The Righteous Faction Assembly had come to an end.
Honestly, I wasn’t particularly curious about the contents, but given my position, I had to know.
Depending on the outcome, the future schedule I had laid out in advance could be thrown into disarray.
Precisely because the very fact that my plans might change was such an enormous matter right now.
I had to commit the information to memory.
I asked Cheol Ji-seon about what I had missed while asleep.
“What happened?”
“…Uh, well….”
Cheol Ji-seon hesitated for a moment at my question, but before long, he began to explain.
What the Alliance Leader had begun with was, naturally, the story of the raid incident.
—How had things turned out this way.
Starting from the beginning.
—What on earth had the Murim Alliance been doing.
How had the Alliance responded in the interim leading up to this result.
—What did they plan to do going forward.
Now that the deed was done, how did they intend to handle it.
Starting from the heated claims of the Murim Alliance’s incompetence.
Along with the families of the victims.
The great families and martial sects that had suffered damage across the board because their reputations had been tarnished. And even the merchant guilds that sponsored the Alliance.
The Murim Alliance had to produce something definitive regarding this matter.
Otherwise,
‘…Even if it doesn’t come to dissolution, things would become considerably difficult.’
If they disbanded the Alliance immediately, problems could arise even in the cities protected by the Alliance forces.
If the branches disappeared, the great families or martial sects in charge of those regions would begin managing them, but—
when weighing the costs and human resources involved, those forces couldn’t be withdrawn recklessly.
Because everyone knew that, no one would be able to act rashly.
So, what was the conclusion?
First.
The Murim Alliance decided that the Divine Dragon Hall would temporarily close.
Graduating a single class and then closing temporarily afterward had been the expected schedule, but—
not only was it impossible to continue the Divine Dragon Hall after this incident,
naturally, those who had entrusted their blood descendants and successors there would not wish for it either.
Thus, the Divine Dragon Hall decided to close temporarily without a graduating class.
Hearing this, what came to mind was:
‘It’s not permanent closure?’
The fact that the Divine Dragon Hall was taking the form of a temporary closure rather than permanent closure.
I had naturally expected the Divine Dragon Hall to close permanently because of this incident.
It seemed they only intended to take the form of a temporary closure, contrary to my expectations.
If I thought about the reason for this choice,
‘Probably because of damnable honor.’
It would be because of the fame and honor the Divine Dragon Hall possessed.
In the current world where martial artists were synonymous with swordsmen, the value of the reputation of being a Divine Dragon Hall graduate was considerable.
The connections formed simply by being from that place.
The sense of collective identity that came from there also helped one’s blood descendants rise to high positions later.
In other words,
in the end, it was no different from postponing permanent closure for their own interests.
The Murim Alliance had likely brought up the word “temporary closure” because they knew that as well.
‘It leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but… in the end.’
Whatever the case, the Divine Dragon Hall had closed temporarily.
And this was something that had never happened in my previous life.
‘Though there hadn’t been a raid at all to begin with.’
Where things had started to diverge, I couldn’t even guess anymore.
I simply had to nod.
If I tried to dwell on everything in my head, there would be no end; I simply had to adapt to the changes.
Next was the disposition regarding the Great Demon who had attempted the raid.
The Murim Alliance issued an official announcement regarding the identity of the person who had raided the Divine Dragon Hall: the Black Dragon Sword (黑龍劍).
The crowd buzzed.
It was only natural.
Speaking of the Black Dragon Sword, he was a demonic faction martial artist who had been executed by the current Sword Sovereign, Wi Hyo-gun, who was called the Typhoon Sword of the era.
Records stated that he had already been beheaded and met his death.
And such a Black Dragon Sword was alive?
Moreover, that such a figure had not only been alive but had drawn his sword against the righteous faction again after decades.
It seemed to be quite a shocking story to those gathered here.
With the Alliance existing.
The fragile peace that could be maintained only because the monsters known as the Three Venerables were of the righteous faction.
Had they truly not known that this could shatter at any moment?
It would be correct to say they were that intoxicated by peace.
They said the Black Dragon Sword, currently imprisoned in the Alliance’s jail, was scheduled to be transferred to the Tang Clan afterward.
‘The Tang Clan?’
I had to frown upon hearing that.
Because I was suspicious of the reason for sending him to the Tang Clan rather than keeping him in the Alliance.
‘Why?’
The road to Sichuan was considerably long, too.
If it were for interrogation, doing it at the Alliance would be safer.
Why go so far as to transfer him over such a long distance to do something at the Tang Clan?
Though that question flashed through my mind.
A bigger problem arose here.
Because it was an assembly, it wasn’t a place where the Alliance Leader ranted alone; the problem was that it was a place where questions strictly went back and forth.
You could say it was something of a debate floor.
In such a situation, the one who had captured the Black Dragon Sword was me.
Those who wanted to know what kind of situation it had been tried to question me.
…The problem was that I had been sleeping, leaning on my father’s shoulder at the time.
What kind of embarrassing sight was a scion of a prestigious family sprawled out sleeping at an assembly?
Moreover, I had no memory of waking up from that situation.
What in the world was going on?
‘Was the backlash so great that I couldn’t wake up…?’
That could be it, but—
here, Cheol Ji-seon blurted out some strange words in a thoroughly terrified voice.
“…Your father… is incredibly scary.”
“What?”
“No… it’s nothing, nothing at all.”
Cheol Ji-seon trembled, looking as though he didn’t want to remember.
What on earth had he seen to act like that?
Just as I was about to snap at Cheol Ji-seon to finish what he started if he was going to talk,
“…So, I received the questions in your place while you were sleeping.”
“…”
At the words he spat out with an expression as though he had attained enlightenment,
I had to clamp my mouth shut involuntarily.
Only then did I understand why he had been looking at me with that dying expression, as if resenting me.
I, who should have been fielding questions at the assembly, had been sleeping.
Because I couldn’t be woken no matter what happened,
they had thrown the questions at Cheol Ji-seon, who had attended with me.
The head of a prestigious family.
The sect leader of a renowned sect.
The heads of the merchant guilds that formed the Central Plains had questioned Cheol Ji-seon like madmen.
This meant it was quite overwhelming for the timid Cheol Ji-seon to handle.
Moreover, since he lived hiding his name despite bearing the Zhuge surname,
he must have been even more terrified.
“…Th… thanks for your hard work.”
“…”
That was all I could say.
Cheol Ji-seon still looked exhausted. He appeared as though he might collapse at any moment, but
he shook his head and continued speaking.
Various contents had been exchanged,
but only after hearing everything could I consider there to be three important matters.
—The Divine Dragon Hall decided to close temporarily for at least ten years.
—The Alliance took the incident seriously and declared war on the Demonic Faction.
And,
the most important thing.
Since this incident had erupted, someone had to take responsibility.
Even if there was no fault.
People needed someone to blame more than they needed the truth.
This was something that wouldn’t end unless someone took responsibility for it.
Therefore, the Alliance found those who would take responsibility and announced them.
First.
The sect leader of the Kunlun Sect.
Qinghai First Sword decided to step down from the position of sect leader, holding himself responsible.
Hearing that, I involuntarily clenched my fist.
Since the sect leader had caused an incident and stepped down from the position of sect leader,
it was no different from a huge flaw being left on Kunlun itself.
Unlike in my previous life, where Qinghai First Sword had fallen to become a demon and stepped down from the sect leader position—
though he had stepped down from the sect leader position this time as well,
the situation had flowed in a completely different direction.
‘To think he would step down from the sect leader position.’
Probably because the person serving as administrator was Qinghai First Sword,
it seemed to mean he would take that responsibility, but
I couldn’t help feeling like shit.
‘Besides.’
The problem wasn’t limited to that.
Qinghai First Sword stepping down was a considerable matter, but
there was an even bigger problem remaining.
That was precisely—
—Falling Sword Jang Cheon also chose to take responsibility and step down from the current Alliance Leader position.
Falling Sword, who had been active as Alliance Leader for over ten years,
had decided to step down from the Alliance Leader position just like Qinghai First Sword.
“…The Alliance Leader?”
The moment I heard it from Cheol Ji-seon, my head whipped around.
Falling Sword was quitting as Alliance Leader?
“What the hell….”
“Besides, the moment the Alliance Leader brought it up, people’s reactions were enormous.”
“Of course they would be…!”
Jang Cheon giving up the Alliance Leader position was absolutely no small matter.
Taking responsibility and stepping down?
He could do that.
He could do that, but if this happened, it meant the Alliance Leader position would become vacant.
Which meant they had to select a new Alliance Leader.
If that happened, things would become considerably complicated.
In my previous life, the Alliance Leader had been Jang Cheon.
The one who had taken the Alliance Leader seat immediately after the Blood Calamity was none other than Wi Seol-ah.
But if Jang Cheon were to quit as Alliance Leader now,
‘Who would become the next Alliance Leader?’
The next Alliance Leader absolutely had to be chosen.
Because the Murim Alliance was called the symbol of the righteous faction,
the Alliance Leader seat could not be left vacant.
“Ha….”
The situation was spinning too wildly out of control.
That the Alliance Leader position would become vacant.
This was a development I had never expected.
******************
The sun had already set.
Leading my tired head, I headed to an inn.
It was a place Lady Mi had hinted at beforehand.
Likely a place where all the Gu Clan members would be gathered.
The streets of Henan felt like they had the most people of any day I’d seen recently.
It was so packed that I could hardly take a step, but—
after leaping over the rooftops a few times, I fortunately arrived at my destination with ease.
There were rather few people around the inn.
Lady Mi had apparently rented out the entire inn, so that was likely thanks to that.
Just as I arrived at the inn and was about to open the door and enter,
“Hey… Yang Cheon.”
Cheol Ji-seon, who had been on my back, urgently called out to me.
“What.”
“Is it really okay for me to go…?”
“Madam said it was fine. So it should be fine.”
“B-but still….”
Cheol Ji-seon spoke to me, seeming anxious.
The reason being, Cheol Ji-seon was also attending the meal.
This guy had said his family wasn’t coming anyway, and I felt sorry for dragging him around everywhere,
so I had invited him thinking I should at least feed him.
When I asked if I could eat with a friend, I recalled Lady Mi wearing a somehow pleasant smile.
“R-really… is it okay? Someone like me….”
“What wouldn’t be okay about it? Stop whining and follow me.”
“Urk…!”
Having said that, I dumped Cheol Ji-seon off my back.
Since we had arrived, I was telling him to walk on his own.
Leaving Cheol Ji-seon to rub his bottom, I opened the inn door first.
As the door opened, the splendid interior came into view.
Inns were all like that by nature, but perhaps because there were few people inside,
it stood out even more.
As I stepped inside, someone welcomed me.
“Oh! Long time no see.”
A giant of a man approached with a hearty laugh.
It was First Elder Gu Ryun.
To me, it was a face I hadn’t seen in a few months, just like Lady Mi and Gu Huibi.
For some reason, I felt especially glad to see him.
“It’s been a while.”
“Have you been well?”
Haha—!
First Elder laughed heartily and pounded my back with heavy thuds.
…it still hurt like hell.
Though it was a sign of affection, this old man still had a heavy hand.
“Oho. Yang Cheon.”
“…Yes.”
When I answered while enduring the pain, First Elder put on a creepy smile.
“You’ve gotten sturdier in the time I haven’t seen you. I quite like it.”
As he said that, he showed off his forearm muscles.
His muscles swelled to the point that his martial uniform looked pitifully strained.
Like they would burst if tapped?
“You seem to be doing well, First Elder.”
“Keke! I’ve always been well! You seem to have been quite well, Yang Cheon. I heard you received a new epithet this time? What was it. Soyeom….”
“I’m hungry.”
I barged past before First Elder could spit out something strange.
Because I didn’t really want to hear it.
— Hm? Who are you?
— Ah… Greetings. I am Cheol Ji-seon of the Cheol family….
— Ah, so you’re the fellow they say is our Yang Cheon’s friend. But how is a lad so scrawny. Those arms….
— Yes? Uh… wait…! Aagh!
A scream burst from Cheol Ji-seon, who was caught by First Elder right after, but
I ignored it.
‘I’ll remember you as a fine sacrifice.’
After sending my condolences to Cheol Ji-seon, I headed toward where the Gu Clan members would be gathered.
Creeeak.
Upon opening one more door and entering, I saw many familiar faces, including Lady Mi and my father.
“Hm?”
They were people I had naturally expected to be there since it was a family meal, but
amidst that,
“…What?”
An unimaginable person was sitting there together.