Chapter 345
Just before the meeting was about to begin, Sun Woo-jin received one more letter.
It was from Seol Poong.
The letter detailed the current situation of the Sa Wang-ryeon and included a thorough account of the battle between Hae Cheong-yeon and the Sa Wang, as witnessed by the Sa Wang’s secret guards.
After letting others read the letter so they could all be informed, Sun Woo-jin quietly fell into thought.
Breaking the silence, Sword Saint Hae Un-baek, who had read the letter, spoke first with a hollow expression.
“So even Moyong Geom has come under the command of the Yeokcheon Blood Demon? That means, excluding the still unseen Blood Demon Jeon Mu-gwang, there are already four top-tier masters from Hwakyung…”
At his words, everyone’s faces turned pale.
Four top-tier Hwakyung masters.
It was an utterly overwhelming force.
Considering that Sun Woo-jin’s side currently had only three Hwakyung masters—Namhae Seonnyeo Si Seo-woo, Heavenly Sword Saint Hae Un-baek, and Female Spirit Demon Son Eun-sang—they were already outnumbered.
Then, Female Spirit Demon Son Eun-sang spoke with a grim expression.
“Besides, we can’t say our individual strength is superior. Above all, although the Sa Wang is stronger, there’s no one who can face the Yeokcheon Blood Demon, who’s been revealed to possess nearly equal martial prowess. At least, I have no confidence in taking him on.”
Sword Saint Hae Un-baek and Seonnyeo Si Seo-woo also exchanged somber glances, their faces darkening.
Among the three present, Son Eun-sang was the strongest in martial skill.
If she couldn’t handle it, the other two certainly couldn’t either.
Hearing this, Cheong Gong-jin, the head of the Hyeongsan Sect, sighed deeply.
“So, you’re saying there’s no chance of victory in a direct confrontation between the top masters. And if the Blood Demon Jeon Mu-gwang of this era joins them…”
“Ugh…”
“That would be…”
Everyone in the room fell silent, the weight of the thought too dreadful to voice.
Just imagining it was terrifying.
If it came to that, victory seemed impossible.
But the bleak news didn’t end there.
Yong Woo-shin, head of the Bok Geon-yong family, added, “It’s not just about a direct clash between the top masters. Since the Sa Wang is dead and the Sa Wang-ryeon is in chaos, we’re also losing in terms of factional power. Judging by the absolute support the Murim Alliance warriors have for Hae Cheong-yeon Sojeo, it’s safe to say they’ve almost completely taken control of the Murim Alliance.”
At that, Sword Saint Hae Un-baek squeezed his eyes shut.
His daughter had risen to fame across the land, yet that very fact had become a curse for the Murim. He wished, more than anything, that this were just a nightmare.
After Yong Woo-shin’s words, everyone’s expressions grew hopeless, and no one dared speak further.
Then, Yu Hae-eung, head of the Haenam Yu family, suddenly looked at Sun Woo-jin and asked, “Master Jang, is there no good solution?”
All eyes turned toward Sun Woo-jin.
Though it seemed impossible to find a sharp solution in this situation, they still held a glimmer of hope, knowing what he had accomplished so far.
Sun Woo-jin slowly opened his eyes and spoke.
“First, we cannot allow this to escalate into a full-scale factional war. Both sides would suffer tremendous losses, and those losses would fall not on the Blood Sect but on the Murim Alliance and the Sa Wang-ryeon. The longer the fight drags on and the greater the damage, the more advantage the Blood Sect will gain.”
Everyone nodded gravely.
His words were undeniably true.
Then Son Eun-sang spoke up.
“I understand that, but if it’s not a factional war, then it means we have to reduce this to a small-scale fight. Is that even possible? We’re at a disadvantage, and now they’ve taken the heart of the Murim Alliance. To fight them, we’d have to break through the Murim Alliance warriors first.”
Sun Woo-jin smiled faintly at her question.
It was a relaxed smile, as if to say it was no big deal.
The people in the room began to look at him with a flicker of hope.
In a lively tone, Sun Woo-jin said, “Of course, we can’t just walk in there. First, we have to make sure the Yeokcheon Blood Demon can’t manipulate the Murim Alliance at will. Then, we have to force them to come out on their own.”
At that, the impatient head of the Haenam Oh family, Oh Ik-deok, hurriedly asked, “What do you mean? You have a plan, Master Jang?”
Sun Woo-jin’s eyes gleamed as he answered, “There is a way. We’ll do exactly what Jegal Ji-gang did—turn the tables by swaying public opinion.”
He then looked at Sword Saint Hae Un-baek.
“There’s something you need to do, Elder.”
Hae Un-baek nodded, puzzled.
“Me? Alright, just say what you need.”
Sun Woo-jin smiled and said, “Please go to the Sa Wang-ryeon. You’ll have to fight your daughter.”
Hae Un-baek’s face twisted in surprise.
“Hm? The Sa Wang-ryeon? You want me to go there and fight Cheong-yeon?”
But as Sun Woo-jin explained further, the confusion on his face gradually turned to admiration.
A few days before Sun Woo-jin returned to the Hyeongsan Sect for the meeting, Seol Poong had rushed back to the Sa Wang-ryeon immediately after the battle between the Sa Wang and Hae Cheong-yeon ended.
This was on the advice of Myo-ran, who warned that if the Sa Wang-ryeon lost its center of gravity, they would never be able to stand against the Yeokcheon Blood Demon, who had seized control of the Murim Alliance.
Upon returning, Seol Poong found the Sa Wang-ryeon on the brink of collapse, just as Myo-ran had predicted.
The leaders of the Sa Wang-ryeon’s affiliated factions, long suppressed by the absolute power of the Sa Wang, and the heads of the independent Sa Wang Thirteen families had gathered at the Sa Wang-ryeon headquarters, each voicing their own demands.
“I can never forgive those Murim Alliance scoundrels! We must immediately avenge the Sa Wang!”
“Avenging? We lost in a one-on-one duel. What right do we have to seek revenge? And who would even carry it out? The Sa Wang’s seat is still vacant.”
“That’s true. We need to fill the vacant Sa Wang seat first. But… who will be the next Sa Wang? No successor has been decided yet.”
“If no decision’s been made, then naturally the eldest son, Gwe Jeong-gi Gongja, should become the Sa Wang.”
“What are you talking about?! We all know what crimes Gwe Jeong-gi committed and what’s become of him! The second son, Gwe Chang-gi Gongja, should be the rightful heir!”
“Hmm, given the current situation, wouldn’t it be more fitting for Seol Poong Gongja, who’s recently gained great fame and is known for his high martial skill?”
“Hmph! He’s an outsider! If we’re judging by martial skill alone, it’d be better to choose one of the elders or one of the heads of the Sa Wang Thirteen families!”
“That’s a fair point. There’s no rule that the next Sa Wang must come from the previous Sa Wang’s descendants. After all, the title ‘Sa Wang’ refers to the strongest in the factions.”
Amid the chaotic voices, few supported Seol Poong.
The heads of the Sa Wang Thirteen families who backed him had yet to arrive at the headquarters.
Among those present, the most powerful was Man Seong-guk, head of the Jin Gang-man family and the overall commander.
He was also the maternal grandfather of Gwe Jeong-gi, the eldest son who had been ousted by the Sa Wang.
Therefore, Man Seong-guk’s faction was loudly pushing for Gwe Jeong-gi to become the next Sa Wang.
At that moment, Seol Poong, who had hurried back to the Sa Wang-ryeon, finally arrived at the Sa Wang’s main hall.
“Seol Poong Gongja has returned!”
A warrior at the hall announced his arrival loudly, and everyone inside stopped talking and turned their attention to him.
Seol Poong strode confidently into the hall, drawing all eyes.
Behind him were some of the most elite warriors: Gam Jak-hyung of the Three Earthly Divine Stars, Gui-do Baek Gi-ryang, Baek Gol Gwe-ma Hong Chu, Dan Ak Pae-bu Go Sang-jong, and other top-tier fighters.
The gazes cast upon him were mixed—cautious, hateful, friendly, curious.
But Seol Poong paid no mind to any of it.
He simply marched toward the Taesa, the innermost chamber of the hall.
As people realized where he was headed, their expressions changed sharply.
One man rushed forward to block his path, shouting, “Stop, Gongja Seol! Where do you think you’re going?!”
It was Man Seong-guk, the overall commander of the Sa Wang-ryeon and head of the Jin Gang-man family.
He was also the maternal grandfather of Gwe Jeong-gi, the Sa Wang’s eldest son.
Seol Poong met his gaze coldly and replied, “I’m going to claim my rightful place as the former Sa Wang’s legitimate successor.”
Man Seong-guk’s face twisted in anger.
“Who said you’re the legitimate successor?! Who recognizes you as the heir to the Sa Wang?!”
Seol Poong answered confidently, “As one of the candidates, I uncovered Gwe Jeong-gi’s conspiracy and contributed to the Sa Wang-ryeon’s stability. I defeated the greatest swordsman of Honam, Wi Jeong-guk, and brought the Hyeongsan Sect to its knees, proving I possess the highest martial skill among the candidates. I have also made the Sa Wang-ryeon’s name known throughout the land. If I’m not the rightful successor, then who is?”
With a bitter smile, Seol Poong asked Man Seong-guk, “Are you suggesting that your grandson, Gwe Jeong-gi, who tried to destroy the Sa Wang Thirteen families with poison, is the rightful heir?”
Man Seong-guk’s face flushed red and pale.
To have that accusation openly made before so many people—he was furious.
As the chief commander of the Sawang Alliance and head of the Jin Gangman family—renowned as the most powerful among the thirteen great houses—Man Seongguk had never before endured such humiliation.
Grinding his teeth, he shouted at Seolpung, “How dare you…!”
At that very moment, Seolpung’s eyes flashed with a sudden, fierce red glare, and an overwhelming storm of energy erupted from his body.
Whoosh!
Man Seongguk froze, his expression one of utter shock.
The force Seolpung was radiating was beyond anything he had ever imagined.
Even Man Seongguk, an elite master, couldn’t withstand the tempestuous power and was forced to take two steps back.
Seolpung fixed him with a blazing gaze and stepped forward, pressing him with a question.
“How dare you? Did you just use the word ‘dare’ toward the rightful heir of the Sawang?”
Man Seongguk staggered backward under Seolpung’s imposing presence.
At that moment, an elder aligned with Man Seongguk stepped forward to block Seolpung’s advance.
It was Yochugok of the Black Swordsman Army, one of the Thirty-Six Stars of the Realm.
“Lord Seol, this is going too far. No matter what, you cannot speak to our elder in such a manner—”
Before he could finish, Seolpung’s divine form spun violently like a dragon’s claw, striking Yochugok with a fierce blow.
Whoosh!
Yochugok grimaced, raising his arm to block Seolpung’s strike, shouting, “Such insolence is beyond all reason—!”
But he never got to finish.
Seolpung’s attack shattered his arm without hesitation and crushed his head.
Crack!
The devastating power, amplified by the Red-Eyed Blood Technique and the Full Wheel Palm, was absolute.
Everyone present stood dumbfounded, mouths agape, unable to utter a word.
Seolpung scanned the stunned crowd with a cold, indifferent gaze and asked, “Is there anyone else who wishes to step forward?”
His eyes burned with arrogant superiority, looking down on them all.
But no one dared voice any complaint.
Despite the surprise attack, Seolpung had just slain Yochugok—one of the Thirty-Six Stars—in a single strike.
No one present had the skill to match such power, nor the courage to face him.
With no further opposition, Seolpung glanced briefly at Man Seongguk before turning and striding back toward the Grand Hall.
Man Seongguk gritted his teeth and shouted once more, “Seolpung is not the only heir! We must at least wait until the other successors have voiced their opinions!”
At this, Chae Seogwang, head of the Beonhae family, quickly agreed.
“Exactly! The other heirs haven’t even arrived yet. He can’t just claim the Sawang’s seat on his own! Besides, he’s an outsider—not even a descendant of the Gwe family!”
The Beonhae family was the maternal clan of Gwe Hanggi, the Sawang’s third son.
As they voiced their objections, Seolpung stopped and turned to face them.
Suddenly, someone interrupted loudly.
“There’s no need to worry! Brother Seolpung is undoubtedly of the Sawang bloodline, and I have already recognized him as the rightful heir!”
Everyone turned in surprise toward the voice.
They saw two young men entering the main hall with broad smiles.
The speaker was none other than Gwe Changgi, the Sawang’s second son and a strong candidate for succession.
Known for his pride and refusal to acknowledge anyone stronger than himself, he had just called Seolpung “brother” and accepted him as the legitimate heir.
The handsome youth beside him spoke up in agreement.
“I also agree that Brother Seolpung is the rightful successor. Since the Gwe and Seol families share the same bloodline, calling him an outsider is baseless.”
This was Gwe Seogi, the Sawang’s fourth son.
With these two sons of the Sawang acknowledging Seolpung’s claim, most of those gathered inside the hall had no choice but to accept the fact: the next Sawang Alliance leader had already been decided.
All except Man Seongguk.
He could never forgive Seolpung for what he had done to his grandson, Gwe Jeonggi.
Determined, he vowed to use every ounce of his influence to prevent Seolpung from becoming the next leader.
Desperately, he shouted, “The position of Alliance Leader cannot be decided by a mere agreement among heirs! The current leader has not officially recognized anyone, so the opinion of all Sawang warriors must be considered—”
Seolpung regarded the frantic Man Seongguk with a detached gaze.
Everyone could see he was grasping at straws, but there was no need to intervene directly anymore.
All others had already acknowledged him as the heir, and their eyes betrayed that certainty.
Besides, someone else was about to settle this matter.
Just as Man Seongguk was desperately opposing Seolpung, a figure suddenly appeared before him.
As if materializing from thin air, the man’s sudden arrival startled Man Seongguk into halting and retreating hastily.
“!”
The newcomer exuded an icy, cold aura.
With an indifferent expression, he addressed the crowd.
“I bring the final will of the current Alliance Leader.”
Those who recognized him gasped in shock.
“That’s… Maeng Huyeom?!”
“How is the Sawang’s Shadow here?!”
Maeng Huyeom was the top master of the Bijoo Maeng family—one of the thirteen great houses—and a longtime friend of Sawang Gwe Galhyeon.
He had sworn to become the Sawang’s shadow, living his life in the shadows as the leader’s closest confidant.
He declared coldly, “The Alliance Leader has commanded that Lord Seolpung be named successor. He also entrusted me with dealing with anyone who opposes this order.”
His unflinching gaze fixed on Man Seongguk.
Man Seongguk was left speechless.
He knew all too well what “dealing with” meant.
There was nothing more he could do.
Seolpung resumed his steady walk toward the Grand Hall.
Pausing briefly, he turned and cast a calm, indifferent glance over the crowd before slowly taking his seat.
One by one, those present began kneeling and calling out in unison.
“Long live the Alliance Leader!”
“Long live the Alliance Leader!”
What began with one or two soon spread like a wave throughout the hall.
Finally, every person inside knelt before Seolpung.
The last voice echoed through the hall.
“Long live the Alliance Leader!”
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Seolpung’s lips.
The vacant seat of the Sawang Alliance Leader was now filled.
Seolpung glanced sideways and met the eyes of Myoaran, who stood behind his subordinates.
She smiled warmly and sent a silent message.
—You did very well, Lord Seolpung. Truly formidable in action, as expected.
Seolpung smiled faintly in return.
In truth, it was Myoaran who had advised him to adopt an arrogant stance and decisively eliminate a powerful opponent to assert his dominance.
In the Sawang Alliance, which revered strength above all, showing overwhelming power and confidence was essential.
She had also orchestrated the timely arrivals of Gwe Changgi, Gwe Seogi, and Maeng Huyeom to support him.
Seolpung realized that if he was to lead the Sawang Alliance effectively, he would need her by his side.
And to make that happen, he would have to persuade his younger brother, Sun Woojin, as well.