Chapter 542
Jeok Cheon-Gang’s eyes widened like lanterns as he spat out his words.
“So that guy coming up now is a pure human?”
“Amazingly, he’s wild-caught.”
“Heh, you really do live long to see all sorts of things. But the aura I’m sensing doesn’t seem so pure.”
Returning from escorting down the emergency patient, Hyuk Mu-jin wiped his blood-soaked palm on his pants and replied.
“As expected of the Great Hero Jeok. You saw through the heretic of the Sama family in one glance.”
“Heretic of the Sama family?”
“Yes. The successor of the Black Dragon Demon Sect and his subordinate.”
There had been two presences from the start—it had just been hard to hear them clearly over the noise.
And finally, the two revealed themselves beyond the door Jeok Cheon-Gang had burst through.
“Sama Pyo of the Martial Underworld greets the Fire King, Jeok Cheon-Gang.”
A tall, handsome man. Just facing him made my mouth feel dry and gritty, like I was chewing sand.
It was because of the three syllables that flashed through my head.
‘Fiancé.’
Whether he knew what I was thinking or not, Sama Pyo gave a polite martial greeting to Jeok Cheon-Gang and nudged the lump standing awkwardly beside him.
“What are you doing? Hurry and greet him.”
The nickname and name fit perfectly. Taesan, the Tiger Brute, gave a deep bow.
“Nice meet. Taesan see Fire King.”
What a novel greeting.
A glance at Jeok Cheon-Gang’s face showed he looked more like he wanted to show him the King of the Underworld, not the Fire King.
Noticing the tension, Sama Pyo quickly offered an explanation.
“As you might have guessed, he’s lacking in verbal skills. That’s the best he can do.”
“Well… I suppose there’s no helping it.”
Jeok Cheon-Gang mumbled with a sour expression.
“I’ve really seen all kinds today. Fine, I’ve seen you too, brat.”
“Hehe.”
Taesan grinned innocently and suddenly threw up a double thumbs-up.
“Fire King. Strong. Taesan like strong. Nice meet.”
“O-oh. Yes, nice to meet you too.”
“But Taesan. Hungry.”
“What, what?”
“Want eat that. If Fire King allow, thank.”
His gluttonous eyes were now locked onto something over our shoulders.
Jeok Cheon-Gang, realizing what he meant, gave an awkward nod.
“Y-yeah, go ahead.”
“Yay! Snacks! Taesan will eat well!”
Boom! Crack!
The innkeeper’s going to cry blood over this.
That massive body, hardly a normal human’s, smashed the remaining door remnants as he charged in.
Jeok Cheon-Gang, who stood blankly watching Taesan sweep everything off the table, muttered.
“Maybe I’ve lived too long.”
Even Jeok Cheon-Gang couldn’t help but be taken aback.
Well, considering how everyone usually trembled just at the name “Fire King,” it made sense.
Aside from Cheongpung, this might be the first time someone of real threat has shown up.
‘Well, that aside…’
Scratching the back of my head, I looked Sama Pyo up and down.
“So? What brings you here?”
“I have important business. If possible, I’d like to talk inside.”
“No, not really feeling it.”
Sama Pyo shrugged.
“Just being polite. You’re not ordinary either. Do you also have a grudge against the Sama heretic?”
“Rather than a grudge…”
Damn it. Now that he’s asking directly, I don’t know what to say.
We’ve only met once, and the first impression wasn’t even that bad. It’s not like I’m some die-hard justice extremist who constantly chants about eradicating all heretics.
And Jeok Cheon-Gang wasn’t that different either.
“What’s with you two standing there? You in love or something?”
With even Jeok Cheon-Gang saying that, I had no reason to refuse anymore. After a brief thought, I jerked my chin at Sama Pyo.
“Damn it, get in already.”
“Thanks. Much appreciated, Great Hero Jeok.”
As Sama Pyo entered with a respectful bow, Jeok Cheon-Gang nodded.
“Youngster’s got manners. Or maybe he just inherited his father’s sly blood?”
Sama Pyo paused for a moment, then smiled faintly.
“Probably the latter. But you remember my father, then.”
“Didn’t until I saw your face. Black Night King… you look just like he did in his youth.”
Black Night King, Sama Gong.
Sama Pyo’s father, and the founding figure of the Black Dragon Demon Sect.
Just from the nickname alone, one might assume he was one of the Ten Kings. But according to information gathered through Gong Gi-bang, he had no ties to them.
‘Like the Green Forest Battle King of the Green Forest Alliance, or the Escort King of Yongbong Escort Agency.’
They too were unmatched masters, but not recognized as part of the legendary Ten Kings.
Sama Gong, the Black Night King and leader of the Black Dragon Demon Sect, had similarly earned such a title by being an unmatched force in the martial underworld.
“Still…”
Jeok Cheon-Gang narrowed his eyes as he stared at Sama Pyo.
“I didn’t expect the Black Night King to have a son this young.”
“I have seven older brothers and nine sisters. I’m the youngest.”
“Heh, even the King of Virility would cry hearing that. So you’re the successor then.”
Sama Pyo’s eyes widened slightly.
“That’s correct, but how did you…”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Jeok Cheon-Gang snorted and continued.
“With the Black Night King’s personality, he’d have no qualms about burying the rest of his kids if you showed talent.”
“Seems like he hasn’t changed much. I never could read him. Sly as a fox, cunning as a snake.”
Now that’s a world-class insult right to his face. Truly majestic.
There is some praise in there about Sama Pyo’s abilities, but an insult’s still an insult. Before the dutiful son fired back over the jab at his dad, I spoke up.
“So, what’s the business?”
“…Hm. Well.”
With a mysterious expression, Sama Pyo pulled something out from his robe.
Paper—something quite valuable in the martial world. And the text at the very top instantly caught my eye.
★I was just a nameless nobody, but now I’m a Murim hero at Twin Dragons Pavilion?!★
Staring down at the paper on the table, I rubbed my chin.
“Looks familiar.”
Sama Pyo chuckled.
“Well, it should. Whoever came up with this is a genius. Quite a bold move, too.”
Sama Pyo’s long finger tapped a particular section of the paper.
It was the recruitment notice hastily scribbled by Hyuk Mu-jin in his terrible handwriting.
Among the various listed items just below, his finger landed precisely on one point.
#Gender and sect affiliation not required
His soft voice followed.
“This part especially caught my eye.”
“So?”
“I intend to apply. To Twin Dragon Pavilion.”
I had a hunch, but hearing it directly made my feelings complicated.
After thinking it over briefly, I smacked my lips.
“Why?”
“I knew the moment I heard the song. This was exactly what I was looking for.”
Yeah, that’s nonsense.
It wasn’t even funny.
The song lyrics about the start of a new era of success, countless sects wanting you, and changing your life—none of that applied to Sama Pyo.
The Black Dragon Demon Sect was one of the top three most powerful forces in the entire demonic Murim.
Even if Sama Pyo hadn’t been the sect’s successor, just being the Black Night King’s son guaranteed him a life of wealth and luxury.
‘And now he wants to join Twin Dragon Pavilion?’
Even if the hardcore justice factions marched around waving protest signs, Sama Pyo was someone who could easily secure a seat in the Murim Alliance.
With my arms crossed, I stared intently at Sama Pyo.
“If this is a joke, it’s not funny.”
“Good. Because I’m dead serious.”
“Cut the crap. What’s the real reason?”
“There was no clause on the poster that said I had to give one.”
“Get lost. Don’t go far.”
Sama Pyo shrugged like he had no choice.
“If I join Twin Dragon Pavilion, maybe I can shake off the ‘Sama heretic’ label.”
“Didn’t seem like you were all that eager to shake it off.”
“Is that really how I came across?”
“It’s hard to believe you.”
“Then I suppose I have no choice. Let me be blunt.”
“Be blunt. Unless you want your teeth knocked in.”
Sama Pyo smirked, then suddenly his expression hardened.
From between lips free of even a single blemish, a low voice pierced my ears.
“I plan to use you. For my own sake. Depending on the situation, you’ll be a useful card in one way or another.”
A heavy silence fell.
Even Taesan, who’d been nonstop munching on food, froze. Hyuk Mu-jin stared at us both with eyes wide like lanterns.
Then, someone broke the silence.
“What an interesting fellow.”
It was Jeok Cheon-Gang.
With a face that gave away nothing—smiling or angry, who could tell—he stared at Sama Pyo before suddenly turning to me.
“What do you think?”
I paused before slowly parting my lips.
“Pretty intense. Doesn’t feel like his first interview.”
“Will you accept him?”
“We’ll see.”
That Black Dragon, Sama Pyo. It was hard to tell where the jokes ended and the truth began with him.
But one thing was clear.
‘He’s interesting.’
Tap. Tap.
Only the sound of fingers drumming against the table echoed in the silence.
After a short time collecting my thoughts, I looked Sama Pyo straight in the eye.
“Let’s make one thing clear first.”
“Go ahead.”
“If you try anything funny…”
Before I could even finish, Sama Pyo replied.
“Summary execution. Got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Damn. You’re refreshingly direct.”
“Well, it’s only natural. So is that it?”
“You’re not in yet. I’m just considering you. For now, go home.”
“As you wish.”
What the hell is this guy’s real goal?
As my curiosity only grew, I watched Sama Pyo and Taesan prepare to leave—then I remembered something important I’d forgotten.
“And one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“You’re covering that guy’s food bill.”
