**Chapter 16: Head of the Northern Heavens Clan**
After my demonstration of the sword art concluded.
"Why?"
That was the first thing he said.
It was because the final three stances of the Thirteen Swords of Heaven and Earth that I had displayed took on a form significantly different from what he had shown me. However, Moyong Hyeonrak did not simply dismiss it as a mere difference. Like the genius he was, he had realized something from my performance.
"Why did you execute the stances in that manner?"
"Are you curious?"
"Yes."
"If you are curious, please grant me a favor."
"……!"
At my playful remark, Moyong Hyeonrak’s eyes widened.
"Are you asking me to become a servant of the Northern Sky Sword Clan?"
"No. I do not wish for that."
"Then?"
"Remain as my personal guest, not a guest of the Northern Sky Sword Clan. You do not need to uphold any particular loyalty to the clan. You only need to assist me when I have a request."
"Hmm."
He frowned and said, "Now that I look at you, it seems you are looking for a hunting dog that handles a sword well."
"Rest assured. I have no intention of working you like a hunting dog. Even after becoming my guest, if you feel I am making an unreasonable demand, you may refuse at any time."
"Well, fine. I accept."
"……!"
I wore a look of surprise at his overly prompt acceptance. His answer, given without a moment’s hesitation, was almost disconcerting.
"Why are you so surprised?"
"I expected you to think about it a little longer."
"You said I could refuse if I thought the demand was unreasonable, did you not? With such a condition in place, why would I have any reason to refuse?"
Moyong Hyeonrak curled the corners of his lips.
"And I simply thought that someone who sets such conditions would not make a strange request."
Indeed. It was a rational judgment. I nodded and said to Moyong Hyeonrak, "Very well. Then let us consider the contract established."
"Hurry and tell me why you executed the final three stances that way."
"It is because I believed each stance had a different purpose."
"A different purpose, you say."
Moyong Hyeonrak looked lost in deep thought. I explained a little further for his sake.
"For instance, the first of the final three stances I showed you was designed for a one-versus-many situation. Considering the flow of the preceding stances, I thought a technique that could sweep the surroundings extensively would be necessary."
"I see. Then what about the second?"
"And unlike the first, I thought the second stance would be used in a one-on-one situation. That is why I showed you a technique specialized for dealing with a single enemy."
"And the third?"
"It is a hidden trump card. It is the final, desperate strike, intended for when you fight an opponent you cannot defeat, with the resolve to perish together."
In other words, it was the ultimate technique to unleash against an overwhelming enemy. Honestly, I personally thought it was too dangerous a technique, but...
"That is good."
It seemed it suited Moyong Hyeonrak’s tastes perfectly. Naturally, it had to. I had heard the explanation for these martial arts from Moyong Hyeonrak himself. There was no way he would dislike the result of his own years of contemplation. Therefore, he must have viewed my demonstration favorably.
"I liked that the final three stances were not connected and that each was used for a different purpose. I especially liked the objective of the third and final stance."
"I am glad you liked it."
"Of course, it will take countless trials and errors to refine the forms you showed me and incorporate them into my own martial arts... but I think I can see the path to some extent. Thank you."
Moyong Hyeonrak offered his sincere gratitude. Now, he would be years ahead in completing his own Thirteen Swords of Heaven and Earth. As he was unexpectedly a man of deep sentiment, he would surely think he owed me a debt. In fact, he was treating us with an attitude completely different from when we first met.
"In that case, may I ask a favor of you right now?"
"What is it?"
"Please investigate a righteous sect called the Black Bamboo Sect (烏竹門) located in Yangquan, Shanxi Province. Of course, as I said before, you do not have to accept."
"The Black Bamboo Sect? That is a name I have never heard of. Besides, why would you want me to investigate a righteous sect?"
"They are a righteous sect in name, but they are doing dirty work behind the scenes. However, one of the elders of the main family is connected to their corruption, so we cannot easily touch them."
"Aha. So, you want me to bring you information that can pressure that elder?"
"That is correct."
Moyong Hyeonrak understood immediately, even with my vague explanation. He pondered for a moment before answering.
"I accept. I would have refused under normal circumstances, but the final stances you showed me were of great help to me. I must work as much as I have received."
"Thank you. But please, take care of yourself."
"Haha. What is so difficult about investigating a nameless sect that you would say such things?"
"They wear the mask of a third-rate righteous sect, but in truth, they have a backer. I cannot tell you now, but it is a very massive force. If you are not careful, even you, Master Moyong, could be in danger."
"Hearing that makes me even more interested. It seems a grand conspiracy is entangled in this, does it not? I will be careful, as you say."
After hearing my explanation, Moyong Hyeonrak seemed to become even more motivated. Perhaps he reacted to the news that the Black Bamboo Sect was backed by an unidentified, massive force. It did not matter. In any case, there was no reason to refuse since he was willing to help.
"Then I shall leave it to you."
"Very well. However, I will not begin the investigation immediately. I need time to ponder the clues I obtained today."
"Of course. Please just ensure you do not start too late."
"I will contact you when I move later. Now, if you will excuse me, please leave."
"I shall see you next time."
We exchanged farewells and descended the mountain. As we did, Sa-gong Cheon asked in a curious voice, "The Black Bamboo Sect—is that also a sect related to the Black Night City?"
"Your intuition is sharp, as expected. It is."
To be precise, the Black Bamboo Sect was one of the many subordinate sects that the Black Night City had scattered throughout the martial world. And in a few years, they would join hands with one of the elders of the main family to inflict great damage on our side. I had made this request to Moyong Hyeonrak to prevent that in advance.
'Of course, if the full story of this incident is revealed, I might be viewed with suspicion...'
Moyong Hyeonrak was a quite thorough person, despite appearances. He would surely carry out the task he had accepted properly. Therefore, I did not need to worry about my identity being exposed. Well, even if suspicious gazes were cast upon me, I had prepared a way to feign ignorance.
"If the Head of the Elder Council asks where I went with you, tell him honestly that I went to recruit the Blue-Eyed Sword Ghost. Just tell him that I failed because he was too eccentric."
"Understood. I shall do so."
"Then the Head of the Elder Council will only think that I am reaching out here and there to expand my own power. Let him misunderstand to his heart's content."
However, that misunderstanding would be what eventually tightens the noose around the neck of the Head of the Elder Council. I could not wait for that moment.
"Come, let us return quickly."
"Yes."
We came down from the mountain, mounted our horses, and headed toward the clan. It did not take very long to return.
* * *
About a month had passed since then.
I had been busy during that time. I handled my duties as the acting Head of the Clan, spent my spare time in training, and occasionally took breaks to ensure I did not become too exhausted.
I had not received any contact from Moyong Hyeonrak during that time. He must still be spending time creating something of his own from the stances I had shown him. Since he was a man with a strong sense of responsibility, I did not think he would ignore my request.
'It is just taking a little time.'
He would surely grant my request one way or another. It was while I was thinking that.
"Young Master. A letter has arrived for you."
While I was attending to my duties, Sa-gong Cheon delivered a letter that had come for me.
"It is a letter from the Shanxi Liu Clan. Why would they be contacting you, Young Master?"
"Who knows."
I answered ambiguously, but in truth, I knew the answer. In my first life, I had received a message from them around this time as well. And as expected.
"They are requesting help. It seems someone is threatening the Shanxi Liu Clan. They are requesting that we dispatch guards for the few days they are crafting the clan’s secret medicinal herb."
The Shanxi Liu Clan was a prestigious medical clan in Shanxi Province, where the Northern Sky Sword Clan was located. They were the main family of the Medicine King, one of the Five Great Physicians under Heaven. However, as a medical clan, they lacked sufficient military power of their own. Thus, when a martial arts clan decided to pressure them, they had to ask for help from those around them.
The one chosen for that was our Northern Sky Sword Clan.
'Even if we are on a downward slope, we are still the leaders of this region.'
It was safe to say that there was no sect in Shanxi Province more powerful than the Northern Sky Sword Clan. That must be why the Shanxi Liu Clan asked us for help. However, I knew how this incident would turn out. The Northern Sky Sword Clan would send support, but they would fail miserably at providing any real help.
'In the process, the granddaughter of the Medicine King will be severely injured. The relationship between the Shanxi Liu Clan and us will also hit rock bottom.'
Fortunately, she would not die, but it was an incident sufficient to cause our clan’s reputation in Shanxi Province to fall to the ground. In fact, after this incident, the influence of the main family had weakened rapidly. I intended to set that right.
"I must convene a clan meeting immediately."
At my call, the senior members of the clan gathered in one place. The topic was, naturally, how to support the Shanxi Liu Clan. I proudly expressed my opinion there.
"I wish to go myself."
"Young Master!?"
"What are you talking about?"
The senior members were flustered. It was a reaction born from not expecting me to step forward so actively. It was only natural, as it was rare for a Young Master to step forward personally for such a request. However, I had a valid reason.
"The Shanxi Liu Clan is the main family of the Medicine King. As such, they are respected by many. In terms of influence, they can be considered one of the great clans that can be counted on one hand even here."
"That is why we must send carefully selected people..."
"That is why I am saying I must go myself. If the main family dispatches me, the Young Master, how would the Shanxi Liu Clan think? They would likely be moved, believing that we truly care for them."
If I could place the Shanxi Liu Clan in my debt, the probability of receiving the Medicine King’s help later would also increase.
Therefore, in case of any eventuality, it would be better for a high-ranking member to go so that they cannot simply ignore us.
The senior members wore expressions of deep thought at my words.
"What you say is certainly correct, but... are you confident?"
"If this matter were to go awry, it would become a significant problem."
"I am confident."
I spoke with conviction.
The senior members exchanged a few words among themselves before looking at me with meaningful expressions.
"In that case, we shall entrust this matter to you, Young Master."
"Understood. I shall prepare to depart immediately."
Having said that, I went straight to prepare for my departure to the Shanxi Liu Clan.
However, it was then.
"Brother. Do you have a moment?"
Someone approached me while I was gathering various supplies.
I could not help but be quite surprised when I saw him.
It was because someone I had not expected at all had come to find me.
"It is you, Cheon-hwi."
His name was Jin Cheon-hwi.
He was my cousin and the man who would later be called the First Sword of the Jin Clan.
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