A Busy New Start (1)
The Murim Alliance was enormous.
Im Choong and Beon Saeng were overwhelmed by its scale.
Look at that building! It's so tall I can't even see the top!
We're gonna get lost at this rate.
Whoa! Check out those warriors. Bro, look down quick, hurry!
Those would have been the conversations the two shared if not for Je-gal Hyeon guiding them.
The training grounds nestled between the grand buildings were vast beyond measure, and the warriors bustling about were all imposingly dignified.
The Murim Alliance's structure consisted of fifteen organizations: the One Hall, Two Courts, Three Pavilions, Four Legions, and Five Brigades.
The One Hall was the Alliance Lord's Hall, handling all matters related to the Murim Alliance Lord, overseen by the chief of the secret bodyguard unit.
The Two Courts comprised the Elder Council, made up of the Alliance's retired masters, and the Dharma Court, which upheld the Alliance's laws.
The Three Pavilions included Hyun-cheon Pavilion, the command center for strategists directing operations; Am-yeong Pavilion, responsible for surveilling Murim Alliance warriors; and Bi-gak, which carried out secret missions under the Alliance Lord's orders.
The Four Legions were led by the renowned elite Cheol-geum-dan, followed by the Iron Cavalry Legion of armored horsemen who trampled foes with long spears, the vast Blue Dragon Legion boasting the largest numbers, and the White Dragon Legion tasked with the Alliance's defense.
The Five Brigades handled general combat with the Flying Dragon Brigade and Justice Heroes Brigade; pursued and captured or eliminated villains and criminals with the Pursuit Squadron; managed internal Alliance affairs with the Rectification Brigade; and oversaw external operations with the Support Brigade.
All these organizations were housed within the Murim Alliance headquarters, divided into inner and outer compounds.
After walking for quite some time, they arrived at a small building guided by Je-gal Hyeon, located on the outskirts, far from the central hub.
"Sorry, but you'll have to start from here."
The apology was well-deserved—the building was tiny and dilapidated. It looked rundown at a glance, clearly a repurposed structure for some other original purpose.
Still, a plaque hung at the entrance.
Hyun-cheon-dae
Je-gal Hyeon said to Baek So-cheon.
"I named it Hyun-cheon-dae after the pavilion's name. What do you think?"
"It's good."
"I wrote the characters myself."
It was a bold script infused with Je-gal Hyeon's heartfelt intent. Deep down, he wanted to name it So-cheon-dae, but for now, he had to lend his authority to protect Baek So-cheon.
"Well, I'm busy, so I must head off. Get your preparations done today, and official duties start in two days. Take care from here on out."
"I appreciate it."
As Je-gal Hyeon departed, a new arrival appeared.
"You got here faster than I expected."
Turning around, it was Hwang Il-bi, the first squad leader of Cheol-geum-dan. The very man who, when Baek So-cheon headed to Mun-seong, had lamented that he would follow if not for his family.
"The countryside's still the countryside. Got bored and came up."
"Welcome."
Hwang Il-bi was genuinely thrilled at Baek So-cheon's return. He'd expected him to come back, but sooner than anticipated—signaling the urgency of the unfolding situation.
Baek So-cheon introduced Hwang Il-bi to Im Choong and Beon Saeng. The two were stunned to hear he was a Cheol-geum-dan squad leader.
Of course, a question flickered in Im Choong and Beon Saeng's minds at that moment.
Why's a former squad leader talking so casually to the squad leader? Age? But in Cheol-geum-dan, rank should come first.
Meanwhile, Hwang Il-bi had his own doubts.
Who are these guys he brought? Hidden masters?
But no matter how he looked, they didn't seem like masters.
As probing glances were exchanged, a Cheol-geum-dan warrior rushed up, delivered a message, and left.
"First Squad Leader, the Legion Lord summons you."
Hwang Il-bi glanced around and muttered.
"Guess they stuck a watchdog on me. Always calls me at times like this."
"See you later."
"Yeah."
As he walked away, Hwang Il-bi glanced at the plaque and asked.
"Any qualifications for joining Hyun-cheon-dae?"
"No qualifications, but there's a disqualifier."
"What's that?"
"You're excluded."
"Why?"
"You're annoying."
"Where you gonna find someone as fun as me? Scared our Legion Lord'll explode with jealousy?"
"No."
"Then what?"
Baek So-cheon's unexpected reply emerged.
"If something happens, you'll have to take over Cheol-geum-dan."
"...!"
"So pledge loyalty to your Legion Lord and stay put."
Hwang Il-bi was stunned—it was a phrase he'd never heard, never even imagined. Baek So-cheon's words implied he saw him as the next Legion Lord.
His heart pounded like a drum at the first real acknowledgment from Baek So-cheon. Suppressing the tremor, he bid farewell.
"Thanks for the rejection. Honestly, I couldn't start over as a regular warrior anyway. I'm off."
As Hwang Il-bi left, Beon Saeng let out a held breath.
"Is rank reversed here at headquarters? Regular warriors highest, and squad leaders and pavilion lords lower down?"
They knew Baek So-cheon wasn't ordinary, but seeing big shots line up in person was dizzying.
"Alright, head home and sort out the house today. We'll tidy this place tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
Gazing at Baek So-cheon's retreating back, Im Choong and Beon Saeng exchanged looks.
"Whew, it's all so hectic."
"Yeah."
Standing in the Murim Alliance headquarters, it still didn't feel real. Like they were dreaming.
"Should be all excited and pumped... but honestly, I'm scared and nervous."
Im Choong patted Beon Saeng's shoulder.
I'm even more so.
He'd brought his whole family. But at least he wasn't alone.
"Let's tough it out together!"
"Yeah!"
Of course, while some welcomed Baek So-cheon's return, others were seething with rage.
Cheol-geum-dan Legion Lord Chung Yang was furious at the news. He was the one who'd pressured Baek So-cheon down to Mun-seong.
"Damn it! What the hell is going on?"
Hwang Il-bi, standing behind, replied.
"Probably the Alliance Lord's Hall's decision."
Chung Yang ground his teeth. It could well be true, so he held back the curses.
"Squad leader, huh? How many men does he have?"
"Yes. Seems like just a few for now."
"Then make him a squad leader. What squad leader with that?"
"He's a toothless tiger anyway. No need to worry."
But Chung Yang vividly remembered getting thrashed by that toothless tiger.
"If it bothers you that much, I'll monitor his every move and report back."
"You just wanna hang around that bastard, don't you?"
Hwang Il-bi flinched inwardly.
Sharp as ever.
He said with a straight face.
"I'm pragmatic. Don't like toothless tigers."
"Sure?"
"If you doubt me, send someone else. I'm busy too."
"No, you go watch him. Report exactly how many he gathers and what's going on."
"Yes, sir."
Chung Yang pressed his throbbing temples.
"That bastard'll try to take back the Cheol-geum-dan Lord seat."
"Scared?"
"Scared? Of a gutless punk with no qi."
"Right. Don't fear him."
"I'm not scared! Rumors say the Grand Strategist defied the Alliance Lord's will this time. Meaning the Lord's heart has fully turned from Baek So-cheon. We gotta kick him out again somehow."
Hwang Il-bi listened silently.
"Hey, Hwang, Squad Leader."
"Yes, Legion Lord."
"Find a way to oust him."
"Understood."
Leaving the office, Hwang Il-bi walked the corridor. Baek So-cheon's return was great, but Chung Yang's frenzy worried him. He still feared Baek So-cheon. Getting beaten before stemmed from that fear.
No need to be ashamed. Even toothless, a tiger's a tiger—you should fear it.
That night, Baek So-cheon prepared a modest drinking gathering.
A first for them, so Im Choong and Beon Saeng were inwardly tense.
Judging the time right, Baek So-cheon revealed himself.
"In the past Righteous-Evil Great War, I was called the War God."
Beon Saeng laughed.
"Haha, bro's tall tales after so long. Right, little bro? Hey? Why that face?"
Im Choong stared at Baek So-cheon in shock.
"It's true. The War God's name was Baek So-cheon too."
Im Choong knew of the War God but hadn't thought of him in years, so it had faded.
But hearing the name triggered the memory—the hero was named Baek So-cheon.
"The War God... was you, bro."
Im Choong's voice trembled.
"Why so scared?"
Beon Saeng still didn't recall the War God. He'd heard once, but it vanished from memory.
Jeol-gang Province had escaped the war's vortex, and as a busy newbie warrior, he'd let rumors slip by.
Im Choong told Beon Saeng.
"He saved our righteous Murim in the last Great War."
Beon Saeng's eyes widened.
"Not bluffing after all?"
"Not bluffing—you've just been too humble till now."
"My god!"
Now it all made sense. Why he'd done impossible things after calling Baek So-cheon bro. Why Wang Gon seemed cute.
"Didn't mean to hide it, but sorry for not saying sooner."
"No, bro. Wait, can we even call you bro?"
"You can."
Im Choong asked seriously.
"Why'd you bring us?"
He had to ask. It wasn't just some hotshot ex-squad leader bringing buddies.
Beon Saeng chimed in slyly.
"'Cause we're suckers easy to exploit?"
"That's part of it, but there's more."
"What?"
"You're good-hearted."
The unexpected answer rounded their eyes.
"From age six, I dreamed of becoming a Murim Alliance warrior. To protect good people. Thought that dream died long ago..."
Baek So-cheon drained his cup alone. As years pass and life wears you down, dreams reveal themselves as mere dreams. Especially naive ones like 'protecting the good.'
Yet bringing you two means I'm still half-dreaming.
Im Choong and Beon Saeng were speechless. Never imagined such words from Baek So-cheon.
They didn't know: separate from his actions, that heart had sustained his life for ages.
"Know why the Grand Strategist called me back?"
"Why?"
"War's brewing again."
Im Choong and Beon Saeng jolted. Only three years since the last war.
"This war's different. It'll rage till one side's annihilated. Lose, and they'll slaughter everyone in the Murim Alliance. Why bring you? Can't stop it, you'll die anyway. Not even Jeol-gang's corner will save you."
"...!"
Shocked silent for a while.
"We'll stop it."
Beon Saeng asked shakily.
"Does that 'we' include us two?"
"Yes. You're first."
"Who's the enemy? Not some Black Society like Tae-jeong-pa, right?"
"Our foe is the Black Heaven Alliance."
Im Choong and Beon Saeng paled.
Black Society and Black Heaven Alliance. Same 'black' character, worlds apart.
"Remember puking at 'Shin-hwa-bang'? Now you'd faint."
"Faint and die fainting. Run and die running. That's this war."
Im Choong and Beon Saeng drank. Couldn't tell if the liquor was bitter or sweet.
Im Choong asked.
"Then Hyun-cheon-dae's for stopping this war."
"Yes. Born solely for that. I'll make it the Alliance's finest. Grab people from Bi-gak, Cheol-geum-dan, outsiders—whatever. Help me?"
"Yes!"
They answered in unison, vigorously.
Im Choong recalled Baek So-cheon's words.
Ignore completely or commit fully.
No more ignoring life—time to seize it fully.
"I'll train hard from now on."
"Me too."
"Not for me or the Alliance—for yourselves."
"Yes!"
Baek So-cheon raised his cup. They clinked heartily.
"Ah! Those were happier days thinking it was all bro's tall tales."
Baek So-cheon refilled Beon Saeng's cup.
"I enjoyed you believing that too."