Chapter 100: We Finally Met (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 100: We Finally Met (1)
[Ahem. I don’t have any ulterior motives, but... do you perhaps have a marriage partner arranged by your family?]
Hmm...
"No ulterior motives," he says.
No matter how I heard it, his intention was crystal clear.
Namgung Mujin, the head of the Namgung Family, had a daughter known as one of the "Three Peaks" of the Orthodox Martial World, Baek Dohwa.
She was none other than Namgung Ga-hee, the Hall Master of the Phoenix Hall.
I knew he had a second daughter, Namgung Huiyeon, as well, but I believed she was only about sixteen.
Regardless, that wasn't the point.
If I didn't set the record straight here, things were bound to get troublesome.
I sent a message via Sound Transmission to Namgung Mujin.
[There is a woman I have promised to spend my life with.]
[Ah... I see.]
At my words, a look of regret flickered in Namgung Mujin’s eyes.
As expected, he had been planning to introduce his daughter to me.
-Wow. You’re in a good spot, aren't you? Since you might become the Alliance Leader, he’s trying to make his move early.
True.
That might be it.
In the Orthodox Faction, political marriages like this were even more prevalent.
In any case, if I didn't draw a line now, they would only show more interest. It was better to cut it off early.
Just then, Vice Alliance Leader Jin Gyun cleared his throat and spoke.
“Ahem. It seems we should move to a different location.”
As he said, the meeting room in the main headquarters was in no state for a discussion; the ceiling had been blown off, and the floors and walls were shattered.
Everyone moved to the Strategist’s Hall to resume the Elder Council meeting.
I also moved with them. Although I held no official rank, I was granted special permission to attend this meeting to discuss the Illusion Demon Poison and various other issues.
While walking toward the Strategist’s Hall, one of the elders spoke up.
“I don’t know who it will be, but if the Lesser Sword Immortal becomes the Alliance Leader this time, wouldn't he be the youngest leader since the founding of this Alliance?”
The speaker was Eon Gwang-woon, the head of the Jinju Eon Family.
At his words, some elders who disliked me couldn't hide their displeasure, but others seemed quite intrigued by how things were unfolding.
Taoist Master Hoyang, the Sect Leader of the Huashan Sect known as the Plum Blossom White Sword, stroked his beard and spoke.
“Indeed. One truly lives long enough to see everything.”
“Whether he becomes the Alliance Leader or not, the head of the Yikyang So Family must be bursting with pride to have the Lesser Sword Immortal as a son.”
I scoffed inwardly at his words.
Why would that man have any reason to be proud?
If it were my real father, the Merciless Wind God Jin Seong-baek, that would be a different story.
Still, I couldn't show my true feelings here, so I had to act with appropriate humility.
I gave them a fist-and-palm salute and spoke.
“You flatter me too much. I still have much to learn. I ask for the guidance of my seniors.”
“Hahaha.”
Seeing my humble attitude, the elders who had decided to support me wore satisfied expressions.
As expected, humility worked best in the Orthodox Faction.
Eon Gwang-woon, the head of the Jinju Eon Family, smiled at me.
“It’s not flattery. Everyone is just saying it out of envy. I wish I had a son like you myself.”
Come to think of it, Eon Gwang-woon didn't have any sons.
That seemed to be why he sounded so regretful.
Then, Jo Cheong-un, the "Hengshan's First Sword" of the Hengshan Sect, laughed boisterously.
“If you’re that envious, Elder Eon, why don't you just send a matchmaker to the Yikyang So Family? That way, you could gain the world’s greatest son-in-law, couldn't you?”
Jo Cheong-un was just making a lighthearted comment to match the mood.
However, at his words, the way some of the elders looked at me turned strange.
It was the kind of look one gives to a piece of prey.
“Oh? There was that method. I should take this opportunity to send a matchmaker to the Yikyang So Family.”
Eon Gwang-woon actually took it seriously.
I had just cut off Namgung Mujin when he dropped a hint, and now they were openly talking about matchmakers.
My head was starting to ache.
Then, Dang Woo-jung, the Vice Head of the Sichuan Tang Family, slipped into the conversation.
“Actually, I’ve been worried because our Hye-hwa has reached marriageable age. I think I’ll follow Elder Eon’s lead and send a matchmaker to the Yikyang So Family as well. Hahaha.”
At his words, Eon Gwang-woon spoke up.
“Elder Dang, didn't you say you were going to send a matchmaker to the Moyong Family?”
“Hmph. I said I was considering it; I never said I’d made a final decision.”
“Ah, is that so? I must have been mistaken.”
They were talking with smiles on their faces, but their eyes were not laughing.
It was as if they were silently telling each other to back off.
Seeing them blatantly coveting me as a son-in-law, some of the Taoist elders looked on with interest, as if they were watching a show.
-Wow. This has turned into a full-blown competition. What are you going to do?
I sighed inwardly at the Sodam Sword’s words.
It was a classic case of the guests fighting over a feast the host hadn't even prepared.
I was worried that if I actually became the Alliance Leader, they would become even more blatant.
I had to put a stop to this right now.
“Sen—”
Before I could speak, Namgung Mujin of the Namgung Family beat me to it.
“I have heard that the Lesser Sword Immortal already has a woman he has promised his future to. Elders, it would be best if you didn't get your hopes up for nothing.”
At Namgung Mujin’s words, the Sodam Sword snickered and whispered.
-It sounds like he’s saying, "If I can't have it, neither can you."
Whether that was his intention or not didn't matter.
Thanks to him, I could naturally drift away from the elders' interest.
Eon Gwang-woon smacked his lips in regret, but Dang Woo-jung of the Sichuan Tang Family was different.
“They say a hero deserves three wives and four concubines, so what’s the problem? It’s not like having multiple wives is an unusual thing.”
‘!?’
His attitude suggested he didn't care at all whether I had a fiancée or not.
At his words, Namgung Mujin and Eon Gwang-woon nodded while stroking their beards, looking as if they found his logic quite sound.
My head was starting to throb again.
-Don't stress yourself out. Just tell them your father-in-law is the Moon Evil Sword. That’ll clear everything up instantly.
...That’s a great idea.
And then I’d lose my identity as the Lesser Sword Immortal, So Woon-hwi.
Who would have thought that rising fame would bring such side effects?
I had to find another way.
*
It was around the Hour of the Dog (7-9 PM), and torches were being lit throughout the fortress.
About two hundred young martial artists were gathering in an auditorium in the northern part of the Martial Alliance.
These were the Hall Masters and Deputy Hall Masters of the various divisions within the Alliance.
They had all gathered here under an emergency summons from the Second Elder, Taoist Master Hoyang, who managed the halls, and everyone was wondering what was going on.
Namgung Ga-hee, the Hall Master of the Phoenix Hall, and So Yeong-yeong, the Deputy Hall Master, were no exception.
“Sister. The Great Leader election is tomorrow. Why would they suddenly summon the Hall Masters the night before?”
“I’m not sure, Yeong-yeong. But I am a bit worried.”
“Could it be about my brother?”
The reason for their concern was simple.
They had heard rumors that several halls had approached Chief Strategist Bang Deok-hyeon and Taoist Master Hoyang to protest against the Lesser Sword Immortal, So Woon-hwi, running as a candidate for the Great Leader election.
“Those bastards.”
So Yeong-yeong couldn't hide her annoyance.
Inwardly, she had hoped her brother wouldn't run for the position of Great Leader.
That was because she knew his true identity was the Blood Demon, the head of the Blood Cult.
But hearing that other Hall Masters were opposing him made her blood boil.
“What’s wrong with my brother that they’re opposing him? Hmph!”
“The reason is simple.”
Namgung Ga-hee’s gaze shifted toward a few specific Hall Masters.
Peng Woo-jin of the Hebei Peng Family, Hall Master of the Nokhyeon Hall; Lee Jung-gyeom, Hall Master of the Azure Dragon Hall and disciple of the former Alliance Leader Baek Hyang-muk; Moyong Su, the Young Lord of the Moyong Family and Hall Master of the Yellow Dragon Hall; and Jin Yong of the Fierce Tiger Unit, grandson of Vice Alliance Leader Jin Gyun.
Among them, Lee Jung-gyeom had originally been the most likely candidate, but the situation was uncertain.
This was because Lee Jung-gyeom had been expelled from the Alliance for a while due to being the former leader's disciple.
Thus, it was unclear who would become the Great Leader.
In the midst of this, the appearance of the Lesser Sword Immortal, So Woon-hwi, made them all nervous.
While all the other candidates had made their names as rising stars, So Woon-hwi had already surpassed that realm and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the greatest masters of the martial world.
Moreover, countless young martial artists and hall members admired and respected him. If he ran for Great Leader, what chance would the others have?
“Still, being dropped because of other people’s jealousy is just wrong.”
“I agree, but if the higher-ups make a decision, there’s nothing we can do.”
“It feels like they’re openly checking him. Summoning us like this while he’s away at the main headquarters is suspicious too.”
“I think so too. But let’s wait. They might have summoned us for a different reason.”
Someone cut into Namgung Ga-hee’s words.
“Do you really think so?”
It was Moyong Hye, the Hall Master of the Plum Fragrance Hall.
One would have thought she wouldn't be able to show her face after the humiliation she suffered earlier that day, but she was still thick-skinned enough to butt in. Namgung Ga-hee and So Yeong-yeong clicked their tongues inwardly.
She should have been scolded more by Sister Wi.
Moyong Hye spoke to them nonchalantly.
“Logically, isn't it ridiculous for someone who was a candidate for Vice Alliance Leader to run for the position of Great Leader, which is a lower rank? Even the higher-ups would see that it doesn't make sense.”
So Yeong-yeong replied sarcastically.
“It just means everyone is afraid they’ll lose the Great Leader position if my brother runs.”
“Hohoho. What is there to be afraid of? And besides, you have to be a candidate first before you can compete, right?”
Moyong Hye seemed certain that So Woon-hwi had already been excluded from the candidacy.
[Yeong-yeong. Don't let her get to you.]
So Yeong-yeong was seething, but she didn't respond further at Namgung Ga-hee’s restraining Sound Transmission.
The eyes of other Hall Masters were on them, and talking to her any further would only make her more annoyed.
Just then, the Second Elder, Taoist Master Hoyang, stepped onto the auditorium’s platform.
Everyone showed their respect at his appearance.
Hoyang began to speak.
“The reason for this emergency summons is to announce the Hall Masters who have been finalized as candidates for the Great Leader election and to make an announcement regarding something we couldn't disclose earlier.”
‘Something they couldn't disclose earlier?’
Everyone was puzzled.
What could he possibly be about to announce?
Hoyang continued.
“There are preparations for tomorrow’s assembly, so I won't drag this out. I will call the names of the Hall Masters finalized as candidates for Great Leader. First, Hall Master Lee Jung-gyeom of the Azure Dragon Hall.”
“Waaaaaaa!”
At his words, those who supported Lee Jung-gyeom cheered.
Though he had been expelled, many Hall Masters still followed him, as he was once known as one of the Twin Heroes.
Lee Jung-gyeom himself seemed largely uninterested, giving a fist-and-palm salute while letting out a massive yawn.
“The second candidate is Hall Master Jin Yong of the Fierce Tiger Unit.”
“Yes!”
Jin Yong stepped forward proudly and gave a salute.
When Jin Yong stepped out, other Hall Masters cheered as well.
While not as many as Lee Jung-gyeom’s supporters, he seemed to have a fair amount of backing.
“Next is Hall Master Moyong Su of the Yellow Dragon Hall.”
At the call, Moyong Su stepped forward and saluted.
Nearly half of the Hall Masters cheered for him.
‘Hah!’
Jin Yong couldn't hide his emotions at the roar of cheers, which was unexpectedly louder than his own.
Among the Hall Masters, he had only considered Lee Jung-gyeom a worthy rival, but an unexpected dark horse had appeared.
Seeing Moyong Su’s triumphant face, Jin Yong’s fighting spirit flared up.
“Next is Hall Master Peng Woo-jin of the Nokhyeon Hall.”
“Waaa...”
The cheers were noticeably quieter.
“........”
The sound was clearly coming from only three or four people. Peng Woo-jin saluted and quickly covered his face, retreating back into the ranks.
If his support was this low even among the Hall Masters and Deputy Hall Masters, he was starting to fear tomorrow’s election.
Three more candidates were called in succession.
A total of six Hall Masters had been named, and everyone was looking at Taoist Master Hoyang with tense faces because of a name that hadn't been called yet.
‘Please don't call it.’
Most of the candidates were praying for that name not to be mentioned.
The only ones openly hoping for that name to be called were Namgung Ga-hee and So Yeong-yeong.
‘Please! Please!’
Taoist Master Hoyang spoke.
“The above six Hall Masters have been registered as candidates. I hope for good results in tomorrow’s Great Leader election.”
As soon as he finished, the candidates rejoiced.
Jin Yong and Moyong Su didn't show it outwardly, but they were satisfied.
If the Lesser Sword Immortal ran as a candidate, everyone would be at a disadvantage.
“Ah...”
So Yeong-yeong couldn't hide her disappointment when her brother’s name wasn't called, even though she had expected it to some extent given the atmosphere.
As she stood there dejected, Moyong Hye sneered at her.
“See? I told you. Even the higher-ups thought it didn't make sense.”
“Tch.”
She was angry, but with the results as they were, she had nothing to say.
She just had to accept it.
That’s right. It wouldn't be right for my brother, the Blood Demon, to be the Great Leader of the Martial Alliance. Then all the Alliance’s information would flow to the Blood Cult.
She was just beginning to convince herself when Taoist Master Hoyang continued.
“Although it wasn't announced because it was a secret of the Alliance, there is something I must inform the Hall Masters and Deputy Hall Masters here.”
Jin Yong asked, acting as a representative.
“What is it?”
“Tomorrow, before the Great Leader election, there will be a battle to decide the Alliance Leader.”
—Murmur, murmur!
“Are they finally deciding on a new leader?”
“To think it’s on the same day as the Great Leader election.”
Everyone was shocked.
They had expected the selection of a new leader to be discussed soon, but they hadn't realized it would happen simultaneously with the Great Leader election.
At this, Jin Yong smugly put his hands behind his back.
Although he hadn't heard the details, he was certain that the most likely candidate for the leadership was his grandfather, the Ardent King Hegemon Jin Gyun.
Moyong Su raised his hand and asked.
“You said it’s a 'decision battle' rather than a selection. What does that mean? Are the candidates going to duel?”
“What? A duel?”
Jin Yong blurted out his thoughts.
He had naturally assumed his grandfather, the Vice Alliance Leader, would simply ascend to the position.
But if it was a "decision battle" as Moyong Su said, it meant a fight.
“Correct. As Hall Master Moyong Su said, the position of Alliance Leader will be decided through a duel between the candidates.”
“Then, was that why the Great Hero Baek was summoned?”
“It was.”
The murmuring grew louder.
Everyone already knew that the former Alliance Leader, Baek Hyang-muk, had come to Wuhan.
But the reason hadn't been revealed, and now the secret was out.
“Ha! How could this happen!”
“This is huge. How did they keep this a secret?”
“Then we’ll get to see two of the Six Great Experts clash.”
The room became chaotic.
Beyond a simple selection, they were about to witness a rare duel between peerless masters.
Naturally, interest shifted to who would win.
“Is the former leader making a comeback?”
“But is it okay to call back someone who dabbled in the Blood Cult’s martial arts?”
“Still, the Alliance was never as prosperous as it was during his time.”
“True. The former leader did behead the previous Blood Demon, after all.”
Jin Yong was inwardly displeased by the reactions of some of the Hall Masters.
Hmph. These people.
From their reactions, it sounded as if the winner of the duel had already been decided.
He knew the former leader was an absolute master who had transcended the realm of superhumans, but a duel between masters of that level was unpredictable until it happened.
Then, Lee Jung-gyeom, who had been quiet, raised his hand.
“Are there really only two candidates?”
At his words, everyone’s gaze turned toward him.
Jin Yong snorted and said.
“Who else could possibly be a candidate? The Lord of Peerless Fortress, the Merciless Wind God? Of course not. Or the wandering Man Bak-ja? The Wolf King, who is practically neutral? There’s no one else who could—”
Suddenly, Jin Yong’s eyes widened.
A name flashed through his mind.
It was the same for everyone else.
There was another superhuman who had appeared during this time.
Jin Yong asked in a trembling voice.
“Taoist Master Hoyang... it’s not, right? A candidate for Alliance Leader should be someone with a certain level of experience...”
“It is.”
“Pardon?”
“The Lesser Sword Immortal is also a candidate for the position of Alliance Leader.”
‘!!!’
As soon as those words were spoken, the audience erupted.
No one had imagined So Woon-hwi as a candidate for Alliance Leader.
In the history of the Martial Alliance, there had never been a leader who had only just reached adulthood.
That damn brother of mine!
So Yeong-yeong was flabbergasted.
She was almost resentful that he had hidden such an important fact from her.
However, seeing the horrified face of Moyong Hye, the Hall Master of the Plum Fragrance Hall, made her feel a bit better.
In fact, it was downright satisfying.
Namgung Ga-hee, shocked, sent her a frantic Sound Transmission.
[Great Hero So is a candidate for Alliance Leader? Yeong-yeong, did you know?]
[I didn't. I should have known when that man kept saying 'later, later.' How could he even think of hiding this... Wait.]
So Yeong-yeong’s face suddenly turned pale.
Setting aside the fact that he hid it, this was the most absurd situation she had ever encountered.
...This man is the Blood Demon.