Fist Demon of Mount Hua - Chapter 90

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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 89. One Who Acts and Moves Alone, the Independent School-2
Hae So-wol lifted her head.
A crystalline blue sky filled her vision. It had been a long time since she’d seen a sky so clear, unmarred by even a single cloud.
Life at the Akyang School was not unpleasant. Yet, having remained within its walls for so long, a certain restlessness had settled in.
Confined here, she’d grown distant from news of the wider world. She had begun to think it was time to venture out. Staying this long had already sufficiently upheld Sama Gyeong-won’s dignity.
Then she sensed unfamiliar presences approaching the courtyard.
Two strangers appeared at the courtyard entrance: a middle-aged man in a slate-blue scholar’s robe, and a young man with a gentle countenance.
The moment Hae So-wol saw them, her face visibly stiffened. It was the extraordinary aura radiating from both of them.
The middle-aged man’s presence was formidable enough, but the young man’s martial intensity was sharp enough to command her full attention—like a finely honed blade.
It had been a long time since she’d encountered such an aura.
The middle-aged man, perceiving her unease, spoke first.
“There’s no need to be so tense, Miss Hae. We are envoys from the Namgoong Clan.”
“The Namgoong Clan?”
“Indeed. I am Namgoong Chang, an elder of the Namgoong Clan.”
“Hae So-wol of the Haenam School greets Elder Namgoong.”
Startled by Namgoong Chang’s introduction, Hae So-wol hurriedly clasped her fists in salute. Namgoong Chang smiled in response.
“I am pleased to meet you as well, Miss Hae. This is Namgoong Soo, a talented member of our main family.”
“Namgoong Soo of the Namgoong Clan. It is an honor, Miss Hae.”
“The honor is mine, Young Master Namgoong.”
Namgoong Soo and Hae So-wol exchanged formal salutes.
Namgoong Chang regarded the two of them with a pleased expression. Yet Hae So-wol did not relax her guard.
The weight of the name Namgoong Chang itself was the reason.
Her master, Neung Cheon-wol, had singled him out as the person she must be most cautious of among those she would meet at Dongjeong Lake.
When Hae So-wol asked why, Neung Cheon-wol had answered thus:
—It is because Namgoong Chang is the most brilliant mind within the Namgoong Clan. All who know him call him Jwamang Cheonrianyan.
Jwamang Cheonrianyan.
One who possesses eyes that see a thousand leagues while seated.
In many respects, the reason the Namgoong Clan had experienced such explosive growth was largely due to Namgoong Chang.
The patriarch of the Namgoong Clan, Namgoong Cheon, was a great swordmaster. He was a formidable warrior who had completed the Emperors’ Sword Form—a feat not accomplished in the clan for two centuries.
Namgoong Cheon was a typical martial master.
He was indeed the clan’s patriarch, yet he took no interest in the management of the family’s affairs.
His sole concern was the Martial Way itself.
It was Namgoong Chang who, in his stead, made decisions and guided all matters of the clan’s administration.
He was the Namgoong Clan’s second-in-command, its steward, and a brilliant strategist—yet to the world, he was a recluse who concealed his existence entirely.
That such a man had emerged into the light was something Hae So-wol understood well. How significant an event that was.
‘Then the gathering here must be of considerable importance.’
As Hae So-wol’s expression hardened, Namgoong Chang flashed a kindly smile.
“You are a fine person, Miss Hae.”
“Pardon? I’m not sure I follow.”
“A martial artist of your caliber remaining here out of consideration for Sama Mun-ju’s dignity—that speaks well of you. You could have refused, and he would have had no grounds to object.”
“That is…”
“There’s no need to explain yourself. Thanks to you, I was able to convey the situation to him with ease.”
“Then…?”
“There is an important gathering. You have upheld his dignity sufficiently. So now there is no need for you to remain here. Come with us instead.”
“May I do that?”
“You must provide proof that Jin Cheon-roe has appeared. That cannot be done here.”
“I understand.”
“Good judgment. Besides, I’m scheduled to meet with your master tomorrow.”
“My master?”
“Yes! Your master, O Gun-ui, is an old friend of mine.”
The White Whale Swordsman, O Gun-ui.
An elder of the Haenam School and a renowned swordmaster throughout the southern reaches of the central plains.
“Will my master come in person?”
“The matter is that serious. Besides, it would be awkward to meet him while leaving you here. Come with us. I’m certain Sama Mun-ju will no longer ask for you to remain.”
“As you wish.”
Hae So-wol nodded in agreement.
As Namgoong Chang had said, there was no reason for her to stay. She had already sufficiently upheld Sama Gyeong-won’s dignity.
“Your belongings?”
“This single sword is all I need.”
Hae So-wol raised her beloved blade, Byeok Sang. Namgoong Chang nodded in acknowledgment.
“Quite right! I don’t think we need say more on the matter.”
Namgoong Chang turned his gaze toward Namgoong Soo.
“Soo!”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“You would do well to emulate the spirit Hae So-wol has shown.”
“I understand.”
Namgoong Soo assented without the slightest show of displeasure. His manner caught Hae So-wol’s attention.
The bearing she sensed from Namgoong Soo was in no way inferior to her own. What struck her most was that a man possessed of such resolve could accept the suggestion to learn from another without the faintest hesitation.
It was proof he was no ordinary person. A figure of such quality should have earned a reputation, yet Hae So-wol had never once heard the name Namgoong Soo.
“Soo has spent a very long time in closed-door cultivation. For that reason, even in the main branch, few know of him.”
……
“Having only recently emerged into the world under my guidance, there is much he has yet to learn. I would be grateful if you could offer him considerable assistance.”
“If I can be of help.”
“You will be, without doubt.”
Namgoong Chang answered with unwavering certainty.
“Very well.”
“The two of you shall forge a fine bond—much as my shixiong and I have done.”
Hae So-wol nodded silently.
The three departed from the Akyang School.
True to Namgoong Chang’s word, Sama Gyeong-won made no further attempt to detain Hae So-wol.
Their destination was the Namgang Inn, situated near Dongjeong Lake. Like the Seofeng Inn, it was a large and well-kept establishment that drew many guests.
The Namgang Inn was abuzz with patrons even in the middle of the day. They clustered in small groups around tables, their voices so loud that one could hear their conversations plainly without straining to listen.
“So it’s true that Shin Gang the Bloodstained One perpetrated the Blood Calamity at Seocheon Mountain Lodge?”
“True as the day. Even the Master of Hong Ahm Mountain Lodge suffered greatly for it, or so they say.”
“Heavens! Shin Gang the Bloodstained One—what a title, reeking of blood itself.”
“Since the death of the Hyeongsan School’s Sect Leader, he’s also been called the Demon King, I hear.”
Whoosh!
Nearly every table was discussing Dam Ho.
The words that drifted across were nothing but talk of Shin Gang the Bloodstained One, or the Demon King.
Namgoong Soo’s brow furrowed involuntarily.
“A Demon Person has appeared in the Gangho, it seems.”
“From time to time, those who disturb the peace emerge into the world.”
At Namgoong Chang’s reply, Namgoong Soo’s eyes sharpened.
“His fortune is poor indeed, to have appeared here of all places.”
The gathering of the Gudae School and Odae Clan was not far off. There was no room in such an assembly of those who held dominion over the Gangho for a Demon Person to stand.
Namgoong Chang smiled as he regarded Namgoong Soo.
“It would serve you well to test yourself against him, for the sake of experience.”
“If the chance comes to face him, I will not hesitate.”
“Excellent! I look forward to it.”
At Namgoong Chang’s vigorous reply, Namgoong Soo smiled. Yet soon his expression grew dark.
‘It has been thirty years since the Four Divine Emperors withdrew from the world. All that remains to trust is the founding of the Alliance.’
＊＊＊
Sigh.
Bang Jin-bo exhaled softly.
It had been five days since Dam Ho left the inn. With the time he should have returned long past, worry was only natural.
“He’ll return safely.”
Bang Jin-bo tried to think positively.
There was nothing he could do in this situation. He could only wait.
“Perhaps I should take a walk.”
Sitting cooped up in a corner would yield no answers.
Bang Jin-bo had just risen from his seat.
Knock-knock!
Suddenly, someone rapped at the door.
“Who is it?”
“May I come in for a moment?”
A familiar voice came through.
A smile bloomed on Bang Jin-bo’s face. The voice belonged to Eun So-cheong.
“Come in.”
As soon as Bang Jin-bo spoke, the door opened and Eun So-cheong appeared. But she had not come alone. A familiar face was visible behind her.
An elderly man with a trim salt-and-pepper beard, stern and dignified in bearing—Do Hak-gyeong, the head chef of Cheonha Jeil Lou.
“How are things with you, sir?”
Bang Jin-bo bowed quickly.
Though there had been unpleasant business at Cheonha Jeil Lou, Do Hak-gyeong remained a senior of great stature and worthy of respect.
“May I come inside?”
“Yes! Please, come in.”
Do Hak-gyeong strode in with purposeful steps, and Eun So-cheong followed calmly behind.
Eun So-cheong apologized first.
“Sorry about that. Do wanted to see you, so he insisted on coming.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“What about your father?”
“He hasn’t come back yet.”
“Is that so? You must be struggling.”
“No, I’m all right.”
At Bang Jin-bo’s reply, Eun So-cheong smiled.
She found it endearing that he maintained such a bright demeanor despite circumstances that would have warranted genuine worry.
Bang Jin-bo’s gaze turned toward Do Hak-gyeong.
“But what brings you all this way? It’s quite a distance.”
“I came in person because I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, sir?”
“Indeed. I’ll be direct about it. How would you feel about working at Cheonha Jeil Lou?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Bang Jin-bo’s eyes widened like a startled cow’s. For a moment, he could not comprehend what Do Hak-gyeong had said.
Seeing his reaction, Do Hak-gyeong clicked his tongue.
“Tsk! I’m offering you a place at Cheonha Jeil Lou. This Do Hak-gyeong, in person.”
“That is to say……”
“After you left, I gave it considerable thought. I’ve grown old—I’m not what I used to be. The fact that I relied on Tian Xiang Spice proves it. In my prime, I would never have depended on such seasonings. So I decided it was time to retire before it’s too late. But when I considered retirement, I realized Cheonha Jeil Lou has no proper masters to speak of. They’re all mediocre talents, nothing more.”
It is the way of things that when a great tree takes root, other trees struggle to grow properly around it. Cheonha Jeil Lou was no exception.
Because of the towering figure that was Do Hak-gyeong, the establishment had gained tremendous renown—yet that very presence had prevented other masters from growing into their full stature.
Should Do Hak-gyeong retire now, the decline of Cheonha Jeil Lou would be inevitable. So, after much deliberation, he had come seeking Bang Jin-bo.
The talent Bang Jin-bo had shown in detecting the use of Tian Xiang Spice suggested he could surely become an excellent master. His foundation was solid, and he was still young.
With proper training under Do Hak-gyeong for just a few years, he would certainly grow into a distinguished master.
“What do you think?”
“That is to say……”
Caught off guard by this unexpected offer, Bang Jin-bo’s expression grew uncertain.
Though Do Hak-gyeong had sacrificed his pride by using Tian Xiang Spice, his skill was genuine. Learning cooking under him, Bang Jin-bo would undoubtedly develop greatly.
Had his father been alive, he would surely have insisted that Bang Jin-bo train at Cheonha Jeil Lou without hesitation. But Bang Jin-bo could not bring himself to answer at once.
“Let me discuss it with my brother when he returns.”
“I won’t force you. But training at Cheonha Jeil Lou would be a tremendous opportunity for you. I hope you’ll consider it carefully.”
“Yes!”
Bang Jin-bo’s heart was pounding fiercely.

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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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