Chapter 254: Eastern Emperor (5)

“Have you discussed this with your father?”

I asked that first. Of course, Peng Chae-hyang was highly capable in many ways. Her martial arts were excellent, and since she had served as a Hall Master within the Peng Clan, her administrative skills were far superior to those of an ordinary martial artist.

“Um, yes. Probably?”

Peng Chae-hyang was consistently terrible at lying. If she was so bad at it, she shouldn’t even try. I had no idea why she kept attempting it with such clumsy insistence.

“This isn’t a decision to be made based on personal whim. If you become a member of the New Justice Association and that fact is revealed, do you think the Imperial Palace will leave the Peng Clan in peace?”

“Naturally, I have no intention of active service in a way that reveals my identity.”

Unlike what I expected—that she would become flustered and stammer—Chae-hyang answered with surprising clarity.

“It was the same within the Martial Alliance, but the members of the Alliance Leader’s Division never reveal themselves publicly. Because that division handles the most and deepest secrets of the alliance, it is managed in that manner. You, Gege Muk, will surely require a set of hands and feet that are well-versed in the affairs of the martial world.”

“…That is true.”

Hearing that ‘Gege’ title made my skin tickle every single time. Nevertheless, Chae-hyang’s reasoning was perfectly logical.

In truth, within the Alliance Leader’s Division of the Martial Alliance, the only ones who appeared on the surface were the Alliance Leader and the Chief Strategist. The other members served strictly as the leader’s hands and feet, dedicating themselves to the alliance in complete anonymity.

“Serving as my hands and feet will be quite exhausting. Moreover, you won’t receive any recognition from the outside world for such work.”

“I am not doing this to receive recognition.”

The gaze Chae-hyang directed at me was unwavering.

“This is also a judgment made as someone who will lead the Hebei Peng Clan in the future. Although the Imperial Palace currently sides with the Martial Alliance, there is no telling how things might change. Personally, I also believe the New Justice Association embodies chivalry far more than the current Martial Alliance.”

She wasn’t wrong. Those who led a power could not afford to be trapped in black-and-white logic.

A wily hare has three burrows, as the saying goes. One had to be prepared to accept everything as flexibly as possible and maintain amicable relations with everyone. Jeon Oh-su of the Wuhan Money House requesting a cooperative relationship with the New Justice Association stemmed from the exact same logic.

“My father likely sent me here with that in mind as well.”

Since she put it that way, I had no further justification to stop her. If she wished to place her bets on the New Justice Association, it would be a dereliction of duty for me, the Association Leader, to block her. It would be tantamount to admitting my own lack of confidence.

Moreover, the most important quality for those who would serve as my hands and feet was not their martial arts or administrative ability.

It was how much I could trust them. That was the absolute priority. In that regard, both Peng Chae-hyang and Namgung Hwi were individuals whose lives I had saved, and who had consistently shown me goodwill.

If I were to be betrayed after trusting them, I would simply have to humbly accept that my judgment of character was flawed.

“Very well. Then I will place both Hwi-ah and Chae-hyang in the Association Leader’s Division as my advisors.”

“It is an honor.”

“Wonderful.”

Of course, Yu Cha-ryeon and Jo Chung-heon were currently helping me with my work. However, they were originally merchants who did not understand the intricate workings of the martial world, often having to ask me for clarification. Furthermore, they were destined to return once the Radiant Crystal Merchant Company was operational again.

Since Hwi-ah and Chae-hyang had their roots in the martial world, they would experience far fewer trial-and-error setbacks in comparison.

“Wait, what about me?” Jeon Oh-su raised his hand.

“You are simply in a cooperative relationship.”

“Wouldn’t granting me an advisor position make our relationship even sturdier?” Jeon Oh-su grinned. Then again, exchanging titles in a cooperative relationship was a common custom.

“Very well.”

After brief consideration, I nodded. Granting a minor title was of no consequence.

Thus, the foundation of the New Justice Association’s advisory staff was laid.

The Gentleman Sword had said that I must prove the name of the Eastern Emperor. Although it was a title bestowed upon me regardless of my wishes, I had no intention of running from it. Perhaps this was my destiny.

And the essential requirement of an ‘Emperor,’ in my view, was to have ministers who truly believed in and followed him.

“Alright. Shall we begin our very first advisory staff meeting?”

“Right now?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“No.”

Namgung Hwi immediately corrected his slightly relaxed posture. The mention of an advisory meeting seemed to make him tense. After all, while the Namgung Clan might overlook his mistakes, the New Justice Association would not.

“What is the agenda?” Peng Chae-hyang asked.

Before I knew it, paper, brush, and ink were already prepared in front of her.

“Preparing for emergency situations during the upcoming tournament.”

“Indeed, it wouldn’t be surprising no matter what happens,” Jeon Oh-su nodded. “I would first like to hear the scenarios you are anticipating, Association Leader. And if you have countermeasures, those as well.”

“Actually, I have already prepared for them to some extent.”

“I figured you would.”

With a smile, I began to outline the potential occurrences that might take place during the tournament. As they listened, the initial curiosity on their faces gradually stiffened into gravity.

“…Would they really go that far?”

“I cannot say for certain. However, we must assume the absolute worst.”

I continued to speak to the grave-faced group. The scenarios I was presenting were so dire that they seemed to find it difficult to even speak.

Yet this was reality. Although the New Justice Association appeared to be expanding its influence, it was currently a single tree planted in the middle of a barren wilderness. There was no telling what underhanded schemes our enemies might employ.

“If things proceed as you say, Gege, we will have no countermeasures,” Peng Chae-hyang said, barely managing to maintain her composure.

I shook my head. “If there were no countermeasures, I wouldn’t have brought it up in the first place.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

I began to share the countermeasures I had devised. The expressions on their faces twisted into looks of pure disbelief, making their previous gravity seem peaceful by comparison.

* * *

Preparing for emergencies was one thing, but we also had to plan the tournament itself.

It was decided that Peng Chae-hyang would handle my direct administrative affairs without revealing herself to the outside world, while Namgung Hwi would manage the association’s public affairs.

This meant Chae-hyang had to stay by my side and work directly with me to design the tournament.

“They are all suggesting we call it the New Justice Assembly, correct?”

“…Yes.”

Prior to the tournament, the very first thing we had to design was its name.

Since Chae-hyang was currently handling administrative affairs directly under me, she was able to review all the letters arriving from the sect leaders and the Namgung Patriarch.

As if they had conspired beforehand, every single one of them pushed for the name ‘New Justice Assembly.’ However, I wasn’t particularly fond of it.

“When people reach that age, names cease to carry much importance to them. They believe the old way is the best way, so they simply reuse an old name. Perhaps because they are people of the past, they prefer utilizing things of the past.”

“That is quite a sharp criticism.”

“…Of course, as one grows older, one naturally focuses on substance over appearance, and content over packaging. That is why elders are said to be wise.”

“It is a bit late to try and smooth it over now…”

In truth, if I factored in my age before regression, the difference between the sect leaders and myself wasn’t that immense. Yet I could confidently claim to be different.

As a merchant, one had to resonate and breathe with the world, riding the current of the times. The moment you fell behind, you were obsolete. Thus, I did my utmost to maintain a youthful perspective.

Furthermore, as the saying went, the position makes the man. Having lived for several years at the age of twenty, my mind had genuinely become younger.

“Still, it doesn’t seem like there is any particular reason we cannot use the name ‘New Justice Assembly,’” Peng Chae-hyang tried to persuade me gently.

After all, as a junior, it must be quite burdensome for her to draft a letter that directly opposed the opinions of the sect leaders, even if that letter was sent under my name.

“If we do that, it will simply become a tournament exclusive to martial artists. Much like the Martial Alliance’s Gathering of Dragons and Phoenixes of the past. As we declared during our founding, the New Justice Association aims to be a martial power that breathes alongside the commoners.”

“Mm. I see.”

“Moreover, anyone can see it is merely an imitation of the Gathering of Dragons and Phoenixes. I have never followed in the footsteps of others. I have always been the one to lead.”

Otherwise, one would spend their entire life merely riding the tide instead of creating it.

“…Then I will inform them that their suggestion has been declined.”

“Thank you.”

“Yes.”

Peng Chae-hyang nodded obediently. No matter what, I was the leader of the New Justice Association. My opinion had to take precedence. Otherwise, I would be nothing more than a puppet.

“We can take our time deciding on that. For now, let us prepare to head out.”

“Pardon? I believed Young Master Namgung was in charge of external affairs.”

“He is in charge of physical labor. We are in charge of mental labor.”

In truth, Namgung Hwi had plenty of work to do. With legendary masters from across the Central Plains gathering, a standard training ground wouldn’t possibly be able to withstand the strain.

Consequently, using the funds borrowed from the Wuhan Money House, he was currently supervising the grinding of diamonds to coat the training grounds and surrounding walls. Of course, aside from that, there were countless details to manage, such as accommodations, seating arrangements, and meals for the participants.

To use an analogy, Chae-hyang and I were designing the building, while Namgung Hwi was the one physically constructing it.

“You should be fine with just a veil. Or would you prefer a human-skin mask?”

“No. I will wear the veil.”

Human-skin masks indeed had an unpleasant texture when stuck to the face. Rumor had it that they were also bad for the skin. While men didn’t care about such details, a woman might find them highly sensitive.

I descended Wudang Mountain alongside Peng Chae-hyang. Although I could have handled the task alone, since she was working under me now, I wished to teach her as much as possible.

“Are we heading to Jun County now?”

“Yes.”

“I quite like Jun County. It is peaceful and quiet. Having lived in Beijing, I have only ever seen noisy, bustling streets.”

“I suppose so.”

Speaking comfortably indeed seemed to have brought me a bit closer to Peng Chae-hyang. Her way of speaking felt much more natural than before. I, too, felt far more comfortable than when I had addressed her as Lady Peng.

“Beijing is always noisy. It is a city that never sleeps, after all.”

“Yes, exactly. If you do not block out the light completely, it is impossible to sleep.”

“However, Jun County will be the same for the time being.”

“Pardon?”

“At least during this tournament, I intend to turn Jun County into the most bustling city in the Central Plains.”

Peng Chae-hyang blinked her large eyes. She didn’t seem to understand what I meant.

After all, Jun County was a rural village even within Hubei. To turn such a place into a metropolis that rivaled—no, surpassed—Beijing would make me sound like a madman.

“It sounds impossible, doesn’t it?”

“Yes.”

I assumed the conversation would end there. However, Chae-hyang’s words didn’t stop.

“But I believe you will make it happen.”

“Ah, really?”

It was an unexpected response, taking me by surprise. Yet it didn’t seem like empty flattery meant to please me. She was, after all, someone whose thoughts were entirely transparent.

“You are someone who has always achieved the impossible, Gege. Although I have seen all kinds of extraordinary eccentrics within the Hebei Peng Clan, I have never seen anyone return after everyone believed them to be dead.”

Peng Chae-hyang looked up at me. While I wasn’t exceptionally tall, Chae-hyang possessed a petite stature that made it hard to believe she was a member of the Hebei Peng Clan. Seeing her wield a great saber with such a delicate frame was always a source of wonder.

“I am grateful that you say so.”

“There is no need for gratitude. I truly have no doubt. I believe this quiet Jun County will become as lively and bustling as Beijing during a festival.”

“A festival.”

Although Chae-hyang had spoken in passing, that word struck a chord in my mind.

Indeed. I didn’t want to host a mere martial arts tournament. I wished to host this tournament as a grand festival for the entire Central Plains.

That was the direction I desired to pursue.

“I have decided on the name.”

“Pardon?”

“The New Justice Festival. Let us call it the New Justice Festival.”

The name of the festival that would take the Central Plains by storm had been decided.