Chapter 401 Ritual of Three Veins (1)

The Heaven and Earth Society Leader stood with his hands behind his back in front of a wide window.

The sickly appearance that had always been accompanied by constant coughing was nowhere to be seen.

Vice-Leader Mong Seo-cheon’s expression was indescribably strange as he looked at the Society Leader’s backlit silhouette.

“……”

Just half an hour ago, he had thought there was no hope left, given the unanimous diagnosis of the physicians.

The Society Leader had been ill for many long years.

Was such a great master who had dominated an entire generation and gained such renown to die so feebly from illness?

He had been feeling depressed at this thought, but then a reversal occurred.

Vice-Leader Mong Seo-cheon, summoned to the Society Leader’s quarters in the main compound, was shocked.

The interior of the main compound, stained with blood, was being cleaned up by the Second Guard Corps, and the area around the Society Leader’s quarters was full of fallen corpses.

The ones cleaning up those corpses were the First Guard Corps.

They were the closest aides, each personally selected by the Society Leader, known to have never strayed more than twenty jang from him.

What is happened had happened while he was away?

When he opened the door and entered the quarters, Vice-Leader Mong Seo-cheon was astounded.

[My lord?]

The Society Leader, who had been gasping for breath and seemingly about to pass away at any moment, was standing perfectly fine.

And in his hand was a sword, stained with the blood of the elders who had invaded his quarters.

He still couldn’t forget that sight.

To think he would see again the Society Leader’s sharp and imposing gaze that he had long forgotten.

Could this really be the same Lord who had been a step away from death?

To him, filled with surprise and questions, the Society Leader spoke matter-of-factly in a businesslike tone:

[Two from the First Guard Corps, eleven from the Second Guard Corps, eight from the Third Guard Corps… The rest are all from the Elder Council.]

Surely the numbers he just mentioned weren’t…

[…Are you saying they were all enemies, no, spies?]

[As you can see.]

[My lord, how did you know whether they were spies or not…]

[They took the bait I had prepared with the net I’ve been setting up. They’re all spies.]

[……]

At his confident voice, Vice-Leader Mong Seo-cheon felt a chill run down his spine for a moment.

He spoke as if it hadn’t been long, but he had truly spent a long time suffering from illness.

But looking at his current state, that long illness was clearly a lie.

How else could he have recovered in such a short time if it wasn’t a lie?

‘…How ruthless.’

It would be considered remarkable to deceive for just a few months, but he had shown the appearance of suffering from illness for nearly ten years or more without leaving his quarters.

He had even deceived him, his closest aide who had served him since his youth.

He was at a loss for words at the realization that he had waited for this moment for a long time with incredible determination and endurance, trusting no one.

More than feeling hurt that he had kept this secret even from him, he was simply amazed at why he had gone to such lengths to catch these people.

‘Just who are these people?’

He had momentarily lost focus due to the surprise of the Society Leader’s good health, but these people were also a mystery.

The main compound’s guard corps is composed of only the most trustworthy individuals, and even the Elder Council can only be entered after retirement by those who have long devoted themselves to the association.

So how could there be spies in such guard corps and Elder Council?

[Who on earth would do such a thing to the guard corps and Elder Council?]

It was something that even the Righteous Alliance’s spies couldn’t do.

To him in his bewilderment, the Society Leader said something hard to understand:

[…It’s Him.]

[Him?]

What is happened does that mean?

Was there someone the Society Leader would refer to as “Him”?

As he was puzzled, the Society Leader gave an order:

[Set off the Red Flares.]

[By Red Flares, do you mean to call for an emergency assembly?]

[Now is the perfect time to settle everything, when they have bared their fangs towards this seat and the association. Call them all in.]

Following his order, he had set off the Red Flares.

Nearly 70% of the personnel in the inner city had gathered, and the rest were still coming.

What was the Society Leader’s true intention?

There was no reason to call everyone together like this after rooting out the hidden spies, it didn’t make sense to go this far.

Rather, with so many people gathered, it would be difficult to do anything.

What exactly did he mean by perfect timing?

Unless there was something special to announce, such an assembly in this unsettled situation after large-scale spies were discovered in the Elder Council… Wait…

‘Announce? Is he going to make an announcement?’

What is happened is the Society Leader trying to announce?

Is it to let everyone know he’s in good health?

Given the situation, it was difficult to guess the Society Leader’s true intentions.

But then,

“It’s the Earth Vein!”

“The Earth Vein has returned to the association!”

At the cheers heard from outside, Vice-Leader Mong Seo-cheon’s eyes widened.

‘!?’

What is this?

The Earth Vein has returned to Heaven and Earth Society?

Why have they, who should be guarding the North, come to the association?

Unlike other sects, in the case of the Earth Vein, it was virtually impossible for them to return to the association without a special reason.

For them to re-enter the association, they needed only the Society Leader’s permission.

Which means,

‘Did the Society Leader call them?’

***

-Rumble!

A group wearing red fox fur cloaks entered the center of Heaven and Earth Society’s square as if in a victory procession.

They were the Earth Vein, one of the two pillars forming the foundation of Heaven and Earth Society.

“The Earth Vein? Why the Earth Vein?”

Mo Yak, Young Master Na Yul-ryang’s right-hand, frowned as she looked at them.

Even if they were a foundation, how did they, who had been driven out to the North long ago after being pushed from the center of power, return here?

Na Yul-ryang was no less puzzled.

‘Head of the Yang family…’

The tall, sharp-featured middle-aged man standing proudly with his arms crossed at the front of the group was Yang Jeong, the head of the Earth Vein.

He had seen him once when he attended the association’s grand meeting as a child.

At that time, Na Yul-ryang had only been learning martial arts for a few years, so he couldn’t gauge Yang Jeong’s martial prowess.

However, since they had long been pushed back by the Heaven Vein and forced to guard the North, he hadn’t thought they would be particularly strong.

But Na Yul-ryang’s eyes gleamed.

This was because Yang Jeong’s martial prowess was difficult to gauge.

The fact that he couldn’t sense his qi meant he was either equal to or above himself, who had reached the pinnacle-stage of the Transformation Realm.

‘……”

How could someone this strong remain unknown?

With such martial prowess, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was on par with the Five Kings who had received the title of Eight Stars among the executives.

Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Although the Society Leader’s authority was great, someone of such extraordinary strength wasn’t the type to be unconditionally suppressed.

Moreover, hadn’t the Society Leader been known to be suffering from illness for many years?

It seemed plausible that they could have aimed for a reversal.

Despite this, for the leader of the Earth Vein and the Earth Vein itself, who had been so quiet until now, to appear coincidentally at this point…

[Didn’t you know? The Society Leader has no intention of passing on his position to any disciple, including the Eldest Young Master.]

Suddenly, Na Yul-ryang recalled those words spoken by Yul-myeong, the messenger from the Elder Council.

As he recalled those words, strangely, the scattered pieces of the puzzle began to fit together.

The Elder Council, which began to move saying the Society Leader’s condition had worsened.

The Society Leader revealing himself in good health, not dying, while simultaneously purging the Elder Council.

And the appearance of the Earth Vein along with the emergency assembly.

-Clench!

Blood flowed from Na Yul-ryang’s clenched fist, such was the force he applied.

It wasn’t just underestimation.

All along, he and everyone else had been dancing in the palm of the Master’s hand.

Rather than his mind becoming complicated, it felt as if it was emptying.

This feeling was a first for him.

‘Ha… Hah.’

What a truly strange day.

He had thought himself emotionless, but he seemed to be feeling multiple emotions simultaneously.

It was at that moment, as he was sinking emotionally,

-Hear me!

A voice that resonated like an echo.

The voice imbued with spiritual energy made everyone’s ears ring.

Exclamations flowed from here and there at the Society Leader’s profound spiritual energy.

This alone announced that not just his appearance, but everything about him was in good health.

-During my illness, I learned that malicious individuals were hiding within our association.

At these words from the Society Leader, the square stirred.

Then, are those being displayed on spear tips the malicious individuals the Society Leader spoke of?

The Society Leader continued his words.

-Look carefully at those being displayed. Do you recognize who they are?

At this question from the Society Leader, everyone’s gaze turned to the displayed heads.

While there were unfamiliar faces, they were individuals belonging to the Elder Council, and among those who had received the position of elder were some with thick reputations.

Therefore, for the people of the association gathered there, the sight of those displayed was quite shocking.

-I endured for a long time to root out these individuals. And finally, when rumors spread that my condition had reached its worst, they revealed their hidden fangs.

-Clench!

-Drip!

Blood from Na Yul-ryang’s fist dripped onto the ground.

Where had it gone wrong?

Although the Society Leader didn’t mention it directly, looking at those being displayed, anyone could guess that the Elder Council was at the center of this turmoil.

At the point where they had failed and been purged, Na Yul-ryang was in a situation akin to being surrounded on all sides.

Although he hadn’t fully trusted the Elder Council, the fact remained that he had continued to contact them and received help.

Using this as a pretext, he too could be purged.

This was why a considerable number of the forces following him now had tense expressions.

At this point, Mo Yak wrapped Na Yul-ryang’s bleeding fist with cloth and spoke in a small voice:

“Young Master, be confident.”

“……”

“The purge of the Elder Council might provide justification to strike at us, but there are too many who follow you for that.”

It was nearly half of the forces.

They supported Young Master Na Yul-ryang as the next successor and were actually working together.

At this point, if they tried to deal with Na Yul-ryang and all of these people by linking them with the Elder Council, the situation would grow uncontrollably into internal strife.

“…That’s why he prepared it.”

“Pardon?”

“The Earth Vein, I mean.”

At these words from Na Yul-ryang, Mo Yak frowned and denied:

“Surely not. No matter what, how could he… not from among the disciples, but…”

“Because they’re the only ones qualified to be Society Leader outside of the Heaven Vein’s bloodline or disciples.”

“What do you mean? Then the Society Leader calling the Earth Vein was… Ah!”

Mo Yak’s eyes widened.

If the Society Leader were to pass the right of succession to the leader of the Earth Vein or their clan, Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang and his fellow disciples would be put in a disadvantageous position.

This means he had predicted and prepared for this situation from the beginning.

Mo Yak couldn’t help but click her tongue.

Just how many steps ahead had he planned this?

‘…This is the worst.’

If the Society Leader, not deteriorated from illness but in such good health, directly announces passing on the right of succession, he can completely change this situation given time.

Those who support are just that, supporters, but if the Society Leader is in good health, the situation is different.

Gradually, support will shift towards the successor chosen by the Society Leader.

If that happens, there was only one way to overturn this.

At that moment, the Society Leader continued speaking.

-The reason I gathered everyone today is not just to announce the rooting out of malicious groups. One is to announce that I am still in good health, and…

Everyone’s attention focused.

-The other is to announce my successor, a position I have long left vacant.

At these words, murmurs began to spread here and there.

They had predicted the exclusion of Young Master Na Yul-ryang’s right of succession due to his contact with the purged Elder Council.

But with the sudden announcement of naming a successor, the atmosphere couldn’t help but stir.

At their reaction, the corners of Yang Jeong’s mouth, the head of the Earth Vein, twitched.

He had been waiting for this moment through an agreement with the current Lord.

[Since the founding of our association, the Heaven Vein has always held power, but that’s not fair.]

[Then you mean to give the Earth Vein a chance as well?]

[Yes.]

An unexpected proposal.

He couldn’t refuse such a tempting offer.

There was something the current Lord had demanded along with the proposal.

[But I can’t just give you the chance.]

[What do you want?]

[It’s simple, but difficult.]

[What do you mean by simple but difficult?]

[It’s…]

To build the strongest single force that no other group could match, away from the association’s influence and eyes.

And martial prowess befitting the position of Lord.

Yang Jeong, head of the Earth Vein, had prepared everything he demanded, grinding his teeth in determination in the North.

Now, he prided himself that the power of the Earth Vein was at its peak in history.

Now that he had finished those preparations and returned gloriously to the association, it was time for the Society Leader to keep his promise.

As if responding to these expectations, the Society Leader continued speaking:

-I and the successive heads of the Heaven Vein have fulfilled our responsibilities as Society Leader of Heaven and Earth Society for a long time since the Convergence Ceremony, but that doesn’t fit with the ritual of the Three Veins, which forms the foundation of our association.

The ritual of the Three Veins.

Although now only the Heaven Vein and Earth Vein remain, it means that all three foundational veins should have the opportunity to become Society Leader.

-So now I intend to give that opportunity to veins other than my own.

No sooner had these words from the Society Leader ended than Yang Jeong, head of the Earth Vein, spoke loudly as if he had been waiting, infusing his voice with spiritual energy:

-We are grateful that the Society Leader respects the ritual of the Three Veins, which can be said to be the foundation of our association, and gives our Earth Vein this opportunity.

-Murmur murmur!

“Then does this mean he’s giving the right of succession to the Earth Vein, not to the Young Masters?”

“It seems so, doesn’t it?”

“Was this the reason the Earth Vein returned to the association?”

“Ha! What’s going on?”

The old sects knew this well.

However, all sects that had mentioned the ritual of the Three Veins without following the Heaven Vein had been purged or pushed to the outer city or branches, despite their contributions to founding the association.

The current Society Leader had practically declared that he would revive this ritual of the Three Veins, which had been all but abolished.

‘So it was like this after all.’

Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang’s eyes were tinged with disappointment.

Perhaps they had never been in Master’s consideration from the beginning.

But then why had he taken them as disciples?

Was it just to continue the martial arts of the Heaven Vein?

Whatever the reason, thanks to this, it seems he’s learned the emotion of disappointment for the first time.

-Clench!

Yes.

If that’s Master’s true intention, it seems I no longer need to have any lingering attachment.

Sitting still and being spoon-fed wasn’t his style anyway.

And Master had made one mistake.

Although he needed justification, if he intended to give the Earth Vein a chance through the ritual of the Three Veins, he too had room to exploit this.

He too had the qualification to compete with the Earth Vein’s successor as one who inherited the martial arts of the Heaven Vein.

This was the only loophole and his way out.

At this, Na Yul-ryang opened his mouth to declare that he too would participate in the ritual of the Three Veins as part of the Heaven Vein.

“Heav…”

But it was right then.

“Master!”

Na Yul-ryang frowned at the familiar voice.

‘Jang Neung-ak?’

It was the voice of Jang Neung-ak, the second disciple.

His appearance caused a stir here and there.

At the point where the Society Leader had announced he would conduct the ritual of the Three Veins and Yang Jeong, the leader of the Earth Vein, had accepted this, stepping forward here was tantamount to declaring intention to participate in the ritual.

Seeing this, Young Master Na Yul-ryang couldn’t help but sneer.

‘How dare someone like you step forward?’

He couldn’t distinguish between when to step in and when not to.

Of course, it’s not incomprehensible.

He must have stepped forward thinking his position was shaken due to the Elder Council purge.

But it’s too much for someone of his caliber.

Even Master would make him step down due to his inadequacy if he says he’s stepping forward for the ritual of the Three Veins.

But then Jang Neung-ak opened his mouth as if to declare his intention to participate.

“If it’s the ritual of the Three Veins, doesn’t the Moon Vein also have a chance?”

‘!?’

At these words, sneers erupted from the forces following Young Master Na Yul-ryang and even the Earth Vein.

“Pfft.”

“The Moon Vein? Ha!”

They had thought he would say he was participating in the ritual of the Three Veins, but it was absurd that he suddenly mentioned the long-lost Moon Vein.

Yang Jeong, head of the Earth Vein, opened his mouth with a similarly sneering face.

“Young Master Jang. Of course, as it’s the ritual of the Three Veins, the Moon Vein would have a chance too, but their vein was cut off long ago. Yet to mention such a Moon Vein in this place…”

“They’re here!”

At that moment, Jang Neung-ak interrupted his words.

At this, one of Yang Jeong’s eyebrows shot up.

No matter that he was the Society Leader’s disciple, to not only interrupt the words of himself, the head of the Earth Vein, one of the Three Veins, but also to utter such absurd words in a place like this?

“Sigh. Young Master, it’s not right to carelessly say words you can’t take responsibility for…”

“The successor of the Moon Vein has come here!”

‘!?’

What? The successor of the Moon Vein?

What is happened is he saying?

It was a puzzling moment.

From the crowd that wasn’t Young Master Na Yul-ryang’s or the Earth Vein’s forces, a path opened in two directions and someone revealed themselves.

‘Mok Gyeong-un?’