Fist Demon of Mount Hua - Chapter 110

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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 109. Banquets Always Have Uninvited Guests—3
The total annihilation of the Hebei Peng Family’s forces became known to the world through Peng Guan Young, the sole survivor.
Having barely escaped with his life, Peng Guan Young rode through the night and arrived in Akyang. He informed Namgoong Chang of the existence of the Golden Horse Lion and the complete destruction of the Peng Family’s forces, then collapsed into unconsciousness.
It was not only the Hebei Peng Family.
The martial artists of the Wudang Sect who were coming to Dongting Lake were also said to have been ambushed by an unidentified force. Fortunately, the Wudang Sect’s forces were formidable enough to repel the attackers. However, the Wudang Sect had sustained considerable losses, which delayed their arrival.
Though the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans tried to conceal the matter, they could not silence the attention of so many people.
Rumor snowballed and spread, until all of Hunan Province came to know of it.
Only then did people realize that the gathering of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans was not for some routine assembly.
Something was happening in a place unknown to them. This was why such enormous powers as the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans were holding this conference.
People began to watch closely the movements of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans as they arrived at Dongting Lake.
As the situation deteriorated so rapidly, none was more troubled than Namgoong Chang.
Losing the Golden Sword Brigade to Dam Ho had been a heavy blow. Having lost all those who could serve as his limbs and eyes, his room for maneuver had shrunk considerably.
He had requested reinforcements from the Namgoong Clan. But the distance between here and Anhui Province, where the clan was based, exceeded thousands of miles.
Even if the reinforcements departed as quickly as possible, it would take at least ten days or more. During that time, what Namgoong Chang could accomplish would be severely limited.
“Tch!”
Namgoong Chang gnawed at his lip.
Though he rarely revealed his true feelings in ordinary times, now his anxiety was written plainly across his face.
Before Namgoong Chang sat O Gun Ui.
O Gun Ui’s expression was equally grave.
“The Hebei Peng Family’s forces completely annihilated. Then surely…….”
“The Demonic Cult.”
“Hngh.”
At Namgoong Chang’s answer, O Gun Ui closed his eyes, exhaling heavily.
The Demonic Cult had last shown itself twelve years ago. At that time, the masters of the Wudang Sect, Hua Shan Sect, and Zhongnan School had set out for Sae Oe, and after a fierce battle there with the remnant forces of the Demonic Cult, they had driven them back.
That was what the world knew, and most people believed it to be true. Yet a few wise souls had not accepted it at face value.
Namgoong Chang was one such person, and another was the Wudang Sect’s Cheong Heo Zhenren.
Cheong Heo Zhenren of the Wudang Sect was the one who had personally led martial artists to fight the remnant forces of the Demonic Cult at Cheongeum Ma Og. Therefore, he knew the true circumstances of that time better than anyone.
Suspecting that the Demonic Cult’s remnants had chosen to self-destruct far too easily, he conducted an investigation. Through it, he discovered that the number of Demonic Cult disciples who died at Cheongeum Ma Og was far fewer than claimed.
Cheong Heo Zhenren concluded that the Demonic Cult had smuggled away most of the forces they had cultivated there. Yet he could not recklessly spread such a conclusion.
In the end, Cheong Heo Zhenren quietly sought someone to assist him, and one of those he found was Namgoong Chang of the Namgoong Clan.
Though many doubted, Namgoong Chang believed Cheong Heo Zhenren’s judgment to be sound. In the end, the two men formed a bond and pursued traces of the Demonic Cult.
After more than a decade of effort, they became convinced that the remnant forces of the Demonic Cult had infiltrated Jungshin.
If the Demonic Cult’s remnants truly were operating covertly within Jungshin, existing sects would have limits in responding to them. This was why they sought to establish the Murim Alliance.
Over the years, they met and persuaded the leadership of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans. Their persistent efforts finally bore fruit, and a formal conference was held here at Dongting Lake.
That was why the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans had gathered here at Dongting Lake.
Cheong Heo Zhenren had initiated the establishment of the Murim Alliance from pure motives of opposing the Demonic Cult, but Namgoong Chang’s position was somewhat different.
He had taken the lead in founding the Murim Alliance hoping that the Namgoong Clan would reap greater benefit. And he desired that the Namgoong Clan would produce the Alliance Leader.
The Murim Alliance was being recreated after decades. If the Namgoong Clan produced the Alliance Leader, its status would inevitably rise. And great honor would surely follow for Namgoong Chang, who had spearheaded the Alliance’s establishment.
“I thought the Demonic Cult would certainly be operating covertly in Jungshin, but I never anticipated they would attack the Peng Family and the Wudang Sect like this. This is truly unexpected.”
The corners of Namgoong Chang’s eyes quivered.
One thing had now been proven.
That the Demonic Cult truly existed. And that they found the establishment of the Murim Alliance deeply troubling.
O Gun Ui gazed directly at Namgoong Chang.
“Given this development, we must accelerate the establishment of the Murim Alliance even more.”
“Indeed we must.”
“We need to convene all the sects that have arrived at Dongting Lake as soon as possible. We cannot afford to idle away holding a leisurely conference at Cheonha First Tower.”
“I understand.”
Namgoong Chang’s reply carried no strength.
Had the Golden Sword Brigade remained intact, there would have been no reason to be overshadowed in negotiations with other sects. But now the Namgoong Clan had only Namgoong Chang and Namgoong Su. They could only be outmatched by the other sects’ power.
For Namgoong Chang, who had hoped to solidify his position by spearheading the establishment of the Murim Alliance, it was a fatal blow.
‘If only it hadn’t been for Kwon Ma…….’
Namgoong Chang clenched his teeth. But the moment Dam Ho’s face came to mind, his heart raced wildly and sweat poured down like rain.
‘Grr!’
In the end, he forced himself to erase Dam Ho’s name from his thoughts.
Convincing himself that now was not the time.
“Convene all the sects that have arrived at Dongting Lake. We will hold an emergency council.”
“A wise decision. I will order my disciples to gather all the sects.”
“Hngh.”
Namgoong Chang’s nodding head showed no vigor in his eyes.
Someone had visited the Seo Poong Guest Inn. The person he met was Cho Yeon Woon.
Cho Yeon Woon’s expression hardened.
“This is getting complicated.”
“What is?”
Bang Jin Bo’s face creased with confusion. At that, Cho Yeon Woon’s brow furrowed.
“You don’t need to know.”
“I don’t want to know anyway.”
“Then why ask?”
“It just seemed like you wanted me to care.”
“Ugh!”
Cho Yeon Woon’s face twisted.
By now the two had grown quite close. That meant they knew much about each other. Close enough that words like these came easily, without hesitation.
“I’m going to see So Cheong.”
“So Cheong? Why?”
Bang Jin Bo’s eyes widened. Cho Yeon Woon chuckled at the reaction.
“Apparently So Cheong’s coming to today’s gathering.”
In an instant, Bang Jin Bo’s expression twisted. For some reason, Cho Yeon Woon felt a surge of delight at the sight.
“Why is So Cheong even participating in the gathering?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“Tch!”
“Stop scowling and make something to eat. I’m hungry.”
“Seriously! Am I some full-time cook? You’re always asking me to make things.”
“You discriminate against people, don’t you? When Dam Ho’s hungry, you make whatever he wants right away. Why treat me differently?”
“Are Dam Ho and you the same?”
“What, they’re not?”
“They’re not.”
Bang Jin Bo answered without a moment’s hesitation.
Cho Yeon Woon stared at him for a moment, then lowered his head.
“I’m hurt.”
“That won’t help you.”
“Why do you keep treating me unfairly? Can’t you just do it?”
This time Cho Yeon Woon adopted a pitiful expression. Bang Jin Bo sighed.
“Fine, fine. I’ll do it.”
“Ha!”
Cho Yeon Woon grinned widely, as though he hadn’t just worn that wounded look moments before.
Bang Jin Bo shook his head and made his way toward the Cooking Stove.
“Sigh…”
His exhale echoed in Cho Yeon Woon’s ears.
“What a good-natured fellow.”
Cho Yeon Woon murmured as he turned his gaze away.
But shadows lay thick across his face—the laughter had already drained from it.
Dam Ho entered Cho Yeon Woon’s field of vision.
Dam Ho sat with his back against a tree, eyes closed, leaving his thoughts a mystery.
Cho Yeon Woon approached and dropped down beside him.
“Friend.”
……
Dam Ho opened his eyes and looked at Cho Yeon Woon.
Those eyes were deep and black as fathomless night. Most men would have felt their knees tremble just meeting that gaze, but Cho Yeon Woon spoke with perfect calm.
“I think I need to step away for a while.”
At Cho Yeon Woon’s sudden words, Dam Ho fixed him with a steady stare.
He was a man of few words by nature.
“The Hebei Peng Family was attacked by the Demonic Cult and nearly annihilated. The Wudang Sect suffered considerable losses as well.”
“The Demonic Cult?”
For the first time, Dam Ho spoke.
The weight of those words hung heavy in the air.
“Yes. The sole survivor of the Hebei Peng Family testified to it.”
Dam Ho’s brow twitched.
The Hebei Peng Family—one of the Five Great Clans. Their strength could hardly be insignificant. Yet if they’d been utterly destroyed, the enemy’s power must have been formidable indeed.
“Because of that, all the sects that’ve arrived here have been put on alert. Namgoong Chang has called an emergency assembly of the major figures from the various sects gathered at Dongting Lake.”
……
“That’s why I think I should go as well.”
“Why?”
“Why? It seems you keep forgetting who I am, my friend. I’m Cho Yeon Woon. And I’m the Faction Leader of the Baekjeon School. Since there’s no Master here, I have to stand in his place.”
“Does the Baekjeon School have the standing to participate in their gathering?”
“Ha! You’re the only one in all the Jianghu who’d dismiss the Baekjeon School like that. The heroes didn’t just hand over the Baekjeon Victory Record to us for nothing, I’ll have you know.”
The Baekjeon Victory Record was a symbol of victory in the war against the Demonic Cult. Any sect that held it was inevitably thrust into the vanguard of that same war.
“So naturally, I have to attend the gathering.”
At Cho Yeon Woon’s explanation, Dam Ho bobbed his head slowly.
Dam Ho didn’t know how much value the Baekjeon Victory Record truly held. But he could feel how proudly Cho Yeon Woon regarded it.
“Still, it’s fortunate that sects like Hua Shan have arrived safely.”
“Hua… Shan? They’ve come to Akyang?”
“Why? Are you interested in Hua Shan?”
…….
“They arrived a few days ago, I heard.”
Dam Ho’s eyes narrowed.
Though he had no longing for Hua Shan, he wasn’t entirely without interest in them either.
“They’re staying at a place called San Wol Estate.”
“San Wol Estate?”
“It’s a manor owned by the Akyang Sword Sect. It’s on the outskirts of Akyang, so finding it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Cho Yeon Woon spoke even to things Dam Ho hadn’t asked.
Having wandered across Jungshin since childhood, Cho Yeon Woon had met countless people and gained diverse experience—his intuition was sharp as a result.
He instinctively sensed that Dam Ho was connected to Hua Shan in some way.
Most martial masters who rose to prominence in the Jianghu had clear lineages or affiliations.
There were stories of dragons emerging from streams, but those were tales of an older generation.
Since the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans established their foothold, the dominion of the Jianghu had always belonged to them.
Systematically organized martial manuals refined over centuries, and exceptional mentors from great families. The optimal environment and resources for cultivating martial arts.
If ordinary sects walked overgrown paths where the grass grew so thick one could barely see ahead, the disciples of renowned clans raced down well-maintained roads.
When the starting point differed, the destination inevitably diverged as well. Even with the finest secret manuals, martial arts learned alone rarely achieved great heights—such was reality.
Because of these circumstances, the origins of those who rose to prominence in the Jianghu were almost always clear.
Cho Yeon Woon himself would never have achieved his present standing had he not met an excellent master like Jang Il San.
Yet Dam Ho’s martial lineage was strangely difficult to trace.
Such overwhelming martial prowess that defied common sense, and a body refined to the extreme—these could never be forged in a single day.
There had to be an origin to the martial arts that had brought him to this level. And judging from Dam Ho’s reaction just now, it seemed he had a fairly deep connection to Hua Shan.
‘But could he really be connected to Hua Shan? His martial arts are so different from theirs, though.’
Cho Yeon Woon shook his head slowly.
There was still far more he didn’t know about Dam Ho than what he did. Yet he felt oddly pleased to have caught a glimpse of one of his secrets.
‘Now I should probably head to the gathering soon.’
It was the moment Cho Yeon Woon began to rise.
“Let’s eat.”
Bang Jin Bo’s voice rang out loudly.
“Still, we should eat before we go.”
Cho Yeon Woon settled back down.
‘Damn him!’
In the distance, Bang Jin Bo was approaching with a laden tray.
Cho Yeon Woon’s mouth began to water despite himself.

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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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