Fist Demon of Mount Hua - Chapter 170

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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 169. The Fist Demon and the Sword King Collide—1
“Ah! I can breathe again.”
Cho Yeon Woon exhaled sharply, drawing the cold wind deep into his lungs. He stood aboard a large vessel, pushing upriver against the Yangtze.
His mood lifted, and Cho Yeon Woon smiled broadly as he spoke aloud.
“Those who know me are rare; therefore I am precious. Few understand me—and that very scarcity proves my worth.”
“There he goes again, trying to sound profound.”
“Every moment he has to spare, it’s the same old habit—scribbling characters.”
A dozen martial artists surrounding Cho Yeon Woon chattered noisily, leveling their complaints. His expression twisted in annoyance.
“Enough! You beasts.”
“Whoa! Look at that scowl.”
“His face alone could kill a man. He’s gotten even more unbearable while we weren’t looking.”
“He was unpleasant before, but worse now—that’s just the pits.”
Cho Yeon Woon had spoken only a few words, yet dozens came flying back at him.
The scene resembled a bustling marketplace. Yet when the surrounding martial artists saw Cho Yeon Woon’s deepening scowl, they only laughed and chattered louder.
“Damn it! This is what I get. I never wanted to travel with these louts.”
Cho Yeon Woon shook his head.
All the martial artists around him were disciples of Baek Jeon Mun.
Some of those who had joined the Murim Alliance alongside Jang Il San had now gravitated to Cho Yeon Woon.
“You know we’re honored to be traveling with our senior brother, yes? Don’t say such things.”
“Right! Of all people, with the senior brother.”
They had journeyed together for so long that they knew each other better than anyone. Thus they exchanged jests without restraint.
Granted, some remarks scraped a bit raw, but this level of ribbing was entirely bearable.
Cho Yeon Woon glanced sideways. Across from him sat a woman, a sword cradled in her arms, her three-layered hair dancing in the river wind—beautiful and composed.
‘Hae So Wol.’
She was Hae So Wol, the young Sect Leader of Haenam Sect.
A dozen warriors of Haenam Sect were positioned around her as well.
Cho Yeon Woon rose from his seat and walked toward Hae So Wol.
“Oho!”
“Bold of him.”
The martial artists of Baek Jeon Mun erupted in unison with exclamations.
Cho Yeon Woon’s expression twisted once more.
“That’s not it, you beasts.”
“Hahahaha!”
The martial artists of Baek Jeon Mun burst into laughter all at once.
Weary, Cho Yeon Woon shook his head dismissively and continued walking.
“Miss Hae.”
“Yes, Senior Brother Cho.”
Hae So Wol straightened from the railing and replied.
“I hear that you and Haenam Sect have been assigned to Shanxi Province as well. Is that correct?”
“That’s right. Specifically, the northern reaches of Shanxi Province.”
“My disciples and I have been tasked with the southern reaches, so it seems we’ll be crossing paths frequently.”
“It does appear so.”
Hae So Wol answered matter-of-factly.
Since the Heavenly Transformation Palace in Yunnan Province was destroyed by the Demon Cult, the Murim Alliance had been on high alert.
While their own headquarters lay openly visible, the Demon Cult shrouded everything in absolute secrecy.
Nothing was known of the Demon Cult’s strength, not even the location of their main sect. As a result, the Murim Alliance found itself struggling in its campaign against them.
The Murim Alliance had poured all its resources into identifying the enemy’s main base. Not only were the Hao Mun deployed, but young martial artists were sent throughout the Jianghu to gather intelligence.
Cho Yeon Woon and Hae So Wol had received the same assignment.
Each led their respective senior and junior disciples from Baek Jeon Mun and Haenam Sect, tasked with scouring Shanxi Province.
The warriors of the two sects gave off opposing atmospheres. While Baek Jeon Mun’s disciples carried an air of freedom and spontaneity, Haenam Sect’s warriors maintained a tempered, restrained bearing.
Whereas Baek Jeon Mun’s disciples joked freely with their senior brother Cho Yeon Woon and laughed openly, Haenam Sect’s warriors, like Hae So Wol, held their silence.
Cho Yeon Woon asked carefully.
“Just to be prudent, perhaps we should establish an emergency contact network between us?”
“That sounds wise.”
Hae So Wol agreed readily.
“In Taiyuan in Shanxi Province, there is an establishment called the Lin Family Tavern. It is run by a retired disciple of Baek Jeon Mun. Should you ever need our assistance, leave word there, and we shall come at once. The same applies in reverse—please keep the Lin Family Tavern in mind at all times.”
“Understood.”
“But……”
Suddenly, Cho Yeon Woon’s voice dropped. Hae So Wol regarded him with a curious gaze.
“Have you heard any news from him?”
Cho Yeon Woon hadn’t named anyone in particular. But Hae So Wol grasped instantly whom he meant.
“Not at all.”
“I see. I heard he’d entered Anhui Province, but there’s been no word since then.”
…….
“I just hope nothing’s gone wrong…….”
Even as he spoke, doubt colored his voice. The Dam Ho that Cho Yeon Woon knew never retreated.
Hae So Wol gazed toward the river.
‘Dam Ho.’
Her eyes grew complicated with feeling.
Dam Ho’s infamy had reached its peak in the Jianghu.
The alias “Fist Demon” commanded fear throughout the Jianghu nearly as deep as the Demon Cult itself. To those who lived by the sword, Dam Ho had become terror incarnate.
Naturally, countless warriors harbored hostility toward him. The Haenam Sect, to which she belonged, was no exception. From Elder O Gun Ui, the White Sword Swordmaster, down to the lowest disciples, many trembled before Dam Ho’s name—and hated him for it.
Dam Ho was strong.
So formidable that Gu Mu Ryong, whom the Jianghu commonly called its greatest late-stage master, could not stand against him.
He had already ascended beyond the late-stage tier into the highest ranks of the Jianghu. While any such feat would draw admiration, Dam Ho had instead become an object of dread.
Hae So Wol still could not fathom Dam Ho’s path.
‘Perhaps she never would…….’
Dam Ho stood shirtless in the creek, washing away the blood and dust clinging to his skin with water so cold it cut like glass.
Each time the chill touched a wound, agony bloomed beneath the surface. But Dam Ho neither flinched nor grimaced, only tilted his head back, and as the water cascaded over him, the muscles of his torso—drawn taut to their limit—flexed and trembled.

“Exhale——”
When Dam Ho finished his ablution, he let out a long breath.
Though he’d scrubbed the blood from his skin, the sharp iron scent still clung to him, woven into every fiber.
He’d stopped counting how many he’d killed. Yet their blood had marked him so deeply it would not wash away—a weight he would carry to the grave.
Karma that would follow him all his life.
Dam Ho climbed out of the creek.
Just then, Jong Ri Yeon emerged from the brush nearby and spoke.
“Cold water isn’t good for the body. Well, you’ve already bathed, so there’s nothing for it now.”
Her hands held several medicinal herbs she’d gathered from the forest while Dam Ho washed. She began grinding them finely between two smooth stones.
The herbs crumbled into a fine paste.
“I’ll apply this to your wounds. It should help mend the external injuries.”
Without waiting for his permission, she began spreading the crushed herbs thickly across each wound.
Where the herbs touched raw flesh, searing pain flared—far harsher than the cold water’s sting. Yet Dam Ho made not a sound.
Jong Ri Yeon studied his face intently.
“Just as I thought.”
“Thought what?”
“That someone numbed to their own suffering can become numb to the suffering of others.”
…….
“I don’t know what drives you to such extremes, but even so, it might do you good to show yourself a little mercy. There—all done.”
Clap!
She patted the final bandaged area and dusted off her hands. Dam Ho’s brow furrowed slightly as he watched her, but Jong Ri Yeon only smiled brightly, untroubled.
“Come now, we should leave. We can’t stay here forever.”
“You’re coming with me?”
“My! Are you truly going to abandon a lady?”
“There’s nothing good for you in my company.”
“Is it because the Namgoong Clan has made you their target?”
…….
“I’m in the same position. As you see, I refused their request, so I cannot remain in Anhui Province. I don’t ask for much—only your company until we’ve crossed into another province.”
“Do you have somewhere to go?”
“There’s a patient waiting for me in Runan, Henan Province.”
“Another patient?”
“I’m a physician. If someone is waiting for me, I must go, no matter where.”
“Then why didn’t you join the Namgoong Clan?”
“The Namgoong Clan has many excellent physicians besides me. But for Yeon, there is only me.”
“And yet you’ve made an enemy of the entire clan for that reason?”
“There was no other choice.”
Jong Ri Yeon answered with an unconcerned expression.
As she walked, she continued.
“In the practice of medicine, countless temptations arrive at the door. Those with power crave life’s extension most fiercely, and they believe money and authority can bend anything to their will. If I yielded to such people, I’d lose all capacity to help those who truly needed me.”
“You’re not afraid of them?”
“And you? A Fist Demon, they say. You’ve killed countless people and made a name for yourself across the Jianghu and Murim. What about you?”
“I don’t care.”
“Neither do I. I don’t care either.”
Jong Ri Yeon smiled brightly.
Dam Ho gazed at her for a moment.
Runan in Henan Province lay squarely on the road to Hua Shan anyway. There was no reason to turn back, no time to waste on detours.
“It could be dangerous.”
“Perhaps.”
“Yet you’ll come with me regardless?”
“Well, it’s better than a woman traveling alone, isn’t it?”
“Is it?”
“Yes. The Jianghu is far too perilous for a woman to wander alone. Especially one as lovely as I am.”
Jong Ri Yeon smiled.
Dam Ho turned away in silence. Jong Ri Yeon hurried after him, flustered.
“Why? Am I not pretty? I hear that all the time.”
……
“I’m serious.”
Jong Ri Yeon drew close to his side, so she wouldn’t be left behind. She was giggling softly the whole time.
“Up.”
Dam Ho helped her onto Black Ghost.
Jong Ri Yeon climbed on without protest. Dam Ho reached to mount as well, but his movements froze abruptly.
“What’s wrong?”
Jong Ri Yeon looked at him with confusion.
“Ride Black Ghost away from here. Now.”
“Pardon?”
“A guest has arrived.”
“A guest?”
Jong Ri Yeon’s face turned rigid.
The air chilled in an instant, and goosebumps crawled across her skin.
“What is this?”
………
Dam Ho did not answer.
He felt a sharp, probing energy—as though a blade were scraping the nerves—and a formidable presence that claimed the entire region as its domain.
The opponent was only one.
But not to be underestimated.
How could a martial artist who alone filled an entire area with their presence be anything but extraordinary?
Dam Ho turned to face the direction.
Several hundred paces away, a colossal tree rose into the sky. Every time the wind blew, the branches at its crown swayed dizzily.
Upon one branch—thin as a willow switch—stood a figure.
An old man in his early fifties, a sword clutched to his chest.
The moment Jong Ri Yeon laid eyes on him, she felt as though an invisible blade had torn through her chest. Her face drained of color.
“The… the Sword King?”
The words spilled out unbidden. And her guess was correct.
The old man standing atop the great tree was none other than Namgoong Cheon.
Head of the Namgoong Clan and a swordmaster—an absolute martial artist who had reached the pinnacle of the sword’s Way—had appeared here.
“At last we meet, Fist Demon!”
He kicked off the slender branch beneath his feet. It bent like a bow and launched him skyward.
Namgoong Cheon bounded tens of paces in a single leap, yet still hundreds remained between him and Dam Ho.
As his body began its inevitable descent, a sword suddenly drew from his robes and flew toward Dam Ho.
Clang!
Namgoong Cheon used his right foot to kick off his own left shoulder with the Foot-Step Climbing Technique, landing upon the descending sword.
In that instant, Jong Ri Yeon’s cry pierced the air.
“The… the Sword Flight Technique?”

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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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