---

“`html

After I briefly received an explanation about Deung Gwak’s status from Sangwan Hyuk, Deung Gwak sat across from me, while Sangwan Hyuk took a position as a mediator, occupying one of the corners.

Neither Deung Gwak nor I found it easy to start talking, so Sangwan Hyuk took the initiative.

“Elder Deung Gwak, it is highly likely that the Master of the White Lotus Sect is currently captured. Please assist in rescuing him.”

“And why should I do that?”

“Didn’t you say that you would grant any request in exchange for the healing of your clan’s talented individual? I’m planning to use that request this time.”

Upon hearing Sangwan Hyuk’s words, Deung Gwak raised an eyebrow and replied.

“That’s rather inconsistent. The Master of the White Lotus Sect has nothing to do with me; I need a more specific reason.”

……

A specific reason?

What did Deung Gwak want to hear?

I was momentarily puzzled, unable to determine Deung Gwak’s intentions, but I grasped the meaning through Sangwan Hyuk’s next words.

“I will communicate your request for guidance to the Sect Leader, as you wanted.”

“Sounds good.”

Deung Gwak slyly requested additional compensation from Sangwan Hyuk! After realizing the straightforward flow of events, I felt a moment of emptiness, but then a sense of rebellion rose inside me as I spoke to Deung Gwak.

“Elder Deung Gwak, a common person of Jianghu has one thing to ask.”

“Ask away. As long as you can answer as well.”

“… How do you plan to resolve this? Are you thinking of leading private soldiers to attack the Han Clan?”

I wanted to understand Deung Gwak’s thinking.

Despite Deung Gwak’s exceptionally high internal power and impressive martial arts skills, his opponent was the Dharma Guardian of the White Lotus Sect and the Fire Spirit Techniques group. No matter how powerful Deung Gwak’s martial arts or his private soldiers may be, they were not an enemy to be quelled by sheer force. If tens of thousands were to surround and attack, they might win, but that would be absurd for just one clan.

Then Deung Gwak erupted in laughter.

“Ha ha ha… I am not like that scoundrel Eom Sung. The Emperor is ruling over Luoyang, and recklessly moving soldiers as a mere subject would be a dangerous act that could amount to treason.”

“Are you saying you won’t use violence?”

“Why would I need to use violence in the first place?”

Deung Gwak continued leisurely.

“You moved me through Sangwan Hyuk. And once I move, I always accomplish the task. You just need to wait quietly and trust me.”

I was about to say something when suddenly Sangwan Hyuk’s secret transmission reached me.

[Be careful. Elder Deung Gwak holds immense power among the high officials and nobles of the Great Ming Empire as the Chief Chancellor. If you provoke his temperament, even Eom Sung might find himself in danger, so remain silent for now!]

……

Eom Sung possessed considerable power as a powerful minister in the current court. This was also why Jeong Yun-bo, Eom Sung’s subordinate, could support the Thunder God lineage solely through his role as a guardian warrior for a long time. Upon hearing that even Eom Sung could not match Deung Gwak, I realized just how formidable the man before me was.

Of course, to me, such power in the human world was not very relevant. To an immortal of the Celestial Realm or an Old Ruler, it was close to meaningless. However, it was inappropriate to be arrogant and ruin things now that I had acquired a new helper, especially when the life of the Sword Demon was at stake.

I swallowed my rebellion, skepticism, and turbulent feelings and bowed my head to Deung Gwak.

“I trust you to handle this matter well.”

“Well then, let’s get moving. I hear time is of the essence.”

“Where are you going?”

Deung Gwak rose immediately and replied as he walked to the door.

“Naturally, to the Han Clan.”

With that, we led the servants and guest fighters, passing through the streets of Luoyang in the dead of night. Since Sangwan Hyuk had indicated that the Han Clan was not too far away, we seemed likely to arrive within half a moment at the most. Deung Gwak, riding atop his horse, remarked,

“Baek Woong, you have profound loyalty.”

I glanced at him, taken aback by his sudden comment and replied,

“I owe a great debt to him.”

“A great man is one who repays his hidden grudge. Don’t forget that attitude going forward.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

It seemed Deung Gwak placed high value on loyalty and righteousness. With so many questions piling up in my mind about him, I curiously asked,

“Elder Deung Gwak, why do you wish to meet the Master of the White Lotus Sect?”

“That’s the second question.”

“Huh?”

“If I answer your question this time, it’s only fair that you answer mine.”

“……”

“Of course, I have no intention of sharing. It’s not the kind of shallow conversation I’d have with someone I’m just meeting for the first time. You only need to answer one of my questions in the future.”

Stunned, I stared at Deung Gwak. He completely shut down my attempts to extract information and turned the tables on me, forcing me to answer him instead. It was clear he was quite the eloquent individual.

‘Well, that’s probably why he could hold such a high position in the imperial palace…’

Just then, our horses halted in front of the main gate of the Han Clan. Instead of the guard warriors, an unexpected number of Heonwon Sect members were standing guard, and as they saw us, they spoke.

“Halt! Do you know this is the Han Clan? State your identities.”

In response, Deung Gwak casually replied from atop his horse,

“I am Deung Gwak. I’ve come to meet the Clan Leader of the Han Clan.”

“……!!”

The first Heonwon Sect member, who stood at the front, turned pale in an instant. Then, he nudged his brothers while simultaneously bowing his head.

“I’m sorry. Please forgive the rudeness of the Jianghu warrior.”

“You seem like a martial artist; can you convey the message inside?”

“Please wait a moment.”

After a while, Han Jin-seong stepped out looking completely flustered. Though he was a master at maintaining his expression, he couldn’t conceal his surprise at Deung Gwak’s unexpected visit. He greeted Deung Gwak with utmost formality, saying,

“I am Han Jin-seong, Young Master of the Han Clan. How have you been?”

“Hmm. It’s been a while.”

It appeared Han Jin-seong and Deung Gwak were acquaintances. Deung Gwak received the greetings casually and then said,

“I wish to meet the Clan Leader, so guide me.”

Han Jin-seong, looking somewhat troubled, replied,

“I’m sorry, but the Clan Leader is in his chambers and cannot meet anyone today.”

“Are you telling me that even after I came here personally, you will use sleep as an excuse not to meet me?”

“That is…”

Deung Gwak said threateningly,

“Tell the Clan Leader that if he does not speak with me today, he will face a hundred years of regret.”

With no choice, Han Jin-seong bowed his head even lower.

“Then I will relay your message.”

After entering, Han Jin-seong didn’t take long to return, wearing a somewhat pale expression.

“Please come in.”

Suddenly, Deung Gwak held back Sangwan Hyuk.

“You might not know, so stay outside and wait.”

“As you wish.”

Deung Gwak and I followed Han Jin-seong into the Han Clan’s inner compound. Soon we arrived at the familiar garden of Han Baek-ryeong, but unlike before, she didn’t seem calm. She stood at the bridge in the garden, staring intently ahead, and her gaze was fixed on Deung Gwak.

With a touch of irritation in her voice, Han Baek-ryeong said,

“What’s your scheme, you old coot from the Confucian realm?”

Deung Gwak replied without any concern,

“I’ve come at the request of a friend to retrieve the Master of the White Lotus Sect. I heard he hasn’t left the Han Clan yet.”

“Hmph. Do you think you can act freely here, even if you are the leader of the Clear Stream Faction?”

Han Baek-ryeong exuded an intent to harm, but Deung Gwak, being an absolute peak expert, brushed off her qi effortlessly and responded.

“My position doesn’t matter. What’s important is whether the Master of the White Lotus Sect was invited by the Han Clan and then assassinated. That should be investigated by the government.”

Han Baek-ryeong flinched at Deung Gwak’s calm words, feeling a sense of threat. She glared at him openly and said,

“If you want to draw in the power of the government, then we have our own plans as well.”

“Oh? Did I ever say that? Well, now that you mention it, that could be a way.”

“You slippery old devil!”

Deung Gwak chuckled.

“Before anything outrageous happens, shouldn’t you show me the Master’s face? You wouldn’t be hiding him away just because he’s too handsome, would you?”

……

With a scowl and suppressed anger, Han Baek-ryeong replied,

“He is currently in closed-room training.”

“Closed-room? Why would he be in closed-room training at such a place?”

“It was his own request. Wait for a moment; I’ll call for him.”

With that, Han Baek-ryeong quickly performed a technique that lit up with flame, vanishing instantly like a flame extinguished. Truly, her martial arts prowess was impressive, so much so that even experts of the same peak level would hesitate to challenge her. After some time, Han Baek-ryeong reappeared in the garden, accompanied by one figure.

Tydaht

And astonishingly, standing next to Han Baek-ryeong was the Sword Demon! I was so surprised that I stared at him, while the Sword Demon glanced at me and smiled wryly, as if quickly assessing the situation.

“Hmm, sorry Baek Woong, I was careless.”

What on earth happened?

I felt bewildered, but Deung Gwak and Han Baek-ryeong didn’t seem surprised at all. Moreover, Deung Gwak even wore a smug expression, as if he had anticipated this.

“Master of the White Lotus Sect, I apologize for visiting suddenly while you’re busy with closed-room training.”

As Deung Gwak mocked, the Sword Demon bowed deeply.

“I apologize for involving you in Jianghu matters, Elder.”

“Hmm.”

“May I have a moment to speak with Baek Woong?”

“Sure.”

The Sword Demon approached me and recounted the events that had unfolded in his absence.

“The meeting concluded normally. During discussions about the Twin Sword Technique, a certain clan leader expressed a desire for disciple exchange, which I refused. However, we eventually agreed that I would grasp the necessary skills during my closed-room training over the next month.”

So that was how it went!

I felt foolish for worrying about nothing. Remembering that I had been irritable over the Master of Shadowless Sword, my face flushed a bit. Yet, this wasn’t the time to moan to the Sword Demon, so I sighed deeply.

“It would have been nice if you’d just sent us a letter…”

“With the Han Clan’s important location exposed, I couldn’t do that. My apologies.”

Realizing that I had blown things out of proportion, my face turned red. Eager to escape the situation, I turned to the Sword Demon and said,

“So will you come to the Shadowless Gate in a month?”

“That should work…”

Just as the Sword Demon was answering with an apologetic expression, Deung Gwak suddenly interrupted.

“Don’t wrap up your story on your own.”

All attention in the room turned to Deung Gwak. He had taken the opportunity to speak up when the middlemen looked at him with curiosity.

“I would like to propose a collaboration between your factions and the Circle of Scholars here.”

Huh?

That was such a sudden comment. I still didn’t understand the reason behind Deung Gwak’s words. However, it seemed the Sword Demon, Han Baek-ryeong, and Han Jin-seong were quick-witted enough to grasp both the implications of Deung Gwak’s words and the background behind them, adopting serious expressions.

Han Baek-ryeong crossed her arms and said,

“Deung Gwak, are you finally going to act? Are you speaking as the representative of the Clear Stream Faction?”

“Of course.”

Deung Gwak stared back at her and said,

“Now is the time for opportunity. Until now, the forces of the ‘Darkness’ have been too powerful, and we’ve merely thought of survival, but recently the disappearance of their priest has greatly weakened them. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to propose collaboration.”

Han Baek-ryeong snickered.

“Ha, you have grand ambitions.”

“It’s loyalty for the Great Ming Empire.”

Listening from the side, the Sword Demon chimed in.

“If this path leads to treason, count me out.”

“Master of the White Lotus Sect, that absolutely is not the case. With snake-like filth pillaging around the Emperor’s side, we merely seek to cast them out and establish peace. It’s definitely not a rebellion.”

……

The Sword Demon seemed to plunge into deep thought. However, discussing further at this point made it clear to me what was going on.

‘Deung Gwak is planning to strike against the Imperial Palace forces!’

Realizing he couldn’t rely solely on his own Circle of Scholars, he was trying to draw the Fire Spirit Techniques and Master of Shadowless Sword into the mix! The reason the Sword Demon had mentioned treason was that he had gleaned Deung Gwak’s intentions and thrown that question out there to gauge how far the plot went.

With a tone full of enthusiasm, Deung Gwak spoke,

“So, will you answer me!”

Swallowing hard, I felt compelled to halt the building tension.

“Wait a moment!”

All eyes turned to me. Taking a deep breath, I suggested,

“It seems we suddenly have to make a major decision, but what if we set a time and place to discuss it tomorrow? This isn’t something to decide on the spot.”

For a moment, there was a tense silence as everyone read the atmosphere. The leaders exchanged glances, and eventually nodded in agreement with my suggestion.

“Sounds good.”

“Agreed.”

“Let’s do that.”

With the meeting time and place set, I realized I had bought myself a day. As we came out of the Han Clan, I received a message from Sangwan Hyuk.

[Baek Woong. I don’t know what you discussed in there, but I consider my debt of gratitude to you settled.]

[I understand.]

[So, please lift the Soul Exchange Technique that the Heretic Sect Leader has placed on me.]

I knew why Sangwan Hyuk had been so ready to assist me. In any case, forcing Zhuge Sa to use the Soul Exchange Technique wouldn’t change the final outcome. From the beginning, I had suspected he wasn’t purely altruistic in his actions, so I thought for a moment and replied.

[I can’t guarantee that. However, I’ll ask Zhuge Sa not to use excessive tricks against you.]

[… I’m grateful for that.]

While it was unfortunate for Sangwan Hyuk being trapped by the Soul Exchange Technique, he wasn’t the kind of person I could just easily help out. He was a demon sorcerer who kept a watchful eye over the whole area of Luoyang and was a devoted follower of the sect leader with numerous secrets still hidden.

If I carelessly lifted the golden seal on Sangwan Hyuk, it could lead to serious trouble down the line during crucial moments.

“`

 

---