Fist Demon of Mount Hua - Chapter 94

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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 94. The world is wide, yet those meant to meet will meet—3
The ship pulled into the dock. Passengers hurried down the gangway, among them Dam Ho and Heuk-gwi.
By the time Dam Ho reached his destination, Cho Yeon-un and Peng Man-yeong had still not returned. Perhaps it had been predetermined the moment they chose the riverbank clearing as their arena.
Whether anyone had won or lost remained unknown. And Dam Ho cared little either way. Hwang-bo Young-cheon still lay sprawled on the deck, unconscious.
Dam Ho made his way quickly to the Seo Pung Guest House.
“Brother!”
As soon as he stepped into the room, Fang Jin-bo rushed forward with open arms. His eyes were already glistening with tears.
“Have you been well?”
“As you can see, not a scratch. Did your trip go well?”
“It did.”
“Thank goodness. Hehe!”
Fang Jin-bo laughed, though it seemed forced.
Dam Ho’s brow furrowed slightly.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Tell me.”
They had not known each other for just a day or two. Dam Ho could read Fang Jin-bo’s thoughts from his expression alone.
Under the weight of Dam Ho’s penetrating gaze, Fang Jin-bo found himself unable to resist and opened his mouth.
“The truth is……”
He recounted everything—Do Hak-gyeong’s proposal and all that En So-cheong had said—without reservation.
As Dam Ho listened to Fang Jin-bo’s account, his eyes grew distant and grave.
Do Hak-gyeong’s proposal was not the real concern. As En So-cheong had warned, more and more would come seeking Fang Jin-bo, and among them, those with ill intent might outnumber those with good.
It was time to think seriously about Fang Jin-bo’s future.
“What do you think?”
“I……”
“Your thoughts matter most. Your choice will determine your path ahead.”
At Dam Ho’s words, Fang Jin-bo bit his lip.
During Dam Ho’s absence, Fang Jin-bo had wrestled with many doubts. Do Hak-gyeong’s visit had only deepened his turmoil.
After a long pause, Fang Jin-bo lifted his head and met Dam Ho’s eyes.
“It’s just……”
“…”
“Could I not just follow you? I want to keep following you.”
“As you’ve seen, staying at my side is dangerous. Are you certain?”
“I don’t care. All I want is to follow you and learn cooking from you. That’s the only thing I desire.”
Dam Ho regarded Fang Jin-bo without speaking.
Fang Jin-bo did not flinch from Dam Ho’s gaze—a gaze that even masters of martial arts feared to meet.
In Fang Jin-bo’s earnest eyes, Dam Ho glimpsed unwavering resolve and an unshakeable spirit.
“You may come to regret this.”
“I won’t. Never. Just let me follow you. I’ll conduct myself well so as not to be a burden. Please!”
“Very well. Let’s go together.”
“Truly?”
“Yes.”
The moment Dam Ho spoke, a smile bloomed across Fang Jin-bo’s previously anxious face.
He knew better than anyone that Dam Ho did not speak twice. Once he gave his word, he would keep it even if the heavens split asunder.
“Thank you, brother.”
Dam Ho said nothing, only ruffling Fang Jin-bo’s hair gently. The smile on Fang Jin-bo’s face broke into open laughter.
“By the way, aren’t you hungry, brother?”
“A little.”
“Perfect! I was just preparing to cook in the annex.”
“The annex?”
“So-cheong kept complaining that the food from the main kitchen was tasteless, asking if I could prepare something instead……”
Fang Jin-bo’s cheeks reddened with embarrassment as he led the way. Dam Ho followed quietly behind.
Upon entering the annex, En So-cheong looked up to greet him.
“You’re finally here! I’ve been starving, and……oh! Sir!”
En So-cheong’s expression changed to one of surprise as she noticed Dam Ho following behind Fang Jin-bo.
“When did you return?”
“Just now.”
“That’s fortunate. Jin-bo was worried you might not come back. Things have become quite uncertain here lately.”
“Uncertain how?”
“There’s been a marked increase in the arrival of martial practitioners from the wider world. Many of them are formidable figures. The local martial world of Ho-nam is growing anxious.”
“A big player?”
“If we’re talking about the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans, wouldn’t you say they qualify as big players?”
Dam Ho nodded.
The Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans stood at the apex of every faction currently existing in the Gang Ho. If such enormous sects were dispatching martial practitioners, it made sense that the martial practitioners of Ho-nam would grow uneasy.
“Is the entire Nine Great Sects coming?”
“The Namgoong Clan arrived first, so it’s only a matter of time before the other sects follow.”
Dam Ho closed his eyes for a moment.
For reasons he couldn’t fathom, if the entire Nine Great Sects were arriving, then certainly martial practitioners from Hua Shan would be among them.
Hua Shan.
The name had long since become something that stirred nothing in him. But if Hyun So’s name were added to Hua Shan, the story would be different.
Dam Ho decided to stay here a while longer. Finding his younger brother’s whereabouts mattered, but there was also the possibility he might encounter Hyun So.
Meanwhile, En So-cheong regarded Dam Ho with curious eyes.
Though Dam Ho himself might not realize it, there was no one more famous in Ho-nam province at present than he was.
The Blood Devil of Shin Kang, as he was called. Or the Sword Fiend.
Regardless of his actual martial strength, his brutal efficiency had long since made him a target of caution throughout the Gang Ho.
Though young, En So-cheong had witnessed countless martial practitioners in the En Family Security. Yet among all of them, not a single one had been as formidable as Dam Ho.
It was only natural that curiosity would kindle in En So-cheong’s gaze whenever she looked at him.
Just then, Fang Jin-bo spoke in a hearty voice.
“Hold on just a moment. I’ll have some delicious food ready for you soon.”
Fang Jin-bo began moving with purpose.
He lit the fire in the stove and started preparing the ingredients.
En So-cheong had provided all the provisions. With such abundant materials, Fang Jin-bo threw himself into cooking with enthusiasm.
Here, he could cook whatever he wished without restraint. That single fact alone was enough to make Fang Jin-bo content.
Dam Ho watched silently as Fang Jin-bo prepared the meal.
When a person does the work they love, it shines from them. Fang Jin-bo’s figure was shining now.
Even if he were the only one who could see it.
Nam-goong Chang, Nam-goong Su, and Hae So-wol walked through the streets of Ak-yang together.
Though it appeared that only three people were walking, more than thirty martial practitioners secretly followed them. All of them were elite members of the Namgoong Clan, assigned the task of protecting Nam-goong Chang.
Nam-goong Chang surveyed his surroundings and nodded approvingly.
“It’s a good place.”
“Is it?”
“To accomplish something great, material and human resources matter, but location is equally vital. From that perspective, this place is nearly perfect.”
Nam-goong Chang gestured toward Dong Jung Lake.
“First, we have water routes, and land routes are equally strong. Build a fortress in a place like this, and a hundred men could hold back a thousand. It’s precisely the kind of natural stronghold we’ve been seeking.”
“I’m relieved to hear it.”
A shadow of doubt crossed Hae So-wol’s face.
She couldn’t begin to fathom what Nam-goong Chang and Nam-goong Su were discussing.
So she asked.
“A fortress? What do you mean by that?”
“Ah, you don’t need to know about that yet.”
“Pardon?”
“When your teacher arrives, you’ll naturally understand. Don’t be impatient.”
At Nam-goong Chang’s response, Hae So-wol bit her lip.
She knew only that a gathering between the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans would be held—not the reason for it.
Though frustration and irritation burned within her, there was nothing she could do at present. All she could do was silently follow in the footsteps of her senior relatives.
They arrived at the wharf.
Nam-goong Chang surveyed the area around the dock and spoke.
“That spot looks promising.”
He pointed with his finger to a nearby hillock. It overlooked Dong Jung Lake at a glance and was where many guest houses had been established.
“It does seem like it would make quite an impressive sight.”
Nam-goong Su nodded in agreement. At this, Nam-goong Chang smiled.
“So you’ve finally developed the eye to see things properly.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Uncle.”
“The family places great hopes on you. You do understand that?”
“I will not disappoint them.”
“Good!”
As the two conversed, a massive ship pulled up to the dock.
Thud!
With a heavy sound, the vessel moored and the gangway descended. A flood of people poured forth.
“At last—Dong Jung Lake.”
“Phew! How good it feels to be back on solid ground.”
The passengers disembarking from the ship let out cheers at the sensation of dry land after so long at sea.
As Hae So-wol scanned each face in the crowd, a light of recognition suddenly kindled in her eyes.
“Master!”
She rushed toward the middle-aged swordsman who was descending from the ship.
The man, whose face was strikingly framed by a thick black beard, caught sight of Hae So-wol and broke into a smile.
“Is that really you? Little So-wol?”
“Master!”
“Ha! How wonderful to see you, So-wol.”
The middle-aged swordsman greeted Hae So-wol warmly.
His name was Oh Gun-ui, and his byname was the White Whale Swordsman.
The foremost master of the Haenam Sect was naturally its Sect Master, Neung Cheon-wol. Oh Gun-ui was her direct disciple and an Elder of the Haenam Sect.
Neung Cheon-wol devoted herself entirely to managing the sect and rarely appeared in public. Oh Gun-ui handled the affairs that arose on Haenam Island in her stead.
Because of this, the people of Haenam Island feared Oh Gun-ui even more than they feared Neung Cheon-wol herself.
Though everyone on Haenam Island trembled before him, to Hae So-wol he was merely a kindhearted master.
“You’ve grown even lovelier from your travels through Zhong Yuan. Ha!”
“Master, you’re too much…”
“Well! Have you gathered much experience? Of course you have—joining Gu Wu-ryong means you’ve seen plenty. I’m being foolish. You’ve worked hard out there.”
It was then that Oh Gun-ui gave Hae So-wol’s shoulder a gentle pat.
“Ha! Master, we’ve come too.”
“It’s been a long time, Master.”
Familiar voices called out from behind Oh Gun-ui.
Looking up, she saw faces she knew well. About twenty disciples of the Haenam Sect stood watching her.
They were the Second-generation Disciples of the Haenam Sect.
Oh Gun-ui smiled broadly.
“I’ve brought them along to give them experience in the wider world. I trust you’ll guide them well.”
“Yes, Master!”
Nam-goong Chang stepped forward once Oh Gun-ui and Hae So-wol had finished their reunion.
“It’s been too long, Gun-ui.”
“Who do we have here? Coming to meet me in person? This is quite an honor.”
“It’s you we’re talking about—I had to come myself. Besides, you might lose your way again.”
“Tsk! How long will you harp on that? In those circumstances, anyone would have lost their way.”
“You lost your way because of your mistake, and we nearly died for it. Of course I’m going to milk this for a long time.”
“What a joke!”
Oh Gun-ui scratched his head with an embarrassed expression.
Nam-goong Chang made a gesture toward Nam-goong Su, who was standing at a distance. Nam-goong Su smiled and stepped forward, clasping his fist in salute.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Master Oh. I am Nam-goong Su, the nephew of my uncle here.”
“Ah, wonderful! Your uncle has told me much about you. He says you’re the talented one destined to lead the Namgoong Clan.”
“You’re too kind.”
“This man doesn’t praise his nephews lightly. He’s quite exacting.”
At Oh Gun-ui’s words, Nam-goong Chang’s nostrils flared slightly, though his expression held no displeasure.
Nam-goong Chang spoke.
“Let’s move on. There’s much to do ahead.”
“Right! We need to hurry if we’re to establish the Alliance.”
“Watch your tongue, friend.”
“Oh! My apologies. I spoke carelessly in my joy.”
“In times like these, we must be all the more cautious.”
“I’ll bear that in mind.”
Nam-goong Chang patted Oh Gun-ui’s shoulder twice in response.
Though their voices had been very low, Hae So-wol had already heard every word of the exchange.
‘An Alliance?’
If an alliance was being formed with the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans at its core, there could be only one such thing.
The Martial Alliance.

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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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