Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Plum Blossom Seven Swords
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The group had arrived at the Murim Alliance before they knew it.
"Ugh."
"Gah!"
Normally, the Plum Blossom Sword Guards would have headed straight to their lodgings, but due to the aftereffects of the horse stance training, they were dismounting from the carriage with great care.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and get off."
Cheonhwi, who had gotten off first, urged them on.
'Just one horse stance session until we arrived, and they're acting like this.'
He clicked his tongue and spoke.
"The last one off has to do an extra hour of the horse stance I told you about a few days ago at the rear hall."
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards cried out in horror.
"J-Junior Brother! Anything but that!"
"I-I can't do it anymore!"
"Why? Didn't you say you'd follow all my instructions? Are you giving up already? You were begging to get stronger just the other day."
Gah! Cough!
Cheonhwi's indifferent words pierced their hearts like a sharp arrow.
It had been less than ten days since they had desperately sought his guidance, swallowing their pride.
And now they were already talking about quitting.
It was shameful enough to make them unable to lift their heads.
"Argh! Fine, I'll go first then."
"Senior Brother So, please yield this time!"
"I did it twice yesterday too. Let Junior Brother Cheongeuk yield this time."
"I did it this morning!"
Without arguing over who went first, they all forced their trembling legs to move.
"Hahaha."
Hyeonjin chuckled awkwardly as he watched the Plum Blossom Sword Guards desperately press on.
"Aren't you doing it too, Senior Uncle Hyeonjin?"
When Cheonhwi looked at him and asked, cold sweat suddenly poured down Hyeonjin's forehead.
"I-I have to make a report, don't I?"
"Oh, really?"
"Haha. Then I'll be off."
Hyeonjin fled as if escaping.
Watching him go, Cheonhwi spoke up.
"Can I go too?"
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards immediately raised both hands in approval.
"Of course."
"Take your time and enjoy yourself."
"Hmph."
Cheonhwi scanned each of them one by one, then smirked.
"If there's no trace of training later, I won't teach you any martial arts. Keep that in mind."
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards' faces twisted as if they had eaten shit.
"You were all planning to skip training once I left, huh?"
They all forced awkward smiles.
"Ha, ha, ha. What are you talking about?"
"We have to keep training even without you, right?"
"Sure, I'll take your word for it."
The moment Cheonhwi left, the Plum Blossom Sword Guards collapsed to the ground all at once.
"Huff, huff. Who knew our junior brother was such a demon."
"But haven't we gotten stronger because of it?"
"The training is tough, but it feels different every time we execute the techniques."
"And the martial arts he's taught us are good too."
At that moment, Cheonyu, who had been lying down, got up.
"Let's get moving again."
One by one, they rose to their feet.
Their muscles throughout their bodies were still screaming, but their eyes burned with determination.
Just as they were about to drag their weary bodies inside, Cheongeuk asked.
"By the way, is it okay to let Cheonhwi wander the Murim Alliance alone?"
Gu Gyeomwi smirked.
"What could happen to our youngest junior brother?"
Not long ago—no, just a few days earlier—they would have raised hell searching for him if he disappeared. But now things were different.
'Cheonhwi will be fine.'
'Who's worrying about whom?'
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi was strolling through the Murim Alliance alone, taking in the surroundings.
"Was there such a handsome young Daoist among the Mount Hua Sect members?"
"Isn't he the Daoist who came with the Mount Hua Divine Sword?"
Suddenly, everyone's attention was drawn to Cheonhwi.
"And red and black Daoist robes? Quite the unique attire."
Ignoring their whispers, Cheonhwi examined the scenery around him.
'Everything's great.'
Turning his head revealed halls in excellent locations, with elegant and antique exteriors.
'Except for our lodgings.'
As he walked, inspecting each hall, Cheonhwi soon nodded.
"Time to negotiate."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Here it is."
Seolgeom smiled in satisfaction after receiving the letter from Hyeonjin.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Warmth filled his eyes.
'We made the right choice allying with Mount Hua Sect.'
Mount Zhongnan or Mount Hua.
He had chosen to join hands with Mount Hua.
To be precise, it was unavoidable since the Military Strategist had allied with Mount Zhongnan.
But perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.
In the past, he would have dismissed it as a declining sect, but the situation had changed.
A sect ready to soar.
Especially, the Mount Hua Divine Sword's reputation was growing day by day, and he had heard from a close aide that he was in some deal with the Alliance Leader.
'And they're all outstanding.'
By handling the Black Tiger Demon Slayer this time, Ilhongmae and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards had even earned nicknames.
Plum Blossom Seven Swords.
'Partly due to the Mount Hua Divine Sword's halo, but now the other Plum Blossom Sword Guards will make names for themselves too.'
Of course, it wasn't just from their fame, but it was impressive enough.
At that moment, Hyeonjin let out a sigh.
"Phew, I suppose this completes the mission."
"You would normally rest, but thank you for taking it on."
"Enough. I would have felt uneasy leaving it to someone else."
Hyeonjin waved off the politely bowing Seolgeom.
He could have refused the mission, but after slaying the Black Tiger Demon Slayer, he felt a sense of responsibility and carried it out.
"Just don't forget the promise."
"Hahaha. No worries. With the recent exploits of the Mount Hua Divine Sword hero and the Plum Blossom Seven Swords, everyone's showing interest in Mount Hua Sect. If this continues, Mount Hua's position in the Alliance will grow even stronger."
"That's fortunate."
Hyeonjin nodded.
Then, he suddenly recalled a strange nickname from Seolgeom's words.
"What's this Plum Blossom Seven Swords?"
"Ah! You've been at the Nangong family, so you wouldn't know."
Seolgeom folded his fan neatly.
"It's a nickname specially given to the hero who slew the Black Tiger Demon Slayer and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards."
"Seven Swords? Does that mean it's a collective nickname for me and my disciples?"
Hyeonjin asked, puzzled.
For a martial artist to earn a nickname meant they had gained that much fame.
But achieving it in just a few days was no easy feat.
"Slaying the Black Tiger Demon Slayer acted as a catalyst, and their past exploits became known, earning them nicknames quickly."
Hyeonjin's expression brightened slightly.
Life in the Murim Alliance had been frustrating until now.
No matter how many missions they completed, the fame gained was minimal, leaving them exhausted.
But now, change had come.
And in a very positive direction.
"Plum Blossom Seven Swords—a fine nickname."
His disciples, whom he had led for so long, had finally earned nicknames, so it was natural for his heart to swell with pride.
Seolgeom unfolded his fan and whispered.
"Glad you like it."
Hyeonjin's eyes widened.
"Did the Deputy Strategist come up with it?"
Instead of answering, Seolgeom curved the corners of his eyes.
That was answer enough.
"Thank you."
"No need. It's meager compared to the missions you and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards have resolved for the Alliance."
"By the way, may I ask what the deal requested from the Nangong family is?"
Seolgeom's eyes wavered.
"Sorry. That was sent separately by the Alliance Leader."
"I see."
Hyeonjin smacked his lips in disappointment.
"I'll visit again later then."
"Hahaha. Next time, I'll call you with good news."
"I'll be waiting."
Hyeonjin soon departed.
Thud.
Seolgeom set down his fan.
His smiling face from moments ago had hardened like a statue.
"Black Crow."
"Aigoo, why does the esteemed Deputy Strategist call for this filthy crow?"
A prickly response came from above.
"Talkative as ever."
"Tsk tsk. So, why'd you call?"
"What do you think?"
"Nothing special about him."
Seolgeom nodded at the reply.
"I think the same."
"But that's what's strange. How did that guy take down the Black Tiger Demon Slayer?"
"...Is the Black Tiger Demon Slayer's prowess as rumored true?"
"If anything, it was downplayed. The martial arts he possessed belonged to the Blood Cult."
"Blood Cult?!"
Seolgeom whipped his head up.
"How do you know that?"
As he glared at the ceiling, a laughter-filled voice came not from above, but from the left this time.
"A man has his ways."
"......"
Seolgeom bit his lip.
They had formed a temporary alliance for a common goal, but this Black Crow's true identity remained a mystery to the end.
"Not planning to tell me, I see."
"Were we close enough for that?"
At the mocking tone, Seolgeom calmly lowered his head and asked.
"What about the Military Strategist?"
"Same as always."
"...He still hasn't gone out?"
"Probably. If he did, the Alliance would be in uproar. You know how much the Alliance Leader treasures him."
"...And Wusang and Munsang?"
"Same as always."
"Nothing's changed, then."
"Exactly."
"The Beggar Clan Leader's staying put too, then."
"He doesn't know."
Black Crow stated flatly.
"It'd be more dangerous if we moved."
Seolgeom bit his fingernail.
For the future, they needed to stir up massive change. Something to shake the stagnant Murim Alliance.
At that moment, a telepathic message rang out.
『Stay quiet.』
As he panicked at Black Crow's urgent transmission.
Bang!
The door flew open, and a familiar figure appeared.
"Why is this place such a maze?"
The Daoist Cheonhwi, who had opened the door, scanned the room and said with a dissatisfied face.
"There you are."
"Young Hero Cheonhwi?"
Cold sweat beaded on Seolgeom's forehead.
"What brings you here?"
"Wanted to talk."
"Talk?"
"But you've got a rat."
Cheonhwi looked behind Seolgeom.
Seolgeom turned his head in confusion, spotted the mouse hole, and laughed awkwardly.
"Haha. The hall must be old; seems we have some rats scurrying about."
"......Let's just talk first."
A moment later, Cheonhwi downed the tea in front of him in one gulp and said to Seolgeom.
"I'll get straight to the point."
As Seolgeom tensed.
"Change our lodgings."
"Pardon...?"
Seolgeom, who had been bracing for some major request, deflated.
"Our lodgings?"
"Yes. I just toured the Murim Alliance, and ours are the most rundown."
"Ha, haha. True enough."
Seolgeom looked troubled.
Mount Hua Sect's lodgings had been moved there due to one of Mount Zhongnan's forceful demands in the past.
"So, change them."
"But it's not a simple matter..."
"So you're saying no?"
"We need to follow procedure..."
"So you're telling us to shut up and stay in that dump."
Seolgeom felt a twinge of irritation at Cheonhwi's relentless pressure but kept smiling.
"Not quite."
Cheonhwi stared at Seolgeom.
"Hmph. Senior Uncle Hyeondo would love it if he saw the lodgings."
Seolgeom's smile cracked.
"...Are you threatening me right now?"
"Just stating facts."
"Sigh. To advance something like that, we need justification."
Seolgeom rubbed his throbbing forehead.
"Think about it. If we suddenly change lodgings just because your fame has risen, what will the other sects think?"
He explained logically.
"People will say the Alliance is favoring Mount Hua now that you've gained fame, and it'll invite jealousy from other sects."
It was a valid point.
"So just bear with it a little... Ah!"
Clap!
Seolgeom clapped his hands mid-sentence.
"How about taking on one mission instead?"
"Mission?"
Cheonhwi furrowed his brow.
A mission out of nowhere.
But Seolgeom was serious.
"It's a major headache lately. If you succeed, no one will complain about changing your lodgings."
"What mission?"
"Do you know about the Water Dragon Stronghold, one of the Yangtze Waterway Strongholds that's been causing trouble lately?"
"No."
"Hahaha."
Seolgeom laughed awkwardly.
"They're attacking people connected to our main Alliance, causing issues."
Huh? Isn't that obvious?
Waterway bandits raiding was par for the course.
But the follow-up explained the problem.
"In the past, paying them off worked, but lately, they ignore even bribes."
It was bizarre.
Waterway bandits refusing money?
"So, young hero, could you stay along the Yangtze and protect them from the Water Dragon Stronghold's depredations?"
Cheonhwi furrowed his brow.
"Stay there indefinitely?"
"Haha, no. The main Alliance is dispatching personnel to resolve the raids. However..."
Seolgeom burst into laughter.
"Since we're just starting to mobilize, it will take a little time."
"How long?"
"About a month."
"A month?"
Cheonhwi narrowed his eyes.
Longer than expected.
But.
"If I resolve it, I can come back early, right?"
'Resolve it?'
Seolgeom was puzzled but answered.
"Yes."
Cheonhwi stood up immediately.
"You're heading out now?"
Seolgeom panicked.
"Why not."
"Don't you want details?"
"I'll learn on the way."
"But preparing a carriage for the Plum Blossom Sword Guards..."
"No. I'm going alone."
"Pardon?"
"It's easier that way."
With that, Cheonhwi left.
A moment later, confirming Cheonhwi's departure, Seolgeom smiled faintly.
"Heh heh. I was going to change the lodgings anyway. Lucky break."
He had already prepared separate lodgings long ago as part of the deal with Hyeonjin.
Having him handle a mission on his own was a welcome bonus.
But then.
"That guy..."
Black Crow's trembling voice echoed.
His expression hardened as he stared endlessly at the spot where Cheonhwi had been.
"Who is he?"