313. Late Winter's Piercing Wind
The Murim Alliance's Black Mist Pavilion and Execution Hall descended upon Hwangcheonhyeon like a storm.
This was on an entirely different level from the investigators who'd come from the Hefei branch a fortnight earlier. The Black Mist Pavilion and Execution Hall, radiating an intimidating aura, had raided Dokah Gate in the blink of an eye. The Dokah Gate disciples, who had been basking in victory after eliminating their sole rival, were struck by lightning from a clear sky.
"Wh-what is the meaning of this! Dokah Gate is a clear ally of the Four Black Alliance…!"
"Oh, we know. That's why you don't need to finish explaining."
"What…! Are you saying you don't care if the Murim Alliance goes to war with the Four Black Alliance?!"
"We're not here for you lot. I hear Jeondeungmun folks are here, right?"
"Uh, y-yeah?"
"Here's the cooperation request from the Four Black Alliance. We're investigating those who've practiced sorcery, so lend us a hand."
Dokah Sword's fist trembled as the Black Mist Pavilion deputy lord patted his shoulder and walked past. He called it a "request for cooperation," but the attitude and methods showed no trace of caution.
What reason could there be to comb through Dokah Gate's documents just to investigate Jeondeungmun members? But the aura and atmosphere they exuded made it impossible to act rashly.
"If this weren't a matter tied to the peace of the martial world, you wouldn't be leaving here alive!"
The Black Mist Pavilion deputy nodded nonchalantly at Dokah Sword's gritted words.
"Yeah, I'm sure you would've."
"……."
"Nah, I really think you would've. So just stay put."
The deputy strode past Dokah Sword toward the Jeondeungmun disciples. Regardless of Dokah Sword's mood, the Jeondeungmun disciples felt like they'd plummeted into hell, knowing they were being framed for practicing sorcery.
"Wh-what's that supposed to mean! Sorcery?! I've never even heard of such a thing, let alone seen it! I just joined Jeondeungmun to become a wandering warrior!"
"Is that so? Then why'd you scrape together every last penny from your family and hand it over to Jeondeungmun? Why go into debt for a place you joined to make money?"
"Th-that's… That's… Why did I do that?"
"We'll look into that step by step, so don't worry too much."
"Step by step… investigate?"
The deputy tilted his head, then curled his lips into a sly grin.
"Yeah? Of course you'll be coming with us to the Execution Hall. We can't do a proper investigation here. Our basement's nice and cozy for that."
The Jeondeungmun disciples' faces went pale at his words. Once you entered, you never came out unscathed—and if you did, you were no longer yourself. That was the Execution Hall's basement, infamous for countless horror stories.
The Murim Alliance members who had stormed Hwangcheonhyeon like a tempest returned to headquarters, towing eight ironclad carriages. News of Jeondeungmun began to spread across the entire martial world.
At first, upon learning Jeondeungmun was linked to Cheongseong, Cheongseong and its lay affiliates erupted like wildfire. In an era where powerful sects vied for dominance over the world, any attack on even remotely affiliated subordinate sects was a matter of influence.
"Are you daring to scorn Cheongseong?!"
"Sorcery?! No disciple of Cheongseong would stoop to such things!"
"This is a political ploy by forces trying to check Cheongseong's power!"
People from Cheongseong—who hadn't even known where Jeondeungmun was located—stormed the Execution Hall and raised hell, with affiliate sects filing endless protests.
But that changed completely once Deung Go-hyeon's corpse, frozen in Hefei and delivered to the Murim Alliance, was publicly revealed to Cheongseong.
Jet-black eyes without whites. Those who had shouted themselves hoarse could only wipe the foam from their mouths at the inexplicable form that screamed sorcery.
"Ahem… To be precise, Jeondeungmun isn't formally under Cheongseong."
"Exactly. They might've briefly studied at Pungyangmun, but they weren't official disciples."
"I hear they paid money to learn a bit of martial arts. That's just a casual student, not a formal disciple."
"Practically an outsider—can't really call it connected to Cheongseong."
"Of course not."
As if it had never happened, they severed all ties with Jeondeungmun and distanced themselves from any involvement. With Cheongseong's pressure gone, the Execution Hall could proceed with their investigation unhindered.
Unlike previous known sorceries, this overt Reverse Heaven form struck fear into the hearts of the righteous. How much chaos had a single powerful evil art and demonic art sown in martial arts over the years? Chaos always destroyed the old order, and destruction birthed the new.
Those who didn't want to be swept up in the destruction watched their surroundings more sharply than ever, while those craving change debated through the night how to exploit the situation.
"Linking it to Cheongseong will be tough, right?"
"Cheongseong's no pushover. They know their position and are bound to be on high alert."
"Still, just letting it slide feels like a waste."
Rather than those secure in their high positions, the ambitions of those aiming higher burned brighter.
"How about using the one who uncovered Jeondeungmun's secret this time?"
"You mean that Jin Sowoon from Tae-eul Gate? Pfft, don't talk nonsense. The guy's already strutting around as academy top student—if we boost him more here, what then?"
"Heh, you only know half the story. His rising influence is exactly what'll clip the wings of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families. Isn't it a fact that an academy student found the Golden Palace?"
"Hrm…."
"Imagine if it had been the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Families. They'd be hailed as heroes, turning the martial world upside down with fanfare."
Cheongseong had long condemned Jin Sowoon for raiding fellow righteous sect Jeondeungmun and killing its lord. People pointed this out.
"Why do you think they see Jin Sowoon as a thorn in their side? Because he keeps shaking their precious status quo."
"Even so, should we prop him up? The guy's already uncontrollable—what if he turns on us?"
"He's not alone, but how far can one punk go, no matter how clever?"
"Then what's the point of boosting him?"
The one advocating for Jin Sowoon lowered his voice and smirked.
"He'll be our little hole."
"A hole?"
"Don't they say dams collapse from a single small hole? Jin Sowoon will be that hole."
"Hoo…."
"Think about it. The Nine Great Sects have Yong So-a, the Five Great Families have Dang Seo-hee and Namgung San as symbolic figures. But we lack anyone to match them."
The harsh truth stung uncomfortably.
"Hrm…."
"Why do you always have to crush the young ones?"
"It's not like our kids are lacking."
"Exactly! If Jin Sowoon stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the previous generation's dragon-phoenixes, our own youngsters' names will naturally shine brighter."
A clear strategy formed in their minds, and lips curled toward ears.
"Let's take it slow. They won't crumble in a day or two. Just think of this as part of the process."
"So, where do we start?"
"First, send people to Tae-eul Gate to congratulate them on this…."
While those aiming ever higher continued their secret discussions,
"Hmm…."
At the Murim Alliance's inner sanctum, the incident was being viewed from a different, gravely serious angle.
Alliance Lord Hyeok Mu-gang's face was etched with worry as he spoke.
"What does Heavenly Eye Pavilion say?"
"They're tracing O Il-sik's past, the one most closely linked to Deung Go-hyeon. We'll report directly to you the moment anything significant turns up."
"Considering those who appeared at Cheonsan, should we call it a once-in-a-century event?"
Jegal Somyeong set down his teacup and replied.
"With the Blood Cult also showing ties to them, it's more like once every half-year."
"Half a year and a century… That's too wide a gap."
Hyeok Mu-gang lifted his head only after the steam from his tea had cooled.
"What do you think? Should we assume they've… infiltrated us internally as well?"
"I can't say for certain."
Hyeok Mu-gang chuckled wryly at Jegal Somyeong's words.
"You're usually so pessimistic—why so optimistic today?"
"……."
"Well, given the gravity, caution makes sense."
At Hyeok Mu-gang's bitter expression, Jegal Somyeong spoke clearly.
"We must approach this very conservatively."
"……."
"Because there are already those trying to sow mutual suspicion within our ranks."
In chaotic times, winds of rebellion always blew from Beijing. Framing others was a sure way to eliminate enemies and secure gains. The Murim Alliance was no different—it had become a political entity.
If Beijing had winds of rebellion, the Murim Alliance had winds of the Golden Palace. And among them, demonic arts were the fiercest and most terrifying.
"At least 'demonic arts' hasn't been uttered yet—that's a small mercy."
"Everyone's being careful. They know the ripple effects of that term."
Strong winds often summoned counter-winds. No one crossed that final precarious line.
Of course, how long that restraint would hold was anyone's guess.
"The reason no strong voices have risen yet… is probably because the initial report skirted around it with 'sorcery,' right?"
"That punk's got a sharp head on him."
"……."
Jegal Somyeong read Hyeok Mu-gang's expression. It was filled with uneasy worry.
"What's bothering you?"
"Oh, nothing. Just… so much keeps happening to that kid Jin Sowoon."
"He stirs up trouble everywhere, so he's making it himself."
"……It reminds me of my own youth, somehow."
"……."
As someone who'd shared Hyeok Mu-gang's vigorous prime, Jegal Somyeong knew his life better than anyone. To lighten the mood, he tossed in a jest.
"Heh, keep subtly pushing him as successor like that, and the Nine Great Sects and families will riot."
"……."
Hyeok Mu-gang gave Jegal Somyeong a dry smile.
"They say trials forge heroes."
"Ha! Keep it up! What, you think he's gonna be a hero?"
Jegal Somyeong tried to shift the atmosphere with humor, but Hyeok Mu-gang's voice remained grave.
"If heroes are made by overcoming trials, then I'm no hero. I ended up running in the end."
"Alliance Lord, that was…."
Jegal Somyeong clamped his mouth shut mid-sentence. He knew better than anyone how agonizing and lonely that time had been.
Hyeok Mu-gang's self-mocking voice continued.
"And in the end, I changed nothing."
"A lot has changed, Alliance Lord."
But Jegal Somyeong's comfort didn't reach him.
"That's why I'm worried for the kid. Fate seems to take such an interest in him."
He knew better than anyone how cruel that fate could be.
"The trials heading his way feel incomparable to mine."
Hyeok Mu-gang turned to gaze out the window. It was time for spring, yet snow still blanketed the world outside.
"I hope warm spring comes soon. This winter feels endlessly long."
His forlorn figure left Jegal Somyeong speechless.
Life is never easy. He'd realized that in his previous life. So in this one, he'd strived diligently not to repeat it.
"Alright, one by one. Line up."
In Tae-eul Gate's training ground, the young disciples had assembled. Their faces were solemn as they formed neat ranks left and right. Even the hall lords couldn't shake their grave expressions today.
"This spirit pill you're getting now is different from the Pure Heart Pills last time. It'll change your dantian immediately, so start circulating your energy right away."
The spirit pill, made from Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil, had been completed a week ago. The hall elders had tested it first and confirmed its effects. Now it was the young disciples' turn.
Hong Saryeon, the gold-silver-bronze brothers, Gang Yu-seong, and the existing disciples all sat with tense faces. Wang Soso had nearly been excluded due to her special constitution, but Sama Jeong had adjusted the ingredients to make it possible for her too.
The long-awaited moment had arrived. The hall lords watched without blinking.
"The kids probably don't even know what they're swallowing, huh?"
"If they did, it'd be trouble. Especially with Jongnam—who knows what they'd do. Gotta keep it secret."
"Still, firming up their dantians with this spirit pill should make future spirit medicines easier to handle."
"The outer hall lord must be busy."
The lords shot expectant glances at their father, who turned away awkwardly before glaring at me sourly.
"Why do you still have that smug grin plastered on?"
"What grin?"
"You said it wouldn't do anything for you anyway. That's why we gave your share to the hall lords."
"……Who said that?"
Before the spirit pill distribution, Sama Jeong had checked everyone's pulses. In the process, I'd been hit with the bombshell that Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil wouldn't do much for me.
'Even so, wouldn't it help later if I took it now?'
Yeah, right. In the end, I didn't get any.
Damn it all.
The Tae-eul Gate disciples popped the spirit pills into their mouths one by one and began circulating their energy.
Some circulated quietly, others had their training robes puff up mid-circulation, and some even had their hair stand on end.
'Have they finally reached the starting line?'
It was just one step compared to prestigious sects, but now Tae-eul Gate's children had laid the foundation as true martial artists.
I watched intently with the hall lords, not wanting to miss a single moment, until every child finished circulating.
As they awoke one by one, they stared at their hands and feet in astonishment.
Gang Chaeseok hushed the area in a low voice.
"Those who've finished, move quietly to the side. Others are still circulating."
Thus, until nightfall, no one left the training ground, unwilling to miss even an instant of the transformation.
That night, I headed to the clinic at Sama Jeong's summons.
"You seem pretty miffed."
Miffed? An understatement. But I played dumb.
"About what?"
Sama Jeong tilted his head.
"Honestly, I don't get why you're so greedy for more inner energy."
More is always better, right? Gotta prepare for the Demonic Cult, and maybe the starvation from my past life left a grudge.
"Ah… Sorry. I'm just the type who's overflowing with greed."
"Tsk tsk. How's a man gonna achieve great things with such a narrow mind?"
"I prefer handling small matters."
"Hah!"
Sama Jeong shook his head and tossed me a small wooden box.
Thud! It was the perfect size to fit in the palm, like the ones the kids had gotten.
"What's this?"
"Can't you tell? It's the spirit pill you're crazy for."
"……."
"Different from what the others took."
What? Without Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil, it's useless.
"There wasn't enough material to make more than one."
So he made the only one specially?
That changed things.
Sama Jeong cleared his throat unnecessarily and nodded at the box.
"For you, this'll be better than the Five Spirits one."
"……Then you should've said so from the start."
Making me stew for nothing. As I grumbled, Sama Jeong chuckled.
"Feeling better now?"
"I was never upset. It's for my sect family."
"Your drooping lips are grinning ear to ear now?"
What was he on about? To someone with a naturally smirky face like mine.
In my past life, how many times had I gotten jumped for "smirking" because of this mug?
I ignored Sama Jeong's teasing and opened the wooden box.