“We’ve arrived.”
At Tang Do-yeon’s words, I looked out the window at the Martial Forest Alliance.
The Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans, not to mention sects whose names no one could forget, were massively assembling at the Martial Forest Alliance.
At the main gate of such an alliance, a commotion was in full swing.
“No uninvited guests are allowed entry.”
“What? Are you saying the Martial Forest Alliance dismisses the wills of those righteous heroes willing to fight against the Blood Sect?”
Three people were arguing with the gatekeeper.
“Our Three Heroes of Hanam have worked tirelessly for the peace of Hanam, how can you treat us this way!”
“Right! Right!”
The Three Heroes of Hanam were throwing a fit, while other martial artists kept a close watch on them. From the looks on their faces, it seemed they were waiting for a chance to slip in as well if the words of the Three Heroes bore fruit.
It seemed that for them, the current turmoil of the Blood Sect was an excellent opportunity to elevate their reputations.
Well… honestly, it wouldn’t be surprising to think that way.
The sects forming the Martial Forest Alliance weren’t just any ordinary sects. Thundering forces like the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans were amassed here.
Now that the Martial Forest Alliance had stepped up, they must have thought defeating the Blood Sect was only a matter of time.
Perhaps they even calculated that the Array Formation Teams of the Martial Forest Alliance would catch the entities, while they could just deal with the minions of the Blood Sect and gain fame themselves.
It wouldn’t be unusual for the Martial Forest Alliance not to realize this.
Unless the Array Formation Teams were lacking in number, the martial artists’ strength in the Martial Forest Alliance to deal with the Blood Sect was overflowing.
Accepting such riffraff would only cause headaches and lead to greater losses, so they were firmly blocking entry like this.
Dokgo I-seol, who had been assessing the situation, muttered.
“It’s not a favorable situation to enter the Martial Forest Alliance right now.”
Dokgo I-seol’s words were true.
How those people thought and acted was none of my concern.
However, the problem was that their noisy antics in front of the Martial Forest Alliance were now making it impossible for me to enter as well.
Just like them, I too was an uninvited guest.
If some were let in and some were kept out, would they quietly stand by?
“Well, that’s just the nature of uninvited guests.”
So we needed to become invited guests, not just uninvited ones.
“Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye, please assist me a little.”
Clatter!
The two of them and I stepped down from the Bicheongmacha.
Eyes began to gather on us.
“Wait, are those authors…?”
“Black Rib? Sacheon Outcast?”
“Odor-filled lowly collars…! It’s Miss Yeo Il-ye of Red Bamboo Swordswoman!”
“Then does that mean the one from the center is the Brain Knife Outcast!”
Instantly, gazes converged on us.
What can I even say about this?
Jealousy. Envy. Awe.
As I felt the mixed stares of the martial artists, I was filled with a myriad of emotions. It particularly struck me how odd it felt. If no one recognized Black Cat or Yeo Il-ye, would anyone recognize me?
Anyway, we pushed through the martial artists who made way for us and reached the main gate.
Hanam No. 1, who was arguing with the gatekeeper, paused, stared at Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye, then hesitantly stepped aside.
The expression of the gatekeeper, who had already grasped my identity through the surrounding martial artists’ chatter, was rigid and tense.
Well, given my current status, the gatekeeper couldn’t help but feel pressure refusing someone of my caliber.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ho Cheon-an.”
The gatekeeper, unable to avoid it, introduced himself formally.
“What brings you to our alliance?”
“I have business regarding the Blood Sect. May I enter?”
“…That is.”
Seeming nervous either because of my reputation or perhaps his station, the gatekeeper hesitated.
…Wait, isn’t this pushing it too far?
I wanted to be a formally invited guest of the Martial Forest Alliance, not just a brazen intruder using my fame and strength to bulldoze my way in.
Come on now, you’re the gatekeeper of the Martial Forest Alliance! Have a bit more pride and adhere to principles!
I looked at the gatekeeper with as gentle an expression as possible. His tensed face gradually relaxed a bit.
Yes, I’m not the type to kick down the main gate or put you in a bind if I get turned away.
I was having this weird instinct, like I was extending a hand to calm a wild animal, when suddenly.
“Is the Martial Forest Alliance trying to close its gates even to the cooperation of the Brain Knife Outcast?”
Out of the blue, Hanam No. 1 interjected.
“Are you saying the Martial Forest Alliance would even snub a hero like the Brain Knife Outcast? This treatment is too much!”
Why are you butting in and causing a ruckus again?
I shot him a look reflecting my thoughts, but Hanam No. 1 beamed back at me with a grin.
“Ha-ha-ha! I’m the first of the Three Heroes of Hanam! The treatment of one of the heroes of the Martial World by the Martial Forest Alliance was too poor, so I couldn’t help but step in!”
“…Thank you for your goodwill.”
I shot a look at Hanam No. 1 that clearly said to back off, but he was grinning away, and the others, Lee Ho and Sam Ho, glared at the gatekeeper.
Under the pressure of the Three Heroes of Hanam, the gatekeeper was practically sweating bullets now.
Nothing seems to be going easily.
I bit my lip as I glanced at Hanam No. 1, 2, and 3. With my name getting bigger, an unexpected variable had thrown a wrench into my plans.
Fame can be a double-edged sword; it can help, but it can also tie you up in unforeseen situations.
I’d have to keep this in mind moving forward.
“Why not say something?”
Putting self-reflection aside for later, I hurriedly turned back to the gatekeeper who was under pressure from the Three Heroes.
After switching glances between Hanam No. 1, 2, and 3, the gatekeeper squeezed his eyes shut and spoke.
“Right now, no uninvited person is allowed entry!”
Well, I knew it would come to this!
As the gatekeeper of the great Martial Forest Alliance, you shouldn’t yield to outside pressure, right?
“Why say that now…”
“I understand.”
I hastily interrupted Hanam No. 1’s words and opened my mouth.
“Then I guess we’ll have to wait until we receive an invitation.”
“What, Great Hero?”
Hanam No. 1 shot me a look of betrayal, but I ignored him.
Anyone would think I got stabbed in the back.
“However, I have something urgent to convey to the other martial artists of the Martial Forest Alliance, could you please pass along a message? I will be waiting at the nearby inn.”
“O-Of course!”
The gatekeeper brightened up at my words, then shot a fierce glare at Hanam No. 1.
“Did you hear that? The Brain Knife Outcast has respected the Martial Forest Alliance, so other guests should retreat!”
“N-no…”
Typically, a famous figure’s actions hold significant weight.
I followed the gatekeeper’s directive and retreated obediently, which made it so that those with lesser skills and low reputation would naturally find it difficult to cut in front of the Martial Forest Alliance.
This only strengthened the authority of the Martial Forest Alliance.
Wow, Ho Cheon-an has really grown.
I could even exert some influence now.
“Are you planning to keep causing a commotion?”
“W-well…”
As I boarded the Bicheongmacha, I overheard the conversation of the two behind me.
I wouldn’t have to wait long for an invitation to arrive from the Martial Forest Alliance.
* *
The Martial Forest Alliance.
Hall Master Yeon Cheon-baek surveyed the situation in the Great War.
Representatives from the Five Great Clans and the Nine Great Sects. Moreover, representatives from prestigious sects and clans that were known well across the world gathered in one place.
“I will now commence the Martial Forest Alliance meeting.”
In a grave atmosphere, Yeon Cheon-baek’s remarks echoed.
“First, let’s share what happened at Botamun once again.”
Yeon Cheon-baek spoke of the battle between Botamun and the Blood Sect, recalling it.
“Thus, Botamun has been set ablaze, and… the Saber Beast and the minions of the Blood Sect occupy the ruins.”
“Wow, such a disaster…”
The representative from the Shaolin Temple, Nasodaesa, clasped his hands and spoke.
“Amitabha, we cannot just stand by while the marauding minions of the Blood Sect occupy Botamun.”
Yeon Cheon-baek nodded, capturing the expressions of the representatives.
“If so, let’s set the current agenda to the recapture of Botamun.”
“Alright.”
The question of how to retake Botamun, now in the hands of the Blood Sect, arose.
Naturally, the greatest obstacle, the Saber Beast, came to the fore.
“Allow the Saber Beast’s hunt to be delegated to the Shandong Family!”
All gazes turned to that side.
The representative of the Shandong Family, Ak-hwi-cheol, beat his chest confidently.
“Our Array Formation Team, skilled in Beepungsan Hae-jin, has hunted three entities over the past ten years. Surely some of the martial artists from the East have heard such rumors.”
The representatives from each sect recalled the rumors about the Shandong Family.
To be referred to as a relatively new force that has greatly expanded its influence recently through various means.
Those who had heard rumors of the Shandong Family hunting an entity nodded in agreement.
With a positive response, Ak-hwi-cheol grew even more exuberant.
“Would the strength of Botamun be lesser than the Blood Sect’s? The experts of Botamun merely fell victim to the Blood Sect’s treacherous schemes and couldn’t show their true strength. Above all else, I believe that practical experience is crucial for displaying one’s abilities when faced with the Blood Sect’s malevolent tricks.”
“Truly, that makes sense.”
“Indeed, the ability to respond comes from practical experiences.”
Gradually, those present began to nod in agreement.
The atmosphere in the meeting was leaning towards supporting the Shandong Family’s departure.
It was becoming an accepted thought that the Array Formation Team from the Shandong Family was more than capable of confronting the Blood Sect’s minions.
“In that case, let’s entrust the dealing with the Saber Beast to the Shandong Family.”
“Yes! We will do our utmost to meet your expectations!”
‘Yes!’
Ak-hwi-cheol outwardly maintained a composed demeanor, but internally he was suppressing his joy.
What kind of people were the minions of the Blood Sect?
They didn’t just drink blood; they were also adept in malicious sorcery that could turn people into monsters.
Now they had shown their ambitions to conquer the martial world with entities leading the charge while striking down the prestigious Botamun, proving their capacity to fulfill those ambitions.
The commotion of the Blood Sect had already plunged the entire world into terror.
The Shandong Family saw this turmoil as an opportunity.
What if they successfully hunt the Saber Beast while reclaiming Botamun, which everyone else feared?
This could be sufficient to elevate the stature and renown of the Shandong Family to great heights.
At this moment, Ak-hwi-cheol was confident that the family’s judgement was correct.
In terms of power and fame, the Shandong Family could not measure up to the Martial Forest Alliance’s core.
But right now, the Shandong Family stood tall as part of the Martial Forest Alliance.
“Now we must discuss how to support the Shandong Family.”
“First, we should organize an escort team to allow them to confront the Saber Beast comfortably.”
The greatest sects of the world were discussing ways to assist the Shandong Family.
‘If they can handle this one well… maybe they can rise to the ranks of the Five Great Clans!’
As Ak-hwi-cheol was lost in dreams of elevating his family and tightening his fists,
Yeon Cheon-baek looked at Ak-hwi-cheol with a worried expression.
‘Did the Shandong Family take the movement of the Blood Sect as an opportunity for ascension…?’
The Blood Sect, which had hidden itself for so long, had now popped up to take the world into its grip, so wouldn’t it be best to exercise caution until its full power was assessed?
Holding such thoughts, Yeon Cheon-baek felt uneasy about the reckless appearance of the Shandong Family but didn’t voice his dissatisfaction.
“Should we also formulate a plan to deal with the remnants of the Blood Sect fleeing from Botamun?”
“How about utilizing the cooperation of local sects to spread a net?”
The other sects were also full of confidence about their victory
Even those who hadn’t participated yet were already formulating plans to hunt down the remnants of the Blood Sect, and Yeon Cheon-baek observed this scene, calming himself.
‘Well, is there really anything to worry about, just an old man’s over-cautiousness?’
Would the righteous factions of the world really not be able to handle just the Blood Sect?
So long as they avoid unnecessary losses due to overconfidence, as the Hall Master of the Martial Forest Alliance, he would have done his job.
As Yeon Cheon-baek organized his thoughts,
“Urgent news! Urgent news!”
A martial artist burst into the meeting room.
“What is this commotion?”
Though Yeon Cheon-baek reprimanded the martial artist for bursting in, he quickly solidified his expression.
The news the martial artist brought was astounding.
“The Blood Sect! The Blood Sect has attacked the Shandong Family!”
“What?”
“No way…?”
Everyone looked at Ak-hwi-cheol. He was taken aback by the unexpected situation, but he soon burst into hearty laughter.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha! They’ve dug their own graves! Even if entities have invaded, our family’s Beepungsan Hae-jin would have fought off the minions of the Blood Sect!”
Despite Ak-hwi-cheol’s grand standing, the martial artist who relayed the news didn’t second Ak-hwi-cheol’s boastful words but instead glanced around cautiously.
An ominous feeling swept across the meeting.
Yeon Cheon-baek urged the martial artist on behalf of the assembly.
“…Proceed with your report.”
“A massive wild boar and the Blood Sect’s minions have appeared and caused significant damage to the Shandong Family. We are not yet sure of the extent of the damage, but it is presumed to be greater than that of Botamun.”
“N-no! Our Family can’t be defeated so easily! They were already prepared for departure with the Beepungsan Hae-dae at the ready!”
Ak Gyeong-cheol was seething with rage, ready to grab the collar of the messenger, but the surrounding martial artists managed to restrain him.
Some noticed the Shandong Family’s intent to take independent actions since they hadn’t taken the lead in the Martial Forest Alliance and frowned, but what mattered wasn’t Ak Gyeong-cheol’s motives right now.
“According to the report, they set up an array formation to deal with the entity but were defeated…”
“That… that can’t be!”
Ak Gyeong-cheol slumped down, and the representatives grew solemn.
Though they knew little about the details, the fact that even the experienced Array Formation Team of the Shandong Family had failed to hold off the Blood Sect’s entities was proof that vanquishing the minions of the Blood Sect was far from a simple task.
Moreover, not just the Saber Beast, but another entity?
Seeing as two entities had now shown themselves, it wasn’t unreasonable to assume that the Blood Sect possessed even more of them.
“Nonsense, nonsense…”
As Ak Gyeong-cheol muttered, the thought crossed the minds of the representatives.
Perhaps the movements of the Blood Sect were events the righteous factions of the Martial Forest Alliance would have difficulty resolving.
A deep silence enveloped the meeting for a while.
Only the sounds of Ak Gyeong-cheol’s sobbing and mutterings filled the air.
