Chapter 28 : Chapter 28

Chapter 28. I Lost (2)

Anyway…….

The group succeeded in entering the next gate.

As far as Han Cheong-un knew, the Secret Cave of the Shadowless Divine Thief is known to have three traps installed.

The first is the Illusion Killing Formation.

The second is mechanics and traps.

Waiting for the group who passed these two is…….

“Jiangshi.”

“Jiangshi, you say?”

At Han Cheong-un’s words, Dang Jin was startled.

Compared to that…….

“It’s Jiangshi.”

“It is Jiangshi.”

Han Cheong-un and Baek Sua were too calm.

No, beyond calmness, it was a voice where even some sense of relief could be felt.

To that, Dang Jin asked back.

“Will it be okay? Aren’t you taking Jiangshi too lightly?”

Jiangshi.

Originally, they were not bad existences.

A certain Taoist genius shaman pitied the soldiers who died regrettably on the northern front and created a spell to send them back to their hometowns; this is the origin of Jiangshi Arts.

By raising them with the power of spells and making them go down to their hometowns on their own, he soothed their vengeful spirits.

At first, it was created out of compassion.

However, when it was revealed that the Jiangshi created like that were much stronger existences than when they were alive, the story began to change.

Numerous Taoists and shamans researched Jiangshi Arts and began to create Jiangshi to satisfy their private greed.

They amplified vengeful spirits to create hatred and hostility towards the living and made them harbor poison in their bodies.

They even made combat Jiangshi possessing strong martial arts by making someone who was a master of Murim in life into a Jiangshi.

The Jiangshi created like that were much stronger and more threatening existences than in life, so at one time, shamans specializing in researching Jiangshi Arts threw the Jianghu into disorder.

Eventually, the Murim defined Jiangshi Arts as heretical evil regardless of orthodox or unorthodox, and made it so that just researching or creating them could identify one as a public enemy of Murim.

To that extent, the existence called Jiangshi was dangerous and powerful.

However…….

“Do not worry. Probably, there is no one who deals with Jiangshi better than that person.”

Baek Sua spoke calmly.

“That is true.”

Han Cheong-un also answered with composure.

At the appearance of the two people, Dang Jin was dumbfounded and anxious.

‘Surely……. Are they bluffing?’

Is it you? To do such a thing.

Dang Jin’s question and concern were solved immediately as they actually went to the next room and Jiangshi began to pour out.

The place the group arrived at was the widest stone chamber so far.

In that place, which was twice as wide as the stone chamber where the mechanics and traps operated earlier, dozens of stone coffins were lined up.

And as the group entered there…….

“Eu…… Eueueue…….”

“Kagagagaga……. Gaga…….”

Did they smell the scent of the living?

Pushing off the thick stone coffin lids, Jiangshi began to rise one by one.

“Hmm…….”

Dang Jin tensed up.

He knew of the existence called Jiangshi, but this is the first time actually seeing them.

And actually seeing them…….

‘It is certainly different. Different.’

Just facing them feels different.

The fact that he was confronting something already in contact with death, not a living human, stimulated instinctive repulsion and fear.

If even a trained martial artist is like this, ordinary people would struggle to even stand on two feet when facing those existences.

“Phew…….”

To Dang Jin, who was controlling his body condition by breathing out long to not be tense…….

“What are you doing? Come here.”

“Huh?”

Baek Sua pulled Dang Jin from behind.

“What are you doing?”

“No, shouldn’t we…… fight?”

“……Ah!”

Baek Sua realized anew.

Unlike herself or Han Cheong-un, Dang Jin does not remember before the regression.

She let out a small sigh and spoke.

“Do not worry. We just have to leave the Jiangshi to that person.”

“Yes?”

“You will know when you see, so step back.”

Like that, Baek Sua pulled Dang Jin to step back, and Han Cheong-un walked forward with a leisurely gait holding a spear.

“Now then, shall we give it a go after a long time?”

And the moment Han Cheong-un took one step forward…….

“Keu…… Geugeu…….”

“Eu…… Eueueue…….”

The Jiangshi faltered and retreated.

At the appearance of such Jiangshi, Han Cheong-un spoke leisurely.

“It’s a relief. At least it doesn’t look like there is a shaman controlling from behind.”

Ordinary Jiangshi fear him.

But Jiangshi directly controlled by a shaman attached to them attacked without caring.

So…….

“I’m relieved. You guys are definitely wild(?) Jiangshi.”

And if it is Jiangshi in this state, he was confident he would absolutely not lose.

As Han Cheong-un walked forward slowly holding the spear, the Jiangshi…….

“Keu…… Keueueue?”

“Eueueue…….”

They scattered in all directions and began to run away all at once.

Han Cheong-un chased such Jiangshi and began to attack the bastards.

“Don’t make me tired and let’s end this quickly.”

“Keuwoooooook!”

Puuuk!

Han Cheong-un’s spear pierces the Jiangshi’s back.

Even though he didn't particularly overlay qi, Han Cheong-un’s attack digs in easily as if stabbing tofu.

And the moment this attack entered, the Jiangshi…….

“Eueueueueue!”

It screamed just like that, had a seizure, and then strength began to drain from its body more and more.

Like the curse and grudge dominating the body were escaping, the Jiangshi slowly lost strength.

Han Cheong-un kept pressing the spear until the Jiangshi was completely neutralized.

And finally, when the Jiangshi didn't budge, he pulled out the spear.

“Next.”

And Han Cheong-un chasing the next Jiangshi and repeating the same act.

Dang Jin, who was watching that sight from far away, opened his mouth wide.

“Wasn't the thing called Jiangshi a monster of grudge that fights even if its head is cut off?”

“Generally, that is so.”

“And, I knew that its skin is much tougher than a human’s, so it wouldn't work unless it was an attack from a considerable master…….”

“Generally, that is so.”

“But why is it becoming like that?”

Dang Jin could not believe it even while watching the scene in front of his eyes.

What is the scene in front of his eyes like?

Natural Enemy.

That word would be the most appropriate expression.

The Jiangshi feared Han Cheong-un and didn't dare think to oppose him, only running away, and Han Cheong-un calmly chased such Jiangshi and disposed of them.

Seeing the appearance of him unilaterally ravaging weak opponents like that, the Jiangshi were pitiable.

“Euhahaha. Let’s see these Jiangshi bastards’ backs. Their backs…….”

We aren't the bad ones, right?

We are doing a good deed right now, right?

No, setting that aside…….

“How can he be like that?”

To Dang Jin’s question, Baek Sua next to him spoke.

“We don’t know either.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes. Probably, it seems related to this special ability that Captain……. that person obtained after going through that incident in the northern regions.”

“…….”

“Evil things, wrong things. Such things cannot use any power against the Captain.”

“Is that so?”

“In the first place, the reason the Evil-Annihilating Squad was created in the Second Great War of Orthodox and Unorthodox was exactly because of that constitution.”

Second Great War of Orthodox and Unorthodox.

That war was a war where the Ghost Spirit Taoist began to step forward in earnest, and the Eight Gates of the Evil Way took out the Jiangshi they had secretly hidden until then and attacked the Orthodox Faction.

The threat of Jiangshi operated on a large scale drove the Orthodox Faction into inferiority in an instant.

Iron Jiangshi and Poison Jiangshi were that powerful, and even Blood Jiangshi and Heavenly Demon Jiangshi could not be handled alone even by Elder-level masters.

However…….

Han Cheong-un was strangely strong against such Jiangshi.

Jiangshi feared and avoided Han Cheong-un, and Han Cheong-un’s attacks tore the Jiangshi’s bodies, hard as steel, too easily.

The existence of Han Cheong-un, who won too easily against Jiangshi, became a great opportunity for counterattack for the Orthodox Faction, and eventually, the argument that a martial force centered on him should be created grew.

What was created thus was the eleventh martial force of the Murim Alliance, the Evil-Annihilating Squad.

“We don’t know the reason for that constitution. But it is certain that that man is strong against Jiangshi, practically like a natural enemy.”

“Indeed, so…….”

Dang Jin accepted it.

Certainly, if there was an advantage in compatibility to that extent, the composure shown earlier was all understandable.

But then there is something strange.

“But I heard that what dealt the final blow when the Sect Leader was locked in prison was also a Heavenly Demon Jiangshi……. How did that happen?”

“……What did you say?”

“Ah, so I heard that what killed the Sect Leader in the end was a Heavenly Demon Jiangshi. Does the Sect Leader’s ability not work if it becomes a Jiangshi of that level?”

“No, that’s not what I asked.”

Baek Sua made a cold expression and asked Dang Jin again.

“That person was locked in prison? What does that mean?”

“Huh? Did you not hear?”

“So what?”

Baek Sua is a regressor like Han Cheong-un.

Therefore, unlike Dang Jin’s case, there was no need for Han Cheong-un to tell her exactly what happened in the past one by one.

That means…….

“Didn’t that person die after losing in the last war? Are you saying he was captured by the Eight Gates of the Evil Way?”

There is a truth she does not know.

Dang Jin scratched his head a little and spoke.

“The detailed explanation is long, but to speak briefly of only what I know…….”

Dang Jin told her simply.

In that battle, Han Cheong-un won.

However, he was ambushed by True Master Cheongheo, who became the Murim Alliance Leader, and was locked in the Murim Alliance’s prison just like that, having to spend over ten years there.

And at the final moment, a Heavenly Demon Jiangshi of unknown origin appeared and killed him.

He briefly conveyed these facts.

And Baek Sua, who heard this explanation, made a blank expression and spoke.

“No…… Nonsense.”

“From what I heard, it is so.”

“It makes no sense. No matter how bad the relationship with the Murim Alliance Leader was, an ambush? Do you know that among the Alliance’s elders at the time, there was our Mount Hua’s Elder and how many other famous figures of the Orthodox Murim there were?”

“…….”

“But you say they all betrayed the Captain with one heart and mind and locked him in prison? Do you think that makes sense?”

Baek Sua protesting roughly.

Dang Jin sighed deeply at her protest and spoke.

“Actually, since I do not remember the past unlike you, I have no choice but to believe what the Sect Leader said as is.”

“…….”

“But even I can know something.”

“…….”

“That person is absolutely not someone who would deceive me with a lie.”

“…….”

“Isn't it? Am I being deceived because my eye for people is terrible?”

Baek Sua’s brow furrowed.

She also knows.

That Dang Jin’s words are true.

Because she also has confidence regarding the character of the person called Han Cheong-un.

‘Such a thing……. He went through such a thing?’

Baek Sua shuddered.

He saved the Righteous Murim.

Saved the Jianghu.

Saved the world.

What returned as the price was a terrible betrayal and hellish years of endurance.

This……. How on earth should one explain this?

How does that person try to fight again even after suffering such things?

Why? How can he do that?

There is a memory that brushes past her mind at that moment.

[Just because you apologize now, that desperate failure does not become as if it never happened.]

[For justice, I offered my life once following your command. But asking for it once more is too shameless, isn't it?]

[Get out. And never show yourself in front of me again.]

‘What…… What kind of reckless remark did I…….’

Her body trembles.

Her legs wobble and her body temperature drops rapidly.

There was no sincerity in those words.

It was just a lie trying to push him away to protect her Master’s side.

However…….

‘How would it have sounded to him?’

A person who was betrayed by the Murim Alliance, went through hellish years of endurance, and returned through the miracle called regression.

In front of such a person, the single comrade who could understand everything denied and condemned his entire life.

‘This…… This on earth…….’

I feel like vomiting.

I am so disgusting and dirty myself that I cannot endure it.

Dang Jin spoke coldly towards Baek Sua.

“Why? You didn't know it was like that?”

“…….”

“That worked out well. Since you spoke without knowing anything, you do not need to feel guilt yourself.”

“…….”

“Even if those were words denying all of the listening Sect Leader’s life and achievements, and even if the one who said those words was a comrade he trusted and relied on in the past…….”

“Ah…… Ah…….”

“You didn't know.”

“…….”

“Then it’s done, right? Isn't it?”

I cannot breathe.

Dang Jin’s every single word became a dagger and was hacking at Baek Sua.

It might be better if she were a selfish human who couldn't feel guilt, but…….

“I…… I am…….”

Baek Sua could not even do that.

She didn't know what to do with the terrible guilt and self-loathing.

But then…….

“What are you guys doing?”

What was heard in her ears just before collapsing was Han Cheong-un’s voice, who had disposed of all the Jiangshi and returned before anyone knew.

Dang Jin spoke calmly to Han Cheong-un.

“We were just talking about how the world goes around ordinarily.”

Han Cheong-un looked at Baek Sua.

Seeing her pale face, he sighed slightly and spoke.

“Doesn't look like it?”

“…….”

“What did you talk about?”

“What does it matter? Anyway, is it all handled now?”

“If what I remember is correct.”

Han Cheong-un shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the open door.

As the Jiangshi were all disposed of, the door on the opposite side had opened.

“Go inside.”

“Me first?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Just because.”

“…….”

Dang Jin made a sullen expression, but Han Cheong-un only looked at him intently with a smiling face.

Eventually, Dang Jin let out a small sigh and went forward first.

And when Dang Jin passed through that door and went out…….

Tuk.

Dang Jin tapped Baek Sua’s shoulder.

He only placed his hand on it, but her trembling was felt as is.

Han Cheong-un smiled bitterly towards her and spoke.

“Do not mind it.”

“Cap…… Captain. I…….”

“I know. At least that it wasn't Young Mistress Baek’s sincerity.”

“…….”

“So do not mind it.”

Han Cheong-un smiled towards her.

He told her it was okay.

That smile and words were like a single ray of salvation to Baek Sua, who had fallen into the hell of self-loathing.

“Ha……. Haa…….”

Breath comes back little by little.

The trembling began to stop.

And this emotion rising fluffy from deep in Baek Sua’s chest is…….

‘Ah……. Again……. Eventually, it becomes like this again.’

It is a heart she thought she had suppressed once.

Since she obtained another chance, she thought she could act as if the previous feelings never existed and live a new life.

But…….

“Let’s go too.”

It won’t do.

Eventually, it has become like this again.

“Yes. Young Master Han.”

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