Chapter 38

Chapter 38
## Chapter: 38

### Chapter Title: Black Wolf (1)

—

The security surrounding the Secret Dragon Pavilion was every bit as rigorous as that of the patriarch’s own estate.

Deep into the darkness of the night, the lanterns within the Secret Dragon Pavilion—the central hub for all intelligence gathered by the Hahu Clan—remained brightly lit.

“Father.”

Hahu Jong spoke softly to Hahu Seung, the Master of the Secret Dragon Pavilion, who was currently confined to a wheelchair and buried under a massive pile of scrolls and reports.

“What is it?”

“The Deputy Pavilion Master sent this over. It contains the finalized roster of contestants for the upcoming martial arts competition.”

Hahu Seung’s gaze turned icy as he scanned the names on the document in silence.

“Nangong Hak, Tang Cheol Yeong, Ak Yi Do, Paeng Ha Gyun, Yeong Ho Gyeol… It seems they have decided to show their hands after all.”

A flash of resentment crossed Hahu Seung’s features as he balled up the paper in his fist.

“Is this the complication you were anticipating?”

Hahu Jong inquired.

“It is. It appears they are fully committed to sabotaging our martial tournament.”

“What is our course of action? I spoke with Uncle, and he mentioned that Yeon-i is still adamant about not taking part in the event.”

Detecting the trace of bitterness in his son’s voice, Hahu Seung let out a weary breath.

“He remains incapable of grasping the reasoning behind his father’s choice.”

“Perhaps because you never bothered to clarify it to him.”

Hahu Jong’s expression made it clear that he was waiting for that very clarification now.

Just as Hahu Seung offered a faint, tired smile and prepared to explain, the chamber door was flung open, bringing with it a rush of freezing air.

Hahu Jong’s face contorted with indignation at the sheer audacity of someone intruding upon the Secret Dragon Pavilion Master’s private quarters—a sanctum respected even by the clan leader.

However, Hahu Seung recognized the newcomer instantly. He instinctively tried to stand, though his legs had been paralyzed since a tragic incident more than ten years prior.

Hahu Gok entered the room with a confident stride and took a seat directly across from the Master, waving a hand dismissively.

“Forget the protocols. Make yourself easy.”

“It has been quite some time, Great-Uncle.”

Hahu Seung offered a respectful bow from his chair. Hahu Jong followed suit, showing deep deference.

“I offer my greetings to the Ancestor Grandfather.”

“Yes, yes. It has been a while for the both of you.”

Hahu Gok gave a brief nod, his eyes narrowing as he studied Hahu Seung.

“I have come because there are matters I wish to discuss with you.”

“Jong-ah, please grant us the room for a moment,” Hahu Seung directed his son.

Though a spark of suspicion flickered in his eyes, Hahu Jong obeyed without a word and exited the chamber.

Hahu Gok watched the young man leave, a tiny smirk touching the corner of his mouth.

“That boy… compared to some others, his gaze is remarkably clear. I find it agreeable.”

“He still has a long way to go, Great-Uncle,” Hahu Seung replied with a small smile. No father could truly hide his satisfaction at hearing his child praised, particularly by a figure as legendary as Hahu Gok. His pride was visible despite his modesty.

“Lacking? Nonsense. He is more than capable. What is his age now?”

“He turned twenty this year.”

“Twenty. The primary branch has produced a fine specimen. To have such control over his internal energy at that age is impressive.”

“You flatter him too much.”

Hahu Seung bowed again, his face twitching with emotion.

“But tell me, why have you settled on Yeon-i of all people?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Do not play the fool with me. Speak. You have your own son, and the main family is full of promising youths. Why drag Yeon-i out, the one the clan has treated like a ghost for years?”

“That would be…”

“And do not blame the clan head. I am well aware this was your strategy.”

Seeing the sharp, uncompromising glint in Hahu Gok’s eyes, Hahu Seung realized that deflection was useless.

“I did propose the idea, it is true. However, the final decree came from my father.”

“That old mule who would die before staining the family name?”

Hahu Seung smiled thinly at Hahu Gok’s skepticism, then his demeanor turned grave.

“It is precisely to save the family’s reputation that we are doing this.”

Hahu Gok tilted his head, his confusion evident.

“I fail to see the logic. Why thrust an unproven boy like Yeon-i into the heat of the tournament?”

“Because I believe he possesses the necessary prowess. Would you disagree?”

Hahu Gok remained silent at the counter-question.

“The Nangong Clan is sending their people. In fact, every one of the four great clans, excluding the Zhuge Clan, is participating. Even the Yeongho Clan is involved.”

“What of it? Their presence only adds prestige to the gathering.”

Unlike Hahu Gok, who seemed unbothered, Hahu Seung’s expression remained rigid.

“They aren’t coming to add prestige, as you suggest. They aren’t here to make the tournament better.”

“Then what is their goal?”

“They are coming to bring shame upon the main house.”

The weight of Hahu Seung’s words finally registered with Hahu Gok.

“They are sending their elite.”

“Precisely. And these are not mere disciples.”

Hahu Seung’s voice rose with a hint of suppressed fury.

“The Nangong Clan is fielding a youth named Nangong Hak. He is nineteen, virtually unknown to the public, but the Secret Dragon Pavilion’s intel suggests he is the most gifted of the Nangong’s younger generation.”

Hahu Gok’s brow furrowed.

“I was under the impression that the heir apparent was the firstborn, Nangong Hwang.”

“That is what they want the world to believe. And while he is talented, my reports indicate Nangong Hak is on another level. Some say he even outshines the Sword Saint at the same age—the same Sword Saint who turned the martial world upside down in his youth.”

“Is that so!”

A sharp exhale escaped Hahu Gok, his interest visibly piqued.

“What is his tie to the Sword Saint?”

“He is his youngest child.”

“It figures. A tiger does not sire a dog. But it is peculiar. A son of the Sword Saint cannot be hidden easily. Why have I never heard his name?”

“He was born to a concubine, not the legal wife. The Sword Saint encountered a woman while traveling years ago and…”

“Well, well. A story I have heard before.”

Hahu Gok barked out a dry, mirthless laugh.

“Unlike our Yeon-i, who is treated as a pariah, this Nangong Hak seems to be highly valued. So, the Nangong’s finest blood is entering the fray? To crush our own kin?”

“Yes. And it isn’t just the Nangong. The Tang Clan, the Northern Paeng Clan, and the Shandong Ak Clan are all sending their brightest stars.”

“Then you are right; their intentions are transparent.”

Hahu Gok nodded slowly. He remembered that months ago, during the vote for the Martial Alliance leadership, the Hahu Clan had supported the candidate from the Nine Great Sects instead of the one backed by the Five Great Clans.

“Is this retaliation for the Martial Alliance incident?”

“That is my assessment.”

“They must be seething. They likely assumed our support was guaranteed. There is no sting quite like the sting of perceived betrayal. Even so, to ruin a celebration over a lost seat of power is pathetic. They are dragging the reputation of the Five Great Clans through the mud.”

Suddenly, Hahu Gok looked skeptical.

“The Sword Saint I remember would never permit such a petty scheme.”

“He has been in deep meditation for four months now.”

“Tsk, those idiots. Do they have no fear of what he will do when he finishes his seclusion?”

Hahu Gok clicked his tongue in annoyance, then turned his gaze back to Hahu Seung.

“And your answer to all of this is Yeon-i?”

“It is.”

“Give me a reason.”

“When you first brought the young Yeon-i into the fold, I suspected there was a greater purpose. From my seat as Pavilion Master, I have kept a close watch on him for years. It is a bitter pill to swallow, but none of the youths in the main family can match Yeon-i’s strength.”

“Your own son is quite formidable.”

“He is. But I am convinced Yeon-i is the superior fighter. And I am not the only one who thinks so.”

“Who else… Ah. The clan head?”

“Indeed. I only discovered this recently, but Father has been aware of Yeon-i’s capability for a long time. To be more specific, his potential is staggering. Father said it is only logical that the top talent of our generation was the one raised personally by your hand.”

It was a masterful blend of flattery and logic.

“You are a pair of silver-tongued foxes.”

Hahu Seung offered a humble, knowing smile.

“Please, Great-Uncle. Stand with us. Our honor is on the line. Yeon-i has agreed to fight, but only if you give your blessing.”

“I am aware.”

“I implore you, Great-Uncle.”

Hahu Seung bowed his head repeatedly in a desperate show of sincerity.

Observing Hahu Seung’s unwavering dedication to the clan, despite his physical limitations and the confines of his wheelchair, Hahu Gok felt a surge of both respect and sympathy.

In truth, he had no intention of saying no.

The decision for Hahu Yeon to participate had already been finalized—a fact neither Hahu Seung nor the boy himself yet realized.

“Very well. But I have a condition of my own.”

Hahu Seung’s eyes lit up with hope.

“Anything. Just name it.”

“I am told the signup period for the contest has already passed.”

“That is true. Due to the high volume of applicants, we conducted basic screenings and closed the lists.”

“So, adding a name is impossible?”

Hahu Seung’s intellect, always sharp, immediately divined Hahu Gok’s meaning.

“No. There is always room for an exception.”

“Excellent. Then you will add one more name to the list. I will give my personal word on his ability, so there is no need for your tests.”

“And who might this person be?”

Hahu Seung asked, his curiosity piqued.

“That is not for you to know. And I am giving you a fair warning: do not go digging into his background.”

The casual tone of the remark held a lethally sharp edge.

“I… I understand.”

“Just ensure he is in the tournament. He will prove to be a massive asset to the family—and perhaps a necessary wake-up call for that prideful, sheltered Yeon-i.”

Hahu Gok left behind a small scrap of paper with a single name written on it. With a cryptic grin, he turned and walked out of the pavilion.

“Black Wolf?”

The name was completely foreign to him.

Hahu Seung’s instincts as an information gatherer began to itch.

He stared at the name for a long time before letting out a sigh and turning the paper over. Despite his burning desire to know more, he knew better than to ignore a direct warning from Hahu Gok.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

At the crack of dawn the following morning, after finishing the slaughter of several dozen livestock, Sima Geon stripped off his bloody apron. His appearance had already begun to shift.

His cheekbones had become sharp and prominent, and a jagged scar now ran down his left cheek.

“Ah! Is that the Golden Fox Bandit Lair look?”

Cheol Woo recognized the disguise immediately; it was the same face Sima Geon had utilized when he dismantled that bandit group.

“You think this is enough to keep my identity hidden?”

“It’s hard to say. Someone might notice a resemblance if they look too close.”

“Hmm, you think?”

Sima Geon scowled, rubbing his altered face.

“If you’re that worried, why not just change into someone else?”

“I’m not practiced enough. The Bone Shrinking Art has its limits when it comes to total transformation.”

“Forget it. Who’s going to link the winner of a grand tournament to a couple of butchers like us? Don’t overthink it—just go out there and break them.”

“Break… them?”

Sima Geon looked at him with a flat expression, but Cheol Woo just shrugged.

“They’re probably so soft that a stiff breeze would knock them over. You’ll have to be careful not to kill them by accident. Honestly, I’d be bored to tears in your shoes.”

Sima Geon couldn’t help but laugh at Cheol Woo’s bluntness.

“Fair point. Anyway, I’m heading out. Keep things running smoothly here.”

“Don’t worry about this place. I’ll drop by to see the show once the morning rush dies down. Oh, and don’t go making the name Black Wolf look bad, you hear? Hahaha!”

Cheol Woo erupted into a loud, youthful laugh that seemed out of place in his massive frame, finding it hilarious that Sima Geon was competing under the moniker of the wolf he had trained during his time in the Divine Demon Division.

Sima Geon threw a dirty rag at his laughing friend and began his slow walk toward the exit.

His path led straight to the Grand Martial Grounds, the stage where the tournament was set to begin.