Chapter 179

Chapter 179: Chapter 2. The Wind of Chaos Blows from the North (1)

Dam Ho left the carriage.

At this moment, the two women's conversation was ongoing, and there was no place for Dam Ho among them.

Stepping outside, Dam Ho sat on a rock and watched the people of the Morning Fire Trading Company. Though they had been here for quite some time, they showed no signs of disorder. The powerful discipline and restraint that were difficult to find in ordinary trading companies or escort agencies were firmly established among them.

At that moment, someone approached Dam Ho. It was Yun Sa-il, the Outer Hall Master of the Morning Fire Trading Company.

"Young Mistress has been weary from the long journey. As you can see, there are nothing but dark, rough men around, so there was no one to serve as a conversation partner. Fortunately, your party was able to be her companion for a time."

"A long journey?"

"We're on our way to Shaolin Temple. We still have five more days of travel."

At Yun Sa-il's words, interest sparked in Dam Ho's eyes. The name Shaolin Temple had caught his attention.

The foremost of the Nine Great Sects, the eternal spiritual pillar of the Murim. When speaking of the Murim, the three characters Shaolin Temple were indispensable. A place filled with as many legends and myths as its long history. For anyone who set foot in the Murim, Shaolin Temple was a name that inspired endless admiration.

"Why are you going to Shaolin Temple?"

"Merchants move only when there's money to be made. Shaolin Temple has requested a trade. It's quite a large-scale transaction, which is why even the Young Mistress has come."

Shaolin Temple was the acknowledged leader of the Murim. No matter how much the Morning Fire Trading Company possessed the world's greatest wealth, Shaolin Temple was an imposing trading partner even for them.

"And where are you headed, sir?"

"Shaanxi Province."

"The world is in chaos, and you're taking such a long journey. Isn't it dangerous? Wouldn't it be better to travel with us for at least part of the way?"

Yun Sa-il made an unexpected offer.

When Dam Ho looked at him with an inscrutable gaze, Yun Sa-il smiled.

"You'd have a comfortable journey to your destination, and our Young Mistress would gain a companion. Wouldn't that be beneficial for both parties?"

"I'm not asking you to decide immediately. There's still time, so please think it over."

Yun Sa-il left those words and withdrew.

Dam Ho watched Yun Sa-il's retreating figure in silence.

After about two hours, Jong Ri-yeon opened the carriage door and came out.

"Did you wait long? I'm sorry. I was so absorbed in talking with Miss Won that I didn't realize how much time had passed."

Jong Ri-yeon apologized first.

Won Seol-hwa, seasoned in commerce, had extensive experience and knowledge. With her broad knowledge as a foundation, she was an engaging conversationalist, and it was impossible not to be drawn in.

Dam Ho asked.

"Do you want to travel with her?"

"No."

Unexpectedly, Jong Ri-yeon shook her head.

"I've already spoken with her enough. Whatever conversation we didn't finish, we can have if fate brings us together again. She is certainly a beautiful and wise woman. When you talk with her, you lose track of time. Because of that, I almost forgot that a patient was waiting. But I am a physician. The patient takes priority over her. For the journey to the patient, I want to think one more time about how to treat him."

Jong Ri-yeon's mind was occupied day and night with nothing but medicine and her patients.

Dam Ho and Jong Ri-yeon bid farewell to the Morning Fire Trading Company. There was no reason to stay here any longer.

After Dam Ho and Jong Ri-yeon departed, Yun Sa-il entered the carriage. He knelt with the utmost respect.

"Young Mistress!"

"That man?"

"He left with the Divine Physician."

"Hmm."

Won Seol-hwa wrinkled the tip of her nose. Even with just a slight change in expression, her presence was so captivating that the air seemed to heat up.

"What a shame. He was a man who would have been a great asset if he'd stayed."

"Do you know who he is?"

"He was slightly limping on his left leg."

"Ah!"

In that instant, Yun Sa-il gasped involuntarily. Only then did he realize what he had missed.

"He is the Fist Demon."

"That's right. There are countless martial artists in the world, but among them, the one with such a distinctive characteristic is only him."

"But I heard he disappeared last autumn."

"It seems he's returned to the world."

Won Seol-hwa continued speaking as if it were of no consequence. But contrary to her outward appearance, her mind was in turmoil.

The epithet Fist Demon carried considerable weight. Wherever he went, a bloodbath always followed, and many died. The martial artists who had died at his hands numbered in the hundreds, and among them were many supreme masters who had shaken the Murim.

"He is truly a troublesome figure. He's burdensome to have as an ally, and equally difficult to make an enemy of."

"Regardless, he's just one man. He cannot withstand the storms of the Murim alone."

"Perhaps. That would be the natural way of things. But somehow, I don't feel at ease. It's irritating. Like having a thorn on my tongue."

"Young Mistress?"

"For now, let's focus on the trade with Shaolin Temple. That's what's most important."

"Understood."

"This is an opportunity that doesn't come easily. Before arriving at Shaolin Temple, we must make all preparations."

"I'd like to be alone."

"Understood. Please rest, then."

Yun Sa-il left, and Won Seol-hwa was left alone in the carriage.

"The Fist Demon… Is he truly as remarkable as the rumors say?"

Her voice lingered with a peculiar resonance before fading.

***

Jong Ri-yeon, riding her horse, suddenly spoke.

"Miss Won is truly remarkable too."

"How so?"

"The fact that the young mistress of the world's greatest trading company personally accompanies the trade caravan. Of course, she must have the ability to do so, but she could live comfortably, enjoying all the wealth and glory."

"If you put it that way, you're the same."

"Me?"

"You have the world's greatest medical skills. If you opened a clinic, people would come to you naturally, but instead you walk this difficult path."

"My case is different. I swore to live this way."

"No different at all."

"I'm happy to hear that."

"What?"

"Your words of praise."

"I wasn't particularly praising you."

"Heh heh!"

Despite Dam Ho's cold response, Jong Ri-yeon laughed.

'Won Seol-hwa.'

The young mistress of the Morning Fire Trading Company, the greatest trading company in the world. Her business acumen was extraordinary, and her control over her subordinates was formidable. But what truly troubled Dam Ho was Won Seol-hwa's gaze. Behind her seductive eyes lay a cold, serpentine gaze and vast ambition. It was the gaze of a woman who was no ordinary person.

'She, too, has ambitions.'

It was an age of chaos. A time when the dormant dragons were stirring to take flight. Won Seol-hwa was very likely one of those dormant dragons.

"What are you thinking so deeply about?"

Jong Ri-yeon's voice broke his reverie.

"Nothing…"

"Yeogang isn't far. If we ride for another half day, we should reach it."

"You said there's a patient in Yeogang?"

"That's right."

Jong Ri-yeon nodded.

"What kind of patient?"

"A patient born with a rare condition called Absolute Meridian. Born containing too much yang energy, if left untreated, the heart meridian will burn up before he turns twenty."

"There's such a disease?"

"It's an extremely rare condition. It appears perhaps once in a hundred years. The patient is eighteen this year. If left untreated, he won't make it past twenty."

"Are you confident you can cure him?"

"I have to do my best. I believe that with effort, I can save him. No, I must save him. That is my duty."

Jong Ri-yeon's eyes shone with conviction.

They arrived at Yeogang before the sun set.

Jong Ri-yeon led Dam Ho to a small residence on the outskirts of Yeogang. It was a typical courtyard house, with rooms arranged on all four sides around a central courtyard. The style was ideally suited for enduring the harsh northern winters.

Bang bang!

Jong Ri-yeon knocked on the front gate of the Woo family residence.

After a moment, the gate opened slightly and an elderly man poked his head out.

"Who…"

"It's me."

"Ah! Is it the Divine Physician?"

"I'm a bit late, aren't I?"

"You've finally arrived!"

The old man's face lit up with emotion. He hurriedly opened the gate fully and grasped Jong Ri-yeon's hand.

"The Young Master has been waiting for your arrival."

"I'm sorry for the late arrival. How is he?"

"He's still holding on."

"That's a relief."

Jong Ri-yeon smiled.

The old man looked at Dam Ho, who stood beside her.

"And this person?"

"My companion."

"Ah! I see. Please come inside instead of standing out here."

The old man led them into the house.

"Sister!"

As soon as they entered the courtyard, a boy who appeared to be around twenty greeted them.

Jong Ri-yeon broke into a wide smile.

"You're alive."

"You told me to cling to life stubbornly, didn't you?"

"I did."

"Do you have confidence to treat me now?"

"Yes!"

Jong Ri-yeon nodded. The boy gave a faint smile.

"That's a relief."

"I told you to trust only this older sister."

"I have been."

Jong Ri-yeon and the boy conversed like real siblings.

The boy's gaze turned to Dam Ho.

"And this gentleman?"

"He's my companion."

"Ah! My name is Myeong-cheon. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The boy who introduced himself as Myeong-cheon looked at Dam Ho with deep eyes.

"My name is Dam Ho."

"It's the great Fist Demon, Hero Dam."

Unexpectedly, Myeong-cheon recognized Dam Ho's identity at a glance.