Chapter 110

About half a shichen before Gakwon entered to announce the start of the alliance meeting.

Paeng Ja-ryeong, who had already entered the Martial Origin Hall meeting room and secured his seat, exchanged brief greetings with those he was acquainted with.

Since Paeng Ja-ryeong rarely participated in external events, more than half of the attendees were meeting him for the first time. However, most of the people from the Seven Great Families were familiar faces.

‘Heonwon Family sent the three elders again, as usual. They’re even less interested in the Martial Alliance than the Mosan Sect. The Dang Family is similar. And the Ak Family’s head came in person.’

Paeng Ja-ryeong’s gaze turned toward someone wearing a unique scholar’s robe in a meeting hall filled with martial uniforms and robes.

‘Is the Jegal Family too busy dealing with the aftermath of the last war? They sent someone I’ve never seen before.’

It wasn’t the family head, nor his brother, the general manager, nor the Great Master of the Neungyun Unit, their strongest martial force.

They could have sent the family elders, but instead, they sent someone around Paeng Ja-ryeong’s age. And not even a direct descendant. If it were a direct descendant of the Jegal Family, Paeng Ja-ryeong would have met them before. Even if their face had changed in five years, it would require some serious disguise techniques to be unrecognizable.

‘And Moyong…’

Just as Paeng Ja-ryeong’s thoughts were about to continue, someone approached him with an extremely friendly tone.

“Hey, long time no see. What brings you out of Tianjin? It’s been five years, right?”

A man around his age sat down next to him, taking the seat beside Paeng Ja-ryeong.

His aura was light. Even the person from the Jegal Family, who seemed to have the lowest level of cultivation, carried a demeanor befitting the occasion, masking any lack of martial prowess. But this man had none of that.

Yet, he didn’t seem intimidated or cautious around others.

His posture revealed a typical self-centered mindset.

His martial prowess was also below the average for this gathering. In a meeting hall filled with Supreme Peak Masters, the actions of a mere Peak Master could be seen as reckless. But conversely, it meant he could move freely in such a serious atmosphere despite his low cultivation.

He had the confidence to compensate for his lack of martial prowess.

After all, he was the eldest son of the family with the greatest wealth in the world.

“Gyeongdo. You’re here.”

Paeng Ja-ryeong called out the name of his cousin, Moyong Gyeongdo, the future head of the Moyong Family, and answered his question.

“Last time I left, it was also for Luoyang, so yeah.”

“No need for formalities, right? We just met not long ago.”

Once, even the Namgung Family was surpassed, and they were called the World’s Greatest Sword Family. But where did that glorious past go?

Now, the Moyong clan was fully engaged in commerce, leading merchant groups and traveling the world.

Of course, they frequented Tianjin, a key point of the Grand Canal, so much that the threshold was worn out.

“Alright, so, what do you think of this alliance meeting, Ja-ryeong?”

Despite his lighthearted merchant tone, different from the solemn auras of the martial artists, Paeng Ja-ryeong was used to his cousin’s way of speaking.

“What do I think? It’s probably no different from five years ago. With the country in turmoil inside and out, they’ll focus on suppressing the Ghost Gate. Since we won the Unmong Great War, the Black Path Martial World has been weakened. Let’s take this opportunity to expand our influence in the martial world. Something like that.”

“Ah… this is why it’s hard to talk with the Paeng Family. You lack information, information.”

“…So that’s why you approached me right away? The Moyong Family lacks the actual martial power to intervene in the martial world.”

The lack of information.

That was the sore spot for the Paeng Family, who had to give up their advantage in Tianjin, a key transportation hub, due to the Imperial Family’s scrutiny.

“The Peerless Master line has been cut off for a long time. There are no Supreme Peak Masters in this generation, only the Great Elder from the previous generation. Even the likely next family head is only at the mid-level of Peak Master. They’ve expanded their merchant group, but they lack substance. Whenever they need a martial expert, they often rely on our Paeng Family.”

Paeng Ja-ryeong, known as the Unshakable Gentleman, was renowned for his composure in the martial world. But when it came to this carefree cousin, he was as shaky as a reed.

It’s always harder to endure the teasing of someone you’re close to.

Even when Paeng Ja-ryeong countered, Moyong Gyeongdo just shrugged as if to say, “So what? It’s true.”

From Moyong Gyeongdo’s perspective, Paeng Ja-ryeong’s verbal attacks were just stating objective facts.

“That’s why my aunt went to the Paeng Family. And in return, we promised a lifelong guest to our family. And what’s wrong with borrowing help? Families help each other.”

Paeng Ja-ryeong clicked his tongue, realizing his attack didn’t land, and added one last remark.

“Trying to wield a sword with money. You’ve completely fallen as a martial family.”

“But we’ve gained the wealth to move the world.”

Paeng Ja-ryeong, convinced by Moyong Gyeongdo’s confident words, accepted that he couldn’t win this argument.

“Alright. What’s this information you’re talking about?”

“You know two of the Eight Units aren’t in Luoyang, right?”

“The Wind Chasing Unit and the Flower Unit?”

“Right.”

“The Flower Unit was dispatched to the Ghost Gate Sealing Battle on North Mountain. What about the Wind Chasing Unit?”

Just as he was about to continue.

Clank.

The sound of the door opening signaled the arrival of the awaited individuals.

“We’ll talk more later.”

“Tch, should’ve talked faster. Got it.”

Moyong Gyeongdo had at least some sense of timing. Without it, he wouldn’t have been able to represent the Moyong Family in Luoyang.

And so, the alliance meeting began.

As expected by Paeng Ja-ryeong, Gakwon’s speech followed the anticipated lines.

The Ghost Gate, showing no signs of closing… the Imperial Family, increasingly tyrannical under Man Gwibi’s influence amidst repeated rebellions… the Unorthodox Martial World, waiting for any opportunity to strike….

But these words ultimately ended with nothing more than a call to remain vigilant and share a sense of crisis.

The Martial Alliance, despite its powerful status and martial strength, has its limits.

The Imperial Family? Risk being labeled as traitors?

The Unorthodox? Start another Jeongsa Great War?

The Ghost Gate?

This, they don’t know.

“We learned from the Beijing Turmoil that the Ghost Gate can be opened artificially.”

If there’s a way to open it, there must be a way to close it.

If the Ghost Gate can be summoned where it shouldn’t be, then it can also be prevented from appearing where it should.

Finally, the world has a clue about the Ghost Gate.

“We, separate from the Imperial Family, have been tracking Yi Ja-ryong. And… though it’s still speculation, we’ve identified a group associated with him.”

The air in the meeting hall heated up with Gakwon’s shocking declaration.

“So that was the Wind Chasing Unit’s mission.”

“Right.”

“The Wind Chasing Unit’s leader… Byeok-un, the Drifting Wind Guest, right? I heard his tracking skills are unparalleled. Truly living up to his reputation.”

Like Paeng Ja-ryeong and Moyong Gyeongdo, whispers could be heard throughout the hall.

The meeting was delayed, but the principle of disclosing everything publicly was upheld.

“However, at some point, contact with the Wind Chasing Unit was lost.”

Paeng Ja-ryeong muttered so softly that even Moyong Gyeongdo beside him couldn’t hear.

“No wonder the meeting felt faster than usual….”

Gakwon continued.

“We’ve confirmed that they are based in a Taoist temple and use techniques even the Mosan Sect’s Taoists are unaware of. And this is the scripture the Wind Chasing Unit obtained and delivered to the alliance.”

Gakwon opened a box he had brought with him and took out a book. It seemed recently made, with some creases and tears but no signs of aging.

And on the cover of the book were two characters.

翻世.

Overturning the world.

“We propose to call this group the Beonse Sect.”

§

The alliance meeting didn’t end in a single morning.

After the shocking speech by Gakwon and the lengthy meeting that followed, the participants dispersed, promising to reconvene the next day.

But Paeng Ja-ryeong’s schedule didn’t end even after returning to the estate.

Moyong Gyeongdo had followed him all the way back.

“Huh? Help me out. How much help can we really offer, huh?”

“What’s the Moyong Merchant Group doing?”

“Ah, we’re busy~ The king of Joseon changed recently, and he’s quite capable.”

“Didn’t the king of Joseon change a while ago?”

“During the regency period, even if he’s king, he’s not really king.”

“So?”

“Anyway, this Joseon king really likes trade. Thanks to that, our Moyong Family, connecting Joseon and Ming, is thriving. Just one trip to Liaodong, huh? Roads appear out of nowhere, and villages spring up in what used to be wastelands. Even Hebei can’t compare.”

With Joseon’s policy encouraging trade, the Moyong Family, leading the triangular trade between Joseon, the north, and Ming, was experiencing its golden age.

Originally, the Moyong Family was said to control half the world’s wealth, and this event would likely push them further down the path of prioritizing commerce over martial arts.

But the Moyong Family’s inability to focus solely on the Central Plains wasn’t just a matter of indifference. There was a serious reason.

“And….”

Moyong Gyeongdo’s sly smile disappeared, and his eyes deepened as if staring into an abyss.

This was the true face of Moyong Gyeongdo, who, despite not valuing martial arts and having weak personal martial prowess, had reached a profound level in the way of commerce.

Paeng Ja-ryeong also adjusted his attitude, preparing to listen carefully.

“The atmosphere here isn’t all good either. The Joseon king, I said he’s capable, right? Throughout history, capable rulers have always desired one thing.”

“Territorial expansion. Are they preparing for war in Joseon?”

“Probably. A storm of blood might blow through the east.”

“If that happens, the Imperial Family will lose almost all its power to interfere in the martial world.”

“Right. It’s only been ten years since they subjugated the Jianzhou Jurchens and executed their leader, Yi Manju. That guy, even if not among the Three Extremes, was someone who could rival the Twelve Honored Ones. And they completely crushed the Jurchens he led.”

“I know. They stirred up Liaodong so much that the Moyong Family tried to join forces with the Imperial Family to suppress them, but failed.”

“Sigh… That was when the rebellion in Unyang happened.”

Originally, they planned a joint operation with Joseon, but when Ming didn’t respond properly, Joseon acted alone, subjugating Yi Manju and leaving a message saying, “Since Ming didn’t come, Joseon will subjugate first.” This incident is still occasionally mentioned.

“The Imperial Family has no choice but to focus its strength on the east. If Joseon’s power is the same as ten years ago, it’s a real threat.”

“The Commander of the Imperial Guards died, so Shinchang will move.”

“Most likely. Then the Martial Governor will move to the capital to fill the void in Beijing.”

“A power vacuum in the martial world….”

Paeng Ja-ryeong cautiously envisioned the future.

The Imperial Family has two cards left. Of course, they have a hidden card, but let’s assume they’re saving it.

The head of the Shinchang Yang Family and the Martial Governor—the Imperial Family will use one hand to block the east and the other to protect itself.

That leaves no hands free.

Even if another great martial conflict like the Unmong Great War breaks out, it would be impossible to forcefully end it as they did before.

Powerless authority is meaningless.

If the Yang Family head and the Martial Governor can’t move, who would fear the Imperial Family enough to give up the gold in front of them?

Paeng Ja-ryeong closed his eyes.

What he saw was the end of a brief peace and the image of martial artists scattering blood as they wielded their swords in a raging fire.

“…The beginning of a turbulent era.”

“At least in the martial world, that’s likely.”