Chapter 388: The Devil’s Snare
As soon as Tang Mujin and Hyungong arrived at Mount Kunlun, they relayed the troubling news to Master Yuyu and Namgung Jincheon.
“Hmm…”
Master Yuyu tried to maintain his composure, but upon hearing the full story, he couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.
“That person must have been completely unhinged. At first glance, he seemed like a decent fellow.”
“Indeed. The pressing question now is how we should respond.”
Yet, none of the four could propose a clear solution.
If there had been a peaceful way to resolve this, they wouldn’t have been holed up in Mount Kunlun in the first place.
Hyungong grumbled to Tang Mujin, “Didn’t you spend a few months with the Demon Sect? You could’ve warned us if there was someone like that around.”
Master Yuyu cast a suspicious glance at Tang Mujin, who quickly waved his hands in denial.
“It’s not like that. Hyungong, don’t spread misunderstandings. I didn’t join the Demon Sect by choice. And back then, there was no such monk. The top fighters were just the three guardians, Guangyanla, Guiwang, and the elder Sananbul.”
Hyungong pondered for a moment before making his own judgment. “If a master who can rival Namgung Jincheon has appeared, then this monk must be of a different caliber than the half-baked masters of the Demon Sect. Perhaps he’s a new recruit?”
“Most likely.”
In the past, the Demon Sect was a refuge for criminals, but none were as deranged as this. It seemed the new leader was now accepting madmen.
What kind of hell was the Demon Sect becoming? Tang Mujin felt a heavy weight on his heart.
It didn’t seem like a special solution would emerge. Master Yuyu tried to lighten the mood with a cheerful voice.
“At least the situation has improved somewhat. The weary have regained some strength, and we’ve gained two more masters on our side. With luck, we might be able to deal with the monk and escape the pursuit of the Demon Sect.”
There would be sacrifices, but there was no other choice.
It was uncertain if the monk intended to kill everyone on Mount Kunlun, but it was easy to imagine his delight at acquiring hundreds of corpses. Sooner or later, they had to leave Mount Kunlun.
Master Yuyu continued, “Though our burial customs aren’t strict, we can’t let Wonpyeong’s body be desecrated like that. We should bury him discreetly and stockpile food in case of emergencies. And when the opportunity arises, we must escape. Is Banyup outside?”
“You called for me?”
Banyup appeared naturally, having overheard Master Yuyu’s instructions.
“Go to Jang-eung, explain the situation, and have him set up the formation in my stead. We need it ready by tomorrow or the day after.”
“I’ll relay the message.”
The brief meeting concluded, and the four dispersed.
However, two days later, a small problem arose.
Wonpyeong’s disciple, Jang-eung, chose to flee under the cover of night instead of setting up the formation.
The Kunlun Sect lost one of their six hideouts.
Five days passed.
Tang Mujin was meditating, reflecting on his past insights.
Suddenly, he felt an ominous intuition. He opened his eyes, sensing something was amiss.
It wasn’t mere paranoia. Hyungong approached, sheathing his sword.
“Is something wrong?”
“Someone’s approaching.”
Tang Mujin glanced at the still-blue sky, checking the sun’s position.
There was still an hour before sunset.
Though the Demon Sect had ceased their visits to Mount Kunlun, it was rare for anyone to leave the formation during the day without a significant reason.
“An intruder?”
“Probably.”
After a brief wait, the last people they wanted to see appeared.
A diminutive monk in orange robes, the monk, arrived with his disciples.
Due to Jang-eung’s escape, Tang Mujin and Hyungong were staying at a nearby hideout.
But this hideout also had a formation in place. Tang Mujin and Hyungong hoped the monk wouldn’t notice them and remained still.
The ordinary people in the hideout sensed the tension and held their breath.
The monk seemed unaware of their presence.
Yet, unlike before, there was a strange certainty in his gaze.
Hyungong muttered softly, “Looks like he’s found a trace.”
“A trace? What trace could there be when he drains his prey’s blood from afar?”
“His gaze is downward. He’s looking at footprints.”
Even footprints hidden under fallen leaves couldn’t escape the monk’s notice.
There were other clues, too—like signs of foraging for edible plants and fruits.
Tang Mujin spoke to Hyungong, “Should we attack now?”
Approaching would surely reveal their presence. But it was better to catch the enemy off guard than to start a fight after being discovered.
Tang Mujin believed they had a good chance.
His martial arts focused on extreme lethality, while Hyungong’s emphasized ultimate defense—a perfect combination.
But Hyungong shook his head.
“If Namgung Jincheon and the Kunlun Sect’s fighters were here, it might be worth it. But we’re the only ones who can fight here. The damage would be too great.”
Tang Mujin and Hyungong needed to deal with the monk first. The problem was his disciples.
The disciples’ skills weren’t low. If even one or two of them charged into the crowd, dozens could die in an instant.
Then, the monk’s demeanor changed.
He carefully inspected the building, then placed his hands on the ground as if realizing something.
In the next moment, a heavy rumble erupted, as if numerous masters had stomped simultaneously, sending dust flying.
Boom—
The vibration traveled through their legs, twisting their insides and causing nausea.
The monk’s internal energy was immense.
After Jang-eung’s escape, people had scattered to nearby hideouts. The formation was unstable due to the excess numbers. The monk’s vibration caused the formation to falter, revealing the hideout and its occupants.
A strange light flickered in the monk’s sunken eyes.
Fortunately, he didn’t seem ready to attack immediately.
The monk approached Tang Mujin and Hyungong, bowing politely.
“I was worried when you didn’t come, so I came to see if something happened.”
Tang Mujin replied calmly, “There’s no need to worry. The funeral was handled by the Kunlun Sect.”
The monk’s expression turned grave.
“That’s not acceptable.”
“What do you mean?”
“Interfering with a monk’s practice and preventing the deceased from accumulating merit will send you to hell. It’s unacceptable.”
The monk’s voice was filled with genuine concern for Tang Mujin and Hyungong.
For the first time, Tang Mujin realized how unsettling someone’s kindness could be.
“So, you’re saying we should turn Wonpyeong’s body into a spectacle to avoid hell? Let it rot and be eaten by insects?”
“I know it’s an unfamiliar method. But trust me, it’s the best way. It’s all part of the practice and will become your merit.”
“No.”
Tang Mujin’s firm refusal made the monk visibly anxious.
“It’s fine if I can’t practice. The deceased won’t gain merit, but it won’t be a big issue. But it’s different for you. Interfering with a monk’s practice will cause problems.”
The monk trembled, as if afraid to even speak.
“By obstructing others from following the Dharma with wicked thoughts, you’ll fall into the Aganhucheo of Avici Hell. You might also fall into the Koneogipcheo for hindering others’ faith.”
Tang Mujin and Hyungong remained unmoved.
The monk looked as if he might cling to their legs.
A solution dawned on him.
‘These benefactors often came for medicinal herbs, so they must be kind-hearted. It’s better for them to die before committing sins and suffering in hell for countless eons. I’ll break my vow of non-violence and face the consequences in the next life.’
He decided to kill Tang Mujin and Hyungong before they sinned.
It would be painful now, but they wouldn’t fall into hell. That was the monk’s conclusion.
However, he wasn’t confident he could subdue them.
He didn’t know when Namgung Jincheon or the Kunlun Sect’s fighters might appear to interfere.
’…I’ll retreat for now. My allies will arrive soon, and then it’ll be better to proceed.’
Seon Naseung’s voice was filled with earnest sincerity as he made his plea to Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong before stepping back.
“I’ll take my leave for today. Please, consider this carefully for the sake of both benefactors.”
With those parting words, Seon Naseung departed.
Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong were certain of one thing: Seon Naseung was not someone who would easily abandon his intentions.
“Even if it’s dangerous, we have to act.”
The two of them worked through Yuyu Do-in to ensure that everyone was prepared to leave as soon as possible. However, preparing hundreds of people to depart was not something that could be accomplished in just a day or two.
Before they could leave the Kunlun Mountains, a significant number of people began to arrive instead. At the forefront of this group were monks dressed in orange robes.
Dang Mujin closed his eyes tightly and gave the order, “Everyone, move to the Daoist temple where Yuyu Do-in is staying!”
The people, along with the Daoists maintaining the formation, quickly rose and headed towards the temple. As people from five different temples gathered at one peak, the area around the temple became crowded, leaving no room to move.
The Daoists, who had been spread out to maintain the formation, combined their efforts to create a much stronger barrier around the temple.
Soon, the martial artists from the demonic cult reached the base of the peak. Hidden within the formation, Dang Mujin and Hyeon Gong observed the approaching figures.
There was the familiar Seon Naseung, his disciples, and the martial artists from the demonic cult. Unexpectedly, there were two more familiar faces: Gwang Yeom-ra and the Left Guardian.
Gwang Yeom-ra, with a confident expression, surveyed the surroundings. “I can’t see anything… So, there are people inside here?”
“Yes,” Seon Naseung replied.
Gwang Yeom-ra stepped forward, wielding his massive sword like a butcher’s knife. “Can this formation be broken with a sword? Or was it said that it could be dismantled with true energy?”
The formation, crafted by several skilled Daoists, seemed unlikely to be easily broken by Gwang Yeom-ra’s true energy. Yet, there was no certainty.
Reluctantly, Namgung Jincheon, who had been watching, spoke up. “Let’s go.”
The martial artists staying in the temple began to step outside the formation, feeling as if they were parting a thin veil.
Seon Naseung, Gwang Yeom-ra, the Left Guardian, and the demonic cult’s martial artists watched in amazement as people appeared from thin air. The sight was nothing short of miraculous.
Even faced with numerous Kunlun sect Daoists, Gwang Yeom-ra maintained his confident demeanor. “Ha! You came out just in time, so you don’t seem like cowards. This will be a fight worth having…”
His voice suddenly stopped. Gwang Yeom-ra’s eyes widened to their limits as Dang Mujin emerged from the formation.
Silence enveloped the Kunlun Mountains.
Dang Mujin was puzzled by Gwang Yeom-ra’s reaction and the awkward atmosphere that followed.
“Uh… It’s been a while, Gwang Yeom-ra. Or maybe not that long,” Dang Mujin greeted, trying to ease the tension with a slightly bewildered tone.
Though they weren’t on good terms, they were at least somewhat acquainted.
Gwang Yeom-ra didn’t respond. Instead, he began to tremble violently, as if struck by a sudden illness.
Then, almost in a fit, Gwang Yeom-ra shouted, “Why, why do you always appear wherever I go?”
“Me?”
“Don’t play dumb!”
Gwang Yeom-ra, half-crazed, began to wail. “You followed me throughout the entire war! You showed up at the Northern Ice Palace when I went there! And now here at Kunlun! What grudge do you have against me? Oh, heavens!”
”···.”
And that wasn’t the end of it. Gwang Yeom-ra continued to spew curses, his voice filled with resentment. “You wretched ghost! You cursed bastard! Before I met you, I was on the path to success…”
At that moment, Gwang Yeom-ra’s voice halted again.
It was precisely when Hyeon Gong appeared outside the formation.
Gwang Yeom-ra’s trembling intensified.
“That, that demon…! That wicked mouth…! Don’t look at me…!”
Gwang Yeom-ra threw down his sword, clamped his hands over his ears, and his face turned ghostly pale. His eyes rolled back, and foam began to froth from his mouth.
“Ugh, ugh, guh…”
Now, only incoherent sounds escaped Gwang Yeom-ra’s throat.
Eventually, Gwang Yeom-ra lost consciousness and collapsed.
”···.”
Dang Mujin could guess what had happened. Gwang Yeom-ra, having practiced a dangerous martial art, had been mentally unstable. The sudden shock had broken his composure, leading to a qi deviation.
Namgung Jincheon nodded at the sight, speaking in a dry tone. “A good start. Let’s begin.”
With those words, countless martial artists charged at each other.