The Blood Sea Spreading to Sichuan
We stayed three more days at Yujangmun. Part of it was because my condition wasn't great, but the main reason was to attend the joint funeral for the Yujangmun disciples who had died in the war, including Lord Jang Sagyeong.
The ceremony was simple and austere, and Yujangmun worked hard to return to normal life as quickly as possible.
"Representative Jin."
Jang Ujae approached me, pushing through his exhaustion after three sleepless days as the chief mourner.
"You've been through a lot."
"No need for that. How's your body holding up?"
Apart from the funeral, I'd secured a room and focused solely on recovery for those three days. My withered frame was slowly filling out again, and the fatigue was lifting.
"Much better."
"No need for that."
"I was really worried we'd worn you down, body and soul."
As he said, I'd received nothing but the utmost hospitality at Yujangmun over the past three days. Meat dishes arrived three times a day, and hot baths were prepared every night to speed my recovery.
"Thank you for all your efforts at Yujangmun."
"...Well."
Jang Ujae hesitated.
"Something on your mind?"
At my question, he scratched his head awkwardly.
"Um... it's a bit late, but would you allow me to join the representative committee?"
More than half the executive seats on the academy's representative committee were still vacant. No one was barred from joining, but no one wanted to.
"You sure? If you join, the others might not look kindly on you."
When I voiced my concern instead, Jang Ujae quickly grabbed my hand.
"Thank you. I was worried you might find it presumptuous."
"...?"
"Father's dying words were to rely on no one and forge my own path. And I want to repay even a fraction of the grace you've shown me."
With Jang Ujae on board, one of the forces I hadn't recruited would effectively be joining me. No reason for me to refuse.
"If you're offering, how could I say no..."
"Thank you. Thank you."
He bowed repeatedly before I even finished. If anything, I should be the one thanking him...
#
After Mukblood Hall lost the Non-Combat Decisive Battle, the reckless wars by the unorthodox sects in Akyang mysteriously came to a halt.
They still issued threats of forced surrender and gate-sealing, but the orthodox sects had banded together to resist the harassment. And the arrival of Murim Alliance warriors had a big impact too—indiscriminate killings dropped off sharply afterward.
"...That's just your take."
"Pardon?"
Dang Hyeokjae sipped the tea he'd brewed himself and spoke.
"Those bastards knew the Alliance wouldn't move from the start. You think they'd stop just because some support arrived?"
"Then what was it?"
His displeased gaze clung to my face like sticky syrup.
"They didn't want to piss off the rumored joint vanguard of the Unorthodox Alliance."
I couldn't control my expression.
"Who the fuck started that bullshit rumor?"
"Anyway, that move you pulled at Mukblood Hall clearly left an impression. Indiscriminate killers have backed off because of it."
Good results mean I can't complain.
"...Sigh."
"But did you really learn the Sword Demon's martial arts?"
"Eh, it just kinda happened."
"Heh... that's scarier than the joint vanguard rumor."
"The Sword Demon wasn't exactly orthodox or unorthodox to begin with."
"And you stole it from him?"
"..."
No way people actually believed that nonsense.
"Rumors about your connection to the Sword Demon are spreading through the capital. Some say you're his secret son."
I'd just planned to head back to the academy. Now I needed to stop by Haomen and commission them to kill this rumor.
"...Grind."
If I didn't squash this crap, I'd end up with qi deviation from frustration during training.
"Ahem, anyway, I guess I should pack up again?"
I tilted my head at Dang Hyeokjae, who cleared his throat and stated the obvious.
"Didn't you already unpack everything?"
The guy who'd been dead certain I'd die to the Sword Fiend was now asking if it was okay to pack again? It was so absurd I was speechless.
"Luckily, the Mountain Fiend stepped in instead. Good outcome means it's all good. And!"
Dang Hyeokjae suddenly raised his voice.
"And! Didn't I drag the family physician all the way from the main house for this?!"
"..."
"Do you know how big a warning I got from the clan? Fine for me as branch manager, but bringing a physician? It looks like the Tang Clan committing to the war."
"...So why didn't you say a word to the Tang physician?"
"..."
"...Ahem, there are circumstances I can't—"
I shook my head.
"Anyway, this has me rethinking our investment. No faith in investors like this, and I lose the appetite for it."
"Khum!"
Dang Hyeokjae coughed uncomfortably a few times, then pulled out a bundle and set it on the table.
"What's this?"
"Open it. As a memento of our contract, I prepared a gift."
"..."
Inside were about twenty dark flower bud-like objects.
"This is..."
"An improved White Hair Cluster—the Thousand Hair Cluster."
"...Really ten times more ox hairs than the original?"
"No, not quite. About this many more, but the structure's the same."
"Then why call it Thousand Hair?"
"The White Hair wasn't designated a forbidden weapon by the clan."
"..."
Just change the color and name, and they think the Tang Clan will buy it as something new? Their eyes aren't knotholes.
"The reason they banned my hidden weapons was mostly high production costs. They won't care."
He spoke with such confidence. Not convincing at all. If the clan complains, just hand him over.
Anyway, seeing the White Hair Cluster again after so long brought back memories. I'd saved Namgung Seonhwa from hundreds of enemies with these...
"Hold on."
I looked at Dang Hyeokjae.
"Wouldn't this have been useful before the Mukblood Hall fight?"
"...If I'd had it then, sure."
"...You didn't start making them until after everything ended?"
"..."
No wonder the leisurely branch manager had bloodshot eyes and sagging bags. Trying to cover his slip?
"You really thought I'd die to the Sword Fiend."
Dang Hyeokjae avoided my gaze and gulped from his empty teacup.
Slurp—
Hey, your cup's been empty for a while. Why make the sound?
He glanced at me slyly, then said casually.
"Water under the bridge, right...?"
This guy, for real!!
#
If you had to name the ultimate winner from the Akyang incident, it wasn't Mukblood Hall or Black Wind Palace—it was Haomen.
With the hall leader and deputy gone, infighting erupted among the branch heads, throwing Mukblood Hall into chaos. In the meantime, Haomen seized their shops, evading their influence, and even claimed the assets of orthodox sects that had fled Akyang at night.
Most workers in those shops were Haomen disciples, making it possible. And the next Akyang branch manager? Someone in debt to Haomen, a perfect pawn. Gambling addict who'd neglect duties—ideal for Haomen control.
"This is all thanks to you, Young Master Jin."
"No need. Without you, Hae-ryeong, I couldn't have done it alone."
"We've gained far more assets than expected. Why not expand into Akyang now?"
"Expand into Akyang?"
Akyang was too far from Tae-eul Gate. Not within easy reach, and we weren't a powerhouse influencing the world.
"Too soon for Tae-eul Gate."
Hae-ryeong smiled knowingly and nodded.
"Of course. But what about Daecheon Merchant Group?"
"Daecheon Merchant Group?"
"Yes. Commerce basics: buy cheap in one province, sell high in another. Once established, the first step is opening branches."
"Ho, has Daecheon already grown that much?"
Father had taken over Wang Geumsan's group and renamed it Daecheon Merchant Group. But stabilizing in this short time seemed unlikely.
"Father must be a natural at business."
After a lifetime of hardship as an outer hall lord with no funds, he was like a fish in water now? Glad he was enjoying it—pure joy as his son.
"That's good news."
"Give the word, and we'll handle the rest."
"Father will love it."
Imagining him tearing up over the letter made my nose tingle. Doing the filial piety I couldn't in the past felt good.
Gifts deserved reciprocation.
"A big war's coming to Sichuan. Best prepare a bit."
"Sichuan?"
"Yes."
"Hm..."
"Not the most dangerous foes, but they'll stir plenty of chaos."
"The Alliance is already eyeing Sichuan. Something even they fear?"
I shook my head.
"The chaos will come more from internal issues than external."
Hae-ryeong nodded as if she understood.
"We keep receiving your help—wonder if we're treating you like a guest properly."
"More than enough."
With the preliminaries done, time for the main ask. I spoke gravely, unlike before.
"I have a favor to ask."
Hae-ryeong's smile vanished, her face hardening.
"What is it?"
I forced my sticking lips apart.
"That rumor about me being the Unorthodox Alliance's joint vanguard... kill it. Oh, and the one about me being the Sword Demon's secret son. My father's definitely Jin. Tae. San. Anyone can tell by looking."
"..."
I was dead serious, but Hae-ryeong looked like she'd been slapped.
This was really important!
#
Jang Dowon and his granddaughter Seoryeon would wrap up their Akyang shop and move their assets to Tae-eul Gate. Dang Hyeokjae would finish his term, then follow when they left—claimed he couldn't make it to Hebi alone.
I had plenty to prepare before Jang Dowon and Dang Hyeokjae arrived, so I didn't mind.
"Phew... back to the academy."
Seong Moran sighed wistfully.
I comforted her.
"Disappointed? We can visit again during winter break. What's to worry?"
Seong Moran scowled suddenly.
"What kinda talk is that?!"
"Huh?"
The gold-silver-bronze brothers shook their heads like they'd given up.
"Senior brother, if you're going to Akyang, I'd rather stay at the academy and train hard this winter break."
"Big senior brother, on second thought, the committee needs someone to stay as an executive."
Why? We wore swimsuits, ate great food, rented the biggest boat for water fun.
Hong Saryeon glared, reading my thoughts.
"Everything else was the problem, you think not?"
Even she grumbled, so I shut my mouth.
What's wrong with a martial artist getting caught in an incident?
Glancing around the academy grounds, something felt off. I tilted my head.
"Weird, right?"
"What?"
"Way fewer people than usual."
Break was ending, classes about to resume. Should be buzzing with students prepping. But only half the normal number.
A voice rang out.
"It's because of the Nine Great Clans' event."
Cheol Sunjik, walking by with Nam Hwaseong and other Twelve Peaks members, answered smugly.
"Didn't get my permission, did you?"
"Event?"
"The elders took the Nine Great Clans' disciples for field training."
I asked flatly.
"Where to?"
They hadn't planned to ask anyway.
"Sichuan."
I lost my composure at the answer.
So it came to this. I'd half-expected it in Akyang, but not this fast.
"Must be inconvenient."
"What?"
"They ignored the academy rep and left for an academy event."
"Not just the students' whim. Elders took them—what excuse did they have to refuse?"
Issue was the elders sending their sect disciples to hell.
"..."
"Thanks for the info."
I left Cheol Sunjik scowling and headed to the dorms. Prepared gifts for Moyong Jaehwa and Eunseollan, who missed Akyang due to remedial classes.
But Dongryong and Saryeon returned alone after checking.
"Hm? Where are they?"
"Jaehwa hyung said he was out."
"Huh?"
"Eunseollan too."
"Where the hell did they go?"
Dongryong answered.
"Forcibly drafted for the Nine Great Clans' event."
"What?"
Fuck, what kinda dogshit is this?
"Eunseollan too. They forced unaffiliated ones to join."
These crazy bastards crossed the line.