Editor : VCubed
Chapter 98
“Despite receiving reports of over ten missing persons cases, the Murim Alliance hasn’t even been able to catch a glimpse of the Blood Sect’s tail.”
“….”
“….”
Seeing their grim expressions, Yerin and Doyul refrained from speaking for the time being.
The Lord of the Murim Alliance spoke quietly.
“As everyone knows, the Blood Sect usually takes great care to keep their activities from being exposed to the outside world.”
It was a valid point.
The Blood Sect rarely revealed themselves outright.
The Murim Alliance was keeping a close eye out for any signs.
Perhaps due to this vigilance, the Central Plains had been enjoying a prolonged period of peace.
“It’s been over a decade since the Blood Sect was last sighted.”
The Blood Sect remained unseen.
Despite the seemingly positive situation, the Lord of the Murim Alliance’s expression remained consistently dark.
Meanwhile, upon hearing these words, Doyul unconsciously narrowed his eyes.
The Lord of the Murim Alliance was now discussing the incident where Blood Sect members infiltrated the North Sea Ice Palace and took the body of the Seol-ryun.
Since then, the Blood Sect’s presence had completely vanished.
Everyone thought that the Blood Sect had lost its former glory, but…
“After the discussions at the Murim Alliance, I pondered alone about the results.”
The Lord of the Murim Alliance looked alternately at Doyul and Yerin with a serious gaze.
“I began to doubt whether I had been approaching this missing persons case incorrectly.”
“By ‘approaching it incorrectly’…”
“Why was I only thinking about the reported disappearances?”
It struck a chord.
Doyul felt his mouth go dry.
“Are you saying that, conversely, these missing persons cases could be just the tip of the iceberg?”
Yerin’s question prompted a heavy nod from the Lord of the Murim Alliance.
“Countless disappearances have already occurred, and since there were so many missing persons, the Blood Sect couldn’t hide them properly.”
The Lord of the Murim Alliance squeezed out his words.
“I realized this possibility… too late.”
“In that case…”
Yerin’s pupils grew colder.
“The number of missing persons could be much higher than reported to the Murim Alliance.”
“Correct.”
“But by the time I thought of this possibility, it was too late, and the meeting had already been disbanded.”
The Lord of the Murim Alliance let out a bitter smile.
“Of course, I could reconvene the Murim Alliance meeting, but it’s just my own suspicion at this point, and everyone has already dispersed.”
His own suspicion.
That phrase somehow felt like a dagger piercing deep into Yerin and Doyul’s hearts.
Perhaps the Lord of the Murim Alliance felt it too.
The way the Lords subtly halted the discussion, or those who withdrew slightly, citing discomfort with hostility towards the Lords.
Everyone had become overly accustomed to the prolonged peace.
“Even creating this discussion was only possible because the Lord and Lady of the North Sea Ice Palace personally traveled a long way to visit the Murim Alliance.”
The Lord of the Murim Alliance slowly raised his head.
“In the end, even this discussion yielded no results, and everything was left hanging.”
…As expected, the Lord knew as well.
Yerin felt a bitter taste in her mouth.
The current Lord of the Murim Alliance had dedicated his life to the stability of the Murim Alliance and had become the central figure of the Righteous Sects.
Also,
‘Even Yeom Hwang, that guy was like that.’
A meddler but responsible friend.
He didn’t wield his power recklessly and was kind to the weak.
To the extent of establishing an organization like the Murim Alliance to maintain order in the world of martial arts.
Although he didn’t sit in the position of the Lord of the Murim Alliance, he had continuously provided assistance as a senior figure in the Murim Alliance.
Even maintaining his own ignorance of martial arts as a difficult means of ensuring responsibility for his ignorance.
In case someone unqualified learned the Flame Heavenly Technique and began persecuting the weak.
And the current Lord of the Murim Alliance…
‘He’s just like him.’
People are easily weakened by emotions.
Yerin inwardly clicked her tongue.
Just then, the Lord smiled for the first time.
“Well, regardless, it’s the duty of the Lord of the Murim Alliance to do everything possible to resolve the issue.”
“My Lord.”
“Anyway, thanks to both of you providing information about Lady Baek Seol’s body, I was able to confirm that the Blood Sect is active. Thank you.”
“You’re too kind.”
Doyul also smiled broadly along with the Lord.
Finally, the atmosphere eased a bit.
Afterward, as the meal came to an end,
The Lord of the Murim Alliance, rinsing his mouth with warm tea, opened his mouth with a somber expression.
“I feel like I’ve burdened you with too heavy words today.”
“Oh, no, not at all. If you say so, we’d feel hurt.”
Doyul quickly interjected.
The Lord of the Murim Alliance added, as if to reassure them,
“I plan to share the suspicions I have with each faction and clan, so don’t worry too much.”
“Yes, I trust that you will handle it well, Lord. We’re not worried at all.”
“Well, if you’re the lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, shouldn’t you be a little worried?”
Doyul’s jest made the Lord burst into laughter.
Meanwhile,
Rustle.
“Huh?”
Yerin perked up her ears at the sound of paper rustling.
The Lord of the Murim Alliance took something wrapped in white paper out of his sleeve and placed it on the table.
“Lord, what’s that…?”
“Oh, this?”
The Lord placed the item on the table so Yerin could see it better.
Upon closer inspection, it was a bundle wrapped in white paper.
“It’s medicine.”
“Medicine…? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Surprised, Yerin asked.
The Lord shook his head.
“Not really, but lately, I’ve been feeling tightness in my chest.”
“Ah…”
Yerin understood that sentiment.
With the Blood Sect plotting something unknown, while the righteous sects remained indifferent.
It was inevitable to feel stifled.
“When the Tang family heard about my situation, they gave me this medicine to relieve my frustration.”
For a moment, tension crept into Yerin’s face.
“….My father?”
“Yes. He said that if I take it once a day, my symptoms should improve, so he told me to take it carefully.”
Suddenly, tension seized Yerin’s face.
‘Why is the Master of the Dang family involved here?’
She felt a chill down her spine.
However…
‘…No, maybe I’m just being overly suspicious.’
Even though Master Dang was somewhat passive during this Murim Alliance meeting, the Four Sacred Sects were still pillars of the righteous sects.
A prestigious sect with a long-standing reputation.
There was no reason for Master Dang to tarnish that reputation by undermining the Lord of the Murim Alliance.
‘Maybe I’m seeing things through biased eyes because I harbor so much ill will towards the Dang Family.’
Above all, the Lord of the Murim Alliance was one of the top martial artists in the entire Central Plains.
Most poisons wouldn’t affect him, and if he did ingest poison, he would probably detect it with his keen senses.
But then…
“Are you alright?”
The Lord of the Murim Alliance looked at Yerin with concern.
“Your expression seemed to darken. Is there something uncomfortable…?”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”
Yerin hastily arranged her expression and smiled.
Fortunately, the Lord didn’t pry further.
He just changed the subject with a sly twinkle in his eye.
“Come to think of it, you’ve come a long way, yet you haven’t been able to enjoy Hangju properly.”
…Is that smile a bit mischievous, or is it just my imagination?
