Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Winds of Change (2)
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Murong Bi let out a sigh as he emerged from the patriarch's chamber.
"Done."
It felt like he'd just scaled the world's tallest peak.
"Now things are finally starting to move."
Lying had always left a bad taste in his mouth before, but not anymore.
His heart pounded with excitement for the future unfolding ahead.
Yet strangely, he also felt a profound calm.
Even the Brain Gate Heart Technique, which toyed so freely with the breadth of his emotions, lay dormant now, overwhelmed by its master's feelings.
'Bicheo is nothing now.'
He would definitely visit Bicheo. He'd sweep up every last item stored there.
But even if someone who knew of it without his knowledge had already cleaned the place out, it wouldn't be a problem.
'Daeho's worries have made everything fall into place.'
What the clan needed most right now was martial arts.
Martial arts were power, and power was the future. Why else would he agonize over how to pass them on?
'You did well, Daeho.'
With Bicheo's existence providing a perfect justification for transmitting the arts, recruits or elixirs were secondary concerns.
Srrrrk.
Murong Bi's eyes grew distant as he stood still, gazing up at the sky.
"I miss you."
Daeho's words about Bicheo's existence had pulled him and the clan from twenty years ago into this era.
Was that why? Suddenly, he yearned unbearably for his brother and nephew.
How much strength it would give him if his brother or Daeho were here right now.
After staring at the sky for a long while, Murong Bi smacked his lips and scratched his head furiously.
"Argh, you mad bastard. Is this the time to get all sentimental? The road ahead stretches nine thousand, no, a hundred thousand li!"
Confirming Bicheo's existence had piled on more tasks.
Murong Bi stroked his chin.
"Either way, I need to check it out. And as soon as possible."
Of course, no one would have touched the place. Even if forty years had passed instead of twenty, it wouldn't have been ransacked.
But there was always that one-in-a-million chance. He knew it was unlikely, but better to go sooner rather than later.
Still, there was something to handle first.
"Lady Hwang Inhwa."
There was an eighty percent chance that the old bastard from the collateral branch had been scheming something with her involving Bicheo.
He'd been suspicious before, but now he was almost certain.
'Even if not, I have to treat it that way.'
The reason was simple.
'That crafty old fox wouldn't keep something like that from his own son.'
His belief that the side with heavier backing would prevail against those bought off by the Black Tiger Gang still held true.
But now, the Ten Sword Sect was out of the equation.
'Lady Hwang Inhwa and her escort saw my martial arts firsthand. I figured they'd probe for backing, but what if they think I learned it from the Murong clan's Bicheo?'
It was possible.
Martial artists lived and died by their arts. Knowing the Murong clan's plight, if one blood relative suddenly grew strong, the Ten Sword Sect would naturally take interest.
And there was another crucial point.
'How do people in this era view the main house?'
They'd been chased out of Yonyeong Province by the House Hoyeon bastards.
It was odd. Despite ups and downs, the Murongs had been fixtures in Yonyeong, with connections to match.
So why hadn't all those connections helped the Murongs?
'People change their minds like night and day, but this is too much.'
He didn't know about Hubei, but there were several sects and merchant groups north of the Yangtze that rarely betrayed allies.
For all of them to turn their backs on the Murongs meant something was up.
Murong Bi scowled as he pondered.
"You madman! With all the curiosities and oddities piling up, forget that crap for now!"
Learning of Bicheo demanded swift action above all.
"Wrong."
That wasn't the way.
Murong Bi admitted it. That mindset itself was the problem.
"Stop thinking of waiting and reactions. Plan to crush it all in one blow. Since when did I get so timid, overthinking every damn thing?"
With the clan in shambles and his own body like this, he'd fallen into passive patterns.
Now he could wield his arts freely without worrying about the main house's eyes. From here on, he didn't need to act as the Murong clan's eldest son, Murong Bi. He could move as the former Martial Alliance Leader wearing Murong Bi's skin.
No, he had to.
'Don't get swept up—sweep them away. Leave no room for counter before they even react.'
To allies, he could be the Bright Martial Sovereign. To enemies, the Mad Demon—utterly.
A mad demon didn't play by human rules from the start.
With his thoughts settled, Murong Bi sought out Jin Gwang at once.
"Squad Leader Jin."
"You've come."
A few Flower Sword Squad members lingered around Jin Gwang.
Their gazes toward Murong Bi were complex—regret, wonder, jealousy, anger, awe. Hard to pin to one emotion.
Murong Bi ignored them entirely.
"I have a favor to ask. Will you hear me out?"
With squad members present, Jin Gwang skipped the usual flattery, but his attitude had shifted markedly.
"You are the main house's eldest son."
"Hm?"
"Not a request—an order. As long as it doesn't exceed the acting patriarch's authority, of course."
The squad members gaped at Jin Gwang. Their sky-high squad leader, so deferential to that troublemaker young master?
Murong Bi chuckled softly.
"Lucky me, then."
"What is your command?"
"Do you know where the Ten Sword Sect is?"
Jin Gwang's eyes gleamed.
"Of course."
"Exactly where?"
He didn't question why or how.
When Jin Gwang revealed the Ten Sword Sect headquarters' location, Murong Bi nodded.
"So they must pass through the Muhan post station to reach the main house."
"They could detour, but no need. The alternate path is rough and requires crossing water."
"Good."
A plan sketched itself in an instant.
"By tomorrow night, take half the squad and billet at the post station's inns."
The squad members' eyes widened.
Jin Gwang remained composed.
"Just lodging?"
"Hardly. Stay scattered in different inns. If any Ten Sword Sect member is spotted, report straight to me at the main house."
"Without anyone knowing?"
"Yes."
"Then we'll need to shed our uniforms."
Alone, he'd seemed emotion-driven and dim. But they clicked like this.
"Sharp. Go in plain merchant garb if possible. The locals shouldn't recognize you easily."
"But without seeming suspicious, ronin attire would work?"
Beyond compatible—he was clever.
"Spot on."
"Understood."
No questions asked.
Jin Gwang addressed the squad.
"Perfect, five of you. Yi Kak Hu, you're with me to Muhan post station. Change in one hour, carry iron swords—not training blades. We'll settle outfits and inns before departure."
One squad member raised a hand.
"Squad Leader."
"What?"
"Well..."
He half-expected a why-go-there gripe, but it was unexpected.
"If we all wear bamboo hats, won't it look more suspicious? Folks at the post won't recognize me since I rarely go. I'll skip the hat, just plain clothes. Oh, and no sword."
Murong Bi was impressed.
Post stations saw dozens of ronin daily amid crowds, but for zero risk, varying disguises made sense—as this squad member said.
Yet it risked mishaps. Only well-trained warriors could pull it off, like these.
Jin Gwang glanced at Murong Bi.
"Is that fine?"
"Methods are yours."
Neither Jin Gwang nor that squad member lacked wits. No need for micromanaging.
"You."
"Yes?"
Murong Bi asked the squad member.
"What's your name?"
Visibly flustered, he stammered.
"I-I'm Yeon Pyeong."
"Smart one."
"Thank you."
To Jin Gwang:
"What's that Yeon Pyeong fellow like?"
"Sharp squad member, quick on the uptake, as you said."
"Put him in the inn closest to the Ten Sword Sect folks."
He'd spot them fastest.
Jin Gwang bowed.
"As you command."
"Good luck."
Turning away, Murong Bi felt inner satisfaction.
'Tight-knit bunch.'
The squad didn't fully trust him yet.
But they trusted Squad Leader Jin Gwang implicitly. His deference sparked surprise, not doubt in the order.
Weak fighters or sloppy organizations never showed such unity.
'Cohesion's strong.'
Once this was done...
'...'
Envisioning the future briefly, Murong Bi shook his head again.
'They can manage, but I can't neglect the rest.'
Time was precious. Tackling one issue at a time was a flaw too.
As he pivoted from his quarters toward the remaining Flower Sword Squad barracks,
"Young master."
A young man called out unexpectedly.
"Huh? You're...?"
"Gwan Hyeon."
Right. It was Gwan Hyeon.
"What's up?"
"Are you busy?"
"Was just heading to see you all."
"Heard from the squad leader earlier. You, him, and five members to the post station."
"Yeah."
Gwan Hyeon bowed promptly.
"Shameless as it is, I have a request."
"Shoot."
"With five gone, all remaining must pull night watch tonight."
"I know."
"Squad leader says you all return tomorrow evening. If you have time after, could you review our martial arts?"
This was the method Gwan Hyeon had mentioned to Jong Hwon.
Surprise crossed Murong Bi's face.
"Review your forms?"
"Yes."
Bold.
No trace of shame or apology. He'd grab pant legs and beg if refused.
Murong Bi felt a strange stir.
'Well, now.'
Maybe the Flower Sword Squad just needed a little nudge.
"Squad leader approve?"
"No."
"Won't Jin Gwang feel slighted?"
"Our leader's not petty. Besides, I don't seek Murong clan arts—just fix my flaws."
"...Oh ho."
Gwan Hyeon's voice strengthened, resolute.
"You might not like us, wonder why now. But we..."
"Disappointing."
"Pardon?"
Murong Bi furrowed his brow.
"Senior squad member, yet ignoring the others?"
"...?!"
"Share the honey, don't hog it. Didn't peg you for selfish."
Gwan Hyeon's face lit up.
"Then the others too...?"
"Obviously? Stronger squad eases things for your sister and Suhyang. Get strong solo for your gain?"
"Th-thank you."
"One more. If combinable, don't waste time—seize the moment. Why delay?"
Murong Bi pointed toward the patriarch's chamber.
"Watch starts now. Three on duty, two train. Rotate every two hours."
"...!"
"I'll coach till dawn. Round everyone up."