The Alliance Leader Usurpation Battle
“A sincere apology… You tell an amusing story.”
“If you wish, I can create an amusing situation as well.”
Cheon Yong-hyeon could not suppress his laughter at the audacious spirit of Baekri Hyeok. Who in the world was this madman, daring to demand that the king of the Sapa bow his head? Had it been anyone other than the Sword Sovereign making such a demand, Cheon Yong-hyeon would have already struck with his fist. The Sword Sovereign possessed power equal to that of his master, the Demon Sovereign. Knowing full well what kind of madman his master was, Cheon Yong-hyeon was not foolish enough to launch a preemptive strike against a warrior of the same realm.
Yet regardless of his inner thoughts, this was the heart of Sapa Cheon. It was not a place where Cheon Yong-hyeon stood alone, and upon hearing the Sword Sovereign’s bold words, the Sapa warriors began to seethe. Those who held positions within Sapa Cheon’s main fortress all pledged deep loyalty to Cheon Yong-hyeon. They could not tolerate hearing their lord ordered to bow his head.
Baekri Hyeok, however, stepped forward with unwavering confidence. He had nothing to fear. Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Seo Su-yeon stepped in first to ease the stifling mood.
“Everyone, please rein in your auras. This is a fine occasion—there’s no need for blades to be drawn, is there?”
“…I will not act unless attacked first.”
“I am grateful for the Sword Sovereign’s words. What are you all doing? Withdraw your auras. Do you intend to bring down the Sapa Cheon banner today?”
At Seo Su-yeon’s warning, the Sapa Cheon executives tucked their tails. Whether due to their usually strict hierarchy or not, the rough Sapa warriors obeyed her words absolutely. Perhaps it was because Seo Su-yeon herself was the person most precious to Cheon Yong-hyeon.
In any case, the tense atmosphere eased somewhat thanks to Seo Su-yeon’s timely intervention. Cheon Yong-hyeon, who had been merely smiling, finally spoke.
“So I just need to kowtow and apologize?”
“Lord Cheon! You mustn’t!”
“You are the king of the Sapa! If you bow your head to someone from the Jeongpa…!”
“And if I do? Is there anyone here who can face the Sword Sovereign alone? If so, step forward. I’ll hand over the position of Lord Cheon to you.”
At Cheon Yong-hyeon’s bold decision, the executives protested in outrage. Finding their reaction displeasing, Cheon Yong-hyeon scattered the energy of his divine art, the Mad Tiger Divine Art. Realizing their lord’s true intent, the executives bit their lips and had no choice but to accept his judgment. In this place, the word of the Lord of Sapa Cheon was law.
“What should I do? Go down and kowtow? Kneel? What do you want?”
“There’s no need. I have confirmed the Lord Cheon’s will, so there is no reason to make a spectacle in front of your subordinates.”
“Kuk, kuhahahaha!! So this is why the people of the martial world call you the Sword Sovereign. I like you.”
Cheon Yong-hyeon rose willingly and burst into hearty laughter at Baekri Hyeok’s words. He had been about to move and apologize, only to be told it was unnecessary. In a way, it was as if he had been toyed with, yet Cheon Yong-hyeon found Baekri Hyeok’s refreshing personality to his liking. As expected, anyone bearing the title “Sovereign” was extraordinary.
“I welcome you once more to Sapa Cheon, Sword Sovereign. During your stay, you and your companions will receive the highest hospitality. As long as you obtain permission from the strategist, you may do as you please. I hope this settles the matter of the recent attack.”
“Understood, Lord Cheon. Then I shall stay without reservation.”
Cheon Yong-hyeon erased his previous demeanor and offered a respectful fist salute. If before he had been addressing the head of the Baekri Clan, now he was showing proper courtesy to one of the Five Sovereigns of Murim, the strongest in the current martial world. It was a gesture signaling the end of the meeting. Baekri Hyeok returned the salute, and strategist Seo Su-yeon guided the Baekri Clan party to the guest quarters.
“It seems we’re treated as honored guests wherever we go.”
“Still, doesn’t it sound fun? Everyone here is from the Sapa.”
“Indeed. Even if someone picks a fight, we can beat them legally. That does sound entertaining.”
“How can your way of thinking be so simple…”
Baekri Hyeong muttered to himself while heading toward the guest quarters, and Baekri Hyang caught his words with amusement. Honestly, the reason he had followed all the way to Sapa Cheon was to meet one particular person. Though that individual was a scoundrel with an unruly personality and difficult to handle, he possessed enough skill to be trusted with one’s back on the battlefield. The disciple of the current Lord of Sapa Cheon—Baekri Hyeong had wondered when he might meet him again, and now that such a good opportunity had presented itself, he thought it wouldn’t be bad to establish some authority from the start. The age gap was considerable for asserting dominance, but for the future, it was necessary to build connections. An alliance with Sapa Cheon would be essential in the coming war against the Demonic Cult.
“Honored guests, you may stay here. Should you be attacked at night, please inform us immediately. Once we identify the culprit, we will execute them by dismemberment right before your eyes.”
“There’s no need. If anyone is bold enough to attempt an attack, I will cut them down myself.”
“As expected, you are decisive. Then I shall take my leave. Have a pleasant day.”
After offering a polite remark, Seo Su-yeon bowed at Baekri Hyeok’s smooth response and departed. It was unclear how long they would stay in Sapa Cheon, but since they were here, they might as well accomplish everything they needed. His father had already given permission to act freely. Baekri Hyeong began wandering alone through Sapa Cheon.
“Just as I remember. Though it will all be destroyed in a few years.”
Sapa Cheon was more fortress than anything else—almost a citadel compared to the Murim Alliance. Its grand buildings symbolized the authority of its lord, Cheon Yong-hyeon, and in his previous life, Baekri Hyeong had thought it fittingly Sapa-like. Yet once war broke out, the main fortress of Sapa Cheon became an impregnable stronghold and a key position for the Black-White Alliance. Of course, even that had been utterly destroyed once the Heavenly Demon personally intervened.
‘Still, I shouldn’t enter the secret areas, right?’
Crossing that line would immediately spark war, so he left the secret spaces untouched. Baekri Hyeong toured Sapa Cheon, focusing on places that held memories. Even an ordinary wall now had once been covered in tactical explanations like a blackboard during his past life. There were also the underground passages leading to the prison and the pavilions with beautiful scenery. Sapa Cheon held more memories for him than the Murim Alliance. It was odd for someone from the orthodox side to say such a thing, but he had spent far more time here. In his previous life, after the Baekri Clan’s annihilation, he had wandered for years before joining the Murim Alliance—only briefly, as the formation of the Black-White Alliance had gathered all martial artists at Sapa Cheon.
‘If I stay here, he’ll take an interest eventually.’
It wouldn’t be strange for a guest of Sapa Cheon to seek out the next Lord Cheon. Rather than wandering aimlessly, it was better to linger in frequently visited places and wait for him to approach first. He didn’t know when they would leave Sapa Cheon, but he hoped the boy would appear soon.
**********
“From this moment, a duel shall commence between the current Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Yeong, and the current Murim Alliance Vice-Leader, Moyong Gwang, for the position of Alliance Leader. All Vice-Leaders of the Nine Great Sects and One Clan, excluding the Wudang Sect, are present as witnesses.”
The training ground of the Murim Alliance was thick with tension. There stood Namgung Yeong, determined to keep his position as Alliance Leader, and Moyong Gwang, intent on usurping it, facing each other. Whether a new era would dawn or the past would return—the duel that would decide the fate of the Murim Alliance was about to begin.
“I wonder if the Moyong Clan Head can make it through safely.”
“The current Alliance Leader is widely acknowledged as the strongest of the Namgung Clan. Given the age difference, it won’t be easy…”
Namgung Yeong’s era had to come to an end. Yet raising a rebellion to forcibly remove the Alliance Leader brought its own problems. A wrong move could lead to accusations of seizing the alliance by force. Thus, usurping the position through a formal duel was the best course of action.
“Moyong Clan Head… This Alliance Leader’s mood is rather poor, so my strikes may be ruthless.”
“You’ll soon be rolling on the ground anyway, so that’s understandable. I accept.”
“..! Provoking me from the start is not a wise choice.”
“You seem overly confident, so allow me to say this: the martial world is not as lenient as you, Namgung Yeong, believe it to be.”
Moyong Gwang no longer bothered with formalities and spoke to Namgung Yeong in casual speech. Namgung Yeong’s face flushed red and blue with anger at the disrespect. Just as their verbal clash reached its peak, Sang Hyeong, the sect leader of the Joint Sect who was to serve as referee for this duel, signaled the start.
“This Alliance Leader usurpation duel is not a fight to the death, but a fight until surrender. The moment a killing technique appears, the duel will be declared over. Keep this in mind and proceed.”
At Sang Hyeong’s words, Namgung Yeong and Moyong Gwang nodded. The instant his hand sliced through the air—
Chae-ae-ae-ae-aeng!!
The grand curtain of the Alliance Leader usurpation duel rose.