29 – 02# Ground Hardened After the Rain – 12

The Crooked Sect’s moonlit banquet held a surprising air of decorum. Warriors exchanged pleasantries and drank, some even sparring outside.

For Wu-Myung, who knew the Crooked Sect only through the lens of martial arts novels, it was a rather unexpected scene. Certainly not as clean and orderly as this.

Especially the fact that the Vice Lord of the Evil Lotus stood beside him, pouring him wine…how could he possibly grow accustomed to it? It was overwhelmingly burdensome.

“How do you find the drink I’ve prepared?”

“Not bad. The name of this wine is…?”

“*Nü Er Hong*,” she said. “My father buried it when I was five.”

Upon hearing the name, Wu-Myung nearly spat out his drink. If his memory served, *Nü Er Hong* was the wine brought out to celebrate a daughter’s wedding.

“Is it truly alright to bring out such precious wine for an occasion such as this?”

“Perhaps he already knew the outcome. You understand? My father’s feelings when he buried the *Nü Er Hong* when I was a mere five years old…”

“Your Master anticipated the possibility of not returning, then.”

“Indeed. In truth, Father promised to brew an even better wine and bury it, should he return.”

He had always thought wine aged for so long would taste stale. Yet, for wine aged for thirty years, its fragrance and flavor were undeniably pleasing. He finished the cup in a single gulp.

“Shall we cease this cautious probing?”

“You’re more perceptive than I anticipated.”

“What is it that you desire?”

“Before that, what are the Grand Knight’s thoughts on the martial world?”

“It is a precarious situation, like a flickering lamp in the wind.”

Wu-Myung spoke his honest sentiments without a moment’s hesitation. He knew not about other places, but even the Mo-Yong clan knew nothing of the Demonic Sect. Other clans and martial families must be in a similar predicament.

In comparison, the Demonic Sect hid in the shadows of both the Orthodox and Crooked Sects, operating brazenly. It was a dire situation where one could have their nose cut off right before their eyes, and no one would even notice.

“Even as those Demonic Sect b*stards operate brazenly in the shadows, no one seems to know of their existence.”

“You know far more than I imagined.”

“I have already clashed with them directly. The head of the Mo-Yong Clan is in league with the Demonic Sect.”

“The Mo-Yong Clan? Are you referring to the Mo-Yong Clan, one of the Five Great Clans?”

“I am.”

Caught completely off guard, Moo-Wol’s eyes widened like saucers. She already knew they were operating within the Crooked Sect, but to think their reach extended to the Orthodox Sect…

She could at least comprehend if it were some insignificant sect. But it was the Mo-Yong Clan, holding a place as one of the Five Great Clans. Even Moo-Wol couldn’t help but be taken aback.

“To reveal such information so casually…I know not whether to call it magnanimous or foolish.”

“I, too, was rescued by my Master. Consider it my way of repaying that debt, by unreservedly cooperating with you, his kin.”

“…Is that so.”

Moo-Wol couldn’t help but be impressed by Wu-Myung’s answer, which held not even a tremor of hesitation. Before rising to the position of Vice Lord, she had to fight countless petty individuals.

For her, who had lived a life where betrayal and conspiracy were as intimate as close friends, the concept of repaying kindness was utterly foreign. Especially when it wasn’t a kindness she had bestowed herself.

And now, as she sat upon the seat of the Scarlet Lord, the confusion of not knowing who was friend and who was foe only deepened. It made the idea of Nameless repaying her father’s kindness all the more extraordinary.

*‘Does he have that much confidence in his skill? Though, Father chose him as one of the warriors to stand against the Demonic Sect… his prowess must be something to behold.’*

“First, I must make direct contact with the Murong Clan. Thanks to you, I have a rough idea of what I should do going forward.”

“If I have been of assistance, I am glad.”

“What are your plans, esteemed warrior?”

“Well…”

To Moonlight’s question, Nameless’s words drifted like mist. Truthfully, he had no concrete plan. His goal was certain, but the problem lay in not knowing which direction to take.

He couldn’t exactly burn every house in search of the Demonic Sect. But alas, he had too little information to chart a precise course.

“Then I suggest you relocate your base of operations first.”

“What do you mean?”

“You have already become quite exposed to them. Even I knew of the Murong Clan’s arrival at Goldpeak Mountain long ago.”

“Does that mean I could be attacked by the Demonic Sect?”

“Of course, I do not doubt your skill… but do you not have something to protect?”

Nameless couldn’t argue with Moonlight’s words. Hadn’t the Black History Gate targeted vulnerable Seolhwa and Sua first? He couldn’t expect honor from the Demonic Sect.

“But I have nowhere suitable to go.”

“A warrior with exceptional skill and character is welcomed wherever he goes.”

“I’m not traveling alone now. I want a place that will not negatively impact the children, at least.”

“Hmm, then how about the Righteous Sect’s Seonmu Academy?”

“That might not be a bad idea.”

Nameless didn’t know exactly what the Seonmu Academy was, but if it was an academy run by the Righteous Sect, then the safety of its students would be guaranteed, at least.

And if he was lucky, he could gain martial arts that would benefit not only the children but himself as well. He nodded, finding it agreeable, and Moonlight passed something to him.

It was none other than a recommendation letter stamped with the Scarlet Lord’s seal. Moonlight couldn’t help but smile as she watched Nameless, puzzled as to why she was suddenly handing it to him.

“The Seonmu Academy is an educational institution founded to promote harmony between the righteous and demonic sects. Of course, both can enroll, but… only students with verified identities can enter the academy.”

“…I see. You’re giving me this recommendation letter because of Seolhwa.”

“Indeed. As the Scarlet Lord, if I personally guarantee her, who would dare raise an objection?”

“Thank you.”

Considering Seolhwa’s background, this recommendation letter would certainly be helpful. Nameless readily expressed his gratitude to Moonlight, who merely smiled.

“Scarlet Lord, it is late. Perhaps it is time to conclude the banquet…”

“Has the time flown by so quickly? Alas, it seems this is the end for today.”

“A rather fruitful time, indeed. Lianju’s proposition… I shall contemplate it deeply.”

“The pleasure was entirely mine, I assure you.”

That was no empty platitude. For Muwol, dedicating every ounce of strength to oppose the Demonic Sect, the prospect of potential new allies was undeniably enticing.

Of course, he couldn’t naively trust the Nameless One’s words outright. But it was at least worth exploring. With that decided, Muwol retrieved a box and offered it to the Nameless One.

The Nameless One tilted his head, opening the box. Inside was a bottle of liquor, resembling the Maiden’s Blush that Muwol had brought out to offer him earlier.

“I brewed this myself, hoping perhaps to encounter my father. Since that’s no longer needed, I offer it to you, Great Hero.”

“The same brew as your Master’s Maiden’s Blush?”

“Brewed using the same method. I thought you, in particular, might have need of Maiden’s Blush.”

“He isn’t wrong.”

For Seolhwa, his only remaining family, this liquor would indeed be necessary, he thought. The Nameless One accepted Muwol’s parting gift without protest.

As Muwol and the Righteous Path warriors departed, leaving the Nameless One alone with the bottle, he sensed a familiar presence nearby and raised his head.

As expected, Sua and Seolhwa stood together there. The adults’ gathering must have bored the children considerably, for he’d seen them slip away to the stream earlier.

“Well, now.”

He was just about to tell them it was all over when Seolhwa suddenly scampered toward him, like a chick, and threw her arms around him. Unconsciously, the Nameless One caught her and said,

“Did you see something frightening?”

“Master! I like Master very much.”

“I like Seolhwa too.”

“Then when I grow up, marry me!”

“What? Hah!”

Completely unprepared for such a sweet assault, the Nameless One burst into laughter. Was this the feeling of a father with a belated daughter? He was beginning to understand.

Seolhwa was fifteen years old, hardly a young child, one might think. But the problem was that Seolhwa hadn’t learned and grown like ordinary children, leaving her emotional age quite young.

‘No wonder. Locked away in darkness for ten years… That would mean Seolhwa is closer to five years old, in practical terms. And they’re all like that at that age.’

“Master!!”

“Alright, alright. When you grow up, then we’ll get married.”

“You promised, definitely!!”

“Of course.”

“M-Master! Then I, too, will pledge myself for marriage…!!”

Sua’s sudden interjection made it impossible for the Nameless One to hold back his laughter. These youngsters, how would they ever manage when they reached the age to marry good partners?

“Then let us commemorate this day by burying this Maiden’s Blush together.”

Someday, after a long passage of time, when they unearth this liquor and drink it together, they could relive for a moment the memory of this audacious, perhaps somewhat impulsive, conversation and share a joyful time.

But the liquor I drink this day… it carries a hint of bitterness, I fear.