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Chapter 114. If you want us to withdraw the order, we will.
"I'm going with you."
Namgung Yeon's brief but resolute declaration surprised everyone. Initially, Yeon Jeokha thought someone else had spoken, but when he turned around, he saw it was Namgung Yeon.
It was the first time he had heard her soft voice, and what she said was completely unexpected: "I'm going with you," as if she had been deliberating on the matter for a long time and had finally made up her mind.
Namgung Cheon immediately shouted, startled:
"What? Why, Yeon?"
He knew that when Namgung Yeon made a decision, she would carry it out, which left him even more surprised. Shim Tong, with his usual sarcastic smile, let out a chuckle.
Namgung Cheon seemed to have been struck by lightning, while Yeon Jeokha remained in a state of calm meditation.
Namgung Yeon couldn't understand her brother's reaction. For her, getting involved in matters related to the Yoomyung Cult was not a choice but a necessity. She had to repay what she had received.
Her family had been killed, and her clan was destroyed. How could she stand idly by? However, the Seven Great Sects had not acted, despite knowing the atrocities committed by the Yoomyung Cult. They were too concerned about what they might lose and didn't want to rush into a large-scale battle.
It was then that the Nokrim, through Yeon Jeokha, raised the sword first. It was an opportunity she couldn't pass up.
Finally, Yeon Jeokha reacted and said:
"You can't back out, sister."
"I won't," Namgung Yeon replied firmly.
Namgung Cheon, still in shock, spoke in a determined tone:
"Jeokha, I'm coming too."
"That's fine."
Yeon Jeokha's response was so indifferent that Namgung Cheon felt hurt. He had checked multiple times with Namgung Yeon, but for him, he had only received a "that's fine." This, coupled with the presence of the old man laughing on the side, irritated him even more.
Namgung Cheon abruptly stood up.
"I'm going to get some fresh air."
"Young Master, I'll go for a drink too," Shim Tong said, remembering the effort he had gone through while waiting for Yeon Jeokha.
Both left one after the other.
Yeon Jeokha, scratching his head, searched for words to continue the conversation with Namgung Yeon.
"Sister, when I was in Kaifeng, I met a little beggar..."
Yeon Jeokha recounted in detail the story of the little beggar who had been beaten.
"...And in the end, the child decided to follow the beggar instead of me. Even now, it still seems incredible to me. Why would he do that? Is my appearance unpleasant? Well, considering I've been with thieves..."
Namgung Yeon let out a restrained laugh.
"Although Kaifeng may seem rough, they have strict rules and a strong sense of camaraderie. I don't think they would hit a child without reason. It's not that he didn't like you; he simply had no reason to follow you."
"Really?"
"Yes. Was the staff you cut black?"
"Yes."
"Then, I'm right. Although So Gwanggae is eccentric, he has never hurt anyone without reason. In fact, he is someone who helps and takes care of others."
"Is his name So Gwanggae?"
"Yes, in Kaifeng, there is only one beggar with a black iron staff: So Gwanggae."
"How do you know all these things without having seen them?"
"I have a good memory," Namgung Yeon said, lightly touching her head.
"Wow! Can you memorize everything at a glance?"
"No, not to that extent. Sometimes I have to look twice," she replied with a bitter expression.
The idea of having to review something twice was bothersome to her.
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Mid-January.
Waryong Manor in Zhengzhou.
The newly renovated Waryong Manor finally had its sign installed. With the arrival of Baek Miju, Yeon Mubaek, and Yeon Seungbaek, Waryong Manor took root in Zhengzhou.
On the day of the sign installation ceremony, not only did members of the Baek Clan and the Yang Clan attend, but also people from the Central Chamber of Commerce, all congratulating Yeon Mubaek on becoming the new leader of Waryong Manor.
Looking at the guests gathered in the inner courtyard, Yang Ihwa, Yeon Mubaek's wife, commented:
"It seems like too many people from the Baek Clan have come."
Yang Ihwa, who was from the Yang Clan, viewed the Baek Clan with suspicion.
In Luoyang, she had been ignorant of many things, but Zhengzhou was different. She wanted Waryong Manor to be firmly in her husband's hands. That was why the Yang Clan had financed the reconstruction.
"Don't worry. It seems that way because the Baekho Corps have returned," replied Yeon Mubaek, although his expression showed dissatisfaction.
The Baekho Corps, who had returned from the Baek Clan, had no clear loyalty. They always followed Baek Miju's orders, which worried him.
"When we receive new disciples, it will improve."
But this was only a hope. The reality was that he couldn't even make the decision to accept disciples without Baek Miju's approval.
"The Baek Clan has supported Baek Miju unreservedly, expecting her to control Waryong Manor. Sending the Baekho Corps back and providing additional funds was part of that plan."
Yang Ihwa glanced at her husband sideways.
"This time, you must take the lead. It's about time."
"I'll do what I can when we receive new disciples."
Yeon Mubaek felt powerless. But reality favored his mother. To train disciples who could rival the Baekho Corps, it would take at least one or two years, as long as Baek Miju allowed it.
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The day after the sign installation ceremony at Waryong Manor, the news of "Samjangbulip" hit the Murim of Zhengzhou like a thunderbolt.
From inns to restaurants and tea houses, everyone was talking about Samjangbulip, which meant "denying the existence of the three great families."
The Nokrim issued two directives:
All Nokrim members must seize the properties of any Chamber of Commerce employing disciples of the three great families. The Murim factions in Zhengzhou must take all commercial rights from the three great families. Samjangbulip was an order from the Grand Inspector of Nokrim, Yeon Jeokha, and was considered superior to any other. Moreover, the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord Seok Muhae guaranteed its enforcement, giving it absolute authority.
In the Zhengzhou branch of the Justice Alliance, the courtyard was filled with members of the Baek, Yang, and Waryong clans, who had come to discuss how to handle the Samjangbulip situation.
In the deliberation hall, four people sat in a tense atmosphere: the leader of the Justice Alliance branch in Zhengzhou, Ma Cheondeok; the leader of the Baek Clan, Baek Seungho; the leader of the Yang Clan, Yang Joohwan; and the new leader of Waryong Manor, Yeon Mubaek.
Yang Joohwan, furious, slammed the table hard.
"Ma Daehyeop! We have always considered the matters of the Justice Alliance as our own and have helped! How can you simply watch while the Nokrim commits this madness?"
Baek Seungho added angrily:
"The Nokrim is oppressing our families with their unjust actions! How can the Justice Alliance stand by and do nothing? We need action, not words!"
Ma Cheondeok, trying to calm the situation, responded with a forced smile:
"I understand your feelings. I have already requested help from the leader of the Shaolin Sect. Master Hyun Baek will meet with the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord. I just ask for a little more patience."
But Yang Joohwan was not satisfied.
"Look! While we wait, our disciples are being expelled from the Chambers of Commerce. They ask us what's going on, but how can we answer them? We've even had an inn taken from us! How much longer do we have to wait?"
"The Baek Clan is in the same situation. We can't just wait while we're being destroyed! The Justice Alliance should mobilize the warriors of Murim to stop this!"
What Yang Joohwan and Baek Seungho really wanted was a confrontation. They knew that negotiations wouldn't recover what they had already lost.
Ma Cheondeok sighed deeply. He understood how they felt, but he was only the leader of the Zhengzhou branch and didn't have the authority to mobilize the Murim warriors.
"The Shaolin Sect will move quickly. I'm sure we will see results soon. The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord is still in Zhengzhou, so I just ask for a little more patience."
Yeon Mubaek cautiously intervened:
"Ma Daehyeop, do you think negotiating with the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord is possible?"
"Master Hyun Baek believes he will not insist on confrontation. If the negotiations fail, we have no choice but to go to war. But we believe he doesn't want war."
"What do you think the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord wants?"
"That is precisely what Master Hyun Baek is trying to find out. I just ask for a little more patience."
The conversation was going in circles, returning to the starting point. Yang Joohwan and Baek Seungho looked at Ma Cheondeok with eyes full of fury, but there was nothing more they could do.
Finally, the leaders of the three families stayed at the Justice Alliance branch, waiting for news.
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At a tea house in Zhengzhou called Suyang.
At noon, about ten warriors stormed into the tea house, expelling all the customers. They surrounded the place, blocking the entrance and exit.
An hour later, an elderly monk in a yellow robe entered the tea house. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept through the place, and the doors slammed shut.
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord Seok Muhae appeared like a ghost, and Master Hyun Baek greeted him first.
"Amitabha, Seok Geosa. It's been a long time since we last met. I see you're in good shape."
Master Hyun Baek looked meaningfully at Seok Muhae, calling him "Geosa" because he had once been a member of the Shaolin Sect.
"Haha! I see your cultivation has deepened, Master. How is the Venerable Sunim?"
"Thanks to you, he's doing well."
"What brings you here?"
"Hahaha. You're still as direct as ever. I'll get straight to the point. Please withdraw the Samjangbulip order. If the Justice Alliance and the Nokrim clash, only the Yoomyung Cult will benefit."
"You only know half the story. I approved Samjangbulip to fight against the Yoomyung Cult. We're doing what the Seven Great Sects didn't dare to do. Do you want us to stop?"
"It seems there is a misunderstanding. The three great families are undoubtedly part of the Justice Alliance."
"I'm trying to eliminate the Yoomyung Cult infiltrated within the Nokrim. The enemies are at least the Demon Warriors. Even my twelve disciples can't handle them."
Seok Muhae had told Yeon Jeokha that he didn't know the identity of the enemies, but he actually suspected they were from the Yoomyung Cult.
"What does that have to do with the three great families? Could it be...?"
Master Hyun Baek, surprised, widened his eyes.
"Yes. The three great families have been marked by our Grand Inspector. The condition for confronting those enemies was Samjangbulip. But if you insist on us withdrawing the order, we will."
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