Chapter Text
***
This isn't what he had been expecting when he chose to let Chung Myung end his life. He let go of everything at the last moment after sacrificing everything for it. And what was the outcome?
THWACK
..Getting his ass beat.
Not even by Chung Myung, but by some stranger?
Honestly, he didn't even think he'd make it to the afterlife. At least he thinks this is afterlife? It sure isn't as horrific as the hell he'd assumed he'd be dropped into.
Except that guy.
(Who looked annoyingly familiar.)
He could faintly make out the features on that face as his own face was getting punched in. It reminded him of quite a few people. His way of yelling seemed quite familiar as well.. The man paused in his rampage, as someone put a hand on his shoulder.
His ears were ringing. He couldn't hear properly. Why couldn't he fight back, anyway? He didn't know, but his limbs felt too weak to move. He thought he might have been saved.
But unfortunately, that someone who he thought was his salvation pulled his arm back with a benign smile and took his turn in beating the hell out of him. Literally.
...Jang Ilso wondered if you could be killed twice. Is that even possible? Well, the afterlife even allows the breaking of people's heads...
'Ah, Gamyeong-ah. I don't think we'll be able to meet just yet...'
***
. . .
"..Is he gone?"
"That bastard, actually has the audacity to pass out? After all the horrors he's caused? Why I oughta--!"
"Please, calm down. You took your anger out already, didn't you?"
"Didn't you as well, Sect Leader?"
"..."
He could faintly hear a conversation, it happening right before him, but muffled--as if he were submerged in deep water.
His eyes gradually drew open. He blinked blearily. The first thing he saw was a bright flash of light. It burned the retinas. He forced his eyes open. With wandering eyes, he realized he was lying in a grassy plain, similar to the one he died in. If it wasn't scarred by war. The bright light of the sun was suddenly blocked by a big patch of green.
--And another punch came hurtling towards him.
"..Ugh..." Jang Ilso groaned.
"Finally awake again?" The man in green asked. He seemed to have calmed down a bit.
Nevermind, just looking at that bastard's face again pissed Tang Bo off. He gave a kick this time.
"Really, my hyung went easy on you! You deserve to rot in hell. Since there's no such thing, I'll create one for you!" He proceeded to aim a kick towards his crotch.
"Now er- Dark Saint, I don't think there's a single unhurt area of his body left. Shouldn't we take a break?"
"Why should I show this bastard mercy? Ah, wait. I forgot you guys are taoists."
"Well, I was thinking instead we should let his wounds heal, then break his head all over again." Chung Jin gave Jang Ilso a condescending look, giving a little nudge with his shoe to Jang Ilso's half dead (?) state.
"Right. I forgot you were the smart one as well."
"You both..." Chung Mun sighed, a hand on his forehead. He looked at Jang Ilso, confused and battered on the ground. Honestly, he wanted to get a few more punches in as well. Just who was Jang Ilso? How much pain and suffering has he inflicted on Kangho and the people? Chung Mun had been restless ever since the start of this war. Only now is he able to breathe freely.
. . .
Jang Ilso blinked twice.
...What the hell was going on? Mount Hua swordsmen? Ah, he must've died and now is being tortured by the people he killed. Yes, that must be it. How unlucky. Jang Ilso started putting the pieces together.
(But...does the afterlife seriously allow violence?)
Jang Ilso looked back up at the one who's been beating and yelling at him the most. Could it be one of the Tang members he killed when he took over Sichuan? Of course he'd hold a grudge, then.
Groaning, Jang Ilso sat up from where he was and looked over his condition. He was wearing the same white robes stained with blood and grime. His wounds from the prior battle were healed, but fresh ones had appeared all over his body. Thanks to these people. Was it possible to feel even worse than he did while fighting Chung Myung?
"Grandfather?" A voice suddenly called out from behind his tormentors.
Tang Bo instantly turned around, his face blooming with happiness. "A-Pyung?" He raised his hand to pat his head. "What are you doing here?"
Jang Ilso blinked. Then again. What was he looking at right now? He recognized that old man as the Tang elder that burnt the Tang Family's home to the ground, destroying their poisons and all that the Tang Family had built. The one that stayed behind to finish making that crude dagger. That old man that Jang Ilso couldn't understand.
That same old man was currently being pat on the head like a child by someone much younger than him.
Tang Jopyung looked at his grandfather, then at the man on the ground, beaten black and blue. "Grandfather, who's this?"
Jang Ilso was surprised. He doesn't recognize him? Perhaps he really is senile.
"Ah, him? He's nobody." Tang Bo waved his hand dismissively, brushing off Jang Ilso's existence. "Grandfathers quite busy right now. Why don't you go run and play? What about that wood carving you were working on earlier? I can't wait to see it."
With that, Tang Jopyung's eyes shone, and he ran off again.
Tang Bo grinned widely. "Haah...kids these days."
"..." said Jang Ilso.
"What?" said Tang Bo.
'Ah, and I thought I was crazy.' Jang Ilso felt defeated, somehow. Despite the pains all over, he managed to get on his feet and stand upright. He stepped back and kept his distance from these strangers.
Tang Bo kept his eye on him the entire time, making sure he didn't try to run. But Jang Ilso just dusted himself off. (Not that it did anything. He was still covered in filth.) And slipped his hand into his sleeve.(What was left of it.) He pulled out a face powder case and started leisurely applying makeup.
After finishing adding the lipstick, he looked towards the three people around him. "Does any one of you have a mirror? Something with a reflection would do, as well."
"..." said Tang Bo
"..." said Chung Jin
"..." said Chung Mun
"Did we beat him too harshly?" Chung Jin whispered to Tang Bo. This guy truly wasn't right in the head. He wondered if ascending to the afterlife could perhaps heal mental wounds with time, as well.
Jang Ilso was currently coated from head to toe in a layer of filth and grime, with a mix of dried and fresh blood. His hair was disheveled, and if you looked closely, you could tell that his clothing used to be white...Moreover, he had bruises all over him--including his face--where a black eye now resides.
In contrast to the rest of his body, his unnaturally pale face stood out. But not even makeup can conceal those wounds. He looked rather absurd.
"Even in the harshest of times, a clown is a clown." Chung Jin spoke dryly.
"Now, Jin-ah. We shouldn't criticize others for what they choose to prioritize." Chung Mun laid a hand on Chung Jin's shoulder. "He's the type to prioritize a vain future over the people close to him in the present. So don't blame him for fussing over how he looks. A person's nature does not change easily. Such is the Tao."
"Is that really part of the Tao?" Tang Bo asked.
"It's close enough." The Sect Leader of Mount Hua drew the Purple Cloud Divine Sword from its sheath and swung it towards Jang Ilso.
Quickly dodging the attack, Jang Ilso laughed bitterly. Not only had he been beaten senseless by these people, but now they were insulting him. But he didn't expect others to understand, since they were all pigs anyway.
(He couldn't help but think about his choice back then, though. Where was Gamyeong-ah now?)
"Ah?" Dodging another strike of the sword, Jang Ilso surveyed his own body once again.
'It seems these wounds healed pretty quick?' As he looked over himself, he noticed the wounds closing up, slowly but surely. He felt his qi which was depleted flowing within again. The side effects of death were intriguing. Atleast he knew there was little chance of being beaten to death again.
He channeled his qi to his fists, and swung back at Chung Mun. Even if he couldn't kill him, he would at least defend himself. But mid swing, he was blocked by a flying dagger embedded with qi hurtling straight towards his face. He was forced to halt his assault and dodge to the side. It narrowed past him, then returned to the hands of its owner.
"Sect Leader, let me handle this! You shouldn't get your sword dirty. Step back, step back." Tang Bo dismissively waved his hand in a shoo-ing motion.
"...You and that brat both..." Chung Mun sighed and wondered once again how Chung Myung could have found someone so eerily similar to him. He lowered and sheathed his sword, stepping back into place besides Chung Jin. "Just hurry on with it."
"Yes, yes. I will, don't worry!" Tang Bo smiled brightly before turning back towards Jang Ilso. His eyes crinkled as his smile deepened, his dimple appearing on the left side of his face. He reached his arms into his sleeves and took his stance.
.
.
.