Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Come to Me
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People were utterly captivated by the aura emanating from the Dark Sovereign.
Zeal.
Longing.
Greed.
The emotions contained within were utterly straightforward.
"The Alliance, they said. It seems this was all part of it—opening recruitment for a new Gale Force unit."
The specters all let out sighs.
"What a brilliant move!"
"Now, every martial sect in the western Central Plains region will have no choice but to watch the Dark Sovereign's every move."
"Isn't this a chance to become the disciple of one of the Ten Supremes? It's only natural."
"For each sect, not sending anyone would mean falling behind the others—"
"And in time, the more disciples who pass, the higher that sect's prestige will rise."
The Dark Sovereign now held the power to determine a sect's value.
This naturally meant everyone would have to pay heed to him.
The longer time passed, the stronger the binding force would become, and reliance on the Tang Clan would grow accordingly.
In particular, those Gale Force members who received personal instruction from the Dark Sovereign would inevitably lean toward the Tang Clan, and before long, the entire western martial world would be dyed in the Tang Clan's colors.
The Gale Force was merely the beginning.
"But there's still one persistent issue with this."
"Until that's resolved, unifying the western martial world will remain impossible—that's our assessment."
'Indeed.'
I shared the specters' lingering concern.
"…I'm Cheol Jong-bae of the Iron Sword Sect. I have one question."
At that moment, someone in the audience shot up their hand.
His clothes were ragged like a bandit's, but his face was taut with tension.
The Dark Sovereign gave him a faint smile.
"Speak."
"Are there… any specific qualifications to join this new Gale Force?"
"None. Regardless of gender, age, birthplace, origin, affiliation, sect, faction—even if you're from the Demonic Cult—we'll take them all without discrimination."
It was, as expected, utterly unprecedented.
Everyone swallowed hard.
"That said, there are three conditions. First, as I mentioned earlier, you must possess a sense of justice and camaraderie. The Gale Force will be an arrow aimed at the Demonic Cult. But it must never turn toward the backs of your comrades, must it?"
Everyone nodded gravely.
"And the final one is very simple."
"What is it?"
"Martial prowess!"
"!"
"Be they righteous heroes, demonic fiends, swordsmen, Taoists, or even Absolute Masters—warriors prove themselves solely through their martial arts. If your skills fall short, you won't enter the Gale Force. If your talent is lacking, you won't enter. Only those devoted wholly to the martial path, who can pour their all into it, will be accepted."
The atmosphere grew even hotter.
Some licked their lips, while others fidgeted with their weapons.
"I'm Hong Ryeo of the Thunderclap Temple. I have a question for Clan Head Tang."
This time, a monk in red robes bowed his head, rolling his prayer beads.
His Central Plains dialect was rough, but it carried a solemn air that felt anything but awkward.
His features were more pronounced, as if from the distant Western Regions.
He was a monk from the Thunderclap Temple, located far in the west, boasting a history as ancient as Shaolin's.
"A friend from afar. Of course, speak freely."
"My thanks. Forgive any lapses in etiquette."
"Of course."
"How will it work? The selection process. The exact procedure."
"That's a secret. It's not yet time to reveal it. But there will be no discrimination against any sect. I'd appreciate your understanding on that."
"Then. How do you plan to select? Will you become the leader?"
The experts' eyes sharpened.
This was the crucial point, after all.
No matter how wide they opened the doors, if the commander was a Tang clansman, it would end up as nothing more than a weapon for the Tang Clan.
Discrimination by origin could arise within.
"That much is easy to answer. Qingcheng Divine Sword."
All eyes instantly turned to one spot.
Where the Three Heroes of Uprightness gathered—there was one man among them.
He looked slightly flustered but quickly schooled his expression and nodded.
"Hmm!"
"No wonder he stood out—"
"As expected, Qingcheng has produced a true talent."
"This is why the righteous factions always seem on the verge of collapse yet never fall."
I was no less impressed than the specters, who voiced their admiration—I felt it deeply inside upon first sight.
The moment I saw him, I knew for certain.
—He is strong.
And.
—He is solid.
He was human, that man.
Gu Min-chae?
No comparison.
The other Demon Lords I knew were the same.
Even those vying for the top seat might match him at best; no one else could hold a candle to him, not even compared to Yi Cheolsan.
No matter that six years had passed.
Thanks to him, I had a powerful intuition: to claim the title of supreme in the Sichuan martial world—and beyond to the entire Central Plains—I would need to keep competing against this man.
'…Interesting.'
It had been ages since someone stimulated me this strongly from our first encounter, igniting a fierce competitive spirit within.
"Come forward."
Yi Cheolsan lightly pushed off the ground and leaped onto the platform.
The motion was so natural, he seemed like an immortal riding clouds.
"The Qingcheng Divine Sword—certainly—"
"The future's greatest swordsman in the world—surely fit to lead the new Gale Force."
"Still, appointing someone from another sect over a Tang clansman to the commander position—what a bold decision."
"Heaven-Earth Phoenix."
As murmurs rippled through the crowd, the next name was called.
Flash!
Tang Yeowon launched herself, landing gracefully.
Her face was impassive, but her eyes hinted at dissatisfaction.
"Certainly. Even as the Dark Sovereign's granddaughter, the Heaven-Earth Phoenix's reputation makes it possible."
"But isn't she the vice-commander of the Green Standard Corps? Will she step down to join?"
"Hundred Swords White Orchid."
Sama Seonhui's eyes widened briefly—she hadn't expected it—then she nodded in realization and walked over.
"Thunderclap Tiger Monk, Flying Fox—"
The Thunderclap Tiger Monk was the Hong Ryeo who had just asked a question, and the Flying Fox was a gaunt middle-aged man.
Names continued to be called, and each time, people stepped forward as if waiting.
They varied in appearance, prowess, age, affiliation, and fame.
Seven in total, with no apparent common thread.
Even a child who seemed to be making their debut in the jianghu was among them.
By now, the crowd was tilting their heads, utterly baffled as to the reason for the selections.
"—And finally, Little Rebirth Half-Fiend."
Only when my own moniker was called did it dawn on me.
The common thread among those summoned.
'They've all received personal opportunities from the Dark Sovereign.'
Faintly, but unmistakably, his aura emanated from each of them.
And I was no different.
"Some are certainly prodigy material—"
"But one or two make you wonder why they were picked."
"Especially the Flying Fox—that one's age aside, his martial arts are nothing special despite his quick feet, and his cunning personality kept him shunned by both righteous and demonic sides—"
"We can't fathom the criteria."
The remaining former Gale Force members in the Nine Dragons Branch Family shared a similar quality.
Indomitable will.
A tenacious spirit strong enough to charge bare-handed against the world without yielding.
Take Dang Gon—even as a wastrel who loved drink and gambling, he became utterly meticulous the moment a mission came.
Yet among those the Dark Sovereign handpicked as exemplars, only about five possessed that trait.
Yi Cheolsan, Tang Yeowon, Sama Seonhui, Hong Ryeo, and me.
The rest seemed questionable whether they'd pass proper trials at all.
Even those five each boasted such unique temperaments that blending them seemed doubtful.
And all eight of us seemed to share the same thought.
Eyes wide open, staring blankly.
Even Tang Yeowon showed little interest in the new Gale Force.
The Flying Fox grinned, clearly scheming how to exploit the situation.
Sama Seonhui simply gazed at the Dark Sovereign.
Hong Ryeo quietly rolled his beads, lost in thought.
And Yi Cheolsan…
Stared straight at me with burning eyes.
I met his gaze steadily.
"……."
"……."
No words passed between us.
But just as I was conscious of him, he was undoubtedly intensely aware of me.
Thump, thump!
My heart raced for some reason.
Then the Dark Sovereign spoke.
"For over five years, I personally wandered the world in search of talent. I believe the Gale Force commander will emerge from among these."
The audience glared at those on the platform, eyes gleaming.
Most crossed their arms and snorted derisively.
Envy stained their gazes, fueled by the fact of the Dark Sovereign's selection.
"Of course, there are many talents I may have overlooked, so among the applicants, we will select purely on merit, without favoritism."
Afterward, the Dark Sovereign's question-and-answer session continued calmly.
The details were as follows.
一. The trials at the Nine Dragons Branch Family are merely the preliminary for blood kin; external applicants will undergo separate announced trials.
二. Those who pass trials across regions will gather at the Tang Clan stronghold for a second trial spanning about 'one month.'
三. The second trial is both test and training. They will learn the various formations, tactics, and explosive strategies of the old Gale Force; failure to keep up means elimination, no matter the skill or talent.
四. No limit on second-trial passers. All who succeed gain entry to the Gale Force—for example, if five hundred applicants all pass, all five hundred join.
五. The commander position goes to the highest scorer. Evaluation criteria will be announced in advance; judged by instructors.
六. Instructors will include former Gale Force members and luminaries personally invited by the Dark Sovereign.
And the most vital point came last.
七. Formal Gale Force inductees will receive the manual for the Reversal Three Yangs Convergence Technique.
Reversal Three Yangs Convergence Technique!
The signature absolute art that made the Dark Sovereign who he is today.
Born from combining Tang Clan martial arts with opportunities from his youth, rumors swirled that even his children hadn't received it, perhaps reserving it as a clan secret.
Yet he promised to release it openly, casually.
It seemed no mere empty words.
"I thought he'd just offer some lesser arts from his arsenal—"
"The Reversal Three Yangs Convergence Technique? He's serious!"
The hall erupted once more.
The luminaries sighed in dejection.
Judging by the shifting mood and opinion, they realized the tide had irreversibly turned toward the Tang Clan.
I, too, couldn't help but admire his masterful handling of the crowd.
The Dark Sovereign surveyed the assembly with hands clasped behind his back, his gaze devoid of emotion.
Even without exuding power, an aura of unapproachable dignity emanated.
'That's… the vessel of an emperor.'
The more I observed him, the more keenly I felt how much I had yet to learn.
"Any more questions?"
The noisy hall fell silent again.
"If not, this concludes the announcement. Direct further inquiries to the Branch Leader here."
The Dark Sovereign turned away.
Tang Hosan and Tang Yeowon quietly followed.