Chapter 376: Your Father Is Really Scary. (2)

The orthodox faction meeting has ended.

Honestly, I wasn’t that curious about the content, but from my perspective, I had to know.

Due to this outcome, my predetermined future schedule could have been disrupted.

Therefore, the very fact that the plan might change was such a huge deal right now.

I had to remember the information.

I asked Cheoljiseon about what happened while I was sleeping.

“What happened?”

“…Uh, well….”

Cheoljiseon hesitated for a moment at my question, and soon after, began explaining to me.

The first thing the Alliance Leader started talking about was, naturally, the attack incident.

-Why did things turn out this way.

Starting from the origin.

-What on earth did the Murim Alliance do.

How did the Murim Alliance handle things in between, leading up to the outcome.

-What are your plans going forward.

Since the incident has already occurred, how do you plan to handle it from now on.

Starting with the heated arguments about the Murim Alliance’s incompetence.

Along with the victim’s family.

As their reputation was damaged, the clans and sects that suffered collateral damage. And even the merchant guilds sponsoring the Alliance.

The Murim Alliance had to present something concrete about this.

Otherwise.

‘…Even if not dissolution, it would become quite difficult.’

If the Alliance were dissolved immediately, problems could arise even for the cities protected by the Alliance’s forces.

If a branch disappeared, the clans or sects responsible for that area would start managing it, but.

Considering the costs and human resources involved, they couldn’t just withdraw carelessly.

Everyone else knew that too, so they wouldn’t rashly step forward.

So, what was the conclusion?

First.

The Murim Alliance decided to put Shinryongguan on hiatus.

It was a natural schedule to put it on hiatus after graduating one cohort, but.

Through this incident, it became impossible to continue Shinryongguan.

Naturally, the places that entrusted their blood relatives or successors wouldn’t want this either.

Shinryongguan decided to go on hiatus without a graduating cohort.

The words that came to my mind upon hearing this were.

‘Not closed, but on hiatus?’

The fact that Shinryongguan was on hiatus, not closed.

I had naturally expected Shinryongguan to close down due to this incident.

Unlike my expectations, it seemed they only intended to take the form of a hiatus.

Thinking about the reason for making such a choice.

‘It’s probably because of that damn honor.’

It must be due to the reputation and honor Shinryongguan possesses.

In today’s world where martial artists are perceived as swordsmen, the value of the reputation of being a Shinryongguan graduate is not small.

The connections formed just by being an alumnus of that place.

The sense of camaraderie that comes from it also helps one’s blood relatives rise to high positions later on.

This means.

In the end, it’s no different from postponing closure for their own benefit.

The Murim Alliance knew that too, which is why they brought up the term ‘hiatus’.

‘Although I feel uneasy… in the end.’

Whatever the case, Shinryongguan went on hiatus.

This was something that didn’t happen in my previous life.

‘In the first place, the attack itself didn’t happen.’

It’s now impossible to even guess where things started to go wrong.

I just had to nod.

If I tried to process everything one by one, there would be no end, so I just had to adapt to the changes.

Next is the disposition of the great villain who attempted the attack.

The Murim Alliance made an official announcement regarding the identity of the person who attacked Shinryongguan, stating it was the Black Dragon Sword (黑龍劍).

People murmured.

It was natural.

If you mention the Black Dragon Sword, it refers to a martial artist of the unorthodox faction who was executed by Wi Hyogoon, who is now the Sword Master and was called the Gale Sword of his time.

Because the records stated that his head had already been severed and he had died.

The Black Dragon Sword was alive?

Not only was such a person alive, but after decades, he drew his sword against the orthodox faction again.

It seemed to be quite a shocking story for those gathered here.

There is the Alliance.

A fragile peace that monsters called the Three Revered Ones allow the orthodox faction to endure.

Did they really not know this could be broken at any moment?

It’s probably more accurate to say they were intoxicated by peace.

The Black Dragon Sword, currently captured in the Alliance’s prison, is scheduled to be transferred to the Tang Clan later.

‘To the Tang Clan?’

I had to frown upon hearing the story.

Because I was suspicious about the reason for sending him to the Tang Clan instead of the Alliance.

‘Why?’

The journey to Sichuan is quite long, and.

If it’s for torture, it would be safer to do it at the Alliance.

Why would they go through the trouble of transferring him such a long distance to do something at the Tang Clan?

Such doubts crossed my mind, but.

A bigger problem arose here.

As it was a meeting, it wasn’t just the Alliance Leader speaking alone; it was a place where questions were definitely exchanged.

In a way, it could be seen as a place for debate.

In that situation, I was the one who captured the Black Dragon Sword.

Those who wanted to know what happened wanted to ask me questions, but.

…The problem was that I was fast asleep, leaning against my father’s shoulder at the time.

A descendant of a prestigious family sleeping soundly at a meeting, what a disgraceful sight that is.

Meanwhile, I had no memory of waking up during that situation.

What could be the reason for this?

‘Could it be that the backlash was so strong I couldn’t wake up…?’

That might be the case, but.

Here, Cheoljiseon uttered something strange in a voice full of fear.

“…Your father… was really scary.”

“What?”

“No… it’s nothing.”

Cheoljiseon shivered, as if he didn’t want to remember.

What on earth did he see to act like that?

Just as I was about to get annoyed and tell Cheoljiseon to finish what he was saying.

“…So, instead of you sleeping, I received the questions.”

“…”

At Cheoljiseon’s words, spoken with a look of resignation.

I couldn’t help but shut my mouth.

Only then did I understand why that guy was looking at me with such a dying expression, as if blaming me.

I, who was supposed to answer questions at the meeting, was sleeping.

Because I couldn’t be woken up to what happened.

It meant that the questions were directed at Cheoljiseon, who attended with me.

The heads of prestigious families.

The sect leaders of renowned sects.

And the guild leaders of the merchant guilds that formed the Central Plains were asking Cheoljiseon questions like crazy.

This meant it was quite overwhelming for the timid Cheoljiseon to handle.

Moreover, since he was someone living under a hidden name with the surname Zhuge.

He must have been even more nervous.

“…You… went through a lot.”

“…”

That was all I could say.

Cheoljiseon still had a tired expression, looking like he could collapse at any moment, but.

He shook his head and continued speaking.

Many things were discussed.

After hearing everything, there were only three things that could be considered important.

-Shinryongguan has decided to go on hiatus for at least ten years.

-The Alliance considers the incident important and has declared war on the unorthodox factions.

And.

The most important thing.

As this incident had occurred, someone had to take responsibility.

Even if they were innocent.

People needed someone to blame rather than the truth.

This was not something that would end without someone taking responsibility for it.

Therefore, the Murim Alliance found and announced the person to take responsibility.

First.

The sect leader of the Kunlun Sect.

Cheonghae Ilgeom decided to hold himself responsible and step down from the position of sect leader.

Upon hearing that, I unconsciously clenched my fists.

Since the sect leader committed the act and stepped down from his position.

It was no different from a major stain on Kunlun.

Unlike in my previous life, where Cheonghae Ilgeom fell into demonic cultivation and stepped down from his position as sect leader.

This time too, he stepped down from the sect leader position, but.

The situation unfolded quite differently.

‘I never expected him to step down from the sect leader position.’

Since Cheonghae Ilgeom was the one managing the pavilion.

It seemed like he was taking responsibility for that, but.

I couldn’t help but feel a crappy feeling.

‘Moreover.’

That wasn’t the only problem.

Cheonghae Ilgeom stepping down from the sect leader position was a significant event, but.

There was a bigger problem remaining.

And that was.

-Nakgeom Jangcheon also chose to take responsibility and step down from his current position as Alliance Leader.

Nakgeom, who had been active as the Alliance Leader for over the past decade.

Had decided to step down from the Alliance Leader position, just like Cheonghae Ilgeom.

“…The Alliance Leader?”

As soon as I heard it from Cheoljiseon, my head snapped around.

Nakgeom is quitting as Alliance Leader?

“What the…”

“Even without that, the reactions from people were immense the moment the Alliance Leader brought it up.”

“Of course, they would be…!”

Jangcheon stepping down as Alliance Leader was by no means a small matter.

Taking responsibility and stepping down?

That’s possible.

It’s possible, but if this happens, it means the Alliance Leader position will become vacant.

And that means a new Alliance Leader must be chosen.

That makes things quite complicated.

In my previous life, the Alliance Leader was Jangcheon.

And immediately after the Blood Calamity ended, the one who took the Alliance Leader position was none other than Wi Seora.

But if Jangcheon steps down as Alliance Leader now.

‘Who will become the next Alliance Leader?’

An Alliance Leader must be chosen for the next generation.

As the Murim Alliance is called the symbol of the orthodox faction.

The position of Alliance Leader could not remain vacant.

“Ha…”

The situation is getting too complicated.

The Alliance Leader position becoming vacant.

This was a development I had not anticipated at all.

---

The sun had already set.

Dragging my tired head, I headed to an inn.

It was a place Madam Mi had given me prior notice about.

It was likely where the Gu family’s entourage was all gathered.

The streets of Hanam felt more crowded than any day I had seen recently.

It was so packed that I couldn’t even take a step easily, but.

After leaping over a few rooftops, I fortunately arrived at my destination comfortably.

There were surprisingly few people around the inn.

Madam Mi said she rented the entire inn, so it must be thanks to that.

Just before arriving at the inn and opening the door to go inside.

“Hey… Yangcheon-ah.”

Cheoljiseon, who was riding on my back, urgently called me.

“Why.”

“Am I really allowed to go…?”

“Madam Mi said it was okay. So it should be fine.”

“B-but still…”

Cheoljiseon spoke to me nervously.

The reason was that Cheoljiseon was also invited to join for the meal.

This guy said his family wasn’t coming anyway, and I felt bad for dragging him around, so.

I asked if he could eat with us.

I remembered Madam Mi smiling with pleasure when I asked if I could bring a friend to eat.

“W-will it really be okay…? Someone like me…”

“What’s not okay about it? Stop whining and follow me.”

“Ugh…!”

After saying that, I tossed Cheoljiseon off my back.

I opened the inn’s door first.

As the door opened, the luxurious interior came into view.

Inns are usually like that, but perhaps because there were fewer people inside.

It felt more visible.

As I entered, someone greeted me.

“Oh! It’s been a while.”

A burly man approached, laughing heartily.

It was Elder Il, Gu Ryun.

For me, it was a face I hadn’t seen in months, just like Madam Mi or Gu Huibi.

I felt particularly glad to see him.

“It’s nice to see you after so long.”

“Have you been well?”

Haha-!

Elder Il laughed boisterously and patted my back hard.

…It still hurts like hell.

It was a sign of welcome, but this old man still had a heavy hand.

“Oho. Yangcheon-ah.”

“…Yes.”

As I answered while enduring the pain, Elder Il gave a creepy smile.

“You’ve gotten tougher while I haven’t seen you. I like it very much.”

He then showed me his bicep muscles.

His muscles bulged, making his martial arts uniform look pitiful.

Like it would burst if you poked it?

“You seem to be doing well, Elder Il-nim.”

“Haha! I’ve always been doing well! You seem to be doing quite well too, Yangcheon. You even received a new sobriquet recently, right? What was it. So-yeom…”

“Ah, I’m hungry.”

I quickly passed by before Elder Il could say anything strange.

Because I didn’t really want to hear it.

-Hmm? Who might you be?

-Ah… Hello. I am Cheol Jiseon of the Cheol family…

-Ah, so you’re the friend of our Yangcheon. But why is this young man so scrawny? Your arms…

-Huh? Uh… Just a moment…! Aagh!

A scream erupted from Cheol Jiseon, who was subsequently grabbed by Elder Il, but.

I ignored it.

‘I’ll remember this as a noble sacrifice.’

I offered my condolences to Cheoljiseon and headed towards where the Gu family members were gathered.

Kiiik.

Upon opening another door and entering, I saw many familiar faces, including Madam Mi and my father.

“Huh?”

They were people I naturally expected to be there for a family meal, but.

Amidst that.

“…What the?”

Someone completely unexpected was sitting there with them.