Chapter 221: Even if I leave, I leave by my own will (3)

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Jin Mu-yeong’s eyes glinted coldly.

The person blocking his path now was considered the most dangerous warrior in the murim.

Although he had entered the murim much later than the Nine Dragons, he was the one warrior evaluated to be superior to them. That was Dam-ho, standing right in front of him.

Jin Mu-yeong clenched his fist tightly.

The impact from Dam-ho’s deflected hand was not small. The tingling sensation made him feel unpleasant.

Just facing Dam-ho made the blood in his entire body feel chillingly cold. But he smiled.

“Master Dam. Don’t you realize your actions are actually making things more difficult for Yeon-woon?”

“…”

“This is an internal matter of the Murim Alliance. It’s not something an outsider like you should interfere with.”

“Is ambushing also an internal matter of the Murim Alliance?”

“Don’t misunderstand. It was just an attempt to resolve the situation smoothly.”

“It seems the Wudang sect is raising mudfish instead of sword masters.”

At that moment, Jin Mu-yeong’s expression hardened. Not just him, but everyone gathered in the Great Training Hall held their breath.

Dam-ho was calling Jin Mu-yeong a mudfish. The Jin Mu-yeong who was said to be the greatest talent of the Wudang sect in a hundred years.

Even Jin Mu-yeong glared at Dam-ho with an expression of disbelief.

“What did you just say?”

“I called you a mudfish.”

“…”

Anger rose on Jin Mu-yeong’s face, which usually wore a faint smile. Conversely, his reason sank even colder.

He looked around for a moment.

The gazes of many were focused on him. Among them were high-ranking officials of the Murim Alliance. They too had awkward expressions at Dam-ho’s intervention.

Jin Mu-yeong thought it was rather fortunate.

‘A mountain I had to cross eventually anyway.’

Dam-ho was a massive mountain.

Everyone thought so. After killing So Cheon-san of the Ten Li Reaper, his fame had reached a point where it could not rise any higher.

For Jin Mu-yeong, who was secretly aiming to be the next greatest under heaven, Dam-ho was a high mountain he would have to cross eventually. Originally, he had planned to wait patiently and look for an opportunity, but now that the situation had developed like this, there was no reason to hesitate.

“Master Dam. You don’t belong here.”

His voice was very low, but it contained powerful internal energy that resonated clearly in everyone’s ears. That made it even easier to imprint.

“You are certainly strong, and one of the great warriors who will lead this era. But you have no sense of mission, no conviction. You simply destroy what blocks your path and advance.”

Jin Mu-yeong paused for a moment and looked around.

Everyone was listening intently to his words. Their concentration was at its peak, emotionally invested in Jin Mu-yeong’s voice.

After catching his breath briefly, Jin Mu-yeong raised his voice.

“I acknowledge that you are an overlord. However, this war is not a war of conquest. It’s a war to protect the justice of the murim, requiring a noble spirit of sacrifice. This is not your war. Your existence is of no help to us, to this war. Please withdraw from here.”

Jin Mu-yeong’s voice grew louder, sweeping through people’s hearts like a storm.

‘Jin Mu-yeong.’

Cho Yeon-woon gritted her teeth.

Jin Mu-yeong was subtly inciting the gathered warriors.

The warriors both needed and feared Dam-ho. Jin Mu-yeong’s words were cunningly exploiting their uneasy psychology.

She hadn’t known Jin Mu-yeong could incite people with such subtle rhetoric. In fact, many were falling for Jin Mu-yeong’s words and agreeing with him.

“That’s right. This is a war of the murim. Those who don’t follow the order of the murim shouldn’t participate.”

“If you want to participate in this war, even the Fist Demon should follow the rules of the Murim Alliance.”

“How long will he act recklessly like a lone wolf?”

At first only one or two people spoke up, but the voices gradually spread like wildfire until most of the crowd was denouncing Dam-ho.

‘Oh no!’

Not just Cho Yeon-woon, but Hae So-wol was also taken aback.

They hadn’t expected so many to side with Jin Mu-yeong. The psychology of crowds was truly frightening, as the voices of a few were distorted to represent the will of the entire public.

Some conscientious people thought something was wrong, but they couldn’t say anything, overwhelmed by the voices of the crowd.

“Get out of the way.”

“Is strong martial arts everything?”

“The Fist Demon is also a demon. He’s no different from the demon cult.”

The voices of the people poured down on Dam-ho with the weight of a thousand pounds.

Jin Mu-yeong looked straight at Dam-ho.

“Do you see? This is the will of the crowd. The murim does not want you here. You have no reason to stay here either. You’ve met the master you so desired. Please leave this place and live in peace. That is the way for everyone’s benefit.”

“Is that so? Is that what everyone wants?”

“Yes, it is.”

Jin Mu-yeong smiled as he answered Dam-ho’s question.

Joy appeared on the faces of the Nine Martial Dragons, except for Hae So-wol. For them as well as Jin Mu-yeong, Dam-ho was like a thorn in their side.

The war between righteousness and evil was a golden opportunity for the Nine Martial Dragons to soar by obtaining the wish-fulfilling jewel, but they were overshadowed by Dam-ho’s presence.

‘We must drive him out of here.’

‘We should be the ones to achieve merit here.’

The Nine Martial Dragons exchanged glances.

Unable to stand by any longer, Cho Yeon-woon shouted.

“Talk sense, Jin Mu-yeong. Many people are alive because of Dam-ho. Is that reputation more important than people’s lives? And the rest of you, that’s enough.”

Cho Yeon-woon glared at the warriors gathered in the Great Training Hall. But the warriors who had fallen for Jin Mu-yeong’s words felt no shame.

The warriors here in the Great Training Hall were all from major sects. They were already the established powers, and they saw Dam-ho as a threat to their rights and status.

Cho Yeon-woon despaired at the sight of such warriors.

“Damn it!”

She felt like crawling into a mouse hole if there was one. To be divided over petty interests when every hand was needed.

Most of all, the ones she was most disappointed in were Jin Mu-yeong and the Nine Martial Dragons. They had lit the fuse of conflict.

“Jin… Mu-yeong. I still thought of you as the leader of the Nine Martial Dragons… I’m truly disappointed.”

Jin Mu-yeong did not answer. No, he could not.

He too felt a bit of shame. But he was convincing himself that it couldn’t be helped. That’s how great his fear of Dam-ho was.

Jin Mu-yeong’s gaze turned to Dam-ho.

Until then, Dam-ho had not said a word. His expression remained unchanged, making it impossible to know what he was thinking, which was unsettling.

Still, Jin Mu-yeong was not worried. The atmosphere had already shifted to his side. No matter how strong Dam-ho’s martial arts were, he could not reverse the tide once it had turned.

‘What will you do?’

Jin Mu-yeong asked with his eyes.

It was now Dam-ho’s turn to answer.

“So you’re telling me to leave this place. Is that right?”

“That’s correct. There’s a saying to leave when the applause is loudest. No one will criticize you for withdrawing now, Master Dam. Rather, they will applaud your actions.”

“That does sound plausible.”

Dam-ho nodded. At that, joy appeared on the faces of the Nine Martial Dragons. If Dam-ho had rejected Jin Mu-yeong’s proposal, it would have been quite troublesome for them as well.

Dam-ho did not miss the reactions of the warriors.

Among the warriors here in the Great Training Hall, there were few who wanted him to stay.

A glint flashed in Dam-ho’s eyes.

“Alright! I’ll leave.”

“Really… is that so?”

Jin Mu-yeong’s voice trembled as he confirmed. Everything was about to unfold according to his intentions.

“It’s true.”

“An excellent decision. Everyone will praise your anguished choice, Master Dam.”

“However…”

“Yes?”

“Not like this.”

“What do you mean?”

Suddenly, Dam-ho’s figure disappeared from Jin Mu-yeong’s sight.

Jin Mu-yeong quickly drew up his internal energy with an ominous feeling.

Kwang!

“Ugh!”

With a stifled groan, Jin Mu-yeong’s body slid backwards. Dam-ho was standing where Jin Mu-yeong had been, with his fist extended.

Jin Mu-yeong felt his hair stand on end. His crossed arms stung. If his reaction had been even a little slower, there would have been a large hole in his chest.

Killing intent flashed in Jin Mu-yeong’s eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“I’ll leave, but not just like that.”

“You…”

“I thought the Wudang sect would raise somewhat more plausible warriors, but I’m disappointed. A mudfish with only grease on its tongue.”

“Fist… Demon!”

Jin Mu-yeong was enraged.

The cold reason he had maintained so sharply until now collapsed instantly like a sand castle swept away by water.

Chosen by the thousand-year-old Wudang sect, he had grown up with everyone’s expectations. No one had ever spoken such nonsense to Jin Mu-yeong. Not even the elders of the Wudang sect.

Chwang!

Jin Mu-yeong drew the ancient sword at his waist.

The true ultimate technique of the Wudang sect lies not in fists but in the sword. That’s what Jin Mu-yeong believed. So he delved into swordsmanship and achieved what he wanted.

“Chaat!”

Jin Mu-yeong’s sword traced a beautiful arc. The soft yet powerful line extended to Dam-ho’s neck.

Taichi Sword.

The finest sword technique boasted by the Wudang sect unfolded in Jin Mu-yeong’s hands. Jin Mu-yeong’s sword and body were creating the taichi symbol.

Kwang!

However, Jin Mu-yeong’s sword was blocked by Dam-ho before it could create a perfect taichi.

Dam-ho, who had deflected Jin Mu-yeong’s sword with a single Disjointed strike, unleashed his charging step.

Bang!

With an intense vibration, Dam-ho’s body rushed forward in a straight line.

“Kuh!”

Jin Mu-yeong deployed the Taichi Star Trace technique. A sword barrier in the shape of taichi formed around his body.

Kwang!

The Crushing Palm Strike clashed with the sword barrier.

Jin Mu-yeong’s face turned black at the unexpectedly intense impact. But he was a warrior who could compete for the top spot among the Nine Martial Dragons.

Shwaak!

He quickly switched from defense to offense.

In an instant, his sword split into dozens, hundreds, and shot towards Dam-ho.

It was a martial art honed for over twenty years. When faced with a crisis, the ultimate techniques of the Taichi Sword unfolded as naturally as breathing.

Numerous taichi symbols were created and disappeared in the air. And the small taichi symbols gathered to form a large taichi pattern.

The taichi pattern was not just a line of sword energy. It was a harmony created by sword force.

Taichi Illumination and Extinction.

Kuwaa!

The finest technique of the Taichi Sword unfolded towards Dam-ho.

It was a technique executed with all his might. He had never performed it this perfectly even when training alone in seclusion.

Suddenly, greed raised its head in his inner mind.

‘I will break your legend. And I will become a new legend.’

As someone who had mastered the Taichi Sword, he was fully qualified to do so.

Dam-ho hurled his body towards theTaichi Illumination and Extinction. His appearance was like a moth rushing towards a flame.

Jin Mu-yeong was certain of his victory.

That’s when it happened.

Kuwaa!

Suddenly, an intense rotation of energy occurred around Dam-ho’s body. It was the Raging Demon Energy.

Kukwakwang!

As the Raging Demon Energy clashed with the Taichi Flashing, a storm of energy swept in all directions. The gathered warriors were blown away like fallen leaves caught in it.

Jin Mu-yeong’s eyes widened.

The finest technique he had deployed was crumbling. The strong energy of the taichi was swept away by the Raging Demon Energy, opening a straight path connecting him and Dam-ho.

Dam-ho crossed that path.

The space was shortened in a single step.

Titing!

Jin Mu-yeong hurriedly deployed a life-saving technique to attack Dam-ho, but it was deflected by the Golden Beetle Technique

Pubububuk!

“Kuhek!”

Dam-ho’s fists rained down on Jin Mu-yeong’s entire body. His knees buckled, and his waist bent like a shrimp. Fists and knees struck his lowered face over a dozen times.

Jin Mu-yeong’s mouth gaped open at the pain he had never experienced before in his life.

Teok!

Dam-ho grabbed him by the collar. Then the Earth-Shattering Strike was unleashed.

As his body flipped and the ground expanded, Jin Mu-yeong’s mind went blank.

At that moment, someone’s voice rang out.

“Dam-ho!”

Kwang!