Chapter 154: Two Villages
Hong Geolgae leapt onto the roof, his voice carrying over the tiles.
“What’s this? You’re not going after them? Just letting them go?”
Dang Mujin shook his head.
“Chasing them won’t change much.”
The distance was too great, and the fleeing enemies had scattered in different directions. Even if they managed to catch and kill a few more, it wouldn’t make a significant difference unless they got them all.
Dang Mujin crossed his arms, assessing the situation. It wasn’t ideal, but there was a small victory. They had confirmed the direction the enemies were fleeing. None were heading west or south; all were running north or east. This confirmed that the main base of the Salmak was in the northeast, in Yangyang.
‘Looks like Elder Swae Honnoong’s information was spot on.’
Hong Geolgae turned to Dang Mujin.
“If we move quickly, we could reach Yangyang before them and catch them off guard, right?”
Namgung Myung answered in Dang Mujin’s stead.
“We’ve only just arrived in Sangshin Village. We haven’t even rested properly. Do you really want to push on for another two or three days without knowing how many we’ll face? You’d be making Dan Seolyeong a widow in no time. Can you handle that?”
“Who’s making who a widow?” Dang Mujin grumbled, but he knew Namgung Myung was right.
“Anyway, it’s too late now. Let’s take care of ourselves first and move slowly.”
“Agreed.”
The group trudged back towards the inn. Earlier, when the news of the dragon doctor’s arrival had spread, people had flocked to them. Now, the villagers kept their distance, wary of the blood-stained swords they carried.
Namgung Myung glanced around, spotting the body of an assassin sprawled on the road. To keep his blade from dulling, he wiped it clean on the dead man’s clothes before sheathing it. Even with the sword put away, the villagers still kept their distance, having realized the group’s weapons were not for show.
The people of Sangshin Village knew Dang Mujin and his companions weren’t villains. Yet, martial artists were a breed best kept at arm’s length. Befriending a renowned doctor might earn you free treatment, but getting too close to a famous martial artist could get you a free stab.
Dang Mujin sighed. Just moments ago, the villagers had buzzed around them like bees, chattering excitedly. Now, they avoided him as if he were a wild beast. As a doctor, he was beloved, but as a martial artist, he faced wary glances.
He began to understand why Gwae Yi had such a prickly personality.
“Ah, you’ve been through a lot.”
“Please, have a seat over here!”
Thankfully, the innkeeper and his assistant didn’t seem too uneasy around them. This allowed Dang Mujin and his companions to enjoy a peaceful dinner.
“Did we ruin your dinner service?” Dang Mujin asked, concerned.
The innkeeper laughed heartily. “Dinner service? Thanks to you, our lunch service was fantastic.”
The assistant nodded in agreement. Though he felt a twinge of fear towards the group, his gratitude was far greater. It had been ages since his legs didn’t ache.
As the innkeeper served their meal, he cautiously defended the villagers. “I hope you don’t think poorly of the people here. Sangshin is a peaceful village, and it’s rare to see anyone draw a sword.”
“Understandable.”
“It’s not just talk. They’re just startled now, but give it a couple of days, and they’ll start approaching you again. I guarantee it.”
The innkeeper’s faith in the villagers and his generous spirit were comforting. Dang Mujin picked up his chopsticks with a gentle smile.
A restful night passed.
The next morning, as the three stepped out of the inn, they encountered a man. He appeared to be around Dang Mujin’s age, perhaps a bit older, with a long sword at his waist, thick eyebrows, and a neat appearance.
Having met all sorts of people, Dang Mujin rarely found himself surprised or flustered. But this man was different. Despite his youth, he had clearly surpassed the pinnacle of martial arts.
‘Why do I keep running into so many top-tier masters lately?’
Dang Mujin studied him quietly, beginning to understand why other martial artists often commented on his and Namgung Myung’s age. It felt odd, like seeing a chick with a fully grown comb.
Unlike Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae, who didn’t recognize the man, Namgung Myung did.
“It’s been a while, Hyun Gong.”
“Namgung Myung. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Hyun Gong. The name rang a bell. Dang Mujin searched his memory. Then it clicked. Either Gwae Yi or Namgung Myung had mentioned him before. The Rising Dragon Sword, Hyun Gong, a prodigy of the Wudang Sect. It was strange he hadn’t recalled it sooner, given the clues of his youth and mastery.
Namgung Myung was among the top of his generation. Yet, no one claimed he was the best, because there was someone who clearly surpassed him. That someone was Hyun Gong, hailed as the greatest talent in the thriving Wudang Sect.
Two years ago, when Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung first met, Hyun Gong was already known to have surpassed the pinnacle. However, it seemed he and Namgung Myung weren’t exactly on friendly terms. Hyun Gong addressed Namgung Myung with a calm, businesslike tone.
“I heard there was a skirmish. Were you involved?”
“Yes.”
“What prompted you to draw your sword?”
“They were assassins from the Salmak. Do I need another reason?”
Assassins. If that were true, there was no need to debate right or wrong. Letting them go would have been the real issue.
“Do you have proof?”
“Check the bodies. They’ll have butterfly tattoos.”
Namgung Myung’s immediate response made Hyun Gong nod.
“I’ll verify the tattoos later. But why were the assassins after you?”
“They weren’t after me. I was after them.”
“You were after the assassins? How did you know they were in Sangshin Village?”
“I wasn’t specifically looking for Sangshin. It was just on the way. Seems you didn’t know the Salmak’s main base is in Hubei.”
Namgung Myung’s taunt made Hyun Gong frown.
“First I’ve heard of it. Who told you this?”
“I can’t reveal my source. But does it really matter?”
Namgung Myung wisely avoided a direct answer. Involvement with the Demonic Cult could complicate things.
Listening to their exchange, Hong Geolgae whispered to Dang Mujin.
“Why’s this Hyun Gong guy suddenly here, asking all these questions?”
“The Wudang Sect is based in Hubei.”
As a new sect, the Wudang Sect was busy expanding its influence around Mount Wudang in Hubei.
A sect’s influence comes in two forms. First, among martial artists. This is straightforward. The more renowned masters a sect has, the greater its influence among martial artists.
But influence among ordinary people is different. To gain their trust, a sect must prove it can solve local problems. If the Wudang Sect’s influence grows, people will turn to them for issues the authorities can’t resolve. Eventually, they might even approach the sect before the authorities for problems they can handle. That’s true influence.
Hyun Gong spoke again.
“Why are you going after the Salmak?”
“Do you think I’m going to hire them? Of course, I’m going to take them down.”
Hyun Gong felt a sense of urgency. The Salmak’s infamy was widespread across the central plains. Even novice martial artists knew better than to get involved with them. Yet, there were no tales of formidable masters within the Salmak. They survived not through overwhelming force, but by keeping their secrets well-guarded.
Taking down the Salmak would be a significant achievement for both the Wudang Sect and Hyun Gong.
Hyun Gong subtly suggested, “Do you think the three of you can handle the Salmak?”
“Who knows? We’ll find out.”
“If it’s too much, just pass the information to us and step back. The Wudang Sect will take the lead.”
Namgung Myung saw through Hyun Gong’s intentions. He wanted to claim the glory and spread the Wudang Sect’s name. But Namgung Myung wasn’t about to step aside.
“No way. Who leaves revenge to others?”
“Revenge for what?”
Dang Mujin answered in Namgung Myung’s place.
“For our master.”
Hyun Gong scrutinized Dang Mujin. His aura wasn’t quite at the pinnacle, but it was impressive nonetheless.
‘He looks even younger than Namgung Myung.’
Not long ago, Hyun Gong was unrivaled among his peers. But now, Namgung Myung had reappeared with remarkable progress, and another slightly lesser talent had emerged. Even the ragged man beside them wasn’t to be underestimated.
‘Impressive.’
Hyun Gong studied Dang Mujin for a moment before collecting his thoughts.
Seizing complete control and claiming all the credit for himself and the Wudang Sect would be ideal.
However, the information about Salmak was in the hands of Namgung Myung and his subordinates. Namgung’s sly demeanor made it difficult to manipulate or deceive him easily.
He hadn’t always been like this. It seemed a year spent in the streets had turned him into a cunning snake.
“The fact that Salmak’s main base was in Hubei is already a disgrace. If outsiders solve the problem instead of the Wudang Sect, it will only worsen the situation. It’s not just a matter of losing face.”
After a moment of contemplation, Hyun Gong proposed a compromise.
“Mind if I join in?”
This was his way of expressing that the Wudang Sect wanted a stake in the matter.
While this might reduce the credit the Wudang Sect could claim, it would concentrate the recognition on Hyun Gong alone. From his perspective, this was a better outcome.
Meanwhile, Tang Mujin thought of Dan Seol-young.
“Is there anyone else you want to make a widow?” she had teased, suggesting he bring someone else along.
Adding Hyun Gong to the mix wouldn’t change the dynamics too much.
“Go ahead,” Tang Mujin accepted Hyun Gong’s proposal with a slightly arrogant air.
The leader of Salmak, Black Butterfly, clutched his head in frustration.
The lack of progress in his recent closed-door training was already annoying, and now unsettling news had reached him at the crack of dawn. The situation was somewhat ambiguous.
“Have they really pinpointed the location of our main base?”
The chances were slim. Among outsiders, only the old man of the Soul-Snatching Sect knew Salmak’s location. There was no reason for him to divulge it to that so-called Dragon Healer. There were other factors to consider as well.
“What will you do?” Black Cat, who had been observing, asked. He had just heard the same stories from the assassins who escaped from Sangshin Village.
Black Butterfly pondered.
Currently, there were three top-tier assassins at Salmak’s main base, including Black Butterfly and Black Cat. If they summoned another from nearby, they would have four.
Their opponents were three young men: a one-armed individual presumed to be the son of the Sword Demon Namgung Jincheon, the Dragon Healer skilled in both swordsmanship and medicine, and a beggar tagging along.
“That Dragon Healer… he seems connected to the strange ones. There were rumors his swordsmanship resembled theirs.”
In any case, three of Salmak’s men should be enough to handle them. If luck was on their side, they might even capture the Dragon Healer and sell him to the Demonic Cult.
“The problem is if they seek help from outsiders.”
Black Butterfly asked Black Cat, “Any unusual movements from the Wudang Sect?”
“None that I’ve heard of.”
“Good. We’ll wait for now. But if the Wudang Sect makes a move, we’ll abandon the base immediately.”
Black Butterfly’s decision was pragmatic.
Pride meant nothing in the face of practicality.
Black Cat inquired, “If we have to abandon the base, where will you go?”
“Not sure yet, but we’ll have to pass through Sichuan. We need to show how Salmak has survived all this time.”
The Dragon Healer’s hometown was said to be Chengdu, not Qingcheng Mountain or Emei Mountain.
He even came from a family of physicians.
Chengdu had no major sects. The Qingcheng Sect had a branch there, but even they couldn’t stop Salmak with just a branch. Moreover, the proud Qingcheng Sect wasn’t likely to protect a mere physician. It was practically unclaimed territory.
Since they couldn’t wipe out the Namgung family, the Dragon Healer would have to pay the price.
They would storm into the Dragon Healer’s family home in Chengdu, kidnap his family, kill half of them on the spot, and keep the rest as hostages to be slowly eliminated.
“We need to show that anyone who crosses Salmak pays a heavy price.”
Black Butterfly smiled confidently.