Chapter 104: Dragon, Phoenix, and Tiger (2)
Chapter 104: Dragon, Phoenix, and Tiger (2)
If I were to ask whether my family is on bad terms with the Murong Family, it would be a very stupid question. The Hebei Peng Family is, by default, on "very bad" terms with every neighboring sect.
Regardless of whether they are Orthodox or Unorthodox, there isn't a single sect in the vicinity of Huabei that hasn't been thrashed by my family at least once. The Orthodox sects were targeted during the Righteous-Demonic War, and the Unorthodox ones were trampled by our ancestors during the early days of the Dragon Slaying Alliance's founding.
However, the current situation was somewhat outside my expectations. Shouldn't I have some sort of rapport with the Murong Family Head by now?
I’ve saved his daughter several times, after all.
"Um, did I perhaps commit some sort of discourtesy...?"
"Peng Hyeon-hwi."
"Yes...?"
"I do not like you."
Oh, how direct.
Coming from a Peerless Master who had reached the Harmony Realm, the words "Hmph, I hate you" were enough to make my throat tighten instinctively. Yet, I actually relaxed my posture.
A firm enmity is a sentiment as reliable as firm goodwill. Since I didn't need to rack my brain over politics or guanxi, my head actually cleared.
Then again, even if I had saved Murong Cheong multiple times, the relationship between the Murong Family and my own couldn't possibly be good. Although the Murong Family wasn't in the direct path of the Hebei Peng Family's march during the Righteous-Demonic War, I heard they had to fight for their lives against the Heavenly Thunder Alliance due to their proximity to Huabei.
Back then, it was my great-grandfather who ordered the Leader of the Heavenly Thunder Alliance to attack the Murong Family. It was only natural that he wouldn't like me.
Of course, even so, he wouldn't kill me outright. If that were his intention, he could have done so while I was unconscious. My confidence stemmed from that fact and the goodwill Murong Cheong felt toward me.
However, what Murong Seo-jeong said next far exceeded my expectations...
"But, I intend to give you a chance."
"...A chance? What kind of chance...?"
"My test will not end with a single trial. Nor will it be comfortable in the slightest. But, but... yes. If you can meet my standards..."
So, Murong Seo-jeong was the type to only say what he wanted to say.
Murong Seo-jeong let out a heavy sigh, as if he were forcing out incredibly difficult words, before continuing.
"I will permit you to court Cheong-er."
"Excuse me?"
"Normally! Normally, this would be impossible! But... I cannot ignore the fact that you risked your life to save my daughter!!"
Murong Seo-jeong glared at me fiercely as he spoke. It seemed I had misjudged him. That look wasn't "Hmph, I hate you," it was "Hmph, I'm sulking."
I don't know where the misunderstanding started, but at least it was a relief. If that was the only reason he disliked me, there was a solution.
"Um, Great Hero Murong? About that—"
"Great Hero Murong?"
"No."
Is he seriously trying to pick a fight over how I address him?
Then what am I supposed to call him? It's not like we're close enough to call each other brothers yet.
Wait. Murong Seo-jeong's younger brother is Murong Seo-jeong, so in terms of seniority, would he be my eldest brother...?
"First, I must make one thing clear: I do not seek a relationship beyond friendship with Lady Murong."
"What exactly is my daughter lacking?!"
"No. Just listen."
Is this really something worth releasing killing intent over?
"I heard everything from Cheong-er!! You... you saw her naked form... grind...!! You saw her naked body with your own eyes...! Do you intend to trample upon her purity and refuse to take responsibility?!"
"Then there's no need for a test in the first place!"
"That is a separate matter! You brat!!"
In my mind, the intelligence score for the Murong clan dropped a few more points. Murong Seo-jeong's brother had certainly earned bonus points for political savvy and intellect, but it seemed this father-daughter duo wasn't built with the same language settings as me.
I had to change the subject.
"Why don't we discuss the matter of the Jinzhou Eon Family instead?"
"...Hmph."
It worked. Murong Seo-jeong's expression turned cold as he adjusted his posture, as if his previous outburst had been a lie.
"Right. I heard Eon Do-cheon attacked you and Cheong-er. How dare he."
"Yes. If it weren't for the Great Heroes of the Twin Arts of Laughter and Cunning, I would have become a lonely ghost in the canal that day. Though late, I, Peng, offer my gratitude."
"Forget it. If you're going to count such things, you should mention saving Cheong-er first."
"Since you were traveling with the Twin Arts of Laughter and Cunning, do you happen to know the current situation of the Martial Alliance meeting?"
"I heard the motion to designate the Jinzhou Eon Family as public enemies fell through."
"Then this will be a quick conversation."
I straightened my posture and looked at Murong Seo-jeong. He had already regained the dignified aura of a Family Head.
I continued speaking to the absolute authority of the Murong Family, the ruler of Liaoning.
"Currently, there are those within the Alliance who have joined hands with the Ten Thousand Ghosts Alliance of Chongqing."
"Not the Jinzhou Eon Family?"
"The Jinzhou Eon Family is already part of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Alliance. Is there any difference between the two?"
"None. Then, what do you think their reason is?"
"Eon Do-cheon is clearly intending to provoke a Righteous-Demonic War."
"Hmm..."
Murong Seo-jeong tapped the table, furrowing his brow. He remained lost in thought for a moment before finally speaking.
"Do you not desire war? Young men of your age, full of vigor, would do anything to make a name for themselves."
"If I desired that, would I have come to Wuchang myself?"
"Excellent. A Righteous-Demonic War must never happen. Too many would die, and too many would die in vain."
"The Alliance Leader feels the same. He and I are moving to prevent the war."
If a Righteous-Demonic War broke out, all regions adjacent to Huabei would be covered in blood and corpses. No one within the reach of the Dragon Slaying Alliance would be able to escape it.
The Murong Family would be no exception. Although the journey wouldn't be easy since they'd have to cross Shanhaiguan, my grandfather, the current head, would likely try to erase the Murong Family quickly.
This was because of the lessons learned from the previous Righteous-Demonic War. Sixty years ago, the Heavenly Thunder Alliance was unable to support the Hebei Peng Family as they headed toward Shaanxi.
This was because the Murong Family alone had blocked all the bandits of the Heavenly Thunder Alliance. The base of the Heavenly Thunder Alliance, formed along the mountains of northern Huabei and near Shanxi, was too close to Liaoning.
If the Heavenly Thunder Alliance had supported the Hebei Peng Family back then, even with the Sword Immortal present, the Shaanxi Martial World would have found it difficult to guarantee victory.
The Murong Family's struggle at that time spread the fame of the Five Great Clans far and wide. My grandfather knows this fact well, and therefore, if a Righteous-Demonic War breaks out, he will attempt to eliminate the Murong Family first.
Murong Seo-jeong exhaled a deep breath.
"I never thought I would say this to a direct descendant of the Peng Family. Who do you suspect?"
"The ones currently defending the Jinzhou Eon Family are the Zhuge Family, the Sanggwan Family, the Huangfu Family, and the Mount Hua Sect. Except for the Mount Hua Sect, all of them belong to the Jiangnan White Forest Association, and they all have sufficient motivation to oppose. My insight is shallow, so it is difficult for me to rashly point fingers, but..."
However, deduction was still possible. If there was one person who was most suspicious, it was undoubtedly the Sanggwan Family.
"Sanggwan Wook survived the attack on the Jiangnan White Forest Association without major injury. His injuries were limited to minor internal damage, yet he stood by and watched even when I was swinging my blade in a life-and-death struggle."
"The Sanggwan Family is linked by marriage to the Jinzhou Eon Family. Their behavior is certainly suspicious. But it won't be them."
"...Sir?"
"The Sanggwan Family directly operates a massive merchant guild within the Jiangnan Merchant Guild. They are the family that would suffer the most damage if a war with Huabei broke out. Even if they were to win, there isn't much the Jinzhou Eon Family could offer them."
Murong Seo-jeong stopped tapping the table. He looked at me with hollow eyes and said,
"It won't be the Huangfu Family either. They are too close to the Hebei Dragon Slaying Alliance. They are the sect that would have to worry about their very survival first if a war broke out."
"And the Mount Hua Sect only opposed because the Jongnam Sect agreed."
"Yes. So, a sect that is geographically far from Huabei, won't have to see blood on the front lines, can gain much from the chaos of war, and stands in opposition to the Alliance Leader."
Murong Seo-jeong's eyes glinted coldly.
Murong Seo-jeong and I spoke the name of the same sect at the same time.
"The Zhuge Family."
Someone with enough control over the Alliance to commit arson within its pavilions without leaving a trail, and someone powerful enough to withdraw the guards of the Guest Hall at just the right time to erase any evidence.
A position that wouldn't be suspected.
A location far enough from Huabei, with no essential interests tied to the region.
A position that wouldn't have to fight on the front lines or shed blood when war broke out.
The role of a 'Strategist' who could select battlefields in treacherous terrain during a war and coordinate the balance of power by deploying sects and noble families to those battlefields.
"...Have you heard anything about the situation in the Shanxi Martial World?"
"I heard as far as you beheading the Head of the Yang Family in Shanxi Province."
"My brother was involved in that matter. The Zhuge Family, the Jinzhou Eon Family, and the Shanxi Beggars' Sect were trying to provoke the Dragon Slaying Alliance at the time."
Back then, Zhuge Yun had incited Yang Jeok-yo, the Head of the Yang Family who wanted to unite the Shanxi Martial World and gain fame, to harm a member of the Peng Family.
At the same time, he had made a secret pact with my second brother to set a trap that would wipe out three of the Peng Family's martial units.
His plan was to have the gathered warriors of Shanxi clash with the Peng Family's units, leading to mutual destruction, after which he would seize control of the Shanxi Martial World. Then, once the Peng Family's prestige was diminished, he would share the interests of Huabei with the Jinzhou Eon Family.
At the time, I thought it was just one of the common schemes in the Martial World, but this was a plot unfolding on a much larger scale. If that had happened, if the Shanxi Martial World and the Dragon Slaying Alliance had clashed head-on...
'A Righteous-Demonic War would have inevitably broken out at that point.'
If the Zhuge Family had loudly called for revenge within the Martial Alliance, and Eon Do-cheon had declared himself the vanguard to invade Huabei, how many would have opposed?
I felt a sudden chill and rubbed my arms. By taking Yang Jeok-yo's head that day, I had inadvertently derailed one of the Zhuge Family's schemes from the very first step.
And now, they were preparing an even larger plot.
"The plan to ambush the young experts has also failed. What do you think the remaining move is?"
"In my opinion, I don't think the Zhuge Family would have prepared only this much. Isn't this plan too reliant on luck?"
"Then?"
"They will try to assassinate me. Of the remaining methods, that would be the most certain."
"To target you within the Alliance, they would need to employ too many people. But it's not impossible. If you die, the Peng Family will surely demand a blood debt, and that would be the best way to start a Righteous-Demonic War."
"Yes. Although the Alliance Leader said he would guarantee my safety, I cannot afford to be complacent."
"Then, if you wish, I will provide a boat so you can safely escape to Huabei. Will you leave?"
"No."
I looked at Murong Seo-jeong and shook my head.
"That is not how we were taught. We were not taught to run away just because the enemy's schemes are insidious. I will live according to what I have learned."
"Hoh."
A trace of what could be interpreted as a smile appeared on Murong Seo-jeong's lips before quickly vanishing. It was a display of facial control so swift that I wouldn't have noticed it without the vision of the Peak Realm.
"Not... bad. Then I shall also keep your safety in mind."
"I am overwhelmed by the kindness of two Peerless Masters."
"Do not misunderstand! I am merely concerned about the Righteous-Demonic War!"
Why is he suddenly acting like a 'tsundere'? Is he some kind of villainess?
Murong Seo-jeong gave a "Ahem!" like a haughty noblewoman and said,
"Most of your judgments are reasonable. Then, can you also guess what scheme the Zhuge Family will dig next?"
"It will be the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering."
"Correct."
Since the first attempt failed, the Alliance's security would have already become so tight that the Zhuge Family could no longer handle it alone.
It was as if a Peak Realm master clearly belonging to the Unorthodox Faction had launched a night raid on the eve of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. The Alliance guards would now be doing their utmost to ensure a second night raid didn't happen.
So, how would the Zhuge Family deal with me? Assassination is now impossible, and if they try to kill me openly, the Alliance Leader will stop them. Now, even the Murong Family Head is protecting me.
The duel stage of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering would be almost the only way. During a duel, if one 'accidentally' uses a bit too much force, casualties can occur at any time.
If the masters tasked with stopping the duel hesitate for even a 'tiny' bit, it's common enough for someone to die. Officially, it wouldn't be something the Zhuge Family did, and it would be clean, with no one to blame.
"This should be enough..."
Murong Seo-jeong muttered and stared at me with an unreadable gaze before standing up.
"Normally, you would have had to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering from the beginning and climb up through the ranks of insignificant warriors. However, I shall have you seated under the name of the Murong Family. Rest for today, and enter the duel tomorrow."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"Since you will be taking the place of my son, you must not bring shame upon the honor of this family."
Murong Seo-jeong said this and then, like a villainess, turned his head with a "Hmph" and left the room.
"D-Dad...! What did you talk about for so long!"
"You...!!"
After glaring at his thoughtless daughter for a long time, Murong Seo-jeong pressed his brow and took a deep breath. Despite his high level of cultivation, he could only blame himself for his lack of experience in parenting.
"The boy didn't seem to have any interest in you. Did you deceive me?"
"Huh...? No? That... can't be?"
"Cheong-er."
"I just! I just haven't heard his answer yet! I clearly... clearly expressed my feelings...! In such a situation, he risked his life to save me and even accompanied me to Wuchang, which is practically the lion's den. Isn't the answer obvious even without hearing it?"
"I am... ashamed of you now..."
Isn't that just being rejected?
Murong Seo-jeong was a man who had won his current wife as his first love and had never gone near another woman after having two children with her.
By the standards of the Han people of this era, his character was remarkably upright. Consequently, he lacked the experience to give advice on Murong Cheong's love life.
Because of that, Murong Seo-jeong inwardly thought his daughter's words had some merit. What man in the world would risk his life for a woman he had no interest in? Especially while facing the threat of a Peerless Master like Eon Do-cheon.
"T-Then...!"
"Not yet."
He liked eighty percent of what he saw, but it wasn't enough yet. To take away this child who resembled both him and his wife, the boy had to be a bit more perfect than that.
As for the remaining twenty percent... well.
"If he finally climbs to the top and claims the title of Dragon or Phoenix, then it might be worth considering."
"Yay!"
Murong Cheong let out a cheer despite herself. Peng Hyeon-hwi's martial prowess was at the Peak Realm, and there were only two others who had reached such a level within the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
Unless his luck in the brackets was extremely bad, he would meet one of them in the finals. Honestly, could a Peak Realm warrior of that level handle Peng Hyeon-hwi alone?
Murong Cheong thought it was impossible. No matter how great the Little Arhat was, well, could he compare to the martial prowess Peng Hyeon-hwi had shown?
So, this was practically a permission...
"But if that happens, you must give up your wish."
"...Excuse me?"
"Did you not say that once this is over, you would leave the family and travel the world?"
"Ah, yes, I did."
"Settle down and start a family. Only then will I accept him into the family as a kinsman."
"Ugh... Uuugh... Ugh, maybe... just going out once in a while...?"
"Cheong-er. The world today is in chaos. You have only ventured out four times, yet your life has been threatened three times already. Do you really need to wander through dangerous places at the risk of your life?"
"Uuugh..."
Murong Cheong dropped her head gloomily but soon nodded. Just going out to walk the Martial World once in a while would be enough. After all, they would be together.
While the Murong father and daughter were having their moment.
"Hmm."
My Middle Dantian feels a bit more mature.
"I'm starting to see why."
I can't be sure since I don't have a status window, but this...
It seems like I grow a little bit every time I fight with my life on the line, prepared to have my acupoints shattered.
At this rate...
"I can maintain the martial prowess of the Peak Realm for at least an hour."
Considering that the time limit for a full dose of Heavenly Silkworm Purple Blood Tears was around half an hour, and given that Peak Realm warriors usually don't drag out a fight for that long...
It meant I could practically utilize the full power of the Peak Realm almost entirely.
"The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering... is it even possible for me to lose?"
No matter how much I thought about it, I felt like I was going to win.