Chapter 375

Chapter 375 – In the Storm, It's Not Just a Small Boat That Sways (4)

Nam Cheon-san's eyes trembled. ​

There were only about ten people. Definitely not a large number that could be called numerous. Yet the presence these few people radiated heavily filled the room. ​

Nam Cheon-san was also a top-level master in the martial world, enough to be called Divine Spear, and indeed his martial prowess was so great that there was no one in the Martial Alliance who could match him. Such Jeok Gyeong-cheon was showing tension. ​

Because of the ten or so martial artists standing before his eyes. ​

Some were young, others had aged appearances. There were men and there were women. They truly had varied appearances like ten different people with ten different colors. But they were all emanating powerful presence. ​

Each and every one looked powerful enough to not fall behind Nam Cheon-san, the leader of the Martial Alliance. ​

Nam Cheon-san shuddered. ​

"The people Senior Jeok said he would bring…" ​

"That's right! These are they. It took a lot of time to persuade them to come out from their seclusion. Let me introduce them. Starting from this side, we have Great Hero Yu Seong-wol, Red Star Divine Lord, Great Hero Jang Jin-myeong, Thousand-Enemy Sword, and Lady Hero So Bo-won, Heavenly Mountain Snow Flower. And…" ​

As Jeok Gyeong-cheon's introductions continued, excitement arose in Nam Cheon-san's pupils. ​

Red Star Divine Lord Yu Seong-wol was a master from the same era as Jeok Gyeong-cheon. His personality was cold and calm, unshaken by any threat, and most of all, his martial arts were strong enough that not many could match him. ​

Most importantly, he was close friends with Ho Cheon-san, Blood Light Death God, one of the Four Death Gods. Yu Seong-wol possessed such powerful martial prowess and cold calculation that Ho Cheon-san, who wrote bloody legends, acknowledged him as a friend. ​

During the first Righteous-Demon Great War, he too participated as a member of the suicide squad. He entered the Demon Cult's main stronghold together with Ho Cheon-san and was known to have died gloriously. At least until now. ​

"Are you really Senior Yu Seong-wol?" ​

"That's right. I am indeed Red Star Divine Lord Yu Seong-wol. It's truly pleasant to meet such an outstanding junior of the martial world." ​

"Ah!" ​

Nam Cheon-san unconsciously exclaimed at Yu Seong-wol's greeting. ​

He couldn't believe he was seeing before his eyes a martial artist who had lived in the same era as the legendary Four Death Gods of the martial world, and among them, one who had formed special bonds with the Blood Light Death God. ​

But Nam Cheon-san's surprise was only just beginning. ​

Jang Jin-myeong, who looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, had the alias Thousand-Enemy Sword. He got this alias because with just one sword in his hands, he could face a thousand people. Indeed, during the first Righteous-Demon Great War, he alone faced nearly a thousand Demon Cult martial artists. Though he didn't kill all thousand, he made his name known in the martial world by defeating them. ​

Heavenly Mountain Snow Flower So Bo-won was the supreme master who overcame the physical limitations of being a woman and rose to the very top of the martial world. She was the strongest produced by the prestigious Heavenly Mountain Snow Gate. ​

With a woman's body, she jumped into the fight against the Demon Cult and achieved countless victories. The accomplishments she achieved never fell behind those of male masters. No, they were even more outstanding, and countless people were enthusiastic about her. ​

Though decades had passed, she didn't look very aged. She maintained her middle-aged beauty, and rather had an elegant appearance with dignity, emanating extraordinary intimidating presence. ​

"Please treat me well, Leader." ​

"It's an honor to meet the leader who leads the Martial Alliance." ​

They cupped their fists and greeted Nam Cheon-san. ​

"I can only be grateful that you've taken such difficult steps to come here." ​

A moved light appeared on Nam Cheon-san's face. ​

To Nam Cheon-san, who had been mentally cornered because of Dam Ho, their appearance was more than ten thousand troops. ​

"Coming back to the martial world is not a very pleasant thing, but since we've already come out, we'll do our utmost to help the leader." ​

"Please treat us well from now on." ​

The old masters successively cupped their fists and greeted him. It might have been ceremonial greetings, but Nam Cheon-san's heart didn't see it that way. ​

The self-esteem that had fallen to the floor just moments before soared back to the sky. ​

Though their number was only ten, each was a master who could shake the world thunderously. The joining of such people made Nam Cheon-san feel he had nothing to fear. ​

Nam Cheon-san spoke with a much brighter face. ​

"Facing the great crisis of the martial world, I don't know how reassuring it is to have senior masters who had been in seclusion join us like this. I ask for much help and guidance in the future." ​

"If there are problems, speak up anytime. As I've already said, we'll help with all our might." ​

Gu Ui-jin, who belonged to the youngest among the ten or so masters, answered. His wolf-like appearance was impressive, fitting his alias Heavenly Wolf Guest. ​

Nam Cheon-san smiled at Gu Ui-jin's words. ​

"As it happens, there was a troublesome problem, so this works out well." ​

"What is that?" ​

"There's someone shaking the existing order. Because of him, the strategist died, and the order of the Martial Alliance that I worked hard to establish is being shaken." ​

"Who is it? Who dares to go against the mood of the leader, the supreme being of the martial world?" ​

"You probably already know. Dam Ho… the one called the Fist Demon." ​

Power was contained in Nam Cheon-san's voice. ​

***

Dam Ho indifferently looked at the brightly lit Shaolin Temple. ​

It was just before dawn broke. The time when the world was darkest, but Shaolin Temple was as bright as broad daylight, as if denying such common sense. The Martial Alliance's temporary headquarters attached to Shaolin Temple was also equally lit up through the night. ​

That many people were gathered at Shaolin Temple and the Martial Alliance, and the twelve hours of each day were turning like gears without a moment's rest. ​

Though it was early dawn, the passion they emitted could be felt even by Dam Ho. Dam Ho stood in place like a stone statue, watching all this scenery. ​

Dam Ho had said neither positive nor negative words to So-cheon. Nevertheless, So-cheon and Cheong-un resolved to join forces with Dam Ho. Cho Yeon-woon took these two people outside, saying to leave the troublesome matters to him. ​

They were probably talking together with shared spirit by now. Dam Ho believed Cho Yeon-woon would handle it well. ​

That's when it happened. ​

"Hyung!" ​

A familiar voice was heard from behind. It was Bang Jin-bo. ​

Bang Jin-bo approached and stood next to Dam Ho. ​

Bang Jin-bo, who had to give up his place to So-cheon and Cheong-un without even having time to catch up with Dam Ho after meeting him after a long time. Though he might have felt disappointed, there was no such sign on Bang Jin-bo's face at all. ​

Though his childlike nature hadn't completely disappeared, Bang Jin-bo was now also a proper martial artist. His mental cultivation wasn't shallow enough to show disappointment over such matters. ​

"Hehe!" ​

Bang Jin-bo showed his characteristic smile. Dam Ho didn't say much, but it didn't matter. It was still good. Just the fact of being together with Dam Ho, whom he liked most, made Bang Jin-bo feel the visit to Shaolin Temple was worthwhile. ​

Dam Ho asked. ​

"Mount Hua?" ​

"Everyone's doing well. Many first-generation disciples including the Plum Blossom Swordsmen have entered closed-door training. Ah, the Grand Elder has also entered seclusion." ​

"Master?" ​

"Yes! He said enlightenment was needed to face the Heavenly Evil Cult." ​

Dam Ho nodded at Bang Jin-bo's words. ​

It was a decision fitting of True Master Hyeon-so. ​

Mount Hua Sect was in a state of closing its gates anyway. Since external activities had completely stopped, there was relatively little outside attention. They had to make maximum use of this period to stockpile their strength. ​

The coming battle would certainly be more harsh than any previous battle. ​

"Senior Brother Woon Kyung must be having a hard time." ​

"Eh! Don't even mention it. If you were to pick the person suffering the most mental anguish in Mount Hua Sect, it would probably be him. Watching from the side is agonizing. Still, he's really doing well." ​

Leading a great sect like Mount Hua Sect was no ordinary task. The financial scale was enormous, and there were lay disciples with tangled interests and the sects they established, plus so many other things to think about and calculate. ​

Therefore, to lead a great sect like Mount Hua Sect well, pure martial power needed to be backed up with sophisticated political skills. ​

Fortunately, Woon Kyung's martial power was somewhat lacking, but instead he had excellent political skills and broad talent management abilities. Myeong-gyeong supplemented the lacking martial power, and True Master Hyeon-so served as a spiritual pillar, so he could fully display his abilities. ​

Un-gyeong focused so intensely on work that no one knew when he slept. Many disciples respected such Un-gyeong. ​

Bang Jin-bo told Dam Ho in detail about things that had happened when Dam Ho wasn't at Mount Hua Sect. And Dam Ho silently listened to such Bang Jin-bo's stories. ​

"Ah! That's right. And we created the Plum Blossom Divine Pill." ​

"Plum Blossom Divine Pill?" ​

"Yes! After hyung left Mount Hua, Sister Ri-yeon reproduced the Plum Blossom Divine Pill." ​

Even the world's Dam Ho couldn't help but be surprised by the story that the Plum Blossom Divine Pill had been reproduced. ​

Just the fact that she had revived the Plum Blossom Divine Pill, whose manufacturing method had been lost long ago, in the current era showed what outstanding genius she possessed. But genius alone couldn't create a spiritual medicine like the Plum Blossom Divine Pill. ​

It was clearly visible how many sleepless nights Jong Ri-yeon must have spent. ​

Suddenly Dam Ho reached out and patted Bang Jin-bo's head. ​

"You've worked hard too." ​

"Eh! What did I do? Sister Ri-yeon did everything." ​

Though he said that, proud emotions were clearly showing on Bang Jin-bo's face. In fact, without Bang Jin-bo's help, Jong Ri-yeon would have faced many difficulties in recreating the Plum Blossom Divine Pill. ​

"Ah, right!" ​

Suddenly Bang Jin-bo put his hand into his bosom as if remembering something. After a moment, his hand reappeared holding a small wooden box. Bang Jin-bo held out the wooden box to Dam Ho. ​

"What is it?" ​

"It's the Plum Blossom Divine Pill. The sect leader said to give it to hyung too." ​

"I don't need such things anymore." ​

Dam Ho shook his head. ​

There was a limit to improving internal energy using spiritual medicines. For absolute masters like Dam Ho whose internal energy had already reached its peak, improvement through spiritual medicines couldn't be expected. ​

Dam Ho refused the Plum Blossom Divine Pill, but Bang Jin-bo forcibly put it in his hand. ​

"The sect leader knows too. Still, he said to keep it in case of emergency." ​

Spiritual medicines like the Plum Blossom Divine Pill had value not only as internal energy improvement effects but also as healing medicines. They boasted effects far superior to ordinary internal injury medicines. ​

Martial artists like Dam Ho who threw their whole bodies into battle lived with many wounds. Knowing this fact well, Woon Kyung sent the Plum Blossom Divine Pill through Bang Jin-bo's hands. ​

Dam Ho could no longer refuse such consideration from Woon Kyung. He put the wooden box containing the Plum Blossom Divine Pill into his bosom. ​

"Hehe!" ​

Only then did Bang Jin-bo smile with a relieved expression. ​

Dam Ho stared intently at Bang Jin-bo's face. Though his childlike features hadn't completely disappeared, his physique had grown as large as any ordinary adult. ​

A strong energy could be felt from Bang Jin-bo. It was internal energy so powerful that martial artists of Bang Jin-bo's age could hardly achieve. ​

Bang Jin-bo's accumulated internal energy contained his blood and sweat. Using the Five Elements Gentleman Art, he maximized the original efficacy of food ingredients and repeatedly tested them on his own body. ​

After years of such effort, Bang Jin-bo's Five Elements Gentleman Art had reached the realm of mutual generation. ​

Even if not the transformation of the Five Elements, he had reached a position where he could dream of the realm of mutual understanding. ​

Dam Ho saw through Bang Jin-bo's realm at a glance. If given the right opportunity, Bang Jin-bo would be able to break down the wall blocking his path and grow even more. And Dam Ho knew such a method. ​

"Shall we loosen up our bodies after a long time?" ​

"Right now?" ​

"Is there a problem?" ​

"No!" ​

Bang Jin-bo shook his head vigorously. ​

Receiving guidance from an absolute master like Dam Ho was every martial artist's dream. It was the same for Bang Jin-bo. ​

Though he had set his heart on cooking and was developing the Five Elements Gentleman Art in that direction, he couldn't miss such an opportunity. ​

Bang Jin-bo operated the Five Elements Gentleman Art. Then the energy of the Five Elements moved and colorful heat waves rose from Bang Jin-bo's body. The energy of the Five Elements was being expressed. ​

"Hyah!" ​

Bang Jin-bo immediately unleashed attacks on Dam Ho. ​

Normally, sparring would involve various courtesies and formalities, but Bang Jin-bo had none of that. Having watched Dam Ho fight from the side for the longest time, he knew his fighting style best. ​

The solitary style that pursued ultimate efficiency. ​

Mount Hua Sect's supreme techniques flowed from Bang Jin-bo's hands. Bang Jin-bo truly unleashed his martial arts with all his might. ​

Swish swish swish! ​

The guest hall's training ground at dawn was filled with Bang Jin-bo's shadows. ​

Then someone entered the guest hall with hurried steps. The woman with a tired expression on her face was precisely Eun So-cheong. ​

After Namgung Chang's death, she and other merchant leaders had discussed donation amounts to the Martial Alliance. ​

Though the meeting proceeded in a much more comfortable atmosphere since Namgung Chang, who had been the source of pressure, was gone, reaching conclusions actually took longer. That's why they had stayed up all night. ​

Eun So-cheong's face was full of excitement as she entered the guest hall. It was because of the anticipation of seeing Dam Ho after a long time. ​

"Big Brother, Jin-bo…" ​

Bang! ​

"Urgh!" ​

At that moment thunder burst and someone was flung out to roll at her feet. The moment she confirmed his face, Eun So-cheong's face stiffened. ​

"J-Jin-bo?" ​

The one rolling around covered in dust was Bang Jin-bo. But Bang Jin-bo, as if he couldn't hear Eun So-cheong calling, got up and immediately rushed at Dam Ho. ​

Bang Jin-bo charged at Dam Ho with all his strength. But the wall called Dam Ho was too high. He collapsed and was frustrated countless times. Still, Bang Jin-bo got up again and charged with full strength. ​

"Ah!" ​

At such sight of Bang Jin-bo, Eun So-cheong couldn't take her eyes away. ​

Under the dawn light, the sight of Bang Jin-bo throwing everything he had to crash against the massive wall gave her great emotion. ​