Chapter 339
Chapter 339
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 339
Chapter Title: Alliance Core Meeting
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Cheonhwi carefully scanned the faces of those seated around the round table.
Most of them were strangers.
But not all, as some met his gaze with smiles of warm familiarity.
They were people with whom he shared good ties from the past.
'Destruction Squad Leader, Justice Guard Leader, Ami Sect's Little Lotus Nun, and...'
As he matched eyes with those whose faces he recognized, Cheonhwi took in the gathered assembly. His gaze soon landed on a middle-aged man beaming wider than anyone else in welcome.
A rugged, burly impression despite the smile.
If not for the Taoist robes he wore, one might mistake him for a bandit.
It was Hyeondo.
He couldn't hide his joy.
Both corners of his mouth stretched up gloriously, nearly to his ears.
Cheonhwi met Hyeondo's eyes briefly, shrugged his shoulders, and chuckled softly.
Even without words, it felt like a boisterous voice echoed in his mind.
The phrase Hyeondo often shouted upon seeing him.
A voice crying out, 'It's really Cheonhwi!'
With that, having locked eyes even with Hyeondo, Cheonhwi narrowed his eyes to thin slits as he surveyed everyone at the table.
'From the looks of it, these must be the core figures of the current Murim Alliance.'
Each one exuded exceptional presence.
Even without deliberately channeling their qi, the natural aura permeating their bodies was anything but ordinary.
At that moment, the Murim Alliance Leader's lips moved.
"The reason I called you all here is to commend your merits."
Without preamble, he stated the purpose directly.
"The two of you led hastily assembled special task forces, yet in that short time, you achieved feats comparable to our alliance's Three Great Killing Squads."
Several eyebrows twitched at once.
They belonged to the leaders of the Three Great Killing Squads, excluding the Justice Guard Leader and Destruction Squad Leader.
It must have irked them that their own units, which had upheld the alliance for years, had been matched by squads less than a year old.
But the Alliance Leader ignored their reactions—or lack thereof—and turned to Jade Kirin.
Crystal-clear eyes beneath curved brows captured him fully.
"Heavenly Justice Squad Leader."
The Alliance Leader deliberately used his official title instead of a courtesy name or alias.
As if imprinting the position of Heavenly Justice Squad Leader on everyone present.
"Do you have a reward in mind?"
At the Leader's words, Jade Kirin offered a modest bow.
Having shown restrained propriety, Jade Kirin met the Leader's gaze squarely and spoke.
"Could the reward not go to me, but be bestowed upon the Heavenly Justice Squad members?"
The Alliance Leader asked with evident interest at Jade Kirin's response.
"Hmm, what do you mean by that?"
"I have done nothing worthy. The Heavenly Justice Squad succeeded in its mission thanks entirely to the efforts of its members."
"Yet it was you who led them."
"Which is precisely why the reward must go not to me, but to everyone in the Heavenly Justice Squad."
Jade Kirin's eyes gleamed as he spoke.
"Due to my inadequate leadership, nearly half the squad perished or suffered grievous wounds. How could I alone receive the reward?"
"Hmm."
Murmurs of agreement leaked from those around.
It was no one's else affair.
No place had escaped losses in the recent war against the Evil-Black Alliance.
Jade Kirin bit his lower lip upon seeing their reactions, then turned his head aside.
Gazing at Cheonhwi's profile where he stood silently, he slowly closed and opened his eyes before speaking.
"Had it not been me, but young hero Cheonhwi leading the Heavenly Justice Squad, all would have returned safely."
Those at the table looked at Jade Kirin with slightly surprised expressions.
Jade Kirin was one steadily hailed as one of the Three Great Prodigies of the world for over a decade, a talent destined to vie for the top spot in the next generation.
Yet here he was, humbly placing himself below Cheonhwi beside him.
Warriors were inherently competitive, a breed driven to grow stronger. Such a statement was highly unusual.
'Humility?'
'Or does it mean the Plum Blossom Divine Hero's command surpasses even his prowess?'
'Was the Plum Blossom Divine Hero that capable?'
As those at the table pondered the situation inwardly in their own ways,
"Thus, I wish to grant ample rewards to the Heavenly Justice Squad members who toiled through the mission."
Jade Kirin emphasized firmly.
"To the entire Heavenly Justice Squad..."
The Alliance Leader stroked his chin beard.
For a moment.
"What say the rest of you?"
He turned his gaze to those seated at the table.
Granting Jade Kirin's request would complicate matters considerably.
Despite the casualties, the Heavenly Justice Squad was a large unit. Rewarding them all would entail significant expenditure, plainly obvious.
But.
"Amitabha. I believe it a fine idea."
"If that's the Heavenly Justice Squad Leader's view, we should follow suit."
"I think it's a good approach."
Only affirmations rang out.
No matter the cost, they were the righteous faction upholding justice.
How could they oppose Jade Kirin's intent to honor his subordinates' merits?
The Alliance Leader smiled gently.
"Then we shall reward the Heavenly Justice Squad."
"Thank you."
As Jade Kirin began to bow his head,
"However, given their numbers, expecting grand rewards may prove difficult."
The Alliance Leader added firmly.
"I understand."
Having anticipated as much, Jade Kirin nodded immediately.
The Alliance Leader nodded back at the agreeable Jade Kirin, then shifted his gaze beside him.
Cheonhwi stood yawning indifferently.
His bored expression suggested he hadn't even listened to the exchange between Jade Kirin and the Leader.
"Does the Extermination Squad Leader desire any reward?"
"A reward, huh..."
Cheonhwi cut short his prolonged yawn at the question, rubbing his chin as he muttered.
Unlike Jade Kirin's restrained decorum in the same situation, he appeared utterly free-spirited.
Those unacquainted with Cheonhwi betrayed surprise at his demeanor.
The Plum Blossom Divine Hero famed in the jianghu was a great hero intolerant of injustice.
Yet his current bearing felt somewhat at odds with the rumors.
Then.
Suddenly halting his chin-stroking, Cheonhwi seemed to recall something and flashed a meaningful smile as he spoke.
"I'd like to spar with everyone here."
"What did he just say...?"
"Spar?"
Those at the table stared at Cheonhwi, unable to hide their bewilderment.
It was an absurd request.
But a few who knew him watched with intrigued expressions.
"That guy's saying something fun again."
Beggar Clan Leader Yong Jugae grinned.
The more you saw him, the less you tired of him.
"Spar with the young hero..."
"I'd rather request it myself."
Moreover, the Justice Guard Leader and Destruction Squad Leader welcomed a bout with Cheonhwi and stepped forward eagerly.
"Hahaha!"
Suddenly, the Alliance Leader burst into hearty laughter.
"You truly love sparring, don't you."
At the Leader's abrupt, excited laughter, those at the table turned surprised gazes.
They had rarely seen him laugh so animatedly before, or even after his return.
Soon, the Alliance Leader, face alight with mirth, addressed Cheonhwi.
"Last time, you even requested a spar with me."
"...!"
"What?!"
The puzzled ones now gaped in shock. The Alliance Leader was an absolute master who had ascended to his position with naught but the sword.
To request a spar with him.
Cheonhwi smiled brightly and replied.
"When else would I get to spar directly with such experts?"
Cheonhwi's gaze swept across the room.
His eyes, faintly shimmering with battle intent, busily took in everyone at the table.
As a few tensed under that look,
"True enough."
The Alliance Leader nodded.
He fully understood Cheonhwi's intent.
Warriors lived and died by the martial way. For them, exchanging blows with masters was a blessing beyond compare.
"But that answer must come from them, not me."
The Alliance Leader turned his gaze.
Those at the table met his eyes and furrowed brows.
Who could have foreseen it?
A much younger junior requesting spars with them as reward for war merits.
"I'm game."
"If anything, I desire it, young hero."
At that, the Justice Guard Leader and Destruction Squad Leader responded.
Battle lust flickered in their eyes as they stared at Cheonhwi.
A spar with a master.
How could they pass it up?
"Hahat! Their reactions make it all the more intriguing! Then I'll accept a spar as well!"
Intrigued by their responses, the Death God Squad Leader also agreed.
But most remained silent.
They were no mere disciples. High-ranking figures of renown in their sects, while Cheonhwi's status was far beneath theirs.
'A spar with much to lose.'
'Defeat would bring shame to my sect.'
No matter Cheonhwi's current fame, defeat would bring no small backlash.
And most assumed defeat likely.
Unthinkable by status, but who was the Plum Blossom Divine Hero?
The one who felled bandit overlords, rogue cultivators, and even the Immortal Death Cult Leader—masters who shook heaven and earth, one and all.
Objectively, victory over Cheonhwi seemed improbable.
Seeing their hesitation, the Alliance Leader spoke.
"Regrettably, it seems not all will accept your challenge."
"Sparring's all it is, yet everyone's so timid."
Cheonhwi said sharply.
A few bristled at his words but swallowed their ire inwardly.
They were the ones refusing, after all. He wasn't wrong.
"They have much to lose, after all."
The Alliance Leader stated calmly.
As a few flushed at words that pierced their thoughts,
"No other desires?"
The Leader asked again.
"Tch, if no spars, then let me enter the Celestial Archive again like last time."
"The Celestial Archive... Very well."
The Alliance Leader replied readily.
Then, eyeing Jade Kirin beside him, he continued.
"Will the Heavenly Justice Squad Leader join as well?"
Jade Kirin's eyes widened.
"But the reward has already..."
"Worry not. This much falls within my authority."
The Leader smiled.
"Besides, it would be poor etiquette to summon you all this way and send you empty-handed."
With that, his gaze swept over those at the table.
They all nodded.
Jade Kirin broke into a radiant smile, then clasped hands in salute and spoke.
"Thank you for granting me this opportunity as well."
As the matter seemed settled,
"Then the Extermination Squad gets a reward too."
Cheonhwi said with a smirk.
"We're fewer than the Heavenly Justice Squad. Surely you can manage that much?"
"Hahaha. You don't miss a beat."
"Gotta take everything on offer."
"An excellent mindset."
The laughing Alliance Leader's eyes gleamed.
He then turned his head aside and called.
"Strategist."
Strategist Jeokgal Gong, who had stood silently observing, nodded.
"I'll prepare everything."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Cheonhwi and Jade Kirin descended the stairs.
"Now the Extermination Squad and Heavenly Justice Squad stand shoulder to shoulder with the alliance's Three Great Killing Squads."
Seolgeom, walking alongside, spoke up.
It could have been handled in private commendations, yet the Alliance Leader had gathered the Murim Alliance's core figures and discussed merits openly before them.
On the surface, it seemed he sought everyone's input on the commendations.
But that was merely superficial.
Had he truly intended to consult all, he would have summoned them last time for Cheonhwi's merits as well.
'Likely, he aims to push young hero Cheonhwi, Jade Kirin, and their Extermination and Heavenly Justice Squads to the forefront.'
Seolgeom's eyes, veiled by her fan, narrowed slyly for an instant.
Fox-like eyes.
'I don't know his full intent.'
Seolgeom snapped her fan shut with a crisp sound.
'But it's a fine opportunity for me.'
Her eyebrows arched gloriously.
The higher the special task forces' renown soared, the greater her influence, tied closely to them, would grow.
At that moment.
Jade Kirin bowed.
Just as they exited the inner chambers.
"I'll head out first, young hero."
"Take care."
Cheonhwi replied indifferently to the farewell.
"I'll visit later."
"A hassle... Well, do as you like. You won't listen anyway."
"Hahaha."
Jade Kirin laughed as if caught out, then bowed to Seolgeom.
"Deputy Strategist, until next time."
"Safe travels."
Jade Kirin departed promptly.
"Then I'll be off too, young hero."
Seolgeom said to Cheonhwi, smiling sweetly.
"If there's anything to relay later, I'll visit. Should you need aught, call on me anytime."
"Sure."
With Seolgeom gone too, Cheonhwi alone surveyed his surroundings.
Many eyes watched him.
Meeting their gazes, Cheonhwi circulated his inner energy and kicked off the ground in one breath.
Whoosh―
At the terrifying speed, the scenery before Cheonhwi distorted and stretched long.
The sunset seemed endlessly prolonged.
The result of Extreme Star's Heavenly Flight Step.
Soon, the familiar Extermination Squad hall entered Cheonhwi's view.
And at that instant.
"Hm?"
Cheonhwi furrowed his brow.
A powerful aura surged like waves from within the hall, tickling his senses.
'This aura...'
Cheonhwi halted.
Before the hall's grand doors.
"Squad Leader!"
"Martial Uncle!"
As the Extermination Squad members and Mount Hua disciples before the doors widened their eyes in shock at Cheonhwi's mirage-like appearance,
"Junior Brother!"
Cheonhyang rushed forward swiftly.
Her expression quite urgent.
"A guest seeks Junior Brother."
"I know."
Cheonhwi replied lowly and strode into the hall without pause.
He knew without being told.
Brushing past Cheonhyang, Cheonhwi headed straight to the room where presence emanated—the guest's quarters.
There, in the vast chamber, sat an elderly man with snow-white hair and beard, sipping tea from a chair.
His garb was worn Taoist robes, patched repeatedly with old cloth—quite familiar to Cheonhwi.
"It's been a long time."
At those words, the elder—Jongnam Sword Sage Go Hyun—turned his head and smiled with wrinkled face.
"Indeed, a long time, lad."