Chapter 458 – Troubled Times Create Heroes (2)

Jeok Gyeong-cheon was traveling south leaving Mount Song.

Having achieved his intended purpose at Mount Song, his steps were rather light. Behind Jeok Gyeong-cheon followed the usual stranger.

Covering his whole body with a large bamboo hat and blood cloak so his original appearance couldn't be recognized, whenever the stranger moved, extraordinary momentum emanated.

Jeok Gyeong-cheon suddenly looked at the stranger.

"Truly amazing."

Though he himself was a master who'd reached the absolute level, he couldn't compare to the stranger.

The stranger's martial prowess killing Shaolin Temple's elder Gwang-hae and Martial Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san in an instant was truly worthy of being called foremost under heaven.

The stranger was literally a monster. Thinking control of such a monster lay with him made his heart reassured.

Then rustling sounds came from the bushes.

"Who is it?"

The moment Jeok Gyeong-cheon's eyes shone coldly.

"It's me."

Along with a low voice, a middle-aged beauty revealed herself. The moment he saw her, Jeok Gyeong-cheon brightened.

"You're safe. Bo-won."

The middle-aged beauty was precisely Heavenly Mountain Snow Flower So Bo-won. The previous generation Suicide Squad that led young Suicide Squad members attacking the Demon Cult's headquarters. At her appearance, Jeok Gyeong-cheon showed a bright smile. But So Bo-won didn't smile. Dark shadows fell on her face.

Jeok Gyeong-cheon asked.

"Why are you alone? What about the others?"

"Only I escaped."

Only then did Jeok Gyeong-cheon's expression harden somewhat.

"Jin-myeong and Ui-jin both died?"

"Probably."

"Mm!"

He unconsciously let out a groan.

They'd been companions always together after the first Righteous-Demon War. Now people to whom the word brothers suited more than companions. News they couldn't return together gave him sorrow too.

Jeok Gyeong-cheon tried to smile.

"They also died for the great cause, so it won't be too unfair."

"What great cause?"

"Bo-won!"

"Never mind them, we lost all the young talents who'd become the Central Plains' pillars. How is that a great cause? Am I foolish? Am I the only one who doesn't understand? Answer me."

So Bo-won's voice rose.

Resentment filled her eyes looking at Jeok Gyeong-cheon.

While accompanying to Yueyang, the Suicide Squad's young talents trusted her. The night they raided the Demon Cult's headquarters, she abandoned the young talents fleeing alone. She remembered their faces looking at her then.

Betrayal, resentment, and those expressions seeking answers appeared nightly unbearably.

"Answer me. Was leaving them to die like that truly for the great cause?"

"Do you dare oppose the Cult Leader's decision?"

"I just want to know. Whether I'm truly on the right path, whether everything I do is truly the great cause."

So Bo-won's voice became a dagger stabbing Jeok Gyeong-cheon's chest. But actually no wavering appeared on Jeok Gyeong-cheon's face.

"Don't doubt the path we go."

"But…"

"Stop! Saying more is disrespect toward him. Cross the line and even you won't be forgiven."

Jeok Gyeong-cheon glared at So Bo-won with frightening eyes. So Bo-won also glared back at Jeok Gyeong-cheon without backing down.

Sparks seemed to fly between them. But their confrontation broke because of the stranger's unexpected movement.

"Huuu!"

The stranger let out rough breathing glaring at one direction. Instantly shock appeared on Jeok Gyeong-cheon's face.

Human emotions and reason had been completely removed from the stranger. Therefore responding to external stimuli by his own will was impossible. At least that's what Jeok Gyeong-cheon knew.

Yet right now the stranger was reacting by his own will. Something invisible was clearly stimulating the stranger's sealed vigilance.

"What?"

Consequently Jeok Gyeong-cheon and So Bo-won's gazes went toward where the stranger looked.

At first they felt nothing. But shortly after, Jeok Gyeong-cheon's expression stiffened frighteningly.

Something was walking toward them pushing through bushes.

One step, another step, footsteps stimulated his ears. But the footsteps were strange.

Dull and dragging sounds came together.

Though countless people existed under heaven, only one martial artist had such unique footsteps. And Jeok Gyeong-cheon knew the footsteps' owner.

"Fist… Demon."

As if answering his call, Dam Ho appeared pushing through bushes. The moment Dam Ho appeared, the area's air sank heavily.

Just appearing, Dam Ho's presence frighteningly dominated the area. Therefore Gi San-wol's figure behind him wasn't even visible.

Confirming Dam Ho's appearance, Jeok Gyeong-cheon and So Bo-won's pupils shook almost simultaneously. Because they truly hadn't expected meeting Dam Ho here.

"How are you here?"

"…"

Instead of answering Jeok Gyeong-cheon's question, Dam Ho looked at the stranger.

"Keuheuheu!"

Instantly beast-like breathing flowed from the stranger's mouth.

Gi San-wol behind Dam Ho's eyes became even more chilling.

The owner of the familiar fragrance he'd felt was precisely the stranger. Whether the stranger was the sorcery's subject or subordinate, he didn't know, but connection was certain.

That moment Jeok Gyeong-cheon's lips curled up.

Though flustered confirming Dam Ho, now he rather thought it went well. Because it was the perfect opportunity to eliminate Dam Ho.

Normally confronting him would be reluctant, but right now the stranger existed by his side. Using the stranger, eliminating Dam Ho wasn't impossible.

"They say enemies meet on narrow bridges, exactly that situation."

Dam Ho stared at Jeok Gyeong-cheon.

Emotionless numb eyes made Jeok Gyeong-cheon choke.

"You! Seeing a martial world elder, you should quickly greet, where exactly did you sell your manners? A bastard without foundation."

The moment Jeok Gyeong-cheon deliberately spat harsh words to provoke Dam Ho.

Kwang!

Suddenly his vision whitened and intense wind pressure struck Jeok Gyeong-cheon. Unable to open his eyes from fierce wind. Pain felt like thousands upon thousands of needles simultaneously stabbing his face.

Instantly cold sweat flowed down his spine.

The stranger's back appeared before Jeok Gyeong-cheon. And beyond that Dam Ho appeared. Dam Ho's fist was just before hitting Jeok Gyeong-cheon's body. The one who'd blocked his fist instead was precisely the stranger.

Though secretly deploying protective energy force preparing for contingencies, without him, Dam Ho's strike would have certainly inflicted considerable wounds on Jeok Gyeong-cheon. Dam Ho's strike was that intense. The energy wave still stimulating his skin proved that fact.

Though knowing Dam Ho had a hasty temperament, not expecting him to rush recklessly like this, Jeok Gyeong-cheon had no choice but to be flustered.

The stranger's bamboo hat flew off from tremendous wind pressure revealing his face. The stranger had white cloth wound tightly around his entire face so his real appearance couldn't be recognized. But in the two eyes revealed between white cloth, violent energy flickered.

"Huuuu!"

Rough breathing flowing through the stranger's lips resembled a beast's cry coveting prey.

Black heat haze rose from the stranger's body. Like tangled thread, heat haze extending in all directions wriggled arbitrarily making viewers feel eerie emotions.

The stranger stoked hostility looking at Dam Ho as if meeting a mortal enemy.

"Kraaa!"

The instant Dam Ho's eyes narrowed, his strike flew. Dam Ho also didn't dodge, launching Shattering Star Strike.

Fist and fist clashed in midair.

Jjeeeeong!

Instantly the area's air burst out.

Not only Jeok Gyeong-cheon behind the stranger but even So Bo-won were swept by the explosion flying backward.

Troubled light appeared on Jeok Gyeong-cheon's face.

"Calm down."

He gave orders to the stranger but uselessly. The stranger rejected Jeok Gyeong-cheon's control rushing at Dam Ho madly.

Kwaaaaang!

Earth caved in from one stranger's fist strike.

Solid bedrock collapsed crumbling and broken fragments scattered everywhere. The stranger chased Dam Ho's form covered in dust.

Immediately spotting Dam Ho then launching his body, his appearance resembled a huge bear spotting prey. His madness throwing his whole body attacking overwhelmed viewers beyond making them sick.

Jeok Gyeong-cheon tried controlling the stranger but uselessly. The stranger who'd faithfully follow orders given by spiritual command normally was somehow running wild madly beyond control.

Kwaaaaang!

A house-sized boulder in the stranger's path shattered completely. Centuries-old giant trees burst like struck by thunderbolts.

So Bo-won looked at Jeok Gyeong-cheon.

"Brother?"

"Control isn't working."

That moment, one word both simultaneously recalled.

Rampage.

The stranger going beyond control running wild arbitrarily.

Both their complexions turned deathly pale.

Decades ago they'd risen to the martial world's absolute master ranks. But even such two people couldn't say they were strong before the stranger. The stranger was that tremendous a person. If such a person rampaged, they absolutely couldn't handle it.

Then Gi San-wol approached the two.

"Seems problems arose with the sorcery."

"Who are you?"

"As expected, you don't remember? I vividly remember you both."

"What?"

At Gi San-wol's words, anger appeared on Jeok Gyeong-cheon's face. Because he thought Gi San-wol was mocking him.

"Get lost, no leisure to leisurely talk with the likes of you."

Swiiiik!

Jeok Gyeong-cheon suddenly swung his blade toward Gi San-wol.

Jeok Gyeong-cheon who'd already dominated an era with the alias Heavenly Blade King. Even simple-looking moves contained power from decades of martial contemplation. But his strike missed futilely. Gi San-wol dodged moving like a ghost. But that appearance made Jeok Gyeong-cheon angrier.

"You! Seems you've hidden a trick."

Swiiiiik!

His blade consecutively pressed Gi San-wol. But Gi San-wol dodged all those attacks moving like a ghost.

That appearance exploded Jeok Gyeong-cheon's anger.

"You!"

Jeok Gyeong-cheon forgot even paying attention to the stranger, repeatedly attacking Gi San-wol.

Watching that scene, So Bo-won quietly sighed.

She absolutely had no desire to interfere in Jeok Gyeong-cheon and Gi San-wol's fight. Not enough mental leisure for that, and belief in Jeok Gyeong-cheon wasn't like before either.

Losing numerous young talents at the Demon Cult headquarters, her mental strength had weakened considerably. Therefore she couldn't act decisively like before.

So Bo-won stared piercingly at Gi San-wol fighting against Jeok Gyeong-cheon. Only after watching long did So Bo-won remember Gi San-wol's face.

"That child. Who entered Avici Hell…"

She still remembered. The face of the young soul sorcerer who'd been forced into Avici Hell.

Thrown into Avici Hell without any hope like cattle dragged to slaughter. She'd secretly hoped he'd return safely, but even after years passed, the soul sorcerer didn't return.

More years passed and even from So Bo-won's memory the soul sorcerer was forgotten. Afterward she'd lived completely forgetting, yet today she saw that soul sorcerer again.

So Bo-won's pupils shook.

"Truly returned from Avici Hell?"

A major incident completely shaking her common sense. So she couldn't take her eyes off Gi San-wol.

Gi San-wol wasn't simply moving like a ghost. Occasionally when stepping on ground, footprints carved deeply.

Instantly So Bo-won couldn't suppress her shocked expression. Simply thinking carved because putting force in feet, suddenly light shot up from footprints.

"Formation? No, different."

Long ago she'd heard tales of supreme techniques completing formations with footwork in the martial world. But what Gi San-wol deployed looked different.

Countless patterns whose meaning couldn't be understood transformed into light swirling around Jeok Gyeong-cheon's body then soon disappeared. And Jeok Gyeong-cheon's movements stopped.

Like someone who'd lost his soul, Jeok Gyeong-cheon stared at empty space flinching.

So Bo-won approached Gi San-wol.

"What did you do?"

"Showed illusions."

"Illusions?"

"Yes! The illusions he hates seeing most."

"What kind of sorcery is that? Never heard such sorcery exists in the Heavenly Evil Cult."

"Not the Heavenly Evil Cult's sorcery. Purely my magic."

"Magic?"

The moment suspicion appeared on her face.

Kwajik!

Chilling bone-breaking sounds echoed through the battlefield.

Both their heads turned simultaneously toward where sounds came. That moment So Bo-won's eyes widened tearing.

Just as Sichuan found stability, throughout the entire martial world there were movements seeking stability centered on giant sects and martial families.

To begin with, giant sects and martial families were the local mainstays. The moment they got a grip on the chaos that arose internally, seeking regional stability was a natural progression.

In Shaanxi, centered on Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect; in Huguang, centered on Wudang Sect and the Zhuge Family; in Jiangbei, centered on the Namgung Family and Peng Family; the turmoil began to be resolved.

At this rate, it seemed like the martial world’s chaos would soon be subdued.

However, peace was not so easy.

Shaolin Temple, which had been stopped, began to move.

The day they neutralized the Breaking Sect.

Great Buddha Beom-bon immediately left Shaolin Temple leading the warrior monks.

Leaving only minimal personnel, all manpower was converted to Righteous Dharma Walk.

Shaolin Temple rapidly suppressed Henan and divided personnel into four branches, advancing warrior monks to the east, west, south, and north.

They suppressed all visible sects and martial families by force to make them submit.

Shaolin Temple’s march was extremely aggressive and terrifying.

Those who surrendered had to pay the price by having their sect leader or successor renounce the secular world. They were sent to Shaolin Temple after renouncing. If they didn’t, Shaolin Temple showed no mercy. They turned any sect into a wasteland.

***

Baek Li-jung returned to his main family.

Internal strife had erupted in the main family as well, creating chaos. The one claiming to become the new family head was even Baek Li-jung’s cousin, Baek Li-jik.

When Baek Li-jung arrived, armed people poured out in droves and stood on guard.

Baek Li-jung calmly walked between them.

Baek Li-jik and the leaders who had joined the rebellion came out and met Baek Li-jung.

“…!”

Tension appeared in the expressions of those who saw Baek Li-jung.

Baek Li-jung was looking at them with a consistently calm face, his attitude extremely relaxed. Clear spiritual light appeared in his eyes, and a gentle smile even rested on his lips. He seemed unconcerned about the current situation.

Baek Li-jik spoke to Baek Li-jung.

“I heard you killed our distant cousin Pyeong-tak in Chongqing.”

Baek Li-jung answered with a calm face.

“That’s right.”

The leaders beside him shouted.

“How could you cruelly slaughter family!”

“And you shamelessly return to the main family. You must not value your life!”

These weren’t words for those who had rebelled and seized control of the family.

“Don’t tell me you returned aiming for the family head position?”

At the leaders’ glances, the warriors raised their weapons higher and prepared to attack.

However, Baek Li-jung didn’t care.

“Family head? I have no interest in that. There’s only one reason I came.”

Baek Li-jung swept his gaze over those present, then fixed his eyes on Baek Li-jik and asked.

“Will you become my dog, or will you die?”

“What?”

The leaders flared up. However, they didn’t rashly rush in. Not because Baek Li-jung was the head of the Azure Dragon Sword Pavilion, the Martial Arts Alliance’s second attack force. The current Baek Li-jung was giving off an indescribable atmosphere.

It was like…

A Grand Master!

One who had surpassed the wall of humanity.

The appearance of one difficult to approach.

Baek Li-jung spoke with a voice full of heroism.

“The martial world is chaotic and corrupt people run rampant. There’s no time for this. I won’t ask about the past. Will you follow me forward and enjoy absolute wealth and glory? Or will you die coveting the handful of wealth in your hands?”

The leaders glanced at each other. Sensing their wavering, Baek Li-jik shouted angrily.

“Where are you playing tricks! Either way, don’t you also want to become family head!”

Baek Li-jung waved his sleeve. The Heavenly Lord Seal appeared in Baek Li-jung’s hand.

Baek Li-jung walked toward Baek Li-jik.

“If a dog bares its teeth at its master.”

The Heavenly Vermilion Sword was raised to the sky.

“It dies.”

“The one who’ll die is you!”

Baek Li-jik brought both hands to opposite armpits, then extended them forward like lightning and unleashed twin palms.

Roaring Song Splitting Wail Palm!

Rumble! With the sound of thunder, tremendous internal energy burst from Baek Li-jik’s hands.

Baek Li-jung brought down the Heavenly Vermilion Sword. Sword energy spun ferociously like a whirlwind along the blade of the Heavenly Vermilion Sword.

Hurricane Evil-Destroying Sword.

Baek Li-jung’s Hurricane Evil-Destroying Sword shattered the palm force of Roaring Song Splitting Wail Palm and ground down to Baek Li-jik’s crown. Fragments of blood splattered in all directions. Baek Li-jik’s head disappeared instantly.

Baek Li-jik died with both arms extended forward, having lost his head.

The leaders lost their words at what happened in an instant.

Even if others didn’t know, those of the Baek Li Family knew.

If Roaring Song Splitting Wail Palm ranked first among the Baek Li Family’s three great martial arts, the Hurricane Evil-Destroying Sword that Baek Li-jung used ranked last. Roaring Song Splitting Wail Palm was first because the other two martial arts couldn’t withstand its destructive power…

But he had overcome that counter-relationship and killed Baek Li-jik.

In just one exchange.

He had become strong. Baek Li-jung.

Not the Baek Li-jung who had been in the family before, not even the Baek Li-jung when he joined the Martial Arts Alliance. They could feel he had become incomprehensibly strong.

“Now there’s no family head.”

Baek Li-jung kicked the dead Baek Li-jik’s body away. Then he looked around at the surrounding people.

Baek Li-jung raised the Heavenly Vermilion Sword and pointed at one person.

It was Baek Li-son, over sixty years old and Baek Li-jung’s elder. By generational ranking, he would be suitable to become family head.

“If elder brother becomes family head, that would be good.”

At Baek Li-jung’s words, Baek Li-son walked forward. Baek Li-son stiffened his face and said.

“Looking at you now, it seems like you don’t care who becomes family head. If it’s for the family and not personal greed, I won’t refuse to become family head. However…”

Baek Li-son looked at Baek Li-jik who had died losing his head.

“Whatever the reason, since he was family head for a time, we must hold a suitable funeral. I’ll take the family head position after that.”

In an instant, Baek Li-son’s head separated from his body and flew.

“Aaaah!”

The others, never thinking Baek Li-jung would act that way, were startled and screamed.

Baek Li-jung put away the Heavenly Vermilion Sword and said.

“Who holds a funeral for a dog? I wanted someone to take the family head position right now.”

Baek Li-jung’s eyes swept over the remaining people. The remaining people instinctively shrank back.

“You.”

Baek Li-jung designated one of the forty-something Baek Li Family members.

Baek Li-yu. Baek Li-jung’s cousin.

“Y-yes!”

“You become family head.”

The designated cousin Baek Li-yu couldn’t say anything, then hastily nodded and answered.

“Yes!”

“Good. I’ll tell you the first thing to do. Go to the Martial Arts Alliance headquarters.”

He couldn’t even ask why.

“Wh-what should I do when I get there?”

Most who had remained at the Martial Arts Alliance had left. With even Taoist Haewol dead, those dispatched had no reason to remain when their sects and families were in chaos.

So the Martial Arts Alliance headquarters was practically empty.

“Pour all our family’s resources into rebuilding the Martial Arts Alliance. Fill it with warriors. Build new pavilions and maintain the roads. It must be much larger and more magnificent than before. If it’s insufficient, receive help from Tai Lake Trading Company. They’ll provide the lacking funds.”

Baek Li-yu didn’t raise objections. There was no need.

“Understood, elder brother.”

Only then did Baek Li-jung approach Baek Li-yu, seemingly satisfied, and tapped his shoulder.

“Go and wait. I’ll come soon.”

Baek Li-yu swallowed dry saliva and asked.

“Where are you going, elder brother…?”

He knew from what just happened. If you oppose or resist, you die. But asking isn’t prohibited.

Baek Li-jung’s smile deepened.

The Baek Li Family members were shocked at what Baek Li-jung said next.

“I’m going to meet the Great Buddha.”

***

Beom-bon was waiting outside the estate with his mountain-like body loaded on a cart. The sight was as if a giant boulder sat atop the cart.

While the donkeys tired from pulling the cart rested briefly.

Inside the estate, screams rang out consecutively.

Zhao Yang in Huguang Province.

A large sect in a place close to Henan.

Beom-bon lifted a tiny teacup with a hand like a pot lid and drank tea.

“This sect’s leader, Righteous Hero Sword, is a lay disciple of Wudang Sect. As his nickname suggests, he has outstanding righteousness and can’t just watch others’ difficulties, so his reputation is high in the area.”

The old monk of Eighteen Monk Assembly standing beside the seated Beom-bon chanted Buddha’s name and nodded.

“That’s what I heard.”

Yet screams were ringing out from that renowned Righteous Hero Sword’s estate.

“Finding Righteous Hero Sword first in Huguang was truly the right thing. With this, we won’t need to spill more blood in Huguang.”

“When did we fear blood?”

“No.”

Beom-bon gave a long smile.

“However, it will reduce more troublesome matters. Even the renowned hero Righteous Hero Sword will learn that all are equal before Buddha, and that only our temple’s righteous law is the sole path to salvation.”

“Namu Amitabha… The grand intention of the abbot’s disciple-nephew will soon save the world from the abyss.”

“I too wish for that. I ceaselessly hope that more sentient beings will know the suffering and joy of this life and attain Buddhahood to be reborn in paradise.”

Aaaah!

Kyaaah!

Even at the consecutive screams, Beom-bon only chanted Buddha’s name with a pleased smile.

Before long, two Arhat monks dragged out one strong man through the broken gate of the estate.

The bloodied strong man dragged almost along the ground was Righteous Hero Sword Song Chuk.

Song Chuk was thrown before Beom-bon with his torn and broken body.

Though Song Chuk’s wretched appearance had one eye socket swollen and lips burst, the spirit in his eyes looking at Beom-bon didn’t disappear.

“Great Buddha! Do you know where this is to commit such violence!”

Beom-bon raised a large hand and clasped palms together.

“Namu Amitabha Guanshiyin Bodhisattva. How does the word violence suit us monks?”

“This is Wudang Sect’s territory! Where is there a case of recklessly entering and harming people like this!”

Beom-bon admonished with a gentle tone.

“Didn’t we tell you the method? One person takes responsibility and turns away from the secular world to take refuge.”

“What responsibility! What did I do wrong!”

“Everyone makes mistakes. If you escape from worldly desires, repent, and realize your own wrongs, you and everyone can be saved.”

Grind!

Song Chuk ground his teeth.

There was no way to match Shaolin Temple’s tyranny with force.

“Just what did I do wrong!”

“That is solely for Buddha to judge through righteous law.”

Then the Arhat monks began dragging out Song Chuk’s relatives and disciples.

“Great Buddha!”

Song Chuk wailed.

However, Beom-bon’s expression didn’t change at all.

Finally, Song Chuk dropped his head.

“…I’ll do it.”

“Please speak clearly.”

“I… will go to Shaolin Temple.”

If he renounced to Shaolin Temple like this, he’d have to sever ties with his family for life. He would never be able to leave.

The family members wailed wildly.

“You can’t!”

“No, Father!”

However, Beom-bon nodded as if he couldn’t hear the rest of the family’s words.

“It’s the right decision. The day will come when your family members understand Righteous Hero Sword’s deep meaning and accept it in their hearts.”

An Arhat monk brought out a precept knife.

And they knelt the bloodied Song Chuk and began shaving his head right there.