Chapter 308

Sim Hak distorted his face and asked.

“I heard Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect sided with Poison Dragon. Was that your doing?”

“Well, you could say that.”

Sim Hak asked in a sharp voice.

“Good. So what’s this method you’re talking about? What exactly is it that makes you so confident?”

Mang-ryo chuckled again and answered.

“Taking sides.”

“What? That’s not working right now! They can’t give definite answers about being on our side, so what are we supposed to do?”

Mang-ryo smiled and asked Sim Hak.

“When regional lords compete for hegemony, what’s the most important point?”

“Of course it’s legitimacy.”

“Exactly, legitimacy! If you grasp that legitimacy, you’re halfway there.”

Sim Hak snorted.

“The martial alliance leader isn’t a king’s position. Master Haewol was originally elected by joint recommendation of various sects, so what legitimacy are you talking about?”

“So ultimately, what matters for those who want to become martial alliance leader is who can make more sects their allies, right? That’s how recommendations gain strength.”

“That’s right.”

“The method to make those wavering between joining us or not is simple. Give them justification to join our side without hesitation.”

“How do you give justification? And strictly speaking, Master Haewol’s legitimacy is closer to Yangtze River Sword Sect. Wudang Sect with power comparable to Shaolin Temple, Namgung family which is the strongest among martial world families. As long as those two remain with Yangtze River Sword Sect, it’s difficult for others to claim Master Haewol’s legitimacy.”

“We just insist we have legitimacy.”

“…!”

Sim Hak stared at Mang-ryo incredulously. He almost cursed him as a madman.

“No, this person… there are other things to insist on… Would others believe it just because we insist? Everyone clearly knows Yangtze River Sword Sect originated from Master Haewol’s hands?”

Mang-ryo smiled with the corners of his mouth raised long.

“Wudang Sect, Namgung family. With just these two, it’s no exaggeration to say they have the greatest military power of orthodox sects. But why did Master Haewol try to create a new framework despite having orthodox sects’ greatest military power?”

Sim Hak’s head became complicated.

“Was he dissatisfied?”

“Something must have been dissatisfying. That’s why he kept the sword pavilion master close until now. Though not anymore.”

Mang-ryo looked at Sim Hak and Baek Li-jung in turn and asked.

“Now, before we start, there’s one thing to confirm.”

“Speak.”

“Our goal is martial alliance leader. But Master Haewol is still alive. At the last moment, Master Haewol might change his mind. What will you do then?”

Sim Hak’s face turned pale.

“This crazy! N, n, now you’re saying that as if…”

Then, sharp killing intent filled the office. The source of the killing intent was Baek Li-jung.

Sim Hak hunched his shoulders and trembled.

Baek Li-jung’s eyes glinted like a beast.

Mang-ryo didn’t need to confirm. That answer was already sufficient.

“Good to be certain.”

Mang-ryo said.

“They say Poison Dragon has appeared in Chongqing. Yangtze River Sword Sect was active in Jiangxi, right? Let’s shake up Yangtze River Sword Sect first.”

* * *

Baek Li-jung proclaimed to the martial world in the name of Azure Dragon Great Sword Pavilion:

Fellow practitioners must already know that Master Haewol, martial alliance leader and patriarch of orthodox martial arts, was attacked by those with ulterior motives.

Since then, the Martial Alliance’s Guizhou branch was annihilated by demonic cult attacks, and unorthodox forces shook Sichuan. The orthodox martial arts that have protected righteous energy for a thousand years now face their greatest crisis.

This is truly regrettable and concerning.

As one orthodox practitioner hoping for the martial world’s peace, how can I just stand by and watch!

Therefore, I proclaim: I will establish the Righteousness Association with like-minded heroes to uphold Master Haewol’s righteousness.

Until Master Haewol fully recovers from his injuries and returns to his proper position, our Righteousness Association will inherit his will without any personal agenda, eradicating evil, protecting justice, and defending orthodox martial arts.

Righteous heroes! Come to the Righteousness Association!

The Righteousness Association is the hope for protecting orthodox martial arts, and uniting as one is the only way to fight against demonic heretics. Never forget this truth!

The martial world stirred.

Righteousness Association!

Baek Li-jung was one of the top masters of the martial world, having defeated Qingcheng Sect’s Shadowless Venerable among the “One Person Under Heaven, Two Unmatched, Three Paths, Two Kings.” Though taking a hit from that youngster Poison Dragon was somewhat of a flaw, he remained the head of Azure Dragon Great Sword Pavilion, the Martial Alliance’s military organization.

Moreover, Baek Li-jung quickly absorbed even White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion, which lacked a leader. He exploited the situation where a new head of White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion couldn’t be appointed due to the martial alliance leader’s absence.

Based on massive military organizations, Baek Li-jung began absorbing small and medium sects rather than large sects to build up the Righteousness Association’s size.

* * *

Word spread in Chongqing that Poison Dragon was looking for stolen goods from Iron Umbrella Sect.

Not only those coveting Jin Ja-gang’s wealth but even those watching him flocked to Chongqing.

In this process, Iron Umbrella Sect’s stolen goods came in frequently.

Occasionally, some brazen individuals brought non-stolen items and tried to make demands, but Jin Ja-gang accepted even those.

However, there had been no meaningful progress so far.

Then.

A middle-aged man in silk clothes with a gaunt appearance came to see Jin Ja-gang.

Like most who brought Iron Umbrella Sect’s stolen goods, the middle-aged man met Jin Ja-gang alone in a room. There he produced a thin booklet.

The middle-aged man said.

“This is a transaction ledger of goods entering Iron Umbrella Sect’s manor.”

Jin Ja-gang’s eyes lit up with interest. Finally, one of the things he was looking for had come.

“Would you like to gamble?”

“I usually enjoy gambling, but today doesn’t seem like the time.”

“Then what do you want?”

“I’m Wang Mo from Gangwoo Trading Company. I was simply asked to deliver this booklet to Young Master.”

“By whom?”

“If you want to know, how about taking the booklet and coming to meet them with me?”

He said “them.”

Even if this was a trap, he couldn’t avoid meeting them.

“Understood.”

Jin Ja-gang left the wealth with Yeong-woon and others and headed to the adjacent room with Merchant Wang.

In the adjacent room, two people in their thirties, a man and woman, were waiting.

“You really came!”

They seemed to have learned some martial arts but were ordinary people.

Merchant Wang introduced Jin Ja-gang.

“Here is Poison Dragon.”

“I’m Jin Ja-gang.”

The woman looked at Jin Ja-gang and asked.

“You’re called Poison Dragon? Are you really a descendant of medicine sects, Young Master?”

“I’m from Hundred Flower Valley.”

The man exclaimed.

“Ah, I remember. Hundred Flower Valley. Right. I’ve met Elder Son before.”

Jin Ja-gang was quite surprised that they knew his maternal grandfather Son Wi-hak.

The man and woman introduced themselves.

“We’re also from medicine sect branches. She’s from Original Flower Sect, and I’m from Red Medicine Sect, both from Jiangxi medicine sects.”

Their pleased expressions seemed genuine.

But he couldn’t trust them based on words alone.

“Why did you want to see me?”

The woman from Original Flower Gate answered.

“We had to meet Young Master. To confirm if you’re really from medicine sects.”

The man from Red Medicine Sect answered.

“And it’s not just us but more medicine sect survivors. They’re all living in hiding.”

Knowing Jin Ja-gang wasn’t letting his guard down, the woman said.

“Young Master Jin. You can’t believe us right now, but if you know who’s backing us, you’ll be able to believe. There are those caring for not just us but medicine sect survivors.”

“Where is that?”

The woman hesitated briefly then said firmly.

“Yangtze River Sword Sect.”

Jin Ja-gang listened calmly, but inwardly couldn’t help being surprised.

Wasn’t Yangtze River Sword Sect the confidant of martial alliance leader Master Haewol!

He couldn’t shake off a strange feeling.

The man said.

“If Master Wang here hadn’t introduced us to Yangtze River Sword Sect, all medicine sect survivors would have died at poison sects’ hands by now.”

The woman said.

“Gangwoo Trading Company is based in Jiangxi and had dealings with not only our medicine sects but Yangtze River Sword Sect. Thanks to that, when that incident happened, we received help and could escape to Yangtze River Sword Sect.”

The two thanked Merchant Wang once more. Merchant Wang slightly shook his head.

“No. As a trading company, we couldn’t ignore Jiangxi medicine sects we’d long traded with. That was also the company head’s will, and thanks to Yangtze River Sword Sect members sharing that intention.”

If Yangtze River Sword Sect, Master Haewol’s confidant, was helping medicine sects, did that mean Master Haewol was helping medicine sects?

Jin Ja-gang had many thoughts. It was difficult to answer or decide anything immediately.

The man said.

“We’ll introduce you to Yangtze River Sword Sect’s righteous people, so meet them.”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“I understand the Martial Alliance is pursuing me. Isn’t Yangtze River Sword Sect an organization formed by Martial Alliance member sects?”

“Of course it is. But they’re very interested in you. They don’t want to meet you to harm you.”

But Jin Ja-gang didn’t give a definite answer about meeting Yangtze River Sword Sect.

“I wonder why they didn’t come directly.”

The man and woman made troubled expressions.

“Because Young Master caused a bigger commotion than expected. Countless eyes are watching the gambling den. Moreover, in times like these with the martial alliance leader absent, if Yangtze River Sword Sect’s contact with you is revealed, they’ll be in great trouble. That’s why we had to go through such complicated steps.”

“You’re the rising star most talked about in the martial world these days. There are many who are very hostile to you, as well as those trying to recruit you. Either way, you’re being watched.”

Jin Ja-gang asked.

“Is Yangtze River Sword Sect trying to recruit me?”

“I can’t say precisely, but they seem to want to know your purpose. If your intentions align, they think it could be helpful.”

“I have no reason to hide my purpose. I intend to reveal the full truth behind medicine sects’ bloodshed and take revenge for my sect.”

The woman persuaded Jin Ja-gang.

“Then all the more reason to meet Yangtze River Sword Sect. They know more information than us. They’re also working to uncover the secrets behind medicine sects’ bloodshed. That booklet sent to you is also one of the evidence pieces obtained by Yangtze River Sword Sect.”

Merchant Wang said.

“Yangtze River Sword Sect consists of heroes doing righteous work. If your intentions match, they’ll be great help to you, Young Master.”

Jin Ja-gang didn’t decide immediately.

Nothing in this world is free. If you receive something, you must give something. He couldn’t know what Yangtze River Sword Sect wanted from him.

“Could you give me time to think?”

“Several heroes from Yangtze River Sword Sect are currently in Chongqing, but they can’t stay long. When decided, please contact Master Wang from Gangwoo Trading Company here.”

Was this a trap, or a new opportunity?

Jin Ja-gang decided to examine the booklet and ask Yeong-woon and others about Yangtze River Sword Sect first, returning to the original room.

Yeong-woon’s Wudang Sect was also one of the sects that had joined Yangtze River Sword Sect.