Chapter 367

Chapter 367 – People Who Are Meant to Meet Will Meet (2)

When Dam Ho raised his head, he saw a large mountain.

It was the commonly called Mount Song. One of the Five Sacred Mountains of the Central Plains and the sacred Buddhist site where Shaolin Temple was located.

Mount Song was composed of three parts: Mount Taishi in the east, Mount Junji in the center, and Mount Shaoshi in the west. Shaolin Temple was located on Mount Shaoshi in the west.

Finding Mount Shaoshi wasn't difficult. He just had to climb the mountain path where martial artists were particularly numerous.

Due to its reputation as the North Star of the martial world, Shaolin Temple had always attracted many pilgrims. Combined with the recent calamity and the Martial Alliance taking refuge there, Shaolin Temple was packed with martial artists.

With so many martial artists gathered, there were many incidents and conflicts occurred everywhere. It was inevitable. Due to the nature of martial artists who revered strength, they sought to confirm their martial power and position through duels or conflicts.

Still, order had been much better established recently. Compared to the early days, hardly any incidents worth calling significant occurred. It was evidence that the Martial Alliance was finding its footing.

Mount Song was like a great lake where countless streams merged into one. Though he didn't know what lay beneath the surface, at least what was visible on the outside was extremely peaceful.

Waves began to rise in this previously calm lake.

The first to sense the waves were the warrior monks of Dharma Hall guarding the mountain gate.

They saw a group ascending Mount Song. About twenty martial artists with thick dust accumulated on their heads and shoulders, as if they had come a very long way.

At first, they didn't pay much attention to them. With so many martial artists entering daily, such numbers could no longer draw the warrior monks' interest.

The warrior monks simply thought that another sect had sent reinforcements. However, as the martial artists approached closer, their expressions hardened.

They could sense extraordinary presence emanating from the martial artists approaching the mountain gate.

Those who radiated sharp presence like well-forged swords couldn't be ordinary martial artists.

Only then did Seol-cheon, Shaolin Temple's first-generation disciple who grasped the situation, rise to his feet. Instantly his eyes widened greatly.

It was because of the man standing at the front of the martial artists approaching the mountain gate.

He wore jet-black hair and black robes. He was bound to stand out in various ways. But what caught Seol-cheon's attention wasn't his appearance.

With his mismatched shoulders creating an off-beat gait, the man was limping.

Though countless martial artists had passed through Shaolin Temple's mountain gate, there had never been a martial artist with such distinctive characteristics. But Seol-cheon knew such a martial artist.

He was the most famous and brutal in the world.

"Co-could it be the Fist Demon?"

Instantly, the Dharma Hall warrior monks who had been standing motionless showed visible agitation.

"Mmm!"

"Amitabha!"

Their gazes turned in unison toward the black-clad man at the front.

Even at that moment, he was dragging one foot as he approached the mountain gate. As his figure grew larger, tension naturally appeared on the faces of the Dharma Hall warrior monks.

He showed no hostility and emanated no killing intent. Yet just seeing his appearance made their hearts pound and their whole bodies tense up.

'The Fist Demon!'

'It really is him.'

They involuntarily swallowed dry saliva.

They had pride in being Shaolin Temple monks, especially those belonging to Dharma Hall. Because of this, they had a habit of unconsciously looking down on martial artists from other sects.

But the intense bloody aura flowing from the man who had now approached close range was enough to completely blow away their pride.

He was precisely Dam Ho.

Those following behind him were martial artists from the Hainan Sect including Hae So-wol.

Having traveled with Dam Ho and sparred with him in martial arts, they too were now emanating rough energy. However, the Hainan Sect martial artists were completely unaware of this fact.

"Amitabha! Pl-please identify yourselves."

Seol-cheon hastily asked them.

Instantly Dam Ho stopped walking and stared directly at Seol-cheon. The moment he received Dam Ho's gaze, Seol-cheon felt his mind and body rapidly shrink.

To Seol-cheon, who had spent his entire life in the pure Buddhist temple, the bloody aura Dam Ho emanated was giving unbearable pressure.

Combined with the emotionless gaze that felt no emotion, Seol-cheon was at the point where he couldn't dare face him.

'Amitabha! Amitabha!'

Seol-cheon had to struggle greatly to maintain his composure. Only now could he truly understand why so many martial artists feared the Fist Demon.

The man before his eyes was different from them.

The presence and atmosphere he emanated were so alien that it made him doubt whether he was the same species of human.

Then Dam Ho opened his mouth.

"Dam Ho."

"A-are you truly the great hero Dam Ho, the Mount Hua Fist Demon?"

"That's right!"

"Why have you come to Shaolin Temple?"

Seol-cheon unconsciously threw out the question and then regretted it.

There was only one reason why Dam Ho and other martial artists would come here.

To fight the Demon Cult.

If not for that, there would be no reason to come to Shaolin Temple.

Dam Ho tilted his head askew and asked:

"Are you asking because you don't know?"

"N-no, I'm not."

Seol-cheon answered loudly without realizing it.

Once shrunk down, he couldn't easily regain his composure. This feeling of being crushed down to his soul was something only those who experienced it could understand.

Seol-cheon hastily turned his gaze from Dam Ho to look at the Hainan Sect martial artists.

"What about those people?"

"We're from the Hainan Sect. My name is Hae So-wol."

"Oh! You're Fourth Sister Hae of the Sea Flower. We sincerely welcome the Hainan Sect's visit to Shaolin Temple."

"Thank you for the warm reception."

Hae So-wol cupped her fists and expressed her gratitude.

"Not at all. We should be grateful that the Hainan Sect has joined us. Please wait a moment. I'll report inside and arrange accommodations for you."

"Thank you."

"It's what we should naturally do."

Seol-cheon hastily called a warrior monk to inform them of Dam Ho and Hae So-wol's arrival.

He then looked at Dam Ho.

"Great Hero Dam, please wait just a moment as well. I won't make you wait long."

"……"

Dam Ho said nothing either way. That appearance pressed even more heavily on Seol-cheon's chest.

Dam Ho stood still like a stone statue without moving. The Hainan Sect martial artists positioned behind him were the same.

During the journey here, the Hainan Sect martial artists had gained much enlightenment through sparring with Dam Ho. They truly respected Dam Ho and tried to emulate him in even the smallest things.

Their current appearance was also part of such efforts. They stood behind Dam Ho waiting for permission to pass through the mountain gate.

Time passed relentlessly, and during this time, martial artists who heard news of Dam Ho's arrival came down to the mountain gate, creating crowds.

"That guy is the Fist Demon?"

"Indeed, he looks as cold and ruthless as they say."

"Look at those eyes. Don't they look like they could slice a person to pieces just with a glance?"

"The Fist Demon joining us? I really can't believe it."

With so many people talking, the mountain gate quickly became noisy with buzzing sounds. Since Shaolin Temple had been established on Mount Song, there had never been such commotion because of a single martial artist.

Though the gazes of so many people would be burdensome, Dam Ho didn't even move. He seemed as if he couldn't hear other people's voices.

As people's voices grew louder, the tension of Hae So-wol and the Hainan Sect martial artists also amplified. Through traveling together for the past few days, they had come to know a little about Dam Ho as a person.

If it were an ordinary person, they would naturally feel somewhat shrunk in mind and body when such a crowd gathered. Being human, one couldn't be completely free from external gazes.

But Dam Ho was different.

Dam Ho had erected a great pillar deep in his heart. That pillar was so large and solid that it didn't shake in external storms.

That pillar was Dam Ho's will. Such whispers and commotion couldn't shake Dam Ho's will.

Meanwhile, the number of people coming down to see Dam Ho continued to increase.

That's when it happened.

"The Abbot is coming down."

A monk's voice from up the mountain silenced the heroes who had been chattering in confusion.

Though countless martial artists had entered Shaolin Temple's mountain gate, the Abbot had never once come out to greet them. It was such an enormous exception that the heroes were surprised yet had to acknowledge it.

This was the position the Fist Demon occupied in today's martial world.

If the law of the martial world where strength ruled, Dam Ho was positioned at the very top. High enough that even Shaolin Temple's Abbot couldn't dare ignore him.

Shortly after, Shaolin Temple's Abbot Gwang-cheon appeared escorted by Arhat Hall Leader Gwang-mun and Discipline Hall Leader Gwang-jin.

At the appearance of Shaolin Temple's leadership, the heroes bowed their heads and scattered aside. Gwang-cheon and others walked through the path thus opened.

"Amitabha! It's been a long time, Benefactor Dam."

Gwang-cheon immediately recognized Dam Ho.

Because he had seen his face before. Previously, Dam Ho had come to Shaolin Temple to meet the Infinite Divine Monk.

After conversing with Dam Ho, the Infinite Divine Monk entered nirvana, and Gwang-cheon and other leaders couldn't have a proper conversation with Dam Ho because they were busy conducting the cremation ceremony. Since Gwang-cheon had regretted this fact, he rushed out as soon as he heard news of Dam Ho's arrival.

"I believe it's been about three years. It's an honor to see you again like this."

The sight of Gwang-cheon being the first to greet Dam Ho was a great shock to the heroes. The Shaolin Abbot they knew was someone who received others' greetings, not someone who gave them first.

"To that extent."

"Indeed, should we call him the Fist Demon?"

People buzzed again seeing this scene. The spectacle unfolding before their eyes was that shocking.

"It's been a while."

"Hehe! It seems Benefactor Dam's energy has become even more profound during this time. It cannot but be a blessing for the martial world."

Gwang-cheon made an expression of genuine admiration. But even with his praise, Dam Ho showed no particular reaction.

At this, Gwang-mun and Gwang-jin beside Gwang-cheon became agitated.

"That guy!"

"Show proper courtesy."

They couldn't tolerate the Shaolin Abbot being looked down upon, even unto death. They looked ready to take action immediately. But Gwang-cheon raised his hand to stop them.

"It's fine."

"But Abbot, he has insulted Shaolin."

Discipline Hall Leader Gwang-mun raised his voice. He had looked upon Dam Ho with unfavorable eyes from before, so he couldn't help but be even more indignant.

He raised his voice toward Dam Ho.

"What's the use of having such great fame in the martial world? Your character is lacking. Become a human being first."

His voice, filled with internal energy, rang out resoundingly throughout the mountain gate area.

Befitting the leader of the Discipline Hall responsible for Shaolin Temple's regulations, his martial power was truly formidable.

Instantly Gwang-cheon frowned.

"Restrain yourself, junior brother. Your current behavior is bringing shame to me and Shaolin Temple."

"A-Abbot Senior Brother?"

When Gwang-cheon responded this way, Gwang-mun showed a flustered expression.

"I'm fine, so why are you raising your voice?"

"But Senior Brother's dignity…"

"What use is dignity in the face of the martial world's crisis? And was Shaolin's name so fragile that dignity would be harmed by this much? Rather, your response is what harms Shaolin's dignity."

"I… I'm sorry."

At Gwang-cheon's sharp rebuke, Gwang-mun had no choice but to apologize. But his face still didn't look convinced. Rather, he glared at Dam Ho with angry eyes.

Seeing such behavior from Gwang-mun, Gwang-cheon quietly sighed.

The junior brother he cherished was too rigid. To him, the name Shaolin was more precious than anything and took priority over everything. Because of this, he couldn't tolerate even small insults.

Gwang-cheon bowed his head to Dam Ho.

"I'm sorry, Benefactor Dam. Please forgive my junior brother's hastiness."

At this development, Gwang-mun's complexion turned pale. Because of his mistake, his heaven-like senior abbot brother had apologized to Dam Ho.

Dam Ho stared directly at Gwang-cheon.

This showed him what kind of caliber Gwang-cheon had. He certainly possessed the magnanimity befitting the position of Shaolin Abbot. Though he didn't know about his actual abilities.

It was when Dam Ho was nodding his head.

"Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san approaches."

"Strategist Namgung Chang is also coming with him."

Suddenly commotion arose from above as heroes moved aside to both sides. And between them, the Martial Alliance leadership appeared.

Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san led the way with Strategist Namgung Chang and others following behind.

'The Fist Demon!'

Namgung Chang's face, following behind Nam Cheon-san, was more rigid than ever before.