Chapter 16 (5)
Chapter 16 (5)
Whoosh!
After the groans ended and the lights came back on, Jin-cheon and Cheon Hye-un were each subduing a masked man.
Then, someone appeared from one of the walls.
"Please forgive the rudeness. It was to check how well you would respond to an unexpected surprise attack."
As the middle-aged man with the appearance and atmosphere of a scholar bowed politely, Jin-cheon and Cheon Hye-un checked the weapons of those who had attacked them. They were blunt daggers, easier to beat someone to death with than to cut them, so they let them go.
"Perfect for filtering out high-rank trash."
"Those who receive high marks for sincerity are reliable, but what we need is not sincerity, but skill, so it couldn't be helped."
The scholar added an excuse-like explanation, perhaps worried that Jin-cheon and Cheon Hye-un might tell other ronin.
"My introduction is late. I am Son Yu, the branch manager of the Ronin Association's Wuchang branch. You can consider these people as a kind of examiner for the client to filter out skilled individuals."
Jin-cheon instinctively realized that the scholar was in charge of entertaining the skilled people who could enter this place, rather than the unspecified number of ronin who did all sorts of paperwork.
"In case others come, please come this way for now."
Son Yu guided them to a space beyond the wall where one person could enter.
Outside was a wall, but inside it was a door with a handle.
If the outside was just for show, this place felt like the real deal, with a neat reception room atmosphere.
"It is an honor to meet the new rising stars, the Jade Face Pair. And seeing the skill with which you subdued them, it is definitely not just luck."
"Pfft... Cough!Cough! I am Jin-cheon."
"I am Cheon Hye-un."
Hearing the nickname Jade Face Pair from someone else, Jin-cheon almost burst out again, but he barely composed himself and gave his name.
For reference, the reason Jin-cheon used polite language unlike usual was because of the age difference, but also because the other party had treated him politely first.
He only reacts sensitively to those who try to pick a fight, but if treated normally and politely, he shows a normal response.
"I will explain directly. The Zhuge Clan is requesting an escort to Henan. Of course, the Zhuge Clan is also sending an escort, so it is not a difficult escort where the two of you have to take care of important personnel."
"But if that's the case, why us... Ah, come to think of it, this time is..."
The moment Cheon Hye-un realized something and was about to say something, Son Yu nodded and answered.
"That is correct. It is the time when the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering is held at the Jeongmumae in Henan."
In the righteous faction, the rising stars are compared to dragons and phoenixes.
Therefore, the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering is a kind of banquet made up of rising stars.
A banquet where rising stars get to know each other, build friendships, and spar.
The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering holds a martial arts tournament for the rising stars, and if you win here, you can enter the Five Dragons and Three Peaks.
In other words, entering this is the same as the glory of the family or sect.
As the cohesion of the righteous faction weakened due to the Treasure Map incident, the power of the Jeongmumae, which is a coalition, also weakened, but the Jeongmumae was able to survive because the righteous faction knew that they had to join hands to oppose the evil faction and the Demon Cult.
In other words, conversely, if the Jeongmumae is disbanded, it means that the cohesion of the righteous Murim will disappear completely.
"The world has become very dangerous these days, so it is a situation where it is difficult to trust even the same righteous faction. This is a guess, but it seems the righteous faction wants to show the intention to unite through the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering instead of dividing further."
If it was a fight between the righteous and evil factions in the past, now, like the Spring and Autumn Warring States period, even the same righteous and evil factions have started to fight sect wars.
Certainly, holding the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering in this situation must include such meaning.
The Zhuge Clan is a huge sect.
In other words, that means there are many sects with which they have formed relationships, and among them, there are many who have bought grudges.
Furthermore, it is a tense state where even the same righteous faction cannot be trusted, so they requested an escort by adding ronin with excellent skills and credibility along with the escorts to ensure the future of the Zhuge Clan.
"Here is the contract. Precautions and clauses are written."
Jin-cheon received the contract for now, but honestly, he was not very attracted to this request.
'What I want is a big deal where my fame rises at once, not an escort like this.'
The amount is 10 gold coins.
It is a considerable amount to get for one escort, but Jin-cheon's top priority was to make his fame known.
-Husband, please accept this request.-
-Why?-
At that moment, Cheon Hye-un's telepathy was delivered to him.
-Henan is a place that can be called the center of the Central Plains Murim. It is a land with many skilled warriors because it is where the Jeongmumae, which can still be maintained due to long tradition, the Shaolin Temple, which can be called the best sect, and the Dokgo Clan, the strongest Murim family, are located.-
'Dokgo Clan?'
In Murim novels, many families appear along with the Five Great Families, but this is the first time I've heard of the Dokgo Clan.
'Must be an independent setting that only exists in this world.'
He dismissed the Dokgo Clan like that, but Cheon Hye-un's words could not be ignored.
'So Henan is the center of the Central Plains Murim. Then there must be countless Murim people, and among them, there might be females that I like.'
Since his and Cheon Hye-un's skills are excellent and they are getting stronger as time goes by, they will be able to be active in the Henan Murim as well.
And while he's at it, find his female.
For reference, Cheon Hye-un considered it important to develop her skills rather than fame as a Murim person, so she induced Jin-cheon to build his skills by dealing with countless warriors.
Although she lived the life of a warrior again, it was possible because the habit of supporting her husband had become a daily routine.
Jin-cheon, who became motivated, checked the contents and nodded, accepting the request.
"If it's this much, I'll take the request. Ah, but is it okay that this person is still a woman?"
"I am also a bit concerned about that, but since you have subdued the examiners from the Zhuge Clan... And I think it will be enough if your wife guarantees it."
'He called me wife~ Kya~~♡'
Cheon Hye-un smiled pleasantly at Son Yu's line, which used a title only possible for a married couple.
Thus, Jin-cheon and the Zhuge Clan decided to go to Henan as an escort.
And this trip became the catalyst for the two men who would have the greatest influence on Murim history to meet in the future.
A certain cave.
"4th defense line collapsed!"
"This is the last defense line! Everyone, be prepared!"
"Don't anyone back down! Show them the spirit of our Heaven-Breaking Association!"
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
The spirit of the Heaven-Breaking Association? Don't make me laugh!
What kind of fucking spirit is that, coming from guys who only did shady things!
I cursed like this, but my body was filled with things from the Heaven-Breaking Association from head to toe.
The spiritual medicine, the martial arts, all were things received from the Heaven-Breaking Association.
It can be said that there is nothing that is mine alone.
Crack!
The thick iron door shakes greatly from a strong impact.
Crackle!
Following that, an even stronger impact knocked on the iron door, and one side of the door tilted.
Boom!
With the third attack, the iron door collapsed, and countless warriors from the righteous faction, evil faction, and Demon Cult rushed in.
"You evil Heaven-Breaking Association bastards! I, Murim Alliance Leader Baek Gang-cheon, have come to punish you!"
"Waaaaah!!"
Seeing the handsome man standing at the very front, I lost my fighting spirit at his voice, which was magnificent and possessed a power that made me want to kneel down immediately.
In contrast, the warriors of the righteous, evil, and demonic factions behind him raised their morale even more and shouted.
Murim Alliance Leader Baek Gang-cheon.
He is the strongest warrior in Murim at a young age, and the leader of the 'Murim Alliance', which united the righteous faction, evil faction, and Demon Cult into one.
He was a legendary figure who made it possible to unite those who were impossible to unite, and then lit the beacon of counterattack against the Heaven-Breaking Association.
"Kill the Murim Alliance Leader!"
"If we only kill the Murim Alliance Leader, we can win!"
The high-ranking officials of the Heaven-Breaking Association raised their voices and shouted to kill only the Murim Alliance Leader Baek Gang-cheon.
A hollow laugh burst out at their shouting.
If we kill Baek Gang-cheon, we win?
The entire Heaven-Breaking Association has already collapsed?
The only things left in the Heaven-Breaking Association are us and the Heaven-Breaking Association Leader behind this?
Even if we are lucky enough to kill Baek Gang-cheon, we are finished even if they push in without any tactics?
However, I could not laugh at the orders of the executives.
Because that was the last struggle I could do.
"Charge!!"
"Die!"
"Uaaaaah!"
At the shouts of the executives, the warriors of the Heaven-Breaking Association rushed in with a battle cry that was close to a scream.
They also know.
That we will die whether we win or lose.
That the Heaven-Breaking Association is already over.
I also rushed in with the feeling that I would at least make a final struggle.
At that time, a warrior from the righteous faction rushed towards me.
"Jegal Jin! You joined the Heaven-Breaking Association even though you inherited the bloodline of the Zhuge Clan! Aren't you ashamed to face your ancestors!"
Yeah, I'm not ashamed.
Slash!
"Ugh!"
I revealed my presence by cutting down the warrior who rushed at me with the martial arts and sword I received from the Heaven-Breaking Association.
"Jegal Jin is over there!"
"Dark Dragon Jegal Jin! Die!"
"You are the shame of the righteous faction!"
The righteous faction guys who recognized me spat out curses and attacked like crazy.
Clang, clang, clang, clang!Slash!Stab!
Thinking that if I'm going to die anyway, I should use all my strength and die, I cut down the righteous faction guys who rushed at me in a state of selflessness.
Even I am surprised that I could fight this well.
However, the situation had already ended everywhere else.
"Kuh-uck!"
"Baek... Gang... Cheon...! If it weren't for you...!"
"I will... curse you... even in death...!"
Baek Gang-cheon stepped forward and executed all the executives.
Following that, the remaining warriors of the Heaven-Breaking Association died one by one, and I, too, eventually came to my senses and was kneeling with both arms cut off.
"Dark Dragon, Jegal Jin. A traitor who damaged the formation protecting the Zhuge Clan and led the Zhuge Clan to destruction."
"Execute immediately! Execute immediately! Execute immediately!"
"Kill him! Kill him!"
"On behalf of the righteous Murim, I, the Murim Alliance Leader, will purge you."
The appearance of Baek Gang-cheon, who was raising his sword while receiving the cheers and support of countless warriors as if he were holding a trial for me, was truly like a hero, so I could not take my eyes off him.
I wanted to be a hero like you too!
I didn't want to join a place like the Heaven-Breaking Association!
But! But I was ignored for having dirty blood!
No one reached out a helping hand to me!
They didn't even teach me martial arts! No one gave me a chance!
I couldn't help it! I wanted to get stronger too!
I wanted to become strong like you! I wanted to be a hero of Murim!
However, my shout could not come out of my mouth.
Because before that, Baek Gang-cheon's sword was coming down with the momentum to cut off my head.
At the same time, I felt something called a flashback.
An illegitimate child born from an affair by the head of the Zhuge Clan.
That is me.
That is why I was treated worse than a servant of the Zhuge Clan, and I could not even learn the martial arts of the Zhuge Clan.
I spent days as a weakling, ignored by everyone and bullied by everyone.
During that time, a place called the Heaven-Breaking Association approached me.
They said they would give me martial arts and spiritual medicine if I did their favor.
Wanting to gain power, I nodded without a moment's hesitation.
However, what they wanted was the destruction of the formation guarding the main family of the Zhuge Clan.
The formation had a weakness that it was very strong against external attacks, but very vulnerable to internal attacks.
At first, I was surprised by the request, but I, who was crazy with hatred for the Zhuge Clan, enjoyed it and accepted the proposal.
It may seem like self-praise, but I think I had excellent brains and talent.
I predicted where the formation was and damaged the formation, and I quickly mastered the martial arts I received from the Heaven-Breaking Association and rose to the ranks of first-class masters in an instant.
What was left for me who did such things was the nickname 'Dark Dragon' who betrayed the Zhuge Clan and the righteous faction, and the hatred and disgust of the righteous Murim people.
And as the sword came down to the proximity of my head, I opened my eyes wide, saying that I would not die like a coward at least.
Crackle!
The moment I felt the pain of the blade cutting my head, I heard a tremendous sound, and the world stopped.
It's not a description or a joke, the world really stopped.
The warriors who were cheering enthusiastically opened their mouths wide and didn't even blink an eye.
Except for one person, Murim Alliance Leader Baek Gang-cheon.
"What? Is it a power outage? Did lightning strike?"
Baek Gang-cheon looked around and scratched his head in annoyance.
"Still, it's a relief that it didn't black out suddenly thanks to the auxiliary power."
I wanted to ask him what on earth he was talking about.
However, not only other people, but I also couldn't move anything, so I had to listen to his muttering.
"It's about time to contact the seller... Well, it's an all-clear save anyway, so I can move it like this."
With that said, Baek Gang-cheon disappeared, and at the same time, the world began to collapse.
What!? What the hell is happening!
Please, someone explain it to me!
My shout could not get out of my frozen body, and as I watched people disintegrate, my memory cut off.
What I remember faintly is that I was trapped in some space where I couldn't get out on my own, and then with a bang! sound, I felt a sense of floating and my consciousness returned.
"Huh?"
When I opened my eyes, I could see a familiar ceiling and a room with a familiar atmosphere.
"Are you up?"
At the same time, the servant of the Zhuge Clan, who always looked at me like a bug, opened his mouth as if it were annoying.
"Damn it. If you're up, get out of bed quickly! You're wriggling so disgustingly!"
What... on earth is going on...?
I got out of bed while listening to the servant's swearing.
When I betrayed the Heaven-Breaking Association, I destroyed the Zhuge Clan, killed that guy cruelly, and gave him to the dogs!
Having come to my senses, I asked for the current year, prepared to be treated like a madman.
And the shocking fact I learned.
I had returned to 10 years ago.
Instinctively, the phenomenon where the world stopped, Baek Gang-cheon who moved alone while saying things I couldn't understand.
Convinced that Baek Gang-cheon was at the center of all this, I spent 3 years carefully learning the martial arts I had learned during the Heaven-Breaking Association days and investigating the world.
The thing that surprised me the most after returning to the past is that the existence of Baek Gang-cheon does not exist.
Baek Gang-cheon should normally be known as the best rising star in Murim at this time.
In particular, he should be considered the strongest candidate for winning the upcoming Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, and the entire Central Plains should be whispering his name.
But no one knows Baek Gang-cheon.
The existence itself has completely disappeared.
Why? How? For what reason?
I still don't know the answer to this question.
However, I could clearly know this one thing.
The destined encounters that Baek Gang-cheon had! If I have those...!
A second chance has come to me.
This time, I will not be the Dark Dragon of the Heaven-Breaking Association, but the strongest warrior that no one in Murim can ignore!
For a moment, the image of Baek Gang-cheon trying to cut me down came to mind, and I revised my plan.
Not the strongest warrior.
A hero.
I will become a hero.