Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Those Destined to Meet Will Always Meet Again (1)

Hainan Island was a massive island located at the southernmost point of the Central Plains. It was so vast that hundreds of thousands of people lived within it, with their own distinct culture and order.

The Hainan Sect was the paramount force that reigned supreme over such an island. Though they were too remote from the Central Plains to be counted among the Nine Great Sects, the Hainan Sect's martial power was in no way inferior.

The Hainan Sect rarely sent members beyond the island. But on the rare occasions when one or two martial artists were dispatched, upheaval invariably followed in the Central Plains.

Hae So-wol was the only martial artist the Hainan Sect had sent forth in the current generation. She was that powerful.

When she first entered the world, several martial artists approached her—lured by her dazzling beauty into harboring impure desires. Not one of them returned alive.

For reasons unknown, Hae So-wol had continued northward, battling many martial artists along the way. She won every encounter. As a result, she earned the epithet "Flower Beneath the Sea" and was counted among the Nine Dragons.

Her dazzling beauty, the terrifying martial prowess that placed her among the Nine Dragons, and the formidable backing of the Hainan Sect—all combined to make Hae So-wol the most sought-after bride among the young martial artists of the Central Plains.

Countless young men courted her. But none won her heart.

Hae So-wol was as aloof as her epithet. And cold. Which made her all the more desirable.

Sa-ma Gong-cheon was equally captivated by Hae So-wol's singular allure.

When he heard the rumor that Hae So-wol would be entering Eakyang, he had specifically sent an invitation for precisely this reason.

Having now seen her in person, her beauty surpassed even his wildest expectations. Her plain attire was no impediment whatsoever. She was far more beautiful than any woman clad in the finest silks.

Hae So-wol regarded Sa-ma Gong-cheon with a cool gaze.

From his flustered expression alone, she could gauge his level. Still, as the Young Sect Leader of the Yueyang Sword Gate—one of Hunan's Five Great Sects—she had held some expectation. But his level fell far short of what she had anticipated.

However, she could not dismiss him indefinitely, so Hae So-wol offered a fist salute.

"Pleased to meet you, Young Master Sa-ma. I am Hae So-wol of the Hainan Sect."

"A pleasure, Lady Hae. You are even more beautiful than I had heard."

"Thank you."

"It is an honor to receive you. I have reserved the third floor—shall we go up?"

Hae So-wol nodded.

As she was about to follow Sa-ma Gong-cheon upstairs, her eye caught something.

Everyone in the restaurant was gazing at her in a daze. But there was one exception.

A man eating in silence, his disheveled hair hanging loose—it was Dam Ho.

He paid no heed to Hae So-wol's arrival, quietly consuming the food on his table. It was not that he was pretending not to notice—he truly did not care.

Sa-ma Gong-cheon turned around.

"Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing."

Hae So-wol answered calmly. But Sa-ma Gong-cheon had not missed where her gaze had been moments before.

His eyes narrowed sharply for an instant. But he quickly smiled as though nothing had happened.

"Haha! Let us go up. The food will get cold."

Sa-ma Gong-cheon urged her onward.

Hae So-wol gave Dam Ho no further thought and ascended the stairs.

The world was full of people, and among them there would be some who were not swayed by beauty. She simply assumed Dam Ho was one of them.

The third floor that she ascended to, following Sa-ma Gong-cheon, was entirely empty. They had indeed rented the entire floor, just as he said.

All the other tables had been cleared away, with a single large table positioned in the center.

"Haha! Please, have a seat, Lady Hae."

Hae So-wol nodded and took her seat. The attendants who had been waiting nearby quickly began bringing out dishes.

"I wasn't sure what you preferred, so I ordered everything on the menu. Please select whatever suits your taste."

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

"Haha! It is a privilege to host you, Lady Hae. Naturally, I must attend to such details. Please eat—food tastes best when it's still warm."

Sa-ma Gong-cheon picked up his chopsticks first and began to eat.

The West Wind Inn's cuisine was quite excellent. Above all, the view of Dongting Lake from the inn was magnificent.

As the sun set, the boats on Dongting Lake lit their lanterns one by one. It was as though the stars of the night sky had all descended upon the lake.

The enchanting night view and the delicious food—it was an atmosphere in which any woman would find her heart stolen.

Sa-ma Gong-cheon suddenly raised his head and looked at Hae So-wol. She was gazing silently at Dongting Lake. Reflected in the lantern light, she was particularly beautiful.

'Truly beautiful. If I could make her my woman, I would have no regrets.'

As the Young Sect Leader of the Yueyang Sword Gate, Sa-ma Gong-cheon already enjoyed every luxury. What he lacked was a flower to brighten his side.

Hae So-wol was precisely the flower he had so desperately wanted.

Sa-ma Gong-cheon gestured. Jin Yang-su, who had been standing nearby, approached and handed him the wooden box.

Sa-ma Gong-cheon took the box from Jin Yang-su and offered it to Hae So-wol.

"Please accept this, Lady Hae."

"What is this?"

"A modest token of my sincerity."

"Sincerity?"

Hae So-wol frowned slightly. But Sa-ma Gong-cheon, failing to notice her reaction, opened the box.

Inside lay a sword. An ornately decorated scabbard, a hilt studded with red jewels, and golden tassels—every detail was exquisitely crafted.

Sa-ma Gong-cheon smiled with confidence.

"This is a masterwork forged by Gong-ya-ja, the finest craftsman in all of Hunan. When I heard you would be coming, I had it commissioned in advance. Gong-ya-ja crafted it with particular care, so I'm sure it will meet your approval."

"Why are you giving this to me?"

"As I said, it is a token of my sincerity. Hahaha!"

"Young Master Sa-ma."

"Please, speak."

"I did not come here today to receive such gifts. I came only out of respect for the Yueyang Sword Gate's dignity."

Hae So-wol's voice was cold. Sa-ma Gong-cheon's expression stiffened.

"Lady Hae."

"I have no need for such an ornate sword. This sword, worn by my own hands, is enough."

"But…"

"I consider this sufficient discharge of courtesy."

Hae So-wol rose from her seat.

Sa-ma Gong-cheon was overwhelmed by the frosty aura she exuded.

Though the Young Sect Leader of the Yueyang Sword Gate had trained diligently in martial arts since youth, he could not compare to Hae So-wol.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness. But I would ask that you not trouble me further. Then…"

Hae So-wol bowed to Sa-ma Gong-cheon and descended the stairs.

Sa-ma Gong-cheon stood dazed, watching her descend. He only came to his senses after she had completely vanished.

"You damned…"

He looked at the seat where she had sat. The food placed before her was completely untouched. She had not so much as lifted a finger to it.

Her intentions were perfectly clear.

She wanted no entanglement of any kind. She did not even wish to share the same table.

Sa-ma Gong-cheon's shoulders trembled with humiliation.

"Wow!"

Crash!

Sa-ma Gong-cheon flipped the table.

Food flew in all directions, and dishes shattered.

"Calm yourself, Young Sect Leader."

Jin Yang-su tried to restrain him, but Sa-ma Gong-cheon's rampage continued for some time.

The commotion from above was audible, but Hae So-wol paid it no heed.

Having descended to the second floor, she surveyed her surroundings. But most of the diners had already departed, and the floor was quiet.

Through the second floor window, Dongting Lake's beauty was visible. The night view that had enchanted so many poets and scholars stirred even Hae So-wol's heart.

She called to the waiter who was clearing a nearby table.

"Are there any vacant rooms here?"

"Pardon?"

The waiter's eyes went wide.

She was the distinguished guest whom the Young Sect Leader of the Yueyang Sword Gate had gone to great lengths to invite. That she would choose to stay at the West Wind Inn was bewildering.

But the waiter did not forget his duty.

"Shall I arrange a private cottage for your comfort?"

"No. Just a regular guest room."

"But for a guest of your stature, how could we offer such…"

"As long as it has a good view of Dongting Lake, it doesn't matter. Do you have one?"

"Yes, we do."

"Then give me that room."

"Very well."

In the end, the waiter led Hae So-wol to a regular guest room with a fine view of Dongting Lake.

"This is the cleanest of the regular rooms."

"Thank you."

Hae So-wol nodded.

True to the waiter's word, the room was quite clean. Above all, what pleased her was the unobstructed view of Dongting Lake.

The night sea of Hainan was beautiful too, but not as dazzling as this. The shimmering lights reflected upon the water stirred her emotions.

"I'll stay here for a time."

"Understood. I will inform the owner. If there is anything you need, please call at any time."

"I will."

The waiter bowed and left the room.

Alone, Hae So-wol sank onto the bed.

She was exhausted.

Though she had not trained in martial arts nor fought anyone, her entire body felt drained.

Such unproductive meetings were terribly fatiguing. If she had not intended to stay in Eakyang for a while, she would never have agreed to meet Sa-ma Gong-cheon.

"Why did Master send me to such a place?"

Hae So-wol briefly resented the master who had sent her here.

Her journey through the martial world, which she had not wanted, was entirely at the command of her master, Neung Cheon-wol.

She had wished to continue refining her sword on Hainan Island, but Neung Cheon-wol had insisted that to reach higher realms, one must know people—and sent her here.

"Sigh! I have to stay here until the gathering, don't I?"

Hae So-wol sighed softly and rose from the bed.

Though mentally exhausted, this was her first day here. She could not remain cooped up in her room.

She took her beloved sword, Byeok-sang, and went outside.

The cool breeze from the lake gently swept through her three-coiled hair.

Hae So-wol wandered aimlessly along the shore of Dongting Lake. Though the night was deepening, countless people still strolled along the lakeside, enjoying the beautiful scenery.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, an expression of surprise crossed her face.

Among the many people passing by Dongting Lake, she had spotted familiar faces. But she could not clearly recall where she had seen them.

After searching her memory for some time, she finally remembered.

"The West Wind Inn."

The man who had been eating without so much as glancing in her direction wore the same attire as this person.

Dam Ho, wearing his distinctive leather robe, stood gazing at Dongting Lake. Beside him was Bang Jin-bo.

Pressed by Bang Jin-bo's insistence, Dam Ho had left the inn and was walking along the lakeshore.

Bang Jin-bo kept exclaiming in wonder at the beautiful night scenery of Dongting Lake.

Suddenly, Dam Ho turned his head. He had sensed a stranger's gaze.

Hae So-wol and Dam Ho's eyes met in midair.

The moment she looked into Dam Ho's eyes, Hae So-wol's pupils dilated uncontrollably.

Within those pitch-black eyes lay nothing but profound darkness—not a single trace of emotion could be found.

Eyes such as Dam Ho's were something Hae So-wol had never seen before.

She felt her palms growing damp.

Her neck muscles stiffened, and cold sweat trickled down her spine. Her body reacted before her mind could.

'Just who is this man…'

Only moments before, Hae So-wol had thought the Central Plains lacked talent. But the instant she saw Dam Ho, she realized how arrogant that thought had been.

"Excuse me…"

Just as she was about to speak to Dam Ho—

Splash!

Suddenly, more than a dozen black figures surged from the water. But that was not all. A merchant and an old woman who had been passing by drew swords and attacked her.

'Ambush?'