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Chapter 211: The Wind Relentlessly Shakes the Trees (2)

Translator: Ash

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A figure burst through the wall into the ancestral shrine, carrying a sword case resembling a peacock’s feathers on his back. Among the countless martial artists in the world, only one had such a distinctive feature: Peacock Ghost Sword Shin Mu-wol.

“I’ve got you,” Shin Mu-wol said, glaring at the Forbidden Demon Envoy. The Forbidden Demon Envoy’s face hardened behind his mask.

“You followed me all the way here.”

“You bastards! Do you know how much trouble I went through to catch you?”

“Shin Mu-wol, I should have killed you long ago.”

A storm-like aura emanated from the Forbidden Demon Envoy’s entire body, causing Shin Mu-wol to sneer.

“That’s my line, you bastard!”

“The ancestral shrine will be your grave. Die!”

At the Forbidden Demon Envoy’s command, the Blood Ghosts charged at Shin Mu-wol.

Clang!

The Blood Ghosts drew their iron chain sickles, a bizarre weapon connected by chains. Dozens of iron chain sickles flew towards Shin Mu-wol.

“Step aside, minions!”

Shin Mu-wol spread his arms wide, drawing two swords from his peacock sword case. He hurled the swords at the Blood Ghosts.

Swish!

The two swords spun fiercely, forming a barrier that deflected the incoming iron chain sickles in all directions. Seizing the opportunity, Shin Mu-wol drew another sword and lunged at the Forbidden Demon Envoy.

“Stop!”

“How dare you!”

This time, Il Yeom-ra and Yi Yeom-ra blocked his path, each unleashing their techniques to attack Shin Mu-wol.

Boom!

Fierce fist and sword energy flew towards Shin Mu-wol, who countered with his own sword energy.

Slash!

With a sound like tearing silk, the energy from Il Yeom-ra and Yi Yeom-ra was split in two. They glared, but Shin Mu-wol’s kick struck their chests.

“Ugh!”

“Argh!”

The two staggered back, and Shin Mu-wol dashed forward, followed by the Blood Ghosts. Dozens of iron chain sickles flew at his back, but he ignored them. His target was the Forbidden Demon Envoy alone, and he had to subdue him at any cost.

‘I must capture him to uncover the full story.’

Slash!

Several iron chain sickles grazed his body, drawing blood, but Shin Mu-wol did not stop.

“Arrogant fool!”

A chilling light flashed in the Forbidden Demon Envoy’s eyes. He raised his hand, generating a powerful energy in his palm, and hurled it at Shin Mu-wol.

“Cha! Whirlwind Blood Demon Slash!”

With a shout, Shin Mu-wol drew the remaining two swords. He extended his hand, and the three swords spun fiercely around his palm, creating a vortex of energy.

Boom!

The energy clashed with the Forbidden Demon Envoy’s attack, producing a thunderous explosion.

“Ugh!”

“Argh!”

Both Shin Mu-wol and the Forbidden Demon Envoy groaned in pain, their bodies shaking from the impact. Meanwhile, Il Yeom-ra and Yi Yeom-ra, having recovered, joined the Blood Ghosts in attacking Shin Mu-wol, putting him in a perilous situation.

‘Damn it!’

Shin Mu-wol’s face twisted in frustration. The Forbidden Demon Envoy was escaping the ancestral shrine. If he lost him now, who knew when he would catch him again.

‘Give flesh to take bone.’

He was prepared to sacrifice an arm if necessary. Just as he was about to unleash his technique, a thunderous voice echoed through the shrine.

“Don’t be foolish.”

Boom!

The Forbidden Demon Envoy, who had been escaping, was suddenly flung back inside. His mask cracked like a spider web as he tumbled across the floor. A large man followed him in, bringing a smile to Shin Mu-wol’s face.

“Senior!”

The man, a head taller than most, was Sword Master Geom Yul-cheon, the only person Shin Mu-wol called senior and respected.

Geom Yul-cheon looked at Shin Mu-wol.

“I’m a bit late. Are you alright?”

“Move faster next time. I almost died.”

“Stop exaggerating.”

Geom Yul-cheon chuckled. The Forbidden Demon Envoy struggled to his feet, emitting a terrifying killing intent, but Geom Yul-cheon remained unfazed.

“Forbidden Demon Envoy, we finally meet.”

“Did you send that guy to chase us?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you chasing us?”

“You know why.”

Geom Yul-cheon countered, his demeanor suggesting he knew everything, causing the Forbidden Demon Envoy to grit his teeth. As Geom Yul-cheon approached, the pressure was immense, the likes of which the Forbidden Demon Envoy hadn’t felt since Fist Demon.

‘Where do these people keep coming from?’

Both Dam-ho and Geom Yul-cheon were beyond the Forbidden Demon Envoy’s calculations, their presence amplifying his anxiety.

“You’ve caused quite a mess.”

“You?”

Thud!

Geom Yul-cheon charged at the Forbidden Demon Envoy, his presence like a rolling boulder. The Forbidden Demon Envoy roared and punched, his fist imbued with energy, but Geom Yul-cheon extended his right hand, forming an energy blade.

Thunder Strike Technique, Fifth Form: One Punishment for a Hundred Warnings.

Boom!

White lightning exploded.

“Argh!”

The Forbidden Demon Envoy screamed as he was flung back, his body charred and smoking.

“Forbidden Demon Envoy!”

Il Yeom-ra and Yi Yeom-ra rushed to help, but Shin Mu-wol blocked their path.

“Your opponent is me.”

“Move!”

They attacked Shin Mu-wol, who countered with his five swords. Meanwhile, Geom Yul-cheon approached the fallen Forbidden Demon Envoy.

“Ugh! You?”

The Forbidden Demon Envoy glared at Geom Yul-cheon, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Geom Yul-cheon crouched in front of him.

“Heavenly Evil Sect, Forbidden Demon Envoy Yeom Neung-cheon.”

The Forbidden Demon Envoy’s eyes widened. Yeom Neung-cheon was his real name, known to very few, yet Geom Yul-cheon had mentioned it, shocking him deeply.

“I’ve been tracking you for a long time. I have many questions, so you’ll have to talk.”

Geom Yul-cheon smiled, but his eyes burned with determination.

The Forbidden Demon Envoy was overwhelmed by Geom Yul-cheon’s gaze but shouted defiantly.

“Never, brat. No one can make me talk.”

“Most say that, but they all eventually do. You won’t be different.”

“Argh!”

“Trust me, I’m an expert in this.”

Geom Yul-cheon’s smile deepened.

***

Dam-ho returned to Shouzhou at dusk, greeted first by the branch leader, Gong Son-jung.

“Great Hero… Dam!”

He fidgeted nervously.

“Speak!”

“As you said, we found those connected to the Demonic Cult. We captured some, but…”

“But?”

“They all committed suicide. Vicious bastards.”

Gong Son-jung shook his head, still shaken.

“They committed suicide?”

“Yes. When we found them, they had all killed themselves.”

“……”

“I’m sorry. There was nothing we could do.”

Gong Son-jung apologized desperately, fearing Dam-ho’s anger, but Dam-ho turned away silently. Though he wasn’t angry, he felt uneasy, as if trapped in a deep, unseen swamp.

“So that’s how it is?”

His already cold eyes grew even colder. He had wanted to find a quiet place to hide with his master, but the world wouldn’t leave him alone. He didn’t care about himself, but his master was different. Sage Hyeon-so was his reverse scale, and touching him was like touching Dam-ho’s reverse scale.

Changing direction, Dam-ho left the branch and walked through Shouzhou’s streets.

“Ah!”

“Fist Demon?”

People recognized Dam-ho and made way. Everyone in Shouzhou knew him. His distinctive limp and black attire were his trademarks, known even to those who hadn’t seen his face.

Unbeknownst to Dam-ho, a saying circulated in the martial world:

“If you meet a limping martial artist, check twice or thrice. If it’s the Fist Demon, don’t provoke him. If you do, it will be your death day.”

This saying even made other limping people objects of fear.

The crowd parted, and Dam-ho walked through, people avoiding his gaze but sneaking glances to see where he was going. Surprisingly, he headed towards a street filled with brothels, disappointing some onlookers.

‘He’s a man too.’

‘Visiting a brothel in these times.’

Ignoring their stares, Dam-ho walked on, stopping in front of a brothel named Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, the oldest and largest in Shouzhou. He entered, and the manager hurried out to greet him, sweating nervously.

“Welcome.”

The manager recognized Dam-ho.

“What brings you here?”

“Take me to the owner.”

“What?”

“I know this is a branch of the Hao Clan. Take me to the owner.”

“Ah, understood.”

The manager nodded quickly and ran inside.

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