Chapter 323
I left with Jin So-cheong to Anhui Province after he regained his senses. Mangnyang mentioned he would take action for the bigger picture while I was away, and we planned to regroup in Jinrang Valley as soon as my business was finished.
As we walked along the mountain path, Jin So-cheong spoke up.
“Baek Woong, thank you for indulging me.”
“Not at all. They needed to be rescued regardless.”
It was a moral obligation, after all. Uncovering the Namgung Clan’s corruption would undoubtedly aid my future endeavors. With that thought, I suddenly had a question for Jin So-cheong.
“Is it necessary to keep Lee Kwang’s whereabouts a secret?”
“I’ve already contacted him. He won’t be looking for me for at least a year.”
……
A sense of doubt crept in. Could it be true that that Lee Kwang would let Jin So-cheong wander for a whole year? But Jin So-cheong continued.
“My master knows my skills have hit a wall. I’m off to journey to enhance my martial arts, so he would likely understand.”
“I see.”
“Is this your first time going to the Namgung Clan?”
I nodded.
“It seems you’ve been there before.”
“As Namgung Hwan mentioned, my master and the leader of Namgung Clan often keep in touch. A few years back, I met Namgung Hwan and visited the clan then.”
“What is the Namgung Clan like?”
Jin So-cheong paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before replying.
“From what I remember, it wielded power in Anhui Province comparable to that of the master of the castle. It’s likely not that different now.”
“Hmm… it’s a leisurely three days to Anhui, but we could make it today if we hurry.”
“Let’s hurry then. I want to save at least a day.”
“Sure thing.”
Tydaht!
Jin So-cheong and I unfolded the Soul Removal Technique to speed up our pace. Thanks to the meal of the Black and White Lotus, Jin So-cheong’s internal power seemed to rise, and he managed to keep up with my ridiculous sprint. I dashed faster than both horses and arrows while stealing glances at Jin So-cheong.
“Jin So-cheong, I have a curious question.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a fact that the abducted women of the Namgung Clan are in the most unfortunate position in the world. We need to rescue them, but aren’t they, in the end, just strangers? You’re telling me you’re willing to risk your life for people you’ve never even seen before?”
……
Jin So-cheong leaped over a large tree and silently landed on a branch above. Pausing momentarily, he answered softly.
“Baek Woong, what kind of life do you think I had in my first life?”
My eyes widened! That was an unexpected question. After contemplating for a moment, I responded.
“In my first life, you were recognized as the greatest among the Ten Great Masters, hailed as a grand hero. Why do you ask?”
That’s rather insufficient, though. If Jin So-cheong should have trained for that long, shouldn’t it have been obvious he would become the best in the world? It was impossible for me to know, as I never encountered Jin So-cheong in my first life.
Then, Jin So-cheong replied with a wry smile.
“I believe that future life was the result of being complacent and compromising with reality.”
“What do you mean?”
“In your first life, the White Lotus Sect remained intact until the very end, right?”
“Well… yes.”
Even until the emergence of the bizarre heretical Nine Lotus Sect, the White Lotus Sect was lurking quietly in the shadows of the Heavenly Stronghold. It was strange to think about why the White Lotus Sect, with such immense power, didn’t spread its wings in the world. No doubt, even in thirty to forty years from now, they would remain unscathed.
“My master always said, even if he had to die, he wanted me to awaken the Thunder God Lineage… and that I must take revenge on the White Lotus Sect. I heard those words so often from the age of ten that I can easily guess his obsession.”
I now understood the implications behind Jin So-cheong’s words.
“Are you saying that the future Jin So-cheong, the Ten Great Master, gave up on avenging the White Lotus Sect?”
“That’s likely the case. If I genuinely wanted to take revenge on the White Lotus Sect, I should have hidden my identity and immersed myself in the Jianghu, growing my forces unseen, or secluded myself to refine my martial arts. Whatever happened, I think I opted for an easier life instead, just wandering the Jianghu and focusing on visible negotiations. Because that was a comfortable life.”
……
I never thought that way before. After all, the life of the future Jin So-cheong seemed to shine the brightest in my eyes. He spoke calmly, continuing swiftly.
“I actually felt a strong doubt about whether I needed to take revenge against the White Lotus Sect. Moreover, I unconsciously suffered from a deep sense of nihilism. That was a choice available to me.”
“Hmm…”
“But now, it’s different. I can live without turning my eyes away from negotiations now. Because you accepted me as a comrade.”
With those words, Jin So-cheong fixed a strong gaze on me.
“It’s not just for them. This rescue mission serves as the starting point for a new path in my life.”
“I see. I understand.”
The reason Jin So-cheong dedicated himself to a month of life-risking training stemmed from a change in his mindset. Somehow, I felt that I understood Jin So-cheong as a person a little better. He possessed immense talent and remarkable intellect that no one could compare to, yet he lived suffering under feelings of emptiness due to it. Now he had decided to act boldly to implement those negotiations.
Eventually, we arrived at Anhui Province. Upon entering the city, bustling streets presented themselves, flanked by carts and merchants. Naturally, Anhui was a thriving commercial area.
As we entered an inn to rest, Jin So-cheong spoke up.
“You still have about sixty li more to the Namgung Clan.”
“Isn’t the Namgung Clan located in Hefei?”
“They lived in Hefei before moving their base closer to the castle.”
“Moved? Why?”
Seated at a table, Jin So-cheong picked up a dumpling and answered.
“Hefei traditionally depended on agriculture, with rice and soybean production thriving in the area. The Namgung Clan originally engaged in the agricultural distribution of Hefei for profit but decided to move closer to engage more directly in Anhui Province’s booming trade.”
“Hmm!”
His explanation made a lot of sense. I looked at Jin So-cheong with newfound respect.
‘Jin So-cheong is very clever.’
Though it seemed straightforward, his analysis couldn’t be made without considering the realistic dynamics of commerce and the power of clans. Jin So-cheong must have conducted thorough research into the Namgung Clan via the Divine Maiden Sect and carefully interpreted various pieces of information.
I said to Jin So-cheong, “Let’s get to the vicinity of the Namgung Clan, then head to the Shadowless Gate from there. I need to get detailed information on the women’s locations from that scoundrel Namgung Hwan.”
……
“Jin So-cheong?”
Jin So-cheong didn’t reply and was silently lost in thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
“Baek Woong, what punishment do you intend to inflict upon the Namgung Clan?”
“Huh?!”
I was slightly taken aback by his question.
“Punishment… The Namgung Clan is powerful and serves as the lower forces of the White Lotus Sect. If we act rashly, we might stir up trouble on a grand scale.”
“But Mangnyang said we could go wild as we please.”
“That… well…”
Before we left Anhui Province, Mangnyang had said that we could topple the Namgung Clan as we wished. I was curious about what Mangnyang was thinking, but he wasn’t the type to say something meaningless.
‘Is it really okay to strike the Namgung Clan?’
It seemed the ‘big picture’ Mangnyang had in mind didn’t consider the Namgung Clan to be significant. Could Mangnyang have confidence in negotiating with the White Lotus Sect even after striking the Namgung Clan? While I was deep in thought, Jin So-cheong spoke again.
“Regardless, rescuing the women from the Namgung Clan will be a monumental event that could turn the Orthodox Martial World upside down. Moreover, according to what I heard from Namgung Hwan, the secret room where they are kept lies deep within the Namgung Clan, making it impossible to resolve quietly.”
“What are you getting at?”
“If we’re going to do this, we should do it right. To ensure they never conceive any wicked thoughts again…”
……
“If things escalate too much, no one will dare to disturb the eye of the storm.”
I began to feel intrigued by Jin So-cheong’s words. Most of the allies I had met thus far urged me to ‘be cautious,’ while Jin So-cheong was advocating for decisive action. I couldn’t help but remember the events involving the Zhongnan Sect.
Back then, I was utterly flabbergasted when Jin So-cheong seemed to recklessly upturn everything. But in the end, it had worked out wonderfully, and he had calculated everything while creating chaos. Jin So-cheong was not one to attempt a failed endeavor.
I made up my mind to follow his lead.
“Alright then, let’s do this. You’re suggesting we go for a head-on assault, right?”
“Of course.”
“Got it. Let’s confer with the Sword Demon one last time.”
Pa-at!
Jin So-cheong and I used the Golden Lamp technique to head to the Shadowless Gate. We made our way down to the torture chamber, where we found Namgung Hwan, half-crazed and soaked in blood.
He clearly bore the marks of further torture. Given that the Thunder God Lineage’s techniques don’t typically leave outside physical damage, the wounds and punctures on his body didn’t add up. When we glanced over at the members of the Shadowless Gate, one of them grinned at us.
“Torture begins the moment one’s spirit is broken.”
“Have you tortured Namgung Hwan again? Why?”
“I merely acted in accordance with the Sect Leader’s order to extract additional information. It’s not often one gets the chance to torture the Young Master of the Namgung Clan.”
“Hmm… Please tell me what information you’ve uncovered.”
He shrugged.
“I can’t share that without the Sect Leader’s permission.”
“Understood.”
After that, we went to find the Sword Demon. In response to my query about whether he had tortured Namgung Hwan, he confirmed.
“Of course. Information on the Namgung Clan is worth its weight in gold.”
“Please share that information with me.”
“I will. Just don’t rush me.”
The Sword Demon scrutinized us with a compelling gaze.
“I assume that’s not the only reason you’re here?”
I conveyed our intentions. While we would indeed carry out the rescue, we were set on executing a head-on assault. The Sword Demon regarded Jin So-cheong with intrigue.
“Interesting. You might just have a chance. I understand what you’re considering, Jin So-cheong.”
“Correct.”
“But to do so requires overwhelming force.”
As if musing to himself, the Sword Demon continued, “You claim you can overcome the peak expert, Sword King Namgung Myeong, the Namgung Clan’s prideful Eight Swords, and the esteemed martial arts factions, Sky Team and Special Investigative Team, let alone the numerous other experts from the Namgung Clan?”
I suddenly felt a deflated confidence listening to the Sword Demon’s words. It became apparent just how immensely powerful the Namgung Clan truly was. No wonder they are declared the finest martial force in Anhui.
“Of course.”
“Aren’t you afraid of Namgung Myeong?”
“If we feared him, how would we ever fight going forward?”
The Sword Demon smirked.
“Haha, you have a point. Go ahead and give it a shot. If anything goes awry, I’ll at least prepare an escape route for you.”
“Sure.”
The Sword Demon seemed to have grasped Jin So-cheong’s intentions somehow. It appeared Jin So-cheong had a reason for unwaveringly pushing forward. The Sword Demon shared with me all the information he’d gleaned from Namgung Hwan.
“Like it or not, that color demon’s fate is sealed. Will you take him?”
“Yes. I think it will be needed.”
“Then take him.”
I knocked Namgung Hwan out and stuffed him into my wooden armor.
Finishing our errand at the Shadowless Gate, we moved back toward Anhui Province and finally reached the vicinity of the Namgung Clan. From a nearby hill, we could see the grand estate of the Namgung Clan, which indeed boasted an astonishing expanse, true to its name as a Great Clan. The land alone was ten times larger than that of a typical clan, and the number of warriors and servants bustling inside was staggering.
What stunned me even more was the additional buildings surrounding the Namgung Clan’s grounds, which also seemed to belong to them. If you counted those buildings too, the Namgung Clan looked more massive than several villages combined. I muttered in awe.
“I’ve never seen a martial clan this enormous.”
“Baek Woong, do you know why the Namgung Clan could grow this large?”
I looked at Jin So-cheong. Despite his seemingly indifferent expression, a significant anger simmered beneath the surface.
“I’m not sure.”
“The Namgung Clan grew by competing against other clans that could stand as rivals. They survived that competition, resulting in their current stature. But because of that, they hold tremendous grudges.”
“Grudges?”
“While such competitions were common among the other Great Clans, what set the Namgung Clan apart was their sheer ruthlessness in ensuring their opponents’ downfall. They destroyed everything and left no survivors to seize wealth and connections in record time.”
I gasped, astonished.
“Ruthlessness? They could continue as part of the Orthodox Sect after doing such things?”
Ruthlessness was plain as day. They must have attacked at night or staged ambushes to wipe out their foes. Such occurrences were not unheard of in the Jianghu, but the problem remained that the Namgung Clan was a recognized part of the Orthodox Sect. Orthodox Sects were supposed to maintain minimum ethics and social morality, therefore such acts were intolerable.
“The current True Heaven Alliance is rotten. Even while knowing that the Namgung Clan is corrupt, they’re helpless to address it. Those bearing a grudge against the Namgung Clan have all hidden within heretical sects, becoming ruthless demons or sharpening their blades in revenge.”
Ah.
Now I recalled the Sword Demon mentioning the corruption within the True Heaven Alliance. At the time, I couldn’t comprehend why the Sword Demon, a member of the Orthodox Sect, would be so scornful, but it made sense now. If it was rotting this badly, it would indeed seem ridiculous to someone with a mindset like the Sword Demon.
Jin So-cheong drew his sword.
“In your first life, the Namgung Clan never relinquished its position as a predator. That means if we leave them be, those being exploited will suffer for decades to come.”
……
He must be referring to the men and women sacrificed to Namgung Hwan’s depraved lust, as well as those around them. If we thought about how these vulnerable folks would continue to suffer for years ahead, it posed a monumental problem.
“Baek Woong, I ask you. Let’s initiate the negotiations of Jianghu together.”
I felt the sincerity in Jin So-cheong’s words. His desire to amend the injustices of this reality, which he had originally accepted but could do nothing about, shimmered through. And that revolt was something I felt more acutely than anyone else in this world, allowing me to easily align with Jin So-cheong’s perspective.
“Alright then. Let’s go!”
