Chapter 236
Chapter 236
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 236
Chapter Title: The Small Forest Where the Giant Hermit Dwells, Shaolin Temple (2)
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Dam Ho and the Shinhwa Merchant Troupe ascended Mount Song.
The first thing to greet them at Small West Peak was a massive mountain gate. In front of the gate stood dozens of monks in full alert, lined up in formation.
The foreheads of the monks holding ceremonial staffs and rods bore clear bluish precept scars. They were none other than the Shaolin Temple monks.
The monks glared fiercely, thoroughly inspecting everyone attempting to enter Shaolin. With the Sakju branch having just collapsed, their vigilance was at its peak.
Anyone even slightly suspicious couldn't pass through the gate and had to undergo isolated, strict interrogation. It was a measure to root out any potential demonic cult spies.
Their inspections continued without exception for anyone—but there was one: the Shinhwa Merchant Troupe.
"Yun Division Leader."
A middle-aged monk recognized and greeted Yun Sa-il.
"How have you been, Monk Yucheon?"
"It feels like a month since we last met, Yun Division Leader."
"That sounds about right. Your prayers seem even more devoted since then."
"Amitabha! You're too kind."
The monk called Yucheon gave a slight smile. It was a pleased expression.
"As promised last time, we've brought fifty carts loaded with grain and other essential supplies. Please inspect them."
"I trust you brought them properly, but as it's my duty, I'll check them roughly at least."
"Of course! We'll wait here."
Yun Sa-il kept the Shinhwa warriors away from the carts. Contrary to his words, Yucheon meticulously inspected the loads.
These were times when they needed to stockpile every bit of supplies. Any issue with them could jeopardize the lifeline of the countless warriors in Shaolin.
While he carefully checked the grain and other goods on the carts, the inspection of the Shinhwa warriors was somewhat lax. It was because they'd traded several times before and were familiar.
After verifying from Won Seol-hwa down to the lowest Shinhwa warriors, the last place Yucheon's steps led was where Dam Ho's group stood.
"And you donors?"
A strong light of wariness flashed across Yucheon's face.
The moment he recognized Dam Ho, a sharp bloody scent assaulted his nose. The potent smell, enough to make his mind reel, caused him to grip his staff tightly without realizing it. The other monks reacted the same.
Clang!
Yucheon aimed his staff at Dam Ho and shouted.
"Who are you, donor? How dare you reek of blood in the sacred grounds of Buddhism?"
"He..."
Yun Sa-il stepped forward to answer.
"Where is Gwang Hae?"
Dam Ho's chilling voice echoed through the mountain gate.
"How do you know Junior Monk Gwang Hae?"
"I've met him. Call him."
"First, reveal your identity. Even if you're with the Shinhwa Merchant Troupe, if it's unclear, no one will be summoned."
Yucheon raised his voice.
By now, dozens of monks had gathered around him, aiming staffs and rods at Dam Ho.
The warriors waiting to enter Shaolin watched the unexpected commotion from a distance.
Yucheon and the monks exuded an extraordinary aura, pressuring Dam Ho. He scanned each of their faces one by one.
Tremble!
The monks whose eyes met his shuddered. Dam Ho's indifferent gaze shook their souls from root to tip.
'What?'
'This one's definitely a grand demonic figure of the jianghu.'
Strength unconsciously entered their grips on staffs and rods, and a bead of sweat trickled down their spines.
It was a hair-trigger moment where a loud shout could spark an involuntary clash.
At that moment, Dam Ho spoke.
"My name is Dam Ho. Tell Gwang Hae I've come."
"Ah!"
"Fi-Fist Demon?"
Exclamations erupted here and there.
Yucheon's eyes widened.
"Are you truly Fist Demon Donor Dam?"
"Yes. He is Fist Demon Great Hero Dam. The Shinhwa Merchant Troupe guarantees it."
Yun Sa-il belatedly stepped up to confirm Dam Ho's identity. Only then did Yucheon and the monks lower their weapons aimed at him.
"Ah, Amitabha! Forgive us, Donor Dam."
Yucheon performed a ritual bow of apology. Dam Ho didn't reply, just stared indifferently. Unable to bear the gaze, Yucheon unwittingly bowed his head.
One of the monks hurriedly ran inside the gate.
The weight of the two words "Fist Demon" was immense. Even combining everyone's fame here fell far short. They had to inform the higher-ups of Dam Ho's arrival at Shaolin as quickly as possible. Naturally, the monk carrying the news ran with urgent steps.
'That one's the Fist Demon?'
'The rumors don't do him justice; he's terrifying.'
Outside the gate, countless warriors eyed Dam Ho stealthily. But none dared approach.
His all-black attire made him look even more ominous. No one here was ignorant of his infamy. Knowing it made him all the more fearsome.
'Amazing. All these experts overwhelmed just by Brother's presence.'
As Muk Il-gwang looked at Dam Ho with renewed admiration,
"Dam Great Hero."
From beyond the gate came an old monk with white beard reaching his chest, running over. The nine clear precept scars on his forehead proved he was a Shaolin elder.
The elder who arrived before Dam Ho like the wind was none other than Shaolin's elder, Gwang Hae.
"Amitabha! It's been too long, Dam Great Hero."
Gwang Hae treated Dam Ho with utmost courtesy. The sight shocked the onlookers once more.
A Shaolin elder was on par with a sect leader of most schools—an important figure not met without special ties, one of utmost nobility.
Such a tremendous person had rushed out barefoot to receive Dam Ho with utmost respect.
'Is the Fist Demon's prestige this great?'
'For the Fist Demon, called a demon, to receive such treatment in Shaolin. Truly astonishing.'
The warriors couldn't hide their amazement.
The title "Fist Demon" was no longer just a label for one among many jianghu experts. It symbolized a heavyweight even the heads of the Nine Great Sects couldn't treat lightly.
"Let's not stand here; please come inside. I'll guide you personally."
Not just anyone, but Shaolin elder Gwang Hae himself offered to escort Dam Ho. Even Shaolin disciples were stunned by his words.
Dam Ho took Muk Il-gwang and Bang Jin-bo and followed Gwang Hae into Shaolin.
Won Seol-hwa watched the entire scene from inside her carriage.
'As expected of the Fist Demon.'
A subtle smile played on her lips.
Thinking that such an incredible man would soon be hers filled her heart with fulfillment. Though Yun Sa-il expressed concern, Won Seol-hwa trusted her Mind Control Subjugation Art.
It might take time, but Dam Ho would surely return to her. With that thought, Won Seol-hwa closed the carriage window.
Shaolin Temple boasted a thousand years of history. From the halls to the smallest features, one could feel the weight of a millennium endured.
All the world's kung fu comes from Shaolin.
Hence, Shaolin's atmosphere felt somehow reverent and unyielding.
Just as it had stood firm for the past thousand years, it seemed it would for the next thousand. Muk Il-gwang and Bang Jin-bo were overwhelmed by that solid presence.
Crushed by the weight of such a grand millennium, they followed silently behind Dam Ho without even a heavy breath.
"You must be tired from the long journey, so please rest here first and relieve your fatigue."
Gwang Hae led them to a separate annex among Shaolin's guest quarters, a place opened only for Nine Great Sects leaders—given to Dam Ho without hesitation.
Dam Ho nodded and entered the annex.
The interior was exceedingly simple. No ornate decorations, not particularly large. Yet it possessed an elegance and gravity not to be taken lightly.
"I've awaited your visit without cease. Seeing your face, Dam Great Hero, fills me with deep emotion."
"I'm not here for flattery."
"Then?"
"I heard you're sheltering people who fled from the Sakju branch."
"Yes."
"Find someone among them for me."
"Just say the word."
"Cho Yeon-un... Drunken Cloud Dragon Cho Yeon-un. See if he's here."
"Understood. I'll check immediately."
Gwang Hae responded clearly to Dam Ho's request without a frown.
He summoned a subordinate monk right there to verify if Drunken Cloud Dragon Cho Yeon-un had entered Shaolin.
"Amitabha! Wait just a moment; news will come soon."
As he spoke, Gwang Hae eyed Dam Ho intently. He seemed different from before. But he couldn't pinpoint what.
'One thing's certain: he's advanced again. Truly fearsome.'
Gwang Hae shook his head.
Dam Ho's voice then snapped him from his thoughts.
"What's Shaolin's current forces like?"
"Including temple disciples and secular ones, about three thousand five hundred. Adding warriors from Sakju and those joined from Henan Province, it's over five thousand."
"Five thousand."
"Soon, reinforcements from the Murim Alliance will join. That should bring it to six or seven thousand, I expect."
Muk Il-gwang was inwardly shocked by Gwang Hae's explanation.
'A single sect like Shaolin mobilizing over five thousand warriors. Incredible.'
And not rabble, but over five thousand above a certain level. No wonder called the North Star of the jianghu.
With Shaolin alone, most bandits could be crushed. That made it all the more chilling.
'Even Shaolin fears the Demonic Cult. Just how deep are their reserves?'
The more he thought, the scarier it got. So Muk Il-gwang stopped thinking.
As if reading his mind, Gwang Hae smiled and continued.
"We've gathered forces for any contingency, but the Demonic Cult won't actually invade Henan with this many troops. They have brains too; they'd know it'd end in mutual destruction."
But his words offered no comfort to Muk Il-gwang or Bang Jin-bo.
Then.
"Junior Uncle!"
A young monk's voice came from outside.
"Come in."
At Gwang Hae's permission, the young monk opened the door and entered. Behind him appeared a familiar warrior.
Dam Ho's eyebrow twitched. He recognized the man.
He was one of the Baekjeon Sect disciples who'd traveled with Cho Yeon-un. Seeing Dam Ho, he knelt.
"Dam Great Hero!"
"Yeon-un?"
"Senior Brother is now..."
Cho Yeon-un's junior hesitated, unable to continue. Dam Ho's eyes turned icy.
"Don't stutter. Is Yeon-un safe?"
"Yes? Yes! He suffered severe injuries, but luckily survived."
"Then why isn't he here?"
"During the retreat from Sakju branch, we got separated in the crowd. We were supposed to fall back to Zhongnan Sect, but I and a few juniors ended up here."
"He's still alive, then?"
"Yes. Master and the brothers desperately protected him, so he should be fine."
"Good enough."
At Dam Ho's indifferent words, Cho Yeon-un's junior fell silent. It might sound cold, but he'd caught the fleeting relief in Dam Ho's eyes.
The fact that the world's most ruthless warrior had rushed here out of worry for his senior brother moved him deeply.
Tears streamed down his cheeks. He bowed his head and sobbed.
Dam Ho gazed indifferently at Cho Yeon-un's junior.
'As long as he's alive, that's enough.'