Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 343

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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 343
Tragically, not a single official in the Imperial Court remained ignorant of King Yun Deok’s condition, and all were mentally preparing themselves for what was to come.
Crown Prince Woon-mu, who had already been conducting regency, declared that his coronation would take place immediately.
That coronation ceremony was being held today in this very Royal Fortress.
Officials from every region, those stationed within the fortress itself, and even military officers—
Hundreds of officials lined the Grand Hall of the Royal Fortress.
Civil and military officials stood in their designated positions along both sides of the wide hall, its floor covered in crimson carpet, while at the far end stood a magnificent throne adorned with gold.
“Crown Prince Woon-mu enters the court!”
The messenger’s proclamation filled the Grand Hall.
Moments later, Woon-mu entered slowly, dressed in an ornate imperial robe embroidered with dragons.
At twenty-eight years of age, his refined features combined with composed dignity naturally emanated the majesty of a king.
The officials knelt as one.
“We pay homage to the new king!”
A thunderous cry reverberated through the Grand Hall.
As Woon-mu ascended the throne, the ministers presented the imperial seal and crown in succession. The ceremony proceeded with solemn grandeur.
“From this day forth, I become king of Woon-guk, and I swear to dedicate myself to the peace of my people and the prosperity of the realm.”
As Woon-mu’s declaration ended, the Grand Hall erupted in cheers once more.
Yet Woon-mu’s gaze remained fixed on one spot among the officials.
There stood Seol Woon-hwi and Hwa Mu-nyeom, both wearing black robes with the golden insignia of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance embroidered upon them.
Though the coronation ceremony for Seol Woon-hwi as Alliance Leader had not yet begun, the relationship between Woon-guk and the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance was far from ordinary.
By any measure, Seol Woon-hwi and Hwa Mu-nyeom had to be present at this gathering.
Woon-mu’s eyes met Seol Woon-hwi’s.
The two men neither spoke nor transmitted their voices to one another.
There would be time to discuss such matters after the ceremony concluded, in a private setting.
The ceremony lasted three hours, and the moment it ended, Woon-mu dismissed all the officials and summoned only Seol Woon-hwi and Hwa Mu-nyeom separately.
Seated upon the throne, Woon-mu opened his mouth as he regarded the two men.
“It has been a long time, Seol Woon-hwi.”
“I offer my congratulations on your ascension, Your Majesty.”
Seol Woon-hwi offered a respectful cupped fist salute.
“Congratulations? Without you, could I have sat in this seat today?”
Deep gratitude resonated in Woon-mu’s voice.
Had Seol Woon-hwi not eliminated the Prime Minister and Prince Chin during the Nine Gate Society incident, the Woon-mu of today would not exist.
Even if that action had been taken purely for Seol Woon-hwi’s own benefit, Woon-mu could not help but feel grateful.
On that day, Woon-mu had even considered striking at Seol Woon-hwi from behind, and had he failed to grasp the deeper meaning of the game Seol Woon-hwi had orchestrated, Woon-mu’s fate that day would have ended in death.
“It was only possible because of the virtue Your Majesty possesses.”
“Still as humble as ever.”
With those words, Woon-mu smiled and turned his gaze toward Hwa Mu-nyeom.
“I have not forgotten what transpired that day.”
Woon-mu’s tone toward Hwa Mu-nyeom shifted.
This was not because he held Seol Woon-hwi in lower regard.
This was because Hwa Mu-nyeom was a figure of that caliber.
“When you wore the mask, your bearing was confident, but now that you’ve removed it, you truly live up to your reputation.”
Hwa Mu-nyeom chuckled softly.
“Your kind words humble me. Though I have not yet held an enthronement ceremony as you have, I am Hwa Mu-nyeom, who will soon take on the role of Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance.”
“Haha… I never expected to meet the legendary Yeom Wang in person. Your renown has spread far and wide throughout Woon-guk and even to our rival nations… it is truly an honor.”
“The honor is mine as well, to meet King Yun Mu.”
The two men, more formal than expected, did not forget their courtesies.
“Now that Yeom Wang has become the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, it seems the power structure of the Murim will shift dramatically.”
At Woon Mu’s words, Hwa Mu-nyeom nodded in agreement.
“That is certain to happen, but Woon-guk will also shake the power structure greatly. The people of Woon-guk are to be envied, having gained a ruler as virtuous and wise as yourself.”
The praise was enough to raise goosebumps.
Hwa Mu-nyeom opened his mouth as if he had just remembered something.
“The Heavenly Righteousness Alliance wishes to maintain friendly relations with Woon-guk at all times.”
“Of course it should. I too wish to maintain friendly relations with the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance for a very long time.”
With those words, Woon Mu rose from his throne and approached the two men.
“In truth, I summoned you both today because I wished to discuss our future.”
“Our future, you say?”
Seol Woon-hwi asked.
“The future of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance and Woon-guk.”
Woon Mu spoke while gazing out the window.
“Until now, Woon-guk has maintained a certain distance from the Murim. But it seems the time has come for that to change.”
“What sort of change do you speak of?”
Hwa Mu-nyeom asked with keen interest.
“Since the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance stands with Woon-guk, we must face both the Martial Alliance and the Four Heaven Alliance together. To do so, we must surely solidify our foundation first, must we not?”
“By foundation, you mean…?”
The bonds between Woon-guk and the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance were already deep.
They cooperated not only economically but also in matters of intelligence.
Yet for such words to be spoken meant he wished to discuss something more concrete.
Woon Mu spoke as he settled back into his throne.
“Currently, Cheonsu-sa dispatched throughout Woon-guk manage the Murim in each region. I wish to systematize this further.”
“In what direction, if I may ask?”
To Hwa Mu-nyeom’s question, Woon Mu answered quietly.
“Until now, the Cheonsu-sa and local administrators have worked separately in their respective domains. But going forward, more intimate cooperation will be necessary.”
Seol Woon-hwi also regarded Woon Mu with an expression full of interest.
Woon Mu continued slowly.
“First, I wish to establish monthly regular meetings where we share information about each region’s situation and respond jointly when necessary. The Cheonsu-sa would handle Murim affairs while the local administrators handle civil matters, but they would be organically connected to one another.”
Seol Woon-hwi immediately grasped the true meaning behind Woon Mu’s words.
“Organically connected… that sounds like you’re asking the warriors of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance to train the government troops.”
Hwa Mu-nyeom flinched, and Woon Mu’s eyes gleamed.
“…Indeed, it is pointless to speak in roundabout ways to Cheon Ui Jung-jeong. Is that not so, Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance?”
Hwa Mu-nyeom simply nodded in silence.
To be honest, Hwa Mu-nyeom understood the situation unfolding to some degree, but he couldn’t quite grasp Woon Mu’s true intentions.
This was no simple matter.
The Cheonsu Temple of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance teaching martial arts to government troops?
One had to look at it differently.
“You wish to reorganize the royal guard, Your Majesty.”
At Seol Woon-hwi’s words, Woon Mu nodded.
“Will it be difficult?”
Seol Woon-hwi looked toward Hwa Mu-nyeom. Many believed Hwa Mu-nyeom held the title of Alliance Leader, but that full authority rested with Seol Woon-hwi.
When Hwa Mu-nyeom nodded silently, Seol Woon-hwi spoke at once.
“An excellent proposal, Your Majesty. As you suggest, I shall make adjustments to Cheonsu Temple’s duties. And as you well know.”
“When something goes out, something must come in.”
“Then what can you offer in return?”
“Tell me first what you desire.”
Seol Woon-hwi answered briefly.
“Five days hence, the inauguration ceremony of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance’s new Alliance Leader will take place.”
“…Hmm….”
“Your presence at that ceremony would be essential.”
Hwa Mu-nyeom turned his head to look at Seol Woon-hwi, unable to have imagined such a request.
Woon Mu felt the same way.
A king of a nation appearing at the inauguration of some organization’s leader?
And at that, an event of the martial world?
This was unprecedented.
Even with organizations like the Martial Alliance or the Four Heaven Alliance, it was customary for envoys from various nations to attend and offer congratulations directly.
“For me to attend in person….”
“It would make clear that the bond between Woon-guk and the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance transcends mere alliance—that we are one body.”
“….”
“What say you?”
The Heavenly Righteousness Alliance had entered the ranks of the three great powers precisely because of its excellent relationship with Woon-guk.
That sense of danger—that to touch the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance was to touch Woon-guk itself—had stirred the martial artists’ caution. If such unity were made manifest, none save Cheon Do-ja of the Original Blood Sect would dare move against the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance.
After a moment’s contemplation, Woon Mu nodded.
“Very well. It shall be so.”
One more figure had been added to attend the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance’s Alliance Leader inauguration ceremony today.
* * *
Time passed.
The central plaza of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance in Cheonsu radiated a solemnity unlike any before.
Upon a high dais decorated with crimson silk stood an ornate dragon gate, and beneath it stood hundreds of martial artists in formation.
Observing the faces of those gathered for the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance’s Alliance Leader inauguration ceremony, the grandeur was worthy of recording in the annals of martial history.
On the left side of the dais sat the patriarchs of the O Dae Geom-jong.
Shin Gang, appearing in an official gathering for the first time since the death of his predecessor Yeon Song-baek, bore a striking appearance—half white-haired, half black-haired—and emanated a keen, piercing aura as if steeped in the sword itself.
Seated beside him was Cheon Young-ho, the Sect Master of the Suncheon Sword Sect, followed by Eum Mu-seon, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sound Sword Sect.
Next to them sat Cheong Woon-ja, the Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, who bore the bearing of a Daoist sage, while Seong Mu-jin, the Sect Master of the Divine Slaughter Sword Sect, conversed quietly with Cheong Woon-ja as if they were on good terms.
On the right side were seated the Sect Masters of the Four Demonic Outer Sects.
Dong Mu-rin, the new Palace Lord of the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace, was the youngest among them, yet his recent fame from annihilating the Shin Ju-eon clan had already spread throughout the entire Murim.
Heuk Mu-cheon, the Palace Lord of the Black Heaven Demon Prison Palace, emanated an overwhelming aura befitting his massive frame, while Shim Mu-ryeong, the Gate Master of the Heavenly Demon Yin Spirit Gate, observed his surroundings with a sinister smile.
Do Mu-shim, the Gate Master of the Heart Demon Dao Gate, remained the quietest among them, yet the danger concealed within that silence was palpable to all.
Further ahead, in the honored guest section, sat the true titans.
Mo Yong Nam-cheon, the Vice Alliance Leader of the Sichuan Sect, was a master who had already reached the realm of Heaven-Human Unity despite being only in his mid-forties.
Behind his refined appearance lay the demeanor of a cold and calculating strategist who truly guided the Sichuan Sect.
Zhuge Yeong-hyeon, the Vice Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance, was slightly older and possessed a lower realm, yet he was highly regarded as the sole descendant of the Zhuge clan that had dominated Murim before the Thousand Year Chaos, and as the mastermind leading the Martial Alliance itself.
To be clear, the presence of both the core of the Sichuan Sect and the core of the Martial Alliance signified that the status of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance itself had skyrocketed.
And beside them sat Seol Ho-ryeong, the Young Palace Lord of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace.
Not yet thirty years old, he was already a formidable master who had reached the Divine Transformation Realm, and he smiled brightly—a smile that had every reason to be there.
His youngest brother, dispatched from Snow Palace to the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, had elevated that very alliance into one of the three great powers of Murim.
He had always thought it remarkable, but this exceeded even his imagination.
The eyes of the smiling Seol Ho-ryeong and Seol Woon-hwi met.

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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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