Chapter 308
Chapter 308
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 308
Chapter Title: The Murim Alliance Leader's Return
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Wulin in Hubei Province was a place that any martial artist had no choice but to pay attention to.
The Murim Alliance, one of the Three Great Powers of the Nine Provinces.
It was the stronghold they had claimed and built their influence from hundreds of years ago.
And now, the gates of the Murim Alliance, which was drawing more attention than ever, swung open.
Creaaaaak—
A carriage proceeded through the open gates.
It was the carriage carrying Cheonhwi.
Dozens of horses and several more carriages followed behind it into the depths of the Murim Alliance.
"What's going on...?"
"It's too quiet."
"Did something happen?"
The Annihilation Squad members, who had entered through the gates, looked around with bewildered expressions, murmuring very softly.
It was the return of those whose arrival was the most anticipated in the current world.
The homecoming of the Annihilation Squad and Demonic Faction Subjugation Squad, who had toppled the Immortality Heavenly Cult, along with the Support Squad.
It should have been a raucous affair, naturally.
Yet for some reason, from the moment they entered the alliance, the interior was shrouded in a thick silence.
It wasn't as if there were no people around.
A crowd had gathered like clouds to welcome their return with this monumental victory report.
Even though many had gone out on recent missions, the streets felt packed.
But.
"......"
The assembled people simply watched the procession in silence.
'What's this?'
'What's going on? Do you know why?'
The Annihilation Squad exchanged glances.
Most looked flustered.
It was only natural.
They had expected a grand welcome like last time. No, they had puffed out their chests, entering proudly, anticipating an even greater reception.
But this silence?
It was beyond their expectations.
As the Annihilation Squad hesitated, unsure how to react.
"The situation doesn't look good, does it."
From inside the carriage, Yukwon gave a wry smile as he spoke.
Having seen the welcoming crowd through the carriage window, he grasped the situation unlike the Annihilation Squad members.
The faces of the onlookers on both sides held a mix of joy and sorrow.
And that wasn't all.
Upon closer inspection, about thirty percent of them looked unwell.
Some were wrapped head to toe in bandages, their injuries appearing severe.
They were in the midst of war with the Evil-Black Alliance now.
While there were returns like theirs bringing victory reports, not all were so fortunate.
Some came back defeated, their numbers visibly diminished.
And weren't those the comrades of the very people watching?
There was no room for unbridled celebration and cheers.
Thus, the current bizarre scene: a profoundly quiet welcome.
"Isn't that just how war is? If only victory reports kept coming, the war would already be over."
The Support Squad Leader tried to sound detached, but sorrow seeped into his voice.
"......Indeed."
Yukwon closed his eyes, then opened them.
He felt the same as they did.
They had completed their mission, but they too had suffered losses.
How many subordinates had perished?
And that was hardly all.
His long-time comrade in missions, the Ghost Sword Demon, had also met his end.
Victory had been achieved, but at great cost.
And that was war.
"It's unavoidable."
He spoke calmly, swiftly swallowing the grief welling up from within.
The war wasn't over yet.
There was no time for sentiment.
'I can't let something like this shake me.'
His gaze hardened.
Others might waver, but he had to keep his wits about him.
He couldn't sow anxiety among those who trusted and followed him unwaveringly.
'More importantly...'
For a moment, he subtly rolled his eyes.
Toward Cheonhwi opposite him.
'I'm worried. After completing the mission, to receive such a somber welcome...'
He grew a bit concerned.
Cheonhwi had maintained a calm demeanor even amid displaying astonishing prowess, but who knew.
He was still a vigorous young man.
He had to watch his reaction.
Moreover, hadn't he recently accomplished much and gained great fame?
Such a reception might disappoint him.
'I hope he's not too let down.'
He watched Cheonhwi's face worriedly.
But that concern melted away like snow in no time.
"Yawwwn. When do we arrive?"
Cheonhwi yawned with a bored expression.
He seemed utterly indifferent to the quiet welcome.
It was almost desireless.
'Was I worrying needlessly.'
Yukwon chuckled inwardly.
Cheonhwi acted exactly as usual, making Yukwon's concern seem foolish.
As if worldly acclaim meant nothing to him.
He resembled an immortal.
'He's beyond my measure.'
Yukwon withdrew his gaze from Cheonhwi.
He wasn't someone Yukwon could gauge.
'Mount Hua Sect...'
In a fleeting moment, he recalled his visit to Mount Hua during past travels in the martial world.
Towering cliffs and jagged peaks.
A dizzying mountain just to behold.
Much like Cheonhwi before him.
'Enviable.'
The thought arose suddenly.
And he surely wasn't alone.
All who recognized Cheonhwi's true worth must feel the same.
'No. Maybe Mount Hua Sect raised him this way...'
He reconsidered.
No matter how exceptional the talent, one's future could vary greatly depending on the teachers.
'They produced the Plum Blossom Divine Sword before the Plum Blossom Divine Hero.'
His head nodded slightly.
There was something to Mount Hua Sect.
Otherwise, they couldn't have produced not only the Plum Blossom Divine Sword but also an outstanding later-generation talent like Cheonhwi so swiftly.
'...Once the war ends, I should visit Mount Hua Sect.'
That was his conclusion.
Of course, it wasn't wrong.
Just slightly off.
Since Cheonhwi wasn't receiving teachings—he was the one teaching them.
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi's hands itched.
'I want to refine my martial arts soon.'
The new insights gained after so long reignited the passion for martial arts that had been drying up bit by bit.
'If I melt all the martial arts in my head into one, what will become of it once perfected.'
Countless martial arts swirled and mingled in his mind.
Their number was beyond counting.
The space they occupied was vast as the ocean.
For an ordinary person, organizing them would be impossible, but Cheonhwi rotated his thoughts swiftly, establishing them one by one.
The corners of his mouth lifted faintly.
He relished the current situation immensely.
Not only witnessing new techniques for the first time but also clashing repeatedly with masters.
For him, who had sunk into solitude three hundred years ago, it was the most satisfying stimulus.
The joy was beyond words.
As he smiled, recalling the great law that had granted him this new life.
Thud!
The carriage came to an abrupt halt.
"What is it?"
The Support Squad Leader peered ahead and asked.
But the reply came not from the Demonic Faction Subjugation Squad member on the driver's seat, but from beside the carriage.
"My apologies. I had an urgent message to deliver and cut in."
The Support Squad Leader looked out the window.
There stood a young man in pristine white mourning clothes, bowing his head.
When he raised his face, it bore urgency.
Realizing from the expression that it was serious, the Support Squad Leader spoke.
"What message?"
"The Military Strategist said that the moment Great Hero Yukwon and the Support Squad Leader arrive at the alliance, you are to attend the Grand Assembly."
At those words, Yukwon and the Support Squad Leader's brows furrowed sharply.
It was a sudden summons.
Thus, worry arose.
Calling them to the Grand Assembly mid-return meant no ordinary matter had occurred.
The Support Squad Leader and Yukwon exchanged glances.
Soon, they disembarked from the carriage.
"I'll visit later."
"See you after."
After greeting Cheonhwi, the Support Squad Leader and Yukwon hurried off.
Time was of the essence.
As the two departed.
"What happened?"
"What's going on all of a sudden...?"
The surroundings buzzed.
The Support Squad Leader and Yukwon, who had just returned and entered the alliance, had rushed off somewhere, causing confusion.
As those entering with them grew flustered.
"Plum Blossom Divine Hero, Great Hero."
The young man approached, calling to Cheonhwi.
Standing at the wide-open carriage door, he gazed at Cheonhwi with a tense face.
After steadying his breath, he spoke.
His tone was reverent.
"The Military Strategist has a separate message for you, Great Hero."
"What is it?"
Cheonhwi asked indifferently.
Unprepared for such a reaction, the young man flinched slightly but soon composed himself and spoke calmly.
"He said that as promised, he will commend you for your achievements this time, so come find him after the grand assembly ends."
In that instant, light flashed in Cheonhwi's eyes.
'This came quicker than expected.'
The corners of his mouth twisted.
Accepting the Annihilation Squad and carrying out the mission had been for one purpose alone.
The Secret Heavenly Scripture Repository.
To enter that place.
Soon, Cheonhwi looked at the young man and asked.
"Where do I go?"
"The place that summoned you is..."
* * *
The Grand Assembly Hall of the Murim Alliance.
Fourteen martial artists sat around a round table, chattering busily.
"I heard the Divine Dragon Squad Leader suffered a critical injury."
"They say the Jade Qilin completed the mission without a scratch this time."
"The Iron Blood Corps took injuries..."
"Isn't it unavoidable? The foes they faced weren't ordinary unorthodox factions."
"What of the Geomchang Sect? I heard the Poison Bird, the most vicious of the Seven Poisons Sages, led his subordinates there..."
"Probably..."
Various tales emerged.
It was inevitable.
Fighting raged across the land. Good news came alongside bad.
Amid the lively group, one sat with arms crossed, grumbling discontentedly alone.
It was Hyeondo.
"Calling us suddenly on a day like today."
He was in a foul mood now.
It was the day Cheonhwi, who had perfectly completed his mission, returned to the Murim Alliance after so long. He wanted to rush over and embrace him tightly, but this emergency summons prevented even a meeting.
He was thoroughly displeased.
"Tsk tsk, ease up on that expression. You're better off than some. Look over there."
At Hyeondo's complaint, Yongju-gae chided him from the side and gestured with his eyes.
It was Songbaek of the Geomchang Sect.
He sat slumped against his chair, his face half-dazed.
In the current war with the Evil-Black Alliance, the Geomchang Sect had suffered the greatest losses.
In a way, it was natural.
Wasn't it the faction closest to the southernmost among the Nine Great Sects?
"......My apologies."
Hyeondo immediately straightened his expression.
This wasn't the time for whining.
The fate of the Murim Alliance hung in the balance.
"More importantly, the situation isn't good."
Yongju-gae said, surveying the surroundings.
Most forced smiles to appear positive, but cracks marred their faces subtly.
The war had reached its peak.
With so many comrades injured and losses mounting, anxiety was inevitable.
"If only we had a central pillar."
He murmured softly.
In times of such great turmoil, what mattered most was a figure to serve as that rallying point.
But the Murim Alliance Leader was in seclusion now...
'What on earth is he doing in seclusion for.'
As he thought of the secluded Alliance Leader and scratched his head with a sigh.
Creak.
The door flew open.
And through the open door, Zhuge Gong strode in confidently.
"You're here at last."
"You're late."
All said, looking at him.
Yet Zhuge Gong didn't reply; he suddenly stopped.
Everyone frowned.
It was odd.
Normally, he would sit at the head and begin immediately.
Instead, he stood beside the head seat.
As if attending it.
At that series of actions, all stiffened.
Sensing something amiss.
Simultaneously, their bodies tensed, heads snapping toward the door.
And in that moment.
Step, step.
Footsteps echoed from the door.
Rhythmic and low.
Yet they felt their bodies stiffen with tension, biting their lips.
The sound carried an oppressive weight.
'No way?'
'This presence...'
One position struck their minds simultaneously.
As they stared blankly at the door.
Step. Step.
The footsteps drew nearer.
Soon, a figure emerged from the shadows.
Faint sunlight illuminated him.
A middle-aged man with long, tousled hair bound in a topknot.
All widened their eyes.
Mouths agape.
"Alliance Leader..."
Suddenly, someone whispered.
A very small voice.
Yet it spread thickly through the silent hall, squeezing the hearts of those seated like a vice.
Disbelief and shock surfaced.
He who had vanished from sight for eight years.
And now he appeared abruptly.
It couldn't be more out of the blue.
As all gaped mutely at him.
Swish—
The Alliance Leader met their eyes.
One by one, imprinting them.
The watchers swallowed dryly.
His gaze choked the breath.
Then.
"Alliance Leader."
Zhuge Gong called to him.
At the call, the Leader withdrew his gaze from them and approached the head seat.
And sat lightly.
The sight seemed utterly natural.
As if born an absolute sovereign.
The watchers felt their heads bow involuntarily.
Thus seated at the head, the Alliance Leader's eyes gleamed coldly as his lips moved.
"It's been a long time."