Chapter 690: PAID

Humans possess a vast range of emotions.

Among the most notable are the Five Desires and Seven Emotions.

These are the five desires and seven emotions that define human nature.

It’s said that these fundamental emotions must be overcome to reach a state of enlightenment…

But honestly, I wouldn’t know.

I’ve never been interested in that sort of thing.

‘What’s important here is…’

Whether it’s lust for flesh,

Greed for wealth,

Or the ambition for fame,

All of it depends on one’s ability to stay alive.

Ultimately, doesn’t that mean the most important desire is the will to survive?

The desire to maintain life.

The yearning not to die.

Perhaps that is humanity’s most essential desire.

I thought so as I looked at the middle-aged man kneeling before me.

He was the perfect example of that truth.

Hwangbo Yeolwi of the Nine Tiger Fists .

A martial artist who had reached the level of Hwagyeong, ranked among Zhongyuan’s Hundred Grandmasters.

He was renowned for his formidable fists, each blow carrying immense weight.

As the head of the Hwangbo clan, he wasn’t particularly extraordinary or lacking.

He was the very definition of a “standard” patriarch of a renowned clan.

“Shaolin reached out to you, I hear.”

But now, he had fallen. He was a demonic being.

At my words, Hwangbo Yeolwi carefully responded.

“…Yes. They attempted to make contact with our clan several months ago.”

“For what reason?”

“They sought to invite us to the upcoming Bi-mu-je and requested an official letter of endorsement from the clan head to celebrate the event.”

“A letter of endorsement from the clan head…”

I nodded slightly at his words.

‘An invitation makes sense.’

The Bi-mu-je is an event the Murim Alliance is pouring all its efforts into organizing.

It’s only natural for them to invite the Hwangbo clan, a renowned family.

‘But to specifically request an official letter of endorsement for the celebration…’

I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, my eyes narrowing.

‘So, the Sword Saint is trying to solidify his position further.’n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Compared to previous leaders of the Murim Alliance, the Sword Saint’s influence was relatively weak.

It made sense for him to seek ways to bolster his authority.

If letters of endorsement from renowned families and sects were publicly sent, it would signify their support for the Sword Saint.

‘It could be interpreted that way.’

What stood out as odd, however, was this:

‘Shaolin made the move directly.’

The strange part was that Shaolin itself had approached the Hwangbo clan to deliver this message.

It wasn’t conveyed by the Alliance’s envoys or even by the Wudang Sect, which closely supports the Sword Saint.

Instead, Shaolin personally reached out to a renowned family.

That was the oddity.

‘Are they trying to make a statement?’

By participating in this matter, Shaolin was showing their full support for the Murim Alliance.