Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Mouth of Honey, Sword in the Belly (10)
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The Hundred Great Experts were essentially a title endorsed by the Orthodox Murim Alliance, vouching for one's skills and identity. At the same time, it served as a stepping stone, allowing young experts to close the gap with the seasoned veterans.
It was virtually impossible for young upstarts, who had started late, to catch up to those towering figures. That was why the title of Hundred Great Expert existed—to bridge that divide.
Thanks to it, even if one barely scraped onto the list, they wouldn't be dismissed anywhere. Not even by the Five Great Clans or the Nine Great Sects of the Orthodox faction.
Of course, the gaps between Hundred Great Experts could still be vast. But the title was more about acknowledging their efforts and granting them a measure of respect.
In essence, it was the bare minimum qualification for young martial artists to stand on equal footing with their seniors. Go Gyeom knew this well.
"You can't wipe that grin off your face. That happy about it?"
"Of course. It's like a blind man suddenly seeing the world for the first time."
"That good, huh? You can still smile looking at our sorry state?"
"No matter where I am right now, I've found the path I need to walk. All that's left is to walk it."
Ma Gang, stuck right beside him, was beaming for some reason, chuckling away. His appearance was so pathetic and irritating that it was almost embarrassing to witness.
Still, good was good, so Go Gyeom said nothing. He and Ma Gang had joined the Nangong Clan to provide testimony and assist in the investigation of the recent ambush.
In truth, Go Gyeom had accepted this assignment for another reason: to monitor the Sword Demon, who had returned to the martial world. In the past, the Sword Demon had massacred countless martial artists.
Many sects had been wiped out in the process. Thus, experts were needed to watch him in case he went mad again.
'This simpleton seems oblivious. That's why I had such a hard time dissuading him when he first approached the Great Hero.'
He'd even slung an arm around his shoulder for a natural act, but Ma Gang had nearly drawn his sword, yelling not to act so chummy. What a temper.
"Easy there, Ma Gang. You haven't forgotten why we're here, have you?"
"I know. Debts to benefactors must be repaid in full."
"Things are getting out of hand. We can't blindly trust even the Orthodox Murim Alliance."
At first, he'd thought his comrades had fallen for some ploy. But upon reflection, something felt off. Go Gyeom was well aware of the Sword Demon's notoriety.
'To monitor the Sword Demon, who nearly annihilated the Orthodox Murim Alliance in the past... and they send just six Hundred Great Experts? Does that make any sense?'
He wasn't downplaying their strength. But considering the Sword Demon's fame, even summoning all of them might fall short. Yet only six?
And most bizarre of all was how broad-minded the Sword Demon Great Hero seemed, compared to his infamous reputation. Arrogant as he was, one might click their tongue at him.
Yet he'd personally guided Ma Gang and offered advice without reservation. That demeanor outshone the current Orthodox experts who preached righteousness only with words.
'He might have mellowed with age... but the Great Hero I saw wasn't the type to slaughter indiscriminately. And those unidentified experts who ambushed him bother me too.'
Even a fool would sense something was amiss by now. Go Gyeom glanced at Ma Gang and soon let out a sigh.
"To think there's an idiot worse than a fool here."
"I see. Want to settle this today?"
"Later. Don't worry, it won't take long."
Currently, Go Gyeom and Ma Gang were in a residence where the Nangong Clan from Shandong was staying. The Nangong Clan had come to Shandong with a delegation for talks with the Moyong Clan.
Upon arriving, Go Gyeom and Ma Gang had gone straight to the Nangong residence, explained everything, and requested aid. Unfortunately, this was the result.
Go Gyeom silently stared at the iron bars holding him and Ma Gang. With no proof they hadn't joined the ambush, they'd been locked up temporarily.
It defied common sense. If they were lying, it'd come out soon enough. Why lock them up? Go Gyeom sighed and spoke.
"Someone clearly finds us alive very inconvenient."
And it was someone of rather high standing, no doubt.
While staying at the Moyong Clan residence and catching up with old friends after so long, a messenger arrived from the Nangong Clan. But the message he brought was outrageous.
"The Great Hero can't attend the meeting? What nonsense is this?!"
Moyong Hyeon, now capably fulfilling his role as the Moyong Clan Patriarch, shouted incredulously at the messenger. The man sneered back.
"Pardon me, but it seems the Moyong Patriarch lacks learning."
"What did you say?!"
"Do you truly not know what the Sword Demon did to the Orthodox faction? The blood and resentful spirits from then still linger on this land."
He'd come with Nangong warriors in tow, only to insult Moyong Hyeon, the Patriarch. What could one say? Utterly clueless.
I'd briefly considered denying I was the Sword Demon, but dropped it. They'd dismiss the truth as lies anyway.
"But the Great Hero was ambushed by villains!"
"We investigated personally after hearing that, but found no traces of an attack. It even seems like the Sword Demon's self-staged ploy."
"Are you saying the Great Hero is lying?!"
"Given his past actions, it's not entirely implausible, Patriarch."
This guy's something else.
I almost admired the messenger's dogged push. At least he had grit. So, he deserved one chance.
"So you're saying I killed the entire entourage and all the Hundred Great Experts, then coordinated with the survivors?"
"Not impossible, considering your past deeds."
"Fine. Here's your chance to apologize for the rudeness."
I didn't release any killing intent. Just wanted to gauge his sincerity. The messenger looked dumbfounded, then scoffed.
"You don't grasp the situation. The Nangong Clan warriors who were key in the Sword Demon War are here. Think you can rampage like old times?"
"So, the apology?"
"We can't tarnish the Nangong Clan's honor. I refuse."
"Impressive. I respect that stubbornness."
I couldn't help but applaud his integrity. Regardless, he believed I was the Sword Demon. I didn't know what the old man did, but...
It was grandly called the 'Sword Demon War,' so he saw me as that vicious demon—and still spoke his mind.
No regrets in killing him, then.
Before I knew it, I was sheathing the sword I'd drawn. Unaware of what happened, the messenger just blinked at me.
"When did you even draw your swor..."
Thud.
His head, perched on his shoulders like a melon, dropped to the ground. The surreal sight froze everyone. I turned to the Nangong warriors.
"Take that head and relay this to your master."
"You think you'll get away with this?!"
"Right back at you."
In the past, I'd have weighed options—saving face for the Moyong Clan, future alliances. But after this incident, my thinking changed.
My hesitation nearly got my disciples killed.
And that wouldn't change going forward.
So, no more hesitation.
I'd initially tried to gauge Nangong-Magyo ties. Maybe some inside weren't corrupted. But now?
No more holding back for appearances. Peak Realm or not, didn't matter. To protect my disciples, I'd kill anyone in my way.
"You'll pay for this insolence with your vaunted clan."
"......"
"And it won't take long. I promise."
Today.
Right here on this land.