Chapter 268: The Orthodox Sect (2)
The horrified Lord of the Murim Alliance grabbed his staff, The Tagubong.
"You madman! Are you really planning to carry out that insane plan of cutting down every suspicious person one by one?!"
Panic and anguish. And a hint of anger, overshadowed by sorrow, clearly revealed in his eyes. Seeing that, I understood.
The Lord of the Murim Alliance. The old beggar who once burned everything for righteousness, he must see me as a young man with talent but who has gone astray.
It feels unjust.
All my words came from good intentions.
I hastily shook my head and spoke, trying to calm the Murim Alliance Lord.
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding... Fine, I’ll hear you out first. Since the last conference, have you come into conflict with Shaolin? Or is it a personal grudge with that elder, the Diamond Arhat?"
Though he said he’d listen, he still gripped the Tagubong tightly. "Aren’t you being a bit too wary of me? I bear no ill will toward Shaolin or that elder. In fact, today was the first time I even heard of the title Diamond Arhat.”
"Wouldn't it be stranger not to be cautious of someone who asks if it’s okay to cut off a man’s arm? Think about your own past actions.”
My past actions, he says. At most, I killed an entire group of warriors, including a Peak Stage expert who targeted Tang Sowol when I was fifteen. I overturned a Hao Clan branch that tried to forcefully take Seol Lihyang.
On my way to visit the Wudang Sect, I rescued the Ghost Shadow Thief but ended up annihilating the assassins targeting him. After several years of focused cultivation, I went to the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering and, radiating intense killing intent, was publicly kidnapped by Seo Mun-Hwarin.
While others searched for me, I wiped out the Black Heaven Gate, and the Master of the Black Lotus Sect gave me the title Blood Flame Sword Demon.
I suddenly kidnapped the heirs of the Peng and Eon Clans, claiming they were in danger, and killed Bloodflame Fist Demon, one of the few famous martial artists in the Demonic Cult.
Later, when Tang Sowol was kidnapped, I single-handedly wiped out the Thousand Poison Gate, and when I declared that I would subjugate the Green Forest Bandits, I truly cut down the majority of them, including the Chief.
I tried imagining things from the Lord of the Murim Alliance’s perspective, who must have received reports on all of this.
"Of course."
"Yes. Do you understand now? I’m sorry to say this, but do you see now why I’m so wary of you...?”
“Aren’t I a flawless orthodox martial artist? I really don’t get it.”
The Lord of the Murim Alliance tightly shut his eyes. He stopped talking and took a few deep breaths. Then, with a trembling voice, he asked,
“W-Which part made you think that?”
“Didn’t I kill all those people to protect someone else? And every single one of them deserved to die anyway.”
No matter how you dress it up, a martial artist is no more than a butcher. If someone spends their life finding better ways to kill, what else would you call them but a butcher?
However, when the sword is needed and others turn away, those who step forward and wield it willingly for a greater cause—we call them orthodox warriors.
Just as I view the sword as a tool despite liking it, martial arts are also a tool to kill, and killing itself is only a means to protect more precious things.
A killing intent not for the sake of killing, but to protect something.
Therefore, one must only swing the sword when necessary, avoid meaningless slaughter, and once the sword is drawn, decisively cut down the enemy before them.
What truly matters is not the power in one’s hand, but the small warmth held in the heartscape.
As I explained this fragment of enlightenment—one that spanned both my previous life and present, and led me to the Flowering Stage—the rigid brows of the Lord of the Murim Alliance slightly eased.
“I see. I apologize. You are indeed an orthodox martial artist, White Moon Sword Lord. Though a bit extreme.”
“I’m relieved to be acknowledged, even now.”
“But that’s why I’m even more curious. Why exactly did you challenge that elder to a duel, and even considered cutting off his arm?”
“Well...”
Unlike before, this was difficult to explain properly.
After all, this was a plan based on the assumption that the Heavenly Demon would act as a regressor.
What if this Diamond Arhat attained Diamond Invincibility through relentless training, but due to some reason, lost his mind and went on a killing spree?
What if the Heavenly Demon merely added a little push to escalate the situation?
From a regressor’s perspective, there aren’t many ways to achieve such significant outcomes with so little effort.
Looking back at the Heavenly Demon’s plans thus far, most of them were like that.
He incited those dissatisfied with the Tang Clan to attack Tang Sowol, or used the secret affair between the heirs of the Peng and Eon Clans to secretly spread a dangerous elixir and fuel conflict.
When the Green Forest Chief was losing influence and looked like he would run away, he sent the King of Assassins to give him a hand, forcing him to make a desperate counterattack.
I don’t know the exact circumstances, but the Soul Reapers joining the Demonic Cult probably happened in a similar way.
Knowing that something is bound to happen, and then adding a small weight to tip the outcome in your favor—that was the Heavenly Demon’s method. Weakening and dividing the martial world of Murim until his own power was fully grown.
All while thoroughly hiding his own presence... In a sense, it’s an incredibly efficient method.
In contrast, I’ve been struggling to prevent things from happening.
The difference in our approaches, despite both foreseeing the future, is simple.
The number of regressions.
The Heavenly Demon has undoubtedly regressed far more times than I have, and thus knows far more.
Because of that, what might have ended as coincidence turned into a part of his grand scheme, and I only joined in later, desperately trying to overturn the board.
The real issue is that I only realized this structure after meeting the Heavenly Demon through the Black Lotus Sect.
The Heavenly Demon could likely have hidden the fact that he was a regressor until the very end if he had wanted to.
But he didn’t.
Even now, I don’t know what his true goal is. Unlike other Demonic Cultists, he doesn’t seem to bear personal grudges against martial artists. So why does he want to destroy the martial world?
Not only that, he revealed his regression to me and even tried to help me grow stronger.
Twisted though it may be, that was undeniably a show of goodwill.
And the experience of cutting down a man who had achieved Diamond Invincibility might become a stepping stone to an even higher realm.
Of course, I have no intention of playing along with the Heavenly Demon’s plans.
I don’t know what lies in the direction he’s headed, but what’s clear is that it involves destroying the martial world of Murim.
The people I’ve formed bonds with, the Tang Clan of Sichuan, and Tang Sowol.
That’s why I must find a path of my own, one that isn’t swayed by the Heavenly Demon.
To give an example using this case... perhaps I could eliminate the cause of the Diamond Arhat’s madness, or if it’s already too late, cut off one of his arms to prevent him from achieving Diamond Invincibility.
That would protect the prestige of Shaolin, and although damaged, the Diamond Arhat would still survive—perfect to repay the favor I owe to Master Jeong Hyeon.
However, to properly explain this, I’d have to mention events from before the regression.
Naturally, that would trigger the mental restriction.
Unlike my party members or Master Jeong Hyeon, the Lord of the Murim Alliance doesn’t know about my mental restriction, and I have no intention of revealing that vulnerability to him.
So I had no choice.
I quickly sorted through my thoughts and separated what to say and what to keep.
Then, with the most nonchalant voice I could muster, I spoke.
“People don’t die just because they lose one arm.”
“If losing one arm means saving many others, I’m sure even the Diamond Arhat would be pleased.”
“A duel is not permitted. Not just with that elder, but with anyone inside the Murim Alliance!”
“Excuse me?”
“I beg you, until the infiltrator is uncovered, please just stay still and don’t do anything...”
The request of the Murim Alliance Lord, who despite reaching the Flowering Stage and having slowed aging, looked like he had aged a decade in just a few moments.
Feigning hesitation, I sighed.
“Phew. Fine. Then I’ll truly do nothing but talk.”
“Can’t you just not meet him at all?”
“Haven’t I compromised enough already? I made a solemn promise to my fiancée, and I intend to keep it.”
“If you’re going that far... very well. Just to be clear, swinging with the sword still in its sheath or using your fists instead also isn’t allowed.”
“Yes.”
“Look me in the eyes. Do I look like someone who would twist words and pull something like that in front of the Alliance Lord?”
The Murim Alliance Lord looked like he had more to say, but in the end, he simply nodded.
***
Unfortunately, by the time my conversation with the Murim Alliance Lord ended, it was already late, and the surroundings had darkened.
Instead of barging in, I decided to wait until tomorrow and headed to the guest room provided by the Alliance.
It was a place I had stayed before, so the path was familiar.
When I opened the door to my room—
As always, Tang Sowol, Seol Lihyang, and Seo Mun-Hwarin were gathered inside.
They treated my room like their own and gathered here often, so that was nothing new. However...
The problem was that it wasn’t just the three of them.
Tang Jincheon. For some reason, he too was quietly seated in my room.
Unlike his daughter, he had a rather grim expression. His mouth was tightly shut, and his dark green eyes, like Sowol’s, were glaring as if interrogating me.
Tang Jincheon was radiating the full weight of the Tang Clan Lord, and the three women gathered before him also wore serious expressions.
Something... Something was going on.
“I’ve returned. Why is the atmosphere so heavy? It feels like you were having a fun conversation without me.”
“Oh, you’re back, Brother Cheon? You said you had something to do—did it go well?”
“It took longer than expected, but I managed. But things seem serious over here.”
After finishing my greeting with the Murim Alliance Lord, I stayed behind to talk while the others dispersed to rest. Seems like something happened in the meantime.
As soon as our eyes met, Tang Sowol’s frozen expression melted into a smile and she nodded.
“Yes, it was an important conversation.”
“What kind of conversation?”
“It started with whether Father would be happy if you brought a dowry.”
“Hold on, dowry? I don’t recall hearing anything like that. What are you talking about?”
“Hm? What kind of dowry would a live-in son-in-law bring? Obviously, a grandchild.”
...Good heavens. So they asked Tang Jincheon if he’d be happy to receive a grandchild as dowry?
“Why on earth would you do that...?”
“Well, because your full conquest isn’t far off, is it? I’ve already heard all sorts of things from Hyang and Hwarin unni.”
...I’m being conquered?
“Fufu. Just realizing it now? But even if you’ve caught on, it’s too late. Brother Cheon, you’re already someone who can’t live without not only me but also Hyang and Hwarin unni.”
“That kind of phrasing might cause misunderstandings since nothing’s happened yet... but I suppose you’re not wrong.”
I said that while glancing at Tang Jincheon, and Tang Sowol proudly tilted her chin.
Looking back, I’ve changed a lot compared to when I first entered the Tang Clan.
Even though I joined as a son-in-law, I firmly resolved to keep Seol Lihyang and Seo Mun-Hwarin by my side too.
Now that I think about it, it does feel like I was slowly drawn in by Tang Sowol... but it wasn’t unpleasant.
After all, as much as I adjusted to her, she adjusted to me too.
That’s what living together is, isn’t it?
So I nodded and carefully asked.
“So? What did Father-in-law say?”
“He got angry.”
“We were in the middle of being scolded.”
“Brother Cheon, I think you need to come here and get scolded with us.”
Tang Sowol quietly slid over and made space for me to sit.
Yeah... This is right.
What kind of father would smile and nod after hearing his daughter is planning to have a child before marriage and even bring in other wives?
Tang Jincheon, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. His tone was low and calm, but laced with complex emotion.
“Son-in-law.”
“Yes.”
I quietly knelt down.