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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“When martial artists cross blades in a duel, no interruptions are permitted.”
“Indeed. Given your status, a private audience with the Alliance Leader is practically impossible. However, a succession duel would grant you that opportunity.”
A succession duel.
The solution proposed by Zhuge Xian-shang.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was the best option available in the short term. Meeting privately with the leader of the righteous factions was impossible for someone of my standing. I had asked him to explore solutions, knowing it was a long shot.
While not a perfect answer, it was a satisfactory one.
…If I played my cards right, he could be instrumental in averting the war with the Demonic Cult.
“So, can I request a succession duel immediately?”
“Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. As you know, the opportunity to challenge the leader of the righteous factions isn’t granted to just anyone.”
That was true.
If anyone could challenge the Alliance Leader, he would have been assassinated long ago. The very existence of succession duels was strange.
“Why were succession duels established in the first place?”
“…Long ago, during the early days of the Martial Alliance, the second Alliance Leader attempted to seize absolute power under the pretext of the war with the Demonic Cult. The righteous factions were on the verge of fracturing before even facing the Demonic Cult. However, the Sky-Piercing Sword Saint, Namgung Jin-cheon, challenged him to a duel for leadership of the Martial Alliance. After a fierce battle that lasted half a day, he emerged victorious and became the third Alliance Leader.”
…So, it was a law established during the formative years of the Martial Alliance.
This information never appeared in the original story, so it was quite intriguing.
The original story barely touched upon the Martial Alliance’s history, focusing only on Seo-ryun’s involvement after the Alliance Leader’s death, the Demonic Cult’s decades-long conspiracy, and the Alliance’s eventual collapse.
While not entirely incompetent, the original story deliberately portrayed the righteous factions in a negative light.
It seemed the author had intended for the protagonist to rebuild the Martial Alliance and confront the Heavenly Demon, but the story was cut short, leaving the Alliance forgotten.
To avoid that ending, I had to meet with the Alliance Leader, warn him of the impending danger, and prevent his death.
And for that, I needed to utilize the method Zhuge Xian-shang had proposed.
I had to initiate a succession duel.
“…Since then, the duel between the second and third Alliance Leaders has been enshrined as the succession duel.”
“So, you’re saying I have to do this?”
“Indeed. While it’s a rarely used law, it won’t be refused if you meet the requirements. The Alliance Leader is interested in you, after all.”
“He wants to recruit me again?”
“If you express a desire to join the Martial Alliance, he’ll welcome you with open arms. Meeting him privately would be much easier. But that’s not what you want, is it?”
True.
Even a peak expert was a valuable asset, but a transcendent expert was a figure on par with sect leaders and grand masters.
“Right. So, you’re saying I need to meet the requirements for a succession duel and challenge him. What are these requirements?”
It couldn’t be easy.
Challenging the leader of the Martial Alliance directly.
It had to be incredibly difficult.
Zhuge Xian-shang coughed a few times and spoke with a serious expression.
“…You need endorsements from at least three of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans.”
“…So, I only need two.”
The Haenam Sword Sect would likely endorse me, so I only needed two more. But how could I obtain them?
“While it seems challenging…it might be easier than you think.”
“Hmm?”
“The Peng Clan of Hebei might endorse you. Of course, you’ll have to negotiate with them directly…”
“The Peng Clan of Hebei?”
The clan of that…sweaty fellow?
“They’re the most boisterous clan in the Central Plains. A direct and bold approach might appeal to them.”
So, he was saying they were simple-minded and easily swayed. I rubbed my forehead at the description coming from a fellow member of the Five Great Clans.
“And if they refuse?”
“You’ll have to approach other sects. The Wudang Sect might be a good choice. Or perhaps the Mount Hua Sect, which isn’t on good terms with the Alliance Leader.”
“Why are they on bad terms?”
“The current Alliance Leader competed with the Mount Hua Sect and the Tang Clan of Sichuan for the position.”
“What about approaching the Tang Clan?”
“Negotiating with those schemers isn’t advisable.”
He had a low opinion of them, likely due to their use of poison.
“What about the Zhuge Clan?”
“…I wouldn’t recommend it, but it’s a viable option as a last resort.”
“So, I need two more endorsements. Which sect are you suggesting for the last one?”
Zhuge Xian-shang hesitated, then spoke.
“…The Shaolin Temple.”
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“Mister, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Just a headache.”
The Peng Clan was manageable.
But the Shaolin Temple?
That raised the bar considerably.
I couldn’t shake the sudden wave of anxiety.
How could I possibly convince the Shaolin Temple?
The Peng Clan would probably agree as long as I expressed a desire to fight the Alliance Leader, but the Shaolin Temple would likely reject me outright.
I might even be scolded and thrown out.
…The problem was, I couldn’t reveal my true intentions.
I couldn’t tell them I needed to warn the Alliance Leader about an assassination attempt.
If I had evidence, it would be easier, but my opponent had been planning this for over twenty years.
A stranger’s words wouldn’t be convincing. Persuading them would be difficult.
Should I search the Shadowless Divine Steps manual for infiltration techniques?
Evidence would strengthen my case.
In the original story, the protagonist only discovered the conspiracy after the Alliance Leader’s death, so I could find evidence if I followed the same trail.
The problem was, I wasn’t skilled in infiltration, and I couldn’t entrust such a task to Mokgyeong at this stage.
I had to find something to make my case more convincing. I racked my brain, trying to recall details from the original story.
…Should I raid a Demonic Cult branch?
I might find some information there.
“Are you tired? I can give you a lap pillow!”
“Where did you learn that?”
“My mother told me men like resting their heads on women’s laps!”
…She wasn’t wrong, but wasn’t her mother deceased?
“No, I’m fine.”
“Do you not like lap pillows?”
Hye-ryeong looked down, her expression dejected. Was she that disappointed?
I sighed and said,
“…I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.”
“Hehe, lie down here!”
Hye-ryeong patted her lap with a confident smile. However, my gaze was drawn not to her lap, but to the…abundance above it.
…Should I recite scripture or something?
“Here!”
“Alright, alright, I’m coming.”
I carefully leaned back and rested my head on Hye-ryeong’s lap. It was different from a pillow, softer and more…yielding.
“How is it? Comfortable?”
“…It is.”
While this romantic development was a welcome change, after a life steeped in blood and violence, I found myself struggling to process it.
Perhaps it was my lack of experience in such matters.
“Hmm~”
Hye-ryeong hummed contentedly, looking down at me. Or rather, I assumed she was.
Her ample bosom obscured my vision. I could only see a sliver of the sky.
I tried to ignore the distracting weight on my face and continued to ponder my next move.
“Blessed are those who endure temptation…”
I muttered a verse from the Bible.
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[Your Text Here]
For how much longer will this MC be dense?
He’s not really dense, he acknowledged her feeling and told her it wasn’t the right time due to the oncoming war.