Chapter 58
Chapter 58
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Seo Moon Family Young Patriarch 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Having been suddenly branded a "presumptuous bastard" by Seo Moon Dan-cheon, Baek Moo-jin was racing back to the North Heaven Alliance at full speed. He could've paced himself enough for the Seo Moon Family to catch up, but he was deliberately pushing so hard that no one could possibly keep pace.
Yet the atmosphere of his lightness skill had changed dramatically compared to when he was at the Seo Moon Family estate.
In front of the Seo Moon Family, he had charged like a raging gale.
Now, alone, he glided over the snow with a concise, silent lightness skill, as if slipping across its surface.
Having trained his lightness skill ascending and descending Snow Garment Peak, perpetually blanketed in snow, running across flat, even terrain was child's play for Baek Moo-jin.
Given his cautious nature, Baek Moo-jin couldn't be entirely sure of his own strength since he hadn't yet faced the world's true masters. But when it came to lightness skill, his confidence was unmatched.
'No one can rival me.'
Baek Moo-jin was filled with the urge to seek out any master who might dare compete with him in lightness skill and test himself against them. As he barreled forward at that blistering pace, he finally felt a cool relief wash over his chest.
Then, abruptly, he recalled something the Nine Heavens Alliance Leader had said.
'Ice arts are a martial technique used by the high priests of the Demon Hybrid Clan.'
Baek Moo-jin shot back inwardly.
'So what? Does that make me a demon? Does that mean tracing my family line leads back to demons? Are we the only clan or sect that uses ice arts?!'
A sneer curled at Baek Moo-jin's lips, aimed at the world's ignorant masses.
Now he finally understood the troubles his ancestors had faced because of the White Flower Divine Art.
If unorthodox groups like the Iron Blood Gang or Nine Heavens had rejected him, it wouldn't have fazed him. He could've just crushed them.
'But...'
Arriving near the North Heaven Alliance's south gate before he knew it, Baek Moo-jin came to an abrupt halt and glanced back. He stared down the path he'd just traversed. They weren't visible yet, but the North Heaven Alliance Leader and the Seo Moon Family warriors were surely racing along that very road.
As he gazed at it, Baek Moo-jin thought.
'If the righteous path still scorns the White Flower Divine Art... this time, it will be the downfall of the entire righteous path.'
The previous patriarchs had passed down countless opportunities to him but never instructed him on how to wield this power.
Even his father had left only a brief message: "I hope your journey through the martial world leads to dominion over it." A phrase open to endless interpretation.
But in this moment, Baek Moo-jin understood it this way.
'Whether righteous path, demonic path, or unorthodox... place them all under Baek Moo-jin's dominion.'
As he beheld the full vista of the North Heaven Alliance, the calm aura around Baek Moo-jin began shifting, like a flame slowly kindling to life. It felt as if he were being dyed by something.
Dyed by the aspirations of his forebears.
Then gradually stained with blood.
And now, he felt himself being immersed in the ways of the jianghu.
But more than anything, a grand ambition had taken root deep in Baek Moo-jin's heart.
He was twenty-two now.
Inexperienced, yes, but hardly a child.
For a young man to have his temperament and ambitions evolve and mature was simply a rite of passage.
2.
Yet the moment Baek Moo-jin actually entered the North Heaven Alliance, a scene utterly at odds with his solemn musings unfolded before him.
Someone came running up with a bright smile and asked, "Baek warrior! You're not hurt anywhere, are you?"
Baek Moo-jin softened his stiff expression and scratched his cheek with a finger. "Ah, yes. I'm fine."
The warriors bustling about here and there had spotted Baek Moo-jin—who had chased after the Nine Heavens Leader covered in blood—and broke into beaming smiles or shouted "Baek warrior!" as they approached. And it wasn't just one or two.
From all directions, people dropped what they were doing to come see Baek Moo-jin, who had shone so brilliantly alongside the Alliance Leader today. The Sword Unit members were few in number, though; they must still be out pursuing the remnants.
Caught off guard, Baek Moo-jin began responding to the warm welcomes with light clasps of his fists in salute.
"I'm fine. No need to worry. You've all worked hard."
As Baek Moo-jin exchanged greetings, more Alliance members nearby overheard and rushed over, swelling the crowd to a size that even surprised him. Cheers and praise erupted from every side.
"That strike felling the Iron Blood Gang Leader! So refreshing!"
"Baek warrior! You're the top hero of this battle!"
Someone even approached with an emotional apology. "Truth be told, when you first showed up out of nowhere and they called you a First Grade Warrior, I badmouthed you behind your back plenty. Sorry about that. How could that prowess be mere First Grade level? Everyone, right?"
"What? You badmouthed Baek warrior?! You bastard, I'll kill you!"
"Kyung-ho, you're talking like you didn't do it too."
"I did. Guilty as charged. Hahaha."
"Hahahaha."
Laughter burst out amid the banter everywhere. Baek Moo-jin gave an awkward chuckle of his own.
"Heh heh heh."
Someone asked with intense curiosity, "I heard you chased after the Nine Heavens Alliance Leader. What happened?"
Baek Moo-jin looked troubled. This was a situation where the Alliance Leader should be present. But with everyone so eager, he had to answer—and these were his comrades-in-arms, after all.
Baek Moo-jin glanced around at the crowd and said curtly, "The Heavenly Dragon Alliance Leader and Heavenly Peak Alliance Leader were slain by the Alliance Leader and me."
His words unleashed a roar of cheers.
"Waaaaah!"
"A great victory!"
"Even if the rest of Nine Heavens comes at us full force, it won't be easy for them."
"Damn right!"
"Still, if they all come, it'll be tough, won't it? I heard they still have sixty or seventy percent of their forces left."
At that moment, someone glanced toward the south gate entrance and bellowed, "Alliance Leader!"
"Hail the Alliance Leader!"
Baek Moo-jin, surrounded by people, paid his respects to Goo Yang-hoo as well. Despite the rare sight of the famous Seo Moon Family coming to aid them, all eyes were fixed on Goo Yang-hoo and Baek Moo-jin.
Goo Yang-hoo strode up to stand beside Baek Moo-jin, then addressed the members. "Everyone, you've done well."
The crowd fell silent in an instant at their leader's words. They all knew Goo Yang-hoo had fought more valiantly than anyone, sweeping the battlefield despite his status. Having witnessed firsthand that their Alliance Leader was a rare breed of commander, their joy doubled. All the ugly rumors about him had been utterly dispelled by this one battle.
Goo Yang-hoo scanned the assembly with a stern expression and said gruffly, "But harder trials lie ahead. We'll wipe out the Iron Blood remnants and clash with the rest of Nine Heavens. Once we've buried our fallen comrades, drop everything else and maintain your weapons first."
A heavy silence fell at the sharp command. Now that he mentioned it, he was right. Felling the Iron Blood Leader was great news, but Nine Heavens still had overwhelming numbers remaining. To forgo celebration and order weapon maintenance soured the mood inevitably.
Goo Yang-hoo snorted once and continued. "North Heaven... Are you afraid of what's to come?"
"No, sir!"
"Afraid? Never!"
As the onlookers shook their heads, Goo Yang-hoo nodded and said, "As you all know, a young man has emerged today who has earned merit not just for North Heaven, but for the entire righteous path."
Goo Yang-hoo pointed at Baek Moo-jin as he spoke. Cheers erupted from the members.
"Yes!"
With the Leader himself acknowledging Baek Moo-jin's feats, the cheers redoubled. A warrior from the Execution Hall chimed in with praise. "The Alliance Leader has a keen eye for talent!"
"Heh heh heh."
It was the first time Goo Yang-hoo had struggled so much to keep a straight face. Manfully honest, he admitted, "Truth be told, I didn't expect him to be this strong."
"Hahaha."
Goo Yang-hoo allowed a faint smile. In this atmosphere, he finally understood somewhat the inexplicable unease he'd felt while racing alongside Baek Moo-jin. But it wasn't a negative feeling.
'At this level, it'll be hard to keep Baek Moo-jin as a mere First Grade Warrior. And he's a patriarch to boot. I need to discuss how to handle him with my subordinates. There must be a good way.'
Goo Yang-hoo raised a hand to quiet the clamor and announced, "Rewards will be distributed to all members soon. Look forward to it."
The one irked by North Heaven's antics was none other than Seo Moon Dan-cheon. They'd come to aid, yet no one paid them any mind or even wondered who they were.
At least Goo Yang-hoo's handling was deft. Beckoning as if to guide him, he said politely, "Young Patriarch, this way."
Only when Goo Yang-hoo called him "Young Patriarch" did people finally look toward Seo Moon Dan-cheon and his group. Seo Moon Dan-cheon passed Baek Moo-jin, locking eyes pointedly for a moment. As Goo Yang-hoo walked away, he called back to Baek Moo-jin. "Moo-jin, rest easy. I'll summon you later."
"Yes, sir."
Only then did Baek Moo-jin notice his blood-soaked clothes.
'Better change out of these first.'
As the Leader departed, the crowd latched onto Baek Moo-jin, chattering as if to keep him up all night. In the end, Seo Moon-geuk stepped in to fend them off.
"Alright, alright, let him rest. He needs to change... Look at this. Drenched in unorthodox blood."
Seo Moon-geuk clapped Baek Moo-jin on the back and said, "Let's go."
Baek Moo-jin finally grinned at Seo Moon-geuk and nodded. "Yeah."
But once away from the crowd, Seo Moon-geuk started yapping nonstop. Did he really take down the Iron Blood Leader solo? Why were they fawning over him like that? What the hell happened while he was gone?
Thanks to Seo Moon-geuk, Baek Moo-jin's pace quickened with every step.