Chapter 229
Chapter 229
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 229
Chapter Title: Upheaval in Nine Dragons (8)
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Three days later.
A massive crowd had gathered in the Grand Martial Arena.
Unable to reconcile their differences over the position of Lord, they had decided to settle the matter by holding the Nine Dragons Assembly.
The Nine Dragons Assembly.
The only council with greater authority than the Hall Masters' meeting, which was attended by the nine Hall Masters, the Lord, and the Grand Chancellor.
Qualification for attendance was reserved for warriors holding a Silver Plaque or higher, meaning essentially all full-time members of the Nine Dragons Fortress were present.
Oh, for the record, I was attending not as the Master of the War King Clan, but as Master Bukgung's disciple.
It was against the rules, but in the martial world, wasn't martial skill the ultimate authority?
‘...’
‘I-I'll move.’
A single glance from my master settled everything.
*Rumble.*
Warriors streamed in endlessly.
Although their numbers fell short of the Ten Demon Alliance's boasted ten thousand demonic followers, I knew their substance was on an entirely different level, and I couldn't help but nod.
A moment later, once the stream of warriors ceased, the Grand Chancellor stepped onto the platform.
“...”
As this was a gathering to elect a new Lord following the previous one's death, there were no cheers.
The warriors simply kept their mouths shut and stared ahead.
“We will now begin the assembly to elect a new Lord. In accordance with the rules of the Nine Dragons Assembly, I, in my capacity as Grand Chancellor, declare that anyone present may freely voice their opinion.”
A meaningless rule.
The Lord of Nine Dragons wasn't some elementary school class president. It was absurd to think someone would stand up and say, 'I believe my Hall Master is suited for the position of Lord because...'
Only the Hall Masters themselves would assert their opinions.
Of course, that didn't mean the Nine Dragons Assembly was a mere formality.
‘The significance lies in making the proceedings public.’
Speaking one's mind before thousands of pairs of eyes meant that every single word spoken here was likely to spread throughout the martial world.
Naturally, conscious of the public eye, they were compelled to offer opinions that were as fair and just as possible.
Breaking the brief silence, Baek Jung-cheon strode forward.
As expected of the intelligent type, he presented himself to the masses in a clean, though not flashy, martial uniform, his hair neatly groomed.
In contrast, the appearance of Master Bukgung, sitting right next to me and radiating discomfort, was... irritating to even describe.
‘Seriously, I told him to shave.’
He looked like a mountain bandit.
On such an important day, no less.
Standing in the center of the Grand Martial Arena, Baek Jung-cheon's powerful voice, imbued with internal energy, echoed out.
“Comrades of the Nine Dragons Fortress.”
The beginning was no different from any other speech.
He introduced himself in a way that seemed humble but was actually self-promoting, and stated his purpose for being there.
And then.
“...Therefore, I can no longer accept the dictatorship of the Green Dragon Hall.”
He had begun to reveal his dark intentions.
*Twitch.*
The Grand Chancellor's eyebrow twitched, but as he was acting as the arbiter, he did not speak.
However, the Red Dragon Hall Master, who opposed his view, stood up.
“Hall Master Baek, you claim the Green Dragon Hall is exercising a dictatorship. On what grounds do you base this judgment?”
“If having the Lord come only from the Green Dragon Hall isn't a dictatorship, what is?”
“Then what do you make of the monthly meetings where the Hall Masters are gathered to hear their opinions?”
“If you're referring to the Hall Masters' meeting, I would call that the very source of the problem. What is the use of a meeting where everyone nods at a single word from the Lord?”
“Have you ever seen the previous Lord make a wrong decision?”
“I have never seen such a thing.”
The White Dragon Hall Master looked at the Green Dragon Hall Master and continued.
“However, is there any guarantee that future Lords will be the same?”
“...”
Faced with flawless logic, the Red Dragon Hall Master fell silent.
The man I had considered a reasonably intelligent character had been defeated.
‘I didn't think he'd be so weak in a debate.’
If only there was a television, I'd force him to watch a 90-minute debate.
Their offensive didn't end there.
“I, too, share the White Dragon Hall Master's sentiment!”
The Silver Dragon Hall Master suddenly leaped down and stood beside him.
“Everyone here knows that the Green Dragon Hall Master's martial skill reaches the heavens. But politics is not conducted with martial arts alone. How can we be certain that he will lead the Nine Dragons Fortress well!”
The voice, filled with the internal energy of a transcendent master, filled the Grand Martial Arena.
I could see the warriors of the Gold and Gray Dragon Halls, whom I had thought were neutral, nodding in agreement.
The Red Dragon Hall Master's defeat had been a major blow.
The other side wasn't done with their buildup yet.
We couldn't afford to be pushed back like this.
The problem was, our side had no one to step forward.
The Red Dragon Hall Master we'd counted on was crushed in the opening exchange, and the Blue Dragon Hall Master remained silent.
The Grand Chancellor, the strongest debater I knew, was the arbiter.
‘I have no choice. I'll have to step in.’
As an outsider, I should be able to add a word or two. If I played my cards right, I might even be able to sway public opinion.
Just as I was about to raise my hand.
“Wait.”
My master grabbed my hand.
“I'll take care of it.”
I was stunned by the sight of his back as he stepped forward before I could even stop him.
As my master, known for his neutrality, stepped forward, the eyes of every warrior at the Nine Dragons Assembly focused on him.
Baek Jung-cheon, too, hadn't expected this and stared at my master with surprised eyes.
“I have a question.”
“...Speak.”
“You said you cannot trust the Green Dragon Hall Master.”
“That is correct.”
“On what grounds do you base that judgment?”
It was a question that cut to the heart of the matter.
“Because he has shown us nothing.”
At Baek Jung-cheon's words, my master scoffed.
“Then what have you shown? The Silver Dragon Hall Master stayed in the rear during the last war, and you didn't even participate in the battle, citing your missing arm. How can such men become the representatives of the nine dragons?”
“How rude!”
Incensed by my master's words, the Silver Dragon Hall Master gripped his spear.
*Fwoosh!*
An explosive killing intent erupted from my master's body.
The Silver Dragon Hall Master flinched before the aura of an absolute master.
“Draw it, and you die.”
My master was not a man who made empty threats. Nor was he a man who cared for consequences.
And everyone in the Nine Dragons Fortress knew it.
The Silver Dragon Hall Master tightened his grip on his spear, but he couldn't bring himself to draw it.
For in the face of death, humans become powerless.
Gritting his teeth, the White Dragon Hall Master stepped in front of the Silver Dragon Hall Master.
As he stepped forward, my master withdrew his killing intent.
“The Outer Hall Master's question was flawed from the start.”
“Why is that?”
“We are here to judge the one who would be Lord, not us. What need is there to judge us?”
“That has a point. Then tell us who you think should be Lord.”
All eyes turned to Baek Jung-cheon's lips.
I, too, watched him with bated breath.
‘Is he really going to put forward the hermit from the Forest of Reclusion?’
Martial artists live and die by their honor.
Moreover, for a martial artist, retirement also means severing all ties of favor and grudge.
To reverse such a retirement and return to the forefront would be a great loss of face. He could even become a subject of scorn throughout the entire martial world.
‘If he puts forward someone from the Forest of Reclusion, things will be easier.’
We could just argue that someone who has already retired cannot become the Lord.
However, Baek Jung-cheon was by no means an easy opponent.
“The Blue Dragon Hall Master.”
An entirely unexpected name came from his lips.
Everyone, including myself, was utterly shocked.
The Blue Dragon Hall Master, who turned his head as if in disbelief, slowly nodded.
“...That is correct. I have decided to challenge for the position of Lord.”
The development completely shattered all logic, and for a moment, my mind went blank.
No matter how I thought about it, it made no sense.
‘I believe the current system is the most suitable. However, even if Hall Master Bukgung thinks differently, I will not resent him.’
I had heard those words just three days ago.
‘Did he deceive me?’
Suspicion flared, but I immediately shook my head.
The Blue Dragon Hall Master was the kind of man who would rather die than deceive others.
He was a man whose lifelong dream was to retire from his position as Hall Master as soon as possible and dedicate himself solely to martial arts.
In fact, he was considered the greatest talent in the Nine Dragons Fortress.
Many predicted that if he hadn't taken on the role of Hall Master at such a young age, he would have reached the pinnacle long ago.
How did I know?
I was the one who had to put up with Dan Un throughout our time in the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion.
The stories I heard from him about the Blue Dragon Hall Master could fill 50 episodes, or two books.
Well, the Blue Dragon Hall Master might have deceived even his own disciple. If so, that would make him the Keyser Söze of this era...
But it would be strange for him to have aimed for the Lord's seat while putting on such an act his entire life.
How could he have known the previous Lord would die like this?
In other words.
‘Something's going on!’
Something I didn't know about was happening beneath the surface.
The triumphant White Dragon Hall Master flourished his right sleeve and shouted.
“Everyone knows that it was the Blue Dragon Hall that shouldered the burden of the Green Dragon Hall, which shirked its duties under the pretext of building its strength.”
The White Dragon Hall Master slowly looked around at all the warriors attending the assembly and spoke.
“As a result, the disciples of the Blue Dragon Hall died day by day, and the Hall Master himself wandered the world. In other words, all of us... especially the Green Dragon Hall, owe a great debt to the Blue Dragon Hall.”
“...”
“It is my belief that the Blue Dragon Hall Master, who has made such sacrifices, should become the Lord.”
No one offered a dissenting opinion. No, to be precise, they couldn't.
Because there was not a single flaw in the White Dragon Hall Master's words.
It was true that the Blue Dragon Hall had sacrificed, and it was true that the Blue Dragon Hall Master had sacrificed personally.
However, our Master Bukgung was the kind of person who could say YES when everyone else was shouting NO.
“But his martial arts are weak, are they not?”
He uttered an incredibly insulting remark about a warrior like the Blue Dragon Hall Master.
“...”
The White Dragon Hall Master, too, seemed so dumbfounded that he couldn't speak.
The same went for me.
‘That... that crazy old man!’
Just because his own martial arts are strong, what gives him the right to say something like that?
The White Dragon Hall Master, regaining his senses, seemed to think this was his chance and spoke up.
“Then, if that aspect is supplemented, will the matter be resolved?”
“I might reconsider.”
“Then.”
He looked somewhere, and an elderly man descended from the sky.
“This is the new Grand Chancellor who will assist the Lord in the future, the Heavenly Son Sword.”
Seeing his appearance, like an immortal of refined bearing, everyone's jaw dropped.
It was only natural.
That man was none other than the Baek family's greatest product, Baek Sang-ji, the Heavenly Son Sword, one of the Ten Great Masters of the previous generation.
I had expected him to appear, but seeing the hermit who had retired thirty years ago in person was suffocating.
Because I could feel it.
‘He's strong!’
The fact that he was among the strongest warriors I had ever seen.
Perhaps even as strong as the War King's grandmaster.
That Baek Sang-ji met Master Bukgung's gaze.
I focused my hearing to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“So you're the boy from the Bukgung family.”
“And you must be the old Baek geezer who's on his last legs.”
“Like father, like son. Both ill-mannered.”
“I heard about that. That when he was young, passing through Sichuan, he got into a fight with some middle-aged geezer brandishing a sword and gave him a good thrashing.”
“I see he didn't tell you he almost lost an arm in return.”
“I heard he bit off your ear.”
At my master's words, I looked at Baek Sang-ji's ear and saw that the tip was indeed torn.
As the emotions between the two intensified, the White Dragon Hall Master stepped in.
“Do you still have complaints?”
“Of course.”
“Your words are contradictory. You said his martial arts were lacking, and we have found a way to supplement them.”
His intention to set up the Blue Dragon Hall Master as a puppet president and control the Nine Dragons Fortress through his own father was transparent.
As it was difficult to delay any longer, I sent a telepathic message to the Green Dragon Hall Master.
[Hall Master.]
*Nod.*
Spreading his movement technique, he landed in the center of the Grand Martial Arena and clasped his fist in a salute towards the Heavenly Son Sword.
“Have you been well? It has been a long time. Your sword energy seems to have grown even sharper.”
The Heavenly Son Sword returned the courteous greeting with equal formality.
“In the Forest of Reclusion, there is little to do but polish one's sword.”
“An enviable life.”
“It was tedious. So much so that I was dying to get out.”
“Then you should enjoy this moment. For you will have to return soon.”
“...?”
The Green Dragon Hall Master looked around at everyone present at the assembly at a pace so leisurely that 'slowly' wouldn't do it justice.
One person... two people... After making eye contact with as many people as possible, he seemed to have made up his mind and gave a small nod.
And then.
“I hereby nominate the Outer Hall Master as the new Lord.”
The small ball I had set in motion was now flying through the sky.