Black Path Night Journey (5)
"What the hell kind of nonsense is that?"
Myeonghyeon had forgotten they were in the elders' hall as he spat out the words.
"……."
There were twenty-eight elders present at the regular legislative assembly. With eleven alliance laws to pass, four budget bills to review, and two plans for the coming year on the agenda—far exceeding quorum—they shouldn't have spared a glance for any other reports. But the urgent news had drawn an involuntary curse from Myeonghyeon.
"So... Jin Sowoon is moving with the black path folks?"
"……Yes, that's correct."
The alliance member's attitude, as if he'd committed a crime himself, drew a dismissive response from Myeonghyeon.
"Then just disqualify him. You're dismissed. Do you even know what kind of meeting this is?"
Even after the curt dismissal, the member remained fidgety, unable to sit still.
"It's not that simple."
"Hey now. Do you not realize how important this legislative assembly is? You're still dragging this out?"
"Ahem……."
The man was squirming like his own neck was on the line. Amid the tension, Moyong Cheong spoke up.
"Hear him out first, Myeonghyeon Dojang."
"It's nothing major. No matter how important the Murim entrance exam is, we can't drop everything for this."
"There must be good reason for interrupting such a crucial meeting."
With Moyong Cheong's words and Myeonghyeon's reluctant approval, the member cautiously continued.
"Jin Sowoon's group is heading to the academy, but they've been surrounded by large forces from Sahwangbong, demonic path sects, and black path factions like Heuksa Bang. The other examinees can't get close."
"Sahwangbong aside, why are Mado Mun and Heuksa Bang involved? And how dare they interfere in a Murim Alliance event in the first place?"
"They claim they're not protecting Jin Sowoon's group."
"……."
Myeonghyeon furrowed his brow deeply, struggling to make sense of the situation.
"They say it's a non-violent protest to honor the warriors who died unjustly at Ma-ryeong Plateau."
"Non... non-violent protest?"
A black path mob staging a non-violent protest? What kind of bullshit was this?
"Yes. They've all disarmed, dressed in black mourning clothes, and are carrying massive coffins as they march south."
"No one forced them into Ma-ryeong Plateau. Who the hell are they protesting to?"
"They blame the Murim Alliance, guardians of the jianghu's peace, for not acting in time and letting the casualties mount……."
Myeonghyeon—and most in the hall—were left dumbfounded, noses flaring in disbelief. Hadn't the black path been the Alliance's main enemy since the Demonic Cult vanished?
"Anyway, what about Jin Sowoon's group?"
"They're moving right in the center of the mob, so the examinees can't approach."
"……."
"They've already crossed Henan Province into Hubei. The examiners are at a loss on how to handle it."
"Handle it? Disqualify them, obviously!"
"I see it differently."
Myeonghyeon's head snapped around. It was Moyong Cheong, the one who'd halted the meeting.
"Did he ask the black path for help?"
"Sahwangbong insists it's unrelated to Jin Sowoon."
"Did he hire them with money, then?"
"Sahwangbong calls it purely a black path martial world event."
"Then... there's no issue. Jin Sowoon just happened to be there, right?"
Moyong Cheong's words twisted Myeonghyeon's face in incredulity.
"Are you in your right mind?"
"What's the problem? Has this kid broken any rules?"
"You call that—"
"By the way, if Sahwangbong, Mado Mun, and Heuksa Bang are moving, what about the other black path sects?"
"More people are trickling in."
"This could turn into a real mess."
Moyong Cheong stood.
"Let's cancel this regular meeting. Something urgent has come up that needs handling."
With that, Moyong Cheong led ten others out of the elders' hall, leaving only Jeongdo Council affiliates and the 108 Peaks representatives behind.
#
The funeral procession that began with eight hundred at Daebyeol Mountain had swelled to triple that by the time it crossed Yungzhong Mountain into Ui-seong.
Not just sects with official plaques, but those indirectly tied to the Ma-ryeong Plateau incident, grudge-holders against the Alliance, opportunistic hanger-ons seeking fame, and merchants chasing the massive crowd for business—it was less a memorial march and more a chaotic circus.
"Hey! Watch it! Do you know who I am?!"
"Fresh jukyeopcheong wine! Get your jukyeopcheong here!"
"You bastards! Don't you know black's the only color for this procession? Who shows up to a funeral in yellow? This punk's got yellow streaks a mile wide!"
And it didn't stop there. Examinees who'd once targeted me but now eyed me warily from rooftops were growing anxious as the black path numbers swelled.
"Come on, we just need to pass through! One of those guys inside has our stuff. They're real thieves, I swear!"
"Catch thieves at the yamen! You ain't passing!"
"Fuck! Why are you black path nobodies yapping about the yamen?!"
"You punk? If we weren't in the middle of a non-violent protest, I'd have your head in one swing!"
"Non-violent protest from black path scum? Give me a break!"
Skirmishes big and small erupted constantly, nearly escalating to brawls several times, but black path supreme experts always intervened to keep the peace.
Warriors didn't become "non-violent" just by disarming. And with every black path schemer's bag of dirty tricks, neither the exam examinees nor their escorts dared act rashly.
"These idiots are walking right into our hands."
Beside me, the Sahwangbong Lord grinned without restraint. This was his chance to publicize the Black Path Alliance, his longtime ambition. It gave Sahwangbong, Mado Mun, and Heuksa Bang the legitimacy to lead it—and a foundation to seize control later. He couldn't be more pleased.
"Isn't it all thanks to Lord Sahwangbong's renowned generosity that they're following?"
I slipped in flattery, desperately hoping this black path overlord wouldn't get offended midway and toss us to the white path wolves.
"No, no. It's all thanks to the Black Flame Dragon."
"No, Lord! People will misunderstand."
Was this guy already scheming to sabotage a rising white path star?
"Haha, sure. Keep it secret until you rise high in the Alliance and hand it over to us."
"……."
What the fuck was this mad black path lord saying?
"I've known since you spoke of the Black Path Alliance's century-long plan. A place judging solely by ability, regardless of status. What you're building is basically jianghu's paradise on earth. I know well the Tae-eul Gate's suffering under oppression from Murim and the world."
This bastard was spouting ever more dangerous shit.
"Hey, ease up. You know how many misunderstandings your nickname's caused me?"
"Kuhahaha!"
Chaseokdu's boisterous laughter cut off abruptly.
"It'll get worse from here."
"Pardon?"
"What I just said. Someone will voice it outright soon."
"……."
I knew it. Chaseokdu's words would first erupt not in the black path, but the white—inside the Murim Alliance. To its scheming leaders, seasoned in slander and plots, I was just a tasty morsel.
"Steel yourself. Worst case, they'll brand you a Black Path Alliance spy."
"……."
This was my second meeting with Chaseokdu. Both unintended, on both sides. Yet his advice outshone any Alliance figure from my past life.
His concern transcended ideology—I could tell without words.
"I'll keep it in mind."
"Good. If they do brand you, join the Black Path Alliance without hesitation. I'll reserve a fine spot for you and your sect."
"……."
"Oh, and when we found the Alliance, you'll be on the invitation list. Could make you an Alliance rep by then."
Scratch the concern. True to form, this black path overlord was black-hearted to the core, scheming to corrupt a white path saint.
#
Ting-a-ling. Ting-a-ling. Ting-a-ling.
Black-robed men walked slowly to the chime of bells. At their center loomed massive coffins symbolizing the dead, trailed endlessly by more in black mourning garb.
"Whose funeral is this? So extravagant."
"Heard it's to honor folks who died at Ma-ryeong Plateau or something."
"Weren't those black path thugs who did evil?"
Onlookers gawked at the bizarre procession, stunned that most were black pathers. Their image of black pathers was illiterate bandits and pirates. Yet these marched solemnly, uniformed and dignified—no thug vibe.
The parade from Daebyeol Mountain passed Ui-seong and Cheonmun, reaching Muhwan. As its tail end hit the Murim Academy, the black robes encircled the entrance.
On the exam's final day, examiners awaited the last qualifiers at the gate. The sudden black path arrival left them flustered.
"We made it."
"……."
"……."
Our group—and even the gold-silver-bronze brothers—were speechless with emotion. Come to think, we'd been quiet the whole way from Daebyeol Mountain.
"……Hah, what'll Grandfather say."
"Will they even let us in?"
"Better to head home than get humiliated at the gate."
Around us, Nine Great Sects examinees and escorts who'd trailed the march glared disdainfully, muttering complaints.
Seong Moran stepped forward amid the grumbles.
"Better to strike first."
She dumped her entry plaques before the examiner.
The examiner sorted them, then announced,
"Iron Sword Sect Seong Moran—passed!"
"Ooh!"
"Woo!"
Iron Sword Sect warriors cheered threefold as the gold-silver-bronze brothers thrust forward their plaques.
"Tae-eul Gate Geum Pyo—passed!"
"Tae-eul Gate Eunho—passed!"
"Tae-eul Gate Dongryong—passed!"
The three brothers tearfully embraced in joy. Meanwhile, Namgung Seonhwa got her notice.
Just Moyong Jaehwa and me left.
"Hyung-nim, I'll always cheer for you."
"……Huh?"
Moyong Jaehwa was preparing to leave with his clan warriors.
"Sad not to join you at the academy, but this journey showed me my path."
He proudly displayed his bow with a grin. Baek Won-gak clutched his head worriedly.
"You okay?"
"With what?"
"Will Grandfather forgive you wielding a bow?"
"……Ahem, so actually, I was thinking of wandering instead of heading straight home……."
"Wandering at your prime age? You're too carefree. Come to the academy with me instead."
"Pardon? No, that's……."
I tossed him the entry plaque from Jegal Somyeong.
Moyong Jaehwa stared blankly at first, then his eyes bulged.
"H-Hyung-nim, this is……."
"No Three Gates plaque needed if you've got that, right?"
"Ah…… Ah……."
He floundered, clueless how to react. Fair enough—that plaque was a priceless treasure money couldn't buy.
"……."
Frustrated by Moyong Jaehwa's hesitation despite my gift, Baek Won-gak spoke up.
"Thank you, Jin gongja, for this grace."
"N-No, Lord Baek, it's too much to—"
"Young master, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance from Jin gongja. Will you throw it away?"
Under Baek Won-gak's pleading look, the wavering Moyong Jaehwa clenched his jaw.
"Understood. Lord Baek, Hyung-nim—I, Moyong Jaehwa of Moyong sega, declare here: I will make my name with the bow!"
"……No, young master, don't rush your path like—"
I tried to dissuade him, fearing Moyong sega's line might end.
"We'll discuss it inside……."
"No. Hyung-nim lit the way and pointed it out. How could I betray that? I will! I will make the bow renowned!"
He handed the plaque to the examiner.
"Moyong sega Moyong Jaehwa—passed!"
My turn.
"Thanks for all your hard work."
I bowed to our escorts, who returned clasped fists.
"May fortune favor Jin gongja's path."
I upended my bundle before the examiner.
Clatterclatterclatter.
Even from a small pouch, plaques poured out, making the watching Nine Great Sects disciples' eyes gleam.
Two examiners counted them against the roster, then called,
"Tae-eul Gate Jin Sowoon…… disqualified!"