The Youngest Member Chapter 71

The Five Great Families.

Among the countless families like stars, the five families with the highest authority. Along with the Nine Sects One Gang, they were one of the pillars that supported the Martial Alliance, and they even boasted a greater influence than the local governnt offices.

Even the black path n who swung their swords and fists in the streets while drunk would co to their senses and go ho quietly when they heard the na of the Five Great Families.

In the current Central Plains martial world, the Five Great Families were such an existence.

The front yard of such a Five Great Families was forcibly opened by an outsider.

Even as Cheon Woojin leisurely crossed the yard of the Zhuge family, no one stopped him.

Because everyone had seen with their own eyes what a huge disaster the gust of wind that had started from his Crane Feather Fan was, and what had happened to Zhuge Hyeon, who was counted among the best in Zhuge for his martial talent.

And so, Cheon Woojin stood in front of Elder Zhuge Seong without anyone's interference.

Zhuge Seong's gaze, looking at Cheon Woojin, was subtle.

'An incomprehensible martial artist.'

Although the opponent was young, there was no carelessness.

In fact, when he had only heard rumors, he had underestimated him. However, after seeing the martial might he had shown in the front yard of the Zhuge family, he imdiately corrected his evaluation.

At least a martial artist who had reached the peak.

In the current era, there were no more than thirty martial artists who were called peak masters. And yet, a low-ranking martial artist of the Martial Alliance was expected to be a peak master.

'It was wrong from the beginning.'

It was a mistake to have believed the words of the White Dragon Unit Commander and the information from the family's martial artists planted in the Martial Alliance.

He was more capable than what was known to the public.

The ability to see through the secret work done using the Shadowless Divine Thief and the Xiangyang Society, the wisdom to reveal the identity of the extrely trained subordinate, and the drive to invade the Zhuge family at once.

Above all, the martial power that supported all of that.

Zhuge Seong's eyes glistened with greed. He was a greedy man. He liked money, and he liked power. That's why he had pushed aside his older brother, the family head, and had taken all the power himself.

However, the field where Zhuge Seong was most greedy was talent. If one had a proper person under them, it was more valuable than a thousand pieces of gold.

'The Black Tortoise Unit Commander is truly blessed with people.'

He wanted to snatch him away.

Hundreds of Zhuge family martial artists were surrounding him, and in front was himself, the elder.

But look at those calm eyes looking at him.

There were calm herbalists in front of tigers, and there were porters who were not flustered when they t bandits.

Also, there were rising talents who held their heads high even in front of the Martial Alliance Leader or the master of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

History proved that they had eventually reached the sky in their respective fields. The young guy in front was of that kind, that is, a guy born with the disposition of a great master.

By the ti Zhuge Seong's thoughts had reached that point, Cheon Woojin had finally stood in front of him.

"Why did you do such a thing?"

It was a plain question. In fact, he had a guess.

To seize the power of the family and to make his son the next family head, Deputy Commander Zhuge Lin must have been a thorn in his side.

Then was the Black Tortoise Unit Commander just caught up in it?

As if he had read Cheon Woojin's thoughts, Zhuge Seong gave a gentle smile.

"If you're so curious, I'll tell you. But it's not sothing to be discussed here."

Zhuge Seong, who said so, turned his body and entered the pavilion.

Cheon Woojin looked at the receding Zhuge Seong and the Zhuge family martial artists around him for a mont, then let out a sigh and followed him.

* * *

The small training ground of the Zhuge family's main hall.

In that space, which was only allowed to the family head, two n stood facing each other.

Although he was not the family head, Elder Zhuge Seong, who held all the real power of the family.

And the low-ranking martial artist of the Martial Alliance, Cheon Woojin.

The two stood without a word. A smile of interest constantly flowed on Zhuge Seong's face.

Cheon Woojin said again.

"Send a ssage to the Martial Alliance. Confess your own sins and return the two who were frad to their original positions."

It was not a suggestion or a request.

It was a clear warning.

The more Zhuge Seong talked, the more greedy he beca.

'If only I could have such a guy by my side...'

He could surely obtain the world.

The age of the martial artist, who was presud to be a peak master, was at most around twenty. His future potential was endless. If his own resourcefulness, the power of the Zhuge family, and the guy's martial power and magnanimity were combined, there would be nothing to fear in the world.

He could push aside the Nangong family and the Sichuan Tang family and occupy the top seat of the Five Great Families. Zhuge Seong's two eyes glistened with greed and ambition.

Seeing this, Cheon Woojin let out a sigh.

"You have no intention of talking."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because your eyes are cloudy."

"Hah, I was called a handso man in my youth. That's why I was able to embrace that precious daughter of the Hebei Peng family, wasn't it? I think I'm still quite handso."

Zhuge Seong, who said so, looked at his face in the mirror far away and chuckled.

"Hey. Let's talk straight. Yes, it was all my doing. As you said, I will return the Black Tortoise Unit Commander and Deputy Commander to their original positions. I will be severely scolded by the alliance leader. The Zhuge family will also suffer considerable damage."

That was the aning of touching the ard forces of the Martial Alliance.

At least, since it was a position of one of the Five Great Families, it would end with disciplinary action and punishnt, but if it were a sect or family of a smaller scale, they would have been imdiately destroyed by the Martial Alliance.

Zhuge Seong's words continued.

"Also, I will not covet the secret cave of the Three Great Talents that you have occupied. But, just tell

whose secret cave it was. Because I can't stand being curious."

"It was the secret cave of Man Gija."

A strange light flashed in Zhuge Seong's eyes.

"I regret it imdiately. Isn't Man Gija the madman who left the most records in the world? His treasure would be more valuable to a man like

than to an ignorant martial artist. Ahem, but I can't take back the words I've already said."

Zhuge Seong licked his lips as if he were truly regretful.

Soon, Zhuge Seong, who had organized his thoughts, continued.

"I'll get straight to the point. I know you're a great master, but you can't face the Zhuge family alone. In the end, you will die. You've done sothing that can't be compared to touching the likes of the Gu family. But I'm going to give you a chance."

Even while saying so, Zhuge Seong observed Cheon Woojin's expression, his trivial gestures, and even his breathing. Reading people's minds was his specialty.

However, the guy in front was as difficult to read as a wily old master.

Because there were basically no clues at all.

'There is no fear. There are no useless habits. There are no emotions that brush past his eyes, and the person himself is just plain and dry.'

He was a type that would be troubleso to have as an enemy, but endlessly useful to have as a subordinate.

As Cheon Woojin remained silent as if to say, 'tell

more', Zhuge Seong inferred that his heart was shaken and continued.

"Beco my hands and feet. It's the only way you can live. No, it's not just living. You will enjoy great status and power. Money and won will naturally follow. Also, the Zhuge family will support you both materially and spiritually. We will teach you the peerless martial arts of the world without holding back, and we will let you eat spiritual dicines as if they were rice."

"Oh."

Cheon Woojin was quietly impressed. Of course, he was not tempted by Zhuge Seong's words. It was just a pure admiration that the Five Great Families, which he had only heard about, had so much money.

However, Zhuge Seong seed to be misunderstanding sothing.

A sticky smile was drawn on his face.

"That's right. A martial artist can't help but be tempted. I am showing you the utmost favor, even though you have opposed . It ans that I have recognized your value that much. A gentleman is bound to covet talent. Ah, for reference, I have no intention of having such a man as an enemy."

Although it was a noble tone, the aning contained within was firm.

Co under , or die.

There were only two choices. It was an attitude that was full of the confidence of the real power of the Five Great Families.

Cheon Woojin nodded his head.

"Now I understand. What kind of place the Zhuge family is, and how great you are."

At that, Zhuge Seong's smile deepened.

Well, it was an offer that could not be refused as a martial artist and as a man.

However, Cheon Woojin's next words were completely different from his expectations.

"Guidance is impossible."

"..."

Zhuge Seong's expression hardened.

Soon, his two eyes flashed with killing intent for a mont and then subsided.

Zhuge Seong realized firmly.

'It's a pity that my insides are torn.'

A guy like that doesn't bend his will. He had offered to give everything he could, but he had been refused. There was no way to persuade him anymore.

Then there was only one thing left. Before that outstanding sprout beca a great tree and put down deep roots in the martial world, before soone else benefited from it, kill him.

Zhuge Seong, who had nodded his head, soon gestured into the air.

Rumble-!

At the sa ti, the floor of the small training ground of the main hall collapsed.

Cheon Woojin, even in the face of a surprise trap, did not change his expression and leaped into the air.

But then the sky collapsed. There was no way to escape. It was an unrealistic thing.

A strange light appeared in Cheon Woojin's eyes.

"A formation."

His White Master had said that the strength of the Zhuge family was in their formations. However, he had also added, 'Well, it won't be much of a threat to you, Woojin.'

For that reason, the White Master and the Black Master had not taught Cheon Woojin any knowledge related to formations. Therefore, Cheon Woojin had not noticed the formation installed in the small training ground.

And so, Cheon Woojin fell endlessly into the formation of the Zhuge family.

Suddenly, a conversation between his masters ca to mind.

- White family guy, aren't you going to teach Woojin about formations? I also had a hard ti because of formations when I was young.

- Black Master, are you and Woojin the sa? It's a waste of ti to teach him. He will learn naturally after experiencing it a few tis when he goes out into the martial world later.

- What if he dies...

- Will he die? That guy?

- ...

Cheon Woojin, who recalled his masters' words, let out a smirk.

He had fallen into a space filled with darkness. Around him were eight doors whose shape and size were constantly changing.

Seven death gates and one life gate.

It was the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation that the greatest hero of the Zhuge family, Zhuge Liang, was said to have used against the soldiers of the Wei kingdom.

The originally powerful formation had been improved and developed by the genius of all ti, Zhuge Liang. According to the records passed down in the Zhuge family for generations, there were less than five martial artists in the long history of the martial world who had broken through the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation.

It was then.

Suddenly, a voice was heard from the empty air.

- E-Elder! The head of the Martial Alliance's Punishnt Hall has co.

- What? Why on earth did that mad dog co here?

- He said he is chasing the tracks of a fugitive from the alliance. It seems he is talking about that person, Cheon Woojin.

- It has beco troubleso. Guide him.

- Well, that person nad Cheon Woojin...

After a mont's ti, Zhuge Seong's voice continued.

- He has left. He has left for good. Before the head of the Punishnt Hall finds out sothing from the children of the family, bring him to

imdiately. If this matter becos known outside, it will be truly troubleso.

Soon, the sound faded away.

Zhuge Seong was convinced of Cheon Woojin's death, and he was even treating him as a dead person already.

However, Cheon Woojin himself was just calm.

Rather, he looked around the inside of the formation as if he were curious, and he even boldly knocked on the doors, not knowing whether they were death gates or life gates, and observed them.

The flow of energy was constantly changing. The eight doors changed their position and shape as if they corresponded to the stars of the night sky in the four seasons.

Even if one chose a life gate, the mont it was opened, it would beco a death gate.

In theory, the life gate could never be found without the permission of the caster. It was either choosing a death gate and dying quickly, or putting off the choice and starving to death.

Cheon Woojin, who had been watching for a long ti, ca to the sa conclusion.

Then...

Cheon Woojin put away the Crane Feather Fan he was holding. He took out the Crescent Moon Staff on his back.

Soon, a dark energy swirled around the Crescent Moon Staff and collided with the energies in the formation, making a thunderous sound.

Rumble-!

Cheon Woojin looked at one door with a nonchalant face and repeated.

"How many tis will it hold?"

Soon, the black energy that had been swirling around the Crescent Moon Staff like a haze eventually swallowed the surrounding energy and completely dominated it.

Cheon Woojin had perfectly inherited the martial arts of his two masters.

The martial arts of his two masters had clear characteristics.

Defense, evasion, pursuit, flexibility, fighting against many in a chaotic battle, or a large-scale war where allies and enemies were mixed.

In almost all fields, the White Master's martial arts were superior.

However, there was only one thing.

Only destructive power.

In that, the White Master's martial arts could never surpass that of the Black Master. No, in Cheon Woojin's view, it would not even be half.

It was not that the White Master's martial arts were weak. It was just that the Black Master's martial arts, the peerless martial arts created by the Dark Heavenly Son, were too strong.

If one were to face a thousand people, the White Master's martial arts were right, but if one were to face one absolute master, it was right to hold the Crescent Moon Staff.

A formation was a matter of facing one master. Because just by making a small crack, one could bring down the whole thing.

Soon, Cheon Woojin raised the Crescent Moon Staff. Although it was just a light movent, the surrounding air sank heavily.

Black Dragon's Finishing Touch.

A martial art created by the Dark Heavenly Son when he gained enlightennt while drawing the last eye of a black dragon on a white paper.

He did not even consider defense or evasion. He just hit one point with the strongest force to destroy it.

The power contained at the tip of the staff would smash anything.

Soon, the dark Crescent Moon Staff, filled with enormous energy, was shot out.

(End of Chapter)