#113. Black Path Night Journey (3)
“What did you say?”
Yong So-a’s eyebrows shot up sharply. The members of the Yongbong Assembly, who had been listening to So Je-ho’s report alongside him, were more shocked by Yong So-a’s expression than the report itself. To the Yongbong Assembly members who had been with him since the academy, Yong So-a was practically an emotionless being.
“Jin Sowoon took his group and entered Sahwang Peak. The mad bastard.”
So Je-ho reported in a dazed, wide-eyed stupor.
“……”
“He must really hate you, it seems.”
On top of that, Dang Seohui—who was just as tight-lipped as Yong So-a—was speaking as if her mouth had suddenly come unlocked.
“……I can’t comprehend it.”
“What can’t you?”
“Sahwang Peak wasn’t even a viable option to begin with. No, it would only make the situation worse.”
Yong So-a nodded slowly. He clearly had better choices available.
- Enter the Murim Academy alone with outstanding results.
- Fail the exam along with his group.
And the path he chose not only meant failing the exam but also risking their lives.
“I think the Black Flame Dragon has something in mind.”
“……”
Yong So-a’s gaze fixed on Dang Seohui. So Je-ho and the Yongbong Assembly members knew well the oppressive pressure of that stare, and they swallowed involuntarily.
“No, that can’t be.”
“There’s a rumor that the Black Flame Dragon has a fame plaque he earned at Ma-ryeong Plateau. And that’s thanks to you, too.”
“……”
A chill hung in the air. An inexplicable, unprecedented pressure settled over the area, and the Yongbong Assembly members instinctively circulated their qi to protect their minds.
“Do you know why the black path doesn’t interfere in the Murim Alliance’s events?”
“It’s because they set aside incidents from the regular assembly as a concession to the white path.”
“Exactly. The white path forbids retaliation or revenge for things that happen during the regular assembly. …On the flip side, any black path trying to exploit the regular assembly becomes a target for the white path’s venting.”
Names of black path sects destroyed in past regular assemblies were listed: Hwangsa Gate, Mahyang House, Jo-geuk House, Hanho Gate, and more.
“Even if Sahwang Peak is one of the black path’s strongest forces, it doesn’t even measure up to the Nine Great Sects or the 108 Peaks. Plus, white path sects with justification gain every reason to punish the black path. Sahwang Peak can’t make a move.”
Dang Seohui nodded at Yong So-a’s words.
“Then there’s no need to worry about it anymore.”
“……That’s true.”
“So why are you still hanging around here?”
Yong So-a’s eyelids twitched. Undeterred, Dang Seohui pressed on.
“The Yongbong Assembly has plenty of work to do.”
So Je-ho swallowed hard at the sight of Dang Seohui teetering right on the edge.
“……Indeed. What’s next on the agenda?”
So Je-ho quickly handed over a scroll.
“There are reports that Songbaek from Hwayang Escort Agency mobilized warriors from the martial halls he sponsored for this regular assembly. Even though Songbaek is dead, the alliance’s orders are to investigate Hwayang Escort Agency.”
“With the Wang family already acting strangely, losing Hwayang Escort Agency would open up a big hole. Still, we should check it out.”
Meanwhile, Jin Sowoon dragged his injured body toward Sahwang Peak’s Grand Curtain Hall.
Supporting him, since his injuries made movement difficult, was Namgung Seonhwa. Normally, it wouldn’t be an issue, but since she was here as the Namgung family’s representative, Gang Serpyo tried to stop her.
“Miss, as the Namgung family’s representative……”
“Gang Division Leader, please don’t say anything. I know full well.”
Faced with her unwavering expression, Gang Serpyo had no choice but to back off. Jin Sowoon’s severe injuries had come from saving Namgung Seonhwa, after all. And as they approached the Grand Curtain Hall, the atmosphere grew heavier, making further argument impossible.
“Their discipline is impressive.”
Gang Serpyo nodded at Cho Mubin’s impression of the black path warriors lining the path to the Grand Curtain Hall.
“It’s completely different from what I knew before.”
The common image of the black path was of madmen craving blood under the law of the jungle. But seeing them up close felt like gazing at a pack of well-trained beasts. And as they neared the Grand Curtain Hall at the heart of Sahwang Peak, the warriors’ caliber improved dramatically.
“Forget the exam…… We just need to hope we get out alive.”
“……”
From the start, when they’d heard Jin Sowoon’s plan, they’d followed with confidence they could escape in the worst case. Now, they regretted that judgment.
Entering the Grand Curtain Hall revealed an overwhelming grand hall matching its massive size. Flanking the sides were Sahwang Peak’s elite warriors radiating ferocious auras, and atop the high dais sat a giant of a man in ornate silver armor, dominating the chamber.
“Jin Sowoon of Tae-eul Gate and his companions.”
Hwang Busik gave a brief introduction and stood at the peak lord’s left.
“They say the Black Flame Dragon’s name echoes across the land, but looking at you now…… What a waste of a title.”
Sahwang Peak Lord Cha Seokdu. His booming voice, befitting the black path’s greatest leader, filled the hall.
“……”
Jin Sowoon released Namgung Seonhwa’s hand and took a couple of steps forward.
“……”
With each step, his trembling body betrayed his condition.
Jin Sowoon said with a serious expression.
“Do you have any idea how much trouble that damned nickname has caused me?”
“……”
The same thought—“He’s dressed like a monk”—flashed through Gang Serpyo, Cho Mubin, and Baek Won-gak’s minds.
Killing intent flooded the hall. Every person standing there claimed to be among the black path’s strongest. Insulting their revered peak lord Cha Seokdu was like digging his own grave.
“……Urk.”
Jin Sowoon couldn’t withstand the killing intent and spat up blood. As Namgung Seonhwa paled and rushed toward him, he raised a hand to stop her.
“Clear away that killing intent. Are all black path warriors blind? Spraying it at a patient like this.”
“……”
A strange silence blanketed the hall. Jin Sowoon’s group watched anxiously, while Sahwang Peak’s warriors glared disdainfully.
“Kuhuhu.”
“……”
“Kuhahahahaha!”
Cha Seokdu’s laughter erupted, and the hall’s warriors gradually withdrew their killing intent and joined in. Gang Serpyo, Cho Mubin, and Baek Won-gak, stunned by the sudden outburst, hurriedly laughed louder to lighten the mood.
“You’re still as entertaining as ever. Still, I think the nickname suits you well. Every time your name rings out in the martial world, mine echoes alongside it.”
“What’s a Black Flame Dragon to a white path elite warrior? A Black Flame Dragon.”
“To be honest, Tae-eul Gate isn’t exactly a proper orthodox white path sect, is it?”
“Hey, that’s a bit much, even in the peak lord’s own hall.”
“Heh. So? Want to spar?”
“Not with my body like this. I’ll pass this time.”
Not just Jin Sowoon’s group was confused by the exchange—the Sahwang Peak warriors were side-eyeing nonstop, baffled by their usually solemn and grave peak lord treating him like a grandson.
“I heard you faced a lot of hardships during the regular assembly?”
“Of course it’s tough when a no-good bastard like me tries to rise up.”
“Then how about switching to a black path sect this time? We haven’t ossified with old trash like the Murim Alliance’s Nine Great Sects or 108 Peaks.”
“That’d make all my hard work so far pointless.”
Cha Seokdu nodded at Jin Sowoon’s words.
“That’s why I came so abruptly, to make a request. Forgive any rudeness.”
No sooner had Jin Sowoon finished than the smile faded from Cha Seokdu’s face.
“Let me speak first. Give up on the regular assembly, or make a suitable deal with those outside.”
“……”
“You’ve got a lot of entry plaques from past assemblies, right? You or one or two of your group could get in through a trade. I’ll mediate if you want.”
His group deflated, as if everyone already knew what request Jin Sowoon would make. If a deal fell through here, they had no other options.
“Even if I use the fame plaque?”
“……”
Cha Seokdu’s face hardened at Jin Sowoon’s words, and the hall’s pressure intensified.
“A fame plaque just proves effort. You know it can’t resolve something as grave as risking your sect and your life.”
“……”
“Sahwang Peak meddling in the Murim Academy’s regular assembly would be a massive threat to us. No one would accept such a request. Keep that plaque safe. You’ll need it someday.”
Disappointment filled Cha Seokdu’s face, which had looked at Jin Sowoon like a grandson.
“Since you’re giving up the exam anyway, stay here. I’ll assign you good rooms and maids to rest comfortably.”
Cha Seokdu rose abruptly, as if their business was done. Then, Jin Sowoon—who had stayed silent—finally spoke.
“That’s not what I want.”
Cha Seokdu turned, his eyes now flickering with anger atop the disappointment.
“Are you toying with me?”
“I haven’t even said what I’m asking for yet.”
“……”
With a grim expression, Cha Seokdu sat back on the dais.
“I hope this doesn’t disappoint me further. I was already let down when I heard you dodged the Nine Great Sects and came to Sahwang Peak.”
His plain voice carried an overwhelming presence that made listeners shiver.
“What I’m asking is for Sahwang Peak to become the center of the black path martial world.”
“……?”
People tilted their heads at the out-of-nowhere declaration.
“The black path martial world has lacked a central hub like the Murim Alliance from the start. It’s still the same. That’s why there’s no proper way to respond to large-scale disasters.”
A topic long discussed in the black path world. Everyone needed a center, but no one had achieved it.
“It was the same at Ma-ryeong Plateau. The black path suffered more casualties, but it was the Murim Alliance that mobilized people. The black path could only stamp its feet and wait.”
“……Hold on. I don’t get it. Why bring that up here? And even if you ask us to be the center, how?”
“It’s not that hard.”
“Not that hard?”
Countless black path sects had tried forming alliances before, but none succeeded. They lacked the cause and overwhelming might of the Murim Alliance.
“Hold a nonviolent march to commemorate those sacrificed at Ma-ryeong Plateau. From Great Separating Mountain here to Muhwan, where the Murim Alliance is. Use the protest to rally opinions, and in the end, establish the alliance.”
“……”
Cha Seokdu’s jaw dropped. Not just the elite warriors gathered in the hall, but even Jin Sowoon’s group. A white path disciple trying to make Sahwang Peak the black path’s center? Whispers of “madman” rippled through the silent hall.