At Gwangpung Shinga’s words, the other clan heads spoke up one by one.
“What of it? In the end, isn’t that telling us our lord should go retrieve it himself?”
“Indeed. If one is a true loyal subject, he should personally fetch it and present it to our lord.”
“Hand that map to me. I will find the Demonic Tiger Relic myself and deliver it to him.”
Gwangpung Shinga snorted.
“Do you even know where this place is before you talk so grandly?”
“And where would that be?”
“The Northern Sea Ice Palace. What you are saying is that you’ll move against the strongest of all the Frontier powers.”
“T-The Northern Sea Ice Palace!”
The ruler of the Northern Sea.
The King of the Northern Sea.
That was the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Even the Central Plains had once been crushed beneath their invasions.
In winter, their power multiplied severalfold, and each winter they had poured into the Central Plains.
Of course, since the rise of Martial Deity Heaven, they had not dared set foot south. Yet as a single force, they were second only to Martial Deity Heaven itself.
Limited to winter, yes—but no less formidable for it.
And one could not even strike at them.
For they dwelled where their power was at its peak.
The martial world of the Central Plains had another name for them.
Since they only invaded in winter, they were called the Winter Northern Demon Palace.
Because Martial Deity Heaven had stood for so long, they had not entered the Central Plains in ages, and so they had begun to fade from memory.
“...We had forgotten them.”
“The Winter Northern Demon Palace...”
At their murmurs, Gwangpung Shinga chuckled.
“Each time they surged south, the entire Central Plains trembled. And you say you can handle that?”
None of them answered.
“Our beggars staked their lives against the cold to drag this information out. And yet you dismiss that effort so lightly? I am disappointed in you.”
At that, the clan heads lowered their heads in shame.
“...Forgive us.”
“We must have been blind for a moment.”
“We apologize.”
Seeing them contrite, Gwangpung Shinga’s expression softened.
“Enough. But mind yourselves in the future.”
With his temper cooled, the clan heads pressed on.
“How did you uncover this information about the Demonic Tiger Relic?”
“On our own, the Beggars’ Sect could never have done it. But an entirely unexpected group gave us the lead.”
“An unexpected group?”
“The Afternoon Gate.”
“The Afternoon Gate? But aren’t they the Beggars’ Sect’s sworn enemies?”
“Indeed.”
“And yet you claim they handed you information on the Demonic Tiger Relic? And expect us to believe that?”
“At first I didn’t believe it either. But then I heard they, too, had come under our lord’s banner. Then it made sense.”
“What! The Afternoon Gate as well?”
“Without our noticing, the Central Plains is already in our lord’s grasp.”
“Before long, he will be the first in history to unite the Central Plains.”
“The First Emperor of the martial world, who unifies it utterly! ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Hahaha!”
“But tell me this—if they found the information, why ask you for help? Why not handle it themselves?”
“That puzzled us as well. But once we learned the Relic lies in the Northern Sea Ice Palace, we understood. Their strength was not enough to even confirm whether it existed. That is why they came to us.”
“So they sought the Beggars’ Sect...”
“Exactly. We are one family. Of course we accepted. And when we report to our lord, we will not fail to credit the Afternoon Gate’s efforts.”
At that, all nodded.
“As expected, Shinga, you are a true man of honor.”
“We were rude to you earlier. We apologize again.”
“Hahaha! Never mind. If you truly feel sorry, buy me a good drink.”
“So be it.”
As they bickered, a man came rushing in.
“What is it?”
“Our lord has just arrived.”
“Truly? Where is he staying? Surely in the finest guest pavilion?”
“Ah... he has been assigned to the Tent Quarters.”
“What! The Tent Quarters?”
“His renown is not yet widely known... he was treated as part of a new sect...”
“And you simply stood by?”
“I meant to protest, but our lord himself told me not to, so I could say nothing.”
“Grhhk...”
If Woo Jin had forbidden it, what could the man do?
“It is Huashan’s insolence, to treat him so.”
“Let us go confront them at once.”
“Indeed! It is time we moved on our lord’s behalf.”
As they rose in outrage, the attendant added:
“Forgive me—but he bade me deliver this message, as an order: do not confront Huashan.”
“Do not?”
“He commanded—do not protest to Huashan.”
“Hmm...”
“Come. Let us go to him.”
“He also said he dislikes drawing attention. He will unpack and come here himself.”
“What discourtesy is this...”
That their lord would come to them—their faces twisted with displeasure.
“Enough. Rather than grumble, let us prepare to welcome him properly.”
“Just so. It has been long since we saw him—we must not greet him with sour faces.”
All nodded, and hurried to make preparations.
****
At the foot of Mount Hua, countless tents sprawled across the plains.
The endless stream of arrivals had forced Huashan Sect to set up temporary quarters for their guests.
Those staying here would have to climb the lofty mountain each day to watch the tournament, then descend again to rest, only to climb once more the next day.
Cumbersome, yes. But none left.
Such was the importance of the Divine Dragon Tournament. It was the event the martial world had long awaited.
Among the streams of people ascending Mount Hua were Yeon Woo Jin and his party.
All wore faces full of displeasure—save Woo Jin and Yeon Cheon Baek.
Seeing this, Woo Jin chuckled.
Yeon Cheon Baek asked, “What’s so funny?”
“Look at their faces. Full of resentment.”
“As well they might. To them you are a god. And yet Huashan placed a god in a tent.”
“I like it this way. With Grandfather by my side.”
At that, Yeon Cheon Baek’s face lit up.
“Keheheh! Truly?”
“Yes.”
“Hahaha! Then I need nothing more than you beside me. You precious thing.”
He ruffled Woo Jin’s cheeks, almost giddy. Then his face hardened.
“I endure for your sake. But should any dare show you disrespect, I will not.”
Who would dare?
If Huashan slighted Woo Jin, they would face the gravest crisis in their history.
And not Yeon Cheon Baek alone.
Behind him stood warriors of fearsome repute, nodding grimly in agreement.
But Woo Jin shook his head.
“Grandfather, reveal yourself openly, let the world know your identity, and move boldly. What do you say?”
“Child, you are a candidate for the Little Heavenly Lord contest. If I do that, it will look as though you rose on my name. Is that what you want?”
Absurd.
Yeon Woo Jin was the strongest living being in existence.
Even Yeon Cheon Baek himself could not defeat him.
The true Martial God.
And yet he worried it might seem he leaned on his grandfather’s fame.
But to the world’s eyes, that is exactly how it would appear.
Only later, when they saw his true power, would they understand.
But Woo Jin did not want that stain at the start.
“...Very well. I will endure.”
“So please, hold back as much as you can.”
“Yes, as much as I can.”
“And that goes for all of you as well. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Surely nothing would go wrong after such warnings.
But Woo Jin had yet to realize—his followers extended far beyond those beside him now.
****
“Greetings to our lord!”
With booming voices, the clan heads of the Five Great Clans and Gwangpung Shinga of the Beggars’ Sect welcomed Woo Jin.
“It has been long. Have you all been well?”
“Thanks to you, my lord.”
“Indeed. Our clan prospers greater than ever in its history, all thanks to you.”
“Our house as well.”
Each proclaimed their flourishing, crediting Woo Jin.
“It was possible because of your efforts.”
“What do you mean? The grace you have given us is as high as heaven. The Pang Clan will serve you, my lord!”
“My lord! Stay at the Zhuge residence we have been assigned!”
“Nonsense, our Namgoong Clan shall host you!”
They vied with one another to take him in.
“I will remain in the Tent Quarters. So please—do not protest to Huashan or draw attention.”
Their faces soured.
A palatial pavilion would have been too little, and yet a tent?
“But... the others seem not yet arrived?”
“The others?”
“The rest of the Nine Schools.”
Gwangpung Shinga answered.
“They should arrive today. My lord, which sects are under your banner?”
At this, all eyes fixed on Woo Jin.
Which peers, which rivals, were now his allies?
“The Wudang Sect, the Emei Sect, the Kunlun Sect, and the Qingcheng Sect.”
“Not Mount Wutai?”
“Mount Wutai is in cooperation with Cheon Gi Jinin.”
“That venerable one surely sees you as more than an ally.”
“Indeed. Ask him yourself—Mount Wutai too will serve you.”
None looked surprised.
Rather, they had expected as much.
Though Wudang’s submission startled some.
“Even Wudang beneath you? Remarkable.”
“What is remarkable? It is natural.”
“Soon the rest will follow.”
“Not Shaolin.”
“Shaolin has the Buddha.”
“And is our lord not the Buddha himself? The one come to save the world?”
“In the end, Shaolin will kneel.”
As they argued over Shaolin, Gwangpung Shinga’s eyes drifted to those standing behind Woo Jin.
For a moment he froze. Then he reeled back, stumbling.
“Wh—what! T-The Green Forest Grand Emperor!”
At those words, all turned to stare.
The Green Forest Grand Emperor? Here?
Following his gaze, they recognized the face.
“Ah! It truly is the Grand Emperor!”
“And why would you be here?”
The shock was not over.
“Wait—that’s the Flame Emperor!”
“It is! The Flame Emperor!”
“And with him... the Sword Empress?”
Why were such figures at Woo Jin’s side?
The answer was obvious.
They too had bent the knee.
Still, someone asked outright:
“Are you truly the Green Forest Grand Emperor?”
Lee Hwa Un inclined his head with a fist-and-palm salute.
“Indeed. I am Lee Hwa Un. I serve our lord now. We are family—let us work well together.”
At his side, Hwa Sogwang introduced himself.
“I am Hwa Sogwang, known as the Flame Emperor. I too serve our lord. Let us work well together.”
“And I am Yeo Hwarin, Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion. I look forward to our ties.”
Rivals existed not only among the orthodox sects.
They existed in the demonic world as well.
The others exchanged tangled looks, then offered belated greetings.