Chapter 516

Chapter 516

Jin Ja-gang stood at a crossroads just before leaving Sichuan Chengdu.

The official road on the right and the merchant road on the left.

Without hesitation, he turned his steps to the merchant road on the left. The very road he had taken to reach Crossing River Pass before.

Jin Ja-gang walked for half a day then suddenly stopped.

At a shabby teahouse along the road ahead, a scholar with a spear on his back had been waiting and bowed to Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang entered the teahouse and took a seat. Whether arrangements had been made in advance, there was no one in the teahouse except Jin Ja-gang and the scholar.

After waiting briefly, a palanquin carried by scholars came flying over.

It was Tang Qing.

Tang Qing grumbled as he descended from the palanquin.

“What happened? Why didn’t our people know you were leaving the Tang Family Great Estate?”

“Did you even plant people in front of the Tang Family Great Estate?”

“Of course. I need to receive contact immediately.”

“Hundreds of people must go in and out daily.”

“I heard you were coming out, so I told them to report immediately if they see a pale-faced cripple.”

“So naturally they couldn’t find me.”

Jin Ja-gang smiled.

Tang Qing raised his finger in an annoyed manner. Pointing to the opposite direction, toward the official road, he said.

“Huguang Province is that way.”

“Didn’t you know I wouldn’t go that way?”

“I knew. But I missed you anyway.”

Jin Ja-gang only smiled slightly without answering.

The scholars brought out tea.

Jin Ja-gang quietly savored the tea.

The profound fragrance and clean aftertaste were excellent.

The finest quality among all the teas Jin Ja-gang had tasted so far.

He could tell Tang Qing had deliberately selected and selected it for Jin Ja-gang.

“You’ve worked hard during this time. Thanks to you, their eyes disappeared from Sichuan, allowing me to move comfortably.”

“Like backing into a rat by chance. But I don’t feel bad knowing it helped.”

Tang Qing remained silent for a while drinking tea, then said.

“You know why I’m waiting for you here.”

Jin Ja-gang nodded. Naturally because of the martial arts tournament and the Hungry Ghost King.

“The Hungry Ghost King has never fallen for obvious tricks. Your plan to arrange a duel between the Northern Li Sword Taoist and the Sword King also failed to achieve its purpose due to the Hungry Ghost King’s response.”

“That’s right.”

“When you fought the Great Buddha, do you know what I feared most?”

Splash, Tang Qing poured tea into Jin Ja-gang’s cup while speaking.

“Whether you could return safely.”

Tang Qing pulled in the An Family medical household to arrange for Jin Ja-gang to fight the Great Buddha in Wuhan.

However, anxiety remained at the center of his heart.

What if the Great Buddha wasn’t the Hungry Ghost King?

If the Great Buddha was the Hungry Ghost King, that would be better. If the leader died, the Hungry Ghost King’s organization would have suffered great damage.

But if the Great Buddha wasn’t the Hungry Ghost King, then what would happen to Jin Ja-gang after fighting and defeating the Great Buddha? Would the Hungry Ghost King leave Jin Ja-gang alone?

Jin Ja-gang who had approached closest to the Hungry Ghost King’s true identity?

Wouldn’t it be the perfect opportunity to kill Jin Ja-gang who would be exhausted and at his weakest after fighting the Great Buddha, one hundred out of one hundred times!

“A net of heaven and earth, no, even mobilizing more personnel… even surrounding an entire city, they should have killed you. I certainly would have. But the Hungry Ghost King didn’t, and you returned perfectly fine.”

Tang Qing imitated Jin Ja-gang’s voice and said.

“Don’t try to reassure me by saying ‘That’s right. So the Hungry Ghost King made a mistake.'”

“That’s right. There are two reasons for that.”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“First, the Hungry Ghost King chose Unbreakable Heavenly Sword Baek Li-jung as my rival and even prepared a way to overcome poison.”

“I heard Baek Li-jung reached the Transcendent Demon Realm. However, I don’t think that’s enough to face you.”

“Not now, but he may soon become stronger than at present.”

“What?”

Tang Qing asked back in puzzlement, but Jin Ja-gang continued what he was saying.

“Second, this is a very peculiar matter, but the Hungry Ghost King was extremely reluctant to come forward. Even the Nameless Slave, the Hungry Ghost King’s hands and feet, coming forward personally was said to be exceptional.”

“You mean everything that’s happened so far wasn’t done directly? Of course, since he hates revealing himself that much, it makes sense we haven’t been able to discover his base until now. But even so, leaving you alive when there’s an opportunity to kill you?”

Tang Qing burst into hollow laughter.

“The more I think about it, the stranger it feels. If you die, there’s practically no one to stop the Hungry Ghost King. Then there’d be no need to nurture Baek Li-jung either. But why abandon the easy path and take the long way around?”

He couldn’t help but think it strange.

“Moreover, Baek Li-jung is someone who could betray the Hungry Ghost King at any opportunity. Unlike the Great Buddha. If he seizes power and the Hungry Ghost King becomes an eyesore, he’ll definitely strike at the Hungry Ghost King. The Hungry Ghost King’s current attitude seems like he thinks it doesn’t matter if you block his plans.”

Tang Qing frowned. No matter how he thought about it, he found the Hungry Ghost King’s actions difficult to accept.

When Jin Ja-gang said nothing, Tang Qing pressed as if impatient.

“Say something. Having fought the Hungry Ghost King for so long, don’t you have some idea?”

Jin Ja-gang burned Tang Qing’s patience, took another sip of tea, then slowly said.

“I have suspicions. However, I cannot give a definite answer without meeting the Hungry Ghost King and confirming directly.”

Tang Qing remained silent for a while then said.

“What I want to say is this. Whatever the Hungry Ghost King’s intentions, he’ll be prepared for you coming to find him. Nine times out of ten, you’ll likely fall into a trap.”

“The Hungry Ghost King already knew that the Bright Demon God knew the Hungry Ghost King’s location. He’ll probably guess I’ll move soon.”

“Right. That’s why I’m saying this.”

Tang Qing looked at Jin Ja-gang seriously.

“I know with what intention Taoist Haewol prepared his great undertaking. And the martial arts tournament Baek Li-jung is hosting is the best time to fulfill the Taoist’s will.”

Taoist Haewol clearly revealed his will to Jin Ja-gang.

“Soon the polluted and rotten things will gather in one place. A great opportunity to cut them all out at once will come. I plan to erase them all without hesitation when that time comes.”

Killing intent bloomed in Tang Qing’s eyes.

“Baek Li-jung has summoned the supreme masters from each sect. Those who want a position in the Martial Arts Grand Alliance, those trying to seize an opportunity for gain, or those following under threat. All will gather in one place.”

What Tang Qing wanted to say was clear.

As Taoist Haewol had wanted to do, the opportunity has come to sweep away the polluted things all at once!

“I owe a debt to the Taoist. If you go to the Baek Li Family, I too will throw down this humble life and together with you carry on the Taoist’s will.”

Tang Qing said forcefully.

“If we mobilize the Tang Family and all my connections to gather people, even if annihilation is difficult, we can deal great damage. In between, you just need to kill Baek Li-jung.”

“Those gathering are the supreme masters of each sect. It won’t be so easy.”

“It’s possible using poison. If we mobilize all the Poison Cliques’ poisons, we can reduce the numbers to less than half.”

“Even if successful, it’s the same. If Unbreakable Heavenly Sword dies, the Hungry Ghost King will go into hiding.”

“The Hungry Ghost King has forces large enough to influence all of jianghu. Do you think such large forces can disappear without a trace? Even my undertaking preparations that I tried to hide in double and triple layers were ultimately discovered. Such a large organization can’t hide as easily as you think. We can definitely find it.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Qing for a moment then opened his mouth.

“If what you’re saying is such an intention to carry on the Taoist’s will, now is not the time.”

Tang Qing furrowed his brow.

“Why not!”

“To cut out the polluted, the number gathering isn’t sufficient, and though difficult to acknowledge, Unbreakable Heavenly Sword is the current jianghu’s center of gravity. If he dies, chaos incomparable to when the Taoist ascended will arrive.”

“Rather, you could become the center gathering all the scattered people. As jianghu’s greatest public enemy. All of jianghu will target you and unite with one heart and mind.”

“That would be so. However, the chaos won’t disappear.”

Tang Qing asked again.

“What are you afraid of? Surely you’re not now afraid of becoming a public enemy?”

Jin Ja-gang gave an unexpected answer.

“I’m afraid.”

“…!”

“Hundreds of thousands, millions of people will point fingers and curse. How could I not be afraid? As soon as I open my eyes, open my ears, I’ll hear voices cursing me. Enough to only now realize how tremendous Taoist Haewol’s determination was to endure all of that.”

“Poison Dragon, you bastard! What suddenly cowardly words are these! Surely you haven’t weakened just because you have a woman and child?”

However, Jin Ja-gang answered calmly.

“The Hungry Ghost King accepted that the flow of funds would be revealed and moved large amounts. He’s inducing me to attack the Baek Li Estate.”

“So you’ll allow Baek Li-jung to seize great power? If Baek Li-jung successfully completes the martial arts tournament and becomes alliance leader, he’ll advance like riding a tiger. He’ll grasp incomparable authority and martial power. He’ll become a more dangerous existence than the Hungry Ghost King. However, since he borrowed large funds from the Hungry Ghost King, if Baek Li-jung falls, the Hungry Ghost King falls too. This opportunity is too precious to let slip.”

“That’s right.”

“Your mouth says right, but why does your expression look like my words aren’t getting through at all?”

“Because I know that whichever way I move, I can’t escape the Hungry Ghost King’s net.”

Tang Qing’s brow wrinkled deeply.

“Honestly speaking, I really don’t know. This net the Hungry Ghost King has thrown, what all of those things even are.”

“If Unbreakable Heavenly Sword dies, the funds the Hungry Ghost King mobilized through trading companies will…”

“All disappear! Because it’s invested money!”

“That’s right. That money floats in the air.”

“…?”

Tang Qing’s eyebrows twitched.

The same words, but just by changing the term, the emphasis changed.

“Wait. The money floats in the air?”

“That’s right. If Unbreakable Heavenly Sword who borrowed the money dies, there’s no one to repay it, so the borrowed money floats in the air.”

“So what you’re saying is…”

“The enormously released money will drift without an owner. Of course the Hungry Ghost King will go into hiding, so there’ll be no one to recover that money either.”

Tang Qing realized the chaos he spoke of and the chaos Jin Ja-gang spoke of were different in nature. Rather than simply talking about confusion and chaotic affairs, Jin Ja-gang was talking about economic chaos.

“A desperate struggle will break out to seize that money.”

Tang Qing felt chilled.

Goosebumps rose on his spine.

Enormous money enough to move a small nation released into jianghu and drifting without an owner…

Who would stay still?

Everyone would certainly rush in with eyes rolled back.

Major sects also suffered much damage, leaving no center of gravity to mediate.

Betrayal upon betrayal… with agreement or righteousness nowhere to be found, a fierce competition to seize the blind money would unfold.

Truly a living hell.

Just moments ago, Tang Qing thought attacking the Baek Li Estate to ruin the martial arts tournament was the perfect opportunity to damage both Baek Li-jung and the Hungry Ghost King. But according to Jin Ja-gang’s words, jianghu would instead be the one suffering damage.

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Jin Ja-gang stood at a crossroads just before leaving Sichuan Chengdu.

The official road on the right and the merchant road on the left.

Without hesitation, he turned his steps to the merchant road on the left. The very road he had taken to reach Crossing River Pass before.

Jin Ja-gang walked for half a day then suddenly stopped.

At a shabby teahouse along the road ahead, a scholar with a spear on his back had been waiting and bowed to Jin Ja-gang.

Jin Ja-gang entered the teahouse and took a seat. Whether arrangements had been made in advance, there was no one in the teahouse except Jin Ja-gang and the scholar.

After waiting briefly, a palanquin carried by scholars came flying over.

It was Tang Qing.

Tang Qing grumbled as he descended from the palanquin.

“What happened? Why didn’t our people know you were leaving the Tang Family Great Estate?”

“Did you even plant people in front of the Tang Family Great Estate?”

“Of course. I need to receive contact immediately.”

“Hundreds of people must go in and out daily.”

“I heard you were coming out, so I told them to report immediately if they see a pale-faced cripple.”

“So naturally they couldn’t find me.”

Jin Ja-gang smiled.

Tang Qing raised his finger in an annoyed manner. Pointing to the opposite direction, toward the official road, he said.

“Huguang Province is that way.”

“Didn’t you know I wouldn’t go that way?”

“I knew. But I missed you anyway.”

Jin Ja-gang only smiled slightly without answering.

The scholars brought out tea.

Jin Ja-gang quietly savored the tea.

The profound fragrance and clean aftertaste were excellent.

The finest quality among all the teas Jin Ja-gang had tasted so far.

He could tell Tang Qing had deliberately selected and selected it for Jin Ja-gang.

“You’ve worked hard during this time. Thanks to you, their eyes disappeared from Sichuan, allowing me to move comfortably.”

“Like backing into a rat by chance. But I don’t feel bad knowing it helped.”

Tang Qing remained silent for a while drinking tea, then said.

“You know why I’m waiting for you here.”

Jin Ja-gang nodded. Naturally because of the martial arts tournament and the Hungry Ghost King.

“The Hungry Ghost King has never fallen for obvious tricks. Your plan to arrange a duel between the Northern Li Sword Taoist and the Sword King also failed to achieve its purpose due to the Hungry Ghost King’s response.”

“That’s right.”

“When you fought the Great Buddha, do you know what I feared most?”

Splash, Tang Qing poured tea into Jin Ja-gang’s cup while speaking.

“Whether you could return safely.”

Tang Qing pulled in the An Family medical household to arrange for Jin Ja-gang to fight the Great Buddha in Wuhan.

However, anxiety remained at the center of his heart.

What if the Great Buddha wasn’t the Hungry Ghost King?

If the Great Buddha was the Hungry Ghost King, that would be better. If the leader died, the Hungry Ghost King’s organization would have suffered great damage.

But if the Great Buddha wasn’t the Hungry Ghost King, then what would happen to Jin Ja-gang after fighting and defeating the Great Buddha? Would the Hungry Ghost King leave Jin Ja-gang alone?

Jin Ja-gang who had approached closest to the Hungry Ghost King’s true identity?

Wouldn’t it be the perfect opportunity to kill Jin Ja-gang who would be exhausted and at his weakest after fighting the Great Buddha, one hundred out of one hundred times!

“A net of heaven and earth, no, even mobilizing more personnel… even surrounding an entire city, they should have killed you. I certainly would have. But the Hungry Ghost King didn’t, and you returned perfectly fine.”

Tang Qing imitated Jin Ja-gang’s voice and said.

“Don’t try to reassure me by saying ‘That’s right. So the Hungry Ghost King made a mistake.'”

“That’s right. There are two reasons for that.”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“First, the Hungry Ghost King chose Unbreakable Heavenly Sword Baek Li-jung as my rival and even prepared a way to overcome poison.”

“I heard Baek Li-jung reached the Transcendent Demon Realm. However, I don’t think that’s enough to face you.”

“Not now, but he may soon become stronger than at present.”

“What?”

Tang Qing asked back in puzzlement, but Jin Ja-gang continued what he was saying.

“Second, this is a very peculiar matter, but the Hungry Ghost King was extremely reluctant to come forward. Even the Nameless Slave, the Hungry Ghost King’s hands and feet, coming forward personally was said to be exceptional.”

“You mean everything that’s happened so far wasn’t done directly? Of course, since he hates revealing himself that much, it makes sense we haven’t been able to discover his base until now. But even so, leaving you alive when there’s an opportunity to kill you?”

Tang Qing burst into hollow laughter.

“The more I think about it, the stranger it feels. If you die, there’s practically no one to stop the Hungry Ghost King. Then there’d be no need to nurture Baek Li-jung either. But why abandon the easy path and take the long way around?”

He couldn’t help but think it strange.

“Moreover, Baek Li-jung is someone who could betray the Hungry Ghost King at any opportunity. Unlike the Great Buddha. If he seizes power and the Hungry Ghost King becomes an eyesore, he’ll definitely strike at the Hungry Ghost King. The Hungry Ghost King’s current attitude seems like he thinks it doesn’t matter if you block his plans.”

Tang Qing frowned. No matter how he thought about it, he found the Hungry Ghost King’s actions difficult to accept.

When Jin Ja-gang said nothing, Tang Qing pressed as if impatient.

“Say something. Having fought the Hungry Ghost King for so long, don’t you have some idea?”

Jin Ja-gang burned Tang Qing’s patience, took another sip of tea, then slowly said.

“I have suspicions. However, I cannot give a definite answer without meeting the Hungry Ghost King and confirming directly.”

Tang Qing remained silent for a while then said.

“What I want to say is this. Whatever the Hungry Ghost King’s intentions, he’ll be prepared for you coming to find him. Nine times out of ten, you’ll likely fall into a trap.”

“The Hungry Ghost King already knew that the Bright Demon God knew the Hungry Ghost King’s location. He’ll probably guess I’ll move soon.”

“Right. That’s why I’m saying this.”

Tang Qing looked at Jin Ja-gang seriously.

“I know with what intention Taoist Haewol prepared his great undertaking. And the martial arts tournament Baek Li-jung is hosting is the best time to fulfill the Taoist’s will.”

Taoist Haewol clearly revealed his will to Jin Ja-gang.

“Soon the polluted and rotten things will gather in one place. A great opportunity to cut them all out at once will come. I plan to erase them all without hesitation when that time comes.”

Killing intent bloomed in Tang Qing’s eyes.

“Baek Li-jung has summoned the supreme masters from each sect. Those who want a position in the Martial Arts Grand Alliance, those trying to seize an opportunity for gain, or those following under threat. All will gather in one place.”

What Tang Qing wanted to say was clear.

As Taoist Haewol had wanted to do, the opportunity has come to sweep away the polluted things all at once!

“I owe a debt to the Taoist. If you go to the Baek Li Family, I too will throw down this humble life and together with you carry on the Taoist’s will.”

Tang Qing said forcefully.

“If we mobilize the Tang Family and all my connections to gather people, even if annihilation is difficult, we can deal great damage. In between, you just need to kill Baek Li-jung.”

“Those gathering are the supreme masters of each sect. It won’t be so easy.”

“It’s possible using poison. If we mobilize all the Poison Cliques’ poisons, we can reduce the numbers to less than half.”

“Even if successful, it’s the same. If Unbreakable Heavenly Sword dies, the Hungry Ghost King will go into hiding.”

“The Hungry Ghost King has forces large enough to influence all of jianghu. Do you think such large forces can disappear without a trace? Even my undertaking preparations that I tried to hide in double and triple layers were ultimately discovered. Such a large organization can’t hide as easily as you think. We can definitely find it.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Qing for a moment then opened his mouth.

“If what you’re saying is such an intention to carry on the Taoist’s will, now is not the time.”

Tang Qing furrowed his brow.

“Why not!”

“To cut out the polluted, the number gathering isn’t sufficient, and though difficult to acknowledge, Unbreakable Heavenly Sword is the current jianghu’s center of gravity. If he dies, chaos incomparable to when the Taoist ascended will arrive.”

“Rather, you could become the center gathering all the scattered people. As jianghu’s greatest public enemy. All of jianghu will target you and unite with one heart and mind.”

“That would be so. However, the chaos won’t disappear.”

Tang Qing asked again.

“What are you afraid of? Surely you’re not now afraid of becoming a public enemy?”

Jin Ja-gang gave an unexpected answer.

“I’m afraid.”

“…!”

“Hundreds of thousands, millions of people will point fingers and curse. How could I not be afraid? As soon as I open my eyes, open my ears, I’ll hear voices cursing me. Enough to only now realize how tremendous Taoist Haewol’s determination was to endure all of that.”

“Poison Dragon, you bastard! What suddenly cowardly words are these! Surely you haven’t weakened just because you have a woman and child?”

However, Jin Ja-gang answered calmly.

“The Hungry Ghost King accepted that the flow of funds would be revealed and moved large amounts. He’s inducing me to attack the Baek Li Estate.”

“So you’ll allow Baek Li-jung to seize great power? If Baek Li-jung successfully completes the martial arts tournament and becomes alliance leader, he’ll advance like riding a tiger. He’ll grasp incomparable authority and martial power. He’ll become a more dangerous existence than the Hungry Ghost King. However, since he borrowed large funds from the Hungry Ghost King, if Baek Li-jung falls, the Hungry Ghost King falls too. This opportunity is too precious to let slip.”

“That’s right.”

“Your mouth says right, but why does your expression look like my words aren’t getting through at all?”

“Because I know that whichever way I move, I can’t escape the Hungry Ghost King’s net.”

Tang Qing’s brow wrinkled deeply.

“Honestly speaking, I really don’t know. This net the Hungry Ghost King has thrown, what all of those things even are.”

“If Unbreakable Heavenly Sword dies, the funds the Hungry Ghost King mobilized through trading companies will…”

“All disappear! Because it’s invested money!”

“That’s right. That money floats in the air.”

“…?”

Tang Qing’s eyebrows twitched.

The same words, but just by changing the term, the emphasis changed.

“Wait. The money floats in the air?”

“That’s right. If Unbreakable Heavenly Sword who borrowed the money dies, there’s no one to repay it, so the borrowed money floats in the air.”

“So what you’re saying is…”

“The enormously released money will drift without an owner. Of course the Hungry Ghost King will go into hiding, so there’ll be no one to recover that money either.”

Tang Qing realized the chaos he spoke of and the chaos Jin Ja-gang spoke of were different in nature. Rather than simply talking about confusion and chaotic affairs, Jin Ja-gang was talking about economic chaos.

“A desperate struggle will break out to seize that money.”

Tang Qing felt chilled.

Goosebumps rose on his spine.

Enormous money enough to move a small nation released into jianghu and drifting without an owner…

Who would stay still?

Everyone would certainly rush in with eyes rolled back.

Major sects also suffered much damage, leaving no center of gravity to mediate.

Betrayal upon betrayal… with agreement or righteousness nowhere to be found, a fierce competition to seize the blind money would unfold.

Truly a living hell.

Just moments ago, Tang Qing thought attacking the Baek Li Estate to ruin the martial arts tournament was the perfect opportunity to damage both Baek Li-jung and the Hungry Ghost King. But according to Jin Ja-gang’s words, jianghu would instead be the one suffering damage.

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