Chapter: The Hundred Families Alliance

Henan (河南), located at the heart of the central plains, was surrounded by Anhui, Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Hubei—truly a crossroads of the Middle Kingdom.

It was no surprise, then, that the two pillars of the Baekdo Alliance, the Murim Alliance and the Hundred Families Alliance, were both based in Zhengzhou, Henan.

These two forces were split east and west by Daeuijiro (대의지로), a massive road that ran vertically through the city.

On the eastern side stood a series of massive, enclosed walls arranged in the shape of the character ‘구 (口)’.

This was the domain of the Hundred Families Alliance—formed thirty years ago by a hundred noble families who had seceded from the Murim Alliance.

The Hundred Families Alliance.

“Master. Lady Ahyeon has arrived at the Namgung household.”

Inside [Waryongjeon], the central hall of the Hundred Families Alliance, a man in white martial attire reported respectfully.

The man he addressed was a dignified-looking middle-aged man, holding a brush, who gave a soft smile and replied:

“Gwanwol. This is not a family estate. Use titles instead.”

His tone was gentle, but carried a subtle pressure.

“My apologies, Chief Strategist.”

“No need for that. In fact, it pleases me—feels like you’re putting the name ‘Jegal’ before ‘Baekga’ in your heart.”

As the middle-aged man smiled, the man named Jegal Gwanwol bowed his head in humble reverence.

‘Of course. The brain that moves the great body of the Hundred Families—none other than our Jegal clan!’

Jegal Gwanwol looked up proudly at the man before him: Jegal Shinsan, Chief Strategist of the Hundred Families Alliance and the head of the Jegal clan.

“So, Ahyeon has arrived at the Namgung estate?”

“Yes, sir.”

“She didn’t have any… episodes, did she?”

“…No, sir.”

Jegal Shinsan clicked his tongue at the hesitant reply.

“Tsk tsk. We gave her the richest soil, the best fertilizer, and the warmest sunlight… and still, she turned out rotten.”

“……”

“Well, at least she still looks like a ripe fruit. There’ll be demand.”

A cold light flashed through Jegal Shinsan’s eyes.

He asked, “The Baekga Sword Tournament will soon be held at the Moyong estate. Finding out who the next heir will be and securing ties early will pay off greatly. What’s your take?”

“Among the four candidates, the second young master seems the most promising.”

“Why?”

“Second young master Moyong Cheol is said to resemble the current family head in his youth. Merciless to his enemies, ruthless, and leaves no loose ends.”

Jegal Shinsan nodded thoughtfully.

“The eldest, Moyong Hu, has the best physique but a soft and indecisive temperament. A real pity.”

Though renowned as the ‘Shingi Jegal (神機諸葛)’ for his unparalleled intellect, the Jegal clan had always lacked in physical strength.

Even with exceptional internal energy techniques, few were able to master them due to poor physical foundations.

Jegal Shinsan had taken nine wives with strong physiques, but it was always one or the other—either the brain was dull, or the body was weak.

‘Ahyeon was the only success. Until three years ago.’

Jegal Shinsan shook his head in disappointment.

He had hoped she would be the Waryong Talent to elevate the clan’s name, but now she had mental instability.

“Hmm… what if we paired Moyong Hu and Ahyeon? That might produce a Waryong heir.”

“I believe that would be unwise.”

“As expected?”

“Moyong Cheol is highly suspicious and meticulous. If we want to back him, we must fully oppose Moyong Hu.”

“Tsk. What about the third and fourth?”

“Third is cunning and sinister—fond of schemes.”

“A snake can never become a dragon.”

“The fourth is an illegitimate child and too young to become heir.”

“Hmm…”

Jegal Shinsan contemplated, then nodded.

“Very well. Make contact with Moyong Cheol. Ahyeon would make a decent gift.”

“I will send a message hawk to the Thousand Hands Pavilion. However…”

Jegal Gwanwol hesitated, then continued.

“Are we really… ending the prenatal betrothal with the Namgung clan?”

“Hm?”

“Even in decline, the Namgung clan is not to be taken lightly. There are rumors of their resurgence.”

Jegal Shinsan smirked.

“You mean the Hopyo delivery business? Interesting, but ultimately they’re just errand boys. Namgung is desperate.”

“Also, Lady Ahyeon’s betrothed, Namgung Hoyeon, is being called a ‘New Dragon’ within their clan.”

“Heh. Whether they call him a dragon or a worm inside the family, what does it matter? Outside, they’re all just frogs in a well.”

“……”

Noting Jegal Gwanwol’s concern, Jegal Shinsan added:

“If it bothers you, tell the Thousand Hands Pavilion to keep an eye on Namgung Hoyeon during the month-long Baekga Sword Tournament. More hooks in the water are always better.”

“Yes, sir.”

[Changungjeon] – Family Head’s Chambers

When his youngest son arrived, Namgung Baek opened his arms wide.

“Oh! Hoyeon!”

Smack!

But Hoyeon nimbly sidestepped the hug with practiced ease.

Wounded, Namgung Baek muttered:

“Your Infinite Step (無限步) has improved again. But why does my heart feel infinitely bitter?”

“…Not falling for it this time.”

“Sigh… Now even my youngest pushes me away. I have no one to open my heart to in this household. Life is lonely and stifling…”

“Oh, come on.”

Hug!

Hearing his father’s dramatic monologue, Hoyeon begrudgingly stepped into his embrace.

Namgung Baek’s face lit up as he hugged him tightly.

“Ha ha ha! Only my youngest understands me! I feel invigorated!”

“……”

His face squashed like a rice cake, Hoyeon stared up at the ceiling with a gaze full of despair.

Boy, be grateful when someone gives you attention. You won’t get that when you’re older.

‘Who asked for it?’

Tsk, tsk. Saying things you don’t mean again. You don’t hate it, do you?

‘…Didn’t say I hated it. Just awkward, that’s all. Damn, letting people close is a great way to get killed.’

As Hoyeon conversed with the Heavenly Thunder Sword, Namgung Baek released the hug.

Hoyeon’s eyes instantly sharpened.

“Father, you called for me?”

“Ah, yes. Your fiancée has arrived. You two were betrothed before birth, remember?”

“……”

‘What the hell? It’s real?’

Prenatal betrothal?

Wasn’t that just something rich families did to merge power and wealth?

‘…Guess I’m rich.’

While Hoyeon was stunned, Namgung Baek ruffled his hair.

“Don’t worry. It’s not memory loss. You’ve never met your fiancée.”

“Huh?”

“She is Jegal Ahyeon of the Jegal clan. Exceptionally talented in martial arts and has lived in seclusion to train since childhood.”

Namgung Baek smiled gently.

“You were supposed to meet her last year, but you were ill. So it got postponed.”

“What’s special about now?”

“The Baekga Sword Tournament.”

Hoyeon raised an eyebrow.

Over the past year, he had learned a lot about the world’s current state. The biggest shock? That the orthodox factions had split.

‘The Murim Alliance led by the Nine Great Sects, and the Hundred Families Alliance led by the noble houses.’

Traditionally, sects and noble houses had distinct roles.

Sects like Shaolin, Wudang, and Huashan followed religious or ideological identities.

Families followed lineage and tradition.

‘Sects are built on teacher-disciple relationships, while families rely on blood. That makes the families more worldly.’

Still, it was shocking that the martial world, once united, had divided.

The reason? Inequality.

‘Even 300 years ago, the Murim Alliance was dominated by the Nine Great Sects.’

Feeling sidelined, the families eventually banded together thirty years ago to form the Hundred Families Alliance.

‘Pfft. Unbelievable. Just spoiled brats too comfy for their own good.’

In Hoyeon’s eyes, the Alliance’s independence was a blunder born of complacency.

‘Apparently, there hasn’t been a major war or massacre in the Central Plains in a hundred years.’

Without external threats, internal strife brewed.

Power left to rot turned inward—leading to this mess.

‘Back in my day, they formed whole coalitions just to take me down.’

As Hoyeon reminisced, Namgung Baek continued.

“The Baekga Sword Tournament originally gathered sword-based families to assess rising talents.”

“Originally… so not anymore?”

Namgung Baek chuckled.

“Think about it. What family doesn’t have a sword technique?”

“Oh… that’s true.”

The sword was often called the King of Weapons.

Though spearmen and sabermen would disagree, swords remained the most common martial weapon.

Hence, every family had sword techniques.

So while it was called a “sword tournament,” in reality, it had become a social gathering of nearly all families.

“It’s held every five years, just like the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.”

Hoyeon nodded.

“That’s the nationwide martial arts tournament, right? A pride match between Murim and the Alliance.”

“Exactly. That’s why your brother Cheonggang went into seclusion. The Gathering is two years away.”

“Then the Baekga Sword Tournament is sort of a warm-up.”

“Right. A way to give unknown juniors some fame and titles before the main event.”

Hoyeon’s reaction was blunt.

‘So it’s basically a bunch of brats playing house.’

“Hey, I’m the strongest!”

“No, I’m stronger!”

“We’re the strongestest!”

What a joke.

‘Ugh. Just imagining those kids strutting around makes me want to slice them. I’m not going.’

As he shook his head and sighed internally…

Namgung Baek added:

“Jegal Ahyeon came here to attend the tournament—with you.”

“…What?”

I’m screwed.

[Cheongunjeong] – Guest Quarters

Cheongunjeong was a detached wing for guests of the Namgung family.

Though it was broad daylight, the pavilion was heavily curtained.

“Huh? Why’s it so dark over there?”

“Ah, they said guests arrived.”

“Oh really?”

“Must’ve come from far away. They’re probably already asleep.”

Thinking the guests were resting, the maids lowered their voices.

But they were wrong.

Inside the guest bedroom of Cheongunjeong.

“More blankets!”

“Hurry!”

“Has the Thousand Hands Mistress arrived yet?!”

Female martial artists in white were piling mountains of blankets onto a bed.

From inside that pile came a never-ending, bloodcurdling scream.

“KYAAAAAAAAAA!”