Chapter 139
Thwack.
Before I could even draw my sword, the Haomun Leader’s dagger lodged itself right between Quacker’s eyebrows.
Crash.
The spot between the eyebrows is a vital point among vital points, protecting the brain behind it.
Struck there by a dagger, Quacker collapsed, leaving behind only a single scream.
“Great Heroooo-!!!”
“The Unam Pavilion Lord has been struck doooown-!!”
The other martial artists around us immediately began to fall into a state of panic.
Of course, I was dumbfounded too. It was so absurd that the killing intent I had to rip open the mouth of that bastard who had been quacking until just a moment ago instantly subsided.
[Ah.]
And soon, I could understand the Haomun Leader’s intention.
The Haomun Leader is an incredibly meticulous and smart woman, so every single one of her actions carries a special meaning.
[Could it be to smooth over the situation…]
Just now, I had thoughtlessly tried to slice the neck of that Murim Alliance Martial Artist bastard. If I had done that, my relationship with the Murim Alliance would have crossed a river of no return.
But because the Haomun Leader stepped in instead, she intentionally showed a gesture that we were angry while still leaving room to negotiate with the Murim Alliance…!
“…What did those bastards even do to be screaming like that.”
“…”
…Guess not. She must have just been pissed off and her hand moved first.
Right, the Haomun Leader is human too, human.
Well, anyway, thanks to the Haomun Leader landing a perfect ten-point dagger between his eyebrows, the Murim Alliance Martial Artists started going absolutely crazy.
“Avenge the Unam Pavilion Lord-!!”
“Execute the villains-!!”
Seriously, why are those guys only so full of fighting spirit against us?
I let out a sigh and looked around.
Judging by the current atmosphere, it seemed like I’d have to beat down a few more of them for things to calm down a bit.
Just as I was eyeing a few of the loudest screamers and raising my sword, scabbard and all.
“Everyone, stop-!!!”
“…!”
Suddenly, a thunderous voice seemed to ring out from behind, and soon after, the Murim Alliance Martial Artists surrounding us began to step aside like the parting of the Red Sea.
Step, step.
And through that gap, someone walked toward us with a grave and solemn expression.
“All Murim Alliance Martial Artists, sheathe your weapons-!”
It was the Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Hwa-Cheon.
* * *
Clack-, clack-, clack-.
As soon as the Murim Alliance Leader gave the word to sheathe their weapons, the Murim Alliance Martial Artists simultaneously put their weapons away in a dignified manner.
Then, they bowed their heads toward the Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Hwa-Cheon.
“Loyalty-!!”
Even after hearing that aligned and resounding shout, Namgung Hwa-Cheon’s expression didn’t change, as if seeing something entirely natural.
If an ignorant person had seen it, they might have felt the majesty of the Murim Alliance Leader and the Murim Alliance Members from that sight, but…
[Bastards, your true colors have already been exposed, yet you’re still trying so damn hard to look cool.]
…Having clearly witnessed the Murim Alliance’s 'poor performance' with my own two eyes just a moment ago, I couldn’t help but be dumbfounded.
And rightly so. Just looking at that Murim Alliance Leader, hadn’t he been struggling, unable to break past a single Grand Elder?
Of course, the Grand Elder was a born monster who wiped out armies single-handedly even in the original novel, but still, failing to handle just one person while bringing all his Murim Alliance Subordinates was incredibly disappointing.
Whether he knew my feelings or not, Namgung Hwa-Cheon spoke to us in a more gentle voice.
“Ahem, I hope you will overlook the discourtesy of my subordinates. Would you care to have a brief chat with me? Mu-Yeong of Jongrimun?”
Did he still not know exactly who I was?
For now, I nodded.
“Let’s do that.”
“In that case, rather than here, let’s go inside and have some tea while…”
“Let’s just talk here.”
“Hmm?”
Who knows what kind of mess I’d face if I went inside? If we were going to talk, it was better to do it in a public place like this.
And…
“The buildings are all destroyed anyway, so where are we supposed to go inside and drink tea?”
“…”
The Murim Alliance Sparring Arena was completely wrecked, and the headquarters building, which had stood the tallest, was half-destroyed.
If we looked hard enough, there might be an intact spot, but it certainly wasn’t the atmosphere for drinking tea.
When I pointed out the Murim Alliance’s situation with a hint of sarcasm, Namgung Hwa-Cheon cleared his throat, perhaps feeling embarrassed.
“…Right. You are correct. This is hardly the time to pretend to be leisurely and drink tea. In that case, I will be straightforward.”
“Go ahead.”
“I saw you fighting the Demonic Cult’s leadership earlier. Are you on the same side as our Murim Alliance?”
Sss-.
As expected, he had no intention of only treating us gently; Namgung Hwa-Cheon exuded killing intent as he said that.
It was an attitude that seemed to say he would decide what to do depending on whether to answer.
“On the same side, huh…”
Even if it was just a league of their own, perhaps because he held the title of Strongest Under Heaven, the killing intent Namgung Hwa-Cheon emitted was quite stinging.
However…
“For now, I am at least an enemy of the Demonic Cult.”
…Having just finished a bout with the Demonic Cult, his killing intent couldn’t help but feel merely cute to me.
When I shrugged my shoulders as if I wasn’t scared and gave a vague answer, Namgung Hwa-Cheon frowned and asked again.
“An enemy of the Demonic Cult… Does that mean you are definitely on the same side as our Murim Alliance?”
“There is a saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
“I need a definite answer, not such an ambiguous one. Are you on the side of our Murim Alliance?”
Like a parrot, Namgung Hwa-Cheon only repeated the same words.
It seemed he really wanted to hear a definitive answer from me.
Since it was just a verbal promise anyway, I could have just given a rough lie, but…
“Well. Being on the same side is a bit…”
…The Murim Alliance Leader’s intention felt like he was trying to control me, which put me in a bad mood.
Step-.
As the sluggish conversation continued, Namgung Hwa-Cheon took a step toward me.
“I saw your strength. It was incredibly threatening. If you are not on the side of the Murim Alliance…, we have no choice but to eliminate you.”
“…”
Fuck.
Once again, I feel wronged.
These motherfuckers should have acted like this when fighting the Demonic Cult bastards.
Following Namgung Hwa-Cheon-Cheon
Context: of the Murim Alliance…, we have no choice but to eliminate you.”
“…”
Fuck.
Once again, I feel wronged.
Following Namgung Hwa-Cheon-Cheon’s aura, I could feel the aura of the guys surrounding us rising as well.
[…This is tricky.]
I assessed the situation and placed my hand on my sword hilt.
No matter how much of a joke the Murim Alliance-Cheon’s aura, I could feel the aura of the guys surrounding us rising as well.
[…This is tricky.]
I assessed the situation and placed my hand on my sword hilt.
No matter how much of a joke the Murim Alliance was, their sheer numbers couldn’t be ignored.
Even though Cheon Ye-Seo had reduced their numbers significantly, there were still quite a lot of Murim Alliance Martial Artists left.
To face this many martial artists, I would have to use the Peaceful Death Flowing Sword at the very least.
And if I used the Peaceful Death Flowing Sword here…
[It’s mutual destruction…]
I would lose my lifespan, and they would lose their lives.
Then the ones who ultimately benefit would be those Demonic Cult bastards.
[What should I do? Should I try to fight back using other martial arts?]
If I backed down here, I would have to sit in a significantly disadvantageous position when negotiating with the Murim Alliance later.
However, it seemed Namgung Hwa-Cheon didn’t want to face such a situation either.
Step.
“If you don’t speak right now, I will capture you-!”
The moment he approached me with an even more threatening attitude…!
“Wait-!”
Someone interrupted our conversation.
“Alliance Leader-! Please use your words-! If you don’t provoke him, that child won’t show hostility first!”
I turned my head to see who it was…
“I will guarantee it. Even without pressing him like this, the Murim Alliance will be able to maintain a good relationship with that child.”
“…Sect Leader.”
…It was the Zhongnan Sect Leader, Jong Yeon-Myeong.
Namgung Hwa-Cheon glared at Jong Yeon-Myeong, who had interrupted our conversation, as if looking at an enemy.
“…Sect Leader. Zhongnan is not in a position to say anything right now. What right does a sect that can’t even recognize its own disciple have to speak? Tsk.”
“…”
As his words continued, not only the Sect Leader but also the other Zhongnan Disciples behind him bowed their heads, looking ashamed.
However, the Zhongnan Sect Leader reluctantly continued to speak, even with a faint voice.
“Still…, having spent the past few days together, I realized that child is not such a bad kid. Didn’t he actually fight alongside us in the battle just now…”
“Sect Leader-!!”
At the Zhongnan Sect Leader’s words, the Alliance Leader raised his voice as if he couldn’t hold back anymore. And…
“Please stop-! Alliance Leader!”
“…Yu Family Head?”
…Before the Alliance Leader’s anger could reach the Zhongnan Sect Leader, this time Yu Haseong of the Shanxi Yu Family stepped forward.
The Righteous Sword of the Shanxi Yu Family. The Righteous Sword Knight-errant, Yu Haseong.
He was a longtime subordinate and friend of the Murim Alliance Leader, Namgung Hwa-Cheon.
But when such a Yu Haseong raised his voice, Namgung Hwa-Cheon turned to him with surprised eyes.
And as attention focused on him, he continued speaking.
“Even if that person is not on the same side as us, he is at least not on the same side as the Demonic Cult. That person is…, a martial artist of the Unorthodox Faction.”
“What…? Unorthodox Faction? No, more importantly, you. That person’s identity…!”
“Yes, I know. Because that person is the General Stronghold Master of the famous Hunan Green Forest.”
“…!”
With Yu Haseong’s statement, the surroundings began to stir greatly.
“The General Stronghold Master…, then you are…!”
“Yes, I didn’t expect to introduce myself like this, but I am the Green Forest General Stronghold Master.”
Since everything was already exposed, there was no need to lie, so I immediately admitted it.
“Hu, Hunan Green Forest…?! Then that person is the Mountain Path Lover!”
“Then the one who annihilated the Dragon Slaying Squad back then…!”
As expected, I was quite the celebrity; stories about me continuously burst out from the surroundings.
And taking advantage of that gap, Yu Haseong continued his explanation.
“Although there was a brief misunderstanding a while ago, the Murim Alliance and the Hunan Green Forest at least acknowledged each other’s existence. That person is at least not our enemy.”
“…”
Namgung Hwa-Cheon couldn’t easily open his mouth after hearing Yu Haseong’s words, perhaps racking his brain.
I felt it at that moment.
That now was the optimal timing to escape this place.
[It’s definitely burdensome to negotiate with the Murim Alliance here.]
Someday, the Murim Alliance and I would need to discuss how to deal with the Demonic Cult bastards.
But there was no need to have that conversation in the home turf of the Righteous Faction bastards.
[Yongyong-a, can you fly? It doesn’t have to be at full speed.]
[I can fly.]
Hearing Yongyong-i’s answer, I spoke directly to Namgung Hwa-Cheon.
“Alliance Leader. We don’t necessarily have to talk right now, do we? I’ll be in Hunan Province, so form a delegation and come there.”
“No, I’d prefer to finish the conversation here if possible.”
“Just because I’m using honorifics, this mister still thinks he has the upper hand.”
“…What?”
I spoke with a sullen expression to the blank-faced Namgung Hwa-Cheon.
“No, after experiencing what happened today, do you really think you can stop the Demonic Cult with just your own strength? Today, the Heavenly Demon wasn’t even here, nor were the other elders.”
“…”
“If you want to receive even a bit of help from our fiddlehead hands later, you better learn to bend on your own. Or else I might just join hands with the Demonic Cult bastards and sandwich the Murim Alliance from both sides.”
“Y-You-!”
It would never happen, but if we and the Demonic Cult joined hands, there would be no worse situation from the Murim Alliance’s perspective.
Perhaps finally grasping the situation, the Murim Alliance Leader’s beard trembled.
“If you don’t want to make enemies on both sides, you guys come to Hunan. And when you come, make sure to bring Gongcheongseokyu.”
“G-Gongcheongseokyu…?”
“If you don’t bring that, I won’t say a single word to you guys.”
“…”
With that, I had said everything I needed to say.
After finishing my words, I gestured to Yongyong-i, and she understood the meaning…
Poof-!
-Rooooaaaar-!
“I-It’s an Imugi-!”
…She transformed into her true body and placed me, Dongryong-i, and the Haomun Leader on top of her head.
“Hah…, so this is the Imugi of Hunan Province…”
“I said it clearly. Gongcheongseokyu. Make sure you bring it. Before I buddy up with the Demonic Cult.”
The Murim Alliance Leader must have never seen a monster like Yongyong-i before, as he looked up at her like a child looking at an amusement ride.
Like that, receiving the gazes of hundreds of martial artists all at once…
“Let’s go, Yongyong-a.”
-Yeah!
…We flew straight up into the sky.