Chapter 371
Chapter 371
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 371
Chapter Title: Righteous Path Society (2)
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Anhui Province, Anyang.
Here stood the Nangong Clan, a family its members proudly called the world's greatest aristocratic house, and which the world at large acknowledged as such.
In the grand estate of the Nangong Clan, with its towering walls and majestic grounds befitting such pride, there was a greenhouse made of oiled paper to house the flowers and plants cherished by the family head.
Shh— shh—
An elderly man with snow-white hair and beard, yet eyes as sharp as a bird of prey's, was wiping the leaves of an orchid in the greenhouse.
The old man's name was Nangong Won.
He was the head of the Nangong Clan, who had served as Murim Alliance Leader before the impeccably righteous Gongson Mu-gyeol, and was hailed by the people of the jianghu as the Sword Emperor—a giant of the orthodox martial world.
"Grandfather. It's Yun."
"Younger sis is here too!"
Of course, in private, he was also the grandfather of the Nangong Yun and Nangong Young siblings.
At his grandchildren's greeting, Nangong Won paused in wiping the orchid leaves.
And with a gentle smile, he spoke.
"My little puppies have come—Yun and Young."
Nangong Yun offered a formal greeting to Nangong Won.
"Yes. I hope you've been well."
Nangong Young asked about Nangong Uk, who had been ousted from the Baekbon Association and was now secluded in the clan.
"What has Little Uncle been up to these days?"
"Same as always. Uk's been reflecting too. But the academy's in the middle of term... Once your field trip ends, you should've gone straight to Danganggu. What business does this old man have that you're visiting?"
Nangong Won's voice was utterly serene.
But Nangong Yun swallowed dryly.
He had no choice but to.
'I have to ask him to reverse his retirement now...'
Nangong Yun had been strictly trained from childhood to lead the Nangong Clan.
Asking the grandfather who had enforced that training to return to the jianghu felt like his throat was parched.
'He sees right through me.'
But the Righteous Path Society was essential for the world.
Nangong Yun first clasped his hands in a formal fist salute.
"Your grandson has a difficult request to make."
He then relayed what he had heard from Jeon Jeon-hye in Muchang about the Righteous Martial Academy's Righteous Path Society.
"...And so, they plan to establish an organization called the Righteous Martial Academy's Righteous Path Society."
At Nangong Yun's words, Nangong Won furrowed his brow.
"So that's why two of the North of the Han River Three Heroes accompanied the Alliance Leader on his trip to Haenam..."
Then he posed a question to Nangong Yun.
"From the look on your face, it seems you're asking this old man to take the position of society president. Have I got that right?"
"Yes. I would be grateful if Grandfather served as president."
"Heh heh. Yun, you rascal. This old man has already handed real power over the clan head position to your father and kept only the name... Have you forgotten I've publicly announced my retirement to the world? A warrior's word is worth a thousand gold, rascal."
Nangong Won chuckled and refused.
But Nangong Yun persisted without yielding.
"A warrior's word is worth a thousand gold. You're right. But what about the words you said to Young and me?"
"......"
"You said the descendants of the Nangong Clan must always carry the world in their hearts and worry for it. That it's the duty of those born to a scholarly-aristocratic house. How much are those words worth?"
"...What did you say?"
"Forgive my impertinence, but I think it's already too late. Chaos has come to the world! If Grandfather had stepped forward, fewer lives would have been lost! You always told me to harbor ambitions for the world in my heart, so how can the Sword Emperor idle away in the clan?!"
At Nangong Yun's outburst, Nangong Won completely dropped his smile and spoke.
"Tsk tsk. Yun, you're still a long way off. If this old man had stepped in, there would surely have been backlash. The righteous Alliance Leader would look foolish, and so would your father. Have you not considered the chaos that would stir?"
Once he started, Nangong Won continued without pause.
"Do you think a sword sharpens without tempering? If old fogeys like me meddle without knowing when to step back, we might get immediate visible peace. But do I live for a thousand years? I'm already nearing the end of my days."
"......"
"What happens when these meddling old men die? Only those without experience or hardship remain—like these flowers crammed in a greenhouse. Then it won't be mere chaos; it'll be hell on earth."
"......"
"Even if it's not you, Yun, plenty of people will resent me. They'll say the Sword Emperor plugged his ears to the world's affairs and lived in luxury. But the young must decide and seize their own futures."
"......"
"Grieve, agonize, brood. Advance and grow stronger that way. That's the merciless law of the ruthless jianghu."
Each of Nangong Won's words rang heavy.
But Nangong Yun had a reason he couldn't give up.
'I want to help the Alliance Leader. Eon Yong-un.'
The Righteous Path Society needed a pillar-like elder to launch properly.
"However..."
"This old man's not done speaking. A true gentleman knows when to withdraw. Your little uncle that Young mentioned earlier—Uk's scandals as Baekbon Association vice-chairman are still talked about. How could he engage in outside activities?!"
But at the mention of their little uncle,
he was at a loss for words.
"......"
"I'll quietly polish my sword until my days end. Only if the world truly needs this old man's blade will I step forward then..."
It was then that Nangong Young, who had been listening obediently, pouted and chimed in.
"If Grandfather doesn't step up, that position will probably go to the Zhuge Clan head."
"...That old coot Zhuge Cheok is reversing his retirement?"
"Senior Seolji went herself, so it probably worked."
"Even so, we had an agreement..."
"Your family is famous for doting on Senior Seolji since her childhood illness sealed her meridians. The Cheon-gi Myo-san elder is known for spoiling his granddaughter too."
"...Somehow that sounds like you think I don't dote on you."
"You always nag Big Brother, but give the pretty one an extra spanking and the ugly one an extra rice cake."
"...You rascal, painting me as the bad grandfather. Where'd you learn such cheeky talk?"
At Nangong Won's question, Nangong Yun thought Nangong Young's speech patterns must have rubbed off from Eon Yong-un.
"......"
But since things seemed to be going better than when he'd pleaded himself, he stayed quiet.
Thus, after a moment of silence in the greenhouse,
Nangong Won stroked his beard and gazed toward Danganggu.
"...Hm. The real reason you're doing this is that monster dragon fellow, isn't it?"
"......"
"......"
"The monster dragon, Zhuge Cheok, and the society president..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ While the Nangong siblings persuaded their grandfather in Anyang,
in the Zhuge Clan head's residence at the foot of Yungzhong Mountain in Hubei, grandfather and granddaughter were discussing the Righteous Path Society.
They were former Grand Strategist Zhuge Cheok and Zhuge Seolji.
"...Putting together what the Alliance Leader and Aunt said, that sums it up. Once Yong-un and the other professors return and the academy's executive committee convenes, the society will push forward in earnest."
Zhuge Seolji's expression was serious,
while Zhuge Cheok, still practicing calligraphy, looked utterly relaxed.
"The Righteous Path Society... Heh, the Leader and Hui fretted over it, did they?"
At that, Zhuge Seolji puffed her cheeks and tried to snatch Zhuge Cheok's brush as he dipped it in ink.
But Zhuge Cheok didn't let her.
With a smooth twist of his body, she missed her target.
Undeterred, she blocked the inkstone with her hand and spoke.
"Don't talk like it's someone else's business. They're asking Grandfather to take the presidency."
"Oh ho. Is that so? I hadn't heard."
"As if you didn't know. Would I come during term time for nothing? You know everything... Stop teasing."
"You stop it, Seolji. This old man finally gets some leisure in his twilight years, and you're asking me to take a bothersome title with no real power."
"...See? You knew right away."
"Knew what? Hey, rascal. Even So doesn't push me around like this."
"Only if a retired man like Grandfather takes the presidency can the society claim to be just a simple fellowship. Please."
At Zhuge Seolji's plea,
Zhuge Cheok finally set down his brush, crossed his arms, and spoke.
"Good grief. The girl who never even complained of pain during her meridian-sealing illness for fear of worrying this old man is now throwing a tantrum. Let's hear why you're acting up."
"I told you. For the justification..."
"Not that reason. The real reason you're doing this."
At Zhuge Cheok's question, Zhuge Seolji bit her lip briefly before speaking softly.
"...There's someone thrashing about. At first, I just wanted to beat them. Why should I lose to someone like that? My head was full of that."
"You're talking about Eon Yong-un."
"Yes. Then I wondered why that person pushes so hard. What change can a few juniors make by flailing like that?"
"......"
"But Yong-un moved the world in the end. Like Yu Gong moving the mountain."
"...Yu Gong Removes the Mountain."
"I don't want to be embarrassed. Not 'Zhuge Seolji dared challenge Eon Yong-un.' I want 'Her resolve was admirable. At least that.' That's why."
"For now, I want to see that fellow myself."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I returned to the Righteous Martial Academy leading the field trip group.
"...That concludes the report for all personnel excluding those absent or injured."
"Well done. The courage and resolve you showed must have instilled fear in the demons and hope in the common folk. I, Binni, take pride in you as chancellor of the Righteous Martial Academy."
Chancellor Gyeong Hye-sa had reddened eyes as she accepted my report.
"I have mountains of words for each and every cadet, but you'll be weary, so I'll cut it short. Cadets, disband and rest. I'll convene the executive committee, so committee members and cadet representatives, attend."
At the assembled Righteous Martial Academy executive committee, discussion of the Righteous Path Society continued.
"President Eon, you truly did well."
"No need. It was what had to be done."
"Because that obvious duty wasn't fulfilled, the world fell into disorder. The spirit of righteousness awakened by President Eon and the academy cadets will rouse the heart of the slumbering giant that is the orthodox martial world, drunk on peace."
Those who had permitted the field trip ploy for the Maninhyul incident wouldn't oppose the society.
The motion to approve the Righteous Path Society passed unanimously.
"Then, the student council, as current students, prepare to welcome the seniors."
"Yes."
"Oh, and Ma Bang-yeon, prepare a civilian-exclusive poison resistance training course."
"Yessir."
I shared the committee's decisions with my dongsaengs.
- Ha-yeon, what's with that face? Not laughing, not crying—what is it?
As Master said, Yin Ha-yeon's expression looked complicated, so I spoke up.
"Yin junior? What's with the face?"
"The society's approved. Great news... Really good, but thinking of all the work ahead, I can't just smile."
With that opener, Yin Ha-yeon folded her fingers one by one, listing tasks.
"Just off the top of my head: send letters in the juniors' names, spruce up the academy and prepare local specialties and return gifts per dorm, check the ceremonial formations, and since seniors will want to see the yearbooks, prepare those too..."
I folded one of her fingers myself and added,
"And Ma Bang-yeon's work. We need a poison countermeasures course for civilians."
At my words, Dang Ok-gi was shocked.
"Ack! You're really doing that?!"
"Yeah. Since targets might not be martial artists, rigorously test antidote dosages and adjust training difficulty. Ok-gi, head to the lab quick."
Yin Ha-yeon spoke again.
"...Should I take a leave?"
"Oh, wanna cut lecture time to do your best?"
"...Demon."
As we bantered with Yin Ha-yeon, Eung-yong, whom I'd left in Muchang for Alliance Leader contact, returned.
Slurrrp!!!
After petting him, I turned back to Yin Ha-yeon.
"Couldn't hear your last bit 'cause of Eung-yong. Something about 'ma' what?"
"...Nothing. Ha-seong and Wu so-hyeop, gather the dorm autonomy lower officers. Cheol and Seon-i, some tea... No, go to the infirmary for insomnia remedies?"
As the student council office bustled,
I checked the letter tied to Eung-yong's leg.
『Nangong Yun and Nangong Young used some method—Nangong Clan head expressed intent to attend the society. I'll escort him upon arrival in Muchang. Be informed.』
The letter bore tremendous good news.
How could it not?
'The Sword Emperor, depicted as incredibly powerful yet unmoving for most things in the original story?'
His participation would be like gaining a heavenly army.
As various thoughts raced through my mind,
"Yong-un? Everyone's back?"
Zhuge Seolji's voice came from the door.
"Big Sis Jeon!"
"Seolji-ya, look at Ha-yeon's face. Eon Yong-un's starting trouble again."
She lightly returned the greetings and spoke to me.
"Yong-un? Free this weekend by any chance?"
"Why time?"
"My grandfather wants to meet you."
"The Cheon-gi Myo-san elder?"
Zhuge Seolji's news was welcome too.
'At least he's interested.'
I smirked and nodded.
"I'll make time. I'll visit."