Chapter 87 : Chapter 87

Chapter 87. It Isn’t Over Yet (4)

Chaos erupted.

Han Cheong-un suddenly picked a fight with Jeongcheon, got stabbed by Qingcheng Daoist, and Tang Seoyeon went berserk.

Then, while everyone was running around in confusion, the poisonous aura subsided on its own—and Han Cheong-un appeared, casually walking around with a sword still dangling from his abdomen.

And he said—

“Everyone, I will explain everything. Please listen to me first.”

***

At this point, hiding things was simply impossible.

Han Cheong-un decided that at least part of the truth had to be told—for the sake of the future.

Standing before the sect leaders of Sichuan’s martial world, Han Cheong-un opened his mouth.

“First, I will explain the existence known as the Ghost Spirit Daoist. He is…”

Thus, Han Cheong-un revealed the minimum amount of information.

In the original history, the existence of the Ghost Spirit Daoist only came to light after the Second Orthodox–Unorthodox War broke out, so this was being revealed quite early.

That said, even then, not much was known.

“A sinister individual plotting schemes while lurking in the Jianghu?”

“You don’t know his name or family? Not even his martial arts or sect of origin?”

“You’re just calling him the Ghost Spirit Daoist? What even is that? Are you sure such a person really exists?”

Naturally, the sect leaders didn’t easily accept it.

But Han Cheong-un presented undeniable proof.

“Hero Jeongcheon, please speak.”

Jeongcheon, who had been pointed out, spoke with a still-vacant gaze.

“What I remember… honestly, not much. Did we really fight the Evil Path Eight Sects?”

His memories from the past several months had been completely erased.

Qingcheng Daoist looked at him and asked, “Is what you’re saying true? You truly remember nothing?”

“Sect Leader, I… am speaking the truth. Did all of Sichuan’s martial world really unite and fight the unorthodox factions?”

“……”

Qingcheng Daoist was left speechless.

Had his disciple’s mind truly been suppressed for such a long time?

And he, standing right beside him, hadn’t noticed?

“Wuliangshou Buddha…”

Murmuring his Daoist invocation with an expression of disbelief, Qingcheng Daoist wasn’t the only one in shock.

Everyone else was the same.

Han Cheong-un addressed them.

“This is the proof. The individual known as the Ghost Spirit Daoist certainly exists.”

“Son-in-law, let me ask you one thing.”

The Tang Family Head spoke.

“If what you say is true, then the one who bewitched my daughter in the past and tried to make her poison go berserk was also…”

“The Ghost Spirit Daoist is targeting Miss Tang Seoyeon. Most likely because of her rare Myriad Poison Body.”

“I see.”

Bloodshot veins rose in the Tang Family Head’s eyes.

Crack.

“So that’s how it is.”

If the Ghost Spirit Daoist were standing in front of him right now, he looked ready to tear him apart alive.

A Daoist practicing evil arts, targeting his daughter?

His blood boiled at the thought.

At that moment, Hyunwol Satae of the Emei Sect spoke.

“Knowing that such a wicked individual was scheming right beside us, why did you not tell us sooner?”

“Senior Satae, if I had said something back then, would you have believed me?”

“……”

“I’m not being sarcastic. But without trust, and without evidence, if I said something like this… who would have believed me?”

“Hm…”

She couldn’t refute that.

If Han Cheong-un had said this at the start of the war, he wouldn’t have been believed—he’d have been branded a madman.

“Uh, what was it again? Dragon Eyes?”

Seokgu spoke up.

“Other than that, is there really no way to find this Ghost Spirit Daoist bastard?”

“As far as I know, no.”

“Really? Not a single way?”

“Yes.”

“But isn’t Soul-Ensnaring Art usually imperfect? Even if faintly, it always leaves traces.”

“……”

Normally, that was true.

Victims of Soul-Ensnaring Art usually behaved differently, revealing subtle changes in speech or gaze.

But—

“The Ghost Spirit Daoist is someone who can completely ensnare a person’s mind without leaving a single weakness.”

“……”

“Has anyone here noticed even once that Hero Jeongcheon’s state was strange?”

“Hmmm…”

No one had.

Even Qingcheng Daoist, his master and sect leader, hadn’t noticed.

That said everything.

“Tsk. This is a headache.”

Seokgu’s words reflected everyone’s feelings.

From now on, anyone within their sects could fall under the Ghost Spirit Daoist’s grasp at any time.

Seeing their unease, Han Cheong-un offered a small piece of reassurance.

“For the time being, you may rest easy.”

“Why?”

“This operation failed, and he must have suffered damage. At the very least, he will lie low for a while.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“That is…”

Because it happened before.

But he couldn’t say that.

In his previous life, the Ghost Spirit Daoist had also been injured by Baek Sua.

When his existence was fully exposed and they sought a way to deal with him, Baek Sua created Ghost Spirit Severance.

Only her Dragon Eyes could see through his sorcery, making that technique possible.

When she struck him with a decisive blow—

The Ghost Spirit Daoist disappeared.

Until the very end of the Second Orthodox–Unorthodox War.

‘He’s excessively cautious.’

Someone who guarded his own life to an obsessive degree.

After suffering even more severe damage than before, there was no way he’d resume activity immediately.

“It’s just my intuition. People like him are the type to be extremely careful with their own lives.”

“Well… that might be true.”

Not fully convincing, but not unreasonable either.

‘Without solid grounds, persuading them is difficult.’

Still, they had been informed of the Ghost Spirit Daoist’s existence.

Knowing alone didn’t solve anything—but it was better than being ignorant victims.

Han Cheong-un said, “For now, just keep the Ghost Spirit Daoist in mind. Overreacting won’t lead to an answer.”

Everyone nodded.

Then Han Cheong-un stood up and clasped his hands respectfully.

“Sichuan Tang Family, Emei Sect, Qingcheng Sect, and Beggars’ Union… please, the four of you, join forces and firmly protect Sichuan’s martial world.”

The sect leaders looked at him.

Though he was still a young man not yet past his coming-of-age, to them, Han Cheong-un already appeared as a fully formed hero.

And sometimes, a hero’s words became the command of the age.

“One day, when the world needs your strength, I, Han, will ask for your help. Please do not turn away from my request then.”

The first to stand and return the salute was Seokgu of the Beggars’ Union.

“I, Seokgu, Sichuan Branch Leader of the Beggars’ Union, will never forget what Sect Leader Han said today, and will not turn away when the time comes.”

“I, Tang Myeong, Head of the Sichuan Tang Family, say the same.”

“I, Heonwon Jin, Sect Leader of the Qingcheng Sect, say the same.”

They were already people who had resolved to trust and follow Han Cheong-un.

All eyes then turned to Hyunwol Satae.

She let out a deep sigh and spoke.

“We believed the war had ended and the greatest crisis had passed.”

“……”

“We judged that involving ourselves further in worldly turmoil would be excessive greed, and planned to withdraw.”

“……”

“But it seems that is not the time.”

Hyunwol Satae stood and bowed deeply to Han Cheong-un.

“The teaching of the Greatly Compassionate Avalokitesvara is never to turn away from the suffering of sentient beings.”

“……”

“This foolish old woman failed to discern what was right and wrong. Please guide us on the proper path. If you do, the Emei Sect will not hesitate to give its utmost effort.”

“Thank you for your resolve, Satae.”

“Namu Amitabha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.”

Thus, Hyunwol Satae of the Emei Sect also chose to stand with Han Cheong-un.

On this day, Han Cheong-un made all of Sichuan’s martial world his ally.

***

Yueyang.

This was where the Geukdo Sect had firmly taken root.

It was territory Han Cheong-un had seized from Cha Mu-gyeom.

The problem was—

“Han Cheong-un isn’t here?”

“Huh? Really?”

“They say he went to Sichuan because of the war.”

“I see. So that’s how it is?”

Han Cheong-un’s presence was simply too overwhelming.

Most newly rising sects formed around a single powerful individual, with people gathering because of that one person.

When that person disappeared, the sect often declined as if nothing had ever happened.

Thus, the moment they heard Han Cheong-un wasn’t around, the minor sects near Yueyang began lifting their heads.

If Han Cheong-un wasn’t here, wasn’t it worth a try?

With that thought, they headed for the Geukdo Sect.

And then—

“Come out!”

A booming voice rang out before the plaque.

A man arrived, leading more than a dozen followers.

The gate opened, and a simple-looking man poked his head out.

“Who’re ya?”

“I… am Yoon Sahyeon. They called me the Ink Sword Swordsman—there was no one in Fujian Province who didn’t know my name.”

“Oh. Is that so?”

“……”

So what?

That was clearly written on the man’s face.

‘They’ve got a halfwit like this guarding the gate…’

As expected, aside from Han Cheong-un, the Geukdo Sect seemed unimpressive.

“Ahem. I came all the way from Fujian Province after hearing that the Geukdo Sect Leader is strong, to test my skills against him.”

“The Sect Leader ain’t here. He went to Sichuan.”

I know, damn it.

That’s why I came now.

“Hmph. So without your Sect Leader, does the Geukdo Sect have no one worth mentioning? If you fear the Ink Sword Swordsman, just say so.”

“Ain’t scared.”

“……”

The conversation still wasn’t connecting.

Worse, the gate started closing.

“Then take care now.”

Yoon Sahyeon hurriedly interrupted.

“Wait, wait!”

“Why? Still got business?”

Yoon Sahyeon shouted angrily.

“You bastard! How dare a mere gatekeeper mock the Ink Sword Swordsman! Are you tired of living?!”

“Nah, I like livin’.”

“Ghk…”

“Then take care—”

“Waaaait!”

Stop closing the damn door.

At this point, maintaining proper pretense was hopeless.

Let’s just start by shedding this dull gatekeeper’s blood.

“Fine. Then you accept my challenge. I must reclaim my pride as a martial artist.”

“Oh. A duel? You here for a duel? You should’ve said so earlier.”

“……”

“Come on in.”

The gate opened.

As it slowly swung wide, the Ink Sword Swordsman thought—

‘I’ll behead this dull gatekeeper in a single strike, then demand a proper apology and compensation from the Geukdo Sect—’

His thoughts gradually froze.

His field of vision slowly traveled upward.

When only a face had been peeking out, he hadn’t noticed.

But now, revealed in full—

“Go on in. I’ll take ya on here in the yard.”

“……”

Was this a person?

Judging by his face, he looked like a clueless country bumpkin.

But his body was that of a giant, making normal adults look like children.

“B… brother, how tall are ya?”

“Last time I measured, seven cheok and six chon. Still ain’t eight cheok yet.”

If a man was over eight cheok tall, was that even human?

And more importantly—why was someone like this guarding the gate?

He wasn’t just big.

Long limbs, and a body trained into perfect muscle, far from mere bulk.

Whooooosh!

He casually swung his arm to warm up, and the sound of wind followed.

Why did it feel like a gust blowing from the Yellow Springs?

“Alright, you ready? Let’s start.”

“W-wait a sec!”

“Oh right. We gotta introduce ourselves first, huh? I’m Jungang of the Geukdo Sect.”

“Uh… I’m…”

“I heard already. You’re Sangcheol from Fujian, right?”

“Ah… no.”

“I used to have a dog named Sangcheol. One day it suddenly died.”

Why did he feel like he knew how that dog died?

“Then let’s begin.”

And at the same time, a gigantic hand—

—no, a lid?

Slaaaap!

The world spun.

Over and over again.

It might sound impossible, but to the Ink Sword Swordsman, this was reality at that moment.

‘The world… is round… and it spins…’

Having taken one step closer to the truth of existence, he was slammed straight into the wall.

Kwaaang!

A short while later.

Janghyeon, passing by the scene, saw it.

Dozens of men trembling in terror.

What they were staring at in fear was—

“Sir, wake up. If ya sleep on the road, your mouth’ll get crooked.”

Slap. Slap. Slap…

Jungang was kindly trying to wake someone up.

“Jungang, what are you doing?”

“Oh, Brother Janghyeon.”

Holding the swollen-faced man’s head in one hand, Jungang said,

“This guy won’t wake up no matter how much I try.”

“I told you before, didn’t I? If you leave him, he’ll wake up.”

“But if ya sleep on the road, your mouth’ll get crooked.”

“……”

“See? It’s already kinda crooked.”

“That’s because you physically… never mind.”

Janghyeon sighed.

Look at those clear, innocent eyes filled with pure goodwill.

It was impossible to look straight at that and say, “This is your fault.”

Instead, he turned to the men trembling in fear.

“Take your friend and leave.”

“R-really?”

“Can we go?”

“What, you wanna stay longer—”

Before he could finish, they grabbed their fallen leader and fled in a panic.

Watching them go, Jungang said regretfully, “If you don’t wake ’em up, their mouth gets crooked…”

Sometimes, ignorance is the scariest thing of all.