Chapter 256
Chapter 256
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 256
Chapter Title: Section 2. Returning to the Starting Point After Twists and Turns (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The ruins of the grand training ground were filled with hundreds of Mount Hua Sect disciples. Most of them were the young third-generation disciples.
They hadn't been part of the sect for long, and they hadn't even properly learned martial arts yet. But the fervor shining on their faces was truly remarkable.
The third-generation disciples gazed tensely at the large platform at the front of the training ground. Standing atop it were the second-generation disciples who had barely survived the Demonic Cult's invasion.
Anxiety was plainly written on the faces of the third-generation disciples. Even the oldest among them was barely twenty. Most were in their early to mid-teens.
They were too young to be proper martial artists—ages better suited to their masters' laps. Had the Demonic Cult not attacked, they would now be learning martial arts from their masters and grandmasters, honing their skills diligently.
But now, they had lost everything. Some had lost their masters, others their grandmasters. Everything that had protected them until now was gone.
They hadn't even received a complete transmission of martial arts. So the emotions they felt could only be extreme unease.
If the Demonic Cult attacked just one more time like this, Mount Hua would be finished. The third-generation disciples, with their half-baked skills, could never stand against the Demonic Cult.
The one small comfort was that Damho was there.
The absolute martial artist now called the Volcanic Fist Demon.
Thanks to his overwhelming presence, the Mount Hua warriors could at least find a minimum of stability. But even Damho couldn't solve everything.
Damho was certainly at Mount Hua, but he rarely showed himself to the disciples. He didn't chat amiably with them like the others. That made them anxious. It felt like Damho had no ties to Mount Hua at all.
If Damho just up and left like this, Mount Hua would be abandoned again. Mount Hua without Damho was no different from a house of cards. So they desperately hoped he wouldn't abandon Mount Hua.
It was then.
"That's the executioner."
"The Clarity Elder is there too."
The second-generation disciples began murmuring as Unkyeong and Myeonggyeong ascended the platform. They held the highest seniority among the survivors.
But behind the two was an unfamiliar figure. Walking with a somber expression was none other than Immortal Hyeonso. Yet most disciples didn't recognize him.
Elders of the Nine Great Sects rarely showed their faces to third-generation disciples unless they were direct descendants. Moreover, Immortal Hyeonso had been away from Mount Hua for a long time, and even when he stayed, he secluded himself in his quarters, so few knew his face. Thus, the third-generation disciples looking at him were filled with puzzlement.
"Who is that?"
"Is he one of the sect elders too?"
The murmurs grew louder. Then Unkyeong raised his voice.
"Everyone, quiet."
"……."
In an instant, the disciples shut their mouths as if by magic.
"This is Immortal Hyeonso. He is the martial brother of former sect leader Immortal Hyeoncheon and Mount Hua's greatest swordsman, Immortal Hyeongeom. To you, he is your grandmaster."
"……."
The Mount Hua Sect disciples just blinked.
They understood that Immortal Hyeonso's seniority was incredibly high, but their eyes said they had no idea just how great he was.
Unkyeong read the mood in the hall. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"And... he is also the master who taught the Volcanic Fist Demon, Damho."
"Woooaaah!"
In an instant, an explosive cheer erupted like magic. The reaction in the hall was tremendous.
Damho was the sole pride of the surviving Mount Hua warriors. Because of him, they could shake off their sense of defeat and stand firm.
Everyone else feared him as a demon, but to the Mount Hua disciples, Damho was the one absolute martial artist they could trust and rely on. Hearing that he was the master who raised such a figure, they couldn't help but go wild.
Everyone looked at Immortal Hyeonso with eyes full of anticipation. From his perspective, the disciples' gazes were burdensome.
Immortal Hyeonso let out a soft sigh as he surveyed the disciples looking at him.
Most were complete strangers, but in truth, they had all become his granddisciples. The eyes of these children who had lost all support pierced his heart.
Immortal Hyeonso closed his eyes for a moment.
'Lord of the Primordial Beginning.'
Everything has its reason.
Immortal Hyeonso realized that the great fortune he had gained at Mount Hwang was for this very day.
A tremor briefly overtook him. But only briefly—when Immortal Hyeonso opened his eyes again, the shaking was gone.
At last, he spoke.
"Everyone... you've suffered greatly."
It was just one phrase. Yet tears welled up in the eyes of the third-generation disciples.
Warmth was contained in Immortal Hyeonso's words. That warmth comforted the disciples whose bodies and minds were worn out.
"As you all know, winter has come to Mount Hua. But no matter how harsh the winter, it cannot last forever. Someday this winter will pass, and warm spring will come. I'm glad you are here. Someday, we will welcome that warm spring together."
Immortal Hyeonso's gentle voice rang clearly in everyone's ears. He didn't forcibly rally their courage or argue that they must push on in times like these.
He simply spoke ordinary words in an affectionate voice, like a grandfather telling old tales to his grandchild. Yet the disciples couldn't hold back their tears.
The same went for Unkyeong and Myeonggyeong standing at the back, and the second-generation disciples as well. They shed endless tears.
Just knowing there was a sect elder they could believe in and rely on.
That single fact brought comfort to the Mount Hua Sect disciples.
Damho stood alone atop Yundae Peak.
Yundae Peak was among the highest of Mount Hua's summits. From there, the entire landscape of Mount Hua was visible at a glance.
Despite all the sacrifices, Mount Hua stood proud as if nothing had happened.
It was then.
"What are you doing here?"
A familiar voice suddenly sounded. Turning around, he saw a beautiful woman climbing laboriously to the summit. It was Jong Riyeon.
"You've come?"
"Yes! I just arrived. I couldn't see you, so I asked Jinbo, and he said you were here."
Jong Riyeon smiled as she approached Damho. Her face was flushed red from the steep mountain path.
"What are you doing here all alone like a beggar?"
"Just!"
"Were you savoring solitude? It suits you."
Jong Riyeon admired the view Damho had been gazing at.
Mount Hua was different from Mount Hwang. Its towering peaks stabbed toward the sky like finely forged swords.
Admiration lit up her face.
She had always been curious. Just what was Mount Hua like, where Damho grew up.
The actual scenery of Mount Hua she now saw lived up to its reputation. Though badly damaged by the Demonic Cult, Mount Hua's spirit still pierced the heavens.
Damho asked.
"Your master?"
"He's meeting the disciples right now."
"I see. He's busy."
Damho nodded.
"Are you okay?"
"What?"
"I'm asking if you're okay."
"I'm fine!"
"Really?"
"Yeah!"
"Doesn't seem like it. Your internal injuries haven't healed yet, have they?"
"……."
"I knew it."
Jong Riyeon shook her head with a helpless expression.
In truth, Damho's current condition was the worst. The successive battles had severely damaged his body. Pus still oozed from unhealed wounds, and his vitality was greatly impaired. Yet he had never once shown a pained expression.
"Let's go down the mountain. I'll treat you."
"Yeonun comes first."
"But... Fine."
Seeing Damho's stubborn face, Jong Riyeon let out a soft sigh.
"Let's go down."
"Yes!"
The two descended Yundae Peak side by side. Their destination was Jinmu Palace.
At the entrance to Jinmu Palace, they ran into Bang Jinbo.
"Oh, hyung? Noona?"
Bang Jinbo brightened at the sight of Jong Riyeon. In his hands was a tray holding a bowl of porridge.
Cho Yeonun still hadn't regained consciousness. Naturally, he couldn't eat. Yet Bang Jinbo made and brought porridge for him without fail every day.
"Long time no see."
"When did you get here, noona?"
"Just now!"
"Perfect timing. You're here to see Yeonun hyung, right?"
"Yeah!"
"Great. I was just on my way to bring him porridge."
"Let's go together."
"Yes!"
Bang Jinbo answered and took the lead.
The three soon arrived in front of the room where Cho Yeonun was staying. Bang Jinbo cautiously knocked on the door before opening it. Inside, Dan Hwaran greeted them.
"Come in."
"Where's Yeonun hyung?"
"Still..."
Dan Hwaran shook her head at Bang Jinbo's question.
Since losing consciousness that day, Cho Yeonun hadn't woken. Without Dan Hwaran's devoted care, he would have died long ago. But even so, his condition worsened day by day.
Dan Hwaran's gaze turned to Jong Riyeon.
"Who is this?"
"You know her, right? The world's greatest divine doctor, Jong Riyeon noona."
Bang Jinbo answered excitedly.
"Ah!"
In an instant, Dan Hwaran's legs gave way, and she staggered.
Among everyone here, she had suffered the most mentally. Unable to secure a proper physician, she could only watch as Cho Yeonun's condition deteriorated daily.
Her heart had rotted away, and she spent every night in tears. To her, Jong Riyeon was a ray of light.
Dan Hwaran tightly grasped Jong Riyeon's hands.
"Please save him. If you just save him, I'll do anything. Please, I beg you."
"I'll do my utmost. Lady Dan."
Jong Riyeon gripped Dan Hwaran's hands firmly.
"Please... please..."
"First, let me look at his wounds."
Jong Riyeon approached Cho Yeonun.
Cho Yeonun's complexion was even worse than a few days ago.
Lifting the blanket revealed his severed left leg and countless wounds. Pus oozed from those that hadn't healed.
Traces of desperate battle. But left like this, even the healthy parts would surely necrotize.
Jong Riyeon's face visibly stiffened. She too recognized the gravity.
Taking silver needles from her bosom, Jong Riyeon said,
"Lady Dan, stay. Everyone else, out."
The joy of meeting Damho had long vanished from her mind. Her face had returned to that of a physician.
Damho said nothing like entrusting Yeonun to her care. He knew without words that Jong Riyeon would handle the treatment perfectly.
Damho left the room with Bang Jinbo.
"Yeonun hyung will be okay, right?"
"He will."
"Phew!"
Bang Jinbo sighed in relief.
Damho placed a large hand on his shoulder.
"You okay?"
"Huh? With what?"
"You."
"Hehe! I'm fine."
Bang Jinbo wiped his nose with his finger. That finger was covered in small cuts.
Right after Mount Hua fell, Bang Jinbo had cooked for hundreds alone. Preparing meals for so many by himself wasn't easy—it was nearly impossible. Yet he did it day after day.
Not cheap slop to fill bellies, but proper food embodying his philosophy of taste, nutrition, and vitality restoration through cuisine.
Because of that, his hands never stayed dry, and new small cuts appeared daily. Still, Bang Jinbo made the food gladly.
He didn't even feel tired. Thanks to the Five Elements Gentleman Art.
Under Immortal Hyeonso's tutelage, his Five Elements Gentleman Art had improved by leaps and bounds. It allowed him to infuse the principles of the five elements' mutual generation into his cooking.
Damho ruffled Bang Jinbo's head with his large hand.
"Now you're Mount Hua's head chef."
A new Mount Hua was rising.
New wine must be put into new wineskins.
Bang Jinbo was the beginning.