Chapter 129

The Martial King Confronts the Madmen 1

Dan Woo-sung arrived at the Martial Arts Alliance.

Of course, he was not alone.

He arrived leading the heads of the Imperial Council, and among them was a mysterious monk who had broken his vows. This monk was none other than the criminal Gwangma, who was practicing silent meditation with his hair disheveled. Lacking proper attire, he wore a large monk’s robe. His appearance also suited his nickname, Gwangma.

Keeping him confined within the Imperial Council was too risky due to his formidable martial prowess, so Dan Wuseong had been escorting him around as if he were a prisoner.

Thus, the heads of the three great families had arrived at the Martial Alliance to meet with the leader, Yu Jeonghong. Each of them couldn’t help but feel a fresh sense of emotion.

“Ah, the Martial Alliance has changed a lot too.”

The newly constructed buildings caught their eye first, and the martial artists’ attire appeared more refined than before.

Seo Mun-ryong and Dokgo Myeong, who had witnessed the Dragon Phoenix Grand Assembly in their youth, felt a mix of unfamiliarity and welcome at the changed scenery of the Martial Alliance.

When word spread that the heads of the major clans had arrived, the Martial Alliance’s reaction was striking. Eyes widened, and they rushed off to report the news.

Even before Dan Wuxing and the heads arrived at the Alliance Hall, Alliance Leader Yu Zhenghong and the elders of the Martial Arts Alliance, along with the leaders of each organization who had received the report, poured out as if mobilizing for an emergency.

“All the Sega family heads have come?”

“How could that be…”

“That is the report I received.”

Before long, the two groups closed the distance with quick strides and faced off like opposing camps before a battle. The Martial Alliance members stared at the Emperor’s Council masters with expressions of shock.

They said all the top masters of the Emperor’s Council had come, yet there were barely twenty of them.

Their subordinates had all been left behind at the Emperor’s Assembly; only the leaders of their factions had gathered and come together.

At that moment, the crowd parted to the left and right, and from there, Alliance Leader Yu Zhenghong strode forward.

The expression on Yu Jeong-hong’s face as he received the report was one of utter disbelief. Finally standing at the forefront of the Martial Alliance camp, Yu Jeong-hong looked over his juniors, visiting after a long absence, and spoke.

“Junior brothers…”

Starting with Dugu Ming, the heads of the various sects simultaneously took a bow. The sect heads addressed Alliance Leader Yu Zhenghong.

“We juniors pay our respects to the leader.”

“Heh heh.”

Yu Zhenghong also greeted his juniors with proper courtesy.

“The heads have come well. Without warning… this is truly surprising. Myeong-ah, it’s been a long time indeed.”

Dugu Ming nodded.

“It has indeed been a long time.”

Yoo Jeong-hong called out the heads of the clans in order.

Seo Mun-ryong, Murong Bin, Namgung Tae. It’s been a long time since I last saw you. I saw most of you when you were heirs to your families, and now you’ve become heads of your clans yourselves, coming to see me. Time must have passed quickly.

When Yoo Jeong-hong paused, a brief silence fell among the men facing him. All eyes were fixed on the face of the Mighty Lord Yoo Jeong-hong.

That formidable leader, Yoo Jeong-hong, had paused, momentarily unable to control his expression. His inability to master his emotions was evident on his face.

Yoo Jeong-hong spoke.

“Everyone’s come a long way after so long. Let’s go inside and talk. No. What’s the point of going inside again… You young punks, let’s see your faces properly.”

Yoo Jeong-hong strode briskly across the empty space between the two camps, then grabbed Dokgo Myeong’s broad shoulders with both hands.

“Myeong, why did you come after ten years? No. It’s been eleven years, hasn’t it?”

Dokgo Myeong stared at Myeongju Yoo Jeong-hong’s face, speechless. Come to think of it, it had been exactly eleven years since his last visit, just as the Myeongju had said. The Myeongju’s face, now older than his own late father’s had been, bore deeply etched wrinkles.

Dukgo Myeong spoke with a troubled expression.

“I’m terribly late, Senior. It’s not even that far away, yet it turned out this way.”

Yoo Jeong-hong looked at the young family head, Murong Bin.

“Bin, I’ve often heard that you’ve endured much hardship since your father disappeared.”

“Yes, Chief.”

Murong Bin nodded, and Yu Zhenghong patted Murong Bin’s back once before looking at Seo Munryong.

“Head of the Seo family, I’ve often heard you’ve been secluded. It’s a difficult journey you’ve made. It’s good to see you in such fine health.”

Seo Mun-ryong, looking flustered, unconsciously grasped Yu Jeong-hong’s hand.

“Lord Alliance Leader, it’s been a long time. I’m relieved to see you in good health.”

Yu Jeong-hong patted Seo Mun-ryong’s hand, then turned to grasp Namgung Tae’s shoulder.

“Tae, I ordered the revenge for the disciple, yet it was insufficient—we still haven’t captured the disciple’s killer. I feel ashamed of my position as leader.”

Namgung Tae’s face flushed bright red.

“No. Since my son couldn’t avenge himself, I am the one who feels the most shame. Fortunately, the revenge for my father was carried out by a junior from the Eunha Trading Company who came here with us.”

Yoo Jeong-hong stared at Dan Woo-seong with a startled expression.

“You killed him?”

To this simple question, Dan Wooseong slightly bowed his head and replied.

“Yes.”

Yoo Jeong-hong nodded vigorously.

“Well done. Very well done. Come tell me about it later.”

Yoo Jeong-hong laughed alone, then nodded as he looked at the warriors of the Imperial Council.

“You’ve all traveled a long way. Since you’re all honored guests, I’ll personally host you. Let’s go inside.”

Yoo Jeong-hong waved his hand dramatically, as if to say he would guide the guests.

“Let’s go to the Baekmun Banquet Hall instead of the guest hall.”

Following this, the masters of the Emperor’s Assembly gathered together with the members and followed Chief Yoo Jeong-hong. At the rear, the pale-faced Madman trailed along, unable to do one thing or the other. He planned to follow along for a bit and then stand outside the banquet hall.

Meanwhile, the heads of the Emperor’s Council were all flustered, just as Dan Woo-seong had said. It was because Chief Yu Jeong-hong was far too old. And also because he was welcoming them. Consequently, the men following him felt as though they were carrying the weight of a crime.

Dokgo Myeong let out a short sigh. Seo Munryong, looking troubled, glanced around before meeting Dan Wooseong’s gaze and saying,

“It seems you’ve come at a good time.”

Dan Woosung finally smiled at Seo Munryong and simply nodded.

However, one more truly astonishing event remained for the Emperor’s Association.

Leading the group, Alliance Leader Yu Jeong-hong addressed his subordinate.

“Go and carefully inform the senior that all the heads of the Jeongwang Association have gathered. If the senior feels inclined, suggest he might come by for a drink.”

“Understood, leader.”

A man who had received orders left the camp and headed toward the lodgings where the fanatic was staying.

The heads of the Imperial Council all looked bewildered when the words “senior” and “leader” were mentioned.

‘Did the leader have a senior?’

‘Could it be that an elder from the shamanic sect visited?’

Dan Wooseong heard the whispers of the flustered heads as he headed toward the Baekmun Banquet Hall. Hwa Eunwol, walking beside him, said to Dan Wooseong.

“Human emotions are often difficult to explain in words. This is one such moment. How could we have failed to accomplish something so simple?”

Dan Woo-sung nodded.

Truthfully, it was something Dan Wooseong hadn’t been able to do in his past life either.

Therefore, he understood better than anyone else what was in the hearts of the lords and in the heart of Lord Yoo Jeong-hong.

It should have been a joyful reunion after so long. And it should have been more awkward than expected.

That’s just how clumsy men are.

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The banquet proceeded with the leader in attendance. There was no need for seating distinctions. Leader Yu Jeong-hong walked around with a bottle of liquor, chatting with his juniors. He conversed with Dugu Ming, shared gossip about Namgung Tae and his disciples, and reminisced. Among them, Seo Munryong received the most scolding from Chief Yu Jeonghong. The reason was that the Seo Mun Clan was a prestigious family that had produced generations of Martial Alliance Chiefs. The only reason for the scolding was that he had been secluded.

“Ryong-ah, how can the Seomun Clan turn a blind eye to injustice? Watching and waiting is also turning a blind eye to injustice. I want the Seomun Clan’s name to be heard not just in the Martial Alliance, but throughout the martial world.”

Seo Mun-ryong, who had been listening to the nagging for quite some time, nodded vigorously.

“I will.”

After a long exchange of various topics, Dokgo Myeong cautiously asked.

“Lord Myeong.”

“Speak.”

“It is time for the Imperial Council to elect a new leader. If you have any insights, please share them.”

Conversations happening here and there stopped simultaneously, and all eyes turned to Yoo Jeong-hong.

Yu Jeong-hong spoke.

“How should I know? What insight… Ah, there is a way. Perhaps it would be best to ask when the senior arrives later. Just so you know, if the senior ends up appointing the leader, you’ll find it hard to refuse. Keep that in mind.”

The clan heads, including Dokgo Myeong, responded to Yoo Jeong-hong’s words with puzzled expressions.

“Understood.”

At that moment, the door to the Baekmun Banquet Hall, which had remained closed for a while, creaked open with a squeak, and a man appeared.

Dan Woo-seong looked up and saw it was the notorious Cheol Myeong-ho.

Since Chief Yoo Jeong-hong had personally stated that the senior would be arriving, the clan leaders who didn’t recognize Cheol Myeong-ho all stood up, just in case.

Even so, Cheol Myeong-ho’s appearance was overwhelmingly sinister, standing out even among the many masters filling this banquet hall.

Behind Cheol Myeong-ho, Gwang Shin spoke.

“Step aside now that the door is open.”

“Ah, yes. Master.”

The title had changed like this. As Cheolmyeongho hurriedly stepped aside, Gwangshin entered the banquet hall and said.

“I came because I heard the family heads were here, but there isn’t a single familiar face.”

Only then did the family heads look at Gwangshin with tension.

This time, it was real.

Even Yoo Jeong-hong stood to greet Gwang-shin.

“Senior, welcome. Hahaha…”

“You bastard, laughing for no reason. You look in a good mood.”

Yoo Jeong-hong nodded vigorously.

“Indeed. Please observe proper etiquette, House Lords. You may not have met him personally, but you’ve surely heard his name until your ears hurt. Senior Gwangshin.”

Were the heads of the families really that wide-eyed?

At the word “fanatic,” their hands instinctively rose to their chests, and they cried out in unison.

“We juniors greet you, senior.”

Kwang-shin smiled.

“Welcome. Let’s hear your names.”

“Dukgo Myeong.”

“Seo Mun-ryong.”

“I am Murong Bin.”

“Namgung Tae.”

“Hwa Eun-wol.”

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“Right. Hearing those names brings certain faces to mind.”

That would be expected. Gwangshin knew their fathers or grandfathers. With his hands behind his back, Gwangshin spoke without hesitation.

“I came because the heads of the Sega families arrived. Though the Martial Arts Alliance isn’t my home, stay comfortably and then leave. I’m going inside.”

Yu Jeonghong asked.

“Would you care to join me for a drink?”

Kwang-shin shook his head.

“With me here, would the drink go down easy? You two talk. Let’s go, Myeongho.”

“Yes.”

Cheol Myeong-ho moved like a bodyguard again, then locked eyes with Dan Woo-seong.

Dan Woosung, who had been watching Cheol Myeongho all along, gave a sly smile. Cheol Myeongho returned the greeting with just a mouth gesture.

‘Long time no see.’

‘Good work.’

The two exchanged brief nods.

Dan Wooseong found it both amusing and admirable how well Cheol Myeong-ho seemed to be assisting Senior Gwangshin.

And just like that, Gwangshin vanished in a truly fleeting moment…

As if the gale had subsided, deep sighs echoed from all around.

“I didn’t know you were here, Lord.”

“You look much younger than what Father described.”

“I nearly forgot to breathe.”

Even to the heads of the Sega family, Gwangshin possessed a truly intimidating presence, making this fleeting encounter one he would remember for the rest of his life.

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Kwangshin stopped after taking a few steps and asked, gazing into the darkness beside the Baekmun Banquet Hall.

“Who the hell are you?”

Cheolmyeongho frowned as he stared into the darkness. Where a human head should have been, a chest was visible, and above it, two eyes like those of a beast emerged as the madman stepped out of the shadows. Even to Cheolmyeongho’s eyes, though dressed as a monk, this was clearly no ordinary madman.

The madman frowned, then pointed to his own mouth with his hand and drew a line.

It meant he was practicing silent meditation.

Cheol Myeong-ho frowned and said.

“Hey, what am I supposed to do? If my senior asks, I have to answer. Is silent meditation all you’ve got? I might just knock your teeth out.”

Kwangma looked at Cheol Myeong-ho.

‘Has he lost his mind?’

The three men who could be ranked first, second, and third among the madmen of the martial world stared at each other.

They were the Three Mad Generals.

Then, the door to the Baekmun Banquet Hall opened once more.

Squeak…

Dan Woo-sung had slipped out quickly, ensuring the Emperor’s Association and the Martial Arts Alliance could discuss matters while he resumed monitoring the prisoner.

Dan Woo-sung approached the three men with an expressionless face.

And so, the Four Great Madmen gathered in one place.

When madmen of comparable caliber gathered, a certain charm…

…was impossible.