“What do you plan to do now?”
Although we have overcome Im Ha-yeon’s crisis, the civil war between the Hao Sect still rages outside.
After a dramatic agreement with my father-in-law, I began to discuss our future plans.
“… To be honest, I want to disappear with my daughter just like this.”
Brother Wang replied, sitting beside the bed with a sorrowful expression, gazing at his unconscious daughter.
“Brother Wang.”
“I know. If I did that, all the efforts you and your daughter have put in would be in vain. It’s just… I lament that our ten-year reunion has turned out like this.”
“I understand. I’ve brought it up a few times when Ha-yeon was in danger, but she always refused.”
“Exactly. If we run away now, what would be different from before? And…”
Brother Wang slowly nodded his head, looking at me with a faint smile.
“…?”
“Do you think this child would leave you behind?”
“Haha… That reason does weigh heavily.”
I nodded with a sheepish smile.
“It’s annoying that you don’t deny it, but it’s frustrating because there’s no way to solve it.”
Brother Wang chuckled lightly, brushing himself off as he stood up.
“Hahaha.”
“Yes. If we disappear now, who knows where that madman might run amok, and the subordinates outside would be pitiful. Honestly, I want to settle the affairs of the past ten years. And…”
Brother Wang frowned as he gazed out the window.
“Is there something more you desire?”
“I want to get my daughter the antidote.”
“That’s too dangerous.”
I responded immediately with a serious face.
It isn’t absolutely necessary to obtain the antidote. Even if Im Ha-yeon suffers for a few years, she can be treated with another medicine. There’s no need to take unnecessary risks.
Moreover, I confirmed that the power of the Reverse Heaven’s Decree works like the last time with Hwa-rin. It’s better to stop the Shadowless Thief activities, let her recover, and help me occasionally with my work.
I conveyed my opinion, but Brother Wang only shook his head.
“What father wouldn’t feel anything while watching his daughter suffer? I’ve given her nothing for her whole life, how could any father be happy knowing she has suffered for years because of me?”
“Brother Wang.”
“Hmm?”
When I called him, Brother Wang, who showed no sign of turning toward the others, finally looked at me.
“Are you really determined to get the antidote?”
“Does it seem foolish for a stupid father to risk his life for his daughter?”
The eyes of a father burned with fury. A father who couldn’t even greet his daughter, whom he hadn’t seen in ten years, had his lips firmly shut in sadness.
Could I stop him?
No. What I need to say to my father-in-law isn’t to dissuade him.
“Stupid son-in-law would like to lend a hand as well.”
Brother Wang looked at me with surprise in his eyes.
Traditionally, isn’t a son-in-law supposed to side with his father-in-law? Although I didn’t show it, my heart burned with anger just like his.
“Do you have a good idea?”
I nodded and scanned the surroundings.
There’s still time. Although the dark waters in the sky were gradually receding, the sun had not yet risen.
“Yes. For that, I need everyone’s help.”
Using my rage as fuel, I began to outline the plan I had thought of.
————–
“A familiar face has arrived.”
As daybreak came, I secretly found the location where the sect leaders gathered with my father-in-law.
“It’s been a while. Master of Arcane Fragrance. It seems like I’m the only one aging.”
Brother Wang, upon seeing Master of Arcane Fragrance, looked momentarily startled, then chuckled and greeted her.
Indeed, it’s quite strange. Even the youngest Si-mun Hyang-ju looks to be in his late forties, while Master of Arcane Fragrance looks barely in her late twenties.
“Shadowless Thief? Or should I say former? Here I thought I’d never see this face again. I guess living long is helpful.”
“It’s been a while, Si-mun Hyang-ju.”
Si-mun Hyang-ju also warmly welcomed us.
“Child, the face I should see isn’t here. Can you tell me what’s happened?”
Master of Arcane Fragrance observed Brother Wang having brief conversations with the other leaders before glancing at the empty seat beside me with a worried expression.
“Master of Arcane Fragrance, that is…”
I explained the events of last night to all the sect leaders.
“You used poison? Even though I was aware that the new Tu Sect master had appeared? That madman has really gone too far!”
“That madman has asked to meet tonight.”
Brother Wang replied with a bitter expression.
“Tonight?”
“I heard that the damage to the Gi-mun is severe. Can you offer your strength?”
“I’ve kept some strength reserved to smash that thickskull.”
The pipe Master of Arcane Fragrance held trembled with fury.
“The Ma Sect successfully caused damage to the Do Sect during the raid last night. The issue is that we also suffered considerable losses.”
“Our Si-mun has managed to conserve some strength due to the siege, but how many among us still can wield a proper sword during a crisis? Power-wise, we’re likely on par with the current Ma Sect or Gi-mun.”
“The Tu Sect can only make use of the subordinates that were able to eliminate the poison.”
“It’s quite a challenging situation.”
The Do Sect alone has taken over 60% of the Hubei Province. Considering the individual assaults, the damage must have been significant, making it insufficient, even if we join forces.
“That madman has prepared for over ten years. Originally, the Do Sect alone could have dealt with the rest easily.”
Si-mun Hyang-ju shrugged.
“Originally, you say?”
“Originally” means not now. Might there be some good news after all?
I looked at Si-mun Hyang-ju with surprised eyes, while the other sect leaders similarly smiled faintly in my direction.
What’s going on?
Si-mun Hyang-ju broke into a smile as he spoke.
“All the masters gathered here have failed to accomplish what our lucky little one has.”
Si-mun Hyang-ju came closer and patted my shoulder.
Ah, I see. You mean the fact that I trapped the Do Sect’s warriors in a formation and wiped them out. A considerable number entered and perished in an instant, so indeed, the damage must have been significant.
“It was merely luck. If it weren’t for your hard work, how would I have drawn the Do Sect into a trap?”
“Don’t be so modest. Thanks to you, the Do Sect’s main forces suffered great damage. The overall strength is manageable.”
“The issue is that, regardless, we still face the Yang-pae structure. Even if someone wins, the power of the Hao Sect in Hubei Province will elude us.”
“Indeed. After barely crawling up from between the orthodox factions, it looks like it’s all going to end in my generation.”
Si-mun Hyang-ju exaggeratedly sighed and nodded in agreement with Ma-mun Hyang-ju’s words.
“Those orthodox factions will surely rejoice. One of the factions trying to build power in the North just vanished.”
Master of Arcane Fragrance took a deep drag on her pipe and muttered, almost in lament.
“All four of you masters are gathered here. If you formally declare that you do not support the Do Sect, won’t the forces fall apart?”
The original plan was to make Im Ha-yeon the Tu Sect master before the civil war broke out to end the situation.
Could we still do it now? I asked Si-mun Hyang-ju.
“In the end, it would fall apart. If we hadn’t had a civil war, it could have been settled easily. But now that a civil war has begun, time is the issue.”
“Time, you say?”
“Within a civil war, with poison directed at the leader? They’ve crossed the line by far. We must also consider where the rage of such a madman may lead.”
Master of Arcane Fragrance gazed at the smoke from her pipe swirling into the air.
The smoke gradually diffused into the air, leaving a thick odor behind, reminiscent of the Do Sect.
“A gambler who loses everything in a game has only two choices. To draw his blade and kill or to be killed.”
“Unfortunately, that blade is aimed at us.”
“If a civil war erupts, it would remain as a Yang-pae structure. Even if we hide to avoid a civil war, the Hao Sect will suffer immense losses in the meantime.”
“…”
Heavy silence settled among the sect leaders.
We’re trapped; we can’t do this nor that. Even if we want to resist, the power of the Do Sect is just too strong.
In a situation where the best outcome is a Yang-pae structure, there seems to be no sharp solution, and all maintained heavy silence, casting down their gazes. Everyone knows the outcome in advance, yet we’re stuck in a frustrating, sticky atmosphere without a solution.
Wouldn’t it be the perfect time to bring out what we’ve prepared?
“What if…”
When I spoke up, all eyes turned to me.
“Hmm?”
I added strength to my voice, ensuring I could carry conviction. After locking eyes with each leader, I opened my mouth.
“If I said there was a way to end all this, would you follow my plan wholeheartedly?”
There’s a way to win. I spoke with a confident expression.
Brother Wang, who had come to support me after hearing my story, nodded toward the leaders.
“The fact that this matter has reached this point is entirely due to your strategy. What would be so difficult about following again?”
Master of Arcane Fragrance stared at me intently, then smiled faintly before speaking.
“It seems Master of Arcane Fragrance is subtly trying to curry favor with the youngest. She doesn’t even realize that I found a rough gem and polished it.”
“How could I ever forget your grace, Si-mun Hyang-ju?”
“Do as you see fit. After all, the role of the upper heads is to trust those beneath them.”
“The Ma Sect won’t cover this up half-heartedly this time.”
“I trust you, and my daughter thinks of you as her other half. How could I doubt you?”
Receiving the trusting gazes of the sect leaders, I stood among them.
‘Finally, I’ve come this far.’
Over the last ten days, I’ve been thinking countless times for this moment.
What if my plans and our preparations bear fruit but the Do Sect master goes berserk?
What must I do to achieve the best outcome?
“Then let me tell you my plan.”
The pieces are set. Now it’s time to decide the outcome.
