Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Overturning the Martial World
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For some time now, it had become a rule in Anhui that no martial artist should ever threaten an ordinary commoner.
Never.
If they did, word would spread to the local underworld groups, who would come running immediately. If they weren't enough, the Black Serpent Sect would step in.
And if that still wasn't enough, the closest sect among the Hyeoncheon Sect, the Baekri Family, the Namgung Family, or the Iron Blood Sect would intervene.
Therefore, unless one was confident enough to fight these sects, they wouldn't dare threaten the common folk.
Anhui was becoming a province where the common people reigned like kings.
Just then, a group of underworld martial artists passing by the inn rushed inside.
“You’d best put that sword away! This is Anhui!”
“Damn it.”
But the wandering warrior did not sheathe his sword gracefully. To put it bluntly, he had already lost his mind to rage.
“Well, I’ll be. Now even these underworld riffraff are running their mouths. What a joke!”
“What did you say! If you want to live in Anhui, put that sword away now! I won’t say it again!”
“To hell with you! Hey! It’s not like I can make a living in Anhui anymore! All because of that damn Namgung Family! Huh?”
“What?! The damn Namgung Family? You son of a bitch, I’ve been letting it slide, but you’re just spewing whatever you want from that torn mouth of yours, aren’t you?”
“So what? What are you going to do about it? You underworld nobody. If you’ve got the guts, draw your sword. If you’re scared, then just get lost, you bastards.”
“This bastard. Fine. Today, I’ll lay down my life for the Namgung Family. Shit! Hey! Everyone, draw your swords!”
The entire underworld group drew their blades.
At that moment, Wolhyang, who had been listening quietly, intervened, unleashing her full presence.
Instantly, the underworld martial artists and the wandering warrior flinched, their bodies recoiling not just from her presence, but from the killing intent ingrained in her from a life of assassination.
“I’m just trying to have a drink, but it’s so damn loud.”
The wandering warrior took a step back and asked.
“Wh-who are you? A-are you perhaps from the Namgung Family?”
She wanted to test him by shouting, ‘What if I am? I’m here to kill the Young Lord of the Namgung Family!’, but she couldn't act on her curiosity because of her comrades from the Black Moon Sect who were eagerly waiting for her.
“What if I’m from the Namgung Family, and what if I’m from the Martial Alliance?”
“Well, that’s…”
If she were from the Namgung Family, he would drop to his knees immediately. If she were from the Martial Alliance, he would have suggested they kill all these underworld bastards together.
“Enough. If you can’t make a living here, go find work somewhere else. Why are you causing such a ruckus where people are trying to drink? So noisy! Get lost, now!”
“Y-yes, I understand.”
The wandering warrior’s legs trembled under Wolhyang’s killing intent. He and his companion hastily paid their bill and fled the inn.
The underworld members then bowed to Wolhyang, expressing their gratitude before also leaving the inn.
Wolhyang returned to her seat.
A moment later, the waiter brought her liquor and side dishes and spoke.
“Are you really from the Namgung Family?”
“No. This is my first time in Anhui.”
“I see. You are a righteous heroine, the likes of which are rarely seen these days.”
The waiter bowed deeply, showing his respect for a righteous heroine.
“Righteous heroine, my foot.”
I’m an assassin.
“By the way, the atmosphere in Anhui is quite different from other places. Could you tell me about it?”
Wolhyang discreetly passed him a silver coin.
The corners of the waiter’s mouth danced uncontrollably.
“Oh my. If the noble heroine wishes, I shall tell you everything.”
The waiter sat in the seat across from Wolhyang and poured himself a drink. Then, he poured out everything he knew before leaving the table.
“Anhui, a place worth living in… How truly strange.”
Strange indeed.
Usually, commoners felt life was worth living when they hit a windfall, when their children succeeded, or when they were lost in the ecstasy of a new love affair.
But to hear a waiter talk about a life worth living?
And to hear that it was all thanks to the Namgung Family.
She knew the Namgung Family was a formidable power, but a martial arts sect that had such a positive influence on the common people?
It was truly a place worthy of applause…
A place that could inspire respect even in the heart of an assassin…
And yet, Wolhyang had come to kill the Young Lord of such a place. She had to kill him.
“Sigh.”
The liquor was bitter. Her stomach churned.
What could she do? If this was her path, she had to walk it. She briefly questioned if she had truly chosen this path, but that too was just an excuse to evade her current reality.
Only the bitter liquor would listen to Wolhyang’s excuses.
Wolhyang silently poured the strong liquor down her throat.
The questions simmering within her began to dissolve.
Her excuses faded with them.
It was the same for everyone.
The commoners, the martial artists, the masters, the third-rate fighters, and even the strongest under heaven.
Assassins, too.
Aren't we all swept away by the currents of the world, of the martial world, helplessly dragged by the shackles of fate, and burdened with the task of living a human life?
No human can escape it.
No human can live life entirely according to their own will.
If you are human…
…that is how it is.
* * *
“My, my, who do we have here? If it isn’t the Anhui Branch Chief of the Martial Alliance! Or should I say, the former Branch Chief?”
The head of the Hoyeon Merchant Guild, Seo Ju-on, warmly greeted Jeong Cheol, the former Anhui Branch Chief of the Martial Alliance, who was now stationed at the Namgung Family estate.
“Hahaha. Guild Master, it has been a long time.”
“But what brings you here to the Namgung estate? And why are you the one greeting people at the entrance?”
On this day, the day of the Anhui Martial Arts Alliance banquet, Jeong Cheol was at the entrance of the Namgung estate, greeting guests—or more accurately, verifying their identities and watching for any who might try to sneak in.
“Hahaha. I have decided to join forces with the Namgung Family. That is why I am here at the main gate, welcoming everyone.”
“That’s wonderful news. Truly wonderful. Congratulations. The Namgung Family doesn’t just accept anyone. Hoho, another outstanding figure has joined them.”
“Hahaha. You flatter me. Forgive my impertinence, but I must verify the identities of everyone in your party. I ask for your understanding.”
“Hahaha. Of course. It must be done.”
Everyone passing through the Namgung Family entrance was surprised to see Jeong Cheol, the former Anhui Branch Chief of the Martial Alliance, here. It was even more surprising that he was personally greeting guests at the entrance.
This was a man who could easily have been the master of a mid-sized sect.
Soon, more than a thousand people had entered the Namgung estate.
The banquet was divided into three sections.
First, a banquet exclusively for the leaders of each organization. The heads of each sect, merchant guild, escort agency, brothel, tavern, and inn were allowed to attend with only one companion.
Second, a banquet for the direct descendants and rising talents of each sect, as well as those participating in the martial tournament. The tournament was restricted to those under the age of forty. The age limit was set not just to feature rising talents, but because forty was considered the peak period of development for a martial artist, allowing for a more accurate assessment of each sect's strength.
Finally, a banquet for the escorts and attendants.
Namgung Yul stepped into the center of the banquet hall, drawing the attention of all the leaders.
“Thank you all for taking the time to gather here despite your busy schedules.”
Namgung Yul paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. He could read various things in their eyes.
Gazes burning with determination.
Gazes filled with doubt.
Gazes that seemed to say, ‘I couldn’t care less.’
He had to unite these gazes into one. That was why they had gathered.
Namgung Yul continued.
“We have gathered here today with a goal: to accomplish something that has never been done before, something that was thought impossible in all of history. I know it is difficult. I imagine some of you think it is impossible. However, you yourselves also know this: everything begins in the heart.”
Namgung Yul struck his chest forcefully.
“If your hearts and minds are willing, if you believe it can be done, then this task is as good as accomplished. So, I ask you all to renew your resolve. We are only at the starting line now. And brace yourselves, for we will set off from this very moment.”
Namgung Yul paused again. He scanned the crowd’s faces once more before continuing.
“I would like to introduce the person who will lead our beginning. You have all been notified, so you should know who it is. Let us all welcome him with sincerity.”
Namgung Yul stepped back and began to clap loudly for Baekri U, the Head of the Baekri Family, who was walking toward the center.
As Namgung Yul clapped, everyone else joined in, applauding Baekri U.
Namgung Urin’s influence had been crucial in making Baekri U the first president of the Anhui Martial Arts Alliance. The Baekri Family had been in a continuous decline since their tournament against the Namgung Family, a fall far more severe than their standing should have allowed. Of course, the primary reason for their decline was the resurgence of the colossal Namgung Family, but it was also proof that the Baekri Family had accomplished little with the power they possessed.
It was the result of Baekri U's missteps, driven by his own greed.
Namgung Urin believed that the Baekri Family, an ally they had to move forward with, should not fall too far into ruin. That was why.
And he knew that Baekri U, being an ambitious man, would seize this opportunity to restore his family’s prestige. He believed that would make him work even harder.
Family Head Baekri U stood at the center of the banquet hall.
“Thank you. I offer my sincere gratitude to all of you for placing me, a man of many shortcomings, in such a great position. I will not speak at length. From now on, I will show you through my actions. Let us show the martial world that we, that Anhui, can be its pioneers and its respected elders. Lastly, I would like to introduce someone who will be a great strength to our alliance. As we notified you by letter, everything that happens here and everything you hear must be kept in the strictest confidence. The fact that this person is with us is a truth that must never be known to anyone outside of those present here. I must emphasize this once more.”
From the back of the hall, the leader of the Beggars’ Sect, Jang Gae, walked into the room.
Everyone was stunned.
The leader of the Beggars’ Sect was joining the Anhui Martial Arts Alliance?
The leader of the Beggars’ Sect, who was supposed to remain neutral.
It was something no one had ever imagined, an impossible event. Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Were they really prepared to overturn the entire martial world?
Jang Gae stood at the center of the hall.
“I have but one wish: for the martial world to stand upright. For that, our Beggars’ Sect will not spare its blood.”
His words were brief, but their impact was immense.
A storm of applause erupted, continuing for some time. The weight carried by one of the Ten Great Masters of the world was different. The impact of the Beggars’ Sect leader’s presence was explosive.
The look in everyone's eyes was changing.
With every clap of their hands, belief was born, and trust was being forged.
Family Head Baekri U spoke again.
“There is another who joins us. Please come forward.”
The owner of Myeongwollu, So Hwi, walked to the center of the hall.
As the owner of Myeongwollu appeared, the crowd began to murmur, wondering what was so special about the owner of a brothel.
So Hwi opened her mouth to speak.
“I believe you all know who I am. Yes, that is correct. I am the owner of a brothel. But I am also the Anhui Branch Chief of the Lower Five Gates.”
For a moment, silence fell over the banquet hall. Everyone was shocked. This was perhaps even more astonishing than Jang Gae of the Beggars’ Sect joining them.
The Lower Five Gates?
The Lower Five Gates were getting involved in something like this?
They were an organization that cared only for its own survival.
Perhaps it was possible.
But even if it were, it was strange.
The people gathered in this hall were all leaders of their respective organizations. Their thoughts would not stop at mere surprise.
The two largest information networks in the martial world were siding with Anhui?
At that moment, they couldn't help but wonder what the alliance was trying to achieve, something that went far beyond the peace and prosperity of Anhui.
Ha U-sin, the Master of the Cheonjung Sect, who had been chosen by Namgung Urin as a key figure in eastern Anhui, asked.
“It seems the Anhui Martial Arts Alliance is declaring its intent to overturn the martial world. Am I correct?”
Jang Gae, the leader of the Beggars’ Sect, stepped forward.
“You are.”
In an instant, the banquet hall was awash with astonishment.