Chapter 136

Chapter 136: What is Emptied is Filled in Turn (2)

Huangshan was one of the most renowned mountains in the Central Plains.

There was a saying that even if one combined all Five Great Mountains—Taishan, Huashan, Hengshan, Hengshan, and Songshan—they could not rival the scenery of Huangshan.

For more than half the year, clouds shrouded its peaks, earning it the name Cloud Mountain. It was so mystical that it seemed as though an immortal might descend at any moment to walk upon the clouds.

Ranked among the top ten most treacherous peaks in the world, and foremost among all mountains in beauty, Huangshan was home to the Overlord's Banner, the headquarters of the Eighteen Greenwood Strongholds.

To control the heart of Huangshan was to rule the pinnacle of the Greenwood.

It was an unspoken law passed down through the ages.

The current master of the Overlord's Banner was the Overlord, Hwang Gyeong-mun.

The most perfect martial artist the Greenwood had ever produced. The ruler who stood at the apex of tens of thousands of Greenwood warriors. That was Hwang Gyeong-mun.

Hwang Gyeong-mun stood seven chi tall, with a robust frame. Though over sixty years of age, he possessed muscles as firm as a young man's, and bore the indomitable bearing befitting the ruler of tens of thousands.

His residence occupied the highest point of the Overlord's Banner. With the windows thrown open, the sea of clouds that blanketed Huangshan spread out before him in a single glance.

"What a spectacle!"

Hwang Gyeong-mun let out a sigh of wonder at the endless ocean of clouds.

Though he had seen this view countless times since becoming master of the Overlord's Banner, each time it felt fresh and new.

Especially at sunset, when the clouds turned crimson, the scene was nothing short of magnificent. It was Hwang Gyeong-mun's favorite sight.

After gazing at the sea of clouds for some time, Hwang Gyeong-mun suddenly shook his head.

"Still, I wonder if that wild child is doing well."

His only daughter, who had descended the mountain without permission.

He had assigned Muk Il-gwang as her bodyguard, so there was not much to worry about, but he could not help but feel concerned.

"She should have seen enough of the world and come back by now. A girl with no fear… Tch!"

Though he held the power of life and death over tens of thousands of Greenwood warriors and was called by the fearsome title of Overlord, he was, in the end, a man made of flesh and blood. He was helpless before the bonds of kinship.

Whenever he thought of Hwang Hye-ryeong, a smile rose to his face unbidden. She was the daughter he had gained late in life, and she was his reason for living.

"A suitable match should appear soon…"

As he murmured, a voice came from outside.

"Brother."

It was his trusted confidant, Yoon Chung.

"Enter."

Hwang Gyeong-mun instantly resumed the majesty of the supreme ruler.

Yoon Chung opened the door and entered.

He had been with Hwang Gyeong-mun for thirty years. Though not quite at Hwang Gyeong-mun's level, he was a seasoned warrior of the Greenwood.

He was both an excellent ally and a worthy counterbalance to Hwang Gyeong-mun. With him at his side, Hwang Gyeong-mun had been able to lead the Greenwood with a sense of balance.

Upon seeing Yoon Chung, Hwang Gyeong-mun smiled.

"What is it, Chung?"

Though they were Chief Banner Master and Vice Chief Banner Master in official capacity, in private they were sworn brothers who trusted each other absolutely. There were no barriers between them.

"The Black Water Banner Master, along with five other Banner Masters, has requested an audience, Brother."

"The Black Water Banner? Is that fellow at it again?"

"Yes. It is Jo Yun-san."

"Hmph! So he intends to go through with it after all."

Hwang Gyeong-mun furrowed his brow.

The Black Water Banner was one of the most powerful of the Eighteen Greenwood Strongholds. Naturally, they had to be sensitive to its movements.

He had long known of Jo Yun-san's great ambition. And he acknowledged his ability as well.

Jo Yun-san had risen from the very bottom to the seat of Black Water Banner Master. His tenacity and drive were worthy of recognition.

"So, how close are they?"

"Four or five days' journey, I would estimate."

"And their pretext?"

"The Demonic Cult."

"Apt. A well-chosen justification."

"They propose finding a way to counter the Demonic Cult. There is no grounds to refuse."

"He is indeed a clever fellow, is he not?"

"It is almost a pity."

"Yes!"

Hwang Gyeong-mun nodded.

His eyes gleamed sharply. From his entire being emanated the heavy, overwhelming presence of a supreme ruler.

"Jo Yun-san… If only he were not so obstinate, I would have named him successor long ago."

"What shall we do?"

"They seek a way to counter the Demonic Cult. What can we do? Let them in."

"Understood. I will make the necessary preparations."

"Just in case, have the Dragon-Rising Banner mobilized as well."

"Yes. Please do not worry."

Yoon Chung bowed and withdrew.

Alone once more, Hwang Gyeong-mun turned his gaze back to the sea of clouds.

The sun was setting.

The entire world was turning red.

"How beautiful. Whatever burns at its end is beautiful."

***

Crackle! Crackle!

Around the blazing campfire sat Dam Ho, Bang Jin-bo, Hwang Hye-ryeong, and Muk Il-gwang.

Satisfaction was plain on the faces of both Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang.

The roasted carp and porridge Bang Jin-bo had produced were nothing short of bliss itself. The carp's flesh melted on the tongue, and the freshly made porridge brought a deep sense of fullness.

Moreover, much of their depleted vitality had been restored.

"You are truly remarkable, young brother. Thanks to you, I feel much better."

"It was nothing."

Bang Jin-bo rubbed his nose with his finger, yet still wore a pleased smile.

In truth, the reason he had gone to such lengths—fishing for carp—was to help restore the vitality of Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang.

Carp had long been known as a restorative food, and to that, he had added the secret techniques of his father, Bang Woo-gwang.

"Hehe!"

He was pleased to receive the praise. But what pleased him even more was the sight of their vitality returning.

'Nutritional restoration is the path I must walk.'

Bang Jin-bo clenched his fist.

Though young in years, Bang Jin-bo had set his sights on a goal and was steadily walking his own path.

Dam Ho respected Bang Jin-bo for quietly forging ahead in this manner. Bang Jin-bo was fully deserving of that respect.

Dam Ho gazed quietly at the burning campfire. The flickering flames cast deep shadows across his face.

At that moment,

"Big… Brother."

Hwang Hye-ryeong called to Dam Ho.

Dam Ho raised his head and looked at her. Hwang Hye-ryeong asked cautiously.

"May I ask you just one thing?"

"Speak."

"Why are you helping us? May I know the reason?"

"…"

"No matter how I think about it, there is no reason for you to help us. The danger is too great."

Her voice carried a note of apology.

Dam Ho looked at her intently.

His gaze was as detached as ever. Though such a look might have been intimidating, Hwang Hye-ryeong did not avert her eyes.

"And why do you call me 'Big Brother'?"

"Well… Because for some reason, you don't feel like a stranger…"

"I feel the same."

"Yes!"

Hwang Hye-ryeong bowed her head as she answered.

It was not the most generous of replies, yet for some reason she understood. Strangely enough…

"It is late. We have a long journey ahead tomorrow. Go to sleep."

"Yes!"

Hwang Hye-ryeong answered in a small voice.

Her full stomach was already making her drowsy. The moment she lay down, she fell into a deep sleep.

Dam Ho watched her quietly.

Bang Jin-bo tilted his head. He had instinctively sensed that Dam Ho was behaving differently from usual. But what exactly was different, even he was not certain.

Dam Ho turned his gaze to Muk Il-gwang. Muk Il-gwang immediately straightened his back. The mere sight of Dam Ho's gaze was enough to put him on edge.

"Tell me."

"W-what shall I tell you?"

"Everything."

"Everything?"

"Everything you know."

At Dam Ho's low voice, Muk Il-gwang felt every fine hair on his body bristle to its roots.

A massive beast crouched before him, its breathing rough with killing intent and hostility.

The foul stench that typically followed the act of devouring prey seemed to cling to Dam Ho's breath. It made the chill even more piercing, and he did not dare to move carelessly.

"The current state of the Greenwood is…"

Muk Il-gwang began babbling everything he knew in a frenzied torrent.

His words were disjointed and unorganized. So great was the pressure he was under.

Until now, Muk Il-gwang had never imagined he could feel such pressure from another person.

Though he revered Hwang Gyeong-mun, the ruler of the Greenwood, even he had never made Muk Il-gwang feel this way.

In terms of martial arts, who was stronger was uncertain, but in the presence that crushed the spirit, Dam Ho was far superior.

He wore the skin of a man, but whether he should be regarded as one was a question.

Muk Il-gwang did not even know what he was saying; he simply kept talking. Dam Ho sat with his arms crossed, listening.

Most of the account was rambling and lacked any coherence, but Dam Ho sifted through it for useful information.

After a considerable time, Muk Il-gwang finally fell silent. His entire body was drenched in sweat.

Dam Ho spoke.

"Rest now."

"Thank you, Brother!"

Muk Il-gwang shouted louder than he had intended.

"…"

"May I… call you Brother?"

Muk Il-gwang's voice dwindled to a mosquito's hum by the end.

Dam Ho looked at him intently. In that instant, Muk Il-gwang felt a cold trickle of sweat run down his spine.

He had been born with a fearsome countenance. His mother had fainted on the spot when she first saw him as a newborn.

As he grew, his appearance only became more intimidating. He radiated such an aura of menace that no one dared meet his gaze.

Yet before Dam Ho, he was as meek as a thousand-tailed kitten. Anyone who knew even a little of his character would be astonished.

Dam Ho rose and said.

"Call me what you will."

Interpreting this as permission, Muk Il-gwang's face brightened.

"Thank you, Brother."

He rose and bowed. At the sight of Muk Il-gwang's earnest demeanor, Bang Jin-bo let out a snort of laughter.

Dam Ho walked toward the river. The day was warm, and he wished to wash his face.

Dam Ho plunged his head into the river.

The cold water against his face brought his senses sharply into focus.

Dam Ho sat by the riverbank, gazing at the darkened surface of the water. With no light to break the blackness, his eyes grew as deep as the river itself.

'Jo Yun-san… So he was no simple bandit?'

A smile graced his lips.

Jo Yun-san was an ambitious man of considerable magnitude.

He was never the sort to be content as a mere bandit.

Though he had carried out countless robberies and killings as a bandit, those were merely means to an end.

His ultimate goal was to become the Chief Banner Master of the Greenwood and stand at the apex of its tens of thousands.

Even now, he was faithfully pursuing that objective.

Through sheer force of will, he had risen to become the Black Water Banner Master and brought many Greenwood strongholds under his influence.

Had he been a complete stranger, Dam Ho might have admired his tenacity and fiery drive.

'Yes! He needs to be at least that much.'

Dam Ho smiled.

In the pitch-black darkness, his teeth gleamed an exceptional white.