Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Black Wolf (1)
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The Secret Dragon Pavilion was guarded as strictly as the clan head's residence.
The lights in the Secret Dragon Pavilion, which oversaw all of the Hahu Clan's information, did not go out even late into the night.
"Father."
Hahu Jong called out to Hahu Seung, the Secret Dragon Pavilion Master, who sat in his wheelchair sifting through a mountain of documents.
"What is it?"
"The Deputy Pavilion Master sent this. It's the final list of participants for this martial tournament."
Hahu Seung's expression grew colder as he silently reviewed the list.
"Nangong Hak, Tang Cheol Yeong, Ak Yi Do, Paeng Ha Gyun, Yeong Ho Gyeol... So it's these guys after all."
Rage filled Hahu Seung's face as he crumpled the list roughly.
"Is this the thing you were worried about?"
Hahu Jong asked.
"Yes. It looks like they've set their minds on ruining the martial tournament."
"What should we do? I asked Uncle, and he said Yeon-i refuses to participate in the tournament."
Sensing the slight thorn in his tone, Hahu Seung sighed.
"He still doesn't understand his father's decision."
"Because you didn't explain it properly."
His face plainly showed he wanted to hear the explanation.
As Hahu Seung gave a wry smile at Hahu Jong's reaction and was about to speak, the door burst open, letting in a gust of cold wind.
Hahu Jong's face twisted in anger at the rudeness of barging into the Secret Dragon Pavilion Master's quarters—a place even the clan head respected.
Hahu Seung, who recognized the visitor before Hahu Jong did, instinctively tried to rise, but he had been unable to move his lower body since an accident over a decade ago.
Hahu Gok strode into the room without hesitation and sat in the chair opposite, gesturing casually.
"No need for formalities. Just stay comfortable."
"It's been a while, Great-Uncle."
Hahu Seung bowed toward Hahu Gok. Hahu Jong also paid his respects politely.
"I pay my respects to Ancestor Grandfather."
"Yes. It's been a while for all of you."
Hahu Gok nodded lightly and continued, scrutinizing Hahu Seung carefully.
"I came because I have something to ask you."
"Jong-ah, step out for a moment."
Hahu Seung said to Hahu Jong.
A flicker of doubt in his eyes lasted only a moment before Hahu Jong left the room without argument.
Hahu Gok glanced at Hahu Jong, the corner of his mouth twitching upward slightly.
"That kid... Unlike some others, his clear eyes please me."
"He's still very lacking, Great-Uncle."
Hahu Seung smiled faintly. But no father dislikes hearing his son praised—especially when the praise comes from Hahu Gok, the most revered figure in the clan. He couldn't hide his subtle pride.
"Lacking? He's more than enough. How old is he now?"
"Twenty this year."
"Twenty. The main family has gained a great talent. To properly contain his qi at that age."
"You're too kind."
Hahu Seung bowed, his expression trembling slightly.
"But why Yeon-i of all people?"
"Pardon?"
"Don't play dumb. Answer me. You have your son, and the main family has plenty of decent prospects. So why pick Yeon-i, the clan's neglected outcast?"
"That's..."
"Don't make excuses about the clan head. I know it's your idea."
Hahu Seung sensed from Hahu Gok's chilly gaze that excuses wouldn't work.
"It's true I gave my opinion, but the final decision was Father's."
"That stubborn man who stakes his life on the family's honor?"
Hahu Seung gave a wry smile at Hahu Gok's surprised look, then grew serious.
"It's to protect the family's honor."
Hahu Gok tilted his head, unconvinced.
"I don't understand. Why send unproven Yeon-i to the martial tournament?"
"I judge he has the skill for it. Doesn't he?"
Hahu Gok offered no reply to Hahu Seung's counterquestion.
"The Nangong Clan is sending participants. No, all four great clans except the Zhuge Clan are participating. Ah, the Yeongho Clan too."
"What's the problem? Their participation will make for a more exciting tournament."
Unlike Hahu Gok, who couldn't grasp the issue, Hahu Seung's face was rigidly tense.
"It's not just for show, as you said—to enrich the tournament."
"Not for show?"
"Yes. They've set their minds on humiliating our main family."
Hahu Gok immediately understood what Hahu Seung meant.
"They're sending their top fighters."
"Exactly. And not just any fighters."
Hahu Seung continued in an angry voice.
"The Nangong Clan is sending a guy named Nangong Hak. He's nineteen this year, unknown to the world, but according to Secret Dragon Pavilion's investigation, he holds the highest skill among the Nangong Clan's later generation."
Hahu Gok furrowed his brow.
"I thought the top successor in the Nangong Clan was the eldest son, Nangong Hwang."
"That's the public story. And he's genuinely outstanding. But from what I've gathered, Nangong Hak is the best. Reports say he surpasses even the Sword Saint of the same age—the very Sword Saint who shocked the martial world in his twenties."
"Hah!"
An exclamation escaped Hahu Gok's lips, curiosity lighting up his face uncontrollably.
"What's his relation to the Sword Saint?"
"His youngest son."
"As expected. No pup from a tiger sire is worthless. But that's strange. A Sword Saint's son couldn't be hidden if they tried. I've never heard the name before. Why's he unknown until now?"
"He's from a concubine, not the main wife. The Sword Saint met a woman by chance during a trip abroad and..."
"Well, well. Sounds familiar."
Hahu Gok let out a hollow laugh.
"Unlike Yeon-i, who gets the cold shoulder in our family, this Nangong Hak gets recognition. Anyway, so the Nangong Clan's top bloodline is entering the tournament? To smash our family's bloodline?"
"Yes. And not just Nangong—the Tang Clan, Northern Paeng Clan, and Shandong Ak Clan are sending their later generation representatives too."
"As you say, they've clearly made up their minds."
Hahu Gok nodded heavily, recalling how, months ago during the Martial Alliance leader selection, the Hahu Clan had backed the Nine Great Sects' candidate over the one pushed by the Five Great Clans.
"Is this because of the Martial Alliance matter?"
"That's what I think."
"No wonder they're furious. They must have assumed we'd support them as a matter of course. The greater the trust, the greater the betrayal. Still, losing one powerless alliance leader position and crashing someone else's party with this petty nonsense? It's ridiculous. They're tarnishing the name of the Five Great Clans."
Amid his indignation, Hahu Gok suddenly looked puzzled.
"I don't know about the others, but the Sword Saint I know wouldn't stoop to this."
"He's in secluded training. It's been four months already."
"Tsk tsk, fools. What do they think will happen when he emerges?"
Hahu Gok clicked his tongue, then gave Hahu Seung, who watched him expectantly, a meaningful look.
"Your solution in this situation is Yeon-i?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"When you took in young Yeon-i long ago, I judged there must be meaning to it. Since then, from my position as Pavilion Master, I've observed him closely for years. I hate to admit it, but among the main family's later generation, no one is stronger than Yeon-i."
"Your son is strong too."
"I know. But I believe Yeon-i is stronger. This isn't just my judgment."
"Who... Ah! The clan head?"
"Yes. I only learned recently, but Father has known Yeon-i's prowess for a long time. More precisely, his talent is extraordinarily outstanding. He said it's only natural he's the top of the main family's later generation, raised under your hand of all people."
It was praise laced with persuasion.
"Cunning foxes."
Hahu Seung shook his head with a wry smile.
"Help us, Great-Uncle. The family's honor is at stake. Yeon-i told me he'd participate if you allow it."
"I know."
"I beg you, Great-Uncle."
Hahu Seung bowed repeatedly in earnest plea.
Seeing Hahu Seung strive his utmost for the clan despite his uncomfortable, wheelchair-bound body stirred admiration and pity in Hahu Gok.
In truth, there was no reason to refuse.
It was already decided that Hahu Yeon would participate—something neither Hahu Seung nor the participant himself knew.
"Then let me make a request in return."
Hahu Seung's face brightened instantly.
"Speak it."
"They say the registration period for the tournament has ended."
"Yes. With so many wanting to enter, they did moderate verifications, and it just wrapped up."
"So participation is impossible?"
Hahu Seung's sharp mind, sharper than ever, instantly grasped Hahu Gok's intent.
"No. Exceptions always exist."
"Good. Then add one more participant. I'll vouch for his skill, so no need to verify."
"Who is this friend?"
Hahu Seung showed curiosity.
"You don't need to know. I'm telling you clearly: don't even think of looking into it."
His casual words carried a chilling warning.
"A-ah, understood."
"Remember: just let him participate. He'll be a great help to the main family—and to that arrogant, worldly naive Yeon-i punk too."
Hahu Gok left a single slip of paper with a name and a meaningful smile, departing the pavilion.
"Black Wolf?"
An utterly unfamiliar name.
His instincts as the information-overseeing Pavilion Master stirred.
Hahu Seung stared at the name for a long while before sighing and flipping the paper over. Burning curiosity aside, he lacked the guts to defy Hahu Gok's warning.
Early the next morning, after butchering over a dozen cows, pigs, and sheep, Sima Geon shed his work clothes—and his face had already changed.
His cheekbones protruded prominently, and a long scar marred his left cheek.
"Ah! Golden Fox Bandit Lair?"
Cheol Woo immediately recognized it as the face Sima Geon had worn when smashing the Golden Fox Bandit Lair.
"No one should recognize me like this, right?"
"Hard to say. Someone might think it looks similar."
"Hm, really?"
Sima Geon frowned, touching his cheeks.
"If you're worried, why not change it completely?"
"Not used to it. Bone Shrinking Art's transformation isn't that great either."
"Whatever. Who'd connect the tournament winner to riffraff like us? Don't sweat it—just go crush them."
"Crush... them?"
Sima Geon stared in disbelief, but Cheol Woo replied nonchalantly.
"They're all fragile enough to drop dead from a graze. Gotta be careful controlling your strength. Man, I'd die of frustration."
Sima Geon chuckled at Cheol Woo's grumbling.
"True enough. Anyway, I'm off—handle things here without a hitch."
"Leave it to me. I'll swing by to cheer when it quiets down. Oh right, don't tarnish the name Black Wolf, yeah? Heh heh heh!"
Cheol Woo burst into boyish laughter unfit for his burly frame, amused that Sima Geon was entering the tournament under the name of the wolf he'd raised in the Divine Demon Division.
Sima Geon tossed the towel he'd been holding at the snickering Cheol Woo and walked off slowly.
His destination: the Grand Martial Grounds, where the tournament would be held.