episode_0130

130. The Leader’s Talent.

Yohan was dazed for a moment, but quickly regained his senses.

Yohan shouted.

“He escaped! We must chase hi······.”

Yohan suddenly trailed off. Wait, is chasing him really the right choice?

The Black King resolved Yohan’s doubts.

“It’s too late. If it’s him, he’ll cross the fortress wall in no time. Following him will only lead to being defeated individually.”

“······Is he that fast?”

“Yes. The leader is skilled in martial arts, but his specialty isn’t combat. It’s his footwork. There’s a reason his past alias was the Silent Foot, isn’t there?”

“A soundless foot······.”

For some reason, it was a name that didn’t suit the leader.

Sima Han returned the fan to Yohan and said.

“He was born with the best talent. A talent to survive even when facing strong opponents. The leader has endlessly escaped and survived, gaining his current martial prowess.”

Sima Han chuckled as if he was dumbfounded.

“But he still runs away. It’s just his nature.”

“What if the leader massacres the warriors of the Black King Fortress?”

This time, the Black King answered.

“That won’t happen. No, a few might die, I suppose.”

“Why is that?”

“Because, by now, the leader would have crossed the fortress wall.”

***

The guard who was protecting the Black King Fortress wall let out a bored yawn. The blowing wind was cool.

He said to the fellow guard next to him.

“Guard duty is easy, but it’s a little too boring.”

“But it’s safe, isn’t it? In times like these, where else can you find a job like this?”

“That’s true.”

His passionate desire for martial prowess had long faded.

Now they were adults. Dying was scary, and safety was the most important thing.

The days of youthful dreams and recklessness were long gone. The guard felt a little bitter.

In the meantime, a heavy voice reached the ears of the two guards.

“You have to stand guard diligently. The most important thing for a sentry is······.”

The two guards didn’t even recognize it. In an instant, their heads floated into the air.

The leader sheathed his sword and left the Black King Fortress. Although it was only two people, it would be of some help in the future all-out war.

The warriors guarding the top of the wall were in a state of confusion. They couldn’t even see the leader’s figure. It was truly a ghostly feat.

The leader ran leisurely across the field, thinking.

‘I should have killed that otherworldly bastard.’

He was quite a variable. He even seemed to be a sorcerer. Or, a magician?

To the leader, they were all the same.

‘Among the otherworldly people under the Meng Clan, none could withstand my aura.’

The fact that Black Wolf was in critical condition was a good thing, but that sorcerer bastard was definitely a bad omen.

The leader swallowed his disappointment and rushed toward the Meng Clan. Still, he had obtained a lot of information. It would definitely be useful information in the next battle.

***

The atmosphere in the Black King Fortress’s office was not good.

It was only natural. The enemy leader had crawled all the way here, and they missed him.

There were even casualties. The Black King’s subordinate knelt on one knee, holding out his hands. Numerous warrior’s heads were visible.

“How many died?”

When the Black King asked, the subordinate answered apologetically.

“A total of ten.”

“Still, he didn’t kill many. He must have been very scared.”

The leader must have thought they were chasing him. With his skills, he could have killed dozens of people with ease.

The Black King massaged his temple with his finger, then flashed his eyes sharply.

“It’s an all-out war. The leader has gone too far. To do something like this.”

“So, that’s how it’s going to be. What did the leader say when he first came here?”

When Sima Han asked, the Black King slammed his fist on the table. The memory of that time aroused his anger.

Thwack!

“He wanted to have a martial arts match. He said he would pick 10 people from the White Faction, and we should pick 10 people from the Black Faction.”

“That’s quite an enticing offer. He’s destroyed Qinghai and Sichuan. There probably aren’t many high-ranking masters left to send out.”

“That was his scheme. From the start, he had no intention of having a martial arts match.”

Sima Han crossed his arms.

“What a shady guy. There are rumors going around that he’s an upright and just leader, but that might all be his intention.”

Yohan nodded. He recalled his conversation with Brother Gong in the past.

‘The image of the leader that Brother Gong talked about is too different. He’s a dangerous person.’

The Black King growled.

“The previous leader was one thing, but the current leader is no ordinary man. He’s no different from the Black Faction.”

This time, Gwang-ui chimed in.

“Wouldn’t there be too much damage? Shouldn’t we slowly whittle them down and then strike at once······.”

“No, it won’t be easy to launch surprise attacks anymore. Currently, there are numerous reports of failures in attacking the White Faction throughout the Central Plains.”

Currently, the three highest-ranking executives of the Black King Fortress were dispatched to different regions.

At first, the White Faction was also troubled, but these days they’re managing to defend themselves quite well.

The Black King said calmly.

“Black Serpent is dead.”

“······!”

Sara twitched her eyebrows. Black Serpent is dead? He wasn’t as good as Black Wolf, but he was a man with outstanding martial prowess.

She asked the Black King without realizing it.

“Who on earth······?”

“He was defeated by the Mount Hua Sect of Gansu. Tsk.”

It was a name she had heard before. When discussing the best in the world of the White Faction, the leader of the Mount Hua Sect was easily included.

In particular, the sect leader’s Subduing Demon Sword was famous in the world. Even an uneducated beggar who didn’t know the Mount Hua Sect knew the name Subduing Demon Sword.

Thus, people sometimes called the sect leader the Subduing Demon Master.

“I immediately issued a return order to the other guys. They’ll be arriving at the Black King Fortress one after another soon.”

Simmer-simmer-

A foul-smelling energy surged from the Black King’s fingernails. He smiled fiercely and said.

“The moment those guys return, it’s war.”

The Black King looked around the office once. He lowered his head.

Gwang-ui was startled. The proud mountain monarch of the Black Faction was lowering his body!

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have had a private meeting with the leader. I should have started an all-out war right away.”

Sima Han chuckled.

“It’s okay. I don’t care as long as I finish the deal. Then, we’ll go take a rest.”

‘Deal?’

A small curiosity arose. But he didn’t bother to ask.

Sima Han looked at Yohan and Sara as he walked.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”

“Why do I have to go?”

“······That’s true. Well, come later or something.”

Sima Han left without regret. Now, only Sara, Yohan, and Gwang-ui remained in Black Wolf’s office.

The Black King asked subtly.

“Aren’t you guys leaving?”

It was a clear hint to leave. But Yohan remained unmoved.

“Lord. What is the probability of winning the war?”

“Probability? Probability······. It would be about 70%. Why?”

“That’s quite high.”

The Black King tilted his head.

“So, is there a problem?”

“I will capture the leader.”

“What?”

Yohan smiled.

“Of course, there are conditions. Give me a divine medicine with similar efficacy to the White Hwan. A highly yin divine medicine is fine too. The important thing is whether it’s of high quality.”

Yohan recalled the leader’s martial prowess. He almost really got a hole blown in his neck.

He thought he had come quite far, but he was still a long way off. He had to become even stronger.

The Black King was dazed for a moment, then let out a hollow laugh.

“······You’re more fearless than I thought.”

“What wouldn’t I do to climb higher?”

It was an ambiguous answer. Although the Black King didn’t realize it.

“Hahahaha! Yes, that’s right. Humans are animals that have to go up. Not down.”

Thwack, the Black King slammed his hands on the desk. This was already the second time. It was no longer a desk, but just a lump of wood.

“If you really cut off the leader’s head, what wouldn’t I do for you. Cult Leader, have you heard of the Shaolin Grand Restoration Pill?”

“Grand Restoration Pill?”

“What, you don’t even know that famous divine medicine?”

“I don’t.”

The Black King was reminded again that Yohan was an otherworldly person.

“······Well, you might not know. In short, it’s a better divine medicine than the White Hwan.”

“That’s amazing. The White Hwan was already great enough.”

Hadn’t he proven it in the duel with Sara earlier? It wasn’t so much that the proficiency of the fire spell had increased, but rather that he felt closer to ‘fire’ itself.

‘Come to think of it, I heard that there’s a state of martial arts called Sword and Body as One.’

Then, what state would it be if a human became one with nature, not a sword? It was still distant.

“Shaolin Temple is in Henan, and Henan is at the center of the White Faction’s martial arts world. Unless you defeat the leader, it will be difficult to advance to Henan.”

“It won’t be an easy task.”

“In particular, Shaolin’s Divine Monk is also a figure who can compete with the leader. The leader may have the upper hand in escape, but the Divine Monk is superior in defense.”

Yohan swallowed hard. The leader was strong enough, but how great would the Divine Monk be?

This trial was really too difficult. How on earth was he supposed to unify the Central Plains?

The Black King laughed softly. He had sensed Yohan’s tension.

“Don’t be too burdened. We have the Fox Immortal on our side, and I’m here too.”

“······Yes.”

“Well, go in and rest now. We’re done talking, right?”

Yohan quietly raised his fist and turned around. His business was over. In the meantime, he heard the Black King’s voice from behind.

“Gwang-ui, stay behind.”

“Understood.”

Yohan and Sara left Gwang-ui behind and left the room.