Episode 449: The Martial World Is Ours.
In my eyes, the figure of Saekma on the raised platform looked like the Guangming Zuoshi of my past life.
That was because the position of Murim Alliance Leader was an incredibly important seat.
Moreover, I had never expected Saekma to ascend to the position of Murim Alliance Leader. It was true that I had hoped he wouldn't repeat the mistakes of his past life, but I had never wished for him to succeed this well.
‘Is this right?’
The man most ill-suited to the seat of Murim Alliance Leader is the Cult Leader. Next is Saekma. He is someone so ill-fitting for it, yet such is human fate—so difficult to predict.
“You?”
Saekma answered.
“It’s me.”
Anyway, a bastard like me worries about the next thing after winning. Because my opponent is Saekma, showing mercy or going easy doesn’t exist in my life. Worrying about the greater world after winning by whatever means is my style.
I looked at Im Sobaek, who was standing awkwardly.
“Brother Sobaek.”
“Speak.”
“Please retire.”
Im Sobaek dipped his hand into the brass bowl and pulled it out as he answered.
“Is it done?”
I nodded with a serious expression.
“Then step down, Brother. Unless you want a beating.”
The moment he heard my rude remark, Im Sobaek burst into laughter and nodded.
“You two handle it yourselves.”
Saekma clicked his tongue.
“What insolence is that toward the Alliance Leader? You rude bastard.”
I pointed my finger at Saekma, then spoke to the gathered heroes.
“Fellow seniors and juniors, gathered heroes. This Mongrang here is my sworn younger brother in private. Perhaps because we are close in age, not once has he spoken honorably to me or treated me as an elder brother. Today, I shall firmly establish the pecking order before moving on. Fourth.”
Saekma scoffed as if to display the typical attitude of a cocky youngest sibling and answered.
“What.”
“Choose. Palm technique, sword, poison drinking, internal energy contest, insect eating, lightness skill, noodle eating, external martial arts match—anything is fine. I leave it to your choice.”
Saekma nodded and walked across the raised platform like me, looking at the gathered heroes.
“I shall offer a few words. The Hao Sect Leader here is indeed my sworn elder brother. There may be those who do not know well, but if we speak of the sect leader’s strength, he has no equal in the martial world. However, it is only natural that a man cannot simply back down in a place like this. Even in defeat, if there is something to gain by challenging, then challenging is the proper way. That is the purpose of the martial contest I learned from Lord Alliance Leader Im since coming here.”
I chimed in.
“Correct.”
Saekma looked at Jianmo and then showed courtesy.
“Furthermore, that is the bearing of a martial artist that I learned from my master.”
Jianmo nodded.
“Mm, one must challenge.”
Saekma held up two fingers.
“I propose two martial contests. Methods advantageous to me. The contests will not be long either. If I lose both, I will concede cleanly. If, however, I win even once, then it is one-to-one. In the end, we shall settle it with a formal martial contest going all out. How about it, Third?”
“I accept.”
Saekma took a deep breath and pointed at the brass bowl.
“Let’s go with that for the first match.”
I immediately understood what he meant.
“Good.”
Saekma and I arrived before the brass bowl placed on the table and looked at the sloshing water. It was originally water that Lord Alliance Leader Im had washed his hands in, but now it had become water to be used for the martial contest.
Naturally, I yielded the first move to Saekma.
“Freeze it.”
Saekma extended his index and middle fingers, dipping them into the water of the brass bowl, while his remaining fingers gripped the bowl.
Crack!
In an instant, the water in the bowl froze bone-white, and soon not only the entire bowl but even the table froze over perfectly. Saekma poured out his internal energy and glared at me as if to kill me.
“…….”
I looked at the state of the frozen table and asked Saekma.
“How far do you mean for me to melt?”
“You only need to melt the water in the bowl.”
A snort naturally escaped me.
‘Stupid bastard. It’s not even that advantageous.’
I too extended my middle and index fingers and tapped the surface of the frozen bowl.
Tap.
The moment my fingers pressed in, the water in the bowl melted in an instant. This was a situation where, without employing any other martial art, I had perfectly melted the frozen water in the bowl purely using only the Flame Arts.
From the start, Saekma and I were on different levels, so it wasn’t that surprising, but naturally, Saekma wore an expression of utter shock.
“I lost.”
I looked at Saekma with a somewhat surprised heart.
‘Is this bastard playing mind games? Did he not want to be Murim Alliance Leader from the start?’
Saekma, more serious than ever, drew his long sword with his left hand and held the hilt out to me.
“For the second match, just like we did at Mount Hua.”
Regardless of what mind games were at play, winning came first, so I answered immediately.
“Freeze it.”
Before I even finished speaking, the long sword froze bone-white. Clearly, compared to when I had seen him at Mount Hua, Saekma’s realm had risen by another level. To the point where it looked like an Ice Sword that only the Cult Leader, Cheonak, Gwangseung, or Singae would be able to melt.
I muttered under my breath.
“Amazing. You’ve grown stronger by another rat’s tail, you Ice God bastard.”
“Is it truly just a rat’s tail?”
Saekma’s entire body became wrapped in white currents, and the surrounding air grew cold.
Whoooosh...!
Then, as the currents spread outward, the entire raised platform froze over like a snowy field. Slowly spreading cold air like this while even controlling the distance meant he could handle cold energy perfectly.
At the rare sight, even the onlookers hesitated and fell back. But Saekma precisely froze only up to the raised platform and then stopped his wide-range technique himself.
Saekma spoke as he exhaled white breath.
“Shall we begin?”
Once again, I asked precisely about the conditions of victory.
“How far do you mean for me to melt?”
“Of course, you only need to draw the long sword.”
“Strange. It’s surprisingly fair?”
Saekma looked at me and nodded with a serious expression.
“It is a martial contest of the Murim Alliance, so it must be fair.”
Had he been influenced by Lord Alliance Leader Im?
Or was it because the eldest brother was watching with razor-sharp eyes?
Even so, in my eyes, he still looked like the Guangming Zuoshi who had been putting on airs at Wanzhang Cliff, still scheming. How deep my paranoia ran, I realized anew.
“Is it all frozen?”
Saekma glared at me.
“Come in.”
I looked at the Lust Demon and wrapped my entire body in the Violet Haze Divine Art. Using the qi of the Five Elements was closer to a fluke. Instead, to give the impression that I was facing him properly, I also roused the Violet Haze Divine Art.
Then…….
I reached out and seized the longsword.
The Lust Demon’s cold energy could not even cover my right hand. Should I pull it out quickly, or should I pretend to struggle a little and raise the Lust Demon’s standing? My hesitation lasted only an instant, and I simply drew it.
Shing…….
“……!”
The Lust Demon’s eyes went wider than ever before. I deliberately spoke in a calm tone.
“My hand slipped.”
The frozen chill had already melted away the moment I gripped the longsword. As if it had never been frozen in the first place. My hand really had slipped, so when I pulled, it came out naturally.
I gazed silently at the blade, dyed violet for the first time in a long while.
“……As always, I won.”
Was the shock that great? Or had he had some confidence of his own? The Lust Demon suddenly staggered and fell on his backside.
None of my concern.
Holding the violet-dyed longsword, I looked around.
“Everyone? As expected, I won. The leader of the Alliance Under Heaven—that would be me.”
Was it because I had displayed the Violet Haze Divine Art too brilliantly? Half of them wore extremely frightened expressions, and the rest still looked stunned.
Enveloped in violet, I erased the white covering the platform. While the platform returned to normal, the surroundings were truly silent.
Where else would they ever witness a scene like this?
Only then did I withdraw the Violet Haze Divine Art and slowly look over the Lust Demon, the retired Brother Sobaek, the Murim Alliance members, Eldest Brother and Second Brother, those belonging to the Eastern Alliance, my bald master, and the other people of the gangho.
“Anyone opposed to me acting as the leader of the Alliance Under Heaven, come up onto the platform now. I shall face you with courtesy. No one?”
“…….”
“If there is no one, then I will say a few words.”
King Eunpyeong, who clearly had not doubted the result of the duel in the slightest from the very beginning, answered alone.
“I will listen attentively, Alliance Leader.”
“First, the Eastern Alliance shall listen.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
“From this moment on, all of you belong to the Murim Alliance. The positions and forces of the branch leaders will be maintained. The funds extorted from the Black Path are to be stored in the Murim Alliance’s treasury. Since you are subordinates I took in first, you must not act excessively superior toward the members here or throw your weight around as old hands. Understood?”
“Understood.”
I raised my sword and pointed at Mongrang.
“You, Mongrang.”
“Speak.”
“Since Brother Sobaek has retired, you take charge of the Murim Alliance.”
“No, I…….”
“You take it. You in the gangho, me under heaven—let us see who carries out the role of alliance leader better.”
The Lust Demon looked at me with a startled expression.
“Hm.”
“I am stronger, so I will take all under heaven, and since you are at least chasing after me, you take the gangho. Do you understand?”
The Lust Demon, looking as if he had been struck on the head, nodded with a serious expression.
“Understood.”
This time, I raised the sword and pointed at Im Sobaek.
“Brother Sobaek?”
“Yes.”
“Use the funds I gave you and travel. That is an order. As the former alliance leader, see with your own eyes how people are living. Set down a little of that sense of responsibility, and if you occasionally come across someone on the road suffering injustice, help them. Find your own happiness as well. Does the former alliance leader understand me?”
Im Sobaek grinned and nodded.
“I understand.”
This time, I pointed at the Sword Demon with my sword.
“Eldest Brother.”
The Sword Demon nodded.
“Third Brother.”
“While I am not in Ilyang County, oversee Haomun for me.”
“I shall.”
This time, the sword turned toward the Ghost Demon.
“Second Brother, from Zhongnan.”
The Ghost Demon nodded.
“I am already on my way back from Zhongnan.”
“I see.”
Holding the sword, I glared at the gathered heroes as if I would kill them, then stopped on an unfamiliar face. His beard was white, and the long hair he had grown out was entirely white as well. But his expression was stiff, and the inner power he was concealing was far too profound compared to his appearance.
I said, waving the tip of my sword.
“What are you? Old man, answer me. Let me hear your voice.”
“…….”
“White-Clad Martial Emperor, is that a human-skin mask?”
The White-Clad Martial Emperor, whose expression barely changed because he was wearing a human-skin mask, nodded.
“It is me. It has been a long time.”
“What about Senior Cheonak?”
“He is teaching a disciple.”
“Who is he teaching?”
“A disciple brought from Wudang Mountain.”
“Good. You take charge of the Wudang side. Senior Cheonak and you will handle it well enough.”
I drew a straight line with the sword, then stopped when I saw a dark-faced fellow.
“What are you?”
A man who looked to be in his late twenties answered.
“I am the disciple of the Sword Saint from Kunlun.”
“Who did you lose to?”
“I lost to the First Unit Leader of the Murim Alliance.”
“You do not seem to suit the title of Sword Saint yet, so keep cultivating yourself.”
“Understood.”
Only then did I look at my bald master. I could speak down to every other bastard here, but it was difficult with this man. Lowering my sword for a moment, I said,
“Monk Gwanghae.”
Master answered with a gentle smile.
“Sect Leader, I am listening.”
“Rest well, and when it is convenient, go to Mount Song, which State Preceptor Yeon spoke of. But take the fellows I made bald this time with you. I have changed my mind, so I will entrust the Golden Mountain King to you as well.”
According to the clever and learned State Preceptor Yeon, there was a high monk on Mount Song. A high monk did not mean a monk outstanding in martial arts like the Mad Monk, but a person with deep Buddhist devotion. If he was such a devout and wise monk, then naturally a martial monk should assist him at his side. This was something my bald master and I had discussed sufficiently on the way here.
My bald master nodded.
“I will take all these bald men and go to Mount Song. Sect Leader, come visit from time to time when you are not busy. I will prepare the ingredients in advance, so when you come then, make noodles for me yourself. I truly want to taste them.”
“Understood.”
I glared with great intimidation at the men I had made bald in the east.
“Bald men of the east…….”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
“From now on, you will serve me as your Eldest Senior Brother, and Monk Gwanghae as you would your master. If I drop by unannounced and find anyone irreverent, anyone who does not listen to Master, or anyone incapable of turning over a new leaf, I will not stand by and watch. Does everyone understand?”
“We will keep it in mind.”
With an impassive expression, I looked around at my brothers, my subordinates, the alliance members, those I had no ties with, and those who had once been my enemies as I gave my warning.
“Do well. I’ll be watching all of you.”
“…….”
I emphasized once again that I was the Alliance Leader.
“Because from now on, I am the leader of the Alliance Under Heaven. Above, the Cult Leader and Cheonak. Below, Haomun. I will be watching even places lower than Haomun. I’ll keep my eye on everything. Does everyone understand? My brothers are no exception. Especially the youngest.”
Mong Rang rose from his seat and looked at me.
“Yeah.”
“Do well.”
“I should.”
Had I now turned the Lust Demon’s heart around as well?
Was that what this was?
It occurred to me that changing another person’s heart was harder than becoming the greatest martial artist under heaven.
How difficult a thing it was for a person’s heart to change.
I returned the longsword to the Lust Demon.
“Where did you get this longsword?”
“Yongdu Iron Workshop.”
The Lust Demon and I met each other’s eyes, then grinned at the same time.
...With the matter more or less settled like this, the Lust Demon let out a sigh of relief.
‘Whew... I didn’t get hit. As long as I didn’t get hit, that’s enough.’
It was not for nothing that he had steered the spar toward melting longswords. In a match like this, victory or defeat could be decided without getting struck by the third brother.
Even in his own opinion, it had been a truly genius response and strategy.
Because he had not been hit by the third brother in public, he felt as good as if he had become the next leader of the Murim Alliance. Just then, the third brother’s voice sounded nearby again.
“Fourth.”
The Lust Demon instantly changed his complexion, then turned around with an expressionless face.
“What? Why are you calling me?”
The future leader of the Murim Alliance approached the Haomun Sect Master with an annoyed expression.
Out of nowhere, the fourth introduced the bald men.
“……Draw likenesses of all these bald bastards and keep them stored at the Murim Alliance. Back when they had hair, they were infamous in their respective regions. If they escape from Songshan, issue wanted notices first.”
“Got it. Why are there so many?”
On the way here, the Golden Mountain King had also had his head shaved, and the number of bald men had increased a little more. They were men who would train in martial arts under a bald master who was a warrior monk, and if one combined the ties of their past lives with the events of this life, they were also akin to my junior apprentice-brothers.
“Remember them as the Eighteen Arhats of Songshan.”
With this, Songshan, Wudang, Zhongnan, Huashan, and even Taishan in the east had all come within the reach of my influence. And at the center of it all was the Murim Alliance, and the next leader of that Murim Alliance was standing beside me.
The Left Envoy of Light in his past life, the Murim Alliance Leader in this life, my youngest brother, the wolf of the Mong clan.
I looked at the fourth as the thought came to me.
“Lust Demon.”
“Aw, shit……”
The Lust Demon cursed at me with the look on his face, then raised his right hand as if he meant to strike. The sight was so truly arrogant and insolent that I smacked him once on the head.
Pak!
At that, the Ghost Demon came over and clicked his tongue.
“Stop fighting already. You were going on about being the Alliance Leader Under Heaven and the Murim Alliance Leader, but honestly, even I’m embarrassed. Is this right? Eldest Brother, is this right?”
The Sword Demon, who had been approaching with his hands clasped behind his back, nodded, then stretched out both hands and slung his arms around my shoulders and the Ghost Demon’s. For no reason at all, we huddled together on the platform, the Four Great Villains with our arms around one another’s shoulders.
Curious what this eternally solemn eldest brother could possibly be about to say, everyone looked at the Sword Demon.
As a bunch of grown men waited in a circle with their arms over one another’s shoulders, the Sword Demon whispered in a low voice so only we could hear.
“The jianghu has now been taken over by us Four Great Villains.”
“…….”
“Let’s do well.”
“Y-yes. Let’s.”
Since Eldest Brother could not hold back his laughter and ended up laughing, we laughed along with him like a bunch of lunatics.