Chapter 164 - The Black Flame Dragon Quelling the Chaos (9)

'Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it.'

Curses burst out inwardly dozens of times.

I risked my life to learn the Sword Demon's martial arts, yet instead of stepping up, Sword Evil is trembling like a dog that saw a tiger, and Axe Evil ended up getting his head cut off instead.

Of course, it is not that I dislike the fact that Axe Evil died by my hands.

After all, that bastard was a sheer madman who committed murder and arson on a regular basis.

Cleaning him up and considering it as building virtue in Jianghu is a good thing too.

However.

'If I knew Axe Evil was going to come out, I wouldn't have done that crazy stunt of learning the Sword Demon's martial arts.'

I somehow managed to learn the First Form of the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms, but because of it, my body ended up looking like some sort of mummy.

It is not that my blood vessels or Dantian were injured.

Rather, by gaining enlightenment through the sparring match with the Sword Demon, my body transformed once again, and the internal qi circulating through my blood vessels flows unhindered like the Yangtze River.

My outward appearance became like this purely because my body could not withstand the excessive training.

At this point, I feel like an idiot for worrying that the Underworld bastards wouldn't accept the result of the sparring match.

No, now I just wish they would all attack me.

If I hadn't been so pissed off by their atrocious deeds, there was no way I would have done something like this.

"Sword Evil. Are you really not going to attack? Don't you hold a grudge against me?"

When I called Sword Evil's name, the bastard startled with a 'hiccup' like a choking child.

'A hiccup... A fully grown adult hiccupping...'

"Snake Evil! W-We have to run away. We have to go quickly!"

Sword Evil dragged Snake Evil, whose leg was wrapped in bandages, and began to run away to the rear.

Snake Evil could not even shake off Sword Evil's hand and just stared blankly at me.

"... Dark Blood Gang, is there anyone who cannot accept the result of the sparring match? If so, come up."

"..."

The Dark Blood Gang members were just checking each other's reactions, only shouting, "You go out," "No, you go out."

I looked at the other Eight Evils standing alongside the Master of the Black Axe Palace.

"Is there anyone among you who will take revenge for Axe Evil?"

"..."

They made eye contact with each other, but no one stepped forward.

Then, Spear Evil asked.

"... Is the martial art you just used... truly the Sword Demon's martial art?"

"Why ask when you saw it with your own eyes?"

"... Is it really true?"

Spear Evil's face stiffened rigidly.

The Underworld members gathered at the Yujang Sect also became agitated and began to murmur.

"... Then does that mean you have become the Sword Demon's disciple?"

"I am a disciple of the Taiyi Sect."

"Then how are you using that martial art? Did you learn it directly from him?"

The Sword Demon had said he would break my legs if I went around saying I learned even a single fragment from him.

I have an absolute memory, and I especially never disobey a warning given by someone like the Sword Demon.

"No."

"Then...?"

"I stole it."

"Huh?"

Spear Evil opened his eyes wide in surprise.

The murmuring among the Underworld bastards grew even louder.

The Sword Demon told me to say it like this, so it isn't a lie. Yes, absolutely.

"He says he stole the martial arts from the Sword Demon."

"Crazy, does that even make sense?"

"Maybe it does make sense... They say he's the joint successor of the Underworld Alliance."

"Ah! As expected of the Underworld's Divine Star!"

Let alone the Underworld's Divine Star, what kind of bullshit was this joint successor of the Underworld Alliance?

"If your curiosity has been satisfied, hurry up and come up!"

I want to relieve this filthy mood as quickly as possible.

I want to get the reward for my hard work!

Ah, seeing how I am thirsting for blood like this, it is certain that there is a sinister aspect to the Sword Demon's martial arts.

After all, there is no way a natural-born Daoist like me would have the desire to beat someone to death.

"... We are merely hired by the Black Axe Palace. In the first place, it was Axe Evil's fault for stepping forward in the Dark Blood Gang's affairs."

With that, Spear Evil stepped back and crossed his arms.

The Black Axe Palace Master glared at Spear Evil with an incredulous look.

Spear Evil didn't back down and met his gaze with a look that said, 'So what?'

"Then is there no one else coming out?"

"..."

I said while looking at the Underworld crowd.

Using the Black Dragon Sword as a cane, I took a couple of steps forward and spoke once again.

"I am asking if there is no one else coming out."

SHUFFLE!

The Underworld crowd simultaneously stepped back a couple of steps.

When I took three steps forward again.

SHUFFLE!

The Underworld crowd simultaneously retreated five steps backward.

"..."

No, seriously, am I some kind of pathogen?

* * *

The 'sparring match showdown' ended just like that.

On the spot, the representative of the Dark Blood Gang wrote a memorandum promising to compensate the Yujang Sect for all the damages incurred thus far, as well as providing compensation for the bereaved families, before returning.

The Yujang Sect, which had been swarming with people, completely emptied out in half a day.

In the spaces where the people had left, only the ruined pavilions, collapsed walls, and debris of the main gate remained, adding to the dreary atmosphere.

"Eldest Senior Brother, what in the world happened?"

Eunho looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.

I spoke while continuously drinking water.

"Once you enter the stage of Okye Geumhwa, the Upper Dantian is opened, and one's imagery can be applied exactly like reality. This means that image training can become identical to actual training."

"And so?"

"The speed of imagery is much faster than the speed of reality, isn't it? It is the best method to become stronger in a short period of time. I will pass it down to you later."

"... No. I just want to build up my failures day by day in realistic time."

Eunho shuddered as if he had seen something he shouldn't have.

To be honest, it is a method I don't really want to recommend either.

It was only possible for me because I have an absolute memory; if ordinary people were to fall into delusions while doing image training, it would immediately lead to qi deviation.

Thinking about it again pisses me off. What exactly was I doing, risking my life to do such a thing?

I already knew that the nature of the Underworld bastards was to be strong against the weak and weak against the strong, but weren't they lacking far too much spirit here?

Eunho, who had been shuddering, looked around and spoke.

"What will happen to the Yujang Sect now?"

Although they had secured victory against the Dark Blood Gang and protected their sect's name, the atmosphere was not lively at all.

The physician invited from the Tang Clan was examining Jang Sagyeong's condition, but he relayed that his innate qi had shattered, bringing him to an irreversible state.

If it hadn't been for the physician from the Tang Clan, he would have passed away the moment the sparring match ended; they had barely prolonged his life until now.

Because of this, all the disciples of the Yujang Sect had gathered in one place and were having their final conversations with Jang Sagyeong.

Looking back at them holding back their tears, I asked Eunho back.

"What do you think will happen?"

"..."

Eunho fell deep into thought for a long while before opening his mouth.

"I am not sure, but... won't they become stronger from now on?"

In my past life, the Yujang Sect was annihilated as soon as the Orthodox-Demonic Great War broke out.

It was because, upon receiving orders from the Mount Cangshan Sect, all the members of their sect had faced the Demonic Cult without any proper information.

And the Mount Cangshan Sect took no responsibility whatsoever for that.

However, the Yujang Sect in this life will move forward in a different way.

I thought of Jang Sagyeong, who had created a different future for the Yujang Sect.

"I think so too."

A short while later, those who had shared their final farewells with Jang Sagyeong exited the pavilion one by one.

Most of them were crying, and although they bowed their heads to hide their unsightly appearances, they ultimately could not conceal the continuously flowing tears.

Seeing that sight, Eunho firmly shut his mouth.

I spoke to Eunho.

"This is not something that will only happen to the Yujang Sect."

"... Yes."

Just saying this much would be enough for Eunho to understand. He was a very intelligent child, after all.

"Young Hero Jin."

A Hall Leader of the Yujang Sect called out to me with eyes burning red.

"Yes."

"The Sect Leader wishes to see you."

"... I understand."

I slowly stood up from my seat.

* * *

On both sides of the room, Jang Sagyeong's martial brothers, along with Jang Ujae, were seated quietly.

And at the front, Jang Sagyeong was smiling at me, completely devoid of any vitality.

"Welcome. Young Hero Jin."

As my internal energy built up and the level of my qi sensing heightened, I had no great difficulty sensing an opponent's presence even without consciously trying.

However, from the current Jang Sagyeong, nothing could be felt.

It meant that every ounce of energy that kept his existence alive had completely dried up.

Even so, if it hadn't been for the Tang Clan physician continuously administering acupuncture, moxibustion, and injecting qi right next to Jang Sagyeong, he wouldn't even have been able to sit and talk like this.

"From what I heard... I was told that you already brought the physician from the Tang Clan two days ago. How did you know that I would touch my innate true qi?"

I saw the Hong Mungi of my past life in Jang Sagyeong's appearance from two days ago.

He, too, had no hesitation in burning away his own body to save his disciples until the very end.

Perhaps I.

Might have seen the Hong Mungi I failed to save in my past life through Jang Sagyeong.

"I just had a feeling."

Jang Sagyeong stared at me intently, then spoke with a gentle smile.

"It seems the young hero has gone through truly harrowing experiences."

"... There must have been a wiser way to navigate through this. I am sorry for my inadequacy."

Jang Sagyeong slowly shook his head.

"No. I could not wish for anything more than this. I will not forget this grace. I have passed it down to my children, and to their children's children, to never forget it."

At his words that sounded like a final will, the people's cries burst out.

"Thank you truly. Young Hero Jin. I do not know what virtues I accumulated in my past life, but thanks to Young Hero Jin, I am able to close my eyes in peace."

"..."

Jang Sagyeong looked at his son, Jang Ujae, and spoke.

"Bring that here."

"Yes."

Jang Ujae placed what was behind him in front of his father.

With trembling hands, Jang Sagyeong pushed a wooden tray toward me.

Upon the tray lay a small jewel of blue crystal.

"It is called Pungryeong."

"Pungryeong?"

An item that was not recorded even within my massive library.

"It is a relic of our founder, the Flying Stream Divine Sword. It possesses the property of invulnerability to extreme cold and heat, so it will be a useful item for someone like Young Hero Jin who must traverse Jianghu."

A relic of their founder?

I was greatly alarmed and refused.

"I didn't do this hoping for a reward in the first place. I cannot accept such a precious item."

Jang Sagyeong smiled broadly.

"Young Hero Jin, that is exactly why I am giving it to you. What hero in this world would risk their own life without expecting any reward in return?"

"..."

"It carries my small wish that your good influence will spread throughout the world, leading many to open their eyes."

I merely acted to erase the nightmare from my memories...

"Are you thinking... that you didn't act with such intentions?"

What?

Jang Sagyeong laughed as if feeling exhilarated.

"As expected, as the end approaches, it seems I can see things I couldn't see before. Young Hero Jin. Do not worry. Whatever your intentions were, we received a grace from you that we cannot repay. I feel that if I close my eyes without being able to give you this, I would become a ghost out of guilt even after death."

Jang Sagyeong delivered a grim joke.

I bowed my head deeply and cupped my fists.

"... I will gratefully accept the Sect Leader's gift."

When I raised my head, Jang Sagyeong met my eyes.

"How is it? Do you think I did well with this much?"

At his question, I nodded.

"You were absolutely magnificent."

We looked into each other's eyes and smiled for a moment.

The physician from the Tang Clan met my eyes and shook his head.

Now was truly the time they needed to spend among themselves.

I quietly left the room.

"Why is the moon so bright?"

As I stared blankly at the moon floating above the Yujang Sect, the sounds of crying from inside the pavilion began to grow louder.

"It would be nice if it were a little cloudy on a day like this."

Soon, the sounds of crying spread throughout the entire Yujang Sect.