Chapter 174
After disposing of Seob Wi-Mun's body, Mu-Gun and Namgung Byeok's groups found their way to a nearby inn.
The innkeeper expressed his gratitude to Mu-Gun and Namgung Byeok for putting an end to the monstrous threat that had left a trail of bloodshed around Hongze Lake. Despite their polite refusal, the innkeeper insisted on treating them to the finest dishes at the inn, on the house.
To him, their intervention had not only spared his establishment but quite possibly his life as well, had the monster reached there. Offering them the inn's finest dishes as a token of gratitude was the innkeeper's heartfelt gesture.
Eventually, Mu-Gun and Namgung Byeok's groups graciously accepted the generous offer and relished the hearty dinner. Despite any underlying discomfort, Mu-Gun remained composed and concealed his true feelings while sharing the meal with Namgung Byeok.
The Loyal Heart Alliance is in high spirits lately. Namgung Byeok abruptly cut through the various topics they were discussing.
We are still inferior to the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families.
Considering the size of territories alone, the Loyal Heart Alliance could potentially surpass the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families. Is your expansion into Jiangsu Province an indication that Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces are insufficient? Namgung Byeok asked, blatantly displaying his wariness of the Loyal Heart Alliances rapid expansion.
We have never deliberately tried to expand our forces. Preventing the Nine Celestial Demons Sects evil ambitions simply attracted various sects to join the Loyal Heart Alliance in our grand mission, so our forces and territory naturally grew and expanded. However, it's important to understand that our alliance was created solely to counter the Nine Celestial Demons Sect's evil ambitions. We have no desire to use that power for further expansion or dominance in murim. So, you needn't be concerned about the Loyal Heart Alliance becoming too formidable. If we do grow, it signifies the unity of murim forces against the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, Mu-Gun objectively replied.
You make it sound as if we, the Seven Great Families, are strengthening our military might to dominate murim. Namgung Byeok sounded displeased.
Many people in murim, myself included, are well aware that the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families have done many things for murim.
That doesn't refute my statement. Namgung Byeok seemed even more infuriated now.
Is my opinion really that important? All that matters is the Great Namgung Familys true intentions, Mu-Gun replied, changing the topic.
You are really good at changing the subject. Our dedication to the safety and peace of murim throughout the years should be enough proof of our familys true intentions.
That is probably why people around the world refer to the Namgung Family as the Unfalteringly Righteous Sword God Family, Mu-Gun said.
That aside, aren't you satisfied with the Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces? Do you plan to extend your influence into Jiangsu Province as well? Namgung Byeok prodded.
As I mentioned before, we don't aim to strengthen our military. However, if the factions in Jiangsu Province wish to join the Loyal Heart Alliance and support our noble cause, we will gladly join forces with them, Mu-Gun firmly replied.
"I can't speak for other regions, but it would be wise to avoid reckless expansion into the Nanjing area. After all, that is the Namgung Family's domain. Unnecessary conflict with our in-laws could prove troublesome. Moreover, creating a disturbance right in the presence of our arch-enemy, the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, wouldn't bode well for all of murim," Namgung Byeok openly cautioned Mu-Gun against encroaching on the Namgung Family's territory.
After the complete destruction of the Namgung Family's branch by the Four Seas Gang, the Namgung Family didn't dispatch additional forces to Nanjing. Instead, they maintained control over Nanjing by affiliating with the Luyang Sect, a martial clan in that area, as their vassal family.
The Luyang Sect, in essence, exercised authority in the Nanjing region with the backing of the Namgung Family. This meant that the Luyang Sect was essentially leveraging the power of another force. The smaller clans were apprehensive of the Namgung Family's influence, and as a result, they refrained from defying the Luyang Sect.
Nonetheless, the Loyal Heart Alliance was a different case. It had grown to a point where even the Namgung Family couldn't afford to underestimate them. It wouldn't be surprising if the Loyal Heart Alliance, now occupying the Suzhou area, had its sights set on Nanjing. Furthermore, with Mu-Gun taking the lead and personally defeating Seob Wi-Mun this time, the martial clans in Jiangsu Province would likely hold him and the Loyal Heart Alliance in high regard.
Although Namgung Byeok had also played a role in Seob Wi-Mun's defeat, the martial clans in Jiangsu Province would be more interested in Mu-Gun, the one who ultimately triumphed over Seob Wi-Mun. If Mu-Gun were to extend an invitation to the martial clans in Jiangsu Province to join the Loyal Heart Alliance, many clans would eagerly take it. In fact, even without Mu-Gun extending such an invitation, there were likely numerous clans interested in voluntarily aligning with the Loyal Heart Alliance.
If that happened, it would be difficult for the Namgung Family to exercise control over the Nanjing area through the Luyang Sect like how they were doing now. There would be no reason to continue yielding to the Luyang Sect when they had the formidable support of the Loyal Heart Alliance.
Even if they contemplated using their martial strength to compel submission, it would be difficult for the Namgung Family to disregard the power of the Loyal Heart Alliance. Hence, Namgung Byeok's warning to Mu-Gun was a preemptive measure to ensure that the Loyal Heart Alliance wouldn't encroach on the Namgung Family's sphere of influence.
The Loyal Heart Alliance also has no intention of causing any internal strife before overthrowing the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. We shouldn't do so either, Mu-Gun said.
"To ensure this, you ought to stop the martial clans of Jiangsu Province from aligning with the Loyal Heart Alliance. It's a precaution against them putting their trust in the Alliance and clashing with the Luyang Sect."
"The Loyal Heart Alliance welcomes individuals from all murim clans without discrimination. Anyone who shares our noble goal of safeguarding murim from the Nine Celestial Demons Sect is welcome to join us, including the martial clans of Jiangsu Province."
What do you plan to do if the martial clans from Jiangsu Province engage in a power struggle with our vassal, the Luyang Sect? Namgung Byeok asked.
The Loyal Heart Alliance has no intention of meddling in any personal power struggles. However, in the event that the clans under our banner are faced with injustice, we will take appropriate actions regardless of who the other party is.
At Mu-Guns remark, Namgung Byeoks expression slightly stiffened. For now, Mu-Gun made it clear that the Loyal Heart Alliance had no intention of expanding its influence into the territory of the Luyang Sect. However, he also issued a warning that they wouldn't stand idly by if a clan under their banner faced injusticein essence, that the Namgung Family should refrain from taking unreasonable actions against the clans aligned with the Alliance.
Namgung Byeok could understand from Mu-Guns words that he wasn't afraid of the Namgung Family at all. It could stem from faith in his own power as the Thunder Gods successor, but it could also be interpreted that the Loyal Heart Alliance had grown that much stronger. In any case, it was something that upset Namgung Byeok.
With all due respect, it is more important to prevent the Nine Celestial Demons Sects atrocities than to occupy the territory of Jiangsu Province. If both the Namgung Family and the Loyal Heart Alliance are mindful of our responsibilities, there'll be no conflict between us. So, there's no need to argue about something that hasn't even happened yet.
That's right. Besides, arent you two grandfather-in-law and grandson-in-law? If you consider each others position and make concessions, you wont have to worry about it. The Taichi Sword Immortal Supreme Elder Tae Heo, who was listening to the conversation between the two, mediated the slightly tense atmosphere.
Sword Immortals, please dont worry. The Loyal Heart Alliance has no intention of standing against the Namgung Family. The same would apply to the Namgung Family. Dont you think so? Mu-Gun spoke to the three Sword Immortals and asked for Namgung Byeoks concurrence.
"Of course, that goes without saying. As long as the Loyal Heart Alliance doesn't encroach on our family's territory first, we have no intention of clashing with the Alliance," Namgung Byeok stated.
Mu-Gun smiled wryly at Namgung Byeok's demeanor but refrained from further discussion. Subsequently, both parties retired to their respective rooms, settling in for the night.
In the inn's most spacious and finest room, Namgung Byeok reflected on the conversation. He had been taken aback by their initial encounter due to Mu-Gun's aura. There was an unmistakable resemblance between Mu-Gun and the legendary Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword, Guyang Hwi. This impression only grew stronger the more Namgung Byeok observed and interacted with him.
Most notably, Mu-Gun's gaze raised suspicion. At times, there was an unexplained hostility in his eyes, despite no apparent reason for such a look. It would be a different matter if Mu-Gun knew the truth behind the Heavenly Thunder Divine Swords demise. However, unless he was the reincarnation of Guyang Hwi, there was no possibility of him being aware of that.
Namgung Byeok believed that the source of suspicion lay in Mu-Gun's hidden ambition. He surmised that Mu-Gun concealed his aspiration to rise to prominence within murim through the Loyal Heart Alliance. Furthermore, he suspected that Mu-Gun aimed to surpass the Seven Great Families, which could explain his perceived hostility towards Namgung Byeok to some extent.
As expected, he is a dangerous guy.
Namgung Byeok contemplated that if Mu-Gun were allowed to continue, the glory of the Seven Great Families might fade. In the interest of preserving the honor of the Seven Great Families, the best course of action would be to eliminate him. While Namgung Byeok felt a pang of remorse for Namgung Hyun-Ah, his granddaughter, the importance of the Namgung Family took precedence.
However, he recognized that this wasn't the right time. Currently, the top priority was defending against the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Dealing with Mu-Gun could wait until after that threat was thwarted.
The following day, Mu-Gun's group parted ways with Namgung Byeok's party and made their way to Shaoxing. Meanwhile, the word of his victory over Seob Wi-Mun circulated throughout Jiangsu Province, thanks to a deliberate effort by the Heavenly Secret Hall.
The aim was to showcase the Loyal Heart Alliance's strength through Mu-Gun and to persuade the martial clans in Jiangsu Province to rally under the Alliance's banner. As a matter of fact, several smaller clans in Jiangsu Province seriously contemplated aligning themselves with the Loyal Heart Alliance.
Should the clans of Jiangsu Province join the Loyal Heart Alliance, it would undeniably bolster the Alliance's might. Nevertheless, with this expansion of influence, it would be a challenge to effectively manage these forces. Thus, the Council of the Loyal Heart Alliance devised a plan to establish subsidiary branches in each province for better oversight. The first branch was already in the works in Nanping, Fujian Province. Following Nanping, they were mapping out the creation of a branch in Suzhou.
These subsidiary branches were intended to consist of key members from the smaller clans within each province. The Loyal Heart Alliance also had plans to provide exclusive martial arts techniques tailored for martial artists within the subsidiary branches, whose martial prowess was not as great. These martial arts were designed by Mu-Gun himself.
* * *
At dusk, a raggedly dressed group made their way into downtown Shenyang, Liaoning Province. The group consisted of five people, their faces concealed by bandanas, though their physique suggested they were likely women.
They found an inn, and after checking into a room, they locked the door and closed the window, ensuring no one could enter. After insulating themselves from the outside world, the five women removed their bandanas, revealing their striking beauty. A subtle chill seemed to emanate from their bodies, suggesting proficiency in ice-based martial arts.
They were women from the Beihai Ice Palace, the rulers of Beihai. Among the five women, the most beautiful was Beigong Xue, the Young Matriarch of the Beihai Ice Palace, and the other four were the Beihai Four Shadows, who were in charge of guarding her.
Young Matriarch! What do you plan to do now? Dong Ga-Kyung, the oldest among the Beihai Four Shadows, asked Beigong Xue.
I heard that the Thunder Gods successor has appeared in the Central Plains. I plan to ask him for help. Beigong Xue replied.
Will the Thunder Gods successor help the Ice Palace?
He doesn't have any reason to help the Ice Palace, but the story would be different if it concerns the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. The Thunder Gods legacy considers it their destiny to protect murim from the Three Greatest Demonic Sects.
The Beihai Ice Palace was being dominated by the Spindle Sect, one of the nine great factions of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Beigong Xue, the Young Matriarch of the Beihai Ice Palace, avoided the evil clutches of the Spindle Sect and escaped from the Beihai Ice Palace, arriving at the Central Plains.
At first, she planned to ask for help from the Nine Prominent Sects or the Seven Great Families. However, after arriving at the Central Plains, she changed her mind after hearing rumors about the Thunder Gods successor. The Nine Prominent Sects or the Seven Great Families wouldn't willingly help the Beihai Ice Palace, a force from the Borderlands. However, it would be different for the Thunder Gods successor, whose mission was to protect murim from the Three Greatest Demonic Sects.
But will the Thunder Gods successor be able to defeat the Nine Celestial Demons Sects demonic practitioners who took control of the Ice Palace?
We must pray that he can. Moreover, we have no other choice right now. He is our only hope.
The only person that Beigong Xue could believe in was Mu-Gun, the Thunder Gods successor.
Beigong Xue and the Beihai Four Shadows departed from Shenyang early in the morning after spending a night at the inn. They headed to Donggang, located south of Shenyang. As its name suggests, Donggang[1] was a port city, and Beigong Xues party planned to take a ship from there to travel to Shaoxing, where the Loyal Heart Alliances headquarters was located.
To avoid any potential pursuit by the Spindle Sect, Beigong Xue's group swiftly and discreetly relocated to Donggang. Seven days after departing from Shenyang, they reached Donggang and looked into any ships departing for Shaoxing. Unfortunately, there were no direct vessels from Donggang to Shaoxing. Consequently, they had to take a ship from Donggang to Dalian and then transfer to another ship bound for Qingdao, Shandong Province. Lastly, they would need to board yet another ship from Qingdao to reach their destination in Shaoxing.
Although the schedule involved two ship transfers and was quite cumbersome, Beigong Xue's party had no alternative. Consequently, they embarked on the first leg of their journey by boarding a ship from Donggang headed for Dalian.
1. The hanja for Gang is , which translates to Port.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m