Chapter 195

Chapter 195 

Preparations proceeded quickly.

“Baek Risan, older sister! I’m here!”

“Haaaaa.”

Watching Namgung Yeon appear waving her hands while carrying luggage, Baek Risan, who let out a deep sigh, covered her face with her hands. An expression deeply marked with fatigue.

“Yeon-a. Can’t you please keep your mouth shut? Follow your older brother’s example.”

“Ehhh. But I just got here?”

“I’m weary about the days ahead living with you. So weary…….”

“Oh come on, you’re actually happy. You’re glad to travel together after so long!”

“Is hearing only what you want to hear your family’s hereditary trait?”

While Baek Risan, who let out a deep sigh, shook her head, Namgung Yeon, who wore a beaming smile, bowed her head toward me.

“I look forward to working with you from now on, Uicheonmun Lord!”

“Yes. I also look forward to it. Did you greet the family head before coming?”

“Yes. He told me to gain a lot of experience. While saying ‘What you lack is experience!’ like that!”

“Gaining experience is important.”

I know too, as does Namgung Yeoncheon, that Namgung Yeon’s chronic problem is lack of experience. Even during the duel with Seohwa, if she had abundant experience, she could have responded smoothly without panicking after realizing all her techniques were being read.

If that had happened, though Seohwa would have had a significant advantage with those eyes, the duel wouldn’t have flowed in such a one-sided manner. Though it’s impolite to say this about another family, isn’t Namgung Yeon quite an outstanding prodigy?

“Since greeting me is done now, go exchange greetings with the disciples. You’ll be living together from now on, so it would be good to familiarize yourselves.”

“Yes!”

After answering energetically and making a fuss as she approached Seohwa, I glanced at Namgung Yeon and shrugged my shoulders. Namgung Hyeon walking over with luggage from beyond there.

“You seem finished preparing to depart. Did you pack everything properly?”

“Since I didn’t pack it myself, it should be properly packed.”

“Who packs your traveling bag if not yourself?”

“There are plenty of people here who insist on packing for me even when I try to do it myself.”

That would be so. When the young family head departs on a journey, how many family members wouldn’t care about it?

I chuckled at Namgung Hyeon’s appearance of slightly frowning and patted his shoulder. Then Namgung Hyeon, looking around, asked.

“Where is the Sword Sovereign?”

“She said she had business in Hapbi  and left ahead. We should be able to join up if we go to Hapbi. What’s the schedule?”

“We plan to hold the opening ceremony in Hapbi four days from now. I believe they intend to recreate the event the Murim Alliance held two years ago.”

“Are they trying to show off their power?”

“Wouldn’t it be so?”

Manwang didn’t seem like that kind of person, but did I misjudge him?

While tilting my head and stroking my rough chin. I don’t quite know what Manwang is thinking, but doesn’t it mean we need to arrive in Hapbi in four days?

“How far is it to Hapbi?”

“About five hundred ri.”

“So we need to travel about one hundred twenty ri a day. It’ll be difficult to go leisurely in a carriage.”

“I never planned to go leisurely in the first place.”

“That’s true.”

If we travel using gyeonggong , it’s a distance we can cover in two days. Though it will be quite a forced march physically, well, if you’re a warrior, isn’t it something you must endure?

“I plan to steal everything this time.”

“What?”

“Your experience, your abilities.”

“Hoho.”

Watching Namgung Hyeon show eyes thick with competitive spirit toward me who defeated the Namgung Family, I chuckled. Because that’s the kind of eyes a young warrior should show.

“You don’t want me to teach you directly?”

“If you teach me directly, I’m confident I can absorb it well.”

“That’s not fun, and since you already said you’d steal it, try stealing it. Though it won’t be easy.”

That would be good stimulation. For Namgung Hyeon, and for my disciples too.

“Evil Path Alliance.”

I turned my gaze slightly to look beyond the Namgung Family’s main gate. Hapbi, which must be somewhere far below the mountain.

“It doesn’t seem like it will end simply.”

What have they prepared?

Shall I look forward to it a bit?

Hapbi. Evil Path Alliance main headquarters.

A man, the Evil Path Alliance Leader, sitting on a rock, dusted off his hands and sneered at the man sitting silently below.

“What did you crawl all the way here thinking there’d be something to pick up?”

“Ah, is he already dead?”

Tsk tsk, what a shame, they should send a stronger guy.

The Evil Path Alliance Leader, who clicked his tongue, dusted off the blood on his hands and searched through the dead man’s belongings. Soon after, a scene appeared.

“All demons prostrate in worship, struggle continues immortally .”

All demons prostrate in worship. As long as struggle continues, you shall be immortal.

The Evil Path Alliance Leader, who confirmed the common phrase often spoken by Demonic Cult members, scratched his cheek. Because lately, guys carrying this phrase on them had noticeably increased.

“Is it about time to move?”

The Demonic Cult cannot leave Xinjiang.

The Murim Alliance Leader knows this fact, and he himself, the master of the Evil Path Alliance, knows it. The Imperial Palace’s emperor would know too. Why the Demonic Cult cannot leave Xinjiang.

Due to an ancient promise, Demonic Cult members cannot set foot on Central Plains’ land. Some think the Demonic Cult is merely rejected in Central Plains because it’s a type of evil cult, but in reality, there are deeper reasons.

And yet.

‘They’re trying to break the promise.’

Thousands of years since the promise was made.

At present, the Demonic Cult members are repeatedly attempting to set foot on Central Plains’ land. Though there should be no way to come to Central Plains now that the Heavenly Demon is absent and the Divine Maiden’s bloodline is severed, they’re diligently seeking that method.

Then what should be done? To shove the Demonic Cult, which won’t uphold the promise, back into Xinjiang.

“We have no choice but to show them that Central Plains is land they absolutely cannot covet.”

Ttuduk, the Evil Path Alliance Leader, who snapped the neck, stood up from his seat. A shadow quietly following beside him.

“Preparations for the opening are complete. Alliance Leader.”

“Did you prepare all the formations?”

“Yes.”

“Make sure to inform them well in advance so there are no problems. The Unorthodox Path might not care, but Orthodox Path gentlemen are sensitive about such matters.”

Lining up in rows to show off military power? An act showing how formidable the Unorthodox Path’s military force is?

He has no intention of doing such things. Though he roughly knows why they do such things, it means he has no desire to do it. However.

“We do need to show our capabilities.”

If we received, we should return. Since the Orthodox Path gave such a grand welcoming greeting, the Unorthodox Path must also do something, mustn’t they?

The Evil Path Alliance Leader, who chuckled while thinking about what would happen after opening the gate, stood up from his seat.

“Did you compile the list of people participating in this meeting?”

“Yes. From the Orthodox Path, all of the Nine Sects, One Gang, and Five Great Families are participating.”

“What about the heads?”

“It seems about half are participating. The Baek Ri Family, Namgung Family, Shaolin, and Wudang announced non-participation.”

“All the decent ones dropped out. The Alliance Leader won’t come either?”

“He says he’s busy with public and private matters. Instead, he sent the First Military Advisor.”

“He doesn’t want to get his ass kicked. Then among the Ten Heavens, only the Sword Sovereign is coming.”

It would have been more interesting if all three came.

The Evil Path Alliance Leader, who muttered softly, shook his head.

“How many are participating from our side?”

“Excluding Iron Blood Gate Lord Taeak, everyone.”

“Oh. Even the Dokgo Family is coming? I thought they wouldn’t.”

“The young family head succeeded the family head position. He seems likely to come this time.”

“Then, our side is just keeping up appearances. What about those between Orthodox and Evil ? Since we didn’t send many invitations, can’t we expect much?”

“We just received intelligence that the Indestructible One  is heading to Hapbi.”

“Even that old man? People with heavy backsides are moving quite a lot.”

Not bad.

At the Evil Path Alliance Leader’s appearance showing a delighted expression, the shadow who had been refraining from speaking quietly bowed his head. A voice flowing out softly.

“And speaking of those between Orthodox and Evil, this isn’t important information but.”

“What is it that you’re saying that?”

“The sect Uicheonmun, which is between Orthodox and Evil, also seems to be participating in this meeting. They were confirmed heading to Hapbi together with the Namgung Family.”

“Uicheon……? Ah, that Uicheonmun? From two years ago?”

“Yes.”

“That’s…… going to be interesting.”

The man who created every variable there was. Baek Riyun.

The Evil Path Alliance Leader, recalling that appearance, wore a sly smile. Because having a variable appear on the laid-out board was something to welcome.

“This meeting is one where the Imperial Family, Orthodox Path, and Unorthodox Path all gather.”

“From the Demonic Cult’s perspective, they can’t just sit and watch.”

The Demonic Cult is a group that can be considered the strongest as a single force.

However, if the Orthodox Path, Unorthodox Path, and Imperial Family—Central Plains’ three powers—all combine forces, even the Demonic Cult couldn’t push into Central Plains. So if there’s an attempt to combine forces, they’ll either come to interfere or at least sneak in to obtain that information.

“It would be best if we could catch even one of the Seven Wheels .”

It would be nice to reduce the Demonic Cult’s power at this opportunity.

The Evil Path Alliance Leader, who muttered briefly, waved his hand.

“Well, let’s work hard on preparations first. Then can we consider preparations almost finished?”

“Yes. He boasted that even the Phantom God  couldn’t break it.”

“Is that so?”

Then that’s settled.

The Evil Path Alliance Leader, who chuckled, spread his arms wide. Tangible fog of energy spreading darkly enough to cover beyond both arms and the world.

“A little rat has sneaked in.”

“To catch a rat, we need to set a trap. A trap so attractive that the rat can’t resist without being caught.”

Can they really not get caught? Can they really not be captured?

“I’m looking forward to it.”

The Evil Path Alliance Leader, who chuckled, shook his head.

Whether they get caught or not.

“If they don’t come, I’ll have to go myself.”

The end will be similar either way.

Three days after leaving the Namgung Family.

We arrived in Hapbi.

“This is my first time coming to Hapbi……!”

“Wasn’t Sangsan  where the Murim Alliance main headquarters is also your first time?”

“Hehe, that’s true though.”

Seohwa, who awkwardly swept her hair aside, looked around with shining eyes and then flinched in surprise. Fierce-looking warriors passing by ahead.

“There are a lot of warriors. It seems like there are even more than in Sangsan.”

“It’s probably because of the opening event. And Unorthodox Path people are easier to recognize too.”

“Will it be alright?”

“What will?”

“When there are many warriors…….”

Doesn’t it easily become chaotic?

Watching Seohwa trail off her words, I chuckled. Because thinking that way is natural.

“Usually when there are many warriors, it’s true that fights easily break out.”

“Yes.”

“But it’s not so here. Because this is Hapbi.”

“What? What does Hapbi being here have to do with…….”

“Isn’t it the city where the Evil Path Alliance main headquarters is located?”

Cities dominated by the Unorthodox Path seem like they wouldn’t care about public order, but the reality is different. Cities dominated by the Unorthodox Path care about public order more than anyone.

They must have devoted all their energy especially to eliminating conflicts among warriors here where the Evil Path Alliance main headquarters is located. To ease the people’s perception of the Unorthodox Path, managing public order is essential.

“If warriors cause a disturbance here, they’ll probably have their heads cut by warriors from the Evil Path Alliance before long. Though the Murim Alliance must follow procedures, the Evil Path Alliance has no such thing, so they can actually more easily restrain rampaging warriors.”

“Ah……. Public order management is certainly thorough.”

“That’s right. When others are causing disturbances in my territory, who would welcome it?”

“I see…… Oh, Sect Lord.”

While Seohwa, who nodded as if understanding at my words, was turning her gaze, she blinked while looking at a notice posted on a wall.

“It looks like something about tomorrow’s opening event is written there?”

“Did they announce the time?”

“No. For just announcing the time, there’s…… quite a lot written.”

Seohwa, who narrowed her eyes briefly to sharpen her vision and read the notice’s writing, tilted her head. The following question.

“What does that mean?”

“What does it say?”

“Those with confidence, enter through the main gate. Those without confidence, enter through the side gate. That’s what’s written.”

“What?”

What’s that about?

At Seohwa’s story, I turned my gaze to look at the notice. Letters written large as a door indeed as Seohwa said.

[The main headquarters does not distinguish between Unorthodox Path and Orthodox Path.]

[Those without confidence in their strength, enter through the side gate. With heads bowed. However, if you have confidence.]

[Enter through the main gate. We’ve prepared an ordeal for you.]

[P.S. There’s also a cute and lovely prize.]

“……I did think he wasn’t someone who would normally show off power, but.”

I shook my head back and forth while staring at the phrase probably conceived by the Evil Path Alliance Leader.

This is.

What on earth is this?