After the noisy morning and breakfast, Jo Yong-sang tried demonstrating a technique to Ho Cheon-an.
“I enjoyed the meal. Elder.”
“I’m glad it suited your taste.”
Since the meal was served, Ho Cheon-an asked Jo Yong-sang about the reason for his visit amidst the somewhat relaxed atmosphere.
“May I ask why the busy Hall Master of the Martial Forest Alliance came to see this old man?”
“Hmm.”
Jo Yong-sang looked at Ho Cheon-an.
Now that he saw him in person, he understood why Seo I-ryeong had not mentioned Ho Cheon-an in her letters.
It was incomprehensible.
To be precise, it was something he could not grasp.
A person who personally serves delicacies to a guest with impure intentions while commanding entities capable of dominating the world.
There was nothing he could infer about Ho Cheon-an despite the age and shabby Black Rib he wore.
However, he now lacked the calmness to assess Ho Cheon-an’s temperament.
This was because the situation in the world was rapidly changing.
“Elder, how much do you know about the current state of the world?”
“I have gained considerable knowledge about the remnants of the Blood Sect while eradicating them recently, but having secluded myself for a long time, I cannot say I’m well-versed in the current state of the world.”
“Then this may be a somewhat lengthy tale.”
Clearing his throat, Jo Yong-sang opened his mouth again.
“Due to the sudden oppression of the Martial World by the Huang Nation, the state of the Martial World has drastically changed.”
Numerous changes occurred in the Martial World due to the current imperial family’s involvement. All sects in Yunnan vanished, and both the outcast factions and legitimate sects found their power greatly diminished under the imperial pressure.
“The changes brought about by the imperial involvement are beyond words… yet the most significant point is that the experts of Hyeong-gyeong have vanished from the Martial World.”
Who would become the prime target of the Huang Nation in the extensive campaign against the Martial World?
It was precisely the experts of Hyeong-gyeong.
Under the relentless pressure of the Huang Nation, the choices for the Hyeong-gyeong experts largely boiled down to two: Either officially declare retirement from the Martial World and choose to seclude themselves or flee to a place entirely beyond the Huang Nation’s influence.
However, not every Hyeong-gyeong expert acted in such a manner.
“Among them was the assassination-master Gu Mo-seol, who did not follow that path.”
“Hmm.”
Gu Mo-seol, who had been an ally of the Blood Sect.
After the assassination of his Blood Ancestor, Gu Mo-seol chose to occupy an island instead of fleeing from the Huang Nation’s pressure.
“It was made possible by gathering the remnants of the Blood People scattered due to the weakening of the Blood Sect and the miscellaneous martial artists that were drawn together by the force of the Black Forest Room, which was originally his territory.”
After explaining the current situation, Jo Yong-sang cleared his throat once again to catch his breath before addressing the main topic.
“Recently, the remnants of the Blood Sect, spread across various regions, have gathered in the Black Forest Room. More precisely, they are converging on Black Forest Isle.”
“Are the entities that possess such power beginning to move?”
“They are indeed agitated, but we have yet to ascertain any concrete movements. The ones moving around are those leading the Blood Monsters, causing chaos throughout the world.”
“Hmm.”
“Have you encountered any of the Blood Sect’s remnants that handle Blood Monsters more than a few times? Excluding the Southern Blood Sect, of course.”
Ho Cheon-an stroked his beard, reflecting on his journey thus far. The purpose of his journey was more to restore peace to the Martial World than to collect entities. Although he dealt with the Blood Sect’s remnants that possessed Blood Monsters when he encountered them, he had only come across two groups of them during the gathering of the seven entities.
“Hmm… I don’t believe I’ve encountered many of them.”
“In fact, if you had been moving toward the remnants of the Blood Sect, that would be quite natural.”
The Blood People who wielded entities were, in essence, individuals of high rank within the Blood Sect.
On the other hand, what of the Blood People wielding Blood Monsters?
In comparison to those who commanded entities, their abilities and blood techniques might inherently be lacking. Additionally, unlike entities, which are fundamentally intelligent and hard to control fully, Blood Monsters could be controlled easily if one mastered the Blood Monster techniques.
It wasn’t particularly difficult to relinquish control, and those Blood People who wielded Blood Monsters often found themselves betrayed by other factions, losing control of the Monsters and being disposed of.
Thus, those who wielded Blood Monsters roamed the world, meticulously avoiding those of the Blood Sect that possessed entities.
Even in a wandering position, wielding a monster capable of easily facing a Hwa-gyeong expert would still afford them considerable power.
Yet, those remnants of the Blood Sect would gather on Black Forest Isle, relinquishing such influence.
“Is the gathering of the remnants in Black Forest Isle due to me?”
While Ho Cheon-an’s words met Jo Yong-sang’s silence, he took it as a confirmation.
“It’s true that I am hostile toward the Blood Sect, and I can understand that the remnants feel threatened. Nevertheless, is there a reason for them to travel such distances to evade me? If they are already those who wander, then it would be reasonable for them to simply run away should I appear.”
“The alliance holds two main thoughts on this. One is that rumors of the elder directly destroying the Southern Blood Sect have spread widely. Having shattered a place capable of producing Blood Monsters, they might interpret it as a declaration from you that you no longer need them.”
Gaining entities while granting freedom to Blood Monsters, in the eyes of the remnants wielding Blood Monsters, this interpretation seemed quite plausible.
“The second idea is that Gu Mo-seol from Black Forest Isle is offering substantial rewards to attract the remnants who wield Blood Monsters. Having been allies of the Blood Sect in the past and being a haven with many martial artists, the presence of an expert in the Black Forest Isle is likely an attractive option for the anxious remnants.”
“That’s indeed the case.”
Ho Cheon-an nodded, pondering.
As he reminisced about Hyeok Gi-rin and the figures he had gathered, he realized this situation had escalated due to his own emotional state.
Squeak! Squeak!
Kang! Kyaang!
Ho Cheon-an watched Seo Gong dangling from Mi-ho’s tail and the chaos Mi-ho stirred up in an attempt to catch him. Seok Woong turned his head as if disturbed, while Muk-geum silently observed the scene.
Ho Cheon-an reflected on the image of Seo Gong barely breathing beneath the Southern Blood Sect. Although not as severe as Seo Gong, Seok Woong, Muk-geum, and Mi-ho all exhibited neurotic and fierce tendencies.
“Are you seeking assistance regarding the issues arising from the Black Forest Isle?”
“To be straightforward, yes.”
“Master.”
Seo I-ryeong’s voice rang out in objection, yet Jo Yong-sang resolutely continued speaking.
Jo Yong-sang understood that his request was somewhat audacious.
However, he could not simply sit idle.
After all, the issue at hand was about the peace of the world.
“Gu Mo-seol, who has been plotting to conspire with the Blood Sect, has ambitions that are no secret to anyone. With the Blood Monsters gathering in his clutches, if he amasses sufficient strength, he will likely seek to break the world apart.”
“The Martial World still groans under the scars left by the Blood Sect. If the Black Forest Room and Blood Monsters again aim for dominance over the Central Plains, how will it turn out? The Huang Nation will brand them as traitors, while the Martial Forest Alliance won’t have sufficient power to stop the Black Forest Room, plunging the realm into chaos yet again.”
The Central Plains had already seen its fair share of turmoil.
If another chaotic era unfolded over the land of the Central Plains…
That would indeed be the end.
Thus, Jo Yong-sang bowed his head to Ho Cheon-an.
“I ask for your help for the sake of the world’s safety, Elder.”
In turn, Ho Cheon-an, gazing at Jo Yong-sang, spoke.
“I understand.”
He accepted the request.
*
Ho Cheon-an, the entities, Seo I-ryeong, and Jo Yong-sang were headed to Shandong, where Black Forest Isle was located.
“Wow! Elder, your food really tastes amazing!”
“Ha ha, thank you.”
“Still, being a descendant of a renowned family, I had some pride in my culinary skills, but after meeting you, I realized that what I thought was gourmet cuisine was really nothing!”
…Does that guy think he’s on a food adventure right now?
Jo Yong-sang looked at Namgung Bin with a disapproving expression. How did such a ridiculous fellow come from the Namgung family, known for its dignified stature?
He reproached his past self for deciding to hire Namgung Bin without an interview simply because of the Namgung family’s reputation.
As he watched Namgung Bin munching away, oblivious to the seasoning on his chin, Jo Yong-sang clicked his tongue.
And Seo I-ryeong let out a sigh as she looked at Jo Yong-sang.
Despite having enjoyed a delightful meal, Jo Yong-sang’s lips also sparkled with oil.
“Since the elder treated us to a delicious meal, I’ll take care of the dishes!”
“Ha ha, then I’ll leave it to you.”
“Absolutely! Just leave it to me!”
Namgung Bin disappeared to find water in order to do the dishes, while Ho Cheon-an also excused himself to look after the entities.
Once Jo Yong-sang cleaned the grease from his face, he lowered his voice.
“Iryeong, I have something to ask.”
“Tomorrow morning should be around 160 degrees.”
“Delicious… No, that’s not what I wanted to ask.”
Jo Yong-sang looked toward the entities. The blood sect strongholds that Ho Cheon-an had destroyed numbered seven. Therefore, there should be a total of seven entities under his command…
Seo Gong, Seok Woong, Muk-geum, Mi-ho.
Only four entities were in sight.
“Where are the remaining entities? Are they following us from an invisible place?”
Seo I-ryeong wore a complicated expression and replied to Jo Yong-sang’s inquiry.
“They have departed.”
“…What do you mean?”
Jo Yong-sang could not fully comprehend Seo I-ryeong’s words.
“It means exactly that. They have returned to nature.”
“They’ve returned to nature…? Are you saying you let go of the entities?”
At Seo I-ryeong’s nod, Jo Yong-sang’s eyes widened. Did she just release entities worth more than a whole sect?
“I released the wolf entity you named Cheong-rang and the spider entity you named Heuk-yo. As for Heuk-yo, maybe it’s a bug, but it appears to have a weak concept of cohesion. Although it has intelligence and follows your orders well, it seemed reluctant to embark on a journey.”
“So you let it go? An entity?”
“Rather than releasing it, it was provided a home. It is truly exquisite, almost bizarre. It felt as if Heuk-yo was meant to settle down in the space created for it. There, Heuk-yo will likely live peacefully as it wishes.”
Jo Yong-sang was dumbfounded.
But Seo I-ryeong’s explanation was not over.
“Cheong-rang, perhaps being a heavenly wolf, wanted to lead a pack. It attempted to gather ordinary wolves, but there were none that could remain with it, given the fact that you are surrounded by entities like Seo Gong. You led it towards some forest. In that place, there was another wolf entity leading a pack.”
“…So now this Cheong-rang entity has become independent by teaming up with that wolf?”
“Yes. It was truly mysterious.”
No, the mystery of the situation wasn’t the issue here.
“This is a big problem.”
Jo Yong-sang’s face turned rigid.
The master of Black Forest Isle, Gu Mo-seol, had openly harbored ambitions to seize the world for a long time.
Among the adversaries Gu Mo-seol would have to deal with to claim that world, it was clear that one of them was the remnants of the Blood Sect that wielded entities.
So, Gu Mo-seol must have created Array Formation Teams.
“With the addition of the Blood Monsters, confronting the Array Formation Teams of Black Forest Isle with the strength of the Martial Forest Alliance and the seven entities might not even be possible with the reduced number of entities…”
As Jo Yong-sang pictured a battle against Black Forest Isle in his mind, he sighed.
“…I don’t know.”
The sudden statement from Seo I-ryeong drew Jo Yong-sang’s attention.
“I’m unsure if this was a wise action.”
Uwoong! Uoooh!
Kang! Kyaang!
Seo I-ryeong looked at the entities that were with Ho Cheon-an. Seo Gong, who was stuck to Ho Cheon-an’s back, Mi-ho, who was wildly jumping all over and trampling Seok Woong, and Seok Woong, who seemed irritated by Mi-ho’s chaos. Muk-geum, once again, observed from a distance.
“You wish for the peace of the entities, Elder. At the very least, you want to ensure that they no longer possess blood on their hands because of humanity. Observing that, I realized. If someone does not push them, those entities will not harm anyone or plunge the world into chaos.”
“Iryeong.”
“The Blood Sect, which used the entities for dominion. And although… I have to utilize the entities for the peace of the world… have I truly made the right choice?”
Jo Yong-sang couldn’t provide an answer.
“I don’t know how to face the upcoming entities.”
Neither did he.
Jo Yong-sang, too, found himself unable to respond.
