Chapter 178

Chapter 178

Namgyeong .

“Your Highness. Yeon-i has escaped the palace.”

“……She ran away again, you say?”

At the familiar situation, the man sitting in the resplendent chair, Prince Seo  Ju Tae , pressed his forehead and sighed. And the rebuke that immediately followed.

“This is already the fifth time. During these turbulent times, my daughter has gone out five times, yet you haven’t restrained her—what have you been doing, my lady?”

“She simply won’t listen……”

“Then you should have used the rod. Just because she inherited imperial blood, you coddle her, and that’s why she grows up so unruly, isn’t it?”

It wasn’t as if there weren’t already enough complicated matters, and now there’s one more thing to worry about.

Sighing again, Ju Tae sank into his Taesaui .

“……I’m sorry. These days, there are many headache-inducing matters.”

“Not at all. It’s my lack of virtue. Your Highness. It’s because I failed to educate her properly.”

“It’s not as if you bore Yeon-i alone—how can I say I have no responsibility? Since husband and wife are one body, I too can be said to have responsibility.”

Having spoken decisively, Ju Tae shook his head.

“In any case, don’t worry too much. When the time comes, she’ll return on her own.”

“The martial world is turbulent. We should have her return quickly……”

“It’s fine. I’ve attached an escort in case something like this happened.”

Having attached an expert that even renowned martial artists would look down upon, there shouldn’t be any major problems.

“Then that’s fortunate.”

At Ju Tae’s words, Ju Tae’s wife, Lady Yeonhwa , who had been relieved and stroking her chest, opened her mouth again.

“You seem to have many worries. Your Highness.”

“I can’t help but have many worries. The political situation is taking a strange turn.”

“The political situation……?”

“Yes. Especially the martial world’s situation is taking a strange turn. The two largest groups of martial artists who were antagonizing each other have stopped fighting—how could I not be concerned?”

“Ah…….”

At Ju Tae’s words, Lady Yeonhwa, recalling that the war between the Murim Alliance and Sado Alliance had stopped, let out a sigh. But Ju Tae’s words didn’t end.

“Until now, I only needed to mediate so the balance of power wouldn’t collapse. But now it’s different. Whichever side I help, I can no longer keep the other in check.”

“Will something major happen?”

“Well, not immediately. But there’s no guarantee it will remain so in the future. Either direction would be unfavorable for the imperial family.”

Though employed out of necessity, His Majesty doesn’t wish for the martial world’s power to grow beyond a certain level. The reason he had maintained neutrality between the orthodox and unorthodox paths until now, occasionally granting and withdrawing interests, was for that purpose.

When the balance of power is maintained, they’re too busy fighting each other to turn their blades toward the imperial family. Under that ideology, His Majesty had entrusted Ju Tae with the task of monitoring the martial world and coordinating interests, and until now, Ju Tae had performed that role well. However.

“Now it’s not so easy.”

They’ve stopped fighting. Isn’t this a situation where they’re dividing up the interests of the Central Plains and moving toward solidifying their power?

If left to continue like this, something unfavorable will surely happen.

That’s why preparation is necessary.

For whatever turmoil might occur.

“I’m gathering sects that could become the imperial family’s side when needed.”

“You mean……?”

“Though the Gold Army  is powerful, they cannot do the same things as sects. Nor can the imperial family establish a sect. So I’m selecting sects to handle the imperial family’s affairs. Until now we’ve entrusted things to them, but it’s burdensome to further increase their power.”

No matter how powerful the Murim Alliance and Sado Alliance are, unless they’re insane, they can’t turn their blades against the imperial family which possesses the Gold Army. But that’s one thing, and this is another.

“I can’t just sit by and watch military-like forces grow. Interests must gradually be dispersed.”

“Do you have any candidates in mind?”

“Well. I’ve been thinking about it this way and that, but nothing immediately comes to mind. Should I consolidate interests in sects deeply connected to the imperial family, or should I make imperial martial artists independent and have them establish a sect……”

The conditions are clear. A sect that maintains a certain distance from both the Murim Alliance and Sado Alliance, the two forces. A sect that leans toward neither the orthodox path nor the unorthodox path, yet has the ability to carry out the imperial family’s requests.

“It’s difficult.”

“How could it not be difficult? Half this martial world is orthodox and half is unorthodox.”

His head aches.

Ju Tae, pressing hard between his brows, grimaced at the headache. And the words that followed.

“I wonder if a perfectly suitable sect might just fall from somewhere.”

Such luck couldn’t be expected.

With a bitter smile, Ju Tae shook his head and looked up at the sky.

The gloomy sky where dark clouds seemed ready to pour rain at any moment.

The meal ended quickly.

“Ah, I ate well.”

“……You’re slender but eat well.”

“Hahaha. When your stomach is stuck to your back, what can’t you eat? You’d even chew tree roots.”

“You don’t look like someone who’s actually chewed tree roots.”

“Unfortunately, I lack knowledge about edible tree roots. After getting sick from randomly picking something up once, I decided not to eat things from the roadside unless necessary. Ah, is there no dessert by chance? I’m craving something sweet.”

Looking at the scholar making a “Geurwook—” sound while burping and spouting words like flowing water, I let out a hollow laugh. The scholar’s attitude was quite bold for someone who had begged for food.

In many ways, this person reminds me of hyeong-nim. The only problem is that they’re a bit less mature than hyeong-nim.

Organizing my thoughts, I opened my mouth. It was time to have a conversation.

“Since I bought you a meal, I should at least be able to hear your name. What is your name?”

“Name? Ah, look at my mind. We haven’t even exchanged names yet, have we? I’m called Jo Hyeon .”

“Jo Hyeon?”

“That’s right. Well, my family isn’t particularly grand, so there’s no need to discuss the family…… Just think of me roughly as a scholar wandering the world. And you are?”

“Uicheonmunju  Baek Riyun. These are my disciples.”

“Uicheonmun!”

Jo Hyeon exclaimed in admiration, then blinked for a moment before tilting his head. A question followed.

“Is there such a sect among the orthodox sects? Though I’m not a martial artist, just looking at your imposing presence suggests you’re disciples of a renowned sect……”

“Unfortunately, we’re not an orthodox sect.”

“……Then unorthodox?”

“Not unorthodox either. We’re Jeongsajigan , for now. Not a particularly famous sect either.”

“Oh my.”

At my words, Jo Hyeon pursed his lips as if disappointed, seemed to ponder for a moment, then bowed his head.

“Then I’ll repay you when we meet in the future! I ate thinking you were an orthodox sect.”

“I don’t think it would have been much different even if we were an orthodox sect.”

“Hahaha, you don’t understand. Doesn’t it come out even in martial arts novels? Orthodox people can’t bear to see beggars go hungry, so you might be able to mooch a meal. Good deeds are also a type of reputation management, so if you eat and think positively about them, isn’t that also repayment?”

Good deeds as reputation management.

That’s a new perspective.

Shaking my head at the sight of someone who seems immature yet strangely hits the nail on the head, I cleared my throat when I saw the children coming from afar. Then Jo Hyeon, looking around, gazed back at me.

“Then let’s part ways here for the future. I’d like to talk more, but I have somewhere to go.”

“Understood. I also have some business. I’m thinking of visiting Namgung Family.”

“……Namgung Family?”

“That’s right. I saw in martial arts novels that Namgung Family’s Jewang Geomhyeong  is supposedly unparalleled under heaven. I want to witness it with these two eyes!”

“If you said that in front of Namgung Family, your head would have been cut off.”

“Hm? Really?”

“Probably. The probability would be about fifty-fifty. Either you’d be treated as crazy and kicked out, or your head would be cut off by that Jewang Geomhyeong.”

Though Namgung Family is an orthodox sect, they’re fundamentally a martial sect. And if they’re a martial sect, regardless of what kind of martial sect, they wouldn’t readily show their secret techniques.

“Since you said you’re not a martial artist, your head won’t be cut off. But you still won’t be able to watch. It’s true that even the well-known Changgung Muae Sword is not easy to see, let alone the Jewang Geomhyeong.”

“Hmm, then what to do…… Isn’t there a way?”

“Mm.”

There is a way, but why bother?

As I glanced at Jo Hyeon with a strange look, Jo Hyeon, realizing I had some method, cleared his throat and spoke.

“If you let me just watch, I’ll repay you!”

“That’s quite interesting. What will you repay me with?”

“Three plates of Juhongmudubu!”

“……Five plates?”

“Didn’t Jo Hyeon so協 just say you didn’t even have money to buy one plate and were going hungry?”

“We-well, that was just a temporary situation. Once I get to the next city, I can somehow obtain travel expenses.”

“You’re planning to accompany us to the next city?”

“Would that not be acceptable……?”

Looking at Jo Hyeon making a pitiful expression with sparkling eyes, I burst into laughter.

Right. This is all experience too.

“Fine. Keep my disciples company while we travel. They seem to be around the same age. The next city we’re going to probably won’t sell Juhongmudubu, which is Anhui cuisine, so that’s unnecessary.”

“Really?!”

“Instead, from now on, may I speak more comfortably? Looking at it, I seem to be much older.”

“Haha. Do so! As long as I can witness the Jewang Geomhyeong, anything goes.”

“Then I’ll speak comfortably to so협.”

“Why wouldn’t that be fine!”

As I patted his shoulder, Jo Hyeon, who had flinched reflexively, grinned broadly again. And around that time, the disciples arrived.

“Munju-nim. Who is that person?”

“Mm.”

At Seohwa’s question, I nodded and glanced at Jo Hyeon, who stepped forward and spoke.

“I am Jo Hyeon of the Jo Family, who will be accompanying you for a short while! I really want to witness Namgung Family’s martial arts, so I asked Baek Riyun munju for a favor. Hahaha!”

Looking at Jo Hyeon pretending to laugh heartily, Seohwa looked at me, and I nodded as if to confirm. Then Seohwa immediately smiled brightly and took a courtesy posture.

“I’m Seohwa, Uicheonmun’s grand disciple. These are my sajae . The person coming behind is our guest, Baek Risan-nim.”

“Mm-hm. Grand disciple? You must be quite old!”

“……My age is as it appears. Seniority isn’t always by age order.”

“Is that so! I don’t know much about the martial world. My apologies! I’ll call you Seohwa sojeo  from now on!”

Jo Hyeon, who had inadvertently reproached Seohwa without malice, turned his gaze back to me.

“But more importantly, how can I witness the Jewang Geomhyeong…… I mean, how? According to what Baek Riyun munju said, secret techniques aren’t something shown carelessly to outsiders, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then what method is there…… Do you perhaps have a close relationship with Namgung Family?”

“We’re not that close. Even if we had a close relationship, I couldn’t ask them to show a secret technique to a complete stranger.”

“Then?”

“Don’t you just need to watch?”

There’s no need to ask them to show it. Namgung Family will bring out the Jewang Geomhyeong anyway. Because they won’t be able to face us with just the Changgung Muae Sword.

“We’re on a bimuhaeng . This round is Namgung Family.”

“……Bimuhaeng?”

“If you want to witness martial arts, watch the bimu. You’ll probably be able to see it.”

As I spoke with a small smile, Jo Hyeon blinked and raised a finger toward me. And the shock that followed.

“A-a martial arts novel protagonist!”

“In martial arts novels, protagonists all go on bimuhaeng! Munju-nim is a martial arts novel protagonist! Or is it the disciples!”

It seems.

The claim of learning about the martial world through martial arts novels isn’t a lie.