Chapter 289 : The Call
Chapter 289: The Call
After returning from meeting Jang Woo-hyun, Hwa Jin-myeong spoke to his master, the Palace Lord of the Sun Palace, about the non-aggression treaty between the Calamity Flame Sun Palace and the Northern Heaven Ice Palace as originally planned.
“I wish for the fighting to stop and for the disciples to head out into the martial world. The same goes for me.”
Naturally, the moment he said it, the upper leadership of the palace exploded in outrage.
If Cheok Hwa-hong—the eldest among the elders and the one who had lived the longest—had not supported Hwa Jin-myeong, it felt like someone might have already thrown a punch.
Even under the scorching gazes of the palace leadership, Hwa Jin-myeong paid little attention and calmly explained what he had experienced.
The Immortal-Slaying Division.
Jang Woo-hyun, who possessed overwhelming strength, and the martial artist group that followed him.
They were unlike anything ever seen before in the Central Heavens Martial Realm.
“And they are likely not the only ones. In the vast Central Heavens Martial Realm, there must exist countless strange and extraordinary people we know nothing about. Master, if the Sun Palace wishes to move forward, we must now stop these meaningless fights. Even if we continue this conflict, how will it benefit the future of the Sun Palace?”
Some shouted at him, and one hot-tempered elder even released killing intent.
Yet Hwa Jin-myeong did not retreat and continued expressing his thoughts.
The contents of Hwa Jin-myeong’s proposal were revolutionary.
The values the Sun Palace had upheld until now might be shaken to their core.
That was how long the conflict with the Ice Palace had lasted, and how important it had become to the Sun Palace.
Now, they no longer even remembered why they fought, yet it had become something they could not easily stop.
“Young Palace Lord, it is understandable to desire strength, but you are going too far.”
“The conflict with the Ice Palace is not something to speak of so lightly.”
“The pressure to accomplish something must have clouded your judgment.”
The Sun Palace leadership dismissed Hwa Jin-myeong’s opinion.
But one person reacted differently.
“You have grown.”
The Palace Lord of the Sun Palace highly praised the disciple who had realized so much from a single journey through the martial world.
Moreover, Cheok Hwa-hong—who had fought the Ice Palace longer than anyone else—was supporting Hwa Jin-myeong.
Thus, the Palace Lord made a bold decision.
“I will personally meet the Ice Palace Lord.”
Resistance arose, but the Palace Lord suppressed it through sheer authority.
And so, the Sun Palace accepted Hwa Jin-myeong’s proposal and began moving things forward.
---
“This is proving more difficult than expected.”
“The two groups have fought for so long that they no longer even remember why. Forming a non-aggression treaty was never going to be easy.”
A tangled web of ill-fated grudges could not be untied easily.
That was why the Sun Palace and Ice Palace had spent quite some time adjusting their positions.
Still, one fortunate thing was that whenever the Palace Lord of the Sun Palace chose to compromise, he did so decisively, allowing the negotiations to proceed without major disruption.
There was still a long road ahead, but for the first time, the two sects—who had always growled at each other on sight—had begun holding proper conversations.
That alone was tremendous progress.
“If this matter is resolved successfully, have you thought about where you will go firs— Mm?”
Hearing someone approach, Cheok Hwa-hong stopped speaking and slightly turned his head.
“Judging by the footsteps, it is Yi-geon. Even after experiencing such great events, how is he still so frivolous?”
Hwa Jin-myeong had already heard from Yu Yi-geon and Eon Neung-hyeon about what had happened to the Immortal-Slaying Division after their return to the Sun Palace.
Despite experiencing battles where lives were on the line and even encountering the Dragon Emperor Heavenly Lord, Yu Yi-geon had not changed much from before.
In Hwa Jin-myeong’s eyes, he still seemed far too immature and carefree.
A moment later—
The door burst open, and as expected, Yu Yi-geon entered the room.
“I-I greet the Young Palace Lord.”
“Yi-geon, it is time you became more mature. Even after experiencing something so serious, how are you still so—”
Yu Yi-geon had barged in while panting heavily.
Seeing that, Hwa Jin-myeong stopped speaking.
At Yu Yi-geon’s level of skill, running this much should not have left him out of breath.
That meant he was psychologically tense.
His face was filled with panic as well.
“What happened?”
“Young Palace Lord, the Immortal-Slaying Division has sent word.”
“You mean Sword Hero contacted us?”
“Yes. More precisely, the message came through Cho Su-nim, but it was a message from the Thousand-Lin Sword Hero.”
“Speak.”
“The Young Palace Lord of the Sun Palace is requested for support.”
Hwa Jin-myeong’s brow furrowed at the completely unexpected words.
“We are going to fight an enemy. We need help.”
Yu Yi-geon paused briefly, took a deep breath to calm himself, then continued.
“Our enemy is the Divine Dragon Clan. We are going to attack the Divine Dragon Clan and the Dragon Emperor Heavenly Lord.”
“What?”
“…….”
Even while saying it himself, Yu Yi-geon thought it sounded absurd.
Hwa Jin-myeong, Young Palace Lord of the Calamity Flame Sun Palace.
A rising talent with a guaranteed future, destined to walk the smoothest of roads in the martial world.
And in truth, he was indeed an exceptional martial artist.
But no matter how talented Hwa Jin-myeong was, opposing the Divine Dragon Clan and Yong Cheon-myeong made no sense.
This was the sort of matter that required the entire Sun Palace—including the Palace Lord himself—to mobilize.
It was hard to tell due to his black fur, but even Cheok Hwa-hong’s expression had stiffened.
This was a request they could not grant.
No, beyond granting help, the very target they intended to attack was wrong.
Silence descended upon the room at the completely unexpected situation.
Neither Cheok Hwa-hong nor Yu Yi-geon could say anything.
But Hwa Jin-myeong was different.
“Uahahahahaha!”
Hwa Jin-myeong burst into booming laughter that echoed throughout the room.
As though venting the emotions bottled inside him, he laughed madly for quite some time.
“They’re insane! Completely insane!”
He truly could not understand the Immortal-Slaying Division’s actions.
Even though Jang Woo-hyun was currently the most famous figure in the Central Heavens Martial Realm, Hwa Jin-myeong never expected him to oppose Yong Cheon-myeong directly.
It was genuinely madness.
A deranged act.
Which was precisely why it fascinated him.
And why he wanted to emulate it more than anything.
“Only a madman would ever send such a message.”
Contrary to his tone, Hwa Jin-myeong’s lips curved into a grin.
“Yi-geon! Gather those who will follow me. And tell them this. There is a chance we may never return from this battle.”
“Y-yes? Y-yes!”
Yu Yi-geon nodded reflexively at Hwa Jin-myeong’s words.
He had clearly never imagined the Young Palace Lord would make such a decision.
“Do not leave. Wait.”
Cheok Hwa-hong stopped Yu Yi-geon, who had awkwardly begun backing away.
“Young Palace Lord, this is far too dangerous.”
“I know.”
“The Palace Lord may not permit it.”
“Then I will go not as the Young Palace Lord of the Sun Palace, but as Hwa Jin-myeong.”
The replies from Hwa Jin-myeong came firm and immediate.
Seeing that reaction, Cheok Hwa-hong realized persuasion was impossible.
In that brief moment, Hwa Jin-myeong had already reached his conclusion.
‘Why would he make such a decision?’
From Cheok Hwa-hong’s perspective, it was incomprehensible.
“But would it not be better to go as the Young Palace Lord?”
Smiling faintly, Hwa Jin-myeong spoke.
Cheok Hwa-hong remained silent, unable to grasp his meaning, so Hwa Jin-myeong continued.
“What better debut into the martial world could there be for the Young Palace Lord of the Sun Palace?”
If they survived.
If they won this monumental battle.
Then it was obvious that his entrance would be magnificent.
The name Hwa Jin-myeong would be deeply engraved into the Central Heavens Martial Realm.
“I understand what you are thinking, but the losses may outweigh the gains.”
The risks were simply too great.
The opponent was Yong Cheon-myeong, the Dragon Emperor Heavenly Lord.
A giant beyond even the Palace Lord of the Sun Palace or Cheok Hwa-hong’s ability to confront.
For Hwa Jin-myeong, he was still a distant sky.
Yet despite fully understanding who the opponent was, Hwa Jin-myeong’s attitude did not change.
“……Are you not afraid?”
“I am afraid. But my heart is also racing with excitement. I want to see how much that friend, Jang Woo-hyun, has grown. I want to see what kind of things will happen in this battle.”
A firm resolve could be seen within Hwa Jin-myeong.
“Do you trust the Sword Hero?”
“Yes. If it is the Thousand-Lin Sword Hero Jang Woo-hyun, then he must believe he can handle this. He is not the kind of person who would ask us for help simply to use us as sacrifices.”
What Hwa Jin-myeong displayed was unwavering faith.
Though they had met only once, he had already been completely influenced by Jang Woo-hyun.
“Do you not feel envy? Jealousy, perhaps? Of the Sword Hero’s talent and strength, I mean.”
Hwa Jin-myeong shook his head.
“The Sword Hero has his time, and I have mine. Even if all I can see is his back for now, I will walk my own path. And someday, I will stand beside him—and make him look at my back instead.”
Cheok Hwa-hong met the eyes of the proudly speaking Hwa Jin-myeong.
The Young Palace Lord of the Sun Palace had only recently emerged from secluded training.
Yet from a single experience, he had achieved tremendous growth.
Jang Woo-hyun was a genius.
Cheok Hwa-hong had no intention of denying that.
But the Calamity Flame Sun Palace also possessed its own genius.
Eyes without the slightest wavering.
A proud and upright posture.
Within Hwa Jin-myeong’s eyes burned dazzling flames.
Before long, those flames would become a radiant sun.
The sun that would illuminate the Sun Palace.
‘When that day comes, the one standing above the Ten Sects Three Clans will not be the Supreme Extreme Sect or the Demon Subduing Palace.’
He believed the Calamity Flame Sun Palace would stand at the very peak of the Ten Sects Three Clans.
After silently watching Hwa Jin-myeong for a long moment, Cheok Hwa-hong also steeled his resolve.
Just as Hwa Jin-myeong had been influenced by Jang Woo-hyun, Cheok Hwa-hong had been moved by the Young Palace Lord’s youthful spirit and burning passion.
The future master of the Sun Palace had spread his wings to soar.
Even if it meant burning away his own life, Cheok Hwa-hong would help the Young Palace Lord fly.
Cheok Hwa-hong clasped his fists and bowed his upper body.
“Cheok Hwa-hong of the Sun Palace accepts the Young Palace Lord’s command. Yu Yi-geon!”
“Yes! Please give your orders!”
Yu Yi-geon dropped to one knee.
Having witnessed everything from the side, his heart pounded wildly and his blood boiled.
‘This is the man!’
The person he would serve for life.
He decided to entrust everything to the Young Palace Lord’s judgment.
He would not regret today’s choice.
From now on, he would stand shoulder to shoulder with Hwa Jin-myeong and guard his back.
That was his role.
“As the Young Palace Lord commanded, gather those who will join us. This war will not be easy, so explain everything clearly and gather only those willing to stake their lives. This is the martial world debut of the Young Palace Lord of the Calamity Flame Sun Palace.”
“Disciple of the Sun Palace, Yu Yi-geon! I accept the commands of the Young Palace Lord and Elder!”
A martial artist whose name had yet to become known.
Hwa Jin-myeong, Young Palace Lord of the Calamity Flame Sun Palace.
He joined the war between the Immortal-Slaying Division and the Divine Dragon Clan.
---
“They will not harm us.”
Im Gwan-hwa’s words caused Seo Gyeong-mu to nod in agreement.
“That friend would never do such a thing.”
As Im Gwan-hwa said, Jang Woo-hyun was the type to help others, not harm them.
“What do you intend to do?”
At Im Gwan-hwa’s question, Seo Gyeong-mu smiled faintly.
“This time, we help them.”
Seo Gyeong-mu turned his head to one side.
There stood a peculiar suit of plate armor whose breastplate, helmet, arms, and legs were all different colors.
“We’ve always been the ones receiving help.”
Even while being absorbed into Hyeon Wol’s sorcery formation, the Five Wheels Guardian God had left behind its power for the Five Elements Cult.
Five objects imbued with the power of the Five Elements, similar to what Jang Woo-hyun had once received.
Seo Gyeong-mu had forged them into a single suit of armor.
‘Come to think of it, even that armor was created through the help of those friends.’
Through the connection formed with Cho Su, the Kingdom of Gigantic Brilliance had crafted it for him.
They had always been the ones receiving.
Now, an opportunity to repay that debt had finally come.
“This will not be easy.”
“Of course not.”
The Divine Dragon Clan had Yong Cheon-myeong personally leading them.
And it was not just the Divine Dragon Clan—they also had their ally, the Sovereign Clan.
‘That is why they requested help.’
The Immortal-Slaying Division alone could not face them all.
“That friend is no fool. He must have some sort of plan.”
Im Gwan-hwa nodded at Seo Gyeong-mu’s words.
Jang Woo-hyun would never intend harm toward them.
He surely had some kind of method prepared.
Or perhaps, with that absurd talent of his, he intended to handle it himself.
One thing was certain.
Both Seo Gyeong-mu and Im Gwan-hwa trusted Jang Woo-hyun.
“The Five Elements Cult will aid the Immortal-Slaying Division.”
Due to Chang Roe-gong’s betrayal, the war with the Illusion Sect, and Yong Cheon-myeong’s sudden appearance, the Five Elements Cult had suffered tremendous damage.
But its foundation had not vanished.
If they were attacking the Divine Dragon Clan and the Dragon Emperor Heavenly Lord, they intended to lend their strength.
Rising from his seat, Seo Gyeong-mu walked forward as he raised his energy.
The moment he stepped outside the building, a translucent tree sprouted beneath his feet.
One jang, two jang, three jang……
Soon the tree exceeded thirty jang, carrying Seo Gyeong-mu high into the sky.
Then suddenly the tree ignited in flames, transforming into a gigantic disk of fire.
【Hear me, disciples of the Five Elements Cult.】
His will spread outward from Seo Gyeong-mu.
The martial artists of the Five Elements Cult who had been carrying out their tasks all stopped moving and focused on Seo Gyeong-mu standing atop the flaming disk.
【Not long ago, we lost the god we had served for countless years.】
The aura pouring from Seo Gyeong-mu grew stronger and stronger.
Resonating with it, the martial artists within the Five Elements Cult headquarters also raised their momentum.
【Today, our allies of the Immortal-Slaying Division have requested aid.】
This was a war where even Seo Gyeong-mu himself could die.
A war greater than the battle against the Illusion Sect.
On the enemy side stood two factions belonging to the Ten Sects Three Clans.
On the allied side moved the Immortal-Slaying Division, the Beast King Sect, and other sects.
Perhaps this would become a great war capable of ending the chaos of the Central Heavens Martial Realm itself.
【Our allies have declared war upon the Divine Dragon Clan.】
The moment the words Divine Dragon Clan were spoken, the aura filling the surroundings violently fluctuated.
Those who had personally experienced Yong Cheon-myeong’s power could never forget that terror.
Confusion lingered briefly before Seo Gyeong-mu waited a while and spoke again.
【We lost friends. Masters. Brothers. Disciples.】
The previously wavering aura began strengthening once more.
If the aura before had been fear, now fury slowly spread outward instead.
【Not for a single moment have we forgotten. At the request of our allies, I shall once more join the war. Here and now, I declare it. We will fight the Divine Dragon Clan and the Dragon Emperor Heavenly Lord again. Those who are afraid may retreat. Those without strength may withdraw. Is there anyone who will stand with me?】
“I am not afraid!”
“We will stand with the Cult Leader!”
“Let us aid our allies!”
“Uwaaaaaa!”
“Fight!”
“The Five Elements Cult stands with the Immortal-Slaying Division!”
“Let’s go!”
The aura released as the cult members united caused the entire Five Elements Cult headquarters to boil with energy.
On the day they fled from Yong Cheon-myeong, the Five Elements Cult had suffered total defeat.
But they had not given up yet.
【Raise your weapons! The time for revenge has come!】
An enormous roar erupted with such overwhelming force that the headquarters itself shook.
The Five Wheels Five Elements Cult.
Led by Cult Leader Seo Gyeong-mu, they began moving to aid the Immortal-Slaying Division.