Chapter 224

Chapter 224
The Envoy Delegation assigned to Tae-won proceeded toward the Black Thought Alliance.

Though we had never traveled this path, neither we nor our escorts needed to request directions to the Black Thought Alliance. There was, in truth, no requirement to inquire. Every martial artist within Tae-won was traveling in the same direction. To be precise, every individual who wore their criminality plainly on their features was heading toward the same destination. Aside from our own group, there was no sign of the standard Orthodox Path martial artists typically encountered in regions like Wuhan or Henan Province.

Naturally, our own delegation could hardly be considered a perfect representation of the Orthodox Path either. I glanced at the two figures sullying our group’s reputation and suggested,

“Shouldn’t we start going our separate ways soon?”

“At a moment like this?”

At my inquiry, Blood Battle and Flame Ghost Consort tilted their heads as though they found my suggestion peculiar. I tried to smooth the furrow in my brow and explained,

“We are now operating as an Envoy Delegation under the banner of the Murim Alliance. Wouldn’t it be rather awkward if the two of you remained with us?”

“I have no objections.”

“This maiden is also perfectly content.”

“…….”

No, we are not content. We are certainly not!

Ak Byeong-bi must have harbored similar sentiments, as he had been scowling deeply since we arrived in Tae-won, looking much like a man forced to keep bitter bile in his mouth. One might wonder why Ak Byeong-bi’s mood concerned me, but the tension between us was already significant. In short, it was highly problematic.

“Hmm… Is a Murim Alliance Envoy Delegation unable to display its banner because it fears the gazes of some common Black Path rogues?”

Did he overhear Blood Battle’s mockery? Ak Byeong-bi, who had been riding ahead, abruptly shouted to our escorts,

“Raise the flag!”

As the attendants unfurled the Alliance’s standard above the carriage, Blood Battle looked at me with a smirk of triumph.

“That should resolve the issue, shouldn’t it?”

Right, it was my error to expect decorum from a Black Path adherent. They lived entirely by their own whims. It was my fault for expecting otherwise. Yes, indeed.

As we passed through Tae-won and reached the outskirts, the landscape gradually shifted. Residential homes and storefronts vanished, replaced by structures looming over a stark field. Seemingly cognizant of the Murim Alliance, the architecture appeared quite grand and modern.

‘It looks more imposing than the Murim Alliance’s main headquarters, doesn’t it?’

It was odd to compare a structure built nearly half a century ago—even if it were considered novel at the time—to one freshly completed. Regardless, the Black Thought Alliance’s facility was undeniably magnificent. The neighboring structures were also being designed to complement the primary edifice.

Dang Seo-hui, observing the scene, tilted her head.

“How strange. Why did they halt construction on the wall?”

As she noted, the main gate and the surrounding perimeter were complete, but beyond that, no walls stood. It seemed ill-suited for the standard function of a wall, which was to delineate the interior from the exterior. Given its design, one could easily approach from the sides or rear without passing through the gate. While the others seemed to ponder the same, I held a slightly different perspective.

‘Who, exactly, is behind this?’

Construction crews were busy around the other buildings, indicating ongoing work. The area around the perimeter, however, was silent. They had likely planned for the Black Thought Alliance’s future expansion. Since they could not predict how many adherents would eventually congregate here compared to the Murim Alliance, it seemed they had built with future capacity in mind.

‘The choice of Tae-won in Shanxi Province, combined with the layout of the surrounding buildings… do they have a strategist?’

An armed organization is essentially a singular institution. Depending on whether there is a capable leader, the survival of the group is determined. Establishing systems, enforcing regulations, and maintaining the order—these were universal challenges, whether for the Orthodox Path or the Black Path.

“It would be best to head over there first.”

Our escort pointed toward the main gate. A long queue had formed in front of it. It appeared as though every Black Path criminal in the land had converged here. Despite five clerks processing the guest register, the line barely moved.

We took our position at the back. Initially, the crowd paid us little mind, but upon spotting the Murim Alliance flag, whispers erupted.

“Are they from the Murim Alliance?”

“Why have those hypocrites come here?”

“Are they planning to stir up trouble?”

“What? They would dare provoke the Black Path Alliance?!”

I had anticipated a cold reception given our entry among Black Path followers, but the hostility became palpable once they noticed us.

“Still, it is intriguing. Despite the lack of a wall, everyone is maintaining such an orderly line. I suppose people are the same, regardless of their Path.”

Il-myeong remarked as if impressed by this unexpected display of discipline. I found it surprising as well. These were people who thrived by flouting conventions. Could they be maintaining order out of respect for the organization that was to become their hub? Curiosity piqued, I observed the scene until the answer became apparent.

“You damned fool! Can’t you see the main gate over there?!”

BOOM!

The moment someone bypassed the gate, stepping into the grounds where no wall existed, a man as massive as Ak Byeong-bi—clad in iron armor—struck the intruder with a fist the size of a cauldron lid. The visitor flew an astonishing ten zhang before slamming into the earth, rolling to a halt, completely unconscious. His companions, who had intended to follow him, turned pale at the giant’s display and silently moved to the back of the line.

The massive man crossed his arms and pointed at the fallen victim with his chin.

“Any other bastard who tries to climb over the wall, do it as you please! You will end up just like him.”

Ah, so this was the secret to their orderliness! Because he spoke of a non-existent wall as though it were solid, it seemed that the barrier was clearly visible to those with wicked intentions.

As I quietly admired the absurd scene, the man wiped his massive hands, scanned the area, and locked eyes with me.

“Hm? You are?”

It was none other than Hwang Bu-sik of Four Emperors Peak. We had crossed paths during the Murim Regular Exam, back when I had demolished the main gate of Four Emperors Peak.

“Black Flame Dragon!”

Hwang Bu-sik strode toward me, casually stepping through the imaginary wall he had just warned others against crossing. If he told others not to enter recklessly, shouldn’t he have used the gate himself? Truly, Black Path followers did exactly as they pleased. As I shook my head, Hwang Bu-sik leaned back and roared with laughter.

“As expected, I knew you would show up! Wahahahaha!”

Damn it, you were the ones who extended the invitation. Hearing him put it that way made it seem as though I had arrived on my own initiative. I forced a smile and inquired,

“Have you been well?”

“Well? I have been so occupied I could barely keep my eyes open.”

“So you actually established a Black Path Alliance like this.”

Hwang Bu-sik, who had been grumbling about his duties, glanced at my companions and began thumping my shoulder.

“This is entirely your accomplishment, Jin So-un!”

Please, stop.

Such comments put me in a precarious position. I am part of the Murim Alliance’s Envoy Delegation.

“Please refrain from acting as if we are close. People will draw the wrong conclusions……”

I muttered in a near whisper. For some reason, Hwang Bu-sik glanced at Ak Byeong-bi before resting his hand on my shoulder again.

“What is this? Have we not endured various trials together since the Black Path Night March? The Black Path Alliance will not forget your contributions!”

Ha, look at this. He is doing it intentionally.

Regardless of my internal sighing, Hwang Bu-sik scanned our delegation, his expression stiffening the moment he saw Blood Battle and Flame Ghost Consort.

“Ah, no. Seniors, how is it that you are with these people……”

Blood Battle chuckled hollowly.

“It has been a long time. You seem to have grown quite a bit since we last met.”

“T-that is true. Back then, I had barely turned ten.”

Hwang Bu-sik, who seemed to fear nothing, looked visibly uneasy.

“Did you, by any chance, arrive with Jin So-un?”

“Indeed. This friend took charge of guiding our way.”

“…….”

At Blood Battle’s words, Hwang Bu-sik gave me a complicated look before bowing deeply to them.

“I will escort you inside immediately.”

Blood Battle glanced at our group and asked,

“May they enter with us as well?”

“We are fine.”

I declined, but Blood Battle ignored me. Fine, do whatever you like.

“……Yes, let us do that.”

The onlookers, who had viewed us with resentment, now cast glances mixed with astonishment and envy. Hwang Bu-sik left the line and strode over the wall that had barred others, guiding us inside. His fearless conduct left me thoroughly perplexed.

“Is it truly alright to cross this wall?”

At my question, Hwang Bu-sik simply tilted his head.

“Wall? What wall?”

Weren’t you just threatening to kill anyone who crossed it……?

Once inside, we received a grand welcome, exchanged pleasantries with senior figures of the Black Thought Alliance, and met the first Alliance Leader—which did not actually happen. The escorts were directed to separate quarters, while our delegation was guided to lodging near the main building. Was it because we were significant figures, or was it a plan to surround us?

Hwang Bu-sik, having shown us to our quarters, led Blood Battle and Flame Ghost Consort elsewhere. As they departed, they turned back.

“I will see you later.”

“This maiden shall miss you every night, Young Master.”

……I felt as if I had just heard something entirely useless.

Despite my hopes that we would never encounter one another again, the pair moved off, speaking as if our reunion were imminent. In any case, our quarters were reasonably comfortable. Dang Seo-hui, as the only woman, was given her own room, while Ak Byeong-bi, Il-myeong, and I shared the other.

“It may be inconvenient to venture out, so we will bring meals directly to you,” the attendant said before leaving.

Throughout the Black Thought Alliance, the atmosphere was like a festival; drinking parties, gambling, and brawls were erupting everywhere. It was customary to host events on the eve of a Founding Ceremony, but such unrestrained chaos was not something witnessed within an Orthodox Path sect. Generally, the Orthodox Path maintained that starting fights at another sect’s grounds was an insult to the host. Given that the inhabitants here were all Black Path adherents, our very presence was akin to a primed explosive. Knowing this, the staff likely suggested bringing food to keep us sequestered.

However, someone else had other plans.

With her pale cheeks puffed out in annoyance……

“Why am I not allowed to go out and enjoy the feast?”

It was Dang Seo-hui.

She kept insisting on joining the revelry taking place within the complex. As if that could be permitted. Seeing the way her eyes sparkled whenever she spotted the gambling tables or the fighting, she seemed far more interested in the chaos than the alcohol.

Inwardly, I hoped Ak Byeong-bi would intercede, but he showed no sign of stopping her, instead focusing on drinking the alcohol the attendants had provided. No, how could he know they hadn’t laced it with poison? Why was he drinking so fearlessly?

Haa, my head is throbbing. Truly.

I glared at Ak Byeong-bi, who finally spoke.

“Do as you like. Just don’t go out and come back beaten.”

“…….”

After that, he resumed drinking. Forget attempting a conversation. Just forget it.

As I shook my head, Dang Seo-hui raised a hand, looking blankly satisfied as she shouted,

“Wow! Now I can join in?”

……Now even I was at a loss.

The attendants had said they would provide food, which was a subtle way of telling us to stay put. Then again, they hadn’t explicitly forbidden us from leaving. The problem was that if I let Dang Seo-hui wander alone, I couldn’t predict the catastrophe that might ensue. I wasn’t worried that something would happen to her; I was worried about the damage she would inflict on others. Furthermore, she hadn’t managed to play the chivalrous hero or terrorize a mountain stronghold on the way here.

She was a girl with energy on the verge of exploding, and I had no idea what games she would invent outside. It was akin to a parent too anxious to let their child wander alone. In the end, I stood up to assume the role of her guardian.

Then, the monk who had been chanting prayers on the side rose to join me.

“……Are you planning to accompany us?”

“Is this not the perfect opportunity to propagate the Buddha’s will?”

“…….”

Ah, right.

There was likely no place on earth less receptive to the Buddha’s will than this one. I feel so proud I could perish. Truly.