The Great Heavenly Sword Emperor - Chapter 90

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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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#090. Another Seed (1)

While Cheon Mujgyeol and Bukgung Danya made their way toward the Old Saryeongkyo Headquarters,
another tide was stirring across the Gangho.
It began with the Namgung Sega.
In the study of Namgung Hyeongyeom, the Family Head of the Namgung Sega, five figures had assembled.
They were the heads of the five families once known as the Five Great Families.
Hwangbo In of the Hwangbo Sega, Paeng Doyeong of the Habuk Paeng Family, Dang Ryul of the Sichuan Dang Family, and lastly Jegal Hongyun of the Jegal Sega.
Their expressions were grave, yet the atmosphere was not heavy.
A chance had arrived—perhaps the last one—born from the recent turmoil of the Dongbang Sega.
“I’m grateful you’ve come such a distance at my request. Especially you, Family Head Dang.”
Anhui Province, where the Namgung Sega made their seat, and Sichuan Province, home to the Dang Family, were worlds apart.
Yet at Namgung Hyeongyeom’s summons, he had willingly crossed that expanse.
“Why would I refuse to gather for something good? A journey of the body is nothing compared to the torment the heart has endured these years.”
The other Family Heads nodded at Dang Ryul’s words.
Not only Dang Ryul, but all of them had answered Namgung Hyeongyeom’s invitation gladly, without a trace of reluctance.
Namgung Hyeongyeom regarded each of them in turn, gratitude warming his eyes, then spoke.
“As all the world knows, the evil deeds that the Dongbang Sega committed while deceiving us have been laid bare.”
“Though I harbored no illusions about their cleanliness, now that the truth is revealed, the sting of betrayal cuts deep.”
Hwangbo In’s words drew agreement from Paeng Doyeong.
“Precisely. Though we lost the prestige we once held when they eclipsed us, we bore it because we believed them to be guardians of justice in the Gangho.
And many beyond those gathered here share this sentiment.”
The others nodded in unison.
“The disorder in the Gangho wrought by the Dongbang Sega must be set right by someone. And I believe we are the ones fit to do it.”
“You speak truly. Who else would step forward? The Nine Sects have long bowed to the Dongbang Sega’s dominance, barred themselves in their ancestral halls, and abandoned all activity in the Gangho.”
Hwangbo In spoke with his fist clenched.
“That is why I gathered you here—to discuss this matter. We could exchange letters, but I thought speaking face to face would be more certain.”
“A wise choice.”
Jegal Hongyun, who had been silent until now, replied.
Then Namgung Hyeongyeom turned toward him with a knowing smile.
“I suspect you’ve already given this considerable thought, Family Head Jegal.”
The other Family Heads regarded him with expectant eyes.
Jegal Hongyun shook his head, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“What would I have ready at a moment’s notice? A proper plan emerges only after we’ve shared our thoughts and heard one another’s wisdom.”
Though Jegal Hongyun demurred, none of them took him at face value.
With a quiet sigh, he opened his mouth once more.
“Now that the Dongbang Sega’s evil deeds are exposed, what we must do is simple.”
“Simple? One thing can truly solve this?”
At Paeng Doyeong’s question, Jegal Hongyun smiled.
“Everything of consequence begins with one thing. Attempt too many paths from the start, and the work tangles in the middle.”
“Well spoken.”
When Namgung Hyeongyeom voiced his agreement, Jegal Hongyun continued.
“Now that the Dongbang Sega’s evil deeds are exposed, our task is to compensate those who have suffered because of them.”
“But why should we bear that cost? The Dongbang Sega, as the perpetrators, ought to.”
Dang Ryul’s tone betrayed his bewilderment.
“True. They ought to. But will they? They’ve admitted their fault, yes—but admitting wrongdoing and surrendering one’s wealth are two different matters entirely. I suspect they will not.”
“If they possess even a shred of shame, they must surrender what they’ve taken!”
Though these were merely Jegal Hongyun’s conjectures, Hwangbo In reacted as though they were established fact.
“Please, calm yourself. I speak only of my assessment. The crux is this: as we provide compensation, we must simultaneously elevate the prestige of our Five Great Families.”
“There’s a stratagem at work here.”
At Namgung Hyeongyeom’s observation, Jegal Hongyun nodded.
“If we cannot extract what already lies in the Dongbang Sega’s grasp, we redirect what is about to fall into their hands.”
“What is about to fall into their hands?”
“Yes. We turn the financial channels the Dongbang Sega has long controlled toward ourselves. They have already lost the hearts of the common people, so such work should not be difficult.”
“If we divert those funds, they become ours rather than theirs. But using our own wealth for compensation presents a certain difficulty…….”
At Paeng Doyeong’s words, Jegal Hongyun opened his mouth.
“To elevate our status, there is no other way. The Dongbang Sega has committed countless wrongs, and many have suffered for it. We of the Five Great Families cannot stand idle—we must act. To the world’s eyes, it will appear as our compassion, our mercy. And how shall we fund this? With the very wealth we seize from Dongbang Sega.”
“Hmm…….”
“The compensation we dispense will be modest and brief. Those claiming injury from Dongbang Sega must prove it—no simple matter. Yes, at first we may part with considerable sums, but within years we shall recoup many times that amount.”
The other Family Heads nodded at Jegal Hongyun’s words, finding merit in the scheme.
“And through it all, we restore the prestige of the Five Great Families while dragging Dongbang Sega down further by revisiting their crimes.”
“Haha! The wisdom of the Jegal Family Head is truly remarkable, is it not?”
Hwangbo In laughed with satisfaction as he spoke.
“But I’ve heard that Cheon Mujgyeol is currently staying with Dongbang Sega. Might disturbing them invite blowback?”
Paeng Doyeong raised the matter of Cheon Mujgyeol’s presence.
“Cheon Mujgyeol will not be deeply entangled with Dongbang Sega. Taking their side now would be laughable. He must be there for some other purpose.”
“Then, shall we entrust the detailed planning to you, Jegal Family Head? We must remain united under the banner of the Five Great Families, as we have been.”
“What cause would any of us have to refuse?”
The other Family Heads voiced their agreement with Namgung Hyeongyeom’s suggestion.
“Then, demanding as it may be, guide us well, Jegal Family Head. Let the Five Great Families soar once more.”
“Very well.”
Jegal Hongyun accepted the proposal without hesitation at Namgung Hyeongyeom’s words.
Saryeongkyo did not cross the minds of any of them.

* * *

While the Five Great Families schemed only for their own gain, Cheon Mujgyeol and Bukgung Danya pressed forward without rest.
At an inn in a village they passed through.
The memory of what had transpired in the previous village made them wary, but fortunately all remained quiet.
While resting at the inn, they received a visitor from the Janteng Society.
He brought news of the village said to revere the Heuksansin.
“All the villagers have regained their senses. None of them remember anything. Nor do either of you retain any memory.”
“As expected.”
Bukgung Danya replied curtly, as if he had foreseen this.
“What is the condition of the villagers now?”
“Initially they were quite distraught, deeply shaken. Above all, someone did not survive.”
Cheon Mujgyeol nodded, recalling the one who had coughed up the orb and perished.
“We kept watch quietly for several days. Fortunately, they are gradually finding their footing.”
“Are there any unusual aftereffects of any kind?”
“No. None so far.”
At this, Bukgung Danya exhaled in relief.
“From this point forward, should you encounter anything suspicious on our path to our destination—no matter how trivial—inform us at once.”
“We are already moving. The moment anything suspicious is found, we will relay it swiftly.”
“Thank you.”
The man from the Janteng Society withdrew quietly after Cheon Mujgyeol’s thanks.
Once they were alone, Bukgung Danya lowered his voice.
“What could possibly be the aim of such an act in that village? There seems to be no profit in it.”
“The intention eludes me, but I hope it is not that.”
“That would mean…….”
At Bukgung Danya’s question, Cheon Mujgyeol’s gaze grew distant and heavy.
“A display.”
“A…… display?”
At Bukgung Danya’s confused reaction, Cheon Mujgyeol continued.
“That I know you have awakened. That I know where you are going.”
“Surely…… they wouldn’t flaunt such a thing?”
Bukgung Danya let out a hollow laugh, his expression skeptical.
But Cheon Mujgyeol’s face remained unchanged.
In truth, the word “diversion” had crossed his mind, but he had chosen another in hopes it was not something so grave.
Bukgung Danya recalled the phantom he had encountered before.
The manner in which arrogance had tipped into outright conceit.
Remembering that, Cheon Mujgyeol’s words seemed plausible.
“I too pray it is not so. Inexcusable regardless of intent, but let it not be the worst.”
Anger flickered in Cheon Mujgyeol’s voice, then faded.
“I confess fear now. Our destination draws near, and I dread what may unfold in the interim. Perhaps something perilous awaits us there.”
Cheon Mujgyeol nodded at Bukgung Danya’s words.
“We must assume something awaits us. Only then can we meet any circumstance with readiness.”
“Yes… that would be best.”
Bukgung Danya exhaled slowly, as if trying to shed the weight pressing down on his chest.

* * *

Cheon Mujgyeol and Bukgung Danya departed the inn and after a full day’s journey arrived at the valley where the Old Saryeongkyo Headquarters was said to lie.
Towering cliffs rose in jagged succession, and there was scarcely a trace of life to be found.
Only sparse grasses and small trees that had barely taken root in the rocky crevices testified that anything still lived here.
“Desolate. Cold.”
At Bukgung Danya’s words, Cheon Mujgyeol nodded.
The valley was immense and vast.
Beyond being untouched by human passage, he felt that a place like this would have been difficult to find in the first place.
[A place I long for.]
Cheon Mujgyeol’s brow furrowed at Cheonsingeom’s words.
‘Long for? What does that mean?’
This had been Saryeongkyo’s headquarters.
Cheongeom Daeje must have come all the way here and fought a final battle against Saryeongkyo.
And yet to call it a place of longing.
The words seemed out of place.
[A slip of the tongue. I came here when I was young—it slipped out without my meaning to.]
Though Cheonsingeom called it a mistake, Cheon Mujgyeol couldn’t stop thinking about it.
A persistent unease gnawed at him.
“Somewhere in this valley, there should be a chamber that served as Saryeongkyo’s main hall. Let us search for it.”
At Bukgung Danya’s words, Cheon Mujgyeol pushed aside his thoughts of Cheonsingeom for the moment and moved forward.
Yet in the corner of his mind, Cheonsingeom’s words—a place I long for—continued to circle like an unshakeable shadow.

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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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