Chapter 55
Namgung Heemyeong seemed to inquire about attending, but whether it was proper to act immediately just because the Martial Alliance Leader called was unclear. At that moment, with limited information regarding the Yeonghwang mission, he thought it a good opportunity and moved straight to the Martial Alliance.
“I’m sorry, but Namgung Heemyeong cannot enter. Please understand.”
“What kind of nonsense is this? Soyo is severely injured in the throat and can barely speak! I was already worried…”
Yeoir held Namgung Heemyeong’s arm, who had been extremely sensitive since morning, and shook his head.
“Guard. Later.”
Roughly, this meant: “I’ll have Jin Cheongak convey my words, so don’t worry. I’ll tell you later what happened inside.”
Namgung Heemyeong seemed to understand immediately, hiding his displeasure but reluctantly nodding in agreement.
“…I’ll wait outside. If any problem arises, come out immediately. Forget about your brother and all that. Just focus on yourself. Got it?”
Could any problem arise in the presence of the Martial Alliance Leader?
After half-listening to Namgung Heemyeong’s admonitions and worries disguised as advice, Yeoir and Jin Cheongak crossed the corridor situated just below the mountain ridge.
Jin Cheongak whispered,
“From now on, should I directly interpret your method of communication, which is practically a secret signal?”
Nodded.
“Annoying.”
Nodded again.
“Interpreting it doesn’t seem like an intellectual task. It’s more like mental communion. Not sure how it sounds, but between our young lady and the Third Prince, there’s a similarity I’d rather not….”
[Shut up. I’ll just transmit it via telepathy anyway.]
[Ah. In front of the Alliance Leader? Clever. He’ll never notice.]
True enough.
[Then just respond appropriately on your end.]
“That’s fine.”
Barely as Jin Cheongak clapped his hands in realization, they arrived at their destination.
Screech.
The heavy door opened, letting out the warm interior air. The discussion inside had apparently been going on for quite some time.
“You’ve come, Soyo.”
Hearing Namgung Jeokmyeong’s voice faintly from inside suggested the meeting space was quite spacious.
Jin Cheongak guided Yeoir up to Namgung Jeokmyeong.
“Sorry for calling you out late at night. The matter demanded it.”
Following his apology came a strangely deep and dignified voice:
“I apologize for this great inconvenience at such an hour, Lady Namgung.”
Nodded.
“Lord Sogo. If it’s alright, may I introduce the other meeting participants myself?”
“I’d appreciate that, Leader.”
“Lady Namgung, I am Kwon Jaseong, current leader of the Martial Alliance. Though I appear confined to the main hall, in reality, I am a wandering soul residing in Gangseo.”
Martial Alliance Leader Kwon Jaseong.
A name heard after a long time.
Yeoir’s mind flickered back to a somewhat younger Kwon Jaseong. Once the top disciple of the former Martial Alliance Leader, who contended with the likes of Cheonma, Jeilak, and the world’s strongest, he was a prodigy who, before taking disciples, belonged to no sect, inheriting the title of Sword Sage.
He had devoted much time to cultivating disciples, perhaps to spare them the hardships he endured in youth.
Inside the Martial Alliance, his disciples were jokingly called the “Leader’s Troops,” and internal divisions were attempted but never succeeded; apparently, the scheme was eventually discarded.
This showed how cohesive and sharp the young martial artists around Kwon Jaseong were.
“Next to me on the left is Moyong Sanghwi, Chief Administrator of the Martial Alliance, the cruel one orchestrating the confinement.”
After this playful introduction, a young woman’s voice was heard:
“Nice to meet you, Lady Namgung. By the way, the Leader’s words are factual.”
“She’s thick-skinned. Next to the Chief Administrator stands an elder, Bulye, head of the Hwasan Sect.”
“I heard young Lady Namgung and her guard rescued Yurim. I truly appreciate it.”
Bulye.
‘So this elder indeed took over as head of the sect.’
For an elder of the Hwasan Sect to act directly—it was more serious than expected.
“Next is Cheong Geom Ilseom of the Namgung family, then Lady Namgung, and lastly, Dang Maeryeong, head of the Sajeon Sect.”
“Lady Dang Maeryeong of the Dang family.”
Her voice was even younger than the Chief Administrator, slightly above Seolyeong. Yeoir inclined her head lightly in recognition.
“Now that introductions are done, I will explain why Lady Namgung was called. This is not a session to judge your fault or innocence, understood, Chief Administrator?”
“You’re correct, Lady Namgung. We merely wish to ask a few facts regarding some matters. Is that alright?”
Nodded.
“We will decide if it’s alright for our young lady after hearing her.”
Although already nodded, Jin Cheongak added an unnecessary remark, which Yeoir ignored.
“…First, a question regarding Palguin Chuhyeol Geomgwi.”
“I’m an expert in that field as well.”
“After handling Chuhyeol Geomgwi, did you check his back?”
“What’s the point of checking the back of a senile old man?”
Yeoir did not stop Jin Cheongak’s flippancy; he was partly right.
‘Judging by their mention of the back, they clearly know about the Yeonghwang mission.’
The point was how far and wide Yeonghwang’s reach extended. That was why Yeoir had willingly come to this meeting.
Moyong Sanghwi, Chief Administrator, continued questioning:
“Did Chuhyeol Geomgwi ever mention his residence or affiliation?”
Shook head.
“Did he give the impression he was following someone’s orders?”
Nodded.
“Any parts of your conversation with him that you remember?”
Quickly, she replied to avoid Jin Cheongak blurting nonsense:
“Hunting.”
“…Mentioning hunting when driving the weak into a corner is his long-standing bad habit. Definitely Chuhyeol Geomgwi.”
The Martial Alliance Leader, muttering discontentedly, raised his voice:
“Jin Cheongak, when you crossed swords with Chuhyeol Geomgwi, was anything peculiar?”
Jin Cheongak leisurely hummed and gave an answer slightly different from the question.
“Listening carefully, it seems the attendees believe that the masked intruder who infiltrated the Namgung family belongs to the same Sammu faction as that old rogue.”
Moyong Sanghwi asked in a slightly lowered voice:
“…Why do you think so?”
Though changing the topic freely, it was a useful opportunity. Yeoir transmitted telepathically:
[Hit list.]
A message this brief would likely go unnoticed by the Alliance Leader. Jin Cheongak responded as expected.
“We know Chuhyeol Geomgwi targeted Hwasan’s elixir. A sect capable of recruiting Palguin could easily produce the masks. Perhaps he infiltrated the Namgung family for a similar purpose…”
“Similar purpose?”
“Hit list.”
After a long silence, Moyong Sanghwi spoke again:
“An elixir is always desired by martial artists, so it wouldn’t be unusual for it to be targeted. But to link it to a hit list seems far-fetched, doesn’t it?”
“If they belong to Sammu, nothing is unusual.”
“……”
