Chapter 63
Chapter 63
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Quite the Character
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Namgung Urin's lengthy explanation continued for a full hour.
As Namgung Urin's grand explanation unfolded, the expressions of those gathered shifted by the moment, gasps of shock and sighs escaping their lips.
And then, finally, Namgung Urin's elaborate explanation came to an end.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.”
The back of Namgung Family Head Namgung Yul's neck grew stiff.
“Heh heh heh.”
Utterly dumbfounded, Jang Gae, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, could only let out a continuous stream of hollow laughter.
“……”
The expression of Han Seo-hui, the leader of the Iron Blood Sect who had completely lost her heart to Namgung Urin, was not much different.
“...You madman.”
Baekri Jang-won was the same. What's more, Baekri Jang-won had yet to persuade his own father, yet Namgung Urin's grand plan was already based on the assumption that he had.
Persuasion aside, the plan was simply too immense.
No.
This was nothing more than a madman's mad idea. One could only gauge the possibility of success if a dream or ambition was within the realm of reason.
No one calculated the odds for something bordering on delusion.
Despite the stiffness in his neck, the Namgung Family Head, Namgung Yul, forced his mouth open.
“What did I tell you? Didn't I say you shouldn't listen? Hah.”
“Heh heh heh.”
At Namgung Yul's words, Jang Gae, seemingly still unable to process it all, could only let out another hollow laugh.
Namgung Urin, the one who had laid out this absurd, nonsensical plan, spoke again.
“Why is everyone reacting like this?”
To Namgung Urin, it was a plan that painted a magnificent canvas, founded on truly Namgung-like thinking. Of course, since it had come to him so suddenly, there were bound to be a few minor flaws.
He believed that if this plan came to fruition, it would be an event that would mark a new era in the history of the martial world.
And Namgung Urin was confident.
In fact, their current reactions were well within his expectations.
That was why he was even more certain.
Since everyone was reacting just as he'd thought, it meant his plan could also unfold according to his will, his intent.
With a very charming smile, Namgung Urin approached Han Seo-hui, the leader of the Iron Blood Sect, and gently stroked her back.
“Sect Leader. What do you think of my idea? No, you will agree with my idea, won't you?”
Han Seo-hui's gaze was fixed on Namgung Urin's lovely face.
*‘This man…’*
*Could it be that he was nice to me for this?*
*To use me like this?*
...The thought crossed her mind for a fleeting moment, but it was quickly erased by Namgung Urin's charming smile.
And Han Seo-hui knew.
No matter what reckless endeavor Namgung Urin embarked upon, even if the path he took led to hell, she would be with him.
Han Seo-hui's lips slowly parted.
“I... agree.”
At that, Namgung Yul shot up from his seat.
“Sect Leader!”
He never dreamed such words would come from the mouth of the Iron Blood Sect's leader. No matter how close their relationship was!
This wasn't an issue of affection or lack thereof, was it?
Namgung Yul stared intently at Han Seo-hui's face.
*‘This…’*
*Those are the eyes of someone who's lost her senses, completely smitten with a man.*
The Woman of Iron and Blood.
It wasn't for nothing that the leaders of the Iron Blood Sect were called the Women of Iron and Blood. It was a reputation bestowed by the martial world, a sign of respect for women who never yielded, who staunchly upheld their own will and the will of the Iron Blood Sect.
A Woman of Iron and Blood who held such a reputation, who had inherited it…
To have her heart stolen by a mere young man...
Namgung Yul collapsed back into his seat.
Meanwhile.
Jang Gae's disbelieving laughter stopped as if it had been a lie, and his eyes widened as if they would pop out of their sockets.
“Sect Leader.”
His tone implied, *Are you in your right mind?* But then, something struck Jang Gae's mind with force.
His head turned toward Baekri Jang-won, the Young Lord of the Baekri Family.
*‘Don't tell me!’*
Namgung Urin spoke again, addressing Baekri Jang-won.
“What are you doing?”
Not answering.
Baekri Jang-won also spoke.
“...I have sworn my loyalty.”
“...Loyalty? You punk. Aren't you the Young Lord of the Baekri Family? A man like you swore loyalty to that brat?”
“That is what happened.”
“Heh. Heh heh heh. Well, I'll be.”
But looking at it now, wasn't the groundwork for this seemingly impossible... no, unthinkable matter already being laid?
Jang Gae's incredulous gaze turned to Namgung Urin.
“You... you really...”
“Do you see? The composition is already taking shape. The Iron Blood Sect in the south, the Baekri Family in the north. Let's see... right. The Hyeoncheon Sect is in the west. In the east... there's nothing yet, but we just need to place a single dot. There's no rush. I have no intention of rushing. We can draw the picture one piece at a time, making corrections as we go. Besides, aren't the lives of the common people in Anhui City already stabilizing?”
The Black Snake Gang had been working tirelessly, and the underworld had already been unified. In other words, all the underworld factions in Anhui City were now in the Black Snake Gang's grasp.
The unified underworld was helping the merchants in the marketplace live their lives in peace.
Not all commoners are kind-hearted and diligent. Among them are wicked people, and many who cause trouble. There are even those who pick up an item just to be malicious and torment the merchants.
The underworld factions were taking on the role of restraining and disciplining such people.
It was proof that the canvas for his grand picture was already being laid out.
“Heh heh.”
He had been laughing out of sheer disbelief until now.
But now, a picture was actually forming.
The fact that a picture was forming was a problem in itself.
Just because you start painting doesn't mean it will be completed. And even if it is completed, the painting might not be whole. It is only possible with the artist's devotion and experience, combined with the skill of the one holding the brush.
A masterpiece is not born easily. It is only after countless failures, after hundreds, no, thousands, tens of thousands of sheets of paper have been torn up and thrown away, that a masterpiece is born.
No, even if only thirty or forty percent of the picture was realized, it was clear that it would be an event that would leave a significant mark on the history of the martial world.
Having lost all words, Jang Gae spoke again.
“...So, you mean to say... you've been thinking about this for a long time?”
“Rather than planning it, I'd occasionally envisioned such a world in passing. Then suddenly today, those pieces came together to form a rough sketch.”
“Heh heh.”
This kid was truly astounding.
It was enough to inspire respect and awe, wondering how someone so young could conceive of such a colossal picture.
Listening beside them, Han Seo-hui and Baekri Jang-won also felt a natural sense of reverence for Namgung Urin's words.
Jang Gae's gaze turned to Namgung Yul.
“Tsk, tsk. You're less than the dirt on your nephew's toe. This is what your nephew is like! Watch and learn.”
Even if he couldn't complete the picture he desired, his heart and his vision had already reached the heavens.
Namgung Yul had no choice but to admit it now.
Now that it had come to this, he could see the picture forming, couldn't he?
Namgung Yul was at the point where he felt he should stop thinking of him as that damned nephew, and start thinking of him as his amazing nephew.
“...My apologies. He caused so much trouble when he was young... I let my worries get the best of me...”
“Tsk. Heh heh, still!”
It was a way of telling him to shut up and stay quiet.
Jang Gae's gaze returned to Namgung Urin.
“Yes. I can see the picture taking shape as well. But.”
As an elder of the martial world, or perhaps as a senior who had lived through many years and experiences, Jang Gae had advice he had to give the admirable Namgung Urin.
Things that must never be overlooked.
“There is a flaw in your picture. A flaw that could ruin your entire canvas if you're not careful.”
Namgung Urin said with a very serious expression.
“Please, tell me.”
“The flaw in your picture is the Martial Alliance Leader. I applaud your grand vision, but you must never overlook him. So, how about you reconsider now? The Martial Alliance Leader is a truly terrifying...”
Namgung Urin cut Jang Gae off.
“That is why.”
“What do you mean, 'that is why'... Don't tell me... you've even...”
“No.”
“No? What do you mean by that? 'That is why,' but also 'no.' I find that hard to understand.”
“It is exactly as I said. It's to draw the Martial Alliance Leader's attention. He won't just stand by and watch. I know he's not that kind of person. Only when a sword is swung do its openings appear, don't they? And right now, the Martial Alliance is rotting from the top down to its very roots.”
Jang Gae, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, was now so dumbfounded he felt he was on the verge of going mad.
“Heh heh. Heh heh heh.”
And this time, it was Namgung Yul who clicked his tongue at Jang Gae.
“Tsk, tsk. How can you be less perceptive than my young nephew? Tsk.”
Jang Gae shot Namgung Yul a glare for a moment, but he too just laughed it off.
“Heh heh, heh heh heh.”
It was as if a boy not yet of age was looking down upon the entire martial world from a mountain peak.
Was this truly something that was even possible?
After laughing like that for a while, Jang Gae's laughter stopped. His aura changed to that of one of the top ten masters under heaven. Then, he stared intently into Namgung Urin's eyes.
He wanted to know what Namgung Urin truly desired.
Whether he wanted to look down on the martial world like the Namgung Family of old.
Or,
whether he was a young man full of vengeance, dreaming of unifying the martial world like the Demonic Cult.
“Do you intend to clean up the Martial Alliance, or do you intend to destroy it?”
It was a very important question.
At a glance, the two might seem similar, but Jang Gae knew from his long years of experience that depending on the initial mindset, the result would be as different as heaven and earth.
“You're quite impatient, old man. Is there a need to apply that standard already?”
“It is important. So tell me your thoughts.”
Jang Gae's energy made the room heavy. It was an energy filled with his intent.
“Very well. My current thoughts are this. If it can be cleaned up, then cleaning it will be the end of it.”
“And if it cannot be cleaned?”
“Then isn't the answer already obvious? We'll have to tear it all down and rebuild.”
Jang Gae maintained his aura and remained silent for a moment.
If his plan was just to tear it all down and be done with it, he would have opposed him to the very end.
But.
Didn't he say he would rebuild?
He wasn't going to destroy it, but rather fill what was lacking, and if even that didn't work, he would build a new house. Simply put, he had no intention of tearing down the current system of the martial world.
Jang Gae let out a sigh of relief and burst into loud laughter.
“Hahaha. Puahahaha. Quite the character. He's really something else. I never dreamed in all my life I'd see a man like this. Heh heh heh.”
After laughing for a moment, Jang Gae suddenly began to curl his fingers one by one.
So Namgung Yul asked.
“What are you doing?”
“I'm counting the days I have left to live, you fool.”
“Elder, why are you counting the days until you die?”
“You fool. I said I'm counting the days I have left to live, not the days until I die.”
“So? Why are you counting them?”
“To see if I can see the whole picture that boy has painted before I die!”
Namgung Yul laughed, dumbfounded by Jang Gae's words.
Jang Gae laughed along with him.
The heavy atmosphere in the room was suddenly filled with life.
It was then.
Suddenly, the sound of clashing swords and screams came from outside.
A moment later, Chanjo, the general manager of the Myeongwol Pavilion, burst into the room, covered in blood and gasping for breath.
“Please, save our Pavilion Master!”