Fist Demon of Mount Hua - Chapter 109

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 108. Uninvited Guests Always Come to Feasts—Part 2
San Yue Manor was a modest estate located on the outskirts of Akyang. It was one of several retreats owned by Sima Gyeong Won, the leader of the Akyang Sword Sect.
“This is pleasant.”
Han So Yoo murmured to herself as she surveyed San Yue Manor.
Befitting the country estate of Sima Gyeong Won, the undisputed power of Akyang, San Yue Manor was immaculate and meticulously maintained. Thanks to this, the martial artists of the Hua Shan Sect could rest at ease.
After receiving such generous hospitality and sleeping deeply, the fatigue accumulated during their journey dissolved as if washed away.
“I wish my seniors could have come as well.”
She genuinely missed that Mu Gyeong and Un Gyeong couldn’t make the journey. Yet she understood all too well why it was impossible.
Mu Gyeong was the designated heir who would lead the next generation of the Hua Shan Sect, and Un Gyeong was the capable talent who would aid him in revitalizing the sect. If they left their posts, it would deal a serious blow to the sect’s operations.
They had already become the heart of the Hua Shan Sect—central figures who could not afford to be absent, and who must not be absent.
Han So Yoo had come here in place of such extraordinary people. She could not help but feel the weight of that responsibility.
It was then.
“Seonja.”
A familiar voice suddenly pulled her from her thoughts.
Han So Yoo turned her head and saw Myeong Gyeong.
“What weighty matter occupies your mind so? I called you several times and you didn’t answer.”
“Oh, just this and that. But what is it? Myeong Gyeong.”
“Nothing in particular.”
Myeong Gyeong laughed brightly.
Watching him, Han So Yoo shook her head slightly.
Having become a First-generation Disciple only recently, Myeong Gyeong harbored endless curiosity. Ever since arriving at San Yue Manor, he’d been itching to slip outside whenever he found the chance.
He’d made a show of trying to restrain himself for a day, but his inquisitiveness had clearly gotten the better of him.
“You want to go outside?”
“Don’t you wish to see the sights of Akyang, Seonja?”
“Well…”
“Come, let’s go together, Seonja.”
“Sigh.”
At his earnest plea, Han So Yoo released a quiet sigh. But soon she nodded. She recalled Hyun Gyeom’s request that she allow Myeong Gyeong to gather as much experience as possible.
“All right. Let’s go.”
“Thank you, Seonja.”
Myeong Gyeong beamed. Her mood brightened in turn.
The two set out from San Yue Manor side by side, heading toward the bustling heart of Akyang.
Myeong Gyeong looked about curiously and spoke.
“There really are so many people here.”
“The eyes and ears of the entire Jianghu are focused on this place, so of course there are crowds.”
“Is it because of the Murim Alliance?”
“Shh!”
“Ah! It’s still confidential, isn’t it? I’m sorry.”
“It will become common knowledge soon enough, but we must still be careful.”
“I understand.”
Myeong Gyeong nodded obediently.
Despite his formidable martial prowess, Myeong Gyeong still harbored more innocence than sophistication. He required considerable guidance.
Looking at him, Han So Yoo found herself remembering someone else’s face.
The face of a boy now forgotten even within the Hua Shan Sect.
‘Dam Ho.’
Thinking of him, she could not help but feel a hollow loneliness settle in her chest.
‘Once we return to Hua Shan, I should visit Hyun So’s quarters.’
She had made no visits to the Zhenren’s dwelling all this time, claiming busyness as her excuse. But Han So Yoo knew the truth. It was merely an excuse.
The real reason was fear.
She knew all too well how dearly Hyun So had cherished and loved his disciple Dam Ho.
She lacked the courage to face the tremendous grief she knew he must be suffering. And so she had turned away.
She was not alone in harboring such feelings.
Any disciple of the Hua Shan Sect—especially any First-generation Disciple—would surely share her sentiment.
“Seonja, let’s go there.”
Myeong Gyeong’s voice again pulled her from her reverie.
He pointed toward a fairly large inn situated on the banks of Dongting Lake. It was crowded with customers.
The voices of the patrons filled the air, and there was a palpable sense of vitality.
Myeong Gyeong had always been drawn to such places.
“Yes, let’s go.”
Han So Yoo followed his lead.
“Welcome.”
As they entered the inn, Dian Xiao Yi greeted them.
“Do you have any seats available?”
“There is space in the back, though I must warn you it’s rather loud. Will that suit you?”
“That’s fine.”
“Then please follow me.”
At Myeong Gyeong’s reply, Dian Xiao Yi broke into a broad smile and led the way.
Dian Xiao Yi brought them to a corner table deep within the inn. True to his word, the spot was quite noisy.
Yet Myeong Gyeong’s expression brightened—while Han So Yoo let out a quiet sigh.
“What may I bring you?”
“Noodle soup and roasted duck. One order.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
Dian Xiao Yi hurried to the kitchen as soon as he’d taken their order.
With his order placed, Myeong Gyeong glanced around with evident curiosity. At nearly every table, patrons sat clustered together in conversation.
Most striking were the voices of merchants gathered at a nearby table, their words carrying with surprising clarity.
“Isn’t he something, though?”
“What do you mean?”
“Quan Ma, of course.”
“Ah! Quan Ma.”
“The man’s unstoppable, isn’t he?”
“You’re calling that monster ‘something’? Are you out of your mind?”
A lean merchant rebuked the stout one who’d spoken first. Yet the portly man remained unruffled.
“What? You don’t agree with me, then?”
“Destroyed the Seochen Mountain Estate, dealt a heavy blow to Hong Am Mountain Estate, and now he’s slain the Sect Leader of Hyung San Sect. Mark my words—he’s a demon of great malice, a scourge upon Jianghu. I can’t fathom why the Nine Great Sects haven’t eliminated such an evil martial artist already.”
“Hmph! But does he have the power?”
“Power? If the Nine Great Sects lack power, which sect could possibly possess it?”
“Look at what the Nine Great Sects have done lately. After their war with the Demonic Cult ended, they’ve done nothing but hide. Can such cowards truly face Quan Ma with their full strength?”
“Hmph! In the end, Quan Ma is just one man. There’s no way he can stand against the Nine Great Sects, who hold the apex of Jianghu.”
“You’ve forgotten already? Nan Xue, a First-generation Disciple of the Sect Leader of Gong Dong Faction—one of the Nine Great Sects—was humbled by him. Give it a few years more, and Quan Ma will surpass even the Sect Leaders of the Nine Great Sects in achievement.”
“That’s absurd.”
“Care to wager on it?”
“Done! I’ll take that bet.”
The merchants’ voices snagged Myeong Gyeong’s attention.
He murmured under his breath.
“Quan Ma……”
“That name’s been on everyone’s lips lately.”
A flicker of interest crossed Han So Yoo’s face.
Since arriving in Akyang, the most frequently heard title was indeed Quan Ma’s.
The servants and martial artists who managed San Yue Manor spoke of little else, and countless others bandied about tales of Quan Ma’s prowess.
Though martial artists from the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans continued to gather along Akyang and Dongting Lake, the locals seemed more captivated by talk of this man called Quan Ma.
Whenever two or more people gathered, they spoke of Quan Ma, and the entire district buzzed with his name.
What captured attention most was the fact that he’d defeated Nan Xue of Gong Dong Faction.
Nan Xue was one of the Nine Dragons.
Like Myeong Gyeong himself, he was counted among the Nine Dragons, and by defeating such a man, Quan Ma had earned a blazing reputation.
For Myeong Gyeong, who numbered himself among the Nine Dragons, such news sat poorly.
What’s more, his master Hyun Gyeom had commanded him to fell all Nine Dragons and proclaim the greatness of Hua Shan Sect to all under heaven.
“He too must be struck down.”
Watching Myeong Gyeong’s competitive spirit kindle, Han So Yoo’s expression grew uneasy.
Behind that innocent face lay a burning pride and warlike disposition.
That had not always been Myeong Gyeong’s nature. It was a character cultivated over time.
By Hyun Gyeom himself.
Though her own disciple, he unsettled her at times.
‘What on earth is he……’
A creation born from Hyun Gyeom’s obsession.
Each time Han So Yoo looked upon Myeong Gyeong, such thoughts filled her mind. Yet she never spoke them aloud.
After all, Myeong Gyeong was her disciple, and the future of Hua Shan Sect.
Shortly after, their food arrived.
The noodle soup was clean and refined; the roasted duck, delicate and unadorned.
‘I should bring others here another time.’
So thinking, Han So Yoo lifted her chopsticks. Myeong Gyeong too tasted the meal, a slight smile playing at his lips.
“This is delicious.”
“Mm!”
“What kind of person was Dam Ho?”
“Hmm?”
Han So Yoo’s chopsticks stilled at the sudden question.
Myeong Gyeong smiled at her, watching her eyes blink.
“Oh, I just happened to overhear. Someone mentioned there was a man called Dam Ho—apparently he existed before I became a First-generation Disciple. And they said he was unusually close to the Sect Leader?”
“Sigh.”
Han So Yoo exhaled quietly at his innocent question.
She’d never imagined, not even in dreams, that Dam Ho’s name would come from Myeong Gyeong’s lips.
All this time, the Daoist name Dam Ho had been nothing short of a taboo within the Hua Shan Sect. The disciples avoided mentioning it, treating him as though he’d never existed at all.
“Who told you that?”
“I said—I just happened to hear it. But when I asked around, everyone gave me the same reaction as you’re giving now.”
“What kind of reaction?”
“The look of someone who’s heard something they shouldn’t have. That exact expression.”
Han So Yoo’s pupils trembled, her lips pressed tight. It was a reaction that had escaped her control.
Myeong Gyeong watched her face with amusement.
It was rare to see such cracks in Han So Yoo’s usually composed demeanor.
He found himself savoring this unfamiliar experience.
After a long silence, Han So Yoo finally spoke.
“Dam Ho is… a sore point for the Hua Shan Sect. No, it would be more accurate to say a severed finger.”
“I’d like to hear more.”
“Not now.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m not ready to talk about it. Not yet… Just know that much for now.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry!”
“Not at all. It’s understandable.”
Myeong Gyeong shook his head with a gentle smile. Yet curiosity tugged at him nonetheless.
‘Well, I’ll find out someday. It’s probably not that important anyway.’
He was reconciling himself to this thought when—
“Sect Leader, Senior Brother.”
The door to the room burst open, and Won Yul, a Second-generation Disciple of the Hua Shan Sect, came rushing in.
“I found you! I didn’t know you were here and searched every inn in Akyang.”
Both of them rose, their expressions turning curious at his frantic arrival.
“What’s happened?”
“Something terrible.”
“Terrible?”
“The masters of the Hebei Peng Family who were coming here have been ambushed. They’ve suffered casualties near total. Zhenren Hyun Mu has ordered you to come at once.”
The two of them rose without hesitation.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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