Chapter 69
Chapter 69
“Just what in the world is going on?”
“How should I know? I heard a loud noise all of a sudden and came over, and look at all these people gathered here.”
“What, did someone actually attack the Black Dragon Branch?”
“Seems like it.”
“They say a reckless pup doesn’t know to fear the tiger… So who attacked them?”
“How would I know?”
A group of Martial Artists stood waiting in front of the main gate of the Black Dragon Branch, while people gathered around them, murmuring among themselves. Shortly after, the Martial Artists opened the gate and stepped inside.
Boom—!
And before even several dozen seconds had passed, the sound of something exploding rang out.
“Good heavens!”
It was a tremendous explosion, as if gunpowder had been used. Soon after, someone could be heard shouting furiously.
Upon hearing the noise, the onlookers quickly retreated from the Black Dragon Branch’s stronghold.
“Tsk tsk. What a pity… Do they have any idea how great the Black Dragon Branch’s influence is in Shanxi?”
“What on earth is the Murim Alliance doing at a time like this!”
Everyone assumed that the Black Dragon Branch Leader had caused that thunderous blast.
That was how dominant the Black Dragon Branch’s influence was in Shanxi—so overwhelming that even the other Orthodox Sects could not interfere.
But the people did not know. They did not know that the one who had created that roar was nothing more than a Junior Disciple.
“What are you staring at?”
“……It’s nothing.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“……My apologies.”
Although a Quarter-Hour had passed since he regained consciousness, Woo Hong still could not believe that he had been knocked out.
He was merely going along with the flow, seeing how everyone else was treading carefully around him.
‘He knocked me out? The Fifth Young Master?’
It was something he simply could not imagine. What in the world would the Fifth Young Master have had to do to knock him unconscious?
But judging from the circumstances, it was certain. It was not as though he felt humiliated.
“No, why do you keep staring at me? Should I just pluck your eyeballs out?”
“……No, sir.”
To be honest, it was a little embarrassing. After all, he had been knocked out by none other than the Fifth Young Master.
But more than that, he was intrigued by the fact that the Fifth Young Master possessed Martial Might at a level capable of knocking him out.
Though it had taken only a Single Strike, Woo Hong had recently stepped into the realm of a Transcendent Peak Master.
And yet he had been defeated. That meant Youngho was at least three years ahead of him in mastery.
While Woo Hong was lost in various thoughts, Youngho also studied him in silence.
‘He’s useful.’
His footing within the organization was firmer than expected, and he seemed to enjoy the trust of those around him. At this rate, even if he did not become a Hall Master, he would at least hold a fairly high rank within the Blood Ghost Hall.
‘As for the fact that he looks down on me, I can educate him gradually. For the time being, I’ll use him when handling cleanup.’
Woo Hong, who had already finished disposing of the corpses and transporting all the documents, approached Youngho.
“It is all finished.”
“So it seems.”
“We will take care of the documents you entrusted to us, Fifth Young Master, so you may depart without concern.”
Seeing that Woo Hong’s tone had grown respectful, Youngho spoke with a satisfied expression.
“Good work. Tell Master that I plan to return to the Unorthodox Alliance within three months.”
“Understood. But are you planning to depart immediately?”
At Woo Hong’s question, Youngho tilted his head as if asking why he would even bother to ask something so obvious.
“Of course. What else is there for me to do here?”
“Once word spreads that the Black Dragon Branch Leader is dead, there will likely be a festival in the nearby areas. He committed so many atrocities in his lifetime.”
“He must have lived quite brutally.”
“That is how the Unorthodox Faction is.”
“I suppose. So? Are you telling me to stay and enjoy the festival?”
“If it would not be an imposition, I believe that would not be a bad idea. Speaking from my experience, having lived longer than you, Fifth Young Master—memories are quite precious.”
—You don’t seem to have many memories worth calling such, do you? Then once the war is over, let’s go on a journey together, Master!
“…….”
When Youngho said nothing and simply stared blankly at Woo Hong, Horyeung called out to him.
“Young Master.”
“Ah, sorry. I was just reminded of the past.”
“I see.”
Horyeung felt that Youngho’s reaction was unusual, but he did not think it necessary to pry, and so he quietly remained by his side.
“Memories… memories, huh…….”
Youngho repeated the word as though savoring it for a moment, then, as if steadying his heart, let out a faint chuckle.
“I’ll gratefully accept the goodwill.”
“Haha, I was worried I might have overstepped, but I’m relieved it seems to have pleased you.”
“Right. You may go now. We’ll find rooms at a nearby Inn and rest.”
“Understood.”
Woo Hong soon departed the Black Dragon Branch with his subordinates. Youngho looked at his own companions and spoke.
“Let’s go as well.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
They found Youngho’s strangely subdued demeanor puzzling, but none of them dared ask the reason.
He was different from usual—and in more ways than one, he seemed like someone who should not be provoked at the moment.
When rumors spread that the Black Dragon Branch Leader was dead, people were at first skeptical.
But soon the rumor was confirmed through reliable channels, and without exception, people rushed out into the streets and held a grand festival.
“Because of those bastards from the Black Dragon Branch!”
“I’m free now! Truly free!”
“Hyea… it’s alright now. You may close your eyes in peace….”
Amid this peculiar scene—where people rejoiced even as they wept—Kang Chowon felt tears welling up in her own eyes without realizing it.
“There must have been so many people suffering because of the Black Dragon Branch…….”
“There must have been. They must have endured so much. The atrocities the Black Dragon Branch committed are beyond what words can describe.”
Swept up in the lively atmosphere, people drank heavily, gulping down alcohol one cup after another.
“Waaaah!”
At that moment, cheers erupted from a densely packed crowd. Naturally, Youngho and his party turned their gazes toward the sound, and someone’s voice rang out.
“Then I shall serve as the Referee.”
“Everyone, please step back and give them some space!”
Only after the surrounding crowd gave ample room did a man nod and gently pat a child on the head.
“You do not need to focus on winning. I only hope you learn something from this Sparring Match.”
“Yes, Father!”
The man looked at the child with a proud smile and then gave him a gentle push on the back.
Holding a small Wooden Sword suited to his age, the child stepped forward with a confident expression.
Another child, holding no weapon at all, strode forward toward him.
The atmosphere felt as though a Sparring Match would begin at any moment, and it piqued Youngho’s interest. As even the slightest curiosity stirred within him, words that had not reached his ears until now began to filter in.
“A Sparring Match between a Secular Sect of Wudang Sect and a Secular Sect of Shaolin……”
“They’re still just children, though. I doubt their level is very high……”
“That’s exactly why it’s perfect for people like us to watch! Even the Third-Generation Disciples of the Nine Sects and One Gang move so fast we can’t even follow them with our eyes!”
“What? Is martial arts really that incredible?”
“You fool, I saw it myself last time. A child not even of Coming-of-Age Age was so fast I couldn’t see him properly.”
“Huh…….”
“You shouldn’t look down on them just because they’re under ten years old. We might be stronger physically, but in a fight, we’d lose.”
That was true. No matter how young they were, the difference between one who had learned martial arts and one who had not was unmistakable.
‘But this isn’t the kind of information I wanted…….’
Youngho focused more closely on the surrounding voices.
“That child is surely the son of Daoist Gam Byeolmu, isn’t he?”
“Of course! Just look at that dignified bearing! Even though he’s a child, you can already feel his Martial Presence reaching all the way over here!”
That was somewhat exaggerated, yet Youngho found himself grinning.
“To think that brat would be here…….”
“Pardon? Young Master, did you say something?”
“It’s nothing.”
By then, the two children were facing each other. As they were still too young to be properly called Martial Artists, the Referee briefly introduced them and announced the start of the Sparring Match.
It was a duel between Gam Yeontang, who had learned the sword of Wudang Sect, and Mu Samgye, who had learned the fist of Shaolin.
As expected of disciples from prestigious sects, they treated one another with courtesy and respect throughout the match.
More precisely, it was the kind of Sparring Match Common People enjoyed most. Though fast, their movements were still visible to the eye, and the duel unfolded at a pace that was tense—so tight it felt as though it might burst at any moment.
If either of them made even the slightest mistake, it would mean immediate defeat.
The Common People, who rarely had the chance to witness martial arts, could not hide their astonishment at the incredible speed of the duel.
That was precisely why it seemed even more trivial to Youngho. Even Hyeon-gang, the weakest among Youngho’s companions, would likely see it as nothing more than a cute children’s scuffle.
Especially from Youngho’s perspective, there was far too much he wanted to correct. Setting aside their lacking stances and poor distribution of strength, their small habits were particularly bothersome.
‘If they just got rid of those habits, they’d improve tremendously…… For now, I’ll just watch.’
To state the conclusion plainly, this Sparring Match ended in Gam Yeontang’s defeat. The crowd offered congratulatory applause to the victor and cheers to the defeated.
They all understood, after all. Even though he had learned martial arts, Gam Yeontang was still just a child.
Encouraged by the loud support, Gam Yeontang rose lightly from where he had fallen and offered Mu Samgye a bow.
“I have learned much!”
Even if they did not yet know how to properly begin a Sparring Match, they at least knew how to end one. Seeing the slightly awkward manner of the two, Kang Chowon let out a soft laugh.
The others also wore pleased smiles, finding the pair adorable.
Before long, drinking resumed at the place where the Sparring Match had concluded.
“Horyeung, watch the others for a moment.”
“Do you have some business to attend to?”
“Yes.”
Youngho answered lightly, then slipped into the shadows. Watching him vanish in an instant, Horyeung groaned.
“So this is how Hyeokong felt…….”
Sssaaak!
Moving like the wind, Youngho’s Body Movement Form shot forward. Now that he had reached the Transformation Realm, he was unquestionably faster.
Arriving at a roadside quite far from where the festival was taking place, Youngho slowed and carefully observed a child walking ahead.
Without being detected by anyone, he stealthily followed behind Gam Yeontang, whose Martial Robes had grown dirty.
Gam Yeontang stopped at a deserted clearing. He then drew the Wooden Sword tied at his waist and began to swing it.
“What are you doing here, brat?”
A voice rang out from a place where no presence had been felt at all, causing Gam Yeontang to flinch and whirl around.
“W-Who are you…?”
His voice trembled slightly, so Youngho answered quickly to reassure him.
“I’m not a bad person. Still, be careful. No matter what, you’re still just a child. Coming to a deserted place like this could get you into trouble.”
It was something Gam Yeontang had heard countless times from his father.
“I’m sorry….”
“No, that’s not it. More importantly, why are you training here?”
“Because… I want to grow stronger.”
“Are you frustrated?”
“Pardon?”
“Are you frustrated that you lost?”
“……No.”
It was an obvious lie, but Youngho let it pass.
“Brat. You have the ability to support the people around you.”
“Pardon?”
He did not understand. This man had suddenly appeared and was saying he had the ability to support others?
“I’m not a madman, so listen carefully. The sword of Wudang Sect is characterized by continuity—an unbroken blade.”
“……?”
“It won’t help you right now. But it will someday, so remember it.”
In that instant, Youngho’s eyes sank deeply. Sensing the unusual gravity in his gaze, Gam Yeontang unconsciously drew in a sharp breath.
The pressure was immense—so heavy that it would have been overwhelming for a child under ten.
Yet as Youngho spoke, what Gam Yeontang felt was not pressure, but a clear and benevolent energy.
“The sword of Wudang Sect is not truly unbroken.”
One might think such words belittled Wudang Sect. But Gam Yeontang did not respond at all.
For some reason, he felt that ignoring this man’s words would be a grave mistake.
“If it breaks, then mend it. If it is severed beyond repair, then forge it anew. Do not bind yourself to a single form.”
After saying that, Youngho left. Only Gam Yeontang remained, staring blankly at the place where Youngho had vanished.