The Demonic Cult, led by the Heavenly Demon, has joined hands with the Potala Palace and is preparing for war.
And the Murim Alliance, having caught wind of this, has decided to formally prepare for and check the Demonic Cult's advance… but.
"The point is that our backs are itching."
"Pardon? But didn't the strategist Je Gal-bu say we needed a way to deal with sorcery?"
"That's certainly one of the reasons. The Black Alliance is one of the few places in the Central Plains familiar with sorcery. But the main purpose is surely to solidify internal discipline first."
In this era, there is no one who can be called the greatest under heaven.
It's not because everyone is evenly matched. It's because, after the Black Alliance came to be and the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects were separated, rules of their own were established, and peace has reigned for a long time.
With no battles to fight, there is no need to reveal one's skill, and naturally, rumors about who is stronger also decrease.
As an exception, the Black Alliance was forged through endless combat, and only the Lord of the Black Alliance, who won every fight, could claim the title of the strongest in the Unorthodox Sects.
But there are always those who seek to rank others, and even without a direct clash, those who are clearly stronger tend to show it.
In that sense, the Sword King, Namgung Dowi, is a swordsman with no equal.
The Zhongnan Sect, the Wudang Sect, and the Mount Hua Sect are all sects with a deep understanding of the sword, and their Sect Leaders possess skills to match.
Yet, it is the general consensus that none of them measure up to the Namgung Clan and Namgung Dowi.
In fact, I have met the Sect Leader of the Zhongnan Sect, if not the other two. Even to my senses, he was slightly inferior to the Sword King.
And yet, the Heavenly Demon is a monster who, even when facing the combined assault of the strongest of the Unorthodox Sects and the Sword King, the closest thing to the Orthodox Sects' finest sword, along with Seomun Hwa-rin, held an overwhelming advantage.
Even now, the Heavenly Demon is unleashing his martial arts to rapidly strengthen the other Demonic Cultists, and has even joined hands with the Potala Palace.
If we were to concentrate our forces half-heartedly, the result would be our defeat at the hands of the Demonic Cult.
In the end, from the Murim Alliance's standpoint, if a true war with the Demonic Cult were to break out, they would have to commit their full strength…
"These days, the relationship between the Murim Alliance and the Black Alliance isn't bad, and the Lord of the Black Alliance has even built friendships with the renowned elders of the various Orthodox Sects… but still, the Unorthodox Sects are the Unorthodox Sects."
"Are you saying there are many who prioritize their own gain even though they know what chaos lies ahead?"
"No, I'm saying there are many jackals who would even stoke the coming chaos to pursue their own gain."
"…What kind of place are the Unorthodox Sects, exactly?"
Tang So-wol wore a look of dismay, but what I had said was nothing but the plain truth, with no exaggeration whatsoever.
"The Lord of the Black Alliance may be a bit petty, but he's a man who keeps his word once he's spoken it. Above all, as the head of an organization, his vision is also quite broad."
"But the others aren't like that, you're saying."
"Right. The elders of the Orthodox Sects are well aware of this fact as well."
Those who hold the position of current Sect Leader or clan head are people of similar age to the Lord of the Black Alliance, or even older.
Naturally, that means they remember the days when the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects were mixed together, killing each other day in and day out.
They can't help but be wary of what's behind them.
"And at that moment, my existence would have caught their eye."
"Hmm. You're saying that while you have ties with the Lord of the Black Alliance, your temperament is infinitely close to the Unorthodox Sects, yet you're affiliated with the Orthodox Sects, and you've even achieved merits as a righteous martial artist. Young and highly skilled, a person who possesses both symbolism and martial power, is that it?"
"…Why is it that you're quick to understand in matters like this?"
"Well, because it concerns the young hero Cheon?"
At Tang So-wol's tilted head, a chuckle escaped me on its own.
"My temperament being infinitely close to the Unorthodox Sects—that part is wrong, though."
"…"
"Regardless, it all fits together overall. The Murim Alliance wants this of me, and the Lord of the Black Alliance, though he can't openly step forward, quietly agrees—that's roughly the reason for it."
"Is that so."
For some reason, Tang So-wol had now begun shaking her head at me, but that wasn't particularly important.
"So the conclusion you've reached is to subdue all of the Black Alliance's troublemakers through force."
"That's right."
"Judging by Military Advisor Jegal's reaction, it seems he didn't expect things to go that far."
"If we don't go that far, they're not the kind of people who'll listen to reason."
In fact, after the Demonic Cult's invasion, the biggest reason the Righteous-Unorthodox Alliance had been creaking was precisely the arbitrary actions of the Unorthodox Sects' masters.
They formed their own factions and went off on their own, so their strength never combined—it only scattered.
Some of them even tried to defect to the Heavenly Demon and side with the Demonic Cult when the situation turned unfavorable.
They'd committed too many crimes, so they were all torn apart and killed in the end.
Anyway, keeping those kinds of people alive and even letting them join in on a good cause—that's just how remarkable I am.
I truly am a model for the Orthodox Sects.
"…So what you said before wasn't a joke. You really meant it."
"I'm always a sincere man."
"Ugh. That's exactly why it's a problem."
Tang So-wol let out a deep sigh and asked with a bitter smile.
"Anyway, I understand that young hero Cheon's resolve is firm. So what do you plan to do now? What should we do?"
"Hm? What do you mean by that?"
"What? As always, aren't we going together this time too?"
"If that were the case, there'd be no point in me stepping forward. If you intend to subdue them by force, you have to clearly show the difference in power. The fewer people, the better. If I take down not just their subordinates but their leader himself, they'll surrender on their own."
"…Surely you don't mean to go alone?"
"I'm not that foolish, so don't worry."
"Hoo…"
"For now, they're only pretending to follow because they lost to me. So I need to handle things properly."
"Even setting aside that confidence of yours about winning alone, what exactly do you plan to do?"
"I intend to poison the ones I've defeated."
"…"
"Is there a poison like that—one that kills within a month if the antidote isn't taken?"
"There is, but…"
"I'd prefer it to be potent enough to work on Harmony Realm martial artists."
"While studying the Beast Palace Lord's poison this time, I think that might be possible…"
"Good. I was prepared to bluff if necessary, but there's no need for that now."
"…"
"For this task, only you and I go."
Tang So-wol closed her eyes tightly, at a loss for words in the face of my perfect plan.
After a long moment, she forced the words out through clenched teeth.
"W-well, I'll speak to the others about it first."
"Then I'll have my things packed in the meantime."
Tang So-wol gave a slight bow and hastily left the room.
Anyone watching might have thought she was fleeing, but surely it was just that she was thrilled at the prospect of a trip for the two of us alone.
***
To put it plainly, Tang So-wol was the only one who objected.
"W-why is everyone so calm about this?!"
"Even if you ask why… there are just some things that Auntie Tang doesn't know about."
"Mm-hm. I don't know about anything else, but if Hwi says he can handle something from his time in the Unorthodox Sects, then he really can handle it."
After the Grand Ritual, Seol Ri-hyang and Seomun Hwa-rin had, for some reason, developed an oddly high level of trust in me.
It was probably because they knew I was a regressor and that I'd spent half my life rolling around in the Black Alliance. …Right?
"Father! Father, you have to say something at least!"
"Say something…"
Tang Jincheon, who had been pondering for a moment, opened his mouth.
"You may be fine with this, but So-wol could be in danger."
"I plan to seek the Black Alliance's cooperation on that matter. I intend to have a master from the Black Alliance travel alongside us, like a witness, to protect Tang So-wol."
"Not bad. The Lord of the Black Alliance's subordinates may lack in other areas, but their loyalty is outstanding. With the Alliance Lord's cooperation, this should be entirely feasible."
"The Lord of the Black Alliance will surely grant permission."
"Of course he will. I don't know the reason… no, I have a rough idea, but in any case, that man has taken quite a liking to his son-in-law."
"Father? Aren't you worried about young hero Cheon? He's volunteered to take on Harmony Realm martial artists from the Unorthodox Sects all by himself, not to mention the evil sects backing them?!"
"So-wol. Have you heard about the sparring match between the Sword King and your husband last time?"
"Of course I know about the sparring match."
"Then do you also know that your son-in-law won that sparring match?"
"…What?"
"Just so you know, the Sword King is someone who takes anything related to the sword seriously, even a sparring match."
"That makes sense. No, wait, really? Young hero Cheon truly won?"
"I heard it directly from the Sword King, so it must be true. Besides, as you well know, your husband only grows stronger in real combat."
"Ah."
"He stepped forward because he knew he could do it. Your husband is more remarkable than you think, so don't worry too much."
"That's…"
Tang So-wol's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but then her shoulders drooped and she nodded.
"I understand. If everyone says so, then perhaps I am being overly protective of young hero Cheon. But!"
With those final words, Tang So-wol lifted her head sharply and looked at me.
"But if I see young hero Cheon pushing himself too hard, or if he sustains a serious injury, I will bring him back immediately. If you won't promise me this, then I won't follow young hero Cheon."
"That goes without saying. My own life is what matters most to me."
"…You do realize that's incredibly hard to believe, right?"
"Hm?"
"To me, who saw young hero Cheon inside the secret realm, that sounds very hard to believe."
Indeed.
Now I understood why Tang So-wol had been so worried about me.
The sight that Tang So-wol, Seol Ri-hyang, and Seomun Hwa-rin had witnessed in the secret realm this time was the Iron Blood Faction's clan extermination. And me, running wild and mad, turning into the Sword Demon.
But wasn't it Tang So-wol, and no one else, who had changed the Sword Demon that I was?
I couldn't say it directly because of the seal, but this much should be fine.
"Don't worry. I won't die before you, Tang So-wol."
"Young hero Cheon…"
"There are many things I want to do, many things I haven't tried yet. I won't die until I've accomplished them all, so just stay by my side. If you do, I'm certain I can achieve anything."
"…!"
Tang So-wol's eyes flew wide open. Her lips moved wordlessly for a moment, then she let out a soft chuckle.
"Are you trying to win me over with sweet talk again?"
"Sweet talk? As always, I mean every word."
"But I suppose I have no choice. If it's young hero Cheon I'm facing, I can only accept willingly. Go on. Whether you roast me or boil me, do as you please."
With that, she offered herself to me without any guard, arms slightly open.
Her posture seemed to urge me on. I approached quietly and pulled her into a gentle embrace, and only then did a satisfied voice reach my ears.
"You've packed my share of the burden too, haven't you?"
"Of course. All you have to do is show up."
In response, a soft giggle reached my ears—the moment my sparring journey was decided.
"By the way, what should we call this officially? Calling it a sparring journey feels a bit off, given how impure the purpose is and how rough the methods will be…"
"…I do plan to leave them alive, so a sparring journey it is."
Anyway, that's how it was.