Chapter 360
Chapter 360
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 360
Chapter Title: Murim Alliance Reorganization
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As if he had been waiting for it, Zhuge Gong rummaged through his sleeve and unrolled a scroll.
Roll—
The scroll soon unfurled to reveal a massive organizational chart.
Those who examined it with tense expressions soon relaxed slightly with a sigh of relief.
"But it hasn't changed as much as I thought."
Abbot Wonjong murmured softly.
Just as he said, despite talk of a major overhaul, the chart showed no significant changes.
"It's right after the war, so things are still chaotic. If we change everything drastically from top to bottom, it could invite more infiltrators. We'll make very gradual changes starting from the bottom."
Everyone nodded at Zhuge Gong's brief explanation and turned back to the new organizational chart.
For now, the Murim Alliance's core—the One Hall, Two Parties, and Three Brigades—remained intact.
However, a new organization had been added under the Secret Shadow Hall.
"Earth Dragon Pavilion?"
Someone voiced the name.
"There might still be more spies left. So, we've created an organization to root them out. Of course, to the outside, it'll just be known as a sub-unit of the Secret Shadow Hall."
Zhuge Gong explained.
A few let out low groans.
It made sense if it was an organization formed to catch spies.
But that very reason bred unease.
"Do you have someone in mind for Pavilion Lord?"
Song Baek of the Geomchang Sect asked cautiously.
It was a very important question.
The Earth Dragon Pavilion was essentially a secret organization moving covertly to identify spies. Thus, its leader had to be trustworthy.
As if expecting the question, Zhuge Gong immediately replied.
"The Demonic Destruction Brigade Leader has agreed to take charge of the Earth Dragon Pavilion."
All eyes turned to one spot.
Demonic Destruction Brigade Leader, the Lone Soul Single Banner Knight So Seongjeok, felt the gazes upon him and nodded lightly.
"But what about the Demonic Destruction Brigade...?"
"You'll see at the bottom."
As the brigade leader spoke with a glance, eyes dropped to the bottom of the chart, widening in surprise.
Upon closer inspection, the combat brigades had changed significantly.
The Alliance Guard Brigade and Death Envoy Brigade remained, but instead of the Divine Dragon Brigade and Demonic Destruction Brigade, new names were listed side by side.
"Trust Commission Brigade, Heavenly Purity Brigade?"
"Are you disbanding the Divine Dragon and Demonic Destruction Brigades to form new ones?"
Questions poured in from all sides.
"The Demonic Destruction and Alliance Guard Brigades suffered heavy losses, so we'll merge them into the Alliance Guard. We've already consulted and incorporated the opinions of both the Demonic Destruction Brigade Leader and Alliance Guard Brigade Leader on this."
The Demonic Destruction and Alliance Guard leaders chimed in right after Zhuge Gong's response.
"I thought the Alliance Guard Leader could handle my subordinates, so I requested it."
"To bolster our strength, we'll re-examine all existing members one by one and reform the brigade."
It was a straightforward explanation, leaving no room for criticism.
"And the Divine Dragon Brigade..."
"I'll explain that."
Someone interrupted the Strategist's words.
It was the Divine Dragon Brigade Leader, a calm, handsome man who looked like the noble son of some high official.
"As you've all heard, many of my brigade's members lost their lives to the Wheel Brigade, and many more returned to their sects for serious injury treatment."
The listeners clenched their lips.
In the war against the Evil-Black Alliance, the Divine Dragon Brigade had suffered the heaviest losses.
One entire sub-unit had been wiped out, and the remaining brigades were so depleted they could barely maintain full strength.
The Divine Dragon Brigade Leader slightly rolled up his sleeve as if to show the silent audience.
"...Heavens."
Gasps and swallows echoed around.
His sky-blue sleeve revealed a forearm in a horrific state.
The skin was mangled, oozing thick yellow pus.
It was a poison technique wound.
"And I myself was deeply wounded by the Wheel Brigade Leader's poison technique, requiring at least three years of recovery. I can't return to the Alliance during that time."
"Can't you appoint the Vice Leader and keep the Divine Dragon Brigade as a combat brigade?"
Cheong Uja of the Jongnam Sect asked in a subdued voice, but the brigade leader shook his head firmly.
"There aren't enough left to maintain it as a combat brigade. Better to let it go and form a new one as the Alliance Leader suggested."
Silence fell at the Divine Dragon Brigade Leader's words.
Complex emotions stirred.
The Divine Dragon Brigade's history was long and profound.
Composed of the Nine Great Sects' later-generation disciples, its symbolic weight was immense. Ending that history now left everyone uneasy.
Yet no one voiced it.
They knew the one most heartbroken was the current leader, who was severing his own brigade's long legacy.
"Then everyone understands."
The brigade leader, unable to fully hide the bitterness in his voice despite trying, lowered his sleeve and spoke.
"Now, for the explanation."
Zhuge Gong spoke up.
It was to change the subject.
Everyone nodded.
"Starting with the first..."
Zhuge Gong began the briefing.
The chart looked largely unchanged at a glance, but the details had shifted considerably.
Along with it came policy changes, three of which were key.
Stricter verification than before, allowing only those with clean records to act as Murim Alliance warriors.
If past actions showed anomalies, no matter the rank, pursuit until proven safe.
And the reorganization centered on those who shone in the war.
As Zhuge Gong explained, expressions in the hall clearly divided.
Sects that excelled in the war looked pleased, while those from Kunlun and Shaolin, who hadn't shone as brightly, darkened.
"...And we'll abolish the policy of assigning positions by distribution."
Zhuge Gong stated flatly.
"Hmmm."
Sighs arose everywhere.
Those who had held seats by distribution and fame grumbled at the new system but couldn't protest.
They had felt it in this war.
In the end, the jianghu valued strength.
Then, Mok Yeongja of Wudang, who had silently observed, spoke.
"One thing I'm curious about."
"What is it?"
"I understand merging the Heavenly Purity and Extermination Brigades into the Heavenly Purity Brigade, but who will lead it?"
Mok Yeongja glanced at Hyeondo.
This was crucial for him.
Extermination Brigade Leader and Heavenly Purity Brigade Leader.
One of them would obviously lead the new combat brigade.
And everyone would predict one particular person, but who knew.
"Young Hero Cheonhwi for the Heavenly Purity Brigade Leader position..."
As Zhuge Gong spoke, Mok Yeongja's face darkened and Hyeondo nodded as if it were natural—
"I thought it fitting, but Young Hero Cheonhwi refused the leadership."
Zhuge Gong twisted his words.
At the same time, Mok Yeongja brightened, and Hyeondo's eyes widened.
"Refused?"
Hyeondo said in surprise.
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
"Why..."
As Hyeondo reacted with bewilderment at the unexpected reply—
"I proposed it to him personally, but he refused."
The Murim Alliance Leader spoke.
"I still hope the Plum Blossom Divine Knight will take the position, but..."
He trailed off, shaking his head slightly.
"If he refuses, what can we do."
"Then who is the leader?"
Mok Yeongja pressed immediately.
"If not the Plum Blossom Divine Knight, naturally the Jade Kirin will take it. They grew the Special Maneuvers Brigade that far with their two leaders' power."
Mok Yeongja's face lit up at the expected answer.
"But I'll wait a bit longer. Implementing this will take time."
The Murim Alliance Leader added softly.
He then quickly scanned the hall, starting from Hyeondo.
A faint smile played on his lips.
"He might change his mind in the meantime, no?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Hm?"
Cheonhwi furrowed his brow at the uninvited guests who appeared without warning.
They were all familiar faces.
Fourth-Generation Disciple Hyeondo, Deputy Strategist Seolgeom, and Beggars' Sect Leader Yong Ju-gae.
"Why did you refuse the brigade leadership?"
"Why did you do that?"
As soon as they faced him, the two except Yong Ju-gae demanded bluntly, making Cheonhwi tilt his head.
"What brigade leadership?"
"The leadership of the new brigade formed by merging the Heavenly Purity and Extermination Brigades."
Hyeondo answered immediately.
"Ah, that?"
Finally recalling, Cheonhwi shrugged it off.
"I just said it's too bothersome, so no."
"......"
Seolgeom momentarily lost his words, mouth agape.
But Hyeondo, who knew Cheonhwi's temperament well, calmly asked as before.
"Is that all?"
"Yeah."
Cheonhwi replied, then asked curiously.
"Why? Do you want me to be the leader, Senior Brother Hyeondo?"
"I'd like that."
Hyeondo nodded.
"The Murim Alliance recognizes your prowess and offers you a brigade."
Hyeondo huffed proudly.
The Murim Alliance that had ignored Mount Hua Sect for so long.
Now the Alliance Leader himself came to offer brigade leadership—how could he not be proud?
So he wanted Cheonhwi to accept.
To shine spectacularly before the other Nine Great Sects that had dismissed Mount Hua.
"Nah, forget it."
But Cheonhwi waved it off.
"I don't want anything that bothersome, even if offered."
"A bit disappointing, but got it."
Hyeondo crossed his arms and nodded.
Seolgeom, flustered by this, asked.
"Are you really passing up this chance?"
"It's Cheonhwi's decision."
Hyeondo replied as if no more needed saying.
If Cheonhwi didn't want it, that was that.
"Then I'll ask no more."
Hyeondo patted Cheonhwi's shoulder with a grin.
"Let's talk at length next time. I'd love to chat more, but I have to relay the Alliance changes to our sect and handle other matters... Tch."
Smacking his lips regretfully, Hyeondo glanced at Seolgeom and Yong Ju-gae, nodded, and left the room.
"Young Hero."
Now Seolgeom, who had been gauging the situation, spoke urgently.
"This chance won't come again."
Unlike Hyeondo, he was persistent.
"You grew the Extermination Brigade this far— are you throwing it all away? Isn't it a waste?"
Despite his emphasis—
"What's the big deal."
Cheonhwi replied indifferently, unconcerned.
"The war's over now. I don't need it, so give it to anyone."
"......"
A vein bulged on Seolgeom's forehead.
But soon, he sighed deeply, fanning his beard to cool his temper before speaking.
"I'll come again."
Judging Cheonhwi wouldn't change his mind now, Seolgeom shook his head and exited.
"Better if you don't come back."
Cheonhwi muttered at Seolgeom's retreating figure, then turned to the side.
"Not leaving?"
"You want me to?"
Yong Ju-gae chuckled and asked.
"Why ask when you know?"
Cheonhwi shrugged.
Then, casually—
"By the way, unexpected. Talking about it now means the Alliance reorganization passed the conference— surprisingly no opposition."
A bit outside expectations.
He thought it'd require building public opinion first to pressure conference attendees for the Alliance Leader's plan.
Yet it passed before opinions formed.
"The Alliance Leader drew his sword."
Yong Ju-gae said simply, paused, then continued with sunken eyes.
"He said he'd resign if not accepted."
"Resign?"
Cheonhwi stroked his chin.
"Hm. A bold, no-retreat threat, but seems a bit short on its own..."
Yong Ju-gae nodded.
The Alliance Leader's resignation would cause waves, but they could endure a vacant seat.
He'd been semi-retired, rarely appearing, for a long time.
But he didn't.
Couldn't.
Because of what followed.
"On top of that, he revealed to the Alliance that 'Society' spies remain. No one could oppose after that."
Yong Ju-gae's brows twitched, recalling the hall-shaking moment.
Even now, it was incomprehensible.
Then.
"What? He revealed the spies?"
Cheonhwi said incredulously.
"What a weird move."
Yong Ju-gae turned, surprised by Cheonhwi's reaction.
It matched his own thoughts.
Suppressing rising emotions, he asked carefully.
"What do you mean?"
"What else? It's fishy no matter how you look. He kept silent on the 'Society' till the end to root out spies, but now mentions it when they might still be around."
Cheonhwi's eyes darkened coldly.
"Plus, he said before there might be spies among conference attendees... and reveals it now? Doesn't add up."
Then.
Clap!
Yong Ju-gae slapped his palm emphatically in agreement.
"Exactly!"
Nodding excitedly like finding an ally, he poured out.
"I thought the same. It's weird, as you say. But that's not the only odd part. The war with Evil-Black Alliance is over, but the 'Society' has nothing to do with them—why reveal spies now?"
"Can't make sense without some scheme. I've thought it suspicious for a while."
As Cheonhwi recalled the seemingly scheming Alliance Leader with displeasure, Yong Ju-gae's eyes sparkled.
"When did you notice?"
"From accepting the Evil-Black Alliance truce. Said he'd finish them, then suddenly piles on reasons for truce—odd."
Yong Ju-gae quietly admired.
After a moment, he asked softly.
"Told this to anyone?"
"No. No time."
"Then don't tell anyone."
"Why?"
"I'll look into it separately."
Yong Ju-gae's eyes gleamed coldly.
"The Alliance Leader's true aim."
Cheonhwi's eyes darkened in kind.
"Anyone else know besides me?"
"You're the only one I've told."
"Two people makes info gathering hard."
"No, it's good. Fewer know, less leak risk... and with me on it, nothing escapes."
Cheonhwi grinned 'oho'.
He nailed info warfare's core, exuding Beggars' Sect Leader confidence.
"Then do that."
Cheonhwi agreed, about to end it, but suddenly recalled something and spoke quickly.
"But if the Alliance Leader's aims are impure, can I step in?"
Yong Ju-gae stared.
The implication was clear.
"...Planning to fight the Alliance Leader?"
Hearing it, Cheonhwi twisted his slightly upturned lips higher.
A cold sneer.
"Can't pass up such a golden chance."