The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 356

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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 356. It Has Been a Long Time

 

 

Gwangheung Mountain was quiet.

It remained unchanged as it always had, standing in its place.

The same appearance as when Gong Dok-haeng had left in haste.

When they crossed the mountain gate of Cheondok Valley, nestled deep in the valleys of Gwangheung Mountain.

Seeing the unchanged appearance, Yeo Hong-gi and Gong Dok-haeng secretly let out sighs of relief.

Because nothing had happened yet.

Yeo Hong-gi headed straight to his office.

‘What is Sa-baek waiting for…’

And he tapped on his office desk, lost in thought.

The conclusion came quickly.

He must be waiting for all the personnel of Cheondok Valley to gather.

“Huu…”

He let out a frustrated sigh and threw open the office window.

The top floor of the highest pavilion.

The entire view of Cheondok Valley came into sight at once.

Yeo Hong-gi took in the view with eyes filled with anguish.

It was natural.

If Sa-baek came, everyone would die.

“I may bear the burden of Master’s karma, but… the disciples of the valley…”

They too had karma.

That of their masters, their parents.

They too were sect members of the valley who had betrayed Myo Gu-eung and tried to kill him.

However, the current disciples knew nothing.

It was also an incident from a generation ago.

Above all, everyone was keeping silent about what happened then.

When Yeo Hong-gi’s master, Wang Sa-geon, became the valley lord and the valley regained stability.

The sect members who had been blinded by Wang Sa-geon’s instigation came to their senses.

Because they realized what they had done.

It was a disgrace.

Wang Sa-geon was also a fairly decent valley lord.

But he had been swept up in his instigation and expelled the rightfully qualified valley lord.

No one spoke about what happened then to their sons, daughters, or disciples.

The same was true for Yeo Hong-gi.

Telling Gong Dok-haeng was the first time.

“Is anyone there?”

Yeo Hong-gi, having finally made his decision, shouted toward outside the door.

Through the valley lord’s escort guards, Gong Dok-haeng appeared in the office.

“Did you call for me? Master.”

“You and I. Let’s go together, just the two of us.”

Gong Dok-haeng hesitated at Yeo Hong-gi’s words.

“I’m sorry. This has nothing to do with you. For burdening you with the karma of your great-master and master.”

“No, Master. I am merely part of Cheondok Valley.”

Gong Dok-haeng soon steeled his resolve and spoke with determination.

“Tell all the people of the valley to leave and go far away.”

Gong Dok-haeng had already guessed.

Because they had sent away all the personnel who had accompanied them on the way to Cheondok Valley and returned to Cheondok Valley with just the two of them.

“Understood.”

Gong Dok-haeng withdrew from the office and moved quickly.

Thus, people left one by one.

And Cheondok Valley became empty.

 

Three days after the valley was completely emptied.

Three people appeared in front of the mountain gate.

It was Ha Mu-baek’s group.

“It’s quiet.”

Dang Ja-cheong said, looking around.

“There’s no one. No, there are only two people.”

At Ha Mu-baek’s words after examining the entire interior of Cheondok Valley with his ki sense, Dang Ja-cheong and Dang Ji-yeon were surprised.

What kind of incident could have happened in the valley.

Perhaps?

As Dang Ja-cheong was about to hurry his steps at that thought, Ha Mu-baek continued.

“Both people are safe. It doesn’t seem to be the kind of incident you’re thinking of, sir.”

The three people thus passed through the mountain gate with the Cheondok Valley signboard and entered inside.

After moving along the valley for some time.

Soon, an unbelievably wide plain appeared.

The buildings that filled that place.

This was Cheondok Valley.

“Where might you guests be from?”

A man appeared and asked while performing a cupped fist salute.

His face as he asked showed clear signs of tension.

As if he were facing a life-and-death enemy.

“I am Dang Ja-cheong from the Tang Family Territory. Might the valley lord be present?”

Dang Ja-cheong stepped forward and greeted with a cupped fist salute.

At that moment, the tension that had filled the man’s body melted away like snow.

‘He knows something.’

Ha Mu-baek’s eyes flashed briefly.

They too had said they investigated the incident in Namman.

They must have discovered something indeed.

That’s why Cheondok Valley had become so empty.

“Ah! I pay my respects to the Poison Emperor. I am Gong Dok-haeng, a second disciple of Cheondok Valley.”

Gong Dok-haeng hurriedly bowed deeply.

“Hehe, not at all. May we see the valley lord?”

“I will escort you.”

At Dang Ja-cheong’s question, Gong Dok-haeng immediately took the lead and guided the group.

From this, they learned that currently only the valley lord and his disciple, just the two of them, remained in Cheondok Valley.

[It must be because of that poison, right?]

Dang Ji-yeon also seemed to have noticed something and sent a sound transmission to Dang Ja-cheong.

Dang Ja-cheong nodded as he walked.

“Please wait here for a moment, and I will inform my master.”

The first floor of the highest hall in the center of Cheondok Valley.

Here, Gong Dok-haeng said this and disappeared through the stairs.

Shortly after.

A middle-aged man appeared.

It was Yeo Hong-gi.

“I am Yeo Hong-gi, Lord of Cheondok Valley. It has been a long time since I’ve seen you, Poison Emperor.”

“It has indeed been a long time, Valley Lord.”

The two men faced each other and exchanged cupped fist salutes.

“This is my granddaughter Dang Ji-yeon, and this is Ha Mu-baek, the chief instructor of Gyoryong Hall.”

Dang Ja-cheong introduced his companions.

He nodded while looking at Dang Ji-yeon, then paused with a start at Ha Mu-baek’s name.

He had only seen him briefly from a distance at the Jeongcheon Alliance.

This was the first time seeing him up close.

However, the name wasn’t unfamiliar since he had heard it endlessly from Yeon Ja-gyeong.

Hadn’t they been researching Internal Energy Scattering Poison to defeat this very man not too long ago?

“What brings the Poison Emperor to our humble valley?”

“It seems there’s some great trouble in the valley.”

Dang Ja-cheong answered Yeo Hong-gi’s question with a question.

“That is an internal matter of our valley. I ask that the Poison Emperor depart quickly. I say this for your own sake, Poison Emperor.”

Yeo Hong-gi’s behavior was extremely courteous.

“I believe I’ve come regarding a matter related to that very trouble. How about we wet our throats with tea and discuss it? Valley Lord.”

At Yeo Hong-gi’s gesture, Gong Dok-haeng hurriedly prepared a tea table and tea.

“I apologize. Currently, only that child and I remain in the valley, so our hospitality is lacking.”

This was already known thanks to Ha Mu-baek’s Ki Sense.

After wetting their throats with the tea that Gong Dok-haeng hastily prepared.

Dang Ja-cheong opened his mouth.

“Myeongdokgong.”

Though it was a short word.

At that single statement, the complexions of Yeo Hong-gi and Gong Dok-haeng changed drastically.

However, they soon composed their expressions.

Someone of the Poison Emperor’s caliber would naturally know about Myeongdokgong.

No, wasn’t the Soul-Stealing White Underworld Poison Art known as Cheondok Valley’s strongest poison art?

“Another Myeongdokgong besides the Soul-Stealing White Underworld Poison Art.”

However.

At the words that followed, the two could no longer pretend to be calm.

Yeo Hong-gi’s hand holding the teacup trembled.

“H-how did you…?”

That fact.

Even his disciples Geuk In-cheong and Gong Dok-haeng didn’t know.

It was only because of this incident that Yeo Hong-gi had told Gong Dok-haeng about his past shame, allowing him to learn of it.

Therefore.

When the story of another Myeongdokgong came from the mouth of Dang Ja-cheong, the former Family Head of the Tang Family.

Yeo Hong-gi could only make a face of utter disbelief.

“It’s an old matter.”

It was a story that even Ha Mu-baek and Dang Ji-yeon didn’t know.

In Namman, Dang Ja-cheong had only said they needed to go to Cheondok Valley.

“When I was not even ten years old, I met Elder Yayul Han at a gathering of Sichuan sects.”

At the name that suddenly appeared.

Gong Dok-haeng tilted his head in confusion.

“He is my great-master.”

Yeo Hong-gi briefly explained.

After Myo Gu-eung was expelled from Cheondok Valley for being from Saeoe.

A being whose name was gradually erased, knowingly or unknowingly.

Yayul Han.

He too was expelled for being from Saeoe.

Therefore, Gong Dok-haeng didn’t even know the name of his great-great-master.

Gong Dok-haeng was startled.

Yeo Hong-gi looked at Dang Ja-cheong.

“My life’s goal is to find the Poison Well.”

Yeo Hong-gi started again at the mention of the Poison Well.

“Did you find it?”

He couldn’t help but ask.

The Poison God Poison Saint Body that Sa-baek was presumed to have achieved.

He had heard from his master that it was a realm that absolutely had to be achieved in order to absorb the Ten Thousand Year Poison Well.

“I found the location where the Poison Well existed.”

Dang Ja-cheong answered readily.

“Ah…”

Upon hearing that answer, Yeo Hong-gi let out a deep sigh of lament.

From that expression alone.

Dang Ja-cheong, Ha Mu-baek, and Dang Ji-yeon could guess that he knew something.

“A Myeongdokgong for handling the Poison Well exists in Cheondok Valley. That was the answer Elder Yayul gave to my childish question about whether the Poison Well existed. I made a promise never to reveal it to anyone for my entire life.”

At Dang Ja-cheong’s continued words, Yeo Hong-gi nodded.

Dang Ja-cheong had also learned of its existence from Great-Master Yayul.

The Myeongdokgong that he himself had only heard about from his master.

“In my childhood, because of that answer from the elder, I was able to make the Poison Well my life’s goal. And this recent incident in Namman. I concluded that it was impossible without the Poison Well, so I headed directly to Namman.”

“So you found where the Poison Well had been there.”

Yeo Hong-gi now answered with a resigned, calm expression.

“With my limited knowledge, I had no way to explain the disappearance of the Poison Well. The Poison Well wasn’t something humans could handle. While searching through my memories, I recalled my childhood memories and came to find this place.”

Dang Ja-cheong’s explanation was complete.

Now it was Yeo Hong-gi’s turn.

The gazes of the three people turned toward Yeo Hong-gi.

Yeo Hong-gi lifted his teacup to moisten his dry mouth.

“It was probably the Ten Thousand Year Poison Well.”

At those words, the eyes of Dang Ja-cheong, Ha Mu-baek, and Dang Ji-yeon widened as if they would tear.

Even just a Poison Well would be remarkable, but the Ten Thousand Year Poison Well.

“Hehe. So that’s it. That’s right. That’s why such poison energy…”

It wasn’t that there was a Poison Well.

Even though it was just where the Poison Well had been, there was such terrible poison energy.

If it was the Ten Thousand Year Poison Well, that made sense.

“It’s a lost Myeongdokgong. The Ten Thousand Desolations Soul-Stealing Underworld Poison Art. My Sa-baek who was expelled from the valley is the last inheritor.”

Yeo Hong-gi spoke briefly.

“Myo Gu-eung…”

At those words, Dang Ja-cheong immediately realized who he was.

Dang Ja-cheong knew roughly about Cheondok Valley’s internal strife.

After Yayul Han’s death, the eldest disciple Myo Gu-eung who should have become valley lord disappeared for unknown reasons, and the second disciple Wang Sa-geon became valley lord.

Since it was a matter within Sichuan, even though he was young, Dang Ja-cheong couldn’t have been unaware.

“Yes. He is my Sa-baek. I felt the energy of the lost Myeongdokgong in the poison brought from Namman. That’s how I knew Sa-baek had returned. But for you to come all the way to our valley searching for the Poison Well without knowing anything. You are truly the Poison Emperor.”

Yeo Hong-gi spoke as if genuinely admiring.

“I don’t know when Sa-baek will come to the valley. So please leave. It’s dangerous.”

Yeo Hong-gi said this while glancing at Ha Mu-baek.

Actually, he was curious.

Could that man withstand Sa-baek’s Ten Thousand Desolations Soul-Stealing Underworld Poison Art after absorbing the Ten Thousand Year Poison Well?

It would be a poison that even Ten Thousand Poisons Immunity couldn’t block.

“I don’t know what the circumstances are, but is it revenge?”

Ha Mu-baek interjected and asked.

That was the only thing he could think of.

Sa-baek, who had mastered terrifying poison arts in Namman, was returning.

Yet he had sent out all the sect members from the valley.

This could only be seen as an action of waiting for death.

“….”

Yeo Hong-gi did not answer.

It was the valley’s shame, after all.

“I understand the situation. Thank you for answering honestly.”

Dang Ja-cheong said, looking at Yeo Hong-gi.

“Ji-yeon. You should return to the Noble Family Estate now.”

At these words, Dang Ji-yeon, Yeo Hong-gi, and Gong Dok-haeng were startled.

Those words meant.

Dang Ja-cheong intended to stay here.

“I don’t think Senior Myo Gu-eung will simply remain here after returning to Cheondok Valley. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have created so many villages in Namman. After Cheondok Valley, the Central Plains will be next. I’ll lend a hand in stopping him here.”

“G-Grandfather….”

Dang Ji-yeon looked at Dang Ja-cheong with a shocked expression.

“You would only be a hindrance if you stayed. And inform the Noble Family Estate of this fact. The Jeongcheon Alliance must also be notified to prepare. That an absolute master of poison arts who has absorbed the Ten Thousand Year Poison Well has appeared.”

“Poison Emperor, you should leave as well. Trying to stop Sa-baek here without any preparation would only result in a meaningless death.”

Yeo Hong-gi pleaded once more, but.

Dang Ja-cheong was resolute.

“Now is probably when he’s at his weakest. Even though he has absorbed all the energy of the Ten Thousand Year Poison Well, no matter how skilled Cheondok Valley’s poison arts are, it will take time to fully assimilate it. Now is the perfect opportunity to stand against him. And we have Instructor Ha here as well.”

Dang Ja-cheong’s gaze turned to Ha Mu-baek.

“I’ll lend a hand.”

Ha Mu-baek answered calmly.

From what he had heard here, the Central Plains were in danger.

He didn’t have a sense of mission to save the Central Plains.

It was simply that Ha Seol-ran was in the Central Plains.

“You should leave quickly.”

When Dang Ja-cheong urged Dang Ji-yeon once more.

Ha Mu-baek’s expression changed.

An enormous energy suddenly caught by his ki sense.

“It seems too late to leave. He’s here.”

At Ha Mu-baek’s words, Yeo Hong-gi’s face trembled violently.

‘To think I couldn’t detect his hidden presence until he came this close. Quite impressive.’

Ha Mu-baek gave a generous evaluation to the enemy who had come so near.

This was the first time since the Blood Cult and Demonic Cult Leaders that someone had deceived his ki sense like this.

Of course, his current self was different from his past self.

But it meant the enemy’s level was also different.

Blood Cult Leader Gae Hong-cheon, Demonic Cult Leader Seok Won-cho.

An enemy who was certainly stronger than those two was now slowly walking toward them.

Ha Mu-baek’s gaze turned toward the direction of the mountain gate.

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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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