Chapter 440 : One Loss, Two Gains (2)

Chapter 440: One Loss, Two Gains (2)

When Yong Hwarin spoke to the martial artists of Muhuomun, the five warriors fled in a panic.

Jeong Minji, Mo Biyoung, and Bukri Sehee looked at Cheong Geonmin with pity before they quickly realized why Yong Hwarin had treated him so coldly.

Namgung Yoo and Hoi Unkyung weren’t wearing women’s attire but instead martial arts uniforms typically worn by male warriors.

They had stripped the clothes off corpses somewhere and put them on.

It was easy to guess what they had gone through.

And as the three women noticed Namgung Yoo and Hoi Unkyung hesitating, unable to meet their eyes, they could surmise the situation.

After sending Cheong Geonmin away and hurriedly treating the warriors of the Blood Green Battalion, Yong Hwarin approached the three women.

“They were poisoned by Cheong Geonmin’s drug and were on the verge of death. I had no choice but to take them. I’ll leave their fate in your hands—Min Sister, Yeong Sister, and Hee Sister. If even one of you disapproves, I won’t take them in.”

Namgung Yoo and Hoi Unkyung realized Yong Hwarin’s words were different from what he had initially told them, but they understood this was a lie meant to win over the three women.

If he had forced them to accept the two women, even the most broad-minded women might have rebelled.

Yong Hwarin, already well aware of their hearts, instead provoked their sympathy for Namgung Yoo and Hoi Unkyung.

“I told them not to tell anyone, but I couldn’t stay silent.”

Jeong Minji said with a small smile.

“Are you taking them in out of responsibility?”

When Jeong Minji hit the mark with her question, Yong Hwarin shook his head.

“They were comrades, friends, and allies who never hesitated to risk their lives for me. It’s not just about responsibility. I do have feelings for them.”

Then Mo Biyoung asked,

“So if we oppose it, you won’t take them in?”

Yong Hwarin nodded.

“If the three of you object, how could I face them? We’ll have to live together, and if that would only cause hardship, it’s better not to take them.”

Bukri Sehee opened her mouth.

“I had hoped it would be just the three of us and our ‘gaga,’ but how could ‘gaga’ be an ordinary man? I’ve always liked those two. If they become my sisters, I’ll welcome them.”

Seeing Bukri Sehee—whom he thought most likely to oppose—agree first, Yong Hwarin looked at her with surprise.

Mo Biyoung had already decided to accept anything Yong Hwarin did, so she felt no jealousy.

“If it’s what ‘gaga’ wants, I accept. And I’m in favor of those two serving alongside us.”

Hoi Unkyung and Namgung Yoo were women of rare beauty.

Hoi Unkyung exuded intelligence and maturity, while Namgung Yoo had a lovely and bright personality.

“What do you think, Min Sister? If even one of you objects, I won’t accept them. So it’s okay to be honest.”

Jeong Minji quietly responded.

“I have one request.”

“Go ahead.”

“I don’t expect us to have ‘gaga’ all to ourselves. He’s born to be a hero, and surely women will continue to flock to him. But please promise me this—only accept women who are willing to lay down their lives for ‘gaga’. Miss Namgung and Miss Hoi have already proven that long ago. But women who aren't like that are selfish, and they won’t fit in with us. And let us decide whether such women are acceptable—just like you’re doing now.”

Indeed, Jeong Minji was a wise woman.

She understood that women who were merely infatuated with Yong Hwarin's fame or martial arts prowess—even if they were extraordinary beauties—would bring him no benefit.

Only those willing to sacrifice for him could endure the discomfort and dissatisfaction such a life might entail.

“I’ll remember those words. And I won’t recklessly take women for myself.”

Mo Biyoung said firmly.

“We know that ‘gaga’ isn’t a lecher or someone obsessed with women. We know he took those women only because he had no other choice. What worries us isn’t ‘gaga,’ but the women with impure intentions who might approach him.”

Once things were somewhat settled, Jeong Minji spoke.

“We’ve rescued the two of them. Let’s go back now.”

At that moment, Hoi Unkyung spoke up.

“I’m sorry, but please go ahead first. I can’t just leave Hoi Soyu like this. I can’t take her body and give her a proper burial, but I won’t let her become food for beasts. I’ll bury her here.”

Yong Hwarin understood her desire to fulfill the last duty of humanity.

“I’ll dig the grave. If I do it, it’ll be done quickly.”

Half a si-jin later, a burial mound stood.

There was no gravestone.

Still, Hoi Unkyung buried her, remembering the bond they shared as sisters in their youth.

She stared at the grave with eyes full of regret before turning around.

“Let’s go now, ‘gaga.’”

Seeing that, Bukri Sehee teased her.

“Oh? That sounded so natural, like you’ve been calling him that for years.”

Hoi Unkyung’s face flushed red at the remark.

Truthfully, she had called him that countless times in her heart.

They placed the injured in wagons and carriages.

Yong Hwarin was kicked out of one carriage and had to ride another.

The women had forced him out to establish a hierarchy among themselves.

“Until now, I’ve been the eldest, Mo was second, and Bukri was third. We’re not ranking ourselves based on who served ‘gaga’ first, but by age—since it hasn’t been that long for any of us. But if ‘gaga’ brings in another woman much later, no matter her age, she’ll be the youngest. And even if someone older than me joins, she won’t be the eldest. Because me being the eldest is best for ‘gaga.’”

The other women agreed with those words.

They had known Jeong Minji for a long time but had never met someone as wise and considerate.

Most of all, because she always prioritized Yong Hwarin, there was no choice but to accept her as the eldest.

“Since Hoi Sister is one year younger than me and one year older than Mo Sister, she will be second. Mo Sister and Namgung Sister are the same age, but since Namgung Sister was the last to serve Gaga, she’ll be the fourth. And Bukri Sister will still be the youngest. Does Namgung Sojeo have any objections?”

Jeong Minji had a reason for throwing that pointed question at Namgung Yoo.

Among the women present, Namgung Yoo was the daughter of the most influential family.

In terms of power, Namgung Yoo rightfully should have been the first.

Otherwise, there was no reason someone like her would accept becoming Yong Hwarin’s fourth woman.

“I’m fine with it. I’m just grateful to have the chance to serve Hwarin—no, Gaga.”

Namgung Yoo was still more accustomed to calling him “Hwarin,” so the word “Gaga” didn’t come naturally.

“What if the Namgung Clan makes an issue out of this?”

Mo Biyoung asked with concern.

“My grandfather was always regretful that I couldn’t become Gaga’s woman. So even if I become the fourth, he’ll be happy knowing I did.”

“By grandfather, do you mean the Sword King Namgung Bi?”

Jeong Minji asked, and Namgung Yoo nodded.

“Yes.”

Upon hearing that, the other women’s faces lit up.

“Then there’s nothing to worry about. Who would dare go against Elder Namgung Bi’s words?”

The other women had secretly feared pressure from the Namgung Clan.

“From now on, we’re all on the same boat, bound together for life. Let’s care for and cherish one another.”

When Jeong Minji said that, Namgung Yoo responded.

“Big Sister, please speak comfortably with us. That’s the only way proper order will be maintained.”

Jeong Minji smiled lightly.

“Shall I?”

Hoi Unkyung chimed in.

“We’d be more comfortable if you did.”

Bukri Sehee spoke with a slightly dark expression.

“But even with the five of us, it already feels like a lot. What if Gaga brings in another woman?”

Mo Biyoung reassured her.

“Bukri Sister, don’t worry. Gaga doesn’t recklessly make women his own.”

“I know that, but I’m worried because Gaga is too exceptional. Look—Princess Gyeongseon from the Main Division already seems to harbor feelings for Gaga, and even Jegal Cheongyeong still doesn’t seem to have let him go.”

“If those two became Gaga’s women, that might be fate as well—but in my view, I don’t think either of them could.”

“Why not?”

Bukri Sehee’s eyes widened at Jeong Minji’s remark.

“You can tell by the way Gaga looks at them. When he looks at Princess Gyeongseon or Jegal Sojeo, it’s like he’s looking at childhood friends. That kind of gaze doesn’t suddenly turn into one of romantic affection. When he looked at Hoi Sojeo, there was always a trace of pity. And when he looked at Namgung Sojeo, his gaze always lingered on her chest. That means that, even if they were friends in name, he still saw Namgung Sojeo as a woman. But when he looked at Princess Gyeongseon or Jegal Sojeo, it was like looking at his sworn brother, Jong Gongja. That’s why I think those two will never become his women.”

Now that they heard it, it sounded quite convincing. The others felt noticeably relieved.

“You really are wise, Big Sister. That made me feel a lot better.”

Although it was Bukri Sehee who spoke, the four women all felt the same way she did.

A great stir erupted across Jianghu due to a single incident.

The Heavenly Central Sect had declared war on the Dabie Sect Alliance.

But what truly caught the attention of martial artists was one particular reason.

The Heavenly Central Sect had visited each sect within the Dabie Sect Alliance and issued two demands.

“Either accept ten years of closed-off status as an apology to the Heavenly Central Sect, or resolve it through combat.”

At first, idle gossipers laughed at the Heavenly Central Sect’s recklessness.

After all, defending a position was easy, but attacking and taking a fortified stronghold was difficult.

Many expected the same result as when the Dabie Sect Alliance had attacked the Heavenly Central Sect.

But those expectations were off the mark.

The Dabie Sect refused the ten-year closure and was nearly wiped out by an elite strike from the Heavenly Central Sect—only afterward did they declare ten-year closure.

To maintain face, they chose to accept the ten-year closure.

“Closed-off” meant that the sect would not engage in any external activity. That included business as well.

With the Dabie Sect brought to near annihilation, all economic influence in the region naturally fell into the hands of the Heavenly Central Sect.

It would take at least thirty years for a sect crushed like that to recover.

Frightened by this display of power, the Saryong Sect voluntarily declared a ten-year closure to avoid the Heavenly Central Sect’s wrath.

This shocked Jianghu with the overwhelming presence of the Heavenly Central Sect.

However, as word spread that the next target was the Iron Response Sect, all eyes in Jianghu focused there.

Depending on how the Iron Response Sect responded, the true strength of the Heavenly Central Sect would be revealed.

Rumors spread that Jeon Joong, the founder of the Iron Blood Saber Manual, had returned to the Iron Response Sect and was waiting for Yong Hwarin.

Since the Iron Response Sect was founded by Elder Am Myeonggok, they were unlikely to yield due to pride.

The clash between these two forces would allow everyone to gauge the Heavenly Central Sect’s real power.

Thus, martial artists began gathering to follow the Heavenly Central Sect’s ten-year closure campaign.

The tide of Murim was shifting—centered around the Heavenly Central Sect.