Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Dragons and Tigers Gather at the Lake (3)
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Hwang Hye-ryeong asked.
"You're Brother Jin-bo?"
"That's right."
"You two don't look anything alike."
"We're not blood-related, but it's as good as that."
"I see."
Hwang Hye-ryeong broke into a wide smile.
Dam Ho gazed at her quietly. It was definitely a face he'd never seen before, and though it was a smile, it didn't feel unfamiliar at all for some reason. That was what was strange.
"You said you're with the outlaws?"
"Yes!"
Hwang Hye-ryeong answered readily.
It was a secret that shouldn't be revealed to outsiders, but for some reason, she didn't want to hide it from Dam Ho.
"The Great Hero Hwang Kyung-moon, Chief of the Outlaws' Alliance, is my father."
"I see."
Dam Ho nodded.
He had no idea how impressive Hwang Kyung-moon was or what a big deal it was to be the Chief of the Outlaws' Alliance. Even if he did know, it wouldn't have mattered to him.
That was just the kind of person Dam Ho was.
He judged people by who they were, not by their background or status. That was why he could clash with Nangong Sega without hesitation.
Hwang Hye-ryeong was a little shocked by how nonchalant Dam Ho was even after learning her huge secret.
One could excuse Bang Jin-bo for his youth and ignorance of the world of murim, but it wasn't easy for a martial artist like Dam Ho.
"What brings the daughter of the Outlaws' Alliance Chief to a place like this?"
"I have a few things to look into."
"Like what?"
"It's a secret."
"I see."
"But I can tell you one thing. As you might have guessed, us outlaws are extremely sensitive to what's happening in murim."
"You're here because of the gathering at Lake Dongting."
"Exactly. They might discuss subjugating the outlaws, after all. That's one of the reasons I'm here. I can't tell you the rest, though. Sorry."
"No need to apologize. Secrets have to be kept."
"Thanks for understanding, big brother."
"......"
"Oh! Can I call you big brother?"
At Hwang Hye-ryeong's words, Dam Ho nodded silently.
Watching Dam Ho and Hwang Hye-ryeong converse, Bang Jin-bo was quite surprised.
The Dam Ho he knew didn't open up easily to anyone. His unique aura made it hard for anyone to approach him. Yet here he was, chatting casually with Hwang Hye-ryeong.
The same went for her. The only person she'd opened up to here was Eun So-cheong. She got along with Bang Jin-bo too, but that was thanks to his connection to Eun So-cheong and his great cooking.
The easy familiarity she showed Dam Ho now was incredibly surprising. At least, that's how Bang Jin-bo saw it.
This time, Hwang Hye-ryeong asked.
"Where's your hometown, big brother?"
"It's a small village near Mount Tai in Shaanxi Province. No name, not even on any maps."
"What's it like?"
"Just an ordinary village. Nothing special, nothing different. A plain rural place where the men farm rice paddies and the women tend fields, living day by day."
"An ordinary place... I want to live somewhere like that too. Life in the stronghold is so harsh."
Hwang Hye-ryeong looked up at the sky.
The blue sky stretched endlessly. It was a sight she saw every morning, but today it felt different somehow.
Hwang Hye-ryeong found it odd. She felt like if she stayed here longer, she'd get all sentimental.
She looked at Dam Ho.
The world called him the Fist Demon, or the Divine Blood Star.
Some called him a monster of the age, others a bloodthirsty beast.
All the rumors she'd heard were terrifying. But the Dam Ho she saw with her own eyes was quiet, not ferocious.
He was just a bit darker and quieter than most, not someone who flew into rages he couldn't control.
After gazing at Dam Ho for a moment, Hwang Hye-ryeong spoke.
"I should get going."
"Back to the stronghold?"
"Not yet. I still have things to do."
"Got it."
"If you ever need to find me... come to Baewang Stronghold. It's on Mount Huang in Anhui Province."
"Sure."
Dam Ho nodded.
Hwang Hye-ryeong stretched and stood up.
She spotted Muk Il-gwang in the distance.
"See you later, big brother."
Hwang Hye-ryeong left with her signature smile.
Dam Ho stared at the spot where she'd disappeared for a long while.
Bang Jin-bo looked at him with a puzzled gaze. The sight of Dam Ho right now was that unfamiliar.
"Hyung?"
"Hey, friend."
As Bang Jin-bo started to say something to Dam Ho, a familiar voice rang out. Bang Jin-bo recognized the owner immediately.
'Brother Yeon-un.'
Cho Yeon-un was walking over from among the crowd, waving his hand.
"I've been looking everywhere for you! You two having fun without me?"
True to form, Cho Yeon-un shouted loudly, heedless of the stares around them.
"Hyung! Quiet down a bit..."
Bang Jin-bo's face turned red. Cho Yeon-un then slung an arm around his shoulder.
"You cute little guy. Missed your hyung a lot, huh?"
"Lower your voice, please."
"Heh heh! I know. I missed you too."
Cho Yeon-un ruffled Bang Jin-bo's hair wildly.
"Eyy!"
Bang Jin-bo sighed.
Cho Yeon-un looked at Dam Ho and shook two bottles of liquor.
"The night's still young—how about a drink, friend?"
"......"
Not waiting for Dam Ho's reply, Cho Yeon-un plopped down beside him and handed him a bottle.
Dam Ho took it, and Cho Yeon-un held out his own bottle.
"Cheers."
Clink!
The two bottles clinked in the air.
Late at night, a large ship pulled into Eyang's docks. It was a horse-and-passenger transport vessel.
The gangplank lowered, and the passengers disembarked one by one.
"Land at last."
"Ugh, I'm dying."
Groans escaped from those stepping ashore after a long voyage, but smiles bloomed on their faces.
Greeted by Eyang's dazzling nightscape, the passengers hurried into the city's vibrant evening.
As most left the docks, the last passengers came ashore.
"We've finally arrived."
Stretching his stiff body, the muttering Daoist was Myeong-gyeong. Behind him stood Black Tortoise True Person, Han So-yu, and the others.
The Mount Hua Sect Daoists had finally entered Eyang. Relief lit their faces.
They'd met Myeong-gyeong midway, delaying their arrival.
Exhausted from the long sea journey, their minds were sharper than ever.
"Is this Eyang?"
Han So-yu was speechless before the glittering cityscape. Having spent her life on Mount Hua, this was a spectacle she'd never imagined.
The other Daoists felt the same. Their austere lives made the scene feel alien, leaving them subdued.
Myeong-gyeong was astonished too. Before becoming Sword Examination True Person's disciple, he'd been a lay disciple in rural Shaanxi—that was his whole world.
This glittering vista felt impossibly foreign. He wondered if people could even live here.
Black Tortoise True Person chuckled at his disciples' reactions.
"Ha ha! Shocked by this much? You'll see even greater sights ahead, so save your awe."
"Greater sights than this?"
"Not yet, but soon."
Black Tortoise True Person swallowed the words 'once the Murim Alliance forms...'. The disciples didn't know yet—only senior disciples like Myeong-gyeong and Han So-yu had some inkling.
As the Mount Hua disciples marveled at Eyang's lights, a middle-aged swordsman and a woman in light attire approached.
The swordsman clasped his hands in greeting to Black Tortoise True Person.
"Are you Black Tortoise True Person of Mount Hua Sect?"
"I am."
"I'm Oh Gun-ui of Haenam Sect."
"Ah! Elder Oh of Haenam Sect. This old Daoist is Black Tortoise of Mount Hua. Amitabha."
"Pleased to meet you. Tough journey on the main road."
"What hardship is that? But you came to greet us yourself?"
"Nangong Elder of Nangong Family was supposed to, but circumstances prevented it, so I came instead. Forgive me."
Oh Gun-ui apologized politely. Black Tortoise True Person waved it off.
"You're busier than two men could handle. I can imagine how packed your schedule is—how could I not understand? It's fine."
"Thank you for your gracious understanding."
Oh Gun-ui gave a wry smile.
Nangong Chang wasn't fit to go out yet.
He looked fine outwardly, but his mind was more unstable than ever. The mental blow from Dam Ho had shattered his spirit.
The problem was he couldn't confide in anyone. Bearing it alone made his instability worse.
'Who could've known such an absurd existence was lurking here?'
Mentioning Dam Ho was taboo for now, especially around Nangong Chang.
That was why Oh Gun-ui had come to escort the Mount Hua martial artists.
Mount Hua was one of the Nine Great Sects.
Having regained much of its former glory, its forces ranked high among them.
They would be vital to the Murim Alliance. He couldn't treat them lightly like the Five Great Sects of Hunan.
Oh Gun-ui asked.
"Have you arranged lodging?"
"Not yet."
"Perfect timing. Come with us, then."
"No need. We can find our own."
"It's already arranged. Plenty of space—no discomfort."
"Then we'll impose briefly. Amitabha!"
He couldn't refuse after that. Black Tortoise True Person accepted.
Black Tortoise True Person beckoned Han So-yu and Myeong-gyeong.
"Come greet Elder Oh."
"Han So-yu of Mount Hua Sect greets Elder Oh."
"Amitabha! I'm Myeong-gyeong, a minor Daoist."
Oh Gun-ui nodded at their greetings.
"Pleased to meet you. It's an honor to see Mount Hua's top prodigies."
Then Oh Gun-ui called the woman standing behind him, Hae So-wol.
"This is my master's direct disciple, Hae So-wol. Greet Black Tortoise True Person."
At his words, Hae So-wol stepped forward and bowed.
"Hae So-wol of Haenam Sect meets Mount Hua Sect's elder."
"Ha ha! Impressive presence. Pleased to meet you—Black Tortoise of Mount Hua."
"It's an honor."
"What honor in meeting an old Daoist? Since we're here, you young ones should get along."
At Black Tortoise True Person's words, Han So-yu and Myeong-gyeong greeted Hae So-wol.
"Nice to meet you, So-wol. Thrilled to see a fellow Nine Dragon."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Myeong-gyeong, So-wol."
Hae So-wol returned their courtesy.
"Pleased to meet you both. I'm Hae So-wol."
Amid the warm atmosphere, sharp glances exchanged.
Myeong-gyeong and Hae So-wol were both Nine Dragons members. This was their first time seeing each other.
Myeong-gyeong recalled Sword Examination True Person's charge.
'Subdue all Nine Dragons and show the world Mount Hua's sword is supreme.'
That was his true purpose in coming to Eyang.