If you were to ask what the biggest structure holding the orthodox factions together, including the Martial Alliance, is, most would outwardly say it’s about “justice” and “righteousness.”

But I can tell you firmly—that’s bullshit. Strictly speaking, it’s simply the wishful thinking of those who hope orthodox warriors would live up to those ideals.

In reality, what truly sustains the orthodox factions is their power and reputation. And if you ask what allows them to maintain that authority, the answer would be:

The various trade routes and merchant guilds that stretch across the nation, and the warriors of the orthodox factions who claim to protect the common people.

In an era where the Magyeong Gates have opened, the standing of martial artists continues to rise. Even though this is called a “peaceful era” and countermeasures against demonic creatures have been established, civilians are still at risk without martial artists with Qi.

Due to their role in protecting people from these dangers, they receive substantial support. In some cases, they even operate as regional lords.

These warriors reside in specific regions, preventing demonic creatures from running rampant, under agreements with the Alliance and within the orthodox faction’s jurisdiction.

These are the places known as prestigious families or houses.

Over the long years, they have accumulated fame, refined their martial arts into divine techniques, and gained the stature to be called rulers.

Rooted in a region, they assume responsibility for any Magyeong Gates that appear there. The reason these families and sects have solidified their positions is because they ensure the safety of their respective areas.

And among these houses and sects, some are pillars of the orthodox factions, wielding the broadest influence.

In Zhongyuan, they are known as the Four Great Families.

In Anhui, the Namgung Family.

In Yoryeong, the Moyong Family.

In Hebei, the Peng Family.

In Sichuan, the Tang Clan.

These houses have been considered prestigious even before the Magyeong Gates emerged, and they have now become the four pillars of the orthodox factions, holding the greatest influence.

Of course, they weren’t able to be called the pillars of the orthodox factions for such a long time purely because of the strength of their lineage.

They also have a history of producing excellent martial artists.

Just a glance at the historical records of Zhongyuan reveals that the title of Sword King has always alternated between the Namgung and Moyong families.

Although they temporarily lost that title to the Sword Lord, that was just a rare anomaly.

As for the title associated with the blade, it was practically synonymous with the Peng Family.

And poison arts? That’s undoubtedly the Tang Clan’s domain.

Even now, this remains true.

The head of the Namgung Family is called the Sword King. The Moyong Family might lack a bit in martial prowess, but their influence has expanded widely through trade.

The head of the Peng Family has inherited the title of Blade King, passed down for generations. And, as always, the leader of the Tang Clan is known as the Poison King.

Through changing times and the passing of centuries, their presence has never waned. That’s why they are still called the Four Great Families today.

But now...

‘All these major players are converging on Hanam?’

Hearing Peng Ah-hui’s words, I couldn’t help but frown. Was she joking?

But it didn’t seem like she was lying.

Drip, drip.

A faint sound drew my attention. I turned to see Moyong Hi-ah nervously biting her lip.

Seeing that confirmed it. They really were coming.

I looked from Moyong Hi-ah to Peng Ah-hui and asked again.

“What do you mean? The heads of the families are coming?”

“The Alliance’s reinforcement unit just arrived.”

“I know that...”

As I started to respond, I suddenly understood why Peng Ah-hui had said that.

If the Alliance’s unit had arrived, it meant—

‘They’ve already sent out the messengers.’

It meant that after confirming the situation, they had already sent word to each family.

I turned to look around. The bustling crowd wore various expressions, but most prominently, they seemed relieved.

Knowing their families or sects were aware of the situation must have given them hope that help would arrive soon.

‘If the unit arrived today, the messengers must have been sent out at least a couple of days ago.’

It would have been right after the black barrier vanished or just after they received our message.

The Shinryong Pavilion had been attacked, and not only had it failed to fend off the assault, but numerous descendants of prestigious families and sects had died.

The Shinryong Pavilion is an institution under the Alliance’s protection. It’s not for nothing that it’s known as the top training ground for swordsmanship in Zhongyuan.

With such a significant incident occurring there, those affected would surely hold the Martial Alliance accountable, as I’d mentioned before.

‘They’ll probably call for a grand assembly.’

An orthodox assembly, where representatives of various factions would gather to discuss how to handle the situation.

Considering the Pavilion’s failure to protect their descendants and the severity of the incident within the orthodox faction, sitting at that table would be a significant achievement in itself.

So, naturally...

‘Some major figures will make their moves.’

They understand how much their presence at this assembly will bolster their own standing.

The problem, though...

‘It’s happening faster than expected.’

I had anticipated this assembly with Moyong Hi-ah, but the process was progressing rapidly.

The difference in timing wasn’t too big, but I hadn’t expected the news to spread so widely among everyone here.

‘Were they in a hurry?’

Perhaps they wanted to resolve this quickly due to the gravity of the incident. Just as I started pondering this, Peng Ah-hui spoke again.

“Are you going to be alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you really going to be okay?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Didn’t you hear? The heads of the families are coming.”

“So what?”

I replied as if I didn’t see the problem, which made Peng Ah-hui give me a look of disbelief. Why was she acting like this?

Given how things had turned out, it wasn’t surprising that not only the Four Great Families but even the heads of other prestigious families would come.

With so many top martial artists gathering here, it was possible we might see a good number of Zhongyuan’s top ten or even top hundred masters.

The only thing that nagged at me was—

‘Will Father come too?’

Even though our family is somewhat isolated, it’s still considered a prestigious family, so a messenger must have been sent.

‘I doubt he’ll come.’

Since this situation doesn’t directly concern Gu Huibi, he’d have no reason to leave the mountains.

‘Would he bother to move for something related to me?’

Not even in the slightest. At least, that’s how I know him.

Still, he’d have to send someone to represent the family. My guess was that he’d send First Sword Lord, who was likely to be appointed as the Chief Elder soon.

‘I’ll have to see him eventually, though.’

Between the matters concerning Mother and advice on how to proceed with my own path, Father was the only one I could turn to.

Even in my previous life, he was the one who held the most profound understanding of the martial arts I used.

Given my current unstable state, he’s the only one who could guide me on what to do next.

No matter how uncomfortable, I’d have to seek him out eventually.

Just thinking about it made my stomach churn.

As I mulled over this, regretting my breakfast, Peng Ah-hui spoke again.

“Are you an idiot? Can’t you see what’s around you?”

“What?”

I glanced around at her words.

I noticed the women around me, their eyes darting nervously.

Their fathers were coming, and they were reacting like this.

“What’s around me?”

“All these girls are following you around.”

“...”

Her words hit me like a punch, and I fell silent. I flinched, then quickly set up a sound barrier around us.

“Why bring that up now?”

“Oh, look at that? You’re not denying it. You knew?”

Listening to her words, I felt a chill run down my spine.

“Why bring it up now...”

“I’m asking if you’re really going to be okay when the heads of the families show up.”

“...What?”

“If their precious daughters are all chasing after you... Are you really going to be alright?”

“...”

Somehow, I felt like I’d just been hit with a very real and frightening truth.

Thinking about the people around me—

Tang Soryeol’s father, the head of the Tang Clan, known as the Poison King. Although he’s said to have a gentle disposition, he cherishes his daughter as much as the Moyong family head does.

Thinking about the lengths he went for Dokbi in my previous life...

‘...Hmm.’

A sudden sense of survival instinct surged through me.

Before Dokbi fully mastered the art of absolute poison immunity, the Poison King was renowned as the monarch of poison and daggers.

If he saw Tang Soryeol’s condition...

‘I’d better be careful with what I eat from now on.’

I felt a chill down my spine.

Unlike in my previous life, I hadn’t built up a resistance to poison. Maybe I should start training for it now?

And it wasn’t just the Poison King. The Moyong family head was also a problem.

In fact, he might be an even bigger problem.

I looked over at Moyong Hi-ah, and our eyes met.

Then she looked away.

Hey, you can’t just avoid me like that...!

‘What about the Baekcheon Sword Lord?’

The Poison King aside, Moyong Hi-ah’s actions were the real issue.

What had she said? That I was planning to break my engagement with Namgung Bi-ah and would be engaged to her instead?

Because of that, the Moyong family head had increased his support and cooperation with our family.

Oh...

That’s really...

‘There’s no way to clean this up, is there?’

The Moyong family had set up several trading posts in the Sanseo region, invigorating the trade there.

If that was the reason our family suddenly secured a trade deal with the Moyong family, despite most families clamoring to trade with them...

‘I’m screwed.’

It didn’t look like there was any way to clean this up quickly.

I had no intention of breaking off my engagement.

‘This isn’t even my fault.’

It was clearly Moyong Hi-ah’s fault for doing all this without consulting me, but seeing her watching me nervously, I couldn’t bring myself to say that.

‘What was she thinking...’

I had to wonder what she’d been thinking when she did all this.

On some level, though, I couldn’t help but think it was my fault.

Moyong Hi-ah isn’t the type to make statements she can’t back up.

‘...What should I do?’

Surely, the heads of these prestigious families wouldn’t come after me over their daughters...?

‘...Actually, that’s exactly what they’d do, isn’t it?’

In every way, this was a huge problem.

As always, once things start going wrong, they all go wrong at once.

I’ve always thought this, but am I imagining things, or is my life just uniquely difficult?

‘I don’t know anymore.’

I’d thought they’d call for an assembly, but seeing the reactions around me, there must have been some other signal.

The Alliance’s people were coming and going, and while some didn’t seem to have the full picture, those were probably descendants from lesser families or sects.

‘They’re even splitting ranks at a time like this? I’m so sick of it.’

Despite the mess that’s been caused, the Martial Alliance still can’t get its act together.

Why are these so-called pillars of the orthodox faction always so incompetent?

Part of me just wanted to topple it all.

“Oh, by the way.”

“What now?”

“Just so you know, my father probably won’t like you either.”

“...”

I frowned at Peng Ah-hui’s comment.

What nonsense was this now?

“...Do you like me? Sorry, but I’m not...”

“Do you want to die...? Why am I the one getting rejected here?”

There was even a hint of killing intent in her sharp tone.

I’d only asked, but she was seriously overreacting.

“It’s already bad enough when good-looking guys do that... and you look like a praying mantis...”

Peng Ah-hui, who was about to continue, suddenly clamped her mouth shut, sensing the cold energy from the women around us.

Namgung Bi-ah, who had been yawning sleepily until now, turned to Peng Ah-hui and spoke.

“...A praying mantis?”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that...”

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t say much, but her tone was clearly displeased.

Sensing that, Peng Ah-hui flinched.

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t say another word. She just looked at Peng Ah-hui with a cold, piercing gaze.

Peng Ah-hui, realizing the situation, forced a sheepish apology.

“...Sorry.”

“Fine.”

Only then did Namgung Bi-ah, along with Tang Soryeol and Moyong Hi-ah, turn their gazes away.

Watching them, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘...These people.’

They accepted her apology just fine, but why am I the one still left without one?

I haven’t even received an apology yet.

“So... why does Lord Peng hate me?”

What reason would he have... Oh, right, there is one.

Even though I’d nearly forgotten, I did break off my engagement with Peng Ah-hui.

And it was because of my own reckless words that the engagement fell apart.

‘It’d be more surprising if Lord Peng liked me.’

It wouldn’t be odd for him to dislike me, but Peng Ah-hui shook her head, suggesting it was something else.

“It’s not really about the broken engagement.”

“It’s not?”

“No.”

Then what? Could there be another reason?

Peng Ah-hui ran her hand through her short hair and replied.

“My father... He gets jealous easily.”

“Jealous?”

“Yes.”

There was a strangely bitter look on Peng Ah-hui’s face as she said it.

“Jealous.”

   ******************
   

After finishing my brief conversation, I headed to a secluded forest area.

I had confirmed that the others had eaten properly and that Tang Soryeol and Namgung Bi-ah were steadily recovering.

Thank goodness.

‘If worse came to worst, I would’ve had to retrieve some inner elixirs.’

There are still a few hidden opportunities I haven’t explored yet. I had been considering whether to collect something that could help with their recovery, but it seemed unnecessary now, as their treatment was going well.

One minor issue was the scar that would remain on Tang Soryeol’s thigh.

It bothered me for some reason.

Tang Soryeol had laughed it off, saying it was no big deal, but I couldn’t find any comfort in that.

‘The assembly... Even at a rough estimate, it’s a few months away.’

Considering the distances involved, it would likely convene just before summer.

So, about two months from now.

The biggest problem with that is the necessity to stay here until someone from the families arrives to escort us back safely.

If we were attacked on our way back, it would cause yet another disaster for the Martial Alliance.

That meant we’d likely be stuck here for a few months.

‘Tch.’

Gujulyub had mentioned that he’d already received word from the Alliance about the current situation. He claimed he hadn’t been able to reach me due to my constant moving around, but it wasn’t exactly crucial information.

To sum up, they had sent messengers to the families about the incident, and the Alliance Leader intended to call for an orthodox assembly.

The specifics would be finalized once Cheonghae Ilgeom recovered from his injuries.

‘It’s not just the Alliance; Kunlun will also be in trouble.’

Regardless of the circumstances, the Shinryong Pavilion belongs to the Alliance, but Kunlun has been managing it.

The mere fact that they failed to prevent the attack would inevitably bring criticism toward Kunlun.

In fact, Cheonghae Ilgeom had even been defeated.

‘...Tch.’

This world is full of people who love to criticize, so I suppose that’s unavoidable.

‘Things seem to be going well, yet... something feels off.’

Even with various incidents and new discoveries, it felt like things were progressing well beyond my original plans.

I’d resolved to reach the state of Hwagyeong before the age of thirty, but I managed it several years earlier than expected.

My goal to escape the Shinryong Pavilion within the year... Well, that was almost irrelevant now with everything that had happened.

‘The situation with Jang Seonyeon is still bothering me.’

There were no leads, and I couldn’t ask the World Tree about it.

It felt like things were going better than planned, but the underlying complexities left me feeling unsettled.

The complications probably started after I met Cheonma.

‘At this rate, it’s not enough.’

Reaching Hwagyeong at such a young age—still, there had been a moment of pride.

I thought this would be enough, that this pace would suffice.

Perhaps, at this rate, I could fill the Divine Sword’s shoes.

But...

‘That was idiotic.’

Meeting Cheonma made me realize that again.

I’m painfully slow. This pace won’t get me anywhere near my goal.

Replace the Divine Sword? Not like this.

‘I need to be faster.’

Noya told me to forget my impatience.

To trust myself.

Reaching Hwagyeong helped me finally understand that, not just with my mind but with my heart.

And yet...

‘How could I possibly do that, Noya?’

Putting it into action was a different matter. My circumstances weren’t exactly making it easy to follow that advice.

“Suffocating.”

Taking things slowly and steadily... that just wasn’t an option. If there’s no shortcut, I’ll have to carve one out.

Snap.

As I took a weary breath, I sensed someone behind me.

I turned in the direction of the presence.

“Have you finally decided to speak with me?”

The voice was neither high nor low, calm and unhurried.

The figure who had appeared was Bi-eujin, known as Two Dragons.

But to me, he was less Two Dragons and more Pejon, a young man who bore that title.

A young man? I suppose he’s actually an old man on the inside.

Bi-eujin approached me, waving casually.

Since I had already expected his arrival, it didn’t surprise me.

To be precise, it was more like I’d summoned him here.

“Why hide and watch from a distance when you could just approach?”

Since yesterday, I’d known Bi-eujin was deliberately lingering around me. Knowing his identity, it was likely he’d made his presence known on purpose, waiting for me to pick up on it.

If I had to guess, it was his way of saying—

‘Come talk to me when you’re ready.’

It was his form of consideration, I suppose.

Indeed, there were matters for Bi-eujin and me to discuss.

He’d seen my demonification, witnessed how my martial arts had altered through the influence of demonic energy.

“I could see you were busy, so I merely waited.”

“Thank you for your patience.”

“No need for gratitude. I wasn’t here for that. So, may I take it you’re finally ready to talk?”

“Yes, but first.”

I had spent a long time deliberating on how to approach this conversation. I had wondered what to say, what Bi-eujin might want from me.

But, ultimately, I decided the quickest path was the most direct one.

As I began to speak, I raised my hand in a formal salute.

Bi-eujin’s eyes widened slightly as he watched me.

“You don’t need to salute me like this...”

“How could I not?”

The forced smile on Bi-eujin’s face faded as he seemed to realize what I was about to say.

Whoosh—

A chill ran down my spine, but I continued speaking.

“I apologize for not recognizing you sooner.”

At my words, Bi-eujin slowly ran a hand over his forehead, brushing back his hair.

In that instant, the expression Bi-eujin had been wearing vanished.

He still appeared as a youthful man without a wrinkle on his face, but...

The expression he wore now was unmistakably that of someone else.

It was the expression that Pejoon, rather than Bi-eujin, would have worn.

I glanced at his face and uttered my final words.

“Your foolish junior pays his respects to Elder Pejoon.”

As the words left my mouth—

Whoom—

An overwhelming presence erupted from Pejoon.