Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Gwiyeong and the Gale Blade (7)
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The White Serpent Guild was subdued in an instant.
Having lost their leader, there was no one who dared to stand against Gwiyeong.
The executives in the main hall did emerge to threaten her, but one look at her fierce gaze was enough to make them back down.
"You want to fight?"
"Kuh..."
Seeing this lackluster display, the Gale Blade spoke as if bored.
[As expected, they're a dull bunch. This is why the Unorthodox Factions are no fun. Tucking their tails just because their leader died.]
"What, are you from the Orthodox Factions?"
[Something like that. Though I'm different from the usual Orthodox Factions you know.]
Gwiyeong looked somewhat surprised at the answer.
"Huh, I didn't expect that. I thought everything about you, from your words to your personality, screamed Unorthodox. No, even more than that—demonic, even."
For a moment, the Gale Blade's eyes flashed as it looked at Gwiyeong.
It didn't say anything, but the Gale Blade thought to itself.
'Was it that obvious? I've never even met an Orthodox martial artist, so how am I supposed to imitate one?'
Even though it had tried to act with some restraint, it still ended up raising suspicion.
'I'll have to be more restrained and act more dignified from now on.'
Of course, from Gwiyeong's perspective, she had only said it out of spite.
-Step, step-
Her subordinates, who had approached, spoke to Gwiyeong with grim expressions.
"Everything has been taken care of."
"Let's go."
She led her subordinates and strode into the White Serpent Guild's main hall without hesitation.
The White Serpent martial artists waiting inside were greatly flustered upon seeing Gwiyeong, but they were too intimidated by her presence to do anything.
Moreover, with the Black Ghost Guild's members lined up on both sides, shielding Gwiyeong from the White Serpent members, no one could step forward.
A moment later, she opened an ornately decorated door, entered the grand meeting hall, and found the master's chair, presumably used by the White Serpent Guild's leader.
The problem was that someone was sitting in the chair next to it.
"Hmm?"
The man, dressed in a black robe with a bamboo hat pulled down low, merely looked curious upon seeing Gwiyeong and her subordinates, showing no other particular reaction.
Normally, he would have retreated, showing signs of panic or resentment like the other martial artists.
Only when Gwiyeong glared at him with sharp eyes did the man let out a smirk and speak.
"Looks like the White Serpent Guild Master was defeated. He went out so confidently, too."
The moment she heard those words, Gwiyeong had a good idea of the black-robed man's identity.
'He's from the Black Dragon Society.'
He seemed to be treated as an honored guest, and not many people could speak so casually of the White Serpent Guild Master.
Still, to be certain, Gwiyeong asked in a sharp voice.
"Who are you?"
"I am the Martial Pavilion Master of the Black Dragon Society."
"The Black Dragon Society. Just as I thought."
A Pavilion Master was considered a high-ranking executive.
From under his deeply pulled bamboo hat, the Black Dragon Society's Martial Pavilion Master looked down on Gwiyeong with contempt.
"So you must be the Ghost's Shadow. Hmph, just as the rumors say, you've reached quite a high level at a young age. But it seems some of it was exaggerated."
"If you wish, I can show you right here and now whether those rumors are exaggerated."
"Kukuk, that's enough. Spilling the blood of a young lady isn't to my taste."
-Twitch-
A vein popped on Gwiyeong's forehead as she was ignored.
"Watch your mouth. I might just rip it off your face."
As she threatened him, the Martial Pavilion Master slightly raised his head, his sharp eyes glinting from under the bamboo hat.
"Hey, Black Ghost Guild Master. No matter how well you're doing these days, you should know your place with your elders. How dare you insult a Pavilion Master of the Black Dragon Society."
"Can't you do anything without the Black Dragon Society's name?"
"Shut up. How dare a mere wench."
In the world of the Unorthodox Factions, gender discrimination is quite severe.
First, due to the nature of being a martial artist, men overwhelmingly outnumber women, and within the Unorthodox Factions, this ratio becomes even more extreme.
Female martial artists mostly belong to the Orthodox Factions.
In places like schools based on Taoist or Buddhist teachings, or clans centered around family management.
The reason there are few female martial artists in the Unorthodox Factions is simple: it's too harsh a world.
If defeated, they suffer fates more humiliating than death, and there are few opportunities or places to learn martial arts.
For example, if a man goes to an Unorthodox sect and asks to become a subordinate, he takes an entrance test, becomes a member, and learns at least some basic martial arts.
But what if a woman goes to an Unorthodox sect and asks to become a subordinate?
She'd be lucky not to be captured and sold to a brothel.
In most cases, she would be met with ridicule and contempt.
This is also a problem that arises because the physical differences between men and women are quite significant when one has little to no internal energy.
Furthermore, the Unorthodox Factions are a group that expresses their desires more openly than the Orthodox Factions.
As a result, it was inevitably difficult for women to enter the world of the Unorthodox martial artist.
In such an environment, sexist remarks are exchanged very easily.
It wasn't that Gwiyeong was uniquely sensitive to such issues.
The Black Dragon Society's Martial Pavilion Master scoffed and said.
"Hmph, I took a look because our leader was interested in you. Your looks are decent enough, but your personality is quite something else."
-Shing-
Gwiyeong drew the Gale Blade and threatened him.
"Insult me like that one more time, and I'll take your head."
"Ha, if you think you can handle the consequences of touching an executive of the Black Dragon Society."
The Martial Pavilion Master slowly rose and leisurely walked toward Gwiyeong.
He scanned her face and body, then spoke with a mocking tone.
"Let's see each other again. I look forward to seeing if you can still be this arrogant then."
Gwiyeong's eyes wavered at the blatant provocation.
Her patience had reached its limit.
Despite this, the Martial Pavilion Master used the massive organization of the Black Dragon Society as his shield, sneering as he calmly walked toward the main entrance of the meeting hall.
"Take care of yourself. Our leader will be coming here soon."
Hearing his words, the Gale Blade laughed in disbelief.
[Khahahahaha! To mock her so arrogantly. How foolish.]
Soon after, Gwiyeong began to emanate a creeping aura of energy, wrapping it around the Gale Blade.
[He has no idea how vicious this woman is.]
"Hey, you insolent piece of trash."
When Gwiyeong called out to the Martial Pavilion Master in a cold voice, he turned his head in disbelief.
"What? Trash? Are you talking to me—"
-Slice-
In an instant, Gwiyeong closed the distance and struck the Martial Pavilion Master's neck.
He looked as if he was about to say more, but his words were cut short as his head flew from his shoulders.
However, still conscious, the Martial Pavilion Master stared at Gwiyeong with wide eyes.
She opened her mouth, her gaze filled with contempt.
"You fool. Every bastard who insulted me like that has died. Without a single exception."
For a high-ranking executive of a massive organization like the Black Dragon Society, it was a remarkably empty end.
A cold sneer touched her lips.
"No one can look down on me. No one."
Those words held her terrible obsession and madness.
And the Gale Blade did not fail to notice this.
-Thunk-
With those final words, Gwiyeong violently slammed the Gale Blade down on the Martial Pavilion Master's head.
Red blood splattered, staining the surroundings, but she paid it no mind.
[Now there's truly no turning back.]
The leader of the Black Dragon Society would not stand idly by after his disciple and executive were killed.
But now that she had made up her mind, she couldn't afford to be half-hearted.
Knowing this, Gwiyeong hardened her resolve even more.
After calming down somewhat, Gwiyeong took a breath and spoke.
"Someone clean up this trash. The rest of you, gather all the White Serpent Guild members in the courtyard."
"""""Yes!"""""
Upon hearing her command, her subordinates moved with perfect coordination.
They didn't usually move with such extreme tension, but they had noticed that Gwiyeong seemed to be in a particularly bad mood today.
[Can you handle this?]
When the Gale Blade asked, Gwiyeong answered with eyes full of anger.
"Are you telling me to endure it? After hearing that insult? Would you have done that?"
[Of course not.]
"Neither would I."
A short while later, after the White Serpent members were gathered in the courtyard, a Black Ghost Guild executive reported to Gwiyeong.
"They have all been gathered."
"Good."
Hearing this, Gwiyeong strode out of the main hall and looked down from the top of the stairs at the White Serpent members gathered in the courtyard.
Anxiety, discontent, anger, impatience.
Various negative emotions were reflected in their eyes.
The types varied, but they all had one thing in common: they were feelings far from loyalty or obedience.
Looking at them, Gwiyeong shouted in a voice filled with firm resolve.
"The White Serpent Guild Master died today at my hands! The hands of Gwiyeong, the Black Ghost Guild Master!"
Hearing her cry, the expressions of those gathered in the courtyard darkened further.
But she couldn't just let them be discouraged.
To become the leader of an organization, one must leave a powerful impression that can captivate a crowd.
She revealed her authority and strong will as she spoke.
"The White Serpent Guild Master was weak! And you served such a man as your leader! Weren't you ashamed?!"
At her words, a subtle emotion flickered across the faces of the White Serpent members.
"The Orthodox brat who did nothing but rely on the Black Dragon Society is gone! I, a true leader of the Unorthodox Factions, will lead you now! Anyone who still can't forget that Orthodox brat can leave this instant!"
Overwhelmed by her presence, the White Serpent members stared at her with slightly mesmerized eyes.
"I am Gwiyeong! Unlike that weak brat, I prove myself with strength and skill!"
Though she didn't speak for long, she left a powerful impression.
There is a word, though not native to the Central Plains: 'charisma'.
The power to elicit voluntary agreement and submission from others without any clear cause and effect.
A gravitas that overwhelms a crowd with atmosphere alone.
Her words, filled with a strong sense of purpose and clear conviction, moved the hearts of the White Serpent members.
Although Gwiyeong lacked the ability to inspire or create comfort in an equal relationship, she was a genius at forcing people's hearts to submit and be swayed.
Authority is the art of presenting an image that others wish to follow, and this was a specialty Gwiyeong had honed for half her life.
There were no fervent reactions like shouts or applause from the White Serpent members, but their eyes and consciousness were focused solely on Gwiyeong.
Not a single person turned their back on her words and left the guild.
In that moment, with all eyes on her, Gwiyeong fully revealed her presence.
"Do you want to belong to the most powerful guild in Hunan?! Then come under my command! For I will stand at the very top!"
With those final words, Gwiyeong swept her gaze, filled with intense will, across the crowd.
Every person who met her gaze was captivated by its intensity, feeling an impulse to follow her rise up within them.
The previous guild master no longer existed in the minds of the White Serpent members.
The traitor from the Orthodox Factions who relied on the Black Dragon Society had never left such a strong impression on them.
Gwiyeong showed the White Serpent members the kind of feral atmosphere that only those who had clawed their way up from the bottom, forcing others to their knees, could possess.
It was a short speech, but the White Serpent members, overwhelmed by the atmosphere, found their eyes shining before they knew it.
Then, someone tentatively began to clap, and upon hearing the sound, others nearby followed suit.
In an instant, the sound of applause spread, filling the courtyard.
Some, intoxicated by the fervent atmosphere, even let out a cheer.
However, this was partly due to Gwiyeong's groundwork; she had planted her own subordinates, dressed as White Serpent members, to act as instigators.
It was Gwiyeong's ploy to firmly secure her newly acquired forces on her side.
Thanks to this, Gwiyeong's powerful first impression was deeply ingrained in the minds of the White Serpent members.
After confirming the heated applause and response, she gave a single nod and headed back into the White Serpent Guild's main hall.
Now, she had to discuss future matters with the White Serpent executives.
Gwiyeong walked alone down a dark corridor.
Watching her, the Gale Blade left a meaningful remark.
[I wonder what kind of pain and deficiency lies in your heart.]
"There is none, of course. I have overcome everything on my own."
Gwiyeong retorted confidently, but the Gale Blade's eerie eye curved like a crescent moon.
[No such human exists.]