Chapter 412: Southern and Northern Great War (2)
“…….”
I did not respond to the Sword King’s words and remained silent.
‘A marriage alliance, huh.’
Once again, I was reminded of how political he was.
Of course, I could understand.
‘Right now, if the Namcheon Baek Clan leaves the Southern Murim Alliance, they’ll be surrounded on all sides.’
Especially now, when the Evil Path Castle had crossed into Anhui Province and was extending its reach into the southern Central Plains, it had become even more dangerous.
The Saber King ground her teeth and glared at the Sword King.
“You damn old man. You still can’t let go of your greedy ambition?”
“Greedy ambition, is it? Is that how it looks to you?”
“Of course it is. Do you think that child is still in a position to be tossed around at your whim?”
One of the two great powers dividing the world, Northern Murim Alliance Leader, Heavenly White Sword Queen, Baek Sang-ah.
That was her current status.
Though it did not seem overwhelming due to the unstable and chaotic times, in about five years, the world would surely recognize her as one of the great champions of this era.
“It doesn’t matter anymore even if her identity is revealed. The world is changing, and it’s about time everyone realized who’s behind it all.”
“…….”
“She doesn’t need to maintain ties with Namcheon anymore. Unless Namcheon bows its head and comes crawling, that is.”
Every word from the Saber King was right on the mark.
If the Namcheon Baek Clan joined, it would be like gaining ten thousand troops. But the Northern Murim Alliance was no longer in a position to be dragged along by them.
The Sword King gave a bitter smile.
“You’re misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding?”
“I know my place well enough. I’m not talking about Sang-ah. I was referring to another girl from the clan…”
“Hold on a moment!”
The Sword King could not finish his sentence.
It was because someone suddenly descended and landed in front of him.
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
A young man, clearly hastily dressed, and strikingly handsome.
Though I thought he was quite good-looking, the Sword King’s hand had already instinctively reached for the hilt at his waist.
“What are you doing?”
The Saber King chided him teasingly, but the Sword King’s gaze was serious.
“…Who are you?”
The Sword King stared warily at So Cheon, who had appeared out of nowhere.
Even though he had slightly let his guard down, the fact that So Cheon had come right up to him without being detected was shocking.
So Cheon bent deeply toward the Sword King.
“Greetings, Father-in-law!”
“Fa, Father… what?”
The Sword King’s face turned dumbfounded at the sudden ambush.
“Young Master So Cheon!”
Thud!
“Guaak!”
Baek Sang-ah’s kick struck So Cheon squarely in the ribs.
Naturally, So Cheon was sent flying far off into the distance.
“…Huh?”
The Sword King’s mouth slightly fell open.
It wasn’t the farcical scene that surprised him.
It was his granddaughter’s kick just now.
So subtle, swift, and without any waste.
‘Not a polished technique but a natural strike.’
That could only mean one thing.
Though it was just a single exchange, the Sword King instinctively realized it.
His granddaughter’s skill was by no means below his own!
‘When did she become this strong?’
When he heard that his granddaughter had surpassed the Black Lotus Hall Leader and risen to become the Northern Murim Alliance Leader.
Just as the Saber King had said, the Sword King did harbor a slight underestimation of her.
But now.
Clearing his mind and assessing carefully, the Sword King realized he couldn’t fathom Baek Sang-ah’s depth.
An impossible feat unless she was at least of equal level.
‘The sparrow that left home has already become a mighty roc.’
And the young man called So Cheon was the same.
Even though he had taken a hit from Baek Sang-ah, this youth named So Cheon’s strength also seemed unfathomable.
‘Hahaha, perhaps I have grown old.’
It was absurd and hard to believe, but his instincts, honed over a lifetime, couldn’t lie.
‘If it’s So, then he must be from the Hidden Shadow So Clan of the Divine Cult… I didn’t know the Divine Cult had another young demonic dragon… Wait, So Cheon?’
The Sword King blinked.
“If it’s So Cheon, then is he that Jin Ryeong noona’s disciple?”
“What, you didn’t know?”
“He looks quite different from the report. More importantly, if it's So Cheon…”
The Sword King's expression suddenly twisted into something vicious.
“Isn’t he the scoundrel who kidnapped Sang-ah from inside our clan?”
“…….”
“…….”
The moment So Cheon, who had been thrown aside, heard those words, his shoulders flinched.
Baek Sang-ah also turned her gaze awkwardly, seemingly recalling that moment.
That overwhelming skill that took Baek Sang-ah from none other than Baek Gongjin, the second-in-command of the clan, known as the Heavenly Night Sword.
Regardless of the situation, even the Sword King, upon hearing the belated report, had been deeply impressed.
However.
That was then, and this was now.
“And that bastard dares speak to me now?”
“Uh, well…”
So Cheon awkwardly shifted his posture and rolled his eyes.
Though it wasn’t as if the Namcheon Baek Clan had done well, So Cheon had no excuse regarding the kidnapping.
Most of all, wasn’t he himself the final trigger that had led to their closed-off status?
With everyone’s attention focused on him.
So Cheon chose to push forward.
“I said, Father-in-law!”
“Yo, Young Master?!”
“Hahaha…”
As the Sword King let out a hollow laugh.
So Cheon brushed dust off his clothes, approached the Sword King, and bowed.
“Allow me to properly introduce myself, Father-in-law. I am So Cheon, Young Master of the Eunryeong So Clan, and Murder Dragon.”
“……?”
“……??”
Baek Sang-ah and I blinked and looked at each other.
So Cheon wasn’t the Young Master of the Eunryeong So Clan, nor was he one of the Six Demonic Dragons.
And now he says what?
‘This crazy bastard is lying?!’
If Murder Demon found out, he’d try to slit So Cheon’s throat—what the hell is he relying on?
“So, you’re the Young Master of the So Clan?”
Whether the bluff worked or not, the Sword King’s expression softened.
“Well, with skill like that, it would be strange if you weren’t.”
Indeed, outwardly, it did seem that way.
Based on So Cheon’s current ability alone, he could easily behead every successor candidate and claim the Young Master title.
“Haha, I’m pleased that a dragon like you is with Sang-ah.”
“…….”
“…….”
I glanced at Baek Sang-ah for a moment.
She was deeply conflicted about whether or not to deny that.
Sensing the timing, So Cheon struck again.
“I promise to make her happy for life. So please allow our marr—”
“That’s enough.”
“Mmmp!”
I rushed over to So Cheon and covered his mouth.
Just how much was he planning to be scammed by that fox to say such things so casually?
And if he gets exposed as not being the Young Master of the So Clan, how’s he going to handle the aftermath?
“Well, it’s not exactly a relationship that far along.”
“Seems that way.”
The Sword King nodded after glancing at Baek Sang-ah’s expression.
“But who knows what the future holds…”
“That’s true.”
I looked at the Sword King with a slightly cold gaze.
“Wouldn’t it be a bit unreasonable to still consider LadyBaek a member of the Namcheon Baek Clan now?”
“…….”
“Of course, if you wish to form a marriage alliance with Our Cult through someone else, we would gladly welcome it. However, please send a formal letter to Ten Thousand Great Mountains instead of speaking to me directly.”
“I see. I understand the Grand Duke’s intentions well.”
The Sword King let out a low sigh.
He clearly understood this was a warning not to play tricks using Baek Sang-ah.
After spending some time in casual conversation, the Sword King finally said to me:
“One last thing. Not only Namcheon, but the Namgung Clan is also preparing to break the seal in coordination with their main family.”
If even the Namgung Clan sides with Namcheon, they alone would possess the power to vie for supremacy of the world.
“…I see.”
“Today does not seem the right time, so I will return for now. Let’s go, Gongjin.”
“Yes, Clan Head.”
Baek Gongjin, the Heavenly Night Sword, who had accompanied him as an escort, bowed his head.
Despite the long distance they had come, the Sword King and Baek Gongjin withdrew in anticlimactic fashion.
“Will it be okay? No matter how I see it, the situation doesn’t look too good.”
“Hmm…”
“If they end up siding with the Southern Murim Alliance, even by a slim chance, things will become really troublesome.”
As the Saber King said, while the Namgung Clan, who were practically blood enemies with the Heaven-Defying Society, might be unlikely, the Namcheon Baek Clan joining the Southern Murim Alliance would not be strange at all.
Especially in the current situation where the previous Alliance Leader, Jegal Cheon, had been taken down in vain, the Southern Sword King could very well aim for the position of Alliance Leader.
“That man isn’t one to distinguish good from evil when it comes to his clan. He can easily turn against his own granddaughter.”
“…….”
Of course, there was no denying that the Sword King was fundamentally a martial man of generous heart and a good person.
I knew well that he tried his best not to cross the line whenever possible.
But he valued the Namcheon Baek Clan more than his own convictions.
“If it comes to that, we have no choice.”
“Are you serious?”
“The debt we owe the previous Sword King is immense, but that doesn’t mean we can let Lady Baek’s life be tossed around.”
“…You really are too kind.”
The Saber King clicked her tongue at my words, but she seemed rather pleased.
In this era, where even the best of people rarely escape their clan’s shackles, my statement clearly went against common societal norms.
I turned my gaze to So Cheon, who was pouting slightly.
“So Cheon.”
“…What?”
Perhaps thinking that the meeting had failed because of me, So Cheon glared at me with sulky eyes.
“Do you seriously plan on becoming the Clan Head of the So Clan?”
“Not really?”
“If becoming the Clan Head of the So Clan is the only way you can marry Lady Baek?”
“Then I’ll do it.”
It might seem like he was answering thoughtlessly, but So Cheon’s eyes were sincere.
He was truly willing to bear anything for love.
Sensing his sincerity, Baek Sang-ah slightly turned her head with a faint blush.
“If this war ends and you return to Our Cult…”
I spoke to So Cheon with a serious expression.
“Defeat the Murder Demon with your own hands and seize the Clan Head’s seat.”
“…….”
“You can do it, right?”
“I don’t mind doing it, but…”
So Cheon glanced at Baek Sang-ah and asked.
“Is it okay to proceed like this without even checking Lady Baek’s opinion?”
“Oh?”
Everyone looked at So Cheon in surprise the moment he displayed what could only be called ‘consideration.’
That was when it happened.
“I don’t mind.”
Baek Sang-ah said in a low voice.
“I told you before, didn’t I? So Cheon Young Master needs to show a little more manliness.”
So Cheon’s eyes trembled widely.
“If you can do what Jin Young Master said… then I’ll think about it seriously.”
“I never thought a day would come when I commit such filial impiety…!”
“I told you to defeat the Murder Demon, not to kill him!”
Thwack!
I struck the back of So Cheon’s crouched head.
‘Still, the fact that he can seriously consider taking on that Murder Demon is frightening.’
A monster we could barely hold off by teaming up with Cheon Yura back then.
I was once again struck by how immensely powerful So Cheon had become now.
“Lady Baek, are you really okay with this?”
Though I was the one who brought it up first, I was a little worried that Baek Sang-ah might have made the decision too hastily.
She replied calmly.
“The Murder Demon isn’t someone to be taken lightly.”
“That is true.”
“But with a condition like this, at least he won’t slack off disgracefully for a while, will he?”
From her tone, I could feel the deep frustration she had developed after years of witnessing every one of So Cheon’s lowest moments.
“If he actually defeats the Murder Demon…”
“Well, when that happens…”
She shrugged her shoulders slightly.
“That’ll be a matter to think about when the time comes.”
The fact that she didn’t seem displeased at all strangely stirred something in me.