Chapter 381

Yeong-gwi still did not understand Jin Ja-gang’s words.

“The situation you need to consider…”

“Salt King had three major roles. Defense against the Tibetan Demon Cult and the Northern Unorthodox Sect, and keeping the Martial Arts Alliance in check.”

“I see. If Salt King falls, those roles will disappear all at once.”

“That’s correct.”

“But isn’t it excessive to assume that Shaolin Temple won’t consider the surrounding situation and relationships just because you said they will eliminate?”

“I asked Master Beom-hae directly. After attacking the Tang family, how would they handle the aftermath?”

Jin Ja-gang had asked Beom-hae three things.

First, how would they prevent the invasion of the Tibetan Demon Cult after attacking the Tang family?

Second, how would they keep the Northern Unorthodox Sect in check?

Third, how would they capture the Demon King?

The third question was especially important. The Tang family likely had clues about the mastermind called the Demon King. If they erased the Tang family in the current situation, the clues would disappear.

This was also what Abbess In-eun had asked Jin Ja-gang before. Although the third question Abbess In-eun had posed was about the Martial Arts Alliance rather than the Demon King, the meaning was essentially the same.

The Martial Arts Alliance was a byproduct created by the Demon King, maintained through a system of extreme “profit.”

What Abbess In-eun wanted to convey was ultimately the breaking of the system represented by “profit,” so when examined closely, the Martial Arts Alliance and the Demon King were essentially the same kind.

However, Beom-hae once again ignored Jin Ja-gang’s questions and gave the answer he wanted to give.

“Even if I cannot attain enlightenment, I will certainly destroy the Three Evil Paths: Hell, Hungry Ghosts, and Beasts!”

The Hell Path refers to Salt King and the Tang family, the Hungry Ghost Path refers to the Demon King and those who follow the Demon King.

The Beast Path is usually the world where shameless people fall, and from Shaolin Temple’s perspective, shameless people would mean those who obstruct the righteous path.

Therefore, the declaration to erase the Three Evil Paths even if it meant abandoning his duties as a monk revealed how powerful Beom-hae’s will was regarding this Sichuan journey.

However, while the targets were defined, there was no plan anywhere for what would happen after attacking the Tang family.

Only the righteous path.

Crush anyone who blocks the way ahead and don’t consider anything else. If someone blocks the way again afterward, just kill them too and pass through.

It was a truly Shaolin-like attitude: breaking through all complex political situations and entangled relationships with force.

Jin Ja-gang said.

“The aftermath after Shaolin Temple passes through will ultimately be the burden of those who remain to live there.”

Yeong-gwi read the situation from Jin Ja-gang’s expression. She could tell even without Jin Ja-gang explaining in detail.

“Then you’re right. Attacking Salt King is a very difficult task. If Shaolin Temple stepped forward with such confidence, they must be certain of success. But from our position of having to replace the Tang family, we cannot handle the aftermath after the Tang family is erased.”

“That’s correct.”

Wasn’t that why Abbess In-eun had asked Jin Ja-gang, who was trying to fight the Tang family, those three questions about the Tang family’s roles!

And Jin Ja-gang had already provided his answer.

“I will do it.”

For that purpose, he had pledged to kill Salt King Tang Cheong, and Emei Sect agreed to help when the time came.

Killing Salt King Tang Cheong and seizing control of the Tang family.

From the moment he took Tang Ha-ran to heart and she became pregnant carrying the Tang family’s seed, it might have been a predetermined course.

Destroying the system, not the people, was the only conclusion that could guarantee a future for Jin Ja-gang himself, his wife Tang Ha-ran, and their child.

So he couldn’t just let Shaolin Temple mess up the meal they were about to prepare and cause chaos.

What he had said to Master Mugak was Jin Ja-gang’s true feelings.

Since they would have to continue living here even after this matter ended, he couldn’t let Shaolin Temple and the Demon King destroy everything.

Yeong-gwi said as if talking to herself.

“But this is unexpected.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s well known that you’re clever, isn’t it? In a situation like this, I thought you’d use cunning to take advantage of both sides fighting.”

“When I was young, I learned at great cost that what I truly want will never be accomplished by someone else’s hands.”

Jin Ja-gang showed a faint smile.

“Of course, I only mean I won’t let Shaolin Temple do as they please, not that I won’t use their actions. If the situation permits, I won’t hesitate.”

Yeong-gwi suddenly felt her head go blank.

“You… even if it weren’t for us, you were planning to attack Salt King on your own someday!”

She asked “surely not,” but if it was Jin Ja-gang, it seemed entirely possible. Unlike them, who had lived oppressed by Salt King but couldn’t resist, he was different.

Yeong-gwi looked at Jin Ja-gang with a strange feeling.

The rumors known to the world that he was a blood-crazed murderer were utterly wrong.

He wasn’t a man with grand ambitions. He wasn’t a righteous hero with great causes.

But at least he had convictions. He had the will to decide his own direction in life.

Not the path others thought was right, but the path he himself thought was right.

Unlike herself, who killed as ordered and killed to survive, he was different.

Thump.

Yeong-gwi was briefly lost in other thoughts when her heart pounded, startling her. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

She forcibly recalled the comrades who had perished like moths to flame blocking Jin Ja-gang’s path.

She couldn’t feel defeated before even starting. Though they weren’t affectionate siblings, she couldn’t back down without avenging the elder brother who had cared for her.

Three times, just three chances.

After that, she would have to serve Jin Ja-gang as master and servant.

Yeong-gwi bit down hard on her molars. She stirred up her killing intent once more.

But now was not the time to kill Jin Ja-gang. Nasal-don’s fate depended on this matter immediately. Since the head of Nasal-don had already left for Sichuan, it wouldn’t be easy to catch up even if they departed now.

“In any case, we need to inform the head of this news and move up the assembly. To avoid interference from Shaolin Temple, faster than now…”

Yeong-gwi suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Informing the head about the assembly wasn’t the problem.

The question was whether Jin Ja-gang, who couldn’t use lightness skills, could arrive within a month.

Yeong-gwi asked Jin Ja-gang.

“Earlier you said you were looking for a method. Did you find one?”

“It hasn’t been long since I answered that I was looking.”

Yeong-gwi was furious.

“Where is there a master who can’t even use lightness skills!”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Yeong-gwi, taken aback by the sudden scolding.

Yeong-gwi huffed and kicked the ground with her foot.

Trembling with anger, the padding on her cheeks that made her look plump quivered. It was because she was disguised with a fuller figure.

Jin Ja-gang was staring at Yeong-gwi in disbelief when he was caught off guard and almost burst into laughter.

Yeong-gwi saw Jin Ja-gang’s expression, came closer, and looked him up and down.

Every time she moved her head, her plump cheeks shook and wobbled. Unlike her serious eyes, the comical face almost made him laugh again.

“What’s with that expression?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s not nothing, is it? Is that… are you laughing?”

Jin Ja-gang straightened his face.

“No.”

Yeong-gwi was incredulous. Laughing then straightening his face made her even angrier. As she got angry, the cheek padding quivered and shook more.

Jin Ja-gang just turned his head away.

Shhhhhh.

The rain continued to pour heavily without stopping.

***

Yeong-gwi went around looking for every possible way to get from Wuhan to Sichuan.

However, as she had known all along, all routes were blocked. There was no way to get there in time by sea or land.

Thus, Jin Ja-gang’s failure to arrive on time became a foregone conclusion.

She needed to send news to Nasal-don, but couldn’t send carrier pigeons because of the rain, and she couldn’t leave without leaving Jin Ja-gang behind either.

She was in a desperate situation.

Jin Ja-gang suggested to the troubled Yeong-gwi.

“Go ahead and inform the head about Shaolin Temple’s Sichuan journey.”

“Then what about you?”

“I’ll find a way as I go. I can’t stay in Wuhan forever.”

The situation was unfavorable in many ways.

Having been stuck in one place for so long, Jin Ja-gang’s whereabouts might have been exposed.

“Hey! How can you just go like that!”

Jin Ja-gang had already finished all preparations to leave. Without waiting for Yeong-gwi’s answer, he departed immediately.

The rain seemed to thin out but then grew heavy again.

The road was as treacherous as expected.

No matter what he did, he couldn’t gain speed. His feet sank deep into the muddy ground up to his ankles.

Puddles everywhere were also factors slowing him down.

Within two days, Yeong-gwi caught up with Jin Ja-gang.

Yeong-gwi was actually ahead of Jin Ja-gang, waiting for him.

Yeong-gwi, who had been sheltering from the rain under the eaves of a shabby shrine, saw Jin Ja-gang and said.

“At your current speed, you’ll never reach Sichuan within a month. I left yesterday, you know.”

Jin Ja-gang had nothing to say.

Yeong-gwi looked at the sky and ground, let out a long sigh, and said.

“It’s not that there’s no way.”

“If there’s a way, I’ll follow it.”

“Get on my back.”

Gasp.

“If you ride on my back, we can reach Sichuan within two weeks.”

When Jin Ja-gang hesitated, Yeong-gwi snorted.

“Why, is it embarrassing to ride on a woman’s back?”

Yeong-gwi soon covered her face with her hand and removed it. She had become an ordinary young man’s face.

“Now I won’t look like a woman.”

Her voice, while thin for a man, changed to be thicker than a woman’s.

“Still hesitating?”

“Mm.”

“Ah, are you afraid you’ll catch leprosy if you touch my body?”

When Jin Ja-gang stared at Yeong-gwi, she said.

“That’s what most people think, throwing stones at us, spitting, and chasing us away. Will you do the same?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then choose. Either resolve yourself to catch leprosy for your convictions and ride on my back, or betray your convictions and give up the uprising or whatever.”

“I see. Then I’ll ask for your help.”

“What? You’re saying… you’ll ride?”

“Yes.”

“Seriously?”

Jin Ja-gang asked back as if finding it strange.

“You were the one who made the suggestion.”

“But…”

Unlike Jin Ja-gang who had been agonizing all along, he answered so easily that Yeong-gwi was actually surprised.

“No, no, but why did your attitude suddenly change? You were agonizing just before.”

“That’s because…”

Jin Ja-gang thought briefly before answering.

“I hesitated wondering if my wife would scold me if she found out.”

“Wh-what…!”

“Her personality is quite something.”

Jin Ja-gang’s brow furrowed slightly. He seemed truly, seriously worried.

Yeong-gwi looked at Jin Ja-gang with a distorted face and suspicious eyes.

“You weren’t worrying about leprosy?”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Yeong-gwi and answered.

“I wasn’t particularly worried about that.”

Yeong-gwi had forgotten for a moment. The other person was Poison Dragon.

Even the Ten Thousand Poison Invulnerability heavenly ghost couldn’t harm Jin Ja-gang with poison, so why would he worry about something like leprosy?

Yeong-gwi’s face turned red. Without realizing it, she took a posture as if covering her front with her hands. She had never acted like this throughout her life as an assassin.

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“If you’re uncomfortable, we don’t have to.”

Yeong-gwi’s face was red and she got angry for no reason.

“Wh-who said I’m uncomfortable? What are you doing? Hurry up and get on my back!”

Fortunately, the noisily falling rain was covering Yeong-gwi’s embarrassment.