The Line We Dare Not Cross
Jang Hak-jin visited Woo-gang's quarters the next day, true to his word.
He hadn't come burdened with books or scrolls just because he was there to teach.
On the first day, however, he brought a single rolled sheet of paper.
Sitting face-to-face with Woo-gang, Jang Hak-jin exchanged brief greetings before unrolling the paper.
Shhrrk!
The paper was larger than expected.
And on it was drawn the organizational chart of the Murim Alliance.
While the Cheopun Dan directly under the literary leader and the Cheonwi Dan under the martial leader were the most well-known to the outside world, there were in fact a great many other organizations.
Even Woo-gang, who knew little of such structures, was astonished by just how many there were.
Catching sight of Woo-gang's surprised expression as he examined the chart, Jang Hak-jin smiled faintly and spoke.
"Surprised?"
"Honestly, yes. A lot. I had no idea it was this massive."
"One could say it's larger than any other power in the Central Plains."
As he listened to Jang Hak-jin, Woo-gang fixed his gaze on the chart.
Taking in the overwhelming diagram at a glance made him truly feel where he had ended up.
"It seems I should start by explaining what the Murim Alliance is to you. As we discuss the various forces in the martial world centered around the Alliance, we'll naturally cover the balance of power and the relationships between factions."
"Understood."
"Alright, then. Let's begin. Not sure if we can finish today, though."
With a touch of humor, Jang Hak-jin launched into his explanation of the Murim Alliance.
"First, the Alliance Leader, currently in closed-door training. His name is Jin Cheon-hwi, and he's just past fifty this year."
"Jin Cheon-hwi..."
"Yes. His clan was once called 'Imperial' in the distant past, basking in tremendous glory. But for some reason, it declined, barely maintaining its line until the Leader's rise began restoring its former splendor bit by bit. And next..."
After a brief rundown on the Leader, Jang Hak-jin pointed to Sa Ma-gang in the literary division and continued.
"You've met him, right? He's the one who plans and directs every affair of the Murim Alliance. A man of brilliant mind and meticulous precision. Nothing has ever deviated from the strategies born in his head."
Jang Hak-jin lavished praise on Sa Ma-gang.
Perhaps because he moved at Sa Ma-gang's command, his tone differed from when he'd spoken of the Leader.
Yet he modulated his words skillfully, never letting the listener feel manipulated or repelled.
"And next... Martial Leader Dok Go-yeong-mu. Some say his martial prowess surpasses even the Leader's. A man who rose to that position purely on personal merit, without leaning on his father's fame. Impressive, isn't it? He entered as an ordinary Alliance warrior and climbed to Martial Leader."
His assessment of Sa Ma-gang had bordered on adulation; for Dok Go-yeong-mu, it was pure respect.
No matter how much Jang Hak-jin had survived on cunning, he was still a martial artist at heart—he had no choice but to acknowledge it.
"These three form the core, leading the Murim Alliance. It's because of them that the Alliance's principles—upholding righteousness and pursuing camaraderie—stand so firm."
Woo-gang, who had been listening quietly, slowly spoke up.
"Isn't righteousness and camaraderie ultimately about helping the weak trampled by the strong and righting the wrongs? The Alliance claims to revere them—how could it ignore the black path's deeds?"
Woo-gang posed his sharp question.
Jang Hak-jin let out a small sigh before replying.
"I meant to stick to the Alliance today, but the conversation's veered. Fine. In principle, you're right. Some black path groups have committed evils in the shadows, harming innocents. But as I said before, tangled interests draw lines we can cross and those we can't."
"It's hard to grasp that line precisely. As you said, I still have much to learn. But if there's a line we can't cross in their affairs, didn't I cross it?"
"And that's why conflict erupted with the black path, spilling rivers of blood?"
Woo-gang had no answer to Jang Hak-jin's question.
"Had you not crossed it, all those people might still be alive."
"But if not, countless others would have endured hellish torment."
"Hellish torment... You're quick to judge. Sure, some might feel that way. But to others, it might be bearable enough."
Meeting Jang Hak-jin's eyes squarely, Woo-gang replied.
"Those who've only known the strong's perch can never understand that pain. Least of all someone like you, Senior."
"Hmm. That's a hasty judgment too. You don't know the life I've lived. You're just assuming from my current position."
He was right. Woo-gang knew nothing of Jang Hak-jin's past.
But he also knew the aura Jang Hak-jin exuded.
An aura only someone untouched by hellish reality could possess.
"And you? Have you experienced hell?"
Jang Hak-jin's question triggered a flood of childhood memories flashing through Woo-gang's mind like a lantern show.
"Better than anyone. At five, I tried to end my own life."
Jang Hak-jin was struck speechless.
That single sentence, combined with Woo-gang's aura, explained everything.
"Ahem! Sorry. I stirred up bad memories."
"It's fine."
Jang Hak-jin apologized, and Woo-gang answered curtly.
"Anyway. Yes, some might suffer hellish pain, as you say. But do you know? Evil never truly vanishes."
"It doesn't?"
"Never. Like night always falling, no matter what happens. Evil persists. Consider the black path group you judged as evil. Slaying them didn't erase people's suffering, did it? No. Vacuums get filled. What if someone worse takes their place?"
Again, Woo-gang had no reply.
He'd never considered it.
"Some victims might even think the current level is preferable."
A scene flashed in Woo-gang's mind at Jang Hak-jin's words.
The gazes of people he'd passed leaving the black path gang's lair.
Many cheered, but not all.
Eyes filled with fear and worry, fixed on him.
He'd thought it mere dread of his power—fear it might turn on them.
But now, he wondered if their worry was something else.
"Slaying all evildoers sounds good, as you say. If it eradicated evil. But it won't. So maintaining the status quo and checking greater evils is key. When the best isn't possible, choose the next best."
"Not the best, but the next best."
"Exactly. And that's why the Murim Alliance exists. Our mere presence deters. No need for bloodbaths. Imagine no Alliance—or if the righteous factions had fallen in past wars against the demonic paths? This world would be hell."
The more Jang Hak-jin spoke, the more Woo-gang's mind churned in turmoil.
The gap between what he'd believed right and this described reality hit hard.
Of course, Jang Hak-jin assumed the worst.
Good souls might fill the void, saving lives.
But reality demanded assuming the worst, not naive optimism.
Jang Hak-jin gazed steadily at Woo-gang.
'As expected. Maybe peerless like Mu-wi, but otherwise just like any young successor.'
The confusion Woo-gang felt was the rite of passage for every fledgling martial artist stepping into the jianghu.
The clash between ideals from training and harsh reality.
How one overcame and accepted it would shape their path ahead.
"To you, it might seem like mere inaction, but the Alliance's existence plays a huge role. That's enough for today. You need time to sort your thoughts. I'll skip tomorrow and come the day after."
Jang Hak-jin rose and left Woo-gang's quarters.
Late at night.
Woo-gang stepped out, leaning on the corridor railing to gaze at the night sky.
Only faint clouds drifted by; nothing obscured the moon and stars.
As he stared blankly, his daytime talk with Jang Hak-jin naturally resurfaced.
"Not sleeping?"
Woo-gang turned.
The woman always nearby stood there.
"Can't sleep. I'm fine—go rest."
She remained, then approached to stand beside him, sharing the sky.
"You seem conflicted."
At her question, Woo-gang unwittingly sighed softly.
"Not conflicted. Just... if my sense of right clashes with others' and causes problems, what then?"
Perhaps the quiet night loosened his tongue.
He was baring his heart without realizing.
"Following societal norms is vital. If everyone lived by personal standards alone, the world would descend into chaos—each with their own."
Woo-gang nodded.
He'd felt it keenly in his talk with Jang Hak-jin.
"But I don't think everyone must blindly follow the world's standards."
"What do you mean?"
"Personal and societal standards differ in scope. So within non-conflicting bounds, upholding one's own is important too."
Woo-gang stared at her intently.
With no reaction even after she finished, she glanced away—then startled.
"Sorry. I spoke too much."
Woo-gang smiled at her response.
"No. I know little yet. Better to hear many voices than one."
"If you see it that way, thank you."
"I should thank you."
"Then rest well."
As he turned to his room, Woo-gang paused and looked back.
"Come to think of it, I don't know your name. What is it?"
She replied.
"I'm Dok Go-seol-ran of the Hyang-hun-dan."
A smile touched her lips as she revealed her name.