Chapter 226

**Season 2, Chapter 140:** Yang Jeonghak and Gang Ryong stop at an inn for a meal, where the former reveals he is a member of the Grand General's Command. Then to the skeptical Gang Ryong, he offered to reveal the truth surrounding his mother and master. With the young man asking about Song Yerin and Hwan Sa, Jeonghak mentions that Song Yerin has no blood relations to Hwan Sa and that the Spirit Lord was coveted the power of her mother, the Saintly Celestial Maiden, noting that the value of her Dragon Sight is extremely valuable to illusionists. He further reveals that according to his investigations, Hwan Sa secretly asked the Saintly Celestial Maiden for help many times and due to his persistence, she relented and lent him her power. As a consequence of such an action, Hwan Sa used it for a forbidden spell and Jeonghak speculates it has something to do with her sudden death. Jeonghak also speculates the reason Hwan Sa went to the tavern-at-the-fork was to see if Yerin had inherited the Dragon Sight and that if he had more time, would have tried to recruit her or eliminate her if that didn't work out. After a moment of silence, Jeonghak speculates that Gang Ryong already knew everything he told him and the young man chokes on his drink after being found out. Frustrated that Gang was testing his intelligence, Jeonghak comments that the former has changed a lot since the events at the Sky Gorge Mountain.

Later as they walked together, Gang confirmed that Jeonghak's intel matched what Song Chohyang told Yerin and questioned how he is able to get such accurate information despite not being present for those events. Jeonghak replies that the Grand General's Command has their eyes and everywhere but Gang remains a little skeptical. Jeonghak explains that there is an organization that is dedicated to investigating geological features and has various other duties. Their agents would climb enormous cliffs or descend deep underground to do so. At some time, one agent fell into a ravine and was reported dead but returned alive three months later, having been saved by a mysterious and limped old man (Dokgo Ryong). One of the agent's superior became interested in the old man and decided to monitor him. Jeonghak further explains that much like Yerin and Hwan Sa, some agents have the power to commune with animals and insects to gather intel, which is rare these days but not uncommon among the hermits of the Old Murim and members of the Asura Blood Sect. From that day, they reported and recorded information about Dokgo Ryong living at the bottom of a valley, as well as a pregnant woman (Gang Ryong's mother) who came for him. After commenting how he didn't learn about the existence of that report until recently and how it was difficult for him to get access to, Jeonghak questioned Gang if he believe him now. Despite Gang's continued doubt, Jeonghak decides to reveal Dokgo Ryong's past anyways.

Yang Jeonghak then tells of Dokgo Ryong's past to Gang Ryong. A flashback reveals that in his youth, Dokgo lived in a border region near Nanman and that location was vulnerable to invasion by outsiders and exposed to plunder, arson, and violence. Since the government had to manage vast areas with limited troops, the location was difficult for the government to respond to every invasion unless it was a large military provocation. Left on their own, wealthy locals formed a militia to fight back and during this process, talented individuals started to make themselves known. Once such individual who led a militia was the head of the Dokgo family, Dokgo Ryong himself! Dokgo Ryong subjugated the whole region at an early age and his name was known even to those beyond the border. After bringing the region under control, Dokgo set his eyes on the Middle Kingdom, wishing to test the limits of his martial arts. However, Jeonghak also noted that Dokgo may have restrained himself from doing so due to his father's illness and the fact that his region might get invaded again.

At some point, legendary Beggars' Sect member and Branch Master, Jang Woon (who was also set to be the next leader of the Sect), was wandering the world while practicing his martial arts (the Invisible Demonic Beast Fist), and after hearing about Dokgo's reputation as a great warrior, headed to his home for a fight. The two fought for three days and nights, and the battle ended in a stalemate. However, they became friends and were so close that they met almost every day. Jang Woon stayed with Dokgo, telling him stories about the martial artists of the Middle Kingdom, practicing martial arts together and defending the region. After 5 years, Jang Woon finished his training and returned home but not before telling his friend to visit him after everything is cleared up. However, this would be the last time they see each other again.

## Appearing Characters

* Dokgo Ryong (flashback)
* Gang Ryong
* ***Jang Woon*** (flashback)
* Yang Jeonghak