Chapter 441: Surely Not That Sobriquet?
King Geumsan said calmly.
“Yes. You’ve gone bald. What is it you want to say?”
King Eunpyeong pointed a finger at King Geumsan.
“Though Senior Brother did not come to save me, I am helping you because of the years we shared meals together. When the Leader of Haomun arrives, it’s either death or baldness.”
King Eunpyeong looked around once at the gathered experts and repeated himself.
“Does everyone understand?”
Fujian’s Number One narrowed his eyes and asked King Geumsan.
“What on earth is going on?”
King Geumsan feigned ignorance with an indifferent expression.
“As you can see, my junior brother is not in his right mind. It seems some misfortune has befallen him.”
Fujian’s Number One turned his head and glared at King Eunpyeong.
“You just said the Leader of Haomun?”
“That’s right.”
“Strange. I’ve heard that sobriquet somewhere. Is it the first time the rest of you have heard it? No. I definitely heard it. Leader of Haomun, Leader of Haomun. Hm? Isn’t he the man who caused a huge uproar by clashing with the foremost expert of the Heretical Path at Dongho?”
The Blade Emperor said.
“He’s also the man who contended with the Demon Cult.”
Fujian’s Number One’s eyes widened.
“The Demon Cult? He fought the Demon Cult? Who is this man? Is he White Path? Black Path? Hey, King Geumsan.”
Fujian’s Number One, who had been watching King Geumsan’s expression, rose from his seat.
“Did you gather us here because of the Leader of Haomun? This bastard dares use us?”
Fujian’s Number One’s expression turned savage, as though he would attack at once depending on King Geumsan’s answer.
Just as King Geumsan was about to say something, everyone looked outside the main hall doors.
A young man was walking toward them.
Judging from King Eunpyeong’s fuss, the atmosphere called for the appearance of an absolute master. Yet the young man’s air was more like that of some neighborhood youth passing by with nothing better to do. Without even a weapon, he came strolling leisurely, both arms swaying limply.
And to such a man, King Eunpyeong even lowered his head.
“You’ve arrived.”
When the young man nodded, King Eunpyeong asked again.
“How were the noodles?”
“He makes them better than I do.”
“That is a relief.”
The young man arrived at the entrance, slung an arm around King Eunpyeong’s shoulders, and looked around at the people inside.
“There are a lot of experts here. Who’s King Geumsan?”
King Eunpyeong pointed ahead and answered.
“At the seat of honor.”
With the arm he had around King Eunpyeong’s shoulders, the young man rubbed the bald head with a swish and said.
“Caught you red-handed.”
* * *
I said as I walked toward the seat of honor.
“King Geumsan, where did you gather experts like these?”
I asked King Geumsan, who had not fled.
“Were you in the middle of a meeting? I’ve interrupted, then.”
King Geumsan looked up at me from the corner of his eye.
“You have.”
I lightly kicked the chair King Geumsan was sitting in with my foot and said.
“Move. That’s my seat.”
After pondering for a moment, King Geumsan slowly stood and glanced once toward the main hall. At the entrance to the hall, King Eunpyeong stood blocking the way, as if he were a subordinate of the Leader of Haomun.
King Geumsan headed toward the lowest seat, then sat down in an empty place.
Having taken the seat of honor, I rubbed my palms together a little, then asked.
“What meeting were you having? What’s on the agenda?”
From the left, a man who seemed like a single keenly honed blade asked me.
“State your identity first.”
I nodded.
“You must have heard. It’s me. The Leader of Haomun.”
The man who appeared the oldest among those present also asked a question.
“Leader of Haomun, will you tell us what brings you here?”
“I was eating noodles and came over. But that’s not important. Before that, I’d like to hear what kind of meeting you were having. Who will explain? The reason I came here is important too, but what you were discussing here before that is also important, you see.”
A man seated near the main hall said.
“I am called Yeongchunja. Shall I explain?”
I extended my hand, granting him the opportunity to explain.
“Let’s hear it.”
Yeongchunja pointed at King Geumsan.
“We came at King Geumsan’s invitation. I, Yeongchunja, who find it difficult to find a worthy opponent in Fujian. This here is the Blade Emperor of the Hebei Peng Clan, this old man is the Great King of Jiangsu, though I do not know his real name. That man is the First Sword of Mount Tai, without rival in Shandong. After gathering experts such as these, King Geumsan explained that we should establish the Eastern Martial Alliance.”
“Eastern Martial Alliance? King Eunpyeong.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“Did you know about this?”
“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
I asked the experts gathered there.
“Why an Eastern Martial Alliance? The Martial Alliance is perfectly fine as it is. It seems Yeongchunja has more to say, so please continue.”
Yeongchunja, who had already had his hand slightly raised, said.
“According to King Geumsan, Im Sobaek will soon retire and a new Alliance Leader will take charge of the Martial Alliance. Before that, we too should establish the Eastern Alliance, choose an alliance leader from among the experts gathered here, and later hold an alliance leader’s martial contest against the western Martial Alliance to launch an All-under-Heaven Alliance uniting east and west. That is what we heard.”
“Grandiose. By the way, Yeongchunja, to what extent did you believe those words?”
“Do you mean the purpose of establishing the Eastern Alliance?”
“The purpose or whatever else. From how I see it, it seems like he intends to become the alliance leader himself.”
Yeongchunja shook his head.
“No. He said he would be satisfied with being chief strategist.”
“You believe that? At first, he would be chief strategist. But if his money-making goes too far, the alliance leader would surely say something. You know, telling him to keep it in moderation. Then couldn’t that alliance leader be assassinated? In the hierarchy of power, the chief strategist could become the next alliance leader.”
King Geumsan, sitting in the lowest seat, gave a faint smile.
“Leader of Haomun, have you come to stop the establishment of the Eastern Alliance? From what I hear, you are close to Alliance Leader Im Sobaek.”
“I didn’t even know it was being founded, so what would I stop? I came for another reason.”
“Please tell us.”
I looked around at the experts to my left and right, then said to King Geumsan.
“The leader of the Life-and-Death Society died by my hand. I heard many things from the vice leader, Song Gyeong. As you can see, I also heard about King Geumsan’s business from King Eunpyeong.”
King Geumsan raised his eyes and glared at King Eunpyeong.
“You…”
“There’s no point glaring. It wasn’t anything special. Just business, really. But when I heard from the second-in-command of the two most powerful forces in Zhejiang and pieced it together, I arrived at a strange conclusion.”
King Geumsan looked at me.
“What problem is there with my business?”
“There isn’t.”
“There won’t be.”
“There were far more problems with the Life-and-Death Society. Killing this one, killing that one. Fighting escort agencies, waging war against merchant guilds. They even clashed often with the Black Path and fought the White Path as well. They held all manner of bloody feasts. Assassinations, too, and often. I didn’t hear it from the dead leader of the Life-and-Death Society, but I heard the details from Song Gyeong. That Geumsan King’s funds had secretly flowed in, enough to fill their coffers to overflowing. In that case.”
I tapped the long table with my hand.
As stark-white frozen cold advanced like a wave, I struck the table again, and the shattered chill scattered across the faces of the masters seated to either side.
“……”
“Weren’t the countless bloody feasts held by the Life-and-Death Society sponsored with your money? Did you think the masters of Zhejiang alone couldn’t do anything to me? Gathering the greatest masters of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Fujian and waiting for me. The Eastern Alliance? Am I right? What does the Blade Emperor of Hebei think?”
The Blade Emperor answered in a cautious tone.
“The formation of the Eastern Alliance was sudden. But there were likely plans underway. I had not heard that he was in conflict with you, Sect Master. Ah, only Yeongchunja kept suspecting something. He pressed him, asking whether there was anything being hidden.”
I nodded.
“What about you, Taewang?”
Taewang answered.
“My opinion is the same as the Blade Emperor’s.”
“And Mount Tai’s First Sword?”
Mount Tai’s First Sword looked at me.
“So you came here because, while fighting the Life-and-Death Society, you concluded Geumsan King was behind them?”
“No. First I had a dispute with Eunpyeong King. Look at that head.”
When everyone looked at Eunpyeong King, he seemed somewhat used to it by now and stroked his head with one hand.
I said,
“On my way to Zhejiang, I witnessed several things that were hard to ignore. When I interfered, Eunpyeong King’s troops chased me all the way to the coast, then what was it—Little Yaksha? Fengshui Ghost? In the end, even an organization called the Life-and-Death Society appeared. And now I see Geumsan King’s wealth is vast enough to suit a king. Is it Geumsan King’s turn to make excuses now?”
Geumsan King looked around at those present and said,
“I had no idea the Haomun Sect Master’s authority was so tremendous. I gathered the overlords of entire regions, yet here we are, having yielded the seat of honor and listening to a lecture. I am astonished myself.”
Geumsan King wore a sneer.
“It seems you came here believing I am the patron of the Life-and-Death Society, but the atmosphere suggests excuses will not work.”
I listened with my chin propped on my left hand, then laughed.
“What an impressive strategist. Even in the middle of this, you’re sowing discord, hoping someone will challenge me. Eunpyeong King, as you said, your senior brother is very clever.”
Eunpyeong King nodded.
“As I told you, he is clever.”
Geumsan King smiled faintly.
“Everyone, look at the Haomun Sect Master sitting in the seat of honor. Do you think I can protect my wealth? Rather than have it all stolen by the Haomun Sect Master, I think it better to use it in pursuit of a grand cause.”
A snort escaped me on its own.
“Treating me like a thief, are you?”
Geumsan King looked at me.
“I know people like you well. In the end, you’ll take it, won’t you? In the name of chivalry (俠行), this displeases you, that displeases you. Haven’t you lived by killing and taking? You, too, used Black Path men as your subordinates. Isn’t the Black Cat Gang also under Haomun?”
“That’s right. You know all sorts of things.”
“Not only Black Path groups such as the Namcheon Alliance and the Nammyeong Society, but Heukseon Fort, which belongs to Haomun, is famous as a usury organization that cuts off fingers. You beat its fort master to death and took it in. Aren’t you the one who gathered all that wealth and made Haomun rich? Sect Master, what exactly is the difference between you and me?”
I blinked.
“You investigated strangely. Somehow it’s right, and yet all of it is wrong.”
Fujian’s Number One glared at Geumsan King.
“You investigated the Haomun Sect Master so thoroughly, yet you didn’t say a single word of it to us. Impressive. Truly impressive.”
Geumsan King said,
“Everyone, listen well. It seems the Sect Master came to reproach me. But that is not important. I swear here and now. The Eastern Alliance is an organization that has not even been formed yet. It is a separate matter. I will admit that in amassing my fortune, I was not as smooth as the Haomun Sect Master. Sect Master.”
Geumsan King looked at me.
“Put your hand on your heart and think. Have you never killed someone you should not have killed? Not even one person? Did you live like Im Sobaek?”
For the first time in a while, I was at a loss for words. Had I lived like Im Sobaek? I did not think so.
“……”
Geumsan King pointed at the masters.
“The Blade Emperor, Mount Tai’s First Sword, Taewang, even Yeongchunja. They have lived better lives than you. At least by my standards. If they create the Eastern Alliance, I will pour in all the wealth I have amassed. Rather than have it all taken by a Sect Master who has lived a life not so different from mine, that is better. I swear it. Help me. The Sect Master may be able to condemn me, but he cannot lump all of you together and demean you as well.”
Geumsan King wore a sneer.
“Haomun Sect Master, the masters gathered here are not the Black Path rabble you beat to death. Do you understand?”
Purely from the heart, admiration welled up in me.
Clap, clap, clap. I applauded.
“Geumsan King, splendid.”
“Do not mock me.”
Suddenly, Geumsan King raised his voice and shouted.
“Tong Lin’er (銅林兒)!”
Someone outside answered.
“Yes, Senior Brother.”
The giant who appeared at once spoke to Eunpyeong King, who was blocking the entrance.
“Senior Brother Eun, may I enter?”
The newly appeared giant was twice the size of Eunpyeong King. Since Tong Lin’er meant a child of a bronze forest, it was not a normal sobriquet. However, from his rare physique, voice, presence, and bearing, I could tell he was a master who had cultivated a body-protecting art to its pinnacle.
Eunpyeong King refused.
“Stand by.”
“Pardon? Eldest Senior Brother is calling me.”
I was curious about the giant, so I said to Eunpyeong King,
“Move aside.”
“Yes.”
As Tong Lin’er approached with thudding footsteps, Geumsan King said,
“When I fall into grave danger, what did you say you would do?”
Tong Lin’er, whose face mixed simplicity and intensity, answered.
“I swore to offer my life to you, Senior Brother.”
“Does that oath still stand?”
“It does.”
“I have now fallen into the greatest crisis of my life.”
Without any sign of tension, Tong Lin’er looked around at those gathered in the hall.
“Who is threatening you, Senior Brother?”
His manner was as if he knew nothing at all about the jianghu, so it seemed this man could not be intimidated by sobriquets or fame.
Since Tong Lin’er looked slightly dim-witted, I raised my hand first.
“Me.”
Tong Lin’er looked at me and asked,
“Senior Brother, should I kill that man?”
King Jinshan shook his head.
“No. Keep your eyes on him.”
When King Yinping opened his mouth as if to say something, King Jinshan pointed a finger at him.
“You keep your mouth shut. I said shut it.”
King Yinping opened his mouth at once.
“I can’t do that. Junior Brother Dong, you must not attack. That man is an expert unlike any you have ever met.”
Dong Lin’er answered.
“Even so, I must obey Eldest Senior Brother’s order. I will keep watch.”
King Jinshan addressed the assembled experts.
“Let us be frank. If I am struck down or have my fortune taken, the Eastern Alliance will come to nothing. Look at Junior Brother Yin’s head. They say it was either death or baldness, but never in my life have I suffered such humiliation. What will all of you do?”
The gathered experts all looked at me at once.
King Jinshan pointed at me.
“The Hao Sect Master who has appeared here is no chivalrous hero. Whether I investigate him or you return and investigate him yourselves, his identity will be the same. If one must compare, he is a man cut most from the same cloth as this King Jinshan. In the west, there is the Hao Sect Master; in the east, there is me.”
To be honest, King Jinshan surprised me a little. So much so that the noodles I had just eaten seemed to digest completely. Since no one spoke, I raised my hand first.
Then King Jinshan kindly granted me permission to speak.
“Speak.”
I said calmly,
“So the Eastern Alliance is merely different in region. Like the current Martial Alliance, it is an armed organization that protects the weak and punishes the unorthodox and demonic paths?”
“Of course it must be. That is what an alliance is meant to do.”
“And your fortune will be used to found it?”
King Jinshan nodded.
“Rather than have you take all my wealth, I will pour every bit of it into nurturing the Eastern Alliance.”
I nodded.
“Good.”
“What do you mean, good?”
I straightened my back and spoke in a solemn tone.
“I will become the leader of the Eastern Alliance.”
King Jinshan’s eyes grew wider and wider before he roared,
“Are you not a man from the west?”
I pointed at King Jinshan with my index finger and wrapped it in the Flame Realm.
“I am a man of the east. I have settled here. I listened to your story with patience. Now it’s my turn. If you are in the west, you are a man of the west; if you are in the east, you are a man of the east. Because I had no home to begin with.”
“…….”
“Since coming east, I have already made many bald friends. I have fought all over Zhejiang and clashed several times off the coast of Zhejiang as well, earning myself a new sobriquet. Its name is…”
Without thinking, my eyes met King Yinping’s, and the bastard stared wide-eyed as he muttered,
“Surely not?”
“Dongfang Bubai (東方不敗). That is me.”
After once again channeling Ice Art into my middle finger and bunching my fingers together, the Sun-Moon Radiant Heaven I had formed with finger arts began to shine.
Pzzzzzzzzzt!
I said to King Jinshan,
“Will you listen closely after I turn this safehouse to dust first, or will you just sit quietly and listen? Whether I am in the east or the west, I am now a man who can live as he pleases.”
King Jinshan answered at once.
“I will listen closely.”
I withdrew my fingers, then continued speaking.
“That’s how it should be. Dong Lin’er.”
“Yes? Yes.”
I said to Dong Lin’er, who had an innocent look in his eyes,
“You have a loyal side, so I’ll let you off this once. Stand quietly beside King Jinshan. I don’t know what body-protection art you practice, but you will die, and King Jinshan will die too. Understood?”
Dong Lin’er looked at King Jinshan, then met my eyes.
“Understood.”