43 – 04# Sweet words, dagger in the belly (2)*

Finally, the conference between the Righteous Martial Alliance and the Moyeong Clan was arranged. Apparently, choosing a location alone took over a month, so he didn’t even want to imagine how much psychological warfare went on.

However, strictly speaking, it was closer to a solo conference between the Namgung Clan and the Moyeong Clan rather than a conference of the Martial Alliance. As someone not directly involved, he couldn’t discern all the detailed circumstances accurately.

Namgung Yeon speculated that if the entire Righteous Martial Alliance attended, it would appear as if they were begging on their knees for them to come, losing face, so a solo conference was decided upon.

“Truly, they care about the most useless things.”

“More than anything, the Righteous Martial Alliance values face. However… I didn’t expect the Namgung Clan to directly welcome the Moyeong Clan.”

“Wasn’t the Namgung Clan the leader of the Righteous Martial Alliance?”

“That’s correct. I originally thought the Habuk Pang Clan or the Sacheon Dang Clan would step forward, but it seems something changed in their minds.”

That the Namgung Clan, the leader of the Righteous Martial Alliance and the head of the Five Great Clans, would personally step forward was enough of a face-saving gesture from the Moyeong Clan’s point of view, according to Namgung Yeon.

I know a thing or two about saving face. Especially in the orthodox sects, where reputation and principle often outweigh life itself – they’d rather die with dignity, or so they say.

Personally, I think face is worth minding to a degree, but wasn’t sure if it warranted such extremes. Still, I’d seen similar depictions enough in Wuxia novels that it wasn’t jarring.

“Though I didn’t expect things to blow up quite like this.”

“…I concur, Master.”

What I hadn’t anticipated, however, was that this whole ‘saving face’ business would somehow apply to *me.* And, more than that, to such an excessive degree.

I stared, flustered, at the unexpected guests who had arrived at my humble abode. Close to thirty of them, give or take. Not mere uninvited callers, mind you.

Supposedly, they were escorts, sent to help us on our journey to the Namgung and Moryong Clan summit. The original plan was a leisurely trip, seeing the sights with the kids.

[How could Grandmaster possibly venture to the summit without an escort?]

[I don’t see any real problem with that, do you?]

[How would you manage such a long journey with the children? If Grandmaster would allow it, we would be honored to personally escort you.]

But the Seonmu Academy was insistent, practically begging to escort us themselves. I figured it would save travel expenses, and we could use the guidance, so I entrusted it to them.

And this was the result.

I gaped, bewildered, at the palanquin and horses arranged before my gate. Naturally, the palanquin wasn’t for me, but for my disciples who couldn’t ride.

And the black-haired youth who had been directing the escorts and warriors since his arrival, spotted me, a wide smile blooming on his face, and bowed deeply.

“It is an honor to meet you, Grandmaster. I am Go Gyeom, tasked with escorting you and the young ladies to the summit.”

“A pleasure. I am known as Moomyung.”

“Go, Go Gyeom…? Surely not Go Gyeom, the Double Dragon Iron Thread, listed among the Hundred Greatest Experts?!”

Seems he was a rather well-known fellow.

Enough that Namgung Yeon, who was standing beside me, was practically bouncing with excitement. I cleared my throat, giving Namgung Yeon a subtle reprimand, then turned back to Go Gyeom.

“I appreciate the help. But isn’t this… rather a lot of manpower?”

“How could there possibly be any lack in personally serving the Seonmu Academy’s benefactor, Grandmaster? And, truthfully…”

“Hm?”

“…ominous rumors have been circulating, not only in Henan but elsewhere as well.”

Stealing a glance around, Go Gyeom lowered his voice, almost to a whisper. There had been unsettling events occurring in the Murim world as of late.

“Grandmasters affiliated with the Nine Great Sects have been ambushed and seriously injured by bandits and the like. Righteous martial artists have been mysteriously poisoned. There’s a growing sentiment that the world is unsafe.”

“So the Seonmu Academy sent this many people out of concern?”

“On the contrary, the Headmaster expressed his sincere apologies for not being able to provide more.”

“Ah, no. This is more than enough, thank you.”

The thought of even *more* escorts sent me recoiling. At any rate, I had heard something that couldn’t be ignored. The Demonic Sect must be behind these events.

“But even considering that, is all this really necessary?”

“That’s not the important part, Master.”

“What else is there?”

“Do you see those martial artists over there, wielding weapons?”

Namgoong Yeon turned his head in the direction indicated, and indeed, there they were. Martial artists radiating an extraordinary aura. Around five individuals, excluding Go Gyeom in front?

“They possess an aura that is far from ordinary. But what about them?”

“Would you believe me if I told you those five are all masters within the Hundred Best?”

“Now that’s quite a tale.”

The fact that all five were masters within the Hundred Best was secondary; Namgoong Yeon recognizing that at a glance was, frankly, even more impressive. Regardless, it was undoubtedly surprising.

“Black Tiger Greatsword, Gangae… Sea Cloud Sword, Baek Sanha as well… Each and every one of them is a renowned master from a righteous sect.”

“Thank you for recognizing us, young… hero.”

“I’ve heard of the name ‘Hundred Best’ masters. But why have six masters, including Go Gyeom, gathered in this place?”

“We are alumni of Seonmu Academy, where we honed our skills together. We gathered here today at the request of the Academy Director.”

So it’s you again, Paeng Hyeoncheol!!

◇

The meeting place was, surprisingly, not far from Hanam, taking place in Shandong. Shandong was right next to Hanam, so time wasn’t exactly a pressing issue.

Furthermore, the hospitality of Seonmu Academy only served to improve Sua’s mood. Considering her master’s abilities, she thought this was the bare minimum, and they should be receiving even more.

She didn’t particularly mind her master being treated well. The real reason for her dissatisfaction was her own inability to stand by his side as his attendant.

Quite unexpectedly, Sua couldn’t ride a horse. Or rather, she had never learned how to ride. This was because Moryong Gang only focused on transmitting martial arts and neglected everything else.

Of course, she was fortunate that her elder brother, Moryong Hyeon, or the Grand Elder of the Moryong Clan, Moryong Jin, directly taught her academics, but even they couldn’t teach her horsemanship.

As a result, Sua was unfortunately stuck riding in a palanquin with Seolhwa. So it was only natural that Sua’s expression was as wrinkled as a rotten tangerine.

“Is there anything that might be making you uncomfortable, young lady?”

“…No, I’m fine. Young Master Go Gyeom.”

What business is it of yours, anyway?

Sua nearly lost her composure and unleashed a proper outburst in that moment, but with superhuman patience, she barely managed to suppress her anger. As much as she wanted to act according to her temper…

‘They say a disciple is a mirror of their master. One wrong action of mine could bring shame upon Master.’

Thanks to that, Sua was forcibly wearing a smile and engaging in as normal a conversation as possible with this Go Gyeom or whatever his name was. Yes, for Sua, Go Gyeom was just that insignificant.

However, on the contrary, Go Gyeom continued to see a smile on Sua’s face, and seeing potential there, he began to approach even more actively. He had already heard the rumors.

Reaching the level of mastery at the tender age of sixteen.

The unprecedented genius of the Moryong Clan.

Of course, rumors are often exaggerated, but this time, Seonmu Academy itself had guaranteed it. At least in terms of reliability, it could be considered the best.

“On top of that, her family is exemplary, and after meeting her today, her beauty is peerless. As a prospective bride, she lacks absolutely nothing.”

For Go Gyeom, whose marriageable age was fast approaching, she was truly the perfect match. And more than anything, Go Gyeom himself possessed a certain confidence in his own appearance and abilities.

“Tch, a frog in a well, desperately trying to make a good impression.”

Just as he was becoming increasingly unbearable, Soo-ah received entirely unexpected information from Go Gyeom. He glanced around, making sure no one was listening, and quietly opened his mouth.

“Has the Lady perhaps heard of Ma Gang, the Black Tiger Greatsword?”

“I have heard the name.”

“Be wary of him. There are rumors that he consorts with suspicious individuals.”

“But isn’t Ma Gang So-hyeop a fellow disciple of Go Gyeom So-hyeop?”

Soo-ah, aghast at Go Gyeom’s effortless slander, delivered a pointed remark. After all, wasn’t he the one who brought the man along in the first place? Now he’s warning her to be careful?

“The truth is, I also considered removing his name from the list due to the rumors, but the Seonmu Academy strongly recommended him, so I had no choice…”

“Is that so?”

“In any case, there’s no harm in being cautious, wouldn’t you agree?”

Soo-ah narrowed her eyes at Go Gyeom’s words.

*Hmm, I think the person who needs to be careful might be someone else entirely.*