Chapter 121

Jaro brushed off his past memories and continued speaking.


“There was this guy called Cheonma (Heavenly Demon).”


At the unexpected name, my face stiffened slightly.


Though I had never met him, the Demon Sect named after him had a bad history with the Heavenly Demon God Sect, which had attacked Yeonghwa.


“I’ve heard of him. Was he really strong?”


“He was the strongest I’ve ever seen. And the strangest too.”


He was a man who could carry the dignity of a lord but could also be incredibly frivolous at times.


“Anyway, Cheonma literally flipped the Martial Alliance, and that’s how I got elected as the leader.”


“It was a time when a strong fist was needed more than the charisma to unite the Nine Great Clans or the political skills to manage them… I was like a stepping stone for the next generation.”


After hearing his story, I nodded and asked,


“Then why are you still in the leader’s seat now? Shouldn’t you pass it on to a successor and retire?”


Jaro took a deep drag from his cigarette and exhaled.


“…He died.”


“Huh?”


He was someone who understood the interests of each sect well, paid close attention to details, and excelled as a mediator. He had a good personality, was well-liked, and had a charm that drew people in.


“He was the former head of the Namgung Family, my political disciple. Namgung Seon… Sososo’s father.”


A wound that Sososo could never forget.


The assassination of the former head of the Namgung Family and his wife by the Martial Outlaw, the Nameless and Invincible.


“He was supposed to succeed me… no, not a temporary fake leader like me, but a real leader.”


Though his tone was as blunt as ever, you could feel the affection, sorrow, anger, and regret of a master for his deceased disciple.


“………”


Jaro and I stared into the void as if in silent tribute.


“Ugh… I hate getting old. The more memories you have, the easier it is to get lost in sentimentality.”


After a while, Jaro scratched his head as if he had said something unnecessary, took out a portable ashtray from his pocket, and put out his cigarette.


“Now, as long as it’s not some weirdo, I don’t really care who takes over the leader’s seat.”


He turned his body and looked at the banquet hall and Sososo instead of the peaceful scenery.


“I have to keep wearing this hat to protect that child. That’s why I shamelessly stay in the leader’s seat.”


Because of some absurd prophecy about being born with the fate of a king, her parents were assassinated right before her eyes.


Her grandfather, Namgung Cheon, that lunatic, only thinks of using her.


‘…But at least lately, her expressions have become more varied, and she’s started to smile, so that’s a relief.’


Jaro watched Sososo, who was trying not to show her excitement after winning a dice game against Guhae and Yeonghwa, and smiled faintly.


He turned his gaze and glared at Mantian, who was standing beside him with a naturally furrowed brow.


It’s really frustrating that a cute granddaughter-like girl has fallen for a lunatic who keeps shouting about threefold and fourfold layers.


Grateful is grateful, and unsatisfactory is unsatisfactory. Anyway, Jaro nodded his chin towards Mantian, the one who had changed Sososo, telling him to go ahead.


“You’ve worked hard dealing with this old man. Now go and play. Young people should play with young people.”


“Got it. Don’t overwork yourself, Jaro. Take a rest.”


The sudden dismissal, but sensing that he wanted to be alone, I left without hesitation.


“And the Martial Alliance leader will be able to retire soon.”


Of course, I’ll say what needs to be said.


Like a wolf turning its head, I slightly turned my head and smiled at Jaro.


“I’ll protect Sososo now.”


Not just Sososo, but Guhae and Yeonghwa too. I’ll protect them all.


“I’m a greedy person who never lets go of what’s in my grasp.”


At the unexpected jab, a laugh burst out of Jaro’s mouth.


“Ha! You really are the best at talking.”


Even though he’s a cripple, his confidence is impressive. I could kind of see why Master took him as a disciple.


After all, what a martial artist needs most is belief in themselves.


For a moment, I thought it might be okay to teach Mantian the Nine Yin True Classic, the pinnacle of martial arts.


But I shook my head and brushed it off. One mistake was enough.


I swore I would never teach the Nine Yin True Classic to anyone else.


Martial arts are not something to be taught recklessly.


Master… had a good eye for choosing disciples, but I, as a disciple, was wrong.


Jaro finally couldn’t hold back and took out a second cigarette from his pocket and lit it.


Getting old is a pain. The regrets and attachments pile up as much as the years you’ve lived.


A memory I can never forget.


A dark night with the lights out, corpses scattered everywhere, a mansion stained with blood.


There, a white-haired girl with her hands stained red smiled at Jaro with a hollow expression.


“Master, isn’t it ridiculous? The great history of the Jinju Family… those damn noble families who oppressed and ignored me…”


As blood dripped from her hand, her disheveled hair fell down.


“The Nine Yin True Classic. It all disappeared over just one martial art.”


The Nine Yin True Classic, demonic arts, and even the forbidden art of controlling corpses—she mastered them all and erased the Jinju Family from the martial world.


“Yong… where are you now, and what are you doing…”


Remembering his second disciple, Jaro murmured in a weak voice.


***


Somewhere near Luoyang, in an abandoned mansion where no one lives anymore.


There, waiting for his employer, the Emperor’s mentor and one of the Ten Great Masters, Baekho (White Tiger).


The Nameless, known in the martial world as the Martial Outlaw, the Nameless and Invincible, was quietly watching the corpse that Unmu Yong was using as a body.


To pass the time, he struck up a conversation.


“Hey… I’m curious about something. Can a corpse use martial arts?”


“Of course not. Corpses can’t breathe.”


Leaning against a pillar, Yong glanced at the Nameless and answered.


“They can mimic external techniques, but they can’t use internal energy-based martial arts.”


Taoists say that corpses are impure and can’t hold energy, but it’s actually a very scientific and simple reason.


Martial arts start with breathing. You need to breathe to gather strength and release energy.


If you can’t breathe, you can’t build internal energy.


“…But why are you asking that?”


“Well, the body you’re using is a corpse too, right? But it seems to use martial arts pretty well.”


Sensing that the conversation might drag on, Yong turned to face the Nameless and spoke.


“This body is a special creation made through alchemy combined with Western homunculus techniques.”


“Huh? Huh? Ho, ho? Homu? What?”


Completely baffled by the unfamiliar terminology, a question mark popped up above the Nameless’s head.


Seeing that, Yong sighed.


“Just think of it as a corpse that can breathe and use martial arts.”


“Wow~ That’s amazing. So can you make an army of martial arts-using corpses?”


“No, gathering the materials is too hard, and the cost doesn’t justify it.”


Yong shook his head vigorously.


“It’s better to just recruit a real army or hire strong martial artists. It’s more cost-effective and powerful.”


After all, corpses are only a threat to second-rate or first-rate martial artists. Against top-tier martial artists, no matter how well-made, they’re just sturdy scarecrows.


Since they’re already dead and don’t fear death, they’re good against groups but not very useful against truly strong martial artists.


“Hmm~ I see. …But if you learned Western alchemy, does that mean you’ve been to the Western Regions?”


As Yong was about to talk more about corpses, the Nameless suddenly changed the subject.


Yong tilted his head in confusion.


“Huh? Oh… I went to study abroad to learn alchemy, medicine, and other Western sciences.”


Seeing the Nameless’s expression, it seemed like his interest had shifted from curiosity to something else.


Was he drawn to ‘Western alchemy’ or something ‘Western’?


As Yong nodded, the Nameless took out something wrapped in fine cloth from his pocket.


“Then, by any chance… do you know about the Cross religion?”


“This is… a Catholic cross?”


It was an old cross on a necklace.


The symbol of Catholicism, the largest religious group in the West.


“Once, I almost died… but a Cross follower saved me.”


With an awkward smile, the Nameless calmly recounted his past, then stood up and brushed himself off.


“All life is precious, and no life should have been born. It’s nonsense, but it’s a warm saying that sticks in your heart.”


…And sensing a massive energy approaching the abandoned building, he prepared to get to work.


“After this is over, can you tell me more about… Ca, Catholic? Cross religion? I’m personally interested.”