Journey Through the martial world (4)

88. Journey Through the martial world (4)

His eyes changed in an instant. They were not those of a mere jackal she had feared all this time, but those of a true tiger—the king of the mountains. Master was visibly shaken by his gaze, yet she calmly circulated the Great Clarity Internal Art and looked back at Murong Hyeok-jung.

"What do you mean? As you can see, aside from Yeongmok, our Yeongsan Sect is a tiny sect whose leader is merely a young woman. How could people like us speak of hegemony before the Murong Clan Head?"

"Hm. I heard that fellow abandoned the Baek Clan Estate and entered a Daoist sect, but what remarkably pure Great Clarity Internal Art. The Wudang Daoists would weep to see it.

"Sect Leader, you asked how you could speak of such things. Which two factions do you think are strongest in the present-day Liaoning martial world?"

"I am a woman so ignorant of the martial world that I can count the days I have spent outside Yeongsan Sect on one hand. Even so, the Murong Clan is surely the sky of Liaoning."

"Correct. I lead the strongest faction in Liaoning. You, Sect Leader, lead the second strongest, the only one approaching it."

"What? Surely not."

Master flinched in shock. She knew we were second, but hearing the Murong Clan Head himself say that we approached the Murong Clan left disbelief written across her face.

"Judging by that expression, you are neither feigning modesty nor deceiving me. The White Tiger Sect under you now has around sixty martial artists training in the Black Heaven Association's Heavenly Astral Internal Art and Blood Wolf Sword. And this fellow, Baek Eun-hyeok, overwhelmingly killed even the Black Heaven Association Leader. By now, he is probably stronger than I am.

"With our household warriors away in Henan, if you led everyone under you and attacked our main estate, even we could not guarantee victory. Sect Leader, that is the reality of Liaoning today."

My master's mouth fell open at Murong Hyeok-jung's words.

"Sect Leader, listen. I do not speak this way merely because someone heads a sect. I am showing you proper courtesy because you possess the standing to receive it. Whether you wished for it or not, you now hold this much power in those small hands. So tell me frankly what path you intend to walk. Answer while remembering that the Murong Clan can always become either a formidable enemy or a friendly neighbor."

"Th-that... That is..."

Master stammered at the surreal question. In the end, I had to intervene in the conversation between the two leaders.

"What are we, the Black Heaven Association? Why would we fight the Murong Clan? And frankly, although we are second, we are no match for you. We could never handle even the Murong Clan at half strength. If an actual war began, the Martial Alliance would support you, and the warriors in Henan would return. As you said, Clan Head, our master is around Lady Murong's age. Stop threatening her and behave like an adult."

"Look, Sect Leader. This fellow, who for so long never dared meet my eyes, now raises his voice at this old man. Now that he possesses strength, such behavior is only natural. This is the martial world. This is reality.

"But Baek Eun-hyeok, I am not asking you.

"Sect Leader, answer me. Are we enemies or friends?"

"If you say that, Clan Head, then naturally I would choose friendship. There may be a vast difference between the renowned Murong Clan and our truly small Yeongsan Sect, but Yeongmok once oversaw the Murong Clan's departure ceremony, and Lady Murong gave our disciple a treasured sword. We may be insignificant, but we are not shameless enough to forget such favors."

"A fine answer. Sect Leader."

In the end, Murong Hyeok-jung obtained the answer he wanted from my master.

"One more question. The Murong Clan aims to become the greatest clan under heaven. What is Yeongsan Sect's goal?"

"We have no interest in hegemony over the world. We merely wish to bow to no outside pressure and allow our disciples to live modestly according to the lives they choose."

At last, Master looked Murong Hyeok-jung directly in the eyes and proudly stated her ambition. How many people could stand so confidently before him? With immense power now at hand, Master had begun thinking not merely about survival but about growth. The Yeongsan Sect she dreamed of was contained in that answer.

The strongest nation in my former world had been the United States, with the world's greatest economy and military. It had been Earth's undisputed hegemon. Yet if asked whether America was the world's best country to live in, I could not answer yes. Power and hegemony were not everything. A powerful nation did not make every citizen happy. The China of my former life was an immediate example.

The future my master dreamed of for us was a small sect, but firmer than any other—a new Yeongsan Sect.

Right. Master might be poor at handling sudden situations, but she was by no means inadequate as a Sect Leader.

"No interest in hegemony, but you will not yield? Good. With such a goal, we can help each other obtain what we want."

Murong Hyeok-jung laughed heartily, satisfied.

"Visit Shenyang sometime. On the Murong name, I will receive you with the utmost hospitality."

"Thank you for your kind words."

At last, the conversation ended, and my master let out a small sigh of relief.

"Rin told me you stormed out of the Baek Clan Estate after becoming infatuated with women. Indeed, every one of them is a peerless beauty.

"Yeongsan Sect truly is an interesting sect. How does every disciple of such a small sect possess a different foundation? From you, Sect Leader, I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sense Great Clarity Internal Art purer than Wudang's. From that child over there, the extreme yin qi of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. And the child beside her... Hm. I cannot identify it, but her aura is exceedingly sharp."

—What? That old fossil recognizes Medicine Immortal but dares not recognize the Moonlit Divine Sword?—

Moon Immortal bristled despite having only a hilt left. Old fossil? He was a hundred and forty years younger than she was.

"And this desirable child. I cannot identify it exactly, but a vast reserve of internal energy is growing within her, just like the legendary Medicine Immortal. Let me see... Is that little one Shaolin? No, slightly different. Yes, her aura resembles Mount Tai—not the Mount Tai of today, but Mount Tai of the past.

"Wait. That child has learned the Indestructible Vajra Body?!"

The old man was startled, looking at Cho-ryeong. Having heard the talk about her, Cho-ryeong merely beamed.

"What a pity! If our Hyeon were only ten years older, I would take her as my great-granddaughter-in-law."

"No. The Murong Clan has plenty of martial artists, so why do you keep coveting the six people of Yeongsan Sect? You absolutely cannot have Senior Sister Cho."

"You wretch! What does our Murong Clan lack, you say?"

"Our Yeongsan Sect lacks nothing either, so just let us be. If you wish to poach talent, go poach from the Nangong Clan instead."

At my words, Murong Hyeok-jung clicked his tongue and rose from his seat.

"Sect Leader, it was truly a pleasure meeting you. If you ever need the Murong Clan's strength, you need only ask. My business is finished, so I should leave. With that insolent brat glaring at me, I feel as though I am sitting on a cushion of thorns."

"Why is an adult tattling to Master like that? And a cushion of thorns would not even scratch you, Clan Head."

"Look at this brat. Not cutting off your cock that day will be my lifelong regret! Ah, right. What do you intend to do about Rin now? Will you never see her again just because you have gained some strength?"

"We already settled that. Do not worry. Lady Murong truly is my friend. In fact, I rescued Master and my senior sisters safely because Lady Murong told me they had been captured by Heuk Cheon-gyeon. I will not forget that favor."

"See that you keep those words."

A faint smile crossed his face as he turned away. Murong Rin had abused her authority over me countless times, but in the end she had helped me and even shared her body with me. She had narrowly managed to invest in Baek Eun-hyeok before the price rose. Her father and older brothers had mocked her, but Murong Rin was the granddaughter Murong Hyeok-jung secretly favored most. Her investment had succeeded, so perhaps it was only natural that her grandfather felt proud.

"Clan Head, please eat before you go."

Lee Eun-ha spoke kindly to Murong Hyeok-jung as he was about to leave. His expression immediately brightened. Seriously, old man? He must have eaten luxurious cuisine until he was sick of it, yet he still had to eat here before leaving?

Lee Eun-ha's cooking did not astonish him to the point of collapse, but he seemed quite pleased and spoke warmly to all my senior sisters while excluding me. Come to think of it, this old gentleman was the type to dote excessively on his granddaughters, was he not?

"How adorable. Would you like Grandfather to give you some pocket money?"

Murong Hyeok-jung stroked Cho-ryeong's head and spoke cheerfully. The overlord of Liaoning had vanished without a trace.

"Senior Sister ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Son said I shouldn't accept money from someone I just met. And ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I like confections better."

"What a good child. I will bring confections next time."

No. Surely he was not planning to come again?

Murong Hyeok-jung eventually ate his fill of both the meal and dessert before rising. He patted my shoulder and spoke quietly.

"As the Sect Leader wishes, the Murong Clan will cooperate so that Yeongsan Sect never has to bow to anyone. I acknowledge that Yeongsan Sect has the greatest potential under heaven, but what it needs most is time for those flowers to bloom. In exchange, help Rin make our Murong Clan the greatest clan under heaven."

"How am I supposed to accomplish something even you find difficult, Clan Head?"

"Yeongsan Sect will now reveal its might to the world. Many people will doubt you, and a fellow like you will smash them all. What I mean is that it benefits us if, among them, you trample the ones who would harm the Murong Clan."

With those words, Murong Hyeok-jung finally left Yeongsan Sect for real. In simple terms, since every fool would begin challenging us, he wanted me to trample rivals such as the Nangong Clan without mercy. I could cooperate that much for Murong Rin's sake, but the Murong Clan's rivals were all likely members of the Martial Alliance. How often would orthodox martial artists ever clash with us?

"Whew. I thought I would die from nerves."

Master finally released the tension in her shoulders and laid her face on the table.

"That was a splendid response."

"Truly, this sort of thing does not suit me. Yeongmok, the Branch Head is waiting for you at Yeongsan Lodge, so hurry over."

"It's about the Martial Alliance again, anyway. Shouldn't you go, Sect Leader?"

"Yeongmok, I am genuinely exhausted. If you don't want to regret it tonight, hurry up and go."

"I'll be drinking a lot, so please sleep first."

Master had handled her conversation with Murong Hyeok-jung splendidly. I felt guilty making her deal with the Branch Head as well, and I needed to ask for new swords to replace the broken ones, so I trudged toward Yeongsan Lodge myself.

"What? The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering? Why would we go? We are not even members of the Martial Alliance!"

The Branch Head sweated profusely before me. I had gone to the trouble of showing my face, and now he was spouting nonsense.

"I am not asking you to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. If you entered, the competition would lose all meaning. The Alliance Leader simply insists on meeting you and Yeongsan Sect. Please, save my dignity. Go to Henan. I will issue you a Gold Plaque placing you immediately below the Nine Great Sects and the Beggars' Sect. Think of it as sightseeing in Henan and eating good food for free. That is hardly a hardship, is it?"

"Impossible. Yeongsan Sect has not even restored its sect grounds. Besides, if I go to Henan, my strength may be exposed, placing Master and my senior sisters left behind ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at the sect in danger. Were you not the one who warned us about the dangers of Liaoning and argued that we should conceal what happened to the Black Heaven Association Leader?"

"What can a mere Branch Head like me do when the Alliance Leader says so? And if you are worried about the sect, why not all travel together? The training hall is destroyed anyway. By the time you return from Henan, the new Yeongsan Sect buildings should be splendidly completed."

The Branch Head pleaded with sweat pouring down his face. He was not ordinarily a man who would humble himself before a young upstart like me. Power in the martial world was truly frightening.

"Besides, the people of Yeongsan Sect have never even traveled through the martial world, have they? I understand that you want to protect them, but they are respectable martial artists too. How long will you keep them wrapped up and hidden? A peerless expert like you will be with them. Could you not treat it as a brief outing and make the trip for me?"

He was not wrong. I wanted to protect them, not imprison them. They had now developed into proper martial artists, so perhaps this was the right time for them to experience traveling through the martial world.

"I will ask my Sect Leader."

The Branch Head brightened at my answer and held out a large wooden chest. I opened it slightly. It was packed with luxurious objects women would like—cosmetics, pendants, ornaments, and more.

On my way back to Yeongsan Sect, I encountered Byeok-geum and Ban Ho-jeong chatting at the reception desk of Yeongsan Lodge and asked them a question.

"Suppose this senior sister of yours left for a while. Could Yeongsan Lodge continue operating?"

"It's winter, so we have income from mountain produce, and the women of Seongsan Inn and I have diligently learned to cook. If you are only traveling to Henan and back, we will protect Yeongsan Lodge properly."

Ban Ho-jeong answered immediately, as if she had prepared the response.

"You got something from the Branch Head, didn't you?"

"Hehehe. Reverend, really. Of course I did. He said he'd give us an even greater gift if we sent Yeongsan Sect to Henan."

I didn't know the details, but the Branch Head had probably paid Ban Ho-jeong enough in advance that Yeongsan Lodge could suspend business for a while without suffering. I was a fool for asking.

"You all switched to swords this time, right? Do you have two spare blades?"

"We can make them. We installed a smithy at the White Tiger Sect. A former blacksmith joined us, so now we forge our own weapons."

A smithy? These bastards must have made a staggering amount of money.

A smithy. It would be a little troublesome, but I possessed Dwarf's Soul, a top-tier weapon-forging ability. Should I try making the swords myself? Construction felt too much like manual labor and repelled me, but forging weapons seemed rather cool.

"Will the same shape as before do? I will have them made at once."

"No. I'll forge them myself. Just let me use your smithy."

"What? You will do it yourself, hyung? Hyung, do you even know blacksmithing?"

"Roughly. Anyway, thank you for clearing away the training hall debris earlier."

"Reverend, if you're grateful, do more than say it. Why not go to Henan? We'll carefully watch whether Daeseon Construction Company does its job properly."

"If Master permits it."