Chapter 57

Chapter 57

It’s a truism, but there’s an order to everything.

For a chick to become a chicken, it must first be born from an egg; to voyage, one must first build a ship; and to learn swordsmanship, one is usually made to assume the horse stance  first.

Like this, if you want to properly achieve something, there are things you must do beforehand. Achieving something without going through the proper sequence is nonsensical.

And from that perspective.

[Evolution is complete.]

[You can now decide the sect’s direction!]

[Select the sect’s direction you aim for. Research and facilities will be opened accordingly.]

“Uuuum…….”

Perhaps it was a natural sequence for me to rack my brain like this.

「Expansion

The Nine Sects and One Gang  and Five Great Families of the orthodox path, the Seven Gates Two Families  of the dark path, and the Seven Great Schools  of the demonic path.

Each force in the martial world has giant sects that symbolize that force. These sects all possess hundreds of disciples or more, operate their own martial force groups, and contribute to the stability and development of their forces.

Will you designate the direction as Expansion?

Selection Benefits: If you decide the direction as Expansion, when you accomplish something, the speed at which fame spreads through the martial world becomes faster.

You can establish a martial corps .

You can create branch families .

The probability of entry applicants appearing increases by ‘5’ percent.」

「Single-Line Succession

A sect’s meaning ultimately lies in continuing the martial lineage.

Since ancient times, the more people there are in martial arts, the more it has undergone transformation and modification, and naturally the true meaning  or sword intent  within it has often been damaged or transformed.

Single-Line Succession is a sect format created to prevent such transformation of martial lineages. Sects that transmit martial arts to only a small number of disciples and make the martial world resound with those martial arts.

Will you designate the direction as Single-Line Succession?

Selection Benefits: If you decide the direction as Single-Line Succession, all growth rates of affiliated disciples increase by ‘3’ percent.

All growth rates of the Sect Master increase by ‘2’ percent. You receive significant bonuses in creating new martial arts.

When the total number of disciples is ten or fewer, if you transmit the Sect Master’s unique martial arts, the possibility that the teachings will be completely inherited greatly increases.」

「Confederation ……」

“Sect Master?”

“Mm?”

“The food came out.”

“……I see.”

Sangsan , an inn near the Murim Alliance.

Looking at the window that had floated up, I snapped back to attention at Seohwa’s words and looked at the warm noodles the waiter had brought out. The appearance of modest and neat noodles placed before me, steaming.

“Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

“Yes.” “Yes.” “Okay!”

Looking at Seohwa, Seowoo , and Wangpal focusing on their meals at my words, I gave a bitter smile and shook my head. They looked truly comfortable without any particular worries.

‘Direction.’

When making something, people usually proceed with the desired form in their heads. That isn’t just for objects or buildings but also applies to merchant companies or sects.

I was the same. My dream was to establish a renowned great sect, and I tried to run toward that. In fact, most people who establish sects have such goals.

Was that really the right choice?

[Once you decide the direction, you cannot undo it!]

Once decided, it couldn’t be undone. That meant what was decided here would become the future appearance of Uicheonmun. In the first place, it meant setting the development direction that way.

Of course, deciding on a direction didn’t mean you couldn’t do other things. In fact, everything that floated up was about ‘giving benefits when going in a certain direction,’ not giving disadvantages if you didn’t go that way.

However, the disappearance of benefits conversely meant taking losses. Looking at the things labeled as selection benefits, they were all tremendously effective things, so the difference would be even greater. In other words, I couldn’t afford to choose wrong.

That’s why I was pondering more.

‘……For now, it’s better to reserve judgment on this matter.’

I quietly nodded while looking at the noodles placed before me. Anyway, even if I decided right now, I couldn’t do anything until after the competition ended.

Wasn’t this deciding Uicheonmun’s next several decades? It wasn’t a simple enough problem to decide easily here. At least it would be better to reserve it until after the competition ended.

Right. Let’s reserve it for now.

“By the way, Sect Master.”

While organizing my thoughts and picking up my chopsticks, I turned my head at Seohwa’s voice that suddenly came.

“Mm?”

“Are the Mujeongwan trainees really that outstanding? When I listen to the talk, it seems like everyone is predicting Mujeong Hall’s victory.”

“Are they that outstanding?”

Looking at Seohwa making a somewhat sulky expression, I let out a smirk and put down my chopsticks. Well, she probably grew attached to the Muryeongwan trainees after living together for about two months.

“I also haven’t seen them directly, so I can’t say how outstanding they are. However, they say they haven’t achieved even a single victory in the competitions so far, so there must have been quite a gap in level.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Although Seohwa, you probably find it hard to understand since you’re still at the entry stage.”

“Uum.”

At my question, Seohwa, who let out a groan and was lost in thought for a moment, poked her lips with the tip of her chopsticks and carefully answered.

“One person from each academy comes out and has a martial competition…… Wasn’t that it? That’s what I was thinking.”

“If you think of a common exchange tournament, it would be like that. But the competition is different.”

What kind of facilities were Mujeong Hall and Muryeon Hall?

Simply put, the two academies were facilities that raised the martial world’s pillars. After graduating from the two academies, they were assigned to the Murim Alliance’s martial force for several years of real combat experience, then returned to their own sects, and those who returned became the core leading their forces based on that experience.

Conversely, the two academies’ purpose wasn’t simply to raise martial artists but to nurture those who could immediately adapt to real combat when assigned to the martial force and had outstanding situational judgment. And such capabilities couldn’t be known through simple martial competitions.

“The competition is divided into a total of three events. The first is gate breaking . The second is individual matches. And the last third is group combat. Of the three events, whichever side takes victory in two events becomes that year’s victor. Have you understood this much so far?”

“Yes.”

“Good. They say Muryeon Hall didn’t seize even a single victory from Mujeong Hall for the past four years. That doesn’t simply mean they lost to Mujeong Hall for four years, but means they never won in any of the three events. Fighting twelve times and losing twelve times means there’s a gap in ability that can’t be overturned even through luck.”

“Ah…… Huh?”

At my words, Seohwa, who nodded as if understanding, suddenly seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation, hardened her expression, and asked me.

“If the level gap is that wide, they could lose.”

“Well, I can’t say they’ll definitely win. Since I don’t know the opponents’ level clearly, nothing could be more foolish than asserting they’ll definitely win.”

“Then it’s a big problem, isn’t it?”

“However, there’s also no need to be afraid by assuming they’ll lose. These youngsters have achieved remarkable growth over these two months. At this rate, beating Mujeong Hall won’t be difficult.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s how it is.”

“Ah…….”

At my words, Seohwa, who nodded as if convinced, thought for a moment and then made a mischievous smile. And.

“Then what odds do you think there are, Sect Master? If Muryeon Hall and Mujeong Hall clash.”

The moment Seohwa’s question fell.

“Euhahaha! Mujeong Hall will win with a hundred percent probability! Right, Un!”

“……Who are you?”

At the shadow that suddenly cast and the voice heard from the side, everyone turned their gazes. Then visible was a giant man shouldering a great sword .

“You’re……!”

“Hahaha, when I heard a familiar voice and came over…… as expected, I recognized you right away even meeting after seven years. That means I’m your only worthy rival. Un!”

“Paeng Gu ?”

“……It’s Paeng Geuk . You damn Muryeongwan bastard.”

“Right. That was the name. Nice to see you, Paeng Gu.”

“I said it’s Paeng Geuk!”

Looking at Paeng Geuk, whose face turned bright red and was fuming, I let out a smirk. As Paeng Geuk said, it had been a long time.

“Seven years.”

Families belonging to the Five Great Families each tended to have characteristics recognized in the world.

For example, in the Tang Family’s case, they were famous for their sinister nature of never forgetting even if hit once. The Zhuge Family had nothing in their heads but budgets and schemes, cold-blooded.

The Namgung Family had long been notorious for being a household without manners from generation to generation. In fact, they were. And the remaining one family.

The Paeng Family had a widespread reputation for being filled with muscle even in their brains.

Paeng Geuk was a youngster who seemed to embody that Paeng Family.

“Why are you grinning!”

“It’s an inn. Don’t make too much noise, Paeng Gu. You lack manners.”

“I said it’s not Paeng Gu but Paeng Geuk! And I don’t want to hear that from a Baek Ri Family bastard who wrapped common sense in dumplings and ate it!”

“Call it being free of prejudice. To be fair, there’s no place as moderate and sensible as our family among the Five Great Families.”

“That’s not wrong. If all the world’s moderation and common sense joined hands and committed suicide by jumping in water!”

“Baseless slander.”

While waving away Paeng Geuk’s nonsense and dispersing it, the children who had been eating beside me glanced at Paeng Geuk and me and opened their mouths.

“Um…….”

“Who is this? Someone Sect Master knows?”

“A youngster named Paeng Geuk. The Small Family Head  of the Paeng Family, and someone I frequently clashed with when I was in Muryeon Hall. He was a Mujeongwan trainee of the same generation.”

“Sm, Small Family Head? Of the Paeng Family?”

“Yes.”

“Then greetings first……!”

Deureuruk!

When Seohwa and Wangpal, startled at my words, hurriedly rose from their seats to bow, Paeng Geuk waved his hands and opened his mouth. A loud voice instantly spreading through the inn’s interior.

“It’s fine. I don’t particularly like formalities either, so you don’t need to bow. More than that, are you also going to watch the competition like me?”

“That’s right.”

“Why bother watching? Our Mujeong Hall will win anyway.”

“Mujeong Hall will win.”

“That’s the truth. You might not have seen it, but.”

Letting out a faint smile and using my foot to slide a chair out to create sitting space. Then Paeng Geuk sitting in the chair while snorting.

“I saw them a year ago, but not because they’re my juniors—this generation’s Mujeongwan trainees are on another level. Do you know why the words ‘golden generation’ come out?”

“Are they that outstanding?”

“Yes. Their martial arts are outstanding and they’re brave, like seeing myself from those days!”

“What? Then they’ll be worth beating.”

“……What?”

At my words, Paeng Geuk, who raised one eyebrow, looked at me, and I let out a small laugh and continued.

“It’s natural. Did your generation’s Mujeong Hall ever beat Muryeon Hall even once?”

“That was…… wasn’t it close?”

“But you never won even once.”

That was the truth. During the time I was in Muryeon Hall, the Mujeongwan trainees of the same generation never beat Muryeon Hall even once.

It wasn’t that the Mujeongwan trainees’ level was low. Right now, Cheongryoo, who was evaluated as the best in Mujeong Hall, was achieving success with the alias Taiji Hero, and Paeng Geuk before my eyes was also famous by the name Fierce Tiger Blade . Clearly, the Mujeongwan trainees at that time were overflowing with talent.

That didn’t mean they couldn’t win. Because on this side.

I was there.

“……The situation is different from back then. If it weren’t for a bastard like you, our Mujeong Hall wouldn’t have lost to Muryeon Hall.”

“Then, shall we make a bet?”

“What?”

“On who will win. Didn’t you say Mujeong Hall will win with a hundred percent probability?”

At my question, Paeng Geuk, who maintained silence for a moment, frowned and pressed his brow with his thick finger.

“What scheme now? Every time you make that expression, my stomach feels queasy. You damn bastard.”

“What scheme? I mean it literally. If Mujeong Hall is stronger as you think, they should be able to beat Muryeon Hall easily.”

“……That’s true. But if you’re scheming something again…….”

The appearance of Paeng Geuk looking deeply troubled. Probably learned from being hit by me all this time.

However, it was fine. For such cases, I had one curse word  prepared.

“Are you afraid?”

A quiet word.

At that single word, Paeng Geuk’s face, which had been pondering whether to accept the bet or not, distorted like an evil spirit. Along with words that seemed chewed out.

“Fine! Let’s see you try to fool me. Our Mujeong Hall will win anyway! What will you bet?”

“The Divine Physician’s  consultation token.”

“……Wh, what? The Divine Physician? That Divine Physician who can revive dead people if it’s within one minute?”

“Yes.”

I had a chance to obtain it during a mission in my Changcheon Corps days. Though it was a precious item to bet on such a thing…….

“Instead, you bet Hancheol . That much would make it level.”

“……You want me to bet Hancheol?”

“Didn’t the Paeng Family boast about having it? The rumors were quite widespread.”

“Th, that’s…….”

“Are you afraid?”

Looking at Paeng Geuk trembling and avoiding the topic, I whispered quietly. Then Paeng Geuk, his face turning bright red with rage, let out a roar.

“As if! Fine. But…….”

“But?”

“Where are the Muryeongwan trainees? Weren’t you escorting them?”

“Where are they?”

At Paeng Geuk’s question, I let out a smirk and looked outside the inn.

“They’re coming.”

“……What?”

“They’re in special training right now, you see.”

Everything in the world—you don’t know until it directly hits you.

This competition.

I had no intention of losing.

Absolutely not.