Chapter 117

Chapter 117

Baek Rigang remembers an old teaching.

—Do you know what is most necessary in the gangho?

—…Mm.

What remains in his memory is the image of six-year-old Baek Riyun.

—Martial arts… martial power? An outstanding mind?

—No.

Watching Baek Riyun, who pondered briefly before answering his question, Baek Rigang coldly denied his son’s words.

—What is most necessary in the gangho is prudence.

—Prudence?

—Yes. Prudence.

—Some people say this: that the murim is about survival of the strong, that strength and martial power are everything in the murim.

That’s not entirely wrong. The gangho operates on the logic of power, and having strength in this murim means you can do very many things—that’s undeniable.

But is that absolutely correct?

No.

—That’s not the case.

Baek Rigang, who had denied it, looked directly at Baek Riyun with serious eyes.

—Above the high, there is higher, and above the sky, there is another sky. Your grandfather, Family Head Baek Richeonjin, is a sword hero recognized by everyone in his generation, but in this gangho, there are at least ten people stronger than your grandfather.

—There are people stronger than Grandfather? Even stronger than Father?

—…Your grandfather is stronger than me, so naturally they’d be stronger.

—Wow.

—Ahem.

Baek Rigang brushed past the admiring Baek Riyun with a cough and continued his explanation.

—No matter how strong someone is, there can always be someone above them. Even if you obtain the greatest martial power under heaven, you might fall into a trap and have to face hundreds or thousands of murim people. So conducting yourself well before that happens comes first, and martial power comes second. Understand?

—The one who survives is the strongest, right? That’s what Father said before!

—Yes. You understand well.

—Hehe.

Watching Baek Riyun scratching his head sheepishly, Baek Rigang emphasized.

—The most important thing is not creating gaps, not revealing weaknesses.

If you can’t hide a weakness, then burst it before that weakness grows larger. Make sure that weakness is never fatal.

That’s how Baek Rigang taught, and Baek Riyun accepted that teaching as well.

“The merit did not exceed the fault.”

Baek Rigang intended to test how well Baek Riyun had learned from him.

Using this occasion.

“…Sword Emperor, are you in your right mind?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

At Cheon Seoryeong’s voice from beside him, Baek Rigang quietly responded. Then Cheon Seoryeong continued passionately, frowning.

“They blocked the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons heading toward Akyang. They prevented what could have become a Demon Realm in the Human World comparable to Divine Immortal Valley.”

“That would be the case.”

“And knowing that, you’re saying the merit is insufficient?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“…Do you not understand how serious matters related to Demon Realms in the Human World are?”

Demon Realm in the Human World.

Since ancient times, among the demon realms created by great yokai, when they vastly exceeded a certain level and size to the point where even the Murim Alliance or Sado Alliance couldn’t easily subjugate them, people called them that. Demon realms beyond human reach.

“As you know, Demon Realms in the Human World aren’t just ordinary demon realms.”

“When there’s a Demon Realm in the Human World, yokai spawn there in enormous numbers. You don’t need me to tell you how many yokai pour out of Divine Immortal Valley every year, do you?”

A demon realm is, so to speak, a yokai forward base.

Even the same yokai can exert much stronger power inside a demon realm. The reason the black and white forces, despite possessing power that surpasses the yokai inside Divine Immortal Valley, can’t sweep it away is also for that reason.

But what if another such Demon Realm in the Human World appeared, especially in Akyang, a logistics hub?

“At minimum, all of northern Hunan would fall into yokai hands, and in the worst case…”

“It could merge with Divine Immortal Valley in Jiangxi and all of the southern continent could fall to yokai. I know.”

“Someone who knows…!”

Swish.

Baek Rigang stopped the indignant Cheon Seoryeong with one hand and continued while looking directly at Baek Riyun.

“Seonwoo Gang didn’t accomplish that alone, did he?”

“…That’s—”

“Whether it’s the Murim Alliance or any organization, they hold merit evaluations after wars end.”

Merit evaluation. Discussing merit and bestowing rewards.

People call the event of examining merit and determining how much reward to give by that name. Merit evaluation.

“If you won a battle, how decisive was your contribution to that victory, how outstanding was your performance? That’s what they assess to give rewards. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s—”

“A soldier who killed ten men and a soldier who killed a hundred can’t receive the same reward. Conversely, that means merit is ultimately divided.”

Baek Rigang, who had firmly cut off the discussion, placed his hand on the table and asked.

“I’ll ask again. Uicheonmun Master Baek Riyun.”

“…Yes.”

“In your judgment, is Seonwoo Gang’s merit in blocking the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons in Akyang sufficient compared to the fault of infiltrating the Murim Alliance as a spy?”

“Perhaps they could have blocked the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons even without Seonwoo Gang. That’s what I’m saying.”

A gap that anyone could question, yet one where no one could definitively provide a clear answer of ‘this is it.’

At Baek Rigang’s question, the audience couldn’t unite their opinions and murmured. Some said Seonwoo Gang’s merit was sufficient, while others said it wasn’t.

‘Whatever answer he gives…’

Dissent would inevitably arise. An audience with divided opinions would deviate from unconditionally supporting Seonwoo Gang and start fighting among themselves.

‘How will you answer?’

A dilemma. A situation where he could neither retreat nor advance.

Baek Rigang, who had swayed the audience’s opinions with just a few words, quietly looked at Baek Riyun. He was curious what answer would come.

And then.

“The merit…”

The next moment, Baek Riyun’s answer fell.

“Is insufficient.”

“…What?”

At Baek Riyun’s answer, not Baek Rigang but Cheon Seoryeong beside him widened her eyes in disbelief. It was an answer beyond common sense.

“Former Changcheon Corps Commander…”

“I’m no longer the Changcheon Corps Commander, Sword Pavilion Master.”

“…My apologies.”

Cheon Seoryeong, who had briefly sighed and caught her breath, asked again.

“Uicheonmun Master. Weren’t you trying to save Seonwoo Gang? To now say the merit isn’t sufficient…”

“Personally, I think it’s sufficient. I also think he played a decisive role.”

“Then why…”

“Because my personal judgment cannot become the judgment of the entire alliance.”

Reports can’t convey the situation on the ground.

No matter how much the people here shout and proclaim Seonwoo Gang’s achievements during the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, those wearing tinted glasses will say Seonwoo Gang’s merit isn’t sufficient. How much could just one late-stage jianghu practitioner have accomplished? They’ll belittle it like that.

You can refute that if you want to. But that would ultimately be a bad move that creates enemies.

Then what should be done? What move is the best move?

‘The answer is simple.’

“It’s an extremely simple matter.”

Along with Baek Rigang’s thoughts, Baek Riyun’s mouth opened.

“Isn’t it just a matter of adding more merit?”

“Adding more merit?”

“That’s right.”

Baek Riyun, who had nodded lightly, stepped aside. Then Gwangyeon, who had been standing behind, stepped forward.

“Gwangyeon of Hoan. Why are you…”

“I have something to give the judges, so I came.”

“Something to give?”

“This.”

As soon as his words ended, Gwangyeon pulled out a scroll from his bosom and unfolded it. Then Cheon Seoryeong read the name positioned at the very top of the scroll.

“A joint petition…? What on earth—”

“Didn’t the judge say it? That merit from one person alone is insufficient.”

“Now he’s no longer alone.”

Gwangyeon, who had slowly unfolded the entire joint petition, continued.

“As you know from the report, Seonwoo Gang wasn’t the only one at that place.”

“At that place were myself, ten alliance members from the Murim Alliance Akyang branch, seven alliance members from the Sado Alliance Akyang branch, and fifteen who responded to the emergency summons.”

Sixteen Muryeon Hall students and thirty-two martial artists dragged in by emergency summons, totaling forty-eight.

That’s the number of people who stood against the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons when it swarmed into Akyang. Not a small number, but not a large number either.

“This is a joint petition from those people. A joint petition to yield their merit to Seonwoo Gang.”

Swoooosh!

Gwangyeon rolled and unfolded the scroll on the floor, then looked at the judges with eyes filled with firm resolve.

“I’ll say this first: without the Muryeon Hall students’ assistance, it would have been impossible to block the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons in Akyang.”

A demon realm that appeared suddenly with surprisingly no warning. Communication cut off from the surroundings for unknown reasons.

“It’s an unprecedented incident even in the Murim Alliance’s long history. One thing might be manageable, but two overlapping made it difficult to respond, and indeed, we were nearly breached several times.”

“Yet the reason Akyang could remain safe is simple. It’s because these young late-stage practitioners didn’t run away.”

Mm.

Gwangyeon, who had swallowed dry saliva with difficulty while letting out a contemplative sound, continued with effort.

“The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons arrived later than expected. Why? It was because the Muryeon Hall students slowed the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons’ pace with wheel formations.”

“The enemy numbers were fewer than expected, and that too was because the Muryeon Hall students had ambushed the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons beforehand and reduced their numbers.”

The defensive line nearly collapsed several times. Whether Murim Alliance or Sado Alliance, the martial arts of ordinary alliance members weren’t particularly outstanding, and it was difficult to fight desperately against a Night Parade of One Hundred Demons numbering over a hundred.

But it didn’t collapse. Why was that?

That too was because the Muryeon Hall students didn’t get scared and joined at the right places to help.

Because they lent their strength without running away despite having no obligation to do so.

Slowly Gwangyeon, who had been looking down intently at the unfolded scroll, raised his gaze and looked at the judges on the upper seats with shining tiger eyes.

“You said the merit is insufficient?”

“That would seem to be the case, Branch Chief Gwangyeon.”

“I don’t think it’s insufficient, but even if you say it is, we’ll fill it for you as much as you want. We are martial artists, and if Muryeon Hall member Seonwoo Gang hadn’t been at that place, we would all be dead.”

Repay kindness twofold, repay grudges tenfold.

“Martial artists don’t forget debts and grudges.”

Seonwoo Gang risked the threat of death and saved them. Then as martial artists, there’s only one proper duty to fulfill.

“Now it’s our turn to save him.”

As Gwangyeon’s words ended, silence descended in the gaps between the crowd. And amidst that, the Sword Saint quietly spoke.

“Transferring merit… Hehe. Transferring merit?”

“Well, well, I’ve been caught off guard. Hehehe!”

The Sword Saint, who had laughed toward the heavens briefly, quietly looked directly at Baek Riyun and Gwangyeon standing together.

“Uicheonmun Master, Branch Chief Gwangyeon. Do you know why the Orthodox Path pursues righteousness and chivalry as values?”

“…Because they’re rare, I suppose.”

“Yes. Because they’re rare. It’s because righteousness and chivalry are far too rare in this world.”

Act righteously.

The words are easy. If the situation isn’t complicated, ordinary people can easily judge what ‘righteous action’ is.

If you only pursue what’s right, you’re acting righteously. If you want to, acting that way isn’t very difficult.

However, examining the reality, in this cruel world, there aren’t many people trying to act righteously.

“The morality between fellow disciples has fallen to the ground, and it’s commonplace for even the natural bonds between parents and children to be abandoned—that’s the current era.”

“Beasts wearing the skin of righteous chivalrous warriors who only proclaim righteousness and chivalry with their mouths, and monsters who can’t even wear that skin—these roam the gangho. That’s the current generation.”

A common enemy unites humanity. But it’s been hundreds of years since yokai were driven out and the world divided into black and white.

Humans have divided into black and white and repeatedly antagonized and slaughtered each other for hundreds of years.

The safer the world became, the more paradoxically righteousness and chivalry fell to the ground.

Compared to the Orthodox Path of the past, today’s Orthodox Path murim, obsessed with internal strife, can never truly be called white.

“Even in barren soil, grass grows, and even from nameless weeds, flowers bloom.”

Acting despite knowing it’s disadvantageous to oneself—that is righteousness. Being unable to tolerate injustice—that is chivalry.

‘With this much, can’t we proudly call ourselves white?’

The Sword Saint, bearing a pleased smile, quietly spoke toward Baek Rigang.

“Isn’t this enough? Family Head Baek Ri.”

“I know your judgment is rational, but it seems the standard has already been passed.”

“So it seems.”

At the Sword Saint’s words, Baek Rigang slowly nodded. He had no choice but to acknowledge it.

As Sword Empress Cheon Seoryeong had said, the merit of blocking the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons is great. Even limited to individual merit, it’s quite significant merit, but if all the group’s merit is concentrated on one person, naturally it can only be greater. So is there justification to block that?

‘If the justification isn’t merit consolidation for private gain, but rather repaying the debt of saving lives…’

It can’t be blocked. That would be denying the foundation of the Murim Alliance.

“Fine.”

Thud.

Baek Rigang, having organized his thoughts, brought his hand down on the table with a sound and continued.

“The merit is sufficient. The merit of blocking the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons isn’t insignificant, so let’s move past that part.”

“Thank you.”

“But isn’t there still one more thing left?”

“You haven’t forgotten that there are two conditions for pardon?”

First. Does the merit established exceed the fault committed?

This was resolved by Gwangyeon bringing the joint petition to this place. The merit of blocking the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons is too great to erase with the simple fault of hiding in the Murim Alliance.

Then what about the second?

“Punishing one to warn a hundred means punishing one to warn a hundred.”

“If we pardon Muryeon Hall member Seonwoo Gang here, this exception could allow spies to infiltrate the Murim Alliance more comfortably. Is there a reason for the Murim Alliance to release Seonwoo Gang while accepting all the countless spies who will infiltrate in the future?”

Second condition. Does pardoning him have a better effect on the alliance than not pardoning him?

‘This is the last one.’

If they pass this barrier, it’s over. But it’s also the most difficult barrier to pass.

‘What will you do?’

No one else can intervene in this. It’s a wall that can’t be broken through with expedients like consolidating merit.

“Speak.”

“Why should the alliance release Seonwoo Gang?”

A mouse cornered against a wall? Or a tiger crouched and eyeing prey?

Baek Rigang, who had quietly finished speaking and looked directly into Baek Riyun’s eyes, fell silent. And then.

“You ask why we should release Seonwoo Gang?”

The moment Baek Riyun’s mouth opened.

“It’s simple.”

Baek Rigang.

“From today, Seonwoo Gang.”

Saw light in Baek Riyun’s eyes.

“Will become a member of Uicheonmun.”

The most brilliant light, golden in color.