Chapter 792: I Plan to Form an Organization.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 792: I Plan to Form an Organization.
Sword God Jang Sun-woo.
The man who had suppressed Lee Jae-won—the former World's Greatest Martial Artist—in a single stroke.
The current World's Greatest Martial Artist, the punisher of evil, and the rising hero of the Murim.
That very man had now appeared upon the speaker’s podium.
"Wh-what... how..."
"Why is... why is he there?"
"It’s Jang Sun-woo! It’s the Sword God, Jang Sun-woo!"
"The Sword God... why on earth..."
The faces of those watching began to fill with bewilderment. They could not fathom his sudden appearance.
Why was he showing himself at a venue meant for the Cheonmu Alliance’s official statement? Though he was treated as a hero for bringing Lee Jae-won to justice, he was someone with absolutely no ties to the Cheonmu Alliance.
There was no reason for him to be on that stage.
Naturally, questions began to swirl regarding his sudden entrance.
"Despite the short notice, I would like to express my sincere gratitude on behalf of the Cheonmu Alliance to all of you who have graced us with your presence today."
Sun-woo lowered his head in a grateful greeting. His manner was exceedingly polite.
Seeing this, the murmuring crowd fell silent and began to focus on him. His courteous demeanor had piqued their interest.
"Furthermore, I bow my head in apology for the disgraceful incidents caused by the former leader of the Cheonmu Alliance, Lee Jae-won. This situation is the fault and failing of the Cheonmu Alliance for failing to recognize Lee Jae-won’s corruption sooner. We will humbly accept any and all criticism."
Sun-woo slowly bowed his head toward the crowd watching him.
"..........What!?"
"How... how can this be!?"
The crowd’s expressions turned to pure shock. They could not hide their astonishment at the fact that the World's Greatest Martial Artist had personally bowed his head.
What did it mean to be the World's Greatest Martial Artist? Was it not the position of the Supreme Being, said to have no equal under heaven?
In the Murim, where martial prowess was the ultimate value, the World's Greatest Martial Artist possessed a dignity that rivaled even that of an Emperor.
Yet, a man of such immense stature had bowed to a mere crowd.
How could they not be stunned?
After holding the bow for a moment, Sun-woo slowly raised his head.
"I am well aware that this matter will not end simply because I bow my head. Hundreds have been injured or killed, and evidence has been found that the truth of the incident was covered up. Therefore, after much deliberation, the leadership and I have arrived at a solution. A way to take definitive responsibility for this situation."
Sun-woo continued, his gaze steady as he looked down at the crowd below the podium.
Hearing his words, the eyes of Ga Ju-gyeom, an ordinary martial artist, began to tremble. An inexplicable sense of dread welled up within him.
‘No... it can’t be... there’s no way.’
He tried to shake the thought away, shaking his head back and forth. He repeated to himself over and over that it couldn't be true.
"As of this moment, the Cheonmu Alliance is disbanded."
At that moment, the Sword God’s voice echoed in his ears. It was a voice so clear it felt as if he were whispering right beside him.
Ga Ju-gyeom’s face turned pale. What on earth was he saying out of the blue?
Disbanding the Cheonmu Alliance!?
"I concluded that there was no other way to take full responsibility. I ask for your understanding."
Sun-woo continued, looking at the crowd with a calm gaze.
"This is absurd! You’re disbanding the Cheonmu Alliance?!"
"We cannot accept this!"
"Lee Jae-won was the one who did wrong, so why must the innocent Cheonmu Alliance be disbanded?! This makes no sense!"
"We don't want a dissolution!"
"That’s right! We want the Cheonmu Alliance to continue, not be destroyed!"
"Can't we just elect a new leader?!"
"We cannot agree to this dissolution!"
"We are absolutely opposed!"
As soon as Sun-woo finished speaking, fierce protests erupted from all sides. The crowd, unable to accept the statement about disbanding the alliance, began to raise their voices.
"Wait, by what right does the Sword God claim to represent the Cheonmu Alliance in the first place? Bring out someone actually involved!"
"He’s right! You aren't even a member, so what right do you have to stand there and speak?"
"Call for Heroine Joo! we will listen to her!"
The backlash grew more intense as time passed. In particular, the resistance from the majority of the vested interest groups who had profited from the Cheonmu Alliance was beyond extreme.
Sun-woo watched the crowd’s reaction with a dry, expressionless face.
"Enough."
He spoke the words lightly.
Vrooooooom—
His voice resonated, suddenly weighing down on the entire interior of the speech hall. It was an incredibly heavy pressure.
"................"
Feeling that weight, the crowd clamped their mouths shut. They couldn't even think of opening them once that untouchable aura began to press down on them.
"You say you cannot accept this? You say you do not agree?"
Sun-woo spoke as he looked down at the crowd, his expression entirely indifferent.
"I would like to ask you something."
Sun-woo’s eyes began to flash coldly.
"Why exactly do I need to convince you or seek your consent to disband the Cheonmu Alliance?"
His cold words rang through the hall.
"Isn't that obvious!"
A wealthy-looking man shouted, pointing a finger at him.
"And why is that?"
"Because everyone here, all the local residents, are stakeholders of the Cheonmu Alliance!"
The wealthy man glared at Sun-woo, his face flushed red. He seemed to be overcome with agitation.
"Why do you consider yourselves stakeholders?" Sun-woo asked back, as if curious.
"The Cheonmu Alliance settled here in Jinan and has lived alongside the locals through thick and thin! For over twenty years! How could we not be stakeholders?!"
"Let me ask you this."
Sun-woo spoke with a hollow expression after hearing the man's words.
"Have you ever worked for the Cheonmu Alliance?"
"......I have not."
"Have you ever received a monthly salary from the Cheonmu Alliance?"
".......No."
"Did you perhaps officially join the Cheonmu Alliance?"
"That is not the case."
"Then in what way are you a stakeholder?"
"But the bond we've shared for twenty years—!!"
"It seems that 'bond' was something you formed all on your own."
Sun-woo continued with a firm expression.
"You have never worked for them, never been paid by them, and never joined them. What kind of bond could possibly exist between you and the Cheonmu Alliance?"
Sun-woo spoke as if the situation were absurd. They had done nothing for the alliance, yet they dared to call themselves stakeholders? It was the height of regional selfishness.
"............"
The man fell silent. He couldn't think of a single thing to say in rebuttal. Just as the Sword God said, he had no memory of ever doing anything for the Cheonmu Alliance. He had simply sat on a pile of money while watching property values rise.
"It seems the Sword God is a bit too agitated."
At that moment, a man stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
Sun-woo looked at the man, noting his quite formal attire.
"I am Kwak San, the County Magistrate of Jinan."
"I didn't expect the Magistrate to visit such a humble place."
"How could I not be here when the Cheonmu Alliance is making a major announcement?"
Kwak San spoke in a calm tone.
"In any case, why don't you cool your head and think a bit more carefully? You seem far too worked up right now."
Magistrate Kwak San began to speak in a soothing, advisory tone.
"I am not worked up at all. This conclusion was reached after two months of careful deliberation."
It wasn't an impulsive decision. It was a conclusion reached after much thought. So why was he being told to cool his head?
"I truly don't understand. To think that the conclusion of two months of deliberation is the dissolution of the Cheonmu Alliance."
Kwak San spoke with a look of incomprehension.
"There was no other way to take responsibility."
"Lee Jae-won was the one who did wrong. Why should the entire Cheonmu Alliance bear all the guilt?"
"The Cheonmu Alliance is the place where he reigned as leader."
"Just because the head was corrupt, why must the entire body be deemed corrupt?"
"It is a place he founded and ruled for over twenty years. If the first button was fastened incorrectly, isn't the whole thing bound to be wrong?"
"Can't you just undo the buttons and fasten them correctly?"
"The garment is already ruined. There is no need to fasten the buttons anymore."
"Are you truly intent on disbanding the Cheonmu Alliance!"
Kwak San glared at Sun-woo with a stern expression.
"Yes, I will disband it. Until not a trace of the Cheonmu Alliance remains."
Sun-woo spoke firmly. His resolute attitude made Kwak San knit his brows.
‘A mere unaffiliated wanderer...’
He couldn't help but scowl. He found it extremely distasteful that a mere martial artist was holding his head high before an official of the Empire.
"The Regional Military Commissioner will not want the Cheonmu Alliance to be disbanded. Why don't you think about it one more time?"
Kwak San suppressed his rising anger and mentioned the Regional Military Commissioner. Since Sun-woo wouldn't bend his stubbornness, Kwak San intended to crush him with authority. No matter how he was the World's Greatest Martial Artist, making an enemy of an official who ate the Imperial Court's bread was a very troublesome matter.
If he crossed an official, the Imperial Army of a million would come for his life. He would taste true disaster.
"My intention remains unchanged."
Hearing this, Sun-woo replied in a resolute tone.
"Did I not tell you? The Regional Military Commissioner does not want this! A Second Rank Official, the Regional Military Commissioner himself!"
Kwak San’s face crumpled as he spoke. The dissolution of the Cheonmu Alliance was not a welcome event for the officials either. Because of the alliance, Jinan had been developed, and Shandong Province was able to collect an enormous amount of tax revenue—more than two other provinces combined.
Naturally, the Regional Military Commissioner had been screaming with joy, shielding the Cheonmu Alliance and granting them all sorts of privileges. He knew all too well that the alliance in Jinan was the starting point for Shandong’s development.
And now, disbanding such an alliance? It wouldn't be strange if he brought an army right this second.
"Even if the Second Rank Regional Military Commissioner opposes it, my intention remains unchanged. The Cheonmu Alliance will be disbanded."
Sun-woo spoke as if there would be absolutely no compromise.
".........You will regret this."
Kwak San glared at him with cold eyes.
"At least for now, I have no regrets."
Sun-woo met his gaze directly.
Grind—
Kwak San gnashed his teeth violently. Rage toward the man welled up from deep within his chest. An official of the Imperial Court had been ignored by a mere wanderer. And not just any official, but the name of a Second Rank Regional Military Commissioner had been dismissed. How could he not feel humiliated?
"I shall watch to see how long you remain without regret."
Kwak San began to glare at him with burning eyes. Realizing there was no room for compromise, he vowed revenge.
"By all means."
Sun-woo casually brushed off Kwak San’s gaze. To be honest, he wasn't particularly scared.
"Is there anyone else who needs convincing?"
Once Kwak San fell silent, Sun-woo looked around and continued.
"Um..."
At that moment, a young man slowly raised his hand.
"Who are you?"
"I am... Ga Ju-gyeom, an ordinary martial artist of the Cheonmu Alliance..."
Ga Ju-gyeom spoke slowly, his voice trembling.
"Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you, Hero Ga..."
"H-Hero... that is far too much. I don't deserve such a title."
Ga Ju-gyeom waved his hands in dismissal. 'Hero' was a title far too grand for a small person like himself.
"Please, just call me Martial Artist Ga."
"Understood. Martial Artist Ga, do you also need convincing?"
"I do...... I simply cannot understand why the Cheonmu Alliance must be disbanded..... Lee Jae-won was the one who did wrong...... It was the Alliance Leader and the leadership who conspired with him..... Why must ordinary members like me suffer the consequences?"
Ga Ju-gyeom spoke with an expression full of resentment.
"Because the name 'Cheonmu Alliance' has already lost all trust."
Sun-woo spoke in a calm tone to the only man among the questioners who actually had the right to protest.
"The Cheonmu Alliance has already lost its very reason for existence—the pursuit of justice. Such an organization cannot last long, and even if it were to continue, it would be no different from a wicked sect. A group that has lost its convictions eventually devolves into a mere collection of thugs."
Sun-woo looked at Ga Ju-gyeom with a steady gaze.
"That is why I decided on dissolution. Before it transforms into a mindless group of thugs without any conviction."
".............."
Ga Ju-gyeom was left speechless. Sun-woo’s words were perfectly logical. There was no reason for a group that had lost its conviction to continue existing.
"............Could we not rebuild that trust little by little?"
"Trust takes a long time to build, but a single moment is enough to destroy it. It is no easy task to recover trust once it has crumbled. And more than anything, I did not want the other members to have to spend their lives cleaning up the dishonor left behind by Lee Jae-won and a portion of the leadership."
Sun-woo shook his head. Someone else caused the mess, so why should the innocent be the ones to fix it? It was preposterous.
"..........You may or may not know this.... but the Cheonmu Alliance is an indispensable existence in the Murim as an organization that upholds justice."
Ga Ju-gyeom spoke in a quiet tone.
"We have performed countless activities for the peace and security of the Murim, such as keeping the Outer Murim in check to prevent invasions, and acting as a deterrent to stop numerous demons and wicked sects from plundering and annexing territory...... If the Cheonmu Alliance disappears, the Murim will fall into chaos."
Ga Ju-gyeom spoke with a grave expression.
"You don't need to worry about that."
Sun-woo spoke with an indifferent expression.
"Are you saying it doesn't matter if the Murim falls into chaos?!"
"No, that’s not what I meant. I’m saying that chaos will not happen."
"Are you saying you will stop it yourself, Sword God?!"
"Well, I don't think it's impossible for me to stop it personally, but........"
"That’s impossible! You don't have hundreds of bodies, so how could you possibly prevent crimes happening simultaneously across the entire Central Plains?!"
"It’ll be fine as long as I’m not alone, right?"
The corners of Sun-woo’s mouth quirked up slightly.
"Huh!?"
Hearing this, Ga Ju-gyeom asked back with a dazed expression. What did that mean?
"I plan to form an organization."
Sun-woo spoke as he looked at Ga Ju-gyeom.
"An organization that pursues righteousness and chivalry to realize justice—the Uicheon Alliance."
A deep smile began to spread across Sun-woo’s face.