Fist Demon of Mount Hua ( Novel ) - Chapter 282
Chapter 282 – There Are Evil Bonds That Cannot Be Shaken Off (1)
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Discord
The first-floor dining area of the inn was bustling with people. Being one of the larger inns in Dujiangyan, it naturally attracted many visitors.
In the dining area, Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung were silently eating their meals. Since neither of them was particularly talkative, their mealtime was inevitably quiet.
As the two were quietly using their chopsticks, it happened. Suddenly, three people entered through the inn’s door.
Dressed in loose traveling clothes with large wide-brimmed hats, the appearance of these three was enough to draw many gazes.
“There’s a seat over there,” one of them said in a youthful voice, pointing to an empty table.
The exceptionally clear and pure voice naturally drew everyone’s attention.
“Yes! Let’s sit there.”
“Whew! Now we can finally rest.”
The other two nodded and sat down at the empty table.
As soon as they were seated, they removed their wide-brimmed hats. They were all women of remarkable beauty. The oldest-looking woman was, interestingly, a female monk with a completely shaved head, while the other two women boasted black hair arranged in triple knots.
Among them, the most striking was a woman with unusually blue eyes that contrasted with her black hair. Her exceptionally fair skin and distinct features were breathtakingly beautiful. Hanging at her waist was a sword that was as eye-catching as her beauty.
Looking at her appearance, which clearly showed mixed blood with Western regions, several men couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
“Ah!”
“Truly beautiful.”
The atmosphere in the inn quickly heated up. At this, the youngest-looking girl pouted her lips.
“At least they have an eye for beauty.”
Despite her words, the young girl’s face was full of pride.
At that moment, someone shouted:
“Blue eyes and a sword? She’s Jung So-cheon, the Emei First Sword of the Emei Sect.”
“The Emei Sect?”
The already excited atmosphere in the inn grew even more boisterous.
The greatest genius in the Sichuan martial world was undoubtedly Chung Woon, the One Star of Sichuan. Recognized by both the Tang Sect and the Emei Sect as the foremost genius of the Qincheng Sect.
Cheong Woon, one of the most outstanding young talents in the world and a member of the Nine Divine Dragons, was the pride of the Sichuan martial world. His presence in Sichuan Province was unparalleled. But he wasn’t the only genius in the Sichuan martial world.
Although overshadowed by Cheong Woon and thus less known, both the Tang Sect and the Emei Sect had their own famous geniuses.
Notable examples were Tang Ha-sung, the Thousand-Hand Young Master of the Tang Sect, and Jung So-cheon, the Emei First Sword of the Emei Sect.
Tang Ha-sung, who had mastered the Tang Sect’s hidden weapon techniques to such an extreme level that his hands appeared as a thousand, was an object of fear, while Jung So-cheon, with her mixed Western blood giving her a mysterious aura, was an object of admiration.
Despite people recognizing her identity and whispering about her, Jung So-cheon showed no sign of concern. For her, this was a daily occurrence.
Looking at her disciples, the female monk slightly shook her head.
“You truly have a difficult life.”
The female monk’s dharma name was Eun-yeop, and she was the chief disciple of the Emei Sect. The youngest woman was the junior disciple, So Yul-hee.
As evident from their attire, Jung So-cheon and So Yul-hee were secular disciples. However, due to their exceptional talent, they had received the true martial arts of the main sect and enjoyed the honor of accompanying the chief disciple, Nun Eun-yeop.
The innkeeper treated the three with utmost respect. Being disciples of the Emei Sect alone qualified them for such treatment.
Nun Eun-yeop ordered a few simple dishes from the innkeeper. Meanwhile, the youngest, So Yul-hee, was looking around the inn with curious eyes.
Her eyes, which had been shining like a star, stopped at a table on the opposite side. It was where Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung were sitting.
“Look at those people, Sister.”
Naturally, the two women’s gazes turned toward Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung. Then So Yul-hee whispered:
“Doesn’t the man look really cold? And the sister over there seems quite beautiful. What kind of relationship do they have? They seem too distant to be lovers.”
“You’re talking nonsense.”
“I wonder where they’re from? They don’t look like people from Sichuan Province.”
Despite Nun Eun-yeop’s reprimand, So Yul-hee remained undeterred. Nun Eun-yeop smiled at her behavior.
Every sect had someone who lifted the mood, and in the Emei Sect, it was So Yul-hee. She was incredibly curious and could never hold back when something piqued her interest. This had caused many problems, but it also made her the vitality of the Emei Sect.
Jung So-cheon’s eyes gleamed. As So Yul-hee had said, they were indeed an unusual combination. Though sitting at the same table, the two clearly maintained a distance from each other.
That’s when it happened.
Suddenly, Dam-ho raised his head and looked at them. As Jung So-cheon met Dam-ho’s gaze directly, her body trembled involuntarily.
‘What kind of eyes are those?’
The moment she saw those deep, cold eyes devoid of any emotion, her body trembled uncontrollably. This was a first for her.
“What’s wrong, Sister Jung?”
Puzzled by Jung So-cheon’s reaction, Nun Eun-yeop asked. She had been talking with So Yul-hee and hadn’t seen Dam-ho’s gaze just now.
“N-nothing.”
Jung So-cheon hastily brushed it off.
‘Was there such a martial artist in Sichuan Province? Even Cheong Woon, the so-called greatest genius of Sichuan, wasn’t like this.’
Cheong Woon was the strongest young martial artist she knew. She had once witnessed his strength firsthand during an exchange meeting between the Qincheng Sect and the Emei Sect, and it was truly remarkable. But even then, she didn’t feel she was significantly inferior to him.
That’s how confident Jung So-cheon was in her martial arts. Yet, when she met Dam-ho’s gaze just now, she felt she couldn’t confidently challenge him. His gaze was that terrifying.
‘Someone to watch out for.’
That’s how Jung So-cheon defined Dam-ho.
As she focused on Dam-ho, her attention naturally shifted to Eum Yu-kyung sitting across from him.
Though her face was half-covered with cotton gauze, she couldn’t completely hide her innate beauty and grace. In fact, many were stealing glances at her.
That’s when So Yul-hee made an unexpected comment.
“Who do you think is prettier?”
“What are you saying?”
“I mean between you, Sister, and that lady over there. She seems quite beautiful too.”
“Tsk!”
“Hehe!”
When Jung So-cheon slightly frowned, So Yul-hee gave a cute smile. Her eyes were twinkling like stars. Jung So-cheon felt an ominous premonition.
“You…”
“I can’t help it.”
So Yul-hee abruptly stood up. Before Nun Eun-yeop and Jung So-cheon could stop her, she walked over to where Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung were sitting.
It happened so suddenly that Nun Eun-yeop and Jung So-cheon could only watch.
“Hello.”
So Yul-hee greeted them politely as she approached Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung’s table. When they looked up at her, she made a fist-and-palm salute.
“I’m So Yul-hee from the Emei Sect. I know it’s rude, but you both stood out so much that I wanted to come over and make your acquaintance.”
Her demeanor was so amiable that Eum Yu-kyung momentarily looked perplexed. But she quickly composed herself and spoke.
“I’m Eum Yu-kyung.”
“Ah! Sister Eum. Then who is he?”
So Yul-hee’s gaze turned to Dam-ho.
“…”
Dam-ho didn’t answer. Though one might feel embarrassed, So Yul-hee instead smiled brightly and apologized.
“Was I too hasty in asking? I’m sorry. But I meant no harm, so please forgive me. Hehe!”
When such a beautiful girl spoke like this, anyone would accept it.
Eum Yu-kyung spoke on Dam-ho’s behalf.
“It’s alright. He’s not a very talkative person. And he dislikes having his name widely known. So please understand, Miss So.”
“It’s fine. That’s understandable.”
So Yul-hee responded amiably to Eum Yu-kyung’s apology.
Eum Yu-kyung felt a liking for her bright and unblemished demeanor.
“You said you’re from the Emei Sect?”
“Yes! I came with my seniors.”
“I know that Mount Emei is quite far from here. What brings you here?”
“I’m sorry. We came on our sect’s orders, so I can’t tell you more than that.”
“I understand. We’re in the same situation.”
Eum Yu-kyung’s words carried many implications. Like you, we too are here on our sect’s orders, so don’t ask further.
So Yul-hee’s face slightly reddened. She had caught the meaning behind Eum Yu-kyung’s words. But she quickly continued as if nothing had happened.
“We plan to stay in Dujiangyan for a while. What about you?”
“Us too.”
“Then we’ll see each other often?”
“Perhaps!”
“If we do meet, please acknowledge me. Okay?”
“Sure!”
When Eum Yu-kyung agreed, a bright smile appeared on So Yul-hee’s face again.
“I think I’ve taken up too much of your time. Please enjoy your meal.”
“You too, Miss So. Enjoy your meal.”
“Yes!”
With her response, So Yul-hee returned to where Jung So-cheon and the others were waiting. She was visibly being reprimanded by Jung So-cheon and Nun Eun-yeop. Yet, she still maintained her bright smile without looking the least bit discouraged.
She was a girl who had the talent to brighten her surroundings just by existing. Eum Yu-kyung couldn’t help but smile at So Yul-hee’s demeanor.
“She’s truly a bright girl.”
Dam-ho silently nodded.
It felt as if the previously gloomy atmosphere had been refreshed by So Yul-hee’s appearance.
After watching So Yul-hee for a while, Eum Yu-kyung turned to Dam-ho and said:
“But why is the Emei Sect here? Mount Emei is quite far from Dujiangyan. If we’re talking about territories, this area is closer to the Qincheng Sect’s jurisdiction.”
Though the Tang Sect, Qincheng Sect, and Emei Sect all had their bases in Sichuan Province, they clearly respected each other’s territories.
It was because they respected each other’s domains that the three sects had been able to coexist without major issues until now. Therefore, they tried not to send their martial artists into each other’s territories if possible. That was their convention.
The smile that had been on Eum Yu-kyung’s face was now nowhere to be seen.
The Tang Sect’s attack on Yellow Dragon Fortress and many other things weighed on her mind.
‘What exactly is happening in Dujiangyan?’
Her heart naturally grew heavy.
That’s when Dam-ho spoke for the first time.
“What are you going to do?”
“There’s a place I need to find.”
Eum Yu-kyung put down her chopsticks and stood up. Dam-ho followed suit.
The two walked out of the inn.
Just before they left, So Yul-hee acknowledged them.
“Goodbye!”
Nun Eun-yeop shook her head at So Yul-hee’s behavior. But soon after, her expression darkened.
Her gaze was fixed on Dam-ho’s back as he left. More precisely, on his leg.
She noticed his slight limp.
She recalled the most famous figure in the current martial world. He too limped like the man before her.
‘It can’t be?’
She shook her head.
He was supposed to be at Mount Hua, thousands of li away from here. Moreover, Mount Hua had closed its gates. There was no reason for him to be here.
Outside the inn, Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung walked through the streets.
Once on the street, Eum Yu-kyung carefully examined walls and trees. Though it seemed odd, Dam-ho followed her without saying anything.
How long had they walked like this?
“Found it.”
Eum Yu-kyung’s eyes sparkled.
Her gaze was directed at a spot beneath a large wall on one side of the marketplace. There was a mark so small it was almost invisible. Though it was hard to see in the dim light, Eum Yu-kyung had managed to find it.
To an uninformed person, it might look like a scratch, but to someone who knew, it appeared as a sword mark.
It was a mark known only to those who shared Eum Yu-kyung’s cause. She walked in the direction the mark indicated.
After walking for a while, another mark appeared. This time, the direction changed.
Following the marks, they soon found themselves in the most secluded area of Dujiangyan. It was a desolate place with barely any signs of life. But that didn’t mean there were no people at all.
They could feel the gazes of people watching from behind locked doors. They were wary of the appearance of unfamiliar outsiders.
Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung continued walking, paying no attention to the gazes. The place they arrived at was a small mansion located in the deepest part of the street.
‘Is this the place?’
Eum Yu-kyung placed her hand on the door of the mansion. The door silently slid open, revealing the scene inside.
Death had descended upon the place.