Chapter 40
Chapter 40
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Lord of the Hegemon's Society, Wi-ak
-----------------------------------------------------------------
With the Black Ghost Guild's building burned to ashes, Gwiyeong and Wi-ak headed for the White Serpent Guild's hall.
Upon seeing Gwiyeong, the executives of the White Serpent Guild flinched, their faces filled with shock.
"M-Master Gwiyeong."
"Gasp, Guild Master...!"
It was understandable, as they had not stepped forward when Gwiyeong was fighting the Black Dragon Society's Lord.
Although Gwiyeong had become the master of the White Serpent Guild, their former master had been a disciple of the Black Dragon Society's Lord, making it an awkward situation for them to intervene.
Besides, the White Serpent Guild's executives had never imagined that Gwiyeong could win against, or even withstand, the Black Dragon Society's Lord.
He was, after all, one of the Heretic Alliance's Four Black Heavenly Lords, the true hegemon of Hunan, and a master who had reached the late stage of the Transcendent Realm.
Thus, she couldn't entirely blame the White Serpent Guild's executives.
Gwiyeong was aware of this and had no intention of punishing them.
Such things were common in the world of the dark arts.
Furthermore, even if all the White Serpent Guild's executives and their subordinates had joined in, they would have been of little help in the fight against the Black Dragon Society's Lord.
So, she addressed the flustered executives and martial artists.
"Is it your intention to just stand there gawking when your Guild Master has arrived?"
Her words were tantamount to saying she had no intention of holding their inaction against them.
Instantly grasping her meaning, the executives immediately bowed their heads to Gwiyeong.
"Our apologies, Guild Master!"
"We apologize! We will escort you inside at once!"
An executive who stepped forward to escort Gwiyeong glanced at Wi-ak beside her and asked cautiously.
"By the way, who might this gentleman be...?"
Hearing this, Wi-ak grinned and replied.
"I'm the Lord of the Hegemon's Society from Guangxi. A pleasure to meet you."
"The He-Hegemon's Society?!"
At his words, the surrounding White Serpent Guild members all stared wide-eyed, their mouths agape.
Even if they were from a different region, it was impossible not to know of a faction led by one of the Heretic Alliance's Four Black Heavenly Lords.
The executive who had asked about Wi-ak's identity immediately bowed his head low and exclaimed.
"My apologies! I failed to recognize such an esteemed person and..."
He was so shocked and nervous that even his voice trembled.
Seeing his reaction, Wi-ak laughed heartily and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Hahaha! Why so tense? I'm the master of the Hegemon's Society, not your White Serpent Guild. Besides, it's possible not to know. How can anyone know the face of every faction leader from other regions? It's fine, so don't be so nervous."
The executive was taken aback but also relieved by this lenient reaction, which was quite different from what the name "Hegemon's Society" might suggest.
"Th-thank you."
Gwiyeong, who had been listening to their exchange, also looked at Wi-ak with a surprised expression.
Usually, magnates of the unorthodox factions, especially those of the Four Black Heavenly Lords' caliber, were arrogant and looked down on others.
"Well, let's just head inside. By the way, I haven't eaten anything on my way here. Can we talk over some food?"
Hearing Wi-ak, Gwiyeong spoke to the White Serpent Guild executive.
"Prepare a meal in the guest hall. Hmm, is there any particular food the Lord of the Hegemon's Society would like to eat?"
Back at the Black Ghost Guild, she had spoken rudely in the heat of the moment, but now, reassured that the Gale Blade was safe and sound by her side, she treated Wi-ak with proper courtesy.
"Me? I'll eat anything as long as it has meat in it. If it's plentiful and tasty, I'll eat it well, so you don't need to prepare anything too fancy."
Hearing such a refreshingly straightforward answer, so unlike the leader of a massive faction like the Hegemon's Society, Gwiyeong was rather pleased. She let out a small smile and told the White Serpent Guild executive.
"As you heard, prepare some meat dishes."
"Yes, I understand."
And so, Gwiyeong entered the guest hall with the Lord of the Hegemon's Society, and they sat facing each other.
In the guest hall, decorated in bright colors befitting the name "White Serpent Guild," Gwiyeong placed the Gale Blade beside her, took a sip of the tea on the table, and began to speak.
"So, what business brings you all the way from Guangxi to Hunan?"
Although Guangxi and Hunan were neighboring provinces, the vastness of the Central Plains meant the distance was still considerable.
Wi-ak swirled the tea in his cup before downing it in one gulp.
Gwiyeong narrowed her eyes as she watched him gulp down the tea—which was meant to be savored slowly—as if it were water after a hard workout.
What he said next was even more absurd.
"Ahh, this is why I don't like tea. The taste is just off. It's hot, and the scent and flavor are weird. I'd rather just have water. Cool, clean water."
"Ah, I see."
Even for Gwiyeong, who normally didn't care much for formalities, this behavior was rather baffling.
Moreover, it clashed so starkly with the Hegemon Lord's splendid attire and well-groomed appearance that it felt quite unnatural.
"I will have them bring cool water with the food."
"Sounds good."
He leaned back into the plush chair and asked Gwiyeong.
"By the way, does our Guild Master here have any idea why I've come?"
"I do not."
Wi-ak gave a slight smile and said.
"Gwiyeong, Master of the Black Ghost Guild, how would you like to join me in a grand undertaking?"
"A grand undertaking? What exactly do you mean...?"
As Gwiyeong asked, Wi-ak narrowed his eyes slightly and posed a question of his own.
"Before I say more, there's something I want to ask. What do you think of the Heretic Alliance?"
"I have no particular thoughts on it."
"Hmm, I see."
Wi-ak seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking again.
"Beating around the bush isn't my style, so I'll just say it plainly. I want to take the Heretic Alliance for myself. I'll give you a seat among the Four Black Heavenly Lords, so join me."
"...Excuse me?"
For a moment, Gwiyeong wondered if she had misheard him.
One of the Heretic Alliance's Four Black Heavenly Lords wanted to take the Alliance for himself.
His words could only mean one thing.
"Are you saying you intend to become the Lord of the Heretic Alliance?"
"That's right. I'm not the type to serve under someone else. The position of a Black Heavenly Lord is not enough to satisfy me."
"..."
Hearing such shocking words, Gwiyeong fell into a brief, contemplative silence.
If he was telling the truth, joining hands with Wi-ak would mean making enemies of the other three Black Heavenly Lords and all their affiliated powers.
Moreover, Gwiyeong felt a sense of unease that he would bring this up when they had only just met today.
Isn't it usually dangerous to broach such a topic so recklessly?
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I felt you would be the type to join me."
"And why did you think that?"
"Hmm, let me hear your answer first."
Gwiyeong couldn't help but feel that something was strange.
When planning such a grand undertaking, one would surely share information only with trustworthy people.
But for him to say this so suddenly, when they had just met, was something she couldn't quite accept.
'Does he have some other ulterior motive?'
To ascertain whether Wi-ak was being sincere, she first asked for more detailed information.
"Have you already recruited other factions?"
"Well, there are a few, but no major players."
"You mean not a single one of the Black Heavenly Lords?"
"That's right. But don't worry. I'm the strongest. It doesn't matter if they all come at me at once."
"Isn't that reckless?"
"That's why I'm recruiting you, Master of the Black Ghost Guild. From what I just saw, you seem to be on the level of a Black Heavenly Lord. The Black Dragon Society's Lord may be a detestable bastard, but his skills are the real deal. The fact that you pushed him that far says it all."
"No, that's not what I meant..."
Gwiyeong pressed her palm to her forehead.
She had wondered if there was anyone else as audacious as herself, but she never imagined she would meet someone even more so.
And not some naive youngster who knew nothing of the world, but one of the Heretic Alliance's Four Black Heavenly Lords, a man who had seen it all.
Wi-ak, perhaps sensing Gwiyeong's disapproval, spoke up.
"Well, you might think it's reckless, but I've always done things this way, and I've always succeeded. Haven't you lived a similar life? I can only imagine how many reckless things you must have done to become the head of a dark arts faction on your own, without anyone's help."
"That may be true, but..."
"The only reason I came all the way from Guangxi is because I liked your story. I suppose you could say I felt a sense of kinship with a junior who is walking the same path as me. I actually heard a lot about you on my way here. They call you the Ghost's Shadow, don't they?"
Gwiyeong fell silent for a moment, looking into his eyes to discern if he was being sincere.
Wi-ak's eyes held firm resolve and strong conviction.
It was the look of a man determined to achieve something, no matter what.
Seeing that intense gaze, Gwiyeong concluded that he wasn't lying and nodded.
"I understand. However, do you have a concrete plan?"
"Of course. But you must never leak this information to anyone. Understood?"
Wi-ak spoke with an uncharacteristically serious look, and Gwiyeong nodded.
He glanced around for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.
"The Heretic Alliance is located between Jiangxi and Fujian. There aren't many Black Heavenly Lords who can immediately join the fray if we strike the headquarters. So, we'll launch a swift attack, take the Alliance Lord's head, and seize control. Once it's all over, even the Black Heavenly Lords who rush over after hearing the news won't be able to do anything. What do you think?"
"...Excuse me?"
For a moment, Gwiyeong wondered if she had misheard him again.
"So, you're saying you'll kill the Alliance Lord and seize control before the other executives can join in?"
"That's right. After deep consideration, I've concluded this is the only way."
"..."
Gwiyeong looked at Wi-ak, the Lord of the Hegemon's Society, with a peculiar expression.
'Is this man serious?'
The plan he'd come up with was to just take the leader's head and take over his forces.
This was no different from having no plan at all.
The chilling part was that he claimed to have given this "plan" deep consideration.
But Wi-ak's eyes were so sincere that it was hard to say anything.
Gwiyeong sighed and replied.
"Hmm, it seems a bit problematic, but I understand for now."
Wi-ak asked, his face full of anticipation.
"So, will you join me?"
"No. I cannot."
But Gwiyeong's refusal was firm.
Wi-ak asked, looking bewildered.
"What, why? I was certain you would think the same way I do."
"There are two problems."
"What are they?"
Gwiyeong held up a finger and answered.
"First, my conflict with the Black Dragon Society and its subordinate factions is not yet over. My hands are tied, so I cannot act rashly."
"Hmm, I see."
"And second, I do not know the extent of your skills, Lord of the Hegemon's Society. I question whether you can truly win a fight against the Alliance Lord. I've heard he is a master of the Harmonious Realm."
"Hmm."
Wi-ak, who had been listening quietly, nodded and then spoke.
"Well, those are problems that can be solved all at once."
"...In what way?"
Wi-ak grinned and answered confidently.
"Let's storm the Black Dragon Society's main base together. If I crush that bastard and all his subordinates there, your problem will be solved. And after watching that fight, you can confirm whether I have the skills to defeat the Alliance Lord, can't you?"
It was a clear-cut answer.
"Hmm, indeed, that would solve the problems."
As Gwiyeong nodded in agreement, Wi-ak laughed heartily and replied.
"Haha! Excellent! Then let's go crush them right now! No, wait. That Black Dragon Society bastard is probably exhausted right now, so let's give him a day? No, two days to rest before we go."
"You're going to give him time to rest?"
"Of course. Didn't I say I would prove my strength? I have to give him enough time to rest so he can fight at his full potential."
"Ah."
Gwiyeong nodded, but she couldn't shake the creeping sense of unease.
'But why does he want my help so badly? If he's that confident, he could just handle it alone. There's definitely something he's not telling me.'
Though she harbored doubts, Gwiyeong decided to accept his proposal for now, needing to extinguish the most immediate fire first.
"I understand for now."
"Haha! Then it seems our talk went well! I'll be back in two days!"
Wi-ak shot up from his seat and opened the door to the guest hall.
Just then, he came face to face with the servants bringing food to the hall. He caught a whiff of the fragrant meat and quietly returned to his chair.
"Ahem. I forgot the food was coming. I'll eat before I go."
Gwiyeong was slightly taken aback by his quirky behavior but quickly regained her composure and asked.
"Do you have a place to stay?"
"I don't. I was planning to stay at a nearby inn."
"Then why not stay here? I believe we have guest rooms."
"Oh, that's great! Thank you!"
The Lord of the Hegemon's Society grinned, revealing his white teeth.
It was a demeanor that didn't quite match his sharp, handsome face.