Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Those Fated to Meet Will Meet Again (1)
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Haenam Island was a massive island located at the southernmost tip of the Central Plains. So vast was the island that it was home to hundreds of thousands of people, who had built their own unique culture and order.
The Haenam Sect reigned supreme at the pinnacle of that island. Though too distant from the Central Plains to rank among the Nine Great Sects, the sect's martial prowess was in no way inferior.
The Haenam Sect rarely ventured beyond the island. But whenever they sent out even one or two warriors, it stirred up storms in the Central Plains.
Hae Sowol was the sole warrior the Haenam Sect had dispatched in this era. She possessed strength to match.
When she first emerged into the world, several warriors approached her. Drawn by her dazzling beauty, they harbored lustful intentions. But none returned alive.
For reasons unknown, Hae Sowol kept heading north, clashing with countless warriors—and triumphing over every one. In the end, she earned the moniker Sea Flower and joined the Nine Dragons.
With her blinding beauty, terrifying prowess as one of the Nine Dragons, and the colossal backing of the Haenam Sect, Hae Sowol became the ultimate bride every young warrior in the Central Plains coveted.
Countless young warriors courted her. Yet none captured her heart.
True to her moniker, Hae Sowol was aloof. And cold. Which only made her more desirable.
Sima Gongcheon had fallen for that uniqueness of hers.
When he heard she was coming to Okyang, he had sent someone to invite her precisely for that reason.
Seeing Hae Sowol in person surpassed even his expectations. Her simple attire was no hindrance. She outshone any woman draped in the finest silks.
Hae Sowol fixed Sima Gongcheon with a chilling gaze.
Just looking at his flustered face revealed his caliber. She had held some expectations since he was the young lord of the Okyang Sword Sect, one of Hunan Province's Five Great Sects. But he fell far short of what she had hoped.
Still, she couldn't ignore him indefinitely, so Hae Sowol offered a fist salute.
"Pleased to meet you, Young Master Sima. I am Hae Sowol of the Haenam Sect."
"The pleasure is mine, Lady Hae. You are as beautiful as the rumors say."
"Thank you."
"It is my honor to host you, Lady Hae. I have reserved a private room on the third floor—shall we head up?"
Hae Sowol nodded.
As she followed Sima Gongcheon toward the stairs, a flicker of interest crossed her eyes.
Everyone in the restaurant stared at her, entranced by her beauty. Everyone except one.
A man with unkempt hair hanging messily, silently eating his meal. It was Dam Ho.
He showed no reaction to Hae Sowol's entrance, methodically consuming the food on his table. Not pretending indifference—he truly didn't care.
Sima Gongcheon turned back.
"Is something wrong?"
"It's nothing."
Hae Sowol replied calmly. But Sima Gongcheon hadn't missed where her gaze had lingered moments before.
His eyes sharpened for an instant. Then he smiled as if unperturbed.
"Haha! Let's head up. The food will get cold."
Sima Gongcheon urged her on.
Hae Sowol paid Dam Ho no further mind and ascended the stairs.
There were countless people in the world, and some were immune to beauty. She simply assumed Dam Ho was one of them.
The third floor, which Sima Gongcheon led her to, was completely empty. He had reserved the entire floor, it seemed.
All other tables had been cleared, leaving only a large one in the center.
"Haha! Please, have a seat, Lady Hae."
Hae Sowol nodded and sat. At once, the waiting attendants hurried to serve the food.
"Unsure of your tastes, Lady Hae, I ordered everything on the menu. Pick what suits you."
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
"Haha! Hosting you demands no less. Please, eat while it's hot."
Sima Gongcheon picked up his chopsticks and began eating first.
The food at the West Wind Inn was quite good. But best of all was the view of Lake Dongting from the inn.
As the sun set, boats on Lake Dongting began lighting their lanterns one by one. It was as if all the stars in the night sky had descended upon the lake.
The enchanting nightscape paired with a fine meal—it was an atmosphere that could steal any woman's heart.
Sima Gongcheon glanced up at Hae Sowol. She was silently gazing at Lake Dongting, her reflection in the lantern light glowing with exceptional beauty.
*Truly stunning. If I could make her mine, I would have no regrets.*
As the young lord of the Okyang Sword Sect, Sima Gongcheon already enjoyed every luxury. What he lacked was a flower to grace his side.
And Hae Sowol was exactly that flower he so desired.
Sima Gongcheon beckoned. Jin Yangsu, standing nearby, approached and handed him a wooden box.
Sima Gongcheon passed the box to Hae Sowol.
"Please accept this, Lady Hae."
"What is it?"
"A modest token of my sincerity."
"Your sincerity?"
Hae Sowol furrowed her brow. Unaware, Sima Gongcheon opened the box.
Inside lay a sword. An ornate scabbard etched with intricate patterns, a hilt studded with red gems, golden tassels—every detail flawless.
Sima Gongcheon smiled confidently.
"Forged by Gong Yaja, Hunan Province's finest craftsman. When I heard you were coming, I commissioned it specially. He put extra care into it, so I'm sure it will please you, Lady Hae."
"Why give this to me?"
"As I said, a token of my sincerity. Haha!"
"Young Master Sima."
"Yes?"
"I came here today not for gifts. Only out of respect for the Okyang Sword Sect's face."
Hae Sowol's voice was icy. Sima Gongcheon's expression hardened.
"Lady Hae."
"I have no need for flashy swords like this. This one blade, worn by my own hand, suffices."
"But..."
"I believe I've upheld my duty."
Hae Sowol rose from her seat.
Sima Gongcheon was overwhelmed by the frost radiating from her.
Though he had diligently trained in martial arts since childhood as the young lord of the Okyang Sword Sect, he was no match for Hae Sowol.
"Thank you for your hospitality. But please, do not trouble me further. Farewell..."
Hae Sowol offered a fist salute to Sima Gongcheon, then descended the stairs.
Sima Gongcheon stared blankly after her until she vanished completely.
"That damned bitch..."
He glanced at her seat. The food before her remained untouched.
Her intent was clear.
She wanted no connection whatsoever. Not even sharing a meal at the same table.
Humiliation shook Sima Gongcheon's shoulders.
"Uwaaa!"
Crash!
He flipped the table.
Food splattered everywhere, dishes shattering.
"Please calm down, Young Lord."
Jin Yangsu tried to soothe him, but Sima Gongcheon's outburst continued for some time.
Noises echoed from the stairs above, but Hae Sowol ignored them.
Scanning the now mostly empty second floor, she found it quiet.
Through the windows, Lake Dongting's beauty unfolded. The night view that had enchanted countless poets and scholars stirred even her heart.
She called over an attendant clearing an empty table.
"Any rooms available here?"
"Pardon?"
The attendant's eyes widened.
This was the distinguished guest the young lord of the Okyang Sword Sect had painstakingly invited. For her to want to stay at the West Wind Inn left him baffled.
But he remembered his duties.
"Shall I prepare a private villa for a quiet stay?"
"No! Just a standard room."
"But for a lady of your stature, how could we offer such..."
"As long as Lake Dongting is visible, it doesn't matter. Is there such a room?"
"Yes! There is, but..."
"Then that one."
"Understood."
In the end, the attendant guided Hae Sowol to a standard room with a fine lake view.
"This is the cleanest among the standard rooms."
"Thank you."
Hae Sowol nodded.
As the attendant said, the room was quite clean. Best of all, the lake view was superb.
Haenam's night sea was beautiful, but not this dazzling. The shimmering lights dancing on the water stirred her senses.
"I'll stay here for a while."
"Understood. I'll inform the master. Call anytime if you need anything."
"I will."
The attendant bowed to Hae Sowol and left.
Alone, Hae Sowol slumped onto the bed.
She was exhausted.
No training, no battles—yet her body felt drained.
Such fruitless encounters were utterly tiring. Had she not planned to linger in Okyang a while, she never would have met Sima Gongcheon.
"Why did Master send me to a place like this..."
Hae Sowol briefly resented the master who had dispatched her here.
All her unwanted journeys through the jianghu were at the command of her master, Neung Cheonwol.
She had wanted to hone her sword on Haenam Island, but Neung Cheonwol insisted she needed to understand people to reach higher realms and sent her off.
"Sigh... Stay here until the gathering, huh?"
Hae Sowol sighed softly and rose.
Her mind was weary, but it was her first night here. She couldn't just molder in the room.
Taking her cherished sword, Blue Frost, she stepped outside.
A cool breeze from the lake gently lifted her lustrous hair.
Hae Sowol wandered aimlessly along Lake Dongting's shore. Though night deepened, throngs still enjoyed the scenic beauty.
"Hm?"
An unexpected expression crossed her face.
Among the crowds crossing the lake paths, she spotted familiar faces. But she couldn't immediately place them.
After racking her memory, she finally recalled.
"The West Wind Inn."
The man who hadn't spared her a glance while eating wore the same attire.
There he was, gazing at Lake Dongting in his rare leather robe—Dam Ho. Beside him was Bang Jinbo.
Unable to withstand Bang Jinbo's nagging, Dam Ho had left the inn to stroll the lakeside.
Bang Jinbo marveled endlessly at the lake's splendid night scenery.
Suddenly, Dam Ho turned. He sensed an unfamiliar gaze.
Hae Sowol and Dam Ho's eyes met in the air.
The moment she looked into Dam Ho's eyes, Hae Sowol's pupils trembled uncontrollably.
Those pitch-black depths held only profound darkness—no trace of emotion.
It was a gaze Hae Sowol had never seen before.
Her palms grew slick with sweat.
Her neck muscles stiffened, cold sweat trickling down her spine. Her body reacted before her mind.
*Who in the world is he...*
Moments ago, she had thought the Central Plains lacked talent. But seeing Dam Ho shattered that arrogance.
"Excuse me..."
She moved to speak to him.
Splash!
Suddenly, over a dozen black shadows erupted from the water. Not just them—nearby merchants and even a passing old woman drew swords and lunged at her.
*An ambush?*