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2.
What would happen if I were honest about my identity?
What if I told people the story that I returned from the future to the past?
“If I were to suggest that we all work hard together to prevent the crisis facing the martial arts world?” “It would sound like crazy talk.” I can say with certainty that no one would agree with my opinion and step forward to join me.
With so many enemies to begin with, being accused of being mentally unstable would only expose yet another weakness.
I’ll probably end up tied up limb by limb, spending my days in a golden prison, calling real lunatics brothers with them… …
“Still, if I were to take an extreme optimistic view?” “Hmph… That would be a problem in its own way. If the rumor that ‘the master of the Jianghu is changing’ were to spread incorrectly and reach the ears of those high-ranking officials in Beijing, wouldn’t I end up becoming the leader of the Yellow Turbans?”
Beyond the achievements of the Jianghu, he has instantly secured the achievements of the Imperial Family as well. [How dare you say that the ruler of the world is changing!] [No! I was just talking about those Demonic Cult bastards!!!] [Shut up, you traitor! Dismember that man immediately!]
eww…….
It is terrible just to imagine.
But now.
“I was in danger of having my identity exposed. ‘Damn it…’ And that was someone who was second to none in intelligence within the Murim Alliance.”
No, I mean to the nobleman with the most outstanding five stars in the martial arts world.
“What is your true identity?”
I can vividly feel the thick saliva going down.
Naturally, Zhuge Xiaoming is not someone who can nitpick and gloss over things.
The very fact that Zhuge Xiaoming asked such a question implies that he had already roughly completed the paintings through his ‘sculpture theory’.
What he lacks is just one piece for confirmation.
It was clear that he had asked such a question, even dismissing the formation experts in order to find the ‘last piece’.
I tried my best to appear as composed as possible.
“……
I am, of course, Jin So-woon, the proud representative of the Murim Academy.
“…….”
but.
Jegal So-myeong’s emotionless gaze sinks even heavier. ‘Damn it.’ His sharp eyes scan me, looking as if they could pierce my body at any moment.
“You should know perfectly well what the intention of my question is.”
What should I do?
How can I present a piece that will transform the paintings he has roughly completed into a completely different form?
Jegal Somyeong’s heavy voice continues.
“The Formation of the Eight Trigrams of the World… I did tell you not to be arrogant, but this is not the kind of formation that can be shattered the moment you see it. If you truly possessed that ability, you wouldn’t have needed to enter the academy so desperately in the first place, nor would you have needed to risk your life to save your sect.”
Now it becomes clear why he suppressed the strategists so they could not suspect me, and removed them from their positions.
He was viewing this problem even more seriously.
Jegal So-myeong wraps the iron wire he holds in his hand around and grips it in one hand.
The tip of the iron wire naturally heads toward my vital point.
“Are you… a spy?”
I was wondering why you’re still carrying a fan when it’s been so long since the cool breeze started blowing.
That was just to take my life.
‘If there is any consolation, is it that they don’t suspect me of seeing the future, but rather think I’m a spy?’ ‘Should I consider this a relief?’ I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at being suspected of being a bad guy instead of a madman.
Anyway, perhaps thanks to the effect of the wound medicine Sama Jeong applied, the bleeding stopped and my head started to work little by little.
Certainly… it works well.
I’ll have to ask for some separately.
I quickly focused and spoke.
“Ahem, what do you mean?”
“To be honest, among the people of your sect, I will not harm those who have not participated in this matter.”
Instead, they will persistently investigate until it is revealed that someone was involved.
Naturally, goddamn bastards like Akbyeongbi will be mobilized for the investigation.
Do you think I’m a fool?
“I feel wronged!”
“Then are you saying you analyzed the Yangyi Eight Trigrams and Ten Thousand Symbols Formation in a single stroke?”
Actually, that makes even less sense.
Because I accomplished in just one hour what took even Manoe a hundred days.
Anyway, if you don’t give a convincing explanation now, it seems you will continue to be suspected in the future.
I racked my brain more fiercely than ever before.
And I recalled someone from my memories.
Actually, I didn’t analyze it all at once.
I heard that this is the first time you have visited the marijuana farm since the incident.
There was a guy named Seo Un-chang among the members of the Sojeongdae. A swindler who joined the Sojeongdae despite not possessing a single shred of martial arts skill.
Seo Woon-chang said that if you want to make someone believe a lie, make them doubt something else.
Humans are beings who cannot cast doubt on both ambivalent things.
“So that scammer bastard is actually helpful in this way. Of course, that was indeed the first time it became known to the public.”
Externally? If so, does that mean you have seen it before?
That is correct.
“That’s nonsense. If so, that means they saw it at the Zhuge family…”
Jegal So-myeong tilts his head, finding it strange.
I shook my head as I looked at him.
“No. It is true that I first saw it at the Murim Academy.”
“huh?”
“During the first three days, the Yangyi Eight Trigrams and Myriad Symbols Formation was not a Qimen Formation that posed a threat to people, was it? I was inside it every night for three days.”
And it drops a small clue to suspect.
And I am someone who came out having memorized all the infinitely changing paths within the Infinite Immortal Soul Annihilation Formation.
Jegal So-myeong withdraws his usual sharp gaze and looks at me with a subdued look.
Before he knew it, the position of the wire had changed and was used to tap his own head.
It probably means they are trying to piece together the whole picture with the last piece I handed them.
It was a stroke of luck for me that he showed me even a little bit of the painting he had drawn.
Because clever people like Jegal Somyeong tend to prefer finding the answer through small clues like this.
Once you come up with that answer, the doubts are bound to naturally disappear.
Sure enough.
Then is it related to the method of bringing the head of the Young Sect Leader?
He started to suspect in the direction I intended.
“Show me.”
Suspicion gradually grew, and I reached the point where I was about to come to an answer.
If I just pass this, I should be able to get rid of the suspicion.
That is why.
I don’t want to.
“What?”
“These were things I was able to do precisely because they were invisible to everyone. If I am to be suspected because of this, then so be it.”
“Even if I am suspected of being a spy, do you mean?”
I deliberately raised my head nonchalantly.
“Didn’t the Commander-in-Chief personally resolve the suspicions directed at me?”
I can take back what I’ve said at any time.
“If that were your intention, you wouldn’t have brought it up in the first place.”
The corners of Jegal Somyeong’s eyes tremble.
It is a familiar look. A look that says, “What kind of guy is this?”
“I have many enemies. I have to hide my cards again and again just to barely stand shoulder to shoulder with them.”
At this point, even Jegal Somyeong pressed his temples repeatedly, as if he could no longer think clearly.
The tide has turned in my favor.
Now it’s my turn to apply the pressure.
So, what kind of compensation will you give us?
“what?”
It is said that geniuses like Zhuge Xiaoming have larger brain volumes than others, but surely their limit is human.
I must keep giving them food for thought so that they can finally let go of their suspicion of me.
Well, I needed compensation, too.
My hand really hurt.
I leaned forward and said.
Didn’t our delegation resolve the incident caused by Jegal Jeong-gi?
To be precise, the Dean of the Academic Affairs was with us.
“I don’t know if you are aware of this, but Senior Brother Buk is a lay disciple of our Taeeulmun. In that sense, he is strictly a person connected to our delegation.”
“Ugh…….”
I deliberately sped up my speech.
“Isn’t this the incident where the legendary ‘Yang-ui Palgwae Mansang Jin’ nearly devoured a group of nearly a hundred people? Naturally, you cannot just let this slide. Don’t you agree?”
There are seventy-eight people.
“Don’t we usually round numbers like this?”
After bursting into a laugh of disbelief, Jegal Somyeong asks me.
What do you want?
Of course, you want something so complicated it makes your head explode.
I naturally brought my hands together and rubbed them together as I spoke.
“How much research have you done?”
The corners of Zhuge Xiaoming’s eyes trembled once again. The moment Zhuge Xiaoming entered the Mantong Mansion, he felt a strange sensation.
Should I say the atmosphere is heavier than usual?
When I return from working outside, Maeng Ju-won, who usually clings to me while whining, somehow greets me politely.
“You have arrived, Commander-in-Chief.”
“What? Did you take some medicine?”
Maeng Ju-won does not even frown at the reprimand.
What are you saying? Isn’t it only natural for members of the Ministry of Communications to pay their respects to the head of the Ministry when they see him?
“What is… wrong with this?”
I looked at the other Mantongbu employees, but they were all in a similar state to Maeng Ju-won.
Come to think of it, even the interior of the General Affairs Department, which is usually a complete mess, was roughly tidied up. ‘What the heck, did they all take some kind of drug?’ With my head already aching, seeing them act like this naturally made me feel uncomfortable.
however.
“Have you come?”
“Huh?”
When I entered the office, an even more absurd situation awaited me.
It was Hyuk Mu-gang who was drinking tea.
Only then did I understand why those bastards from the Mantong Department were doing things they never usually did.
“General… shall I prepare some tea for you?”
Looking at Maeng Ju-won, who was asking politely, the fellow was shaking his head slightly.
A situation where the intention is obvious.
I suppose you mean to take the leader out.
Jegal So-myeong deliberately nodded his head vigorously.
“Alright, we are going to talk for a long time, so brew about three pots of tea and bring it over.”
A look of bewilderment crosses Maeng Ju-won’s face.
“In that case, how about going to a tea plantation near Meng?”
“Hmph! How dare you squander the Murim Alliance’s funds, which must be saved every penny, on such a frivolous thing?”
Jegal So-myeong shifts his gaze to Hyeok Mu-gang as if seeking consent.
“It would probably be better for you to eat here rather than go out, Alliance Leader. Don’t you think so?”
I don’t care.
Maeng Ju-won scowled like a report and stepped back.
Zhuge Xiaoming clicked his tongue as if dumbfounded.
“Hmph! Damn bastards. So you think the Alliance Leader is scary, but I’m not?!”
Hyuk Mu-gang tilted his head as he watched the scene.
“What do you mean?”
“No, not at all. Anyway, why did you come all the way here? I told you I’m coming.”
“Is it right for someone who eats and plays at the Alliance Headquarters every day to order a busy person around? I must come in person.”
How great would it be if you handled your daily work like this.
The problem was always that Hyuk Mu-gang only moved his heavy bottom himself when it came to matters of deep interest.
“It’s not the first time he’s shown such immense interest, but… … ‘Why does he seem even more interested than he was with Yong So-ah or Il-myeong?’ Hyeok Mu-gang already had an expectant look on his face even before the tea was served.”
“How is it? Was the character correct as expected?”
Jegal So-myeong looked at the Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, who seemed filled with anticipation like a child, and said a word.
It seems like you are hoping to be a kanja.
“That’s impossible!”
Zhuge Xiaoming let out a long sigh.
“Alliance Leader, your prediction was correct. It appears he possesses martial arts related to stealth.”
“Haha! Is that really true?!”
Hyeok Mu-gang burst into hearty laughter as if he couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“This is not the time to laugh. It means the Tenmokugaku has been breached.”
The Yangyi Eight Trigrams Ten Thousand Formations is an artifact treated as a special secret by the Murim Alliance.
Naturally, even if the Jegal family maintains strict security, the Murim Alliance wouldn’t just sit idly by, would they?
Hyeok Mu-gang nods.
“This is the child who brought the Young Cult Leader’s head back from the very heart of the Blood Cult forces. It will be a tough match for Cheonmokgak to handle.”
“Phew…….”
“In any case, we have merely confirmed once again that the Murim Alliance has outstanding talent, so why are you sighing?”
At that question, Zhuge Xiaoming lets out a groan.
That’s because he excels in unique areas.
“An unusual aspect?”
Zhuge Xiaoming nodded and continued speaking.
“I lied to the clan’s formation masters in front of him. Without a moment’s hesitation, he immediately started lying to match my words right there.”
One might expect him to show at least a hint of panic, but he didn’t show the slightest sign of it.
It was to the point where even the listener mistook it for having heard such a story from the real Cheon-gi.
Moreover, even though I forced everyone to retreat and pressured him, he didn’t say a single word about stealth martial arts until the very end.
“You’re a very bold child.”
I simply cannot tell if they are confident in themselves or just quick-witted.
“Hmm…….”
“By nature, divinity usually carries a somewhat innocent and untainted side. But that fellow shows absolutely none of that. At times, it feels like I am facing an old demon of the Dark Path.”
Hyeok Mu-gang nodded.
“In that respect, that man, the Four Emperors’ Phoenix Lord, really chose a great nickname.”
That’s exactly what I’m saying.
Dragon
It is a dragon, but a black dragon
am.
Unlike other dragons who cultivate their spiritual path in the mountains and rivers solely for the sake of the wish-granting pearl, the Black Dragon attained enlightenment by engaging in fierce battles in the rough seas.
Why is it that the image of a giant black dragon suddenly snatching the corpse of a blue dragon in one hand and the corpse of a phoenix in the other comes to mind?
“Aren’t you worried, Alliance Leader?”
“well.”
Hyeok Mu-gang stroked his chin with his finger.
“If that child had acted solely for his own benefit, wouldn’t he never have caught the eye of me or the Commander-in-Chief in the first place?”
Tsk. That’s right.
You can see that just by looking at this incident.
To avoid being caught secretly investigating the Yangyi Eight Trigrams and Ten Thousand Symbols Formation, it is best not to step forward to save Baekdohoe.
Moreover, wasn’t the Baekdohoe a threat to Jin So-woon’s delegation?
If he were in Jin So-woon’s situation right now, he naturally would not have helped the Baekdohoe.
“The method may have been rough, but wasn’t it ultimately intended to make up for the shortcomings of one’s birth?”
Houseplants grown indoors bloom easily, but they are vulnerable to wind and rain.
Wild weeds do not easily bloom, but they are not easily broken even by strong winds and rain.
Jegal Somyeong knew very well how brilliantly such wildflowers shine when they bloom.
“Now that I know your martial arts skills are that outstanding, I suppose I can grant the request of the Four Emperors’ Peak Lord.”
Jegal So-myeong, after pondering Hyeok Mu-gang’s question for a moment, nodded.
“Well… it wasn’t a place where anything big was going to happen in the first place.”
Even if something big were to happen, I can’t imagine that guy falling victim to a male or female.
“It is truly a relief. I was troubled as to how to refuse the request to send a mere academy student as an envoy. Didn’t you originally intend to send the Yongbong Society or the Seven Stars?”
“That is true. The same goes for the Four Emperors’ Lord. Even so, asking us to send Jin So-un back is insane, isn’t it? No matter how much we owe them for the Blood Cult matter!”
“Isn’t that at least a relief?”
“It’s not a relief!”
Hyeok Mu-gang raised his head at Jegal So-myeong’s firm words.
I think you will need to open the report.
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
Oh, and you’ll also need to secure the budget for the Alliance War.
“No, wait, what is that…….”
“Because that bastard Jin So-un sent a hefty bill because of this incident.”
Jegal So-myeong takes a piece of paper from his bosom and places it flat on the table.
“No, why this…….”
“I had no choice. After all, I lost. If you feel so wronged, you go and settle this yourself, Alliance Leader.”
Yeah, I’m not too worried even if that guy leaves.
After all, a guy who swindles the entire army of the Murim Alliance wouldn’t come back having been stabbed in the back by the likes of the Black Bandits.
“You damn bastard…….”
Jegal So-myeong soothed his bitter stomach with curses directed at no one.
