An oppressive atmosphere hung over the Murim Alliance's banquet hall. Servants cautiously carried food about, wary of their surroundings.
Maeng Ryonghwi scoffed.
"Are you orthodox prudes always this quiet at mealtime?"
Silent though they were, they all shared the same thought: Isn't this all your fault?!
Nevertheless, some paid the heavy mood no mind. Maeng Ryonghwi, the leaders of the Unorthodox Alliance, and their subordinates enjoyed the banquet without a care in the world.
"Hey? Is this all the alcohol you've got?"
"We've come a long way, so bring out some more meat!"
Maeng Ryonghwi grinned, not giving an inch.
"I heard Taoists and Buddhist monks only eat grass. The side dishes are pretty disappointing..."
He strode forward and stood before Maeng Ryonghwi, lifting the corners of his mouth slightly as he fixed his gaze on the man.
By any normal measure, the Murim Alliance was enemy territory, yet the martial artists of the Unorthodox Alliance ate and drank to their hearts' content. They showed no fear of poison, loosening their belts and feasting as if they were in their own homes.
"......"
In stark contrast, the orthodox martial artists were stiff and somber. Hardly anyone touched their food. The atmosphere made it difficult to tell who the host was and who the guest was.
Sipping expensive Shaoxing wine straight from the bottle, Maeng Ryonghwi looked around and tilted his head. "Why is everyone so uptight? Just relax and eat."
Every orthodox martial artist glared at him. Silent though they were, they all shared the same thought: Isn't this all your fault?!
The Qingcheng Sect's swordsmanship had been defeated before a massive crowd. Worse yet, the martial artist who was bested was none other than the Qingcheng Sword Saint, the sect's greatest master.
The Qingcheng Sword Saint lost in a single exchange...
So this is why the Blade Demon So Jigwang gave up the position of Unorthodox Alliance Chairman...
The Unorthodox Alliance Chairman, Maeng Ryonghwi, might be the new strongest master of the unorthodox.
"Hey? Is this all the alcohol you've got?"
The leaders of the old sects and the renowned masters of the orthodox murim all wore somber expressions. Although the Murim Alliance Chairman and the Supreme Buddha mediated to prevent further conflict, the Qingcheng Sect's honor was already tarnished, and the Qingcheng Sword Saint would no longer be counted among the Ten Great Swordsmen.
The Qingcheng Sect did not attend the banquet, citing the critically injured Qingcheng Sword Saint and wounded Elder as the reason, but no one believed them.
Glaring at Maeng Ryonghwi, the Sword Sage spat, "Thanks to you, the disciples of Qingcheng are greatly troubled. Do you think this is still a place where the Nine Sects One Gang can dine in peace?"
Maeng Ryonghwi smirked. So he orthodox sects had fiery tempers, too.
"Anyone listening would think I cut off their arms and legs ," he chuckled. "Why are you making such a fuss over a couple of people fainting?"
"Hah! Don't you unorthodox folks learn basic courtesy, such as addressing your elders with respect?"
The orthodox masters shot up from their seats, angered by the mockery.
"I was taught to crush anyone who picks a fight first, whether they're my elder or not."
"You bastard..."
Maeng Ryonghwi grinned, not giving an inch.
The Sword Sage's eyebrows twitched fiercely, but just as he was about to fire back, Maeng Ryonghwi changed the topic.
"Hey? Is this all the alcohol you've got?"
"Setting Qingcheng aside, why are some of the Nine Sects One Gang missing? I assumed all of you would attend."
"That's..." The Sword Sage hesitated.
Several members of the Nine Sects One Gang were boycotting the banquet to protest against the Murim Alliance Chairman's proposed alliance with the unorthodox. Little did they know, their actions also revealed to the world that the orthodox faction was anything but united.
Maeng Ryonghwi clicked his tongue. "Tsk. I can tell without you saying a word."
Yayul Hwang's face flushed with shame, and the other orthodox masters frowned grimly as well.
"I'm disappointed. At this rate, will you even be able to fight when the Blood Cult invades?"
Maeng Ryonghwi sneered as he swept his gaze around the hall. Downing his Shaoxing wine in one gulp, he continued, eyes glinting with killing intent. "I feel like I could wipe out every last one of you right now."
The orthodox masters shot up from their seats, angered by the mockery.
"You are being too arrogant!"
"Show some courtesy!"
"...!" Yayul Hwang quietly gritted his teeth.
Nevertheless, not one of them dared to step forward. Maeng Ryonghwi's formidable martial prowess still loomed large in their memories, and he was not the only one here who inspired fear.
RUSTLE!
"Did our Chairman say something wrong?" Blue-Eyed Freak rose, a ghastly blue energy radiating from his eyes.
Everyone, including the sect leaders of the Nine Sects One Gang, was keenly aware of the presence of the world's strongest bladesman and former Black Snake Alliance Chairman.
"If you want the Unorthodox Alliance to show you courtesy, you should show us some respect first. But what did you do? You invited guests here, only to point your swords at them!" the Viridian Scholar reprimanded firmly.
Several members of the Nine Sects One Gang were boycotting the banquet to protest against the Murim Alliance Chairman's proposed alliance with the unorthodox. Little did they know, their actions also revealed to the world that the orthodox faction was anything but united.
The Soul Hunting Bow Phantom furrowed her brow at the orthodox masters before her. Lightly stroking the bow beside her with one hand, she said, "...If you don't want holes in your heads, I suggest you all sit back down."
The auras radiating subtly from Blue Eyed Freak, the Viridian Scholar, and the Soul Hunting Bow Phantom—all three of whom were renowned unorthodox leaders—filled the banquet hall with a deadly atmosphere.
The Unorthodox Alliance martial artists, who had been comfortably eating and drinking moments ago, set down their cups and laid hands on their weapons, poised to start a bloodbath at the slightest signal.
"Gulp..."
The sound of someone swallowing dryly rang out.
The martial artists of the orthodox and unorthodox sects split to either side and glared at one another. Everyone could feel the tension stretching to its breaking point.
Suddenly, a curious voice, utterly out of place, drifted in from a corner of the banquet hall.
"Oho? So this is the kitchen knife you use in the Murim Alliance's kitchen?"
"Yes! That's right."
"The center of gravity sits a bit low. Do you normally hold it like this when you use it?"
"More like this..."
"Could you give me a demonstration?"
"I hold it and use it like this. It may be a humble skill in the eyes of a martial artist, but..."
"What are you talking about? No one handles a blade with as much delicacy as a chef."
The Murim Alliance Chef broke out in a cold sweat as he answered a barrage of questions about how to use a kitchen knife. Although the man gave off no discernible aura and seemed to have never learned martial arts, his presence loomed as powerfully as Maeng Ryonghwi's.
The Blade Demon So Jigwang...!
Everyone, including the sect leaders of the Nine Sects One Gang, was keenly aware of the presence of the world's strongest bladesman and former Black Snake Alliance Chairman.
Why can't I sense any inner qi from the Blade Demon?
Has his level risen so high that he has achieved perfect Origin Reversal?
The world is already in turmoil with Maeng Ryonghwi alone...
"Hmm..."
"Could it be...?"