Chapter 310
Chapter 310
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 310
Chapter Title: Ties and Grudges (3)
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After hearing my plan, the Grand Strategist froze like a statue.
"……."
It was only for a moment, but then he slowly opened his mouth.
"That's an enormous plan. What success rate are you estimating?"
If others had heard that I intended to swallow the Blood Cult whole, nine times out of ten they would have tried to stop me.
"You're not saying it's impossible or that it's too dangerous so I should stop. You're jumping straight to asking about the success rate."
But the Grand Strategist was seriously inquiring about the feasibility.
"I know you're meticulous and sharp. You've shown it time and again."
It meant he trusted me that much.
True to his role as the master strategist charting the grand strategy of the Orthodox Murim, he was setting aside his affection for me and viewing the matter with cold objectivity.
'Depending on how I answer, I might be able to draw on the power of the Zhuge family, which extends into both his wisdom and the Orthodox Murim.'
I thought I'd done well to be honest, and I answered his question.
"It's not like rolling dice, so it's hard to give an exact probability."
"Of course, we'd have to account for that."
"From what we've gathered so far, the Blood Cult operates its mid-to-lower organizations in a compartmentalized structure under their high-ranking executives."
"In a situation where they have to evade the eyes of both our side and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult headquarters, they have no choice but to structure the cult that way up to a certain point."
"Exactly."
"When I heard the Blood Demon harbored rebellious intentions, I figured the middle and lower levels were run compartmentally too."
"Yes. Given that structure, if Dokgo Cheol's position within the Blood Cult rises to mid-level executive status, he'll be just a few steps from the Blood Demon. If we time it right, we could sweep straight up to him in one go."
The Grand Strategist nodded at my words.
"If we can cleanly eliminate the Blood Demon and his closest limbs at that moment, the Blood Cult's organization could fall right into our hands."
And he spoke again.
"Raising Dokgo Cheol's standing in the Blood Cult should just be a matter of time if you feed him the right information at the right moments. No chance he'll betray us?"
"No need to worry about that. He firmly believes I'm a Blood Cult member."
"...How'd you manage that?"
"Trade secret."
"...You're something else. Anyway, whether the Blood Cult's organization becomes an asset or a liability, we can decide when that unstoppable momentum arrives. I'll keep that in mind for now."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ My first day at the Murim Alliance flew by after meeting the Medicine King senior and the Grand Strategist.
The next day.
Dokgo Cheol and Jang Seon came to my room and offered formal bows.
"Chairman. Starting today, we need to visit the other departments."
"So we came to say goodbye!"
This was the Murim Alliance, the heart of the Orthodox Murim.
Dokgo Cheol would have a hard time suspecting me, but I couldn't be left unchecked either.
"Got it. You two stick together. As you know, Seon is kind-hearted. I won't worry if you're with him, Cheol."
"Yes, Chairman. We'll do that."
With that, I pretended to worry about Jang Seon while attaching Dokgo Cheol as a watchdog.
I spent my days helping out at the Benevolent Hall with my Eon family siblings.
As we were cleaning up to close the Benevolent Hall's doors, some welcome visitors arrived.
"Younger Young Master."
"Is Yong-un here?!"
It was Eon Jeong-gyun, the Jinpyeong Branch Leader who had taught me the Cloud Ladder Style, and Uncle Mu-hyeok.
"Uncle. And isn't that the Jinpyeong Branch Leader?"
"What do you mean 'in'? Does this seat look like 'in' to you? Doesn't it look like 'out' no matter how you see it? Kahahaha!"
- …….
"……."
"……."
After a moment for Uncle Mu-hyeok's icy wind to pass.
The culprit who had made the room go silent spoke again.
"...Ahem. Anyway, I don't see So-jin among you? Wasn't she with you?"
"We've been busy helping at the Benevolent Hall since arriving at the Murim Alliance, and Sis has been tied up helping with the White Path Assembly prep, so we haven't seen her yet either."
"I see."
"Why not ask the Secret Service Chief?"
"I never even entered Luoyang city proper. Figured she'd be here, so I came straight away."
"Ah. Are you two here for the White Path Assembly?"
The Jinpyeong Branch Leader answered the follow-up question.
"Yes, Younger Young Master. The Family Head decided to finalize opening the pharmacy in Hebei with the Shikka Clan Leader, so I'm attending the assembly in his place."
"Talking about finalizing means it's just a matter of opening the doors now?"
"As perceptive as ever. With the Hebei Three Clans' Family Heads uniting, everything proceeded smoothly."
"Oh ho. Who's handling management going forward?"
"From what I hear, Elder Dokgoe will reside there and oversee the pharmacies in Hebei and Shanxi."
"I see."
With the Tang family pharmacy talk wrapped up.
The Jinpyeong Branch Leader smiled broadly and spoke.
"By the way, I heard you caught the Demonic Cult spies during the entrance exams."
"Ah. Yes, there was that incident."
"With the recent Sichuan matter on top of that, your fame is spreading across the land. As a retainer of the Pearl Eon Family, I couldn't be prouder."
"...You're making me blush."
"Ho ho. You think it's flattery? Not at all. These days, I make a point of introducing myself as Eon Jeong-gyun wherever I go."
"...Why's that?"
"They ask if I'm from the Pearl Eon Family. When I say yes, they start talking about the world's top junior expert or the finest new hero—bringing you up first. Nothing pleases me more."
I felt my ears burning and changed the subject.
"Ahem. The Medicine King senior's disciples are here. Save that talk for later, privately."
Instead, it made the physicians and healers raise their voices.
"Why talk privately? Let us hear it too!"
"...Pardon?"
"Yeah! We only hear about deaths and such all day. This is refreshing—why stop now? Jinpyeong Branch Leader, right? Keep going!"
We swapped stories and caught up like that.
Before we knew it, two days had passed since Uncle Mu-hyeok and the Jinpyeong Branch Leader arrived in Luoyang.
The delegates from the invited clans and sects had all gathered at the Murim Alliance.
Finally, the White Path Assembly's regular meeting was about to convene.
Following the Alliance Leader's proposal, we were set to give supporting speeches.
My Eon siblings and I donned formal robes and took our seats in the main assembly hall.
"The Alliance Leader will arrive in half a gak."
As National Sword Jin, the Secret Service Chief assisting the Alliance Leader, announced the opening was near, Woo So-rung fidgeted like a quaking aspen.
"...Ughhh."
Galaxy Star spoke up.
"B-bro, you're not even presenting, So-rung. Why are you so nervous?!"
"Then why's Galaxy bro shaking too?! Even Jeong-hyeon instructor looks tense!"
Jeong-hyeon and Ye Hae-su spoke up tensely too.
"Nervous? No. Not at all."
"But Jeong-hyeon junior, your face is the palest I've seen."
"You're pale too, senior."
"I-I'm definitely nervous. This place, who am I? But I have to report for the gazette, so I'm holding it in."
It wasn't unreasonable for everyone to be tense.
- Looks like all the old-timers who amount to something and the promising juniors are gathered?
'Yes. Plenty of reason to be nervous.'
As Master said, the first floor of the hall was filled with renowned elders—at least elder-level from each sect—whose aliases alone would make anyone nod in respect.
On this floor sat the promising juniors accompanying those luminaries, along with Righteous Martial Academy trainees.
Among them were naturally people from the Wudang Sect.
"Straighten your shoulders."
As I patted Jeong-hyeon's shoulder.
Dang Ok-gi wiped sweat from her brow and said.
"I-it's scary. But Eon Yong-un, you're fine? Aren't you some shape-shifted yokai? With that foul temper."
"……?"
Before I could reply, Namgung Yun spoke first.
"Hmph. So much to tremble over. That's proof of immaturity. To become a true wanderer of the jianghu, you need composure. Especially now, representing the Righteous Martial Academy cadets. Look at Eon Yong-un and me."
Dang Ok-gi wrinkled her brow and snorted.
"Funny. Don't try to lump yourself with Eon Yong-un slyly. Last year in a similar spot, you turned red and crawled into detention on your own."
"……."
Meanwhile.
The Alliance Leader entered the hall.
"Silence. The Alliance Leader arrives."
Then came the time for mutual courtesies.
"I, Gong Son Mu-gyeol, Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance and Chairman of the White Path Assembly, hereby raise the first agenda: the matter of forming a united army."
As soon as that ended, the Alliance Leader proposed.
"The depredations of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult grow daily. I propose that all Orthodox sects and clans unite resolutely to subjugate the Ten Thousand Great Mountains."
And he turned his gaze to me.
"Before full debate on this agenda, the Righteous Martial Academy cadets who endured last winter's Sichuan unrest will give supporting speeches. Please listen attentively."
I led my Eon siblings to the prepared podium.
And I began reading the speech, starting with the opening line from a past-life address that had moved me deeply.
"I have a dream."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Like the Grand Strategist, I believed a united army couldn't form immediately.
But I calmly concluded by emphasizing that the earlier the response, the less the threat from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
"...That concludes my remarks."
As my speech ended, the hall split evenly.
One side erupted in applause, the other murmured gravely or glared at me disapprovingly.
About then, the Alliance Leader spoke.
"Now for full debate. I recall fierce debate on the same agenda last year. Best to have the juniors withdraw. Any objections?"
No one opposed.
They didn't want to air dirty laundry in front of us.
"None. It's lunchtime anyway. I told the head chef to prepare something special, so juniors, please head to the dining hall. Strike Team Unit One, guide them."
"Understood!"
We exited the hall and headed to the dining hall in order.
Since we had to link up with the academy freshmen on this floor, we were last in line.
"Oh? Isn't that Instructor Ho Yeon-chan?"
But our assigned strike team member was none other than Ho Yeon-chan, former student council president of the Yunmaegwan Pavilion.
"Hahaha. Doing well?"
"Busy as ever. You look a bit gaunt, senior."
"Cadet days were the best..."
"...Yeah. Still, good to see you."
"Same here."
Chatting with him and other Qingzhu Pavilion alumni seniors, we soon reached the Murim Alliance dining hall.
At the entrance, another welcome face.
Peng So-jin was waiting for us.
"Eon Yong-un! Kids!!"
I smirked at her waving and said.
"Didn't know the Murim Alliance was this big. Hard to run into you."
"Didn't want to bother your prep, and Master was busy helping too. Oh, great speech? 'I have a dream.' That dream where righteousness takes deep root across the land..."
"...Let's stop there."
The freshmen offered her polite bows.
"Greetings, senior!"
Peng So-jin looked embarrassed.
"Ah, I took almost the whole year off last year. Might take classes with you when I return. Not sure I deserve 'senior' treatment."
At her words.
The freshman trio spoke up.
"Still a senior's a senior. If the honorific bothers you, should we call you big sis?"
"Right! Once a senior, always a senior!"
"I agree with them."
I introduced them in turn.
"All three are younger than So-rung, so if you don't act like a big sis, it'll mess up the hierarchy completely. That's Namgung Young, Yun's little brother. Middle is Jang Seon of the Haemnam Sect. That's Dokgo Cheol."
At my words, Peng So-jin widened her eyes and asked me.
"Namgung Yun's brother, but so polite? Why's the other one like that?"
"……."
"H-hey, big sis is different from Brother So-cheon. And they're twins."
"Ah... true. Wait! Hold on! They're all younger than us?! R-really?"
As we caught up with Peng So-jin.
Among the chatter from the earlier-arriving juniors at the dining hall, I overheard talk about the White Path Assembly.
"What do you think of the Alliance Leader's united army proposal? Will it pass?"
"Doubt it."
"Eon Yong-un, Namgung Yun, and Dang Ok-gi were in that speech. Hebei Peng Clan are sworn brothers with Pearl Eon Family. Zhuge Seol hangs around Eon Yong-un too... Doesn't that make the Five Great Clans united? Add Qingcheng and Ami, hurt in Sichuan, plus the Beggars' Gang, that's eight already?"
"Hurt or not, you gonna raise an army right now? Those two sects took the heaviest disciple losses. How many can they even send to fight?"
"Fair point."
"Zhuge Clan is cautious on these matters. Even if they support, they'll push reviewing supplies and attack routes first."
I stopped my siblings to listen to the juniors' thoughts.
"But gathering the whole Orthodox Murim like this just boosts those bastards' morale."
Bindo agrees. They're a rootless cult less than a century old. Spouting Heavenly Demon, Moon Demon nonsense. How many true masters could they have forged in that short history?"
Among the murmurs, one story I couldn't ignore slipped out.
"That Moon Demon? Rumor says the Grand Strategist reinterpreted the Black Dragon Sword slaying him. If true, the juniors handled it. Alliance Leader might be exaggerating the threat."
"The Demonic Cult worships that old Sword Demon anyway. Descendants of the guy who went cripple stealing Shaolin martial arts? Nothing special."
I gritted my teeth and kicked open the dining hall door.
"Who just spouted that bullshit?"