Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 384

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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 384
“If there is anyone who can protect Yang-ryeong in my absence, it would be none other than you.”
“…Why are you suddenly saying this?”
“I’m merely stating facts.”
Seol Woon-hwi met Ju So-ah’s gaze directly.
“The Harmony Realm is no trivial achievement. When you look at the county magistrates and governors managing other cities, many of them are mere commoners. If someone of Harmony Realm caliber guards this land, the stability increases proportionally.”
No Cheon-myeong, a master of Heaven-Human Unity, is merely the headmaster of the academy.
He could offer assistance, but Ju So-ah’s position and No Cheon-myeong’s position are fundamentally different. That was an undeniable truth.
“Once we bring the Baekryeong-wi or Snow Heaven Guard later, you’ll have more freedom then. For now, continue protecting Yang-ryeong. Can you do that?”
“…If you put it that way, then of course… I have to. Um, when will they arrive?”
“It won’t take long. At most, a month.”
“…Isn’t a month quite a while?”
“It will pass in a flash. So don’t cause any trouble.”
“What trouble? Am I that kind of person?”
Ju So-ah scratched her head and assumed the Embracing Fist stance.
“Safe travels.”
Seol Woon-hwi nodded.
That day, the envoy departed.
Their destination was Gongneung, where the Martial Alliance Main Headquarters stood.
The estimated travel time was two weeks.
* * *
Gongneung.
The seat of the Martial Alliance Main Headquarters.
As the envoy’s carriage passed through the city gates, all eyes turned toward it at once.
The banner of the Eternal Snow Palace.
That alone was enough.
A commotion began to stir.
Everyone knew who rode within.
Two of the Polar Descendants.
And they were Seol Woon-hwi and Seol Yeon-hwa.
Seol Yeon-hwa was extraordinarily famous. Her beauty was so remarkable that she bore countless epithets as a masterpiece sculpted by the Eternal Snow Mountain—yet unfortunately, today was different.
To put it bluntly, she might as well have been a folding screen.
The presence of Seol Woon-hwi, who traveled with her, was simply too overwhelming.
He was younger in age. Now that the year had changed, he had come of age, yet look at all he had accomplished thus far.
The word “remarkable” hardly sufficed.
Among martial artists, countless numbers admired Seol Woon-hwi, and countless numbers envied him as well. Such was his standing.
Namgung Won Yang gazed out the window and murmured softly.
“…It’s quite impressive.”
“What is?”
“This Gongneung. It’s larger than Yang-ryeong… and seems more magnificent than Geonkon Castle.”
Seol Woon-hwi did not answer.
He merely gazed out the window.
Gongneung.
A place he had visited countless times in his previous life.
As the Blood Heaven Middle Emperor.
As a master of Primordial Sole Existence.
Each time, this fortress city had revealed a different face.
Sometimes it welcomed him.
Sometimes it stood against him.
But now it was neither one nor the other.
Ambiguous.
It appeared welcoming, yet beneath that surface lay vigilance. The Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace maintained neutrality. It favored no faction. Moreover, it supported the emerging power known as the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance from behind the scenes.
And all these connections ultimately traced back to a single figure—Seol Woon-hwi—who had now arrived at the Martial Alliance.
Caution was inevitable, as was the suspicion blooming in every corner.
Their wariness was only natural.
“Our youngest is certainly remarkable.”
I glanced briefly at Seol Yeon-hwa, who smiled softly.
“This elder sister, famous for her beauty, is now being outshone by our youngest. How vexing.”
I shook my head.
“It is only because Elder Sister shines so brightly that I can shine at all.”
“…Ah…?”
“It is thanks to you, Elder Sister.”
“…You speak well too. No wonder they call you the Blood Heaven Middle Emperor.”
Soon after, the carriage came to a halt before the main headquarters of the Martial Alliance.
Seol Woon-hwi descended first, followed by Seol Yeon-hwa, and then Namgung Won Yang.
Just as Namgung Won Yang, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the building and its atmosphere, swallowed hard.
Ha Baek-hyeon approached. Our eyes met. Two men exchanged a glance.
“Welcome.”
A deep voice rang out.
As everyone turned their heads, several men and women descended the stairs visible beyond the entrance of the main headquarters.
The man at the front performed a cupped fist salute.
“I am Zhuge Yeong-hyeon, Vice Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance.”
Though this was the first time in such an official setting, Zhuge Yeong-hyeon, whom I had met several times before, now presented an entirely different demeanor than on those previous occasions.
Beyond his impeccable courtesy, there was an unmistakable dignity about him.
Suppressing an inward smile, I returned a respectful cupped fist salute.
“I am Seol Woon-hwi of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace, Hyeon Seol-rin.”
Following my introduction.
“I am Seol Yeon-hwa of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace, Bing Seol-ryeong.”
Seol Yeon-hwa completed her greeting.
“Thank you for undertaking such a long journey.”
In Zhuge Yeong-hyeon’s gaze, Seol Woon-hwi could read much. On the surface, he appeared welcoming, but beneath that veneer lay caution and calculation.
Predictable.
He had devised a scheme. Together with Gun Mu-gyeol.
This place was a tiger’s den. Seol Woon-hwi perceived it with absolute clarity.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
“It is only natural. The Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace and the Martial Alliance have maintained a long-standing friendship.”
Zhuge Yeong-hyeon smiled.
Seol Woon-hwi’s gaze naturally drifted toward the old man beside Zhuge Yeong-hyeon.
“Ah, an old acquaintance, I presume? This is Wang Mu-ha, one of the Eight Grand Elders of the Martial Alliance and Elder of the Golden Sword Association.”
At Zhuge Yeong-hyeon’s introduction, Wang Mu-ha glanced at him before turning his gaze to Seol Woon-hwi.
“It has been a long time, Young Master Seol.”
Wang Mu-ha’s smile was genuine.
“Senior Wang. It has been too long. I hope you have been well.”
“Well? Of course I have been well. I visited the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance once before, but I did not get to see you—a true shame. Yet how fortunate to see you now.”
“Unfortunately, my condition was not sound at that time, and I have been deeply concerned whether my subordinates may have shown any discourtesy.”
“Hah, no need for concern, no need at all. I was well received and understood the circumstances. Put your mind at ease.”
Wang Mu-ha’s gaze was peculiar.
Even now, countless theories circulated through the Murim regarding how Mae Wi-dong, the previous Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, had died.
Perhaps Wang Mu-ha was one of the few who could deduce the truth.
Yet he did not reveal it, nor did he speak of it openly.
Because he harbored goodwill toward Seol Woon-hwi.
Seol Woon-hwi felt the same. He too held Wang Mu-ha in high regard.
In this vast Martial Alliance, if I had to choose one person above all others, and could make only that one person my ally, I would choose Wang Mu-ha without the slightest hesitation.
Not because he possessed the talent to ascend to the future Dao Transformation Authority, but because of his character.
A smile played at the corners of Seol Woon-hwi’s lips.
A man who upheld his Way in the vast realm of the Murim.
Such a person he was.
“I am relieved to see you in good health, Senior.”
“Good health indeed. This Wang Mu-ha is not yet ready to meet his end.”
Wang Mu-ha burst into hearty laughter.
Zhuge Yeong-hyeon’s eyes shifted subtly.
But soon he smiled again.
“Come, let us proceed inside. We have prepared guest quarters for you.”
“Thank you.”
The party entered the main building of the Martial Alliance.
The corridors were spacious and immaculate.
Yet Seol Woon-hwi’s eyes perceived other things.
Martial artists positioned throughout.
Though they appeared as servants or guards on the surface, they were all masters.
At minimum, at the Body Establishment Boundary.
At the highest level, reaching the Heaven-Human Realm.
The Martial Alliance had been vigilant.
Toward the Eternal Snow Palace.
No, toward him.
Seol Woon-hwi paid it no mind.
Rather, he had anticipated this much.
He arrived at the guest house.
“Please rest comfortably. A banquet has been prepared for this evening.”
“Understood.”
Zhuge Yeong-hyeon withdrew.
But Wang Mu-ha remained.
“Young Master Seol.”
“Yes, Senior.”
“I have something to say.”
Wang Mu-ha glanced around.
After confirming that everyone else had entered, he approached Seol Woon-hwi.
“Be careful.”
“…What do you mean, Senior?”
“There are those who do not view you favorably.”
Wang Mu-ha’s voice lowered.
“Both within the Martial Alliance and without.”
“I am aware.”
“…You are?”
“Yes.”
Seol Woon-hwi met Wang Mu-ha’s gaze.
“I am merely grateful that you concern yourself with me, Senior.”
“Heh, as I have said before, I have yet to repay the debt from that great match.”
Wang Mu-ha patted Seol Woon-hwi’s shoulder.
“So if you find yourself in difficulty, come to me. This old man will help you.”
“I am grateful, but there is one thing I must clarify.”
“What is that?”
“You owe me no debt, Senior Wang.”
“…Hmm?”
“The great match was merely a great match. Crucially, I neither elevated your realm nor failed to do so—so all that remains is the simple fact that two men played a match of strategy together.”
“Hmm… Is that how you see it?”
“That is how I wish to see it. That way, you need not burden yourself, Senior.”
“Heh… Do I appear to be shackling myself?”
“Yes.”
“…You are truly… mysterious. Just when I think I understand you, I find I do not.”
“Thank you.”
“I shall take your words to heart.”
Seol Woon-hwi nodded and moved his lips silently.
Jeonum transmission.
-Senior.
Wang Mu-ha’s eyes widened.
-…What?
-I have one request.
-Speak freely.
-Tomorrow, or the day after, do not move no matter what happens.
Wang Mu-ha’s expression hardened.
-…What do you mean?
-Simply remain at the inn. Or venture far away.
-Young Master Seol, what in the world….
-If it benefits you, Senior, then it is beneficial. There will be no harm.
Wang Mu-ha looked directly at Seol Woon-hwi.
His eyes were filled with questions.
But the Seol Woon-hwi he knew was not a man who spoke nonsense.
He could not take such words lightly.
-…I understand.
-Thank you.
-Perhaps.
Wang Mu-ha asked carefully.
-…Is something happening at the Martial Alliance?
-Do not worry.
Seol Woon-hwi smiled.
-It is a good thing.
-A good thing?
-Yes.
Seol Woon-hwi said nothing more beyond that.
Wang Mu-ha did not ask further.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Safe travels, Senior.”
Wang Mu-ha departed.
Seol Woon-hwi, now alone, entered the inn.
Namgung Won Yang was waiting.
“Master.”
Seol Woon-hwi asked as Won Yang performed a respectful cupped fist salute.
“Did you relay what I told you?”
“I have confirmed it.”
“And the answer?”
“They say it’s positive.”
It was sufficiently satisfactory.
“Won Yang.”
“Yes.”
“You have two choices.”
“…I’m listening.”
“Tomorrow night, I will have a private audience with Gun Mu-gyeol. Your presence there is the first option.”
“And the second?”
“The Dragon Phoenix Gathering opens tomorrow morning. Your participation in it is the second option.”
At my words, Won Yang’s eyes widened.
“…You’re giving me a chance to restore the fallen Namgung name once more, aren’t you?”
“That’s about right.”
Won Yang spoke as if there was no need to deliberate further.
“I’ll stay by your side, my lord.”
“If things go wrong, you could die.”
“Being buried with you wouldn’t be so bad.”
I let out a soft laugh.
“You alone could die.”
“….”
“I’m joking.”
I walked slowly and stood beside Won Yang.
“And one more thing.”
Won Yang turned his head.

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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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