Disciple of The Three Kings [EN]: Chapter 54

The Three Kings’ Disciple (55)

054

Haenam accepted Eun-ha’s negotiation proposal.

It wasn’t strange.

‘From the start, Haenam’s goal was to prevent Hwasan’s dominance.’

Though Hwasan controlled only the Seoul area, they were actually dominating half of South Korea behind the Iron Sword, and they were enjoying the geographical advantage of their controlled area being Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

‘Yeouido.’

Control of the political sphere.

‘The Player Association.’

Control over the Player Association.

Also, at the same time, they were acting as sponsors for numerous companies located in Seoul, literally sweeping up the entire wealth of South Korea.

Even if Haenam and Hwasan were to divide South Korea, it wouldn’t be profitable for Haenam.

That’s why Haenam headed north to prevent Hwasan’s dominance.

However, the negotiation proposal that Eun-ha suggested was to make Gyeonggi Province a kind of neutral zone.

‘They won’t be loyal to Hwasan.’

Instead, they wouldn’t be loyal to Haenam either.

However, if a force backed by Hwasan tried to control Gyeonggi Province, Eun-ha would have to push them out, and if Hwasan moved directly.

‘Haenam would move.’

For Haenam, it was a negotiation proposal that could achieve their original goal.

Chungcheong and Gangwon Provinces were already almost under Haenam’s control.

The initial goal of starting the war had been achieved.

One problem was that there was a minor grudge between Eun-ha, who would control Gyeonggi Province, and Haenam.

When Eun-ha faced Haenam with Do Cheon in the East Sea, the Blue Squad was annihilated, and Haenam’s elder, Gu Hyung-jin, was defeated.

It had damaged the pride of the Haenam forces.

However, it was patched up by the mediation of the hero, Namgung Mu-jin.

For Haenam, the fact that the Azure Dragon Squad Leader Namgung Mu-jin had directly mediated was a good excuse to restore their wounded pride.

“Namgung Mu-jin will play his role to the end.”

Ha Se-min said with a smile.

“Even to persuade Hwasan.”

Of course, it would be to pressure them by borrowing Haenam’s reputation.

The biggest problem was solved.

“The moment the internal strife is resolved….”

Ha Se-min’s eyes gleamed.

“Eun-ha will control Gyeonggi Province.”

It was an achievement that Lee Ro-woon had made in less than half a year since he took control of the Blood Cult.

It was an achievement that didn’t make sense even considering Eun-ha’s current size.

It was by no means an easy task.

However, it was possible because of a series of timely events, because Gyeonggi Province was a unique area, and because of the help of the Black Market King.

It was clear that it was a great achievement that no one could easily accomplish.

It was a huge upheaval in the solidified political situation of South Korea.

“The results of the investment are coming out so quickly, I couldn’t be happier.”

Ha Se-min was smiling, but his mouth was not smiling at all.

“It seems you have something to say.”

This place where they were talking was not an ordinary place.

It was near the place where Eun-ha’s original guild house was located.

An ordinary person wouldn’t know, but Ha Se-min couldn’t not know.

The magic circles of Bondeano that were spread all over the area.

“That’s right.”

Finally, Lee Ro-woon, who had been listening, opened his mouth.

His eyes were languidly lowered.

Lee Ro-woon spoke in a relaxed voice, as usual.

“The demon hidden in the Assembly. Why did you hide it?”

However, there was a clear murderous intent in his slender eyes.

***

Flint.

Ha Se-min trembled as he received Lee Ro-woon’s gaze.

‘He’s a monster.’

When he first met him, he was clearly a skilled person worth watching.

Something that could be felt beyond his realm.

But that was all.

The name Black Market King was not simply given because he was the proxy of that person, nor because he held the control of the Black Market and all its information.

It was because he had the power to seize the black market.

At that time, Lee Ro-woon was clearly at a level that Ha Se-min could handle without much difficulty.

‘Now?’

Now it was different.

He was at a level that could only be subdued by enduring a certain amount of bloodshed.

The most important thing was that he hadn’t noticed that Lee Ro-woon was growing so quickly.

It was clear that he was increasing his level every time he saw him, but he didn’t know it would be to this extent.

It was like….

‘It’s not like he’s growing, but like he’s regaining what he’s lost.’

Lee Ro-woon was already shrouded in mystery.

That person also had a great interest in Lee Ro-woon.

However, that was why Ha Se-min also released his hidden murderous intent.

Kukuku.

The air was trembling as Lee Ro-woon’s and Ha Se-min’s murderous intent collided.

“It seems there is some misunderstanding.”

Ha Se-min said, not losing his unique smile.

But Lee Ro-woon also knew that his eyes had become slender.

“Misunderstanding?”

“First.”

A voice like a declaration fell.

“The demon residing in the Assembly is the highest level of information in the Black Market, and no matter how high your authority as the Blood Demon is, you are not qualified to hear it.”

The air became heavier as his voice continued.

“Second, the demon hidden in the Assembly is different from the Heavenly Demon Cult’s that you were looking for.”

Even his tone had changed strangely.

“Third.”

Now Ha Se-min was looking down at Lee Ro-woon with an arrogant face.

Ha Se-min’s presence, which had already taken over the space, had surpassed Lee Ro-woon’s.

The Black Market King.

A strongman who had reached the end of the Mystic Realm [a high level of martial arts cultivation].

A strongman who might be even more than that.

According to rumors, a strongman who held the world in his two hands.

‘Two-Handed.’

It was a glimpse of the true nature of the Black Market King, who was said to be close to that.

“The Black Market has only invested in the Blood Cult, it is not a subordinate organization of the Blood Cult.”

Ha Se-min, who seemed to have grown into a huge figure, was completely overwhelming Lee Ro-woon.

A small person who seemed like he would be crushed if he was pressed down and a giant with a huge fist.

“You’d better keep that in mind.”

That was Ha Se-min’s honest feeling.

He was investing in the Blood Cult and cooperating with the Blood Demon, but in fact, it was not something that Ha Se-min himself should be involved in.

The Blood Demon? The Blood Cult?

They had grown rapidly, but they were still just a single force that he could destroy on his own.

Controlling Gyeonggi Province?

The Black Market controlled half of the darkness in Asia.

Lee Ro-woon had proven the value of the investment, but an immeasurable amount of profit was pouring into the Black Market even at this moment.

‘If it wasn’t for that person’s will.’

He wouldn’t have been so deeply involved in this matter.

Ha Se-min’s face contorted as he thought that.

‘He’s smiling?’

Although it wasn’t 100%, Lee Ro-woon was smiling even though he was receiving some of his released aura.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t being suppressed by the aura.

He was enduring it while being suppressed.

‘What on earth…?’

This was separate from the power that Lee Ro-woon possessed.

Mental strength and experience.

Ha Se-min trembled involuntarily when he saw his eyes.

Arrogant, yet ferocious.

It was madness.

“You’re all wrong.”

Lee Ro-woon’s voice was heard.

“The demon residing in the Assembly is from the Heavenly Demon Cult. Even if it’s that trashy demonic energy, there’s no way I wouldn’t know the root within it.”

“……!”

“My authority is low?”

Ha Se-min’s presence seemed to diminish with Lee Ro-woon’s smile.

“Is your authority greater than your master’s? Surely your master….”

Thud!

Ha Se-min felt his heart sink.

It felt like everything had been pierced through.

It felt like a red, blood-colored spear had pierced his heart.

“Would have told you to cooperate with me in everything.”

How did he….

Ha Se-min, who was about to say that, barely closed his mouth.

It was something that Lee Ro-woon could think of as too obvious.

It was an order that they, the betrayers, would have given if they had seen the true successor, and it was something that had been verified by Ha Se-min’s cooperation.

“And lastly, you moron, you better remember this properly.”

Lee Ro-woon’s voice was directed at Ha Se-min.

But his eyes seemed to be looking somewhere else.

“You were originally mine. Remember why you fell into that quagmire.”

“……!”

Ha Se-min almost moved his body without realizing it.

The thought of taking out the hidden dagger in his chest and sticking it deep into Lee Ro-woon’s mouth had crossed his mind.

And that was enough to truly surprise Ha Se-min.

‘I….’

Lee Ro-woon, who was not yet his opponent.

The feeling he felt while looking at him.

‘Was I… scared?’

Because it was fear.

A fleeting moment, countless thoughts.

What stopped those thoughts was that person’s voice.

-Stop.

His mind and body were stabilized by the clear command.

-It seems I will have to see him directly soon. Make up for this mistake.

A clear reprimand.

Ha Se-min’s presence, which had swelled up, had returned to its usual state.

“It seems I made a mistake.”

The Black Market King, who never apologized.

“I need to hear more of the story.”

It was the moment he took a step back and bowed his head.

* * *

Around Suwon Station, ordinary people were either evacuating or hiding in their homes with their doors locked tightly, following the instructions of the Player Association.

Players belonging to the association were standing at a certain distance, checking the magic circles as if they were in formation.

The reason they were doing this was because this place had become a battlefield.

Cheon-in had surrounded this place, which was Do Cheon’s base.

Even though the Iron Sword had fallen, Cheon-in and Do Cheon were still in the midst of a war where they were risking everything.

“This is not the time for this.”

However, Cheon In-mok, the guild leader of the Cheon-in Guild, was feeling a great burden in this situation.

“You should cease fire immediately and lead your troops to Hanam.”

What was making his head ache was one thing.

It was the Iron Sword Squad, the support force sent by the Iron Sword before it collapsed.

Nearly half of the Iron Sword’s forces.

After hearing the news from Hanam, they were trying to end the internal strife.

What was important to them was not Do Cheon or Cheon-in.

“Let’s deal with Do Cheon later.”

Eun-ha, who had destroyed the Iron Sword.

They were only thinking about erasing Eun-ha and rebuilding the Iron Sword.

However, they had lost their leader and their base.

They thought they could take revenge on Eun-ha with their own strength, but they knew that they needed a focal point to rebuild the Iron Sword.

And that it should be Cheon-in, who had suffered the least damage in the Iron Sword.

“Guild Leader. No, Sect Leader Cheon.”

“…….”

Cheon In-mok pressed his throbbing temples.

“Leave for now.”

“Sect Leader!”

“I’ll give you an answer soon.”

A clear order to leave.

Only then did the leader of the Iron Sword Squad bow his head, not hiding his discomfort.

“You must give a reasonable answer.”

Just the leader of the martial arts squad.

In terms of a guild, he was just a raid leader.

However, such a person was talking to Cheon-in’s guild leader, who was in charge of one of the pillars of the Iron Sword, in a commanding tone.

However, this was the reality of the Iron Sword.

“Damn it.”

Cheon In-mok, who was left alone, spat out a curse.

Although Cheon-in had divided Gyeonggi Province, the reality was that they were inferior to Do Cheon.

Moreover, the Iron Sword Squad that had come to support them was comparable to Cheon-in’s power.

If they had just attacked and erased Do Cheon, they would have followed their will and focused on restoring the Iron Sword.

“Hoo.”

The Iron Sword Squad was constantly suppressing Cheon In-mok’s will to attack.

To them, Cheon-in and Do Cheon were no different.

Moreover, now that the central axis of the Iron Sword had collapsed.

‘They must think that they have to embrace even Do Cheon.’

Once they regained the Iron Sword, they would surely postpone the conflict between Do Cheon and Cheon-in and urge them to reconcile.

“Yeong-ah….”

He had set out for revenge, but he had stopped powerlessly.

As a martial artist, he was ashamed.

However, he couldn’t move right now and attack Do Cheon.

If that was the case, the Iron Sword Squad would eventually go to Do Cheon’s side, not his.

‘If that happens, it will be Cheon-in who will be erased.’

It wasn’t that he was sad about his own death.

However, he was thinking about whether he should step back because it was a pity that those who were like his family would die without even getting revenge.

A night of deep contemplation.

Sway.

Cheon In-mok quickly grabbed his sword and stood up as the wind blew.

“Who is it!”

A dark shadow was standing by the window where the light was shining.

“A way to live….”

Shaking hair.

The figure that was revealed in the eyes of Cheon In-mok, who had deep inner strength, was clearly visible.

“Shall I tell you?”

A voice that made his heart melt just by listening to it.

“Kang… Eun-ha?”

It was the young lady named Kang Eun-ha, who was known as the guild leader of the Eun-ha Guild.