Chapter 178
Chapter 178
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: Time Brings New Connections (3)
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Damho changed into new clothes.
A black leather top and pants, along with a leather cloak that covered his upper body and knees. Damho's appearance evoked the image of a massive black panther.
"It suits you well."
Jong Li-yeon let out an admiring exclamation as she looked at Damho.
Just as the tailor had boasted, it was truly a handsome outfit. And it fit Damho perfectly.
Damho nodded.
The style was secondary; what he liked was the comfort. There was no restriction in his joint movements.
Damho looked at Jong Li-yeon.
"Thanks. I'll wear it well."
"That's all I wanted."
Jong Li-yeon smiled.
The two mounted their horses. It was time to leave Shinyang.
Jong Li-yeon asked,
"You haven't forgotten our promise? To escort me all the way to Yeo River."
"Of course!"
Damho nodded.
He wanted to see Immortal Hyeon So as soon as possible. But he couldn't break a promise he'd already made. Besides, heading to Shaanxi Province where Mount Hua was located meant passing through Yeo River anyway.
"Who's at Yeo River?"
"People who need a physician's help."
"I see."
"Someone who's been watching only me for a long time."
"No matter how skilled a physician you are, you can't save everyone."
"I know that. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't make any effort. I have to do what I can."
Jong Li-yeon smiled.
She had agonized all night.
She didn't have a steadfast heart like Damho's that never wavered. She lacked the confidence for it.
But she intended to do her best.
If even her best wasn't enough, then it was beyond her reach. That was the conclusion she'd reached.
Damho nodded at her resolute words.
"Got it."
"Let's go!"
She spurred her horse ahead first.
Damho mounted Black Ghost and followed behind her.
The two left Shinyang and headed north.
In the distance, the majestic silhouette of Daebyeol Mountain came into view. It was the famously beautiful Daebyeol Mountain. Even from afar, its stunning beauty was evident.
"It's a shame. I really wanted to visit Daebyeol Mountain."
Worried about pursuit from the Murim Alliance, she had stayed in nearby Nammanho but never once gone. Jong Li-yeon felt a pang of regret.
Damho silently gazed at Daebyeol Mountain.
Having spent his childhood at Mount Hua, its beauty didn't stir much emotion in him.
In such contrasting atmospheres, the two rode on for a while.
The horse Jong Li-yeon rode wasn't a supreme steed like Black Ghost, but its stamina was exceptional. Even after a long ride, it showed no signs of fatigue. Thanks to that, they covered a considerable distance shortly after leaving Shinyang.
"Whew! How about we rest here for a bit?"
Jong Li-yeon wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.
"Sure."
It was about time to rest anyway. Black Ghost and her horse needed a break too.
Damho looked around.
There was a suitable clearing near a small stream. In the center was a large, flat rock perfect for a short rest.
"Let's rest there."
"Yes!"
The two sat on the rock together.
Jong Li-yeon rummaged through her bundle and pulled out two small rice balls wrapped in lotus leaves. She had prepared them before leaving the inn.
She handed one to Damho.
"Eat up. It's hastily made, but still edible."
Damho nodded and took the rice ball.
The rice ball Jong Li-yeon made was quite tasty. Though rough in appearance, it contained plenty of ingredients, making it a sufficient meal.
As Damho ate, he thought of Bang Jin-bo.
If Bang Jin-bo had been traveling with him, they surely would have had a hearty meal here. He missed those days, but not regretfully.
He had realized it clearly while fighting the Demonic Cult warriors at Paewangchae. Continuing with Bang Jin-bo would put him in danger.
Like it or not, Damho was at the center of a bloody vortex. Traveling with him would drag Bang Jin-bo into it too.
At Paewangchae, Bang Jin-bo could enjoy cooking to his heart's content, and Damho could support him in opening a restaurant under his own name.
Damho believed that was the best for Bang Jin-bo.
Jong Li-yeon quietly watched Damho's profile as he ate the rice ball. His strong jawline and deeply set eyes.
His face hadn't changed from before. But Jong Li-yeon felt something had shifted.
It was then, as the two ate their rice balls in silence.
"We're resting here for a bit."
"Yes!"
Sudden voices rang out noisily. Looking up, they saw over a dozen carriages and dozens of people.
A flag on the carriage roofs bore the bold characters for Morning Fire Merchant Troupe.
Jong Li-yeon murmured upon seeing the flag.
"Morning Fire Merchant Troupe?"
"You know them?"
"Of course. They're the world's greatest merchant group. When discussing the world's commerce, they're always at the center. Their vast wealth is said to span the entire realm."
"The world's greatest..."
"No one knows how much wealth they've accumulated over the past few decades. But if they wanted, they could buy up all of Henan Province. That's how immense their fortune is."
The owner of Morning Fire Merchant Troupe was Won Hoe-sang.
Won Hoe-sang's nickname was Myriad Gold Insect.
He had a ghostly talent for sniffing out money, and he never shied away from any perilous place if profit was involved—that was how he earned the moniker.
Morning Fire Merchant Troupe even operated its own escort agency, Morning Fire Escort Bureau, which was said to be filled with formidable experts. Even the boldest bandits avoided tangling with them.
"Guests already here."
Someone from the merchant troupe stepped forward.
He appeared to be in his late thirties. He exuded the air of a scholar rather than a warrior. But that was merely surface-level.
His name was Yun Sa-il, the outer hall master of Morning Fire Merchant Troupe, and an exceptional martial artist known as Poison Heart Asura.
Though the outer hall master, he rarely joined merchant caravans personally. His presence signaled the utmost importance of this journey.
Yun Sa-il rode over to Damho and Jong Li-yeon.
"I am Yun Sa-il, outer hall master of Morning Fire Merchant Troupe. I apologize for intruding on you early arrivals. However, with no other suitable resting spot nearby, may we join you? I hope you'll graciously accept these uninvited guests."
Yun Sa-il's words were exceedingly polite.
Courteous, yet not servile.
Damho silently nodded in permission.
"Thank you!"
Yun Sa-il bowed and returned to his group.
"Everyone, rest here and partake of your rations and water as needed."
"Yes!"
The warriors and merchants of Morning Fire dismounted. With so many people, it could have been chaotic, but they were remarkably disciplined, with no one chattering idly.
Even in small groups eating their rations, the Morning Fire members never appeared disorderly.
They resembled soldiers more than merchants or warriors.
Watching this, Jong Li-yeon exclaimed in admiration.
"I've heard Morning Fire is incredibly strict with discipline and never harms others—looks like it's true."
They didn't even approach, allowing Damho and Jong Li-yeon to eat quietly. To her, it seemed the epitome of propriety.
Damho's eyes narrowed.
Yun Sa-il inspected whether his warriors and merchants were eating properly, then approached the largest carriage.
Unlike the others, its exterior was finished with luxurious materials and adorned with ornate patterns.
Anyone could tell an important figure rode inside.
"Miss."
Yun Sa-il cautiously called to the person inside. Moments later, the carriage door opened, and he entered.
By the time Damho and Jong Li-yeon had nearly finished their rice balls, Yun Sa-il emerged.
He headed straight for them.
"Our master wishes to meet you both. Would you mind joining her briefly?"
At the unexpected invitation, Jong Li-yeon glanced at Damho. If he refused, she had no intention of going.
She expected him to decline. But Damho's response exceeded her expectations.
"Very well."
Damho headed toward the carriage.
"Let's go together."
Jong Li-yeon hurried after him.
The carriage interior, following Yun Sa-il, was exceedingly lavish. A large couch covered in red silk cushions dominated the space, and atop it, a woman in her prime was having a maid manicure her nails.
The woman in splendid silk robes wore a veil over her face, obscuring her features. But her eyes, visible above it, brimmed with seductive allure.
Yun Sa-il bowed to the woman.
"I've brought them, Miss."
"Wait outside."
"Understood."
Yun Sa-il and the maid withdrew carefully. Only then did the woman look up at Damho and Jong Li-yeon.
"I'm sorry for summoning you so abruptly. I am Won Seol-hwa of Morning Fire Merchant Troupe. Having spent days cooped up in this carriage without seeing outsiders, I took the liberty of inviting you for some conversation."
"So you're..."
"Yes. Won Hoe-sang, the great hero and master of Morning Fire, is my father."
"I knew it!"
"You recognize me?"
"Who in the world doesn't know Hero Won and his daughter?"
"Is that so? You know me, yet I don't even know your names. Won't you give me the chance to learn them?"
"My name is Jong Li-yeon."
"Ah!"
An involuntary gasp escaped Won Seol-hwa's lips.
"You know me too?"
"How could I not know Divine Physician Jong Li-yeon? I never imagined my chance guests would be such luminaries. Pleased to meet you, Jong Li-yeon. Or should I say Divine Physician?"
"Call me as you like."
"Then Jong Li-yeon it is."
Won Seol-hwa's seductive eyes curved into a smile.
Her gaze now turned to Damho.
"And you, young hero?"
"He's traveling with me due to a personal connection. He's quite taciturn, so please understand if he doesn't speak much."
Jong Li-yeon answered first.
She knew better than anyone the weight and terror carried by the name Damho.
No need to stir trouble by revealing it—that was her thinking.
As if reading her mind, Damho said nothing.
Won Seol-hwa nodded.
"The world is full of countless people and just as many stories. I understand."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Not at all! But first, I must remove this stifling veil."
Won Seol-hwa removed her face veil. Her stunning visage emerged, making the carriage interior seem to brighten instantly—an illusion, perhaps.
Elegance flowed from her features, her rose-red lips vivid. Her snow-white skin contrasted with black eyes subtly gleaming with allure.
She was a beauty to tempt any man.
Jong Li-yeon admired her loveliness.
"You're beautiful."
"You're one to talk, Jong Li-yeon."
The two women complimented each other, while Damho watched silently.