Chapter: 566
If someone were to ask me what the most important thing is in building a power base,
I would answer without hesitation, “Power.”
In the face of overwhelming strength, nothing else holds value.
No matter what you try to do.
No matter how hard you try to block it.
If you possess the power to crush and tear apart everything, then all the preceding efforts are nothing more than meaningless struggles.
I have felt this truth painfully in the past.
Hence, I can confidently assert this.
However,
Such overwhelming power is something that cannot be easily attained in ordinary circumstances.
For most people, while strength is indeed vital in forming a faction, there is something else they consider even more important.
Some might call it the ebb and flow of the world.
Others might say it’s something greater than a sword.
And though it has no physical form, it holds the value of billions.
Yes,
That is exactly right.
“Information.”
It’s information.
No faction can dare dismiss it.
No matter how grand the warrior, it’s a precious treasure they never wish to part with.
In fact, at Peng Clan—one of the four major houses—a certain strategist’s fee for forming an intelligence unit was reported to be several times greater than the investment in recruiting the forces from Hwagyeong.
This illustrates just how significantly information is valued.
Not only at Peng Clan but among most prestigious families and sects as well.
Any illustrious faction operates its own intelligence units. It’s safe to say that this is a battle of its own.
In a way, it’s a logical conclusion.
Since you cannot gain power to shatter everything, it’s common sense—even to an innocent child—that you must rely on information to gain an advantage and expand your territory.
The difference between the informed and the ignorant resembles the gulf between heaven and earth.
And,
Right in the midst of this information framework sits a figure that can be deemed the best, right before my very eyes.
“Hol hol.”
The old man chuckles as he sips the tea before him.
His laughter is light and mischievous.
His back, curved like a bow, is peppered with wrinkles.
His limbs, skinny and feeble, seem pitifully weak for a martial artist.
He appears to be a thoroughly aged elder,
Yet among those gathered, none could afford to ignore him.
Even the greatest swordsman in the world holds this old man in high regard.
How could anyone dare to overlook him? No, not a soul would.
This elder is the very source of information for the Murim Alliance, known as the current mainstream.
As the head of the Gu’s Ten Sects Alliance—expected to have the most intelligence in the Central Plains—
He is also the old man’s right-hand man, termed the “Ear of the Sword Lord.”
It was none other than Ubongchuigae Dobong.
There’s an ongoing rumor that most tidings from the Central Plains are managed by the Gu Clan.
Thus, Gae’s position in these Central Plains is extraordinarily significant.
Admittedly, there exists the Hao Clan from the rogue faction, forming a counterbalance,
Yet, in this day and age, the Hao Clan appears to lag a step behind the Gu Clan.
Contrasting this, during the time that Geomjon served as the leader,
When Geomjon swept through the battlefield with his immense might, Ubongchuigae was his eyes and ears, crafting wings for their lacking.
It is said that due to this, the Murim Alliance played a crucial role in suppressing the rogue faction, solidifying its place in the Central Plains.
Now, this old man, who once achieved such incredible feats,
“Hol hol… Even after such a long time, Soyi remains as lovely as ever. Especially, your figure is a work of art.”
…was indulging in sexual harassment as he gazed at the inspector.
“What a gorgeous child. She must be of age by now, yet still hasn’t found a partner… My old heart aches for you, hol hol…”
“Haha…”
This was a sight I had never witnessed before.
Seeing Geom Hu smile with such obvious discomfort.
Ubongchuigae kept sticking close, chatting up a storm with Geom Hu.
The usually kind-hearted Geom Hu was practically dripping discomfort.
“If only I had a child; I’d marry you off… But alas, it seems I cannot, and that is just a shame… So, how about this old man…?”
“I’m sorry, my lord. I have no intention of marrying.”
“Hol hol… Still as determined as ever.”
Geom Hu flatly rejects Ubongchuigae’s utterly ridiculous advance.
What should I say? Observing this, it felt like an oddly familiar rejection.
It’s as if she’d been through this a handful of times already.
That was indeed the atmosphere.
Thanks to this spectacle, the few of us in attendance found ourselves at a loss, sipping tea with zero clue what to do.
Gu Ryeong-hwa’s eyes were shaking like crazy.
Even Yeongpung looked visibly at a loss.
Seongyul seemed somewhat okay, but that guy would always have that vacant look in his eyes, so never mind that.
I was simply curious about the current situation.
“What in the world is going on?”
I discreetly shifted my gaze.
The place was a building set near the long-term resident’s quarters.
At a glance, it appeared to be intended to receive very esteemed guests.
In a space like this,
“What on earth are we doing here?”
I… No, why are we even gathered here?
This entire scenario was hard to wrap my mind around.
‘This isn’t easy.’
The one responsible for orchestrating this change, Mudanggeomseon, was currently absent due to some obligations back at the sect.
He must have been preoccupied with matters like Ji-cheol’s suicide or Woo-baek’s passing, needing to move swiftly.
Certainly, there must have been an unsavory character causing chaos amongst the shamans, so this would eat up additional time.
Deliberately planned and aimed for, no doubt.
“I hadn’t expected that old man to turn up here.”
I had to swallow hard, gazing at the hunchbacked elder before me.
He might seem just like any old beggar, yet behind that exterior lies an undeniably impressive figure.
Rumor has it that although his lineage may be muddled,
There’s a saying that without Ubongchuigae, the Murim Alliance would be in a standstill.
This speaks volumes about the weight he carried.
“Hol hol.”
Amid this tense atmosphere, Ubongchuigae breaks into laughter.
That was merely the beginning.
“It seems you all were startled because of me.”
“Oh, not at all.”
Gu Ryeong-hwa rattled off her response, a little too quick on the draw it seemed.
It appears she’s learning the ropes on finesse thanks to Geom Hu.
“That’s for the best.”
Social etiquette is not something you learn in the Gu household.
Far better to learn from the softly spoken Geom Hu than from a bunch of rabble.
Ubongchuigae observed the anxious Gu Ryeong-hwa, chuckling lightly before slowly continuing his tale.
“Hol hol. I’m Dobong, the beggar from Hanam.”
The most famed beggar in the Central Plains introduced himself.
As he did so, he gazed at each of us with somewhat clouded eyes.
“Is this the sword dragon Plum Blossom’s been boasting about lately?”
He gestured toward Yeongpung.
To which, Yeongpung appeared surprised and bent a small bow of respect.
“The third disciple of the volcano, Youngpung, meets the Lord of the Ark of Openness.”
“Ah, and this pretty little one here must be our Soi’s disciple.”
“… The first disciple of the volcano, Gu Ryeong-hwa, presents herself to Lord Ubongchuigae.”
Each name, known without formal introduction, sent a slight chill down my spine.
“And this person over here is….”
Ubongchuigae’s gaze soon landed on Seongyul.
At that moment, I sensed a hint of confusion in him. Did he not know who Seongyul was?
I prepared to answer on his behalf when,
“…I’m Lee Cheol.”
Seongyul didn’t disclose his real name but instead introduced himself with a different one.
“I serve as the young master’s bodyguard.”
“Hmm….”
He nodded, seemingly satisfied with that as he glanced toward me.
Just when I thought it might wrap up, Ubongchuigae’s gaze turned back to me.
Then, he exhibited a peculiar reaction, inspecting my face quietly for a moment.
Then, he exclaimed,
“Good to meet you, Young Master Gu.”
“…Ah, yes. Gu Clan’s Gu Yang….”
“You resemble my father quite a bit.”
For some reason, he suddenly brought up my father.
“There….”
He even scrutinized me top to bottom while sitting still.
“I suppose our children may have made a mistake.”
“Yes?”
As I expressed my confusion at his unexpected remark,
Ubongchuigae looked at me and said,
“It seems there’s a lot of information that needs updating on Young Master Gu. Hehe. You resemble the clan leader in more than just looks.”
I couldn’t help but smile awkwardly at his words.
He seemed to have deciphered my level of skill.
“I feel like I’m reading too easily due to my unsettled energy.”
I had been using my energy to keep up appearances,
But with my current injuries, maintaining that was out of the question.
Hiding my condition while employing techniques of energy transformation was already a stretch.
If I were to try anything more, I’d be looking at obvious fallout.
In that respect, this was my limit for now.
“I greatly appreciate your kind observation.”
“Hol hol.”
At my response, Ubongchuigae chuckled, sipping tea to moisten his throat.
Then he began addressing everyone present with a gaze.
“Alright, I think we’ve covered enough pleasantries… The reason I had my leader gather you here is that I have something I need to inquire.”
Upon hearing him claim he would get straight to the point, tension swept over the gathering.
They likely didn’t know why Ubongchuigae had called for them, hence the nervousness.
Of course.
“This is becoming quite a hassle.”
I was already aware of why that old man had decided to assemble this gathering.
It was a typical story.
Suddenly, the mood surrounding Ubongchuigae became more serious.
While I couldn’t discern his expression, I sensed a change in the atmosphere simply from his breathing.
“First of all… I heard that you recently suffered an attack… Do you recall the circumstances?”
Upon hearing Ubongchuigae’s inquiry, I secretly swallowed hard.
This was as expected.
Someone had attacked the sect.
And amidst that, an elder of the sect had been killed.
Naturally, it’s to be expected that they’d seek information from an outsider rather than someone directly involved.
The issue, however, was that
“I never thought the Open Ark would come here personally.”
It’s unbelievable that the highest-ranking beggar of openness would choose this moment to show up personally.
Even if he’s the leader, does that make sense?
“When the tale of the Wind and Cloud Demon came up, I figured that gentleman wouldn’t move.”
As I keep pointing out, we’re in turbulent times.
This is a period brimming with overflowing information, and for the Open Ark to move in such a manner, it couldn’t have been easy.
At the moment when I’d heard that Pungun Guido appeared, it was that very reason I concluded it must be a fraud.
“You came all the way out here?”
This was entirely unexpected.
I was just planning to meet with the Mudanggeomseon to finish the discussions and be compensated as a victim.
How could I have anticipated that Ubongchuigae would come in person?
‘…Could it be?’
Midway through contemplating the situation, an epiphany struck.
If Mudanggeomseon had initially been on his way here,
He might have informed the Open Ark about the tale of Pungun Guido.
Perhaps sharing the details in a letter and notifying them about the situation ahead of time.
Such rumors circulating would certainly stir up interest in the shamans.
But herein lies the quandary.
‘Ubongchuigae is part of the Wind and Cloud faction.’
If he heard references made about himself and took direct action based on it, that clarifies the situation.
And that is precisely the problem.
Why did it have to be right now?
“…An attack?”
Gu Ryeong-hwa wore a bewildered expression as she regarded Ubongchuigae.
Her face depicted confusion, mirrored in Yeongpung’s.
They had every reason to be perplexed.
After all, I had deliberately knocked out Nahi to eliminate any liabilities.
Ubongchuigae quietly observed the two, stifling a chuckle.
“Hol hol… It seems like your memories aren’t very clear.”
Then, he turned his attention to me and Seongyul, asking,
“Are you both in the same boat?”
“Yes.”
I replied with a nod.
We had indeed tidied things up. No traces remained.
If Nahi was sure, despite my uncertainty, then that would stand to reason.
She would undoubtedly excel far beyond me in such matters.
Ubongchuigae, after hearing our response, spent a brief moment staring at me in silence.
Although his gaze felt intense, I managed to keep my composure.
That old man.
‘Is he doubting me?’
For reasons unknown to me, should that be the case, it would be wiser to hold my gaze rather than avoid it.
In the instance our eyes met,
Ubongchuigae nodded and looked away.
Did I pass that test?
‘No idea.’
Uncertainty clouded my mind. I’d hardly conversed deeply with the old man named Ubongchuigae, leaving me unsure of his character.
The only thing I know is that his disciple would one day become King Geul.
‘Don’t let your guard down just because you’re unsure.’
If you’re uncertain, it’s time to be vigilant. Ignorance is the most terrifying thing in the world. In front of me sat a figure entirely opposite to that notion.
Just as I was ramping up my tension.
“Hol hol. Yes, yes.”
Ubongchuigae suddenly burst into laughter, as if to defuse the heavy atmosphere.
“You might not know. Yes.”
“…Lord Ark?”
“Honestly, I don’t need to know much here; I just sensed the tension from the leader’s presence, hehehe!”
Though Geom Hu responded with bewilderment, Ubongchuigae appeared disinterested in that, continuing his jabbering.
“Man, I was so busy, yet you drew this old man here. Tsk tsk… They say the Wind and Cloud Demon has appeared and all.”
“…”
I had to keep my incredulity hidden at Ubongchuigae’s remarks.
“That guy must have gone bonkers too. The Murim Alliance is completely falling apart. The alliance leader has lost his marbles, tsk tsk!”
There was a heavy weight behind his jest.
Nothing he said could be humorously reciprocated by anyone around.
“Regardless, I truly appreciate you making time for me, especially when it’s tough. I don’t have any further questions, so please relax.”
Without realizing, I slightly frowned at Ubongchuigae’s proclamation.
‘Is that truly the end?’
At a moment when I was anxious about what to pick at and query,
It felt both abrupt and embarrassing to have it end this easily.
Yet, against my confusion, Ubongchuigae continued to speak.
“I’ve asked my leader everything I needed to ask, so don’t worry… Now, get up.”
With that, he actually rose to leave.
With the senior-most figure, Ubongchuigae standing, everyone else had no choice but to also get up.
Just as I was about to make my move with an awkward façade,
“Soyi, let’s chat a bit, you and I.”
Ubongchuigae called for Geom Hu.
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