Chapter 90

Jongni Cheong (2)

The office was in complete disarray.

Documents were still fluttering through the air, yet despite that, the atmosphere had settled.

"As for the matter of Namgung Sang-hyeok, you may come find me anytime in the future."

With just that one sentence, Cheon Muyang brushed aside Jongni Cheong's anger.

Jongni Cheong replied with an expression of disbelief.

"Should I call you remarkable, or foolish? How can you be so brazen after cutting down the blood of the Namgung clan?"

Jongni Cheong was an extremely cold individual—but he was also the Namgung clan's chief steward.

He bore the duty of protecting the life of the successor.

Thus, no matter the issue—

this was one matter he could never yield on.

However, for Cheon Muyang, this was no different.

"That man joined hands with the Demonic Cult."

Chill!

A ghostly killing intent bloomed from Cheon Muyang.

"Under no circumstances can joining hands with the Demonic Cult be tolerated."

"...."

"Even if the same situation arose again, I would cut down Namgung Sang-hyeok all the same."

Boom!

Cheon Muyang did not compromise.

Once the Demonic Cult was involved, there was no room for compromise.

"Even if it were not Namgung Sang-hyeok, but a blood relative of the Cheon clan, my resolve would not change."

There were no exceptions.

Anyone who joined hands with the Demonic Cult had to pay the price.

"That is my will."

"...."

Jongni Cheong, Namgung Pil, and Namgung Gwan all read sincerity in Cheon Muyang's eyes.

"Hm…."

Many in the world spoke of chivalry.

Yet among those who preached chivalry, few truly pursued it.

They spoke of chivalry without knowing what it was.

But Cheon Muyang was different.

He had never once spoken of chivalry—yet chivalry could be felt.

"Is that your chivalry?"

"Chivalry…."

Cheon Muyang smiled.

"You may call it chivalry."

"...."

"Call it whatever you wish—but you would do well to remember this. I intend to impose my will upon the entire Central Plains martial world. The Namgung clan will not be an exception."

"What?"

The three of them shuddered as they grasped the meaning behind those words.

To impose one's will upon the Central Plains martial world was no simple matter.

"For what purpose?"

"Expelling demons."

"...."

The three were seized by emotions they could not put into words.

And they realized just how vast Cheon Muyang's caliber truly was.

'A man large enough to encompass the Central Plains martial world.'

What was the head of the Cheon clan, really?

Cheon Muyang would one day stand at the center of the Central Plains martial world.

"I see…."

They had no choice but to acknowledge it.

They too could feel, deep in their bones, that the threat of the Demonic Cult was already at their throats.

"You mean to unite the Central Plains martial world?"

"Something like that."

"Does Namgung Seohee know as well?"

"More or less."

"...."

"Do not underestimate her. She is already a swordsman who possesses her own sword. No one in the Namgung clan can confidently claim they would defeat her."

Twitch.

Namgung Pil's and Namgung Gwan's brows twitched.

That was not something they could dismiss lightly.

"Well, once she rises, you'll see whether my words are true or not."

"So then, what is it that you want?"

Jongni Cheong asked.

Cheon Muyang answered as though he had been waiting for it.

"An alliance."

"...!"

"A solid alliance, if possible."

"Excellent."

Jongni Cheong's attitude changed.

At some point, Cheon Muyang no longer looked like the mortal enemy who had killed Namgung Sang-hyeok.

'The Central Plains martial world will be reorganized around the Cheon clan—no, around Cheon Muyang.'

He was certain of it.

Cheon Muyang and the Cheon clan would stand tall at the center of the Central Plains martial world.

'And beside them must stand the Namgung clan.'

Someday, the Demonic Cult would rise.

When that day came, Cheon Muyang—raising the banner of expelling demons—would undoubtedly become the hero of the orthodox martial world.

"I'm glad our interests align."

"If you see it that way."

Slide.

Cheon Muyang extended his hand.

Jongni Cheong clasped it.

At that moment, enemies became allies.

"However, I will not interfere. That will be Seohee's role."

"Ah, very well. As long as you don't interfere, we'll handle things ourselves."

Cheon Muyang had only one goal.

To remove the obstacles standing in the way of Namgung Seohee becoming clan head.

"Then, it seems our business is concluded… I will take my leave."

Cheon Muyang turned to depart.

At that, Jongni Cheong spoke.

"As an ally, allow me to offer one piece of advice."

"...."

"Do not touch Zhuge Hyeon."

It was an unexpected statement.

Cheon Muyang's eyes gleamed.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Have you never found it strange how rapidly the Zhuge clan has grown?"

The Zhuge clan.

Like the Cheon clan, it had always been a prestigious orthodox family belonging to the Ten Great Clans.

"Hm…."

Yet over the past ten years, the Zhuge clan had experienced explosive growth.

Thus, unlike the Cheon clan—which had stagnated during that same period—the Zhuge clan was now counted not among the Ten Great Clans, but among the Five Great Clans.

"You believe they have ties to the Demonic Cult?"

"That is what I believe."

For that reason, Jongni Cheong had never fully trusted Zhuge Hyeon's information.

Had he trusted it completely, the swords of the Chang-gung Mu-ae Corps—who had ambushed the Heavenly Slaughter Demon Venerable—would have been turned on Cheon Muyang long ago.

"So do not act rashly. If you wish to raise the banner of expelling demons, do not commit the mistake of striking the grass and startling the snake."

"...."

Cheon Muyang nodded.

From a rational standpoint, Jongni Cheong's judgment was sound.

"They likely already know about me. There's no need to avoid them."

However, Cheon Muyang had no intention of doing so.

"I intend to meet him directly."

Jongni Cheong nodded, as though he had expected that answer.

"I thought you might say that."

"Then I'll be on my way."

Cheon Muyang left.

Nang-wang followed behind him.

The three men remaining in the wrecked office faced one another.

"...."

In the quiet silence,

Namgung Gwan quietly addressed Jongni Cheong.

"Chief Steward."

"There was no other choice."

Jongni Cheong spoke with a self-mocking tone, as if he had given something up.

"Cheon Muyang, was it? I believed that standing beside that boy was the Namgung clan's path to survival."

Jongni Cheong knew the fundamental reason the Namgung clan was able to enjoy its current prosperity.

It was because they were a prestigious orthodox clan.

Because they had held the hearts of the people for so many years, the Namgung clan could continue to exist as the Namgung clan.

"So long as they do not join hands with the Demonic Cult."

"...."

Even if they were to join hands with the Demonic Cult—

even if a demonic world were to be established—

the Namgung clan would no longer be the Namgung clan it was now.

Because the Namgung clan was a prestigious orthodox clan.

"You made the right choice."

"The chief steward's judgment is correct."

The other two agreed as well.

How could the Namgung clan ever join hands with the Demonic Cult?

"It's impossible."

There was no room for compromise.

That was the Namgung clan.

"What remains is Namgung Seohee."

Jongni Cheong clicked his tongue.

He couldn't help but wonder whether Namgung Seohee—who had always seemed so fragile—could truly become clan head.

"She'll do well."

"...."

A strange silence followed.

Suddenly, Namgung Gwan spoke to Jongni Cheong.

"You could have at least given me a hint."

"There was no helping it."

Jongni Cheong smiled faintly.

"After all, Great Lord, you've never had much interest in this kind of political maneuvering."

"Namgung Seohee's life was at stake."

"If she can't survive even this much… then she has no right to become clan head."

Jongni Cheong continued smiling.

Yet within that smile was an unquestionable loyalty toward the Namgung clan.

"In other words, Miss Namgung Seohee does indeed have the qualifications to become clan head."

Jongni Cheong.

It seemed he had made up his mind.

Namgung Gwan and Namgung Pil merely nodded quietly in response.

***

Nang-wang asked,

"What are you going to do?"

"Exactly what I said. I'll meet the Zhuge clan's guest as the Cheon clan's eldest young master."

Cheon Muyang shrugged.

As if to say there was nothing strange about that.

"Hm…."

Nang-wang looked somewhat uneasy.

"If you really don't like it, I can go alone."

"No. Let's go together. There's something I want to check as well."

"What is it?"

"You'll find out when we get there."

Nang-wang and Cheon Muyang strolled through the Namgung estate as if it were their own home.

By chance, they passed the training grounds, where they saw three people crossing swords with the Namgung clan's martial artists.

The close exchanges continued, yet the three maintained the upper hand throughout—it seemed their long efforts were finally bearing fruit.

"They're doing well."

"No matter how strong the Namgung clan is, I trained them personally. Of course they are."

Neung Ryeo-un, Cha Myeong-hak, and Wol-yeong continued to make dazzling progress.

Now, even when compared to acknowledged peak masters, they did not fall short.

"When we return to the Cheon clan, things will get busy."

Cheon Muyang intended to form a new armed force centered around these three.

"You'll be the chief instructor, Nang-wang."

"So you plan to work me to the bone till the end?"

"I've said it many times—if you find someone you like, you're free to take them as a disciple."

"...."

Nang-wang shook his head.

What sounded like a flimsy excuse somehow felt persuasive when it came from Cheon Muyang.

"A disciple, huh…."

"You could take one of those three."

"Forget it. I've no intention of taking someone who uses a sword as my disciple."

"Whether it's a sword or a blade, isn't the important thing the person?"

"Ah."

Not long ago,

Nang-wang had gained an insight.

It was an answer to a new question born from watching Cheon Muyang cut down poison.

『Whether poison or medicine, doesn't it all depend on how it's used?』

The boundary between poison and medicine was as subtle and vague as that between yin and yang.

"...."

Sword or blade.

What mattered was the person.

"Right. That's how it was."

Pa-at!

In Buddhism, a sudden awakening like this was called dono—sudden enlightenment.

To attain enlightenment, all that was needed was a small trigger.

Nang-wang fell into a state of self-forgetfulness.

"Tch, I'm already busy enough."

Cheon Muyang clicked his tongue.

"Why am I the one who keeps giving others enlightenment?"

Despite his grumbling, Cheon Muyang stood guard beside Nang-wang.

Feeling Nang-wang's energy deepen further, he couldn't help but feel inwardly envious.

"Let's wrap this up soon."

The surging aura sweeping from Nang-wang's entire body alone drew everyone's attention.

"...!"

This was the enlightenment of someone who had reached the Realm of Transformation—how profound could it be?

Everyone present at the training grounds stared at Nang-wang in shock.

"...."

Naturally, the three approached.

Without a word, they stood guard beside Nang-wang.

'They've become dependable.'

The three had grown unimaginably strong.

For a moment, Cheon Muyang thought that with these three, he could safely entrust them with his back.

Grin.

And so, unseen by them, Cheon Muyang smiled.

"Hoo…."

How much time had passed?

The raging gale gradually subsided.

"This is… astonishing."

Nang-wang's voice was heard.

It sounded no different than before, yet a certain depth—previously lacking—was now present.

There was an air of transcendence, like that of a Daoist sage.

"You've practically become a Daoist."

"I used to despise those who prattled on about the Dao…."

Nang-wang laughed in disbelief.

"And yet, it all comes back to the Dao in the end."

"That must be what the Dao is."

"Yes. Seems that way."

"Congratulations."

Cheon Muyang congratulated him sincerely.

Because Nang-wang's growth would soon become the Cheon clan's growth as well.