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“What now?”

About half an hour later, after finishing up the talk with Dongbang Mu-gyeol, Lee Kwang looked like he was deep in thought about how to handle him. If he set the internal power seal and let Dongbang Mu-gyeol go, he might end up making too many enemies in the martial world, which meant the poor guy would probably get killed. But if he removed the seal, there was a chance Dongbang Mu-gyeol would betray them and call in experts from the White Lotus Sect later.

It seemed Dongbang Mu-gyeol caught on to Lee Kwang’s dilemma.

“No matter how much you’ve captured me by force, what do you think the reason I’m sharing this secret information is? Just to avoid torture?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I wasn’t digging up dirt for the sake of the White Lotus Sect’s status over the years. I’ve been in pursuit of something much more entertaining…”

Dongbang Mu-gyeol continued.

“If your Thunder God Lineage can stand as a new pillar in this martial world, I’d love to see it. It would make things more exciting.”

Lee Kwang’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“So you live only for amusement.”

“Haha, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

That was true. Dongbang Mu-gyeol must have secured some deal with the Master of the White Lotus Sect regarding the treatment methods for the Dragon Flower Tree and the strange disease, but at his core, he was an adventurer seeking out fun. No matter how enticing the promise from the Master was, it wouldn’t be enough to venture out to Southern Barbarians or Tianzhu. It seemed he was particularly interested in the clash between the White Lotus Sect and the Thunder God Lineage, suggesting he might want to hop on our boat.

Dongbang Mu-gyeol added, “Let me clarify. The Master doesn’t harbor any hatred for the Thunder God Lineage. On the contrary, he expresses some pity for you.”

“Shut your mouth.”

“It’s true. I’ve been present twice at discussions between the Master and Dharma Guardian, and each time, the Master has lamented, ‘If only the Thunder God Lineage were here.’”

“……!!”

“You might not believe me, but it doesn’t seem like the Master dismissed you out of spite.”

This was bad news. Knowing Lee Kwang’s personality, he would undoubtedly erupt into a fiery rage upon hearing this. It wasn’t just me who thought so; at that moment, Jin So-cheong and Guk-ho both turned to look at Lee Kwang, worried he might unleash his fury on Dongbang Mu-gyeol. But instead of anger, Lee Kwang seemed to be lost in thought.

After a long pause, Lee Kwang spoke up.

“Continue.”

“That doesn’t mean the Thunder God Lineage should have to bow down again to the White Lotus Sect. What I’m saying is, if you guys establish a new faction in the Central Plains, the Master probably won’t send a subjugation squad after you.”

“Hmm…”

“Why not take this chance to completely cut ties with the past of the White Lotus Sect and emerge as a new powerhouse in the martial world?”

The idea of establishing the Thunder God Lineage in the Central Plains! That was something the experts of the Thunder God Lineage had never even considered until now. They always thought they belonged to the White Lotus Sect. They were just trying to gather strength for revenge against the previous generation, never imagining they could make a foothold in the Central Plains.

Furthermore, the worry about the so-called subjugation squad from the White Lotus Sect contributed to that thinking. If the White Lotus Sect sent a subjugation squad to annihilate the Thunder God Lineage, the survivors would probably face total extermination. But if Dongbang Mu-gyeol’s words held any truth, there would be a chance for the Thunder God Lineage to thrive in the future.

Of course, if the Thunder God Lineage were to re-establish itself, its strength would be phenomenal. Their martial arts were already on a different level compared to other sects in the Central Plains, and if the successors scattered around were to gather, they would quickly amass a formidable combat force. They could possibly rival the great factions in solid alliances.

But Lee Kwang just chuckled.

“That’s a pipe dream…”

Lee Kwang had nothing more to add. Instead, he looked at Jin So-cheong.

“So-cheong.”

“Yes.”

“There should be a guest room for our visitor, so show him to it. We’ll likely be staying together for a while.”

“Understood.”

Upon hearing this, Dongbang Mu-gyeol chuckled.

“You’re being cautious. There’s no harm in being careful…”

“Let’s leave today’s discussion here. We’ll meet again tomorrow.”

Shortly after, Jin So-cheong took Dongbang Mu-gyeol to the guest room. Officially, it was to host the guest, but Lee Kwang seemed to want to put him under house arrest since he couldn’t trust Dongbang Mu-gyeol nor could he just send him back to the White Lotus Sect.

Guk-ho then spoke to Lee Kwang.

“We can’t keep him here forever. What do we do?”

“I’m thinking about it. But that guy already knows quite a lot about the Thunder God Lineage. I can’t just let him go like this.”

Lee Kwang’s words carried an implication that he was considering killing him to silence him. I felt a chill run down my spine as I looked at Lee Kwang, who continued,

“But there’s still more to consider. You all should keep an eye on Dongbang Mu-gyeol while focusing on your martial arts training. I’ll handle the matters concerning him.”

“Yes!”

Just as I was about to leave for my quarters, Lee Kwang called me back.

“Baek Woong. Let’s have a word.”

“Sure.”

Lee Kwang led me deeper into Waryong Hall. He looked at me intently and said,

“Baek Woong… from now on, answer my questions honestly.”

“Alright.”

“Are you affiliated with any other organizations besides the Thunder God Lineage? Or are you a subordinate of that organization?”

In that moment, I realized Lee Kwang was starting to interrogate me. I knew his level of perception was different when he was serious. I figured the time had come, so I answered honestly,

“Yes.”

“Which organization?”

“It’s called the Bancheon Alliance.”

“The Bancheon Alliance… what kind of group is that?”

“Before I answer, I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why do you think I’m connected to another organization?”

Lee Kwang replied with a blank expression,

“Your actions may seem chaotic at first glance, but they have a pattern. This pattern suggests that there’s an organization behind them, and unless it aligns with their purpose, it wouldn’t come out. My instincts tell me there must definitely be an organization at play.”

“I see…”

I let out a deep sigh and slowly replied,

“The Bancheon Alliance was created to confront the darkness of the Imperial Palace.”

“The darkness of the Imperial Palace…?”

“It’s made up of righteous men fighting against the Golden Eagle Guards and the Duke of Guanzhong. You can probably infer this from the existence of the Great Thunder Valley.”

Lee Kwang flinched when I mentioned the Great Thunder Valley. Even someone like him, with a hardened demeanor, seemed quite taken aback. He spoke with a serious tone,

“That’s very plausible.”

“I haven’t mentioned it before, but General Hwang Yeon was imprisoned in the Great Thunder Valley and later rescued by the Bancheon Alliance.”

“What!! Is that true?”

“Yes. Also, we rescued the Hwang Clan, who had been held captive near the capital by the Golden Eagle Guards and the Duke of Guanzhong.”

As I said this, I gazed steadily at Lee Kwang.

“You’re well aware of the methods of the Golden Eagle Guards, right?”

“……”

Lee Kwang sunk deeper into thought, his expression growing complex. He fixed a sharp gaze on me and inquired,

“What exactly are you trying to gain by approaching me?”

“To be honest, I felt there was no future for the Thunder God Lineage as it was.”

“What?”

I decided to take a gamble. After all, if Lee Kwang continued to distrust me, he might either try to kill me or banish me, or worse, torture me. So I felt it was better to push through the cracks of unease or belief he harbored. This instinct came from observing Lee Kwang for decades.

“What plans did your master have before I came to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School? Although he harbored resentment towards the White Lotus Sect, didn’t he only focus on sharpening his own strength without any real strategy? It was only after I arrived that he got a proper direction.”

“Hmm…”

Lee Kwang seemed hit by my words and let out a deep sigh. I pressed on before he could respond.

“This can’t continue. Are you planning to wait until the Master of the White Lotus Sect dies? Before anything, I am aware of my identity as a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage, and I understand we need to gather whatever information and strength we can to stand against the strongest powers in the martial world. That’s why I’ve allied myself with the Bancheon Alliance.”

“……”

“You can consider me an interloper from the Bancheon Alliance, but if I truly meant harm to the Thunder God Lineage, I would have acted sooner.”

As I fervently expressed my thoughts, Lee Kwang fell silent, seemingly lost in thought. Normally, he would easily dismiss such words and attempt to overpower me, but everything I said cut through the contradictions and dilemmas he harbored. Lee Kwang wasn’t the type to act on impulse; he wouldn’t just hit first and think later.

Lee Kwang broke his silence after a brief moment.

“Alright. So you’re saying that someday you intended to propose a collaboration between me and the Bancheon Alliance?”

“Exactly.”

“Did you think it was possible? I always think of loyalty to the country, and for the Bancheon Alliance to oppose the Golden Eagle Guards is tantamount to going against the Emperor, who has given them full authority. No matter how rotten the Golden Eagle Guards are, I can’t jump into action against them.”

At first glance, it seemed like Lee Kwang was rejecting my proposal. But I sensed he was eager to hear more and quickly shot back,

“Then what do you think about the fact that General Hwang Yeon was imprisoned in the Great Thunder Valley?”

“That’s just your word and not yet verified.”

“If it can be confirmed, would you consider a collaboration with the Bancheon Alliance?”

“… Even if that’s the case, it’s hard to believe that the Golden Eagle Guards would act independently and commit such heinous acts without the approval of the Emperor.”

In that moment, I recalled the conversation between General Hwang Yeon and Lee Kwang. At that time, Lee Kwang had clearly wavered, so I thought this was my chance and looked Lee Kwang in the eye.

“May I ask, is the loyalty you swore to the Thunder God Lineage really for the former Emperor? Or did you perhaps swear it to the Golden Eagle Guards?”

“……!!”

“Of course, your master is loyal to the current Emperor, the son of the former Emperor. But if so, then where does the Great Ming stand?”

“That’s…”

I clenched my fist.

“If the Emperor symbolizes the Great Ming Empire, isn’t it true loyalty to sweep away the darkness tangled in that light? Isn’t it true righteousness to uphold the principles to the former Emperor?”

For a moment, Lee Kwang’s gaze wavered intensely. It felt as if he was on the verge of collapsing. To be precise, I had shifted his thinking without breaking his belief. Although those were not my words originally, it was certainly a language that resonated with Lee Kwang.

Because this statement did not contradict his beliefs. The Emperor is supreme, but he also agrees that the nuisances buzzing around that light need to be eradicated. My words thus became the justification for Lee Kwang to consider collaborating with the Bancheon Alliance.

Lee Kwang nodded.

“… You’re right. I never imagined the Golden Eagle Guards would have sunk that low…”

As he muttered this, Lee Kwang turned to me and said,

“So are you currently protecting General Hwang Yeon and his family in the Bancheon Alliance?”

“That’s correct. Would you like to meet him directly?”

“No… that’s fine. If your words were lies, you wouldn’t have mentioned the existence of the wooden armor or the Golden Lamp to me in the first place.”

Since I could fly to the Bancheon Alliance using the Golden Lamp at any moment, he thought it improbable that I’d tell a poorly constructed lie. He sank deeper into his chair and added,

“Baek Woong, are you the leader of the Bancheon Alliance?”

“I’m not. The leader is my comrade, and he’s an unparalleled strategist.”

“Did the leader send you to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School?”

“No. I came of my own accord because I believed you, the expert Lee Kwang, could stand against the White Lotus Sect and the Wind Spirit Sect.”

“Hmm… so you’re allies with the leader of the Bancheon Alliance?”

“Yes.”

Lee Kwang clasped his hands together and said,

“Good. I appreciate your honesty and for sharing such invaluable insights. If you had even a sprinkle of deceit, I would never have forgiven you.”

Though Lee Kwang spoke in a flat tone, I felt the chills creeping down my spine. I knew too well the weight of his statement after observing him for so long. I also took comfort in the realization that I had successfully guided the conversation in such a way that I could count on him as an ally.

Following this, Lee Kwang said,

“To be frank, I have no clear idea regarding Dongbang Mu-gyeol’s fate or the future of the Thunder God Lineage. Therefore, I would like to hear the opinions and wisdom of the leader of the Bancheon Alliance, who can handle a person like you.”

“You mean…”

“Let’s collaborate with the Bancheon Alliance. Guide me and So-cheong to him.”

As I heard Lee Kwang’s affirmation, I felt a great relief wash over me. Shortly after, Jin So-cheong returned from taking Dongbang Mu-gyeol to his quarters, and we used the Golden Lamp to head towards Jinrang Valley.

Crack!

It was evening. As the sunset bathed the mountains of Jinrang Valley in color, I could see Mangnyang’s shabby hut nearby. Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong looked a bit drained of mental strength, but they seemed to hold up well. I spotted Mangnyang perched by the well, humming a little tune.

“Mangnyang! We’re here.”

As I called him, he turned to us. Noticing Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong standing behind me, he seemed slightly surprised, but he quickly smiled warmly as he approached.

“You’ve come. It’s an honor to meet the Thunder God, Lee Kwang.”

“Hmm.”

“Please, come inside.”

Shortly after, the four of us sat facing each other in the cramped hut. I first summarized our reason for being here to Mangnyang, and then conveyed the information Dongbang Mu-gyeol had mentioned. Mangnyang closed his eyes, deep in thought, before speaking up.

“Before I talk about solutions, let’s meet with General Hwang Yeon.”

“Got it.”

We followed Mangnyang as he guided us to General Hwang Yeon’s residence. Jinrang Valley was quite expansive, so Mangnyang had set up a Qimen formation as a hiding place for General Hwang Yeon and his families. Though it looked like an ordinary countryside village, when Lee Kwang spotted General Hwang Yeon’s face, he was taken aback.

“G-General!”

General Hwang Yeon looked surprised as well. However, he quickly smiled warmly and said,

“Ah, you’ve come?”

They exchanged pleasantries for a while, talking for about half an hour. Meanwhile, I and Mangnyang chatted at a distance. Mangnyang grumbled to me.

“That was faster than I expected. If only you had taken at least two more years to prepare.”

“I apologize. But knowing Lee Kwang’s personality, I couldn’t deceive him.”

“Well… I guess there’s nothing to be done about it. If it were anyone else, I’d think they would’ve gotten through this mess anyhow. But this is getting a bit complicated. The martial world is sure to shake.”

What did he mean by that? However, it was clear that Mangnyang could see quite far into the future at this moment. He must have already plotted a plan for Lee Kwang.

Shortly after their conversation wrapped up, we returned to Mangnyang’s hut. Lee Kwang looked at Mangnyang with a significantly more trusting gaze than before. I guessed it was because he had seen General Hwang Yeon with his own eyes.

“Leader of the Bancheon Alliance, Mangnyang. I apologize for asking, but would you share your wisdom? What do you believe would be the best course for us?”

“……”

Lee Kwang’s eagerness to solicit Chang-Yun’s wisdom indicated he held great regard for Mangnyang’s insight, it seemed. Deep in thought, Mangnyang rested his hand against his temple for a bit before suddenly addressing Lee Kwang.

“Establish a new faction.”

“Hmm…!!”

“Officially launch the Thunder God Lineage into the martial world.”

“Are you suggesting I should trust Dongbang Mu-gyeol’s words?”

“Of course not. This is a different issue.”

Mangnyang shook his head as he spoke.

“What Dongbang Mu-gyeol shared about the Thunder God Lineage is not something to place your trust in. After all, why could Dongbang Mu-gyeol accumulate such immense inner power? When he was young, he likely accepted a request from the White Lotus Sect as a payment for absorbing large quantities of Sacred Lotus.”

“……!!”

We exchanged glances, having never considered that possibility. ‘Well, that overwhelming inner power must be impossible to acquire without the Sacred Lotus…’

Mangnyang continued,

“He’s claimed to act selflessly, but in reality, life is a give-and-take situation. He surely promised some reward for the help he’s asking, whether it’s with the Dragon Flower Tree or Black and White Lotus treatment. Thus, it is appropriate to regard Dongbang Mu-gyeol as the direct subordinate of the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Trusting the word of such a person who’s been coerced into compliance would be nothing but foolishness.”

“I agree.”

“But separately from that, I do believe the Thunder God Lineage should enter the martial world.”

“Why’s that? The subjugation squad could come after us.”

“The subjugation squad won’t come.”

Lee Kwang’s eyebrows twitched.

“Don’t tell me you really believe that the Master of the White Lotus Sect would show pity toward the Thunder God Lineage?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

Mangnyang smiled warmly and explained,

“It’s about negotiation.”

“Negotiation?”

“Yes. It’s about the exchange of knowledge on how to cure the strange disease affecting the Young Master in return for the recognition of the Thunder God Lineage as an official faction.”

“You mean don’t send Dongbang Mu-gyeol back to the White Lotus Sect?”

“Exactly. We’ll manage him in our Bancheon Alliance. After all, with his skill as a physician, we might gain a lot from his knowledge.”

Mangnyang’s proposition was crystal clear. It was about seizing Dongbang Mu-gyeol’s information to use it as a bargaining chip for the Thunder God Lineage’s official establishment!

After considering for a moment, Lee Kwang spoke up,

“If the White Lotus Sect, as I understand it, decides to ignore such a proposal and simply send the subjugation squad, what would be our counter?”

“That would be impossible. As Dongbang Mu-gyeol said, the Master knows quite well what the Thunder God Lineage represents. With a generational gap since the Thunder God Lineage was cast out, and a plethora of experts have risen in this time, he doesn’t have any guarantees that he can respond with enough strength to deal with us. Not to mention we hold insights into the Young Master’s strange disease, making it even more unlikely.”

“Hmm.”

“Still worried? We’ve also got the Golden Lamp on our side.”

All eyes turned to me. Mangnyang grinned.

“Even if we lose a battle, we can escape using the Golden Lamp at any moment. Considering our opponent possesses critical information, what better card do we have?”

“… I see. You’re right.”

Lee Kwang seemed to have grasped Mangnyang’s meaning in an instant. While the White Lotus Sect could swiftly wipe us out and gather intel, such a plan would require the premise of killing or capturing everyone involved. If we had an escape route at our disposal, their attempts would inevitably end up being foolish.

Mangnyang said,

“Establish the faction. If we can gather the strength of the Thunder God Lineage and develop it forcefully, we’ll likely reach a point where even the White Lotus Sect wouldn’t dare to attack us.”

“But if we reveal that to the White Lotus Sect and they actually cure the Young Master’s strange illness, then they’ll likely dominate the world.”

“Hoo-hoo. The Three Sovereigns, Jeon Wook, left behind evidence for the water control… If a few sentences can help find the spiritual pills, then all treasure hunters or scholars across the world would have struck it rich by now. It’s a safe bet that no one will find it even after decades.”

Mangnyang’s laid-back attitude was perfectly understandable. He held nearly all of the information I had gathered throughout my past life, meaning even if Dongbang Mu-gyeol returned to the White Lotus Sect, it wouldn’t be possible for them to find Black and White Lotus anytime soon. Not having to fear the future, he spoke confidently.

Lee Kwang, as if he had realized something, said,

“That’s good then. We’ll match with the Bancheon Alliance and prepare for negotiations with the White Lotus Sect.”

“I look forward to many collaborations.”

“And I sincerely hope you’ll assist us.”

Thus, an alliance between the Thunder God Lineage and the Bancheon Alliance was formed.

Before returning to the Thunder God Lineage with the Golden Lamp, I asked Mangnyang,

“Mangnyang, the Thunder God Lineage has never risen to power before. Why would you make such a dangerous proposal?”

To make a choice I had never made in my past life meant that the predictions for the future would also veer off course. I couldn’t comprehend why Mangnyang would risk abandoning the opportunities that came with a forecasting of the future, insisting on founding the Thunder God Lineage.

Mangnyang chuckled and replied,

“It’s for your sake.”

“What do you mean?”

“At present, the martial arts of the Thunder God Lineage you possess aren’t complete. They’re fragmented. This is because when the Thunder God Lineage shattered and was expelled, countless masters associated with it scattered apart. Each master possessed their own secrets not achievable by a single individual.”

“Hmm, could it be…?”

“Exactly.”

There was a gleam in Mangnyang’s eyes.

“By establishing the Thunder God Lineage this time, you can gather all the fragmented martial arts together. That’s what you should aim for in this life.”

 

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