Chapter 107
Everyone looked at Ha Inseong and Cheon Woojin with bewildered eyes.
Even the Divine Doctor and the physicians had stopped their hands and were doing so, so Ha Inseong spoke.
"This isn't something to be discussed here. First, I need to return to the main headquarters and report to the Star Lord. Right?"
When Ha Inseong asked, Cheon Woojin made a face as if asking why he was telling him that. He had only received the Divine Doctor's help; he had no intention of getting involved in the affairs of the Black Plaque Star yet.
However, Ha Inseong's thoughts seemed to be different.
"Of course, you have to come with me too, right?"
Ha Inseong said as if it were obvious. At that sight, Ma Yongseok made a slightly surprised face. Ha Inseong was a man who had reigned over those around him since he was young. His innate status was like that, and his individual abilities were outstanding, so no one had ever raised an objection.
Thanks to that, his way of speaking had a somewhat old-fashioned side for his age, but at some point, his address towards Cheon Woojin had comfortably changed from 'you (formal)' to 'you (informal)'.
As the topic of conversation shifted to Ha Inseong and Cheon Woojin's accompaniment, only then did the Divine Doctor and the physicians move.
They had been momentarily dazed after unexpectedly hearing about the death of the Green King, a master who occupied one of the axes of the martial world.
While the Divine Doctor, with the help of the physicians, finished his preparations and put the Spirit Deer Pill into Cheol Jiak's mouth.
The conversation between Ha Inseong and Cheon Woojin continued.
Ha Inseong spoke as if it were truly a matter of course.
"Of course, you must accompany me."
"Why is that?"
Cheon Woojin asked calmly. He had already fully grasped that Ha Inseong's mind was brilliant. If his intentions were convincing, he was willing to go with him not just to the Black Plaque Star, but even to the Demonic Cult.
Soon, Ha Inseong spoke with a worldly serious expression.
"Because I'm scared."
"...?"
"That silver-haired guy. If I run into him again on the way, I'll be dead for sure. You saw it too, right? His martial prowess."
Ha Inseong was confident. His expression and every single word were filled with conviction.
Just as Cheon Woojin was about to say something with a bewildered face, Ha Inseong's mouth moved faster.
"Moreover, I'll be alone without a guard."
"You have a guard, don't you?"
Cheon Woojin pointed to Ma Yongseok, who was standing to one side. Unlike his simple expression, his body and face were quite ferocious.
His forearms were the size of a person's head, his chest was as thick as a rock, and his back was as wide as the Martial Alliance's training ground.
Cheon Woojin could infer his martial arts from his appearance. No matter how much of an external arts master one was, it was rare to increase muscle volume to that extent. It was because the area that could be hit by a sword would become wider.
Such a body was mainly a characteristic of those who had learned guarding martial arts. They trained strength and endurance as a priority. In a dangerous moment, they would protect their master's life with their large and sturdy body, not shying away from death.
'The Black Tortoise Unit Commander is like that.'
Unlike the high-ranking officials of the Black Plaque Star or the Demonic Cult, there were many such people among the high-ranking officials of the Martial Alliance. It was because, fundamentally, the Martial Alliance was always in a position of defending.
Anyway, in Cheon Woojin's view, Ma Yongseok was similar to Cheol Jiak, yet a much higher-level martial artist. One who could at least buy time for Ha Inseong to escape, no matter what enemy appeared.
"You have Guard Ma, don't you? As a guard, he would be a peerless martial artist."
"I know that better than you."
Ha Inseong made a pleased expression, as if he himself had been praised.
"But when I return to the Black Plaque Star, I don't take Ma the Butcher... no, my guard with me."
"Yes? Why is that?"
Ma Yongseok asked in surprise. Looking at the situation, it seemed they had encountered a great master, so how could he not even be accompanied by a guard in such a situation?
"Ma the Butcher, you want to stay here, don't you?"
"Why would I..."
Ha Inseong pointed to Cheol Jiak. Although he hadn't woken up yet, as masters, they could feel that Cheol Jiak's unstable energy was stabilizing at a rapid pace.
"I can tell just by looking at your eyes. Have we not spent a day or two together?"
"...Someone might misunderstand if they hear that, Young Star Lord."
"Ahem, anyway. You're interested in the Black Tortoise Unit Commander here, aren't you?"
Ma Yongseok frowned slightly. In any case, the Young Star Lord had a knack for saying only things that could be misunderstood.
Regardless, Ha Inseong's words continued.
"A man who endured injuries to the point where all his ki meridians were severed while protecting his subordinates as a martial artist. With your personality, there's no way you'd just let it go. You want to help, regardless of ideology, don't you?"
"Ahem. Still, he's a commander of the Martial Alliance, so how can I..."
Ma Yongseok made a face as if he had been hit where it hurts. Seeing this, Ha Inseong smiled gently as if he had known it.
"Do as you wish. Of course, I don't know if the ignorant commander who insisted on his beliefs until his body became like this will accept the help of you, an Unorthodox Path man."
"Am I even qualified to help others? It's just that it's not easy to meet a martial artist like this, so I thought I'd have a brief conversation with him since he's at the Black Plaque Star."
It was when Ma Yongseok was being humble.
Kugung-!
Suddenly, a large vibration rang out.
The shock did not stop at once but rang exactly six times before subsiding.
Ha Inseong's brow furrowed slightly.
"It seems the formation has been activated."
Soon, the alarm bell signaling an emergency rang shrilly, and the urgent footsteps of martial artists followed one after another.
"Don't tell me the Black Plaque Star is under attack?"
The Divine Doctor asked while calming the surprised physicians.
Ha Inseong could not answer rashly. It was because he had to see for himself to judge whether it was simply a thief or an assassin who had been caught while infiltrating, or if someone had attacked with determination.
"I'll go and check first."
At Ha Inseong's attitude, the physicians' anxiety grew. The Divine Doctor had a lot of experience in the martial world, but the other physicians did not.
Ha Inseong, who had confirmed the ripple of unease among the physicians, narrowed his eyes. Cheol Jiak was a person who had to be saved, even from Ha Inseong's perspective.
It was because his ultimate goal was to bring Cheon Woojin to the Black Plaque Star in the future. In that sense, he spoke to calm the physicians.
"Everyone, calm down. There are almost no guys in the world who would dare to attack the Black Plaque Star. Moreover, don't forget that a Martial Alliance commander is present here."
Only then did the physicians seem to calm down somewhat.
If they were to attack this place where the Young Star Lord of the Black Plaque Star and a commander of the Martial Alliance were present, they would have to handle two of the three factions that divided the martial world at the same time.
It was an impossible task for any faction or master in the world.
Soon, Ha Inseong, with his black long robe fluttering, left the room, and Ma Yongseok followed him with a firm expression.
Cheon Woojin took out his Crescent Moon Staff and took a position in a corner of the room to protect Cheol Jiak and the physicians.
The physicians who saw that sight became even calmer. They didn't know his identity, but they knew that Cheon Woojin was a great master.
As the physicians, led by the Divine Doctor, began to move their hands busily, Cheol Jiak's energy was stabilizing at an even faster rate.
'How curious.'
The White Master also had a deep knowledge of medicine, so he would often show it. Of course, since there was no chance for the Black Master or himself to get injured, he would bring injured wild animals and treat them.
He had thought it was amazing at the time, but the Divine Doctor's medicine was on a different level. No matter how much of a treasure the Spirit Deer Pill was, how could he connect a once-severed ki meridian so naturally?
"Can you perhaps revive the dead as well?"
The Divine Doctor, who was inserting a large needle into Cheol Jiak's thigh, stopped his hand for a moment. Then he spoke in a tone that said, "Don't talk nonsense."
"Hey, you brat! Am I a physician or King Yama?"
"...I'm sorry."
Cheon Woojin smacked his lips and leaned his back against the wall.
He had been thinking that the silver-haired man who had killed the Green King was either the Dark Heavenly Son or a subordinate who had received his orders. It was because there were almost no people in the world who would covet a bead imbued with Dark Sky Ki.
But, even the Divine Doctor said that it was impossible for a dead person to come back to life.
In that case, had the Dark Heavenly Son not died in the first place?
Or, some kind of sorcery or...
Kwaang-!
"..."
Cheon Woojin's thoughts came to a halt. It seemed that the Black Plaque Star martial artists had not yet found the intruder, as the formation was causing a violent earthquake.
Cheon Woojin, who had slightly widened his ki sense to confirm that there were no enemies nearby, closed his eyes again. The matter of the silver-haired man's identity was not something to be taken lightly.
'If the Dark Heavenly Son...'
Kurung-!
"..."
Kwang! Jjeojeok! Ppeong-!
Cheon Woojin stood up abruptly, holding his Crescent Moon Staff. He couldn't possibly be lost in thought because of this damn vibration.
The moment he flung open the door, he saw Ma Yongseok's grim face.
He said with a very troubled expression.
"Ahem, Alliance Member Cheon. I think this will take a while."
"It seems the intruder is a master?"
"It doesn't seem like that either, but he seems to be well-versed in formations, so we can't catch him easily."
"He's trapped in the formation?"
Ma Yongseok nodded. They had succeeded in trapping the intruder in the formation. But strangely, they could neither find his location nor kill him.
Because of that, only this earthquake-like shock was continuing to spread.
"I'll go in and find him."
"Yes? Absolutely not. Although it's not as good as the main headquarters' formation, the formation set up at the Sichuan branch was prepared assuming that the ten great masters of the Martial Alliance would attack."
In other words, it meant that even a master who was one of the top ten fingers in the Alliance could not guarantee their life if they entered the formation.
However, Cheon Woojin didn't care.
"Please protect the physicians."
Cheon Woojin left Ma Yongseok behind and walked down the long corridor.
* * *
"No, I'm telling you, you'll die!"
As Ha Inseong screamed as if having a fit like a cat doused with water, the formation masters managing the formation looked on cautiously from the side.
Although Ha Inseong usually enjoyed recklessness like a form of entertainment, he couldn't let Cheon Woojin enter the formation.
Also, there was no reason to do so.
"Even if we don't touch him, the intruder will die within today. But why are you crawling in there?"
"Because it's a disturbance."
"...What?"
"I want to think quietly."
Ha Inseong made a bewildered expression.
This guy was for real. The words that he would go in and catch him were sincere, and the reason was also sincere.
Also, he had his eyes open as if he would go and make a hole somewhere and enter if they didn't open the gate of the formation.
Ha Inseong, who had been scratching his head for a moment, said.
"Open it."
"Yes?"
The formation master asked back in surprise.
At that, Ha Inseong's brow narrowed slightly.
Seeing this, the formation master hurriedly bowed his head. Although his words and actions might seem somewhat light, the one standing before him was the Young Star Lord of the Black Plaque Star.
Soon, the formation masters moved in perfect order, and the space flickered for a moment before splitting open. Through the split gap, a space as pitch-black as the night sky could be glimpsed.
"What is the name of the formation?"
"It is the Chaotic Origin Black Addition Formation."
At Cheon Woojin's question, the formation master answered politely.
Cheon Woojin looked intently at the dark space and then nodded.
"A fitting name."
Chaotic Origin meant the world of stars that existed above the sky. To have added darkness to that, wasn't it truly a fitting name?
Soon, Cheon Woojin entered that space with nonchalant steps. Everyone was surprised by his attitude, as if he were going for a walk in the marketplace without any preparation.
When Cheon Woojin had completely entered the space, the formation masters closed the entrance. It was because if they left it open, they didn't know what kind of strange phenomenon would unfold when the immense energy inside the formation met the outside energy.
Ha Inseong looked at the closed entrance and then said.
"Bring the Black Scale Armor. I'm scared, so I can't go in bare-bodied."
The Black Scale Armor was a treasured armor of which there were only two sets in the Black Plaque Star. It had the effect of blocking even the strong ki of a considerable master.
"Y-Young Star Lord, are you saying you will go in too?"
"You're making me say it twice today."
"...Ahem, I'm sorry."
"That guy is my close friend. If he doesn't come out after half a quarter of an hour, I have no choice but to go and save him myself."
The formation master, who had previously made Ha Inseong uncomfortable, couldn't bring himself to say it. That it wasn't going to save him, but going in to die together.
* * *
Cheon Woojin walked slowly, looking around the inside of the formation.
Not only the ground and the sky, but all directions were filled with darkness, so he couldn't get his bearings.
The space was filled with a truly fierce energy. If there were a martial artist who needed to build up their internal energy quickly, it seemed that they could see great effects if they trained here.
Of course, for Cheon Woojin, the act of building up internal energy was no longer meaningful.
Kurung-!
Again, a thunder-like sound rang out. It was much louder and more magnificent than when he had heard it from the outside, making his ears go numb.
Cheon Woojin stopped walking and looked in the direction where the sound had come from.
His masters had not told him about formations. The reason was simple.
- You don't have to teach that guy.
If his masters had said so, it meant that he would not die in a formation. To Cheon Woojin, the words of his two masters were like the truth.
"Hmm."
Cheon Woojin took out his Crescent Moon Staff and quietly observed the formation. He was confident in breaking it with force. He had a record of breaking even the Eight Gates Formation of the Zhuge family before.
However, now it wasn't just about breaking it, but about finding the intruder in this vast, perhaps endless space.
Cheon Woojin closed his eyes. Since it was a space close to nothingness anyway, there was no point in keeping his eyes open.
As he spread his ki sense wide, he felt crystals of energy embroidered like stars. Cheon Woojin groped those energies and gradually widened the range of his ki sense.
It was then.
Kwaang-!
Again, an explosion erupted. This time, unlike before, it had happened within Cheon Woojin's ki sense.
Since he had confirmed the location, there was no reason to hesitate.
He ran with his eyes closed. Relying only on his ki sense, if something blocked his way, he would not break it but would slightly dodge and go around it.
Surprisingly, Cheon Woojin was advancing, accurately stepping only on the life paths of the formation with his eyes closed. He had no knowledge of formations. He was just making the right judgments at the crossroads of life and death through his extremely developed ki sense.
Even Zhuge Liang, who was called the greatest formation master of all time, could not do this. It was something that only Cheon Woojin, who had senses that far transcended the human level, could do.
How long had he run like that?
When he thought he had come close to the place where the explosion was heard.
A very faint voice was clearly heard in his ear.
"Deputy Commander, are we never going to get out?"
"Probably? We're holding on by unfolding the Zhuge family's formation, but we're slowly reaching our limit. Soon, the ceiling I've set up will collapse, and the pitch-black energies will attack us."
"Then what will happen?"
The answer came after a brief moment.
"We don't have much time, so if you have any last words, say them now."
"...Are we going to die?"
"Probably."
Cheon Woojin felt the conversation being heard right in front of his nose. At the same time, an energy darker than the darkness of this formation was contained in his right hand.
Dark Sky Ki.
That tyrannical energy suddenly cut through the space of the formation and stretched out. Although he felt an enormous resistance, there was no energy in the world that could block the Dark Sky Ki.
Soon, Cheon Woojin, who felt something in front of him, instantly scattered the energy and then pulled it.
"Eok...!"
The one who was pulled, caught in Cheon Woojin's hand, was Song Yiyeon, whose face was slick even in the darkness.
"Y-Young Master Song. What on earth are you doing here?"
Soon, through the hole from which Song Yiyeon had been pulled, the faces of Zhuge Lin and the Poisonous Hand were seen in turn.
"Huh? Youngest Cheon?"
"Nephew!”
(End of Chapter)