Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: When the Blood Star Moves, a Bloody Wind Blows (1)
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Someone muttered under their breath.
"Why am I even here...?"
It was a sentiment that spoke for everyone in the room. But no one could voice their agreement. The horrific scene unfolding before their eyes was simply too gruesome.
"Huhk!"
A mass of flesh barely clung to life.
Could that even be called human anymore? Every bone in its body shattered, sprawled like an octopus dragged onto dry land, gasping faintly for breath.
The people in the gambling den retched at the horrific spectacle Dam Ho had wrought. The victim was different, but the merciless violence he had unleashed left an indelible scar on them all.
He had reduced a man to something no longer human, yet Dam Ho's expression remained utterly emotionless.
If only he had shown rage or madness—it might have seemed human. But Dam Ho possessed none of that.
The sight of him pulverizing a man like some machine evoked a terror that transcended mere chill, instilling profound dread in everyone.
No Cheol babbled madly. Not to avoid death, but to escape the fear and agony. With his jaw shattered, coherent words were impossible. Still, he rambled on. It was all he had left.
But Dam Ho paid no heed to No Cheol's ravings. Or so it seemed.
Dam Ho adjusted his strength with exquisite precision, as if his sole purpose on earth was to dismantle No Cheol—ensuring he couldn't even die.
"Ple...ase... kill... me..."
"Humans don't die that easily."
"Please..."
"Trust me. You won't die easily."
"Kill me... and I'll tell you one truth."
"Not interested."
"No, you'll care. Definitely."
Dam Ho's eyes changed. No Cheol was desperate.
He whispered something into Dam Ho's ear.
Even with a shattered jaw, he spoke. The words were mangled, but Dam Ho heard them clearly.
The moment he finished, Dam Ho's expression shifted.
His gaze turned icy, and the air around him grew unbearably heavy. It had been terrifying before, but now it was suffocating.
The others wondered what had been said, but none dared ask.
"How can I believe that?"
"It's true. I swear on everything I have."
"......"
Dam Ho closed his eyes for a moment.
No Cheol might be babbling nonsense in his death throes. But his words had undeniably shaken Dam Ho to the core.
Dam Ho asked No Cheol.
"Do you want to die?"
"Yes!"
No Cheol nodded frantically. To others, it might look otherwise, but he was utterly desperate.
"You're the first, so I'll end it here. The others won't get off this easily."
"Thank you. Hic! Thank... you..."
Grateful for the mercy of death, No Cheol was overcome. The others in the gambling den understood completely. If they endured the same torment, they would beg the same.
Dam Ho pressed his finger to No Cheol's forehead. The sturdy skull crumpled like tofu, and his finger sank in.
'Yes! I can die now.'
Even as darkness claimed him, No Cheol worried for his comrades who would soon face Dam Ho's wrath. And he was relieved to go first.
That was No Cheol's final thought in life.
Dam Ho rose. His black robe was soaked red with No Cheol's blood.
Do Sang-cheon's eyes darted wildly.
He felt like he was going mad. He wanted to flee, but he couldn't—that realization plunged him into despair.
Dam Ho turned to Do Sang-cheon. The man gasped. Through the blood-matted hair, Dam Ho's eyes held a power that devoured souls.
Do Sang-cheon couldn't calm his pounding heart, unsure what Dam Ho might say. But unexpectedly, Dam Ho said nothing. He simply turned and limped toward the exit.
No one in the room dared mock his limp.
Bang!
At last, Dam Ho shut the door behind him and vanished.
"Aaah!"
Thud!
Sighs of relief and collapsing bodies echoed everywhere.
"Damn it all!"
Do Sang-cheon's legs gave out, and he slumped into his chair.
Only after a long while, once Dam Ho was gone, did their racing hearts slow and reason return.
"That No Cheol guy was babbling on forever—what did he say?"
In the chaos, no one had caught his words clearly. But now, with the storm passed, curiosity stirred.
The crowd buzzed.
"Who the hell is that butcher?"
"When I saw those eyes, I thought my breath stopped."
They speculated about Dam Ho's identity. But Do Sang-cheon already knew.
Just days ago, a top-secret roster of notable figures had arrived from headquarters, listing someone matching Dam Ho's description.
'Blood Star.'
The supreme warrior who limped.
The one who single-handedly annihilated the Western Mountains Manor of the Western Frontier.
Those were the phrases defining the Blood Star.
Frankly, when he'd first read the report, Do Sang-cheon had scoffed. It sounded utterly implausible.
That's why he hadn't recognized Dam Ho at first, despite the obvious limp. Only gradually did the truth dawn on him.
'Damn it! The intel from HQ didn't even capture half of it.'
A few words on paper couldn't convey Dam Ho's terror. You had to face it yourself.
Do Sang-cheon had learned that lesson to his bones.
"Oh no! Instead of sitting here, I need to report to the Yangju Branch fast..."
With the Blood Star's prowess confirmed as real, he had to inform headquarters immediately.
He rushed to the room with the messenger pigeon.
Outside, Dam Ho mounted Black Ghost.
"Let's go."
Understanding, Black Ghost surged forward.
Bouncing on horseback, Dam Ho sank into thought.
Killing No Cheol was already forgotten. Unfortunately, No Cheol knew nothing of the others' whereabouts.
Still, Dam Ho wasn't disappointed. Another name had burned itself into his mind.
Dam Ga-ryeong.
His only little sister. The tiny girl who always trailed after her big brother.
So much time had passed that he could barely recall her face, but she had been beautiful. And he had surely cherished her deeply.
A dull ache throbbed in his chest.
The place people called the heart. Where human emotions first surfaced.
Thirty-seven bandits had raided their village, the house burned, and Dam Ga-ryeong vanished. So he had buried it, assuming she burned too.
But today, No Cheol had dropped an unexpected bombshell.
'Ga-ryeong might still be alive? That child?'
Jo Yun-san, leader of the Black Tiger Band, had taken her—to sell to someone seeking a young girl.
It might have been a lie to die painlessly. But it had shaken Dam Ho all the same.
After twelve years, his heart stirred.
No Cheol knew nothing more. Soon after looting Dam Ho's village, Jo Yun-san disbanded the Black Tiger Band.
No Cheol didn't know why. Fortunately, Jo Yun-san had shared a generous payout before dissolving it, which had sustained him—until he gambled it all away.
—Take care, lads. I'm off to bigger waters. Follow if you dare.
Jo Yun-san's parting words at the disbandment.
Dam Ho didn't know what "bigger waters" meant. But he would find out. And make him pay.
No Cheol's death was just the beginning.
Sensing Dam Ho's resolve, Black Ghost raced like mad. The fierce wind battered him, easing the tightness in his chest.
Dam Ho rode toward Heng Mountain in central Hunan Province. Far from Lake Dongting, it took three more days' hard ride from Sangum County.
Commonly called the Five Great Mountains of the Central Plains, symbols of the realm.
East Peak: Mount Tai.
West Peak: Mount Hua.
North Peak: Mount Heng.
Central Peak: Mount Song.
South Peak: Heng Mountain.
Heng Mountain boasted stunning scenery and deep ranges worthy of its place among them.
Its beauty and spiritual energy drew many settlers. Some grew quite prosperous below its slopes.
An Manor was one such place.
For over a decade since settling there, An Manor had thrived steadily.
Its master was An Gyo-ik.
A man in his late forties, renowned for his generous nature. He shared freely with others, earning the title of great hero.
Thanks to his fame, visitors flocked to An Manor. An Gyo-ik welcomed them warmly, and laughter never ceased within its walls.
Today was no different.
Many guests had arrived, and An Gyo-ik mingled freely.
"That's why to govern the world, one must empty the mind and not be swept by the currents of the age."
"Haha! This An cannot help but admire Young Hero So's insight."
An Gyo-ik slapped his knee in admiration at the guest opposite him.
An Gyo-ik was a man of ample build and kindly features.
The one expounding so eloquently was So Jin-pung.
A renowned scholar in the Heng Mountain region.
So Jin-pung burst into hearty laughter.
"Haha! I never dreamed I'd click so well with Manor Lord An. I should have visited sooner to share these drinks."
"It's not too late now. Shall we keep this friendship going strong?"
"Indeed. To that end, allow me to offer three cups. Please accept without refusal."
"How could I refuse Young Hero So's cup? I gladly receive it."
"Thank you."
So Jin-pung filled An Gyo-ik's cup to the brim.
An Gyo-ik downed three in a row, then returned the favor, filling So Jin-pung's.
"Haha! Meeting a kindred spirit like this—how could one not rejoice?"
An Gyo-ik let out a booming laugh.
Boom!
Suddenly, a thunderous crash echoed from the main gate. The entire manor shook, the vibration traveling through their feet.
"What?"
An Gyo-ik's face paled.
He leaped up, shouting.
"What happened?"
"An intruder, Manor Lord!"
A subordinate rushed in from the gate, face ashen.
"An intruder? What..."
At that moment, Dam Ho appeared.
His hands dripped with blood from unknown victims. Fists trailing fresh gore, his approach was nightmarishly eerie.
"Who are you?"
So Jin-pung, no mere scholar but a skilled martial artist, shouted in fury first.
He deemed An Gyo-ik worthy of his friendship. He could not forgive anyone threatening him.
But Dam Ho's eyes ignored So Jin-pung entirely. They fixed on An Gyo-ik.
"Long time no see."
"Have we met? If you came for me, you could have done so quietly."
"Guess you don't remember."
An Gyo-ik's face stiffened.
He didn't need to hear more to sense Dam Ho's ill intent.
Then Dam Ho's voice rang out.
"No worries. You'll remember soon enough."