Web of Relationships
The first day at the Murim Alliance.
Aside from meeting Sa Ma-gang, nothing much happened.
Woo-gang holed up in his room, sorting through the jumble of thoughts swirling in his mind, until he drifted off to sleep at some point.
Then, suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
The room was dim, and a faintly unfamiliar ceiling came into view.
How long did I sleep?
Woo-gang muttered inwardly.
Judging by the lingering darkness, it hadn't been that long.
Yet he'd fallen asleep without realizing it and woke feeling refreshed, so it must have been a decent rest.
How long has it been?
Ever since entering the Hanchon Secret Cave and facing the first trial, Woo-gang hadn't slept soundly even for a single day.
It was a habit ingrained in his body from that trial.
Unlike before, he hadn't sunk into an oblivious slumber as if the world were collapsing around him, but compared to his usual vigilance, this was definitely deep sleep.
Do I feel safe here?
There hadn't been any real danger in the Bing Palace or even after returning to the Central Plains.
Even during the clash with the unorthodox gangs, Woo-gang hadn't felt truly threatened.
But he hadn't felt safe either.
Yet here, after just a short while, he'd slept deeply—his body must have sensed security.
At the very least, he was a valuable asset here; they wouldn't kill him or throw him into peril.
"Hoo…"
Woo-gang took a deep breath and sat up.
He naturally assumed a cross-legged position and circulated his qi.
Not full meditation, but enough to spread energy through his body and chase away the remnants of sleepiness.
One, two, three, four… six… ten? No, twelve. Quite a few.
Woo-gang counted silently.
They were the martial artists stationed around his quarters.
Every building in the Murim Alliance had guards, of course.
His lodging was no exception.
But beyond protection, their main purpose was surveillance.
To keep tabs on his every move.
Woo-gang had anticipated as much.
If he wanted, he could slip away from twelve pairs of eyes for a bit, but he saw no need.
"Up!"
Woo-gang sprang to his feet.
Protection or surveillance—it didn't matter.
As long as it didn't hinder his goal of finding Siu.
He grabbed the spear leaning by his bed and stepped outside.
Sleep had fled anyway; might as well swing the spear for training after so long.
***
The next morning.
Having pulled an all-nighter, Woo-gang sat on his bed in meditation.
Through it, he sharpened his senses across his entire body, then slowly opened his eyes.
Someone's energy was drawing steadily closer, detected by his heightened qi sense.
A visitor?
With that thought, Woo-gang unfolded his legs and stood, straightening his clothes before exiting the room.
"There you are. A guest has arrived."
A woman approached and spoke to him.
She'd been assigned to assist him during his stay.
Not to be mistaken for a manor maid, though—she was a martial artist, even if not top-tier.
Is everyone in the Murim Alliance a martial artist?
That was his first thought upon seeing her.
Indeed, anyone here had enough skill to escape danger if needed.
"Where do I go?"
"Follow me."
She led him down a long corridor to a reception room on the opposite side.
"Just go in."
"Thank you."
Woo-gang gave a curt nod and opened the door.
Inside sat a neatly dressed elder.
Jang Hak-jin.
As Woo-gang entered, Jang Hak-jin rose with a smiling face.
"Fancy meeting like this. Glad to see you. I'm Jang Hak-jin from the Elder Council."
"Yeom Woo-gang."
"Oh! His blood grandson? I never heard the Flame King had one."
"Not blood-related."
"Ah, I see. Sit, let's talk."
Jang Hak-jin sat first, and Woo-gang took the seat opposite.
Moments later, the woman who'd guided him brought tea.
Jang Hak-jin's gaze followed her.
And Woo-gang's eyes fixed straight on Jang Hak-jin's face.
Behind the kindly expression lurked eyes brimming with greed.
It flashed briefly and vanished, but Woo-gang caught it.
The usual Jang Hak-jin would never show such emotion openly in the Murim Alliance.
But alone with Woo-gang, he'd let his guard slip unconsciously.
After all, even as the Flame King's disciple, he was just a green newcomer to the jianghu.
Woo-gang averted his gaze from Jang Hak-jin and sipped his tea.
That single glimpse told him exactly how to handle the man.
"The Flame King's disappearance must grieve you deeply. So many refused to believe it at first. The mighty Flame King, missing? It didn't seem possible."
"I'll find him for sure."
"Of course. You must. I hear the Murim Alliance dropped everything to search upon hearing the news."
Woo-gang's eyes sharpened at Jang Hak-jin's words.
It sounded like hearsay, one step removed—even though it was Alliance business.
Anyone knowing the Elder Council didn't meddle directly wouldn't bat an eye, but Woo-gang didn't know that; it only fueled his suspicion.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. The Alliance's intelligence is unrivaled in the Central Plains. Yet years passed without a trace of the Flame King—vanished like smoke, fittingly."
"So the Alliance's network is that vast."
"Indeed. Their eyes and ears span every corner of the Central Plains."
Jang Hak-jin spoke with pride.
"If the Alliance is so formidable, what of the unorthodox paths?"
"Unorthodox? Ah, yes, I heard. You clashed big with them on your way here?"
"It just happened."
Jang Hak-jin nodded with a smile at Woo-gang's reply.
"I understand. Their villainy is infamous, subtle or not. A spirited youth like you couldn't just walk by."
A glint flashed in Woo-gang's eyes again.
This time, sharp and perceptive.
"If the Alliance's eyes and ears cover the land and know of their evils, why leave them be?"
Woo-gang posed a pointed question.
Jang Hak-jin inwardly flinched at the unexpected probe.
But he was a survivor of the Alliance's intrigues.
"First, not all unorthodox are villains. Some uphold justice and chivalry. Punishing the whole for a few's sins creates innocents victims. That's reason one."
Jang Hak-jin explained calmly; Woo-gang listened quietly.
"Reason two: the unorthodox are a unified force. Right now, the Alliance and orthodox sects hold jianghu's hegemony, but they're a separate power. Weaker than us, yes, but factions stand equal. One can't meddle in another's internal affairs, right?"
Woo-gang frowned slightly at the second reason.
Fancy words, but it boiled down to indifference toward their crimes.
"It's complex, involving factional interests. Hard to grasp."
"Those interests… tricky."
Jang Hak-jin's smile deepened at Woo-gang's response.
"Very. Even for an old man like me. Relations between people, people and groups, groups and groups—too vast and tangled for simple words. Time and experience bring understanding."
Jang Hak-jin offered sage advice with elder gravitas.
Woo-gang showed no reaction.
"Heh, we veered from the Flame King. I haven't even stated my purpose."
Coughing as if regretting the tangent, Jang Hak-jin broached the point.
"My visit ties to what we discussed."
"What do you mean?"
"I hear you spent years alone with the Flame King. True?"
"Yes."
"As I thought. That's why I want to teach you what's lacking—yet essential for navigating the world."
"Lacking but necessary?"
"Yes. Related to relations. People live through bonds. Social norms emerge: lines you cross, lines you don't. They reduce conflict, prevent violence."
Woo-gang pondered Jang Hak-jin's words.
Before arriving, wandering alone, he'd noticed it himself.
People often reacted oddly to his actions.
"You're in the Alliance now; can't stay cooped up. Hundreds—no, nearly a thousand here, just counting martial artists. More overall. You won't meet all, but building good relations helps. It'll aid you even after leaving for the jianghu."
"Understood. I'll learn well."
Jang Hak-jin's face brightened.
"Wise choice. Today was just greetings; start tomorrow. When suits you?"
"Anytime works."
"Good. I'll set a time and send word."
"Understood."
Jang Hak-jin rose, satisfied.
Woo-gang's acceptance fulfilled Sa Ma-gang's request.
But Woo-gang's reason differed.
I'll get what I want.
It was useful, sure—but also, the man's verbosity suggested he'd spill desired info if asked right.
Woo-gang hadn't yet lowered his guard toward the Alliance.