Chapter 383: The Taoist
In the midst of the chaos, four figures fell simultaneously, followed by another. Only then did the remaining people change direction, disappearing into the shadows.
Crackle, crackle.
In the dead of night, the sound of thatched roofs burning filled the air. It was only then that Mr. Im regained his senses, realizing the gravity of what he had just confessed.
“Well…”
“Please, go on.”
Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong didn’t interrupt Mr. Im’s story. Though they appeared serious, their eyes betrayed a glimmer of anticipation.
Mr. Im hesitated, fumbling for words. “It’s… fortunate we didn’t have to make any sacrifices, isn’t it? As brave as I am, I didn’t want to lose my life over something unnecessary…”
It was a feeble excuse, but in the circumstances, it was the best he could muster. Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong exchanged glances. If it had been someone like Namgung Myung or Hong Geolgae, they might have teased him for days. But they decided to spare Mr. Im, who was, after all, a decade their senior.
Hyun Gong might not care, but Tang Mujin was a respectful young man who knew how to honor his elders. He bowed slightly and said, “It must have been a difficult choice. Thanks to your bravery, we were able to deal with the demon easily.”
Tang Mujin expressed his gratitude on behalf of Hyun Gong. Yet, Mr. Im seemed to sense that his excuse hadn’t quite landed, and he fidgeted nervously. In the end, he changed the subject abruptly.
“By the way, who exactly are you two? You don’t seem like an ordinary doctor and a mountain youth…”
Tang Mujin, with a hint of pride, introduced himself. “I am Tang Mujin, the head of the Tang family in Sichuan.”
“The Tang family? Ah… that Tang family? I see, I see.”
Mr. Im nodded as if he knew of the Tang family, but his expression suggested otherwise. Merchants might be well-versed in rumors, but the Tang family was known only among martial artists, doctors, and blacksmiths.
‘Perhaps I should have introduced myself as the Dragon of Medicine,’ Tang Mujin thought. But introducing himself twice seemed a bit desperate, so he kept silent, inadvertently denying Hyun Gong the chance to introduce himself.
If Mr. Im knew about the Wudang sect but not the Tang family, it might have irked Tang Mujin.
Just when it seemed the situation might end on a warm note, the firelight from the burning house was too bright. A few figures began to reappear, emboldened by the light.
Tang Mujin’s expression turned serious once more. If these were mere riffraff, they would have lost their will to fight upon witnessing the power of the Bi-Ryun. But those who emerged now likely believed they could withstand it, whether through confidence in their skills or some other means.
Their numbers grew, surpassing five and nearing ten. It was clear more would come with time.
‘Is it wise to continue fighting here?’ Tang Mujin pondered, fingering the Bi-Ryun. Meanwhile, Hyun Gong assessed the approaching figures. Though it was dark, their attire didn’t suggest they were Taoists from the Kunlun sect.
Hyun Gong’s thoughts mirrored Tang Mujin’s. ’…The situation isn’t good.’
Both were exceptionally skilled, even among the martial artists of the demonic cult. Tang Mujin, in particular, excelled at fighting multiple opponents. But they couldn’t endlessly battle an unknown number of cultists.
Moreover, the presence of so many cultists around Mount Kunlun suggested the sect had fallen to the demonic cult.
Hyun Gong reached a conclusion. ‘We should retreat for now. It’s a shame we couldn’t capture Banyup, but gathering information is valuable. Besides, Namgung Myung isn’t heartless; he’ll return the Songmun sword for our efforts.’
Just as Hyun Gong was about to suggest retreating, Tang Mujin pointed towards the base of Mount Kunlun. “Hyun Gong, isn’t that Banyup?”
Hyun Gong squinted, following Tang Mujin’s gaze. There stood Banyup, the Taoist who had informed them of Namgung Jincheon’s passing. Clad in the distinctive gray robes of the Kunlun sect, Banyup watched them intently from beyond the demonic cultists. The distance was several hundred paces.
Banyup seemed to be either intimidating the cultists from approaching or directing them from behind. Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong both fell into deep thought.
‘Why is Banyup there?’
‘Is Banyup part of the demonic cult, not the Kunlun sect? If so, why wear the Kunlun robes?’
‘If he’s an ally, how is he staying in a cult-occupied Kunlun?’
No matter how they considered it, the situation was perplexing. Neither Tang Mujin nor Hyun Gong could reach a conclusion.
Then, Banyup began to walk towards them, covering the distance in mere moments. It was unbelievable. Banyup reached them in just a few breaths, leaving even the usually composed Hyun Gong breathless with shock.
This wasn’t martial arts. Even the swiftest martial artists couldn’t traverse hundreds of paces in a few steps.
Banyup, now standing before them, was bleeding from his nose. Yet, he spoke calmly to Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong. “We met at the Namgung family, didn’t we? And who is this other gentleman?”
Tang Mujin glanced at Hyun Gong. If Banyup’s tone or expression had shown hostility, Hyun Gong would have reacted. But he didn’t, so Tang Mujin answered instead of subduing Banyup.
“A companion we met on the way.”
“Are the three of you alone? No other companions?”
“That’s correct.”
Banyup seemed slightly disappointed but quickly handed them a yellow talisman. “Each of you, hold this talisman, keep your heads down, and match your steps to mine. Do not look up.”
The talisman was a yellow paper inscribed with strange symbols and red characters, likely drawn with cinnabar. In other words, it was a charm.
Now wasn’t the time to waste on such things. The cultists were closing in, and the logical response was to fight or flee.
But Banyup’s earlier display of skill was troubling. Who could perform such feats?
Tang Mujin recalled stories from Hong Geolgae about his master, who supposedly learned sorcery on Mount Kunlun. Though Tang Mujin had dismissed it as trickery, Banyup’s demonstration made him reconsider.
Hyun Gong reached a similar conclusion, albeit faster, and grabbed the talisman. Banyup urged them, “Hurry, there’s no time.”
Following Hyun Gong, Tang Mujin and Mr. Im took hold of the talisman and looked down. As Banyup moved, they matched his steps.
One step, two steps, three steps.
As they took the fourth step, the talisman ignited. Yet, their hands felt no heat.
“Ugh, ugh!” Banyup coughed harshly. Only then did Tang Mujin, Hyun Gong, and Mr. Im look up.
The scenery had changed. The burning house was now several hundred paces behind them.
Just as Banyup had approached them earlier, they had been transported a great distance in an instant. The cultists, bewildered by their sudden disappearance, searched the area.
But they weren’t far enough. If they lingered, they’d be surrounded again.
“What is this…?” Hyun Gong murmured in awe. Banyup, still coughing, explained, “It’s called the Art of Shrinking the Earth. I wanted to move us further, but with so many people, it wasn’t possible.”
Banyup looked up, and Tang Mujin gasped. “You’re bleeding!”
Banyup’s lower face was almost entirely stained with blood, his nosebleed severe, and each cough spattered more blood. Yet, he pointed towards the base of Mount Kunlun, undeterred.
“It’s fine. I just overexerted myself a bit. Head for the mountains.”
There was no time to argue or question anything.
Dang Mujin hoisted Mr. Im onto his back, while Hyeon Gong carried Banyup, and they both took off with their light-footed martial arts.
”···!”
Before long, shouts echoed from afar. The cult’s warriors had discovered their location.
“···Damn it!”
Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong were undoubtedly more skilled than the cult’s warriors, and their light-foot techniques were superior. However, carrying someone each slowed them down significantly.
Meanwhile, the cult’s warriors, sensing an opportunity, charged at them like a pack of enraged wolves. The distance between them was closing rapidly.
“Huff, huff!”
Their breaths came in ragged gasps.
Even with someone on their backs, Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong moved at more than twice the speed of an average person, but it still wasn’t enough.
They finally reached the foothills Banyup had pointed out. But reaching the foothills didn’t solve their problem.
Just as Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong were about to prepare for a fight, Banyup spoke again.
“Keep moving.”
Whether it was the right choice or not was uncertain. But having started to trust and move, they had no choice but to continue.
Yet, Dang Mujin couldn’t shake off his doubts, and as he kept running, he racked his brain.
‘···How can we shake off these cult bastards?’
Suddenly, he thought that Hyeon Gong might have come up with a solution. Turning his head, he shouted.
“Hyeon Gong!”
At that moment, Dang Mujin caught sight of something unbelievable in a slightly different direction.
Hyeon Gong, carrying Banyup, was supporting Banyup’s thighs with both hands. The problem was that when Dang Mujin called his name, he saw Hyeon Gong’s hands tense up.
In other words, before Dang Mujin called out, Hyeon Gong’s grip had been somewhat loose. Hyeon Gong had been subtly preparing to abandon Banyup.
”···.”
Dang Mujin narrowed his eyes at Hyeon Gong, who then sent a telepathic message.
Dang Mujin responded immediately.
No matter what, that’s a bit…
Sometimes you have to know when to let go of your burdens. It’s better for two to survive than for all to die, right?
The logic was so straightforward and undeniable that Dang Mujin was momentarily tempted.
But he didn’t get swept up easily. Hyeon Gong’s arguments always sounded plausible.
This isn’t about numbers.
Don’t worry. The Wudang Sect never forgets sacrifice. If we set up a proper altar on Wudang Mountain and honor them for a long time, they will surely…
As Hyeon Gong continued his justification through telepathy, a pair of arms suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
There was no way to identify who the arms belonged to. They simply dangled in the air, as if by some ghostly trick.
Startled, Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong twisted their bodies to avoid the hands.
But carrying someone made their movements sluggish, and the hands were too close to evade.
In the end, the hands grabbed Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong by the nape and yanked them down with a violent motion.
“Oof!”
Suddenly, Dang Mujin, Hyeon Gong, Banyup, and Mr. Im all tumbled to the ground.
Only then did they notice the legs of a stranger.
Of course, Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong didn’t just lie there.
Accustomed to life-and-death battles, they quickly got up, ready to draw their swords.
But a voice stopped them in their tracks.
“Don’t move or speak. Just calm your breathing.”
The content of the words was secondary; the voice was unsettlingly familiar.
And with no other options, Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong halted their actions and steadied their breaths.
Their harsh breathing gradually softened.
As their breathing quieted, the footsteps of their pursuers grew closer.
“Where did they go?”
“They were this way! Follow me!”
Dang Mujin’s heart pounded.
Though it was a dark forest night, only a few spindly branches shielded them from view.
Unless their pursuers were blind, they would surely be discovered.
Dang Mujin slowly gathered his inner energy, ready to fight at any moment, his sweaty palm gripping the sword hilt.
But the night’s strange events were not over.
The dozen or so pursuers failed to notice the group standing still and naturally passed by, disappearing into the depths of Mount Kunlun.
After a little more time passed, Merchant Im exhaled a suppressed breath and quietly asked.
“···Is it over?”
The answer came from behind them.
“For now, yes.”
Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong slowly turned around.
There stood a familiar figure.
The head of the Kunlun Sect, Master Yuyu.
Dang Mujin clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.
“Meeting you again and receiving your help right away.”
“We only met once before, yet you remember my face.”
Master Yuyu chuckled softly.
But Dang Mujin remained on edge. He suspected that Master Yuyu might have allied with the cult.
Thus, he quietly let his arms hang, secretly gripping the sword hilt within his wide sleeve.
Dang Mujin spoke.
“I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“With the cult expanding its territory near Mount Kunlun, how is it that you remain here?”
“By using some tricks to coexist precariously.”
A vague answer. Dang Mujin tightened his grip on the sword hilt and asked.
“Then, could you explain in detail how you retrieved Elder Namgung Jincheon’s sword?”
As he spoke, Dang Mujin glanced at Hyeon Gong. Like him, Hyeon Gong’s hand hovered near his waist, ready to draw his sword.
If another ambiguous answer came, they would simultaneously strike and sever Master Yuyu’s head.
But the answer didn’t come from Master Yuyu.
“I gave it to him.”
Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong turned to the direction of the voice behind Master Yuyu.
There stood someone they thought was dead. The Sword Demon, Namgung Jincheon.
“···You’re alive?”
It wasn’t a question that needed answering. So Namgung Jincheon asked them instead.
“Why are only you two here? Where are the others?”