novelraw Chapter 93 : The General Assembly (1)
Chapter 93 : The General Assembly (1)
Chapter 93: The General Assembly (1)
The main hall of the Murim Alliance was bustling with people, unlike usual.
It was because of the General Assembly.
When the General Assembly was convened, all senior officials who held important positions within the Alliance were required to attend without exception.
That included the Murim Alliance Leader and the Sixteen Elders.
“Finally, the long-awaited day has come, Clan Head Namgung.”
“So, it has come to this.”
“Today, at last, we will be able to utterly suppress the tyranny of that arrogant Alliance Leader’s faction!”
“Huuu, I only hope that the resentment of the innocents who died, and of my child, may finally be appeased.”
The seat left vacant by the disappearance of the treacherous Hwangbo Geon had been taken by Eon Jahu, the Clan Head of the Jinju Eon Clan.
Without the slightest concern for dignity, sycophants surrounded Namgung Myeong, showering him with flattery and honeyed words.
‘…Do they not feel shame, acting like this in front of a junior young enough to be their son?’
Namgung Baek could hardly suppress the sigh that threatened to escape him at the sight of their repulsive behavior.
Wielding the pretext of a child’s death, Namgung Myeong and the Namgung Clan were running rampant.
There was no stopping them.
After swallowing up the Hwangbo Clan whole, they had not only increased their power but had even turned the Shaolin, long the protectors of neutrality, into allies.
Neither his father nor the others had any interest in the true nature of the Kaifeng Blood Massacre.
Instead, they only schemed about how best to exploit this tragedy to expand their own power and influence.
Namgung Baek felt like he would vomit.
“Father, this son shall step out for a moment of fresh air.”
“The meeting will begin shortly. Return quickly.”
“…Yes, understood.”
For some reason, a chilling coldness lingered in Namgung Myeong’s eyes as he looked at his son.
Since the day Namgung Baek had brought back fabricated evidence, his father had thoroughly kept him under watch—even his own child.
‘Haa… What am I to do?’
Leaving his father’s side, he stepped out into the courtyard outside the hall.
The cold wind brushing against his face allowed him to breathe more easily.
He slowly surveyed his surroundings.
There were quite a few people gathered outside as well.
The first figures that caught his eye were two old swordsmen standing off to the side, conversing.
‘So, the Diancang Sect and the Moyong Clan have come too.’
The two men, who had often been absent from recent meetings, were the Silver River Sword Elder, Moyong Bin, and the Sword Sovereign Sa Il of the Diancang Sect.
“Haa… Because of that mad Witch of the North Sea, my clan has suffered losses beyond measure.”
“We too have faced much trouble recently, as the beast-worshipping savages have strangely grown more violent.”
“Ah! Could it be that those barbarians are also tied to the Demonic Alliance? Perhaps they have decided to unite their strength?”
“Hmm, nothing has yet been proven, so let us not jump ahead of ourselves, Clan Head Moyong.”
Rumors had spread that the Moyong Clan had clashed with the North Sea Ice Palace, while the Diancang Sect had run into trouble with the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace. Judging from their conversation, those rumors were true.
“Ohhh!”
“They’ve arrived!!”
Suddenly, the surroundings erupted into commotion.
People outside were exclaiming, looking toward the entrance.
Two men walked into the courtyard through the passageway.
Clad in green long robes, they were clearly father and son.
Namgung Baek’s eyes flickered as he stared at the younger man.
‘That man is—!’
Walking with dignified bearing, the man seemed every inch the central figure of this General Assembly.
It was the Four Absolutes String Gentleman, Tang Sewoon.
“Clan Head Tang! No, forgive me—Elder Tang, you have arrived!”
“Haha, it has been a while, Sect Leader of the Divine Physician’s Hall.”
Having replaced the ousted Hwangbo Clan among the Seven Great Clans was none other than the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Their Clan Head, Hundred Poison Hand Tang Muyeol, had risen to the position of Elder of the Murim Alliance.
Yet not a single person in the martial world raised objection to the Alliance’s decision.
That was because new revelations had come to light during the selection process.
Immortal’s Cripple.
The very Supreme Poison that had once made the Sichuan Tang Clan a symbol of fear.
It was revealed that they had finally reclaimed it.
From that day forth, the list of the Eight Extreme Poisons had been revised, and the Tang Clan had rightfully claimed its place among the Seven Great Clans.
Ssschhk.
At that moment, a master and disciple blocked the path of Tang Muyeol and Sewoon.
Namgung Baek and the others looked on with surprise.
‘They are…’
It was the Grand Elder of the Mount Hainan Sect, Sea Sword Demon Wi Tae-do, and his foremost disciple, Nam Mujin.
Particularly, Wi Tae-do looked less like a martial artist and more like an old sailor who had weathered decades of sea wind and scorching sun.
His body reeked of the ocean, and his distinct white eyebrows jutted sharply upward, like the wings of a seagull.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“….”
Even at Tang Muyeol’s question, Wi Tae-do remained silent, glaring with fierce eyes.
The air grew tense.
Since the Rear Dragon Guard Leader, Sun Ugon, who had once tried to assassinate Sewoon, had been Wi Tae-do’s disciple, the onlookers worried that some new disaster might erupt.
“Elder Tang, it is an honor to meet you. I am Nam Mujin of Mount Hainan.”
“Hmm, indeed. A pleasure.”
“I have yet to properly thank you, Great Master Tang, and for that I apologize.”
Nam Mujin bowed in greeting on behalf of his master.
Though Sewoon was clearly far younger than he, Nam Mujin’s eyes brimmed with respect and awe as he looked at him.
“There is nothing to thank me for. Anyone would have acted the same to save an ally.”
“An ally…!”
Nam Mujin murmured, nodding deeply.
It was as if he were engraving Sewoon’s words into his very mind.
“Once again, I have received great teaching.”
“Not at all. How could I teach someone like you, Senior?”
“In learning, there is no such thing as senior or junior.”
Sewoon was visibly flustered at Nam Mujin’s attitude.
Even Namgung Baek found it bewildering.
Not only did Nam Mujin, his sister Tang Serin’s close friend, address Sewoon as ‘Great Master,’ but he also treated him with the utmost courtesy, as if before a senior of many decades.
And then—
“My apologies.”
“!!”
The one who had kept silent until now, Wi Tae-do, finally spoke.
What came from his mouth was not words of anger nor reproach, but an apology.
The stubborn martial artist, who had once declared he would rather lose his head than bow, now lowered it before Sewoon.
“I committed an unforgivable sin and even received immeasurable grace, yet I was so ashamed I could not bring myself to speak.”
“……!”
“When Mujin returned alive from the brink of death, I came to my senses. Before drowning myself in drink to forget reality, I should have gone to the Tang Clan first, bowed my head, and apologized.”
After Sun Ugon’s death, rumors had spread throughout the martial world that Wi Tae-do had drowned himself in liquor.
But now it seemed it was not vengeance that consumed him, but shame for having failed to guide his disciple properly.
At that moment, silence settled over the surroundings.
“Grand Elder. I have already forgotten it all.”
The person concerned, Sewoon, spoke.
“Besides, the trouble was caused by Sun Ugon alone.”
“……!”
“You never owed me any debt in the first place, Grand Elder.”
Wi Tae-do’s pupils trembled violently at Sewoon’s words.
Tang Muyeol, who belatedly met his eyes, also gave a small nod, agreeing with his son.
Barely restraining his surging emotions, Wi Tae-do replied.
“…Thank you.”
“Grand Elder, please, speak comfortably. I am but a humble youth at the end of my studies.”
“Would that truly be acceptable?”
“Yes, of course.”
A warm atmosphere was forming between the Sichuan Tang Clan, the Mount Hainan Sect, and the two factions.
In the chaotic state of the martial world, this peaceful reconciliation even stirred feelings of emotion in those watching.
But—
The eyes of the Alliance Leader’s faction, the only ones watching them, were filled with savage hostility.
-So, is the Mount Hainan Sect turning toward the Alliance Leader’s faction now?
Namgung Baek could almost see through the thoughts running in their minds.
‘Truly pathetic.’
They saw everything only as part of factional division and political maneuvering.
But Namgung Baek’s thoughts on Sewoon differed from theirs.
That was no act. It was genuine.
Completely unlike the hypocrites surrounding them.
Just look at that clear and sincere Profound Qi shining in Sewoon’s eyes.
“Oh, Sewoon. You are here!”
Then, from the entrance, someone called out to Sewoon in a familiar tone.
Sewoon, who had been speaking with Wi Tae-do, naturally turned around.
And frowned instantly.
“Elder Tang, greetings! I am Jang Sopyeong of the Beggars’ Sect, Sewoon’s closest friend and confidant!”
“…Did I not already ask you not to call me that?”
“Ah, my friend, why so cold again?”
“Haa, Senior.”
“Ehh, what Senior? Once you’ve declared friendship, that is the end of it.”
…Friend?
Everyone, including Namgung Baek, was taken aback by their exchange.
For two men with more than a decade between them, the word ‘friend’ did not seem to fit at all.
“Did you not agree in the end?”
“No, back then I was just trying to get out of that drinking party—”
“Haha, so you admit it! Then, I shall see you in the meeting hall later!”
Jang Sopyeong disappeared into the meeting hall, leaving behind Sewoon, who glared at him with burning eyes full of displeasure.
Sewoon shook his head, utterly exasperated.
“Ohho, so this is why the crowd had gathered. Sewoon, you were here.”
“-!”
As if hearing a long-missed voice, Sewoon’s demeanor instantly shifted.
He greeted the speaker with joy.
“You have come, Lord Geum Hwa.”
“Fufu, yes. It has been a while.”
“It has indeed, Clan Head Tang. Or rather, Elder Tang now. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“It feels as though the Sichuan Tang Clan has simply returned to the place it was always meant to be. You have endured much hardship, Elder Tang.”
After exchanging greetings with Tang Muyeol, Geum Hwa turned her eyes back to Sewoon.
Her gaze held sincere concern.
“I worried greatly, but I am relieved to see you look well.”
“I am only sorry to have caused such worry.”
“Think nothing of it. I hear the New Monk cared for you?”
“Yes, it was all thanks to him.”
Namgung Baek looked at Sewoon with genuine astonishment.
‘…How is it that not even a year into the martial world, he has already built such deep bonds with figures of this stature?’
Sewoon had earned strong friendships across the Nine Sects and One Gang, as well as the Seven Great Clans.
As with any place people gathered, new factions in the Murim Alliance usually suffered through hazing and ostracism.
Even the now-expelled Hwangbo Clan had been treated with scorn and disregard in their early days.
Of course, much of that was because nearly everyone knew they were mere puppets of the Namgung Clan.
Still, the Sichuan Tang Clan’s presence now felt completely different from the Hwangbo Clan’s beginnings.
“I hear my disciple once again caused you trouble?”
“Trouble? Not at all.”
“Rather, I received great help.”
“Mm? Truly?”
“Yes. I had meant to visit, but since Lady Do is still in recovery, I refrained.”
Geum Hwa tilted her head slightly, sensing something different from what she had been told.
“Ha Yeong, what are you doing? Come and greet Young Lord Tang.”
“Ah, yes!”
From afar, Ha Yeong ran over hurriedly.
Yet even then, for some reason, she hid slightly behind her master’s back.
Sewoon greeted her with a bright smile.
“I am truly grateful for your help the other day, Lady Do.”
“N-no, not at all.”
“I shall visit you personally to repay the debt.”
“N-no, it’s fine.”
The warmth in Sewoon’s eyes and tone, so different from usual, left her visibly flustered.
Memories of her past actions against him surged back, and strangely, both her cheeks burned hot.
‘Oh my, this child…’
Noticing it belatedly, Geum Hwa’s expression turned curious.
It was the delight of discovering a new side to her disciple.
Soon, a playful glint shone in her eyes.
With a mischievous smile, she spoke to Tang Muyeol.
“Hmmm, I suppose we shall be seeing you quite often from now on, Elder Tang.”
“…Pardon? What do you mean?”
“Hoho, nothing at all.”
At that moment, just as the air grew subtly peculiar, members of the Hwangbo Clan joined the conversation, making the courtyard even livelier.
Namgung Baek, who had been watching it all, slowly turned his body.
‘Huu, I suppose I should go in now.’
Just as he began to step toward the meeting hall—
[Greetings, Young Master Namgung.]
“…!!”
Suddenly, a voice whispered into his ear through telepathy.
Though he had never spoken with the person before, the voice was all too familiar.
And it was only natural.
He had been listening to this person all along.
As Namgung Baek discreetly turned his head so no one would notice—
The one who had sent him the telepathic message,
Tang Sewoon, was calmly meeting his gaze.
But why him…
[Would you deliver my words to Clan Head Namgung?]
Was he seeking to hold a secret conversation with his father?