Chapter 361
Chapter 361
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 361
Chapter Title: Murim Alliance Reorganization
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As soon as the Murim Alliance's reorganization was finalized, Military Strategist Jegal Gong used the Secret Shadow Hall to post the new organizational chart he had prepared in advance as notices throughout the alliance, announcing it to everyone.
“A new organizational chart?”
“What is this...”
The martial artists who encountered the newly posted notices were baffled, unable to immediately grasp the situation.
The declaration of the war's end had come just yesterday.
Yet without even giving them time to celebrate, the notices had gone up today, leaving the martial artists staring in a daze.
“Recruiting new members...?”
“Regardless of affiliation or sect, selected purely based on skill and character?”
Those reading the detailed contents listed below the chart swallowed hard.
The Murim Alliance's martial forces held immense meaning and symbolism in the martial world.
The three powers dividing the martial world: the Nine Provinces Powers, the Triple Tyrants, and the rest.
Being accepted into one of them—the Murim Alliance's martial forces—proved one's skills were among the top in the world.
Thus, most martial artists who joined the alliance aspired to become members, but eight out of ten failed to achieve that dream.
Not only were spots limited, but long years of peace meant incumbents filled the ranks, leaving few openings.
That was why so many had quickly gathered when Ok Girin and the Plum Blossom Divine Hero announced recruitment for the special task force.
At some point, everyone held their breath, focusing intently on the notices.
Then, upon reaching the final line, they paused.
“Prioritizing those who distinguished themselves in the war against the Evil-Black Alliance?”
Reactions split sharply.
It was only natural.
Among the gathered, some had actively participated, while others had not.
But the commotion didn't last long.
After all, everyone knew that skill and character mattered more than anything.
“Trials at the training grounds...”
At someone's whisper, all eyes slowly shifted from the notices.
Toward the location of the training grounds.
Soon, without anyone leading, they hurried toward the training grounds.
Their eyes gleamed with determination not to miss this chance.
And this phenomenon repeated everywhere notices had been posted.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Yong Ju-gae left in a hurry as soon as the discussion ended.
He had said he would contact them separately if he learned anything.
With the decision to investigate the Alliance Leader, there was no need to waste time.
‘But it will take a while.’
With that thought, Cheonhwi took a sip of tea from the table.
Even for the Beggar Clan's Chief, Yong Ju-gae, uncovering the Alliance Leader's intentions wouldn't be easy.
Ju Cheon-geuk had been Alliance Leader for twenty years now.
In all that time, he had never done anything suspicious or problematic.
He embodied the path of a true hero.
Even Yong Ju-gae had fully trusted him until this incident sparked doubt.
‘That's why it's even stranger.’
Cheonhwi narrowed his eyes to slits.
A man with an impeccable record had suddenly acted suspiciously.
So blatantly that even the distrustful Yong Ju-gae had broken his trust.
‘Either something urgent came up, or there's no need to hide anymore.’
Finishing his thought, Cheonhwi set down his cup.
“He'll figure it out on his own.”
He pushed the thoughts aside.
Why he had suddenly done this wasn't important right now.
Whether his intentions were impure or not.
That was all that mattered.
“I wonder when we'll find out.”
Muttering to himself, Cheonhwi felt his hands itching and clenched his fist.
He didn't know the purpose yet, but having encountered similar types in his past life, his instincts told him.
It wasn't good.
“I want to fight soon...”
As Cheonhwi muttered softly, his eyes gleaming with killing intent.
“Junior Brother!”
“Division Leader!”
Urgent shouts accompanied pounding footsteps from outside.
The door burst open with a bang.
Cheonhyang and Danri Gwancheon entered without permission and strode toward Cheonhwi.
“Is it true you refused the division commander position?”
“What are your plans for the Annihilation Corps?”
Their questions overlapped in their haste.
Cheonhwi looked at their flushed faces thrust close and asked indifferently.
“Where did you hear that?”
“New organizational charts are posted everywhere in the alliance. Rumors are spreading like wildfire.”
Cheonhyang exclaimed dramatically.
“The alliance is reorganizing, merging the Annihilation Corps and Heavenly Justice Corps into a new division.”
“It's spread that fast already?”
Cheonhwi scratched his chin, still looking uninterested.
The information had leaked much faster than expected.
And even his refusal of the commander role had become rumor.
‘They were totally waiting for this.’
Cheonhwi nodded soon after.
“Yeah.”
“Why didn't you tell us?”
“Slipped my mind. But you know now, so it's fine.”
“What?”
Cheonhyang looked dumbfounded.
“We joined the Annihilation Corps to support you, and now you're refusing command? What are we supposed to do?”
“Do whatever you want.”
Cheonhwi said nonchalantly.
But hearing that, Cheonhyang's expression grew even more incredulous.
“...Do whatever?”
“Yeah. You can leave the Annihilation Corps, or if you don't like that, join the new division... whatever you want. It has nothing to do with me anymore.”
“...”
As Cheonhyang stood speechless at Cheonhwi's words implying the Annihilation Corps was completely unrelated to him now.
“Weren't Annihilation Corps members not allowed to leave without the commander's permission?”
Danri Gwancheon asked in a serious tone.
He referenced what Cheonhwi had emphasized during their first mission and the Ami Fortress battle, staring intently.
His gaze was sharp.
But.
“That's only during wartime.”
Cheonhwi replied calmly, unperturbed.
“The moment the war ended, the Annihilation Corps lost its purpose. You know that, right?”
“...”
“I'm not the Annihilation Corps commander anymore. Do as you please. Stay or go.”
Danri Gwancheon fell silent.
It was logical.
The Annihilation Corps was originally a special task force created for the war against the Evil-Black Alliance.
Not a permanent regular force.
That's why merging the two special forces into a new division was unexpected.
“Then why refuse the commander position?”
“Too bothersome.”
Danri Gwancheon flinched momentarily.
It caught him off guard.
‘...Were we the problem?’
Danri Gwancheon closed his eyes with a sigh. Ever since their missions, he had deeply realized something.
That he had survived only thanks to Cheonhwi's help and guidance.
He wasn't the only one.
All Annihilation Corps members had injuries but no deaths, thanks to Cheonhwi.
Without him, most would have died during missions.
The corps members were that weak.
‘We grew quickly under the commander's teachings, but compared to him, we're still minnows...’
Suddenly, memories of life with Cheonhwi in the Annihilation Corps flashed by rapidly.
Sparring disguised as beatings was dressed up as training through duels, and the martial arts Cheonhwi demonstrated were all flashy and brilliant.
Slightly romanticized, against his intentions...
‘Without meeting the commander, we wouldn't have progressed this far in martial arts or understood real combat's importance.’
Finishing his quick recollection, Danri Gwancheon opened his eyes and said.
“The only one worth following is you, Commander.”
“Huh?”
Cheonhwi looked at him, wondering what this out-of-the-blue statement meant.
Danri Gwancheon shook his head at Cheonhwi's expression.
‘He's pretending not to know because we're not helpful enough.’
Danri Gwancheon smiled softly.
His capacity was on another level.
Both in inaction and character.
Turning, he said.
“Once we've grown enough not to burden you, I'll come find you.”
Cheonhwi blurted out as Danri Gwancheon bowed and left the room.
“What nonsense is that.”
He let out a hollow laugh.
At that moment.
“Division Leader!”
This time, Im Ha-yul burst in dramatically.
Her face full of urgency and confusion, she said.
“A, a guest has arrived.”
“Who?”
Before the question finished.
“Young Hero Cheonhwi!”
With a booming shout, Ok Girin charged in and glared.
Then he urgently yelled.
Posing the question that had become tiresomely familiar.
“Why did you refuse the division commander position?!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “Tch, this is annoying as hell.”
Cheonhwi's face, gazing out the window, was filled with irritation. Outside the hall, it was chaos with crowds of people.
Mostly young martial artists.
“The Plum Blossom Divine Hero is here...”
“I heard the Annihilation Corps improved dramatically under his guidance. Is it true?”
“Of course! Think of the casualties Iron Blood Squad and the martial forces suffered. So many dead. Survivors struggling with injuries. But the Annihilation Corps? A hastily formed task force with no sacrifices and few wounded.”
“And what a remarkable person. After such feats, he yields the Heavenly Annihilation Division command to Ok Girin and steps back.”
“Means he has no desire for power. Truly admirable. Even Taoists get greedy.”
“He's the true great hero of the Murim Alliance.”
“That's why it's a shame. It would've been better if the Plum Blossom Divine Hero led it.”
“Isn't that why you're here too? Hoping he changes his mind at people's pleas?”
“Everyone thinks the same.”
Their whispers reached Cheonhwi's ears clearly.
“Tsk.”
Unhappy with the situation, Cheonhwi frowned.
‘Is this why I stepped back cleanly?’
Even before official announcement, his refusal was treated as fact in rumors.
At an incredibly fast spread.
Less than a day, and this many had gathered.
“They're holding off the precise announcement to exploit this, after spreading the charts everywhere.”
Cheonhwi recalled So Yeon Sa-tae's words from earlier, when she failed to persuade him and left.
Her meaningful remark that reorganization was complete, but implementation would take time.
He had planned a public opinion campaign from the start.
The alliance overflowed with martial artists hoping he would take command.
Especially after his standout exploits among the young generation boosted his fame.
The opposite of Cheonhwi's will.
‘If I refuse firmly, it'll die down a bit, but some will cling stubbornly.’
Thinking that, Cheonhwi lightly shook his head, recalling Ok Girin.
Ok Girin was incredibly persistent.
Beyond comparison with others. Hadn't he persuaded from every angle for nearly an hour to accept command while he took vice-commander?
‘And the others are the same.’
Cheonhwi rubbed his forehead tiredly.
Not just Ok Girin.
Before him, Sword Examination, Hyeondo, and So Yeon Sa-tae from Ami Sect had visited. Annihilation Corps members dropped by occasionally, insisting only he was fit for commander.
“But that's not all.”
Cheonhwi narrowed his eyes.
Over ten visitors today alone.
But it was just the beginning.
With everyone's attention on reorganization-related figures now.
He was one of them.
Most seemed to accept his words, but as rumors spread further, all sorts would come.
Cheonhwi's brow furrowed deeply.
Already irritated, imagining other martial artists joining in made his head ache.
“Maybe I should leave the alliance until the fuss dies down.”
Muttering the sudden idea, Cheonhwi nodded.
‘Investigating the Alliance Leader will take time anyway, and contact is possible anytime...’
“But they keep bothering me.”
Thinking of a way out, Cheonhwi whispered, gazing at one spot.
The massive hall housing the culprit.
Alliance Leader's Hall.
“Should've just beheaded him during the duel, intentions be damned.”
Killing intent toward the Murim Alliance Leader spilled out naturally. The unsatisfying duel already soured his mood lately.
As regret swelled.
“Tch!”
Cheonhwi shook his head and clicked his tongue.
Right now, he wasn't the past life's Absolute Heavenly Demon, but Mount Hua Sect's Cheonhwi.
And the opponent was the Murim Alliance Leader.
Acting like in his past life would cause a massive uproar.
“Come to think of it, I've mellowed a lot.”
With those words, Cheonhwi turned his gaze.
“In the past, I'd have beheaded him the moment I sensed deception, no second thoughts.”
Turning from the window, Cheonhwi approached the bed and flopped down backward.
“The situation's so different now.”
Cheonhwi muttered at the ceiling.
It differed greatly from his Absolute Heavenly Demon days.
Environment, nearby people, his position—everything.
At his peak, he wouldn't have dreamed of lounging on a bed in broad daylight.
Not just daylight.
Even lying down to sleep, no—even closing his eyes required full alertness.
Enemies everywhere.
He couldn't relax for a moment.
Maids attempting poison, assassins lurking in shadows.
Countless numbers.
Those jealous of him.
Those coveting the cult leader position.
Even those from the Nine Provinces Eight Emperors ambushing to kill him.
The whole world seemed against him.
‘Until I subjugated the Nine Provinces Eight Emperors, there were multiple attacks daily.’
Later in stability, habits lingered; he never fully relaxed.
Even upon reincarnating into this body, he stayed vigilant for years.
But now, it was different.
He could close his eyes peacefully, lie on the bed, and think.
Because at Mount Hua Sect, there was no need for vigilance.
Perhaps that's why he had softened so much compared to his past life.
“That must be a big factor. Back then, the only peace was with Twin Demons and Demon Brain...”
Muttering, Cheonhwi suddenly frowned and trailed off.
Mentioning the alias 'Demon Brain' brought the forgotten Cheonbong Hang Clan matter flashing back.
“...Even so, I trusted him far more than the others.”
His brow furrowed sharply with the sudden mutter.
This feeling was new.
Something surging from within...
‘Is this betrayal?’
Cheonhwi sat up abruptly.
Then slowly looked out the window.
Beyond the blue sky, Demon Brain's face briefly appeared.
“No plans anyway, and since I'm leaving the alliance, might as well look into it.”
With cold eyes glaring at the sky, Cheonhwi's lips parted.
“Why did you betray me?”