I Prayed for a Murim Reincarnation, But I Was Born as the Youngest Imperial Prince - Chapter 95

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 95
The Prefect looked toward the Wolyeop Sect.
“You have every right to be furious. Is there any particular compensation you desire?”
The Sect Leader of Wolyeop hesitated for a moment before offering his reply.
“Everything happened so abruptly that our sect has yet to establish a firm stance. Might we be granted some time to deliberate?”
“So be it. Determine what you wish to demand from the Huangbo Clan. While I cannot promise every request will be granted, I shall ensure you are given due consideration.”
During the span of that day, behind-the-scenes negotiations would likely take place between the Huangbo Clan and the Wolyeop Sect.
“Apart from that, the crimes of Patriarch Huangbo cannot go unpunished. It is a severe offense where only the manner of his execution remains to be decided, yet…”
It was a situation where they had to choose between burning at the stake, decapitation, or dismemberment by chariots.
“Let me ask you this. Should permission be granted, would you be willing to serve in the army in white clothes at the border for the rest of your days?”
Patriarch Huangbo asked back, his voice laced with bewilderment.
“How could such a thing be possible?”
“Naturally, I cannot guarantee it myself. However, it would be a shame to waste your martial arts, and the long-standing reputation of the Huangbo Clan makes me reluctant to see it completely ruined. Thus, I can submit a petition on your behalf. If you dedicate your remaining life to wiping out demonic monsters there and saving the lives of our soldiers, the punishment meted out to your family might be somewhat mitigated.”
Patriarch Huangbo grasped the underlying truth immediately.
‘This is not the Prefect’s own idea.’
In this current theater, the Prefect was acting merely as a shadow puppet in an opera.
To the eyes of the public, the Prefect was leading the charge, but the true mastermind was using ventriloquism from behind the curtain.
He directed a sound transmission straight to Seonwu.
[Is this your doing?]
[You could say that. Honestly, unless you achieve an exceptionally grand feat, the only way you will ever return to your hometown is as a corpse… Still, the punishment that your children, your grandchildren, or rather, your entire clan would face might be lessened depending on the merits you achieve there, right?]
[Would His Imperial Majesty truly permit such a thing?]
[I cannot say for certain, but he is not the type to grow angry over a mere petition.]
[Is that so… Then I shall place my trust in you.]
Patriarch Huangbo closed his eyes as he looked upon his gathered clan members.
Serving in the army in white clothes until the day he died.
If he could preserve his family through such means, it was a priceless opportunity, tantamount to a partial pardon.
‘I knew he was a young master raised by either the Golden Dragon Guard or the Yuelongwei.’
Though rumor claimed he was around the capping age, his actual years were likely far greater.
He probably possessed a baby face.
Or perhaps he had mastered a technique that preserved his youth.
Furthermore, although the youth had never openly displayed his martial arts, the pressure that made others perceive him as being in the Peak Realm was surely a disguise, leaving a strong suspicion that he was actually in the Transcendence Realm.
A Squad Leader of the Golden Dragon Guard.
An individual positioned well enough to report directly to the Emperor.
Possessing enough power to summon an official of the Prefect’s stature and bend him to his will.
‘Hoo, rather than the Chivalrous Dragon, he is the Power Dragon.’
They said the fists of Shaolin’s Fist Dragon were fierce, but how could that ever compare to the authority backed by the Imperial Court?
However, if he dare speak of that true identity aloud, no good fortune would await him.
A sinner given a second chance should merely display gratitude; what right did he have to open his mouth?
“Very well. Patriarch Huangbo shall be confined to the jail. The final verdict will be determined by His Imperial Majesty. Regarding the compensation between the Huangbo Clan and the Wolyeop Sect, we shall first await the input of the Wolyeop Sect.”
“Understood.”
“Today’s tribunal concludes here, so dismiss.”
The local elites dispersed, feeling a wave of relief yet buzzing with excitement over how to process this shocking, inverted conclusion.
“The name of the Huangbo Clan is utterly finished.”
“Still, they possess martial arts, manpower, and wealth. Surely they will not completely ruin themselves.”
“Even if the Patriarch is absent, the Great Elder is in the Transcendence Realm, so they will manage to hold on.”
“They might endure, but can that truly be called a proper survival? If an Orthodox Faction cannot lift its head…”
They spoke in hushed whispers, but every word reached Seonwu’s ears perfectly.
‘Those words will hardly stay confined to this place.’
Before long, the news would spread across the entire Wulin.
‘There are already two scorching pieces of news keeping everyone talking, and now this makes three.’
The Namgung Clan had been utterly plundered, and the Zhuge Clan narrowly escaped total destruction from a demonic practitioner’s plot, returning to life at the final hour.
And right on their heels, the Huangbo Clan joined hands with a demonic practitioner, only to be caught in the act, causing their reputation to fall into the dirt.
Which of these three rumors would spark the greatest sensation?
‘Hmm, I suppose this is what they mean by burying one shock with another.’
In truth, all three were massive incidents that would persistently linger in public memory.
Seonwu turned his gaze back toward the Wolyeop Sect.
Over there, they were simply overjoyed, practically trembling with immense relief.
Right now it was relief, but a little later, the area would surely erupt with fury directed toward the Huangbo Clan.
‘On top of that, they will be agonizing over what exactly to extort.’
Whether to demand cold cash.
Whether to demand business rights.
Or perhaps spiritual medicine?
It was certainly a matter for the Wolyeop Sect to ponder deeply.
There was no need for him to instruct them on what to take.
The Sect Leader of Wolyeop approached Seonwu and bowed his head low.
“Great Hero, I am truly grateful. I wish to host a modest banquet for you, if you would be so kind as to grace us with your presence?”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but our work is not completely finished just yet.”
“Haha, when that time comes, I shall throw an even grander feast separately. Today is merely to offer a humble token of hospitality. You busied yourself and endured such hardships just to clear my foolish son’s name, did you not?”
“Well, if you put it that way, I shall gladly accept the invitation. We will tidy ourselves up briefly and head over shortly.”
“Please ensure you come.”
The Wolyeop Sect gathered their Young Master and departed the premises.
The remaining staff of Aewolru watched anxiously, unsure of what they should do.
Perhaps they found it too terrifying to approach the Prefect or the fierce-eyed Dan Suyeong, because they opted to speak to the gentle-looking Seonwu instead.
“Great Hero, what is to become of us?”
“You did not commit any crimes, so you are free to return. However, I cannot say whether you will be able to continue your business operations in the future.”
No matter if the hidden demonic practitioners were the sole problem while the rest were oblivious, the culprits happened to be the Pavilion Master and the most popular courtesan.
Along with two servants to boot.
Would any customers ever willingly step foot into such a courtesan house again?
Now that it bore the permanent stigma of being a den for demonic practitioners?
In fact, the County Prefect might simply order them to shutter the doors for good.
“If the courtesan house goes under, we have nowhere else to go…”
It was obvious that these people, suddenly facing unemployment, were entirely gripped by fear.
“Hmm, I will try asking the Wolyeop Sect about it.”
Perhaps the Wolyeop Sect might have some interest in acquiring the property.
Setting aside any unpleasant feelings, it would certainly prove profitable, and the facilities of Aewolru were arguably the finest in the county.
At those words, the workers of Aewolru finally turned back toward their establishment.
They could not remain at the County Office indefinitely, and it would be troublesome if thieves broke into the vacant building.
‘Come to think of it, those people simply worked hard at their jobs, only to face a crisis because the courtesan house was founded by a demonic practitioner.’
By comparison, the establishments set up by the branch offices of the Feilong Sect were perfectly safe.
Since they were covert organizations established directly by the state.
‘Though if their true identity ever leaks, they might find it difficult to do business as well?’
If people found out a place was being monitored by the government, what customer would feel comfortable going there?
Right now, there was an inn serving as a branch office for the Feilong Sect right here in this county…
He would have to tell them to keep themselves hidden thoroughly in the future.
Lastly, the members of the Huangbo Clan had still not fully snapped out of their daze.
Their Patriarch had meekly accepted the wooden collar and allowed his acupoints to be sealed before being taken to jail, but the remaining members were utterly lost.
They cast their gazes toward Seonwu.
Dan Suyeong glared back at them, maintaining a vigilant stance right by Seonwu’s side.
He was on high alert in case they might recklessly charge forward to seek vengeance for having their clan ruined by the exposure of the truth.
Should they attempt such a foolish thing, Dan Suyeong stood ready with the grim resolve to slaughter every last one of them.
However, the members of the Huangbo Clan did not display such hostility.
They merely looked utterly despondent, completely clueless as to what steps they should take next.
‘Their condition looks incredibly severe.’
They wore expressions that suggested they might drown themselves in a puddle at any given second.
Seonwu whispered quietly to Lee Jun.
[Don’t they look dangerously depressed?]
[How could they not be? Still, they are martial artists, so once they move their bodies and circulate their internal cultivation methods, they will overcome it soon enough. After all, orthodox martial arts aren’t just about moving energy; they are designed to cultivate the mind through that process. Unorthodox martial arts do the exact opposite, turning the mind savage.]
[That is true.]
Nevertheless, it seemed they could use a small amount of guidance at this current juncture.
Thus, Seonwu decided to strike up a conversation first.
‘Chivalry does not simply end with punishing evil; it also involves looking after the commoners who are suffering.’
While the martial artists of the Huangbo Clan were hardly helpless commoners, technically speaking, they were currently caught up in this mess due to guilt by association with their Patriarch.
With the Wolyeop Sect being the true victims, these clan members were stuck acting as involuntary perpetrators and silent casualties, unable to utter a single complaint.
“The shock must be immense, but for now, shouldn’t you focus on guarding the Patriarch in the jail?”
“…With what face could we possibly do that?”
“There are two reasons for it. First, if your Patriarch is to ever serve in the army in white clothes, he must at least stay alive. In his current state with sealed acupoints, there is no telling what might happen if a third, hidden demonic practitioner decides to launch a surprise assault. Rather than framing it as protecting your Patriarch, you need to guard him under the pretext of managing a criminal until His Imperial Majesty’s verdict arrives.”
At those words, a faint spark of vitality finally returned to their hollow faces.
They now had a task to perform.
“Indeed… The Great Hero speaks the truth. Even if it is under the guise of monitoring a criminal rather than protecting the Patriarch, we must guard him.”
“Yes, and that brings us to the second reason. Although the Patriarch submissively allowed his acupoints to be sealed, it would cause quite a disaster if he were to break the seal using some secret technique and escape, would it not?”
It was highly unlikely he would attempt such a thing at this stage, but if he did, the Patriarch would truly become a wanted fugitive, and the Huangbo Clan would be forced into a total sect lockdown until they tracked him down and executed him with their own hands.
“Understood. We shall not go anywhere and will keep a strict watch.”
“Divide your numbers to provide protection for the Prefect as well. Furthermore, you should probably dispatch someone to the main house to inform them of these events.”
“We shall do exactly as you say.”
With that, the members of the Huangbo Clan barely managed to summon enough energy to move and fulfill their duties.
Watching them divide their forces and assign roles among themselves, Seonwu stepped back.
‘I will need to have a conversation with the Great Elder of the clan later.’
Rebuilding the family with him at the center would be their only viable option.
In any case, when the time came for compensation negotiations between the Great Elder and the Sect Leader of Wolyeop, he would find himself acting as the mediator alongside them.
* * *
The banquet prepared by the Wolyeop Sect was small in scale, but it was by no means cheap.
Seonwu, Dan Suyeong, and Lee Jun.
It was humble in the sense that only the three of them were invited, with no music being played and no courtesans summoned to entertain.
However, the wine and food laid out on the table were the most luxurious delicacies that could possibly be procured within Yueyi County, provided in absolute abundance.
The wine, in particular, was a treasured vintage that the Sect Leader of Wolyeop had kept safely hidden away—a famous liquor aged for over half a century, of which the Sect Leader had brought out the very last remaining jar today.
“It is a meager spread, but please accept our sincerity.”
“Mmm, this is truly delicious.”
Of some certainty, compared to the lavish feasts Seonwu used to enjoy within the Imperial Family or the Prince Mansion, this meal prepared with utmost effort by the Sect Leader of Wolyeop fell short.
However, a considerable amount of time had already passed since Seonwu stepped into the Jianghu.
He had slept under the stars and eaten ordinary dishes at random inns.
‘Compared to those times, this spread is absolutely magnificent.’
While it might not be identical to his past luxuries, it was exceptionally superb.
In fact, it completely shattered his expectation that a lone county would have a strict limit on the quality of food it could produce, no matter how hard it tried.
“The chef possesses remarkable skill, doesn’t he?”
“Hahaha, Old Man Zhang, who originally worked back in Gyeongseong before moving down here, is the pride of our county.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Due to his advanced age, he does not cook in large quantities anymore, but his culinary skills remain so outstanding that he prepares dishes whenever we must entertain precious guests.”
“To be completely honest, this exceeds my expectations. Far from being a meager spread, it is wonderful.”
“When entertaining the savior of our family and sect, what could we possibly spare? If you can enjoy yourself even a little, it brings me nothing but joy.”
Exchanging such warm words, Seonwu thoroughly enjoyed the wine and food to his heart’s content.
‘The wine is even better. While it cannot compare to the liquor used in the Imperial Court, he really brought out a true hidden treasure.’
Lee Jun also fully indulged in the provided meal.
The only one eating silently and with absolute caution was Dan Suyeong.
[Suyeong, you can relax and enjoy yourself more.]
[That is out of the question, Senior Brother. I shall maintain our perimeter.]
[It would actually be safer for me to taste the food first before you eat it.]
[How can you utter such a blasphemous remark?]
They had traveled together long enough that Dan Suyeong should have grown accustomed to acting more like close brothers.
Faced with Dan Suyeong drawing such a rigid line, Seonwu felt a bit disheartened.
Especially since he carried the Horn of Shennong within his robes, granting him immunity to all poisons, making him perfectly suited for the role of a food tester.
Meanwhile, Lee Jun watched whatever Seonwu ate before happily digging into the same dishes, enjoying himself completely.
[Look at you, you rascal. Are you using me as your personal food tester?]
[What are friends for, anyway? Let me use your immunity to all poisons as a shield for a bit.]
Thus, celebrating the successful resolution of this incident, the night drew to a peaceful close.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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