“Did you hear that rumor?”“That Namgung Jin got expelled?”“Yeah, I heard he secretly went to see Young Lady Tang and got caught red-handed.”The youths gathered in front of the wall chattered with interest.“Wow, I didn’t think Namgung Jin would do that. I thought he wasn’t interested in women.”“Is Namgung Jin not human? He comes back from closed cultivation and finds his younger brother making eyes at her! Even I would lose my head!”“You’re always losing your head, so what’s new.”“What?”“Ah, but I’m jealous. At least he got out of this stifling headquarters.”“That’s true. Haa, when on earth are we going to be able to go back?”Zhuge Inhwi walked with held breath, listening to the sounds around him.Everywhere, they were talking about the Little Clan Head being expelled.From the outset, Namgung Jin was a famous figure, and with the headquarters closed, he was the only one who had been driven out.Bearing the disgrace of being forbidden entry to the headquarters.The Little Clan Head was expelled even before oshi (11 a.m.–1 p.m.). Because the Vice Alliance Leader personally stepped in to handle it, the matter was processed quickly.Seeing that the Namgung did not lodge a major protest over the Little Clan Head’s punishment, and others were quiet as well, it seemed the headquarters’ atmosphere had not been good for some time.Since they had confined the hot-blooded late-stage prodigies, there must have been many disgraceful incidents.Even what was reported to the returning Sagye Hall Administrator was no small amount, but it seemed there were many more incidents that had been omitted.'It seems the Vice Alliance Leader quelled internal strife as a warning example.'Now it had reached the limit of gathering alliance members of fifteen sects all in one place.Zhuge Inhwi continued walking through the headquarters, heeding what he heard.Mostly it was the voices of youths.He did not hear the complaints of the middle-aged.They only tried to soothe the children’s confusion and did not easily reveal their inner thoughts.'But they must have even more complaints. If everyone has to stay in one place, they are the ones with more to worry about.'Now that the Alliance Leader had returned, it was about time to speak of reopening.Moreover, since those staying at the headquarters were key figures of each sect, the longer they remained away, the greater the risk their sects would be exposed to danger.The unity born of the Blood Cult had long since fallen apart.If the Blood Cult bastards could truly deceive them that subtly, not only the headquarters but the other branches were in danger. The same for the sects they belonged to. The ones hiding in their own sects would be more worrisome than the Blood Cultists inside headquarters.Perhaps for that reason, even though the Alliance Leader had returned from the jaws of death, he could not rest and had to continue receiving audiences.Seeing that the Alliance Leader had summoned him quietly to his quarters today, Zhuge Inhwi thought he meant to discuss that matter.As he confirmed the headquarters’ atmosphere before meeting the Alliance Leader, Zhuge Inhwi made that prediction.Zhuge Inhwi understood the alliance members’ anxiety.Even if it was called an alliance, in the end they had joined hands only because it benefited their sects, so of course one’s own sect came first.It was strange only that he himself did not feel a sense of kinship with his family.Having looked in on the sentiments and returned, he stopped walking.Someone was standing at the entrance to Sagye Hall.When that person turned his head, a bold energy rushed like a waterfall.The Taeguk Sword Sovereign asked in a sigh-laden voice,“Administrator, do you have a moment?”***The Taeguk Sword Sovereign and the Sagye Hall Administrator sat facing each other.The one who spoke first was the Sagye Hall Administrator.“I would like to have a long talk, but in truth, the Alliance Leader has summoned me, so I must go to his quarters in half a shichen.”“Don’t worry. It isn’t something to speak of at length.”'Nor is it something easy to broach.'Having with difficulty chosen his words, the Sword Sovereign opened.“About that... the Duel Tournament winner’s prize. When can that be received?”Zhuge Inhwi relaxed at the easier question than he had expected.“I’m sorry, but I cannot give you a definite answer as to when the award ceremony will be held.”“I understand the headquarters’ situation well myself. But everyone seems desperate to return to their sects—yet even if the situation is settled... will they wait for an award ceremony that may or may not be held?”“...”“Ahem. I am not taking this up with you, Administrator. It’s just that since you know, I know, and everyone knows the award ceremony has fallen through, I meant to say: please give us the prize.”“I understand your point, Sword Sovereign. But this is not a matter I can decide. Might not the Alliance Leader wish to congratulate Commander Yeon-a’s accomplishment and bestow the prize before all?”At those words, the Sword Sovereign’s eyes narrowed to slits.“...Do you truly think so? The Alliance Leader did not even come to watch the Duel Tournament.”Zhuge Inhwi had nothing to say.He answered in assent to the Sword Sovereign’s words.“...I will ask the Alliance Leader.”“Good. Since you said you are going to his quarters, could you get confirmation today?”“Today?”“If not today, then as soon as possible. It seems Yeon-a wishes to present Han Cheol to someone else, and I would like it delivered while that person is still in Hubei. Han Cheol is a precious material—if it goes through a Courier Bureau, won’t the cost be quite high?”At the Sword Sovereign’s age, ties of grace and resentment were woven so densely that it was plausible there was someone to whom he owed a debt deep enough to present Han Cheol.But Commander Yeon-a was a young martial artist who had only just turned twenty.One could think she was naive about the ways of the world and was giving Han Cheol lightly as a gift, but the one who had come to pass along that request on her behalf was a veteran Wudang master who had been through every battle.Zhuge Inhwi’s gaze turned subtle.Those who might have so great a claim on Commander Yeon-a’s gratitude were the Divine Physician of the Yeonjuda troupe who had raised her, and the Tang Clan who had saved her on Mount Emei.With a feeling of “surely not,” Zhuge Inhwi asked,“By any chance, is the one who wants Han Cheol Young Lady Tang Sohwa?”At that, the Sword Sovereign’s qi surged in a great swell.“My, I had heard until my ears grew calluses that the Administrator could see through people, but experiencing it directly gives me goosebumps.”“Why are you trying to hand Han Cheol to Young Lady Tang Sohwa? Has there been some transaction between the Tang Clan and Wudang?”When Zhuge Inhwi’s voice turned chill, the Sword Sovereign laughed and waved his hand.“No. This is purely Yeon-a’s personal choice.”“Han Cheol is not the sort of thing an ordinary disciple can lightly transfer to another sect. Has the Sect Leader truly permitted this?”“He has. Haha, don’t make that ‘how pathetic’ face. I’m the one whose stomach aches more than anyone.”With a bitter smile, the Sword Sovereign rubbed the back of his neck.“As you know, Yeon-a went through something terrible at the hands of the Blood Cult when she was young. So this situation seems extremely hard on her.”The Sword Sovereign recalled how Yeon-a had knelt before him and begged.Perhaps she had not known that the Duel Tournament prize first belonged to the sect and was then bestowed on her by her master; as soon as she heard that from the chief administrator, she ran to him.In truth, at his age, the weapon most familiar to the hand is best; he did not particularly covet something just because it was forged from fine ore.To the Sword Sovereign, Han Cheol was simply an honor proving he had raised his disciple well.As a martial artist whose heart lay with the sword, it was glory beyond compare—but he could swear he did not covet Han Cheol.Yet to hand such a precious thing to another sect was out of the question, so as soon as he heard Yeon-a’s circumstances, the Sword Sovereign opposed it.[By my oath, I’m ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) not opposing because I covet Han Cheol. I meant to use it to make a sword for you when you go out into the jianghu. Besides, Young Lady Tang is not someone who is that desperate for Han Cheol. Is she not one whose heart lies more with medicine than with martial arts?]Though the master refused firmly, Yeon-a did not bend her will and continued to plead.The Sword Sovereign had taken care to avoid saying things unpleasant for a young disciple to hear, but he had no choice and told Yeon-a something uncomfortable.[Did not Young Lady Tang get kidnapped by the Blood Cult and only just return? You don’t know when the Blood Cult remnants might target her. If Han Cheol falls into the Blood Cult’s hands, what will you do? Also, I believe in Young Lady Tang, but there are those here who say she is connected to the Blood Cult. If you get entangled with her, you could be suspected without cause. The sparks could land on you, so restrain yourself.]Then Yeon-a, who had been listening quietly, opened her mouth.[Even if others suspect Young Lady Tang, I cannot.]Yeon-a’s eyes clouded over. Since he had never seen his disciple look like that, he listened to her defiance.[And that person is absolutely not a remnant of the Blood Cult. Am I not a living witness to the Blood Cult’s rampage?]His disciple, unable to erase the shock of that day, trembled.[...That day, the Divine Physician entrusted me to the Tang Clan by giving up all the Yeonjuda troupe’s property. Young Lady Tang, who was of similar age to me, could have gone down the mountain pretending not to know, but she persuaded the Tang Clan and stayed on Mount Emei.]As tears were about to fall, Yeon-a hurriedly wiped them away with the back of her hand.[At the time, I was under suspicion of being with the Blood Cult and was to be escorted to the Martial Alliance. Not only the Namgung but the Alliance Leader also suspected me. I do not harbor resentment now. I understand—the situation was what it was. But even then, the one who did not give up on me and the Divine Physician and believed in us was also Young Lady Tang. When all suspected us, and even I had reason to suspect us, she believed without condition and saved us.]With reddened eyes, Yeon-a fixed the Sword Sovereign with a gaze.[Then how could I... worry merely about whether sparks might land on me?]The Sword Sovereign had nothing to say and could only watch his disciple as tears fell in drops.[I do not know what Young Lady Tang is trying to do, but if she had not saved me in the first place, a person who would never have become a target of the Blood Cult is now standing against them. Therefore, I must help her.]Yeon-a bowed her head to the floor and begged.[Master, please allow me to help her.]The Sword Sovereign was more shocked that his disciple had not yet escaped the memories of that day than that she did not covet Han Cheol.'I thought she had forgotten—years have passed.'Because she always spread clear energy around her and went about with a bright face, he had not noticed that this child still bore scars.Now, even though Yeon-a had been recognized as a Central Plains late-stage prodigy, she seemed to be going back to the past to return her accomplishment to the benefactor of her seven years.Seeing Yeon-a’s monstrous persistence, he had thought it was the quality of a genius; perhaps she had devoted herself to growth for another reason.Finding it hard to turn away from that heart, the Sword Sovereign discussed the matter with the Sect Leader.He worried the Sect Leader might scold Yeon-a for not yet shedding worldly attachments, but the Sect Leader said something out of the blue.[Did not the Supreme Elder say, “To know the ancient beginning—this is called the record of the Way”?]Seeing Sect Leader Hyeongong suddenly reciting the Dao, the Sword Sovereign regretted bringing it up. It looked like the prelude to a scolding that would last at least half a shichen. He could have just said no.[The Way cannot be seen or heard or touched, so it is vague, but just as all things have an end and a beginning, so too with the Way—by means of the primordial source, one can take the measure of the whole.][Sect Leader, I have urgent business to attend to, so I’ll come back later. Ah, I mean I’ll first take care of that matter and then— could you please let go of this?]Though younger than the Sword Sovereign, the Sect Leader had a deeper heart for understanding the world. He caught the hem of the Sword Sovereign’s robe as he tried to escape, as if to say: listen to the end.[The beginning of today—when Yeon-a became a Central Plains late-stage prodigy—was the tragedy on Mount Emei. We do not know what she realized that day or what heart she formed. So, it is natural that we do not understand her choice.]In a weighty voice, the Sect Leader said,[But what makes no sense from your and my perspective may be something desperate to Yeon-a. If her choice is the outcome that began in tragedy, then is it not the duty of a master to help her tie it off, bring it to an end, and walk a new path?]The Sect Leader permitted Yeon-a’s choice. Moreover, he removed the uncomfortable suspicion that had lodged in the Sword Sovereign’s heart.If one cannot tie off even the small beginnings and endings of worldly ties, then even if one devotes a lifetime, how can one take the measure of the great beginning and end that is called the Way?If one continues one’s lack of virtue under the pretext of the past and evasion, then cutting off the world is not focusing on the source, but merely flight for absolution.Moreover, the Way is not simple good, but the natural source of all things.If the goodness that arose naturally in Yeon-a’s heart is pressed down artificially by citing the sect’s interests, is that truly the conduct a master should show who teaches the Way?The Sword Sovereign felt ashamed at the Sect Leader’s answer.From the outset, this was something that needed no worrying over.[Did not even you, Sword Sovereign, know that Yeon-a is different from other children? Her aspiration to make the world better may have begun from the one who saved me; if you let her turn away from her benefactor, she may lose that clear spirit you liked so much.][I liked her talent; that excessive attitude was just so-so. In fact, that peculiar taste of yours as Sect Leader was what you liked...][Let Yeon-a do as she wishes. I will explain it to the elders.]With a kindly face, the Sect Leader cut off the Sword Sovereign’s words.Since the conversation was over, the Sword Sovereign did not bother to argue right and wrong.He also liked the Sect Leader’s decision.The Sect Leader suggested having Yeon-a receive Han Cheol herself, but since she was his only disciple, the Sword Sovereign could not help but worry.So he came in person to speak with the Administrator.Of course, there was also a touch of not wanting to waste money by sending a young disciple only for the procedure to get complicated and to end up having to hire a courier.Why take the long way when there was a quicker path?The Sword Sovereign steadied his voice.“It seems Yeon-a’s heart is very unsettled, thinking it is my fault that Young Lady Tang is being harassed by the Blood Cult.”He let out a sigh.“I too have decided to support Yeon-a’s choice. It seems this is the way to erase the wounds she received in the world. As long as it is given before the headquarters reopens and the Tang Clan returns, please see to it.”Zhuge Inhwi had thought the Alliance Leader would keep Tang Sohwa from leaving the headquarters, but he did not mention it.“Yes, I will ask as soon as I have audience with the Alliance Leader.”He did not intend to hide anything.In the morning, the Namgung Little Clan Head had used the headquarters’ bylaws to leave, and in the afternoon, the Duel Tournament winner asked for the prize even before the award ceremony.Two late-stage prodigies were using the headquarters’ rules to carry out eccentricities, and, coincidentally, the common point between them was Tang Sohwa.In that current, the Sagye Hall Administrator had a premonition that the Alliance Leader would not be able to stop Tang Sohwa.

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