Chapter 380

Chapter 380 – The Back Wave Pushes the Front Wave (2)

The Alliance Leader's quarters were literally where the leader of the Martial Alliance resided. Unlike the vacant strategist's quarters, countless people had gathered at the Alliance Leader's quarters. ​

Led by Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san, along with Shaolin Temple's Abbot Gwang-cheon, martial artists dispatched from major sects and families, and the Martial Alliance's leadership combined, nearly a hundred people filled the massive great hall. ​

They were all figures worthy of being called big shots. For such people to gather in one place was also extremely rare. ​

They had gathered in one place due to the summons order from Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san. ​

"Do you know why the Alliance Leader summoned everyone?" ​

"Well! He must have gathered us because there's something important." ​

"My word! To issue a summons like this without prior notice." ​

"There must be a good reason." ​

Some people made uncomfortable expressions, while others waited with curious gazes for Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san to enter. ​

Among those waiting for the Alliance Leader were young martial artists like Cho Yeon-woon, So-cheon, and Hae So-wol. They too were equally clueless about what was happening. ​

Cho Yeon-woon crossed his arms and looked at the grand chair where the Alliance Leader would sit. ​

'What's this about?' ​

Though called the Martial Alliance Leader, Nam Cheon-san had a very weak political foundation. Therefore, he had given up leadership to strategist Namgung Chang and remained in a symbolic role. ​

Naturally, he hadn't been able to issue such large-scale summons orders. Cho Yeon-woon wondered whether his summoning so many people with such a summons order was simply to firmly seize leadership after Namgung Chang's death, or if there was a worthy reason. ​

That's when it happened. ​

Thud! ​

The door opened with a dull sound and Dam Ho revealed himself. At that moment, the murmuring that had filled the great hall disappeared like a lie. Dam Ho's presence was that overwhelming. ​

While everyone held their breath, only one person waved vigorously with a welcoming expression. ​

"Over here!" ​

It was Cho Yeon-woon. He beckoned Dam Ho with hand gestures. ​

Dam Ho nodded and walked to the seat next to Cho Yeon-woon. The gazes of people looking at him were truly varied. ​

Some people's faces clearly showed uncomfortable expressions, while others' faces revealed favorable impressions. ​

The former were mainly middle-aged or older martial artists who had been active in the martial world for a long time or had solid foundations, while the latter were mainly martial artists who were newcomers to the martial world or belonged to the younger generation. ​

Cho Yeon-woon smiled and looked at Dam Ho. ​

"Why are you so late?" ​

"Something came up." ​

"Something?" ​

"I'll tell you later." ​

"Understood." ​

Cho Yeon-woon nodded. ​

Following him, So-cheon and Hae So-wol greeted him. ​

"Great Hero Dam!" ​

"You've arrived?" ​

When Dam Ho was nodding to them and about to sit in an empty seat. ​

"The Alliance Leader is entering." ​

With the shout of a martial artist standing guard, Martial Alliance Leader Nam Cheon-san entered the great hall. Then many martial artists stood up to greet Nam Cheon-san. But not everyone did so. ​

High-ranking martial artists remained seated and looked at Nam Cheon-san. Nam Cheon-san's eyebrows twitched briefly at their appearance. But Nam Cheon-san soon showed a composed expression and cupped his fists toward the heroes. ​

"Haha! I'm honored that you've warmly welcomed this insignificant person. There's no need to trouble yourselves by standing. Please, everyone take your seats." ​

"Yes!" ​

The heroes who had stood up sat down in unison. Only then did Nam Cheon-san also sit in the grand chair. ​

"I offer words of gratitude to the martial world comrades who responded to this sudden summons. Seeing all of you gathered like this, I'm confident we can protect the righteousness of the martial world. Hehe!" ​

Nam Cheon-san's voice, filled with magnificent internal energy, spread to every corner of the great hall. ​

Cho Yeon-woon looked at such Nam Cheon-san and muttered. ​

"They say position makes the person? At first he seemed like just a scarecrow, but now he's become quite shrewd." ​

"Amitabha! The Abbot said that now his vessel as Alliance Leader has been filled." ​

"Whatever the case, he's been performing the Alliance Leader duties for three years. He must have learned a lot during that time." ​

So-cheon and Hae So-wol each added a comment. ​

As they said, Nam Cheon-san was now naturally emanating the dignity of an Alliance Leader. The fact that everyone's attention was focused on him was proof of this. ​

Nam Cheon-san was smiling as if enjoying such people's gazes. He waited for the heroes' commotion to settle before opening his mouth. ​

"You must be curious about why this old man suddenly summoned all of you." ​

"……" ​

"Good. I won't drag this out long. First, I'll introduce several people to you. You'll probably be quite surprised when you see them." ​

Nam Cheon-san paused briefly and looked at the heroes. Curious lights appeared on the faces of the heroes gathered in the great hall. ​

The Nam Cheon-san they knew wasn't someone who liked such showy, flashy events. ​

Though they thought there must be a reason, they couldn't help being curious. They held their breath and waited for Nam Cheon-san's next action. ​

Judging that the atmosphere had sufficiently ripened, Nam Cheon-san spoke loudly. ​

"Come, please come out now." ​

As soon as his voice ended, several martial artists who had been waiting outside the door entered the great hall. ​

"What?" ​

"Who are they?" ​

The martial artists in the great hall made puzzled expressions. They were completely unfamiliar figures. ​

Only Gwang-cheon and a few other leaders recognized their identities. ​

'Heavenly Sword King Jeok Gyeong-cheon.' ​

Since they had been introduced by Namgung Chang when the Martial Alliance first took refuge at Shaolin Temple, it wasn't too surprising. ​

The problem was the martial artists following behind Jeok Gyeong-cheon. Though their appearances differed, they emanated a similar aura to Jeok Gyeong-cheon. ​

"Could it be?" ​

Lights of 'no way' appeared on the faces of Gwang-cheon and others. ​

At that moment, Nam Cheon-san introduced them in a loud voice. ​

"These people are members of the suicide squad that raided the Demon Cult's main stronghold during the first Righteous-Demon Great War. They are those who went into seclusion after the Demon Cult retreated." ​

The repercussions of Nam Cheon-san's statement were significant. ​

"The suicide squad? Then that's from thirty years, no, almost forty years ago." ​

"They were still alive?" ​

"My goodness!" ​

The heroes' murmuring intensified. ​

The surprise reached its peak to the extent that even those who prided themselves on having experienced everything couldn't compose their expressions. ​

"First, I think everyone will know Heavenly Sword King Jeok Gyeong-cheon. When the Martial Alliance retreated from Yueyang, we were able to reduce casualties thanks to Senior Jeok's help." ​

"Heavenly Sword King? You mean that Heavenly Sword King?" ​

"This can't be!" ​

Even young martial artists couldn't hide their amazement at Jeok Gyeong-cheon's appearance. His reputation was that tremendous. ​

Nam Cheon-san's introductions continued. ​

"And these people are Great Hero Yu Seong-wol, Red Star Divine Lord, Great Hero Jang Jin-myeong, Thousand-Enemy Sword, Lady Hero So Bo-won, Heavenly Mountain Snow Flower, Great Hero Gu Ui-jin, Heavenly Wolf Guest, and others." ​

"Ahh!" ​

As his voice continued, people's exclamations grew louder and eventually turned into great cheers. ​

"Waaah!" ​

"The suicide squad? I really couldn't imagine." ​

Lights of joy appeared on people's faces. ​

Those Nam Cheon-san was introducing were people who had reigned as legends decades ago. Because of their courage and sacrifice, the current peace could exist. ​

The faces of those who witnessed the legends were filled with excitement like children. The presence of those Nam Cheon-san introduced was that tremendous. ​

They were already legends and heroes who had made great marks in martial world history. Their reappearance gave the heroes great shock along with courage. ​

Nam Cheon-san showed an expression encouraged by such people's enthusiastic reactions and atmosphere. ​

"During the first Righteous-Demon Great War, our martial world was saved by these people. Because of the sacrifice of those who participated as the suicide squad, the martial world could regain peace. Most of those who participated as the suicide squad at that time either passed away or chose seclusion. These people were the same. They chose seclusion, leaving all glory behind. And today, I shamefully brought these people back to the martial world. To make the shameless request that they sacrifice for the martial world once again." ​

"……" ​

As Nam Cheon-san's words continued, the heroes made solemn expressions. ​

They were people who had already bled and fought decades ago. The reality of having to bring back to the martial world those who had grown tired of fighting and gone into seclusion, those who should now be resting while watching their grandchildren's antics, was just sad. ​

"And these people responded to my call. They willingly came out saying they would fight for the martial world again." ​

"Waaah!" ​

"The best!" ​

Instantly, shouts like wildfire erupted. ​

People's fervor reached its peak, and Nam Cheon-san's prestige also pierced the sky. ​

"This Nam Cheon-san made three visits to invite members of the suicide squad. The reason is…" ​

Nam Cheon-san paused briefly and looked around the great hall. ​

Everyone's attention was focused on him. They waited for Nam Cheon-san's next words in silence as if they had never sent out wildfire-like cheers. And Nam Cheon-san said what they wanted to hear. ​

"Because I think we too need a suicide squad now. Just as the seniors who protected this land during the first Righteous-Demon Great War did, we too need a suicide squad. A dagger filled with deadly poison to deliver a fatal blow to the Demon Cult – that is precisely the suicide squad this era needs." ​

The repercussions Nam Cheon-san's words brought were truly tremendous. ​

"Whoa!" ​

"A suicide squad?" ​

"Are they recruiting a suicide squad again?" ​

The heroes looked at each other's faces and murmured. ​

The resonance the word "suicide squad" brought was truly tremendous. Though decades had passed since the first Righteous-Demon Great War ended, those who had participated in the suicide squad were still remembered as heroes. ​

The reason Jeok Gyeong-cheon, Yu Seong-wol, and others were still remembered by martial world people was precisely because they were members of the suicide squad. Their names would continue to be remembered and talked about as long as martial world history continued. For martial artists, it was truly the highest honor. ​

The already hot fervor blazed even more fiercely as if adding fuel to a fire. In the abnormally hot fervor, the expressions of Cho Yeon-woon, So-cheon, and others became serious. ​

Those gathered in the great hall were people who prided themselves on having experienced everything in the martial world. Such people were going wild with enthusiasm over the three characters "suicide squad." This was definitely not something to dismiss lightly. ​

Cho Yeon-woon's gaze turned toward Dam Ho. ​

Dam Ho was looking at Nam Cheon-san and others with his characteristically expressionless face. More precisely, his gaze was fixed on the previous generation suicide squad members like Jeok Gyeong-cheon and Yu Seong-wol. ​

Jeok Gyeong-cheon and the suicide squad members seemed to be enjoying the fervor in the great hall with relaxed expressions. They were smiling as they looked around at the heroes' faces. ​

Even the Shaolin monks who already knew of Jeok Gyeong-cheon's existence showed clear signs of surprise. They too hadn't expected Nam Cheon-san to declare the creation of a new suicide squad at this gathering. ​

Jeok Gyeong-cheon, who had been enjoying Gwang-cheon's bewildered expression, soon felt a cold gaze. ​

It was a chilling and ruthless look that sent shivers down one's spine. ​

'Who is it?' ​

Jeok Gyeong-cheon turned his head to find the owner of the gaze. ​

Finding him wasn't difficult. Among the countless heroes, he alone was emanating a distinct presence. ​

'The Fist Demon!' ​

He recognized Dam Ho immediately. ​

Disheveled black hair, pitch-black robes, and unfathomably dark pupils. Most impressive was the distinct presence that overwhelmed his surroundings. ​

Even during Jeok Gyeong-cheon's active period, there had been almost no martial artists who showed such presence as Dam Ho. No, there were a few. But they were overly mythical beings. ​

Jeok Gyeong-cheon couldn't believe that Dam Ho was an existence on par with them. He raised his eyesight to look at Dam Ho more closely. Then Dam Ho's deeply sunken pupils appeared even larger. ​

'That guy!' ​

It was a gaze that revealed not a fragment of any emotion, as if it had absorbed all the darkness in the world. ​

Such a gaze was a first for him. ​

Instantly, Jeok Gyeong-cheon felt an unidentifiable eerie emotion. ​

Suddenly his whole body felt itchy and his palms became moist with sweat. His body was reacting before his mind or reason. ​

There were few in the martial world who had made him feel this way. And they had been the highest-level masters of the martial world during the first Righteous-Demon Great War. ​

Jeok Gyeong-cheon couldn't believe that Dam Ho was a master on par with them. So without realizing it, he looked at Yu Seong-wol and others beside him. ​

Yu Seong-wol, Jang Jin-myeong, and So Bo-won were all masters of their era. Masters with martial power surpassing the top-tier masters currently renowned in the martial world. But even they were concentrating their gazes on Dam Ho while feeling tense. ​

Sweat flowed down their foreheads and cheeks, and slight tremors occurred in their shoulders. They wanted to look away but couldn't. As if their eyes were fixed with glue, they couldn't tear away from Dam Ho. ​

Dam Ho's presence alone was forcibly capturing the gazes of the martial world's previous generation masters. ​

'This can't be!' ​

Countless heroes were losing their minds to the word "suicide squad" and letting out strange fervor and great cheers. But the martial artists who had participated in the suicide squad decades ago were being drained by the energy battle with Dam Ho. ​

Not noticing such facts, Nam Cheon-san shouted. ​

"Please volunteer for the suicide squad. The martial world needs your help." ​