Chapter 228

**Season 2, Chapter 142:** Yang Jeonghak continues to reveal Dokgo Ryong's past in further detail. After forming the Heavenly Destruction Sect, Dokgo Ryong led a campaign and successfully conquered 70% of the Murim in less than 3 years. This was shocking even after considering how weak the New Murim Alliance was compared to its predecessor. Three elite factions of the Murim Alliance joined forces to fight the Heavenly Destruction but was utterly defeated. This left the remaining factions of the Murim with three options. They could either go down the road of self-destruction by resisting to the very end, submit to the Heavenly Destruction Sect, or to flee. At one point in the campaign, the Heavenly Destruction Sect stopped at the place that used to be the headquarters of the Old Murim Alliance for rest and recuperation, and to rebuild the foundation of the Alliance that had been ruined. In addition, the minor factions rushed to pledge loyalty to the Heavenly Destruction Sect.

Around that time, the Heavenly Destroyer went looking for information on the survivors of the Old Murim Alliance, and found Sa Paecheon. After confirming that he possess the information about the Sage Forest Dokgo wanted, Sa Paecheon promised to give him it if he can survive a fight with him. In their ensuing clash, the Shadow Eminence was brought to the ground, and while unclear, it is assumed that the fight played out the same as revealed before in chapter 76 (in that Dokgo Ryong ceased the fight once he realized that Sa Paecheon was nursing an injury, and turned his back on him, mentioning that they should fight once he had recovered). With Dokgo turning his back on his Sa Paecheon, the latter took the chance to skewer his opponent in the leg with his whip, inciting the Heavenly Destroyer to blow him away. Dokgo Ryong then tried to limp away but struggled due to being seriously injured by Sa Paecheon's poison, and eventually fell off a cliff unconscious. Miraculously, he was found by Gang Yoon, the father of Gang Ryong. It is also revealed that Gang Yoon at that time, was the former head of the Haidong Sword Clan, having passed off the leadership to his disciple. However, due to rapidly changing circumstances, the disciple and officials of the clan visited Gang Yoon almost every other day, asking him to return and lead the clan again. Gang Yoon brought Dokgo back to his house and gave him medical aid, nursing him back to health.

After regaining consciousness, Dokgo Ryong questioned Gang Yoon if he treated him and the latter admitted he did. Gang Yoon also noted that Dokgo's right leg was badly injured and that he did his best to remove the poison and treat the wound before advising Dokgo to see a doctor. Dokgo Ryong befriended Gang Yoon and his wife, and the Supreme Overlord continued to visit them. In one such meeting, Gang Yoon confirmed that he was returning to the Haidong Sword Clan, leaving his wife behind at home. Dokgo Ryong then questioned Gang Yoon on why the Haidong Sword Clan was going against the Heavenly Destruction Sect even though they might ultimately have the same goal, citing that the Sword Clan was expelled from the Murim Alliance for opposing their ways. Gang Yoon responded that the Heavenly Destruction Sect's way of forcing their ideals on others was just another form of violence whether they do it out of hatred or love. Dokgo then wondered why Gang Yoon saved him despite knowing his identity as the leader of the Heavenly Destruction Sect, and the latter humorously mentioned that he wasn't planning on returning to the Haidong Sword Clan at the time.

However, the Four Heavenly Kings eventually caught wind of their master's trips to Gang Yoon's home. Meanwhile, Dokgo Ryong mused about Gang Yoon's words of wisdom, and compared his conviction to that of Jang Woon's. Later, the Four Heavenly Kings have a meeting due to the Haidong Sword Clan causing them trouble. Furthermore, they receive news the Pungjing Sect, that used to remain neutral, had announced that they would not join forces with the Heavenly Destruction Sect. Other factions that stood by because of their bad relationship with the Murim Alliance were also getting ready to oppose the Sect, inspired by the recent moves of the Haidong Sword Clan. Not long after, the "catastrophe with the Haidong Sword Clan" happened.

## Appearing Characters

* Dokgo Ryong (flashback)
* Gang Ryong
* Gang Yoon (flashback)
* Gwi Yeong (flashback)
* Hwan Sa (flashback)
* Hyeol Bi (flashback)
* Jang Woon (flashback)
* Mak Sapyeong (flashback)
* Sa Paecheon (flashback)
* Yang Jeonghak