Fist Demon of Mount Hua - Chapter 179

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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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Chapter 179. The Years Bring New Bonds—Part 3
Dam Ho changed into fresh clothes.
A black leather upper and lower garment, and a leather wind cloak that covered his torso down to his knees. His appearance recalled that of a great black panther.
“It suits you perfectly.”
Jongli Yeon let out an exclamation of admiration as she took in Dam Ho’s appearance.
True to the clothier’s boasts, the garments were strikingly handsome. And they fit Dam Ho remarkably well.
Dam Ho nodded.
Beyond the cut, the fit felt right. There was no stiffness or awkwardness in his movements.
Dam Ho turned his gaze toward Jongli Yeon.
“Much obliged. I’ll wear them well.”
“That’s all that matters.”
Jongli Yeon smiled.
The two mounted their horses. It was time to leave Sinyang.
Jongli Yeon spoke.
“You haven’t forgotten your promise, have you? To take me to Yeohang.”
“I haven’t.”
Dam Ho nodded.
He longed to see Hyun So the Zhenren as soon as possible. But he could not break a promise already made. Besides, he would have to pass through Yeohang anyway to reach Shanxi Province where Hua Shan lay.
“Who’s waiting for you in Yeohang?”
“Someone who needs the care of a physician.”
“Is that so?”
“Someone who has been looking only at me for a long time.”
“No matter how skilled a physician you are, you cannot save everyone.”
“I know. But that doesn’t mean I should stop trying either. I’ll do what I can.”
Jongli Yeon laughed.
She had wrestled with this all night.
She did not possess Dam Ho’s unshakeable resolve, nor did she believe she ever could.
But she had resolved to do her utmost.
If, after exhausting all her efforts, matters still lay beyond her reach—then that belonged to a realm not hers to command. That was the conclusion she had reached.
Dam Ho nodded at the certainty in her words.
“Then let’s go.”
“Let’s!”
She urged her horse forward first.
Dam Ho mounted Black Ghost and followed in her wake.
The two rode north out of Sinyang.
In the distance, the majestic form of Dabyeol Mountain came into view. The mountain was renowned for its beauty, and even from afar, that splendor was unmistakably evident.
“It’s a shame. I’ve always wanted to visit Dabyeol Mountain.”
While staying in Nammanho nearby out of concern for pursuit by the Murim Alliance, she had never found the chance to go. This weighed on her still.
Dam Ho gazed silently at Dabyeol Mountain.
For him, who had spent his childhood at Hua Shan, the mountain’s beauty stirred little emotion.
In this contrast of feeling, the two rode on for some time in silence.
Jongli Yeon’s horse was not as exceptional a steed as Black Ghost, but its stamina was remarkable. Even after long hours of riding, it showed no sign of fatigue. Thanks to this, the pair had covered considerable distance in the short time since leaving Sinyang.
“Phew! Wouldn’t it be good to rest here for a while?”
Jongli Yeon wiped the sweat from her brow with her sleeve as she spoke.
“Agreed.”
It was past time for a rest in any case. Both Black Ghost and Jongli Yeon’s horse needed a break.
Dam Ho surveyed the surroundings.
Near a small stream, there was a suitable clearing. In its center lay a large, flat rock that seemed perfect for a brief respite.
“We’ll rest there.”
“Yes.”
The two sat together on the rock.
Jongli Yeon rummaged through her bundle and withdrew two small rice balls wrapped in lotus leaves. She had prepared them before leaving the inn.
She handed one to Dam Ho.
“Please eat. I made them in haste, but they should be palatable enough.”
Dam Ho nodded and took the rice ball.
The rice ball Jongli Yeon had made was quite tasty. Though plain in appearance, it held many ingredients and made for a sufficient meal.
As Dam Ho ate, his mind turned to Bang Jin Bo.
Had Bang Jin Bo been traveling with him, they would surely have enjoyed a hearty meal here. He missed those days, though without regret.
It had become clear to him at Paewang Fortress, during his battles with the Demon Cult’s martial artists. If he continued alongside Bang Jin Bo, his friend would be drawn into danger.
Whether he liked it or not, Dam Ho stood at the center of a maelstrom of blood. To walk with him was to be swept into that vortex.
At Paewang Fortress, Ban Jin Bo could cook whatever dishes he favored, and Dam Ho would push for him to open an establishment bearing his own name.
Dam Ho believed this was the best path forward for Ban Jin Bo.
Jongli Yeon watched Dam Ho’s profile in silence as he ate rice balls, observing the strong line of his jaw and eyes sunken with something deep.
His face hadn’t changed from how it was before, yet Jongli Yeon sensed that something had shifted in him.
It was while the two of them were eating their rice balls without speaking that it happened.
“We’ll rest here for a while.”
“Yes!”
Suddenly, voices erupted loudly around them. When they looked up, they saw more than a dozen carriages and dozens of people.
On the flags planted atop the carriage roofs, the four characters of Sinhwa Merchant Guild were written clearly.
Jongli Yeon murmured upon seeing the flags.
“The Sinhwa Merchant Guild?”
“Do you know of them?”
“Of course I do. They’re the greatest merchant guild under heaven. Whenever the commercial world discusses itself, the Sinhwa Merchant Guild is always at the center. The vast wealth they possess is said to be enough to encompass all under heaven.”
“The greatest under heaven, you say……”
“No one knows exactly how much wealth they’ve accumulated over the past few decades. But if they so wished, they could buy the entirety of Henan Province. That’s how tremendous the fortune they’ve amassed truly is.”
The master of the Sinhwa Merchant Guild was Won Hoe Sang.
Won Hoe Sang’s epithet was the Gold Worm.
He possessed an almost supernatural talent for sniffing out profit, and the epithet had been given to him because he would not hesitate to journey through any treacherous terrain if money was involved.
The Sinhwa Merchant Guild even operated an escort service under its wing, and it was said that formidable masters filled the ranks of the Sinhwa Escort Service. Because of this, even the ruthless bandits of Nokrim avoided confrontation with them.
“We have earlier guests, it seems.”
Someone from the Sinhwa Merchant Guild stepped forward.
He appeared to be in his late thirties, carrying more the air of a scholar-gentleman than a martial artist. Yet that was merely his outward appearance.
His name was Yun Sa Il, the External Master of the Sinhwa Merchant Guild, and he was such an accomplished martial artist that he bore the epithet Poison Heart Asura.
Though he was the External Master of the Sinhwa Merchant Guild, he rarely took direct part in commercial expeditions himself. His presence now suggested that this particular venture was of considerable importance.
Yun Sa Il drove his horse toward Dam Ho and Jongli Yeon.
“I am Yun Sa Il, External Master of the Sinhwa Merchant Guild. I regret that our arrival has caused inconvenience to those of you who came before us. However, there is nowhere else nearby suitable for rest, so I humbly request that we might share this space. I would be most grateful if you would receive us uninvited guests with generous hearts.”
Yun Sa Il’s words were spoken with great courtesy.
His manners were impeccable, yet never servile.
Dam Ho nodded silently in assent.
“Much obliged!”
Yun Sa Il bowed and returned to his company.
“Now then, we’ll rest here for a time. Please see to your provisions and water as needed.”
“Yes!”
The martial artists and merchants of the Sinhwa Merchant Guild dismounted their horses. Though so many people gathered might ordinarily have created noise and disorder, they moved with remarkable discipline, and no one spoke carelessly.
Even as they gathered in small groups and ate their provisions, the people of the Sinhwa Merchant Guild maintained perfect composure.
They resembled soldiers far more than merchants or martial artists.
Watching the Sinhwa Merchant Guild in this manner, Jongli Yeon let out an exclamation of admiration.
“There’s a rumor that the Sinhwa Merchant Guild enforces such strict discipline that they never cause harm to others, and it seems that rumor is true.”
They did not approach near Dam Ho and Jongli Yeon, allowing them to eat their meal in quiet. To Jongli Yeon, such conduct appeared as a mark of true courtesy.
Dam Ho’s eyes narrowed.
After Yun Sa Il verified that the guild’s martial artists and merchants were eating properly, he approached the largest carriage.
Unlike the other carriages, the exterior of this grand one was finished with luxurious materials and adorned with elaborate patterns.
Even a stranger could easily infer that someone of considerable importance rode within.
“Miss.”
Yun Sa Il called carefully to the person riding inside the carriage. Moments later, the carriage door opened and Yun Sa Il entered.
Around the time Dam Ho and Jongli Yeon had finished most of their rice balls, Yun Sa Il emerged from the carriage.
Yun Sa Il approached Dam Ho and Jongli Yeon directly.
“Our master would very much like to meet you both. If it would not trouble you, might you join her for a short time?”
At the unexpected invitation, Jongli Yeon looked toward Dam Ho. If he refused, she had no intention of entering the carriage.
She assumed Dam Ho would decline. Yet his answer surpassed her expectations.
“Very well.”
Dam Ho turned toward the carriage.
“Let’s go together.”
Jongli Yeon hurried to follow Dam Ho.
Inside the carriage that Yun Sa Il led them into was exceedingly luxurious. Within was a large bed draped in crimson silk, atop which a woman of mysterious beauty was having her nails attended to by her attendant.
The woman, dressed in ornate silken robes, wore a veil across her face so that her true visage could not be discerned. Yet her eyes, visible above the veil, appeared remarkably bewitching.
Yun Sa Il bowed respectfully to the woman.
“I have brought them, Miss.”
“Wait outside.”
“As you wish.”
Yun Sa Il and his companions withdrew carefully. Only then did the woman lift her head and gaze at Dam Ho and Jongli Yeon.
“Forgive me for calling you so abruptly. I am Won Seol Hwa of the Sinhwa Merchant Guild. These past few days, I’ve done nothing but ride in a carriage, and I haven’t seen another soul. I thought I might enjoy some conversation, so I took the liberty of imposing on you.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. Won Hoe Sang, the master of the Sinhwa Merchant Guild, is my father.”
“As I suspected!”
“It seems you know of me, then?”
“Is there anyone under heaven who does not know of the great Won and his daughter?”
“Is that so? Yet though you know of me, I know neither your names nor your styles. Might you grant me the courtesy of your names?”
“My name is Jongli Yeon.”
“Ah!”
The exclamation escaped Won Seol Hwa’s lips before she could catch it.
“You know of me, then?”
“How could one not know of the Divine Jongli Yeon? I never imagined that a guest I’d invited on a whim could be such an illustrious figure. It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Jongli. Ah—should I call you Divine?”
“Call me as you please.”
“Then I shall call you Miss Jongli.”
Won Seol Hwa’s eyes curved in a sultry arc.
Her gaze now turned toward Dam Ho.
“And this young master?”
“He is a companion who travels with me as a personal acquaintance. He is rather taciturn by nature, so I hope you’ll forgive his silence.”
Jongli Yeon spoke up first to answer.
Jongli Yeon knew better than anyone the weight and terror that the name Dam Ho carried.
She saw no need to reveal his name and invite trouble.
As if reading her thoughts, Dam Ho said nothing.
Won Seol Hwa nodded in understanding.
“The world is full of countless people, and each carries their own story. I understand.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“Not at all. But first, I must free myself from this stifling veil.”
Won Seol Hwa removed the veil that had covered her face. As she did, her beautiful countenance was revealed, and for a moment it seemed as though the carriage itself brightened with her presence.
Her face bore an aristocratic grace, her lips red as roses. Her dark eyes, striking against her alabaster skin, gleamed with a subtle, sultry light.
She was the kind of extraordinary beauty that would captivate any man.
Jongli Yeon found herself admiring her beauty.
“You are truly lovely.”
“You are no less so, Miss Jongli.”
The two women exchanged compliments on each other’s appearance, while Dam Ho watched in silence.

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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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