If the Murim Alliance was made up of the 5 Great Families and the Orthodox Factions and Sects, the Sama Order was made up of the Demonic Cult and the Unorthodox Factions.
However, in the present, the Sama Order’s perception from the public, was not that great.
The Sama Order had been around for a long time within Eria, but due to the public’s perception of Demonic Practitioners, whom not all were evil. But…some were, as they practiced vile arts that made them lose their sanity or control over their bloodlust. However, the Sama Order did not accept these kinds of people, but it didn’t change the public’s perception of their background.
Unlike the various Sects and Great Families of the Murim Alliance that were spread out through Eria, the School of the Order and the Demonic Cult were centered around Hadras, where their influence was the greatest.
This location and positioning was due to the isolative nature of their Lord, Sima Ryunju. Who liked seclusion.
Sima Ryunju had gained quite a powerful following as he was one of the world’s strongest martial artists in existence.
Thanks to his large back and reliable power, the Demonic Practitioners, who were chased and labeled as rogues by the radical Murim Alliance, had no choice but to gather around this man’s might and influence.
[He’s quite irresponsible.]
Heoju murmured. Lee Sungmin also sympathized with the words to a certain extent.
Sima Ryunju had said to just go to the gates and tell them he was his successor and it would be sorted out on its own.
‘We should get some proof of legitimacy, so stop bothering me.’
[Not necessarily.]
Heoju said with a smirk at Lee Sungmin’s snarky reply.
[You’re at the Realm of Transcendence. No matter how stupid they might be, they’ll be forced to acknowledge your power and words if it’s that much.]
Heoju words had some strength to them. He was right. There were hardly any masters in the Realm of Transcendence even within the Sama Order. If anything, there was probably only Sima Ryunju himself, as there were not many Transcendent Realm Martial Artists within all of Eria.
Although Sima Ryunju’s skills could not be compared with Lee Sungmin’s since their gap was wide. Lee Sungmin was powerful in his own right.
Although Hadras was the home to many Demonic Practitioners and Unorthodox Sects, Hadras was a different city in many ways, Lee Sungmin thought.
Hadras, was a city that Lee Sungmin imagined would be filled with crime and corpses laid about in the public like Travia in the North.
However, that was far from the truth. It was very neat and tidy, and similar to large cities in the Murim Alliance.
This was because not all Demonic Practitioners were bloodthirsty and crazed beasts.
Lee Sungmin recalled what he had heard earlier about the Sama Order. Just because the unorthodox and demonic practitioners practice explosive martial arts compared to those in the orthodox societies, it did not mean they were necessarily evil people.
It was solely that the atrocities committed by the few crazed and bloodthirsty Demonic Practitioners, were the crimes that the public focused their eyes on the most.
But Lee Sungmin knew that if anything, the orthodox practitioners were just as violent and cruel, as they were hypocrites that had done things like telling the Ironclad to essentially kill himself against Lee Sungmin.
But that didn’t mean it was a purely safe place, compared to other cities.
Coming out from the outskirts of the city to the center, there was a tension filled in the air, as some people wore weapons on their waists brazenly and some didn’t.
Lee Sungmin knew that his appearance would attract unnecessary attention and possibly provoke others, so he was walking around in public without his ominous looking ghost mask and straw hat.
Lee Sungmin knew why there was a tense energy in the air.
It’s because of Lee Sungmin, himself.
Before entering Hadras, Lee Sungmin had purchased information about the city through Erebrisa.
It was to find out what was going on in the city recently.
‘You’re irresponsible indeed master.’
Sima Ryunju threw a bombshell of information at Hadras’ population, who were enjoying their nonchalant Lord’s ignorant behavior. The bombshell was the news of Lee Sungmin himself.
Sima Ryunju, who had been absent from the City for over the past 100 years, had announced his successor finally to the public.
It was enough of a shock to even those who had been hiding behind their positions of power in the absence of Sima Ryunju. Since, now there was a successor and a young leader, they would be forced to obey now.
In Sima Ryunju’s absence, it was the Head of the Sinsu Clan who had been leading the Order as the Vice Leader and second-in-command.
He was definitely someone who had been expanding his influence for a long time, and this would not be pleasant news for him.
However, no matter how powerful his influence or strength was, it was and would always be below Lee Sungmin’s master, Sima Ryunju.
The name and respect of Sima Ryunju was something nobody would dare taint. Every civilian and practitioner who had come under the umbrella of the Sama Order, had massive amounts for the name of Sima Ryunju.
[Well, I don’t think I’ll be openly hostile…but…the atmosphere is definitely not the most welcoming.]
Heoju giggled. It was as he said. For those who enjoyed the absence of Sima Ryunju, includingPae Munhu, the vice leader, and had used the time spent to expand their influence, they would not take well to the emergence of a young leader.
Lee Sungmin fiddled with Sima Ryunju’s letter in his robe. He had told Lee Sungmin to deliver this letter whenever he reached the headquarters.
He understood Lee Sungmin’s stance on not wanting to be involved with the political fights or infighting between clans within the Sama Order, and told him he could turn a blind eye.
In the first place, Sima Ryunju did not ask Lee Sungmin for much.
Simply being the successor in name was enough for Sima Ryunju, and that ignoring the political landscape or inner workings of the Order was more than alright with him.
Lee Sungmin knew well that it wouldn’t only be like that, however.
‘Because the existence of his successor is now known to the entire world.’
It was a sort of declaration of war against the Murim Alliance at the same time as informing that the silent Sima Ryunju was alive and not going to take their impertinence any further to persecute his successor.
Since now… It was known throughout the entire world of Eria, that Lee Sungmin, was the formal successor to the Sama Order.
It was likely that the fight between the Murim Alliance and Sama Order, which did not have conflict for a long time, would be ignited once more through this.
However, that wouldn’t be an unfortunate outcome for Lee Sungmin if war did erupt.
If the Murim Alliance moved for war, The Black Dragon Association, led by Jehu, would be forced to join and his movements, along with Beyond the Heavens’, would be as well.
Lee Sungmin had become a branded enemy due to him killing Qian Zun, Guan Zun and the Ironclad. If his opponents were to move, it would be easier to force them to move in the open and be predictable along with having the backing of Sima Ryunju in the process.
Understanding Sima Ryunju’s most likely hidden intentions, Lee Sungmin did not hesitate.
Towards the main headquarters, Lee Sungmin did not stop his steps.
The gatekeepers in the way said something to Lee Sungmin, but Lee Sungmin did not reply to them.
Every time Lee Sungmin moved forward, the threatening and vicious Dragon Fear crushed his surroundings mercilessly. The gatekeepers’ legs shook as their faces turned pale.
“Who, who…”
Lee Sungmin merely ignored their questions of his identity.
In front of the gate, Lee Sungmin opened up the streams of space around him with the Dark Storm Arts, as black tendrils of lightning crackled around his visage.
Boom!
His body jumped over the closed gate and moved into the quarters of the Sama Order’s Headquarters.
It was no different from the time Lee Sungmin had infiltrated the Namgung Main Branch. Martial Artists flocked towards him with weapons at the ready, only to be forced to kneel under the immense pressure Lee Sungmin was exuding.
“Do you have a clan here called the Sinsu Clan?”
Lee Sungmin looked around and asked the seemingly random question to the martial artists. The overwhelmed soldiers hesitated and could not speak a word.
It was at that moment. A group of individuals cloaked in dark robes landed on the scene. They surrounded Lee Sungmin from a distance, but showed no hostility.
“……Are you the successor to Lord Sima?”
The strongest master within the group of robed men, came forward and asked Lee Sungmin.
Lee Sungmin nodded his head slowly. The words created a slight tremble in all those present. They flinched and some even frowned, before bowing their heads respectfully.
“Come this way, please.”
“Why?”
“The Vice Leader…… He’s waiting.”
The man replied. Lee Sungmin laughed bitterly at the answer. The current Lee Sungmin came as the formal successor to the title as the Lord and was the Young Leader.
However, the Vice Leader didn’t come out to greet him, and they were asking Lee Sungmin to come meet him, showing clear disrespect for Lee Sungmin’s position. However, Lee Sungmin had no intentions of bowing his head to someone other than his master or his loved ones.
In order not to be pushed around and treated lightly later, he had to show firm resolve and charisma early on.
“You’re saying the Vice Leader wants me to go to him? And I should be the one to greet him ?”
That’s why Lee Sungmin’s words were brutally harsh with a completely straight face.
The man tried to say something in a hurry, but Lee Sungmin shook his head and ignored him.
Lee Sungmin raised his hand without taking out the spear.
Whhoooooosh!
A purple and black current of internal energy with crackling lightning at the tips coalesced around Lee Sungmin’s fingertips. It was the full power of the Dark Storm Arts. Although it was a bit different, due to being mixed with Lee Sungmin’s own martial arts, it was the technique known only to the Lord, Sima Ryunju.
“That… That…Lord Sima Ryunju’s….”
“The Dark Storm Arts.”
Lee Sungmin muttered back. He then pointed his hand at the man.
He didn’t shoot the energy off at him, but the man knew instinctively. None of the warriors here could disrespect Lee Sungmin right now, nor could they dare to raise their arms without dying within seconds.
Lee Sungmin squinted and said to the man.
“Killing all of you is not difficult at all for me.”
“You are the heir of Lord Ryunju..…and you’re saying you’ll kill us. Wait, are you threatening me?”
“I didn’t hear anything about killing you fools from my master. All I was told was to come here and confirm my succession. Nothing more, nothing less.”
It was a completely factual statement.
“I don’t know what you mean about following you to some stupid Vice Leader or whatever to confirm my succession. You here just witnessed my proof of succession so there should be no need for me to go and see some idiot.”
“That… That…….”
“Give this to the Vice Leader.”
Lee Sungmin’s voice gained strength.
“If you don’t come out right now, I’ll kill the entire Sinsu Clan first.”
It was an arrogant remark. However, Lee Sungmin’s pressure made everyone realize that he was not bluffing in the slightest.
And
Lee Sungmin had mentioned it clearly. There was a difference in power between the heir to the title and a vice-leader. He was above them and the Vice Leader, so they needed to treat him with the proper respect he deserved.
“Okay….”
“What will happen?”
It was the moment a voice of a man blurted out after Lee Sungmin had made the remark.
A loud voice echoed throughout the open area of the building.
A man of a hulking physique was approaching Lee Sungmin’s direction.
Although he had never seen him in person, Lee Sungmin immediately recognized him as Pae Munho, Patriarch of the Sinsu Clan, and Vice Leader to the Order.
“The Lord Sima Ryunju’s Dark Storm Arts.… I’m shaking just looking at it.”
After speaking, Pae Munho stopped walking. Behind him, talented martial artists stood armed at the ready.
Seeing that everyone had the same pattern on their vests, it seemed to be the masters and elders of the Sinsu Clan that Pae Munho had brought with him.
“I have heard from Lord Ryunju that he has chosen a successor, but I have not heard the details. I’m Pae Munho, the Patriarch of the Sinsu Clan, but who the hell are you?”
“The Ghost Spear, Lee Sungmin.”
Lee Sungmin answered honestly without hiding a shred of his identity. The words changed the expressions of all the warriors within the Sama Order Headquarters, including those who had been forced to kneel under Lee Sungmin’s Dragon Fear.
“If it’s the Ghost Spear…….”
“Isn’t that the master of the spear who killed Muron Seojin, Zhuge Taeryong and the Ironclad?”
“The Ghost Spear is the heir of Lord Sima Ryunju……?”
There was a clamor that erupted within the courtyard. After losing the title of being next in line, Pae Munho was a little flustered by Lee Sungmin’s identity, but quickly changed his expression and asked again.
“Did you meet Lord Sima Ryunju in person?”
“Yes.”
“First of all…… there seems to be some misunderstanding. I have no intention of antagonizing you. Just wondering what kind of person the Lord’s successor is…….”
“So then, why did you bring an armed force behind you?”
Lee Sungmin asked coldly. After being clearly pressured, Pae Munho bit his lips.
“Isn’t this all rather sudden?
After being called out, he openly complained of displeasure, and Lee Sungmin put his hand in his arms.
What he took out was a paper that Sima Ryunju gave to him when he met with Pae Munho and gave it to him to read.
“What is this?”
Pae Munho asked, but Lee Sungmin did not answer.
He opened up the letter and read it. In fact, there was nothing to read. Because there was only one sentence written in the letter.
Lee Sungmin frowned as Heoju giggled in his head and eventually burst into laughter.
[That Crazy old man HAHAHA…!]
It was the words that were written by Sima Ryunju. They were blunt and to the point. That was why Heoju had burst into laughter at Sima Ryunju’s character.
Lee Sungmin folded the paper again and threw it at Pae Munho. When the thin paper flew fiercely, Pae Munho hurriedly raised his hand to receive the paper.
“What the hell is this…?”
“Read it.”
Lee Sungmin said. After receiving the letter, Pae Munho opened the letter with an irritated face. The sentence, written in the center of the letter, caused Pae Munho’s eyes to widen in shock.
‘Beat down that old geezer Pae Munho in front of everyone.’
That was all that was written. It also did not say why it had to happen. After reading the letter that clearly told Lee Sungmin to beat the crap out of him, his jaw dropped.
[If you saw the words ‘beat him up’, then naturally you’re not going to use a spear are you?]
‘I suppose so.’
Lee Sungmin clasped his hand and opened it, receiving a glaring look from Pae Munho.