Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 221

221. Severing Ties with the Divine (승) [Seung: A Korean title often used to denote a high-ranking monk or spiritual leader.]

The Murim Alliance entered a new era.

The existing Eighteen Sects formally approved the dispatch of representatives from the emerging Five Great Clans to the Murim Alliance.

Thus, instead of being known as the Murim Alliance Eighteen Sects, it became the era of the Twenty-Three Sects, joined by the emerging Five Great Clans.

In reality, the Namgung Clan, which had virtually closed its doors, had to be excluded, but the name of the Namgung Clan still remained within the Murim Alliance.

Just as the Gongsun Clan, whose main family residence had been burned down, was still included in the Murim Alliance Twenty-Three Sects, even though a decrease in influence was unavoidable.

A new era for the Murim Alliance.

That era began with numerous problems.

From the Hwangcheon Group of the Janggang River Bandit Alliance and the Dark Heaven Demon Emperor, to the unresolved Cheonhwa Murim Tournament [A martial arts competition to determine the strongest in the Murim world.] and the dissatisfaction of the sects that failed to join the emerging Five Great Clans.

However, the most serious problem among them was how to handle the Gongsun Clan’s tragedy.

“Impossible!”

Jinmyeong, the new representative of the Shaolin, exclaimed.

The former representative, Jinheo, had resigned from his position, intending to take responsibility for the disgraceful events that occurred during the Cheonhwa Murim Tournament.

His successor, Jinmyeong, was raising his voice.

“The Gongsun Clan’s demands are unacceptable! To open up all the sect’s activities for the past three months! What is that if not surveillance!”

Jinmyeong’s voice was quite loud.

That was how excessive the Gongsun Clan’s demands were.

However, Gongsun Chang, the representative of the Gongsun Clan, did not back down either.

“Then, does Shaolin mean to not uphold the Murim Alliance’s resolution?”

The Murim Alliance had defined the Gongsun Clan’s tragedy as a serious criminal act and resolved to completely search out and punish the perpetrators.

Gongsun Chang was referring to that very resolution.

“That’s not what I mean!”

Jinmyeong retorted.

“Clearly, the Gongsun Clan stated that the villains were those who were armed with black armor and horse armor and used spears. So why are you asking us to prove our innocence?”

“Well, of course.”

MukHyeolyeop, the representative of the Black Blood Society, said in a heavy voice, speaking instead of Gongsun Chang.

“Isn’t it because we are the only ones with the power to burn down the Gongsun Clan’s main residence?”

MukHyeolyeop’s words were correct.

In the current Kangho Murim [The martial arts world.], the only martial force capable of attacking and burning down the Gongsun Clan, at least in terms of possibility, was the existing Eighteen Sects.

“We, Shaolin, would never do that to the Gongsun Clan! Above all, Shaolin does not have a spear-using cavalry!”

“Just because nothing has been revealed doesn’t mean we can say it’s not true at all.”

Tang Seol-ryeon, the representative of the Tang Clan, Tang Mun Seolhwa [Tang Clan’s Snow Flower], said in a clear voice.

“The Yang Family near Shaolin has traditionally been good at using spears, right, perhaps?”

Jinmyeong’s eyebrows twitched.

Tang Seol-ryeon was now suggesting that Shaolin had moved the Yang Family to do this.

“Are you suspecting Shaolin now?”

Tang Seol-ryeon chuckled.

“You’re deviating from the point. I was merely pointing out the fact that none of us can escape suspicion.”

Jinmyeong let out a low groan.

“…The Namgung Clan was destroyed by the Hwangcheon Group, which we didn’t even know about. Is there any certainty that there isn’t another such armed group? No, perhaps this incident is also the Hwangcheon Group’s doing….”

“Well? I don’t know. Whether there is such an armed group or not.”

Tang Seol-ryeon sneered.

“But rather than that possibility, isn’t the possibility that one of us was secretly raising a cavalry much higher?”

Jinmyeong was speechless.

As she said, the giant sects have the power and the motive to do so.

The benefits to be gained from the fall of the Gongsun Clan are something anyone would covet.

“Then, does the Tang Clan mean to accept the Gongsun Clan’s demands?”

The Gongsun Clan demanded records of all the sect’s activities for the past three months.

As Jinmyeong said, it was virtually surveillance, so no sect would accept it.

But Tang Seol-ryeon smiled.

“Well? Personally, I think it depends on the price.”

“Such nonsense….”

“Nonsense!”

Gongsun Chang’s voice echoed through the Grand Assembly Hall.

“Are you saying that the blood of the Gongsun Clan is worthless?”

Gongsun Chang’s eyes, glaring at Jinmyeong, were burning with anger.

“That’s not what I mean. I….”

Thump.

Gongsun Chang slammed the table.

“The main family residence was burned down, and the blood of countless disciples flowed! Until this blood debt is repaid, the Gongsun Clan will never back down!”

That was a firm resolution.

Jinmyeong couldn’t bring himself to speak and looked around at the other representatives.

But all that came back were cold gazes.

‘Hmm.’

They would never accept the Gongsun Clan’s excessive demands.

Nevertheless, the cold gazes towards Shaolin showed how Shaolin’s image had been perceived by them.

“Calm down a bit.”

Suddenly, Tang Seol-ryeon’s clear voice echoed in the Grand Assembly Hall.

“We need to respond more calmly. We can’t do anything if we’re emotional. Does the Gongsun Clan agree?”

Younghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword was listening and let out a hollow laugh.

Tang Seol-ryeon couldn’t have not known, but she didn’t even pretend to hear.

“I agree.”

Gongsun Chang nodded, and Tang Seol-ryeon smiled.

“Good. Then let’s do this. Everything is important, so let’s start by re-investigating the traces left by the villains. Coincidentally, our Tang Clan’s skilled elders are here.”

The Cheonhwa Murim Tournament was in full swing.

Not only the Tang Clan but also the heads and key figures of the major sects were all here in the Murim Alliance.

“Are you saying you don’t trust the Gongsun Clan’s investigation?”

Gongsun Chang frowned.

“Of course not. But if the Gongsun Clan’s claims are to gain credibility, isn’t a third-party confirmation a necessary procedure?”

Her words made sense.

“Ah, and.”

Tang Seol-ryeon looked around at the representatives and said.

“While the Tang Clan’s investigation is underway, I hope you will all remain here in the Murim Alliance. The heads and key figures of each sect, all of you.”

Shaolin’s representative, Jinmyeong’s eyebrows furrowed.

It wasn’t just Jinmyeong.

“Why?”

MukHyeolyeop, the representative of the Black Blood Society, asked.

Tang Seol-ryeon said with a smile.

“If you all go back, the Gongsun Clan will think this: that you had to rush back to erase any evidence or connections.”

“Such…!”

Jinmyeong was about to protest, but MukHyeolyeop spoke first.

“Are you suspecting us?”

“I’m not suspecting you.”

Tang Seol-ryeon said with a smile.

“I’m just asking you to endure a temporary inconvenience for the sake of mutual trust. If you can’t do that, you can refuse.”

“Hmm.”

MukHyeolyeop let out a low groan.

Belonging to the same Demonic Faction as the Gongsun Clan, it was difficult for him to refuse Tang Seol-ryeon’s proposal.

“How long do we have to wait?”

Jinmyeong asked.

“It won’t take too long. About….”

Tang Seol-ryeon, who seemed to be thinking for a moment, raised one white finger.

“One month.”

Tang Seol-ryeon moved her red lips and said.

“One month will be enough. Fortunately, Namchang isn’t too far away. How about continuing the suspended Cheonhwa Murim Tournament?”

Jiangxi Province, where Namchang is located, is right next to Zhejiang Province, where Hangzhou is located.

But that doesn’t mean it’s as close as it sounds. Considering the travel and investigation, a month is a very tight time.

“Will a month be enough?”

Jinmyeong said with a suspicious look, but Tang Seol-ryeon smiled instead.

“Thank you for your concern, but the Tang Clan doesn’t make promises it can’t keep.”

Mentioning the name of the Tang Clan clearly showed her confidence.

Jinmyeong let out a low groan.

As if to conclude his worries, Tang Seol-ryeon said.

“You don’t have to decide now. No, you can’t. You’ll need the consent of your elders. It’s enough to just pass on this proposal.”

There was no objection.

Her proposal was reasonable, there was no need to decide anything right away, and above all, most of the representatives wanted this tedious discussion to end quickly.

Zegal Yeon, who was conducting the meeting, stroked his beard and nodded.

“Good. Then, after deliberating on the Tang Clan’s proposal, let’s discuss it again tomorrow.”

Zegal Yeon looked around at the representatives and said.

“Then, with this for today….”

“One thing.”

Younghojun of the Plum Blossom Sword, the representative of Mount Hua, opened his mouth.

“There is something I want to ask.”

Zegal Yeon nodded.

Younghojun said with a seemingly gentle smile.

“So, while we are here, the Tang Clan will investigate the villains of the Gongsun Clan, but will there be objective credibility in an investigation done solely by the Tang Clan?”

“Not alone, but with the Gongsun Clan.”

Tang Seol-ryeon said, but Younghojun did not back down.

“Still….”

“If you insist on confirming it yourself, you are welcome to join us at any time. Great Warrior Younghojun.”

That was by no means an invitation with goodwill. Tang Seol-ryeon’s sharp gaze was rather close to hostility.

However, Younghojun smiled.

“If you say so, I will gladly join you. Miss Tang Seol-ryeon.”

Tang Seol-ryeon let out a low snort, and Younghojun nodded with a satisfied expression.

Zegal Yeon said again.

“Then, with this….”

“Ah, one thing.”

This time, even Zegal Yeon frowned.

The person who spoke was none other than Tang Seol-ryeon.

“I have something to say too.”

“What is it?”

Zegal Yeon asked.

Swish.

Tang Seol-ryeon rose from her seat.

And said calmly.

“I formally propose the separation of the Murim Alliance and the Divine (승) [Seung].”

Thump.

Shock fell upon the Grand Assembly Hall.

The representatives could not hide their surprise, widening their eyes, but Tang Seol-ryeon brushed back her side hair and continued indifferently.

“The Divine (승) [Seung] has already suspended all official activities. And the Murim Alliance is moving completely independently of him. So there’s no need to change the signboard or kick anyone out. Now, all we have to do is resolve that the Murim Alliance has nothing to do with him. Like stamping a document, a very formal act.”

Perhaps it was just a formality as she said.

Nothing would change even if this content was resolved.

The influence of each clan would remain the same, and the Murim Alliance would be the only consultative body.

The Divine (승) [Seung] would still be confined to Waryongheon, and the Murim Alliance would not change a single letter on the document, let alone the signboard.

But this also contained a tremendous meaning.

The master of the Murim Alliance, which dominated Kangho Murim [The martial arts world.], was changing.

From the Divine (승) [Seung], to the giant sects.

“The reason, you already know, right?”

Tang Seol-ryeon said, looking around at the representatives.

The shock disappeared, and silence fell instead.

Except for the representatives of the emerging Five Great Clans, the representatives of the existing Eighteen Sects were silent with hardened expressions.

“We are not abandoning the Divine (승) [Seung].”

Crack.

Tang Seol-ryeon gritted her teeth softly.

“He abandoned us.”

None of the representatives said anything.

Eventually, the representative of the Danmok Clan, one of the emerging Five Great Clans, cautiously asked.

“What does that mean? The Divine (승) [Seung] abandoned us?”

“That’s….”

“And that he was originally known as the successor of the Sword Saint.”

The surprised look on the Danmok Clan representative’s face showed that he did not know.

But it didn’t matter.

“There were concerns from the beginning. Whether the successor of the Sword Saint might become the successor of the Divine (승) [Seung]. To become the successor of the Divine (승) [Seung] means.”

With a cold smile, Tang Seol-ryeon said.

“It’s the same as becoming the next master of the Murim Alliance.”

The Danmok Clan representative was so surprised that he stopped breathing for a moment.

He hurriedly looked around at the other representatives, but all of them were silent with hardened expressions.

They were agreeing with Tang Seol-ryeon’s words.

“So, wouldn’t we have no choice but to do this? It would be too unfair to be deprived of the position of heir and later be kicked out empty-handed.”

A chill was dripping from her clear voice.

But no one objected.

The next day, the Murim Alliance passed both agendas with an overwhelming majority under the approval of the heads of each sect.

The master of the Murim Alliance had changed.