“But why are you saying that?”
Hongryeon slightly bit her lip and replied.
“They want to establish a Murim Alliance branch in Seomhwa Village.”
Huh?
That’s not a bad suggestion, is it?
Having a Murim Alliance branch means special perks.
You could easily get materials exclusive to the Murim Alliance or have their warriors step in when problems arise.
Plus, you could easily obtain missions, reports, and other valuable information from the Murim Alliance.
Many cities desired a Murim Alliance branch because it also helps maintain public safety.
However, they couldn’t just set up branches everywhere, so the Murim Alliance only opened them in selected cities.
“However, if that happens, disciples from Hongseong will have to regularly participate in activities with the Murim Alliance. But the benefits are worth it…”
Chaejin, who was next to me, spoke, and I nodded.
“Just because there’s a Murim Alliance branch doesn’t mean there are only advantages.”
Hongryeon’s statement wasn’t wrong either.
After all, it’s like having two tigers on the same mountain in one city.
“But from Hongseong’s perspective, having a Murim Alliance branch wouldn’t be a bad thing, right?”
“That’s true.”
Hongryeon slightly nodded at my opinion.
Of course, with Hongseongsan nearby, evil monsters rarely appeared.
Plus, given the Hongseong name, even thugs tended to steer clear unless provoked.
And since the last time the new Sahakhyeon attacked Seomhwa Village and got utterly defeated, it’s unlikely that any ordinary rogues would dare to target it.
So, there was no real need for the people of Seomhwa Village to depend on a Murim Alliance branch. Naturally, they would lean towards the more reputable and friendly Hongseong.
In the end, if a Murim Alliance branch were established, both Seomhwa Village and Hongseong would gain benefits.
“The Murim Alliance wouldn’t have brought this up if they didn’t know that,” I said briefly as I climbed the stairs. Next to me, Hongryeon nodded along.
“Yes. They already provided explanations. And their rationale isn’t bad either.”
The rationale Hongryeon explained was based on the previous attack from Sahakhyeon. Recently, they had been cooperating to combat the demonic sect, but the Murim Alliance and Sahakhyeon have long been rivals.
So, the idea of establishing the Murim Alliance here was to protect the reputable orthodoxy of Hongseong and keep Sahakhyeon in check.
“So, do we have to send the disciples of Hongseong to the Murim Alliance?”
Everything’s fine, but there’s one thing I don’t like, and that’s it. The disciples must be active in the Murim Alliance.
Sure, activity in the Murim Alliance would offer experience, but they’ll also have to deal with pointless tasks, which won’t necessarily help improve their martial arts level.
Hongryeon sighed softly when Chaejin asked about it, and I smiled, replying,
“From the Murim Alliance’s perspective, that’s probably what they want. If the disciples from Hongseong are more active in the Murim Alliance, they can leverage the names of Hongseong and the Sword Saint…”
A handful of disciples from the sparsely populated Hongseong are dispatched to the Murim Alliance!
Look at the ties between the Murim Alliance and Hongseong!
The Sword Saint, who treasures the disciples of Hongseong, is backing the Murim Alliance!
Giving it away!
Like this, you know.
But the Sword Saint was hoping not for her fame to rise, but rather to diminish.
Because she didn’t want to burden Hongryeon, who would succeed her.
“If we’re talking pure practical benefits, it would be better for the Sword Saint to step in…”
Hongryeon shook her head.
I laughed at her expression, which clearly showed she didn’t want to force the Sword Saint to do something she disliked.
Anyway, I was also reluctant to send the disciples of Hongseong to the Murim Alliance.
If they needed experience, it would be far more beneficial to interact with other sects, or deal with evil monsters or bandits.
And the Iron Blood Clan still hadn’t given up on rampaging the spiritual energy of Hongseong Mountain.
Based on our research findings, it’s much more stable for the disciples of Hongseong to train on Hongseong Mountain than to just set up a branch of the Murim Alliance.
Unless the Murim Alliance stationed their core forces here, but that would never happen…
“So, are you pondering what to do?”
“Yes.”
Then we should catch two rabbits here.
“Then let’s go.”
It seems the other disciples had eaten, but those who participated in the discussion had skipped their meals and continued talking.
Good thing we brought food.
As Chaejin and I started laying out the food on the table, Chuyoung tilted her head.
“Hongseong is a no-go area, right?”
“The Innkeeper is an exception.”
Hongryeon cut in decisively. Chuyoung chuckled and nodded.
“Haha, I see. It’s been a while.”
“It has indeed. Have you been well? You look much better.”
“Old man’s face looks better? But what’s that? Something smells delicious.”
“I didn’t want to come empty-handed, so I brought some food.”
“Oh, that’s something to be thankful for.”
Smiling brightly, Chuyoung welcomed the food. Just then, those entering from outside were the Sword Saint and Ryuhyun.
“Oh? When did you arrive?”
“I just got here.”
“I see…”
The Sword Saint, looking quite tired, greeted me while fixing her eyes on the food being placed on the table. She must be quite hungry.
“Let’s eat together.”
“Thank you. Hyun-ah, you should eat too.”
“Yes.”
“Wait a moment. Sohee. I’ll bring the girl out too.”
When Chuyoung went inside, a woman with jet-black short hair and a pale complexion walked out slowly.
Jegeol Sohee. One of the collateral branches of the Jegeol family and a military officer of the Murim Alliance.
She looked surprised to see me and turned to Hongryeon.
“Isn’t Hongseong a no-go area?”
“The Innkeeper is an exception.”
“Uh… that’s interesting. Anyway, I’ll gratefully eat this. I was quite hungry anyway.”
Once seated, everyone ate the food without much conversation. Since they were all martial arts practitioners, they ate quite well.
Even with a considerable amount of food brought, it didn’t take long for it all to be cleaned up.
It didn’t take long for those to be completely emptied, even though I brought quite a lot.
“But there are Murim Alliance warriors outside. How do they have their meals?”
“Don’t worry, we prepared it at Hongseong. Of course, I intend to pay for it.”
“Oh dear. Do we really need to occupy a place like Hongseong Mountain? It’s a spot full of ominous energy. It’s better if men don’t come in at night.”
“But you’re here, aren’t you?”
“I have plenty of people to protect me, and I’ll be heading down soon, so it’s alright. But… being exposed to ominous energy for too long isn’t good. I noticed when I came up earlier that the warriors were mixed, both men and women.”
I said this with a smile, and Chuyoung thought for a moment before nodding.
“Then, may I trouble you a bit? I will pay.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
As Ryuhyun stood up and left, I pointed to the empty seat.
“Is it alright if I sit?”
“We’re in the middle of discussing matters between Hongseong and the Murim Alliance…”
Jegeol Sohee said cautiously. However, I looked at the Sword Saint and Hongryeon, and they casually nodded, allowing me to sit.
“I’ve been involved in many transactions with Hongseong, so I can’t help but have an interest in how it operates. Also, since I’m a local leader of Seomhwa Village and a close friend of the local leader, it would be a bit odd for me to miss out on discussions regarding the village’s development, wouldn’t it?”
Jegeol Sohee’s eyes lit up.
“Oh, then the conversation will flow quickly. Our Murim Alliance is thinking of establishing a branch in Seomhwa Village.”
“I see…”
“And I would like Hongseong to send more disciples to our Murim Alliance. Perhaps the innkeeper might not know, but recently, the Murim Alliance fought a major battle against the Demon Sect. We even acquired a trace of the Cheonma that they are looking for. I heard that you gave a lot of help in obtaining that, innkeeper?”
“It wasn’t a lot of help.”
“Anyway, in anticipation of a larger conflict with the Demon Sect, the Murim Alliance’s opinion is that we would like support from Hongseong.”
I looked at the Sword Saint, and she nodded.
“Well, the idea that the fight with the Demon Sect will grow larger is ultimately the Murim Alliance’s opinion, isn’t it?”
“…Yes?”
Jegeol Sohee’s eyes widened. I continued smiling and spoke.
“Right now, the Murim Alliance only holds one trace of the Cheonma, don’t they? There are multiple traces of the Cheonma… I doubt that the Demon Sect would attack the Murim Alliance just to get that one.”
Of course, if all traces of the Cheonma were out and about, then it might be a different story, but there are still quite a few mystical places where their locations have yet to be discovered.
However, talking about the fight with the Demon Sect right now is problematic.
“I’d rather focus on something else.”
“Something else…?”
“The Iron Blood Clan. Those who attacked Hongseong. And those behind the new Black Lotus Sect. Recently, those who fought against the Demon Sect.”
The Sword Saint spoke firmly, biting her lip slightly as she directed her words to Jegeol Sohee.
Jegeol Sohee spoke firmly to the Sword Saint.
“According to him, Hongseong would rather focus on them than the Demon Cult.”
“I know they’ve been attacked by those Iron Blood folks, and there’s talk that they were behind the new Sahakryun. But the risk of the Demon Cult…”
Hmm. It seems the Murim Alliance hasn’t thoroughly looked into the Iron Blood Clan yet.
It’s not hard to understand, really.
After all, unlike in Heavenly Bright Moon, Hongseong hasn’t been wiped out by the Iron Blood Clan, nor has Seomhwa Village turned into a wreck.
There were plenty of places the Murim Alliance needed to pay attention to, and the Iron Blood Clan was operating discreetly.
If they didn’t dig deep like I did regarding anything related to them or anything suspicious, they might easily overlook it.
Those guys reveal their power only when necessary, and mostly operate in the shadows, using others to achieve their goals.
Just like when they were pulling strings behind the new Sahakryun.
In such circumstances, with the need to manage the Demon Cult, the Sahpa, and other shadowy forces, along with power struggles within the Murim Alliance and the competing factions, it would have been impossible to grasp the entirety of the situation.
Given that, it makes sense that the Murim Alliance would focus on the name Iron Blood Clan, likely due to reports from Hongseong about their connection with Sahakryun and the Iron Blood Clan attacking the Demon Cult’s territory.
Of course, with the Murim Alliance’s information-gathering capabilities, they’ll figure it out soon enough…
Sharing information would be beneficial, wouldn’t it?
Especially when dealing with a common enemy.
“While we’re on the topic, I’m also connected with the Sahpa. I’ve kept a decent relationship with Hao-mun.”
“…I see.”
Not impressed, I guess.
Well, Jegeol Sohee really dislikes the Sahpa…
“I looked into it since I have a good relationship with Hongseong. And I found something interesting.”
“…What do you mean?”
“The people who attacked Hongseong. Those calling themselves the Iron Blood Clan have a common factor in the places they attack and destroy.”
“Is that so?”
“It seems the Murim Alliance hasn’t had much interest in the Iron Blood Clan until now.”
At my question, Jegeol Sohee’s expression darkened.
“Um… Yes. I apologize. There are so many shadowy forces that are suspected, it’s been overwhelming to track each one. But now that I’m aware of their danger, we are beginning to act openly…”
It seemed she felt embarrassed that the Military Department hadn’t properly investigated a formidable opponent like the Iron Blood Clan, especially considering their name came to light after Hongseong was attacked.
They could blame it on budget limits, lack of manpower, or just sheer workload.
There are plenty of excuses, but ultimately, not knowing could reflect negligence on the Military Department’s part.
Seeing her genuinely embarrassed but readily admitting it, I nodded.
“They’re targeting places where spirit energy gathers. This means that Hongseong still has a high chance of being on their target list.”
At my words, Jegeol Sohee’s eyes narrowed.
“…Is there any evidence?”
Oh, there’s plenty.
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