Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: The Black Demon King Appears
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The students were shocked, but the Tai Chi Sword Lord remained unfazed. After all, with the Black Demon King making such a bold entrance, there was no way he wouldn't notice.
The Tai Chi Sword Lord smiled faintly.
"Long time no see."
"Hoh."
The Black Demon King raised an eyebrow. Staring intently at the smile on the Tai Chi Sword Lord's lips, he muttered,
"You're smiling."
"Is that strange?"
"Anyone would smile. Either because they want to, or without realizing it. Wasn't the last time I saw you thirty years ago?"
"That's right."
"We've met a few times before that. But this is the first time I've seen you smile in my presence."
"Still calling yourself 'this seat'?"
"I'm the Black Serpent Alliance Leader, after all."
The Black Demon King replied as he clasped his hands behind his back. As he descended from the carriage roof, the Black Serpent procession came to a halt.
The piercing gazes of the Netherworld Yakshas staring at them were honestly hard to endure. The Tai Chi Sword Lord clicked his tongue and said,
"Seems you've picked up some nasty new hobbies in the meantime."
"What do you mean?"
"Thirty years ago, you were already disagreeable, but I don't recall you having a hobby of tormenting children."
"Hm? Haha! Tormenting? That's not my intention. They're my personal guard. They're just overly loyal."
The Black Demon King burst into laughter. At that moment, the sharp killing intent emanating from the Netherworld Yakshas vanished as if washed away.
"But it is true that I've picked up a new hobby."
The Black Demon King added with a smile. He finally turned his head to look at the students standing around the Tai Chi Sword Lord.
"They're not exactly children, though. Lately, I've taken a liking to nurturing the young."
"So that's why you've come all this way."
"Of course. Different colors, but we're all the same people. Looks like I'm getting old too. At my age, I find myself wanting to nurture the youth. You feel the same, don't you?"
The Black Demon King's eyes lingered on Tae Hee-myeong standing beside the Tai Chi Sword Lord.
Tae Hee-myeong's face was as pale as a patient's. His legs trembled uncontrollably. He was desperately holding back the urge to collapse right then and there.
"Enough."
"Haha, I'm not tormenting him. I was just testing out of curiosity. He holds up pretty well. Don't you think teasing the young is a privilege of old age?"
"Looks like you haven't aged gracefully."
"Who would've thought I'd hear that from you, Sword Fiend of Wudang."
The Black Demon King flashed a cold smile.
"Well, water under the bridge. That's why I'm even more pleased. You, who was called the Sword Fiend and indiscriminately treated demonic beasts, fiends, and even us unorthodox as enemies—you're smiling here in front of Baek Ri-mu-won. Thirty years ago, you looked at me with eyes debating whether to cut me down."
"Thirty years is a long time, Black Demon King."
"Indeed. A long time. You, whom I thought would die clutching your sword alone, now have a disciple. You've grown old and changed too. A bit disappointing."
The pressure lifted.
Tae Hee-myeong let out a heavy breath and staggered, while the Tai Chi Sword Lord quietly supported him.
The Black Demon King chuckled with his hands behind his back.
"You've weakened. I preferred you when you devoted your life to the sword and walked its lonely path, Tai Chi Sword Lord. If I'd known it'd come to this, I should've killed you thirty years ago."
"Shall we test that?"
The Tai Chi Sword Lord asked with a smile. The Black Demon King shook his head with a hearty laugh.
"Now? No need for that. Especially not at a time like this. I'm not here to fight. Merely... yes. As a representative of the unorthodox martial world, I'm here to exchange greetings with the orthodox martial world."
The Black Demon King stared intently at Tae Hee-myeong.
Having steadied his breathing, Tae Hee-myeong glared at the Black Demon King with indignation. At that gaze, the Black Demon King smiled delightedly.
"You're Wudang's Sword Dragon. Not quite on the level of the Tai Chi Sword Lord at your age, but... heh, that guy back then had no teacher as outstanding as himself. Allow me to offer some advice. If you wish to follow your master's sword, first cast off the shadow of your sect and Wudang from your heart. Just as your master fled Wudang."
"I have no desire to hear advice from the likes of you...!"
"Hm? Haha! Quite the bold youth. I'm offering kind advice out of the goodness of my heart. No harm in listening, is there? So listen."
The Black Demon King's voice grew icy cold.
"If you don't just want to follow your master but surpass him, deny him from the depths of your heart. And if possible, kill him with your own hands. There's no clearer proof of surpassing your master."
"Shut your mouth!"
Tae Hee-myeong bellowed. He reflexively lunged toward the Black Demon King, but the Tai Chi Sword Lord grabbed his shoulder.
"If I've weakened, you've grown even more disagreeable."
"For the supreme lord of the unorthodox world, you're awfully gentle. Your orthodox folk always paint us unorthodox, the Black Serpent Alliance, and me as devils. The real devils are hunkered down in that distant demonic realm."
The Black Demon King said with a laugh. There was weight to his words. No matter who else, Wi Seong-cheon couldn't help but agree.
Labeling the unorthodox as evil was the orthodox martial world's propaganda.
To the people living in orthodox territory, the unorthodox—far closer than the distant demonic cult—were a far more tangible enemy.
"But the advice is true. Sword Dragon. Whatever you choose is your freedom."
The Black Demon King's eyes left Tae Hee-myeong. They stopped on Mu Yeon-jun.
Since the Black Demon King had descended, he had stood stock-still, staring fixedly at him.
"An irritating gaze."
The Black Demon King muttered as he stared back at Mu Yeon-jun.
"You noticed me before the Tai Chi Sword Lord. Heavenly Prodigy. Curious about this seat?"
"You're the supreme lord of the unorthodox world, a figure close to the strongest under heaven. It's only natural to be curious since it's my first time seeing you."
"Is that so? What do you think now that you've seen me in the flesh?"
"You're strong."
"Haha! Stating the obvious, aren't you? Indeed, this seat is strong. What say you, Heavenly Prodigy? If you wish, even now, I'm willing to take you as my disciple."
"I decline."
Mu Yeon-jun answered without hesitation. The Black Demon King smirked as if he'd expected it.
"Then no choice. Pushing further would be unseemly."
The Black Demon King turned his head.
"Bi-yeon. That at your waist—is it your weapon, the chain sword? In all my years, I've never seen proper chain sword arts. I hope at this Yicheon Festival, I can finally understand what a chain sword is."
His gaze left Sang I-rin and turned to Cheong U-bin.
"Blue Forest's White Orchid. Truly beautiful. I should've brought Black Cherry and Snow Flower. Gathering the Four Flowers together would let us see who the current number one beauty of the martial world is."
"...You flatter me."
"I mean it sincerely. Flame Flower hasn't graduated yet, has she? Just seeing the two flowers of the orthodox world in person makes the trip from Guangdong worthwhile."
Laughing heartily, the Black Demon King looked at Yeong-jin.
"Sharpest Single Sword. How's Sun-Piercing Sword faring?"
"...Well."
"The kid who trembled before me decades ago is now Point Cang's sect leader. Ah, mocking a master in front of his disciple wouldn't do."
Crunch.
Yeong-jin ground his teeth and glared at the Black Demon King. But the Black Demon King's gaze had already moved on.
"Oh, you're Kwon-gol. I've heard the rumors, but you're huge. Must've been tough for the Huangbo clan head. Isn't feeding a martial bone twice as hard? And beside you... Twin Moon Wheels. This seat holds you and Bi-yeon in high regard especially. Achieving such skill without a proper master."
The Black Demon King's gaze shifted again. It stopped on Dang Seon-a and Dang Hee-ran.
"The Tang sisters. Is Poison Dance Marquess still as ever?"
"She is."
Dang Seon-a stepped forward. She naturally positioned herself ahead of Dang Hee-ran, drawing the Black Demon King's attention. Seeing this, he smiled faintly.
"I figured. I can imagine the deaths of the other Ten Heroes, but not Poison Dance Marquess's. Once, she split me in two right before my eyes... and later, she was fine as ever."
"Grandmother always tells me that story too. She said the sight of the Black Demon King vomiting poisoned blood and fleeing was utterly pathetic."
"Haha! True, back then I thought I might die just like that. Tell Poison Dance Marquess I'm sorry, but it was fifty years ago. We both nearly killed each other, so let's call it even."
"Yes."
Dang Seon-a replied with a bright smile. The Black Demon King, smiling back, stared at Peng Yeon-hwa.
"Fire Flower Peng Yeon-hwa. About five years ago, right? Do you remember?"
"...Yes."
"If you came to the unorthodox, this seat promised to rebuild your annihilated Peng clan. And to help find your brother. Such a shame. I should've pressed harder back then."
"...Even if so, I would never have joined the unorthodox. The Peng clan is orthodox."
"You're calling yourselves orthodox after what you did."
Peng Yeon-hwa's expression hardened.
The Tai Chi Sword Lord, who had been listening silently, glared at the Black Demon King with fury in his eyes. The Black Demon King shrugged at the gaze.
"Don't look at me like that. This seat regrets it too. Better to receive my protection in the unorthodox than suffer obvious persecution in the orthodox, no?"
"...I don't regret staying in the orthodox."
"Is that so? Those obsessed with pointless righteousness won't accept your existence. Well, that's your choice."
After those words,
The Black Demon King's gaze stopped on Wi Seong-cheon.
He had addressed each student one by one, but with Wi Seong-cheon, he didn't open his mouth right away.
Wi Seong-cheon swallowed hard and met the Black Demon King's eyes. The corner of the Black Demon King's mouth curved up.
"Heavenly Flower Sect's Hidden Dragon."
"...An honor."
"Honor? What is?"
"The supreme lord of the unorthodox called me Hidden Dragon."
"Haha! Pleased to be acknowledged by the unorthodox 'rabble'?"
"Of course. The unorthodox aren't 'rabble' enough to dismiss like that."
"The Heavenly Flower Sect was once part of the Black Serpent Alliance. Is that why you're sensitive?"
"Surely not. That was long before I was born."
"True. It's been a century already...."
The Black Demon King muttered as he scanned Wi Seong-cheon from head to toe.
"This seat wasn't the Black Serpent Leader a hundred years ago. I was very young. Quite the shame. If I'd been the leader then..."
He trailed off. The Black Demon King fell silent for a moment, then chuckled.
"Meaningless talk. Old age brings nothing but rambling."
As he spoke, the Black Demon King looked over all the students.
"I couldn't gauge how exceptional they were from rumors alone, but seeing them in person, I get it. Should make for an entertaining watch at the Yicheon Festival's martial tournament. If I'd known, I'd have brought my disciple too."
"...Disciple?"
The Tai Chi Sword Lord looked surprised. He wasn't the only one.
Wi Seong-cheon and the students, along with the crowd eavesdropping on the conversation, were all stunned. It was because Baek Ri-mu-won, the Black Serpent Leader known as the Black Demon King, was famous for having no disciple.
"You have a disciple?"
"I'm old now. Time to prepare a successor, no? Ah, that's why you're surprised. I've never mentioned it before."
The Black Demon King laughed heartily.
"I'm teaching in secret. As my disciple, he can't complain about lacking anything. He's ripening nicely—might be time to show him off. But not yet."
The Black Demon King raised his hand. The halted carriage and Netherworld Yakshas approached. As the carriage sounds drew near, he pulled an apple from his sleeve.
"...I have a question."
Tae Hee-myeong suddenly spoke up. The Black Demon King, polishing the apple's surface, glanced at him.
"What?"
"Did you... give the same advice to your disciple as you did to me?"
"Ah, that. Naturally."
Crunch.
The Black Demon King bit into the apple. He chewed the flesh noisily, swallowed, and continued.
"My disciple trains with the intent to kill this seat. And this seat teaches him to make it possible. Fortunately, he doesn't respect me as his master. He denies me from the heart. One day, when he's ready, he'll kill this seat without hesitation."
"You're insane...!"
"This seat believes dying at a disciple's hands is the greatest death a master can have. My own master died that way. Can't even remember his face now."
The Black Demon King laughed heartily at Tae Hee-myeong's outburst.
He leaped lightly onto the carriage roof seat.
"I'll head out first. Want a ride? Only one carriage, but I can put you on a horse."
"No need."
"Tsk tsk. You're too quick to refuse this seat's goodwill."
The Black Demon King clicked his tongue and shook his head. The carriage moved, and the procession advanced again. He crunched through the apple core, propping his chin.
"Heavenly Flower Sect..."
Neither Heavenly Prodigy, Sword Dragon, nor the Four Beauties.
More than even the Tai Chi Sword Lord among those he'd just met.
The Black Demon King felt interest toward the Heavenly Flower Sect and Wi Seong-cheon.