124
Chapter 124
The Martial Alliance Leader’s Hall.
The Martial Alliance Leader’s Hall was filled with the Alliance’s key officials, led by the Alliance Leader, Kang Ho-baek.
"Does it make any sense for the Martial Alliance to participate in the founding ceremony of a Demonic Cult that instigated the Shaanxi Bloodshed?!"
"The Black Night Palace has openly invited all three major sects. If the Martial Alliance refuses to attend, it will be seen as cowardice."
"Are the Sacheon and the Paewangseong really heading to Guizhou?"
The Black Night Palace was known to be located in a place called Onya Valley in Guizhou. Its exact location had only been revealed when the Palace itself sent out invitations.
"We received intel half an hour ago that they are preparing envoys."
At the firm words of Zhuge Jin, who oversaw both strategy and intelligence for the Alliance through the Cheonan Pavilion, the officials frowned.
"All three—Demonic, Sacheon, and Paewangseong sects—gathering in one place?"
"Hoh. A true battlefield of demons."
"Even if the other sects attend, do we really need to follow suit?"
"We cannot decide the Alliance’s actions based solely on moral opposition to evil sects. The Black Night Palace’s scheme has grown too large."
The Martial Alliance debated fiercely over whether to attend the ceremony. Amid the arguments, Kang Ho-baek silently sipped tea, observing the officials’ quarrels. He then reached for a snack.
Crunch!
The snack was hard and crisp, and the sound of his teeth biting into it echoed clearly—thanks to the internal energy infused in his chewing. The arguing officials immediately fell silent and turned to him.
Crunch!
After finishing the snack, Kang Ho-baek dusted his hands and looked at them.
"Two hours since the meeting began... I’ve heard enough of your opinions. Both sides have valid points."
He turned to Zhuge Jin beside him.
"Advisor, share your thoughts now."
"From a moral standpoint, the Martial Alliance should not attend. Regardless of the Black Night Palace’s intentions, participation itself is unacceptable."
The officials who had opposed attending brightened at his words. But Zhuge Jin continued.
"However, if we base the Alliance’s actions solely on morality, then there would be no reason for me to occupy the Advisor’s seat."
Kang Ho-baek gestured for him to go on.
"The Black Night Palace’s founding ceremony—whether it’s a mere celebration or a scheme—is like sticking one’s head into a tiger’s mouth."
"Exactly, Advisor! Why push our precious members into danger? We don’t know what the Black Night Palace is planning!"
Zhuge Jin nodded, flicking his folding fan before leaning back in his chair.
"But if we avoid sending envoys out of fear, the Alliance will miss a golden opportunity."
"What opportunity?"
Zhuge Jin answered as if he had been waiting for the question.
"No matter how many spies we deploy, gathering intelligence has limits. Especially against Demonic Cult—the Black Night Palace, which has remained hidden. This ceremony is the perfect chance to assess their strength. The same goes for the Sacheon Alliance and the Paewangseong."
Some officials nodded. The Sacheon Alliance and Paewangseong, like the Martial Alliance, would recognize the danger. They wouldn’t send weaklings.
"And when these three sects gather, who knows what currents will form? The Martial Alliance must observe from the frontlines and respond swiftly to future developments."
One official spoke up.
"So you’re saying that if we avoid this out of caution, the danger that returns to us later could be many times greater?"
"That is my assessment."
Silence fell over the hall, broken only by the occasional sigh of contemplation. Kang Ho-baek broke the silence.
"The Advisor’s opinion seems more beneficial to the Alliance. What do the rest of you think?"
"I agree, Alliance Leader."
"It’s better for the Alliance to attend."
Seeing the consensus, Kang Ho-baek nodded and proceeded.
"Then let us prepare our envoy delegation."
"First, we must decide on the leader."
Kang Ho-baek raised an eyebrow.
"Leader? Naturally, it will be this Alliance Leader."
The official who had spoken blinked in disbelief, as did the others. Even Zhuge Jin, who had been calmly persuading them earlier, froze for a moment.
"You’re going personally, Alliance Leader?!"
"As you’ve all tirelessly pointed out, the Black Night Palace could be a death trap. We must consider all possibilities. Who else but this Alliance Leader can represent the Martial Alliance’s prestige at a gathering of the martial arts world’s greatest sects? And who else has the martial power to ensure our envoys’ escape if needed?"
"But Alliance Leader... You must understand your position. If anything happens to you, the entire Alliance will be shaken. At least send the Martial Supreme instead."
The Martial Supreme—the position responsible for the Alliance’s martial might. Currently, Kang Ho-baek had forcibly placed the unruly Iron Mountain Fist King, Ma Yeon-ho in that seat.
"If we send him, he’ll be too busy sizing up other fighters to pay attention to the sects’ movements. Impossible."
Zhuge Jin nearly nodded in agreement before catching himself and shaking his head vigorously.
"Alliance Leader!"
He bowed deeply, but Kang Ho-baek was resolute.
"I did not take the position of Alliance Leader just to issue orders from the rear. When the time comes, even the Leader must stand at the forefront. This Black Night Palace ceremony is an occasion where I must step forward."
No one could argue.
This was a man who had always broken through crises head-on, leading the charge. It was the way he had lived as a martial artist and a hero—impossible to persuade otherwise.
"Moreover..."
Kang Ho-baek trailed off, and all eyes, including Zhuge Jin’s, focused on him.
"I doubt the Sacheon Alliance and Paewangseong will send mere representatives."
"Are you saying their leaders will appear in person?"
Zhuge Jin asked, though his mind rejected the idea. Would the leaders of such sects really move so easily? Yet, he also saw reason in Kang Ho-baek’s words.
The Paewangseong Lord and Sacheon Leader were men who acted as they pleased, unbound by convention.
"Having crossed blades with them, I’m certain. They wouldn’t miss such an occasion. If the Paewangseong Lord and Sacheon Alliance Leader attend, then this Alliance Leader must also be present."
Kang Ho-baek’s voice carried conviction as he mentioned the two leaders.
"Who else but this Alliance Leader can handle them?"
His imposing aura left the officials no room for further objection. Realizing they couldn’t dissuade him, Zhuge Jin sighed inwardly.
‘If the leaders of the major sects gather as the Alliance Leader predicts... It wouldn’t be strange if chaos erupts.’
***
Enshi, Hubei Province
Located at the western edge of Hubei, heading south from here would lead into Guizhou. Mu Hwi and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen entered the Martial Alliance’s Enshi branch.
"Swordsman Mu Hwi!"
The first to greet them inside were familiar faces—the younger generation’s elites.
From the South Sea Breaking Sword, Seong Hwi, to Woo Tae-gang, Zhuge Myung, Peng Ho-yeon, Baekri Sang, and Xian Yun—exceptional talents from the Small Righteous Assembly had gathered in one place.
"It’s been so long since I’ve seen our Assembly Leader. How refreshing."
Peng Ho-yeon waved cheerfully, but Zhuge Myung gently gripped his shoulder.
"Let’s save the reunion for later. The Alliance Leader is waiting."
Mu Hwi nodded and proceeded inside. Guided by Alliance members, he reached the office, where the Righteous Heaven Unit, the Alliance Leader’s personal guard, stood at the entrance. Recognizing Mu Hwi, they stepped aside and opened the door.
"Enter."
Inside, Kang Ho-baek sat at a desk, his bamboo hat removed.
"Welcome, Mu Hwi."
"Greetings, Alliance Leader."
Kang Ho-baek looked him over with pleased eyes and smiled.
"I hear you’ve begun being called the Hwasan Sword Saint. That title suits you well."
"Thank you."
"I’ve received reports, but did Hwasan suffer any losses?"
"No. We repelled them without issue."
"That’s a relief."
After briefly inquiring about recent events, Kang Ho-baek got straight to the point.
"Did you meet the other young elites on your way here?"
"Yes. We exchanged greetings. They were all from the Small Righteous Assembly."
"Naturally, since we sought those who ranked highly in the Heavenly Martial Competition. Training and missions within the Association have sharpened their skills remarkably."
"That was evident. A good thing."
The envoy delegation included members of the younger generation. Since the ceremony would involve various events, some were likely tailored for them.
"I doubt their purpose is merely fostering exchanges among the younger generation."
"Indeed. Their true aim is likely to gauge each sect’s strength in the coming decades."
While it was unclear which masters each sect would send, it was certain that their elites would attend.
Since direct clashes between high-ranking experts were unthinkable, the younger generation would serve as proxies. Their battles would effectively be a war by proxy.
If a sect carelessly held back and things went awry, its reputation would plummet, and morale would collapse—a sensitive matter.
"You summoned me because you intend to crush the other three sects, don’t you?"
Kang Ho-baek laughed at Mu Hwi’s words.
"Even if you don’t act, your mere presence will shift the balance. But more than that, I want your help in case of unforeseen danger."
Mu Hwi nodded.
The envoy delegation was strictly limited,
- One representative per sect.
- One martial escort unit for the representative.
- Ten younger-generation members for ceremonial events.
With such constraints, Mu Hwi—a top-tier master who could also be counted among the younger generation—was invaluable.
Having him along would be more reassuring than three elite martial units combined.
"To be honest, I hesitated. Asking for your help means dragging you into danger."
"I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t called me."
Mu Hwi’s reply made Kang Ho-baek laugh heartily.
"Haha! I appreciate those words."
His laughter faded as his expression turned serious again.
"If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility. You need not worry."
Mu Hwi faintly smiled, understanding the weight behind responsibility.
"That won’t be necessary."
"Let’s hope not."
***
Yuqing, Guizhou
Home to Onya Valley, where the Black Night Palace resided. The Martial Alliance’s envoys headed straight for the valley in the southwest.
"Alliance Leader."
The Righteous Heaven Unit scout at the front turned and spoke. Knowing why, Kang Ho-baek silently nodded and gazed ahead.
A fluttering banner.
On its dark brown background, three crimson characters were embroidered, Sacheon Alliance. The Sacheon Alliance had noticed the Martial Alliance and was approaching directly.
"Alliance Leader."
"No need for battle preparations. They must be bored—or curious."
Kang Ho-baek glanced at Mu Hwi beside him.
Despite his words, the Righteous Heaven Unit couldn’t relax. The golden carriage escorted by warriors in crimson robes—emblazoned with the words Ten Thousand Blood—was unmistakable.
The Sacheon Alliance, founded around the same time as the Martial Alliance, had its martial forces meticulously studied by the Cheonan Pavilion. Among them, the Ten Thousand Blood Unit was reputed as the strongest.
‘The Alliance Leader’s prediction was right.’
It was obvious who was inside the carriage, being so heavily guarded.
While the Righteous Heaven Unit composed itself under Kang Ho-baek’s orders, the Ten Thousand Blood Unit exuded an oppressive aura, as if provoking them.
The banners of both sects fluttered wildly despite the absence of wind, stirred by the clashing energies.
Ten steps apart.
The Martial Alliance and the Sacheon Alliance stared each other down, a single command away from battle.
Then, the banners, whipped by the martial energies, suddenly went limp. The raging storm of power had been suppressed. The Ten Thousand Blood Unit looked bewildered—they hadn’t withdrawn their energy.
‘They crushed us entirely.’
Amid the Righteous Heaven Unit, a figure in violet-plum-adorned robes stepped forward.
Mu-hwi, having received Kang Ho-baek’s permission, looked at the golden carriage and spoke.
"Sacheon Alliance. Step aside and make way.."
The Ten Thousand Blood Unit’s eyes bulged before erupting in killing intent.
< Step aside and make way.. > End.
< Just as martial arts have no end, so too does this Jianghu. >