Chapter 334 – Fear Ruling Over Fear (3)

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The faces of Zun-yi County’s people peering through window cracks at West Alley showed the light of fear.

 

The sight visible through the door crack was so horrific that people were afraid to see it even in nightmares. Likely, since the place name Zun-yi came into existence, such a terrible disaster had never occurred before.

 

A thick smell of blood was drifting in through the open door cracks.

 

“Heave!”

 

“Ho-how is this possible?”

 

People retched at the acrid, bloody stench that pierced their noses, and tears flowed.

 

The streets were completely covered with black corpses and the wounded. They were martial artists from Black Martial Hall who had annihilated the White Merchant House and seized control of Zun-yi County just a day before.

 

“Ugh!”

 

“P-please save me!”

 

Those still breathing looked up at Dam-ho with faces covered in blood. Their eyes were filled with fear.

 

When Pavilion Master Cho Gwan died, what they chose was to flee.

 

They couldn’t dare resist.

 

The moment they opposed, they died.

 

That single thought filled their minds. No other thought emerged.

 

Only fleeing was the way to survive. So they fled with all their might.

 

But Dam-ho, the monster the world called the Fist Demon, didn’t allow them to flee.

 

He chased the fleeing Black Martial Hall martial artists and killed them one by one.

 

Despite limping on one leg, he was incredibly fast. They fled at full speed, but Dam-ho caught up with ease and wielded his terrible fist.

 

Each time he swung his fist, one person invariably fell. Resistance was utterly impossible.

 

Some died, some suffered severe injuries.

 

The Black Martial Hall martial artists didn’t know what determined the difference. In fact, they didn’t want to know. They were merely grateful to have saved their lives at this moment.

 

“Krek!”

 

“Hraaaaah!”

 

Weeping burst forth from among the survivors.

 

Martial artists who valued pride more than life shouldn’t shed tears in front of everyone. Yet none of those shedding tears here felt shame.

 

They were merely grateful to be alive.

 

No hatred toward Dam-ho arose.

 

The overwhelming fear had completely shattered their self-esteem, their pride, and their spirits.

 

A martial artist with a broken sword could make a comeback. But a martial artist whose spirit was broken could never rise again.

 

It was as good as receiving a death sentence as a martial artist. This was the punishment Dam-ho had inflicted on the surviving Black Martial Hall martial artists.

 

Dam-ho stood among those who had barely saved their lives.

 

His newly purchased black martial robe and long cloak were stained red with people’s blood. His appearance, completely dyed red with blood, was something people feared to see even in dreams.

 

At that moment, Dam-ho opened his mouth.

 

“I’m not interested in how you live.”

 

“Ugh!”

 

“It doesn’t matter if martial artists fight among themselves. You can join hands with the Demon Cult or oppose them. I have no great expectations of you anyway.”

 

Dam-ho paused for a moment.

 

Everyone held their breath and stared at Dam-ho’s face.

 

The fallen Black Martial Hall martial artists, the people peeking through window cracks, all opened their eyes wide, waiting for Dam-ho’s next words.

 

When everyone’s tension reached its peak, Dam-ho continued speaking.

 

“But keep the line. Live within the martial world. Don’t cross that line further. I won’t tolerate it.”

 

“Ugh!”

 

It was a mad proclamation that could be dismissed as the raving of a madman. But no one in this place could laugh at Dam-ho’s words.

 

The one uttering such mad proclamations before them possessed sufficient power and qualifications to do so.

 

The weight and presence pressing on the chest were different. So not even breathing loudly was permitted.

 

Having said everything, Dam-ho turned and walked away.

 

“Hwaaaaah!”

 

“Krek!”

 

Only then did long-suppressed tears and sighs burst forth from all around. Those who had barely survived trembled while weeping. Everyone in Zun-yi County witnessed their appearance.

 

“Here…”

 

As Dam-ho approached the inn, the innkeeper, who had been holding Black Ghost’s reins, offered a bundled cloth containing provisions. Though Dam-ho’s appearance, soaked in blood, was frightening enough, there wasn’t a trace of such feeling on the innkeeper’s face. Rather, he looked at Dam-ho with admiring eyes.

 

To martial artists, Dam-ho might have been a living catastrophe. But to an ordinary person like the innkeeper, Dam-ho was a hero.

 

In this world, it was commonplace for martial artists to commit tyranny. Those without power could only endure everything silently and bear it, thinking it was fate.

 

No martial artists had stepped forward for their sake. Though they spoke of righteousness and proclaimed they should maintain order.

 

In fact, when the woman had been sexually assaulted by Black Martial Hall martial artists that morning, there were martial artists with training in the inn. But they cowardly didn’t step forward.

 

The reason was that good was good, and they didn’t want to make enemies of fellow martial artists.

 

When no one stepped forward, the only one who did was Dam-ho.

 

He was merciless and showed no hesitation. His cruel methods made clear why the nickname “Fist Demon” had been attached to him.

 

Many had died cruelly at his hands. Yet the innkeeper didn’t think Dam-ho was frightening because of what Dam-ho had said about “the line.”

 

Dam-ho strictly kept the line.

 

He showed killing intent only toward martial artists and harmed no one else.

 

Knowing this fact, the innkeeper didn’t fear Dam-ho. Rather, he looked at him with admiring eyes.

 

‘I too will become a martial artist like that mister.’

 

The innkeeper made this vow repeatedly.

 

Dam-ho received the reins and provisions from the innkeeper.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“No, no.”

 

The innkeeper shook his head firmly. His face was flushed red.

 

Dam-ho loaded the provisions on Black Ghost’s back and mounted. The innkeeper bowed toward Dam-ho’s receding back and said:

 

“Thank you.”

 

The Fist Demon.

 

Rumors about the one who ruled fear with fear started in West Alley and spread to Zun-yi County and then throughout all of Guizhou Province.

 

***

 

Crazy Dragon Stronghold was one of the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds, located in Nine Flower Mountain in southern Fujian Province.

 

While most of the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds were positioned in the heart of the Central Plains, Crazy Dragon Stronghold was isolated in a remote location. Because of this, interactions with other Eighteen Strongholds were extremely limited, and it followed its own independent path.

 

The master of Crazy Dragon Stronghold was Ko Cheon-ryul. His nickname was precisely Crazy Dragon. The name Crazy Dragon Stronghold came from his nickname.

 

Ko Cheon-ryul was forty-two years old this year. As both a man and a martial artist, he was in his prime. His height exceeded six chi, and his facial features were so fierce they brought tigers to mind. His piercing gaze made few dare meet his eyes. Added to this, the Bloody Wheel Saber Method he had learned from an eccentric he met as a child had reached its peak, emanating an imposing tyrannical atmosphere.

 

Among the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds, there was not uncommon talk that Ko Cheon-ryul would become the next grand stronghold master.

 

Though the current grand stronghold master Hwang Gyeong-mun was still active, he was already elderly. His authority as grand stronghold master remained, but it wouldn’t be strange if he deteriorated at any time.

 

Because of this, various talk surrounded the succession.

 

Ko Cheon-ryul hadn’t openly expressed it, but he was one of those eyeing the successor position. In fact, he believed his chances of becoming grand stronghold master were quite high.

 

Three years ago, his potential competitors had largely died due to a rebellion incident.

 

“Hehe! Though Muk Il-gwang’s martial arts are impressive, he’s still just a youngster. In terms of both experience and martial arts, I’m a level above.”

 

“That’s true. Naturally, the stronghold master should lead all the bandits.”

 

Vice Stronghold Master Yeo Sang-moon played up to him. At that, Ko Cheon-ryul burst into hearty laughter.

 

“Krahahaha! Vice Stronghold Master indeed knows what he’s talking about.”

 

“If I don’t know, who would? I’ll assist you diligently at your side until you become grand stronghold master.”

 

“That’s right! Once I become grand stronghold master, you’ll become the stronghold master of Crazy Dragon Stronghold. So work hard.”

 

“I’ll dedicate myself body and soul.”

 

“Hehehehe!”

 

Ko Cheon-ryul smiled pleasantly. Beside him sat two beautiful women. They were women kidnapped from merchant groups passing through Nine Flower Mountain.

 

Crazy Dragon Stronghold had over a dozen more such women. They all had become Ko Cheon-ryul’s playthings.

 

If Grand Stronghold Master Hwang Gyeong-mun had known, he would certainly have raged. But Crazy Dragon Stronghold and Overlord Stronghold where Grand Stronghold Master Hwang Gyeong-mun resided were over a thousand li apart. There was no way for Hwang Gyeong-mun to know what happened here.

 

“That old man won’t live much longer anyway. Hehe!”

 

“That’s right. He should have retired long ago.”

 

“Banditry means plundering freely, enjoying, and drinking. If we had to follow strict laws and codes, why become bandits at all?”

 

“Absolutely.”

 

It was when Vice Stronghold Master Yeo Sang-moon was playing up to him by agreeing.

 

BOOOOOM!

 

Suddenly a ferocious wind swept through, and the sky covering Nine Flower Mountain darkened.

 

“What’s this?”

 

Ko Cheon-ryul lazily looked up at the sky. The clear sky was now covered by pitch-black clouds, darkened as if night had fallen. And there was a cold wind blowing up from the mountain below. Something felt wrong.

 

“What’s this?”

 

“Kyaaaak!”

 

Ko Cheon-ryul pushed away the women clinging to his sides and stood up.

 

His entire body was covered with goosebumps, and his shoulders trembled with minor seizures.

 

His body was reacting instinctively to an inexplicable sense of crisis.

 

His drunkenness cleared instantly.

 

He was a master of martial arts. And a powerful master at that, one ambitious enough to aim for the grand stronghold master position of the Eighteen Bandit Strongholds. Though he hadn’t reached the absolute mastery realm, his martial prowess was strong enough not to fall behind the elders of prestigious orthodox sects. It was inconceivable that such a master would feel a crisis for no reason.

 

“What’s wrong? Stronghold Master?”

 

“Gather all the men.”

 

“Sir?”

 

“Dammit! Gather them right now. Didn’t you hear me?”

 

“Ah, understood.”

 

When Ko Cheon-ryul became fierce, Vice Stronghold Master Yeo, noticing the sudden change in atmosphere, hurriedly rushed to where the subordinates were staying.

 

“Dammit! What is this?”

 

Ko Cheon-ryul grabbed a large saber hanging on the wall.

 

The blade was as wide as an average woman’s waist, a massive giant cleaver. With the giant cleaver in hand, he stared down the mountain.

 

Shortly after, fully armed bandits gathered around him.

 

“What’s the matter? Stronghold Master?”

 

“What are you staring at?”

 

Confused bandits who still hadn’t grasped the situation murmured. Suddenly, Ko Cheon-ryul let out a lion’s roar.

 

“Get your weapons, you bastards!”

 

Booooom!

 

His lion’s roar echoed and resonated through Nine Flower Mountain. Understanding the situation, the bandits drew their weapons.

 

They had never seen Ko Cheon-ryul so tense before.

 

Then it happened.

 

Whooooosh!

 

Suddenly the air in the area began thrashing madly.

 

The robes of Ko Cheon-ryul and the bandits fluttered incessantly.

 

At that moment, Ko Cheon-ryul shouted:

 

“He comes.”

 

All eyes focused where Ko Cheon-ryul was looking. The bandits’ eyes widened greatly.

 

“Ah!”

 

“What?”

 

Massive darkness was surging up from below the mountain.

 

Like a giant hungry beast devouring its prey, the darkness was consuming light and growing in size. At the center was a single man.

 

A man who appeared entirely black, as if all the world’s darkness was concentrated in him. He was bringing darkness with him.

 

They swore they had never once seen such a sight. In fact, they had never even imagined it.

 

Their mouths fell open from overwhelming, unbearable fear that assaulted their minds, and drool dripped down.

 

Ko Cheon-ryul gnashed his teeth and shouted:

 

“Who are you?”

 

Suddenly the darkness swelled greatly and an answer came back:

 

“I am the Sovereign of Ten Thousand Demons.”