Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Firm Ground After Rain (12)
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The modest moonlit banquet hosted by the unorthodox factions surprisingly carried an air of dignity. The warriors exchanged blessings and drank, while some even sparred outside.
For Nameless, who had already formed preconceptions of the unorthodox from wuxia novels, this was quite unexpected. He certainly hadn't imagined them being this refined and orderly.
Especially having the Union Leader of the Evil Path Union sit beside him and pour his wine—what could one say about that? It was impossible to get used to. If anything, it was overwhelmingly burdensome.
"How do you like the wine I prepared?"
"Not bad at all. What's this wine called...?"
"It's called Daughter's Red. Father buried it when I was five."
Upon hearing the name, Nameless nearly spat out his wine. If memory served, Daughter's Red was the wine buried at a daughter's birth and unearthed on her wedding day to celebrate.
"Is it really okay to bring out such a precious vintage at a gathering like this?"
"Perhaps he already knew the outcome deep down. You understand, don't you? My father's feelings when he buried Daughter's Red during my fifth year..."
"Your master had already considered the possibility that he might not return."
"Exactly. Actually, he promised that if he came back, we'd brew even better wine and bury it together."
He had expected long-aged wine to be thick and heavy, but this thirty-year vintage had a surprisingly fine aroma and flavor, allowing him to down the entire cup in one go.
"Shall we stop probing each other here?"
"You're quicker on the uptake than I expected."
"What do you want?"
"First, Great Hero, what are your thoughts on the martial world?"
"I see it as a precarious situation, like a lamp flickering in the wind."
Nameless answered without the slightest hesitation, voicing his honest opinion. Even the Moyong Clan knew nothing of the Demonic Cult. The other sects and families were likely in the same boat.
In contrast, the Demonic Cult lurked in the shadows of both orthodox and unorthodox, boldly expanding its influence. It was so dire that even if they cut off your nose right in front of your eyes, no one would notice.
"No one even realizes the Demonic Cult is openly scheming right under their noses."
"You know far more than I imagined."
"I've already clashed with them directly. The Moyong Clan Patriarch is in league with the Demonic Cult."
"The Moyong Clan? You mean one of the Five Great Clans?"
"Yes."
Muwol's eyes widened like saucers at the completely unforeseen information. She had known they were infiltrating the unorthodox, but to think their tentacles had reached the orthodox as well.
It might have been understandable if it were some third-rate sect, but the Moyong Clan was a pillar of the Five Great Clans. Even Muwol couldn't help but be stunned.
"To share such information so casually... I can't tell if you're bold or foolish."
"I, too, was saved by your master. Think of this as my way of repaying that grace by aiding you, his blood kin, without reservation."
"...I see."
Muwol couldn't help but admire Nameless's unwavering response. Before ascending to Union Leader, she had battled countless petty schemers.
For someone whose life had been filled with betrayal and intrigue as constant companions, the idea of repaying a favor was utterly foreign—especially one not owed to her.
And even now, as Union Leader, she still couldn't discern friend from foe in the chaos. That made Nameless's determination to repay her father's grace all the more special.
'It must mean he's that confident in his skills. Of course—the warriors my father chose to oppose the Demonic Cult wouldn't be ordinary.'
"I'll need to make direct contact with the Moyong Clan first. Thanks to you, I at least have a rough plan now."
"Glad I could help."
"What are your plans from here, Great Hero?"
"Well..."
Nameless trailed off like mist at Muwol's question. Truth be told, he had no solid plan. His goal was clear, but he had no idea which path to take.
He couldn't just blindly hunt for the Demonic Cult and burn every thatched roof in sight. Yet he lacked the information to pinpoint a direction.
"Then I recommend relocating your base first."
"What do you mean?"
"You've already exposed yourself considerably to them. I knew long ago that Moyong warriors had swarmed Golden Peak Mountain."
"So you mean we could be attacked by the Demonic Cult."
"Of course, I don't doubt your skills... but don't you have people to protect, Great Hero?"
Nameless found himself unable to refute Muwol's words. Hadn't the Black Epidemic Sect already targeted the vulnerable Seolhwa and Sua first? He couldn't expect honor from the Demonic Cult.
"But I have nowhere suitable to go."
"A warrior of superior skill and character is always welcome anywhere."
"I'm not alone anymore. I want a place that won't harm the children."
"Hm. What about the Prior Martial Academy of the orthodox faction?"
"That might not be a bad idea."
He wasn't sure exactly what the Prior Martial Academy did, but as an institution run by the orthodox for its scholars, its security would at least be reliable for the students' sake.
With luck, the children—and even he himself—might gain useful martial arts. Nameless nodded, deeming it worthwhile, when Muwol handed him something.
It was a letter of recommendation stamped with the Union Leader's seal. As Nameless stared at it quizzically, wondering why she was giving it to him, Muwol couldn't help but smile.
"The Prior Martial Academy was established to foster harmony between the orthodox and unorthodox factions. Naturally, both sides can enroll... but only scholars whose identities are verified."
"...I see. You're giving me this for Seolhwa's sake."
"Yes. With my personal endorsement as Union Leader, who would dare object?"
"Thank you."
Considering Seolhwa's background, this letter would indeed be invaluable. Nameless expressed his genuine gratitude, and Muwol simply smiled with her eyes.
"Union Leader, the night is late. Perhaps we should end the banquet..."
"Has time passed so quickly? Regrettable, but it seems that's all for tonight."
"It was quite enlightening. I'll... give your suggestion serious thought."
"The time was equally enlightening for me."
This was no empty flattery. For Muwol, who was pouring all her efforts into opposing the Demonic Cult, the existence of potential allies like these was highly appealing.
Of course, she couldn't naively trust everything Nameless said at face value. But it was worth attempting. With that judgment, she produced a box and handed it to him.
Nameless tilted his head and opened it. Inside was a bottle of wine similar to the Daughter's Red Muwol had served earlier.
"I brewed this myself, hoping I might one day meet Father. No longer needed, so please take it, Great Hero."
"Wine brewed by your master himself?"
"Brewed the exact same way. Especially since I thought you'd need Daughter's Red."
"Can't argue with that."
For Seolhwa, who essentially had no family left, this wine would surely prove necessary someday. Nameless accepted the final gift without refusal.
As Muwol and the unorthodox warriors departed, leaving Nameless alone to gaze at the bottle, she sensed a familiar presence nearby and looked up.
As expected, Sua and Seolhwa stood there together. The adults' banquet must have bored the children, as she had seen them slip away to the stream midway.
"Oh dear."
As she moved to say it was over, Seolhwa suddenly scampered over like a chick and threw herself into Nameless's arms. He instinctively caught her.
"Did you see something scary?"
"Master! I like Master best."
"I like Seolhwa too."
"Then marry me when I grow up!"
"What? Pfft!"
Caught off guard by the adorable assault, Nameless burst into laughter. Was this the feeling fathers of late-blooming daughters experienced? He was starting to understand.
Seolhwa was fifteen—not exactly a child—but she hadn't grown like normal kids, her mental age remaining very young.
'Not surprising, after ten years locked in darkness... Effectively, her age is closer to five. Kids that age say things like that.'
"Master!!"
"Yes, yes. When you're all grown up, we'll get married then."
"You promised!!"
"Of course."
"M-Master! Then I too shall have a marriage pledge...!!"
Sua's sudden intervention left Nameless unable to hold back his laughter. What would he do when these girls reached marrying age and met good partners?
"Then, to commemorate today, let's go bury some Daughter's Red together."
Someday, when much time had passed and they unearthed this wine to drink together, these bold yet slightly childish words would bring them a moment of joy.
But the wine they drank that day would taste a little bitter.