Chapter 424

Chapter 424

Sim Hak was very nervous.

He couldn’t tell what scheme Mang Ryo was concocting. So he was anxious that Mang Ryo might silence the servants and errand boys after everything was over.

But far from silencing them, Mang Ryo rewarded them generously for doing well. Even that went overboard. He threw them pouches full of silver coins and told them to take them.

Like someone who wouldn’t need money tomorrow.

After finishing his grooming, Mang Ryo became a completely different person.

He looked like a court historian who had spent long years in the Hanlin Academy.

Mang Ryo had spent more than half a day solely on grooming.

Mang Ryo wasn’t bored at all. Sim Hak, who was watching, got tired from being nervous and dozed off instead.

“Well, shall we go?”

At Mang Ryo’s soliloquy, Sim Hak woke up with a start and fell off his chair rolling.

“Are, are you done? Where are you going?”

“Tang Family Main House.”

Sim Hak’s mouth fell open.

He was too incredulous to say more.

“Why groom yourself to go to the Tang Family Main House! No, more than that, why go to the Tang Family Main House!”

“When Master Haewol appeared at Dujiangyan, the Tang family lifted their siege at exactly the right time, right? There had already been some kind of communication between them.”

“Knowing that, you told us to spread rumors that you harmed Master Haewol?”

“I did.”

“And now the person who played a big role in harming that Master Haewol and driving the Tang family into a corner is going to visit the Tang family!”

“I have to go. If I don’t go at this important moment, when will I go? I’ve been waiting for this day for so long.”

“…!”

Sim Hak stared blankly at Mang Ryo.

Mang Ryo was telling them to prepare a palanquin outside when he suddenly remembered something and looked back at Sim Hak.

“Oh, I see. It would be fine to have one spectator. It would be too precious a scene to watch alone.”

Sim Hak grabbed the bed leg and shouted.

“I, I won’t go! Why would I go die in a tiger’s den! They must be sharpening their knives against us!”

“Right. If even Military Advisor Sim thinks that way, the Tang family is cornered. They’re probably desperate to devour us.”

“Then why go!”

“That’s why I’m going.”

Mang Ryo’s single eye flickered.

“Military Advisor Sim.”

“Why, why are you doing this?”

“There was a guy who had nothing, nothing to lose, so he rampaged like naked thunder.”

“But, but what does that matter?”

“That guy gained people’s reputation, rose to high positions, and became son-in-law of a great family. He got a beautiful wife and had children too. He also gained thousands of subordinates he could command with one word and tens of thousands of gold in wealth.”

Mang Ryo spoke with flickering eyes.

“Now he has many possessions. But one day he lost all of that in an instant. If that were Military Advisor Sim, how do you think you’d feel?”

Sim Hak looked at Mang Ryo’s expression and answered.

“If it were me, I’d go mad and jump around frantically. I probably couldn’t accept it with a sound mind…”

Only then did Mang Ryo close his single eye and smile contentedly.

“As expected. I can see why Prefect Baek keeps Military Advisor Sim by his side.”

Sim Hak had a dumbfounded expression.

“Is that a compliment?”

“It’s a compliment. So let’s go.”

Sim Hak was completely frozen.

“I won’t go! I won’t go!”

Mang Ryo grabbed Sim Hak’s nape with one hand and lifted him up.

“Let’s go.”

Sim Hak trembled. But even in the midst of this, Sim Hak couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

“But what you said earlier.”

“Hmm?”

“Isn’t Advisor Mang the same?”

“Me?”

“Advisor Mang also became such a great person that you’re called a patriotic hero. But aren’t you going to the Tang Family Main House with your neck on the line?”

Mang Ryo grinned wickedly.

“Flowery words like hero mean nothing to me.”

Deep hostility was revealed in Mang Ryo’s smile.

Mang Ryo spoke in a desolate voice filled with deep regret.

“I’m someone who died long ago after losing all dreams and hopes.”

Sim Hak felt chills.

After briefly swallowing dryly, Sim Hak asked.

“Will you… make me groom like Advisor Mang?”

“No need. Military Advisor Sim is a spectator.”

Mang Ryo walked out of the cabin with his prosthetic leg wrapped in soft silk while holding Sim Hak’s nape.

“With one cup of wine the rising moon becomes a beauty, with two cups the blue of the river becomes a dear friend. If friends in Luoyang ask about my well-being, tell them a piece of pure heart is in a jade bottle. Rain comes and goes on a clear day, trying to break the soul of a passerby.”

That was a poem Mang Ryo had recited at will when he was in good spirits after first taking Jin Ja-gang’s broken legs.

By the river, a carriage heading to the Tang Family Main House was waiting for Mang Ryo.

Before getting in the carriage, Mang Ryo told a messenger.

“If I don’t return within half a day, depart the ships regardless of reason. Understood?”

* * *

The Tang Family Main House was wrapped in shock as great as when King of Hell Tang Qing was defeated by Jin Ja-gang and fell.

Master Haewol was defeated by Baek Li-jung and fell.

Frankly speaking, there was no way Master Haewol could lose to Baek Li-jung in one-on-one combat and fall. Especially if he had brought in Demon Cult too.

That meant nothing other than that Baek Li-jung had dug a trap and waited.

“Since Northern Heaven unorthodox sect showed themselves, Thunder Emperor Ga Mu-ru must have joined.”

“Bringing in Demon Cult might have been a mistake.”

The Tang family leadership suffered.

Either way, the Tang family faced even more desperate straits.

If they stepped forward now to steal salt, it would be enough to be suspected of being entangled with Demon Cult like Master Haewol.

“Rather… we should have done it with our own hands instead of entrusting it to Master Haewol.”

“We’re trying to block with a hoe what should be blocked with a rake.”

“If we had endured some criticism and stolen the salt, then used our finances to buy proper salt for relief work, we wouldn’t have been cornered like this.”

“How do we handle the aftermath now?”

The Tang family’s future became gloomy.

The leaders’ eyes naturally turned toward Jin Ja-gang on one side. Their gazes mixed with resentment.

They were blaming Jin Ja-gang.

If it hadn’t been for Jin Ja-gang, if rather King of Hell Tang Qing had been in that position, whether things turned to porridge or rice, it wouldn’t have been this difficult!

When Tang Qing controlled the Tang family, they just had to follow along. There was no need for complex worries or thoughts, and even without them, the Tang family prospered.

But what is this now?

Their heads ached and there were no solutions. Though cornered, no one could provide a solution.

If it were King of Hell, if it were Tang Qing, he would have solved this difficulty.

Tang Gwi-ok was not unaware of those gazes.

But Tang Gwi-ok couldn’t blame them either. Tang Gwi-ok too had only managed household affairs under Tang Qing’s rule.

Jin Ja-gang quietly received the leaders’ gazes then spoke as if tossing words out.

“I’ll do it.”

The leadership was puzzled.

“What… do you mean?”

Jin Ja-gang explained for them.

“I mean I’ll do the action Master Haewol tried to do.”

“What?”

“Without borrowing the Tang family’s name. I’ll step forward personally and try to steal the salt.”

Tang Gwi-ok looked at Jin Ja-gang in surprise.

The leadership also asked urgently with anxious expressions.

“Do you think that makes sense? The rumor that you defeated King of Hell has already spread throughout the martial world, and now you want us to claim we’re unrelated?”

“Not only is it impossible for you alone to do what even Master Haewol couldn’t, but even if you somehow succeed, we won’t be free from responsibility!”

Jin Ja-gang looked at the elder who had just spoken and said firmly.

“Bear that much responsibility.”

“What?”

The elder became speechless.

“Say that I acted independently unrelated to the Tang family. Whether you believe it or not, claim that and take responsibility for the aftermath yourselves. It’s already too late to resolve things without any damage.”

The leadership fell silent.

Tang Gwi-ok asked.

“Listen, son-in-law. We can take that much responsibility. But you… will receive the same treatment Master Haewol is receiving. As an eternal… villain in martial world history.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Gwi-ok.

“I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

Then, unlike Jin Ja-gang, he looked around at the leaders and added.

“Of course, it’s not for your sake.”

* * *

Jin Ja-gang left the Tang Family Main House and called together Bian Bu, Taoist Master Bok-cheon, and others. Sword Empress Im Yi-yeon and Son Bi also joined them.

They too had heard the rumors that Master Haewol had died.

They were worried about what would happen next.

Jin Ja-gang brought up the topic.

“I’m going to leave the Tang Family Main House now.”

Though it was an unexpected statement, the quick-witted Bian Bu immediately understood Jin Ja-gang’s intention.

“Poison Dragon. I’m asking just in case… it’s not what I’m thinking, is it?”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon scolded in a stern voice.

“Don’t think useless thoughts!”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“They say the fleet carrying salt has stopped while coming down the Min River. Once it reaches the Yangtze River, we can’t catch up. If not now, there’s no chance.”

“You! Do you want to become an enemy of the martial world?”

Jin Ja-gang stayed quiet then said.

“My only goal was to take revenge for Hundred Flower Valley. I had no other reason to live.”

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

“Don’t talk like someone going to die! No, this is almost the same as going to die. But now you have a family. This is your home.”

“That’s right. That’s why I’m going.”

“To protect the Tang family? The Tang family is Hundred Flower Valley’s enemy. I’d rather understand if you said you’d grab your wife’s hand and flee the Tang family! This isn’t even that, so what on earth are you thinking?”

“There’s someone I must kill. He’s the true mastermind behind Hundred Flower Valley’s massacre and simultaneously the one who messed up the martial world’s order.”

“Since when were you a hero! If it’s for revenge, it would be much easier not to bear unnecessary infamy. Understand? This is advice from me as an elder and life senior.”

“It’s not because I’m a hero. It’s for the future.”

“…”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“I have a dream. A dream that the martial world where my wife and soon-to-be-born child will live would be at least better than now.”

Bian Bu asked with a frustrated face.

“So you’re going to die?”

Jin Ja-gang answered. Like Master Haewol had said.

“I’m not going to die, I’m going to find hope.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s words, Im Yi-yeon suddenly seemed to realize and shouted.

“Ah…!”

Though Im Yi-yeon’s complexion wasn’t good due to internal injuries, her eyes held indescribable overwhelming emotion.

“You plan to continue his will! Master Haewol didn’t just ascend as a martial world public enemy. He left his will to you. Am I wrong!”

Continuing his will means inheriting his intentions.

Suddenly everyone realized.

The reason Master Haewol suddenly went to rob salt and died.

Woon-jeong muttered as if dazed.

“Then the Clear Mirror Heart Sutra too… Poison Dragon friend suddenly shedding tears after reading the Clear Mirror Heart Sutra too…”

Jin Ja-gang cut off Woon-jeong’s words and said.

“Now what remains is my business. The rest of you don’t need to get involved in unnecessary trouble. It would be best if you left the Tang Family Main House as quickly as possible.”

Jin Ja-gang left the gazes of those staring at him with blank expressions behind him and immediately turned around to leave.

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Sim Hak was very nervous.

He couldn’t tell what scheme Mang Ryo was concocting. So he was anxious that Mang Ryo might silence the servants and errand boys after everything was over.

But far from silencing them, Mang Ryo rewarded them generously for doing well. Even that went overboard. He threw them pouches full of silver coins and told them to take them.

Like someone who wouldn’t need money tomorrow.

After finishing his grooming, Mang Ryo became a completely different person.

He looked like a court historian who had spent long years in the Hanlin Academy.

Mang Ryo had spent more than half a day solely on grooming.

Mang Ryo wasn’t bored at all. Sim Hak, who was watching, got tired from being nervous and dozed off instead.

“Well, shall we go?”

At Mang Ryo’s soliloquy, Sim Hak woke up with a start and fell off his chair rolling.

“Are, are you done? Where are you going?”

“Tang Family Main House.”

Sim Hak’s mouth fell open.

He was too incredulous to say more.

“Why groom yourself to go to the Tang Family Main House! No, more than that, why go to the Tang Family Main House!”

“When Master Haewol appeared at Dujiangyan, the Tang family lifted their siege at exactly the right time, right? There had already been some kind of communication between them.”

“Knowing that, you told us to spread rumors that you harmed Master Haewol?”

“I did.”

“And now the person who played a big role in harming that Master Haewol and driving the Tang family into a corner is going to visit the Tang family!”

“I have to go. If I don’t go at this important moment, when will I go? I’ve been waiting for this day for so long.”

“…!”

Sim Hak stared blankly at Mang Ryo.

Mang Ryo was telling them to prepare a palanquin outside when he suddenly remembered something and looked back at Sim Hak.

“Oh, I see. It would be fine to have one spectator. It would be too precious a scene to watch alone.”

Sim Hak grabbed the bed leg and shouted.

“I, I won’t go! Why would I go die in a tiger’s den! They must be sharpening their knives against us!”

“Right. If even Military Advisor Sim thinks that way, the Tang family is cornered. They’re probably desperate to devour us.”

“Then why go!”

“That’s why I’m going.”

Mang Ryo’s single eye flickered.

“Military Advisor Sim.”

“Why, why are you doing this?”

“There was a guy who had nothing, nothing to lose, so he rampaged like naked thunder.”

“But, but what does that matter?”

“That guy gained people’s reputation, rose to high positions, and became son-in-law of a great family. He got a beautiful wife and had children too. He also gained thousands of subordinates he could command with one word and tens of thousands of gold in wealth.”

Mang Ryo spoke with flickering eyes.

“Now he has many possessions. But one day he lost all of that in an instant. If that were Military Advisor Sim, how do you think you’d feel?”

Sim Hak looked at Mang Ryo’s expression and answered.

“If it were me, I’d go mad and jump around frantically. I probably couldn’t accept it with a sound mind…”

Only then did Mang Ryo close his single eye and smile contentedly.

“As expected. I can see why Prefect Baek keeps Military Advisor Sim by his side.”

Sim Hak had a dumbfounded expression.

“Is that a compliment?”

“It’s a compliment. So let’s go.”

Sim Hak was completely frozen.

“I won’t go! I won’t go!”

Mang Ryo grabbed Sim Hak’s nape with one hand and lifted him up.

“Let’s go.”

Sim Hak trembled. But even in the midst of this, Sim Hak couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

“But what you said earlier.”

“Hmm?”

“Isn’t Advisor Mang the same?”

“Me?”

“Advisor Mang also became such a great person that you’re called a patriotic hero. But aren’t you going to the Tang Family Main House with your neck on the line?”

Mang Ryo grinned wickedly.

“Flowery words like hero mean nothing to me.”

Deep hostility was revealed in Mang Ryo’s smile.

Mang Ryo spoke in a desolate voice filled with deep regret.

“I’m someone who died long ago after losing all dreams and hopes.”

Sim Hak felt chills.

After briefly swallowing dryly, Sim Hak asked.

“Will you… make me groom like Advisor Mang?”

“No need. Military Advisor Sim is a spectator.”

Mang Ryo walked out of the cabin with his prosthetic leg wrapped in soft silk while holding Sim Hak’s nape.

“With one cup of wine the rising moon becomes a beauty, with two cups the blue of the river becomes a dear friend. If friends in Luoyang ask about my well-being, tell them a piece of pure heart is in a jade bottle. Rain comes and goes on a clear day, trying to break the soul of a passerby.”

That was a poem Mang Ryo had recited at will when he was in good spirits after first taking Jin Ja-gang’s broken legs.

By the river, a carriage heading to the Tang Family Main House was waiting for Mang Ryo.

Before getting in the carriage, Mang Ryo told a messenger.

“If I don’t return within half a day, depart the ships regardless of reason. Understood?”

* * *

The Tang Family Main House was wrapped in shock as great as when King of Hell Tang Qing was defeated by Jin Ja-gang and fell.

Master Haewol was defeated by Baek Li-jung and fell.

Frankly speaking, there was no way Master Haewol could lose to Baek Li-jung in one-on-one combat and fall. Especially if he had brought in Demon Cult too.

That meant nothing other than that Baek Li-jung had dug a trap and waited.

“Since Northern Heaven unorthodox sect showed themselves, Thunder Emperor Ga Mu-ru must have joined.”

“Bringing in Demon Cult might have been a mistake.”

The Tang family leadership suffered.

Either way, the Tang family faced even more desperate straits.

If they stepped forward now to steal salt, it would be enough to be suspected of being entangled with Demon Cult like Master Haewol.

“Rather… we should have done it with our own hands instead of entrusting it to Master Haewol.”

“We’re trying to block with a hoe what should be blocked with a rake.”

“If we had endured some criticism and stolen the salt, then used our finances to buy proper salt for relief work, we wouldn’t have been cornered like this.”

“How do we handle the aftermath now?”

The Tang family’s future became gloomy.

The leaders’ eyes naturally turned toward Jin Ja-gang on one side. Their gazes mixed with resentment.

They were blaming Jin Ja-gang.

If it hadn’t been for Jin Ja-gang, if rather King of Hell Tang Qing had been in that position, whether things turned to porridge or rice, it wouldn’t have been this difficult!

When Tang Qing controlled the Tang family, they just had to follow along. There was no need for complex worries or thoughts, and even without them, the Tang family prospered.

But what is this now?

Their heads ached and there were no solutions. Though cornered, no one could provide a solution.

If it were King of Hell, if it were Tang Qing, he would have solved this difficulty.

Tang Gwi-ok was not unaware of those gazes.

But Tang Gwi-ok couldn’t blame them either. Tang Gwi-ok too had only managed household affairs under Tang Qing’s rule.

Jin Ja-gang quietly received the leaders’ gazes then spoke as if tossing words out.

“I’ll do it.”

The leadership was puzzled.

“What… do you mean?”

Jin Ja-gang explained for them.

“I mean I’ll do the action Master Haewol tried to do.”

“What?”

“Without borrowing the Tang family’s name. I’ll step forward personally and try to steal the salt.”

Tang Gwi-ok looked at Jin Ja-gang in surprise.

The leadership also asked urgently with anxious expressions.

“Do you think that makes sense? The rumor that you defeated King of Hell has already spread throughout the martial world, and now you want us to claim we’re unrelated?”

“Not only is it impossible for you alone to do what even Master Haewol couldn’t, but even if you somehow succeed, we won’t be free from responsibility!”

Jin Ja-gang looked at the elder who had just spoken and said firmly.

“Bear that much responsibility.”

“What?”

The elder became speechless.

“Say that I acted independently unrelated to the Tang family. Whether you believe it or not, claim that and take responsibility for the aftermath yourselves. It’s already too late to resolve things without any damage.”

The leadership fell silent.

Tang Gwi-ok asked.

“Listen, son-in-law. We can take that much responsibility. But you… will receive the same treatment Master Haewol is receiving. As an eternal… villain in martial world history.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Gwi-ok.

“I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

Then, unlike Jin Ja-gang, he looked around at the leaders and added.

“Of course, it’s not for your sake.”

* * *

Jin Ja-gang left the Tang Family Main House and called together Bian Bu, Taoist Master Bok-cheon, and others. Sword Empress Im Yi-yeon and Son Bi also joined them.

They too had heard the rumors that Master Haewol had died.

They were worried about what would happen next.

Jin Ja-gang brought up the topic.

“I’m going to leave the Tang Family Main House now.”

Though it was an unexpected statement, the quick-witted Bian Bu immediately understood Jin Ja-gang’s intention.

“Poison Dragon. I’m asking just in case… it’s not what I’m thinking, is it?”

Taoist Master Bok-cheon scolded in a stern voice.

“Don’t think useless thoughts!”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“They say the fleet carrying salt has stopped while coming down the Min River. Once it reaches the Yangtze River, we can’t catch up. If not now, there’s no chance.”

“You! Do you want to become an enemy of the martial world?”

Jin Ja-gang stayed quiet then said.

“My only goal was to take revenge for Hundred Flower Valley. I had no other reason to live.”

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

“Don’t talk like someone going to die! No, this is almost the same as going to die. But now you have a family. This is your home.”

“That’s right. That’s why I’m going.”

“To protect the Tang family? The Tang family is Hundred Flower Valley’s enemy. I’d rather understand if you said you’d grab your wife’s hand and flee the Tang family! This isn’t even that, so what on earth are you thinking?”

“There’s someone I must kill. He’s the true mastermind behind Hundred Flower Valley’s massacre and simultaneously the one who messed up the martial world’s order.”

“Since when were you a hero! If it’s for revenge, it would be much easier not to bear unnecessary infamy. Understand? This is advice from me as an elder and life senior.”

“It’s not because I’m a hero. It’s for the future.”

“…”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“I have a dream. A dream that the martial world where my wife and soon-to-be-born child will live would be at least better than now.”

Bian Bu asked with a frustrated face.

“So you’re going to die?”

Jin Ja-gang answered. Like Master Haewol had said.

“I’m not going to die, I’m going to find hope.”

At Jin Ja-gang’s words, Im Yi-yeon suddenly seemed to realize and shouted.

“Ah…!”

Though Im Yi-yeon’s complexion wasn’t good due to internal injuries, her eyes held indescribable overwhelming emotion.

“You plan to continue his will! Master Haewol didn’t just ascend as a martial world public enemy. He left his will to you. Am I wrong!”

Continuing his will means inheriting his intentions.

Suddenly everyone realized.

The reason Master Haewol suddenly went to rob salt and died.

Woon-jeong muttered as if dazed.

“Then the Clear Mirror Heart Sutra too… Poison Dragon friend suddenly shedding tears after reading the Clear Mirror Heart Sutra too…”

Jin Ja-gang cut off Woon-jeong’s words and said.

“Now what remains is my business. The rest of you don’t need to get involved in unnecessary trouble. It would be best if you left the Tang Family Main House as quickly as possible.”

Jin Ja-gang left the gazes of those staring at him with blank expressions behind him and immediately turned around to leave.

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