Chapter 490
Chapter 490
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 490
Chapter Title: The Golden Dragon of Mount Jin
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The Zenith Squad was new, but having distinguished itself in numerous major engagements, including the Phoenix War and the battle in Guizhou, it had proven its excellence.
Consequently, despite its recent establishment, it had been promoted to a Class 2 squad, and its leaders were gaining recognition.
But the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.
Having gained recognition so quickly, the Zenith Squad became the target of envy and jealousy from other squads.
Furthermore, despite being an official part of the Murim Alliance, they had no close ties with other squads or their members.
Even their leader, Seon U-jin, was often away in the martial world, so he had no friendships with other squad leaders.
As a result, the Zenith Squad was being quietly ostracized within the Murim Alliance, a situation its members silently endured.
But a few days ago, something strange began to happen.
“Vice Leader Tae, are you free today? I just received some fine liquor from Taepyeong Tavern in Shandong.”
“I am Jang Un, a member of the Spirit Sword Squad. Several of us are gathering at Pungwol Inn today…”
Suddenly, numerous members from within the Murim Alliance began to speak amicably to all the Zenith Squad members, including Tae Mu-ryong and Jeong Jong-do.
They even started inviting them to their gatherings.
They would approach them while they were eating, or even come all the way to the North Gate Bamboo Forest where the Zenith Squad was stationed just to greet them.
It was all because of one rumor.
—I heard Commander Gongson is very close with the Zenith Squad Leader.
—Despite her nature of keeping men at a great distance, she went to a comic shop alone with the Zenith Squad Leader!
Commander Gongson Dan-gyeong.
What kind of person was she?
A genius of artifice, comparable to the Prodigy of the Artifice who was said to have reached the pinnacle of mechanisms and formations.
And was she not the heir to the immense fortune accumulated by the Gongson family over generations?
Although she was not counted among the Three Beauties of the World due to the dazzling appearance of Gongson Dan-a, known as the Living Flower,
she was a woman of comparable beauty and talent, a legendary figure who had become the Commander of the Murim Alliance in her thirties.
This woman, known to possess every quality a woman could desire, a woman who had always treated men like stones…
was now said to be so close to none other than the Zenith Squad Leader that she would secretly go on an outing with him to a comic shop?
At first, it was a story to be dismissed as nonsense.
But the fact that the two had been attacked by unknown enemies near a warehouse in Soho was revealed by the warriors of the Star Guard who had been dispatched at the time.
Eventually, the rumor evolved into a story that a subtle atmosphere had developed between the two.
What was strange was Gongson Dan-gyeong’s reaction.
It was impossible for her not to have heard this rumor that was subtly shaking the Murim Alliance.
Yet, she did not respond.
A rumor, if left alone, will snowball.
As a result, a new rumor was already circulating within the Alliance that she and Seon U-jin had promised to marry and had even exchanged engagement gifts.
And as this rumor spread, the martial artists of the Murim Alliance, in order to confirm its truth,
or to befriend Seon U-jin, this man of once-in-a-lifetime luck who had become the Commander’s lover… were desperately trying to approach the Zenith Squad.
The Training Hall, Yuk Cheong-a’s office.
For a Hall Mistress’s office, it was quite lavishly decorated and filled with high-end furniture.
*Swish, swish.*
Yuk Cheong-a sat at her desk, her brush moving ceaselessly.
She was responsible not only for the warriors under the Deungmu Hall Master but also for managing the household, so even ten bodies would not have been enough for her.
*Knock, knock.*
A knock on the door was followed by the low voice of a subordinate.
“The Zenith Squad Leader has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
*Creeak.*
The door soon opened, and a man with a slender build stepped inside.
It was Bu Eun-seol, disguised as Seon U-jin.
“Zenith Squad Leader Seon U-jin, answering your summons.”
Even if they were of similar age, there was a significant difference in status between a Class 2 Squad Leader and a Hall Mistress.
Despite Bu Eun-seol’s polite greeting, she continued to move her brush.
“…”
Bu Eun-seol quietly closed his mouth and looked around.
‘Is she going to start giving me missions here from now on?’
The Training Hall was where many confidential documents were drafted, so outsiders were not allowed in.
So why had she suddenly summoned him here?
“My apologies.”
With a soft *thud*, Yuk Cheong-a set down her brush and stood up.
“I had a few urgent letters to write.”
“Think nothing of it. It’s quite all right.”
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands, Yuk Cheong-a pointed to the reception table set up opposite her desk.
“Please, sit.”
After Bu Eun-seol took a seat, a strange silence hung in the air for a while.
It was because Yuk Cheong-a was staring at him without a word.
“To what do I owe the honor of this summons?”
Unable to bear the silence any longer, Bu Eun-seol asked, and Yuk Cheong-a opened her mouth, her voice low.
“I’ve heard the stories, but I wanted to confirm.”
“What might that be?”
“Are you really in that kind of relationship with Commander Gongson?”
Bu Eun-seol wore a look of bewilderment.
With the Star Guard involved, it was impossible to stop the strange rumors from spreading.
What surprised him, however, was Yuk Cheong-a’s attitude.
Her expression, which had shown little emotion until now, was frozen solid.
“My father is cooperating with the Commander, but that is merely a temporary arrangement.”
Yuk Cheong-a continued speaking calmly, as if explaining why her face was so cold.
“But if you, Squad Leader Seon U, intend to stay by the Commander’s side, that would be a case of the tail wagging the dog.”
In short, she meant it would be troublesome if he planned to become a direct subordinate of Gongson Dan-gyeong.
Understanding her meaning, Bu Eun-seol calmly shook his head.
“As you know, this recent mission was one given by the Commander, with the Hall Master’s prior consent.”
“I am aware of that. But… why isn’t the Commander responding?”
Through this incident, Gongson Dan-gyeong had not only intended to find the forgeries at the comic shop and catch the trail of the factions distributing them,
but also to gauge the intentions and intelligence of the enemies targeting her, and to find the traitor hiding in the Commander’s Hall.
For that reason, she had anticipated the Star Guard's involvement and the spread of such a scandal. She simply didn't feel it was worth responding to.
“Sometimes, it is faster to let certain rumors die down on their own than to address them.”
He couldn't tell her all of Gongson Dan-gyeong's circumstances.
Bu Eun-seol explained in a way Yuk Cheong-a could understand, from Gongson Dan-gyeong’s perspective as best he could.
“Of course, it’s also because the rumors are not even worth a response.”
“Hmm.”
Yuk Cheong-a looked skeptical.
“So, you’re saying there is nothing between you and Commander Gongson?”
“That is correct.”
“I see.”
Yuk Cheong-a let out a short huff and nodded.
“You may go.”
Bu Eun-seol was rather taken aback.
She had summoned him just to ask this one question?
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
Swallowing his bewilderment, Bu Eun-seol paid his respects and walked out.
After he left the office, Yuk Cheong-a touched her forehead and let out a deep sigh.
‘What is wrong with me?’
In truth, there was no need to meet with Bu Eun-seol privately over such a matter.
She already knew from her own investigations that the rumors spreading through the Murim Alliance were false.
But for some reason, she had wanted to hear his denial directly from his own lips.
This summons, truly, was a forced and incomprehensible act, even to herself.
‘I must become an empress. I don’t have time to be concerned with the opposite sex.’
She had long since abandoned any notion of happiness as a woman.
From the moment she entered the Murim Alliance, her sole goal had been to reach the pinnacle, and she had strived for nothing else.
Even inviting her father, Yuk Jang-cheon, a reclusive martial artist, into the Murim Alliance and making him the Deungmu Hall Master was done solely because it was necessary to realize her ambitions.
But lately, her mind had been wandering. A man she had never given a second thought to kept catching her eye.
‘Is this simple jealousy?’
Gongson Dan-gyeong was so young and beautiful that one would never believe she was in her thirties.
Moreover, her family background, scholarship, artistic skills, and martial arts… there was nothing she did not excel at.
In effect, she had everything a woman could possibly have.
But Yuk Cheong-a had never been envious of such things.
Gongson Dan-gyeong would ultimately live the life of a woman, while she would become an empress.
But recently, a strange feeling had begun to stir within her.
She had received the affections of men with far superior looks and backgrounds without batting an eye.
Yet, strangely, she was developing a romantic interest in Seon U-jin.
‘I must keep my distance from Squad Leader Seon U from now on.’
Yuk Cheong-a steeled her heart.
For the sake of her dream, for the image of herself who would one day be called the first empress.
***
For the first time in a while, Bu Eun-seol stayed with the Zenith Squad, handling duties and training alongside his members.
In truth, the Zenith Squad was merely a stepping stone for him to rise to a key position in the Murim Alliance.
What if Bu Eun-seol achieved his goal?
Or what if the man known as the Divine Strategist had a change of heart midway?
Or what if his identity as a spy was discovered by the Murim Alliance’s intelligence network?
No matter the outcome, the only conclusion left was the one where his identity as a spy was exposed.
Of course, he had made preparations for that, but the problem was the lives of the Zenith Squad members.
If the fact that Bu Eun-seol was a spy came to light, they would either be treated miserably or forced to leave the Murim Alliance.
For this reason, Bu Eun-seol spared no effort in teaching them martial arts and training them relentlessly.
So that even if they had to leave the Murim Alliance, they could make their own way anywhere in the martial world.
So that even if something went wrong… they could live on without issue.
“Leader, a letter has arrived for you from the Seonhwa Merchant Guild.”
A letter was delivered to Bu Eun-seol as he sat in his office attending to his duties.
Bu Eun-seol calmly opened the envelope.
Inside was a short note inquiring about his well-being and mentioning the Seonhwa Merchant Guild's situation.
But there was no reason for the Seonhwa Merchant Guild to send him a letter.
This letter was sent by So-yo through the Four Souls Squad's intelligence network.
*Woong.*
As he immediately activated his Heart-Piercing Vision, a completely different message appeared.
‘That man again…’
Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
The letter stated that a large number of Soul-lost had appeared again in the Celestial Mountains.
This meant that the Mad Old Man, the descendant of the Blade Emperor, had reappeared.
Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
‘Is he still chasing the Southern Sky Great Swordsman, Gwan Hae-geum?’
The Mad Old Man, the descendant of the Blade Emperor, possessed tremendous martial prowess, to a level that even Bu Eun-seol could not match in a pure contest of blade arts.
Moreover, he had a bizarre obsession with the Seven-Branched Demonic Blade, which was likely why he was still pursuing Gwan Hae-geum.
‘I’ll lead the Four Shadows Hall and wipe them all out.’
The Southern Sky Great Swordsman, Gwan Hae-geum, was the disciple of the Nameless Old Man, who had been the shadow of the Seven-Branched Demonic Blade.
He was also a grateful benefactor who had told him of the old man's whereabouts.
So that Gwan Hae-geum could live in peaceful seclusion, no longer harassed by the Blade Emperor's descendant.
He intended to eliminate not only all the Soul-lost but the descendant of the Blade Emperor as well… and then deliver the news about the Nameless Old Man.
Bu Eun-seol summoned all his members to the meeting room.
“I will be heading out into the martial world again.”
Looking at his members, Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
“I must investigate those who attacked Commander Gongson the other day.”
The Murim Alliance had launched a full-scale investigation into the factions that had raided the Soho warehouse.
To track and attack the Commander, who could be called the brain of the Murim Alliance, was an utterly unacceptable act.
However, the case was closed with the conclusion that it was the work of the Black Blood Gate and the Chaotic Demon Ridge, who were after a massive bounty.
The two sects had supposedly accepted a contract from an unknown client to assassinate the Commander.
When they failed, they immediately disbanded their sects and all committed suicide.
‘Nonsense.’
But Bu Eun-seol knew the truth.
The Black Blood Gate and the Chaotic Demon Ridge were merely tails cut off by the Three Realms.
Dan So-ok, a former candidate for Commander, had suffered the same fate, and a similar conclusion had been reached then as well.
“But hasn’t the Alliance’s investigation team already concluded that matter?”
“That is true, but there are more than a few suspicious points. Scum like the Chaotic Demon Ridge and the Black Blood Gate are not the type to commit suicide out of fear of the Alliance.”
Bu Eun-seol said firmly.
“It seems our squad will have to investigate again.”
At times like this, he was almost grateful to the Three Realms.
They always caused major incidents and erased their tracks so perfectly that nothing was found even after an investigation.
And because of this incident, Bu Eun-seol could now leave for the martial world for an extended period.
“Then are you going alone, Leader? Should we assign a few members to accompany you?”
At Tae Mu-ryong’s words, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
“It’s fine. I’ll need to make contact with various intelligence organizations, so it’s better for me to go alone.”
Hearing this, the members looked at each other and nodded.
—Our leader truly never rests.
From their perspective, Seon U-jin was constantly finding work to do, whether he had a mission or not.
In that case, as his subordinates, they too should strive tirelessly, even without direct orders.
“Then how about I accompany you? This matter seems like it will take quite some time.”
When Tae Mu-ryong stepped forward, Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly and said,
“If the Vice Leader is also absent, who will lead the members and oversee their training?”
“Leader.”
“I will be back soon.”
As Bu Eun-seol was about to leave, Jeong Jong-do spoke up.
“Then how about the members see you off together for a change?”
He smiled and looked around at the other members.
“It always troubles me how you just leave so abruptly every time.”
Bu Eun-seol smiled.
In truth, he had not spent much time with the members of the Zenith Squad.
But all the members felt that Bu Eun-seol was always trying to cultivate and enhance their abilities.
Perhaps because of that, even without seeing him often, they always held a firm and fierce loyalty.
“Then let’s do that.”
Bu Eun-seol smiled and walked toward the main gate of the Murim Alliance with his members.
*Rustle, rustle.*
Just then, a figure was seen walking briskly, leading a large number of martial artists.
It was the Murim Alliance’s Internal Grand Steward, Seok Ryung-an.
“It seems a very important guest has arrived.”
Tae Mu-ryong, standing next to him, muttered with a surprised expression.
“For the Internal Grand Steward to walk all the way to the main gate means a guest of extremely high status has come.”
Before long, Bu Eun-seol and the Zenith Squad arrived near the main gate.
Just then, a tall man in white robes was walking through the gate.
He was remarkably handsome, with a dignified smile playing on his lips.
At a glance, he possessed a neat and upright aura, and it felt as if a clear breeze was blowing around him.
‘That man.’
Bu Eun-seol was greatly surprised to see the man in white.
Wasn’t he the man who had shared liquor with him at the Saha Market in Misu Village?
“You’ve arrived, Young Master Baek.”
Just then, the Internal Grand Steward Seok Ryung-an respectfully greeted the man in white.
“You must be tired from your long journey. Please, follow me.”
And with a very friendly demeanor, he personally led the man in white.
The status of the Internal Grand Steward, who managed all the affairs of the Murim Alliance, was very high. For him to lead the way like an innkeeper?
Just who was this man?
“I am overwhelmed by your hospitality.”
“Hahaha. Please, speak comfortably. In terms of seniority, I am of your nephew’s generation, am I not, Young Master Baek? Besides, being known in the martial world as the Golden Dragon of Mount Jin…”
Hearing Seok Ryung-an’s words as he led the man in white, Bu Eun-seol’s eyes narrowed.
‘So he was the Buddhist Reverend’s secular disciple.’
At the time, just from the way he threw the gourd, he could tell the man was a young grandmaster.
But he had never dreamed that he was Baek Mu-seong, the disciple of the Buddhist Reverend.
Why had he, who never showed himself in the martial world, publicly visited the Murim Alliance?
Bu Eun-seol let out a deep sigh.
He had to meet the Buddhist Reverend someday and ask about the Absolute Demonic Path plan.
‘A pity. I liked him.’
But if he was the Buddhist Reverend’s disciple, it was best not to form a friendship.
Because depending on the Buddhist Reverend’s answer, their relationship could become adversarial.
“It seems I won’t be able to buy him a drink.”
“Pardon?”
When Tae Mu-ryong asked, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
“No, it’s nothing.”
Bu Eun-seol calmly turned and smiled at his members.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”
“Take care, Leader.”
As Bu Eun-seol left, Tae Mu-ryong and all the members bowed their heads.
***
Silver Moon Pavilion, Gongson Dan-gyeong’s office.
Baek Mu-seong, having returned from a chat with the Vice-Lord, was seated at the reception table.
And opposite him sat Gongson Dan-gyeong.
“It’s been a long time, Senior Sister.”
At Baek Mu-seong’s words, Gongson Dan-gyeong nodded.
“It has.”
Compared to Gongson Dan-gyeong, who maintained a placid expression, Baek Mu-seong’s face was slightly flushed.
“I heard you were in danger. They said it would have been serious if the Star Guard Leader hadn't stepped in.”
“It was nothing. Just a joint effort by some underworld factions and assassin clans targeting the comic shop.”
Baek Mu-seong’s gaze grew heavy.
If it had been just some assassin clans that attacked, a heavyweight like Baekri Muj-o would not have gotten involved personally.
But Baek Mu-seong did not press the matter and simply nodded.
“I heard you were carrying out the mission with a young Murim Alliance squad leader. And that thanks to him, you were unharmed.”
“That’s right.”
An awkward silence hung in the air for a while.
After hesitating for a moment, Baek Mu-seong bit his lip and spoke in a low voice.
“Do you still resent me?”
It was a rather unexpected question.
Having thrown the question, Baek Mu-seong stared intently into Gongson Dan-gyeong’s eyes. Hoping, praying that her eyes would waver.
Hoping that like embers in leftover ashes, a flicker of emotion remained.
“Of course not.”
But contrary to his hopes, Gongson Dan-gyeong’s gaze was utterly calm.
“That was a long time ago.”
“Is that so.”
Baek Mu-seong’s eyes darkened.
His expression was that of a foolish man who, still clinging to the memory of his lover, did not know what to do.
“Senior Sister, perhaps…”
As he was about to speak, Gongson Dan-gyeong pointed to a pile of documents and said,
“Young Master Baek, I’m afraid I have a lot of work to attend to… perhaps we can speak again when there’s another opportunity?”
It was a chilly dismissal, but Baek Mu-seong, contrary to expectations, wore a faint smile.
If Gongson Dan-gyeong had treated him without any emotion to the end, he would have been shocked.
But she was actively trying to avoid him.
That was proof that at least some emotion remained.
“It’s late, but congratulations on becoming the Commander, Senior Sister.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sorry for taking up your valuable time. Well then… until next time.”
Baek Mu-seong rose from his seat, immediately turned, and walked out.
Gazing at the Silver Moon Pavilion for a moment, he seemed to recall something and looked up at the distant sky, murmuring,
“Who was the man who was on the mission with her?”
At his words, a low voice sounded in his ear.
「He is Seon U-jin, the leader of the newly established Zenith Squad.」
It was a surprising turn of events.
Baek Mu-seong, known for always wandering the martial world alone, had a subordinate within the Murim Alliance?
Moreover, the fact that he did not reveal himself meant he was not someone of ordinary status.
“Ah. The one who played a decisive role in forming an alliance with the Scorching Sun Divine Palace.”
Baek Mu-seong seemed to be well aware of all the major and minor events that had occurred in the Murim Alliance.
“Investigate him thoroughly and report back to me.”
「Understood.」
Turning back to look at the Silver Moon Pavilion, Baek Mu-seong spoke with a pained expression.
“Senior Sister. I have now returned with the power to undo the mistakes of the past. So… let’s take our time.”
Then, without any lingering attachment, he turned and walked away.