The Uninvited Guest Who Received an Invitation (2)
The delegation that entered Taiyuan headed straight for the Saheukryeon. Even though it was our first time on these unfamiliar roads, neither the escorts nor we bothered asking directions or inquiring where the Saheukryeon was located among the locals. There was no need to. Every martial artist in Taiyuan was already moving in the same direction.
To be precise, everyone with "I'm a bad guy" written all over their faces was heading that way. You couldn't spot a single orthodox martial artist of the sort commonly seen in Muhwan or Henan Province—except for our own delegation, of course.
...Though our delegation hardly looks like a prime example of the orthodox world either.
I glanced at the two troublemakers tarnishing our group's image and spoke up. "Wouldn't it be best if we parted ways now?"
"You're saying this now?"
Blood Battle and Lady Flame Ghost tilted their heads as if I were the weird one. I suppressed the twitch in my brow and explained patiently. "We're about to raise the Murim Alliance banner as an official delegation. Having you two around might make things awkward."
"I'm fine with it."
"The young lady is fine with it too."
"......"
No, we're not fine with it—we're the ones having the problem! Ak Byeongbi seemed to share my sentiment; ever since entering Taiyuan, he'd been scowling like he'd swallowed a mouthful of bitter gall.
One might wonder why I cared if Ak Byeongbi was displeased, but the karma piled between us was already sky-high. Dealing with it was a hassle I didn't need.
"Hm... So the Murim Alliance delegation is too scared of a few black path scum to raise their flag?"
Perhaps stung by Blood Battle's mockery, Ak Byeongbi suddenly barked at the escorts up ahead. "Raise the banner!"
As the escorts planted the Alliance flag atop the carriage, Blood Battle shot me a smug grin. "No problem now, right?"
Sure, it was my fault for worrying about black path eyes. These guys live by their own rules, and somehow I'm the one in the wrong. Yeah, right!
As we crossed the city and approached the outskirts, the scenery gradually shifted. Homes and shops gave way to barren fields dotted with towering structures. They'd clearly built with the Murim Alliance in mind—flashy and modern in style.
Taller than the Alliance headquarters, even?
It felt odd comparing a fifty-year-old building to these brand-new ones, but the Saheukryeon's structures were undeniably grand and ornate. The surrounding buildings harmonized perfectly with the main ones.
Dang Seohee tilted her head at the sight. "That's peculiar. Why'd they build the wall halfway?"
She was right—the main gate and its surrounding wall were complete. But beyond that, no wall existed. It hardly served its purpose of dividing inside from out. With that setup, anyone could slip in from the sides or back without passing the gate.
The others shared her confusion, but I saw it differently. Who's in charge here?
Workers bustled around the other buildings, construction in full swing, while the wall area remained eerily quiet. It was likely designed for the Saheukryeon's potential expansion. No one knew how many black path folk might gather compared to the Alliance, so they'd prepared accordingly.
Setting up in Taiyuan of Shanxi Province, building auxiliary structures... They've got a real brains behind this.
A martial organization was just another institution at heart. The presence of a strategic mind could make or break its survival. Establishing systems, rules, and enforcing them—that was the universal challenge, orthodox or black path alike.
"We should head that way," one of the escorts said, pointing to the main gate after scouting the area.
A long line snaked in front of it. Had every black path group under heaven shown up? Five people manned the guest registry, but the queue barely budged.
We took our place at the end, behind a row of carriages. At first, no one paid us much mind, but once they spotted the Murim Alliance banner, whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Murim Alliance folks?"
"What're those hypocrites doing here?"
"Planning to cause a scene?"
"What? They dare wreck the Black Path Alliance?!"
I'd expected no warm welcome venturing into black path territory, but now outright hostility bubbled up openly.
"Still, it's impressive," Ilmyeong remarked, sounding genuinely awed by the orderly black path crowd despite the missing wall. "Orthodox or black path, people are people after all."
I had to agree—it was surprising. Weren't these the types who broke every rule in the book? Were they showing basic respect for their new central organization?
Curiosity burned, but asking outright wasn't an option. As I scanned the surroundings idly, the answer revealed itself.
"You damn fool! Can't you see the main gate?!"
Bam!
The moment someone bypassed the gate and stepped over the nonexistent wall into Saheukryeon grounds, a massive man in iron armor—built like Ak Byeongbi—sent the intruder flying with a pot-lid-sized fist. The fool soared ten zhang, crashed, and rolled several times before lying still, out cold.
His companions, cowed by the giant's dominance, slunk back to the line's end.
The hulking man crossed his arms and jabbed his chin at the fallen trespasser. "Anybody else wanna hop the wall? That's what'll happen."
Ah, so that was the secret to the order! And they treated the absent wall as if it were real—only visible to those with ill intent, apparently. No one was calling it out as missing.
I let out a small sigh of admiration while watching, but then the man, dusting off his massive hands, locked eyes with me.
"Huh? You?"
It was none other than Huang Busi of the Sahwangbong. We'd crossed paths when I smashed their gate during the Murim examinations.
"Black Flame Dragon!"
Huang Busi vaulted the imaginary barrier he'd just warned others against and strode toward me with huge steps. Wait—shouldn't he use the gate if he's enforcing it? Black path folks really do whatever they please.
As I shook my head, he threw his head back and roared with laughter. "Knew you'd show! Hahaha!"
Damn it, you invited us. The way he said it made it sound like I'd come on my own.
Forcing a smile, I asked after his well-being. "How've you been?"
"Busy as hell, no time to breathe."
"So you really went and formed the Black Path Alliance."
Huang Busi swept his gaze over my group, then slapped my shoulders heartily. "All thanks to you, Jin Sowoon!"
No, please! You're putting me in a tough spot—I'm with the Alliance delegation!
"Tone down the fake familiarity. People might misunderstand..."
As I muttered awkwardly, Huang Busi glanced at Ak Byeongbi—then rested a hand on my shoulder. "What's this? We've been through black path night travels and more together! The Black Path Alliance won't forget your contributions!"
Look at this guy—doing it on purpose. Ignoring my sigh, Huang Busi scanned the delegation, his face stiffening at Blood Battle and Lady Flame Ghost.
"Ah, no... How can elders like you be with him..."
Blood Battle chuckled dryly. "Long time no see. You've grown even taller."
"Y-yeah. I was just past ten back then."
The seemingly fearless Huang Busi tensed visibly. "Did you come with Jin Sowoon?"
"Yep. He guided us."
"......"
Huang Busi gave me a complicated look before bowing to Blood Battle. "I'll escort you right away."
Blood Battle glanced at our group. "Can they come too?"
"We're fine," I refused.
But Blood Battle wouldn't hear it. Fine, do what you want.
"......Yes, please do."
The onlookers, who'd eyed us with disdain, now stared with a mix of shock and envy. Huang Busi led us past the line, hopping the "wall" to keep others out.
His brazen attitude puzzled me. "Is jumping the wall allowed?"
Huang Busi tilted his head. "Wall? What wall?"
Didn't you just threaten to kill anyone who did...?
# We didn't receive a grand welcome upon entry, meet Saheukryeon's heavyweights, or greet the invited alliance leader.
The escorts with the tribute were assigned separate quarters, while our delegation was led to lodging nearest the main building. Were we VIPs? Or boxed in for containment?
Huang Busi showed us our rooms, then whisked Blood Battle and Lady Flame Ghost away elsewhere. They glanced back as they left.
"See you later."
"The young lady will miss you every night, young master."
......What nonsense was that? Contrary to my hope we'd never meet again, they spoke as if we'd reunite soon and departed.
At least the servants assigned us decent rooms: one for Dang Seohee alone, one for Ak Byeongbi, Ilmyeong, and me.
"To avoid inconvenience going out, we'll bring your meals directly," the servant said before leaving.
The entire Saheukryeon buzzed like a festival—drinking parties, gambling dens, brawls everywhere. Pre-foundation events were expected, but this level of revelry was unheard of in orthodox sects.
Orthodox sects viewed fighting at a host's home as grave disrespect. Considering everyone here was black path, our presence alone was like a thunderbolt.
That's why the servants offered room service.
But one person itched to go out—cheeks puffed in frustration.
"Why can't I join the party?"
Dang Seohee, of course. She was dying to dive into the drinking games. As if. Her eyes sparkled especially at the gambling and fights—more into thrills than booze, it seemed.
I'd hoped Ak Byeongbi would rein her in, but he just chugged the servants' booze without a word.
Aren't you worried about poison? Gods, what a headache.
I glared at him again until he finally spoke. "Do what you want. Just don't come back beaten."
"......"
He went right back to drinking. No help there.
As I shook my head, Dang Seohee raised her hand triumphantly, stone-faced. "Yay! I can go now?"
......I give up. The room service offer seemed a polite "stay put," but it wasn't forbidden.
The issue? Sending her alone spelled trouble. Not that she'd lose to anyone—but who she might crush worried me. Plus, after all this travel with no heroics or bandit-busting, she was a powder keg. Letting her loose felt like a parent's worst nightmare.
In the end, I stood to chaperone. The bald monk chanting sutras nearby rose too.
"......Coming along?"
"A prime chance to spread Buddha's will."
"......"
Ah, right. No place less receptive than this. He looked ready to burst with pride. Great.