Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 303

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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 303
“Everyone in the Murim carries secrets—it’s simply the nature of our world. So then, how would Yeon Song-baek deal with someone who knows his secrets?”
Han Mu-rin answered immediately.
“He would kill them, I suspect.”
Wi Cheon-ho shared the same opinion, but unfortunately, it was not the correct answer.
“Ordinary people would be killed. But Yeon Song-baek is not ordinary.”
My voice grew quieter.
“It is no simple matter for one person to simultaneously govern two organizations—one operating in the light and another in the shadows.”
“….”
“Yeon Song-baek is both intelligent and cunning. And….”
I paused for a moment, then offered a cold smile.
“He would keep such a person close and use them to his advantage.”
“…Pardon?”
“If you knew his secret, and he placed you nearby, elevated you to a position of honor, and treated you with respect—what would you feel?”
Han Mu-rin’s eyes widened as understanding dawned.
“…Loyalty… I would feel loyalty.”
“Precisely. Look at Jo Tae-hwa alone. Among those holding key positions in the Ihwageomseonchong, ‘some’ are those who know Yeon Song-baek’s secrets. And their closest associates sit in the core positions of the Ihwageomseonchong.”
Wi Cheon-ho let out a gasp of realization.
“Ah… So that’s why you said he would actually be pleased that Jo Tae-hwa was killed.”
I nodded.
“Think about it. Has the Ihwageomseonchong’s behavior been that of a normal organization?”
No.
It absolutely had not been.
“Manhwa Geom-je Jang I-cheong died, and numerous martial artists under the Four Stages of Heaven and Earth realm of the Ihwageomseonchong who tried to aid him have continued to perish. On top of that, they sent an envoy group, and that envoy group was also killed.”
It did not end there.
“One of the Four Main Gods of Cheon Rim was killed, and three of them have joined the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance. In blunt terms, Cheon Rim has effectively been absorbed into the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance.”
I paused briefly, then spoke with profound meaning.
“If things were normal, one crucial element should have been included in all of this.”
“…?”
“Military force. A direct military response.”
Han Mu-rin and Wi Cheon-ho struck their knees simultaneously.
“To be blunt, forming the Nine Gate Society and shaking the Imperial Court of Woon-guk were indeed sound strategies. But all of this is ultimately merely ‘preparation.'”
“Then….”
“The Ihwageomseonchong has never moved with its full strength for even a single moment. Yeon Song-baek, the sect master, and the elite martial artists of the Geom-chong who serve as his personal guard have not moved—they have only responded formally.”
Of course, events had unfolded rapidly, and the common people spoke of how my strategies had continuously outpaced those of the Ihwageomseonchong, producing favorable results in succession. But such talk came only from those who did not understand the deeper currents at play.
My gaze sharpened.
“This can ultimately be explained by the nature of the Murim itself.”
I looked at the two of them.
“If you can discern your opponent’s intentions and understand what lies hidden within those intentions, your vision will broaden.”
The two of them held their breath and listened intently.
“Yeon Song-baek is not someone to be trifled with.”
Deep experience resonated in my voice.
“Even at this very moment, he is likely contemplating whom he should kill using me as his blade. To pressure him and seize control of the situation itself, I need to hold certain cards in my hand.”
Han Mu-rin asked.
“Then going to An Sim Gun now—is that to gather those cards?”
“Something like that.”
“…May I ask what kind of cards those are?”
I shook my head.
“Watch and see. Then you’ll understand.”
I said nothing more after that.
Han Mu-rin was puzzled.
It seemed as though I was deliberately telling this story for Wi Cheon-ho to hear.
Why was that?
Was I still suspicious of Wi Cheon-ho?
He couldn’t say.
And moreover, was Yeon Song-baek of the Ihwageomseonchong truly using him to orchestrate a scheme of indirect murder?
Han Mu-rin didn’t consider himself a fool, yet somehow whenever he stood beside me, he felt like one.
Was Yeon Song-baek really such a person?
The sect master of the Ihwageomseonchong truly?
This question would be answered soon enough.
It was after approximately six time periods had passed.
I raised my hand, signaling everyone to stop.
It was at that moment when everyone halted simultaneously, their expressions turning puzzled as they looked toward me.
“You have keen senses.”
Two figures emerged from behind a tree.
The first to appear was a man in his mid-fifties.
With a sturdy build and a fierce countenance, a heavy and thick sword was strapped across his back.
His appearance was remarkably similar to Wi Cheon-ho’s.
Following behind him came a woman in her late thirties.
With cold beauty and an elongated blade at her waist, a chilling killing intent emanated from her entire being.
I smiled.
“I’ve heard that the Ihwageomseonchong has seven master swordsmen known as the Seven Flower Swords.”
“And?”
“Judging by your appearances, you must be So Young-jin, known by the alias Flower Absolute Sword, and Jang Jin-ok, known by the alias Flower Breaking Sword.”
Han Mu-rin’s face turned pale.
The Seven Flower Swords.
The sect master’s personal guard of the Ihwageomseonchong.
Among them, So Young-jin was known as the strongest—a master of the Heaven-Human Realm who had participated in countless assassinations and was instrumental in the Ihwageomseonchong’s establishment of branches and expansion of territory.
And Jang Jin-ok was a martial artist of the Divine Transformation Realm. Soon after, ten more martial artists of the Ihwageomseonchong appeared behind them.
Han Mu-rin’s shock at this moment stemmed not from their realms or identities.
‘The Supreme Commander’s words… were truly correct.’
Until now, I had already killed several martial artists of higher realms than myself. And recently, I had killed three martial artists of the Heaven-Human Realm alone.
So how could one possibly kill someone like me?
Obviously, one would need to bring more martial artists of even higher realms.
That was common sense.
I had proven this repeatedly, not just once or twice. If someone couldn’t make such a judgment, it wasn’t mere stupidity—it could only mean some hidden intention lay beneath the surface.
Now, one martial artist of the Heaven-Human Realm, one of the Divine Transformation Realm, and roughly ten other martial artists had appeared, and they were all practitioners of the Flame Qi Four Stages.
The number of people was perfectly calibrated—there was no doubt about it.
Had my movements been read?
It was now certain there was an insider, but who could it be?
And I had certainly said this.
-Yeon Song-baek must be contemplating right now which person he should kill using me as his blade.
That had been accurate.
My words had been precise.
Yeon Song-baek wasn’t trying to kill me—he was trying to use me.
Borrowing a knife to commit murder.
Han Mu-rin glanced at me. My expression remained calm, as if I had anticipated this entire situation.
So Young-jin swept her cold gaze across me.
“Are you Seol Woon-hwi of the Heavenly Righteousness Central Authority?”
“I am.”
“You’re younger than I expected.”
“In the martial world, what does age matter? Once you’ve drawn a sword, all are equal martial artists.”
So Young-jin let out a soft laugh.
“True. It’s been a while since I’ve heard such a piercing remark.”
“But why have you come here?”
At my words, cutting straight to the point, So Young-jin shrugged and spoke.
“Our Sect Leader has a message to convey.”
“I’m listening.”
“Regarding all that the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance has done thus far, let us set it aside and move forward together toward a new future.”
“A new future….”
“I’m not sure why you’re heading to An Sim Gun, but a few days ago, two branches of the Ihwageomseonchong collapsed, and another lost its function. Our Sect Leader is willing to let that matter rest as well.”
“It didn’t seem like you’d back down so easily. With terms like that, there must be something else you desire.”
“You see clearly. Our Sect Leader desires only one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Relinquish your position as head of the Heavenly Righteousness Central Authority and return to Snow Palace. That is the condition.”
I was about to let out a hollow laugh.
Jang Jin-ok stepped forward and spoke.
“Junior. Think carefully. You know it, and we know it. No matter what you do in that position called head of the Heavenly Righteousness Central Authority, the fact that we’re here means… you, being clever, understand what this means, don’t you?”
There was no way I couldn’t understand.
My movements had been completely read, which meant a traitor within the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance was actively moving.
Seol Woon-hwi asked.
“What will you do if I refuse?”
So Young-jin’s lips curved into a cold smile.
“Then I’ll have to send you there. To the Three Path River.”
Seol Woon-hwi let out a soft chuckle.
“Then why didn’t you bring more people?”
At those words, So Young-jin and Jang Jin-ok said nothing.
As if catching their hesitation, Seol Woon-hwi’s eyes gleamed with understanding.
“Ah, so someone else was supposed to arrive.”
“….”
“But you should give up. Whoever it is won’t be coming.”
“…What?”
“It seems Senior Jang doesn’t know, but Senior So does.”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Yeon Song-baek’s secret.”
At those words, So Young-jin flinched.
“…I don’t know what you’re saying.”
“It was twenty years ago. Yeon Hak-cheol, the previous sect master of the Ihwageomseonchong, had two disciples.”
“….”
“His own son, Yeon Song-baek, and Shin Gang, whose talent was no less than his—perhaps even greater.”
It was nothing extraordinary.
There was no one in the Murim who didn’t know this story.
“Yeon Hak-cheol, who sought to refine the Ihwajingyeong written by the founding sect master of the Ihwageomseonchong, entered closed-door training with his two disciples. That seclusion, originally planned for three years, was broken after merely one year.”
“….”
“Mount Hua Sect collapsed, and only Yeon Song-baek emerged with the Ihwajingyeong. And he said this: ‘When Father achieved enlightenment and entered energy circulation, Shin Gang ambushed and killed him, then tried to kill me as well. But I drove my sword through his chest, and Shin Gang died on the spot. And Mount Hua Sect collapsed.'”
“…Why are you bringing up that old tale now?”
“You already know why.”
“…So, what’s your answer to the proposal?”
“I refuse.”
So Young-jin placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.
“You killed Jang I-cheong, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know who taught him when he first entered the Ihwageomseonchong?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“It was me.”
So Young-jin slowly drew her blade.
“That fool always made mistakes. I do not. No matter how much you claim to have created a new realm, facing a martial artist who has perfected the Heaven-Human Realm carries great risk for you as well. So I’ll say this one last time. Stop this recklessness and return obediently to the Snow Palace.”
“My answer will remain the same no matter what you say.”
With those words, Seol Woon-hwi also drew the Jinwha Cheonryeong Geom.
As I have said before, I do not avoid the battles I have walked into.
Killing intent wrapped around us from all directions.
Jang Jin-ok drew her sword from her back as well.

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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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