The Golden Guard's Arrogant Command
The next day, an order came down from the magistrate's office for us to assemble. In response, the righteous Murim folks stationed in this county gathered up—not everyone, just those with some rank in their organizations.
"..."
Damn, were there this many righteous sect guys around here? From the introductions, there were groups like the One-Party Sword Sect, some Dao Grade Faction, Door Threshold Clan, and Hyun Dae Escort Agency. They looked totally different from those sleazy, shady black path bastards—clean-cut faces, neat clothes. A complete contrast to the filthy, ugly, frivolous scum of the underworld.
But what really caught my eye wasn't them; it was the Meng Hu Dai warriors and the man standing beside the magistrate in his luxurious golden robes. That must be the Golden Guard. Even at a glance, you could tell he was a powerhouse—an overwhelming pressure radiating from him. So this is what an imperial warrior is like?
"Everyone here?"
"Yes."
The Golden Guard spoke, and the robed magistrate answered. A magistrate's position carries some weight, but against the Golden Guard, he was nothing.
"Then let's begin."
The Golden Guard addressed us. "You don't need to know about me. These clothes are introduction enough."
Arrogant prick.
"From this moment, I'm in command of you all. Disobey my orders, and you'll be charged with treason. Got it?"
"..."
A bunch of the Murim guys looked pissed at that, but who'd dare mouth off to the Golden Guard? He came here on the emperor's orders. In this Ming Dynasty, nobody but that horse demon king could defy Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang.
"No need to get too tense. You're righteous sects, sure, but your ragtag little groups won't play any decisive role."
What the fuck, this asshole?
"I'll just have you handle support tasks. But the Meng Hu Dai—I've got high expectations for you. Aren't you the Murim Alliance's promising young talents? A few of you might even end up in the Golden Guard someday."
"Oh...!"
Some of the Meng Hu Dai guys' eyes lit up at that. The Golden Guard was basically the endgame career for any Murim warrior—a position as prestigious as becoming the head of a major clan. No wonder they were tempted.
"Obey. Understood?"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
The Meng Hu Dai roared back in unison.
"Good. Then I'll issue orders through the Meng Hu Dai from now on."
The Golden Guard glanced back at us minor sect folks with that same dickish tone and announced it like it was fact.
"The Meng Hu Dai are now your superiors. I'll give commands through them, so follow obediently. Clear?"
"Understood."
"Yes."
I nodded and chimed in with an "Understood" too.
This Golden Guard fucker... sucking all the honey, huh? Not content with treating the Murim Alliance's dispatched combat unit like his limbs, now he's snapping his fingers to puppet the righteous Murim warriors too.
Of course, we couldn't challenge it. Even the Namgung Family—with power like a winged twin-headed tiger in Anhui Province—was just a kindly neighborhood fool compared to the imperial court.
In the end, even Murim bows to the government. The court recognizes us because we listen and are useful. If we slacked on yokai extermination, dodged taxes, and ignored orders, why keep us around? If the emperor willed it, the Great Ming army would trample Murim like the Yuan cavalry did the Han Chinese. And this emperor could pull it off—hell, he's a Hwa-gyeong master himself. Just send down a few generals fighting hellish demons up north, and Murim would be a wasteland. Serin said so, so it's gotta be true.
"You know the vicious witch, Saseon-nyeo, is up to something. One county's already fallen. You'll cooperate with the officials to block the demon hordes."
The Golden Guard explained the mission in his usual rude, high-handed tone—vague as hell, no real details. Basically, just obey.
That wrapped up his lecture, and dismissal was called.
"That Golden Guard runs the show like he owns the place..."
"Who the hell does he think he is?"
"And we're supposed to take orders from those snot-nosed kids?"
The righteous warriors vented their frustration behind his back—fair enough. I wanted to join in, but I didn't know them well enough.
Seemed like all the local righteous Murim guys were tight-knit, like longtime colleagues in the same industry. Me? I was the rootless upstart who snatched the black path's turf this time around—no connections whatsoever. Kinda pathetic.
Time to go meet the crew.
"Ah, hold up! Everyone, wait!"
A voice stopped us as we were dispersing. It was a Meng Hu Dai warrior. All eyes turned to him.
"What's this about?"
"I've got something to discuss about this case! Gather round!"
"What kind of discussion?"
The Meng Hu Dai guy called for a talk, but the righteous folks weren't thrilled. These greenhorn kids had just become our bosses because some bigwig said so. If a random high-and-mighty could snap fingers and establish hierarchy, there'd be no rebellions or uprisings in this world. No legitimacy, no authority. That's how the righteous saw the Meng Hu Dai.
"With command like this, don't we need closer cooperation to resolve this crisis?"
"We're short on time too. Better to meet quick."
"We'll wrap it up clean, so don't be like that."
But elites are elites. Sensing the mood, the Meng Hu Dai guys swarmed in, projecting intimidation.
"Hmph."
The lesser righteous sects glanced at each other awkwardly. What to do? Blend in and observe.
But technically, these Meng Hu Dai were now Nachal Bang's higher-ups. They could drag our boys into hellish battlefields just 'cause they felt like it. I had to play nice, factoring that in... Man, becoming the boss meant dealing with this political shit now. My growth was impressive.
"Fine... let's talk."
The Hyun Dae Escort Agency's head spoke up as representative. Must be a respected figure. Note to self: remember him.
Anyway, I was about to follow the flow when—
"Geun-hyeop, is it over?"
Serin came to greet me.
"Yeah, Serin. It's done, but looks like there's more."
"I see—"
"Gasp!"
"Jade Flower Sword!"
"It's the Jade Flower Sword!"
"One of the Murim's Four Beauties!"
Every single person at the scene got their aggro pulled.
Oh right—this was Serin's fame in action.
"Wh-whoa!"
The Meng Hu Dai young guns were especially shocked, jaws dropping like American cartoons, eyes bulging out.
My girl Serin was that stunning and renowned; my shoulders puffed up with pride. But drawing this much heat wasn't great.
I was about to say something when—
Suddenly, Serin pressed right up against me and hooked her arm through mine.
"Huh? Serin?"
"Opportunity. Introduce Geun-hyeop to righteous Murim."
"Ah."
Right, she mentioned that before. As a new face in the righteous side, I needed introductions to get known.
But now? Timing felt off...
"Wh-what the hell!"
"What's that?!"
"N-no wayyy!"
As expected, the Meng Hu Dai lost it.
Of course... The Murim's Four Beauties were like Murim idols. The Meng Hu Dai's shock earlier proved it—every young warrior dreams of those famed beauties.
But one of those idols, the Jade Flower Sword, suddenly cozying up to some guy? Nuclear bomb level.
"Jade Flower Sword! Excuse me, but what the...!"
"Hm?"
Serin stayed expressionless as ever.
With her like that, I straightened up too. Time to act dignified—the partner of a Murim beauty had to.
"What do you mean?"
"N-no, that guy!"
The Meng Hu Dai pointed at me, sputtering.
"What's your relationship with the Jade Flower Sword...?"
"What is this? Ridiculous. Why the sudden interrogation? What gives you the right?"
"Ah! Sorry! That wasn't my intent!"
Serin's tone turned icy.
Gulp.
The Meng Hu Dai guys couldn't hide their anxiety, eyes trembling as they watched us.
"Oh, right. You're Meng Hu Dai warriors. Long time no see."
"Uh, um... good to see you. And the gentleman beside you...?"
"This is—"
Serin answered.
"My betrothed, Geun-hyeop."
Betrothed.
"Whaaaat?!"
"No waaay!"
"Aaaargh!"
The Meng Hu Dai screamed like banshees. Talk about flashy aggro.
"Is it true the Jade Flower Sword showed up?!"
As I thought that, a booming voice came from the side. Wait, that was Gong Son-tan?