Chapter 68
Chapter 68
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Anhui Martial Arts Alliance
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Tomorrow is finally the day.”
A sigh of relief escaped the lips of Namgung Yul, the Family Head.
*Phew.*
“That damn rascal.”
His nephew, Namgung Urin, had started it all, but it was the Family Head, Namgung Yul, and Lady Yeonhwa who had been running themselves ragged. Namgung Yul, in particular, had been incredibly busy.
Still.
“Heh heh, what a remarkable kid.”
He had managed to paint a picture he once thought impossible, and he never imagined the groundwork could be laid so quickly.
And now, that groundwork was finally complete.
The day to unveil it was just one day away.
Tomorrow would be a very special day—the birth of the 'Anhui Martial Arts Alliance'.
One might think, 'After all that talk, it's just an alliance?' But a closer look would reveal that it was worlds apart from any other.
From major powers like the Namgung Family, the Baekri Family, and the Iron Blood Sect, to the smallest local martial arts schools in Anhui, all were made to join the Anhui Martial Arts Alliance. Of course, it wouldn't be run merely to foster friendships or serve the interests of individual sects, like other alliances. It was a powerful, compulsory coalition that would do anything for the security of Anhui.
Furthermore, it was a coalition where the larger and more powerful the sect, the greater the sacrifices and concessions demanded of them.
Of course, the Anhui Martial Arts Alliance wouldn't be able to exert its full power immediately. There would be sects that joined reluctantly, still skeptical and uncertain, or simply because they felt pressured by the movements of so many others.
But as time passed, they would come to understand.
That all the sects in Anhui could become one. That it could become an alliance as united as a single sect, where members would not hesitate to risk their lives for one another.
No, he would *make* it so.
This was the groundwork Namgung Urin had envisioned.
Tomorrow, every sect and martial arts school in Anhui would gather at the Namgung estate. Orthodox, Demonic, and even those in between—everyone would be there, without exception.
Naturally, the Demonic sects and those in the gray area were reluctant to join this alliance. But to remain in Anhui, they had no choice.
Because it was compulsory.
The martial world operates on the principle of power. What could they do when crushed by sheer force?
The weak have no choice but to follow.
And an alliance without compulsion, duty, and responsibility is not only useless but also an alliance in name only.
So tomorrow, for an alliance built on duty, responsibility, and compulsion, over a thousand people would gather. And that was only the essential personnel. Documents detailing the number, position, and name of each attendee had been collected from every sect, so no additional individuals would be allowed inside the Namgung estate.
Moreover, it wasn't just the sects that were coming.
Merchant guilds, escort agencies, and the owners of courtesan houses, taverns, and inns would also be present. Essentially, anyone who was anyone in Anhui would be there.
The Namgung estate was bustling. It was a level of activity not felt in six years. Several martial arts stages had also been completed.
Why the sudden martial arts stages?
An alliance needs a clear chain of command to function smoothly. To establish that, a precise hierarchy among the sects was necessary. This hierarchy would then determine the division of roles for each sect.
It was also intended to allow them to gauge each other's strength and encourage them to strive for greater power. Furthermore, pent-up power is bound to fester and explode someday. By providing an outlet like this, they could prevent serious problems from arising between the sects.
Namgung Yul walked through the estate, double-checking that all preparations were perfect.
“Good. Very good.”
It was perfect.
This grand event required a great deal of money and manpower. That was why the Hoyeon Merchant Guild, though not based in Anhui, had also received an invitation. They were the only ones.
But they were more than qualified. After all, the Hoyeon Merchant Guild was the biggest sponsor of the Anhui Martial Arts Alliance.
None of this had been achieved easily.
It all began when Namgung Urin proposed a job to So Hwi. It was partly to create the right atmosphere, and partly to make a mark in the east.
It was a task the Beggars' Sect couldn't handle: spreading rumors among the high-ranking individuals who frequented courtesan houses and high-end taverns.
The rumor was that the Namgung Family, the Baekri Family, the Iron Blood Sect, and the Hyeoncheon Sect were joining forces to swallow Anhui whole.
Initially, everyone was half in doubt.
But out of caution, the leaders of various sects began digging around for information.
When the rumor that the Namgung Family, the Baekri Family, the Iron Blood Sect, and the Hyeoncheon Sect had joined forces turned out to be true, the sects of Anhui were thrown into turmoil.
Why would Namgung do this?!
There's no way Namgung would do such a thing.
Everyone whispered amongst themselves.
But when the rumor was confirmed, the sects began to tremble in fear. Then, another rumor spread.
That the intention wasn't to swallow Anhui, but to unite it. And just like that, one by one, they began to reach out.
They were worried that if they were left out, they would be ostracized in Anhui, or worse, their sects would be annihilated.
Thus, just as Namgung Urin had intended, and thanks to So Hwi's masterful handling of the situation, they made their mark in the east, leading to the creation of the Anhui Martial Arts Alliance.
Things progressed at lightning speed.
After all, in Anhui, it was impossible to speak of anything without mentioning the Namgung Family, the Baekri Family, and the Iron Blood Sect; they were practically everything in the region.
And so, a day brimming with excitement and anticipation passed. The sun rose, and a massive crowd began to pour through the gates of the Namgung estate.
Six years had passed since that tragic and resentful day.
***
Having left the Black Moon Sect, Wolhyang entered Anhui.
“*Haaah.*”
The hot, humid air filled her lungs.
But.
“Why does it feel so refreshing? Is the air in Anhui different?”
A strange feeling washed over Wolhyang, and she shook her beautiful head from side to side. Knowing full well that her face drew attention, Wolhyang covered it with a veil.
“How strange.”
She couldn't understand why it felt so familiar. She'd never been to Anhui for a mission before.
“Could it be...? Nah. What does it matter if it's familiar or not? Dammit.”
She had no time to wrestle with a memory she couldn't even recall. It would only bring on a headache.
Right now.
She had to kill the Young Lord of the Namgung Family and save her precious comrades.
“That son of a bitch. Sect Leader, I swear I'll take that bastard's head. You just wait. No... what if he's already skipped town? Ah, shit! No. He won't get paid until the job is done... right. He'll be there until I arrive, right? Right. Besides, even if he runs, I'll just hunt him to the ends of the earth and take his head. Agh!”
Before long, Wolhyang reached Lu'an County in Anhui. She was hungry, and after running like mad all night, her legs felt stiff. She decided to stop at an inn for a drink and a comfortable sleep.
“Even a ghost that died well-fed looks better.”
Wolhyang stepped into the inn.
“Welcome!”
The innkeeper greeted Wolhyang cheerfully. Seeing a woman who looked like she had money to spend, his voice was especially loud.
Wolhyang said to the innkeeper.
“Drink, food, and a room.”
There were different kinds of drinks, various dishes, and rooms that were plain, good, or luxurious.
*'So that's how she's gonna play it, huh?'*
“So, should I just bring you anything?”
He was planning to give her the best room and serve the most expensive drink and food.
“No.”
“Then...?”
“The strongest drink, a dish with meat and broth, and a clean room. Oh, and give me the cheapest of everything.”
“...The cheapest?”
“Yes.”
“...Very well.”
The innkeeper muttered to himself as he headed to the kitchen.
While waiting for her drink and food, Wolhyang listened to the conversations around her. Places like this were often a good source of information.
Just a table away, three men were talking excitedly.
“Can you believe it? The Namgung Family joining hands with the Baekri Family!”
“Haha, my friend. It's not just about joining hands with the Baekri Family.”
“Then what?”
“They're saying they'll form an alliance with *all* the sects in Anhui.”
“That's the same thing.”
“Tsk, tsk. You two are just spouting nonsense without knowing anything.”
“Oh yeah? And you know better?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then tell us.”
“The food here is...”
“This guy. Fine. If I think your story holds up, I'll order another dish for you.”
“Then I'll get right to it. Listen closely.”
The two men perked up their ears.
“It's an 'alliance.' An alliance. Just a nice-sounding excuse, is what it is. Joining hands, my ass. Just look at the Martial Alliance. They call themselves an alliance, but do they ever get anything done?”
“That's true.”
“Come on. This is the Namgung Family we're talking about. Would they really do things that way?”
“Ah, listen here. The leader of this new alliance is the head of the Baekri Family. Get it now, you fool!”
“Really?”
“That's what I heard.”
“Well, I'll be.”
Just then, a martial artist carrying a sword entered the inn, radiating a fierce and agitated aura. He sat down with his companions and began to speak, his voice laced with irritation.
“Dammit.”
“What? What's wrong?”
His companions were also martial artists, judging by the swords propped up by their seats.
“Our days as wandering warriors in Anhui are over. Let's have a drink today, and then we're all leaving.”
“Did you not get enough sleep? What's with this sudden bullshit?”
“I know a guy in the Lower Five Gates, and he told me. He said wandering warriors won't be needed in Anhui anymore. So I asked him, 'What kind of bullshit is that?'”
“And?”
“You know that alliance meeting at the Namgung estate today.”
“Yeah.”
“Fuck.”
“Why?”
“He said every last sect in Anhui is gathering. Merchant guilds, escort agencies, courtesan houses, taverns—everyone.”
“For real?”
“Yeah.”
“But why the courtesan houses and taverns?”
“Hah. It's ridiculous. He says all of Anhui is becoming one big family. Does that even make sense? It's not some child's game. Fuck.”
“What's that got to do with us wandering warriors?”
“Ah, you blockhead. Do family members fight each other?”
“They do. Even families fight.”
“No, I mean, are they gonna draw swords on each other?! In an Anhui without fighting, will there be any work for us wandering warriors to live on?! You bastard!”
“Ah!”
“And, the really big thing.”
“What now?”
“This whole thing was orchestrated by that crazy bastard, the Mad Dragon of Namgung.”
“Wow. He really is a madman. But isn't he just a wet-behind-the-ears brat?”
“My point exactly! Fuck. The whole of Anhui is being played by that kid! And our livelihood is gone!”
Just then, one of the three men from the nearby table who had been having a similar conversation approached them.
“Excuse me. Is what you said true?”
The wandering warrior glared.
“Who the hell are you?!”
“I was just curious.”
“It's true. Why!”
“Thank you.”
The man returned to his table and spoke.
“You heard him, right? Forget about that extra dish. Hehehe.”
“Ah, damn. Still, this is good. It's not just an alliance in name only, like we thought.”
“Indeed.”
At that moment, the wandering warrior, furious that his livelihood was gone, drew his sword and approached their table.
“You bastards. Someone's about to lose his livelihood, and you think this is good?! You want to die?!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! I-I'm a civilian! You're a wandering warrior. Don't you know what'll happen if you draw your sword on us?!”
The wandering warrior gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing.
“*Ggggrrr!*”
Then, the civilian bared his stomach and rushed forward.
“Go on! Stab me! Stab me! Just try it if you can! Let's see who dies first, you or me!”
Since some point in time, the common folk had begun to reign like kings in Anhui.