Chapter 248: New Justice Association (3)
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The Sect Leaders of the Nine Great Sects and Namgung Jin-hyeon naturally became the elders of the New Justice Association.
Since I still needed to recuperate, I mostly issued commands while lying down. Even though I was lying down, I was incredibly busy. This was because the elders, who had returned to their respective families and sects, kept asking for my opinions.
“Just how long is he going to do nothing but work?”
“Senior Brother, can’t we go out and play for a bit?”
“No, I am going to play here.”
“It’s spring outside. The weather is truly beautiful.”
Before I knew it, the cold winter had passed and spring had arrived. Looking out the window, flowers were in full bloom on Wudang Mountain, radiating a vibrant brilliance.
However, for some reason, the youngest disciples of the Myeong generation rank, including Myeong-gyeong, kept playing in my Medical Hall room.
Even after finishing their sword practice outside, they insisted on coming to the Medical Hall where I was to meditate and circulate their qi. Well, it wasn’t as if I didn’t understand the children’s hearts, so I tolerated it.
Although it was slightly distracting while I worked, in any case, they weren’t entirely unhelpful.
“Senior Brother, water.”
“You keep bossing your senior brother around.”
Myeong-gyeong grumbled, yet he still brought me the water. Although I was no longer completely unable to move like before, moving around was still quite uncomfortable. It seemed my injuries had indeed been exceptionally severe.
Still, I was well enough to unfold letters and write on the bed, which allowed me to conduct my business.
―But is this truly correct? I am doing exactly as commanded, but doubts keep arising.
The letters sent by the elders all contained the exact same contents. It was to the point where I wondered if they had conspired together.
Sending letters via gyrfalcons carried the risk of them being lost along the way, and lately, it was said that the Imperial Palace intercepted and read all such letters. Therefore, we desperately needed messengers we could truly rely on.
“Finally, we have work to do.”
The ones to take on the role of messengers were already decided. It was the former Geonjeong Group, the Guijeong Sect, who had been establishing their sect under my instructions.
The Guijeong Sect moved truly like my own limbs. Led by Tang Se-ui, most of them were from prestigious backgrounds, and many had ties with Wudang, so they had absolutely no trouble entering and leaving Wudang.
In the midst of this, my master and Tang Se-ui had reportedly met for the first time in a while and drank heavily, but that was none of my business.
―It is fine. Proceed exactly as planned. And if you prepare this…
I picked up the brush and wrote down the letters in a single, flowing motion.
No matter how fast the Guijeong Sect acted as messengers, as long as everyone was far apart, the time to exchange opinions was limited. I simply had to trust that they had successfully carried out what I had discussed at their respective locations.
Of course, Wudang was no exception when it came to preparing for the inauguration ceremony. The difference with Wudang was that they could communicate with me in real-time.
“But Hui-yeong, is this correct?”
Cheong-ui also came to see me in person and asked several times. Seeing even Cheong-ui act like this, I could understand the worries of the other Sect Leaders and the Namgung Clan Head.
“I have a plan for all of this.”
“Is that so? Indeed, you must have a plan. But still.”
“Yes.”
“I simply cannot comprehend this part.”
Cheong-ui pointed to a specific section on a sheet of paper he held.
It stated that they must bring a gift to grace the inauguration ceremony. Naturally, it was written by me.
“You ask for one of the Eighteen Famous Swords, or one of the elixirs. Does this not look like blatant extortion to anyone who sees it?”
Indeed. These were not just any gifts. They were exceptionally precious items that I had personally specified. Since they were to be personally gifted to the New Justice Association Leader, it was only natural for him to feel that way.
“The truth is as follows.”
“What truth do you mean?”
“It is indeed extortion.”
“……”
The position of New Justice Association Leader was the most dangerous and heavy responsibility I had assumed. In that case, I couldn’t possibly be expected to do charity work, could I? To work, compensation was naturally required.
Some might argue that one should work for one’s beliefs, but since I held the firm belief that I do not perform unpaid labor, such arguments did not apply to me.
“Well, they can afford to give that much, can’t they? A heavy responsibility of this scale deserves a fitting reward.”
“……Did you simply want to take it for yourself? Not to use it for something else?”
“Yes. I plan to enjoy it thoroughly.”
“You are so shameless that I am left speechless.”
To be precise, I didn’t want to take their treasures either. I truly disliked it, but what could I do when the Martial Talent Shop demanded them?
[ Mangryang ― Grade 3 ]
[ Price: Dancheon, one of the Eighteen Famous Swords ]
“Do not smile. Smiling while extorting people makes you look like a member of an unorthodox black path.”
“Was I smiling?”
“Yes. You were grinning ear to ear.”
Oh dear. It seemed I had grown far too comfortable around Wudang’s members.
“In any case, besides that, I have a plan for everything, so do not worry.”
I said. Although Cheong-ui cast a suspicious glance at me, he still nodded.
And so, the day of the New Justice Association’s inauguration ceremony arrived.
* * *
The inauguration ceremony of the New Justice Association was held within the Wudang Sect. It was only natural, as I, the New Justice Association Leader, was currently in Wudang, and the one who had proposed the founding of the New Justice Association was Wudang’s Sect Leader, Cheong-ui.
“Excuse me! You cannot enter there!”
“The latrine is over that way!”
Wudang’s disciples, even the youngest among them, had all come out and were focusing their efforts on controlling the crowd.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a truly massive crowd. It had to be. Throughout the entire Central Plains, I had spread the word that we were holding an inauguration ceremony, so if anyone was hungry, they should come and have a meal. And that was without any entry requirements.
“Is this truly correct……?”
Namgung Jin-hyeon let out a sigh as he looked at the bustling market-like scene.
The crowd filling Wudang Mountain consisted entirely of beggars from near Hubei, rogue martial artists who had come out of curiosity, or commoners looking to get a free meal.
On the contrary, the prestigious sects or merchant groups that would normally maintain order had not come. After our victory over the Heaven’s Will Gate, the name of the New Justice Association had spread far and wide, but the Martial Alliance had framed us as a rebel organization acting contrary to the Imperial Court’s policy. Of course, their claim wasn’t entirely wrong, but still.
“What are we supposed to do here?”
“I shall handle everything from here on. You have all worked hard to prepare.”
“……Is that so?”
The Sect Leaders of the Nine Great Sects glanced at me. They seemed to slightly regret handing the position of Association Leader over to me. They were likely also harboring doubts about my actual capabilities. After all, I had never seen such a chaotic inauguration ceremony myself either.
Now, I was able to move around sufficiently. As the saying goes, the ground hardens after the rain, and my body actually felt even more energetic than before.
“Bring more boiled pork over here!”
“Where is the alcohol?!”
Wudang Mountain was truly in a festive mood. Of course, it was their festival, not ours.
An overwhelming number of beggars were drinking and feasting. Since they were beggars, begging at a feast was practically their trade.
“How can we hold an inauguration ceremony in a situation like this?”
Cheong-ui slightly watched the crowd’s reactions from behind. Having personally recommended me as the New Justice Association Leader, he seemed to feel a bit of a guilty conscience.
Before the ceremony had even begun, many were already shouting or singing in a drunken state. It was a complete madhouse.
“Let’s begin now.”
“In this situation?”
“If we do it later, it will be even more of a mess.”
“That is true. No, in the first place, shouldn’t you have prevented such a mess from being created?!”
Ignoring Zhongnan Sect Leader Cho Seo-gi’s words, I stepped forward in front of the crowd.
It was a raised platform standing before numerous dining tables. Climbing onto the platform, the chaotic scene became even more clearly visible. Some beggars were even sitting on the ground tearing at meat because there weren’t enough tables.
Why had the Sect Leaders of the Nine Great Sects and the Namgung Clan Head questioned my instructions so much? It must have been because they had anticipated a situation like this.
What I had instructed them to do was to gather as many people as possible for the inauguration ceremony. I had even instructed them to prepare carriages for those who wished to attend from afar.
So the beggars gathered here were not merely Hubei beggars, but beggars gathered from all over the Central Plains.
“Well, are you all enjoying your meals?”
I asked them in a friendly voice. Since I had infused my voice with internal energy, it would have been clearly heard even in the furthest corners.
Naturally, the beggars possessed at least a modicum of conscience, so they expressed their gratitude toward me, the host who had thrown such a massive feast.
“The food is truly delicious!”
“A highly splendid feast!”
“Indeed, say whatever you wish to say! We shall listen!”
Their favorability toward me was already piercing the heavens. It was only natural since a complete stranger was providing such delicious food and alcohol.
“Some of you here may know my face, while others may not. As for me, I am Muk Hui-yeong, known as the Divine Physician of Hubei in Wuhan, and referred to as the Eastern Emperor by some martial artists.”
At my words, the boisterous voices of the crowd suddenly died down.
“Eastern Emperor? Muk Hui-yeong?”
“Is he the man I know?”
“The Divine Physician of Hubei? He was the same person as the Eastern Emperor?”
“But if he is the Eastern Emperor…”
The murmurs among the crowd grew louder. I immediately cleared up their doubts.
“Indeed. I am the Muk Hui-yeong who was the mastermind behind the Guiyou Shipwreck—no, the Guiyou Incident. That is what the Imperial Palace called me.”
The name Muk Hui-yeong was already famous. After all, it wasn’t a common name, and since the Imperial Palace had framed me as the mastermind, my name would have spread throughout the land. Even if they didn’t know the name Muk Hui-yeong, everyone understood once I mentioned the Guiyou Shipwreck.
“This place is far more dangerous than I thought.”
“Indeed.”
“I hope the Imperial Army doesn’t suddenly charge in and slaughter us all.”
The faces of several beggars actually turned pale. They seemed to have ignored the rumors that the New Justice Association would oppose the Imperial Court and had come anyway.
But the moment it was revealed that I, the mastermind of the Guiyou Shipwreck, was the New Justice Association Leader, it was practically tantamount to confirming those rumors, so their reaction made sense.
“Now, those who wish to leave may leave, and those who wish to listen may listen. As a reminder, there is still plenty of food prepared. Since we have prepared it anyway, please eat your fill before you go.”
I spoke with a smile. However, I was now the only one smiling and laughing.
Since the presumably dead Muk Hui-yeong of the Guiyou Shipwreck was standing here alive and speaking, they simply watched in awe.
“Let us continue. Although we wrote down the purpose and significance of our New Justice Association for the inauguration ceremony, since I doubt anyone read all of it before coming, I shall speak of it once more.”
I continued in a loud voice.
“The New Justice Association is a place born out of the resolve to exclude the Martial Alliance, which has violated the principle of official-martial noninterference and allied with the Imperial Palace, and to create a new orthodox path. Of course, as people say, we will not stand in direct confrontation with the Imperial Court. We shall merely negotiate and compromise.”
The people listened with bated breath. The mere fact of who I was served as a powerful element to draw their focus.
“I declare here that the New Justice Association shall return to the original intentions of the orthodox path. The reason the Martial Alliance has rotted like this is that they have stagnated in too long a peace. Before we are martial artists who wield swords, we are human. Before learning the sword, we all declared that we would wield it for the sake of people like us. That is precisely what the orthodox path is.”
“Well said!”
Someone shouted in a timely manner. Though it seemed he had simply shouted in a drunken state without even knowing what I meant.
“In that sense, we cannot help but admit that the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families have stood far apart from the lives of the commoners until now. Although they helped the people, it was merely done as if the upper class were bestowing charity upon the lower class. However, that will no longer be the case.”
Glancing at the Sect Leaders beside me, they were all anxiously crossing their arms and shaking their knees. Although they had agreed to follow me, it was likely because they had no idea what kind of repercussions these words would bring.
“Therefore, we shall return to the lives of the commoners. The Nine Great Sects have already split. The Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families no longer exist. There is only the New Justice Association, and the Martial Alliance that we shall overthrow.”
“Ah.”
The sighs of the people could be heard. The names of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families were symbols of the establishment in the martial world. To declare that we would reject those names was bringing shock to many.
“It does not matter where you are from, what gender you are, or what kind of personality you have. The New Justice Association shall resonate with you. That is precisely why we invited you to this inauguration ceremony.”
Now, no one was pouring drinks or sipping alcohol. Everyone was staring at me.
“My speech as the New Justice Association Leader ends here. If you find this place uncomfortable, you may leave; otherwise, please enjoy yourselves to the fullest before you go. We shall not force you to stay or leave.”
With that, the inauguration ceremony was over. It was a very short and simple ceremony.
The Sect Leaders and the Namgung Clan Head looked at me and nodded. It meant they had come to understand my intentions even a little.
As I finished speaking and was about to descend from the platform, a thunderous cheer erupted.
“Whoaaaa!”
It was the cheer of the commoners standing right below the platform. They were the ones who were usually sacrificed by martial artists. Although most of them had simply come to get a free meal, my speech seemed to have touched something within them.
“An excellent speech.”
Someone stood up and spoke. The voice was cold, yet packed with immense internal energy.
“You were indeed alive. You.”
“Oh.”
I looked in that direction. He was someone who hadn’t stood out because of the massive crowd. No, since his face had been covered by a cape in the first place, I hadn’t known, but now I could recognize him.
Sensing a certain chill, the people began to pack their things to leave. However, the man who had stood up did not permit it.
“I am Xu Zongxing, the Commander of the Jinyiwei. Everyone, stay where you are.”
It was the arrival of the expected uninvited guest.