The Youngest Member Chapter 34

"A person with a grudge against the Dark Heavenly Son..."

The Sword King, Nangong Bi, was lost in deep thought.

It had been so long since he had even heard the na 'Dark Heavenly Son' that it felt awkward to say it out loud.

"Is there anyone living in the martial world of this era who doesn't have a grudge against him? He brought down the white path, led by the Martial Alliance, as if to make a statent, scattered the Four Evils Heaven, which was the number one faction of the black path in the previous generation, and was the very person who sealed the Heavenly Demon Cult for seventeen years."

The Dark Heavenly Son was a figure from the previous generation even to the Sword King. He had only heard stories from his father, the previous head of the Nangong family, and had never actually t him.

He had heard that the Martial Alliance Leader, the number one of the black path, and the Heavenly Demon Cult Leader of that era had all died at the hands of the Dark Heavenly Son.

It was strange when he heard the story, and it was still a strange thing to think about now.

Why didn't a master of that level unify the martial world?

The Dark Heavenly Son had carved his na most deeply in the history of the martial world and then disappeared without a trace.

Only those called his disciples remained in the martial world, gaining notoriety under the na of the descendants of the great evil.

At the Sword King's words, Cheon Woojin nodded his head.

"I see."

"Do you think this incident was caused by soone who has a grudge against the Dark Heavenly Son?"

"The possibility is high."

No matter how he thought about it, in the incident that was staged with the tomb of the Giant Stone Monster as bait, the only thing that the unknown person had gained was the lives of the disciples of the Dark Heavenly Son. To be precise, only their hearts.

'Including my Black Master.'

While the Sword King, Nangong Bi, and Cheon Woojin were each lost in deep thought.

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander, the Black Tortoise Unit Commander, Cheol Jiak, and the Martial Alliance mbers arrived at the open space.

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander asked.

"What's going on?"

"I felt an energy. It was quite intense."

Cheon Woojin nodded his head. It was the first ti he had felt such a huge and dangerous energy since he had co down from the mountain.

The Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander and Cheol Jiak looked at each other. Because they had not felt anything.

While everyone was just watching the situation, Song Yiyeon, who had suddenly approached Cheon Woojin, said.

"Young hero, don't tell

this place is..."

"That's right. It's the place where I lived before I set out for the Martial Alliance."

At Cheon Woojin's words, everyone looked at the wide yard and the hut with eyes full of curiosity. It was a foregone conclusion that Cheon Woojin's master was a mysterious master from the previous generation.

In particular, Zhuge Lin, who knew that Cheon Woojin was the disciple of the Black Master, her eyes shone even more.

Suddenly, the Sword King said.

"Will you go straight to the Nangong family? If you wish, you can take so ti to compose your mind here and then leave."

From a certain point, the Sword King was asking for Cheon Woojin's opinion, not the Heavenly Tiger Unit Commander's or the Black Tortoise Unit Commander's.

However, no one questioned that action.

Cheon Woojin shook his head.

"I will go straight away."

He had already composed his mind when he first ca down from the mountain. The place where his masters were was not this empty place, but in his heart.

The Sword King nodded his head as if satisfied. The more he saw him, the more he liked the guy. A truly martial artist-like man, unlike the kids these days.

And so, led by the Sword King, the martial artists of the Martial Alliance headed straight for the Nangong family, which was not far from here.

* * *

Anhui Province, Hefei.

As they entered, the alliance mbers from the countryside couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Although Wuhan in Hubei, where the Martial Alliance was located, was also a large city, Hefei was of a different class.

If Wuhan felt like a gathering place for martial artists, Hefei sohow felt like a resting place for high-ranking officials.

After all, the na itself ant 'peaceful and brilliant' Anhui, and 'fertile land' Hefei.

Cheon Woojin also looked around the city, half in a daze. At that sight, Song Yiyeon giggled and said.

"I felt it when we first arrived at the Martial Alliance, but you seem to be a little weak to new scenery, young hero."

Cheon Woojin nodded his head, barely listening. Having lived his whole life in the mountains, it seed it would take quite so ti to get used to such a scene.

The marketplace of Hefei was truly bustling. Shops were lined up in a long row, and in front of them, rchants and custors were conversing.

Carriages carrying officials ca and went on the main street without rest, and people naturally moved aside as if it were a daily occurrence.

Of course, after the Sword King, Nangong Bi, entered the marketplace, the scenery changed completely.

The shop assistants of small shops, taverns, and cloth shops all bowed their heads to him.

Then, a splendid carriage approached from the front. Although the Martial Alliance mbers naturally moved aside, the Sword King just continued walking.

Soon, an official who got out of the approaching carriage bowed deeply to the Sword King and then asked about his well-being for a long ti. Hearing him, it seed he was an official who oversaw several small counties near Hefei.

It was then that the saying that the Nangong family was the king of Anhui really hit ho.

'There was a reason why young hero Song had a hard ti with young hero Nangong.'

Having been born and raised in a place like this, a sense of admiration and fear for the Nangong family would be ingrained deep in his subconscious.

How long had they walked through the marketplace like that?

Unlike the Heavenly Tiger Unit mbers who had already visited, the eyes of the Black Tortoise Unit mbers widened and their jaws dropped.

The wall of a huge mansion, which could truly be called a castle, had appeared. It was so high and long that it even looked like a boundary that divided the world in half.

The words 'Nangong Family' written in a powerful script on the naplate were truly magnificent. Amidst everyone's admiration, Nangong Jin's shoulders also seed to have so strength in them.

"Wow, this is a house?"

The forr newcor of the Black Tortoise Unit, Jang Woopyeong, blurted out such words without realizing it and then glanced around, realizing his rudeness.

However, since everyone was showing a similar reaction, it didn't seem to stand out.

anwhile, Cheon Woojin's expression was truly serious.

"Young hero Song."

"Hmm?"

At Cheon Woojin's serious question, Song Yiyeon tilted his head. Cheon Woojin still asked with a hardened expression.

"Are all the Five Great Families like this?"

"Hmm, I've only been to the Nangong family, so I don't know, but wouldn't they generally be like this?"

The approaching Zhuge Lin suddenly patted Cheon Woojin's and Song Yiyeon's backs at the sa ti.

"The Zhuge family is not like this. The Nangong family is particularly large. What's surprising is that it's not particularly luxurious."

The people of the Nangong family were naturally far from luxury. Although there was a family tradition of not losing their dignity anywhere, they thought that it ca from their mindset and high level of martial arts, not sothing that could be obtained from money.

Nevertheless, the fact that they had built such a huge mansion ant that the number of people residing in the Nangong family was very large.

Cheon Woojin nodded his head. Just by the people he could sense, there seed to be at least four or five hundred. What was surprising was that among them, there were over a hundred who could be called masters by the standards of the martial world.

Soon, as the Sword King approached, the main gate opened smoothly with a heavy sound.

At the scenery of the Nangong family that unfolded inside, the eyes of the Black Tortoise Unit mbers, including Cheon Woojin, sparkled.

* * *

The Black Tortoise Unit mbers were enjoying a luxury they had never had in their lives.

They were to stay here until a new investigator was dispatched from the Martial Alliance.

Although everyone was refraining from alcohol because two Heavenly Tiger Unit mbers had died during the mission, the al was naturally full of delicacies.

Also, the residence provided by the family was so comfortable and luxurious that it was confusing whether it was a bed or a cloud.

Most of all, every martial artist he saw had the unique sharp aura of the Nangong family. Even without crossing swords, the power of the Nangong family was clearly conveyed.

In the banquet hall where all the Martial Alliance mbers, including the Sword King and several elders of the Nangong family, were gathered, Jang Woopyeong asked in a low voice.

"Does the Nangong family perhaps accept outside martial artists?"

At that question, Cheol Jiak asked back as if he was dumbfounded.

"Why, are you going to quit the Martial Alliance?"

"Ahem, no. What am I..."

"Wake up. As far as I know, the Nangong family does not recruit outside martial artists other than blood relatives."

At Cheol Jiak's words, the Sword King nodded his head. Unlike the other Five Great Families, which often recruited outside martial artists with different surnas, the Nangong family was completely composed of blood relatives.

Because they already had enough power to build the number one family with just the martial artists of the Nangong clan.

Suddenly, Jang Woopyeong asked.

"But how do you know that, unit commander?"

"Huh?"

Cheol Jiak's eyes widened as if he was flustered, and then he hit Jang Woopyeong on the back of the head for no reason. At that sight, Zhuge Lin muttered to herself in a low voice.

"Should I apply for a transfer to another ard force..."

As always, the atmosphere beca much lighter with the jokes and pranks of the Black Tortoise Unit mbers.

While the banquet disguised as dinner was in progress, Cheon Woojin was quietly sipping tea with Song Yiyeon in a corner seat.

The Sword King, who was watching the banquet with satisfaction from the head seat, his gaze suddenly turned to Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon at the end.

'That guy is also amazing.'

He had been interacting with the Anhui Song family for a long ti. Naturally, he knew Song Yiyeon, the eldest son of the Song family.

Before, he had not been visible because of Cheon Woojin's overwhelming presence, but now that he looked, Song Yiyeon had also grown greatly.

He had felt it before, but his talent was not awkward to be called a heavenly martial body.

On the other hand, it was also regrettable.

'If he had been born in a martial family instead of a rchant family, he would have surely made his na widely known.'

Suddenly, Song Yiyeon, who felt the gaze, t the Sword King's eyes and then bowed his head with an awkward smile.

The Sword King smiled with satisfaction and nodded his head.

"Is Family Head Song well?"

At that question, a silence fell on the scene. Because Song Yiyeon's and the Sword King's seats were at opposite ends of the banquet hall.

Song Yiyeon, who had suddenly received everyone's attention, smiled awkwardly and said.

"Yes, he is well, thanks to you."

"How could that be my doing. It must be because Family Head Song's resourcefulness is unparalleled in the world."

"Hahaha..."

The Sword King genuinely respected the head of the Song family, Song Habaek. Although he was a rchant, he was a great man who had grown a small shop into a huge rchant family with a magnanimity and decisiveness that was not inferior to that of a decent martial arts master.

"The bond between our Nangong family and the Song family is by no ans shallow. Since you have decided to live as a martial artist, not a rchant, if you ever need my help, feel free to tell ."

"T-thank you."

Song Yiyeon, who had hurriedly gotten up from his seat, cupped his fist.

"Yes. With that handso face, don't just make won cry, but also devote yourself to training and join forces with your friend to achieve the great cause of a white path hero."

'Friend' referred to Cheon Woojin.

Song Yiyeon, who understood at once, bowed his head deeply.

"I will try my best."

It was literal. In fact, he didn't know if he could beco a martial artist who was a match for young hero Cheon in the future just by trying.

However, since they had already beco friends, he would just continue to devote himself. At least, that's what Song Yiyeon thought.

However, there was also a man who thought completely differently from Song Yiyeon. Nangong Jin, who was seated next to the Sword King, was looking at Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon with a very strange look.

'Is training really aningful?'

Nangong Jin saw a wall in Cheon Woojin that he could never overco. It was to the point that nicknas like 'Lesser Sword Dragon' felt like a child's play.

A martial artist of the sa age had killed an elder of the Demonic Cult in one go, and had faced two disciples of the Dark Heavenly Son at the sa ti.

Even if he devoted his entire life to training, could he really achieve such a level?

Nangong Jin was skeptical about that question. He just felt that his past life and the goals he had set for the future were just futile.

Suddenly, Cheon Woojin turned his head and looked this way.

For so reason, Nangong Jin avoided his gaze without realizing it.

For a mont, a sense of sha and powerlessness welled up, but he just brought the teacup to his mouth and avoided the situation.

It was then.

"The eldest son of the Song family is one thing."

As the Sword King opened his mouth again, people's attention was focused again. The Sword King was looking at Cheon Woojin clearly.

"Does our newcor Cheon have anything he wants from ?"

Cheon Woojin tilted his head.

What was this sudden question?

As he felt a sense of doubt, the Sword King's words continued.

"Since you saved my son's life, I will grant you one wish, on the na of the Sword King."

The banquet hall buzzed quietly. Nangong Jin buried his head in sha, and Jang Woopyeong was on the verge of foaming at the mouth with envy.

He had saved the life of the eldest son of the Nangong family, and the family head had said he would repay the favor. If he asked for money, he would be given gold and silver treasures, and if he asked for martial arts, he could receive a top-level martial arts manual.

However, the person concerned, Cheon Woojin, was as calm as a quiet lake. The Sword King liked that sight. A martial artist should have such a bold side.

Soon, Cheon Woojin said.

"I don't have anything in particular."

"Hah..."

The Sword King's brow narrowed.

"Are you trying to make

a ridiculous man who closes his mouth even after owing his son's life?"

Cheon Woojin was truly in a difficult situation. Because he really didn't want anything from the Nangong family or the Sword King. However, the Sword King was still asking him for a wish.

Although he hadn't seen the Sword King for long, he had grasped his personality to so extent. If he didn't say sothing, he would persistently cling to it.

Soon, Cheon Woojin said with a sigh-filled voice.

"Then please find the one who dug up my master's burial mound."

"..."

The Sword King shut his mouth. He had not expected such a wish to co out.

It was obvious that the matter would not be easy. Just by the energy he had felt, he was a trendous master, and moreover, if such a person decided to hide, it would be as difficult as finding a needle in a sandy desert.

After a short mont of thought, the Sword King spoke again.

"That is sothing that should be done even without your wish. Also, the alliance will dispatch an investigator to track him down. So, state another wish."

In other words, it ant that since it was difficult to grant it right away, he should change his wish.

Cheon Woojin scratched his head and then said whatever ca to mind.

"Then I would like to have a duel."

The Sword King nodded his head, once again impressed inwardly.

"Good. The Nangong family is full of masters who can match you, so feel free to point out the opponent you want. They will engage in the duel with all their heart and soul."

In this place, besides the Sword King, there were quite a few masters of the Nangong family. Including the elders, there were also hall masters and commander-level martial artists present.

He had thought that they would be able to have a good duel with Cheon Woojin...

Unfortunately, Cheon Woojin's gaze was only directed at one person, the Sword King.

"..."

A mont of silence followed.

However, Cheon Woojin's gaze did not waver in the slightest.

Soon, the Sword King asked cautiously.

"Don't tell , ?"

(End of Chapter)