Chapter 368

Chapter 368 – People Who Are Meant to Meet Will Meet (3)

If one were to define Namgung Chang's current expression, it could be called 'cold fury'.

He was suppressing the rage welling up from deep within his heart, trying his best to show as calm an expression as possible.

Namgung Chang harbored an irreconcilable grudge against Dam Ho. The damage the Namgung family had suffered because of Dam Ho alone was beyond imagination. The family head's injuries had worsened, leading to his death, and their power had weakened to the point where they could no longer claim to be the leader of the Five Great Families.

Even now, the Namgung family was struggling to recover their losses behind locked doors, but it was impossible to predict how much more time and money would be needed to restore their former prosperity.

It was only because Namgung Chang had secretly diverted funds from the Martial Alliance to support them that they hadn't fallen even further into ruin.

Namgung Chang was a member of the Namgung family before being the Martial Alliance's strategist. Though he had switched to the Martial Alliance due to clear limitations on how high he could rise within the Namgung family, his identity as a member of the Namgung family hadn't disappeared.

Namgung Chang had provided all possible support using his position as the Martial Alliance's strategist. Thanks to this, the Namgung family was healing their wounds at a rapid pace. Still, his resentment toward Dam Ho showed no signs of diminishing.

If he could, he wanted to devour Dam Ho bones and all right here. However, Dam Ho's presence was too enormous to intimidate with the position of Martial Alliance strategist.

Dam Ho wasn't a merchant who would cower in fear and offer up wealth at his single word, nor was he an ordinary martial artist who would follow his commands.

By presence alone, he was an absolute martial artist comparable to the great sects of the Central Plains. In nearly a hundred years, no martial artist had received more attention than him. No matter how much power Namgung Chang wielded as the Martial Alliance's strategist, he couldn't oppress Dam Ho without clear justification.

Not only had Shaolin Temple's Abbot personally come out to greet him, but even the Martial Alliance's leader had made the journey. It was tantamount to the martial world's highest authorities acknowledging Dam Ho as their equal. Dam Ho had already completely escaped his grasp.

That made him even more furious. The fact that he had to remain still while watching Dam Ho, his family's enemy, right before his eyes.

Namgung Chang bit his lips hard.

'Yes! I'll endure it. If I endure, an opportunity will surely come. I've climbed to this position through patience – can't I endure just this one thing?'

The longer a grudge was nursed, the sweeter the revenge when it came. Namgung Chang thought this way and forced himself to maintain a calm expression.

At that moment, Nam Cheon-san stepped forward.

"Welcome, Great Hero Dam. I am Nam Cheon-san, leader of the Martial Alliance. I cannot express how delighted I was to hear that Great Hero Dam would be joining us. Having Great Hero Dam willingly come to join the Martial Alliance makes me feel so reassured. Haha!"

Nam Cheon-san burst into hearty laughter as if genuinely pleased.

He fully recognized Dam Ho's strategic value. Dam Ho's joining wouldn't end with just that one person. His sect, Mount Hua, would join, and he could also draw in countless wandering martial artists who respected Dam Ho.

The benefits that could be gained from Dam Ho's joining numbered in the dozens. From Nam Cheon-san's perspective, it was like a pumpkin rolling down the vine complete with stem.

Therefore, he welcomed Dam Ho with both hands raised. He looked ready to give up his liver and gallbladder without hesitation. At this, Namgung Chang's expression crumpled like he was chewing on stone.

"If there's a position you desire, speak freely. I'll give you any position. How about the General Commander position? You'd have authority to move all of the Martial Alliance's forces and only have the obligation to report to the leader alone, so you could operate freely."

At Nam Cheon-san's unprecedented proposal, the Martial Alliance leadership gaped in astonishment. This was because the General Commander position held tremendous influence within the Martial Alliance. With vast authority but almost no constraints, they couldn't imagine a better offer.

They thought Dam Ho would accept without hesitation. It was such an unprecedented proposal with no reason to refuse.

The gazes of the heroes gathered at the mountain gate focused on Dam Ho. Their faces showed anticipation for what answer he would give.

Under everyone's attention, Dam Ho finally opened his mouth.

"Move aside!"

"……"

Nam Cheon-san blinked his eyes.

Sometimes shock too strong could paralyze one's reason. Nam Cheon-san's case was exactly that now.

The completely unexpected shocking words made it impossible for him to think normally.

He stammered:

"You… what did you just say?"

"You're blocking my path."

"Are you in your right mind?"

Instantly Dam Ho raised his head to look at Nam Cheon-san.

The moment Nam Cheon-san met Dam Ho's jet-black pupils, he felt goosebumps rising all over his body and shuddered.

'This bastard?'

Something was writhing within Dam Ho's jet-black pupils. It didn't take long to recognize it as killing intent. The problem was that Dam Ho's killing intent didn't seem to belong to the same human species at all.

Rather than human, it was closer to a beast or monster… such killing intent was gleaming.

Nam Cheon-san was a veteran of the martial world who had weathered many years. He was also the possessor of mighty martial arts, earning the nickname Divine Spear. Therefore, he took pride in his bold heart being second to none. But the moment he saw Dam Ho's gaze, such pride vanished instantly and he felt a sense of crisis as if his heart was shrinking.

He could feel Dam Ho's raw breath emanating from close range. Like the breath of a beast that had just devoured its prey, it was steeped with a revolting fishy stench. Such a revolting feeling was a first in his life.

It was as if a massive beast was standing before his eyes with its teeth bared. It was proof that Dam Ho's killing intent was real.

Shudder!

His body trembled.

Whether it was from fear or anger, he couldn't distinguish.

The problem was that he had to make a decision.

Countless martial artists were watching him now.

Not only those belonging to Shaolin Temple and the Martial Alliance, but many other martial artists were watching his response.

'What kind of damned situation is this…'

If he didn't step aside like this, he would inevitably clash with Dam Ho. The killing intent in Dam Ho's eyes proved that fact.

Conversely, if he stepped aside as Dam Ho demanded, his dignity would be greatly damaged.

He wasn't originally someone who cared much about such external aspects, but his thinking had changed since becoming the Martial Alliance leader.

If the leader lost his weight as a guide, many would look down on him. With Nam Cheon-san's own power base not yet solid, this was a serious threat to him.

Nam Cheon-san was truly in a dead-end situation. No retreat existed for him. Whatever choice he made would only be a massive burden.

Nam Cheon-san's white beard trembled, and red veins appeared in his eyes.

"Are you really going to act like this? If you insist on this, I won't stay still either."

In the end, Nam Cheon-san chose to protect his dignity.

For whatever reason, the Martial Alliance leader must not back down due to another's intimidation.

He seriously intended to fight Dam Ho. However the situation had come to this, he had no choice.

That's when a voice of salvation reached him.

"Stop, Benefactor Dam."

Shaolin Temple's Abbot Gwang-cheon finally intervened.

His benevolent expression and favorable gaze had disappeared, replaced by a troubled expression and suspicious eyes.

He couldn't understand why Dam Ho was causing such a commotion. Though he guessed there must be some reason, he couldn't just let Dam Ho run wild like this.

Though they were in the position of freeloading at Shaolin Temple, Nam Cheon-san was still the Martial Alliance leader. If his dignity fell, the Martial Alliance's morale would inevitably fall too. Gwang-cheon couldn't stand by and watch such a situation.

"Benefactor Dam, I don't know what grievance there might be, but please calm down and let's resolve this through dialogue. Wouldn't that be proper?"

"Namgung Chang."

"You mean the strategist? Why him?"

"I'm going to kill him right here, right now."

Dam Ho's low voice echoed through the mountain gate. Though his voice was very quiet, not a single martial artist gathered at the mountain gate failed to hear it.

Like a massive beast baring its teeth and growling, a revolting fishy stench and shudder could be felt. The martial artists shuddered at that chilling killing intent.

At Dam Ho's thunderbolt declaration, not only Gwang-cheon but even Nam Cheon-san was shocked. No, all the martial artists present trembled.

Among them, the most surprised was the person in question, Namgung Chang. He never expected Dam Ho to declare he would kill him by name in a gathering with so many heroes.

'Th-that madman!'

He had already known he was a madman. A person who clashed and brawled with great sects like a stubborn lone wolf wasn't normal. But he hadn't expected such inflexibility and single-mindedness.

Everyone was looking at Dam Ho. But Dam Ho's gaze was fixed solely on Namgung Chang.

Others' reactions or emotions weren't objects of consideration.

What mattered was the fact that after spending so much time and taking such a long detour, he had finally reached this place.

This space where Namgung Chang was.

Gwang-cheon and Nam Cheon-san's expressions hardened further.

"Amitabha! That cannot be allowed."

"That's right! Strategist Namgung is the backbone of the Martial Alliance. Fighting the Demon Cult efficiently without him is impossible."

They blocked Dam Ho's path.

Instantly Dam Ho's gaze sank even deeper. As an eerie energy swirled in his already jet-black pupils, the heroes gathered at the mountain gate felt a chilling cold.

Only then did the heroes realize Dam Ho was serious.

'Crazy!'

'Is he sane? To declare he'll kill the Martial Alliance's strategist in a place with Shaolin Temple and the Martial Alliance!'

They couldn't understand Dam Ho.

Though they knew he was a stubborn loner immune to any words and a cold-blooded person without blood or tears, they never thought he would be this reckless.

That's when Namgung Chang stepped forward.

For a brief moment, he had recovered his original composed demeanor.

Though he was certainly flustered by Dam Ho's sudden declaration, he soon realized this was Shaolin Temple. Shaolin's high monks, the Martial Alliance leadership, and countless heroes formed a solid barrier for him.

There was no reason for him to fear Dam Ho. So there was no need to be afraid.

"Haha! There seems to be some misunderstanding, Great Hero Dam. I don't know why you're so angry, but if there's a misunderstanding, it should be resolved through dialogue. If this Namgung has done something wrong, please tell me. I'll kneel and beg forgiveness."

Namgung Chang displayed the demeanor of a great hero without reserve.

When he acted this way, many heroes showed admiring expressions. It contrasted in various ways with Dam Ho's hasty appearance.

Dam Ho stared intently at Namgung Chang. The moment their eyes met, Namgung Chang's body trembled slightly. But trusting in his position and the many people present, he forced himself to maintain a calm expression.

"Misunderstanding?"

"Living in the martial world, sometimes there are misunderstandings and clashes of opinion. But would it be right to solve problems only with fists? Tell me what I did wrong. I'll correct it so as not to displease Great Hero Dam."

When Namgung Chang acted this way, Nam Cheon-san rejoiced and joined in.

"That's right! Great Hero Dam. Let's resolve this through dialogue. All grudges can be settled after the great war with the Demon Cult ends. After all, the most important thing is protecting the martial world from the Demon Cult, not petty grudges. Great Hero Dam's reputation as a great hero of the martial world is already well-known, so I'd like you to show the dignity befitting a great hero."

It wasn't good for Nam Cheon-san to step forward like this either.

Namgung Chang, backed by the Namgung family, and martial artists dispatched from prestigious families wanted to use him as a figurehead, and indeed he had no choice but to play that role in the early days.

But during this time, he had steadily increased his power within the Martial Alliance, and by recruiting Heavenly Sword King Jeok Gyeong-cheon, he had formed forces that weren't inferior to Namgung Chang or other martial artists dispatched from prestigious families.

Therefore, while he wanted to remove Namgung Chang, paradoxically he still needed Namgung Chang for now. To face the Demon Cult, Namgung Chang's excellent mind was necessary.

Thus Namgung Chang was a double-edged sword. But it was certain he was still needed. Therefore, Nam Cheon-san blocked Dam Ho's path.

With Nam Cheon-san supporting Namgung Chang after Gwang-cheon, the atmosphere completely shifted in that direction. The heroes looked at Dam Ho, who had caused this disturbance, with disapproving expressions.

"They say one loach muddles the whole pond – exactly that situation."

"Indeed. The more ripe the grain, the lower it bows its head, but the Fist Demon lacks such magnanimity."

"He may be a sharp sword, but he's not a great vessel capable of leading the martial world."

It wasn't just one or two voices. With so many voices combining, it resonated loudly like a lion's roar.

Countless martial artists showed thick rejection and hostility toward Dam Ho. Massive hostility that an ordinary person couldn't handle dominated the area.

In such a situation, Discipline Hall Leader Gwang-mun approached Gwang-cheon's side.

"Abbot, there's no need to wait for that person's answer any longer. If he acts against the clear will of the heroes like this, we must punish him by force if necessary. Our Discipline Hall is ready to move at any time."

"Gwang-mun!"

"This isn't my will but the will of all Shaolin disciples and all martial artists."

"Hmm!"

When Gwang-mun acted this way, Gwang-cheon was also troubled. Before they knew it, the warrior monks of Discipline Hall were blocking the path between Dam Ho and Namgung Chang.

A smile appeared at the corners of Namgung Chang's mouth.

He thought this was actually better. He judged it an excellent opportunity to tame Dam Ho. Through this opportunity, a plan to correct Dam Ho's habits and use him as the Martial Alliance's – no, his own – sword was instantly drawn in his mind.

Namgung Chang opened his mouth with an extremely benevolent expression.

"Great Hero Dam, let's have a dialogue. We should have a more constructive relationship…"

CRASH!

At that moment, a roar erupted. And the warrior monks of Discipline Hall who had been blocking Namgung Chang's front were sent flying in all directions. Dam Ho's single strike had blown them all away.

"Wh-what?"

Namgung Chang's eyes bulged. On his retina formed the image of Dam Ho walking toward him.

"Have your dialogue with those who died because of you. In hell…"