Chapter 224: Southern Murim Tournament (1)

Heaven-Destroying Poison.

No one knew exactly when this poison first appeared in the history of the martial world.

However, its official emergence was marked when it proudly ranked first among the Seven Deadly Poisons of Murim, which were established around four hundred years ago.

Baek Munjeol let out a sinister laugh as he shook the porcelain jar containing the Heaven-Destroying Poison.

“The poison that was once said to have literally slain the heavens. If it’s this thing, I should be able to get rid of the Clan Leader who’s constantly blocking my way.”

The reason Heaven-Destroying Poison was so feared wasn’t because of its toxicity.

Compared to other poisons of the Seven Deadly Poisons—like Bone-Melting Poison or All-Crippling Poison, which left not even corpses behind—the Heaven-Destroying Poison, a type of latent toxin, was relatively mild.

Even so, there was a clear reason it held the top spot among the Seven Deadly Poisons.

Heaven-Destroying Poison shattered Willpower.

Willpower—the symbol of an Absolute Expert.

Most of the Seven Deadly Poisons limited Willpower through their physical effects, but there had never been a poison like this that erased it at its core.

Even the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Five Venoms Sect of the Southern Barbarians didn’t know the method to produce it. Occasionally, trace amounts would surface through major merchant guilds.

And Baek Munjeol had acquired the Heaven-Destroying Poison through the Baek Clan’s trading company at an enormous cost.

“By the way, I heard there was some unfortunate incident in the Assembly recently. Did I hear that correctly?”

The Fourth Order, Baek Cheon-ho, answered with a faint smile.

“Yes. No one else but First Order, the leader of the Orders, betrayed us.”

Baek Munjeol was surprised by how readily he answered.

“Oh? I’m not yet a regular member of the Assembly—should you be telling me this?”

“What could I possibly need to hide from Father? It’s already widely known that the great plan of the Assembly has been thrown into disarray due to his betrayal, and that Lord Sichuan suffered a heavy blow.”

There was a subtle trace of joy in the Fourth Order’s voice.

“I see. Then you’re the only Order left in the Assembly now.”

“Hahaha! First Order and Third Order foolishly ruined everything. I just sat back and reaped the benefits, though I do feel a little guilty.”

The satisfied Fourth Order suddenly seemed to recall something.

“Ah, come to think of it, I heard the Sichuan side dumped something on Father.”

It was a request he had received in exchange for the provision of the Fourth Order.

And yet, even knowing that, the Fourth Order had a reason to phrase it this way.

“Hm, I did hear about it.”

Baek Munjeol responded with a slightly sour look.

“They want two people transferred to Gwangju without anyone knowing.”

Why they would make such a request at this time was beyond him.

But he wasn’t in a position to refuse what was essentially a demand disguised as a favor from the Heaven-Defying Society.

As soon as Baek Munjeol opened his mouth, the Fourth Order shamelessly revealed his true intentions.

“I heard they’re women of quite stunning beauty….”

“……”

Baek Munjeol’s eyes narrowed slightly at that moment.

“Are you perhaps planning to lock them away somewhere?”

‘This bastard…’

Was he really planning to neglect the grand plan just for the sake of some women?

Baek Munjeol now clearly understood why this man, despite his overwhelming talent, remained merely a Fourth Order.

Suppressing the curses that nearly escaped his mouth, he spoke with restraint.

“No matter how good it is to hide a tree in a forest, with so many people crowding into the main house, who knows what variables might arise. I plan to leave them with ‘them’.”

“With them, huh… It might be a bit of a hassle to visit, but they wouldn’t turn me away either. Hehehe….”

“……”

“In any case, ensuring Father’s victory comes first, so I won’t forget the objective. Hahaha!”

“I… I look forward to it.”

Baek Munjeol forced a smile, hiding his growing anxiety.

The Namcheon Baek Clan, one of the Twin Cheon Clans, is holding a Murim Tournament!

That rumor spread like wildfire across the central plains through the Beggars’ Sect and the Hao Sect.

At first, many expressed concern.

The Demonic Cult had declared its intent to march into the central plains, and now even the massive unorthodox faction known as the Black Lotus Union was stirring.

In such circumstances, those who enjoyed stirring the pot criticized the Namcheon Baek Clan, saying it was absurd to host a tournament when they should be preparing for war.

But the moment both the Demonic Cult and the Black Lotus Union declared their intention to participate in the tournament, all such criticism disappeared like smoke.

“A preparation period of only a month feels far too short. Will they be alright?”

“They say it’s a month, but I’m sure preparations were already underway quietly beneath the surface. It won’t be that rushed.”

***

I was currently having a conversation with the Sword King, the acting Alliance Leader of the righteous faction.

And not just anywhere—we were in the Alliance Leader’s Hall, the very heart of the Righteous Alliance.

“They originally planned the whole thing with just the southern regions in mind, not the entirety of the central plains….”

“It’s curious though. Even with the Alliance Leader still in power, they went ahead with this.”

The Sword King sipped his tea and continued.

“Mun-yak is weak in body, and Sang-ah is still young. If he could just get rid of the two of them, he probably believes he’d be the next Clan Leader for sure.”

“Lady Baek may have only recently risen to power, but in terms of scale, her faction is now comparable to Namcheon’s.”

And as time passed, she would likely surpass Namcheon even in quality.

The Sword King let out a booming laugh.

“Kuhuhu! Indeed. That’s what makes life so damn interesting.”

“Well, putting that aside for now….”

I set my teacup down and looked him straight in the eyes.

“It’s time you told me why you called me here.”

The Sword King formed a mysterious smile.

“Hmm… So impatient. Is it because you’re young?”

“I can’t exactly afford to be leisurely in enemy territory.”

It had already been seven days and nights since we entered the Righteous Alliance under intense surveillance.

Immediately after our arrival, Cheon Yura was practically dragged before the Alliance Leader and elders to explain our purpose in the central plains.

Of course, that was just for show.

As previously agreed, the Alliance Leader and Gwan Hyun’s faction had openly protected her, so there hadn’t been any real issue.

The Sword King slowly opened his mouth.

“Do you think a true peace will ever come between your cult and the Righteous Alliance?”

“It’s unlikely.”

Even if the Heaven-Defying Society disappeared, it wouldn’t be a simple problem to resolve.

No—if the Heaven-Defying Society disappeared, things might become even worse.

“The idea that two ideologically opposing factions could live in harmony is too naive.”

“Exactly.”

“Then why would someone like you bring it up?”

The Sword King’s strange smile deepened.

“There are ways to achieve peace—if only for one generation.”

“……”

“For example, a political marriage….”

Twitch!

My expression instantly twisted.

In contrast, the Sword King still wore a relaxed expression.

“Hoho, if you react like that, won’t you hurt the heart of this Alliance Leader?”

“It’s rather painful to have to repeat myself.”

I glared at the Sword King as if I was about to tear him apart.

“Why would someone like you resort to these petty tricks?”

“Petty tricks? Is that how it looks to you?”

“With the Namcheon affair just around the corner, what else could it be? I have no intention of marrying anyone other than Yura.”

“It would be a good thing if two people in your position are fond of each other. However…”

He then spoke a painful truth.

“Isn’t it true that life doesn’t always go the way we want it to?”

“……”

“What if your respective fathers oppose the marriage? What will you do then? Run away with her in the middle of the night?”

Clench!

Even if she gave her consent, an elopement was out of the question.

Not only Jin Gun-ak, but the entire Cult would chase us to the ends of the continent.

But right now, two things were clouding my rational thinking.

One was the damned theory of fate my master had told me about not long ago. The other was the fact that Han Mubaek himself was within the Cult.

“Sang-ah is not someone who would be considered lacking wherever she goes. More importantly, she holds deep affection for you.”

“……”

“Turning away won’t make the truth disappear. If her main house formally proposes a marriage alliance to your cult, the Cult Leader and Clan Leader will be forced to seriously consider it.”

Given the current circumstances, they wouldn’t sell me off so easily.

However, the Cult Leader had merely “deferred” my existence, not “acknowledged” it.

That meant my fate could still shift depending on the moves of these giants.

More importantly—

‘It won’t end with just a marriage proposal.’

A wily fox like the Sword King wouldn’t stop at merely proposing a marriage alliance to the Cult.

He was definitely plotting something else to bind Baek Sang-ah and me together.

“…Hoo.”

I let out a deep sigh, then looked straight at the Sword King with firm resolve.

“No matter what you say, no matter what schemes you concoct, I will never accept Lady Baek’s heart.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. And more importantly, a great bloodstorm is about to sweep through the Namcheon Baek Clan. I hope you won’t try to shake me too much.”

I gave the Sword King a direct warning.

“If you push too far, more blood might be spilled than necessary.”

“Kuhuhu, I see. That’s a good threat.”

Surprisingly, the Sword King didn’t show much of a reaction.

Of course, someone like that old fox wouldn’t let his expression change over something so trivial.

I stood up from my seat and bowed deeply toward him.

“I hope my respect for the honor you’ve shown us, in taking such a loss to protect us, will not fade.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

And with that, the Sword King was left alone in the chamber.

“Hrhr, what a fascinating fellow.”

The Sword King slowly stood up.

“Peace for the righteous factions. Peace for the family. Peace for the bloodline… It’s truly hard to live while trying to hold onto all of that.”

Baek Dogyung, the Sword King of Namcheon, was undoubtedly a good man.

If weighed between the personal and the greater good, he would surely choose the greater good.

But when the choice was between the family’s and the clan’s benefit, even he could not avoid being swayed like any other ordinary man.

“Didn’t that bastard from the Heon Clan once tell his granddaughter to become someone she could be proud of?”

But the moment he bore the burden of the righteous faction and the clan, he could no longer present himself honestly before anyone.

“If I have to bear his wrath, so be it. They’ll take the blame for everything anyway.”

He muttered heavily, staring at the now-empty space, devoid of warmth.

“If only one option remains… then there won’t be much room for hesitation.”

He spoke to the side.

“Gongjin.”

“Yes, Clan Lord.”

The one who always stood by his side—Heavenly Night Divine Sword, Baek Gongjin—answered him.

But this time, he addressed the Sword King not as “Alliance Leader,” but as “Clan Lord.”

“Make the preparations. I trust you won’t be needlessly held back this time.”

Baek Gongjin lowered his head with a grave expression.

“As you command.”

***

About two weeks passed.

While there were the usual righteous faction bastards picking fights with the delegation and getting beaten down in return, that was nothing new.

Surprisingly, since that proposal, the Sword King hadn’t tried any other tricks or caused me any trouble.

We spent our days more peacefully than expected.

Now, including me, the Heavenly Demon Cult delegation had finished preparing to leave the Righteous Alliance’s main stronghold and head for Namchang.

Cheon Yura asked Bu Ilhwa,

“Has there been no word from the Cult yet?”

“No, I suspect the internal situation is more complicated than expected.”

“Hmm. Still, it would have been better if we’d received at least some basic guidelines.”

Originally, the delegation’s objective was supposed to end with the Righteous Alliance.

Heading to Namchang was something she had agreed to accommodate as a personal favor.

If the Cult had ordered a return, Cheon Yura would’ve had no choice but to obey.

But no instructions had come down from Ten Thousand Mountain yet.

Cheon Yura made her decision.

“Alright, we’re heading to Namchang. Vice Leader, what’s the current situation near Namchang?”

Bu Ilhwa bowed with a cold expression.

“Although it hasn’t been long since the Namcheon Baek Clan sent out the Murim Invitation, already numerous factions have begun flocking to Namchang.”

Cheon Yura curled her lips into a sharp grin.

“They planned it all in advance, then.”

“Yes. Not only their rival, the Namgung Clan of Anhui, but also the Hwangbo Clan, the Hyukryeon Clan, the Jegal Clan, and even the Peng Clan from distant Hebei are reportedly moving south.”

Some of the old orthodox sects were also on the move—meaning practically a third of the Central Plains would be participating.

“And….”

“And? What else?”

In response to Cheon Yura’s question, Bu Ilhwa hesitated for a moment.

“There are also reports that a delegation from the Northern Cheon Geon Clan is coming….”

“……”

The Northern Cheon Geon Clan, one of the Twin Cheon Clans along with Namcheon.

The maternal clan of the Saber King, Heon Yanghu, and at this point—with Namcheon in turmoil—arguably the most powerful faction under heaven.

A crooked smirk appeared at the corner of Cheon Yura’s lips.

“Kukuku! This is going to be quite the entertaining tournament.”

She turned back and asked,

“How about you lot? With all these big names gathering, do you think you can win?”

Where her gaze landed—

Were the trio of Demonic Dragon Trio, their hollow cheeks giving them a gaunt and fierce impression, radiating a deadly aura from their entire bodies and glaring with sharp, gleaming eyes.

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