Baek Suryong and Namgung Su left the Azure Dragon Academy at dawn and made it to Hubei at sunset. The moment they arrived, they dove straight into a meeting with the supreme leaders of the orthodox murim and engaged in an invisible battle of wills. Even two peerless masters would be drained by such a schedule.
"Trading hundreds of blows with the Supreme Buddha would've been less tiring,"
Baek Suryong grumbled. Finally able to drink in peace, he raised his cup, savoring the moon's reflection in the alcohol. "Kuh! This wine is so sweet. Still, since everything wrapped up well, we should have at least one celebratory cup like this."
Seated across from him, Namgung Su emptied his cup in silence, looking equally worn out. Until moments ago, he had been the representative of the Five Great Clans. Although he hid it well, the immense responsibility had left him tense and burdened.
The world no longer sees me as merely the Third Young Master of the Namgung Clan.
Lost in thought, he gazed into his cup. Then, he raised his head and looked at Baek Suryong. "Why are you trying to take command of the Nine Sects One Gang?"
"Wouldn't it be better if I did? I could shape the course of the war as I please," Baek Suryong answered honestly.
Since confessing everything about the Heaven Defying Divine Art, he no longer found it difficult to reveal his innermost thoughts to Namgung Su. Or perhaps it was because he had asked Namgung Su for an unbelievable favor, one that required an apology.
Namgung Su's brow furrowed at the answer. "Surely you're not deluding yourself into thinking it has to be you?" His cold tone was an accusation. His short words were a rebuke, questioning whether this reckless idea sprang from a misplaced hunger for fame that would endanger his students, allies, and himself.
Baek Suryong shrugged. "Of course, they could probably subjugate the Blood Cult without me. With the combined strength of the Nine Sects One Gang, the Five Great Clans, and the Murim Alliance, the odds of victory are pretty good."
The Blood Cult, on the other hand, had suffered heavy losses at the Namgung and Ak Clans, causing many of their plans to crumble. Most of their elders were dead, and their elite martial squads had either been annihilated or suffered devastating losses.
Among the Blood Cult's remaining forces, the Apostles, who equaled or even surpassed the Ten Supremes, were the only true threat. Of course, there was also the Blood Demon, a being whose very name was enough to strike fear into the hearts of the orthodox murim.
Baek Suryong recalled the expressions on the faces of the Supreme Buddha and the Murim Alliance Chairman when they discussed the Blood Demon.
"We haven't found a single trace of the Blood Demon. It's unclear if a new one has been born in the past few decades or if they simply haven't shown themselves yet."
"We must stay vigilant. If that monster appears in the jianghu again, an unspeakable amount of blood will be shed."
"I know it sounds absurd, but sometimes I still can't believe that monster is dead."
"Amitabha..."
Throughout the discussion, neither the Supreme Buddha nor the Murim Alliance Chairman could hide their unease. The Heavenly Martial Principal said little, but he repeatedly drained his cup as if he were parched, an intense, unreadable emotion radiating from his trembling brow.
Recalling their reactions, Baek Suryong stated calmly, "The Blood Demon's goal isn't to unify the murim."
WHOOSH!
A cold draft gusted between the two men.
The night was bathed in the luminous glow of a full moon. From the pavilion, the city below was pulsating with life. Despite the late hour, lanterns flickered everywhere and drunken revelers wandered the streets, chattering loudly.
Baek Suryong stared blankly down at the mortal world, which buzzed with festival excitement.
A sudden thought struck him. If he set his mind to it, he could turn that scene into a living hell.
Despite the noise of the crowd, the voice rang clear.
"Baek Suryong."
Namgung Su's voice snapped Baek Suryong back to his senses.
Namgung Su downed the rest of his drink in one gulp, then rose to his feet. "Draw your sword."
Baek Suryong brushed himself off, stood up, and drew the Divine Azure Dragon Sword.
Standing atop the highest pavilion in Hubei, the two men launched into a sword dance, just like their duel at the Azure Dragon Academy. Their wills clashed with every slash and stab. Despite the scent of alcohol clinging to their breaths, their swords never wavered.
"...Let's stop here for today."
Namgung Su nodded, glancing at the blade's edge that had reached his nape. Once again, his sword had failed to reach Baek Suryong's vitals.
As they lowered their swords, a martial artist who had been watching from the edge of the pavilion approached cautiously. He was clearly tense, and he was extremely polite.
Upon closer inspection, he was wearing the Namgung Clan's colors.
"Uhm... Third Young Master, the Patriarch has ordered me to escort you to him quietly."
"Father has?" Namgung Su tilted his head. It seemed the Murim Alliance Chairman had informed his father, Namgung Cheon, that they had arrived in Hubei.
The Namgung Clan martial artist nodded. "Yes. He arrived a few days ago and has been waiting for you."
If word got out that the Azure Dragon Hero and the Thunder God were here, the whole city would go crazy. To avoid this, the Namgung Patriarch sent someone to discreetly fetch his son.
The Namgung Clan martial artist glanced cautiously at Baek Suryong. "I apologize, Azure Dragon Hero, but the Patriarch urgently needs to discuss family matters with the Third Young Master. He will send you a separate, formal invitation later..."
Baek Suryong nodded in understanding. "I'm fine. I was planning to stay at the Murim Alliance's lodgings anyway."
Namgung Su hesitated for a moment, but he couldn't disobey the Patriarch's order to go alone. "I'll be back soon."
Turning away, he followed the martial artist out of the pavilion.
Baek Suryong watched him for a moment before softly asking, "Why didn't you ask me for the answer?"
Namgung Su kept walking as if he hadn't heard anything.