Chapter 113 :

Chapter 113. Night March of the Dark Faction (3)

"What?"

Yong Soa's eyebrows shot upward.

The members of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, who had been listening to So Jeho's report with her, were more startled by Yong Soa's expression than by the report itself.

To those who had been with Yong Soa since their days at the Martial Academy, she had always seemed almost entirely devoid of emotion.

"Jin Sowoon took his group into Four Emperors Peak. He's insane."

For some reason, So Jeho delivered the report with both eyes swollen and bruised.

"It seems he must truly hate you."

Even Dang Seohee, who was normally just as taciturn as Yong Soa, was speaking as though her tongue had suddenly been loosened.

"...I do not understand."

"What don't you understand?"

"Four Emperors Peak was never a viable option in the first place. No, it will only make the situation worse."

Yong Soa slowly nodded.

Jin Sowoon had clearly had several reasonable options.

—Enter the Martial Academy with excellent results.

—Fail the exam together with his companions.

Yet the answer he chose was one that would not only make him fail the exam but also place his life in danger.

"The Bloodflame Dragon must have something in mind."

Yong Soa's gaze fixed upon Dang Seohee.

So Jeho and the other members of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering knew well how oppressive Yong Soa's gaze could be, and they unconsciously swallowed.

"No. That is impossible."

"There is a rumor that the Bloodflame Dragon possesses a plaque he obtained on Maling Plateau. In a way, he obtained it thanks to Yong Soa."

A frigid atmosphere settled over them.

An incomprehensible and unprecedented pressure descended upon the area, causing the members of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering to unconsciously raise their internal energy to protect their minds.

"Do you know why the dark faction does not interfere in events hosted by the Martial Alliance?"

"Because only the righteous faction agrees to bury whatever happens during the examination."

"Correct. The ban against retaliation or revenge for incidents that occur during the examination applies only to the righteous faction."

"On the other hand, heretical sects that attempt to exploit the examination become targets upon which the righteous faction vents its anger."

He listed the names of heretical sects that had been annihilated during previous examinations, including Hwangsa Sect, Mahyang Gang, Jogeuk Gang, and Hanho Sect.

"Four Emperors Peak may be one of the strongest forces in the heretical faction, but in reality, it is weaker than even a single sect among the Nine Great Sects."

"Moreover, once a righteous sect possesses a proper justification, it gains every reason it needs to punish a heretical sect."

"Four Emperors Peak cannot move under any circumstances."

Dang Seohee nodded at Yong Soa's words.

"Then there is nothing more to worry about."

"...That is correct."

"Then why are you still standing here?"

Yong Soa's eyelids trembled.

Ignoring her reaction, Dang Seohee continued.

"The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering has a great deal of work to do."

Watching Dang Seohee come dangerously close to crossing the line, So Jeho gulped.

"...Indeed. What must we do next?"

So Jeho quickly handed her a scroll.

"We received a report suggesting that Song Baek of the Huayang Escort Agency mobilized warriors from the martial halls he had supported during this examination."

"Song Baek may be dead, but the Alliance has ordered us to investigate the Huayang Escort Agency."

"With the Wang Family Estate already making suspicious moves, the gap will become even larger if the Huayang Escort Agency is removed as well."

"Even so, we must at least confirm the situation."

#

Meanwhile, Jin Sowoon headed toward Daemak Pavilion within Four Emperors Peak despite his injuries.

Namgung Seonhwa supported him because his wounds made it difficult for him to walk.

Under ordinary circumstances, it might not have mattered, but within Four Emperors Peak she was present as the representative of her family, so Gang Seopyo hurriedly tried to stop her.

"My lady, you are also here as the representative of the Namgung Family..."

"Captain Gang, please do not say anything. I understand everything as well."

Faced with her unwavering expression, Gang Seopyo had no choice but to step back.

After all, Jin Sowoon had suffered those severe injuries while saving Namgung Seonhwa.

Moreover, the atmosphere grew heavier the closer they came to Daemak Pavilion, leaving no room for further argument.

"Their discipline is excellent."

That was Cho Mubin's impression upon seeing the heretical faction warriors stationed along the road to Daemak Pavilion.

Gang Seopyo found himself nodding in agreement.

"They are completely different from what I knew."

Whenever people spoke of the heretical faction, they generally imagined bloodthirsty madmen who lived according to the law of the strong devouring the weak.

However, seeing their true appearance firsthand felt like looking at a group of well-trained predators.

Furthermore, the closer they came to Daemak Pavilion, the central building of Four Emperors Peak, the more rapidly the warriors' skill levels increased.

"Forget the examination... We should simply pray that we can leave this place alive."

When they first heard Jin Sowoon's plan, they had agreed because they were confident they could escape if the worst happened.

Now they were regretting that decision.

Upon entering Daemak Pavilion, they saw a grand hall as overwhelming as the enormous building itself.

Elite warriors of Four Emperors Peak stood on both sides, radiating fierce auras.

On a high platform sat a massive man clad in magnificent silver armor, his presence dominating everyone in the hall.

"They are Jin Sowoon of the Taeul Sect and his companions."

After offering only that brief introduction, Hwang Busik stood at attention to the left of the peak master.

"They say the name of the Bloodflame Dragon resounds throughout the world, but seeing your current state, I would say that name is wasted on you."

Cha Seokdu, the master of Four Emperors Peak.

His booming voice shook the grand hall, proving that his reputation as the foremost leader of the heretical faction was no empty title.

"..."

Jin Sowoon slipped free of Namgung Seonhwa's support and took two steps forward.

His body trembled with every step, revealing just how terrible his condition was.

Jin Sowoon spoke with a serious expression.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble I have suffered because of that damned nickname?"

"..."

The same thought simultaneously flashed through the minds of Gang Seopyo, Cho Mubin, and Baek Wongak.

We're screwed.

Killing intent flooded the grand hall.

Every person standing within it claimed to be among the strongest warriors of the heretical faction.

Jin Sowoon had just spoken disrespectfully to Cha Seokdu, the peak master they respected above all others.

He might as well have chosen today as the date of his own funeral rites.

"...Cough."

Unable to withstand the killing intent, Jin Sowoon suddenly coughed up blood.

Namgung Seonhwa went pale and tried to rush toward him, but Jin Sowoon raised a hand to stop her.

"Please remove that killing intent."

"Do heretical faction warriors not have eyes?"

"How can you release killing intent in front of an injured patient?"

A strange silence filled the grand hall.

Jin Sowoon's companions watched anxiously, while the warriors of Four Emperors Peak glared at him with displeasure.

"Khuhuhu."

"Khahahahahaha!"

When Cha Seokdu burst into laughter, the warriors in the hall gradually withdrew their killing intent and began laughing along with him.

Gang Seopyo, Cho Mubin, and Baek Wongak were dumbfounded by the sudden laughter, but they quickly joined in and laughed even louder, hoping to lighten the atmosphere.

"You are still amusing, I see."

"Even so, I believe I gave you an excellent nickname."

"Thanks to it, whenever your name resounds throughout the murim world, mine spreads along with it."

"How can you call an elite righteous faction warrior the Bloodflame Dragon?"

"The Taeul Sect is not exactly a prestigious orthodox righteous sect, is it?"

"Hah. You are speaking rather harshly because this is your own front yard, Peak Master."

"Heh. So what?"

"Would you like to fight me?"

"My body is in poor condition, so I will let it pass this time."

Jin Sowoon's companions were not the only ones confused by their conversation.

The warriors of Four Emperors Peak also kept glancing sideways at Cha Seokdu.

Normally, he was endlessly solemn and dignified, yet now he treated Jin Sowoon almost like his own grandson.

"Very well. I heard that you suffered many hardships while taking the examination."

"It is only natural that a penniless man like me must suffer if he wants to rise in the world."

"In that case, why not use this opportunity to convert to a heretical sect?"

"Unlike the Nine Great Sects or the Hundred and Eight Peaks of the Martial Alliance, corruption has not yet become deeply entrenched among us."

"If I did that, would all the suffering I have endured until now not become meaningless?"

Cha Seokdu nodded at Jin Sowoon's words.

"That is why I came so suddenly, both to ask you a favor and to discuss another matter."

"Please forgive me if I have been discourteous."

The moment Jin Sowoon finished speaking, the smile gradually disappeared from Cha Seokdu's face.

"Before you speak, I will tell you this."

"Give up the examination, or make a reasonable deal with the people outside."

"..."

"I hear they possess a great many admission plaques."

"Through a trade, one or two members of your group may be able to gain admission."

"I can mediate the negotiation if you wish."

Cha Seokdu seemed to know exactly what Jin Sowoon intended to request, leaving the group looking exhausted.

If negotiations failed here, there was nothing more they could do.

"Even if I use the plaque?"

Cha Seokdu's expression hardened at Jin Sowoon's words, and the pressure within the hall intensified.

"The plaque is merely a guarantee that I will make an effort on your behalf."

"You should already understand that it cannot resolve a matter serious enough to endanger both my sect and my life."

"..."

"If Four Emperors Peak interferes in the Martial Academy's official examination, it will pose an extremely grave threat to the sect."

"Even if you ask me to do such a thing, there is no possibility that I can accept."

"Keep the plaque safe."

"You may need to use it someday."

Cha Seokdu's face, which had previously regarded Jin Sowoon as though he were his own grandson, was now filled with disappointment.

"If you intend to abandon the examination anyway, you may remain here."

"I will provide you with fine rooms and attendants so that you can recover comfortably."

As though their business was finished, Cha Seokdu abruptly rose from his seat.

At that moment, Jin Sowoon, who had remained silent until then, spoke.

"That is not what I am asking for."

Cha Seokdu turned his head.

Anger had now joined the disappointment in his eyes.

"Are you trying to make a fool of me?"

"I have not yet told you what I intend to request."

"..."

With a grave expression, Cha Seokdu sat upon the platform once more.

"I sincerely hope this meeting does not make me even more disappointed in you."

"I was already disappointed from the moment I heard that you entered Four Emperors Peak to escape the Nine Great Sects."

His voice was calm, but those listening nearby shuddered beneath his overwhelming presence.

"What I ask is that Four Emperors Peak become the center of the heretical faction's murim."

"...?"

At the unexpected statement, everyone tilted their heads.

"Unlike the Martial Alliance, the heretical faction has never possessed a central organization."

"That remains true even now."

"Because of that, whenever a large-scale disaster occurs, there is no proper method for responding to it."

It was a subject that had always been discussed throughout the dark faction's murim.

Everyone understood the need for a central organization, yet no one had ever succeeded in creating one.

"The same was true on Maling Plateau."

"The heretical faction suffered more casualties, but in the end, it was the Martial Alliance that mobilized the people."

"The heretical faction could do nothing but anxiously wait."

"...Wait. Wait a moment. I do not understand."

"Why are you bringing that up now?"

"Before that, even if you ask us to become the center, how are we supposed to accomplish such a thing?"

"It is not particularly difficult."

"Not particularly difficult?"

Countless heretical sects had attempted to establish an alliance in the past, but none had succeeded.

They had neither a unifying event like the one that created the Martial Alliance nor a faction possessing overwhelming military strength.

"Hold a nonviolent march to commemorate those who were sacrificed on Maling Plateau."

"March from the Dabie Mountains to Wuhan, where the Martial Alliance is located."

"Use the demonstration to gather public support, and ultimately establish an alliance."

Cha Seokdu's mouth fell open.

The elite warriors gathered in the grand hall reacted the same way.

So did Jin Sowoon's companions.

A disciple of a righteous sect intended to create a central organization for the heretical faction's murim?

Throughout the silent grand hall, people began whispering the same words.

"That lunatic."