Chapter 71: Jaseung and Seolyoung, Leave the Clan

Baek Seolyoung had one more person to say goodbye to. This was someone she would have to part with in a rather difficult way.

“Absolutely not.”

The owner of the voice that rang out loudly was Chu Sang-gi.

Because of the frustration he felt, he raised his voice so much that the veins stood out on his neck.

Baek Seolyoung had given him an order. She told him that she would leave the affairs of the clan to the Elders and the Heads of the Seven Halls, and ordered him to protect them well.

She had already expected that he would jump in protest.

“I can never leave my Lord’s side. How can you ask me to stay here while you go? That is absolutely not happening.”

Just as she predicted his reaction, she also knew the solution.

“This is not a request. It is an order.”

“Even if it is an order, I cannot obey. You might as well kill me and go.”

What was more, Baek Seolyoung said she would be going with Lee Jaseung and his disciple brothers. Even though they were married, Chu Sang-gi still did not fully trust Lee Jaseung.

No, if he himself was not going along, he would not trust her with anyone in the world. His sense of duty to protect her was that strong.

Because she understood his feelings better than anyone, Baek Seolyoung hardened her expression coldly.

“Do you also take my orders lightly?”

Her sharp words caused some of the fire in Chu Sang-gi’s tone to fade.

“No, but…”

Baek Seolyoung cut him off with an angry look.

“If you are truly worried about me, then carry out the order you were given.”

Chu Sang-gi lowered his head deeply and said nothing.

Baek Seolyoung spoke even more firmly and decisively.

“I am not ordering you to protect the Elders and the Heads of the Seven Halls. I mean for you to protect the clan. Protecting the main base is the same as protecting me. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

She felt sorry for him, but there was no other way. Seeing him standing there, dejected with his head lowered, Baek Seolyoung called him softly.

“Sang-gi.”

How could she not understand his heart, the desire to protect her?

She spoke in a gentle tone to soothe his feelings.

“In life, how can one only do what one wants? If you endure doing things you do not wish to do, the time will come when you can do what you want.”

Chu Sang-gi looked at Baek Seolyoung. She smiled at him with an expression that told him not to worry.

He no longer insisted stubbornly.

“I understand, my Lord.”

“I made this decision because I trust you. You must protect the clan without fail. If anything happens, contact me immediately.”

“Yes. I will remember that.”

Chu Sang-gi answered with determined eyes and a strong voice.

* * *

The next day, the Northern Sky Clan made an important announcement.

They had officially requested the Murim Alliance’s support regarding the recent surprise attack. It was a very unusual move.

The Murim Alliance officially announced that they would accept the request for help.

The inn’s crowd began to chatter again.

“What a disappointment. I can’t believe the Northern Sky Clan is hiding behind the Murim Alliance out of fear.”

“That’s what I’m saying. It must be because an inexperienced woman has become the Lord.”

This was exactly the sort of rumor Baek Seolyoung had feared.

“Well, considering the opponent is the Undying Ghouls, it’s understandable.”

“Of course. Don’t they say not even ten strong warriors can stop a single thief from that group? I hope the Murim Alliance wipes out those ghouls completely this time.”

There were also those who understood the Northern Sky Clan’s decision. Of course, this came less from concern for the clan and more from hatred of the Undying Ghouls.

In a corner of the inn where rumors buzzed, two men were seated. They were none other than Ban Yeo, the second-in-command of the Murim Alliance, and his subordinate Yang Jo.

Ban Yeo was eating noodles, and Yang Jo was quietly watching him.

Once Ban Yeo, who seemed hungry, finished the noodles as if drinking them, he wore a satisfied expression.

“Delicious.”

He then filled his own cup with liquor.

“Will you have a drink?”

“No thank you.”

Without pressing further, Ban Yeo drank alone.

“Have you looked into Seop Mu-pyeong?”

“There was nothing suspicious.”

“Really?”

“Yes. So I asked the Golden Ants to investigate.”

“Golden Ants?”

Ban Yeo’s expression showed slight surprise, but he soon nodded.

“If it is the Golden Ants, the job will be done properly.”

Yang Jo was not originally fond of organizations like the Golden Ants. That made it surprising he had entrusted the job to them.

“Are the Undying Ghouls really involved?”

“Yes, it seems certain.”

“They must have sent in some strong ones.”

“It seems they all died.”

Ban Yeo raised his eyebrows slightly and let out a light laugh as he set down his cup.

“Impressive. Did you find out who commissioned it?”

“Unfortunately, I could not. But it seems this was not the first attempt at such an ambush.”

“And they still failed?”

“That is not the problem.”

“Then what is?”

“The Northern Sky Clan’s reaction. As you just heard, they not only asked the Murim Alliance for help, but also announced they would go to the Alliance themselves. This is definitely not Lord Baek’s idea.”

Ban Yeo agreed with that thought.

“So you think it was Seop Mu-pyeong too?”

“Yes. His handling of matters is far from ordinary.”

Now he was able to understand why Yang Jo had asked the Golden Ants to investigate. He truly suspected Seop Mu-pyeong and wanted to obtain proof.

“There is definitely something about him.”

“When are they leaving for the Alliance?”

“Tomorrow morning. She has summoned all the important figures of the clan, including the Elders and the Heads of the Seven Halls.”

“They handle matters quickly.”

“They have a very strong drive.”

“From the way things are going, we should return soon as well.”

“Yes, that’d be wise.”

“And the Elder?”

“Not yet.”

Ban Yeo let out a light sigh. Playing with his cup in thought, he stood up.

“I should go see her in person.”

“Will you be all right?”

Striding toward the place, Ban Yeo answered Yang Jo’s concerned question.

“If I really must get a beating from her, then there’s no point in delaying the inevitable.”

* * *

“It has been a long time.”

Ban Yeo greeted Yim Sayeon politely. Her expression toward him was as hard as stone. Even while facing the second most powerful person in the Murim Alliance, she did not hide her discomfort.

“You are here, Great Expert?”

“Why the formality? Please speak comfortably.”

“I cannot. You are a person who plays a major role in the Murim Alliance.”

“You flatter me.”

Ban Yeo bowed his head politely.

Yim Sayeon asked bluntly.

“What business brings you to this old woman? I told you it would be best if we did not meet again.”

She was clearly hostile.

“I apologize once again for the past.”

“It is fine. I have forgotten it.”

“Shameless as it is, I came because I need your help once more.”

“There is nothing to discuss. Please go back.”

She turned coldly and started walking toward the kitchen, but Ban Yeo’s voice came from behind.

“He is ill.”

Yim Sayeon’s steps stopped right there.

* * *

At dawn the next day, a carriage left the Northern Sky Clan.

Dan Woobin, Mujin, and Ma Young-gi sat up on the saddle, while Lee Jaseung and Baek Seolyoung sat inside. Because there were already three on the horse, Mook Young decided to ride a little behind with his men.

Although it was the Lord’s carriage, all ornate decorations had been removed to make it look ordinary.

The driver was Ma Young-gi, the Iron Cavalry Captain, who usually rode horses and was unmatched when it came to anything related to riding.

Dudududu.

The carriage sped toward the Murim Alliance after passing through the gates.

Baek Seolyoung stuck her head out of the window. The wind blew her hair back. Like this, it almost felt as if she were going on a trip.

But she knew. The road ahead could very well be a truly dangerous one.

While she silently looked ahead, Lee Jaseung was feeling even more deeply moved.

It was a simple departure, but for him, it held great meaning.

It was the start of a great journey to take over the Murim Alliance.

He recalled the information Dan Woobin had given him about the Alliance’s figures.

At the top was the Alliance Leader, under whom was Ban Yeo. Ban Yeo commanded an organization called the Virtuous Heroes.

The Virtuous Heroes were the gathering of the strongest within the Alliance and could be called its core.

Below that was the Council of Elders. In the past, the Murim Alliance had a Council of Seniors instead, which had its political activities restricted.

But in the present, it was changed to the Council of Elders and they actively meddled in politics. This council played the biggest role in the Alliance’s corruption.

Beneath them were the four divisions of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise Halls. Below them were eight great  armies. The Alliance’s chief military commander, Sa Jo-pyeong, was the Captain of the Vermilion Bird Hall.

“Those you must be most careful of are Ban Yeo and Sa Jo-pyeong. Even with the corruption, they are very smart and experienced. First, it would be best to befriend the Elders. Then, the next targets to win over are the division leaders. You will likely need to spend some money to win them over. Bribes could even help you avoid suspicion from Ban Yeo and Sa Jo-pyeong.”

That was Dan Woobin’s plan. Lee Jaseung had memorized all personal details of the key figures, from martial ability to family, hobbies, specialties, and even preferences in women. Everything the Three-Eyed Pavilion had gathered.

First, he would win them over and build rapport.

His goal was not to bring the Murim Alliance under his own. He had no intention of making the Orthodox Faction his subordinates.

He only had one goal.

A clash between the Demonic Cult and the Orthodox Faction.

In other words, war.

At that moment, Baek Seolyoung’s voice of admiration came.

“Wow! It is so beautiful.”

Indeed, the scenery she saw outside was breathtaking.

But Lee Jaseung could not easily smile.

The road he had to walk was far from beautiful. It was a road for which no one would forgive him, because countless people would die along the way.

If someone asked why he wanted to unite the world, what should he say?

When Dan Woobin had asked before, he had answered like this.

“Because it is cool.”

At the time, he had laughed it off like that.

But if he had to answer seriously now?

Was it because he hated the Orthodox Faction? Because he wanted to destroy the Demonic Cult? Because he wanted to be an absolute ruler with the greatest power? Because he wanted to create a righteous martial world without corruption?

Or maybe because he wanted to make an ideal world where the divisions between Orthodox and Demonic would no longer spill innocent blood in pointless fights? Because it had been his dream since childhood?

He often asked himself why he so desperately sought to unify the world, and why he wanted to.

But he had never given himself a clear answer. It seemed like it was all of the above, and yet none of them.

Even if he did find an answer, he would not tell others anyway.

To others, his cause would just be someone else’s cause, or they would think it was greed dressed up in fine words.

But one thing was certain.

He would never stop walking this path.

Whatever stood in his way, he would break it down and keep going. Even if ruin awaited him at the end.

And the answer… he would find it along the way.

* * *

At the same time, in the One Fleeting Dream Tavern, Yim Sayeon was sitting alone. In front of her were more than ten empty bottles.

Since she had not expelled the alcohol from her body, she was very drunk. In her eyes, as she gazed into the darkness, emotions flickered.

Ban Yeo’s words came to her mind.

“He is ill.”

Then the words that followed.

“Now Jianghu will be turned upside down.”

Bang!

Yim Sayeon slammed the table. It broke, and the bottles and bowls on it fell to the floor and shattered.

In the darkness, her eyes shone with a frightening light.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep