Chapter 10 : Sichuan Tang Clan (5)

Chapter 10: Sichuan Tang Clan (5)

Wait a moment.

Did he really hear that correctly?

‘…Did he just ask me to become his disciple?’

Sewoon was so shocked that he couldn’t respond, simply staring blankly at Yoo Jinhak.

It was a rudeness one could have taken offense to if they wanted.

“Haha, now you're finally showing a reaction fitting your age.”

Seeing Sewoon’s flustered face, Yoo Jinhak smiled warmly, like a grandfather amused by his grandson’s antics.

As the tension in the air naturally dissipated, the members of the Tang Clan also belatedly grasped the situation.

The impact was massive.

“D-Did I just hear that correctly?”

“The Sword Emperor actually offered discipleship?”

“Hiiik! Then does that mean the Young Master is to become the Murim Alliance Leader’s sixth disciple?!”

“You fool. Lee Hoseong has already been expelled. That makes him the fifth disciple!”

“A direct disciple of the world's strongest martial artist in our Tang Clan!”

The meeting room practically shook from the uproar.

Everyone from the Tang Clan was chattering with excited, flushed faces as if they themselves had been chosen by the Alliance Leader.

But it was understandable.

For Sewoon to become the disciple of the Murim Alliance Leader was an unparalleled honor for the clan.

The Alliance Leader had taken five disciples thus far.

Lee Hoseong had been expelled before officially becoming a disciple, so technically there were four.

Regardless.

‘What matters is that all sects that produced a disciple became central powers within the Murim Alliance.’

Becoming the disciple of the strongest martial artist meant gaining immense honor and influence in the martial world.

As shown by Tang Hoyeol’s recent disgraceful behavior, many factions sought to form ties with Yoo Jinhak.

But Yoo Jinhak was virtually synonymous with integrity.

So those with darker intentions turned instead to bribing his disciples.

Not to say all his disciples were corrupt, but structurally their influence naturally grew.

The Qingcheng Sect knew this as well, which is why they held a grand banquet for days when Lee Hoseong became the fifth disciple.

‘Moreover, we also have painful memories tied to this.’

Originally, the Sichuan Tang Clan was one of the Seven Great Clans, but that position was taken by another.

‘If the Young Master becomes the Alliance Leader’s disciple…’

‘…couldn’t we reclaim the position those bastards stole from us?’

‘Yes, we’ll crush those damn Hwangbo bastards.’

It had all started when the Young Master of the Hwangbo Clan became the third disciple of the Alliance Leader, causing their fortunes to skyrocket beyond reason.

But if they now had their own disciple of the Alliance Leader—

–they could reclaim the lost glory.

The spark of hope thought long extinguished began to reignite in the hearts of the Tang Clan.

The atmosphere in the meeting room swiftly transformed into something resembling a festival.

And so, the only ones uncomfortable with the current situation were—

‘D-Damn it. This can’t be happening.’

Only Tang Hoyeol and his followers.

Having just recovered from internal injuries, Tang Hoyeol was utterly stupefied by the unexpected turn of events in the meeting.

To him, it was like lightning out of a clear sky.

He had been inwardly celebrating the disgrace of the annoying Young Master.

But why had the Murim Alliance Leader suddenly chosen that half-wit born with the Heavenly Punishment as his successor?

‘If that brat really becomes the Alliance Leader’s disciple…!’

If Sewoon became the Alliance Leader’s fifth disciple, the power structure Tang Hoyeol had painstakingly built within the Tang Clan would be completely overturned.

The honor Sewoon would gain would far surpass any recognition the Ten Thousand Seas Escort Agency could earn by becoming Sichuan’s leading escort agency.

Just as Tang Hoyeol’s eyes began to tremble as if struck by an earthquake—

“I…”

After a long silence, Sewoon finally opened his lips.

The once-noisy meeting room instantly fell silent.

Everyone, including Yoo Jinhak, focused intently on Sewoon’s response.

And then—

“I’m truly sorry, but I don’t think I can accept that offer.”

“Yes, wise choice. You should rest well today and tomorrow we’ll head to Kaifeng to— H-Huh?”

Sewoon had declined the offer to become the Alliance Leader’s disciple.

The Tang Clan members were so shocked their mouths hung open.

“H-He said no?”

Even Yoo Jinhak blinked in surprise.

Sighs and groans escaped from various corners of the meeting room.

Most of the Tang Clan simply could not comprehend Sewoon’s decision.

“Hmm, this is the first time I’ve been turned down. I’m rather stunned.”

“…I can only apologize.”

“May I ask your reason?”

Once again, all eyes focused on Sewoon following Yoo Jinhak’s question.

Sewoon spoke with utmost sincerity.

“In the future, as one who must lead and represent a clan, how could I rely on another sect’s martial arts to protect myself?”

“Just as the Alliance Leader’s master was only from Wudang, I too wish for my only master to be from the Tang Clan.”

Yoo Jinhak fell into silent contemplation.

Sewoon’s words had weight.

The Tang Clan members were tearing up at the unexpected reason.

Because his words carried deep pride and honor toward the Tang Clan.

However—

‘Whew, thank goodness the Alliance Leader’s Golden Purity Eyes aren’t working right now.’

No one knew, but that wasn’t Sewoon’s true intention.

In truth, accepting the Alliance Leader’s offer would have been the best choice.

Not only could he receive personal instruction in the world’s best martial arts—

He would have had free access to the vast collection of rare ores stored in the Murim Alliance warehouse as a disciple.

But Sewoon couldn’t choose that path.

‘If the existence of Reverse Heaven Qi is revealed, I’ll be declared a public enemy of the Murim and be executed.’

There were too many demonic arts embedded in his body and mind, including the Reverse Heaven Qi.

Besides, just being a disciple would only burden him with bothersome restrictions and wouldn’t be enough to dispel the deep darkness within the Murim Alliance.

“Your reasoning is sound. I hadn’t considered that.”

“Thank you for overlooking this junior’s arrogance.”

“Hmm, still, I can’t help but feel disappointed.”

“…I feel the same. Your previous lesson alone was already a great help to me.”

At Sewoon’s words, Yoo Jinhak’s eyebrow twitched.

“…The previous instruction?”

“Yes, didn’t you show me a technique at the tavern?”

What was this, wasn’t that demonstration intentional?

The trajectory of the sword he had wielded against Lee Hoseong.

That single move remained vividly in Sewoon’s mind.

“…You saw that?”

In an instant, Yoo Jinhak’s gaze changed.

“Tell me. What did you see?”

Due to that serious attitude, Sewoon couldn’t help but tense up.

Yoo Jinhak was looking at him with eyes filled with both anticipation and doubt.

Sewoon quietly closed his eyes.

He slowly retraced that memory.

A painting drawn in midair by Yoo Jinhak.

A black stroke like one drawn with a massive brush.

Looking closer at that line, he could indeed see hundreds, thousands of Yin-Yang patterns.

Soon, Sewoon opened his eyes.

“I’m not sure if I saw it correctly.”

Then he replied to Yoo Jinhak, who was calmly watching him.

“A single stroke. Within it, I saw countless overlapping Yin-Yang patterns.”

Yoo Jinhak’s eyes widened like lanterns upon hearing Sewoon’s answer.

And then—

“Ha, haha. Hahahaha!”

Yoo Jinhak burst into a loud laugh.

There was genuine joy in his eyes.

He had demonstrated that one move, wishing it might be of help someday, touched by the boy’s pure heart for using Innate True Qi to protect the servant girl.

And yet, the boy had precisely grasped the martial principle embedded within it at such a young age.

“Ahh, what am I to do. I should let this go, but I truly covet him.”

The Tang Clan members were flustered once again.

A talent he coveted.

That was the highest praise Yoo Jinhak had ever given, one he had previously used for only one disciple.

The one called the next Murim Alliance Leader—his “first disciple.”

“You saw it correctly. That is one of the latest insights I’ve gained. If you keep pursuing it with your own interpretation, it will certainly yield great results.”

“I will do so without fail.”

“Kekeke, I will also be watching over you.”

Yoo Jinhak looked at Sewoon fondly, then turned his gaze to Tang Muyeol.

“It is truly the great fortune of the martial world, Clan Head. You have raised a remarkable talent.”

“I am unworthy of such praise, Alliance Leader.”

What father would not be pleased with praise for his child?

Tang Muyeol gave a clasped-hands greeting in thanks.

The atmosphere in the hall had become harmonious beyond measure.

Then suddenly, Yoo Jinhak looked at Sewoon with a playful expression.

“Hmm, but it would be too regretful for me to leave just like this.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I shall leave a small debt for the next generation.”

Before Sewoon could even ask what that meant—

Sreung!

With a speed too fast for anyone to notice, Yoo Jinhak drew his sword.

A silver radiance, like the light of a full moon, poured from the blade.

Everyone was captivated by its beauty, unable to even sense the danger.

Swoosh.

Yoo Jinhak picked up the blade with his fingers and handed it to Sewoon.

“Take it.”

“This is…?”

“I know the Tang Clan does not specialize in swordsmanship, but this sword, ‘Wave Moon,’ is imbued with a mysterious power. It will surely aid you in a perilous moment someday.”

At the mention of the sword’s name, murmurs spread through the crowd.

It was a famous sword, known even through rumors.

The sword itself was a fine blade crafted from meteorite iron gathered from a fallen star.

But in truth, the meaning the sword carried was far greater.

A successor personally gifted Wave Moon by the Alliance Leader—

–would be granted a chance to participate in the ‘Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.’

It was the largest festival of the prodigies, known as the Star War.

In that moment, Sewoon’s eyes gleamed with strange light.

‘…Wait. Did he say meteorite iron?’

But unlike the others, he was fixated on something else entirely.

Sewoon grasped the sword with an emotional expression.

“If I refused even this, it would be rude to you, Senior. I’ll accept it with gratitude!”

“Haha, thank you for accepting it.”

Those watching were utterly baffled.

The one giving the gift was the one expressing gratitude.

What kind of scene was this?

“And this is a personal gift from me as well…”

Yoo Jinhak pulled from his robe a wooden plaque weathered by time.

Wudang Yoo Jinhak.

Only those five characters were engraved on the palm-sized plaque.

“Th-That can’t be…”

“Hiiik!”

The eyes of the Tang Clan members widened to the brink of bursting upon seeing the plaque.

Yoo Jinhak handed the plaque to Sewoon and spoke.

“If you bring this to any place across the Central Plains with ties to Wudang, including the main temple, they will grant one request of yours as if it were my own.”

Alliance Leader’s Token.

A gift of unimaginable value, far beyond that of Wave Moon, had landed in Sewoon’s hands.