Changan County, Shaanxi Province.
Though it could not compare to the provincial capital of Xi'an, Changan was still a city of considerable size.
Shaanxi's Black Path was particularly notorious for its brutality and ferocity despite its relatively modest numbers. After all, these were the men who had managed to survive in a province dominated by the Mount Hua and Zhongnan Sects, two of the Nine Sects and One Gang.
Moreover, anyone transporting goods from the Western Regions to major destinations such as Beijing, Anhui, or Hubei had to pass through Shaanxi. Naturally, a tremendous amount of money flowed through the province.
In other words, there was plenty for the Black Path to feed on.
That was why, despite the presence of two great orthodox sects, Shaanxi's unorthodox factions had stubbornly maintained their foothold.
And among those factions, the undisputed ruler of Changan's Black Path, second only to Xi'an's in scale, was the West Heaven Society.
The very fact that an organization could proclaim itself the heaven of the Western Black Path and continue to exist under that name spoke volumes.
It meant that no other unorthodox faction in the surrounding region dared challenge its authority.
Yet at that moment, the atmosphere within the West Heaven Society was anything but peaceful.
Inside the Society Leader's spacious office, martial artists of the Black Path stood in two orderly rows along the walls.
At the far end of the room sat Nam Ilcheon, the leader of the West Heaven Society.
His expression was grim.
"What was the Tiger Hunt Team's last assignment?"
"...The assassination of an applicant taking the Martial Alliance's selection examination."
Bang!
Nam Ilcheon's fist slammed into the armrest of his chair, shattering it.
"What?! Who was responsible for that?!"
The West Heaven Society's general manager trembled. His mind raced before he hurriedly answered.
"I-it was the Red Snake Unit Commander."
Among the assembled martial artists, the Red Snake Unit Commander squeezed his eyes shut.
The moment he had dreaded ever since losing contact with his subordinate Tiger Hunt Team had finally arrived.
"Step forward."
Nam Ilcheon's icy voice echoed throughout the office.
The Red Snake Unit Commander cautiously took a step out of the line.
Crash!
A teacup came flying through the air and struck him squarely on the head.
Blood trickled down his forehead, but he did not so much as flinch.
He knew perfectly well that if he angered the Society Leader any further, the next thing flying toward his head would be a sword rather than a teacup.
Nam Ilcheon's eyes grew cold as a violent aura radiated from his body.
"Why did you accept a commission involving the Martial Alliance?"
"..."
The Red Snake Unit Commander kept his mouth firmly shut.
After all, he could hardly answer, Because the client offered me a generous personal bonus.
"Your reason."
Nam Ilcheon's aura grew even more vicious.
His expression remained composed, but the oppressive force bearing down on the Red Snake Unit Commander's entire body intensified.
Instinctively, the commander understood.
The Society Leader might actually kill me.
Thud.
He dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead against the floor.
"I-I'm sorry! The client promised a substantial bonus, so I thought that if I handled the matter successfully, I could earn the Society Leader's favor..."
"Enough."
The suffocating pressure surrounding him vanished as though it had been washed away.
The Red Snake Unit Commander breathed an inward sigh of relief.
I-is he buying it?
But Nam Ilcheon merely studied him for a moment before turning toward the general manager.
"The ledger."
The general manager immediately produced a book from inside his robes.
He had evidently prepared it in advance.
The moment the Red Snake Unit Commander saw it, his eyes widened like lanterns.
It was the ledger containing the details of the assassination commission.
Nam Ilcheon slowly examined its contents.
Then, in a voice as cold as ice, he spoke.
"Five taels of silver."
"..."
"The commission fee doesn't appear to be particularly different from the usual amount."
The Red Snake Unit Commander trembled as he lay prostrate on the floor.
Nam Ilcheon continued.
"You said the client offered a bonus. Then why isn't that bonus recorded in the ledger?"
"..."
Naturally, the commander had no answer.
Nam Ilcheon rose from his chair and strode toward him.
A shadow fell across the kneeling man's head.
"P-please spare me."
"Why?"
"Well, that's..."
There was nothing he could say.
Nam Ilcheon looked down at the pathetic figure before him and slowly raised his fist.
A reddish energy shimmered around his knuckles.
He was one of the foremost masters of fist techniques in Shaanxi Province.
Indeed, he was known throughout the martial world as the Hundred Killing Red Fist, an epithet earned because more than a hundred martial artists were said to have died beneath his fists.
And now that fist descended toward the Red Snake Unit Commander's head.
The commander squeezed his eyes shut and instinctively covered his head with both hands.
But at the very last moment, the fist stopped.
"No."
"...?"
"Come to think of it, why should I let you die so easily after you've caused this much trouble on your own? Get up."
The Red Snake Unit Commander sprang to his feet as though launched by a spring.
Whatever else Nam Ilcheon had said, the only part that registered was that he would be spared.
"T-thank you!"
"Shut your mouth. You caused this mess, so you'll take responsibility for cleaning it up. And if anything goes wrong..."
Nam Ilcheon's gaze turned murderous.
"Even if the Martial Alliance hunts me down for it, I'll tear your infant son to pieces with my own hands."
"..."
For a moment, the Red Snake Unit Commander forgot how to breathe.
He had a child whose existence was supposed to be a secret.
The boy had been born from a casual one-night encounter with a woman for whom he had no particular affection. Nevertheless, the child was his, so he had accepted responsibility for him.
He had never told anyone about the boy, considering the circumstances of his birth too shameful to reveal.
Yet the West Heaven Society Leader already knew.
A chill ran down the spines of every martial artist present.
There was only one conclusion.
Their Society Leader was keeping watch over his subordinates' every move.
The Red Snake Unit Commander lowered his head.
"...I've already taken measures. I dispatched the Howling Fang Team and the Execution Team under my command to investigate the situation. As a precaution, I also requested assistance from the Silent Bear Unit Commander and the Black Stone Unit Commander to establish a defensive perimeter."
Although he had made a serious mistake, the Red Snake Unit Commander believed he had handled the aftermath rather well.
By reporting that he had already taken action, he hoped to soothe at least some of the Society Leader's anger.
Unfortunately, the result was precisely the opposite.
"You sons of bitches!"
"...?"
The Red Snake Unit Commander stared at him in bewilderment.
Nam Ilcheon's furious roar followed immediately.
"How does it make any sense that three unit commanders knew about this, yet I'm only hearing about it now?! You worthless bastards! You deserve to be torn limb from limb!"
The Red Snake Unit Commander hurriedly bowed his head again.
Nam Ilcheon was seized by the overwhelming urge to smash his skull on the spot.
And it was at that very moment that another voice interrupted.
"Society Leader, why are you making such a fuss over something so trivial?"
A calm, elderly voice drifted through the office.
At the same time, the door swung open, revealing an old man with a kindly, benevolent face.
Yet despite his gentle appearance, the atmosphere in the room changed completely the instant he entered.
An overwhelming presence emanated from him without the slightest conscious effort, dominating every corner of the spacious office.
Nam Ilcheon's demeanor underwent an immediate transformation.
"Ahem. My apologies. I've shown you a disgraceful side of myself."
"It's quite all right. Since you've been helping me, perhaps I should lend you a hand this time."
A brief gleam passed through Nam Ilcheon's eyes.
"Oh, Demon Lord! I'm deeply grateful for your generous offer, but how could I possibly trouble you over such a trivial matter? Besides, I never undertook those tasks expecting anything in return."
He was referring to the abduction of women possessing abundant yin energy, carried out on behalf of the Asura Demon Lord.
The Asura Demon Lord smiled faintly.
"Would accepting my help make you uncomfortable?"
"...H-how could it possibly?"
Nam Ilcheon hurriedly bowed his head.
No matter how formidable the Hundred Killing Red Fist might be, no matter how firmly he ruled Changan's Black Path, the man before him was a direct disciple of the Dark Heavenly Son.
Not a single disciple of that terrifying figure had failed to make a name for himself in the martial world.
Although the Dark Heavenly Son himself had vanished, his dark shadow still loomed over countless corners of the martial world.
The Asura Demon Lord burst into hearty laughter.
"I'm human too, you know. Naturally, I can't help feeling uncomfortable when I'm always the one receiving favors. Leave this matter to me. You needn't worry so much."
"Thank you, Demon Lord."
Nam Ilcheon bowed with the utmost sincerity.
Watching their fearsome Society Leader display such wholehearted deference only deepened the terror felt by the West Heaven Society's martial artists.
If even a man as frightening as Nam Ilcheon behaved so respectfully toward this old man, they could scarcely imagine how terrifying the Asura Demon Lord himself must be.
Meanwhile, the Asura Demon Lord approached the Red Snake Unit Commander with a benevolent smile and patted him on the shoulder.
The commander flinched violently.
The Asura Demon Lord seemed delighted by his reaction.
"My boy, everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes are something that can be forgiven. But a fellow who repeats the same mistake doesn't deserve to be treated as human. As for you, I believe you're still a person."
"...I-I'll do my best."
"Doing your best isn't enough."
"I'll make absolutely certain to remember your words!"
The Asura Demon Lord smiled in complete satisfaction.
Looking at him now, one might easily mistake him for a kindly scholar who had devoted his entire life to the pursuit of knowledge.
He continued.
"It seems you've already taken some measures of your own. Very well. If anything unusual happens, don't bother reporting it to the Society Leader. Report directly to me instead. I'll personally step forward."
"...Yes. Understood."
It was then.
Bang!
The door to the Society Leader's office flew open.
Every head turned toward the entrance.
A single man stood there.
It was the Deputy Commander of the Silent Bear Unit, whose superior the Red Snake Unit Commander had personally asked to help clean up the situation.
His clothes were torn in several places, and his face was covered in blood.
"S-something terrible has happened..."
The moment they heard his trembling voice, everyone present felt an ominous premonition.
The Asura Demon Lord's gaze darkened slightly.
"Speak."
The Deputy Commander flinched beneath that gaze. He struggled to catch his breath before continuing.
"The Howling Fang Team and Execution Team dispatched to handle the matter have both gone silent. We've also lost contact with the Black Stone Unit. The Silent Bear Unit found that suspicious, so we went to investigate ourselves, but..."
His voice trailed off.
Nam Ilcheon immediately roared.
"Spit it out already, you worthless bastard!"
The Deputy Commander recoiled and hurriedly continued.
"...They were annihilated."
"What?"
Nam Ilcheon stared at him in disbelief.
Even if the Martial Alliance had intervened, how could anyone have annihilated two action teams and two combat units in such a short time?
It was simply impossible.
Unless the Martial Alliance Leader himself had taken action, or perhaps one of the Alliance's combat unit commanders...
"A monster... That man was a monster..."
"What are you talking about? Who are you referring to?"
The Silent Bear Unit's Deputy Commander began trembling uncontrollably, like a man who had just awakened from a terrible nightmare.
Nam Ilcheon seized him by the collar.
"Did you abandon your men and flee by yourself? Did you actually see the Silent Bear Unit get annihilated with your own eyes?!"
The Deputy Commander struggled to shake his head.
"...I didn't run away. That monster let me go."
"What kind of nonsense is that? Why would a master powerful enough to do all this let you leave alive?"
"That's..."
"You worthless bastard! Why do you keep stopping halfway through every sentence?!"
Nam Ilcheon raised his fist, ready to smash the Deputy Commander's skull.
But the Asura Demon Lord, standing beside him, caught his arm and clicked his tongue.
"Enough. How are we supposed to do anything if you won't even let the man finish his story?"
Then he turned toward the Deputy Commander and offered him a gentle smile.
"Calm yourself. Take your time and tell us what happened. Nothing more will happen to you now. After all, I'm here, aren't I?"
Only then did the Deputy Commander begin to recover his composure.
He glanced nervously between the Asura Demon Lord and Nam Ilcheon before finally opening his mouth.
"That man... He let me go because he wanted me to deliver a message to the Society Leader."
"Yes? And what did he say?"
"He said it was too troublesome to go around looking for everyone one by one, so we should gather together in one place beforehand..."
Thwack!
With a casual flick of his hand, the Asura Demon Lord blew the Deputy Commander's head clean off.
His headless body collapsed onto the floor.
The Asura Demon Lord regarded the corpse without the slightest sign of concern.
"Hahaha! It seems I've gotten myself involved with a rather interesting fellow."
And it was around that moment that a commotion erupted outside.
Everyone, including the Asura Demon Lord and Nam Ilcheon, turned toward the closed office door.
The disturbance was drawing steadily closer.
Screams rang out, accompanied by the continuous sounds of things breaking and bodies being crushed.
The noises grew louder and louder.
And just as they seemed to reach the office itself—
Crash!
A burly martial artist of the Black Path came hurtling through the entrance, smashing the office door apart with his body.
Through the shattered doorway, the vast courtyard of the West Heaven Society was laid bare before everyone's eyes.
It had already become a sea of blood.
And through that blood-soaked courtyard walked a cold-faced young man, a dark iron staff hanging loosely at his side.
The Asura Demon Lord burst into hearty laughter.
"Hah! For such a young brat, he's quite something. He's got considerable martial talent, and quite the temper to go with it. If I were to take him as my disciple..."
His voice suddenly faltered.
Only then had he recognized the dark iron staff in the young man's hand.
"C-Crescent Moon Staff!"
Cheon Woojin gave a faint, amused smile.
"Judging by your reaction, it seems I've come to the right place."
"Y-you! Who are you?! Are you the Black Master, restored to his youth? No... You look similar, but there's something different about you. Fuck! Who the hell are you?!"
The Asura Demon Lord's face had gone deathly pale.
His words tumbled out in a frantic jumble.
The instant he recognized the Crescent Moon Staff, memories as dreadful as nightmares had begun flooding back into his mind.
Everyone in the office, including Nam Ilcheon, stared at him in astonishment.
It was the first time any of them had ever witnessed the Asura Demon Lord lose his composure to such an extent.
Nam Ilcheon was desperately trying to assess the situation when he spotted someone strolling leisurely behind Cheon Woojin.
"Team Leader Hwang?"
His mind immediately began racing.
This entire disaster had started with the Tiger Hunt Team's assassination commission.
Since then, one action team after another had been destroyed, combat units had been wiped out, and now a mysterious young man had come marching straight into their headquarters.
Yet there stood Hwang Byeok.
The Tiger Hunt Team Leader was perfectly unharmed.
Nam Ilcheon reached a conclusion almost instantly.
His expression twisted into that of a wrathful demon.
"Hwang Byeok, you son of a bitch! How dare you betray me?!"
An overwhelming wave of killing intent erupted from Nam Ilcheon's body and surged toward Hwang Byeok.
But Hwang Byeok merely scratched the bridge of his nose, looking entirely at ease.
When he had first guided Cheon Woojin to the Annihilation Team, he had been terrified.
He had feared that Cheon Woojin would be killed by the Annihilation Team and that he himself would be next.
But Cheon Woojin had slaughtered the Annihilation Team almost as if he were putting on a demonstration.
That had been the beginning.
When Cheon Woojin went on to kill every member of the Execution Team and the Howling Fang Team, Hwang Byeok began to entertain a small hope.
Perhaps he might actually survive this ordeal.
And when he witnessed Cheon Woojin massacre the Silent Bear Unit and Black Stone Unit without the slightest hesitation, that hope transformed into absolute conviction.
This monster is far stronger than the West Heaven Society Leader.
By the time they finally reached the West Heaven Society...
"Hey, Society Leader Nam. Have you eaten?"
Hwang Byeok had completely lost his fear.
And why wouldn't he?
Cheon Woojin was standing right in front of him.
There was no one in the entire world who could defeat this monster.
At least, that was what Hwang Byeok now firmly believed.
Nam Ilcheon and the other martial artists of the West Heaven Society stared at him, utterly dumbfounded.
Then Cheon Woojin lightly swept the Crescent Moon Staff through the air.
Thwack!
Hwang Byeok's head burst apart.
Cheon Woojin looked down at the fallen man, who had died before he could even realize what had happened.
"He has served his purpose," he muttered.
After all, Hwang Byeok was someone who had once pointed a sword at him with the intention of killing him.
And Woojin had never promised to spare his life in the first place.
The Asura Demon Lord, who had been watching the entire exchange, narrowed his eyes.
"...You. Are you the Black Master's disciple?"
"Black Master?"
Zhuge Lin tilted her head.
She was familiar with that name as well.
The Black Master was a villain who had once dominated an entire era, a special-class public enemy of the martial world.
Yet he was also a mysterious figure who had disappeared without a trace some thirty years ago.
Around the same time, his name had vanished from the martial world's official list of public enemies.
I tried looking into him because I was curious, but I didn't have the authority to access the records...
Even someone holding the position of Deputy Commander within the Martial Alliance could not casually obtain information about the Black Master.
Zhuge Lin's gaze shifted toward Cheon Woojin.
He certainly never struck me as the disciple of such a notorious villain...
But Cheon Woojin's answer was clear and unwavering.
"Yes. I am his disciple."
With those words, Cheon Woojin cupped his fist toward the Asura Demon Lord in a martial salute.
The Asura Demon Lord glanced around warily.
"...Where is the Black Master?"
"He has passed away."
"What?"
The Asura Demon Lord's eyes widened like lanterns.
He studied Cheon Woojin's calm expression.
And when he realized that the young man was telling the truth, he suddenly burst into laughter.
"Haha... Hahahaha! Serves that son of a bitch right!"
"..."
"He's finally dead! Finally! Hahaha!"
His laughter rang throughout the office.
Then, having apparently savored the news to his satisfaction, he turned his attention back to Woojin.
"So, then. Why exactly have you come looking for me?"
"Ah, yes. I remembered something my master used to tell me quite often."
"Oh? And what was that?"
"He told me that whenever I encountered a disciple of the Dark Heavenly Son, I should smash their head in."
Cheon Woojin raised the Crescent Moon Staff with a gentle smile.
The atmosphere in the room instantly froze.