Chapter 273 - The Orthodox-Unorthodox War at This Drinking Table

Geom Mugeuk’s arrival brought a new turn to the situation. Bi Sain had expected him and was not particularly surprised, but Jin Hagun was startled.

'So that is Geom Mugeuk!'

The martial artists who had entered ahead of him bore shields and evil spirits on their chests, marking them as Heavenly Demon Hall guards. That meant the two demonic martial artists following them, with their extraordinary qi presences, had to be Demon Supremes.

The old man carrying a saber larger than his torso would be the Blood Heaven Saber Demon, and the man who looked as though he were made of steel would be the Fist Demon. The sight of the Fist Demon’s face in particular made Jin Hagun’s heart lurch. He had truly never seen such a frightening face.

'So even the Demonic Cult has shown up?'

Jin Hagun was flustered, but he could understand it. The Demonic Cult had been the first to try to swallow the Heavenly Harmony School. Naturally, they would not simply back down.

The person most horrified by Geom Mugeuk’s arrival was Seo Baekjung. He had used the Orthodox Martial Alliance’s influence to free his son, so the Cult’s young lord must be furious. What did it mean that he had appeared here with Demon Supremes in tow?

Seo Baekjung had weathered every sort of hardship, but at this moment, his heart shriveled.

'One wrong move, and I die.'

If the Unorthodox Alliance’s young alliance leader or the Demonic Cult’s young lord tried to kill him, would Jin Hagun risk his life to stop them? He might make a public issue of it, but that would happen only after Seo Baekjung was dead.

Until now, he had walked the tightrope between the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions well. Now he truly had to keep his balance. That rope was his lifeline.

Meanwhile, Seo Cheong was bewildered. When Bi Sain had entered, he had been filled with fear. But with Geom Mugeuk’s arrival, that fear gave way to confusion: what in the world was happening?

Then his eyes met Geom Mugeuk’s. The look on Geom Mugeuk’s face seemed to say:

Didn’t I tell you we would meet again soon? Stay right where you are.

Seo Cheong bristled inwardly.

'Don’t make me laugh!'

Rather than retreating farther into the corner, he stepped forward.

'You still won’t be able to do anything to me!'

He had no idea what was happening. Whenever a crisis arose, he had coasted through life on the complacent assumption that things would somehow work out.

If anything, having all three factions gathered here reassured him. His instincts told him that with so many people present, someone was bound to protect him.

He did not know that all these people had come to devour the Heavenly Harmony School. That this time, things would not simply work out.

Geom Mugeuk approached Jin Hagun. The tense Demon-Slaying Squad aimed their swords at him, and the Heavenly Demon Hall Guard leveled their own swords at them. Their subordinates were more on edge than either Geom Mugeuk or Jin Hagun.

Geom Mugeuk walked forward through the ranks of his guards.

“I am Geom Mugeuk, young lord of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon.”

Jin Hagun stepped forward through the Demon-Slaying Squad.

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

A few paces apart, their gazes met in midair.

It was a historic meeting between the certain next Heavenly Demon and the leading candidate to become the next Martial Alliance Leader!

Jin Hagun was inwardly surprised. Geom Mugeuk was not what he had imagined. Quite apart from being young and handsome, his eyes were clear and deep. There was nothing evil about him. Suddenly, he remembered his sister’s words.

[“What will you do if he is a demonic hero?”]

He promptly rejected them. This was merely a prejudice born of appearances. He must never let looks deceive him.

Geom Mugeuk thought Jin Hagun looked exactly like Jin Haryeong. Despite his youth, his eyes held chivalrous righteousness and an upright spirit. Anyone concerned for Murim should hope that Jin Hagun became the next alliance leader. Anyone dreaming of unifying Murim should hope he did not.

Behind them, the lined-up Demon-Slaying Squad and guards were locked in a fierce battle of nerves. Neither side yielded an inch as they glared at one another.

Geom Mugeuk said to Jin Hagun,

“Rather than standing here, shall we sit down and properly discuss territory?”

Jin Hagun turned and walked to the drinking table. He conspicuously took the seat of honor, then extended his hands, inviting them to sit on either side.

Geom Mugeuk smiled faintly. Not bad. Jin Hagun had passed his first-impression test. It would have been deeply disappointing to meet the Martial Alliance Leader’s grandson only to find another Seo Cheong. But Jin Hagun had both a good look in his eyes and a strong bearing.

Bi Sain moved first, striding over to the table. Instead of taking one of the seats Jin Hagun had indicated, he sat directly opposite him.

He stared at Jin Hagun without a word. A quiet contest of wills began between them.

Geom Mugeuk’s smile deepened. Of course. Bi Sain was not going to meekly do whatever Jin Hagun wanted.

Jin Hagun might have spent his entire life as the protagonist, but here, at least, he would discover that he could end up a supporting character.

Geom Mugeuk took one of the seats Jin Hagun had offered, naturally placing himself between the two men facing off.

“There’s nothing more entertaining than watching a fight, and this one is between the orthodox and unorthodox successors? I’ve got the best seat in the house.”

His banter did nothing to ease the tension. If anything, with the three seated so close together, their battle of nerves threatened to erupt at any moment.

The Demon-Slaying Squad, the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path, and the Heavenly Demon Hall Guard lined up behind their respective leaders, glaring at one another. They were overshadowed by the tremendous masters accompanying them, but they were themselves elite, highly skilled martial artists. If a fight broke out, the room would become a sea of blood in moments.

Jeok Yeon was sending sound transmissions to the guards lined up beside him.

“Stay calm!”

“Whatever happens, we must keep the young lord safe.”

“Do not be afraid.”

He kept sending messages to steady them. In truth, the words were also meant for himself. He had never imagined having to guard Geom Mugeuk in a situation like this. Once again, he was reminded that this was the hardest leader in all Murim to protect.

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon, the Fist Demon, the Sword Immortal, Monstrous Evil, and Light Flash stood a short distance away in seemingly casual poses. The tension before the Demon Supremes’ arrival and the tension afterward were entirely different. None showed it, but all were ready to strike at any moment.

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon’s eyes met the Sword Immortal’s.

“It has been a long time.”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon greeted him first, and the Sword Immortal returned the greeting.

“Ten years or so, has it been?”

“Longer than that, I believe.”

The Sword Immortal detested the unorthodox factions and the Demonic Cult, yet his gaze toward the Blood Heaven Saber Demon was not particularly hostile. It seemed there was some history between them.

“And we meet again in a place like this.”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon answered the Sword Immortal.

“I am glad to see you looking well.”

“You have grown thinner.”

Monstrous Evil interjected.

“You’re not even close. Why act so friendly?”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon said to him,

“You still have that habit of rudely interrupting.”

“And you still have that habit of looking down on people, Senior.”

Monstrous Evil addressed the Blood Heaven Saber Demon as his senior.

“Now that you know I haven’t changed, you would do well to keep quiet.”

Monstrous Evil snorted, but he could not bring himself to argue. Regardless of their relative martial prowess, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon was harder to deal with than the Sword Immortal. True to his reputation as Murim’s pungent old ginger, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon was demonstrating why he had needed to be summoned this time.

Meanwhile, the Fist Demon stood expressionless, his fists hanging at his sides. That alone put everyone there on edge. It was not merely his face. His imposing presence was tremendous. The Fist Demon seen in ordinary circumstances felt entirely different from the Fist Demon confronting enemies.

Jin Hagun lifted the wine bottle and filled the cups, acting as though he had replaced Seo Baekjung as the host. He had to deal with both the Demonic Cult and the Unorthodox Alliance, and he was striving not to be overwhelmed by their presence.

“I have heard many rumors about you, young lord.”

He was especially wary of Geom Mugeuk. The man was a demonic martial artist—and the Cult’s young lord, hailed as its greatest successor ever, who had even won all the Demon Supremes over to his side. Unsure what tricks he might employ, Jin Hagun remained acutely tense.

“What sort of rumors?”

“Most were difficult to believe.”

“Then what do you think now that you’ve seen me in person?”

Honestly, Jin Hagun could not get any sense of what sort of person he was. Instead of answering, he raised his cup. He knew better than anyone that silence was the wisest choice when one was uncertain.

“Let us drink!”

The three toasted and drained their cups. It was their first drinking session together, one that would be recounted for generations in the history of the martial world.

As he filled their second cups, Jin Hagun asked,

“You two don’t seem to be strangers.”

He could tell because Geom Mugeuk and Bi Sain had not exchanged introductions.

“That’s right. We have met before.”

Geom Mugeuk turned to Bi Sain and greeted him.

“Have you been well?”

He would not reveal that they had planned this together, but he saw no need to pretend they were strangers.

Bi Sain answered curtly.

“I was, until you showed up.”

He was being unnecessarily brusque because Jin Hagun was watching, but he was grateful to Geom Mugeuk. Thanks to him, he had been able to absorb fifteen small and midsized gangs and sects in Hunan into the Unorthodox Alliance. Of course, that did not mean he intended to yield the Heavenly Harmony School. They had agreed to compete fairly.

“I won’t yield.”

Geom Mugeuk answered Bi Sain’s sound transmission.

“I intend to.”

“How do you lie without so much as a change in expression?”

“Was it obvious?”

Bi Sain turned away with a look that said Geom Mugeuk was impossible. The taut tension between him and Jin Hagun had dissolved the moment he exchanged sound transmissions with Geom Mugeuk. Had he not known what sort of person Geom Mugeuk was, he would have dismissed him as frivolous. But now he knew. Of all the masters present, Geom Mugeuk was the hardest person to contend with.

Meanwhile, Jin Hagun and Seo Baekjung were also exchanging sound transmissions. At today’s gathering, everything would be decided more by the words unheard than by those spoken aloud.

“Do not let them intimidate you.”

“I am counting on you, Commander.”

Despite his words, Seo Baekjung was uneasy. With the unorthodox factions and the Demonic Cult determined to press him, he was even considering the possibility that he might have to switch ships, depending on how things unfolded.

At last, the inevitable arrived.

Geom Mugeuk looked at Seo Baekjung, who stood beside them.

“Come, Master Seo. Join us for a drink.”

Seo Baekjung sat beside Jin Hagun and accepted a cup.

Bi Sain resumed what he had been saying before Geom Mugeuk arrived.

“Master Seo, do you truly intend to walk the same path as the Orthodox Martial Alliance?”

Seo Baekjung still hesitated to answer. He had chosen the Orthodox Martial Alliance because of Baek Cheongyeong, the man in the bamboo hat and Jin Hagun’s master. That was not a relationship he could easily betray, but the same was true on this side. He could hardly tell the Unorthodox Alliance’s successor, “Yes, we have betrayed you.”

Seo Baekjung stole a glance at his rescuer, Jin Hagun.

Jin Hagun’s eyes told him there was no need to worry about those men. He should speak confidently.

Watching their reactions, Geom Mugeuk asked Jin Hagun,

“Is this your first meeting with Master Seo?”

“It is.”

He wanted to show Seo Baekjung that he was unafraid before Geom Mugeuk and Bi Sain. But his answer raised another question for Geom Mugeuk.

“How very strange. If you two have never met before, what gave Master Seo the confidence to ask you for help?”

Geom Mugeuk and Bi Sain turned their gazes toward Seo Baekjung.

Normally, he should at least have said something like, “I have always admired the orthodox factions.”

But he could not predict how this situation would unfold. He was choosing his words carefully in case he needed to side with the Demonic Cult or the unorthodox factions. What if Jin Hagun grew angry? That did not matter. All three wanted the Heavenly Harmony School anyway. It was precarious, but he still held the hilt.

Then Geom Mugeuk asked bluntly,

“Who brought the two of you together?”

He had asked about the very point that interested him most in this affair: who had arranged it.

Neither Seo Baekjung nor Jin Hagun answered the question that struck straight at the heart of the matter. They should have said there was no such person, but the sudden question caught them off guard.

'There is definitely someone.'

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk’s suspicion became certainty.

'Someone who knows both Jin Hagun and Seo Baekjung connected them.'

He had to discover who it was. Not merely because that person had brought the two together, but because he had the nerve to challenge the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon. Just who was he?

Sensing Seo Baekjung wavering, Jin Hagun immediately sent him a sound transmission.

“You must trust us, Master Seo.”

“I do. But as you can see, they are not inclined to give up easily.”

“Neither are we.”

“Give me something I can be certain of.”

Seo Baekjung made his demand.

Unable to give up the Heavenly Harmony School, Jin Hagun spoke firmly, as though making a proclamation.

“Now that the Heavenly Harmony School has joined hands with our alliance, we will protect it without fail. Any intimidation of the school will be regarded as an attack on our alliance.”

As if answering his declaration, the Demon-Slaying Squad intensified their imposing presences.

Bi Sain spoke coldly.

“That is your position. I have yet to hear the Heavenly Harmony School master’s answer.”

As though they had been waiting for this, the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path intensified their own presences.

Bi Sain sent Seo Baekjung a sound transmission.

“All the sects that followed you have turned away. Who will help the Heavenly Harmony School now if trouble arises in Hunan? Do you think that Demon-Slaying Squad commander will stay here protecting you for the rest of his life? This is not a threat. I am telling you the reality.”

How could Seo Baekjung not know that reality?

“Joining us is your best course.”

Thinking that might indeed be the wisest choice in practical terms, Seo Baekjung looked at Geom Mugeuk.

There were three ropes. Two were swaying before him, inviting him to take hold. But the remaining one was far away.

Why aren’t you making me an offer?

As though he had read that thought, Geom Mugeuk smiled.

“I’m finding this orthodox-unorthodox war at our drinking table rather entertaining. So whatever you do, don’t say you will follow the Cult.”

Everyone turned to look at him. They all knew he would never give up the Heavenly Harmony School so easily. Wry smiles appeared on the Blood Heaven Saber Demon’s and the Fist Demon’s lips.

Bi Sain felt uneasy.

'Surely not?'

He had an ominous premonition that by the time they rose from this table, Seo Baekjung would announce that he had chosen the Demonic Cult. That he would insist on following it even after being told he was not wanted.

And Geom Mugeuk began his first covert attempt to make that premonition a reality.

He sent Jin Hagun a sound transmission.

“Commander Jin, let me ask you one thing.”

Jin Hagun stared at him with eyes that declared no trick would work on him. But what came next was something he had never imagined.

“Do you want to become the Martial Alliance Leader?”

Jin Hagun was startled. He had never expected such a question.

As his eyes widened, another message struck him, one that would shake him even more profoundly than the first.

“Do you realize that you are giving up your chance to become the Martial Alliance Leader right now?”