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Chapter 212: The Wind Constantly Shakes the Trees (3)

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The head of the Hao Sect Shouzhou branch was a middle-aged courtesan named Hae Won. Despite her profession, her face exuded elegance.

“It’s an honor to meet the renowned martial artist, Fist Demon, Dam-ho.”

“Are you the head of this branch?”

“Yes, I am Hae Won, the head of the Hao Sect Shouzhou branch.”

“You seem to know me.”

“Who in the martial world doesn’t know Master Dam? Especially since Yehwa, the head of the Yueyang branch, has instructed all branches to treat you with special care.”

Yehwa was known for her intelligence among the Hao Sect branch heads. She had specifically mentioned not to antagonize Dam-ho.

“Yehwa?”

“Yes! Thanks to her, everyone in Hao Sect knows about you.”

“How is she?”

“Well…”

“It seems there’s a problem.”

“It’s a bit complicated. I can’t tell you more, even if you are Dam-ho. Please understand.”

Dam-ho nodded at Hae Won’s polite words. Even Dam-ho couldn’t interfere in Hao Sect’s internal affairs.

“So, what brings you here? Is it a request?”

“Yes!”

“Unfortunately, we are not in a position to accept requests right now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…”

Hae Won hesitated, then met Dam-ho’s eyes. The depth and darkness of his eyes made her shiver.

Hae Won, who had experienced many hardships, froze at Dam-ho’s gaze.

‘This is more intense than Yehwa’s words. The rumors don’t do him justice.’

She struggled to maintain her composure amidst the overwhelming fear.

Hae Won decided it was better to tell the truth to someone like Dam-ho.

“Hao Sect is currently under severe threat from the Murim Alliance.”

“Threat?”

“Yes! Due to threats from the Murim Alliance’s intelligence organization, all our activities are restricted.”

“Whose idea is this?”

“It seems to be the idea of Namgung Chang, a military leader of the Murim Alliance. Our leader is also very troubled by this.”

“Namgung Chang?”

Dam-ho’s eyes sparkled.

“He wants to absorb Hao Sect to expand the Murim Alliance’s intelligence network. But we have no intention of being absorbed.”

Hao Sect was an organization formed by courtesans and other lower-class people for survival, unrelated to the grand causes or interests of the established sects.

The idea of absorbing Hao Sect into the Murim Alliance’s intelligence network was akin to denying Hao Sect’s existence.

“So, even if you make a request, we can’t guarantee its completion.”

“Then I’ll cancel the request.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

Dam-ho stood up.

Originally, he intended to request information about Dragon Sword House from Hao Sect. But given their current struggle with the Murim Alliance, it seemed unlikely to yield good results.

It might even alert the enemy. It was better to reconsider everything from the beginning.

Hae Won was surprised by how easily Dam-ho gave up.

“Wait a moment. Are you leaving just like that?”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s just…”

Hae Won stammered.

Dam-ho was known for never giving up once he set a goal. His easy retreat made her uneasy.

“Please don’t hold any grudge against Hao Sect for not accepting your request. We have our reasons…”

“I won’t hold a grudge.”

“Then…”

Hae Won’s face finally relaxed.

Dam-ho looked at Hae Won for a moment before stepping outside.

Although he didn’t achieve his goal, Dam-ho didn’t feel much regret. Learning that the Murim Alliance was trying to absorb Hao Sect was a significant gain.

As Dam-ho walked down the street, he felt someone watching him. Turning his head, he saw an unfamiliar old man among the crowd.

When their eyes met, the old man quickly lowered his head and disappeared into the crowd.

Though the eye contact was brief, Dam-ho recognized the old man.

Dam-ho followed the direction where the old man disappeared. He saw the old man’s back in the distance, walking briskly.

The old man turned back and, seeing Dam-ho following, showed a startled expression.

The old man entered an alley in Shouzhou, known for its seclusion. As soon as Dam-ho entered the alley, he sensed a damp smell.

The old man entered a house at the end of the alley.

Dam-ho’s eyes darkened.

‘Is this a tiger’s den?’

The old man could have easily evaded Dam-ho. Yet, he deliberately exposed his trail, clearly luring Dam-ho.

Dam-ho approached the house the old man entered.

The door opened, revealing the interior of a house surrounded by high walls. In front of the house was a wide platform, where a boy of about seventeen or eighteen was brewing tea. The old man who lured Dam-ho stood respectfully behind the boy.

Sensing Dam-ho’s presence, the boy looked up.

“Oh! You’re here.”

The boy smiled and greeted Dam-ho.

“It’s you.”

“It’s been a while, brother.”

The boy, named Myung Cheon, was the one treated by Jong Ri-yeon in Yangtze River. The old man who lured Dam-ho was Myung Cheon’s loyal servant, Yano.

Dam-ho’s eyes flickered. Normally, just meeting his gaze would leave people breathless, but Myung Cheon smiled brightly without any sign of fear.

“Please sit here. I prepared tea knowing you would come. Would you like some silver needle tea from Gunsan?”

Myung Cheon spoke warmly, as if they were old acquaintances.

For some reason, Dam-ho sat on the platform. Myung Cheon approached and placed a teacup in front of him, pouring freshly brewed tea.

The small teacup filled with a faint green tea.

“This is my favorite tea. I hope you like it too.”

Dam-ho brought the tea to his lips. Seeing Dam-ho drink without hesitation, Myung Cheon’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

“Aren’t you afraid I might have poisoned it?”

“If you did, you wouldn’t be standing there.”

“Haha! You got me.”

Myung Cheon laughed heartily, looking somewhat relieved.

He sat in front of Dam-ho.

“I’m sorry for leaving like that before. After my transformation, my energy was unstable. I needed to recuperate in a quiet place.”

“…”

“Did I mention you resemble our big brother? You two are very alike, even in your occasional silence.”

“Geom Yul-cheon, Shin Mu-wol, Eum Yu-gyeong, and you. What’s your relationship? Did you all meet at Heavenly Forbidden Demon Prison?”

“It’s a bond that goes back much further. Why, are you curious?”

Dam-ho didn’t answer, but Myung Cheon continued excitedly.

“I would be too. Alright, I’ll tell you. After all, you’re not entirely a stranger.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re also from Heavenly Forbidden Demon Prison. We were all there, though at different times.”

“…”

“That’s why I feel a kinship with you. Survivors of that hellish place share a bond. You survived there alone for twelve years, right? How did you endure it? You must have lacked food.”

Realizing his mistake, Myung Cheon laughed awkwardly.

“As you might guess, we’re all from the Divine Cult. Only Yu-Gyeong remains there now.”

“Eum Yu-Gyeong?”

“Yes! She has tasks to complete in the sect. She stayed behind alone. She’s having the hardest time.”

“Why did she stay in the Demonic Cult?”

“Someone had to. Besides, Yu-Gyeong is the Divine Cult’s saintess. As a symbolic figure, she couldn’t leave easily.”

“Saintess?”

“If the leader symbolizes the sect’s military power, the saintess represents its doctrine and spiritual support. Though her authority is currently low without the sacred artifact, she can keep the leader’s power in check if she finds it.”

“Keep the leader in check?”

Dam-ho’s eyes deepened.

Despite Myung Cheon’s seemingly random chatter, his words contained much information. He was deliberately conveying information.

“The leader’s authority in the sect is at its peak in a hundred years. Many would willingly die at his command. That’s why it’s dangerous.”

“What’s dangerous?”

“The murim… the Divine Cult… and the whole world… The leader’s wrath will burn everything. He dreams of a world ruled by the Divine Cult, not just through force but by its doctrine, creating a perfect theocracy. That’s his vision for the central plains.”

“…”

“Isn’t it chilling? Such a world would eliminate all diversity, leaving only a rigid order centered on the Divine Cult.”

“So, you plan to find the sacred artifact to check the leader? Is that it?”

“Exactly.”

Myung Cheon smiled.

His smile seemed pure and clear, but Dam-ho didn’t trust appearances.

Myung Cheon was a genius. Such geniuses never act for a single reason. They always have multiple layers of motives.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I thought you should know.”

“What do you mean?”

“You have doubts, don’t you? Or am I wrong?”

Dam-ho’s brow furrowed. Myung Cheon smiled meaningfully.

“I thought so. Despite what the world thinks, you have a brilliant mind and cold logic. When I heard you visited the Hao Sect branch, I knew. That’s why I had Yano bring you here.”

“Continue.”

“Isn’t it funny? When the Murim Alliance was being established, the Forbidden Demon Envoy appeared to justify its creation. Then, the Divine Cult conveniently provided a pretext for the Great War. It’s too contrived. You must have found it strange too.”

“Are you saying there’s a third party?”

“Exactly.”

“Any evidence?”

“Not yet. They’re very secretive. They have eyes and ears everywhere. It’s not easy to approach their true identity. But the longer the tail, the easier it is to catch. We’re gradually getting closer.”

Dam-ho’s eyes darkened further.

Myung Cheon’s words fueled Dam-ho’s suspicions.

Dragon Sword House, which led the attack, was destroyed by someone. If he was truly recruited by the Divine Cult, there was no reason to annihilate Dragon Sword House. It would have been easier to take over the entire group.

Someone erased Dragon Sword House to sever the connection. The question was, who erased Dragon Sword House from the world?

“Assuming you’re right, why are you telling me this?”

“You’re not asking because you don’t know, right?”

Dam-ho stared at Myung Cheon. Feeling the pressure, Myung Cheon sighed softly.

“I’ll answer that.”

A heavy voice came from outside.

Turning his head, Dam-ho saw a man, a head taller than most, entering through the main gate.

His leisurely steps resembled a large tiger.

The world called him Geom Yul-cheon.

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Reed chapter first at Utoon.net