Chapter 471

Jin Ja-gang took Mu-gak’s words seriously.

Contamination.

The most dangerous people in the martial world had been contaminated.

Even if Great Buddha isn’t the Hungry Ghost King, Great Buddha’s methods and the Hungry Ghost King’s objectives already align. Ultimately, the world will change according to the Hungry Ghost King’s objectives.

He has no choice but to go meet Great Buddha.

Only then can Jin Ja-gang’s journey reach its destination.

There was no need to expressly state in words how treacherous the remaining path would be.

This was different from when he fought the poison sects of Yunnan with nothing but poison and third-rate martial arts.

The greatest sect under heaven.

He would have to fight Shaolin Temple, where absolute experts who had protected the martial world for thousands of years reside.

Jin Ja-gang sat in a leisurely pavilion in the rear garden, lost in deep thought.

Rustle.

The sound of his clothes brushing in the gentle breeze was heard as Son-bi came and sat beside Jin Ja-gang. Son-bi placed a small wine cup before Jin Ja-gang and poured wine.

Then she boldly took Jin Ja-gang’s hand and wrote on his palm.

—You looked like you needed wine.

“Did I look that way?”

Jin Ja-gang made a bitter expression and slowly moistened his lips, drinking the wine.

Fragrant wine.

It must have been prepared in advance.

Goodwill… but even knowing it wasn’t pure goodwill, seeing Son-bi’s eyes containing joyful light made Jin Ja-gang’s heart ache.

Son-bi cannot smile. If she could smile, she would have.

The contrast between the sorrow embedded in her rigid face and her joyful eyes made Jin Ja-gang feel somewhat moved.

“Thank you.”

—If you’re happy…

Son-bi showed a slight blush on her cheeks and didn’t let go of Jin Ja-gang’s hand.

Jin Ja-gang said in a low voice.

“Miss. I already have a wife and a child. I don’t know if I can accept you as well.”

Son-bi shook her head.

—Your wife permitted this. If you feel burdened, I can wait until we become closer. However…

“However?”

Son-bi stared intently into Jin Ja-gang’s eyes.

—I’d like you to allow me more time together with you so we can become closer.

That much was something even Jin Ja-gang couldn’t promise.

“The situation in the martial world is not calm. I may have to leave again.”

Son-bi showed a slight sullenness in her cold-looking expression. That must be the maximum expression Son-bi could show.

Just as Son-bi was about to write on Jin Ja-gang’s palm again, a sharp voice reproached Jin Ja-gang.

“Martial world, greater righteousness! Men always evade responsibility like that and make women cry.”

It was Sword Empress Im Yi-eon. Im Yi-eon had led her uncomfortable body out and was watching Jin Ja-gang and Son-bi.

“Poison Dragon Hero. Isn’t it time to decide?”

Son-bi’s face turned completely red. Son-bi released his hand and looked at her master Im Yi-eon with a cold expression.

Im Yi-eon seemed quite angry.

“You’re not unaware of what I’m saying. Do you know what those young brats who flocked to the Tang Family are whispering about us? I don’t know how long we must endure such humiliation.”

Son-bi blocked Jin Ja-gang’s front as if in protest and gestured to Im Yi-eon to convey her feelings. Im Yi-eon snapped at Son-bi.

“I’ve been enduring this for your sake, but even that has reached its limit.”

Im Yi-eon glanced at Son-bi hanging her head and said.

“My body doesn’t heal as easily as the Poison Dragon’s, but I have no discomfort in moving. I will return to the South Sea at any time.”

The words were directed at Son-bi, but her eyes were on Jin Ja-gang. Ultimately, she was speaking to Jin Ja-gang.

“I’m sorry.”

Jin Ja-gang apologized.

Im Yi-eon replied coldly.

“You must have seen how foolish affection between men and women is. My disciple has been neglecting even her training, waiting eagerly to meet you. For the past few days, she hasn’t even held a sword once. Is that what you want?”

“It’s not.”

Im Yi-eon demanded strongly.

“Then either accept her as a concubine or coldly cast her out. If you don’t need her, push her away! If neither, embrace Son-bi even today! If she has a child, we will raise it and will have no responsibility or demands of you!”

“Sword Empress.”

“I don’t need excuses, so I won’t listen. I, Im Yi-eon, am very disappointed in you.”

Im Yi-eon was excited and quite flushed.

“In this time when the martial world is stirring with the duel between Northern Li Sword Immortal and Sword King, do you intend to waste time with such romantic play!”

Mount Hua Sect’s Northern Li Sword Immortal and Namgung Family’s Sword King…

Jin Ja-gang unconsciously repeated their titles with his mouth.

“Northern Li Sword Immortal and Sword King.”

“That’s right! The entire martial world is watching them. It’s a duel between martial world peaks achieved after a truly long time, and simultaneously it will be a fair martial duel with the sects’ survival at stake! Thanks to this, the martial world is moving more vibrantly than before. Yet why must my disciple rot in this corner of Sichuan, yearning for affection from a man who has no interest, not knowing when he might give it!”

“Northern Li Sword Immortal and Sword King…”

A duel that, even amid the fear of righteous practices occurring in the martial world, makes all martial artists’ blood boil and draws attention.

It was a duel that awakened the dormant nature of martial artists.

Jin Ja-gang’s hair suddenly stood on end.

A method to counter the Hungry Ghost King emerged from a completely unexpected direction.

“This can’t be…”

—Poison Dragon Hero?

Jin Ja-gang cupped his fists to Im Yi-eon and Son-bi.

“I’m sorry. But still, not now.”

Jin Ja-gang soon left and headed to the main hall.

“Aah…”

Son-bi made a sound like a sigh of disappointment then closed her mouth.

Im Yi-eon looked at Son-bi with pitying eyes.

“Poor thing…”

* * *

Tang Ha-ran was working when she saw Jin Ja-gang, made a startled expression, then sent the people around her away.

But suddenly she shook her head without saying anything.

“No. I don’t know how you knew to come, but absolutely not.”

“Pardon?”

Tang Ha-ran had an angry face.

“Wait until our family builds up strength. When we’re strong enough that even Central Plains won’t dare touch us beyond Sichuan, then I’ll permit going to Central Plains.”

Watching Tang Ha-ran being angry, Jin Ja-gang said.

“I won’t go to meet Great Buddha yet. However, it seems I must briefly visit Central Plains.”

Tang Ha-ran made a surprised expression.

“Huh? Great Buddha?”

“…Wasn’t that what you were talking about?”

“No. Wait, then why are you going to Central Plains?”

“I must meet Northern Li Sword Immortal and Sword King.”

Tang Ha-ran’s brow furrowed.

“Why?”

“A method to counter the Hungry Ghost King has appeared.”

“What?”

Tang Ha-ran was greatly surprised.

Jin Ja-gang said.

“The Hungry Ghost King is trying to create a world where the standard of greater righteousness is replaced not by chivalry but by wealth. However, this duel between Northern Li Sword Immortal and Sword King is a pure contest of pride and honor between martial sects, not wealth. That’s why the entire martial world is watching. It’s a situation the Hungry Ghost King least wanted. Having come this far, a spark has ignited to return to the past.”

“And so?”

Jin Ja-gang said seriously.

“If this duel can be successfully completed, using this as an opportunity, we’ll be able to gradually change people’s way of thinking.”

“Will that… work?”

“People’s greed killed the sparrow and summoned the Hungry Ghost King. Taoist Haewol also thought that was the end. But the heart yearning for chivalry hasn’t disappeared from one side of people’s hearts.”

“You’re going to ignite the spark… and try to revive it?”

“That’s right.”

Strength entered Jin Ja-gang’s eyes.

“However, the Hungry Ghost King cannot be unaware of this fact. The Hungry Ghost King will hope this duel doesn’t succeed, so will interfere in some way. If we prevent that, we can disrupt the Hungry Ghost King’s plan.”

Tang Ha-ran let out a long sigh.

“Haah. I don’t know. What you’re saying. But…”

Tang Ha-ran picked up the various bamboo slips and books on the desk and pulled out a letter in red silk that had been hidden between them.

“But one thing is certain. Those two people also already seem to know what you’re talking about.”

Jin Ja-gang unfolded the letter.

It was a formal invitation.

It bore the handwritten signatures of none other than both Northern Li Sword Immortal and Sword King.

The content was that they were inviting Jin Ja-gang as an observer to the duel!

Tang Ha-ran said.

“I hope you won’t go. I even considered hiding this from you. However, it seems I won’t be able to stop you this time either.”

Jin Ja-gang put down the letter and embraced Tang Ha-ran.

“I’ll return.”

Tang Ha-ran sighed and firmly embraced Jin Ja-gang back.

When word spread that Jin Ja-gang was leaving the Tang Family Main Estate to observe the duel between Northern Li Sword Immortal and Sword King, people flocked to Jin Ja-gang.

“Hero! Please take me too.”

“I beg you as well!”

Not only the Tang Family members but also the young people who had flocked from outside asked to go with Jin Ja-gang.

“You can go together. However, allowing direct observation isn’t something I can do.”

“That’s still fine!”

Jin Ja-gang selected those with reasonably excellent martial arts among those who wished to go. Since anything could happen, he couldn’t take those with weak martial arts. However, he didn’t hide the rumor that he would observe but rather openly spread it widely. The more people who knew, the better.

This duel must be made successful.

* * *

Great Buddha Beom-bon sent an arhat monk to Baek Li-jung.

“Sword King and Northern Li Sword Immortal have agreed to meet at Yuelu Mountain in Huguang.”

Baek Li-jung stared intently at the arhat monk.

“Is that all?”

“That’s all the message I was told to convey to you.”

“Great Buddha wouldn’t have spoken without reason…”

“He did add a few words after that.”

Baek Li-jung gestured for him to speak quickly.

“The swords of Sword King and Northern Li Sword Immortal divide heaven and earth, but while Sword King Namgung Rak’s Absolute Slow Sword has its blade tip reaching heaven, Northern Li Sword Immortal’s purple sunset [Purple Sunset Divine Art] has not yet reached the horizon’s end. That’s what he said.”

Baek Li-jung’s eyebrows twitched. An unpleasant expression passed very briefly.

However, Baek Li-jung smiled.

“Tell him I received the message well.”

“Namu Amitabha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.”

The arhat monk greeted and left. Killing intent appeared in Baek Li-jung’s eyes as he watched the arhat monk’s back of the head. Saliva gathered in his mouth, moistening his lips.

The arhat monk flinched and turned his head. However, when he looked back, Baek Li-jung’s expression was only that of a great hero.

The arhat monk bowed his head in greeting and slowly left Baek Li-jung’s room.

Baek Li-jung sneered.

“Shaolin Temple indeed. Does this mean they know even the levels of Absolute Slow Sword and Purple Sunset Divine Art? However, trying to use me unilaterally is very displeasing.”

Baek Li-jung’s hand gained strength and he almost unconsciously broke the table but stopped. This level of emotional control is now possible.

Baek Li-jung smiled.

“For the time being, I’ll play along as you wish. I’ll enjoy that huge body at the end.”

Hehehehe.

A chilling laugh flowed from within Baek Li-jung.