Chapter 205
Chapter 205
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 205
Chapter Title: Even with a Tiger Right Before Their Eyes, They See a Cat (2)
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After a storm had passed, a brief peace settled over the Sakju branch. But no one believed it was true peace.
Right before a great storm hits, there's often an eerie calm. Most people thought this was that moment.
Unexpectedly, So Cheon-san—one of the Seven Great Demonic Experts known as Ten-Li Lifeless—had been slain by Damho. The Demonic Cult had taken a major blow as a result.
The Demonic Cult viewed the series of events with grave concern. They feared that any misstep could let the momentum slip from their grasp.
Key forces from the Demonic Cult began gathering at the ruins of the old Hang Mountain Sect. The cult was concentrating its power there.
Naturally, the Murim Alliance obtained the same intelligence. After several meetings, they too decided to dispatch their main forces to Sakju.
They requested cooperation from nearby sects and sent out the Five Elements Squad.
The Sakju branch was no longer just one of many fronts. It had become a key battlefield that could decide the fate of the martial world. Naturally, the eyes of countless martial artists turned there.
Not only the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families, but even unaffiliated martial artists made their way to Sakju. Overnight, the branch was swamped with people, and they scrambled to prepare lodging for all the warriors.
“Is that where the Fist Demon is?”
“He’s not coming out again today?”
The martial artists who had entered the Sakju branch whispered while staring at the annex.
No one in the branch was unaware that Damho was staying there.
People craned their necks around the annex, hoping for even a distant glimpse of Damho, the man at the center of all the rumors. But he never showed himself. This only amplified their curiosity.
Damho’s position in Sakju was highly ambiguous at present.
It was well known that the Murim Alliance had branded him a public enemy of the martial world. That had dealt a heavy blow to the Nangong family and tarnished the Alliance’s prestige.
Normally, that would make him a target for execution. But they couldn’t overlook the merits he had earned.
Without Damho, countless warriors at the Sakju branch would have been slaughtered by So Cheon-san. Those with strong internal energy might have somehow protected their heart meridians, but lesser experts would have been massacred.
By killing So Cheon-san, Damho hadn’t just minimized immediate losses—he had saved countless lives that might have been lost to him in the future.
That was where the problem arose.
From the Murim Alliance’s perspective, Damho was a thorn in their side. Yet many now began to defend him.
The Zhongnan Sect took that stance, and several other sects agreed. This put the Alliance in a difficult spot, and heated debates over Damho’s status were still raging in the branch’s inner sanctum.
The Plum Sword True Person of the Huashan Sect, Yeom Jung-hwa of the Zhongnan Sect, and other renowned elders of the martial world had gathered.
“Impossible. To lift the public enemy designation now? That would drag the Murim Alliance’s prestige through the dirt.”
“What’s the Alliance’s prestige worth? We should focus on how much help he can provide in the current situation. Imagine how reassuring it would be if he fought on our side.”
“If he’s helpful, does that mean we forgive a ruthless killer without blood or tears?”
“It’s true his methods are a bit excessive, but that doesn’t mean he killed without reason. From what I’ve heard, he rarely struck first.”
“Look at his brutal handiwork. Look at his tenacity. Do you really think someone like that will be grateful if we clear his name?”
“Then what do you suggest? Tell him to his face, ‘You’re a public enemy, so die here quietly’? Go ahead, try it. See how he reacts.”
“Urk!”
The room buzzed like a marketplace.
Countless voices were raised, making it impossible to conduct the meeting properly. But as time passed, those arguing to remove Damho’s public enemy status gained the upper hand.
The Plum Sword True Person’s expression grew increasingly distorted as he watched it all. He had remained silent until now.
It was ridiculous to step forward and insist on maintaining the designation, but withdrawing it now would bruise his pride.
He simply burned with inner rage.
Yeom Jung-hwa shot a sly smile at the silent Plum Sword True Person. The tide had already turned toward lifting Damho’s public enemy status. No amount of struggling from the true person could reverse it.
In the end, they decided to remove the noose of the public enemy label from Damho.
Given the circumstances, the greatest justification was to make maximum use of him.
Gong Son-jung, the Sakju branch chief, headed toward the annex.
As the branch chief, he was going to inform Damho of the meeting’s decision.
Tension was plain on Gong Son-jung’s face.
It was unavoidable. The new arrivals had only heard tales of Damho’s prowess, but he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
The decisive strike that ended So Cheon-san’s life. The overwhelming presence that dominated the battlefield.
That one man had completely turned the tide.
Gong Son-jung prided himself on having seen it all in his time, but he had never even imagined such a scene.
‘Why on earth did heaven grant such immense power to a demon like that?’
Gong Son-jung shook his head.
The annex was right in front of him now. Crowds still lingered out front, peering in. He saw expectation on their faces.
An anticipation and longing as if they were gazing upon the savior of the martial world.
‘No! That’s wrong. He’s no savior of the martial world. He might even bring its downfall.’
Gong Son-jung bit his lip hard. Blood seeped between his teeth, but he felt no pain.
At the annex’s main gate, he raised his voice.
“Dam Great Hero! I am Gong Son-jung, Sakju branch chief of the Murim Alliance.”
A moment later, Damho opened the door and stepped out. Gong Son-jung’s face stiffened instantly.
Just facing him made his body go rigid, cold sweat trickling down his back.
Damho stared straight at Gong Son-jung.
The gaze, devoid of any emotion, terrified him even more.
“What is it?”
“I’ve come to inform you of a decision from the leadership meeting. You are no longer a public enemy of the martial world, Dam Great Hero.”
“A public enemy?”
“That’s right. The Murim Alliance has recognized your merits and made this decision.”
“…….”
“S-so please continue fighting against the Demonic Cult.”
“And if I won’t?”
“Pardon?”
“Why should I fight the Demonic Cult?”
“Isn’t the Demonic Cult the public enemy of the martial world? Naturally, we must unite our strength.”
“Using one demon to control another?”
“T-that’s…….”
Damho’s words struck home, leaving Gong Son-jung sweating without a word. His face flushed a pitiful red.
Use a demon to suppress another demon.
That was their ideal outcome. But Damho had no reason to play along.
“I don’t mind staying a public enemy.”
“Pardon?”
“So don’t think you can use me. If you want to, stake your life on it. Or attack me right now—I don’t care.”
“T-that’s…….”
Gong Son-jung stammered.
His mind went blank; no words came to him.
Then a saving voice rang out.
“Branch Chief.”
“Ah, Hae So-junior.”
The newcomer was Hae So-wol.
Relief washed over Gong Son-jung at her appearance. She had acted as branch chief in his absence, so they were quite close.
“I’ll speak with him, so please withdraw first, Branch Chief.”
“You will? Thank you! Hae So-junior.”
Gong Son-jung responded vigorously, as if he’d been waiting, then retreated.
Damho didn’t stop the departing Gong Son-jung. Instead, he turned to Hae So-wol. She gave a wry smile.
“Don’t push him too hard. He’s diligent in his own way about his duties.”
“You were here?”
“I came right after parting with the Murim Alliance. Somehow, I ended up staying on.”
“I see.”
“Oh! Congratulations on reuniting with your master. I met him once too—he seems like a wonderful person.”
“He is.”
“What are your plans now?”
“I’m leaving this place.”
“Heading to Huashan?”
“No!”
Damho shook his head.
He had even clashed with the Plum Sword True Person. Returning to Huashan under those circumstances was out of the question.
“Somewhere my master can rest peacefully.”
“That won’t be easy. You’ve already waded deep into the martial world. Its karmic ties are tenacious—once entangled, escape is no simple matter.”
Hae So-wol’s voice carried deep regret.
It felt like only a year since she’d entered the martial world, yet it seemed like a decade. The mental burden she carried was immense.
Deep down, she wanted to return to Haenam immediately. But too many things held her back.
Damho gazed at Hae So-wol in silence.
“I’m sorry. I brought it up and got lost in my own thoughts. Anyway, I trust you’ll handle it well. I’ll be going now. Please give my regards to Hyun So True Person.”
Hae So-wol hurried away from the annex.
Damho watched her retreating figure for a moment, then sat back down.
The air was hot.
It wasn’t just from the crowds. The battlefield atmosphere had heated it.
He knew well what this humid, sticky sensation meant.
As much hostility filled the air, that much blood would soak the earth. That many would die.
To Damho’s eyes, the place looked like a massive grave. His lack of emotion might stem from desensitization.
That was when it happened.
“Hoya!”
Hyun So True Person opened the door and stepped out.
Damho looked up at him.
“What deep thoughts are you lost in?”
“No thoughts at all.”
“Is that so?”
Hyun So True Person smiled and sat beside Damho. Shoulder to shoulder, he gazed ahead.
“Hoya!”
“Yes!”
“Thank you.”
“…….”
“Thank you for not forgetting this worthless master and finding me. And for staying alive and well.”
“Master.”
“As your master, I only cause you trouble.”
“Without you as my master, I wouldn’t be here now.”
“Thank you.”
Hyun So True Person reached out and placed his hand on Damho’s thick one. Warmth spread through it.
Over a decade had passed, but the warmth was unchanged.
“What do you plan to do now?”
“…….”
“I couldn’t help overhearing your talk with Hae So-junior. Are you really leaving?”
“Yes.”
“Because of me?”
“…….”
“Thank you. For thinking of this worthless master that way. That’s enough for me.”
Damho turned to look at Hyun So True Person’s face.
“Never…… let yourself be bound by me. Don’t sacrifice for my sake, or bow your head to anyone because of me. If I become a burden, I’d sooner end my own life. Live freely, you.”
“Master!”
“I believe in you.”
Hyun So True Person gripped Damho’s hand tighter. His bony knuckles felt rough now.
Damho nodded silently.