Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Sweet Words and Hidden Daggers (2)
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Finally, the meeting between the Orthodox Murim Alliance and the Moyong Clan was set. I'd heard it took over a month just to settle on a location, so I couldn't even bear to imagine the psychological warfare they must have waged.
Strictly speaking, though, it was closer to a private summit between the Nangong Clan and the Moyong Clan than a full Murim Alliance affair. Since I wasn't a party to it, I couldn't get the exact details.
Nangong Yeon's guess was that if the entire Orthodox Murim Alliance showed up, it would look like they were begging the Moyong Clan to attend, tarnishing their prestige, so they'd opted for a one-on-one instead.
"What pointless things they fuss over."
"The Orthodox Murim Alliance values face above all else. That said... I never imagined the Nangong Clan would personally receive the Moyong Clan."
"The Nangong Clan leads the Murim Alliance, right?"
"Yes. I figured the Hebei Paeng Clan or Sichuan Tang Clan would take the lead, but it seems something shifted their stance."
The mere fact that the Nangong Clan—the head of the Five Great Clans and leader of the Orthodox Murim Alliance—had stepped up personally was enough to save face for the Moyong Clan, or so Nangong Yeon believed.
I knew a thing or two about face myself. The Orthodox factions, in particular, often prized reputation and justification above life itself, clinging to dignity even on their deathbeds and such.
Personally, I figured some concern for face was warranted, but going to such lengths? Still, having seen it countless times in wuxia tales, it didn't strike me as odd.
"I didn't expect things to escalate this far, though."
"...I agree on that count, Master."
One thing I hadn't foreseen was how their obsession with face would extend to me—and to such absurd excess.
Bewildered, I stared at the unexpected visitors crowding my residence. Nearly thirty of them. Far from mere uninvited guests.
They were escorts dispatched to accompany us—me included—to the summit venue for the Nangong and Moyong Clans. My original plan had been a leisurely trip, sightseeing with the kids along the way.
[How could Great Hero travel to the summit without a single escort?]
[It'd be fine, wouldn't it?]
[How can you set off on such a long journey with children in tow? If Great Hero permits it, allow us to serve as your honor guard.]
But the Xianwu Academy had insisted on escorting me personally, so I'd handed it over to them—saving on travel costs and gaining guides to boot.
And this was the result.
Bewildered, I gazed at the palanquin and horses lined up before my home. Naturally, the palanquin wasn't for me, but for my disciples who couldn't ride.
The black-haired youth who'd been directing the escorts and warriors spotted me, broke into a broad smile, and approached with a deep bow.
"It's an honor to meet you like this, Great Hero. I'm Ko Gyeom, tasked with escorting you and the young ones to the venue."
"Pleased to meet you. Nameless."
"Ko... Ko Gyeom? Could you be the Twin Dragon Iron Threads Ko Gyeom, one of the Hundred Great Experts?!"
He was apparently quite the celebrity.
Nangong Yeon, standing guard at my side, was carrying on like that, after all. I cleared my throat to hush her, then turned back to Ko Gyeom.
"I'm grateful for the assistance. That said... isn't the headcount a bit excessive...?"
"How could we stint on numbers when personally escorting the benefactor of Xianwu Academy? Besides..."
"Hm?"
"...Troubling rumors are circulating—not just in Henan, but everywhere."
Glancing warily about, Ko Gyeom leaned in and whispered—just loud enough for me.
The martial world had grown restless lately, in all sorts of ways.
"Experts from the Nine Great Sects ambushed by bandit scum and left gravely wounded. Orthodox warriors poisoned without a whisper. Word is, it's not safe out there."
"So the academy sent this many on that account?"
"The Headmaster even apologized, saying it was shameful this was all he could muster."
"Ah, no. This is plenty—truly, thank you."
Hearing they could send more gave me chills; I had to concede. Still, it was intel I couldn't brush off. The Demonic Cult was likely behind those rumors.
"Even accounting for that, though—is all this manpower necessary?"
"That's not the key point, Master."
"Then what?"
"See those armed warriors over there?"
Turning where Nangong Yeon indicated, sure enough—men radiating uncanny menace. Five of them, not counting Ko Gyeom up front.
"Impressive auras on those ones. But what of it?"
"What if I said all five are Hundred Great Experts?"
"Now that's news."
The five being top experts was surprise enough, but Nangong Yeon spotting it at a glance was honestly more impressive. In any case, it was startling.
"Black Tiger Greatsword Ma Gang. Sea Cloud Sword Baek Sanha. Every last one a famed pillar of the Orthodox world."
"Grateful for the recognition, young... hero."
"I've heard tell of the Hundred Great Experts, sure. But why are six of you—including young hero Ko Gyeom—gathered here?"
"We're all alumni of Xianwu Academy, honing our arts side by side. We assembled today at the Headmaster's behest."
It's you again, Paeng Hyeoncheol!!
The summit venue turned out to be in Shandong—not far from Henan at all. With Shandong right next door, we had time to spare.
Xianwu Academy's lavish treatment put Sua in high spirits, too. Given her master's prowess, this was baseline; if anything, they owed him more, she figured.
She had no issue with her master receiving honors. No, her gripe was being sidelined from her rightful seat at his side.
Surprisingly, Sua couldn't ride horseback. She'd never learned how. Moyong Gang had drilled her solely in martial arts, neglecting all else.
Her brother Moyong Hyeon and Retired Patriarch Moyong Jin had personally tutored her academics, at least—a small mercy. But horsemanship? Beyond even them.
Thus, Sua was stuck riding in the palanquin alongside Seolhwa, her face puckered like a spoiled tangerine.
"Young lady, is anything amiss? Uncomfortable anywhere?"
"...No, I'm fine. Young hero Ko Gyeom."
What business is it of yours?
Sua nearly exploded right then but summoned inhuman restraint to stifle her ire. Tempting as it was to vent freely...
'A disciple is her master's mirror. One misstep, and I shame him.'
Forced smile plastered on, Sua kept up banal chit-chat with that Ko Gyeom fellow. To her, that's all he was.
Ko Gyeom, though, mistook her courtesy for encouragement and redoubled his overtures. The rumors had preceded her, after all.
First-rate at a mere sixteen.
Unrivaled genius of the Moyong Clan.
Rumors often bloated, true—but the academy itself vouched for this one. In terms of credibility, unimpeachable.
'And fine lineage to boot. Met her today—beauty beyond compare. Zero flaws as bride material.'
To Ko Gyeom, ripe for marriage, she was perfection incarnate. He had faith in his own looks and skill, besides.
'Tch. Frog in a well, peacocking for attention.'
As his antics grated more, Sua gleaned unexpected dirt—from Ko Gyeom himself. He checked his surroundings, then murmured:
"Young lady, ever heard of Black Tiger Greatsword Ma Gang?"
"The name rings a bell."
"Steer clear. Whispers say he runs with shady sorts."
"But isn't young hero Ma Gang your fellow alumnus?"
Sua jabbed back, incredulous at the casual slander. Who brought him along in the first place? Now you warn me off?
"Truth be told, I tried striking his name from the roster over those rumors. But the academy pushed hard... no choice."
"I see."
"Better safe than sorry, no?"
Sua's eyes narrowed at his words.
Hmph. Seems the one needing watching is elsewhere.