Chapter 331 – The Tree Wants to Stand Still but the Wind Never Stops Shaking (3)

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Dam-ho left the campsite early in the morning. It was before the Azure Sky Escort Agency martial artists had even awakened.

 

Half a day after leaving the campsite, a large town came into view. It was Zun-yi County.

 

Zun-yi County was located in the northern part of Guizhou Province and was a fairly large county. It perfectly preserved beautiful scenery characterized by layered mountain peaks, treacherous rocks, verdant forests and bamboo, clear water and red earth.

 

Zun-yi County was especially famous for alcohol. The Maotai wine produced here was counted among the world’s finest liquors. Therefore, many merchants came to Zun-yi County seeking Maotai wine. But obtaining Maotai wine was never an easy task.

 

All Maotai wine produced in Zun-yi County was managed by the White Merchant House. The White Merchant House tightly controlled the supply, maintaining Maotai wine’s price.

 

In reality, unless one had connections with the White Merchant House, obtaining Maotai wine was impossible. Based on Maotai wine, the White Merchant House firmly controlled Zun-yi County.

 

For those who loved alcohol, Zun-yi County was paradise itself. Accordingly, every tavern on the streets was filled with people enjoying wine.

 

Dam-ho had no interest in Maotai wine. What he needed now was simple food and clothing. The clothes he wore were torn like rags after countless battles.

 

Dam-ho entered the first inn he saw. Then the innkeeper greeted him.

 

“Welcome!”

 

“Do you have a room?”

 

“Will you be staying the night?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“We have a good room available. But since it’s a private room, it’s a bit expensive. Is that alright?”

 

“No problem.”

 

“Hehe! Please follow me.”

 

The innkeeper guided Dam-ho to a clean room.

 

It was an annex behind the inn, with a large well on one side.

 

Dam-ho gave the innkeeper generous money and ordered him to purchase suitable clothing for him. Then he undressed by the well.

 

Squish!

 

The clothes were stuck to his body with dried blood and wouldn’t come off easily. Scabs fell away and fresh blood emerged. Though it was painful, Dam-ho undressed without blinking an eye. Then a body covered with wounds was revealed.

 

Dam-ho’s body was covered with countless wounds. Ordinarily, such tremendous wounds would be enough to cause death dozens of times. The numerous overlapping wounds looked like armor.

 

Dam-ho drew water from the well and poured it over his head.

 

Splash!

 

Piercingly cold water flowed down his entire body. The dried bloodstains and dust were washed away.

 

Dam-ho poured water over himself several more times.

 

The bloodstains and dust were washed away, but the smell of blood embedded in his body couldn’t be erased.

 

“Phew!”

 

Dam-ho let out a quiet sigh and tried to put on clothes. But the clothes that had become like rags were too damaged to wear again.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Guest!”

 

The innkeeper came rushing in. He held black martial robes in his hands.

 

“Hehe! Fortunately, there was suitable clothing at a nearby clothes shop, so I got it right away. Upper and lower garments, and I also purchased a long robe since you seem to be traveling far.”

 

The innkeeper had discerning eyes. Dam-ho handed him an extra silver tael. The innkeeper’s mouth fell open.

 

“Thank you, guest! Hehe!”

 

It was far more money than the innkeeper could earn working for a month. He thanked Dam-ho repeatedly before leaving.

 

Dam-ho put on the clothes the innkeeper had brought.

 

The black martial robes fit like custom-made clothing. Adding the long robe, it felt sufficiently sturdy.

 

After dressing, Dam-ho went to the inn’s dining hall. The innkeeper had already prepared meals.

 

“Hehe! I prepared Maotai wine and simple side dishes in advance.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

No matter how much he was doing this for money, receiving such thorough preparation made Dam-ho feel good.

 

Dam-ho sat where the innkeeper guided him and had a glass of Maotai wine. His throat felt a pleasant and invigorating sensation.

 

Though Dam-ho didn’t particularly enjoy alcohol, at this moment he savored the Maotai wine. Wine drunk after crossing countless death lines seemed to invigorate his weary body and spirit.

 

He had drunk about three glasses when it happened.

 

“Um, there?”

 

“Fire!”

 

Suddenly the inn became noisy. People were murmuring while looking out the window. Dam-ho’s gaze naturally turned toward the window. Then he saw flames shooting up in the distance.

 

“Isn’t that where the White Merchant House’s warehouse is?”

 

“Yes! Right there!”

 

People murmured.

 

Most people here were natives of Zun-yi County. They knew exactly where the flames were coming from.

 

“Oh no! What on earth is this?”

 

“Isn’t the White Merchant House’s warehouse where Maotai wine is stored?”

 

“Yes! We should hurry and go put out the fire!”

 

People hurriedly stood up.

 

The people of Zun-yi and the White Merchant House were in a symbiotic relationship. If the White Merchant House collapsed, those suffering most would be the people of Zun-yi. Therefore, without exception, they tried to rush toward the White Merchant House’s warehouse.

 

That’s when several people burst into the inn shouting:

 

“Don’t go outside! It’s dangerous!”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

To those asking why, the man who had burst in caught his breath and answered:

 

“Martial artists from Black Martial Hall clashed at the White Merchant House. It’s a war zone now. If you wander around carelessly, you’ll get caught in the crossfire.”

 

“Martial artists clashed?”

 

“That’s right. It’s utter chaos at the White Merchant House now.”

 

“Ugh!”

 

At the man’s words, the inn’s guests let out sighs.

 

The White Merchant House was closely related to their livelihood, but was also a martial world sect. If it wasn’t a simple fire but a clash between martial sects, the best course was to stay away.

 

“What sect is colliding with the White Merchant House anyway? There’s no sect comparable to the White Merchant House in this area.”

 

“They say it’s Black Martial Hall.”

 

“Black Martial Hall?”

 

“Yes! They annihilated Golden Sand Sect, and now they’re targeting the White Merchant House. So don’t venture outside unnecessarily or you’ll meet misfortune.”

 

“Mm!”

 

At the man’s explanation, the guests’ faces turned rigid.

 

They had heard rumors about Black Martial Hall, but never expected them to clash with the White Merchant House.

 

“Ugh! What is the world coming to?”

 

“What does Black Martial Hall have confidence in to rampage like this?”

 

“Now that the Martial Alliance has collapsed, they have nothing to fear.”

 

Only the sighs of the inn’s guests echoed.

 

Dam-ho silently tilted his wine glass. The flames visible through the window grew fiercer with time.

 

Martial world sects clashing over control of a city wasn’t particularly uncommon. Most cities already had established prestigious sects. But in places like Guizhou Province without great established sects, such clashes were entirely unsurprising.

 

Therefore, Dam-ho paid them no attention. He wasn’t idle enough to get involved in such matters.

 

Returning to his room, Dam-ho lay on the bed to sleep. Fortunately, the high walls blocked most of the outside noise, allowing Dam-ho to rest well for the first time in a while.

 

Thanks to resting well on the soft bed all night, Dam-ho’s physical condition was very good.

 

When he came to the dining hall, the innkeeper seemed to recognize him.

 

“Did you sleep well?”

 

“Mm!”

 

“I’m glad. I couldn’t sleep a wink.”

 

“……”

 

“There was quite a commotion last night. With the sound of swords clashing nearby, how could one sleep? By the way, be careful when you leave today. It seems Black Martial Hall completely swallowed the White Merchant House last night. Now they’re patrolling the streets with martial artists, creating an atmosphere of fear in the name of maintaining Zun-yi’s order. You could face trouble if you’re not careful.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Then please sit and wait. I’ll bring the meal shortly.”

 

“Mm!”

 

The innkeeper quickly hurried to the kitchen.

 

Dam-ho sat by the window and looked outside. As the innkeeper said, martial artists in black clothes were spread all over the streets. They were Black Martial Hall’s martial artists. They glared at anyone passing by with fierce eyes.

 

People didn’t dare breathe loudly as they passed them, keeping their heads down.

 

Black Martial Hall’s martial artists exchanged lewd comments whenever women passed.

 

“Hehe! That woman is quite appetizing.”

 

“Look at that bottom. Lovely and round, exquisite!”

 

Their voices reached the women’s ears. The women’s faces reddened but they said nothing and hurried past them.

 

The world had changed overnight.

 

The White Merchant House, which had been Zun-yi’s sturdy shield, had fallen, and Black Martial Hall took its place. And Black Martial Hall was now freely enjoying the victor’s privileges.

 

The martial world was originally structured that way. The victor monopolized everything. With Golden Sand Sect and the White Merchant House fallen, no sect in Guizhou Province could oppose Black Martial Hall.

 

That meant Black Martial Hall could do anything without facing any checks. And a group without checks inevitably developed a tyrannical atmosphere. Just like Black Martial Hall now.

 

Naturally, trouble arose.

 

“Kyaaaak!”

 

Suddenly, a woman’s piercing scream echoed from an alley.

 

A woman was surrounded by three men and being harassed.

 

“Sob! Please let me go!”

 

“Hehe! No one’s going to eat you!”

 

“That’s right. We just want to talk.”

 

The men surrounding the woman were Black Martial Hall martial artists. They were harassing an exceptionally beautiful woman.

 

They had let other women pass, but this woman was impossible to let go. The woman was famous in Zun-yi County for her beauty. After the fierce battle last night, the excited men had lost their reason and descended upon her.

 

“Ah! Please let me go! I have a husband!”

 

“Damn! I have a wife too. So what? Will she wear out if you use her once? Besides, your husband won’t even know about this.”

 

“Hehe!”

 

An exceptionally large man grabbed the woman’s hair with his rough hands. And dragged her toward a nearby alley.

 

“Hehe! I’ll go first!”

 

“Then me.”

 

“Just keep watch and enjoy the show. Hehe!”

 

“Ahhh! Please help me!”

 

As the man dragged her away, the woman cried out desperately for help. But no one on the street gave her a second glance.

 

“Damn! Won’t you look away? I’ll pluck your eyes out!”

 

Black Martial Hall’s martial artists created an atmosphere of terror. No one dared oppose them.

 

“Ahhh! Please!”

 

Tears streamed from the woman’s eyes.

 

Tear!

 

The large man’s hands ripped her clothes, exposing her pale skin.

 

“Hehe!”

 

The man’s eyes were bloodshot. He grabbed the woman’s chest with his large hand and twisted it savagely. The woman screamed incessantly from shame and fear.

 

Most people passing by heard those screams. But they chose to ignore it. Their faces were filled with shame and helplessness.

 

They hated this reality where they couldn’t stop injustice even when seeing it. But they lacked the power to change reality.

 

Dam-ho witnessed all of this.

 

That’s when the innkeeper brought out the food.

 

“The meal is ready.”

 

Dam-ho stood from his seat.

 

“G-guest?”

 

“I’ll eat later.”

 

“What?”

 

The bewildered innkeeper could only blink in confusion.

 

Meanwhile, Dam-ho left the inn and headed toward the alley where the woman was being assaulted.

 

“Who are you? Get lost!”

 

“What? You a cripple?”

 

Black Martial Hall’s martial artists blocking the alley glared at him.

 

With already vicious faces, the fierce momentum they added made them look terrifying, something people would be afraid to see even in nightmares. It was an appearance that could frighten anyone passing through the streets. But the opponent was Dam-ho.

 

CRASH!

 

The moment a thunderous sound echoed through the street, one of the vicious-looking men’s head flew off intact.

 

“Wh-what? Damn!”

 

The colleague who belatedly realized the situation blinked in shock.

 

Grab!

 

“Kek!”

 

Dam-ho seized the other man’s throat. When Dam-ho lifted his hand, the man’s feet left the ground as he thrashed about.

 

“Ugh!”

 

As his breath was cut off, the man’s face turned bright red.

 

At the sudden commotion, the man in the alley about to rape the woman pulled up his pants and emerged. He looked alternately at his fallen colleague’s corpse and Dam-ho in shock.

 

“What? This bastard!”

 

He almost threw himself at Dam-ho in a rage. But he froze at the ominous energy flowing from Dam-ho’s entire body.

 

Though the excitement from last night’s fierce battle hadn’t faded enough to attempt rape, he was still a martial artist with training. He instantly realized Dam-ho was no ordinary opponent.

 

Instead of attacking Dam-ho, he brought a whistle to his mouth.

 

“Do you know who we are? We dare do this? We’re Black Martial Hall martial artists! If we die, our hall master will never let you go. If I blow this whistle, all the nearby sect members will come running and tear you to shreds!”

 

“Blow it.”

 

“Wh-what?”

 

“I said blow it. Let them all come like a pack of dogs.”

 

Crack!

 

In an instant, the man’s neck in Dam-ho’s grip snapped limply.

 

“Ugh!”

 

In that moment, the terror-stricken martial artist unconsciously blew the whistle with all his might.

 

Phiiiiiek!