Chapter 256 – Finding One’s Place After Coming Full Circle (3)

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Hundreds of Mount Hua Sect disciples gathered at the ruined great training ground. Most of them were young third generation disciples.

They hadn’t been Mount Hua Sect disciples for long, and hadn’t properly learned martial arts yet. But the enthusiasm on their faces was truly remarkable.

The third generation disciples watched the large platform at the front of the training ground with tense gazes. Second generation disciples who had barely survived the Demon Cult’s invasion were lined up on the platform.

Anxiety was clearly visible on the third generation disciples’ faces. Even the oldest was barely twenty years old. Most were in their early to mid-teens.

Rather than proper warriors, they were more suited for being under a master’s care. If not for the Demon Cult’s attack, they would now be receiving martial arts instruction and training hard under their masters and ancestors.

But now they had lost everything. Some lost their masters, some lost their ancestors. Everything that had protected them until now was gone.

If they had at least properly inherited the martial arts it would be different, but they hadn’t even done that. Therefore they couldn’t help but feel extremely anxious.

If they were attacked by the Demon Cult just one more time, Mount Hua would be finished. The third generation disciples with their half-baked martial arts could never handle the Demon Cult.

Their one consolation was having Dam-ho.

The absolute warrior is now called Fist Demon of Mount Hua.

Thanks to his powerful presence, Mount Hua Sect warriors could find at least minimal stability. But even Dam-ho couldn’t solve everything.

Though Dam-ho was clearly at Mount Hua, he rarely showed himself to the disciples. He didn’t speak warmly to them like others did. So they were anxious. Because it seemed Dam-ho had no attachment to Mount Hua.

If Dam-ho suddenly left like this, Mount Hua would be abandoned again. Mount Hua without Dam-ho was like a castle in the air. So they desperately hoped Dam-ho wouldn’t abandon Mount Hua.

That’s when it happened.

“It’s Senior Brother!”

“Senior Uncle Myung Kyung is also here!”

The second generation disciples began stirring seeing Woon kyung and Myung Kyung climbing the platform. They had the highest rank among the survivors.

But an unfamiliar figure appeared behind the two. Walking with a gloomy expression was Sage Hyeon-so. But most disciples didn’t recognize Sage Hyeon-so.

Elders of the Nine Great Sects rarely showed their faces to third generation disciples unless they were direct lineage disciples. Moreover, Sage Hyeon-so had been away from Mount Hua for a long time, and even when staying at Mount Hua he had secluded himself in his quarters so few knew his face. So the third generation disciples’ faces were full of puzzlement looking at Sage Hyeon-so.

“Who is that?”

“Is he also an elder of our sect?”

The stirring grew louder. Then Woon kyung raised his voice.

“Everyone be quiet.”

“…”

Suddenly as if by magic the disciples shut their mouths.

“This is Sage Hyeon-so. He is the martial brother of Sage Hyeon-cheon who was sect leader and Sage Hyeon-geom who was Mount Hua’s greatest swordsman. So he is your martial ancestor.”

“…”

Mount Hua Sect disciples just blinked their eyes.

Though they understood Sage Hyeon-so’s rank was very high, their eyes showed they didn’t know how remarkable a person he was.

Woon kyung also read such an atmosphere in the hall. A smile appeared on his lips.

“And… he is also the master who taught Mount Hua’s Fist Demon Dam-ho.”

“Waaah!”

Suddenly as if by magic tremendous cheers burst out. The response in the hall was that enormous.

Dam-ho was the only pride of surviving Mount Hua Sect warriors. Because he existed, they could overcome their sense of defeat and not waver.

Though everyone feared him as a demon, to Mount Hua Sect disciples Dam-ho was the only absolute warrior they could trust and rely on. Since they were told this was the master who raised such a Dam-ho, they couldn’t help but be excited.

Everyone looked at Sage Hyeon-so with expectant eyes. From Sage Hyeon-so’s position, such gazes from the disciples had to be burdensome.

Sage Hyeon-so softly sighed and looked around at the disciples watching him.

Though most were strangers to him, when considered, they were all Sage Hyeon-so’s martial grandchildren. The eyes of children who had lost those they could rely on pained his heart.

Sage Hyeon-so closed his eyes for a moment.

‘Original Heavenly Lord.’

Everything happens for a reason.

Sage Hyeon-so realized that the great enlightenment he gained at Mount Huang was for this day.

Trembling dominated Sage Hyeon-so for a moment. But that was brief, when Sage Hyeon-so opened his eyes again he no longer trembled.

He finally opened his mouth.

“Everyone… you’ve worked hard.”

He just said one thing. But tears welled up in the third generation disciples’ eyes.

Warmth was contained in Sage Hyeon-so’s words. That warmth comforted the disciples whose bodies and minds were exhausted.

“As you all know, winter has come to Mount Hua. But no matter how cold winter is, it cannot last forever. Someday this winter will pass and a warm spring will come. I’m glad you are here. Someday we will greet the warm spring together.”

Sage Hyeon-so’s gentle voice reached everyone’s ears clearly. Sage Hyeon-so didn’t forcefully encourage the disciples’ courage, nor did he insist they must stay strong at times like this.

Like a grandfather telling his grandchildren old stories, he just spoke common words in such an affectionate voice. Yet the disciples couldn’t hold back their tears.

This was true even for Woon kyung and Myung Kyung and the second generation disciples standing in back. They shed tears endlessly.

Having a sect elder who could be trusted and relied upon.

Just that fact alone gave comfort to Mount Hua Sect’s disciples.

Dam-ho stood alone at Cloud Terrace Peak’s summit.

Cloud Terrace Peak was among the highest of Mount Hua’s peaks. So Mount Hua’s scenery could be seen at a glance.

Though they had paid such great sacrifices, Mount Hua was still noble as if nothing had happened.

That’s when it happened.

“What are you doing here?”

Suddenly a familiar voice was heard. Looking back, a beautiful woman was struggling to climb to the summit. She was Jong Ri-yeon.

“You came?”

“Yes! I just arrived. When I couldn’t find you, I asked Jin-bo and he said you were here.”

Jong Ri-Yeon smiled and approached Dam-ho’s side. Her face was flushed red as if tired from climbing the steep mountain path.

“What are you doing alone so pathetically?”

“Just!”

“Were you chewing on solitude? It certainly seems suitable.”

Jong Ri-Yeon looked around at the scenery Dam-ho had been watching and exclaimed in admiration.

Mount Hua was different from Mount Huang. The peaks rising as if to pierce the sky were like well-forged swords.

Admiration appeared on her face too…. She had been curious all this time. What kind of place was Mount Hua where Dam-ho grew up.

The scenery of Mount Hua seen directly was truly worthy of its name. Though it had greatly lost its vital energy to the Demon Cult, nevertheless Mount Hua’s momentum pierced the sky.

Dam-ho asked.

“Master?”

“He’s meeting the disciples now.”

“Is that so? He must be busy.”

Dam-ho nodded.

“Are you alright?”

“What?”

“I’m asking if you’re alright.”

“I’m fine!”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“It doesn’t seem so. Your internal injuries haven’t healed yet, right?”

“…”

“I knew it.”

Jong Ri-Yeon shook her head with a helpless expression.

In reality, Dam-ho’s body condition now was truly at its worst. The successive battles had greatly damaged his body. Pus still flowed from wounds that hadn’t healed, and his vital energy was also greatly damaged. Nevertheless, he never once showed a pained expression.

“Let’s go down the mountain. I’ll treat you.”

“Yeon-woon comes first.”

“But… alright.”

Seeing Dam-ho’s stubborn face, Jong Ri-Yeon softly sighed.

“Let’s go down.”

“Yes!”

The two descended Cloud Terrace Peak shoulder to shoulder. Where they headed was True Warrior Palace.

At True Warrior Palace’s entrance, they met Bang Jin-bo.

“Oh, Brother? Sister?”

Bang Jin-bo brightened seeing Jong Ri-Yeon. In his hands was a tray with a bowl of porridge.

Cho Yeon-woon still hadn’t regained consciousness. Naturally he couldn’t eat food either. Yet Bang Jin-bo made porridge for Cho Yeon-woon without missing a day.

“Long time no see.”

“When did you arrive, Sister?”

“Just now!”

“You came at a good time. You’re going to see Brother Yeon-woon, right?”

“Yes!”

“That’s great. I was just taking porridge to Brother Yeon-woon too.”

“Let’s go together.”

“Yes!”

Bang Jin-bo answered and walked ahead.

The three soon arrived before the room where Cho Yeon-woon was staying. Bang Jin-bo first carefully knocked on the door then opened it. Dan Hwa-ran sitting in the room greeted them.

“Welcome.”

“How’s Brother Yeon-woon?”

“Still…”

Dan Hwa-ran shook her head at Bang Jin-bo’s question.

Since losing consciousness that day, Cho Yeon-woon still hadn’t regained consciousness. If not for Dan Hwa-ran’s devoted nursing, he would have lost his life long ago. But nevertheless, Cho Yeon-woon’s condition was worsening day by day.

Dan Hwa-ran’s gaze turned to Jong Ri-Yeon.

“Who is this?”

“You know? This is Sister Jong Ri-Yeon, the world’s greatest divine physician.”

Bang Jin-bo answered excitedly.

“Ah!”

Suddenly Dan Hwa-ran’s legs gave way and she staggered.

The one who had suffered the most mental anguish here was Dan Hwa-ran. Unable to find even one proper physician, she could only watch Cho Yeon-woon’s condition worsen day by day.

Her heart had rotted and festered, and she spent every night in tears. Jong Ri-Yeon was a ray of light to such a Dan Hwa-ran.

Dan Hwa-ran tightly grabbed Jong Ri-Yeon’s hands.

“Please save that person. If you just save him I’ll do anything. Please I beg you.”

“I’ll do my best, Miss Dan.”

Jong Ri-Yeon firmly gripped Dan Hwa-ran’s hands.

“Please… please…”

“First let me look at his wounds.”

Jong Ri-Yeon approached Cho Yeon-woon.

Cho Yeon-woon’s complexion was worse than a few days ago.

Lifting the blanket revealed his brutally cut off left leg and numerous wounds. Pus flowed from unhealed wounds.

They were traces of his desperate battle. But left like this, even the healthy parts would surely become necrotic.

Jong Ri-Yeon’s face noticeably stiffened. She too recognized the seriousness.

Jong Ri-Yeon took out silver needles from her breast and said:

“Only Miss Dan stay, everyone else leave.”

The joy of meeting Dam-ho had already long disappeared from her mind. Her face returned to that of a physician.

Dam-ho didn’t say anything like please take good care of Cho Yeon-woon. Because he had faith that Jong Ri-Yeon would treat him well without needing to be told.

Dam-ho left the room with Bang Jin-bo.

“Will Brother Yeon-woon be alright?”

“He’ll be fine.”

“Whew!”

Bang Jin-bo sighed.

Dam-ho placed his large hand on his shoulder.

“Are you alright?”

“Huh? What?”

“You.”

“Hehe! I’m fine.”

Bang Jin-bo wiped his nose with his finger. That finger was covered in small wounds.

After Mount Hua Sect collapsed, Bang Jin-bo alone made food for hundreds of people. Making food for so many people alone was not an easy task. Rather it was nearly impossible. Yet Bang Jin-bo was making that much food day after day.

He didn’t just make cheap food to fill stomachs, but proper food containing Bang Jin-bo’s philosophy of taste, nutrition, and boosting vital energy through food.

Because of this, Bang Jin-bo’s hands were never dry, and small wounds appeared every day. Still Bang Jin-bo gladly made food.

Yet he didn’t feel tired. Thanks to the Five Elements Gentleman Technique.

Having received Sage Hyeon-so’s teachings, his Five Elements Gentleman Technique had advanced by leaps and bounds. Thanks to this he could incorporate the principle of Five Elements mutual generation in food.

Dam-ho roughly rubbed Bang Jin-bo’s head with his large hand and said:

“Now you are Mount Hua’s great cook.”

A new Mount Hua was trying to rise.

New wine had to be put in new wineskins.

Bang Jin-bo was that beginning.