Chapter 279
Chapter 279
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 279
Chapter Title: Return (5)
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Upon hearing the Alliance Leader mention that the Ghost Horse Troupe had been wandering around Sichuan...
The thought that flashed through my mind was the incident from the original story that occurred during the first-year winter break.
'Jeong-hyeon gets poisoned in Sichuan.'
It was the event where Dang Ok-gi brought out the Heavenly Poison Pill.
The story then continued with the protagonist's generation, now in their second year, scouring the medicinal herb markets to obtain the Blood Water Myriad Poison Brew.
'...That incident.'
It had happened amid the conflict between the Sichuan Dang Family and the unorthodox faction known as Heavenly Poison Valley.
'The Blood Water Myriad Poison Brew was obtained early and safely delivered to Dang Ok-gi, and research on the Heavenly Poison Pill was progressing smoothly.'
In truth, I had considered it something I didn't need to worry about.
But the sudden thought that the Demonic Cult's schemes might be lurking behind that incident changed my mind.
A conversation I'd overheard recently when I became acquainted with Ok-gi's father flickered through my head.
"Alliance Leader. Last time, when we targeted the rear forces in the North Sea, didn't the Dang Family Head come to the Alliance regarding an incident in Sichuan and end up joining us all the way to the North Sea?"
"Hm. Did Senior Dang tell you about that too?"
"He spent a lot of time with me during the journey."
"Well, he did stick by your side the whole trip."
"I only heard that he came to the Martial Alliance for some business and then followed after hearing about the incident in the North Sea."
Gong Sun-mu-geol furrowed his brow at my words.
"Hm. Senior Dang visited the Alliance because of movements from one of the unorthodox factions."
"An unorthodox faction?"
"You've probably heard the name. Heavenly Poison Valley—the ones in the unorthodox world who specialize in poison."
"...Heavenly Poison Valley."
"Yes. Those fools had the audacity to invade the Dang Family's territory."
Heavenly Poison Valley.
They said coincidences piling up become inevitability.
"He originally intended to handle it in the Dang Family's way, but considering the chaotic murim and this incompetent junior playing Alliance Leader, he came to ask if he could resolve it through the Alliance instead."
An event trying to unfold exactly as in the original story, even though my presence had drastically altered the plot's trajectory.
This was something I had to suspect.
"I think we should investigate that side more closely."
"The Dang Family and Heavenly Poison Valley have overlapping interests, so I thought it was just a plausible clash... But after hearing you, it's starting to bother me too. As soon as I return to the Alliance, I'll look into it specifically and let you know."
As I recalled the events from the original story around this time...
There was one more thing nagging at my mind.
'Come to think of it, the previous Eon Yong-un turned into a demonic human around this time.'
The original Eon Yong-un.
He joined hands with the Demonic Cult, got used and discarded, lost his reason to become a demonic human, and died at Yong-myeong's hands.
'...In a way, Dam Gyeong-ju met a similar end.'
So it might seem like a past event already.
But I couldn't afford to lower my guard.
I mulled it over for a moment.
'I've already assigned plainclothes agents to watch seniors like Un-hyeok and people like Mu-gil—anyone among the academy students who needs monitoring.'
Among the Eon clansmen, neither I nor Yong-myeong were suspects.
'Eon Yong-muk from Jin Gang Manor, who tried to swallow the entire Pearl Eon Family with his granduncle.'
He was the one I needed to watch most carefully.
'Since I'm here, I should check on him again.'
I'd tightened security before leaving last summer vacation, but some time had passed.
'If he seems to have lost his way, physical therapy it is. If not, tighten the reins even harder.'
As I thought that, Paeng So-jin spoke up.
"Uncle is coming?"
I turned toward the door and saw Father just entering Un Yun Pavilion.
"Alliance Leader. Have you finished talking with Yong-un?"
"Yes. We just wrapped up everything we needed to discuss."
"Then please follow me. The heads of the branch families have arrived with their heirs."
"Ah, is that so?"
"Yes. We can discuss Liaodong matters and then have dinner together. So-jin and Yong-un, you come too."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Following Father to the Family Head Hall, I saw the guests who had come to the Eon Family Manor gathered together.
The remaining two of the Hebei Three Heroes, Elder Eun, Professor Chang-ryang, and my younger Eon clansmen were there.
And so were the six branch family heads of the Pearl Eon Family and their children.
Among them were Eon Jeong-jin and Eon Yong-muk from Jin Gang Manor.
'Granduncle hasn't left the manor since that day, and he's not here today either.'
As I scanned that side, the branch family members paid respects to me and the Alliance Leader.
"We pay our respects to the Alliance Leader and the eldest young master."
The Alliance Leader and I returned the fist salute.
As greetings ended, the Alliance Leader spoke right away.
"You've all heard about the Mo Yong Family incident. This will have various impacts across the murim. Especially for Hebei right next door, it will be even greater."
With that opening, the Alliance Leader explained what the people of Hebei needed to know, excluding top-secret details from the Liaodong events.
"...Therefore, from now on, the Hancheol Road toward Yodong will be managed jointly by personnel dispatched from the Martial Alliance and talents from Hebei and Liaodong."
By the time he finished, he was praising us and giving credit.
"I had many worries on the way to the eightieth birthday celebration, but it wrapped up far more cleanly than expected. Thanks to the Hebei Three Heroes, Elder Eun, Professor Chang-ryang, and the young heroes of Righteous Martial Academy. Especially Yong-un—your contributions were immense."
"I merely did what needed doing."
I silently accepted the Alliance Leader's praise.
The younger Eon clansmen looked proud each in their own way.
Meanwhile, Uncle Paeng still seemed distrustful of the Mo Yong Family, arms crossed as he stepped forward.
"That old fogey from Liaodong Lake Pavilion bowed so low... I'm no hot-blooded youth, so I accepted it, but he doesn't have some other scheme up his sleeve, does he?"
Well, it wasn't a bad perspective.
Sharing a drink wouldn't erase the grudges between two families overnight.
'We definitely need to keep eyes on the Mo Yong Family.'
The issue was the current atmosphere.
Fortunately, Manor Lord Seok Geum-pil of Stone Family Manor and Elder Eun Se-pyeong smoothed things over with a word each.
"Didn't the Alliance Leader implement almost everything written in the documents personally penned by Mo Yong Family Head? That means they've practically lost all their limbs."
"Manor Lord Seok is exactly right. Calculation requires assets to begin with. For the time being, the Mo Yong Family won't have the spare capacity to look elsewhere beyond managing their main manor's clansmen, guests, and branches."
Just then, Mother entered the Family Head Hall with food and maids.
This was when the Alliance Leader raised his cup and pointed to Father seated at the head.
"Now that drinks and food are here, Family Head Eon, isn't it time for celebratory words? Everyone, fill your cups and listen closely to Family Head Eon."
As the Alliance Leader set the tone, Father cleared his throat.
And gazing at the branch family heads, he spoke.
"Ahem. Among what the Alliance Leader just said, there was one fact I hadn't relayed, which must have puzzled you. It seems he left it for me to announce."
At those words, Jin Pyeong Manor Lord, who had supported Father from the start among the six branch heads, widened his eyes.
"Rumor has it the Mo Yong Family lost their Five Great Families seat... Surely not..."
Father nodded in affirmation.
"That 'surely not' is correct. The Mo Yong Family has delegated their speaking rights in the Baekbon Society's upper council to our family. Thus, the Pearl Eon Family has effectively returned to the Five Great Families."
Everyone present congratulated Father.
"Haha! Congratulations, Jeong-ung!"
"Our felicitations, Family Head!"
Among them, Jin Pyeong Manor Lord and Jin Cheong Manor Lord even shed tears.
"...Sniff. Our Eon Family's long-held wish has finally..."
"...Sob."
Mother, who had known in advance, smiled gently and spoke.
"They say you can't beat a man blessed with fortune, whether as a famed general or alliance leader. Our lord husband is exactly that. Thanks to his fine son, the corpse soldiers are restored, and the Five Great Families seat reclaimed..."
Father couldn't hide his leaking smile at Mother's words.
"Indeed. Blessed with a fine son and a fine wife. In my life full of regrets, if I must name what I don't regret, it's meeting my wife and gaining Yong-un and Yong-myeong."
"...Oh my."
It was the moment Mother's face flushed red as a ripe persimmon.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It was the first time I'd seen Father fluster Mother.
Just then, Master chimed in.
- Is it your first time seeing your father fluster your mother? Usually it's the other way around, no?
'...You're right.'
- Well, it's a nice sight.
'Ahem. Yes.'
Watching them filled my chest with a warm feeling for some reason.
Mother, Father, and family—it seemed they had taken root in my heart before I knew it.
'Stupid fool.'
That made disgust toward the previous Yong-un leak out unwittingly.
My gaze naturally shifted to Eon Yong-muk.
"Now, let's raise a cup to celebrate the Pearl Eon Family's return to the Five Great Families."
As I observed Yong-muk while the banquet atmosphere ripened...
I sent a transmission to the boy who kept glancing my way furtively.
[Yong-muk, come here.]
[He... Ahem, what do you mean?]
[Come here, I said.]
When he approached hesitantly...
I draped an arm over his shoulder and said,
"Been well?"
He gave a hard-to-parse reply.
"Pardon? Ah, yes! No. I mean, no!"
"Either you have or you haven't. What kind of answer is that? Got something to hide?"
"N-no. I was worried you'd be displeased if I said I'd been well, so it came out that way."
From his reaction alone, it was hard to tell if he was acting guilty or just scared of me.
To check, I spoke.
"Then give me your arm."
Eon Yong-muk cautiously extended his right arm.
'No traces of demonic arts.'
Checking his pulse, nothing unusual stood out.
The bone I'd broken last summer when he foolishly attacked me had healed.
I gently gripped that spot and spoke again.
"Yong-muk. Remember what I said last time?"
"...That I'd drop dead if I did anything foolish?"
"You remember. Good."
"...Th-thank you."
"If you do bad things behind my back or lie when I ask something, this arm flies off completely. Got it?"
"......"
"Answer."
"...Yes."
Master spoke in a pitying tone.
- ...Go easy, go easy. The kid's about to wet himself.
'Just making sure the Demonic Cult doesn't approach him. It's for his own good in the end.'
As I exchanged words with Master...
Eon Jeong-jin, Yong-muk's father attending as Jin Gang Manor Lord, stood and spoke.
"Family Head. I have something to say."
"...Speak."
"It's time to appoint a young family head for the Pearl Eon Family."
Silence fell over the gathering at Eon Jeong-jin's words.
He broke it and continued.
"Appoint the eldest young master as young family head."
Then the other manor lords stood as well.
"Indeed. The eldest young master revived the corpse soldiers and made great contributions to reclaiming our Five Great Families status. He is truly a fitting heir."
"His fame as a wanderer and martial prowess are proven. No one in the Pearl Eon Family would object to this rightful successor."
Jin Gang Manor had great sins, so they stepped forward seeking forgiveness.
Some among them might be hastily aligning to avoid disfavor.
Still, seeing those who'd once rolled up sleeves against me now unanimously supporting me felt novel.
Father seemed to feel the same, smirking before forcing a cough and asking my opinion.
"Ahem. What do you think, Yong-un?"
Pearl Eon Family.
It already felt like my home.
'But becoming young family head is a whole different matter.'
I'd have to handle family affairs big and small.
My actions would bind them.
Their actions would bind me.
It could be wings, or it could be a tail dragging me down.
'No need to take it on now.'
Having decided, I gave a fist salute and spoke.
"I still feel inadequate for the young family head position. There's also the academy council president role I've taken on. It would be difficult to assume it now."
To my words...
"...We'll put off appointing a young family head for now."
Father nodded and said,
"And Yong-un says he's lacking, but honestly, these days our Pearl Eon Family feels too small to contain him. Everyone, keep striving."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The days spent at the Pearl Eon Family passed.
Now it was time to part ways.
Elder Eun planned to return south via Jin via Tianjing, so he bid farewell to Yin Xia Lian at the manor.
"I have business in Hangzhou too, so I'll go via Tianjing back to Huizhou."
"Yes. Please handle the additional investment I mentioned right away."
"I shall."
Paeng clan father and daughter also parted.
"...You."
"...Father."
"Speak first."
"You first... Yes. Take care, Father."
"Why are you worrying about me?"
"Can't you just say 'got it' without making a fuss?"
"You take care too, So-jin."
I also bid farewell to my parents.
"Don't skip meals. A mother's heart wants to tell you not to stand at the forefront no matter what you do, but I know you won't listen. Always take care, Yong-un."
"Yes, Mother."
"Send a letter to Mother once you arrive at the academy."
"Write a line to Father too."
"Ahem."
"Yes."
Leaving the Pearl Eon Family, we ascended the Yellow River to Luoyang in Henan territory, parted there with the Alliance Leader and Paeng So-jin.
Continuing south, we reached the northern part of Dan River Valley in Henan.
Having sent word of our arrival in advance, Ung-yong came out to greet us.
Hawruruk!!
I extended my arm to the one circling above my head, telling it to perch.
But it ignored my arm and perched on my head instead.
"I said perch here. Why there?"
It turned its head away without answering.
"Hyung. Ung-yong seems sulky because you didn't bring it."
Hawruk!
"Sheesh. To travel with you ahead, you need to know the bases, so I told you to follow Senior Ye Hae-su's pigeons and memorize the southern bases. You agreed, didn't you?"
Hawruk!!
"Totally doing whatever it wants."
"Wonder who it takes after."
"What are you implying, Silver Little Sis?"
"Who knows?"
"...Ahem. Ung-yong, deliver this to Jegal Little Sis."
Hururuk!
"What letter did you just send with Ung-yong?"
"Something like that."
"What do you mean 'something'! Another errand?!"
"Sharp as ever."
I needed to go to Sichuan over winter break.
After break, entrance exams.
Lots to do.
"I really want to become a free ghost. Then I could run away..."
"Hayeon sis. Forgot hyung makes even corpse soldiers and white bones work? No running away."
"I know. That's why I was going to add 'if only Eon gongzi only knew necromancy.'"
To Yin Ha-yeon and Cheon Jang-ho shaking their heads, I said,
"What are you saying? Anyone hearing would think I'm heartless. We'll rest upon arrival today."
- That's right, isn't it?
Master picked at my first words, but Jeong-hyeon and Namgung Yun seemed shocked by the latter.
"...Y-you really mean that, Eon so-hyeop?"
"The sun clearly rose in the east this morning..."
I told them,
"Yes. We've got long journeys ahead."
Ignoring the muttering younger Eon brothers.
I gazed slightly south of the academy.
'Jang Seon. If I can get that guy who shone in the original story's latter half to enter next year, that'd be great.'