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8.
If the person is someone important enough to be personally greeted by the Commander-in-Chief, it is only proper for the current Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance to greet them at the Alliance Leader’s Hall.
Unless it is a greeting to be received by the General Staff, it is usually handled directly by a subordinate clan head or the Director of the General Affairs Department.
If the Chief Military Commander were to use the reception room, it would likely only be to welcome members of the Council of Elders or key figures from each sect.
As Jegal So-myeong, who detested the most in the world the act of plotting for useless political games, he deliberately met in the office rather than using the reception room to keep the meeting time short.
However, seeing the opponent who had overcome all those difficult requirements, Jegal Somyeong was slightly surprised. ‘The Commander-in-Chief of the Black Alliance…’ When the Black Alliance was first formed, the biggest question for Jegal Somyeong and Mantongbu was, ‘Who will take on the role of Commander-in-Chief?’
Although Blood Brain, Cold-blooded Elder, and Jamma had sufficient skill and experience to serve as commanders-in-chief, they were figures from the era of Zhuge Xiaoming and were older than the new leader, Cha Seok-du, so they were not suitable to serve as commanders-in-chief to assist the leader.
Although Gwangseosaeng, Gwisongja, and Cheontongsalin possessed the appropriate age and experience, their severe madness made it clear that they would eat away at the Saheukryeon from within.
In the end, I predicted it would turn out to be the Rock-carved Blood Buddha, the Red-green Scholar, or the Thousand-faced Heavenly Lord, but…
I am Damak, the commander-in-chief of the Saheukryeon.
Defying all predictions, a scholar named Damak eventually took the position of Commander-in-Chief. ‘He is indeed young, just as the report said.’ Not only his background, but even his youthful age.
I couldn’t believe that the pale-faced scholar standing before me was the supreme commander of the incredibly rough Saheukryeon.
Breaking the Mantongbu’s prediction that it would take at least three years for the Saheukryeon to solidify its power, the Saheukryeon emerged as the center of the Black Dao martial arts world in less than two years.
And at the very center of it all is the figure right before my eyes.
No one denied that there was Dam-ak, who was praised as the brains of the current Black Dao martial arts world.
Moreover, what was even more surprising to see in person was, ‘Huh… … hasn’t he even learned martial arts?’ What kind of place is the Jianghu, and what kind of place is the Murim?
It is a place where the logic of survival of the fittest prevails, and no matter how noble the justification or logic, it is ultimately crushed by power or authority.
If that is the case even in the White Path martial arts world that professes justice, I wondered how Dam-ak, who had not learned a single martial art and lacked a strong backing, had managed to face the giants of the Black Path martial arts world where such tendencies are even more severe…
Is there something on my face?
At Damak’s voice, Jegal Somyeong regained his composure.
Ahem, no.
While Zhuge Xiaoming was thinking about what excuse to give for violating the rules, Dam-ak smiled slightly and continued speaking.
“As expected, the White Path martial arts world is certainly different. Most people I meet tend to perform something called ‘Gyeokgi…?’ first.”
“…….”
I was quietly impressed by the way it seemed like a compliment to the other person while simultaneously naturally revealing his own composure.
Scholars who have not practiced martial arts instinctively feel fear in the presence of warriors.
“But… ‘Does that mean you can get whatever you want out of me as well…’ Although he was clearly utterly lacking in resources, he did not try to hide his shortcomings or put on a facade.”
Instead, he shows an opening and waits for the opponent to exploit his weaknesses.
He is likely trying to take advantage of the opponent’s carelessness to counterattack and get what he wants.
For some reason, Zhuge Xiaoming was reminded of Chen Xiaoyun. ‘He’s similar to that guy. Well, he’s actually more of a vicious character who lures his opponents into exploiting his weaknesses, though.’ He shook his head calmly.
How could I commit such a breach of etiquette while hosting a guest?
Damak, who has spirit and guts beyond his years.
However, Zhuge Xiaoming is not naive enough to be swayed by the opponent’s intentions.
So, they decided to make a move first.
With an opponent like this, it is actually more comfortable for the future relationship to take the initiative and lead the conversation.
“Mr. Dam is no ordinary guest; isn’t he a distinguished guest with whom we will have much to plan together in the future? And that, too.”
Zhuge Xiaoming added slowly and quietly.
The one So-un risked his life to save.
Jegal So-myeong calmly began to speak, reflecting on Gun Yu-hyeon’s assassination attempt on Dam-ak within the Saheukryeon and Jin So-un, who had saved him.
As if realizing Jegal Somyeong’s intention, Damak smiled softly.
His voice resonated through the air as if it had loosened up a little.
“I was wondering when I would be able to come see Young Hero Jin… that was a good excuse.”
Thinking that his opponent was slowly being drawn in, Zhuge Xiaoming began to play his cards in earnest to grab Damak by the hair.
“People will probably think that the Black Alliance has repaid its debt to the Murim Alliance with this. Of course, rescuing the commander-in-chief isn’t something that can be substituted merely by attending a graduation ceremony, though.”
Although one might expect him to be flustered by the unexpected attack, Damak simply nodded calmly.
The tone didn’t even get louder.
“Well, I suppose those who don’t know might think that way… but wouldn’t those who do know believe that the Murim Alliance has already received ample help from the Black Alliance due to ‘the incident in Sichuan’?”
When the story of how the Black Alliance pacified the Black Dao martial arts world at Sichuan Blood Temple was brought up, Jegal So-myeong let out a small groan.
“Moreover, I heard that Young Hero Jin So-woon is not exactly a welcome figure within the White Path martial arts world. Regarding the incident at the Black Alliance, the public opinion was not so much that ‘the power of the Martial Arts Alliance has been proven,’ but rather that ‘the Alliance was lucky to have someone with such divinity.'”
Against the skilled negotiator Jegal Somyeong, she dodges the hand that was trying to grab her hair with a soft-spoken tone.
“From the looks of it, it seems that your time at the Black Alliance wasn’t even recognized as a significant career achievement for Young Hero Jin So-un.”
Then, instead, he tries to grab Zhuge Xiaoming’s beard.
Although Zhuge Xiaoming knew he shouldn’t reply, he eventually answered because no other option came to mind.
“Jin So-woon is already a promising rising star representing the Murim Alliance as the head of the academy.”
“I heard that such a person hasn’t even been assigned to a position yet?”
“That’s due to internal circumstances…….”
I see. Internal circumstances.
Jegal So-myeong furrowed his brow slightly at Dam-ak’s attitude of nodding as if he knew everything.
At this rate, it seemed like even the remaining beard would be caught.
Zhuge Xiaoming quickly turned the tables.
“And… speaking of what General Dam brought up, how can the affairs of Sichuan be viewed entirely in the interest of the Murim Alliance? With the entire Murim exposed to the threat of the Blood Cult, the Dark Path Murim could not have acted recklessly either.”
“Well, if the Black Alliance had used the situation in Sichuan, they probably could have established themselves a year faster.”
During the Sicheon Bloodbath, the fact that the Black Alliance silenced the Black Path Martial World, which had called for an attack on the White Path Martial World, was clearly of great help to the Martial Alliance.
If the Black Alliance had not missed the opportunity and had gained power by exploiting the weaknesses of the Murim Alliance, the Murim Alliance would now be half-destroyed and continuing an endless battle with the Black Alliance.
“If you compare them to humans, wouldn’t the Black Alliance still be at the level of a child? Wounds sustained in childhood are bound to leave deep scars.”
“Is it not true that one must undergo hardship to become a true adult? No matter how old one grows, if one lacks substance, can one truly be called an adult?”
Damak was saying that the more blood the Saheukryeon sheds, the more solidified it will become.
For a moment, Jegal Somyeong wondered if this was Damak’s method.
After all, it is the common mindset of a Black Sect member to pursue the goal rather than the process, no matter the sacrifice. ‘Was that his nature from the start? Or was he tainted by it while living in the Black Sect?’ However, doubts still remained.
If he took this position merely out of sheer guts, there are many people in the dark martial arts world with even more radical ideologies than Damak.
And meager bluff is bound to be easily shaken in the face of a threat to one’s life.
Jegal So-myeong lowered his voice calmly.
“There is something that those sitting in positions of authority often misunderstand: the conviction that they will be safe until the very last moment.”
“If the Black Alliance is an enemy of the Murim Alliance, wouldn’t the best course of action be to eliminate them when their outstanding chief strategist visits the Murim Academy?”
At the same time, he subtly exuded a murderous aura.
Psychological pressure and the pressure of Qigong trigger physical reactions, which soon imprint fear deep within the mind.
This was also the reason why Zhuge Xiaoming never let go of his martial arts, even sacrificing sleep.
Sure enough.
Beads of sweat begin to form on Damak’s face.
No matter how clever or courageous a person may be, their true nature is bound to be revealed when their life is on the line.
Zhuge Xiaoming thought he had finally seized the momentum.
“How is it? The Black Alliance…….”
He smiled sweetly as he looked at Damak’s face.
“An enemy of the Murim Alliance? Or a friend?”
A heavy silence settles in the drawing room.
It was only after a long silence that Damak calmly opened his mouth.
And the words that came out of his mouth.
“If I die here, the Black Alliance could truly become one.”
It was far beyond Zhuge Xiaoming’s expectations.
Damak quietly closes his eyes after saying that.
They do not add more words or even attempt to find a way out.
Simply waiting for the approaching death without any fear.
It was actually Zhuge Xiaoming who was flustered.
Because I didn’t sense at all the ‘attachment to life’ that a human being should naturally possess in Damak.
He had never even imagined such a detached attitude, as if he didn’t care what happened afterward.
And at that moment, Zhuge Xiaoming realized, ‘Was this it?’ Even though Dam-ak was a scholar by profession and had not mastered a single stroke of martial arts.
The reason he was able to manipulate and control the giants of the Black Path. ‘I see… so this was it.’ He was using not only others but himself as one of the pawns.
It is not because that way provides a greater advantage.
Mindlessness
I do it simply because it is the right thing to do.
And this profound realm of the mind evoked an overwhelming emotion in the beholder. ‘To have reached such a level through scholarship?’ It struck me anew how vast the world is.
I am sorry.
Eventually, Zhuge Xiaoming was the first to speak.
The other person came across as too sincere to simply dismiss it as a joke.
The only way to avoid a loss here is through a polite apology and concessions.
The reason the leaders of the Black Path were eventually grabbed by the hair by Damak must be that they could not bow their heads in such a situation.
And Zhuge Xiaoming was not as foolish as them.
He bowed his head very slightly.
“That was a bit of a joke. I suppose I’ve become curious to see how you handle a warrior.”
Damak opened his eyes and nodded as if nothing were wrong.
I will accept the apology.
Jegal So-myeong admitted that he had no choice but to be dragged away by Dam-ak.
Now that the opponent has completely grabbed my beard.
I hope you understand that even if we cannot be friends, we must not become enemies.
“I am aware. I hear there are many currently causing trouble by impersonating the Demonic Cult and the Dark Path.”
The greed of the White Path martial arts world was providing justification for those constantly looking for an opportunity, and Jegal So-myeong did not want the Black Alliance to join this chaos. ‘True chaos is coming.’ Although he could not form an alliance with the Black Alliance until the Demonic Cult fully revealed its power, he had to prevent unnecessary conflict.
“At the very least, if you demonstrate a harmonious relationship between the Four Black Alliances and the Murim Alliance, the number of those impersonating the Dark Path Murim will decrease.”
It is a warning to those who take advantage of the chaos to at least not impersonate the Black Alliance.
This time, Damak nodded vigorously.
“I know. Because it is a visit for his sake.”
In the end, after going in circles, it ended up being a situation where the Murim Alliance asked the Black Alliance for a favor.
Zhuge Xiaoming tried hard not to show the sense of defeat he was feeling for the first time in a long while.
On the one hand, since I had no idea what a person capable of giving up even themselves would demand, getting exhausted already was a luxury.
Jegal Somyeong asked Damak without letting his guard down.
“What does the Black Alliance want? Logistics in the Northeast? Dominion over the Shanxi region? Let me warn you, just to be safe, it cannot be White South and Black North.”
I drew a line with the resolve to skip at least the first two.
No, perhaps it would be a more accurate description to say that they set limits on what they were aiming for so that it would feel like the Murim Alliance was giving something big.
Damak, still maintaining a calm and relaxed attitude.
Just as Jegal So-myeong was burning with anxiety as he watched him.
Damak slowly opened his lips.
I have only one wish.
Zhuge Xiaoming swallowed hard.
Just how enormous a demand are you planning to make…
Please allow us to congratulate Jin So-un, a student at the academy, on his graduation in the name of the Black Alliance.
Jegal So-myeong wondered if something was wrong with his ears, so he was about to go wash them, but soon gave up.
And then I started spinning my head.
‘To think that throwing away an opportunity to reap enormous benefits and all you want is a mere celebration.’ ‘Yes, this is surely…’ There must be a wicked, foresightful scheme behind it that I had not anticipated.
However, no matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t figure out the intention at all.
It was Jeon Gal So-myeong who, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Murim Alliance, faced one of the most troublesome challenges he could ever encounter.
