Chapter 114
It was only after the hero tournament that the Martial Alliance, at So-ah’s suggestion, prepared a banquet.
Despite the chaotic times, the scale was not small.
Was it possible to neglect to celebrate the election of the new Alliance Leader and the overcoming of a crisis?
Moreover, since it was a place to entertain distinguished guests such as the North Sea Ice Palace, Baek In-hwa, and the Jang brothers, it was appropriate to prepare a grand banquet out of courtesy.
But the ‘real beneficiaries’ of this splendid banquet were.
The first-year, new officials.
The former students of the White Martial Academy.
“Wow! It’s Geumjoncheong, Geumjoncheong. This is the first time I’ve ever had Geumjoncheong.”
“Drink in moderation. Don’t get drunk and make a mistake again. There are many famous seniors at this banquet today!”
Among them, there was a group that was particularly boisterous, and they were the officials from the Human Division.
As the alcohol went in, Han Baek, Eon Yeong-je, Seok Won, Paeng Seong-un, and others started to bicker, spitting saliva.
‘They’ve all become officials…’
‘They’re still the same.’
‘They’re hopeless.’
Namgung Mun, Tang Il-gi, and Myo-seon, who had recovered from their injuries from the duel, also attended and smiled as they watched their peers’ verbal sparring.
As the atmosphere ripened and the night deepened.
“I would be grateful if everyone would pay attention!”
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon addressed the crowd.
“There are people who played a big role in this crisis. As the Alliance Leader, I would like to propose a toast to them.”
At that.
“Hear, hear!”
“That’s right!”
“It is only right to do so!”
The people in the room also nodded in agreement.
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon pointed to the distinguished guests with a gesture and shouted.
“Chief Baek In-hwa from Goryeo. The masters of the North Sea, who are called the best in the martial world outside the pass. And even the Great Hero Jang of the Waterway!”
Of course, the name of the Green Forest King, Jang Beon-pal, was left out.
‘Hahahat! Grandma, really.’
‘Keke. The mountain bandit must be upset.’
So-ah and Jang Beon-ha, who had guessed the inside story, could not help but smile.
“These distinguished guests, despite being outsiders, helped our alliance by putting pressure on the White Lotus Cult. Let’s toast to them!”
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon raised her glass.
Everyone stood up at once and shouted a toast with a fiery roar.
“To the mysterious master of Goryeo, Chief Baek!”
“To the number one outside the pass, the North Sea Ice Palace!”
“To the Green Forest Eighteen Fortresses and the Yangtze River Waterway Fortress!”
In this way, a ridiculous scene unfolded where the people of the Orthodox Path toasted to guests from foreign countries, outside the pass, and the Unorthodox Path.
But no one ostracized them, the outsiders.
Because their help in this hero tournament was significant, and especially Baek In-hwa was the benefactor who had saved So-ah by blocking No Yeong-myeong’s sorcery.
‘It’s going to be a foggy political situation. The Unorthodox and Orthodox Paths, as well as the White Lotus Cult and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. And if we add the martial world outside the pass, it will now be a five-way division of the world!’
Ha Won-sang, who had handed over the authority of the Alliance Leader and was now a free man, looked around with sunken eyes and fixed his gaze on the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon.
His heart was heavy.
Because as soon as he retired, he had placed a heavy burden on the next Alliance Leader…
‘Great Supreme Elder Lord… please look after the future of the Sword Empress and the Orthodox Path!’
Ha Won-sang prayed for the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon’s good fortune in his heart.
Just then.
“Also!”
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon’s voice continued again.
“The distinguished guests came to the Martial Alliance because of Young Master Jin. In addition, Young Master Jin has been in charge of the important role of ‘Emergency Committee Chairman’ since the day of the hero tournament, and has made a considerable contribution by reorganizing the situation and catching the spy. Fellow martial artists. Let’s all toast to Young Master Jin as well!”
For a moment, So-ah’s eyes widened.
As soon as the banquet started, he had a drink with the Jang brothers, a drink with the Wang Bang-tae and Wang So-yeong father and daughter, a drink with the students, and a drink with the Moyong family members.
He had been so busy drinking with people from all directions like a mirage…
But when he was suddenly called out in front of so many people, he felt a strange sense of embarrassment wash over him.
But.
“Kuhaha! Of course, of course. If it weren’t for my younger brother, that old demon No Yeong-myeong wouldn’t have run away so easily.”
“Whose younger brother is he? Of course! Now, now! Fellow martial artists. Let’s toast to So-ah!”
The Waterway King and the Pirate King burst into a loud laugh and actively agreed with the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon’s suggestion.
‘Wow… Brother Jin has become sworn brothers with not only the Bandit King but also the Pirate King!’
‘So-ah…’
‘What is his identity?!’
So-ah’s friends were astonished, their mouths agape.
But soon, they shouted So-ah’s name louder than anyone else.
“Long live Jin So-ah!”
“Long live!”
“Long live Jin So-ahhhhh!”
Before long, the cheers spread like a wave.
“Ah… haha… yes, yes. Thank you! Yes, yes!”
Although he had experienced such things once or twice, So-ah couldn’t help but feel his heart flutter.
***
Late at night…
The banquet hall was still bustling.
Of course, most people had left and returned to their residences, but as always, there were always people who would drink all night on a feast day.
‘It was a difficult time, but I’ve passed the first hurdle. But the future will be more important.’
With the appearance of the White Lotus Cult, the Jianghu would be in a dark political situation for a while.
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon, whose heart had become heavy, left the banquet hall and walked along the lakeside under the moonlight, thinking about various things.
Just then.
“Ahem! Sword Empress…”
A rough and coarse voice brushed past the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon’s ear.
‘…This is?’
A familiar voice.
When she turned her gaze to the back with cold eyes.
“…Hmm.”
An old man in his early sixties with a huge build and a bushy beard, several times larger than an ordinary person.
The Green Forest King, Jang Beon-pal, was standing there, fidgeting and blushing.
“What are you doing following me? You shameless old man!”
After looking around once and confirming that there was no one, the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon shot at Jang Beon-pal with a voice as cold as a frostbitten sword.
“Hey, your words are harsh. A woman who has become the leader of the martial world…”
“A woman?!”
“…”
“If you say such a creepy thing one more time, you’ll be in for it. You mountain bandit old man.”
“Are you still angry about that time?”
“No. Why would I be angry at you? Stop talking nonsense and go drink your favorite alcohol, why don’t you?”
Although it was unknown what had happened between the two in the past, it was clear that they were not on ordinary terms.
Also, who was the dominant one and who was the subordinate one.
In that moment.
“Chun-mae…”
A shocking word came out of Jang Beon-pal’s mouth.
So Im-chun.
It was the Sword Empress’s name that no one in the martial world dared to utter, and Chun-mae was the meaning of calling such a Sword Empress Hong-ryeon his sister.
“Y-You! How dare you say that name…”
“Chun-mae. We’ve grown old too.”
“So what do you want me to do about it?”
“Let’s just forget the past and let it go. I was wrong. I really wanted to apologize to you.”
Jang Beon-pal’s voice, filled with regret, flowed out in the form of an apology.
But the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon seemed to have no intention of doing so.
“I have no reason to resent you. I have no reason to be angry, so don’t come looking for me with personal feelings again.”
“Chun-mae…”
“Hey! Can’t you shut that mouth?!”
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon, growling with fierce eyes.
In the end, Jang Beon-pal gave up his stubbornness.
‘Phew… I’ll have to ask my younger brother to make a place for me later. It’s impossible today… tsk.’
If you try to resolve a long-standing emotion hastily, you’ll only make things worse.
In this way, Jang Beon-pal gave up on a dramatic reconciliation with Chun-mae and looked forward to the next time, bowing his head.
The humiliation was not over.
“How long are you going to stand there like that? Go away! Someone might see and misunderstand!”
Because she kept shooting at him, Jang Beon-pal couldn’t even say a word and turned his feet.
‘Damn it! Who would misunderstand? Both you and I are old people over seventy, what! Anyway, her temper is still the same.’
Swallowing such inner thoughts, Jang Beon-pal left the place, staggering.
‘Ugh! That old man. What?! Chun-mae? Thanks to So-ah, I received indirect help, so I’ll endure it once, just once!’
The Sword Empress Hong-ryeon, without a shred of pity for such a Jang Beon-pal, only cursed at him.
It seemed that it would take a long time for a close reconciliation between the current Martial Alliance Leader and the Green Forest King to be achieved.
***
Three days later.
The bustling atmosphere of the Martial Alliance had calmed down.
The North Sea Ice Palace, the Jang brothers, and the people of Shaolin and Jongnam.
In addition, most of the guests who were still staying at the headquarters had returned.
Although they wanted to stay longer, most of them were the masters of their sects, so they could not postpone the preparation and discussion of the White Lotus Cult incident and said their reluctant farewells.
But the three days were more than enough to catch up.
Moyong Baek had become much closer to the Palace Lord of the North Sea, Wang Bang-tae, as well as the Jang Beon-pal and Jang Beon-ha brothers, and So-ah’s friends had exchanged names with Wang So-yeong and quickly built a friendship.
In addition, the key figures of the Nine Great Sects and the Eight Great Families, except for those who were poisoned by the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder, returned to their respective sects and spread the means of initial response related to the White Lotus Cult, and promised to gather the entire Orthodox Path later to establish a large-scale extermination strategy for the first-class public enemy.
And…
“Alliance Leader. And all the seniors. I will be back.”
So-ah also finished his preparations and performed a polite cupped fist salute to the officials of the alliance.
“So-ah… I’m worried. To think you’re going to the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons because of us! It’s a long way, and it will be a rough journey…”
“I’m so ashamed of you, So-ah.”
“Young Master Jin…”
At So-ah’s farewell, who had set his mind to get the antidote for the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder, the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon, the Beggars’ Sect Chief, Hong In-geol, and others could not help but feel heavy-hearted.
Although they were confident, no, overconfident in So-ah’s martial arts, the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons in Nanman was a forbidden zone with a notorious reputation.
Thinking of So-ah, who would suffer hardships, they felt sorry.
But.
“Yes! It’s a good decision. So-ah. You can do it well.”
It was Moyong Baek, who should have been wrapping So-ah in cotton, who was pleased with So-ah’s departure.
And for good reason, So-ah’s stubbornness was like a cow’s sinew.
Not only was there no way to break that stubbornness, but if someone had to get the antidote.
No one could deny that So-ah, who had both martial arts, strategy, and guts, was the right person for the job.
Also.
“This uncle believes in you.”
Moyong Baek’s trust in So-ah was now beyond question.
Although he was sometimes mischievous and had a childlike innocence, wasn’t he So-ah, who had proven his ability countless times, not to mention his role as an instructor at the academy?
With a little exaggeration, Moyong Baek even thought that there was no one in the world as outstanding as So-ah.
And…
“Don’t worry, Uncle. You know me, right? It’s So-ah, So-ah. A forbidden zone? Well, I can just flip it over.”
Whether he knew his uncle’s heart or not, So-ah smiled and joked.
At that.
[You brat! The Alliance Leader and the top masters of the Orthodox Path are watching! In a situation like this, you should be a little! Huh? Act a little dignified. Huh? Act a little cool! What’s with that frivolousness?]
Moyong Baek secretly sent a telepathic message and scolded So-ah.
[Phew! Uncle. You know I can’t do that.]
[What do you mean you can’t? I know you’re a master of acting!]
[Oops…]
Just as Moyong Baek and So-ah were having a strange war of words.
Baek In-hwa intervened and said in a low voice.
“Young Master Jin… Yunnan is a hot and humid climate, and especially the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons is a forbidden zone teeming with all kinds of demons. So, go with Woo-chi. Woo-chi’s growth has been dramatic recently, so he will be a great help on this journey.”
Come to think of it, Jeon Woo-chi was waiting with a large bundle of luggage packed and slung over his back.
It seemed he had already finished talking with his master.
So-ah also nodded his head readily.
“Yes, Elder. But you’ll be staying at the alliance, right?”
“I plan to do so for now. At least until you get the antidote.”
“Thank you. And Uncle!”
So-ah’s gaze turned to his uncle again.
“Yes, So-ah.”
“Um… the disciple I mentioned.”
“Yes. You said you took your first top disciple? Did you say his name was Yi Baek?”
“Yes. He should be doing basic stamina and body strengthening while shitting blood by now.”
“Kekeke! I don’t know if it’s a blessing or not for that child to have you as his master.”
“That child. Please take special care of him and be good to him.”
“Hey! Are you already protecting your top disciple?”
“It’s not like that.”
“Huh?”
“That brat.”
“…”
“He’s the son of the Yi family of Shandong, one of the three great chaebols of the Central Plains.”
“???”
“He’s the son of the Great Hero Lee Kun-hee, the number one chaebol in the world!”