Chapter 417
Chapter 417
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 417
Chapter Title: Settling Accounts (1)
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The Blood Demon had vanished.
With a modest farewell banquet, the memorial rite came to an end.
The allied forces, united under the banner of the Dongdo Alliance to combat the great evil, had reached the time for disbandment.
"Hurry up! The road ahead is long!"
"You lot, get moving too! We need to be ready to depart the moment the Grand Leader gives the word!"
As the warriors from the three factions began packing to return to their respective territories...
At my command, the leaders gathered together.
"Lady Ha Yeon, it looks like the explosives fee is missing from the amount allocated to the Haomen."
"We can't put that in writing."
"Ah, I was so focused on checking for omissions that it slipped my mind."
Amid the clacking of abacuses, Yin Xia Lian and Zhuge Seolji were deep in their calculations.
My master chimed in with a comment.
Hmm. Those two are just like that, aren't they? Looks like they're talking money. Is that alright? Judging from their attitudes at the memorial... do you think they'll take kindly to haggling over life prices in the wake of such a battle? 'Master, you're...'
Why? What now? 'I was about to say you secretly harbor a chivalrous mindset. You're a bit touchy?'
You treat your master like a punching bag, don't you! And don't get all mushy calling me a chivalrous one! I just lived as I pleased, like you say sometimes. 'Yes, Master swung his sword by his own will alone. But the Haomen and Green Forest are different. They're all sellswords at heart. Better to have money than nothing. The Pure Blood Unit feels the same.'
This fight wasn't for gold, and with righteous, evil, and demonic factions mingled...
They simply wouldn't voice such sentiments.
"Young Master Eon, it's all done."
The moment Yin Xia Lian set down her brush, I addressed the group.
"I know bringing up money now, while the faces of our fallen comrades still linger in our minds, might feel awkward. But someone has to say it, so I'll step up."
With that opener, I gazed in turn at Do Jung-gwang, Mok Yeom-yak, and Dokgo Cheol before continuing.
"The Dongdo Alliance has funds. No amount can fully compensate for a life lost, but we can offer compensation for each fallen warrior equivalent to what the Radiant Prosperity Hall pays when an escort leader perishes in duty."
I pointed to Yin Xia Lian and Zhuge Seolji.
"Those two young ladies just finalized the documents on that. Take a look, and if the math is off or anything's lacking, let us know."
I concluded by looking at Old Three, representing the Beggars' Sect, and Myeong Tae-seong of the Strike Team.
"Ah, we excluded the Strike Team per the Murim Alliance regulations, and the Beggars' Sect has its own branch rules."
As the two nodded...
Mok Yeom-yak finished reviewing the documents and replied with a smile.
"Indeed, the Monster Dragon's reputation holds true without flaw. For Hundred Paths' young master to bring up what others might overlook first."
Do Jung-gwang then spoke up.
"Checked. One separate matter."
"Please speak."
"For now, I'd prefer no Hundred Paths martial artists gearing up to subjugate the Green Forest Bandit Lair. Not saying we'll rampage using this as pretext. I'll firmly instruct my lair leaders to lay off the tolls."
He brought up another point mid-sentence.
"As you know, Green Forest's structure is too vulnerable to Demonic Cult infiltration. And we didn't get separate permission from the Righteous Demonic Alliance Young Leader. He's probably fuming right now. We need more solid peace."
Father responded to the proposal.
"On that, I, Eon Jeong-ung, give my assurance. It's a necessary measure; I'll secure the Dongdo Alliance and Hundred Paths Conference's consent."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Satisfied with Father's reply, Do Jung-gwang nodded.
"Good."
That's when I pulled out a name buried in his words.
"Speaking of which, shall we discuss the Righteous Demonic Alliance Young Leader and Dongjeong Chongho Baek Gwang-ho a bit?"
Do Jung-gwang and Mok Yeom-yak crossed their arms in turn.
"Hm. Best you stay out of Righteous Demonic Alliance matters?"
Mok Yeom-yak's view differed from Do Jung-gwang's.
"We've already moved our full forces without consulting the Alliance Leader. More Hundred Paths involvement could backfire. The Monster Dragon knows that, so why bring it up? Thinking of the Paeryong Token?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
I recounted finding the Paeryong Token, the young leader's insignia, and secretly removing one dragon eye engraving from it.
Do Jung-gwang's jaw dropped.
"Your guts just keep growing the more I learn."
I chuckled softly and got to the point.
"I've kept it in the academy's annex since. If I split it and give half to you two, would it help?"
Do Jung-gwang pondered briefly, then shook his head.
"Splitting it ruins its meaning and value. I won't take it. I'm retiring anyway; I'll handle any arrows aimed at Green Forest. Give it to the Haomen Lord with all his dependents."
Mok Yeom-yak then offered a cupped-fist salute to Do Jung-gwang and me.
"Then I'll gratefully accept."
I returned the salute.
Mok Yeom-yak smiled wryly with a hint of regret.
"Haha. The Monster Dragon really tempts me. Might be rude with Hanbuk Kwonwoong here, but if there was a bolder courtesan among Hanbuk's girls, could the Monster Dragon have become my man?"
Father and I were momentarily speechless.
"......"
"......"
Do Jung-gwang tsked loudly at Mok Yeom-yak.
"Enough nonsense, Mok Sect Leader."
He turned to Old Three.
"Anyway, old beggar. You must keep your promise this time."
"If it's the toll exemption, talk to the Alliance Leader. I only said I'd relay it from the start."
"Hmph. Seems we've covered everything... We'll be off then."
He rose.
At the same time, Namgung Yun stood and spoke.
"I'll escort you to the Green Forest Manor."
Do Jung-gwang furrowed his brow at Namgung Yun.
"Eh. No need for the likes of you."
Namgung Yun persisted.
"Didn't you suffer a major injury?"
Dang Ok-gi nearby added,
"Green Forest King uncle, that's no minor wound. I stitched it well, but overdo it and it'll burst. With the Righteous Demonic Alliance Young Leader already on alert?"
Do Jung-gwang looked at me pleadingly.
"Look... it lined up this time by chance. Black and White Paths mingling does no good for either."
As I stayed silent, Namgung Yun pressed Do Jung-gwang again.
"Not dragging a retinue. Just me alone. Change clothes, and no issue."
He turned to me.
"Eon Yong-un. Thanks to you, I see the world anew. This battle revealed yet another side. For Do predecessor's safety, and to glimpse more of the Black Path's life."
Namgung Yun, who once looked down loftily on the world.
For such a man to step into the Black Path's world was remarkable.
'...His eyes deepened. Something changed in his heart.'
The academy had matters waiting, but one man was fine.
I nodded.
"Go ahead."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Mouthing reluctance but not truly hating Namgung Yun tagging along...
Do Jung-gwang gave him various advice as they left the tent.
"That's why ties with White Path folk are a hassle. If you're coming, fix that fancy face first."
Mok Yeom-yak then led her Haomen forces out.
"Then this Heavenly Maiden will head back. If you need sect intel, visit our nearest branch with a full purse."
With the two Black Path factions gone...
Only White Path elders and the Pure Blood Unit remained in the tent.
Then...
Sa Gyeom bowed deeply to the assembly.
"Once this battle ends, I vowed to atone for my days as Grand Bishop of the Blood Control Force. I know better than anyone the stench of blood clinging to me. I'll follow any path. If it means enduring stones in a valley of hunger, so be it. Even death as a demonic scum in Luoyang."
Silence fell briefly.
Wudang Five Heroes' eldest, Mu-geuk Sword Myeong Yeong, spoke heavily.
"The Monster Dragon mentioned it already. We've pondered during the battlefield cleanup. Listen, Sa Company Leader."
"...Speak."
"The blood on your hands is irreversible. Executing you won't bring them back. Use the Pure Blood Unit to rally Blood Control Force remnants. Walk the path of saving lives until your killing karma is quelled."
Second brother Myeong Il added sternly.
"Not forgiveness. Bear that bloodied hand. Forget it, and Wudang's sword will find you."
Sa Gyeom offered another heavy cupped-fist salute.
The Wudang Five returned it.
Among them, Myeong Han looked at me and Jeong-hyeon in turn before speaking.
"Then we'll pack. Jeong-hyeon, you have business left with the Monster Dragon?"
Jeong-hyeon nodded, and they stepped out.
Father and the White Path elders followed the Wudang Five.
From the Pure Blood Unit, Sa Gyeom and Son Cheon-jeong saluted and exited.
Only my Pearl Eon Family siblings remained, and Dokgo Cheol let out a long sigh.
"Huuu. Not just anyone can be Chairman. It drained every ounce of my spirit."
As I patted his shoulder...
Eon Yong-myeong spoke.
"What now for the Pure Blood Unit? Continuing as Blood Cult feels off."
Cheon Jang-ho replied earnestly.
"Drop the 'Blood' evoking Blood Control Force, take 'Blood Flame Heaven' from our banner... Flame Heaven Cult. How's that?"
"...Serious?"
"Of course."
"Lame."
As I dismissed it...
Dokgo Cheol spoke again.
"...I do have one idea."
"Oh ho. Future cult leader, eh? Spill."
"Future cult leader... I'm unfit to lead a religion. No commanding presence like the Chairman, scant experience, no enlightening insight to guide others."
"Hm. Go on."
"I tried mimicking the Chairman's reconciliation symbol, but I'm lacking overall. And..."
"And what? Why trail off?"
"...If possible, I must return to the Dokgo Family someday."
"Why the 'if'? It's happening. I'll make it so."
"...Haha."
"So, what's your point?"
"Before this battle, the Chairman said: if we seal the demonic path, our path could be a mainstay. So, I thought of Straw Bale Society."
I mulled his words.
"Society... lighter than cult, so you can step down when a successor appears. Makes sense. But Straw Bale? Like straw?"
"Yes. Won't turn away those clutching at straws. We'll throw ourselves like straw for that path."
As Woo So-reung and Eun Ha-seong gaped...
"...Cheol feels distant now. I'm the senior."
"...Not distant—it's like he stole Yong-un hyung's vibe. What's with that Ghost Face Elder mask? Lemme try?"
I chuckled and nodded.
"Good name."