Chapter 68- There is no regret, there is no regret (1)
Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to tour Sichuan. Since it was the funeral of the Sichuan Tanga family, which had the greatest power in Sichuan, its influence could not help but affect Sichuan.
Of course, one could brazenly ignore it, but since they were in an alliance with the Sichuan Tanga family, there was no need to create unnecessary trouble, so they had no choice but to return to Hanam.
Although that point was regrettable, there was definitely something to gain. Particularly, the biggest gain was none other than receiving a proper promise of cooperation from the head of the Sichuan Tanga family.
This is true even in modern times, the fact that they changed their words was especially worse in ancient times. Especially in China, where the face is considered important, they would verbally promise to give you their liver and gallbladder, but at crucial moments, they would suddenly change their attitude.
Therefore, for important transactions, it was common to leave a certificate or entrust truly important collateral. And even amid all this, leaders of powerful families like the family head or executives would be as sparing as possible with their words. Because the moment even one word is misspoken, the direction of that force could greatly change.
In other words, an alliance cannot be formed with just a few words of help. However, even considering that, the new head of the Sichuan Tanga family promised full support and cooperation.
“Does that mean we must join hands with the Unorthodox Sect?”
“What is there to quibble about in the current situation?”
“That’s not wrong. Compared to those villains who casually use the souls and corpses of the dead, the evil deeds of the Unorthodox Sect are rather like child’s play.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
The Righteous Sect and the Unorthodox Sect have a relationship as close to oil and water. If the Righteous Sect established its foundation based on Taoism and Buddhism, the Unorthodox Sect’s foundation literally consists of the miscellaneous people from the marketplace.
From the beginning, thieves like the Yangtze River Bandits proudly claim themselves as part of the Unorthodox Sect. It can be said that cases where the Righteous Sect and the Unorthodox Sect sit together amicably are rare.
But this is merely rare, and by no means impossible. In fact, when calamities befell the martial arts world, there were indeed cases where the Righteous Sect and the Unorthodox Sect cooperated.
Moreover, didn’t Dang Baek-ha, the head of the Sichuan Tanga family, have his father Dang Baek-seo’s corpse toyed with? Throughout history, east and west, corpse desecration is a terribly humiliating insult.
Especially if it’s the corpse of the parents who gave birth to you. And in a Confucian society where filial piety is particularly valued, to have one’s parent’s corpse directly toyed with?
“Very well, I will do whatever it takes to catch those bastards.”
Naturally, from a child’s perspective, it’s normal to burn with hatred and anger above all else. Furthermore, since Dang Baek-seo was a martial artist deeply respected by the people of the Sichuan Tanga family.
“Even so, being a member of a renowned Righteous Sect, isn’t it somewhat inappropriate to join hands with the likes of the Unorthodox Sect?”
“The Murong family is also joining, so what’s there to worry about? And having suffered such an insult, it would be even more shameful to just let it pass.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying! Using the revered Former Family Head’s corpse for their vicious schemes is a tremendous insult!”
“Oh, I see. I made a slip of the tongue.”
Even within the Sichuan Tanga family, there were quite a few who did not view joining hands with the Unorthodox Sect favorably. However, the absolute majority of members wanted to finish off the Evil sect first, whether it was with the Unorthodox sect or whatever.
Thanks to this, such an alliance became possible. From Mu-myung’s perspective, it could truly be called a blessing in disguise. Anyway, the power of the Sichuan Tanga family would certainly be helpful.
Mu-myung didn’t know exactly, but Mu-wol of Sadoryeon had already heard the news and quietly made contact with the Sichuan Tanga family again. And as a result, an alliance centered around the Sadoryeon was born.
Who could have expected that? Two of the Five Great Families and the Four Islands forming an alliance! But as they say, there are no eternal secrets in this world, and rumors began to circulate discreetly.
Rumors that the Righteous Sect and the Unorthodox Sect were joining hands. Naturally, from the Righteous Sect’s perspective, this was an absurd rumor. This was because it could shake the very foundation of the Righteous Sect.
No, precisely, it was because it could shake the authority of the Namgung family, the leader of the Righteous Sect Martial Arts Alliance. The Namgung family thought to resolve the current situation by borrowing the power of the Nine Schools.
Nine Schools and One Chamber.
A name that refers to the fundamentals and a room that the Righteous Sect, which is based on the teachings of Taoism and Buddhism, absolutely cannot leave out, and is literally a symbol of the Righteous Sect.
In the past, they exerted far stronger influence than even the Five Great Families, and even now, the Nine Schools and One Chamber, which still hold considerable influence in the Righteous Martial Alliance, finally began to move slowly.
â—‡
Meanwhile, from Mu-myung’s perspective, there was much to prepare. He thinks a fight with the Evil Sect is a matter of time. Of course, they won’t suddenly fight after just a few months…
Within a few years at the latest, they will clash with the Evil Sect. And judging from the information collected so far, the current strength of the Evil Sect is stronger than the combined forces of the Righteous Sect and the Unorthodox Sect.
Of course, there’s some basis for this. Although the Evil Sect was once driven to the brink of extinction by the Sword Demon, that happened a full 25 years ago. Naturally, they would have recovered to some extent.
Moreover, they didn’t just stop at healing their own wounds. While recovering those wounds, they simultaneously worked to undermine the strength of both the Righteous Sect and the Unorthodox Sect without discrimination.
That is, it’s no different from taking resources from the martial arts world to treat their own wounds. And they did this through the connections of the Namgung family no less. From the Namgung family’s perspective, this wouldn’t be bad either.
They could easily eliminate competitors without dirtying their own hands. And incidentally, they could use the corpses or evidence all through the Evil Sect, they must have thought.
‘It was no different than a garbage dump for the martial arts world. Meanwhile, the Evil Sect steadily expanded using the garbage discarded by the Namgung family.’
Obviously, the Namgung family wouldn’t have been pushovers from the beginning. No matter how rotten it was, there’s no way the Namgung family, which serves as the leader of the Righteous Sect Martial Arts Alliance, would be so easy to deal with.
However, the Namgung family chose their own power over principles or order. For this, they kept the Evil Sect alive and dealt with those who opposed their will through the Dark Sword.
“Surely there were well-intentioned individuals who sought to check or prevent the Namgung family’s rampage. Even if not for that reason, there must have been those who refused to join hands with rootless individuals like the Evil Sect.”
In the end, it could be said that the Namgung family brought this upon themselves. As a result of neglecting what they thought to be a useful tool they could control, the Evil Sect was revived after 25 years.
Conversely, the Namgung family’s influence has significantly weakened compared to the past due to conflicts with the Sichuan Tanga family and various incidents occurring within the Righteous Sect. In other words, they are checking each other.
The gradually cornered Namgung family will eventually join hands with the Evil Sect again to eliminate those who interfere with them, which will greatly weaken the martial arts world’s strength.
Mu-myung, who had been lost in thought at his desk, could finally clearly understand what the Evil Sect was aiming for. They were taking advantage of this situation where others were fighting amongst themselves to reap the benefits.
Although it’s a very classic method, there’s no better way to gain a tremendous advantage when properly utilized. After all, it’s no different from clearing enemies using others’ hands.
“This is not going to work out.”
“You called for us, Master?”
“Master! We’re here!”
“Did you cough, Master?”
“Yes, everyone is here.”
For this purpose, Mu-myung unusually summoned all his disciples early in the morning. Not only Sua and Seolhwa but also Namgung-yeon and Ma Kang, who had now fully settled in, were present.
“Is everyone here?”
“Yes, Master.”
“The reason I called you is simple. You all know that a fight with the Evil Sect is not far off, right?”
“……”
At Mu-myung’s words, all the disciples nodded heavily with tense expressions. Not to mention Sua, whose family had been ravaged by the Evil Sect, even the disciples who joined late.
They had clearly witnessed the atrocities committed by the Evil Sect with their own eyes. No, even if they could give in until then. The vicious scheme using corpses shown by the Sichuan Tanga family crossed the line.
Using the Former Family Head’s corpse to make blood relatives fight each other, even in the martial arts world where slaughter is rampant, such a horrific scheme could never be tolerated.
And currently, Mu-myung is recognized by the world as the Sword Demon who had already driven the Evil Sect to the brink of extinction in the past. Of course, the martial arts world is still unaware of the Evil Sect’s existence.
“Yes, I think it is my mission.”
“After all, they’re the bad guys who made me like this, right?”
“…But why are you suddenly asking that?”
Yeon, who among the disciples had the deepest knowledge about the martial arts world and could be considered the most normal, raised his hand. His expression continued to show anxiety without reserve.
“We cannot afford to leisurely build our strength slowly when we don’t know when an all-out war with the Evil Sect will break out.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
Mu-myung answered with a grin.
“It’s a hell of a training.”
