Chapter 483

Chapter 483
## Chapter 483. Conditions of Hatred (1)

—

The individual occupying the seat of the Murim Alliance branch leader acts as the face of the Murim Alliance. Although they are legally bound to align with the Murim Alliance’s consensus, they essentially embody the institution’s presence locally. Consequently, in regions where independent martial sects lack dominance, these branch leaders frequently rule as local tyrants. It is a rare occurrence for a regional powerhouse to command enough leverage to sway the Murim Alliance, and very few individuals wield the authority required to overrule a branch leader’s decree.

Because navigating the Murim Alliance is the ultimate aspiration of *Kangho* martial artists, numerous localized sects consistently pander to the branch leader just to secure a tenuous link to the central power. This constant sycophancy naturally breeds an overinflated sense of self-importance. Over time, these officials often succumb to the delusion that they rule with the absolute authority of a Prefectural Governor or a County Magistrate. This was precisely the spectacle unfolding at this very moment.

“This vulgar, unprincipled swindler has the audacity to seize the land deed! Return it this instant, or I shall personally hand you over to the Execution Bureau.”

The branch leader’s neck swelled with protruding veins, as though his personal estate had been plundered. His complexion burned so intensely crimson that one might wonder if he was on the verge of suffering a sudden Qi Deviation; was his health truly secure?

“Be my guest.”

“…???”

The branch leader blinked rapidly in sheer disbelief, utterly blindsided by such an unprecedented response, even going so far as to pinch his own face to check if he was dreaming.

“I said, by all means, go report me.”

“….”

The branch leader evidently possessed a respectable degree of inner cultivation, as he swiftly mastered his agitation and dropped his vocal register. He was deploying the classic psychological manipulation favored by old hypocrites—intimidating first, then adopting a gentle, conciliatory tone to diffuse the tension and regain control. It was as if his explosive rage from a moment ago had never existed.

“Consider this… The Manor Lord undoubtedly bestowed the ancestral mountain upon you as a token of appreciation after witnessing your martial valor. However, as an elite warrior of the Murim Alliance with an illustrious career ahead of you, is it truly appropriate to line your own pockets by taking advantage of someone else’s generosity?”

He delivered these words with practiced ease, adopting the persona of a wise mentor offering profound guidance.

“The ancestral mountain of Hwa-pung-jang is a sacred territory deeply intertwined with Hwa-pung-jang’s historical legacy. It ought to be utilized exclusively for the revitalization of the current Hwa-pung-jang.”

Naturally, he made sure to weave a veiled threat back into his lecture.

“Should you persist in such dishonorable conduct, I cannot simply look the other way. I happen to have an extensive network of peers, seniors, and juniors entrenched throughout the Murim Alliance.”

His performance was exceptionally calculated. In response, I deliberately massaged my head and cocked it to one side in mock confusion.

“How bizarre. Whether Hwa-pung-jang chooses to sell their territory to me or not, what business is that of yours, Branch Leader?”

I kept that thought strictly to myself, of course.

“….”

“If your heart bled so deeply for the plight of Hwa-pung-jang, why didn’t you step forward to assist them much earlier?”

His facade shattered instantly, exposing his raw malice.

“Y-You! Argh.”

At this moment, the branch leader found himself completely unmoored, resembling a man abruptly marooned in a completely foreign reality. His initial bewilderment rapidly transformed into deep humiliation. That humiliation quickly curdled into unbridled fury, and that fury ultimately obliterated his capacity for reason.

“If you intend to defy me like this, I shall no longer hold back!”

He had crossed a dangerous line.

“Your entire career, your underlying sect, and every last soul associated with that sect!!! I will personally see to it that all of you are dragged down into the absolute gutter!”

*Tok, tok, tok, tok.*

After calculating the situation rationally for a brief instant and determining my course of action, I unleashed my killing intent. The absolute apex of murderous aura I could summon.

“Gue-eo…”

An individual occupying the rank of a branch leader would not be entirely devoid of martial competence. However, given that such a station is secured through political maneuvering rather than raw martial prowess, his actual combat capabilities were likely mediocre at best. A branch leader’s strength originates from institutional authority, not personal martial arts.

“I highly doubt you possess the actual capability to execute such a threat, Branch Leader, but should you attempt to manifest those words…”

The moment he is stripped of his institutional leverage, his title holds zero power over me.

“You had best prepare yourself to experience the depths of purgatory.”

Incapable of mounting any form of countermeasure against this sudden mental onslaught, he clawed at his own throat, gasping desperately for a single breath of air. Right before his consciousness failed entirely and his eyes rolled back, I withdrew the oppressive killing intent.

“U-Ugh—.”

The branch leader expelled a massive spray of blood. His skin turned a sickly, ashen grey, and his limbs shuddered uncontrollably.

“Y-You…”

I quietly took a sip of my tea, keeping my gaze locked onto him with absolute intensity.

“!”

The branch leader opened his mouth to speak but froze, completely paralyzed by overwhelming terror.

“Is anyone stationed outside?”

In response to Hwang Seo-yul’s summons, several branch operatives stepped into the room and immediately froze, utterly bewildered by the bizarre scene playing out before them.

“Remove him from the premises.”

Following Hwang Seo-yul’s directive, the branch personnel gingerly hoisted the trembling branch leader and escorted him out the door. Hwang Seo-yul then turned his frigid tone and sharp gaze toward me.

“Was it truly necessary to push matters to such an extreme?”

“Because I have no desire to watch a useless coward, who failed to act when it mattered, swoop in at the final hour to claim a share of the spoils.”

Standing up from my chair, I walked over to the remaining two individuals. I then directed my attention toward Gongson Myeong.

“The more I reflect upon it, the more I realize that a covenant requiring me to assume responsibility for every single dependent of Hwa-pung-jang is an incredibly poor bargain on my part.”

Reaching into the folds of my attire, I produced the two legal deeds and extended them outward.

“Therefore, I request that you simply return my currency.”

Hwang Seo-yul stared at me with an expression of pure absurdity.

“You…”

What was the meaning behind that look? Surely he didn’t genuinely believe I intended to permanently seize their ancestral mountain for a paltry single silver *nyang*? Meanwhile, Gongson Myeong observed me with profound focus before finally speaking.

“I was under the impression that reclaiming our property from your hands was already an impossibility…”

What nonsense was he uttering?

“Do I strike you as some lowlife criminal from the Black Path? Do I look like the sort of degenerate who robs people of their belongings without providing proper compensation?”

“….”

His silence was deafening, which only served to irritate me further. Why must everyone consistently misinterpret my intentions?

“…Be that as it may, I am unable to return your money.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Should this property return to our possession, an absolute bloodbath will inevitably engulf Hwa-pung-jang once more.”

“….”

Beside us, Hwang Seo-yul, who remained completely oblivious to the underlying facts, tilted his head in confusion.

“What on earth are the two of you discussing?”

“A rich vein of gold was discovered within the ancestral mountain of Hwa-pung-jang. That hidden wealth is the exact reason the Hyeol-cheon-bo launched their assault. Judging by the current circumstances, it appears the branch leader was fully aware of this as well.”

“Whaaat?!”

Hwang Seo-yul’s mouth fell open so drastically his jaw nearly disconnected.

“W-What in the world…”

Hwang Seo-yul shifted his bewildered gaze between Gongson Myeong and myself, his eyes filled with absolute skepticism. I turned back to address Gongson Myeong.

“Even taking that into account, it defies all logic to surrender an ancestral mountain—particularly a plot of land harboring a massive gold vein—for a mere single silver *nyang*.”

“A fortune that exceeds one’s capacity to protect serves only as a beacon for tragedy. To my mind, the survival of our remaining people is infinitely more precious than a mere ancestral mountain, especially after losing thirty lives in this conflict.”

In all likelihood, even if he reclaimed the gold mine and used it to amass immense fortune, it would only result in endless violence and bloodshed. The Hwa-pung-jang Manor Lord clearly wished to avoid such a grim fate during this current era of relative stability. However, the future would inevitably bring a ruthless age of systemic collapse where external aid would vanish entirely. When that dark era arrives, anyone relying solely on the protection of others will be brutally discarded.

“In that case… let us adjust the terms.”

I had no desire to see Manor Lord Gongson Myeong succumb to self-loathing and despair over his own perceived weakness in the dark days ahead. Whenever I looked at him, the memory of Sect Leader Hong Mun-gi inevitably flashed across my mind.

“The Tae-ul Sect operates its own iron mine. Because of this, we possess significant experience and infrastructure regarding mining operations. The Tae-ul Sect will provide the necessary logistical support to excavate the gold mine. Furthermore, given that the Wang Family Manor maintains an active interest in these affairs, the vast majority of factions will not dare to aggressively target Hwa-pung-jang.”

“….”

Gongson Myeong sank into intense contemplation. Yet, there was truly nothing to hesitate over. This arrangement was profoundly and unconditionally advantageous to the survival of Hwa-pung-jang. After a lengthy silence, Gongson Myeong spoke with an expression of absolute resolve.

“Very well, let us proceed under those terms.”

“Underst—”

“The revenue split shall be precisely five to four to one.”

“I beg your pardon?”

The breakdown he uttered next sent an unexpected shiver straight down my spine.

“Hwa-pung-jang shall retain five shares. The Tae-ul Sect will receive four shares. And you, as an individual, shall personally hold one share.”

“….”

I stood frozen in absolute astonishment, mirroring the exact shock the branch leader had displayed when confronted with an unthinkable reality.

“If you consent to this specific arrangement, I shall reclaim the deed to the ancestral mountain. Should you refuse, I will decline to take it back.”

Gongson Myeong crossed his arms resolutely, making it explicitly clear that he would brook no further negotiation on the matter.

Ultimately, the single silver *nyang* remained in his possession.

“I shall retain this coin as the initial deposit for our newly established covenant.”

The revised agreement was drafted with immense speed, and Great Leader Hwang Seo-yul, who had been standing off to the side with his mouth gaping in sheer bewilderment, hastily applied his official seal as a legal witness. Despite recovering a mere fifty percent of the wealth that was originally his birthright, Gongson Myeong beamed with genuine joy as he reviewed the contract repeatedly. I, on the other hand, remained utterly baffled by how the situation had unfolded.

“Tell me… do you intend to sever your ties with the Alliance now?”

As we exited the Manor Lord’s Pavilion together, Hwang Seo-yul turned to look at me with eyes full of profound envy.

“Excuse me?”

What was the meaning behind this sudden inquiry?

“I simply… I found myself wondering if you have any logical incentive to remain within the ranks of the Alliance. Controlling ten percent of an active gold mine is an astronomical sum. A typical martial artist—no, even an extraordinary master—could never hope to accumulate that level of personal wealth in a lifetime.”

“What does personal fortune have to do with fulfilling my duties within the Alliance?”

“Hmm?”

Hwang Seo-yul stared deeply into my eyes for a long moment before speaking.

“It appears you completely fail to grasp the deeper implications of what just transpired.”

He then nodded slowly, as if realizing my ignorance was genuine.

“You truly don’t comprehend why Manor Lord Gong specifically designated that ten percent allocation to you personally, do you?”

That exact detail was currently giving me a massive headache. The actual labor and security would be managed by the Tae-ul Sect and the Wang Family Manor anyway. Given that the physical asset belonged to Hwa-pung-jang, I believed a seventy-thirty split in favor of the sect and manor would have been perfectly reasonable. Yet, despite my logic, Gongson Myeong had stubbornly insisted on locking ten percent explicitly under my personal name.

“You mentioned previously that you share a connection with the Wang Family Manor, correct?”

“They maintain an alliance with our underlying sect.”

“Be that as it may, you must surely be well-acquainted with the Cheon-jung Merchant Group, celebrated as one of the Four Great Merchant Groups.”

Given their absolute monopoly over grain transit along the Yangtze River—and the fact that they boasted the youngest history among the Four Great Merchant Groups while simultaneously generating the most colossal profits—it was impossible for anyone in the martial world to be ignorant of them.

“Exactly half a century ago, that very Cheon-jung Merchant Group forged a legendary alliance with a rising young warrior who had just entered the Murim, agreeing to share their wealth. The covenant dictated that this newcomer would receive a full ten percent of all profits generated by the Cheon-jung Merchant Group.”

“With a mere novice of the Murim?”

“Precisely. The leader of that merchant group possessed an unparalleled eye for assessing human potential. The young warrior who entered that contract was none other than Hyeok Mu-gang.”

“….”

This was a piece of historical lore I had never encountered. And the parallel to my current circumstances was undeniably striking.

“Driven by that vital alliance, the Cheon-jung Merchant Group, which had been standing on the absolute brink of financial ruin, systematically rebuilt its institutional power through that warrior’s formidable intervention, eventually ascending to become one of the premier Four Great Merchant Groups across the land. Naturally, that profit-sharing covenant dissolved once that very warrior ascended to the position of Alliance Leader.”

“….”

“This arrangement signifies that Manor Lord Gong is placing his ultimate faith and expectations squarely upon your shoulders, rather than the Tae-ul Sect as a whole.”

Hwang Seo-yul scanned me from head to toe, his expression filled with genuine wonder. It was a profoundly intense and uncomfortable gaze to endure.

“It demonstrates that devoted followers and true comrades have begun to manifest around your presence.”

The core reason I had failed to comprehend Gongson Myeong’s arrangement was my inability to perceive his underlying sentiment. If his actions were driven merely by a sense of debt, he could have easily compensated me with rare gems, gold bars, formal expressions of gratitude, or elegant courtesies. What Gongson Myeong had actually offered me was a far more profound emotion: absolute reverence.

“Does it not prove that the profound chivalry (*Hyup-ui*) and unyielding justice (*Jung-ui*) you embody have inspired them to align with you, prioritizing your virtue far above any material gain?”

Because it represented the absolute pinnacle of validation one human being could offer another, I had been completely blind to the true nature of the situation.

“The historical tales surrounding the Alliance Leader… I always discounted them as unique legends applicable only to a man of his mythical stature. But witnessing this exact phenomenon occur with my own eyes has left me utterly stunned.”

After delivering those words, Hwang Seo-yul reached out and patted my shoulder reassuringly.

“Moving forward, regardless of your personal desires, people will naturally gravitate toward your banner. And wherever masses assemble, conflict and complexity inevitably follow. You must ensure you never alienate those who offer you their unadulterated loyalty.”

With that advice, he turned to walk away.

“And should your fortunes rise to absolute heights, do not cast me aside. Lest you forget, I am the individual who validated that contract with my official seal.”

He offered a parting jest as he departed. Left entirely to my own devices in the quiet space, I fell into deep reflection.

“An avatar of justice and chivalry…”

Events were unfolding in an incredibly bizarre direction. First came the Mo-san Sect, and now Hwa-pung-jang had aligned themselves with me. Since I had already committed myself to forging an independent faction, the number of participating sects would undoubtedly continue to multiply. Eventually, I would succeed in constructing a monolithic ‘force’ capable of weathering any tempest the martial world could unleash.

“If that is the goal, I must ensure the bedrock of this enterprise is absolutely unshakeable from the very beginning.”

Since Hwa-pung-jang had chosen to tie their destiny to mine, they could not be permitted to become a casualty that dissolved before the onset of the cataclysmic Great War between Justice and Evil. They had to evolve into a powerhouse capable of enduring the conflict and emerging victorious on the other side. Spurred by this sudden resolve, I immediately marched straight into the private residence of the Yong-bong Association.

*Bang!*

The members of the Yong-bong Association, who had only just finished washing themselves and were in the middle of binding their battle injuries, stared up at me in shock.

“Let us commence the official audit immediately!”

“…At this exact moment?”

“Precisely!”

“…Are you aware that it is currently the hour of the Dog (*Sul-si*)?”

“What relevance does the hour hold when it comes to the execution of absolute justice!”

At that precise moment, Yong So-a, who had changed into clean garments and was quietly sipping tea with his long hair unbound, murmured in a soft, mocking tone.

“Incredibly boorish conduct that shows zero consideration for the comfort of others.”

“….”

“Your behavior is indistinguishable from a common thug of the Black Path.”

What sort of slanderous nonsense was he directing at a man who was supposed to be the shining epitome of justice and chivalry?