Chapter 84
Beijing, Martial Alliance Headquarters.
Daewolsan, Pavilion━.
“Autumn will be coming soon……”
The pavilion, built deep in the mountains, boasted a large scale and a magnificent architectural style.
It was three stories tall and made of ironwood, known to be the hardest in the world, reminiscent of an impregnable fortress that would not collapse in any typhoon……
“Indeed. Time flows like a river.”
Two middle-aged men, sitting facing each other on stone seats prepared in the pavilion, continued their conversation in indifferent voices.
“But…… In the face of this fleeting time, why must we hate and despise each other so much?”
The man who asked was Namgung Hak, the Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance, and
“Hating each other…… Is that really the case?”
The man who countered was Hong Geum-bu, the current leader of the Cult of the Evil Path.
“What do you mean, Geum-bu?”
The two were the leaders of large organizations that divided the current world of martial arts……
But in settings other than official ones, they spoke comfortably.
Regardless of black or white, the two were martial artists of the same era who competed with each other.
“Are you asking because you don’t know what I mean, Hak?”
However……
For some reason, the atmosphere in the room flowed subtly.
At first, they laughed like philosophers and discussed worldly affairs……
“I’m asking because I don’t know. Will you tell me?”
“The reason we are divided into the Cult of the Evil Path and the Martial Alliance and confront each other…… is not the fault of both sides.”
“Then? If it’s not the fault of both sides, are you admitting that it’s the unilateral fault of the Cult of the Evil Path?”
“That can’t be.”
“Then what do you mean?”
“The cause of conflict in the martial world lies with the Martial Alliance.”
“What?”
“Why? Do you have a complaint?”
“Of course I have a complaint, man! Are you saying that’s even a valid point?”
“I’m saying it is.”
“To me, it sounds like a dog barking, not a valid point.”
“What?! This guy, really!”
“You? Are you raising your voice at me right now?!”
In the end, their discourse, before even half an hour had passed……
“D*mn it! You rotten bastard.”
“D*mn it! You damn bastard.”
It devolved into a mudslinging fight at the level of a toddler, something hard to listen to.
“Look, Geum-bu. You, including those in the Black Path, should be grateful to the Martial Alliance. If it weren’t for us, who would stop the Demonic Cult? Because we’re blocking the Demonic Cult on the front lines, you guys are able to hold on, aren’t you? If it weren’t for us, the Cult of the Evil Path would have become the Demonic Cult’s minions long ago.”
“Khahahaha! Look at this, Namgung Hak. Delusions of grandeur are free, they say, but this is absurd. The power of our Cult of the Evil Path is not far behind the Martial Alliance. But, you’re saying we would have become the Demonic Cult’s minions? Heh heh. That’s funny.”
“Tsk tsk. So naive. In fact, hasn’t the Demonic Cult reached out to several sects in the Black Path? It’s not like there are only one or two villains who serve as the Demonic Cult’s slaves.”
“That’s because you don’t know what you’re talking about. The guys who receive money or manpower support from the Demonic Cult are just bad guys, they have nothing to do with us. In other words, it means that insignificant villains who are not members of the Cult of the Evil Path do such things, it has nothing to do with our headquarters.”
“Nonsense! Aren’t all those who are not part of the Righteous Path part of the Cult of the Evil Path, and aren’t all members of the Cult of the Evil Path part of the Black Path, and villains?”
“Cut the c*ap. The fact that the guys who call themselves the Righteous Path are actually the dirtiest is something even a three-year-old knows. The righteous faction guys are the ones who deserve to be beaten to death, so what……”
“Are you really going to do this? After meeting for the first time in a while?”
“Look who’s talking.”
Eventually,
“Ugh!”
“D*mn it!”
The two, like three-year-olds, bickered and then turned their heads away, drinking their innocent glasses of alcohol.
Gulp, gulp, gulp━!
“Hoo…… Let’s stop. Both you, Geum-bu, and I. Aren’t we the Alliance Leaders? If someone saw us like this, they’d faint.”
“Let’s be careful.”
However.
The two, as if nothing had happened, brushed off their complaints with a glass of alcohol.
Actually……
The martial world being divided into black and white, righteous and evil, wasn’t a matter of a day or two.
But it wasn’t anyone’s fault, nor was it because of anyone’s greed……
“Don’t do this in front of others.”
“Of course. Humph!”
It was……
Perhaps, in a world where imperfect humans form groups and live for profit and beliefs……
“……”
“……”
It might have been a natural phenomenon.
“Still…… This time, I owe you a debt for your bold decision, Geum-bu.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you hadn’t cooperated this time…… How could we have made the Martial Heroes Tournament, where the entire martial world participates, a reality?”
“Keuheu. Look at this, Namgung Hak. Strictly speaking, this tournament is jointly hosted by the Cult of the Evil Path and the Martial Alliance. Neither you nor I owe each other anything.”
“Jointly hosted…… That’s a bit……”
“What’s your complaint again?”
“If it’s jointly hosted, then the funds for the tournament should also be shared…… But all the expenses for the tournament are being covered by the Martial Alliance, aren’t they? So, saying it’s jointly hosted is a bit……”
“Again, again! Why are you being so picky?”
“Hoo…… I’ll hold back.”
“Yeah! Hold back a little! Khahaha!”
“……”
The two once again looked at each other with narrowed eyes and then picked up their glasses.
Although they acted like sworn enemies every time they met……
Nevertheless, this ‘Martial Heroes Tournament’ was sure to play a decisive role in the rise and fall of the entire martial world, beyond just the two of them.
The two chose to put aside their conflict of interest for a moment and opt for harmony.
“Namgung Hak.”
“Speak.”
“Which figures will be participating from the Martial Alliance side in this tournament? I guess the list will be mainly composed of promising young martial artists rather than mid-level experts?”
“Wouldn’t it be? Of course, the leaders of weaker sects will also participate…… But I think most of them will be promising young martial artists. It’ll be the same for the Cult of the Evil Path, right?”
“Khahat! That’s right. I can’t know all the Black Path members participating in the tournament. But according to the reports, most of them are promising young martial artists. Especially since a large number of new experts from the Greenwood, Yangtze River Waterway Company, and Hao Clan are participating, it will be something to see.”
“Hmm. Haven’t you heard anything about forces from beyond the borders?”
“There’s no way to know that. However, this tournament doesn’t distinguish between righteous and evil, or between those from the Central Plains and those from outside…… So, perhaps martial artists from the Ice Palace of the North Sea, the Great Thunderclap Temple of Tianzhu, or those who have learned esoteric martial arts might participate. In addition, experts in external martial arts from the Southern Barbarians, or even Koreans from beyond Baekdu Mountain could participate.”
“I guess so……”
“Of course, excluding the Demonic Cult.”
“That’s a given.”
The two drank from their glasses again.
As they said……
This Martial Heroes Tournament was a grand event in the martial world, where all martial artists in the world could participate.
“I hope there won’t be anyone who tries to spoil the tournament.”
“There’s no way to know that. Especially since we don’t know what the Demonic Cult guys will do.”
“The Demonic Cult……”
“That’s why I’m saying, Geum-bu.”
“What?”
“For the time being, please keep an eye on the Demonic Cult’s movements from the Cult of the Evil Path side as well. As you know, they are unpredictable. The Martial Alliance is doing its best, but we need the Cult of the Evil Path’s help to successfully conclude the tournament.”
“Fine. I accepted this proposal knowing that much. However, keep this in mind. If the Martial Alliance tries to rule over the Cult of the Evil Path, or if members of the Martial Alliance look down on members of the Cult of the Evil Path based on their origin and background, I won’t tolerate it.”
“Why are you saying something so obvious?”
“Because the Righteous Path guys don’t even keep the obvious.”
“Hoo! Are you trying to start another argument?”
“Kha! That can’t be.”
Like that……
The two continued their conversation for quite a while, sometimes bickering, but still talking.
In the midst of that,
“Namgung Hak. The Sect Leader of the Dawn Heaven Sect will also participate in this tournament, right?”
“Ah! Yes, that’s right. Geum-bu, you saw the Sect Leader of the Dawn Heaven Sect in person, right?”
At the words of Hong Geum-bu, the Cult Leader of the Evil Path, Namgung Hak, the Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance, showed a surprised expression.
“Of course I did. That man…… He’s truly an amazing person. How should I put it? It’s like seeing myself in my younger days.”
Hong Geum-bu, the Cult Leader of the Evil Path, recalled Jin So-cheon and smiled warmly.
Then, Namgung Hak, the Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance, asked again with curious eyes.
“Huh! I’ve heard rumors about him. In fact, the reason I decided to hold this tournament was because I suddenly thought of it while talking about him. But, is he really that amazing?”
“He’s amazing, indeed. You’ll get a strange feeling the moment you see him too.”
“Huh…… Since you’re saying that, I’m really curious.”
“First of all. In my opinion, if it’s someone like Sect Leader Jin…… I don’t think those arrogant brats from the Righteous Path will stand a chance.”
“Watch your words. If you say that in front of the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects, you’ll get stabbed, whether you’re the Cult Leader of the Evil Path or whatever.”
“Hehe. Are you still afraid of those Nine Great Sects fools? Even though you’re the Alliance Leader who leads the Righteous Path?”
“You’re asking a meaningless question. Has the Alliance Leader ever ruled over the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects even once? However…… The reason I took the position of Alliance Leader was to balance the Nine Great Sects and the Eight Great Families. I’m still not in a position to raise my voice against the sect leaders and elders of large sects like Wudang, Shaolin, or Mount Hua.”
“In that respect, you’re worse off than me.”
“Still, my reputation is higher.”
“Really?”
“Perhaps?”
“Enough. Anyway, you’ll see something interesting at this tournament.”
“……What kind of spectacle are you talking about?”
“The spectacle of the sect leader from the backwater village of Jang’an in Shaanxi…… Bringing the martial artists of the Nine Great Sects, who boast a long history, to their knees.”
At Hong Geum-bu’s words, Namgung Hak’s eyes curved into a strange arc.
“Huhu. Seeing you praise him so much…… I wonder if that will really happen.”
“You’ll see. You’ll find out soon.”
Of course……
“But Geum-bu.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry, but…… The winner of this tournament……”
“……”
“Will be my grandson, Yun.”
Whether he was the Alliance Leader or whatever.
In a grandfather’s eyes, his grandson was simply the best.
◈ ◈ ◈
“……Elder brother, you’re a ruthless person, a ruthless person. You’re just a stubborn, relentless person. Do you know that?”
“Then why did you follow me and suffer? If you’re from the Seokga Estate, you should have joined their ranks.”
“Forget it. Let’s not talk about it.”
“I agree. We don’t even have time to talk, so use your lightness skill. Are you ready?”
“I’m ready!”
“Why the informal speech?”
Whoosh━!
Yeon-u, perhaps exhausted from my forced march, used his lightness skill with a fed-up expression.
I……
From the moment I left the Dawn Heaven Sect, I used the Fast Whale Steps without wasting a single moment. Fortunately, Yeon-u’s stamina had also improved considerably, so he was able to withstand my relentless forced march to some extent.
Like that……
Three days after leaving Jang’an, we crossed Shaanxi, crossed the Yesung River, and entered Shanxi……
By then, Yeon-u was exhausted and on the verge of collapse, so I had no choice but to stop at an inn for Yeon-u’s stamina recovery, get a room, and decided to take a day’s rest.
Three hours later━
Yeon-u, who had slept for a while, practiced breathing exercises, and even took a bath, regained his complexion.
I sat with him at a table on the first floor of the inn and ordered a bottle of Bamboo Leaf Liquor and some snacks.
“Elder brother. But why are you in such a hurry? It’s not like we can finish early and come back early just because we go early.”
“We need to unpack, train, and adapt to the climate of Beijing and the environment of the Martial Alliance. Originally, in actual combat, those who are familiar have the advantage. We will be fighting in a different environment, a different region, so we’re trying to adapt in advance.”
“Eh! How important would that be? The strong person will win anyway.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Haven’t you heard this saying? Even a mutt has a 30% advantage in its own territory.”
“Why…… Are you using the kind of language that third-rate street thugs and ruffians would use?”
“I started as the leader of those third-rate street thugs and ruffians, you punk.”
“……Sorry.”
Yeon-u and I, as usual, exchanged silly jokes, drank, and ate.
It was the first proper meal in almost four days, so it was really delicious……
“Attention! I’m sorry, but from now on, I ask that you all vacate the inn. Several elders will be here to discuss important matters of the martial world. We’ll pay for the food.”
A man in white martial arts attire, even wearing a fancy hero’s outfit,
“Hey hey! Can’t you hear me? Get up, I said. Hurry up!!”
Was rambling on with nonsense that made no sense.