Chapter 111: Chapter 111
Cheon Woo-jin’s calm voice became a boulder and plunged onto the lake known as the Black Overlord Castle.
Naturally, a fierce ripple arose.
The thirteen martial artists called the heavens of the Unorthodox Path looked at each other, unable to conceal their bewilderment.
It was astonishing considering that each and every one of them was comparable to the heads of the Five Great Clans and the Nine Great Sects of the Righteous Path.
In this large hall, there were only two people.
Only Cheon Woo-jin and the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle maintained their tranquility.
Returning to his seat, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle rested his chin on his hand and sank into contemplation.
Cheon Woo-jin quietly watched that appearance.
Was he bold as expected of a martial artist called one of the Three Pillars Under Heaven?
Or perhaps he had kept the return of the Dark Emperor in mind to some extent.
Just as the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle could not read Cheon Woo-jin’s mind, neither could Cheon Woo-jin.
Everyone stared only at the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle.
How much time had passed like that?
After a considerably long contemplation, words flowed from the mouth of the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle.
“Muk Si-rang. Starting today, double the food rations for the kids.”
Cheon Woo-jin tilted his head in puzzlement.
He hadn’t expected talk of meals to come up suddenly.
However, an unmistakable tension was flowing across the faces of the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path.
“Are we preparing for war?”
Muk Si-rang asked. The lord he served always increased the rations of the martial artists ahead of war. That one must eat well to fight well was the theory of the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle.
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle shook his head.
“It is unknown for the immediate moment. However, if the Dark Emperor truly returns… no, if he has returned, we must prepare even a single day earlier. To die less.”
The words ‘to die less’ struck like daggers into the minds of the Thirteen Wolves. The lord they served was a man who knew no defeat. Because he was one who had unified the vast Unorthodox Path when merely twelve years had passed since he abruptly revealed himself in the martial world.
“First Wolf.”
“Yes, Castle Lord.”
At the summons of the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle, an elderly woman stepped forward and bowed her head.
A distinct light flashed across Cheon Woo-jin’s eyes as he looked at her.
Even at an age where her hair had turned completely white, the old woman had an upright posture and clear eyes. It was akin to looking at a bamboo tree that grew increasingly sturdy as time passed.
“As soon as day breaks, go to the Martial Alliance and bring back the Shadowless Divine Thief. If war breaks out, a fellow with quick feet has many uses.”
“Understood.”
The Shadowless Divine Thief was imprisoned in the Martial Alliance’s dungeon.
Yet she nodded without asking any other questions. She merely carried out what her leader commanded.
She could negotiate with the leadership of the alliance, and if there was no other way, she could infiltrate the dungeon directly and kidnap him.
In Cheon Woo-jin’s view, First Wolf was someone who would fight a life-and-death battle with the Alliance Leader if the Alliance Leader blocked the dungeon. No, even if an order fell to bring back the register of life and death from King Yanluo in hell, she was someone who would merely nod her head.
And the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle also wore an expression of immense trust toward her.
‘What an extraordinary person.’
It was an admiration directed toward both the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle and First Wolf.
Afterward, having issued orders to each of the Thirteen Wolves, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle rose from his seat and spoke to Cheon Woo-jin.
“Would you talk with me for a moment?”
“Yes.”
He had to be one of the people who knew his master Black Elder best, so there was no way a conversation with him wouldn’t be enjoyable.
* * *
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle brought Cheon Woo-jin to his martial training grounds.
Sitting across from each other and guzzling alcohol was not to his taste. The bare ground of a battlefield where blades ran rampant was more comfortable than a comfortable chair placed in a room.
Thus, the two stood facing each other on the training grounds.
Not many words were exchanged. Even so, they felt a certain kinship in each other’s gazes. A competitive spirit as martial artists was rising.
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle had the veteran skill to endure his desires, but Cheon Woo-jin had neither reason nor veteran skill to do so.
“Recently, I sparred with the Alliance Leader at a sparring competition.”
“That White Egret Sword Saint fellow is the same as ever. It is no easy feat to spar with a low-ranking member in front of people. I feel as though I can hear the Chief Strategist’s screams all the way here.”
“He was formidable.”
“The Chief Strategist? Well, indeed.”
“…Both of them.”
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle curled the corners of his lips slightly. It was a smile that looked identical to his son Ha In-seong’s.
Taking that smile into his eyes, Cheon Woo-jin spoke.
“I would like to try it with you as well, Castle Lord.”
“Try what?”
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle deflected the conversation even while knowing. To pick and eat a well-ripened apple, one had to wait a full year. How could he not endure a brief moment to recruit a talent of this caliber?
Cheon Woo-jin furrowed his brow slightly.
“A spar.”
Saying so, he subtly released his momentum.
While maintaining courtesy because he was his master’s junior, a provocative emotion was tinged within it.
Cheon Woo-jin also knew that the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle was feeling competitive just like himself.
However, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle did not respond in the slightest. He merely spouted remarks like, ‘The moon is exceptionally good today.’
In that manner, just as Cheon Woo-jin’s competitive spirit reached its peak.
“Do you want to clash once?”
As if waiting, Cheon Woo-jin drew his Crescent Moon Staff.
At the same time, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle also drew a straight saber as black as ink. Even though he was merely standing while holding the saber, a sharp energy sharp enough to cleave the heavens swirled within the training grounds.
For an ordinary martial artist, standing properly would have been impossible under the sensation of their entire body being shredded.
Yet Cheon Woo-jin rather felt joy at such stimulation. In the energy of the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle, there was a primal stimulation reminiscent of his master Black Elder.
Did the two know? That looking at each other, they were simultaneously recalling the same man.
Soon, around the time the air of the training grounds grew taut and precarious as if about to explode at any moment.
“Nah, I won’t do it.”
“…?”
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle sheathed his straight saber.
Cheon Woo-jin practically cursed with his eyes.
Just what on earth was this behavior?
Regardless, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle spoke with a laughter-laced voice, looking thoroughly amused.
“No matter if you are Senior’s disciple, how could I spar with a Martial Alliance member? Well, if you come to the Black Overlord Castle, I could spar with you every day, though.”
The trailing words were whispered as if audible yet inaudible.
Cheon Woo-jin stared quietly at the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle.
– Woo-jin, let us just smash that bastard’s skull. What can a fellow like him do other than draw his sword?
– Ignore him. If you deal with him, you will only be entangled.
Cheon Woo-jin contemplated for a moment.
It was the voices of his masters, and at the same time, a conflict between reason and emotion within himself.
However, as was usually the case, it led to White Elder’s victory.
“I understand. Let us do it next time when there is an opportunity.”
Cheon Woo-jin put away the Crescent Moon Staff.
At that, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle wore a flustered expression instead.
‘Senior’s disciple shouldn’t be like this…’
As the master of a faction, he couldn’t retract words he had spoken. Toying with the hilt of his saber with regret, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle plunked down with a sigh.
“Right, let us just talk for a bit. It is good and martial artist-like.”
* * *
The conversation between the two did not cease.
It was because the person who had exerted the greatest influence on their lives was the same, and they shared the common interest of the Dark Emperor.
The conversation flowed continuously, leading to Man Gi-ja’s letter.
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle glared intently at Man Gi-ja’s letter that Cheon Woo-jin handed over. However, glaring hard did not cause letters that weren’t there to appear.
Giving up, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle handed the letter back and spoke.
“Since it is a letter left behind by the Divine Beggar, go find his disciple, the Dragon Head Sect Chief. Some clue will surely emerge.”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded.
Even with just the crimson knot that had accompanied the letter, Chu Pung-gae, an elder of the Beggars’ Sect and the Martial Alliance Disciplinary Hall Master, had shown great goodwill. The Chief of the Beggars’ Sect would not be any different either.
As Cheon Woo-jin tucked the letter into his bosom and nodded, the words of the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle suddenly followed.
“When you return to the Martial Alliance, tell them that you met me. Also, tell them that I asked you to come to the Black Overlord Castle.”
Cheon Woo-jin tilted his head.
In any case, the Martial Alliance and the Black Overlord Castle were in a hostile relationship.
“Won’t things become awkward with the Martial Alliance?”
“Well, it might be a bit like that. But once you return to the Martial Alliance, there will probably be many people who dislike you. Originally, geniuses are bound to be envied, and there will be many who were friendly with Tang Bi-cheon, who died by your hand.”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded calmly.
Because it was something he had sufficiently anticipated.
“However, if you show an attitude that you can go to the Black Overlord Castle at any time, they won’t dare treat you carelessly. They will fear incurring the Alliance Leader’s wrath under the pretext of contributing to chasing you out for no good reason.”
It was advice genuinely meant for Cheon Woo-jin.
No matter how strong he was, to the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle who had known Cheon Woo-jin since he was a little child, he still appeared infinitely young.
It wasn’t that he worried someone would harm him. He simply disliked the thought of a child who was like a nephew being unnecessarily hated and persecuted.
“Understood.”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded calmly.
At that, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle formed a gratified smile.
With a child who looked identical to someone he missed so dearly standing before him, how could he not smile?
“You grew up well.”
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle stroked Cheon Woo-jin’s shoulder.
Cheon Woo-jin remained still even though he could have dodged. A familiar warmth was felt from the hand stroking his shoulder.
It had been like that when he faced the Martial Alliance Leader.
If White Elder was like a father, the Alliance Leader was no different from an uncle.
It was the same for the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle.
For Cheon Woo-jin, who had no family, he instead had two fathers and two uncles.
Pretending not to care, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle gave a benevolent smile and glanced at Cheon Woo-jin’s expression.
‘Did it work?’
Chapter one of recruiting talent.
Target the emotions.
He was the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle, who had unified all of that rough and roguish Unorthodox Path. His offensive was not over until it was over.
Suddenly, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle and Cheon Woo-jin looked toward the entrance of the training grounds simultaneously. At the realm of the two men, they could notice an approach even without any special notice.
All of a sudden, a cheerful voice came from outside.
“Castle Lord, it’s me.”
It was Muk Si-rang, third-in-command of the Black Overlord Castle.
Once permission was granted, Muk Si-rang entered the training grounds and looked at the two with a curious expression, especially at Cheon Woo-jin.
“Did you perhaps spar?”
“Do I have the leisure to spar with Woo-jin?”
“Ahem, I apologize.”
Muk Si-rang coughed dryly for no reason. In truth, the Castle Lord he knew was someone who would have sparred a hundred times over.
Soon, Muk Si-rang spoke.
“A letter has arrived from Gu Yong-baek.”
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle clicked his tongue. How long had it been since he was kicked out with an eviction order that he was already sending a letter?
“What did he say?”
“Since the Gu Clan has already been rejected by the Righteous Path, if even the Black Overlord Castle abandons them, they are now on the edge of a cliff. Saying that the Castle Lord surely knows well how a wild dog driven to a cliff will act, he asks you to show benevolence just once, but…”
Muk Si-rang felt a bitter taste in his mouth even as he spoke.
Who did a mere Gu Clan dare send such a threatening letter to?
“His insolence pierces the heavens. Shall I go and sever his head?”
Muk Si-rang always showed a lax and light attitude, but in any case, he was the third-in-command of the Black Overlord Castle. To the extent that he spoke of going alone to take the family head’s head, he did not fear the likes of the Gu Clan at all.
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle pressed his temples as if troubled.
“That is why I told him not to touch that matter. Why would a fellow with plenty of money smuggle gunpowder?”
“He’s crazy about money. The ones who already have it are always worse.”
No matter how unorthodox one was, there was a line that should not be crossed.
Betraying the one you served, doing things that would trigger a war with the Demonic Cult or the Martial Alliance, and especially provoking the Imperial Palace was something to refrain from.
Yet the Gu Clan crossed this line as casually as having a meal.
“There is no need to respond to the letter. However, if any person from the Gu Clan tries to set foot in the Black Overlord Castle again, cut them down regardless of the reason. Since those bastards are becoming closer to the Demonic Path rather than the Unorthodox Path, there is no need for us to take them in. By the way…”
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle looked toward the entrance of the training grounds.
“First Wolf is waiting outside, isn’t she?”
“Yes, after all, Senior First Wolf considered that person quite special.”
Cheon Woo-jin realized that the person Muk Si-rang spoke of was Black Elder.
It was difficult to imagine First Wolf, who exuded a profound and mysterious aura despite being of the Unorthodox Path, being together with his master Black Elder, who was endlessly rough.
After seeking Cheon Woo-jin’s opinion, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle summoned First Wolf.
Soon, First Wolf stepped onto the training grounds. Wearing a jet-black martial robe as if she was about to head to the Martial Alliance shortly, First Wolf looked different from how she had appeared in the Castle Lord Hall.
First Wolf stared intently at Cheon Woo-jin, who held the Crescent Moon Staff.
Cheon Woo-jin was internally tense. After all, most martial artists in the world were enemies of his master Black Elder.
It was at that moment.
After silently watching him for a considerably long time, First Wolf’s eyes reddened slightly.
At that sight, Cheon Woo-jin was unusually flustered.
Having approached right before him before anyone realized, First Wolf held Cheon Woo-jin’s hands with both of hers. They were rough and wrinkled hands, yet at the infinitely gentle and soft touch contrary to expectations, Cheon Woo-jin flinched slightly.
“You resemble him. You truly resemble that person.”
What was contained in her voice was deep longing.
Looking at Cheon Woo-jin’s face, First Wolf recalled the Black Elder of his youth. It was a long story, but she did not bother uttering it aloud. How could the tedious stories of old folks be entertaining to this young martial artist?
However, she had to say this one thing.
“All my life, I wanted to repay my debt of gratitude to that person, but when was he ever someone who needed anyone’s help? Yet, having lived long, an opportunity arrives like this.”
First Wolf withdrew her hands.
On Cheon Woo-jin’s palm lay something small like a silver coin.
“It is a Silver Token of Gratitude. If there is anything I can help with, regardless of ideology, I will act once for whatever it is. Even if it is a task where I must risk my life.”
Having said so, First Wolf looked at the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle.
Since pledging her loyalty, she lived thinking that even her life was not her own. Having put that on the line recklessly, she was seeking the Castle Lord’s permission.
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle nodded. Contrary to First Wolf’s thoughts, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle merely kept her by his side as a fellow martial artist and comrade.
* * *
At the invitation of the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle, Cheon Woo-jin stayed for a night.
Since the creation of the Black Overlord Castle, it was the first time they had provided lodging to a martial artist of the Martial Alliance, and a low-ranking member at that.
They provided a VIP suite located closest to the Castle Lord Hall, prepared meticulous meals, and provided a new martial robe.
Cheon Woo-jin, who received treatment truly fit for an honored guest, had a hearty breakfast the next morning with the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle, his son Ha In-seong, and the Thirteen Wolves before leaving the Black Overlord Castle.
Until the very end, the Black Overlord Castle saw Cheon Woo-jin off with utmost formality. It was only natural. The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle and First Wolf respected Black Elder and considered his disciple to be of the same seniority as themselves, no matter how young he was.
Because the two most senior elders of the Black Overlord Castle respected Cheon Woo-jin, the other Thirteen Wolves naturally had to follow suit.
“Woo-jin, think carefully about what I said.”
The previous night, having drunk heavily saying he was merely delighted, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle had once again urged Cheon Woo-jin to come to the Black Overlord Castle.
Asking how Black Elder’s disciple could be in the Martial Alliance rather than the Black Overlord Castle.
Cheon Woo-jin hadn’t given a particular reply. He merely intended to live going with the flow, just as his two masters had done.
If the flow of the world led him to the Black Overlord Castle, that was an issue to consider when the time came.
Cheon Woo-jin bowed his head slightly and turned around.
Watching his retreating back, Ha In-seong asked his father casually.
“Will that fellow come to the Black Overlord Castle?”
“Who knows.”
Even the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle could hardly predict.
However, what was certain was that not even himself, the Martial Alliance Leader, or the Demonic Cult Leader, all called the Three Pillars Under Heaven, could force that punk’s steps.
Because he was the disciple of that person, and no one else.