Chapter 69: Strong Enough to Walk Alone (1)

The Nine Dragons were the current pinnacle of the martial world's prodigies. To be named the greatest among tens of thousands of young martial artists was not something that could be achieved through martial prowess alone.

Without a cool head and sound judgment to match one's martial strength, one could never ascend to the throne of one of the Nine Dragons.

Though called the Thunder Striker, Nam Hak was not a man of martial ability alone. He possessed a keen mind and the ability to judge situations with absolute clarity.

More than a thousand martial artists watched the scene unfold. But the vast majority were merely spectators. They observed the situation with keen interest but showed no intention of intervening.

Lee Sin-pung needed no further comment. His jowls quivered with suppressed rage, but he did not dare challenge Dam Ho directly.

The Lee Sin-pung of today was not the Lee Sin-pung of old. The Lee Sin-pung of the past may truly have possessed formidable martial arts and fighting spirit, but the present Lee Sin-pung could not be expected to display his former magnificence.

If he were in Lee Sin-pung's position, he would have charged at Dam Ho regardless of the consequences. And at any cost, he would have killed him.

The martial world was a place that preyed upon weakness. To survive, one had to show that those who crossed him would surely die.

Nam Hak was a man with precisely that resolve. At least, he was thoroughly convinced of it.

Nam Hak fixed his gaze upon Dam Ho. His eyes burned with fighting spirit.

"What is your friend's name? If you insist on advising me, I should at least know your name."

It was clear that Nam Hak was deliberately trying to belittle Dam Ho. His confidence was rooted in the knowledge that no matter how much posturing Dam Ho did, he could not compare to the Tongtong Sect—one of the Nine Great Sects.

Everyone present sensed Nam Hak's pride. None contradicted him. Nam Hak had every qualification for such confidence.

All gazes turned to Dam Ho. They expected him to reveal his name.

But the answer Dam Ho gave in the next moment far exceeded their imagination.

"It's not a name I would tell you simply to hear your advice."

"What?"

"And I am not your friend."

In that instant, fire seemed to ignite in Nam Hak's eyes. His intensified gaze bore into Dam Ho, threatening to pierce through his entire body.

"I never imagined the name Nam Hak could carry so little weight. Today is the first time I've learned this."

Nam Hak's voice was laced with undisguised fury.

He strode toward Dam Ho. With each step, his aura swelled like a snowball.

Full Thunder Heart Technique—a secret internal art passed down within the Tongtong Sect, of which Nam Hak was the current inheritor.

When the Full Thunder Heart Technique reached its apex, one attained the power of Full Thunder. Its destructive force was arguably the greatest under heaven.

Nam Hak had trained the technique to the seventh level. The eighth level and beyond lay in the domain of enlightenment rather than effort, and would require time to resolve.

Even at the seventh level, its power was incomparable to other martial arts. That was why Nam Hak possessed such confidence.

"You had best do your best. If I win, I will take you to the Tongtong Sect and ensure you receive just punishment."

"And if I win?"

"I will pledge the honor and reputation of the Tongtong Sect. At the very least, the martial artists in Gansu Province will take no further action against you over this matter. Isn't that right?"

The Southern Scholar's final words were directed at Lee Sin-pung. Under the Southern Scholar's intense gaze, Lee Sin-pung nodded involuntarily.

"O-of course. I pledge the honor of Hongam Mountain Villa."

Though it had been only an instant, Lee Sin-pung had seen the countless bolts of lightning flashing in the Southern Scholar's eyes.

*'Th-this is the Tongtong Sect's true power.'*

Though he had believed he had closed the gap, the depth of the Tongtong Sect's power was far greater and more formidable than he had imagined.

If the chief disciple Nam Hak was this powerful, then the elders and the Sect Leader—Lee Sin-pung dared not contemplate the extent of their martial might.

Lee Sin-pung looked at Dam Ho, expecting that Nam Hak's presence would at least give him pause.

In that moment, Dam Ho spoke.

"You'll regret it."

"Insolent!"

Unable to restrain himself any longer, Nam Hak was the first to charge.

*Swish!*

The sound of Nam Hak's fist cutting through the air rang fiercely. It was the Tongtong Sect's supreme art, the Cloud-Chasing Fist—a technique whose name meant to chase the clouds, and whose power was no less formidable.

In that instant, Dam Ho kicked off the ground. His body shot forward in a straight line toward Nam Hak.

No feints, no tricks—only the Charging Step, advancing relentlessly forward.

Deployed simultaneously: the Fortress Breaking Strike.

*CRASH!*

Dam Ho's fist and Nam Hak's fist collided in midair.

"Hmm!"

Nam Hak's pupils quivered for an instant. His fists, hardened to surpass steel through brutal training, ached as though they would shatter upon meeting Dam Ho's.

This was unprecedented, and for a moment, bewilderment crossed Nam Hak's face. In contrast, not a trace of change appeared on Dam Ho's.

For the first time, the Fortress Blocking Strike had been stopped. But Dam Ho did not panic. Rather, a thin smile graced his lips.

Until now, it had been too easy.

No martial artist had been able to properly receive even a single one of his strikes. They trembled at the mere sight of his gaze.

Dam Ho had trained his martial arts at the risk of his life. Naturally, he wished to fight at the risk of his life. The fierce battles he had envisioned thousands upon thousands of times in his mind—those were the fights he craved.

But none of the opponents he had encountered thus far had met his expectations. Yet here before him stood a man who appeared genuinely strong.

His status or background—none of it entered Dam Ho's eyes.

The Tongtong Sect?

What did that matter?

In this moment where life hung in the balance, the only thing one could rely on was one's own martial strength. The singular determination to kill, and the killing intent—that was all.

"Heh!"

A dry laugh escaped Dam Ho's lips. He had thought all emotion had burned away, leaving only ashes, yet the feeling of enjoyment still remained within him.

The sight of Dam Ho laughing while fighting for his life was enough to send a chill through the multitude present.

"Madman!"

Nam Hak muttered and unleashed the subsequent techniques of the Cloud-Chasing Fist.

Blood Wind Chasing Cloud, Cloud-Chasing Decapitation—two techniques were deployed in rapid succession, both among the most powerful moves in the Cloud-Chasing Fist's arsenal.

*BOOM BOOM BOOM!*

The sky itself seemed to tremble with the sound.

Nam Hak attempted to suppress Dam Ho by releasing his fist energy freely. But Dam Ho simply tilted his head left and right, evading every strike.

*Pop!*

The Charging Step was deployed once more. Like a battering ram charging a fortress wall, his body hurtled toward Nam Hak with terrifying speed and destructive force.

"Hmph!"

Nam Hak snorted. Having identified the strengths and weaknesses of the Charging Step in a single exchange—

*'It charges only in a straight line. The destructive power is immense, but dodge it and it's useless.'*

The Tongtong Sect's Parting-Reuniting Step was useful precisely for such moments. A single footwork technique brought ten variations, leaving the opponent momentarily unable to find an opening. From that moment, Nam Hak's counterattack would begin.

Nam Hak deployed the Parting-Reuniting Step, evading Dam Ho's Charging Step. No—he thought he had evaded it.

*Pop!*

In that instant, something impossible occurred.

Dam Ho's body, which had been charging in a straight line, suddenly pivoted at a right angle—without any preliminary movement.

In Nam Hak's understanding, this was impossible. No martial artist in the world could change direction while charging at such terrifying speed.

The question was not whether it was possible or impossible, but whether the body could withstand it. Such an abrupt change in direction would cause the legs and waist to buckle under the pressure and snap.

But Dam Ho, mocking the common sense of all present, advanced toward Nam Hak in perfect form, his black hair and black robe billowing.

The image of Dam Ho approaching at terrifying speed was unlike any martial artist Nam Hak had ever seen.

The issue was not simply strong versus weak.

*'I'm afraid.'*

Nam Hak recognized his own emotion and was startled.

Yes. Dam Ho possessed some force that instilled fear in others.

"Tch!"

Nam Hak gritted his teeth and delivered twelve consecutive punches.

*Shhh-shhh-shhing!*

Fist energy imbued with powerful internal force. A single blow would not merely break bone and flesh—it was the Whirlwind Divine Fist, the Tongtong Sect's supreme art and one of Nam Hak's favored techniques.

Twelve punches—enough to pulverize the soul.

Dam Ho had already closed to within Nam Hak's immediate range. Evading twelve punches from this distance seemed impossible. And Dam Ho had no intention of dodging.

Dam Ho slightly contracted his body. His shoulders curled inward, his waist bent slightly. Overall, he assumed a rounded shape.

In that posture, he deployed the Charging Step once more—like a man hastening toward his own death.

Nam Hak believed that the fist energy packed into his twelve punches would deal a devastating blow to Dam Ho. But in the next instant, he realized the magnitude of his miscalculation.

*Ting-ting-ting!*

The strikes that connected with Dam Ho's body glanced off at oblique angles or were deflected entirely. Once again, something beyond Nam Hak's comprehension had occurred.

Golden Turtle Shell—a unique defensive technique Dam Ho had created, inspired by the dung beetle. All of Nam Hak's attacks were deflected at angles.

"Gasp!"

This time, Nam Hak was truly shocked to the point of losing his breath. Dam Ho's techniques were nothing short of revolutionary.

*Swish!*

Dam Ho's hand shot out like a whip. Nam Hak hurriedly crossed both arms to block.

*Crack!*

"Guh!"

In that instant, Nam Hak received a massive blow to his abdomen and folded like a shrimp.

His eyes wavered uncontrollably. He had calculated the angle and blocked with his chest, yet he had been struck in the abdomen. This too was incomprehensible to him.

Severed Pattern Strike—a technique created by Dam Ho. The whip-like punch bent at an impossible, unpredictable angle.

Much like the foreign boxing transmitted from the distant Western Regions, where the joints momentarily dislocated to allow free movement, it was nearly impossible for an enemy to predict the trajectory of the Severed Pattern Strike.

"How can this be—!"

The martial artists' faces turned ashen at the sight of Nam Hak being driven back. Though Lee Sin-pung was one thing, none had imagined that Nam Hak—the chief disciple of the Tongtong Sect and a member of the Nine Dragons—could be so thoroughly overwhelmed.

Nam Hak was sent flying backward, coughing up blood. Defeat was plain on his face.

But Nam Hak was also a master at the pinnacle. He was not one to simply lie down and take it.

"CHA!"

In that instant, tremendous energy surged throughout Nam Hak's body along with bolts of lightning. He had unleashed the Full Thunder Heart Technique.

*Crack-crack!*

The power of lightning crackled through the air.

Though he had reached only the seventh level and had not attained Full Thunder, dozens of bolts of lightning still coiled around his body.

A direct hit from lightning would reduce the body to char.

He had unleashed it with all his might, and its power was formidable. But Dam Ho did not hesitate. He threw himself directly into the lightning.

"Madman!"

The spectators cried out in alarm. No matter how strong Dam Ho was, hurling himself into a place where lightning crackled was nothing short of suicide.

In that instant, Dam Ho's body trembled slightly, but no one noticed.

*Fssss!*

The lightning that struck Dam Ho's body scattered in all directions, its power broken.

Shield—a defensive technique inspired, like the Golden Turtle Shell, by the wings of the dung beetle. A micro-vibration defensive technique that made its first appearance before the assembled crowd.

The lightning that struck the Shield scattered like a mirage.

Nam Hak's face, previously hidden behind the lightning, was revealed. His mouth hung open in disbelief, his eyes wide.

Dam Ho's right palm was suctioned to his chest.

Five Finger Rock-Breaking Technique.

"AAARGH!"

With a scream of agony, Nam Hak's body was sent hurtling backward. His chest had been torn open as though struck by a thunderbolt.

*Thud!*

The moment Nam Hak's body hit the ground, a suffocating silence descended upon the hall.

“Stone Forest Gang itself might not be much, but when considering the entirety of Yunnan’s poison sects, it was a significant force! That’s how much the strength of our Yunnan poison sects has been diminished!”

However, at those words, Mang Ryo let out a faint, mocking smile.

“You’re laughing?”

“No, not at all.”

“Not at all? It looked like you just laughed. Or did I see wrong?”

A murderous intent flickered across Wei Zong’s face.

Yet Mang Ryo responded calmly.

“Which is why I’m saying that if you don’t want to lose another of our Yunnan poison sects to him, you should follow my advice right now.”

Wei Zong suppressed his anger and asked.

“And that means?”

“We must deploy the full strength of Iron Umbrella Sect, Poison Valley, and Shadow Bureau, along with all nearby sects, to form a Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap.”

Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap!

It was an overwhelming encirclement strategy, creating a dense web of ten or twenty layers with sheer numbers, ensuring that no matter how skilled the target, escape was impossible.

However, it required careful and precise deployment of both experts and regular forces according to the opponent’s strength. Failure to do so would result in heavy casualties among the regular forces, a significant drawback.

The absolute number of regular forces was the most critical element in forming this Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap.

Thus, in a situation like now, where the enemy’s identity and strength were largely unknown, recklessly deploying this strategy would mean accepting massive losses among regular forces.

Given the nature of poison sects like Poison Valley and Shadow Bureau, their numbers of disciples were not particularly large. Executing the Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap in the current state would result in severe losses among regular warriors and disciples, causing significant damage.

The Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap was a tactic suited for massive sects with thousands of disciples or large bandit groups like the Green Forest, not for poison sects. A misstep could put the sect’s very existence at risk.

And yet, Mang Ryo was now demanding the use of this Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap.

It was an absurd notion. There was no way to make such a risky decision based solely on Mang Ryo’s words!

Naturally, Wei Zong’s face couldn’t help but contort.

“That won’t do.”

As expected, it was a refusal.

Even so, Mang Ryo didn’t give up and tried to persuade Wei Zong.

“I’ve already informed Shadow Bureau of his existence and sought their cooperation, and I’ve come all the way to this distant Poison Valley. What more must I do?”

“In my opinion…”

Wei Zong cut him off with a sneer before continuing.

“It seems to me that even if we brought a few people, Advisor Mang could handle him single-handedly with ease.”

“Valley Master Wei.”

“To be frank, I’m not fond of all this fuss about Heavenly Nets and Earthly Traps. Besides, you’ve already informed Iron Umbrella Sect of his existence through Shadow Bureau, haven’t you? I doubt Iron Umbrella Sect would fall even if they’re aware of him.”

“Then are you saying you’ll just leave him be?”

“Of course not. I’m saying we’ll handle our own affairs. This isn’t something for the Martial Arts Alliance to meddle in.”

Wei Zong drew a clear line between Mang Ryo and the poison sects. He was once again making it evident that he no longer considered Mang Ryo one of their own.

“My thoughts differ. I…”

Mang Ryo began to speak while reaching into his sleeve to pull out a silver plaque.

It was the silver plaque symbolizing the authority of the Martial Arts Alliance. Since Poison Valley was also part of the Martial Arts Alliance, if Mang Ryo presented this plaque, even Wei Zong would find it difficult to refuse his words.

Even if they couldn’t deploy the full Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap, they would have to contribute at least thirty to forty percent of their forces.

Knowing this, Wei Zong gritted his teeth and spat out his words.

“One piece of advice…”

“Go ahead.”

Wei Zong glared at Mang Ryo and spoke.

“Stop this nonsense. If you pull that out, things will get very ugly. Yunnan’s affairs must be resolved within Yunnan.”

A chilling murderous intent.

A heavy atmosphere pressed down on Mang Ryo’s shoulders.

Mang Ryo frowned and hesitated.

He seemed to be overwhelmed by Wei Zong’s presence, clenching his teeth tightly.

For a moment, Mang Ryo glared at Wei Zong.

Crackle, crackle.

The ends of Mang Ryo’s hair and beard trembled, curling as if singed by fire.

Then, as if he could no longer endure it, Mang Ryo took a step back and bowed his head.

“Urgh.”

With a tone full of frustration, Mang Ryo spoke.

“Very… well then.”

It was a sign of retreat!

Mang Ryo, grinding his teeth, tucked the silver plaque back into his sleeve.

Only then did Wei Zong retract his oppressive aura. Folding his arms, Wei Zong looked down at Mang Ryo with arrogance.

“Be on your way. I won’t see you off far.”

At Wei Zong’s farewell, Mang Ryo bowed his head and stepped back before turning around.

However, contrary to his apparent forced retreat, as Mang Ryo turned, a sly smile crept across his face.

Though there was no sound, his expression was one of barely contained amusement, as if he found the situation utterly hilarious.

Wei Zong, despite his outward appearance, was domineering and authoritarian.

To the extent that he considered all of Yunnan’s poison sects his personal domain. He viewed Mang Ryo’s interference with Stone Forest Gang as a direct challenge to his authority.

Naturally, he couldn’t possibly welcome Mang Ryo meddling and giving orders.

Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap, of all things!

It wasn’t as if he was praying for the downfall of Poison Valley or the Yunnan poison sects!

Wei Zong must have found it utterly absurd.

“Ke ke.”

Eight years ago, when Mang Ryo had momentarily been at a loss for words and stood dumbfounded, Wei Zong had immediately unleashed poison to subdue him by force.

Mang Ryo had provoked him from the start with martial prowess and even attempted to force compliance using the Martial Arts Alliance’s silver plaque. There was no need to elaborate on how twisted Wei Zong’s insides must have felt.

Thanks to that, Wei Zong completely failed to notice the trap Mang Ryo had laid.

Wei Zong had declared that they would handle the matter with their own strength, without the Martial Arts Alliance’s interference. That meant he intended to dispatch Poison Valley’s experts.

To Iron Umbrella Sect.

Not to Shadow Bureau!

Mang Ryo smiled with satisfaction.

“The table is set nicely; now all that’s left is to enjoy the feast. Because of you, I even had to bow my head to someone like him. Of course, I’ll make you pay for this humiliation someday. So, don’t disappoint me this time either. Ke ke ke!”

Shadow Bureau was on a completely different level from a half-crippled faction like Stone Forest Gang. It was a sect a step above even Extreme Poison Sect.

Even with Poison Valley and Iron Umbrella Sect out of the picture, taking down Shadow Bureau wouldn’t be an easy task.

However, due to Mang Ryo’s misguiding advice, Shadow Bureau had turned its watchful eyes toward Iron Umbrella Sect. Meanwhile, their defenses around themselves might be somewhat lax.

No, that was precisely what Mang Ryo had hoped for in orchestrating this.

In any case, Mang Ryo eagerly anticipated how Jin Ja-gang would deal with Shadow Bureau.

****

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

Jin Ja-gang surmised that his location would soon be exposed due to the incident at the inn.

Should he then sneak his way to Shadow Bureau?

However, he decided against it.

Given that they were determined to capture him based solely on the single clue of being a “suspicious limping person,” it likely meant their intent was more to restrict his movements than to actually apprehend him.

Moreover, the general assembly of Yunnan’s poison sects was less than a month away.

If discussions about cooperating against Jin Ja-gang began at the assembly, his position would become even more precarious. Since he couldn’t predict what might happen, it was best to take down Shadow Bureau before then.

To do that, Jin Ja-gang needed to move quickly. If he allowed himself to be intimidated by their intentions, he would be the one running out of time.

‘What should I do…’

The distance to Shadow Bureau was about five or six days at Jin Ja-gang’s pace.

On the way to Shadow Bureau, there would undoubtedly be countless watchful eyes. Not just from Shadow Bureau itself, but also from cooperating sects and even ordinary villagers.

It wasn’t that there were no methods available.

It was just a matter of deciding which approach would be more efficient and exert greater pressure on Shadow Bureau.

After a moment of thought, Jin Ja-gang resolved to proceed directly without taking detours.

* * *

A small village along the official road.

An unfamiliar young man was passing through the village entrance. Though somewhat dirty from what seemed like a long journey, he wasn’t dressed like a beggar.

People working in the village’s rice fields and farms paused to straighten their backs and look at the young man.

The young man asked for directions from the people in the fields as he passed through the village.

A few of the villagers’ eyes sharply scanned the young man up and down.

However, finding nothing particularly noteworthy about him, they soon turned their heads away.

With dozens of travelers passing through the village each day, the young man didn’t stand out as particularly unusual among them.

* * *

Xingyun Lake, a large lake on the route to Fumin.

The ferry crossing Xingyun Lake was bustling with people.

At a teahouse in front of the ferry, many customers were sipping tea while waiting for their boat.

“Hey! Bring some tea over here!”

Two burly men carrying swords entered the teahouse noisily.

Even as they pulled out chairs, they made a loud scraping sound before sitting down.

The men drank their tea and chatted loudly.

“Have you heard about the guy with a bounty on his head roaming around?”

“Man, I hope we run into him. We could make a big score and turn our lives around.”

“Well, rumor has it he’s headed toward Iron Umbrella Sect.”

“They say he used poison to kill all the leaders of Stone Forest Gang and even slaughtered everyone nearby. Is that true?”

“He’s a madman. If we see him, it’s better to give up on catching him and just quietly report it for the reward money. That’s worth more than risking our lives.”

“They said he’s a limping guy, right?”

“Yeah. If you spot a limping person, anyone can report it and get a few coins. Let’s just take that and call it a day.”

As the men were talking, a young man drinking tea nearby stood up.

The two men’s eyes turned toward the young man.

“Thanks for the tea.”

The young man paid for his tea and left the teahouse. The men glanced at his retreating figure but soon turned their attention back to their conversation.

“I hope we’re the ones who spot him.”

“If we get the reward, let’s have a drink together. Heh heh.”

Hearing the men’s words, the young man smiled as he headed not toward the ferry but up into the mountains.

“Iron Umbrella Sect, huh?”

The young man, who had been walking normally, began to limp slightly as he moved into less populated areas, eventually dragging one foot noticeably.

* * *

Guai Song, the sect leader of Shadow Bureau, was pulling weeds in a field when he straightened up.

A middle-aged man dressed as a farmer approached and bowed respectfully.

Guai Song asked.

“Still no news from Iron Umbrella Sect?”

“My apologies, but none yet.”

“Hmm. It’s already been seven days and nights. The fact that he hasn’t been spotted at all is rather strange.”

Guai Song pondered for a moment before asking again.

“How many times have there been reports of spotting a limping person?”

“There were two reports, but both turned out to be local residents.”

“How odd.”

Guai Song stroked his chin.

It had been discovered that members of Shadow Bureau, disguised as innkeepers, had been poisoned and buried just a day’s distance from Stone Forest Gang.

This was less than half a day after the order had been given to capture the limping person on sight.

Their deaths meant they had encountered the limping person and were likely counterattacked while trying to apprehend him.

Considering this, Mang Ryo’s words didn’t seem entirely false. However, the complete lack of news since then was somewhat frustrating.

“Keep a close watch anyway. Don’t focus solely on Iron Umbrella Sect; make sure to secure the perimeter around us as well.”

“Yes, sir.”

Guai Song muttered to himself.

“Mang Ryo is hardly a trustworthy fellow, after all.”

But Guai Song had no idea.

While Shadow Bureau, Iron Umbrella Sect, and Poison Valley were searching for Jin Ja-gang, he had already arrived in Fumin.

In fact, disguised as an herbalist, Jin Ja-gang had been scouting Shadow Bureau for three days now.

This was partly due to Mang Ryo’s scheme to divert attention toward Iron Umbrella Sect, but also because they were utterly convinced that Jin Ja-gang was a limping person.

Thanks to that, all Jin Ja-gang had to do was be mindful of his gait.

By deliberately choosing crowded places, he had managed to reach Shadow Bureau far more easily than if he had taken mountain paths.