Tang Sangcheon.

As the Supreme Lord of the Sichuan Tang Clan, the clan under his tenure was more closed off than at any other time.

Tang Sangcheon shut down the clan’s ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) exchanges with the outside and devoted himself solely to building the clan’s strength.

As a result, the Sichuan Tang Clan came to possess power that did not yield even to the great sects rooted in Sichuan—the Emei Sect and Mount Qingcheng Sect—yet, because of the clan’s closed character and its handling of poisons, it was not regarded favorably among martial artists.

Therefore, when word spread that he would take the seat of an elder of the Martial Alliance, the martial world could not help but be astonished.

The former clan lord of the Tang Clan, who had virtually no public activity outside clan affairs.

A warrior who, at a time no one anticipated, handed the clan lordship to his son and stepped back from the front lines.

Accordingly, many in the martial world did not know the measure of Tang Sangcheon’s martial attainment, and when he appeared within the Martial Alliance, his very existence startled them once more.

“I cannot gauge his realm.”

“So the rumor was true—that a thousand-year snake coiled within the Tang Clan.”

“Will the landscape of the Ten Great Masters change?”

By ranking, he received a high placement, following Ouyang Do and Gong Cheon.

By martial skill, he proved a hidden master who amazed all.

Thus, within the Martial Alliance, Tang Sangcheon’s words were sufficient to carry a quiet influence.

“May I ask your reason?”

Namgoong Mucheon looked to Tang Sangcheon.

Tang Sangcheon smiled faintly.

“For what reason was the Martial Alliance founded? Was it not to stand against the Blood Cult?”

“That is correct.”

“The Alliance Lord’s granddaughter, whether by will or compulsion, belonged to the Blood Cult for a time. Moreover, I hear she was raised within the Blood Cult in her childhood.”

That Seolhwa, in her youth, had been within the Hwaoru was not publicly announced, but it was something most had grasped.

Only, because she was the Martial Alliance Lord’s granddaughter and had returned of her own accord, with the Namgoong Clan taking the lead in opposing the Blood Cult, it was hushed up.

“I believe that child knows the Blood Cult better than anyone. Then should we not hear what the Blood Cult truly is?”

“What I ask is why she must be summoned to the occasion of inviting the Sado Union Lord.”

“There are several reasons.”

Tang Sangcheon raised one finger.

“First, since this is the first time this Alliance admits outsiders within its walls, it is to make sure that no Blood Cult spy has mixed in.”

He extended a second finger, letting his gaze slowly travel around the hall.

“Second, when this Alliance takes the initiative to broach the subject of the Blood Cult, it is to see how the Sado Union responds.”

Raising a third finger at last, Tang Sangcheon again faced Namgoong Mucheon.

“Third, it is to make the danger of the Blood Cult known not only to this Alliance but also to the Sado Union, thereby setting it as a true common enemy.”

If not only the Martial Alliance but the Sado Union as well were put on guard against the Blood Cult, then the entirety of Central Plains martial society would be set against the Blood Cult.

The more forces that oppose them, the less readily the Blood Cult will be able to expand its influence.

“However, we still lack information regarding the Blood Cult, and among us, the one who knows the Blood Cult best is the Alliance Lord’s granddaughter. Then is that child not most suited to this task?”

Having finished, Tang Sangcheon smiled faintly.

At the very end of his words, the council chamber briefly stirred.

“Elder Tang’s words have merit. Now that Lady Namgoong’s memory has returned, could we not hear of the affairs within the Blood Cult?”

“However, she is still young. How could we foist such a heavy responsibility on her... Would that matter not be a great shock to Lady Namgoong?”

“It is a fact that we lack information about the Blood Cult. For the moment we rely only on the Beggar’s Union’s intelligence...”

The atmosphere flowed in the direction of agreeing with Tang Sangcheon.

Namgoong Mucheon slowly closed his eyes as though in deep thought and let out a low sigh.

Presently he opened his eyes and spoke.

“I understand Elder Tang’s intent a hundredfold, but my granddaughter has not yet emerged from Closed-Door Cultivation.”

He addressed them all.

“Though I have not detailed it, that child became a prisoner of the Blood Cult and suffered all manner of torment, and she is still in the midst of recovering her body. As soon as her body recovers, I will gradually ask my granddaughter about the Blood Cult. I ask that you wait a little.”

At Namgoong Mucheon’s words, the atmosphere turned solemn in an instant.

There was something most had failed to consider—namely, Seolhwa’s condition.

A child who was abducted by the Blood Cult and returned having lost her memory.

Simply because the Namgoong Clan had not announced anything publicly, how could anyone know what she had suffered there?

If it was to the extent that she lost her memory, surely something great had occurred, and yet, thinking not on those circumstances and calculating only what they desired before their eyes was shameful.

“My thought was shallow.”

Tang Sangcheon, who had spoken first, readily admitted his fault.

The other elders, too, subtly nodded, concurring with his words.

“No. It is not that I misunderstand Elder Tang’s purpose. Once my granddaughter’s body has recovered, I will see about arranging such a meeting.”

“I am grateful for the Alliance Lord’s consideration.”

Thus the talk regarding Seolhwa was concluded, and the council returned to the agenda of inviting the Sado Union Lord.

After the council ended, Namgoong Mucheon sent people to the Sado Union.

At the head of the party bearing the Martial Alliance’s invitation and setting out for the Sado Union stood Ouyang Do’s disciple, Neung Ji-san.*

****

Taang—!

Namgoong Mucheon looked for a time at the hand that had struck his desk, then raised his gaze to its owner.

Seop Mugwang, as if he had been waiting, spoke through gritted teeth.

“How can you be so calm? The Alliance Lord’s granddaughter is being suspected as some scrap of the Black Path!”

After the council, Seop Mugwang had heard a preposterous rumor.

A ludicrous rumor that the Martial Alliance’s elders suspected that the Sado Union Lord—the Shadowless Demon God—might be Namgoong Seolhwa.

“I knew it! The moment they said Seolhwa should be called to the occasion of inviting the Sado Union Lord, I knew! That snake-tongued old man! I should have ripped his tongue out on the spot!”

“Your voice is loud.”

“Ah, Brother!”

Seop Mugwang thumped his chest in frustration.

“How can you be so untroubled! Seolhwa, the Sado Union Lord? It makes no sense! How dare they compare our little one to some filthy Black Path riffraff!”

“Chief Division Lord.”

“...!”

“I said your voice is loud.”

Only then did Seop Mugwang quell his anger and steady his breathing.

Watching him settle, Namgoong Mucheon let out a low sigh.

“I know what you are thinking.”

Seop Mugwang’s younger brother had been a member of the Black Path force that, some twenty years ago, shook the world—the Black Line Fort.

A brutal Black Path power that began building its strength where the hands of the Nine Sects and the Five Great Clans did not reach; that killed the powerless, whether children or the old; that burned villages; that stole what people had.

Among the remnants of the Black Line Fort that were purged at that time was Seop Mugwang’s younger brother.

“I know what you think of them. However—”

Seop Mugwang curled the hand that pressed the desk.

His hand trembled finely.

“The Sado Union Lord is no riffraff. All the less is such a one to be called ‘Black Path riffraff.’ Is not the road the Sado Union walks the exact opposite of those you remember?”

“Black Path scum are all the same...! The Sado Union may pretend otherwise for now, but they surely have something else they covet! Give it time and they will surely...!”

“It is not the same as then.”

Namgoong Mucheon grasped Seop Mugwang’s hand.

Seop Mugwang lifted his gaze.

His eyes were already reddening.

“Mugwang.”

Meeting Seop Mugwang’s eyes, Namgoong Mucheon spoke once more, in a voice firm and clear.

“It is not the same as then.”

“...”

“It will not become so.”

Seop Mugwang’s gaze wavered for an instant.

As though seeking an answer, he looked at Namgoong Mucheon’s resolute expression, then slowly nodded.

“I... was not myself for a moment. I beg your pardon, Alliance Lord.”

“No.”

Seop Mugwang straightened his posture and adjusted a disarrayed sleeve.

He drew a deep breath and let out a brief laugh.

“Well now, when I think on it, that kid has nothing to do with the Sado Union in the first place. I must not be swayed by useless rumors...”

“...”

“At any rate, I only meant to inform you that such rumors are circulating. I’ll be off to look in on the Patrol Unit’s training.”

With a sniff, Seop Mugwang bowed and turned to go.

“Mugwang.”

Seop Mugwang looked back, as if to ask why he was being called.

“Is there something you would have me do?”

“Seolhwa is...”

Namgoong Mucheon’s lips moved faintly. After a brief silence, his words continued.

“Seolhwa is a child already bearing a burden too heavy to shoulder.”

Seop Mugwang blinked a couple of times, then let out a short laugh.

“I know it well. There may be none under heaven whose shoulders are heavier than that kid’s.”

“So place your trust in Seolhwa. In your disciple.”

“I do.”

There was no hesitation in Seop Mugwang’s answer.

With that, Seop Mugwang left the room.

Even after he had gone, Namgoong Mucheon stood for a long time, looking at the closed door.

****

Bwoooo—

A horn call rang across all of Wuhan.

People came out into the streets, each of them waving strips of black cloth, to welcome Wuhan’s honored guests.

SadoUnionSado UnionSadoUnion

A great black banner embroidered in gold snapped high against the blue sky.

Black horses caparisoned with helms of thin gold led the way, and those in black masks rode behind them.

Atop the most splendid, towering horse, leading the procession, was the Sado Union Lord—the Shadowless Demon God.

He, too, wore a black mask adorned with gold, his black long coat stitched with golden embroidery streaming as he rode—his figure more than worthy of being called the king of the Unorthodox.

“Mom, is that the Shadowless Demon God?”

“You must say ‘Lord Shadowless Demon God’! He might hear you!”

“Wow! So cool!”

Flanking the Shadowless Demon God on either side were the Hao Sect Lord and the Sado Union’s Chief Strategist, both hiding their faces behind Human-Skin Masks; behind them followed the Surochae’s Chief Hall Lord and the Green Forest War King.

“Thanks to him, the Black Path’s rampaging has dropped a lot, hasn’t it?”

“What do you mean—Surochae even gives you an escort if you just pay the toll, they say!”

“That big fellow must be the Green Forest War King, one of the Ten Great Masters! Just as I heard—what an enormous frame!”

After them came the heads of the Black Path forces, followed by the Guardian Patrols in black masks, and then the warriors of the Sado Union.

The Martial Alliance represented the orthodox martial world of the Central Plains.

The Sado Union represented the unorthodox.

It was the day the two forces—pillars so great as to be called the twin columns of the Central Plains—were to meet.