Chapter 292

Whoosh.

A dark night with spring rain falling.

Tang Qing came out of the Tang family’s main manor wearing a cape over his brown clothes.

For Tang Qing, who rarely left the estate, this was an unusual outing.

The moment Tang Qing left the Tang family’s main manor, his body instantly disappeared.

Whoosh.

Tang Qing moved along the Min River using high-speed light body technique. In just one hour, he went downstream and arrived at a collapsing Guan Di temple.

When Tang Qing lifted the straw mat hanging on the temple door and entered, there were already five people inside.

Crackle, crackle.

A campfire burned on the floor and the five figures stood around it. All five were elderly with white hair, and one of them was a woman with her mouth covered by silk gauze.

They appeared to be rather ordinary old people, but if one knew who they were, no one would say such a thing.

Each was a representative of poison sects considered the best in the martial world. In other words, a secret gathering of poison sects was being held in this small Guan Di temple.

One person spoke in a rough, low voice.

“The person living closest is always late.”

Another chimed in.

“That’s right. Next time it would be better to meet somewhere like Guangdong.”

Tang Qing replied curtly while joining the circle around the campfire.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t forget that I’m the busiest person among us.”

The woman in silk gauze said.

“The whole world knows that the King of Hell handles affairs meticulously.”

King of Hell Tang Qing had made several mistakes recently. She didn’t mean it in a good way. She was sarcastically implying that despite claiming to be busy, he wasn’t thorough enough.

Tang Qing replied with a thorny tone.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Why did you make an enemy of the Martial Alliance?”

“We haven’t even withdrawn yet, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“But didn’t you act too conspicuously when the great work isn’t far from completion? What if you become suspected?”

Tang Qing opened his split mouth and said.

“Don’t you know that recently the Namgung family and others are all stepping forward to seize control of the Martial Alliance? It’s better to join in at times like this to actually attract less attention.”

“Hmph, don’t forget that if things go wrong, the Tang family bears the responsibility.”

The tall old man in the center spoke in a dignified voice.

“Actually, there are more than just one or two other concerning matters.”

“It feels like you came to interrogate me. Since we’ve met anyway, tell me what those one or two things are.”

“The night is long. Let’s discuss that step by step, but first let me ask for one understanding.”

“Understanding?”

“Poison Dragon.”

Tang Qing asked as if talking to himself.

“Does Poison Dragon… mean he’s significant enough to be discussed in our gathering?”

The particularly ordinary-looking old man in plain clothes said.

“Poison Dragon is getting too deeply involved in our affairs. His actions keep creating variables. That’s very unwelcome. Word has it that the rift with Mount Emei is also Poison Dragon’s fault. And he seems to have contributed to Indestructible Heavenly Sword turning away as well.”

Another old man said.

“That was what that Mang Ryo fellow did.”

“Mang Ryo is connected to Poison Dragon.”

Tang Qing interjected in their argument.

“Poison Dragon is my granddaughter’s husband. Moreover, my granddaughter is carrying Poison Dragon’s child.”

“That’s why we’re asking for understanding. Out of respect for the Tang family being the head family of poison sects.”

Another old man said.

“Tell us. Is Poison Dragon your person or not?”

Tang Qing couldn’t answer easily.

Just because Tang Ha-ran was there like a hostage, could one say Poison Dragon was on the Tang family’s side? Strictly speaking, wasn’t he closer to being an enemy?

When Tang Qing couldn’t answer, the woman in silk gauze spoke.

“You can’t give a definitive answer. Then isn’t the conclusion already reached?”

The other old men all said in unison.

“It’s reached.”

“It’s reached.”

Tang Qing said without changing expression.

“Poison Dragon thinks unusually and uniquely. Even someone with excellent martial arts but normal thinking cannot catch Poison Dragon. And naturally, ordinary poison doesn’t work on Poison Dragon.”

The ordinary-looking old man stepped forward.

“Listening to this, it seems we have a friend on our side who’s perfectly suited to catch Poison Dragon.”

The other three people agreed.

“Entrust.”

“Agree.”

“Agree.”

Tang Qing also had no choice but to agree.

The ordinary-looking old man nodded.

“Hoho. Well… then this time our Leper Mound will handle it. We’ll start working right away.”

Leper Mound was a poison sect faction formed by people afflicted with leprosy. Since they originated from gathering to live in an abandoned fortress, they came to be called by the unique name of Leper Mound rather than the usual names like sect, faction, or valley.

The remaining four except Tang Qing took out money pouches from their sleeves and gave them to the Leper Mound leader. The Leper Mound leader separated one of them and gave it to Tang Qing.

The money exchanged was payment for entrusting the job. And what was given to Tang Qing was consolation money since Poison Dragon was half the Tang family’s person.

The tall old man said.

“Well, now that the Poison Dragon matter is finished… let’s move to the main topic.”

* * *

Jin Ja-gang headed to Chongqing through Guizhou. He wanted to detour through Guangxi, but saving time was more important. He didn’t care whether it was official roads or mountain paths.

Jin Ja-gang was crossing mountains when he set up camp for the night. Normally he would have dug into the ground or hidden in bushes, but wearing the new clothes Oh Tae had given him as a gift made it inconvenient to go that far.

Instead, since his martial arts had improved, he climbed up a tree. He went up a tree about three or four zhang high, wove branches together, and lay on top of them.

While chewing jerky bought from the previous village, he fell into thought before sleeping.

How should he find the stolen goods in Chongqing?

Chongqing was surrounded by high mountains on three sides except for the western hills, making it advantageous for hiding, and as a crossroads between Sichuan and Huguang, despite the treacherous roads, there was always a lot of floating population coming and going. That was probably why stolen goods were distributed there.

While Jin Ja-gang was continuing to think, he suddenly felt human presence.

It wasn’t the presence of someone secretly approaching. They were openly chatting as they came.

Two young men and one woman who appeared to be Jin Ja-gang’s age.

“When moving through Guizhou, you must be especially careful. There might be remnants of the Demon Cult remaining.”

“Right. Since the Guizhou branch hasn’t been restored yet, bandits and all sorts of unsavory groups are said to be rampant.”

“When we get to Chongqing, we should organize the Yunnan situation and send a letter to the Alliance.”

The two men and one woman were talking loudly enough to be heard from afar, then began setting up camp under the tree where Jin Ja-gang was.

Jin Ja-gang held his breath and watched while quietly listening to what they were saying.

Their conversation continued even while starting a campfire.

“But why was Poison Dragon going around looking for traces of the past?”

“Who knows. Maybe he finally came to his senses?”

“His skills suddenly exploded right after entering the martial world. He might have been committing massacres while in a state close to qi deviation. He might have regretted it after coming to his senses.”

One man spoke in a regretful voice.

“Ah, it was really disappointing not to discover Poison Dragon in this mission. It would have been a good opportunity to build merit. Since catching that Yingshan Old Monster last time, no big fish have been caught.”

“Swift Dragon and Silent Dragon also fell to Poison Dragon. Three of the Three Dragons Four Phoenixes died at Poison Dragon’s hands. Even if you’re my brother, you shouldn’t carelessly underestimate Poison Dragon.”

“Sister Min is the one underestimating me! Are you comparing me to delicate flowers who grew up pampered at home?”

The man sprang up from his seat, took a stance, and threw several punches at the air.

“Poison Dragon’s poison and such is useless before my Yang Arts!”

Bang! Boom boom bang!

Strong air currents arose and explosive sounds echoed several times in the air.

Rustle rustle rustle.

The surrounding trees shed their leaves. His words were light, but his skills were considerable.

“Brother’s Zhongnan Invincible Fist is always superb.”

At the woman’s words, the other man stood up.

“No. It’s just too heavy without variation. Strong things are bound to break, while soft things always overcome strong ones.”

The man in white Taoist robes stepped into horse stance and raised both hands, then spread his hand gestures like gentle waves. The movement seemed unable to catch even a fly, but amazingly, deep profundity could be felt within it.

“Softness overcomes hardness! As expected of Wudang Sect.”

Then the woman also stood up.

“In that case, our Mount Hua’s swordsmanship can’t be left out!”

The woman drew her sword and rapidly displayed techniques. Within the sharpness was subtle elegance, and within the elegance was dignified energy.

The three people competed with techniques while harmonizing with each other. Occasionally they gave advice and expressed admiration. They looked very good together.

But then.

To Jin Ja-gang’s bewilderment, the woman who had raised her sword to the sky made eye contact with Jin Ja-gang.

“Huh?”

The woman who was momentarily dazed shouted fiercely.

“What bastard is that!”

Simultaneously, the Wudang Sect disciple in white Taoist robes struck the tree where Jin Ja-gang was with his palm like lightning.

Boom!

Without any destructive noise, vibrations traveled up the trunk. Only the branch area where Jin Ja-gang was lying swayed and shook greatly. Jin Ja-gang tried to hold on but changed his mind and jumped down.

Thud.

When Jin Ja-gang landed making a heavy sound, the three people’s eyes immediately changed from wariness to relief. They thought he was a weakling.

Seeing them look relieved at just this level of deception, Jin Ja-gang couldn’t help but click his tongue internally.

The three people immediately surrounded Jin Ja-gang.

“What are you doing eavesdropping on our conversation!”

“If you don’t confess honestly, we’ll teach you a lesson!”

Though they were clearly threatening words, somehow compared to the terrifying threats he’d heard until now, they were cute enough to make him laugh.

Jin Ja-gang almost laughed. He thought their martial arts were at an amazing level, but their way of speaking and behavior were too childish. Even though they seemed to be Jin Ja-gang’s age or perhaps three or four years older.

When Jin Ja-gang didn’t take particularly threatening actions or become overly tense, the Wudang Sect disciple lowered his hand and said.

“Immeasurable Buddha. I am Yeong-woon, a disciple of Wudang. You don’t seem like someone who would secretly listen to others’ words, so why were you hiding in such a place?”

Jin Ja-gang wore fine clothes and had fair skin, making him look like a wealthy family’s young master at first glance. Since he didn’t even smear dirt on his face to avoid others’ eyes, there was surprisingly no suspicious aspect.

Jin Ja-gang cupped his fists and apologized politely.

“I had no intention of eavesdropping, but since you were strangers, I felt wary. I apologize.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s excuse, the three people quickly nodded.

“Ah, is that so? We might have reacted too excessively.”

“That’s right. Guizhou is dangerous after all.”

Jin Ja-gang felt a strange mood for a moment.

Was it confidence as disciples of prestigious orthodox sects, or was it the carelessness of naive youngsters with no martial world experience?

Of course, it could be both. But perhaps this was normal.

The world Jin Ja-gang had lived in until now was just too different.

The three people put away their weapons and introduced themselves.

“We’re part of the Martial Alliance’s Mysterious Youth Squad…”

The woman was So-min, a disciple of Mount Hua Sect, and the man who specialized in fist techniques was Pyo Sang-guk of Zhongnan Sect. Yeong-woon and Pyo Sang-guk were several years older than Jin Ja-gang, while So-min was one year younger.

Jin Ja-gang introduced himself as Jin-ga from Gubuk Village. When he said he was going to Chongqing, the three people were also pleased. Jin Ja-gang couldn’t understand why they were happy.

Pyo Sang-guk guided Jin Ja-gang to the campfire.

“Come, since this is also fate, Brother Jin! Come sit over here.”

“Thank you.”

Limp, limp.

The three people clearly saw Jin Ja-gang limping slightly as he walked to the campfire.

Pyo Sang-guk’s expression changed.

“Brother Jin… you have a limp?”