Chapter 234 – When the Wind Blows, the Era Moves (3)

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Swoosh!

The cleaver sliced through the bright red meat. White bones appeared between the neatly cut pieces of flesh.

Thud! Thud!

With a light twist, the cleaver wedged between the flesh and bones, easily separating them.

“Hmm hmm!”

Bang Jin-bo hummed a tune as he moved the cleaver.

Swish! Swoosh!

Each time the cleaver passed through the meat, a sharp sound echoed in the air.

The cleaver moved exactly as he intended. At a glance, it seemed as if it were a living creature moving on its own.

Dam-ho leaned against a tree, watching the scene unfold.

They were currently in a mountain near Jieshou, on the border between Anhui and Henan provinces. Bang Jin-bo was preparing rabbit meat that Muk Il-gwang had caught.

Dam-ho’s gaze was fixed on Bang Jin-bo’s cleaver.

It was said to be a knife bought from an old workshop in Tongling. Though it was clearly made of ordinary iron, there was an inexplicable aura about it.

‘He tempered the blade using only his internal energy focused in his fingertips.’

If he hadn’t touched the cleaver himself, Dam-ho wouldn’t have believed it. The blade bore clear traces of the old man’s craftsmanship.

The part of the blade where the old man’s fingers had passed was condensed to an unimaginable degree. The edge had been sharpened several times over, to the point where it emitted a fierce aura.

It was refined to a level that only a master craftsman could achieve after thousands or tens of thousands of hammer strikes. Dam-ho had never heard of such an internal energy technique before.

‘Did he call him Wind Moon Emperor?’

It was a name he had never heard before. Yet, for some reason, it lingered in his mind.

Dam-ho was someone who lived in Jianghu. As he traveled through Jianghu, he would eventually meet that old man again someday.

For now, Dam-ho decided not to think about him anymore. If fate allowed, they would meet again eventually.

“Brother.”

Muk Il-gwang approached Dam-ho. As Dam-ho looked at him, Muk Il-gwang cautiously spoke.

“It seems finding Master Cho won’t be easy.”

“What do you mean?”

“I asked around with some Green Forest bandits nearby, but after their defeat in Shouzhou, the warriors scattered everywhere. Some went to Mount Hua, others to Zhongnan Sect, and still others sought refuge in major sects like Shaolin Temple. Even the Murim Alliance has no idea which sects these warriors have joined. The information gap is that severe.”

Dam-ho furrowed his brow at Muk Il-gwang’s response.

Just as Muk Il-gwang said, northern Central Plains was currently in chaos. With Shouzhou’s fall, all of Shaanxi province had come under the influence of the Demonic Cult. Neighboring provinces like Henan, Shaanxi, and Hebei were on high alert.

Henan housed Shaolin Temple, while Shaanxi was home to Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect. These three sects had closed their doors after taking in warriors fleeing from Shouzhou. They were preparing for an invasion by the Demonic Cult.

The Murim Alliance was busy trying to send reinforcements to these three sects but was delayed due to the vast distance involved.

“If Master Cho is still alive, he must be hiding within one of these three sects.”

“Which one is most likely?”

“It’s hard to say.”

Muk Il-gwang answered honestly.

Even among those three sects, there was no certainty that Master Cho had taken refuge there; he could have fled to another sect entirely.

“It would be best to meet with any warrior who was there at the time. That way we can gather accurate information. What should we do?”

“We’re going to Shaolin.”

“Shaolin Temple?”

Muk Il-gwang looked surprised at Dam-ho’s answer. It wasn’t what he had expected at all.

“Understood.”

But he didn’t question it further.

Since Dam-ho had made up his mind, Muk Il-gwang would follow him without hesitation—that was his way of thinking.

Fortunately, Shaolin Temple wasn’t too far from their current location. If they rode hard enough, they could reach it within ten days.

At that moment—

“It’s ready! Come eat!”

Bang Jin-bo’s voice echoed through the mountain forest.

Turning their heads, they saw Bang Jin-bo calling them over with a small pot filled with stew made from rabbit meat that Muk Il-gwang had caught earlier.

It seemed like just moments ago that Bang Jin-bo had been preparing the rabbit meat, yet now he had already finished making stew. Not only that—he had even prepared a delicious-looking bowl of rice alongside it!

Muk Il-gwang couldn’t help but marvel at Bang Jin-bo’s culinary skills.

“Wow! To have such a luxurious meal while camping out in the wilderness. No one would believe it if I told them.”

“This is just the basics,” Bang Jin-bo grinned. He seemed much more relaxed now, even showing a bit of cheekiness.

Bang Jin-bo served each of them a bowl of stew made from rabbit meat.

“Whew! This is amazing,” Muk Il-gwang exclaimed in admiration, and Dam-ho nodded in agreement.

Seeing the two enjoy the meal he had prepared, Bang Jin-bo smiled with satisfaction.

For a chef, the greatest happiness comes from seeing others enjoy their food. And when those people were ones Bang Jin-bo cared about, it made him even happier.

“Hehe!”

For whatever reason, he was glad to be on this journey with Dam-ho. He hoped that in some small way, he could be of help to him. And indeed, his food was helping Dam-ho greatly.

Good food provides essential nutrients to keep the body in optimal condition. Right now, Dam-ho’s body was in peak form.

His internal energy flowed smoothly, and every muscle fiber was brimming with vitality.

At this point, it wasn’t just food; it could be considered a powerful tonic. And Bang Jin-bo was creating such meals every time.

Dam-ho looked at Bang Jin-bo.

“Thank you.”

“Hehe!” Bang Jin-bo chuckled, rubbing his nose with his finger in embarrassment.

The next morning at dawn, the three left the mountain and entered Henan province.

Perhaps because it bordered Shaanxi province, the atmosphere in Henan was heavy and somber.

Warriors could be seen everywhere on the streets.

Each warrior carried weapons at their waists and moved purposefully in one direction.

Muk Il-gwang explained to Bang Jin-bo why this was happening.

“They’re heading to Shaolin Temple… There’s no doubt about it.”

“Shaolin Temple?”

“With Shouzhou fallen, Henan is no longer a safe zone either. In the face of the overwhelming force of the Demonic Cult, most sects won’t leave a trace—they’ll be wiped out. With no immediate support from the Murim Alliance, their only hope is to seek refuge in a major sect like Shaolin Temple. That’s why they’re all flocking there.”

“Ah!” Bang Jin-bo nodded as he finally understood.

Shaolin Temple wasn’t just the largest sect in Henan; it was one of the greatest sects in all of China. With over a thousand years of history and countless martial arts masters within its ranks, there wasn’t a single sect or warrior in Henan that didn’t have some connection to Shaolin.

Given these circumstances, it was natural for the sects and warriors of Henan to seek refuge at Shaolin Temple. There was a reason why people referred to Shaolin as “Mount Tai and Big Dipper,” symbols of stability and guidance in martial arts circles.

As Dam-ho carefully observed the faces of the warriors passing by—

“Could you be Master Dam?”

A stranger’s voice echoed in Dam-ho’s ears.

Turning his head, he saw a man in his late thirties standing beneath a large banner that read “Morning Fire Merchant Group.” Behind him were dozens of wagons loaded with goods and supplies.

The man confirmed Dam-ho’s face and quickly approached him.

“It is you! I’m Yoon Sa-il, an outer manager of Morning Fire Merchant Group. We’ve met before.”

“…”

“I didn’t expect to see you here again.”

“What brings Morning Fire Merchant Group here?” Dam-ho asked.

“We’re here for business with Shaolin Temple. They were pleased with our previous dealings and requested a long-term contract.”

“A long-term contract?”

“Yes. With so many people gathering at Shaolin Temple, they’re trying to secure a stable supply of food. We’re delivering thirty loads of rice for now, but even that won’t be enough.”

Dam-ho looked over at the large wagons Yoon Sa-il had mentioned.

“Our young lady is here as well. Would you like to meet her?”

“Sure,” Dam-ho nodded and climbed onto one of the wagons.

Inside sat Won Seol-hwa, the young master of Morning Fire Merchant Group. She removed her veil, revealing her face.

Her pale skin radiated elegance, her lips were bright red, and her captivating black eyes left a strong impression.

She smiled softly as she spoke.

“Welcome, Master Dam. It’s been a while.”

“It has,” Dam-ho replied calmly.

“It’s truly remarkable to meet you again like this,” Won Seol-hwa said with a smile, and it felt as though the entire carriage brightened. However, Dam-ho looked at her without blinking.

Most people couldn’t bear to meet Dam-ho’s gaze. Just locking eyes with him was enough to make their legs tremble. But Won Seol-hwa met his intense gaze without flinching.

“Are you also heading to Shaolin Temple, Master Dam?” she asked.

When Dam-ho silently nodded, a brief flicker of curiosity flashed in Won Seol-hwa’s eyes before disappearing.

“That’s unexpected,” she remarked.

“What is?” Dam-ho asked, his voice calm yet firm.

Won Seol-hwa seemed momentarily flustered by his question but quickly regained her composure.

“I just didn’t think someone like you would be concerned with such matters,” she replied smoothly.

Dam-ho stared at her intently.

His pitch-black eyes, filled with a fierce light, reflected the faint cracks in Won Seol-hwa’s composed expression.

“Well, since you’re also heading to Shaolin Temple, why not travel with us?” she offered with a smile.

“You want to travel together?” Dam-ho asked skeptically.

“Yes! Wouldn’t that be more convenient for you as well?”

“…”

“We’re going to the same place anyway,” she added.

“Why are you so eager to travel with me?” Dam-ho asked bluntly.

“For safety,” Won Seol-hwa replied with a bright smile.

As Dam-ho furrowed his brow, she quickly elaborated.

“As you can see, we’re transporting a large amount of food. In these troubled times, such goods are bound to attract unwanted attention. While we have our own guards, it’s still risky.”

“So, you want me as an escort?” Dam-ho asked coldly.

“It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, isn’t it? We get safety, and you get a more comfortable journey to Shaolin Temple.”

“…”

“I’m not asking you to do it for free. We’ll compensate you generously. What do you think?”

Her words were a sweet temptation—one that could easily ensnare any man. It was the kind of offer that was hard to refuse.

Dam-ho gave his answer.

“All right.”

“Thank you,” Won Seol-hwa said with another radiant smile. It was just as dazzling as before.

Dam-ho stood there for a moment, looking at her face before he turned and left the carriage. Once he was gone and she was alone, the smile vanished from Won Seol-hwa’s face.

Her expressionless face now resembled that of a lifeless doll—cold and unsettling.

“Fist Demon… To think we’d meet again like this.”

She could still feel Dam-ho’s presence lingering in the carriage. His aura was so intense that it made her heart race—a scent so unforgettable that once experienced, it could never be erased from memory.

Won Seol-hwa realized her heart was beating several times faster than usual. She had to make an effort to calm herself down.

Just as she regained her usual composure, Yoon Sa-il’s voice came from outside the carriage.

“My lady, may I come in?”

“Come in.”

With her permission granted, Yoon Sa-il opened the door and entered the carriage. He immediately got to the point.

“Is it true that we’ll be traveling with Fist Demon?”

“Yes.”

“How could you make such a decision…? Fist Demon is not someone to be taken lightly. Making such a decision recklessly—”

“I’ve already made up my mind, Leader Yoon.”

“…Understood.”

At Won Seol-hwa’s firm words, Yoon Sa-il closed his mouth tightly. He knew well that once Won Seol-hwa made a decision, she never went back on it.

No matter what he said now, she wouldn’t change her mind.

Won Seol-hwa muttered softly to herself:

“There’s an old saying: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

“My lady…”

“The more dangerous the enemy, the closer we need to keep them under watch. This could very well turn into an opportunity for us.”

“…Understood. If that’s what you believe is best.”

Yoon Sa-il bowed his head in submission. However, his expression remained grim.

‘Fist Demon…’

The two syllables of Dam-ho’s nickname felt like sharp thorns pricking at his heart.