I Shouldn't Have Joined the Martial Arts Alliance - Chapter 89

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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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Entering the Murim Alliance for no good reason — Chapter 89
The witch Jang Ryeo smiled at her son Sa U-rin’s question.
Because he was adorable.
“What? Are you upset with what your mother said?”
“Not at all. I’m just curious about where I stand right now.”
“Very well. Your mother shall tell you plainly.”
Sa U-rin had been hoping for exactly that.
“You are strong. Exceptionally so. But that strength comes with a condition — you’re comparing yourself to those your own age. Among your peers, you’re absurdly powerful. However, let me be clear: the Cheongryong Martial Arts Tournament will have virtually no one your age competing. Those who enter have trained at least five years longer than you, and some nearly a decade more. Beyond that, the tournament gathers countless martial geniuses from across the Gangho in one place. Why else would those Rising Martial Masters who distinguish themselves at the Cheongryong Martial Arts Tournament be called the future leaders of the Baekdo martial world? It’s been that way until now, and it will continue to be so. Of course, you possess the ability to win the tournament. You do. But what’s at stake in this Cheongryong Martial Arts Tournament?”
“The position of Murim Alliance Master.”
“Exactly. Which is why it will be so much harder. Every sect will throw all their resources at it.”
In other words, they’ll scrape together every coin they have — and coins they don’t have — to acquire precious Spirit Medicine and pour it into their Rising Martial Master competitors.
Will they stop at Spirit Medicine alone?
It’s clear they’ll cram in even the final Technique that shouldn’t yet be mastered.
Forcing it. Somehow.
By any means necessary.
“……I see.”
“And on top of that, your body can’t even benefit from Spirit Medicine.”
“……Right. But Mother, are you truly going to kill me?”
He was referring to the training method his mother had described.
“Let’s just say a hundred times.”
“A hundred times……”
The words said a hundred, but how could a person actually die a hundred times?
It wasn’t exactly frightening, yet for some reason his spine tingled with chill. And at the same time, he felt a curious anticipation.
He wondered exactly how he would die.
* * *
The Jang Family estate, situated in the heart of Gwiyang District in Gwizhou City.
Tonight, the Gwizhou Martial Alliance’s biennial gathering was being held at the Jang Family compound.
The purpose of the gathering was camaraderie. Three days and nights of eating, drinking, and fostering mutual friendship — or so it was meant to be.
A chance to air grievances that had built up, and to build new ones just as quickly. Quite the spectacle of an affair.
Tonight being the first day of the gathering, it was all the more lavish and boisterous.
The Head of the Jang Family, Jang Yu-un, sat with the leaders of each sect based in Gwizhou, engaged in conversation about matters of old.
“By the way, shouldn’t our Supreme Master grrace us with her presence on an occasion such as this?”
“Indeed. She is, after all, the Supreme Master of the Sa Pa.”
And Gwizhou’s pride, no less.
“Quite right. It feels like it’s been far too long since we’ve laid eyes on her.”
“Absolutely. How wonderful it would be to share a drink with her on such a joyous day. Wouldn’t it, everyone?”
“Without question.”
“A thousand times agreed.”
They all seemed to be yearning for the witch Jang Ryeo.
She was so uninhibited and refreshing, and merely gazing upon her beautiful face set their entire bodies ablaze, as though they might return to their youthful days once more.
While many tremble with fear at the mere mention of the witch Jang Ryeo, the sects in Gwizhou do not.
Thanks to her, the voice of the Gwizhou Alliance carries considerable weight in the Sa Pa.
And moreover, the witch Jang Ryeo does no harm to those who do not touch her.
The sects based in Gwizhou had no reason whatsoever to provoke the witch Jang Ryeo, and so had suffered no injury.
Yet the Head of the Jang Family, Jang Yu-un, let out an incredulous laugh.
“Haha. What frightful things to say. What if she actually comes?”
His sister Jang Ryeo arriving on a fine day like this?
He didn’t even want to think about it.
“But I hear she still maintains that beauty of hers from before?”
“I believe you said the very same thing last time, didn’t you?”
“I’m always curious. It’s been over a decade since I last beheld that beautiful face.”
“Now that you mention it, the years have passed so quickly. Heh. By now, her beauty surely hasn’t faded. Wouldn’t you say so, Head of the Jang?”
“Heh.”
It’s nothing much, but he’s not sure whether he should say it or not.
“Why so silent? When was the last time you saw her?”
“It’s been about half a year now.”
“And?”
“For heaven’s sake, why are you all so interested in Jang Ryeo’s face at your age? If you’re still that vigorous, why not find a pleasure house, surround yourselves with young women, and enjoy yourselves? Tsk.”
“It seems the Head of the Jang has grown a bit jealous. Hehe.”
Jealous? How could he not be?
The mere sight of that name was unbearable, and hearing it spoken aloud was worse still — naturally, it grated on his nerves.
“So what do you want?”
The Head of Dang Family could not afford to spoil the pleasant atmosphere for his own sake; he would have to give the man what he desired.
“In my eyes, they all looked the same. One is as good as another.”
His younger sister Jang Ryeo — he wished her heart were as beautiful as her face. Of course, had it been so, she would have been dead long ago.
“Indeed.”
“Remarkable.”
“The mere thought of it sets my heart racing. Haha.”
“But truly, could you not bring her here? Not just those of us gathered now, but all those young ones out there would give anything to see her.”
For all of Gwizhou, and especially for the young Rising Martial Masters of Sa Pa — particularly the women among them — the witch Jang Ryeo was nothing short of a great figure of legend.
A Supreme Master in a woman’s body.
In thousands of years of Gangho history, the title of Supreme Master had never once been bestowed upon a woman.
At most, they had been Sword Sovereigns.
Supreme Master — the very words meant absolute, did they not?
A rank given only to the single, incomparable one.
Thus Jang Ryeo stood apart, a Martial Artist whom countless women throughout the Gangho most longed to emulate.
“Wake up.”
Yet for Jang Yu-un, the Head of the Jang Family, it was not so. Rather, the mere thought of her disgusted him.
“We don’t even know where she hides herself.”
And even if they did, he had no intention of summoning her to this place.
It was then that a Jang Family warrior suddenly came rushing in, bearing urgent news to the Head.
“Head. I have an urgent matter to report.”
“Speak.”
“Jang Ryeo is coming here now.”
“……What?”
The Head’s face contorted.
‘Of all days……why today……’
At that, the faces of the gathered chiefs bloomed with laughter.
“Is it true?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Haha. Speak of the devil, and she appears. Haha.”
“This is no mere banquet — it’s a celebration. Haha.”
“When do you expect her to arrive?”
“Within the hour, I’d say.”
“Ha. Shouldn’t we freshen ourselves up a bit, then? Haha.”
“Haha. The spirit is willing.”
All laughed in delight, utterly indifferent to the Head’s rotting mood.
The Jang Family warrior spoke to the Head once more.
“However, Head — a young man accompanies Jang Ryeo.”
“There’s no need to report such details.”
Likely just some attendant or servant.
“But he did not appear to be a subordinate, sir. They seemed quite intimate.”
“……What? Intimate, you say?”
“……Yes, sir.”
The faces of the gathered chiefs grew markedly curious.
“Ha. So she comes in close company with a young man? What do you all make of this?”
“Our Supreme Master has a forthright nature, it seems. Perhaps she takes a liking to young companions. Haha.”
“Indeed. It’s not just men who succumb to such things. If a woman has strength, she is perfectly capable — and with beauty still in her years, why not? Haha.”
‘……No.’
At her age, mad with lust and dallying with some young fool?
For all her madness, she was not so utterly deranged as that.
‘Then what could it be? ……Could it possibly be……?’
Yes — his son!
‘Insane!’
She brought his own son here — the one he claimed was a Murim Alliance warrior?
The Head’s temples throbbed.
“Enough. You’re dismissed.”
“Yes, Head.”
And then it came.
A loud voice echoed from beyond the banquet hall.
“The Supreme Master of Sa Pa, Jang Ryeo, has arrived!”
‘…She certainly didn’t waste time.’
So much for a moment’s delay.
The banquet hall erupted into chaos.
Wow!
The Supreme Master is here!
We’re finally going to see her?!
What a blessed day!
Most of the people gathered in the hall had never laid eyes on the Witch Jang Ryeo in their entire lives. The excitement swelling through the banquet hall was palpable.
And then, at last, the Supreme Master of Sa Pa—the Witch Jang Ryeo—revealed herself in all her beauty at the entrance.
The clamorous hall fell silent in an instant. Then came the sound:
“We honor the Supreme Master!”
“We honor the Supreme Master!”
Everyone in the hall bowed deeply in reverence. Even the heads of the various sects who had been conversing with the Head of the Jang Family made no exception.
They showed their awe.
Because she was the Supreme Master of Sa Pa.
Because she was the martial artist who represented Gwizhou City.
The Witch Jang Ryeo looked down at them all, and with unhurried confidence she passed through the entrance of the banquet hall toward the Head of the Jang Family, who still held his head stubbornly high, offering him a composed smile.
Sa U-rin followed behind her.
‘Damn it. The resemblance is absolutely uncanny.’
They were so alike that the Head of the Jang Family felt his stomach turn.
‘If he’s inherited even her temperament…’
This would be trouble.
The Witch Jang Ryeo and Sa U-rin stood before the Head of the Jang Family.
“What is this gathering for?”
“…It’s the annual banquet of the Gwizhou Martial Alliance, held once every few years.”
“Ah. There was something like that.”
Jang Ryeo had been forced to attend such events herself during her days as a Rising Martial Master.
“U-rin, what are you doing? Aren’t you going to greet your uncle?”
‘Just as I thought…’
The Head of the Jang Family’s suspicion had been correct.
And then.
The banquet hall stirred with whispers.
‘…The Supreme Master has a son?’
‘…She had a son?’
‘…First I’m hearing of it…’
Everyone felt the same.
Sa U-rin bowed respectfully to Jang Yu-un, the Head of the Jang Family.
“It is an honor to meet you, Uncle. I am Sa U-rin.”
“…Ah, yes. I’m pleased as well.”
The Witch Jang Ryeo fixed the Head of the Jang Family with a sharp look.
“You don’t sound very pleased.”
He couldn’t be pleased. Not possibly.
How could anyone be blessed with such excellence?
The youth had captured the gaze of every young woman in the banquet hall.
Was that all?
Already, clusters of people were gathering around him—those who had at least one unmarried daughter to their name.
It was only natural.
He was the very son of Sa Pa’s Supreme Master, and he possessed a face so striking it practically gleamed.
If a marriage could be arranged with him…
It would be glory for the trading company, glory for the faction.
This was precisely why the Head of the Jang Family could not be more displeased. His own two sons had reached marriageable age, and he had hoped this very banquet would bring them considerable attention. But instead…
This cursed, brilliant nephew was stealing the eyes of every woman in the room.
Just then, from among the gathered crowd, someone emerged. Judging by the respect shown, this was no ordinary figure—people parted to make way for him.
Even the heads of the prestigious sects in Gwizhou City stepped aside.
This remarkable man stepped before the Witch Jang Ryeo.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Ok Ji-rim, Master of the San-On Trading Company.”
Ok Ji-rim, Master of the San-On Trading Company.
The San-On Trading Company, based in Guangxi Province, was one of the Five Great Trading Companies of the Central Plains. And not long ago, he had been one of the five masters who gathered to seize control of Gangho for themselves.

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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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