Chapter 343: Chapter 343
Splash!
Cold water poured over Dam Ho’s head. The well provided fresh, clear water.
Dam Ho lowered the bucket and drew water once more. He poured the bucket full of sloshing water over his head.
Only after dumping water dozens of times did the acrid stench of blood and death embedded in his body finally vanish. Then Dam Ho returned to his room.
On the bed in the room lay a neatly folded black martial robe. It was clothing prepared in advance by Woo Jo-yang.
The black martial robe fit perfectly as if its measurements had been taken beforehand. And it was comfortable. Though he moved his hands and feet about, nothing felt restrictive. One could tell how much care Woo Jo-yang had taken.
That’s when a careful voice came from outside.
“It’s Nam Woo-saeng. May I enter for a moment?”
“Mm!”
At Dam Ho’s permission, the door opened and Nam Woo-saeng and Woo Jo-yang entered. Nam Woo-saeng too appeared cleaner after bathing.
Immediately upon entering, Nam Woo-saeng cupped his fists respectfully.
“Thanks to you, we could arrive here safely. Thank you.”
“We’re grateful for Great Hero Dam’s assistance.”
Woo Jo-yang also cupped his fists and bowed his head.
“I didn’t do this to receive thanks.”
“We understand. Still, we can only express our gratitude. Thanks to you, we could collect the bodies safely and arrive here.”
Since Dam Ho accompanied them, they could safely transport the goods to this location. He planned to supplement personnel at the Jun County branch and transport the goods to Shaolin Temple. Fortunately, Woo Jo-yang personally agreed to lead Jun County’s escorts and accompany them.
Woo Jo-yang spoke:
“Thanks to Great Hero, we could preserve Azure Sky Escort Agency’s reputation. If there’s anything you desire, please tell us anytime. I pledge that Azure Sky Escort Agency will definitely help you, staking everything.”
Sincerity filled his voice and eyes.
He had heard all the circumstances from Nam Woo-saeng. How they would have been annihilated without Dam Ho.
As they collected the escorts’ bodies, they shed countless tears. The horribly contorted expressions on the dead faces spoke of how much suffering they endured before death.
Their bodies would all be cremated, and the ashes collected and sent to their families. That they could recover all the bodies at all was thanks to Dam Ho.
“We of Azure Sky Escort Agency pledge to assist Great Hero Dam under any circumstances.”
“Indeed. We pledge this staking our and our agency leader’s honor.”
The two men’s sincere voices resonated through the room.
***
The wall surrounding Azure Sky Escort Agency’s Jun County branch was tall, extremely tall. Its height made ordinary people unable to dare think of climbing over it, evoking the image of a massive fortress. Yet even such a tall wall couldn’t completely prevent rumors spreading from mouth to mouth among people.
“The Fist Demon has entered Jun County.”
“The Fist Demon is at Azure Sky Escort Agency’s Jun County branch.”
No one knew whose mouth started the rumor. But it spread gradually and eventually reached Wudang Sect’s ears.
The first to hear the news was Cheong-mu, called Wudang Sect’s wise strategist.
“The Fist Demon has entered Jun County?”
“Nothing is certain. But it’s worth verifying.”
At his disciple Hyeon-gung’s answer, Taoist Cheong-mu frowned deeply.
Ordinarily, he wouldn’t have cared who came to Jun County. But now was the time when the Demon Cult’s invasion had become reality. All of Hubei Province’s martial artists were gathering at Jun County.
In such circumstances, the appearance of Fist Demon Dam Ho presented a troublesome problem.
Hubei Province’s alliance leader was undoubtedly the Wudang Sect.
With all martial artists uniting around the Wudang Sect, the appearance of such a giant figure as Dam Ho could introduce unpredictable variables.
Fist Demon Dam Ho had long become a giant moving the times. His presence was as vast and immense as the Wudang Sect’s.
Such a giant’s appearance would likely stir the hearts of martial artists concentrating around the Wudang Sect.
When even unified strength fell short, if martial artists split into two groups, the damage the Wudang Sect would suffer would be tremendous. For Cheong-mu Taoist, this was an absolutely unacceptable situation.
“First, we must confirm whether he’s really the Fist Demon. Who should we send?”
“What of Taoist Cheong-heo?”
“Cheong-heo isn’t a good choice.”
“Why not?”
“Doesn’t everyone know Cheong-heo has been unable to focus lately? If he meets the Fist Demon, he’ll be swayed by personal emotions.”
“Mm!”
“Then who?”
“I think sending Cheong-jin would be best.”
“You mean Taoist Cheong-jin?”
Hyeon-gung’s brow furrowed slightly. His expression seemed dissatisfied.
“Why so?”
“Taoist Cheong-jin has a hasty temperament, and…”
“Still, there are few in the Wudang Sect with such decisive character. I myself am not entirely comfortable, but currently Cheong-jin is the only available person.”
Despite Cheong-mu’s answer, Hyeon-gung didn’t appear convinced. But he couldn’t offer further objections to his heaven-like master’s decision, so he closed his mouth.
Cheong-mu smiled as if understanding everything.
“I know what you’re worried about. But as you know, our sect currently lacks available personnel. Sending Cheong-jin is itself a strain for the Wudang Sect.”
“However…”
“The rumor might be true, but it could also be false, correct?”
“I… understand.”
Hyeon-gung accepted and nodded.
Eventually, following Cheong-mu’s intention, Cheong-jin descended from Wudang Mountain to verify the rumor’s authenticity.
Hyeon-gung bit his lips while watching Cheong-jin descend from Wudang Mountain.
Sending only Cheong-jin made him uneasy.
At that moment, someone came to mind.
“If he were here…”
***
The inns in Jun County experienced unexpected prosperity as countless martial artists poured in. People overflowed in every inn, and proprietors screamed about having no empty rooms.
The gathering of martial artists brought unprecedented prosperity to Jun County, and numerous merchants entered the city to plunder martial artists’ wallets.
As merchants moved, escort agencies naturally followed. Thanks to this, escort agencies too enjoyed unexpected peak seasons.
Azure Sky Escort Agency was no exception. Moreover, Azure Sky Escort Agency maintained a separate branch in Jun County. So many merchant groups utilized them.
“Move the goods from Guhuang Merchant Group to this warehouse. Be especially careful they don’t mix with other goods.”
“Bring goods going to Shaanxi Province here.”
Throughout the branch, escorts worked hired laborers and porters to move cargo. Thanks to this, the branch’s interior was loud like a marketplace.
Jun County branch manager Woo Jo-yang and head escort Nam Woo-saeng watched the scene from one side of the large courtyard.
“Shouldn’t we increase the number of laborers?”
“I’ve already posted announcements to expand personnel. Probably by afternoon, the shortage should be filled.”
“As expected of you, such careful management. I spoke unnecessarily.”
“Not at all.”
Woo Jo-yang shook his head at the praise.
The two had been together since Azure Sky Escort Agency’s inception. Because of this, they knew each other better than anyone.
“By the way, when do you plan to depart for Shaolin Temple?”
“We’ll leave once preparations are complete.”
“It will probably take another day or so.”
“Please hurry as much as possible. The goods going to Shaolin and the Martial Alliance. The longer we delay, the greater the burden.”
“Understood.”
“Sorry for causing you trouble.”
“What are you saying? Between us. And aren’t we all Azure Sky Escort Agency family?”
Woo Jo-yang made a somewhat aggrieved expression. At that, Nam Woo-saeng smiled.
Though Azure Sky Escort Agency had now become a massive organization, it started extremely small. So whether head escort, escort, or porter, everyone worked on the front lines moving and guarding cargo. That’s why strong bonds formed between those who worked together from the beginning.
The two shared such a relationship.
As the two chatted like this.
“Branch Manager!”
A servant ran over hurriedly from the main gate, calling Woo Jo-yang.
“What’s the matter?”
“A Taoist from Wudang, from Wudang Mountain, has come looking for you.”
“From Wudang Sect?”
Woo Jo-yang’s brow furrowed deeply as he raised his head. Then the massive Wudang Mountain became clearly visible beyond the walls.
No one living in Jun County dared ignore the Wudang Sect. The same applied to escort agencies.
“Quickly bring him inside.”
“Understood.”
The servant ran back to the main gate, and shortly after returned with an elderly Taoist.
A sturdily built old Taoist. By appearance alone, he seemed more like a general in armor than a Taoist priest.
Woo Jo-yang and Nam Woo-saeng simultaneously performed the proper courtesy.
“Welcome, Master Taoist. I’m Woo Jo-yang, manager of Azure Sky Escort Agency’s Jun County branch.”
“I’m Nam Woo-saeng, head escort of Azure Sky Escort Agency. Welcome, Master Taoist.”
“Pleased to meet you! I’m an old Taoist called Cheong-jin of the Wudang Sect.”
At Cheong-jin’s introduction, both Woo Jo-yang and Nam Woo-saeng were shocked. Cheong-jin was a very famous elder of the Wudang Sect.
Despite being an elder with formidable martial prowess, he was famous for his hasty temperament, quite un-Taoist-like. That’s why his alternate name was Hot Fire Taoist.
“Master Taoist, what brings you here?”
“I’ll be direct without beating around the bush. I heard the Fist Demon is staying here. Is it true?”
At Cheong-jin’s question, Woo Jo-yang and Nam Woo-saeng made uncomfortable expressions.
Dam Ho disliked bothersome matters. That’s why he stayed only in the separate quarters and didn’t venture outside.
‘Despite being told to keep it quiet, information leaked anyway?’
Nam Woo-saeng bit his lips when Cheong-jin continued.
“Didn’t I ask? Isn’t the Fist Demon here? Are you making a fool of an elder of the Wudang Sect?”
“Ah, no.”
“Surely not.”
“Then why don’t you answer?”
Cheong-jin’s voice resonated loudly throughout the Jun County branch. Everyone working stopped moving and stared at him.
Cheong-jin’s face had already flushed red. His eyes contained faint anger.
Like his alternate name Blazing Fire Taoist, he appeared hot-tempered.
“It’s true that Great Hero Dam is staying as a guest at our Jun County branch.”
“So it’s true?”
“Yes.”
“Then why doesn’t he come out? Does he look down on the Wudang Sect?”
Uuung!
His voice with internal energy resonated loudly throughout the branch.
An old Wudang Sect elder’s lion’s roar channeling internal energy. Though escorts could endure reasonably well, porters and laborers covered their ears and trembled on the ground.
Had Cheong-jin’s lion’s roar been even slightly stronger, their eardrums would have ruptured, causing direct brain trauma.
“Please calm yourself, Master Taoist.”
“Taoist Cheong-jin.”
Nam Woo-saeng and Woo Jo-yang hastily tried to dissuade him. But the anger on Cheong-jin’s face showed no sign of subsiding.
‘He’s here so I should verify? Why am I ordered around so easily?’
He wasn’t angry about the Fist Demon being in Jun County. He was angry because his youngest disciple treated him too casually.
He acknowledged his youngest disciple Cheong-mu’s abilities. His mind was clearly brilliant. Thanks to this, he had risen early and become the Wudang Sect’s wise strategist.
Meanwhile, Cheong-jin handled only trivial tasks due to his hasty temperament, never being entrusted with important matters. Yet he too was undoubtedly an elder of the Wudang Sect.
That’s why he was angry. It didn’t subside easily.
He unleashed another lion’s roar.
“Fist Demon! If you’ve entered Jun County, don’t hide cowardly and come out!”
Uuung!
All the branch’s utensils rang, and the laborers’ expressions became even more pallid.
“Kyaaaah!”
“Please!”
They covered their ears with both hands and pleaded. But Cheong-jin ignored them and unleashed another lion’s roar.
“Fist De…!”
“Shut up!”
That moment, a cold voice suddenly echoed, cutting off Cheong-jin’s speech and shocking his chest.
Cheong-jin’s eyes saw a man walking into the courtyard.
Dressed in pitch-black clothes like darkness itself, limping slightly on one leg, the man was precisely Dam Ho.
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