Who on earth was this person?
One thing was certain: it couldn't have been Master Smith Cheon.
If Master Smith Cheon had been the one to give him the blade, Baek Seojin wouldn't have lied about it.
Then who could it be?
Wait...
Could the others have received weapons from him, too?
While Jeok Rigeuk was lost in thought, he suddenly felt a wave of heat. Snapping back to his senses, he saw the Flamefire Blade bearing down on him, already inches from his face.
"You crazy bastard!"
CLANG!
He hastily enveloped both arms in condensed qi, crossed them, and blocked the attack.
His body slid backward.
Struggling to regain his footing, he shouted.
"You lunatic! I was thinking! Why the hell did you attack me?"
"You're the lunatic for thinking in the middle of a fight!"
"What fight? I told you I only came to see you!"
"If you came to see me, doesn't that mean you were prepared for this?"
He wasn't wrong.
"Damn it! You seem to be doing fine, so I'm leaving!"
"Where do you think you're going? We haven't settled this yet! Are you running away?"
Jeok Rigeuk stopped in his tracks at the word running.
"What did you say?"
"Kekeke. You've always been sensitive about being called a coward."
So he'd said it deliberately.
But now Jeok Rigeuk couldn't simply walk away.
"Looks like I'll have to teach you a painful lesson before I leave."
His expression turned fierce.
"I'm not the same man I used to be. You'd better prepare yourself."
"If you think that Flamefire Blade makes you invincible, you've got another thing coming."
"Well, there's only one way to find out whether I'm wrong, isn't there? Come on."
Noh Cheongang grinned with delight and beckoned him forward.
Jeok Rigeuk gave him a cold smile and launched himself into the attack.
As soon as Jeok Rigeuk returned to his residence, he summoned his subordinates.
"Is something the matter, sir?"
"Yes. Tell me everything you know about what the Eight Stars of Heavenly Martial Castle have been up to lately."
His subordinates took turns sharing everything they knew.
"So it's just as you said. Their weapons have changed completely. Even that bastard who used to pick up any spear he could get his hands on now carries something called the Heavenly Thunder Divine Spear around like it's his most precious possession."
"There are also rumors that the Eight Stars have grown stronger because of their new weapons."
"Those aren't rumors. It's true."
"Sir?"
"I had one hell of a fight with Noh Cheongang. He's definitely different from before. Even though I've just finished my secluded training, he was able to fight me on equal terms. What the hell happened while I was in seclusion? Huh? And who gave them those weapons? Does anyone know?"
Everyone looked equally clueless.
"Go and find out. Right now. I want you to find the person who gave the Eight Stars their weapons."
"Understood!"
Once his subordinates had all left, Jeok Wihwang entered.
"You sent for me, Father?"
"Yes. Have you met the strategist?"
"Yes."
"What did you think of him? He should be around your age, shouldn't he?"
"Yes. We're the same age."
"Excellent. Being the Lord of Heavenly Martial Castle can be a lonely position. A strategist like him could become a good friend to you."
"Well... I didn't get much of a chance to speak with him. He was busy."
"Of course. He's only just taken over as strategist, so naturally he'll have plenty of work. There's no need to rush things. You can take your time getting to know him."
"Yes, Father."
"Once that bastard Jeok Ripae emerges from seclusion, the selection of the successor will probably begin. We need to bring as many talented people over to our side as possible before then. Go to the Martial Achievement Hall tomorrow. If you find anyone capable, make them your people. I'll look elsewhere for anyone worth recruiting."
"Understood."
The following day, Jeok Wihwang visited the Martial Achievement Hall.
He asked the officers there whether any promising talents had emerged.
Their answer was unexpected.
"The five most outstanding martial artists in the Martial Achievement Hall at present are Gam Taeseong, Hwang Gyeryun, Bang Cheonho, U Seokin, and Hwang Jinhyeok, who leads the other four. Together, they're known as the Five Dragons of Martial Achievement."
"The Five Dragons of Martial Achievement? What levels have they reached?"
"They're all supreme-level martial artists. However, Hwang Jinhyeok is considered to be even more powerful than an ordinary supreme-level expert."
More powerful than a supreme-level expert?
Does that mean he's reached the Transformation Realm?
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
"Well... when he gets angry, he unleashes something like a wild, animalistic nature. His strength doubles when that happens. That's why everyone says he's more powerful than a supreme-level expert, and nobody wants to get on his bad side."
Jeok Wihwang was intrigued.
"Where are these Five Dragons now?"
"They should be at either the Seven-Star Ascension Tower or the Abyssal Star Refining Prison."
"The Seven-Star Ascension Tower? Are people actually training there?"
"Ah! You must not have heard because you were in seclusion. The old Seven-Star Promotion Method has been abolished. Now, everyone has to pass through the Seven-Star Ascension Tower. But those Five Dragons keep making the tower more difficult, and it's driving us out of our minds."
"Making it more difficult?"
"Yes. They challenge it all the time, then complain that this part is lacking or that part is too weak. They keep submitting proposals about every little thing. It's exhausting. And the higher-ups have ordered us to write down and submit every suggestion, no matter how minor. Then the suggestions get approved, the formations are modified again, and the whole process repeats itself."
"Is that really all right?"
"Well, thanks to them, the overall standard of the trainees at the Martial Achievement Hall has improved enormously. So it isn't entirely a bad thing."
Hearing that made Jeok Wihwang curious about the tower.
He decided to try it himself when he had the opportunity.
For now, however, he was more interested in the Five Dragons, who were apparently responsible for raising the standard of the entire Martial Achievement Hall.
"Find out where the Five Dragons are right now."
"Yes, sir!"
"You wanted to see us?"
At the question from the Five Dragons, Jeok Wihwang nodded and introduced himself.
"My name is Jeok Wihwang. I've heard rumors about you and wanted to see what sort of men you are, so I had you brought here."
"Jeok Wihwang... Then you must be one of the Castle's successor candidates..."
The term referred to those competing to become the next Lord of Heavenly Martial Castle.
"May we ask why a successor candidate has summoned us?"
"I'll get straight to the point. Become my men, and I'll reward you with all the wealth and honor you could ever desire when the time comes."
Jeok Wihwang expected them to accept his offer immediately.
After all, the man making the offer was none other than the person widely regarded as the most likely candidate to become the next Lord of Heavenly Martial Castle.
However...
"My apologies. Our loyalty belongs to Heavenly Martial Castle. If you wish to earn our loyalty, then become the Lord of the Castle."
Jeok Wihwang chuckled.
Their answer made him like them even more.
He was glad he'd come to meet them in person.
There was no need to waste words on men like these.
"Very well. You're saying that if I become the Lord of the Castle, you'll devote yourselves to me?"
"That's correct."
"Understood. Then I will make certain that I become the Lord of the Castle and earn your loyalty."
At his words, the Five Dragons exchanged knowing smiles and nodded.
"That smile... I don't like it. Are you saying you don't believe in my abilities?"
"Ah! My apologies. We've lived such humorless lives that smiling doesn't come naturally to us. If we've offended you, please accept our apologies."
"You're Hwang Jinhyeok, aren't you?"
"It's an honor that you remember my name."
Jeok Wihwang studied Hwang Jinhyeok for a long moment before he began releasing his martial aura.
"I'm curious... I'd like to see just how skilled you are."
"Hahaha... What's brought this on?"
"Didn't I just tell you? I'm curious."
"Well, now. I'm not one to turn down a fight when it comes looking for me... but are you sure about this?"
Jeok Wihwang chuckled at Hwang Jinhyeok's words.
"Show me what you've got."
"I must admit, I've been curious myself. About the abilities of the successor candidates, that is."
"Excellent. I'm curious about your abilities, and you're curious about mine. This seems like the perfect opportunity for us to satisfy our curiosity."
"Sounds good. Shall we begin, then?"
Not one of the others attempted to stop them.
That could only mean they were accustomed to this sort of confrontation.
Jeok Wihwang liked them even more.
"I'll make certain you become my men."
"That won't be easy."
"Anything obtained too easily is just as easily lost."
"I can't argue with that."
"Then let's begin."
Jeok Rigeuk went to see Jeok Wihwang.
"Huh? What happened to your arm?"
There was a slash wound on Jeok Wihwang's arm, and blood was still trickling from it.
"Oh, it's nothing serious."
"Who did that to you? Who dared leave a wound like that on you?"
"Have you heard of the Five Dragons of Martial Achievement?"
"Of course."
"Their leader managed to land a blow on me."
"Is he really that formidable?"
"I let my guard down, but he was also extremely skilled."
"It's a good thing your grandfather didn't witness that. He would have been terribly disappointed."
"I know. It won't happen again."
"How did you end up letting your guard down?"
"At first, he was no match for me. I subdued him easily, but... then he suddenly changed, becoming like a wild beast, and his power increased dramatically."
"His power increased?"
"Yes. He became faster and much stronger. I'd never encountered anything like it before, so I was caught off guard and made this mistake."
"Then perhaps this was a good thing after all. Learn from what happened today and make sure you never repeat the same mistake."
"Yes, Father. I've gained a great deal of insight from this experience."
"Good. That's what matters."
"What brings you here, by the way?"
"I came to see how your visit to the Martial Achievement Hall went. How did things turn out?"
"They said they would follow me if I became the Lord of the Castle."
"Is that so? I received the same answer. Every capable man I approached said he would serve you wholeheartedly once you became the Lord of the Castle."
"It seems Grandfather has raised his people well."
"Apparently so. In fact, this makes things easier for us. There's no need to worry about this and that. Everything will work itself out once you become the Lord of the Castle."
"I agree."
Jeok Rigeuk looked at his son with a satisfied smile.
Just then, one of his subordinates hurried into the room.
"What is it?"
"The Lord of the Castle has returned!"
"Father has?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Did he come back alone?"
"No, sir. There are people accompanying him."
"So he really did bring Rihyeon's second son with him. Come, let's go and greet him."
"Yes, Father!"
"Father. Welcome back."
"Grandfather. Welcome back."
"Good. Did you finish your secluded training?"
"Yes. Thanks to your concern, I completed it without any problems."
"From the look of you, you've made a fair amount of progress."
"Yes. I achieved far more than I'd expected. Even you won't be able to underestimate me so easily now, Father."
"Is that so? Well done."
Jeok Rigeuk had expected his father to be surprised and praise him.
Instead, he received a remarkably indifferent response.
"Grandfather! He just told you he's advanced to a higher realm. Can't you praise him a little? Why do you have to sound so cold?"
"Was I being cold?"
"Yes! Try speaking a little more warmly to people."
"Ugh. I've been like this my entire life. You think I can change that easily?"
"Then it's about time you started! I'm telling you, you should treat other people the way you treat me."
"All right."
What?
What the hell is going on here?
The Heavenly Martial Emperor himself was being scolded by someone.
And he was accepting it as though there were nothing unusual about it.
"Ahem! Yes, you've both worked hard. Wihwang, you've done exceptionally well, too. To have reached the Transformation Realm at your age... You're far ahead of where I was."
"Th-thank you, Grandfather."
"Good. Keep working hard and continue improving."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Jeok Rigeuk cautiously spoke up.
"Um, Father. Who is this young man?"
"Ah, you two should introduce yourselves. Kang, this is your first time meeting him, isn't it? This fellow is my eldest son. That makes him your eldest uncle."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Jeok Wigang."
"Jeok Wigang?"
"He's my youngest son Jeok Rihyeon's eldest boy."
"Ah! I've heard about him. The one who passed the imperial examination... But where's the second son? The one rumored to have extraordinary martial arts talent?"
"Oh, him? He didn't come. He has to take over the True Martial Sect."
"I see. I'd heard he'd reached the supreme level before he was even twenty, so I was looking forward to meeting him. What a shame."
"What shame? Your face is practically overflowing with relief, you rascal."
"N-no, Father. That's not true."

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