Chapter 285 – Green Is the Same Color, But It Can Also Play Separately (1)

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Nun Eun-yeop’s pupils trembled.

Her eyes were filled with the image of Dam-ho. Standing there covered in the blood of Tang Il-rang and the Soulless Wolves, Dam-ho hardly looked like a human being.

“Where on earth did someone like him come from?”

Thick veins bulged on the back of her hand that held the Buddhist whisk, but Nun Eun-yeop didn’t even notice. Her entire body was covered in goosebumps.

‘A demon.’

This was the thought that filled her mind.

Dam-ho, who had slaughtered the martial artists of the Tang Sect, a renowned righteous sect, did not appear to be a normal human being.

Suddenly, her eyes met Dam-ho’s.

The moment she saw his gaze, she flinched. The chief disciple of the Emei Sect, a renowned righteous sect, had been intimidated by merely meeting his eyes. Nun Eun-yeop couldn’t accept this fact.

“Who are you?”

She deliberately raised her voice. She even infused it with her internal energy to avoid appearing intimidated.

Standing straight, raising her aura, she unleashed a thunderous voice.

“How dare you kill martial artists of the Tang Sect in Sichuan Province? How can you disregard the code of the martial world?”

It was a display of dignity befitting the chief disciple of the Emei Sect.

Her shout, infused with profound internal energy, echoed throughout the street. Even those who had fled far away from the midnight commotion trembled at her voice.

The problem was Dam-ho. He was not someone who would be swayed by her lion’s roar.

Despite hearing Nun Eun-yeop’s thunderous voice, his expression remained unchanged. Like an emotionless statue, Dam-ho stood motionless, amplifying Nun Eun-yeop’s anxiety.

Thick beads of sweat rolled down her back, soaking her clothes.

“Master.”

Jung So-cheon and So Yul-hee, standing beside her, looked at her with anxious expressions. They too had been intimidated by Dam-ho’s overwhelming presence.

They had grown up under the protection of the massive Emei Sect. Where would such sheltered individuals have seen such a horrific scene before? They had completely forgotten the possibility that the Tang Sect martial artists killed by Dam-ho might be poison people. Dam-ho’s martial prowess and appearance were that shocking.

Nun Eun-yeop needed to be a pillar for them. She could not show any sign of wavering. So she pressed even harder.

“Answer me. Who are you?”

“…”

“Are you deliberately ignoring the Emei Sect?”

Nun Eun-yeop was afraid of Dam-ho. But she believed in the name of the Emei Sect.

The illustrious reputation of the Emei Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects and one of the three major powers in Sichuan Province.

“I don’t know why you attacked the Tang Sect martial artists, but if you come with me to the Emei Sect, I will ensure you receive a fair trial.”

“…”

In that moment, Dam-ho’s eyes narrowed. Suddenly, the air within a radius of several dozen jang around Dam-ho turned cold, as if winter had arrived.

Shiver!

Nun Eun-yeop trembled at the sudden chill. Her instincts were warning her of danger.

‘I should retreat.’

Though her mind whispered this, her pride held her back.

That’s when Dam-ho spoke for the first time.

“The Emei Sect, you say?”

“That’s right!”

“Are you in league with the Tang Sect?”

“What?”

Nun Eun-yeop was about to flare up. But the moment she saw Dam-ho’s eyes staring at her, she couldn’t.

‘I’ll die.’

In Dam-ho’s eyes, she saw a vision of her own death. The extreme sense of crisis had triggered a foresight beyond mere premonition.

Only then did Nun Eun-yeop realize.

The man before her didn’t care much about names like the Tang Sect or the Emei Sect.

To him, what mattered was whether someone was an enemy or not, not hollow names like the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families.

Only then did the veil of prejudice covering Nun Eun-yeop’s eyes fly away, and she saw Dam-ho clearly.

Disheveled black hair, black windbreaker robe-what she had missed was Dam-ho’s leg.

Though she hadn’t noticed it when he was facing the Tang Sect martial artists, he was clearly limping slightly.

In that moment, the title of the most dangerous figure in the current martial world flashed in her mind.

“Fist… Demon?”

“…”

Dam-ho didn’t answer. But because of this, Nun Eun-yeop was even more convinced that he was the Fist Demon.

“But you were supposed to be in seclusion at Mount Hua.”

For the past three years, the fact that Dam-ho had not left Mount Hua was known throughout the world. The same was true for Nun Eun-yeop and the Emei Sect.

In their minds, they had the preconception that Dam-ho would remain in seclusion at Mount Hua and not come out. That’s why they failed to recognize him despite seeing his most distinctive characteristic.

Dam-ho took a step toward Nun Eun-yeop. His slight limp was visible.

It had become his trademark.

Everyone in the world now knew how those who had underestimated or belittled him because of that limping appearance had met their end.

-If you see a man in black clothes with a limp, be extremely cautious, and pay attention two or three times over. He might be the Fist Demon.

This was the legend of the Fist Demon that had spread throughout the martial world.

Nun Eun-yeop could no longer maintain her composure. From the moment she realized the man before her was Dam-ho, the strength left her legs, and she could barely stand.

“I asked you. Are you in league with the Tang Sect?”

A low voice, rumbling like a beast from deep within his chest, ominously penetrated Nun Eun-yeop’s eardrums.

Nun Eun-yeop bit her lip firmly, realizing that the fate of the Emei Sect depended on her answer.

“Master.”

Jung So-cheon and So Yul-hee looked at her with anxious expressions. They too didn’t know whether they should consider Dam-ho an enemy based on Nun Eun-yeop’s answer.

While Jung So-cheon was trying to maintain her composure, the younger So Yul-hee couldn’t hide her fearful expression.

She had no idea that the man she had approached so warmly yesterday was such a terrifying person. Like a day-old puppy not knowing to fear a tiger, that’s exactly what she had done.

‘How did I appear in his eyes?’

So Yul-hee trembled, realizing she had stepped to the gates of the underworld and back.

At that moment, Nun Eun-yeop struggled to speak.

“The Emei Sect is not on anyone’s side.”

“You’re saying you’re not on the Tang Sect’s side?”

“That’s right. Our Emei Sect is on the side of justice.”

“How ridiculous.”

At Dam-ho’s single remark, cracks appeared on Nun Eun-yeop’s face. She tried to make excuses several times, her lips moving, but no voice came out.

Finally, Dam-ho stood before her. Nun Eun-yeop was pinned down by Dam-ho’s aura, unable to move.

Nun Eun-yeop smelled the scent of a beast from Dam-ho. The raw, primal scent that only those who had torn apart living beings and survived could possess.

Only then did Nun Eun-yeop realize that Dam-ho was fundamentally different from her.

‘Not just a difference in caliber… but in species. This man…’

Nun Eun-yeop gritted her teeth. Blood flowed from her gums, but she didn’t even notice.

The focus in her eyes was fading. The raw, fierce killing intent emanating from Dam-ho was consuming her reason.

“S-stop it.”

Unable to bear the pressure, Jung So-cheon unconsciously drew her sword. She instinctively realized that if she continued to be consumed by Dam-ho’s presence, her mind would collapse.

Dam-ho’s gaze turned to Jung So-cheon. Her sky-blue eyes were visible. Though filled with fear, there was still fighting spirit in her eyes. It was quite different from Nun Eun-yeop, whose mind had partially collapsed.

But that was all. It was difficult to expect more.

That’s when it happened.

“Sigh! Hero Dam. I think it’s better if I speak.”

Eum Yu-kyung, who had been watching, stepped forward.

Though she wasn’t pleased with the Emei Sect’s stance, she couldn’t just watch them become crippled or die at Dam-ho’s hands.

Dam-ho briefly furrowed his brow. The disciples of the Emei Sect watched with bated breath. It was clear that their fate would be determined by Dam-ho’s decision.

At Eum Yu-kyung’s earnest gaze, Dam-ho took a step back. Only then did the formidable pressure crushing the three people disappear.

“Haaah!”

Nun Eun-yeop finally released the breath she had been holding. The same was true for Jung So-cheon and So Yul-hee.

Eum Yu-kyung looked at them and said:

“As you can see, the Tang Sect has created poison people. The fact that the Tang Sect, a renowned righteous sect, has created poison people is a significant issue that could incur the wrath of the entire martial world. Surely the Emei Sect doesn’t intend to overlook this?”

“That’s not it. But…”

Nun Eun-yeop desperately shook her head.

“But what?”

“The Tang Sect must have had their reasons. The Tang Sect is the spiritual pillar of Sichuan Province. Though they occasionally engage in political matters, they still advocate for the righteous path.”

“Just because they advocate for the righteous path doesn’t mean they always walk the right path. People with human faces but beast hearts can be found anywhere.”

“That’s…”

“I don’t want to explain further to the Emei Sect. I just want to say, consider the circumstances carefully. Don’t just say we’re wrong without thinking.”

Eum Yu-kyung’s voice was very calm. But it carried an irresistible pressure and strength.

Nun Eun-yeop was overwhelmed by Eum Yu-kyung’s demeanor.

“Please judge wisely. And I hope you make the right decision.”

“Alright. Let’s say, giving you the benefit of the doubt a hundred times over, we overlook this matter. But the Tang Sect will never stay quiet.”

“Is that all you can say?”

“What?”

“Giving the benefit of the doubt a hundred times over? You shouldn’t say such things. You’re the chief disciple of the Emei Sect. One of the Nine Great Sects and a spiritual pillar of Sichuan Province. If, as you say, the Emei Sect only looks at justice, you shouldn’t be concerned about the Tang Sect’s reaction. Don’t you agree?”

“…”

Nun Eun-yeop trembled. She lowered her head.

She had nothing to say. Eum Yu-kyung’s words had stirred the conscience deep within her heart that she had been ignoring.

Numerous thoughts flashed through her mind.

The Emei Sect, the Qincheng Sect, the Tang Sect.

Three sects, each powerful enough to be a dominant force in other regions, were all concentrated in Sichuan Province.

Sometimes they opposed each other, sometimes they united, and that’s how they coexisted in Sichuan Province.

After centuries of rubbing against each other, they had influenced and been influenced by each other, gradually becoming the same color.

Given these circumstances, it had become routine to understand and speak for each other in most matters. That’s why, even when seeing poison people, she had convinced herself that there must be a good reason.

“Hah!”

Nun Eun-yeop let out a sigh.

Only then did she realize what her problem was. And she opened her eyes.

When Nun Eun-yeop opened her eyes, Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung were no longer in front of her.

“Where are they?”

“They left.”

The one who answered was Jung So-cheon.

While Nun Eun-yeop had closed her eyes and was lost in thought, Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung had left. But Jung So-cheon didn’t dare to try to stop them.

“I made a big mistake.”

“Master?”

“They were right. I should have been more concerned about the fact that the Tang Sect created poison people rather than questioning them. I’m ashamed to face you.”

“No, that’s not true.”

Jung So-cheon shook her head. So Yul-hee did the same.

So Yul-hee muttered, looking in the direction where Dam-ho had disappeared:

“The Fist Demon… I never imagined. That he was such a terrifying person.”

She trembled.

“Not just you. I thought the same. They say the martial world is vast, and extraordinary individuals are as numerous as grains of sand. That saying is true.”

“What if he harbors ill will toward our Emei Sect?”

So Yul-hee looked at Jung So-cheon and Nun Eun-yeop with a worried expression.

Nun Eun-yeop let out a sigh.

“We must try to handle this well, even now.”

“How?”

Jung So-cheon asked with a puzzled expression.

“First, let’s gather the bodies of the Tang Sect martial artists. Then we need to contact our sect. The Sect Leader will make a decision.”

“So we’re postponing the search for the missing people?”

“We have to. This is more urgent.”

That’s when it happened.

“Look at that.”

So Yul-hee pointed at the bodies. As Nun Eun-yeop and Jung So-cheon looked in the direction she was pointing, their eyes widened.

Hissss!

The bodies of the Tang Sect martial artists were melting, emitting a pungent poisonous smoke. Their bodies were rapidly turning into poisonous blood and disappearing without a trace, and the three people stared blankly at the scene.