Chirp. Chirp. Chirp!
As soon as it was around 5 to 6 in the morning, those ghostly chirpers came to life. I was deep in concentration, and while they broke it, they also made me realize how much time had passed.
The banquet hall was now brightly lit, overshadowing the flickering candles.
Looking next to Samayeom, I noticed the empty wine jug. He had started drinking alone at some point and finished it all.
How is it that he can stand so upright like a bamboo all night without a single hint of a flush? I guess this is what it means to be a governor. The saying that a person who can’t drink in the world of office politics will die is increasingly ringing true.
“Have you organized your thoughts?”
“Yeah.”
Throughout the night, Samayeom and I exchanged various opinions. I was mostly the one asking questions, and he merely answered.
The ‘Martial World’ is, after all, just a martial arts game. Although there’s a royal route connected through Hyeok Gi-rin, that’s merely a subplot; the main story revolves around the sects in the martial world.
So, I asked countless questions to verify how far the power and influence of the government and the governor extends, and to what extent they could help and risk themselves… all that.
Samayeom accepted all my questions without any sign of displeasure.
“I’ll ask one last question.”
“Oh, finally the Q&A session is coming to an end. What is it?”
“Is it okay for me to take the lead in this matter? You don’t seem to be stepping in.”
“The law rings the bell of people’s minds and brings them to reason.”
Samayeom said that as he downed the last of his drink.
“However, the alliance stirs the hearts of people and ignites their passion. I was merely thinking about which approach we need to eliminate the long-standing poison in Sacheon City.”
There were many more questions I had for Samayeom. What does he see in an ordinary Sacheon Outcast to trust me so? If I mess up, what’s the backup plan? All those minor doubts swelled in my throat, but I stifled them all.
Those trivial things could be discussed later in the banquet hall after everything was settled.
“I’ve brought the guests.”
“A humble merchant is here to see you, Governor.”
“Over here.”
“…Ho Cheon-an?”
Yu Sa-yeon, summoned by Samayeom at dawn. And Black Cat brought along Hyeok Gi-rin, who was out cold, and the sleep-deprived Miss Yeo Il-ye, whose face was puffy from crying all night.
“I have a way to solve the current situation.”
Hyeok Gi-rin groaned with a hangover while Black Cat was giving him water. Yu Sa-yeon looked perplexed by the situation, and Miss Yeo Il-ye, with dead eyes, all focused on me.
“We can smash the Tang Su Gate and deal with Gae Myung-bu. We can also hunt down the bandits and uncover the connection between them and Hwang Geum-seon, leading us to arrest the culprits behind the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa, while ensuring the autonomy of the sects in Sacheon and saving the members of the Sacheon Outcasts.”
“…Pardon me, Outcast. Such a splendid solution can’t possibly exist.”
Hyeok Gi-rin protested with a hoarse voice.
“It exists.”
I looked around the room. Governor Samayeom. The great master of the Jeomchang Faction, Hyeok Gi-rin. The peak expert, Miss Yeo Il-ye. And the lord of Wolbok-dang, Black Cat… and me, the top expert, Ho Cheon-an.
Putting my name in front of them somehow made me feel smaller. But what can I do? I’ve reached this level; I have to give it my all.
Anyway, if we all combine our strengths, it’s certainly doable.
I explained my plan, which took over an hour to lay out.
When I finished describing everything, nobody spoke a word.
“I know that not everyone will be satisfied. From Miss Yeo Il-ye’s perspective, she wants to capture all her enemies personally, and Yu Sa-yeon would want to repay her enemies alone. Even Hyeok Gi-rin might feel dissatisfied if the Jeomchang Faction doesn’t get enough profit. Black Cat also bears a heavy burden in this plan… and the Governor might have to take on political liabilities as well.”
“…Why would you say that?”
Hyeok Gi-rin said in disbelief.
“What do you gain from this plan, Outcast? You’re merely taking the loss.”
“Why would I take the loss?”
I’d be gaining Wood Attribute Spiritual Medicine and soda, of course.
“Once everything’s settled, I can feel satisfaction and calmly train.”
“Hahaha!”
Suddenly, Samayeom burst into laughter.
“Haha! That’s certainly true. That’s important. I, Samayeom, will cooperate with the hero’s plan. And what about the rest?”
Everyone nodded.
“Well then, shall we get started?”
* *
An uncomfortable tension lingered at the Hwangbo Clan’s sect meeting hall. The one with the highest status in the martial world was Master Cheongheo. He was also the one with the highest martial arts mastery.
However, the ‘Hyu Jeok’ disciple from the Jeomchang Faction, which Cheongheo belonged to, had caused chaos at the Hwangbo Clan, and now the other sects needed to unite to stop the rampaging Jeomchang Faction.
“Isn’t it unfair for someone like Master Cheongheo, a former peak expert, to step in…?”
“Since the Jeomchang doesn’t have an official title, there’s nothing we can do…”
When martial artists reach a level to represent their sect, they are usually given some honorary title. Even if it is mere decoration, it instills a sense of responsibility and duty. But the Jeomchang didn’t feel the need to do that.
Even if termed a former peak expert, their disciples tend to take the lead in important matters of the sect.
“May I speak, Old Man Yuan Shi?”
“Of course, Master.”
Master Cheongheo, stroking his beard, slowly surveyed the meeting room. Those dressed like the old comrades who fought against the Outcast Faction to bring smiles back to the people living in Sacheon. When he thought of their ages, he envisioned the excitement of the youth, spurred on by tales of their predecessors’ valor as they embarked on their own martial training.
“Time is fleeting.”
Now, these once-enthusiastic individuals have succumbed to the peace and the seduction of wealth.
Hwangbo Clan. Cheongseong Faction. Jongnam Sect. Ami Faction. Master Cheongheo recalled his past comrades who fought against the Outcast Faction alongside Tang Guanglie.
“They probably think that since I’m old, I’ll just sit back and let it all slide. Fools. If the sect falls apart, I need to rise up even in my old age to correct things.”
Master Cheongheo didn’t believe that the Hwangbo, Cheongseong, Jongnam, and Ami Factions had properly maintained their sect’s dignity just because the Jeomchang was thriving. It was simply because the former peak experts were actively handling the sect’s affairs, allowing that spirit to be preserved.
So, if the Hwangbo, Cheongseong, Jongnam, and Ami Factions were to damage their reputation due to this incident, it could create an environment for the former peak experts to deliver disciplinary measures.
Even the elders of the sect must fulfill their duties, and managing the sect properly is essential to avoid hard times in old age. Master Cheongheo thought of Hyeok Gi-rin.
“That kid has grown up, so this old man should be thinking about retirement.”
Master Cheongheo smiled contentedly as he recalled Hyeok Gi-rin’s audacious request to help this morning. Helping the sect without causing it harm, aiding his disciple Yeo Il-ye, and confidently discussing ways to benefit the people—he saw not just a cute disciple, but a top hero.
“I just apologized to the head of the Hwangbo Clan.”
“What does that mean…?”
Watching the faces of the four representatives brighten, Master Cheongheo chuckled.
“I’ve caused a significant inconvenience to the Hwangbo Clan and instilled fear in the merchants. How could I step foot in Sacheon City? Miss Yeo Il-ye has also requested to withdraw, but she will return to Jeomchang one day. As a senior member of the sect, I worry she may get stained with too much blood if she encounters the bandits now.”
“Indeed… Your compassion is overflowing.”
“Miss Yeo Il-ye won’t step out of Sacheon City, nor will she enter the Hwangbo Clan’s door without reason from today onwards. And I trust that the heroes from Hwangbo, Cheongseong, Jongnam, and Ami Factions will deal with the bandits connected to the Hwangbo Clan responsibly.”
“Leave it to us! Master! We will uncover everything thoroughly without a flicker of doubt!”
“Indeed! This Hwangbo Clan will give its all as well!”
The representatives of the clan and sect felt like cheering inside. The Jeomchang Faction was retreating so easily? They were establishing a division within Sacheon City? In fact, the Jeomchang hardly received any shares from the profit agreement, leaving them at a significant disadvantage in the competitive landscape of the sects in Sacheon.
They thought they’d do everything possible to remain, and that’s why they found Master Cheongheo’s status and fame burdensome, and yet they left so easily.
“However, I have a request for everyone.”
The representatives gulped. Of course, they wouldn’t just step back.
“In accordance with Hwang Geum-seon’s request, we’ve decided to adjust the timing of the penalization.”
“Ahem. Master, we’re just saying that the unity of the sects in Sacheon has reached surprising heights, so we’re looking out for their dignity…”
“Ah, that’s true. I’m leaving the care of Yeo Il-ye to my disciple Hyeok Gi-rin, but as you all stay here, if I were to leave alone, it could lead to misunderstandings.”
“Hmm.”
“Thus, I would like Hwangbo, Cheongseong, Jongnam, and Ami Factions to issue a statement. Until a certain time, we shall respect the morale of the sects in Sacheon.”
This meant they wanted to create valid grounds for Jeomchang to leave without it looking like they were retreating with their tails between their legs.
If the major sects in Sacheon issued an official statement declaring they wouldn’t involve themselves, Jeomchang could withdraw without much fuss.
“That is…”
“Hmm…”
The representatives pondered.
There was enough room for escape, and getting rid of a bomb like Jeomchang would be worth any price. They could simply promise substantial compensation to allied factions.
The allied factions of Sacheon would have no choice but to accept the proposal.
“We’ll follow the Master’s wishes.”
That day, messages declaring the stances of the prominent sects spread across every corner of Sacheon.
* *
“This is how things turned out.”
“Wow.”
Hyeok Gi-rin, with a gloomy expression, expressed his grievances to the leader of the Gwangyang Faction. The leader of Gwangyang wanted to sigh deeply but couldn’t, considering that the grand priest of Jeomchang had personally visited to apologize.
“My faction lacked strength, leading us to withdraw prematurely, and I feel embarrassed in front of our allied Gwangyang Faction.”
“It cannot be helped. A calamity has occurred; it’s not a reflection of our faction’s downfall. We simply need to lower our heads and await the opportunity.”
Still, the leader of Gwangyang felt quite relieved.
Rumors circulated that the sects of Sacheon vehemently opposed the involvement of the Nine Great Sects. The prolonged rumors were indeed accepted when the official stance of the Nine Great Sects was announced. The Hwangbo, Jeomchang, Cheongseong, and Ami Factions were all immediately turned upside down. The leader of Gwangyang was extremely enraged and intended to storm out, but just then, a letter from Jeomchang arrived, followed closely by Hyeok Gi-rin.
“Though Jeomchang’s retreat is certainly bad news… perhaps it’s better than getting blindsided…”
As he soothed his troubled heart, the leader of Gwangyang paused when he saw Hyeok Gi-rin preparing tea.
[A very good opportunity will come soon.]
Seeing Hyeok Gi-rin’s serious demeanor, the leader of Gwangyang nodded, wiping off the tea with his sleeve. His sleeve was thoroughly soaked, but that was the least of his concerns.
“I must deliver the news to the other sects, so I’ll take my leave.”
“…Be careful.”
While the representatives of each faction were getting furious and calming down the sect leaders with promises or threats, Hyeok Gi-rin quietly moved among the factions connected to the Jeomchang Faction.
And at that moment.
Flap.
“Huh? Hmm… this scent is from the return party sent to Outcast Ya…”
A letter from Tang Do-yeon of the Tang Clan flew in.
