Chapter 164

Chapter 164

Woon-jeong spoke with confidence.

“In Sichuan, no one can harm a disciple of Qingcheng Sect.”

“What if you go outside Sichuan?”

“I haven’t thought about that. My master still says it’s not time for me to leave Sichuan.”

Jin Ja-gang chuckled softly.

It was because the contrast with himself was too stark.

Thinking only of revenge, enduring hardships and tasting gall.

For eight years, he had saved even sleeping time to dig tunnels, had to sleep among rotting corpses, and with all his teachers dead, he had endured by memorizing incomprehensible texts without understanding their meaning.

Jin Ja-gang had to learn survival entirely on his own.

This was solely because Jin Ja-gang belonged to a small medicine sect called Hundred Flower Valley.

But disciples of great sects had completely different circumstances.

Like a mother protecting her young, the sect and masters protected them. A fence surrounded them until they could hunt sufficiently on their own.

Perhaps because of this, they seemed somewhat insensitive to external threats. Of course, their advantage was having martial arts sufficient to overcome dangers even with such insensitivity.

Jin Ja-gang envied them. Being born into such a sect. Having a sect and family members to rely on during difficult times.

“…!”

Jin Ja-gang was startled when Woon-jeong suddenly thrust his face close to Jin Ja-gang’s while he was thinking.

“What is it?”

“Are you perhaps… worried about me? That someone might ambush me?”

Woon-jeong showed a surprised expression.

“As expected, you are a good person.”

Jin Ja-gang found it absurd and laughed “haha.” It was a hollow laugh. By what standards did this innocent-looking Taoist call him a good person?

Only hollow laughter came out.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong had said.

To become a benevolent tiger and act like a divine dragon.

The benevolent tiger hides its claws, the divine dragon conceals its scales.

That was probably far from Jin Ja-gang. Jin Ja-gang was neither a benevolent tiger nor a divine dragon, but just a mad dog obsessed with revenge.

If disciples of great sects grew up comfortably and were insensitive to crises, he would use even that insensitivity as a weakness to succeed in revenge to the end.

That was what an asura who had crawled up from hell should do.

Jin Ja-gang’s claws had already protruded viciously like those of an asura, tearing flesh, and until they broke or wore away completely, they could never be hidden.

* * *

Woon-jeong openly followed Jin Ja-gang around.

He was basically honest and had no malice, but the goodwill that popped out without malice was sometimes irritating.

For example,

“Why did you go around killing so many people? No matter how I look at it, you don’t seem like someone who would do such things.”

He would ask such things directly.

“What I did and didn’t do seems to have become confused, so that’s how it became known.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s answer, Woon-jeong became serious.

“My master would never have lied to me!”

So when Jin Ja-gang gave up thinking it was no longer possible to communicate and remained silent, he would slyly approach and speak again.

“But is what you just said true? If that’s true, I’ll try speaking to my master about it.”

“Even if you speak to him, nothing will change.”

“Our master is someone who does what he says he’ll do. He’s different from others. He’s very righteous and reveres chivalry, though his weakness is that he can’t control his temper…”

Jin Ja-gang had already heard who Woon-jeong’s master was.

A martial artist called Taoist Bok-cheon, who was a disciple of the current Qingcheng Sect leader. His personality was so straightforward and his pride harder than iron, so he rarely lost even in arguments.

There were even rumors that the reason Qingcheng Sect hadn’t joined the Martial Arts Alliance was because of Taoist Bok-cheon.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d listen to me, but if you don’t believe me, the situation will become worse.”

“Well…”

Woon-jeong immediately understood.

“Master is kind to people he likes but merciless to others, so I understand your concern. But how do you grasp the key points so well? I get scolded every day for being obtuse… Master always says since you can’t do anything properly, just do what you’re told and train diligently in martial arts.”

Wasn’t that actually more frightening? If someone at the level of a Qingcheng Sect leader’s disciple was encouraging martial arts training, it meant he had that level of talent.

“Do I talk too much? It’s my first time talking with someone from the evil faction, so I’m curious.”

“I’m not from the evil faction.”

“Come on, I saw you coming out of an evil faction stronghold.”

“If you come out of a Qingcheng Sect hall, does that make you a Qingcheng Sect disciple?”

“Huh? That’s true too. How strange. Actually, I came down from Qingcheng Mountain for the first time last month, and I’d never seen an evil faction person before. So I thought evil faction people would be terrifyingly demonic-looking. Haha.”

Woon-jeong didn’t stop chattering after that.

“Why do you limp? Were you born with a disability?”

“You’ll stop killing now, right? If you keep killing, it’s hard to repay those sins while alive.”

“But what martial arts do you use? I’ve hardly seen you use any martial arts. Ah, such questions would be rude, wouldn’t they? Primordial Heavenly Venerable.”

For Jin Ja-gang, who always had to be alert to his surroundings, identify the positions and types of nearby objects, and prepare for battle in advance, this was extremely tiring.

The fact that he couldn’t properly train openly because of Woon-jeong was also somewhat difficult.

At least until leaving Dayi, it was somewhat comforting that the Tang family and Emei Sect couldn’t openly act because of Woon-jeong.

“Oh right, there’s something I’m really curious about. Yesterday at the inn, the Tang family person mixed poison in the rice, right? What would you have done if I hadn’t eaten it?”

Naturally, since it was safe to eat, he would have just eaten it.

Jin Ja-gang remembered Bian Bu and quoted his words in response.

“There’s someone wise who has lived long in the world, and he advised me. Don’t get involved with Tang family people and pretend not to know anything no matter what. So I was just going to pretend not to know and eat it.”

“Ugh! But it had poison in it!”

“I suppose eating poisoned food is better than getting involved with Tang family people.”

“Wahaha!”

Woon-jeong burst into loud laughter. Most people seemed to have similar perceptions about the Tang family.

“To think there’s someone with such insight. I’d like to meet them if I get the chance.”

“You can meet them if you go to the manor I came from.”

But at that moment, Woon-jeong’s expression became strange.

“Huh? Really?”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Woon-jeong.

Woon-jeong muttered to himself while watching Jin Ja-gang’s reaction.

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh, well. I mean… Ah! I don’t know if I should talk about this! Master didn’t tell me about that part!”

Jin Ja-gang had an intuition.

Something was happening at the manor.

“Please tell me.”

However, Woon-jeong wasn’t easily willing to open his mouth.

“I can’t. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say it or not.”

Then Jin Ja-gang left Woon-jeong alone and suddenly went into the forest and began digging a hole. Woon-jeong followed out of curiosity.

“What… are you doing?”

“I’m digging a cave dwelling.”

“What? Why suddenly a cave dwelling?”

“I’m thinking of settling down here and living for about three years.”

“What?”

Woon-jeong was flustered.

“I was ordered to watch over you until you leave Dayi! What am I supposed to do if you stay here for three years? He said if I do this job well, he’ll let me go out into the martial world.”

“Then will you tell me? What’s happening at the manor?”

Jin Ja-gang stared intently at Woon-jeong.

Woon-jeong pondered for a long time, but it seemed he couldn’t stay here for three years.

“Oh dear. Actually…”

* * *

Southern Guangxi.

Guilin’s Laozhai Mountain.

A paradise-like place where various strangely shaped peaks that had risen from the earth in ancient times like teeth jutted up along the Li River.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong arrived at the appointed place on Laozhai Mountain’s summit in a small palanquin with the Guangtou Brothers.

Mang Ryo was already at the octagonal pavilion on the summit. He was waiting with even a small drinking table set up inside.

Mang Ryo naturally made a cupped-fist salute and invited her inside.

“I was very rude before. I’ve warmed some wine, so please come and have a drink.”

However, Dan Ryeong-gyeong did not climb up to the octagonal pavilion.

She directed her gaze toward the stretcher covered with straw matting beside the octagonal pavilion and the two workers standing holding the stretcher.

“What kind of trick is this?”

“Didn’t I inform you in advance by letter? To exchange the Jin family boy and Baek Li-gwon.”

“So I’m asking why you suddenly changed your mind.”

“My mind hasn’t changed. From the beginning, I didn’t like Baek Li-jung, and I chose the most efficient method to save the Jin family boy from there. I wasn’t confident I could save him if I took him.”

Mang Ryo looked around at Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s side. Dan Ryeong-gyeong had ridden in an uncovered palanquin carried by the Guangtou Brothers.

“But where is the Jin family boy? Surely you didn’t come here empty-handed.”

“As you can see, I’m empty-handed.”

“Hmm? That’s a rather disappointing choice.”

“I don’t trust those who frequently change their words.”

“You’ve misjudged me. I’m someone who doesn’t know what lying is.”

Mang Ryo gestured.

Two workers wearing bamboo hats set down the stretcher and withdrew.

“Look. See whether I lied or not.”

“Is he dead?”

“See for yourself. It’s very difficult to continue being kind to someone who doesn’t keep promises. If you weren’t going to keep your promise, why did you come all this way?”

Mang Ryo grumbled. Dan Ryeong-gyeong gracefully stepped down from the palanquin and went to the stretcher.

“Ah, wait.”

Mang Ryo suddenly came down from the octagonal pavilion leaning on his staff.

Thump, thump.

“Let’s do this. I’ll compromise as much as possible, so just tell me where the Jin family boy is. You can do at least that much.”

“I don’t sell out comrades.”

“Comrades?”

Mang Ryo laughed loudly.

“Hehehe! So that was it! They said that boy was a killer raised by Shandong Enchanting Flower, and those words weren’t wrong.”

“What did you say?”

Mang Ryo was saying strange things that didn’t fit the situation, so Dan Ryeong-gyeong was puzzled.

But before she could ask more, Mang Ryo waved his hand as if shooing away an annoying fly.

“Go away. You came empty-handed and show no sincerity, so our deal ends here.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s brow furrowed.

“You’re deliberately humiliating me.”

“Humiliation my ass, you’re not prepared to trade goods!”

Mang Ryo got angry.

“Stop acting rudely and either come have a drink and go back, or just get lost.”

The angry Guangtou Brothers tried to step forward. Dan Ryeong-gyeong raised her hand to stop them and walked forward.

Then she lifted the straw matting on the stretcher. Underneath, Baek Li-gwon lay with his eyes closed, motionless as if dead.

And the moment Dan Ryeong-gyeong raised her head, Mang Ryo flew at her. Mang Ryo struck at Dan Ryeong-gyeong with his staff.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong snorted.

“With that level of skill.”

She raised her delicate hand, unbefitting a martial artist, and pushed away Mang Ryo’s entire staff with just one hand.

Thwack, thwack thwack!

Mang Ryo flipped his body backward and kicked at Dan Ryeong-gyeong with his prosthetic leg. Dan Ryeong-gyeong tried to simply push away the prosthetic leg with her palm.

But at that moment.

‘Gunpowder smell!’

BANG!

One of Mang Ryo’s prosthetic legs exploded, showering dozens of small arrows at Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

From the recoil, Mang Ryo flew all the way to the octagonal pavilion’s railing where his body crashed, and he hung his arm over the railing and laughed.

“Hehehe, damn old man. Where’s the greatest craftsman? This thing couldn’t even catch a mouse!”

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Woon-jeong spoke with confidence.

“In Sichuan, no one can harm a disciple of Qingcheng Sect.”

“What if you go outside Sichuan?”

“I haven’t thought about that. My master still says it’s not time for me to leave Sichuan.”

Jin Ja-gang chuckled softly.

It was because the contrast with himself was too stark.

Thinking only of revenge, enduring hardships and tasting gall.

For eight years, he had saved even sleeping time to dig tunnels, had to sleep among rotting corpses, and with all his teachers dead, he had endured by memorizing incomprehensible texts without understanding their meaning.

Jin Ja-gang had to learn survival entirely on his own.

This was solely because Jin Ja-gang belonged to a small medicine sect called Hundred Flower Valley.

But disciples of great sects had completely different circumstances.

Like a mother protecting her young, the sect and masters protected them. A fence surrounded them until they could hunt sufficiently on their own.

Perhaps because of this, they seemed somewhat insensitive to external threats. Of course, their advantage was having martial arts sufficient to overcome dangers even with such insensitivity.

Jin Ja-gang envied them. Being born into such a sect. Having a sect and family members to rely on during difficult times.

“…!”

Jin Ja-gang was startled when Woon-jeong suddenly thrust his face close to Jin Ja-gang’s while he was thinking.

“What is it?”

“Are you perhaps… worried about me? That someone might ambush me?”

Woon-jeong showed a surprised expression.

“As expected, you are a good person.”

Jin Ja-gang found it absurd and laughed “haha.” It was a hollow laugh. By what standards did this innocent-looking Taoist call him a good person?

Only hollow laughter came out.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong had said.

To become a benevolent tiger and act like a divine dragon.

The benevolent tiger hides its claws, the divine dragon conceals its scales.

That was probably far from Jin Ja-gang. Jin Ja-gang was neither a benevolent tiger nor a divine dragon, but just a mad dog obsessed with revenge.

If disciples of great sects grew up comfortably and were insensitive to crises, he would use even that insensitivity as a weakness to succeed in revenge to the end.

That was what an asura who had crawled up from hell should do.

Jin Ja-gang’s claws had already protruded viciously like those of an asura, tearing flesh, and until they broke or wore away completely, they could never be hidden.

* * *

Woon-jeong openly followed Jin Ja-gang around.

He was basically honest and had no malice, but the goodwill that popped out without malice was sometimes irritating.

For example,

“Why did you go around killing so many people? No matter how I look at it, you don’t seem like someone who would do such things.”

He would ask such things directly.

“What I did and didn’t do seems to have become confused, so that’s how it became known.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s answer, Woon-jeong became serious.

“My master would never have lied to me!”

So when Jin Ja-gang gave up thinking it was no longer possible to communicate and remained silent, he would slyly approach and speak again.

“But is what you just said true? If that’s true, I’ll try speaking to my master about it.”

“Even if you speak to him, nothing will change.”

“Our master is someone who does what he says he’ll do. He’s different from others. He’s very righteous and reveres chivalry, though his weakness is that he can’t control his temper…”

Jin Ja-gang had already heard who Woon-jeong’s master was.

A martial artist called Taoist Bok-cheon, who was a disciple of the current Qingcheng Sect leader. His personality was so straightforward and his pride harder than iron, so he rarely lost even in arguments.

There were even rumors that the reason Qingcheng Sect hadn’t joined the Martial Arts Alliance was because of Taoist Bok-cheon.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d listen to me, but if you don’t believe me, the situation will become worse.”

“Well…”

Woon-jeong immediately understood.

“Master is kind to people he likes but merciless to others, so I understand your concern. But how do you grasp the key points so well? I get scolded every day for being obtuse… Master always says since you can’t do anything properly, just do what you’re told and train diligently in martial arts.”

Wasn’t that actually more frightening? If someone at the level of a Qingcheng Sect leader’s disciple was encouraging martial arts training, it meant he had that level of talent.

“Do I talk too much? It’s my first time talking with someone from the evil faction, so I’m curious.”

“I’m not from the evil faction.”

“Come on, I saw you coming out of an evil faction stronghold.”

“If you come out of a Qingcheng Sect hall, does that make you a Qingcheng Sect disciple?”

“Huh? That’s true too. How strange. Actually, I came down from Qingcheng Mountain for the first time last month, and I’d never seen an evil faction person before. So I thought evil faction people would be terrifyingly demonic-looking. Haha.”

Woon-jeong didn’t stop chattering after that.

“Why do you limp? Were you born with a disability?”

“You’ll stop killing now, right? If you keep killing, it’s hard to repay those sins while alive.”

“But what martial arts do you use? I’ve hardly seen you use any martial arts. Ah, such questions would be rude, wouldn’t they? Primordial Heavenly Venerable.”

For Jin Ja-gang, who always had to be alert to his surroundings, identify the positions and types of nearby objects, and prepare for battle in advance, this was extremely tiring.

The fact that he couldn’t properly train openly because of Woon-jeong was also somewhat difficult.

At least until leaving Dayi, it was somewhat comforting that the Tang family and Emei Sect couldn’t openly act because of Woon-jeong.

“Oh right, there’s something I’m really curious about. Yesterday at the inn, the Tang family person mixed poison in the rice, right? What would you have done if I hadn’t eaten it?”

Naturally, since it was safe to eat, he would have just eaten it.

Jin Ja-gang remembered Bian Bu and quoted his words in response.

“There’s someone wise who has lived long in the world, and he advised me. Don’t get involved with Tang family people and pretend not to know anything no matter what. So I was just going to pretend not to know and eat it.”

“Ugh! But it had poison in it!”

“I suppose eating poisoned food is better than getting involved with Tang family people.”

“Wahaha!”

Woon-jeong burst into loud laughter. Most people seemed to have similar perceptions about the Tang family.

“To think there’s someone with such insight. I’d like to meet them if I get the chance.”

“You can meet them if you go to the manor I came from.”

But at that moment, Woon-jeong’s expression became strange.

“Huh? Really?”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Woon-jeong.

Woon-jeong muttered to himself while watching Jin Ja-gang’s reaction.

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh, well. I mean… Ah! I don’t know if I should talk about this! Master didn’t tell me about that part!”

Jin Ja-gang had an intuition.

Something was happening at the manor.

“Please tell me.”

However, Woon-jeong wasn’t easily willing to open his mouth.

“I can’t. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say it or not.”

Then Jin Ja-gang left Woon-jeong alone and suddenly went into the forest and began digging a hole. Woon-jeong followed out of curiosity.

“What… are you doing?”

“I’m digging a cave dwelling.”

“What? Why suddenly a cave dwelling?”

“I’m thinking of settling down here and living for about three years.”

“What?”

Woon-jeong was flustered.

“I was ordered to watch over you until you leave Dayi! What am I supposed to do if you stay here for three years? He said if I do this job well, he’ll let me go out into the martial world.”

“Then will you tell me? What’s happening at the manor?”

Jin Ja-gang stared intently at Woon-jeong.

Woon-jeong pondered for a long time, but it seemed he couldn’t stay here for three years.

“Oh dear. Actually…”

* * *

Southern Guangxi.

Guilin’s Laozhai Mountain.

A paradise-like place where various strangely shaped peaks that had risen from the earth in ancient times like teeth jutted up along the Li River.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong arrived at the appointed place on Laozhai Mountain’s summit in a small palanquin with the Guangtou Brothers.

Mang Ryo was already at the octagonal pavilion on the summit. He was waiting with even a small drinking table set up inside.

Mang Ryo naturally made a cupped-fist salute and invited her inside.

“I was very rude before. I’ve warmed some wine, so please come and have a drink.”

However, Dan Ryeong-gyeong did not climb up to the octagonal pavilion.

She directed her gaze toward the stretcher covered with straw matting beside the octagonal pavilion and the two workers standing holding the stretcher.

“What kind of trick is this?”

“Didn’t I inform you in advance by letter? To exchange the Jin family boy and Baek Li-gwon.”

“So I’m asking why you suddenly changed your mind.”

“My mind hasn’t changed. From the beginning, I didn’t like Baek Li-jung, and I chose the most efficient method to save the Jin family boy from there. I wasn’t confident I could save him if I took him.”

Mang Ryo looked around at Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s side. Dan Ryeong-gyeong had ridden in an uncovered palanquin carried by the Guangtou Brothers.

“But where is the Jin family boy? Surely you didn’t come here empty-handed.”

“As you can see, I’m empty-handed.”

“Hmm? That’s a rather disappointing choice.”

“I don’t trust those who frequently change their words.”

“You’ve misjudged me. I’m someone who doesn’t know what lying is.”

Mang Ryo gestured.

Two workers wearing bamboo hats set down the stretcher and withdrew.

“Look. See whether I lied or not.”

“Is he dead?”

“See for yourself. It’s very difficult to continue being kind to someone who doesn’t keep promises. If you weren’t going to keep your promise, why did you come all this way?”

Mang Ryo grumbled. Dan Ryeong-gyeong gracefully stepped down from the palanquin and went to the stretcher.

“Ah, wait.”

Mang Ryo suddenly came down from the octagonal pavilion leaning on his staff.

Thump, thump.

“Let’s do this. I’ll compromise as much as possible, so just tell me where the Jin family boy is. You can do at least that much.”

“I don’t sell out comrades.”

“Comrades?”

Mang Ryo laughed loudly.

“Hehehe! So that was it! They said that boy was a killer raised by Shandong Enchanting Flower, and those words weren’t wrong.”

“What did you say?”

Mang Ryo was saying strange things that didn’t fit the situation, so Dan Ryeong-gyeong was puzzled.

But before she could ask more, Mang Ryo waved his hand as if shooing away an annoying fly.

“Go away. You came empty-handed and show no sincerity, so our deal ends here.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s brow furrowed.

“You’re deliberately humiliating me.”

“Humiliation my ass, you’re not prepared to trade goods!”

Mang Ryo got angry.

“Stop acting rudely and either come have a drink and go back, or just get lost.”

The angry Guangtou Brothers tried to step forward. Dan Ryeong-gyeong raised her hand to stop them and walked forward.

Then she lifted the straw matting on the stretcher. Underneath, Baek Li-gwon lay with his eyes closed, motionless as if dead.

And the moment Dan Ryeong-gyeong raised her head, Mang Ryo flew at her. Mang Ryo struck at Dan Ryeong-gyeong with his staff.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong snorted.

“With that level of skill.”

She raised her delicate hand, unbefitting a martial artist, and pushed away Mang Ryo’s entire staff with just one hand.

Thwack, thwack thwack!

Mang Ryo flipped his body backward and kicked at Dan Ryeong-gyeong with his prosthetic leg. Dan Ryeong-gyeong tried to simply push away the prosthetic leg with her palm.

But at that moment.

‘Gunpowder smell!’

BANG!

One of Mang Ryo’s prosthetic legs exploded, showering dozens of small arrows at Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

From the recoil, Mang Ryo flew all the way to the octagonal pavilion’s railing where his body crashed, and he hung his arm over the railing and laughed.

“Hehehe, damn old man. Where’s the greatest craftsman? This thing couldn’t even catch a mouse!”

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