Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Same Bed, Different Dreams (1)
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"My Lord."
"Come in."
With permission granted, Hyung Mu-gang—the newly appointed strategist—straightened his robes and stepped inside.
Gwan Ung, the new master of Infinite Sky Pavilion—formerly Gwan Hyo's residence—lounged crookedly in a chair draped with white tiger pelt and beckoned him over.
"Sit there."
Once Hyung Mu-gang had taken his seat, Gwan Ung picked up a bottle of liquor.
"Care for a drink?"
"I'm fine."
"Tsk tsk. A real man should be able to hold his drink. Can't even manage one cup."
Hyung Mu-gang gave a wry smile and placed the letter in his hand on the table.
"What's this?"
"A reply from the Murim Alliance."
"What do they say?"
Gwan Ung set down the bottle and lightly stroked his chin as he asked.
"They've accepted our demands."
"Of course they have. After we groveled and begged like that."
"They say they can't help the clashes with sects and clans scattered across the regions. They've requested we avoid disputes as much as possible and promised mediation, but they made it clear they have no authority to restrain them."
"Typical hypocrites. Always spouting pretty words, those vermin. But what can we do? We're the ones in need. Tell them we'll yield as much as possible but to protect our pride."
"Understood."
"By the way, where are they at now?"
"Heading toward the Gyeyang area."
"Gyeyang?"
Gwan Ung's face showed a flicker of surprise at the unexpectedly distant location.
"We're managing for now, but in a few days, we'll enter their territory."
"We need to catch them before that."
Hyung Mu-gang's expression darkened slightly at Gwan Ung's murmur.
The one fleeing with the Heavenly Demon Pill was Noejeon, possessor of peerless lightness skill even among the Divine Demon Division. Moreover, his tracking skills matched his agility, making him that much harder to catch.
"What about the Divine Demon Division Leader's whereabouts?"
Hyung Mu-gang's face grew even darker at the question.
"We interrogated the Divine Demon Division survivors, but no one knew anything."
"Diamond Yaksha moved with him. Doesn't even Yaksha know his hometown?"
"They say it's somewhere in Shandong Province, but nothing precise. Besides, as a child of the wilds, he's unlikely to head home while with the Division Leader."
"Damn it!"
Gwan Ung roughly grabbed his liquor cup.
"So in the end, we have to chase after that bastard Noejeon."
"That's our only option for now."
"Catch him somehow. We must recover the Heavenly Demon Pill."
Gwan Ung issued the cold command with icy eyes.
The gripped cup crumbled to dust and scattered in his hand.
"He's a butcher."
Gwa Yu's face soured with disappointment as he read the letter with a tense expression.
"Anything else unusual? Like hiding his identity or something."
Heukam, a top assassin from Saheulim—the Murim's premier killer organization—couldn't hide his grin at Gwa Yu's reaction.
"No obvious traits stand out. Same for his brothers."
Heukam tilted his head, smile fading.
"Hm. For a hit requested by those wanting the Eight-Armed Sword and his disciples dead, this feels off."
"Something hidden, no doubt."
Jang Sal, a first-class assassin accompanying Heukam on this rare outing, eyed Gwa Yu worriedly.
The leadership, after verifying Sima Geon's info, had ordered him to assassinate the butcher Sima Geon. The issue was that Gwa Yu—one of Saheulim's heirs—had just finished training with zero real missions under his belt.
Figures that's why they assigned it. To give him experience.
Jang Sal knew well why the leadership had tasked Gwa Yu.
The target was suspiciously ordinary for a commission they'd accept.
At just sixteen, despite rigorous training since childhood, Gwa Yu lacked field experience—perfect for a debut.
Yet something felt wrong.
The more he reviewed the report, the more a sticky, ominous unease crept over him.
"What's wrong?"
Heukam asked.
"Just a bad feeling."
"Nothing special stands out. What about it?"
"I don't know. Just..."
Even Jang Sal couldn't explain his instincts. But Heukam, who respected his gut, didn't dismiss it.
"A bad feeling, eh? Then let's do this."
Jang Sal turned to Gwa Yu and gently patted his head.
"Normally we'd split up, but this time, we'll watch over you. Together, what could go wrong?"
"Sounds good. So we handle Soheung first?"
"No. Eight-Armed Sword first. Hot blood's boiling after so long—can't delay. We'll take the butcher on the way back."
Meeting Heukam's chilling gaze, Jang Sal steadied his involuntary shiver and nodded.
"Got it. I'll prepare."
The Namgung Clan leaders gathered in Cheongmyeong Pavilion—the hall for major affairs—just past the hour of the rabbit.
Great Elder Namgung Dan, presiding from the head seat, turned leftward.
"Did you inform the Patriarch?"
Namgung Seon, the Clan's brain and info master as head of Cheongun Pavilion, nodded.
"Yes. Contacted him early morning. Reported the Murim Alliance matter and Clan affairs summary. He's probably with Madam by now."
"With your sister-in-law? Good. We gave prior notice, so she'll smooth things over."
Namgung Dan and most there gazed hopefully, but Namgung Seon couldn't give the answer they wanted.
"Well... not sure."
Namgung Seon trailed off with a wry smile.
Tsk tsk. If only you'd listened when I warned you. So stubborn, and now the humiliation.
Namgung Seon inwardly tsked at the elders who'd ignored him to sabotage the Ha Hu Clan's feast.
All but Namgung Gyeong—who'd raged upon late return from travel—looked glum.
"The Patriarch has arrived."
A loud announcement rang out, and Cheongmyeong Pavilion's doors swung wide.
A middle-aged man in pristine sky-blue robes strode in confidently.
His gentle features, slender build, and pale skin evoked a pale scholar, yet at fifty, not a wrinkle or white hair marred him.
Sharp glints in those soft eyes overwhelmed the room.
He was Namgung Hu, the Sword Saint who dominated Murim with one blade.
"Welcome."
Namgung Dan yielded the head seat.
"Been well?"
Namgung Hu returned the light greeting and took the seat without refusal.
"Everyone, sit."
As all reseated, Namgung Dan spoke promptly.
"Didn't want to disturb your seclusion, but the Alliance matter was too grave."
"It's fine. I was wrapping up anyway. Even if not, it's a Murim-shaking event—you had to call."
"Any progress?"
"Not fully satisfied, but got what I aimed for."
"Excellent. Congratulations, Patriarch."
"Thank you, Uncle."
Congratulations flowed from all sides after Namgung Dan's lead.
Namgung Hu acknowledged calmly, sipped tea from the table, and spoke.
"Heard some amusing things happened while I was away."
Faces stiffened instantly. Here it comes.
"Indeed. If Ha Hu hadn't meddled, no need for hard feelings."
"The Alliance Lord selection?"
"Yes."
"Heard he was backed by the Nine Great Sects and One Temple."
"That's the problem. Past ones were their picks too. Time for change."
"Logically, yes."
All sighed in relief as Namgung Hu agreed, tension easing from Namgung Dan and onlookers.
"The Nine definitely overreached."
"Makes it frustrating. With Ha Hu's support, their candidate wouldn't have won."
Namgung Dan subtly blamed Ha Hu while covering their mistake.
"Who did Ha Hu back from the Nine?"
Namgung Hu asked Namgung Seon.
"Sage of Azure Mountain, Senior Jwa Ik-seon."
"Ah, right. Jwa Senior became Lord. Hates being tied down, past retirement age. Nine must've struggled."
"Heard they did the three visits to the thatched hut."
"Fitting."
Namgung Hu chuckled lightly, recalling Jwa's stubbornness.
"Who did the Five Great Clans nominate?"
"Hm, previous Patriarch of the Meteor Clan."
Namgung Dan cleared his throat.
"Meteor Clan's former head..."
Namgung Hu nodded.
"Jade Cloud Sword Senior."
"Yes. Master of martial arts, character, prestige—all exemplary."
Namgung Dan still regretted their pick's loss, but Namgung Hu differed.
"Impressive man. I know well. Meteor rose in Henan under him. But not Alliance Lord material."
Namgung Dan's face changed at the blunt words.
"Not Lord material?"
"Jade Cloud has fine skills, character, prestige as Uncle says. But too narrow-minded."
"Narrow-minded?"
Namgung Dan frowned in confusion.
"Murim has all sorts: righteous, evil, demonic, and those defying labels. They ally or clash by values, sometimes staking lives. But deeming them enemies just for differing paths or thoughts isn't right. When such minds seize power, blood winds blow. Sadly, Jade Cloud is one such danger. His fine qualities apply only to righteous folk. Ignores non-righteous practitioners as inhuman—Murim knows this."
His expression unchanged, but tone sharpened.
"Ha Hu chose Jwa Senior—despite straining ties with Five Clans—precisely for that."
"Patriarch's right. He has issues. But ignoring our repeated pleas for aid to pick the Nine's choice feels like disdain, no?"
Namgung Dan argued for understanding.
"We invited disdain by our actions."
"Patriarch!"
"Pushing an unfit for Lord over Murim share—not pure intent—brought disdain. Especially with a perfect candidate available. Moreover!"
Namgung Hu's voice rose suddenly.
"I'm disappointed in Uncle and all here. Not the petty quarrel or failed scheme—but the Five Clans conspiring to ruin Ha Hu Patriarch's seventieth feast over it."
All flinched at "conspiring."
Some frowned at the harshness, but none dared voice it amid his formidable aura.