Chapter 140

Chapter 140: The Wind Relentlessly Shakes the Branches of the Great Tree (3)

Mount Hua possessed several naturally formed caves. Among them, some were situated in locations so secret that even the disciples of the sect did not know of their existence.

The Violet Spirit Cave was one such place.

Only a handful within the Mount Hua Sect knew of the Violet Spirit Cave's existence. It was that secret, and that important.

The Violet Spirit Cave had been formed naturally in the distant past. But as the ages passed, artificial elements had been added.

Some had displayed their martial arts here; others had left behind insights.

The walls of the Violet Spirit Cave bore such traces in full.

The cave, which had lain empty for a long time, now held a single man.

His name was Myeong-gyeong.

He was the most promising martial artist of the Mount Hua Sect, and a member of the Nine Dragons.

He had returned to Mount Hua only a few days prior. In stark contrast to the confidence with which he had departed, he had returned with drooping shoulders.

People were surprised by Myeong-gyeong's humbling return, and even more shocked to learn that he had been defeated by Dam Ho.

Myeong-gyeong was not merely a rising talent. He was the hope and future of Mount Hua. The fact that the prodigy who would lead the sect for at least the next thirty years had been felled by Dam Ho's fist sent a shockwave through the mountain.

But the one most shaken of all was Myeong-gyeong himself.

Upon his return to the Mount Hua Sect, Myeong-gyeong had immediately sequestered himself in the Violet Spirit Cave, entering closed-door training.

He sat in meditation, recalling that day.

The Blood Plum Blossom Sword, which his Master had imparted, was perfect. And he had mastered it to its utmost limit.

Myeong-gyeong had executed the Blood Plum Blossom Sword from beginning to end with absolute perfection. It was the first time he had deployed the art with such flawless precision since learning it.

Yet despite executing it so perfectly, Myeong-gyeong had been thoroughly defeated. Without a shred of room for excuse, utterly and completely.

Had Dam Ho shown the slightest mercy, he would already be dead.

Dam Ho, faced in direct combat, was truly terrifying.

His martial arts were fearsome enough, but the man himself possessed a power that made one's skin crawl.

Myeong-gyeong bit his lip.

'The difference between him and me is desperation. The killing intent to absolutely destroy the opponent.'

Dam Ho's fists were terrifying because they were filled with killing intent. In their clash, Myeong-gyeong had learned this to his very bones.

'How can someone be like that?'

Myeong-gyeong's eyebrow twitched.

The more he recalled Dam Ho, the higher the wall he perceived. A wall as vast and towering as Mount Hua itself.

At that moment,

"Myeong-gyeong."

A low voice pierced his ears.

Myeong-gyeong turned his head quickly. There, he saw a familiar face.

A middle-aged swordsman whose aura was as sharp as a finely honed blade.

"Master!"

It was none other than Sage Hyeon-geom, Myeong-gyeong's Master.

Over the past twelve years, Sage Hyeon-geom's presence had grown even keener, exuding an atmosphere so sharp-edged that standing before him made it difficult to draw breath.

Myeong-gyeong bowed his head hastily. Sage Hyeon-geom did not accept the greeting, instead regarding him with a cold gaze.

"I have heard the account."

"Master!"

"You were defeated?"

"I am sorry."

"Cheong-gyeong… Was that child truly that remarkable?"

Sage Hyeon-geom's voice was as cold as frost.

He was disappointed in the disciple he had cultivated with such painstaking care.

It did not matter how strong Dam Ho was, or how great his renown.

That the disciple he had raised had lost to Dam Ho.

That by doing so, his own reputation had been dragged through the dirt—that was what shamed him.

'To think he lost to nothing more than a cripple.'

He still remembered with vivid clarity the limping boy of twelve years ago.

The boy who had defied his conviction that a cripple could never achieve greatness.

Sage Hyeon-geom had cast him aside without mercy. For a cripple mastering his martial arts would have been a direct challenge to his beliefs.

He had never once regretted that decision, even now that his own disciple had returned in defeat.

He was furious.

"Tell me. Was Cheong-gyeong's martial art truly so great? That you could not withstand it?"

"He is… strong. His martial arts are powerful, but the man himself is terrifyingly strong."

"Is that so?"

As he echoed the words, Sage Hyeon-geom's pupils trembled slightly.

"I cannot understand."

"What do you mean?"

"Why did you not take him as a disciple back then? Why did you choose me instead of him?"

Myeong-gyeong's voice wavered.

Sage Hyeon-geom's gaze narrowed.

His disciple had to be flawless. Only then could he succeed him and protect the Mount Hua Sect from outside threats.

But that disciple was wavering.

Because of Dam Ho, whom he had cast aside twelve years ago.

'How dare he!'

A tiny crack appeared in the center of his iron resolve.

***

The Overlord's Banner, situated in the treacherous terrain of Huangshan, was a perfect fortress unto itself. While most strongholds built their walls from great timber, the Overlord's Banner had constructed its ramparts from massive stone.

The buildings rising above the walls were not crude huts woven from wood, but proper halls and pavilions. It was the majesty befitting the headquarters of the Greenwood.

"Welcome."

The moment they entered the Overlord's Banner, Yoon Chung greeted them warmly.

Yoon Chung's face was wreathed in a smile that put everyone at ease.

"Uncle Yoon!"

Hwang Hye-ryeong waved at Yoon Chung.

"Haha! Hye-ryeong, you've come."

Yoon Chung's face lit up.

Hwang Hye-ryeong was not merely Hwang Gyeong-mun's daughter. Everyone in the Overlord's Banner treated her like their own child, and Yoon Chung was no exception.

Hwang Hye-ryeong particularly looked up to Yoon Chung, calling him Uncle and frequently acting out of affection. For that reason, her manner toward him was especially warm.

"It is a relief you have returned safely. So, was your journey to the Murim enjoyable?"

"Enjoyable? Not really."

"Why?"

"There were just… too many things happening."

"Is that so? It must have been difficult. Now that you are home, rest easy."

"Yes!"

Hwang Hye-ryeong nodded.

When their conversation had concluded, Hwang Gyeong-mun spoke.

"See that these two are given quarters as well. They are honored guests. Treat them with particular care."

"Understood."

As Yoon Chung answered respectfully, Bang Jin-bo suddenly stepped forward.

"May I watch the slaughtering?"

"You may, but why?"

"I have some interest in cooking."

Bang Jin-bo said this with a blush, looking shy. Yoon Chung glanced at Hwang Gyeong-mun, who answered with a nod.

Yoon Chung then pointed to the Greenwood warriors standing nearby.

"Very well. Follow them."

"Thank you."

After bowing, Bang Jin-bo ran off toward the men Yoon Chung had indicated.

Yoon Chung's gaze fell upon Dam Ho.

"Hero Dam, please follow me."

Dam Ho nodded and followed Yoon Chung.

After watching them for a moment, Hwang Gyeong-mun turned to Hwang Hye-ryeong.

"Come with me. There is much to discuss."

"Yes!"

Hwang Hye-ryeong answered and obediently followed her father.

The look in their eyes was no longer that of a tender father and daughter.

If their meeting thus far had been a private reunion, the time had now come for a conversation of state.

The two moved to Hwang Gyeong-mun's quarters.

When they were finally alone, Hwang Gyeong-mun's expression grew somber.

"What happened?"

He asked not as a father, but as the Chief Banner Master of the Eighteen Greenwood Strongholds.

Hwang Hye-ryeong understood this, and recounted in detail what she had experienced at Dongjing Lake and Akyang.

After hearing everything, Hwang Gyeong-mun's expression stiffened visibly.

"The Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult… It is nothing but ill news. The only consolation is that the Demonic Cult has left the Alliance no leisure to concern itself with us."

"But someday, the Alliance's sword will be turned upon us."

"Indeed. It has been repeated many times. They need a scapegoat, and the Greenwood is merely a convenient prey to their liking."

Hwang Gyeong-mun rose.

Opening the window, the entirety of the Overlord's Banner spread out before him.

His life's sweat and passion were infused in this place.

It was not merely the Overlord's Banner. He had devoted his life to protecting the Eighteen Greenwood Strongholds. He had achieved their present prosperity, but he knew better than anyone how precarious it was.

Hwang Gyeong-mun approached Hwang Hye-ryeong and patted her on the shoulder.

"You have worked hard. I am glad it was not merely a leisure trip."

"Do you think I am a child forever?"

"No matter how you grow, to a father's eyes, you will always be a child."

"Hmph!"

Hwang Hye-ryeong wrinkled her nose. But even that seemed lovely in Hwang Gyeong-mun's eyes.

"In any case, the Fist Demon—you have brought a titan."

Hwang Gyeong-mun looked in the direction of Dam Ho's quarters.

"Are you one born to call forth blood? Or do you instinctively seek out the places where blood is spilled?"

His gaze deepened.

The quarters Yoon Chung had assigned was a small pavilion within the inner grounds of the Overlord's Banner. Though devoid of unnecessary ornamentation and quite simple, the care that had gone into its preparation was evident.

The entire panorama of the Overlord's Banner was visible at a glance.

The shape of the walls, the arrangement of the halls, and even the deployment of the warriors.

Hwang Gyeong-mun had laid all of this bare before Dam Ho, who was no more than an outsider.

'Does that mean he is that confident?'

Dam Ho's eyes narrowed.

Hwang Gyeong-mun, seen in person, was a man of considerable stature. And he seemed to dote deeply on Hwang Hye-ryeong. The affectionate expression on his face said as much.

Yoon Chung spoke with a smile.

"Please rest here, and if you need anything, do not hesitate to call. Since you are Hye-ryeong's guest, you are a guest of honor to me as well."

Yoon Chung wore an endlessly bright smile. There was not a trace of pretense in it.

Not everyone could smile so freely in the presence of Dam Ho.

Dam Ho looked at him intently. Yoon Chung discreetly averted his gaze and stepped back.

"Then I shall take my leave."

Yoon Chung smiled and departed.

Dam Ho gazed at the door through which he had vanished, a deep furrow between his brows.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

"May I come in, Brother?"

The voice belonged to Muk Il-gwang.

"Enter."

With Dam Ho's permission, Muk Il-gwang entered cautiously.

Strapped to his back were two new axes. He had taken a spare pair from the stronghold.

With his fearsome appearance further enhanced by the axes, he looked even more terrifying. But in his own way, he was wearing as cautious an expression as he could manage.

"What is it?"

"I was worried you might be lonely."

"Me?"

"If I am bothering you, I will leave."

Dam Ho regarded Muk Il-gwang for a moment. Muk Il-gwang did not flinch from his gaze.

Grit!

Muk Il-gwang bit his lip. It was an unconscious act to endure Dam Ho's stare.

Muk Il-gwang feared nothing in the world, yet in Dam Ho's presence, he inexplicably felt diminished.

Dam Ho asked suddenly.

"Do you care for Hye-ryeong?"

"What?"

In that instant, Muk Il-gwang's pupils trembled.

He was so startled he could not even answer. But Dam Ho did not press him.

Muk Il-gwang's reaction was answer enough.

"Do not let that feeling change."

"O-of course."

Muk Il-gwang answered involuntarily, his voice loud.

His face flushed crimson.

Dam Ho looked at him in silence.

Appearance did not matter. What truly mattered was the heart of the person.

Muk Il-gwang possessed a heart that would not waver.

That was enough.

'Yes. More than enough.'