ISS-Chapter 23

Chapter 23

After the negotiations concluded.

Having sent Baek Riyun away first, using the excuse that he had something he wanted to discuss, Wang Pal, now sitting across from So Yeohwang, maintained his silence for a moment before bowing his head.

“I’m…sorry, Sect Master.”

“I am no longer your Sect Master.”

So Yeohwang coldly cut off Wang Pal’s apology, quietly sipped his tea, and continued speaking.

“I heard the story. The story about you being looked down upon by your Junior Martial Brothers.”

“Why did you endure it until now?”

At So Yeohwang’s question, Wang Pal clenched his fist, then relaxed it, forming a bitter smile.

“…Because I am their Senior Martial Brother.”

“Even though you knew that with your skills, you could fight them a hundred times and win a hundred times?”

“That, too, is because I am those kids’ Senior Martial Brother. Although I am ahead of them now, someday I will inevitably fall behind. It would have been them who carried forward the glory of the Baekgeommun.”

So Yeohwang quietly closed and then opened his eyes as he watched Wang Pal speak his words clearly and distinctly.

“Wang Pal. You are mistaken.”

“To become a martial artist, you need talent. At least, I think so, and even now, that thought hasn’t changed. But to become a disciple of Baekgeommun, to perform the role of a Senior Martial Brother, you do not need talent.”

So Yeohwang had not discriminated against him. Wang Pal knew that well too.

Because So Yeohwang had taken the same attitude not only towards Wang Pal himself but also towards Jingwang and Woogyeom.

“Once you leave this room, from that moment on, you are no longer a disciple of Baekgeommun.”

“So, while you are still a disciple of Baekgeommun within this room, I will speak to you one last time as your Sect Master.”

“…Yes.”

Wang Pal pressed his lips tightly together as he watched So Yeohwang quietly empty his teacup. A silence ensued immediately after. And then.

Just as the silence was about to turn into utter stillness.

Wang Pal’s eyes widened at the words So Yeohwang laid out.

“Do not make me regret this.”

“Your talent is outstanding. Do not let that talent go to waste. Since you have turned your back on our sect to become a martial artist, make your name renowned throughout the world. Make me certain, so that I never doubt that sending you to the Uicheonmun was the right choice for you.”

“…Sect Master.”

“As your Sect Master, I was lacking. It was not your fault. That is all. You may take your leave now.”

Biting his lip at the sight of So Yeohwang pouring tea for himself alone, Wang Pal pressed his forehead to the floor. And a cry burst forth.

“Thank you for everything…!”

So Yeohwang, who had been silently watching Wang Pal’s retreating back after his farewell, pushed the teacup aside and called for his disciple.

“Is anyone there?”

“Yes, Sect Master.”

“Tell them to bring the liquor tray.”

“…Isn’t it still the Misi-hour? Isn’t it too early to bring the liquor tray?”

“Today is fine.”

So Yeohwang, having answered his disciple’s question, closed his eyes with a bitter expression. And then.

“…I feel like drinking.”

At that time, the Uicheonmun party, now four people strong, exited the main gate of the Baekgeommun.

On the way back.

“Junior Martial Brother Wang Pal! Do that thing! That thing!”

“…Ju-Junior Martial Brother?”

“Ah-heh-heh!”

As I watched Seohwa hitting Wang Pal’s back pang-pang while letting out a strange laugh, I asked casually.

“Are you that happy?”

“Yes! Now I can make you fetch the morning water!”

“…That’s a joy born of a very practical reason.”

“We’re sharing all the chores. Hehe.”

I watched Seohwa smiling brightly, then let out a pishik laugh myself, drew the Uicheon Sword, and stroked the characters on the blade. Then, a status window appeared.

[Opening the status window of Uicheonmun disciple, Wang Pal.]

Name: Wang Pal

Age: 21

Formerly a disciple of Baekgeommun, now the second disciple of Uicheonmun.

His physique is exceptionally outstanding, and he possesses a remarkable talent for understanding and mastering techniques.

His energy sensitivity is much lower than others’, making the speed at which he accumulates internal energy very slow, but this can be offset by a certain level of ‘Spirit Concentration’.

Traits: Unawakened Unique Traits – Caution, Diligence, Self-Restraint

“As I thought.”

I nodded while looking at the contents of the status window. It was exactly as I had thought when I felt it during the guidance sparring with Wang Pal the previous day.

Wang Pal’s true talent lies not in his physique, but in his ability to improvise, his comprehension of techniques, and his unwavering mental state. For a swordsman, where calmness is crucial, this is an enormous strength.

Think about it. The power emanating from that large frame being perfectly controlled and unleashed in the form of swordsmanship. Frankly, at that point, it’s no exaggeration to call it violence in the shape of swordsmanship.

His only weakness, his low energy sensitivity, is something I can compensate for. So, this situation is actually very beneficial for me.

“You seem pleased.”

I was momentarily looking at the status window, pondering Wang Pal’s future development direction, when a voice reached me. I turned my gaze to see Iryang looking at me with a wry smile.

“Having recruited a talented new disciple, how could I not be pleased?”

“That is true. It was a foolish question. More importantly……”

“Hm?”

“What do you plan to do from now on?”

After thinking for a moment at Iryang’s question, I bluntly gave my answer.

“First, we should hold the Sect Establishment Ceremony, shouldn’t we? We’ve already delayed it a lot, and I don’t think we need any more preparation.”

“That is correct. In my view as well, you seem to have already met the minimum requirements for establishing a sect. It’s the perfect time to hold the Sect Establishment Ceremony.”

Iryang’s words were right.

If we start preparing now and hold the Sect Establishment Ceremony around that time, the story of Uicheonmun defeating the Baekgeommun will likely have spread widely. So, we should probably set a date for the Sect Establishment Ceremony soon.

“Is there anyone you will invite to the Sect Establishment Ceremony?”

“…People to invite?”

“Yes. Usually, at a Murim sect’s Sect Establishment Ceremony, acquaintances come to congratulate the establishment, don’t they? That would also greatly help raise the prestige of Uicheonmun. The more people of high reputation who come, the better.”

“…Hm.”

People of high reputation, huh.

I cannot do that.

…Why can’t you?

Because before I am a father, I am the Family Head.

“…I have no intention of calling him.”

“Pardon?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I shook my head to dispel the sudden thought and grinned playfully.

“There are a few people I could invite, but I don’t know if they’ll come. They’re quite busy people.”

“Even so, it’s better to send a letter than not to. Our Merchant Company operates messenger hawks; if you entrust it to us, we can do it cheaply for you.”

“…So, you were thinking of doing business after all.”

“Haha. I’ve been playing for a few days, so shouldn’t I work hard at a time like this?”

I let out a pishik laugh at the sight of Iryang’s awkward smile and turned my gaze away. People to invite to the Sect Establishment Ceremony.

It’s earlier than I thought, but.

“Maybe I’ll send them.”

“Hooooo……”

Hebei, Mt. Sangshan, Murim Alliance Headquarters.

The middle-aged man at its center pressed his eyelids firmly, then spoke in a voice filled with fatigue.

“Report.”

“Yes, I Military Division. First, the important matters.”

As soon as the middle-aged man finished speaking, the Haksa standing in front took out documents and began speaking in a stiff tone.

“Since the new Sado Leader took office, the growth momentum of the Unorthodox Sects has been gradually strengthening.”

“Specifically?”

“Sukju and Hoean have almost already fallen under the Unorthodox Sects’ sphere of influence. We can’t even set foot in Hapbi, where the Sado Leader’s main headquarters is located, and Anhui, where the Namgung family is located, is also in a state of repeated back-and-forth struggle.”

“Very rampant indeed. Hoo.”

Thud!

I Military Division, Jegal Pyeong, let out a deep sigh, irritably put down his writing brush, and closed his eyes.

‘The Unorthodox Sects.’

Until just 20 years ago.

The Unorthodox Sects were a force significantly weaker compared to the Orthodox Sects. Unlike the Orthodox Sects, which had long histories and interacted with each other, the Unorthodox Sects had relatively short histories and repeatedly conflicted with one another.

The proud and profit-sensitive Unorthodox Sects were always baring their fangs and fighting each other, and the Orthodox Sects only needed to mediate to ensure the Unorthodox Sects’ power didn’t grow too strong.

That was, until the new Sado Leader appeared.

“How is the operation to plant agents going?”

“Five or more have been identified, but the rest have settled in safely. However, there is also the possibility that the Sado Leader left them there intentionally…”

“Enough. Don’t say any more. Just hearing about it is enough to give me a headache. Let’s table that agenda for now. Damn it.”

Jegal Pyeong, who had pounded the desk kong-kong with his fist, tutted and leaned back in his chair.

“Next.”

“The report on newly established Murim sects.”

“Newly established Murim sects, you say.”

“Yes. The total number of sects that have declared their establishment to the Murim Alliance this quarter is 114.”

“Over a hundred in one quarter, that’s quite a lot. Why so many?”

“It seems to be because the prolonged war with the Unorthodox Sects has left many vacancies.”

“Hmm……”

“What shall we do?”

Jegal Pyeong, who had been resting his chin while briefly looking over the handed documents, suddenly blinked at a name he saw, then let out a pishik laugh.

[Uicheonmun, located in Hubei, Hwayong County. Founding members: three. A small-scale sect.]

“So he really went and established a sect, as he said he would.”

“What did you say?”

“That insolent brat.”

“Insolent? Ah……”

After pondering Jegal Pyeong’s words for a moment, the Deputy Military Division, Jegal Hwi, formed a bitter smile as a face came to mind and nodded.

“It seems he has established it.”

“Did you look into it?”

“Not exactly looked into it, but a letter flew to my residence. It seems he’s inviting me to his Sect Establishment Ceremony.”

“Damn bastard. After giving me so much trouble, he doesn’t even send me a single letter?”

After speaking, Jegal Pyeong frowned at the memory that surfaced. A memory from the time when Jegal Pyeong was not yet the I Military Division of the Murim Alliance.

It’s not like it’ll wear out, so please teach me how to use my head, Uncle Pyeong.

A damn kid, and a damn subordinate who wouldn’t listen. But his talent and effort were brilliant, that kind of guy.

“Since you weren’t going to go anyway, I Military Division. It seems he knows that too.”

“…Of course, but this is a matter of courtesy. It’s the same for you, aren’t you also not going?”

“A member of the Murim Alliance’s Military Division attending a Murim sect’s Sect Establishment Ceremony could be interpreted in many ways, wouldn’t you say?”

“Tch.”

“What shall we do? Should we reject it?”

Jegal Pyeong, who had been glaring at the document for a moment, turned his head at Jegal Hwi’s words and tapped the desk tak-tak with his brush.

“Review the documents, and if there are no problems, approve it. If we reject it, that crazy bastard might come to the Murim Alliance himself.”

“Then, I will grant approval.”

“…Review it as meticulously as possible, and if there are any grounds for rejection, reject it immediately.”

“Could there possibly be any?”

Tormented by the desire to smack his son’s smug face, Jegal Pyeong quietly got up from his seat.

“So, are the reports for today finished here?”

“There’s still the evening report, but for now, this is the end. Are you going to eat?”

“Yes. Hearing that damn bastard’s news has made my mouth bitter, so I need to chew something.”

“That’s good. Will you buy for me too?”

“What about your salary?”

“I found a good investment opportunity and put it all in. I plan to live on just water until next month, so how about a good deed?”

“What kind of investment is that, it’s obvious you’ll lose it all,”

“In three months, a 20% return is certain.”

“…It’s certain you’ll lose it, but let’s hear it. So. Where did you invest?”

Jegal Hwi let out a pishik laugh at his father’s less-than-honest demeanor and opened his mouth. And at the moment he was about to name the investment.

Kwaaang!

The door opened violently, as if it would break.

“An urgent report!”

“What is it?”

Jegal Pyeong, who had instantly returned to his role as the Murim Alliance’s I Military Division, urged the Military Division member who had rushed in, breathless. The member hastily presented a document from his pocket.

“It’s an approval document that just came in from the III Military Division! It’s regarding a Basic-Gong Plagiarism Review…!”

“…A Basic-Gong Plagiarism Review?”

“Yes!”

“You rushed here in such a state over just that? What an exaggeration.”

In Murim, there are many martial arts that appear similar at first glance. Therefore, martial artists are extremely sensitive about the leakage of the martial arts that form their foundation.

Whether Orthodox or Unorthodox, if it seems a neighboring sect has stolen one’s martial arts, it’s rare that one doesn’t immediately take up a sword and charge in. That’s why the Basic-Gong Plagiarism Review was created.

“We get at least ten Basic-Gong Plagiarism Reviews a month, so I’ll hear the report tomorr……”

“L-Look at the applicant!”

“…Hm?”

At the words of the Military Division member, who still maintained a grave expression, Jegal Pyeong slowly lowered his gaze and read the document.

And then the expressions of Jegal Pyeong and Jegal Hwi, who had read the document, hardened severely. Because.

The applicant was.

“After staying quiet all this time, why now…!”

[Applicant Organization: Baek Ri Family]

Baek Ri Family.

Because it was a pillar of the Five Great Families, like the Namgung family.