Chapter 359

Chapter 359 – Two Lives Wouldn't Be Enough to Survive This Danger (3)
Snort!
When Dam Ho opened the stable door, Black Ghost breathed roughly and greeted him warmly. Behind Black Ghost's back, the sight of a collapsed white horse could be seen.
"That horse?"
"The owner abandoned it."
Servant Ah-ho hurriedly answered.
"Abandoned?"
"Yes! Once he found out that black horse belonged to you, sir, he abandoned it and ran away."
Ah-ho looked thoroughly angry.
He didn't particularly like the bad-tempered white horse. So when it was trampled by Black Ghost, he actually cheered. But seeing it abandoned by its owner, he couldn't bear the pity.
"How can a horse be at fault? It's the owner's fault for training it wrong. I'll try to train it well from now on."
At Ah-ho's words, Dam Ho nodded and led Black Ghost outside. Outside the stable, Hae So-wol and the Hainan Sect disciples were waiting for him. Since their destination was the same anyway, they had decided to go together.
Unlike Dam Ho, they had no horses, but it wasn't a big problem. Since Dengfeng County where Shaolin Temple was located was only about a hundred li away, it was fine to walk.
Dam Ho also decided to walk instead of riding Black Ghost.
The Hainan Sect disciples looked at Dam Ho with reverent eyes. Among them were some who had seen Dam Ho before, but there were many more who hadn't. To them, Dam Ho was an object of admiration and awe. The fact that they were accompanying Dam Ho to Shaolin Temple felt almost like a lie.
Hae So-wol said:
"Then let's depart."
They all left the inn together.
The closer they got to Dengfeng County, the more martial artists could be seen on the streets. They were all martial artists heading to Shaolin Temple. Among them were those who appeared to be from prestigious orthodox sects, and there were also martial artists in shabby attire like wanderers.
Dam Ho walked looking straight ahead without giving them a glance. Since the Hainan Sect martial artists were positioned around him like guards, people couldn't recognize Dam Ho's identity.
Hae So-wol, walking beside Dam Ho, suddenly spoke:
"I thought only Hainan was hot, but this place is no joke either. Maybe because it's already the end of summer."
It was hot weather that made one sweat profusely even while standing still. At least they could endure it because they had learned internal energy, but ordinary people were avoiding going out in the terrible heat.
Dam Ho said nothing. But Hae So-wol wasn't hurt or disappointed. Because she hadn't expected Dam Ho's answer anyway.
During the journey here, Dam Ho hadn't said a single word. Though Dam Ho's silence was uncomfortable, it wasn't unbearable. Rather, being with him was much more comfortable than with other talkative people. At least Dam Ho didn't bother her.
Then one of the Hainan Sect disciples approached Dam Ho. It was Jin Mun-jung, one of Hae So-wol's junior brothers.
Jin Mun-jung was the most cool-headed among the Hainan Sect disciples while also having strong enthusiasm for martial arts.
He carefully called to Dam Ho.
"Dam… Great Hero."
"……"
"I am called Jin Mun-jung, a first-generation disciple of the Hainan Sect. May I ask you one thing?"
Jin Mun-jung's face was full of resolute light.
Though he was considered a talent in the Hainan Sect, compared to Dam Ho he was no different from a firefly before the full moon.
In the past, it was hard to acknowledge that fact, but now he not only acknowledged it but thought it was natural.
That he was speaking to Dam Ho now also took tremendous courage. He also knew how cold-hearted Dam Ho was. Nevertheless, he spoke to Dam Ho because he was that desperate.
Dam Ho looked at Jin Mun-jung. His emotionless gaze was frightening, but Jin Mun-jung didn't avoid Dam Ho's stare.
Finally Dam Ho opened his mouth.
"Speak!"
"There's an unresolved part in the martial arts I've learned. If possible, I'd like to hear Great Hero Dam's insights."
"You want to know martial principles?"
"I'm sorry but… yes."
Jin Mun-jung bowed his head and answered.
He also knew how shameless his request was. But he was desperate enough to ask Dam Ho for teachings. That desperation made Jin Mun-jung risk danger and speak to Dam Ho.
Dam Ho looked at Jin Mun-jung for a long time. At this, the other Hainan Sect disciples watched with tense eyes.
They also knew Jin Mun-jung's enthusiasm for martial arts, but they never expected him to make such a request to Dam Ho at a time like this. If Dam Ho got angry, they would have to deal with the consequences, so they couldn't help but be nervous.
But contrary to their expectations, Dam Ho didn't get angry.
"What are you curious about?"
"Among our sect's martial arts, there's something called the Thirteen Sea Swallow Swords. It's an ultimate technique I've learned, but I can't understand the sixth form called Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike. In the manual, there's clearly this passage…"
"I don't interpret passages."
"Then?"
"Follow me!"
Dam Ho entered the bushes near the road. Jin Mun-jung looked around with a hardened expression for a moment.
Hae So-wol said to Jin Mun-jung with a worried expression:
"Will you be alright? Great Hero Dam is never someone who goes easy on people."
"I know."
"Even so, you must do this?"
"I want to be helpful to our sect."
"Junior brother?"
"To do that, I need to become stronger. If no one will help, at least I should become stronger to help our sect."
"……"
At Jin Mun-jung's unexpected words, the group became solemn. Jin Mun-jung smiled looking at them.
"I'm afraid of Great Hero Dam. But what's more frightening is remaining forever as someone who can't help our sect at all."
The Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike that Jin Mun-jung was stuck on was an important gateway leading to higher levels. He firmly believed that once he overcame this gateway, he would surely encounter a new realm.
Jin Mun-jung gripped his steel sword tightly and walked into the bushes where Dam Ho had entered.
"Hmm!"
"Sigh!"
At Jin Mun-jung's appearance, the Hainan Sect disciples let out deep sighs with complex expressions. Something surged up from deep within their hearts.
At that moment, a roar echoed from within the bushes.
Bang!
"Kek!"
Followed by someone's single scream.
There was no doubt that the owner of the scream was Jin Mun-jung. The pain he felt was vividly conveyed through the scream.
"Again!"
"Aaaah!"
At that moment came Dam Ho's cold-hearted voice and Jin Mun-jung's agonized response.
Swiiish!
The sound of a sword cutting through air and explosions followed in succession. Then Jin Mun-jung was flung out of the bushes and tumbled on the ground.
"Junior brother Jin."
When Hae So-wol tried to support him in surprise, Jin Mun-jung pushed her hand away and stood up. Then he entered the forest again.
Swigak!
A sharper sound than before pierced the eardrums of Hae So-wol and the others. It was a spine-chilling sound.
Kwang!
But as the roar echoed, Jin Mun-jung was flung out again without fail. His entire body was dyed red with blood, and black bruises could be seen everywhere.
"Keuk!"
Jin Mun-jung wiped the blood flowing from his mouth with his sleeve and raised his body.
"I'll go again."
This time, even without Dam Ho's urging, Jin Mun-jung gritted his teeth and jumped into the bushes.
Hae So-wol and the Hainan Sect martial artists watched the scene while holding their breath.
It was no different from striking a rock with an egg. With Jin Mun-jung's skills, he couldn't even scratch Dam Ho's body.
After that, Jin Mun-jung was flung out of the bushes and jumped back in more than ten times.
Whiiiing!
But each time Jin Mun-jung jumped into the bushes, the sound from his sword became increasingly sharper. And finally, almost no sound was made.
At that moment, Jin Mun-jung was feeling a strange sensation he had never experienced before.
All the nerves in his body tingled and his vision suddenly seemed to widen. The air that had been completely blocked by the massive wall called Dam Ho was escaping through a gap as narrow as a needle. To Jin Mun-jung, that place looked like the only sword path his sword could pass through.
"Chaaaat!"
Without realizing it, he let out a great battle cry and thrust his sword.
Like a steel swallow flying through the air, throwing its whole body with all its might.
Shuuu!
Jin Mun-jung's body trembled at the dizzying feeling that all his internal energy was being sucked into his sword through his right arm. But regardless of his feelings, his body was moving on its own.
Pook!
His sword became light and penetrated Dam Ho's body.
At that vivid sensation, Jin Mun-jung's body trembled. The thrilling feeling like lightning passing from head to toe and the ecstasy of enlightenment that came with it made him tremble.
But his ecstasy didn't last very long.
Kwang!
Following a roar, tremendous shock struck him, and he lost consciousness just like that.
"Senior brother Jin!"
"Junior brother!"
The Hainan Sect disciples caught Jin Mun-jung as he fell like a log.
The state of unconscious Jin Mun-jung was truly miserable. His entire body was dyed with blood, and black bruises had formed everywhere. Yet Jin Mun-jung was smiling even while unconscious.
"Such a fool…"
Hae So-wol muttered quietly looking at such Jin Mun-jung. Though she said that, she thought Jin Mun-jung's recklessness was remarkable.
Unable to watch Jin Mun-jung keep charging at Dam Ho while covered in blood, she and the Hainan Sect disciples had rushed into the bushes. And they saw Jin Mun-jung's final attack.
The beautiful strike of a steel swallow throwing its whole body. It was truly perfect Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike. He had finally succeeded in that technique that had blocked and frustrated Jin Mun-jung countless times.
That's why Jin Mun-jung could smile even while unconscious. Knowing the meaning of that smile, Hae So-wol found him admirable.
Hae So-wol raised her head and looked at Dam Ho.
Dam Ho's black robe had a small hole in it. It was the trace of Jin Mun-jung successfully landing the Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike. Though the power was weak and couldn't wound Dam Ho, he had splendidly manifested the technique.
"Thank you."
Hae So-wol thanked Dam Ho.
That Jin Mun-jung could deploy the Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike was entirely thanks to Dam Ho. He had blocked countless sword paths Jin Mun-jung deployed and left only one sword path, forcing him to deploy it through there.
It wasn't done knowing the Iron Swallow Flying Slash Strike. It was because he thought that for the technique Jin Mun-jung deployed to exert its greatest power, only the final sword path was possible.
It wasn't calculated with his head. After clashing with his body several times, he naturally came to know it.
Dam Ho looked at the hole in his robe. It was a narrow hole barely wide enough for one finger, but within it was contained Jin Mun-jung's obsession.
Setting aside everything else, Jin Mun-jung's obsession and decisiveness alone were worthy of high recognition.
Dam Ho lifted the unconscious Jin Mun-jung and placed him on Black Ghost's back. The very fact that he put Jin Mun-jung on Black Ghost was proof that Dam Ho acknowledged him.
"Let's go."
Even at Dam Ho's words, the Hainan Sect martial artists hesitated. Because they had seen Jin Mun-jung throw his whole body to break through the massive wall that had blocked his path.
Jin Mun-jung's appearance aroused bitter emotion in the Hainan Sect martial artists along with the challenging spirit of "I also want to break the wall."
The subtle flame rising from deep within their hearts instantly blazed hugely and consumed their hearts.
"Pl-please give me teachings too."
It started with No Kwon-ui.
He was close friends with Jin Mun-jung and also maintained a strong competitive relationship.
He wanted to overcome the wall that Jin Mun-jung had overcome.
He wanted to throw his whole body and challenge Dam Ho too.
He looked at Dam Ho with eyes full of intense yearning. It was a gaze containing the purity of a child wanting something desperately.
Then Dam Ho opened his mouth.
"Then what are you hesitating for?"
"……"
"Come at me!"
The moment he wiggled his finger, No Kwon-ui found himself charging at Dam Ho without realizing it.
"Iyaaaah!"
His rough battle cry shook the forest.
Hae So-wol closed her eyes and muttered:
"Now I don't know either."