Chapter 272 - Why Us of All People?

Someone stepped into Jin Hagun’s path as he walked toward the carriage. It was his younger sister, Jin Haryeong.

“You’re going to a banquet?”

“What brings you here?”

“What else? I came to see my brother off.”

“I mean, why are you doing something you’ve never done before?”

Having lost their parents young, the two had grown up relying on each other. They cared deeply for one another. But this was the first time Jin Haryeong had ever come to see him off like this.

“Is this because of that fellow Geom Mugeuk?”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you come because you’re worried about him?”

Jin Hagun knew his sister had formed a connection with Geom Mugeuk during the last Young Dragon Tournament. He also knew she had come through it safely thanks to Geom Mugeuk’s help.

Jin Haryeong could neither deny it nor agree. Saying she was worried about her brother would hurt his pride, while saying she was worried about Geom Mugeuk would invite needless misunderstanding.

“He’s not an easy opponent. Don’t underestimate him under any circumstances. That’s what I came to tell you.”

“I know he’s extraordinary, too. I’ll be careful.”

Jin Haryeong caught her brother’s arm as he was about to board the carriage.

“When you deal with him, you need to put your preconceptions aside. Don’t assume he’ll act a certain way just because he’s a demonic martial artist. He isn’t the sort of person you think he is.”

Jin Hagun could not quite understand what his sister was worried about. He had never met Geom Mugeuk, after all.

“Geom Mugeuk has grown too powerful. If we don’t break his momentum now, we won’t be able to do anything about him later.”

Jin Haryeong had been hearing news of Geom Mugeuk, too. The reports were astonishing. She remembered the first time he had introduced himself to her under a false name.

[“I’m Geom Yeon. Yeon as in smoke, not the bond between people. I’ll stay here for a while, then disappear like smoke.”]

Perhaps, to her, he was Geom Yeon rather than Geom Mugeuk. Once everything was over, he really had vanished like smoke. Perhaps that was why she found herself thinking of him from time to time. She had heard he had become the young lord. She wanted to at least offer him a word of congratulations.

Jin Hagun had no way of knowing how she felt, and so he regarded Geom Mugeuk as an enemy.

“I believe chivalrous righteousness can overcome any malice. So don’t worry.”

Jin Haryeong spoke cautiously.

“What will you do if he’s a demonic hero?”

A demonic martial artist who possessed chivalrous righteousness. She had not realized it when she was with Geom Mugeuk, but after they parted, the words “demonic hero” would surface now and then whenever she thought of him. Someone unfettered by outdated customs or formalities, yet who never failed to protect what must be protected. Not a frustrating hero who refused to act because of one thing and hesitated because of another, but a demonic hero who smashed through obstacles without hesitation.

“How could such a person exist? That’s nothing but a term idle gossips invented. Upholding chivalrous righteousness is no easy task. Demonic martial artists obsessed with the notion that strength entitles them to rule could never manage it.”

With that, the carriage departed with Jin Hagun inside. His escort followed on horseback.

Watching them go, Jin Haryeong let out a soft sigh.

“Those were the very preconceptions I told you to put aside.”

She trusted her brother, and she certainly had faith in Geom Mugeuk as well. But Jin Hagun’s journey today was part of a struggle for supremacy over Murim. When ambitions collided and desires ran wild, there was no knowing what might happen.

That was why her eyes were filled with worry as she watched the carriage speeding into the distance. She was worrying about things she had never worried about before. Somewhere along the way, she had become an adult, and Murim was undergoing upheaval as it hurtled toward a new era.

* * *

“Why us of all people?”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon demanded an explanation the moment we met.

But I could tell he was excited. This was the first time he had been summoned when I needed the Demon Supremes’ help.

“I need to create an atmosphere of fear. Just as the Hunan branch sounded the alarm even though you hadn’t done anything.”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon glanced at the Fist Demon and nodded, his expression saying that in that case, I had chosen well. He was one of the few people in the world who could react like that in front of the Fist Demon.

“Then why me?”

Naturally, he assumed creating fear was the Fist Demon’s job.

“You’re the one in charge of fear, Elder.”

“What?”

Startled, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon turned to the Fist Demon again.

“Then why did you call him?”

“I need someone clever, too.”

“You little brat!”

Before the Blood Heaven Saber Demon could explode in anger, I rushed in to hug him.

“Elder! I missed you.”

In truth, the Fist Demon was in charge of the frightening face, while the Blood Heaven Saber Demon was the fiery old ginger.

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon used his footwork to evade my embrace.

“I’ve been utterly humiliated here in Hunan! You have no idea how much I’ve been hoping you two would come!”

“As if you’d let anyone humiliate you. Who have you been tormenting?”

“You’ve got me all wrong!”

After that noisy reunion with the Blood Heaven Saber Demon, I greeted the Fist Demon.

“Master, I’ve missed you.”

The Fist Demon spoke bluntly.

“What help do you need?”

He really seemed like someone who would respond with nothing more than “Let’s go!” even if I told him, “I want to conquer Murim!” That was how reassuring he was. And that made the pleasure at seeing me, which I could sense beneath his blunt manner, all the more welcome.

It’s so good to see you again, Master.

With the Blood Heaven Saber Demon and the Fist Demon here, I truly felt as though I had gained an army of thousands.

“Now that you’re both here, shall we take on all of Murim?”

I explained the current situation to them.

“... Since the Unorthodox Alliance has entered the picture, we have ample justification to act.”

“Then you and the Unorthodox Alliance must already have decided which sects each side will absorb.”

As expected, the seasoned Blood Heaven Saber Demon had grasped the heart of this joint venture without my having to explain it.

“Just what I’d expect from you, Elder!”

The sects supporting the Unorthodox Alliance and those supporting the Cult were clearly divided. There was no need to quarrel with Bi Sain over that.

“What about the Unorthodox Alliance?”

“They’re absorbing the sects as we speak.”

The Fist Demon sprang to his feet.

“Let’s go, too. No need to waste time.”

All we had to do was show them the Fist Demon’s face, and this matter would be settled.

* * *

A banquet was prepared at the Heavenly Harmony School. It was held at night, with trusted martial artists stationed throughout.

Seo Cheong was excited at the prospect of meeting the man who would become Martial Alliance Leader.

'They say the successor is young, so I should try winning him over. This might be a good chance to make my way into the Orthodox Martial Alliance.'

Hadn’t he already gained experience mingling with and leading Hunan’s promising young martial artists? He was confident he could handle young fellows.

Seo Baekjung, on the other hand, kept staring anxiously at the entrance. The expected arrival time had passed, yet none of the leaders of the gangs and sects following the Heavenly Harmony School had come. It would be disastrous if Jin Hagun arrived before them.

Growing anxious, Seo Baekjung pressed his trusted aide, Yu Maeng.

“Why hasn’t anyone come?”

How was Yu Maeng supposed to know? When he hesitated, unable to answer, Seo Baekjung interrogated him.

“Are you sure you sent word properly?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you perhaps give them the wrong date?”

“No, sir. This is far too important for me to have been careless about notifying them.”

“Then why aren’t they here? Go and find out at once.”

“Yes, sir.”

Even after sending Yu Maeng off, Seo Baekjung remained restless. He had a bad feeling. If only out of deference to him, they should have arrived ahead of the appointed time.

Just then, a subordinate came running to report.

“The Demon-Slaying Squad commander has arrived.”

Seo Baekjung was startled. Jin Hagun had arrived earlier than agreed.

The doors opened, and the Demon-Slaying Squad’s martial artists poured in, taking control of the surroundings.

Seo Cheong watched in astonishment. When the first martial artist entered, he had mistaken him for the commander. The squad members’ imposing bearing was extraordinary enough to cause that misunderstanding.

When his eyes met those of a squad member standing nearby, Seo Cheong looked away first. The man’s presence was beyond comparison with the promising young martial artists he usually spent time with.

Jin Hagun entered soon afterward. As commander, his qi presence was different again from that of his squad members. There was a dignity about him that made it impossible to approach him casually.

Seo Cheong had originally planned to sidle up with an easy smile, start with “Let’s work together as fellow young martial artists,” and eventually reach “I’ll take you somewhere wonderful.” Instead, he bowed his head, unable even to meet Jin Hagun’s eyes.

An old man entered behind Jin Hagun. Dressed in pure white, he held a sword cradled against his chest, and his air was truly that of an immortal descended from the heavens.

His presence overwhelmed everyone. Seo Baekjung recognized him at a glance.

'The Sword Immortal!'

He had seen him once before, though only from a distance, surrounded by countless experts who welcomed him with honor. He was a peerless master whose qi presence was impossible to forget after seeing him even once.

The Sword Immortal, Yi Haksin.

An absolute master of the orthodox factions and one of Murim’s foremost swordsmen, he was also a friend of Martial Alliance Leader Jin Paecheon. Jin Paecheon had asked him to assist his grandson on this trip to Hunan.

Seo Baekjung hurried forward to welcome Jin Hagun.

“Welcome, Commander.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Sect Leader.”

“Thanks to your help, my son is safe. I will never forget this kindness.”

Jin Hagun merely nodded without commenting. Instead, he introduced Yi Haksin.

“The esteemed Sword Immortal has made a special journey into the world with me.”

Seo Baekjung bowed so low that his upper body nearly touched the floor.

“It is an honor to my family to meet you, esteemed Sword Immortal.”

“A pleasure.”

The Sword Immortal offered only those words in greeting. He did not approve of absorbing the Heavenly Harmony School. It meant accepting people who had never walked the orthodox path, all for political reasons. It went against his convictions, but he had come to fulfill his friend’s request.

“Please, sit here.”

Jin Hagun took the seat of honor, while the Sword Immortal stood a short distance away. By seniority, the Sword Immortal rightfully belonged in that seat, but on this occasion, he focused entirely on protecting Jin Hagun. They had already settled that matter between them, so Jin Hagun concentrated on the purpose of today’s visit.

The Demon-Slaying Squad members inserted silver needles into the wine and food laid out in the banquet hall, checking each item for poison.

“No one has arrived yet.”

Jin Hagun’s remark struck a nerve. Everyone should already have been there waiting, yet the unthinkable had happened.

Striving to appear calm, Seo Baekjung poured him wine.

“I selfishly wanted some time alone with you, Commander, so I invited them a little later.”

Then he changed the subject by flaunting his influence.

“More than thirty sects follow our school. If you absorb them all, the Orthodox Martial Alliance could take supremacy over Hunan.”

It might seem that he ought to adopt a humble stance because they had saved his son, but that was not the essence of this matter. He still held the upper hand.

His son’s rescue had to be interpreted this way: how badly must they need the Heavenly Harmony School to intervene despite the risk of a clash with the Demonic Cult? And it wasn’t merely the school they would absorb. The thirty-odd gangs and sects following it would come as a bonus.

'I need to steer these negotiations in my favor.'

Jin Hagun, meanwhile, was sparing with his words. His counterpart was a sly old fox who had weathered every sort of hardship. When dealing with such a man, it was best to hold one’s tongue and say only what was necessary. If one spoke too much, a seasoned opponent would inevitably find a weakness in those words.

“As you can probably guess, most of them follow the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon or the Unorthodox Alliance. To bring them into the Orthodox Martial Alliance, you will need to demonstrate formidable strength, Commander.”

Jin Hagun was determined to win them over. If he failed to secure them, this endeavor, for which he had even exercised his special authority, would be only half a success.

“I’d like to show them my strength, but they aren’t coming.”

Jin Hagun smiled as he spoke, and Seo Baekjung answered with a joke.

“They must be afraid to dare meet the Demon-Slaying Squad commander.”

Seo Baekjung continued trying to buy time with various topics, but no matter how long they waited, the others did not appear.

He grew frantic, his hands trembling. He was staking his family on the greatest gamble of his life, yet the very people who needed to be here were not coming. Something had happened.

At first, Jin Hagun had thought Seo Baekjung was engaging in a battle of wills. Soon, however, he sensed that something had gone wrong. Then, at last, the banquet hall doors opened.

“They’re here!”

Seo Baekjung cried out with delight and looked toward the doors. He had hoped everyone would stream inside, but only one person stepped through.

The instant everyone’s attention turned toward him, the Demon-Slaying Squad members leaped forward and formed a protective barrier in front of Jin Hagun.

SHING!

They drew their swords in unison.

The man who had entered without concealing his unorthodox qi was Bi Sain.

The Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path likewise drew their swords and stepped forward. The two groups faced off, their swords pointed at one another.

Monstrous Evil and Light Flash entered behind Bi Sain. The Demon-Slaying Squad members’ expressions stiffened. It was obvious at a glance that these were masters whose skill surpassed their own, and the unorthodox qi they emitted was so dense it was suffocating.

It happened then.

WHOOOOSH!

A stream of refreshing qi blew through like wind, driving back the encroaching unorthodox qi. It was the qi presence released by the Sword Immortal. As it pushed the unorthodox qi back, the squad members’ expressions eased.

Monstrous Evil and Light Flash drew on more internal energy and emitted still more unorthodox qi. Even under their combined pressure, the Sword Immortal did not give ground.

As their invisible clash of qi unfolded, taut tension instantly filled the room. A bloody battle could erupt the moment someone so much as dropped a dagger by accident.

As the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile, Bi Sain turned and addressed Monstrous Evil and Light Flash politely.

“I must speak with their commander for a moment. Might I ask you seniors to save your reunion for a little later?”

The unorthodox qi radiating from Monstrous Evil and Light Flash subsided. Whether they liked it or not, they followed their young alliance leader’s orders without fail. The Sword Immortal likewise withdrew his qi presence and gazed steadily at the two unorthodox masters. They knew one another well. Their eyes exchanged words like these:

“Still alive, are you?”

“The world is overflowing with evil. I have no time to die.”

But they had come to escort important people, and so they did not let their personal animosity go any further.

Bi Sain stepped forward and spoke.

“I am Bi Sain, young alliance leader of the Unorthodox Alliance.”

The atmosphere froze when he announced his identity. Seo Baekjung, in particular, trembled with fear. Someone who absolutely must not appear had arrived.

At last, he understood why the sect leaders were not coming.

'Those bastards have all turned their backs on me!'

At Bi Sain’s appearance, Seo Cheong retreated far away, ready to flee at any moment.

Jin Hagun stepped forward to introduce himself.

“I am Jin Hagun, commander of the Orthodox Martial Alliance’s Demon-Slaying Squad.”

This was their first meeting. They studied each other, sizing one another up. If they later became Martial Alliance Leader and leader of the Unorthodox Alliance, they would be lifelong sworn enemies.

“Why have you come as an uninvited guest?”

Bi Sain smoothly deflected Jin Hagun’s rebuke.

“That’s what I came to ask. Why did an invitation meant for us go to you? I assume it was a mistake.”

“Unfortunately for you, it was no mistake. Sect Leader Seo has already agreed to join the Orthodox Martial Alliance’s cause.”

Bi Sain looked at Seo Baekjung.

“Is that true?”

How could Seo Baekjung dare say yes? Jin Hagun stepped in for the man, who was at a loss.

“Look here. What do you think you’re doing in someone else’s territory?”

Taut tension stretched between them. Jin Hagun had no intention of yielding an inch, and neither did Bi Sain.

Both the Demon-Slaying Squad and the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path were on edge. If a melee erupted, there could be heavy casualties.

Just then—

CREEEAK.

The doors slowly opened, and someone new appeared. Every gaze turned toward the entrance.

Seo Baekjung recoiled in shock. Bi Sain’s arrival alone had been disastrous, but now another person who absolutely must not come was here.

Geom Mugeuk entered, freely radiating demonic qi. All twelve of his guards followed him inside.

The Demon-Slaying Squad and the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path each split their ranks in half, facing off against the Heavenly Demon Hall Guard as well.

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon and the Fist Demon followed Geom Mugeuk inside. The appearance of the two Demon Supremes made even the Sword Immortal, Monstrous Evil, and Light Flash start in surprise. They knew one another.

Blanketing the room in demonic qi in an instant, Geom Mugeuk spoke coldly.

“Since you brought up territory, let’s get our facts straight. This is our territory.”