Chapter 187 Clan Reunion (3)

Chapter 187: Clan Reunion (3)

Frozen rain falls thick and fast, half-turned to snow.

The winter rain turns to sleet, swirling wildly.

The traveler’s shoes are cold on the mossy, slippery cliff.

The traveler’s shoes are cold, and the moss-covered cliff is slippery.

Not leaving the blanket, sleeping beneath the rock.

He intends to sleep beneath the rock with his blanket.

Clouds gather thick at the cave’s mouth, no moon in the night.

Clouds gather thick at the cave’s mouth, no moon in the night.

“Hmph.”

After reciting the poem, North Palace Janghwan gazed into the void, setting the mood.

The disciples of the Dragon Gate stood behind him, guarding him like iron.

Seeing that sight, one couldn’t help but shake one’s head.

“Bullshit…”

No, even reciting poetry needs to be done by someone who suits it to set the mood. What kind of literature is this from a wrestler’s physique?

‘At least he’s got muscle, thank goodness.’

For someone supposedly at the peak of martial arts, he was quite fat yet still had considerable muscle.

Without that, he’d surely be suffering from all sorts of adult diseases.

Chaa.

The boat sliced through the river, gliding steadily forward.

That’s right. I was now traveling down the Yangtze River toward Yichang, where the collateral relatives’ gathering was being held.

That’s why North Palace Zhang Huan recited the poem.

It was a poem carved by the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi near Yichang, in the Three Gorges area.

How do I know?

I saw it in a past life. While tagging along on a 3-night, 4-day package tour of Hubei Province.

Come to think of it, the old saying that life is unpredictable is absolutely true.

“It’s been ages since I last visited Yichang.”

After all, I’d only been to Yichang once in my past life, and now I’m back in this new life.

Setting sail on the Yangtze like this feels exactly like being on a package tour.

The problem is…

Gurgle.

I never knew I’d get seasick.

And this seasickness wasn’t even present in my past life.

“Ugh…”

Seriously, why on earth would a supreme master get seasick? I was perfectly fine when deploying the Heavenly Transformation Technique.

“Guh.”

This body is utterly baffling.

‘Anyway, I hope the kids are holding up okay?’

Before leaving for Uichang, I gathered everyone and ordered them to overlook most of the chaos the Han-Chung martial world caused.

It was bound to negatively impact the common folk, but it was a strategic choice.

Humans are social creatures.

The more those bastards violated social rules, the more their reputation would inevitably plummet.

And then, the strategy is to draw in every single sect belonging to the Royal Clan Association and wipe them out.

‘Just wait.’

I’ll force them into bankruptcy and make them switch to the open market.

“Hmm…”

Sending them all straight to Taemo Mountain Fortress wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

And then I’ll suggest it to Woo Gongbaek.

How about relisting the sect on the exchange this time?

Hao Wen, who actually did relist, is doing quite well, isn’t he?

Our conditions are better than theirs, so there’s no reason we can’t do it.

As expected, the genius strategist Jin Mujeon’s class is unmatched…

Gulp.

“Ugh…!”

I’m gonna die. Seriously.

* * *

“Huff. Huff.”

The boat didn’t reach the port near Yichang until the next morning.

Actually, it wasn’t even close to being near.

It was just 50 meters away from Yichang.

“Over there.”

Bukgung Janghwan pointed to a manor visible in the distance.

Its size was surprisingly spacious, catching me off guard.

“That place… that…”

“That’s right. The Boxing Hall. ”

Even hearing it again, the absurd naming sense was undeniable.

Boxing Gate… It might as well have been called a boxing gym.

Following Bukgung Janghwan into the compound, a considerable number of martial artists had gathered.

After standing there a moment, a burly man with a shaved head emerged from among them.

“Brother!”

“Oh! Imperial soldiers! How long has it been!”

He must be the owner of the Boxing Hall.

“But why do you look so… well, better?”

“Heh heh heh. I’ve started a new business…”

After exchanging greetings, the Boxing Hall owner looked at me and startled.

He must have sensed the aura I was subtly giving off.

“Who… who is that young hero…”

“Young hero? You’re saying something that could get us into big trouble.“

Bukgung Janghwan smiled slyly and approached me.

”What are you doing…“

”Just wait a moment.”

Then he unwrapped the bandage around my right arm.

Ah, for reference, the reason for the bandage wasn’t to hide my identity, but to protect the finest gold thread used in the embroidery from getting dirty.

After all, I dressed carefully for my first time attending the Royal Clan Association.

Bukgung Janghwan pointed to the character ‘戰’ (War) embroidered in golden thread and declared.

“This is none other than the head of the Jeonwang Clan! The great hero of the Flying Dragon Martial Arts Hall!”

“No.”

What kind of cooking king is this?

Suddenly introducing me like this.

“Th-that’s…”

As expected, the Kwon-t’u Sect Master couldn’t contain his shock upon hearing my identity.

Being at the pinnacle of martial arts, it seems my fame has now spread nationwide.

Even someone I’d never met before in this vast Central Plains knew my name.

If rumors spread here that I’m the direct disciple of the Heaven and Earth Fighting King, my fame would soar to new heights.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Lee Gwan-gun, head of the Kwon Tu-mun.”

His surprise was brief; the Kwon Tu-mun head then bowed toward me.

I liked his upright demeanor—polite yet unapologetically confident.

That’s how a martial artist should be.

“Nice to meet you.”

“……”

Well, that doesn’t mean I have to be polite either.

‘After all, I am the direct disciple of the head of the main family line.’

“Ah, yes.”

Flustered, he called out to one of his disciples with a somewhat reluctant air.

“Show our guests to their lodgings.”

“Yes, Master.”

The lodgings were more spacious than I had expected.

However, sharing a room with my traveling companions was far from ideal for someone like me who usually enjoyed quiet contemplation.

But what could I do?

Considering the number of people already here and those yet to arrive, this was probably the best the Kwonbu Sect could manage.

Proof of that was that even Park Ryong, the Sect Leader with enough clout to run for head of the clan association, was staying in the same lodgings as me.

Still, five men sharing one room?

Ugh.

Feeling a musty smell, I stepped outside.

The building, likely used as lodging for disciples, had various training tools scattered nearby.

The most eye-catching among them was a pair of gauntlets.

“These exist in this era?”

Their design seemed so strange it was hard to believe they were “Made in Murim.”

I picked it up and examined it carefully.

The inside was lined with wool to protect the hands, while the outside was reinforced with thick iron plates, shaped into a rounded form.

“Gloves?”

Seeing the rounded gloves, like Doraemon’s hands, made me nod in agreement. It was equipment worthy of the name “boxing gloves.”

“This is pretty good, huh?”

The weight was a bit heavy, but maybe even that could be a weapon.

A river blow to it would shatter ribs.

While I was looking around like that, five men with menacing looks entered.

Probably members of the Clan Council.

‘So those guys must be the Black Death Sect the North Palace Sect Leader mentioned.’

My mother in my past life always said you shouldn’t judge people by their looks, but this was undeniable.

Otherwise, why would a bunch of faces you’d expect to see in a detention center’s holding cell be swarming around like that?

Truthfully, ‘black path’ refers to the heretical sects.

It’s just that if they form a group like the Lion Clan, they’re called the Dark Sect; otherwise, they’re called the Black Path.

It might not be 100%, but for the most part, whether Black Path or Dark Sect, they all live by sucking the lifeblood out of the common folk.

In other words, their very expressions radiate the aura of criminals.

As I watched these Black Path scum for the first time in ages, the youngest among them approached.

He looked about 17 or 18, even at a glance.

“Got something to say?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been staring at me with that shitty look since earlier. I feel like killing you, so just keep your eyes down.”

“Hah…”

A quarrel at a clan gathering among relatives?

It was absurd, but causing trouble before the gathering even started was out of the question.

“Just go on your way…”

I tried to let it slide.

Whack!

“My apologies. I failed to raise my son properly.”

The largest man among the five swung his fist, sending the troublemaker flying.

“Understood.”

“……”

The man whose son had been knocked away stared at me in disbelief.

“Where are you from?”

“Hanjung.”

“Must be the Parkryong Gate.”

“…….”

“Didn’t your gate master teach you the way of the martial world?”

I subtly let my aura show.

The big man’s eyes wavered.

“The way of the martial world? You mean might makes right?”

“What?”

The Black Plague Sect Leader was startled, then burst into laughter.

“Uha, uha ha ha! Not wrong at all. The winner takes all, survival of the fittest—that’s the way of the martial world.”

“If you’ve nothing to say, go inside. Stop bothering me.”

“Are you fearless? Or just confident?”

“Both.”

“It’s been a while since I met such a tempting talent. I’d even consider snatching you away from the Parkryong Sect.”

Is he insane?

“I’ll take your advice and go inside. See you later, friend.”

As he stared with a look of utter bewilderment, the man chuckled heartily and walked away.

Watching his retreating back, he thought.

‘Power-hiding villain.’

A villain who hides his strength has appeared.

The martial arts of the Black Plague Sect Master I just met have reached the pinnacle.

* * *

Back when I served as the temporary governor of Hanjung, I heard from Beogung Janghwan that ninety-nine collateral sects remained.

However, due to time, distance, and sect circumstances, only twenty-five were said to participate in the clan reunion.

Naturally, an enormous number of visitors descended upon us.

With over twenty sects participating, even with a limit of five people per sect, the lodgings were bursting at the seams.

Being stuck among the swarming men, my mind felt as chaotic as if the Demon King himself had descended.

For a moment, I considered abandoning the whole clan reunion and heading back, but I couldn’t just turn around after enduring the seasickness to get here.

I summoned every ounce of patience I had and waited.

“Let’s go.”

Finally, I was able to participate in the evening banquet, the heart of the clan reunion.

It was originally a gathering only for the sect leaders, but thanks to Bukgung Janghwan’s influence, I was able to attend.

The atmosphere at the banquet we attended was warm and convivial.

Perhaps that was only natural.

The concept of kinship in this era was vast and expansive; even distant in-laws were treated as close relatives.

Ah, there was one surprising thing.

That fellow, the Black Sect Sect Master presiding over the clan meeting, was steering the atmosphere exceptionally well.

Particularly, whenever someone from another sect voiced their difficulties, he readily stepped forward to help. Seeing that, one couldn’t help but wonder if that man was truly a member of the Black Path.

Bukgung Janghwan, seemingly unwilling to be outdone, also promised to donate a large sum to the clan association.

“Heh heh heh, I can easily afford that much.”

The problem was.

“With just ‘one tavern,’ you’re barely scraping by. Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Kheh, our Bakryongmun’s ‘business’ is thriving, you see. Haven’t they always said one clever daughter is better than ten foolish sons?”

“At that rate, in the Black Plague Sect, you’d be counted among the foolish sons.”

“Kheh.”

It meant getting fleeced by the Black Death Sect Master every time.

‘Hmm…’

It seemed unlikely that a mere army stew would be enough to become the head of the clan association.

Shaking my head, I downed a cup of liquor sitting on the table. The Black Death Sect Master looked at me with an amused expression.

“My apologies for earlier. To hear you are the head of the Jeonwang Sect… . I was quite surprised.“

His words caused a stir among the guests.

It seemed that Lee Gwan-gun, the only one besides Beokgung Jang-hwan who knew my true identity, had secretly told the Black Death Sect Leader.

The Black Death Sect Leader rose from his seat and bowed.

”I am Beokgung Chang, the Sect Leader of the Black Death Sect. The martial arts world calls me the Black Death Fist Demon.”

Thud.

He nodded while seated.

An act typically reserved for superiors toward inferiors.

Everyone stared at me in disbelief.

“Jinmujeon. The direct disciple of Heaven and Earth’s King, North Palace White, and the legitimate heir tasked with rebuilding the North Palace Clan.”

It was the moment the fake clan meeting transformed into the real one.