Fist Demon of Mount Hua ( Novel ) - Chapter 274
Chapter 274 – The More Wicked the Karma, the More Persistent It Is (3)
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Discord
As Eum Yu-kyung looked at them, the young martial artist and the girl spoke almost simultaneously.
“We don’t mind sharing our table with you. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait quite a while.”
“Yes, please come join us.”
With both of them inviting her at once, Eum Yu-kyung couldn’t refuse and looked at Dam-ho. When Dam-ho nodded, Eum Yu-kyung carefully replied.
“Thank you for your consideration. We’ll join you.”
Eum Yu-kyung sat down with a polite greeting, and Dam-ho followed behind her.
The young martial artist looked over Eum Yu-kyung and Dam-ho from head to toe and said:
“Judging by the dust on your shoulders, you must have come from far away.”
“That’s right.”
“Did you perhaps cross the Shu Road to get here?”
“Yes, we did.”
Upon Eum Yu-kyung’s answer, the middle-aged man with the cold impression, who had remained silent until now, opened his mouth.
“To cross the treacherous Shu Road with just the two of you. Impressive.”
“Really? You crossed the Shu Road?”
The girl’s eyes sparkled at the middle-aged man’s words. Her eyes were shining with curiosity.
Eum Yu-kyung nodded.
“We certainly did cross the Shu Road.”
“Wow! That’s amazing. I’ve heard the Shu Road is so treacherous that even trained martial artists find it difficult to cross. Are you both trained in martial arts?”
The girl chattered like a lark. She looked quite adorable doing so.
Eum Yu-kyung answered:
“We’ve trained a little.”
“So that’s how you were able to cross the Shu Road. I’m envious. I also want to cross the Shu Road someday and see the world.”
“Hye-so! Stop talking nonsense.”
“But Uncle… Alright.”
At the cold middle-aged man’s rebuke, the startled girl closed her mouth like a clam. But her twitching shoulders clearly showed that she was dying to speak.
The middle-aged man looked at Eum Yu-kyung and Dam-ho and said:
“I am Ga Cheon-deuk of Yellow Dragon Fortress. These children are my niece and nephew, Ga Cheol-ak and Ga Hye-so.”
In response to Ga Cheon-deuk’s introduction, Eum Yu-kyung made a fist-and-palm salute.
“I’m Eum Yu-kyung. And this is Hero Cheon.”
Eum Yu-kyung concealed Dam-ho’s real name.
The name Dam-ho was too famous. The moment his name was revealed, they would inevitably become the center of attention.
Although Sichuan Province might be quite isolated and unaware of outside affairs, it was better to be cautious.
Ga Cheol-ak smiled and said:
“It’s impressive that you crossed the treacherous Shu Road. May I ask which martial arts sect you belong to?”
“I’m sorry. Due to personal circumstances, I can’t tell you.”
“That’s understandable. Rather, I think I asked too impolite a question. I apologize.”
Ga Cheol-ak was extremely polite. His respectful demeanor exuded the dignity of a noble family.
Eum Yu-kyung recalled what Ga Cheon-deuk had said earlier.
‘Yellow Dragon Fortress, he said?’
It was a sect she recognized.
As everyone knew, the three dominant forces in the Sichuan martial arts world were the Tang Sect, the Qincheng Sect, and the Emei Sect. They ruled the Sichuan martial arts world, each firmly established in their own territories.
Numerous sects existed under the influence of these three major sects. Yellow Dragon Fortress was one of them. Although it couldn’t compare to the three major sects, it possessed enough military power to have a significant voice in northern Sichuan Province.
Yellow Dragon Fortress was located not far from Guangyuan. As such, there were no sects or martial artists in Guangyuan who could afford to disregard them.
Ga Cheon-deuk was the younger brother of the fortress master Ga Jung-myeong and one of the most powerful figures in Yellow Dragon Fortress.
“You must be tired from your long journey. Please eat your meal and then rest.”
Ga Cheon-deuk spoke coldly and then returned his attention to his meal.
He didn’t pay much attention to Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung. While crossing the Shu Road was admirable, he didn’t consider it that extraordinary.
His mind was too preoccupied to worry about these young strangers he was seeing for the first time.
Unlike the cold Ga Cheon-deuk, Ga Cheol-ak kept glancing at Eum Yu-kyung. It was obvious to anyone that he was interested in her. His eyes saw only Eum Yu-kyung.
The cotton gauze covering Eum Yu-kyung’s face wasn’t an issue. If anything, it made her appear more beautiful and mysterious.
“How long do you plan to stay in Guangyuan?”
“We’re planning to leave early tomorrow morning.”
“Why? Why not rest a bit longer? There are many places worth seeing in Guangyuan. If Miss Eum wishes, I could guide you.”
Ga Cheol-ak’s tone was subtle yet persistent. If the food hadn’t arrived at the right time, Ga Cheol-ak would have continued to press the issue.
Fortunately, the waiter brought out the food, and Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung ate quietly. Since it would be impolite to talk while others were eating, Ga Cheol-ak closed his mouth and just looked at Eum Yu-kyung.
Conversely, Ga Cheol-ak’s sister, Ga Hye-so, was looking at Dam-ho.
Since entering the inn, Dam-ho hadn’t said a single word. This made quite an impression on Ga Hye-so.
If Ga Cheon-deuk and Ga Cheol-ak hadn’t been giving her warning looks, she would have spoken to Dam-ho long ago.
Although the Ga siblings’ interest might have been burdensome, neither Dam-ho nor Eum Yu-kyung showed any sign of discomfort. They weren’t the type to care much about others’ gazes.
Knowing they would never see these people again after finishing their meal, they ignored their subtle glances.
As the two continued their meal in this awkward atmosphere, it happened.
Clunk!
Suddenly, the inn’s door opened, and a group of people entered. They were all martial artists wearing dust-covered travel clothes. Beneath their travel clothes, green martial uniforms were visible.
Ga Cheon-deuk’s face instantly stiffened. He had recognized the identity of those who had entered the inn.
‘Tang Sect.’
Among the numerous sects established in Sichuan Province, only one sect could wear such green martial uniforms.
The Sichuan Tang Sect, also known as the Tang Family.
One of the three major powers in the Sichuan martial arts world, renowned as the world’s best in poisons and hidden weapons. Their status within Sichuan Province was truly unparalleled.
The Tang Sect martial artists looked around the interior of the inn and spotted Ga Cheon-deuk. Immediately, the one who appeared to be their leader smiled and said:
“So here you are, Hero Ga.”
“What brings the Poison Dragons of the Tang Sect to Guangyuan?”
Ga Cheon-deuk rose from his seat.
The Poison Dragon Group was a unit within the Tang Sect composed of those particularly skilled in poison arts. It was said that not even a blade of grass would grow where the Poison Dragon Group had passed, making them an object of fear throughout Sichuan Province.
The leader of the Poison Dragon Group was Tang Yu-hon, one of the top poison masters within the Tang Sect.
Tang Yu-hon smiled as he looked at Ga Cheon-deuk.
“Since there was no response no matter how long we waited, I came in person to hear Hero Ga’s answer.”
“Hmm!”
A groan escaped through Ga Cheon-deuk’s lips.
His eyes, which had been cold until now, showed a troubled light.
Tang Yu-hon walked steadily toward the table where he was sitting. Immediately, Ga Cheol-ak and Ga Hye-so, who had been sitting on either side of Ga Cheon-deuk, stood up abruptly. They sensed that the atmosphere was not normal.
“Ga Cheol-ak of Yellow Dragon Fortress greets Hero Tang.”
“I’m Ga Hye-so of Yellow Dragon Fortress.”
They quickly made fist-and-palm salutes, but Tang Yu-hon didn’t even glance at them. Young martial artists like them weren’t even worth his attention.
“The Sect Master said that he would like to hear a definite answer from Hero Ga today.”
“That matter is entirely for our Fortress Master to decide.”
“Haha! It’s common knowledge that the Fortress Master of Yellow Dragon Fortress is not what he used to be. Everyone in Sichuan knows that Hero Ga handles all the affairs of Yellow Dragon Fortress because of this.”
“Hmm!”
“So you just need to make the decision, Hero Ga.”
Tang Yu-hon stared directly at Ga Cheon-deuk. His gaze was colder than Ga Cheon-deuk’s and carried a sharper aura.
Ga Cheon-deuk was overwhelmed by Tang Yu-hon’s aura and atmosphere. He slightly lowered his head to avoid Tang Yu-hon’s gaze.
Tang Yu-hon smirked and tried to sit opposite Ga Cheon-deuk. However, Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung, who had arrived earlier, were already sitting there.
When he made a displeased expression, two Poison Dragon Group martial artists who had been waiting behind him approached. They each spoke to Eum Yu-kyung and Dam-ho.
“Would you mind vacating your seats?”
“No matter how oblivious you are, in this kind of atmosphere, you should give up your seats. Don’t you agree?”
One of the Poison Dragon Group martial artists placed his hand on Dam-ho’s shoulder.
At that moment, Dam-ho’s eyes rippled like waves. Eum Yu-kyung smiled and said:
“We were just about to get up anyway.”
She grabbed Dam-ho’s arm and stood up. Her hand gripping Dam-ho’s arm was filled with strength.
Eum Yu-kyung looked at Dam-ho with a desperate gaze.
Dam-ho closed his eyes briefly and then opened them. The wave-like rippling in his eyes calmed down.
He stood up following Eum Yu-kyung. The two walked past the Tang Sect martial artists shoulder to shoulder.
Watching Dam-ho follow Eum Yu-kyung, one of the martial artists muttered in a low voice:
“Cripple!”
As a whisper that no one else could hear.
Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung walked past him and entered their room.
No one paid any attention to them.
Neither the Tang Sect martial artists nor the Yellow Dragon Fortress martial artists.
They had more pressing matters to attend to.
“Make your decision now, Hero Ga.”
Leaving behind Tang Yu-hon’s cold voice, Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung walked down the corridor to the second-floor rooms.
Once they were out of sight of the Tang Sect people, Eum Yu-kyung spoke:
“Thank you. It couldn’t have been easy to hold back.”
“…”
“Really, thank you.”
Eum Yu-kyung bowed her head once more to express her gratitude.
Dam-ho gruffly said:
“Go in and rest.”
“Alright. You rest too.”
Eum Yu-kyung opened the door to her room and went inside.
Left alone in the corridor, Dam-ho turned around briefly. He could see the stairs leading down to the first-floor dining area.
Through the stairs, he could feel the tension from the first floor. Even without seeing it with his own eyes, he could tell that the tension was escalating. But Dam-ho no longer paid attention to that and entered his room.
The room was quite clean. It wasn’t luxurious, but it was neatly arranged, and there was a fairly large window on one side.
Dam-ho opened the window wide. A cool breeze blew in, making his hair flutter.
Dam-ho stood by the window, gazing outside.
One by one, lanterns were lighting up the dark streets. Many people could be seen coming and going.
Dam-ho watched them for a moment and then closed the window. After washing up briefly, he lay down on the bed.
‘Demon Cult, Heavenly Evil Sect.’
As he lay down, numerous thoughts flooded in.
Dam-ho sorted through the unnecessary branches of thought one by one and focused on the essence of the problem.
His coming to Sichuan Province wasn’t simply to help Geom Yul-cheon at Eum Yu-kyung’s request.
He had already made enemies of the Demon Cult and the Heavenly Evil Sect.
For now, they might have temporarily halted their activities, but there was no guarantee they would remain quiet forever. Someday they would resume their activities, and when that time came, they would inevitably clash again.
With so many thoughts, Dam-ho couldn’t easily fall asleep. It was only after a considerable amount of time had passed since lying down that he finally drifted off.
The next morning, Dam-ho woke up early at dawn. Matching his waking time, Eum Yu-kyung also got up and came outside.
The waiter rushed over when he saw the two.
“You’re up!”
“It seems there was no trouble last night.”
“Oh my! Don’t even mention it. They confronted each other until dawn before leaving.”
“Is that so?”
“Hero Ga and the others returned to Yellow Dragon Fortress, and the Tang Sect martial artists are now staying at our inn.”
The waiter spoke in a low voice. Eum Yu-kyung nodded in response.
‘Fortunately, it seems the issue between the two sects has been resolved well.’
Eum Yu-kyung thought it was fortunate. She was concerned about getting caught up in a conflict between the two sects and facing potential problems.
Eum Yu-kyung asked the waiter:
“Where is the nearest horse market?”
“Horse market?”
“Yes! A place where they sell horses.”
“Ah! If you’re looking for such a place, go west from here. After passing three intersections, you’ll see the horse market across the street.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing! Just wait a moment. I’ll bring your breakfast.”
The waiter quickly brought out breakfast.
After a simple meal, the two went outside and headed toward the stable.
Neigh!
Black Ghost greeted Dam-ho.
As Dam-ho was patting Black Ghost’s cheek, it happened.
“Is this your horse?”
A cold voice was heard.