Chapter 177: Hair’s Breadth from Crisis (1)

Although dozens of clans existed across the continent, the reason they were simplistically classified into twelve—such as the Three Great Blade Clans, Sword Clans, and Two Great Fist Clans—was precisely because of this.

Among the many clans, there were quite a few with longer traditions and greater wealth than these Twelve Clans.

However, no one ever claimed those clans were stronger than the Twelve Clans.

Nor did anyone refer to them as renowned martial clans of the murim.

A clan became a renowned martial clan only when their martial arts were proven and they had produced countless top-tier experts.

‘In that sense, perhaps this is the beginning of the Heavenly Central Sect’s rise as a renowned martial clan. And it’s all because of this person, Yong Hwarin.’

Namgung Yoo thought that she couldn’t measure the extent of Yong Hwarin’s abilities.

“Just hearing it makes my heart burn with excitement. But if I keep hearing such titles, I doubt I’ll live long enough to enjoy them.”

The murim didn’t particularly favor titles like the best under heaven.

That was because they all knew the danger such a name implied.

Thus, there hadn’t been a clan known by the title the best under heaven for a long time.

During the Muyang Era, when the Demonic Saint was in full force, the Hwaun Clan, which contributed greatly to subduing the Demonic Saint, was called the best martial clan under heaven, but over time, even they failed to produce experts worthy of the name and faded away.

Sixty years later, during the Muwun Era when the Ironblood Beehive emerged, another martial clan was honored with the same title for its achievements, but it ended up following the same path as the Hwaun Clan. Even the Baekri Clan, which blocked the Heavenly Demon Sect that swept through the murim in the Muhang Era, couldn’t avoid the same fate.

“That’s right. My own clan tried hard to earn that title too, but eventually realized it was all in vain. Young Master Yong, do you know why that is?”

Yong Hwarin looked at Namgung Yoo.

“That’s quite a serious question out of nowhere. You’ve caught me off guard.”

Though he said he was flustered, his smiling face said otherwise—it was clearly a lie.

“The Namgung Clan is certainly not unworthy of the title Best Sword Sect Under Heaven.”

Considering how they produced an absolute expert like Namgung Bi, such a title was far from lacking.

Yong Hwarin casually changed the subject.

“I’d appreciate being called that, but my grandfather wouldn’t think the same.”

He saw through the fact that Yong Hwarin was referring to Namgung Bi and responded.

Impressed by Namgung Yoo’s ability to speak as if seeing through his thoughts, Yong Hwarin replied,

“The reason people in the clans focus more on wealth and influence than martial arts is because there are so few experts who can truly embody their clan’s martial arts. Even while the Nine Great Sects have persisted, many martial clans have come and gone. The Nine Great Sects accept talented individuals as disciples, but clans are formed from bloodlines and tend to reject outsiders.”

This was exactly what Namgung Yoo had wanted to hear.

She couldn’t help but admire how precisely Yong Hwarin had hit the mark.

From the perspective of his previous life, Yong Hwarin had seen many clans perish or collapse for exactly this reason.

By prioritizing bloodlines, they failed to bring in truly gifted talents.

Even within a bloodline, the emergence of outstanding geniuses became limited over time.

“In that sense, the recent decision by the Heavenly Central Sect to invite guest members carries significant meaning.”

When Namgung Yoo said this with a light smile, Yong Hwarin looked genuinely surprised.

“How did you know about that?”

“Do you think renowned martial clans just sit back and remain idle? When a rising power emerges, the first thing they do is investigate. Isn’t it natural to investigate the Heavenly Central Sect, which produced the Heavenly Sword Hero?”

Since Yong Hwarin already knew this, he wasn’t offended.

Instead, he played along with a chuckle.

“If my clan is receiving that much attention from renowned martial clans, wouldn’t that be a great honor?”

“It will become so because of you, Young Master Yong.”

Namgung Yoo had a way of saying things that even unpleasant truths sounded pleasant. After chatting for a while, she took her leave.

Watching from afar, Bukri Sogun walked over to Yong Hwarin.

“Hwarin hyung.”

“Hmm?”

Yong Hwarin always greeted Bukri Sogun with a smile.

It reminded him of his younger brother Yong Kijoong, who used to be scolded often during childhood.

“Hyung, who do you like?”

The sudden question made Yong Hwarin blink in surprise.

“What do you mean?”

“Between Lady Jeong, Lady Namgung, and Lady Seok, who do you like?”

Looking at Bukri Sogun asking so seriously, Yong Hwarin burst into a hearty laugh.

Ordinarily, no one else would have dared to ask such a question, but the young Sogun could say it freely.

“Haha, Sogun-ah. Why are you so curious about that?”

When Yong Hwarin asked playfully, Bukri Sogun replied,

“If you answer first, I’ll tell you.”

Yong Hwarin patted Bukri Sogun on the head.

“Lady Jeong is like a long-time comrade. Lady Namgung feels like a friend. Lady Seok is like a little sister. So I like all of them.”

Bukri Sogun pouted at not getting the answer he intended.

“I asked who you liked as a woman.”

“Hahaha!”

Yong Hwarin laughed out loud and gave Bukri Sogun a playful flick on the forehead.

“You little rascal. Asking all sorts of things. Alright, if you’re that curious, I’ll answer. I only have ties of fate with those three Ladies. We don’t share romantic feelings. So no, I don’t see any of them as women. Got it? Why, do you like one of them or something?”

“Tch! Why would I like those nunas?”

“Then why do you want to know? I answered, so now it’s your turn.”

“If you didn’t like anyone, I was going to introduce you to my nuna.”

“Your nuna?”

“Yes, my nuna is really pretty. And she’s so smart, too.”

Yong Hwarin searched his memory for a woman rumored to be beautiful within the Bukri Clan.

In his past life, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union used to supply a lot of goods to the Bukri Clan, so he’d heard quite a few rumors.

However, he’d never heard the name Bukri Sogun before in his past life.

This suggested that, unfortunately, Bukri Sogun may have been cast aside within the clan.

It was difficult for a child who hadn’t learned martial arts to find a place in a martial clan.

The one famously known as the beauty of the Bukri Clan was Bukri Ubin.

Bukri Ubin was even mentioned by name when discussing the beauties of Henan.

“Are you talking about Lady Bukri Ubin?”

When Yong Hwarin mentioned Bukri Ubin, Bukri Sogun pouted.

“Hmph! Even if Ubin nuna is pretty, she’s nothing compared to my nuna.”

“Is that so? If Lady Bukri Ubin is like the blood of a bird's foot, then who in the world could be that pretty?”

“Sehee nuna is the prettiest.”

“Sehee? Bukri Sehee?”

“Yes.”

Yong Hwarin tilted his head.

The name Bukri Sehee was one he had never heard before.

‘Perhaps these siblings are ones the Bukri Clan couldn’t publicly acknowledge. Otherwise, there’s no way I wouldn’t have heard their names in my previous life.’

As that thought crossed his mind, he felt an inexplicable affection toward Bukri Sogun.

Strangely, the boy overlapped with his past self, stirring feelings of sympathy.

“Is that so? Alright. Thank you for wanting to introduce your beautiful nuna to me.”

He answered casually, and Bukri Sogun replied,

“I’m telling you, she’s really pretty.”

“Sogun-ah, what matters most in a woman isn’t beauty, but her heart. Beauty is like summer fruit—easily spoiled and never lasting long. What is beautiful isn’t always good, but what is good is always beautiful. That’s why a woman with a noble character is beautiful even if her appearance isn’t striking. So when you seek a partner someday, you must find someone with a good heart.”

“That’s unexpected. I thought you were someone who judged by appearances.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Everyone around hyung is a beauty.”

“Hahaha. It’s not because I like beauties that they’re around me, but simply that all the women I know happen to be beautiful.”

“Tch! I don’t get why beauties flock to hyung when you’re not even that good-looking.”

“Sogun-ah, shall I tell you a secret? About how to get close to beautiful women?”

“What is it?”

Yong Hwarin smiled warmly at the sight of Bukri Sogun leaning in eagerly.

“If you grow up to be a fine man, beauties will naturally come to you. Even among flowers, those without fragrance don’t attract bees or butterflies. People must become fragrant, but that fragrance doesn’t come from looks—it comes from character and intelligence. If you become a man with both, many beauties will follow.”

“So you’re saying you have character and intelligence too, hyung?”

“Don’t you think I do?”

Bukri Sogun mumbled with a dissatisfied expression.

“You do seem to have character and intelligence… but you still look like a playboy.”

“Hahahahaha!”

Yong Hwarin burst into hearty laughter as Bukri Sogun turned around and stomped off.

Yong Hwarin had been wary that Jeung Eungang’s disciples might attempt an ambush, but thankfully there were no signs of such.

Two days before reaching Kaifeng, they arrived at a place called Douun County. There, they came upon a small stream.

Taking the opportunity, Yong Hwarin and his group decided to rest.

Even the horses needed to drink and recover.

As they were resting for about two hours, they noticed a group approaching the stream.

It wasn’t unusual to see passersby stop to rest at a stream.

Yong Hwarin carefully observed the approaching figures.

They were soldiers—official guards often seen while traveling.

They were escorting a group of prisoners, tied up with ropes.

About twenty soldiers were escorting ten prisoners, which caught his eye.

This level of escort suggested the prisoners had committed serious crimes.

At a glance, most of the prisoners looked like scholars.

The soldiers eyed Yong Hwarin and his group with wariness.

One of the officers spoke to Yong Hwarin.

“Who are you, and where are you from?”

“I am Yong Hwarin of the Heavenly Central Sect in Henan.”

“What business does someone from the Heavenly Central Sect have here?”

He asked still on alert. Given most of them wore swords, caution was natural.

“We’re on our way to Kaifeng for business.”

“Is that so? Let me see your identification tablet.”

The officer still appeared doubtful. Yong Hwarin promptly took out his tablet.

After examining Yong Hwarin’s tablet, the officer nodded.

“My apologies. There are reports of subversive groups trying to rescue these prisoners, so I hope you understand. Did you say you're headed to Kaifeng?”

“That’s right.”

“We’re also headed to Kaifeng.”

The soldiers said they were escorting the prisoners to the Kaifeng branch of the Judicial Inspection Authority.

Yong Hwarin glanced at the prisoners briefly and nodded.

He quickly lost interest.

There was no benefit for a martial artist to get involved in government matters.

The others also showed no interest in the soldiers or prisoners—for the same reason as Yong Hwarin.

After resting for about one hour, Bukri Sogun asked the officer,

“Judging by how they’re bound with ropes like that, they must be high criminals. Who are they?”

Yong Hwarin’s group, experienced in the martial world, knew such a question shouldn’t be asked, but the innocent Bukri Sogun couldn’t hold back his curiosity.

The officer hesitated briefly, then spoke.

“They are Jang Muui and his followers. Criminals who dared to incite rebellion in the Shandong region.”

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