Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Tell the Alliance Lord to Come to the Dong-ro Branch!
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I felt a surge of curiosity. The fact that there were so many masters on par with the Fifteen Venerables of the Martial World meant there were that many more opponents to fight.
Of course, most of the two hundred and twenty-six would likely be a step or half a step below the Fifteen Venerables, but since they had never fought to determine their ranks, the outcome was only certain after a fight.
“On what basis was this list compiled?”
“The Beggars’ Sect constantly investigates the numerous masters of the martial world in detail, and the list was created based on their findings.”
“I’d heard there were many extraordinary individuals in the martial world, but I’m surprised it’s to this extent.”
We stood side by side, looking out at the river.
“Have you ever heard the term ‘Hidden Martial World’?”
“This is the first I’m hearing of it.”
“The martial world is largely divided into the Public Martial World and the Hidden Martial World.”
I had never heard of the Public Martial World or the Hidden Martial World. My heart instinctively began to race.
The existence of a Hidden Martial World meant there was another world of martial arts, and that meant there were that many more opponents to fight, piquing my interest and curiosity.
The ‘Public’ in Public Martial World didn't refer to the Ming Dynasty, but rather to the ‘bright martial world.’ In other words, the one that is openly known.
“The Hidden Martial World, as the name suggests, refers to the world of martial artists who do not operate in the Public Martial World. And of course, the Public Martial World is the one we are active in.”
Though the term ‘Hidden Martial World’ had a dark ring to it, the world itself felt incredibly fresh to me.
“Those in the know say the Hidden Martial World is likely similar in size to the Public Martial World.”
“Then do the two hundred and twenty-six individuals you’ve identified belong to the Hidden Martial World?”
“Over eighty percent of them belong to the Hidden Martial World. Anyone who lives in seclusion without participating in the martial world is considered part of it.”
I looked at Sang Gang-jo and asked seriously.
“Do you have the list with you now?”
Sang Gang-jo was one step ahead.
“Would you like to see it?”
The list he possessed was likely of indescribable importance, yet he asked without hesitation if I wanted to see it.
“If you show me, I’ll consider it a favor.”
Sang Gang-jo shook his head.
“A debt of gratitude is immeasurably greater than a mere favor.”
“Is that so?”
“I have already received several kindnesses from you, Grand Branch Master, that I can never repay. To call this a simple favor would be to scold me.”
It’s rare to find people in this world who can distinguish between gratitude and resentment. The nature of most people is to forget kindness and remember only grudges.
Sang Gang-jo took something out from his robes. It was a flat, book-sized leather pouch, tightly bound with a leather cord.
Judging by how worn it was, I could guess how many times he had opened it and how much he cherished it.
When he opened the leather pouch, several flat booklets were revealed. They were tattered and heavily stained by handprints.
Sang Gang-jo said nothing, but I could surmise that this was the arduous result of his mission.
He held out one of the booklets.
“I’ve separately organized the people I met and persuaded, those I fought, and those I recruited.”
I took the booklet and began to read silently from the first page.
The booklet detailed the names of two hundred and twenty-six people, their residences, how to find them, their personalities, characteristics, and the types of martial arts they practiced.
He had also meticulously recorded the results of his personal encounters or one-on-one duels, noting victories and defeats.
-A Record of the Distribution of Masters in the Hidden Martial World-
I slowly read the booklet with that title over the course of two hours.
A quick skim would have taken only thirty minutes, but I read it deliberately, intending to memorize everything from the first page to the last.
When I handed the booklet back, Sang Gang-jo asked.
“Have you memorized it all?”
He didn’t know about my innate, heaven-sent memory, but he seemed to think I wasn’t just casually reading the booklet. If so, there was no reason to lie.
“Thanks to you, I feel invigorated.”
“I’m glad.”
Sang Gang-jo was putting the booklet back into the leather pouch when he paused and said.
“Would you like to see the others?”
“That’s alright.”
He acted as if he would readily offer up his life without a moment’s hesitation if I asked for it.
His words suddenly sent a jolt through my chest, and a lump formed in my throat. I was moved by Sang Gang-jo’s immense goodwill. I am not the type to be easily moved or swept up by emotions.
This action showed me, without reservation, exactly how he regarded me.
Sang Gang-jo was, in every respect, a person of great importance to me, incomparable to Jang Ung or Go Un-hyo. Until now, it had been a vague feeling, but now it was confirmed.
I realized that even in relationships, a process of confirming each other’s feelings is necessary.
To me, Jang Ung is a subordinate and Go Un-hyo is a younger brother, but Sang Gang-jo is neither.
Sang Gang-jo wore an expectant expression.
“Once the fifty-three people I’ve recruited join the Main Alliance, they will be a great source of strength.”
“It’s not just them joining, is it?”
“That’s right. They each have their own disciples, so it will be about three hundred people in total.”
Sang Gang-jo tapped the chest where the leather pouch lay.
“If the Demonic Emperor's Grand Union or the Ten Heavens of the Unorthodox Path were to obtain this booklet, a storm of blood would surely follow.”
Sang Gang-jo grinned.
“To think that the Grand Headquarters will be established in Dong-ro Prefecture… my heart pounds just imagining it.”
“So that resolves one of your missions.”
“Yes, it does.”
Sang Gang-jo’s expression turned earnest.
“In truth, of the three missions, the most difficult was selecting a region to establish the Grand Headquarters.”
That went without saying. Recruiting masters and securing funds could be done in secret, but the construction of the Grand Headquarters could not be concealed.
Furthermore, from the moment the project began until it could properly display its might, it would have to endure relentless attacks from various factions, including the Demonic Emperor's Grand Union and the Ten Heavens of the Unorthodox Path.
“The funds have been secured.”
“That’s a relief.”
He was saying he had secured the enormous funds needed to run the Martial Alliance, but it didn’t pique my interest.
However, Sang Gang-jo didn’t say how he had secured the funds. That did arouse a little of my curiosity.
“Who provided the funds?”
“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know who they are.”
“Try me.”
“Have you ever heard of Chungmu Manor?”
“It’s a common name.”
If one were to pick the three most common names in the world, ‘Chungmu’ would be among them.
Sang Gang-jo smiled faintly.
“There are probably thousands of manors named Chungmu Manor in the world.”
Sang Gang-jo’s expression became a bit ambiguous.
“Chungmu Manor has agreed to provide the funds. There’s a complicated story behind it, but I will be sure to tell you about it when I have the chance.”
“Do so.”
Sang Gang-jo tapped his chest again.
“In here is a list of the hundreds of businesses Chungmu Manor will transfer to the Martial Alliance, along with their locations and value.”
I began to understand, at least a little, how much Sang Gang-jo must have struggled to complete his missions.
We stood for a while, silently watching the river.
I didn't have much else to say, and Sang Gang-jo maintained a serious silence as if he were about to bring up something important.
I had an idea of what he was going to say, but I didn’t ask first. It’s my habit not to initiate such conversations.
Sang Gang-jo turned to me and spoke seriously.
“I believe it is time for me to leave.”
I had expected it, and I was right.
“Will you be alright?”
Sang Gang-jo looked troubled. The search parties looking for him were still spread out everywhere, frantic. But he couldn't stay here any longer without a viable alternative.
To leave the Dong-ro Branch, Sang Gang-jo would have to use a disguise. He naturally used one when he went to the Peerless Sect to teach martial arts as well.
That way, he could move about with some freedom within Dong-ro Prefecture. Moreover, since the Peerless Sect had a firm grip on the prefecture, any trouble involving Sang Gang-jo would be immediately reported to me.
But leaving Dong-ro Prefecture was still premature. Even if he were disguised, the search parties would be suspicious of anyone and try to subdue them first.
“That is why I have a request for you, Grand Branch Master.”
“Are you asking me to escort you?”
Sang Gang-jo flinched.
“Escort? That is an utterly preposterous thing to say. I am asking you to accompany me.”
“It’s the same thing, no matter how you put it.”
“My apologies.”
“Where is the Alliance Lord?”
“He is on an island.”
“An island?”
Sang Gang-jo spoke with a bitter expression.
“According to my contact, he went to a remote island in the East Sea.”
“Hmm.”
“I must report to the Alliance Lord about my missions so he can decide on our next course of action.”
“How far is it?”
“I’m told it’s about ten thousand li from the coast of Jiangsu Province. From here, it would be about thirteen thousand li. They say it takes a fortnight by boat.”
Thirteen thousand li was too far. A round trip would take at least a month and a half, even at the fastest pace.
I nodded.
“It would not be difficult for me to escort you.”
“You would do that for me?”
Sang Gang-jo was so happy he could have jumped for joy.
I said calmly.
“…But I think there might be another way.”
“What is it?”
It was an idea that had just occurred to me when I heard the Alliance Lord was on a remote island in the East Sea.
“How about telling the Alliance Lord to come to Dong-ro Prefecture?”
“……”
Sang Gang-jo looked so stunned he might as well have been stabbed deep in the heart with a sword.
He blinked his wide eyes, staring at me for a long moment before he finally managed to speak.
“There… is such a way!”
This method was only possible because I had given my permission to convert the Dong-ro Branch into the Grand Headquarters of the Martial Alliance.
If I hadn’t, the Alliance Lord’s group would have to keep wandering, and Sang Gang-jo would have to leave here and travel to the remote island in the East Sea to report on his mission.
But Sang Gang-jo had never dreamed that such a method existed. He had assumed the Alliance Lord would slowly make his way here only after the Grand Headquarters in Dong-ro Prefecture was complete.
For him, it was a method he would have never dared to dream of.
Sang Gang-jo spoke as if a long-held breath was finally released.
“Ah! What a novel approach! If you would permit it, Grand Branch Master, there could be no better way!”
“Since I’ve permitted the Dong-ro Branch to be converted into the Grand Headquarters, the decision to bring the Alliance Lord here is yours to make.”
“Hahaha! No, it is not! The decision-making authority still rests with you, Grand Branch Master!”
I gave him a word of caution.
“Aren’t you being a bit loud for someone on the run?”
“Ah! My apologies.”
Though his words were apologetic, his face was full of laughter.
“The Alliance Lord’s group’s location has not been exposed, so if they are careful on their way to the Dong-ro Branch, there shouldn’t be any difficulties. However…”
“Is there a problem?”
“The Alliance Lord could be discovered while entering Dong-ro Prefecture, and there is still the problem of what to do after he arrives.”
I shrugged.
“Do I have to spoon-feed you?”
“Would you do that for me?”
Sang Gang-jo was so pleased that he was beaming. It was the first time I had ever seen him smile like this.
I smiled faintly.
“I will roll out a silk carpet for the Alliance Lord’s path, so tell him to come that way.”
Sang Gang-jo’s mouth hung open.
“A silk carpet?”
“Just don’t spin any strange tales about the Alliance Lord and me because of it.”
“Hahaha! I wouldn’t, but I wonder if others will think the same?”
“Must I go through the trouble of inviting such pointless misunderstandings just to bring the Alliance Lord here?”
“I will be sure to convey your noble intentions to the Alliance Lord, Grand Branch Master.”
“That’s enough.”