Chapter 530

A thousand people.

Nine out of ten of the thousand top masters from the sects remaining after the chaos vanished into a handful of blood in an instant.

Even civilians trembled in fear when mentioning this incident whenever they gathered in groups of three or five.

The Great Slaughter Star, Poison Dragon.

The Poison Dragon’s title was used to the extent that it carried the same meaning as death itself.

The affected sects were furious. The sense of emptiness from losing their top masters, their greatest military strength, was beyond words.

They wanted revenge immediately, but they couldn’t do anything about the Poison Dragon with their own power when even a gathering of a thousand top masters couldn’t withstand him. The situation became such that if they cursed the Poison Dragon right away, they would be unable to move and have to die when the Poison Dragon came.

Someone needed to step forward.

According to the testimonies of the survivors, Baek Li-jung had already proven himself undefeated at the martial arts tournament and had sufficient qualifications to be the Martial Alliance Leader. People emerged claiming that the Martial Alliance Federation should be rebuilt as soon as possible with Baek Li-jung as the central figure.

However, at the same time, theories about Baek Li-jung’s responsibility also arose. The claim was that because the Baek Li Family, not a great prestigious family but a mere family, forcibly hosted a martial arts tournament, they gave the Poison Dragon room to intrude, which became the trigger for the catastrophe. Therefore, he wasn’t qualified to become the Martial Alliance Leader.

While the sides arguing to gather at the Martial Alliance Federation and those demanding accountability from Baek Li-jung were evenly matched, Baek Li-jung declared his position.

I, Baek Li-jung, announce to my martial arts comrades with proper etiquette.

Friends I’ve known for decades.

Seniors who always served as my model.

Brothers closer than blood relatives.

Recently, I witnessed before my eyes how they suffered and died from poisoning by the Poison Dragon’s Asura Blood. My feelings watching that were also painful as if torn into a thousand, ten thousand pieces.

The bloody tears they shed still remain in my heart. The scent of blood lingers as if it will never be erased for a lifetime.

The heavens and earth are dark.

Even in broad daylight, the sky is gloomy and the earth is only dark.

If my heart is so disturbed, if the deaths of my comrades are still vivid, how could I take the opportunity like a cunning scoundrel to ascend to the position of Martial Alliance Leader?

I, Baek Li-jung, though a simple-minded one who has lived trusting only one sword all my life, am not one who doesn’t know propriety. I am not a beast who doesn’t know human righteousness.

In my position of hosting the martial arts tournament, I humbly accept all the criticism coming from society.

Therefore, I feel the full weight of responsibility and will put down my sword for a while and return to being a hermit, so please understand me, comrades.

And Baek Li-jung put on mourning clothes himself and went into the mountains.

The ripples from Baek Li-jung’s proclamation were tremendous.

The only person who could face the Poison Dragon chose seclusion, putting everything down.

Jianghu was thrown naked in an instant into the hands of an unparalleled brutal murderer, the greatest killing star of all time, the Poison Dragon.

* * *

“Poison Dragon! My friend, Poison Dragon!”

Crash!

With footsteps clattering loudly, Bian Bu came to Jin Ja-gang’s room.

Jin Ja-gang was changing Poison Heaven’s diaper and turned his head.

“You’re here.”

Bian Bu even spat as he opened his eyes wide and said.

“What on earth are you doing right now?”

“I’m changing a diaper.”

“No, now is not the time for that!”

Jin Ja-gang’s expression was calm.

“Changing diapers is important work.”

“Eating and defecating are important for people. I know they’re important, but in times like these, is it okay to do nothing but care for a child?”

“What I’ve done until now was also for these children’s future. Looking after this child is to occasionally remind myself what I was running for, so I don’t forget while only looking ahead.”

Bian Bu tried to say something but gave up.

“Agh, I can’t win with words. When martial arts increase, does eloquence also grow? Or have you gained peace of mind? After your revenge ended, you seem different somehow.”

Jin Ja-gang smiled.

“If you came because you’re worried about me, it’s fine.”

“How can it be fine? All the Central Plains are cursing you. Among them, there are also ridiculous slanders!”

Jin Ja-gang was composed.

“Well, maybe it’s because I’m used to these things.”

“You might be able to be composed, but the people around you aren’t. Come out for a moment.”

Bian Bu forcibly dragged Jin Ja-gang, who was holding Poison Heaven, outside.

Outside the room, over a hundred people had come.

Including Namgung Rak and disciples of the Namgung Family, orthodox martial artists rescued from Mount Yuelu, and young martial artists who had been at the Tang Family even before that.

They looked with doubtful eyes at Jin Ja-gang’s peaceful expression while holding Poison Heaven.

“I can’t believe it. Is what I’m seeing really the Poison Dragon?”

Jin Ja-gang nodded.

“That’s correct.”

“Unless you’ve learned some earth-shrinking technique…”

From the Tang Family Estate in Sichuan to the Baek Li Family in Huguang was five thousand li. On the day of the incident, Jin Ja-gang was at the Tang Family Estate. Since everyone went out to greet Jin Ja-gang the day before, there was no way not to know.

The orthodox martial artists who survived Mount Yuelu thanks to Jin Ja-gang also couldn’t believe the current situation.

“Then… does that mean it was the Unbreakable Heavenly Sword’s… sel… self-staged act?”

The words “self-staged act” were cautious.

Because such a major incident had occurred.

If it was indeed self-staged, Baek Li-jung had done the unthinkable by selecting one person from each sect, gathering and killing them all, making all sects and Jin Ja-gang into mortal enemies.

Jin Ja-gang asked back.

“Whether it’s self-staged or not, does it matter?”

Anyway, Jin Ja-gang was on the opposite side of the Murim Alliance, and those who participated in the martial arts tournament were no different from siding with Baek Li-jung. Even if they didn’t become enemies, Jin Ja-gang had been prepared long ago that he would inevitably have to fight those sects.

“It matters!”

Someone shouted.

One martial artist spoke with a face full of disbelief.

“I’ll speak frankly. I survived Mount Yuelue thanks to the Great Hero’s grace but have been hiding my identity until now. I am a disciple of the Kongtong Sect belonging to the Righteous Alliance.”

At the mention of Righteous Alliance, others all looked at him. However, when they escaped from Mount Yuelu in large numbers, Righteous Alliance martial artists also got mixed in unexpectedly. Even at this gathering, there were probably many who hadn’t revealed themselves yet.

Nevertheless, the martial artist stepped forward risking his life.

“The Great Hero killed my sect’s master uncle on Mount Yuelu, so you should know.”

“I remember.”

“From our Kongtong Sect, Master Uncle Golden Crane also participated in this martial arts tournament at the Baek Li Family. If the Great Hero didn’t go to the martial arts tournament, it means the Unbreakable Heavenly Sword killed even his own allies who supported him.”

The martial artist shouted as if spitting blood.

“So how can you say it doesn’t matter!”

Encouraged by his brave action, others also stepped forward.

“That’s right! This is a matter where the Great Hero must take a clear position. Who on earth committed such an act! This must be clearly revealed!”

“If it’s definitely self-staged, the Unbreakable Heavenly Sword is our enemy!”

Everyone spoke up, causing a commotion.

It was inevitable to be excited. Baek Li-jung had been known as a great hero until now. So even if he did somewhat strange things, they could overlook it and follow him.

However, if it was to exploit them, if he was someone who achieved his goals by killing even each sect’s greatest asset, their top masters, without any qualms, they couldn’t just follow blindly!

The voices grew louder.

As many as a thousand large and small sects were involved. At this gathering, it would be hard to find anyone from a sect that didn’t participate in the martial arts tournament.

Jin Ja-gang looked down at the martial artists and said calmly.

“If I say it, will you believe it as fact?”

The martial artists stirred for a moment.

“I’m not sure. But you need to speak so we can believe or not, right?”

“If you’re wronged, say you’re wronged, if it wasn’t you, say it wasn’t. Then we can somehow find out the truth, can’t we?”

Jin Ja-gang answered without much change in expression.

“Since coming to jianghu, I’ve received much slander for things I didn’t do. And in most cases, even when I spoke the truth, doubts weren’t removed.”

Someone called out and asked.

“Then why did the Great Hero lie about participating in a martial arts tournament he wouldn’t even attend?”

“It was to go catch the Hungry Ghost King.”

“Because the Great Hero lied, everyone suspects the Great Hero!”

Jin Ja-gang didn’t get angry.

“That’s possible. However, the questioner himself knows that those words are just an excuse to put the blame on me.”

“That’s…”

The martial artist’s face reddened.

“You all saw me at the Tang Family Estate yesterday and the day before. If you saw with your eyes, why can’t you believe?”

The martial artists demanded.

“Then please say more definitely yes or no. Even if the Great Hero doesn’t know, for us, the survival or dissolution of our sects depends on this!”

Jin Ja-gang asked again.

“Why do you want to depend on someone else’s words for such a critical matter?”

The martial artists couldn’t find words to respond.

Jin Ja-gang, not getting angry, said in a still peaceful tone.

“The truth must be revealed. However, if it’s something swayed by someone’s words, it’s no longer the truth.”

Then Demon-Exterminating Monk Mu-gak came out being carried by Yuk Ha-seon and scolded the martial artists loudly as if he had boiled and eaten a fire barrel.

If you calculate first whether it benefits you or not, where it’s advantageous to attach yourself, and then question truth and falsehood, how can it be properly judged!

The martial artists hesitated at Mu-gak’s thunderous roar filled with inner power.

Demon-Exterminating Monk Mu-gak. A legendary existence. The question he threw penetrated deeply into the martial artists’ hearts. Even in this situation, when Poison Heaven wasn’t startled but rather giggled, the martial artists became more ashamed and their faces reddened further.

Mu-gak clicked his tongue and said.

“You foolish pitiful sentient beings! See and believe with your own eyes. If even that doesn’t work and you must hear others’ words, don’t turn away from the price. When you’re ready to take responsibility for your own choices, then seek the truth from the Poison Dragon.”

Mu-gak poked Yuk Ha-seon repeatedly to turn him so he could see Jin Ja-gang.

Mu-gak looked at Jin Ja-gang and said.

“Am I wrong? That’s ultimately what you wanted to say, isn’t it?”

When Jin Ja-gang didn’t answer, Mu-gak pressed.

“Are you feeling petty? You went through so much hardship and adversity to reach the truth, is it too precious to easily tell others the truth?”

Jin Ja-gang smiled.

“I won’t deny it.”

“The sentient beings here want a leader. They’re hoping someone will take responsibility and step forward to lead them. Just accept that. Unless you plan to abandon all these people and walk alone.”

Jin Ja-gang waited a moment, then instead of answering, said something else.

“The Hungry Ghost King didn’t change the leader.”

All the martial artists closed their mouths and listened carefully to Jin Ja-gang’s words.

“He changed not the leader but the roots. It took a long time, but because of that, he nearly succeeded in changing the flow of jianghu.”

Jin Ja-gang said while putting his finger in the giggling Poison Heaven’s mouth.

“The roots supporting jianghu are all of us, not one person like me. What can change jianghu. What determines jianghu’s future too.”

Anger and bewilderment disappeared from the martial artists’ faces, replaced by calmness.

Someone said quietly.

Every individual has their own justice. Every organization has the justice it pursues. Each justice combines and divides, ultimately forming a great cause.

Like the Jialing River, Wu River, and hundreds of tributaries combine to form the Yangtze River.

The young man who said those words looked at Jin Ja-gang.

“These are the words the Great Hero told us when we came before.”

What Taoist Haewol told Jin Ja-gang continued to the young martial artists, and returned to Jin Ja-gang through them again.

Jin Ja-gang nodded.

What determines jianghu’s future is ultimately each individual.

Jianghu is merely a flow created by the gathering of individual beliefs and thoughts, not an idol to follow and revere.

A deep resonance arose in the martial artists’ hearts.