Chapter 322: The Title of the Best Under Heaven (2)

"Isn't it better than just wiping out the orthodox sects and taking control?"

'!!!'

No matter how you interpret it, my words could only sound outrageously arrogant. The expressions of Baek Hyang-muk and Lee Jeong-gyeom instantly hardened.

They may not know, but to be honest, I don't care what happens to the orthodox sects.

I was killed by the hands of those very orthodox sect members in my past life.

Besides, my biological father and maternal grandfather were from Musang Fortress, and now that I'm the one leading the Blood Sect, I have no reason to cling to the orthodox factions.

There is only one reason I'm even considering letting the orthodox sects survive.

— It's because of Yeong-yeong, isn't it?

Yeah.

If not for Yeong-yeong, destroying the orthodox sects would've been the easier route.

But Yeong-yeong belongs to the Hyeongsan Sect, and as the Vice Leader of Bonghwangdang, she also carries aspirations tied to the orthodox factions. That's why I've chosen to approach this more peacefully.

In the end, I want the orthodox sects to be under my control, not the Emperor's grasp—for her sake.

Baek Hyang-muk spoke to me in a heavy tone.

"...Do you really think the Murim Alliance—or the orthodox Murim—will collapse so easily?"

"You should feel it clearly as the former Alliance Leader—that the orthodox factions are far from their prime."

"..."

Baek Hyang-muk said nothing to that.

With the death of Je-gal Won-myeong, the former chief military strategist, the Murim Alliance is no longer what it once was.

As the former leader, he must feel that most intimately.

I pressed on even harder.

"If you really can't trust me, then feel free to test me. But you'll pay the price—one way or another."

Could they possibly deny that?

They had seen with their own eyes how I reshaped an entire mountain.

If I truly wanted, I alone could deal a fatal blow to the Murim Alliance.

And if the Blood Sect and Musang Fortress both moved together?

— You wouldn't even want to imagine it.

Exactly.

Just as the Blood Sect was once crushed, now the orthodox factions would be the ones to fall.

When Baek Hyang-muk didn't answer, Lee Jeong-gyeom spoke up.

"Even if you become the Alliance Leader like this—what if the orthodox members find out the truth? Do you think they'll still follow you?"

I let out a small laugh and answered.

"Then we just have to make sure they never find out."

"...What do you mean?"

"If you and your master—the former Alliance Leader—help me, it won't be difficult."

Lee Jeong-gyeom frowned.

I'm the one who said it, but even I feel like some kind of major villain.

Baek Hyang-muk, clearly displeased, said with irritation,

"You really think I and this boy would help you?"

"Are you planning to break the promise you made to grant me any request?"

"Hah!"

Baek Hyang-muk clicked his tongue.

He must not have expected me to use that as leverage.

Lee Jeong-gyeom, seemingly unaware of that promise, frowned and looked at his master.

"Is that true?"

Baek Hyang-muk sighed and replied,

"There was no other choice. At the time, I thought that was the only way to save you—and the Murim Alliance."

Hearing that, Lee Jeong-gyeom's face darkened.

He probably thinks now that he's the one who tied down his master, Baek Hyang-muk.

Lee Jeong-gyeom bit his lip and said to me,

"I misjudged you. I didn't expect this side of you."

"This side?"

"Using someone's weakness as leverage…"

"Hmph."

I scoffed at him, glancing back and forth at the two.

"You're so full of illusions."

"What?"

"You think you have the right to say that? Shouldn't someone who speaks of righteousness at least have a clear conscience under the heavens?"

"What do you—"

— KOOOOOOO!

"Ugh?!"

Lee Jeong-gyeom recoiled, taking a defensive stance as he was overwhelmed by the surge of killing intent erupting from me.

Baek Hyang-muk was no different.

Regardless, I said coldly to them:

"How many people have you killed under the name of justice with your own hands, Baek Hyang-muk?"

He frowned deeply.

I continued,

"To isolate the Blood Sect, you accepted an official post from the government. You used your honeyed words to lead to the downfall of the innocent Bi Wol-yeong-jong of Musang Fortress."

Baek Hyang-muk's pupils trembled violently.

This was something that happened around the time of the Great Orthodox-Sect War, which Lee Jeong-gyeom wouldn't know about.

Many were sacrificed due to the orthodox sects' black-and-white worldview.

"That's..."

Lee Jeong-gyeom's face also hardened upon seeing his master's expression.

From that alone, he must have realized what I said was true.

"In the name of purging the demonic sects, the Murim Alliance—no, the entire orthodox Murim—drove countless people to death. Do men like that have the right to speak of justice?"

"..."

"And Baek Hyang-muk, you also hid the Fear-Slaying Sword for your own ambition. You even covered up the fact that your disciple, Lee Jeong-gyeom, became possessed by its spirit and murdered many."

As I continued, their faces turned completely pale.

I was ruthlessly exposing the shame they so desperately wished to bury. It must be mentally agonizing.

I looked at Lee Jeong-gyeom.

"Lee Jeong-gyeom. Just because you were possessed, does that erase the fact that you killed innocent people?"

"I..."

"By the very logic of the orthodox sects, I'd be justified in killing you both right now."

With that, I released my full aura.

A storm-like pressure surged forth, rustling the forest and shaking the surroundings.

'!!!'

The two masters' expressions stiffened.

They surely understood that if I so desired, killing them would be a simple matter.

Under the heavy pressure, Lee Jeong-gyeom barely opened his mouth.

"…I won't deny it. I've never once believed that what I did would simply vanish. If you wish, I'm prepared to reveal everything and offer my life as atonement."

At his words, I raised one eyebrow.

There wasn't the slightest flicker of deceit or hesitation in Lee Jeong-gyeom's eyes—it didn't seem like a lie or a pretense.

"But why didn't you do so until now?"

"I hadn't found the man who imitated me and killed others… and I hadn't yet avenged my master's death. How could I die without doing that?"

"…I see."

It was unexpected.

So he had been forcing himself to live, enduring the pain until he could kill the other murderer who mimicked his killing style and avenge his master.

No wonder he had lacked motivation in everything.

It seems he always intended to end his life once those goals were fulfilled.

Baek Hyang-muk's eyes were red, apparently learning of his disciple's true feelings for the first time. Perhaps he felt ashamed of the situation.

He spoke to me.

"How can I leave the responsibility to my disciple alone? I, too, will take responsibility with my life."

Still insisting on that righteous orthodoxy, huh?

I looked at them for a moment, then withdrew my aura.

And I said,

"That won't do."

"What?"

"You both must take responsibility."

"Responsibility?"

Baek Hyang-muk repeated the word, staring at me as if he didn't understand.

"Do you really believe your lives are worth enough to repay all those deaths and sins?"

"…"

"The martial world I'll create will no longer be bound by orthodoxy or heresy, nor be one where people kill each other."

At those words, the expressions of the two disciples shifted strangely.

They must not have expected me to say something like that.

Baek Hyang-muk, silent for a moment, spoke in a trembling voice.

"Then what is your true goal?"

I gave a short reply.

"Coexistence."

"Coexistence?"

"The current system just needs to be maintained."

"…"

"The essence of a martial artist is to refine themselves through martial training and grow through competition—not to hurt others or satisfy their own greed under the guise of justice."

That is the true nature of mu (武)—constant discipline and cultivation.

It should never become a tool for ambition or authority.

Perhaps understanding my words, Baek Hyang-muk looked quite shocked.

"Even if I subjugated everything by force, once I'm gone and the next generation rises, it'll all just spiral into another cycle of bloodshed and vengeance."

"Don't tell me you intend to…"

"I intend to break that foolish cycle."

If the current system holds, where forces balance each other and grow through mutual restraint, that will be enough.

The path of total annihilation has its limits.

"…I see."

Baek Hyang-muk, having led the orthodox factions in their prime and witnessed their decline, would understand my point better than anyone.

He seemed moved. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke again.

"Perhaps I misjudged the true intent of you, the successor of the Sword Immortal."

"Master?"

"He's right. If martial strength becomes a mere tool for harming others and seizing power, then it becomes nothing more than a cycle of bloodshed."

"Ahh…"

"And if we continue harming each other, those seeking to destroy a weakened martial world will only appear again and again."

So he hadn't been leader of the Murim Alliance for nothing.

With few words, his insight was deep.

He had gone through all this, and must now truly realize that people like Emperor Geum-sang will always appear again.

"How should I take responsibility, then?"

"Stand at the center to help the martial world maintain balance and grow through coexistence."

"…You really mean that?"

"Do I look like someone who says things twice?"

Staring at me quietly, Baek Hyang-muk respectfully offered a martial bow.

And with a sincere voice, he said,

"Though I may be lacking, allow this old man to stand by your will."

"That's what I said, wasn't it?"

At my words, Baek Hyang-muk exhaled deeply, as if released from a heavy burden, and looked at his disciple Lee Jeong-gyeom.

Lee Jeong-gyeom, with trembling eyes, looked back and forth between his master and me, then said,

"Am I even worthy of such a role?"

"I already told you, your death alone isn't worth that much."

"But even if I don't remember them, my hands are stained with the blood of many…"

"If you're that eager to die, I can kill you right now. But if it were me, I'd take full responsibility to atone for that sin."

"Aah…"

Overcome with emotion at my words, Lee Jeong-gyeom's eyes reddened.

And just like his master, he offered a martial bow and said,

"I, too, wish to aid you, brother, just as my master will."

I nodded in approval.

At their display, Sodamgeom spoke up.

—Wow. You made such a grand plan and didn't even tell me? That's kind of hurtful.

Hurtful? Don't be ridiculous.

Orthodox faction folks need to be dealt with like this.

—What?

You really think I'm fighting for noble ideals like coexistence and peace in the martial world?

I never had such lofty ambitions.

If I did, I would've tried reforming the orthodox side rather than joining the Blood Sect.

—Ha!

Guys like former alliance leader Baek Hyang-muk and Lee Jeong-gyeom are so straight-laced that they'd rather break than bend under pressure.

Rather than threats or bargaining, persuading them was key.

Look at the results.

Moved by my silver tongue, they now believe I carry some grand vision for the martial world and are volunteering to follow me.

—You're seriously…

Sodamgeom clicked its tongue in disbelief.

But in the end, I made them stand by my side even after they learned who I really am.

And it came from their own hearts.

That's already a huge success.

—So what are you going to use them for?

Baek Hyang-muk, with his experience, will be useful as the Vice Leader of the Martial Alliance.

Lee Jeong-gyeom will naturally rise to lead the orthodox factions' younger generation.

Just like Baek Hye-hyang, they'll run the alliance under my command.

—Wow… if nothing else, your scheming is top-class.

Call it strategy. This is beyond mere scheming.

Anyway, now that I've brought them under my command, it's time to carry out the original plan.

I called to Lee Jeong-gyeom.

"Brother, come here. I will remove the yoseong for you."

His voice trembled with hope.

"You can really remove it?"

"Would I say it if I couldn't?"

Unless he had been completely overtaken by it, I should be able to absorb it without harm.

"I'm counting on you."

Lee Jeong-gyeom had long suffered from guilt while being possessed by the yoseong of the Fear-Slaying Sword.

I placed my hand on his head.

Then I invoked Cheon-gwon.

—Wooooong!

The fourth star of the Big Dipper on the back of my right hand glowed with a blue light.

As I approached his soul, I spotted it right away.

It was his Baek (魄).

The grudge-filled spirit, sensing my presence, shivered and tried to flee.

I drew out more of Cheon-gwon's power.

Eventually, the spirit was forced out of Lee Jeong-gyeom.

—Shuuuuu!

"This is the yoseong?"

Lee Jeong-gyeom was stunned by the black wisp of energy escaping from his body.

So was Baek Hyang-muk.

That black energy was soon drawn into the Cheon-gwon point on the back of my hand.

As it entered me, a lightning-like jolt ran through me.

—Srrr...

Memories carried by the Baek played in my mind like a dream.

[For scum like you, the only answer is death.]

[Wait—]

—Shlak!

A vision of myself cutting someone down with a sword.

The moment I saw it, I knew exactly whose Baek this was.

'Ja-gyeongjeong?'