Chapter 423 – Finding a Path of Life in the Path of Death (2)

Eun So-cheong opened her mouth with difficulty.

"Sister, how did you come here?"

"Still, since I'm the one mediating, I had to come out myself."

"But…"

"Did you properly load the salt? I shouldn't need to check it myself, right?"

"Ah, yes! I brought out all the salt that was in Silver Treasure Escort Agency."

"That's fortunate. Thanks to this, my reputation will be preserved. Thank you!"

"Oh, not at all. It's just business anyway."

"Right! Business is just business."

Won Seol-hwa looked at the dozens of carts lined up behind Eun So-cheong with a meaningful smile. The carts were fully loaded with salt and guarded by the merchant group's martial artists.

"Just looking at them makes me feel secure. To bring so many escort martial artists."

"It's our first deal with the Divine Cult."

"True! Until we put the goods in the warehouse and receive payment, it's entirely Silver Treasure Escort Agency's responsibility. Good mindset. Little sister will surely be able to grow into an excellent great merchant."

The smile on Won Seol-hwa's lips deepened.

"Thank… you."

"I really hope we can see each other for a long, long time. Getting along well, that is."

"That's what will happen."

"Right! That's what will happen. Well then, shall we go inside now? I've kept the people inside waiting too long."

"Yes!"

Won Seol-hwa lightly waved her hand toward the warriors guarding the main gate. Then the massive main gate opened with a heavy sound.

It was like a giant monster opening its maw to welcome them.

Eun So-cheong momentarily stopped breathing and swallowed dry saliva. Even for her, who had more than ordinary composure, this was a tense moment.

The same was true for previous generation martial artists like Jang Jin-myeong.

Even for them, who had experience striking the Demon Cult's main base decades ago, this moment was providing unbearable tension.

'Still, thanks to that child, we can easily enter the Demon Cult's main base. Fortunately.'

The effort and sacrifice they had poured into infiltrating the Demon Cult's main base during the first Righteous-Demon War was indescribable.

Compared to that time, now was no different from walking on a silk road. All of this was thanks to Eun So-cheong and Silver Treasure Escort Agency. Jang Jin-myeong was grateful that this young girl before his eyes had brought such great fortune.

Jang Jin-myeong sent sound transmission to the previous generation suicide squad martial artists who came with him.

―Everyone prepare thoroughly. The moment we enter the inner fortress, we must move like lightning to deal with our targets. We must relentlessly pursue them and escape without giving them time to breathe. Whatever sacrifices there may be, we must complete the mission.

The main targets were naturally the Cult Leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol and other Demon Cult leaders. Through intelligence activities so far, their locations and movement patterns had already been identified.

At Jang Jin-myeong's sound transmission, the previous generation martial artists nodded slightly without showing it. They were confident having constantly coordinated with the young martial artists throughout the journey from Mount Song's Martial Alliance to here.

Suddenly So Bo-won looked around.

Her vision filled with the faces of young martial artists filled with determination.

Eyes shining with righteousness, faces filled with resolve were embedded in her pupils.

'I'm sorry.'

She couldn't lift her head, feeling like she was doing something wicked to that shining youth and righteousness. But So Bo-won pressed such inner thoughts firmly down in her heart.

Meanwhile, the merchant group was passing through the outer fortress. Demon Cult martial artists could be seen standing guard strictly everywhere. But no one stopped the merchant group passing through with Won Seol-hwa.

Rather, they were opening doors on their own so Won Seol-hwa could pass quickly. Thanks to this, they could easily enter the inner fortress.

"This way."

Won Seol-hwa pointed at a large warehouse with her finger. Twenty warehouses that looked even larger than decent pavilions were visible. With just the supplies inside them, the martial artists at the Demon Cult's main base could live for at least half a year.

'Hmm!'

Before the tremendously enormous scale of warehouses and stockpiled supplies, the young martial artists participating in the suicide squad unconsciously let out admiring sounds.

"Move the carts this way."

Won Seol-hwa pointed at one of the warehouses with her finger.

The warehouse she pointed to was the largest among the twenty warehouses. In front of the warehouse, workers were waiting to move cargo.

Eun So-cheong and the merchant group slowly moved toward the warehouse.

As the large warehouse got closer, Hae So-wol frowned deeply at an ominous premonition whose identity she couldn't know. She glanced at So Cheon. So Cheon was also feeling something similar to her and had raised all his senses to high alert.

The same was true for previous generation martial artists including Jang Jin-myeong. They too felt an unknown sense of discomfort.

Then Won Seol-hwa turned around and looked at Eun So-cheong.

"Do you remember what I said earlier?"

"What do you mean?"

"That I hoped we could see each other for a long time."

"Yes! I remember."

"I'm sorry!"

"For what?"

At Eun So-cheong's question, Won Seol-hwa's lips curled up and her eyes gleamed eerily.

She bared her white teeth and said:

"It was all a lie. I don't want to see you for a long time. Silver Treasure Escort Agency either."

"What do you…"

"What do I mean? I mean this."

Won Seol-hwa raised her snow-white hand.

Creak creak creak!

The doors of the warehouses surrounding the merchant group opened all at once. Through the open doorways, martial artists standing in formation were visible.

Seeing this, Jang Jin-myeong shouted:

"It's a trap!"

Only then did Eun So-cheong realize the true nature of the ominous feeling that had been pressing upon her until just moments before. They had been waiting for them with full preparations already in place.

Then a man in his early forties wearing a blue robe walked out from inside the warehouse.

At the appearance of the man with impressively pale skin as if he had never seen sunlight in his life, Won Seol-hwa bowed her head.

The man was precisely Sang Han-cheon, the Demon Cult's Military Advisor. With his appearance, Demon Cult martial artists who had been hiding and waiting inside the warehouse came pouring out.

Sang Han-cheon looked at Jang Jin-myeong and others with a chilly gaze.

"You shouldn't have been in such a hurry. Thanks to that, I had to wait quite a while in that stuffy place."

"Are you Sang Han-cheon?"

Jang Jin-myeong glared at Sang Han-cheon with frightening eyes.

"Ho! Seeing that you know me, you must be quite advanced in years yourself."

"My name is Jang Jin-myeong."

"Thousand Man Great Enemy Sword?"

"That's right. I am precisely Thousand Man Great Enemy Sword Jang Jin-myeong."

Jang Jin-myeong took off the hat he was wearing on his head and let out a lion's roar. Using his lion's roar as a signal, those disguised as the merchant group threw off their cumbersome clothing.

A subtle killing intent appeared in Sang Han-cheon's eyes.

"A bigger fish than I thought has graced us with his presence. Who would have thought it would be Thousand Man Great Enemy Sword? Surprising that you're still alive and not dead yet."

"With the Demon Cult bastards keeping their eyes wide open and living, how could I die?"

"Excellent. The number of our cult's brothers killed by you is beyond counting, so I can take that revenge this time."

"Hmph! Ridiculous talk. This time I get to take the head of the Demon Cult's Military Advisor – how could this not be called good fortune?"

Jang Jin-myeong's eyes flickered. In his pupils that seemed to have ghostly flames rising, hatred toward the Demon Cult was contained.

Swish!

He drew his sword and shouted:

"I'll buy time, so everyone complete your respective missions unto death!"

Jang Jin-myeong didn't wait for an answer and charged toward Sang Han-cheon.

Sang Han-cheon was no different from the Demon Cult's brain. If he was killed, the Demon Cult would lose direction and drift.

Thud thud thud!

In just three steps, Jang Jin-myeong shortened the space and charged right up to Sang Han-cheon's nose.

Zing!

His sword sang.

Befitting the epithet Thousand Man Great Enemy Sword, his swordsmanship was frighteningly powerful.

The air split and powerful wind struck Sang Han-cheon. But the sword wind Jang Jin-myeong created had its flow completely cut off before it could even reach Sang Han-cheon. A middle-aged martial artist beside Sang Han-cheon had swung his sword to neutralize it.

"If it's Thousand Man Great Enemy Sword, he's worthy to be this body's opponent."

His name was Gang Wi. One of the Demon Cult's Four Great Commanders, Lightning Magic Sword was precisely his epithet.

Whoosh!

His sword split space.

Clang clang clang!

Jang Jin-myeong's sword and Gang Wi's sword collided in mid-air, sparking. Jang Jin-myeong tried to avoid Gang Wi and kill Sang Han-cheon, but his path was repeatedly blocked by Gang Wi.

The Demon Cult's Four Great Commanders were not gained for free. They were honorable positions seized through countless death struggles. Gang Wi's martial arts were that frightening.

The two fought almost evenly matched.

Meanwhile, the suicide squad began to move.

The group led by Heavenly Wolf Guest Gu Ui-jin rushed toward the inner part of the inner fortress, while the group led by So Bo-won moved in the opposite direction.

"Block those bastards!"

"Pursue them!"

Demon Cult martial artists chased after them.

Sang Han-cheon watched all this spectacle with his hands clasped behind his back.

"The mice that entered the trap still haven't grasped the situation, it seems."

The Demon Cult's main base was a place he had designed and created with painstaking effort. For Demon Cult members it was an incomparably comfortable nest, but for their enemies it was a land of despair full of death traps.

"Wahhh!"

"Kill the Martial Alliance scum!"

"How dare they set their dirty feet in our cult's sacred ground – I will never forgive them!"

Demon Cult martial artists furiously pursued the suicide squad.

Terrifying killing intent surged and whirled through the Demon Cult's main base.

"Ahhh!"

Exposed to tremendous killing intent, Eun So-cheong's face turned pale white.

She was completely exposed in the middle of the battlefield. Since everyone in the suicide squad had their hands full, no one could pay attention to her.

There was a woman walking toward Eun So-cheong. She was precisely Won Seol-hwa.

"You should have chosen your side well. How dare a merchant group based in Hunan Province help the Martial Alliance? Did you find our cult that laughable?"

"Aren't you the one who should be ashamed? Don't you see that countless people are suffering because of the Demon Cult?"

"Who says they're suffering? Didn't you see the faces of people in Yueyang? Was there even a trace of painful light on their faces? They don't care who controls Yueyang anyway. Do you know why? Because no matter who rules this place, there's no big change in their lives."

"That's…"

"That's how they naturally come to accept us, and this place becomes our solid territory. Of course, the real change will begin after that."

"Ugh!"

"Of course, you won't get to see such change. As I said before, I don't want to see my little sister for very long."

At that moment, a man appeared from behind Won Seol-hwa.

His name was Yoon Sa-il. He was an outer hall master of Divine Flower Merchant Group and a martial artist with the epithet Poison Heart Asura.

Befitting the epithet Poison Heart Asura, his methods were extremely cruel.

Yoon Sa-il approached Eun So-cheong. His purpose was clear – to take Eun So-cheong's life.

Seeing Eun So-cheong hesitantly backing away, Won Seol-hwa smiled even more coldly.

"Obediently accept death, wench!"

Yoon Sa-il rushed at Eun So-cheong and spread his palm wide.

Whoosh!

Terrifying palm force rushed toward Eun So-cheong like a tidal wave.

'Jin-bo!'

Eun So-cheong couldn't dare think of dodging and thought of Bang Jin-bo's face. At this moment, she wanted to see him desperately.

That's when it happened.

"So-cheong!"

With a sharp shout, someone leaped between Eun So-cheong and Yoon Sa-il. The woman with a slender figure was precisely Hae So-wol.

Swoosh!

Like a salmon swimming upstream, her sword relentlessly cut through Yoon Sa-il's palm force and penetrated.

"What!"

Yoon Sa-il was greatly surprised at his palm force being destroyed so easily and tried to retreat, but Hae So-wol's movement was several times faster than his expectation.

Slash!

Hae So-wol's sword instantly cut off Yoon Sa-il's right hand.

Blood shot up like a fountain from the severed wrist.

"Ahhhhh!"

The moment a desperate scream burst from Yoon Sa-il's mouth, Hae So-wol stabbed her sword into his heart.

That was Yoon Sa-il's end.

"Tch!"

Seeing this, Won Seol-hwa quickly retreated.

Hae So-wol also didn't attack further and withdrew. Her purpose was not to kill Won Seol-hwa but to protect Eun So-cheong.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes!"

Hae So-wol quickly embraced Eun So-cheong's slender waist and lifted her body into the air. So Cheon followed behind them.

Boom!

"Argh!"

"Die!"

Loud crashes along with shouts mixed with killing intent and malice echoed everywhere.

In the midst of it all, Sang Han-cheon alone was smiling.

"Struggle all you want. This place will become an inescapable hell for you." ​

Stagger.

When Jin Ja-gang stood up, everyone’s attention was drawn to him.

Woon-jeong shouted.

“Oh? Poison Dragon friend!”

Bian Bu, Taoist Master Bok-cheon, and So-so also watched Jin Ja-gang. They were curious whether Jin Ja-gang, who had awakened from deep meditation, had gained enlightenment, and if so, how much he had changed.

Yeong-gwi ran over in one breath to support Jin Ja-gang. Then she saw Jin Ja-gang’s face and was startled, withdrawing her hand.

Jin Ja-gang came down from the pavilion without a word.

Taoist Master Bok-cheon, Bian Bu, Woon-jeong, and So-so were all the same. They had tried to happily congratulate Jin Ja-gang on his enlightenment, but quickly made strange expressions.

No one could utter a word until Jin Ja-gang left the garden.

Only after Jin Ja-gang had completely disappeared did Bian Bu mutter with a bewildered expression.

“Cry… what? Poison Dragon was crying?”

* * *

Jin Ja-gang passed through the maze-like paths of the Tang Family Main House with an expression like someone half out of their mind. His steps naturally headed toward Tang Ha-ran.

When Jin Ja-gang opened the door and entered, Tang Ha-ran was knitting.

Seeing that, Jin Ja-gang’s tears burst forth again.

Tang Ha-ran was startled, then put down her knitting and spread her arms. Jin Ja-gang collapsed and knelt in front of Tang Ha-ran, embracing her.

“Uh… sob…”

Uncontrollable sobs burst from Jin Ja-gang’s mouth.

“Sob! Sob!”

What could have made him so sorrowful?

Jin Ja-gang cried to the point that Tang Ha-ran was flustered. Once the tears started, they wouldn’t easily subside.

Tang Ha-ran didn’t ask why he was crying.

Instead, she shed tears with a joyful, satisfied expression, then became sad-faced and shed tears.

Tang Ha-ran held Jin Ja-gang’s head buried against her belly and slowly stroked it.

Jin Ja-gang raised his head without hiding his tears.

As he raised his head, tears poured out again.

Tang Ha-ran held Jin Ja-gang’s cheek, lifted his chin, and licked Jin Ja-gang’s tears with the tip of her tongue.

Slowly, Jin Ja-gang’s tears were washed away.

After Tang Ha-ran had wiped away all traces of Jin Ja-gang’s tears, she called Jin Ja-gang’s name with a sad smile.

“Hey, Jin Ja-gang. Where are you trying to go leaving me behind again?”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Ha-ran. Tang Ha-ran spoke as if making him promise.

“You’re mine.”

But Tang Ha-ran’s voice also mixed with tears.

“Your place is always here. So…”

Tang Ha-ran placed Jin Ja-gang’s hand on her belly.

“Our Ah-gang should greet daddy too. Tell him to go and come back.”

Jin Ja-gang’s tears poured out again. With great difficulty, he forced out words.

“Ah-gang is the name?”

“Pet name. I chose it myself.”

“It’s good.”

Soon Tang Ha-ran embraced Jin Ja-gang and said.

“Go and come back…”

The daily life that Jin Ja-gang had lacked was fulfilled.

Daily life. A haven where he could receive comfort when sad and struggling.

Wife and child.

Family.

Jin Ja-gang realized that he now had all of that.

And that made Tang Ha-ran realize that she could no longer hold Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang was ready to advance into the wider world.

He wasn’t afraid. He was just regretful.

But if he didn’t advance now, he wouldn’t be able to protect anything.

Jin Ja-gang always had moments of choice, and now was exactly that time.

* * *

Though there were considerable casualties among the masters, only one transport ship carrying salt was damaged.

In fact, the damage could be considered almost negligible.

Flags fluttered.

Sailors on hundreds of ships began simultaneously placing yellowish bags on the salt in the holds. The contents of the bags were crystals of Five Path Fatal Pills that looked almost identical to salt. When the bags were cut with knives, they would pour out instantly and mix seamlessly with the salt.

Watching this scene, Mang Ryo made an admiring sound.

“Well well. They made a lot of Five Path Fatal Pills. Impressive. It was worth catching the old dragon. Nothing particularly lost either.”

At Mang Ryo’s words that nothing was lost, the eyes of nearby Northern Heaven unorthodox sect and Demon Cult warriors flickered.

How was nothing lost!

From Demon Cult, the giant Earth Store Master and the veiled woman Vanishing Master had died. The old man Complete Radiance Master was internally injured, and Fire Flame Master with the iron flag had injured shoulders making movement difficult.

Northern Heaven unorthodox sect also lost Go Lu-bon and several masters, Su Su-jin had a broken wrist, and Thunder Emperor Ga Mu-ru had broken ribs.

Ga Mu-ru spoke with heavy eyes.

“Only Indestructible Heavenly Sword gained benefit.”

Everyone had seen him consumed by demonic energy. And immediately after, Baek Li-jung dragged Master Haewol’s corpse to another boat and stayed there without any intention of coming out, leaving all aftermath to Sim Hak.

Sim Hak had been on another boat but came over to greet the Northern Heaven unorthodox sect and Demon Cult masters.

“Everyone worked hard. Now we’ll handle the rest, so please return…”

Su Su-jin glared.

“Since we dealt with Master Haewol, we have no more business?”

Sim Hak rolled his eyes with an anxious face among the many masters.

“No no, that’s not it. We’re supposed to obtain salt through trading companies and distribute it to the Central Plains. But if everyone’s presence is seen in that process, it would be a bit… we’d face criticism and you’d also be uncomfortable…”

Mang Ryo clicked his tongue.

“Tsk tsk tsk. We dealt with the alliance leader but the Tang family still remains. We have to pass through Sichuan where they’re coiled up, but you’re already telling us to leave?”

Sim Hak rolled his eyes and asked back.

“No, what can the Tang family do…? We said we’re distributing this salt to poor people, so surely they won’t do anything in the middle?”

Mang Ryo put his finger to his chin.

“Rather than having the family destroyed when the salt spreads and King of Hell’s plan is exposed, wouldn’t it be better to steal the salt and face criticism?”

Sim Hak’s face reddened as he realized his mistake.

“Then what do we do?”

“Well…”

Mang Ryo looked around at those nearby and said.

“I’ll handle the Tang family. First, both Northern Heaven and Demon Cult folks should come with me down the Min River through Sichuan.”

Though Northern Heaven unorthodox sect and Demon Cult had joined forces, they didn’t like being together. But if the Tang family blocking the route interfered with the salt, all current damage would become meaningless.

Both sides agreed to follow Mang Ryo’s opinion.

Sim Hak carefully asked.

“But… even if Advisor Mang steps forward, the Tang family won’t easily back down. What are you planning to do?”

“Oh my, this person. I’m the one who stabbed Master Haewol’s sole and belly to death. If you can’t trust me, who can you trust?”

At the words that he had stabbed Master Haewol to death, Sim Hak swallowed dryly.

“You know it’s incredibly close from here to the Tang family, right? To prevent the Tang family from moving recklessly, spread rumors that Master Haewol died trying to steal. Right now. Preferably very exaggerated.”

Sim Hak used all channels to spread rumors.

First, he had people spread rumors starting from Sichuan.

Master Haewol joined hands with Demon Cult to steal salt and devour the martial world, but his dirty ambition was crushed when blocked by the great hero Indestructible Heavenly Sword Baek Li-jung of the Righteous Alliance!

It was an unbelievable story. However, thanks to Mang Ryo’s Cherry Blossom Corps spreading stories that Master Haewol had joined hands with Demon Cult, believers emerged one after another. Even those who didn’t believe took the position that it was possible. Most importantly, the fact that he tried to steal and monopolize salt, which was like a lifeline for people, aroused great public anger.

But this also caused unintended consequences.

Unexpectedly, Mang Ryo was newly highlighted.

Previously, Mang Ryo had tried to assassinate Master Haewol.

Words came out that Mang Ryo had done that because he already knew Master Haewol had joined hands with Demon Cult. Back then, no one could oppose Master Haewol.

But though he failed, the fact that Mang Ryo had opposed Master Haewol and done that was enough to earn praise from many heroes!

Following this, as it became known that he had received respect from numerous young people as an advisor to the Inspector General’s Office during the Martial Alliance period, Mang Ryo received completely opposite evaluations.

Patriotic hero Mang Ryo.

If there had been someone who knew Mang Ryo’s conduct before the Martial Alliance, they would have laughed…

Fortunately or unfortunately, no one remained in Yunnan who could testify about Mang Ryo’s past.

Even if they remained, at this time when everyone praised Mang Ryo, they would usually be treated as someone spouting nonsense.

* * *

Mang Ryo decided to lead the large fleet very slowly down the Min River. Then he stopped when they reached the vicinity of the Tang Family Main House’s surveillance network. He waited briefly for rumors about Master Haewol to reach the Tang Family Main House.

He wasn’t just waiting blankly.

For some reason, he suddenly brought women from nearby pleasure houses. Not courtesans, but servants who helped dress up the courtesans.

Sim Hak watched anxiously, wondering what Mang Ryo was trying to do.

But Mang Ryo put hot water in a wooden tub and had the servants wash his body.

“No, no, no, what are you doing now! Is this the time to enjoy pleasures? The Tang family is right in front of us!”

Sim Hak jumped up and down.

Mang Ryo answered while even smiling pleasantly.

“Since I’m facing very important business, I must bathe and groom myself. There’s a saying that the more urgent you are, the more you should take the roundabout way, all for times like this.”

“The roundabout way is too extreme!”

It wasn’t simple bathing. Flowers floated in the fragrant water.

He arrogantly spread his arms to both sides, and two servants attached to him cut and trimmed his nails, even shaving hair on his fingers and back of hands.

“If I had feet, I would have shaved the hair on my feet and trimmed my toenails!”

Unable to watch anymore, Sim Hak made a comment then quickly covered his mouth.

But Mang Ryo didn’t get angry.

He just laughed heartily, pleased about something.

“That’s exactly why I called someone to carve a new prosthetic leg in the next room. Can’t go with one covered in blood.”

“Anyone watching would think you’re going to meet a hidden lover!”

“Lover? Ah yes, a lover. In a way, it’s a lover indeed.”

“Hehehehehe?”

After the bath ended, the servants more seriously groomed Mang Ryo’s body.

They cut messy hair from his eyebrows to make them neat, and likewise organized his sideburns and beard by plucking and cutting protruding hairs.

On his blackened, scarred face, they rubbed white powder mixed with oil to make it white like a scholar.

They applied fragrant oil to his hair, combed it back, and used a razor to widen his forehead so it wouldn’t look too narrow.

That wasn’t the end. Mang Ryo’s actions became increasingly spectacular.

When grooming was completely finished, errand boys came in one after another. From underwear to outer clothes, including the aforementioned prosthetic leg, everything was completely new.

The silk brocade woven as beautifully as embroidery was the highest grade from Nanjing. The long slit on the side of the silk robe was folded and hemmed with loops and buttons, where the buttons were ivory.

He put musk pouches in his sleeves, and as accessories, he wore a jade pendant hanging from his waist.

He even had shoes bought to fit the prosthetic leg. No, he had the prosthetic leg carved to fit the shoes.

No matter how you looked at it, it was absurd, but as the grooming progressed, Mang Ryo’s face even became increasingly solemn.

This useless decoration was so serious that even Sim Hak couldn’t say what he wanted to say out of consideration.

It was like a sacred ritual that couldn’t tolerate even a hair’s worth of flaw.