novelraw Chapter 57 : Chapter 57
Chapter 57 : Chapter 57
Chapter 57. The Negotiation at Yueyang Tower (3)
Clap!
“Now, now, everyone, please calm down. Why is everyone so heated? Let’s be calm, be calm.”
It was the man with a massive build sitting next to Lee Byeok who broke the heavy silence of the negotiation by clapping his hands.
“Excuse me, but Great Warrior…?”
“This humble one is called Yeom U-gil. I am the branch manager of the Rogues’ Guild in Yueyang. Keolkeolkeol!”
Yeom U-gil let out a hearty laugh as he answered the Iron-Faced Beggar’s question.
“…Hmph, what do you mean calm down? Do you think we’ve gathered here to exchange pleasantries?”
Namgung Cheon-su’s sharp gaze turned towards Yeom U-gil.
He had already received word through his sources that the Rogues’ Guild had intervened.
If the Rogues’ Guild hadn’t needlessly interfered in the first place, everything could have been finished quickly before the Beggar’s Gang even stepped in.
“What in the world does the Rogues’ Guild have to do with the current situation? Recklessly meddling in other people’s grudges and making comments—”
“Well, well, if we go by your words, Master, then aren't we, the Rogues’ Guild and the Beggar’s Gang, also responsible for the current situation?”
“W-What? When did I ever say that?!”
Flinch. Namgung Cheon-su reacted violently. His gaze flickered towards the Iron-Faced Beggar. The sparks must not fly in the wrong direction.
“Well, isn't it rather strange? Both our Rogues’ Guild and the Beggar’s Gang make a living through information, but to our shame, we were unaware of the assailants’ movements until after the attack.”
“……”
“In other words, the damages you Righteous Faction members have suffered are not solely the responsibility of the Evil Faction members here—”
“Enough.”
It was then.
A low, deep voice cut off Yeom U-gil’s words. The Righteous Sword Sect Master, Yang Ho-myeong, had opened his mouth for the first time.
As Namgung Cheon-su, who was at the forefront, showed signs of being cornered, he had finally stepped forward.
“No matter what your Flying Dragon Squad Leader or Branch Manager Yeom say, the facts are clear. In any case, we have suffered damages, and the Evil Faction heroes here, who are the most likely suspects, have not been able to prove that it was not their doing.”
He brought the conversation back to the starting point.
“We do not want much. All we want is the strict punishment of the person responsible and fair compensation for the damages.”
“……”
“And if the person responsible cannot be found immediately, I would appreciate it if you would at least show some sincerity regarding the compensation.”
It was a tone that implied the Evil Faction side should naturally provide compensation. Ma Jun, the leader of the Geumgang Society, gritted his teeth.
‘…It’s unbelievably unfair, but if we can get through this situation with just compensation.’
Ma Jun opened his mouth.
“Then what do you desire, Righteous Sword Sect Master?”
“I won’t go so far as to tell you to vacate your homes and leave Hunan. However, hand over Dongting Lake to us.”
“……”
A moment of silence passed.
Taang!
“Th-That’s absurd!”
An agitated Ma Jun slammed the table.
The commercial rights of Dongting Lake and the nearby logistics were the core of the Geumgang Society and the lifeline that supported the entire Evil Faction of Hunan.
In the end, it was no different from saying that they would drive them out of this land one way or another, with only the difference in time being the immediate present and the near future.
“So, in the end, you’re saying we should go to war one way or another, aren't you? As expected of someone from a family of horse breeders, the Righteous Sword Sect Master has a talent for making simple things difficult.”
Keolkeolkeol. Jeon Sa-uk laughed.
“…If you can only shut that lawless mouth after death, then there’s no helping it.”
“Now, now, let’s not say such scary things. Why are you all getting so excited when you know better? Keolkeolkeol!”
The moment the tension was about to escalate again, Yeom U-gil once again stepped in to mediate.
“If a fight is unavoidable, then we must fight. That’s the Murim. But what good will come from escalating things? The less blood is shed, the better.”
“The only blood that will be shed is yours. As your esteemed Flying Dragon Squad Leader said, we have Diancang and the Namgung Clan with us.”
Yang Ho-myeong said, as if spitting out the words.
Since the Evil Faction side had brought up the matter of the sects first, he would prioritize practical gains over honor.
It was a rather bold statement for him. But Lee Byeok had not brought it up without thought either.
“Hmm, I heard that the Righteous Sword Sect Master has already had the pleasure of meeting Great Warrior Cho, a member of our Rogues’ Guild Guardian Squad?”
“……!”
Flinch. Yang Ho-myeong’s eyes wavered.
“Let me say this in advance, we of the Rogues’ Guild have no intention of backing down half-heartedly now that we’ve dipped our toes in, whereas it would have been different if we hadn’t interfered at all.”
“……”
“If the situation really heads in that direction, then our side will have to graciously ask the elders of the Guardian Squad to step forward.”
“…But why?”
Grit. Yang Ho-myeong ground his teeth.
The Guardian Squad.
The mysterious masters who made the Rogues’ Guild stand on par with the other factions of the Murim.
Yang Ho-myeong recalled the battle at the Invincible Sect.
Although they hadn’t clashed in the end, he could be sure of one thing.
The level of that bizarre man was by no means below his own.
Of course, even if they belonged to the same military unit, he didn’t know if the skills of the others were on the same level.
But in the worst-case scenario, if several peak experts appeared… it would become a serious matter that would require Diancang to deploy its core forces.
And that was not a problem he could decide on his own.
‘But why, why would the Rogues’ Guild deploy its core forces for a matter that is not its own?’
“Well, as I said before, isn’t it because the Flying Dragon Squad Leader is here?”
“……”
Yang Ho-myeong turned to Lee Byeok.
‘What on earth is that brat?’
Although he was said to be the number one prodigy of the Evil Faction, there were one or two suspicious things about the origin of the martial arts he used.
He had mentioned the Seonwoo Clan before, but of course, there was a high probability that he had seen wrong.
There were many similar martial arts in the world.
Furthermore, it was impossible for a clan like the Seonwoo Clan to raise such a talent, and there was even less reason for them to receive the protection of the Rogues’ Guild or the Evil Faction Alliance Leader.
Above all, if it were the Seonwoo Clan, a member of the Righteous Blood Alliance, there would be no reason for him to be at odds with Namgung Cheon-su.
“That’s not all. Although they are not here with us, the Flying Dragon Squad has not only the Squad Leader here, but also disciples from the Dark Shadow Pavilion and the Hainan Sword Sect. Keolkeol!”
“……!”
Yeom U-gil’s massive body shook with laughter.
Of course, it was true that Gongson Su and Pa Jin-seong belonged to the Flying Dragon Squad, but that didn’t mean they could borrow their power as they pleased.
However, Yeom U-gil only stated the facts but cleverly concealed the truth behind them.
“Excuse me, but do you two Great Warriors intend to start a Righteous-Evil war in this land of Hunan?”
Kuoong!
For a moment, the laughter disappeared from Yeom U-gil’s voice, which had continued with a hearty laugh.
Its weight pressed down on the assembly.
In the silence, Yang Ho-myeong felt his energy drain away. The complexion of Namgung Cheon-su, sitting next to him, was also gradually turning pale.
How much of it was truth and how much was bluff?
He didn’t know. But… by the time he came to his senses, the matter had already grown to a scale he couldn’t handle.
The initiative in the negotiations had been lost.
And Yang Ho-myeong intuitively knew he couldn't get it back. In the silence, Yeom U-gil smiled again.
“That would be troublesome, wouldn’t it? So, if we must fight, it would be better to decide in a way that minimizes the damage and is acceptable to both sides, right?”
Yeom U-gil’s gaze swept around the hall once. After giving a light nod to the grave-faced Iron-Faced Beggar, he finally turned to Lee Byeok.
Lee Byeok nodded.
“So, instead of shedding unnecessary blood, how about we each put forth a representative under the same conditions and have a fair and square match?”
***
The conclusion of the negotiations was not decided on the spot.
With the situation having changed so drastically, it was no longer possible for Yang Ho-myeong and Namgung Cheon-su to make a decision on their own.
About three days later, the Righteous Faction side approached the Beggar’s Gang with their opinion.
They would accept the Evil Faction's proposal, but they presented the specific conditions for the match themselves.
First, the representatives would be limited to five prodigies under the age of thirty from each camp.
Second, the matches would be held in order, and the winner could remain to face the next opponent.
These were the conditions.
“My, they’re blatantly targeting you, Orabeoni. For the Righteous Faction to be so obvious with their intentions.”
Gongson Su let out a soft laugh.
Well, it wasn't something she couldn't understand.
Why the Paewang Family had closed its doors was still one of the unsolved mysteries of the Murim.
There had been no clashes with any significant external forces, nor had there been any incidents outside the sect.
They had simply ceased their activities abruptly.
The warriors of the Paewang Family who were active in various parts of the Central Plains, including the Evil Faction Alliance, had all returned to their main family and secluded themselves.
Of course, there must have been a reason.
But as long as that reason was unknown, the possibility that they could return at any time as if nothing had happened was not out of the question.
In fact, it was because of that possibility that the Evil Faction Murim of Hunan had been protected for three years.
But.
Now that the Righteous Faction Murim was trying to get its hands on Hunan, an unknown prodigy who had received the protection of the Evil Faction Alliance Leader suddenly appeared.
From the Righteous Faction’s perspective, they must have been startled.
And they would want to defeat Lee Byeok under the agreed-upon conditions, one way or another.
So that even if the Paewang Family resumed its activities later, they wouldn't lose the justification to rule Hunan.
That was why they had specifically proposed a prodigy match, leaving out the mid-level masters.
“Well, that was our plan too. I’m grateful that they’re playing into our hands like this.”
What’s more, the Righteous Faction side had even added a second condition in case Lee Byeok was stronger than they had thought.
Flash Dragon: Chang Seong of Diancang.
Azure Sky Jade: Dragon Namgung Hwan of the Namgung Clan.
If they sent out two of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, the representative prodigies of the Righteous Faction, in succession, they would surely not lose, no matter what.
Of course, in reality, the majority believed that one of them would be enough, but they had put forth a condition that made it absolutely impossible for them to lose.
However.
All of the Righteous Faction’s proposals were within the expected range of Gongson Su and Yeom U-gil.
Kaang! Kang, kang!
“Good, Sir Pa! You have far fewer openings now!”
“Kehehe! Of course! Even a frog learns something after being hit by the same trick so many times!”
The training ground inside the Geumgang Society.
Eon Mi-hee’s gauntlets and Pa Jin-seong’s sword clashed repeatedly, sending sparks flying.
Since their journey from Guizhou to Hunan over a month ago, sparring with each other had already become a daily routine for the Flying Dragon Squad members.
In addition to that, they were sharpening their martial arts in preparation for the match against the Righteous Faction prodigies.
The representatives for the Evil Faction side were to be Lee Byeok, Eon Mi-hee, Pa Jin-seong, and the head disciples of the Rakshasa Sect and the Red Evil Sect.
Among the Flying Dragon Squad members, Gongson Su was the only one who would not be participating as a representative.
“It doesn’t really matter who goes out, except for you, Orabeoni. Right?”
Gongson Su shrugged and said so. And she rarely showed her face at the training ground.
Even after the negotiations had concluded, she seemed busy attending meetings with the leaders of the Evil Faction side day after day.
Chaeng, chang!
“Kehe, kehehe!”
Pa Jin-seong’s spirits were high.
It had only been a short while since he had been soundly defeated by Maeng U-gang at the Evil Faction Alliance friendly tournament.
But now, he was about to clash with the renowned prodigies of the Righteous Faction.
The time to restore his honor, which he had so eagerly awaited, had come sooner than expected.
It was impossible not to be excited.
If things went well, perhaps…
Thwack!
“Keheuk! Wait!”
“Where are you letting your mind wander! You’re sloppy! What’s the point of creating a new opening while trying to eliminate an old one!”
After about ten exchanges, Eon Mi-hee’s fist finally dug into Pa Jin-seong’s side.
Eon Mi-hee was certainly strong.
Having trained honestly without leaning towards either internal or external arts, Eon Mi-hee was by far the best among the three, excluding Lee Byeok.
Of course, Pa Jin-seong and Gongson Su were also growing rapidly.
The experience of facing martial arts from other sects with different characteristics was not something one could easily obtain.
But the three of them revealed their own special techniques without reservation.
They understood and supplemented each other’s martial arts.
The Flying Dragon Squad was solidifying, both as individuals and as a group.
‘…Not bad.’
Of course, while Eon Mi-hee and Pa Jin-seong were engrossed in sparring, Lee Byeok was not just playing around either.
In a corner of the training ground where the two were clashing, Lee Byeok was sitting in a meditative posture.
Rather than moving his body, he was focusing on organizing his newfound enlightenment through meditation.
The Eight-Section Nine-Palace Brush Art.
What Lee Byeok had obtained from the teaching he had received from Cho Yeon-seo earlier were just two forms.
Full Moon and New Moon.
Either pull in the opponent and make them bend. Or bend oneself, hide the sword, and strike the opponent’s vital point.
Of course, in a real battle, just by mixing those two, he could create countless variables.
And that alone might be enough to deal with most masters.
‘But… that’s not all.’
However, the most surprising thing about the martial art he had received from Cho Yeon-seo was actually something else.
Lee Byeok once again replayed the memory of when he had first gained enlightenment a few days ago.
The battle on the roof.
Immediately after subduing the disciples of the One Saber Martial Sect with the Eight-Section Nine-Palace Brush Art, Lee Byeok had clashed with the Soul-Stealing White Claw, U Jin-hui again.
And he had used the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style.
There was no sense of incongruity.
“……”
But that was strange.
With the energy of the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art, not the Azure River Flowing Leaf Art, it should have been impossible for the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style to be properly executed.
The answer was obvious.
The moment he had thought of the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style, the path of the power flowing through his body had ‘bent’ from the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art to the Azure River Flowing Leaf Art.
There wasn't even a process of emptying and filling.
The energy had changed its properties on its own.
The transition from one heart art to another was so natural that he hadn't even been conscious of it himself.
Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art.
Bend, but do not change.
“……”
Perhaps… through the mnemonics of the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art, it might even be possible to change the flow of internal energy at every moment and combine and execute different sword arts.
For the current Lee Byeok, who had to hide the traces of the Seonwoo Clan in his sword path, it was an exquisitely appropriate teaching.
It was as if the study of the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art itself had existed for the Jincheon Falling Sword Divine Art from the very beginning.
‘…Is this also the Sect Leader’s arrangement?’
Lee Byeok thought of Lee Jincheon.
In the first place, how did such profound teachings as the Red Faction Heart Art or the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art reach the Rogues’ Guild?
Lee Byeok couldn’t know.
As his questions deepened, Lee Byeok suddenly thought of another possibility.
The Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art was neither a righteous art nor an evil art. That was why it could change into anything.
‘In that case… perhaps a transition to the Red Faction Heart Art is also possible.’
But Lee Byeok hesitated for a moment.
After slaughtering the bandits who had occupied the village, Lee Byeok had not once brought out the Red Faction Heart Art or the Saber of Butchery.
Of course, if he were to use the Saber of Butchery now, he wouldn't lose himself as he had before.
He had just wanted to keep a distance so as not to be overly captivated by the memory of the slaughter at that time.
However.
Lee Byeok soon composed himself.
‘Even if not now, these are things I will have to face eventually.’
Woong.
Lee Byeok activated the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art. And he slowly recalled the mnemonics of the Red Faction Heart Art and observed the flow of his internal energy.
Hwoook!
The next moment, the flow bent.
The power of the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art turned red. It began to rush like a raging wave. The transition of internal energy was accomplished as easily as flipping one’s palm.
Kwakwakwakwa!
In an instant, Lee Byeok’s body was filled with the murky energy of the Red Faction Heart Art.
“…Keuk.”
Along with the torrent, killing intent arose.
The smell of blood that had been accumulating began to fill his body. Naturally, his brow furrowed.
‘I will not be swept away.’
But… Lee Byeok focused his mind. His chest was hot, but his head was cool.
Bend, but do not change.
He embraced the killing intent of the Red Faction Heart Art with the flexibility of the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art. He could do it, and he must do it.
Lee Byeok focused on his consciousness.
Soon, a sense of calm—
Baaak—!
“Keok.”
Suddenly, he saw stars.
Along with the intense impact on his forehead, Lee Byeok’s body, which was in a meditative posture, tilted backward.
As the fallen Lee Byeok opened his eyes, he saw Eon Mi-hee’s face looking down at him with worried eyes.
“Y-Young Master, are you okay?!”
“……”
The situation was clear.
She hit him and then asked if he was okay.
“…Why did you hit me?”
“Th-That is, I suddenly felt killing intent, and I thought you were possessed by an inner demon again, Young Master… Ah, was I wrong?”
“……”