Chapter 291 : New Members
Chapter 291: New Members
“Scary……”
Tarun muttered quietly, but because the surroundings were silent, his voice was heard clearly.
“Hm? What is?”
“……This one. Is scared.”
“You’re scared of me? Why? What would there be to be sca- Ah!”
Only then did Jang Woo-hyun realize that what he had done earlier, erasing the surrounding aura, could appear frightening to others.
“I apologize. I did not intend it that way. Please speak comfortably. I merely intervened because it seemed a fight was about to break out.”
Po-uk was flustered by the sight of Jang Woo-hyun apologizing. Who was he to receive an apology from a being with such overwhelming power?
“N-no, not at all. I nearly behaved rudely.”
As Po-uk continued treating him cautiously, Jang Woo-hyun repeatedly assured him it was fine. Yet seeing Jang Woo-hyun apologizing only made Po-uk feel increasingly burdened, and after hesitating for a long while, he finally opened his mouth.
“……Would it be possible to leave the handling of those people to us?”
Po-uk pointed toward the giants standing on the opposite side.
“That would be difficult since it is not under my authority.”
Even if Jang Woo-hyun had helped them, the giants were enemies of the Beast King Sect. He could not interfere and grant permission regarding such matters.
“There is nothing I can do about this matter, so it would be best for you to discuss it with the Beast King Sect.”
“Take them.”
“Senior Maeng?”
“You said those two giants over there are people you know, right? Then that’s enough. We don’t need those two anyway. You can take them. But the ones who fought us directly—we won’t hand over a single one.”
At Maeng Ye-ju’s firm words, Po-uk lowered his head.
“We are not so shameless as that. They committed crimes, and since they were defeated, they must follow the judgment of the Beast King Sect. However, if someday someone from the Nation of Great Men comes looking for them, please do not drive them away and at least hear them out. That is all we ask.”
“That much is fine. Understood.”
When Maeng Ye-ju readily agreed as though it were nothing, Po-uk bowed his head repeatedly while expressing his gratitude.
By the time Jang Woo-hyun and Maeng Ye-ju had stopped him four or five times, Po-uk brought up another matter.
“Master Jang, I heard you are fighting cultivators.”
“Yes. They are people called the Ascension Cult. Do you know anything about them? It seems the Immortal Gate Master also borrowed their power.”
“I do not know the details. However, when I was connected to Ban Un-hwang, his thoughts flowed into me.”
When he had been forcibly merged with Ban Un-hwang and had his power stolen, fragments of the man’s thoughts and memories had flowed into the other giants.
The memories were hazy, like scenes covered in fog, but Po-uk wanted to help Jang Woo-hyun somehow, so he spoke.
“The cultivators who aided Ban Un-hwang departed for somewhere else. I apologize, but I do not know the exact location.”
“Old man, we’re busy, so get to the point. Why are you talking in circles?”
“Senior Seo.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll step back.”
Seo Ryeom, who had been barking at him, shut his mouth and retreated at a single word from Jang Woo-hyun.
“What exactly are you trying to say? You did not bring this up merely to say they went far away, did you?”
“Yes. I do not know where the cultivators went. Nor do I know their purpose. However, there is one thing I can say.”
Po-uk paused and smiled. For the first time since beginning the conversation, a trace of confidence appeared on his face.
“If you pursue them, or if some problem arises and you must travel far away, come to the Nation of Great Men.”
“Why suddenly the Nation of Great Men……?”
“You saw the ship Tarun and Ta-wi use, correct?”
“Yes, of course.”
The reason the Great Thunder Fortress could cross through space was because it had been built upon the foundation of the giants’ ships. Because of that, Jang Woo-hyun knew very well how capable the giants’ ships were.
“There is a ship in the Nation of Great Men. One capable of traveling extremely far.”
“……Then it must not be a ship of the level I know.”
“Yes. It is not a small vessel, but something that could be called a warship. It is not something easily used, but if Master Jang comes, I will make sure it can be used.”
Judging from how the surrounding giants flinched when Po-uk mentioned the ship, it clearly was no ordinary vessel.
“That is the way we can repay the grace of you saving us. So if you ever need help, please visit the Nation of Great Men.”
“Thank you. If I need help, I will be sure to ask.”
“No, I should be the one thanking you. Thank you for saving my tribe.”
Po-uk, who was far larger than Jang Woo-hyun, lowered his head respectfully.
Following him, the other giants also bowed their heads toward Jang Woo-hyun. Seeing giants over ten jang tall bow all at once was a spectacular sight in its own way.
---
After settling the battle with the giants, the Demon-Immortal Slaying Division moved slowly.
There was still quite a bit of time before Hwa Jin-myeong and the Five Elements Cult arrived, so there was no need to rush.
Their destination was the territory of the Divine Dragon Family.
The Great Thunder Fortress led the way while the Beast King Sect’s forces followed behind.
Nothing special happened for two days.
On the third day after beginning their journey, the person Seo Ryeom had mentioned arrived.
“You bastards! What kind of trouble have you caused this time?!”
A booming voice rang out from afar. It was so loud that it felt as though the Great Thunder Fortress itself was vibrating.
“Brother Cho, open a wall here. The one shouting right now has an impatient personality, so he’ll arrive soon.”
At Seo Ryeom’s request, one side of the Great Thunder Fortress slowly opened.
Shortly after, through the opened wall, a bald old man could be seen riding a Flying Apparatus from the distance.
Just as Seo Ryeom had said, the old man truly had an impatient nature. The moment he saw the wall opening, he leaped off the Flying Apparatus and kicked through the air as he rushed forward at terrifying speed.
“Mak Ya-wol! Seo Ryeom! You lunatic bastards! What place are you attacking now?!”
He instantly closed the distance and landed inside the Great Thunder Fortress. The floor shattered with a thunderous boom.
“You’ve arrived.”
“So you’ve come.”
“So you’ve come? You crazy bastards! Have you all lost your minds? Attacking the Divine Dragon Family and the Heavenly Lord of the Dragon Emperor? No matter how much you’re from the Battle Demon Division, that’s impossible, you idiots!”
The old man’s voice was so loud the very space around them trembled.
Those seeing him for the first time frowned from the deafening volume, but Seo Ryeom, Mak Ya-wol, and the others who originated from the Battle Demon Division showed no change in expression.
As though this behavior was completely normal.
“Speak a little quieter. It’s so noisy I could die.”
“Did you come alone? Where are the others?”
“You think I’d let them march to their deaths? I persuaded them all and sent them back!”
“Persuaded them? With your fists? You probably subdued them with violence again.”
“You brat, is that what matters right now? What in the world are you thinking?! And what is this bizarre fortress?”
“First, greet our captain.”
“Captain? Ah, that fellow called the Heavenly Scale Sword Hero or whatever? What’s the point of meeting the puppet you shoved to the front? You probably dragged in some naive brat and molded him however you pleased. That immature fool must’ve gotten tricked by you lot into making some Demon-Immortal Slaying Division nonsense and causing trouble everywhere.”
“That’s not it.”
“Seriously, it’s not.”
“What do you mean it’s not? Fine then. Where is this captain of yours? I’ll see him myself.”
“Over there.”
Following Seo Ryeom’s fingertip, the old man turned his head.
“Uh…….”
The noisy old man instantly shut his mouth, and all expression vanished from his face.
Then a moment later—
“Wuaaagh!”
He screamed and frantically stumbled backward. He was so shocked he could not even use movement arts and merely scrambled with his feet.
Thunk.
He moved so quickly that his back struck the opposite wall of the Great Thunder Fortress.
---
Thunderbolt Roar Gongson Jung-rak.
The oldest martial artist among the nine experts of the Hundred Martial Assembly known as the Nine Sons of the Dragon.
Being both affiliated with the Hundred Martial Assembly and its oldest member meant he possessed immense experience and had fought countless battles. Given the nature of the Hundred Martial Assembly, it could not have been otherwise.
Gongson Jung-rak, who had spent his entire life amidst combat and met countless martial artists, was deeply shocked upon seeing Jang Woo-hyun.
At first, strangely enough, he felt absolutely nothing.
Jang Woo-hyun was clearly standing before his eyes, yet it felt as though he existed in another dimension or another space entirely.
However, Gongson Jung-rak’s experience had not vanished anywhere, and he caught a glimpse of the fragment of power Jang Woo-hyun possessed.
‘What kind of…….’
Absurdly strong. It was impossible to accurately gauge his power.
But one thing was certain.
‘He’s stronger than the Assembly Leader.’
No, not merely at the level of the Hundred Martial Assembly Leader.
‘One of the Ten Thrones?’
He was powerful enough that one could believe he had surpassed the Seventeen Lords and stood among the Ten Thrones.
‘Perhaps…….’
A thought repeatedly surfaced in Gongson Jung-rak’s mind that Jang Woo-hyun might even be stronger than the Ten Thrones, but his reason forcibly suppressed that judgment.
Surely not to that extent.
He desperately denied Jang Woo-hyun’s strength.
“Heh heh heh.”
“Amazing, right?”
“Amazing indeed. Whose captain do you think he is?”
“Of course he’s amazing. He’s the captain of the Demon-Immortal Slaying Division.”
Before he noticed, Seo Ryeom and Mak Ya-wol had approached from both sides, grinning wickedly as they spoke.
“Is that…… that person really the Heavenly Scale Sword Hero?”
The two men nodded vigorously. Their faces were full of pride, like children boasting to their parents.
“Where in the world did such a mons-”
“Ahem, those words are rude.”
“That’s right. Mind your manners.”
Before the word “monster” could finish, Mak Ya-wol raised a hand and covered Gongson Jung-rak’s mouth.
Gongson Jung-rak rolled only his eyes for a moment before brushing Mak Ya-wol’s hand away.
Then he carefully looked at Jang Woo-hyun again.
This time, he could feel Jang Woo-hyun’s emotions. What showed in his eyes was goodwill.
‘Foolishly, I frightened myself alone.’
Jang Woo-hyun was not releasing killing intent, nor did he display hostility.
Gongson Jung-rak shook his head and slapped his own cheeks several times with his palm. After taking a deep breath, he strode forward and stood before Jang Woo-hyun.
“It is my first time meeting you. I am Gongson Jung-rak of the Hundred Martial Assembly.”
The Heavenly Scale Sword Hero Jang Woo-hyun was undoubtedly a much younger prodigy than himself. Yet Gongson Jung-rak bowed first.
Judging by his skill, Jang Woo-hyun might become the new sky of the Central Heavens Martial Realm. He was worthy of respect.
“I am Jang Woo-hyun.”
A simple introduction devoid of grand titles or lengthy greetings.
His appearance was neither flashy nor especially eye-catching. Yet his gaze alone was unforgettable.
His clear eyes seemed to possess an unwavering goal and looked as though they could pierce through everything. They were the eyes of someone advancing forward with righteous conviction.
The moment Gongson Jung-rak met Jang Woo-hyun’s gaze, his fists clenched unconsciously.
It was not competitiveness.
Rather, he wanted to learn something from Jang Woo-hyun, who possessed eyes that seemed to see through him completely.
Before he knew it, his body had heated up. To encounter such an expert was, in a way, a blessing.
Straightening himself, Gongson Jung-rak opened his mouth.
“Master Jang, if it would not be rude, would you be willing to spar with me once?”
He neither lowered his head nor shrank back. He merely made the request calmly.
And for a request like this, Jang Woo-hyun was willing to accept as many times as needed.
“Please come this way.”
As Jang Woo-hyun walked toward one side of the Great Thunder Fortress, Gongson Jung-rak followed behind him.
Once again, Seo Ryeom came to his side, grabbed his arm, and fastened something onto it.
“Ryeom-ah, that one won’t work on the old man.”
“What do you mean?”
“The old man’s martial art goes boom-boom thunder. The basic one won’t do. You need the next one. Looks like the captain’s heading there too.”
“Ah, right. The old man’s martial art does go boom-boom.”
Nodding to himself, Seo Ryeom removed the single-colored bracelet from Gongson Jung-rak’s arm.
Then he replaced it with a bracelet of multiple vivid colors.
“What are you bastards doing?”
“What do you mean? Preparing.”
“Preparing?”
“Old man, try raising your power a little. Slowly.”
“……I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You said you wanted to learn from the captain. Hurry up.”
At Seo Ryeom’s urging, Gongson Jung-rak raised his arm and drew up his qi.
The amount of qi gathered in his hand steadily increased, and at a certain point, the bracelet on his arm began vibrating violently.
“That’s enough. You must not use any more power than this.”
“What?”
“If you use any more strength, this artifact will break. Restricting your power with this and training that way is the Demon-Immortal Slaying Division’s method.”
What Seo Ryeom had fastened onto Gongson Jung-rak’s arm was a training artifact used by the Demon-Immortal Slaying Division.
The previous version required them to barely use any Internal Energy at all, but the new version had been created to allow a certain amount of Internal Energy usage.
While Jang Woo-hyun had stayed in the Servants’ Cave, Cho-su had modified the Great Thunder Fortress and changed many things. Not only the arm artifacts, but also the place they were heading toward.
Pillar-shaped artifacts stood in all directions, and a gigantic Spell Formation was drawn across the floor.
The new location was a training hall capable of absorbing most impacts and force.
Inside the training hall already, Gun Yu-hye, now the youngest member of the Demon-Immortal Slaying Division, was sparring against martial artists.
“Huh?”
“It’s the Elder.”
“What brings the old man here?”
“What? Is he going to fight the captain?”
“Looks like it. Everyone come out! Elder Gongson and the captain are having a duel!”
The martial artists of the Demon-Immortal Slaying Division training inside saw Jang Woo-hyun and Gongson Jung-rak and hurriedly moved aside.
With both arms grabbed by Seo Ryeom and Mak Ya-wol, Gongson Jung-rak was unknowingly escorted toward the center of the training hall.
Even while obediently being dragged along, Gongson Jung-rak kept thinking to himself.
‘What exactly is happening right now?’