Fist Demon of Mount Hua ( Novel ) - Chapter 306

Chapter 306 – Truth Always Comes Heavy (3)

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Dam-ho looked around with deeply sunken eyes.

The entire area had literally become a wasteland. The ruins that had barely maintained their form were completely overturned, and traces of destruction were clearly visible everywhere.

The traces of the battle between Geom Yul-cheon and the Ten Soldiers had left great scars on the earth and ruins. The terrain of the entire area had changed so completely that one could hardly believe a human fight had taken place there.

The ground surface was exposed, and the large rocks that had been visible everywhere had disappeared without leaving a trace.

Clear traces of their clashes remained everywhere on the earth. Geom Yul-cheon had displayed tremendous martial prowess, facing five of the Ten Soldiers alone.

Dam-ho moved his steps following the traces. The traces of destruction became even more intense.

Dam-ho discovered through the traces remaining on the ground that two more people had joined their fight.

One person moved so lightly that barely any traces remained, while the other left footprints in disarray. This was evidence that the martial arts deployed were equally complex.

Dam-ho knew who possessed such characteristics.

‘Eum Yu-kyung, Shin Moo-wol.’

Eum Yu-kyung was light in movement because she was a woman, and Shin Moo-wol’s movements had to be complex because he used five swords as weapons.

They had definitely joined the battle between Geom Yul-cheon and the Ten Soldiers. After they joined, the traces became even more intense.

They attacked, defended, coordinated attacks, and scattered as they raced. Dam-ho continued moving his steps following the traces of their race.

The traces of destruction that seemed like they would never end were completely cut off at a nearby large river. Though Dam-ho carefully examined the surroundings, no traces left by them could be seen anywhere.

Dam-ho, who had been standing blankly looking at the river for a long time, turned his body around. The traces were completely cut off. Tracking them any further would be difficult. It would be much better to return as it was.

The Geom Yul-cheon he knew was not someone who would easily fall to others. If he was alive, he was someone who would find a way to seek him out no matter what. Therefore, Dam-ho decided to leave this place.

Dam-ho moved his steps along the river. How far had he walked?

Snort!

Suddenly, the sound of a horse snorting came from ahead. When he raised his head, he saw a jet-black horse with not a single stray hair mixed in. Black Ghost had come to find him.

Black Ghost approached as if glad to see him. Dam-ho patted Black Ghost’s neck several times before mounting.

Once he mounted Black Ghost, fatigue finally came rushing in. Dam-ho entrusted his body to Black Ghost and entered energy circulation.

As he operated the Dark Soul Cultivation Method, hazy mist rose around his body.

Heavy energy arose from his dantian and swept through his entire body. The energy created by the Dark Soul Cultivation Method was like a living being with its own will. It connected severed places and opened blocked areas while healing wounds.

The Dark Soul Cultivation Method, created by combining Mount Hua Sect’s Middle Heaven Cultivation Formula with the Demon Cult’s cultivation method, was now moving to a new realm.

The realm of Unobstructed Mutual Communication where internal and external energy flowed and merged with each other without obstruction or interruption.

At this level, accumulating more internal energy became meaningless. Since external energy synchronized with internal energy, it could be drawn upon at any time.

This was Dam-ho’s current level. He was drawing external energy to use for recovering his body.

Just circulating his energy for the great circulation a couple of times had greatly improved Dam-ho’s physical condition. Even his face, which had been only pale, now had a subtle flush of color returning.

Dam-ho opened his eyes. His already jet-black pupils had sunk even deeper.

Dam-ho, who had opened his eyes, looked around his surroundings.

While he had been circulating his energy, Black Ghost had already descended to below the snowy mountains. But since it had already grown dark, moving further would seem difficult.

Eventually, Dam-ho found a suitable place to spend the night while circulating his energy.

He gathered wood, lit a fire, and leaned his back against a rock.

The fiercely burning red flames cast deep shadows on his face.

It had been an arduous journey.

From leaving Mount Hua to coming here, he had fought countless times and shed blood. Still, Dam-ho didn’t think it was difficult.

Hardships made him stronger.

As much as he shed blood, he became stronger and more poisonous.

The countless scars on the back of his hand stirring the embers proved this fact.

Before the scabs covering wounds could even fall off, new wounds appeared, and the accumulated scabs and calluses hardened to become like iron armor. The back of his hand was more similar to an animal’s paw than a human hand.

Dam-ho’s life was completely contained in his hands. His life of struggle.

He didn’t know how many more scars would be carved on top of these wounds in the future. The wounds that accumulated might become so heavy that he might kneel down someday.

Dam-ho clenched his fist tightly.

‘Still, I don’t regret it.’

His struggle was not yet over.

Losing his parents and entering Mount Hua was not his will. Somehow ending up abandoned and walking the path of blood was not the life he wanted either.

Life’s turning points came without warning and led him to this path.

Though it wasn’t his will that made him walk this treacherous path, he had no thoughts of regretting it or blaming others.

Even if he might break someday, he would continue walking this thorny path.

Because that was his life.

***

“Brother!”

Bang Jin-bo suddenly muttered.

“What’s wrong?”

One of the nearby cooks asked with a puzzled expression.

This was because Bang Jin-bo, who had been cooking busily, was suddenly standing blankly.

“Oh, nothing.”

Bang Jin-bo shook his head and concentrated on cooking again. Moving the heated pot, he instantly created several dishes.

It was work making food for hundreds of people. The kitchen was literally like a battlefield. More than ten assistant cooks were moving busily to help Bang Jin-bo, and intense flames were shooting up from every stove. Therefore, the inside of the kitchen was as hot as a steamer.

Everyone was sweating profusely. Though it should be tiring, everyone had smiles on their faces.

Even though they were assistant cooks, they too were disciples of Mount Hua Sect. They were those who had witnessed both the revival and downfall of Mount Hua Sect.

When Mount Hua Sect suffered a blood catastrophe, they thought there was no hope whatsoever. But after Master Hyeon-so returned, Mount Hua Sect was quickly reorganizing and regaining its former majesty.

Although people in the world didn’t know this fact, those living within Mount Hua Sect felt this reality more keenly than anyone else.

A wind of hope was blowing. Mount Hua Sect was rapidly recovering its strength, and in some aspects, it was even surpassing the past. Having seen all this with their own eyes, their faith in Mount Hua Sect became even more solid.

Though it had been pushed to the periphery for now, Mount Hua Sect would return to the center of the Central Plains martial world. No, they had firm belief that it would enjoy an even greater golden age. That’s why each day was joyful for them.

What did it matter if the hot heat made breathing a bit difficult? The food they were making would become nourishment for their martial brothers.

Several cooks were staring intently at Bang Jin-bo cooking with wide eyes. They now knew that Bang Jin-bo’s cooking was not ordinary food.

Everyone who ate Bang Jin-bo’s food experienced a subtle increase in their internal energy. Though it was difficult to feel the effect immediately, as it continued for dozens or hundreds of days, it accumulated to achieve tremendous improvement.

They didn’t know how it was possible, but through cooking, he had dramatically increased the internal energy of Mount Hua Sect disciples.

All Mount Hua Sect disciples now knew this fact. Therefore, though he was young in age, they respected him and he was treated as an important figure within Mount Hua Sect.

The same was true for the assistant cooks. They respected Bang Jin-bo while being desperate to learn his secret methods. But Bang Jin-bo’s cooking was not ordinary enough to be learned just by watching from the side.

First, one had to know how to harmonize ingredients, be well-versed in medicinal herbs, be able to handle fire freely, and above all, learn the Five Elements Gentleman Technique to achieve harmony of energies.

Without all of these being harmonized, even if one died and came back to life, one couldn’t cook food that enhanced internal energy like Bang Jin-bo.

Bang Jin-bo had no intention of revealing his secrets yet. There were still many parts to research, and he thought many aspects were incomplete even by his own standards.

“Phew!”

Bang Jin-bo, who had finally finished cooking, let out a sigh. His entire body was drenched in sweat. No matter how skilled Bang Jin-bo was, making food for hundreds of people all at once was not an easy task.

Bang Jin-bo looked at the assistant cooks and said:

“I’ll go out and rest a bit.”

“We’ll take care of the rest.”

“Don’t worry about here and rest.”

The assistant cooks answered vigorously. This showed how much they respected Bang Jin-bo from the depths of their hearts.

Bang Jin-bo greeted them and came out of the kitchen. Cool wind blew and cooled his sweat.

“Wow!”

A smile appeared on Bang Jin-bo’s face.

Though his whole body felt languid, his mood was still good.

Then a familiar voice was heard.

“Jin-bo!”

“Oh, sister?”

Bang Jin-bo made a pleased expression. It was Jong Ri-yeon’s voice. When he turned his head, he saw Jong Ri-yeon walking gracefully toward him.

Jong Ri-yeon also had a slightly tired expression.

“Did you finish making all the Plum Blossom Divine Pills?”

“No! I came to rest a bit.”

“Please do. Sister, you haven’t been sleeping much lately either.”

“You should rest a bit too, shouldn’t you?”

“I’m doing that now. Hehe!”

Bang Jin-bo showed his characteristic smile. Jong Ri-yeon smiled along with him.

She suddenly said:

“Good.”

“Right?”

“Yes!”

“Hehe!”

They were two people who had struggled together for several years. Because they knew each other well, they easily understood the meaning contained in words casually thrown out.

Jong Ri-yeon was devoted to refining Plum Blossom Divine Pills all day long. Bang Jin-bo also helped her make Plum Blossom Divine Pills except for the time spent cooking. The Five Elements Gentleman Technique he had learned had optimal efficacy in drawing out and harmonizing the medicinal power of the Plum Blossom Divine Pills.

“Jin-bo.”

“Yes?”

“I’m going to go down the mountain briefly.”

“Why?”

“I’m short on several medicinal herbs. I asked Uncle Jang to get them, but there’s still no news, so I want to go see for myself.”

The Uncle Jang that Jong Ri-yeon mentioned was someone who ran the largest herbal medicine shop in Huayin County. He was also someone who had steadily supplied herbs to Jong Ri-yeon even after Mount Hua Sect closed its gates.

His son was also a lay disciple of Mount Hua Sect, so his loyalty to Mount Hua Sect was very firm. Therefore, if it was herbs needed by Mount Hua Sect, he would definitely obtain them no matter what means necessary.

There had never been a single time when such a person had no news for this long. So it was true that she was worried.

“Then I’ll go with you.”

Bang Jin-bo, who had listened to the entire story, raised his hand high.

“Why you?”

“Hehe! I also want to get some ingredients.”

“Really?”

“Let’s go down together.”

“Let’s do that.”

Jong Ri-yeon readily agreed.

Actually, going down together was much better than going down alone.

The two people asked permission from the sect leader Woon-gyeong. After thinking briefly, Woon-gyeong gave permission.

Jong Ri-yeon and Bang Jin-bo were somewhat difficult for him to handle. They were not complete disciples of Mount Hua Sect. They were staying at Mount Hua Sect and helping because of their friendship with Dam-ho, but if they changed their minds, they could leave at any time.

Of course, they weren’t people who would leave that easily, but Woon-gyeong couldn’t help but be concerned. Above all, the herbs Jong Ri-yeon was trying to obtain were absolutely necessary for making Plum Blossom Divine Pills. Therefore, he had to give permission.

After giving permission to the two people, Woon-gyeong called Won-myeong, the leader of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters.

“Did you call for me? Sect Leader.”

“Won-myeong.”

“Please speak.”

“Take several Plum Blossom Sword Masters and secretly protect Divine Doctor and Jin-bo.”

It was just going down to Huayin County, right at Mount Hua Sect’s doorstep. Nevertheless, Woon-gyeong was absolutely not letting his guard down.

“Understood.”

Won-myeong answered immediately without complaint. He too knew how important Jong Ri-yeon and Bang Jin-bo were. Still, he had to confirm once more.

He asked:

“Though it won’t happen, but if there are any targets or beings that threaten those two people, how far should we go?”

“Nothing takes priority over their safety.”

Woon-gyeong spoke as firmly as a blade, and Won-myeong understood the meaning contained within.

“Understood. I will protect them with my life.”

Won-myeong’s voice answering was filled with determination.