Chapter 118

Chapter 118

“I intend to accept Muryeongwando Seonwoo Gang as a disciple of Uicheonmun.”

Declaration.

At the silence that fell simultaneously with those words, I looked around with a bitter smile. Everyone was staring at me with shocked eyes.

What is a sect, what is the martial world?

Simply put, a sect is a group of people who use and study the same martial arts together.

They receive the same martial studies and teachings, continuing through generations, developing the martial arts left by their ancestors while pursuing common values.

For most sects, one’s sect is philosophy, the world, and also functions as society. All different, yet growing similar to each other—that is a sect.

Developing a single martial art. Pursuing the common ideology left by ancestors.

I have no intention of denying that this is the core of a sect. Most sects except for family clans formed by blood relations were born this way, have continued this way, and exist this way.

However, if you ask me what a sect is, what I want to say has always been one thing, both then and now.

[A new direction for your sect has opened!]

Regardless of ideology or martial arts, to put it very simply:

A gathering of people who want to walk together.

I quietly maintained that silence, then raised my head at the gaze I felt. The three examiners at the head table were watching me as if they wanted to devour me.

“……Uicheonmunju, do you know what you’re saying?”

“What do you mean?”

“Even if he’s scheduled to receive a pardon, Seonwoo Gang is still a criminal. Unless it’s after receiving the pardon, accepting Seonwoo Gang now means accepting a spy from the Sado Alliance as a disciple.”

“I know.”

“No, you don’t know at all!”

Bang!

The excited Cheon Seoryeong struck the desk and continued.

“It’s not simply about not joining the Murim Alliance. Not receiving the Murim Alliance’s protection. It’s not just that level. A disciple’s crimes fall on the sect. The moment you accept Seonwoo Gang as a disciple, Seonwoo Gang’s crimes become Uicheonmun’s crimes!”

“I’m aware. That it’s different from temporarily withdrawing from the Murim Alliance.”

Voluntary withdrawal from the Murim Alliance can be restored through strict examination. Though it would take a long time, it would be possible.

However, if I accept Seonwoo Gang, Seonwoo Gang’s crimes become Uicheonmun’s crimes. And Seonwoo Gang’s crime is infiltrating the Murim Alliance as a spy.

Even if pardoned, there is no case of the Alliance accepting back someone who was once a spy.

In other words, the moment I accept Seonwoo Gang, Uicheonmun will be expelled from the Murim Alliance.

No.

Permanently expelled from the Orthodox Martial World.

“……You say you know, but why would someone who knows… Could you possibly think you can break only the formality and return to the Alliance?”

“I had no such thought whatsoever.”

“Then……!”

“Is being Orthodox so important?”

“……What?”

“Is being Orthodox really that important?”

“…….”

“I don’t think so.”

I continued speaking while looking at Cheon Seoryeong’s dumbfounded expression.

“It’s a truly contradictory statement coming from me, who has spent a long time as Commander of the Martial Force Corps, but I don’t believe that black and white are clearly divided.”

“Is the Murim Alliance unconditionally good, and the Sado Alliance unconditionally evil?”

“That’s…….”

“It won’t be so.”

Unorthodox Path and Orthodox Path.

There are differences in pursued values, but we cannot say one is absolutely ‘right.’ The paths merely divide into the Orthodox Path pursuing righteousness and the Unorthodox Path pursuing the way of domination, but what they do is ultimately similar.

“Through twelve years of wandering while belonging to the Martial Force Corps, I learned this. There are many bastards in the Orthodox Martial World, and many good people in the Unorthodox Martial World.”

“I don’t want to say that the Unorthodox Path is cleaner than the Orthodox Path. But the important thing is only one’s mindset.”

Can one not embrace righteousness and chivalry just because one doesn’t belong to the Orthodox Martial World? Must one not walk the path of domination just because one doesn’t belong to the Unorthodox Path?

“That’s not the case.”

In pursuing any value, the most important thing is oneself. The surrounding environment can influence, but cannot be an absolute standard.

“I am the master of Righteous Heaven Gate.”

I named it so, hoping to be able to say I am right without a single point of shame when looking up at the heavens.

“What I, what Uicheonmun pursues is only one thing.”

“That anyone should be able to reap the fruits of the path they’ve walked. That if one wishes to do so, anyone should be able to pursue their own righteousness.”

Judgment for those who have accumulated evil deeds, and appropriate protection for those who have accumulated good deeds.

“I intend to accept Seonwoo Gang as a disciple of Uicheonmun.”

It’s not simple sympathy. The path Seonwoo Gang has walked, and the path he will walk forward.

Because that is Uicheonmun’s reason for existence. Because it is our pursued value.

“Seonwoo Gang will not die here.”

No matter what happens.

Silence.

When my words ended, those who had been talking, the examiners, and even Gwangyeonja standing beside me held their breath. Though hundreds of people were gathered, the venue became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“It’s idealism.”

At the voice breaking the silence, everyone’s gaze turned. And beyond that gaze, Father.

No.

The Sword Emperor continued speaking.

“Righteousness is self-righteous, and can only be achieved if you have the power to protect it. No matter how hard you try, if you’re powerless, you cannot see righteousness through.”

“Uicheonmun is located in Hwayonghyeon. If you try to expand your influence, do you think the surrounding Orthodox sects will stay still?”

They won’t. Nobody likes having their rice bowl taken away.

“The title of former Changcheon Corps Commander, and the connections you’ve built up until now, will all be useless. Everything you’ve built up here, in the Orthodox Path, will lose all meaning.”

“Will you still do it?”

“Will I still do it……?”

Is there a need to ask?

I smiled broadly at Father, who was asking me with firm eyes.

“Can’t I do something twice that I’ve done once? Family Head.”

“I am prepared. Prepared to protect it, prepared to achieve it.”

A moment of silence.

Father, who had been looking into my eyes, quietly closed his eyes and tapped the table as if displeased. And the answer that followed.

“Good. Then from now on, I will question Uicheonmun as equivalent to Seonwoo Gang.”

“Uicheonmunju. Do you have any objections?”

How could there be any?

“Of course not.”

As I affirmed my answer and stepped back, Sword Saint, who seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief with a small smile, turned his gaze toward Jegal Hwi. And Jegal Hwi, noticing that gaze, opened his mouth.

“Two of the three conditions for pardon have been met here. Only one condition remains.”

“Uicheonmunju Baek Riyun. I ask you.”

If the Alliance pardons Uicheonmun’s crimes, what can Uicheonmun do for the Alliance?

“What I can do for you.”

At Jegal Hwi’s question, I smiled quietly and took a step back. And.

“It’s quite embarrassing to say this, but.”

I quietly turned my gaze to look at those gathered.

The Changcheon Corps I had cultivated for many years.

And the Muryeongwando who had defeated Mujeong Hall and risen to the victor’s position.

“The Murim Alliance should rather worry about what more they can do for me.”

Everything was over.

—Every year, selecting a certain number of Muryeongwando and Mujeongwando for training…….

—The detailed contents will be discussed later…….

Hearing Baek Riyun and Jegal Hwi’s voices from afar like a dream, Seonwoo Gang quietly looked down at his hands. His fingertips trembling slightly.

‘Is it over? Everything?’

It doesn’t feel real. Just a while ago, he thought everything was over, but he hadn’t imagined this kind of ending.

He had expected death.

He thought there was no way to survive. At the end of everything he could imagine was his own death. He wondered if something might happen that would allow him to survive, but such imaginings were usually not concrete and vague.

Because he couldn’t properly imagine it. That’s probably why.

It must have been so.

“Then, I understand we’ll proceed that way. Deputy Military Strategist. Please handle it properly.”

“I’ll handle it better than you, so don’t worry. Uicheonmunju. Has there ever been a time when you beat me in administrative work?”

“Hahaha. Someone who can’t even do martial arts is all mouth.”

“Blockhead. Stupid bastard. Go back to your position.”

“Is it okay to speak informally in an official setting like this? And I have a slight edge at Go.”

“It’s annoying, so go to your position. Uicheonmunju.”

Watching Baek Riyun and Jegal Hwi coordinate with each other while grinning at each other, Seonwoo Gang had a dumbfounded expression before coming back to his senses. Baek Riyun, who had already finished coordinating, was approaching Seonwoo Gang.

“Ahem.”

At Baek Riyun’s appearance of clearing his throat and pretending not to care, Cheon Seoryeong, who had smiled gently for a moment, raised her voice.

“Then, can we consider the examination finished? The first condition, second condition, and even the third condition have all been met. Isn’t that right, Deputy Military Strategist?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Mm.”

At Jegal Hwi and Baek Rigang’s affirmation, Cheon Seoryeong nodded and struck the table with the cute gavel placed beside her, making tapping sounds.

“Then the examination ends here. Alliance Leader. Please declare the end of the examination.”

“Alliance Leader?”

Silence.

At Sword Saint’s lack of response, Cheon Seoryeong called out to Sword Saint once more. But after thinking for a moment, Sword Saint shook his head.

“No, no. Not all the examination conditions have been met yet.”

“……What do you mean?”

“I mean exactly what I said. The first and second conditions have all been met, but hasn’t the third condition not been met yet?”

“……What on earth.”

Thinking Sword Saint was being unreasonable, Cheon Seoryeong’s expression hardened coldly again as she responded to Sword Saint’s words. But before those words could fully end, Sword Saint opened his mouth again.

“You all know that master-disciple relationships, unlike parent-child relationships, are human bonds, not natural bonds.”

“……That’s true.”

“Do you know what the biggest difference between natural bonds and human bonds is? Natural bonds are formed beyond one’s will, but human bonds are formed only when both parties’ wills align.”

Can parents choose their children? Can children choose their parents?

No. Whether to bear children is the parents’ choice, but parents cannot choose which children to bear. The reverse is also true. Children before birth cannot choose which parents will bear them.

Thus, natural bonds operate according to heaven’s will, beyond human will. But what about human bonds?

“Master-disciple relationships are human bonds. The master chooses the disciple, and the disciple chooses the master. Do you understand what I mean?”

“No matter how unilaterally a master says they’ll take someone as a disciple, it won’t be established if it’s only one party’s will.”

“Indeed.”

Listening to Sword Saint’s story, Cheon Seoryeong nodded and turned her gaze toward Seonwoo Gang.

“Your will is also important. Muryeongwando Seonwoo Gang. Do you intend to enter Uicheonmun?”

“……Uicheonmun.”

“Yes. I’m asking if you intend to take Uicheonmunju Baek Riyun as your master.”

At Cheon Seoryeong’s words, Seonwoo Gang’s mind became complicated. It was a topic he had never thought about even once until yesterday.

‘Do I want…… to enter?’

I want to enter.

He gets along quite well with the straightforward Wangpal.

Seowoo occasionally comes to play pranks, but is precociously mature for a child and causes no trouble. Seohwa is sociable while occasionally surprising him with witty ideas. If he could cultivate martial arts together with such people, it would surely be enjoyable.

But does he have the right to do so?

‘If I give up here…….’

Seonwoo Gang knows about shame.

To save him, Baek Riyun yielded too much. If he refuses here, if he refuses and dies embracing his crimes, Uicheonmun would have its value recognized and flourish in the Orthodox Martial World.

He should refuse. But the words won’t come out. Because he doesn’t want to die, but because he has no shame.

Ambivalent emotions raged within Seonwoo Gang. And.

“I am…….”

The moment Seonwoo Gang tried to speak.

—Accept it.

Baek Riyun’s voice transmission pierced his ear.

—I understand your hesitation. One’s sect to belong to is not something that can be decided so easily.

—But accept it here. That’s the only way to escape. Decisions can only be made if you’re alive.

Decision.

At a word he hadn’t expected, Seonwoo Gang quietly turned his gaze to look at Baek Riyun. Baek Riyun looking at him with an expression as if he hadn’t said anything.

“……Sect Master.”

“What is it?”

“May I, may I…… ask one thing?”

“As much as you want.”

At Baek Riyun’s answer, Seonwoo Gang looked at Baek Riyun and opened his trembling lips.

“If I enter as a disciple of Uicheonmun to escape this situation…… and then try to change my sect registration again, if I run away, what will you do?”

At Seonwoo Gang’s words, Baek Riyun, who had paused for a moment, opened his mouth. And the two voices that followed shortly after.

“That’s obvious, isn’t it? You’ll be treated the same as an expelled disciple.”

—I won’t catch you.

“Since you left without going through the proper departure procedure, it won’t end with just having the martial arts you learned extracted. Your four limbs’ tendons will be cut and your dantian will be destroyed.”

—You just walk your own path. I don’t want to force your decision with something like this.

“That is the punishment you’ll receive if you run away. I can’t help this part. It’s related to Uicheonmun’s dignity.”

—Do as you wish. I’m not saving you to take you as a disciple.

Just, I think the human being called Seonwoo Gang should live, so I’m saving him.

‘Ah.’

After hearing even the last voice transmission from Baek Riyun, Seonwoo Gang trembled his eyelids, then quietly closed his eyes and bowed his head. Because it was too clear.

‘……This person never wanted anything from me from the start.’

What could I do for him?

Such things were never important from the beginning. Baek Riyun hadn’t gone through all this hardship expecting something from him, wanting something from him.

He had been seeing goodwill as a debt to be repaid. Even though he knew how painful it feels when someone views the goodwill you’ve shown as a debt, he had been thinking that way without realizing it.

‘No.’

It’s not something to be repaid.

Even if he tried to repay it, he wouldn’t be able to repay it all. He had received too much from Baek Riyun, and he wouldn’t be able to return that much value to Baek Riyun. Baek Riyun probably didn’t want that from the beginning anyway.

What Baek Riyun wants is one thing. That goodwill begets goodwill.

Then what he should do is also one thing. Meeting Baek Riyun’s expectations.

Having organized his thoughts, Seonwoo Gang held out his bound hands and quietly bent his knees.

“Disciple Seonwoo Gang.”

“Greets his Master.”

Once to the sect’s founder.

Next, once to the sect’s greatest elder.

Finally, once to the master.

The moment Seonwoo Gang finished his three bows to Baek Riyun.

“I declare in the name of the Alliance Leader here.”

Sword Saint rose from his seat.

“The Murim Alliance pardons all crimes of Uicheonmundo Seonwoo Gang.”

The examination was over.

[You have selected your sect’s direction.]

[Selected sect direction: Many Inherited Martial Streams]

Leaving behind only a new connection.