Chapter 93
Chapter 93
The Grand Assembly (1)
The main hall of the Martial Alliance was bustling with people, far more than usual.
It was because of the Grand Assembly.
Whenever the Grand Assembly was convened, all senior members holding key positions within the alliance were required to attend.
This included the Alliance Leader and the sixteen elders.
"Finally, the long-awaited day has arrived, Lord Namgung."
"So it has come to this."
"Today, we will finally crush the tyranny of that arrogant Alliance Leader faction!"
"Sigh... I only hope to avenge the innocent lives lost and bring peace to my child's grudge."
Hwangbo Geon's seat, once occupied by his sycophants, had now been taken over by the head of the Jinju Eon Family, Eon Ja-hu.
Utterly shameless, the bootlickers surrounding Namgung Myeong showered him with flattery and sweet-talked their way into his favor.
'......Do they feel no shame groveling before a junior half their age?'
Namgung Baek barely suppressed the urge to sigh multiple times as he watched the revolting display.
With the pretext of his child's death, Namgung Myeong and the Namgung Family had grown even more frenzied in their actions.
There was no stopping them now.
Not only had they swallowed the Hwangbo Family whole to expand their influence, but they had also turned Shaolin—once a neutral force—into their ally.
His father and the others had no interest in uncovering the truth behind the horrific Kaifeng Blood Massacre.
Instead, they were solely focused on how they could exploit this tragedy to further their power and influence.
Namgung Baek felt sick to his stomach.
"Father. I need some fresh air."
"The assembly will begin soon. Be quick."
"......Understood."
There was an inexplicable chill and ruthlessness in Namgung Myeong's gaze as he looked at his son.
Ever since Namgung Baek had brought back the fabricated evidence, Namgung Myeong had been keeping even his own son under strict surveillance.
'Haah... What am I supposed to do?'
Leaving his father's side, he stepped out into the courtyard outside the assembly hall.
The cold wind against his face helped him catch his breath.
Slowly, he surveyed his surroundings.
The courtyard was also crowded with people gathered in small groups.
The first to catch his eye were two elderly swordsmen conversing in one corner.
'The Diancang Sect and the Moyong Family have arrived too.'
The two men—Moyong Bin, the "Silver River Sword Elder" of the Moyong Family, and Baekri Sim, the "Four Shadows Sword Master" of the Diancang Sect—had been frequently absent from recent regular meetings.
"Haah, that mad witch of the North Sea has caused our family no small amount of damage."
"We've also been having trouble lately with the Beast Palace acting strangely."
"Ah! Could it be that these barbarians are colluding with the Blood Cult? Perhaps they've joined forces."
"Hmm, nothing has been confirmed yet. Let's not jump to conclusions, Clan Leader Moyong."
Rumors had been circulating that the Moyong Family had clashed with the North Sea Ice Palace, while the Diancang Sect had been in conflict with the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace. Judging from their conversation, it seemed both rumors were true.
"Ooh!"
"He's here!!"
Suddenly, the surroundings grew noisy.
People outside exclaimed in admiration as they turned their attention toward a certain direction.
Two men were entering the courtyard through the passageway.
Dressed in long green robes, they were unmistakably father and son.
Namgung Baek's eyes gleamed with an unusual light as he looked at the younger man.
'That's him!'
The man strode forward with an imposing presence.
Tang Se-woon, the "Severing Strings Phantom Blade," carried himself as if he were the protagonist of this Grand Assembly.
"Clan Leader Tang! No, no—Elder Tang, you've arrived!"
"Haha, it's been a while, Sect Master Cheon."
With the Hwangbo Family ousted, the vacant seat among the Seven Great Families had naturally been filled by the Sichuan Tang Family.
Tang Mu-yeol, the "Hundred Poison Hands," had ascended to the position of Martial Alliance Elder.
Yet, no one in the martial world had raised any objections to the Alliance's decision.
Because new facts had come to light during the selection process.
Divine Immortal Collapse.
The peerless extreme poison that had once made the Sichuan Tang Family a symbol of terror.
The fact that they had finally reclaimed this poison had spread like wildfire.
That day, the list of the Eight Great Extreme Poisons was rewritten, and the Sichuan Tang Family rightfully reclaimed their place among the Seven Great Families.
Clack.
Just then, a master and disciple blocked Tang Mu-yeol and Se-woon's path.
Namgung Baek and the others around them were taken aback.
'Those two are......'
Wei Taido, the "Sea Sword Ghost," the Grand Elder of the Hainan Sect, and his chief disciple, Nam Mu-jin.
Wei Taido, in particular, looked more like a weathered sailor who had spent decades battling sea winds and scorching sun than a martial artist.
The strong scent of the sea clung to him, and his sharp white eyebrows arched upward like the wings of a seagull.
"Is there something you need?"
"......."
Despite Tang Mu-yeol's question, Wei Taido remained silent, glaring fiercely with piercing eyes.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Since Sun Wu-gon, the "Hidden Dragon Tail Lord," who had once attempted to assassinate Se-woon, had been Wei Taido's disciple, people worried that trouble might erupt.
But then—
"It's an honor to meet you, Elder Tang. I am Nam Mu-jin of Hainan."
"Hmm, indeed. A pleasure."
"I haven't had the chance to properly thank you, Great Hero Tang. I apologize."
Nam Mu-jin bowed deeply in place of his master.
Though Se-woon was clearly his junior by many years, Nam Mu-jin's eyes were filled with nothing but respect and awe.
"There's no need for thanks. Anyone would have done the same to save an ally."
"An ally......!"
Nam Mu-jin swallowed hard and nodded solemnly, as if engraving Se-woon's words into his mind.
"I've learned another great lesson today."
"Not at all. What lesson could a junior like me teach you?"
"There is no seniority in learning."
Se-woon was visibly flustered by Nam Mu-jin's attitude.
Namgung Baek could understand why.
Nam Mu-jin, a close friend of Se-woon's elder sister Tang Se-rin, addressing him as "Great Hero" was already strange enough—but treating him with the deference of a senior was even more bewildering.
But then—
"I apologize."
"!!"
Wei Taido, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
His words carried neither anger nor blame—only remorse.
The stubborn martial artist, who would sooner lose his head than bow it, was lowering his head to Se-woon.
"I couldn't bring myself to speak, ashamed of the unforgivable sin I committed and the immense debt I owe you."
"......!"
"Only when Mu-jin returned from the brink of death did I come to my senses. Before drowning myself in alcohol again, I had to come and apologize to the Tang Family first."
After Sun Wu-gon's death, rumors had spread that Wei Taido had drowned himself in alcohol.
But now, it seemed it wasn't rage over vengeance—but shame for having raised such a disciple.
As silence fell over the crowd—
"Grand Elder. I've already forgotten it all."
Se-woon, the one directly involved, spoke up.
"Besides, the one who caused the trouble was Sun Wu-gon alone."
"......!"
"There was never any debt between you and me to begin with."
At Se-woon's words, Wei Taido's pupils trembled violently.
Tang Mu-yeol, who had locked eyes with him belatedly, gave a small nod in agreement with his son.
Struggling to contain his emotions, Wei Taido replied—
"......Thank you."
"Grand Elder. Please, speak comfortably. I'm merely a junior barely past twenty."
"Are you certain that's alright?"
"Yes, of course."
A warm atmosphere settled between the Sichuan Tang Family and the Hainan Sect.
Amidst the chaotic state of the martial world, the peaceful resolution moved some of the onlookers to tears.
But—
The only ones whose gazes remained sharp and hostile were the members of the Alliance Leader faction.
'Does this mean the Hainan Sect will side with the Alliance Leader now?'
Namgung Baek could practically read their thoughts.
'Honestly, they're unbelievable.'
They saw everything through the lens of factionalism and political maneuvering.
But Namgung Baek's thoughts about Se-woon differed from theirs.
That wasn't an act. He meant every word.
He was nothing like the hypocrites surrounding them.
Just look at the clear aura shimmering in his eyes.
"Oh, Se-woon! You're here!"
Just then, someone called out to Se-woon warmly from the entrance.
Se-woon, who had been conversing with Wei Taido, naturally turned around—
And immediately furrowed his brows.
"Elder Tang, greetings! I'm Jang So-pyeong, a junior of the Beggars' Sect and Se-woon's closest friend!"
"......I asked you not to call me that."
"Ah, come on. Why so cold?"
"Haah... Senior."
"Pfft, what 'senior'? Once we agreed to be friends, that was that."
......Friends?
Namgung Baek and the others were baffled by their exchange.
The idea of friendship between two men with a ten-year age gap was utterly incongruous.
"You agreed to it in the end, didn't you?"
"No, I was just trying to get out of the drinking session—"
"Haha, so you admit it! Alright, see you inside the assembly hall later!"
Leaving Se-woon glaring in frustration, Jang So-pyeong slipped into the assembly hall.
Se-woon shook his head in exasperation.
"Oh-ho, so this is why everyone's gathered. Se-woon, you're here."
"—!"
As if hearing a voice he'd longed for, Se-woon's demeanor changed completely.
He turned to greet the newcomer warmly.
"You've arrived, Abbess Geumhwa."
"Hehe, indeed. It's been a while."
"Long time no see, Sect Leader."
"Indeed, Clan Leader Tang. No—Elder Tang now. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"It feels right to see the Sichuan Tang Family back where they belong. You've endured much, Elder Tang."
After exchanging pleasantries with Tang Mu-yeol, Abbess Geumhwa turned her gaze back to Se-woon.
Her eyes were filled with genuine concern.
"I was deeply worried, but I'm relieved to see you in good health."
"I'm sorry for causing you concern."
"Don't say such things. I heard the Divine Doctor looked after you?"
"Yes, it was all thanks to him."
Namgung Baek was genuinely astonished as he watched Se-woon.
'......How did he forge such deep bonds with these towering figures in less than a year since entering the martial world?'
Se-woon had formed close friendships with countless influential figures, regardless of whether they belonged to the Nine Sects or the Seven Great Families.
As with any society, new factions entering the Martial Alliance often faced exclusion and hardship.
Even the now-ousted Hwangbo Family had endured endless scorn and disregard in their early days.
Though, to be fair, half of that was because nearly everyone knew they were the Namgung Family's lackeys.
But even so, the Sichuan Tang Family's reception was on an entirely different level from the Hwangbo's.
"I heard my disciple caused you trouble again?"
"Trouble? Not at all."
"If anything, I owe her a great debt."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes. I meant to visit her, but I heard she was still recovering."
Abbess Geumhwa tilted her head slightly, as if what she'd heard didn't quite match Se-woon's words.
"Ha-young, what are you doing? Come greet Young Master Tang."
"Ah, y-yes!"
Ha-young, who had been standing far away, hurried over.
Yet for some reason, she hid slightly behind her master's back.
Se-woon smiled warmly and spoke to her.
"Thank you for what you did last time, Lady Do."
"Ah, n-no need."
"I'll repay you in person."
"N-no, really."
His warm gaze and tone—so unlike his usual self—flustered her visibly.
Memories of her past actions resurfaced, and her cheeks burned inexplicably.
'Oh-ho, this child......'
Abbess Geumhwa's expression turned subtly amused as she observed her disciple's uncharacteristic behavior.
A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes.
With a sly smile, she turned to Tang Mu-yeol.
"Hmm, it seems I'll be seeing Elder Tang more often in the future."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Hehe, nothing."
Just as the peculiar atmosphere settled, members of the Hebei Peng Family joined the conversation, making the courtyard even livelier.
Watching the scene, Namgung Baek slowly turned away.
'Sigh... I should head in now.'
As he was about to step into the assembly hall—
[Greetings, Young Master Namgung.]
"......!!"
A voice transmission suddenly echoed in his ear.
Though he had never spoken to the sender before, the voice was unmistakably familiar.
How could it not be?
He had been listening to it all this time.
Turning his head discreetly to avoid drawing attention, Namgung Baek locked eyes with—
Tang Se-woon, who had sent the transmission.
But why would he......?
[Could you relay a message to Lord Namgung for me?]
Was he seeking a private conversation with his father?
The "Sichuan Overlord"—