Chapter 354

Im Yi-eon’s eyes narrowed.

“Then is it because of Poison Dragon? There were rumors that Yangtze River Sword Sect was making contact with Poison Dragon in Chongqing, so the rumors must have been true.”

“I don’t know about rumors, but anyway that’s how it is for me. I ask for your understanding.”

When Namgung Geol stood up and cupped his fists, Im Yi-eon also stood up. But she raised her hand to show her palm, not accepting the greeting.

“I won’t understand. I came to help the An family medical house, so if you interfere with that, I won’t tolerate anyone.”

“I have no intention of interfering, but depending on circumstances, I may have no choice but to request a match from the Sword Empress.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the Namgung family’s sword. I’ll accept anytime.”

“Thank you.”

Everyone here were orthodox sect members. Even Yuk Ha-seon of Pleasure Heaven could be considered orthodox since poison sects had joined the Martial Alliance.

Perhaps because of this, the outward atmosphere seemed quite harmonious.

This was quite different from what Jin Ja-gang had felt when fighting with orthodox martial artists. That was probably because Jin Ja-gang had been treated as an unorthodox rather than orthodox sect member.

It was natural, but if you weren’t within the orthodox sect framework, you were excluded.

Jin Ja-gang looked at Disaster Sword Guest Namgung Geol with indescribable feelings.

He probably came to help Jin Ja-gang who had decided to align with Yangtze River Sword Sect. It was a move by Taoist Haewol aiming even at those behind the scenes.

But whether it would be a good move or bad move was still unknown.

Yuk Ha-seon had to ensure the personal letter was delivered to Shaolin Temple.

An Ryeong was trying to stop Jin Ja-gang.

If An Ryeong was touched, the Sword Empress would intervene, and if the Sword Empress intervened and things escalated, Namgung Geol would get involved.

But actually An Ryeong was on the opposite side from Baek Li-jung and poison sects, and Namgung Geol belonging to Yangtze River Sword Sect was also at the opposite point from Baek Li-jung.

Ultimately they had the same purpose but could become enemies in this place – it was a strange relationship.

An Ryeong said.

“Poison Dragon. Isn’t this enough guests? How about deciding soon?”

Those in the inn looked at Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“It still seems insufficient.”

“Aren’t you being too greedy? You haven’t forgotten this is Henan, have you? It’s Shaolin Temple’s front yard.”

Indeed, to enter Shaolin Temple’s front yard where they had begun righteous law practice, you had to be able to take care of yourself. Only those like Im Yi-eon or Namgung Geol could come to Henan alone.

Others would find it difficult to come to Henan without tremendous courage. In a situation where it was unclear where Shaolin Temple’s blade was aimed or which sects Shaolin Temple would kill or spare, they couldn’t rashly provoke Shaolin Temple.

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“Still insufficient. At least one more person should be needed.”

An Ryeong was smart. She quickly understood Jin Ja-gang’s words.

“You’re hoping that side will come?”

No one representing the Martial Alliance or Righteous Alliance had come yet.

Though this matter was caused by Tang family’s personal letter, it wasn’t Tang family’s problem. It was related to the entire martial world. The Martial Alliance and Righteous Alliance were the core of cores.

The future martial world situation would change according to their choice.

“You wanted to hear that side’s story? Then will you open the secret box?”

“That’s right.”

“How do you know when what you’re waiting for will come?”

“Either side will come first.”

Jin Ja-gang greeted the martial artists in the inn.

“All the guest rooms on this floor are empty. Please rest comfortably.”

The martial artists who had suddenly become guests smiled wryly. It was clear he had no intention of budging until whoever he wanted came.

An Ryeong muttered.

“Either side comes first… I wonder if it’ll be Shaolin Temple or that side.”

Sword Empress Im Yi-eon stood up first.

“Since we can’t pressure Poison Dragon by force anyway, let’s rest a bit. Everyone must have come in a hurry.”

Namgung Geol also stood up.

“Innkeeper, does this inn serve dinner?”

“If you want it.”

“Good.”

When Namgung Geol stood up, one by one they got up from their seats in the subtle confrontational relationship and headed to guest rooms.

Yuk Ha-seon also left a word.

“Don’t forget that I can’t wait too long. I came to protect you and have thoughts of cooperating, but since our sect’s people come first, I can’t go against King of Hell’s request.”

* * *

Jin Ja-gang really prepared dinner and cleaned the inn like an innkeeper.

From the outside, he looked like a leisurely innkeeper with nothing happening.

So-bong An Ryeong and Ice Phoenix Son Bi came down from upstairs.

“We want to have some tea, is that okay?”

Jin Ja-gang answered while sweeping the inn.

“As you wish.”

An Ryeong and Son Bi sat by the window.

“Tea?”

Jin Ja-gang pointed to one side of the inn. A teapot and teacups were placed there.

“Won’t the clerk even do that?”

“Did you pay?”

“I can pay. You give meals but not tea?”

“Providing lunch was my courtesy.”

Meaning dinner wouldn’t be free.

“Really an unfriendly inn.”

While An Ryeong grumbled, Son Bi got up and brought the teapot and teacups.

Son Bi held the teapot with both hands.

Whoosh!

Before long the teapot lid rattled and steam rose.

Son Bi’s internal energy cultivation was also quite deep.

An Ryeong invited Jin Ja-gang.

“How about young people building friendship?”

Jin Ja-gang thought briefly, then put down the broom and joined them.

Son Bi brewed tea and poured it into three teacups.

An Ryeong glanced alternately at Jin Ja-gang and Son Bi and said.

“Ice Phoenix is pretty, isn’t she?”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Son Bi impassively.

“It seems so.”

An Ryeong chuckled.

“Not very honest. Among all the men I’ve met, I’ve never seen anyone who didn’t fall for Ice Phoenix.”

“So if I can survive, I’ll think about it.”

Son Bi tilted her head sideways as if not understanding Jin Ja-gang’s words.

An Ryeong explained.

“Poison Dragon is a man where everything comes down to surviving. So he maintains that arrogant attitude, but actually he has survived until now.”

Son Bi looked at Jin Ja-gang with a somewhat admiring expression.

An Ryeong said to Jin Ja-gang.

“But if a person only thinks about surviving, life becomes stifling. Preserving life isn’t the only purpose of living.”

“Because there are things I must do while alive.”

“Then you should change your expression. Not because you need to survive, but because there are things you must do.”

Jin Ja-gang nodded.

“Is that all you wanted to say?”

“I didn’t call you with a purpose. Anyway, you won’t do anything until someone from Baek Li-jung’s side comes. So let’s just talk.”

“There’s no alcohol.”

An Ryeong made an annoyed expression.

“What do you take me for? Do I look like someone crazy enough to drink even in a tiger’s den?”

“Is this something to say from someone who caused such trouble at Grand Harmony Courtyard and shamelessly came to Shaolin Temple’s territory?”

“Ah, that’s true. But, I’m actually a more tender woman than you’d think. For instance, I think the man sitting in front is very handsome but too shy to say I like him.”

Son Bi looked at An Ryeong with surprised eyes.

It couldn’t help but be a sudden confession.

But Jin Ja-gang remained impassive. He stared at An Ryeong then answered casually.

“Is that so?”

At that moment Son Bi choked while drinking tea.

“Cough cough!”

An Ryeong said with a greatly shocked expression.

“Isn’t that too much? Show at least some normal reaction! At minimum ask if it’s real or not.”

“I have a wife.”

“Pfft!”

Son Bi laughed again and choked, covering her mouth with her sleeve and coughing.

Rather, An Ryeong was flustered by Jin Ja-gang’s blade-like attitude. An Ryeong raised both hands and feet showing she was giving up.

“Sigh, what kind of man is this? Too much. Making Burning Phoenix feel frustrated.”

An Ryeong lifted her head to show Son Bi her neck. On her white neck remained traces of a blood line.

“Bi, see this? Poison Dragon did this. I almost died without even seeing you.”

Son Bi patted An Ryeong’s hand.

If Woon-jeong had been there, he would have responded with some banter, but Jin Ja-gang didn’t. Whether the atmosphere became awkward or not, he just stayed quiet without responding, making the atmosphere even more uncomfortable.

“I know you hate me, but don’t push me away too much. I absolutely won’t test you or anything from now on.”

“It doesn’t matter. If you’re not my enemy, that’s enough.”

“No. It’s not like that. If there are only enemies and allies in the human world, it’s too bleak.”

“I also have a wife.”

“Hey!”

“Pfft!”

An Ryeong’s shout and Son Bi’s choking happened simultaneously.

“Cough cough! Cough cough!”

When Son Bi made eye contact with Jin Ja-gang, she tried to maintain a cold expression, but kept coughing so it didn’t work well.

Come to think of it, Son Bi had been strange from earlier. She didn’t say a single word. She seemed quite close to An Ryeong but kept seeming restless, and appeared to be forcibly maintaining silence.

An Ryeong noticed Jin Ja-gang’s attention.

“Why? Are you now interested in our Son Bi?”

“Hmm.”

Jin Ja-gang had something he wanted to say but swallowed his words.

As An Ryeong was about to say something, Son Bi grabbed An Ryeong’s hand and shook her head.

An Ryeong said.

“It’s okay.”

Son Bi shook her head even more vigorously. While doing so, she gripped An Ryeong’s bandaged forearm tightly.

“Ahhh! I got it, I got it!”

An Ryeong was startled and closed her mouth.

Jin Ja-gang suddenly became curious. So he asked Son Bi.

“Why did Indestructible Heavenly Sword try to marry Silent Dragon to you?”

An Ryeong answered.

“Why are you suddenly curious about that?”

It was something he remembered because of what Sword Empress Im Yi-eon had said earlier.

“Zhuge family’s Brave Phoenix wanted Silent Dragon. And Silent Dragon too. The two had a very intimate relationship.”

Jin Ja-gang remembered Silent Dragon Baek Li-gwon whom he met at Namga Village. How much he cared for Zhuge Yeon – Baek Li-gwon had tried to take revenge on Jin Ja-gang even while harming himself.

But Baek Li-jung rejected Zhuge Yeon and wanted Ice Phoenix, the Sword Empress’s disciple. So Zhuge Yeon had no choice but to come looking for Jin Ja-gang as instructed to gain Baek Li-jung’s recognition, and that’s how the tragedy began.

“If you answer, dinner is?”

“Stir-fried chicken.”

“Good. Deal complete.”

An Ryeong said.

“Great Hero Indestructible Heavenly Sword has strong desire for power. If Silent Dragon married Son Bi, he could have the backing of Southern Sea Sword Sect and the Sword Empress. Southern Sea Sword Sect is the hegemon of the Southern Sea. He’d be able to control the southern part of the martial world.”

“But the Sword Empress said she didn’t like him.”

“Even if she didn’t like him, it was difficult to easily refuse. Until recently, Baek Li-jung was Taoist Haewol’s confidant and the most promising next alliance leader candidate in the Martial Alliance.”

“You mean even the Sword Empress had to watch Baek Li-jung’s mood?”

An Ryeong’s expression became serious.

“I told you. Everyone feels it. That something is about to happen.”

Jin Ja-gang thought after hearing An Ryeong’s words, then asked Son Bi.

“What about you, Miss? Do you think I became your enemy by killing Silent Dragon?”

Son Bi was startled, then stared intently at Jin Ja-gang.