Chapter 445
Chapter 445
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 445
Chapter Title: Lingering Affection (4)
Five days had passed since Eon Yong-un responded to the Hundred Roots Council's summons.
The vice-chairman of the Hundred Roots Council, Jang Son-rip, who had orchestrated the event, and his faction found themselves unable to summon Eon Yong-un back to the council chamber despite having called him there in the first place.
'Ugh.'
It was inevitable.
The moment they called Eon Yong-un back to the Hundred Roots Council, a full-scale meeting would begin regarding the fact that he was the Sword Demon's successor.
'...But with all the merits he's racked up, it's too much to harp on just the fact that he's the Sword Demon's heir.'
The problem was the lack of solid grounds to criticize both the Murim Alliance Leader and Eon Yong-un.
The primary reason for this situation was that Shaolin and the Beggars' Sect—sects with direct grudges against the Sword Demon—had flatly refused the Hundred Roots Council's request.
But the more fundamental cause lay in the fact that they hadn't expected Eon Yong-un to obediently follow their advisory summons to attend the council.
'We thought he'd ignore the summons with some plausible excuse, just like always...'
Had Eon Yong-un ignored the Hundred Roots Council's advisory as usual,
Jang Son-rip could have shown his followers, "I'm acting to uphold your honor."
'And using the time that opened up naturally, I could have steadily gathered evidence for the reprimand.'
But since Eon Yong-un had come to the Murim Alliance so readily,
Jang Son-rip now had to produce results that would satisfy both his own faction and those protecting Eon Yong-un.
'That stubborn frog of a man. How does he always defy expectations...'
In short, they had been complacent.
After enjoying the sweet nectar of peace for so long, one falls into the delusion that such days will last a thousand, nay, ten thousand years.
That delusion becomes habit, embedding itself in mind and body.
"Though I serve as vice-chairman and preside over this gathering, no sharp ideas come to mind."
The complacency of Jang Son-rip and his faction persisted even now.
"Huangbo Family Head. Do you have any good thoughts?"
"...This has turned into quite the impasse. Those centering around the Eastern Path Assembly are stirring up talk of war clouds gathering. In any case, we must proceed with caution."
"Hmph. No matter how fiercely the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult flies, how could they overturn the current state of affairs? It's absurd."
Thus, wrapped in their habitual complacency, they dismissed the conflict with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as no big deal.
"In all the skirmishes with the demons, the supremacy of the righteous sects has proven as solid as a rock. Unless they've gone mad, why would those in the position of eggs dare to challenge us?"
Of course, there had been a time when even they felt a sense of crisis.
That was why they had permitted the Eastern Path Assembly's formation.
But after the great victory over the Blood Cult at Manyeop Mountain, they judged that the power struggle between the righteous Murim world and the demons was effectively over.
"...That's true enough."
"Exactly. Those led by the Alliance Leader are making a fuss to completely suppress us this time. We must stay sharp. If we don't crush them now, we'll be the ones suffering."
And so, they viewed this incident—sparked by Eon Yong-un revealing his identity—as merely an opportunity to replace the Murim Alliance Leader.
However, due to repeated missteps, Jang Son-rip and his faction had seen their influence in the Hundred Roots Council greatly diminish.
If they didn't prepare a proper pretext, their own legitimacy could be shaken instead.
"We must find ironclad evidence that even the Alliance Leader can't wriggle out of."
Thus, instead of rashly summoning Eon Yong-un to the chamber, they racked their brains for a suitable pretext.
After some time like that,
the head of the Huangbo family, Huangbo Woong, spoke up again.
"But, Vice-Chairman."
"Yes. Has a good idea come to you?"
"It's not about the Alliance Leader or Eon Yong-un, but the Demonic Cult."
"Didn't we just discuss that?"
"True, but... Even we were furious when Eon Yong-un compared us to the ripples before the Yangtze's current, weren't we? The demons worship not Buddha, but the Heavenly Demon. Do you think they'll stomach Eon Yong-un's mockery?"
"So, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"What if they attack the Alliance? That would turn the backlash in our favor."
Huangbo Woong's words were like a cow backing up and accidentally catching a frog.
However, Jang Son-rip, the gathering's chair, firmly shook his head.
"Would those wretches, too busy saving their own skins, be insane enough to storm the Murim Alliance? They'll pick a fight with nearby Kunlun and call it a day."
"But isn't Eon Yong-un—the very one who scattered those flyers—here?"
"Huangbo Family Head. When we announced summoning Eon Yong-un, why didn't the Alliance Leader object? A man who would normally oppose it fiercely?"
"...That's true, I..."
"Because it's safe here! With the possibility of demon assassins, he wanted to shelter his chosen successor in this place. So put aside such needless worries. Focus on how to bind the Alliance Leader."
As Jang Son-rip dismissed Huangbo Woong's words,
the head of the Shandong Ak Family, Ak Chang-son, spoke up.
"Oh, right. Vice-Chairman, have you seen the Secret Intelligence Chief wandering the Alliance lately?"
"Do I have time for that? Can't you see I'm beside myself with how to handle this? But why the National Path Formation?"
"He's been touring the Alliance with some old men I've never seen before."
"Old men you've never seen? Probably some visitors here to inspect the place."
"More than that—they've been checking key facilities. Watchtowers, granaries, defensive formations, that sort of thing. Some days, they even watched the strike team's demonstrations."
"...What?"
Huangbo Woong, who had been listening, added,
"Ah, come to think of it, I think I saw them today too. Definitely unfamiliar faces."
At those words, Jang Son-rip stroked his chin and spoke,
"Heh. The Huangbo Family Head has wide reach in Jiangnan, and the Ak Family Head in the region north of the Yellow River. Yet both of you don't recognize these people touring the Alliance's key facilities and strike teams?"
Jang Son-rip's expression as he said this didn't look like that of an angry man.
He wore a clear smile.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Taegong Yeo Chi-su and Evil Craftsman Wang Seon-nam.
With the joining of these two hidden masters, preparations against a Heavenly Demon Divine Cult raid had become even more solid.
It was inevitable.
Not only had the two offered advice on the Murim Alliance's defense systems,
but with Jang Cheol-han making a trio, they were even serving as sparring partners for me and my sworn younger brothers.
Screeeeech!
Claaaang!!!
Thus, today's training session, steaming with sweat just like the past few days, continued for a good while.
Wang Seon-nam waved his hand and spoke.
"Let's take a break! Trying new moves is killing me! Do we have to go after us old folks?!"
At the Evil Craftsman's words, Eun Ha-seong hurriedly chimed in.
"The young ones will die too! I fully agree with you, sir!"
"Heh. This kid's first impression was pretty lousy... but we've got some rapport, huh?"
The other sworn brothers seemed exhausted too, looking at me with expectant eyes.
I nodded.
"Alright. Rest for about thirty minutes."
As the Evil Craftsman and sworn brothers groaned about dying,
Taegong smiled at me.
"They say Eon Yong-un and his friends have seen every kind of battle under the sun. Your handling of this sudden situation seems even better than the strike team."
"I'm grateful for Taegong's praise, but just now was half instinct. Should I call it fishing rod technique? Even after seeing it multiple times, the trajectory is so bizarre it throws me off every time."
"Isn't that what training is for—to protect your life in real combat?"
"Yes. It's educational. Just curious—did you use the fishing rod as a weapon in the Wavebreaker Kingdom?"
"No. This was a gift from His Majesty during my exile. My martial art is swordsmanship. We call it 'Ureumi'—a type of flexible sword akin to the Central Plains' chain sword."
We enjoyed the break for a moment like that.
Gongson Mugyeol arrived at the training ground and spoke.
"Yong-un."
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
"Take a look at this."
"What is it?"
"With Taegong and Evil Craftsman joining us, we've gained more tactical options for emergencies, right? I racked my brains overnight with the Secret Intelligence Chief."
"Hm. The two elders take the north gate, and Dao Senior moves to the west gate. That way, we can concentrate our forces more on the hotspots."
"Exactly. But my biggest worry is this place."
As I began exchanging opinions with Gongson Mugyeol on various matters,
whispers from outside reached my ears.
"...Did you confirm?"
"Yes. The Alliance Leader headed there. The two old men are reclusive experts introduced via Langya Sword. No notable aliases."
"Tsk tsk. Like the shrimp following the whale."
Council members in full Hundred Roots Council robes strode boldly into our training ground.
The leader, Jang Son-rip, stood smugly before Gongson Mugyeol, pointing at Yeo Chi-su and Wang Seon-nam as he spoke.
"Alliance Leader. I've heard some truly bizarre rumors. They say you've let people of unclear origins into the Murim Alliance willy-nilly."
"......"
"I soothed the other councilors, saying it couldn't be true, and came hoping it wasn't so. But lo and behold, here they are with you. Now explain. Who are they that you're showing them the Alliance's forces?"
"Apologies, but this is akin to wartime, and their identities are top secret, so I can't disclose."
"Heh. Bringing shady hermits inside the Alliance's walls and telling the Hundred Roots Council to buzz off?"
"That's not what I meant. Even if you interpret it that way, it's classified. This was done under my authority."
"Hahaha. Declaring a wartime state over something trivial, bringing them in—all you, Alliance Leader. Beating the drum and playing the pipe all by your lonesome?"
"......"
"Your actions now shake the very foundation of the Murim Alliance. To hear your account on this, attend the Hundred Roots Council at dawn tomorrow."
As some of my sworn brothers moved to step forward at Jang Son-rip's behavior,
"Kek! These old geezers think we're pushovers?!"
"Whoa. Time for a statement of conscience."
I extended my arm toward them and said,
"Everyone, hold back. This isn't the time."
At that, Jang Son-rip's gaze turned to me.
"Hahaha. Clinging to the Alliance Leader has made you so arrogant, treating elders like lepers to avoid. Let's see if you're so cocky after your guardian Old Sword Demon falls from grace."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Yeo Chi-su, who had endured a nation's fall, and Wang Seon-nam, who had lived as the Hao Clan Leader,
knew exactly what was unfolding before their eyes.
"......"
"......"
As their gazes met,
Yeo Chi-su sent a transmission to Wang Seon-nam first.
[Such people exist everywhere.]
[Indeed. Seeing Eon Yong-un and his comrades, I thought the jianghu had caught a new wind... but vermin from the dung heap persist, as ever.]
[So, Evil Craftsman. What should we do? Is staying silent helping? As a martial brute, I'm no good at judging such matters, so I ask.]
[Hm. Since they're making an issue of our identities, revealing them would shut the old fool up faster than silence. Time is of the essence too.]
[Mm. No issue for me... but don't you have reasons to hide yours?]
[I do.]
Wang Seon-nam recalled Eon Yong-un and the sworn brothers as he replied.
People who, beyond righteous or demonic, cared for the weak and embraced others based on right and wrong.
[But this sprout must not be broken.]
For the new jianghu they would unfold, even becoming kindling was fine. Continuing,
[If they falter, it's not just the righteous Murim that crumbles.]
[Yes. The entire world would.]
[Probably... Even current Hao Clan Leader saw through him, aiding these youths despite conflict with the Fourth Young Master. Hao Clan will be fine. Let's reveal our identities.]
With his mind made up, Wang Seon-nam turned to Jang Son-rip and spoke.
"Come to think of it, among the Jungnam Sect disciples, there was one dull-witted but sly, good at massaging elders' egos to win favor. Unique surname... A compound name, Jang-son, was it?"
Jang Son-rip furrowed his brow fiercely and bellowed,
"What? You mangy old mutt of unknown origin dares insult me?!"
Wang Seon-nam smiled faintly and spoke again.
"My status is lowly enough to be called a mutt's bone, but surely you've heard the name. Wang Seon-nam."