Dokmaeuiseon - Chapter 85

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 85

 

 

Yeo Eun-so’s sword was fierce, having advanced another level through a recent fortuitous encounter.

Kwajjeujjeuk- Kwajjeuk-

With a single strike, the person in front of her was bisected horizontally.

The sword’s First Sword Form only ended after piercing through the side of the person next to him.

Would this be the end?

There was no way she would stop moving after reaching such a level with just the First Sword Form.

 

‘The sword feels lighter than before.’

 

After absorbing the teachings of the Three Teachings, what Jeonjin pursued was continuously flowing goodness.

When expressed through the sword, it became gracefully flowing lines above all else.

Tseucheutseutseutsheuk-

The First Sword Form connected to the Second Sword Form.

The connected technique followed the teachings of the Golden Crown Jade Seal 24 Forms.

Using the resistance of the flesh received when first bisecting the enemy, she twisted the sword in reverse and beheaded the person next to him who was staring with surprised, dazed eyes.

 

“Keuaaaak…!”

 

Kwajjeuk!

Her sword, filled with power, shattered the masked man’s skull.

Even a master’s sword would normally stop after breaking through a thick skull.

Instead, her sword seemed to gain even more power.

 

‘The mysteries of the Absorption Technique flow freely.’

 

The mysteries of Absorption and Repulsion that she newly came to use upon reaching this level.

It was a technique born from freely utilizing these two mysteries that seemed incompatible with each other.

Sometimes absorbing the opponent’s power in reverse.

Sometimes repelling and bouncing back to create moves.

Tseucheutseutseutsheuk-

Each and every one of those moves was lethal.

 

‘Things went wrong from the beginning…!’

 

The leader who had initially ordered her subjugation was flustered.

Because the level she possessed was completely different from the information he had.

 

“!!!!”

“Keuaaaak…!”

 

But what use was it now?

In Murim, if you can’t reach your opponent, you get killed.

In that Murim, miscalculating the opponent’s strength was a grave mistake that shouldn’t be regretted even in death.

The leader was simply paying the price for such a mistake.

 

“Kkeuk…!”

“Keulleok…”

 

By having the subordinates he brought killed!

Collecting his surprised heart.

He belatedly tried a different method.

 

‘Escape…’

 

It was flight. While his dead subordinates bought time, he tried to escape and pass on information about her level.

However, even that was too late a decision.

The moment he belatedly decided to flee and tried to slip away.

 

“Where do you think you’re going?”

 

Sswaeeeeek-!

Her sword, which had approached before he knew it, came rushing toward his arm.

Her sword, drawn without mercy, instantly drew two lines.

Sseoggeok. Sseogeogeogeok.

Once for the right arm, then for the left arm.

 

“Keuaaaak…!”

 

While the leader, whose both arms were severed in an instant, screamed in agony.

Tuwhaaaak-! Sseogeogeogeok-

She completely beheaded the remaining ones whose defeat was evident and morale was broken.

Then approached the leader who was crawling like a worm after losing both arms and asked.

 

“Keoeoeoeok…”

“Where did you come from?”

 

She wore a smile like a demon.

 

 

* * *

 

 

While Yeo Eun-so was engaged in combat with her sword, Jung Myeong was engaged in a verbal battle.

 

‘Sect and School. There’s only one place that would distinguish between these two.’

 

They don’t call the Demonic Cult a demonic school or demonic sect, do they?

By distinguishing between these two, Gyeom Gwang-ja revealed that he already knew about Jeonjin.

 

“How did you know?”

“Wouldn’t it be strange not to know? Since ancient times, things related to Jeonjin have occasionally appeared in this Hangzhou. We weren’t soft enough to ignore that.”

“Is that so? Then you must also possess things related to Jeonjin. Like how you had the secret manual of the Assassin Sect before.”

“To some extent.”

 

The possibility was indeed reality.

Meanwhile, Black Point also possessed Jeon Jin Martial Arts.

They must have collected some of what leaked out during Jeonjin’s destruction.

 

“Then hand it over.”

 

Jung Myeong openly demanded this.

 

“Hmm… You act as if you’re retrieving something you left in my care.”

“Don’t you have a small debt you incurred to me recently?”

“I wouldn’t even call it recent. It was just moments ago.”

“Since you remember, this makes things easier.”

“Ha. For a small debt, isn’t this rather expensive?”

 

At this, Gyeom Gwang-ja was bewildered by the shamelessness Jung Myeong displayed.

 

“It’s just a copied manual, not even an original. That should be enough.”

“Even if it’s a copy, doesn’t it contain the real content?”

“Isn’t it something you can buy with money anyway? Shouldn’t you be grateful that I’m settling the debt instead of just a few coins?”

“Tsk…”

 

But Jung Myeong wasn’t about to back down.

Most of it was things he already possessed anyway.

But who knows. He might have something Jung Myeong didn’t know about.

So it was better to secure it.

Perhaps reading that he wouldn’t back down,

Gyeom Gwang-ja kept clicking his tongue.

 

“Tsk… This is why I didn’t want to owe you a debt.”

“I’ll take that as you agreeing to give it.”

“I’ll wrap it up nicely and bring it to you.”

 

Starting off by being outmaneuvered by Jung Myeong like this didn’t sit well with him.

Even while accepting Jung Myeong’s demand,

Gyeom Gwang-ja was equally persistent in his own way.

 

“But let me ask one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“An answer to what I asked first.”

“That answer.”

 

The question of whether it was a religion or sect.

This was the same as asking whether it was Quanzhen Religion or Quanzhen Sect.

 

‘I suppose it’s fine to tell him this much.’

 

Giving him an honest answer to this wasn’t difficult.

 

“I don’t even know what the teachings of Quanzhen Religion are.”

“Huh… Really?”

“Yes. When I don’t even know what those doctrines are, asking whether it’s sect or religion is absurd in itself.”

 

When he answered honestly, Gyeom Gwang-ja came up with an interesting story.

 

“Hmm. Then I suppose the government is out of the question.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you know why Quanzhen Religion collapsed?”

“If you tell me, I’ll listen carefully.”

“Even if I charge it as a debt?”

“I’ll pay the information fee. Hao Gate would probably tell me this much too, wouldn’t they? Though it would be quite expensive. Unlike before, I’m now prepared to pay to hear it.”

“Tsk… I should have sold it expensively before.”

“Why don’t you just tell me.”

 

It was a secret about why Quanzhen Religion had collapsed.

He told a long secret history, but in the end, it boiled down to one thing.

 

“The country kept them in check.”

“My goodness. You certainly know how to shorten that long story.”

“Isn’t that right? This Imperial Court, regardless of which dynasty it continues, would never welcome the emergence of new powers.”

“In the end, that’s correct.”

 

The current Imperial Court also greatly contributed to Jeon Jin’s destruction.

To be precise, there was suppression from both the previous and current Imperial Courts.

 

‘The Imperial Court also dislikes the so-called Three Teachings forces. In such circumstances, they couldn’t help but dislike Quanzhen Religion absorbing them and growing in power.’

 

It wasn’t that they specifically oppressed only Jeon Jin.

Even the Demon Sect far away in Saewoe was being oppressed by the government, wasn’t it?

Recently, the Demon Sect had reduced such suppression by presenting itself as a Murim sect rather than a religion.

 

‘They’re still keeping them in check though. They just don’t openly suppress them.’

 

Those who could understand knew that they were keeping watch on Saewoe and suppressing them.

That Demon Sect was only being left alone because it was in Saewoe; if it had been in the Central Plains inland, it might have already faced government attacks.

Unlike the Demon Sect, Jeon Jin was inland, so it faced great suppression.

And thus it collapsed.

 

‘I understand why Quanzhen Religion collapsed.’

 

However, problems still remained.

Even if the religion was like that, there was no reason to destroy the sect as well, was there?

He still hadn’t heard a reason to understand this.

 

“So let’s say one wing collapsed as a religion. But why did it collapse as Quanzhen Sect?”

“Hmm…”

“Do I have to pay a price for this too?”

“There’s a secret so valuable that I don’t know if you could afford to pay for it.”

 

There was definitely a hidden secret.

Gyeom Gwang-ja didn’t seem inclined to speak easily.

However, Jung Myeong had some expectations.

 

“Oh. For some reason, I feel like I could guess it?”

“What is it?”

“The existing Nine Sects and One School’s interference!”

“!!!!”

 

Would Murim sects be any exception?

Just as the Imperial Court disliked new forces, they wouldn’t welcome the emergence of new powers either.

There must have been interference, knowingly or unknowingly.

When he pointed this out, Gyeom Gwang-ja showed clear signs of surprise.

Then he smiled slightly and spoke to Jung Myeong as if teasing him.

 

“You got half of it right.”

 

Only half right.

 

‘What?’

 

Was there another reason besides that?

 

“If it’s half, then there must be other reasons as well.”

“For reference, I won’t sell that information. No, I can’t sell it.”

“Tsk…”

 

He wasn’t the type to play games with the existence or non-existence of information.

 

‘So there is something.’

 

There was something. He just wouldn’t tell him. If he wouldn’t even sell it, it was information that would be hard to obtain for now.

Normally, he could go to Hao Gate and ask.

 

‘But somehow, it seems like even Hao Gate wouldn’t tell me this time.’

 

Even Hao Gate wouldn’t easily sell this information.

It was just intuition, but he was certain.

Anyway. If there was another remaining half of the reason, he couldn’t help but worry about one thing.

 

“Even if it’s called a sect rather than a cult, there are those who unconditionally target them, right?”

“You’re indeed clever. That’s right. You deduced it correctly.”

“As expected.”

 

That was interference. Perhaps even attacks.

Seeing that there were officially no descendants of the Quanzhen Sect.

There must be those who attack such descendants of the Quanzhen Sect.

 

‘And seeing how Black Point and Hao Gate keep their mouths shut…’

 

The power of the forces they possess must be quite considerable.

Just how much power was that?

 

“And for me, if you have enemies in Jeonjin, it will be difficult for me to help you or make deals with you now.”

“!!!!”

 

That Gyeom Gwang-ja was speaking with a troubled expression.

Saying that further deals would be difficult.

This seemed to mean that some force he hadn’t mentioned was so large that it would be difficult to continue dealing with Jung Myeong.

 

‘In other words, cutting ties.’

 

On the surface, it seemed like it was because he had enemies in Jeonjin itself.

Or because he feared those who were keeping the Jeonjin in check.

But why was it?

 

‘It doesn’t seem like that’s the only reason?’

 

To Jung Myeong, it didn’t seem like that was the only reason.

So he immediately struck at the heart of the matter.

 

“It’s not because I have enemies in Jeonjin, but because you’re concerned about the Four Blood Alliance, making deals difficult, isn’t it?”

“!!!!”

 

This time, Gyeom Gwang-ja was surprised.

 

 

* * *

 

 

As soon as he was caught, he asked directly.

 

“…How did you know?”

“The great Gyeom Gwang-ja wouldn’t tell me things so easily, would he?”

 

Cutting ties just because Jung Myeong had enemies in Jeonjin.

That itself was a plausible trap.

 

“I know that when necessary, you deal with the Beggar’s Sect, and even with the Tang Family far away in Sichuan. That’s what Black Point is. But cutting off deals because I have enemies in the ruined Jeonjin? That’s sophistry.”

“Hmm… You make it impossible to even make excuses.”

“Yes. I’m making it impossible to make excuses.”

“And you’re saying it outright.”

“Right now, it seems I have to. That’s why it was easy to predict. The reason you’re trying to cut ties with me now.”

“…That being the Four Blood Alliance? I don’t understand the intermediate process at all.”

“Isn’t it obvious? The false name of Gyeom Gwang-ja. The direction of the work done under that alias told me.”

“Direction?”

“That’s right. Direction.”

 

Initially, Gyeom Gwang-ja had spared him out of interest.

As someone who even dealt in corpses, he was interested in a young physician defeating scoundrels.

Later, that interest became a variable.

 

‘He must have hoped I would become a wedge and variable targeting the now-destroyed Donghwa Guild, and even the Golden Tiger Gang behind it.’

 

However, that variable had grown in size and changed.

As a martial artist qualified enough to match Gyeom Gwang-ja who stands right before his eyes.

And as the owner of a medical clinic with deep connections to the government.

Up to that point, Black Point is fine with it too.

Having a big shot as a trading partner.

 

‘It means we’ve gained a good business connection.’

 

However, if the variable called Jeon Jin gets involved here.

For Gyeom Gwang-ja, one problem would arise.

 

“In this place called Hangzhou, what direction would an outstanding person like Gyeom Gwang-ja truly want? Would he really be satisfied with just the position of a branch leader in Black Point?”

“Hmm… This is Hangzhou, one of the four great cities of the Central Plains. How could he not be satisfied?”

“Not at all. If he were satisfied, he would have wanted to accumulate wealth rather than expand his influence further. And after accumulating wealth, he would dream of independence. But I don’t see any signs of that? Not yet.”

“Hmph…!”

“Then isn’t it obvious?”

“What’s obvious?”

“That he’s aiming for something bigger!”

 

There’s no need to look far.

That Provincial Commander also desires something great, which is why he doesn’t do anything that could be held against him.

He simply stays in Hangzhou, builds his power, and relentlessly aims for a path to rise to the Imperial Palace.

Gyeom Gwang-ja is the same.

On the surface, he appears to be a madman who moves according to his whims.

 

‘But that’s only on the surface.’

 

Such a madman wouldn’t be able to hold the position of Black Point’s branch leader for so long.

He wouldn’t be able to grow Black Point’s influence from within like this.

In the end, it means he has something he’s aiming for.

The problem is the direction he’s aiming for.

Jung Myeong had pinpointed this as the Four Blood Alliance.

 

“In this district of Hangzhou, he establishes himself as Black Point’s branch leader. And makes Black Point into his own force.”

“And then?”

“After gaining power, he probably calculated that he could enter the Four Blood Alliance and obtain a position there. No, perhaps…”

“Stop…!”

 

The words that he might want something even greater than a high position in the Four Blood Alliance were cut off before they could emerge.

Gyeom Gwang-ja turned his head in panic and looked around his surroundings.

As if words that shouldn’t be heard by anyone had slipped out.

 

‘As expected, this is interesting.’

 

Even that became an answer for Jung Myeong.

 

“Well, that’s my prediction. Actually, wouldn’t it just be me? Many others must have noticed and are moving. Looking for ways to connect with that Four Blood Alliance.”

“It’s not just me?”

“Then Gyeom Gwang-ja, would it be just you? With that Four Blood Alliance?”

“…”

 

The Four Blood Alliance. An alliance of evil sect members created to overcome the Martial Alliance’s restraints.

Now they had become a massive organization forming one of the two pillars of the martial world.

Though created as an alliance, the Four Blood Alliance now moved in perfect unison under the Alliance Leader.

A place with tremendous power. Therefore.

 

‘It’s a place where people like that Gyeom Gwang-ja would try to claim even a single position.’

 

It’s that powerful a place.

At least it’s a much better choice than stagnating in Hangzhou’s martial world.

It’s also a place that anyone with ambition would try to target.

 

“Though called the evil sect martial world, Hangzhou has no proper major forces. If he offers this place to the Four Blood Alliance, he could obtain a corresponding position.”

“I told you to stop.”

“Well, if that’s what you truly want.”

 

Jung Myeong had provoked him.

This was also meant to tell him not to play games by cutting ties at the last moment.

 

‘It’s not that I’m cutting ties because I have enemies in Jeon Jin. It’s that it would be troublesome if a stubborn fellow like me becomes part of the orthodox sect forces.’

 

At least in this Hangzhou, it needs to become a world of evil sect members as Gyeom Gwang-ja desires.

That’s why he’s cutting ties with Jung Myeong.

Even to interfere with Jung Myeong’s growth.

Behavior uncharacteristic of Black Point, which would deal even with orthodox sects.

This was clearly an action solely for Gyeom Gwang-ja’s personal interests.

 

“…You truly seem to read the world while sitting still. Is that the divine power you possess?”

“I just have a good imagination. It has nothing to do with divine power.”

“Hmm… Yes. Let’s say that’s the case.”

 

Gyeom Gwang-ja seemed indifferent to that.

He even appeared somewhat dejected.

 

‘Even someone like me who hasn’t been in Hangzhou long can predict this much. He must be thinking that others wouldn’t be unaware either.’

 

It was surely shock from having his purpose, which he thought only he knew, discovered.

Still, Gyeom Gwang-ja was Gyeom Gwang-ja.

He soon collected himself and asked.

 

“Then let me ask this. In this situation you’ve noticed, do I need to deal with you?”

“Normally, there wouldn’t be a need, would there?”

“Normally?”

“Yes. Normally. It’s right that Gyeom Gwang-ja, who wants to offer up this Hangzhou, has no need to maintain dealings with me.”

“Correct. So I’ll cut ties.”

“Why the rush? Though I have connections to Jeon Jin, I have no intention of aligning with the orthodox sects. Just because someone learns orthodox martial arts doesn’t mean they align with orthodox sects, right?”

“Hah… Then are you thinking of claiming to be a descendant of Jeon Jin and settling into the Four Blood Alliance?”

“How could that be? For reference, I have no intention of grandly claiming to be a descendant either. I only plan to look after those with whom I have connections.”

“Saying ‘those with connections’ is quite the word play itself. Well, fine. If not a descendant or orthodox sect, then what?”

 

This was the important part.

Gyeom Gwang-ja. He was extremely wary of Orthodox Sect members establishing themselves in Hangzhou.

Conversely, as long as that wasn’t the case, he was someone who had every intention of making deals.

As for whether Jung Myeong had an answer to this.

He already did.

 

“I intend to become a third party.”

“What?”

“I’m saying I have no intention of making enemies of either the Four Blood Alliance or the Martial Alliance.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“Isn’t there a good saying about being between orthodox and unorthodox?”

“What? Between orthodox and unorthodox? Puhaha… Puhahahaha! That’s an interesting story.”

 

It was a declaration that he wouldn’t belong to either side.

Gyeom Gwang-ja scoffed at this.

And he spoke as if addressing a child who knew nothing of the world.

 

“Would that work? That? Perhaps if you were alone, but no force has ever succeeded at that.”

 

A force between orthodox and unorthodox. A third force was impossible.

Gyeom Gwang-ja spoke as if making a definitive judgment, and also as if comforting a child.

 

‘I can understand what he’s thinking when he says it won’t work.’

 

At this, Jung Myeong let out a small laugh.

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand the reasons why it wouldn’t work.

But he had no intention of changing his mind at this point.

 

‘What can I do about being born this way?’

 

Hadn’t it been like this from the beginning?

From the moment he awakened and began walking his own path, he had killed the Donghwa Guild Leader, refusing to pay even a single protection fee.

When the government tried to keep him in check, he had personally destroyed the collusion between the medical clinics that were trying to restrain him.

It was the same now.

 

‘I’m just walking my own path. Whatever happens after that.’

 

He had no intention of belonging to either side.

He intended to walk only his own path.

Only the scale had changed from the beginning.

There was absolutely nothing different in his actions.

And this was also what he had resolved on the ship deck. It was merely coincidental that Gyeom Gwang-ja was the first to hear it.

Therefore, he spoke boldly as if making a declaration.

 

“This time, I intend to establish my own force.”

“Huh… You’re insane.”

 

A declaration that would make even that Gyeom Gwang-ja stick out his tongue.

And making such a declaration, he asked.

 

“How about lending a hand to that?”

 

Would you join me?

 

“You mean me?”

“Yes. I mean Gyeom Gwang-ja.”

“Hehe. Hehehehe…”

 

At that, Gyeom Gwang-ja laughed for a long time as if he found it absurd.

 

“…”

 

Then he suddenly stopped laughing.

And stared directly at Jung Myeong.

It was a look of trying to determine whether his words were truly sincere.

Then, after a long silence, he chose a third way that was neither yes nor no, just like Jung Myeong.

 

“I’ll watch more and decide.”

“That’s not like you?”

“I learned from someone to reserve judgment until the end.”

 

It was obvious who that someone was.

 

“…Wow. It seems like I got hit back.”

“Heh. Getting hit back by a madman talking about a third zone. I like that.”

“Since you like it, you’ll keep the secret, right?”

“Of course. It seems like it would benefit me. Huhu.”

“Good. Then let’s stop here for today.”

“Very well.”

 

They had exchanged blows with each other.

And he had given Gyeom Gwang-ja a surprise.

That was sufficient for now.

Ah, but that didn’t mean Jung Myeong forgot one important thing.

 

“I’ll see you when I visit in a while.”

“In a while, you say?”

“You’ll need to package it well, won’t you?”

“…Damn. You sure don’t forget.”

 

That was about the Jeonjin Sect martial arts secret manual.

Jung Myeong, who made sure to claim what he needed to claim until the end.

As if he couldn’t stop such a person, Gyeom Gwang-ja watched him for a long time.

Swoooosh-

Gyeom Gwang-ja dispersed and disappeared.

 

“Well, shall we go?”

 

After making such a tremendous declaration.

Jung Myeong shrugged his shoulders once and got up from where he sat as if nothing had happened.

And when he returned to the medical clinic, the first thing he did was quite typical of him.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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