Chapter 447 – Yet Hope is Not Abandoned (1)

The streets of Yueyang where the Demon Cult's main base was located were quiet. ​

Because many forces had departed for the Martial Alliance and Shaolin Temple. With most main forces having left, only minimal forces remained guarding the Demon Cult's main base. ​

Though called minimal forces, they were power that even ordinary Central Plains major sects wouldn't dare challenge. Therefore no sect or martial artist could dare invade this place. ​

The main gate that had been tightly closed for some time opened as the sun slowly descended toward the western mountains. ​

The massive iron gate opened and one luxurious four-horse carriage emerged. The carriage headed toward nearby Dongting Lake. ​

Dongting Lake, usually frequented by poets and scholars, had been deserted for a while. When the Demon Cult seized Yueyang, people became frightened and avoided approaching altogether. But contrary to people's expectations, the Demon Cult caused no harm to those unrelated to the martial world. Then gradually many found Dongting Lake again as before. ​

Countless lanterns hung around Dongting Lake lit up. Colorful lanterns reflected on the water surface creating a fantastic scene. ​

Many strolled along Dongting Lake entranced by the fantastic scenery. The impatient had already found pleasure houses enjoying drinks. ​

There the four-horse carriage from the Demon Cult arrived. The carriage stopped at Dongting Lake's dock. Many boats were moored at the dock. ​

Most boats moored here weren't boats regularly traveling the Yangtze River like cargo vessels, but boats for pleasure seekers. Pleasure seekers loaded courtesans aboard these boats to enjoy leisure at Dongting Lake. ​

Swish! ​

With the sound of dragging skirts, a middle-aged woman descended from the four-horse carriage. An unapproachable noble aura emanated from the woman wearing a red veil over her face. ​

Instantly the person in charge rushed from the largest pleasure boat and prostrated before the woman. ​

"This humble one Geum Oh-yeon greets the Demon Mother." ​

"It's been a while, Leader Geum." ​

The middle-aged woman removed the red veil covering her face. Then a beautiful face was revealed. ​

A woman who was a holy maiden but became the Demon Mother by her own will. ​

She was precisely Dan Un-hyang. ​

The large boat before Dan Un-hyang belonged to the Demon Cult. ​

"I've often heard Dongting Lake is beautiful, but this is my first time seeing it directly." ​

"Why did you come without notice?" ​

Bewilderment was evident on Geum Oh-yeon's face. ​

Dan Un-hyang held the most esteemed position within the Demon Cult. Except for Cult Leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol, no one more precious than her existed. He couldn't help being flustered that she came so unexpectedly. ​

"Since Dongting Lake is beautiful, I came to sightsee. Can you launch the boat?" ​

"Right now?" ​

"Yes." ​

"If you wait just a moment, I'll launch the boat immediately." ​

"What is there to prepare? Just launch the boat." ​

"Still, since the Demon Mother is boarding, shouldn't we prepare?" ​

"Never mind." ​

Dan Un-hyang passed Geum Oh-yeon walking toward the boat. Geum Oh-yeon, overwhelmed by Dan Un-hyang's aura, couldn't say anything. ​

"Huu! Can't be helped." ​

He ultimately had no choice but to bow his head and follow her. ​

Normally, before she came, he should have deployed Demon Cult masters and made full preparations. For her safety. ​

On the other hand, he also thought. ​

'What could happen? This place is the Cult's front yard.' ​

The boatmen aboard were all masters who learned martial arts, and Demon Cult masters who would rush at a shout were plentiful around Dongting Lake. ​

Ultimately Geum Oh-yeon launched the boat onto Dongting Lake. ​

That huge boat soundlessly cut through water moving forward. ​

"Beautiful." ​

Dan Un-hyang exclaimed in admiration looking around Dongting Lake from the bow. ​

After coming to Yueyang, Dan Un-hyang spent most of her time with Cult Leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol. Only after dreamlike time passed did she finally think of looking around Yueyang. ​

Though the world was chaotic, Dongting Lake boasted beautiful scenery like a separate world. When the sun completely set, boats came out to Dongting Lake one or two at a time. ​

As splendid lanterns hung on boats, colorful lights embroidered the water surface like blooming flowers. Lantern light, rippling water surface, and moonlight combined creating an indescribably mysterious scene. ​

"Beautiful. They say Dongting Lake's night view is the world's finest, and it's truly magnificent." ​

Seeing Dongting Lake's fantastic night view, Dan Un-hyang felt her somewhat stuffy chest refreshing. ​

Though she didn't know when it started, sometimes her chest suddenly felt stuffy as if a rock was placed on it. Then her mind became hazy as if dreaming. ​

'When did it start?' ​

She thought it strange and shook her head. But didn't think deeply. ​

Though a master who learned martial arts, she was also human. Being human, various physiological phenomena inevitably occurred. She thought this time was also such. ​

Watching the lanterns flaunting splendid appearance, a thought suddenly arose. ​

"By now the Cult's forces must have arrived near the Martial Alliance." ​

The great war determining the Demon Cult and the world's fate. Though regrettable she couldn't participate in such historic battle, she had work here. ​

Precisely stabilizing Cult Leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol. ​

After being ambushed by Wind Moon Emperor Dan Gong-wol, Cheok Gwan-hyeol occasionally had seizures. Cheok Gwan-hyeol was a master who learned martial arts worthy of being called the world's finest. ​

When his madness exploded, even the Demon Cult struggled to manage. Fortunately, when Dan Un-hyang was present, he noticeably stabilized. ​

After returning to the Demon Cult, Dan Un-hyang staying by Cheok Gwan-hyeol's side was precisely for this reason. ​

"Now the Divine Cult's world isn't far. All the world's people will soon believe in the Divine Cult." ​

She believed without doubt a new era would open. And naturally the Divine Cult would become the new era's master. ​

A cold smile hung at Dan Un-hyang's lips. Her smile shone extremely beautifully bathed in moonlight. ​

As time passed, even more boats appeared on Dongting Lake. Various types from pleasure seekers laughing with courtesans at their sides to poets and scholars. Some boats even loaded musicians to have them play music. ​

Suddenly a chill passed through her eyes. ​

'Garbage-like things.' ​

Useless humans consuming the present without any cause or ideals. Dan Un-hyang hated such humans. And most people now launching boats on Dongting Lake appeared to her as useless humans. ​

Then it happened. One small boat slid approaching the boat she was on. Like other boats, it was loaded with many lanterns. One difference was neither courtesans nor musicians playing music were visible on the boat. ​

A woman stood alone at the boat's bow with her garments fluttering in the wind. Though shadows cast by lanterns prevented clearly seeing her face, Dan Un-hyang somehow thought the woman's figure looked familiar. Such thoughts turned to conviction as the boat drew closer. ​

When shadows covering the woman's face gradually disappeared revealing her true appearance, frost had settled on Dan Un-hyang's face. ​

"How dare you……" ​

The woman aboard the opposite boat was someone she knew well. So she was bewildered. That woman should absolutely not be here. ​

"Yu-kyung!" ​

"It's been a while, Master." ​

"Your gall must be swollen. How dare you crawl in knowing where this is?" ​

"I have such qualification, Master. I'm still the Cult's Holy Maiden. Whether Master acknowledges it or not." ​

The woman answering calmly was precisely Eum Yu-kyung. ​

Her appearance was sufficient to enrage Dan Un-hyang. This place housed the Demon Cult's main base. At this place that would become the martial world's new holy ground, no land existed for dirty traitors like Eum Yu-kyung to stand. ​

"Who says you're still the Holy Maiden? You were already expelled from the Cult." ​

"No one can expel me. If I don't wish it." ​

"How dare!" ​

Dan Un-hyang raised killing intent. Then boatmen aboard drew weapons. Though just steering boats here, they too were Demon Cult masters who learned martial arts. ​

Dan Un-hyang gave them orders. ​

"Immediately capture that woman and make her kneel before me." ​

"By your command!" ​

Just as Geum Oh-yeon acknowledged orders and was about to launch his body with subordinates. ​

"Stop." ​

Suddenly Eum Yu-kyung raised her hand shouting. A round iron token was held in her hand. ​

Dan Un-hyang was about to laugh at such Eum Yu-kyung. Because Eum Yu-kyung's attitude of giving orders as if becoming something with just one iron token was laughable. ​

But the next moment her face froze stiff. Because the pattern engraved on the iron token entered her eyes. ​

"That's…… surely not?" ​

"D-Demon Mother?" ​

Not only Dan Un-hyang but Geum Oh-yeon and subordinates also showed bewildered expressions. Because the object held in Eum Yu-kyung's hand was something that disappeared from this world very long ago. ​

"Sacred Object?" ​

"Correct. The Cult's Sacred Object. Surely you won't deny the Sacred Object's authority?" ​

"How did you get that?" ​

Disbelief was evident on Dan Un-hyang's face. ​

She too was once a saintess. Therefore she could recognize what held in Eum Yu-kyung's hand was the genuine Sacred Object. ​

Eum Yu-kyung spoke in a calm voice. ​

"By the Sacred Object's authority, I give orders. Disarm immediately and withdraw." ​

"I-I receive the Sacred Object's command." ​

Geum Oh-yeon bowed his head with a deathly pale face. ​

The Sacred Object held authority equal to the Cult Leader. Therefore ordinary followers like Geum Oh-yeon had no choice but to accept the Sacred Object's commands. ​

Just as Geum Oh-yeon and subordinates were about to unfasten even the swords at their waists. ​

Slash! ​

With a sharp cutting sound, Geum Oh-yeon and subordinates' heads were instantly severed. ​

Geum Oh-yeon's and others' heads rolling on the floor blinked their eyes as if not even recognizing death. ​

Seeing this, Eum Yu-kyung's expression froze stiff as if wearing iron armor. ​

"Are you now denying the Sacred Object's authority?" ​

"No, I acknowledge it. If it were the old me. But the current me is not the Holy Maiden but the Demon Mother. Dreaming of a new Divine Cult, the old era's relic, that mere scrap of metal's commands no longer work on me. Hohoho!" ​

Dan Un-hyang's laughter echoed across Dongting Lake. Instantly the entire area's water surface greatly surged. Her laughter made waves on the quiet water surface. Truly terrifying internal energy. But what shocked Eum Yu-kyung wasn't her internal energy but the Sacred Object's authority being thoroughly denied. ​

The Sacred Object symbolized the founding Cult Leader who established the Divine Cult. Therefore it held authority taking precedence over the Cult Leader's commands. But Dan Un-hyang was thoroughly denying such Sacred Object's authority. ​

'Though I anticipated this might happen……' ​

Denying the Sacred Object's authority itself meant the current Divine Cult was severed from the past. A fact difficult for Eum Yu-kyung to accept. ​

Eum Yu-kyung raised her voice. ​

"Come to your senses, Master. The one who taught me I must find the Sacred Object and establish the law was precisely Master." ​

"The past me certainly did. But the current me is different. The newly born Divine Cult doesn't need such past commands." ​

A chilling mad gleam exploded from Dan Un-hyang's eyes. Facing Dan Un-hyang's gaze directly, Eum Yu-kyung momentarily felt her mind dizzying. ​

'Evil energy?' ​

The energy felt from Dan Un-hyang's eyes was clearly turbid evil energy. An impossible occurrence. Under normal circumstances. ​

'Was Master also affected by the Heavenly Evil Cult?' ​

Then Dan Un-hyang leaped across boats attacking. Eum Yu-kyung also counterattacked without delay. ​

Boom boom boom! ​

A storm swept through the calm Dongting Lake. ​

The two women became two dragons attacking each other. ​

Previously, Eum Yu-kyung wouldn't have been Dan Un-hyang's match. But the current Eum Yu-kyung was different from before. ​

The first to notice her change was precisely Dan Un-hyang who had been her master. ​

"To become this strong, surely you obtained the Sacred Object's martial arts?" ​

"I acquired part of it." ​

"Then the rest?" ​

Eum Yu-kyung didn't answer. But that alone greatly shocked Dan Un-hyang. ​

'If that woman truly learned the Sacred Object's martial arts, it's dangerous.' ​

Dan Un-hyang gathered power attacking Eum Yu-kyung. But her attack was split by one sword Eum Yu-kyung wielded. ​

Eum Yu-kyung tried to attack Dan Un-hyang again pressing the momentum. But at that moment, an unexpected event occurred. Dan Un-hyang fled, withdrawing her body long into the air. ​

"Tsk!" ​

Eum Yu-kyung hastily tried to pursue Dan Un-hyang then stopped. ​

Because one book she hadn't seen before was dropped on the boat Dan Un-hyang had been riding. Dan Un-hyang had dropped it. ​

Eum Yu-kyung hastily picked up the book. ​

Heavenly Evil Heart Demon Technique. ​

So it was written on the book. But Dan Un-hyang had no leisure to examine the book. Demon Cult masters waiting around Dongting Lake were approaching steering boats or deploying water-walking techniques. ​

Eum Yu-kyung had no choice but to steer the boat toward the opposite direction escaping. ​

Yeong-gwi looked at the plaque of Emei Sect in bewilderment for a while.

Then she glared at Baek-won.

“It seems we’ve just wasted time because of that monkey.”

Baek-won, as if unable to hold back any longer, charged at Yeong-gwi.

“Kkyaaak!”

She clawed at her  with sharp claws. Yeong-gwi also didn’t hold back and immediately kicked Baek-won.

Thwack!

Baek-won and Yeong-gwi’s attacks crossed and collided. Baek-won placed her long front paws on the ground, flipped her body over nimbly, and landed on Yeong-gwi’s shoulder with her hind paws. Her movements were so precise it was hard to believe she was a monkey.

Yeong-gwi rolled on the ground and launched an air palm strike upward. Baek-won twisted her body, spun around, and swept the ground with her claws. Yeong-gwi slapped the ground with her palm to launch his body upward. Baek-won’s claws scraped and whirled under Yeong-gwi’s back.

Crack!

Eerily, the sound of stones being split could be heard. Baek-won lay on the ground and kicked Yeong-gwi’s buttocks with her hind legs. Yeong-gwi twisted her body in mid-air, kicked off Baek-won’s feet, and leaped higher. The series of exchanges was no different from those of martial arts masters.

Yeong-gwi and Baek-won’s arms became entangled several times. Yeong-gwi pointed her fingertips sharply and stabbed at Baek-won’s shoulder. Red blood spurted from Baek-won’s shoulder. Seeing blood, Baek-won’s eyes reddened and she became increasingly excited and fierce.

Baek-won swung her front paws at a speed that was hard to follow with the eyes. Even when Yeong-gwi drew her dagger to block, he was pushed back by the force and had to retreat.

Killing intent also appeared in Yeong-gwi’s eyes. As a successor of Leper Mound, being pushed back by a monkey was damaging to her pride.

Hiss. Sword energy about a span’s length rose from the dagger.

Then Jin Ja-gang intervened.

“Stop it.”

Jin Ja-gang grabbed Baek-won’s head and pulled her back.

Baek-won huffed and glared at Jin Ja-gang before leaping up to a tree and running away. Earlier her actions had meant to follow, but now she just left.

Yeong-gwi’s anger had not yet subsided.

“This doesn’t make sense. According to that monkey’s behavior, the culprit freely went in and out of all of Mount Emei like it was their own home. But after going round and round, we end up at Emei Sect at last? So does that mean the culprit is still in Emei Sect?”

Jin Ja-gang could not answer Yeong-gwi’s question either.

Jin Ja-gang looked at Emei Sect’s main mountain halls.

“If whoever it is came here last, it means they came after the massacre at Soun-am. Even after the rebellion occurred.”

Jin Ja-gang moved his steps inside the main gate.

“I need to find out who came here.”

***

The Emei Sect gatekeeper was puzzled.

It was because Jin Ja-gang, who had gone down looking for clues, had returned.

“I have something to ask.”

“Yes.”

“I want to know if there were any outsiders who entered here after the rebellion.”

“Usually there were pilgrims who came to burn incense and benefactors who came to learn martial arts. However, after the disturbance occurred, we completely controlled all outside contact.”

“You mean no one came in?”

“Yes.”

Yeong-gwi shook his head as if he had expected this.

Jin Ja-gang’s face darkened.

If it really meant that the culprit was still remaining in Emei Sect, and if that person was in the worst case scenario…!

But then another female monk who had been listening nearby spoke up.

“Ah! It wasn’t completely none.”

Jin Ja-gang and Yeong-gwi looked at the female monk.

“Was there an outsider?”

“We see them so frequently that it’s a bit awkward to call them outsiders…”

Only then did the gatekeeper also seem to remember and exclaimed “Ah!”

“Right. Master Wang came!”

“You said Master Wang?”

The gatekeeper answered awkwardly.

“He’s a merchant who brings us necessary goods. We’re mostly self-sufficient, but there are things we can’t manage ourselves. Yes, that’s right. Because of this incident… we had to throw away all the food materials mixed with poison, so he urgently brought food.”

“If he brought goods, he couldn’t have come alone.”

The gatekeeper added as if making an excuse.

“There were workers carrying loads and escort warriors. But they didn’t enter inside the main gate. From here to the main temple, we carried everything ourselves. We’ve always done it that way. And he’s absolutely not a suspicious person. He’s someone who’s had dealings with our temple for over decades. He even takes care of the family affairs of lowly people like us.”

However, Jin Ja-gang was no longer listening to those words.

When Jin Ja-gang looked at Yeong-gwi, Yeong-gwi swallowed dry saliva and nodded.

***

Jin Ja-gang and Yeong-gwi visited all the temples they had been to once more.

And they confirmed it.

That a merchant named Wang Ung had come.

The monks at the temples all showed the same reaction as the Emei Sect gatekeeper.

“Ah, come to think of it, around that time Master Wang came and went because there were goods to bring in.”

“But Master Wang can’t be called suspicious, can he? We’ve known him for so long…”

All the numerous temples and monasteries on Mount Emei were doing business with Min-sang, where Wang Ung belonged. Having met and traded for over decades, they no longer perceived him as an outsider.

He was not a ‘suspicious person’ as Jin Ja-gang had asked about.

Wang Ung was from Min-sang, and Jin Ja-gang had previously heard about Min-sang.

“The Three Rivers of Sichuan all originally traded with Min-sang, but only the Tang Family Estate changed their dealings to Yingpo merchants ten years ago.”

These were the words of the clerk he had met in Chongqing because of Iron Umbrella Sect’s secret ledger.

Yeong-gwi let out a sigh like a lament.

“If he’s a merchant, he could have freely come and gone from Mount Emei.”

He was a merchant who provided goods to the temples and monasteries on Mount Emei.

“The monkey was right. If they were merchants who had been trading continuously, they could have come and gone without any suspicion.”

“That’s right. What Baek-won taught us wasn’t about the culprit. She showed us where she had seen the one who brought the Five Paths Fatal Poison.”

Jin Ja-gang nodded.

“I’m certain. The Five Paths Fatal Poison entered through the procession led by Master Wang.”

“But we can’t know whether Master Wang was directly involved, or if someone secretly mixed it in with the cargo, can we?”

“There’s a way to confirm it.”

Jin Ja-gang looked into the distance.

From an invisible distance in a tree, Baek-won, who had been watching Jin Ja-gang, turned her head away with a sulky attitude.

***

“Kkyuu, kkyuu!”

Baek-won, who had climbed onto Jin Ja-gang’s shoulder, cried out excitedly.

Jin Ja-gang had decided to take Baek-won down the mountain. Baek-won was completely excited and would snarl “Haak!” and get angry whenever Yeong-gwi approached.

Thanks to this, Yeong-gwi had to maintain a distance of five or six zhang from Jin Ja-gang.

Moreover, hundreds of monkeys followed Jin Ja-gang and Baek-won down the mountain. Caught between them, Yeong-gwi found her situation ridiculous but could not lament it.

Jin Ja-gang running with the leader monkey on his shoulder.

The king of monkeys…

Somehow, Yeong-gwi thought that such an appearance of Jin Ja-gang wasn’t particularly strange either.

However, on one hand, she felt disappointed.

If Jin Ja-gang hadn’t learned lightness skills, Yeong-gwi would probably still be able to carry Jin Ja-gang on her back and run.

The sound of Jin Ja-gang’s breathing when he slept on her back, the warm touch, the emotion that made her chest swell with overwhelming feeling… Yeong-gwi could not forget.

So she even envied Baek-won, who expressed her emotions freely even if willfully.

‘Jealousy…?’

Yeong-gwi laughed bitterly to herself.

Animals are sensitive to human emotions, so perhaps that’s why Baek-won was particularly wary of Yeong-gwi.

Yeong-gwi took a deep breath. She must not forget her proper role.

Now he had to serve Jin Ja-gang as the master of Leper Mound.

She should be satisfied just with being able to stay closest to Jin Ja-gang.

For a lifetime. Maintaining a distance that she could never get close to.

Hiding her disappointed and sad feelings, Yeong-gwi looked at Jin Ja-gang’s retreating figure.

***

Jin Ja-gang headed toward Eshan.

Eshan was a large village a hundred li away from Mount Emei, where tributaries of the Min River flowed, making the movement of goods well-developed.

A distance that could be easily reached within an hour using lightness skills.

There was Wang Ung’s Min-sang branch office in Eshan.

Upon arriving in Eshan, Jin Ja-gang put Baek-won in a bundle. Feeling cramped, Baek-won poked her head out through the bundle.

“Stay still. You’re too conspicuous to others’ eyes. I’ll call you when needed, so come out then.”

Baek-won pouted her lips and grumbled like a human, then glared at Yeong-gwi. Then she tucked her head inside.

Jin Ja-gang and Yeong-gwi entered Eshan town. Many people were coming and going in Eshan’s streets.

Thanks to the repair facilities of the river embankment, they had hardly suffered flood damage, yet strangely the atmosphere felt tense. People were walking quickly, glancing around as if they had committed some crime.

Even not just ordinary people, but several who appeared to be martial artists were the same. All carried swords and looked around nervously with obvious signs of tension.

Jin Ja-gang watched them thoughtfully and then called out to one passing by.

“May I ask you something?”

“Ah, you startled me!”

A young man with a sword at his waist was startled and whipped his head around frantically, then sighed when he saw Jin Ja-gang.

“You scared me. What is it?”

“The atmosphere in Eshan seems unusual. Is there some problem?”

The young man looked at Jin Ja-gang and Yeong-gwi in turn and said.

“You seem to be quite behind on news of how the world is going. These days the martial world is so turbulent that everyone is being careful because they don’t know when they might get stabbed in the back.”

“Turbulent?”

“Huh… you really don’t know what’s going on.”

When the young man frowned and didn’t continue speaking, Yeong-gwi quickly slipped him some silver coins. The young man pocketed the silver and continued.

“It’s absolute chaos everywhere. You go to sleep and wake up to find that the guy who shared meals with you yesterday has betrayed you… guys who called each other brothers stab each other in the back… So how could the atmosphere not be turbulent?”

“Isn’t Emei Sect nearby? Are such things happening even with Emei Sect here?”

“Emei Sect is…”

The young man lowered his voice.

“Emei Sect also had chaos with poisoning from within. But is it just Emei Sect? Wudang Sect, Namgung family, all the renowned sects are in chaos. So smaller places go without saying. In Eshan too, all the large and small sects have been turned upside down. What an absolute mess. We also… hmm.”

Yeong-gwi slipped him more silver coins.

“I’m not in a sect but at a training hall, and even there the assistant instructor drove out the instructor and took over the hall. And he’s hunting down and beating up the disciples who followed the instructor. I’m also disposing of all my belongings and will soon leave Eshan. I’m thinking of going somewhere quiet to live and maybe opening a training hall later when things calm down.”

The young man, grateful for the money, didn’t forget to give some advice.

“From what I see, you don’t seem to be martial artists, so be careful not to get caught up in anything.”

The young man shook his head and left.

“Really, with all moral principles fallen to the ground, you can’t tell who’s enemy and who’s ally in this world. Now I don’t know who to trust…”

Jin Ja-gang pondered the young man’s words.

A world of distrust where you can’t tell enemy from ally…

What benefit was the Ghost King trying to gain by creating such an absurd world?

Jin Ja-gang nodded at the waiting Yeong-gwi.

“Let’s go.”