Chapter 1084: Scorched World.

The events of the first day of initiation weren’t much. There was no training, and since we were scheduled to have an adjustment period for about a week, there was nothing on the schedule.

Since we hadn’t even been assigned dormitories yet, it was truly just the state of having joined.

They said the martial attire for the Blue Dragon Corps would be issued three days later. That meant during the meantime, we’d be treated like chicks, allowed to show our faces only occasionally.

The first day was especially so.

As if to celebrate the newcomers’ initiation, a banquet was held under the command of Sword Lord Blue Flame.

Naturally, the newcomers were attending as a whole.

It meant that unless they had missions, all other members were also scheduled to attend.

Ahahahah-!!

Loud noises lingered in the center of the prepared banquet hall. Amidst the bustling atmosphere, I had to stare at the seat of honor with a somewhat grimacing face.

Ahahahahahah–!!!!

Everything is good.

The banquet is good, and anything else is good too, but…

‘…Who is that person?’

I had to look at someone with a face like I’d just eaten shit.

An old man was chatting intimately with the Sword Lord at the seat of honor.

Looking at him, I was speechless.

“I truly didn’t expect you, Elder, to come visit like this.”

As Sword Lord Blue Flame spoke with a smile, the old man smiled slightly.

“It’s good to see your face looking so bright after such a long time.”

“I’ve aged too. Thank you even just for your words.”

The old man, seemingly close with the Sword Lord, was talking to him in a condescending manner.

Perhaps because he was there, not only the fellow disciples but also those attending had to breathe carefully.

It couldn’t be helped.

It’s because the old man was one of the Central Plains’ Skies.

His alias was Hegemon King.

That damn old geezer came here.

---

“Haha!”

While the Sword Lord and Hegemon King were conversing.

“…Why is Hegemon King here?”

“It really is Hegemon King?”

Those attending the banquet were all busy looking at the old geezer. It was natural. He was one of the peaks of the Central Plains’ orthodox factions.

Only three people.

How often would one get to see the peak of martial artists, known as the Sky and the End, so up close?

He was a distinguished guest one couldn’t see just anywhere.

‘Why are you here?’

Why was such a precious individual unexpectedly intruding on the Blue Dragon Corps’ banquet? I couldn’t understand it at all.

‘I was really fucking surprised.’

As soon as I entered, I was so surprised. Hegemon King was suddenly sitting at the seat of honor, and I froze like a stone.

According to Sword Lord Blue Flame, an esteemed person had come to congratulate the newcomers.

‘That’s hilarious.’

It was a nonsensical statement.

How could I not know Hegemon King’s personality? That guy wasn’t the type to do something like that.

Excluding martial arts, he pays attention to nothing else. That fellow lives obsessed solely with achieving mastery in his martial arts, yet he’s that old geezer…

‘Congratulations? Don’t even make me laugh.’

What congratulations? The reason he came here is obvious.

‘It’s because of me.’

It must be to see me.

‘I thought I could just let this slide.’

Did Hegemon King have no intention of giving up? Indeed. I knew better than anyone that he wasn’t someone who gave up easily.

‘I didn’t know he’d go this far.’

Who would have known he’d abruptly join the banquet? Thanks to that, just as I was trying to grab some food amidst the uncomfortable atmosphere.

“Baek, fellow disciple.”

Do-yun, who was beside me picking up and eating something, called me.

Without answering, I glanced over.

“…Hegemon King is here.”

“I can tell by looking.”

“It seems he came to see you, doesn’t he?”

“…”

I couldn’t deny it. No, it was impossible. Because no one in this place believed the bullshit that he came to congratulate the newcomers.

The rumor had already spread right after.

It was the point when the fact that Hegemon King intended to take me as a disciple had spread throughout the entire Martial Arts Alliance. And at that point, Hegemon King appearing was predictable.

Because everyone knew all that, I could feel gazes occasionally glancing at me while looking at Hegemon King.

I ignored this too.

‘Haa.’

It’s messed up. Severely messed up.

Why did that person have to get involved and bother me?

Tsk. The moment I looked at Hegemon King while clicking my tongue briefly.

“……!”

He too happened to be looking at me. Our gazes met, and my body stiffened slightly. In that moment.

Pishik.

Suddenly, Hegemon King smirked while looking at me. What’s with that annoying smirk?

It was extremely unsettling. Given that old geezer’s personality, making that kind of expression meant he had some scheme brewing.

What is it? Why is he acting like that? Why is he really acting like that?

Just as my anxiety was soaring.

“You.”

Hegemon King suddenly said, pointing at someone. It wasn’t me.

“Yes? Yes, Elder…”

The one he pointed to was surprisingly So-yi. So-yi, who was sitting near our area due to her lower rank, jumped in surprise at Hegemon King’s call.

Hegemon King glanced at her and lightly scanned her with his eyes.

Anyone looking might think he was teasing a pretty lady with his eyes, but…

‘He was just checking.’

That guy probably just confirmed whether she was a useful person, and that was it.

“So it’s you.”

“Yes…?”

“Plum Blossom Immortal. The disciple that old geezer took in during his later years. Right?”

“…Ah.”

Hearing this, So-yi widened her eyes and nodded.

“That’s correct. My name is So-yi…”

“Hmm.”

He showed a strange reaction, then soon smirked.

“You’re capable. The old geezer gained a decent disciple in his later years.”

“…! Thank you…!”

So-yi laughed happily at Hegemon King’s praise.

“Oh…”

“Hiyah…”

Her laughter was quite beautiful, as the guys nearby couldn’t help but admire it.

She certainly was pretty.

Of course, from my perspective, it was rather indifferent.

So, as I was trying to eat more food.

“Excuse me, Elder.”

Someone suddenly approached Hegemon King and started talking. When I looked, wondering who it was.

‘Damn.’

It was the Sword King… no, Sword Dragon Namgung Jin. He casually approached Hegemon King and spoke to him.

Hegemon King looked at Sword Dragon.

“Hmm.”

He frowned slightly upon seeing Namgung Jin.

“You are…”

“I am Namgung Jin of the Namgung family. I have heard much about you from my grandfather.”

“…”

Grandfather. At that word, Hegemon King scanned Namgung Jin with sharp eyes.

“So you’re the grandson of Heavenly Venerate.”

Heavenly Venerate (天尊).

That’s right. Namgung Jin was Heavenly Venerate’s grandson. It was a fact I had momentarily forgotten.

“That’s correct. If it wouldn’t be impolite, I wanted to ask if I might dare to pour you a drink…”

“No need.”

His interest waned. Such emotion was clearly visible in Hegemon King’s eyes.

“However…”

“Heavenly Venerate doesn’t seem to have such good luck.”

“…!”

It was a completely different assessment compared to So-yi.

It was the complete opposite, and hearing this, Namgung Jin’s face faltered.

“Go back. I don’t particularly enjoy liquor poured by others.”

“…Understood.”

Namgung Jin left with a crestfallen expression. Watching Namgung Jin like that, I had to scratch my cheek.

‘…This isn’t entirely easy either.’

It felt like seeing the Sword King’s shameful secrets from his youth. It wasn’t enjoyable. Since the person involved wasn’t just anyone, it was somewhat unpleasant.

The problem here is.

“So.”

Hegemon King called me in this situation.

“Come here and try pouring it.”

“…Yes?”

Hegemon King said, looking at me. At his words, I grimaced.

“Didn’t you hear?”

“No, I think I heard you fine. But it’s a really strange thing to say.”

“Why? I’m just asking you to come pour some liquor.”

“Didn’t you just say you don’t enjoy liquor poured by others?”

“That’s right.”

“Then why…”

“Because you’re not ‘others’.”

“Wh-?”

I wondered what that meant.

“Wouldn’t liquor poured by a disciple be a bit different?”

Hegemon King smiled and spat out ridiculous bullshit. At his words, everyone nearby gulped.

I was dumbfounded and let out a hollow laugh.

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

At Hegemon King’s words, I said with a sigh.

“Yes.”

“…!”

The surroundings were surprised once again. To immediately refuse the words of the Hegemon King of the world.

“It’s because I don’t like pouring liquor for others.”

“Ha.”

Kkigigig.

The table shook with one laugh from Hegemon King. My body trembled slightly from the pressure. Had I crossed the line slightly? Just as anxiety rose, wondering if Hegemon King might cause an incident.

“As expected, you’re an interesting guy.”

After saying that, the pressure seemed to die down and disappear.

And then, Hegemon King rose from the table where he had been sitting.

“Right, this is more like it. Isn’t it boring if you just give in immediately?”

“No… I didn’t have any intention of giving in from the start.”

“Since I’ve seen your face, it’s enough. I’ll come again next time.”

“Come again? Don’t you dare… Ah, screw it.”

Hegemon King disappeared again before I could even finish speaking. It was instantaneous.

As Hegemon King disappeared, the banquet hall was enveloped in a great silence.

Because he really just disappeared like that.

Everyone present was flustered and couldn’t say a word. Meanwhile, the Sword Lord seemed to be holding back laughter, snickering.

That guy didn’t seem normal either.

So, being dumbfounded, I was looking at the spot where Hegemon King had been.

I felt a gaze from behind.

I turned my head. Because I wondered who was staring so intensely.

“…”

As expected. In the direction I looked, there was someone glaring at me as if they wanted to kill me.

It was Namgung Jin, who had just been thoroughly crushed by Hegemon King.

‘Ah.’

Seeing that, I became certain. Definitely, that guy was Namgung Trash… no, the father of Namgung Cheon-jun.

Furthermore. Looking at his blue eyes tinged with heat.

‘…This looks like it’s going to get troublesome?’

It seemed like something was bound to happen soon.