Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 279

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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 279
Seol Woon-hwi asked politely.
“Then, instead of such pointless gestures, wouldn’t you offer your congratulations?”
Yeong Woon-seong stared at Seol Woon-hwi with a dazed expression.
There was undoubtedly a connection to the Origin Blood Sect.
Yeong Woon-seong couldn’t possibly be unaware that they had already exchanged moves in Yang Ling-ju. And.
They had clearly met in secret recently.
What conversation could they have had? Why was Yeong Woon-seong saying he couldn’t reach an understanding with his superiors?
It was clear.
In such uncertain circumstances, Yeong Woon-seong would retreat one way or another.
Seol Woon-hwi was laying out a path for him to do so.
Preserving his honor? A temporary gesture posed no problem.
“…I congratulate you on becoming….”
“Ah, wait a moment.”
His brow furrowed sharply. What kind of bastard does something like this?
Seol Woon-hwi raised his hand.
“Surely your congratulations should be directed not at me, but at the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance standing over there?”
Seol Woon-hwi pointed toward Mae Wi-dong.
“I am not the protagonist of today’s celebration. That honor belongs to Alliance Leader Mae Wi-dong. The Great One Yeong, who holds the position of Grand Elder of the Origin Blood Sect, has come to congratulate the Alliance Leader on his inauguration—it would be improper for me to receive those greetings first.”
Yeong Woon-seong looked toward Mae Wi-dong.
Mae Wi-dong, who had been observing the entire situation, suddenly found all eyes upon him and smiled gently.
Upon seeing that smile, Yeong Woon-seong’s eyes twitched slightly.
‘…This is the first time I’ve seen him directly, but what is this? Strangely, he doesn’t feel unfamiliar.’
Mae Wi-dong immediately scratched his head as if troubled, but from Yeong Woon-seong’s perspective, the gesture carried an odd, disjointed quality—yet everyone else seemed to regard it as perfectly natural.
I glanced quickly toward Seol Woon-hwi to verify my suspicion, and indeed, something was different.
Seol Woon-hwi.
Was watching Mae Wi-dong with cold eyes.
‘…This is a mess. A complete mess.’
Seol Woon-hwi’s voice reached Yeong Woon-seong’s ears.
“True congratulations should be offered to the Alliance Leader—surely that is the proper courtesy.”
Yeong Woon-seong fell into complete confusion.
What was he doing right now?
Was he, the Grand Elder of the Origin Blood Sect, supposed to offer congratulations to some Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance?
Yet strangely, he found himself unable to refuse.
Seol Woon-hwi’s logic was far too natural, and those around them seemed to regard it as perfectly reasonable.
“Great One Yeong.”
Seol Woon-hwi spoke again.
“Why do you hesitate? Surely you didn’t come here for some other reason? For instance, some connection to Jin Mu-hyeok lying dead over there….”
The two men had spoken of Jin Mu-hyeok earlier, but it was in tones no one else could hear.
From Yeong Woon-seong’s perspective, it would be undesirable for word of his manipulation of Jin Mu-hyeok to spread beyond these walls.
“…That can’t be right.”
Even as I said it, I was certain.
It was completely dried up.
Seol Woon-hwi’s move was practically blackmail.
If Yeong Woon-seong refused, it would go beyond merely disrespecting the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance—it would be tantamount to publicly exposing who the hidden mastermind was that sought to swallow the Beggar Sect.
If that happened, the already awkward distance between the Beggar Sect and the Original Blood Sect would only grow more strained.
‘Hye Jung-san… that damned old bastard has trapped me.’
I could almost hear Hye Jung-san’s mocking laughter echoing in my ears.
I let out a sigh.
Yeong Woon-seong turned his body toward Mae Wi-dong.
“I congratulate you on your inauguration as Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance.”
His voice was full of displeasure, but he offered his congratulations nonetheless.
Mae Wi-dong returned the courtesy.
“Thank you, Grand Elder Yeong Woon-seong.”
Seol Woon-hwi nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Indeed, Great One Yeong truly understands the importance of courtesy.”
Yeong Woon-seong, who had been silent, let out a quiet chuckle.
At first I was uncertain, but this fellow was truly something remarkable.
I found myself pleased.
“Do you enjoy spirits?”
“Yes, I do.”
“What of bamboo leaf green wine?”
Seol Woon-hwi let out a quiet laugh.
There was once talk of a madman who enjoyed drinking bamboo leaf green wine laced with poison—and that madman was none other than Yeong Woon-seong before my eyes.
“I have no objection to it.”
“Good, a gathering such as this cannot be without spirits.”
Seol Woon-hwi nodded and replied.
“There are still procedural details to attend to, but once those are concluded, I shall arrange for a proper drinking session.”
“Very well, do so.”
Yeong Woon-seong turned and took a seat at an empty place.
The Eight Seats of Heaven, who had been standing in a daze, then took their seats, and the remaining martial artists followed suit.
The Heavenly Righteousness Alliance’s ceremony proceeded without any complications.
* * *
Night fell that day.
After the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance’s ceremony had concluded and the Eight Seats of Heaven as well as the guests had withdrawn, there remained only that place.
Seol Woon-hwi and Yeong Woon-seong sat across from each other at a single table, engaged in a great match.
Seol Woon-hwi raised his cup and drank deeply.
“Excellent spirits.”
Yeong Woon-seong seemed satisfied with Seol Woon-hwi’s words.
“It appears you have a tolerance for the Myriad Essence Spirit Wine.”
“The Myriad Poison Elixir is manufactured in Jeok An. And until recently, that city was under my rule, Great One.”
“Heh heh… Yes, that would be the case. But having immunity is a different matter altogether. Now that I think about it, this must be the Ten Thousand Poison Immunity.”
“It falls somewhat short, but similar in nature.”
Yeong Woon-seong marveled at this.
“Truly, you are beyond explanation. When I first heard rumors of you cutting down martial artists of higher realms, I wondered if you were skilled in forbidden arts. But you create entirely new realms and slay warriors of the Heaven-Human Realm? I will speak plainly—in this vast Central Plains, there are ‘scarcely’ any beings who shine as brightly as you.”
“I am unworthy of such praise.”
“If you are unworthy of it, then…”
Yeong Woon-seong smiled with amusement.
“Answer me with words instead.”
“It seems you have something you wish to know.”
“There is no way I don’t. I will ask directly—when did you meet the Origin?”
“A few days ago.”
Seol Woon-hwi’s answer was vague, yet it was also certain. However, Yeong Woon-seong seemed unsatisfied.
“Where?”
“Near Seongchakju. It was a chance encounter.”
“A chance encounter, you say…”
Yeong Woon-seong swirled his wine cup slowly.
“The Origin would have no reason to be in such a place by mere chance.”
“I found it strange as well. Yet I was honored to meet him.”
“What did you discuss?”
At that question, Seol Woon-hwi drank his wine in silence.
“It seems you have no wish to speak of it.”
“You see clearly.”
“And if I insist on knowing?”
Seol Woon-hwi shakes his head.
“I know that you, Great One Yeong, place great value on honor.”
“Then this will be resolved quickly. I wish to know what conversation you had with the Origin.”
“You have misunderstood my meaning, Great One. It is precisely because you value honor that I cannot speak of it.”
“…What?”
“If I were to tell you what I discussed with Cheon No-ya and where we met, what would he think?”
“…”
“The former I cannot reveal. The latter I also cannot reveal, yet I have told you out of consideration for your honor. As for the former’s secret, would it not be fitting to bury it in this wine cup for the sake of my own honor?”
Yeong Woon-seong found himself at a loss for words.
This one… truly is extraordinary, is he not?
To preserve his own honor, Yeong Woon-seong’s honor, and Cheon Do-ja’s honor simultaneously—that is no simple feat.
Balance must be struck, and Seol Woon-hwi managed to preserve all three while making certain concessions.
“…You are no mere genius.”
“You flatter me.”
Yeong Woon-seong raised his wine cup as he spoke.
“Talent in martial arts? Perhaps. The talent to create entirely new realms is certainly extraordinary, and one who possesses such talent deserves to be called a genius. But…”
Yeong Woon-seong’s eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.
“Insight and the ability to reshape circumstances to one’s advantage—these can never be forged through talent alone.”
“Indeed.”
“You possess experiences that should be impossible at your age.”
Seol Woon-hwi paused in thought before speaking.
“When I reflect upon it, I have undergone considerable trials.”
“….”
“If those experiences have shaped me into the martial artist I am, I would be grateful if you could regard my junior’s growth with favor.”
Yeong Woon-seong nodded unexpectedly.
It made sense to him.
Even merely observing him, even in conversation alone, one could sense something extraordinary—a martial artist of this caliber would naturally draw the attention of the Origin Blood Sect, given its nature.
When one encountered such a fascinating opponent, it was entirely possible.
The Origin Blood Sect, and Cheon Do-ja who reigns supreme in all Murim, was precisely such a man.
“But consider this—having received a gift, one cannot depart empty-handed, can one?”
Seol Woon-hwi lifted his gaze. Yeong Woon-seong continued slowly.
“My meeting with you here carries the intention of an old man.”
“You speak of Hye Jung-san.”
This was a private audience, with no onlookers present.
Thus, Seol Woon-hwi did not address Hye Jung-san with formal respect.
Yeong Woon-seong understood this.
Had he been Seol Woon-hwi, he would have done the same.
“That cunning old man devised two moves. First, by sending Jin Mu-hyeok to you, he sought to grant you a final gift as a martial artist. Second, he orchestrated a scheme to use me as the instrument of your death.”
This was truth.
Hye Jung-san could not have been ignorant that Jin Mu-hyeok, cast out from the Beggar Sect, would crawl to Yeong Woon-seong.
Above all, Hye Jung-san knew what manner of man Yeong Woon-seong was.
He was the supreme one of the Beggar Sect.
It would be strange not to know.
That Yeong Woon-seong would be present at the place where Jin Mu-hyeok and Seol Woon-hwi met was easily predictable.
And Hye Jung-san knew that given Seol Woon-hwi’s nature, he would not yield even to Yeong Woon-seong.
Thus, only one scenario could unfold.
A confrontation between Yeong Woon-seong and Seol Woon-hwi.
Yeong Woon-seong would not retreat, nor would Seol Woon-hwi.
Both were men who would choose death over submission in that place.
Yes.
As Yeong Woon-seong said, it was a scheme of indirect murder.
“But circumstances changed. The moment you revealed your connection to the Origin Blood Sect, Hye Jung-san’s second scheme crumbled to dust. Once I heard that name, I could no longer lay a hand upon you.”
Seol Woon-hwi nodded.
“I was aware.”
Yeong Woon-seong’s expression shifted to surprise.
“Aware? Of what?”
“What is the ultimate goal behind Hye Jung-san’s scheme?”
“…You knew, which is why you brought up the Origin Blood Sect’s name to me.”
“Yes.”
My mouth fell open.
“…You madman. Have a drink.”
Yeong Woon-seong poured wine into Seol Woon-hwi’s empty cup, and Seol Woon-hwi let out a soft chuckle before downing it in one gulp.
Then, after receiving the cup back, he spoke to Yeong Woon-seong.
“Allow me to pour for you.”
“Heh… very well, I’ll accept.”
The two men exchanged drinks amicably, and Yeong Woon-seong, unable to hold back any longer, asked.
“You had a private audience with Hye Jung-san, but what in the world happened there?”
Normally I would have kept it hidden, but there was no reason to conceal it before Yeong Woon-seong.
“As you’ve likely already surmised, my private audience with Hye Jung-san was hardly a pleasant affair.”

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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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