Chapter 105
A heavy silence filled the inner chamber.
"......"
Jaseong's gaze had turned cold, and even Lee Rin's clear eyes shimmered with a chilly frost.
"... Of all places, why did the masters of the unorthodox sects attack the very location where the Evil Path Association's leader's seal is kept?"
"......"
"Could they have realized that the seal was stored in Thousand Martial Pavilion? But how on earth..."
Lee Rin spoke with a grave expression.
But just then—
Heh.
Suddenly, Gun Hanmaek let out a low chuckle.
Everyone's attention turned to him at the sound.
"What's so funny?"
"That's an extreme stretch. I haven't revealed the seal's location to anyone. Not even my closest aides."
"......"
"So there's no way they could know the Evil Path Association's leader's seal is kept at Thousand Martial Pavilion. They must just be ransacking every possible place to find me. Thousand Martial Pavilion being the largest of our Tianxia Association's establishments, after all."
It was a reasonable explanation.
Moreover, the Black Star Sect, Poison Valley, and the Twin Dragon Clan were all famous for their martial prowess, but their intelligence-gathering abilities naturally fell short of the Hao Sect's.
There was no way the Black Star Sect would know the seal's location when even the Hao Sect's upper management hadn't figured it out.
"In any case, wouldn't it be better to head out quickly? Before someone else snatches the advance payment we worked so hard for."
Gun Hanmaek spoke up again.
At his words, Jaseong slowly nodded.
It was a dangerous situation, with Poison Valley, Twin Dragon Clan, and Black Star Sect all involved, but if they missed this chance, they might never get the Evil Path Association's leader's seal.
"Gu Janghu. Gather the Ansun branch's armed forces immediately. Leave only a minimum crew and take everyone to Thousand Martial Pavilion."
"Understood, branch leader."
"Great hero, I'll bring the Protectors as well!"
Thus, the three of them left the inner chamber, preparing to head to Thousand Martial Pavilion.
Left alone in the chamber, Gun Hanmaek quietly muttered as he looked toward the spot where they'd disappeared.
"Young people... have no fear."
The Black Star Sect, Poison Valley, and the Twin Dragon Clan were major sects and clans counted among the Four Great Clans and Seven Sects of the unorthodox path.
Compared to the orthodox Nine Great Sects, their prestige and strength were second to none.
What's more, the experts converging now were among the finest each sect had to offer.
From the Twin Dragon Clan came the third young master, Kang Ryong, who carried the clan head's blood the strongest; from Poison Valley, the secret weapon Thousand Snake Formation had been brought.
"And from the Black Star Sect, they sent the unrivaled prodigy known as the successor of the Sword Demon, Heuk Muguk. Among the prodigies considered for the next lord of the unorthodox path... I admit, young master of the Hao Sect, your martial arts are impressive... but can you truly defeat him?"
Thousand Martial Pavilion, where heirs apparent to the unorthodox throne from Poison Valley, Twin Dragon Clan, and Black Star Sect had all gathered.
And now, the three young masters of the Hao Sect rushed there, showing no fear.
Gun Hanmaek felt a twinge of regret that he couldn't witness firsthand a duel that would surely be recorded in the history of the unorthodox path.
* * *
Thousand Martial Pavilion (萬物閣) looked like an ordinary temple.
With its worn roof tiles and faded paint, it appeared to be a fallen, decrepit monastery.
Even the incense didn't burn properly, and only a handful of monks seemed barely able to keep it going.
But this was an elaborate façade.
Beneath the enormous Buddha statue, steps led down into the underground, where the greatest black market of the martial world unfolded.
Thousand-year-old ceramics dug up by cultivators, expensive herbs, stolen swords—everything was for sale. There were even people, kidnapped and sold into slavery.
It was, without exaggeration, a den of every form of illegality.
And now, that black market was being bathed in blood.
"Please, spare me! Gyaaah!!"
"Keurgh?!"
The Tianxia Association executives, clad in red martial robes, fell one after another without resistance.
One's head was severed from his body and sent flying; another was pinned to a wall with a sword.
"Pathetic."
An expert in black martial robes flicked the blood off his sword, mumbling coldly.
His eyes were devoid of emotion, looking down as if at insects.
"These are supposed to be Tianxia Association executives?"
His companion sneered, lips twisted upward.
At his feet lay over a dozen corpses already.
"Back when the Evil Path Association's leader was alive, under his protection they could do business as they pleased. But not anymore. Times have changed. Heh heh."
Sneering as they continued the massacre—these men's true identities: the Black Star Sect.
And the identity of that sect was defined by a single thing.
The sword.
Disciples of the Black Star Sect grasped a sword even before they could walk and lived and died with their swords.
Over time, countless masters of the sword emerged from the Black Star Sect.
But what made the Black Star Sect feared throughout the martial world was that the legendary Sword Demon hailed from their ranks.
After defecting from the sect, he cut his way through orthodox and unorthodox alike, dyeing the martial world in blood.
Though he was ultimately brought down by a combined assault led by orthodox sect leaders, the prestige he left behind remained unshaken.
And now, within Thousand Martial Pavilion, the so-called "successor of the Sword Demon" walked through the shadows.
"How dull."
Chuaak!
"I'd heard these were the greatest of the Central Plains' unorthodox, but they're nothing but chaff."
Chuaak! Chuaaaak!!
In a single breath, he cut down the Tianxia Association executives, the character "極" (ultimate) branded into his forehead, muttering in a frozen voice.
Disappointment colored his tone.
This man's name was Heuk Muguk.
He was the greatest sword prodigy in Black Star Sect history.
At thirteen, he slew a first-rate expert.
At seventeen, he crossed the threshold of the peak realm.
Now, just past coming of age, he was a late-stage peak expert whom even Black Star Sect elders dared not slight.
The reason for Heuk Muguk's extraordinary rise was not simply innate talent.
He enjoyed the absolute support of the Black Star Sect leader.
The sect leader doted on him like a son—or more than a son.
Every kind of elixir was poured into him without hesitation.
Snow Lotus from Mount Heaven, Myriad-Year Fire Flower, Guyeop Spirit Mushroom...
All rare elixirs from the martial world found their way into Heuk Muguk's mouth.
Every martial art of the Black Star Sect was taught to him freely, and even the Sword Demon's relics were bequeathed to him.
As a result, Heuk Muguk became a monster.
Even at a young age, his skills were on par or exceeded the elders of his sect.
"Hoo..."
Heuk Muguk wiped his sword perfunctorily, exhaling slowly.
His blade was already soaked scarlet with the blood of over fifty Tianxia Association martial artists.
But his expression revealed no emotion.
He swung his sword mechanically, as if he were chopping wood or cutting grass.
"It's boring to the point of infuriating. Where is the Tianxia Association Leader hiding...?"
Just then—
"Elder brother."
A fellow disciple approached Heuk Muguk.
Not quite on his level but still favored within the sect—Mu Yeong, first senior disciple.
"Unfortunately, the information that the Association Leader is hiding in this black market seems to have been false. Though we did hear he passed through here..."
Heuk Muguk's brow twitched.
"Tch. I expected more from a so-called supreme expert, but perhaps hiding like a rat is also a peak-level skill."
"Still, it hasn't been a total loss."
"?"
"After interrogating some of the Tianxia Association, I learned there are secret halls hidden beyond the hill behind this black market. The Association Leader may be hiding there, so perhaps we should check."
"Hoo... Fine."
"What about all these precious treasures in the black market, elder brother? Many are worth a fortune..."
Greed flickered in Mu Yeong's eyes.
Anyone would feel the same.
The black market was overflowing with treasures of unimaginable value—millennia-old ceramics, priceless herbs, stolen swords.
Even a single item could provide a lifetime's wealth.
But Heuk Muguk barely reacted.
He was not a materialistic man.
"Don't bother with needless greed. How could you possibly carry all those things out?"
"... Forgive me, elder brother."
"Focus on the original goal."
But just as Heuk Muguk spoke, his eyes suddenly flickered. His gaze turned to one spot.
A cage in a corner of the black market holding women.
About twenty women were chained within.
Some were prostitutes sold from pleasure houses, others high-born ladies kidnapped from noble families. Even some daughters of orthodox martial families were among them.
"Well, well."
A sinister smile crept across Heuk Muguk's lips.
"There are some rather intriguing girls here."
His eyes sparkled with covetous light, especially at a young woman in torn robes within the cage.
With her beautiful features and noble bearing, she was clearly of distinguished, orthodox origin.
"Such unbending grace, even in the shadows... Breaking this kind of flower brings its own satisfaction."
Heuk Muguk was renowned as a licentious demon.
With his prodigious talent came twisted lust.
He roamed the martial world, violating countless women, and boasted of it as if it were an accomplishment.
"At the very least, that one must be taken."
Mu Yeong, too, grinned lecherously at Heuk Muguk's words.
"Did you change your mind, elder brother? Heheh."
"Yes. Take whatever spoils you fancy."
"Yes sir! Heheheh."
Mu Yeong began circling the black market, greedily eyeing what he might take.
Heuk Muguk himself strode toward the cage of captive women.
At the ominous aura he exuded, the women stared up at him in terror.
"Well, perhaps as an example, I should kill two or three of the ugly ones. That will make the rest more obedient..."
Heuk Muguk began ranking the women's faces within the cage with frightening seriousness.
But just then—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!
Suddenly, the underground door to the black market was blasted open.
Moments later, hulking figures sporting metal gloves on both hands stormed in.
"Elder brother! The Twin Dragon Clan bastards have followed us!"
Mu Yeong shouted, his eyes sharp with tension.
Twin Dragon Clan.
That house held a top seat among the Five Great Fiends of the unorthodox path, famed as the home of the Myriad-Hand Fist Emperor.
With the prestige of a leader among the Four Great Clans and Seven Sects, it was renowned in unorthodox history for producing the most Evil Path Association leaders.
Another point of renown: the Twin Dragon Clan's unique fist techniques.
If the Black Star Sect was a gathering of sword masters, the Twin Dragon Clan was a gathering of fist masters.
"Supreme Heaven Dragon Fist!!"
The Twin Dragon Clan's warriors unleashed fierce fist-force, striking at the Black Star Sect's swordsmen. The power of these fists instantly put the previously relaxed swordsmen on edge.
Most conspicuous among them—
"Kuahaha! I'll mash you to mincemeat, you Black Star Sect dogs!!"
A giant of a man, nearly ten feet tall, let out a boisterous roar.
Veins bulged on his mountainous muscles, and his bloodshot eyes glinted with savage light.
Most notably, whenever he struck, Black Star Sect experts fell without resistance.
This man was the third young master of the Twin Dragon Clan, Mad Blood Young Master Kang Ryong, heir to the Myriad-Hand Fist Emperor's bloodline.
He was connected to Jaseong, Gu Janghu, and Lee Rin, having once faced them as an enemy at the Dark Path Duel Banquet, the secret unorthodox Martial Tournament.
Back then, Kang Ryong had fended off the combined assault of Jaseong and Lee Rin by himself, proof of his brutal and overwhelming strength.
Of course, in the end, he was defeated by Jaseong's Celestial Gate Opening Art, but he was undoubtedly a formidable expert.
What's more, he was even stronger now than at that time.
"Still as loud as ever, Kang Ryong."
Heuk Muguk drew his blade with a whisper-soft noise and stood before Kang Ryong, a deepening scowl on his face at the interruption.
Kang Ryong, by contrast, beamed upon spotting Heuk Muguk.
"Heuk Muguk. I didn't expect to meet you like this again. Heheheh."
"Indeed. Eight and a half years, perhaps? That freak body of yours has grown even bigger."
"Heh heh. You're still small as ever. Doesn't Black Star Sect feed you?"
"As I said then, I'm not small—it's you who's stupid-big, you oaf. And I heard about the Dark Path Duel Banquet, how you lost to some no-name from the Hao Sect and failed to win."
At that, Kang Ryong's grin froze.
It was an irritating memory for him.
"A young master of the Twin Dragon Clan losing at the Dark Path Duel Banquet... If it were me, I'd kill myself from shame."
"You bastard...!"
"Anyway, you came at just the right time. I was bored cutting down chaff."
Heuk Muguk assumed his stance, drawing in internal power.
Kang Ryong, not to be outdone, raised his metal gloves and summoned his strength as well.
Then—
Swish! KWAANG!!!
A tremendous blast resounded as the two prodigies collided.
The shock shattered the floor of the black market, scattering the stolen goods like so much debris.
CLANG! CHACHACHACHANG!
Their movements were too fast to follow by eye.
Kang Ryong unleashed the Infinite Black Emperor Fist, forming hundreds of fist shadows, while Heuk Muguk darted between them like a specter, launching deadly sword strikes.
It was anyone's guess who had the upper hand—a true clash of dragon and tiger.
But there were some secretly watching this duel of unorthodox dragons.
Jaseong, Gu Janghu, and Lee Rin had hidden themselves in a corner of the black market amidst the chaos.
[... To think I'd see that monster again.]
Lee Rin frowned as she muttered, recalling her run-in with Kang Ryong at the Dark Path Duel Banquet.
Gu Janghu was equally tense.
[He was a monster even back then, but now he's grown even stronger.]
Jaseong nodded in silent agreement.
Back then, Kang Ryong had crushed opponents through overwhelming external power, but now he was a master of internal techniques, shaking opponents up from the inside out.
Jaseong next focused his gaze on Heuk Muguk.
'So that's the Black Star Sect's head disciple, known as the successor of the Sword Demon.'
Having actually met the Sword Demon and learned martial arts from him, Jaseong naturally paid special attention to Heuk Muguk, who was so called.
True to his reputation, Heuk Muguk's martial skills were exceptional—his sharp swordplay even interrupted Kang Ryong's advanced Neigong technique.
[In any case, great hero, if those two keep fighting, we might be able to swoop in and claim the prize.]
[The Twin Dragon Clan's fist masters and Black Star Sect's sword masters are annihilating each other. In another shijin or so, both sides will be exhausted.]
Thankfully, the two forces fighting each other gave Jaseong's group a chance to breathe. At this rate, there might be an opportunity to find the Evil Path Association leader's seal.
But Jaseong was bothered by one thing.
'Still... Why isn't that Poison Valley lady I saw before here? With Black Star Sect and Twin Dragon Clan both showing up, Poison Valley surely caught the scent too...'