-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: The Grand Plan
-----------------------------------------------------------------
When a single person appears and reigns as the overlord of the entire Jungwon, people call them 'the greatest martial artist under heaven.'
However, when a single force emerges, subjugates all other forces in Jungwon, and reigns supreme, people will remember the head of that force as 'the Overlord.'
"What he wants is to become the Overlord. An Overlord whom everyone kneels before and worships."
To achieve that, not only Hyeolma but the entire Hyeolgyo must be prepared. The time required for this is five years.
'Today's events are proof that the Hyeolgyo isn't ready yet.'
The Yuk Hyeolju Seolhwa saw today was considerably weaker than the one she knew in her previous life.
He wasn't accustomed to the blood arts passed down by Hyeolma, and because of that, he hadn't even managed to seize control of the Yangtze River Surochae yet.
This was the same Yuk Hyeolju who, five years later, would possess martial prowess on par with Namgung Mucheon and influence comparable to the Namgung Sega.
In that sense, meeting Yuk Hyeolju today was a stroke of destiny.
With this, one of the six central forces of the Hyeolgyo had been eliminated.
'There's a chance Hyeolma will appoint a new Yuk Hyeolju, but for now, this is enough.'
Yuk Hyeolju's death would shock Hyeolma and serve as an excellent declaration of war.
If this incident caused him to give up on her, it would be even better.
Hyeolma might appoint a new Yuk Hyeolju, or this incident might provoke him into hastening the Hyeolgyo's emergence, but since she had decided to change the past, the future's alteration was inevitable.
'I just need to prepare accordingly.'
Much had already changed, and for the better. One of the six Hyeolju had been killed, leaving five.
The war had already begun.
* * *
The Surochae was in disarray.
Throughout the area, the treatment of the wounded, who had emerged from the battle with the Hyeolsachae, was in full swing.
"Young Miss!"
Ryeon, who spotted Seolhwa, ran over in a single breath.
Only then did Namgung Mucheon set Seolhwa down on the ground.
"I'll go check on your father."
"Yes. I'll see you in the tent, Grandfather."
As Namgung Mucheon and Seop Mugwang left, Ryeon, who had been pacing anxiously a short distance away, approached.
"...Young Miss."
"Ryeon."
Just as Seolhwa was about to ask, "Were you scolded badly?"
*Thud!* Ryeon knelt before Seolhwa.
"Please punish me for failing to properly guard the Young Miss and for not being by your side during such a dangerous moment!"
Seolhwa blinked in surprise.
It seemed she had indeed been scolded very badly.
"Get up."
"Young Miss..."
"I was the one who sent you away. If anyone deserves punishment, it's me. So, get up."
But Ryeon couldn't take the hand Seolhwa offered. Seolhwa sighed softly, bent her knees, and sat before her.
"Everyone has a first time, don't they? This is my first time having a guard, too..."
In her entire life, including her previous one.
"And this is your first time being a guard."
Seolhwa extended her hand to Ryeon once more.
"You can learn from this mistake and do better in the future."
Ryeon raised her gaze, following the small hand offered before her.
Ryeon hesitated for a moment at the child's sweet smile.
'Young Miss... something...'
Hasn't something changed about the Young Miss...?
The fact that Seolhwa lacked emotions was known only to a few, including Namgung Mucheon and Cheongun.
However, Ryeon, who had been closest to Seolhwa recently, was the first to notice the child's subtle change.
"Thank... you."
Ryeon took the child's hand.
She wasn't sure what had changed, but it felt like a sign of good things to come.
"Namgung Ryeon. I will continue to serve the Young Miss with my utmost best."
* * *
Excluding Cheongun and Cheongsan, who urgently needed treatment, Namgung Mucheon, Seop Mugwang, and the Black Dragon Commander gathered in the Fortress Master's tent.
Seolhwa also remained present, as there were matters to discuss regarding Jin Soyak's severed meridian treatment and his future.
Though a young child was among the adults, no one found it strange.
Maeng Deungho, who had joined the battle relatively late and sustained fewer injuries, raised an eyebrow at the peculiar sight as he entered the tent.
"Are you the Gwiyoungchae Master?"
Namgung Mucheon, seated at the head, asked in a deliberately stern voice.
Maeng Deungho offered him a cupped fist salute.
"I greet Cheonryonggeomhwang."
"Have a seat."
Just as Maeng Deungho was about to take his place.
"Was it you who abducted my granddaughters?"
Maeng Deungho involuntarily flinched, his body trembling.
Without emitting any internal energy or killing intent, an undeniable pressure flowed from Namgung Mucheon.
He was so overwhelmed that he couldn't even part his lips, only sweating profusely, until Namgung Mucheon's gaze, which had lingered for a long time, finally shifted.
"I wondered who dared to touch my granddaughters, and it turns out to be a mere youth."
At that moment, Maeng Deungho understood what Soyak had meant.
'Sister Seolhwa said so! She said if I pretended to be a hostage, it would save Dad!'
He had thought it was an act to save the Namgung people. But it wasn't just that. Thanks to it, his head was still attached.
At this moment, Maeng Deungho was grateful to Seolhwa.
"Enough of that. Seolhwa, didn't you say you had something to tell him?"
"Yes."
Seolhwa looked at Maeng Deungho.
"It's about Soyak. I propose that Soyak stay at the Namgung Sega until his severed meridians are completely healed."
Maeng Deungho's gaze wavered slightly.
"Does the severed meridian treatment take a long time?"
"At least five years."
The Yin-Yang Severed Meridians require constant regulation of qi and blood through elixirs until the symptoms fully manifest.
The most crucial part of the treatment is when the symptoms appear and qi and blood become twisted. If an Absolute Peak master or higher rectifies the qi and blood during an attack, it can be completely cured.
"The symptoms of Yin-Yang Severed Meridians appear around the age of ten. Soyak is six, so it will take four or five years. The year or two before the symptoms appear will be the time when Soyak is weakest."
The child was already weak due to his severed meridians, and he would only get weaker, prone to spitting blood and collapsing.
"Are you going to leave him in such a dangerous place?"
Maeng Deungho let out a long sigh.
Ever since he learned Soyak suffered from severed meridians, he had done everything he could.
He had sought out renowned physicians, traveled through mountains to find elixirs, and even dared to provoke the Namgung Sega.
'Five years apart, if it means saving my child.'
"I'll... do as you say."
He had abducted a Namgung child, and now he was offering his own child as a hostage.
What bandit would ever place their child in an orthodox clan? No one from the underworld would do such a thing.
'Banditry is out of the question now.'
If he were to do anything even slightly unreasonable, they would use his child to pressure him.
It was practically a command to stop his bandit activities.
"Don't worry. Five years will pass in an instant."
"What do you mean?"
"Because during that time, you must become the Chief Fortress Master of the Yangtze River Surochae."
"...?"
Seeing his confusion, Seolhwa pointed to the waterway map spread out on the table.
*Tap.*
The child pointed to the eastern part of the map, where the Hyeolsachae was located.
"Today, Gwiyoungchae defeated Hyeolsachae. Hyeolsachae is the wealthiest of the eighteen fortresses, serving as a hub connected to the sea routes."
"...That's right."
Seolhwa's hand then moved to the location of Gwiyoungchae.
"And Gwiyoungchae is strong enough to survive within the sphere of our Namgung Sega's influence. Since it's a waterway leading to Hubei, it has even withstood the influence of the famous Wudang and Zhuge Family."
Maeng Deungho nodded unconsciously.
He, who had just a moment ago found it strange that a thirteen-year-old child was involved, was now listening to the child's words more intently than anyone.
"The Surochae's greatest wealth and solid martial power. With these two, it's not an impossible feat."
Indeed, in her previous life, Yuk Hyeolju had accomplished this.
"Furthermore..."
Seolhwa smiled brightly and looked back at Namgung Mucheon.
"When necessary, the Namgung Sega will assist you, Master."
Namgung Mucheon nodded silently.
This had been decided before Maeng Deungho arrived.
Make Gwiyoungchae the ruler of the Surochae. Thus, secure the waterways.
Someone would become the Chief Fortress Master eventually, seizing control of the waterways.
In that case, it was better for that person to be someone the Namgung Sega, someone Seolhwa, could control.
'All that's left is...'
Maeng Deungho's will.
"Fortress Master."
Maeng Deungho, who had been staring blankly at the map, raised his gaze to meet the child's.
Until now, he had only thought of protecting Gwiyoungchae, never expanding the Surochae's domain.
But if he had the wealth of Hyeolsachae and the martial power of Gwiyoungchae backing him, and the Namgung Sega helped him...?
"Don't you want to control the waterways that span across Jungwon?"
The child's words were sweet.
"If it's you, Fortress Master, you can certainly become the overlord of the waters. And..."
It was so sweet that his mind went blank.
In that blank mind,
"With that power, no one will dare to harm Soyak."
A single, clear goal was drawn.
