Chapter 82 – How About a Sparring Match?
This ti, I stood before the main gate of the Nine Yin Gwak Clan.
Sohow, the whole thing felt like I was doing a "badge tour" of the Six Demon Families, but—
‘It just ans the plan is nearing completion.’
My position within the Sado Clan was so overwhelming now that no further explanation was needed.
I didn’t know how things were on the inside, but outwardly, I had overthrown the head of the family by sheer strength. And since becoming the clan head, the internal affairs of the clan had been changing dramatically.
All the accumulated corruption was being purged, and those who held positions far beyond their ability were expelled without rcy.
By elevating the Black Shadow Corps to the Black Shadow Guard, I was also showing that one could rise quickly through achievents alone.
The crowning mont of it all was the agreent with the Iron Mountain Cheol Clan yesterday.
The Iron Mountain Cheol Clan publicly declared its alliance with the Sado Clan. Looking at the content of the agreent, it wasn’t even equal—they were practically offering tribute to the Sado Clan. Of course it caused an uproar.
And the turmoil wasn’t just within the Sado Clan.
Word had spread throughout the entire Heavenly Demon Cult. They said it was so noisy that by tomorrow, the rumors might even reach the remote Sixth Demon Territory at the edge of nowhere.
‘Those Chu bastards better start panicking.’
Not even Sado Gwang could take on, let alone a “0.7 Sado Gwang.” That was my conclusion.
Anyway—
I refocused on the situation before .
“We greet the Head of the Sado Clan.”
The gatekeepers of the Gwak Clan, dressed in immaculate white, politely bowed their heads to . The gatekeepers at the Cheol Clan had done the sa, but they seed nervous when they saw .
These n, however, didn’t show nervousness. Instead, I felt respect and reverence.
‘So this is what it ans to be an elite clan.’
For them to show emotions other than tension even when facing a well-known Transcendent Peak master like … It ant they had the composure to engage without fear.
That was the attitude of the Nine Yin Gwak Clan, the most powerful family in the entire Heavenly Demon Cult.
“Head of the Sado Clan!”
Behind the gatekeepers, Gwak Jeong ca running toward , panting. He was even using the signature movent technique of the Gwak Clan.
Feather Flow Body Technique.
A movent art nad for how it made one appear like a feather drifting in the wind.
It used the Gwak Clan’s unique inner energy to reduce friction, allowing for rapid movent forward or backward.
The problem was—
“It drives the opponent insane.”
Trying to grab a floating feather in the air is nearly impossible. Even the breeze from your hand can send it flying or change its direction in bizarre ways.
I suppose factors like wind and static electricity co into play, but as a man of letters, I couldn’t explain it further. Martial arts defy physical laws anyway.
In any case, the Feather Flow Body Technique was created by mimicking such movents.
“You’re here!”
Gwak Jeong slid to a smooth stop right in front of .
I nodded.
“I’ll take you to my father right away! Let’s go!”
He was practically floating from excitent. I followed him slowly.
“Can’t we go a bit faster?”
“If you’re the head of a clan, you should maintain your dignity. Especially since you’re the young master of the Nine Yin Gwak Clan, the foremost house in the cult.”
It was just a aningless remark since I couldn’t use any movent techniques anyway, but Gwak Jeong looked genuinely touched.
[That idiot might follow protagonist rules or whatever, but he’s definitely not the clan head.]
Skybreaker Sword muttered a quiet warning. I agreed.
‘The Gwak Clan head is not soone to underestimate.’
Which ant I had to stay alert. Still, I trusted that the Gwak Clan head wouldn’t stoop to ambushes or petty provocations.
There was, however, a minor issue. As a traditional clan, the Gwak family had a strong air of old-fashioned dogma. They emphasized all sorts of rules and customs.
‘Being the “number one clan in the cult” basically ans they’re the number one boors in the cult.’
Still, surely they wouldn’t nitpick between fellow clan heads.
After walking for about half a gak behind Gwak Jeong—
“There is the clan head’s residence.”
In the distance stood a modest-looking building. Compared to the Sado Clan’s residence, it looked only a third the size. Just two floors.
But it had a refined charm—more elegant than any building I’d seen since coming to the cult.
Several guards stood watch in front of the open building.
[Even at a glance, they’re Peak-level masters.]
Guards of a clan head’s residence being Peak-level? That’s nearly superhuman strength—any of them would be respected as top experts wherever they went.
‘As expected of the Gwak Clan.’
Then ca the problem.
“We greet the Head of the Sado Clan.”
I nodded and tried to walk past—
“According to the Nine Yin Gwak Clan’s rules, outsiders must disarm before entering the clan head’s residence.”
“What did you say?!”
Gwak Jeong stepped forward on my behalf.
“What do you an, outsider?! He is my master!”
“Nothing has been officially decided yet, Young Master.”
“Captain!”
The middle-aged warrior at the front blocked us with a firm expression.
“If the sword is not removed, you cannot enter the Gwak Clan.”
Even knowing the Gwak Clan was the most traditional in the cult, I didn’t think they’d go that far with .
“He is the head of the Sado Clan.”
Even Saweol, now practically my right hand, couldn’t stay silent.
“Even if you’re the Vice-Captain of the Black Shadow Guard, the rule applies.”
“How dare you—!”
Saweol flared up. Not because she was hot-tempered, but because showing weakness in the cult was as good as asking to be devoured.
“That’s enough.”
I stopped her.
“If we’ve co to the Gwak Clan, then we follow their rules. However…”
I gathered inner energy into my eyes and spoke.
“Can the Gwak Clan bear the consequences?”
Gulp.
The guards’ pupils trembled. But soon, they clenched their teeth and stood firm.
[So this is the power of a renowned clan.]
Skybreaker Sword murmured in admiration.
‘The problem is, I’m in a weaker position.’
Having earned the Cheol Clan’s seal ant I’d gained the approval of one of the Six Demon Families. But I also needed the Gwak Clan’s seal.
‘Still, I can’t be seen as dragged around.’
In a cult where strength was supre, appearing weak was a death sentence.
‘No matter who touches , don’t absorb their energy. Understood?’
[Naturally.]
I lifted Skybreaker Sword—now even more beautiful after being reforged by Cheol Muguk—up to chest height for everyone to see.
‘Hover for a second.’
Sword Flight!
I let go of the sword. Skybreaker Sword floated midair, perfectly still, as if ti had frozen.
The entrance to the clan head’s residence was wide open, so they had likely seen everything. Sure enough, I heard gasps like, “How can he circulate qi so naturally?!”
I might not be able to use inner energy in my body, but thanks to the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, my physical performance was on another level.
“Let’s see if you can handle it.”
Now—use Supre Reign to slam it into the ground.
[Tch. I hate this kind of show, but fine.]
Though grumbling, Skybreaker Sword obeyed. It activated Supre Reign with full force—
Boom!
The entire residence shook from the violent tremor as the sword buried itself deep into the earth, sheath and all.
Saweol, still visibly annoyed, placed her dagger next to the sword with equal confidence.
“May we enter now?”
“Y-yes! Please!”
The guards backed away, overwheld. Gwak Jeong looked smug.
Saweol and I entered the clan head’s residence slowly. People stood lining both sides, looking shocked. At the far end sat the clan head’s seat.
As with any residence of a clan head, Gwak Clan’s seat was elevated. Naturally, I had to look up.
The clan head had the refined appearance of a virtuous middle-aged man—he looked like the head of a righteous sect. He wore a warrior’s headband often called Hero’s Crest, and it suited him with great dignity.
Unlike , clad entirely in black, he wore white from head to toe.
So that’s Gwak Riyeon.
Gwak Riyeon, Overwhelming Sky-Shaking Fist.
Ranked 11th in the Heavenly Demon Cult.
For reference, Gu Jin-gyeong, the Judge of Life and Death, had been ranked 12th for generations as the Heavenly Demon’s Chief of Staff.
That he ranked higher ant his strength was formidable. He was a Transcendent Peak master, of course.
And that’s not all.
There were four other Transcendent Peak masters standing to the sides. The Gwak Clan truly housed the most Transcendent Peak masters of any single family.
Their power was such that they could likely annihilate any lower-ranked faction of the orthodox Nine Great Sects in just three days.
Gwak Riyeon was the man leading such a family. He couldn’t be taken lightly.
When I stopped walking, Gwak Riyeon rose from his seat.
“Welco, Head of the Sado Clan.”
“Greetings. I am Sado Hwan.”
“We t during the Six Families’ Assembly, did we not?”
He smiled faintly.
“I didn’t expect the young master I saw back then would beco such a fine man.”
Coming from the head of the Nine Yin Gwak Clan, the most boorish family in the cult… It ant—
‘He’s indirectly saying I should know my place now that he’s ranked higher than .’
I couldn’t let that slide. As I’ve always emphasized—concession in the cult ant being looked down on.
There was a reason I hadn’t shown respect to the 70-year-old head of the Cheol Clan.
“I didn’t co here to exchange aningless pleasantries, Clan Head Gwak.”
His eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Saweol.”
At my call, Saweol unwrapped the bundle she had been carrying. Inside was a scroll stamped with the Cheol Clan’s seal.
“Clan Head Gwak. As you requested, I’ve obtained the seal of the Cheol Clan.”
One of the tricks I picked up in business—saying sothing slightly differently changes the entire fra.
Getting the Cheol Clan’s seal had been a test given by the Gwak Clan. But by saying they “requested” it, I reversed our positions.
“That is indeed the Cheol Clan’s seal.”
“Father!”
Naive Gwak Jeong exclaid innocently.
“Now that the Head of the Sado Clan has brought the Cheol Clan’s seal, he is officially my master! And the seal you promised as well!”
At least now I knew what to teach this kid first.
So way or another, I’d have to fix that oblivious nature of his. For now, though, it helped .
From Gwak Riyeon’s perspective, he had hoped to get sothing for nothing. He probably assud I’d fail, given the poor relationship between the Sado and Cheol Clans, and was ready to deny his own seal on that basis.
Of course, that was mostly due to the damage Sado Gwang had done to the Sado Clan’s reputation.
“I don’t believe the head of the Gwak Clan would go back on his word.”
“Of course not. Please take care of my son, Head of the Sado Clan. You are now his teacher. And I shall also grant you our seal.”
I nodded with a bit of swagger, as if it were a given.
If only he hadn’t continued speaking.
“In that case, Master Sado.”
He changed how he addressed —from clan head to master. Just as I’d changed the narrative, so too had Gwak Riyeon.
He continued.
“How about a sparring match, so I may see how you will teach my son?”
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