Became a God-Level M Chapter 190 : Is It Really Coincidence?

Chapter 190: Is It Really Coincidence?

The Clan Head of the Seomun Clan, Seomun Jeok.

About twenty years ago, he had been called the greatest scoundrel of the Orthodox Faction. But after living decades burdened with responsibility on his shoulders, he had grown into soone befitting the role of a clan head.

The judgnt of a clan head who led one of the great clans was swift, and his actions even swifter.

Seomun Jeok imdiately strode toward Jin Seong-un and spoke.

“Seong-un, leave the aftermath to

and the Seomun Clan. You are like a son to . No, you are even more like a son than my own son. I will never overlook this matter.”

His actual son, Seomun Ak, stared at his father with a dumbfounded expression. Regardless, Seomun Jeok’s gaze burned fiercely as he looked at Jin Seong-un.

What was a Great Master? They were those who stood shoulder to shoulder not only with the best in the world but with the greatest of all ti.

If this brazen innkeeper was soone who might one day beco such a man, then as the head of a great clan, the attitude Seomun Jeok ought to take was clear.

“Subdue those villains imdiately and force them all to kneel!”

As soon as Seomun Jeok issued the command, a hundred martial artists of the Seomun Clan moved with overwhelming force.

The martial artists of the Baek Li Clan had been reduced to less than half their number, and were already utterly exhausted.

They had completely lost their will to fight.

Watching the movents of the Seomun Clan’s warriors, Elder Baek Li-hyeong cried out toward Seomun Jeok in desperation.

“Seomun Clan Head! Do you truly an that the Seomun Clan intends to wage war against the Baek Li Clan?”

Baek Li-hyeong glared at Seomun Jeok with fiery eyes. The two had once been peers in the Murim Alliance during their younger years, with so degree of friendship between them.

But Seomun Jeok coldly averted his gaze.

Just as Baek Li-hyeong moved closer, intending to protest further—

Whoosh—!

Both of Seomun Jeok’s fists flared with crimson qi projection. It was fiercer and brighter than Seomun Ak’s own.

The blazing manifestation of his qi projection seed to mirror Seomun Jeok’s fury.

Seeing this, Baek Li-hyeong flinched for a mont, then let out a long, heavy sigh.

…

…

All of the Baek Li Clan’s martial artists were subdued and locked inside the dungeon they themselves had prepared.

Soon, Huamyeong and other martial artists of the Murim Alliance would arrive, at which point Seomun Jeok intended to hand them over.

Finally, Seomun Jeok tossed Elder Baek Li-hyeong into the dungeon as though discarding him, clicking his tongue.

“To think you had a dungeon of this scale prepared within your residence. Just what vile deed were you planning to commit?”

“Seomun Jeok, let us speak for a mont.”

Elder Baek Li-hyeong’s tone grew grave.

Seomun Jeok stared at him for a while, then stepped into the dungeon.

Baek Li-hyeong’s coarse voice echoed.

“For now, let this matter be set aside. I will explain everything later. Of course, I’m not asking for this without giving sothing in return. As you know, both the clan head and his eldest son are incapacitated, so the next clan head will be…”

He seed to be attempting so sort of negotiation.

Seomun Jeok nodded slowly, then spoke in a low, quiet tone.

“Do you know the reason? Why I spare the Baek Li Clan, even after what you did to my son and his friends?”

“……”

“It is because much ti has passed. I am a clan head now. As an elder of the Orthodox Faction, I strive to uphold procedure and order. So I beg you—do not render my efforts aningless.”

For a fleeting mont, Baek Li-hyeong recalled Seomun Jeok’s younger days. A hothead so rash that he stirred up trouble everywhere he went.

And he realized—if Seomun Jeok lost control of his temper now, he truly might be killed. Baek Li-hyeong shut his mouth.

Seomun Jeok nodded with satisfaction, his tone softening slightly.

“What were you planning to do with the children? To the point of imprisoning disciples of Mount Hua Sect, the second son of the Seomun Clan, and the Guest Dragon favored by Elder White Cloud Sword?”

Seomun Jeok guessed that they had certainly committed a grave transgression. Such reckless actions could easily lead to the annihilation of their clan or at the very least, being sealed off forever.

Just like now.

Elder Baek Li-hyeong looked up at Seomun Jeok and said,

“I will speak of this before the Murim Alliance. According to the ‘procedures’ you are so fond of. I have nothing further to say to you.”

“Is that so?”

Seomun Jeok briefly glanced outside the dungeon.

If no one had been around, he would have smashed this man’s skull with a single punch. But unfortunately, the clan’s martial artists were everywhere.

Clicking his tongue in frustration, Seomun Jeok patted Baek Li-hyeong’s shoulder.

“Pray you live long enough to make it to the Murim Alliance.”

Leaving the dungeon, Seomun Jeok imdiately headed for the rear courtyard of the residence. There, Chief Steward Seomun Pyeong and other martial artists were already examining the children.

Seomun Jeok narrowed his eyes at them. The number of children the Baek Li Clan had gathered here was close to one hundred.

“What have you discovered?”

“…Not much yet. Only testimonies that they were well fed and rested. Ah, and it seems they were also made to practice martial arts from ti to ti.”

Wiping sweat from his brow, Chief Steward Seomun Pyeong replied.

Seomun Jeok nodded, observing the children closely, until sothing strange caught his eye.

“What is that?”

“Pardon?”

“There are letters written beneath their necks.”

On the back of one child’s neck, faint letters could be seen. Seomun Pyeong, face grim, approached the child and lowered his collar to confirm.

The character “??” (Not) was written there in bold strokes.

Checking the other children revealed the sa markings in the sa place.

So bore the character “??” (Not), while others bore the character “??” (Fit).

Jin Seong-un, who was inspecting the children with the Seomun Clan warriors, quickly deduced the aning.

“They seem to have been classified according to their martial aptitude.”

The few children marked with “??” (Fit) possessed above-average physiques and martial potential.

Whereas the vast majority of ordinary children bore the character “??” (Not).

And then—

“Clan Head! There are large pits outside the wall!”

The expressions of everyone present—Seomun Jeok, Jin Seong-un, and the others—hardened instantly.

Upon checking, the reported pits were indeed quite large. They had clearly been dug out deliberately.

Seomun Pyeong, the Seomun Clan’s Chief Steward, thought deeply for a mont before reaching a grim conclusion.

“Considering the ratio of children marked with ‘Not’, the size of the pits, and the wagons prepared…”

His words trailed off.

But everyone already understood what the Baek Li Clan had intended to do.

Seomun Ak’s face flushed red. Lately, whenever he witnessed inhuman acts of depravity, uncontrollable rage surged within him.

And beside him stood a man whose face turned twice as red as Seomun Ak’s.

Seomun Jeok’s face burned crimson, as though he were the very image of Guan Yu from the pages of history, his breath seething through his nose like a bull about to charge.

At last, Seomun Jeok began striding forward—toward the dungeon.

Seomun Pyeong cried out in shock.

“C-Clan Head! You mustn’t!”

The Clan Head, Seomun Jeok, scoffed at the restraint of his younger brother and Chief Steward, Seomun Pyeong, and instead burst forth with movent arts, darting ahead.

Seomun Pyeong rushed after him.

However, since there was a considerable difference in their martial ability, the distance between them steadily widened.

By the ti Seomun Pyeong belatedly arrived before the dungeon, a loud crash erupted from within.

Seomun Pyeong hurriedly entered the dungeon.

The scene before him was exactly as he had feared.

“No, elder brother…”

Seomun Pyeong looked around in dismay for his brother.

Seomun Jeok’s right fist was drenched in blood, and beneath it lay the shattered skull of Baek Li-hyeong, who had perished instantly.

At last, Seomun Jeok had struck him dead with a single blow. He exhaled a long breath and said,

“I will tell the Chief Strategist the truth and accept whatever punishnt is deed fitting, so do not worry. In fact, this was the better way. Had I held it in, I would surely have fallen ill with fury and died soon enough.”

“…Elder brother, is that sothing to say? No matter what, he was still the First Elder of the Baek Li Clan.”

“It is precisely because he was the First Elder of the Baek Li Clan that my anger burned all the more.”

Seomun Pyeong let out a long sigh.

How could he not understand his brother’s heart? He too had nearly burst with rage when he realized the Baek Li Clan had planned to bury the unqualified children alive in the pits.

But emotions and actions were separate matters. Especially for soone who held the position of clan head or chief steward.

Seomun Pyeong looked at his elder brother with a troubled expression, only for Seomun Jeok to respond with a proud look.

“So what. Then why don’t you beco the clan head instead?”

“……”

Seomun Pyeong’s sigh deepened.

Though he was intelligent, he lacked the dignity and leadership of Clan Head Seomun Jeok.

And he knew this well. Thus, he had never once coveted the position of clan head.

He could assist with strategy, but the unique dignity and commanding presence could never be replaced.

When Seomun Jeok ca out with the attitude of “Do what you will,” Seomun Pyeong nodded.

“Hahaha, very well. Sohow it will work out.”

It had been exactly twenty years since he beca the Seomun Clan’s Chief Steward. Having lived with a clan head and a second son who took turns causing trouble as if spinning a windmill, Seomun Pyeong had grown sowhat detached from worldly concerns.

At the very ti Baek Li-hyeong’s head was crushed,

Seo Yu-gyeom was rummaging through the residence’s kitchen, complaining of hunger.

Since there were quite a number of people staying in the residence, the food supplies were not small either.

After quickly gauging the amount of provisions, Seo Yu-gyeom ca outside and asked Seomun Jeok,

“Did the Seomun Clan’s warriors also co here without eating?”

“That’s not the case.”

“Well, it looks like there’s only enough for about thirty n to have one or two als. Why did you bring so many all at once instead of moderately?”

“……”

Seomun Jeok looked around at the nearly one hundred Seomun Clan warriors. Truth be told, when they arrived, the Baek Li Clan’s warriors had already lost the will to fight. Thinking back, it had indeed been an excessive deploynt.

Feeling awkward, Seomun Jeok said,

“You impudent brat. We rushed here in one breath to save you, and all you can say is ‘Thank you’ with a bow. You needn’t prepare food for our warriors, but make sure mine is taken care of.”

“……”

“I’ve been craving your cooking from ti to ti.”

At this, Seomun Pyeong clicked his tongue and said,

“Really, Clan Head. Do you intend to make a man who was nearly dead and only just recovered cook for you?”

“Did I order him? He said he’d do it.”

“Good grief.”

Shaking his head, Seomun Pyeong walked away. Watching his younger brother’s retreating back, Seomun Jeok muttered complaints about the clan’s hierarchy crumbling.

It was then that Jin Seong-un, who had been quietly recuperating beneath a tree, stood and looked toward the gate. Everyone’s gaze followed his.

Suddenly, the gate to the residence burst open, and dozens of martial artists poured in.

The one leading them was a large, rough-faced middle-aged man, whom Seomun Jeok knew well.

Like Baek Li-hyeong, he too had been a peer in the Murim Alliance during their youth.

“Danju of Righteousness? What brings you here?”

It was the Murim Alliance’s Righteousness Captain.

He had arrived leading his subordinate squads, the Flying Tiger Squad and the Azure Crow Squad.

From behind him, Huamyeong peeked out, and upon spotting Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom, his face blossod with a smile.

“Jin So-hyeop, Seo So-hyeop! I knew the two of you would survive! It seems the heroes of the Seomun Clan ca running in one breath!”

While hurrying toward the Luoyang Branch of the Murim Alliance, Huamyeong had t the Righteousness Captain on the way. After explaining the situation, he had brought him here urgently.

Hearing this, Seomun Jeok greeted them with joy.

“This side is already taken care of, so no need to worry. But tell , what matter was so urgent that a captain like you personally led your n here?”

The Murim Alliance’s Righteousness Captain, Cheong Woo-seok.

He briefly glanced around, then replied with a sigh-laden voice.

“There was a report that the Demonic Cult had crossed into Qinghai. We were on our way to Gansu.”

“This damned murim knows no peace.”

“But still, what is all this? I heard a rough account from Dragon Seizer on the way, but I can’t make sense of it.”

Seomun Jeok nodded.

He too would not have believed it without seeing it with his own eyes.

Seomun Jeok tapped Chief Steward Seomun Pyeong, and as always, Seomun Pyeong carried on with the explanation.

When he reached the part about the pits and the Baek Li Clan’s intentions, the Righteousness Captain groaned with a grim expression.

“Such a heinous atrocity… So, the Baek Li Clan’s warriors are all in the dungeon?”

“That’s correct. In the process, clashes were unavoidable and many were killed. Clan Head Baek Li-cheon, First Son Baek Li-joong, First Elder Baek Li-hyeong, and others as well…”

Seomun Pyeong subtly swept Baek Li-hyeong’s death under the rug as if it had occurred during the clashes.

The Righteousness Captain nodded, then after a mont’s thought, issued orders to the captains on either side of him.

“Flying Tiger Squad, escort the Baek Li Clan’s warriors. Azure Crow Squad, escort the children and return imdiately to the Murim Alliance headquarters.”

The leaders of the Flying Tiger Squad and Azure Crow Squad, each brimming with a sharp aura like a blade, bowed their heads in unison.

Just then, Huamyeong and Seomun Ak, who had been silent until now, both spoke up.

“What? The children too?”

“The journey will be too harsh to move them imdiately!”

The Righteousness Captain’s face darkened.

Though it was just after the commotion, and the juniors were flustered, he found it distasteful for such young n to interject while a captain of the Alliance and a clan head were speaking.

“This is not for you to speak of.”

Seomun Ak and Huamyeong flinched and fell silent. The rank of captain itself commanded imnse authority, and this particular man was well-known throughout the Murim Alliance for being strict and inflexible.

As the Flying Tiger Squad headed toward the dungeon and the Azure Crow Squad toward the backyard where the children were,

A quiet voice suddenly froze them in their tracks.

“Is it really coincidence?”

Jin Seong-un’s low voice had stopped them all.

For a mont, the Righteousness Captain and Jin Seong-un locked eyes.

With his rank, massive build, fierce face, and overwhelming aura, the Righteousness Captain was not a man easily confronted. But Jin Seong-un simply looked at him with the sa detached expression as always, and said,

“Considering the number of Baek Li Clan warriors and children here in the residence, and the amount of rice stored, it seems unlikely they could have lasted beyond today.”

Everyone understood the implication.

The Baek Li Clan had planned to finish here and depart today.

And at just that mont, Huamyeong happened to et a captain of the Murim Alliance nearby.

The land of the Central Plains was vast, and considering the direction of travel from Wuhan in Hubei, where the Alliance headquarters was located, to Gansu, the chance of such an encounter was impossibly slim.

Jin Seong-un asked Huamyeong,

“Where did you et the captain?”

Huamyeong cautiously edged away from the Righteousness Captain and replied,

“Near Mount Pyeongjeong.”

Mount Pyeongjeong was in central Henan, not far from here.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the Righteousness Captain.

Traveling from Wuhan in Hubei to Gansu, there was no reason whatsoever to detour through central Henan.

Jin Seong-un fixed his gaze squarely on the Righteousness Captain and asked in an even tone.

“Is it really coincidence?”