Chapter 165 :

<The Blood Sea Spreading Across Sichuan>

We stayed at the Yujang Sect for three more days.

Partly because I still wasn't in very good shape, but also so I could attend the joint funeral for the Yujang Sect members who had died in the recent conflict, including the sect leader.

The funeral was modest, and the Yujang Sect tried to return to normal life as quickly as possible.

"Representative Jin."

Jang Ujae, who had spent the last three days serving as chief mourner without a single moment of sleep, approached me, fighting through his exhaustion.

"You've worked hard through all this."

"Think nothing of it. Are you feeling any better?"

While the funeral was underway, I had been given a room where I could focus on recovering.

Thanks to that, my emaciated body was slowly recovering, and my exhaustion was fading.

"I'm feeling much better."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"I was worried that all this might have taken a toll on you, both physically and mentally, because of us."

As he said, the Yujang Sect had treated me exceptionally well over the past three days.

They brought three meals a day, each with meat, straight to my room.

Every night, they prepared hot water to help me recover from my fatigue more quickly.

"I'm grateful for everything the Yujang Sect has done."

"...I..."

Jang Ujae hesitated.

"Is there something you want to say?"

At my question, Jang Ujae scratched his head awkwardly.

"Um... I know it's late, but would you allow me to join the academy's delegation?"

More than half of the leadership positions in the Martial Academy's delegation were currently vacant.

No one was being turned away, but no one wanted to join.

"Are you sure? If you join, the others may not look kindly on you."

When I expressed concern for him, Jang Ujae quickly took my hand.

"Thank you. I was worried you might be angry with me and refuse to accept me."

"...?"

"My father's last words were that I should stop relying on anyone and make my own way forward. I also want to repay even a little of the kindness I've received from you, Representative Jin."

Jang Ujae was now at the center of the unaffiliated factions at the Martial Academy.

If he joined us, it would be as if one of the factions I hadn't been able to win over had decided to stand with me.

I had no reason to refuse.

'If you're willing, I'd be glad to have you...'

"Thank you. Thank you."

Jang Ujae bowed repeatedly before I could even finish speaking.

I should have been the one thanking him...

After the Mukhyul Gang lost the decisive sparring match, no more reckless fighting broke out among the heretical factions in Yueyang.

They continued to threaten the righteous sects, urging them to surrender and restricting them from closing their gates.

But the righteous sects also united and resisted the heretical factions' oppression.

The warriors who had come from the Martial Alliance also made a big difference.

After they arrived, the people who had been killing indiscriminately disappeared.

"...That's how you see it."

"What?"

Dang Hyeokjae sipped tea he had brewed himself.

"The ones who started this knew from the beginning that the Martial Alliance wouldn't act. Do you think they'd stop just because reinforcements came from the Martial Alliance?"

"Then what made them stop?"

Dang Hyeokjae's displeased gaze stuck to my face like stretched candy.

"They don't want to offend the Heretical Alliance's common successor."

I couldn't keep my expression under control.

"Damn it, who's spreading such ridiculous rumors?"

"Whatever the case, there's no doubt that the move you made against the Mukhyul Gang left a deep impression on them. Thanks to you, the people who were killing mercilessly have backed off."

The result was good, so I couldn't really complain.

"...Sigh."

"By the way, did you really learn the Sword Demon's martial art?"

"Well, it just sort of happened."

"My goodness... A rumor even more frightening than the one that you're the dark faction's common successor is sure to spread."

"Wasn't the Sword Demon a figure who stood between the righteous and heretical factions?"

"But you stole his martial art, didn't you?"

"..."

Could anyone really believe such a ridiculous rumor?

"Rumors about your relationship with the Sword Demon are spreading throughout Chang'an. Some even say you're his secret son."

I'd been planning to return to the academy, but now I'd have to stop by Haomun and ask them to take care of something.

"...Grit."

If we didn't put a stop to this absurd rumor, I felt like I might suffer qi deviation even though I hadn't during my reckless training.

"Hmm... Anyway, can I start packing again?"

Dang Hyeokjae cleared his throat and spoke as though it were only natural.

I tilted my head at him.

"Haven't you already unpacked everything?"

The man who had been sure I'd die at Sword Evil's hands was now asking if it was all right for him to pack again.

I was so dumbfounded I couldn't speak.

"Fortunately, Axe Evil stepped in instead of Sword Evil. A good outcome is a good outcome. And besides!"

Dang Hyeokjae suddenly raised his voice.

"Besides! Didn't I go out of my way to bring a physician from my family all the way from Changsha?"

"..."

"Do you know how sternly the Tang Clan reprimanded me over this? My work as the Yueyang Branch Leader was one thing, but bringing a physician from Changsha could look like the Tang Clan was choosing to take part in the conflict."

"...Isn't that why you haven't said a word to the Tang Clan physician?"

"...Ahem. There are circumstances I can't explain..."

I shook my head.

"Anyway, this has made me think I should reconsider the investment. If you're going to be this unreliable as an investor, it's hard to feel like investing."

"Ghh!"

Dang Hyeokjae coughed awkwardly a few times, then took a small bundle from beside him and set it on the table.

"What is this?"

"Untie it. I prepared a gift to mark the occasion of our contract."

"..."

I opened the bundle.

Inside were about twenty bronze-colored objects shaped like flower buds.

"What are these...?"

"An improved version of the Hundred-Hair Fire Cylinder. It's called the Thousand-Hair Fire Cylinder."

"...Does it really hold ten times as many ox hairs as the original?"

"No, not that many. It holds about twenty percent more, but the design is the same."

"Then why call it the Thousand-Hair Fire Cylinder?"

"Wasn't the Hundred-Hair Fire Cylinder designated a forbidden concealed weapon by the Tang Clan?"

"..."

Would the Tang Clan really think it was a different object just because he changed the color and the name?

The Tang Clan members weren't blind.

"The main reason the Tang Clan designated my weapon as forbidden was its high manufacturing cost. They probably won't care about this."

Dang Hyeokjae sounded confident.

I didn't trust him at all.

If the Tang Clan complained, we could just hand Dang Hyeokjae over to them.

Still, seeing the Hundred-Hair Fire Cylinder again after so long stirred up old memories.

I remembered saving Namgung Seonhwa from hundreds of enemies with it...

"Wait..."

I looked at Dang Hyeokjae and asked:

"Wouldn't it have been useful if you'd given it to me before the fight with the Mukhyul Gang?"

"...If I'd had it then, of course I would have given it to you."

"...Don't tell me you only started making them after everything was over?"

No wonder the eyes of this leisurely branch leader had been bloodshot, with his eyelids drooping.

Was he trying to take back his own careless remark?

"You really thought I'd die at Sword Evil's hands."

Dang Hyeokjae avoided my gaze and drained his empty teacup.

Slurp.

Come on. Your cup had been empty for a while. Why were you making that sound?

Dang Hyeokjae glanced sideways to check my reaction, then pretended nothing was wrong.

"It's all in the past..."

This guy!

If I had to name the biggest winner of the events in Yueyang, it would be Haomun, not the Mukhyul Gang or the Cheukbu Palace.

With the Mukhyul Gang's leader and deputy leader both gone, a fight for rank broke out among the various hall masters, throwing the gang into turmoil.

Meanwhile, Haomun avoided the Mukhyul Gang's influence and took over the gang's shops.

They also seized the assets of the righteous sects that had fled Yueyang under cover of night.

That was possible because most of the people who worked in those shops were Haomun disciples.

The person slated to become the next Yueyang Branch Leader was someone Haomun had in its pocket because of his debts.

He liked gambling and would neglect his duties, but that made him a perfect pawn for Haomun.

"This is all thanks to you, Young Master Jin."

"Think nothing of it. I couldn't have done it alone without you, Haeryeong."

More assets had come in than we'd expected.

"Would you consider expanding into Yueyang?"

"Expanding into Yueyang?"

Yueyang was too far from the Taeul Sect.

It was beyond the easy reach of the sect's influence, and the Taeul Sect itself wasn't powerful enough to influence the entire land.

"It's too soon for the Taeul Sect to expand there."

Haeryeong nodded with a knowing smile.

"Of course. But wouldn't it be possible for the Daecheon Merchant Guild?"

"The Daecheon Merchant Guild?"

"Yes. The foundation of trade is buying goods cheaply in one province and selling them at a higher price in another. Once a merchant guild is established, the first thing it does is open a branch."

"Oh? Has the Daecheon Merchant Guild already become that established?"

I'd heard that my father had taken over the Changgung Merchant Guild and changed its name to the Daecheon Merchant Guild.

But I hadn't thought it would be easy to establish itself in such a short time.

"It seems Father is very talented at business."

He had spent his whole life suffering as the penniless hall master of the Outer Hall.

Had he finally found his calling?

At any rate, hearing that Father was working so hard made me happy as his son.

"That sounds like a good idea."

"Give us your approval, and we'll take care of the rest."

"Father will be pleased."

Thinking about my father reading the letter and shedding tears of emotion made my nose sting.

It felt good to repay him for the filial care I hadn't been able to give him in my previous life.

It was only right to return a favor after receiving a gift.

"A major war will break out in Sichuan someday. It would be best to make some preparations."

"In Sichuan?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..."

"They may not be the most dangerous people, but they'll cause just as much chaos."

"The Martial Alliance is already taking an interest in Sichuan. Are they dangerous enough that even the Martial Alliance should fear them?"

I shook my head.

"The chaos will be caused more by internal problems than external ones."

Even from that, Haeryeong seemed to understand and nodded.

"I don't know if we're treating you well enough as our guest, given how much help you've given us."

"You've treated me very well."

We'd finished discussing the general matters.

Now it was time to bring up the main reason I'd come.

My voice grew serious.

"There's something I'd like to ask you."

Haeryeong's smiling face turned cold.

"What is it?"

I forced my reluctant lips to move.

"Could you do something about the rumor that I'm the Heretical Alliance's common successor?"

"..."

"Oh, and the rumor that I'm the Sword Demon's secret son, too. My father is definitely Jin Taesan. You can tell just by looking at our faces."

Even though I said it with utmost seriousness, Haeryeong looked as if she'd just been struck.

This was really, really important!

Once the shops in Yueyang had been sorted out, Jang Dowon and his granddaughter Seolyeon planned to gather their belongings and move to the Taeul Sect.

Dang Hyeokjae would continue his term as branch leader and move with Jang Dowon when the time came.

He said something about not being confident he could make it all the way to Hefei alone.

I didn't mind.

There was plenty to prepare before Jang Dowon and Dang Hyeokjae arrived at the Taeul Sect.

"Phew... We're back at the Martial Academy."

Seong Moran sighed at length, sounding disappointed.

I tried to comfort her.

"Are you sad? We can visit again during winter break. What's there to worry about?"

Seong Moran's face suddenly twisted into a frown.

"What are you talking about?"

"What?"

The Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers shook their heads as if they'd had enough, too.

"Senior Brother. If you're going to Yueyang, I'd rather stay here and focus on training during winter break than go with you."

"Eldest Senior Brother, now that I think about it, the academy needs people to stay behind as representatives and officers."

Why?

We'd worn fancy clothes in Yueyang, eaten delicious food, and even rented the biggest boat to play in the water.

'What's the problem?' I wondered.

Hong Saryeon glared at me, as if she'd read my thoughts.

"You really don't see that everything else was the problem?"

Even she was complaining, so I pressed my lips shut.

What was wrong with martial artists getting caught up in an incident?

As we walked around the academy, I started to feel that something was strange and tilted my head.

"Isn't this odd?"

"What is?"

"There seem to be far fewer people than usual."

The break was almost over, and the new term was about to begin.

The academy should have been full of students preparing for the new semester.

But there were only half as many students as usual.

Then a voice called out:

"That's because of an event for the Nine Great Sects."

The person who answered was Cheol Sunjik, walking toward us.

He was accompanied by Nam Hwaseong and people from the Twelve Peaks Fortress.

With a smug expression, he continued:

"Did you not give the academy representative your approval?"

"An event?"

"The Elders' Council organized a field trip for the rising generation and took the members of the Nine Great Sects with them."

I asked without much interest:

"Where did they go?"

I hadn't expected them to ask my permission for the event anyway.

"Sichuan."

At that answer, I lost my composure despite myself.

So it had come to this.

When we met in Yueyang, I'd guessed something like this might happen, but I hadn't expected them to move so quickly.

"That must be frustrating for you."

"What do you mean?"

"They went to an academy event without listening to the academy representative."

"It's not as if the students were the only ones who decided to go. If the Elders' Council took them along, what reason would the students have to refuse?"

The real problem was that the Elders' Council had led the disciples of their own sects into a death trap.

"..."

"Anyway, thanks for the information."

I left Cheol Sunjik, whose expression had stiffened, and headed for the dormitory.

I'd prepared gifts for Moyong Jaehwa and Eun Seollan, who hadn't been able to go to Yueyang with us because of remedial classes.

But Dongryong and Saryeon, whom I'd sent to find them, came back alone.

"Hm? Where are they?"

"I heard Brother Jaehwa went out."

"Hmm?"

"Seollan too."

"Where would they have gone?"

Dongryong answered:

"They were forced to join the event for the Nine Great Sects."

"What?"

Damn it, what kind of nonsense was that?

"They said the Nine Great Sects forced unaffiliated students to take part, too."

These lunatics had crossed the line.