Chapter 565

Chapter 565

Jin Ja-gang finally sank the Murim Alliance.

The martial world trembled at Poison Dragon's deeds every time, but they'd never been as shocked as this.

Killing tens of thousands alone was of course astonishing. It would be one of the few stories worth counting in martial arts history.

However, there had been cases where a single nameless master blocked the invasion of a hundred thousand Demonic Cult troops at the One Pillar Gate of Shaolin Temple, or a master of the Demonic Cult eliminated ten thousand demon heads and ascended to the position of Cult Leader.

Because of that, mere numbers alone were difficult to give more than that level of impression.

What was remarkable about Jin Ja-gang wasn't killing many people, nor facing the entire orthodox martial world alone.

It was that he enforced his own justice against all of the Central Plains.

That point was frightening and shocking.

How could one person spread their will against tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands?

The bold spirit to pick a fight with all of the Central Plains, the patience to pretend to be a cripple for years and deceive everyone until the end, meticulous wisdom.

And undeniable strong martial power.

Defeating all the masters once called the best under heaven in turn, Jin Ja-gang became the best under heaven himself.

He collapsed the Northern Heaven Unorthodox Faction, formed friendship with the Shandong Unorthodox Faction, and even possessed tremendous authority to determine the next sect leader of the Zoroastrian Cult. On top of that, with the Green Jade Buddha Staff, even Shaolin Temple couldn't carelessly deal with Jin Ja-gang...

He truly became the strongest encompassing both orthodox and unorthodox.

Having both personal martial power and solid forces behind him, who could stop Jin Ja-gang in the future?

The martial world greatly feared and lamented.

Now it's become the world of the Tang Family and Poison Dragon!

It was an era with a huge void as all the top-level masters had died. For at least the next hundred years, no one would be able to stop Jin Ja-gang, and even waiting another hundred years after that, someone capable of stopping him would be hard to emerge.

On top of that, the Tang Family, by possessing the absolute master called Poison Dragon, could guarantee infinite prosperity spanning several generations.

The martial world held its breath.

The martial world's future depended on Jin Ja-gang's future actions. Everyone lowered their stance and waited for Jin Ja-gang's next move.

***

Jin Ja-gang returned home to the Tang Family Estate.

The Tang Family Estate celebrated Jin Ja-gang's return by hanging golden lanterns on all roads from the entrance of Sichuan to the Tang Family Estate. Not only the Tang Family prepared, but all sects of Sichuan participated, making it deeply meaningful. Moreover, inside the golden lanterns were written the names and sects of those who died due to the Medicine Sect and Poison Sect incident.

Hearts dwelling in mourning the dead and hoping for an era of harmony were embedded there.

Jin Ja-gang's carriage passed under the golden lanterns hanging left and right. Even common people came out to the streets to see Jin Ja-gang.

"It's Poison Dragon. Really Poison Dragon."

"Seeing him in person, I can't believe it. With that delicate face, he killed tens of thousands and swept away the Murim Alliance?"

"My friend, martial artists can't be judged by their faces originally. If you learn martial arts, even a sixty-year-old hag becomes a young maiden's face."

"Goodness... Then what happens now?"

"Since he killed all the opposition who opposed his will, it'll become Poison Dragon's world. Probably... won't he become Alliance Leader?"

"Why would he become Alliance Leader?"

At someone's words, others looked at him wondering what he meant.

"All those top martial experts are dead anyway. Does he need to become Alliance Leader? Who would dare oppose Poison Dragon? Even the Alliance Leader would have to crawl before Poison Dragon."

People who heard those words admired it.

That's right.

The renowned masters all died. Poison Dragon didn't need to become Alliance Leader. Just by saying one word in a warm room at the Tang Family Estate, he could spread his will throughout the martial world. Without moving from Sichuan his entire life, he could rule the martial world as the de facto Alliance Leader.

"You're right. Truly Poison Dragon's era is coming."

"The next Alliance Leader will be a puppet."

"That's right. But still, someone will do it. There are plenty of people blinded by position."

Clatter clatter.

Jin Ja-gang's carriage just traveled the road, leaving people's gossip behind.

***

Conversely, the front of the Tang Family Estate was quiet.

"Have you arrived?"

Even the gatekeeper greeted Jin Ja-gang the same as usual.

Those coming and going were the same. Unlike before, not everyone came out to greet and welcome Jin Ja-gang.

"The household atmosphere is strange."

Jin Ja-gang glanced at Yeong-gwi. Yeong-gwi avoided Jin Ja-gang's gaze.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Yeong-gwi parted at the entrance and went her own way.

Jin Ja-gang smiled slightly and entered inside following the attending maid who came to greet him.

Tang Ha-ran waited in the inner garden holding Poison Heaven. Baek-won wasn't visible either.

"I've returned."

"You worked hard. Are you hungry?"

Jin Ja-gang looked at Tang Ha-ran quietly at her peculiar reaction. Tang Ha-ran was dressed plainly like a common housewife.

"Hold the baby for a bit, I'll bring food right away."

"Understood."

Jin Ja-gang held and soothed Poison Heaven, playing with him.

Though the inner garden quarters didn't have a kitchen, strangely sounds of frying and cooking came from somewhere and the smell of cooking rice wafted.

Then after a while, a meal table came out.

Simple greens, stir-fry, and mixed grain rice. Dishes you'd see at some rural household. Even if the Tang Family's finances were difficult, it was such a large family. He'd never seen a table like this before.

"There's not much prepared, but please eat plenty."

Tang Ha-ran sat across from Jin Ja-gang holding Poison Heaven with expectant eyes. Poison Heaven whined and cried, not wanting to leave Jin Ja-gang. Yet Tang Ha-ran forcibly held Poison Heaven.

The mood was peculiar.

The smell of cooking rice wafting, a wife holding a child in front. And a husband who finished outside work and returned.

Wasn't this the commonly imagined dinner scene?

Jin Ja-gang picked up a vegetable side dish, put it in his mouth, and chewed. After chewing once, as if unable to hold back laughter, he burst out laughing.

"Hahahaha! Haha!"

Tang Ha-ran made a blank expression.

"What. Does it taste bad? That can't be."

"Hahaha! No. Hahahaha!"

Jin Ja-gang tried to use his chopsticks but kept laughing so he couldn't even pick up food properly.

"What, what is it? What is it? Don't you like what's prepared? Did Yeong-gwi lie to me?"

"It was Yeong-gwi?"

"Yeong-gwi tipped me off. That you wanted this kind of meal table."

Hahaha. Jin Ja-gang even teared up laughing.

"Where on earth did you cook the rice?"

"Next door. To make the smell of cooking rice, I tore down all the partitions next door, put in a fire pit, and made it into a kitchen."

Tang Ha-ran pouted.

"But you don't seem to like it much. I worked hard for nothing. This was harder than doing the family head's job. I've never done this in my life."

"No. I like it."

Jin Ja-gang stopped eating and got up to approach Tang Ha-ran. Then he embraced both Tang Ha-ran and Poison Heaven together.

"How could I like it more than this? I'm satisfied. Truly."

Yeong-gwi, who heard the story from Jang, contacted the Tang Family Estate, and Tang Ha-ran personally created the most ordinary evening of a day. While even hurriedly tearing down the next room.

Tang Ha-ran whispered in Jin Ja-gang's embrace.

"Regrettably, it's only until today."

"A vacation of just one day. Isn't that too much? Wicked family head."

"I want to be with you carelessly for about a month like before too. But starting tomorrow, you'll have a lot to do... So I wanted to prepare just tonight's evening for you alone."

Jin Ja-gang hugged Tang Ha-ran tightly. Poison Heaven struggled and cried.

Jin Ja-gang smiled and loosened his strength slightly. Tang Ha-ran rubbed her cheek against Jin Ja-gang's cheek.

Jin Ja-gang was happy. How could he meet such a wise wife?

Tang Ha-ran had already read Jin Ja-gang's thoughts and even predicted what he must do.

"Thank you..."

"Who are you thanking?"

Jin Ja-gang closed his eyes and answered.

"Everyone... the heavenly gods... the mountain gods... all those who allowed me to come this far..."

"Psh, not me being grateful?"

"I'm grateful that you let me meet you."

At those words, Tang Ha-ran was greatly pleased. Hugging Jin Ja-gang's neck tightly, Tang Ha-ran whispered.

"I also like you... very much..."

***

As if to prove Tang Ha-ran's words weren't false, as soon as the next day came, many people visited the Tang Family Estate.

Tang Ha-ran's abilities shone this time too. Those who visited the Tang Family Estate admired endlessly that despite the sudden visit, the Tang Family was already perfectly prepared to receive guests.

Sects closest in distance sent delegations first. Sichuan's sects and Four Poison Cliques, Qingcheng Sect, and even Emei Sect who reclaimed Emei Mountain gathered in one place.

At that gathering, the Tang Family elders officially recognized Tang Ha-ran, the acting family head, as family head. With so many more people coming to visit, they couldn't keep the tail of acting family head attached forever.

In the world's sarcastic colloquial expression, a "young woman" sat as the family head of a martial family. It was tremendously unconventional.

However, with the abilities already shown, no one ignored Tang Ha-ran. They couldn't ignore her anyway. If they did, they'd meet Poison Dragon.

As the Tang Family's head, Tang Ha-ran presided over the gathering.

The Sichuan sect delegates, Four Poison Cliques, and those from Qingcheng and Emei Sects looked at Jin Ja-gang with moved eyes. Respectable both as a martial artist and as a thinker.

The Four Poison Cliques came forward in turn and clasped their hands.

"We congratulate Great Hero Jin on his achievement!"

Thousand Faced Thief No-gwan of Leper Mount prepared a sword. Tap Tak-yeon brought out glowing minerals, and Yuk Ha-seon also brought good alcohol. White Crow of Funeral Parlour brought a magnificent coffin, drawing some criticism, but received applause by saying it contained the meaning to strive to receive everyone's blessings at the moment of death and enter this coffin.

From Qingcheng Sect, Taoist Bok-cheon brought out a spirit elixir, and Emei Sect's Abbess In-eun also prepared Emei Sect's spiritual medicine.

Sichuan's sects brought out gifts they prepared one by one and conveyed greetings.

Tang Ha-ran and Jin Ja-gang replied with thanks one by one, and when the order finished, they set up a banquet table.

Though the atmosphere was harmonious, there seemed to be some discomfort as they glanced at each other during the slight gap before food came out.

Abbess In-eun opened her mouth with her characteristic bewitching smile.

"Great Hero Jin. Everyone is waiting. Won't you stop stalling and tell us?"

Jin Ja-gang, wearing rather unflashy banquet clothes, nodded.

"What answer do you want?"

Hot-tempered Tap Tak-yeon flapped his ears and opened his mouth.

"Didn't we all come here with the same thought anyway? Let's just say it openly. Great Hero Jin! Mu..."

Taoist Bok-cheon objected.

"The thoughts don't seem the same."

"No, so mu..."

"My thought is different."

Tap Tak-yeon, who was blocked several times trying to speak, turned his large ears toward Taoist Bok-cheon and got angry.

"Hey, I'm talking here!"

No-gwan smiled and spoke instead of Tap Tak-yeon.

"We all know what he's trying to say. Since the world became Great Hero Jin's anyway, he's trying to say you should just become Alliance Leader yourself at this point, isn't he?"

"Right, exactly that."

Taoist Bok-cheon shook his head.

"That thought differs from this poor Taoist's."

"What do you want to say, Taoist?"

Taoist Bok-cheon spoke toward Jin Ja-gang, not Tap Tak-yeon.

"Great Hero Jin. I heard you once spoke about the great cause to young people who visited the Tang Family."

Jin Ja-gang assented.

"That's correct."

Every individual has their own justice, and every organization has the justice the organization pursues. Each justice combines and divides, ultimately forming a grand cause. The great cause is the justification everyone commonly pursues and the standard for correct chivalry, so for the correct great cause to be created, countless justices must clash and clash again.

Therefore, none of the individual justices can be said to be wrong, and rather, the correct martial world is one where numerous justices run rampant.

Also, when great causes of equal size clash, they're decided by martial power. That's the martial world of the strong.

Taoist Bok-cheon directly stated the core of those words, the most uncomfortable part in the current situation.

"Great Hero Jin's words are never wrong. As Great Hero Jin says, resolving the final great cause with each other's martial power is the most desirable form of martial world. But now Great Hero Jin has become a master of all ages. Even if the great cause Great Hero Jin puts forward is mistaken, even if we want to refute and clash against it, who can defeat Great Hero Jin with martial power!"