Fist Demon of Mount Hua ( Novel ) - Chapter 215
Chapter 215. Men Navigating Troubled Times (3)
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Six men, each occupying their own seat, were all emanating an extraordinary aura from their entire bodies.
Their gazes were focused on Cho Yeon-woon and Hae So-wol. A considerable pressure weighed down on Cho Yeon-woon and Hae So-wol.
“It’s been a while, Cho Yeon-woon.”
The young warrior sitting closest greeted familiarly.
A seven-foot tall body with a physique that looked as hard as carved steel, and eyes that were equally intense and arrogant.
The moment he saw the man who looked so confident as if looking down on the world, Cho Yeon-woon’s expression severely distorted.
“Nam Hak!”
One name that flowed out of his mouth.
He was Nam Hak, the Heavenly Thunder Martial Guest.
He was a member of the Nine Martial Dragons and a once-in-a-generation genius that the Joint Faction boasted of.
Once Nam Hak was confirmed, the others came into view. Those emitting a presence no less intense than Nam Hak were people Cho Yeon-woon was well acquainted with.
“I can’t believe the Nine Martial Dragons have gathered in one place.”
“It’s been a long time.”
“Cho Yeon-woon.”
Those who each spoke a word were members of the Nine Martial Dragons.
Pyo Seo-un, the Swift Wind Yama, a disciple of the Jeomchang Faction and the young master of Yunchang Escort Agency, the largest escort agency in Yunnan.
Eom Tae-cheon the Shadowless Divine Dragon, the greatest talent produced by the mysterious Kunlun Faction.
Cheong-woon the One Star of Sichuan, an unrivaled warrior from the Qingcheng Sect recognized as a star of Sichuan by not only the Tang Clan but also Emei Sect.
Geum Han-su the Heavenly Strong Young Master, leading the revival of the Southern Edge Sect.
Lastly, Jin Mu-yeong the Peerless Sword, the hope of the Thousand Year Martial Hall, and Nam Hak were gathered in one place.
Including Hae Jung-hwa and Hae So-wol, seven of the Nine Martial Dragons were gathered in one place.
“How did you all…?”
Cho Yeon-woon’s voice trembled involuntarily, perhaps from too much surprise.
“When the murim is in crisis, isn’t it natural for us to step up?”
Nam Hak frowned as if asking about something obvious.
Jin Mu-yeong rose from his seat and approached Cho Yeon-woon.
“It’s been a while, Yeon-woon.”
“Jin Mu-yeong.”
“I think it’s been about three years. I’ve heard you’ve been through a lot during that time.”
“Have you finished your seclusion?”
“That’s right.”
Jin Mu-yeong nodded.
An unapproachable pressure was flowing from his entire body. Although he was also one of the Nine Martial Dragons, his presence was incomparable to other warriors.
The rest of the Nine Martial Dragons also just watched as Jin Mu-yeong stepped forward, without saying much. From this, Cho Yeon-woon could tell that Jin Mu-yeong was leading this gathering.
Jin Mu-yeong was as lofty as a crane. An upright back, broad shoulders and back, and bold facial features. His piercingly clear eyes enhanced his presence.
Jin Mu-yeong wore a faint smile, looking very relaxed. It was the composure and confidence that could be shown because of strength.
“This is unexpected. To think I’d see seven of the Nine Martial Dragons in one place. Should I call this an honor?”
“Don’t be so sarcastic, Yeon-woon. We know your martial prowess is not at all inferior to the Nine Martial Dragons.”
“You flatter me.”
“It’s not flattery. I’m just saying what I see with my own eyes.”
At Jin Mu-yeong’s words, the corners of Cho Yeon-woon’s eyes trembled slightly. It was because Jin Mu-yeong’s piercing gaze seemed to see through everything about him.
Cho Yeon-woon was uncomfortable with Jin Mu-yeong’s gaze. No, this whole gathering was uncomfortable.
Jin Mu-yeong offered a seat.
“Don’t just stand there awkwardly, take a seat.”
“Why did you call me here?”
“We can have a casual conversation between us. Do we need a reason to see each other’s faces?”
“Mu-yeong.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I know you well. You’re not someone who would arrange a gathering like this without any reason. Be honest. What’s going on?”
“Just… I called you to see your face after a long time. It’s about time we gathered.”
Unlike the sharp-edged Cho Yeon-woon, Jin Mu-yeong was very relaxed. Cho Yeon-woon didn’t like that relaxed expression.
It wasn’t just Jin Mu-yeong. The entire Nine Martial Dragons, except for Hae So-wol, were giving off a similar atmosphere to Jin Mu-yeong.
‘What is this? This loose atmosphere as if they’ve come out for a leisurely tour?’
Cho Yeon-woon’s gaze sank deeply.
Shouzhou wasn’t just a place with a branch of the Murim Alliance. It was a battlefield where fierce battles where life and death intersected several times a day took place.
Naturally, people’s faces always had tension, and they were consciously or unconsciously wary of their surroundings. But now, no tension could be felt from the Nine Martial Dragons in this place.
“What do you mean? It’s time to gather?”
“When the martial world is in crisis, shouldn’t young martial artists join forces?”
“Join forces?”
“Yes! Wouldn’t that be more efficient after all?”
Jin Mu-yeong answered while looking around. Everyone’s gaze was directed at him.
The Nine Martial Dragons weren’t simply the top talents of the murim. Most of them belonged to the Nine Sects, which could be called the best sects in the murim, and had the best status in their own sects.
Perhaps that’s why, but their expressions were overflowing with confidence.
Cho Yeon-woon spoke gruffly.
“This is an honor. To be invited to such a gathering.”
“You have more than enough qualifications. So don’t make that expression.”
“Hmph!”
Cho Yeon-woon crossed his arms. It was a clearly defensive posture. At this, Nam Hak spoke up.
“Mind your manners given the nature of this gathering, Yeon-un. Being invited here itself is an honor.”
“An honor, you say?”
“If it weren’t for Brother Jin’s consideration, would you even have been invited to a place like this?”
“Haha! I’m tearfully grateful.”
Cho Yeon-woon laughed holding his stomach.
At his attitude, several of the Nine Martial Dragons frowned. While Jin Mu-yeong highly evaluated Cho Yeon-woon, not everyone else felt the same way.
They thought that although Cho Yeon-woon was making a name for himself as the Drunken Cloud Dragon, he was still far inferior compared to the Nine Martial Dragons. Therefore, they were displeased that Cho Yeon-woon was invited to this gathering in the first place. They just couldn’t express it openly given the nature of the gathering.
The conversation continued in a tense atmosphere, and Cho Yeon-woon’s hardened expression showed no signs of softening. The same was true for Hae So-wol.
***
The first thing Sage Hyeon-geom saw when he opened his eyes was the worried faces of Woon Gyeong and his disciples looking at him.
“Master-Uncle.”
“Have you regained consciousness?”
The voices of the disciples rang confusingly in his ears.
After blinking his eyes for a moment, Sage Hyeon-geom soon realized his situation.
His whole body felt like it was being torn apart. His heart meridians were shaken, and his qi and blood were disturbed. He had suffered severe internal injuries.
“Did I… lose? To that child, Cheong Gyeong?”
“Master-Uncle!”
“Speak, Woon Gyeong.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Is that so? You’re saying I lost? To that cripple.”
Sage Hyeon-geom gritted his teeth.
He couldn’t accept the fact that he had lost. Because admitting that fact would be like denying his entire life.
He had practiced the sword for Mount Hua all his life.
After years of hard work, he became Mount Hua’s number one swordsman, but because of Dam-ho, all the fame and effort he had built up until now were thrown into the mud.
Sage Hyeon-geom’s face twisted unpleasantly. His shoulders and tightly clenched fists were trembling.
Woon Gyeong and the Mount Hua disciples couldn’t say anything. They could only watch.
Sage Hyeon-geom closed his eyes.
“Did I do something wrong? Did I, Hyeon-geom, make a wrong judgment? Is that really so?”
Heart demons came.
Numerous thoughts swirled in his mind.
Jealousy and anger, resignation and conflict mixed to create a gray emotion.
The gray emotion swallowed everything. Sage Hyeon-geom felt himself falling endlessly into an abyss.
Sage Hyeon-geom surrendered everything to the gloomy emotion. Darkness gradually eroded his mind.
A faint killing intent emanated from Sage Hyeon-geom’s body. At this, the disciples cried out in shock.
“Ma-Master-Uncle!”
“Composure…”
Their faces, exposed to the killing intent, turned pale.
They too realized that Sage Hyeon-geom had fallen into a state of heart demons.
“N-No!”
Woon Gyeong clenched his fists tightly.
There was almost no possibility for someone who had reached the level of Sage Hyeon-geom to fall into heart demons. Moreover, he had learned the mind techniques of Mount Hua Faction, which was of the righteous path. Even if he had fallen into heart demons, he should have been able to escape quickly.
But the reaction Sage Hyeon-geom was showing now was not normal.
Creak!
The formidable qi he was emitting made the objects in the room vibrate. Then, an enormous pressure weighed down on the Mount Hua disciples.
“Ma-Master-Uncle! Come to your senses.”
“You shouldn’t be like this. Ugh!”
The Mount Hua disciples screamed.
Fresh blood appeared at the corners of their mouths. They had suffered internal injuries from Sage Hyeon-geom’s killing intent.
Kukukuku!
The qi emitted from Sage Hyeon-geom’s body materialized and swirled. At this, the Mount Hua disciples were thrown about.
They were like leaves swept away in a torrent.
“Master-Uncle Hyeon-geom!”
Woon Gyeong shouted with all his might.
His voice, close to a scream, penetrated Sage Hyeon-geom’s heart. A ray of light spread in Sage Hyeon-geom’s heart, which had been only dark.
The light created a mirror in his mind.
The image of Sage Hyeon-geom reflected in the mirror was only dark.
‘Is that my appearance?’
It was an appearance he had never imagined even once.
He had lived his whole life for Mount Hua.
He took up the sword to protect Mount Hua, and walked the path of the sword all his life.
He should have shone more brilliantly than anyone else and received admiration.
‘But that’s my appearance?’
It was hard to believe.
He wanted to deny it. But he couldn’t.
The black shadow in the mirror was clearly himself. It was the materialization of the darkness lurking in his heart.
Sage Hyeon-geom stared at himself in the mirror for a long time.
Now he had to admit it. Darkness was eroding his mind, and because of that, he had failed to make proper judgments and made judgments unilaterally.
The determination to protect Mount Hua created a monster in his mind. Now he understood that fact.
Suddenly, a verse from the Dao scripture flowed out between Sage Hyeon-geom’s lips.
“Man does not reflect himself in flowing water, but in still water. Only when the mind is still can it reflect the world.”
It was a passage from the inner chapters of Zhuangzi* that he had briefly seen once about ten or so years ago.
[T/N- Zhuangzi was an influential Chinese philosopher who lived around the 4th century BCE during the Warring States period.]
Although he had been in the Mount Hua Faction for more than several decades, he had not read many Dao scriptures during that time because he was so focused on martial arts. Even those he had read, he had long forgotten after just reading them.
Why did that verse come to mind at this moment of all times?
His mind became calm.
The world was reflected in his calmed mind.
Light spread in his mind that had been stained with darkness. Along with this, a smile appeared on Sage Hyeon-geom’s lips.
The killing intent and qi that had been swirling in the room stopped as if it were a lie.
“Ma-Master-Uncle?”
Woon Gyeong’s eyes widened as if they would tear.
Woon Gyeong was second in rank among the first-generation disciples. There was no way someone like him wouldn’t understand what the phenomenon happening before his eyes meant.
He quickly ordered the disciples.
“All of you go out and guard outside. No one is to be let in.”
“Understood.”
The disciples hurried outside without asking why. And they guarded outside thoroughly.
How much time had passed?
Sage Hyeon-geom quietly opened his eyes. A spiritual light appeared and disappeared in his eyes.
“Master-Uncle, are you alright?”
“You must have had a hard time, Woon Gyeong.”
“Master-Uncle?”
A voice tinged with spiritual light and a kind tone.
It was quite different from the Sage Hyeon-geom that Woon Gyeong knew. The change was so dramatic that Woon Gyeong couldn’t easily believe the change happening before his eyes.
Sage Hyeon-geom suddenly got up.
Until just now, he couldn’t even move because of severe internal injuries, but now he looked completely healed as if it had never happened.
“Master-Uncle?”
“I need to go see Hyeon-so.”