Chapter 465 – It's Not Over Yet (3)

Everyone was silent.

Though they'd repelled the Demon Cult's pursuit force with Dam Ho's help, many sacrifices occurred. Martial artists who'd lost comrades couldn't help feeling sorrowful.

Dam Ho sat on Black Ghost silently. No, he couldn't speak. Because he was treating internal injuries with Dark Soul Cultivation Technique.

Cho Yeon-woon, noticing Dam Ho's condition, no longer spoke to him. Hae So-wol and So Cheon also just watched without opening their mouths.

Cho Yeon-woon's gaze suddenly went toward Gi San-wol following behind Dam Ho.

"Who is that person?"

"Ah, this person is Great Hero Gi San-wol who follows Brother Ho."

Bang Jin-bo stepped forward introducing him first. Only then did Gi San-wol salute Cho Yeon-woon.

"I'm called Gi San-wol. Since you're my lord's friend, please treat me comfortably too."

"Pleased to meet you, Great Hero Gi. You follow Ho?"

"That's right."

"Ha! That stone-like person taking someone as subordinate, hard to easily believe. Anyway, please take good care of that fellow from now on. He requires more care than you'd think."

"I should be the one asking that."

The two men's greeting ended like that.

Cho Yeon-woon's gaze soon went toward the Namgung brothers.

"Namgung Family's survivors?"

"Yes! I'm Namgung Seon-hwi, this is my younger brother Namgung Yeong-hwi. It's an honor to meet Azure Dragon Divine Hero."

Elder brother Namgung Seon-hwi stepped forward introducing his brother.

"Namgung Yeong-hwi meets Azure Dragon Divine Hero."

"Good to meet you. You both must have suffered much coming here."

At Cho Yeon-woon's warm words, the Namgung brothers felt tears welling up. Because besides Bang Jin-bo, no one had spoken such warm words to them. They struggled to hold back tears.

Bang Jin-bo patted the Namgung brothers' shoulders. Seeing that, Cho Yeon-woon smiled. Because Bang Jin-bo felt far more mature than before they'd parted. The very fact he could comfort someone like that and give stability was proof Bang Jin-bo had grown.

Just as he himself had grown, the fact Bang Jin-bo had grown too simply pleased him.

"Kid!"

"Why?"

"Just because I'm happy."

"Tch!"

"Good to see you."

"Me too."

Short but affectionate words were exchanged.

Bang Jin-bo's expression stiffened slightly as he briefly looked around. Because the face he'd so wanted to see wasn't visible.

Bang Jin-bo carefully asked Cho Yeon-woon.

"What about So-cheong?"

"She's safe!"

"Really?"

"Have you lived being deceived?"

"That's a relief."

Bang Jin-bo's expression relaxed. Then Cho Yeon-woon chuckled ruffling his hair.

"I must definitely protect So-cheong if no one else. If anything happened to that child, I'd have no face to see you."

"Brother?"

"You'll see her soon. Check with your own eyes."

"Yes!"

Bang Jin-bo nodded vigorously.

It felt like one huge rock weighing down his heart had been removed. Thanks to that, he could move with much lighter feelings.

Cho Yeon-woon led the group northward. Though the Demon Cult had returned for now overwhelmed by Dam Ho's majesty, they couldn't rest a moment not knowing when they might change minds pursuing again.

Sparing even rest time moving north, they finally could reach the Yangtze River.

"Ah!"

"Wow!"

Instantly exclamations burst out everywhere.

On the huge Yangtze floated dozens of large and small boats. Various types from small boats and fishing vessels to merchant ships and cloud horse river-crossing vessels.

Familiar faces appeared on the decks.

"Waaaah! They came."

"They arrived. Quickly lower the gangplank."

Those cheering seeing Cho Yeon-woon and Dam Ho were precisely martial artists who'd escaped from Shaolin and the Martial Alliance.

Cho Yeon-woon muttered looking at them.

"As expected, you prepared boats in time. That's a relief."

"Who prepared them?"

"Who else? The one you've wanted to see so much."

At Bang Jin-bo's question, Cho Yeon-woon pointed with his finger at the deck of the largest boat. On the boat's deck stood a girl exuding a pure atmosphere.

The moment he saw the girl, Bang Jin-bo's eyes opened wide.

"So-cheong!"

The girl on the large cloud horse river-crossing vessel was definitely Eun So-cheong. Eun So-cheong also seemed to have discovered Bang Jin-bo, waving her white hand.

Cho Yeon-woon smiled.

"It must have been an unreasonable request, but she ultimately succeeded."

The day before the Martial Alliance and Shaolin Temple fell to the Demon Cult, Cho Yeon-woon had sent Eun So-cheong a carrier pigeon asking her to prepare boats. To prepare for any possible situation.

He'd been anxious not knowing the result, but fortunately Eun So-cheong had gathered boats arriving here in time.

"So-cheong!"

Bang Jin-bo threw his body toward the boat Eun So-cheong was on.

After kicking off the water surface several times, his form instantly reached the deck of the boat Eun So-cheong was on.

"Jin-bo."

Eun So-cheong's eyes opened wide. In such eyes, light of emotion swirled.

Bang Jin-bo unknowingly hugged Eun So-cheong's small body tightly.

"Uwaaah!"

"Whewww! Mount Hua's senior disciple is quite bold. With everyone watching."

Those on the boat exclaimed watching the two. At that, Bang Jin-bo and Eun So-cheong who'd come to their senses hastily separated. Their faces were dyed red like persimmons. But their expressions weren't unpleasant.

Those who arrived late boarded the boats. Until the last person boarded, they didn't relax their guard.

Finally with Dam Ho boarding last, the boats departed.

"Let's go! To Mount Hua."

Dozens of boats went up the Yangtze against the current.

Their destination was Shaanxi Province where Mount Hua Sect was located.

Someone muttered looking at the receding shore.

"It's not over yet. We'll definitely return again."

***

Where Shaolin Temple had been.

At that place now left with only ashes and ruins, a large splendid altar was erected. Colorful silk fluttered in the wind, and from a large incense burner, incense continuously rose.

Near the altar, Middle Heaven's martial artists were preparing to conduct a ritual, and Dan Un-hyang, Middle Heaven's Heavenly Lord and also Demon Mother, waited dressed in splendid robes.

After a while all preparations finished and Dan Un-hyang finally climbed the altar looking around.

Shaolin Temple with only foundation stones remaining showed the impermanence of past glory, and at the Martial Alliance's former site, flames still not extinguished rose.

Light of joy appeared on Dan Un-hyang's face.

The Demon Cult martial artists looking at her face were the same. Traces of fierce battle still remained throughout their bodies. Even with wounded, blood-dyed bodies, they wore bright smiles.

Shaolin Temple had been the Demon Cult's long-standing nemesis. Because Shaolin existed, the Demon Cult wasn't recognized as legitimate, circling the Central Plains' periphery. Therefore their resentment and hatred toward Shaolin Temple had deep roots.

The Martial Alliance was the same. Whenever the Demon Cult expanded influence, Central Plains martial artists created organizations like the Martial Alliance oppressing them. Righteous Alliance, Martial Alliance, though names changed by era, the fact they'd blocked the Demon Cult's way until now didn't change.

Finally bringing down long-standing nemeses becoming victors, Demon Cult followers couldn't hide their joy. Slaughtering cattle and pigs, they enjoyed victors' rightful privileges.

Dan Un-hyang finally climbed the altar. On the altar were placed not only incense burners but various ritual vessels used in sacrifices.

"I'll begin the ritual."

At her declaration, followers all took reverent postures.

"Reporting to the Venerable One in heaven, today we achieved victory…"

Dan Un-hyang's voice rang out clearly.

Countless Demon Cult followers concentrated on Dan Un-hyang's voice, and the ritual proceeded in a reverent atmosphere. But not everyone focused on the ritual.

"I apologize, Military Strategist."

Jang Mu-gyeong was bowing apologizing to Sang Han-cheon. His face was full of humiliation.

Not that apologizing to Sang Han-cheon was shameful, but the fact he'd fled like a frightened dog without striking even once against Dam Ho was humiliating.

Sang Han-cheon silently watched Jang Mu-gyeong.

He neither blamed nor comforted Jang Mu-gyeong. That appearance made Jang Mu-gyeong even more ashamed.

After a while, Sang Han-cheon opened his mouth.

"I understand."

"Military Strategist!"

"You must be tired, so rest now. You worked hard."

Though Sang Han-cheon spoke with calm expression, Jang Mu-gyeong could read the anger contained within.

They'd lost one member of Four Great Commanders. Damage on a different dimension from losing other masters. Yet Sang Han-cheon forcibly suppressing anger was because he didn't want to break the festive atmosphere.

"Fist Demon!"

Anger was hot but reason was cold. And reason pressed down anger tightly.

Seeing Sang Han-cheon's eyes, Jang Mu-gyeong saluted him then quietly withdrew.

While they conversed, the ritual atmosphere Dan Un-hyang presided over was reaching its peak.

"Oh! Venerable One."

"Guide us to infinite life."

Madness dominated the venue.

Demon Cult martial artists raved at every word Dan Un-hyang chanted, every gesture, frantically chanting mantras.

Deep furrows appeared in Sang Han-cheon's brow.

The Demon Cult was a religion following the Venerable One. Being religious, he didn't think badly of fanatic-like behavior. Rather he welcomed such acts. Sang Han-cheon thought so too. Yet the ritual Dan Un-hyang presided over somehow felt repulsive.

The strange heat and madness dominating the venue. All of it was clearly excessive to a degree never felt before.

"Venerable One, receive all offerings on this mountain and guide us to infinite life."

"Guide us."

"Oh!"

Like entranced by Dan Un-hyang's voice, Demon Cult martial artists repeatedly chanted following her words.

"Not good."

Sang Han-cheon's eyes grew even colder.

Everything has limits.

Though the Divine Cult was called the Demon Cult and was a religious organization, still madness beyond proper degree rather caused harm.

The ritual's climax came when the offering to present to the Venerable One was dragged onto the altar.

"Kreuk!"

The one dragged out struggling was precisely Iron Blood Feathered Scholar Jong Hak-seon, one of the Martial Alliance leadership.

Instantly Sang Han-cheon's expression completely changed.

"Surely not human sacrifice?"

Human sacrifice was offering living people as offerings. A cruel act long banned even in the Demon Cult and an absolute taboo that should never be performed.

Sang Han-cheon hurriedly tried to stop Dan Un-hyang's act. But Dan Un-hyang's movement was faster. She slashed Jong Hak-seon's throat with the splendid dagger used for sacrifice.

Puhwahak!

A blood fountain shot high into the sky, and Dan Un-hyang was directly bathed in his blood.

Uwung!

A strange vibration occurred sweeping across all of Songshan.

Sang Han-cheon flinched.

Because instantly a strange sense of loss and peculiar sensation assaulted him.

His stomach churned as if he'd vomit. Sang Han-cheon struggled to suppress his insides raising his head.

Absolute masters like Jang Jin-myeong and Yo Sa-ran had similar expressions to Sang Han-cheon. With expressions and eyes showing bewilderment, they sought answers from Sang Han-cheon. But Sang Han-cheon couldn't answer. Because he too didn't know the answer.

Sang Han-cheon looked at ordinary followers. Unexpectedly their expressions were peaceful. As if not feeling the disturbance just now.

"Was it an illusion?"

Sang Han-cheon shook his head.

Because the sensation just now was too vivid to simply dismiss as illusion.

"What on earth?"

While he held questions, the ritual had already ended.

As if never engulfed in madness, madness disappeared and only calm atmosphere flowed.

Dan Un-hyang cast off her ritual robe walking lightly. Sang Han-cheon, overwhelmed by her strange atmosphere, couldn't speak to her.

Like that, the ritual performed at Shaolin Temple ended.

The Demon Cult established a huge branch at Shaolin Temple.

The Divine Cult Henan Branch was the official name.

Hubei Province where Wudang Sect was, Henan Province where Shaolin Temple was fell completely into the Demon Cult's hands, and two-thirds of the Central Plains came under Demon Cult control.

The harsh era later called "Martial World's Winter" began like this.

That year's winter saw unusually many great disasters.

In early winter, unprecedented heavy snow fell leaving countless people isolated freezing to death. Therefore the Demon Cult too couldn't continue conquest war having to stop activities.

But calamity didn't end there.

Near winter's end, a great earthquake struck all across the Central Plains. The earth split and mountains collapsed. Countless people died and tremendous numbers of disaster victims were created.

Martial sects couldn't escape damage either. Many sects suffered great damage with buildings collapsing in the earthquake, and the Demon Cult also took great hits.

People's cries and resentment pierced heaven, and public sentiment grew increasingly turbulent.

The Central Plains' worst winter.

And another year passed.

It seemed like there was even a slight wetness around Tang Qing’s eyes.

Jin Ja-gang stared at Tang Qing intently and asked.

“Are you crying?”

Flinch!

Tang Qing immediately put strength in his eyes and retorted.

“I’m so relieved that Poison Heaven doesn’t seem to resemble you!”

Jin Ja-gang immediately retorted back.

“Don’t worry about other people’s children and just work hard on cleaning up.”

Bristle!

“Other people’s child! She’s my granddaughter with my blood flowing!”

“Ah, that’s right. I hope she doesn’t resemble Grandfather.”

Tang Qing bristled again and was about to get angry but stopped.

“That’s true, so I’ll let it pass.”

Tang Qing looked down at Poison Heaven. The strength in his eyes naturally relaxed. He applied poison to his finger and tickled Poison Heaven’s mouth.

Kyaa~ giggle giggle.

“Oh my, look at the strength of this one’s finger bite.”

For a moment, Tang Qing returned to being an ordinary grandfather.

But soon Jin Ja-gang broke Tang Qing’s peace.

“Do you know why we started calling him the Hungry Ghost King?”

“I don’t know.”

“When I said there were too many hungry ghosts coveting others’ possessions, Demon-Subduing Monk Master Mu-gak named their king the Hungry Ghost King.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s opening, Tang Qing burst into hearty laughter.

“Seeing you suddenly bring it up, you must have figured something out, you cunning bastard. I thought you were just beating around the bush from earlier. You were suspecting me.”

“Should I apologize?”

“Forget it. That’s why I like you, bastard. So, what made you clear your suspicions?”

Jin Ja-gang had tested Tang Qing.

And was certain.

Tang Qing is not the Hungry Ghost King.

“I’ll tell you the reason shortly.”

Tang Qing made an uncomfortable expression and smacked his lips.

“Fine. So what do you want to say? Tell me.”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“Convenience.”

“Convenience?”

“I felt the martial world is pursuing only what’s too convenient.”

Jin Ja-gang finally got to the main point.

“What do you mean?”

Amid the chaos of scholars silently blocking with their bodies and warriors shouting, Jin Ja-gang said.

“As you said, the current martial world doesn’t make the effort to resolve grudges spanning several years. They calculate the dead and injured with money.”

“So what?”

Tang Qing also created the Six Poison Cliques and ruled them with money.

Outwardly they had equal say, but in reality they had no choice but to move according to the Tang Family’s wealth.

“That’s practical.”

Tang Qing said.

“In the martial world, human life isn’t worth even an ant’s life. Once they’re dead and gone, that’s it. Rather than ending in a dog’s death, compensating with money is better for the remaining family.”

“I didn’t say compensation is bad.”

“Compensation isn’t without effort either. The side demanding money tries to receive more, and the side that must give tries to give the minimum. That’s also laborious. As you saw, mediation often takes several days. It’s never without effort.”

“That effort is being done not by martial artists but by trading company clerks and money house accountants.”

“Of course, since they’re much better at financial calculations, isn’t that natural?”

Tang Qing shook his head.

“I understand your point, but I still don’t know how beneficial that is to the Hungry Ghost King. Are you suspecting people from trading companies or money houses?”

“Is there a reason not to suspect them?”

“Trading companies have dealt with martial sects for a long time. When chaos occurs, transactions temporarily increase or decrease, which is actually unfavorable. If they continue transactions as before, they have stable income, so there’s no reason to cause chaos. Moreover, because poison was used, there are probably sides trying to change from suspecting the trading companies they dealt with before.”

Tang Qing continued.

“Money houses are the same. When money houses get involved in various businesses like mediation or loans, fees are generated. The fees are high, but that’s only this one time. It’s hard to understand targeting decades for this one time. Rather, the money spent on recruiting people during this time probably cost more than the money that can be earned from this chaos.”

Tang Qing thought once more then shook his head.

“Your words aren’t wrong, but from my perspective, I can’t see that either side benefited. However, as I said, I’ve been accustomed to the present for a long time. Even if you say it’s strange, it’s natural I can’t understand it.”

“That’s right. I realized just a moment ago from what you said.”

“Tell me.”

“The fact that for today’s ordinary mediation process I witnessed, the Hungry Ghost King waited and prepared for decades.”

“Even though there’s nothing beneficial?”

“From another perspective, it’s beneficial.”

Tang Qing’s eyes gleamed.

“Let’s hear it.”

Jin Ja-gang raised his hand and spread five fingers.

“I’ll tell you five clues related to this matter. One is Taoist Haewol’s words. Taoist Haewol said the martial world was broken even before becoming Alliance Leader.”

—Disputes between very small sects continued to increase. Fierce fights broke out between family-level sects or dojo-level sects that received tuition fees. These were matters occurring in such small sects that they weren’t even topics of conversation, but strangely large interests unsuitable for small sects were involved, so the defeated lost everything while the survivors gained great benefits that helped expand their sects.

“It resembles the current chaos greatly.”

Jin Ja-gang nodded.

“It’s the Hungry Ghost King’s doing. He threw large bait to small sects and tested whether his plan could succeed.”

—The contamination that started in small sects spread to mid-level sects. People commonly think a few giant sects are all of the martial world, but what actually comprises the martial world is small and medium sects. Tens of thousands of small and medium sects spread roots in the soil called the martial world, and giant sects branch out on top of them. No matter how flourishing the branches, if the roots rot, it dies. But the ends of the roots supporting the tree, the small and medium sects, were rotting.

“The test succeeded and gradually moved up. And finally against major sects until now…”

King of Hell Tang Qing played a part in that. He was played by the Hungry Ghost King from the start.

Before Tang Qing’s expression could turn bitter, Jin Ja-gang spoke about the next clue.

“The next clue is the perspective Abbess Divine Nun saw. Abbess Divine Nun once told me.”

—Is the target of benefactor’s revenge an individual, a group, or a system?

“A system creates beliefs, and beliefs move people. In other words, Abbess Divine Nun saw that the Hungry Ghost King created a new system for the martial world that operates on profit and loss.”

Jin Ja-gang explained.

“For example, the Guizhou Martial Arts Alliance branch leader was Golden Fortune Merchant of merchant origin. Though his martial prowess was also excellent, he was known for maintaining his position through financial power rather than martial power. Therefore, he operated the branch by placing all standards on financial power and obtained profits.”

Tang Qing’s eyes widened.

“You mean the purpose wasn’t causing this for immediate gain, but a world that operates on financial power? Even if so, how? With what power could merchants or money house people make the martial world like that?”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“The answer to that is the flag written with Shaanxi. It’s a clue obtained when going to meet the Divine Doctor of Langzhong.”

Tang Qing quietly thought while looking at Poison Heaven and said.

“I remember that too. The Divine Doctor of Langzhong used the Shaanxi Trading Company to exchange letters with me in secret. Using merchant routes avoids suspicion and…”

Suddenly, Tang Qing raised his head to look at Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang asked Tang Qing.

“How did you bring in and store salt?”

“…”

“Where did you get the poisonous herbs and medicinal herbs that become ingredients for the Five Fatal Pill?”

“…”

“Where did the Five Fatal Pill leak from, and how were replicas made?”

Tang Qing was so shocked he couldn’t speak properly.

“It was right in front of me but I couldn’t see it at all…”

Then suddenly remembered.

“Ningbo Merchant!”

The trading company the Tang Family deals with!

Tang Qing changed trading partners from Min Merchant, which all the Three Sichuan Powers dealt with, to Ningbo Merchant to avoid having the matter discovered by the Three Sichuan Powers. If Jin Ja-gang’s words are correct, it means he brought in the Hungry Ghost King himself.

But Jin Ja-gang immediately shook his head.

“It’s not Ningbo Merchant.”

“What? But…”

“Emei Sect dealt with Min Merchant yet the rebellion still occurred.”

“Then that means Min Merchant and Ningbo Merchant are both in league.”

“But those two alone can’t cause chaos throughout the entire martial world.”

“Don’t tell me…”

Tang Qing raised a question.

“But the martial world has countless not only large trading companies but also small merchant groups. For your words to be right, you need the assumption that they all colluded.”

“Large trading companies become the major veins and small merchant groups become the minor veins. Giant trading companies have been extending their reach throughout all of the Central Plains from over ten years ago, placing small merchant groups under their companies. They had them bear their names and report transaction results annually.”

Jin Ja-gang was suspecting the entire merchant world!

Tang Qing fell into severe self-loathing.

“I only thought of absorbing the poison sects to learn what medicines enter each sect, but didn’t realize those medicines circulate and move throughout all of the Central Plains through trading companies.”

“There’s no need to blame yourself. It was the same at Emei Sect. Though trading companies seem completely unrelated to the martial world, rather because they’re too closely attached, we didn’t recognize it. The Five Fatal Pill entered Emei Sect that way.”

Tang Qing firmly closed his mouth. Poison Heaven gripped Tang Qing’s finger and wriggled.

“Then… the Hungry Ghost King’s identity…”

Tang Qing’s eyes widened.

“Must be a figure from a trading company or a figure from a money house holding massive funds behind them!”

Tang Qing finally understood why Jin Ja-gang suspected that direction.

Tang Qing looked back at Jin Ja-gang.

“But that’s strange. Didn’t you suspect me earlier?”

“The Hungry Ghost King could be anyone. The clue about the Hungry Ghost King’s identity is…”

“Wait.”

Tang Qing snapped his fingers.

Snap!

Uuuuuu!

The scholars’ noise doubled in volume. The warriors complained and cursed, pushing with their bodies. But the scholars didn’t budge.

One of the warriors couldn’t hold back anymore and punched a scholar’s face.

It was a Tiger Cannon Fist punch derived from a tiger lifting its front paw to swipe.

“Are you bastards joking right now!”

Crack!

The scholar’s head turned. It wasn’t an ordinary punch but a martial arts technique with considerable power. Blood flowed from the scholar’s nose and his lips split immediately.

The scholar looked at the one who hit him with his head turned and eerie eyes. The warrior was startled and struck the scholar’s solar plexus. The scholar’s waist bent.

“This bastard, this bastard!”

The warrior beat the scholar like crazy. The assault only stopped when someone nearby stopped the warrior, fearing things would escalate too much.

Then the scholar with his face a mess raised his head and started making noise again.

Uuuuuu!

The warriors got goosebumps. A comrade was beaten right next to them, but no one cared and only continued making noise.

“Th-these guys… are strange!”

“They’re really suspicious! We must forcibly confirm what they’re hiding!”

Clang!

The warriors drew their swords.

But even so, the scholars as if not seeing the swords before their eyes continued shouting even louder.

In the midst of that, Jin Ja-gang was speaking to Tang Qing.

Golden Pearl.

“It’s the fourth clue about the Hungry Ghost King’s identity.”