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1.
As the story continued, doubts lingered in Jegal Somyeong’s eyes.
Is that true?
Of course.
Ak Byeong-bi answered calmly and moved on, but at the story that followed, Jegal So-myeong was once again left speechless.
“……
You mean that was true?
Yes. That is correct.
“…….”
Ak Byeong-bi answers with an expressionless face.
There was not a trace of falsehood on his face, yet Jegal So-myeong wore an expression of utter disbelief.
“Illegible, is what the commander just said true?”
Finally, skipping over the reporter Ak Byeong-bi, he asks Il-myeong back.
Il-myeong also nodded.
That is correct.
What on earth happened?
Zhuge Xiaoming furrowed his brows deeply.
“Did you fall victim to sorcery at the Black Alliance? Or…”
Finally, he glares at me with a suspicious look.
“Did that bastard Jin So-un cast some kind of sorcery on you?”
Hey, sorcery? You’re going a bit too far.
Why did the sparks suddenly fly at me in the first place…
Just then, Dang Seo-hui’s sleep talking was heard from behind.
“Mmm, mmm, this is all karma.”
Excuse me? You’re not actually sleeping, are you?
As I wore a bewildered expression, Ak Byeong-bi emphasized it again.
I would like to reiterate that there is not the slightest exaggeration or omission in the story I reported.
Despite Ak Byeong-bi’s solemn bowing attitude, Jeogal So-myeong’s expression was extremely sullen.
Wait, even so, if they are the Three Leaders of the Inspection Pavilion, they should be people who have been vetted within the Martial Arts Alliance. Is it really that hard to trust them?
So, unknown entities infiltrated the Dark Alliance and instigated a war between the Murim Alliance and the Dark Alliance… and the delegation was even framed as murderers, but Jin So-woon, a disciple of the Daoist Martial Arts Sect, [had] Buddhist…
You pulled it up and used mind-reading to find the culprit?
hmm…….
Now that I hear you organize it like that, it does seem a bit strange.
For some reason, it sounds like something a drunk person just blurted out…
“Seriously… this wasn’t a false report?”
Ak Byeong-bi spoke in his characteristically calm tone to Jegal So-myeong, who seemed thirsty as if hoping for some excuse.
“Of course, the ‘mind-reading’ Jin So-un mentioned was likely nothing more than a ‘device’ intended to intimidate the Black Sect members of the Black Alliance.”
“therefore…….”
“However, I believe that even so, the achievements he displayed during this dispatch of the Black Alliance delegation will not be diminished.”
“huh?”
Just like Zhuge Xiaoming’s surprised expression, I was also quite surprised by Ak Byeong-bi’s words.
“The delegation was in the worst possible situation. As the leader, I was helpless against the surprise attack, and there was no one within the Black Alliance from whom I could turn for help.”
His voice has no high or low notes.
“For us, it was the absolute worst-case scenario we could have imagined. Neither I nor the Black Alliance doubted that the delegation would become the scapegoats of this situation, and the only thing I could do—disgracefully—was to convey the message to flee.”
There is not the slightest hesitation in his deep voice as it resonates throughout Daejeon.
It feels trustworthy, as if calmly narrating the truth.
Everyone had given up everything. Only one person.
Akbyeongbi slowly raises his head.
Except for Jin So-un.
Unlike his expressionless face, only his eyes gleam.
Even in the worst-case scenario where nothing could be done, Jin So-woon did not give up on anything. Taking risks and making sacrifices, he never stopped striving for even a single moment.
He spoke endlessly, as if he were going to pour out everything he knew.
Cool-headed reason, a warm heart, bonds with colleagues, and unwavering conviction. Integrity unshaken by personal and petty gains.
Eventually, his gaze turns toward me.
Because I possessed all of these qualities, I was able to overcome the difficulties with indomitable will.
As I listened to Ak Byeong-bi’s words, I even felt a desire to become close with the being he was talking about.
“I believe that taking issue with merely the outwardly expressed ‘words’ is no different from taking issue with a handful of mud scattered in a clear lake. Jin So-woon is the top member of this delegation and the greatest contributor who prevented a great war that could have broken out between the Black Alliance and the Murim Alliance.”
Of course, the moment I realized that was about me, my cheeks burned so much I couldn’t even lift my head.
“hmm…….”
Hyuk Mu-gang, who had been listening silently from the side, opened his mouth.
“I heard there was a minor issue between the Ak family and Jin So-un a while ago.”
Shamefully, the fault lies largely with the Akga family.
“No, I’m not trying to assign blame… I’m asking if something else happened between the two of you in the meantime.”
Well, I guess it can’t be helped.
You must have wondered, “Just how much food did they have to stuff themselves to speak this nicely?”
If it had been a third party, I would have certainly suspected it too.
However, Akbyeongbi firmly shook his head.
There wasn’t.
A look of bewilderment crosses the leader’s face.
But you rate it this highly?
As soon as I was assigned to the Inspection Office, I learned that I must speak only the facts and be as accurate as possible.
Hyeok Mu-gang tilts his head.
Even without hearing it, it was obvious that one would question whether the word ‘accurate’ was appropriate to use here.
I have absolutely no idea what this guy Akbyeongbi is thinking right now.
Ahem, Jin So-un.
This time, Jegal So-myeong called out to me. However, for some reason, his gaze seemed to be directed at Dang Seo-hui, who was being carried on my back.
“yes.”
“Is what the Three Lords… no, the head of the delegation just said true?”
After thinking it over for a moment, I answered cautiously.
“Just as the commander said, it seems to be an impeccably accurate report.”
Why? What?
I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?
I am acting as Dang Seo-hee’s nanny, but it is not because I wanted to, but because Dang Seo-hee wanted to.
And just because I’m acting like a babysitter doesn’t mean the work I’ve done disappears or gets devalued, does it?
Of course, that has to be done.
I raised my arm once to correct Dang Seo-hui’s posture, then bowed my head toward Ak Byeong-bi.
“As expected, this is typical of the Three Party Leaders, who are renowned for their fairness and impartiality.”
Jegal So-myeong looking at me with a look of disbelief.
at that time.
“Mmm, mmm, what a brazen thing.”
Dang Seo-hee’s sleep talking is heard once again.
You woke up a while ago, right?
“snoring…….”
After a brief silence, Hyeok Mu-gang spoke.
“Uh, anyway, isn’t it true that the delegation handled the matter excellently?”
That’s right.
In that case, you should praise him rather than interrogate him.
Jegal So-myeong, who had been gazing intently at me, finally lets out a small sigh.
That’s right. ……
“Anyway, you did well. It’s a bit of a shame, but you pulled it off brilliantly.”
The leader lightly taps Zhuge Xiaoming on the shoulder.
“Good grief, Commander-in-Chief. Be honest. Didn’t you handle it so brilliantly that it far exceeded expectations?”
“Ahem, this is the standard for an envoy from the Murim Alliance to do.”
“Hehe. Are you that happy?”
When Hyeok Mu-gang spoke in a teasing tone, Jegal So-myeong looked serious.
“Didn’t the Alliance Leader feel regret about not being able to form an alliance?”
Hyeok Mu-gang was startled and hurriedly glanced at us.
“Ahem, th-that was just a personal regret. Why bring that up here…?”
Hyeok Mu-gang must have felt a great deal of regret.
Furthermore, clearly aware of the realistic limitations, it appeared that he had been reprimanded by Jegal Somyeong for this matter.
Anyway, having won the argument, Zhuge Xiaoming turned his head again and asked about the identity of the box in front of us.
“But what are those things that you brought all the way here?”
Akbyeongbi glanced at me once and reported.
“This is a gift sent by the leader of the Black Alliance on Dam-ak’s behalf when I left the Black Alliance.”
“Huh? The Lord of the Black Alliance?”
Eventually, Il-myeong and I got up from our seats and moved near the box.
Jegal So-myeong and Hyeok Mu-gang’s gazes naturally turned toward us.
Clunk.
As the boxes opened, the objects began to be revealed one by one.
Precious treasures that disappeared or were stolen from the White Path martial arts world in the past.
At the appearance of objects possessing absolute historical value that could not be exchanged for anything other than monetary value, even the great Hyeok Mu-gang gaped his mouth wide.
“W-what is all this?”
Of course, the one most surprised was Zhuge Xiaoming.
This time, I answered.
“They conveyed their hope that although we cannot be together right now, we can gradually bridge the distance between us.”
He was staring at me with a look of utter disbelief. After the delegation left, a long silence hung over the main hall.
Silence continued for quite a while, and it was Hyuk Mu-gang who spoke first.
“Is this possible?”
I have experienced many things while serving as the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance for the past twenty years.
In doing so, I gained the most fundamental realization.
It is precisely that things do not always go according to one’s ideals.
That is why I came to know the limits of humanity, and because I knew the limits of humanity, I let go of my greed.
The same goes for this delegation.
Although I dispatched an envoy as Jegal Somyeong had intended, I never imagined that the delegation would return with anything to show for it.
Since even Zhuge Xiaoming said he didn’t expect much from this.
I think I’m dreaming.
However, the delegation that left on an absurd mission brought results beyond expectations.
I feel the same way.
Jegal Somyeong’s eyes were filled with complexity as he gazed at the items inside the box.
“I am incredibly confused as to whether I should accept this as something that was naturally possible, or consider it a miracle of achieving the impossible…”
“Haha. It is truly an astonishing thing.”
Eventually, the commander-in-chief let out a hollow laugh as he looked at the door through which Jin So-un and the delegation had exited.
“Moreover, isn’t he just a mere academy student? How could a fellow who is practically a novice to the martial arts world possibly accomplish such things…”
Hyuk Mu-gang, who kept nodding endlessly in agreement.
He cautiously opened his mouth.
“You saw the General Staff earlier, too, didn’t you?”
yes.”
The child, Dang Seo-hui, was being carried.
He even talked in his sleep.
“It is surprising enough that the so-called child failed to make their presence known…….”
Sobul, also known as Ilmyung, is a talent among talents who will lead the martial arts world in the future.
It is surprising that such a child could not say a word, as if their presence had vanished.
“Seo-hee… even that child.”
The two of them thought that if the Poison King had heard this, they would have seen him utterly shocked with that stoic face.
Should we consider that guy special?
Hyeok Mu-gang slowly shook his head at Jegal So-myeong’s question.
I don’t know either.
Former leader of Murim Academy.
So, the caliber of the children who entered the academy four years ago was also quite remarkable.
Including the Divine Plum Blossom Sword Hwajeongsan, the Reincarnation True Master Akbuksan, and the New Transformation Divine Sword Namgungsan.
It is surprising enough that there are so many geniuses who appear perhaps once in a hundred years.
How shocked I was to see even those children being overshadowed by the light of Sobul, Baeksushinnyeo, and Yongsoah…
But now, it felt like even the light of those children was fading.
Because of that one guy, Jin So-woon.
Jegal So-myeong looked down at the box with disbelief.
“Seeing that the leader of the Black Alliance even sent such a burdensome item… that bastard Jin So-un must have been playing some strange stunt.”
Hmm, I suppose so.
“That is why it is even more surprising. What kind of late-stage appointee in this world… would serve as a bridgehead between the Murim Alliance and the Dark Alliance?”
It is not enough to simply be skilled in martial arts and have an extraordinary mind.
He was effortlessly accomplishing things that would be difficult to achieve even if one read the world, understood people, and accumulated countless experiences layer upon layer in their heart.
I am also quite afraid.
“yes?”
Jegal So-myeong tilted his head at Hyeok Mu-gang’s sudden remark.
Likewise, a light mixed with worry and pity rises over the face of the leader as he examines the box once again.
Sometimes, stars that shine too brightly disappear just as quickly, don’t they?
“Perhaps I should hide the light, even if on purpose.”
How vulgar and trivial human emotions are.
but.
It was always that vulgar emotion called jealousy that brought down great heroes and twisted history.
Zhuge Xiaoming, who had been nodding, let out a sigh.
“Hmm… I am afraid of something else.”
“Huh? Which one are you referring to?”
A light mixed with terror and fear rises over the face of the commander.
“I am afraid of the… receipt that guy will hand me.”
What is that sound all of a sudden?
Zhuge Xiaoming’s face flushed red with excitement.
“Did you happen to see, Alliance Leader? That bastard Jin So-un wore a meaningful smile as he left…! He is clearly going to take a huge amount from this….”
Tsk. Then again, it is something that can’t just be let slide.
Zhuge Xiaoming trembled as if he had seen a ghost.
“I am not confident. So please handle it yourself, Alliance Leader.”
“Commander-in-Chief, how could you be so irresponsible…….”
“I will do what I can. However, hasn’t the achievement he has made exceeded the level for which I can reward him?”
The gifts received by the delegation are of significant value to the Murim Alliance as well.
The original owners of the treasure are the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans that control the Murim Alliance.
Even though they are the owners, you cannot simply return the treasure.
This means the Murim Alliance can use this treasure to extract as much compensation as they want from them. ‘From our perspective, it is practically a formidable weapon.’ Just what kind of price must be paid to the one who came to find such an item?
Even with his brilliant mind, Zhuge Xiaoming found it difficult to calculate.
“ha…….”
But the same goes for Hyuk Mu-gang.
“Hmm…….”
After deep contemplation, Hyuk Mu-gang stammered and opened his mouth.
“Shall I open Eunok’s report?”
Normally, Jegal So-myeong would have screamed angrily asking if he was out of his mind, but today, for some reason, he kept his mouth tightly shut and just stared at Hyeok Mu-gang.
Hyeok Mu-gang, who had been observing the situation, asked again.
“May I really open Eunok’s Treasury?”
However, Jegal So-myeong remained silent until the end, as if refusing to take responsibility.
