Chapter 378
Chapter 378
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 378
Chapter Title: All Seas Converge (2)
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“Why the long faces, everyone? Isn't the water already spilled?”
After letting out a hearty burst of laughter, Zhuge Cheok opened his mouth again, his face still lit with amusement.
“In fact, it spilled quite prettily, didn't it? We've got one of the Blood Cult's pillars right in the palm of our hand, extracting information from them.”
At those words, Professor Changliang and his father spoke up in turn.
“This isn't something to laugh off, Senior!”
“...I agree with Instructor Changliang. This isn't praiseworthy. Yong-un, what possessed you to start something this big on your own?”
Yet Zhuge Cheok defended him.
“What possessed him? It was to topple the demon cults. In turbulent times, extraordinary methods are needed. And it wasn't done entirely alone, was it? He consulted with Hyea, so he followed at least the minimal procedures, no?”
It was then that Alliance Leader Gongson Mugeol, who had been listening, spoke up.
“Thanks to you, I feel like my feet have been chopped out from under me by the very axe I trusted. Yong-un aside, how could Grand Strategist not give me even a hint about something like this...?”
“It's not because she's my daughter that I'm defending him. Sometimes, when a strategist is painting the big picture, there are things that must be done that way.”
“I knew that relations between Sword Emperor Senior and you had become even more hostile after entering the Murim Alliance... Now I think I understand why a little.”
At the ensuing voice, his master added a word.
-That habit of acting first and asking questions later. I always knew it would get him in deep trouble someday.
‘I thought the same, honestly. But no other method came to mind, so I did it that way.’
They must have felt betrayed that such a massive undertaking had been carried out in secret.
And everyone must have been shocked that the Dokgo Family held enmity toward the Blood Cult.
It was a fully understandable situation, so he was prepared to take whatever words came his way.
That was when Zhuge Cheok spoke again.
“I know how you all feel. It could have put not just Gokryong himself, but everyone at the academy in danger. Especially, it's the method Lady Hye dislikes the most. Because it could set a precedent?”
“......”
“I understand the Alliance Leader's feelings too. Both toward Hyea and Gokryong, on both public and private levels, it must feel like a betrayal.”
“......”
“But let's be honest. If he'd come clean about this, would you really have permitted it?”
“......”
“You and I alike, we're all stubborn in head and heart. There are lines in our minds that must never be crossed. Think back to when the Eon Family chased out Gokryong.”
“......”
“Instead of clearing his name of injustice, Gokryong was the sort to storm out of his family, wasn't he? Truth be told, we adults bear some blame for why that child carried this out in secret.”
At Zhuge Cheok's question, most of the academy's executive committee members present fell silent.
However, Lady Gyeonghye quietly spoke up.
“However, it is something that warrants a scolding. Binni cherishes Chairman Eon more than anyone. Enough to complain all the way from Ami. But this incident is no small matter. I don't even know where to begin correcting it.”
“Of course, he'll get an earful from me. But save the scolding as total head, father, and professor for another time. Isn't today's meeting for the Confluence Conclave leadership to squarely face the enemy?”
“......”
“For now, let's hear more from Gokryong. If it doesn't sit right after hearing him out, we can correct it step by step.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Having calmly settled the chairman, Zhuge Cheok questioned him.
“I have a few things I'd like to ask. From now on, answer without hiding anything.”
“Please ask.”
“How are you commanding the Blood Cult members you've brought under your wing?”
“I already explained how I reined them in... In the academy, for the Dokgo Family, Namgung Young and Jang Seon are almost always with them. Otherwise, they're with me.”
“Outside the academy?”
“I use cross-verification of reports from Dokgo Cheol and Song Ho-gyeom.”
“Isn't that a bit lax?”
“I believe there's also a way to hold the reins without tightening them too much. Recall how I moved the Blood Cult when capturing Song Gil-jun—that serves as proof they're fully under my control.”
“I see. What about the Archbishop side?”
“The Southern Sea Archbishop is basically a pirate, so ‘command’ isn't quite the right word. Better to say I've placed him under my umbrella.”
It was then that Paeng Jae-hyeok, arms crossed, spoke up.
“So, what's the next step in that plan?”
“Soon, the Blood Cult will make some move toward establishing a new doctrine. I believe that will create an opportunity to approach the Blood Demon.”
Zhuge Cheok spoke again.
“So, that itself is an opportunity to eliminate the Blood Demon?”
“Yes.”
“One last question. To you, what are the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Blood Cult, and Dokgo Cheol?”
“...I don't quite grasp the intent of the question.”
“When it comes to demon cults, I thought of you running a thousand li without hesitation, and after your maternal uncle's passing, I figured you just gritted your teeth at them as mere fiends... But hearing today's story, it doesn't seem you view them purely as devils that must be eradicated.”
At the following question, he took a moment to organize his thoughts.
‘If you trace the roots of the demon cults, it ultimately leads back to our Heaven-Splitting Sword Sect.’
Could the characters for ‘demon’ truly be attached to the lives of Grandmaster and Master?
As his thoughts reached that point, the answer surfaced readily in his mind.
“I see them as those who walk a different path.”
“Path?”
“At the Confluence Conclave's inauguration, Elder said that once it becomes stagnant like ditchwater, it's no longer the righteous path.”
“Indeed.”
“It's connected to that. Just as there can be black-hearted villains in the righteous murim, among those who joined the demon cults... when they reached out for a sword out of need, all they grasped was demonic arts. That's how I see it.”
“...So, the martial arts themselves are blameless?”
“Simply put, doesn't it only harm themselves? Of course, if demonic arts that offer easy power spread, it could tempt the wicked. But that's a realm that requires guidance.”
“......”
“Of course, in the case of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, hatred has been passed down to the point of blood enmity. Their honed might groans the masses while targeting us. We can't just die as they wish, nor can we stand idly by.”
“......”
“However, for those who stumbled into the demonic path through circumstances... and if, in their hearts, the reason they first took up the sword—their humanity—still remains... shouldn't we give them one chance?”
At his words, Zhuge Cheok stroked his beard and asked.
“Dokgo Cheol and the Archbishop fall into that category?”
“If I may be bold, the Dokgo Family case is clearly the fault of the previous generation's righteous murim. And since the Blood Cult is newly risen, they've expanded recklessly, so there are quite a few who fit the exception I mentioned.”
“......”
“The Southern Sea Archbishop built a notorious name, but I hear it started as a coastal commoner. Of course, that doesn't excuse him. If removing the Blood Demon goes as planned... they must each pay their due sins. Cheol and the Dokgo Family have barely any blood on their hands, since we worked to infiltrate them into the academy.”
By the time he finished speaking.
A heavy silence blanketed the room.
The quiet lingered for a long while.
Then Zhuge Cheok spoke again.
“...After hearing it all, I think we can proceed with the rest of the meeting based on the board Gokryong has set. What do you all think?”
Gongson Mugeol still looked peeved, but with a slightly softened expression, he gave his opinion on the agenda.
“Intelligence indicates the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult has begun selecting a young cult leader. The Blood Cult side is likely preparing a doctrine declaration, as Yong-un said.”
Lady Gyeonghye followed, wearing a similar expression to the Alliance Leader.
“Assuming the Blood Cult becomes a headless organization, should we focus on the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?”
That was an attitude of acceptance toward this incident.
‘Whew.’
As he inwardly sighed in relief.
Regarding Lady Gyeonghye's words, Zhuge Cheok shook his head.
“In cases like this, you don't chase two rabbits at once. Catch the one you can definitely grab first. Whether it's the doctrine declaration or the Southern Sea Archbishop, word will surely come to the Dokgo Family?”
“Yes.”
“Focus on Manap Mountain so we can move anytime. To set up a proper relay station, we'll need to talk with the Geomjeong Sect and the Southern Barbaric Beast Palace too.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ When the meeting of the Confluence Conclave's key figures ended.
Lady Gyeonghye headed to the main building's rear garden with Eon Yong-un, launching into a lecture.
“...Good intentions don't make everything permissible.”
“...Yes, ma'am.”
“When have I ever spoken harshly to Chairman Eon...”
Changliang watched the scene quietly.
Nosam suddenly approached and poked his side.
“Even if you want to nag, skip it today. The Chancellor is handling it. Even the truest words, if heard too much, grow calluses in the ears and go in one and out the other.”
“I was just watching. Just.”
As Changliang turned to head to his lab.
Dokgo Cheol, Namgung Young, Jang Seon.
The trio of Cheongjuk Hall freshmen who'd stuck together since enrollment caught his eye from afar.
‘......’
He'd seen them as close friends per grade, but after hearing Eon Yong-un's story, the three looked different.
‘...Does Dokgo Cheol truly have anyone he can call a close friend?’
Thinking of Dokgo Cheol's short, harsh life, Changliang's expression grew complicated.
Nosam gave a dry chuckle and spoke.
“That kid Yong-un has a way of making you reflect. That line about people who reach out and find only demonic arts—it rings true.”
“......”
“I only made it here because I met a decent young lord who took me in. A slight miss, and who knows where my life would've gone...”
“......”
“...Wait. Why am I grabbing you for this nonsense?”
As Nosam swallowed his words.
Changliang walked toward the freshman trio.
Nosam's urgent transmission followed him.
[What's up? What are you doing?! Don't do anything rash! Wait, why are you suddenly acting like this?!]
By then, Changliang's steps had unconsciously brought him before the three.
But upon arrival.
A thought flashed that any words would sound odd.
“Ahem.”
So he clasped his hands behind his back awkwardly.
The three freshmen bowed their heads in unison and greeted.
“Professor. Hello.”
“Yes. Heading to the main building?”
When Changliang asked, Dokgo Cheol replied.
“Yes. We have business at the Academic Affairs Office.”
“...You've had it rough.”
“Pardon?”
“Under Chairman Eon.”
“Ah. Yes.”
“You're not ordinary newbies, so lots of headaches, right? Even I suddenly want to lighten your load. No final assignment for my class—consider it canceled.”
At Changliang's words, the trio stared blankly for a moment.
“???”
Namgung Young spoke.
“Huh? Not just us, right? Should we pass it on to the other cadets?”
“Do that... Tell all the freshmen they're doing well and to do great on the exams.”
That day, the Righteous Martial Academy freshmen received assignment exemptions from Professor Changliang for the first time.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, in Heukshi on the Silver River Archipelago.
As Sa Gyeom's Golden Sail Fleet was anchored there.
A single letter arrived.
After Sa Gyeom confirmed and burned the letter, Deputy Leader Heo Uk beside him spoke.
“What did it say?”
“At the end of the coming month, a Bishops' Conference will be held, so respond to the summons... This feels off.”
“...A summons is a first. But with the Blood Heaven Asura Palace rushing the doctrine declaration, isn't it time to abolish the point organizations? Doesn't seem that strange.”
At Heo Uk's words, Sa Gyeom firmly shook his head.
“After the report that Manin Blood was annihilated, aside from an acknowledgment, there was no further word.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Doesn't it seem too quietly passed over? Excluding the meeting with Ghost Face Elder, we reported the facts as they were, but the cult should have rebuked us. Yet no such thing, and now a Bishops' Conference...”
“...Hearing the Leader say it, it does feel fishy.”
“They've probably attached eyes to watch us... Should we contact Ghost Face Elder?”
“If there's someone watching us as you say, can we even make contact?”
“Once we're out at sea, the eyes have no choice but to fall off.”
“But to send to the Dokgo Family, don't we ultimately need to dispatch someone ashore?”
“What about using the Red Dragon Palace?”
“The Red Dragon Palace?”
“I wouldn't mind devouring those bastards, but they have deep ties to the righteous factions. They won't ignore a letter headed to the Dokgo Family, which has settled as one of their own. Aren't their ships in Yeondo now?”
“Yes.”
“Prepare. When their ships set sail, we'll attach a fast ship and loose arrows.”