Chapter 015. Requiem (2)
“Do you know what you just said?”
The Martial Sovereign asked back in a languid tone.
“Master, your disciple has not lost his mind yet.”
Dam Jeok-san answered with a light laugh.
“The Iron Blood Woo Clan is one of the giant pillars supporting the Castle. Even looking at the entire Central Plains Murim, their power can never be called weak.”
Even if Dam Jeok-san punished Woo Seo-gwang with the authority of the Heavenly Martial Gentleman Token on his back, that fact would not change.
Of course, they would not dare to dream of taking revenge on Dam Jeok-san.
Because if they went against the authority of the Heavenly Martial Gentleman Token, they would not be able to avoid the calamity of extermination.
But the girl is different.
If Woo Seo-gwang died in a place where that child was watching, someone blinded by resentment would target the girl.
Because she is easy. Because they can kill one ordinary girl. They would vent their anger on the child who lost everything because of them instead. Even more so if they could disturb Dam Jeok-san's peace of mind by doing so.
Since they were beasts in human skin who raised monsters by feeding them humans, they would do so.
There is no way Dam Jeok-san does not know that fact.
Yet why did he make such a request?
The Martial Sovereign looked at Dam Jeok-san with unusual light flashing in his two eyes.
“Would I possibly put that young child in danger?”
Reading the Martial Sovereign's gaze, Dam Jeok-san shook his head as if that was preposterous.
“I made a request to Master. Since Master will be watching the life-and-death duel between me and Senior Brother anyway…… please bring Hyang along at that time.”
“Are you asking This Seat to act as a nanny?”
Martial Sovereign Man Su-geuk. The absolute being who has the current Murim under his feet. To ask someone whom even monsters close to supernatural beings, who lived for hundreds of years, are reluctant to face, to take care of a child. It was quite absurd.
However, not a shred of playfulness was visible in Dam Jeok-san's eyes looking at him.
He is not joking. It is not a shallow trick to obtain something else through an unreasonable request either.
Dam Jeok-san was speaking sincerely.
Telling the Martial Sovereign of the world to act as a nanny.
“Your disciple cannot dare say that I understand Master's great will.”
Dam Jeok-san opened his mouth again while looking at the Martial Sovereign.
At the tone much heavier than before, the Martial Sovereign also rubbed his chin and quietly listened to his words.
“Because your disciple also harbors a trivial great will in his heart. Thus, I will not dare to question. Why you neglected the Iron Blood Woo Clan's behavior.”
“…….”
At those words, the Martial Sovereign made a speechless expression for the first time while conversing with Dam Jeok-san.
“But please take at least a shred of responsibility.”
“Haha, it has been a truly long time since someone discussed responsibility with This Seat.”
The Martial Sovereign burst into a hearty laugh and recited.
Even the Son of Heaven ruling the Central Plains does not dare to discuss responsibility with Man Su-geuk.
However, that was why he had no choice but to admit. That he had forgotten responsibility while being buried in the great will.
He did not know this cheeky disciple would dare to poke at that part.
The Martial Sovereign did not go out of his way to try to erase his mistake.
Usually, one tends to think that a person in power tries to hide all their flaws and bury them in the ground, but that is merely a method chosen by mediocre powerful people.
Those who constantly have to use political moves to maintain their petty power.
However, the Martial Sovereign is different. He is an absolute being no one can approach. If there is a mistake, acknowledging and correcting it is enough.
Because no one can drag him down with such a mere blunder.
“Good, This Seat will specially play along with your tune.”
The Martial Sovereign said while looking at Dam Jeok-san.
“Thank you.”
Dam Jeok-san bowed his head deeply and said.
Only then did a look of relief begin to hover on his face.
There was justification, and there was also conviction.
Conviction that if it is the Martial Sovereign, he would not look away from his own responsibility.
That did not mean he wasn't nervous.
Because the opponent was the Martial Sovereign of the world. A superhuman who can exterminate an army of hundreds with a single gesture.
‘Well, I just have to go for it anyway.’
He promised.
That he would tear the limbs of the enemy who killed her family.
Therefore, the girl, Lee Hyang, had the right to watch the fight between Dam Jeok-san and Woo Seo-gwang.
And perhaps, that might be a duty.
Those who lose their family by monsters mostly harbor intense hatred with nowhere to go.
The martial artist of the Martial Sovereign Castle in the memory he predated first was like that. And the swordsman who took in the monkey monster was like that.
It is not a problem only for them.
Dam Jeok-san, and Gyeong-won too. Not only them, but most of the many martial artists belonging to the Martial Sovereign Castle live embracing wounds not much different from theirs.
Dam Jeok-san hoped Lee Hyang would not live such a life.
Even if it is horrible and painful, he hoped she would face the object of revenge squarely. Remember the moment of revenge. So that she would not suffer from useless things.
Only then would she be able to live her own life fully.
If it is for that, he can do something like mentioning responsibility to the Martial Sovereign a hundred times more.
“I understood your will well.”
The Martial Sovereign nodded slowly while looking at Dam Jeok-san.
The thoughts harbored in the disciple's heart were clearly read.
That was why he let it pass.
While daring to talk about responsibility to Man Su-geuk of the world, what he wanted was merely acting as a nanny.
He couldn't possibly refuse.
“Thank you for granting your disciple's unreasonable request. I will stop by my quarters for a moment and then go find Second Senior Brother.”
Dam Jeok-san said while politely clasping his hands toward the Martial Sovereign.
“Wait. That child. She is in your quarters together, right?”
“That is so, but…….”
“Mu-yeong.”
The Martial Sovereign called out his shadow in a low voice.
“I obey your command.”
A shadow shimmered in the empty air where there was nothing, and soon a human figure appeared.
The Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle's bodyguard, Mu-yeong.
Even Dam Jeok-san did not sense his presence until he revealed himself on his own.
Perhaps it was natural.
It was just that Mu-yeong's reputation was not known to the world due to the distinctiveness of his position, but his martial arts achievement was already comparable to a Grandmaster who established a sect.
“Follow Jeok-san and bring the child he mentioned to This Seat.”
Meaning he would detach his guard. However, Mu-yeong bowed his head without a shred of hesitation at that order.
It is loyalty close to worship for a god.
“Work hard.”
As if he finished his business, the Martial Sovereign spoke indifferently looking at his disciple and guard.
Shortly after, as he stomped his foot largely once, hazy dust rose up abruptly. And when that dust wind disappeared, they could no longer find the figure of the Martial Sovereign.
* * *
Iron Blood Woo Clan, forming a corner of the Five Great Families of the Martial Sovereign Castle.
The Family Head's Hall located at the center even in that main house.
The Iron Blood Woo Clan's Head, Heaven-Breaking One Sword Woo Gi-tae, was burying his body in the grand master chair with his expression hardened terrifyingly stiff.
The anger of a super peak master becomes tangible pressure and crushes the entire Family Head's Hall.
The family members lined up in the hall all felt like their blood was drying up due to that pressure.
No one opened their mouth.
However, the key figures who could set foot in the Family Head's Hall all knew.
That the safe house where they raised monsters had collapsed last night.
If another facility had been attacked, he wouldn't be sitting there holding such weight.
He would have mobilized the main house's power right away to find the mastermind. And punished them tenfold. Holding them accountable for daring to touch the sword of the Martial Sovereign Castle.
But raising monsters was a different case.
‘Not only violating the Imperial Laws, but also something that goes against the Castle Lord's mood.’
If they move wrongly here, the family might be shattered to pieces.
Five Great Families of the Martial Sovereign Castle?
If the Castle Lord steps forward himself, such empty reputation is useless for anything.
“Phew…….”
Heaven-Breaking One Sword Woo Gi-tae puffed out pitch-black smoke from the pipe held in his mouth.
TAP TAP.
Woo Gi-tae, who spat out all the smoke, lowered the pipe and looked around.
This guy or that guy, everyone is terrified.
When was it that they were happily sharing things originating from the byproducts of monsters.
Tsk.
Woo Gi-tae clicked his tongue and drew his sword.
A famous sword with an impressive pitch-black blade. Once, Woo Gi-tae displayed divine might breaking the sky holding this sword in the Demonic Realm.
Although the spirit and youth of those days have disappeared.
His martial arts have become much more mature and profound than back then.
“Second Young Master……. No, Seo-gwang, come out.”
Heaven-Breaking One Sword Woo Gi-tae said while holding his drawn sword.
“Yes, Family Head.”
The Martial Sovereign's second disciple, Woo Seo-gwang, advanced with a dignified step unbefitting the heavy atmosphere.
A strangely intense glint shimmered in Woo Seo-gwang's two eyes standing in front of the Family Head.
Perilous as if he would cross the line at any moment, but therefore an even more intense gaze.
It is a difference of a paper's width.
If he takes a wrong step even a little from there, he will fall into qi deviation. However, if he escapes without trouble, the Iron Blood Woo Clan will welcome another super peak master.
“Yes, at least you satisfy me.”
“……!”
At those words, emotion appeared in Woo Seo-gwang's eyes.
When was the last time he heard such words from his father's mouth? It was the last time when he was a rising star expected by the family before becoming the Martial Sovereign's disciple.
When that expectation reached its peak, Woo Seo-gwang became the Martial Sovereign's second disciple. However, Woo Seo-gwang's life had been walking downhill ever since that day.
Pushed back by the Eldest Senior Brother, and hit by Dam Jeok-san.
Only then did Woo Seo-gwang realize.
The fact that he was a mediocrity.
The talent that shone brilliantly in his childhood was merely thanks to the family's full support.
“Devote yourself.”
Woo Gi-tae muttered, inhaling opium deeply again. An attitude of not having much interest even in his son's emotional reaction.
His glancing gaze soon reached a few elders within the family. Old men remaining in the main house without even going to the front lines.
They couldn't even reach super peak in their prime, and now that they are old, they are merely fallen rice bugs.
Woo Gi-tae stared at them blankly, then suddenly swung his pitch-black sword.
Dark sword qi spreading out in a fan shape following the trajectory from the sword blade cut off the elders' necks in an instant.
“……!”
The lives of old martial artists who had lived for over 60 years were cut off vainly without leaving even a single agonizing cry.
Considering the fact that every single one of them was a peak master in the past, it was truly a move close to divine skill.
However, at the same time, it was also proof clearly showing how far the elders were from the tip of the sword.
‘I do not need such old fogeys.’
A situation where the monster farm collapsed by a mysterious force and the family faced an unprecedented crisis.
Heaven-Breaking One Sword Woo Gi-tae utilized even this situation as a justification for purge.
Truly a cold-blooded move.
However, even such Woo Gi-tae could not know the fact that everything happening in the Iron Blood Woo Clan right now was being dug up by the Hidden Heaven Guard.
Also, even what will happen in the future.
He could not guess at all.
* * *
The Iron Blood Woo Clan's movements are unusual.
It seems they will cause some trouble at any moment.
I came to report this fact urgently to the Young Master.
Gyeong-won roughly summarized the words he heard from Black Panther Spear Jang Woo-ryang.
“I am grateful for the Head of the Grand Martial Hall's concern, but…….”
Gyeong-won said with a relaxed smile.
He knows that Black Panther Spear Jang Woo-ryang is not a person of bad character.
He also knows the fact that he swallowed tears of bitterness even when he left the Young Master. And that he willingly swore allegiance again.
But no matter what, he is a person who turned his back once. He cannot look completely favorable.
Perhaps that's why, he was very curious about the expression Black Panther Spear would make when he learned the full story of this matter. It was a thought that could be childish if called childish.
“I also roughly grasp the full story. Let's discuss the details when the Young Master returns. Would you like to come in for a moment?”
Gyeong-won continued speaking while looking at Black Panther Spear.
A silly smile kept floating around his mouth.
“……I will.”
Black Panther Spear had no choice but to follow Gyeong-won into the quarters.
There, a small girl with sparkling eyes was seen.
“Who is that person?”
The girl asked Gyeong-won in a tone of wondering why that uncle came instead of the Young Master she was waiting for.
“He is the Young Master's subordinate. You do not need to mind him.”
Gyeong-won shrugged and said.
“…….”
Black Panther Spear couldn't bear to ask who that child was and sat down uncomfortably.
How much time passed like that.
Dam Jeok-san finally returned to his quarters.
Together with a certain strange person with a faint presence.