Chapter 365: Orthodox Sect Gathering. (6)

Paejon, his expression contorted fiercely, speaks.

“…What are you saying right now?”

“Exactly as I told you.”

Leaving the Inner Art already contained within my body as it is.

And that I intended to contain Paejon’s Inner Art as well.

Hearing this, Paejon furrows his brow deeply and says to me.

“Should I take that to mean you wish to die? If you wish, I will kindly help you in a better way.”

It was his way of saying he’d rather beat me to death.

How chillingly brutal.

In response, I reply.

“I am not joking.”

“If it’s not a joke? Are you saying you’re playing with me?”

“That is not it either. I am serious.”

“Ha.”

Paejon’s reaction is understandable.

Normally, one cannot contain two types of Inner Arts within the body.

The Qi contained through each Inner Art is all different, moreover.

If Qi with different natures clashes, all the acupoints are ruined, making it easy to become a cripple.

Isn’t there an anecdote about Paejon?

The anecdote where he abandoned all the energy he possessed and started anew for the sake of the martial art he himself created.

To the extent that he had to give up even his identity as Paejon and rebuild.

This was unavoidable for any true martial artist.

In that situation, I am telling Paejon that I will learn his martial art as it is.

From Paejon’s perspective, it’s only natural to be incredulous.

“Do you properly understand what you are saying right now?”

“I understand.”

“If you understood, you wouldn’t be saying that? Unless you’re mocking me.”

Anger gradually mixes into Paejon’s voice.

He seemed to think I was actually playing some kind of prank.

But I am serious. Deliberately ignoring Paejon’s reaction, I continued speaking.

“I know that you have something you wish for from me, Elder.”

At my words, Paejon pauses.

Of course, there is a reason why he is overlooking my actions right now.

There must be a reason why he wants me to become his disciple to this extent.

“I also have something I cannot abandon.”

“So, you intend to contain both within your body? Do you think that makes any sense?”

Paejon’s gaze gradually turns fierce.

“You think lightly of martial arts.”

Speaking of martial arts, even if one could contain several within the body.

Martial arts are such that one can barely achieve great success even by delving into just one of them.

My presumptuous attempt to contain both, something that won’t even work.

Must be quite displeasing to him.

Even so.

“If you say it seems impossible, I will give up. But.”

I uttered my final words without avoiding Paejon’s eyes.

“Unless this works, I have no intention of becoming your disciple, Elder. Rather, just kill me.”

“…”

At the words uttered while making eye contact, Paejon’s expression shows no sign of relaxing.

However, no reaction escalating beyond that was felt.

Whether he was suppressing his anger inwardly.

Or whether he was contemplating whether to destroy me or not, I couldn’t tell.

Although I had spoken my piece.

I had intended to run if he really came at me to destroy me.

Because I couldn’t die here.

I had also subtly figured out escape routes.

Fortunately, it seemed he didn’t intend to kill me.

Just as I was waiting for a long time, Paejon gave me his answer.

“…What do you intend to do if you try it and realize it doesn’t work?”

Success.

At Paejon’s words, I nodded inwardly.

Without showing the reaction outwardly.

I said to him.

“If that happens, I will empty what’s inside and fill it anew, just as you wish, Elder.”

Paejon seemed deep in thought again at my words, but.

From my perspective, it seemed he had already made up his mind.

Although I had boldly said I would abandon the martial art and cultivation level I originally used.

Naturally, I wasn’t actually thinking of abandoning them.

It was because I had my own confidence.

The confidence that I could learn Paejon’s martial art without abandoning the one I currently use.

And that confidence.

Fortunately, was not different from my expectations.

---

The owner of the Baekhwa Merchant Association, and the lady of the Sanseo Gu family, The Lady of White Flowers Mi Hyoran.

Holding a pure white fan, looked at her husband.

He was still sitting at his desk, buried in documents.

His eyes were still fierce, but a somewhat tired appearance was evident.

While his appearance was quite concerning.

Now, the letter held in her hand was more important than her husband’s appearance.

“What are you planning to do?”

She was slightly surprised inwardly by the sharp voice that burst out without her realizing, but.

She didn’t bother to correct it.

The man who heard Mi Hyoran’s voice.

The head of the Sanseo Gu family, the martial artist known as the ‘Gallant Hero’, raises his head.

His stark red gaze was still the same.

The Family Head, Gu Cheol-un, asks Mi Hyoran again.

“What do you mean?”

At his words, which seemed to imply he didn’t know what she was talking about.

Mi Hyoran’s brow furrows deeply.

“…Didn’t you receive one too?”

Mi Hyoran then places a letter onto Gu Cheol-un’s desk with a ‘tak!’

The blue seal written on it clearly belonged to the Martial Alliance.

“It stated a gathering would be held. Is it true? That you won’t be attending?”

“…”

Mi Hyoran’s eyes were incredibly cold.

She had intended to act immediately after receiving the letter, but she was holding back as much as possible.

“The meeting with the Moyong Family that was supposed to happen at the Baekhwa Merchant Association this time, they canceled it first.”

“…”

“Perhaps they heard about this first.”

The words were speculation, but she was certain.

Moreover, the reason Mi Hyoran brought this up was simple.

They are heading towards Hanam, abandoning everything even at the cost of a loss.

While you, what on earth are you doing here?

Gu Cheol-un’s gaze also falls upon the letter.

Throughout his reading, his gaze remained the same, but Mi Hyoran could vaguely tell.

That his mood was not good.

“I know you didn’t attend the previous gathering either.”

The previous Orthodox Faction Gathering, which occurred more than ten years ago.

At that time, Gu Cheol-un did not attend that event.

“I also know that because of that, the Gu family’s standing narrowed.”

When a gathering is held, attending or not is a choice, but.

Being a family that did not attend even when the Orthodox Faction Gathering was held meant one had to endure falling somewhat behind.

Of course, Mi Hyoran was not particularly concerned about such matters.

The standing spoken of in the world is quite an important aspect from the perspective of a merchant association head, but.

What Mi Hyoran is looking at here is solely.

Her position as a ‘parent’.

“Because I know the reason, I don’t blame you.”

“What is it you want to say?”

At Mi Hyoran’s repeated words, Gu Cheol-un eventually had to show his discomfort.

However, Mi Hyoran didn’t budge an inch, even at Gu Cheol-un’s anger.

“I heard that you would send one Royal Concubine, one Elder, and one Sword Commander in your stead.”

This was the matter conveyed to the family through the steward by the Family Head, Gu Cheol-un.

It was the assembled group told to head to Hanam in place of the Family Head.

Sending them mixed with blood relatives, including two elders.

It could be seen as showing the utmost courtesy even though the Family Head isn’t going, but.

Mi Hyoran did not like that.

“You… are you really okay with that?”

“…”

Seeing that look, Mi Hyoran speaks, sounding tired.

“As always, I won’t tell you to be a good father. Since I haven’t been a good mother either.”

Saying that, Mi Hyoran turns her back.

There were so many things she didn’t like.

“Still. You can’t keep doing this forever.”

While feeling sorry for that man whose feet are tied in Sanseo.

The children under him are bound to come to mind.

“Even if you don’t go, I intend to attend in my position as Baekhwa Merchant Association Head.”

Even if not the top association.

It’s an association in a considerable position, and the amount sponsored to the Alliance, including the Hwasan Sect, is also considerable.

Mi Hyoran has sufficient qualification to attend the gathering.

“If you wish, I will go and bring the children.”

Even after saying that much, Gu Cheol-un still had little reaction.

Only the air in the room, which seemed to have become slightly hotter.

Was all one could tell of his discomfort.

Sensing that, Mi Hyoran then adds a word.

“I heard the child was badly injured.”

Ttuk.

Gu Cheol-un’s hand, which was examining the letter, stops abruptly, and his gaze turns to Mi Hyoran.

“There was no mention of such a thing in the report.”

“It seems you read it all.”

“…”

The actual report received stated that they, including two blood relatives and one collateral relative, were in a safe condition without major issues.

However.

“That doesn’t mean there’s no reason to go. You know that well, don’t you?”

“…”

“I won’t say any more. Excuse me.”

Afterward, Mi Hyoran closed the door and disappeared.

Gu Cheol-un, left alone in the room, slowly wiped his face with his hand.

Then, the letter placed on the desk suddenly catches his eye.

Gu Cheol-un, quietly gazing at the letter sent by the Alliance.

“Steward.”

He called the steward, who was quietly waiting outside.

As the door opened, the steward paid his respects to the Family Head.

“Family Head. Did you call?”

Gu Cheol-un, looking intently at the steward, issued an order in a heavy voice.

“I will revise the personnel heading to Hanam. Make sure to convey that this Family Head will also attend.”

“…!”

The steward, who had bowed his head, felt his shoulders twitch at Gu Cheol-un’s words.

However, without showing a reaction, he raised his head and replied to Gu Cheol-un.

“Understood.”

He did not ask why or express doubt.

Gu Cheol-un, having heard the steward’s reply, issued a dismissal order to him.

After confirming he left, he quietly closes his eyes.

And so.

Two months passed.

It became the time when countless people began to arrive in Hanam.