Chapter 478

Chapter 478 – The Era Moves (3)

Finally, Blue Sky Alliance left Lesser Mount Hua and moved to Xunyang.

The sight of countless martial artists carrying large and small loads on their backs as they moved looked desperate rather than spectacular.

The expressions of the martial artists carrying loads were resolute.

When they first descended from Lesser Mount Hua, the number of martial artists was only about three thousand. But throughout their journey to Xunyang, countless martial artists from all over Central Plains continued to join them, and their numbers swelled like a snowball.

Five thousand, six thousand, and by the time they arrived at Xunyang, they numbered a whopping ten thousand. They were precisely Central Plains' last hope and final strength. If even they fell to the Demon Cult, no hope would remain in Central Plains.

Knowing that fact, their faces were full of determination. There was almost no talking, and no one fell behind. Only after walking for three days could they finally arrive at their destination.

"Ah!"

"There's really a fortress?"

The moment they reached their destination, forgetting the hardships they'd endured, joy rose on their faces. Because a fortress that looked majestic and solid at a glance had been erected.

On the fortress's signboard, the three characters "Blue Sky Alliance" were written in bold calligraphy.

The fortress built blocking the valley between mountains was located in a quite clever spot, so they absolutely wouldn't have known unless they came knowing in advance.

Actually, if a fortress of this size was being constructed, there should have been rumors in the martial world, but the fact that it had been quiet until now was proof.

Creaaak!

At that moment the fortress's massive gate opened, and people's attention focused on the gate. As countless people's gazes gathered, a group of people walked out from inside the fortress to welcome them.

"Welcome. You've all worked hard traveling such a long way."

"Welcome, Alliance Leader."

They greeted Cho Yeon-woon and Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists with polite attitudes.

Instantly a smile appeared on Cho Yeon-woon's face as he stood at the front.

"You worked hard, So-cheong."

Eun So-cheong was among those who opened the gate and came out. She smiled brightly and said.

"These people worked harder than me, right? This is Great Hero Yong Ju-cheon, leader of Heavenly Hero Trading Company, and Great Hero Ma Yeom-un, leader of Sangmyeong Trading Company. Without their help, creating such a fortress would have been impossible."

The two people Eun So-cheong introduced were both leaders of the Ten Great Trading Companies. They were the main forces who had secretly joined hands with Eun So-cheong to construct this fortress.

Cho Yeon-woon cupped his fists to them.

"I express my gratitude for your labor, Great Heroes. Even if I die a hundred times, I'll never forget this grace."

"Not at all, Alliance Leader Cho. Rather, we're only sorry for providing help too late."

"That's right. We're just grateful that you readily accepted even this humble merchant's help. We'd be happy if this fortress could contribute even a little to protecting Central Plains' justice."

Both Heavenly Hero Trading Company and Sangmyeong Trading Company belonged to the Ten Great Trading Companies under Heaven. They had accumulated tremendous wealth accordingly. The owners of both trading companies were also among the greatest tycoons that could be counted on one hand under Heaven. However, they were all famous misers known throughout Heaven.

Though they had insight in earning money, they were very stingy in spending it, and were rumored to never waste even a single coin. How else would it be known that money that entered their houses had never once come out?

Eun So-cheong went to find them to request support. Because even though Eun Family Treasure accumulated wealth that could be counted on one hand throughout Heaven, their capacity was a bit lacking to construct a massive fortress with their power alone.

Until then, Eun So-cheong thought it might be difficult to persuade them. Because the public perception itself was quite negative. But unexpectedly, they readily provided huge sums.

When Eun So-cheong asked why, they answered like this.

"Money is earned to be spent at times like this."

"Why save what we can't take when we die? For the world's sake, I could readily take off even my underwear."

They weren't misers who merely obsessed over accumulating wealth. Because they had firm philosophies on how to spend hard-earned money, they readily provided unimaginable huge sums.

Thanks to their help, Blue Sky Alliance's fortress could be built larger and sturdier than expected. Though time was insufficient so internal maintenance wasn't complete, at least the fortress to protect the martial artists was completed.

Cho Yeon-woon once again thanked them.

"Thank you. Even if I die, I won't forget this grace."

"This old man rather thanks the Alliance Leader. Since you readily stepped forward in such chaotic times, I don't know how to repay this grace."

"Don't worry about military funds, Alliance Leader, focus on fighting the Demon Cult. These old men will support you even if we must empty all our emergency funds."

They firmly grasped each other's hands.

"Waaaah! The best!"

"Long live Great Hero Yong, long live Great Hero Ma!"

At that moment, cheers like thunder burst out from everywhere. The martial artists generously sent applause toward the two people who readily donated huge sums to Blue Sky Alliance.

Tears slightly formed in Yong Ju-cheon and Ma Yeom-un's eyes. Having heard only bad words from people until now like being misers or stingy without equal under Heaven, hearing such cheers was deeply moving.

They said loudly to the heroes.

"Now, please enter inside. Though humble, these old men have prepared a small feast for the heroes who stepped forward to protect the martial world's justice."

"We've prepared plenty of alcohol and food, so please eat your fill and gain strength."

"Waaaaaaah!"

Once again, fervent cheers burst out.

The martial artists competed to enter Blue Sky Alliance, and the two watched that sight warmly.

At that moment, someone approached Eun So-cheong who was standing to one side. A pleased look rose on Eun So-cheong's face.

"Jin-bo!"

"You worked hard."

The one who approached her was precisely Bang Jin-bo. At Bang Jin-bo's appearance, Eun So-cheong showed a bright smile.

"Yeah!"

She nodded her head vigorously.

Bang Jin-bo's warm words felt greater than all the heroes' cheers.

While smiling brightly, Eun So-cheong suddenly said something.

"Where's Big Brother?"

Everyone was visible, but only one person, Dam Ho, couldn't be seen.

Bang Jin-bo smiled.

"Hyung will come later."

"Why isn't he coming together?"

"He said he has something to do separately. You trust hyung, right?"

"I trust him!"

"Then wait with peace of mind. He'll definitely come."

"Yeah!"

Only then did a relieved look rise on Eun So-cheong's face.

It was unavoidable that Dam Ho alone felt more reliable than Blue Sky Alliance's ten thousand martial artists.

Bang Jin-bo held Eun So-cheong's hand and said.

"You worked hard. Your face has become quite gaunt."

"What!"

"Let's go."

"Yeah!"

A beaming smile rose on Eun So-cheong's face.

Bang Jin-bo's single word moved her heart more than all of Blue Sky Alliance's martial artists' words of thanks.

The two entered Blue Sky Alliance holding hands tightly.

Blue Sky Alliance's interior was more shabby than expected. Because they'd hurriedly constructed the fortress starting from the walls, they paid less attention to the interior. Still, the halls roughly had form, so they could avoid wind and rain.

The martial artists who had lived in Lesser Mount Hua's harsh environment until now were sufficiently satisfied with just that. Because what was important to them was that a base to face the Demon Cult had been created, not such external environments.

They found places on their own even though no one separately guided them. This was possible because they'd lived together rolling around for the past year. The newly joined martial artists also quickly adapted to the atmosphere.

In the past, staying in such a poor place would have been unthinkable. But the world had changed, and now they were the weak. They had to be grateful even for such a barren dwelling.

Patter patter!

As if waiting for the martial artists to enter the halls, rain suddenly began pouring.

The fierce rain instantly made vision hazy.

People silently watched the falling rain.

'If only this rain could wash away the Demon Cult…'

***

The rain poured fiercely on Lesser Mount Hua too.

Dam Ho silently watched the rain that seemed to swallow the world for a while. Lesser Mount Hua, which everyone had left, looked even more desolate because of the pouring rain.

The empty training ground and closed Iron Blood Hell Training Hall, no sign of people could be felt anywhere. Probably Lesser Mount Hua would never again be crowded with people.

If people gathered here again, the martial world's fate should be considered already ended. By then, there would be no martial artists to gather either.

Dam Ho put on a black wind cloak and wore a rain hat. Then he walked toward the outside where rain was pouring.

Patter patter!

Raindrops fell on his rain hat.

Dam Ho walked to the center of the training ground in the rain. Then as if waiting, Black Ghost came running.

Dam Ho briefly stroked Black Ghost's head then mounted on its back.

"Let's go!"

Black Ghost neighed loudly then soon galloped at a terrifying speed. The fiercely falling rainwater hit Dam Ho and Black Ghost's bodies and bounced off in all directions.

Running a horse on a rainy mountain path was an extremely dangerous thing. Even martial artists with the most skilled horsemanship found galloping in such rain extremely dangerous. Needless to say if it was a rough, harsh mountain like Lesser Mount Hua.

But Dam Ho and Black Ghost became one in body and mind, racing down the rough mountainside at terrifying speed. At their mad gallop, the wind and rain that had been fiercely driving from the front split left and right as if a sea path was opening.

Black Ghost, who came down Lesser Mount Hua in an instant, ran across the earth ceaselessly. Even the finest horse would normally become exhausted after running for half a day, but Black Ghost was different.

Black Ghost was now entering its prime. Its endurance and agility were incomparable to other horses. Thanks to that, even after running for a full day, Black Ghost was vigorous. But because it grew dark, he could no longer run.

Dam Ho found a suitable place and camped out. The rain that had fallen all day stopped like a lie when evening came, and thanks to that, Dam Ho didn't need to find a place to avoid rain separately.

The place where he camped was a fairly large wild mountain in the border area between Shaanxi and Shanxi Provinces.

Dam Ho silently chewed jerky he'd prepared in advance. The jerky he chewed was specially made by Bang Jin-bo before leaving for Blue Sky Alliance. Thanks to that, he didn't have to do the bothersome work of preparing meals separately, which was good.

Dam Ho chewed the jerky thoroughly. He swallowed only after chewing as long as possible to make it easy to digest. His appearance wasn't like eating a meal but like seeking enlightenment.

After eating all the jerky, Dam Ho immediately lay down to sleep. To conserve his stamina even a little.

Because of the rain, moisture seeped up from the ground, but Dam Ho slept regardless.

Dam Ho's breathing was very deep and long. The interval between inhaling and exhaling was so great that distinguishing them wasn't even easy. If someone who didn't know saw, they'd mistake it for not breathing at all.

Dam Ho woke before dawn. As soon as he opened his eyes, Dam Ho immediately mounted Black Ghost and departed. After camping out for three days like that, the place he arrived at was a county called Taigu in Shanxi Province.

Taigu was located only a few hundred li from Taiyuan, Shanxi Province's capital. Though not as large in scale as Taiyuan, it was still a city with deep history.

As soon as he entered Taigu, the place Dam Ho visited was a glamorous pleasure house.

"Welco…"

The pleasure house's manager who was running over in stocking feet stopped abruptly. His face upon seeing Dam Ho had turned deathly pale.

"By, by any chance, Fist Demon?"

Though a strange thing to say, he instinctively recognized his identity the moment he saw Dam Ho.

Dam Ho had a unique atmosphere that overwhelmed and intimidated opponents. His unique temperament that made opponents shrink without saying anything was clearly distinguished from other martial artists.

Such temperament had become even more prominent recently, and because of that, the manager could intuit that he was Fist Demon the moment he saw him.

Dam Ho silently looked at the manager. At the heavy gaze that pressed down on his chest, the manager was certain his guess was fact.

"Ah, ah!"

It was the moment when he was stammering, not knowing what to say.

"Manager, please step back."

A clear voice was heard from behind.

Instantly an expression of relief rose on the manager's face. He quickly bowed his head and stepped back.

"Yes! Madam."

Leaving the manager behind, a mysterious-atmosphere woman with her face covered by a veil appeared. She approached Dam Ho with light steps like a butterfly.

The woman removed her veil and smiled.

"It's been a while, Great Hero Dam."

Dam Ho silently nodded.

Though it was a sufficiently rude appearance, the woman didn't blame such a Dam Ho. Because she knew Dam Ho too well.

The woman was precisely Gi Ye-hwa. She, who was Hao Sect's Vice Sect Leader, had revealed herself before Dam Ho.

Gi Ye-hwa wasn't surprised at all by Dam Ho's sudden appearance. Because the one who called Dam Ho to this place was precisely her.

Gi Ye-hwa said to the manager.

"Close the pleasure house today and don't receive guests. Cancel all reservations too."

"Y-yes, understood."

The manager withdrew hastily with his answer. Residual tremors were occurring in his shoulders. Because the shock of seeing Dam Ho directly still hadn't subsided.

Alone, Gi Ye-hwa took Dam Ho to her quarters. Gi Ye-hwa's quarters were located on the pleasure house's top floor. For a woman's quarters, the interior scenery was too simple.

A small table with two chairs between, and a bed were all the furniture. However, a subtle fragrance flowed in the room, informing that this was a woman's room.

From her quarters, Taigu's scenery could be seen at a glance.

"Please sit here."

Gi Ye-hwa offered Dam Ho a chair. When Dam Ho sat, she sat across from him. It was close enough distance to feel each other's body scents.

For a moment, Gi Ye-hwa felt her mind becoming dizzy.

Because a too-intense body scent stimulated her olfaction. The intense breathing like a beast's exhalation was stimulating enough to instantly turn her mind completely white.

It felt like a huge beast was standing before her eyes. Though Dam Ho wasn't doing any threatening actions, everything about him felt threatening to Gi Ye-hwa.

Breathing, even his gaze.

'He's become stronger.'

Though there seemed to be almost no outward change, Gi Ye-hwa could know with a woman's instinct.

Dam Ho had definitely become more frightening.

At this point, she became curious where his limits were.

Then Dam Ho opened his mouth.

"What I asked you to investigate?"

"Of course I found out."

The moment she heard her answer, Dam Ho's gaze rippled. Gi Ye-hwa felt goosebumps rising all over her body.

Dam Ho asked.

"Who is it?"