Chapter 113: Chapter 113
Cheon Woo-jin’s steps were exceptionally light.
It had been quite a long time since he had deployed his lightness arts alone. Having no one to mind, he ran just like back when he romped about with his masters.
With each step he took forward, the scenery beneath his feet flowed backward like a raging river.
‘Refreshing.’
It was a wind pressure under which an ordinary martial artist wouldn’t even be able to open their eyes, but to Cheon Woo-jin, it was merely a refreshing feeling he hadn’t felt in a long time.
How much time had passed running without restraint like that?
Having departed in the morning, around the time the sun was setting.
Cheon Woo-jin arrived at the Black Overlord Castle Sichuan Branch.
“What is this?”
Those were Cheon Woo-jin’s first words upon seeing Cheol Ji-ak.
The period he had spent going to headquarters and back was roughly seven days.
He had anticipated that the Black Tortoise Squad Leader would have awakened by the time he returned. Both of his masters had showered nothing but praise on the Divine Physician’s medical skills, after all.
However, it was not at the level of simply waking up and doing a bit of training.
Even though he was merely standing, he exuded a sturdy aura like a giant tree with roots buried deeply into the earth.
Cheon Woo-jin looked past the Black Tortoise Squad Leader’s broad shoulders toward the Divine Physician. It was a gaze asking what on earth he had done.
The Divine Physician merely shrugged his shoulders. He had done nothing other than treat Cheol Ji-ak, who returned as a rag every day.
However, muscles originally grew by repeating damage and recovery.
Ma Yong-seok’s training method tore the entire body to shreds, and the Divine Physician’s medical skills restored it completely overnight.
He had literally grown at a nonsensical pace. In addition to that came teachings from an expert who practiced the same type of martial arts.
To Cheol Ji-ak, those seven days were no different from a miraculous encounter.
Of course, Cheon Woo-jin, who had no way of knowing this, merely looked at him with an absurd face.
“Woo-jin.”
At the voice suddenly calling him, Cheon Woo-jin nodded his head. Looking at Cheon Woo-jin for a moment, Cheol Ji-ak spoke in a low voice.
“I am sorry.”
In Cheol Ji-ak’s heart, apology and gratitude coexisted. However, because his apology was greater, he spoke so.
Cheon Woo-jin wore an expression of not knowing how to react since he had never received such an apology before, then simply replied as usual.
“The mission was successful.”
“…”
A brief silence.
Suddenly, Cheol Ji-ak burst out laughing.
Was that not truly a reply and expression characteristic of Cheon Woo-jin?
“Right, let us return now.”
Cheol Ji-ak made up his mind internally. Once he returned to the alliance, he intended to ask a favor regarding Cheon Woo-jin from the Alliance Leader. That fellow was far too great a figure to belong to a small organization like the Black Tortoise Squad.
How could a teacup, or even a large lake, contain an ocean?
Cheon Woo-jin asked for a moment of time.
Before returning, he had to see Dok-ra-su. As promised, he had spoken about Dok-ra-su to the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle.
The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle had declined with difficulty. The reason was that they could not accept someone who had released poison on Escort Ma’s daughter into the Black Overlord Castle.
Cheon Woo-jin approached Dok-ra-su, who was crouched in a corner, and told him this. Dok-ra-su nodded as if he had expected it.
“Staying here, I talked a bit with Escort Ma over there, and I came to realize that his daughter was the woman from back then. If I had known in advance, I wouldn’t have even thought to entrust myself to the Black Overlord Castle.”
Dok-ra-su also knew the personality of the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle well.
He was not someone who had unified the widely spread Unorthodox Path across the martial world through terror.
‘There is no way he would accept someone like me.’
Perhaps it was for the best.
Because over the past few days, a far more important goal had arisen than entrusting his person to the Black Overlord Castle.
Dok-ra-su relayed the conversation he had shared with the Divine Physician regarding the Poison King’s dementia. Along with a plea asking if he could perhaps help later.
The minimum fundamental condition to treat dementia was precisely delicate qi manipulation ability. It couldn’t be merely at a delicate level; it had to be peerless enough to be called touching the heavens.
In Dok-ra-su’s estimation, the only martial artists in the contemporary era who fit that description were the three men called the Three Pillars Under Heaven, and Cheon Woo-jin.
Since he could not ask the Alliance Leader, the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle, or the Demonic Cult Leader, Cheon Woo-jin was his sole hope.
Cheon Woo-jin nodded calmly. Before being the family head of the Tang Clan, the Poison King was a junior cherished by his master White Elder, so there was no reason not to help.
Above all, if the Poison King regained his sanity, the Tang Clan, a pillar of the Righteous Path, would quickly return to its original form.
It was something his master White Elder surely wished for.
“Member Cheon, I can’t tell you to come again next time, but let’s meet sometime. Since you’re still young, such a day will come. I just hope we aren’t enemies.”
Ma Yong-seok genuinely wished so. Because no matter how much he thought about it, he saw no way to protect the Young Castle Lord from Cheon Woo-jin.
After finishing his farewells to Ma Yong-seok and the Divine Physician in turn, Cheon Woo-jin prepared to return to the Martial Alliance.
The mission had stretched longer than expected. Who would have known that while coming to strike the Tang Clan, he would meet the Green King and the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle?
Above all…
‘The day will come when we meet again.’
The silver-haired man who had killed the Green King.
He was stronger than anyone he had met since stepping out into the martial world.
Perhaps even more so than his masters.
* * *
Leaving the Black Overlord Castle, Cheon Woo-jin joined up with the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader and the Black Tortoise Squad members who had previously come out on the mission together.
To commend their hard work, the Martial Alliance had sent carriages to Sichuan. Because there were many who were heavily injured while dealing with the martial artists of the Tang Clan.
However, finding the inside of the carriage stifling, Cheon Woo-jin climbed onto the roof and sat there.
The one who had been active most busily in this mission was Cheon Woo-jin. Dealing with the Poison King, killing Tang Bi-cheon, saving the Black Tortoise Squad Leader, and even going to the Black Overlord Castle and back.
Everyone seemed to have many questions, but thinking Cheon Woo-jin would be fatigued, they deliberately did not speak to him. It was their own consideration.
Thanks to that, Cheon Woo-jin was able to quietly immerse himself in thought.
Closing his eyes, within a space filled with blackness, an existence darker than the night sky stood.
It was the Dark Emperor, imagined based on the words his masters had spoken during their lifetime. He was an existence akin to darkness itself. Because his end could not be fathomed, even his two masters had felt fear, they had said.
In his imagination, the Dark Emperor suddenly spun his figure around. Centered on him, a pitch-black full moon was drawn.
It was a Dark Sky Full Moon distinctly different from that of his master Black Elder, and from his own.
The full moon soon engulfed the entire world.
With a rumble, the sky collapsed and the earth surged.
It was literally a disaster churning heaven and earth.
Cheon Woo-jin quietly watched that spectacle, then, spotting an opening, immediately shot his figure forward.
Swish!
A strike calmer and more concise than at any other time.
Closing the distance in an instant, Cheon Woo-jin swung his Crescent Moon Staff.
However, the Dark Emperor merely turned his head and met Cheon Woo-jin’s gaze.
The moment their eyes locked.
“…”
Cheon Woo-jin snapped out of his contemplation.
Cold sweat dripped down his spine.
Ahead, the headquarters of the Martial Alliance came into view, and Song Yi-yeon, who had climbed onto the carriage roof before anyone noticed, was sitting beside him.
“Young Hero, what are you pondering so deeply?”
“I was contemplating how to kill the Dark Emperor if he returns.”
Cheon Woo-jin spoke the truth plainly.
At that, Song Yi-yeon, whose face was already pale to begin with, turned even paler and quietly slunk back down beneath the roof.
Cheon Woo-jin also leaped down lightly from the carriage.
Soon, the colossal gates of the Martial Alliance headquarters opened.
Numerous martial artists could be seen inside.
They warmly welcomed the return of the Black Tortoise Squad.
News had already been delivered to the headquarters as well.
The fact that Cheon Woo-jin had killed Demon Physician, the disciple of the Dark Emperor.
Punishing Tang Bi-cheon who had colluded with Demon Physician, and confronting the Poison King, an expert of the Realm Beyond the Heavens.
Upon receiving that news, the hearts of the righteous martial artists grew heated.
The protagonist who had performed such extraordinary deeds was none other than the disciple of the White Flower Sword Immortal.
The disciple of a legendary figure of the Righteous Path was writing a legend once again. How could their hearts not blaze when they could witness it at his side?
Furthermore, the fact that the Black Tortoise Squad Leader had desperately overworked his body to protect his subordinates also acted as great seasoning, making the tale stand out even more.
Soon, the carriages crossed the path opened by the martial artists.
At that, cheers erupted from all directions, and while Cheon Woo-jin was calm as always, the others wore stunned expressions.
All the more so for the Black Tortoise Squad, who had always been ignored, and Song Yi-yeon, who had only recently joined the alliance.
In that manner, without anyone’s hindrance, the carriages headed toward the Alliance Leader Hall.
* * *
The Alliance Leader Hall.
In that place overlooking the entirety of the Martial Alliance from the highest point, four men sat facing each other across a tea table.
The Black Tortoise Squad Leader and the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader reported without omission the details of this mission and the facts learned through the elder of the Tang Clan.
Sichuan Tang Clan, Hebei Peng Clan, Murong Clan, Qingcheng Sect, Zhongnan Sect.
As many as five factions among the Nine Great Sects and One Clan and the Five Great Clans had participated in establishing the Righteous Heavenly Alliance. Furthermore, even the Ten Thousand Gold Manor, said to be the wealthiest under heaven, had lent its strength.
Of course, as it was merely the one-sided claim of the Tang Clan’s elder, a verification process was necessary.
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon’s gaze sank low.
It was the same for Chief Strategist Sima Hwi beside him. Recalling the sect leaders and family heads of the aforementioned factions one by one, he continued speaking.
“Alliance Leader, if Tang Bi-cheon joined hands with the Demon Physician, we cannot help but suspect the other factions as well. If they wish to establish the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, we cannot stop them. Because that alone does not constitute a crime. However…”
If they committed evil deeds in that process, the story would change.
To secretly create an organization as colossal as the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, resources would be needed. Just as Tang Bi-cheon had done, there was a high likelihood that they were inevitably committing crimes.
The Alliance Leader touched his teacup.
The remaining three men merely waited for the Alliance Leader’s words.
How much time had passed like that?
“We must revive the Inspection Hall. Ji-ak, you take on the position of Hall Master.”
Cheol Ji-ak and the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader wore surprised expressions. However, seeing that the Chief Strategist remained calm, it seemed they had discussed it well in advance.
Cheol Ji-ak shook his head.
“How could I assume such a position? A Hall Master. It does not suit my station.”
Going straight from a squad leader to a hall master without even becoming a division head was extremely rare. It was truly an extraordinary promotion, and applying it to Cheol Ji-ak himself rather than a promising individual like the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader felt burdensome.
“Didn’t you say so yourself? That keeping Woo-jin as a low-ranking member of a combat squad was overwhelming? Saying that with your capacity, you could never contain such a talent.”
He had certainly said so before reporting the mission.
However, that did not mean he wanted his own capacity forcibly expanded from Black Tortoise Squad Leader to Inspection Hall Master.
Bukli Cheon continued speaking with an understanding face.
“Ji-ak, I am not trying to burden you. I intend to place the Black Tortoise Squad and the Hidden Dragon Squad under the Inspection Hall. You, that child Zhuge Rin, and Woo-jin. Shouldn’t capable people find their proper places?”
Cheol Ji-ak’s eyes narrowed. It was only natural for Zhuge Rin to take over the squad leader position of the Black Tortoise Squad that he was leaving.
However, the Hidden Dragon Squad was a name he had never heard before.
Creating a new combat squad under the Inspection Hall meant…
Only after understanding the Alliance Leader’s words did Cheol Ji-ak nod his head. For such a reason, he could bear even the burdensome seat of Inspection Hall Master.
* * *
Soon, Cheon Woo-jin was summoned to the Alliance Leader Hall.
Having been summoned just as he was about to visit the Disciplinary Hall Master, an elder of the Beggars’ Sect, to decipher Man Gi-ja’s letter, his expression was dissatisfied.
Knowing Cheon Woo-jin’s personality, the Alliance Leader got straight to the point.
“Would you take on the position of Hidden Dragon Squad Leader?”
“What is that?”
“It is a newly created combat squad. Hidden Dragon, literally, it will be operated primarily with rising talents. I will grant you the authority to personally draft members in consultation with the leaders of other combat squads.”
Somehow, Cheol Ji-ak and the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader listening from the side wore more overwhelmed expressions. To become a squad leader at that age, less than a year after joining the alliance.
“Hmm.”
However, Cheon Woo-jin, the party involved, was indifferent.
At that ambiguous reaction, the Alliance Leader hastily added.
“I will grant you Special Operations Authority. It is the authority to conduct special operations arbitrarily according to the situation.”
It was quite an extraordinary condition.
All Martial Alliance members had to move under missions issued by the Military Strategy Department. Yet, obtaining Special Operations Authority was no different from gaining freedom.
“I will think about it. If I suddenly become a squad leader, the backlash will likely be quite severe.”
For instance, those who were close with the deceased Elder Zhuge Seong, or those who were plotting great schemes together with the Tang Clan.
Nodding his head, the Chief Strategist spoke in a firm tone.
“That is my job to resolve.”
“Then I will contemplate it for a day.”
In truth, Cheon Woo-jin had no intention of becoming a squad leader.
A division head or hall master above that.
Perhaps even the Alliance Leader.
He had no particular interest in any official position.
It was likely because he had grown up under two masters who had such inclinations by nature.
Bowing politely, Cheon Woo-jin was about to leave the hall when he suddenly recalled the advice he had heard from the Lord of the Black Overlord Castle earlier and spoke.
“The Lord of the Black Overlord Castle told me to come to him. If I do so, master White Elder would be sad, wouldn’t he?”
One of the people who knew White Elder best was none other than Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon. That was why he had asked without much thought, but the faces of everyone in the hall turned pale.
“As expected, that’s a bit much, isn’t it.”
Cheon Woo-jin stepped out of the Alliance Leader Hall.
At the same time, the Alliance Leader ordered the Chief Strategist in a low, yet firmer tone than ever before.
“Convene the Martial Alliance Grand Council immediately.”