#1
6
Was it from Hyeongju?
Jin So-un, who was merely a nominal commander, is now leading a unit of over a hundred men before anyone realized it.
Gu Jeong-ryong, the clan leader, has now stepped back and is following Jin So-un’s orders.
While all students at Murim Academy have experience taking regular exams and following orders, for the current members, Seunghodang is important.
A military organization considered to be the strongest in the Murim Alliance.
Cheongnyonggak.
Among them, a strike force created solely for preemptive strikes.
Seunghodang.
Their skills are impressive, but given the group’s nature, they are rough enough to put even the most seasoned ronin to shame.
This rough group, where even the immediate disciples of the Shaolin Temple come out as ruffians, somehow obeys Jin So-woon’s orders precisely.
No, going further, even the Seungho Party members ask Jin So-un directly, bypassing Gu Jeong-ryong.
“Representative Jin! I heard a bandit stronghold is blocking the way?”
Jin So-un answers again as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
It’s a newly established mountain stronghold. We just drive right through.
“Hey, come on, it’s a mountain hideout, so you should at least pay a toll to pass through.”
Seunghodang, the Murim Alliance strike force, is a toll… … .
Since when has Seunghodang been working as a courier?
The preposterous words are full of the intention to test Commander Jin So-un.
“If you are scared, step aside. Our Taeeulmun will break through.”
“Hey, then we have no choice but to get involved in the end. Instead of doing that, how about increasing the one bottle of liquor given every night to two?”
Perhaps demands that might be considered natural given that I have treated the other person with money all this time.
Cheol-sun-jik knew this because he had gone through the same experience. ‘That is why one should not carelessly flaunt one’s wealth to others.’ In the martial arts world, the power that prevails is ultimately not money, but military force.
To those who have risen to the rank of Seunghodang member of the Murim Alliance solely through their own skills, Jin So-woon, who flaunts his wealth, inevitably appears like a naive rich kid.
Moreover, hasn’t Jin So-un been treated well out of Wang Geum-san’s goodwill, rather than through his own property?
To those who are seasoned veterans of the martial arts world, like Seunghodangwon, this whole situation must just seem ridiculous.
I see bandits ahead!
At the shout of Seungho, a party member walking ahead, the member talking with Jin So-un urges her on.
“What can be done? I think we need to decide quickly.”
Perhaps feeling that they had been short on alcohol, the other Seungho Party members also listened intently to Jin So-un and the other members’ story with expectant expressions.
Jin So-un chuckled as he looked at Seung-ho Dang-won.
“I’ve been treating you with the utmost respect because I heard you were the strongest in the Murim Alliance, and now you’re asking to pay a toll just because you’re afraid of a fledgling bandit stronghold?”
Before long, Jin So-woon’s gaze becomes determined.
From now on, let’s change horses at the stable and sleep at the Murim Alliance branch.
“Huh?”
This isn’t right.
Confusion crosses the party member’s face.
However, Jin So-woon acts first before the situation can be resolved.
“Disciples of Taeeulmun, come forward!”
“four!”
The Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers take their seats first, followed by Hong Sa-ryeon, Namgung Seon-hwa, and Seong Mo-ran.
Jin So-un draws his sword and speaks to the Seunghodang members.
“You must absolutely not step forward. If you do, I will have to house you in a ‘luxurious and comfortable’ inn, too.”
With those words, Jin So-un begins to run ahead.
Then, it was the Seungho Party members who started to get anxious.
Swearing is coming out from here and there.
“No, fuck! Hey you bastard! Why did you have to spout such useless nonsense!”
“That bastard really has a big mouth. Someone shut him up!”
“…….”
The party member who had been receiving high expectations from the other Seungho Party members just moments ago became a traitor in an instant, and the Seungho Party members, worried that they might end up sleeping at the branch office, began to charge at the bandits, overtaking the Taeeul Sect members.
“Stop! This is the territory of Akjuchae…… Huh?”
Confusion crossed the faces of the bandits standing in the way.
Among the members of the Seungho Party, there were some who, when their horses could not advance because they were blocked by the person in front, spurred their horses on and charged directly at the bandits.
“These bastards don’t even know the basics of a bandit!”
“You bastards! If you saw the Murim Alliance flag, you should have run away immediately! What are you doing holding out?”
“Hey! Leave one person behind! I don’t want to sleep at the branch!”
Whenever the Seungho Party members play the daily game, two or three bandits fall over.
As ten people collapsed to the ground in the blink of an eye, the bandits finally came to their senses and began to flee in a panic.
Eventually, by the time Taeeulmundo and Jin So-un arrived, the road was already wide open.
“Representative Jin, you really cleared it out. Don’t pay attention to what that idiot said earlier. I’ll keep clearing it out from now on.”
Jin So-un nodded and said.
As expected, you possess skills beyond what I anticipated.
“Who are we! Aren’t we the Seunghodang, the Murim Alliance’s strongest strike force?”
Then, can I increase the speed from now on?
We are already running at such a speed that the horses collapse from exhaustion after just one day, and you want us to run even faster?
Or is it that you are only at the level I expected?
Jin So-un’s face is filled with dissatisfaction.
A look that seemed to say, “Is this all you dared to defy me?”
“Haha! Haha! Isn’t that obvious! I was actually getting frustrated with how slow things have been lately.”
Only then does Jin So-un nod in satisfaction.
“Let’s go! We need to run even a little faster so that your rest time increases, don’t we?”
The Seungho Party members glared in unison at the member who had defied Jin So-un, as if they wanted to kill him. ‘Skilled.’ Cheol Sun-jik let out a sigh inwardly as he watched the series of events unfold.
And it seems that Cheol-sun-jik was not the only one surprised.
Nam Hwa-seong quietly steps forward and speaks to Cheol Sun-jik.
“Cheol-hyung, doesn’t it seem like things are getting a bit strange?”
“……
You seem to have a seasoned side for your age.
The other 12 peaks also add their comments.
You’re just like a grown-up child.
He is certainly seasoned enough that it is hard to believe he has just passed the age limit.
Because relationships between people are not determined solely by absolute military power and wealth.
The series of processes involved in penetrating, discerning, dominating, and leading the opponent’s mind was not something that could be learned based on whether one’s intellect was good or bad.
The important thing is, above all, the pure experience!
True authority emerges only when experience accumulates steadily.
In that respect, Jin So-un possessed authority for some reason, despite being born in the harsh environment of the Taeeulmun.
“You have excellent qualities as a puppet.”
Just like during the regular admissions, it is a covetable existence.
That is why he needs 12 peaks.
If he were tied to a rope called the Twelve Peaks and presented to the public, people would surely cheer.
Of course, it is you who moves that line.
By meeting his own master, he will be able to transcend his position as the academy representative and stand tall in the Murim Alliance.
Perhaps it could become a new light for our generation, overshadowed by Yong So-ah and Il-myeong…
“Kuh-huh-huh.”
Laughter bursts out as I see the unexpected true nature of Jin So-woon.
Just then, Jin So-un suddenly turns his head and looks this way.
“Cheol-sun-jik, student! Is that all the speed you can come up with! What are you grinning at?”
Cheol-sun-jik wiped the smile from his lips and put on a serious face.
The people he spoke with were not just himself, but the entire 12 Peaks.
But why single me out specifically?
I looked around with a bewildered expression…
The 12 peaks, including Namhwaseong, are running ahead in the distance.
What? When did you run all the way over there?
As Cheol Sun-jik looked at Jin So-un with a bewildered expression.
“Exactly! I’m talking about you, Cheol-sun-jik! Aren’t you going to speed up? Do you want to sleep at the branch office?”
Then Nam Hwa-seong adds.
“Cheol hyung! Hurry up and run! We keep getting criticized because of you.”
No, you were the one who spoke first!
Crunch.
Cheol Sun-jik gritted his teeth and pulled the reins tighter. “I’m a fool for expecting anything.” The five groups all passed through Mt. Ami and toured Mt. Myeong and Mt. Cheongseong. There was even a group that stopped by Guryong Valley before moving on.
The number is smaller than in the previous life, but it has spread in all directions.
Since it is composed solely of disciples from the Nine Great Sects and their subordinate sects, the speed is incredibly fast; by the time the information sent by Haomun arrives, the location has already changed, resulting in a chaotic mix of information.
Since I have been stirring up Sichuan like this, the Shisan Blood Sect members who have spun spiderwebs couldn’t possibly be unaware.
It is a situation where you never know when a trap that literally swallows people will be triggered.
“Run a little faster!”
“Gasp! Gasp! Gasp!”
“Senior Brother, we need to stop now. At this rate, we’re all going to die…!”
The members of Seunghodang haven’t said a word for several hours now, either.
We tried our best to come without getting too tired, but everyone is exhausted from moving so fast.
Leaving aside my party and the 12 Peak Fortresses, Seunghodang got tired more easily than others because he basically carried combat and supply materials with him.
If it weren’t for Seunghodang in the first place, it would have been impossible to move safely at all.
Sacheon Seongdo is just around the corner. Let’s go a little slower.
When even Namgung Seon-hwa spoke with a worried look, I could no longer press on. ‘What should I do?’ Judging by the timing, no matter how fast we run from here, some groups will eventually encounter the Shisanhyeolgyo.
If we all move together, we might end up failing to properly prevent even the damage that could have been prevented.
In the end, the only path I can choose here is for us to move along with them.
Please move Seunghodang after completing reorganization in Chengdu.
There would be no point in dragging Seunghodang all the way here when he collapses one after another in front of the elders, let alone the Shisanhyeolgyo, when he is supposed to execute the Mantongbu’s orders.
I thought I might die if things continued like this.
“This is the first time in my life I’ve worked this hard.”
My butt is all scraped up.
The members of Seungho Party each catch their breath.
I looked at my party and Cheol-sun-jik and said.
While Seunghodang is reorganizing, the 12 Bongseong and we are divided into five groups to verify the members of the Jeongdohoe and communicate with them.
Cheol-sun-jik tilted his head at my explanation.
“Representative Jin, what exactly is the purpose of this event?”
It is to stop the event and bring them back as saints.
Are you saying it’s just us?
Elders are currently participating in the Jeongdohoe event.
Unless someone like Seunghodang steps forward, it will not move easily.
“In that case, wouldn’t it be better for us to move together with Seunghodang?”
Cheol-sun-jik continues speaking while subtly frowning.
“What is the use of us going out first among ourselves to deliver an order that won’t even be carried out?”
If Jeong Do-hoe refuses to listen to us until the end, we will reinstate only two people.
At my words, the faces of Cheol-sun-jik and the other 12 Bong-seong stiffen.
“Two people? Who are you talking about?”
Murong Zaihua and Yin Xuelan.
Haha!
Cheol-sun-jik’s gaze softens. Along with it, a cold sneer forms on his lips.
Are you saying that you came not to rescue Jeong Do-hoe, but to secure the safety of the two of them?
That’s right.
“Moyong Jae-hwa and Eun Seol-ran… The two of them are close with the CEO, aren’t they?”
Cheol-sun-jik makes a mysterious expression, as if he knows but doesn’t quite.
So, in the end, did you stop the academic schedule and move Seunghodang all the way here for those two people?
I am once again pinpointing the things I dislike.
In my previous life, I used to do the exact same thing to my superior on the battlefield.
I could tell that Cheol-sun-jik was trying to unleash his special skill.
Questioning the commander’s morality and exploiting their weaknesses to act as one pleases.
A commander who has lost the trust of his subordinates can no longer assert his authority, so in order to avoid damaging his moral standing, he had no choice but to act according to Cheol-sun-jik’s intentions.
In his previous life as well, Cheol-sun-jik always prevented the 12 Peaks from being pushed out of the forefront during the Great War of Righteousness and Demons in this way.
But I am not a fool who gets swayed even when I know better.
At my answer, the corners of Cheol-sun-jik’s mouth tremble. The members of the 12 Peaks also each frown.
I drove the nail into them once again.
I came all the way here to protect my people.
I roughly guessed what Cheol-sun-jik’s intention was in offering to accompany us when we left the academy.
Watching Jeong Do-hoe keep making mistakes and the school representative ignore the academic schedule, he must have felt that it was now the turn of the 12 Peaks.
And the intention to exploit weaknesses during this trip to add a finishing touch to the plan.
I can play with him as much as he wants.
If you do not like my intentions, it is fine to go back at any time.
If you pay the due price.
However, if you intend to work together, you must keep one promise, as I originally stated.
Are you saying absolute obedience?
“exactly.”
At my assertion, a chilling cold circulates between the twelve peaks.
“Are you aware that this action threatens your position as representative?”
I know.
Then why are you pushing this so hard?
Why… … ‘Why’… … .
Is it because Moyong Jaehwa and Eun Seol-ran are major heroes of the upcoming War of Righteousness and Demons?
That is also correct.
However, before that, they are beings with whom I shared a connection in this life.
Moyong Jaehwa, who even gave up her regular work hours for me.
Eun Seol-ran, who lives with Sa-ryeon like a biological sister and looks up to me like a biological older brother.
To me, something irreplaceable in this life… … .
Because they are my people.
Perhaps I want to protect them desperately because I was unable to protect even a single person of my own in my past life.
And such superficial facts might make someone uncomfortable.
Nam Hwa-seong curses with blazing eyes.
“Damn it, are you kidding me? You’ve been making such a fuss all this time just to save your friends?”
It doesn’t matter if you call it terrible selfishness and spit on me.
More than anything, I didn’t want to see my people die in vain again because of someone’s incompetence.
No matter what price I have to pay.
May I take issue with ‘that remark’ right now?
At Cheol-sun-jik’s words, I involuntarily burst out laughing.
“Jeongdohoe, Baekdohoe, the Twelve Peaks. Aren’t you all the same? Don’t you do anything for your own people?”
I suppose you don’t want me to change the subject.
I looked straight into Cheol-sun-jik’s eyes and smiled.
As much as you want.
At my answer, one corner of Cheol-sun-jik’s mouth curls up slightly.
His unique habit that comes out when he has bad thoughts.
“great.”
When Cheol-sun-jik nodded, it was Nam Hwa-seong who was flustered.
I asked Nam Hwa-seong, who had a dazed expression.
“What are you going to do? Are you going back?”
No, why are you suddenly speaking informally… … .”
“I never told you to follow me in the first place. Speak. Are you going back or staying?”
Nam Hwa-seong looked at Cheol Sun-jik as if hoping for a decision, but Cheol Sun-jik just stared at me.
Nam Hwa-seong also nodded as if to say he would eventually join.
We will now divide into five groups.
I formed groups based on skill level and told the members, excluding the leader, where they needed to go.
Nam Hwa-seong, who was looking back and forth between me and Cheol-sun-jik.
“Wait, then I, I said I’ll stay behind too!”
Nam Hwa-seong shouted angrily in panic.
So you’re saying I’m trying to save my person, and you swore at me?
There is an effective quick fix for a guy like this.
“Nam Hwa-seong, you go with me.”
I’ll take this opportunity to show you what real hardship is.
