The hour had just passed noon.
Hannam was as crowded as ever, yet today felt unusually intense.
The inns were each packed so full that not another soul could enter,
and chairs had been dragged in from who knew where to make more space.
The waiters, too, were passing a time busier than ever.
“One more Bamboo Leaf Green over here!”
“Coming right up!”
The murmuring voices filled the packed crowd.
Naturally so, given that far more people had gathered than usual.
Still, if there was one thing different from usual, it was the path left open through the bustling throng.
Perhaps that was why it felt like even more people had gathered.
A road prepared by clearing the crowd, as if to let people or carriages pass.
And onlookers stood in lines, keeping watch so as not to encroach upon that path.
The reason for this complicated yet orderly preparation was none other.
“They’re here… they’ve come!”
At someone’s shout, the murmuring fell silent in an instant.
The road leading to the martial arts alliance.
From the entrance, those who spotted something turned their gazes to one spot.
Thud.
Someone was walking from afar. No, not someone. A dense group could be seen entering together.
They all wore similar martial uniforms, with swords at their waists.
Seeing this, someone said,
“It’s the Wudang…!”
The group that appeared were the people of the Wudang Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects.
They had come from Hubei for today’s Righteous Faction Conference.
Which meant that the one at the very front of that group was none other than—
“The Wudang Sword Immortal…!”
An old man wearing the Taoist robes unique to the Wudang Sect, his long white hair tied neatly.
A martial artist of the highest caliber, with sharp eyes and a faintly emanating Taoist air.
It was said he mainly used flying sword techniques,
and he was one of the names always included among the Five Greatest Swordsmen under heaven.
The Wudang Sword Immortal passed through the crowd and, guided by members of the Alliance who had been waiting, entered the Murim Alliance.
The Wudang martial artists did not take long to enter the Alliance from the gate, but
the people watched with delight.
When would they ever again get to see the sect leader of the Wudang Sect, a master among masters?
Moreover, there were still many more martial artists yet to enter by this road besides the Wudang Sword Immortal.
That was precisely why so many people were standing along the street watching.
The Righteous Faction Conference meant that major figures would attend in great numbers,
which meant they could see them up close like this.
Watching all this from afar, I found myself wearing an incredulous expression.
“They could’ve just taken carriages. They’re doing this on purpose.”
I wondered why. It’s not like the Wudang Sect is broke.
I had wondered why they bothered walking here instead of using carriages,
but with people standing guard like this,
it looked like the martial artists heading to the Alliance were deliberately taking their time as a show.
Was it some kind of tacit agreement?
A performance for the people who had gathered to see them?
‘What a farce.’
It was so absurd a laugh was all that came out.
If this were a martial arts tournament or some festival, I could understand that kind of behavior.
Those are events meant to be enjoyed, so something like that would be fine.
‘But did they really need to do this at a conference?’
At a meeting where they were supposed to decide on the Murim Alliance’s future responses and schedule.
I had to wonder if there was any need to put on such a clown show.
Well, if it was for public opinion,
I didn’t really have much to say.
‘No wonder they told me to come through the entrance too.’
Something felt fishy, so not going had been a stroke of divine inspiration.
If I had gone that way, I’d have drawn everyone’s gaze at once like the Wudang Sword Immortal just did.
‘Though maybe they wouldn’t even know who I was.’
No, on second thought, the martial artist’s name heard most often in Hannam these days was mine.
This is such bullshit, seriously.
I smoothed my furrowed brow and looked at the guy trembling nonstop beside me.
“Hey, buddy. Stop shaking. You’ll make the roof collapse.”
“H… hnn… h… ugh…”
Don’t tell me that was his answer.
At that pathetic sight, I let out a sigh.
The guy shaking like he was about to drop dead was none other than Cheol Jiseon.
Surprisingly, among the junior experts attending the Righteous Faction Conference was Cheol Jiseon’s name.
Seeing that, I had my doubts.
Nangong Biya and Tang Xiaolie hadn’t been called, yet out of nowhere, Cheol Jiseon.
“You’ve been like this since yesterday.”
“…N…no. I haven’t?”
“The hell you haven’t. Do you remember how much you were shaking when you ate?”
“…”
Cheol Jiseon’s eyes spun wildly, showing just how nervous he was.
Taking a guy like this to the Murim Alliance
was giving me vertigo.
‘I’d rather have brought Pae Ucheol or Gu Jeolyeop.’
They would’ve been better in this kind of situation.
“Hah.”
My head is throbbing.
As I was running a hand through my hair,
another cheer burst out from below.
“It’s the Tang Clan…!”
There had been a few cheers after the Wudang group as well,
but nothing like this.
Well, of course.
The figure that appeared was none other than the head of one of the Four Great Clans.
My gaze naturally turned to the street.
Row after row of Tang Clan uniforms that Tang Xiaolie often wore came pouring in.
The difference between sects and clans was felt right here.
The Wudang, who were considered Taoists, did not adorn themselves much,
unlike the Tang Clan—known as the clan of iron that supplied weapons to various clans and sword alliances, said to stand at the highest position—who reeked of money.
Looking at that, I realized Tang Xiaolie didn’t dress up nearly as much as I thought.
‘There he is.’
I could see the middle-aged man walking at the very front.
A man wearing a deep green silk robe that seemed to shine.
Just looking at him gave me a tingling, sharp sensation at the tip of my tongue.
‘The Poison King, Tang Tianqi.’
The head of the Tang Clan, a man who currently stood at the pinnacle in matters of poison.
This was so until Tang Xiaolie achieved invulnerability to all poisons and came to be called the “Poison Soarer.”
‘He has a kind-looking face, though.’
I had wondered why Tang Xiaolie of the Tang Clan—a bloodline famous for poison and dark schemes—looked so innocent,
but I could see the reason in that man’s face.
His build was also on the smaller side compared to other martial artists.
About a bit smaller than me.
And since I’m pretty small myself, the Poison King must truly have a diminutive physique.
‘Did I not get a proper look at him last time?’
It was from a martial assembly I had attended a few years ago.
I think I had avoided meeting the Poison King back then, using one thing or another as an excuse for being busy.
Recalling that, a hollow laugh escaped me.
‘I was crazy back then.’
To think a bloodline of a renowned family would visit one of the Four Great Clans and not even see the clan head’s face.
I was in a hurry back then so I didn’t know, but looking back, I must have been quite insane.
‘It’s a wonder my father didn’t get angry.’
My trip to Sichuan was forced, but that’s not what he sent me there for.
It’s nothing short of amazing that I really just went, snatched up some fortuitous encounters, and came back.
As I was thinking that,
“Hey… Yangcheon…”
Cheol Jiseon called out to me in a trembling voice.
“What.”
“Are we going to stay here…?”
“It’s kind of fun. You don’t think so?”
“…I think I’m going to vomit.”
“…”
Hearing that, I frowned deeply. Cheol Jiseon flinched when he saw my face.
“Ah, no, it’s fine. We can watch more.”
“Don’t piss yourself, man. It’s not because of that.”
Cheol Jiseon was right that there wasn’t really a need to watch.
‘I wonder who else is coming.’
First, those from the Nine Great Sects who had announced their attendance
were the Kunlun Sect, the Wudang Sect, and Shaolin and the Beggar Sect, more or less.
The remaining sects had expressed their intention not to attend.
‘I wonder why.’
It was a bit questionable to hear.
An assembly of this scale—it’s not strange for everyone to come.
Above all, with Yingfeng and the Sword Queen already here, I was especially surprised that the Huashan Sect said they wouldn’t attend.
“Hmm…”
Full of questions.
Since this wasn’t something I could figure out just by thinking, I rose from where I sat and spoke to Cheol Jiseon.
“Let’s go.”
“Huh? R-really?”
“Yeah. It’d be weird for a junior like me to show up late.”
“O-okay.”
With such big shots arriving, it would be quite uncomfortable if juniors like us didn’t attend.
The world is one that cares so much about such things; it can’t be helped.
‘Anyway, I don’t like it.’
That wasn’t the only thing bothering me.
If I go, I’ll probably face the White Heaven Sword Lord again.
That bothered me quite a bit.
But that too was unavoidable, so I bit my lower lip once,
kicked off, and hopped lightly down from the building.
Then,
Cheol Jiseon, left on the roof, looked at Gu Yangcheon, who had suddenly vanished, and spoke.
“…What about me?”
His voice was full of confusion.
And no wonder.
Gu Yangcheon was the one who had brought Cheol Jiseon onto this roof,
and he didn’t have the ability to get down in one go.
******************
A waiting room prepared inside the Murim Alliance.
The waiting room prepared for important guests was filled with an indescribable weight.
It was not because of the interior itself,
but because the unique auras emanating from those gathered there were all heavy.
This was a place prepared for the heads of the great clans to wait,
and those gathered were naturally the masters of the Four Great Clans, known as the renowned families.
Near the head seat, a man with a rather diminutive build was quietly sipping the tea set before him.
He was the master of the Tang Clan.
The Poison King, Tang Tianqi.
The clan heads around him had to be tense at his every action.
That was the position held by the master of the Four Great Clans in the Central Plains.
Tang Tianqi knew this all too well, so he was simply passing the time drinking his tea quietly.
The moment he took a sip of tea,
someone opened the door and entered.
Bang—!
The sound of the door opening was incredibly rough and loud.
“Ah, well now. It seems I am quite late.”
Unlike Tang Tianqi, who had a diminutive build, the man who entered was of enormous size.
A giant wearing dark martial robes, his face covered in scars.
Tang Tianqi checked the man and let out a sigh internally.
Because he did not want to exchange words with that boorish man.
But since they had already met, he could not act like a child.
Tang Tianqi forced a smile and greeted the man.
“It has been a while, Clan Head Peng.”
“Greetings, Clan Head Tang. Have you been well?”
The giant’s identity was Peng Zhou, the head of the Hebei Peng Clan, the “Blade King.”
“Of course. I have been well, as always.”
“That is a relief.”
After that short conversation, which carried a prickly air,
Peng Zhou naturally walked over and sat across from Tang Tianqi.
“Clan Head Tang. I heard you arrived yesterday.”
“That is correct.”
“Why did you come so early? You came from far away; you should have taken it slowly.”
It was a way of asking, what was so urgent that you came this early?
Catching this, Tang Tianqi scoffed and replied.
“Since I came from afar, I took care to not be late. That is all.”
This meant, that is basic etiquette, you fool who doesn’t even know that.
After exchanging these words, the two men shared a brief silence,
“Hahaha!”
“Hahahaha!”
then looked at each other and laughed, as if they had been waiting for this.
“Even after so long, Clan Head Tang is the same.”
“Likewise. Clan Head Peng is also unchanged. Ah, though you do seem a bit more shrewd.”
—So much time has passed, yet your realm is as stagnant as ever.
—Look in a mirror. Your face is melting away.
With each exchange of words carrying hidden barbs, the imposing aura between the two grew denser.
The martial artists of the Alliance watching them from the walls were terrified this might turn into a bloodbath,
and the clan heads waiting together were all beside themselves.
Just then,
Creak.
The door opened again, and someone else appeared.
This time, it was the White Heaven Sword Lord, Murong Tai.
Unlike the old days when he wore rags, Murong Tai was quite splendid, befitting the master of the Murong family, renowned for its merchant companies.
From the obviously extraordinary quality of his clothes
to the ornaments on his waist and arms, everything was remarkably beautiful.
At this, Tang Tianqi stood up.
“It has been a while, Clan Head Murong.”
His voice and expression were completely different from when he had met Clan Head Peng moments before.
And for good reason—the Tang Clan was currently collaborating with the Murong merchant companies,
and the results were quite favorable.
Thus, Tang Tianqi had no choice but to welcome Murong Tai.
Seeing Tang Tianqi express his welcome, Murong Tai also smiled gently.
“Have you been well, Clan Head Tang?”
“Come, sit here.”
At Tang Tianqi’s words, Murong Tai naturally went to sit.
Watching this, Peng Zhou had to let out a scoff.
“It has been a while.”
“Greetings, Clan Head Peng.”
Despite Murong Tai’s greeting, Peng Zhou’s gaze was rather cold.
Murong Tai said nothing about that gaze and simply returned the greeting.
Perhaps that reaction displeased him somehow.
Peng Zhou furrowed his brows and moved his lips.
“Clan Head Murong.”
“Yes.”
“I heard you were here seven days and nights ago. Is that so?”
“That is correct.”
At Murong Tai’s nonchalant answer, Peng Zhou laughed shortly.
It was a clear sneer.
“Why were you in such a rush to hurry all the way to Hannam?”
“My daughter suffered a terrible ordeal. I had to come immediately. I thought it only natural as a father.”
At Murong Tai’s words, Peng Zhou’s eyebrows twitched.
“Does that mean the rest of us are lacking as fathers?”
At Peng Zhou’s nitpicking,
Murong Tai looked at Peng Zhou with a strange gaze.
Anyone could see it was obvious provocation.
But despite that reaction, Murong Tai smiled softly, in contrast to his cold features, and gave an answer.
“That was not my intention. But if Clan Head Peng took it that way,”
Slosh.
The sound of tea being poured into Murong Tai’s cup rang especially loud.
“I suppose it must be so.”
Creak.
Upon hearing Murong Tai’s answer, a fierce aura billowed from Peng Zhou’s shoulder.
Knowing this would turn into a mess if left alone,
Tang Tianqi let out a sigh and tried to intervene, rising from his seat the moment he saw this—
Saaaaah—!
“…!”
The clan heads in the waiting room all turned their heads toward the door at once.
Because an indescribable presence was felt from the direction of the door.
Thud… thud…
Was it because they sensed the presence?
The footsteps sounded exceptionally loud.
Though they were not loud at all, they rang with unbearable clarity.
Before long,
Screech.
The door slowly opened, and the owner of the presence revealed himself.
Was it an illusion?
For a moment, I had the impression that heat was flooding into the waiting room the instant the door opened.
Peng Zhou widened his eyes upon checking the being who opened the door and entered.
Because it was an unexpected figure.
‘Him… truly.’
The reason for his shock was none other. He had heard the news that this man was coming,
but it was amazing that he had really left Shanxi,
and it was amazing to feel such tension from him.
The man who entered swept the room once with his uniquely fierce eyes.
The clan heads who met his gaze flinched unconsciously.
Because his gaze was so cold.
“…”
Perhaps having finished his assessment,
the man moved his steps amid the uncomfortable silence.
His steps were directed toward where the heads of the Four Great Clans were gathered.
One would think he might hesitate upon seeing them,
but the man kept walking as if nothing was wrong,
and soon,
Screech.
He nonchalantly pulled out the chair at the head seat and sat down.
It happened in far too short a moment,
yet not a single person in the room could utter a word until the deed was done.
The man seemed to enjoy that silence as he quietly surveyed the situation, then spat out a single word.
“Greetings.”
It was a thick, heavy voice.
“I am Gu Cheolun.”