Chapter 210

The two men froze when Jeok Mugun called them over.

“Why the hell won’t you two listen?”

In the next instant, Jeok Mugun was already right in front of them and sealed their pressure points.

“Gasp!”

With their inner qi sealed in an instant, both were visibly shaken.

“What are you waiting for? Go put them on.”

“We have to guard this place.”

When the two looked troubled, Jeok Mugun raised his voice.

“Hey!”

Every person training on the grounds turned toward him at once.

“Namgung, Hwangbo, Paeng family heads! Order these fools to join the training.”

At Jeok Mugun’s words, the three family heads broke into broad grins.

“What are you waiting for? Do as he says.”

“While you’re here, you obey him before you obey us. That’s an order.”

Once the family heads gave the command, the three men went over to the black bands and strapped them on.

STAGGER—

The sheer weight nearly threw them off balance.

They had guessed the bands were heavy after watching the family heads struggle with them.

But this heavy?

“Now, you three start with horse stance too.”

The family heads snickered at the sight, looking downright delighted by their misery.

Truth be told, the training had been killing them while the unit leaders stood around perfectly comfortable, and it had been getting on their nerves.

They had desperately wanted to tell them to seal their inner qi, put on the black bands, and suffer through the same training, but pride had kept them from saying it aloud.

Now the Heavenly Martial Emperor had done it for them.

It was immensely satisfying.

Besides, training alongside them would make the unit leaders stronger as well, which could only benefit their families.

Naturally, the family heads were in an excellent mood.

*******

“Yeah. Knew you bastards wouldn’t stay away.”

“Forgive us.”

“Forget it. I was going to call you anyway. Training just those three didn’t sit right with me.”

Zhuge Ho and Tang Pae stood before Jeok Mugun.

PA-PAT—

There was no need for a long conversation.

Jeok Mugun immediately sealed their inner qi.

“See those? Put them on and find yourselves a spot.”

“Yes!”

Zhuge Ho and Tang Pae hurried over to the black bands.

Zhuge Ho staggered beneath the weight, but Tang Pae strapped them on without any trouble.

“Oh? Looks like you’ve kept up with your basic training.”

“Yes! Young Master Jeok told me the fundamentals were the most important thing, so I’ve been practicing them consistently.”

“Is that right? At least you listened to his advice and actually put it into practice. That already makes you better than these idiots.”

“Thank you.”

“Tang Mujin’s doing well, I take it?”

“Yes! He’s managing the family in my stead right now.”

“I’ll have to find some time to test his skills too.”

Jeok Mugun looked at Zhuge Ho and Tang Pae.

“You two work hard as well. There’ll be a test in fifteen days.”

“A test?”

“You’ll find out when the time comes. Until then, train as hard as you can.”

Neither knew what sort of test he meant, but somehow they had the distinct feeling they needed to take the training very seriously.

*******

Jeok Rihyeon looked troubled.

“You’re stepping down as Merchant Master of the True Martial Merchant Company?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve barely held the position.”

“Something urgent came up. I think I need to deal with that first, so I’m planning to hand the position over to someone else for the time being.”

“Something urgent? What?”

Jeok Wigang studied Jeok Rihyeon’s expression for a moment before answering cautiously.

“Well... I’m going to become Lord of Heavenly Martial Castle.”

Jeok Rihyeon’s face hardened.

“Have they begun to move?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Seeing the worry etched across Jeok Rihyeon’s face, Jeok Wigang smiled.

“Don’t worry. Nothing like what you’re afraid of is going to happen.”

“And what exactly do you think I’m afraid of?”

“That the martial world will be put in danger, or that something will happen to the True Martial Sect.”

“Wrong. I’m worried about you.”

“What?”

“You may be strong, but your enemy is an unknown force whose true power we cannot gauge.”

“You know how strong I am. I’ll be fine.”

“A father worrying about his son is only natural.”

There was nothing but sincerity in Jeok Rihyeon’s eyes, and warmth spread through Jeok Wigang’s chest.

“I know you’re strong. Even so, never grow arrogant, and never underestimate your opponent.”

“Yes. I’ll keep that firmly in mind.”

“Good. And whatever happens, do not get hurt. Do you understand?”

“Yes!”

“Good. Who are you planning to give the Merchant Master position to? Jang Pyeong will never accept it, so leave him out.”

“I’m thinking of giving it to Hwang Geumman.”

“Hwang Geumman? The one they call the Golden Divine Lord?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t tell me he serves you too?”

“Yes.”

“Huh...”

There was no one in the world of commerce who did not know Hwang Geumman.

His influence was so immense that people said eighty percent of all money in the Central Plains passed through his hands.

Once again, Jeok Rihyeon found himself realizing just how extraordinary his son had become.

“My son really is incredible. All right, then. When are you going to Heavenly Martial Castle?”

“I need to clean up everything I already have in motion first.”

“Well, yes. That makes sense. I still can’t quite believe it. The heads of all Five Great Families and their successors are gathered on the True Martial Sect training ground, receiving instruction.”

“Once word gets around the Central Plains, the True Martial Sect’s prestige is going to soar.”

“Will word really get around?”

Jeok Wigang grinned.

“You didn’t... No. You wouldn’t have.”

“I already told the Beggars’ Union and the Lower Gate to spread the word everywhere.”

“Why?”

“How else are the Nine Sects supposed to hear about it and come here? I don’t have time to travel around persuading them one by one. It’s much easier to bring them all here and teach them at once.”

“The Nine Sects probably won’t come.”

“Why not?”

“They’re too proud. Wudang, Mount Hua, and Shaolin in particular will never come.”

“All they have to do is swallow a little pride, and they can receive instruction from Grandfather, a man called the greatest expert of all time. You really think they’ll stay away?”

“Well, your grandfather’s personal instruction is practically a fortuitous encounter in itself.”

“Then the sects that don’t come are the only ones losing out. On top of Grandfather’s instruction, I’m planning to give them weapons I’ve made and spirit pills.”

“Weapons and spirit pills too? Anyone who stays away will be kicking themselves later.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, I’m sure you know what you’re doing. More importantly, what are you planning to do about Heavenly Martial Castle? Have you told your grandfather about your decision?”

“Yes. He was thrilled.”

“Of course he was. What did he say about everyone training here? I doubt he intends to take them all back to Heavenly Martial Castle.”

“He said he’ll travel back and forth between Heavenly Martial Castle and here.”

“Incredible. I didn’t think he would go that far.”

“With Grandfather’s lightness arts, he can make it here in about two hours.”

“That’s only possible because he’s your grandfather. Qi Flight isn’t something just anyone can do.”

Jeok Rihyeon looked at Jeok Wigang.

The child who had once seemed like a gift from heaven had grown into a man.

“Truthfully... my dream was to become like your grandfather.”

“What?”

“My dream was to become Lord of Heavenly Martial Castle.”

“Then why did you give up?”

“You know as well as I do that I had no talent. I was crushed by that realization, and the person who comforted me and gave me back my pride was your mother. Whenever I was with her, she made me feel like I was the most needed person in the world. I was happy.”

“So that’s why you followed Mother here.”

“That’s right. To me, she was the center of the world.”

Jeok Rihyeon placed a hand on Jeok Wigang’s shoulder.

“Wigang... achieve the dream I couldn’t.”

Jeok Wigang grinned and nodded firmly.

“I will! Don’t worry. Jeok Wigang, son of Jeok Rihyeon, will become Lord of Heavenly Martial Castle.”

“Hahahaha! What a wonderful day! And a day this good demands wine. I won’t be able to drink with my son like this for a while. What do you say? Will you keep your father company all night?”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

*******

Jeok Wigang gathered his younger brothers, the Four Divine Demons, in one place.

“I’ll be leaving for Heavenly Martial Castle soon.”

“We’re coming with you.”

Jeok Wigang shook his head.

“I’m going alone. You all have work to do.”

“What work?”

“Baek Ryeongso, you can keep doing what you’re doing now.”

“What? Whether you become Lord of Heavenly Martial Castle is about to be decided, and you expect me to stay here making clothes?”

“You said it was your lifelong dream.”

“The Heavenly Loom does all the actual work, and the merchant company handles sorting and packaging the finished clothes. I only have to come by once a day to check on things. I’m going with you.”

“Exactly. We were separated for so long. Don’t even think about leaving us behind again.”

At Jin Muryang’s words, Jeok Wigang gave a crooked smile.

“You say that now, but weren’t you the bastards who kept altering your bodies and running away from me?”

“That was because you scared us back then, Elder Brother.”

“And now I don’t?”

“No. Now we follow you wholeheartedly.”

The others nodded in agreement.

“You were the one who said it, Elder Brother. We’re brothers. You said we should always stay together.”

Jeok Wigang had only said that back then because he had been alone and lonely.

“Fine. I get it. But you still need to handle your own responsibilities properly.”

“Of course!”

“It only takes about two hours to get from Heavenly Martial Castle to here. We can come and go whenever we need to.”

“All right. We’ll go together.”

The moment Jeok Wigang gave his permission, bright smiles spread across all their faces.

Once, he had forcibly kept them around simply because he was lonely and wanted company.

Now, they truly felt like brothers.

“Good. Let’s go. We’ll take over Heavenly Martial Castle.”

“Hahaha! Taking over Heavenly Martial Castle was one of our goals, and now we’re going to accomplish it through you, Elder Brother.”

“Exactly. If Elder Brother does it, it’s practically the same as all of us doing it.”

“When do we leave?”

“After I wrap up the True Martial Merchant Company business and install formations around the True Martial Sect and the merchant company. Get yourselves ready in the meantime.”

“Understood.”

*******

Jeok Wigang surveyed the area surrounding the True Martial Sect and the True Martial Merchant Company.

He wanted nothing to happen here while he was at Heavenly Martial Castle, so he drew upon every scrap of knowledge he possessed and laid down formation after formation.

He had turned the entire area into an impregnable fortress.

Even that did not satisfy him.

Remaining beside the True Martial Sect were Son Gang, the Silver Dragon Divine Demon who had become one of its defenders, the Blood-Mist Reaper Chu Sohwan, and Taecheon.

Chu Sohwan and Taecheon had only recently emerged from secluded training.

Both wanted to accompany Jeok Wigang, but when he asked them to protect the True Martial Sect, they agreed.

They understood better than most just how important and precious this place was to him.

Jeok Wigang examined Son Gang carefully.

There was always the possibility that the Demon-Brain Divine Demon had implanted gu poison in him.

Fortunately, Son Gang carried none.

That made it all but certain that the Demon-Brain Divine Demon only implanted gu poison in people who received direct personal orders.

Son Gang also had no memories of the Demon-Brain Divine Demon.

He was shocked to learn that White Horse Heaven had already begun operating openly.

And when Jeok Wigang explained that the Demon-Brain Divine Demon had planted commands in his subconscious and that he had been following them without even realizing it, Son Gang looked shaken to the core.

Jeok Wigang inscribed formulas into the bodies of the four and taught them a new formation.

“Anyone bearing those formulas will become twice as strong within a three-hundred-meter radius of the True Martial Sect. If that still isn’t enough, lure the enemy within a hundred and fifty meters. Their strength will be cut in half, while yours will become four times as great.”

At four times their normal strength, they could handle almost any force White Horse Heaven sent against them.

And the enemy’s strength would be halved on top of that.

“It shouldn’t happen, but if you still find yourselves being pushed back even within a hundred and fifty meters, retreat inside the True Martial Sect. Then wait. I’ll come.”

There could be no more reassuring promise than that.

“Understood.”

Jeok Wigang looked at the three men.

“You know how important the True Martial Sect is to me, don’t you?”

“Yes!”

“I’m counting on you.”

At those words, determination hardened in all three pairs of eyes.

“Yes! We’ll defend it with our lives!”

Jeok Wigang nodded with a satisfied smile at their dependable response.

Everything was ready.

There was only one last person he needed to see.