Chapter 463 – It's Not Over Yet (1)

The path descending Mount Song was extremely treacherous. Being a back road not normally traveled by people, it was even more rough and harsh. Even those trained in martial arts would inevitably fall down thousand-zhang cliffs the moment they misstepped. Therefore, even Shaolin monks never approached this place normally.

Some slipped and others fell. But when that happened, nearby people extended helping hands. Like that, they helped each other descending Mount Song with difficulty.

Though barely descending Mount Song, there was no time to rest leisurely. By now, those people would certainly have noticed the young martial artists escaped and be pursuing.

"Let's move quickly. Not a moment to rest."

Cho Yeon-woon urged them looking around.

Countless martial artists looked only at his face. Right now, the only one they could trust and follow was Cho Yeon-woon.

"Support the wounded, and those who can move, guard the surroundings."

Cho Yeon-woon incessantly gave orders to the young martial artists. The martial artists followed his words without complaint.

Then Hae So-wol, who'd gone ahead to assess the situation, came running with Hainan Sect martial artists.

"Fortunately most of the Demon Cult's forces climbed Mount Song, so the encirclement broke. A road opened to the north, so going that way would be good."

Cho Yeon-woon nodded.

To Mount Song's north flowed the Yangtze River. Taking boats on the Yangtze, they could pass through the extremely rough Three Gorges entering Hubei Province.

The great escape toward the Yangtze began.

Countless martial artists ran north following Cho Yeon-woon.

Cho Yeon-woon led them from the front incessantly guarding the surroundings. Though Hae So-wol served as his eyes and ears, that alone wasn't enough.

"Please let it be ready in time."

His mouth dried completely.

If only he could have a single cup of delicious wine at a time like this, he'd have no regrets.

Cho Yeon-woon hurried his steps thinking such thoughts.

They ran and ran again.

Those exhausted and collapsed were carried on backs and supported.

When they first descended Mount Song, their numbers were barely several hundred, but when reaching close to the Yangtze, they far exceeded a thousand. Those hidden in Dengfeng County, stragglers, and belatedly arriving martial artists had all joined.

Commanding them was never easy work. But the seventeen-member Suicide Squad including Hae So-wol and Cheong-un provided great help.

After that day escaping the Demon Cult headquarters, they'd become Cho Yeon-woon's greatest supporting force. If Cho Yeon-woon gave orders, they'd jump into fire and water without distinction.

Cheong-un couldn't help admiring Cho Yeon-woon leading people from the front.

"Did troubled times expand his capacity? Previously he didn't seem to be talent to this degree."

Cheong-un thought Cho Yeon-woon was a hero troubled times birthed.

Overcoming numerous crises, he kept growing more. At first he'd inwardly envied such Cho Yeon-woon, but now such feelings didn't arise, only admiration remained.

That was when.

"Pur-pursuit! Demon Cult pursuers caught up."

Suddenly someone from behind came running shouting.

Cho Yeon-woon bit down hard.

"Already caught up? I thought it'd take a bit more time."

The enemy tracked far faster than his expectation. Though their numbers weren't few, many were wounded and morale had hit rock bottom. If they collided with them in this state, they could only be annihilated.

"Brother Cheong-un!"

"Please speak, Great Hero Cho."

"Brother Cheong-un lead them north. When you reach the Yangtze, someone will be waiting. Follow him."

"Someone waiting?"

"You'll know when you arrive. No time to explain now. Please go quickly."

"I understand. Then Great Hero Cho?"

"I'll block them."

"But…"

"No time for this. Please go quickly."

Cho Yeon-woon ran backward without hearing Cheong-un's answer.

"Let's follow Great Hero Cho too."

"Let's go!"

Again a group of people followed behind. They were all martial artists truly impressed by Cho Yeon-woon. Without anyone forcing them, they voluntarily followed Cho Yeon-woon.

Cho Yeon-woon and the martial artists instantly fell to the very rear. Behind, Hae So-wol and So Cheon were already waiting with sect disciples.

"We'll join too."

"Let's do it together, Great Hero Cho."

At their words, Cho Yeon-woon nodded.

Three people who'd shared countless life-and-death hardships together. They could know each other's intentions with just eye contact.

They fell to the very rear of the escape procession waiting for pursuers.

Without waiting long, pursuers appeared.

Gang Wi and Jang Mu-gyeong were rushing at terrifying speed leading subordinates.

Four Great Commanders, the Demon Cult's greatest masters. Two such people were rushing over. The momentum they emanated swept the surroundings like a storm.

Cho Yeon-woon bit his lips hard.

Saying he didn't feel intimidated would be a lie. But he had no choice.

If he retreated here, countless martial artists would die. He couldn't avoid or retreat just because he was scared.

"Right, let's try once. We die once anyway. Just one life to live, so burn it magnificently."

Cho Yeon-woon laughed.

Hae So-wol and So Cheon showed dumbfounded expressions seeing such Cho Yeon-woon. But similar smiles were already spreading on their faces too.

"Fools!"

Someone muttered that. But even that person decided to gladly become a "fool."

"These bastards!"

"Caught them."

That moment the corps led by Gang Wi and Jang Mu-gyeong rushed in. And clashed.

Chachachaeng!

"Chaaaaat!"

Everywhere, weapon-clashing sounds erupted together with killing-intent-filled voices and screams.

"Charge!"

Cho Yeon-woon threw his whole body at Gang Wi with full power, while Hae So-wol and So Cheon took on Jang Mu-gyeong.

"These youngsters!"

"How dare!"

Gang Wi and Jang Mu-gyeong raged.

In name, the Demon Cult's two greatest masters. That youngsters dared charge them head-on when even within the Demon Cult finding rivals was hard was absurd.

They exerted full power trying to kill Cho Yeon-woon and Hae So-wol in one breath. But contrary to their expectations, Cho Yeon-woon and Hae So-wol were never easy opponents.

Though young in age, they too were crafty ones who'd experienced everything. Through countless fierce battles they'd grown tremendously strong and gained gambler's temperaments.

Among them, Cho Yeon-woon's martial prowess was especially outstanding.

After the fortunate encounter at Shaolin Temple, his martial prowess differed dimensionally from before. Even facing Lightning Demon Blade Gang Wi, he showed not yielding an inch, facing him equally. Such Cho Yeon-woon's appearance gave courage to young martial artists.

"Let's summon strength too."

"We can defeat them."

"Waaaah!"

They summoned strength blocking the corps led by Gang Wi and Jang Mu-gyeong.

Blood and sweat flew. The earth dyed with blood.

Within that, young martial artists were dying. They gladly threw away their lives to save others.

Tears of blood flowed in Cho Yeon-woon's heart.

Though fighting Gang Wi with full power, he captured comrades' deaths in his eyes.

"This youngster!"

Gang Wi exploded in rage seeing such Cho Yeon-woon. That he had leisure to pay attention elsewhere while daring to face him touched his nerves.

No matter how much the opponent was called the greatest young master Azure Dragon Divine Hero, the years learning martial arts differed greatly from his. Before Cho Yeon-woon was even born, he'd been treated as one of the Demon Cult's greatest masters. The fact he couldn't strike down Cho Yeon-woon in one breath felt only shameful.

He repeatedly deployed ultimate techniques pressuring Cho Yeon-woon. But Cho Yeon-woon didn't yield an inch against him. Rather, occasional counterattacks felt increasingly sharper and more refined.

"This guy is developing."

One side of his heart chilled.

Actually, Cho Yeon-woon was experiencing the strange sensation of all his body's senses opening wide right now. His mind was focused on Gang Wi, but all surrounding situations poured in through opened senses. Yet concentration didn't scatter at all.

Only then did Cho Yeon-woon realize. That he'd risen to the lofty realm only few martial artists under heaven had stepped foot in.

Absolute master.

A realm where none dare oppose.

His and Gang Wi's realms were equal.

The problem was only the difference in sensing victory's pulse and experience. Initially a large gap existed, but Cho Yeon-woon was closing the distance at fast speed.

Kuuukwagagak!

A storm swirled around them.

Their movements were so fast that other people didn't dare intervene in their fight.

How long did they fight like that?

Kwang!

With a roar, two figures bounced in opposite directions. Cho Yeon-woon and Gang Wi. Both were covered in blood.

Both Cho Yeon-woon and Gang Wi had sustained serious wounds. Mutually wounded.

"Huk! Huk!"

Cho Yeon-woon breathed roughly. His heart beat so intensely it seemed about to burst. His body was that strained.

In contrast, Gang Wi looked at Cho Yeon-woon with an admiring expression. Because Cho Yeon-woon was the only one who'd pressed him this much until now. Still, his condition was better than Cho Yeon-woon's.

"Good. I can nip the bud before a talent like you grows bigger."

If Cho Yeon-woon was given more time, who knew what great future trouble he'd become for the Demon Cult. Gang Wi's thought was future troubles should be eliminated before growing bigger. So he tried to kill Cho Yeon-woon even if it meant overexertion.

Cho Yeon-woon looked around with bloodshot eyes.

Comrades were dying. Hae So-wol and So-cheon facing Jang Mu-gyeong had long become blood people. Though barely holding on somehow, now was the limit.

"The end?"

He didn't care about his own life ending, but feeling regret that they must lose lives together was unbearable. But he thought if his and their deaths could save other young martial artists, it wouldn't be a futile sacrifice.

"Kid, please don't be late."

Cho Yeon-woon gritted his teeth standing up.

Even if dying, he had to hold their ankles till the end. His fight wasn't over yet.

At such Cho Yeon-woon's appearance, Gang Wi showed a fed-up expression. But only briefly, soon emanating killing intent.

"Kreuk!"

"Huk!"

At his terrifying killing intent, martial artists fighting nearby clutched their hearts collapsing. Cho Yeon-woon too was affected by his killing intent bleeding. Gang Wi didn't miss that gap charging at Cho Yeon-woon.

Shuuuu!

The moment his sword extended like lightning toward Cho Yeon-woon. Suddenly something large flew blocking the sword path.

"What?"

Seogeok!

Gang Wi burst out a warning shout cutting the flying object in two. Then blood splattered everywhere.

"This is?"

Gang Wi's eyes trembled.

The object cut in two by his sword was precisely a person. Moreover, someone he knew very well.

"Ju-gwang!"

The man unable to close his eyes even in death was named Seok Ju-gwang, one of his confidants.

Someone had subdued Seok Ju-gwang throwing him at him.

"Which bastard dares!"

The moment Gang Wi looked toward the direction Seok Ju-gwang flew searching for the perpetrator.

Shuuuu!

Again someone flew toward him.

No time to dodge, so he had no choice but to swing his sword cutting in two again.

Cheolpudeok!

The bisected martial artist rolled on the ground. This time too, a martial artist belonging to his corps.

Gang Wi's face hardened stiffly.

Now Cho Yeon-woon was no longer his concern. He raised his eyesight glaring at the direction the martial artist flew from. Then he saw one man walking straight toward his direction. The man had clearly thrown his subordinates.

Like the sea parting, the way before the man parted.

Everyone in his path stopped fighting as if promised, withdrawing backward.

From the moment the man revealed himself, the battlefield's heated air chilled coldly.

A single person's presence dominated the battlefield.

He moved steps toward Gang Wi.

Eyes couldn't leave him. His intense presence forcibly grabbed people's gazes.

It was no different from torture.

The man limped slightly on one leg. Though countless martial artists existed in the world, only one martial artist had such distinctive characteristics.

"Fist… Demon!"

"Ah!"

Exclamations and sighs came mixed together.

Those who let out exclamations were martial artists with Cho Yeon-woon, and those who sighed were Demon Cult masters.

The aftershock brought by just one person's appearance was truly tremendous. Silence descended on the battlefield in an instant.

Under everyone's attention, Dam Ho moved steps.

"Fist Demon!"

Gang Wi raised his sword guarding against Dam Ho. But Dam Ho indifferently passed by him. Even watching Dam Ho treat him like a scarecrow, Gang Wi couldn't make any response. Because his body stiffened strangely.

Dam Ho, who passed Gang Wi, extended his hand to Cho Yeon-woon.

Cho Yeon-woon grasped his friend's solid hand standing up.

"You came!"

The Tang Family elder subtly informed Jin Ja-gang.

“You just need to maintain your presence. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Understood.”

Except for the mediating Tang Family elder and Jin Ja-gang, Son-bi and Yeong-gwi also retreated to the second floor. It wasn’t proper etiquette to watch other sects’ shameful affairs. Woon-jeong and So-so had long since gone out to play.

Soon heated words were exchanged between the working-level personnel under the Tang Family elder’s supervision.

Overall, Grand Sword Sect’s damage was greater. Because Mount Yao Sect raided them to retrieve land deeds, Grand Sword Sect’s casualties were far higher.

“Our side had twenty casualties, so we demand medical expenses and compensation.”

“We only went to retrieve the land deeds.”

“The land deeds are held by your sect’s disciple, so it’s unrelated to us. However, to clear the misunderstanding, we’ll help find the disciple who fled with the land deeds. But your sect must naturally compensate for breaking our furniture and harming disciples.”

Though there was no bloodshed, the compensation agreement was also a fight.

Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect’s working-level personnel each brought along clerks from the trading companies they dealt with. When the working-level personnel determined types of compensation, the trading company clerks quickly calculated their value.

They compared damages each side suffered, adding what should be added and subtracting what should be subtracted.

Grand Sword Sect’s trading company clerk said.

“Teaching, feeding, and housing one entry-level disciple at Grand Sword Sect costs fifteen taels of silver annually. So calculating the money spent on those injured and disabled for ten years…”

Mount Yao Sect’s working-level elder objected.

“Our sect spends not fifteen but thirteen taels annually to raise a disciple.”

At Grand Sword Sect elder’s glance, Grand Sword Sect’s trading company clerk interjected.

“Typically it takes eight years for a disciple to reach teaching level and establish a martial hall. From then they send remittances to the main sect annually, so that income cannot be ignored.”

Mount Yao Sect also countered.

“In the martial world, even tomorrow can’t be guaranteed, so calculating income eight years out is disadvantageous to our side. Five years would be appropriate.”

After some back and forth, compensation amounts for the injured were determined.

Next came discussion of compensation for the dead.

This included compensation for broken furniture and fled servants, and finally mention of the gambling den owner.

“We didn’t do that.”

“Even so, the gambling den currently can barely function, so you must compensate somehow. If we let it pass, our Grand Sword Sect’s reputation won’t stand.”

Reputation was very important in the martial world.

This time the sect leaders made the decision.

“However, we cannot acknowledge doing something we didn’t do just for your sect’s face-saving.”

The Tang Family elder proposed a mediation.

“Once all compensation amounts are determined, exchanging some consolation money in addition would be good. Then Grand Sword Sect saves face, and financially Mount Yao Sect won’t lose much either.”

After much debate, both sect leaders agreed to the mediation proposal.

Once the overall compensation scope and amounts were confirmed, compensation methods and asset handling followed.

Because the compensation required was no small amount, Mount Yao Sect had to sell assets to handle it.

It was time for the accountants the Tang Family elder had called from a nearby money house to step forward.

Clack clack clack.

The accountants continuously flicked abacus beads, and personnel from the money house and trading companies drafted transaction documents.

Grand Sword Sect’s clerk said.

“Some of Mount Yao Sect’s assets are difficult to immediately liquidate.”

The Tang Family elder proposed to both sects’ working personnel.

“Then let’s have the money house issue a promissory note to pay Grand Sword Sect in full, and Mount Yao Sect will repay the money house later.”

Mount Yao Sect also agreed.

“Understood.”

Clack, clack.

The abacus bead sounds continued.

Jin Ja-gang watched the process without missing a moment.

For the martial world’s resolution to involve abacus sounds instead of sword sounds.

It was utterly peculiar.

The entire process took nearly all day. Because of this, Jin Ja-gang had to go back and forth several times to feed Poison Heaven poison.

The two sects’ working-level personnel also showed clear signs of fatigue.

“Finally…”

The Tang Family elder received and read the final agreement.

“If the promise not to antagonize each other is broken, three thousand taels will be paid as penalty to the opposing side. The Tang Family oversees this agreement and has the duty to enforce the promise, and any sect violating the agreement must also pay the same penalty amount to the Tang Family.”

Both sect leaders nodded in acknowledgment and signed.

Only after creating even a non-performance agreement did all procedures end.

By then a full day had passed, it was already nighttime.

Woon-jeong and So-so, who occasionally came down to watch, had already gone to sleep.

The two sects’ leaders handed promissory notes to the Tang Family elder.

It was a considerable amount.

The Tang Family elder accepted the notes as if it were natural.

Once everything was handled, the two sects’ leaders clasped fists toward each other with cold faces and departed.

The Tang Family elder let out a low sigh.

“Phew. It’s finally over. It must have been tedious, but you worked hard. Still, it seems they agreed easily because you were present. Otherwise there are many cases of arguing for days on end…”

Jin Ja-gang hadn’t been bored since this reconciliation method was very unfamiliar and Tang Qing had specifically requested he watch.

However, he didn’t understand the current resolution methods.

He knew. That settlements were made according to mutual interests rather than chivalry and righteousness.

But what he saw with his eyes and what he’d heard definitely felt different.

“In the end, the truth of who conspired and started first wasn’t revealed.”

“Revealing truth requires a long time. Even if truth is revealed, unless you’ll completely eliminate the opposing sect, finishing at an appropriate line is better. What would Grand Sword Sect gain from eliminating Mount Yao Sect? Receiving compensation while appropriately saving face is far more profitable.”

Jin Ja-gang fell into thought for a while.

Then asked.

“We also mediated cases where rebellion occurred within sects. How was that?”

“The procedure isn’t much different from now. We establish the legitimate lineage or the one receiving most support as successor and step in as their guardian. Of course, we receive compensation for guardianship then too.”

“The sects must have been greatly damaged by internal strife.”

“That’s right. Many disciples die, and consolation money must be paid to each family. New warriors and disciples must be recruited to fill vacancies. Buildings must be repaired and some silver scattered externally to announce the legitimate line. We also help with such series of processes.”

“It seems to require much effort in various ways. Do you also provide financial support?”

“When there are plenty of money houses to borrow and lend from, we don’t need to financially help. Moreover, we also spend money resolving matters. We must bribe government offices to look the other way, and if compensation isn’t properly made, we must send experts to collect… So if we don’t receive mediation fees, we also lose much financially. In difficult times like these, even we need every penny, so it’s hard work.”

“I understand.”

Jin Ja-gang, who had been thinking again, stood up.

“I’ll take a walk and return.”

“Go ahead.”

Jin Ja-gang went to the second floor, held sleeping Poison Heaven, and left the inn.

***

It was when Jin Ja-gang exited the inn and entered a secluded path.

Swish.

Human shadows appeared front and back. They instantly erected a wall of people, cutting off Jin Ja-gang’s figure from the outside.

And Tang Qing appeared.

Tang Qing glanced sideways at sleeping Poison Heaven’s face, then asked Jin Ja-gang.

“Did you watch the mediation well?”

“I watched well. It was quite different from what I thought.”

“It’s a commonly seen sight. You’re the only one who’d think it’s different.”

“Is that why you told me to watch?”

“Right.”

“If you had suspicions, couldn’t you have investigated directly?”

“No. What I see and what you see are different. I’m already accustomed to the current methods, so I don’t know what’s strange. I only suspect there’s something here.”

“There was nothing suspicious in the process. However, since I saw actual mediation for the first time today, there may be parts I missed.”

“I trust you. You have excellent ability to observe situations. Your judgment is also excellent. You surely realized today’s events were very important.”

Jin Ja-gang didn’t answer.

It was true he tried not to miss anything. Even while briefly caring for Poison Heaven, he didn’t take his eyes off the agreement process.

Tang Qing said.

“You said it, right? That what that meticulous Hungry Ghost King did was merely failed rebellions and sowing discord between third-rate sects.”

“I did.”

“But to put it differently…”

Tang Qing’s emotions sharpened.

“For today’s ordinary mediation process you witnessed, they went through the trouble of replicating and using the Five Fatal Pill I secretly created over decades.”

Did that mean today’s agreement wasn’t a simple agreement?

Or…

“You met Taoist Haewol directly and decided to carry on his will. And you’ve seen much until now. Compare today’s events to Taoist Haewol’s intentions. Today you directly entered one of the countless things the Hungry Ghost King did in the martial world and saw the result!”

Tang Qing now became filled with fierce killing intent, even baring his teeth. Of course, that wasn’t toward Jin Ja-gang but toward the Hungry Ghost King. Toward the Hungry Ghost King who used Tang Qing as much as possible and damaged Tang Qing’s pride!

Poison Heaven stirred in response to the killing intent.

“You’ll wake the child.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s rebuke, Tang Qing contorted his face and suppressed his killing intent.

“Now, speak. What was strange? You, surely you felt it. Even the smallest part, if there’s anything suspicious, tell me.”

“First…”

Jin Ja-gang thought briefly then said.

“It seemed Mount Yao Sect unilaterally lost out. Yet they agreed to compensation without complaint.”

“Mount Yao Sect didn’t lose out.”

“What?”

“In reality, Mount Yao Sect acquired Grand Sword Sect’s gambling den at a bargain price. The gambling den was a profitable business. If managed well, Mount Yao Sect will recover costs and more within a few years.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Qing with suspicious eyes.

“Then did Mount Yao Sect instigate this?”

“No. The gambling den owner was poisoned to death by someone else. With the gambling den owner’s death, Mount Yao Sect seized the opportunity to attack Grand Sword Sect and acquired the gambling den in the chaos.”

“Does Grand Sword Sect also know?”

“They know. So ultimately Grand Sword Sect also needed to receive compensation at the level of handing over the gambling den, and today they saw that agreement.”

“Then it’s actually Grand Sword Sect’s loss.”

“It’s true Grand Sword Sect enticed Mount Yao Sect’s disciple to provoke conflict.”

Jin Ja-gang almost let out a bitter laugh.

“You mean it’s meaningless who did wrong and who caused it?”

“Because there’s no before or after. The martial world’s grudges are terribly deep, so tracing them can require going back generations.”

That was probably also why the mediating Tang Family elder said revealing truth was meaningless.