Chapter 363: The Martial Empress of Mount Lu

The first to greet Yong Hwarin was the Twin Dragons of Raging Sword.

“Little Lord!”

Nam Uk, tall and bounding with energy, rushed over and embraced Yong Hwarin.

Then, from behind, Jung Uk also ran up and hugged him, fussing with excitement.

“I missed you, Little Lord.”

At their fervent welcome, Yong Hwarin gave a faint smile.

“Was it truly me you missed, or was it Geum Joncheong you wished to see?”

“Hahaha, I can’t deny that.”

The three shared a hearty laugh and entered the room together.

Yong Hwarin first paid respects to Yong Biyang.

“This junior greets Father.”

After bowing deeply, he turned toward Deng Ai, who stood beside Yong Biyang, and smiled.

“Master Deng, it has been a long time.”

Deng Ai nodded with a wide smile.

Yong Biyang then spoke.

“I’ve heard all that has happened from Master Mo. Did you gain any enlightenment from the debate of blades with the Three Swords Beyond the Heavens?”

“Yes, Father.”

“That is fortunate.”

Yong Biyang could not hide the warmth in his heart as he watched his son soar further beyond his own reach.

For a father, to be weaker than his son might stir feelings of inadequacy, but for Yong Biyang, it only filled him with pride.

As they shared the stories of the past days, Yong Biyang said,

“Thanks to you, I was invited to the gathering of the leadership. For several days now, there have been meetings among the heads, and I too was summoned.”

“How could that be thanks to me? It is Father’s own merit that earned such honor.”

“My so-called merit is only an empty shell. It is truly thanks to you.”

The leadership meetings were composed of the Nine Great Sects and the Twelve Great Clans.

That they had invited Yong Biyang was enough to make him feel proud.

“They have agreed to call the Murim Alliance uniting the Three Rivers and Central Plains the Baekjeong Alliance. Three candidates for Alliance Leader have been named. By tomorrow, the first Alliance Leader of the Baekjeong Alliance will begin to take shape.”

“Who are the candidates?”

“Two you know well, the other will surprise you.”

“Two must be the abbots of Shaolin and the sect leader of Wudang. The other—could it be the sect leader of Mount Hua?”

Yong Biyang shook his head.

“The two are indeed the abbot of Shaolin and the sect leader of Wudang. The third is the Martial Empress of Mount Lu.”

“The Martial Empress of Mount Lu?”

Yong Hwarin was startled.

In his past life, the first leader of the Baekjeong Alliance had been delegated to Wudang’s sect leader, Dong Seonja (東仙子), after the abbot of Shaolin, Reverend Mang Wu, firmly declined.

Yet Dong Seonja was stubborn and rigid to the extreme, a Daoist who despised the Demonic path. Thus, the Great War of Righteous and Demonic at Muwoljeong turned into a brutal and endless slaughter.

Later, however, the Martial Empress of Mount Lu appeared and mediated, leading the war down the path of de-escalation, reducing its scale and hastening its conclusion.

At that time, in Baekdo Murim, the Martial Empress of Mount Lu stood forth, while the Demonic side sent out Ma-sa. With the heads of both Righteous and Demonic joining hands in compromise, the war was finally brought to a close. The one who rendered the greatest service was none other than the Martial Empress.

‘In my past life as well, these three surely must have been the candidates for Alliance Leader. But I had no interest in Murim’s affairs then, and so never even knew who the nominees were.’

If once again Dong Seonja was chosen, the Great Righteous-Demonic War of Muwoljeong would certainly devolve into endless bloodshed.

‘But if the Martial Empress becomes leader, perhaps it will end as a battle, not as a war.’

Dong Seonja had insisted that the Demonic be annihilated to the very last, obstinately fighting against the Three Demonic Heavens.

In contrast, the Martial Empress of Mount Lu was a martial artist who sought coexistence between the orthodox and the unorthodox.

Yong Hwarin, lost in thought, finally asked,

“Which candidate does the leadership currently seem inclined toward?”

“The Shaolin Abbot seems to refuse the position, so the choice falls between Dong Seonja and the Martial Empress. The Nine Great Sects support Wudang’s sect leader. The Martial Empress, however, has no ties to either the Nine Great Sects or the Twelve Great Clans, so she lacks a base of support.”

“Still, surely there must be some who support the Martial Empress?”

“There are indeed some, but none can show it openly.”

The Martial Empress was a female sword master living in Mount Lu of Jiangxi.

The title “Martial Empress” was a mark of reverence in Murim.

Its origin stretched back to the era of Muyang, when the Demon-Star appeared. Then, a woman known as the Immortal Empress of Mount Lu, Yeon Yeon Seonja (連延仙子), rendered great merit in battle. In the age of Iron-Blood Clans during the Muun Era, her disciples also sacrificed themselves for Murim.

Later, in the Muhaeng Era, during the war with the Heavenly Demon Sect, they again rendered great service. And so Murim began to address the disciples of the Immortal Empress of Mount Lu with the title Martial Empress, a name of respect.

Now, the title belonged to Hao Ran Seonja (晧然仙子).

The Martial Empress of Mount Lu was not merely a martial artist of high skill; as history itself bore witness, she embodied the very ideal of the female hero and the true master.

“Father, whom do you support?”

“I support the sect leader of Wudang. I believe Dong Seonja will lead the Baekjeong Alliance well. The Martial Empress is indeed an extraordinary person, but the fact that she is a woman… that troubles me.”

Yong Biyang, noticing his son deep in thought, asked,

“And you? Do you think Dong Seonja is suitable?”

But Yong Hwarin did not answer directly. Instead, he asked something else.

“Father, do you trust me?”

“Of course. If I don’t trust my own son, who else would I trust?”

“Then I shall speak my mind. Only if the Martial Empress of Mount Lu becomes Alliance Leader will Murim find true stability.”

“On what grounds do you think so?”

“Father, you know well that when I was young and frail, I often immersed myself in books. Among them were texts on the heavens, so I gained some knowledge of astronomy. Recently, when I studied the heavens, I saw that the qi of Mars was in ascendance. That is a sign that a great war is about to erupt. Dong Seonja carries the energy of Mars, while the Martial Empress of Mount Lu carries the energy of Venus. If she becomes the Alliance Leader, the war between Righteous and Demonic will bring fewer casualties.”

Though somewhat speculative, Yong Biyang could not dismiss his son’s words lightly.

For his son’s path had been nothing short of miraculous.

As Yong Hwarin finished speaking, a clear, melodious voice came from outside.

“It gladdens me greatly that you view me so kindly.”

Yong Biyang flinched in surprise at the voice.

“It is the Martial Empress of Mount Lu.”

Yong Hwarin, concealing his expression, once more pondered the fact that she had come so near without his notice.

‘Murim does not yet truly know the depth of the Martial Empress’s strength.’

Yong Biyang opened the door and stepped out.

“What brings the Martial Empress here?”

Before him stood a graceful middle-aged woman.

Her martial cultivation was so profound that she looked far younger than her actual years, though she was close to sixty.

Beside Hao Ran Seonja stood a striking young woman, cradling her sword against her chest.

Clad in pure white, she gave off the air of a lofty crane.

When Yong Biyang looked at the young woman, Hao Ran Seonja introduced her.

“This is my disciple.”

The young woman stepped forward and bowed.

“Please, call me Shengxi (生犧).”

Yong Biyang returned the greeting with clasped hands.

“Ah, so you are Seonja Shengxi.”

Shengxi, Hao Ran Seonja’s disciple, was nearly at the age of thirty.

The beauty of the two women was enough to leave any who beheld them in awe.

“I have little to offer, but would you come inside?”

The Martial Empress did not refuse.

“Your courtesy is enough. We are both guests here; what need is there for more?”

Yong Hwarin thought to himself that the Martial Empress had come to speak with his father for a reason. Otherwise, why would someone like her visit the little-known head of the Small Hidden Sect?

Inside the room, Mo Biyoung, Jong Seyeok, the Twin Dragons of Raging Sword, and Deng Ai all widened their eyes at her appearance.

Only Yong Hwarin regarded the Martial Empress and Shengxi with calm eyes.

She was secretly astonished.

‘This boy’s aura is like that of an enlightened Daoist. Could he truly have reached the Realm of Nature at such a young age?’

Looking at Yong Hwarin’s bearing, the Martial Empress spoke.

“You must be the Celestial Middle Sword Hero, who has been making such a name for himself lately?”

Yong Hwarin folded his hands in respect.

“I am but one who has gained a small reputation. It is an honor to meet the Martial Empress.”

He gazed at her with genuine respect.

She was the very embodiment of a living female hero in Murim.

Thus, his respect was sincere.

Feeling his sincerity in both words and eyes, the Martial Empress gave a pleasant smile.

“Here, I have received the warmest feeling yet.”

Though Shaolin held many masters, some had looked on her with envy, some with disdain, some with scorn. For her, Yong Hwarin’s genuine look of respect was refreshing.

“Then, did you come to see me?”

Yong Biyang took the lead in conversation.

Yong Hwarin smiled inwardly, watching his father hold his ground before the Martial Empress without shrinking back.

The once introverted and timid man had truly changed.

“That is so.”

“You did not come merely for greetings, I think.”

“No. In truth, I came to ask that you support me in the election for Alliance Leader three days hence.”

At those unexpected words, Yong Biyang asked calmly,

“May I hear your reasons?”

“As you know, the Three Rivers Central Plains wish to go to war with the Three Demonic Heavens. Having long amassed their strength, they wish to unleash it. When Murim’s strength grows beyond control, it always raises the banner of eradicating the Demonic and begins a war. It is a way to prevent that power from turning inward. In fact, long ago, that power did turn inward upon the Nine Great Sects. After centuries of peace, when mid-tier sects grew strong, they rose up, aiming to become Nine Great Sects or Twelve Great Clans themselves, and so war erupted. If such power gathers again, even the Nine Great Sects might crumble. And the Demonic as well are swelling with power, awaiting only the moment to erupt. In such a state, war is inevitable.”

Listening, Yong Biyang asked,

“Then you believe if you are chosen as Alliance Leader, the outcome will change?”

“It surely will. I will place the Nine Great Sects and the Twelve Great Clans at the forefront of the war. Normally, wars of Murim are fought on the blood of the smaller sects. But if the Nine Great Sects and Twelve Great Clans are forced to the front, they will not wish to fight to the bitter end.”

At those words, Yong Biyang fell silent.

The Martial Empress spoke truth.

Whenever wars broke out in Murim, the ones sacrificed were always the small and mid-tier sects and martial artists.

The Nine Great Sects and the Twelve Great Clans often did little more than send a hundred or so warriors to “show face.”

And when the wars ended, it was only the small and mid-tier sects that were annihilated and sealed off.

Though they knew this, the small sects still threw themselves into war, for they saw it as their chance to carve their name into Murim’s history.

Understanding, Yong Biyang asked with doubt,

“I see what you mean. But why tell me this?”

The Martial Empress smiled faintly.

“Because you are the most like a true chivalrous man. Not only the Heavenly Dragon Great Hero, but your son, the Heavenly Sword Hero, are renowned for their chivalry. I believed that one so filled with righteousness would understand me.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep