Chapter 460

Chapter 460

The chaos that erupted in Sichuan subsided quickly, largely due to Tang Ha-ran’s efforts.

By dispatching Tang Family experts to regions where disputes occurred, she actively mediated.

This not only sought Sichuan’s stability but also had the effect of raising the Tang Family’s standing, though it was also part of the search for clues about the Hungry Ghost King.

Consequently, sects with problems naturally came to the Tang Family.

“Another request for mediation came.”

Tang Ha-ran spoke to Jin Ja-gang while nursing Poison Heaven.

“This time it’s not internal sect rebellion but a conflict between two sects. Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect, apparently. I sent people, but they’ve been bitter enemies in Zigong for quite a long time, so it doesn’t seem easily resolved. I should send someone else.”

Jin Ja-gang had splints on his arm and bandages wrapped around his entire body, but the external wounds had all healed. Once the scabs fell off, his skin was smooth and translucent as before.

So much so that even the Tang Family women, and even Yeong-gwi and Son-bi, envied him.

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“There are still places with disputes?”

“Most have been resolved. Except for a few places.”

“Shall I go take a look?”

“You?”

Jin Ja-gang held up the pile of documents in front of him.

They were reports written by experts dispatched from the Tang Family about sects where turmoil had occurred.

“I can’t find anything particular just from documents. I think I need to see directly.”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“Most who instigated the turmoil were those with grievances against their sects. They say they instigated rebellions for succession, or coveting wealth or positions.”

“That’s right.”

“But turmoil erupted throughout Sichuan, throughout the entire martial world at similar times. It can’t be coincidence. The Hungry Ghost King must have incited them to act.”

“But as you can see from the reports, there are no commonalities among the instigators, and no relationships between them at all. It can only be interpreted as each acting separately. Of course, I don’t believe that either.”

Despite being involved in suppressing most of the turmoil in Sichuan, they still hadn’t found clues about the Hungry Ghost King.

“Mm.”

“If someone deliberately approached to cause chaos, we definitely would have discovered it during our investigation. But the instigators all say the same thing. That they started trouble because they had grievances. That no one incited them.”

“For those with grievances to raise rebellion, only someone who knew the sect’s internal circumstances well and for a long time could do that. If they’d known each other like family for a long period, they could have been recruited and influenced without realizing.”

Tang Ha-ran made an expression of incomprehension.

“Just for chaos? Less than thirty percent of the rebellions in our Sichuan succeeded. They almost all failed. It’s really strange that plans to recruit people for decades failed.”

“I can’t figure that out either.”

“It’s still ongoing, but looking at not just here but the entire martial world, I estimate successful cases won’t exceed fifty percent. No one benefited from this. No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t make sense.”

Tang Ha-ran held her forehead as if her head hurt.

Jin Ja-gang also tapped the table with his fingers.

“What are we missing? Perhaps it’s visible before our eyes but we can’t discern it, I don’t know.”

Then Poison Heaven started crying.

“Oh my, our Poison Heaven is good, right? Why are you crying after eating well?”

Tang Ha-ran soothed Poison Heaven, but Poison Heaven shook her head and cried while clenching her small fists.

Unfortunately, someone called for Tang Ha-ran from outside. Even as acting family head, there was much to do.

“This meeting will probably be long.”

Tang Ha-ran entrusted Poison Heaven to Jin Ja-gang and prepared for the meeting.

“Go to the place I mentioned earlier. Actually, there’s no one in the main family with insight like yours.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Ha-ran as if asking what she meant.

“I’m holding the child.”

“Go together with her.”

“I heard it’s not good to take a child outside before the hundredth day.”

“That’s because they might catch a disease. Do you know why we gave our child the childhood name Poison Heaven? Because she was born in the midst of poison and heaven, we named her Poison Heaven.”

Though she was completely an infant, there was no way Poison Heaven, born receiving Jin Ja-gang’s poison, would catch a disease.

Jin Ja-gang protested as much as possible.

“But she hasn’t finished nursing yet. She’ll be hungry.”

“Then feed her your poison.”

“What?”

Tang Ha-ran looked back at Jin Ja-gang while putting on her outer garment.

“Why? Or are you embarrassed to go out with Poison Heaven?”

“It’s not that, but I have to go to a sect where a dispute occurred…”

Tang Ha-ran approached, embraced Jin Ja-gang’s head against her chest while he was speaking, and patted him. Then she kissed Jin Ja-gang’s forehead and cheeks.

“Please. Affectionate Poison Heaven’s daddy.”

“…”

***

“…”

Jin Ja-gang, with a splint on his shoulder, held the baby carrier with his other arm.

“…”

Taoist Bok-cheon, who had awkwardly folded his sleeve after losing one arm, lost words for a moment seeing that sight.

“Where are you going like that?”

“I have business in Zigong. How is your condition?”

Looking down at his empty arm, Taoist Bok-cheon answered.

“Adapting.”

“But where are you going, Taoist?”

Taoist Bok-cheon also looked dressed for going out.

“I’m thinking of gradually returning to Qingcheng. The fellow disciples who left say they’re returning too. The martial world’s situation is serious. At times like this, we need to establish ourselves in Sichuan and hold the center.”

Shaolin Temple had resumed the Righteous Dharma Walk and Baek Li-jung was preparing to rebuild the Martial Arts Alliance. The chaos was reaching its peak. If they briefly took shelter before, now was the turn to stand firm to avoid being swept away.

“I see.”

If Qingcheng Sect returned, Sichuan would become more solid. Though it would be difficult to return to the three powers structure of the Tang Family, Emei Sect, and Qingcheng Sect, it would help Sichuan’s stability.

Woon-jeong and So-so came close to Jin Ja-gang, happy to see Poison Heaven.

“Wow! Cute!”

Jin Ja-gang warned.

“Don’t come too close. She sometimes can’t control poison energy and mixes it in her breath.”

“Oh, really?”

Woon-jeong nodded.

“Well… her name is Poison Heaven.”

“…”

“Why are you frowning?”

“It’s nothing. Anyway… is Taoist Woon-jeong also going together?”

“Yes.”

Woon-jeong would also leave with Taoist Bok-cheon, and Bian Bu and So-so decided to stay.

Shandong had been smashed by Shaolin Temple’s Righteous Dharma Walk.

Especially, the Hwangbo Family, who had long viewed Shandong’s Evil Sect as a thorn in their side, actively helped the Righteous Dharma Walk, they said.

Bian Bu requested from the side.

“Seon-rang will come to Sichuan soon, so don’t treat her coldly because she’s Evil Sect. If you treat her coldly, she’ll go to Qingcheng Sect.”

Taoist Bok-cheon snorted.

“Who said we’d accept her?”

“Don’t be like that, younger brother. Between brothers, why so…”

When Taoist Bok-cheon frowned, Bian Bu avoided Taoist Bok-cheon’s gaze and muttered.

“If you don’t like younger brother, well, you can call me bastard or mongrel…”

Because they’d promised to call him that if he didn’t accept the dice game’s result, Taoist Bok-cheon’s eyebrows trembled but he couldn’t say anything.

“I only asked you to be careful… in front of others.”

At that, Bian Bu rather pretended to be angry.

“Huh, if you’re embarrassed, let’s just quit. Who forced us to be brothers?”

Bian Bu, who used to shudder in fear at Qingcheng Sect Taoists, was now cornering Taoist Bokcheon.

“It’s not that I’m embarrassed…”

“Even the Poison Dragon is embarrassed by his child’s name, so the future Qingcheng Sect leader saying two things with one mouth could be embarrassing. Sure, that’s possible.”

Taoist Bokcheon, Woon-jeong, and So-so looked at Jin Ja-gang.

“Wow. Poison Dragon brother, were you embarrassed by Poison Heaven’s name? I think it’s fine.”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“I’m not embarrassed.”

Bian Bu looked at him.

“…It seems like you’re embarrassed?”

“I’m not embarrassed.”

When Jin Ja-gang became serious, Bian Bu couldn’t press Jin Ja-gang further. He could press Taoist Bok-cheon instead, but when the renowned Jin Ja-gang said no, he couldn’t keep insisting.

“If you say no, then no. Why get so angry…”

Hearing Jin Ja-gang was going out, Yeong-gwi and Son-bi came. Im Yi-eon was also with them.

Son-bi saw Jin Ja-gang and blushed faintly. It seemed because it had been a while since seeing him. Son-bi approached and looked into Poison Heaven in the carrier. Poison Heaven also stared at Son-bi.

Son-bi wrote characters with her finger on Jin Ja-gang’s hand that hung with the splint.

—She looks a lot like you.

“Thank you.”

A child resembling himself, his own bloodline.

Poison Heaven…

“…”

It really doesn’t seem like Poison Heaven is right.

Jin Ja-gang’s brow furrowed slightly. Son-bi tapped his hand as if asking why.

“Ah, it’s nothing. But, are you also going out, young lady?”

Im Yi-eon, who was behind, answered instead.

“She’s searching for clues, you see. Sometimes those who have what others don’t can see what normal people can’t see. My disciple will be helpful.”

They needed help from anyone’s strength. Seeing they already knew, Tang Ha-ran must have told them and arranged it.

Jin Ja-gang nodded.

“Understood.”

***

“These bastards, I’ll kill them all. How dare you toy with us?”

“Shameless beyond measure! You tried to kill us first and what? We toyed with you?”

“Don’t lie! The ones already caught spilled everything! We’ve known for a while that you Mount Yao Sect have been eyeing our business.”

“You Grand Sword Sect are the ones who’ve been scheming to covet our land, you think we don’t know! Luring an innocent disciple with gambling to get him in debt and steal land deeds?”

“Why do you blame us because you taught your disciple poorly and he stole!”

“We know that gambling den is run by your Grand Sword Sect’s people. You obviously cheated!”

“These bastards dare target us with nonsensical schemes! I’ll tear those mouths apart.”

Dozens of martial artists divided into two sides, veins bulging on their foreheads, exchanging harsh words.

The elder from the Tang Family also couldn’t easily resolve it because the grudge between the two sects ran so deep, and was anxiously struggling. Then the Tang Family elder looked to the side and brightened.

“Oh! They said they’d send someone, but I didn’t expect the Poison Dragon himself!”

Instantly, Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect, who had been noisily exchanging insults, closed their mouths like a lie and looked to the side.

The Poison Dragon who defeated the Northern Heavens’ Thunderbolt Great Emperor Gamuru and killed Yelu Huan, the new leader of the Zoroastrian Cult.

That Poison Dragon was coming here!

But Jin Ja-gang was completely different from what Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect expected.

The Poison Dragon was a handsome youth with a pale complexion, holding a baby wrapped in a carrier in one hand. Next to him stood two women of exceptional beauty as if attending the Poison Dragon, and behind, a white monkey ran around near the baby.

“…”

The one who spoke after a while wasn’t Mount Yao Sect or Grand Sword Sect but the Tang Family elder who had come earlier for mediation.

“Wait, why the baby…?”

Jin Ja-gang looked at the Tang Family elder. Jin Ja-gang just looked, but emotion was mixed in so it seemed like glaring. The Tang Family elder nodded and avoided his gaze.

“Oh my, I misspoke… it’s his own child, so he can carry her around. If a father doesn’t carry his child around, who would?”

The Tang Family elder gestured to Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect.

“Continue what you were saying.”

Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect awkwardly continued.

“Ahem, so… isn’t it that you targeted our land and instigated disciples to rebel…”

Kyaa kyaa.

“You’re the ones who came to attack our sect… no, cowardly attacked us under the pretext of reclaiming land deeds you rightfully received…”

Kyaruk!

“…”

Monkey cries and baby laughter.

The martial artists of Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect became distracted and looked at Jin Ja-gang.

Kyarung?

Kyaak?

“…”

Jin Ja-gang’s face hardened more than before.

Flinch.

The martial artists of Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect shrank back.

Jin Ja-gang gritted his teeth and said emphatically.

“Don’t mind us and continue.”

The martial artists of Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect tried to force smiles but ended up with expressions like chewing bitter persimmons.

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The chaos that erupted in Sichuan subsided quickly, largely due to Tang Ha-ran’s efforts.

By dispatching Tang Family experts to regions where disputes occurred, she actively mediated.

This not only sought Sichuan’s stability but also had the effect of raising the Tang Family’s standing, though it was also part of the search for clues about the Hungry Ghost King.

Consequently, sects with problems naturally came to the Tang Family.

“Another request for mediation came.”

Tang Ha-ran spoke to Jin Ja-gang while nursing Poison Heaven.

“This time it’s not internal sect rebellion but a conflict between two sects. Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect, apparently. I sent people, but they’ve been bitter enemies in Zigong for quite a long time, so it doesn’t seem easily resolved. I should send someone else.”

Jin Ja-gang had splints on his arm and bandages wrapped around his entire body, but the external wounds had all healed. Once the scabs fell off, his skin was smooth and translucent as before.

So much so that even the Tang Family women, and even Yeong-gwi and Son-bi, envied him.

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“There are still places with disputes?”

“Most have been resolved. Except for a few places.”

“Shall I go take a look?”

“You?”

Jin Ja-gang held up the pile of documents in front of him.

They were reports written by experts dispatched from the Tang Family about sects where turmoil had occurred.

“I can’t find anything particular just from documents. I think I need to see directly.”

Jin Ja-gang said.

“Most who instigated the turmoil were those with grievances against their sects. They say they instigated rebellions for succession, or coveting wealth or positions.”

“That’s right.”

“But turmoil erupted throughout Sichuan, throughout the entire martial world at similar times. It can’t be coincidence. The Hungry Ghost King must have incited them to act.”

“But as you can see from the reports, there are no commonalities among the instigators, and no relationships between them at all. It can only be interpreted as each acting separately. Of course, I don’t believe that either.”

Despite being involved in suppressing most of the turmoil in Sichuan, they still hadn’t found clues about the Hungry Ghost King.

“Mm.”

“If someone deliberately approached to cause chaos, we definitely would have discovered it during our investigation. But the instigators all say the same thing. That they started trouble because they had grievances. That no one incited them.”

“For those with grievances to raise rebellion, only someone who knew the sect’s internal circumstances well and for a long time could do that. If they’d known each other like family for a long period, they could have been recruited and influenced without realizing.”

Tang Ha-ran made an expression of incomprehension.

“Just for chaos? Less than thirty percent of the rebellions in our Sichuan succeeded. They almost all failed. It’s really strange that plans to recruit people for decades failed.”

“I can’t figure that out either.”

“It’s still ongoing, but looking at not just here but the entire martial world, I estimate successful cases won’t exceed fifty percent. No one benefited from this. No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t make sense.”

Tang Ha-ran held her forehead as if her head hurt.

Jin Ja-gang also tapped the table with his fingers.

“What are we missing? Perhaps it’s visible before our eyes but we can’t discern it, I don’t know.”

Then Poison Heaven started crying.

“Oh my, our Poison Heaven is good, right? Why are you crying after eating well?”

Tang Ha-ran soothed Poison Heaven, but Poison Heaven shook her head and cried while clenching her small fists.

Unfortunately, someone called for Tang Ha-ran from outside. Even as acting family head, there was much to do.

“This meeting will probably be long.”

Tang Ha-ran entrusted Poison Heaven to Jin Ja-gang and prepared for the meeting.

“Go to the place I mentioned earlier. Actually, there’s no one in the main family with insight like yours.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Ha-ran as if asking what she meant.

“I’m holding the child.”

“Go together with her.”

“I heard it’s not good to take a child outside before the hundredth day.”

“That’s because they might catch a disease. Do you know why we gave our child the childhood name Poison Heaven? Because she was born in the midst of poison and heaven, we named her Poison Heaven.”

Though she was completely an infant, there was no way Poison Heaven, born receiving Jin Ja-gang’s poison, would catch a disease.

Jin Ja-gang protested as much as possible.

“But she hasn’t finished nursing yet. She’ll be hungry.”

“Then feed her your poison.”

“What?”

Tang Ha-ran looked back at Jin Ja-gang while putting on her outer garment.

“Why? Or are you embarrassed to go out with Poison Heaven?”

“It’s not that, but I have to go to a sect where a dispute occurred…”

Tang Ha-ran approached, embraced Jin Ja-gang’s head against her chest while he was speaking, and patted him. Then she kissed Jin Ja-gang’s forehead and cheeks.

“Please. Affectionate Poison Heaven’s daddy.”

“…”

***

“…”

Jin Ja-gang, with a splint on his shoulder, held the baby carrier with his other arm.

“…”

Taoist Bok-cheon, who had awkwardly folded his sleeve after losing one arm, lost words for a moment seeing that sight.

“Where are you going like that?”

“I have business in Zigong. How is your condition?”

Looking down at his empty arm, Taoist Bok-cheon answered.

“Adapting.”

“But where are you going, Taoist?”

Taoist Bok-cheon also looked dressed for going out.

“I’m thinking of gradually returning to Qingcheng. The fellow disciples who left say they’re returning too. The martial world’s situation is serious. At times like this, we need to establish ourselves in Sichuan and hold the center.”

Shaolin Temple had resumed the Righteous Dharma Walk and Baek Li-jung was preparing to rebuild the Martial Arts Alliance. The chaos was reaching its peak. If they briefly took shelter before, now was the turn to stand firm to avoid being swept away.

“I see.”

If Qingcheng Sect returned, Sichuan would become more solid. Though it would be difficult to return to the three powers structure of the Tang Family, Emei Sect, and Qingcheng Sect, it would help Sichuan’s stability.

Woon-jeong and So-so came close to Jin Ja-gang, happy to see Poison Heaven.

“Wow! Cute!”

Jin Ja-gang warned.

“Don’t come too close. She sometimes can’t control poison energy and mixes it in her breath.”

“Oh, really?”

Woon-jeong nodded.

“Well… her name is Poison Heaven.”

“…”

“Why are you frowning?”

“It’s nothing. Anyway… is Taoist Woon-jeong also going together?”

“Yes.”

Woon-jeong would also leave with Taoist Bok-cheon, and Bian Bu and So-so decided to stay.

Shandong had been smashed by Shaolin Temple’s Righteous Dharma Walk.

Especially, the Hwangbo Family, who had long viewed Shandong’s Evil Sect as a thorn in their side, actively helped the Righteous Dharma Walk, they said.

Bian Bu requested from the side.

“Seon-rang will come to Sichuan soon, so don’t treat her coldly because she’s Evil Sect. If you treat her coldly, she’ll go to Qingcheng Sect.”

Taoist Bok-cheon snorted.

“Who said we’d accept her?”

“Don’t be like that, younger brother. Between brothers, why so…”

When Taoist Bok-cheon frowned, Bian Bu avoided Taoist Bok-cheon’s gaze and muttered.

“If you don’t like younger brother, well, you can call me bastard or mongrel…”

Because they’d promised to call him that if he didn’t accept the dice game’s result, Taoist Bok-cheon’s eyebrows trembled but he couldn’t say anything.

“I only asked you to be careful… in front of others.”

At that, Bian Bu rather pretended to be angry.

“Huh, if you’re embarrassed, let’s just quit. Who forced us to be brothers?”

Bian Bu, who used to shudder in fear at Qingcheng Sect Taoists, was now cornering Taoist Bokcheon.

“It’s not that I’m embarrassed…”

“Even the Poison Dragon is embarrassed by his child’s name, so the future Qingcheng Sect leader saying two things with one mouth could be embarrassing. Sure, that’s possible.”

Taoist Bokcheon, Woon-jeong, and So-so looked at Jin Ja-gang.

“Wow. Poison Dragon brother, were you embarrassed by Poison Heaven’s name? I think it’s fine.”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“I’m not embarrassed.”

Bian Bu looked at him.

“…It seems like you’re embarrassed?”

“I’m not embarrassed.”

When Jin Ja-gang became serious, Bian Bu couldn’t press Jin Ja-gang further. He could press Taoist Bok-cheon instead, but when the renowned Jin Ja-gang said no, he couldn’t keep insisting.

“If you say no, then no. Why get so angry…”

Hearing Jin Ja-gang was going out, Yeong-gwi and Son-bi came. Im Yi-eon was also with them.

Son-bi saw Jin Ja-gang and blushed faintly. It seemed because it had been a while since seeing him. Son-bi approached and looked into Poison Heaven in the carrier. Poison Heaven also stared at Son-bi.

Son-bi wrote characters with her finger on Jin Ja-gang’s hand that hung with the splint.

—She looks a lot like you.

“Thank you.”

A child resembling himself, his own bloodline.

Poison Heaven…

“…”

It really doesn’t seem like Poison Heaven is right.

Jin Ja-gang’s brow furrowed slightly. Son-bi tapped his hand as if asking why.

“Ah, it’s nothing. But, are you also going out, young lady?”

Im Yi-eon, who was behind, answered instead.

“She’s searching for clues, you see. Sometimes those who have what others don’t can see what normal people can’t see. My disciple will be helpful.”

They needed help from anyone’s strength. Seeing they already knew, Tang Ha-ran must have told them and arranged it.

Jin Ja-gang nodded.

“Understood.”

***

“These bastards, I’ll kill them all. How dare you toy with us?”

“Shameless beyond measure! You tried to kill us first and what? We toyed with you?”

“Don’t lie! The ones already caught spilled everything! We’ve known for a while that you Mount Yao Sect have been eyeing our business.”

“You Grand Sword Sect are the ones who’ve been scheming to covet our land, you think we don’t know! Luring an innocent disciple with gambling to get him in debt and steal land deeds?”

“Why do you blame us because you taught your disciple poorly and he stole!”

“We know that gambling den is run by your Grand Sword Sect’s people. You obviously cheated!”

“These bastards dare target us with nonsensical schemes! I’ll tear those mouths apart.”

Dozens of martial artists divided into two sides, veins bulging on their foreheads, exchanging harsh words.

The elder from the Tang Family also couldn’t easily resolve it because the grudge between the two sects ran so deep, and was anxiously struggling. Then the Tang Family elder looked to the side and brightened.

“Oh! They said they’d send someone, but I didn’t expect the Poison Dragon himself!”

Instantly, Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect, who had been noisily exchanging insults, closed their mouths like a lie and looked to the side.

The Poison Dragon who defeated the Northern Heavens’ Thunderbolt Great Emperor Gamuru and killed Yelu Huan, the new leader of the Zoroastrian Cult.

That Poison Dragon was coming here!

But Jin Ja-gang was completely different from what Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect expected.

The Poison Dragon was a handsome youth with a pale complexion, holding a baby wrapped in a carrier in one hand. Next to him stood two women of exceptional beauty as if attending the Poison Dragon, and behind, a white monkey ran around near the baby.

“…”

The one who spoke after a while wasn’t Mount Yao Sect or Grand Sword Sect but the Tang Family elder who had come earlier for mediation.

“Wait, why the baby…?”

Jin Ja-gang looked at the Tang Family elder. Jin Ja-gang just looked, but emotion was mixed in so it seemed like glaring. The Tang Family elder nodded and avoided his gaze.

“Oh my, I misspoke… it’s his own child, so he can carry her around. If a father doesn’t carry his child around, who would?”

The Tang Family elder gestured to Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect.

“Continue what you were saying.”

Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect awkwardly continued.

“Ahem, so… isn’t it that you targeted our land and instigated disciples to rebel…”

Kyaa kyaa.

“You’re the ones who came to attack our sect… no, cowardly attacked us under the pretext of reclaiming land deeds you rightfully received…”

Kyaruk!

“…”

Monkey cries and baby laughter.

The martial artists of Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect became distracted and looked at Jin Ja-gang.

Kyarung?

Kyaak?

“…”

Jin Ja-gang’s face hardened more than before.

Flinch.

The martial artists of Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect shrank back.

Jin Ja-gang gritted his teeth and said emphatically.

“Don’t mind us and continue.”

The martial artists of Mount Yao Sect and Grand Sword Sect tried to force smiles but ended up with expressions like chewing bitter persimmons.

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