Chapter 392
by Heavenly CatChapter 392: Seeing Hell (2)
Dam Ho gave Muk Il-gwang the Plum Blossom Divine Pill to consume.
Though it was a rare treasure in the world, he didn't think it was a waste.
He was a man who risked his life fighting and shed blood to protect his sister. The Plum Blossom Divine Pill could be obtained again, but such a man could not be found again.
After consuming the Plum Blossom Divine Pill, Muk Il-gwang entered qi cultivation. And Dam Ho guarded by his side.
The sight of Muk Il-gwang practicing qi cultivation and Dam Ho sitting silently beside him somehow harmonized well.
Not far from them sat Hwang Hye-ryeong and Im Ju-ha.
The place they were at was a small thatched hut on a hill near the inn. It was a kind of safe house that Hao Sect used only in emergencies.
Fortunately, they had prevented the inn from being completely consumed by fire, but they could no longer use that place. Their identities had already been exposed.
Hwang Hye-ryeong apologized.
"I'm sorry. Because of us."
"No! Thanks to you, I got to see my sister's big brother in person and feast my eyes."
Though she said that, subtle fear lingered in Im Ju-ha's eyes as she secretly looked at Dam Ho.
The Demon Cult members who dragged innocent people in to use as tools were frightening, but what was more frightening was Dam Ho who killed even such people without mercy.
'A cold-blooded killer without blood or tears indeed.'
Though martial world rumors were said to be inflated several times over from reality, in Dam Ho's case the rumors seemed to fall short. Dam Ho's appearance and majesty were that shocking.
Only then did she seem to understand why Hao Sect's Vice Leader Gi Ye-hwa had so earnestly urged her.
— Never oppose him, cooperate.
Gi Ye-hwa's voice seemed to echo anew in her ears.
"Thank you. I'll never forget this kindness."
"If you think of it as kindness, speak well to your big brother."
"I will."
"Thank you!"
That's when it happened.
"Everyone must be hungry, right? Come have a meal."
Suddenly a cheerful voice was heard. Turning her head, she saw Bang Jin-bo gesturing for them to come.
A smile bloomed on Hwang Hye-ryeong's lips.
"Shall we taste Jin-bo's food after a long time? I'll gain weight for once."
"Really?"
"You'll probably be amazed. You might even experience heavenly taste."
Im Ju-ha honestly scoffed until then.
Due to circumstances, she was disguising as an inn owner and had tasted all the delicacies in the world.
But such thoughts completely vanished the moment she put a piece of meat made by Bang Jin-bo in her mouth.
'What is this?'
She felt paradise in her mouth.
Her tongue was dancing.
When she came to her senses, a plate was already empty. Im Ju-ha forgot her dignity and held out her plate to Bang Jin-bo.
Bang Jin-bo smiled and filled her plate with food.
As the Five Elements were interconnected, the energy that could be contained in food also increased. Thanks to this, the food not only became more delicious but also boosted vitality.
Im Ju-ha was shocked to feel her entire body filled with vitality.
At that moment, someone's alias that had risen as a legend in the martial world came to mind.
'Mount Hua Grand Chef.'
A young master who suddenly appeared and made a name at Shaolin Temple.
He uniquely styled himself as a chef. But with overwhelming martial power, he defeated Dae Gun-sang, one of the Four New Stars, and rose to become one of the best rising talents.
"Young Hero is Mount Hua Grand Chef Bang Jin-bo."
"Hehe!"
Bang Jin-bo scratched his head awkwardly with an embarrassed expression. It was hard to see him as one of the best rising talents. But Im Ju-ha wasn't fooled by such outward appearances.
'Come to think of it, he calls the Fist Demon his brother, so how much teaching must he have received? The Fist Demon must have raised him with great care.'
She came to her own conclusion and convinced herself.
Then Hwang Hye-ryeong said to Bang Jin-bo.
"Your skills have improved even more since I last saw you. You must have trained hard."
"Hehe!"
"Thank you! I feel much more energetic thanks to you."
"I'm glad it was helpful."
"I lived thanks to you. You're my lifesaver."
"Hey! What's this over such a small thing."
"No. I'm really grateful!"
As Hwang Hye-ryeong repeatedly expressed gratitude, Bang Jin-bo made an awkward expression.
That's when it happened.
"Mmm!"
Muk Il-gwang opened his eyes with a soft groan. Thanks to this, everyone's attention focused on him and Bang Jin-bo could escape the awkward situation.
Hwang Hye-ryeong immediately ran to Muk Il-gwang.
"Are you okay? Il-gwang."
"Miss!"
"How's your body?"
"Good. Very energetic."
Muk Il-gwang rose from his seat.
His entire body overflowed with energy. Rather, he was more vigorous than before his injury. No trace of internal injuries remained at all.
Muk Il-gwang twisted his body this way and that, then discovered Dam Ho.
"Elder brother, thank you."
He bowed his head deeply in greeting.
Though he couldn't move while practicing qi cultivation therapy, his eyes and ears were wide open. Therefore he understood all the circumstances.
Dam Ho nodded.
"You worked hard."
"Not at all. It was just what I should naturally do. I'm only sorry that my martial arts were weak and caused Miss to suffer."
"You did your best."
At Dam Ho's words, Muk Il-gwang made a moved expression.
If something had happened to Hwang Hye-ryeong, not only would he have no face to see Dam Ho, but he would no longer find meaning to live.
Hwang Hye-ryeong had now become his everything. Risking his life to protect Hwang Hye-ryeong was natural for him. But being acknowledged by Dam Ho for that fact was a separate matter.
Dam Ho moved toward where Hwang Hye-ryeong and Bang Jin-bo were. Muk Il-gwang carefully followed behind.
"You must be hungry, eat first."
Bang Jin-bo offered the food he had set aside for them.
The two nodded and ate. Unlike Dam Ho who slowly savored the taste bit by bit, Muk Il-gwang hastily shoveled it into his mouth.
For the past few days while practicing qi cultivation therapy, he hadn't eaten a proper meal, not even a bowl of porridge. Thanks to this, his stomach was stuck to his backbone.
He emptied a bowl in an instant but his hunger didn't subside.
"More…"
"Here you go."
Before Muk Il-gwang could finish speaking, Bang Jin-bo smiled and offered a bowl full of food.
"Huh?"
"There's still plenty left, so eat slowly."
"Th-thank you."
"Not at all."
Bang Jin-bo smiled and turned his gaze to Dam Ho.
Dam Ho was silently emptying his food. Dam Ho's appearance of eating as slowly as possible and chewing thoroughly was almost reverent.
It was a very familiar sight to Bang Jin-bo, but it only looked terrifying to Im Ju-ha who was with them.
In the burning inn, she had clearly seen Dam Ho's incredible and unbelievable martial prowess. And his cruelty.
An ordinary martial artist wouldn't have killed ignorant people like that. Even if it was incited by the Demon Cult.
Perhaps sensing Im Ju-ha's gaze, Dam Ho raised his head to look at her. The moment their eyes met, Im Ju-ha flinched.
She prided herself on having experienced everything as a Hao Sect branch leader, but she had never encountered a martial artist like Dam Ho.
Dam Ho's emotionless gaze was too harsh for her to handle.
"H-hello, Great Hero Dam. Th-thank you for your help."
She found herself stammering without knowing it. Because she wanted to break the awkward silence somehow.
"Gi Ye-hwa?"
"Pardon? You mean the Vice Leader?"
"Where is she now?"
"Ah, she probably returned to headquarters."
"Is there a way to meet her?"
"I can send communication."
"Then send communication."
"Pardon? But there needs to be a reason… No. I'll send communication right away."
Im Ju-ha quickly answered.
Her mouth was parched and it felt like all the blood in her body had dried up. Just the fact of being in the same space as Dam Ho was making her entire body tense.
Her gaze suddenly turned toward Bang Jin-bo and Hwang Hye-ryeong.
The two were laughing and conversing as if being beside Dam Ho was nothing. To Im Ju-ha, that scene felt mysterious.
'How can they laugh like that with the Fist Demon beside them? When my flesh is trembling like this.'
She felt she would never get used to him no matter how long she stayed near Dam Ho.
That's when it happened.
"Branch Leader."
Im Ju-ha's subordinate approached with an urgent expression and whispered in her ear. After hearing all of her subordinate's words, her expression hardened beyond measure.
Hwang Hye-ryeong asked.
"What's wrong?"
"The Demon Cult's elite forces have finally gathered near Hefei."
"Hefei?"
"Yes! Where the Namgung Family is."
At Im Ju-ha's answer, Hwang Hye-ryeong tilted her head. That was already something she had expected. She couldn't understand why Im Ju-ha would make such a serious expression over just this much.
Im Ju-ha took a deep breath and continued.
"That's not the important part."
"Then?"
"Some of the Demon Cult elite forces gathering in Hefei were ambushed by a group and suffered heavy damage."
"Then isn't that good? It means the Demon Cult took that much of a blow."
"Even if those who attacked the Demon Cult were Overlord's Stronghold?"
"What do you mean? That's impossible…"
Instantly Hwang Hye-ryeong's complexion turned deathly pale.
Overlord's Stronghold was the head of the Green Forest Eighteen Forts. And there was her father Hwang Gyeong-mun.
Hwang Hye-ryeong quickly shook her head.
"That can't be. Father wouldn't launch a preemptive attack on the Demon Cult."
There was no way Hwang Gyeong-mun would launch a preemptive attack on the Demon Cult first. He had even evacuated all the elderly, weak, and women to other mountain forts to minimize damage, so there was no reason to stir up trouble now.
Im Ju-ha quickly continued.
"Right! There's no way Overlord's Stronghold would attack the Demon Cult first. Actually, our intelligence network detected no signs of Overlord's Stronghold coming down from the mountain. Someone disguised themselves as Overlord's Stronghold."
"Who on earth? For what reason would they disguise as Overlord's Stronghold?"
Though Hwang Hye-ryeong was usually more clever than anyone, at this moment her mind went blank and she couldn't think of anything.
Dam Ho put down his bowl and spoke.
"The Namgung Family."
"Yes! The Namgung Family. They definitely disguised as Overlord's Stronghold elite and ambushed the Demon Cult. Because of this, some of the enraged Demon Cult masters headed toward Overlord's Stronghold."
"Are you certain?"
"I'm certain. Hao Sect's intelligence network within Anhui Province is still intact."
Im Ju-ha answered without a moment's hesitation.
Dam Ho's gaze sank deeply.
"The Namgung Family threw their final gambit."
"Yes! By dragging in Overlord's Stronghold, they clearly intend to disperse the Demon Cult's forces and make all of Anhui Province a battlefield. It's a plan with no loss for them anyway. I don't know who devised the plan, but it's chillingly cold and frightening."
Im Ju-ha shook her head.
Muk Il-gwang threw down the bowl he was holding and stood up.
"We must go to Overlord's Stronghold immediately."
Overlord's Stronghold was like his hometown.
Though Hwang Gyeong-mun had entrusted him with Hwang Hye-ryeong's safety, he couldn't just watch Overlord's Stronghold in mortal danger.
In his excitement, his barely healed wounds opened and blood flowed, but he didn't even feel the pain.
Muk Il-gwang's gaze turned toward Dam Ho.
"Elder brother!"
Dam Ho read the intense longing in his eyes.
"Big brother!"
This time even Hwang Hye-ryeong joined in.
Tears had already filled Hwang Hye-ryeong's eyes.
Dam Ho reached out to gently stroke Hwang Hye-ryeong's head, then stood up.
It was where someone who had raised his sister like his own daughter lived. He was one of the few benefactors Dam Ho had.
That alone was more than enough reason to help him.
"Let's go quickly."
Before long, Bang Jin-bo had packed all the dishes in a bundle and loaded them on the horse. He had prepared to leave the moment he heard Im Ju-ha's words.
Im Ju-ha couldn't understand these people's reaction. Mount Hua was highly likely to become the fiercest battlefield. No matter how they helped Overlord's Stronghold, the other forces that had entered Anhui Province wouldn't leave them alone. The hellish path he would have to walk seemed clearly visible before her eyes. But Im Ju-ha couldn't dissuade Dam Ho.
Dam Ho was an existence who suited hell better than anyone.
In her eyes, she could already see Dam Ho standing tall in the middle of hellfire.
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