Chapter 310: Vigo of the Dragon. (1)

Sasasik.

A quiet atmosphere surrounded the night.

The season was still winter, but.

Rather than the cold, a sharp killing intent enveloped the vicinity.

Hanam.

Dark storm clouds were gradually approaching the Hanam area.

“Kkullkkull…”

In the midst of a dense, ink-black fog, a white-haired old man chuckled.

His voice was cracked and rough, and a large sword scar remained on his neck.

The old man’s sobriquet was.

Black Dragon Sword (Heukryonggeom).

The first to unify the unorthodox sects.

Who started from Sichuan and attempted to conquer the Central Plains.

A past master and warrior.

“So this is Hanam.”

In the distance, buildings emitting bright light could be seen.

The territory of the League and Shaolin.

A place that could be called the heart of the orthodox sects.

Hanam Province.

Black Dragon Sword continued to chuckle as he looked at Hanam Province.

How much had he missed it.

And how much had he longed for it.

The day he would set foot on this land himself.

“Taeju.”

Behind Black Dragon Sword, a man appeared and knelt on one knee.

Then, he took out a letter and handed it to Black Dragon Sword.

“A letter has arrived for Taeju.”

“They sent it quickly; it seems they’re waiting eagerly.”

It was likely a letter from the one who summoned him here.

Their haste could be felt in their actions.

It seemed they had provoked something, or perhaps…

He wondered if a problem concerning the young one’s origins was arising.

Black Dragon Sword opened the letter and checked its contents.

Then he tucked it back into his robes.

He turned around and spoke.

“Set up camp. It seems we’ll have to wait for a while.”

“Understood!”

At Black Dragon Sword’s command, those hidden in the fog moved quickly.

Since they were right at the edge of the League’s territory.

There was a risk of being discovered if they weren’t careful, but.

Black Dragon Sword wasn’t particularly worried.

“Why don’t you stop spectating and lend a hand?”

Where the old man directed his gaze.

A man was looking at Black Dragon Sword with shadowed eyes.

“I am not your subordinate, Taeju.”

The Palace Lord of Black Night (Heukya-gungju), one of the Five Demonic Lords (Sama-oje).

He stared at Black Dragon Sword from within the darkness.

Seeing the Palace Lord of Black Night like that, Black Dragon Sword let out a smirk.

“I brought you here to pay rent, yet you seem unnecessarily angered.”

“And what exactly are you thinking, coming all the way to Hanam?”

“What’s the problem?”

“This is the League’s territory. You were hiding in the darkness, suppressing your presence, so why reveal yourself now?”

The Palace Lord of Black Night couldn’t understand.

Black Dragon Sword’s actions simply didn’t make sense, no matter how he thought about it.

To the Palace Lord’s question, Black Dragon Sword replied with a laugh.

“It’s simply because the time has come.”

“…The time?”

“If you’re that concerned, what did you hope to achieve by following me, Palace Lord?”

“…”

“Kkullkkull, your intentions are quite transparent. You’re hoping, aren’t you? Hoping there might be a clue to lift the seal placed upon you.”

At Black Dragon Sword’s words, the Palace Lord of Black Night frowned.

Because his words had hit the mark to some extent.

The Five Demonic Lords, including the Palace Lord of Black Night, could not set foot on orthodox territory as members of the unorthodox sects.

Or rather, since another one had died, perhaps they should be called the Four Demonic Lords now.

“Even with that unknown energy you possess, it seems you can’t do anything about your seal, can you?”

“You speak carelessly.”

Ppudeuk.

Black energy swirled like heat haze from the Palace Lord of Black Night’s body.

Despite the chilling aura spreading out.

Black Dragon Sword merely continued to smile.

“Are you still struggling against the seal placed by the Chivalrous Hero (Hoyeo)?”

At Black Dragon Sword’s words.

Swaaaah!

The energy that bloomed from the Palace Lord of Black Night’s body took a massive form and charged, but.

Before the energy could reach right in front of Black Dragon Sword.

Pasak….

As if by magic, the energy turned to dust and scattered away in the wind.

It was the aftermath of a single gesture from Black Dragon Sword.

“If you’re going to struggle, you should choose your opponent more carefully.”

“…Taeju…!”

“The reason I accepted you was because the darkness you possess was intriguing. Are you blind, or just unable to tell the difference?”

Ppudeuk.

At Black Dragon Sword’s words, the Palace Lord of Black Night clenched his fists.

And retracted his energy.

In the past.

To the orthodox sects, he was the Chivalrous Hero.

When the master known as the Ghostly Fiend (Yeomgwi) to the unorthodox sects was active in the Central Plains.

There was an incident where the Chivalrous Hero, who despised the unorthodox sects, sought out all Five Demonic Lords.

It was something no one knew,

A humiliating past that the Five Demonic Lords would never want anyone to know.

The Palace Lord of Black Night still remembered it.

“-Leave the Central Plains, and never be seen again.”

The young warrior’s presence was burning hot,

And though he radiated killing intent, he ultimately only placed a seal, not taking their lives.

Why was that?

The Palace Lord didn’t understand why the Ghostly Fiend had acted that way back then.

Perhaps he wanted to see himself struggle grotesquely due to the seal.

Or perhaps there was some other reason, it was impossible to know.

The seal was powerful.

It made the Palace Lord of Black Night live like a broken man until he found his ‘sky’.

Even now, after gaining new strength through a blessing.

He could only suppress and bind the seal, not erase it.

Furthermore.

The Ghostly Fiend, whom he thought he could kill if they met now.

Had become even stronger than back then.

‘One of the Central Plains’ Top 100 Masters?’

What nonsense.

Such a monster.

Couldn’t possibly be just one of the Top 100.

And the same applied to the person standing before him now.

The specter that should have died and vanished.

Had been swallowed by malice.

And transformed into a greater darkness.

“Why don’t you stop dwelling on such thoughts?”

“…I hope you keep your promise.”

Kkullkkull.

“Absolutely. Once this is over, I will lift your seal.”

Something that couldn’t even affect his own ‘sky’.

He wondered how this old man could possibly do it, but.

Having seen proof, he had no choice but to believe.

Black Dragon Sword shifted his gaze away from the Palace Lord of Black Night.

And looked towards Hanam once more.

The lights shining brilliantly even at this late hour.

Remained beautiful as time passed.

Pleasing Black Dragon Sword’s eyes.

Brilliant.

So beautiful was that light, he wanted to extinguish it all.

“When will the operation commence?”

“The commencement… yes, about a month from now should suffice.”

“What?”

A whole month of waiting?

He couldn’t understand why such a long period was necessary.

As the Palace Lord voiced his confusion.

Black Dragon Sword immediately provided an answer.

“They also requested that we wait.”

Black Dragon Sword recalled the contents of the letter from his robes.

It was a message saying to wait because something needed to be done.

‘The brat is quite insolent, though.’

To dare tell him to wait.

It was utterly audacious, but.

Knowing the darkness that would grow immensely in the future.

He decided to overlook it this once.

“More importantly.”

Dalgeurak.

Black Dragon Sword recalled, clutching a bead in one hand.

“If reinforcements are coming, they said it would take some time, so we must wait.”

“Reinforcements?”

Who else was coming?

“If it were just the Azure Sea Sword (Cheonghae-ilgeom), we could probably go as is, but unfortunately, Sword Empress (Geomhu). They say that talented woman is there.”

“So, who did you call?”

As the Palace Lord spoke, he grew somewhat fierce.

He had gone out of his way to come here.

And yet, it seemed that wasn’t enough.

To the Palace Lord’s words.

Black Dragon Sword cast a subtle glance.

“You still haven’t let go of that pride and inferiority complex. That’s why you can’t escape the inner demon of the Chivalrous Hero.”

The moment Black Dragon Sword spoke.

The Palace Lord of Black Night unleashed hundreds of blades made of energy.

The time of night.

Concealed the presence of the dark blades.

The energy, imbued with deep darkness, charged at Black Dragon Sword once more, but.

Faster than that.

Kwadeuk.

Black Dragon Sword’s hand was faster.

“Kkeueuk…!”

“You weren’t like this before. What happened to make you break like this?”

Was it the influence of the inner demon?

Or perhaps it was the direction the Palace Lord pursued so ardently?

Black Dragon Sword didn’t know.

And he wasn’t particularly curious.

As long as he was useful.

He hoped the Palace Lord wouldn’t break completely.

It would be too troublesome to discard such a significant figure.

“Did you ask who the reinforcements were?”

Ssaah.

A cool breeze blew around, carried by the winter air.

Feeling a wind that seemed mixed with the scent of blood.

Black Dragon Sword uttered in a dry voice.

“Dark King (Amwang).”

“…!”

At the name Black Dragon Sword uttered.

The Palace Lord of Black Night’s eyes widened significantly.

The leader of the Seven Nights Assassination Squad.

The king of assassins who had never failed a single assassination.

Dark King.

It meant he was coming to Hanam.

“Therefore, failure is not an option. Your target is singular, so just remember that.”

Having finished speaking, Black Dragon Sword removed his hand from the Palace Lord’s neck and stood up.

His form, obscuring the moon hanging in the sky.

Gave the illusion of gradually growing larger.

“A potential for poison immunity. A descendant of the Tang clan.”

Poison Phoenix Tang Soyeol.

“You just need to capture that girl and bring her here. Quite simple, isn’t it?”

“…Poison Phoenix? Not a descendant of the Sword Master (Geomjon)?”

The Palace Lord vaguely knew what feelings Black Dragon Sword harbored towards the Sword Master.

That’s why he couldn’t understand.

To the Palace Lord’s question, Black Dragon Sword replied.

“Kkullkkull… Unlike you, I don’t let vengeance derail my plans.”

“…”

Leaving the speechless Palace Lord behind.

Black Dragon Sword walked deeper into the forest.

By then, the formation was fully deployed.

Now, all they had to do was wait.

For the many events to come.

‘As a prelude to announcing my revival, this should be good enough.’

To announce that I, Black Dragon Sword, am alive like this.

Erasing the Dragon God Pavilion (Sillyonggwan), where the future of the orthodox sects gathered.

Would not be bad.

If he killed all the numerous later disciples.

The reaction would surely be intense.

‘Then, what kind of expression would you wear?’

Because of the one he couldn’t handle.

If the Central Plains were once again stained with blood.

Wi Hyo-gun.

How would his close friend react?

Black Dragon Sword was truly curious about that.

Black Dragon Sword, having entered the forest.

Leaned against a large tree and closed his eyes.

It was a place where the moonlight couldn’t reach.

‘It really isn’t long now.’

He thought with his eyes closed.

This plan would not fail.

The Sword Empress is an unexpected figure, but.

For that, he summoned the Dark King; found a way to avoid the eyes of Heaven’s Sight;

And if he was careful about the potential intervention of Falling Sword.

This matter would not fail.

‘Just like back then.’

As long as someone like Wi Hyo-gun.

Wasn’t at the Dragon God Pavilion.

---

A month had already passed since I was admitted to the Dragon God Pavilion.

I had endured this incredibly boring situation nearly thirty times.

If there was a problem.

It was something I thought every morning upon waking.

Having to live like this for a whole year was simply infuriating.

‘And what’s this ‘practical training’ all about?’

Apparently, within seven days and nights, there was practical training based on theory.

If one didn’t properly engage in the practical training or cultivation.

It could even lead to expulsion, so I was trying my best.

‘I’m solid on the theory, so that part’s fine.’

Regarding demonic beasts, as I’ve said before, there’s likely no one here with better theoretical knowledge than me.

And if there were, they’d probably be among the instructors.

There was no way I’d fall behind in the test designed for them.

Thanks to that.

-The True Dragon (Jinryong) possesses a ferocious nature along with a superior intellect.

Such bullshit rumors were spreading again.

No, fine, I accept that.

Just ‘superior intellect’ would be enough.

Why did they have to add ‘ferocious nature’ before it?

It’s absurd, really.

‘Whoever started these rumors, I swear I’ll catch them and turn them into a square.’

Whoever keeps poking and prodding me.

I will definitely find them.

Hmph.

A sigh escaped naturally.

The rumors, the stares, having to attend for a year.

All of it was annoying, but.

What was most annoying right now was something else entirely.

“…Shit, how the hell do I do this?”

I was currently near the Pavilion Master’s chamber.

Sitting in the patch of grass where I had spoken with Wi Seol-ah before.

My objective was the same as last time.

To find the Records (Bigyo) of the Dragon God Pavilion located underground.

And for that, I was searching for a way to break through the formation (Jinbeop).

But.

‘I can’t feel it…!’

The anomaly of the formation I felt back then.

I couldn’t feel it at all now.

Back then, I could clearly see the flow Wi Seol-ah was touching, right?

After that, I kept flailing uselessly in the air for quite a while.

‘Could it be….’

The thought crossed my mind, making me frown.

‘…I can’t do it alone?’

Just like Wi Seol-ah held my hand and let me touch it.

Was it impossible for me to sense the formation on my own?

‘That would be problematic?’

I thought since I knew the location, I could just find it.

If that was the problem, it was quite troublesome.

‘Should I bring Wi Seol-ah here now?’

Although Wi Seol-ah would likely be flustered.

I had to make a quick decision.

Because there wasn’t much time left.

Hilkkeum.

I glanced behind me, towards the Pavilion Master’s building a little further away.

‘I need to finish this before they return.’

The Azure Sea Sword had left the Pavilion Master’s chamber empty for now.

It was something I had ‘requested’ from the Sword Empress.

‘…I don’t know where Wi Seol-ah is, what should I do?’

If I had known this would happen, I should have just brought Wi Seol-ah along.

I thought I could find it alone since I knew the flow.

‘What should I do?’

Running back to get Wi Seol-ah.

I didn’t know how much time was left.

And if I were to just unleash a bombardment here.

I couldn’t control and hide the recoil.

To detonate the formation.

It required destructive power at least at the level of the Blazing Prison (Yeomok).

The moment I detonated that.

The Azure Sea Sword would surely notice the explosive energy erupting nearby.

‘Tsk.’

Because of that, I was stuck in a situation where I could neither proceed nor retreat.

Of course, I couldn’t just stand here waving my hands aimlessly either.

It meant I didn’t have time to hesitate.

Finally, thinking it wouldn’t work out.

Just as I was about to decide I really had no choice but to find and bring Wi Seol-ah.

“What have you been doing around here for a while now?”

A voice came from behind me.

“…What, are you watching ants or something?”

I hadn’t sensed any presence.

‘Damn.’

It occurred to me.

Around this area, whether due to demonic creatures or some other power, through some means.

My presence wasn’t easily sensed.

Hurriedly turning my head back.

The owner of the voice was looking at me with a peculiar expression.

“…Who the hell are you?”

As I asked, sounding incredulous.

He wore a similar expression.

“That’s what I’d like to ask you.”

Where I turned my head.

Stood a young man tall enough that I had to look up at him for quite a while.

Tall stature, handsome face.

And yet, his face looked somewhat weary.

That young man, dressed in martial attire bearing the mark of Wudang.

Was someone I knew well.

Seeing him, I asked again.

“Why are you here?”

Sleeping Dragon (Jamryong) Woo Hyuk.

He was looking at me.