Chapter 167
Chapter 167
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: Meritocracy
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Dark Lord was receiving a report on the test from Nokjo Pavilion Leader Tang Sa-wook.
“Hahaha! So all of Hori Alliance got their heads smashed and were completely absorbed into Banakbeol?”
“Yes. Because of that, word about the content of the first test has spread quickly among the examinees, leading to active alliances, mergers, and separations.”
“They must all be burning up inside. Securing good talent ahead of time is no easy task either. The experts will do whatever it takes to get the value they deserve.”
The Dark Lord was inducing the birth of a new Gale Force not under his hand, but through their own efforts.
Of course, he could arbitrarily select talents, form units, and appoint a separate leader for them.
Hadn’t he even considered operating a dual-unit system with Unhwi and Yi Cheolsan as co-leaders?
But he refused to step to the forefront.
Since the new Gale Force would be a mix of various origins, factional rivalries and political struggles were inevitable.
Ultimately, the unit leader had to emerge through their own consensus or election.
It would carry some coercion, but that was a burden the leader would have to bear.
In the end, one’s authority had to be secured by oneself.
‘He’s always been like that. Even if he has someone in mind, he never hands anything over easily.’
Tang Sa-wook read the Dark Lord’s intentions and clicked his tongue lightly to himself.
Through the first test, the Dark Lord was telling Unhwi and Yi Cheolsan this:
—Prove your abilities with your own hands.
From past to present, the Dark Lord was a thorough meritocrat.
Why hadn’t the Young Lord inherited the Clan Lord position yet?
Because he hadn’t yet proven himself capable of leading the Tang Clan.
That was why even the Council of Elders suspected—no, was convinced—that the Clan Lord position would pass directly to his grandsons, the Yongho brothers, or to Tang Ye-won.
If even the Clan Lord position was like that, how could the leader of the new Gale Force, which would form the core of the newly born alliance, be any different?
Tang Sa-wook didn’t think so.
If another exceptionally capable individual emerged during the first test, the Dark Lord would immediately give them a chance.
Whether it was fortunate or a testament to the Dark Lord’s keen eye, the clash between Banakbeol and Hori Alliance—which he had deliberately complicated per orders—had ended relatively easily in Banakbeol’s victory.
But this was just the beginning.
As he had reported, the movements of the elite warriors who belatedly realized the nature of the first test had begun.
Stimulated by the thriving momentum of Banakbeol, various alliances were forming, and some remnants of Hori Alliance were organizing new factions.
Competitions were breaking out among them, leading to mergers, so a rough structure would soon emerge.
“And notably, the Azure Saint Sword has split from Banakbeol and begun acting independently.”
“I knew it would happen. There can’t be two tigers on one mountain.”
The Dark Lord had known from the start that Unhwi and Yi Cheolsan pursued different worldviews.
Tyranny and kingship.
These two differences would ultimately produce two units with distinct characteristics.
“How long do you plan to let the first test continue?”
“If I had my way, I’d leave them until they consolidate into one or two groups, but that would only deepen grudges, so no... Let’s watch for another ten days or so. By then, examinees from all regions should have gathered.”
“Understood. I shall follow your orders.”
Those arriving late to Tang Family Fortress would inevitably be at a disadvantage in forming groups, but since the true selection would happen in the second and third tests, there was no need to worry.
If someone truly had the skills, they would naturally rise to lead a faction.
The saying “a crane among chickens” wasn’t empty words.
“Then, I think that covers this side... Shall we talk about the other matter?”
The eyes of the Dark Lord, who had been mischievous like a rascal until now, turned icy cold.
“How is the alliance assembly progressing?”
“The sect leaders of Cheongseong, Ami, and Jeomchang have expressed their intent to come directly to Tang Family Fortress. Kunlun and Hyeong Mountain in Hunan, being farther away, seem hesitant, but the mood suggests they’ll respond positively. Additionally, emissaries from the Five Poisons, Heavenly Dragon, and Qilian have arrived, with their leaders stating they will participate in the alliance assembly—”
It was content that would shock outsiders.
The sects mentioned were all major forces constituting the Western Martial World.
The previous gathering at Nine Dragons Branch Family was evolving into a true alliance assembly, triggered by the Demonic Cult’s emergence.
The fact that the leaders of the Nine Great Sects—who reigned like immortals above the clouds in the eyes of the populace—were moving personally was proof.
And this fact also signified the birth pangs of a new Martial Alliance.
Considering how the existing Martial Alliance had long been a hollow shell, it was tantamount to severing its last remaining thread of life.
There were two pretexts for convening the alliance assembly.
One was the Demonic Cult’s resurgence.
The other lay on the Dark Lord’s desk.
—A proposal for a joint subjugation.
It was a report from a spy the Dark Lord had planted to uncover the hidden truths of the Joint Faction.
The martial world was preparing to stir in the shadows even now.
“This alliance assembly must be held swiftly and by surprise. See to it that preparations proceed without hiccups. It’ll be a good chance to observe Yongho and Ye-won’s capabilities as well.”
“Understood.”
As Tang Sa-wook bowed his head, he thought.
Even in such a critical matter, there’s no room for the Young Lord to intervene.
The image of Tang Ja-myeong, alone in his office mechanically stamping documents, brought a wry smile to his lips unbidden.
* * *
“Are you really planning to move alone?”
Yi Cheolsan gave a bitter smile at Tang Gyu-jin’s gaze as she saw him off.
“You know this too, little sister. Regardless of my fondness for Unhwi, our pursuits are too fundamentally different. Forcing ourselves together would only sour things between us.”
After long discussions with Unhwi, Yi Cheolsan had decided to ‘withdraw’ from Banakbeol.
It was because, to evolve from a mere gathering into a proper organization, Unhwi—as the leader—needed greater authority.
Of course, Yi Cheolsan had no lust for fame or position. He was willing to support Unhwi from the side if needed.
But Yi Cheolsan couldn’t find his place in Unhwi’s organization.
His prestige was still incomparable to Unhwi’s.
The weight of titles like Sichuan’s Foremost Later Generation Prodigy and Next Greatest Sword of the World was immense.
If such a figure remained in Banakbeol, would the members follow Unhwi’s words, or Yi Cheolsan’s authority?
It was obvious as daylight. It could only lead to unnecessary trouble.
Moreover, Unhwi pursued tyranny.
He wouldn’t hesitate to use force if necessary, which clashed with Yi Cheolsan’s emphasis on negotiation.
So Yi Cheolsan chose to leave.
Instead, he instructed the Three Maids of Cheoksa to remain in Banakbeol.
He thought Unhwi’s methods would suit them better.
“…If that’s your decision, there’s nothing to be done. But please keep your promise.”
“Promise?”
“The one where you’d be my wild horse tamer.”
Yi Cheolsan scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“Of course I’ll keep that promise. But our organizations are different now—”
“Different organizations don’t mean you’re leaving Tang Family Fortress, senior brother. Nor does it make us enemies with Hwi.”
“That’s… true.”
He wasn’t joining Banakbeol, but their relationship wasn’t broken.
On the contrary, they could become positive rivals, spurring each other on.
“So please be my wild horse tamer. I still need your guidance, senior brother.”
Tang Gyu-jin looked up steadily at Yi Cheolsan’s face.
Her senior brother, a full head taller than her, looked genuinely troubled.
Once spoken, a promise must be kept.
Integrity was at the core of his ideals.
「Kikikikik! Using this as an excuse to seduce senior brother? You’re really going all out!」
‘Quiet! I’m already embarrassed to death, forcing myself to hold it in!!’
The greatest change in Tang Gyu-jin since her sprout emerged from the kernel was her fidelity to her true feelings.
Just as she had resolved to protect Unhwi, she now acknowledged her feelings for Yi Cheolsan and decided to no longer hide them (though everyone around already knew).
However, revealing them suddenly would only burden him, so she planned to approach slowly.
Asking for continued guidance despite the change in affiliation was for that reason.
“…Alright. That was weighing on me too, so I’ll help. We’ll figure out how slowly.”
“Yes. Great.”
Tang Gyu-jin beamed and nodded.
Yi Cheolsan watched her and ended up smiling faintly.
Warm sunlight lingered long at the ends of the two martial siblings’ smiles.
* * *
“Ugh…….”
Gong Sonbeom clutched his temples amid a splitting headache and forced his head up.
Had he passed out? How? He remembered gathering Hori Alliance’s branch leaders and clashing with Banakbeol—
“Awake?”
Gong Sonbeom’s mind snapped alert at the sudden voice.
His hazy memories returned as if by magic.
He whipped his head toward the source.
Unhwi sat there.
With one corner of his mouth twisted high.
“You’ve been passed out on my bed for over an hour. I wanted to rest too but couldn’t properly. How’re you gonna make this up to me?”
“…….”
Gong Sonbeom clamped his lips shut.
He recalled being thoroughly toyed with by Unhwi until he fainted.
He wanted to accuse him of trickery, but couldn’t.
Win or lose, the fact that he had been defeated remained unchanged.
The duel was the same.
Risking exposure of his identity, he had unleashed Ghost Sect’s Six Threads followed by South Palace Clan’s Thunder Chase.
Thunderbolt Pursuit Killing Art.
It was Gong Sonbeom’s unique supreme art, born from fusing two ultimate techniques based on Flying Heaven Sand Wave Palm, and he had even revealed his hidden ultimate move against Unhwi.
Yet even that kneeled before Unhwi’s overwhelming might.
Unhwi had reached a new realm beyond even the Nine Dragons Great Battle.
It was an absurd pace of growth.
But what shocked Gong Sonbeom most was something else.
‘…Northern Sea Demonic Blade.’
Its size differed, but the sacred treasure of the North Sea Sect—Demon Horse North Sea Blade, which should be in the North Sea Sect Leader’s hand—was in Unhwi’s possession.
As far as he knew, the North Sea Sect Leader had lost to the Tang Clan Lord but hadn’t died.
Per Black Bone Ghost Valley’s arrangements, he was to revive in a separately prepared body.
Sacred treasures were bound to the soul, so upon revival, it should return to the North Sea Sect Leader’s hand.
Yet it was in Unhwi’s hand?
This meant one of two things.
Either the current Unhwi was a disguise worn by the North Sea Sect Leader.
Or Unhwi had preemptively known the revival site, ambushed, and seized it.
If the latter, it was dire.
It meant the North Sea Sect Leader had perished.
The lineage of an entire sect had ended.
But unlike Gong Sonbeom’s complicated mind, Unhwi held dominance here.
Unhwi filled the entire room with his energy, as if ready to kill him on the spot if needed.
He asked.
“What’s your true identity?”
That question was exactly what Gong Sonbeom wanted to ask.