Chapter 330 – The Tree Wants to Stand Still but the Wind Never Stops Shaking (2)

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The Martial Alliance had been Yueyang’s great pride.

 

It was proof that Yueyang was the center of the martial world and the source of their pride. But overnight, the Martial Alliance collapsed, and the Demon Cult took its place.

 

Countless people died, and many buildings were consumed in the great fire. The once magnificent Martial Alliance had become ashes, and the streets overflowed with countless corpses and the smell of blood.

 

Yueyang, which had been called the martial artists’ paradise, had transformed into hell in a single night. People trembled in fear and refrained from going out.

 

Those who occupied the place where the Martial Alliance had burned were precisely the Demon Cult’s martial artists. The Demon Cult that occupied the Martial Alliance was unrestrained. They began building structures on the site where the Martial Alliance had stood.

 

“This place will become the center of the martial world ruled by the Divine Cult.”

 

Demon Cult’s Military Advisor Sang Han-cheon muttered while watching the pavilions being built at rapid speed. Beside him gathered Lim Hak, one of the Four Great Corps Leaders, and the Demon Cult’s leadership.

 

The faces of the leadership showed clear emotion.

 

It was the very place where the Martial Alliance had stood. The fact that the Demon Cult’s main branch was being established in such a place was enough to move them deeply.

 

Lim Hak approached Sang Han-cheon’s side.

 

“You’ve worked hard, Military Advisor.”

 

“How could this be only my effort? Everyone worked hard.”

 

“With this, our cult has established a main branch in the Central Plains.”

 

Lim Hak looked at the newly built pavilion complex with deeply moved eyes.

 

It had been years of enduring hardship and tasting bitterness.

 

They had hidden in darkness and built strength. Years of humiliation where they couldn’t even proudly say they were Divine Cult martial artists. This small piece of land obtained after enduring such harsh times couldn’t be more precious.

 

“This is only the beginning. The main branch established here will become the center of the martial world and our cult. Then cult members who have been holding their breath will also start their activities again.”

 

“Just thinking about it makes my heart swell.”

 

“Until then, we must never let our guard down. Originally, maintaining what’s built is harder than building it. By establishing the main branch here, we’ve been exposed to the light. We can no longer utilize any of the advantages we’ve enjoyed until now.”

 

“What is there to fear? We have the Military Advisor, and we have the Black and White Lions. And we have the Cult Leader, the supreme being of all the martial world.”

 

“Still, we mustn’t be complacent.”

 

“Of course. This Yueyang will become our cult’s sacred ground. And it will become an impregnable fortress. This Lim Hak will make it so.”

 

“Haha! I’ll trust only you.”

 

Sang Han-cheon let out a big laugh after a long time. But that was only brief, and soon he regained his usual coldness.

 

“Still, we mustn’t be complacent. We haven’t yet pacified the martial world. The martial world is vast and exceptional people are as numerous as grains of sand.”

 

“But none will be our match.”

 

“The Fist Demon.”

 

“What?”

 

“Be careful of the Fist Demon.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Elder Cheon of Sword Stream fell to him.”

 

“That can’t be…”

 

Instantly Lim Hak’s eyes widened. His face was full of disbelief. The other leaders were the same.

 

Sword Stream was one of the Thirteen Branches and tacitly called the strongest. Cheon Oh-gyeong, the former inheritor of Sword Stream, was a supreme master with almost no match not only in the Thirteen Branches but in the entire Demon Cult.

 

“Is it true? Did the Elder fall to the Fist Demon?”

 

“I didn’t mention it until now for fear it would affect morale, but it’s true. Because of the Fist Demon alone, the Elder died and all our foundation in Sichuan was completely destroyed.”

 

“Mm!”

 

At Sang Han-cheon’s words, Lim Hak let out a groan.

 

He too had eyes and ears, so he knew well how much effort Sang Han-cheon had put into the alliance with the Tang Clan.

 

The Tang Clan’s poison and hidden weapons were a great burden even to the Demon Cult. Therefore, Sang Han-cheon had eliminated in advance the threat that would face them by drawing in the Tang Clan. But such efforts were reduced to nothing by Dam-ho alone.

 

“Now I understand. The Fist Demon is our nemesis sent by heaven.”

 

“That much?”

 

“Doesn’t his record until now prove it? Even the Demon Mother is recovering after suffering great wounds from him.”

 

“Mm!”

 

“The Fist Demon is the strongest enemy. If we don’t acknowledge that fact, we’ll continue to suffer frustration from him.”

 

Sang Han-cheon’s voice was very calm. It wasn’t the appearance he had shown openly displaying hostility toward Dam-ho until now. That made it feel even more frightening. At least to Lim Hak.

 

“Military Advisor.”

 

“For now, let’s take our minds off the Fist Demon. Anyway, there’s nothing he can do right now. We just need to rebuild the main branch here and prepare to welcome the Cult Leader.”

 

“Welcome the Cult Leader? Then the Cult Leader is finally ending his closed-door training?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Sang Han-cheon smiled broadly. At that, Lim Hak and all the leaders were stirred.

 

“Oh! Finally…”

 

“The Cult Leader is coming out into the world?”

 

Emotion appeared on their faces.

 

Cult Leader Cheok Gwan-hyeol had long been invisible to them, devoted only to closed-door training. Even before entering closed-door training, Cheok Gwan-hyeol had been strong enough to have no match in the world.

 

Though he had been attacked by Wind Moon Emperor Dan Gong-wol midway, he hadn’t broken his closed-door training. The fact that he was so obsessed with closed-door training meant the clue to enlightenment was that significant.

 

They couldn’t even imagine how much stronger Cheok Gwan-hyeol had become through closed-door training.

 

“We must definitely complete the main branch before the Cult Leader arrives.”

 

“Of course. I’ll urge my subordinates to move up the schedule.”

 

“Mm!”

 

It was when Sang Han-cheon nodded.

 

“Military Advisor.”

 

Two people approached him.

 

The moment he confirmed their faces, a smile bloomed broadly on Sang Han-cheon’s face.

 

“Vice Leader, Seol-hwa.”

 

“Outer Garden Vice Leader Lim Oh-yeon greets the Military Advisor.”

 

“This girl Seol-hwa greets the Military Advisor.”

 

Those cupping their fists to Sang Han-cheon were precisely Lim Oh-yeon and Won Seol-hwa. Sang Han-cheon greeted them with a smile.

 

“You both worked hard. Thanks to you two, we could easily seize the Martial Alliance.”

 

“It was what we naturally had to do. I’m overwhelmed by such praise.”

 

“Without the Chenghuo Merchant Group’s dedication, how could our cult’s today exist? The Cult Leader is also very grateful for the Leader and Vice Leader’s dedication.”

 

“Oh!”

 

A light of emotion appeared on Lim Oh-yeon’s face. Just the fact that the Cult Leader acknowledged his achievements made him feel as if strength he didn’t have was welling up again.

 

Won Seol-hwa’s expression was similar to Lim Oh-yeon’s. She trembled finely while savoring the joy.

 

Sang Han-cheon said to the two:

 

“We’ll desperately need the Chenghuo Merchant Group’s support going forward.”

 

“Of course. The Chenghuo Merchant Group was created to support our cult. The Merchant Group Leader is prepared to dedicate the merchant group at any time.”

 

“That’s fine. A merchant group should be operated by those who know it best. Just support us well when needed.”

 

“Don’t worry. The Merchant Group Leader has already prepared several million taels in gold.”

 

“Just hearing it makes me feel reassured.”

 

Sang Han-cheon nodded.

 

The Demon Cult’s military power was combined with the Chenghuo Merchant Group’s financial power.

 

There was nothing to fear, nothing to worry about.

 

A chill had appeared in Sang Han-cheon’s eyes.

 

‘Fist Demon! Enjoy your current prestige to your heart’s content. Your end isn’t far away.’

 

He had never for a single moment forgotten or neglected Dam-ho. He was just waiting patiently because now wasn’t the time.

 

***

 

Dam-ho raised his head.

 

The sun hung over the western mountains, and before he knew it, the surroundings were growing dim. There was no point in driving Black Ghost any further.

 

Dam-ho found a suitable place and prepared to camp out.

 

By the time he gathered branches, darkness had arrived in an instant. But Dam-ho didn’t panic and lit the wood with Samadhi True Fire.

 

Crackle! Crackle!

 

As the branches burned, the area became brightly lit. Dam-ho sat facing the campfire. The firelight cast deep shadows on his face.

 

The flickering firelight made Dam-ho think many thoughts. He recalled his master Master Hyeon-so and other acquaintances. Among them were Jong Ri-yeon and Bang Jin-bo.

 

Just the fact that he had a place to return to in this wide world and people waiting for him made his heart feel abundant. That’s why he wasn’t lonely.

 

It was when Dam-ho was spending time alone like this.

 

“It’s that way. I see firelight.”

 

“Let’s go quickly.”

 

Suddenly commotion arose from beyond the darkness.

 

As noisy voices cut through the darkness, soon numerous footsteps and the sound of cart wheels rolling dug into Dam-ho’s ears.

 

Dam-ho raised his head with an indifferent expression. Instantly, a group of dozens appeared from the darkness. Dust piled on people’s shoulders as if they’d come a long way, carts loaded with cargo, and a large flag fluttering on the carts caught his eye.

 

On the flag, four characters reading “Azure Sky Escort Agency” were written in golden embroidery.

 

Azure Sky Escort Agency was one of the largest escort agencies counted in the world. If ranking the ten great escort agencies of the Central Plains, it was large enough to definitely be included. Even forest bandits would give way if it was Azure Sky Escort Agency, so many merchant groups dealt with them because their military power was also formidable.

 

Then a middle-aged man walked out from among the Azure Sky Escort Agency escorts. He had a square jaw, tightly pressed lips, and sharp eyes that shone in the firelight.

 

He approached Dam-ho and cupped his fists.

 

“This one is called Nam woo-saeng, the head escort of Azure Sky Escort Agency. Time was unexpectedly delayed so we have no choice but to camp out. Would you share your spot and fire with us? We’ll pay for it.”

 

“Do as you please.”

 

“Thank you. You heard. Quickly build campfires and prepare to camp out.”

 

As soon as Dam-ho’s permission fell, the escorts and porters moved busily. The escorts were very accustomed to such camping, gathering cargo carts in one place then tending to the horses. Meanwhile, the porters prepared to camp.

 

They obtained fire from Dam-ho’s campfire to light fires and prepared meals. The series of processes was accomplished in an instant. The clearing that had been desolate quickly became warm with people’s presence, filled with the fragrant smell of food.

 

Dam-ho watched such people silently. Though people were moving busily right before his nose, it had nothing to do with him.

 

“Hey, set up watch over there.”

 

“Porters, check the cargo one more time.”

 

Head escort Nam Woo-saeng directed his party without rest for a moment. Under his direction, Azure Sky Escort Agency finished preparing to camp.

 

“Phew!”

 

Only then could Nam Woo-saeng breathe a sigh of relief.

 

If they hadn’t found their way by seeing Dam-ho’s firelight, they would be wandering in the middle of the wilderness right now. Though they were very accustomed to camping, establishing camp without even a spark wasn’t easy at all. So he was grateful to Dam-ho who had set up camp first.

 

He approached Dam-ho once more.

 

Despite the noisy surroundings, Dam-ho sat in place without moving an inch. But he felt a strange sense of incongruity. Though Dam-ho was clearly warming himself by the campfire, he felt as if the firelight was being distorted around Dam-ho.

 

It was as if the firelight was rejecting Dam-ho.

 

‘What?’

 

Nam Woo-saeng’s eyes widened. Because it was an impossible occurrence.

 

“Mm!”

 

A groan naturally flowed from his mouth. Only then did he realize Dam-ho wasn’t an ordinary person.

 

‘Come to think of it, in this age of chaos, if he’s someone who wanders the wilderness alone, he couldn’t be ordinary.’

 

After organizing his thoughts, he once more expressed his gratitude politely to Dam-ho.

 

“I thank you for your help, great hero. I’d like to repay you, so could you tell me your esteemed name?”

 

“……”

 

“Great hero!”

 

When Dam-ho didn’t answer, Nam Woo-saeng called politely once more. Only then did Dam-ho raise his head to look up at Nam U-saeng.

 

The moment their eyes met, Nam Woo-saeng’s body trembled involuntarily.

 

‘Wh-what eyes…?’

 

The moment he saw Dam-ho’s eyes flickering darkly in the firelight, his heart felt like it was dropping.

 

Nam Woo-saeng had spent his whole life weathering hardships in the escort agency. Accordingly, he had experienced all sorts of things and met countless people. Among them were many masters whose names echoed throughout the martial world. But none had eyes that evoked as chilling a fear as Dam-ho’s.

 

His palms became soaked with sweat without him knowing. His body felt fear and reacted before his mind.

 

At that moment Dam-ho opened his mouth.

 

“I don’t need gratitude, so go back.”

 

“Ah, understood. Then…”

 

Nam Woo-saeng hurriedly returned to the Azure Sky Escort Agency group with his answer. His complexion was pallid.

 

“Head escort, are you alright?”

 

“Your complexion isn’t good. Did something happen?”

 

“Did that fellow offend the head escort? I’ll go to that fellow…”

 

When one hot-tempered escort rolled up his sleeves as if to rush at Dam-ho, Nam Woo-saeng hurriedly stopped him.

 

“No. Stop it.”

 

“But head escort!”

 

“Didn’t you hear me? Didn’t I say it’s nothing? Before my permission falls, no one is to loiter near that person. Tell the porters my words firmly too. Understand?”

 

“Ah, understood.”

 

The goosebumps that had risen on his shoulders still hadn’t subsided.

 

Nam Woo-saeng looked at Dam-ho with fear-filled eyes.