Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Chapter 5. The Wind Constantly Shakes the Branches of the Great Tree (2)
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Mount Huang boasted seventy-two peaks, two vast lakes, three massive waterfalls, and sixteen streams. Its scale was truly immense.
Among them, the most famous was Emerald Valley. Named for its jade-green waters, the valley lived up to its reputation with crystalline streams flowing endlessly in great torrents.
Dam Ho and his companions had entered a small village at the end of Emerald Valley. The village was modest, home to barely fifty households and around two hundred souls.
Even so, it had a modest inn sufficient for travelers to rest.
Dam Ho and the group decided to take a brief respite at this nameless little inn.
Upon arriving at Mount Huang, smiles bloomed on Hwang Hye-ryeong and Muk Il-gwang's faces.
Mount Huang loomed close by. This place was practically its front yard.
"Miss!"
The innkeeper greeted Hwang Hye-ryeong with a friendly smile.
At a glance, it seemed an ordinary inn, but the owner was connected to the Overlord Stronghold.
Such inns dotted the area around Mount Huang. They served as the eyes and ears of the Overlord Stronghold, reporting any suspicious strangers first.
The inn where Dam Ho and Hwang Hye-ryeong paused was one such place. Naturally, the innkeeper and Hwang Hye-ryeong were on familiar terms.
"Long time no see, Uncle."
"Haha! I heard you ran off again. Everything alright?"
"Who'd you hear that from?"
"It's all over the rumors around Mount Huang."
"Eek!"
Hwang Hye-ryeong pouted at the innkeeper's jest. Yet her face still radiated a smile.
"No trouble at the stronghold, right?"
"Haha! Of course not. Who'd dare touch the Overlord Stronghold? The Chieftain's in fine health—no need to worry."
"Is that so?"
"I heard the Chieftain's been fretting over you. Hurry on up."
"I will, if you treat us to a tasty lunch, Uncle."
"Haha! Whose order would I refuse? Of course I'll prepare it."
The innkeeper laughed heartily and headed to the kitchen.
Hwang Hye-ryeong leaned back in her chair, swinging her feet lightly. She exuded pure leisure.
Through the open window, the majestic Mount Huang came into view. Though clouds obscured the peak, it appeared vivid in her eyes.
She had lived here for nearly twenty years. She remembered every pebble, every blade of grass, with perfect clarity.
"Coming home feels so good."
Vitality overflowed in Hwang Hye-ryeong's voice.
Dam Ho listened to her while gazing out the window.
Jade-green waters reflected shards of light as they flowed proudly. That hue tinged his eyes as well.
With the Demonic Cult stepping forward openly, the world hurtled toward chaos.
The sects that had long upheld the martial world were arming for war—stockpiling supplies, recalling disciples from abroad. A pall of war hung over the entire realm.
This had made life far more arduous for the common folk. With martial artists on edge, a single misstep could invite disaster.
Given the situation, people shunned outsiders, and the streets grew desolate.
Even those gathered in small groups fretted over the martial world's future.
The horizon they saw was bleak, filled only with darkness.
On the journey here, Dam Ho had witnessed much and heard countless tales.
The martial world was in turmoil, steeped in disorder.
He observed it all with cold eyes. Yet it wasn't mere detachment.
That night, something within Dam Ho had shifted.
He couldn't pinpoint exactly what, but the change was undeniable.
This transformation left him slightly bewildered. Still, he etched one deep resolve into his heart.
'Even if fierce storms rage, a steadfast heart is enough. I will not waver in any wind.'
Only now did he feel ready to face True Person Hyeon So. After Mount Huang's affairs concluded, he planned to visit Mount Hua.
He wanted to speak with True Person Hyeon So.
About how he had lived thus far.
He wanted to ask.
About how he should live from here on.
And to share a drink with his master. Now, at last, he thought he understood why the old man had drunk so deeply.
"Hyung!"
Bang Jin-bo's voice snapped Dam Ho from his reverie.
"What is it?"
"Food's here. Try some."
"Alright."
Dam Ho nodded.
Bang Jin-bo watched him pick up his chopsticks, tilting his head.
"Why?"
"Oh, nothing. You just seem a bit different. Hehe! Must be my imagination."
Bang Jin-bo scratched his head with his signature grin.
Hwang Hye-ryeong chimed in from the side.
"Watching you, Jin-bo really seems to like big brother."
"Huh?"
"You're always so interested in his every move."
"R-Really?"
"Your face is turning red."
"Like a real little brother."
"Really?"
"Yeah!"
"Hehe!"
"That makes you so happy? Pfft!"
In the end, even Hwang Hye-ryeong burst into laughter.
It was then.
"What's so amusing?"
A stern voice suddenly echoed through the inn.
Hwang Hye-ryeong whipped her head around in surprise. The moment she saw the man at the door, a brilliant smile spread across her face like rippling waves.
"Daddy!"
"Tsk tsk! You little troublemaker."
The sixty-something elder clicking his tongue at her was none other than the Overlord Stronghold's Chieftain and pinnacle of the Eighteen Green Forest Strongholds—the Overlord Blade, Hwang Kyung-moon. Even in twilight years, his seven-foot frame radiated the solidity of a sheer cliff.
Hwang Kyung-moon spread his arms wide. Hwang Hye-ryeong fluttered into them like a butterfly.
"You rascal!"
"Daddy! What brings you here?"
"What do you mean? When the messenger said you'd arrived at the base but didn't come up after ages, I came to fetch you myself."
"Hehe!"
Hwang Kyung-moon ruffled her neatly coiffed hair with his large hand. Though it became tousled, her smile never faded.
The father-daughter reunion brought smiles to all onlookers. Except for one: Dam Ho.
His gaze deepened further.
'You're not Dam Ga-ryeong. You're Hwang Hye-ryeong.'
Only now could he fully accept it. Strangely, his heart felt at ease.
Hwang Kyung-moon's eyes turned to Dam Ho.
"And you are?"
"Oh! This is Fist Demon Dam Ho, big brother."
"Fist Demon?"
Hwang Kyung-moon's eyes flickered for a moment.
He didn't know the name Dam Ho, but the moniker Fist Demon was familiar—no, it would have been stranger if he didn't.
Dam Ho was that renowned in the martial world.
People regarded him as far beyond the Nine Dragons, not merely a latecomer but one of the realm's supreme masters.
Hwang Kyung-moon offered Dam Ho a clasped-hands salute.
"I didn't realize we had such a distinguished guest. I am Hwang Kyung-moon of the Green Forest."
"Dam Ho."
Dam Ho returned the gesture.
"Haha! Pleased to meet you. It's an honor to meet the famed hero Dam. You've safely brought my daughter home—what gratitude can match this grace?"
Hwang Kyung-moon laughed heartily, though his eyes gleamed sharply.
'Fist Demon indeed—well-deserved.'
One who ascends a high peak sees other peaks with ease.
The realm of Summit Pinnacle Mastery.
The Overlord Blade Hwang Kyung-moon's arts had reached the stage of standing atop a great summit, surveying all others.
In his eyes, Dam Ho stood upon another such peak—a mountain of solid granite.
That alone merited profound respect.
"I hope my daughter hasn't been a burden to Hero Dam."
"Daddy..."
Hwang Hye-ryeong shot him a glare.
Even that seemed endearing, as Hwang Kyung-moon erupted in open laughter—a doting father through and through.
"Come now, no lingering here. Let's head to the stronghold. I've got some fine liquor from last year—worth savoring."
Hwang Kyung-moon took Dam Ho's hand and pulled him along.
His demeanor was so unpretentious it belied his status as the Green Forest's absolute ruler. But Dam Ho understood.
It bespoke utter confidence in his own power. Only the strong could afford such ease.
Outside, dozens of bandit warriors awaited, escorting Hwang Kyung-moon.
"Miss!"
They lit up at the sight of Hwang Hye-ryeong, who greeted them with smiles.
"Uncle Song, Uncle Yoon—you're here too."
"Haha! We rushed over the moment we heard you were back, Miss."
The bandits chattered boisterously. Though noisy, Hwang Hye-ryeong responded to each with unwavering smiles.
It wasn't forced; her natural warmth shone through, revealing how dearly the stronghold folk cherished her.
Hwang Kyung-moon scowled at them and bellowed.
"What are you lot doing out here instead of at the stronghold? Some spectacle worth gawking at?"
"Aw, come on! Of course we'd come out for the Miss."
"Right you are, Chieftain. She's our daughter too. Don't hog her all to yourself."
The bandits jeered at Hwang Kyung-moon.
An unthinkable scene in any orthodox sect. But these were the free-spirited warriors of the Green Forest.
They bantered freely even with their overlord Chieftain, jests flowing without restraint. It suited them perfectly.
Hwang Kyung-moon tsked.
"Tch! You rotten lot!"
His words belied any displeasure.
"Come on, let's go. With a贵 guest here, we'll slaughter pigs and cattle too."
"Really?"
"You think I'd fool you? You rotten lot!"
"Woooah!"
Cheers erupted at Hwang Kyung-moon's shout.
"Feast! It's a feast!"
"Haven't gorged on meat in ages. What luck—the stingy Chieftain's throwing a bash."
The area filled with raucous voices in an instant.
A faint smile tugged at Hwang Kyung-moon's lips as he watched.
He'd been mulling a morale-boosting revelry anyway. His daughter's return provided the perfect excuse.
'Fill 'em up on meat, and they'll have the strength to fight.'
Hwang Kyung-moon set off toward the Mount Huang summit.
Then, an excited voice rang in his ear. Turning, he saw the chubby boy beside his daughter clutching his fists tight, mumbling.
"Meat, meat."
Tears glistened in Bang Jin-bo's eyes.