid attention to, and one of the places they should show consideration for. Because a large merchant group like Silver Treasure Escort Agency could become the Demon Cult's source of funds.

"Do you have proof that you're Silver Treasure Escort Agency's escort group?"

"Here are identity tokens and certificates issued by the Martial Alliance."

"Martial Alliance?"

"Ah! Don't misunderstand. Not Shaolin Temple, but the Martial Alliance from when it was in Yueyang. Even though it was issued by the Divine Cult's enemy, there should be no doubt about its authenticity."

Nam Ju-myeong presented the group's identity tokens and certificates to Do Gang-il.

Do Gang-il's eyes narrowed. He verified the authenticity of the identity tokens and certificates with hawk-like eyes.

"At least they're definitely genuine."

Though he said that, Do Gang-il didn't remove his suspicious gaze.

"Where are you returning from?"

"We're on our way back from merchant activities in Shanxi Province."

"Shanxi Province?"

"That's right. We went there because a mine producing high-quality rock salt was discovered."

"Rock salt?"

Do Gang-il's eyes lit up.

Originally, rock salt and other salts were prohibited items that unauthorized merchants absolutely could not handle.

"Did you receive government permission?"

"Of course. If you don't believe me, feel free to check with our main office."

"Hmm!"

At Nam Ju-myeong's confident answer, Do Gang-il stroked his chin for a moment then ordered his subordinates to check the cargo.

"Turn over that tarpaulin there."

"Open the boxes."

The Demon Cult masters rushed over like wolves to begin checking the cargo. They removed tarpaulins and lowered boxes, checking two or three times for any suspicious items, and confirmed there was nothing hidden in the rock salt.

"Rock salt is definitely loaded."

"Mm!"

Do Gang-il nodded and carefully examined each person in the merchant group. The escort group's martial artists flinched under his gaze, and the merchants didn't dare make eye contact and quickly lowered their heads.

Do Gang-il's gaze stopped precisely in front of Cho Yeon-woon, who was disguised as a laborer. He pointed at Cho Yeon-woon with his finger.

"You?"

"Yes?"

Cho Yeon-woon raised his head to look at Do Gang-il.

"What's your name?"

"Jo, Jo Il-gyeong."

Cho Yeon-woon hastily gave his false name.

"Jo Il-gyeong…"

Do Gang-il examined the identity token. Then he saw the name Jo Il-gyeong.

"Age thirty-five, born in Xiandao, Hubei Province. Is that correct?"

"Y-yes, that's correct."

"But why are you stuttering like this?"

"Pardon? Well, that's…"

Cho Yeon-woon stammered.

Instantly Do Gang-il's eyes sharpened. They changed to suspicious glances.

That's when it happened.

Crack!

"Ack!"

Suddenly Eun So-cheong slapped Cho Yeon-woon's cheek. Cho Yeon-woon's eyes widened greatly from the sharp pain.

"Why don't you answer properly instead of stuttering like that? Can't you see you're delaying our schedule?"

Eun So-cheong's sharp voice pierced Cho Yeon-woon's cheek. At this, Cho Yeon-woon quickly lowered his head and answered.

"My hometown is a village called Seongok-ri in Tiandao, Hubei Province. My parents still live there, so please verify it."

"Really?"

"If it's a lie, you may cut off this fellow's head."

At Cho Yeon-woon's bold declaration, Do Gang-il's expression softened somewhat. Then Eun So-cheong approached Do Gang-il and secretly slipped him something. It was a silver ingot about the size of a child's fist.

Do Gang-il's pupils wavered.

"Sir! It looks like it's going to rain soon. If it gets wet, all the rock salt will dissolve, so please have mercy."

"Hmm!"

"We'll properly repay you when we pass through here again later. And this is a gift."

Eun So-cheong gestured to the merchant group's workers. Then the workers quickly brought down a large wine jar and presented it before the Demon Cult martial artists. Smiles bloomed on the Demon Cult martial artists' faces. Though they tried to suppress their laughter being mindful of Do Gang-il's eyes, the corners of their mouths kept twitching.

"This is twenty-year-old Shaoxing wine."

"Gasp! Tw-twenty years?"

"Yes! It's fine wine we obtained with difficulty."

"Hah!"

Do Gang-il's mouth fell open. Drool naturally flowed from the corner of his mouth. The same was true for his subordinates.

To them who had been guarding the checkpoint all day without anything to do, twenty-year-old Shaoxing wine felt sweeter than any nectar. Their mouths were already watering.

The fragrant wine aroma flowing from between the sealed cork proved that the Shaoxing wine was genuine. If they delayed any longer, their subordinates might riot.

Do Gang-il shouted toward his subordinates.

"Let them pass."

"Yes!"

The Demon Cult martial artists opened the checkpoint with vigorous responses. Eun So-cheong and Silver Treasure Escort Agency's merchant group leisurely passed through the checkpoint.

Until they completely passed through the checkpoint, the death squad martial artists couldn't relax their tension.

'That child is quite something.'

Thousand Enemy Sword Jang Jin-myeong looked at Eun So-cheong and couldn't help but admire inwardly. He had thought that using the identity of Silver Treasure Escort Agency's escort group would make it relatively easy to pass inspection, but thanks to Eun So-cheong responding more cleverly than he expected, they could pass much more easily.

Finally, when they completely passed through the checkpoint and could no longer see the Demon Cult martial artists.

"Hey! You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Cho Yeon-woon glared at Eun So-cheong while holding his swollen cheek.

"What did I do?"

"You deliberately hit me hard, didn't you?"

"Who told you to stutter like that? We almost aroused suspicion because of brother."

"Well, that's…"

"I was the one who covered for brother's mistake. I hope you won't forget that fact. Hmph!"

Eun So-cheong snorted and walked ahead. Cho Yeon-woon's expression crumpled slightly as he watched her retreating figure.

"Damn! It hurts like hell."

Cho Yeon-woon massaged his swollen cheek while complaining. But unlike his complaining face, his eyes were shining coldly.

'The inspection isn't as ironclad as I thought.'

The Demon Cult was terrifyingly seizing control of the southern Central Plains. They maintained a thorough top-down command system, and because of this, they were known to have the strongest unity in the world. That's why the general opinion in the martial world was that there wasn't even a gap for a needle to enter.

Cho Yeon-woon had deliberately acted suspiciously to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Thanks to this, he got slapped by Eun So-cheong, but he had no regrets or lingering feelings.

'At this level, quite a few death squads should be able to enter Anhui Province.'

Cho Yeon-woon thought this was fortunate and looked at Eun So-cheong's retreating figure.

In the worst case, at least Eun So-cheong had to escape safely. Only then could he face Bang Jin-bo with dignity.

***

"Whew!"

Bang Jin-bo leaned against the ship's railing and took a deep breath.

Strangely, his head felt foggy. As if someone had stirred inside his head with a long stick.

It wasn't just Bang Jin-bo – most people on the ship were like this. Most people sitting here and there on the deck had blank expressions.

"What on earth happened?"

It was as if a piece of memory had been carved out with a sharp dagger.

He turned his head to look toward the bow. Dam Ho stood alone at the bow. His black robe fluttered like wings in the wind blowing from the Yangtze River.

At his unusual appearance, Bang Jin-bo didn't dare to speak to him. Though he had been with Dam Ho for several years now, this was the first time he had seen Dam Ho's expression hardened like this.

That's when it happened.

"Are you okay, brother?"

The Namgung brothers approached Bang Jin-bo, shaking their heads.

They too, like Bang Jin-bo, had completely lost part of their memory. Because of this, they were holding their aching heads.

"I'm dying too."

"Ugh! I feel like throwing up."

Namgung Seon-hwi shook his head.

"When we get on land, I'll make food that will settle your stomach. You'll feel better after eating that."

"Thank you, brother."

"Not at all!"

At Namgung Seon-hwi's words, Bang Jin-bo shook his head.

They were two people who had suddenly lost their family and become orphans. The Namgung Family's downfall was a disaster brought about by the family members themselves, but one of the main causes was that Dam Ho had killed the family head and other key figures.

Dam Ho felt no responsibility for this, but Bang Jin-bo was different. He carried a burden in his heart as if he himself were responsible for the Namgung Family's downfall. Perhaps that's why he was being extra kind to the Namgung brothers.

"Let's all hang in there a bit more. We'll reach land soon."

"Yes!"

It was when the Namgung brothers answered vigorously.

Whooosh!

Suddenly a sharp air-cutting sound echoed.

"What?"

When Bang Jin-bo looked forward in surprise, he saw a huge arrow as thick as a human torso flying at terrifying speed.

"Th-that?"

The arrow's target was Dam Ho.

The giant arrow that drew a line through the air struck Dam Ho directly.

Crash!

“Salt?”

Tang Gwi-ok also had a completely unexpected expression.

“Did you say salt?”

“There’s a possibility of using Five Path Fatal Pills by drying them, grinding them to powder, and mixing them with salt.”

Tang Gwi-ok thought for a moment then said.

“If it’s related to salt as you say, the quantity wouldn’t be small.”

“It wouldn’t be.”

“Then the transaction details must remain in the ledgers.”

“I already examined King of Hell’s office. King of Hell burned most documents, leaving no traces.”

“But you wouldn’t have looked into ledgers related to commercial activities conducted by our family’s businesses. It would involve enormous funds. Even if written falsely, ledgers are never empty. Incoming and outgoing money must always match.”

Tang Gwi-ok was right. Large-scale transactions would have occurred frequently, and meticulous Tang Qing wouldn’t have operated things haphazardly.

“Sichuan is where the Southern Silk Ancient Road begins, the trade route extending to the distant Western Regions. They trade tea, salt, and horses. Dozens of horses and donkeys travel the Southern Silk Ancient Road in processions at once. Our family’s businesses also conduct much trade using the Southern Silk Ancient Road.”

Jin Ja-gang understood what Tang Gwi-ok was trying to say.

Tang Gwi-ok said.

“I was already analyzing ledgers to take over the businesses older brother had been running. I’ll assign more experts. Within a few days, we should be able to confirm what quantities came in and which direction they flowed.”

* * *

Tang Gwi-ok found transactions presumed to be salt in less than a day. It was remarkable skill. Though it was said to have been cleverly hidden under over a thousand different item categories, she had ultimately revealed it.

Jin Ja-gang raided one of the external warehouses where items revealed in the ledgers were said to be stored, together with Tang family warriors.

“Open it!”

The warehouse keepers opened the doors in bewilderment.

Jin Ja-gang rushed in first.

But the warehouse was empty.

It was vacant.

The other warehouses beside it were the same.

As if to confirm salt had been there until recently, salt powder was scattered on the floor and a salty smell lingered.

Yeong-gwi, disguised as a warrior, brought the warehouse keeper.

“Who took the salt that was here and when did it leave!”

The warehouse keeper told what he knew.

“Salt had been brought and stored little by little for several years, then was all taken out at once before the rainy season came.”

That was when Five Path Fatal Pills production stopped at the Tang Family Main House.

All Five Path Fatal Pills produced at the Tang Family Main House until then had also gone outside. They had surely all been moved somewhere at that time.

“Where did they go?”

“We only manage warehouses, so we don’t know. They loaded it heavily onto carts and left.”

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“Were they Tang family people?”

“No. They seemed like merchants from small to medium trading companies. They said they were some kind of Yingbo merchants…”

Yingbo merchants!

Yingbo merchants were a trading company that dealt with the Tang family. Based in Zhejiang, local trading companies in Sichuan and Yunnan borrowed the Yingbo merchants’ name.

But Jin Ja-gang was surprised because he had heard about that trading company once before.

The booklet obtained in Chongqing! That booklet contained the trading company that dealt with Iron Umbrella Sect.

That was precisely Yingbo merchants.

Not only that. When Dan Ryeong-gyeong seized ledgers that Yingbo merchants tried to hide, salt was definitely mentioned there.

“Quite a lot of salt was traded. It seems they conducted secret dealings.”

That’s what the person Dan Ryeong-gyeong sent had said.

But Jin Ja-gang hadn’t paid attention to salt at that time. His focus was only on medicinal material transaction records, so he hadn’t thought about what salt might signify.

“Foolishly… it was all revealed back then…!”

Big merchants receive salt monopoly rights transferred from officials. Precisely, it’s official salt sales rights. Since private salt isn’t legally recognized, they can essentially sell salt with complete monopoly supply.

But Yingbo merchants conducted secret dealings despite having official salt sales rights.

What would be the reason for that?

To secure more salt without being exposed.

How could Five Path Fatal Pills be spread to all martial artists in the Central Plains? Jin Ja-gang had actually doubted it was impossible.

But Tang Qing had ultimately devised it.

Distribute poison mixed with salt!

No martial artist could survive without eating food containing salt.

Salt is a seasoning no one suspects and everyone consumes unknowingly. When mixed in food, it dissolves and becomes invisible. There’s absolutely no way to avoid it.

Now Jin Ja-gang understood the complete picture.

Tang Qing had joined hands with Yingbo merchants years ago to secure salt from Yunnan. Even though Sichuan was a salt production area, siphoning off too much would draw official pursuit.

So they brought salt from Tibet and Yunnan.

Perhaps…

Perhaps that’s why Yunnan’s Medicine Sect was destroyed!

Jin Ja-gang clenched his fists in indignation.

Grind.

His teeth ground together.

Anger surged uncontrollably. He felt like blood was rushing backward to his head and would explode!

…

…hey!

…ake up!

Wake up, Poison Dragon!

When Jin Ja-gang suddenly came to his senses, Soul Seizing Thread was floating and swirling around him. And he was grasping Yeong-gwi’s wrist as she tried to stop him. Yeong-gwi had deep wounds on her wrist from being cut by Soul Seizing Thread.

Jin Ja-gang looked around.

Not only Tang family warriors but all warehouse keepers had pale faces and were crawling on the ground.

He had unconsciously emitted tremendous killing intent.

Yeong-gwi bit her lips until they bled and said.

“Don’t… be overcome by emotion.”

Jin Ja-gang released Yeong-gwi’s hand. He was grateful and sorry to Yeong-gwi who had stopped him while barely enduring the killing intent.

“I’m sorry. I’ll… go back first.”

Jin Ja-gang returned to the Tang Family Main House.

* * *

King of Hell’s office.

The thirty who had luckily survived were still there. They were being handed over to those Tang Gwi-ok had sent while wearing shackles on their ankles.

When Jin Ja-gang entered, Tang Gwi-ok had already taken over tens of thousands of bamboo scrolls.

Jin Ja-gang asked the receiver.

“Is it finished?”

“Yes. We just emptied the last bookshelf. Oh, and the family head asked how to dispose of them.”

“I plan to find out from now.”

With receivers waiting at the door, Jin Ja-gang gathered Tang Qing’s thirty subordinates.

Then he called one who could speak and asked.

“When did King of Hell start gathering information about Yunnan’s Medicine Sect?”

The one who could speak confirmed with the others through written communication, then answered.

“From decades ago.”

Jin Ja-gang unconsciously closed his eyes.

The An family medical practice believed the Poison Sect counterattacked because they had informed them of Medicine Sect’s attack. The Tang family was at the center of that.

An Ryeong even felt guilty about it.

But that was An Ryeong’s misunderstanding.

When had Tang Qing planned this affair?

From when he heard Medicine Sect would attack the Poison Sect?

Or was the situation coincidentally created that way?

No.

There was something Jin Ja-gang had thought strangely didn’t match in sequence.

The incident where disciples of Master Haewol, the martial alliance leader, disappeared.

Those were events that occurred before Master Haewol became martial alliance leader. Master Haewol rose to the martial alliance leader position with overwhelming support from Yangtze River Sword Sect, and the last of his two disciples died during the early period when Master Haewol was organizing Yangtze River Sword Sect.

So it meant Tang Qing had been trying to find compatibility of internal energy cultivation methods for at least decades. He must have been thinking of absorbing Medicine Sect from then.

But Yunnan was the most remote frontier in the martial world, with not a single major orthodox sect worth mentioning. There was absolutely no reason to absorb Yunnan’s Medicine Sect just to learn internal energy cultivation method compatibility through medicinal materials.

If there was a reason, only one:

To secure the Southern Silk Ancient Road trade route for salt smuggling.

So Tang Qing learning of Medicine Sect’s attack in advance through the An family medical practice was… like wanting to cry but getting slapped in the face. It was an opportunity coming to Tang Qing who had been looking for a pretext to absorb Medicine Sect.

As a result…

It wasn’t because Medicine Sect tried to attack the Poison Sect first. It wasn’t because the An family medical practice informed the Tang family of Medicine Sect’s surprise attack.

Yunnan’s Medicine Sect was precisely massacred by Tang Qing’s necessity.

Tears of blood flowed inside.

The truth.

The truth he had finally found after wandering and wandering.

Jin Ja-gang raised his head to look at the ceiling. After staying like that briefly, he said to the scholars who had been Tang Qing’s subordinates.

“Those who know even a little about Yunnan’s Medicine Sect, step forward.”

Six of the scholars stepped forward.

Jin Ja-gang raised his hand.

“Only now finding the reason for revenge spanning long years, blaming my own inadequacy for barely finding my path, I offer these people’s blood to the Medicine Sect family members who died without knowing why.”

Desolate killing intent swirled.

When the scholars who sensed something was wrong tried to dodge, thin lines had already cut across their necks.

Six heads and bodies separated.

Plop, roll roll.

The remaining scholars looked at Jin Ja-gang with fearful eyes.

“Anyone who wants to follow King of Hell’s footsteps even now, step forward.”

The scholars didn’t hesitate and immediately bowed their heads.

Jin Ja-gang said to Tang Gwi-ok’s receivers.

“My business is finished. The family head can take in the remaining ones.”

The receivers also bowed their heads.

Jin Ja-gang immediately left the office and headed toward Tang Qing.

* * *

Jin Ja-gang looked down at the lying Tang Qing.

Tang Qing lay with his eyes closed, acupuncture needles stuck all over his body. Even Divine Physician An Yul-jin couldn’t guarantee when Tang Qing might wake up.

But Jin Ja-gang began speaking as if conversing with him.

“I solved the riddle you posed.”

“…”

“Salt.”

“…”

“It’s no use pretending you don’t understand. From now on, I’ll find and destroy everything you were trying to do. And I’ll find and crush those you joined hands with.”

“…”

“Watch well from there. You’ll be last.”

Jin Ja-gang looked down at Tang Qing a bit longer, then left.

Long after Jin Ja-gang left, the eyebrows of Tang Qing, who lay as if dead, trembled slightly.

Twitch…

* * *

It was certain that salt would be the medium for Five Path Fatal Pills.

And Jin Ja-gang could recall clues he had carelessly overlooked one by one, even predicting through what route that salt would be delivered to martial sects.

Trading companies dealing with martial sects!

It was the only route that could simultaneously spread salt containing Five Path Fatal Pills poison to medium and large sect martial artists.

And generally, those in high positions in martial sects, or even ordinary disciples not in high positions… had no particular interest in salt, which was merely one of hundreds of seasonings…