Chapter 110
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Dragon Ranks of the Murim
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Dragons, commonly symbolic of emperors, are also used as terms to describe the growth stages of martial artists.
Latent, Manifest, Flying, High, Fallen.
Latent refers to a dragon lurking beneath the water's surface, still hidden and biding its time—pointing to those late-stage talents with potential who haven't yet fully made their name in the world.
Manifest is for those whose talents become visible, starting to make waves across the Central Plains. Among them, those who soar high into ascension are called Flying, their momentum so formidable that their names are known to all.
Finally, those who reach the edge of the heavens but fail to hold onto their fame, vanishing into the annals of history, are termed High. And those who crash to the ground, drawing the scorn of the world, are called Fallen—or mud dragons.
Recently, one such dragon had captured the world's attention.
No matter how hushed it was kept, could there truly be secrets in worldly affairs?
Stories that began with, "Hey, this is a secret—just between us," quickly leaked into the taverns, spreading through the mouths of storytellers until they became public knowledge.
There's a reason they say rumors travel a thousand li without feet.
Rumors floating around taverns often outpaced even the Beggars' Sect and were more secretive than the Hao Clan, unbound by any particular faction.
No wonder the Beggars' Sect collected rumors separately from their flower tokens, or the Hao Clan bought up tales from the tavern owners.
In any case, the rumors spread like wildfire through the orthodox murim, naturally drawing everyone's eyes.
The Justice Alliance's Latent Dragon Squad. Too many to call a mere group, too few for a full unit.
Their full nature hadn't yet been revealed, but the tales that emerged during this time of peace stirred people's interest and excitement.
Especially since it included the Sword Dragon Nangong Seong and the Little Horned Dragon Gae Du-shin—two of the famed Seven Dragons—which became the talk of the town.
At first, no one believed it. But once it was confirmed that Haenam Island had sent a massive tribute to the Justice Alliance as thanks, it instantly became a hot topic.
Naturally, people began dissecting the Latent Dragon Squad. They speculated on who else besides the front two would join, and what roles they might play going forward.
And amid all those discussions, the one drawing the most attention was undoubtedly the Latent Dragon Squad Leader.
Latent Dragon Squad Leader Yu Hyun.
No famed clan name like Nangong, Tang, Peng, or Huangbo. Not some Daoist nobody or Grandmaster So-and-so from the Daoist or Buddhist sects.
When it came out that this man, who had never once shown his face in the murim, was the legitimate son of the Yu Clan Manor in Anpyeong County—from the scholarly family of the former Imperial Tutor, renowned as a great scholar—the questions only intensified.
Why would a scholar's son do this? What on earth for?
Everyone dug desperately into how he'd become a martial artist, what arts he practiced, who his master was... but aside from confirming he was the Yu Clan Manor's son, they learned nothing.
* * *
"Aren't you the Latent Dragon Squad Leader? It's a pleasure to meet a famous figure shaking up the murim these days."
"......"
Yu Hyun, heading to the Justice Alliance's grand conference hall with three Latent Dragon Squad members, tilted his head at the booming greeting from the bear-like man.
[Hebei Peng Clan's third son, Peng Mu-wi. Age thirty-two. Current Flying Dragon Squad Leader.]
Before he could even show his puzzlement, Gae Du-shin quickly sent a transmission introducing the man.
"Ah, Flying Dragon Squad Leader. First time meeting you."
"Oh! You already know me? What an honor."
"......"
Not me who knows—you, you little rat.
"But do I know you?"
"What're you saying? First time meeting you too, High Dragon Squad Leader."
Yu Hyun followed up with a greeting to the sword-wielding man, Cheonghyeon of the Mount Hua Sect, who returned it politely.
This little rat—sharp as Nangong Seong when it counts. Like a murim who's-who straight out of King Yama's ledgers.
"You're from a scholar family, they say, but quicker on the uptake than expected. Already got us all figured out."
Cheonghyeon narrowed his eyes playfully, and Yu Hyun brushed it off with a cheeky grin.
"They say your Plum Blossom Full Bloom has reached its peak, filling the skies with flowers. Word is you might even ascend to the strong ranks soon. As a junior on the same path, how could I not admire you?"
"What? Ha! You know the fine details about me. Impressive, truly impressive."
Impressive indeed—that little rat's intel network.
"Makes me feel bad for knowing so little about you in return."
"No need. It's only natural for a junior to look up the seniors he admires."
"What? Hahaha! I like you already!"
"Exactly. Folks were worried about a scholar's son as the new Latent Dragon Squad Leader, but looks like it was all for naught."
The Flying Dragon and High Dragon Squad Leaders burst into hearty laughs, their moods lifted by Yu Hyun's humble respect laced with admiration.
"It's only provisional for now."
"Provisional? Who's saying that? I heard the Sword Dragon and Little Horned Dragon follow you like you're the sky itself."
"A man who handled the Haenam Island mess so brilliantly! Tell me who, and I'll rip their mouth off right now!"
"......"
Any initial wariness gone, they fumed as if it were personal, and Yu Hyun chuckled inwardly.
Go ahead. Long as it's not the Grand Strategist, I'd love to rip mouths too.
That damn guy hands over a crumbling hall and calls it done...
"Come on in. The Soaring Dragon Squad Leader's already inside."
"Yes."
Yu Hyun trailed behind the two amiably prodding him without overtaking, and their laughter grew louder.
He subtly flashed a thumbs-up to Gae Du-shin.
Good job, kid. Time to forgive that rat-like spying.
And it really was perfectly timed intel.
They say a rolling stone gathers no moss, and no matter how pretty, it'll earn the ire of the established ones. Who'd willingly yield their rice bowl to a potential thief?
But by greeting them first, acting humble, he'd already won their favor—half the battle done.
For a young sprout dreaming of Justice Alliance Leader someday, connections were worth more than gold, weren't they?
Better to cozy up early with guys who had pull now, bright futures, and could back him later.
"By the way, I hear you're learning from the Water Dragon King himself?"
"Yes. It just sort of happened that way—can't help feeling sorry about it. A Justice Alliance martial artist as disciple to someone so numerically infamous..."
"Hey now! What kind of talk is that? It's not the arts that are wrong—it's how you use 'em. Don't worry. I've heard of your righteousness already. Anyone badmouthing the Water Dragon Clan's arts, I'll be first to give 'em a taste of my wrath."
"Damn right! Narrow-minded fools like that deserve to drop dead young."
"Haha! Hearing that from you two seniors makes me feel solid as a rock."
Indeed, be friendly in greetings, and stockpile goodwill—you can never have too much. Even potential dirt from behind turns into support in a flash.
Entering the Justice Alliance's grand conference hall with the two ahead, Yu Hyun sat in his assigned spot.
New faces glanced his way amid murmurs, but he calmly greeted the familiar Soaring Dragon Squad Leader, then chatted idly with the others.
Matching their boring talk on murim politics and such, the Alliance Leader arrived, and the meeting began.
Grand Strategist Jeoks Gal Su-beom explained the Haenam Island incident and the Iron Formation Gang case at Mount Hyeong, along with the resulting shifts in the situation, then proposed the Orthodox Alliance.
Yu Hyun had nothing to add amid the detailed debates. With prior talks between the Water Dragon King and Alliance Leader, task assignments went smoothly...
"You stay behind—I have something to discuss separately."
"Yes."
Even after the meeting ended, a few lingered, chatting in groups. The hall emptied fully only after Yu Hyun set up drinks with the squad leaders.
Alliance Leader Yi Hak-seong, the Grand Strategist, and Yu Hyun settled in a small side chamber next to the hall.
Only after the maidservant brewed and left with the tea did the real talk start.
"Looked good getting chummy with the squad leaders."
Yu Hyun smirked and nodded at Jeoks Gal Su-beom's praise.
"Pure-hearted folks always have open hearts."
"......"
Prodding at how Jeoks Gal had set Gae Du-shin to spy on him, the Grand Strategist gave a wry smile.
And rightly so. Dare to plant a rat right next to me?
I get it, but grudges are grudges. Especially after dumping that shack of a Latent Dragon Squad building...
"Ha ha, enough of that. From a strategist's seat, you have to be cautious in all things."
"Yes. Wasn't really sniping anyway. I think your suspicions were fair."
The Alliance Leader chided gently, and Yu Hyun shrugged.
"Looks like you've got a lot pent up. Let it go."
"Yes. I'll try."
His words said try, but his attitude screamed otherwise, drawing a grin from Yi Hak-seong as he changed topics.
"Anyway, thanks to you, our strained ties with Haenam Island are mended. Quite encouraging. The new island lord sent thanks along with pledges of full cooperation on Alliance matters—even dispatching their martial artists."
"Good to hear. Better to stay on good terms."
"By the way, how'd you figure it out?"
"Figure what?"
"That the Haenam Island Lord's qi deviation was fake."
"......"
Yi Hak-seong's words made Jeoks Gal Su-beom's eyes light up instantly beside him.
That guy's curiosity...
Not that I'd dream of satisfying it. Even if I said I knew from the future, they'd just call me crazy.
"Just happened to catch on."
"Just happened?"
"Like snaring a rat backing into a cow's kick."
"Hmm, I see."
Jeoks Gal Su-beom's expectant gleam faded fast with no juicy info.
"Shame."
"......?"
"The Beggars' Sect says they've lost the trail. They're trying, but it's not easy."
"......"
Yu Hyun frowned at Yi Hak-seong's regretful tone.
Damn Disorder minions... How do they shake even the Beggars' pursuit so easily?
But knowing nothing about them himself, he had no moves—even if he wanted to. Having left the tracking to the Justice Alliance, he had no intention of meddling.
"Anyway, why'd you keep me back? Not just to ask about them, I take it?"
"Ah, a few things to discuss with you."
"Discuss?"
"Yes. Heard the Dark Dragon even acknowledged you as squad leader?"
"Rumors fly fast."
"Ha ha, I'm the Alliance Leader, you know. I hear what's happening inside quick enough."
"Impressive. Must be rats everywhere. You didn't breed those messenger pigeons for other purposes, did you? Like eavesdropping on tavern talk."
"Haha! Quite the colorful way with words. Refreshing."
"Don't know fancy talk."
Yi Hak-seong roared with laughter at Yu Hyun's blunt pout, already familiar with his bold streak.
"Ha ha, you're a marvel anyway. The Tang Clan kids are proud sorts, yet you got their nod so easily."
"Less pride, more showboating."
"Tang Clan folk have the skills to back it. You're the impressive one."
Yu Hyun stayed silent at the overly lavish praise. Sensing the subtle wariness, Yi Hak-seong smirked and got to the point.
"Anyway, with three members now, how about officially promoting the Latent Dragon Squad to a full martial unit?"
"......"
"And assigning you a mission at the same time."
"A mission? Why?"
"Ha ha, the other leaders have their plates full, and you're the perfect fit."
"......?"
Yu Hyun tilted his head at the cryptic words, and the silent Jeoks Gal Su-beom spoke up.
"It's about the Orthodox Alliance."
"Wasn't that already decided?"
"It is. But we're just starting. The Water Dragon King stepped up, but there are still gaps."
"Gaps like?"
"First, the Northern Alliance in Shaanxi."
"......?"
"The unorthodox forces in Gansu region. They've been clashing with us for ages over the borderlands between Shaanxi and Gansu."
"And?"
"We'd like you to head there and persuade them to join the alliance."
Yu Hyun pondered Jeoks Gal Su-beom's request.
Didn't know the Northern Alliance, but he was planning to leave the Justice Alliance soon anyway. To recruit his two remaining masters from Wudang in the north of Hubei and Shaolin in Henan into the Latent Dragon Squad.
"The Justice Alliance's Special Strategist and the Manifest Dragon Squad—not here today—are out there, but it's dragging. The bad blood runs deep..."
"Special Strategist?"
"Yes. You may have heard—the ones leading the Justice Alliance's strategist division are called the Old Scholars."
"I have."
"One of them is the Special Strategist, Hyeon-hak Jeoks Gal Mu-rin."
"......You mean the Wise Dragon?"
"That's right."
"......"
Yu Hyun paused at the unexpected name in this setting.
Heavenly Mechanism Diviner Jeoks Gal Mu-rin was there?
"The Special Strategist is already on-site, and Nangong Hye—Nangong Clan daughter—is on the Latent Dragon Squad roster. Makes sense for you to help."
"......"
"Also, stop by Mount Hua and Wudang on the way to bolster the squad..."
Yi Hak-seong nodded along with Jeoks Gal Su-beom's words, as did Yu Hyun.
It was obvious even without them saying. It'd gather all the future Righteous Six Saints.
True, but...
It was his mission, one he had to do...
After more thought, Yu Hyun nodded as if resolved.
"Hmm, got it. But first, something to clarify."
"Hm?"
"What?"
"Thinking about it, I've only been doing the Latent Dragon Squad Leader title bit—no contract signed, huh?"
"Hm? What do you—"
Yi Hak-seong and Jeoks Gal Su-beom exchanged puzzled looks, tilting their heads.
Making that dumb face...
You think I'd get duped again?
Stopping the Disorder's one thing—can't let high-end talent like me work for free.
Can't live on righteousness and chivalry alone, right?
And my situation's way different from my past life?
Latent Dragon Squad Leader, disciple to the mighty Water Dragon King, toying with peak experts—I'm the hot center of it all.
So no washing your mouths with that crumbling shack. Whip out the standard Latent Dragon Squad Leader employment contract.
Alliance Leader's seal mandatory at the bottom.