Chapter 261: Alliance (2)
With the Leader of the Murim Alliance, the Lord of the Black Lotus Sect, the Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, the Head of the Namgung Clan, and the Abbot of Shaolin all gathered together…
While the orthodox sects clearly held the majority, the key point wasn’t who outnumbered whom, but that the representatives of both the orthodox and unorthodox factions were seated at the same table.
Just ten years ago, this kind of meeting would’ve been unthinkable.
If you went back thirty years, this very group would’ve likely drawn weapons on sight and started fighting.
But for me, having lived through regression, this wasn’t all that special.
In fact, it was almost reassuring—like things were finally moving the way they should.
Well, for me, anyway.
“There is much to be discussed here today,” began Abbot Jeong Hyeon, who had provided the location and taken on the role of mediator between orthodox and unorthodox, “but before we begin, there’s something I must ask.”
He looked around with a solemn expression.
“Please refrain from drawing weapons for personal reasons. This is holy ground dedicated to the Buddha. I do not wish to see blood spilled here.” “We’ll keep that in mind,” said the Alliance Leader, nodding as he set down the spiked club resting on his shoulder.
In his youth, he was known as Righteous Heaven God, the former leader of the Beggar’s Sect, infamous for beating demonic cultivators to a pulp.
He had been most active during the height of the orthodox-unorthodox conflict.
And now he was agreeing to lay down arms within the temple grounds.
Different people had different roles and burdens, but as martial artists, and as elders of this era, no one objected to his gesture.
“Then what about spears instead of swords?”
“Please, Lord Sama…”
“Heh, just a joke.”
...Of course, that's if you're orthodox.
Lord Sama Yuryeon, raised in the deepest layers of the unorthodox world, didn't quite fit that mold.
But even he, perhaps not wishing to stir trouble, unfastened his twin spears and placed them on the floor.
Though I couldn’t shake the feeling that Sama Yuryeon enjoyed how Sama Suryeon clung to him with a worried pout, as if drawing attention.
I shook my head, pushing thoughts of their private life aside.
Abbot Jeong Hyeon, who had been chuckling gently, smoothly moved the conversation forward.
“Thank you for honoring this humble monk’s request. Then, let us begin by addressing the most recent matter.”
“The Green Forest Subjugation, I assume. The results were good, but the fact that the Tang Family and Namgung Clan joined hands with the Black Lotus Sect without consulting the Alliance—”
“The Tang Family has no reason to seek the Murim Alliance’s permission, Alliance Leader.”
“Neither does the Namgung Clan.”
“Ahem. I’m not saying you needed permission. I meant that it would’ve been courteous to at least let us know.”
Seeing Tang Jincheon and Namgung Dowi react with faint irritation, the Alliance Leader added awkwardly. He must’ve only just realized how his words could’ve been interpreted as the Alliance trying to interfere.
Tang Jincheon, now aware of the slip, replied in a more relaxed tone.
“That’s our fault, I suppose. But you see, our son-in-law here took care of everything before we could even blink.”
“...Huh?”
“It’s true,” Namgung Dowi added. “While we were still in the process of locating a few of Green Forest’s mountain bases, the White Moon Sword Lord had already wiped out most of them, including their Forest Lord.”
“Is… is that even possible?”
“I don’t know how he did it, but it happened, so clearly it was possible.”
The Alliance Leader looked baffled. Tang Jincheon, proud, simply smirked.
Surprisingly, someone else jumped in with even greater enthusiasm.
“Hahaha! Why wouldn’t it be possible, Alliance Leader? Who understands the unorthodox better than one of their own?
It’s no surprise that the Sword Demon… ahem, the White Moon Sword Lord, got the drop on Green Forest!”
Sama Yuryeon, why are you boasting about it? He’s clearly part of the orthodox sects.
The Alliance Leader let out a long sigh… and gave me a sidelong glance.
I met his gaze and nodded confidently.
“Indeed. I don’t know why Lord Sama is speaking as if I’m unorthodox, when I’m clearly a model of orthodox virtue.”
The room fell silent.
Everyone looked like they had something to say but weren’t sure where to start.
...Well, at the very least, Tang Jincheon shouldn’t be looking at me like that.
Annoyed, I decided to lean into it.
“You may call me the living conscience of the Murim world.”
Even the Alliance Leader was rendered speechless.
I shook my head with feigned regret.
“Just kidding. But I’ll clarify this much—I didn’t succeed because I understand the unorthodox way of thinking, as Lord Sama claims.”
“Then how did you manage it? Of course, I’m not pressing you. Subjugating Green Forest was a righteous cause, and I’m just curious for future reference.”
“It’s nothing special. I’ve just always had an interest in their methods.”
“...Hm?”
Of course, I couldn’t say that I tortured a captured Green Forest bandit during my previous life to extract information.
So I twisted the truth slightly, mixing it with just enough honesty to make it believable.
Even if Tang Sowol might call me out, I felt no guilt lying to someone I’ve only met a few times like the Alliance Leader.
“When I was younger, I had a run-in with a Green Forest bandit…”
“Aren’t you still young?”
“I mean younger. It left quite an impression. I spent years stewing over it, thinking of ways to pay them back.
Eventually, I got a sense of how they operated.”
It was technically true.
In my previous life, I had indeed been harassed repeatedly by Green Forest while traveling.
I’d even told similar stories to others before.
As I finished, the group began blinking in surprise—like they weren’t sure whether to believe me.
The Alliance Leader was the first to voice his doubt.
“Wait, that doesn’t even… Hmm. Then again, reaching the Flowering Stage at your age doesn’t make sense either.”
He nodded to himself like it all made sense now.
Which worked in my favor. I’d rather have him make up his own conclusion than press further.
Though both Tang Jincheon and Tang Sowol, knowing about the Mental Restriction, were now giving me worried looks.
I couldn’t speak about the restriction, but just having someone who understood made me feel more at ease.
Now that the matter was wrapped up, the real discussions began.
“Ahem. Everyone,” said Sama Yuryeon. “I’ve been thinking—”
“Not bad. But isn’t that shifting too much responsibility onto the Murim Alliance?”
“Then how about this—?”
“That’s workable, but the Namgung Clan would bear the brunt of it.”
“We’ll manage, as long as there’s proper support.”
A variety of topics followed.
Cooperation in battles against publicly recognized threats, like the Green Forest case.
Protocols for rogue demonic cultivators who go insane.
Toll fees when passing between regions controlled by orthodox and unorthodox factions.
And more…
It had nothing to do with Heavenly Demon, but the discussions were critical for the future of the Murim world.
There was some banter, jabs, and arguments, but overall, things moved smoothly.
Thanks, in large part, to Abbot Jeong Hyeon’s mediation and Sama Suryeon’s tireless effort to keep things on track.
Compared to the fractured and volatile Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance of my past life, this was a far more productive gathering.
Back then, the Demonic Cult had already reached their doorstep, and half the orthodox sects had been wiped out.
This time, even Sama Yuryeon, pleased with his revenge against his old enemy Green Forest, was cooperative.
As I quietly nodded along, Tang Sowol leaned in and whispered,
“Cheon Sohyeop, Cheon Sohyeop.”
“Hm?”
“There’s so much complicated talk going on… I can’t tell what benefits the Tang Family. How about you?”
“I’m the same. The fact that you understand even half of this is impressive.”
Like Seo Mun-Hwarin taught me: ignorance is a weakness in Murim.
That’s why I’d studied hard and tried to learn how the world worked.
But to sit among those who run the world was a different experience entirely.
Some topics were completely new to me. Others familiar.
Some… were events I knew would happen in the future.
Which gave me chills.
But one thing was certain—I didn’t have much to contribute right now.
So, I amused myself instead.
I poked Seo Mun-Hwarin’s foot to test her focus, while Tang Sowol, seeing Seol Lihyang napping upright, ran a finger down her spine, making her flinch.
When I slipped my hand onto Sowol’s waist, she subtly leaned her head against my shoulder in return.
We passed the time quietly like that.
By the time Seo Mun-Hwarin’s toes curled from ticklishness, and Seol Lihyang started flinching even without being touched, the sun was setting—and the talks were finally winding down.
Originally, we had expected just a simple non-aggression pact.
But what we got was far more substantial.
It wasn't enough to be called a full-fledged Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance, but it was still an impressive result—far beyond expectations.
As I quietly celebrated the unexpected success, the Alliance Leader spoke up in a heavier tone.
“I believe that’s enough for the topic of cooperation between orthodox and unorthodox factions. Let’s move on.”
“Move on? Be clearer, Alliance Leader.”
“You all know what I mean. It’s time to talk about Heavenly Demon. And the Demonic Cult.”
The moment Heavenly Demon’s name was mentioned, the atmosphere turned hostile.
This was because Sama Yuryeon had instinctively released a burst of killing intent.
Feeling the eyes on him, he gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
“My apologies. I’ve become overly sensitive as of late. It was a slip.”
“Hooh… For the Lord of the Black Lotus Sect to react that strongly… I had heard the rumors, but…”
It wasn’t Sama Yuryeon who answered Abbot Jeong Hyeon’s troubled voice—but Namgung Dowi.
“I understand. It’s likely the Lord has been replaying that battle in his head countless times. Am I wrong?”
“Well spotted. Have you been spying on me? Perhaps…”
“I did the same. But no matter how many times I revisited that battle, there was only one answer. My sword, the sword of Namgung, cannot yet reach Heavenly Demon.”
With a calm voice, he admitted his total defeat. But at the end, his tone showed unwavering resolve—he would reach him eventually.
That conviction was very much in line with the Namgung Clan.
But because it came from the Sword King, one of the top five orthodox masters, his statement carried immense weight.
The Alliance Leader let out a long sigh.
“I see… Then let’s proceed with the next matter. Share what information you have about the Demonic Cult.”
“Has something new developed?” I asked.
The Alliance Leader gave a heavy nod.
“Yes. As you suspected, the cult’s movements grew suspicious, so we planted spies. All of them, save one, returned with only their heads intact.”
That one was probably someone Heavenly Demon intentionally spared.
If Heavenly Demon is a regressor, then traditional spy tactics won’t work.
“The one survivor must’ve been left alive to deliver a message.”
“That’s correct. Though he returned alive, he came back half-mad. On him, we found a letter from Heavenly Demon.”
“He sent one to you as well?”
“Wait… are you saying you received a letter from Heavenly Demon too, White Moon Sword Lord?”
“Yes. I found it on the body of the King of Assassins, who tried to kill me alongside the Green Forest Chief. It said he would keep trying to kill me, and that I should survive if I could.”
I left out the part about the Mental Restriction. After rubbing his face with both hands, the Alliance Leader finally spoke again.
“Ridiculous. The letter I received said something similar.
That we should stop wasting time—something big was coming, and we’d better get our house in order.”
Our eyes met.
We were thinking the same thing.
Just as we sent spies into the cult, someone from the cult had infiltrated the Alliance. And that spy was likely the one targeting me.
Maybe that’s why I muttered under my breath without realizing it.
“Haah… If only I could just cut down every suspicious bastard.”
"...!"
“...”
“…Ah.”
The Alliance Leader’s eyes narrowed sharply. I gave him a calm shrug.
“Kidding.”
“…Didn’t sound like it.”
…As expected of the Alliance Leader.
How the hell did he see through that?