Chapter 376: Dialogue and Compromise

Unifying the righteous martial world in just three months? No matter how you look at it, that’s an incredibly short time.

Yet, precisely because it was so brief, Tang Mujin could guess what Hyun Gong was thinking.

“You didn’t just come to the Namgung family for no reason, did you?”

“Well, since I’m here for the wedding, I might as well get some work done.”

Hyun Gong’s primary reason for visiting the Namgung family was, of course, to celebrate Namgung Myung’s wedding. Namgung Myung was a close friend and an important connection to maintain.

But there was another equally significant reason. Opportunities where so many martial artists gathered were rare.

The current situation was unusual, to say the least. It wasn’t the wedding of a Namgung family member, but the head of the Namgung family himself. And it wasn’t about taking a concubine or a second wife.

How often do events occur that gather so many righteous martial artists?

And when people gather, it means Hyun Gong can advance his plans and expand the influence of the Jeongcheon Alliance.

“And also…”

Hyun Gong turned his gaze to Hong Geolgae.

Hong Geolgae, expecting to be teased like always, was on the defensive, ready with excuses.

But Hyun Gong didn’t tease him. Instead, he seemed a bit impressed.

“Hong Geolgae, I heard you’ve seized quite an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?”

“I heard you became the Chief of the Beggars’ Sect. When did you plan that?”

“Plan?”

Hong Geolgae blinked, not understanding what Hyun Gong was getting at.

Only then did Hyun Gong realize that Hong Geolgae hadn’t become the Chief on purpose.

“You didn’t become the Chief intentionally, did you?”

When Hong Geolgae gave an awkward smile, Hyun Gong clicked his tongue.

Of course, it wasn’t like this guy to think that far ahead.

“Hong Geolgae, you seem unhappy with your current situation, but you’re mistaken.”

“Mistaken? Being the leader is way better than being the Chief. I’d rather be the leader under my own name.”

“The important thing isn’t becoming the leader under your name. It’s about how much power you can wield as a leader. In that sense, you’ve got the best opportunity.”

Hong Geolgae still looked puzzled by Hyun Gong’s words.

Hyun Gong grabbed a handful of fried snacks from the bowl in front of him and continued.

“Looks like you have no idea what being the Chief means. What do you think the Chief’s role is?”

“Seven knots.”

It was such a typical Hong Geolgae answer that both Tang Mujin and Namgung Myung nodded in agreement.

Hyun Gong clicked his tongue again.

“I don’t know why I have to explain the significance of the Chief to the Chief of the Beggars’ Sect, but… I guess I should. The Chief is essentially the second-in-command of the Beggars’ Sect.”

“Second-in-command? Ha! Did you forget that the successor has eight knots?”

Hong Geolgae, thinking he had caught Hyun Gong in a mistake, spoke up, and Hyun Gong narrowed his eyes.

“The successor is recognized as the next leader and given a high position, but they have almost no real power. It’s a symbolic role.”

Hong Geolgae thought of Wang Jincheong and understood. The current successor, Wang Jincheong, wasn’t even twenty yet. Just because he had eight knots overnight didn’t mean he could wield authority over the other high-ranking members of the Beggars’ Sect. It was likely the same for past successors.

“But I’m not the only one with seven knots. There are elders, and a chief elder too…”

“The chief elder is just an elder. And having multiple elders means the limited power is divided among many. But there’s only one Chief. No competition.”

Hong Geolgae didn’t fully grasp the explanation.

Hyun Gong wiped the oil from his hands on Hong Geolgae’s pants as he continued.

“I heard you became the Chief because you were pushed out in a high-ranking meeting. Where was that meeting held?”

“At the Beggars’ Sect headquarters in Kaifeng.”

“And who presided over that meeting?”

“The retired former Chief.”

“Right. Becoming the Chief means you preside over high-ranking meetings.”

Hyun Gong looked as if he had finished explaining, but Hong Geolgae still didn’t get it.

“So what? What’s so important about presiding over meetings? You’re just stuck in the middle.”

“If the Chief is clueless, that’s how it goes. But the presider can subtly guide the direction and outcome of the meeting. The Chief can sway the opinions of the entire council of elders.”

If Hyun Gong were presiding, he could certainly do that. His knack for manipulation was legendary.

But whether Hong Geolgae could pull it off was another matter.

Hyun Gong continued.

“The only way the Beggars’ Sect can curb the leader’s excesses is through the decisions of the high-ranking council.”

Hyun Gong raised both hands, extending his index fingers. He wiggled the left one at Hong Geolgae.

“First, as Hong Geon of the Beggars’ Sect, you can become the leader and control the sect.”

Then he wiggled the right finger.

“Next, as the Chief, you can become your own shield, deflecting all checks against the leader. It’s a power no ordinary leader could wield. You could become the most powerful leader in martial history.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration. Hyun Gong believed Hong Geolgae’s background deserved a score of over ninety-eight out of a hundred.

Among all the people Hyun Gong had ever evaluated, none had a better background than Hong Geolgae. Whether the somewhat slow Hong Geolgae could skillfully wield that power was uncertain.

Tang Mujin and Namgung Myung looked at Hong Geolgae with a bit of admiration.

Not becoming the leader wasn’t something to be mocked.

“Hong Geolgae, you need to realize what a huge opportunity you’ve seized. In the entire martial world, there are few with more power than you.”

Hyun Gong was unusually complimentary of Hong Geolgae.

Feeling pleased, Hong Geolgae grinned.

“Alright, I get it.”

So why did Hyun Gong give Hong Geolgae a score of ninety-eight out of a hundred, not a perfect score?

The reason was simple.

Finally, Hyun Gong said to Hong Geolgae.

“Hong Geolgae, lead the Beggars’ Sect well. The Wudang Sect and the Jeongcheon Alliance will be your strong allies.”

“Got it. Don’t worry.”

Hyun Gong intended to exert influence over the Beggars’ Sect through Hong Geolgae.

A perfect score was reserved for those who reached the pinnacle.

The mastermind behind the scenes, Hyun Gong, smiled with satisfaction.

As the wedding approached, more and more people gathered at the Namgung family. Namgung Myung was busy greeting the guests, while Hyun Gong was busy charming them with his silver tongue.

Today, a notable figure arrived at the Namgung family. It was Manryeokseung, the new abbot of Shaolin, succeeding the previous sage.

As soon as Manryeokseung finished exchanging pleasantries with Namgung Myung, Hyun Gong naturally appeared and approached him.

“Abbot, may I have a word with you?”

“Ah! Aren’t you the new head of the Wudang Sect? What is it?”

“It’s an important matter, so it would be best to discuss it inside.”

Manryeokseung nodded, and Hyun Gong led him to a separate building.

The sight of two major figures from the righteous sects moving together piqued people’s curiosity. But no one dared to follow them.

Once they reached the separate building and exchanged brief greetings, Hyun Gong got to the point.

“The reason I asked for your time is related to the future direction of the Martial Alliance.”

Just as the Wudang Sect led the Jeongcheon Alliance, the Shaolin Temple, along with the Beggars’ Sect, led a small group known as the Martial Alliance.

Calling it a small group was a bit misleading, as the Martial Alliance was the largest of its kind.

Manryeokseung, seemingly aware of Hyun Gong’s intentions, spoke with a relaxed demeanor.

“Ah, I’ve heard. The Wudang Sect has been expanding the Jeongcheon Alliance recently.”

In a way, the Jeongcheon Alliance and the Martial Alliance were competitors.

Though they shared the pride of being righteous martial artists and didn’t openly fight, there was always an undercurrent of rivalry among martial artists.

“That’s correct. With the demonic cult’s resurgence looming, we must unite to prepare for the impending war. While there are various alliances, the largest are undoubtedly the Martial Alliance and the Jeongcheon Alliance.”

“Hmm.”

Manryeokseung thought this was going to be a tedious conversation.

The relationship between groups, and even more so their union, is never as simple as it seems.

The Martial Alliance and the Jeongcheon Alliance were primarily social groups without entangled interests, making it even more challenging.

At first glance, it might seem that without vested interests, merging the groups would be straightforward.

But that’s a misconception. The absence of vested interests means the only issue left is pride.

It’s hard enough to bend one’s pride even when interests are at stake, so why would anyone bend their pride when there’s nothing to gain?

Thus, Manryeokseung responded somewhat dismissively.

“This conversation will surely be lengthy, so it might be better to discuss it separately later.”

“It won’t take long. I’ll present you with options, and you can make an immediate decision.”

“Options?”

“Yes.”

Hyun Gong spoke calmly to Manryeokseung.

“How about the Murim Alliance absorbing the Jeongcheon Alliance?”

Manryeokseung almost snapped at Hyeongong, thinking it was a ridiculous suggestion. He initially misunderstood, believing that the Jeongcheon Alliance of the Wudang Sect intended to absorb the Murim Alliance.

But upon reconsideration, he realized Hyeongong meant the opposite.

It was the Murim Alliance, led by the Shaolin and Beggars’ Sect, that would do the absorbing. The Jeongcheon Alliance, primarily composed of Taoist sects like the Wudang, would be absorbed.

Hyeongong had barely begun speaking before he prostrated himself, leaving Manryeokseung momentarily taken aback.

“Did I hear you correctly?”

“Yes, I wish for the Murim Alliance to absorb the Jeongcheon Alliance.”

“And why would you propose such a thing?”

“I’ve already mentioned it. The righteous factions must unite before the Demonic Cult rises.”

“And what else do you want?”

“Nothing more.”

Manryeokseung pondered deeply.

There were no vested interests at stake, so there was nothing to gain or lose.

With the situation so clear, persuading the Beggars’ Sect to join the cause would pose no problem.

Then, Hyeongong added something.

“Actually, upon reflection, there is one promise I’d like.”

“What is it?”

Manryeokseung chuckled inwardly. So there was a catch after all.

But Hyeongong’s request was unexpected.

“Even after the Murim Alliance absorbs the Jeongcheon Alliance, please continue to actively unite other righteous factions.”

“And that’s all?”

“Yes, that’s all.”

Their eyes met, and silence stretched between them for several breaths. Though brief, it was more than enough time to gauge each other’s sincerity.

Hyeongong did not avert his gaze, nor did he show any embarrassment.

Thus, Manryeokseung realized that Hyeongong’s words were unwaveringly genuine.

“Well!”

Manryeokseung couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“I was a bit worried when I heard you were appointed the head of the Wudang Sect at such a young age, but it seems I had nothing to fear. You’re no ordinary person. Truly, you live up to the name of Hyeongong the Wise.”

“It’s an undeserved title.”

“No, it’s I who should feel ashamed. Not just me, but everyone from the Wudang and Shaolin should be embarrassed. If one person had made a bold decision, this could have been resolved so easily, yet we’ve been too proud to lower our walls.”

Manryeokseung’s face flushed slightly, and even his shaven head seemed to redden a bit.

He stood up, a deep smile on his face.

“I accept your proposal. The Murim and Jeongcheon Alliances will become one. I’ll handle convincing the Beggars’ Sect, so don’t worry.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Since the Jeongcheon Alliance is making a significant concession, it’s only right we make one too. Until we elect a new leader, would you take on the role, even temporarily?”

Manryeokseung responded to Hyeongong’s generous offer with one of his own. But Hyeongong shook his head.

“I’m not fit for such a role.”

The sincerity of his response was so moving that Manryeokseung’s voice wavered slightly.

“How can you speak of your own limitations? If there had been even one person as capable as you, the righteous factions wouldn’t have been caught up in this empty pride struggle… It’s shameful. Truly shameful…”

Hyeongong remained silent, waiting humbly.

Manryeokseung gazed at him for a moment before leaving the hall with a lighter step. It seemed Hyeongong was left alone in the reception hall.

But there was another person in the annex.

Dang Mujin, who had been quietly observing from a corner, approached Hyeongong.

Like Manryeokseung, Dang Mujin seemed quite impressed.

“I knew you weren’t joking when you started this, but I didn’t expect you to make such a bold proposal.”

“The important thing is uniting the righteous factions. The name of the Jeongcheon Alliance is a small price to pay.”

Dang Mujin had been eavesdropping out of curiosity about Hyeongong’s strategy.

But what Hyeongong demonstrated was far from mere strategy.

Dang Mujin spoke to Hyeongong.

“But you’re handing over all the initiative to the Murim Alliance. I thought you’d want to hold the reins.”

“There’s no choice for now.”

“For now?”

A slight smirk appeared on Hyeongong’s lips.

It was not the expression of the young hero he had shown so far, but the one Dang Mujin remembered.

“Dang Mujin, when you’re certain, there’s no need to rush for immediate gains.”

“What do you mean?”

Seeing Dang Mujin’s puzzled look, Hyeongong sat down and explained.

“The difficult part is merging the Jeongcheon and Murim Alliances. Once they’re united, who holds the reins is a matter of political skill and strategy.”

”…?”

“Right now, it might seem like the Shaolin holds the power. Manryeokseung and the Shaolin monks will be busy expanding the Murim Alliance’s influence across the land. What do you think I’ll be doing in the meantime?”

“No way.”

“While Manryeokseung is running around, I’ll be consolidating power from within the Murim Alliance.”

Hyeongong’s confidence was well-founded.

His strategic acumen was nearly unmatched.

“But you refused the position of Murim Alliance leader?”

“I’ll be elected eventually, so there’s no need to rush.”

If things went according to Hyeongong’s plan, the Murim Alliance would lose everything but its name.

The most frightening part was that Manryeokseung might never realize he had been outmaneuvered.

And from Dang Mujin’s experience, everything was likely to unfold just as Hyeongong predicted.

Hyeongong concluded with a final thought.

“Thinking we had to win first before absorbing them was what stalled us. There’s a better way—merge first, then take control from within…”

Hyeongong’s smile was sly.