Hell's Gate
No sooner had Jeong Gwang finished speaking than Paeng Su-gwan's sharp gaze softened back to its usual bulging intensity.
Jeong Gwang smirked inwardly.
'Well, well?'
He'd expected as much, but the man was surprisingly adept at composing himself.
It almost felt unfair to compare him to the Namgung clan.
"No can do?"
"You're asking for too much."
"Isn't that just common sense?"
"I'll grant you that. But without it, how am I supposed to wield any real power?"
"Honest, aren't you."
"What's the point of beating around the bush? Jiryongdan is fine. But Cheonryongdan? No."
"Doesn't the cause need a direct disciple as its leader for legitimacy?"
"That's exactly why you're pushing for it. It'll be the one organization the Alliance Leader can command without the elders' interference."
The Council of Elders, made up of representatives from countless sects and clans, always raised their voices for their own faction's gain.
But there was one time they united without fail: to check the Alliance Leader.
The Leader's only leverage against them was the greater good. No upright orthodox sect could stand against that.
And Cheonryongdan—the Heaven Dragon Corps—had been created under the banner of blocking the common enemy, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Obviously, it would be filled with masters, destined to become the Murim Alliance's strongest force.
So why hand its command to Kunlun after all that effort?
Paeng Su-gwan couldn't stomach it.
Of course, Jeong Gwang had no intention of backing down either.
"You'll clean up Sima Lian first, then send Cheonryongdan to Qinghai Province, right?"
"Naturally. Gotta put out the fire in front of us first."
"Think that'll work?"
"……."
"Sapa are everywhere. How do you plan to wipe them all out?"
"What are you getting at?"
"You're not planning to send Cheonryongdan to Qinghai anyway. You'll use Sima Lian as an excuse to keep them in the Central Plains."
"Ha! What do you take me for!"
Paeng Su-gwan's eyes bulged as he launched into a tirade.
"I will send them! I'm just delaying the timing a bit!"
"A bit?"
"A good bit!"
Paeng Su-gwan chuckled at his own words.
"But I won't drag it out forever. Just until we've built a solid foundation."
"Using the Alliance for personal gain feels a bit off."
"That's how you make it work properly."
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
Paeng Su-gwan's eyes gleamed.
"Xiaoxing! Compromise with reality, but push for as much true heroism as possible."
"And what do you get out of it?"
"Heh. The thrill of bending a heroic organization to my will?"
Only then did Jeong Gwang truly understand Paeng Su-gwan.
'He's a pervert.'
Did his face give it away?
Paeng Su-gwan scowled.
"Don't make that face. I know power might change me. I'll just have to endure the ten-year term somehow."
That wasn't Jeong Gwang's problem.
Time to wrap it up.
"You'll rotate Cheonryongdan on shifts, right?"
"No choice. Can't station them endlessly in Qinghai. And it lets me control the sects by deciding who goes and who stays."
"Then here's the deal."
Jeong Gwang held up two fingers.
"Split Cheonryongdan into two battalions. No need for Jiryongdan."
"And?"
"One stays in the Central Plains for action against Sima Lian, building experience and teamwork. The other heads to Qinghai to prepare for the Demonic Cult's invasion."
"……And the Qinghai one guards against the Demonic Cult?"
"Yeah. Nice picture, right?"
"……Send the ones I want gone to Qinghai first. Keep the loyal ones here."
"Then rotate them properly once you've secured your position."
"……Kunlun takes the leader spot, commanding the Qinghai battalion. My man as deputy handles the Central Plains one. Hmm. Not bad."
It let him ship off the troublemakers to Qinghai—a win for Paeng Su-gwan.
'Can't be too blatant, but I can push it this far.'
Kunlun gained too. Anyone elite enough for Cheonryongdan had proven martial skill. Politics didn't matter if they fought well.
Paeng Su-gwan grinned, baring his teeth after a moment's thought.
"But you're showing your hand too much. Gotta hold some cards back."
"I'm doing that. You?"
"Heh. Same here."
Paeng Su-gwan shrugged, then grew serious.
"Tell me, Jin-ok-ryong. No ambition for honor?"
"Nope."
"Why?"
"Don't need it."
"……No need for others' recognition. Fair enough."
Jeong Gwang was already extraordinary.
Paeng Su-gwan shook his head inwardly in admiration.
'Gang-hwi was right.'
His second son had returned from Kunlun changed—martially and in character—full of praise for Jeong Gwang. He'd thought it excessive, but if anything, it fell short.
'A Taoist who's not quite one, who could be hermit or hero. Indeed.'
Paeng Su-gwan wasn't the type to envy talent like petty fools.
He praised them to draw them to his side—to bind them close. A man of true caliber.
"Good! It's settled!"
Jeong Gwang smiled faintly as things fell into place.
But Paeng Su-gwan's follow-up twisted his face.
"Kunlun gets Cheonryongdan's leadership. And you take Jiryongdan."
Jeong Gwang naturally balked, but it was futile.
Paeng Su-gwan's stubbornness was no joke.
"Haa. Let's go tell the elders for now."
"Heh. Indeed."
They briefed Un Hu, Heo Cheong, and the Kunlun Taoists.
Un Hu took it positively.
"As a Taoist, I have no interest in such positions. But for proper operation of Cheonryongdan, it's best."
The other Taoists agreed, so Paeng Su-gwan brought up Jiryongdan.
"But if Jin-ok-ryong won't take Jiryongdan, I can't yield either."
No way Jeong Gwang would concede.
Paeng Su-gwan kept pushing until Heo Cheong spoke.
"Clan Head. Keep this up, and he might just bolt."
True to form for Jeong Gwang.
"Mm. Understood. We'll table it for now."
Thus, Pang Clan and Kunlun reached an accord, and things moved fast.
A shocking rumor rocked the Murim Alliance.
'Hebei Pang Clan steps up to teach martial arts to anyone who wants!'
'To reduce the blood shed by Alliance disciples!'
'A training camp where participants advance each other's skills!'
Chaos ensued.
People gossiped about the Pang event wherever two gathered.
"Teaching martial arts? Ha! He must really want to be Alliance Leader."
"Still, it's something. Who's ever done that before?"
"As if they'll teach real stuff. Just for show."
"Yeah. Heard the instructor's Jin-ok-ryong. Sure, some common warrior beat a Shijiazhuang kid after his training, but that was luck."
"Exactly. Fine for randos, but high-ranking juniors or elders' disciples? Awkward."
"Don't sweat it. Just gives you a headache."
Naturally, skepticism dominated.
Martial arts were a warrior's lifeblood—who'd share them freely?
And when the Pang training camp opened, plenty of those skeptics showed up.
"……Hm. Hm. What brings you here?"
"……Passing by, heard the noise. You?"
"……Killing time."
Most were sheepish, but some were frank.
"Might learn something good. No loss trying once."
The camp was at the Grand Training Ground, site of Namgung's recent banquet.
Paeng Su-gwan ascended the platform, cupping his fists politely yet powerfully.
"This Paeng came to realize, thanks to Kunlun's Jin-ok-ryong's heroism! We gather for the jianghu's peace! From now on, Pang Clan shares its martial arts with all!"
He credited Jeong Gwang to showcase his own magnanimity.
Proclaimed his commitment to the greater good.
A short, punchy speech.
His resounding inner energy shook the doubtful crowd to their core.
"Woooah!"
"Long live Jin-ok-ryong!"
"Long live Clan Head Paeng!"
Common warriors went wild.
Those from major powers didn't cheer but admired Paeng Su-gwan's vessel and methods.
Namgung spies scowled.
Paeng Su-gwan glanced their way, laughing inwardly.
Felt like landing a big blow from the start.
"Now, meet the martial instructor! Kunlun's Jin-ok-ryong!"
Jeong Gwang mounted the stage amid cheers.
Scanning the crowd, way more than expected.
Yesterday's preparations flashed in his mind.
'Good thing I prepped.'
He'd agreed to instruct but had zero plans to solo it.
Common warriors' gripes over meals? Thirst for real martial arts topped the list.
Pang's big camp would draw hordes.
'Need manpower.'
A little legwork netted instructors.
'Young Master Yu. Join me. Teach basic Beggar's Sect stuff and tricks—no secrets.'
'Brother. Tricky…….'
'Yimi Noodle Shop once a week.'
'……Gulp. But Master won't allow…….'
'I'll bring the Gang Leader too.'
'The four seas are brothers—what brother leaves a brother in need? Let's go!'
Jeong Gwang needed company for his gluttonous feasts anyway.
Yu Jeong-pung and Yang Hoe were perfect—no loss for him.
He roped in Sacheon Dangga's Dang O-gun and Dang Ye-ji too.
'Young Master Dang, Miss Dang. Join us.'
'Sorry. Want to, but swamped improving the Three Steps Soul-Shatter you taught.'
'Same. Remixing Jinhab-da-hyang as you suggested—no time.'
'Ah, that's why? Made a bunch already? Good and bad ones.'
They hesitated, so Jeong Gwang muttered.
'I'd taste-test and review to speed it up.'
'……!'
They'd wanted to ask forever but he'd been too busy.
They caved instantly.
They refined poisons; he got poisons. Win-win.
'Excuse me.'
Fist Phoenix Eon Ui-jin, with the siblings, couldn't hold her curiosity.
'What're you teaching to gather so many?'
Unexpected fish on the hook.
Jeong Gwang's eyes sparkled.
'Join and see. You will, right?'
'Y-yeah.'
Stunned by his momentum, Eon Ui-jin blurted it out.
Jeong Gwang, pleased, added,
'Sorry for last time. Miss Eon, your face is beautiful, and those calluses on your fists? Perfect. Proof of a warrior who sacrificed her hands for martial arts.'
His bookish tone left Eon Ui-jin dumbfounded.
'……Who told him that's a compliment?'
Taoist-turned playboy Baek Seung-mu.
Thus, the instructors: three of the Nine Dragons Eight Phoenixes, plus one comparable talent.
Enough for commoners and even prestigious young disciples.
Jeong Gwang cleared yesterday from his mind and greeted the crowd.
"Hello."
"Woooaaah!"
"Let's begin."
"Woooaaah…… Huh?"
Moments later.
Hell's Gate opened.
A hellish gate that, once endured, everyone craved to re-enter.
Namgung family lodgings.
Namgung Hwa-in scowled at the disruptive footsteps while sipping tea.
'What fool acts without decorum?'
His brother Namgung Singeon burst in, slamming the door.
"C-clan Head!"
"What is this? Is that how someone of your standing behaves?"
"Sorry. Urgent matter—had to run."
"Don't tell me it's about Pang's training camp. What's worth seeing?"
"I-it is."
"……What? How bad can it be?"
Namgung Singeon swallowed dryly, then spoke cautiously.
"Even those mocking the camp……."
"……Even they?"
"……Are lining up to join."
"Nonsense!"
Crack!
Namgung Hwa-in's teacup crumbled to dust in his grip.
"Why!"
"W-well……."
"Enough!"
Namgung Hwa-in rose, robes flapping.
"I'll check myself!"