Book 13 Chapter 4

The Identity of the Murim Alliance Leader

- Murim Alliance Leader's Office, Jeongcheon Alliance, White Dao Alliance

Na Baekcheol gently placed the official report he was holding onto the rosewood desk. The report had traveled a long distance via a special messenger pigeon, ten times faster than a regular one.

Using these special couriers, he could receive news from all over the martial arts world, excluding the border regions, within half a day. Even an entire province could be covered within a couple of hours.

"At least one hurdle has been cleared. Will they truly be able to pass all three trials safely?"

That wasn't his only worry.

"And even if they pass them… can those children truly overcome that terror?"

Perhaps they would merely try to ignore and deny reality, or pretend not to notice. It wasn't easy to completely detach oneself from that unpleasant memory that clung to a corner of one's mind like a leech and overcome it. This was because he himself had experienced it directly.

Mount Hua a hundred years ago!

Thump thump!

As he recalled the events of that time, his right arm suddenly began to throb violently. He quickly grasped his right hand with his left, pressing down hard. It felt like a freshly caught, large fish.

The throbbing soon subsided.

"Phew."

As his right arm calmed down, Na Baekcheol's complexion returned to normal.

"Still unable to shake off the events of that time…"

He saw white clouds drifting in the small patch of blue sky visible through the open window of his office. Perhaps because he saw it through the window, the sky appeared very small. His mouth tasted bitter, as if he had eaten wormwood. However, he knew well that such symptoms were insignificant compared to others.

There were still those whose minds and bodies were captured by the specters of that time, unable to leave that place.

"Lord Jong's first trial is, relatively speaking, the easiest of the three. The second trial has *that person*. I hope they don't run into trouble due to their eccentric personality, Yerim…"

He seemed extremely worried about his daughter.

It was precisely at this moment that the Murim Alliance Leader, someone of great stature, was anxiously worrying about his daughter.

"Alliance Leader! Alliance Leader! Where are you? You haven't forgotten the promise you made with me today, have you?"

Startled by the woman's voice suddenly heard from outside the door, Na Baekcheol was taken aback, his spirit almost leaving him.

Despite the voice being that of a dignified, beautiful, and graceful middle-aged lady, Na Baekcheol trembled like a mouse hearing a lion's roar, hunching his body.

'Ah! I forgot.'

Though Na Baekcheol was praised as being close to sword divinity, the shiver he felt at that moment was one of terror and a premonition of death. An urgent sense of crisis for his life overwhelmed him.

'But what day was it today…'

There were so many anniversaries, it was overwhelming to keep track of them all.

'Is it our 45th anniversary of engagement, or our 40th wedding anniversary? Hmm, is it our 20th anniversary of her conception? Or is it Yerim's first steps anniversary? Or… Aaaaaaaah!'

He quickly took out his special anniversary planner (a notebook) and began to frantically check it. The planner he pulled from his pocket appeared very thick, with not a single blank page.

"I should get an anniversary secretary," he grumbled, flipping through the planner in haste.

It was a matter of life and death! He could not afford to be negligent.

"Honey! Where are you?"

His wife, Bingyuexianzi Ye Qing, called out again from outside the door. Although his wife was normally infinitely gentle and virtuous, if he ever angered her, even someone as skilled as a sword god would have to risk their life.

And Na Baekcheol had never once won a fight against her.

In fact, his current wife, Ye Qing, was his second wife. He had been widowed for almost a hundred years from his first wife. His first wife had died during the Millennium Blood Calamity. After that, he lived alone for a long time. He had no children.

At first, he hadn't even considered remarriage. In fact, he didn't have time to think about it. Hundreds of matters requiring his attention arose daily.

His second marriage was heavily politically motivated. Despite his repeated refusals, those around him forced the remarriage.

Initially, he was reluctant. But his refusal was not accepted. The strong argument from those around him was that it was unsightly for the leader of the White Dao Murim to live so miserably alone. His close aides, followed by his friends, stepped in. They weren't friends; they were enemies. They clearly seemed to be enjoying themselves. Did they want to torment the Murim Alliance Leader so much? Finally, he had to surrender.

His second wife was much younger than him. Moreover, she was an exceedingly beautiful woman, truly beyond what he deserved. Honestly, she was lovely. He felt as if he had suddenly become a hundred years younger. Was it the foolishness of an old man? He had no right to complain even if he was called a thief. And he clearly demonstrated why a peerless master was called a peerless master on their wedding night. He was indeed a master.

At first, it was awkward, that was true. Because of this, he focused solely on his work and neglected his wife. He felt lost, like a blind man fumbling his way. Then one day, his wife called him and said in a serious tone:

"No matter how much you govern the various affairs of the White Dao Murim as the leader of the Murim Alliance, you are first and foremost my one and only husband. It is said that one must cultivate oneself, manage the household, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. How can one who cannot properly manage his own household possibly govern the safety and righteousness of the White Dao Murim with benevolence and justice! If you have no affection for me at all, then fine. But if you do, at least show me proof of your affection."

Every word she spoke was so right, how could Na Baekcheol have any counterargument? At that moment, Na Baekcheol raised a white flag and surrendered.

And shortly after, their daughter Yerim was born. The most precious treasure among treasures. She was so incredibly cute that he couldn't stand it. He felt as if he could look at her until it hurt. From then on, he obeyed his wife absolutely. The highest secret of the White Dao Murim Alliance…

It was an old story, already twenty years ago.

"Honey, where are you?"

His wife's voice was heard once more.

"Yes! Yes! Wife! I'm coming! I'm coming now!"

Na Baekcheol, the White Thunder Sky Sword, respected by all of the White Dao Murim, and even some of the Black Dao factions!

As you can see, he was currently a hopelessly henpecked husband.