Chapter 468 – When Plum Blossoms Bloom, Guests Arrive (3)

Everyone went together to where the screams had burst out. It was a large cave entrance.

There, two martial artists lay prostrate on the ground groaning. The martial artists' condition vomiting dark red blood looked truly serious.

"Th-those?"

Go Il-won, befitting a master who'd reached a realm, recognized the martial artists' condition at a glance. Serious internal injuries. If left like this, internal injuries could worsen and they might die.

But Cho Yeon-woon and Blue Sky Alliance's leadership didn't look particularly worried. The reason was soon revealed. A young woman walked over gracefully caring for the martial artists' wounds.

She performed acupuncture all over the martial artists' bodies, then took out two pills from her bosom putting one each in the martial artists' mouths. Then the martial artists' faces that had turned deathly pale instantly regained color. And when she retrieved the silver needles, they sprang up as if they'd never sustained internal injuries.

A scene hard to believe even seeing with one's own eyes.

The internal injuries they'd sustained were serious enough that even the most skilled physicians couldn't easily treat them. Yet she treated such internal injuries with simply acupuncture and a single pill. It was a miracle-like occurrence hard for Go Il-won to understand with his common sense.

"Who on earth is that woman?"

"The Divine Physician."

Cho Yeon-woon answered calmly.

"Divine Physician?"

"Young Lady Jong Ri-yeon, the Divine Physician."

Instantly the woman turned around as if hearing Cho Yeon-woon's voice. The woman who appeared ordinary at a glance but possessed refined beauty was precisely Jong Ri-yeon.

Jong Ri-yeon brightened seeing Taoist Hyeon-so and Myeong-gyeong.

"When did you arrive?"

"Just came. Hehe!"

"You should have contacted us first. Then I'd have gone out to meet you."

"Why bother."

"Still."

"You seem prettier. Ho must be treating you well."

"Oh! Treating me well? Hardly."

Jong Ri-yeon sighed. Because even that appearance looked pretty, Taoist Hyeon-so smiled kindly.

Meanwhile Go Il-won was surprised enough to stop breathing.

"Goodness! The Divine Physician."

He too had heard rumors about Jong Ri-yeon. The legendary Divine Physician's reputation that she could save even critically ill patients as long as breath remained, and could heal any internal injury.

He'd heard stories that Mount Hua recovered its former prosperity rapidly thanks to her help, but frankly it was hard to believe easily. But seeing her skill directly with his eyes today, he had no choice but to believe.

Then the martial artists who'd sustained internal injuries approached Jong Ri-yeon.

"We always cause trouble. Thanks to you we lived."

"Not at all. This happened because of that person. I should be the sorry one."

"No. Please don't say such things. Thanks to this, we realized our limits and could break through walls."

The martial artist waved his hands.

Go Il-won recognized the martial artist.

"Wait, aren't you Young Hero Yang Cheon-hwa of Golden Arrow Gate?"

"Ah, you're Zhongnan Sect's Sect Leader Go. My greetings are late. Golden Arrow Gate's Yang Cheon-hwa greets you."

"Ha! You were here too?"

Go Il-won shook his head.

Yang Cheon-hwa had been a member of the suicide squad that raided the Demon Cult's headquarters. He was also one of the final surviving seventeen, and a rising star the martial world looked to. Though he didn't belong to the Nine Dragons, he'd heard his talent and understanding were exceptionally outstanding. But the common opinion was expecting further growth was difficult due to his sect's inherent limitations.

Go Il-won had seen Yang Cheon-hwa once before. He'd heard Yang Cheon-hwa's talent was outstanding but judged his limits were clear. Because Golden Arrow Gate's ultimate techniques couldn't support his excellent talent.

However, the aura and achievement Yang Cheon-hwa now showed far exceeded Go Il-won's expectations.

Cho Yeon-woon asked Yang Cheon-hwa.

"Ho?"

"Oh! Don't even mention it."

"Same as always, I see."

"Please tell him to go easier. I'm really going to die at this rate, Alliance Leader."

When Yang Cheon-hwa made a fed-up expression, Cho Yeon-woon chuckled. Because he could imagine.

After patting Yang Cheon-hwa's shoulder a couple times, Cho Yeon-woon moved steps toward the cave.

"I'm here. Your master came too, so come out now."

Kuuuu!

A rough wind surged out from inside the cave. Instantly Go Il-won felt every hair on his body stand on end and unconsciously drew his sword.

Myeong-gyeong grasped his hand holding the sword saying.

"Sheathe your sword."

"B-but…"

"It's fine."

Myeong-gyeong smiled. But Go Il-won couldn't.

A terrifyingly ominous feeling dominated his entire body. Even at this moment, the discomfort and discordance he felt was intensely indescribable. Since such feelings were a first in his life, Go Il-won couldn't grasp how to react.

Someone was coming out from inside the cave. That something giving him terrible threat.

A moment later when he emerged through the darkness, Go Il-won nearly swung his sword.

Deep eyes and tightly pressed lips showed through disheveled hair like a lion's mane. Though his build wasn't large for a martial artist, from him felt intense energy and atmosphere like a volcano about to erupt.

Go Il-won recognized his identity almost instinctively.

"Mount… Hua Fist Demon Dam Ho."

Among countless martial artists under heaven, only Dam Ho alone was a martial artist who made observers feel crisis like this.

The unprecedented demon the prestigious Mount Hua Sect released to the world.

Rumors circulated that the reason Shaanxi Province could still remain safe despite the Demon Cult's storm winds was precisely because of Dam Ho.

That the Demon Cult couldn't touch Shaanxi Province at least because they feared Dam Ho. Some said it was absurd talk, others dismissed it as groundless rumor, but those involved in the martial world at least didn't think it entirely false.

That much, Dam Ho's presence and position in the martial world was special.

Dam Ho's gaze went toward Taoist Hyeon-so.

"Master."

"It's been a while. Have you been well?"

"Yes!"

Taoist Hyeon-so looked at Dam Ho with warm eyes.

Then Cho Yeon-woon approached grabbing Dam Ho's arm pulling him.

"Stop beating up our people and come here. Since Master came too, rest a bit today."

"…"

"You know that recently not a single person passed the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall because of you, right? Give them some breathing room too."

The cave Dam Ho came from was the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall's final checkpoint. Originally elaborately designed mechanisms existed there, but one day Dam Ho made it his dwelling.

That meant passing the Iron Blood Hell Training Hall meant passing the checkpoint called Dam Ho. After that, countless masters challenged. But not a single person passed the checkpoint called Dam Ho.

Many people without exception sustained internal injuries or large and small wounds. The one who treated them each time was Divine Physician Jong Ri-yeon.

Watching such two people, someone said like a joke.

"Tch! The man outside beats them up, and the woman inside treats them? Can't even hate it."

Many agreed with his opinion. But no one expressed complaints.

Because the existence called Dam Ho existed, they couldn't relax vigilance even for a moment, and thanks to that, the fact their skills grew frighteningly was true.

Taoist Hyeon-so said to Dam Ho.

"Shall we walk for a bit?"

"Yes!"

Only then did Dam Ho barely nod answering.

Taoist Hyeon-so looked at Cho Yeon-woon saying.

"Then have a talk with Sect Leader Go. I'll spend time alone with Ho for a while."

"Please spend a very long time."

"Hehe!"

At Cho Yeon-woon's words, Taoist Hyeon-so chuckled.

Outside he was called Azure Dragon Divine Hero, inside he was revered as Blue Sky Alliance's Alliance Leader, but to Taoist Hyeon-so he was always affectionate Cho Yeon-woon.

Dam Ho moved steps with Taoist Hyeon-so shoulder to shoulder.

He still didn't speak. Rather seemed more taciturn than a year ago. Taoist Hyeon-so found such disciple reliable yet regretful.

Others designated him with ominous words like Fist Demon or Demon Immortal, but to Taoist Hyeon-so he was his only disciple. Though what he'd taught was little and he'd grown this much on his own, still to him he was a treasure that couldn't be exchanged for anything.

He wished he'd talk more like other people and enjoy freedom, but the weight of life pressing his disciple's shoulders was too heavy. Therefore he just felt regretful that he became increasingly silent.

"How's your body?"

"Good."

"Fortunate. But I don't see San-wol. Did he go out?"

"Yes!"

"Oh, I took a new disciple this time."

Only then did Dam Ho turn his head looking at Taoist Hyeon-so. Because it was such unexpected words.

"A disciple?"

"He fortunately had potential as Scholar Taoist. I took him as disciple before he got other ideas."

"Fortunate."

"He'll become your fellow disciple too, so please treat him well when you meet later."

"I will."

"Thank you."

"It's fortunate you finally have a proper disciple, even if late."

"You're a proper disciple too. Though your master was inadequate, teaching you nothing while you grew alone. So don't say such things. Whatever others say, you're my disciple and my greatest pride. I'm just sorry for always putting big burdens on you."

"Not at all."

At Dam Ho's calm answer, Taoist Hyeon-so made an apologetic expression.

With that conversation ended, the two just walked silently.

Without needing to express in words, master and disciple knew each other's hearts well. The disciple respected the master, and the master sincerely cherished and thought of the disciple. Though their dispositions were polar opposites.

Suddenly Taoist Hyeon-so raised his head looking at the sky.

Before he knew it, darkness had fallen and stars shone in the sky. Starlight from the sky shone in Taoist Hyeon-so's eyes. Dam Ho watched that appearance silently.

It was quite a while later when Taoist Hyeon-so opened his mouth.

"Phew! Heavenly energy is too unstable. How can it shake so uneasily? The great turmoil under heaven definitely had bad influence on heavenly energy. Too many died, so all under heaven is full of resentment, naturally heavenly energy shakes."

His voice clearly contained anxious feelings.

Since naturally becoming able to read heavenly energy at some point, this was the first time he'd been this anxious. Though he couldn't pinpoint and say for certain, the heavenly energy he saw wasn't normal. Now seeing the sky felt frightening.

When Taoist Hyeon-so's shoulders trembled finely, Dam Ho opened his mouth.

"It'll be fine."

"Ho!"

"It'll be fine, Master."

"Right!"

Feeling himself finding stability at Dam Ho's single calm word, Taoist Hyeon-so thought he lacked qualifications as master. At times like this, it felt like master and disciple were reversed.

"I showed an unseemly sight. Sorry."

"Not at all."

"With heavenly energy so unstable, my heart is also anxious. Something is definitely wrong but I can't know the reason clearly, so I can't easily find peace of mind."

The anxious feelings Taoist Hyeon-so felt weren't from just a day or two. Since the great disaster occurred a year ago, he occasionally suffered from inexplicable anxiety. So he deliberately came all the way here following Zhongnan Sect's Sect Leader Go Il-won. Though shameless to say, seeing his disciple Dam Ho eased his sharply tensed nerves somewhat.

"You probably guessed it too, but we decided to cooperate with Zhongnan Sect. Zhongnan Sect's Sect Leader Go said the Demon Cult started moving again. As the great disaster somewhat gets managed, the Demon Cult drives the world into hell again. When on earth will this vicious cycle's chain break?"

"Master!"

"Right, when are you thinking of going out to the world?"

"…"

Dam Ho didn't answer. When Taoist Hyeon-so tried asking again, Dam Ho's gaze went down the mountain.

"What's wrong?"

Tuwung!

Something discordant feeling was felt.

The moment Dam Ho's eyes narrowed, Little Mount Hua's air changed. And martial artists at Little Mount Hua became busy.

"Down there."

"Move!"

Blue Sky Alliance was moving.

“Did you have a good trip?”

“Yes.”

“How about work?”

“It was resolved well.”

Jin Ja-gang told Tang Ha-ran about meeting Tang Qing. Seeing that Tang Ha-ran wasn’t particularly surprised, she had clearly expected it to some degree.

Jin Ja-gang examined Tang Ha-ran’s face. She had been haggard from lack of sleep while caring for Poison Heaven, but now after being apart from Poison Heaven for just three days, her face was clean and refreshed.

Without needing words, it naturally showed how difficult caring for a child was.

“Our Poison Heaven was hungry, right? Let’s have a meal with mom after a long time.”

Tang Ha-ran nursed Poison Heaven. As Jin Ja-gang watched the scene pleasantly from the side, feeling like he had returned home…

Poison Heaven shook her head and wouldn’t nurse.

“Hm? What’s wrong with our Poison Heaven? Not hungry?”

Tang Ha-ran tried to nurse her several times, then lifted her head to look at Jin Ja-gang and smiled brightly.

“What did you feed her so much that she won’t nurse?”

Jin Ja-gang felt like it wasn’t his fault, but he couldn’t help avoiding Tang Ha-ran’s gaze.

“The child cried that she was hungry so… Grandfather…”

“Hmm?”

“Grandfather fed her poison…”

“Good. That’s why I deliberately sent her.”

“What?”

It seemed she hadn’t asked to interrogate Jin Ja-gang.

“Children shouldn’t be picky eaters.”

Flinch.

Jin Ja-gang became scared of Tang Ha-ran.

***

As news spread that North Li Sword Immortal and Sword King Namgung Rak would clash, a meaningful change also came to the Tang Family.

“I wish to devote myself to the Tang Family!”

Young martial artists came to the Tang Family Main Estate.

Compared to other martial family houses, the Tang Family didn’t discriminate much between men and women. The Tang Family was almost the only family house where someone capable could become family head.

Because of this, among those who came, many young female martial artists were mixed in. Many came not only from Sichuan but from other places too.

The Tang Family was in a situation severely lacking personnel due to successive internal strife. A considerable number of blood relatives had died and vassal family warriors also suffered many casualties. At this time, it couldn’t be anything but a joyful matter that talented people came looking on their own.

However, the Tang Family originally had regulations to only transmit martial arts to insiders, so they had a strongly closed tendency. They could only accept a minority connected to the Tang Family. Therefore, the Tang Family’s leadership showed difficulty. Though they were grateful people came, they couldn’t recklessly accept them.

Tang Ha-ran and Jin Ja-gang looked at the young martial artists who came from a distance. Already over a hundred people had come. Since they were coming from throughout the Central Plains, the numbers would increase further.

Since this wasn’t predicted, the Tang Family was providing lodging and meals without sending them back for now.

“They came knowing we have difficulty accepting them.”

At Tang Ha-ran’s murmur, Jin Ja-gang asked.

“Some came from far places. To come on a maybe would waste too much time.”

“Is that so?”

Tang Ha-ran said.

“For a long time, the martial world was stagnant. The gap between giant sects and small and medium sects widened so much it couldn’t be overturned, and unless you were from a giant sect, you inevitably hit a limit at some point.”

That commonly expressed as a ladder that can’t be climbed…

Knowing luscious and sweet fruit hangs at the very top but the ladder is broken so you can’t climb further…

“I understand. But isn’t the current martial world too chaotic?”

“That’s why it’s meaningful.”

Tang Ha-ran said, thinking of old times.

“I was like that too. At some point I realized my ability’s limits and gave up. But after meeting you, I dreamed again. And eventually came this far. Do you remember when I met you? Back then, both you and I were in very difficult times.”

Tang Ha-ran had been expelled from her family and almost died. Jin Ja-gang was barely catching his breath having entrusted himself to Qingcheng Sect. Enemies were on all sides and danger lurked that they could die at any time.

Tang Ha-ran had dreamed precisely at that time.

“The youths our age over there are the same. No matter how hard and difficult the martial world is, they couldn’t do nothing in an era of change. Because they know if not now, they won’t have even a chance to unfold their dreams.”

Righteous practices treat all sects equally. Forcibly placed under Shaolin Temple, everyone becomes the same.

The Righteous Alliance’s method of resolving situations with financial power is no different from the existing Martial Arts Alliance.

Whichever side takes the lead, nothing would improve from now, yet the incompatible two even joined hands.

That there would be no more changes in the world was like despair for those dreaming of a sole opportunity.

But then the Poison Dragon appeared.

Starting with meager strength, he annihilated the poison sects in Yunnan and even took over the Tang Family. He defeated the martial world’s numerous experts and even blocked Northern Heaven’s Evil Faction and the Zoroastrian Cult’s invasions.

Now the Poison Dragon wasn’t some rising star or emerging power.

Already when you say Poison Dragon of Sichuan, he was evaluated as a force comparable to the Righteous Alliance or Shaolin Temple, shouldering a pillar of the martial world.

Moreover, unlike the Righteous Alliance or righteous practices, he succeeded purely through the martial world’s method of ‘revenge’!

So to young martial artists who lost their way, Jin Ja-gang was like a ray of light. He made blood that had cooled for long boil.

Just like the showdown between North Li Sword Immortal and Sword King Namgung Rak made the entire martial world boil.

Jin Ja-gang recited words.

“Being able to come seeking opportunity is enviable in a way.”

“Why?”

“I had to create opportunities myself. Unable to trust anyone, I forcibly created cracks where not even a needle would enter and survived by squeezing through. I couldn’t even dream of seeking opportunities.”

Tang Ha-ran laughed. Not mockery. Because she understood Jin Ja-gang’s life best, she could now laugh about the past.

“So help them continue dreaming.”

“How can I help?”

“You’re someone who broke the rules that governed the martial world and rose independently. To them, you’re like an example of the success they dream of.”

One who broke the rules!

The system Venerable Woo-am spoke of.

Ultimately, Jin Ja-gang had unknowingly become someone who revolutionized that.

“I see…”

“Yeah. Right.”

“I haven’t systematically learned martial arts I can teach them, and I’m only using poison utilizing my own body.”

“Your very existence gives them hope. Being able to dream is important. No matter how hard and difficult the body is, even if hanging from a cliff’s edge, it becomes the driving force to move. Then people can somehow survive. So, now…”

Tang Ha-ran gestured with her eyes.

“Go and say something from a senior’s position. It will be a great strength to them.”

“But…”

Jin Ja-gang wanted to ask if it wasn’t a pointless act. Making them dream when the Tang Family’s regulations can’t accept them is cruel.

Tang Ha-ran said with firmly resolved eyes.

“They came seeing you, but the rest is up to me. So now it’s my turn to respond to their wishes. Like we wanted so much in the past.”

Though talented people were needed, the reality of being unable to accept them was a great burden to acting family head Tang Ha-ran. And simultaneously, it was also a matter requiring strong will to resolve the situation.

Jin Ja-gang nodded. He could feel Tang Ha-ran’s will.

“But… what’s this?”

Tang Ha-ran was holding out Poison Heaven.

“What do you mean, it’s your child.”

“…”

Tang Ha-ran entrusted Poison Heaven to Jin Ja-gang.

“I have to enter the meeting. Please take care of her. Poison Heaven’s dad.”

“…”

To stand before them again, taking Poison Heaven? Again?

Jin Ja-gang couldn’t get angry or bring himself to frown. It was his own child after all.

Moreover, since she ate Tang Qing’s poison too, other people couldn’t easily handle her, so it couldn’t be helped.

Jin Ja-gang felt the sky turning yellow for a moment as he held Poison Heaven and walked toward the young martial artists.

The Tang Family’s work handling was systematic. They provided lodging for those who came and were creating a register for future management.

Because of this, most of the young martial artists who flocked together were gathered in one place, greeting newly arrived people and introducing themselves to each other.

Not just men but many female martial artists too, so even knowing the Tang Family wouldn’t accept them, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

“I’m someone surnamed Mo who came from Chongqing. I was captivated by Poison Dragon Hero’s life story and came to Sichuan.”

“I’m a disciple of Nanwu Sect. Our Nanwu Sect is on the Righteous Alliance side, but it seemed like continuing to stay would make us unable to do anything. So I severed ties and came here.”

“I admire Poison Dragon Hero too, but recently I liked how the Tang Family handles matters.”

Several agreed.

“That’s right. I heard they actually consoled the vassal families that raised rebellion.”

“I was also impressed by that story. Wouldn’t it be perfectly justified to kill them all? I heard they only issued execution orders to the leaders who led the rebellion and gave the rest fair opportunities.”

“That means they’re confident. Because now the Tang Family has Poison Dragon Hero.”

One by one from around them gathered and joined the conversation.

“I hear the acting family head’s reputation is deeper than expected.”

“That person is Poison Dragon Hero’s wife.”

“Just what kind of person is Poison Dragon Hero? To take such a person as his wife.”

“I hear he’s very merciless…”

“No. From what I heard, he’s someone with clear judgment, so if you don’t antagonize him unnecessarily, he won’t lay hands on you.”

“There’s also a story that his head is extremely brilliant and he brought down King of Hell with just a few words.”

A young male martial artist said in a slightly lowered voice.

“There’s also a rumor that he’s the world’s greatest beauty.”

Several female martial artists’ faces flushed.

“There’s a rumor that Ice Phoenix, said to be the greatest beauty among the Three Dragons and Four Phoenixes, is staying at the Tang Family having fallen for Poison Dragon Hero.”

“Ah, Ice Phoenix’s sect Southern Sea Sword Sect also suffered great disaster during this great chaos period. That she still hasn’t returned, could it be…”

“No way.”

Amid various stories being exchanged, suddenly the atmosphere changed.

Everyone stopped what they were saying and looked at the Water Flower Gate leading toward the inner estate.

A young man was walking out.

By age, he looked similar to those gathered.

But seeing the Tang Family’s warriors bow their heads and show respect to him, everyone realized.

“Poison Dragon!”

It’s the Poison Dragon!

But seeing what he was doing, questions arose.

“But why is he holding a baby?”

“He could be holding a baby. But why specifically…”

Jin Ja-gang could hear all their talk.

Thump thump thump thump.

From far away, White Ape also came running over the wall.

Kyaa kyaa!

Jin Ja-gang’s face hardened.

Why White Ape of all things!

She didn’t come close when he was with Tang Ha-ran, but as soon as they separated, she followed.

Jin Ja-gang glared at White Ape. White Ape was clever and knew Jin Ja-gang wouldn’t hit her even if he tried.

“Stay quiet.”

White Ape squeaked as she climbed onto Jin Ja-gang’s shoulder. After climbing up, she played with Poison Heaven with her fingers, teasing her.

Giggle giggle!

“…”

But that scene also looked impressive to the young martial artists.

“Goodness…”

“Even a spiritual creature at will…”

A brave one stepped forward and asked.

“Excuse me! Are you Poison Dragon Hero?”

Kyaa. Giggle giggle.

Jin Ja-gang forcibly held back his brow from furrowing and tried hard to smile, but his face only hardened further.

“I am Jin Ja-gang.”