2
4.
Although it was our first time on this path, neither the escorts nor we tried to find the way or specifically asked people where Saheukryeon was.
No, there wasn’t even a need to ask.
Because all the martial artists in Taewon were moving in one direction.
To be precise, all the guys who had “I am a bad guy” written all over their faces were moving in one direction.
Apart from our delegation, the White Path martial artists commonly seen in Wuhan or Henan Province could not be found.
of course.’……
“Our delegation cannot be considered a perfect example of White Path martial artists either,” I said, looking at the two people spoiling the atmosphere of our delegation.
“How about we part ways now?”
“Now, after all this time?”
Hyeoltu and Yeom Gwi-bi tilted their heads at my question as if finding it strange.
I explained it while trying my best to suppress the urge to furrow my brow.
“Now that we must raise the banner of the Murim Alliance as an envoy, wouldn’t it be awkward if the two of you were here?”
I’m fine.
The girl is fine, too.
“…….”
No, we’re not okay, we are!
Ak Byeong-bi seemed to share similar thoughts, as he had been frowning heavily since entering Taewon, looking as if he were a man with a gallbladder in his mouth.
You might wonder what it has to do with me that Akbyeongbi is displeased, but the karma accumulated between him and me is already two stories high.
I mean, it’s quite a hassle.
“Hmm… Is the Murim Alliance delegation unable to raise the flag merely because they are afraid of the gaze of those Black Dao bastards?”
Did they hear the sarcasm of a bloody battle?
Akbyeongbi, who was leading the way, suddenly shouted at the escorts.
“Plant the flag!”
As the escorts raised the Alliance flag on the carriage, Hyeol-du looked at me with a triumphant expression.
There shouldn’t be any problems now, right?
Right, it was my fault for expecting the Black Daoist to be considerate.
I’m a Dark Sage because I live however I please, so I was wrong. Yes, absolutely!
As we crossed the city of Taiyuan and headed toward the outskirts, the surrounding landscape began to gradually change.
Private houses and commercial buildings have disappeared, and buildings standing tall on a rather desolate plain are visible.
It appears to have been built quite lavishly using modern techniques, as if conscious of the Murim Alliance. ‘It looks taller than the Murim Alliance headquarters?’ Although it is strange to compare a building that is nearly fifty years old with one that has just been built, the Saheukryeon building is certainly splendid and magnificent beyond measure.
The surrounding buildings were also being constructed in harmony with the main building.
Dang Seo-hui tilted her head as she watched the scene.
“That’s peculiar. Why did you leave the wall unfinished?”
As she said, the main gate and the wall surrounding it had been built. However, beyond that, the wall did not exist.
It seemed difficult to use it for its original function of distinguishing the outside from the inside.
Given its shape, it means you don’t necessarily have to go through the main gate; you can enter from the back or the side.
Everyone else shared Dang Seo-hui’s thoughts, but I had a slightly different opinion. ‘Who on earth is it?’ While people were bustling about around the other buildings, clearly revealing that construction was still ongoing, the area around the wall was quiet.
This was likely done with the expansion potential of the Black Alliance in mind.
It seemed as though they were preparing for the time when it was unknown how many people would gather at the Black Alliance compared to the Murim Alliance. ‘From the fact that they settled in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, to the construction of surrounding buildings… … Ji-nang’
“Is there one?” An armed group is ultimately just like an organization.
The very duration of the organization will vary depending on whether or not there is someone acting as the leader.
Maintaining an organization by establishing systems and rules and exercising their coercive power.
Because it is a problem that must be solved equally, whether by White or Black.
I think it would be best to go over there for now.
The guard, who was surveying the area, pointed to the main gate.
Everyone was standing in a long line in front of the main gate.
As if every single dark sect in the world had gathered, there were as many as five people signing the guestbook, but the line did not move quickly.
We stood at the very end of the long line of carriages.
Those who had initially shown little interest in us began to whisper one by one upon seeing the Murim Alliance flag planted on the carriage.
Are you from the Murim Alliance?
“Why did those hypocrites come here?”
Are you planning to cause a scene?
“What? How dare the Black Dao Alliance cause trouble?!”
We expected from the start that we would not be welcomed since we were entering among the Black Sect, but after they noticed our presence, there were many who openly displayed hostility.
“Still, it is fascinating. To think everyone is standing in such a long line even without a wall. I guess White and Black are all the same people after all.”
Il-myeong spoke as if he were impressed by the unexpectedly orderly appearance of the Black Path.
I was also a bit surprised by that.
Weren’t these guys the type to break all the existing rules from the start?
Are they maintaining order, at least minimally, as a sign of respect for the group that will become their center?
Even though I was curious, I couldn’t bring myself to ask, so as I just looked around aimlessly, I unexpectedly found the answer.
“You damn bastard! Can’t you see the main gate over there!”
bang!
The moment someone ignored the main gate and stepped into the Black Alliance through the wallless area.
A man with a physique as massive as Akbyeongbi, clad in iron armor, with a fist the size of a pot lid, [attacks] a visitor(?)
I blew it away.
A visitor(?) who flew a whopping ten sheets, crashed into the floor, and rolled around several times.
He stopped moving as if he had lost his mind.
visitor(?)
The comrades who were about to enter the Black Alliance together were intimidated by the behavior of the overwhelming giant and quietly moved to the end of the procession.
A hulking man crossed his arms and pointed at the fallen man with the tip of his chin.
“Whoever you are, try climbing over the wall as you please! You’ll end up like that.”
Ah, so this was the secret to orderliness!
But seeing how they talk about a wall that doesn’t exist as if it does, it seems that wall is definitely visible to people with bad intentions.
You don’t say that everyone has no nerves, do you?
I was looking at that mess, marveling slightly.
A man who was shaking his hands, which were as big as pot lids, looked around and our eyes met.
“Huh? What about you?”
He is none other than Hwang Bu-sik of the Four Emperors’ Peak.
He was someone with whom I formed a connection while smashing the main gate of the Four Emperors’ Peak during the martial arts world’s official examination.
“Black Flame Dragon!”
Hwang Bu-sik told people not to come in—a fictional(?)
He easily jumped over the wall and strode toward me.
I mean, if he told others not to cross over carelessly, shouldn’t he be using the main gate himself?
Anyway, I tell you, those dark guys just live however they want.
While I shook my head, Hwang Bu-sik leaned back and started laughing loudly.
“I knew you’d come! Hahahaha!”
Damn it, you guys invited me.
The way you talk makes it feel like I came here of my own accord.
I forced a smile and asked how he was doing.
How have you been?
“I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a moment to breathe.”
So, this is how the Black Path Alliance was formed in the end.
Hwang Bu-sik, who had been groaning, suddenly looked around at my party and started patting our shoulders.
“It’s all your credit, Jin So-un!”
No, please!
I’m in a difficult position if you say things like that, because I’m a member of the Murim Alliance delegation.
“Please refrain from faking closeness. Doesn’t it cause people to misunderstand…?”
I murmur in a hushed voice.
For some reason, Hwang Bu-sik, who seems to have glanced at the Akbyeongbi, lightly places his hand on my shoulder.
“What is going on! Haven’t we been together through many things since the Night March of the Black Path? The Black Path Alliance will never forget your contributions!”
Ha, look at this. This guy is doing this on purpose.
Hwang Bu-sik, who had been surveying the members of the delegation regardless of whether I sighed or not, froze the moment he saw Hyeol-tu and Yeom Gwi-bi.
“Ah, no. How could the elders associate with these rascals…?”
Bloody Battle let out a hollow laugh.
“It’s been a while. You seem even taller than before.”
“Y-yes, that’s right. I had just turned ten back then.”
Hwang Bu-sik, who seemed fearless, looked noticeably nervous.
Did you perhaps come with Jin So-un?
“Yeah. This friend took charge of guiding us.”
At the words of bloody battle, Hwang Bu-sik looked at me with a complex gaze, then bowed towards bloody battle once again.
I will escort you immediately.
Bloody Battle scanned our group and asked.
“Can they go in with us as well?”
We are fine.
I refused, though.
I did not accept a bloody battle. Fine, do as you please.
“……
Yes, I will do so.
Those who had been looking at us unfavorably saw us with eyes mixed with half surprise and half envy.
Hwang Bu-sik stepped out of the rope and strode over the wall that prevented people from crossing carelessly, guiding us.
I was very puzzled by his uninhibited attitude.
“May I climb over this wall?”
Hwang Bu-sik tilts his head in response to my question.
“A wall? What wall?”
You said earlier that you would kill me if I climbed over the wall… … #As soon as I entered, I was greeted with a grand welcome and exchanged greetings with the senior members of the Black Alliance, and met the first leader… …
That did not happen.
The escorts who brought the goods were assigned separate accommodations, while our delegation was guided to the lodging closest to the main building.
Is it because we are important figures? Or are they trying to surround us just in case?
Hwang Bu-sik, who had guided us to our lodging, led Hyeol-ttu and Yeom Gwi-bi to another place.
Bloody Battle and Yeom Gwi-bi, who were walking, turn around.
See you later.
“I, your girl, will miss you, Young Master, every night.”… …
I feel like I heard something useless.
Contrary to my wish that we would never meet again, the two of them talked as if they would meet again soon and walked away.
Anyway, we were assigned a pretty decent room by the staff at the accommodation.
One room for Dang Seo-hui, a woman, to use alone, along with Ak Byeong-bi, Il-myeong, and one room for me to use.
It would be inconvenient for you to go out, so I will bring the food to you myself.
The servant said that and left the room.
Throughout the entire Black Alliance, drinking parties, gambling dens, and fights were breaking out everywhere, as if a banquet were taking place.
While it was natural to hold an event on the eve of the opening ceremony, the sight of people enjoying themselves to their heart’s content like this was a rare sight in the Baekdo Sect.
Basically, the Baekdo Sect considers going to an opponent’s sect to start a fight as an insult to the person who invited you.
In any case, considering that everyone gathered within the Black Alliance is a Black Daoist, our very existence is no different from a thunderbolt.
Knowing this, the servants must have offered to bring food and alcohol to the lodgings.
However, there were also those who wanted to leave.
With white cheeks puffed out… … .
“Why can’t I go out and enjoy the party?”
It is Dang Seo-hee.
She continued to want to join the drinking parties held within the Black Alliance.
Would that even work?
Judging by how his eyes light up especially when looking at gambling or fight scenes, it seems he is more interested in entertainment than alcohol.
Deep down, I hoped Ak Byeong-bi would stop him, but he seemed to have no intention of saying anything and was continuously drinking the alcohol brought by the servants.
I mean, how did they know the alcohol was poisoned, yet they’re drinking it so fearlessly?
Ugh, my head really hurts.
I glared at Akbyeongbi again, and he finally parted his lips.
Do as you please. Just don’t go somewhere and come back having been beaten up.
After saying that, Ak Byeong-bi kept drinking.
Let’s not even talk about it.
While I shook my head, Dang Seo-hui raised her hand with an expressionless face and shouted.
“Wow! Can I attend now?”… …
Now even I don’t know.
Judging by the fact that the servant even brought food, it seems like they were indirectly telling us not to go out.
Well, if you think about it the other way around, it’s not like they were telling me not to go out.
but.
The problem is that I don’t know what kind of trouble might arise if Dang Seo-hee is sent out alone.
Of course, I am not worried about Dang Seo-hee being harmed by someone.
It’s just that I’m worried about who will get beaten by Dang Seo-hee.
Besides, coming all the way here, we ended up not being able to play the swordsman or the mountain hideout.
It is a situation akin to the extreme anxiety of parents who are unsure what kind of games a child, who is literally on the verge of exploding, might play outside.
Eventually, I got up from my seat to take on the role of monitoring Dang Seo-hui.
Then, a bald man who had been chanting on one side stands up along with him.
Are you planning to go together?
“Isn’t this a better opportunity than ever to spread the Buddha’s teachings?”
Ah, that’s right.
There is probably no place where the Buddha’s will does not prevail as much as here.
I’m so proud I feel like I’m going to die. Seriously.
