Fist Demon of Mount Hua ( Novel ) - Chapter 266
Chapter 266 – When Ice Melts, Water Naturally Flows (1)
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Three years had already passed since the Martial Alliance was formed.
In this short time, the Martial Alliance had grown tremendously. Now its influence had expanded to the point where it could operate its own forces without support from sects like the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families.
Over three years, the Martial Alliance had absorbed numerous wandering warriors and gathered them as its forces. Thanks to this, it had grown noticeably in external appearance, and the scale of the Martial Alliance had also increased.
During the three years when the Demon Cult’s invasion had temporarily slowed, the Martial Alliance’s power reached its peak. Though it initially felt somewhat like an appendage of massive sects like the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families, now it had completely become independent and even surpassed them in terms of influence.
Given this situation, countless people visited the Martial Alliance daily. There were lines of people waiting to enter at the Martial Alliance’s main gate.
Thanks to this, Yueyang where the Martial Alliance was located was also enjoying its greatest prosperity.
If one had to pick the most crucial places in the Martial Alliance, it would be the Alliance Head’s Hall and the Military Department. Though Alliance Head Nam Cheon-san’s presence was faint at first, as time passed he demonstrated stable leadership and became the true center of the Martial Alliance.
One reason the Martial Alliance could grow so large today was Nam Cheon-san’s existence. Nam Cheon-san’s reputation drew people. And if one had to pick another, it would be Military Advisor Namgung Chang.
Namgung Chang demonstrated great skill in obtaining even more support from various sects, contributing to the Martial Alliance’s expansion of influence.
Many people trusted Namgung Chang and lent him strength. Thanks to this, he became the Martial Alliance’s undisputed second-in-command. Though called second-in-command, his power and influence in the Martial Alliance were by no means below Nam Cheon-san’s.
The scale of the Military Department proved this fact. The Military Department had expanded repeatedly until now it was comparable to a decent mid-sized sect.
The Military Department had a hall dedicated to collecting information coming from all over the Central Plains. At the hall named Heaven’s Ear Hall, hundreds of carrier pigeons came and went daily.
A carrier pigeon arrived at Heaven’s Ear Hall as the sun was setting.
A small black container was attached to the pigeon’s leg. The black container signified top secret information. Even in Heaven’s Ear Hall, only a select few could open the black container. Wi Bo-yeol, head of Heaven’s Ear Hall, was one of the few people who could open the black container.
“Hmm!”
A contemplative sound escaped his lips as he opened the black container and confirmed its contents.
Wi Bo-yeol quickly ran with the note to the largest hall in the center of the Military Department. It was Military Advisor Namgung Chang’s residence.
At that time, a meeting of the Military Department’s key personnel was in progress at Namgung Chang’s residence.
“Military Advisor!”
Since an important agenda was being discussed, Wi Bo-yeol who suddenly opened the door and barged in couldn’t be viewed favorably.
Namgung Chang and the Military Department’s leaders glared at Wi Bo-yeol. But Wi Bo-yeol paid no attention and strode toward Namgung Chang.
Namgung Chang asked with furrowed brows:
“What’s the matter?”
“Urgent news from Shaanxi Province.”
“Shaanxi Province?”
Namgung Chang’s eyes shone.
Shaanxi Province was where Mount Hua Sect was located. And Dam-ho existed at Mount Hua Sect.
‘Dam-ho!’
Just recalling that name filled his head with anger. So Namgung Chang had to forcefully suppress his anger.
Wi Bo-yeol quickly handed the note to Namgung Chang.
“Dark Cloud Team Leader Yi sent it.”
“Hmm!”
Namgung Chang took the note Wi Bo-yeol offered and began reading. As he read the note, his expression hardened.
“What does it say?”
The Military Department’s leaders showed puzzled expressions at Namgung Chang’s reaction. But Namgung Chang just frowned without easily answering.
‘The Demon Cult’s elites reappeared at Mount Hua Sect of all places? And Dam-ho?’
Unpleasant emotions he had been trying to forget vividly revived.
For the past three years, Namgung Chang had practically neglected eastern Shaanxi Province where Mount Hua Sect was located.
At the time, Mount Hua Sect had lost almost all its forces from the Demon Cult’s invasion. It was a strategic judgment that no matter how great Mount Hua Sect’s potential, they couldn’t recover their former glory in a short time. Of course, it also contained personal resentment toward Dam-ho.
Because of Dam-ho, the Namgung Family had lost its leader and was declining day by day. And Namgung Chang was someone who cherished the Namgung Family more than anyone. Naturally Dam-ho had to be a thorn in his side. But since he couldn’t do anything about Dam-ho with force, he had substituted revenge by neglecting Mount Hua Sect until now.
It wasn’t so surprising that Dam-ho personally killed Demon Cult masters. He had been an untouchable monster even three years ago. But Mount Hua Sect was different.
They had lost numerous masters three years ago. The damage they suffered was so enormous they had no choice but to walk the path of decline.
No matter how extraordinary Dam-ho was, it was just individual strength. No matter how talented he was, it was impossible to raise the level of fallen Mount Hua Sect in a short time.
Not just Namgung Chang but most martial artists thought so. That was the common sense they knew.
‘But Mount Hua Sect has remarkable elites? Able to instantly annihilate the Demon Cult’s Five Elements Destruction Squad? How is that possible?’
It was hard to believe. But Dark Cloud Team Leader Yi Moon-su-gyeol who sent the urgent message was not someone who would lie.
Namgung Chang’s gaze sank deeply.
‘If Mount Hua Sect really recovered its former glory? Or if they didn’t lose all their forces?’
Either way, it meant Namgung Chang and the Martial Alliance had misjudged.
Though the Demon Cult had been quiet for the past three years, it was incomplete. It was a precarious temporary peace that could be extinguished instantly if a strong wind blew.
Knowing this fact, Namgung Chang had made the Martial Alliance even stronger over the past three years, and formed closer ties with sects that survived the catastrophe then.
Thus he had drawn and executed a grand plan. But Mount Hua Sect didn’t exist anywhere in the picture he drew. He had intentionally excluded them.
Namgung Chang handed the note he received from Wi Bo-yeol to the other leaders. The leaders read the note in turn.
Their expressions were not much different from Namgung Chang’s.
The Martial Alliance’s Military Department gathered those who prided themselves as the smartest in the Central Plains. Naturally their pride had to be great. They couldn’t accept the fact that the picture they had drawn was distorted.
“Is Team Leader Moon’s report certain? Couldn’t he have been mistaken?”
“That’s right. Realistically, it’s impossible for Mount Hua Sect to regain its former glory. Team Leader Moon must have misunderstood.”
“The damage Mount Hua Sect suffered three years ago wasn’t something that could be recovered in just ten or twenty years. Isn’t that why our Martial Alliance abandoned Mount Hua Sect? Our judgment was certainly not wrong.”
As the leaders raised their voices, the Military Department became as noisy as a marketplace. Amid this, Namgung Chang remained silent. The noise of others talking didn’t even enter his ears.
‘Dam-ho, Dam-ho.’
He repeatedly muttered Dam-ho’s name.
Just recalling that name filled his entire body with displeasure. To Namgung Chang, Dam-ho’s existence was like a double-edged sword.
There was no sharper tool for dealing with the Demon Cult, but if handled carelessly the sword wielder could also be greatly wounded. And Namgung Chang wasn’t confident in handling the sword called Dam-ho well.
Namgung Chang bit his lip hard. Even then, the Military Department’s leaders were each raising their voices. They too were as confused as Namgung Chang.
Dam-ho was that kind of existence.
He was a being of chaos that no one could define. He was like an unpredictable ball, impossible to control.
Through numerous clashes three years ago, Namgung Chang and the Military Department’s leaders had clearly realized this fact.
At some point, the leaders’ voices died down. Instead, their gazes were gathered on Namgung Chang.
They were waiting for Namgung Chang’s decision.
Namgung Chang finally opened his mouth.
“Send Dark Cloud Teams 2 and 3 to Huayin County for surveillance.”
“Should we make contact?”
“Just observe for now.”
“But that…”
“Fist Demon is there. Can you handle him?”
“…”
Everyone froze at Namgung Chang’s words. They lowered their heads avoiding Namgung Chang’s gaze.
Mount Hua’s Fist Demon Dam-ho.
The fiercest and most violent person in the world. With such powerful martial arts that few could face him. No one here wanted to confront him who was like a living thunderbolt.
Namgung Chang continued speaking:
“Avoid direct contact with Mount Hua Sect and attack the outskirts. Mount Hua is still a place where people live. Those who supply food, those who sell weapons, there are countless ways to obtain information. Use every method you can think of. Surely an opportunity will come.”
‘Opportunity?’
The leaders briefly showed puzzled expressions. It was such an unexpected statement. But Namgung Chang’s atmosphere was so heavy they didn’t dare ask what he meant.
‘An opportunity will surely come. To erase Fist Demon from this world…’
Blood was flowing from Namgung Chang’s tightly clenched lips.
***
The Upper Palace at the peak of Lotus Peak was the residence of Mount Hua Sect’s leader. All Mount Hua Sect’s affairs big and small were decided and carried out here. Given this situation, many people usually came and went from the Upper Palace. But that was the story from three years ago.
Fortunately it could maintain its original form avoiding catastrophe, but the Upper Palace’s scenery was desolate like an abandoned building. There were no guards, and hardly anyone visited.
It was evening when someone appeared at such a quiet Upper Palace.
The man walking with a slight limp in one foot was Dam-ho.
He opened the Upper Palace’s door without hesitation and entered. Three men were gathered inside the Upper Palace.
“Ho!”
The first to greet him was Sage Hyeon-so.
“Master.”
“You’ve come?”
The warriors greeting Dam-ho on either side of Sage Hyeon-so. The one on the left was Woon Kyung, and the one on the right was Myung Kyung.
Three years of time had made their gazes even deeper. They stood up to greet Dam-ho. Sage Hyeon-so also put down the brush he was holding and stood up.
“You’ve come at a good time. I just finished organizing everything.”
A yellowish book was placed in front of Sage Hyeon-so. Until just before Dam-ho entered, he had been writing in the book with a brush.
The words “Great Clarity Sword Technique” were clearly written on the cover.
Dam-ho asked:
“Is it the last one?”
“Yes! The Great Clarity Sword Technique is the last martial art. With this I’ve organized all of Mount Hua Sect’s martial arts I know into books.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“What hard work? It’s just what a scholar priest should do.”
Sage Hyeon-so smiled.
Though he spoke calmly, the content within was by no means ordinary.
Three years ago, Spirit Treasure Palace which had stored Mount Hua Sect’s martial arts burned down. Martial arts manuals were a sect’s foundation. That foundation had all turned to ashes in the flames.
Woon Kyung had despaired.
Since the sect’s secret techniques had all disappeared, it seemed impossible to revive Mount Hua Sect.
That’s when Sage Hyeon-so stepped forward. All of Mount Hua Sect’s supreme arts were in the head of this scholar priest. He made books of all the supreme arts he knew in his spare time.
It was by no means an easy task. Since not even a single word could be wrong, he was extremely careful. Because of this, it took a full three years.
Sage Hyeon-so showed a relieved expression.
“Now it’s the sect leader’s role. Please take good care of Mount Hua.”
“How could I?”
Woon Kyung didn’t know what to do.
He had originally planned to recommend Sage Hyeon-so as the new sect leader. But Sage Hyeon-so firmly refused. Saying he was suited to be a helper, not a leader.
So Woon Kyung tried to put Dam-ho at the forefront. Of course Dam-ho refused too. The last one remaining was Myung Kyung. But Myung Kyung also declined saying he was too young.
In the end, only Woon Kyung remained. Thus Woon Kyung became Mount Hua Sect’s new leader.
Woon Kyung carefully held the Great Clarity Sword Manual to his chest.
The Great Clarity Sword Technique was a supreme art that only elders could learn even within Mount Hua Sect. It was a precious martial art that would lead Mount Hua’s revival.
Dam-ho said:
“Have Won Myeong learn it.”
“Won Myeong? Not Won Chung?”
Woon Kyung looked at Dam-ho with a puzzled expression. But Dam-ho was firm.
“It suits Won Myeong.”
“If you say so.”
Thus the owner of the Great Clarity Sword Technique was decided. Woon Kyung trusted Dam-ho that much. Dam-ho had fought with the disciples more than anyone. So he thoroughly understood their characteristics and qualities.
Dam-ho’s gaze turned to Myung Kyung.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes! Senior Brother.”
“Follow me!”
“Yes!”
Myung Kyung followed Dam-ho outside with an energetic answer. Woon Kyung and Sage Hyeon-so followed behind them.