Chapter 100

Cheonma, Wei Jichun, didn’t even glance at the human, the young princess. He was staring intently only at the white cat.

“Princess, the white cat you keep seems to have an exceptionally long lifespan. It looks just the same even after so long.”

The Heavenly Demon spoke as he slowly approached.

“Somehow, it doesn’t seem to age either. It never gains or loses weight. Its eyes are full of spirit, and it doesn’t cry unnecessarily. It’s just impressive how it quietly watches people from the young princess’s arms. There’s nothing animal-like about it.”

Humans weren’t human-like, and animals weren’t animal-like. As Cheonma approached, the young master swallowed hard before responding.

“Your Highness, do not come any closer. You might get bitten by the white cat.”

“Ah…”

How could a master of Cheonma’s caliber possibly be bitten by a cat? Cheonma wore an expression of utter bewilderment, then arrived before the young princess and gazed into the cat’s eyes. The cat’s eyes, visible through its pure white fur, were truly beautiful.

Cheonma asked Baekmyo.

“White Cat, do you recognize me? We’ve met several times.”

As the young princess clutched the white cat with both hands, as if determined not to let it be taken away, Cheonma asked.

“May I hold you once? Are you picky about people?”

The young palace lady glared at Cheonma and said.

“That won’t do.”

“You mean I can’t even hold a cat?”

When Cheonma unconsciously spoke informally, the young princess responded by putting distance between them.

“If it’s forbidden, then it’s forbidden.”

As the young princess walked away, Cheonma crossed his arms and fell deep in thought.

‘I thought she was a pet, but she’s a spirit creature.’

Judging by how the Young Princess of the Ten Thousand Horses Palace cherished it, it was one of two things.

Either a spirit creature or a demonic beast.

Regardless of which was true, one thing was certain: the young master’s escort was none other than Baekmyo. He reasoned that Baekmyo was likely the very reason the young master could roam freely within the Manmagu Palace, despite it being filled with madmen.

As Cheonma moved forward, he thought to himself.

‘Father is father, I suppose. Even providing a guardian spirit. Quite the warm-hearted one, isn’t he.’

In any case, he figured it meant one more thing to take from the Ten Thousand Horses Palace. If it was a guardian spirit, all the better; if not, it didn’t matter.

The cat was beautiful, so he intended to take it.

He had little interest in the young palace master.

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“Brother, should we help the Black Path?”

As Danwooseong headed back to the lodgings, he answered Baekyak’s question after leaving the meeting room.

“If the Dark Path uses magic arts that absorb internal energy, we have no choice but to help. The aftermath will fall squarely on the White Path and the powerless.”

“But the Black Path has its own reasons, doesn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

Dan Wooseong explained as he walked.

The Black Path has split into two factions. One inherits the spiritual essence of Jin Sohwan, while the other merely mimics the actions of the Black Path Unification led by Sohwan Gong. Broadly speaking, these are the Western Black Path and the Southern Black Path. The Southern Black Path tends to be more brutal and reckless. The Western Black Path tends to maintain a certain line of decency. These two major factions operated under the name ‘Xianyue Alliance’ for a long time. After the Southern Black Path split off, they stopped using the name ‘Xianyue Alliance’ because they felt it would tarnish the reputation of Lord Xiao Han within the Black Path. It’s become a symbolic name that only someone who achieves Black Path Unification can use.”

“Is the organization large?”

“Some are large, some are small. In the Western Black Path, the Half-Moon Society—which signifies the Black Path being split in two—is the largest. The Southern Black Path faction changed its name frequently while clashing repeatedly with the Martial Alliance. I don’t know what the largest faction is called now. The Jiyameng, I think. Anyway, since it was said to be a group formed by gathering the night, that’s probably right.”

“Do they interact with each other?”

“Hard to say. Probably trying to kill each other. That’s why the Martial Alliance probably excluded the Black Path from their immediate priorities.”

Baekyak retorted in her usual blunt manner.

“Well, then, wiping out the Jipyamang faction entirely might be one way to handle it.”

It was a frightening statement coming from a woman, but Danwooseong replied without showing much surprise.

“That could be one way.”

After all, if they were killed, the Demon Sect couldn’t absorb them.

But they couldn’t just fabricate charges out of thin air and then wipe them out. Ever since what happened with the Martial Alliance, they’d been operating with even greater caution.

Baekyak asked.

“If you were the Demon Lord, which faction would you strike first?”

“I’d strike the Jipyameng first too.”

“Why?”

“From the perspective of the Dark Path, that’s understandable. Jin Sohwan would still be a thorn in their side. They’d assume anything could happen. Just like your sudden appearance, Jin Sohwan’s successor might suddenly emerge and shake things up, so they’d postpone it. However, the actual likelihood of that happening is almost nonexistent. If there were any masters from the Jin Family, they’d already be in the White Path.”

“Where?”

“The Huashan Sect.”

“Ah…!”

A prestigious lineage that has produced generations of Sword Saints. Its golden age was when Jin Si-wol was the First Sword of Huashan, and this man was Jin Xiao-yun’s younger brother. A man who challenged his elder brother throughout his life. Yet their brotherly bond remained strong. Jin Si-wol said he became Huashan’s greatest swordsman because of his brother, so he must have learned much martial arts. Therefore, Huashan Sect must be the place that absorbed the most of Jin Xiao-yun’s unique martial philosophy. Within Huashan Sect itself, they are separately called the Sword Saint’s True House, so in one way or another, they greatly influenced the martial world.”

“So the Three Divine Elders surpassed that renowned lineage? Their hierarchy is the Three Divine and One Star, right?”

“To borrow Senior Gwangshin’s words, it must be due to the individual circumstances of each of the Three Seniors.”

“Ah, is that how you put it? That they grew stronger because of their personal circumstances.”

Baekyak understood immediately, leaving Danwooseong genuinely surprised.

“Yeah. How did you get it so fast?”

“Because I was like that. It was due to the concessions and sacrifices of the previous heads. Those sacrifices are also their personal stories, I suppose.”

Dan Wooseong nodded.

Of course, that story was no small matter for Dan Wooseong either. It was a story he couldn’t tell anyone.

Dan Wooseong said.

After taking a closer look at the Martial Alliance, if nothing else comes up, let’s head for the Black Path. The Martial Alliance has its own duties to fulfill. Since we’re not affiliated with them, it’s better to operate separately. For instance, thoroughly cleaning up the Black Path…

Dan Wooseong and Baek Yak exchanged words.

“Or freeze it.”

“Or smash it.”

“Tear it apart.”

“Or smash them to pieces.”

Cheol Myeong-ho, who had been practicing the Samjae Sword Technique alone in front of the lodging, overheard their final exchange and clicked his tongue.

“Oh my god, you’re crazy…”

If it were just Danwoo Seong, he’d curse him out to the end, but even Cheol Myeong-ho couldn’t bring himself to call them “crazy bastards” in front of Baekyak.

“What the hell are you doing, freezing it, smashing it, tearing it apart, and trying to destroy it completely?”

Before Danwooseong and Baekyak parted ways to their respective lodgings, they grabbed each other’s hands…

Cheol Myeong-ho aimed his iron-tipped umbrella at the two.

“Hey, let go of that hand. How dare you two fools hold hands in the sacred Martial Alliance…”

Cheol Myeong-ho glanced at Baek Yak. When she burst out laughing, he cleared his throat.

“Hmph…”

After blurting out the harsh words, he was slightly scared. For some reason, Baekyak was more frightening than his friend.

Cheol Myeong-ho said to Dan Woo-seong.

“What did the winners say? Tell me. I’m curious. Hey! Who am I talking to?”

After the two parted and disappeared, Cheol Myeong-ho was alone once more.

Cheol Myeong-ho tilted his head and said.

“Ah, the situation keeps…”

Cheol Myeong-ho looked around at the empty surroundings, then suddenly raised both hands toward the sky and shouted.

“I’m lonely!”

Anyway, Cheolmyeongho was lonely. He thought he was alone, but a warrior from the White Dragon Corps who had been patrolling came running over, looking startled as he glanced around and asked.

“What? Did you shout?”

“Yes.”

“No way! Who would be shouting that loudly at this hour in the camp?”

Cheolmyeong-ho bowed his head and said.

“Ah, I was just lonely. I’m sorry. You’re working hard.”

The Baekryongdae warrior muttered under his breath with a flushed expression and walked away.

“No, no matter how lonely you are, that’s no excuse. Shouting in the middle of the night… Seriously. Are you in your right mind or not? That gave me a fright. Who isn’t lonely?”

At that moment, the window flew open and Kwang-shin poked his head out.

“Myeongho.”

“Ah, yes! Big brother.”

“Go to the mess hall or supply depot over there and grab some of that jerky the special ops guys eat. It’s tasty. The mess hall is that way.”

Cheol Myeong-ho saluted as he replied.

“Understood.”

Gwang-shin watched Cheol-myeong-ho dash off like a messenger, then stared into the surrounding darkness. The moment Cheol-myeong-ho disappeared, the area fell instantly silent. After confirming nothing unusual was present, Gwang-shin too returned to this quiet stillness.

Kwang-shin tilted his head.

He had already heard the entire conversation.

“Black Path…”

Kwang-shin believed no faction delivered such satisfying blows as the Black Path. Yet it was not a matter for the leader of the White Path to intervene in. Kwang-shin himself had a precise grasp of Dan Woo-sung’s martial prowess, so he had little cause for concern. He merely envied his youth.

Therefore, Gwangshin planned to stay at the Martial Arts Alliance for the time being and then meet with the other Three Gods.

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Bae Han-gyeong of the Martial Alliance, meeting Dan Woo-seong after a long time, blinked in surprise before speaking.

“I’ll make the request for now. How much information should I provide?”

“I wish I could give you everything I have. After all, I understand that Black Path information is shared among other sects anyway.”

Baek Han-gyeong nodded.

“But what business requires this information?”

Dan Woo-seong tapped his fist against his palm. Baek Han-kyung burst out laughing, realizing he meant he was going to hit him.

“Hahaha… Ah, then I’ll gather even more information for you. So you can review it comfortably on your way, I’ll prepare maps, rosters, faction characteristics, those listed on the wanted roster, physical descriptions, the operation plan devised to strike the underworld—and if you need it, I’ll even request funds and support personnel.”

Danwooseong shook his head.

“The numbers are fine. In any case, I would appreciate it if you would relay this to the Lord as well.”

“He’ll receive the report anyway.”

From the Martial Alliance’s perspective, it was truly welcome news. While the Alliance’s members hunted down the Demon Sect, a powerful master shaking up the Black Sect—though somewhat self-serving—wouldn’t harm the Alliance in the slightest. The only concern was Dan Woo-sung’s combat strength.

Baek Han-gyeong, thinking he should step forward himself, asked.

“By the way, can you handle the Black Path alone? This Baek Han-gyeong will assist you.”

Dan Woo-sung deliberately replied this way.

“Meng, this is the time to find the demonic path, so I don’t wish to ask for help. And frankly, I believe I can manage alone. But since a truly formidable female martial artist will accompany me, I’ll accept your offer of help in spirit only.”

Dan Wooseong believed that with Baekyak by his side, the two of them could lay waste to the entire Black Path. After all, his skill had far surpassed the level he had displayed at the Dragon Phoenix Grand Assembly.

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After Dan Woo-sung declared his intent to head to the Black Path, half a day later, Myeongju leader Yoo Jeong-hong personally arrived at his lodgings with his subordinates. In the meantime, Myeongwon handed Dan Woo-sung the materials prepared by the military council.

Yoo Jeong-hong, the leader, spoke from where he sat with Dan Woo-seong, Cheol Myeong-ho, and Baek Yak.

Surprisingly, Yoo Jeong-hong called out to Cheol Myeong-ho first.

“Myeong-ho, you must not go.”

Cheol Myeong-ho replied.

“Yes, I was told by my senior that I shouldn’t go anyway.”

The senior he referred to was, of course, Gwangshin. He had just heard that the Black Path was a place where scum like you would die a dog’s death.

Yoo Jeong-hong placed both hands on the table and looked at Dan Woo-seong and Baek Yak.

“Junior members, let me take your hands.”

Danwooseong and Baekyak reached out and grasped the Myeongju’s rough, calloused hands. Yoo Jeonghong did not push his internal energy into them to test their skill or anything like that. He simply wanted to hold his juniors’ hands.

Yu Jeonghong said.

“Truth be told, I want to go too. Being bound to the organization has its good points, but it also has many inconveniences. Even now, I want to grab a sword, head to the Black Path, and act as I please. Whatever happens, let’s see each other again safely when we return.”

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

“If something major happens, don’t try to force a solution. Contact the Martial Alliance anytime. There are many ways to reach them. I occasionally hear news about the Hao Sect too.”

Yu Zhenghong lightly patted both their hands before withdrawing his own.

“I’ll dispatch members of the Alliance to the Galaxy Merchant Guild immediately. That much is acceptable, right?”

Dan Woo-seong bowed his head slightly.

“Thank you, Lord Alliance Leader.”

Yu Zhenghong imagined Dan Wuxing and Bai Yao meeting the Black Sword. He knew full well their skills had improved since the Dragon and Phoenix Grand Assembly.

Yu Jeong-hong smiled as he spoke.

“The Black Path will have its hands full.”

From Yu Jeong-hong’s perspective, he was truly grateful to the two of them, as they had been able to prepare for the Demon Sect while fully preserving the strength of the Martial Alliance and the righteous path.

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And so, the Martial King set off for the Dark Path.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong