Chapter 370
Chapter 370
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 370
Chapter Title: The Assembly of Fellow Paths (1)
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The attempt to reshape the power structure of the Central Plains martial world had been a matter carefully prepared over time.
"...Is that really something to shout so loudly in broad daylight? Yong-un hugging you like that, and that Paeng fellow seems worked up too?"
That said, I agreed with Master's opinion.
I cautiously posed a question.
"...Alliance Leader?"
"Yes, Yong-un. Speak if you have something to say."
"...It's nothing major. Is it really okay to say such things so openly? What if someone hears?"
"No matter. Let them hear if they want."
The Alliance Leader adopted an attitude showing no concern whatsoever.
In response, the Intelligence Chief Guk Do-jin spoke up with a troubled expression.
"...It's not entirely without issue. It's true the time has come, and I know your resolve is firm, Alliance Leader. But as the saying goes, the more discretion, the better. It would be wise to move to a private place to discuss."
The Intelligence Chief's words were perfectly reasonable.
The Alliance Leader nodded without adding anything else.
And so, we headed to the Changhae School, an inner branch of the Haenam School.
Upon crossing the grand gate bearing a plaque with bold, heroic script,
the disciples of the Changhae School, lined up in formation, simultaneously cupped their fists toward us.
"We greet the Martial Alliance Leader and the young heroes of the Righteous Martial Academy!"
The Alliance Leader gave a light nod, then fixed his gaze on Yong San-hae, the head of the Haenam School, and spoke.
"School Head."
"Please speak."
"Would you share some tea with these two esteemed seniors here? There are matters for us to discuss among ourselves separately from what we tell the young ones, so I'll speak with Yong-un for a moment before joining you."
"Of course."
Yong San-hae nodded at the Alliance Leader's words and pointed toward the school head's hall as he spoke.
"Sword Apprentice and Northern Fist Hero, this way. The Changhae School Head has some fine Liu Bao tea. Let us ask him to bring it out."
Paeng Mu-hyeok pointed to a side door next to the school head's hall and posed a counter-question.
"Can't we go that way instead?"
"...Pardon?"
As Yong San-hae tilted his head at Paeng Mu-hyeok's insistence on using the side door despite the main one being available,
Father sighed and spoke up.
"It's a lame joke. In truth, he... ahem. He seems to think he's easing the awkwardness with that frog-like nonsense, but there's no need for you to mind it, School Head."
"Hey, Jeong-ung. No need? You're cutting into your sworn brother's face like that just because he's a bit lacking?"
"...You're saying your sworn brother is losing face in front of me? Who was it that brought up the story of me chasing Yong-un away?"
"Ahem. That just slipped out without thinking..."
"Please go ahead, School Head."
"Yes. Ah, yes."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The adults departed first.
Eon younger brother and the other Righteous Martial Academy cadets followed the Changhae School disciples to the guest quarters to unpack.
Thus, only the Alliance Leader and I remained in the training grounds.
"Through this Manin Blood incident, I felt many things."
The Alliance Leader gazed at the distant sea as he spoke.
"I was first impressed by the aspirations of you later-generation disciples who resolved to venture into unfamiliar seas to subjugate the demons, and by your decisiveness shining through at every key moment, Yong-un."
"You're too kind..."
"Too kind? Far from it. We haven't even begun the main topic."
"...I'll listen quietly then."
"What made me think the most, in particular, was the way you went about it, Yong-un."
"You mean disguising it outwardly as a school trip?"
"More precisely, the thinking underlying that method. You acted that way because you knew if you moved, the adults would have no choice but to follow, didn't you? Creating the student council president position was for times like this too."
The Alliance Leader's gaze was sharp.
Truly befitting one who had coordinated the tangled interests of the Martial Alliance, I thought, as I nodded.
"Yes. That's why I ran for student council president. It was a bit of a loophole, so it's embarrassing to hear you say it gave you ideas."
"A loophole, yet not a loophole. That driving force making so many later-generation disciples, academy professors, the Haenam School, Botam School, and various factions support you—it ultimately comes down to shared aspirations."
"......"
"Some took up their swords out of worry, others out of shame... However, my view is that having later-generation disciples like you, Yong-un, stand at the forefront of these chaotic times should happen only once."
At his continued words, I cautiously spoke up.
"If I may be so bold, I'd like to relay what Elder Kyung-hye told me to you, Alliance Leader."
"Go ahead."
"She said that regardless of her worries, we are also martial artists in our own right. Please don't view us solely as objects to protect."
"That's obvious. I don't see you all as mere children. When it comes to facing demons, there's no one more suitable than you, Yong-un, and the Mabang-yeon later-generation disciples."
"......"
"If something like this happens again and I hold command, I might even ask you to lead the vanguard."
"That seems to contradict what you just said about not putting us at the forefront."
"I must have phrased it poorly. What I mean is, I won't put 'only' you there. At the very least, I'll stand with you. I won't be shackled by stubbornness under the pretext of righteousness anymore."
With that resolute declaration, the Alliance Leader soon outlined concrete plans.
"From the method you showed this time and the camaraderie gatherings centered on your father and the Northern Three Heroes, an idea came to me."
"Father's camaraderie gatherings?"
"Yes. Do you know their membership has grown recently?"
"I know that you, Uncle Mu-hyeok, and Stone Family Head meet regularly—the three of you."
"Southern Jiang Merchant King Eun Se-pyeong has been joining occasionally, and now even the Four Freaks of Sacheon, who manage the northern apothecaries, have started participating."
"Ah."
"So, I thought: What if we establish the Assembly of Fellow Paths centered on the Righteous Martial Academy?"
"An assembly of fellow practitioners... You mean a gathering centered on the academy's alumni?"
"Exactly. Doesn't it have ample justification outwardly?"
It would appear as a camaraderie group on the surface, but in truth, an organization poised to swiftly counter impending crises.
An alumni association of the Righteous Martial Academy seemed like it could solve that difficult problem.
However, there was cause for concern.
'Many renowned orthodox experts across the land had passed through the Righteous Martial Academy.'
But measured against the entire martial world, their number was exceedingly small.
It could end up as just another faction bound by academy ties.
I voiced my immediate thought.
"...Wouldn't it be a bit narrow for an organization encompassing the entire martial world?"
"No issue there. I said Assembly of Fellow Paths, not alumni association."
"...So, anyone sharing the same will under the banner of righteousness qualifies as a fellow practitioner?"
"Precisely. For example, Won-cheol and your friends from the Outer Clans who joined as exchange students could be called that. Even merchants who donate scholarships to the academy."
"...I see what you mean."
"The Grand Strategist even suggested adding short-term courses open to the common folk. He cited your chemical warfare training as an example."
"...Ah?"
"Indeed, there's no better training format for countering poison arts."
For a fleeting moment, guilt stirred over spreading chemical warfare so widely.
But in these chaotic times, it seemed far from harmful for the common people to learn as well.
"...Yes. Even non-martial artists would benefit from knowing how to handle poison arts."
I nodded vigorously and voiced my last lingering doubt.
"But about entrusting it to the Pearl Eon Family? Do you plan to have Father take on a key role in the Assembly?"
"No one commands more trust in the current land than the Pearl Eon Family. To be precise, you. But the world sees you and your family as one."
"Ahem. Now that's truly too kind."
"Can't call this too kind either. For instance? The Moyong Family would sit idle on Paeng matters, but for Eon Family affairs, even they'd lift their heavy rears. The Tang Family would stake their lives. Your Outer Clan friends wouldn't differ, nor would the Jin Merchant or the Radiant Prosperity Hall hesitate to offer gold and silver."
Listed one by one, it was embarrassing, but...
There was logic to it, so I nodded.
"Thus, I made a difficult request of Elder Eon."
"I see."
The Alliance Leader patted my shoulder as he concluded.
"Keep that in mind for now. We'll discuss the details step by step as we advance."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After resting a day at the Changhae School, we began heading north with the adults.
With renowned luminaries traveling together—including the Martial Alliance Leader—and the demon plaque from Crown Prince Chowang in my embrace,
none dared block our path.
Thus uneventfully, we arrived at Muchang's naval encampment.
"Professor No Sam! You're safe!"
"My lifeline's tough. You too unscathed... Wait, what happened to Jang-ho's side? It's burst open!"
The Righteous Martial Academy cadets, scattered for their respective missions, began gathering.
Among them were Eon younger brother and the others who had been dispersed.
"Je-gal young lady and the Namgung siblings sent word they'll stop by their clan homes before heading straight to the academy... So everyone's here. Let's head to the market district. I hear the cooks at Yellow Crane Noodles are incredible."
To fulfill the promise made when dispatching them on missions, we set out.
"Welcome... Isn't that the Dragon of Disaster?!"
"You know me?"
"Who in Hubei doesn't know the Dragon of Disaster?!"
"Well then, trusting the owner, I'll leave my pouch here. Bring your most confident dishes."
Upon ordering at the restaurant we'd arrived at,
"No need for payment. I was born near Lake Dongting and suffered under the pirates too."
The owner gently pushed away my hand holding the pouch and spoke.
"Somehow I learned to stand by the fire and became an owner... The Haenam incident was truly regrettable."
"...So it was."
"Anyway, just serving esteemed guests like you is honor enough—payment overflows. Here's your pouch; this way, please."
The owner firmly refused my pouch and hurried off to urge the cooks.
At his attitude, I slipped the pouch back into my sleeve,
and Yin Xia Lian tilted her head as she spoke.
"...Tsk."
"What's with the tsk?"
"What happens to the promise you made with us now?"
"...Who knows?"
"Normally it'd be 'next time,' but 'who knows' comes right out. As expected of the world's stingiest..."
"...I'll force silver into that owner's sleeve if I have to. Order everything. And if even a single sesame seed's left, you're dead, Ha-seong."
"......"
Though I said that, I was glad just to hear Yin Ha-seong's usual blather.
Thanks to his antics, the fatigue from our missions lifted.
As steaming dishes began filling the table one by one,
Wu So-reung spoke up.
"But Brother Cheon, how'd you get hurt?"
"Ah, this? Speaking of this injury..."
Cheon Jang-ho then began regaling his side-burst tale like a heroic saga.
"...So my guts were spilling out. I clamped them shut and let out a lion's roar."
"Gasp. Really?"
"Yup, yup. After scaring the demons senseless, I unleashed Dragon Subduing Palm—bam bam bam! Took them all out!"
"For real?"
"I swear! Without me, you'd all be in deep trouble!"
As Dang Ok-gi furrowed her brow,
"Kek!!! It wasn't that bad. Guts spilling and taking them all out? Blow your boasts moderately or they won't fly! Unbelievable!"
I turned to Yin Xia Lian.
"Miss Yin."
"Yes, Young Master Eon."
"You said you arrived in Muchang first? Did you see Je-gal young lady and the Gong-yun siblings?"
"Yes, I did."
"Why'd they go to their clan homes? Their message just said they'd stop by—no reason given. Do you know why?"
"Ah, didn't they tell you the reason for going home, Young Master Eon?"
Yin Xia Lian seemed to counter-question, then answered herself.
"Ah. It might be too embarrassing to tell you, Young Master Eon. Hmm. Or maybe they won't be persuaded..."
"What are you talking about?"
"The Assembly of Fellow Paths the Alliance Leader is pushing? Your family head is the real power, but considering rank, he's taking the secretary role, and an honorary chairman, right?"
"So I heard."
"They went to fetch their grandfathers."