Chapter 229
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 229
Chapter Title: I'll Finally Get to See Sima Wihong
Silence fell over the hall.
A chilling tension swept through the attendees.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on two men.
Hahoe Gwancheon, the head of the Hahoe Family, and Sima Wihong, the Grand Strategist of the Martial Alliance.
It was time to select the Lord of the Heavenly Martial Alliance.
Once chosen, the Lord of the Heavenly Martial Alliance would not be replaced unless they wished to step down or their strength waned excessively due to old age.
This was true not only for the Alliance Lord but for all other leaders as well.
Once seated in a position, they could maintain their status until the very end, barring any special circumstances.
Stagnant water could rot, but that could be remedied by creating appropriate systems.
There were plenty of supplementary measures.
Therefore, securing the position was what mattered most.
Hahoe Gwancheon looked at Sima Wihong with a composed gaze.
He appeared calm on the outside, but his inner feelings were anything but.
He wanted to tear the man to shreds right then and there.
After all the effort he had put into becoming the Alliance Lord, this man had to appear at the last moment to interfere.
Of course, Sima Wihong had also played a significant role in establishing the Heavenly Martial Alliance.
Sima Wihong's hand had been in everything, from announcing the alliance to the world, preparing the manor, and selecting its members.
That was why Hahoe Gwancheon had assumed Sima Wihong wanted the position of Grand Strategist.
Or perhaps he intended to plant his own people within the alliance to exert significant influence.
He had never imagined Sima Wihong would aim for the position of Alliance Lord himself.
Hahoe Gwancheon opened his mouth, trying his best to maintain his composure.
"I never thought the Grand Strategist of the Martial Alliance would covet the position of Alliance Lord."
Sima Wihong smiled faintly.
"I have only stepped forward out of a desire to ensure the future stability of the world."
Hahoe Gwancheon's eyebrow twitched.
Depending on how one heard it, that could be interpreted as him being of no help to the world's stability.
"Wouldn't everyone share the same desire for the world's stability? I feel the same."
Hahoe Gwancheon said, looking at Sima Wihong with a meaningful expression.
"I am well aware of the Grand Strategist's great abilities. Everyone would acknowledge it. Is it not a fact known even to children that your role was crucial in creating the Martial Alliance as it is today?"
Sima Wihong watched Hahoe Gwancheon without a change in his expression. He knew the intention behind those words but remained completely unshaken.
Sure enough, Hahoe Gwancheon continued.
"I hope you will display those abilities in the Heavenly Martial Alliance as well. Does the alliance not also need a Grand Strategist? I believe that position is most suited for you, Great Warrior Sima."
Sima Wihong smiled faintly.
"When I was forming the Heavenly Martial Alliance, I ensured there were enough strategists. You are well aware that I also found a talent capable of leading them."
"But that talent is not the Grand Strategist, is he? Besides..."
Hahoe Gwancheon trailed off slightly, a subtle smile on his face.
He looked at Sima Wihong with a mixture of several emotions.
A hint of displeasure, a moderate sense of superiority, and even a touch of ridicule.
"To lead the Heavenly Martial Alliance from the top, one must possess powerful command and leadership to unite everyone. And is not profound martial skill also essential?"
Hahoe Gwancheon spoke calmly about command and leadership but emphasized the part about martial skill.
"Martial skill? I can understand leadership and command, but is martial skill truly necessary?"
Sima Wihong smiled gently as he looked at Hahoe Gwancheon.
Hahoe Gwancheon replied firmly.
"Of course, it is. The stronger the Alliance Lord, the fewer warriors are needed for their protection. And in a crisis, the Lord's own strength can be utilized."
Sima Wihong nodded as if in agreement.
"Indeed... that makes sense. It's unlikely, but if the Alliance Lord were weak, some of the warriors under them might harbor resentment."
Hahoe Gwancheon's eyes narrowed slightly.
Why would he say such a thing when he should be refuting my point?
‘Has he given up already? Or was he just testing me all this time? Trying to gauge my disposition? Did I go too far?’
All sorts of thoughts ran through his mind.
Hahoe Gwancheon studied Sima Wihong, as if searching for something.
But Sima Wihong said something Hahoe Gwancheon had never expected.
"Then the stronger person should take the seat of Alliance Lord. Is that not so?"
Hahoe Gwancheon stared blankly for a moment before coming to his senses and asking.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course, I am serious. Is there a problem?"
"Of course not. Then may I take this as your approval for me to take the seat of Alliance Lord?"
Sima Wihong smiled faintly.
"I clearly stated that the stronger person should become the Alliance Lord. I fail to see how that implies my approval."
Hahoe Gwancheon's eyebrows twitched fiercely.
"Ha! Are you serious right now?"
He finally understood what Sima Wihong was saying.
"You're saying you genuinely intend to test your strength against mine?"
The smile on Sima Wihong's lips did not fade.
"One never knows for certain until they've been put to the test."
Hahoe Gwancheon was about to shoot up from his seat but restrained himself and glared at Sima Wihong.
Suddenly, he felt that something was very wrong.
No one had ever seen Sima Wihong use martial arts.
Thus, a perception had naturally formed that Sima Wihong had not learned any martial arts.
But the conversation that had just taken place contained words that could never have come from anyone but a master strong enough to face him.
Hahoe Gwancheon scrutinized Sima Wihong.
He was trying to detect any trace of aura or martial training.
He couldn't sense anything at all.
Hahoe Gwancheon slowly stood up.
"Let us go outside. We shall see who is superior."
Hahoe Gwancheon tried to erase any lingering complacency from his mind.
If his opponent was a master comparable to himself, the outcome would be decided by their mindset.
***
Hahoe Gwancheon simply could not understand how it had come to this.
He was now sitting on the ground, while Sima Wihong stood at a distance, in the exact same posture as when they started.
He hadn't even managed to touch the man's collar.
Hahoe Gwancheon stared at Sima Wihong, his face a mixture of shock, confusion, humiliation, and disbelief.
"All this time... you were hiding your strength?"
As Hahoe Gwancheon asked in a seething voice, Sima Wihong gave his usual smile.
"I never hid it. I simply had no need to use my strength, so I remained quiet. Do you concede?"
Hahoe Gwancheon gave a bitter smile.
"What is there to concede or not? I couldn't even touch your collar. Grand Strategist, you... you are a truly terrifying man."
Sima Wihong politely clasped his fist.
"Thank you for yielding. And thank you for the compliment as well."
Hahoe Gwancheon could only stare blankly at Sima Wihong's back as he said this and turned to go back inside.
Soon, he picked himself up with a look of utter defeat.
After all his efforts to secure the position of Alliance Lord, he felt as if he had done all the cooking only for someone else to eat the feast.
‘By the way... at that level, isn't he stronger than the Martial Alliance Lord?’
Hahoe Gwancheon entertained the thought for a moment before shaking his head.
Somehow, he didn't think so.
He had a feeling the leaders of the Martial Alliance and the Black Alliance were much stronger.
‘We've been too stagnant.’
The thought occurred to him that while the Martial Alliance and the Black Alliance had been surging forward, the Five Great Families had been standing still.
No, that must be it.
When he went back inside and checked, the expressions of those from the Martial Alliance and the Black Alliance were remarkably calm. As if they had expected this all along.
In contrast, those from the Five Great Families could not hide their astonishment.
Hahoe Gwancheon clenched his jaw.
This couldn't continue. If he let this go, it would mark the beginning of the Five Great Families' downfall.
Hahoe Gwancheon steeled his resolve and returned to his seat.
Then, he looked around the assembly with a meaningful expression.
The Five Great Families—no, at the very least, the Hahoe Family—would change starting today.
***
The operations of Hyeoncheon Manor were now established.
In truth, with the help of the Underworld Sect, the Secret Heaven Group, and even the Golden Jade Trading Company, there was no reason for much trial and error.
It ran as smoothly as a manor that had been in operation for a long time.
Once the manor's operations were stable, they began the process of taking full control of Wuhan.
This had been the plan from the moment Byeok Taesan's subordinates decided to establish Hyeoncheon Manor.
They had judged that they needed to have at least Wuhan firmly in their grasp, to be able to handle any future events with flexibility.
Normally, one wouldn't think so far ahead, but these were Byeok Taesan's people.
They didn't know what Byeok Taesan would do, so they had to make the most thorough preparations possible.
Furthermore, a belief that they could do anything with Byeok Taesan backing them was rooted deep in everyone's hearts.
In fact, even before Hyeoncheon Manor opened, they had already all but seized half of Wuhan.
The entire underworld of Wuhan was under Jang Gagu's command. That alone was extraordinary, but they also had Yuk Taegu, the master of the Mercenary Market.
Through the Mercenary Market, Yuk Taegu absorbed the surplus manpower in Wuhan.
He didn't just gather those he could teach martial arts to and use as warriors.
He accepted all who could be used as ordinary laborers.
He had essentially absorbed a type of labor market.
Now, it was impossible to hire proper workers in Wuhan without going through Yuk Taegu.
The Mercenary Market became a massive organization that managed not only laborers but also waiters in taverns and inns, maids, and even courtesans.
Of course, this was only possible with the help of the Underworld Sect.
It was in this situation that Hyeoncheon Manor opened, and after lightly consolidating its internal affairs, it began to exert its influence in earnest.
The martial sects and families in Wuhan eventually had no choice but to defer to Hyeoncheon Manor.
Without any pressure or persecution, they voluntarily bowed their heads to Hyeoncheon Manor.
From now on, they would cooperate without complaint whenever an order came down from Hyeoncheon Manor.
Byeok Taesan was reading a well-organized document detailing this series of events.
In truth, it didn't matter if they reported such things to Byeok Taesan or not.
However, Byeok Taesan never refused a report that was offered. This was the same even during his time as the Heavenly Demon.
And once he received a report, he never skimmed through it.
Byeok Taesan checked every detail meticulously.
"Not bad. Just keep doing this."
After reading the entire report, Byeok Taesan nodded. It was much better than he had thought.
"Thank you. We will proceed as planned, then."
Hwaok said, bowing with a pleased expression.
"Ah, and the distribution of the martial arts manuals the Young Master gave us is complete."
Byeok Taesan simply nodded once. They could handle such matters themselves. If someone didn't want to learn, that was fine. They would only be hurting themselves.
"But the name of the martial art is..."
Before Hwaok could finish, Byeok Taesan cut in abruptly.
"Hyeoncheon."
Meaning, they were to be named Hyeoncheon Heart Art, Hyeoncheon Steps, and Hyeoncheon Fist.
The names seemed to be chosen carelessly. But everyone would be satisfied nonetheless.
"Yes. Understood. I will inform everyone as such."
Having finished her report, Hwaok took a moment to collect her thoughts and change the subject.
"It seems the Heavenly Martial Alliance will be opening its doors soon."
"Who became the Alliance Lord?"
"Sima Wihong."
"Sima Wihong? The Grand Strategist of the Martial Alliance?"
"Yes. That very same Sima Wihong."
Byeok Taesan let out a short laugh.
"Didn't you say the Hahoe Family was aiming for the Alliance Lord position?"
"Yes. Hahoe Gwancheon made many moves behind the scenes to secure the position."
"And yet Sima Wihong became the Alliance Lord?"
"Yes. It is said the decision was made through a contest of martial arts in the end."
Byeok Taesan's eyes widened slightly.
"Sima Wihong defeated the head of the Hahoe Family?"
"Yes. They say it was an overwhelming victory."
"Is that so? Hmm."
Byeok Taesan stroked his chin.
"However, it seems those from the Martial Alliance and the Black Alliance had anticipated this outcome to some extent."
The corner of Byeok Taesan's mouth lifted slightly.
"So they haven't been idle all this time. Interesting."
During his time as the Heavenly Demon, he had never met Sima Wihong. The man was such a coward that he couldn't even entertain the thought of appearing before the Heavenly Demon.
Still, he knew a fair bit about Sima Wihong. The man was famous, after all.
But even Byeok Taesan didn't know he had learned martial arts.
He had truly hidden himself thoroughly.
Byeok Taesan let out a short laugh.
He must have revealed it this time because he judged there was no longer a need to hide.
Because the Heavenly Demon was no longer around.
Byeok Taesan looked at Hwaok and asked. The slight curve of his lips suggested he was in a rather good mood.
"Do you know when they will open?"
"In two months."
"So I'll finally get to see Sima Wihong. This should be fun."
The smile on Byeok Taesan's lips deepened slightly.