Betrayal's Flames
Is this the true face of the Murim Alliance she spoke of?
Dok Go-seol-ran was bewildered.
She had always believed the Murim Alliance was a righteous place, a model for all.
Her grandfather, the Sword King, had never joined it, but she figured her father, Dok Go-yeong-mu, served there for good reason.
And since joining herself, she had never once doubted it.
But what was this?
They had deceived Woo-gang.
If it had come from anyone else, she might not have believed it. But Sa Ma-gang, the literary leader, had admitted it himself.
Whether she wanted to believe it or not, it was simply fact.
As Dok Go-seol-ran sank into confusion, Woo-gang's rage teetered on the brink of explosion.
What reason could they have for deceiving him?
That final thread of reason held only because he wanted to hear their answer.
Otherwise, he would have erupted long ago.
He suppressed his emotions with effort, but by now, Sa Ma-gang's office brimmed with the chilling killing intent radiating from Woo-gang.
"How about we speak alone?"
"Is there something you can't say in front of them? No more hiding—tell us everything."
Woo-gang glared at Sa Ma-gang.
Outside the office door stood not only Dok Go-seol-ran but also numerous Murim Alliance warriors from the literary division, stunned by the situation.
"Fine. Let's just talk. What more is there to hide here?"
At that moment, Dok Go-yeong-mu entered the office.
He had rushed over upon hearing Woo-gang had stormed into the literary division in a fury.
He had caught only Woo-gang's last words, but that was enough to grasp the situation.
Woo-gang's gaze shifted to Dok Go-yeong-mu.
"You knew too, didn't you, Martial Leader?"
Woo-gang asked.
He hoped not, but Dok Go-yeong-mu's reaction confirmed it—he had known.
The betrayal stung deeply.
He could understand Sa Ma-gang, but Dok Go-yeong-mu was someone he had trusted.
Under Woo-gang's stare, Dok Go-yeong-mu closed his eyes briefly and nodded.
Those few nods finally ignited Woo-gang's fury.
Hwaaaak!
A terrifying energy erupted from Woo-gang's entire body.
Far stronger than the aura he had unleashed against Han Seo-yeon.
Under the overwhelming pressure, Dok Go-seol-ran staggered, and the nearby literary division warriors instinctively stepped back.
Sa Ma-gang and Dok Go-yeong-mu simultaneously gathered their energy to shield themselves.
Taking this head-on would surely cause severe internal injuries.
"The world—especially the jianghu—is one where nothing and no one can be trusted. A place demanding endless suspicion."
It was the lesson learned, the enlightenment gained in the Hanchon Secret Cave.
He thought he had etched it into his heart, but somehow, he had forgotten it for a moment.
Blaming his own lapse, Woo-gang alternated glances between Sa Ma-gang and Dok Go-yeong-mu.
"I was going to demand reasons just now, but that urge is gone. I see no reason to stay in the Murim Alliance anymore."
Woo-gang said coldly, without a shred of hesitation.
"We need you."
Sa Ma-gang called out to Woo-gang as he turned to leave.
Woo-gang shot him a look, as if asking what nonsense this was.
If they needed him, why deceive him in the first place?
"Spare me the lame excuses."
He snapped at Sa Ma-gang, then turned to Dok Go-yeong-mu.
"You said you'd let me go whenever I wanted. Now's the time. I'm leaving."
Woo-gang brushed past Dok Go-yeong-mu.
"You can't."
Hwaaaak!
Sa Ma-gang's words snagged his ankle once more, and Woo-gang's energy exploded again.
He slowly turned, glaring at Sa Ma-gang.
"Planning to block me with your men again? Last time, with no grudge, I held back from killing. Not now. Even if I have to tear the Murim Alliance apart, I'll leave."
Woo-gang issued his final warning.
"We need talent, and it's natural to ensure those in our grasp align with the Alliance's direction. I admit the process was flawed, but in the end, no harm came of it, did it?"
Sa Ma-gang said calmly.
But that only fueled Woo-gang's rage further.
"Maybe I'm the strange one, but I can't comprehend that. No need to hear more."
"You think you can just leave?"
"You think I can't?"
"Why do you think we had you live with Cheonwi Dan and spar before all those people?"
Woo-gang frowned.
"To know your enemy is to counter them. Cheonwi Dan warriors saw your martial arts, Alliance members witnessed your prowess. Breaking through fully prepared masses is impossible."
"Ha! Shameless. Instead of excuses, you should apologize endlessly—yet you threaten to hold me by force?"
"Everything is for the Murim Alliance's prosperity! Its rise ties directly to jianghu's peace, and as literary leader, I bear that duty—no matter the means!"
"Even deceiving one person, toying with their heart?"
"If it's for the greater good."
At Sa Ma-gang's words, Woo-gang turned away, done listening.
He looked at Dok Go-yeong-mu.
"What will you do? Block me again, or step aside?"
Woo-gang asked one last time.
Dok Go-yeong-mu squeezed his eyes shut, exhaled deeply, then opened them.
He glanced at Sa Ma-gang before speaking with difficulty.
"Cheonwi Dan and I won't stand in your way. That's the least I can do as atonement."
"Dok Go-yeong-mu!"
Sa Ma-gang shouted.
"Wrong is wrong, no matter the noble intent. Admit it, apologize, and bear the consequences. That's our duty."
Dok Go-yeong-mu admonished Sa Ma-gang.
"The murim crisis has begun, their power unfathomable! We must gather strength now more than ever! Sending away Flame King's disciple—a sure asset—is unacceptable!"
Sa Ma-gang protested vehemently.
"Try it."
With those words, Woo-gang passed Dok Go-yeong-mu and left the office.
Sa Ma-gang glared at Dok Go-yeong-mu.
"Even without Cheonwi Dan, I can stop him. We'll settle responsibility later."
Sa Ma-gang warned, and Dok Go-yeong-mu turned away without reply.
Sa Ma-gang clenched his fist until it hurt.
Then he bellowed outside.
"Stop him by any means!"
Spear in hand, Woo-gang stood tall, his cold gaze fixed ahead.
Before him massed countless Murim Alliance warriors.
All had drawn swords, radiating unbreakable resolve to bar his path.
Just hours ago, no bad blood existed between them.
Their relations had even been amicable.
Yet in an instant, the situation flipped—they stood ready to strike threatening blows.
Though Cheonwi Dan and Dok Go-yeong-mu held back, Cheonwi Dan, Cheopun Dan, and the Justice Inspection Squad made for a formidable number.
At least Dok Go-seol-ran's Hyang-hun-dan remained neutral, holding position.
Even so, one man piercing hundreds was near impossible.
Yet Woo-gang's eyes held no tremor as he faced them.
His gripped spear brimmed with confidence to pierce any shield, thick or sturdy.
Woooung!
The spear emitted a low hum.
Hurry.
Why delay?
It urged Woo-gang onward.
Shuk.
Woo-gang took a step forward.
Tension spiked among the hundreds before him.
One man's single step.
Yet it overwhelmed them with sheer presence.
And finally.
Woo-gang became a gust of wind, charging forth.
Chu Pung Gu Hwan Bo unfolded at its zenith from the start.
Named for chasing wind, yet now Woo-gang was the wind itself.
Not even the swiftest Alliance warriors could track his movements.
Kyaeeek!
Their thrusts sliced air with sharp whistles, but always missed.
Match Woo-gang's speed?
Impossible.
Wind defied prediction—no countering it.
Kwaang!
Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong at the Geomhwa stage surged between Woo-gang's lower and middle dantian, exploding.
That power poured through his thrusting spear.
Hwarrrruk! Kwaang!
Blazing flames erupted like a massive blast.
Alliance warriors, unable to withstand, scattered like flung stones.
Woo-gang plunged into the gap carved by his mighty strike.
Swords thrust out instantly, targeting only him, tips gleaming with intent.
But they failed.
Not slicing empty air as before.
Kwang!
Their blades bounced off harmlessly.
Hwarrrruk!
A wondrous sight.
Flames engulfed Woo-gang like living fire.
Those flames formed an impenetrable shield—and a weapon stronger than any.
Tak!
Woo-gang kicked off the ground, leaping skyward.
Flames followed like soaring dragons.
Then the pillar linking earth and sky coalesced above.
At its heart, a fireball with Woo-gang inside.
Kwakwakwakwaang!
The fireball plummeted.
Woo-gang's condensed power stabbed down, detonating.
This was no fight.
No fierce exchange—just Woo-gang unilaterally shoving aside the masses with overwhelming might.
In full earnest from rage, he demonstrated his unleashed power.
At the office window, watching it all, Sa Ma-gang trembled.
A perfect miscalculation.
Assuming no Cheonwi Dan was fine had been naive.
With them, escape odds were zero.
Yet even now, that proved wrong.
We must hold him more tightly.
Obsession and fanaticism filled Sa Ma-gang's mind.