Book 10 Chapter 24

Departure for Hwasan

- Leaving Cheonmu Academy!

"Finally, we're departing."

Today was a very meaningful day for Yoon Junho. His heart swelled with pride.

He was so excited yesterday evening that he hadn't slept a wink. But it didn't matter.

Because today was the day they departed for Hwasan. Surprisingly, Yoon Junho had also passed the recent Hwangmado exam, and although he was a candidate, he was allowed to participate in the Hwasan Convention. Thanks to the sudden collapse of Hwangmado, which resulted in nearly 150 injuries, Yoon Junho was fortunate enough to be selected as a candidate. Many skilled martial artists were injured in this accident.

Besides him, Biryu-yeon, as well as Moyonghwi, Hyoryong, and Janghong, had all passed. All the members of the Vermilion Bird Squad were also chosen as candidates. Among them, Namgung Sang and Hyeon-un were selected as main players.

Yoon Junho was excited about the fact that he could go to Hwasan, where his sect was located, with his friends.

'What will my senior brothers, martial uncles, and master's faces look like when they find out I've been selected as a representative for the Hwasan Convention?'

It was as clear as day that they would probably get angry, thinking someone was mocking them. But it didn't matter. Regardless of what anyone said, he was a member of the Hwasan Convention selection delegation. He wanted to arrive at Hwasan as soon as possible and see his Grandmaster. Junho's heart felt warm every time he thought about how proud his Grandmaster would be of him.

"This is just the beginning."

Yoon Junho firmly resolved himself and picked up his sword. He was no longer the clumsy, bullied Yoon Junho he was before. Although he still hadn't overcome his plum blossom hypersensitivity.

"Snore… Mmmph… Yerim… Mmmph…"

Even though the alarm bell of Cheonmu Academy rang loudly, Biryu-yeon was still buried in his bed, lost in dreamland.

It seemed like it would take several people a lot of effort to wake Biryu-yeon up today as well.

The head of Cheonmu Academy, Cheolkwon Majinga, stood on the podium and gave his final instructions to the young representatives of the righteous sects who were about to depart for Hwasan. It was no exaggeration to say that the honor of the martial world and the balance of power rested on their shoulders.

"The Hwasan Convention that will be held this time will be conducted in a different format than any other convention held in the past hundred years. You can completely erase any common sense you might have heard about the Hwasan Convention from your minds today. However, what you must not forget is that the honor and destiny of the martial world are at stake in this 100th-anniversary Hwasan Convention, so please do your best. This tournament will determine which side the balance of power will tip towards for the next ten years. Countless eyes will be watching your courage, wisdom, and martial arts."

"Now, the only things you can trust are your own strength, courage, and wisdom. Once you leave this place, there will be no helping hands to assist you. You must solve everything on your own. I have only one thing to say. You are proud disciples of the glorious Cheonmu Academy. Act with confidence and dignity! I wish you good luck!"

Majinga finished his speech.

"Then, we will be going, Headmaster."

Binggeom, the overall in charge of the escort, bowed to Majinga.

"Take good care."

"Yes."

"Let's meet at Hwasan. I hope you arrive safely. Be careful of unseen hands."

"Of course."

Binggeom did not forget what he needed to be careful about.

"Well-grown flowers are easily broken by wind and rain. Try not to rely on them too much."

Majinga did not forget to offer one last piece of advice. Binggeom nodded. Greenhouse flowers cannot become strong! Only those who can face the harsh reality in wind and storms without breaking can truly become strong. Majinga did not want to raise his disciples like greenhouse flowers, cherishing them too much. Now was a time when strength was needed. He would only show them the way, but he couldn't walk it for them. This applied equally to him and to everyone in this world.

Now, they were departing, shouldering the honor of the martial world and to test their abilities. Binggeom shouted as he surveyed the young men lined up.

"Depart!"

At the time when the rising dawn beyond the horizon was chasing away the darkness, they departed for Hwasan.

"Hoo hoo hoo, they are finally coming."

A being cloaked in deep darkness spoke in a low voice. A sinister bass voice echoed unsettlingly in the room. This was a secret chamber within Machaengak.

A being that seemed to blend into the darkness! He was the eldest son.

*Fwoosh!*

In his grasp, a letter turned to ash and disappeared with the flames. It was the report stating that the participants of the Hwasan Convention from Cheonmu Academy had departed.

"If I had sent a coffin as a congratulatory gift last time, it would have been of little use."

Although his voice was low, Chisahan trembled with immense fear. He prostrated himself on the floor.

"I… I'm sorry."

Chisahan's plan had not been very successful in Hwangmado. Although there were many injuries, there were no deaths. In other words, his scheme had failed.

"Sorry for what?"

The eldest son asked again in his emotionless voice. This made Chisahan even more fearful. His survival instincts clearly sensed a breath of death.

"I am sorry. I have failed to meet the expectations of the eldest son, so I deserve to die a hundred times."

"Is that so?"

Chisahan was terrified by the eldest son's cold, emotionless reply. He knew that his lord was very angry right now. Therefore, he was afraid. He couldn't handle his wrath.

"But please give me one more chance. This time, I will definitely… I will definitely deal with the troublemakers."

The eldest son, who had been lost in thought for a moment, finally spoke.

"…Then I will ask you to guide their way."

"G-guide their way, you say?"

The eldest son nodded.

"Isn't it possible that the road might be a bit rough?"

Chisahan's cunning mind quickly grasped the hidden meaning in the eldest son's words. A cunning smile appeared on his lips.

"Heh heh heh. Indeed. The road conditions are not good these days, so traveling can be a bit difficult. Without a guide, they might get lost."

"How unfortunate…"

The eldest son muttered.

"It is unfortunate. And it is very pitiful. Heh heh heh."

However, judging by Chisahan's appearance, he did not look pitiful at all.

"I will send a guide," Chisahan replied.

"Make sure to send a good guide. And of course, the Black Sky Alliance's foxes must not know, right?"

"Of course. I will send out the Twelve Blood Demon Corps first."

"They are reliable guides."

The eldest son seemed satisfied with Chisahan's answer. Chisahan let out a sigh of relief inwardly and then let out a sinister laugh.

"Heh heh heh, of course. The Twelve Blood Demon Corps are precisely the people who will most kindly guide them to the path to the King of Hell's underworld. With swords, blood, and fire!"

He vowed inwardly that he would not fail this time.

"Many renowned figures and officials from the righteous sects will attend the Hwasan Convention as witnesses. The head of Cheonmu Academy, the leader of the martial arts alliance, and those damned Cheonmu Samsungs!"

A place where all the eyesores of the righteous sects gather. If a major accident occurs here, it will be a very great and sad tragedy."

Fierce killing intent exploded from the eldest son's eyes. Chisahan and his subordinates, crushed by that terrifying killing intent, felt both fear and reverence.

A ghastly killing intent like a blood-red nightmare, he was like condensed darkness. Chisahan thought inwardly.

'Even if the representatives of the righteous sects arrive safely at Hwasan, they will not dare to be his opponent.'

It was a belief almost akin to faith. The eldest son's cultivation and martial arts were that outstanding. The eldest son suddenly stood up and looked at his subordinates guarding him on either side.

"Let us now remind them of the fear of blood that disappeared a hundred years ago. Let us recreate the most terrible nightmare they have tried to forget, to erase from their minds. This Hwasan Convention will be the first event marking the beginning of a tragedy that will drench the world in blood."

Then, his subordinates, who were guarding him on both sides, bowed in unison and shouted.

"Gyeopnan Hyeolsae! (劫亂血洗 - Blood wash of calamity and chaos!) Blood God's Return! (血神再臨 - Blood God's Second Coming!) Heavenly Calamity Upon the World! (天劫天下 - Heavenly Calamity Upon the World!)"

Their voices, filled with a dark and ominous aura, merged into one and boomed out. It seemed that the journey of Biryu-yeon and his companions would not be a smooth one. No one could confidently answer what fate would unfold before them now that they had finally left Cheonmu Academy.