Chapter 375
Chapter 375
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 375
Chapter Title: Orthodox Path Society (6)
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The Orthodox Path Society, having appointed its Chairman, established its bylaws and adjourned the meeting.
Once the distinguished guests and student representatives who had attended the inauguration ceremony returned to their lodgings...
"I'll take this seat here. Please, Senior from Heavenly Mechanism Wonderland, take the seat of honor."
"Is it alright to do that in the Chancellor's office?"
"This gathering is essentially an extension of the Orthodox Path Society, so it seems fitting."
Chancellor Gyeong Hye of the Righteous Martial Academy and the instructors serving as operating committee members.
"Well, that's true enough. Then I won't stand on ceremony."
"North Hebei Power King, you can sit to the Chairman's left."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Orthodox Path Society Chairman Jegal Cheok and Secretary Eon Jeong-ung.
And Murim Alliance Leader Gong Son Mu-gyeol and former Murim Alliance Leader Namgung Won.
"Then this Gong Son will take the lowest seat here."
As the society's leadership gathered in one place...
Gyeong Hye spoke again.
"The bylaws were set remarkably cleanly."
At her words, Paeng Jae-hyeok, dormitory instructor from Cloud Plum Pavilion, nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. Members do not obsess over cultivation ranks and treat each other with respect. They encourage righteous actions and aid one another in times of hardship. Simple, yet essential. I heard Brothers Jeong-ung and the Alliance Leader put their heads together on this—truly impressive."
"Hahaha. Sure, I sat in a fine Alliance Leader's seat, but I was always too busy twiddling my thumbs. Now, if issues arise, the Orthodox Path Society can act without needing backbone council approval."
Gong Son Mu-gyeol laughed heartily and continued.
"With just those present here taking action, it naturally becomes the affair of the entire Righteous Martial World. It will form the foundation for the Murim Alliance to step in. As for the bylaws... I'm embarrassed to say I contributed little. Isn't that right, Senior Eon?"
"Enough gilding the lily. It was possible thanks to the Alliance Leader's help."
"All this Gong Son did was say it sounded good. Senior Eon—no, Secretary Eon—drafted the bylaws. It shows where Yong-un gets his brilliance from."
"Ahem. Yong-un is my son, but there are times I wonder where such a boy came from. Hm. Ahem."
As Eon Jeong-ung humbly spoke, Jegal Min, dormitory instructor from Yun Nation Pavilion, said,
"Not gilding— it fits perfectly with the spirit of a true fellowship society..."
He shook his head as if to disagree and opened his mouth.
"It can serve as the foundation for members to mobilize in emergencies. The three bylaws align with Master Zhu's teachings, giving it legitimacy. That's why it passed unanimously without opposition."
However, Chang Ryang, dormitory instructor from Fragrant Orchid Pavilion,
"The world is in chaos, demonic forces are rising aggressively, and even I agree..."
Ignoring the jovial atmosphere, he voiced his concerns.
"This Orthodox Path Society could be misused as a double-edged sword if mishandled. The Murim Alliance has checks to prevent such abuses... but the Orthodox Path Society lacks them, doesn't it?"
At Chang Ryang's words, No Sam, dormitory instructor from Azure Bamboo Pavilion, clicked his tongue.
"There you go with your needless worries again."
"Needless? The Orthodox Path Society could evolve into something above the Murim Alliance."
It was then that Namgung Won, who had been listening, spoke.
"But it has no coercive power. Only those three bylaws and membership dues rules. In truth, no mandatory clauses. Meaning it's an organization advancing on the virtue and camaraderie of its individual members."
Jegal Cheok followed up on Namgung Won's words.
"If that collective will veers astray, it means the Righteous Martial World itself has become corrupt filth unfit to speak of righteousness."
"Exactly."
"If it's that rotten, it deserves to fall. Mere bloodlines and empty lineages don't make one righteous, do they? Am I wrong, Instructor Chang Ryang?"
"...You're right."
"A newly formed organization will either improve or decay with time. What's urgent now is facing the enemy squarely and considering preparations."
With that, Jegal Cheok began sharing his thoughts candidly.
"The Ten Thousand Great Mountains' strength was about thirty percent of the Righteous Martial World's forces when I gauged it as Grand Strategist. If those bastards are mobilizing to enter the Central Plains, their power has likely doubled. Isn't that so, Alliance Leader Gong Son?"
"Correct. However, thanks to the valiant efforts of later-generation experts like the Dragon, the demons' ambitions were thwarted, and our ties with the New Outer Regions have strengthened. Plus, the Demonic Cult has split from the Blood Cult..."
"Crabs stick with crabs. Of course, right after splitting, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and Blood Cult won't side easily. But when calculating risks, we must assume unity."
"True. That makes it at least forty percent."
"Moreover, there's a fundamental difference between us and them. They have an absolute focal point in their Cult Leader; we can only be a confederation."
Having sharply assessed the situation, Jegal Cheok highlighted key priorities.
And stated the immediate tasks.
"The great task is making the jianghu face the Demonic Cult as a collective and rallying forces... In that regard, the current Orthodox Path Society is centered on the Five Great Families."
Jegal Cheok was right.
Chairman: Jegal Cheok.
Secretary: Eon Jeong-ung.
Strongly supported by North Hebei Paeng Family and Sichuan Tang Family.
With candidate Namgung Won withdrawing, calling it Five Great Families-centered was no exaggeration.
As those present nodded...
Jegal Cheok made a proposal.
"North Hebei's liaison office should be handled by Secretary Eon Junior, but entrusting other provinces to the Nine Great Schools could work."
Namgung Won, listening, nodded and spoke.
"Old ginger is still spicy, eh? Worth yielding the Chairman seat."
"Weren't you the one saying I'm only fit for a desk job with a soy sauce dish for a vessel?"
"That was because you kept bringing up that prickly story to rile me."
"Yielding my ass. We agreed it looked like I chickened out and bolted since it seemed unwinnable."
"Hah. If I'd gone all out, you wouldn't have. From academy days, you always got wrecked by me—forgotten already?"
"Why bring that up again?!"
They bickered briefly like that.
Closing and opening his eyes briefly, Jegal Cheok looked at Namgung Won and spoke.
"Anyway, rallying the Righteous Martial World is vital, but ultimately, the key is nurturing successors. The Righteous Martial Academy's role remains crucial, as always. So, Sword Emperor... what about that Dragon fellow..."
"Argh! I said don't bring it up first like that!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The day after the Orthodox Path Society inauguration concluded successfully.
Namgung Yun handed me a letter.
"Grandfather says he'll review your and Yin Ha-seong's martial arts and sent an invitation."
"Hm. Inviting me to Bomyeong Manor— that's your collateral family's estate, right?"
"Yes."
As I read the letter Namgung Yun handed me...
Master interjected.
- We've already agreed, so just telling you to come would suffice, yet they send an official letter stamped by the Namgung Family Head.
'True. Very much like the Namgung family.'
As I responded to Master, Tang Ok-gi tilted her head and spoke.
"But does the Namgung Family just teach martial arts to outsiders? Eon Yong-un has his own, so maybe pointers, but they agreed to teach Ha-seong advanced techniques? My family wouldn't."
At Tang Ok-gi's words, Cheon Jang-ho let out a hollow laugh.
"That's because your family is so..."
"...What about my family? Speak properly."
As her leopard-like eyes glared, he hurriedly changed tack.
"So... Ah! That damn Bok-cheol—is he doing what I assigned properly?! I told him to gather detailed intel on Ten Thousand Great Mountains movements—better check!"
"Kyak!!! Where you going, Cheon Jang-ho! Answer me? What's wrong with my family?!"
As Tang Ok-gi's roar followed...
Yin Ha-yeon touched her chin and said,
"Well, not completely outsiders."
"What do you mean?"
"Ha-seong is sort of engaged to a Namgung collateral daughter."
At that, everyone except the Namgung siblings widened their eyes in surprise...
Yin Ha-yeon spoke again.
"That's why he was learning Heavenly Thunder Swordsmanship. You all didn't know?"
"First I've heard."
I also turned to Yin Ha-seong.
He scratched his head sheepishly and spoke.
"Engaged is too strong— no formal exchange like birth charts; just parental talk. With Silver Radiance Merchant Group and Namgung Family clashing often, it's political... I don't even know who this lady is."
I nodded at his words and said,
"Doesn't matter who; I know I saved one Namgung lady. When we first met, she was total trash."
"...No, Brother Yong-un. Calling people 'that' isn't enough—you say trash? And honestly, not quite that ba—"
As Yin Ha-seong protested...
Yin Ha-yeon and Namgung Yun smiled wryly in unison.
"She was that bad."
"That bad."
Then Jeong Hyeon and Namgung Yeong followed.
"To be honest now... their Family Head came complaining to the main house. Not questioning the clan's decision, but how could we refuse?"
Even Yin Ha-seong spoke, pride wounded.
"Hah! Damn! Me too! That house I hate..."
"What about the house you hate? Finish your sentence."
As he trailed off, I pressed; he quickly switched.
"I'll work hard to change her mind! Let's train. The elders await."
Thinking him impossible to hate, I chuckled and stood.
"Sure."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Seven days after arriving at Bomyeong Manor where Namgung Won resided.
Yin Ha-seong began seriously learning the Namgung Family's advanced martial arts.
Pachichik!
"It's not just wrapping lightning around and swinging hard. First dominate the space, then strike with the thunder dwelling in the sword."
"I'll keep it in mind."
Meanwhile, I repeated only basic thrusts, horizontal slashes, and vertical cuts.
Buuuuuung—weng
The difference was performing them extremely slowly.
Today too, focusing on swinging the sword sluggishly for a long while...
Namgung Won approached and spoke.
"Not bored?"
"Says the one who ordered it."
"First guy to do as told without complaint."
"Pfft. Who'd gripe at the Sword Emperor's orders?"
"They don't say it, but it shows in their actions. That 'why bother' attitude. And you're a Fusion Realm expert—must be frustrating?"
"Never swung this slow, but similar training. Even Fusion Realm masters, stripping flourishes and feints, sword basics are cut and thrust, right?"
At my response, Namgung Won chuckled hollowly.
"Damn. Your achievements show you're no fool... So endurance and grit are exceptional. You keep surprising."
Finishing, Namgung Won drew his waist sword and said,
"Come at me at that swing speed."
I swung as told.
Namgung Won matched my sword form exactly.
Chaeng!
After a while, Regret and Namgung Won's swords crossed with a scraping sound.
Kkigigigik.
Namgung Won spoke lowly.
"Even Mount Wudang has multiple paths up. But first ascent should follow the proper way."
"Build a solid foundation."
"Right. At high realms, basics seem distant. Like frog forgetting tadpole days. Shortcuts rarely work against absolute masters. Foundation decides victory."
Chaeng! Chaeaeang!
"Now, twice the time of that exchange—swing once."
Thus, sparring with Namgung Won continued in sluggish sword forms.
Repeating the slow spars consecutively, another seven days passed swiftly.
Afterward, we resumed normal speed spars.
In that process...
'Hm?'
Still distant.
But I felt a step closer to Namgung Won's realm.