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Chapter 73: Jo-eosa, A Beneficial Presence
Despite the public revelation of the Yoomyung Cult's presence, there were no conflicts for a while.
Some called it "the calm before the storm," while others said that the Justice Alliance was taking precautions.
Then, on New Year's Day, a shocking event occurred.
A cultist from the Yoomyung Cult held a ceremony at the imperial court.
This meant that the state recognized the Yoomyung Cult, even though the Justice Alliance had declared them enemies of the Murim.
Since then, people began debating the true nature of the Yoomyung Cult.
Some called it a heretical sect, but many disagreed.
Amidst this, many unknown aspects of the Yoomyung Cult were revealed.
For example, it was found to be a new religion combining elements of Buddhism and Taoism.
The followers of the Yoomyung Cult believed that King Yama was a Jo-eosa.
In Buddhism, a Jo-eosa is a beneficial presence that protects and guides beings, helping them govern themselves.
There are five types of Jo-eosa: first, parents, siblings, and relatives; second, the laws of the world one lives in; third, the teachings of masters; fourth, King Yama of the afterlife; and fifth, Buddha.
The peculiarity of the Yoomyung Cult is that they tried to overcome the world's problems through King Yama. This is the main difference from Buddhism, which relies on Buddha; the rest is similar.
Moreover, they incorporated Taoist elements, so they could not really be considered truly evil.
As the cultist of the Yoomyung Cult came and went from the imperial court, the debates between the Justice Alliance and the Yoomyung Cult intensified.
The Alliance accused the Yoomyung Cult of using people as sacrifices.
In response, the Yoomyung Cult challenged them to provide evidence.
The Justice Alliance presented the mummified body of Yangwon, but they could not prove that the Yoomyung Cult was responsible.
The long dispute ended in spring with the victory of the Yoomyung Cult.
From the beginning, it was difficult to attack the Yoomyung Cult as a heretical sect when they had the support of the imperial court.
The Justice Alliance, despite suffering great losses, could not make any official accusations against the Yoomyung Cult.
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On the east side of Luoyang.
Waryong Manor.
With the weather improving, the mistress of Waryong Manor, Baek Miju, called her eldest son, the Waryong Swordsman, Yeon Mubaek.
Yeon Mubaek quietly went up to the main hall and sat in front of Baek Miju. Since his marriage last autumn, he had adopted a more dignified attitude.
Baek Miju, who was reviewing some records, glanced at her son and got straight to the point.
“When will the people from the Namgung Family leave?”
“…”
Receiving no response, she looked at him with reproachful eyes.
Namgung Cheon and Namgung Yeon, along with twenty members of the Blue Sky Division and five survivors from Hefei, totaling twenty-seven people, had been at Waryong Manor since last year.
They had not returned to Hefei because the Namgung Family was in ruins, and they feared Lunar Fairy, who might be waiting to attack them again.
Baek Miju accepted the members of the Namgung Family due to old friendships, but also as a precaution in case Lunar Fairy came to Waryong Manor.
However, with no movement until the turn of the year, her perspective changed. She thought that perhaps Lunar Fairy had excluded Waryong Manor from her vengeance.
After all, with the death of Yeon Muryong, what vengeance could there be?
As spring advanced and there were no signs of the Yoomyung Cult or Lunar Fairy, Baek Miju became convinced that Waryong Manor was not in danger.
“You know we have been borrowing a hundred taels of silver each month from the Baekse Chamber of Commerce since last winter, right?”
“Yes.”
“We could pay off that debt in a few months if our relations with Nokrim improve, but we must not forget that we are indebted to maintain Waryong Manor.”
“Mother, we still don’t know if Lunar Fairy…”
“It has been half a year since the fall of the Namgung Family. If Lunar Fairy had wanted to attack Waryong Manor, she would have done so by now. Even if she came, could they stop her?”
“They could not, but they could buy time until the Great Swordmaster arrived to help us.”
“There is no guarantee that the Great Swordmaster will come to help us.”
“The Justice Alliance promised to protect the Murim Families. The Great Swordmaster will come.”
“Do you really believe that? Do you know who the new leader in Hefei is? It’s Musansocho, who annihilated the Namgung Family. Now, even the Justice Alliance is worried about the Yoomyung Cult. If the members of the Namgung Family believed in the Justice Alliance, they would have already returned to Hefei. But they are all here at Waryong Manor. Do you know why? Because they don’t fully trust the Justice Alliance. And you still believe that the Great Swordmaster will come running to help us.”
“…”
Faced with Baek Miju’s harsh words, Yeon Mubaek could not respond.
The survivors of the Namgung Family did not return to Hefei out of fear of Lunar Fairy, and also because they distrusted the Justice Alliance.
The Justice Alliance had taken no action against Musansocho, who had annihilated the Namgung Family. In fact, they allowed him to become the ruler of Hefei.
Honestly, even if Waryong Manor were attacked by Lunar Fairy, there was no guarantee that the Uicheon Sect would come to help them. Waryong Manor could be ignored just like the Namgung Family.
‘No, they would surely ignore it. I would too if I were the Uicheon Sect Leader…’
A bitter smile appeared on Yeon Mubaek’s face.
The current Yoomyung Cult had as much power as influence, very different from twenty years ago.
While Yeon Mubaek was lost in thought, Baek Miju’s voice was heard.
“Make them leave before summer. They know we are not in a good situation, so they will not blame us for lack of loyalty.”
“…Yes.”
Yeon Mubaek finally decided to follow his mother’s will.
Knowing that they were borrowing a hundred taels of silver each month, he could not justify keeping the Namgung Family.
Yeon Mubaek immediately headed to the guest hall.
On the way, he encountered Namgung Cheon strolling in the courtyard.
“Brother.”
“Oh, hello. Do you have any business this morning?”
“I came for various reasons. By the way, is there still no news of your father?”
“No.”
Namgung Cheon’s face darkened.
In the Murim Families, it is taught from an early age how dangerous the Murim World is. In a world where death is a daily routine, death itself is nothing special. But facing the annihilation of the family and the disappearance of a father is devastating.
“I’m sorry for mentioning it…”
“Don’t worry. I believe my father is alive somewhere. He is not someone who would fall so easily.”
“I believe so too.”
Namgung Cheon, looking at the distant sky for a moment, glanced at Yeon Mubaek and spoke.
“You have something to say, don’t you? Don’t worry, tell me. What did Aunt say?”
“Oh, nothing. By the way, when do you plan to return to Hefei?”
“I have no plans to return to Hefei for the time being. I also don’t plan to stay at Waryong Manor indefinitely. I intend to leave in a few days, so tell Aunt.”
“Leave?”
“I can’t continue to be a burden to Waryong Manor.”
“But suddenly... If not Hefei, where will you go?”
“To Luoyang.”
“Luoyang?”
“Yes, I intend to observe the situation from there and return when appropriate.”
“If you’re going to be in Luoyang, why...?”
“It’s obvious that the situation at Waryong Manor is not good, I can’t continue to be a burden.”
“A burden? You are not.”
Despite his words, Yeon Mubaek could not tell him to stay.
Namgung Cheon patted Yeon Mubaek on the shoulder as a sign of encouragement.
“It’s okay. Besides, there’s an acquaintance of my father at the Sangjo Chamber of Commerce, so I’ll help out there for a while.”
“At the Chamber of Commerce?”
“Yes, I’ll escort the trade caravans to Wuhan and Nanjing.”
“Ah! I see.”
Yeon Mubaek could not hide his expression of pity.
The Great Namgung Family escorting trade caravans!
Having lost everything, they had no other option, but still, it weighed on his chest.
Yeon Mubaek tried to put on a cheerful face.
“The Sangjo Chamber of Commerce is lucky to have the escort of the Namgung Family. When they see the Namgung Family flag, even Nokrim will make way. Think of it as a pleasure trip.”
“Do you still have problems with Nokrim at Waryong Manor?”
“Yes, we sent gifts to the Five Peaks Mountain fortress, but we haven’t received a response. I don’t know what those guys want.”
“When I pass through Five Peaks Mountain, I’ll see what I can find out.”
“Brother, one of the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks Mountain has the skill of the Three Elders of Nokrim. It seems that especially he has issues with Waryong Manor.”
“Three Elders of Nokrim?”
“Yes, that’s what they say.”
Namgung Cheon slightly frowned.
Embarrassed, he knew that the current Namgung Family could not handle someone with the skills of the Three Elders of Nokrim. Since he had mentioned this first, he could not retract, so his mind was troubled.
“Still, I think the conversation will go well. They say the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks Mountain are not cruel. In fact, they have the reputation of being heroes among others, though they only bother Waryong Manor.”
“Wow! That’s strange.”
Namgung Cheon’s demeanor eased a bit.
If it was as Yeon Mubaek said, at least he could find out the reason.
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Three days later, the members of the Namgung Family left Waryong Manor and took refuge in the Sangjo Chamber of Commerce in Luoyang. The news that the Sangjo Chamber of Commerce had the support of the Namgung Family attracted the attention of the commercial world.
The first day of the fourth month.
The Head of the Sangjo Chamber of Commerce, Son Wol, the administrator Son Myeong, and Namgung Cheon gathered in one place to discuss the details of the upcoming trade trip.
Son Wol cautiously opened the conversation.
“Namgung Sohyeop*, I regret having to ask for your help when you don’t even know if your father is alive. If it weren’t for the problems with Nokrim, I wouldn’t have asked so hastily...” (Note: Sohyeop means Young Warrior)
“It’s okay. Rather, I’m grateful to be able to help the Sangjo Chamber of Commerce.”
“Thank you for thinking that way. But it won’t be easy. Since the Yoomyung Cult has gained power, Nokrim has become really bold...”
A sigh escaped Son Wol’s mouth.
While the Justice Alliance was busy containing the Yoomyung Cult, Nokrim was wreaking havoc like a fish in water.
The Seven Great Sects no longer launched expeditions against Nokrim as before. In fact, they no longer had the capacity to do so.
The Seven Great Sects were struggling to protect their own areas.
Since the Yoomyung Cult received imperial recognition, both evil and neutral factions have been entering and exiting the cult. Among them, many experts have joined the Yoomyung Cult.
As a result, the power of the Seven Great Sects has diminished.
Merchants in the major cities have been moving from the Seven Great Sects to the Yoomyung Cult.
Guesthouses, brothels, gambling houses, as well as tea houses and restaurants have not escaped the wind of change of the Yoomyung Cult.
This has led to many large and small fights.
It’s a struggle for control between the factions that were already protecting and managing these places and the new factions backed by the Yoomyung Cult.
With the world in chaos, the mountains and fields are full of bandits.
Nokrim has been out of control for a long time.
‘Tsk! Although, it still won’t be easy.’
A bitter smile appeared on Namgung Cheon’s lips.
What a sad day for the Great Namgung Family to have to hear words like those about Nokrim!
Son Myeong, noticing Namgung Cheon’s frown, intervened.
“Chief, Nokrim may be a nightmare for a chamber of commerce like ours, but to the Namgung Family, they are nothing but puppies.”
“Ah, sure, that’s what I mean. With the Namgung Family flag, they will quickly hide.”
Realizing his mistake, Son Wol tried to correct it quickly.
“Chief, when will the caravan depart?”
“In three days. This will be the largest caravan since our Chamber of Commerce was founded. With the Namgung Family protecting us, merchants have flocked.”
“Understood. I will prepare for it.”
Namgung Cheon listened to the stories about the trade route from Son Wol and Son Myeong before returning to the guest hall.