Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: The Murim Alliance?!
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"If I've been too rude, I apologize. But here in this meeting hall..."
He glanced around the room before continuing.
"...I can't openly reveal my identity, so I must ask for your understanding, Young Master Zhongli."
Only then did Han Ibi realize this man must have some extraordinary background.
'Like a real chaebol heir or something... Tsk, tsk, tsk. Whether past or present, no one stands up to power.'
At that moment, Jong Ri-hyeok responded. With the man showing such courtesy, it must have been hard to hold out any longer.
"Are you doubting me, sir?"
The assembled warriors' faces turned pale as corpses once more.
The man chuckled as if amused.
"Not necessarily, but depending on your answer, I might have to."
A straightforward, confident reply. Clearly no ordinary fellow.
Jong Ri-hyeok said,
"I didn't know beforehand. That day, I was training in the remote Geomun Valley. Spotting those guys was pure coincidence. Does that answer your question?"
The man burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! What an upright young man. I won't press you further today."
He stared at Jong Ri-hyeok with a smile for a long while.
Jong Ri-hyeok met his gaze without flinching.
Only Hong Gu-geum and his faction squirmed uncomfortably.
Then the man leaned toward Chae Geuk-ik beside him and whispered something briefly.
Chae Geuk-ik nodded attentively several times, posture respectful as if to a superior.
But he couldn't hide a flicker of surprise.
Watching this, Han Ibi guessed the man was deeply connected to the Murim Alliance's core.
At that point, Chae Geuk-ik turned to Bok Yeon-hwa.
"From here on... we'll leave it to Elder Bok. Or should I say Sect Leader Bok now?"
Bok Yeon-hwa waved it off.
"Not at all. You're embarrassing me."
Chae Geuk-ik laughed heartily again.
"In any case, I sincerely congratulate Qingcheng Sect on birthing such a heroine. But given the circumstances, we'll postpone the celebration feast. Regardless..."
His smiling face grew serious as he continued.
"When dispatching someone to the Murim Alliance in a month... please have Young Master Zhongli accompany them."
The warriors' eyes widened.
"And... we'll discuss any further needs afterward."
This indirectly signaled that the mysterious man held Jong Ri-hyeok in high regard.
Perhaps for stepping up to resolve the crisis at the end.
Bok Yeon-hwa simply nodded plainly.
"Understood."
The man added,
"Also... Young Master Zhongli, I'd like a brief word with you privately before you leave today."
Hong Gu-geum and his faction looked stunned once again.
In the month that followed, much happened.
First, Bok Yeon-hwa officially became Qingcheng Sect's 43rd Sect Leader.
Given the situation, no grand succession ceremony was held.
Just a simple rite with the two former leaders and a few elders present.
Hong Gu-geum and his faction seemed eager to hand over the position quickly.
With power as their sole concern, they wanted to offload responsibility and bide their time.
Bok Yeon-hwa's first act was stabilizing the sect.
She began by comforting the families of those killed in the incident.
Ignoring elders who cited budget shortages, she paid them three years' worth of disciples' stipends as consolation money.
Next, she cared for the injured.
Irreversible disabilities couldn't be helped, but for those at risk, she provided ample medicine and physicians to prevent worsening.
Then she personally inspected the preserved corpses of the villains, hunting for clues.
Witnessing all this, Han Ibi was left in awe.
He saw and felt firsthand what true leadership looked like.
'I knew she was impressive... but seeing her in action, she's even more so.'
She gathered sharp disciples unscathed or lightly injured, forming an investigative team.
Of course, Jong Ri-hyeok was at its center.
But Han Ibi, the invisible outcast, wasn't included—likely due to restrictions.
He could have felt slighted, but his easygoing nature brushed it off.
'Whatever. I hate headaches. Whether Mosan Sect or Charity Cult, Jong Ri-hyeok will handle it. I just need to reap the fruits... Of course, that means getting strong in fights. This is the murim, after all.'
So he secluded himself in Jeolpan Valley, grinding his martial arts.
Short but intense sessions, practicing to exhaustion.
Eventually, Han Ibi checked his status window after a long while.
[Player's Current Status]
[Player Information]
[Internal Arts]
[External Arts]
[Forms]
[Lightness Skills]
[Other Martial Arts]
[Substructure (Rare Skill)]
His diligent training had yielded results—levels shot up nicely.
Han Ibi puffed out his chest proudly.
No one was watching, though...
But one thing stood out glaringly.
A new skill had appeared out of nowhere.
And its text was in a distinctive color.
Not garish yellow, but a classy platinum gold.
- Sound Soul Technique
'Wait, this is that weird white-robed guy's ultimate from the 108 Fortuitous Encounters! When did it sneak into my status?'
Indeed.
Han Ibi hadn't acquired any related item or learned the martial art.
He'd merely coincidentally analyzed the middle-aged gigolo-like man's technique trajectory with Eagle's Eye Technique.
It stuck surprisingly well, though.
Oddly, it lacked the "level" common to all skills.
'No level? What is this? And "Substructure"? Not Communist Party stuff... Is it a martial art or not? Internal or external?'
He pondered the status window endlessly but found no answers.
Couldn't ask anyone, either.
Mentioning a status window would get him labeled insane.
This novel world felt more real than reality.
'Opportunity to figure it out will come. Anyway...'
Han Ibi's recent worry was Jong Ri-hyeok heading to the Murim Alliance.
He'd succeeded, after all.
Preserved the plot of Jong Ri-hyeok going there.
How fortunate.
But what about himself?
He'd guarded the plot but neglected his own path.
After much thought, he decided.
'Screw it. Once Jong Ri-hyeok leaves, I'll sneak out and follow. Can't leave that dimwit protagonist; it'd be risky.'
Mind eased, one day a summons from Bok Yeon-hwa arrived.
Jong Ri-hyeok was already in the Sect Leader's office.
Han Ibi gave him a casual nod.
Not outright ignored like before.
Progress, huh.
Unlike the stifling vibe with Hong Gu-geum and Yi Sin-song guarding it.
Maybe because of familiar faces.
'Hmm. Like visiting the boss's office after your senior becomes president...'
Han Ibi mused idly.
Then the door opened, admitting two more.
One was expected, but the other? A total surprise.
So Eun-ri and Yeon Nan-ju, standout junior female disciples.
Han Ibi thought,
'Yeon Nan-ju, why's that annoying girl here?'
Bok Yeon-hwa spoke.
"Everyone's here now."
From their expressions, the others seemed as baffled as him.
She continued.
"As you know... the month to report to the Murim Alliance is up."
Han Ibi said,
"Yes. I heard brother is going."
She nodded.
"Correct. It was pre-arranged for Jong Ri-hyeok."
"I see... then why us?"
Bok Yeon-hwa eyed the four without further explanation.
Then,
"All four of you go together."
Han Ibi doubted his ears.
The women too, surely.
Jong Ri-hyeok, however, seemed prepared—calm.
Flustered, Han Ibi asked,
"Pardon? Master... no, Sect Leader Elder?"
"The four of you will go to the Murim Alliance. Depart tomorrow, so prepare your travel gear immediately upon returning."
Yeon Nan-ju chimed in excitedly.
"Eek! That's so cool, Sect Leader Bok!"
Bok Yeon-hwa's face soured.
"This isn't a trip. Don't get carried away."
Deflated, Yeon Nan-ju replied,
"...Yes."
Han Ibi said,
"Sect Leader Elder."
"Yes?"
"If it's not for fun, why send all four of us? One reporter like Senior Brother Jong suffices, no?"
"It would."
"Then why..."
"It's the Murim Alliance's will."
Even calm So Eun-ri looked surprised.
"The Murim Alliance... wants us?"
"Yes. No more questions. It's classified, known only to the leader and elders."
Eek... this granny.
Power's changed her. Talking classified now.
Tsk, tsk. True colors show after success...
Bok Yeon-hwa said,
"Pack plenty of clothes and gear. The trip will be longer than planned."
Han Ibi asked,
"Longer?"
"Yes."
"How long?"
"I don't know."
"Well... understood."
"Good. Travel funds from Qingcheng Sect. Jong Ri-hyeok carries the investigation files and handles the report."
All replied,
"Understood."
"The journey's long, so go prepare."
She buried her nose back in the desk's paperwork pile.
'Damn... so much for this tiny sect. Tsk, being Sect Leader sounds fancy but sucks.'
(To be continued next time)