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3. I was dumbfounded when I heard the story of
“……
therefore.”
It is said that Yelü Ke had been chasing after Yue Zhuping whenever he had a spare moment and unilaterally challenging him to a duel.
Even though Ak Ju-pyeong refused, he started a duel and harassed him at all hours.
Wow, this…
Are you a crazy bastard by any chance?
Senior Brother.
Oops, I meant to keep it to myself, but it just came right out. But what?
I patted Eunho on the shoulder and looked at Yalu Geuk again.
So what are you going to do if you glare at me like that?
“Hey, wanna fight? Drop your eyes while I’m still being nice…….”
Crash!
“Let’s have a match!!”
Look at that temper.
Yalu Ge jumped up, panting heavily.
Eunho sighed and touched the guy’s pressure point.
“Whether it is fortunate or unfortunate, the academic building hasn’t said anything yet.”
That makes sense. They must have witnessed my senior disciple and academy director, Buk Won-pyeong, summoning the Three Sect Leaders and shouting at them, so how could those guys under him easily step forward?
Moreover, since the Head of the Three Clans was at the Black Alliance as the head of the delegation, it seems that Ak Ju-pyeong spoke to the main family directly.
“so?”
I only know up to that point.
“hmm…….”
I kicked Yalu Ke, who had fallen to the floor.
“Hey, can’t you just make up and get along?”
Then, instead of his motionless body, Yelu Ke growls and bares his sharp fangs.… …
What kind of wild animal is it?
I cannot live under the same sky as that guy!
“…….”
While I sighed as I watched the untamed fellow.
“Tsk tsk, acting as you please shortens your life.”
Dang Seo-hui, who was sitting next to me drinking Chilsaekhwa, started picking up peanuts and throwing them one by one.
Um, well, that’s not really something you should be saying…
“Kaaak! Do you want to die, you little punk!”
Ha… My head is spinning, seriously.
Yelu Ge glared at Dang Seo-hui with a face like a demon, but Dang Seo-hui continued to throw peanuts at Yelu Ge’s face.
You’re the bigger shorty.
“Let’s have a showdown!”
Stop it. She’s a jobless goddess. You idiot.
After letting out a small sigh, I asked again.
“Can’t you get over it yet?”
“what?”
Yalu Geuk glaring at me as if to kill me.
I looked straight into his eyes.
“Fear. Can’t you overcome it?”
Yelu Ke’s face stiffens.
Charging forward while barking like a wildcat even while wounded is, after all, a desperate struggle not to be consumed by fear.
Fear that has accumulated over a long period is not overcome overnight.
“Every day, starting with fear and helplessness in the morning, is nothing but a continuous hell. I, Yalu Zai, and So Jeong-dae… we all lived each and every day struggling.” I understand Yalu Geuk’s feelings more than anyone.
He is probably just struggling desperately to keep from suffocating in the water that has risen up to his neck.
Hiss like a wildcat
– Yalu Ke’s mouth, which had been muttering, closes tightly.
“I… can’t forgive.”
“Right, considering how much I was bullied, it’s not easy to forgive. I suppose…”
I cannot forgive myself for just helplessly running away.
huh?”
Yelu Ke’s eyes were burning bright red.
It seemed to be because I had desperately strained not to shed tears.
“I just can’t forgive myself for letting this opportunity slip away so helplessly that I couldn’t even escape, after all the trouble I went through to get into the academy…!”
Thud
– Thud
– In the end, Yelu Ke sheds large teardrops.
He didn’t say anything, but the guy who carried the weight of his brothers’ sacrifice on his back must have felt a greater sense of indebtedness and responsibility than I expected.
Moreover, considering that he even tried to take his own life at the end, an even greater sense of helplessness must have overwhelmed him.
“I… I hate myself so much.”
As he said, he is ugly and utterly repulsive.
Perhaps it looks that way even more because my image of myself, still unable to overcome my fears while living a second life, is superimposed on him.
While I was lost in thought, watching the guy clench his teeth and tremble.
Clunk.
Suddenly, Dang Seo-hui stood up from her seat, walked purposefully toward Yelu Ke, and squatted down…
“……?”… …
I stroked his head.
Everyone goes through that phase. But there is no need to blame yourself.
For some reason, Dang Seo-hui’s words felt like a sharp piercing in my heart.
You must not hate yourself, even if you are like that. You should cherish and love yourself even more.
At the words that followed, something that had been piercing my chest surged up through my throat.
Did Dang Seo-hee have that side to her?
at that time.
Giving Akga a pretext is especially foolish.
Suddenly, Dang Seo-hui struck the guy’s head with the hand she had been stroking.
“You’re a fool.”… …
Of course.
Yalu Ke’s face turned like a wildcat once again after taking a surprise blow.
“Who are you calling a fool! You’re the bigger fool!”
“That’s not true. I’ve already proven myself as a member of the Yongbong Branch. Can you join the Yongbong Branch?”
Let’s have a fight!
Dang Seo-hee returned to her seat after hitting the back of Yalu Geuk’s head one more time as he squirmed on the floor in a fit of rage.
I pressed my temples against their noisy voices and resolved to be patient.
As expected, Eunho let out a sigh and spoke to me.
Now that Yelü Ke has joined the delegation, the Yue family will be cautious even if they make a move.
But we can’t just put a guy who doesn’t do any work in the delegation.
I nudged Yelu Ke with the tip of my foot.
“I will recognize fights initiated through a sparring request, but I will not tolerate any surprise attacks or fouls otherwise.”
“What does it matter to you!”
I added calmly.
“That is all I can protect you for. Do not underestimate the Five Great Clans. There is certainly a reason why their strength has endured for five hundred years.”
I wish you would understand after I’ve said this much.
But the guy stops moving and stares up at me blankly.
“You say you’ll… protect me?”
Instead of answering, I kicked him one more time and turned around.
Anyway, what a nuisance.
Eunho, who was looking down at Yalu Geuk, asked me with a puzzled look.
“What do you plan to do?”
I’ll have to talk to them first.
Are you talking about Yue Zhuping? Isn’t it true that Yue Zhuping hates the Senior Brother even more than Yelü Ke?
I gave Eunho a smirk.
“Why would I talk to a nobody like that? I should be talking to someone higher up than him.”
“yes?”
I don’t know why, but our relationship was good for a while.
I wonder if this will cause things to go awry.
‘Still, it’s better than that guy dying.’ The face of the guy who would grieve if Yelu Ke died comes to mind.
I’d rather watch that guy sneer and boast about his martial arts. I don’t want to see him wallowing in depression over his brother’s death.
Well, I guess I’ll have to give it a try.
I looked at Yelu Ke, who had once again become Dang Seo-hui’s peanut target.
He had a look on his face as if he couldn’t understand at all what was going on.
“Don’t look at me like that. I don’t understand myself either.” Ak Byeong-bi tried his best to calm his emotions.
“It has only recently that I have been meeting with the Commander-in-Chief frequently, but even so, meeting the head of the Mantongbu was an extremely burdensome task, even for Ak Byeong-bi, who held the position of the Three Heads of the Inspection Bureau. ‘Phew… A private audience…’ I know what his intention is in asking to see me separately.”
The intention was already clearly visible from the moment he was appointed as the head of the delegation. ‘It must be related to Jin So-woon.’ He knew that the intention was to thoroughly investigate the suspicious activities the guy had shown so far, and that he was the right person for the job.
However, didn’t he already convey his investigation results when reporting to the delegation?
Although it was stated that the suspicion of him being a spy for the Dark Sect could be dismissed by speaking sufficiently of Jin So-un’s merits, it was clear that the meticulous Jeon Gal So-myeong had arranged this meeting solely to hear his opinion directly from his own mouth. ‘Is the Commander-in-Chief truly a Commander-in-Chief after all…’ Jeon Gal So-myeong was currently running the Murim Alliance excellently, to the point where the rumors of him securing his position with the backing of the Jeon Gal family seemed completely unfounded.
Didn’t the retired senior members of the Inspection Bureau say that the Murim Alliance would have already been overturned several times over due to the rising influence of martial arts sects and clans?
It could be said that Jegal So-myeong, who has held the position of head of the Mantongbu during the same period, also contributed greatly to the fact that the current leader of the Murim Alliance, Hyeok Mu-gang, has been able to remain in the position of leader for nearly twenty years.
Soon the door opened and Zhuge Xiaoming walked in leisurely.
Sorry to keep you waiting when you’re busy.
As Zhuge Xiaoming entered the inner room, a smile somehow hung on his lips.
“What kind of tea does it like?”
Anything is fine with me.
“Is that so? The Gunsan silver needles that came in this time were good.”
At the sight of Jegal Somyeong personally preparing tea, Ak Byeong-bi was about to stand up.
“Ah, I…….”
“That’s enough. Since I called a busy person out, it’s only natural that I do it.”
At the sight of the chief soldier humming a tune while preparing tea, Ak Byeong-bi tightened the tension more than ever.
Making the opponent let their guard down by showing a relaxed demeanor.
This was a method commonly used by the Inspectorate when interrogating people.
A short while later, two steaming teacups were placed in front of the two people.
Please eat.
While Zhuge Xiaoming slowly sipped his tea and savored its aroma, Yue Bingbi did not even touch the tea.
Zhuge Xiaoming, who had been observing him leisurely, put down his teacup.
“Why, don’t you like the car?”
“no.”
Then why don’t you lift it?
The two people’s gazes met briefly in the air.
Ak Byeong-bi, racking his brains to figure out Jegal So-myeong’s intentions.
He suddenly opened his mouth.
Jin So-un is not a spy for the Black Sect.
“huh?”
Jegal So-myeong with a look of surprise.
Ak Byeong-bi clenched his fist tightly.
The best way to overcome such psychological tactics is to make a frontal assault.
He stared at the general with an unwavering gaze.
“During my time as an envoy to the Four Black Alliances, I observed Jin So-un from the closest possible distance, never missing a moment. While the child clearly displays disrespect and delinquency, I believe that prejudging his true intentions as belonging to the Dark Way is no different from trampling on a promising sapling destined to become a giant of the White Way martial arts world.”
Zhuge Xiaoming, who had been silently listening to Ak Byeong-bi’s words, tilted his head.
I had simply planned to have a consultation ahead of the performance review, but unexpected words poured out of his mouth.
Jegal So-myeong stroked the teacup with his finger, looking intrigued.
“Hmm… a tree destined to become a giant… do you really think so?”
“Of course, I think there are many difficulties. I lack both innate talent and a solid background.”
Ak Byeong-bi, who had been shaking his head, soon caught his breath and spoke firmly.
However, that child clearly possesses the potential to become a great tree of the White Path Martial Arts World.
“Hmm……?”
Zhuge Xiaoming, who was listening to Ak Byeong-bi’s words, fell into thought for a moment.
The three of the Inspection Pavilion
The clan leader was famous in both the Black Path and the White Path martial arts worlds.
It is as upright as bamboo, unwavering in the face of temptation, and flawless.
Although he has a strong affection for his family, who among those active in the Murim Alliance wouldn’t feel the same way?
Wasn’t that why I was trying so hard to enter the Murim Alliance by taking those ridiculous Murim Exams or the Academy exams?
Ultimately, what matters is whether one maintains that balance well to benefit the Murim Alliance, or looks out only for one’s own interests like a parasite.
That is why they deliberately sent him as the head of this delegation.
Because I wanted to see how he, who intensely hates and despises the Black Sect, would handle the situation regarding the deal with the Black Sect.
Lord of the great party
Because starting from that position, the ability to see the big picture is required rather than the competence to handle the job’s inherent duties.
But to think that the first thing said at a place where such abilities are being evaluated is praise for Jin So-woon.
It was both quirky and funny, so I kept listening in silence.
“The biggest obstacle to a person of nothingness rising to power is not their shame or past. It is often the gaze of those who are jealous of them that becomes the greatest impediment. That is why I believe the Inspection Bureau and the Execution Bureau must not become the twisted weapons of such people, thereby shooting down the bird that is trying to fly high.”
Jegal So-myeong nodded.
“Of course. But what if the affairs of your sect or family are involved? Would you still be able to maintain your composure then?”
Words that deeply pierced Akbyeongbi’s heart.
He calmly replied to the remark pointing out his past.
I am ashamed. If you ask me to take responsibility, I will gladly do so.
“Tsk tsk, fine. How many people in the Martial Arts Alliance don’t pursue that much personal gain? Don’t even think about trying to shirk the job and dump it on someone else.”
Jegal So-myeong, who had refreshed the atmosphere with a playful joke, continued speaking.
“Anyway, are you saying that Jin So-un is not a spy and there is no possibility that he will become one in the future?”
Akbyeongbi immediately nodded.
Jin So-un upholds the spirit of the White Path Murim more than anyone else and is a person who does not hesitate to practice chivalry.
“Hmm…….”
A brief silence followed.
Hehehe.
Suddenly, a laugh escaped from Jegal Somyeong’s lips.
The three of the Inspection Office
It’s hard to believe such a story came out of the clan head’s mouth.
Ak Byeong-bi’s face flushed red at the sound of laughter echoing through the inner room.
“I understand. I know everything I needed to know. You may go now.”
After Akbyeongbi left, Zhuge Xiaoming sat alone and muttered.
“He turns a grudge into an ally. Is he really that big-hearted? Or has the upright bamboo turned into a reed?”
A smile never left the corners of Jegal So-myeong’s lips as he drank tea. #Inspection Hall 3
Ak Byeong-bi, having returned to the party, slumped into his seat in exhaustion and let out a long sigh.
It’s tough.
Just when I thought it would be easier to bring in a hundred people suspected of being spies and investigate them.
“Master, a guest has arrived.”
“customer?”
“Yes. I am Young Master Ak Ju-pyeong.”
Ak Byeong-bi tilted his head for a moment and shouted.
Let them in.
“yes.”
A short while later.
Ak Ju-pyeong entered, limping slightly on one foot.
“Uncle……!”
The moment Ak Ju-pyeong saw Ak Byeong-bi’s face, which looked as if he were about to burst into tears, Ak Byeong-bi’s face froze.
