Chapter 87

Chapter 87

"Again?"

"But you must look at this."

The Murim Alliance.

In the residence of the Alliance Leader, Murong Hyeok-mun frowned. At that single frown, the man who had brought a bundle of documents flinched and trembled.

Murong Hyeok-mun did not do any work.

He only cared about the meaning of the name of the Alliance Leader itself, and seemed to have no interest at all in other duties. Even most of the tasks had begun to be handled by the Chief of Staff, Man Hu-ryang.

Because of that, there was a lot of backlash here and there.

Of course, no foolish person spoke it aloud, but if they made a mistake, a situation might come where the Murim Alliance would be torn apart.

"Bring it to Man Hu-ryang."

"Alliance Leader! These are matters that you must handle yourself!"

"Hmph! Did you not hear me!"

The man turned pale and stepped back.

His whole body shook at the single word of the shout. Along with a sickening sensation that made his heart sink, there was even a chill as if a blade had flown in and was aimed at his neck.

In the end, he could not say anything.

"Hahaha, should you disobey the Alliance Leader's command?"

Just then, Chief of Staff Man Hu-ryang opened the door and walked inside. The sight of him laughing heartily was indeed disgusting, making one frown naturally.

However, one could not treat Man Hu-ryang, who reigned as the practical number one power of the current Murim Alliance, carelessly.

"Give it here. The Alliance Leader has been busy lately due to training."

"……Did you say training?"

"Indeed."

The man snorted inwardly.

He had never heard of Murong Hyeok-mun training. Although his nature was originally that of a martial artist, many did not fail to know that he had already fallen.

In the Alliance Leader's residence, the cooing laughter and groans of women were heard every night.

The people of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang and the Eight Great Families who were in the Alliance also knew this fact, but they did not speak of it.

They also had nothing to say since they had the guilt of nominating Murong Hyeok-mun as the Alliance Leader.

While the man slipped away in that manner, Man Hu-ryang, who was inside the Alliance Leader's residence, slowly approached Murong Hyeok-mun who was sitting leisurely. He placed the documents he had received on the desk and pulled something out from his robe.

At that moment, Murong Hyeok-mun's eyes shone brightly.

"Oho, what is that?"

"Haha, it is liquor that I have obtained for the Alliance Leader again. Yeomhwang-ju! It is said to have a rare taste that cannot be found in the Central Plains."

"Yeomhwang-ju? It must taste different from the liquor last time, right?"

"Of course, Alliance Leader. Today, along with this……."

Man Hu-ryang carefully approached closer. Looking at his increasingly hazy eyes, he even let out a relaxed smile. Then, he whispered softly into Murong Hyeok-mun's ear.

"I have brought beautiful virgins, so please enjoy yourself to your heart's content."

"Hahaha! There is no one but you who thinks of this Alliance Leader."

"Is that not a matter of course?"

Looking at Murong Hyeok-mun slowly falling for it, Man Hu-ryang smiled. It had taken a long time, but he was finally able to place the giant named Murong Hyeok-mun on the palm of his hand.

With this, Man Hu-ryang's first plan was completed.

"Sigh, Grandfather……."

Namgung So-hye let out a long sigh.

No matter how much she searched the surroundings chasing his trace, or asked around, she could not find any clue. As if he had sunk into the ground, or soared into the sky.

Several months had passed, but since they could not find even a trace, most of the Namgung Family people clearly had exhausted expressions.

Even Zhuge Un and Zhuge Yeon were the same. Although they were helping, their eyes showed that they had already given up.

Yes, Namgung Cheon was no longer in this world.

The only person who did not admit that was Namgung So-hye.

"I think we must let him go now……."

"But……."

"It has been several months since we left the family. Bad rumors are coming from all over the Murim Alliance, and a mountain of work to handle is piled up in the Namgung Family."

Namgung Yong finally began to look at reality.

The conclusion was that if there were no traces to this extent, there would be two possibilities.

He had drifted somewhere in Lake Dongting and sunk, or he had luckily drifted away and was recuperating with someone's help.

But the latter was difficult to think of.

Since his internal energy had disappeared due to the poison in the first place, he would not have been able to survive for that long in the water. In the end, to even find Namgung Cheon's corpse, they would have to search the entire waters of Lake Dongting.

Even now, the times were not peaceful either.

It was because the Murim Alliance was undergoing rapid changes.

As Murong Hyeok-mun ascended to the position of Alliance Leader, bad rumors were being heard.

Of course, most tended to keep quiet, but they could not deceive the ears of the great Namgung Family.

For the future of the martial world and the family, any further search was impossible.

"It is truly regrettable, but this time, it would be good to follow the words of the Family Head of Namgung."

Zhuge Un also shook his head with a bitter expression. He strongly wished to at least recover Namgung Cheon's corpse.

However, he knew better than anyone that the situation was too bad to do so. In fact, they should have folded the search one or two months ago and returned long ago.

Namgung So-hye's eyes welled with tears as she bowed her head.

At that sight, Zhuge Yeon approached and hugged her tightly.

"We intend to return like this, but what do you plan to do, Family Head of Zhuge?"

"Well. I plan to look for someone for a short while."

"If you say someone……?"

"Did I not tell you last time? In Hubei……."

"Ah, do you mean that master who disappeared after saving your life?"

"I must find out some information about that person. I must know whether he is an ally or an enemy to set up some measures, wouldn't you say?"

"Haha, it seems you, Family Head, are still staying in the position of Chief of Staff."

It was praise, but Zhuge Un's heart was heavy.

More than the desire to repay the favor, since the Sword Emperor had disappeared, a new pillar was needed in this orthodox martial world.

Of course, although there was a Sword Saint named Murong Hyeok-mun, according to the rumors heard now, he was not of the caliber to become a pillar. Perhaps they would have to prepare to drag him down before long.

Since the orthodox martial world had become chaotic, it was necessary to grasp the identity of the master who had suddenly appeared.

"Do things ever go as one wishes? Although I have laid down the position of Chief of Staff, that person is still beside me, and I am the Chief of Staff who serves that person."

"Haha, you are amazing."

"Yes, now you return to the family and think about the future. It is time to slowly hold his funeral as well."

"……I understand."

Zhuge Un lightly tapped Namgung Yong's shoulder.

He was extremely sad at the reality where he could only express consolation with this. He had a great hope that they could at least find some trace to serve as a keepsake, but even that did not go as wished.

Zhuge Un clicked his tongue inwardly in regret.

Indeed, their grief would be greater than his own. Especially since Namgung So-hye had followed her grandfather so much.

Zhuge Un looked up at the sky.

'Just what do you intend to do, that the heavens have taken him away?'

Soon, Zhuge Un, who bid farewell to the Namgung Family, led Zhuge Yeon.

He had to gather information. And he had to do the best he could right now.

Meanwhile, Namgung Cheon, whom the Namgung Family and the Zhuge Family had searched for so desperately, was currently in the streets of Yueyang. Holding a sword in one hand and wearing a mask, his appearance was even quite bizarre.

"Wow! The Gentleman Blade!"

"Oh, is that person the Guardian Sword of Yueyang?"

The children gathered in excitement and shouted loudly. Of course, not only the children but also the adults looked at the Gentleman Blade with shining eyes.

The Guardian Sword of Yueyang who had suddenly appeared.

Having only one arm was also exactly the same as the puppet show.

Although his somewhat old voice was a flaw, the fact that he was the hero currently protecting the streets of Yueyang remained unchanged.

However, there were also those who saw him with different eyes. A few people lowered their voices and muttered.

"Looking at him, that man seems like a complete old man, does he really want to do that?"

"Tsk! Watch your mouth, fellow! Although it is funny to me too, since that crazy old man appeared, the hoodlums and the Low-Life Sect fellows don't run wild carelessly."

"Even so, isn't it embarrassing at his age?"

"Khaha."

Everyone had different eyes to see.

Anyway, that Gentleman Blade stood holding a sword in one hand.

Before his eyes, a few hoodlums glared at him while grinding their teeth.

Every time they caused a ruckus in the marketplace, that Gentleman Blade mask suddenly appeared, so their income had decreased greatly recently.

To them, the Gentleman Blade Namgung Cheon was nothing but an eyesore.

"Th-this crazy bastard! Today is the day I kill you!"

"Haha, it seems you still do not know the way of a gentleman."

"Stop talking nonsense and die!"

A few fearless hoodlums ground their teeth and lunged.

Thinking that they would kill that Gentleman Blade today by any means and reclaim their income and territory, they did not hesitate to lunge.

The Gentleman Blade adjusted his mask, laughed, "Haha, " and moved slowly.

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

The sound of groans spread loudly.

Jang Sam-tae, Dan Woo-hyun, and Dan So-mi were able to see that sight while coming to buy things in the marketplace.

Dan So-mi, who was hugging an empty shopping basket, had her eyes shining brightly. However, Jang Sam-tae clicked his tongue instead.

"Tsk, tsk, that old man is acting up again, acting up again."

Whether he had found it fun to wear a mask and call himself the Gentleman Blade since the Wind Sword Sect incident, Namgung Cheon went out to Yueyang at the slightest provocation and acted as the Gentleman Blade.

Of course, thanks to Namgung Cheon, the thugs who roamed Yueyang had disappeared in large numbers, but as a fellow household member, it was truly pitiful and even embarrassing.

"Look, look! Father, the Gentleman Blade defeated the enemies again!"

Dan So-mi smiled brightly with a giggle.

Her eyes were full of respect. Although she already knew who the person in the mask was, every time she saw the sight of him defeating enemies, Dan So-mi jumped up and down as if excited.

"Is that cool?"

"Of course! He is the Gentleman Blade who beats up bad guys!"

"I see."

Dan Woo-hyun quietly looked at the Gentleman Blade.

Just then, Namgung Cheon sheathed the sword held in his hand and delivered his lines coolly.

"This is the teaching of a gentleman."

At that single word, the townspeople let out a loud cheer, "Woooooah!". As everyone shouted "Gentleman Blade! Gentleman Blade!" in unison to build him up, Dan So-mi also let out the same sound.

However, on the contrary, Jang Sam-tae felt his hands and feet cringing and squatted down.

"Please don't do that, old man!"

Dan Woo-hyun looked back and forth at those sights, and then stared intently at Dan So-mi's clear eyes once again.

At that moment, Jang Sam-tae approached and grabbed Dan Woo-hyun's hand.

"I beg of you. Isn't one senile old man enough for that kind of behavior?"

"I did not say anything."

"I know just by looking at your eyes, Master. You must absolutely not do that. If even you become like that, Master, I, Jang Sam-tae, will really hang myself."

Seeing him beg with an expression as if he would shed tears, Dan Woo-hyun broke into a cold sweat. Because he spoke so earnestly and anxiously, he shrunk back without realizing it.

"Y-yes, I understand well. So move aside."

"Thank you! Thank you, Master!"

Jang Sam-tae bowed his head several times to express his gratitude.

Looking at that, Dan Woo-hyun laughed awkwardly.

Indeed, the manor seemed to be a place where incidents never ceased.