Chapter 545

Chapter 545

Shaanxi's martial world prepared to meet Jin Ja-gang in extreme tension.

They thought he wouldn't strike Shaanxi and would pass through Henan to Nanchang, but that wasn't the case.

Now looking at it, he had struck the surroundings except for Shaanxi, isolating it. Only the path going down to Huguang and straight to Nanchang was open. If Jin Ja-gang guarded that passage, it would become like going to a dead end.

So Mount Hua Sect's Feng Shi sent carrier pigeons to Baek Li-jung asking for help. He sent fifty carrier pigeons in all directions. Some were spread out in case Jin Ja-gang might intercept the carrier pigeons, but there was also a desire for others to know that they asked Baek Li-jung for help.

Shaanxi is Baek Li-jung's biggest support base. If left to be defeated by Jin Ja-gang like this, it would be a tremendous loss for Baek Li-jung. However, with the Murim Alliance's inauguration ahead, it might be a difficult situation for Baek Li-jung to move.

So they deliberately made it known externally that they asked for help. In a way, they pressured Baek Li-jung not to refuse Shaanxi martial world's request for help.

However...

Baek Li-jung had become more dangerous than Shaanxi martial world thought, than even Jin Ja-gang thought.

* * *

"Mount Hua Sect is asking me for help?"

Baek Li-jung's expression upon receiving the report was indifferent. The Baek Li family's scholar who came merely to report the communication became even more anxious.

"That's right. They say only the Great Hero can face the Poison Dragon in today's martial world..."

Baek Li-jung snorted.

"That won't do."

"Pardon?"

"Killing the Poison Dragon is possible anytime. But I established the Murim Alliance to kill the Poison Dragon, so if I kill the Poison Dragon now, what happens to the Murim Alliance?"

The scholar was flustered. The Murim Alliance was established because of Jin Ja-gang?

Wasn't such a leap too excessive?

"B-but... Mount Hua Sect's carrier pigeons came through dozens of routes. If you refuse, all sects in jianghu will learn of this."

"So what?"

Baek Li-jung didn't care at all and bit into a chunk of half-cooked wild boar meat showing blood.

"Tell them to die. Then they'll get scared and cry out more desperately for me to save them. The more who die, the more who will truly support me will increase. Do you know why?"

"I-I don't know."

Baek Li-jung slapped the scholar's cheek with the chunk of meat. The scholar's cheek became stained with blood and glistening grease.

"Stupid fool. Isn't it obvious that as the number decreases, there's more to divide up? That way the profits going around also increase."

Baek Li-jung chewed up the tough chunk of meat, tendons and all. Then looking at the scholar, his eyes gleamed. The scholar trembled at Baek Li-jung's mad gaze.

Baek Li-jung reached out and grabbed the scholar's head. The hat made of horsehair crumpled. Baek Li-jung pulled the scholar's head forward.

The scholar was too shocked to even scream.

Baek Li-jung stuck out his tongue and licked the blood and grease on the scholar's cheek.

Grrrrrrr.

At the small throat rumbling sound like a wolf would make, goosebumps rose all over the scholar's body.

Baek Li-jung said in a low voice.

"From now on, I don't need those who pretentiously hold their heads stiffly high. This alliance leader won't be soft like Haewol and accept this guy and that guy. I'll fill the new Murim Alliance with fanatical followers who'll do anything desperately to catch my eye. Understand?"

The scholar trembled and nodded his head.

The strategist Sim Hak, who served Baek Li-jung the longest, came to the scholar's mind.

Sim Hak was not just ordinary but even somewhat lacking. Being from a merchant background, he handled accounting well but naturally had no talent for strategy.

Yet Baek Li-jung gave Sim Hak important positions.

Everyone except Sim Hak himself knew the reason.

Because having an ordinary person nearby lets you know what ordinary people are thinking.

Back then, everyone thought it was just because Baek Li-jung was too outstanding.

Knowing ordinary people's thoughts allows formulating strategies accordingly. If you make moves several steps too advanced, ordinary people won't fall for them.

However, as Baek Li-jung revealed his raw, true nature, those around Baek Li-jung realized their thoughts were completely wrong.

It wasn't because Baek Li-jung was too outstanding.

Literally being an ordinary person, Sim Hak was rather a guide illuminating the path so Baek Li-jung wouldn't go down the path of immorality...

Now without that Sim Hak.

Baek Li-jung was freely traversing the path of tyranny.

* * *

Shaanxi martial world's martial artists waited for Baek Li-jung in Shanyang, between Mount Hua and Zhongnan Mountain.

Zhongnan Sect's Taoist Ya-gang asked Feng Shi.

"No contact?"

Feng Shi shook his head.

"Not even a reply?"

Feng Shi shook his head again.

"It seems the Unbreakable Heavenly Sword won't come after all."

At Taoist Ya-gang's words, the gathered martial artists were indignant.

"Abandoning us!"

"How much effort did we put in for the Righteous Alliance!"

Feng Shi roughly counted the number of gathered martial artists.

"At most... five hundred."

It was a dismally pitiful number.

Easily three to four thousand could have gathered. All of Shaanxi's martial world was on the side supporting Baek Li-jung. If everyone gathered, up to ten thousand would have been possible.

But as Jin Ja-gang swept through all nearby regions isolating Shaanxi's martial world and even put forth appropriate justification, the situation changed.

Dying while fighting is a martial artist's pride. However, dying in a fight without justification is worse than a dog's death. Everyone thought it was much more befitting of a martial artist to die while fleeing or protecting one's sect and family.

So what gathered was merely about five hundred.

Feng Shi complained with a pitiful tone.

"I didn't know it would be this bad. Are we the only fools, or are we the only ones who kept our integrity?"

"We'll soon find out."

Taoist Ya-gang pointed ahead with a bitter smile.

Everyone looked forward.

Jin Ja-gang was coming.

Limp, limp.

With his characteristic gait, a blade of grass in his mouth.

Why such a master still limps was truly puzzling. However, since occasionally even one-legged people become great masters, no one looked carefully.

They just felt Jin Ja-gang's characteristic swaying as he limped forward was even more terrifying.

The martial artists gathered in a semicircle surrounding Jin Ja-gang. Even with five hundred surrounding him, Jin Ja-gang wasn't intimidated at all. Looking around the terrain surrounded by mountains on all sides, he said calmly.

"Do you intend to make this place your grave?"

Feng Shi stepped forward.

"Mount Hua is a famous mountain under heaven. It's not a place for the likes of you to defile carelessly."

Jin Ja-gang answered without any change in expression.

"It doesn't matter. I can defile it after you die and go there."

Feng Shi's face contorted.

He got back more than he gave. He tried to anger Jin Ja-gang but instead became more upset himself.

Taoist Ya-gang laughed.

"Hahaha! Truly remarkable."

When Jin Ja-gang looked, Taoist Ya-gang introduced himself.

"I am Zhongnan's Ya-gang. They say the Poison Dragon's eloquence exceeds his martial arts, did you persuade even Shaolin Temple with that eloquence?"

"I'm Jin Ja-gang. There's something mistaken in the Taoist's words that I'll correct. It wasn't Shaolin Temple that was persuaded but me."

"Shaolin Temple being in the position to persuade yet giving up even the Jade Buddhist Staff is somewhat difficult to accept. To anyone, doesn't it look like they desperately begged and gave up treasure to survive?"

"It's fine. Just like how I came here to kill you, yet deliberately came to this place instead of going to Mount Hua or Zhongnan Mountain."

"You're saying you showed consideration?"

"I mean you should thank Shaolin Temple since it's thanks to them."

"Huh."

The story is that if Shaolin Temple hadn't persuaded Jin Ja-gang, obsessed with pride or outside views, Jin Ja-gang would have exterminated all antagonistic sects.

"Zhongnan Mountain is also a famous mountain no less than Mount Hua. It's worth visiting once."

"I'm busy now, so if there's a chance later, I'll visit."

Some surprise and relief appeared on Taoist Ya-gang's face.

It was tantamount to Jin Ja-gang declaring he wouldn't kill disciples remaining on Zhongnan Mountain. Thanks to Shaolin Temple, as it became a fight of justifications, there's no need to kill everyone. Killing just the representatives here is sufficient.

Jin Ja-gang's meaning was conveyed clearly.

But Jin Ja-gang added a remark as if he'd forgotten.

"I'm not sure about Mount Hua. Since they say it's a famous mountain under heaven, even if I'm busy, I feel I must go see it."

If Jin Ja-gang insists on going, would it be for sightseeing? They should prepare. Feng Shi received back exactly what he said.

Feng Shi shouted in anger.

"If you think you can break Mount Hua's spirit with such threats, you're mistaken!"

Jin Ja-gang looked at Feng Shi and answered.

"You're the one mistaken. Why would I threaten?"

"What?"

"I don't think at all that you're worth threatening."

Mount Hua Sect and Feng Shi's faces burned red.

"You, you, you dare...!"

Taoist Ya-gang let out a long exclamation.

"Your own thoughts are firm, yet you know how to listen when others' words are reasonable, and while merciless to opponents' rudeness, you respond with courtesy when shown courtesy. A remarkable fellow."

Taoist Ya-gang stared at Jin Ja-gang. However, it wasn't a provocative gaze. It was curiosity about Jin Ja-gang, or admiration.

Taoist Ya-gang drew his sword from its sheath and discarded the sheath.

Zhongnan Sect and Mount Hua Sect's martial artists' eyes widened in surprise. Discarding the sheath means there's no need to resheathe it. It's an action one would do when meeting a lifelong enemy.

Taoist Ya-gang held the sword upside down with the blade pointing down, wrapping the handle with his other hand in a cupped-sword salute.

"As sect leader, I couldn't even convey thanks for recovering our sect disciples' bodies before. I convey my thanks only now."

Jin Ja-gang also responded with a cupped-fist salute.

"Think nothing of it."

"I also think it would have been really good if there had been a place to talk before... and now I feel regret. Our Zhongnan had no particular reason to be hostile to you."

"That would be good, but unfortunately, the person who came to talk was Master Bul-gi."

Zhongnan's mad dog Bul-gi.

Taoist Ya-gang laughed loudly.

Kekekeke.

"Ah, that was truly my mistake. Did that one mistake split our Zhongnan's fate? I thought someone like Bul-gi was needed to catch the Poison Dragon."

Taoist Ya-gang slowly raised his sword, drawing up internal energy and spreading his starting stance.

"But this poor Taoist is Bul-gi's senior martial brother. Even if the world calls him a mad dog or whatever, to me he was an irreplaceable junior martial brother. Today I wish to do what Bul-gi couldn't finish, what do you think?"

His tone addressing Jin Ja-gang was quite respectful.

It wasn't Jin Ja-gang who killed Bul-gi. However, if he's Bul-gi's proxy, that's sufficient reason to fight.

Jin Ja-gang thought for a moment and agreed.

"Fine."

"Thank you."

Feng Shi shouted in surprise, calling to Taoist Ya-gang.

"Sect Leader!"

Without taking his eyes off Jin Ja-gang, Taoist Ya-gang said.

"The fight of justifications is already lost. Don't blame this poor Taoist too much."

That Zhongnan Sect's sect leader acknowledged defeat in justification and presented his reason for fighting Jin Ja-gang as revenge for Bul-gi had great significance.

Whatever reason he gave, Taoist Ya-gang dying is the same.

However, as the Sole Surviving Demon said, even those who die need justification.

Taoist Ya-gang also chose death for his junior martial brother and for his own honor rather than sacrificing his life for a false justification. Jin Ja-gang also accepted Taoist Ya-gang's justification.

It's natural that Taoist Ya-gang was grateful. Now Taoist Ya-gang could die without regrets as a proud martial artist.

Flash.

Sword qi erupted from Taoist Ya-gang's sword.

"Once again, I deeply thank you for your consideration."

Having thanked Jin Ja-gang, Taoist Ya-gang smiled calmly and left words for Feng Shi.

"Feng Shi. I'll go ahead and wait."