Chapter: 363
If you ask what the biggest framework is that maintains the righteous faction, starting with the Murim Alliance, many might say it’s righteousness (義) and chivalry (俠).
To put it bluntly, that’s pure nonsense.
Strictly speaking, that’s merely the desire of those who wish for it to be true.
In reality, what keeps the righteous faction intact is ultimately their power and reputation.
And if you were to ask what great force enables such a faction to maintain its power, it would include the upper echelons connected throughout the country.
You could say they are the martial artists belonging to the righteous faction under the pretext of protecting civilians.
As we live in the era of the Magic Gate opening, the status of these martial artists is rising every day.
It’s called the Age of Peace, and while there’s some established capacity to deal with monsters,
in any case, unless there are martial artists with bets at stake, it’s just a danger for civilians.
They receive plenty of support on the grounds of protecting against such dangers,
and if you go even further, they might even act like the lords of a region.
By staying in specific areas and preventing the monsters from swarming,
those groups belonging to the sect under the alliance and treaties are precisely these individuals.
This referred to places that were termed prestigious or renowned.
Over the years, with fame that has accumulated,
until the martial arts developed have been polished and reborn as divine techniques,
looking at their current positions and reputation, they’re ample examples of the losers!
To establish roots in an area and take responsibility for the magical happenings there—
this, too, is the reason why the current families and sects have been able to solidify their standings.
Because they bear responsibility for the safety of their dwelling regions.
And…
even within those prestigious families and sects, there are places widely regarded as the pillars of the righteous faction, holding the broadest influence.
In the Central Plains,
these are what people call the Four Great Families.
In Anhui, there’s the Namgung family.
In Liaoning, there’s the Moyong family.
In Hebei, there’s Peng family.
In Sichuan, there’s the Tang family.
These were places known as prestigious even before the Magic Gate opened,
and now, in this present era, they are the four pillars of the righteous faction, possessing the greatest influence.
Of course,
the reason they could be called the pillars of the sect for such a long time wasn’t just due to their strong lineage.
It was also because every bloodline martial artist birthed from these families was outstanding from the very beginning.
You can tell this just by checking the records inscribed in the history of the Central Plains.
The Sword King has traditionally belonged to the Namgung and Murong families.
What the Sword Master momentarily lost, well, that was just an anomaly.
The nicknames related to swords, too, belonged chiefly to the Peng family.
Naturally, the Poison King was the domain of the Tang family.
Even as we see it today, that remains true.
The leader of the Namgung family is called the Sword King,
the Murong family, while lacking in martial artistry, has broadened its influence greatly through alliances.
The Peng family leader is known by the age-old title of Sword Sovereign.
Meanwhile, the master of the Tang family remains known as the Poison King, just as always.
No matter how the ages shift and time flows,
the presence they exert has never been shallow, which is probably why they can still be referred to as the Four Great Families even now.
But…
‘Are those big shots really gathering in Hanam?’
Hearing Peng Ah-hee’s words, I couldn’t help but frown.
Is she joking?
Yet it didn’t seem like a lie.
Thud thud.
Hearing a soft sound, I turned my gaze.
Mo Yong-hee was anxiously biting her lips.
Seeing that made it seem like it was indeed happening for real.
I looked at Mo Yong-hee and asked Peng Ah-hee once more,
“What do you mean? The lords are coming?”
“The reinforcements just arrived.”
“Yeah, I know that…”
Just as I was about to speak,
only then did I understand why Peng Ah-hee said that.
The arrival of troops from the alliance meant,
‘A messenger has already left, meaning they’ve gotten the news.’
Confirming the situation made the implication clear: messengers were dispatched to each family at the same time.
Turning back, I looked around.
The already buzzing crowd had various emotions etched on their faces,
among which the strongest one was relief.
Now that the families have gotten wind of their situation, it means help will be on the way soon.
‘…The fact that a unit has arrived now suggests that a messenger must have been sent at least two days ago.’
Perhaps right after the black veil lifted,
or right after they received the messenger from us.
The Shinryonggwan was attacked,
not only did we fail to handle it,
but the raid resulted in the deaths of numerous descendants of noble families and legendary sects.
Shinryonggwan is an organization strictly held accountable by the Alliance.
It’s not for nothing that it’s considered the finest institute for swordsmanship in the Central Plains.
Such a grand incident occurring in such a place sure was unfortunate.
Those affected by this incident will undoubtedly want to hold the Murim Alliance accountable.
And the Alliance, knowing this all too well, as I mentioned before,
‘They’re probably thinking of calling a meeting.’
The political conference.
A venue where representatives from each group assemble to deliberate on how to face this situation.
Since it’s a space to discuss matters concerning the Murim Alliance, which is called the pillar of the righteous faction,
and to deliberate on significant future matters,
even with their own blood being harmed and a scandal erupting within the political factions,
just to sit in on that meeting is quite an achievement.
So…
‘Even the biggest names will be making moves.’
They are aware, of course, how much their presence there will benefit their status.
However, the issue is…
‘Faster than expected.’
It’s true I anticipated a meeting with Mo Yong-hee soon,
but the problem is how quickly things are proceeding.
The time gap isn’t that significant.
But at least right now, I hadn’t anticipated it spreading so broadly that everyone would be aware of it.
‘Was it an urgent issue?’
Given the scale of the incident, was there an intention to wrap things up quickly?
As I was lost in thought,
“Are you okay??”
Peng Ah-hee spoke to me once more.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Are you really okay?”
“What the heck do you mean?”
“Didn’t you hear? The lords are all coming.”
“What’s the fuss about?”
When I asked her why she seemed so flustered,
Peng Ah-hee just looked at me in disbelief.
What’s her deal, honestly?
If we’ve reached this point, it wouldn’t be strange if not only the Gupaibang but also the cornerstones of the Four Great Powers were arriving.
Not just the Four Great Families, but most heads of the so-called renowned families are bound to come.
Everyone at the top of the martial arts world is here.
If need be, I might even see most of the martial artists ranked among the top 100 masters of the Central Plains.
If there’s one small discomfort,
‘I wonder if my father will come too.’
No matter how the Gu clan behaves like a loner,
it’s still treated as a prestigious clan, I figured a messenger must have been sent.
‘If anything, he probably won’t come.’
With regards to these matters, I never thought of my father making an appearance.
It’s more likely related to Gu Hee-bi, so it would be something to pull him out from Shanxi.
‘If it has anything to do with me, would he even bother?’
It never crossed my mind that he would.
If he’s the father I know, surely he would send someone involved for justification.
I predicted that it’s highly likely that the head of the First Sword Brigade would be sent to fill the vacant presidency.
‘I have to see my father, if not now, then later.’
Especially regarding matters concerning my mother.
Any way I put it, my father is the only one I could approach for guidance on how I should proceed from here onward.
That was also the case in my past life.
In martial arts, the one who truly stands out and has true enlightenment remains my father.
In this currently unstable state, the only person who can guide me on what to do is ultimately him.
What I mean is that despite the discomfort, making the visit is necessary.
Imagining this made my stomach churn quite a bit.
While I pondered over whether I had eaten breakfast for nothing due to the pangs in my stomach,
“What’s the worry? Are you really that oblivious?”
Peng Ah-hee pressed me again.
“What’s with the provocation?”
“Can’t you see the people around you?”
“Huh?”
At Peng Ah-hee’s words, I took a look around.
Then I noticed the women darting anxious glances all around.
Why are they reacting like that at the mention of their fathers?
“Why the worry?”
“They’re all following you around because they like you.”
“…”
For a moment, I shut my mouth at her heavy statement.
Admittedly, it startled me a bit, yet it was immediately followed by a flurry of protests from me.
“Why did that suddenly come out?”
“Look at you! Not denying it, huh? You must know!”
As I listened to Peng Ah-hee’s remarks, a dizzying sensation washed over me.
“No, why is this coming up now…?”
“What I’m saying is, what will happen if the lords show up in this situation?”
“…What?”
“If they see all their precious daughters running after you… Are you really alright with that?”
“…”
What should I even say here?
It felt like I was hearing a very realistic and frightening story.
After hearing that, I glanced at the crowd.
The owner of the Tang family, who is also Dang So-yeol’s father.
The Poison King, Dang Muk, is known throughout the generations to have a gentle temperament.
He treasures his daughter like the head of the Murong family.
Remembering how far he went for Dokbi in my past life made me feel…
‘…Hmm.’
I felt a surge of survival instinct rising within me.
Before Dokbi became truly invincible and earned a proper title, the Poison King was known as the master of poison and daggers.
Given that, if I consider Dang So-yeol’s state,
‘…I’d better be careful when eating from now on.’
That thought gave me chills.
The reality was especially unsettling because I hadn’t built any immunity to poisons in this life.
…Should I start training now?
Meanwhile, not only was the Poison King an issue, but so was the head of the Murong family.
To be precise, that would be an even bigger problem.
Shifting my gaze towards Mo Yong-hee, our eyes met instinctively.
Then, she quickly averted her gaze from mine.
Hey, you can’t avoid this…!
‘What should I do about Baekcheon Sword Master?’
The Poison King aside, the mess caused by Mo Yong-hee is the real dilemma.
What was it again?
Wasn’t I about to break off my engagement with Namgung Bi-ah and get betrothed to her?
Due to that, it was said that the Murong clan’s support and collaboration with the Gu family increased.
Oh…
That’s true.
‘This won’t end very well, will it?’
Several prominent organizations affiliated with the Moyong Clan are already set up in Shanxi.
Thanks to that, the streets have become bustling.
If the reason the Gu family could suddenly strike deals when most clans wished to do business with the Moyong Clan is that…
‘It’s a disaster.’
This clearly means that it’s too messed up to handle easily.
Because I have no intention of breaking off the engagement.
‘No, this isn’t my fault.’
No matter how I look at it, it’s right to criticize Mo Yong-hee for doing it without consulting me first.
Seeing Mo Yong-hee trying to gauge the situation, I felt those words getting caught in my throat.
‘What is she thinking…?’
I wondered what kind of thoughts were rolling around in Mo Yong-hee’s head.
In hindsight, it seems it’s ultimately my fault anyway.
This thought was only reinforced when I considered that she’s the type of person who wouldn’t say anything she couldn’t handle from the get-go.
‘…What should I do?’
I wondered if there was a chance that the heads of the clans might result in something against me due to their daughters.
‘…No. Would they really do that?’
The implications were a mess in so many ways.
As always, when accidents occur, it’s bound to escalate.
I keep thinking about it, but is it just me feeling like life’s stacking the odds against me?
‘I don’t know.’
I thought there would be a meeting soon, but judging by the reactions around me, it looks like some sort of information must have circulated.
People were commuting from the alliance, and it seemed like there were some who were oblivious to the information.
These individuals belonged to the Sega or Sect, which are generally deemed to be of lower status.
‘Even in the middle of all this, they’re still hierarchizing things? I’m fed up with that.’
Even after such an incident, the Murim Alliance still seems oblivious.
I can’t understand why the principal figures in the righteous faction handle affairs this way.
I wanted to sweep everything aside.
“Oh, by the way.”
“What now?”
“Just so you know, my father probably hates you too.”
“…”
I frowned at Peng Ah-hee’s remark.
What kind of nonsense was that?
“…Do you like me? Sorry, but that’s a bit… awkward.”
“Do you want to die…? Why am I the one getting the backlash?”
The sharp tone of her voice was tinged with life.
I merely asked, yet she reacted with such intensity!
“Even if a handsome guy said that, it’d still be annoying… Meanwhile, calling me a mantis?”
Ah, it seems that shocked her enough to try and say something but falter due to the chilling energy seeping in.
This was because the women who moments ago seemed tired were now exuding sharp energy.
Namgung Bi-ah, who had been yawning from sleepiness, looked at Peng Ah-hee and said,
“…Mantis?”
“…No, no, I didn’t mean that…”
She mumbled, though it didn’t require much more.
Namgung Bi-ah’s voice brimmed with discomfort.
Peng Ah-hee flinched at the tone.
No further words exited Namgung Bi-ah’s mouth.
She only regarded Peng Ah-hee through cold, piercing eyes.
Feeling the tension, Peng Ah-hee awkwardly apologized, saying,
“…I’m sorry.”
“Yeah.”
Upon hearing what Peng Ah-hee said, not just Namgung Bi-ah but even Dang So-yeol and Mo Yong-hee shifted their gazes away.
Seeing that made me click my tongue inwardly.
‘…These people.’
I deserve the apology.
Why are they getting off the hook so easily?
I haven’t even received an apology yet.
“So… why is Lord Pang here?”
What reason would that gentleman have to dislike me? Oh, there’s a reason.
No matter how much I might try to overlook them, my ties with Pang Ah-hee are decidedly severed.
After all, it’s an engagement that went awry because I blurted it out.
‘It’s even more bizarre that the head of the Pang family might like me.’
It would make sense if she hated me, but Pang Ah-hee flipped the narrative as if it was simply another point.
“It’s not exactly due to the broken engagement.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Then what’s going on? Is there something beyond that?
Pang Ah-hee swept aside her signature bob cut and replied.
“My father. He gets a little jealous.”
“Jealous?”
“Yeah.”
As she spoke, Pang Ah-hee wore a somewhat bitter smile.
Having finished our brief conversation, I made my way to a somewhat deserted forest.
I confirmed that the kids weren’t skipping meals.
It was reassuring to see that both Dang So-yeol and Namgung Bi-ah were gradually getting better.
That was a relief.
‘If things worsened, I’d have to pull out all the stops.’
I know a few favorable opportunities that I still haven’t chased down.
I was thinking about how I should bring back something good for their health.
But thankfully, it seems the treatments went well.
The only concern is that Dang So-yeol will bear a scar on her thigh.
For some reason, that nagged at me.
Dang So-yeol insisted she was fine and beamed brightly, but I wasn’t as comfortable.
‘The meeting should happen within a few months at best.’
Considering the distances everyone has to travel, it’ll probably take place just before summer.
So, about two months from now?
The biggest issue here is,
for safety’s sake, we can’t just return until someone from the Sega arrives.
If we send them back and they get attacked on their end as well,
from the Murim Alliance’s perspective, it would just mean another accident on their hands.
That implies I’d be trapped here for several months.
Tsk.
After chatting with Gujeolyeop, he informed me that the alliance had already briefed the situation and that they were aware of my ongoing escapades.
They remarked that they couldn’t get through to relay this because I kept hiding and moving about.
It wasn’t particularly essential info.
To summarize, they had sent a messenger to the Sega about the incident and planned to convene a political meeting based on the leader’s input.
More specifically, it would be scheduled after Cheonghae Ilgeom recovers from his injury.
‘It’s blind, but Kunlun will have its issues as well.’
Regardless of the situation,
Shinryongwan is affiliated with the Murim Alliance, yet at the same time, Kunlun was managing it during that incident.
There are bound to be discussions revolving around Kunlun due to their failure to avert that attack.
It’s true Cheonghae Ilgeom suffered defeat in battle.
‘…Tsk.’
In a world overflowing with gossipmongers, it couldn’t be helped.
‘…It seems like things are escalating more smoothly than anticipated, yet it’s still unsatisfactory.’
Even though numerous incidents occur and unforeseen circumstances arise,
it’s undeniably going better than our initial plans.
I had made up my mind to reach Hwagyeong before the term was up, and now it appears I might reach it a few years sooner than expected.
My plans to escape from Shinryongwan this year are also reliant on this escalation of events.
Should this incident transpire, it’d render my plans of escape moot.
‘Still, I keep worrying about Jang Seon-yeon.’
There’s not a trace to follow, and asking the World Tree wouldn’t yield results.
Undoubtedly, things are progressing more favorably than scheduled.
However, the intervening chaos is immensely troublesome.
It has become more complicating than straightforward.
Most likely, things began to spiral out of control right after I encountered Cheonma.
‘It’s impossible at this rate.’
With my body not fully matured for Hwagyeong yet,
admittedly, I felt a tinge of arrogance once.
I thought, if I continued like this, it would suffice.
For the current pace would be more than adequate.
I figured I might even fill the role of the divine sword.
Yet.
‘That was a foolish notion.’
Facing Cheonma forced me to reacknowledge that fact.
I was far too slow; sluggish, really, in the pursuit of my goals.
Replacing the divine sword? What a joke!
‘Faster is the only way to proceed.’
Noya advised me,
telling me I must forget impatience.
To trust in myself.
When I reached Hwagyeong, I grasped the intent of those words not merely with my intellect but with my instinct.
Nonetheless, aside from that,
‘How could that even work out, Noya?’
Such actions are not so easily undertaken.
Circumstances aren’t aligning to facilitate that.
“It’s stifling.”
No matter how much I moped around, the idea of “slowly and steadily” is impractical.
Without shortcuts, we’d have to carve one out ourselves.
Crunch.
Just as I felt weary and sighed,
I sensed a presence behind me.
Turning my gaze towards it,
“Have you finally decided to engage in a conversation with me?”
The voice, neither too high nor low, with its calm tone is quite striking.
The figure that appeared is the flying dragon known as Bi Eejin.
Yet inside me, it was the young man called Paejon rather than Turyong.
Should I call him a young man?
They’re probably all old souls inside.
Bi Eejin approached, waving at me.
I wasn’t shocked by his arrival since I had already anticipated it.
More accurately, I had called for it.
“Why not approach me directly instead of lurking in the shadows?”
I had been aware from yesterday that Bi Eejin had purposefully been circling around me.
Recalling his identity, it probably was with an intention to reveal his presence, nudging me to notice him.
Reasoning it out,
‘…It must be a hint to say, ‘Come see me when you’re ready to talk.’
It seemed to be a measure of consideration.
Indeed, there was something I needed to discuss with Bi Eejin.
He must have observed me while I was absorbing magic and sensed the transformation in my martial techniques as well.
“I merely waited because you seemed busy, my dear friend.”
“…Thank you for your consideration.”
“Understandable; I didn’t seek a grand entrance. Now, can I take it that you are open to converse with me?”
“Yes. Before we dive in…”
I pondered for quite a while on how to approach this.
What explanations would I provide, and what might Bi Eejin expect from me?
I also contemplated whether I could adequately respond to any unasked questions he might have.
At this point, I thought this might be the swiftest approach.
I spoke while moving my hands to invoke the lottery technique.
As I suddenly drew the technique, Bi Eejin’s eyes widened.
“Wait, what’s this lottery joining us…?”
“…How could it not be?”
The smiling face of Bi Eejin, struggling to formulate words, turned stiff, as if he had caught onto my intention.
Whew!
The sudden chill caused an involuntary stiffness in my back.
But I didn’t halt my speech.
“I apologize for the delay in recognizing you.”
Upon hearing my words, Bi Eejin slowly reached out to stroke my forehead and ruffle my hair.
In that fleeting moment,
the expression Bi Eejin previously wore disappeared.
While he still retained the youthful visage, not a wrinkle in sight,
the expression on his face now belonged wholly to another individual.
More precisely, it bore the expression that Bi Ju, not Bi Eejin, would likely possess.
Glimpsing that expression for just an instant,
I mustered my last words.
“To the esteemed elder, I, a foolish junior, humbly greet you.”
As I finished speaking,
Fwoooosh!
An overwhelming presence began to surge from the elder.
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