The Hubei Union Rises
The news that the Sword Sovereign of the Hubei Alliance had begun to move struck the martial world like a thunderbolt, bringing sufficient chaos. Baekri Hyeok, the current patriarch of the Baekri Clan, was famous for being one of the Five Sovereigns yet showing no interest in the Murim Alliance. Yet now, he was leading his clan's forces toward Anhui, as if to wage war.
The Murim Alliance was thrown into an uproar. The common folk might not know the details, but the Alliance had once committed a grave wrong against the Baekri Clan. Could this be their revenge? The current Murim Alliance had none of the Five Sovereigns residing within it. If the Sword Sovereign intended to wage war against the Alliance in this state, even if they could stop the Baekri Clan, they would suffer immense losses.
Thus, the Murim Alliance convened an emergency strategy meeting.
"Lord Alliance Leader, this is no ordinary matter. The Sword Sovereign has drawn his sword. He is surely coming to avenge the humiliation we once inflicted upon him."
"..."
The abbot of the Shaolin Temple spoke gravely to the Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Yeong. Everyone present knew well the extent of Baekri Hyeok's martial prowess. He was not of the same generation, but it was widely acknowledged that he was the strongest of his children's generation. Considering the significant gap in seniority with the other Sovereigns, Baekri Hyeok was an abnormal martial artist. What could have prompted him, who had endured so much until now, to head toward the Murim Alliance?
"Lord Alliance Leader, may the strategist speak?"
"Speak."
"No matter how prepared the Baekri Clan is for war, would they truly consider making an enemy of the Murim Alliance?"
Jegal Jincheon, the strategist, displayed his eloquent speech to the contemplative Namgung Yeong. Unlike the others, Jegal Jincheon knew the full story behind this situation. Baekri Hyeok was merely stretching his limbs. The great figure who had been confined to his clan after losing the power struggle within the Murim Alliance was now expressing his intent to rejoin the Alliance's power struggles through military force. This too was a plan they had discussed and concluded.
Therefore, Jegal Jincheon's task was to reassure the Alliance Leader.
"We must not launch a preemptive strike. Not unless the opponent shows clear hostility."
"But Strategist! The opponent is one of the Five Sovereigns! If he changes his mind at any moment...!"
"Twenty years ago, the Venerables of the Alliance voiced the same concerns."
Baekri Hyeok's growth was terrifying. Under no circumstances should he be allowed to claim a position within the Murim Alliance. If Baekri Hyeok joined the Alliance and rose to prominence, a mid-tier clan would end up occupying the Alliance Leader's seat.
"Thanks to the Venerables who vehemently opposed someone neither from the Five Great Clans nor the Nine Great Sects ascending to the position of Alliance Leader, the Sword Sovereign returned to his clan and sharpened his blade."
"Strategist! You agreed to that decision as well!"
"Indeed I did. But I have already sought the Sword Sovereign's forgiveness. And for the past three years, I have supported him in every way possible, both materially and spiritually."
"...!"
Jegal Jincheon's shocking statement froze the atmosphere in the meeting hall. His words were tantamount to openly turning his back on the Five Great Clans and Nine Great Sects to side with the Baekri Clan. It was as good as admitting his own guilt.
"Strategist! What reason did you have to make such a grave decision without consulting the council?"
"The matter of cooperating with the Baekri Clan was not something I executed. Remarkably, my son handled it well."
"...!"
"Then, shouldn't we go welcome our guest now?"
As Jegal Jincheon concluded with one corner of his mouth raised in a smile, those in the meeting hall realized why the Baekri Clan's movements had been so sudden. It had been concealed. The Jegal Clan had cooperated with the Baekri Clan to blind the Murim Alliance's eyes. It was not something the Alliance's strategist should do. However, if the one who did it was purely a member of the Jegal Clan, and if it was the work of Jegal Jinho, who had no ties to the Alliance, there was no way to hold him accountable.
'We've been had!'
The Alliance Leader, the Shaolin abbot, and the sect leaders and abbots of the Nine Great Sects trembled, unsure of what to do. The presence they had been sensing gradually had now drawn much closer.
And not long after.
[I am Baekri Hyeok, patriarch of the Baekri Clan. It has been a long time since I visited the Murim Alliance, so open the locked gates!]
The Sword Sovereign's voice, infused with inner energy, swept across the entire Murim Alliance. Only Jegal Jincheon, maintaining his smile, left the meeting hall to welcome him.
**********
"They're coming..."
"It's them... the Baekri Clan..."
Following Jegal Jincheon's instructions, the gates of the Murim Alliance, firmly locked, opened with a heavy sound. Led by Baekri Hyeok, the proud forces of the Baekri Clan (disguised as family members) successfully entered the Murim Alliance with dignity.
"We welcome the visit of the Sword Sovereign and the Baekri Clan, Sword Sovereign."
"I thank you for the invitation, Strategist. Thanks to you, I got to witness an amusing sight."
Baekri Hyeok's gaze, which barely acknowledged Jegal Jincheon's greeting, fixed upon the Venerables of the Murim Alliance who had driven him out to the Hubei clan. They looked older than before, but their expressions remained unchanged. Beneath a veneer of basic respect, awe and fear of the Sword Sovereign's martial prowess coexisted.
"To prepare such a grand welcoming ceremony, I am at a loss for words. I thought I would be turned away at the gate again this time, but apparently not. Have you been well, Lord Alliance Leader?"
"Patriarch Baekri... It has been a long time."
"Indeed it has. Ah, how is Ak doing?"
"...!"
"I left an indelible scar on your son. I haven't seen him since, so I wonder how he is faring."
Namgung Yeong barely suppressed the urge to release killing intent as Baekri Hyeok mentioned his son, Namgung Ak. Just seeing his face was enough to make his teeth grind, yet instead of repenting for his wrongs, he used them to pressure his opponent. If this weren't an official occasion, he would have drawn his sword long ago.
But regardless, as the Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Yeong had to exercise patience.
"Those children on either side... are they the patriarch's offspring?"
"Yes. This is Hyang. She is the Sword Phoenix who utterly crushed your granddaughter."
"...!"
"And this is Hyeong. The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering will be held next year, and he plans to utterly crush your grandson there."
"Patriarch Baekri!"
Kuuuung. Unable to endure further humiliation, Namgung Yeong released his inner energy. At that, the smile that had lingered on Baekri Hyeok's face vanished completely.
"Why? You did the same to me, so why can't I do the same?"
"Baekri Hyeok! Do you think you can defeat the Murim Alliance?"
"You should know as well. I wouldn't start a fight without a chance of victory."
"What?!"
It was then. The main hall of the Murim Alliance gradually froze over, and a group dressed in attire completely different from the Central Plains style appeared. Though they were strangers, the Alliance Venerables, sensing the chill they emitted, realized their identity.
"North Sea Ice Palace!"
"I thought their ties with the outer martial world had been severed!"
Han Seol-eun, Baekri Hyeok's wife, was the legitimate successor who had inherited the blood of the Ice Palace Lord. However, she had supposedly severed all ties with the Ice Palace for her marriage to Baekri Hyeok. Yet now, it seemed otherwise. The massive force of the North Sea Ice Palace was backing the Baekri Clan.
This was not the end.
"Are you planning to stay there?"
"Ah, it was too entertaining to resist."
"Sect Leader! What are you saying right now!"
A person who received Baekri Hyeok's gaze, the Wudang Sect Leader Jin Ryeong, slipped out from among the Venerables and stood beside Baekri Hyeok. Simultaneously, as Jegal Jincheon moved to Baekri Hyeok's side, the Venerables realized the reason these people had appeared here today. And that they absolutely could not allow their mouths to open.
But they could not move. Kuuuung! Because they felt an immense wave emanating from the small child's true footwork standing beside Baekri Hyeok. The child's identity was presumed to be Baekri Hyeok's son, Baekri Hyeong. Though he was only eleven years old, who would have thought he could display such presence at such a young age.
'He is several levels above the Sword Phoenix.'
'The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering is a year away. Could it be?'
'Will the Baekri Clan once again claim the glorious titles!'
Baekri Hyeong's sudden action was not something Baekri Hyeok had intended. However, by stepping forward first and drawing attention, Baekri Hyeok gained time and shouted.
[I, Baekri Hyeok, patriarch of the Baekri Clan, hereby declare at this place! The Hubei Union has emerged!]
Led by the Baekri Clan, together with the Jegal Clan, the Wudang Sect, and even the North Sea Ice Palace. The moment had arrived when a new central force that would shake the martial world's board, the Hubei Union, made its appearance.
And Baekri Hyeong, who had orchestrated all of this.
'As planned.'
Secretly blooming a smile, he was satisfied with the current situation.