Chapter 199
"Palace Lord Wang!"
"You've come!"
"Now that the Palace Lord has arrived in person, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I don't know how to repay this kindness!"
When half a day had passed.
As So-ah had said, the masters of the North Sea appeared in the camp of the subjugation force.
Since it was the only section to climb to the Gansu cult branch, the joining was inevitable.
A whopping 500 martial artists from the North Sea...
Furthermore, the faint blue light and the cold aura that were manifested when they had all learned the ice-based martial arts were a testament to how powerful the martial arts of the North Sea side, who had set out as a subjugation force, were.
For the existing subjugation force, the reinforcements of the North Sea would have felt like a heavenly army.
"Kindness! It's nothing. Although I came to participate in the subjugation after receiving Young Hero Jin's letter, can this be said to be a matter of the Central Plains alone? As long as those brats are the successors of the Blood Cult, they will surely try to swallow the world. Rather, it is a good thing for the North Sea side as well. If we can root out the source of all evil on this occasion, it is a matter of accumulating merit."
Only after seeing Wang Bang-tae's generous laughter did the leadership of the existing subjugation force also smile.
Until now, there had been many things.
Starting with the Ghost Demon Jiangshi that had appeared on Cheol-gak-san, Sichuan, 7 years ago.
Many people had become living sacrifices of the White Lotus Cult, and on the day Abbess Hongryeon became the Alliance Leader, the Orthodox Path had faced a great crisis.
Not only that, but the White Lotus Cult had now swallowed the Western Regions martial world, which was a foreign power, and the subjugation force had witnessed the demonic beasts and the blood zombies of the White Lotus Cult firsthand after being attacked several times.
Martial artists are also human.
Those with little experience, and those with rich experience.
Those with strong martial arts, and those who do not...
It would be a lie to say that they were not afraid.
Because in the sword and saber forest of the martial world, there was neither justice nor mercy...
Therefore, the subjugation force had risked their lives on this matter.
In the midst of that, since the help of a heavenly army had been added, they felt grateful to the masters of the North Sea and at the same time, a sense of relief.
"Now that the Palace Lord thinks so, I don't know what to do. Until now, the Central Plains and the North Sea have been neglecting each other. But with this as an opportunity, I believe that we will be able to seek the peace and tranquility of the martial world in the future through active exchange. I once again praise your brave decision and express my awe as the representative of the Orthodox Path."
Abbess Hongryeon, with a brief bow, politely cupped her fists towards Wang Bang-tae.
Wang Bang-tae also did not spare a cupped-fist salute towards her with a kind-looking face...
In that moment.
"Palace Lord. I am Wi-ji Chan, the young leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. I also, on behalf of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, sincerely thank the venerable of the foreign world who has made a brave decision. As the Alliance Leader said, I hope that this will be an opportunity for many exchanges with the North Sea."
Wi-ji Chan, who had been silent, greeted Wang Bang-tae with a very polite posture.
Wang Bang-tae's gaze swept over Wi-ji Chan's entire body.
'My goodness! There's a dragon among men who is even better than Young Hero Jin?!'
Wang Bang-tae was astonished.
He had always considered So-ah as the number one talent in the world.
Although he was not very tall, he had a moderate height and a sturdy physique.
Furthermore, the intelligence in his two eyes was needless to say, and he had a handsome face with a cute side, and his martial arts were also at a level that could shake the heavens and the earth, so he had wondered if there was another young man like So-ah in the world.
But seeing Wi-ji Chan, Wang Bang-tae had to change his mind.
'He's more handsome than Young Hero Jin!'
First of all!
Wi-ji Chan's face shook Wang Bang-tae's common sense.
There were many handsome men in the North Sea.
How many handsome people were there?
But he could say with certainty that it was the first time in his life that he had witnessed such a graceful and luxurious face as Wi-ji Chan's.
If So-ah had a cute face, should he say that Wi-ji Chan had the face of a handsome man overflowing with dignity?
A high nose bridge, a strong sword-like eyebrow, a sparkling eye light, a balanced facial contour, and furthermore, a large physique and a neat martial arts uniform harmonized so well that it made the viewer's heart feel happy just by looking at him.
"Hmm-hmm! The young leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! It's a pleasure to meet you... I have heard about the young leader from Young Hero Jin... I heard that he is a peerless master with martial arts that are even stronger than Young Hero Jin's? Not only did he acquire such martial arts at such a young age, but his character is also like a jade..."
"..."
"Are you perhaps married?"
What is this again?
At Wang Bang-tae's absurd question, not only Wi-ji Chan, but also everyone in the room burst into a hollow laugh.
More than anything, So-ah and Wang So-yeong, who knew what purpose Wang Bang-tae had in asking such a question, could not help but be dumbfounded.
'My dad... what on earth is he doing again?'
'People's hearts are so cruel. He used to call me 'our son-in-law~ our son-in-law', but as soon as he saw Brother Chan, look at how his eyes are turning. My goodness!'
Of course, the two's thoughts were just an over-interpretation, but since Wang Bang-tae's track record was considerable, it was understandable that they would have such thoughts.
Fortunately.
Wi-ji Chan, with a gentle smile, wittily passed over the embarrassing question.
"Hahaha! I am not married yet, but I have no thoughts of it. I have to break up the White Lotus Cult while I am busy with the affairs of my cult. Also, I dream of a day when the forces of the martial world communicate and exchange organically. To achieve such a day, I will have to focus on my work... I am not yet confident in starting a family."
At that.
Although it was a fleeting moment, a look of disappointment flashed across Wang Bang-tae's face.
'It seems that the young martial artists of today only have great ambitions and have no thoughts of starting a family. They have to get married and have children to become adults... but what do I care? I just have to take care of our Young Hero Jin!'
Was it because Wi-ji Chan had announced that he had no intention of getting married?
Or was it that he had had no one but So-ah in his mind from the beginning?
It was a moment when the truth was crossing the river.
***
Even after that, Wang Bang-tae showed curiosity towards Wi-ji Chan.
In a way, it was only natural...
So-ah had been saying that Wi-ji Chan was a stronger master than him since a long time ago.
Therefore, even Master Gwangwon had been rude to Wi-ji Chan out of a sense of rivalry.
"Young Leader Wi-ji. I was astonished when I saw Young Hero Jin's martial arts. To have such martial arts at a young age, it is clear that he will become a master who will represent the martial world of his time in the future. But to say that you are stronger than Young Hero Jin, I can't believe it. I think my heart is pounding at the thought that I will be able to witness the martial arts of Young Leader Wi-ji in this subjugation. Kehkeh!"
At Wang Bang-tae's words, some people felt uncomfortable.
It was none other than Moyong Hwa, Moyong Su.
And So-ah's sworn brothers, the King of the Green Forest, the King of the Waterway, Namgung Mun, and Master Gwangwon.
To them, the existence of a young master who was stronger than So-ah was something that should not be.
Moyong Hwa and Moyong Su, of course, had to have the great senior brother of their family as the strongest of their peers, and in the case of the King of the Green Forest and the King of the Waterway, they had already considered So-ah as the strongest of the Orthodox Path...
Furthermore, Gwangwon, who had been given his first defeat by So-ah, did not want to admit that So-ah would lose to someone.
Fortunately, Wi-ji Chan waved his hand and shook his head.
"Palace Lord. I thought so too. So-ah and I have been exchanging since we were young, and at that time, I had even looked after his martial arts. But So-ah, who has grown up, has surpassed me. As long as he has fought and won against the Rain and Heaven Demonic Sword, No Yeong-myeong, I can no longer be confident of a certain victory against So-ah. Perhaps no one in the current martial world can be sure of winning against So-ah."
Although it sounded humble, it was a witty one sentence that did not lose its dignity as the young leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
By praising So-ah's martial arts and at the same time explaining the gap in their martial arts with the ambiguous words 'I can't be sure of a certain victory', and by saying that it would be difficult for anyone in the martial world to defeat So-ah, who had defeated No Yeong-myeong, he was subtly indicating that he was not inferior to anyone but So-ah.
'The young leader has a cunning side!'
'It's a one sentence as a venerable who has nothing to criticize.'
'Even his mind is not ordinary. As expected, a great person is a great person!'
The people of the Orthodox Path clicked their tongues at Wi-ji Chan's meticulous mind.
In that moment.
"Aww!"
A familiar voice from somewhere.
And a familiar piece of advice was slammed into the ears of the people.
"Seniors... don't compare me and Brother Chan. The Heavenly Demon, Wi-ji Un, who was Brother Chan's grandfather, or our God of War grandfather. They left words when they passed away. They said not to do the foolish thing of fighting each other in pursuit of the empty name of the number one in the world. Brother Chan and I will not fight. So please don't scratch our rivalry. Hahaha!"
The owner of the voice was So-ah.
So-ah had been worried about such a day all along.
Wi-ji Chan's martial arts were comparable to his own, and martial artists were a group of people who liked to play ranking games with other people's martial arts.
Because the image of people who would one day surely set up a confrontation and argue about who was the number one in the world between him and Wi-ji Chan was vividly drawn, So-ah had tried to cut off the bud from the beginning.
Just then,
"So-ah's words are right, seniors. We are not interested in who is stronger. Also, how can we know who will become the true top master in the future?"
Only then did Wang Bang-tae, who had asked the question, nod his head as if he was embarrassed, and the other people who had been waiting for Wi-ji Chan's answer with their ears pricked up also realized that they had been careless.
Just then.
So-ah opened his mouth again.
"That's right. How can we know the future? Even that bald... no, Master Gwangwon of Shaolin is improving his martial arts day by day. Besides, Branch Leader Namgung Mun is no joke. Brother Dang Il-gi of the Tang Clan also has enough potential. Even my grandfather said that he only began to stand out after he was over thirty, so to talk about the number one in the world with me and Brother Chan is a hasty judgment."
Although it was a one sentence to change the atmosphere, the aftermath of the words was not small.
Especially, the hearts of Master Gwangwon, Namgung Mun, and Dang Il-gi, whose names were mentioned, began to pound with an infinite sense of elation.
'Amitabha... as expected, Young Hero Jin's true rival is only me, Gwangwon. That's right.'
'So-ah is saving my face!'
'I never thought my name would even come up...'
Of course, So-ah.
'Hehe. Master Gwangwon, Brother Namgung, and Brother Il-gi. They're all grinning from ear to ear, openly!'
It was just a word he had thrown because he wanted to see such a reaction from the people.
In that moment.
"Hohoho! So-ah. I'm disappointed."
Abbess Hongryeon burst into laughter and suddenly opened her mouth.
So-ah looked at her with a look of not knowing what was going on.
"Why are you leaving out our Myo-seon! Didn't you say it with your own mouth? After mastering the Sunflower Manual and opening her Ren meridian, Myo-seon's martial arts would be considered the best among the late-stage masters of the Orthodox Path. Hohoho!"
Only then did So-ah grasp Abbess Hongryeon's intention.
As expected, wasn't Myo-seon also looking at So-ah with a somewhat disappointed look!
"Haha! I'm sorry. I had forgotten our Myo-seon."
The moment So-ah made a joke.
Wi-ji Chan and Jeon Woo-chi also added their words.
"That's right. Lady Myo-seon's martial arts were truly astonishing."
"I'm a witness! I clearly saw Lady Myo-seon stick dozens of flying swords into the head of a Ghost Demon Jiangshi!"
At the continuing praise, Myo-seon's face turned slightly red.
Abbess Hongryeon, as if she was satisfied, seemed to be proud of such a disciple.
At the same time,
"Hohohot! Then let's do this. The person who achieves the most merit in this subjugation will become the number one in the world!"
It was an interesting proposal.
Although it was a word uttered to boost the morale of the late-stage masters, its ripple effect was unparalleled.
"Let's go-o-o-o!"
"Wow! Then I can become the number one in the world?"
"Whether it's a demonic beast or a cult member, I will cut them down as I see them! I'm loyal!!"
Seeing his friends who were making a fuss, So-ah curled the corners of his lips.
'Fools... do you think you can beat me? Kekekek.'
Of course, since So-ah was planning to show what it meant to be a match for a thousand with his overwhelming martial arts in this subjugation, it was just funny.
"Now! Then everyone, let's climb to the Gansu cult branch. The high ground is right in front of us!"
"For the victory of the subjugation force!"
"Let's go-o-o-o-o-o!"
A roar of fire echoed through Go-hap-san.
The battle between good and evil, which no one could predict.
...had officially begun its prelude.
(End of Chapter)