Chapter 209

Chapter 209
Chapter 209: A Bold Counterproposal

To speak plainly, even if Chudal’s banditry had been laid bare for all to see, it would scarcely have mattered. I had already prepared for such an outcome. There was an extra stratagem from *The Art of War*—Fox Borrowing the Tiger’s Authority!

“If word does get out, I’ll pin the whole mess on Master Yin-hu.”

I had said something very much like that while speaking with Zhuge Seol-ha earlier. Should tangling with Wudang lead to trouble, I would leave the mess for my master to sort out. Issuing a challenge to the Tai Chi Sect for a match? Frankly, that is nothing I could not smooth over on my own, no trouble at all. For one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Worthies to truly earn their reputation, they would need to be caught red-handed raiding their very offices!

“…Naturally, Master will give me a thorough scolding later for shifting the blame onto him.”

Yet once the deed is done, the world’s way of thinking makes forgiveness far easier to come by. And so far, Yin-hu has forgiven every single thing I have done. At least, for the moment.

“All the same, best not to get caught if it can be helped. This Tai Chi Sect Leader has no idea what Chudal has been doing. I am certain of it.”

Baek Yang-hwi’s faintly guilty expression shifted entirely. If the man had not come here on Chudal’s account, then there was no reason to hold back.

“I had not expected you to step forward, yet even if you had been here, I would have acted exactly as I did.”

“Is that so? Even with this sect leader standing right here watching, you would set a mere second young master—who is not even the clan heir or eldest son—against our young sect leader? And a junior at that?”

“Precisely.”

Fine dust began to swirl in the air, stirred by the terrifying presence radiating from the Tai Chi Sect Leader. Baek Yang-hwi brushed it aside as though it were nothing.

“You struck gold with those plaques last night, yet the upkeep here leaves much to be desired. One cannot abide dust settling so thickly.”

It was not only Baek Yang-hwi. No one in the guest quarters quailed beneath the Tai Chi Sect Leader’s pressure. Had he unleashed his full intent, matters might have turned out differently—but a light probing display like this? Please.

“Is that so? Intriguing.”

The Tai Chi Sect Leader focused his aura upon one person: Baek Heon-so, who had secured an undisputed victory after a full hour of sparring with Young Sect Leader Seong Ju-hun. A bead of sweat glistened upon his brow, yet Baek Heon-so bore down and held his ground in silence. As if to declare he would not yield, he unfurled the supreme-grade plaque he had won from the Tai Chi Sect and held it high.

“That boy Heon-so has finally grown a spine. All the hours I spent drilling him were well worth it.”

As Baek Yang-hwi swelled with quiet pride, the Tai Chi Sect Leader’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“The young master’s spirit is most impressive. Were you telling me to endure today’s humiliation rather than waste time on empty posturing?”

“Not at all. Yet having earned a supreme-grade plaque, I intend to bear whatever comes without complaint.”

“Ha! Much the same thing, in the end.”

The Tai Chi Sect Leader withdrew his aura. “You pass.”

“Pass?”

“Young Master Baek Heon-so. You truly won through your own skill against our young sect leader.”

Seong Ju-hun was the Tai Chi Sect’s young sect leader, the foremost among Wudang’s secular disciples. His mastery alone placed him among the most gifted experts of the rising generation. There had been lingering doubt that unfair means had been employed—but now the Tai Chi Sect Leader saw clearly that this was not the case.

“This sect has openly welcomed all challenges as proof of our standing. There is no fault in your actions.”

These words came from the Tai Chi Sect Leader himself, spoken even as he stung from the slight. There would be no lingering resentment or retaliation later. Still—

“Whoa, this complicates things.”

I had come here with a specific plan in mind. Sliding away quietly would have been acceptable enough. The problem was that the stage I had carefully set was falling apart.

“I had hoped he would lose his temper and nurse a grudge. Wudang lives up to its formidable reputation—no easy task.”

Strictly speaking, the Tai Chi Sect Leader was not part of Wudang’s inner circle, yet he was still a disciple of the order. The Tai Chi Sword Elder had personally taken a promising pupil under his wing, taught him a number of techniques, and helped establish this secular branch. Tai Chi Sect Leader Yeon Mu—he did not use the generational name from Wudang’s lineage, yet his dao title spoke volumes.

“Even his name is Yeon Mu.”

Lover of martial arts. Or perhaps, lover of Wudang. His devotion was laid bare for all to see.

“And so, Tai Chi Sect Leader. May I ask what brings so distinguished a figure as yourself to grace us with your presence?”

“The Baek Clan’s eldest young master is certainly direct. Straight to the point, is it?”

The Tai Chi Sect Leader dropped a hint, yet Baek Yang-hwi was sharp enough to read well beyond the lines. “Yes.”

A brazen reply. Tang Jun pressed a hand to his forehead, Zhuge Seol-ha stifled a laugh, and the Tai Chi Sect Leader was momentarily lost for words.

“Very well… a straightforward man. I respect that. Excellent spirit you show.”

He had clearly taken offense, yet he chose to frame it as a virtue? That meant he wanted something from us. Perhaps I should press further?

“Should I needle him a bit more to rouse his anger?”

“No—I do exercise restraint, depending on who I am speaking to.”

The implication was plain: he was not worth holding back for. The Tai Chi Sect Leader’s brow twitched violently. Come on—lose your temper? What will you do?

“…Hah. I see. My name as Yeon Mu carries no weight with you, then. Truly a spirited young expert.”

And he endured this?

“Then I shall speak plainly as well. My words are directed to the Tang Clan heir and the Baek Clan head’s representative.”

The Tai Chi Sect Leader drew a supreme-grade plaque from within his robes. “The Tang Clan and Zhuge Clan have already received theirs. Young Master Baek Heon-so has earned one as well. Young Master Baek Yang-hwi—if you will accept this, every one of you shall be accorded supreme-grade standing.”

The plaque drifted from his outstretched hand toward Baek Yang-hwi. “A bribe?”

“A gift. Seeing such promising young talent before me naturally makes one inclined to generosity.”

Very well—he had offered it, so I may as well take it. “I thought you said you would be direct?”

“…I am coming to that. To the Open Heaven Baek Clan, the Four Rivers Tang Clan, and the Zhuge Clan: a formal invitation to your gifted successors—will you not come to Wudang?”

The expressions on Baek Yang-hwi’s companions grew guarded. “I take it this is not merely a social visit?”

“A visit shall be part of it, yes. But more than that—would you consider becoming secular disciples of Wudang?”

It all fell into place now why the Tai Chi Sect Leader had come in person.

“Well I never—Wudang is seeking an alliance.”

“The Martial Alliance. Something without precedent in all of martial history.”

“How bold. They are entirely serious.”

Wudang had effectively sued for peace through the Tai Chi Sect Leader. Or more precisely: bow your heads and join us. Internal division festers far more easily than outside threat. This was Wudang’s resolve to see their goal achieved, come what may. And—this was exactly why Zhuge Seol-ha’s tone sharpened.

“Do you mean this sincerely? You know who my master is, do you not?”

However attractively packaged, this was an offer of reconciliation—and for the Zhuge Clan, it was utterly unacceptable. Wudang had made its home in their lands, and now acted as though cuckoos might drive the very owners away. From the Zhuge Clan’s perspective, this was not merely arrogant—it was an outrage that could not be borne. Yet they dare make such a proposal? It was nothing short of an insult.

“From Wudang’s point of view, the Zhuge Clan is the most important recruit of all.”

Having suffered at their hands before, they would oppose the Martial Alliance with every fiber of their being. If one of the Five Great Clans stood firmly in the way, the alliance could never be formed.

“Ah—my apologies. This does not extend to the Shattered Moon Jade Phoenix. Are you familiar with Wudang’s Hyeon Geom?”

Wudang’s Hyeon Geom—the very opponent Yin-hu was most eager to face. The Tai Chi Sword Elder’s direct disciple and Wudang’s most gifted rising talent. Speaking Hyeon Geom’s dao name aloud, the Tai Chi Sect Leader’s face shone with genuine reverence. A figure of such standing showing such regard for a young novice? The implications were enormous.

“Hyeon Geom. He must be truly exceptional.”

As Baek Yang-hwi turned the name over in his mind—

“On behalf of the Tai Chi Sword Elder of Wudang, I make this proposal: Shattered Moon Jade Phoenix Zhuge Seol-ha, would you consent to a formal betrothal to our Wudang’s own Hyeon Geom?”

Whoa. So this was where it led? Baek Yang-hwi found himself genuinely impressed.

“Wudang and the Zhuge Clan share Hubei Province as our home. Standing together, we can achieve great things. These are the Tai Chi Sword Elder’s own words.”

“……”

Tai Chi Sword Elder, you wily old fox… though his reputation and accomplishments were truly extraordinary. Still, what a cunning move. Setting aside conflict between Wudang and the Zhuge Clan, the true obstacle to his plans was Sky-Shattering Yin-hu. Both stood among the Heavenly Martial Ten Worthies, yet their aims could not be more opposed. And so—turn the disciple against him. After all, no master can outshine their own pupil. As a direct descendant of the Zhuge Clan, Seol-ha bore duties she could not simply set aside… though she clearly intended to try.

“Just how desirable a match has Seol-ha become, anyway?”

She was the most sought-after bride of the age, pursued by the Namgung Clan and now Wudang as well. Seeing the shy fledgling I had met all those years ago grown into such a remarkable woman felt almost unreal. Yet why not? Disciple to a Heavenly Martial Ten Worthy, direct heir to one of the Five Great Clans, and possessed of a beauty without equal—of course she was.

“All things considered, she is truly extraordinary.”

“Such a sudden proposal must come as a shock. The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering is still a month away. Why not spend that time getting to know Wudang? Meet Hyeon Geom in person.”

His tone brimmed with confidence that meeting Hyeon Geom would seal her decision in his favor.

“How remarkable can he possibly be? He is certainly no match for me.”

With that thought, Baek Yang-hwi noticed Zhuge Seol-ha’s expression. It looked strangely familiar—the look someone wears just before they cause all sorts of trouble. Zhuge Seol-ha grinned mischievously and spoke up boldly.

“Sorry—but I cannot! I already have a fiancé.”

“F-fiancé? A direct lady of a great clan… how could you speak of it so openly?”

Whether the Tai Chi Sect Leader gaped or not, Zhuge Seol-ha stepped close to Baek Yang-hwi and slipped her arm through his. A soft, faint fragrance drifted toward him. A little flustered, he sent a quiet message through his internal channel.

—Seol-ha, this is a marriage proposal from one of the great factions. Are you certain you can simply brush it aside like this?

—If I were not, I would never have asked you to stand in as my fiancé to keep the Namgung Clan at bay, would I?

—You have a point.

Then… could this be the spark that ignites everything? Beside the grinning Zhuge Seol-ha, Baek Yang-hwi found himself smiling as well.

“Tai Chi Sect Leader—permit me to offer a counterproposal.”

“Very well—time to show them why they say beauty can bring down kingdoms.”