The Fist King Heads to the Black Path

Chapter 100: The Fist King Heads to the Black Path

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Heavenly Demon, Wi Ji-cheon, paid no attention to Young Palace Master, focusing entirely on the white cat in his arms instead.

"Young Palace Lord, this white cat of yours seems to have an exceptionally long lifespan. Even after all this time, it looks exactly the same."

The Heavenly Demon slowly approached as he spoke.

"It doesn't seem to age at all. Its weight never fluctuates, its eyes are sharp and alert, and it never meows unnecessarily. It just sits quietly in your arms, observing people—quite remarkable, I must say. It lacks the usual animalistic traits."

Humans didn't act like humans, and animals didn't behave like animals. Young Palace Master swallowed hard before responding as the Heavenly Demon drew near.

"Lord Wi, I advise you not to come any closer. White Cat might bite you."

"Ah..."

How could a master like the Heavenly Demon possibly be bitten by a mere cat? The Heavenly Demon looked incredulous for a moment before stopping in front of Young Palace Master and peering into the cat's eyes. The feline's gaze, visible through its pristine white fur, was truly mesmerizing.

The Heavenly Demon addressed the cat directly.

"White Cat, do you recognize me? We've met a few times."

Young Palace Master clutched the cat protectively, as if afraid it might be snatched away. The Heavenly Demon tilted his head.

"May I hold it for a moment? Does it dislike strangers?"

Young Palace Master glared at him.

"That won't be possible."

"You won't even let me hold the cat?"

Unconsciously slipping into informal speech, the Heavenly Demon blinked. Young Palace Master took a step back and replied firmly.

"If I say no, then the answer is no."

As Young Palace ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Master retreated, the Heavenly Demon crossed his arms and fell into thought.

'I thought it was just a pet, but it seems to be a spirit beast.'

Given how dearly the Young Palace Lord of Ten Thousand Demon Palace cherished it, there were only two possibilities—either it was a divine creature or a demonic one.

Whichever it was, one thing was certain: White Cat was Young Palace Master's true bodyguard. The Heavenly Demon suspected this was why Young Palace Master could roam freely within Ten Thousand Demon Palace, a den of lunatics, without fear.

As he walked away, the Heavenly Demon mused.

'Like father, like son, I suppose. Even providing a guardian spirit beast. How heartwarming.'

Either way, he now had one more thing he wanted to take from Ten Thousand Demon Palace. If it was a spirit beast, all the better. If not, it didn't matter.

The cat was beautiful, so he wanted it.

He had no interest in Young Palace Master himself.

"Brother, are you going to help the Black Path?"

As they left the meeting hall, Baek Yak's question prompted Dan Woo-sung to answer while heading toward their quarters.

"If the Demonic Path uses techniques that drain internal energy, we have no choice. The backlash would fall squarely on the White Path and the powerless."

"But isn't the Black Path divided?"

"Exactly."

Dan Woo-sung explained as they walked.

"The Black Path split into two factions—those who uphold Jin So-han's ideals and those who merely mimic the brutality of the old Black Path Unity. Broadly speaking, they're the Western Black Path and the Southern Black Path. The Southern faction tends to be more ruthless and unrestrained, while the Western faction tries to maintain some restraint. The two major factions were once united under the Dark Moon Alliance, but after the Southern faction seceded, they abandoned the name, claiming it tarnished Jin So-han's legacy. Now, 'Dark Moon Alliance' is a symbolic title reserved for whoever reunites the Black Path."

"Are they powerful?"

"Some factions are large, others small. The Western Black Path's strongest group is the Half-Moon Society, symbolizing their split. The Southern faction, after clashing repeatedly with the Murim Alliance, keeps changing names. The largest group now might be the Night Assembly Alliance—something about 'gathering the night.'"

"Do they interact?"

"Who knows? They're probably killing each other. That's why the Murim Alliance has put the Black Path on the back burner."

Baek Yak responded in her usual manner.

"Then wouldn't wiping out the Night Assembly Alliance be a solution?"

Her words were chilling, but Dan Woo-sung didn't react.

"That's one way to handle it." ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Dead men couldn't be drained by the Demonic Path.

But they couldn't just fabricate crimes and slaughter them all. The Southern faction had grown cautious after their clashes with the Murim Alliance.

Baek Yak asked, "If you were the Demonic Path, which faction would you target first?"

"I'd go after the Night Assembly Alliance."

"Why?"

"From the Demonic Path's perspective, it makes sense. Jin So-han would still despise them. They'd fear another wildcard like you—someone suddenly emerging to overturn the board. But realistically, the chance of that happening is slim. Any true successor of Jin So-han would already be in the White Path."

"Where?"

"The Mount Hua Sect."

"Ah...!"

"A prestigious school that has produced generations of Sword Saints. Its golden age was under Jin Si-wol, the Hwasan's greatest swordsman—Jin So-han's younger brother. He spent his life challenging his elder brother, yet they remained close. Jin Si-wol credited his brother for his own mastery, so the Mount Hua Sect likely inherited much of Jin So-han's unique martial arts. Within Hwasan, there's even a separate lineage called the Sword Saint Jin Lineage—proof of their influence."

"So the Three Gods surpassed even that legacy? Their ranking is 'Three Gods, One Saint,' after all."

"If we borrow Mad God's words, their strength came from personal trials."

"Ah, you mean they grew stronger through hardship?"

Baek Yak understood immediately, surprising Dan Woo-sung.

"Yes. How did you grasp that so quickly?"

"Because I've lived it. The sacrifices of past clan leaders shaped me. Those sacrifices are their trials."

Dan Woo-sung nodded.

Of course, his own "trials" were no small matter—things he could never speak of to anyone.

He continued, "Let's observe the Murim Alliance a little longer. If nothing major happens, we'll head to the Black Path. The Murim Alliance has its own duties, and we're not part of it. It's better we act independently—say, by cleansing the Black Path..."

Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak exchanged words.

"Freezing them."

"Shattering them."

"Tearing them apart."

"Reducing them to rubble."

Cheol Myung-ho, who had been practicing his sword forms alone outside his quarters, overheard their final exchange and clicked his tongue.

"Damn lunatics..."

He would've cursed them outright if not for Baek Yak's presence.

"What's with all this freezing, shattering, tearing, and reducing to rubble?"

As Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak clasped hands before parting ways, Cheol Myung-ho pointed his umbrella at them.

"Hey, let go of each other! How dare you hold hands and act like—like—"

Cheol Myung-ho faltered under Baek Yak's amused gaze and coughed awkwardly.

"Ahem..."

After his outburst, he felt a twinge of fear. Strangely, Baek Yak intimidated him more than his own friend.

He turned to Dan Woo-sung.

"What did the winners say? Tell me. I'm curious. Hey! Who am I talking to?"

Once the two disappeared, Cheol Myung-ho was alone again.

He tilted his head.

"Ah, the situation just keeps..."

Glancing around the empty courtyard, he suddenly raised both hands to the sky and bellowed.

"I'm lonely!"

Indeed, Cheol Myung-ho was lonely. He thought no one was around until a patrolling martial artist from the White Dragon Corps rushed over, looking alarmed.

"What was that? Did you just shout?"

"Yes."

"Who screams like that in the middle of the night?"

Cheol Myung-ho bowed his head.

"Ah, I was just lonely. My apologies. You're working hard."

The martial artist muttered irritably as he walked away.

"Lonely or not, who does that? Nearly gave me a heart attack. As if anyone isn't lonely..."

Just then, a window slammed open, and Mad God stuck his head out.

"Myung-ho!"

"Ah, yes! Big Brother!"

"Go to the dining hall or supply warehouse and fetch some of that jerky the special ops team eats. It's delicious. The dining hall's that way."

Cheol Myung-ho saluted.

"As you command!"

Mad God watched him sprint off like a messenger before scanning the darkness. Once Cheol Myung-ho vanished, silence returned. Satisfied, Mad God withdrew and reclined into the quiet.

He tilted his head.

He had overheard everything.

"The Black Path..."

In Mad God's opinion, no faction was as satisfying to pummel as the Black Path. But as the leader of the White Path, he couldn't act recklessly. Knowing Dan Woo-sung's strength firsthand, he wasn't worried—just envious of the younger man's freedom.

For now, Mad God planned to stay with the Murim Alliance before meeting with the other Two Gods.

Baek Han-gyeong of the Murim Alliance blinked in surprise upon reuniting with Dan Woo-sung after so long.

"I'll make the request. How much information do you need?"

"Everything you have. The Black Path's intel is shared among factions anyway."

Baek Han-gyeong nodded.

"But why do you need it?"

Dan Woo-sung tapped his palm with his fist—a clear message. Baek Han-gyeong burst out laughing.

"Hahaha...! In that case, I'll gather even more for you. Maps, rosters, faction traits, wanted lists, facial sketches, past operation plans—whatever you need. If required, I can even arrange funds and support personnel."

Dan Woo-sung shook his head.

"No need for personnel. Just relay this to the Alliance Leader."

"He'll hear about it regardless."

For the Murim Alliance, this was welcome news. While their forces hunted the Demonic Path, a powerhouse like Dan Woo-sung disrupting the Black Path could only benefit them—selfish as that might sound. The only concern was whether Dan Woo-sung could handle it alone.

Baek Han-gyeong, ready to volunteer himself, asked,

"Are you sure you can take on the Black Path alone? I'll assist you."

Dan Woo-sung smirked.

"The Alliance should focus on rooting out the Demonic Path. Besides, I won't truly be alone—a terrifyingly strong woman will accompany me. Your offer is appreciated, but unnecessary."

With Baek Yak by his side, Dan Woo-sung believed the two of them could reduce the entire Black Path to ruins. After all, he had grown far stronger since the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.

Half a day after Dan Woo-sung announced his departure for the Black Path, Alliance Leader Yoo Jung-hong arrived at his quarters with an entourage. The Military Council had prepared detailed materials, which an Alliance member handed to Dan Woo-sung.

Seated with Dan Woo-sung, Cheol Myung-ho, and Baek Yak, Yoo Jung-hong spoke—surprisingly addressing Cheol Myung-ho first.

"Myung-ho, you're not going."

Cheol Myung-ho nodded.

"Yes, Senior already told me not to."

The "senior" was Mad God, who had bluntly warned him that the Black Path was no place for someone like him—he'd only get himself killed.

Yoo Jung-hong placed both hands on the table and looked at Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak.

"Juniors, let me hold your hands."

The two extended their hands, and the Alliance Leader clasped their rough, calloused palms. He didn't probe their strength with his internal energy—he simply wanted to hold their hands.

He spoke solemnly.

"Truthfully, I'd like to go myself. Being bound to an organization has its perks, but it's also restrictive. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Even now, I want to grab a sword and storm the Black Path, doing as I please. No matter what happens, return safely."

"Understood."

"Yes."

"If things escalate, don't force a resolution—contact the Murim Alliance. There are many ways to reach us. I still hear news from Hao Gate now and then."

He patted their hands lightly before letting go.

"I'll dispatch Alliance members to the Silver River Merchant Group. That much is acceptable, right?"

Dan Woo-sung bowed slightly.

"Thank you, Alliance Leader."

Yoo Jung-hong imagined Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak confronting the Black Path. He knew full well they had grown stronger since the tournament.

Smiling, he said,

"The Black Path is in for a rough time."

With the Murim Alliance and White Path preserving their strength for the Demonic Path, Yoo Jung-hong was deeply grateful to the two.

And so, the Fist King set forth for the Black Path.