Chapter 538

Those who must die will die.

Taoist Bok-cheon shook his head.

“No one will object to that in itself. However, it’s realistically impossible. In all worldly matters, there’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed. I’m concerned whether the thought of killing fifty thousand is crossing the line as a human being.”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“Can’t kill because there are many, can’t kill because they have high positions, can’t kill because they have money, can’t kill because they have many dependents. That’s their standard, not mine. However, I see them as merely those who may die, not those who must die.”

Those who may die and those who must die.

A subtle distinction.

“It’s true that fifty thousand have joined. But fifty thousand won’t gather in Nanchang.”

Everyone was puzzled by Jin Ja-gang’s words.

“Because the place is too small?”

“They decided to raise the Murim Alliance’s banner at the founding ceremony, and they won’t participate in the gathering?”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“No, I’ll filter them once more. And those who remain after this filtering and gather in Nanchang, they are those who must die. Not a single one will be able to live.”

Could it be!

Killing intent was felt in his tone about filtering once more. It meant he would filter those who must die from those who may die.

Jin Ja-gang doesn’t let opponents complete their preparations. He fights by personally breaking through to induce openings and create weaknesses.

Unlike those who were already frightened at fifty thousand gathering and thought defensively, he would stick to the same method this time too!

Preemptive response.

Strike before fifty thousand gather in one place!

Those present realized.

Jin Ja-gang intended to cause a great storm of blood.

Until then, those who were confused would give up and hide, but there would be those who would rush to Nanchang determined to fight to the end.

Jin Ja-gang had just declared.

He wouldn’t let them live.

Jin Ja-gang raised his hand and pointed upward.

“The heavenly net is vast and open, but nothing escapes. I intend to prove those words.”

Because it was Jin Ja-gang who said it, not anyone else, it seemed he really could do it.

“If you miss them, if remnant forces remain and hide, it will be a long, long… arduous battle.”

“That will never happen. But because of that, I cannot borrow others’ power right now.”

Everyone was shocked.

“You mean to face all fifty thousand alone?”

“Even defeating them one by one, that’s impossible!”

“No matter how difficult, there are two reasons I must move separately right now.”

Jin Ja-gang explained.

“First. The Unbreakable Heavenly Sword limited the Murim Alliance’s banner to the battle with me.”

Bian Bu tilted his head.

“But even a child knows that after facing you, Sichuan will be the next target.”

“That’s right. That’s their justification. Only by shattering that justification head-on can we bring justification to the coming era.”

“That’s just stubbornness. It’s a problem you can ponder after winning the battle.”

“While I’m away, there may be those who push into the empty Sichuan using that justification.”

That was possible. If while striking the Murim Alliance’s forces and going to Nanchang, those remaining turned back to Sichuan, it could actually hinder Jin Ja-gang’s progress.

Jin Ja-gang gave the second reason.

“Second. To win decisively.”

It was a statement that didn’t seem to make sense. When even one person helping wouldn’t be enough, how was fifty thousand to one a much more certain way to win?

It would be far better to receive help from Qingcheng, the Emei monks who came out from the Emei Sect, and the Shandong Evil Sects.

However, at that moment, several people exclaimed “Ah.” They understood Jin Ja-gang’s thinking.

Fear of Jin Ja-gang came from his cruel methods, meticulous planning, and the overwhelming presence the name Poison Dragon gave.

Rather than Jin Ja-gang borrowing others’ power to kill a few small fry, him killing alone would be imprinted far more as an existence of terror. Paralyzed by fear, bodies shrink and stiffen, making it impossible to fight properly. That’s why the more Jin Ja-gang killed, the more advantageous it became for him.

A Tang Family elder voiced his opinion.

“However, even to do a rabbit drive, you need beaters. You can’t do the beating alone.”

Jin Ja-gang smiled.

“The beater’s role is already determined.”

Most could guess who that was.

Those gathered muttered as if to themselves.

“When the rabbit drive ends…”

“Then we’ll have work to do.”

However, even those who said it laughed at the absurdity. At most, they could mobilize hundreds or thousands. The very idea of catching tens of thousands through a rabbit drive with that number was nothing but ridiculous, logically nonsensical.

Jin Ja-gang smiled and stood from his seat.

It was time to prepare to depart.

* * *

Jin Ja-gang headed to the workshop where Tang Family poisons were manufactured for the final battle. And he holed up there, not emerging for a full seven days and nights.

When he emerged after seven days, Jin Ja-gang’s complexion had become very pale and transparent. Occasionally, blue-green light shone from his eyes. He was filled with poison qi to the point of overflowing.

And most of the poisons the Tang Family possessed had disappeared. All the refined poisons and materials were consumed during the seven days.

Everyone crowded around, curious about Jin Ja-gang’s transformation.

However, Jin Ja-gang raised his hand to stop them.

“I apologize. It hasn’t settled yet, so it would be best not to come too close.”

Jin Ja-gang’s martial arts had reached the highest level. Yet if he said it hadn’t settled, how much poison qi had he absorbed!

Dan Ryeong-gyeong, who saw Jin Ja-gang, unknowingly looked down at her left hand. Goosebumps had risen. Not just Dan Ryeong-gyeong, but Abbess Divine Nun In-eun and Taoist Bok-cheon were the same.

Rather than the outward aura, a martial artist’s unique sense was warning of danger. Danger was felt even from Jin Ja-gang’s breath. White Ape didn’t even come close, staying far away.

Even Tang Ha-ran, who became able to endure considerable poison qi after giving birth to Poison Heaven, frowned. She tried to approach but coughed.

“What did you do?”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“I learned how to control poison qi.”

Jin Ja-gang did?

Everyone made incredulous expressions.

“It seems you control it even less than before.”

“It will improve soon.”

Waaa!

In the midst of this, Poison Heaven cried.

Tang Ha-ran put Poison Heaven down. Poison Heaven squirmed and crawled to Jin Ja-gang.

When Jin Ja-gang held Poison Heaven, he giggled happily. He laughed while fumbling and touching Jin Ja-gang’s face with tiny hands.

Even while Jin Ja-gang’s poison qi was terrifying, people couldn’t help but smile at Poison Heaven’s actions. However, most of those were bitter smiles.

Taoist Bok-cheon said.

“Is the next generation’s number one Poison Dragon under heaven already reserved?”

Abbess Divine Nun In-eun laughed with an alluring manner.

“Whether she’ll become number one or second… shouldn’t we watch and see?”

Woon-jeong blinked and asked.

“What does that mean? Surely you don’t mean he can only become number one if Poison Dragon Brother dies?”

“That’s not it, Taoist.”

At Abbess Divine Nun In-eun’s words, Woon-jeong tilted his head while So-so’s cheeks reddened.

Tang Ha-ran also slightly flushed.

“As before, the Abbess knows better than us.”

Only then did everyone congratulate the two.

* * *

Jin Ja-gang, holding Poison Heaven, went to find the Tang Family craftsmen.

The craftsmen had faces full of fatigue but their eyes shone.

For craftsmen, the greatest reward is their weapons gaining fame in jianghu. Jin Ja-gang’s Asura Scripture were unknown to no one in jianghu. If Jin Ja-gang used their weapons again, the craftsmen’s pride would be elevated.

Especially Beon-wu didn’t disappoint Jin Ja-gang this time either.

“Now the Great Hero no longer needs White Thread and Black Thread.”

The new Asura Scripture’s Twenty-four Death Chords had become much more powerful. Now not one pair of rings but two pairs, wearing two rings on each wrist.

The leather strap for inserting hidden weapons clung perfectly to Jin Ja-gang’s body without even an inch of gap. Dragon scales were attached at necessary spots to protect his body in dangerous cases. Over that, he wore thin, tough upper garments woven from heavenly silkworm thread, and put on indigo martial robes with countless hidden pockets.

He no longer used sickles. Instead, he put the Persian Ancient Sword in a leather scabbard and thrust it into his waist.

Outwardly, it was very light attire.

Jin Ja-gang deeply bowed to the craftsmen who had worked hard. The craftsmen also bowed their waists in return.

Jin Ja-gang left the workshop.

* * *

As when Jin Ja-gang returned after killing the Hungry Ghost King, everyone came out to see him off.

Since he was going to kill fifty thousand, even the current crowd of several hundred seemed somehow modest.

Most thought Jin Ja-gang wouldn’t die. Most of the notable masters in jianghu had already died. Baek Li-jung killed the masters from the transcendent realm.

Now, the only one in jianghu who could stop Jin Ja-gang with skill was probably only Baek Li-jung. However, if Baek Li-jung used thousands and tens of thousands as shields to face Jin Ja-gang, the probability of Jin Ja-gang winning became even slimmer.

Jin Ja-gang embraced Tang Ha-ran and Poison Heaven.

“I’ll return soon.”

“Liar.”

Tang Ha-ran hugged Jin Ja-gang tighter.

“There’s still a whole month until the Murim Alliance’s founding ceremony. It’ll take at least a month before I can see you.”

Jin Ja-gang stroked Tang Ha-ran’s head and rubbed cheeks with Poison Heaven.

The Four Poison Cliques, Taoist Bok-cheon and Woon-jeong of Qingcheng, and Abbess Divine Nun In-eun and Dan Ryeong-gyeong also wished Jin Ja-gang martial fortune.

“Then, I’ll see you soon.”

Jin Ja-gang clasped his fists vigorously toward the hundreds who came out to see him off and left the Tang Family Estate.

* * *

King of Hell Tang Qing waited for Jin Ja-gang with dozens of scribes at a mountain pass near the Tang Family Estate.

He had already received word and was waiting.

Tang Qing grinned.

“Thanks. For giving me the opportunity.”

“It was only because I needed someone not exposed. You’ll have to run hard.”

“Oh yes, I have to traverse the entire Central Plains, so I must run hard. The harder I run, the fewer rabbits will go to Nanchang, right?”

“That way, my chances of survival increase.”

“Whether you die or live, I’m not particularly interested?”

“It’s not me dying, it’s Poison Heaven’s dad dying.”

Tang Qing laughed heartily.

“Crazy bastard. In all my life, this is the first time I’ve seen someone throw down a declaration to kill fifty thousand alone.”

“When there was someone who tried to devour all of jianghu, isn’t that much child’s play?”

“Heh, that’s why I failed, you bastard.”

Tang Qing and Jin Ja-gang laughed simultaneously.

Tang Qing held out a small medicine bottle. Of course, it wasn’t medicine but a bottle containing poison.

“Seeing you wafting poison qi from afar, it looks like you’ve taken care of Carefree and Small Death, but you wouldn’t have Extinction Essence, so I prepared it. You need to have the Three Great Fatal Poisons to be called the Tang Family’s son-in-law.”

“Thank you.”

Jin Ja-gang received the bottle and immediately swallowed it in one gulp on the spot.

Tang Qing cackled again.

“Hehehehe, what a monstrous son-in-law. To think I tried to fight this guy. But I was lucky enough to survive; how pitiful are those who will fight you from now on?”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“Not pitiful at all.”

“That’s why they’re pitiful. Hehehehehe!”

Tang Qing’s laughter echoed through the mountains.

One month remaining.

Jin Ja-gang’s final battle had begun.