Chapter 271 The Noble Family of Moorim (5)
Heavenly Demon, Jeong So-wol. If it were her, she wouldn’t have been at a crossroads for a choice like this. For her, worries were meaningless. If there were two choices, she would have both. That’s how she lived.
There’s no need to give up anything as long as power follows.
“Stop.”
The two stop at Yoon-seok’s quiet but powerful voice.
“I’ll go with the Moorim Alliance.”
“…!”
“…Please reconsider!”
Once again, Yoon-seok’s decision received mixed responses from the two parties. Sighing, Yoon-seok looked at the Moorim Alliance.
“However, you have to promise me.”
“What is it?”
“Promise you will remain silent about what happened today.”
“…What do you mean, remain silent?”
“It means the Black Sword did not attack the Moorim Alliance today.”
“…!”
Once again, joy and sorrow mingled. The Black Sword Sect looked happy but didn’t understand. After a brief silence, the old master carefully asked.
“Can I hear why you want such a promise?”
“Because it will be good for both parties.”
“So you mean to catch both rabbits.”
Yoon-seok nodded. If they didn’t report what happened today, the Black Sword Sect warriors wouldn’t have to worry about being hunted. As a result, they would be happy to deliver their information about the Heavenly Buddha. However…
“If I can’t do that, what would you do? Will you side with them?”
Yoon-seok shrugged.
“…After all, we don’t have a choice.”
That’s how the world was. The less power you have, the less choice you have. The old master, born and raised in a strong prey on the weak world, was also well aware of that providence and accepted it.
“Alright. I promise.”
“Leader!”
“Be quiet! I’ll take responsibility for all of this.”
The old master faced Yoon-seok.
“I want to ask you something. No, it’s something I’m worried about. Even if we promise, will they trust us?”
“They will.”
“How can you be so confident?”
Yoon-seok replied nonchalantly.
“If you break your promise, the alliance will pay for it.”
“…Is that a threat?”
The old master squinted at him. However, Yoon-seok asked back calmly.
“Do you plan to break your promise?”
“…”
“Then we’re done. What about you guys?”
Yoon-seok turned to face the Black Sword Sect’s side.
“I admit that we now have a little hope to live. But instead of an invisible promise, I need a more definite guarantee.”
“Guarantee…”
Yoon-seok ran a hand over his chin and trailed off. Then, the Black Sword Sect quickly added-
“T-That’s what I said, but it’s not a big deal. If you tell us more specifically how they’re going to pay for breaking that promise, we’ll be relieved.”
“If they break their promise, how about I give strength to the other forces?”
“Then I can trust you more…”
Yoon-seok’s suggestion was enough, but it was still a pretty shaky reaction.
Yoon-seok asked again.
“Don’t you like it?”
“Oh, no. I like it. It just bothers me that I don’t know your position in the sect.”
It was a little annoying, but Yoon-seok rather liked this better. At least he found out why they were reacting so uncomfortable.
’Let’s see…’
Yoon-seok opened his subspace bag and searched inside. Come to think of it; there was something inside that Cheon-ma gave him for future use.
’Ah, it’s here.’
Yoon-seok took out a silver card. She did tell him what it was called, but he couldn’t remember.
“Is this enough?”
At first, the man tilted his head in thought, and his jaw dropped.
“Heaven Summoning Card?!”
Heaven Summoning Card. Yeah, that was the name. Should he say it was like a gift as the Co-Sect Leader?
“H-H-H-Heavenly Destroyer!”
It caused a stir among both factions.
“Is that the Magic Scarf given by the Heavenly Demon herself?”
“…They said he has two swords.”
“Mask! Yes, he’s wearing a mask, too!”
“Jeez, why couldn’t I recognize him immediately when there were so many clues?”
Yoon-seok, feeling burdened by their stares, quietly leaked his magic to silence them.
“Gasp…!”
They went quiet in an instant. As Yoon-seok wore a satisfied smile, the Black Sword Sect leader gave him a fist and palm salute.
“The Co-Sect Leader’s words are heavier than a thousand pieces of gold. If they are in their right mind, they won’t dare break this promise. Thank you for your kindness.”
Was this the power of reputation, not force? Their way of speaking became much more polite than before. Of course, their respect meant nothing to Yoon-seok.
“Since you’re thankful, can you tell me where the Heavenly Buddha is?”
“Heavenly Buddha, he is now with the Moorim Alliance.”
If that’s true, it was a good thing since he wouldn’t have to go to two places…
“…?”
But somehow, he felt like he was being fooled.
“Oh, by the way, it’s okay to report to your superiors. We won’t be able to make it public to the outside world anyway.”
After telling him about the Heavenly Buddha and provoking the Moorim Alliance, the Black Swords Sect left without looking back.
’Are these the warriors of the martial arts world?’
Yoon-seok felt like he was tricked. He would have just gone to the Moorim Alliance if he had known this would happen.
’Let’s say I learned a lesson.’
Following that, Yoon-seok approached the Moorim Alliance. However, unlike before, the warriors’ retreated as he stepped forward.
“…?”
He was slightly offended, but fortunately, the old master was different. It was a little late, but he introduced himself.
“I thought you were unusual, but I didn’t expect you to be the famous Co-Sect Leader. I am Hyun Cheong of Moorim.”
For reference, his nickname was Cheong Gun-gaek.
“Heavenly Destroyer, Co-Sect Leader or whatever, please just call me Choi Yoon-seok.”
“Okay, Sir Choi.”
“Then let’s go. Which way is it?”
Yoon-seok, who settled the battle peacefully, followed Hyun Cheong and headed for the Moorim Alliance. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too far from where this incident took place. As he ran with them for about half a day, he found a huge wall reminiscent of the Great Wall of China up ahead
’They call themselves the Moorim Alliance, so it wasn’t for nothing….’
Seeing how there were extensive burn marks and scratches on the wall, it seemed like it had been used to fight off invaders.
’In terms of numbers, Earth might have the most casualties….’
Anyway, the appearance of the Moorim Alliance’s base was completely different from what he had imagined. It wasn’t like a government office but a huge city full of civilians and fighters.
“Please wait here for a moment. I’ll finish reporting to the headquarters and talk to my superiors so you can meet.”
“Yes, please.”
Hyun Cheong, who guided Yoon-seok to a tea house-like place, left a few subordinates behind and walked off. Yoon-seok wondered if it was okay to leave him, his enemy Demon Cult and Co-Sect Leader like this, but…
No one would have been able to stop Yoon-seok if he tried to sneak in anyway.
‘Trusting me once so that they will trust me until the end. Is this it?’
There might just be no other way.
Yoon-seok sat down in the tea house and leisurely watched through the window.
‘Come to think of it; I’ve never walked around Moorim properly.’
The first place he opened his eyes was outside the Namgoong residence, and then he entered Cheonma-dong without having time to look around. As a result, this was Yoon-seok’s first time getting a glimpse of life in the world called Moorim.
’It’s different from Seheranbad.’
It felt like he was in the past of the Goryeo or Joseon eras, not in another dimension. Of course, if Yoon-seok looked closely, it was completely different.
‘I guess they’re also taking part in the dimensional industry, too.’
The dimensional industry was the term that encompassed all production activities using materials from invaders or the Tower. It was being studied by various fields, and so far, most of the challengers’ global equipment had been focused on medical care.
’Is it because the civilization is different? It’s incomparable to Earth.’
He didn’t mean the designs were old-fashioned or anything. When he asked the subordinates left by Hyun Cheong, they said the swords they were wearing were made by cutting off the bones of the invaders and that some were made into armor by adding leather.
’In this civilization, this is the limit of the dimensional industry.’
It was incomparable to Earth, which had crafted a chemical formula that increased magic conductivity by melting cracked stones and creating several new types of superalloys.
‘In that aspect, Earth is more special.’
If Seheranbad was magic, Killian had unique abilities, and Moorim had martial arts, then Earth had science. Although their combat power may be inferior, Earth was now outstanding in utilities such as production, support, and information sharing.
’Even so, it’s meaningful only when the challengers who go to the Tower come back alive.”
Time flew by as Yoon-seok thought about this and that. About thirty minutes later, Hyun Cheong returned with another man.
“I’m sorry to keep you in this shabby place. I am the Flying Dragon Monarch Lee Tae-woon. Let’s go to the headquarters together.”
“Headquarters?”
“Yes, I heard you were looking for the members of the Namgoong Family?”
“Ah, are they staying there?”
“To be exact, we are entrusting them with our personal affairs at the moment. Anyway, it will take some time to return. Before that, would you like to meet the leader? They’re looking forward to seeing you.”
Soft-spoken. This was Yoon-seok’s first impression of the Flying Dragon Monarch Lee Tae-woon. His status was higher than Hyun Cheong of Mudang, yet he spoke humbly. Strangely, however, there was no feeling of servility or flattery at all.
’More than anything, I don’t think he’s a challenger, but he’s quite interesting….’
“Okay, let’s do that.”
Yoon-seok readily agreed to the proposal. He was curious about the head of the force that led the three divided powerhouses.
After walking along with them and entering the headquarters building, Yoon-seok reached a vast garden. An old man was sitting in a pavilion at the end of the garden.
“This is the leader.”
Even without an explanation from the Flying Dragon Monarch, he would’ve known immediately.
“You arrived.”
Two Skies, Three Gods, Four Hegemony. Five Celestials, Eight Kings, and Twelve Men. This was one of the three gods just below the Heavenly Demon and Heavenly Buddha.
“Nice to meet you. I am Sword God Mo Yongbi.”
A soft voice carrying a huge presence. If Cheon-ma was a fire that could spread anywhere, this old man gave off the impression of water. It flowed calmly with depths unknown.
‘What kind of magic… huh?‘
Out of habit, Yoon-seok tried to read the old man’s magic but was shocked. If the sense of incompatibility he just felt was not an illusion…
‘Interesting.’
This old man was not a challenger.
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