Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Invitation from the Four Hundred Clans
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Sa Sa Un headed to the village again today to gather ingredients.
Though Hahu Yeon stole food every night, there were limits to what could be cooked with that alone.
Just bringing back piles of meat didn't make for a delicious meal.
A variety of spices and vegetables were needed to bring out the flavor.
Thanks to Paeng Se Gi's generous supply of silver, procuring ingredients wasn't an issue.
But trekking to the village every other day wasn't easy.
And with heavy stones weighing down his arms and legs, it was frustrating and exhausting to the point of madness.
"Damn bastards...."
Grousing under his breath, he entered the Murim Alliance grounds and spotted Elusive Squadron members in the distance. He quickly hid his body.
He couldn't let them see him carrying ingredients in both hands.
"The Iron Chain Fairy has come as the First Squad's martial arts instructor...."
"What about the Emei Sect maidens? They're all beauties. The First Squad is so lucky."
The Elusive Squadron members chattered enviously.
'The Iron Chain Fairy as the First Squad's instructor.'
Sa Sa Un felt as dazed as if he'd been struck hard on the head with a hammer.
The Iron Chain Fairy was an unparalleled master, rivaling the top of the Seven Mysteries.
Tears welled up unbidden in his eyes.
While the First Squad received her guidance, here he was, stuck playing cook for the Tenth Squad against his will.
Dragging his weary feet back to the barracks, he saw Yi Cheon Yeong and Instructor Kang locked in fierce combat.
Clang!Thud...!
Every time Yi Cheon Yeong clashed swords with Instructor Kang, he staggered, unable to withstand the shock.
Thud...!
But that lasted only a moment. As he blocked a slash aimed at his waist, he was sent flying backward, sword still gripped in his hands.
Ugh!
Instructor Kang ignored his pained grunt.
"Get up. How can a spirited young man fail to even block an old man's sword?"
Stumbling to his feet, Yi Cheon Yeong let out a roar and charged.
Rawr...!
Clang clang! ...Thud!
But this time, after just a few clashes, he was flung back again.
Ughhh....
Yi Cheon Yeong rose, trembling and groaning in agony.
The moment he stood, a sword came whistling down from above.
Thud...!
Ugh...!
Yi Cheon Yeong, who had raised his sword overhead, tumbled backward once more.
"That's enough for today."
As Instructor Kang sheathed his sword and stepped back, Yi Cheon Yeong lay sprawled on the ground, gasping raggedly.
Huff... Haah....
Paeng Se Gi watched the scene with the squad members, a pleased expression on his face.
What an excellent, thrilling spar it was.
Yi Cheon Yeong was impressive in his desperate assaults, but Instructor Kang Seokhyeon, who pressed him relentlessly, was the epitome of an instructor.
"Tomorrow's my turn."
But Instructor Kang seemed to think differently.
"Tomorrow it's Sa young hero's turn."
At his words, Sa Sa Un, who had been watching from the side, paled.
'Why do I have to do that too...?'
Sa Sa Un had never sparred so brutally in all his life.
Watching Yi Cheon Yeong collapsed and heaving for breath made his own chest tighten.
But Se Yeong's glare was too intimidating to refuse.
"......Understood."
In the end, he hung his head and accepted.
The Strategist asked the young warriors.
"Which squad do you wish to join?"
The three young warriors were disciples from the Zhongnan Sect who had come to join the Elusive Squadron.
"We'd like to join the Fifth Squad, Strategist."
There wasn't a trace of hesitation on their faces.
'As expected.'
The Strategist had already anticipated their answer.
The Fifth Squad's martial arts instructor was an elder from the Zhongnan Sect residing at the Murim Alliance.
"Very well. Escort them to the Fifth Squad."
"Understood, Strategist."
The warrior in the room left with the young Zhongnan disciples.
Sigh....
Left alone, the Strategist sank into his chair and let out a long sigh.
"I really don't like it."
Truth be told, he didn't care much for the Zhongnan Sect.
Not long ago, a Zhongnan elder had visited, asking to postpone the subjugation of the Black Bear Stronghold bandits.
The reason? Bandit raids on salt merchants were rampant, so they should be dealt with first.
It sounded plausible enough, so the Strategist hadn't refused outright.
But it still left a bad taste.
Being Strategist meant learning things he hadn't known before.
The Zhongnan Sect had plenty of dirty secrets, including taking bribes from shady sources.
No hard evidence, but they were linked to salt, herb, and tea smugglers—and even the Eighteen Green Forest Strongholds.
Even more absurdly, the Emei Sect and Moyong Family had similar suspicious ties.
'Should I turn a blind eye? Or launch a full investigation?'
He wrestled with the same dilemma every time.
But the conclusion was always the same.
With the Four Hundred Clans beginning full operations, stirring internal chaos was out of the question.
"Strategist. Urgent report."
"Come in."
Snapped from his thoughts, the Strategist straightened in his chair.
As he did, the door opened, and a warrior entered.
"What is it?"
In response, the warrior presented a letter.
"A man claiming to be from the Four Hundred Clans delivered this moments ago and left."
"What?"
Startled, the Strategist snatched the letter hastily.
"This can't be...... possible?"
As he quickly unfolded and read it, his voice trembled.
"What is it, Strategist?"
"This letter...... it's an invitation from the Four Hundred Clans."
"Pardon?"
"The Four Hundred Clans...... have invited the Murim Alliance."
Muttering dazedly, the Strategist bolted up and rushed out.
The Alliance Leader's face grew grave as he examined the letter.
"What will you do?"
Even to the Strategist's question, the Alliance Leader remained silent.
The invitation from the Four Hundred Clans wasn't a huge issue.
They could just select renowned elders for a delegation.
But the letter invited not elders, but others.
"Why the Elusive Squadron's Tenth Squad of all things?"
Finally, the heavy silence broke.
The Strategist shared his guess.
"It must be because of the sparring at the last Guangmu Emperor event."
"Are they seeking revenge?"
"Seems that way."
Unconsciously, the Alliance Leader clenched his fist.
Han Se Yeong of the Tenth Squad was oddly unsettling.
Impressive enough to consider as a son-in-law, yet something made that thought impossible.
Still, he couldn't send the Tenth Squad into obvious danger knowing it.
"What if we refuse?"
"The Four Hundred Clans—and the entire martial world—would mock us."
"But we can't send the Tenth Squad as delegates."
"The Alliance let them live, so they won't harm our delegation."
The Alliance Leader shook his head.
The Strategist's words had merit, but it was just a hope.
Han Se Yeong came from a minor clan, but the others' families were prominent.
Especially Paeng Se Gi's Paeng Family and Dang Ok Yi's Tang Family—the backlash would be severe.
"We can't stake their lives on slim hopes."
As they pondered, the guard outside announced a visitor.
"The Iron Chain Fairy has arrived."
"Show her in."
The Alliance Leader and Strategist rose to greet the Iron Chain Fairy as she entered.
"Welcome."
Even the usually stern Golden Flower Lioness offered a soft smile before the Alliance Leader.
"I just came for a chat."
"Good timing. Please, sit."
As the Alliance Leader, Iron Chain Fairy, and Strategist sat, a maidservant brought tea.
"I hope I'm not interrupting an important discussion."
"No, just deliberating a tricky matter."
The Iron Chain Fairy showed immediate interest.
"What sort of tricky matter?"
As she asked directly, the Strategist looked troubled.
Reading his expression, she pressed on.
"Is it something I shouldn't know?"
With her pushing so hard, the Strategist had no choice but to be honest.
"No. The Four Hundred Clans sent an invitation."
Her face turned icy in an instant.
She despised unorthodox sects like enemies, refusing even conversation.
"Those filthy unorthodox scum dare invite the Murim Alliance?"
"Yes. We've received it, so we must decide whether to accept, but it's not simple."
Without a moment's thought, she decided.
"I'll lead masters as the delegation. Entering their lair and seeing how they act sounds entertaining."
She feared the Four Hundred Clans not one bit.
The Strategist gave a wry smile.
The fear came from the unknown within.
Given her temperament, sending her would surely spark a massive fight.
"That would be fine by me, but they specifically invited the Elusive Squadron's Tenth Squad."
"Ah...... I see. After the trouble at the Guangmu Emperor event, they're holding it against them."
She pierced their intent.
"That's my thought too."
After a brief ponder, she offered a plausible plan.
"I'll temporarily serve as the Tenth Squad's martial arts instructor and lead Alliance masters there."
The Strategist wanted to dissuade her.
"They might not fall for it. Besides, the Tenth Squad already has an instructor."
"Who is it?"
"Instructor Kang Seokhyeon."
She tilted her head at the answer.
"Kang Seokhyeon? Ah...... the one who defected from the Demonic Cult?"
"Yes."
Her reaction was ice-cold.
Hmph.
"What does some Demonic Cult trash matter? I'll handle it."
The silently observing Alliance Leader voiced concern.
"We're not going to fight, Golden Flower Lioness."
"I know, Alliance Leader. But to uphold the righteous sects' pride, I must go."
Her stubbornness left the Alliance Leader and Strategist troubled.
'I shouldn't have said anything unnecessary.'
Regret always came too late; the words couldn't be unsaid.
"Alliance Leader, we should refuse the Four Hundred Clans' invitation."
The Strategist tried to dismiss it.
But the Iron Chain Fairy wouldn't stand for that.
"Are you ignoring me, Strategist?"
Her voice was so stern and cold that the Strategist faltered.
As he fell silent, she rose.
"I'll handle it myself."
The moment the Iron Chain Fairy left, the Strategist spoke.
"We must stop the Golden Flower Lioness now, Alliance Leader."
"It's out of our hands now. Let her be."
The Alliance Leader was unusually calm.
"Given her nature, she'll cause trouble at the Four Hundred Clans."
"I know. But whatever happens, it'll be her responsibility, not ours."
Only then did the Strategist grasp his intent.
The Alliance Leader planned to pin any fallout on her.
"But if things go wrong, it could bring great turmoil to the Alliance."
Meeting the Strategist's worried gaze, the Alliance Leader stared back firmly.
"Strategist. She took the lead on this. You and I tried our utmost to dissuade her. Understood?"
The Alliance Leader was truly formidable.
"Understood."
In the end, the Strategist bowed his head in acceptance.