Chapter 159

The Martial King Heads for Gu Huashan

The death of the Yeto Scholar, the removal of the corpse, and Kwangshin’s words mingled incoherently, pounding fiercely at the Demon King’s heart.

Buried in darkness, lost in deep thought, the Demon King suddenly turned his head.

A man swiftly passed by, using lightness skills. Staring intently through the darkness, he recognized none other than Cheol Myeong-ho.

The Madman’s head turned from left to right in sync with Cheolmyeongho’s lightness technique. Was it because he’d taken his own internal energy? His lightness technique was quite fast.

A sigh escaped him involuntarily.

‘The only thing that ever brought me joy was martial arts.’

Losing it made it crystal clear.

Only after losing it did he realize it anew.

Martial arts were the most precious thing to the Madman. With that alone, everything else was meaningless. He had belatedly realized, through a truly bizarre process, that he had been walking the wrong path.

A moment later, the Iron-Crested Hawk passed by again, this time using lightness skills to move from right to left.

Cheolmyeongho suddenly halted his light-step movement and stared at the Madman for a moment.

Gwangma glared at Cheol Myeong-ho with a sullen expression and thought.

‘Stop spouting nonsense and get lost.’

After all, Cheol Myeong-ho was his senior, so he couldn’t voice those thoughts aloud.

At that moment, Cheolmyeong-ho fumbled something out and hurled it toward Gwangma.

Normally, when throwing something to hand it over, it would follow a parabolic arc. But what Cheol Myeong-ho threw appeared to fly in a straight line, like a heavy stone hurtling toward him.

It couldn’t help but feel unpleasant.

With a bitter heart, Gwangma caught the flying object with one hand.

Of course, it wasn’t memorization—it was a big, steaming dumpling.

They were surprisingly piping hot.

Cheol Myeong-ho grabbed a dumpling and tossed it aside before dashing off again like an arrow. No need to ask—it must be for Gwang-sin’s errand.

Left alone on the stage once more, Gwangma stared down at the dumpling in his hand, enveloped in darkness.

“What am I supposed to do?”

If Cheol Myeong-ho had been there, he would have retorted like this.

“What the hell am I supposed to do? Eat it, you bastard.”

Having skipped dinner while sitting on the stage, he was indeed hungry. Gwangma was much larger than most men, so going without food made him suffer more than others.

It seemed a waste to throw it away, but eating it felt pitiful.

For a moment, Gwangma stared intently at the dumpling he held in both hands, then finally began to eat it. As the large dumpling vanished into Gwangma’s mouth, his hunger vanished too.

“Gulp.”

After eating the dumpling, Gwangma suddenly looked up at the night sky.

Stars were densely packed across the sky, as if they might pour down. While he gazed at that night sky for a moment, the familiar sound of footsteps reached his ears again, and Cheolmyeongho reappeared.

This time, Cheol Myeong-ho approached closely and handed Gwangma a bottle of liquor.

Gwangma looked at Cheolmyeongho, who wore an expression as stony as his own.

Cheolmyeongho said in a curt tone.

“What are you looking at? Take it.”

Kwangma, a man who’d never uttered a word of thanks, simply held out his hand, took the bottle, and poured it down his throat.

Only then did the dumpling lodged in his esophagus mix with the rushing liquor and slide down refreshingly.

As Cheolmyeongho turned to leave without another word…

Kwangma blurted out without thinking.

“Master Kwangshin…”

Cheol Myeong-ho stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Gwangma.

“What about the Master?”

“It seemed you were prepared to die. Come to think of it, Master Kwangshin likely knew the old man called the Demon Lord Gentleman among the great masters of the Ten Thousand Demon Palace.”

Kwangma spoke informally, but Cheolmyeongho replied as if he didn’t care.

“But.”

“You seemed prepared to die.”

“No way. Stronger than our master?”

“He was the master of the previous Heavenly Demon, so it’s possible.”

“What happened to the previous Heavenly Demon?”

“All three deities had to step in to fight him.”

“How many years ago was that?”

“Over twenty years ago.”

“That’s ancient history.”

It was a night when the moon was not bright. Only when Cheolmyeongho drew near did his facial expression become visible.

Cheolmyeongho looked down at Gwangma and said.

“With me here and the senior brother too, we can’t just let the master die.”

Gwangma laughed with a look of utter despair. Cheolmyeongho said.

“Laughing? You dare? What kind of thinking is that? I’ll smash your skull in.”

As the Madman sighed, Cheol Myeong-ho continued.

“How strong is that bastard?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then what kind of guy is he?”

He never gets angry. Just a gentle old man. He doesn’t have an air of wanting to lord over others, but rather a sense of looking down loftily upon everyone. An old man who feels like a master even though he’s never shown his skills. It’s just a vague feeling.

He was an old man who resided in the Ten Thousand Horses Palace, yet held little presence even there. He was a master who granted his disciples’ requests if they asked, but wouldn’t even speak to those lacking talent.”

Cheolmyeongho replied.

“From what I hear, he’s no ordinary madman. That’s fine. Our senior brother isn’t exactly sane either.”

“Aren’t you scared?”

Cheol Myeong-ho chuckled.

“This body has no such thing as fear, you see.”

“Like me?”

“Probably.”

The Madman stared at Cheolmyeong-ho.

‘Are you a fearless bastard too?’

Looking at him anew, Cheol Myeong-ho truly seemed to fear nothing in this world.

Kwangma asked.

“Aren’t you afraid of dying?”

Cheolmyeongho retorted.

“No way. I hate dying. But if my master is prepared to die, that’s not something I can say. I won’t let it come to that.”

“Why?”

Cheol Myeong-ho raised his hand as if frustrated, about to smack Gwangma’s head, but barely restrained himself.

“Damn it, you bastard.”

A torrent of curses poured forth.

“Why? You bastard. Because I’m your master, that’s why. You crazy little shit. Cut the nonsense, crawl back in, eat your food, and go to sleep.”

Kwangma stared blankly at Cheolmyeong-ho.

“······.”

“Stop acting like such a useless whiner. Where’s this kid getting off pretending to be depressed? Because of you, I had to run the dumpling errand instead. And the way you talk… Am I your master? I’ll only put up with this once or twice. You still haven’t gotten your act together even after coming to the Martial Arts Alliance. Want to have a go at it? Up? You up? You need a beating to snap out of it.”

When someone is utterly ridiculous, you can’t help but laugh.

The madman, who had been listening to the tirade with a blank expression for quite some time, suddenly burst out laughing.

Cheolmyeong-ho shook his head vigorously when Gwangma burst out laughing.

“Who the hell am I talking to? Did I say something funny?”

Kwangma spoke in a tone used to gently soothe a madman.

“I understand, Senior Brother. Please go inside first. I was feeling lonely and made a mistake.”

Cheol Myeong-ho retorted.

“Fine. Let the crazy priest keep whining his ass off out there. Come in or not, freeze to death or enlighten yourself—do whatever you want. I’m outta here.”

Gwangma nodded.

“Take care.”

“Right.”

As Cheolmyeongho turned his back and walked away, the Madman spoke.

“Oh, and thanks for the dumplings and liquor.”

Cheolmyeongho retorted in a sarcastic tone.

“Wow, getting a ‘thank you’ from a priest? What an honor. What an honor. What a lucky day.”

As Cheol Myeong-ho vanished using his lightness skill, the Madman downed the remaining liquor in one gulp, then flopped down flat on his back to gaze at the night sky. A moment later, these words slipped from the Madman’s mouth.

“Not bad at all.”

Getting cursed out by Cheolmyeong-ho, drinking soju with mandu, gazing at the night sky, living as a disciple of Kwangshin—even if I were to die fighting alongside Kwangshin, none of this seemed so bad.

As long as he was alive, that is.

While Gwangma gazed at the night sky, the corpse of the Yeto Scholar was engulfed in flames at the incineration site. Hearing the faint sound, Gwangma muttered while looking up at the sky.

“Farewell, Master To. This disciple bids you farewell.”

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Danwooseong was reading the letter that had arrived at the Eunha Trading Guild.

「······He introduced himself as Master Shu Yue. Truly formidable. My men suffered terrible losses. Yet, Mingwang, had your letter not arrived, the casualties would likely have been far greater. Master Shu Yue arrived shortly after I read your letter. I cannot say whether this was mere coincidence. I shall convey my gratitude to you on behalf of the Banwollhwe. By the way, I can state unequivocally that the Banwollhwe had no prior connection with the Manmagung. That means they emerged solely to kill the masters of the martial world. By the time the letter reached the Eunhwasangdan, I would already be roaming the martial world. I wonder if you gave separate notice to the Wudang and Huashan. Though we had ties in the past, it would be difficult for me personally to aid Wudang or Huashan. However, since my comrades-in-arms who shared my hardships were killed by the Grand Master of the Ten Thousand Horses Palace, I shall not rest easy until I burn them all to the ground. We shall meet again in the martial world soon. Banwol Society, Gocheonhwi.

Danwooseong nodded as he folded the letter.

‘Impressive. He’s killed one more.’

It wasn’t sent via the postal service; someone had delivered the letter personally. The man delivering it didn’t seem to be affiliated with the Banwol Society.

Dan Woo-sung addressed the man who had brought the letter.

“Convey this to the leader.”

“Yes.”

“The other senior masters of the Ten Thousand Horses Palace have decided to gather at Gu Huashan. I intend to go to Gu Huashan. If you relay this, the Half-Moon Society leader will make his own judgment.”

The man bowed his head and replied.

“Understood. I will relay it as instructed.”

Dan Woo-seong beckoned to his attendant.

“At least let us offer you a meal.”

“Yes.”

He replied as if he had a long way to go.

“I must return immediately… Well then, I’ll see you again.”

Nodding as if to say, “Do as you please,” the man took a bow and withdrew from the reception room.

Dan Woo-sung sat down briefly in the chair and stared blankly at the letter.

‘So the Banwol Society is coming to Guwhasan after all.’

Gocheonhwi had anticipated that one of the Grand Masters would go to either the Muwang or Huashan factions, but precisely because it was those two factions, outsiders couldn’t intervene. The same applied to Dan Wooseong. These two forces were sects whose pride in the martial world rivaled that of the Martial Alliance.

The problem was the Grand Master mentioned by Senior Uisin.

Danwooseong, who had finished preparing to leave before even entering the reception room, stepped outside and slowly surveyed Eunhwasangdan once more.

It was a familiar and comfortable sight, as if it were no longer Jin-eon’s house, but Dan Woo-seong’s own.

Youngest Gang Ho-chung had resumed his training at home.

Baekyak and Baekmyo would remain in the house like guardian deities in Danwooseong’s stead.

Still, there weren’t many people anywhere he looked. After thoughtlessly surveying the vast interior, he headed toward the main gate, where most of the Galaxy Trading Company members staying here had gathered.

“Your Highness.”

“Brother.”

“Eldest Brother.”

Not only his brothers, but most of the members of the Lee Sungmin Trading Guild and their families had gathered. It was a sight usually seen only when seeing off a procession departing for important business. They all knew that Dan Woo-sung was leaving for Gu Hwasan.

Uisin stood there with Baekyak.

Within the Eunha Trading Company, Uisin’s identity was known only as that of an elderly, respected senior martial artist.

Dan Woo-sung bowed his head awkwardly toward the family gathered at Eunha Trading Company.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

Most people didn’t know exactly what Dan Wooseong was going to do. Some only knew he was handling matters for the Merchant Guild. So everyone saw him off with bright smiles.

“Your Highness, have a safe and healthy trip!”

“Make sure to eat well while you’re away.”

Ordinary farewells poured out from all around. Dan Wooseong looked around and continued to respond.

“Understood. I will. I’ll eat well.”

Dan Woo-sung looked at Lee Sung-min.

“Father, I’m off.”

Lee Sung-min saw his son off with a more flushed expression than usual.

“Alright. Get some rest when you get back. The Merchant Guild’s business is keeping you pretty busy. If I’d known it would be like this, I would’ve left it to Hwa-eon.”

“It’s fine. I’ll make sure to come back safely.”

Suddenly, Lee Sung-min grabbed his son’s hand and squeezed it tightly. Dan Woo-sung smiled and said,

“Don’t worry.”

In this way, the farewell stretched on a little longer.

Baek Yak and he exchanged only a brief, silent look. They had already said their goodbyes earlier, so there was nothing more to say here.

Dan Woosung said to Uisin.

“Let’s go, Senior.”

Uisin nodded.

“Let’s go.”

After a long struggle with those who followed them to the gate, only the two of them remained. Uisin smiled and said,

“What a harmonious household. I’d heard you were one of the Three Great Merchants of the Central Plains, but I never imagined the atmosphere would be like this. Your father is truly remarkable.”

Danwooseong replied.

“Yes.”

There was nothing else to say. Dan Wooseong stopped one last time to look back at the house. As several people waved to him, he nodded and resolved.

‘I will return.’

Dan Wooseong met Uisin’s gaze and gave a sly smile.

“Let’s go, Senior. To Guwhasan.”

Yi Shin had already contacted the Martial Alliance. Soon, all the top masters of the martial world would gather at Gu Huashan.