The moment the Black Lotus Sect Leader looked at Namgung Dowi as if he were a demon filled to the marrow with demonic energy, it passed quickly.

Perhaps it was hard for him to understand that someone from the Namgung Clan would agree to something this significant with just a single duel.

Namgung Jong leapt up in protest at his father.

“Patriarch! You can’t decide something this important so lightly…”

“It’s fine. In the end, all we’re doing is cutting down bandits, no? Of course, I understand your concerns, little clan lord.”

Namgung Dowi placed a hand on Namgung Jong’s shoulder and continued.

“It’s possible that the Black Lotus Sect Leader, contrary to rumor, could be a petty man who doesn’t keep his word. Or maybe someone beneath him might act recklessly and cause problems. But what does it matter?”

“…Excuse me?”

Seeing his son’s confused expression, Namgung Dowi added in clearer terms.

“If anything contradicts righteousness, or if anyone dares deceive the Namgung Clan—then we’ll just cut them all down.”

A calm tone. And precisely because of that, I knew he meant every word.

Hearing this, the Black Lotus Sect Leader let out a dry chuckle and shrugged.

“Don’t worry, Sword King. Whatever else I may be, I wouldn’t dare play games when it comes to Green Forest matters.”

“Mn. That makes sense.”

Nods of agreement began to spread, starting with Namgung Dowi.

Seol Lihyang, watching the mood, quietly whispered to me.

“Cheon Hwi. Why’s everyone nodding all of a sudden?”

“The reason is simple. There’s a deep grudge between the Black Lotus Sect Leader and the Green Forest Bandits.”

Though Seol Lihyang had grown familiar with the way Murim operated, she clearly didn’t know all the finer details.

The Sect Leader of the Black Lotus Sect harbors a deep hatred for the Green Forest. Even before regression, he was fervently engaged in their extermination… though in the end, he failed to wipe them out completely.

The Green Forest Bandits are madmen who rob without regard for orthodoxy, heresy, or even government offices.

They’ve survived this long by leveraging their high martial prowess, excellent evasion techniques and footwork, and intimate knowledge of terrain to escape time and again.

They even split into over seventy units, forming an extensive, decentralized cell structure. You might catch one or two by chance, but wiping them all out in one sweep is practically impossible.

Since the orthodox and unorthodox factions drew clear territorial lines, an unspoken rule emerged—don’t cross into the other’s area—and the Green Forest took full advantage of this. The moment they were pursued, they’d flee to the other faction’s land, and no one would follow.

“Just to be clear, I’m not asking that This One or the Black Lotus Sect’s warriors be allowed to operate in orthodox territory. We’ll share information, and in return, I ask that you capture the bastards.”

“I doubt it’ll be very effective. They’re not easy to catch, and there’s also the issue of spoils, no?”

“The spoils can go to whoever actually carries out the subjugation. What This One wants is to show the world that even the orthodox and unorthodox can join hands if it’s to crush the Green Forest. If others join, great. If not, just making those mountain bastards sweat would be enough.”

“Hoh…”

“This One is sincere.”

Though his speech carried the typical crudeness of the unorthodox, there was genuine sincerity in his tone. Seol Lihyang tugged at my sleeve, gripping it tightly.

“I think it’s true… The Black Lotus Sect Leader suffered under the Green Forest as a child.”

“Ah.”

Seol Lihyang widened her eyes, probably connecting “Green Forest” and “suffering” with what it implied.

The Sect Leader of the Black Lotus Sect was a self-made man who clawed his way up from the bottom to unify the unorthodox Murim.

So what did “bottom” mean in this case? An orphan? A beggar? Shockingly, having no parents or home wasn’t uncommon in Zhejiang at the time.

Having neither wasn’t rare either. There’s a reason the Hao Clan became one of the pillars of the unorthodox world.

If someone was low enough to be called the bottom of even Zhejiang society, the answer is simple.

A slave.

Not a branded government slave, but someone forced into servitude at the tip of a blade, having their life exploited.

As a child growing up in a slash-and-burn village, the future Black Lotus Sect Leader lost his family to the Green Forest and was used like a slave.

Building bandit strongholds in place of lazy bandits, serving them, and when their location was exposed and they had to flee, he was discarded and burned with the stronghold.

He had talent. He managed to learn the martial arts of the boss who took over his village and killed them all—but it wasn’t enough.

He slaughtered every Green Forest member he saw afterward.

That reputation became the foundation upon which the Black Lotus Sect was built.

Still, despite his efforts, he never managed to exterminate the Green Forest. His grudge only deepened, and to this day, they disrupt the Black Lotus Sect’s events and actively target their merchant convoys.

I know this well, having once worked as a Black Lotus Sect warrior before regression.

Three out of ten missions involved either protecting Black Lotus merchants attacked by the Green Forest or subjugating known strongholds.

In the end, the Sect Leader failed to wipe them out in his lifetime.

But the Green Forest, notorious for tormenting innocents, was eventually torn apart during the Heavenly Demon’s invasion and destroyed by the Demonic Cult.

They’ll disappear eventually, but the sooner, the better.

Setting aside the Black Lotus Sect Leader’s grudge, the damage the Green Forest causes is immense across both orthodoxy and heresy.

And this time… it’s a beautiful picture.

Even if it’s just for the sake of a common enemy, we’re joining hands. It could be the key to forming a future alliance between orthodoxy and unorthodoxy.

Tang Sowol, who had been silently listening, stepped forward and spoke.

“Your proposal is well understood, Sect Leader. However, I don’t think I’m in a position to make this decision myself.”

“I understand. It’s enough that you relay This One’s words.”

Unlike the Namgung Clan, which sent its patriarch, Tang Sowol—though precious—was not in the line of succession.

The Sect Leader nodded, as if he had expected this.

Just as the conversation was about to conclude, I spoke up.

“Father-in-law will make the final decision, but personally, I view this quite positively.”

“Brother Cheon?!”

Tang Sowol flinched at my added remark, grabbing my sleeve from behind and shaking it gently.

Now both sleeves were being tugged—by Tang Sowol and Seol Lihyang. I ignored Sama Yuryeon’s subtle expression behind me and continued.

“No matter the reason, it’s about subjugating the Green Forest. There’s no reason to refuse.”

“Well… yes, but…”

“If father-in-law refuses, I won’t say anything more. So don’t worry.”

“Ahh… if that’s the case, then I’ll join Young Lord Cheon as well.”

“Eh?”

“Only if father approves and there are no major issues… but I too believe the Green Forest should be dealt with.”

Tang Sowol let out a short sigh but soon smiled faintly.

As if that triggered something, the tense mood began to ease.

As the Sect Leader leaned back in his chair, laughing heartily, Sama Yuryeon stepped forward in his place.

“Fufu. Since we’ve finished the serious talk, shall we move on to something more pleasant?”

“Something pleasant?”

“What else? A banquet to welcome guests who came from afar to offer congratulations.”

“I heard you already held one during the wedding?”

“Yes, but this is the first time we’re hosting only orthodox guests.”

“I see.”

The Black Lotus Sect and its leader already held significant status in the unorthodox world—but it wasn’t yet absolute.

That’s why they tried to bring Seorin in as a full member, unlike the loosely affiliated Flowering Stage masters in other unorthodox sects.

Though they failed to bring her in, Sama Yuryeon joined at a much earlier point than in the past, which likely helped stabilize internal affairs.

At the very least, enough that they could start turning their gaze outward.

“The days of orthodoxy and heresy fighting to the death are in the past. For most martial artists like us, such conflicts are closer to verbal spats than sword fights—unless you’re a master from the previous generation.”

“Ugh!”

Though not quite a previous-generation master, Seorin, who was just within elder-level age, stumbled forward and bonked her forehead on my back. But it wasn’t important.

I suppressed my inner excitement and spoke.

“Is the Black Lotus Sect… considering cooperation with the orthodox factions?”

“No. Merely that we don’t need to draw swords anymore. This One does not yet see the Black Lotus Sect as the complete representative of the unorthodox world.”

The Sect Leader answered in Sama Yuryeon’s place. He was likely thinking of regions where the Black Lotus Sect’s influence was still weak—Fujian Province or Guangdong, where the Hao Clan reigns supreme.

Before regression, he succeeded in extending influence to Fujian, but never fully controlled the Hao Clan.

This time, with Sama Yuryeon, maybe even that will change. And the Sect Leader isn’t satisfied with ruling the unorthodox alone.

With deep ambition, he’ll eventually aim for martial unity and turn his twin sabers toward orthodoxy—but before that, the Demonic Cult will invade.

He’s offering to clean up the Hao Clan for us—why refuse?

Before regression, the Hao Clan feigned loyalty to the Black Lotus Sect but never truly submitted.

When the Demonic Cult invaded, they started playing both sides immediately.

It was the end of an age where people betrayed family, lovers, and friends just to survive.

Among many betrayals, the Hao Clan’s was the most painful.

And ironically, though they avoided the Heavenly Demon’s hand, they couldn’t escape the rest of the cult and were annihilated by accumulated grudges.

As Seol Lihyang’s past suggests, the Hao Clan was never clean. Those with nothing often torment others more.

So the offer to handle the Hao Clan’s discipline sounded all the better.

Of course, once the Black Lotus Sect Leader gains more power, it’ll be harder to form a proper alliance with him.

But he’s the most unorthodox man in the unorthodox world.

That is, someone who abides by the rule of the strong.

If we beat him fair and square, he’ll accept defeat.

It won’t be easy. I’ve only just reached the Flowering Stage, and it’s unfamiliar—I can’t grow like I did before.

The Black Lotus Sect Leader, on the other hand, is one of the top Flowering Stage masters, deserving the title of strongest among the unorthodox.

Still, if I want to defeat the Heavenly Demon someday, I can’t afford to fear or struggle against him.

If the time comes and I still haven’t surpassed him… then I’ll have to convince Tang Sowol and Tang Jincheon to flee to the Northern Sea.

After collecting my thoughts, I asked,

“Understood. Then, what should we do?”

“Mn? That’s a strange question, Blood Flame Sword Demon. You’re guests. Preparing is the host’s job.”

“Then…”

“I’ll inform you separately. Just rest well and enjoy yourselves. Preferably, where everyone can see you.”

“Aha.”

So just being seen enjoying ourselves in the Black Lotus Sect as orthodox martial artists is enough.

“Understood. Then, may I request a sparring session with the post-first-class disciples who made a name for themselves in the Black Sky Festival?”

“Blood Flame Sword Demon… is bullying weaker kids your hobby?”

The Sect Leader gave me the same look he gave Namgung Dowi when asked to spar or bring out a master swordsman—like I was insane.

After all, the Black Sky Festival was the unorthodox version of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering.

The post-first-class disciples who stood out there were only Peak Stage at best, and since the event was smaller and limited to the unorthodox, the overall standard was lower.

Age aside, someone with a realm even the Sect Leader couldn’t easily handle was now asking to gather those weaker disciples—it was absurd.

To prevent misunderstanding, I quickly shook my head.

“Not me. She’ll be the one participating.”

“Huh? M-Me?!”

Seol Lihyang looked back and forth between me and the Sect Leader in shock.

After her experiences at the Ice Palace, she had glimpsed a realm beyond her own.

What she needed most now was the experience to organize her vague understanding.

“Kids grow close by fighting, don’t they?”

“Hey! Cheon Hwi, I’m the same age as you, okay?!”

“But if I step up, it really would be bullying.”

Watching our bickering, the Sect Leader’s expression softened slightly—he now looked at me not like a madman, but like a strange person.

“I’ll summon them, but don’t expect too much.”

The day before the banquet.

Seol Lihyang defeated every post-first-class disciple the Sect Leader brought out.

And the decent nickname Pure Sound-Frostflower was slightly altered.

Demonic Sound Ice Witch.

“My perfect title…”

“Don’t mind it too much. In the unorthodox world, they love putting words like Blood, Kill, Asura, Rakshasa, or Witch in nicknames.”

“Still… this only happened because you set up that sparring, Cheon Hwi.”

Well…

That’s how it turned out.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep