Chapter 19: Chapter 19
After Cheon Woo-jin departed.
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon leaned his body deep into his chair.
A long sigh crept out between his lips.
“Phew, to think that after reaching this age and serving as the Alliance Leader, I would be walking on eggshells around a greenhorn recruit.”
However, Cheon Woo-jin’s potential was worth that much.
From what he heard, he had killed the Shura Demon Lord, a disciple of the Dark Emperor, single-handedly and subjugated the Western Sky Society.
Even recalling all the experts representing the current era, there was no one who had achieved such a realm at his age.
That such a man could cross over to the Unorthodox Path or the Demonic Path at any time was something to be exceedingly guarded against as the Martial Alliance Leader.
“Senior, just what on earth did you pick up and raise…”
Staring into empty space, Bukli Cheon closed his eyes tightly. Somehow, he felt as if he could hear White Elder’s hollow laughter.
It was at that moment.
“Alliance Leader.”
A voice was heard from outside. It was a voice that was quite dignified yet brimming with intelligence.
Straightening his leaning body and composing his expression, Bukli Cheon opened his mouth.
“Enter.”
Soon, the office door opened, and a middle-aged man with finely combed dark gray hair revealed himself. Seeing the blatant dissatisfaction contained in his expression, Bukli Cheon formed a bitter smile.
“Chief Strategist, what is displeasing you again? First, have a seat.”
Chief Strategist Sima Pyeong.
In the Martial Alliance, which was the supreme coalition of the Righteous Path, he was a man who enjoyed power below one person and above ten thousand people.
Approaching, he did not sit down, but clasped his hands together in a respectful manner and looked at Bukli Cheon. Whenever he voiced a complaint, he always had this attitude.
Soon, Sima Pyeong continued speaking.
“It is regarding the accepted applicant Cheon Woo-jin. I understand that he is exceedingly strong. The potential he harbors is also remarkable.”
Bukli Cheon nodded his head. Since the offices of the Chief Strategist and the Alliance Leader shared a single wall between them, unless they deliberately deployed an internal energy barrier, they were bound to hear each other’s voices.
“That is correct. It is natural since Senior White Elder took in and raised a child with the most outstanding talent under heaven.”
“Even so, it seems the Alliance Leader is taking too humble of a stance. The Alliance Leader is the one standing at the apex of millions of martial artists of the Righteous Path.”
“Haha…”
Bukli Cheon scratched his head as if troubled. He knew Sima Pyeong’s loyalty well. It seemed he was not pleased seeing the man he deeply respected flustered by a mere young generation talent.
Above all, establishing the Alliance Leader’s prestige was also included in Sima Pyeong’s duties. The man representing the Martial Alliance could not easily bow his head to anyone.
“Alliance Leader.”
It seemed he had no intention of glossing over it with an awkward laugh. Eventually letting out a sigh, Bukli Cheon lightly tapped the table.
Because it meant to sit down, Sima Pyeong took a seat.
Soon, Bukli Cheon’s serious voice followed.
“You do not know Senior White Elder well, do you?”
“Yes, well. Although I heard many stories, by the time I formally engaged in strategist affairs, he was someone who had already retired.”
Bukli Cheon nodded. His eyes looked distant, as if recalling a fond past.
“He was a remarkable person. If he had put his mind to it, he could have personally become the Alliance Leader and created the greatest Martial Alliance in martial arts history. Seniority, skill, character, he was a person who was not lacking in a single thing.”
Sima Pyeong listened attentively with a serious face. Even though their active periods did not overlap, he had heard stories about White Elder, that is, the White Flower Sword Immortal, until his ears were worn out. The martial artist most respected by Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon, who received the reverence of all orthodox martial artists, was none other than the White Flower Sword Immortal.
“If he had personally led the Alliance, neither the current Demonic Cult nor the Unorthodox Path would run rampant as they do now.”
“…Why did he not do so?”
Sima Pyeong’s question was reasonable. As a distinguished elder of the Righteous Path, he could not understand why someone who possessed the ability to suppress heretical and evil factions did not do so. In particular, it was even more so because the White Flower Sword Immortal’s chivalrous spirit was so famous.
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon broke into a gentle smile.
“That is precisely the part I am trying to talk about. Senior White Elder is by no means a man who acts without a reason. The fact that he set aside the affairs of the Martial Alliance and disappeared into seclusion meant that there was a matter more important than that.”
The man who truly understood White Elder more than anyone else was Bukli Cheon. After all, his values and martial arts were also profoundly influenced by White Elder.
“As a martial artist of the Righteous Path, is there a matter more important than suppressing the Demonic Cult and the Unorthodox Path?”
“There is. No, there was. Do you truly ask because you do not know?”
In an instant, Sima Pyeong’s jaw dropped slightly. It was because a single name naturally surfaced in his mind. An existence more threatening than all the experts of the Demonic Path and the Unorthodox Path combined. The absolute being who made the world tremble in fear.
“The Dark Emperor…”
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon nodded his head.
“It has already been over fifty years since the Dark Emperor showed not even a single strand of hair to the world. That he is already dead is the established theory. But is it not strange?”
“…”
“With the realms of Senior White Elder and Black Elder, they could easily live thirty or forty more years. Yet the two of them died on the same day at the same hour, as if by prior arrangement. I cannot shake off the thought that there was someone’s intention behind the deaths of those two.”
With a grave face, Sima Pyeong nodded. Perhaps deeply pondering something, a deep furrow was carved into his brow.
Having finished a moment of contemplation, Sima Pyeong opened his mouth. In an instant, a certain fear enveloped his entire body.
“Are you saying that the Dark Emperor is alive?”
Just uttering it from his mouth caused fear to rise. He had never met the Dark Emperor. But considering what kind of people the experts of the Righteous Path, Unorthodox Path, and Demonic Cult who died at his hands were…
The Dark Emperor was truly an existence beyond human caliber.
That such a great evil still prolonged his life and killed White Elder and Black Elder, who were the supreme experts of the Righteous and Unorthodox Paths? If that were true, what would happen next?
“Well. The probability that he is alive is slim. However, it is an issue that cannot simply be overlooked. Now, if we think about it again…”
Before Bukli Cheon could even finish raising a new hypothesis, Sima Pyeong, the most brilliant man under heaven, had already sorted out the situation.
“The supreme masters of the Righteous and Unorthodox Paths, who were slain by the Dark Emperor, took in a genius of the ages and poured everything into raising him. Furthermore, sending him to the Martial Alliance means…”
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon nodded his head.
“Yes. It is certainly speculation. Both that the Dark Emperor is still alive, and that the Black and White Elders raised an absolute expert to prepare against him. But it is also a matter that cannot simply be overlooked.”
“If those absurd hypotheses are truly facts, by one chance in a thousand, one chance in ten thousand…”
“Cheon Woo-jin is both hope and a warning sent to the Martial Alliance by Senior White Elder.”
Sima Pyeong leaped up from his seat. The light in his eyes had become entirely different from when he entered the office.
“I will summon the Dragon Head Sect Leader and conduct a meeting. Although it is unusual, if our communication reaches the Hao Sect, I will request their cooperation. I will thoroughly comb through the world once again.”
Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon nodded his head. If combing through the entire world could uncover even a single fingernail of the Dark Emperor, it was a worthwhile endeavor.
After Sima Pyeong left, Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon leaned deep into his chair once more and let out a long sigh.
“Well, it could merely be a pastime bet between two eccentrics.”
* * *
A periodically held gathering of squad leaders.
Even during ordinary times, those who were not out on missions generally attended, but this time, most of the squad leaders were present.
Strangely, everyone wore tense expressions while leaving the liquor cups before them neglected.
Detecting the peculiar atmosphere, the White Dragon Squad Leader burst into laughter.
“Come now, everyone, do not be tense. Is there anything we can do about it?”
Soon, the exercise of the top five accepted applicants’ choice would proceed.
Gathering prominent young talents from across the nation, the five most outstanding among them were selected.
Each and every one of them would be a great addition to a combat squad’s fighting strength.
While anticipating that all of them would choose the Heavenly Tiger Squad, they could not discard a shred of hope either.
Because very, very rarely, an oddball who did not choose the Heavenly Tiger Squad appeared.
With a genial smile, the White Dragon Squad Leader wrapped his arm around the shoulder of Black Tortoise Squad Leader Cheol Ji-ak beside him.
“Everyone, emulate our Squad Leader Cheol. He has already given up and is chugging liquor to his heart’s content. As expected, the experience of the perpetual squad leader of the Black Tortoise Squad is different.”
“Let go, you bastard.”
Cheol Ji-ak lightly shrugged his shoulder off and drained his cup. It was one of the few days he could pour down liquor all night without worrying about missions.
The White Dragon Squad Leader let out a chuckle.
“Squad Leader Cheol, don’t tell me you’re actually expecting something?”
“…”
Cheol Ji-ak had no words.
To be honest, there was a shred of hope.
First place Cheon Woo-jin and third place Song Yi-yeon. Because Vice Squad Leader Zhuge Rin seemed to have built quite a bond with those two.
In particular, Cheon Woo-jin was evaluated as a young generation talent ranking within the top five throughout the history of the Martial Alliance selection examinations.
Considering how deeply the other four mentioned alongside him had engraved their names in martial arts history, Cheon Woo-jin’s future path was truly a situation of high anticipation.
‘Well, in truth, it makes no sense.’
Cheol Ji-ak also knew. Thinking rationally, choosing the Black Tortoise Squad over the Heavenly Tiger Squad out of a few days’ bond was an impossible thing.
The Black Tortoise Squad was merely mediocre among the combat squads, while the Heavenly Tiger Squad was the foremost elite of the Martial Alliance with a guaranteed solid path.
When Cheol Ji-ak remained silent, the White Dragon Squad Leader opened his eyes wide.
“What? Don’t tell me you really expect it? Look, you know our lot. Even if they are oddballs who don’t choose the Heavenly Tiger Squad, wouldn’t they choose the Golden Wolf Squad or the Poison King Squad over there? Your Black Tortoise Squad and our White Dragon Squad have no chance, no chance at all.”
The Golden Wolf Squad was elite second only to the Heavenly Tiger Squad. Occasionally, ambitious fellows who aimed to be the head of a snake rather than the tail of a dragon applied there.
Also, the Poison King Squad was a unit founded by the Poison King, who was an absolute master of the Tang Clan in the past.
Traditionally, a martial artist of the Tang Clan always took the squad leader position, and naturally, they mainly handled poisons and hidden weapons.
Since it was a relatively uncommon method, one could learn many new things, so passionate individuals applied there at times.
Cheol Ji-ak cast a sidelong glance at the White Dragon Squad Leader.
“Do not subtly lump us together as ‘our’ and disparage us.”
“Ahem, I was merely lamenting our lot a bit. You are quite sensitive today.”
The White Dragon Squad Leader and Cheol Ji-ak were of similar age and were friends. However, Cheol Ji-ak’s recruitment batch was strictly much higher.
Furthermore, even if everyone considered it an insignificant combat squad, Cheol Ji-ak cherished the Black Tortoise Squad.
Subtly withdrawing the arm wrapped around Cheol Ji-ak’s shoulder, the White Dragon Squad Leader turned his head and let out a peculiar laugh. It was an unmistakable sneer.
Seeing this, the other squad leaders inwardly clicked their tongues.
‘That snake-like fellow is turning Squad Leader Cheol’s stomach inside out again.’
Occasionally, there were such cases. A type that pretended to be friends on the surface, but subtly belittled the counterpart to preserve their own self-esteem.
The White Dragon Squad Leader was precisely that. His promotion had been blocked for a long time, but watching Cheol Ji-ak, who had been in the squad leader lot far longer than himself, he sought comfort in himself.
Suddenly fiddling with his liquor cup quietly, the Golden Wolf Squad Leader swept his eyes over the surroundings and spoke.
“Quite some time has passed. It seems the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader is absent from this gathering.”
“He must have no worries. His position as the hall master of the newly established hall is already confirmed, and the accepted applicants will all choose the Heavenly Tiger Squad anyway.”
The White Dragon Squad Leader clicked his tongue. Even if his tone was somewhat blunt, he could not hide the envy revealed in his expression.
Raising his liquor cup to show it, he spoke.
“At any rate, let us drink liquor as usual.”
Having scratched Cheol Ji-ak’s inside once, the White Dragon Squad Leader smiled with a much lighter expression. Everyone expected that if a day came when Cheol Ji-ak left the Martial Alliance, he would beat the White Dragon Squad Leader to a pulp.
* * *
A situation where everyone’s attention was focused on the moves of the top five accepted applicants. Having become a main character alongside them, Song Yi-yeon could not hide his excited heart.
“Young Hero, does it not feel very strange?”
“What does?”
Cheon Woo-jin, who was standing by the window looking at the Martial Alliance as usual, tilted his head. At that nonchalant appearance, Song Yi-yeon clicked his tongue in wonder.
“Everyone pours questions every time they meet us. An immense amount of attention is pouring onto us.”
“It is troublesome.”
At Cheon Woo-jin’s indifferent expression, Song Yi-yeon smacked his lips.
“Hah, all my energy just drains away. Do you know that? People are calling me the White Flower Saber. It is rare for a flower to be attached to a man’s moniker… People’s eyes for judging others are all similar.”
“It is a good moniker.”
Master White Elder’s moniker was precisely the White Flower Sword Immortal. Thinking that if his master had met Young Hero Song, he would have held him very dear, a smile formed naturally.
Slightly misunderstanding that smile, Song Yi-yeon laughed satisfactorily.
“The Young Hero’s moniker is even more remarkable. You might be hurt if you find out, but if the Young Hero is truly curious…”
It was at that moment.
Rattle, clack.
The door to the quarters opened smoothly.
Naturally, the gazes of Song Yi-yeon and Cheon Woo-jin turned toward the door.
Standing there was a middle-aged man with quite a sharp impression. He was slender yet had a thick bone frame, making him robust, and his eyes were as sharp as a well-honed blade.
The moment Cheon Woo-jin saw him, he had an intuition.
“Are you the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader?”
At those words, Song Yi-yeon’s eyes opened wide. The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader’s fame was so great that it spread far outside the Martial Alliance.
With an uncharacteristically polite attitude, Song Yi-yeon bowed his head.
“Song Yi-yeon, the White Flower Saber. I greet the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader.”
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader merely glanced briefly at Song Yi-yeon and showed no particular reaction. Although Song Yi-yeon had also received proposals from many squad leaders as the third-place applicant, it was insufficient to draw the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader’s interest.
The Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader was only looking at Cheon Woo-jin.
Watching the atmosphere, Song Yi-yeon subtly sidestepped two paces away from Cheon Woo-jin.
Suddenly, a staring contest between Cheon Woo-jin and the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader unfolded. It was as if they were observing each other.
Just how much time had passed like that?
“Cheon Woo-jin.”
“Yes.”
A short call and an even shorter answer.
Song Yi-yeon felt as if his breath were about to stop.
Young Hero Cheon had a sense of weight because he was quite a taciturn man, but the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader was by no means inferior to him. Since two such men were facing each other, it felt as though the air itself had become heavy.
Gazing at Cheon Woo-jin for a moment, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader continued speaking.
“Will you enter the Heavenly Tiger Squad?”
Song Yi-yeon opened his eyes wide. From what he heard, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader had never made such a proposal to anyone. Because even without making a proposal, they would seek him out on their own feet.
Cheon Woo-jin lowered his head slightly. At that sight, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader faintly smiled.
‘As expected.’
He took Cheon Woo-jin’s action as an acceptance. However, the subsequent words were entirely different from his expectations.
“I have already chosen.”
“What…?”
It was at that moment.
From outside the pavilion, a resounding voice that shook the entire Martial Alliance was heard.
“Hey, you pretty bastards! Come out right this instant! Song I-yeooon! Cheon Woo-jiiin!!”
It was none other than Black Tortoise Squad Leader Cheol Ji-ak. The moment he heard the news that as many as two of the top five accepted applicants had chosen the Black Tortoise Squad, he used his lightness art at full strength and came running.
The White Dragon Squad Leader’s rotting expression had made Cheol Ji-ak’s mood exceedingly delightful.
Hearing that gruff and overwhelmed shout, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader knitted his brows finely.
“Unwise.”
Leaving those words behind, the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader turned his body and moved away.