Chapter 204

Chapter 204: Mistaking a Tiger for a Cat (1)

Dam Ho and Sage Hyeon-geom's gazes collided in the air.

In the darkness, Sage Hyeon-geom's eyes blazed with lightning-like intensity. His overwhelming presence and terrifying aura were such that Un-gyeong swallowed dryly and retreated a step.

Sage Hyeon-geom was a sword honed to a razor's edge. The aura he emanated was as sharp as a blade and just as lethal.

That razor-sharp aura bore down upon Dam Ho head-on. But Dam Ho's expression did not so much as change.

Dam Ho stared at Sage Hyeon-geom in silence. He said nothing. At that attitude, Sage Hyeon-geom's brow twitched.

Sage Hyeon-geom was a man who had spent his entire life looking down upon others. He was accustomed only to looking down—it was looking up that was unfamiliar to him.

Dam Ho's gaze, which seemed to look down upon him, inflicted an unbearable sense of humiliation. And so Sage Hyeon-geom was consumed by fury.

"How dare you look at me with those eyes? How dare you glare at an elder? I cannot fathom how your master has taught you."

"What about my master?"

"What did you say?"

"My master has nothing to do with this. Do not drag him into your inferiority complex."

"Inferiority complex?"

"Is it not?"

Sage Hyeon-geom's beard quivered with rage. His gaze, in turn, turned colder than ever.

"You have gained a measure of martial power and now you see nothing before you, is that it? How dare you disregard an elder of your own sect?"

"Where is this elder of the sect?"

"You?"

"Does age alone make one an elder? Simply because one once belonged to the same place, must one be shown unconditional respect?"

"Do you intend to deny the order of the world?"

"If that is the order of the world, then I shall deny it."

"You insolent brat, spouting such arrogance without knowing how high the heavens are. Do you have any idea how dangerous your words are?"

A chilling killing intent laced Sage Hyeon-geom's voice.

Until he had come here, Sage Hyeon-geom had harbored at least a sliver of desire to persuade Dam Ho. His extraordinary martial power was simply too tempting to dismiss out of hand.

But after exchanging a few words with Dam Ho, he understood.

Dam Ho would never bow his head, nor would he submit to the existing order.

Above all, he possessed not the slightest respect for the Mount Hua Sect, which Sage Hyeon-geom loved above all else. That fact drove Sage Hyeon-geom to fury.

"Whether you deny it or not, the Mount Hua Sect remains your root. Do not forget that your master, Hyeon-so, is an Elder of the Mount Hua Sect."

"That is precisely why I am restraining myself as much as I am. If Master did not care so deeply for the Mount Hua Sect, you would not be standing here on two feet."

"How dare you! You…"

At this point, Sage Hyeon-geom could endure no longer. His fury erupted.

A terrifying aura emanated from every pore of Sage Hyeon-geom's body, consuming the surrounding area. In that instant, Dam Ho's gaze turned frigid.

In eyes that had been dry as a barren field, devoid of all emotion, a cold rain filled with killing intent now fell.

Dam Ho's gaze bored into Sage Hyeon-geom's chest like a sharp blade. Sage Hyeon-geom found his hand moving to the hilt of his sword without thinking.

It was a situation balanced on a knife's edge. Un-gyeong, caught between them, did not know what to do.

If Sage Hyeon-geom and Dam Ho clashed here and now, whichever side won, the relationship between them would be damaged beyond repair.

It was then—

"That should be enough, the both of you."

A voice steeped in deep internal energy echoed beside their ears.

Whoom!

It was like a great temple bell ringing beside them.

Sage Hyeon-geom's expression shifted subtly. He removed his hand from his sword hilt and looked toward the voice.

A swordsman who appeared to be in his late fifties had approached without notice. Behind the swordsman, a young warrior was visible.

The swordsman clasped his fists and bowed.

"This one is Yeom Jung-hwa of the Zhongnan Sect."

"Zhongnan True Sword?"

"That is correct, Sage Hyeon-geom. It is an honor to finally meet the Mount Hua Sect's First Sword, whom I have long admired."

The Zhongnan True Sword, Yeom Jung-hwa.

The foremost martial artist of the Zhongnan Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, was none other than Yeom Jung-hwa. Why else would his epithet be the Zhongnan True Sword?

He was the sword that protected Zhongnan. He was not a man who left Zhongnan unless the matter was of grave importance. That he had appeared here at all spoke volumes about how seriously the Zhongnan Sect regarded this situation.

The young man standing quietly behind him was his disciple, Geum Han-su, known as the Heaven's Champion.

He was a member of the Nine Dragons and was recognized as the Zhongnan Sect's greatest prodigy among the younger generation. Though he stood quietly, his firm presence was particularly striking.

Geum Han-su's gaze was fixed upon Dam Ho. In his eyes burned an intense competitive spirit.

Any young warrior would feel the same.

Dam Ho's fame had already shaken the world. He was recognized as a supreme master at the pinnacle of the martial world.

Geum Han-su, recognized as the greatest among the younger generation as a member of the Nine Dragons, could not help but burn with a desire to compete.

Yeom Jung-hwa and Geum Han-su had seen Dam Ho once before, but they had not recognized him.

They could never have imagined that the lame boy who had once tracked the Demonic Cult's warriors alongside them was the same person as the Fist Demon standing before them now.

Dam Ho, on the other hand, recognized them at a glance.

Back then, no one had spoken a word to him. They had merely looked upon him with pity, thinking him a pitiful cripple. But now their eyes held a sharp wariness.

Dam Ho had not changed, but his fame and martial power had transformed how others saw him.

Only the strong drew attention and could act according to their own will.

That was the way of the martial world.

Geum Han-su clasped his fists and bowed to Sage Hyeon-geom and Dam Ho.

"This one is Geum Han-su of the Zhongnan Sect. It is an honor to meet both distinguished masters."

"So you are the Heaven's Champion, Zhongnan's greatest prodigy."

"It is merely an overrated title that brings me only shame. Compared to Master Hyeon-geom's disciple, Senior Brother Myeong-gyeong, I am infinitely lacking."

"Hmph! Excess of courtesy is discourtesy. They say that when courtesy goes too far, it falls short of no courtesy at all."

Sage Hyeon-geom gave a snort of derision.

Geum Han-su's aura was no less formidable than that of his own disciple, Myeong-gyeong. Until they actually fought, there was no way to determine who held the advantage.

What mattered was that Geum Han-su's martial prowess had reached such a level.

Sage Hyeon-geom asked in a sharp voice, "But why does Master Yeom involve himself in our sect's affairs?"

"If Sage Hyeon-geom and Young Hero Dam were to fight, someone would be gravely wounded. That would be a great loss to the martial world."

"Are you taking this boy's side?"

"Not at all. I am merely suggesting we approach this rationally."

"Rationally?"

"Yes."

"You are aware that this boy has been named a public enemy of the martial world?"

"Of course I am aware. But by slaying the Ten-Li Reaper, So Cheonsan, he also saved many within the Murim Alliance. Since his merits and offenses are balanced, it would not be fair to simply brand him a public enemy, would it?"

At Yeom Jung-hwa's smooth-tongued attitude, Sage Hyeon-geom's expression grew uncomfortable.

The Mount Hua Sect and the Zhongnan Sect had long been established in Shaanxi Province. The rivalry between the two sects was legendary.

When the Mount Hua Sect prospered, the Zhongnan Sect declined, and when the Zhongnan Sect flourished, the Mount Hua Sect fell.

Naturally, relations between the two sects were poor, and a tense rivalry always simmered between them.

Several decades ago, after the Mount Hua Sect suffered a devastating blow at the hands of the Demonic Cult, the Zhongnan Sect had seized control of Shaanxi. For that reason, Sage Hyeon-geom and the Mount Hua Sect's leadership harbored no goodwill toward the Zhongnan Sect.

"Since merits and offenses cancel out, he cannot simply be branded a public enemy? Is that the Zhongnan Sect's position?"

"Not just the Zhongnan Sect—many would think the same."

Yeom Jung-hwa calmly withstood Sage Hyeon-geom's fierce gaze.

Though Sage Hyeon-geom was called the Mount Hua Sect's First Sword, Yeom Jung-hwa did not fear him in the slightest. He himself was qualified to be called the Zhongnan Sect's First Sword.

Sage Hyeon-geom bit his lip.

In his heart, he wished to slaughter both Dam Ho and Yeom Jung-hwa on the spot. But neither was a man to be underestimated, and the risk was far too great.

"Hmph!"

In the end, Sage Hyeon-geom gave a snort and turned on his heel.

"Martial Uncle!"

Un-gyeong hurried after him.

Whatever the circumstances, he was a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. He had to follow Sage Hyeon-geom.

Dam Ho watched in silence as Sage Hyeon-geom vanished into the darkness.

"Young Hero Dam, there is no need to worry about being named a public enemy. With the strength of the Zhongnan Sect, we can easily clear that stain."

"……"

Dam Ho looked at Yeom Jung-hwa.

The man had become even smoother than before. Once, he had carried himself like a proud crane; now he resembled a seasoned veteran who had experienced everything the world had to offer.

Dam Ho knew that Yeom Jung-hwa had not intervened out of goodwill. That was why he felt no particular gratitude.

"You two are the same as ever. Just like before."

"What do you mean?"

"So you still don't remember."

Yeom Jung-hwa and Geum Han-su sensed from Dam Ho's tone that he knew them.

"Have we met before, perhaps?"

"Thirteen years ago. Yun Family Manor in Cheon'yang County."

"That's…"

Geum Han-su's eyes widened in recognition first.

There had once been an impromptu pursuit team formed by the Wudang Sect, the Mount Hua Sect, and the Zhongnan Sect to track the Demonic Cult. And there had been a lame boy among them.

"Could it be you?"

"Now you remember."

"How?"

Geum Han-su's pupils wavered.

A young boy who was a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect yet was ignored by the sect. At the time, Geum Han-su had treated Dam Ho as though he did not exist.

He had not openly mocked him for being a cripple, but neither had he thought him worthy of any real attention.

Yeom Jung-hwa could likewise recall Dam Ho without much difficulty.

'That insignificant boy has become such a figure. One truly cannot predict what the world will bring.'

The lame boy whom everyone had ignored had now become the supreme master of the martial world, striking fear into all.

"Fate has drawn us together once more. I, Yeom, am truly impressed by Young Hero Dam. I salute your perseverance and determination in overcoming countless hardships. I sincerely hope we can maintain a good relationship going forward."

"That depends on what you do."

In that instant, a flicker of anger crossed Geum Han-su's face. Dam Ho's arrogant words had touched a nerve. But he did not openly show his hostility.

Yeom Jung-hwa clasped his fists and said, "Indeed. Then we shall take our leave. Please rest well. We shall visit again."

"We shall meet again."

Geum Han-su followed Yeom Jung-hwa as they walked away.

The two quickly put distance between themselves and the cottage. Once Dam Ho was finally out of sight, Yeom Jung-hwa burst into a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha! That was truly entertaining."

"What is so amusing, Master?"

"Well, were you not entertained?"

"Not in the slightest."

Geum Han-su bit his lip hard.

As a member of the Nine Dragons, he felt an especially intense competitive spirit toward his peers. Dam Ho was younger than him and physically impaired, yet he possessed martial power far greater and enjoyed a far more illustrious reputation.

That fact wounded his pride.

'I will surpass him someday. I will be the one to stand at the pinnacle of the martial world.'

While Geum Han-su steeled his resolve, Yeom Jung-hwa patted him on the shoulder.

"There is no need to be so competitive with him."

"Why not?"

"He is too strong."

"What?"

"When one is too strong, it is inevitable that one will break. For now, he holds his head high, unaware of how fearsome the world truly is. But he will learn soon enough—how savage the martial world can be. It is not so gentle a place that strength alone guarantees survival."

Yeom Jung-hwa smiled faintly. Even in the face of his meaningful smile, Geum Han-su could not bring himself to smile in return.

"He is an excellent tool. There is no tool more suited to killing. But that is his limit. In the end, he will be used as a tool and broken. Your task is not to envy him, but to consider how best to make use of him."

"Mmn!"

"The Mount Hua Sect is truly foolish. To have discarded such a fine sword of their own will. Hahaha!"

Yeom Jung-hwa's laughter scattered in the wind.

Only then did Geum Han-su's rigid expression relax slightly.

'True. In the end, he is destined to rampage alone and die. I am different. I will become the Grandmaster of the great Zhongnan Sect and reign supreme over the world. Yes, I will be magnanimous. How difficult can that be? And if that fails…'

Geum Han-su thought of the Nine Dragons.