Chapter 70
Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: To the Murim Alliance
The next day.
Early in the morning, I woke up that bastard Cheon Woojin and headed for the Moyong Family.
"Yawn... Did you figure things out last night?"
While I'd spent the night racking my brains, he'd apparently reveled wildly with the courtesans and now yawned hugely.
I was tempted to punch him just looking at him, but since things had worked out partly thanks to him, I magnanimously let it slide.
"Well, more or less."
"What did you decide?"
"I think I need to pay a visit to the Murim Alliance."
"The Murim Alliance?"
Surprised by the unexpected remark, he widened his eyes, suddenly wide awake.
Then, as if realizing something, he nodded.
"Which woman are you planning to seduce there this time?"
"Damn it. Do I look like some woman-crazed maniac to you?"
Of course, I was crazy about women, but that wasn't the only reason I'd chosen the Murim Alliance this time.
'Something about those Blood Cult bastards feels off.'
I couldn't pinpoint exactly what, but my gut told me so.
Moreover, knowing that Moyong Hui would be killed by the Blood Demon in the future, I needed to check things out myself to put my mind at ease.
"So you're not going to seduce her?"
"...I have to."
Two of the Five Phoenixes were at the Murim Alliance.
Passing that up would make the name Mok Jimyeong ring hollow.
'They're women I have to claim someday anyway.'
Azure Phoenix Namgung Sua and Crimson Phoenix Baek Iryeong.
The Azure Phoenix was the younger sister of Namgung Chan—the current Sword Dragon who would later become the Sword King and die by my hand.
It might seem odd for one family to produce two of the Five Dragons and Five Phoenixes, but given the Namgung Family's position, it made perfect sense.
'The Four Black Alliance controls Anhui Province.'
Moyong Gi, the young lord of the Moyong Family, had skills that could easily place him among them.
He'd simply never earned a title due to Liaoning's regional quirks.
From that angle, it was natural for the Namgung Family—right on the Four Black Alliance's doorstep—to garner fame.
And the Crimson Phoenix Baek Iryeong was
'I wonder if Yeon-i's doing well?'
the disciple of Mount Hua Sect, where my youngest sister Mok Jiyeon had enrolled.
By the way, back in my Lecherous Demon days, she'd come with Yeon-i to kill me.
'She was pretty even then.'
Her age had made it regrettably impossible at the time, but now that I'd returned to the past, my expectations were high.
Lost in thoughts of the new phoenixes I'd meet, we arrived at our destination before I knew it.
As we entered the Moyong Family grounds, yet another phoenix came out to greet us.
"You've arrived?"
Sword Phoenix Moyong Hui blushed as she offered her greeting.
Her shy, bashful beauty made all the women I'd just been thinking of vanish from my mind.
'Right. Focus on Moyong Hui for now.'
The Azure and Crimson Phoenixes both wielded swords, but the title Sword Phoenix belonged to the woman before me.
She was the finest—and the one I desired most.
It was foolish to daydream about others before claiming her.
"What brings Lady Moyong out here at this hour?"
"I had a feeling Young Master Mok would come early today, so I waited... Glad my guess was right."
She beamed, face flushed.
She was so adorable I nearly broke into a goofy grin.
But I schooled my expression and asked nonchalantly,
"Does Lady Moyong have something to tell me?"
"Plenty! I was so flustered yesterday! You just finished talking with Father and bolted."
She pouted as she spoke.
I couldn't hold back; one corner of my mouth twitched up.
"Ahem, sorry. Things were hectic yesterday."
Truthfully, it was understandable from her side.
A casual promise to show me around Shenyang had spiraled into the Yi Yeon Lou incident, culminating in Family Head Moyong Hwan's appearance.
And then he'd suddenly offered his daughter—how bewildering for the one involved.
'But she didn't look displeased.'
If anything, she'd seemed secretly expectant.
Otherwise, why wait for me at dawn?
"Hmph, whatever. I heard the gist from Father."
Her puffed cheeks were too much.
I gave up on my poker face, smiled, and asked,
"What did Father-in-law say?"
She blushed anew at "father-in-law," but didn't deny it—just flicked her face away.
"That Young Master Mok's got a notorious playboy streak."
"Playboy? That's unfair."
I felt Cheon Woojin's stare from the side but brazenly countered.
"Surely Lady Moyong doesn't see me that way?"
"I heard you told Father you're off to seduce the other Five Phoenixes."
'Tsk, that damn old coot Moyong Hwan spilled that much?'
Of course, he wasn't old enough for "old coot," but that was beside the point.
I'd thought he was on my side, yet here he was sabotaging me.
Hiding my cold sweat, I laughed it off like amusing gossip.
"Haha, nonsense. Father-in-law was surely exaggerating for effect."
Whatever I truly felt, this was the play for now.
At my hearty laugh, Moyong Hui looked skeptical.
"Father was joking?"
"Of course. Otherwise, why would he offer Lady Moyong to me?"
She nodded, convinced.
What a relief.
Even if it'd bite me someday, I had to keep it under wraps until the deed was done.
Moyong Hui eyed me as if recalling something belatedly.
"Oh, right—I heard Father had a special request for you. All sorted?"
"Hmm, that's actually what I need to discuss with Father-in-law. I think a trip to the Murim Alliance is in order..."
"The Murim Alliance?"
Her eyes sparkled at the words.
She gazed at me expectantly.
'She really wants to venture into the jianghu.'
Having been half-abducted and cooped up in Shenyang, she must have been stifled.
Her family-first chains were half-broken, and with the family head's blessing on me, her reaction made sense.
I'd take her regardless, but I hid it and showed respect.
"Would Lady Moyong care to join me?"
"Me? The Murim Alliance is so far..."
Her delight was obvious, yet she feigned hesitation.
Polite demurral, plain as day.
'Gotta play along then.'
Riding the mood, I urged her more earnestly.
"I know no one there, so it'd be reassuring with Lady Moyong along."
"But I need Father's permission..."
"I'll handle that."
Pleased, she beamed.
"Well... If Young Master Mok needs me that badly, I suppose I must."
What a refreshingly honest woman.
"Hmm, you're checking it out yourself?"
"Yes. I have business there anyway—might as well."
"With our Hui-ah too?"
Moyong Hwan looked displeased.
I waved it off.
"Aw, Father-in-law. Why? We have our deal."
At my playful tone, he turned grave.
"Listen—even if the Sima Clan isn't a martial house, never take them lightly."
'Ah, right—the Sima Clan.'
Too fixated on the Blood Cult to remember.
This was a matter of future knowledge.
'No matter how formidable the Sima Clan, they can't touch the Blood Cult.'
A force that nearly quartered the martial world.
As I'd predicted, the Sima Clan was likely under Blood Cult sway already.
'And Moyong Woo too.'
Pushing him as Moyong Family head solely for a marriage tie?
What did they want?
'Could be raw ambition...'
But factoring in the Blood Cult, Moyong Woo was probably in their pocket.
No need to spill all that, so I nodded vaguely.
"Got it. More importantly, Father-in-law."
"Yes?"
"How long can this place hold?"
Despite my abruptness, Moyong Hwan grasped it and answered aptly.
"Don't worry. My nephew needs two years to return from the front."
My biggest worry had been Moyong Woo seizing the headship.
No matter my Blood Cult probes and uproar, it'd mean nothing if he took over meantime.
Those two years eased my mind greatly.
"So we've got breathing room till then?"
"Yes. Speaking of—word from the Shadow Gate Sect?"
"Distance means it'll take time. Told them to relay intel to you first."
Not quick fixes, so our talk wrapped swiftly.
As I rose, Moyong Hwan added,
"When do you leave?"
"Me? Rest today, off at dawn tomorrow..."
I trailed off; he looked puzzled.
"Tomorrow...?"
Saying it felt awkward.
I'd never sought a woman's parents' blessing before.
Still, like a man, I squared my shoulders and declared boldly.
"Father-in-law, I'll be overnighting with your daughter today."