Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Murim Alliance. Muryeongwan Leader’s Office.

“Why is there still no news!”

At the sight of the large elderly man slamming his fist on the desk, a woman who sighed deeply put down the book she was holding and gently spoke.

“Don’t make such a fuss over them being a little late. Director. You always worry too much.”

“……Be quiet! What if they were attacked on the way!”

“That’s what I mean by unnecessary worry. Attack? Just because we call them novices doesn’t mean the trainees are actual novices.”

Watching Muryeongwan Director Yeon Gun fidget restlessly, the woman shook her head and looked at the calendar hanging on the wall. The competition date that had already approached right before their eyes.

‘They are late though.’

The woman, Heo So, who muttered a small impression, twisted her drooping hair with her finger. Although she told the Director not to make a fuss, she herself couldn’t help but worry.

Two months had passed since the Muryeongwando left Muryeongwan.

During those two months, Director Yeon Gun and Vice Director Heo So hadn’t slept properly for even an hour. Of course, that would be natural from an educator’s perspective.

What is the competition?

The competition is held to test each other’s capabilities and encourage learning motivation. Since the original name was ‘Exchange Tournament Between the Two Great Academies,’ it’s fair to say its purpose lies in exchange.

Every year during the competition, the trainees of Muryeongwan and Mujeongwan reflect on the results and strive for better results next time. Despite numerous injuries occurring during the somewhat rough process, the reason this tradition of competition is maintained is for that reason.

But what about now?

‘They’ve been told not to win and then sent to compete.’

The path to victory is blocked. Of course, the Murim Alliance side didn’t directly convey the message “don’t win.” However.

Anyone who’s not a fool can tell. What result the Murim Alliance desires from this competition.

That’s what’s worrying.

‘I hope they’re not too disheartened.’

Heo So, who sighed deeply, shook her head while looking out the window. No matter how unavoidable the situation, they must have been somewhat disheartened knowing that a year’s worth of hardship had all been in vain.

She couldn’t even grasp how to offer consolation. Lost in that thought, Heo So, who had been furrowing her brow, sighed deeply. And.

“First, let’s prepare a welcome ceremony. Since they’re returning from long training, at least let them recover from their travel fatigue…….”

The moment Heo So, who had finally organized the situation, clicked her tongue and offered an alternative.

Kudangtang!

“Director! Vice Director! They’ve arrived!”

“What!”

At the words of the Muryeongwan instructor who came running in frantically, Heo So and Yeon Gun jumped to their feet.

“The trainees have arrived!”

“See, I told you not to worry. If you wait, they come quickly like this.”

At Yeon Gun making a fuss, Heo So rolled her eyes slightly and spoke to him with a faint smile. However, the instructor immediately shook his head at those words.

“It’s not the trainees……!”

“Not the trainees?”

“Yes.”

“……Then who arrived? Instructor Jang.”

“The thing is…….”

At Heo So’s sharp gaze, the instructor, who lowered his head, stared at the innocent floor and sighed deeply. And the words that immediately followed.

“It’s the Sado Alliance.”

“……What?”

“The Sado Alliance Leader has arrived……. before our trainees.”

“……What did you say?”

Heo So’s complexion turned pale.

What is the easiest way for any organization to demonstrate power?

Thinking simply, the easiest way to show power is to fight. Nothing is as direct and clear for demonstrating power as exercising it.

However, those who easily exercise power are shunned by everyone. Moreover, there are consequences that follow from exercising power. That’s why generally, proper organizations pay attention to ‘showing’ power without exercising it, with formality.

Yes.

Just like right now.

“So, you don’t know when they’ll arrive……?”

“That’s how it will be.”

I quietly lifted my teacup and moistened my lips while looking at the trembling table. A familiar yet quiet fragrance seeping into my nostrils.

This is an advantage of coming to the Murim Alliance’s Military Department. People who use their heads don’t skimp on tea leaves. They don’t use cheap tea leaves even for guests. That means I can enjoy the fragrance of high-grade tea leaves without spending my own money.

“Spe, speak sense!!!”

Of course, I can’t show that pleasure in the current situation.

I quietly set down my teacup while watching the Third Military Advisor of the Murim Alliance, Heo Chong, whose beard was trembling furiously.

“I know that former Commander Baek has exceptional talent in training. There’s no need to mention it, considering you raised Changcheondae to its current level.”

“It’s nothing. I’m embarrassed.”

“That’s not a compliment. Listen to the end! No matter how well the Commander trains them, couldn’t they at least keep to the schedule!”

At Heo Chong, who was roaring, I quietly felt the warmth of the teacup with my fingertips. The warmth hotly wetting my left index finger.

“I didn’t break the rules. We just need to arrive by the day before the competition, don’t we?”

“Rules, rules, those damn rules! The Commander has no flexibility! The Sado Alliance’s delegation has arrived right at our doorstep, and the Mujeongwando have already returned and unpacked! If the Sado Alliance Leader arrives now, we’re scheduled to hold the ceremony!”

“Ceremony, you say.”

I chuckled and looked at Heo Chong, who flinched and closed his mouth. He must know how foolish it is to be bound by that ceremony.

“It’s meaningless. You know that, don’t you?”

I heard the story. They intend to demonstrate the Murim Alliance’s military power through ceremony to save face. On the surface, it’s a purpose to welcome the Sado Alliance’s delegation that advocates peace, but behind the scenes, it’s to pressure the Sado Alliance with a show of force and inform everyone that the Murim Alliance is still superior. However…….

What meaning does that ceremony have?

“Certainly, the Murim Alliance is stronger than the Sado Alliance. There’s no doubt about that.”

This is an undeniable fact. The scale is different to begin with.

Gupa Ilbang and the Five Great Families, and Chilmun Iga—these forces may have some superiority over each other, but they’re evaluated as having similar levels of power in the world. Conversely, this means there are fifteen sects with similar levels of power in the orthodox path and nine in the unorthodox path. However.

What’s the current result?

“The Sado Alliance has pushed back the Murim Alliance. Even with less military strength, it’s sufficient.”

The reason is simple. The difference in core leadership.

The Sado Alliance moves as one body centered on the Sado Alliance Leader and is beating back the Murim Alliance, but the Murim Alliance can’t do that. That’s the reason why the current Murim Alliance is being pushed back. That core is the Sado Alliance Leader.

But they’ll pressure the Sado Alliance Leader with a ceremony like this?

They’d be fortunate not to be laughed at.

“I know. That even doing this, the Sado Alliance won’t bat an eye. Just as former Commander Baek says.”

At my words, Heo Chong, who regained his composure, frowned and spoke.

“But even if the Alliance can’t play the same role as the Sado Alliance, it’s still the core of the orthodox Murim. Sometimes those who lead must become clowns. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s not wrong either.”

“It’s done. What’s the point of saying anything now? If they can’t come, we’ll just proceed with the ceremony without them. Then we’ll proceed by judging that the Muryeongwando won’t come. Understood?”

“If they really don’t come, you may do so. However…….”

Jeobeok.

—Third Military Advisor. I have a report.

In the middle of speaking, at the suddenly heard footsteps, both Heo Chong’s and my gazes turned toward the corridor. The presence cautiously stopped in front of the door.

“Come in.”

—Yes.

With a sliding sound, a gate guard who quietly entered glanced at me briefly, then continued speaking toward the Third Military Advisor.

“I have a report. The ceremony preparations are almost complete. And.”

“And?”

“……The Sado Alliance’s delegation has arrived. They’ll arrive within one shichen .”

“Mmm……!”

“What will you do?”

Watching Heo Chong mutter, I smiled faintly and spoke.

“Do you still want to give the Sado Alliance a sense of vigilance?”

“If we could do that, nothing would be better.”

“Then leave it empty. The Muryeongwan’s seats.”

“……What did you say?”

At Heo Chong’s blank expression and question, I grinned. It would be natural to find it strange. How exceptional could the Muryeongwando be?

That’s what he’d think.

But the reality is different. Especially when it comes to giving them a sense of vigilance.

“Didn’t they say one shichen later?”

The sun is rising. One shichen later would be exactly noon, when the sun reaches its zenith.

“They’ll come. Not a single one missing.”

Was today the tenth day?

There’s no need to worry. Because.

I didn’t raise them weak enough for that.

Sangsan, the road.

“Aren’t you looking forward to it, Daesageom?”

The Sado Alliance Leader casually asked Daesageom, who was quietly walking beside the carriage heading toward the Murim Alliance.

“Looking forward to what?”

“They say they’re holding a welcome ceremony for us.”

“A welcome ceremony.”

“Sword Saint, that old man must have deep cultivation. Not only does he let me into the Alliance’s heart, but he’s even holding a welcome ceremony for the Sado Alliance’s underlings. Isn’t that right?”

“Hah.”

At the Sado Alliance Leader speaking with a faint smile, Daesageom also let out a hollow laugh and nodded.

“A childish farce. I don’t know how meaningful this is to the orthodox people.”

Neither Daesageom nor the Sado Alliance Leader are fools. Would the Murim Alliance truly welcome them, thinking logically?

No matter that they came holding the key to a ceasefire, until now the Sado Alliance and Murim Alliance have been mortal enemies, fighting and killing each other. Holding a welcome ceremony for such an opponent is fundamentally absurd. Yet the Murim Alliance Leader mentioned a welcome ceremony. What does this mean?

“They intend to suppress our momentum before negotiations.”

What they’ve shown in the war until now isn’t their full strength.

The Murim Alliance Leader probably wants to show that. However, it won’t have much meaning.

Having finished his judgment, Daesageom shook his head and suddenly looked around before speaking.

“The Murim Alliance is coming into view.”

“Is that so?”

Murmuring sounds.

The eyes of the common people focus on the Sado Alliance Leader’s party, who arrived at Sangsan, the center of the Murim Alliance, in a carriage engraved with the Sado Alliance’s symbol—a snake swallowing gold. The expressions of the common people, as if seeing something that shouldn’t exist.

However, they don’t stop. Like fish swimming upstream toward their goal, the carriage pushed against the road’s flow toward Sangsan’s center and.

“We’ve been waiting for you.”

“Ha.”

Finally reached the Murim Alliance’s main gate.

“A distinguished person has appeared. To think that the Murim Alliance’s First Military Advisor, famous for not showing his face, Sinsangwimo, would personally come out to greet this Alliance Leader. Should I say I’ve succeeded in life?”

At the Sado Alliance Leader’s question, spoken with a faint smile, the man who gave a cupped fist salute, Guyang Jeok, quietly shook his head.

“It’s narrow insight and cunning. How could this small mind compare to Manwang?”

“That’s too modest. Our Alliance would have had quite a headache if you hadn’t kept your senses sharp toward the frontline with the Demonic Cult .”

“One must not confuse priorities. There are things more important than the small grudges of the Central Plains Murim.”

“That’s true as well. Haha!”

Guyang Jeok, who watched the Sado Alliance Leader simply laugh off the barbed words with cool eyes, quietly continued speaking.

“I’d like to exchange more words, but we don’t have much time. We’ve prepared a ceremony of welcome. Please come inside.”

“A welcome ceremony—may I look forward to it?”

“You may look forward to it. It’s that lavish a ceremony.”

At the Sado Alliance Leader’s question with a faint smile, Guyang Jeok bowed his head, then turned around and spoke to the gate guards. A low voice spreading out.

“Open the gate.”

“Command received!”

Chwareureureureuk!

Upon hearing the command, the gate guards began pushing the massive Murim Alliance main gate with both hands. The sound of chains intricately intertwining and mechanisms operating.

The Murim Alliance’s main gate, which wouldn’t open to any attack, revealed its interior while emitting a majestic operating sound to welcome guests. And.

“This is…….”

When the gate completely opened and the interior revealed itself.

“Beyond expectations.”

The Sado Alliance Leader couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

“They gathered this much?”

Myeolak and Bokho, Pasa and Soma.

The military corps active on the frontlines with the Sado Alliance were lined up on both sides of the path leading inside the Murim Alliance, emanating their presence. Like heavenly generals guarding the sky, each one emitting sharp killing intent.

That’s not all.

“It’s been a while. Alliance Leader.”

“This is our first meeting. Manwang.”

Seeing the pair of man and woman who had been waiting on both sides of the gate and spoke to him, the Alliance Leader shrugged his shoulders with a pleased smile.

“Two of the Samgeonmjong  welcoming me. It couldn’t be more lavish.”

Sword Emperor , Sword Marquis , and Sword Saint .

People collectively call the three swordsmen who reached the pinnacle of the orthodox path Samgeomjong, in addition to Sipcheon . Actually, it’s not wrong.

Each one possesses skills worthy of being called a patriarch  of swordsmanship. Individual military strength that can face a sect alone.

Two swordsmen with that level of skill welcomed the Sado Alliance Leader.

Just for this event.

“It’s a farce I don’t like, but…….”

Sword Marquis Cheon Seoryeong, who sighed briefly, shook her head and looked around before speaking in a low voice.

“Since I’ve agreed once, I should do my job. I’ll guide you inside. Alliance Leader.”

“Huhu. I never thought the day would come when I’d receive your guidance. I thought the day would come when we’d each have our swords in each other’s hearts.”

“……Are you provoking me?”

“Hahaha! Of course not.”

The Alliance Leader, who burst into loud laughter, shook his head and looked around, then suddenly fixed his gaze on one spot. The sight of those wearing military uniforms without any symbols, differently from the military corps members who each wore uniforms symbolizing their respective corps.

“Who are they?”

“They’re the Mujeongwando. These are the children who will be your opponents this time. What do you think?”

“What do I think?”

At Guyang Jeok’s voice approaching, the Alliance Leader smiled faintly and examined the Mujeongwando, whose tension was evident, then nodded.

“They overflow with talent beyond what this Alliance Leader thought. Was it called the golden generation? The term isn’t ill-fitting.”

“……Your evaluation is more generous than expected. I thought you’d criticize harshly.”

“Haha, I often tell lies, but I don’t see the need to lie now. In terms of talent alone, even in the Sado Alliance, the promising talents comparable to them can be counted on one hand. However.”

“……However?”

“Still, they’re more disappointing than expected.”

“Disappointing.”

At the Sado Alliance Leader speaking with a mischievous smile, Cheon Seoryeong’s eyebrows twitched as she emitted an ominous chill and continued speaking.

“What do you mean? Are you disappointed because your chances of winning decreased? Or…….”

“The opposite—I’m disappointed because my chances of winning increased.”

“Didn’t you say they overflow with talent?”

“Talent doesn’t determine everything.”

The Sado Alliance Leader, who muttered quietly, slowly tilted his head and took in the Mujeongwando with his eyes. What is talent in the first place?

From the orthodox Murim’s perspective, it’s comprehension  and physique , or constitution and mentality. The mental fortitude to work endlessly, the comprehension to easily understand martial arts seen once, the physique that quickly recovers even when torn. All of that is talent.

However, in Sapa , such things aren’t treated as talent. What’s important in the dark path is just one thing.

How well you survive.

“What on earth do you mean…….”

“They’re here.”

Saaak!

Cheon Seoryeong and Baek Rigang, who had been standing beside her with an indifferent face, asking the Sado Alliance Leader with a puzzled expression, suddenly felt a presence and reflexively reached for their swords. Fighting spirit  that was faintly felt outside the main gate and rapidly grew in magnitude.

Pababat!

In the blink of an eye, sixteen shadows that emerged from outside the main gate instantly crossed the Murim Alliance’s threshold and rushed inside. And.

“Muryeongwan training team leader Seonwoo Gang and sixteen Muryeongwando. We have returned from training as of this moment.”

The moment the shadows—the battered Muryeongwando—finished forming ranks in the empty space.

“By the dark path’s standards, Mujeongwan is insufficient.”

The Sado Alliance Leader, who saw that scene, smiled deeply.

“This side exceeds expectations.”