Disciple of The Three Kings [EN]: Chapter 159

A heavy tension filled the room.

Those who had rushed into the conference room exchanged nods with those already deep in conversation, including the last one to enter.

“The Blood Goddess…” he began, about to offer a fist salute.

“Given the urgency, let’s skip the formalities,” Kang Eun-ha interrupted, unbuttoning her coat. “What’s the situation?”

“The six assault teams of Hwasan have mobilized,” Ha Se-min, known for his speed and accuracy in gathering information, replied.

“The Blue Plum Blossom, the Red Plum Blossom…, the Black Plum Blossom,” An Min-hong, temporarily acting as the Baran guild leader, trembled at the names. As a resident and player of Earth, these names were synonymous with death gods, far beyond any gate or monster.

The Hwasan assault teams were feared by all, players and martial artists alike, and were undoubtedly the most dangerous powerhouses in South Korea.

“Their numbers exceed a thousand.”

While an assault team usually consisted of about a hundred members, the fact that six teams exceeded a thousand meant that…

“Even the reserve teams have moved?”

“That’s correct.”

It meant a significant portion of their forces had truly mobilized.

*Swish.*

A hologram appeared, displaying a map. Red dots advanced towards Gyeonggi Province from various directions, all converging on one place.

“It’s here,” Kang Eun-ha stated, pointing to her headquarters.

“Are they trying to start a war?” Lee Yong-jin asked, frustrated, drawing everyone’s gaze. Their silence was the answer.

‘War.’

That’s right. Hwasan was attempting to invade Eun-ha. A sudden movement without a declaration of war was unusual for Eun, who valued justification, but not incomprehensible.

“The reason…” Kang Eun-ha swallowed hard. “It must be because of him.”

Lee Ro-woon, who had suddenly left his position. They knew where he had gone. Although Lee Ro-woon hadn’t openly antagonized Hwasan, there was no other explanation for their actions.

“That’s likely the case,” Ha Se-min confirmed.

“Then it’s simple.” If Hwasan was staging a demonstration to get something they wanted, Kang Eun-ha might have considered stepping back. But with Lee Ro-woon involved…

“Prepare Eun-ha’s military forces.”

“Five assault teams not dispatched to the gates are already on standby,” Jung Chi-soo replied.

“The Ronin are also being deployed,” Ha Se-min added. The Hao Mun disciples would move with the Ronin.

“I’ve never taken the head of a Plum Blossom Swordsman before…” Lee Yong-jin said, his voice full of confidence. “But a server doesn’t pick their customers, so let’s take on a picky one this time.”

“Baran and the player guilds will move in the rear,” An Min-hong followed. Eun-ha had considerable power that could be mobilized immediately, including the Blood King Castle’s forces. Their growth was incomparable to the past when the Blood Cult was weak.

“The odds of winning?” Kang Eun-ha asked Ha Se-min, who would have grasped even what the Blood Cult hadn’t.

“What are the odds of winning?”

The answer came immediately. “Thirty percent.”

“Only…!” Lee Yong-jin exclaimed, bewildered.

“That’s assuming the Ghost Valley and the Blood Cult’s assassination teams take out at least two Hwasan assault team leaders, and that the Blood King Castle’s forces arrive on time…” Ha Se-min explained. “That’s thirty percent if all of that is achieved.”

Hwasan’s full force hadn’t moved. Yet, Eun-ha’s forces only had a thirty percent chance of winning.

“Is that how it is?” Lee Yong-jin asked.

“It’s probably that much,” Kang Eun-ha said. “Don’t forget how we were not long ago. The Black Lion was great even before, but we weren’t. Neither the Blood Cult nor the Ghost Valley.”

“…….”

“The odds of winning back then would have been close to zero. But now it’s thirty percent.”

All of that was, “All thanks to him,” she said, referring to Lee Ro-woon.

“It’s a fight for him. If necessary, we will fight with the heart of a holy war,” she declared, grabbing her sword and raising her energy. Thirty percent was genuine.

‘To think it’s that much.’ Even without Lee Ro-woon, it was a number worth competing with Hwasan.

“Then…” Just as they were about to head to the battlefield, exchanging glances, a presence was felt by those with keen senses. Ha Se-min’s ear twitched.

*Thud.*

The heavy conference room door opened.

“You all look like you’re about to die,” Lee Ro-woon said.

And, “Hwasan… has retreated,” Ha Se-min shared the updated information.

***

Lee Ro-woon, the righteous soldier. The story of Lee Ro-woon, the guild leader of Dank, declaring himself a righteous soldier was spreading like wildfire throughout South Korea. The events of that day were being discussed by everyone.

“The Blue Army attempted a terrorist attack in Gyeonggi Province, which is under Eun-ha’s sphere of influence,” a monotonous voice reported.

“And Lee Ro-woon of Dank joined the Blue Army and planned all of this, seemingly out of revenge against Hwasan, and Hwasan has not yet released a statement.” This was the gist of most news articles, including major media outlets.

Ha Se-min turned off his phone screen. “But the stories circulating among the players are different,” he said. “Jeomchang planned this to target Eun-ha, and Lee Ro-woon fought against it to save the players. And at that place…” he paused, taking a short breath. “Jeomchang’s top master, Cheonji Ilseom [Heavenly Sword] Jang So-young, and Red Plum Blossom Cheong In-woo were together.”

It was a quiet and insidious rumor. “What’s even more surprising is… that Lee Ro-woon overwhelmed Cheonji Ilseom.”

The events of that day were spreading little by little. Everyone who was there that day returned alive.

-Let him go.

He let Cheong In-woo go, and he also let Jeomchang go. The players would have been tempted by the association members who rushed over, but there were also those who spread the truth.

“But both are considered rumors with no credibility,” Ha Se-min said. “Normally, the latter would have more credibility… but the content is too absurd.”

Player Lee Ro-woon. He overwhelmed Cheonji Ilseom? Moreover, he survived in a place where Cheong In-woo was also present? It didn’t make sense.

“I… am a witness,” Dang Hwa-young said, her face pale. “The Dang family…” She bit her lip, realizing her situation. The young mistress of the Dang family, Poison Flower Dang Hwa-young. But the figure she had shown that day was nothing more than a scarecrow, a pawn that could be discarded at any time. The Dang family’s guards tried to take her away, but Dang Hwa-young stood by Lee Ro-woon’s side.

-…….

The Dang family’s guards couldn’t approach Lee Ro-woon, who had overwhelmed Cheonji Ilseom, and returned.

“Did Hwasan say they know the identity of Jincheon?” Ha Se-min asked.

“Yes,” Lee Ro-woon finally put down his tea and replied. “The war… has begun.”

Hwasan had retreated that day, but it was unknown when they would move again. Ha Se-min seemed to have a lot to say, but he closed his mouth.

“I was thinking of invading them alone, if I could,” Lee Ro-woon said. It was something that would be called crazy, but it seemed like Lee Ro-woon would actually do it, so no one could say anything.

“I’m planning to leave them alone for now.”

Pfft. Only then did Ha Se-min smile. “You’re going to leave Hwasan alone?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s Hwasan,” Ha Se-min said. “With the current power of the Blood Cult, the odds of winning are thirty percent. Against six assault teams. But if it’s Hwasan’s true power…” The calculation didn’t take long. “It’s zero.”

Zero percent.

“If the Wudang, Jeomchang, and the Anti-Demon Faction move, the odds of winning will increase. But they will also join the war at the same time.” Eun would be divided in half and fight. And even then… “The odds are on their side.”

Yet Lee Ro-woon said he would face them alone, and rather, he was saying to leave them alone. Normally, it would be considered nonsense, but…

“Is it possible?” If it was Lee Ro-woon.

“If I push myself a bit, I think it’s possible.” It didn’t sound like a lie. Now Ha Se-min completely relaxed and leaned back on the sofa.

“But what’s the reason for leaving them alone?” If that was the case, it would be easily resolved. No, it wouldn’t be easy, but there would be no need for worry and concern.

“If…” It was the first time.

“…….” Everyone in the room flinched and tensed at Lee Ro-woon’s changed gaze. His eyes were as languid as usual, but the emotion within them pressed down on everyone.

“If that bastard’s words are true, and that person is in their hands, things will get complicated.” They knew there was someone Lee Ro-woon was looking for.

“A hostage…” Ha Se-min tapped the armrest of the sofa with a serious look. “Indeed, a hostage is a troublesome thing.”

The Blood Cult members seemed to think differently, but Ha Se-min’s thoughts were firm. ‘Jincheon has no great affection for anyone.’ It seemed to have changed a little over time, but… ‘He’s someone who would throw everything away if necessary.’ The existence he had been looking for for a long time. His face when he mentioned that existence was something that was difficult for Ha Se-min to get used to. That person was in Hwasan. If they made a mistake… ‘Everything…’ They could lose Lee Ro-woon.

“What are you talking about?” Lee Ro-woon’s reply was a voice of disbelief. “Who’s a hostage?”

“Huh?”

“If that person is there, there’s no way they’re a hostage, right?”

“Huh…? Then why…?”

Lee Ro-woon stretched, clasping his hands together. And said, “I can’t win. Not yet.”

The words his masters had said came to mind. The words that told him not to look for them. And if he did find them… -You will have to fight each other to kill each other. If his master was really in Hwasan’s hands, that person might be deliberately not coming to find him.

***

“Where is this…?” Jang So-young said, unable to hide her nervousness. Cheonji Ilseom Jang So-young. She was Jeomchang’s top master and a heavenly-ranked master, called one of Eun’s hundred great masters. No, she was an existence above that. The one closest to Two Hands [a legendary martial arts realm]. Originally, Cheong In-woo should have been far below her, but… ‘To think it would be this much.’ Cheong In-woo, whom she had seen in person, was a completely different existence from what was known. But the reason she was so nervous was not because of Cheong In-woo.

-I’ll tell you. The story he had told her. -Why I call you junior sister. The story she wanted to know. -What exactly is that power you obtained. The story she had so desperately wanted. -And what is possible. She had followed him here for that. A place she had arrived at after passing through several doors of unknown origin. She didn’t even know which world it was based on. But… Shivers. The goosebumps that were rising proved everything.

“You will meet your master.” That there was truly a monster here.