Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: A Return to Daily Life
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Everyone cheered once they saw the situation was resolved.
They were thrilled by the fact that their leader was an incredible master.
It was like finding out the boss you'd served with all your heart and soul was actually the chairman's son.
And what's more, that boss had overcome the workplace crisis with his own abilities, so the feeling was indescribable.
The same went for me.
“Let’s hear you scream!”
“Waaah!”
Amidst the heated atmosphere, everyone from the Outer Hall roared, and Ga Rip's subsequent shout only fanned the flames.
“Bring out all the wine jars from the storehouse! We're throwing a feast to celebrate the Hall Master's ascension to a new realm!”
In modern times, some people might have skipped out, claiming they weren't feeling well or were too tired, but this was the martial world, where alcohol was fundamentally expensive.
In this world, a company dinner was a very joyous occasion.
Above all.
“Ahem, everyone must have gone through a lot, so go buy some side dishes.”
Bukgung Baek himself was enjoying it.
So much so that he even offered up the entire money pouch he was wearing.
In the midst of this atmosphere, the Grand Chancellor approached.
I quickly came to my senses and bowed my head.
“Greetings, Grand Chancellor.”
“Shut your mouth and follow me.”
I frowned at his inexplicably sharp reaction.
However, my opponent was someone who, in modern terms, would be a prime minister or a cabinet secretary.
He was a person I could never afford to antagonize, so I followed him with a dignified yet polite posture.
“Hehe, you must be feeling some discomfort. Oh! Your neck and shoulders are so tense. Goodness! What on earth is the medical pavilion doing…? The pillar of the great Nine Dragons Fortress is seeing his health decline by the day. It's good that you work day and night, but please take care of your health.”
“...”
The Grand Chancellor looked at me with an unreadable expression.
It seemed he was disappointed to have only just met a talent like me.
After a short walk, we arrived at the headquarters' backyard, which was overgrown with weeds.
After confirming no one was around, the Grand Chancellor asked in a low voice.
“...Who are you?”
“Pardon?”
*I'm Jin Mujeon, though?*
*Oops, I shouldn't say that.*
I calmed my bewildered heart and spoke again.
“If you ask who I am, it is only proper to tell you. Born in Anhui Province, orphaned at a young age, I joined the Nine Dragons Fortress at nine, following a master who has since passed. I graduated at the top of my class from the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion as an exceptional talent who in the future will…”
“That is not what I am asking.”
*Seriously? He's the one who asked.*
“...Then what is it you are asking?”
At my question, the Grand Chancellor made a frustrated face. It was the same look my high school math teacher used to give me in my past life.
“You know nothing about yourself.”
I stared blankly, having no idea what he was talking about, and the Grand Chancellor shook his head and turned away.
“Tell the Hall Master I congratulate him on reaching a new realm. And also tell him to come to the Lord's Hall as soon as possible.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Watching the Grand Chancellor's departing back, I thought.
*'He doesn't look very happy, even after reuniting with his son after so many years. Could it be... that bastard So-pyeong?'*
It seemed Yu So-pyeong was one hell of a filial son.
* * *
A moment later.
“Uahahaha!”
The warriors of the Outer Hall began to sprawl out in the headquarters' training grounds, drinking and having a good time.
Soon, the reserve troops, drawn by the commotion, joined in, making the feast even larger, and thanks to that, the food and alcohol began to run out quickly.
Seeing this, Bukgung Baek threw out more silver.
“If the flow stops, the alcohol loses its taste. Go buy more, quickly.”
For a man who usually didn't even wash his clothes, let alone spend money, to approve such an expense…
It seemed that after breaking through the wall to the Transcendent Realm, he had been waiting for the day he could show off to everyone.
“Have a drink.”
As if conscious of my gaze, he poured me a drink as well.
“Thank you.”
“Be comfortable.”
“Um... Thanks?”
“Not that comfortable.”
“Yes. I'll accept it gratefully.”
I had no idea what rhythm I was supposed to dance to.
“Uahahaha, Hall Master, did you see the looks on those White Dragon Hall bastards' faces earlier? It was so refreshing.”
Ga Rip approached, bursting into laughter.
Not displeased, Bukgung Baek raised the corner of his mouth and drank.
As I followed his lead and downed my drink, Ga Rip began to recount the recent events.
From the time I and the rest of the First Squad were accused of being traitors and dragged to the Disciplinary Corps.
To Ga Rip going to the Inner Fortress to persuade the Black, Red, and Gray Dragon Halls to put pressure on the Disciplinary Corps.
To disrupting all the logistics going into the White Dragon Hall and extorting money from them as soon as we were released.
And finally, to capturing everyone from the head of the Disciplinary Corps to the White Dragon Hall Master.
Throughout the story, which would have taken about six chapters in a web novel, Bukgung Baek wore an expression of interest.
Watching him, I was certain.
*'He knew almost nothing about it.'*
That was right.
This man had clearly been uninterested in recent events.
You know how it is. Not completely ignorant, but only knowing as much as you'd glean from passing by.
Right now, Bukgung Baek knew just that much.
To think that the Hall Master, of all people, had no idea what his subordinates were going through.
I was so flabbergasted it felt like my nose and even my arteries were getting clogged.
I conveyed that sense of injustice to Bukgung Baek.
“Hehe, congratulations on reaching a new realm!”
“Thank you.”
*Twitch.*
One corner of Bukgung Baek's mouth crept up slightly.
“By the way, when exactly did you reach this new realm?”
*Thud.*
At my question, Bukgung Baek put down the wine bottle he was drinking from and cleared his throat.
It looked like he was about to start telling the story in earnest.
He must have been waiting for just that question.
“I gained a small clue from my battle with the Lord of the Southern Heaven Palace.”
“...So you attained enlightenment amidst that chaos.”
“A martial artist finds their path in the midst of death. Of course, I did win that day.”
*'Look at that mental victory. Is it a defense mechanism?'*
Technically, he got beaten to a pulp until we all ganged up on the enemy, which was as good as a defeat, yet he'd twisted it into a memory of victory.
I wonder if this shamelessness is the secret to reaching the Transcendent Realm.
“...Th-that's right.”
“Hm? Why are you looking at me like that? It's as if you're possessed by a demon.”
“N-no, sir. It is a look of respect.”
“I see.”
After my hurried denial, Bukgung Baek nodded slightly, as if satisfied.
“Anyway, I held onto that clue from that day and pondered it over and over. I could clearly see the destination, but the path forward was invisible.”
At the sudden talk of martial arts, everyone sitting around widened their eyes and opened their ears.
Because a single word from a master is no different from a fortuitous encounter.
And when that master was Bukgung Baek, who had reached the Transcendent Realm, every single word was worth a thousand gold pieces.
Bukgung Baek, enjoying the attention for a moment, cleared his throat and continued his explanation.
“With no path forward in sight, I felt afraid. Even though I knew that the Martial Way must be completed alone, I felt the urge to rely on someone.”
That was only natural.
Even if a master of the Transcendent Realm were to raise a disciple, there was no guarantee they would also reach that realm.
Most would fail to break through to the Supreme Realm and remain masters of the Pinnacle Realm.
In other words, once you reach a certain level, you must achieve enlightenment on your own.
“Then, an occasion arose where I had to use my full power.”
He was talking about the confrontation with Baek Jung-cheon at the Hall Masters' meeting.
“And that night, while reviewing the fight, I realized something.”
*Gulp.*
Tense, a few people swallowed and listened intently.
“That there is no set path. In other words, the steps I take become the path.”
“...”
Everyone tilted their heads at the cryptic, Zen-like answer.
For some reason I couldn't explain, I felt a tickling sensation in my chest.
*'Huh?'*
However, before I could find the cause, Bukgung Baek finished his story and stood up.
“The result.”
He stretched his hand toward the moon high in the sky.
*Fwoosh! Whooosh.*
A dragon covered in black flames erupted from his hand, roaring.
“Whoa!”
Even after the dragon ascended into the sky, an immense heat spread through the surroundings for some time.
If the flames of hell existed, would they be like this?
“I have reached the realm I could not attain before.”
Everyone was left speechless at the sight, which was like that of a celestial general.
And watching him, I thought.
The Great Demon Lord, Bukgung Baek, had shed his skin and gained wings.
*'A great disaster has appeared in the martial world.'*
After a moment of silence, Yang Gang raised his hand.
“That doesn't seem like an ordinary martial art. What is its name?”
A surprisingly sharp question from him.
After all, a divine art must have a killer name, like the Blue Cloud Red River Sword or the Sun-Shooting Sword Art.
At Yang Gang's question, Bukgung Baek wore a confident, relaxed expression.
“The Black Dragon Hand. A hand technique born from the principles of extreme motion, it possesses the power to contend for the title of the strongest under heaven.”
“Wow.”
Everyone let out a gasp of admiration and nodded.
Because the name of the art and its description fit perfectly.
As I marveled at the impact of the name 'Black Dragon Hand' and wondered if I should change the name of the War King Arts…
“And the name of this technique is the Black Flame Dragon.”
Hearing the unexpected word, I instinctively spat out my drink.
“Pfft!”
At that, Bukgung Baek glared at me with cold eyes.
“Do you have a problem?”
“I-I choked…”
“I see.”
To break the awkwardness, I asked him a question. It was a question that had to be asked.
“I'm just asking, but is that 'Black Flame Dragon' by any chance sealed in your hand?”
“...You're exactly right. How did you know?”
*Oh my god.*
“I just had a feeling.”
“You have good instincts. Or a good eye for martial arts.”
“Thank you.”
Ga Rip stood up and said.
“Come on, what are we doing not drinking on such a joyous day? Let's all have a drink.”
“Yeah!”
Just like that, the mood shifted, and after a few more drinks, the atmosphere heated up again.
This went on for four hours.
Everyone got drunk, stumbling around, singing, and dancing, turning it into a typical company party.
Not seeming to mind the scene, Bukgung Baek chuckled and tilted his wine bottle.
Watching him, I remembered what the Grand Chancellor had asked me to tell him.
*'Oh, right.'*
I almost became the idiot who couldn't even deliver a simple message.
“Um... Hall Master.”
“What is it?”
“The Grand Chancellor left a message for you to visit the Lord's Hall as soon as possible.”
“The Lord's Hall... Does he mean he'll accept my challenge?”
*I really don't think that's it.*
I tried to stop him, but he didn't seem to have any intention of listening to me.
“Now that you mention it, I should go right now.”
“No, where are you going in the middle of the night? Whether you're challenging him or whatever, you should go in the morning…”
“Today, I will defeat the Fortress Lord and write a new history.”
*This is crazy.*
That's right. This man was currently high on his Transcendent Realm power-up, thinking he was the strongest under heaven.
I stood up to stop him, but.
*Thump!*
It was already too late.
Bukgung Baek had used a movement technique and vanished into the distance.
“Ah...”
Watching him disappear, I wondered.
*Are we going to have to elect a new Outer Hall Master tomorrow?*
* * *
A few days passed after that stormy day.
To recount what had happened in the meantime.
First, Bukgung Baek, who had gone to challenge the Fortress Lord, returned alive.
That's not to say he returned unscathed. He came back completely battered, as if beaten to a pulp.
Thanks to that, Bukgung Baek was hospitalized in the infirmary to receive treatment.
It was supposedly the first time this had happened since he started learning martial arts.
However.
Even though he had been so utterly defeated, the rumor that Bukgung Baek had reached the Transcendent Realm spread quickly.
It seemed to be because more than one or two people had witnessed his divine power that day.
At this news, the Nine Dragons Fortress was beyond festive.
“All hail the great hero Bukgung, who surprises the Ten Demon Alliance and makes the Martial Emperor Fortress envious!”
“Isn't our Nine Dragons Fortress the greatest of the Five Hegemons of the World!”
They were high on Nine Dragons pride.
Since their main enemy, the Ten Demon Alliance, had three masters of the Transcendent Realm, everyone seemed to think their military strength was finally balanced.
National security was important, both in modern times and now.
The White Dragon Hall was, as expected, quiet. It seemed they were laying low.
Still, since a grudge is a grudge, I had Yong Ma-san look into it just in case.
“It seems there's a power struggle over the position of the next Hall Master.”
“Wasn't Baek Mu-ha already decided as the next Hall Master?”
“That was when the Sun and Moon Divine Sword was fine. Now, they say Baek Jeong-ha, the youngest grandson of Baek Ryang-ji, is being mentioned. After all, the current strongest in the White Dragon Hall is, without a doubt, Baek Ryang-ji. Plus, Baek Jeong-ha himself is a genius who reached the Pinnacle Realm before turning thirty.”
“...They sure live tiring lives.”
“Isn't that the nature of power?”
And so it was.
And there was one more thing that had changed.
My title, the Fighting Dragon, began to spread beyond the Nine Dragons Fortress to the entire southwestern region.
In other words, I was no longer a local master but was becoming a nationally famous figure.
It seemed the impact of capturing Baek Ja-cheon was significant.
Even so, I still had to live humbly, but that was no problem.
“Ahem! How much longer must I wait?!”
“Oh my, it's Lord Fighting Dragon. I'll have it ready for you right away!”
“I don't have much time, so please hurry.”
“Right away, sir.”
Because now, humility naturally exuded from my every word and action.