The Murim Alliance Elders' Meeting began amid the chaos gripping Xi'an. What was usually an annual routine had now turned into city-wide tension.
For the Seven Clans and Five Sects, the situation was no different from that of ordinary people—they too were confused and disoriented.
The Five Sects favored continuing the war against the Blood Cult, while the Seven Clans advocated starting a war against the Heavenly Demon Sect. Now that the current leader lay ill and on the verge of death, the Seven Clans' leverage had noticeably diminished.
In one of the Five-Tower Fortress's halls, designed to resemble Shaolin temples, the elders gathered. Yujin Hak sat in what resembled a moderator's position.
The eyes exerting the most pressure on him belonged to the leader of the Namgung Clan, whose sister had been the Heavenly Demon's concubine for eleven years—effectively Kang Long's hostage.
Yujin Hak met his gaze with indifference: You know what we did, but what can you really do about it? When war isn't fought with swords but with pieces, your advantage disappears.
The leader of the Jeagal Clan began:
"Vice-Leader, in the past year, numerous reports have reached us and our allies that the Murim Alliance Leader has been unable to participate in tournaments and festivals due to illness. Is that correct?"
Yujin Hak quickly responded: "Correct."
The questioning continued: "Illness and being at death's door are two different things. Why didn't you inform us before the Elders' Meeting?"
"I did inform—just not all of you."
"Then which clan or sect did you inform?"
"The Tang Clan. I requested help from the Tang Clan months ago. If we had announced it to everyone, the news might have leaked, and all our enemies would have learned of the Alliance Leader's weakness."
He then turned to the Tang Clan leader: "Do you confirm this?"
"He's telling the truth. He told me from the beginning."
Who could question the honesty of the Tang Clan, which had fought for centuries against both the Blood Cult and the Heavenly Demon Sect? Well done, Jeagal—what's your next move?
"I'm asking you as a physician, not as the Tang Clan leader. What is the Alliance Leader's condition?"
Tang stood and tried to answer honestly:
"There's no guarantee he won't die in his sleep right now."
"I did everything possible. Even a dragon pearl couldn't fully heal him."
"Even a dragon pearl couldn't?"
"Yes. With that pearl, he lasted 130 years, but it seems even dragon pearls aren't an absolute cure."
"You asked for my opinion as a physician? Choose a leader now—because he might already be dead at this moment."
The leader of the Hua Mountain Sect intervened:
"Do you think that's easy? He's been the Murim Alliance Leader for 70 years—one of the two living dragon-slayers."
"Is there even anyone who could replace someone like him?"
"What about his own disciple?"
Yujin Hak had chosen the perfect moment to speak.
The Shaolin leader looked at Yujin Hak with closed eyes. Though his eyes were shut, everyone knew he was watching.
"Which disciple?"
"Actually, his former disciple."
"When he heard the news of his master's illness, he came to Xi'an."
He shrugged: "Of course, there are other options. This is just my opinion."
The First Disciple had left the Alliance in protest when Shandong Province was conquered by the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Namgung gestured to indicate he wanted to speak: "Yujin Hak, leave this place. We'll begin making decisions."
Jeagal continued: "I think half a day will be enough. If not, we'll continue tomorrow."
Yujin laughed: "Then why should only I leave?"
Namgung replied sharply: "Because you're a fox. Your presence alone is distracting."
You actually said that to my face! How ruthless.
Among those present, the Shaolin leader burst into laughter, while Tang struggled to contain his smile.
"Fine, fine, I'll leave. But I won't tell anyone where I am—you'll have to look for me."
---
In a restaurant near the porters' resting area, an absurdly tall and robust man with a dirty appearance and clothes that seemed unwashed for ages waited for his order.
He was somewhat impatient, which caught the attention of escort guards who had come for a meal.
Three men with swords at their waists approached. One of them grabbed the man's hair.
"What kind of state is this!"
"Wash your head with ditch water or horse piss!"
"Want me to cut your hair with my sword?"
A quiet murmur: "Don't reach for your sword."
"Did you say something?"
Just as he pulled the man's hair higher and saw his tiger-like eyes, he instinctively drew his sword.
The man grabbed his wrist before anyone could see the movement.
"I said, don't draw your sword."
With a single squeeze, the escort's wrist shattered completely. As his screams of pain began, the other two men also drew their swords.
"Huf."
"What a hassle."
He picked up chopsticks from another table. The two men attacked him, and after dodging three moves, the man raised his hands!
"Surrendering, you bastard?"
"The chopsticks are no longer in my hands."
"They could have been in your skulls, but I'm a generous person."
The men looked at their trembling swords—their hands were nailed to the sword hilts by the chopsticks.
"Is my order ready yet?"
Without a doubt, a martial master stood there. If they angered him further, even with their groaning, the outcome might be worse.
Noah Saiom was watching the man and cautiously approached him from behind.
"Greetings, Senior."
"Senior!"
"Do I know you?"
"I'm Noah Saiom, sent by the Alliance Vice-Leader to escort Lord Chun Wala to the Five-Tower Fortress."
Breath caught in everyone's chests—Chun Wala, the former disciple of the Murim Alliance Leader!
---
Upon entering the Five-Tower Fortress, all eyes turned to Noah Saiom and his anonymous companion, who was dramatically different from everyone who usually entered.
"You know Yujin Hak, right?"
"I'm not behind the times—everyone knows the Vice-Leader."
"I meant personally. Have you met him before? He was appointed to this position after the war."
"Yes, I remember. The previous Vice-Leader was among those blamed for the defeat. It worked out well for that guy. I think he was seeking promotion from the beginning."
It seems he really does know him...
"Looks like we've arrived."
"This is—!"
"A bathhouse. Orders were given in advance to prepare a bath for you. Afterward, you'll meet with the Vice-Leader."
"Why are those people standing naked in the courtyard?"
"By the Vice-Leader's order, the bathhouse was cleared for you."
You heartless bastard, Yujin. You could have at least let them put something on!
---
After a brief bath and changing into new clothes, he now appeared as a different person. One could recognize him as the same Chun Wala who had once left the Alliance.
The meeting place was the Divine Library. He had told Noah Saiom to look for him on the fifth floor, but searching was still difficult—each floor of the Divine Library contained an uncountable number of books.
Chun Wala gestured for Noah Saiom to follow him.
Behind a bookshelf set apart from the wall, snoring could be heard.
Chun Wala knocked on the shelf, causing several books to fall.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?"
Noah recognized the voice and looked behind the shelf: "Vice-Leader?"
"You spread cushions behind bookshelves!"
"That's his usual habit. When he was a researcher, he constantly slept in the library. He's the laziest person in all of Murim."
I'd never seen this side of him before.
"Now that you're awake, take me to see my master."
"Can't."
"Why?"
"He's in a coma right now. Only his personal physician, the Tang Clan leader, and I can visit him."
He murmured: "Of course, the next leader can also visit."
"The next leader?"
"You're not even giving him a chance to recover?"
"That's how the Alliance's mechanism works. It was just bad luck that this happened a few days before the Elders' Meeting."
"If the situation is this critical, I need to see my master immediately."
"If you force your way in, you might worsen the patient's condition."
"Who are the candidates for succession?"
"Well, anyone who's a martial master, from a reputable clan, or one of the leader's own disciples—that's about it."
"Is that so?"
"I'll be the next leader."
Noah froze: That was fast—very, very fast.
Yujin Hak began pushing them while grinning broadly: "Fine, fine. Since that's what you want, I'll support you."
"When you become leader, don't worry about anything. I'll handle everything myself."