Fist Demon of Mount Hua - Chapter 77

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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 76. Those destined to meet will meet again—Part 1
Hae Nam Island was a vast expanse situated at the southernmost reach of the Central Plains. The island was so immense that hundreds of thousands of people dwelt within its bounds, cultivating their own distinct culture and order.
The Hae Nam Sect dominated the apex of such an island. Though its remoteness from the Central Plains had barred it from the Nine Great Sects, the martial prowess of the Hae Nam Sect was in no way inferior to theirs.
The Hae Nam Sect rarely ventured beyond their island. Yet on rare occasions, they would dispatch one or two martial artists into the wider world—and each time, tempests would sweep through the Central Plains.
Hae So Wol was the sole martial artist the Hae Nam Sect had sent forth in this generation. She was the bearer of martial arts of extraordinary power.
When she first emerged into the world, several martial artists approached her. Bedazzled by her dazzling beauty, they harbored lustful intentions. Yet none of them returned alive.
For reasons unknown, Hae So Wol continued her northward journey, clashing with countless martial artists. And she prevailed in every duel. As a result, she earned the byname Sea Blossom and ascended to Gu Mu Ryong.
Blindingly beautiful yet possessing formidable martial power befitting Gu Mu Ryong, coupled with the vast influence of the Hae Nam Sect, Hae So Wol had become the most coveted bride among all the young martial artists of the Central Plains.
Countless young martial artists courted her. Yet none succeeded in winning her heart.
Hae So Wol was as aloof as her byname suggested. And cold. Which only made her all the more desirable.
Sa Ma Gong Cheon, too, had fallen under the spell of Hae So Wol’s exceptional nature.
When he heard the rumor that Hae So Wol would be coming to Ak Yang, he had deliberately sent someone to invite her. That was the reason.
The beauty of Hae So Wol that he now beheld in person exceeded his every expectation. Her plain attire posed no impediment whatsoever. She was far more radiant than any woman draped in the finest silks.
Hae So Wol regarded Sa Ma Gong Cheon with a cool gaze.
One could discern his measure merely by observing his flustered countenance. Though she had harbored some expectations given that he was Sect Leader of the Ak Yang Sword School, one of the Five Great Schools of Honam Province, his standing fell far short of hers.
Yet she could not ignore him indefinitely, so Hae So Wol assumed a respectful posture of greeting.
“Pleased to meet you, Sa Ma. I am Hae So Wol of the Hae Nam Sect.”
“The pleasure is mine, Miss Hae. You are every bit as beautiful as rumor declares.”
“Thank you.”
“I am honored to receive you. I have reserved the third floor—shall we ascend?”
Hae So Wol nodded in acknowledgment.
As she made to follow Sa Ma Gong Cheon up to the third floor, something caught her eye.
Every person in the establishment had lost themselves in contemplation of her beauty. Yet there was one exception.
A man sat with unkempt hair hanging loosely about his face, eating in silence. He was Dam Ho.
He paid no mind to her entrance, methodically consuming the food before him on the table. It was not mere pretense of indifference—he genuinely did not notice her.
Sa Ma Gong Cheon turned to glance back.
“Is something the matter?”
“Nothing at all.”
Hae So Wol replied evenly. Yet Sa Ma Gong Cheon had not missed the direction of her gaze moments before.
His eyes sharpened for an instant. But immediately, his expression softened into a carefree smile.
“Ha! Shall we head up? The food will grow cold.”
Sa Ma Gong Cheon ushered her forward.
Hae So Wol ceased her scrutiny of Dam Ho and climbed the stairs.
The world was full of people, and among them were surely those immune to beauty’s enchantment. She simply assumed Dam Ho was one such person.
The third floor that she ascended to with Sa Ma Gong Cheon was empty. True to his word, he had reserved the entire floor.
All the other tables had been cleared away, leaving only a large table in the center.
“Ha! Please, do sit, Miss Hae.”
Hae So Wol nodded and took her seat. At once, the servants standing nearby hurried forth with dishes.
“Not knowing your preferences, I ordered everything this establishment offers. Simply select what suits your palate.”
“How thoughtful of you.”
“Ha! It would be remiss of me not to attend to your comfort. Please, do eat while it is hot. Food loses its savor when it cools.”
Sa Ma Gong Cheon picked up his chopsticks and began his meal.
The cuisine of the Seo Pung Guest Inn was quite excellent. Above all, the view of Dongting Lake from this vantage was magnificent.
As the sun descended, the boats upon Dongting Lake kindled their lanterns one by one. It was as though all the stars of the night sky had descended to dance upon the water.
An enchanting vista and delicious food—no woman could resist the spell of such an atmosphere.
Sa Ma Gong Cheon lifted his gaze to regard Hae So Wol. She gazed silently upon Dongting Lake. The lantern-light caught her profile, illuminating her beauty with singular radiance.
‘Truly magnificent. If I could make her mine, I would want for nothing.’
Sa Ma Gong Cheon, Sect Leader of the Ak Yang Sword School, already enjoyed every conceivable luxury and honor. What he lacked was a flower to grace his side.
Hae So Wol was precisely the flower he so desired.
Sa Ma Gong Cheon made a subtle gesture. Jin Yang Su, who had been standing nearby, approached and handed him a wooden box.
Sa Ma Gong Cheon took the box from Jin Yang Su and offered it to Hae So Wol.
“Please accept this, Miss Hae.”
“What is it?”
“A modest token of my regard.”
“A token?”
Hae So Wol’s brow furrowed. Yet Sa Ma Gong Cheon, oblivious to her shift in demeanor, opened the box.
What emerged was a sword. An ornate scabbard carved with intricate patterns, a resplendent hilt adorned with crimson jewels, and golden silken cord—every element was exquisitely beautiful.
Sa Ma Gong Cheon smiled with confidence.
“This is a Treasure Sword crafted by Gong Ya Ja, the finest artisan in Honam Province. When I heard you were coming here, I commissioned it in advance. He took exceptional care with it, so I am certain it will please you.”
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“As I said, it’s entirely my sincerity. Hahaha!”
“Sa Ma Gong Cheon.”
“Speak.”
“I didn’t come here today to receive such gifts. I came purely out of concern for the Ak Yang Sword School’s honor.”
Hae So Wol’s voice was ice. At her words, Sa Ma Gong Cheon’s expression hardened like frost.
“Miss Hae.”
“I have no need for such an ornate blade. One sword worn smooth by my own hand is more than enough.”
“But——”
“I believe I have done all that is necessary.”
Hae So Wol rose from her seat.
Sa Ma Gong Cheon found himself overwhelmed by the frigid aura that emanated from her.
Though he had diligently cultivated his Martial Arts since childhood as Sect Leader of the Ak Yang Sword School, he could not compare to her.
“Thank you for your consideration. But I would prefer you not trouble yourself further. Then——”
Hae So Wol cupped her fist in salute and descended the stairs.
Sa Ma Gong Cheon stood frozen, watching her disappear down the steps. He did not gather himself until she had vanished completely from sight.
“This cursed——”
He stared at the place where Hae So Wol had been sitting. The food before her remained untouched. She had not lifted a single piece to her lips.
Her intention was unmistakable.
That she wished no connection with him in any form. That she did not even want to share a meal at the same table.
Sa Ma Gong Cheon’s shoulders trembled with humiliation.
“Argh!”
Crash!
He overturned the table with a sweeping blow.
Food scattered across the floor; dishes shattered.
“Please, Sect Leader, compose yourself.”
Jin Yang Su attempted to calm him, but Sa Ma Gong Cheon’s rampage continued for some time after.
Hae So Wol heard the commotion from upstairs but paid it no mind.
Having descended to this floor, she glanced around. But with most of the patrons gone, the level was nearly deserted.
Through the windows of this floor, the beauty of Dongting Lake spread before her. The night scenery of Dongting Lake, which had captivated countless poets and scholars, stirred even her heart.
She called to a servant who was clearing the empty tables.
“Do you have a room available here?”
“I beg your pardon?”
The servant’s eyes widened.
She was the honored guest whom the Sect Leader of the Ak Yang Sword School had invited with great care. The servant was bewildered to hear she wished to lodge at the Seo Pung Guest Inn.
Yet the servant did not forget her duty.
“Perhaps I could prepare the separate quarters for you, where you might rest undisturbed?”
“No. Just give me an ordinary room.”
“But surely a lady of such distinction——”
“As long as I can see Dongting Lake, it doesn’t matter. Do you have such a room?”
“Yes, I do have——”
“Then give me that one.”
“Very well.”
The servant led Hae So Wol to an ordinary room with a view of Dongting Lake.
“This is the cleanest of our common rooms.”
“Thank you.”
Hae So Wol nodded.
The room was indeed quite clean, as the servant had said. What pleased her most was that Dongting Lake was clearly visible from here.
The night sea of Hae Nam was beautiful too, but not with such brilliance. The glittering light broken across the water’s surface stirred her senses.
“I will stay here for a time.”
“I understand. I will inform the proprietor. Should you need anything, please call at any moment.”
“Very well.”
The servant bowed and withdrew.
Alone now, Hae So Wol sank onto the bed.
She was exhausted.
Though she had neither trained her Martial Arts nor fought anyone, her entire body felt heavy with fatigue.
These unproductive encounters were terribly draining. Had she not planned to stay in Ak Yang for some time, she would never have met with Sa Ma Gong Cheon at all.
“Why did Master send me to such a place?”
Hae So Wol felt a moment of resentment toward her master, who had sent her here.
That she undertook this venture into Gang Ho against her will was entirely because of her master, Neung Cheon Wol’s command.
She had wished to continue training her sword on Hae Nam Island, but Neung Cheon Wol insisted that to reach a higher Realm, one must know people, and so had sent her here.
“Sigh! So I have to stay here until the gathering?”
Hae So Wol rose from her seat with a quiet exhale.
Her mind was weary, but it was still her first day here. She couldn’t bear to remain cooped up in her room.
She took up her beloved sword, Bak Sang, and stepped outside.
A cool breeze swept in from the lake, gently lifting her hair like gossamer threads.
Hae So Wol wandered aimlessly along the shore of Dongting Lake. Though night was deepening, crowds had gathered to admire the beautiful scenery.
“Hmm?”
Her expression shifted to one of surprise.
Among the throngs crossing the lake, she spotted familiar faces. Yet she couldn’t quite place where she’d seen them.
Only after searching her memory for some time did she recall.
“The Seo Pung Guest Inn.”
The man who had eaten there without sparing her a glance wore the same distinctive garb.
The man in the uncommon leather robe, gazing out at Dongting Lake, was none other than Dam Ho. Bang Jin Bo stood at his side.
Unable to resist Bang Jin Bo’s urging, Dam Ho had ventured out from the inn to walk along the shore.
Bang Jin Bo continued to marvel aloud at the lake’s beautiful night scenery.
Suddenly, Dam Ho turned his head. He’d felt an unfamiliar gaze upon him.
Their eyes met across the empty space between them.
The moment Hae So Wol’s gaze locked with Dam Ho’s, her pupils trembled uncontrollably.
Within those dark, ink-black eyes lay nothing but a profound abyss—not a trace of emotion to be found.
It was a look unlike anything Hae So Wol had ever witnessed.
She felt her palms grow damp.
Her neck muscles stiffened, and cold beads of sweat traced down her spine. Her body reacted before her mind could.
‘Who on earth is this man?’
Moments ago, Hae So Wol had believed the Central Plains lacked true talent. But the sight of Dam Ho made her realize how arrogant that conviction had been.
“You there——”
She was about to call out to him.
Splash!
Suddenly, over a dozen dark figures erupted from the water. And that was not all—a merchant nearby and an elderly woman passing by drew blades and attacked her.
‘An ambush?’

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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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