Chapter 106
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: The Shabby Pavilion
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"Good! That's it!"
"Hey, you need to twist your fist there."
"No, I'm telling you, that's not right. Why doesn't this kid get it?"
As Gu Jasin personally demonstrated and nagged endlessly, a vein bulged on Yu Hyun's temple while he was mid-motion.
Leaving behind the fruitless investigation of the Iron Sword Hall due to the Water Dragon King's antics(?), they were on their way to the Jeongmu Alliance.
The man stuck to him like a leech had finally finished his busy affairs and insisted on teaching him martial arts, throwing a tantrum until Yu Hyun reluctantly agreed to learn...
"That guy, how can he be so dense!"
"......"
Nagging...
"You need to step half a pace forward there!"
More nagging.
"Ugh, I must be crazy. Calling something like this a disciple..."
And even scolding on top of that.
Should he just throw down right here?
After all, he'd newly pioneered a realm through the Millennium Wild Card.
But then, the incredible martial feat he'd shown against Na Ha-chu flashed in his mind.
He'd barely beaten even the Disruption Army Leader, who was slightly stronger than Na Ha-chu...
"Hehe, like this, right?"
"Exactly. If you can do it right now, what was with all that fumbling before?"
"Haha, hahaha."
No matter how hard he calculated in his head, he came to the conclusion that he absolutely couldn't win.
Yu Hyun ground his teeth inwardly and endured all of Gu Jasin's nagging and scolding.
Fine, not yet. He still had two more chances to explosively increase his spirit energy, didn't he?
The remaining two spirit creatures.
Different times and places, but once he claimed both, he could advance to the third stage of the Spirit Heart Core Method.
When that time came... this old man...
Yes, he'd vent today's frustration then.
Hadn't the ancient sage Sima Qian said it?
A gentleman's revenge may come after ten years—bide your time with gritted teeth and iron will!
Amidst it all, the scholar's son Yu Hyun wrapped himself in the guise of a gentleman, vowing future revenge.
Anyway, they were already at Dongjeong Lake. A few more days on the boat, and they'd reach the Jeongmu Alliance.
Just endure a little longer. No way he'd follow all the way to the Jeongmu Alliance...
* * *
"Heh heh, it's been ages since I last visited the Jeongmu Alliance."
"......"
What? Why was he following them in?
He was the Water Dragon King! The lord of the unorthodox sects!
"We greet the Water Dragon King."
"Oh ho, polite greetings. Good manners."
"......"
Even the warriors lined up at the main gate bowed extremely courteously, following proper etiquette.
Did this make any sense?
Weren't they enemies? Shouldn't they block him with swords drawn?
"The Alliance Leader awaits the Chief Branch Lord. Please, enter. You've all worked hard. A letter of thanks arrived from Haemando. The newly formed warrior unit accomplished a great feat."
"......"
The warrior courteously stepping aside like a host, looking at Yu Hyun with admiration, was Yonghyeon-gun, Leader of the Spear Dragon Squadron, a key pillar of the Jeongmu Alliance's forces.
Behind him was the familiar Vice Leader Paeng Seong-chan.
"Excuse me, Vice Leader Paeng?"
Yu Hyun cautiously approached and spoke to Paeng Seong-chan.
"Ah, Yu Go— no, Latent Dragon Squadron Leader. Long time no see. From the first time I saw you, you didn't seem ordinary, and right from the start, you've achieved a massive accomplishment. The entire Jeongmu Alliance is buzzing about the Latent Dragon Squadron Leader. Haha!"
"Yes, long time no see. But is this really okay?"
"What's that?"
At Paeng Seong-chan's question, Yu Hyun nodded toward the Water Dragon King walking ahead.
"You're just letting a bandit leader into the Jeongmu Alliance?"
"Ah, you must not have heard. The Alliance Leader specially invited the Chief Branch Lord."
"......"
Invited? That ruthless bandit chief?
"When? Why?"
"Why do you ask?"
"......He's the enemy, isn't he? Brutal, merciless."
"What? Haha, I never expected the Latent Dragon Squadron Leader to say something like that."
"Yes?"
"I have ears too, you know. I've heard all about it. Didn't the Water Dragon King help during Na Ha-chu's attack on the Iron Sword Hall?"
"Yes? Ah, well..."
He figured they'd know about that much.
Jeongmu Alliance warriors had been there during the cleanup of the corpses of the ambushed Sanha Escort Agency escorts and the tribute goods for Haemando. Plus, Gu Jasin had raided the Iron Sword Hall.
Even so...
"You've formed a temporary alliance."
"An alliance?"
"Yes."
"......Why?"
"Hmm? Didn't the Chief Branch Lord tell you?"
"......"
If he had, would he be asking?
"It's because of those who infiltrated Haemando. It's a top-secret Heavenly-class matter known only to the leadership for now, but soon the Alliance Leader and Grand Strategist will discuss it. From what I hear, they're planning to announce it grandly across the Central Plains and form the Orthodox-Unorthodox Alliance?"
"Yes?"
He couldn't help but be genuinely shocked at those words. Had things progressed that deeply already?
"Well, I don't know the details yet either."
"......"
"Rest today; there's a meeting tomorrow. That's probably when the specifics will be revealed."
As Paeng Seong-chan spoke, Yu Hyun's face filled with utter bewilderment, and the Water Dragon King burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahat, this kid's quite shocked, huh?"
"......"
"I figured as much. I held back from spilling just to surprise you—my mouth was itching the whole time. Ha ha hat!"
If only he could poke those winking eyes to feel better...
But an Orthodox-Unorthodox Alliance. He never dreamed of such a thing.
The Demonic Cult was excluded, but even his masters had never mentioned an alliance forming at this time.
The only alliance he remembered was when the Calamity's Vanguard led the outsiders in their assault, uniting the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions.
Had history changed because of him? Because he'd gotten involved in Haemando?
Then what should he do now?
If the alliance formed early, found the Calamity's Vanguard, and prevented the Calamity itself?
Hmm...
Whatever it was, he couldn't jump to conclusions yet.
Since history had already diverged from what he knew, the future was unpredictable.
"Oh!"
"......?"
As Yu Hyun was lost in thought, Paeng Seong-chan glanced around furtively and whispered.
"You became the Water Dragon King's disciple, right?"
"......"
In an instant, the worries filling his head evaporated.
"H-How did you...?"
"Haha, why so tense?"
"......"
"It's fine. Only a few know for now, and it's not really a blemish, is it?"
"Th-That..."
Not a blemish? The Latent Dragon Squadron Leader of the Jeongmu Alliance being the Water Dragon King's disciple?
"The Grand Strategist pondered long and hard, but knowing you'd already learned the Nangong Clan's and Beggars' Sect's martial arts, he consulted the Alliance Leader and made an exception."
"An exception?"
"Even the insular Haemando fully cooperated with you and the Jeongmu Alliance, so it's actually a good thing. With the Orthodox-Unorthodox Alliance talks underway, having the Water Dragon King's disciple as the Jeongmu Alliance's Latent Dragon Squadron Leader will smooth negotiations."
"......"
"I'm really jealous. A disciple of the Water Dragon King..."
"......"
Yu Hyun gave an awkward smile at Paeng Seong-chan's words— a Jeongmu Alliance warrior who should strictly reject the unorthodox.
No matter how free of prejudice, was it something to casually mention and even envy?
But how did they find out?
He'd made it provisional and tightly sealed the Water Dragon King's lips, so where did the rumor...
In Yu Hyun's confused eyes, he spotted the Divine Rat of the Beggars' Sect bickering with Nangong Seong.
"......Hm, to think I didn't know this flavor all this time. Truly regrettable. The more I drink, the more new tastes emerge. Want a sip?"
"Shut up, you bastard—suddenly turning into a drunkard."
"......"
Since when did that rat know alcohol tastes, strapping a gourd to his waist and sipping now and then... Ah, that rat bastard.
That punk had been glued to his side, spying and spilling every detail to the Grand Strategist.
He'd said he wouldn't do it again and been forgiven...
But bad feelings were bad feelings.
Thwack!
"Kuk! What... why...?"
"......"
The fuming Divine Rat glared daggers at him but could only stare in bewilderment at Yu Hyun striding past.
"Why'd he hit me?"
"Hm, who knows? Maybe a warning not to drink during the day? You know, they say if you get drunk in daylight, you won't even recognize your parents."
"......"
"Or maybe... just because? Well, sometimes looking at the back of your head, I get the urge to smack it too."
"......"
Nangong Seong feigned a serious expression as he teased with mock advice, then hurried after Yu Hyun.
"......"
The Divine Rat stared blankly, then grumbled irritably.
"Damn it, why'd he hit me?"
No matter how he racked his brain, no good answer came.
Anyway, seeing the two whispering intimately ahead stirred unavoidable envy. He shook his head to clear stray thoughts and quickly moved his feet.
"Wait up!"
* * *
The Water Dragon King and Yu Hyun's group entered the Jeongmu Alliance and headed straight along the central pathway to a grand hall.
Wow, seeing it again, it's like a fortress—a real fortress.
Walking slowly and taking it in, the scale of the Jeongmu Alliance looked different from the partial view he'd gotten passing by in a carriage.
Everywhere his eyes reached was packed with majestic halls, about ten times grander than what he'd seen before?
In any case, as he wandered around like a country bumpkin just like last time, he overheard the Spear Dragon Squadron Leader guiding the Water Dragon King through the halls one by one.
"That place over there is the hall where our Spear Dragon Squadron resides."
"Wow!"
The guidance was for the Water Dragon King, but innocent Yu Hyun kept exclaiming in awe.
Huge, awesome!
And the delicate craftsmanship by renowned artisans—could you even call these mere halls with such artistic value?
Look at that: the massive stone statue of a spear dragon roaring toward the heavens at the entrance!
"In addition to the external training ground, there are two internal ones and individual training facilities."
Was this really just for one warrior squadron? The scale was overwhelmingly grand.
"Around the central Military Bureau, the halls of the Spear Dragon, Wing Dragon, Mystic Dragon, and Soaring Dragon Squadrons are positioned in the four cardinal directions."
"Hm, a formation, is it?"
"You noticed. As expected of the Water Dragon King."
Gu Jasin, who had been carefully observing the layout, spoke, and Yonghyeon-gun nodded in admiration.
"It's prepared for any enemy attack."
"Hmm, indeed the Jeongmu Alliance. If each squadron deploys their formation, even my nation couldn't easily breach it."
"Haha, you're too modest. Who in the Central Plains could block the Water Dragon King?"
"No. From what I see, even those statues form part of the formation... Hm, quite the effort. Depending on the warriors' formations and the halls' structures, various formations activate. Impenetrable."
"......"
Feeling the sincerity in Gu Jasin's assessment, Yonghyeon-gun smiled with satisfaction.
An enemy, yes, but one of the ten strongest known in the current martial world. Praise from such a master was always welcome.
In truth, the formations and squad arrays he explained weren't real secrets—just elaborating on what was visible.
The truly fearsome parts were thoroughly hidden from sight.
"We'll part from the Latent Dragon Squadron here for now."
"Hm?"
"The Alliance Leader awaits the elder."
"A private meeting?"
"Yes."
At Yonghyeon-gun's words, the Water Dragon King nodded and turned to Yu Hyun, who was entranced by the hall's grandeur.
"Hm, no helping it. Hyun-ah, I'll be back soon—see you later."
"Yes? Ah, yes."
Yu Hyun barely replied without looking properly, so Yonghyeon-gun gave Paeng Seong-chan his orders.
"You guide them to the Latent Dragon Squadron's quarters."
"Yes, Squadron Leader."
"......?"
Yu Hyun's eyes widened in an instant.
The Latent Dragon Squadron's quarters? Had they prepared a hall for them like the other squadrons?
"Latent Dragon Squadron Leader."
"Yes?"
"Let's go. I'll show you the way."
Of course! They had to have one. They absolutely did!
Wouldn't it be the most famous squadron in the Jeongmu Alliance from now on?
Moreover, the Latent Dragon Squadron that might produce a future Alliance Leader—it deserved a proper hall.
But what if it's too big? With manpower short, managing it would be tough...
How many rooms? Individual quarters?
Of course, they should. All members were top heirs and masters from prestigious sects!
As Yu Hyun happily imagined the Latent Dragon Squadron's hall...
"Here it is."
The Latent Dragon Squadron's hall appeared before his eyes.
"......"
Staring for a long while, Yu Hyun stood frozen, blinking, before barely asking.
"This... is definitely it, right?"
"Yes."
"No walls, just a tiny yard overgrown with weeds and a single crumbling building..."
"Is the Latent Dragon Squadron's hall."
"......"
"The Grand Strategist said that though you've accomplished much, it's limited to Haemando, and since you're provisional, he's only providing temporary quarters."
"......"
Ah, I see.
Because it's provisional... you gave us that rundown hall, Grand Strategist.
Haha, someone went through hell to protect Haemando...
Ahahaha, maybe he shouldn't bother stopping the Calamity? Let the Grand Strategist bastard die.