Chapter 29
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: The Founding of the Righteous Heaven Alliance
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The head of the Namgung Family, Namgung Seong, channeled his internal energy and shouted.
“With this, we formally declare the founding of the Righteous Heaven Alliance!”
Waaaaah!
The cheers of the assembled powerhouses filled the entire Namgung Family estate.
On the final day of the grand assembly, they announced the establishment of the Righteous Heaven Alliance to the world, bringing the official proceedings to a close.
The alliance’s headquarters were set in Hefei, Anhui Province, where the Namgung Family resided. In exchange, the Namgung Family would station twice as many warriors there as any other sect.
It was no loss for the Namgung Family. Being so close, they could summon their people back at any moment in a crisis.
With each sect’s financial contributions decided, the Ximen Family would take the lead on monetary matters.
The key positions had been filled, but the most crucial role of alliance leader remained undecided. The sects’ reluctance stemmed from recognizing it as a largely ceremonial post—and it wasn’t a seat just anyone could claim—which made settling on a candidate all the harder.
Many other matters were still unresolved. Thus, the leaders of the major offices pledged to convene regularly for meetings until the alliance’s building was complete.
Namgung Seong surveyed his surroundings with a faint smile. In this grand assembly, the Namgung Family had successfully imprinted its status as the world’s foremost family upon the assembled heroes.
They had achieved their greatest objective alongside the founding of the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
“…….”
Most things had gone as he envisioned, yet a bitter aftertaste lingered.
‘North Sea Ice Palace.’
His gaze drifted toward Seol Hwa-un and his group, standing a bit apart from the crowd.
‘I invited them to flaunt our family’s might... but I ended up elevating the North Sea Ice Palace’s renown instead.’
Seol Hwa-un, in particular, had exceeded his expectations.
‘Should I count it as fortunate that such a talent exists in the North Sea?’
At that moment, Jegal Mun tapped his shoulder.
“Lost in thought?”
Snapping out of his reverie, Namgung Seong shook his head.
“Nothing worth mentioning. In any case, you’ve worked hard.”
“What are you talking about? The real work starts now. Just thinking about everything ahead already gives me a headache.”
“True enough.”
“We need to focus on the Martial Alliance from here on. You already knew, but officially declaring our founding carries a different weight.”
“Indeed.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“That’s something we steeled ourselves for when we first conceived the Righteous Heaven Alliance, isn’t it?”
Namgung Seong’s eyes gleamed brighter than ever.
“Our alliance—no, the Righteous Heaven Alliance—will devour the Martial Alliance and stand tall over the world.”
* * *
Among the invited sects, the North Sea Ice Palace was the first to pack up and prepare to depart.
The distance was one factor, but now that the Righteous Heaven Alliance’s founding was confirmed, they were effectively outsiders. Leaving promptly was the polite thing to do.
As they were about to set off, a guest arrived—the head of the Huangbo Family, Huangbo Taeryeong.
“I knew coming straight here was the right call.”
Seol Hwa-un greeted him with a cupped-fist salute.
“Huangbo Family Head, what brings you here?”
“I wanted to see you off before you left.”
Standing beside him was a slight boy who appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen.
“Youngster, give a proper greeting this time.”
At Huangbo Taeryeong’s words, the boy flushed and bowed his head.
“W-We’ve met before, right? I’m Huangbo Young.”
“Pleased to meet you. Now that you mention it, I think I saw you at the junior gathering.”
As the Huangbo Family’s eldest young master and one of the Eight Great Families’ rising stars, Huangbo Young had attended the junior gathering—but he’d been utterly unremarkable.
His extremely shy nature kept him from conversing with others, leaving him to sit there nervously, gauging the room.
“What do you make of him, Little Palace Lord?”
“…….”
Only then did Seol Hwa-un scrutinize Huangbo Young closely. A glint of interest sparked in his eyes.
“He looks young still. How old are you?”
“Fifteen.”
“Fifteen and already first-rate. A fine heir to the Huangbo Family.”
Remarkably, Huangbo Young was a full-fledged first-rate expert. None of the junior talents at the gathering had reached this level at his age.
“Hahaha, right? He’s a late-born son, but getting picked on by his three older sisters back home made him timid.”
Huangbo Young had three elder sisters.
“His martial talent’s decent, though.”
Seol Hwa-un nodded in agreement.
“What are you waiting for, boy? Didn’t you regret not speaking to the Little Palace Lord at the junior gathering?”
Huangbo Young’s already red face turned an even deeper shade.
“Father, not that story...”
Hesitating, he ventured carefully.
“...Your words at the junior gathering left a deep impression on me. And breaking the Dragon Youth’s sword in three moves... it was amazing.”
Huangbo Young’s eyes sparkled as he gazed at Seol Hwa-un.
“I’m grateful you thought so highly of me.”
“Would you... if you have time, visit our family sometime?”
Seol Hwa-un replied offhandedly, assuming it was mere courtesy.
“If I’m ever in Shandong Province, I’ll stop by.”
“It’s a promise. You have to come.”
Huangbo Taeryeong spoke with earnest sincerity, leaving Seol Hwa-un a touch flustered.
“I can’t promise that. As you know, our palace and Shandong are quite far apart.”
“Just don’t forget us.”
With insistence like that, refusal was impossible.
“Very well.”
After Huangbo Taeryeong departed and they prepared to leave again, another guest arrived—the Poison Dragon Dang Cheong and Dang So-gyo.
After exchanging greetings, Dang So-gyo pouted.
“Seol brother, leaving without even saying goodbye?”
Seol Hwa-un wore an awkward expression.
‘We’re not exactly that close...’
In truth, Dang So-gyo had tried approaching Seol Hwa-un several times even at the junior gathering. But Dang Cheong had dissuaded her, and with so many people around, she hadn’t managed it.
Dang Cheong spoke apologetically.
“Sorry about this, Little Palace Lord. I barely stopped her from seeking you out multiple times during the grand assembly.”
It went beyond that. Unable to attend the assembly herself, she’d waited at the lodgings, hoping to catch Seol Hwa-un between sessions. But his meetings ran late, so they never met.
Overcome by sleep while waiting, she’d gone back. As a heavy sleeper, Dang So-gyo rose late and ultimately missed her chance.
Learning this belatedly from Dang Cheong, Seol Hwa-un felt unnecessarily guilty.
“I see. My apologies.”
“Tch.”
Dang So-gyo sulked, but meeting Seol Hwa-un clearly lifted her spirits, her lips twitching upward.
They chatted briefly. But they couldn’t linger forever.
“...It’s time for us to go.”
“Already?”
Tears welled in Dang So-gyo’s eyes before they knew it.
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un knelt on one knee, meeting her gaze and stroking her head.
“The road is long. We’ll meet again someday.”
“Okay.”
Parting at last from the reluctant Dang So-gyo, Seol Hwa-un’s group finally departed the Namgung Family. Having bid Namgung Seong farewell the night before, they could leave immediately.
Stepping out the gates, Seol Hwa-un felt a surge of emotions.
‘It was worthwhile, all things considered.’
There had been bad blood, but they’d forged ties with several families and spread the North Sea Ice Palace’s name far and wide. A successful venture into the Central Plains by any measure.
‘Father might not be fully satisfied, though.’
Reaching a quiet official road beyond the Namgung Family lands, Dong Ho-won spoke cautiously.
“Little Palace Lord.”
“Hm?”
“Are we heading straight back to the palace?”
“Hm? What else?”
“Well, it’s rare for us to come to the Central Plains. Going back now feels like a waste...”
“Somewhere you want to go?”
At Seol Hwa-un’s question, Dong Ho-won lit up eagerly.
“You’ve heard the saying, ‘Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below’? A city must be truly stunning to inspire such words. Since we’re here, how about a detour to Hangzhou?”
“Hangzhou, huh.”
Seol Hwa-un had visited Hangzhou in his previous life. He remembered being deeply impressed by its prosperity and beauty.
Curious how it might have changed after two hundred years.
Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
“Sure, I’ve heard it. And other tales too—like how it’s full of beauties.”
Dong Ho-won’s face flushed at his words.
“Heh heh... N-No, it’s just such a famous scenic spot. I’d love to see it...”
He denied it in embarrassment, but anyone could tell that was the real reason.
“But Hangzhou is in the opposite direction.”
“It’s not far from here! Four days at most.”
“How do you know so well?”
“...I asked some Namgung Family warriors. Haha.”
Eom Mu-hwi, who usually reined Dong Ho-won in, watched silently for once.
‘These guys...’
Even the steadfast Eom Mu-hwi clearly yearned to visit Hangzhou.
‘It wouldn’t hurt.’
Seol Hwa-un turned to the North Wind Brigade Leader.
“Is that alright?”
“Going to Hangzhou?”
“Yes.”
The North Wind Brigade Leader smiled faintly.
“You’re the one in charge, Little Palace Lord. I’ll follow orders.”
“So the North Wind Brigade wants to go too.”
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Ahem, ahem.”
“Understood. You’ve all accumulated fatigue from escort duties, known or not. Resting amid Hangzhou’s scenery sounds ideal.”
“My thanks for your consideration, Little Palace Lord.”
Seol Hwa-un addressed the group.
“Then let’s head to Hangzhou!”
Everyone’s faces visibly brightened at his call. The North Wind Brigade hadn’t voiced it, but they were thrilled too.
How far had they traveled after changing course?
Seol Hwa-un soon encountered familiar faces—Dang Cheong and Dang So-gyo.
“……!”
Dang So-gyo pointed at Seol Hwa-un and shrieked shrilly.
“Ahh! There you are! I found you!”
Dang Cheong offered an abashed smile.
“Fancy meeting again so soon, Little Palace Lord.”
Seol Hwa-un looked puzzled.
“How did you... More importantly, didn’t your family say they’d stay a few more days?”
“Correct. The family head and others are still at the Namgung Family. But because of this one...”
Dang So-gyo lifted her chin proudly.
“I nagged my brother. To go with Seol brother.”
“Hm? Isn’t the North Sea in the opposite direction from Sichuan?”
“Don’t care. We’ll turn along the way.”
“…….”
At this, Dang Cheong posed a sharp question.
“Now that I think of it, you’ve backtracked. Not heading back to the Namgung Family, I take it—where to?”
Seol Hwa-un shrugged helplessly.
“We’re making a quick stop in Hangzhou.”
Dang Cheong’s face lit up.
“Ah, perfect. If it’s no bother, may we join you?”
“No reason not to...”
“Our thanks, Little Palace Lord.”
“I’m telling Cheo sister.”
Dang Cheong paled at Dang So-gyo’s words.
“W-What are you saying, you rascal!”
“Obvious, isn’t it? Pretty gi... Mmph!”
Dang Cheong clamped her mouth shut and whispered.
“You really going to do this? Should we just head back to the Namgung Family?”
Dang So-gyo flinched at his words.
“You don’t want that either, right? We could spend time with the Little Palace Lord in Hangzhou’s beautiful spots—gonna give that up?”
Dang So-gyo shook her head vigorously.
“Then our trip to Hangzhou stays secret from Cheo sister. Got it?”
“...Fine.”
“It’s a promise.”
Regaining his composure, Dang Cheong turned to Seol Hwa-un.
“Thank you for allowing us to tag along. So-gyo’s always wanted to visit Hangzhou once.”
“When did I say...”
Dang Cheong swiftly muffled Dang So-gyo as she tried to protest again.
“Haha, shall we get moving?”
As they prepared to depart once more, someone else came running up to the group. It was a boy with rosy cheeks, clad in fine brown martial robes.
Seol Hwa-un recognized him at once.
“Huangbo Young?”
“Huff, huff, huff!”
The Huangbo Family’s eldest young master, Huangbo Young, caught his breath and said.
“C-Can... Can I join you too?”