Chapter 75
Chapter 75
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Hero's Welcome
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jegal Yeong and her squad members headed straight to the Alliance Leader's Hall as soon as they returned to Anhui.
They had clashed directly with the Demonic Cult.
It was an achievement far greater than any merits they had earned before.
And so, they were granted an audience to report directly to Namgoong Hyeok.
Namgoong Hyeok's gaze shone with admiration as he looked upon the White Yang Squad members.
Especially drilling into Yi Se-woong.
'Always exceeding my expectations.'
He had sensed it from their first meeting.
That this guy was wild.
Every time Yi Se-woong created an unpredictable flow, Namgoong Hyeok had been thrown off balance...
But this time, he could laugh it off with pleasure.
"Should I call it good instincts?"
"We were just lucky, sir."
"Haha, when the same thing happens twice, it's no coincidence. It's thanks to your outstanding abilities."
"You're too kind."
Setting aside his satisfaction for the moment,
Namgoong Hyeok first praised Jegal Yeong, the squad leader.
She looked utterly exhausted from the long journey.
He spoke to lift her spirits, even if just a little.
"You look tired. You took on hundreds of Demonic Cultists with just the three of you?"
"No way. If the Rogue King hadn't joined midway, we wouldn't have managed alone."
"Drawing people in is a skill too. Especially getting Duheon-u to step up on his own. How did you sway him?"
"Well, it's a bit of a long story..."
Jegal Yeong explained to Namgoong Hyeok everything that had happened in Fujian Province.
The Rogue King who refused cooperation to uphold his creed of freedom.
The uncooperative rogues.
The process of gathering intelligence with money in a fit of anger until they uncovered the Demonic Cult's forces.
"He's stubborn like that. Even bucks heads in front of me... But who would've thought he'd resort to throwing money around."
"I'm sorry for wasting the budget. It was my emotions getting the better of me, so I'll cover it from my own pocket."
"Big undertakings require investment! You did great. Using your personal funds? Nonsense. Hey, Advisor!"
It was undoubtedly a major accomplishment.
Even so, Namgoong Hyeok seemed overly excited.
Praising every single one of Jegal Yeong's actions.
It felt unfamiliar.
Jegal Sang, standing beside Namgoong Hyeok, felt a strange sensation.
Advisor, huh.
'He must be in a great mood.'
He sensed a hint of foreboding in the title he was called by.
His instincts, which had propelled him to the position of Murim Alliance Advisor, had never been wrong.
Sadly.
"You called, Alliance Leader?"
"Calculate the exact amount spent on this mission and reimburse Jegal Yeong for it."
"Pardon? Alliance Leader, have you read the report? It's not a small sum."
"Out with it! No matter the amount, it doesn't matter. If we don't support things like this, who would pour their passion into serving the Murim Alliance?!"
"...Understood."
Arguing further would only stoke the Alliance Leader's ire.
Thanks to his vast experience, Jegal Sang quickly gave up.
Strictly speaking, it was preserving his own clan's wealth...
But he was the Murim Alliance Advisor.
He had to prevent unexpected financial leaks.
His head already ached thinking of the Finance Hall Master's nagging.
Why is it the Alliance Leader who gets to be generous, while I take the heat?
Fortunately, his aggrieved thoughts didn't leak out.
"Thank you for your generosity, Alliance Leader."
"You've earned merits; you deserve fitting rewards. Is there anything you desire?"
"No. It was just our duty as White Yang Squad members. Your recognition is more than enough."
"Why decline so much? What grand request are you holding back?"
Namgoong Hyeok chuckled and tossed a jest.
'He's really pleased.'
Dealing with the Murim Alliance Leader was always tricky.
Jegal Yeong pondered.
Should she keep refusing, or ask for something minor?
She just wanted to rest, anything would do.
But given the gravity, she couldn't brush it off lightly.
Namgoong Hyeok didn't miss Jegal Yeong's troubled expression.
"Goodness. I've kept you weary folks here too long without rest. I'll hear the rest later. Go rest for today."
"Thank you."
"Look forward to it. I won't forget this achievement! I'll prepare a generous reward."
How much more was he planning to add!
Jegal Sang wanted to scream.
But as if the beaming smile toward the White Yang Squad was a lie,
the moment they withdrew, Namgoong Hyeok's face hardened.
He pondered deeply, drumming his fingers on the armrest for a long while.
'The Demonic Cult is weighing on his mind.'
My thinking was shortsighted.
Praising hardworking subordinates was only natural for the Leader.
Namgoong Hyeok had exalted them to an exaggerated degree.
It must have been consideration to let them rest without worries.
Right now, Namgoong Hyeok's mind was surely filled with thoughts on checking the Demonic Cult's forces.
Impressed by the Leader's thoughtfulness, Jegal Sang racked his brain for advice to offer his lord.
Unlike Jegal Sang's guess,
'Perfect timing to rack up merits.'
Namgoong Hyeok's mind was full of Yi Se-woong.
A laugh escaped him naturally.
The pretext was too perfect.
A hero who uncovered the Demonic Cult rabble sowing chaos in murim and endured against countless foes!
No one would dare question whatever reward Namgoong Hyeok bestowed.
'Baek Se-rin...!'
Namgoong Hyeok still hadn't forgotten that past humiliation.
He had no choice.
Such events were rare in his life.
He had somehow managed to give Yi Se-woong a spirit pill back then...
But that wasn't enough.
Not to wash away the shame he had endured!
'I've been waiting for a day like this.'
Stuff about treating his son-in-law like an enemy.
About neglecting him.
He'd make sure such nonsense was never uttered again.
Yi Se-woong, stepping out of the Murim Alliance, felt an inexplicable chill.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Brother, I missed you!"
Having a place to return to was truly wonderful.
Perhaps because he had just seen the rogues staggering without support.
Today, Yeonhui clinging to him felt even more dear.
"How did you endure without me?"
"That's just it! I have to make up for lost time and soak up all of Brother!"
Yeonhui rubbing her cheek against his arm, determined to keep her word.
Somehow, she seemed to grow more spoiled every time he was away.
At this rate, she might grab his ankle and keep him from leaving Anhui later.
'That might not be bad?'
The creeping thought that it wouldn't be so bad showed how much he had been influenced by Yeonhui.
"You faced the Demonic Cult, right?"
"News reached here already?"
"I heard by chance. No injuries?"
"Of course not. I couldn't bear making you sad. They were small fry not worth a punch anyway, so don't worry."
"Brother!"
Pow.
Yeonhui thumped his shoulder, seemingly embarrassed.
It happened to be his right arm, still a bit sore...
But he couldn't show it.
What good is saying it's fine then whining?
"You have no idea how worried I was. Fujian Province is already rife with nasty rumors... And the Demonic Cult on top!"
"Isn't it fine as long as I returned safe?"
"Still! I miss you but can't see you, hard to get news during missions..."
"It was never dangerous at all."
"My lifespan's shortening from this. Maybe I should join the White Yang Squad."
"Huh?"
What was that?
Yeonhui.
"You joining White Yang Squad would be fresh."
"Really? If Brother wants, anytime! The family can run fine without me."
"No, kidding. White Yang is brutal. If you got hurt on a mission, what would I do?"
"Didn't you just say no danger at all?"
"Did I? Can't remember."
"Tch, if you hug me like that, I might just melt..."
He defused it with a sudden tight hug.
Yeonhui in White Yang Squad.
Just imagining it twisted his guts.
He could almost hear Namgoong Hyeok's eyes spinning from here.
Something that absolutely must not happen.
No, absolutely not.
"Had dinner?"
"Skipped it for the report. Stomach's rumbling now."
"I'll prepare it right away! Fresh fish came in today!"
"Not eels, I hope?"
"......"
Yeonhui averted her eyes suspiciously.
"Yeonhui?"
"Catfish! Plump catfish arrived!"
"Steamed sounds good."
"Wait just a bit!"
Dododo, Yeonhui fled like she was escaping.
It was so leisurely, hard to believe he had been in a blood-soaked battlefield not long ago.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Jegal Yeong lay alone in her room.
Sleep wouldn't come.
Even her beloved novels were set aside.
She just stared blankly.
'So quiet.'
For a while, she had been swamped with reports on the Fujian incident.
With the Demonic Cult remnants revealing themselves directly,
the Murim Alliance had no choice but to investigate thoroughly.
It was grueling contrasting it with the investigation team's findings.
'I'm just worn out.'
It was rest after the storm,
but she felt no urge to do anything.
Jegal Yeong's mind lingered on that day's memories.
Blood flowing along the blade.
The convulsions at the moment of death.
Flickering eyes.
All of it haunted her.
'It was bound to happen someday.'
Once stepping into murim,
it was unavoidable.
Killing.
She thought she'd be unfazed.
That she was prepared.
Whenever necessary.
But thought and reality differ.
'Just because it's my first time.'
The hope that it'd pass in a few days felt uneasy.
On the way back from Fujian, Yi Se-woong and Hwangu Se-yul had tried noisily to cheer her up.
She appreciated it,
but it didn't lift easily.
'Maybe take a walk.'
Staying cooped up would only sink her mood further.
A short stroll.
As she finished preparing and reached for the door,
"Oh, Senior. Was just about to call you."
She ran into Yi Se-woong visiting her home.