Chapter 231
**
In a gathering place where people clustered together, I stood tall in the center, with Gwangyang, cautiously following behind me.
“I told you there’s no need to come along.”
“…But isn’t it only natural for a disciple to follow their master? If things go awry, I’ll fight alongside you. I’m sick of running away alone.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but treat your injuries first.”
“This doesn’t hurt at all!”
Gwangyang pounded his chest, moaning as he must have touched his wound.
The Head of the Jegeal Family, Jegeal Hyun, growled.
“What kind of farce is this, calling people here?”
“Head of the Jegeal Family, Jegeal Hyun.”
“…….”
“I’ve come to settle the events of that day. What I want is simple: an official apology from the Jegeal Family to the Jinju Family, along with appropriate compensation.”
“…What nonsense…”
Jegeal Hyun gripped his sword.
“Where is Jegeal Munhyeon?”
“Right here.”
I gestured at Su-ryeon. As she signaled, two shadowy figures immediately dragged two men forward.
Pale and tied up, the two men were Jong Cho-baek and Jegeal Munhyeon.
I turned to look at them and asked briefly.
“The truth of that day is also here.”
“…What do you mean by that…?”
I don’t particularly like torture.
But this time, I had no choice but to use it.
Jegeal Munhyeon, as pale as a ghost, trembled as a half-baked voice escaped from his mouth.
“I-I’ve released the poison!”
“…….?!”
The crowd began to murmur. Jegeal Hyun’s face distorted.
However, Jegeal Munhyeon began to shout, desperate for his life.
“I-I made Jong Cho-baek create a poison scheme! So please spare my life…!”
“You bastard! What are you talking about?!”
“F-Father! This man… he’s not human! He’s a monster! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die…!”
“You fools!!!”
Jegeal Hyun yelled. I calmly placed my hand on Jegeal Munhyeon’s head.
“Do you want to claim you didn’t use poison?”
“Such despicable tricks!”
“The despicableness started with you. Jegeal Munhyeon has confessed, and Jong Cho-baek supports this claim. When two provide the same testimony, the rumor that Jinju Family used poison in the match is questionable.”
“That’s just wordplay! To threaten with brute force, how dare you speak such nonsense!”
“Power, you say. Indeed. The world of martial artists is decided by strength, the fate of those who wield swords. In our world, we prefer a sword heavier than any words. But in order not to let those with power decide everything… the Martial Alliance exists, alongside the five families, doesn’t it?”
I removed my hand from Jegeal Munhyeon’s head.
Taking a step forward amidst the gathered gazes, I declared.
“Do you know why righteous sects are called righteous? But the preemptive attack on the Jinju Family, now sacrificing even your own kin to tarnish the Former Society’s reputation, has made the once formidable Jegeal Family vanish. It feels as if honor has fallen from heaven to the ground.”
“…You bastard…!”
“The Jinju Family has requested dialogue several times. You were the ones who turned it into a fight. Therefore…”
I placed my hand on my sword.
I stared blankly at the Head of the Jegeal Family, Jegeal Hyun, right in front of me.
“Because your kind wouldn’t understand words, I must raise my sword. Here, let me announce to everyone.”
Jegeal Hyun glared at me.
I did not shy away from his gaze.
“I hereby request a fair match without poison or intruders. Head of the Jegeal Family, Jegeal Hyun, to you.”
. . .
In an instant, it felt as if the heavens had frozen in silence.
Then, amidst the silence, the crowd erupted in cheers. The atrocities of the five major families were common knowledge.
What was it they said? Those who are well-off act even worse.
There were so many who had been robbed by them. Those living within the Jegeal Family’s territory felt it even more.
Where had the former wisdom gone? The remaining members of the five families only shouted violence.
Yet no one dared to speak. They couldn’t say that it was wrong; they were too afraid.
Because the strength they possessed was overwhelming.
Wasn’t that why the Former Society didn’t confront them directly? Wasn’t that the reason why the powerless felt compelled to hold their tongues?
Just then, a warrior appeared before me.
He spoke words that patched up my wounds and scratched my itches with ease…
A warrior who requested a duel with the strongest of the Jegeal Family.
“Woooahhhhh!!!”
“I knew it! The Jinju Family didn’t use poison at all!”
“I was there, and I couldn’t even smell any poison!”
“Oh dear! How much did they get beaten? Look at that!”
“Crying like a baby! Back then, when my child kicked him, I liked it, huh?!”
“What good is strength if you aren’t a person first!”
“We wouldn’t play such tricks! You bastards!”
In the past, this wouldn’t have happened. Perhaps during the time when the Martial Alliance had its rules.
But now, with power split in two, the people’s pent-up discontent had reached its boiling point.
The victims all chimed in together. United, they shouted.
“Fight!!”
“Jegeal Hyun! If you’re a man, accept it!”
“Don’t hide behind the Jegeal Family!”
“Face us as a warrior!”
Under the pouring jeers, veins popped on Jegeal Hyun’s forehead.
“Jooyoohooooooong!!!”
—Kwahhh!!!!
The gust of my internal energy swept through the crowd. In an instant, communication ceased, leaving only silence reigning.
Jegeal Hyun slowly drew his sword. With a sharp aura and frigid blade, he whispered.
“Are you from the Jinju Family?”
“No.”
“Are you from the Former Society?”
“No.”
“Then why are you meddling? What do you want?”
“Is a reason necessary to speak against wrongdoing?”
“It is necessary. At least in this era. The lack of strength is an evil. Just empty words. The reason you’re dying here now is the same. You spun nonsensical tales while lacking even the strength to back it up.”
I could feel Jegeal Hyun’s hand tremble. Was he sensing that something was wrong on instinct?
I spoke calmly.
“Does it matter who I am or what I did?”
“What?”
“I stand for the justice of the Jinju Family, while you stand before me for the justice of the Jegeal Family.”
I gripped the Ear Sword Gumang. With a chilling sound, the sword was pulled from its scabbard and cried out on the frozen stage.
“Clashing swords for one another’s justice; that is a warrior. Jegeal Hyun, my identity matters not.”
“…….”
“Are you ready?”
“……”
Jegeal Hyun, with a contorted face, took his stance. As if collecting his breath, his aura fully coalesced.
A swirling chill flowed down before me.
“You’re a fake.”
“……”
“A fraud using the name of a dead man. We checked separately. There were no survivors on that battlefield. Everyone perished, lying cold on the ground. Master of Sado Clan personally declared your death, your corpse. A scammer who even insults the names of the dead.”
Cold sweat dripped from Jegeal Hyun’s forehead.
He sensed something was wrong but seemed intent on denying it with all his might.
“I’ll kill you here, expanding the name of the Jegeal Family. And then I will deal with the Jinju Family, who tried to smear the Jegeal Family with the help of a fraud. For touching the great Jegeal Family, you will pay here and now.”
“Whether I am real or fake…”
I slowly exhaled.
I moved my sword.
“From now on, judge for yourself. Jegeal Hyun.”
