The Needle in the Bag (6)
“This is Muk Ryong Bu.”
Muk Ryong Bu. An organization with a rather grandiose name, evoking the image of an ink-black dragon coiled in its lair.
But the actual Muk Ryong Bu was far more majestic and bizarre than its name suggested.
It's incredible, Gadeuksang thought to himself, clicking his tongue inwardly as he surveyed his surroundings. This is why it stayed hidden from the world.
Muk Ryong Bu was no castle built above ground.
It lay underground.
The sheer scale of this place, filled with countless caverns, defied imagination.
The central clearing visible right after entering the entrance alone was as vast as a dozen of the Martial Alliance's large training grounds combined.
And in that expansive clearing, hundreds of laborers were hammering away nonstop, constructing something.
Gadeuksang looked up at the ceiling.
His eyes deepened.
Impossible.
The height to the ceiling easily exceeded fifty feet. And embedded in that lofty ceiling were hundreds of night-luminescent pearls strung in rows.
Where the hell did they get so many night-luminescent pearls?!
Selling just one of those pearls would ensure a lifetime of comfort for an ordinary family.
Hundreds of them here. And this was merely the entrance clearing.
He couldn't even begin to imagine how many more lined the inner depths.
Gadeuksang clicked his tongue.
Incredible wealth. Where did Yang Cheon secure all this funding?
Even a rough estimate suggested Muk Ryong Bu's finances rivaled—or perhaps surpassed—any battlefield clan or merchant group in the Central Plains.
The pearls are one thing, but constructing an underground world like this from scratch is no small feat.
At that moment, a transmission came from Jegal A-yeon.
[It's old.]
[Huh?]
[This place wasn't built recently. At least a hundred years, no less. My guess is three hundred at minimum, but it's hard to say for sure just from looking.]
[How do you know?]
[I've studied geology quite a bit. The traces here, the humidity—it's definitely not a short-term project.]
[I see.]
[Plus, look. In a sealed space, air doesn't circulate, so nothing living could survive. Yet all these people are working without issue.]
[Ah!]
[There are air vents everywhere, all connected to the outside. No matter how much the black path seals information, they couldn't pull off a project this massive without us noticing.]
It was sound reasoning.
So, this massive underground realm wasn't built from scratch by them. They just found an existing one and claimed it.
Gadeuksang kept scanning the surroundings as he transmitted to Yeon Hojeong.
[Young Master Yeon, we need to be careful. Lady Jegal says this isn't a new setup. Which means their preparations are even more...]
[It can't be new.]
[Huh?]
[This place absolutely isn't new.]
Gadeuksang turned to look at Yeon Hojeong.
...?
Yeon Hojeong's face was expressionless, devoid of emotion.
But Gadeuksang could sense the thick confusion and inexplicable wistfulness shadowing his eyes.
[Young Master Yeon?]
Yeon Hojeong didn't respond.
Gadeuksang frowned.
What's wrong with him? No way he knows this place...
Gadeuksang's assumption was wrong.
Yeon Hojeong—the Black Dark Emperor—the legitimate heir of Sasinmu, the black path grandmaster who had reigned unrivaled over the world—already knew of this impossibly vast underground realm.
Blood Dragon Vein!
Agitation flickered in Yeon Hojeong's eyes.
They've coiled themselves in the Blood Dragon Vein?!
Muk Ryong Bu. No—the Blood Dragon Vein.
This was the site of a strange legend: an evil dragon, defeated by immortals, burrowed into the earth with its blood-soaked body, carving out a massive pit.
This had to be the Blood Dragon Vein. It couldn't be anything else.
The memory was ancient, but Yeon Hojeong remembered this place vividly.
The site of the final decisive battle!
Yes. This was where Yeon Hojeong, before establishing Heukje-seong as the Black Emperor, had clashed in a deathmatch with Yang Cheon—his greatest nemesis at the time.
The historic site where the king of the black path had fallen into obscurity.
Back then, Yeon Hojeong had clearly been inferior to Yang Cheon.
Even with the peerless divine art Sasinmu and battle experience beyond imagination, he struggled against Yang Cheon's absolute martial prowess.
So Yeon Hojeong had lured him here personally.
The Blood Dragon Vein—a historical labyrinth so vast and deep its end was unknown.
Yeon Hojeong dragged Yang Cheon in and, using the terrain, unleashed countless tricks and ambushes until he finally captured him.
A fair and square fight? Such nonsense held no meaning.
If he could have assassinated Yang Cheon outright, he wouldn't have bothered luring him here.
Yang Cheon's arts had reached a realm where no assassin could touch him, forcing Yeon Hojeong to step in himself.
Of course, to symbolize the king's authority, he had to take the life personally anyway.
It's unchanged.
Hundreds of laborers were erecting massive structures all over the clearing.
But his eyes ignored them.
Yeon Hojeong's gaze swept over the entire Blood Dragon Vein.
Yes, that's the spot.
Before luring Yang Cheon, he had scouted every corner of the Blood Dragon Vein.
It was so vast and deep that even he had taken over a fortnight to memorize the paths.
Perhaps because of that—aside from a few hazy parts—most of the routes came back to him.
Just as I thought.
As Yeon Hojeong examined the Blood Dragon Vein, he felt the altered history with his whole body.
It's different. Back then, Yang Cheon knew of the Blood Dragon Vein but never considered basing here.
Too Gloomy and costly, for one.
Moreover, his immense ambition came with a matching desire for ostentation.
And with it, a sense of uprightness.
No need to hide while gathering forces. A firm resolve that without proclaiming his might to the world, uniting the black path would never challenge the white path effectively.
Yet in this life, you've made the Blood Dragon Vein your lair.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed fiercely.
What is it? What made you move so cautiously? A mere change of heart? Or some event in this twisted history that I don't know about?
His thoughts spiraled endlessly.
Whatever the case, Yang Cheon claiming the Blood Dragon Vein was a massive shock—and a pang of nostalgia—for Yeon Hojeong.
Gadeuksang glanced at Paeryul, Dang Sang-a, and Jegal A-yeon.
They too seemed to sense something from Yeon Hojeong's expression, their eyes flicking toward him with confusion.
Then Cheong Ho spoke.
“The Deputy Leader wishes to see you right away.”
Tension shadowed Jegal A-yeon's face.
She transmitted to everyone.
[You have the Invisible Pills I gave you yesterday, right? Everyone, swallow them.]
Yeon Hojeong said, “I'll go as the representative.”
The group startled at the unexpected words, turning to him.
Cheong Ho dismissed it in his emotionless voice. “The Deputy Leader wishes to see all of you. The Deputy Leader's command is...”
“Watch your words. We're here to meet the one you call Deputy Leader, judge if we should ally with him or join his ranks. We're not his subordinates yet.”
“...”
“Having trouble understanding? Let me spell it out. We have no reason to follow your orders or requests.”
Yeon Hojeong's face was as icy as Cheong Ho's.
“If you've brought guests, treat them as such. Pull any funny business to sour our mood, and it won't end well for you.”
“Keep your common sense outside. The Deputy Leader's command is absolute. Without orders, right here...”
“I'll kill you first.”
A faint murderous intent rose in Cheong Ho's eyes.
Even amid it, he restrained his killing aura. Impressive restraint.
Yeon Hojeong continued. “One more bit of bullshit, and I'll kill you first, then go demand answers from the elder you serve. Got it?”
“...You bastard.”
“We're already inside Muk Ryong Bu. Even if we wanted to leave, it wouldn't be easy, right?”
“...”
“Doesn't that show enough sincerity? I don't get what you're so scared of—dying or living on one command—but our common sense differs from yours. Know that.”
“You really want to die?”
“If we die, won't you be in trouble? Killing or sparing the talents you invited over one demand—you'd blow a golden opportunity playing games.”
“...”
“Drop the laughable logic for wrangling newbies. If you're a limb, learn to read your master's mind and act accordingly.”
Cheong Ho's cheek began to twitch faintly.
Read the master's mind? He, famed among Yang Cheon's subordinates for utmost loyalty to commands, hearing this?
“This won't do.”
Whoosh.
Finally, killing intent leaked from Cheong Ho's body.
“You've crossed the line. You're not worthy to face the Deputy Leader. I'll kill you here.”
“Didn't your elder love crossing lines?”
Yeon Hojeong smirked.
A blatant provocation.
“Earlier you said it was for the Deputy Leader to judge, but now you're deciding our worth? Forgot your elder's order already?”
“You son of a—!”
That was when it happened.
“Cheong Ho.”
In an instant, Yeon Hojeong's eyes sharpened.
Not just him. Paeryul, Gadeuksang, Dang Sang-a, and Jegal A-yeon all jolted at the suddenly resonant voice.
“Escort the other four to their quarters. Take only that young man to the Deputy Leader.”
Cheong Ho ground his teeth.
“But...”
“Since when did you start thinking for yourself?”
Cheong Ho's face paled instantly.
Gadeuksang's eyes deepened at the sight.
Terrified?
Yes. Though he quickly reverted to his usual blank expression, Cheong Ho had clearly felt fear.
Cheong Ho turned left.
“You four, follow me.”
Yeon Hojeong looked at them. “I'll be back.”
The four flinched simultaneously, about to speak.
Yeon Hojeong's tone had changed.
He raised a finger with a smile.
Plan One.
Change of plans.
He had pondered contingencies if their sect brother disguise was exposed upon entering Muk Ryong Bu or meeting Yang Cheon.
Several ideas emerged, leading to three contingency plans.
Yeon Hojeong's signal meant switch to the first plan: dismantle the current dynamic and target Yang Cheon.
Gadeuksang flashed a knowing smile. “Come back safe.”
Cheong Ho paused.
Both Yeon Hojeong's and Gadeuksang's tones had shifted.
A jarring dissonance hit him.
“You bastards...?”
Yeon Hojeong waved him off. “What're you waiting for? Escort them quick. They're tired from the road.”
Cheong Ho, who had been glaring silently, strode off.
The four followed behind.
Jegal A-yeon kept glancing back at Yeon Hojeong.
He nodded wordlessly.
She let out a quiet sigh and turned away.
Now alone, an elderly man with a hunched back appeared before Yeon Hojeong.
The owner of the voice that had warned Cheong Ho moments ago.
“Let's go.”
Yeon Hojeong took a deep breath.
“After you.”
The most formidable rival in the black path martial world.
At last, he would face Tu Wang Yang Cheon.