Chapter 253
Chapter 253
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 253
Chapter Title: Decision (2)
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We decided to retreat for the time being.
And to join up with the Murim Alliance inspection team, we prepared a messenger bird to send to the Northern Palace Guard.
"You've worked hard, Ryong."
Hoo-luk?
"It's nothing? Ha. You truly understand the spirit of the Azure Bamboo!"
- ...Is that really the spirit of the Azure Bamboo? It's not like we teach everyone who sets their mind to facing evil, you know?
Pretending not to hear my master's words,
I sent Ryong off.
"Go on."
Hoo-roo-luk!
It was clear from the circumstances that Gong Son Mu-gyeol was leading the inspection team, but we didn't know who else was included.
So we didn't include any detailed circumstances.
We simply wrote that we were heading south as well, so let's set a rendezvous point to avoid crossing paths,
and with the North Market—the hub where the North Sea folk trade goods—in mind, we headed south.
Hoo-roo-roo-luk!
Sure enough.
A remote village a little ways from the North Market had been chosen as the rendezvous point.
"Young Master Eon. That looks like the village over there?"
"It does. Someone's out there... It's the Secret Branch Chief."
Upon arrival,
Guk Do-jin, who served in close attendance to the Murim Alliance Leader, was standing at the village entrance.
He paid his respects with clasped hands to Palace Lord Dam, Yagul Wi, and Uncle Jae-hyeok as per etiquette, then sent me a mental message.
[You've worked hard. The Alliance Leader and the esteemed elders of the inspection team are waiting for you.]
Finishing his words, Guk Do-jin led the way.
We headed to an area dense with houses, and entering one,
a large residence hidden using the principles of formations appeared.
"The North Sea warriors and Northern Palace Guard soldiers, please wait over there. The Young Palace Lord, Young Guard Lord, and Righteous Martial Academy delegation members, this way."
It seemed to be a Murim Alliance outpost.
"Alliance Leader. The Young Palace Lord of the Northern Ice Palace, the Young Guard Lord of the Northern Palace Guard, and the Righteous Martial Academy delegation have arrived."
"Tell them to come in."
Entering the room indicated by Guk Do-jin,
Gong Son Mu-gyeol seated at the head and my father caught my eye.
- Your father is here too?
'...Looks like it.'
- Anyway, every one of them has an impressive aura.
As my master said, my father was one thing, but the others were remarkable.
'Je-gal Gyu, head of the Je-gal family.'
From the time the Righteous Martial Academy was attacked.
Je-gal Seol-ji's father, who had rushed over in an instant, was there,
and 'Jang Son-rip of the Jongnam Sect,'
Namgung Yun's little uncle, now the chair of the Backbone Conference, was present as well.
These were all the faces I recognized, but I could guess at the others.
'Judging by the distinctive wide sleeves, that's a Kunlun Taoist, and sitting next to Jang Son-rip, it must be Taoist Deok-yeo of the Backbone Conference. The old monk in ragged robes next to him can't be the Merit Divine Monk focused on cultivation...'
Similar age to the abbot I met at the Upright Advance Tournament, so
'Is that Great Master Gong-ryang?'
He seemed to be the one more famous among the common folk than the Shaolin Abbot Gong-hyo, having devoted his life to directly aiding the people.
And there were two more complete strangers.
This was confirmed as Namgung Yun and Dang Ok-gi, who had entered the room with me, opened their mouths in unison.
"...Father?"
"Daddy?"
The young head of the Namgung family, Thunder Cloud Sword Namgung Hon,
and the head of the Sacheon Dang family, Poison Scatterer Extreme Dang Ho-tae, apparently.
Once everyone was seated, Gong Son Mu-gyeol rose and offered clasped hands to the guests and Palace Lord Dam.
"I am Gong Son Mu-gyeol, Leader of the Murim Alliance. On behalf of the orthodox martial world, I offer condolences and apologies for the incident in the North Sea."
"Yes. It was a tremendous ordeal. However, thanks to Professor Paeng, Demon Dragon, and the friends from the Central Plains here, we endured. The meeting that sparked it all was the Upright Advance Tournament arranged by you, Alliance Leader. On behalf of the North Sea folk, I offer my thanks as well."
"The North Sea is a resilient land. And with the Young Palace Lord, soon to inherit the Palace Lord position, proving so steadfast, you will surely rise again. I will spare no effort or support I can provide."
"Thank you."
Finishing his exchange with Palace Lord Dam and reseating himself, Gong Son Mu-gyeol offered clasped hands to us once more.
"You've truly worked hard. It was a difficult and dangerous matter. Yet thanks to your dedication, we cleared the demonic beast entrenched in the North Sea lands and restored trust in this way. I'm immensely proud that you are my juniors."
We quietly returned clasped hands to Gong Son Mu-gyeol.
It was then that the old monk beside him chuckled heartily and spoke.
"Alliance Leader. That 'juniors' refers to the younger generation of the martial world, I presume? If it means juniors of the Righteous Martial Academy, this old monk from a Shaolin branch dojo might feel left out?"
He shot a playful glare,
but given his seniority, even the world's Gong Son Mu-gyeol had to respond hastily.
"Naturally, I meant the younger generation of the martial world and orthodox martial arts. Great Master Gong-ryang."
"Amitabha. It was just a jest, yet I've put the Alliance Leader in an awkward spot. This old monk has lingered too long in the secular world, blurting out casually without regard—please don't mind. My apologies to the others as well."
At Gong Son Mu-gyeol's words, Great Master Gong-ryang scratched his head with a troubled expression before offering a bow to the assembly.
Then, gazing at me, he spoke.
"You must be layman Eon Yong-un?"
"Yes. First time meeting you, Great Master."
"I've long wanted to meet you."
"Me?"
"Heh heh heh. Your name Demon Dragon spreads far among the common folk, and when you visited Shaolin, the abbot brother and young disciples were singing your praises."
"...Ah."
"A truly admirable deed."
Offering a proper bow,
I received it due to his seniority, though my master was a bit bothersome.
My master spoke first.
- Hmph. He has an eye for people.
'He's the most virtuous among Shaolin's monks.'
- I can see that, you rascal. Why does your father have that expression? Looks like he's twitching around the mouth?
'...He seems pleased, but holding back with North Sea folk and other elders present.'
Gong Son Mu-gyeol drew attention around the room and fixed his gaze on me.
"What is this talk you have to share?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In response to Gong Son Mu-gyeol's question,
I summarized the events at the Northern Ice Palace and the fortress I had seen myself.
"...That's how it happened."
Hearing me out, Gong Son Mu-gyeol stroked his chin and spoke.
"Blood River Corps, Active River Corps, and a stronghold of that size. For now, your decision to not attack alone and join us was wise."
"Yes."
Then, looking to the other elders,
"In this emergency, authority rests with me, but let's hear opinions first. What do the rest think?"
Thus, a Backbone Conference-like meeting unfolded before my eyes.
My father spoke first.
"We must strike immediately."
The head of the Sacheon Dang family, Dang Ho-tae, added his voice.
"I agree with Head Eon! Our Ok-gi nearly died—if so, those bastards deserve to die a hundred times over! The Dang family will settle this grudge!"
It was then that Backbone Conference Vice Chair Jang Son-rip furrowed his brow.
"Everyone, think before you speak."
"The kids nearly died, the North Sea friends suffered greatly, and we've found a stronghold of that scale right now. What more is there to think about?"
"Head Eon! Think of what comes after. This could spark the Righteous-Demonic War! Though Jinju in northern Hebei leans east, Kunlun's Deok-yeo Dojo here has the Ten Thousand Great Mountains right nearby! Next is our Shaanxi! Isn't that right, Deok-yeo Dojo?"
"Yes. I oppose as well."
With two for and two against,
Gong Son Mu-gyeol asked those yet to speak.
"And the others?"
But they seemed undecided.
Je-gal Gyu and Namgung Hon had arms crossed,
while Great Master Gong-ryang kept his eyes closed, fingering his prayer beads.
Gong Son Mu-gyeol's gaze turned to me again.
"The three elders are mulling it over. Demon Dragon, what are your thoughts?"
"May this unworthy one speak in such company?"
"I permit it. Though our seniority is greater, you have more experience clashing with the Demonic Cult. You saw the stronghold firsthand. Discussions among us might just be armchair theories—set aside worldly etiquette and speak frankly."
Emboldened by Gong Son Mu-gyeol's permission, I began.
"We must strike. Vice Chair mentioned the Righteous-Demonic War—the Demonic Cult fears it too. They're not ready to face us yet. That's why they hide in the shadows, stirring chaos across the land. And... no, never mind."
"Why stop mid-sentence?"
"On second thought, it's just my personal view. Not fit to voice."
"I said set aside etiquette. Continue what you meant to say."
With the stage set like this, no need to hold back.
I took a breath and spoke again.
"Is it righteous to seek justification, ensure legitimacy, wait and endure, let countless people die and suffer in the process, and only then vow revenge and step forward? Is that what we should learn?"
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
How long did silence blanket the meeting hall after my words?
Namgung Hon uncrossed his arms and spoke.
"Well said."
Addressing Gong Son Mu-gyeol,
"The situation is grave. We can't afford leisure, nor rash decisions. Some deliberation is needed. That fortress won't vanish overnight. How about we cool our heads, ponder through the night, and decide tomorrow?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Gong Son Mu-gyeol accepted Namgung Hon's proposal and declared a recess.
Those at the meeting dispersed to assigned quarters.
Quarters were assigned by family units, except for the Azure Bamboo Hall cadets and Cheon Jang-ho, who would stay with the Pearl Eon Family.
In the Sacheon Dang family quarters, Dang Ho-tae was flustered before Dang Ok-gi.
"Why are you here, Dad?"
"Why? How can you say that to your worried father who came all this way?!"
"It's a long way from Sacheon—how did you even know?"
"I came for Alliance Leader business, then heard you were tangled with Demonic Cult bastards and rushed over."
"Ah, whatever. Tomorrow when we reconvene, back Eon Yong-un properly."
"Why? Ok-gi, do you like that Eon Yong-un punk...?"
"Ack! Say weird stuff and I won't see you again?"
"......"
"His words make sense. Why wait till deaths and injuries? And he gave the Young Palace Lord reflection pills... no, the Small Palace Lord. Our family motto is to repay favors and grudges thoroughly, right?"
"I've supported it from the start?"
"Don't parrot my words awkwardly—speak properly. You look like a sore loser!"
The Je-gal family quarters were much the same.
"Father, why didn't you say anything at the meeting?"
"Because we must be exceedingly cautious. It's not just about judging local circumstances. We consider the entire land like a go board..."
"You've thought it through already. With Northern Ice Palace news spreading, emergency signals must be out everywhere Murim Alliance couriers and Beggar Clan lines reach. As Eon Yong-un said, the Demonic Cult must judge a full war burdensome too."
"Well..."
"It's because of me, right? You're worried I'll be in danger if we attack the fortress. If I weren't here, you'd support it."
"D-don't glare like that."
"Just know this: if the elders won't help, we'll go alone."
"......"
Meanwhile, in the Namgung family quarters, besides Namgung Hon and Namgung Yun, Jang Son-rip and Deok-yeo had visited.
"That Eon Yong-un's words left me speechless. Thanks to Thunder Cloud Sword, we cleared one hurdle."
"I felt the same."
"Did you?"
"Yes. I'll refine my argument overnight. Thunder Cloud Sword, lend your strength again tomorrow."
"Yes. No need for needless friction—this must be stopped."
"I'll deliberate. It's late. Head back."
Sending off Jang Son-rip and Deok-yeo, Namgung Hon turned to Namgung Yun.
"You look like you have something to say."
"Will you back their position?"
"I said I'd deliberate. Never said that."
"......"
"And you seem to want my support vote."
"Yes."
"Why."
"If Namgung family position prevents your support, at least don't back them."
"Since when does Namgung bow to others' eyes? I'm asking your reason."
"You know who truly worries for the land. I don't want to feel ashamed before Eon Yong-un."
"I'll deliberate. Go rest."
The three different family heads spent the night with growing curiosity about this Eon Yong-un their children so admired.
And with the morning,
in the reconvened meeting, Dang Ho-tae, Je-gal Gyu, and Namgung Hon all voiced agreement.
"Let's strike. Not just for our Ok-gi—this is the right call."
"I've judged carefully: if they don't expect our attack, there's no reason not to. Justification, legitimacy, odds—all sufficient."
"I support as well."
It was the moment the decision to attack the Demonic Cult stronghold was made.