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Chapter 15
An uncomfortable silence lingered.
If it were a small sect master or a minor sect master, the positions would be comparable.
“That doesn’t quite resonate with me. Authority, perhaps.”
For now, there was neither a reason to go nor a reason to refrain.
It was still the stage to understand the subtleties of appearance versus reality.
Even if going would bring many benefits, one shouldn’t blindly accept another’s offer.
Not when they don’t yet fully know what kind of person the other is.
“This is the Post-Index Competition. For others, just observing from afar is enough satisfaction.”
“They are…”
The sound of tea filling the cups quietly bridged the momentary silence.
At the same time, a strange sense of pressure seemed to fill the entire room.
“They aren’t ordinary people, right?”
“…That’s correct. They are not ordinary people.”
“I am not ordinary, either. In myself, and in my environment.”
I hadn’t expected them to be this difficult.
I had thought they were simply a bit exceptional among peers of Jegal-hye.
But after facing them directly and talking at length, they turned out to be someone far beyond imagination.
Could someone be this arrogant?
I thought for a moment, but this person met the minimum qualifications to be arrogantly confident.
“They probably won’t be interested in minor matters.”
“There’s plenty already.”
“Then what about this? A chance to receive instruction.”
A chance to receive instruction.
Of course, since this competition was hosted directly by the Martial Alliance, it was certain that highly esteemed people would be watching.
The Four Sovereigns and the Three Emperors.
There were also others with prestigious titles.
“It would be instruction in martial arts, then.”
“Exactly. A rare opportunity. If the minor sect master has the aptitude, they could certainly receive it.”
Most of them belonged to one of the Nine Schools or the Five Great Families.
Some did not, but those numbers were naturally far fewer.
Some had disciples, some did not.
If one’s aptitude was excellent, it was an unparalleled opportunity to inherit everything from those called the Four Sovereigns and the Three Emperors.
For a martial artist, anyone who had mastered inner power would never be able to refuse even the slightest chance. Jegal-yun was certain of this.
“Instruction, huh.”
Naturally, this was also a very attractive proposition for Cheong-un.
Reaching the peak wasn’t really enlightenment—it was just becoming better at handling inner power, and when the amount increased, one reached the peak.
But beyond that, things were different.
Cheong-un had walked that path once in a previous life, but the circumstances then and now were vastly different.
One could follow the same path.
It was already a well-trodden path, one he had already walked.
But following it blindly wouldn’t lead higher.
Cheong-un was someone who had once reached the extreme pinnacle in a previous life.
At that time, he was thirty.
He had considerable talent, but relentless misfortune prevented further advancement, even causing a severe accident that destroyed his energy center.
“If I were to walk the same path… the beginning would have to be the same.”
The beginning was completely different now.
Cheong-un thought there was no need to walk the same path.
Sure, one could go faster, but that’s all it would be.
To realize the same thing twice—can that truly be called enlightenment?
“It’s an attractive proposal, but… I don’t feel it beyond that.”
“…Are you sincere?”
Others would be desperate to enter such a place.
Yet, after a brief moment of consideration, he decided so easily.
Moreover, wasn’t this a chance to draw the attention of the Four Sovereigns and the Three Emperors?
This was something even he found appealing.
“We are merchants.”
“Not just ordinary merchants.”
“Then, not merchants?”
“Not exactly.”
This was also a statement meant for those who would relay today’s conversation.
Cheong-un remembered clearly what had happened to Cheong-geumjang.
In his previous life, Cheong-geumjang was irrelevant, but now, it was deeply connected to everything.
The Jeongma War meant that two massive powers were about to clash.
They wouldn’t have attacked blindly.
They knew each other’s strength and understood that at least one arm or leg would have to be severed.
Cheong-geumjang, closer to the righteous faction.
The demonic sect initially tried to sway Cheong-geumjang but failed.
The demonic sect’s invasion began, but the righteous faction offered no help.
They employed a strategy of surrendering Cheong-geumjang and taking something else from the demonic sect.
Perhaps that’s why even Jegal-sega didn’t seem entirely favorable.
It must have been Jegal-sega who planned it.
They only sided with the righteous faction in the war because they happened to be born there.
Cheong-un felt no sense of belonging to the righteous faction in anything.
“I already have an excellent teacher.”
“…Someone on par with the Four Sovereigns and Three Emperors?”
“Let’s put it that way.”
In truth, he had no teacher.
Cheong-un was his own master.
Having returned along a path no one had walked, he only needed to remember the scenery he had seen and walk a new path.
“You’re not interested in the competition itself? Since it’s a Post-Index event, becoming familiar with others could help greatly later.”
“If it’s so trivial that it’s already decided, wouldn’t that be a problem in itself?”
Above all, the Post-Index Competition was merely a children’s game to Cheong-un at present.
There was no time to waste here.
Even though the Grand Elder had assisted in the distribution of fortune, establishing the Cheongsong Sect fully was entirely Cheong-un’s ability.
“No matter what is said, my decision remains unchanged.”
“…Understood. What a pity.”
“You plan to participate, minor sect master, but will leave immediately?”
“That’s the plan. My schedule is tight.”
“Very well. Next time, I’ll bring something worthwhile.”
“…Yes.”
Jegal-yun’s gaze held a hint of caution.
Yes, that was better.
Previously, Cheong-geumjang was used as bait to take something from the demonic sect—it implied Cheong-geumjang wasn’t as critical or threatening.
This time, there was no intention of letting things slide.
“Let’s go, Hye-ya.”
“…Yes, brother.”
Jegal-hye looked at Cheong-un with eyes full of regret.
She had never seen anyone reach such a level at their age.
Her face reflected deep curiosity, yet she had no choice but to turn away from Cheong-un’s emotionless expression.
“…This isn’t a place to take lightly.”
It had never been an easy place.
But, for a merchant family, wasn’t their spirit quite impressive?
“Let’s return for now.”
“Yes, brother.”
The unexpected visitors left, and Cheong-un watched their backs for a moment.
“Post-Index Competition…”
It wasn’t clear, but it seemed that around this time, the demonic sect had begun to infiltrate gradually.
At least, the Kunlun Sect had handled the demonic spies, but their future actions had to be determined more precisely.
Let’s change the target.
For now, stories of the demonic sect, the righteous faction, or the wandering sect could wait.
Cheong-un already possessed much.
With Cheong-geumjang, he could acquire what he didn’t have now.
There was nothing he couldn’t possess.
Both as an individual and as a group.
He first wanted to create such a foundation.
‘My current room to maneuver is too narrow.’
For that, he needed a sturdy tree with deep roots, unshakable by any wind.
To prevent the Cheong-geumjang from rotting from within, he first needed to clear out intrusions inside.
There was still much to refine.
Not just the Cheongsong Sect, but absorbing all the treasures held by Cheong-geumjang.
“Did the guests leave well?”
“Yes, father.”
“Looks like you won’t participate.”
“That’s right.”
“You seemed interested in martial arts. Was that not the case?”
How could it not be?
The strong rule the world, after all.
“It’s a means, isn’t it?”
“A means… haha! A good word indeed.”
Everything is just a means.
Cheong-geumjang’s endless wealth.
The martial arts Cheong-un would acquire.
All means.
To grasp wealth and martial arts simultaneously.
Some might call it greed, but when someone worthy possesses it, it’s no longer greed.
It is just and magnificent ambition.
Cheong-un’s grandfather, former sect master, had ambition that matched his capacity, which created the Cheong-geumjang as it is now.
‘I only wished for protection…’
Cheong-in also wished this.
That his son would merely protect Cheong-geumjang as it was.
To protect it well from those like a pack of wolves.
Cheong-jin wished the same as his father.
That his son would do well, at least in protection.
And being a son born after ten years, he wanted it all the more.
However, judging from recent events, it seemed protection alone would not suffice.
“So, this time, will you follow Shanghaeng?”
“No. Once is enough.”
“Unexpected. I thought you’d continue with Shanghaeng.”
“Now that I know the structure, there’s no need. I’ll inform you if necessary.”
“Very well. Do as you wish. Speak if needed.”
“Yes. Understood.”
In truth, nothing more was needed.
The current Cheong-geumjang was the perfect environment Cheong-un desired.
A place so wealthy one could replace all meals with elixirs.
Even with the only heir in ten years, he didn’t overprotect him.
Even visiting the Kunlun Sect proved this.
Had he objected, the Cheongsong Sect would never have been acquired.
What Cheong-un needed was time.
Time to grow stronger.
Time to organize internally.
To fully stabilize the mind-body, time was necessary, so all that was left was patient waiting.
Having firmly refused the Post-Index Competition, luckily, Jegal-sega did not enforce any unjust measures.
Though they could not have, in the first place.
Afterwards, Cheong-un devoted himself entirely to training.
He didn’t neglect his education as an heir.
There was ample time to erase impressions of him from others.
Few knew much about Cheong-un, and those who did gradually forgot him.
No news arrived.
Cheong-geumjang, as always, focused only on trading goods and did not expand unnecessarily.
Cheong-geumjang knew.
If it expanded further, others wouldn’t stay idle.
It maintained just the right balance—neither easily provoked nor ignored.
The demonic sect, which seemed ready to act, again did nothing, as if it were a lie.
When everyone had temporarily set the demonic sect aside in memory, their movements repeated a few times.
Thus, for some, it was time to prepare a grand plan.
For others, it was time to perfect and establish themselves.
