I Somehow Became the Leader of the Black Faction - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: We are in Hangzhou.

How Did I Become the Leader of the Black Path Alliance?

Chapter 2

“We are in Hangzhou.”

The Black Dragon Guard served as the personal army of the Leader of the Black Path Alliance.

Naturally, only the most elite were chosen, and even after joining, they had to endure hellish training.

Martial prowess alone was not enough.

Stealth. Intelligence gathering. Stratagem.

They had to demonstrate above-average skill in every field.

And among such elites, there were the best of the best.

The Four Black Dragons.

These four were individuals who stood out even within the Black Dragon Guard, a unit already composed of monsters.

It was an obvious choice for the Commander of the Black Dragon Guard to entrust them with the mission of bringing back the Leader of the Black Path Alliance’s son.

But…

“Ha, this is exactly why I didn’t want to come. Captain, are we fucked?”

At Yu Geon-woo’s words—one of the Four Black Dragons—a large, fierce-looking man let out a faint sigh.

The man who acted as the leader among the Four Black Dragons, Bae Seok-jin, turned his head to look at another man.

“Still no other news?”

The man who received his question merely nodded.

Bae Seok-jin shut his eyes tight, a dizzying sensation washing over him.

Five days.

It had already been five days.

The Black Path Alliance had clearly stated they had conveyed their terms to the Murim Alliance. They had even received a definitive answer that the Alliance would comply with their demands.

And yet.

And yet, why…

Why was there no sign of him?

Did he leave early? No. No one presumed to be the Young Alliance Leader had left the Alliance before we arrived.

Hadn’t we already stationed spies near the Murim Alliance to ensure we wouldn’t lose our way?

If so, did he deliberately disguise himself to deceive our eyes?

If that were the case, it would explain why we’ve failed to find him until now.

But why would he do such a thing?

Does he hate the idea of returning to Zhejiang?

While he was lost in deep thought, pondering what to do, a woman walked up from the foot of the mountain.

Reaching them, she let out a soft sigh and complained.

“Hah, I contacted the spy we planted in the Alliance, and they say the Young Alliance Leader has already left. They don’t know the exact timing, either.”

“Hah! Of course. I told you those bastards wouldn’t just hand him over. Cunning scoundrels.”

Yu Geon-woo sneered, and the woman frowned.

“Hey, we’re in the Murim Alliance’s front yard. If you’re weak, you should at least have some sense.”

“So, you’re afraid of the Murim Alliance?”

“Ah, sorry. You’re not just tactless—you’re just plain stupid, aren’t you?”

“Stupid is better than ignorant.”

“Heh heh. Little brother, your boredom must be acting up again. I wonder if your broken ribs from last time have healed properly?”

“Oh, you want to check?”

The tension was so thick they looked ready to tear each other apart. Yet, the other two remained completely unfazed, clearly used to this.

“It seems we’ve missed each other. We’re heading back to Zhejiang.”

Only after Bae Seok-jin, who had been lost in thought, reached a conclusion did the two finally stop their bickering.

Bae Seok-jin glanced once more at the distant main gate of the Murim Alliance, then turned away.

The mission was a failure.

If he refuses to come to Zhejiang…

Then the fate of the Four Black Dragons will be…

Just as Bae Seok-jin was about to set off, Muk-yeong raised a hand and pointed.

Bae Seok-jin turned his head as if entranced.

“That… That’s…”

An exclamation escaped his lips before he knew it.

He pulled a piece of paper from his robes and unfolded it.

[ At ten years old, he was as beautiful as a woman. Now that he has reached adulthood, there is a strong possibility he still possesses a striking appearance. His distinguishing features include eyes filled with a melancholic aura and a natural air of intimidation, even at a young age. ]

When he first saw this paper, he had scoffed in disbelief.

How are we supposed to find someone with just this?

Yet, the description was uncannily accurate. The man now descending the mountain path was the very image of the one described on the paper.

“Captain.”

The woman’s voice trembled with excitement. Bae Seok-jin forced himself to remain calm.

“We need to confirm first. Follow me.”

Whoosh!

Bae Seok-jin shot forward in an instant, the rest of the group trailing close behind.

They reached the man in the blink of an eye.

“Excuse me. And I will continue to excuse myself. Might I ask your name?”

Bae Seok-jin tried to hide it, but desperation still tinged his voice.

And the moment the man spoke—

Bae Seok-jin was certain.

It felt as if a faint light had finally pierced the pitch-black future of the Black Path.

Seo Woo-jin stood frozen, utterly bewildered.

It was bad enough that these people had suddenly blocked his path, but now they were calling him the Young Alliance Leader?

Young Alliance Leader? Doesn’t that mean the future master of the Alliance?

The Murim Alliance? Do they think I’m the Young Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance?

Seo Woo-jin cleared his throat and spoke cautiously to the figures still bowed before him.

“Um… I think there’s been some misunderstanding. I am not the Young Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance.”

The man kneeling at the very front raised his head.

His gaze was so fierce, his face so terrifying, that Seo Woo-jin felt his heart shrink in terror.

Ugh. I didn’t know a person’s face could be this scary.

Regardless of what Seo Woo-jin was thinking, Bae Seok-jin spoke with absolute conviction.

“Of course! The Young Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance? How absurd! Even if the Young Alliance Leader spent many years at the Murim Alliance, he surely never forgot the pride of our Black Path. That is why he has grown into such a magnificent man. How could we possibly fathom the Young Alliance Leader’s sorrow? But now that he has finally returned, he will be compensated for the years he sacrificed. Our Black Path Alliance will never ignore the Young Alliance Leader’s sacrifice!”

What is he saying?

He was clearly speaking, but the words wouldn’t sink in.

What is so moving that tears are welling up in those fierce eyes?

Black Path Alliance? Did he just say Black Path Alliance? No, wait. Did he just call me the Young Alliance Leader of the Black Path Alliance? What? Is this guy sick in the head?

His grandfather always used to say:

The Murim is full of madmen. Never mess with them. Just get away.

It couldn’t be a coincidence that those words came to mind now.

Seo Woo-jin took a few slow steps backward, his eyes darting around.

Four of them. Should I make my escape route to the rear?

If he ran for about fifteen minutes, he could reach the Entrance Exam Grounds. The Murim Alliance warriors stationed there would prevent these men from acting recklessly.

When a person is in trouble, their thinking becomes simplistic. This is especially true for the inexperienced. That’s why you must always devise strategies to catch your enemy off guard. Huh? You bastard! How dare you doze off while your grandfather is giving you invaluable advice!!

A faint smile touched Seo Woo-jin’s lips.

The rear is obvious. Crazy doesn’t mean stupid. Just looking at them, they seem pretty strong. If that’s the case…

As Seo Woo-jin continued his train of thought, a woman’s voice broke in.

“Huh? What was that?”

He turned his head to see a man beside her gesturing and speaking. A look of growing annoyance crossed the woman’s face.

“Captain. Muk-yeong says dozens of men are closing in fast. He thinks they’re Murim Alliance warriors.”

At that moment, a glint flashed in Seo Woo-jin’s eyes.

“They’re looking for me,” he said, his voice dropping to a low, grave tone as he feigned a serious expression. “It seems they have no intention of letting me go quietly.”

They called me the Young Alliance Leader of the Black Path Alliance. They say that even if the Black Path Alliance and the Murim Alliance are allies, the two are fundamentally incompatible. I’ll use them.

Bae Seok-jin rose to his feet, his expression grim.

“If that’s the case, you should get away first. If you hurry, you can still escape.”

Seo Woo-jin shook his head.

“It’s not that simple. They’re relentless; shaking them off won’t be easy. I’m more worried that you all might get caught up in this.”

“You don’t need to worry about us. We’re stronger than you think, Young Alliance Leader.”

“Ah, is that so? Then I’ll have to ask a favor of you. Because I’m a little scared!”

With those words, Seo Woo-jin kicked off the ground.

Swish!

Bae Seok-jin, who was standing nearby, was taken aback as Seo Woo-jin suddenly charged forward.

Killing intent…?!

An inexplicable pressure washed over him, and he instinctively thrust his hand out.

“Ah, damn it!”

But his opponent was the Young Alliance Leader—someone he must never harm.

He hastily restrained his Internal Energy.

Fwoosh!

Was it because of that?

Bae Seok-jin’s palm strike struck only empty air.

Seo Woo-jin, who had lowered his body and gracefully dodged the strike, continued to dash forward, passing right between the woman and Yu Geon-woo.

The two of them couldn’t react to Seo Woo-jin’s sudden movement in time.

No, to be precise, Seo Woo-jin was simply too fast for them to respond.

Bae Seok-jin quickly recovered his composure and issued an order.

“Muk-yeong and I will distract the Murim Alliance warriors! Yu Geon-woo, Song Bi-ryeong! Protect the Young Alliance Leader!”

Without waiting for a reply, he charged toward the approaching Murim Alliance warriors. Muk-yeong followed immediately after.

Left alone, Yu Geon-woo let out a hollow laugh.

“Hah. He actually broke through.”

The woman, Song Bi-ryeong, also sighed deeply.

“I can’t blame you this time. I couldn’t react either.”

Yu Geon-woo smirked and lightly stretched his body.

“I’m not really in the mood to just chase him… How about a bet? Who gets to the Young Alliance Leader first?”

“Ha. You’re being childish. You’re really letting your mood dictate your actions at a time like this?”

“Ah, I see. So you’re admitting you’re not confident.”

Song Bi-ryeong’s red lips curved into a smirk.

“What’s the prize?”

“The finest Nu’erhong.”

Swoosh.

Song Bi-ryeong lowered her center of gravity, crouching low.

“Your older sister will play along with her childish younger brother for a change.”

BOOM!

With a thunderous crash, Song Bi-ryeong shot forward like a lightning bolt. The ground where she had stood was now cracked and cratered.

“Damn it. That insane strength of hers is still as terrifying as ever.”

Yu Geon-woo’s face twisted in dismay as he belatedly launched his Lightfoot technique. While not as explosive as Song Bi-ryeong’s, his movements were fluid and far from slow.

The two of them surged forward, neck and neck, in pursuit of Seo Woo-jin.

Never be ashamed to run away. The important thing is to acknowledge the difference in skill between yourself and your opponent, and to accept it with humility. To survive is to be truly strong.

His grandfather had always emphasized these words.

To a child, they sounded cowardly and uncool. But in this moment, he had no choice but to admit his grandfather was right.

That palm strike. If I hadn’t withdrawn my Internal Energy mid-attack, could I have dodged it?

He probably could have.

But he still wouldn’t have been able to break through their line.

I was right.

He knew it from the look in their eyes.

These madmen needed him.

He didn’t know why, but he assumed that if they needed him, they wouldn’t easily harm him.

That was why he had charged straight at them, catching them off guard.

The problem is…

Seo Woo-jin glanced back as he used his Lightfoot.

Fast.

Lightfoot was the skill he was most confident in. Following his grandfather’s teachings, which always prioritized survival, he had poured all his effort into mastering it.

But the man chasing him now was also an expert.

Still, I’m faster.

Seo Woo-jin turned his gaze away and scanned his surroundings.

The cliff is about fifteen minutes away. I have to shake him off there.

Analyzing the terrain had become a habit. He had already memorized the entire area three days before the Entrance Exam. The cliff he was heading toward was high, but that was fine. There was a hidden cave halfway down that couldn’t be seen from above.

If he hid in there, they would eventually give up. They might even assume he had taken his own life.

And just as he reached his destination…

“Heh heh. Our Young Alliance Leader sure can run, can’t he?”

A seductive voice drifted from beside him.

“…What?”

He turned his head to see a woman falling from the sky.

Her fist, drawn back, surged forward.

K-BOOM!

It struck the ground with a deafening crash.

“Ugh!”

The shockwave sent him stumbling, his feet tangling as he lost his balance.

Seo Woo-jin spun his body mid-air, desperately trying to land on his feet.

Thud.

Swish!

There was no time to catch his breath.

A chilling cold crept up his spine from behind.

Seo Woo-jin pivoted, thrusting one shoulder forward as he spun around.

And there he was.

The man who had been chasing him this entire time.

“Hey, handsome Young Alliance Leader. Excuse me for a moment.”

Swish!

The man’s hand, which Seo Woo-jin thought he had dodged, clung to him with relentless precision.

Seo Woo-jin leaned his upper body back, trying to swat the man’s wrist away.

But.

The moment a bone-chilling cold spread through him like a shiver…

His movements slowed.

Fwoosh.

His body stiffened as his pressure points were sealed.

“As expected of the Alliance Leader’s son. He’s quite a handful, isn’t he?”

Seo Woo-jin barely swallowed a scoff that threatened to escape his lips.

They’re completely insane. And they’re strong on top of it.

He was already captured. Further struggling was pointless.

Grandfather always said: Even when the sky collapses, there’s always a way out. Even if you’re caught in a tiger’s den, you can still get its skin if you keep your wits about you.

They didn’t seem likely to harm him immediately, so he decided to keep quiet and wait for an opportunity.

He had just steeled his resolve when—

“It was me. If it weren’t for me, you would have spent your whole life chasing after our Young Alliance Leader’s backside.”

“Yeah. I’m the one who sealed his pressure points.”

“No matter how much you argue, it won’t change anything. Nu’erhong is mine.”

“How unbecoming, sister.”

“I’m not your sister. I won.”

Watching the man and woman who had captured him engage in such a childish argument…

Ah… To think I was caught by people like this…

A wave of inexplicable self-loathing and profound despair washed over him.

He soon reunited with the two who had lured away the Murim Alliance warriors.

Only then was his pressure point sealing released, but he couldn’t even attempt to escape again. Everyone was watching him as if to say, We won’t be fooled twice.

Still, he was relieved when they didn’t interrogate him about why he had fled. They simply treated him as the Young Alliance Leader and continued on their way.

The Four Black Dragons…

He hadn’t just followed them like a fool, though. He had learned a few things while with them.

To think they’re actual warriors of the Black Path Alliance…

When he realized they were true warriors of the Black Path Alliance, he had intended to reveal the truth. But he quickly changed his mind.

They only misunderstand me. If they find out I’m an impostor, I’ll be useless to them. I have to hide the truth for now.

It was a natural conclusion. His grandfather had always warned him that Black Path warriors were cruel and acted on their whims.

“We have arrived, Young Alliance Leader.”

A deep voice shattered his thoughts. Seo Woo-jin turned his head and saw a magnificent city in the distance.

“That is Hangzhou.”

Seo Woo-jin couldn’t help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.

He had finally reached the tiger’s den.

The stronghold of the Black Path.

Hangzhou.