The Gate of the Limitless
"A mere squad member would never undertake an affair of this scale on his own authority. Is this the White Tiger Flag Master's doing?"
"That is not something I can answer."
Dokgo Jin deflected, but Sagong Wun was already certain in his own mind.
A moment's thought was all it took to deduce the truth. No ordinary squad leader would dare investigate the hall masters; such a directive could only have come from a flag master or higher.
The question is, why send the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master of all people...?
It seemed unlikely that the White Tiger Flag Master had specifically chosen Dokgo Jin for the task.
A cautious man like him wouldn't entrust a matter of this magnitude to an ordinary squad member. He never acts rashly, but if he truly resolved to conduct an investigation, he would have assigned someone of at least squad commander rank.
Sagong Wun's eyes narrowed as he studied Dokgo Jin.
Perhaps... he volunteered.
Remarkably, Sagong Wun's deductions had struck right at the truth.
"And what do you intend to do about the other hall masters?"
"With my current status, I have no proper means of approaching them. I was hoping you might assist me, Hall Master."
Sagong Wun gave a dry, exasperated chuckle, shaking his head. "So that is why you sought me out first. Because we already share some acquaintance."
"That is correct. But it was also because I wished to clear your name first and foremost."
"Haha, good heavens. Giving me the disease and then offering the cure, are you?" Sagong Wun let out a light laugh, but his gaze soon turned solemn. "If the White Tiger Flag Master entrusted you with this, he must have sufficient grounds. Very well. I will gladly assist you."
"Thank you."
"Do not misunderstand me, however. I believe in my senior martial brothers. In truth, I am offering my help in the hope that you will prove their innocence."
Whatever his motives, Dokgo Jin was simply grateful for his cooperation.
"I cannot say for Second Senior Brother, but there is one way to meet Eldest Senior Brother."
"And what might that be?"
A curious smile touched the corners of Sagong Wun's lips. "Actually, meeting the Limitless Hall Master is surprisingly simple. You need only pass the Mugeuk Gate."
"The Mugeuk Gate?"
"Eldest Senior Brother reveres martial arts above all else, and he personally took part in designing that trial. It is a testing ground meant to measure a challenger's prowess."
"This is the first I've heard of it."
"Naturally. It was once the talk of the alliance, but nowadays, no one goes near it."
"...?"
"You would do well to be careful. It is cut from an entirely different cloth than the Three Dragon-Tiger Gates you faced."
Dokgo Jin waited, hoping for further elaboration, but Sagong Wun had said all he intended to say.
"I assume your business here is concluded? You may take your leave."
"...Pardon my intrusion, Cloud Sea Hall Master."
Dokgo Jin offered a respectful bow and departed.
Waiting outside the annex was Sagong Wun's trusted aide, So Nobang. A man in his early forties, he had served Cloud Sea Hall since its very inception, acting as Sagong Wun's closest and most devoted confidant.
Stepping out into the courtyard, Dokgo Jin gave So Nobang a brief nod as he passed.
So Nobang tilted his head, watching the retreating figure with suspicion. What was that about?
He immediately stepped inside the pavilion. "How did it go, Hall Master?"
"..."
Sagong Wun sat lost in thought, his expression dark. Sensing the grim atmosphere, So Nobang frowned. "Did the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master commit some insolence...?"
Sagong Wun waved a dismissive hand. "No, nothing like that. Regrettably, it seems he has yet to make up his mind about joining us."
"Pardon? Then why did he seek an audience with you?"
"Well, you see..."
Sagong Wun explained how evidence had surfaced of funds from the Kunlun Demon Palace flowing into the Three Hidden Halls, and that Dokgo Jin was currently searching for the traitor.
Shock washed over So Nobang's face. "How could that be! In that case, we have no time to lose! Shouldn't we investigate the other hall masters at once...?"
Sagong Wun shook his head. "Calm yourself, Nobang. Nothing has been confirmed yet. To investigate my senior martial brothers on mere suspicion would only make it seem as though I am trying to frame them."
"Ah... that is true."
"To avoid unnecessary misunderstanding, we must not take any overt action."
"I shall keep that in mind, Hall Master." So Nobang paused, his thoughts turning back to their guest. "Even so, his audacity is infuriating. Does that not mean the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master came here suspecting you, Hall Master?"
"It does."
"How dare he..."
"There is no need to view it so harshly. Even if my pride was slightly bruised, it is better to be thorough in matters of this gravity."
"Be that as it may... just how does the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master intend to uncover the traitor?"
"That..." A subtle look crossed Sagong Wun's face. "Well, that hardly matters. In any case, once he confirmed I was not the culprit, he sought a way to approach my senior brothers, so I offered him some advice."
So Nobang inquired cautiously, "It is hard to imagine either of the other two masters committing such treachery. Could one of them truly be the traitor?"
A bitter smile touched Sagong Wun's lips. "I want to believe otherwise... but seeing how certain the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master seemed, I cannot be sure."
"Do you believe he will uncover the truth?"
"Who can say?" Sagong Wun's gaze drifted into the distance, deep and pensive. First, I wonder if he can even pass the Mugeuk Gate.
Resolving to visit Mugeuk Hall at first light tomorrow, Dokgo Jin returned to Iron Heart Hall for the evening.
Mugeuk Gate.
It was an unfamiliar name, one that had never appeared in the intelligence he gathered before infiltrating the Northern Heavens Alliance.
The moment he stepped into the entrance of Iron Heart Hall, Yoo Seol-ah, who had been pacing anxiously by the door, spotted him and marched over.
"Where on earth does our newbie go wandering off to every single day?"
Faced with her sharp, displeased interrogation, Dokgo Jin replied calmly, "I am carrying out the Flag Master's orders."
"I know that! An official directive already came down. It said the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master is assigned to an exclusive mission under the Flag Master and is exempted from all squad duties for the time being." Yoo Seol-ah clicked her tongue, pouting in irritation. "Still, shouldn't you at least give us a basic report? Disappearing into thin air and returning late at night like this..."
"It is a classified matter, so I ask for your understanding in my inability to share the details."
"Whatever. Even so, isn't it a bit much? It feels like the higher-ups are keeping our squad's newest recruit away on outside errands far too often."
A faint smile tugged at Dokgo Jin's lips. "Vice-Commander, do you happen to know anything about the Mugeuk Gate?"
At the mention of that name, Yoo Seol-ah's eyes widened. "The Mugeuk Gate? You don't mean that absurd trial over at Mugeuk Hall, do you?"
"That is the one."
"Who on earth told you about that nonsense...? Don't tell me you're planning to challenge it?"
"Yes. That is my intention."
"Drop it right now. That place is completely different from the Dragon Tiger Pavilion. It was practically designed just to torment challengers. It's not something meant to be cleared."
Looking genuinely concerned, Yoo Seol-ah poured out the history behind the gate. Five years ago, the Limitless Hall Master had established the trial on a personal whim, creating a massive sensation among the masters of the Northern Heavens Alliance. Countless martial artists flocked to test their mettle, yet every single attempt ended in total failure. Many could not even comprehend why or how they had been disqualified. Within a few months, challengers ceased visiting altogether, and the trial faded into obscurity.
So that's why it never appeared in my intelligence reports.
"It's not merely difficult," Yoo Seol-ah added with a grimace. "Even our Squad Leader challenged it and failed, for heaven's sake!"
Dokgo Jin's eyebrow arched slightly.
Squad Leader Yeom failed?
Yeom Baek was widely recognized as the strongest squad leader in the entire Northern Heavens Alliance. The revelation that even he had been unable to pass was genuinely surprising.
"Thank you for the valuable information, Vice-Commander. Is Squad Leader Yeom currently in his office?"
"What, you're really going to go ask him about it?"
"If I have to face it regardless, it would be wise to gather whatever insight I can beforehand."
"Well, good luck with that. I doubt the Squad Leader will have anything helpful to tell you."
A moment later, Yeom Baek's booming voice echoed through his office, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Did you say the Mugeuk Gate?"
"Yes. I heard that you once challenged it yourself, Squad Leader."
A faint awkwardness flickered across Yeom Baek's rugged face. Even for the Mountain Smashing Spear, the Mugeuk Gate was clearly not a fond memory.
"Ah... yes, I did. Truly... that place is..." He trailed off, clearing his throat with an embarrassed rumble.
"I intend to challenge it tomorrow. Do you have any advice that might serve as a reference?"
"Hmm."
Yeom Baek fell silent, dredging up the memories of that trial before speaking in a low, measured tone. "Listening to my advice might actually poison your chances. It would be far better to face it with a clean slate, free of preconceptions."
"...?"
"Just keep one thing in mind: if you focus solely on 'passing' the gate, you will never find the answer."
It was an enigmatic riddle, difficult for Dokgo Jin to grasp at face value.
I suppose I will find out once I experience it myself.
The next morning, after finishing his meal, Dokgo Jin made his way directly toward Mugeuk Hall.
Among the Three Hidden Halls, Mugeuk Hall boasted an overwhelmingly vast scale. While partly due to the prestige of its master being the Alliance Leader's eldest disciple, it was largely because the Limitless Hall Master and his subordinates were martial fanatics obsessed with expansive training grounds.
"Hup!"
"Haat!"
Spirited shouts and the sharp tearing of displaced air battered the ears from every direction.
Venturing into the heart of this vibrant roar, Dokgo Jin came before the main pavilion of Mugeuk Hall. It was entirely unadorned and rugged, a structure that mirrored the nature of its master, who revered sheer, unyielding power over superficial elegance.
As Dokgo Jin neared the entrance, a sentry stepped forward to bar his path. With bulging temples and sharp, piercing eyes, the man was clearly a formidable martial artist.
"This is Mugeuk Hall. Trespassers are strictly forbidden."
"I am Dokgo Jin of the Iron Soul Unit. I have come on official business."
At the name 'Dokgo Jin,' the guard's eyes flickered with surprise. "Could you be... the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master?"
"I am."
The guard's expression softened noticeably. In a place like Mugeuk Hall where martial strength reigned supreme, the title of Dragon Tiger Plaque Master carried more authority than any ordinary token of rank.
"Well now, this is an honor. To see the third Dragon Tiger Plaque Master in the flesh. But what brings you to our main hall?"
"I have come to challenge the Mugeuk Gate."
The guard's eyes went wide. "The Mugeuk Gate? Are you serious?"
"I am."
Still stunned, the warrior quickly nodded. "...The Dragon Tiger Plaque Master challenging the Mugeuk Gate, is it? Understood. Please wait a moment."
The guard hurried inside, returning shortly with another man. The newcomer possessed a sturdy, muscular frame that radiated an exceptional aura. Dokgo Jin instantly gauged his prowess.
The Peak Realm.
He was undoubtedly an expert holding a high position within Mugeuk Hall. Fixing Dokgo Jin with an intense gaze, the man clasped his fists respectfully.
"Greetings, Dragon Tiger Plaque Master. I am Ma Cheol of Mugeuk Hall, the administrator responsible for the Mugeuk Gate."
"A pleasure to meet you."
A faint, intrigued smile curved Ma Cheol's lips as he gestured for Dokgo Jin to follow. "This way."
Guiding Dokgo Jin toward the secluded rear grounds of Mugeuk Hall, they eventually approached a crude, single-story stone structure standing alone in the clearing. Devoid of a single window and sealed tight, it looked less like a hall and more like a colossal sarcophagus.
"That is the Mugeuk Gate. Did you know? Not a single person has knocked on these doors in the past four years. It seems you are about to break four years of silence, Dragon Tiger Plaque Master."
"So it seems."
"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't expect much, but seeing as the challenger is the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master, even my heart is pounding." Indeed, Ma Cheol could hardly conceal his excitement.
Before long, the two arrived before the massive iron doors of Mugeuk Gate. Reaching to his waist, Ma Cheol produced a heavy key and slotted it into the lock.
Click!
Creeeak!
Well-oiled mechanisms ground together in smooth sequence as the iron doors groaned open. Beyond the threshold lay pitch-black darkness where one could not see even an inch ahead. The biting stench of cold metal and a suffocating aura rolled out from within.
"Let us step inside."
As the two stepped into the abyss, the heavy iron door slammed shut behind them without mercy.
Thud!
Total darkness.
An eerie, bizarre silence swallowed Dokgo Jin, as though every sound in the world had been severed.
Dark Sky Martial Emperor
Author | Jeong Cheon
Publisher | Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
Managing Editor | Editorial Department
Published by | Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. - Dreambooks
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