Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 228

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 228

Woon-hwi chuckled softly.

“I don’t want that. What I want is for this Seong Jak-ju to become a branch connected to the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace. As you well know, what the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace needs most when coming to the outside world is a stronghold.”

“…Hmm…”

“Since we’re a Sae-oe sect, we don’t have a proper stronghold in the Central Plains. Seong Jak-ju would be perfect – it’s connected to Jeok An by sea routes, and the location isn’t bad either. Expansion of trade routes, increase in influence, and expansion of goods for the ‘smuggling’ you do so well. It would benefit me, and it would benefit you too. This makes our mutual goals clear, and isn’t that reason enough to work together?”

It wasn’t wrong. At least siding with Woon-hwi would be much more beneficial.

Wi Geum-cheon asked in a trembling voice.

“Then… what should we do?”

Woon-hwi looked at Pung Mu-hwi.

“If you want to maintain power, develop an eye for reading the situation. In this divided state, nothing you do will have meaning. You and I shouldn’t be checking each other, but should unite as one. If we don’t, when the ‘time’ comes, Seong Jak-ju will be cleaned up all at once.”

Jang Cheon-woon bit his lip and asked.

“If… we refuse?”

The corner of Woon-hwi’s mouth rose slightly.

“Do you think you can refuse?”

At those words, everyone in the pavilion felt a chill.

“I have already subdued two big shots of the Seongchak Alliance. If you still can’t accept that, and if you can’t understand even after I’ve explained at such length.”

Han Gi flowed from Woon-hwi’s eyes.

“I’ll have to reduce the numbers. There’s no reason the Seongchak Alliance must consist of seven sects.”

“…Ahem…”

“We need to fight back-to-back with each other, so I think we’ve drawn our blades enough for now. I hope you accept reality and make your own choice.”

Wi Geum-cheon lifted his wine cup with trembling hands.

“I would like to hear Cheon Su-sa’s specific proposal.”

“It’s simple.”

Woon-hwi said, looking around the pavilion.

“Make the Seongchak Alliance into a real alliance. Not a group of scattered individuals like grains of sand, each only looking after their own interests, but an organization that can truly unite and fight against external enemies.”

“Specifically…”

“First, unify the command authority of the Seongchak Alliance. You will no longer act separately.”

Pung Mu-hwi frowned.

“Who will hold that command authority?”

“Me.”

At Woon-hwi’s firm answer, the pavilion became quiet again.

“Second, while you normally operate in your respective territories, we will form an allied army by gathering elites from each sect so they can assemble immediately in times of crisis.”

And.

“Third, integrate the information networks. We must be able to track the movements of O Dae Geom-jong and Sa-ma Oe-jong in real time.”

Woon-hwi paused briefly and looked at everyone in turn.

“This is the new Seongchak Alliance I propose.”

Having said that, Woon-hwi gestured to Manager Seong.

The quick-witted man went around the pavilion filling the empty cups with wine.

Among them, wine overflowed from Jang Cheon-woon and Pung Mu-hwi’s cups, soaking their pants. Before moving on to the next, Manager Seong stared at the two men with cold eyes, and the two men averted their gazes as if they had something to hide.

Finally, he filled Woon-hwi’s cup with wine.

“If you’re willing to accept, drink the wine. If not, put it down.”

When Woon-hwi raised his cup, everyone who had been hesitating raised their cups as well.

Today, the Seongchak Alliance became one.

Under Woon-hwi.

* * *

Everyone left except Pung Mu-hwi.

He was still sitting in his seat, poking at the food in front of him with chopsticks. He wasn’t eating, just poking at it.

Woon-hwi asked quietly.

“Are you hungry since it’s before mealtime?”

“…The food tastes good, but I stayed for another reason.”

Pung Mu-hwi’s voice had lost its usual arrogance.

Woon-hwi drained his wine cup and asked again.

“It seems to be related to me. If you have something to say, say it.”

Pung Mu-hwi put down his chopsticks and looked at Woon-hwi.

“I completely agree with your opinion. I have no complaints about unifying the Seongchak Alliance and having you give all the orders.”

That was right. Because he was a warrior.

In a world where the strong ruled, Woon-hwi had already subdued Pung Mu-hwi. Considering that subduing was usually harder than killing, it meant Woon-hwi could kill Pung Mu-hwi if he set his mind to it.

Following was the right choice, and Woon-hwi’s words had sufficient reasoning, so would he be human if he denied it?

Pung Mu-hwi spoke in a serious tone.

“I have a question. That’s why I stayed.”

“Speak.”

Pung Mu-hwi hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“…You definitely said this to me. That I still don’t know where the wind blows from.”

“I did.”

“I want to hear the true meaning of those words.”

Woon-hwi looked at Pung Mu-hwi carefully.

“Do you wish to hear advice from the strong?”

“…Yes.”

Pung Mu-hwi was the actual leader of the Seongchak Alliance. If he could win him over, it would be like bringing the entire Seongchak Alliance with him.

Above all, the binding force would become much stronger, and if that happened, whatever he did in the future would become very convenient for Woon-hwi.

After thinking for a moment, Woon-hwi began to speak.

“Wind is truly a mysterious existence.”

Woon-hwi’s voice dropped low.

“What you displayed was definitely the Wind God Graceful Sword. The ultimate technique of Punggeom Hall, right?”

“…Correct. I’m a bit surprised you know it.”

“There’s no need to be surprised. Just as there are martial arts modeled after clouds and martial arts modeled after ice, there are naturally martial arts modeled after wind.”

“…”

“Among them, not recognizing high-level martial arts symbolizes a lack of qualification as a warrior. You should rightfully be proud of your ‘Martial God Grade’ martial art that gathers natural wind and combines it with sword energy.”

Pung Mu-hwi was momentarily speechless.

Because this man’s words struck deep into his heart.

He hadn’t expected to be praised this much.

“…Thank you.”

At Pung Mu-hwi’s sincere words, Woon-hwi shook his head. It wasn’t time to change the subject. He wanted to finish quickly and rest.

“But there’s something you’re missing.”

“What is that?”

“Have you ever heard of something called Pungsin-uigyeong (Wind God’s Realm)?”

Pung Mu-hwi’s eyes widened.

“Pungsin-uigyeong…”

“It’s a technique that allows humans to become one with the wind and become the storm itself.”

Woon-hwi traced his finger through the air. A small wind began to swirl around his finger.

“Like Body-Sword Unity or Body-Spear Unity, becoming one with the wind.”

“But Punggeom Hall doesn’t have such a technique…”

“Punggeom Hall wouldn’t have the term Pungsin-uigyeong.”

Woon-hwi smiled.

“This Pungsin-uigyeong was the spirit of Cheon Pung Gate, a sect famous for wind in the primordial era.”

Pung Mu-hwi asked in surprise.

“Cheon Pung Gate… There was such a sect?”

“They disappeared long ago. But their martial arts still remain.”

Woon-hwi looked at Pung Mu-hwi.

“The martial arts contained in the Wind God’s Grace Sword you displayed were definitely handling the Wind God Scripture. Though it didn’t seem to have a direct relationship with Punggeom Hall.”

Pung Mu-hwi took a deep breath.

“Then…”

“There would be two cases. Either a founding ancestor of Punggeom Hall or someone else obtained the incomplete martial arts of Cheon Pung Gate long ago, or they reached the level of the Five Realms of Martial God and comprehended the Wind God Scripture. As you well know, those who handle wind ultimately think the same way.”

Woon-hwi’s voice contained deep enlightenment.

“It’s called ‘all streams return to the source.’ Though the beginnings may differ, they will reach the same destination.”

“…”

“The pinnacle of wind you pursued was precisely the Wind God Scripture. You simply tried to walk that path alone.”

Pung Mu-hwi stood up with great admiration and respectfully performed the Embracing Fist.

“Thank you. Today I received true teachings from you.”

“Is this enough?”

“…It’s sufficient. The Wind God Scripture, I will seriously look into it and try cultivating it. And the words you spoke are tickling my heart… I’m beginning to feel it little by little. Enlightenment.”

Woon-hwi nodded. Strengthening their forces wasn’t a bad thing.

Pung Mu-hwi asked again.

“What will you do from now on?”

“I have something in mind.”

“May I know what that is?”

Woon-hwi looked up at the sky for a moment, then spoke.

“I will sweep away not only this Seong Jak-ju, but all the Green Forest sects located nearby.”

Pung Mu-hwi’s expression became complicated.

“But… Ye Won-je, the leader of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, said that even those bandits should be understood since they are martial artists, whether they exploit common people or do whatever else.”

Woon-hwi smiled coldly.

“Because he did that, even his death is merely being used by someone, and no one misses such a person, isn’t that right?”

“…Hmm…”

“He was killed with his head cut off in the dead of night along with his loyal retainers, yet no one bothers to find out who the murderer is, and no one grieves his death. That is the value of the man called Ye Won-je.”

Woon-hwi’s voice became even colder.

“Even if it was a pure ideal, if that intention was disconnected from reality, it would be meaningless, and if there wasn’t even the power to protect it, it has no value worth revering either. Isn’t that so?”

Pung Mu-hwi bowed his head deeply.

“We… might be heading to the same destination.”

“I never thought we were different.”

Woon-hwi answered calmly.

“Your perspective, and your will, simply interpreted it differently.”

“…I’m truly learning many things today.”

Pung Mu-hwi took something out from his chest. It was top-grade wound healing medicine and several spirit pills that would help with recovery.

“Please accept these.”

He handed the medicines to Woon-hwi as he spoke.

“Within two days, I will gather the elite from each sect to form an organization. Do you have a name in mind for the organization?”

“No.”

“Then I’ll handle it myself.”

Pung Mu-hwi respectfully performed the Embracing Fist once more.

“Take good care of yourself. The wound… I’m sorry.”

Saying that, he left the pavilion.

Left alone, Woon-hwi looked at Manager Seong and smiled.

“It’s mealtime, let’s eat together.”

Manager Seong smiled awkwardly.

“Would that be alright?”

As soon as Woon-hwi nodded, Manager Seong began eating the food.

Woon-hwi looked up at the sky and lit up some Divine Ginseng Smoke.

So far, things had been going smoothly.

That’s when it happened.

Woon-hwi’s brow furrowed slightly.

Manager Seong’s brow also furrowed as he was about to take a bite of the braised pork.

“…You didn’t anticipate this too, did you?”

Woon-hwi didn’t bother to answer.

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