In the quiet space, half a dozen Confucian scholars were frantically engrossed in their work. With haggard faces, they processed a mountain-like pile of bamboo slips one by one, while also reporting various matters to the master of the office.

“A dispute has broken out between the Yellow River Sect and the Sogong Sect[1]. They have requested that our clan mediate…”

“Tell them I will arrange a meeting on New Year’s Day and we will talk then. Inform the Inner Hall Master in advance.”

“What should be done about the matter concerning the Five Sects of Shanxi?”

“Ah, is this related to my third brother?”

“Yes. The leaders of the Five Sects of Shanxi are waiting to offer their apologies.”

“Send them back. If they were truly sorry, their heads should have come in person, not just their hands and feet. Inform the Inner Hall Master of that as well.”

“Next is the report from the Southern Merchant Guild[2]…”

Even while receiving reports, the master of the office, Jin Wi-gyeong, did not take his eyes off the bamboo slips. However, the next report forced him to look up.

“Lesser Family Head. The bandit brigades from the northern highlands are showing suspicious movements near Datong.”

“Bandits? Is this news from the Hao Sect?”

“Yes. If left unchecked, there will be large-scale pillaging of the common people.”

“Their scale?”

“Five bandit brigades have allied, and a force of about five hundred is steadily gathering.”

“Bandits. They are a constant source of trouble.”

Jin Wi-gyeong rubbed his brow with a tired expression. It was true that the power of the Taiyuan Jin Family was mighty, but it was still not enough to cover the entire Shanxi province. This was also why the bandits were constantly watching for opportunities, despite knowing of the annihilation of the Crimson Wind Brigade.

“Shall we dispatch our martial artists?”

At the scholar’s question, Jin Wi-gyeong immediately shook his head.

“No.”

“The number of martial artists who have recently joined our clan is countless. We have more than enough capacity.”

“We have already shed too much blood for that. Besides, the ones we have recently accepted are still inexperienced. Even if we dispatch hundreds, hundreds will die.”

The Hengshan Sword Sect. With one of the three legs supporting the cauldron of Shanxi broken, the water inside had begun to overflow. They had to devise a countermeasure before they were scalded by the boiling water.

After a moment of thought, Jin Wi-gyeong spoke.

“For the time being, focus on establishing and stabilizing branches in each county. That is our top priority.”

“Lesser Family Head!” the scholar exclaimed in surprise. The others, who had been concentrating on their respective tasks, also looked up. With hundreds of bandits on their way, establishing branches was the top priority? Did he mean he didn’t care if the common people died?

Just as disappointment spread across the scholars’ faces, Jin Wi-gyeong continued.

“Instead, request support from the Five Sects of Shanxi. I think about two hundred men should be appropriate… What do you think?”

“That’s not nearly enough.”

There was no one in this office, at least, who could speak so bluntly to the Lesser Family Head of the Taiyuan Jin Family. Jin Wi-gyeong grinned at Wi Peng, who had just opened the door and entered.

“Is that so? I thought it would be plenty.”

“What are the Five Sects of Shanxi like now? They are consumed with their own messy squabbles. They’ll hide away their painstakingly raised elites behind their walls and send a force packed with clumsy second and third-rate fighters, won’t they?”

“That seems plausible.”

“It’s not just plausible, it’s a near certainty. The bandits will be overjoyed to see those baby-faced kids, their mouths splitting from ear to ear.”

“Haha, so you’re saying we have to step in?”

“What choice do we have? If you assign me some capable men, I will go myself. Then the Five Sects won’t be able to pull any sneaky tricks.”

“That’s true. Isn’t the Ghost Sword scarier than a ghost?”

At Jin Wi-gyeong’s teasing voice, Wi Peng just shook his head.

“Stop it now and tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

“You already have a plan in mind, don’t you?”

“A plan? I thought your idea was good.”

“Honestly. Since when have you listened so attentively to my words?”

“Every word from your mouth is like gold and jade to me.”

With a deep sigh, Wi Peng turned his head towards the scholar standing blankly.

“What do you think?”

“Y-Yes?”

A thin frame and a pale face. He was the very model of a sheltered scholar who had only ever looked at books in a corner of his room. At Wi Peng’s sudden question, he stammered a reply.

“I-I believe it is insufficient.”

“Is that all?”

“We need to dispatch more men…”

Watching the scene, Jin Wi-gyeong chuckled and cut in.

“That’s enough. And you.”

The scholar, who had been intimidated by Wi Peng’s sharp demeanor, flinched.

“Yes.”

“Send a message to the Five Sects of Shanxi. And to the Shanxi provincial office. Tell them that bandits are swarming near Datong and that we request their help.”

“The provincial office, my lord?”

“The people are in danger, so the state must step up. Ah, and subtly mention that to the Five Sects as well.”

“Given the government’s passive attitude in recent years, the probability of that succeeding is slim.”

“Then you must make it succeed.” Jin Wi-gyeong’s face was devoid of its smile as he added a final word. “Isn’t that your job?”

“Ah.”

The scholar felt a jolt, as if waking up. Though he was exhausted from staying up for several nights, he had been thinking too simply. Asking the provincial office for help? The idea proposed by Wi Peng, a martial artist through and through, was a much more plausible countermeasure.

“My apologies.”

“I understand, as you are still inexperienced. But what our clan needs is not a scholar, but a wise person who can propose the best countermeasures for the clan. I hope you remember my words well.”

He was left speechless. After confirming that not only the scholar before him but everyone else was blushing, Jin Wi-gyeong spoke again.

“You all must be tired, so let’s call it a day and get some rest.”

No one would refuse an order to rest. Especially not those who had been enduring for three days with bamboo slips as their pillows.

As the scholars dragged their tired bodies out, Wi Peng pulled up an empty chair.

“Are these the newly selected ones?”

“It seems I am not enough on my own. Still, they are better than nothing.”

“I don’t know. They all seem rather bland.”

“How many of them do you think studied just to enter our clan? It’s perhaps only natural.”

Jin Wi-gyeong stretched his arms wide. A loud series of cracks echoed as his bones realigned.

“It’s only been a few days. I need to sort the gems from the stones and let go of those who must leave.”

“Is that why you didn’t inform them of the secret pact with the provincial office?”

“Why is a secret pact, a secret pact? The fewer people who know, the better.”

In truth, drawing help from the provincial office was not that difficult. Had he not already exchanged much during his conversation with the Deputy Chief Military Commissioner, Hong Jin, who had visited five days ago?

“Our clan has not yet fully established its position. It would be troublesome if rumors of a secret pact with the government were to circulate in this situation.”

“That is true. Even more so if it’s not a rumor, but a fact.”

The conversation he had with Hong Jin included several topics that the minor sects of Shanxi, especially the Five Sects, would not welcome. In particular, if the Seong-un Escort Agency were to hear about the conversation between Jin Wi-gyeong and Hong Jin, they might just foam at the mouth and collapse.

“Right, are the other preparations going well?”

“Yes. The personnel appointments have been completed as you commanded. The lords of the inner and outer halls remain the same, and three new brigades have been established…”

The report flowing from Wi Peng’s mouth was the matter Jin Wi-gyeong had dealt with first, right after the war ended. The current Taiyuan Jin Family was like the rising sun. For the hot-blooded youth of Shanxi, it was the best choice. To embrace all those who continuously flocked to them, their arms had to become wider.

“…It has been handled thus, but as the scale will continue to grow, a reorganization seems necessary in the future.”

“One can only hope.”

Hearing Wi Peng’s report, Jin Wi-gyeong tried his best to appear calm. The Taiyuan Jin Family had been slowly and steadily declining since the Orthodox-Demonic Great War. But now, the clan was rapidly recovering its past glory.

‘No, perhaps it might become even more powerful than before the Great War.’

If that were to happen… then they would truly earn the qualification of a great family[3]. They would shed their status as a remote martial family and stand shoulder to shoulder with the giants of the world.

‘A great family… that’s what it is.’

It was a word that made his heart pound just thinking about it. Just as every martial artist dreamed of becoming a martial god, Jin Wi-gyeong had long wished to place his family on the pedestal of a great family.

‘New Year’s Day is coming soon.’

On that day, in front of all the martial sects of Shanxi, the Taiyuan Jin Family would be recognized as the undisputed hegemon of the province. Jin Wi-gyeong did not doubt that the approaching first day of the new year would be the first stepping stone and the starting signal for the Taiyuan Jin Family to become a great family.

It was at that moment, as he secretly clenched his fist…

“Um, may I come in?”

“Hm? Of course.”

The owner of the voice that appeared soon after was the scholar who had just left.

“What is it? Did you leave something behind?”

“It is not that…” Receiving the puzzled gazes of Jin Wi-gyeong and Wi Peng, he carefully continued.

“There is news that I failed to report.”

“You are such a rigid person. You’ve worked hard for days without proper sleep, so don’t worry about it and go get some rest.”

“No, sir. I should have told you earlier, but I forgot…”

“Nonsense, it’s fine. I told you to go rest.”

Wi Peng also chimed in.

“The Lesser Family Head is right. A person isn’t a Jiangshi; one must get enough rest to have strength for the next day…”

“They say the Huashan Sect has sent the Three Absolutes of Plum Blossoms[4].”

Jin Wi-gyeong and Wi Peng shot up from their seats at the same time.

“What?!”

“What did you say?!”

Who were the Three Absolutes of Plum Blossoms? They were the elite of the Huashan Sect, called the Plum Blossom Sword Masters, and among them, they were the most outstanding talents who had distinguished themselves. In particular, the Crane of Huashan, Baek Mu-seong, was a heavyweight considered to be the next Sect Leader who would carry the future of the Huashan Sect. Hearing such news, it was only natural for their eyes to pop out.

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, I was going to tell you at the end, but… and there is one more thing.”

“One more?”

“Another? Hurry up and tell us!”

The visit of the Three Absolutes was surprising enough, but there was more. The scholar continued with a frown.

“They say their Grandmaster has disappeared. They believe he has gone to our main house, so they asked us to please send word if we see him… Who is this Grandmaster?”

The scholar, still unfamiliar with the affairs of the martial world, was clueless, but Jin Wi-gyeong and Wi Peng’s mouths fell open.

“The Grandmaster of the Huashan Sect would be…”

“Th-th-th… the Sword Saint, Mae Jong-hak.”

Unable to say the name out loud, the two men only mouthed the words and swallowed hard. The Huashan Sect still wanted to keep the Sword Saint’s whereabouts a secret. It was best to be careful with their words at a time like this.

“S-Sir, what did you say?”

“I-It’s, uh, something like that.”

“Pardon?”

“You may leave now. And erase what just happened from your mind. Understood?”

As the bewildered scholar bowed his head and left, the words they had been holding back finally burst out.

“The Sword Saint is coming!”

“Shh, lower your voice. It’s not even certain yet.”

Contrary to his words, Wi Peng’s face was also flushed red. To a swordsman like him, the Sword Saint Mae Jong-hak was greater than the Jade Emperor himself. To think he could meet such a person in person! No, perhaps he might even receive a lesson from him.

“B-But why would the Sword Saint come to our main house?”

“Why else?”

“Ah.”

He had been so excited that he had forgotten. Who was currently staying at the Taiyuan Jin Family?

“So the Sword Saint has broken his seclusion to find his beloved disciple.”

“It is only a guess for now, but the probability is high. He raised him like his own grandson, so how deep must his affection be?”

Jin Wi-gyeong beamed. Whatever the reason, the visit of the Sword Saint was an event to be welcomed with open arms, both as a single martial artist and as the Lesser Family Head of the Taiyuan Jin Family.

“His name was Cheong Pung, right? Where is that friend now? I think I heard something about him training my youngest brother in the Gecko Art a while ago.”

“The Gecko Art training ended two days ago, and now…”

“And now?”

“He is beating the crap out of the Third Young Master.”

“Whaaaat?!”