Chapter 404
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 404
Chapter Title: The Birth of the Righteous Path Guardian Alliance
“Already half a day has passed. I wonder if this will fall apart again like last time.”
At Go Mi’s words, Yi Hwan replied calmly.
“If so, we’ll have no choice but to intervene.”
“Is Abbot Mu Gak stubbornly insisting on becoming the alliance leader again?”
“Perhaps.”
Yi Hwan savored the tea provided by the Wudang Sect. To Go Mi, he looked utterly unconcerned.
Clink.
“Is it because it’s a famous mountain? The tea’s aroma is exquisite.”
“Aren’t you worried?”
“Not at all.”
“…….”
“I told you. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll step in. Of course, without violating the spirit of Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World.”
It was then. The door opened, and a senior figure from the Wudang Sect entered. He bowed his head and said,
“The patriarch of the Hebei Paeng Family has been elected as the first alliance leader.”
“The Paeng patriarch has been elected?”
“Yes. The heads of all sects and clans have agreed.”
Yi Hwan had already anticipated that the leaders of the sects and clans, feeling pressured by his presence at Mount Wudang, would finally reach a decision without further delay. In fact, that had been his intention from the start.
However, he hadn’t expected Abbot Mu Gak, who had coveted the position, to step back, and for Paeng Mun, who had no such ambitions, to be elected.
‘This should make things smoother than expected.’
With Paeng Mun as alliance leader, cooperation between the court and the martial world would be easier than anticipated. Their deep ties ran deeper than with anyone else, and Paeng Mun had admired Yi Hwan since their days in the Southern Legion.
“What a joyous day.”
* * *
Dusk.
Yi Hwan and Paeng Mun sat facing each other. Paeng Mun smiled sheepishly at Yi Hwan’s words of congratulation and said,
“It’s all thanks to the Great Prince.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Great Prince came here in person, so even that stubborn old fool Abbot Mu Gak couldn’t persist and had to withdraw.”
Paeng Mun lifted the corner of his mouth and continued.
“And the Wudang and Mount Hua Sects actively supported me as well. Isn’t that because their sect leaders were mindful of the Great Prince?”
“The patriarch was elected because of your own capabilities. How could it be due to me? Regardless of the reason, congratulations once more, patriarch.”
“Thank you.”
Yi Hwan and Paeng Mun conversed at length.
The main topics were how the court and martial world would cooperate going forward, the roles the martial world would play, and matters related to the warriors who would be stationed at the Naval Command.
Meanwhile, the Shaolin Temple’s abbot, Abbot Mu Gak, gazed up at the moon in the night sky and let out a rough breath.
“Hoo…….”
“The night is deep, Abbot.”
“I wonder if my choice was truly right.”
“It was a decision for the sake of our sect. All your disciples will support the choice born of your anguish.”
Even his close aide’s consolation did little to soothe Abbot Mu Gak’s heart.
The position of first alliance leader that he had so desperately desired. The seat he had to claim to uphold Shaolin’s prestige, handed over to Paeng Mun, who was no better than an archenemy.
It had been an unavoidable decision for him.
He had long known of the deep bond between Yi Hwan and the Hebei Paeng Family.
Paeng Mu-wi, the total commander of the Southern Legion, supported Yi Hwan more fervently than anyone, and Princess Yi Yeong was protecting Paeng Mu-wi’s daughter.
He had judged that Yi Hwan couldn’t intervene in the alliance leader selection due to Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World, but learning during the gathering—through Paeng Mun—that Yi Hwan had met with him privately the day before at Lake Hubei Tower, he had no choice but to yield.
“The past grabs me by the ankle like this.”
If Shaolin hadn’t supported Yi Seong-ji in the past, he might not have backed down.
But considering that Yi Hwan might view Shaolin unfavorably because of it, he had to avoid further displeasing him.
“Your disciples understand your intentions, so put it behind you, Abbot. There will be plenty more chances to claim the alliance leader position.”
Twitch……
A spasm ran across Abbot Mu Gak’s eyelids. He then revealed his true feelings.
“To have to yield the alliance leader seat to riffraff like the Paeng Family, of all people…….”
At that moment, a monk approached quietly.
Abbot Mu Gak turned to him.
“The meeting has just adjourned.”
“How did that man look?”
“He was smiling.”
Smirk.
Plop!
Snow accumulated on the roof fell, covering Abbot Mu Gak’s head. But before it could touch him, it turned into a handful of steam and scattered.
Whoosh!
“Let’s rest now.”
* * *
The next morning.
Everyone gathered together. After exchanging brief words of congratulation, Yi Hwan left the Wudang Sect. He had conveyed all important matters to Paeng Mun, so there was no reason to linger.
Go Mi said,
“It’s fortunate that a friendly man became the alliance leader.”
“It is.”
“Have the warriors to be stationed at the Naval Command been decided?”
“They’ll discuss and decide on the timing and numbers. Since the Paeng patriarch is eager to cooperate, it shouldn’t take long.”
“Come to think of it, ‘cooperation’ is such a fine word. We get the forces we want without violating the spirit of Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently. He thought the same.
The court and martial world keeping their distance, yet aiding each other when needed and joining forces.
That was Yi Hwan’s true ideal of Non-Aggression between Court and Martial World.
Ju Tae asked,
“Are we heading back to Hae-mun?”
“Returning to the palace. Fortunately, the snow isn’t too deep, so we’ll go as fast as possible.”
“…….”
Everyone’s expressions darkened abruptly.
Park Ji-mun sighed and sent a transmission.
[Stuck staring at that Red Horse’s ass and riding to death again.]
* * *
Qin Kingdom Imperial Palace.
In front of Yang Mu, who had ended the national mourning early and ascended the throne, one man sat facing him.
A middle-aged man in black robes with a blade-like aura. Yang Mu’s face bore an unwavering smile as he conversed with him.
The black-robed man was Pung Cheon, the sect leader of the Blood Membrane.
A top powerbroker and master within Dong Ying, his emanation was so overwhelming that even Yang Mu had initially felt suffocated.
But as the saying goes, the seat makes the man. Having ascended to the throne, Yang Mu was no longer intimidated and instead took control of the atmosphere.
Amid various exchanges, Yang Mu brought up Zhao Kingdom’s navy.
“There’s a Zhao naval command at the Yun-nam Province estuary. From what we’ve gathered, they have over four hundred warships, a hundred thousand troops, and another hundred thousand in rear support. Breaking through won’t be easy.”
“We’re not concerned with the number of ships. What matters is their combat capability, which we’ll assess ourselves.”
Pung Cheon asked directly,
“How strong is Yeon Kingdom’s navy? We have almost no information, so we need assistance.”
“You have no business heading north, do you?”
“Of course not. But if Your Majesty’s navy clashes with them, we need at least minimal information to provide aid, don’t we?”
At Pung Cheon’s words, Yang Mu’s expression brightened. He hadn’t expected Pung Cheon to take the initiative like this.
“I’ve heard they’re newly constructing warships, but Yeon’s navy is utterly worthless, so focus on Zhao.”
“Better safe than sorry. If they’re building new ships, we need information all the more, Your Majesty.”
“Very well. I’ll have it looked into immediately.”
Yang Mu took a satisfied sip of tea.
Clink.
“When will the ground forces arrive?”
“They left the mainland a fortnight ago, so they should enter Cheol Ryeong Island soon.”
“How many troops?”
“Fifty thousand.”
“Oh ho!”
Pleased with the larger-than-expected number, Yang Mu called out softly toward the outside.
“Come in.”
A general entered.
Yang Mu asked immediately,
“What’s the situation on Cheol Ryeong Island and nearby isles?”
“Construction is underway to station over a hundred thousand on all five islands.”
“See to it that there are no shortages for life away from home.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Pung Cheon bowed his head.
“We are deeply grateful for your attention, Your Majesty.”
“We’re comrades in the same boat; this is only natural. In any case, I trust only in you, General.”
“I will do my utmost not to betray Your Majesty’s expectations.”
* * *
Half a shichen later, Pung Cheon left the palace. One close aide walked beside him.
Pung Cheon furrowed his brow and said,
“Geographically and in terms of currents, Yeon deserves more attention than Zhao, yet the Qin Emperor doesn’t even consider them. Is their navy that pathetic?”
“I’ve heard Yeon borders Zhao—the strongest of the three kingdoms—only by land, so they focus on their army over navy.”
“Hm. He’s providing information, so we’ll see. Anyway, Qin is truly a beautiful and fertile land.”
“And rich in resources, the wealthiest of the three kingdoms. Yet they maintain the most defensive posture—must be an issue with their leadership.”
“Perhaps.”
For a moment, greed flashed in Pung Cheon’s eyes.
“Things are going too smoothly. Heh heh heh.”
“Indeed. Even I didn’t expect the Qin Emperor to be this proactive.”
“Surrounded by two tigers, he has no choice.”
“He doesn’t yet know we’re the fiercer tiger.”
At his aide’s words, a faint smile played on Pung Cheon’s lips.
“For now, we hide our claws and act like wolves. So the Qin Emperor’s face stays blooming with smiles.”
“Understood.”
Pung Cheon walked lightly southward.
After a short distance, about ten black-robed men and a carriage awaited him.
“Straight back to Cheol Ryeong Island?”
“They say the beauties of the Jiangdong are the finest in the world. It’s been a while—time for you all to unwind. Find a suitable place.”
“Yes!”
* * *
After the Gui-ju Castle battle between Zhao and Qin, the world regained peace.
At least on the surface.
But the emperors of the three kingdoms believed this peace could shatter by tomorrow without surprise. No one knew how long their tangled treaties would hold.
In any case, the martial alliance’s name was decided.
Righteous Path Guardian Alliance.
Shortened to Righteous Alliance.
Alliance Leader Paeng Mun prioritized sending warriors to the naval command as Yi Hwan had requested and immediately informed him.
Clink.
A faint smile graced Yi Hwan’s lips as he set down his teacup. The faster-than-expected progress was highly satisfying, as was the number of warriors heading to the naval command.
From each sect and clan, anywhere from a hundred to as many as five hundred.
Individually, it might not seem like much, but considering the number of sects and clans in the Righteous Alliance, it was enormous.
Moreover, they weren’t just ordinary martial artists; veteran masters were included, inevitably bringing a smile to his face.
“It’s truly fortunate that Paeng patriarch became the alliance leader.”
Go Mi handed over several sheets of paper as she spoke.
“What’s this?”
“The roster of warriors heading to the Hae-mun Naval Command. Surprisingly, Shaolin dispatched the most.”
“Is that so?”
Yi Hwan examined the roster. As Go Mi said, Shaolin had the largest number.
Snicker.
Yi Hwan smirked, closed the roster, and brought his teacup to his lips.
“How’s the Zhao side?”
“Unnaturally quiet. In contrast, Qin bears watching. We confirmed hundreds more Dong Ying transport ships entering Cheol Ryeong Island—not warships, so likely ground forces rather than navy.”
“If ground forces join, it’s more than mere assistance.”
“Indeed.”
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and leaned deeply into his chair.
Go Mi continued,
“Even for allies, the scale is too large. Whatever the Qin Emperor’s scheme, if Dong Ying harbors ill intentions, it could backfire on them.”
“Let them be. They’ll handle it.”
Yi Hwan spoke nonchalantly.
Looking at him, Go Mi felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance. She compared him to Yang Mu.
‘He doesn’t even reach the Great Prince’s toe…….’