Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Private Discussion
Martial Alliance Headquarters.
Alliance Leader's Hall.
While Namgung Myeong and the elders were secretly holding their clandestine meeting, another gathering was taking place in the Alliance Leader's Hall.
Unlike the elders' faction, however, this meeting involved only two people sitting face-to-face.
"So, does the tea suit your taste?"
One of them was, naturally, the master of this hall—the Sword Emperor Yoo Jin-hak.
"Yes. It seems to be green tea, but both its aroma and flavor are excellent."
The other was the man who had triggered the nullification incident—Tang Se-woon, the young master of the fallen Sichuan Tang Clan.
Between the two, an unusual tension lingered in the air as Yoo Jin-hak lifted his teacup and spoke.
"Its sharp, needle-like shape gives it the name Maojian tea. A renowned tea with a long history from Xinyang in Henan Province."
"Indeed. Its reputation is well-deserved."
"I'm glad you like it."
"Abbess Geumhwa once mentioned wanting to enjoy tea with the Divine Doctor someday. I regret that I still haven't had the chance to visit her."
"Heh. If you want to meet her, you'd be better off bringing liquor rather than tea."
"Ah, I wasn't aware of that. Thank you for the advice."
On the surface, it was an ordinary conversation, yet the atmosphere was thick with tension, as if a deadly duel were unfolding.
"I've already arranged for the Eastern Chain Wheel to be delivered today. The sooner treatment begins, the better."
"I appreciate your consideration."
"However, constructing a Mystical Forge will likely take some time. The Divine Flame Sect Leader might be intrigued, but gathering craftsmen skilled enough to build one will take at least a month."
Se-woon shook his head at Yoo Jin-hak's words.
"There's no need for craftsmen. Please simply send the materials as soon as they're ready."
"Hm? Then how will the construction—"
"I will handle the entire construction myself."
"—!"
Even the Martial Alliance's headquarters had taken over three months to build their Mystical Forge, despite gathering the most renowned craftsmen in the martial world.
The same was true for the Baekya Ironworks.
Yet Se-woon had just declared he would undertake the entire project alone.
Had anyone else made such a claim, it would have been dismissed as madness—but this was Tang Se-woon.
"You already have the forge's design fully planned in your mind, don't you?"
"Yes. By the time it's complete, the greatest forge in the martial world will no longer belong to Baekya Ironworks—but to our Tang Clan."
"Heh. That'll be quite the sight. I'll have to come see it for myself."
Just as Yoo Jin-hak chuckled—
[I think we've concealed enough from prying eyes. Let's move to the main topic.]
His Sound Transmission resonated in Se-woon's ear.
Everything said up to this point had been deliberately spoken for the benefit of eavesdroppers—a performance of sorts.
Now, as Yoo Jin-hak had suggested, it was time to get to the heart of the matter.
"Alliance Leader, I have something urgent to discuss. Would it be possible to dismiss everyone else in this room?"
"......!"
A glint flashed in Yoo Jin-hak's eyes at Se-woon's words.
After a pause, he replied nonchalantly.
"Hmm. Who else is in this room besides us?"
Yoo Jin-hak glanced around the empty space, but Se-woon answered without hesitation.
"Ten outside. Four in the ceiling. And..."
He pointed downward.
"One beneath my feet."
"!!"
Though the floor was nothing but wood, Yoo Jin-hak's expression betrayed genuine surprise.
But only for a moment—soon, he burst into laughter.
"Haha! Even if you detected the other Heavenly Dragon Guards, to uncover the Heavenly Dragon Guard Captain hiding with the Earth Escape Concealment Technique... Your progress is truly astounding."
"You flatter me. It's merely a trivial skill."
"But what's the point now? Once you've been spotted, your mission has already failed."
Yoo Jin-hak's last remark wasn't directed at Se-woon.
Tap! Thud!
Four black-clad figures descended from the ceiling and landed silently.
They were the Heavenly Dragon Guards—an elite unit that operated in the shadows, serving directly under the Alliance Leader.
And then—
Crack! Thud!
The floor beside Se-woon's feet twisted, and someone emerged from beneath the ground.
It was the Heavenly Dragon Guard Captain, Jegal Seo-ah, who had concealed herself using the Earth Escape Concealment Technique—a secret art allowing movement and concealment underground.
"......Forgive me, Alliance Leader."
Clad in a form-fitting black stealth suit, she immediately bowed her head to Yoo Jin-hak.
It was an apology for failing in her duty—having been completely detected by Se-woon.
Seeing her offer no excuses, Se-woon's eyes gleamed.
'Even after my regression, her loyalty to the Alliance Leader remains unwavering.'
Jegal Seo-ah, the Shadow Beneath the Earth.
A supreme master who had reached the pinnacle of the Flower Realm, she was also the Alliance Leader's second disciple—destined for greatness. Yet she had willingly stepped away from all power struggles, pledging to remain by Yoo Jin-hak's side as his protector.
Even in Se-woon's past life, she had stayed loyal until the very end, dying alongside the Alliance Leader.
"I have urgent matters to discuss with Young Master Tang. Captain Jegal, withdraw all forces and ensure no one enters within a ten-zhang radius of this hall."
"As you command."
Jegal Seo-ah saluted and led her subordinates out of the hall.
As silence settled, Yoo Jin-hak spoke again.
"I'm impressed. To pinpoint even the Guard Captain's presence... When she employs the Earth Escape Concealment Technique at full strength, even the elders fail to notice her."
"I'm undeserving of such praise."
"Was it thanks to a new martial art bestowed by the Divine Monk?"
"......!"
Se-woon's eyes widened like lanterns.
Truly, this was the Sword Emperor.
Without Se-woon having mentioned anything, Yoo Jin-hak had already deduced that he had acquired a new martial art.
The certainty in Yoo Jin-hak's gaze left no room for deception, so Se-woon answered honestly.
"You're correct. After receiving the Three-Waters Sutra from the Divine Monk, my Qi sensitivity has improved beyond comparison."
"Hmm. I see. Only something like the Three-Waters Sutra could have allowed you to breach the Flower Realm's barrier."
Yoo Jin-hak nodded slowly.
"Does the Sect Leader know?"
"No. He remains unaware."
"Good. You did well. The Divine Monk isn't normally like this, but in his current state, you could have been harmed."
"I'll keep that in mind. I intend to repay his teachings fully once I've mastered them."
"A commendable thought."
Silence fell once more.
Yoo Jin-hak exhaled heavily before speaking again.
"Then let me ask you this."
"Yes."
"What exactly happened between you and Elder Namgung?"
Se-woon met Yoo Jin-hak's gaze steadily.
The Alliance Leader wasn't asking why Se-woon had betrayed him and sided with the elders.
His eyes held only concern—genuine worry that Se-woon might have been ensnared in Namgung Myeong's schemes.
In response, Se-woon spoke firmly.
"Alliance Leader, Namgung Myeong intends to hollow out the Martial Alliance before splitting off with his own faction."
"—!!"
Yoo Jin-hak's eyes trembled as if struck by an earthquake at Se-woon's declaration.
But Se-woon's words continued like a storm.
"Had I not cast the nullification vote today, he would have blamed you for the failed ballot. He would have slandered you even more harshly in front of the warriors, further deepening the Alliance's internal strife."
"......!"
"Had that happened, the discord wouldn't have remained confined to the elders—it would have spread like a plague to the lower-ranking warriors."
"......!!"
"Before even facing our enemies, we would have collapsed from within due to infighting. There would have been no hope for us. That's why..."
Suddenly, Yoo Jin-hak let out a short sigh.
Unmistakable sorrow laced his voice.
"......So you decided to become a double agent."
Se-woon nodded without hesitation.
Facing the shaken Alliance Leader, Se-woon pressed on.
"They believe they've gained the upper hand now. Because of my actions, they think the elders loyal to you will grow suspicious and waver."
"With their guard lowered, they won't act hastily. Instead, they'll take their time, quietly seizing control of the Alliance's assets and interests."
"But since we already know their plans, we can observe and strike back at the perfect moment."
Yoo Jin-hak listened quietly before speaking weakly.
"You're not trying to prevent their defection—you're assuming it's inevitable."
"Yes. Exactly."
"......!"
"Had their motives been rooted in some 'conviction,' I might have clung to hope, just as you have."
"!!"
"But their only goal is personal gain. If they truly acted on principle, they would have contested my nullification vote to the very end."
"!!!"
"They want greater chaos in the martial world. Whether the Blood Church's true identity is an unorthodox sect or some mysterious force—it doesn't matter to them."
A chilling silence filled the hall.
Se-woon's blunt words stabbed into Yoo Jin-hak's heart like a sharp blade.
Yet within that excruciating pain, clarity emerged.
Yoo Jin-hak lowered his head and muttered to himself.
"I thought they still held onto the last shreds of an orthodox warrior's conscience..."
The Martial Alliance's division was inevitable.
For the Sword Emperor's Alliance to maintain enough strength to fight the Blood Church after the split—
Unlike in Se-woon's past life, where Yoo Jin-hak had been swayed by sentiment, he would have to act with cold decisiveness.
And in the next moment—
"You're right."
The words Se-woon had hoped for finally left Yoo Jin-hak's lips.
The Sword Emperor's eyes no longer held any hesitation.
"You've opened my clouded eyes. From now on, I will lead the way forward on the path you've set."
"Yes, Alliance Leader!"
Se-woon knelt on one knee and bowed.
Then, Yoo Jin-hak spoke again with utmost solemnity.
"But before that, there's something I'd like you to do for me."
"Command me."
As Se-woon listened intently, Yoo Jin-hak continued.
"Using my authority as Alliance Leader, I will exempt you from all obligations within the Alliance. No harm will come to the Sichuan Tang Clan."
"If you wish, we can proceed in absolute secrecy—without informing anyone else."
"And lastly, with my sect's permission, I will impart to you all of our core techniques and secret arts."
'Could it be...?'
Only then did Se-woon realize what Yoo Jin-hak wanted from him.
An overwhelming aura had already filled the entire hall.
"Become my disciple. This is an order from your Alliance Leader."
The Sword Emperor had once again extended an offer to take Se-woon as his disciple.