Chapter 238 : Chapter 238
Chapter 238. Murim Alliance (1)
Jin Yuseong slowly turned his head.
Various expressions from the gathered people entered his sight.
After examining their gazes and organizing his thoughts, Jin Yuseong calmly replied.
“I refuse.”
The Beggars’ Sect Leader was startled and asked.
“Why would you refuse!”
“The position of Alliance Leader does not suit me.”
“Tsk! Even at a time like this you speak of modesty. Too much humility becomes discourtesy!”
Jin Yuseong shook his head.
“I am not speaking out of modesty. Rather than leading people, I am someone whose temperament is better suited to standing at the front and fighting.”
As he said this, Jin Yuseong looked toward the Beggars’ Sect Leader and the Shaolin Abbot.
“Would it not be better if one of you two assumed the position of Alliance Leader?”
“You foolish brat. We are already nearing eighty years of age. If we took such a position, people would point their fingers at us and call it the greed of old men.”
“Amitabha. This humble monk has already devoted himself to the Buddhist path. Helping people is good, but I cannot live entangled in worldly affairs by wearing an official title.”
Following Jin Yuseong’s refusal, the two most senior figures also declined.
The people looked at one another.
Who should become the Alliance Leader?
Some individuals briefly entertained the worldly desire of taking the position themselves.
However, in such a situation, it was difficult to openly say they wanted the position.
At that moment, Jin Yuseong, who had been quietly observing, spoke.
“If the two of you have also refused, may I recommend someone else?”
“Oh? Do you have someone in mind?”
At the Beggars’ Sect Leader’s question, Jin Yuseong nodded and looked toward a certain direction.
Naturally, everyone’s gaze followed.
“…Why are you all looking at me?”
Sama Hyeon asked with a bewildered expression, and the Beggars’ Sect Leader exclaimed in admiration.
“Ah! Now that you mention it, there is indeed the perfect candidate!”
Jin Yuseong also nodded.
“Did you not all feel it during this recent battle? If we establish an alliance, someone must coordinate the affairs between various sects and families and manage many people. Among all the people I have seen, no one surpasses Teacher Sama in matters like these.”
At Jin Yuseong’s words, everyone recalled what had happened before.
When people had gathered in northern Shanxi, it was Sama Hyeon who coordinated the entire situation and organized the supply system.
Those who had known Sama Hyeon beforehand—the Sect Leader, the Abbot, the Seomoon Clan Head, and others—nodded in agreement.
Ironically, the one who opposed the idea was Sama Hyeon himself.
“I am grateful that the Ghost Sword Great Hero holds me in such high regard, but this position is far too much for me. If someone who has not even reached the peak realm were to become Alliance Leader, which martial artist would follow my will? The position of strategist would suit me far better.”
Jin Yuseong shook his head.
“I did not recommend Teacher Sama simply because of his strategic mind. If strategy were the only merit, then as you say, the position of strategist would indeed suit you.”
Jin Yuseong turned his gaze away from Sama Hyeon and slowly swept his eyes across the gathered people as he continued.
“A leader is someone who guides people forward. A leader must present a direction that people can trust and follow.”
Jin Yuseong could see it.
The Sect Leader, the Abbot, and several others nodding their heads as if saying, “Indeed!”
Seeing that there were people who recognized Sama Hyeon’s worth made Jin Yuseong feel strangely pleased.
“That is why I recommend Teacher Sama. He possesses a clear objective and the ability to present a direction toward that goal.”
“Hahaha! Just as this precocious old brat says!”
The Beggars’ Sect Leader gladly continued Jin Yuseong’s words.
“A leader lacking martial prowess cannot be followed? If anyone dares to spout such nonsense, send them to me or to that precocious old brat. We will beat them thoroughly until they come to their senses.”
The Seomoon Clan Head also joined in.
“I have spent several years alongside Teacher Sama and witnessed it myself. His strategic ability already ranks among the finest in the Jianghu. More importantly, the sense of chivalry he carries in his heart is second to none.”
With praise pouring in from every direction, Sama Hyeon was completely at a loss.
Sweat trickled down his troubled face.
Jin Yuseong spoke to him.
“Congratulations. Please lead the Alliance well from now on. Teacher Sama—no, Alliance Leader Sama.”
“Hahaha! Alliance Leader Sama! If you ever face difficulties, speak to this old beggar. With just a cup of wine, I will come running anytime.”
As Jin Yuseong and the Beggars’ Sect Leader began calling him Alliance Leader, everyone else soon followed.
***
Even after Sama Hyeon was chosen as the Alliance Leader, many matters were still discussed.
Where should the headquarters of the Murim Alliance be established?
Originally, Sama Hyeon had been staying as a guest at the Seomoon Clan.
But the Alliance Leader could not remain there.
The Seomoon Clan could not simply become the Murim Alliance.
Thus various discussions followed.
“Then perhaps we should establish our base near Dongting Lake, which can be considered the center of the Central Plains.”
“That location would also be the most suitable for exchanging news from all parts of the Central Plains.”
In the end, the Murim Alliance’s location was decided to be Wuhan in Hubei, near Dongting Lake.
Aside from that, countless matters remained to be decided—communication systems, rank structures, and many others.
While settling these issues and traveling together, they eventually arrived near the Seomoon Clan.
Sama Hyeon packed the few belongings he had in his quarters.
He was preparing to depart for Wuhan, where the Murim Alliance would begin.
Although he had finished preparing to leave, he did not depart immediately.
A small banquet had begun at the Seomoon Clan to celebrate the victory.
Sama Hyeon also expressed his gratitude to the Seomoon Clan Head, who had accepted him as a guest.
“Thank you very much for everything.”
“Hahaha. On the contrary, thanks to you, Alliance Leader, I learned many things and broadened my understanding.”
The banquet celebrated both the victory and the beginning of the new alliance.
People enjoyed food and wine, while others conversed quietly.
“Your face has grown half as thin, Great Hero Nam. Please eat some of this as well.”
Gung Seol-ah smiled brightly as she continued to hand food to Nam Geon.
“N-No, I cannot. I-I made a mistake.”
“A mistake? What do you mean, Great Hero Nam?”
“My sword… it cracked. The sword you bought for me… I damaged it.”
Nam Geon drew the Azure Heaven Sword with a gloomy expression.
During the battle against the Demonic Cult, its blade had been slightly chipped.
After examining the sword, Gung Seol-ah bowed her head instead.
“I am sorry. It seems this sword was also insufficient to endure Great Hero Nam’s bold spirit.”
“N-No, not your fault! I am weak!”
“No, Great Hero Nam! You did nothing wrong!”
“N-No! It is my fault, so I must take responsibility! I felt bad about receiving this sword for free anyway. I will compensate you!”
The moment Nam Geon finished speaking, the corners of Gung Seol-ah’s lips curled upward.
But she instantly concealed the expression, like a seasoned merchant.
“I feel embarrassed to say this, but that Azure Heaven Sword is extremely expensive. How do you plan to compensate for it?”
“T-That…”
“Ah! Then how about this? Let us say that I merely lent you the sword.”
“If it was lent… I must return it.”
“Yes. But I do not ask you to return it immediately. You may use it as long as you wish. Simply visit me once a month and show me the condition of the sword.”
In other words, he would have to visit her every month.
“And if you never wish to return it, there is another method as well.”
If they became husband and wife, there would be no need to return it.
From that point onward, the sword would belong not to Gung Seol-ah, but to the couple.
While Gung Seol-ah was gradually ensnaring Nam Geon, Dang Sopyeong was also reunited with Yeo Yun.
“Hahaha. Thanks to the hidden weapon you made, Miss Yeo, we were able to win the war.”
Dang Sopyeong enthusiastically praised the performance of the hidden weapon she had created.
Several martial artists beside him also supported his words.
“Indeed!”
“Those nomadic raiders were wiped out with a single strike from that weapon!”
“It truly deserved the name Myriad Flower Rain!”
Embarrassed by the praise, Yeo Yun smiled awkwardly and asked Dang Sopyeong,
“Was there perhaps any way to improve it further? Any shortcomings?”
Yeo Yun was not satisfied and wished to refine the hidden weapon further.
Lively conversations continued everywhere.
Paeng Daecheol and Hwangbo Ak also mingled with others, their faces flushed from drinking.
Choyeon quietly reunited with her younger sister in a secluded corner.
***
The next morning.
Those who had gathered at the Seomoon Clan began departing one by one.
Sama Hyeon, the Beggars’ Sect Leader, and several others headed toward Wuhan to establish the Murim Alliance.
Jin Yuseong and his companions set off toward Heavenly Sun Village, Jin Yuseong’s hometown.
Since it was the same direction, the surviving Taoists of Mount Heng also accompanied them.
After several days of travel, they arrived at Heavenly Sun Village.
“Sect Leader!!!”
Yeongcheon and the Mount Heng disciples who had remained in the village welcomed the returning Taoists.
Jin Yuseong also greeted Elder Yang again, and Baek Hyang greeted her mother.
“I am truly glad you returned safely.”
“I am sorry for causing you worry, Elder.”
After greeting the elder, Jin Yuseong lowered his head.
Beside the elder stood a young boy.
The boy Jin Yuseong had taken as his disciple—Jang Gun-sil.
“I am sorry for being late.”
Immediately after accepting him as a disciple, Jin Yuseong had been forced to leave for the battle against the Demonic Cult.
“It is already a blessing that Master returned safely.”
Despite his young age, the boy spoke with remarkable maturity.
Jin Yuseong could not help but smile faintly.
“I see. It seems that as a master I caused my disciple to worry. Let us see whether you have trained properly during this time.”
Jin Yuseong headed toward the outskirts of the village with Jang Gun-sil.
There, the boy drew his sword and began swinging it.
Jin Yuseong’s eyes brightened as he watched.
Indeed.
Everything he had taught before leaving had already been perfectly mastered.
No—it had advanced several steps beyond what he had taught.
“Did Taoist Yeongcheon perhaps teach you something?”
Jin Yuseong asked, sensing traces of Mount Heng sword techniques mixed into the movements.
Jang Gun-sil lowered his head deeply.
“…I am sorry, Master.”
Jin Yuseong approached his disciple and gently patted his head.
“I asked not to scold you. Rather, I asked because I should thank Taoist Yeongcheon.”
Preparing for the battle against the Demonic Cult, traveling north, fighting the battle, and returning.
The entire journey had taken nearly two months.
During that time, Yeongcheon had evidently taken good care of Jang Gun-sil.
“It seems you have mastered the fundamentals. Starting tomorrow, I will teach you martial arts properly.”
“Thank you, Master.”
The following day.
The Taoists of Mount Heng departed Heavenly Sun Village and returned to Mount Heng.
Jin Yuseong respectfully cupped his fists toward them.
“Thank you sincerely for joining the battle against the Demonic Cult. I am also deeply grateful for taking care of my disciple.”
After parting with the Mount Heng Taoists, Jin Yuseong and his companions also left Heavenly Sun Village.
“Disciple, remember this. Traveling itself is also training.”
Jin Yuseong continued giving various teachings to Jang Gun-sil.
“There are many good people in this world, but there are also countless wicked ones. Those wicked people torment the innocent in every corner of the world.”
For the sake of those who suffered under such torment, one could not simply train leisurely forever.
Jang Gun-sil answered firmly.
“I will remember, Master.”
With Jang Gun-sil joining their usual group.
They ran while training their lightness skills, swung their weapons during travel, and rested briefly during meals to discuss martial arts or spar with one another.
After wandering the Jianghu like this for some time.
Jin Yuseong suddenly thought to himself.
‘It seems I have lived thinking only of myself.’
Thus he gathered his companions and spoke.
“Although the Demonic Cult has been destroyed, there are still many villains in the Jianghu.”
Ironically, most of the powerful enemies had died.
By the hands of Jin Yuseong and his companions.
“And now all of you have reached a level where you can rightfully be called Great Heroes of the Jianghu.”
Yet wicked people still filled the world.
“So instead of continuing to travel together like this, how about each of you establishing your own place in different regions of the Central Plains?”