Chapter 71: I Will Not Tolerated Any What Ifs!
“I came to check if the Demonic Cult bastards were using poison here as well, and I caught an unexpected big fish.”
It seemed they had used poison centered around slaughterhouses in other neighborhoods as well.
“Did you know that the Demonic Cult was spreading poison?”
“Keke. Look here, orthodox greenhorn. If we were just ruffians who ran wild relying only on force, we wouldn’t have been able to compete for power in Sichuan.”
The Demonic Cult’s conspiracy that slandered the Sichuan Tang Clan. That unorthodox expert was already seeing through it.
“Well, even if you knew, does anything change?”
“If things go well, we use this opportunity to integrate Sichuan. If problems arise later and we think it won’t work, we can just say we were deceived too, blame the Demonic Cult, and enter a truce with the orthodox factions?”
“You’re quite smart for an orthodox brat.”
He was someone who could turn the opponent’s scheme against them and lead it in a direction favorable to himself.
‘A dangerous fellow.’
This man had to be killed here.
[If you let him go back alive, it will be quite a headache.]
‘I know.’
The advice of Teacher Hua Tuo came down heavily.
‘As fast as possible. Without giving him any time to open his mouth…’
Killing him was the obvious choice, but the method of killing was also a problem.
The fact that I, the entity known as the Young Heavenly Dragon, was in Go County must not be known. I had to remain simply as a divine physician of outstanding skill and kind heart.
The moment the mask of a divine physician was stripped away, everything I had done could be maliciously exploited.
And this guy was fully capable of utilizing it maliciously.
‘The timing is just right.’
The time when the sun was setting. The outskirts of the city where few people set foot.
Even though the sound of smashing the demon who was playing the butcher resounded quite loudly, there was no sign of presence nearby.
If I cleaned it up quickly, it could be buried quietly.
‘I will deal with him in a single blow.’
The question was whether it was possible.
Since we were confronting each other face-to-face, a surprise attack was impossible.
If there was any way, it was only one.
[Have you decided?]
Deep concern was felt in Master Bodhidharma’s voice.
He seemed to have realized what the best move I thought of was.
The Heavenly Demon Kalpaless Hand.
‘Is it possible?’
A power that I could barely touch only when I had Master Bodhidharma’s treasure.
Master Heavenly Demon’s ultimate technique, which had been at most to manifest a level of power that was merely dipping one’s toes into it even after sacrificing Master Bodhidharma’s treasure, which was said to contain the power of immortals.
Even just one-tenth of that power would be enough to press down and crush the opponent before me.
If I drew out my true martial art, this overwhelming power, it was also possible to end it in an instant.
‘It is different from then.’
I had grown compared to that time.
There were also powers that did not exist at that time.
Above all, listening to the Way of the Heart Sword discussed by Master Bodhidharma during the day, I felt that I was ready.
I just could not fully control it, but this power was within me.
‘I can do it.’
“If things go wrong, I will come to see you.”
I muttered in a voice so small that even Baek Mu-ho, who was next to me, could not hear.
[Hal! (Shout of reprimand)]
Master Bodhidharma’s reprimand.
[There is no such thing as “if things go wrong”! Disciple, do not look down on the Heavy Earth Divine Art of this Bodhidharma! Of this master!]
A mantra to awaken foolish sentient beings and disciples.
[Arouse the Heavy Earth Divine Art!]
Master Bodhidharma’s shout raged like a storm.
[Reach the extreme! Reach the end of exhaustion and break through once more! Throw away things like limits!]
‘Whoa! The Buddha has completely changed.’
[I won’t accept any talk of “just in case”! What is a mere Heavenly Demon! Believe in the Heavy Earth Divine Art! This master’s martial art is strong!]
“Yes!!”
The Heavenly Demon Kalpaless Hand moved.
The controlled and suppressed power poured out through the opened gap.
While the suppressed power ran wild,
the Heavy Earth Divine Art quickened.
The framework of my martial arts.
The framework of my physical body.
The foundation that made up me supported the grand power whose end could not be known.
[Since Sanfeng bound heaven, earth, and man into one! The Three Talents Unified Qi Art can easily handle all things in heaven and earth!]
The Three Talents Unified Qi Art grabbed the leash of the rampaging Heavenly Demon Kalpaless Hand’s power.
[It will gently accept the flow of all torrents!]
Wuuuuu!
A fierce growl roared inside me.
The leashed power rampaged fiercely.
‘Do not be swallowed.’
[The divine power of the earth will support you!]
‘I am the one seizing control!’
[The true power of the Golden Deity of the West will fill your lacking parts!]
“Huh?”
Whether he instinctively felt that something was unusual, the expression of the unorthodox expert changed.
“This is somehow dangerous…!”
“Where do you think you’re going!”
Following the opponent who was retreating after instinctively sensing danger, Baek Mu-ho swung his sword.
Clang!
The goal was not to defeat the opponent, but to bind his feet.
While taking Baek Mu-ho’s blow, he did not let down his guard against me.
It meant the opponent’s skill surpassed Baek Mu-ho’s.
Even if the two of us joint-attacked, it would have been impossible to suppress him in an instant.
‘It’s nice, not needing words.’
Thanking Baek Mu-ho for creating the opportunity, my body moved.
‘I will smash him in an instant.’
Will led the body.
Movement several times faster than usual manifested in reality.
The power of will that stretched out with that momentum. A portion of the remaining power became an invisible, intangible force and pressed down on the opponent.
A rapid strike that transcended perception.
My body, which seemed to have pierced through space, straightly extended a fist.
Thud!
At the spot where the fist was extended, the sound of something tough and wet bursting resounded.
It was the sound of a heart breaking.
“……!”
The eyes of the unorthodox expert, dyed with astonishment, grew so wide as if they would pop out.
However, contrary to those enlarged eyes, no sound could come out of his mouth. As if his throat was choked, he groaned and collapsed on the spot.
Whether he also failed to see my instantaneous movement, Baek Mu-ho looked at me with surprised eyes and asked.
“What kind of martial art is that again?”
“This?”
What should I call it?
To put it simply, it was a blow into which I had poured everything I had.
Although it was merely a tiny fraction, just enough to be handled by me, it activated the Heavenly Demon Kalpaless Hand, supported by the Heavy Earth Divine Art, and connected by the Three Talents Unified Qi Art. Needless to say, even the divine power of the earth and the divine power of metal added strength.
It contained all my strength and mind.
If I were to express this in one word.
“Unified Fist?”
“……Tacky.”
Because I said whatever came to mind, Baek Mu-ho waved his hand as if it stank. Then he turned his back, and in the meantime, what was briefly visible in Baek Mu-ho was a feeling like competitive spirit.
“What do you think?”
[Hmph… Well, I see. Hmm… hmph.]
When I quietly asked Master Bodhidharma on the sly, the returning answer was a bit strange.
[Puhaha! This fellow’s face is red like a ripe persimmon. Is he embarrassed of shouting, failing to act his age?]
[Shut your mouth. Hmph!]
Just like Teacher Hua Tuo said, was he a bit embarrassed about shouting in excitement until just now?
“I liked it, though.”
[…Hmph, hmph.]
Somehow, he seemed to be even more embarrassed.
I knew Master Bodhidharma had a personality contrary to expectations. Thinking that the master enthusiastically stepped forward for me made me feel good instead.
Honestly, the part where he shouted, “What is a mere Heavenly Demon!” was even thrilling.
[Tsk! I will just take this friend back to the underworld and return.]
[Hey! Look here! How can you do this… Uwah!]
It seemed Master Bodhidharma did not think so, though.
Whether he was dragging Teacher Hua Tuo, who was highly likely to tease him further, back down to the underworld, no more words were heard.
“What should we do? It seems like it will be hard to pretend to be a physician from now on.”
In the meantime, Baek Mu-ho kicked the collapsed corpse of the unorthodox expert and asked for my opinion.
My thought was the same.
For now, pulling out of Go County would be the best.
Then, a thought flashed through my mind.
“I have a good idea.”
“What is it?”
“Using the opponent’s scheme against them.”
Using the opponent’s scheme against them. It meant turning the opponent’s plot to one’s own advantage.
Baek Mu-ho’s eyes narrowed.
“…So, who against who?”
“Let’s make the unorthodox factions and the Demonic Cult fight each other.”
“…”
Baek Mu-ho blinked his eyes as if dumbfounded.
Then,
“You are a truly bad guy, too.”
he smirked.
***
The basic framework of the story was this.
The unorthodox factions that visited Go County knew that the Demonic Cult was behind this matter.
But what would they think if the corpse of the unorthodox expert was discovered?
They would think that the Demonic Cult, realizing they had noticed their alienation scheme, had dispatched an expert.
Then, the unorthodox forces trying to start a fight with the orthodox factions would have no choice but to slow down their movements. This was because they had to check the movements of the Demonic Cult while being hostile to the orthodox factions.
Since it was a situation where they could be caught in a pincer attack, they had no choice but to refrain from clashing with the orthodox factions.
Because they might end up doing all the work only for someone else to benefit.
If it went well, it could end by turning the Demonic Cult into a common enemy and soothing the war clouds surrounding Sichuan.
“It would be the icing on the cake if Elder Baek, who is of the unorthodox path, spoke up from the inside according to our intentions.”
“That may be so, but would that old man do it? From his perspective, even if he avoided a fight with the orthodox factions, it seems he would feel pushed into a fight with the Demonic Cult.”
“He will do it.”
If he was grandfather’s friend, and considering the reason Teacher Emerald Bamboo was here, proceeding in the direction I thought was the best.
He would surely comply.
And the certainty of that could be confirmed at Elder Baek Pung-rip’s residence, which we visited around sunset.
“They are fellows from Beonmoktap. They are quick-witted. They knew about the Demonic Cult’s affairs. And in passing, your whereabouts as well. Since they wanted my assistance, I took action.”
When we visited Elder Baek Pung-rip’s residence, one of the things that welcomed us was the corpse of the unorthodox expert whose life had been taken in a surprise attack.
“It would be good to link this person’s death with the Demonic Cult.”
And the conclusion Elder Baek Pung-rip came up with was the same as mine.
“There is another bad guy here.”
“Hmm?”
“No, do as you please.”
Dumbfounded, Baek Mu-ho shrugged his shoulders at Elder Baek Pung-rip’s reaction and turned his head to the side.
If the work had progressed this far, now all that was left was finishing up.
“Then now we must shut Gwak Dae-pyeong’s mouth.”
Lies must also be coordinated. There was a need to align our stories with the Evil-Deed Gambling King Gwak Dae-pyeong.
“Will persuasion work?”
“There won’t be any need to waste your breath persuading him. You just have to make a bet. He is the kind of guy who would hand over his head without hesitation if the price of losing a gamble was his own neck. Even if we lose the bet, we can just resolve it with force then.”
Mentioning Gwak Dae-pyeong, Elder Baek Pung-rip frowned.
It seemed he did not like Gwak Dae-pyeong very much.
***
Entering Gwak Dae-pyeong’s stronghold, we came to see an unexpected sight.
“Yo~ you’re here?”
Gwak Dae-pyeong, waving his hand with a bright smile, welcomed us warmly (?).
And next to him lay someone with a hole in their chest and a bloody die showing an even number.
It seemed an unorthodox expert had visited Gwak Dae-pyeong as well.
And he had killed him personally.
“Why did you kill him?”
“He said he came to capture the Young Heavenly Dragon. Hearing the circumstances, it seemed you were the Young Heavenly Dragon who has been making a name for himself lately.”
“So why…?”
“Because the result of the bet was that I would talk with you.”
“…”
It was said that was the reason he took action for the rising star of the orthodox factions who was currently receiving the most attention.
“And as you can see, it’s an even number, right? Even if we set aside the separate bet I made with you, I had to decide what to do with this gentleman’s treatment, and an even number came up. So this isn’t my fault. That person just had bad luck.”
Elder Baek Pung-rip’s words were correct.
There was no room for doubt that he would hand over his head without hesitation if the price of losing a gamble was his neck.
“He is more of a crazy bastard than I thought.”
Baek Mu-ho, who had called me a bad guy, assessed Gwak Dae-pyeong as a crazy bastard.
I agreed, too.
This guy was not normal.
“Now, since the board seems to have been reset, we should roll the die again, shouldn’t we?”
That crazy bastard held the bloody die in his hand with a highly excited face.