Chapter 94
Returning to the guesthouse, Kwak Yeon felt as though he had just glimpsed the rotten underbelly of the martial world—and the feeling sat ill with him.
That young martial elites would form gatherings like the Hwayeong Assembly or Dragon-Phoenix Gathering to foster camaraderie—such things could be accepted. Forming cliques to solidify their standing—he had seen those games even on Mount Wudang.
That those young elites would grow into powerful figures, form their own factions, and secure influence within their sects and the Martial Alliance—it was the ugly yet unavoidable nature of humanity to pursue advantage.
But to think they would go so far as to buy and sell epithets in order to join such circles—it was truly revolting.
He began to understand why Daoist Hyeon-hae had warned that the world was awash in filth.
The world was in disarray.
Human affection could be beautiful, yet when one looked deeper, it was often filthy.
Kwak Yeon wrestled with how far the bounds of chivalric conduct ought to extend.
Were even people like those to be protected, just because they belonged to the righteous path?
Did such a thing as Heaven’s Unseen Net truly exist?
He couldn’t come to a clear answer—but at the very least, he decided it wasn’t something he should involve himself in.
They claimed to be punishing a wicked rogue. The method was disgraceful, even vile—but what of it?