The party eventually arrived at the Martial Alliance.
"Ugh."
"Cough!"
Under normal circumstances, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen would have headed straight to their quarters, but due to the aftereffects of the horse stance, they were carefully climbing down from the carriage.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and get off."
Cheon-hui, who had gotten off first, urged them.
'Making a fuss just from doing the horse stance until we arrived in the carriage.'
He clicked his tongue and spat out his words.
"The last person to get off has to do the horse stance for one more shichen than the one I told you about a few days ago."
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen shrieked in terror.
"J-Junior Brother! Anything but that!"
"I, I can't do it anymore!"
"Why? Didn't you say you'd follow all my words? Are you giving up already? When you demanded to become stronger, when was that?"
Cough! Cough!
Cheon-hui's nonchalant words pierced their hearts like a single stroke killing a man.
It hadn't even been ten days since they had overcome their shame and desperately requested his teachings.
Yet they were already giving up.
It was so shameful they couldn't lift their faces.
"Ugh! Even so, I'm going first!"
"Little Senior Brother. Please yield a little!"
"I also did it twice yesterday. This time, Cheon-geuk Junior Brother should yield."
"I did it this morning!"
Without needing to say who would go first, they all forced their trembling legs to move.
"Hahaha."
Hyeon-jin smiled awkwardly as he watched the Plum Blossom Swordsmen desperately pushing forward.
"Fourth Senior Uncle Hyeon-jin, aren't you going to do it?"
When Cheon-hui asked while looking at him, cold sweat instantly streamed down his forehead.
"S-Shouldn't I make a report?"
"Really?"
"Haha. Then I'll be off."
Hyeon-jin left as if fleeing.
Watching him go, Cheon-hui opened his mouth.
"Can I also go out for a bit and come back?"
Instantly, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen welcomed the idea with both hands raised.
"Of course you can."
"Take your time and enjoy yourself while you're at it."
"Hmm."
Cheon-hui scanned them one by one as they tried to scheme, then smirked.
"If there are no signs of training when I get back, I won't teach you martial arts anymore, so keep that in mind."
The faces of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen changed to look like they had bitten into feces.
"You were all planning not to train once I leave, weren't you?"
Everyone forced a laugh.
"Ha, ha, ha. What do you mean by that?"
"Even without Junior Brother, we must continue training, right?"
"Well, I'll just keep that in mind for now."
As soon as Cheon-hui departed, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen simultaneously flopped down onto the ground.
"Hah, hah. I didn't know Junior Brother would be such a demon."
"But haven't you gotten stronger thanks to him?"
"The training is definitely tough, but the feeling is different every time I unleash my martial arts."
"And the martial arts he taught us are good too."
At that moment, Cheon-yu, who had been lying down, stood up.
"Let's move again."
One by one, they rose.
Their entire bodies' muscles were still screaming, but there was strength in their eyes.
Just as they were about to lead their exhausted bodies inside, Cheon-geuk asked.
"But is it okay to let Cheon-hui wander around the Martial Alliance alone?"
Gu Gyeom-wi smirked.
"What could happen to our youngest junior brother?"
In the past—no, even just a few days ago—they would have raised a commotion and searched for him if he disappeared, but now it was different.
'If it's Cheon-hui, he'll be safe.'
'Who's worrying about whom?'
Meanwhile, Cheon-hui was striding around the Martial Alliance alone, taking in the surrounding scenery.
"Was such a handsome young man among the Daoists of the Huashan Sect?"
"Isn't that the Daoist who came with the Huashan Divine Sword?"
Instantly, people's attention was captivated by Cheon-hui.
"But a Daoist robe in red and black is quite an unusual outfit."
Cheon-hui ignored their whispering and examined the surrounding landscape.
'Everything is good.'
Most of the pavilions visible when turning his head had good geographical locations, and even their exteriors were antique and fine.
'Except for our quarters.'
Cheon-hui, who was walking while inspecting each pavilion, soon nodded.
"I need to negotiate."
* * *
"Here it is."
Seol-geom received the letter Hyeon-jin handed over and smiled with satisfaction.
"You've worked hard."
His eyes held warmth.
'It was a good decision to join hands with the Huashan Sect.'
Zhongnan and Huashan.
He had joined hands with Huashan between the two.
Strictly speaking, it was an inevitable choice because the Strategist had joined hands with Zhongnan.
But perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.
In the past, he would have dismissed it as a declining sect, but now the situation was different.
A sect ready to soar.
In particular, the fame of the Huashan Divine Sword was rising day by day, and word was coming from close associates that he was making some kind of deal with the Alliance Leader.
'On top of that, they're all outstanding.'
With the defeat of the Black Howl Demon Slayer this time, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, including Il-hong-mae, had even earned nicknames.
Plum Blossom Seven Swords (梅花七劍).
'It's probably due to the Huashan Divine Sword's halo as well, but now the other Plum Blossom Swordsmen will also have their names known.'
Of course, the nickname wasn't obtained solely by their fame, but that alone was something.
At that moment, Hyeon-jin let out a sigh.
"Hoo, I'll consider the mission finished now."
"Originally, you would have taken a rest, but thank you for accepting the mission."
"It's fine. If I had left it to someone else, it would have actually been unsettling."
Hyeon-jin waved his hand as he looked at Seol-geom bowing his head politely.
This mission was actually something he could have refused, but having defeated the Black Howl Demon Slayer, he carried it out with a sense of responsibility.
"But please don't forget your promise."
"Hahaha. Don't worry. With the recent activities of the Huashan Divine Sword and the Plum Blossom Seven Swords, everyone is showing interest in the Huashan Sect. If things continue like this, the Huashan Sect's position within the Alliance will grow even larger."
"That's a relief."
Hyeon-jin nodded.
Then, he suddenly felt as if he had heard a strange nickname from the words Seol-geom had just let slip.
"What is the Plum Blossom Seven Swords?"
"Ah! You were at the Nangong Family until recently, so you probably don't know."
Seol-geom snapped his folding fan shut.
"It is a nickname separately given to the Great Hero and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen who defeated the Black Howl Demon Slayer this time."
"Seven Swords—does that mean it's a nickname that includes me and my disciples?"
Hyeon-jin asked, bewildered.
For a martial artist to receive a nickname meant they had gained that much fame.
But gaining such fame in just a few days was a difficult task.
"Perhaps defeating the Black Howl Demon Slayer acted as a catalyst; the deeds of the Great Hero and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen during this time became known, and they quickly obtained nicknames."
Hyeon-jin's expression brightened slightly.
Until now, his life at the Martial Alliance had been disillusioning.
No matter how many missions he performed, the fame he gained was so little that he was exhausted.
But now, a change had occurred.
And a change in a very good direction at that.
"Plum Blossom Seven Swords, a very fine nickname indeed."
It was only natural for his heart to be excited now that his disciples, whom he had led for a long time, finally had nicknames.
Seol-geom opened his folding fan and whispered.
"I'm glad it pleases you."
Hyeon-jin's eyes widened.
"Did the Vice Strategist create it?"
Instead of answering, Seol-geom curved the corners of his eyes.
That was enough.
"Thank you."
"Not at all. It is merely a shabby reward compared to the results of the missions you and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen have resolved for the Alliance."
"But may I ask what the deal requested from the Nangong Family is?"
Seol-geom's eyes wavered.
"I apologize. That was sent separately by the Alliance Leader..."
"Is that so?"
Hyeon-jin smacked his lips as if disappointed.
"Then I will visit again later."
"Hahaha. At that time, I will call for you with good news."
"I'll be waiting."
Eventually, Hyeon-jin left.
Clack.
Seol-geom set down his folding fan.
His face, which had been smiling broadly until just a moment ago, was stiff like a stone statue.
"Black Crow (黑烏)."
"Oh my, why is the great Vice Strategist calling for this dirty crow?"
A prickly answer came from above.
"You talk too much."
"Tsk, tsk, right. Why did you call me?"
"How do you see it?"
"It's not particularly special, but..."
Seol-geom nodded at the answer.
"I think so too."
"But that's why it's strange. How did that guy defeat the Black Howl Demon Slayer?"
"...Is the martial prowess of the Black Howl Demon Slayer known to the world true?"
"Rather, it was understated. The martial arts he possesses belong to the Blood Cult."
"The Blood Cult?!"
Seol-geom snapped his head up.
"How do you know that?"
When he asked while glaring at the ceiling, a voice full of laughter came not from above but from the left this time.
"There are ways to know everything."
"...."
Seol-geom bit his lip.
They had formed a temporary alliance due to a shared goal, but this Black Crow fellow's identity remained unknown to the end.
"It seems you have no intention of telling me."
"Were we ever close enough to share such things?"
At the voice mixed with laughter, Seol-geom calmly lowered his head again and asked.
"Then what about the Strategist?"
"The Strategist is the same as usual."
"...Has he still not come out?"
"Probably. If he went outside, the Alliance would be in an uproar. Especially since you know well how much the Alliance Leader cherishes the Strategist."
"...What about Wu-sang and Mun-sang?"
"They're the same as usual too."
"So nothing has changed."
"That's right."
"Then the Beggar's Sect Leader will also stay quiet."
"I don't know about him."
Black Crow answered firmly.
"It's more dangerous if we go."
Seol-geom bit his fingernails.
For the sake of the future as well, they had to create a change. A massive change capable of shaking the stagnant Martial Alliance.
At that moment, a sound transmission suddenly rang out.
『Hide your presence.』
While Seol-geom was panicking at Black Crow's urgent sound transmission.
Bang!
The door opened, and a familiar figure appeared.
"Why is the layout of this place so complicated?"
The Daoist Cheon-hui, who had opened the door, scanned his surroundings and spoke with a face full of complaints.
"So you were here."
"Young Hero Cheon-hui?"
Cold sweat broke out on Seol-geom's forehead.
"What brings you here?"
"I want to talk for a bit."
"Talk?"
"But there's a rat here."
Cheon-hui looked behind Seol-geom.
Seol-geom wondered what he meant and turned his head in that direction, only to discover a rat hole and smiled awkwardly.
"Haha. I suppose the pavilion is old, so rats must be wandering around."
"...Let's just talk first."
A while later, Cheon-hui drank the tea in front of him in one gulp and said to Seol-geom.
"I'll get straight to the point."
Just as Seol-geom was tensing up.
"Change our quarters, will you?"
"Ye...s?"
Seol-geom, who had been tensing up wondering what the request would be, let out a deflated voice.
"Quarters, you say?"
"Yes. I just looked around the Martial Alliance, and our quarters were the oldest."
"Ha, haha. That is true."
Seol-geom felt troubled.
The Huashan Sect's quarters being moved there was one of the things the Zhongnan Sect had forcefully demanded in the past.
"So change them for us, will you?"
"But since that's not a normally light matter..."
"So you're saying it can't be done?"
"You have to follow the steps gradually..."
"So you're telling me to shut up and stay in those quarters until then."
Seol-geom felt slightly annoyed at Cheon-hui's continuous pushing, but he smiled.
"It's not quite that."
Cheon-hui stared at Seol-geom.
"Hmm. If Fourth Senior Uncle Hyeon-jin saw the quarters, he would be quite pleased."
Seol-geom's smile broke.
"...Are you threatening me right now?"
"I'm just stating a fact."
"Haa, to advance an issue of that degree, you need a justification."
Seol-geom pressed his throbbing forehead.
"Think about it. If you suddenly change quarters just because your fame has risen, what would the other sects think?"
He continued his explanation logically.
"If you say the Martial Alliance supports the Huashan Sect just because you've now made a name for yourselves, you'll incur the jealousy of the other sects."
It was a valid point.
"So just a little... Ah!"
Clap!
Seol-geom clapped his hands as he was speaking.
"Would you consider solving a mission instead?"
"Mission?"
Cheon-hui frowned.
A mission out of nowhere.
But Seol-geom was serious.
"There is a recent mission that is a major headache. If you succeed, no one will be able to find fault with you even if you change your quarters."
"What kind of mission is it?"
"Do you know that the Water Dragon Bandits (水龍蔡), one of the Changjiang Water Route Bandits (長江水路寨), has been running rampant recently?"
"No."
"Hahaha."
Seol-geom smiled awkwardly.
"The problem is that the Water Dragon Bandits keep attacking those affiliated with our Alliance."
Huh? Wasn't that obvious?
It was natural for water bandits to attack.
But the words that followed made it clear what the problem was.
"In the past, it was resolved if we paid them money, but recently, they're ignoring us even when we give them money."
It was strange.
Water bandits refusing money?
"So, I'm asking if Young Hero could stay at the Changjiang and protect them from the atrocities of the Water Dragon Bandits?"
Cheon-hui frowned.
"Are you telling me to stay there continuously?"
"Haha. No. Our Alliance is also mustering personnel to resolve their attacks. However..."
Seol-geom burst into laughter.
"Since we're starting to muster them from now, it will take a little time."
"How long?"
"It will take about a month."
"A month?"
Cheon-hui furrowed his eyes.
It was an unexpectedly long time.
However.
"If I resolve that issue, I can come back early, right?"
'Resolve it?'
Seol-geom found it doubtful but answered.
"That's correct."
Cheon-hui answered immediately and stood up.
"Are you going right now?"
Seol-geom was the one flustered by that.
"Yes."
"Aren't you going to hear the details?"
"I'll know when I get there."
"But to prepare a carriage for the Plum Blossom Swordsmen to ride..."
"No. I'm going alone."
"Pardon?"
"It's more comfortable that way."
With those words, Cheon-hui left.
A while later, after confirming Cheon-hui's departure, Seol-geom smiled faintly.
"Heh heh, I was going to change the quarters anyway, so he's lucky."
He had already prepared separate quarters a long time ago through his deal with Hyeon-jin.
But for him to voluntarily take on a mission, it was a welcome thing from his perspective.
But at that moment.
"That guy is..."
Black Crow's trembling voice was heard.
His expression, staring endlessly at the spot where Cheon-hui had left, gradually hardened.
"Who is he?"