Fist Demon of Mount Hua ( Novel ) - Chapter 270
Chapter 270 – Being a Friend Means Being Cold (2)
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Little Hua Mountain was located about three hundred li northwest of Mount Hua. True to its name, the scenery here was reminiscent of Mount Hua in many ways. No wonder it was named Little Mount Hua.
Dam-ho released Black Ghost at the mountain’s entrance before climbing Little Mount Hua. Eum Yu-kyung followed behind, not knowing why they were there.
‘Why here?’
A look of doubt appeared on Eum Yu-kyung’s face. But since Dam-ho never did anything without reason, she simply trusted and followed him.
Little Mount Hua was beautiful. Like its name suggested, white plum blossoms were in full bloom everywhere. The subtle plum fragrance filling Little Mount Hua made it seem like a realm of immortals.
Dam-ho walked deep into Little Mount Hua. After passing through rough mountain paths, they entered a treacherous valley. The snow that had accumulated all winter was melting, creating rapids in the valley.
Dam-ho stopped briefly by the valley to scoop and drink some water. The melted snow water was so cold it cleared his mind.
Eum Yu-kyung also drank from the valley following Dam-ho. Once her thirst was quenched, she noticed the surrounding scenery.
Though the path here was beautiful, the valley scenery where they stood was especially stunning. Plum blossoms were blooming everywhere, and all kinds of rare flowers and herbs were in full bloom along the valley.
Dam-ho walked upstream along the beautiful valley. When they reached the upper stream, there was a large clearing. And on the clearing stood a modest thatched cottage.
On a wooden platform in front of the cottage sat a woman in plain clothes sorting medicinal herbs. Deeply focused on her work, she raised her head at the unfamiliar presence.
“Ah!”
An exclamation burst from the woman’s lips when she saw Dam-ho. She quickly approached Dam-ho while wiping her hands on the towel tied around her waist.
“How could you come without any news…”
The woman looked surprised yet pleased. A bright smile bloomed on her sun-tanned face.
Dam-ho spoke respectfully to her:
“Have you been well?”
“As you can see.”
The woman answered calmly, but Eum Yu-kyung was very surprised.
The Dam-ho she knew was not someone who showed respect to others. The only person he showed respect to was Sage Hyeon-so. Otherwise, he never showed respect to anyone, no matter what martial arts master he met. Yet here he was showing partial respect to this woman.
It was a sight that would surprise anyone who knew Dam-ho even slightly.
‘Just who is this woman?’
A look of doubt appeared on Eum Yu-kyung’s face.
Dam-ho asked:
“Where is he?”
“He went up the mountain. It’s almost time for him to come down. Come here and wait a bit.”
The woman led Dam-ho to the wooden platform.
Eum Yu-kyung followed Dam-ho while examining the cottage.
The thatched cottage, roughly made of woven wood, looked like it might collapse at any moment. Yet despite this, it somehow exuded a peaceful feeling.
“…”
Eum Yu-kyung’s gaze suddenly stopped on a large flag hanging on one side of the cottage. The shabby flag hanging from a pole as large as a flagpole particularly caught her eye. The flag looked like a patchwork of countless worn and torn rags sewn together.
It was such a shabby object that normally she wouldn’t have given it a second glance. But what kept Eum Yu-kyung’s gaze fixed on the flag were the five faint characters remaining on it.
Banner of Hundred Battles.
Those five characters were embroidered on the flag that had been patched and sewn countless times.
Eum Yu-kyung’s pupils wavered.
‘How is this here?’
That’s when it happened.
Suddenly, with rustling sounds from the bushes, someone appeared. Everyone’s gaze turned in that direction.
It was a man dressed as plainly as the woman. With shabby clothes reminiscent of a farmer, sun-tanned black skin, and a generous smile that left an impression.
The man spotted Dam-ho.
“Haha! Who do we have here?”
Laughter burst out immediately.
He walked toward Dam-ho.
Tap! Tap!
But his footsteps were unusually distinct. Eum Yu-kyung’s gaze naturally turned to the man’s legs.
The man’s left leg, with pants rolled up to the knee, was unusual. Instead of normal flesh color, it was metallic black.
‘An artificial leg?’
A leg made of metal rather than human flesh. That’s why intense vibrations rang out with each step.
Eum Yu-kyung’s gaze moved to the man’s upper body. Only then did his face register.
‘Drunk Cloud Dragon?’
The man was Cho Yeon-woon, the Drunk Cloud Dragon.
His appearance during the Mount Hua bloody catastrophe three years ago, defending the Banner of Hundred Battles to the end against the Demon Cult’s invasion, was still legendary among martial artists.
Now no one would say Drunk Cloud Dragon was below Nine Martial Dragons. Rather, they placed him above. That’s how impressive Cho Yeon-woon’s actions had been.
‘But he clearly disappeared suddenly three years ago.’
Three years ago, he lost one leg and vanished from the world. Many people searched for him out of respect for his achievements, but he was nowhere to be found. So many thought he might have died. Yet here he was, alive.
Though he had replaced his lost leg with an artificial one, he still appeared in good health. He strode over and embraced Dam-ho warmly.
The woman smiled watching this scene. Only then did Eum Yu-kyung realize the woman’s identity.
‘Dan Hwa-ran.’
The woman who had been Flying Plum Hall Master of the Martial Alliance.
She too had suddenly disappeared after Mount Hua’s bloody catastrophe, and unexpectedly, she was here with Cho Yeon-woon.
Cho Yeon-woon was a trained warrior. Moreover, he had skills that could be considered the best among the younger generation. Such a person had lost his leg. The sense of loss Cho Yeon-woon felt was beyond words.
Dan Hwa-ran was the woman who comforted him then. She threw away her position as Flying Plum Hall Master of the Martial Alliance and devotedly cared for him at his side. Thanks to this, Cho Yeon-woon was able to escape extreme despair.
Dan Hwa-ran was shedding slight tears watching Dam-ho and Cho Yeon-woon’s reunion.
‘These two have been living in seclusion at Little Mount Hua.’
This was a fact completely unknown to the world. And it was also a fact completely unknown to Eum Yu-kyung.
“Well, everyone come inside.”
Cho Yeon-woon smiled at Eum Yu-kyung. His smile somehow looked generous and unaffected.
The inside of the cottage looked much more comfortable than it appeared from outside. Traces of a woman’s touch were evident everywhere. Traces of Dan Hwa-ran’s care over the past three years.
Once seated, Dan Hwa-ran brought tea. “It’s tea made from chrysanthemums picked in autumn and dried. You’ll find it palatable.”
“Dan Hwa made it herself. It’s delicious.”
Cho Yeon-woon added with a smile. It was a pleasant sight. Dam-ho stared at such a Cho Yeon-woon.
“I don’t see any alcohol.”
“I quit.”
“…”
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s true. I drank a lot before. It’s time to quit now.”
Cho Yeon-woon shrugged his shoulders.
Dan Hwa-ran chimed in:
“It’s true. He quit completely last year.”
“See? I really quit now.”
“I suppose it’s true.”
“Your problem is you don’t trust people enough. I quit completely early last year. Thanks to that, my body feels refreshed now. Want to see?”
Cho Yeon-woon suddenly stood up from his seat and repeatedly sat down and stood up. Each time, his iron leg was particularly noticeable.
Dam-ho’s gaze turned to the iron leg. Feeling his gaze, Cho Yeon-woon shook his head as if helpless.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore. I don’t need to rely on alcohol anymore. Really.”
“I believe you.”
“Good! Believe me.”
Only then did Cho Yeon-woon smile broadly. Beside him, Dan Hwa-ran also smiled and firmly gripped Cho Yeon-woon’s hand. They looked so bright.
Though they’re laughing together now, the first year was extremely difficult. The tremendous internal injuries and wounds, plus the severed leg – it was a miracle he survived at all. If not for the outstanding physician Jong Ri-yeon, he would have died long ago.
Above all, what troubled Cho Yeon-woon most was the feeling of being left alone in the world. During Mount Hua’s bloody catastrophe, all his martial siblings from Hundred Battles Sect who followed him died. And his master Jang Il-san had died at Mount Zhongnan.
Now he was the only disciple of Hundred Battles Sect. There was no longer any master or martial siblings to trust and rely on.
Though his physical wounds healed, his mental wounds remained. Moreover, his severed leg caused tremendous pain at all hours.
He lived drunk for nearly a year. He would become unconscious and cause disturbances, or jump into the valley water saying he wanted to die.
If Dan Hwa-ran hadn’t cared for him, he wouldn’t be in this world now. Dan Hwa-ran took extreme care of Cho Yeon-woon, and two years ago they came to Little Mount Hua together.
Whatever happened during the past two years, Cho Yeon-woon’s eyes had become very clear and deep.
Eum Yu-kyung felt an indescribable thrill seeing such a Cho Yeon-woon.
‘This person too has risen from rock bottom.’
She knew.
How difficult it is for someone who has fallen to the bottom of life to climb back up. And what great inner strength those who climb back from the bottom gain.
Eum Yu-kyung too had climbed up from the bottom of life, so she knew this fact better than anyone.
She quietly brought the teacup to her lips.
Everyone connected to Dam-ho was changing. The Mount Hua Sect warriors were like that, and so was Cho Yeon-woon.
‘He’s making everyone change.’
Small fish in a peaceful pond don’t live long and aren’t strong. But the moment a large predatory fish is put into the pond, everything changes.
To survive, the small fish must move desperately. The fish that survive this way become stronger and gain greater vitality.
The Mount Hua Sect disciples and Cho Yeon-woon were such cases. Dam-ho was the beast that caused great waves in their small world. His existence was changing those around him.
Dam-ho was drinking chrysanthemum tea with his eyes half-lowered. The subtle yet slightly bitter fragrance seemed to clear his mind.
“It’s good.”
“I’m glad. That the tea suits Dam-ho’s taste. Shall I pack some for you to take when you leave?”
At Dan Hwa-ran’s words, Dam-ho quietly shook his head.
“Next time.”
“Why are you…”
“You’re going somewhere, I see.”
Cho Yeon-woon put down his teacup and looked directly at Dam-ho. His eyes demanded an explanation.
Dam-ho also put down his teacup.
The two exchanged glances briefly.
“I’ll be leaving Mount Hua for a while.”
“Where are you going?”
“Sichuan Province.”
“What’s in Sichuan Province?”
“…”
“The Demon Cult, I suppose.”
“Perhaps.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Cho Yeon-woon immediately stood up. Dam-ho stared up at him.
“Sit down!”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No!”
“Dam-ho!”
Cho Yeon-woon raised his voice. But there wasn’t a trace of wavering in Dam-ho’s eyes as he looked at him.
He quietly answered:
“No!”
“Why?”
“Because you’ll just be a burden.”
“Me?”
“Isn’t that right?”
At Dam-ho’s callous words, Cho Yeon-woon’s shoulders trembled. His face was full of anger. He looked ready to punch Dam-ho in the face.
That’s when it happened.
“Senior Brother, his words are true.”
Dan Hwa-ran joined in. Cho Yeon-woon’s gaze turned sharply.
“You too?”
“It’s the truth. With Senior Brother’s current physical condition, following Dam-ho would only be a burden. Senior Brother needs to become stronger.”
Dan Hwa-ran was cold. Her coldness cooled Cho Yeon-woon’s boiling heart.
Cho Yeon-woon had certainly become stronger than before. He had lived obsessed with martial arts day and night. But practicing martial arts with a prosthetic leg after losing a healthy leg was by no means easy.
Dam-ho said:
“If you’re frustrated, become stronger.”
“Kugh!”
“Strong enough that I can trust and leave things to you.”
Dam-ho’s cold words stabbed Cho Yeon-woon’s heart like a dagger.