Murim Alliance
As Paeng Su-won moved to embrace him, Jeong Gwang took a step back. When Paeng Su-won hesitated and approached again, Jeong Gwang retreated once more.
“……Good grief. You're making me feel awkward here.”
“Hello.”
“……Yeah. Hello. My nephew's grown into quite the fine young man since I last saw him.”
It wasn't empty flattery.
The mysterious pretty boy had transformed into the world's most handsome man, standing right before him.
“Is that friend Heo Cheong inside?”
“Yes. With the elders.”
“Good. Let's head in.”
Paeng Su-won and the Paeng Clan warriors entered the inn alongside Jeong Gwang.
Like any inn, the first floor of Lianhua Inn was a dining area.
Once the Paeng Clan warriors had taken their seats, Jeong Gwang went to the rear annex to deliver the news.
Paeng Su-won watched Jeong Gwang's retreating figure intently when a nearby middle-aged man with a refined face spoke up.
“Is that the young Taoist Jeong Gwang that Uncle mentions from time to time?”
“That's right.”
“He's every bit the stunning beauty you described.”
The Paeng Clan men held a misguided notion of male beauty—rugged, burly faces like their own.
But Jeong Gwang's features shattered such notions entirely.
And the middle-aged man who had spoken up first had a proper eye for it.
“You praised him so highly that I wondered if it wasn't a bit exaggerated.”
“I understand.”
“His martial arts must be as you said too. The one who peeled back a layer from Gang-hwi……”
“Planning to test him yourself?”
“I'd like to, but my head's telling me otherwise. Haha. The rumors we heard on the way were pretty terrifying, after all.”
He joked lightly, but his eyes burned with fervor.
Paeng Su-won spoke quietly to his nephew, Paeng Gang-ung.
“Let me give you one piece of advice.”
“Please do. I'll etch it into my heart.”
“Never make an enemy of that boy. Understand?”
Paeng Gang-ung, the Paeng Clan's heir apparent and top prodigy, fell silent for a moment before smiling faintly.
“Understood.”
His words said one thing, but a strange heat flickered in his eyes.
Heo Cheong came flying out first, practically leaping with joy.
“Su-won! You rascal, why'd you take so long?”
“Haha. Trying to handle things properly just took time.”
“Fair enough. Feeling confident?”
“Exhaust human effort and await heaven's will, as they say? We'll see.”
Heo Cheong nodded at his friend's faint smile.
For the ever-cautious Paeng Su-won to speak this way meant he had some real confidence.
“No time to waste—let's go in.”
“Right. Greetings to the elders first.”
Paeng Su-won and his warriors chatted at length with the Kunlun Taoists before departing.
Heo Cheong saw them off a good distance, then returned to the inn and called for Jeong Gwang.
“Let's talk for a bit.”
“Yes, Master.”
Heo Cheong gathered his thoughts before speaking.
“The internal reorganization of the Wulin Alliance—which has been vacant—is mostly wrapped up. Starting tomorrow, we'll move into the alliance grounds.”
“Got it.”
“You'll be rubbing shoulders with folks from all sorts of sects and clans. I know your personality, but try not to treat them like air. Learn what you can, even if it's just one thing.”
“That's exactly what I had in mind.”
“……!”
Heo Cheong's eyes widened at the utterly unexpected reply.
He blinked for a moment, then praised his disciple in a delighted voice.
“Good. That's an excellent mindset.”
“It's nothing.”
Heo Cheong's mouth split into a grin.
'How proud can a master be?'
Jeong Gwang was a genius among geniuses, but only in martial arts.
His social graces fell short of even an average person, which had secretly worried Heo Cheong.
Yet here he was, willing to learn from others.
'Heh. That's my disciple.'
But this was a grave misunderstanding.
What Jeong Gwang meant by “learning”…… or more accurately, plundering…… was the martial arts of others.
'The Nine Great Sects and One Gang, the Seven Great Clans. Plus all those middling sects underneath. Won't be bored.'
They had to be at least somewhat decent, though.
'Who to start with?'
He thought of the shit-stirring Namgung Ryeok, but shook his head inwardly.
'Picking an order? Nah, that's not right.'
Bash the ones who came at him first and take what they had—that was the natural way.
No need to worry about a lack of volunteers.
This was the Wulin Alliance, after all.
Proud warriors from prestigious orthodox sects gathered here—guys like Namgung Ryeok would be tripping over themselves in droves.
A smile crept onto Jeong Gwang's lips unbidden.
“Heh. Kid, that excited?”
“Huh?”
“Something you should know. There's some friction over the alliance leader selection. So if anyone gets prickly, just let it slide.”
“What's the situation like?”
“Roughly three factions. As expected, Huashan and Jongnam have teamed up to push for the Namgung Clan. Then there's our group supporting the Paeng Clan. And finally, those sitting on the fence.”
“The Nine Great Sects aren't stepping up?”
Heo Cheong chuckled.
“We're Taoists, monks, and beggars, aren't we? Hard to take the lead in worldly affairs.”
“Not thick-skinned enough, huh?”
“Haha. You don't have to put it that bluntly—makes me blush. Yeah, that's how it's always been, and it'll stay that way.”
Heo Cheong laughed for a while before his expression turned grave.
“This alliance leader will wield real authority. Before, it was mostly ceremonial, making quick decisions tough. That's why we struggled against the demonic cult's sporadic raids.”
“……Demonic cult? Sporadic raids?”
“You wouldn't know. The root of all evil, the True Heavenly Demon, used a strategy to drain Central Plains murim's blood. Not full invasions, but strikes whenever they found an opening. Amitabha. Thinking back, it's a blessing he's dead.”
Reincarnated, you mean.
He was used to the “root of all evil” talk by now.
Sure, unintentionally, Kunlun had suffered because of him.
But sporadic invasions of the Central Plains?
Draining blood? What the hell?
Jeong Gwang was dumbfounded.
'Everything's my fault now? Even stuff I never heard about.'
He nearly protested but clamped his mouth shut.
How could the Jeong Gwang of his past life defend against accusations aimed at his present self?
Still, brushing it off felt off.
'This is weird. Some conspiracy?'
After a moment's thought, he decided to hear more.
“What kind of guys…… people were they?”
“Not people—bloodthirsty demons, they say.”
“……Demons?”
“Yeah. Or rather, even 'demons' doesn't cover their ferocity.”
Heo Cheong shuddered at the mere memory.
That confirmed it for Jeong Gwang.
'Someone framed us!'
Demonic cult or not, it was still home to people.
Rough and rude as they were, none deserved the “demon” label.
'So that's it……'
He needed to identify the culprits.
“What were their names?”
“I'll name the ones that come to mind.”
Jeong Gwang clenched his fist.
'Which bastards are impersonating my cult…… the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! I won't let them get away!'
Love it or hate it, it was his home turf.
Jeong Gwang perked up his ears, committing the names Heo Cheong rattled off to memory.
“Blood Face Demon BladeHan Sang-yeo.”
……That timid kid who turned red-faced and teary after a mild scolding?
“Iron Soul Collapse FistMo Kyung-hu.”
……The musclehead so dumb his lifelong pride was knowing how to write his own name?
“Ecstasy WitchSo Hee-bin.”
Hold on. Hee-bin was prickly, sure, but chaste in her own way. Ecstasy Witch was a stretch.
His clenched fist had gone limp without him noticing.
Unlike the baffled Jeong Gwang, Heo Cheong was deadly serious, almost solemn.
“They were truly strong and cruel. Led the demonic cult's elite, sweeping through the Central Plains. Can you imagine the horror? Central Plains murim suffered long after each raid.”
Jeong Gwang realized.
'Rebels I didn't finish off.'
Past-life Jeong Gwang showed no mercy to enemies, crushing them on sight. But there were too many; some escaped.
'They slunk off to the Central Plains.'
Their nicknames had twisted oddly, but the names matched.
'Why not die quietly under me? Go cause trouble elsewhere!'
Misreading Jeong Gwang's anger as outrage at the cult's atrocities, Heo Cheong changed the subject.
“That's why this leadership election is crucial.”
“What's Paeng Clan Lord like?”
“A true hero.”
“Straightforward. Any flaws?”
“Ambition runs deep.”
A man with both righteousness and ambition.
Not bad at all, Jeong Gwang thought.
Heo Cheong hid none of his bias.
“For the common folk of Henan and Qinghai Province, I'd love to see him take the helm.”
The next morning, the Kunlun contingent headed to the Wulin Alliance with the Paeng Clan.
The journey took longer than expected—all because of Kunlun.
More precisely, people flocking to them upon sight.
“Ah, immortals! My grandmother's on her last legs—could you bless her?”
“Greetings, sages. Seems I've crossed some evil spirits; nothing goes right. Might I request an exorcism?”
The Kunlun Taoists gathered the desperate crowd.
“Amitabha. Time's short, so it'll be brief—bear with us.”
“The Supreme Lord values sincerity above all; He'll be pleased.”
With the crowd's understanding, they performed their duties without a hint of annoyance.
Simple blessings and abbreviated rituals for each.
Naturally, the people praised Kunlun. The Taoists demurred humbly, never arrogant or proud.
Watching this, Paeng Gang-ung was impressed inwardly.
'Impressive. True Taoists.'
Glancing around, he saw Jeong Gwang, veiled in his bamboo hat, handling people quietly too.
'Heard he was unpredictable, but he has a proper Taoist side?'
Recalling rumors about Jeong Gwang, Paeng Gang-ung thought of his brother Paeng Gang-hwi's words.
'He's someone who truly embodies the Dao. When he steps into the world……'
Gang-hwi's face had lit up with a bright smile as he continued.
'……His name alone will fill people's minds.'
Mulling his brother's words, Paeng Gang-ung clenched his fist unconsciously.
'With me here, what nonsense?'
Paeng Gang-hwi had reached new heights after meeting Jeong Gwang.
Seemed impressive at first, but after sparring him once, Paeng Gang-ung's view shifted.
'He wasn't even a match. I barely won.'
Since then, he'd felt his father's attention shifting to his brother.
'Fine. You're probably right.'
Jeong Gwang was special.
He'd elevated Gang-hwi's skills and turned an arrogant brat drunk on the “Paeryong” title into a true hero.
But……
'I am Paeng Gang-ung.'
The Blade Dragon, who had claimed one of the previous generation's Nine Dragons Eight Phoenixes and dominated the jianghu.
'I won't let it slip away.'
The Hebei Paeng Clan was his.
'I won't lose.'
His name alone was enough to echo through the jianghu.
'By any means……'
Paeng Gang-ung was confident.
Meanwhile, sensing the man's persistent gaze, Jeong Gwang grumbled inwardly.
'Wanna bash that guy first. But he's on our side.'
He restrained his battle lust without leaking killing intent—evidence of solid self-control.
And moreover.
'Ho. Check this out.'
Paeng Gang-ung's aura differed subtly from past Paeng Gang-hwi or even the current Paeng warriors.
Not a matter of higher skill.
Jeong Gwang's instinct from his past life picked up on it.
'Interesting guy.'
Peering through his bamboo hat, Jeong Gwang met his eyes. Paeng Gang-ung flashed a broad grin.
The kind to lift anyone's spirits.
Anyone but Jeong Gwang.
'Fine. One day, I'll gut him like Namgung Ryeok.'
As the two harbored different thoughts, the group arrived at the Wulin Alliance.
Stern warriors flanked the massive open gates.
From between them emerged a refined middle-aged man in crane cloak robes.
“Kunlun and Paeng Clan, arriving together. Welcome to the Wulin Alliance.”
“Jegal Mun-hyeong the great hero, I presume. A pleasure.”
The middle-aged man was from one of the Seven Great Clans, the famed Jegal Clan of intellect—Jegal Mun-hyeong, a key leader. He looked sharp, and he was.
Greetings exchanged briskly, Jegal Mun-hyeong led them inside.
Jeong Gwang scanned his surroundings keenly as he walked.
'Defensive formations. Pretty vast.'
Countless halls arrayed by five elements and eight trigrams—glimpsing it revealed the alliance's grandeur.
Jegal Mun-hyeong spoke briefly with Un Hak and Paeng Su-won, then addressed Kunlun's main disciples and the Paeng youths.
“We must attend the meeting right away. I'll assign a guide—young heroes, explore the grounds.”
A scholarly middle-aged man stepped forward to escort them.
“Where would you like to go first?”
They exchanged glances, and Paeng Gang-ung spoke.
“True Jade Dragon. You pick.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Where to?”
Paeng Gang-ung eyed Jeong Gwang's lips.
'Dorms first? Slacker. Training grounds? Martial showoff. Or scoping out other factions?'
Watching Jeong Gwang tilt his head, Paeng Gang-ung urged inwardly.
'Speak! Show me your caliber!'
Jeong Gwang was hungry.
“The cafeteria.”