Chapter 194

Chapter 194

As a result, the duel was judged as Uicheonmun’s victory.

“I can’t keep boasting about having won when I’ve seen such a sword.”

At Namgung Yeoncheon’s bitter declaration, I took a sip of tea and nodded. Well, facts are facts, aren’t they?

“Even if we had continued as is, I would have won.”

“I know. Rather, I’m relieved it ended in this form.”

The Namgung Family can’t point their sword at a benefactor. So this is the Namgung Family’s defeat.

Though it was packaged that way, in reality, everyone who was there knew that Namgung Yeoncheon’s sword didn’t reach me. Even though I received the Sword Sovereign’s help, I was the one who felled Sword King Namgung Hyeok, who could be considered the Namgung Family itself.

“How is the Sword King elder’s condition?”

“The Divine Physician examined his condition. He said that though he exhausted so much vital energy this time that it will be difficult to display his former prowess, the madness can be cured.”

“If his prowess declines, to what extent?”

“Even declining, it’s just that he’ll have difficulty using his full power—it won’t be much different from before.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“It is fortunate. The Namgung Family’s fortune. And your fortune.”

“……?”

Why would the Sword King’s recovery be my fortune?

After thinking briefly, I shook my head and felt the warmth of the teacup at my fingertips. Then Namgung Yeoncheon immediately spoke.

“First, let me thank you. For stopping father, and for healing him.”

“I merely fought back because he aimed at me.”

“Even if he hadn’t aimed at you, weren’t you planning to block him anyway? We’re both people who know everything about each other, so let’s stop with the modesty.”

“You won’t even allow courtesy for appearances?”

When I responded with a chuckle, Namgung Yeoncheon closed his eyes and then held something out forward.

“What’s this?”

“It’s Changcheondan .”

Changcheondan?

“……Is this alright?”

Changcheondan is the Namgung Family’s secret elixir.

While it’s not as effective as Shaolin’s Daehwandan or Wudang’s Taecheongdan, there’s no doubt it’s still a considerably excellent elixir. It would be insufficient even for use on Namgung Family members.

Yet he’s giving this to me?

“If you watched the duel, you’ll know. What state Namgung is currently in.”

“Roughly.”

“Currently in Namgung, there’s no one worthy of receiving Changcheondan. Among the rising stars, Hyeon or Yeon would be worthy, but Hyeon has already taken Changcheondan twice so taking more would be difficult to see proper effects, and the same goes for Yeon. But the Uicheonmun disciples are different, aren’t they?”

“…….”

That’s true.

No matter how much acceleration is applied to internal energy accumulation speed, it’s true they’re lacking compared to prestigious family rising stars who gulp down elixirs like water. Just look at how Wangpal continuously suffered from internal energy inferiority in the fight with Namgung Hyeon.

“Three pills. Give them to the disciples who need them.”

“Three pills……!”

He’s giving this many?

“Treating father. Preventing Namgung’s disgrace. I judge it sufficient compensation, so accept it.”

“Ah, then since Sani doesn’t need it, putting that aside, all the remaining disciples need it, so isn’t there one more pill?”

“You thieving bastard.”

“What?”

“……That’s all there is in the Namgung Family right now. I’ll send them as soon as they’re refined. Probably won’t take long. One more is being refined.”

“Thank you.”

After all, wouldn’t it be better to match the numbers exactly?

As I was delighted at the compensation that increased by one with a single word, Namgung Yeoncheon, frowning deeply while clicking his tongue, spoke again.

“Where do you plan to go next?”

“Mm, thinking in terms of distance, wouldn’t it be either the Baek Ri Family or Shaolin?”

“……You elaborated at length before about why you prioritized choosing Namgung, but was it just about distance?”

“I did consider that too. Distance was just the highest priority.”

“Good grief.”

Namgung Yeoncheon, who clicked his tongue, stared at me. And Namgung Yeoncheon shaking his head.

“If you’re planning to decide by distance, don’t go upward.”

“What? Why is that?”

“Because even if you go, you won’t be able to meet them, so don’t go. It would be difficult to receive proper reception at either the Baek Ri Family or Shaolin right now anyway.”

What kind of talk is this?

“What’s in Anhui?”

“The Namgung Family is there.”

“That’s right. The main family is there. But there’s one more thing in Anhui besides the main family. The Evil Path Alliance.”

Evil Path Alliance.

Namgung Yeoncheon, who seemed to be recalling painful memories while frowning, continued.

“You remember that after the exchange tournament two years ago, the Murim Alliance and Evil Path Alliance agreed to a ceasefire?”

“Yes. But hasn’t the term expired?”

“Even if the term has expired, the ceasefire is still continuing. Should I say they’re consciously avoiding conflict with each other? Recently, the Evil Path Alliance even said they would open the Evil Path Alliance.”

“Open the…… Evil Path Alliance?”

“They call it a place where Orthodox Path and Unorthodox Path can harmonize, but honestly speaking, it means come show off your strength. Both sect heads and rising stars will gather.”

Was there such a thing?

“It’s not strange you didn’t hear about it. It was a story that arrived secretly only to the heads of the Nine Sects, One Gang, and Five Great Families.”

Namgung Yeoncheon paused briefly and tapped the table with his hand. The following statement.

“How about going to this place?”

“……You mean me?”

“Yes. Uicheonmun instead of the main family. I’ll hand over the invitation.”

“Would that work?”

“It wouldn’t if you were some unheard-of sect. But didn’t you just defeat the main family? You’re fully qualified to participate as Namgung Family’s representative.”

Namgung Yeoncheon, who coughed with “heumheum,” lowered his voice.

“You seem to still lean toward the Orthodox Path because you’re fundamentally an Orthodox Path person, but Uicheonmun is truly a sect between Orthodox and Evil . Isn’t that right?”

“Yes. Well.”

“Then even on a duel journey, there’s no reason to be limited only to the Nine Sects, One Gang, and Five Great Families. There’s also the Unorthodox Path side. Something similar.”

“The Seven Gates Two Families .”

“That’s right.”

I see.

“Of course, the Seven Gates Two Families, unlike the Orthodox Path’s Nine Sects, One Gang, and Five Great Families, don’t have the generosity to let duel opponents leave alive. You avoided them for that reason too. But in such an official setting, wouldn’t it be different?”

“You mean if I miss this opportunity, there won’t be a chance to challenge the Seven Gates Two Families.”

“I won’t say there won’t be…… but well, it would be a distant matter unless you become strong enough to challenge the Seven Gates Two Families and still walk away unscathed.”

That’s right. To witness the martial arts of the Seven Gates Two Families, this is an opportunity that won’t come twice.

No matter what incident occurs, the Evil Path Alliance will guarantee safety. Though I can’t avoid being glared at since I’m participating as Namgung’s representative, there won’t be a better opportunity than this.

“I’ll go.”

“A good choice.”

At my decision, Namgung Yeoncheon, who nodded as if he knew, stood up from his seat.

“While we’re at it, let me ask a favor. Can you take Hyeon and Yeon with you?”

“You’re entrusting Namgung’s two rising stars to me?”

“Even as a representative, you need to look the part, don’t you? It would be good for them to gain experience too. Though the relationship between the main family and Evil Path Alliance is extremely bad, they’ll be safe by your side.”

“That’s fine with me.”

“Then, I’ll ask you.”

Watching Namgung Yeoncheon quietly leave the room after finishing his words, I fell into thought. Evil Path Alliance. Evil Path Alliance, huh.

“Not bad.”

When I go, there will be many people to visit. For me, and for the disciples.

Let me shake it off at this opportunity.

I quietly exhaled and handled Uicheongeom’s hilt.

“Iron Blood Gate Lord. Taeak .”

The villain who killed my mother.

……Two years ago, I couldn’t grasp any clue at all, but now it might be visible.

Shall I go find him?

***

I want to follow.

I desperately want to follow.

“It seems Namgung Family plans to stay about two more days. Sajeo .”

“Really? It’s a shame they’re already leaving when I wanted them to stay longer.”

While eavesdropping on the conversation between Wangpal and Seohwa, Johyeon wiggled her fingers and her eyes gleamed. Emotions welling up.

‘I want to follow!’

Why read martial arts novels? When there’s a martial arts novel protagonist right before my eyes. When I can engrave in my eyes the footsteps the hero walks.

Johyeon, who became an ardent follower after seeing Baek Riyun’s sword strike, tapped her feet nervously. Though she wanted to follow, there was no justification.

‘Even so, asking to show me all the other duels would be shameless……?’

Uicheonmun is a small sect.

This time, things worked out well and Johyeon could obtain permission to observe, but from now on, it might not be so. Even if things go well, Baek Riyun would have to keep asking opponents for permission to have Johyeon accompany them, which is the same.

From that perspective, asking to accompany them for the entire duel journey is definitely shameless behavior. Even Johyeon, who doesn’t know worldly affairs, knew such courtesy. However.

‘But I still want to follow……!’

That’s that and this is this.

Just because reality’s walls are thick doesn’t mean the desire to follow disappears. No, rather, because it can’t be done, the thought of wanting to follow grows stronger.

What should I do? How can I naturally follow without causing trouble?

I must come up with something within two days. Johyeon, who twisted her hands and feet in anxiety, buried her face in the table. And around that time, Baek Riyun returned to the lodging and opened the door.

“The next destination has been decided.”

At Baek Riyun’s words, Johyeon’s ears twitched.

“The next destination? Wasn’t it the Baek Ri Family?”

“No. The next destination is the Evil Path Alliance.”

“Evil Path Alliance…… What? Evil Path Alliance?”

“Yes.”

At Baek Riyun’s answer shaking his head to Seohwa’s question, Johyeon blinked her eyes. However, Baek Riyun’s words didn’t end there.

“From what I hear, the rising stars and heads of the Nine Sects, One Gang, and Five Great Families are all gathering there. The Unorthodox Path’s Seven Gates Two Families as well.”

“What’s happening?”

“The nominal story is that they’re opening the Evil Path Alliance for mutual exchange, but…… it seems actually a bit different. If it were for that reason, there’d be no need to gather the heads of each faction and even the Imperial Family.”

Imperial Family?

Johyeon, who had her face buried in the table, pricked up her ears and continued eavesdropping.

“Probably the three powers of Central Plains are gathering to hold a major conference. We decided to participate there in place of the Namgung Family.”

“Is that alright? For such a conference, if the Namgung Family is absent…….”

“It’s fine. Namgung Hyeon will accompany us after receiving full authority.”

The Namgung Family will enter internal reorganization from now on. So Namgung Yeoncheon won’t accompany us, only Namgung Hyeon and Namgung Yeon…….

While listening to Baek Riyun’s continuing story with one ear and letting it flow out the other, Johyeon’s eyes gleamed. Didn’t he just clearly say Imperial Family personnel would also gather?

‘If the Imperial Family intervenes in martial arts matters…… who will come is obvious, right?’

Though the Ming Imperial Family has many princes and feudal lords, only one person has been granted full authority regarding martial arts matters. Western King Ju Tae .

Then the one appearing at this meeting would be either Ju Tae himself or his subordinates.

‘There’s, a way!’

The feeling of finding light.

Johyeon, who stood up abruptly from her seat in overwhelming joy, spoke.

“I-I shall take my leave now!”

“What? Already? You haven’t even toured Mount Cheonju yet.”

“Ha. Haha. The mountain terrain was more rugged than I thought, making it difficult to climb. I’ve been much obliged until now.”

Johyeon, who let out an awkward laugh, showed a pogwon greeting toward Baek Riyun.

“I shall pray for blessings on Uicheonmun’s future. Looking forward to meeting again next time, I shall take my leave.”

“Travel safely, Young Hero Johyeon.”

“Thank you.”

I wonder what face I’ll make when we meet again.

Johyeon, who wore a mischievous smile, quietly left through the Namgung Family’s main gate. And her face changing.

“Uncle.”

—What is it?

“I’m going home now.”

—Is this excursion already over?

At the rough voice heard from ten ri away, Johyeon—no, Ju Yeon —nodded with a soft smile.

“Because something I need to do came up. So please take me to father quickly.”

—That’s troublesome.

“Oh come on, this is something that will all help father too, you know? Because.”

Ju Yeon, who chuckled, glanced at the Namgung Family behind her and muttered softly.

“The talent father was looking for is right there.”