The Poisonous One, Sweet Life
Hwa Eun-wol chuckled to herself.
It wasn’t just Hwa Eun-wol. Not only the Martial Alliance members, but even the onlookers struggled to suppress their laughter. Had the Red Heaven Sect Leader shown proper respect to the White Path masters all this time, the atmosphere wouldn’t have been like this.
Because the Red Heaven Sect Master had repeatedly slapped the faces of the righteous sect masters, everyone was delighted yet struggled to suppress their laughter as he fainted on stage in an undignified state.
Only then did Hua Eun-wol introduce Dan Woo-sung.
“Victory belongs to the Alliance Leader.”
Only then did the laughing-to-the-point-of-bursting Mansion Guards and spectators burst into laughter, clapping enthusiastically under the guise of cheers.
“Wahahahahahaha! That’s our leader for you!”
“Kwahahahaha…!”
Blood Demon’s complexion turned ashen.
‘That guy is the leader?’
By the way, it didn’t look like the Blood Emperor was going to get up anytime soon—had he really fainted? Even the Heavenly Lord couldn’t defeat the Blood Emperor this overwhelmingly.
Blood Demon couldn’t help but be flabbergasted…
Blood Demon had no choice but to climb onto the stage, hoist his elder brother onto his back, and then bow his head slightly toward the Mighty Lord. His heart was pounding. Though his family had been in seclusion for two generations, his origins were still in the Demon Path.
Fortunately, when the leader extended his hand as if to say, “Come,” Blood Demon exhaled a sigh of relief and quietly descended.
‘That was close. The Blood God protected us.’
It was best to slip away quietly. The bad blood with Bicheonju was a problem to be dealt with later. Retreat was the only thing on Hyeolma’s mind.
Danwooseong looked at Bicheonju this time.
‘So this is how Bicheon makes his entrance.’
From Dan Wooseong’s perspective, Bicheonju and Jicheonmunju appeared to know each other. He couldn’t possibly have imagined that Jicheonmunju was the descendant of the Blood God and the Palace Master of the Blood God Palace. He knew Bicheon was a mysterious force, but he believed it was an organization that ultimately pursued the White Path.
Bicheonju also stared at the Martial Alliance Leader with a look of utter shock.
‘Much stronger than expected…’
The Blood Oath and the Heavenly Vow’s appearance records were already stored at the Martial Alliance, and since Hua Eun-wol had verified both individuals, it would be truly difficult for them to scheme against the Martial Alliance going forward.
Hua Enyue was actually a far more formidable man.
Whenever his eyes met those of the Lowly Master, he would smile. This was because he intended to uncover the true identity of the Heavenly Master later.
While everyone else was swept up in the crowd’s psychology, he alone kept his purpose in mind, surveying the Martial Alliance.
Hwa Eun-wol suddenly nodded to one of the waiting guards, who then leapt onto the stage carrying the White Dragon Robe of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader.
“Leader.”
As Dan Woosung spread his arms, the guard draped the White Dragon Robe over his martial attire.
Only then did Dan Wooseong’s attire transform into the official robes of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader.
In a way, it was a truly splendid entrance. He was a young Martial Alliance leader whose appearance, physique, martial prowess… truly lacked nothing.
Dan Woosung’s heart swelled as he looked out at the white-robed heroes gazing silently at him.
‘I am their leader now.’
Joy and the weight of responsibility intertwined within him.
As long as Danwooseong remained within the bounds of propriety, the warlords gathered here were also comrades who could stake their lives alongside the Martial Alliance Leader.
Hwa Eun-wol introduced the new Martial Alliance leader.
“As most of you know, he is the victor of the Late-Stage Jisu Dragon-Phoenix Grand Tournament. He subsequently earned the epithet ‘King of Fists’ and, through countless battles unknown to us, repeatedly crushed the forces of the Demon Sect. At the urging of Senior Guangxin, Senior Yixin, and Senior Yujinghong, he has become the new leader of the Martial Alliance for this new era.”
Hua Eun-wol deliberately omitted any mention of the Galaxy Trading Company.
Protecting the Eunhwasang Trading Company, the clan leader’s family business, had become quite an important matter going forward, so there was no need to make a fuss about it here.
The assembly bowed in unison toward Danwooseong with a resounding voice.
“We greet the Alliance Leader!”
“We greet the Alliance Leader!”
Dan Wooseong clasped his hands together, then looked around and nodded.
“Thank you. I’ll be counting on you.”
Hwa Eun-wol, who had been watching the podium, looked at Dan Woo-seong and Baek Yak. After all, the final match was still to come. Hwa Eun-wol was one of the few who knew the two might soon marry.
‘What to do about this.’
After much deliberation, Hwa Eun-wol decided to leave it to the two of them and said,
“Now, the final duel remains. The young master of the White Sword Sect, please step onto the duel platform.”
Baek Yakdo felt a strange sensation.
As he looked at his father with a bright expression for a moment, Baek I-gyeol whispered with a smile.
“Don’t back down easily. Like your mother did. You know what I mean?”
Uncertain if it was a joke or serious, Baek Yak smiled and nodded.
“I understand.”
Baekyak intended to torment the man who was both the martial arts alliance leader and soon to be her husband more harshly than anyone else in the world. She wanted to make it known to countless martial artists that the leader’s wife was also a formidable master. She believed this would bring peace to the martial world. This also meant that Baekyak’s heart was wholly devoted to the righteous path.
Stepping onto the martial arts stage, Baekyak assumed a fighting stance and declared, as if signaling the start:
“Leader, I challenge you.”
Danwooseong returned the salute and replied.
“Young Master.”
Baekyak inquired.
“Shall we begin? I should strike first, correct?”
Dan Woo-seong held out his hand as if to signal a moment’s wait, then stared intently at Baek Yak.
Suddenly, Danwooseong pictured himself fighting Baekyak.
He concluded that no matter what Baekyak did, he couldn’t defeat him. Even after imagining scenarios where he might let his guard down, the outcome remained the same. Probably, even after dozens or hundreds of battles, the result would be identical. Since defeating the gentleman, Dan Wooseong’s skill had already far surpassed Baekyak’s. Was there really any need to engage in a fight he was bound to win against the woman who would become his wife?
It wasn’t exactly a manly choice.
Moreover, Baekyak was even younger than Danwooseong.
Her prime has yet to arrive.
Therefore, there was no reason to deliberately humiliate the woman who would become his lifelong partner in such a setting.
As Dan Woo-sung merely stared at him blankly, Baek Yak asked again.
“Lord Myeong?”
Dan Woosung suddenly smiled and scanned the warlords. Then, without realizing it, his eyes met Cheol Myeongho’s.
Cheol Myeong-ho’s eyes widened as he thought.
‘That madman is here?’
That ‘surely not’ was probably right.
Dan Woo-seong suddenly thought of Baek Mu-jin as well. He also didn’t want others to see the descendant of Baek Mu-jin—who had lived his entire life as an undefeated martial arts master—suffer defeat in a place like this.
This was a mark of respect for the martial god, Baek Moo-jin.
Dan Woo-seong spoke clearly and deliberately, unconcerned whether his listeners felt embarrassed or got goosebumps.
“Baekyak, I swear before the martial arts world: I will never defeat you again.”
“You were stronger than me to begin with.”
It was an unexpected, off-beat remark.
Baekyak hadn’t understood Dan Wooseong’s words.
Cheol Myeong-ho, who found it painful to watch, slapped his own cheek.
SMACK!
‘What the hell are those rotten bastards doing? It’s so cringey I might get possessed by a demon.’
Hwa Eun-seol stared at Cheol Myeong-ho with a startled expression.
“Why are you acting like that?”
“Ah, nothing. Just a mosquito on my cheek.”
Cheol Myeong-ho pointed toward the martial arts stage.
“Looks like the leader is proposing. With all these martial artists gathered like this. Good grief… Anyway, Miss Baek just doesn’t get it.”
The impatient Cheol Myeong-ho bellowed.
“Miss Baek! The Alliance Leader says he’ll support you for life!”
Only then did Baek Yak widen her eyes and look at Danwooseong.
‘Suddenly? Here?’
Cheolmyeongho suddenly poked his eye with his finger, a strange expression on his face as if something had gotten in it.
‘This sight is so damn irritating I can’t stand it. Blind bastard or whatever, I want to beat the shit out of him.’
Only then did the murmurs of people grasping the situation begin. Of course, among those murmurs were the martial arts world’s know-it-alls.
“Those two gentlemen each won their respective titles at the Yongbong Grand Tournament, didn’t they?”
“So they knew each other already.”
“So it really is a marriage proposal, then?”
“How fitting they met again in the finals.”
“So their connection began back then.”
At that moment, Hwa Eun-wol interjected appropriately.
“Miss Baek, it seems the Alliance Leader has declared his surrender. Will you accept it?”
Cheol Myeong-ho rubbed his forearm in sheer terror.
‘Goosebumps… Damn it, suddenly I want to throw myself into the underworld. I was meant to be in the underworld all along. Only now do I realize my true nature.’
Baekyak smiled and nodded.
“The leader is stronger than me, so it’s impossible. I’ll serve you for life.”
As the spectators’ cheers erupted, Cheol Myeong-ho let out a scream mingled with the roar.
“Kyaaaaaaaah!”
Hwa Eun-seol grabbed Cheol Myeong-ho’s arm in terror.
“Lord Dan, are you all right?”
“Ah, demonic energy… It’s fine now.”
Cheolmyeongho gasped for breath as he gazed at Hwa Eunseol’s delicate hand. When she withdrew her hand, he felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment. Regardless, the demonic energy within him had been resolved by her touch.
Suddenly, Cheol Myeong-ho thought as he looked at Hwa Eun-seol.
‘Stupid Martial Alliance leader, I think this one is prettier. Heh heh heh…’
Cheol Myeong-ho narrowed his eyes as he watched Dan Woo-seong and Baek Yak facing each other on the martial arts stage.
I will win in the end. If I can just get Eunseol, that means I’m the victor of life. You worthless piece of trash, you master, you leader—you and that dawn mist maiden ghost can suffer together for the rest of your lives. You’ll regret marrying the heir to the Ice Palace when you freeze solid in June after a marital spat. Ha ha ha…”
Why would Cheolmyeongho insist on standing beside Hwa Eunseol?
There was a reason.
Cheol Myeong-ho, who hadn’t even dared to open his mouth when he saw Hwa Eun-seol at Yongbongdaeyeon. Yet for some reason, his mouth opened freely even in front of Hwa Eun-seol now. He thought that as his martial arts had grown stronger, his mental fortitude had also matured significantly.
Cheol Myeong-ho, gazing at the martial arts stage, muttered to himself.
“Well, well… Oh my… Even flowers.”
As Danwooseong held out the flower he’d conjured with his mind, Baekyak flicked it with her finger, turning it into an ice flower as if to preserve it as a memento.
Just as Cheol Myeong-ho was about to slap his own cheek again, Hwa Eun-seol, standing beside him, clasped her hands together and spoke.
“It’s so romantic. They make such a perfect pair.”
Hwa Eun-seol had also felt her heart flutter for Dan Woo-sung, but since they’d had virtually no contact over the years, there had been no chance for their relationship to develop into romance. She thought Baek Yak and Woo Seong were a perfect match because they complemented each other so well.
Cheol Myeong-ho’s pupils trembled violently.
“Ah…”
Cheol Myeong-ho stared blankly, lost in thought.
How on earth, where exactly, why, is that romantic?
Hwa Eun-seol asked.
“Right?”
Cheol Myeong-ho replied with a distant look, as if suddenly recalling a memory.
“That’s right. I’ve never seen such a romantic proposal in my entire life. The leader really… Privately, he’s a friend, but he’s truly a remarkable man. He’s always been remarkable. He never touched gambling or anything like that. Ah, he never laid a hand on her either.”
“Gambling?”
“Ah, that slipped out. I mean, that’s what I’m saying.”
Cheolmyeongho, who rarely lied, found himself swallowing hard after speaking.
As Dan Woosung headed toward his prospective father-in-law with Baekyak…
Cheol Myeong-ho glared at Dan Woo-seong’s back.
‘You’ve insulted me.’
Quick-witted Hwa Eun-wol stepped forward again to assess the situation.
Cheolmyeongho then gave Hwa Eun-wol, who was issuing various orders to the guards, a thumbs-up.
‘As expected of our elder brother. The strategist of the Martial Arts Alliance. He’s the Zhuge Liang in my heart.’
Since the General Commander was Hwa Eun-seol’s older brother, he was unquestionably a senior to Cheol Myeong-ho. Though his exact age was unknown, Cheol Myeong-ho assumed he was an elder regardless.
This was a celebration for the new Martial Alliance leader’s ascension.
Joyful news kept coming, and the Mid-Autumn Festival passed in a consistently warm atmosphere.
Cheol Myeong-ho stole a glance at Hwa Eun-seol.
Spring had not yet arrived for Cheol Myeong-ho.
Still, just being by Hwa Eun-seol’s side made Cheol Myeong-ho happy.
He was a reckless brat, whether he was the head of the Martial Alliance’s guard or Hua Eun-seol’s personal guard.
