218. The Uncomfortable Delegation
They say that when you're too shocked, your brain just freezes up. That was exactly my situation right now.
“Go attend the Saheukryeon's founding ceremony.”
Jegal Somyeong said it so casually that for a split second, I thought Saheukryeon was just some new tavern that had popped up near the Murim Alliance.
“Where the hell is that, and why me?”
The Black Dao Alliance was forming even earlier than in my previous life. And since the Demonic Cult hadn't risen yet, every Black Dao sect in the land would swarm to the founding ceremony. It was the birth of a Black Dao Alliance to rival the Murim Alliance, after all. All the big-name sects would show up just to plant their flag.
“It's where all the Black Dao sects gather, right? It makes no sense for a mere academy student like me to go there.”
Heading into that dragon's den and tiger's lair?
“What's there to fear? Aren't you buddies with those guys?”
“Tch, buddies? Who said that? I'm being framed here!”
I was already suffering from bullshit rumors calling me some Black Dao legend or saint. If I showed up at the Saheukryeon's founding ceremony? That'd be pouring oil on a dying fire.
The suspicious stares from the other academy students had only just started to fade. And as a representative, I was finally getting some respect. No way did I want to ruin it by showing up somewhere stupid and drawing glares.
“Not buddies?”
“No!”
“Hmm?”
Jegal Somyeong stroked his chin and eyed me.
“Then why did that Lord of the Four Desolate Peaks specifically request you for the delegation?”
“What?!”
This lunatic! Is he insane? Even if they were short on invitees, singling out me—a future elite of the Murim Alliance, their archenemy—for the delegation?
Wait... is he scared of how fast I'm growing and trying to smear my reputation?
Facing something I didn't want to do always bred ridiculous suspicions like that. I snapped out of it.
“Anyway, I'm not going.”
“What?!”
“I'm not even an official Alliance member yet, and I'm not under Mantongbu. I only came here to help you out, Lord Strategist.”
Maeng Ju-won, who had been lurking crumpled in the corner with his ears perked our way, shot up a thumbs-up.
It's not because you like me!
“...It's not for Saheukryeon. And even if it were your personal request, I'm too busy as a representative.”
I refused pretty rudely and firmly, but Jegal Somyeong just said calmly,
“I already cleared it with the academy head.”
“Pardon?”
“This time, the academy students won't form their own rep team without you. Unlike before, a proper order will go out.”
He pulled a crumpled sheet from a stack of documents and handed it over.
“That's your order. What's it say at the bottom?”
“...Maengjujeon.”
Who blew their nose on this and folded it back up? Why was it an order from the Alliance Lord's hall?
“Orders from Maengjujeon and Mantongbu are absolute. Even for an academy student. Or do you want to take it to the Elder Council?”
Only the Elder Council could overrule Maengjujeon and Mantongbu. But even if I dragged it there, those old fogeys would sooner push me to my death than revoke it.
Jegal Somyeong smirked triumphantly.
“So, rot in a golden cell, or go do it?”
I ground my teeth.
“...Better to go.”
“That's right.”
Damn it, damn it, damn it. What the hell did I do to deserve this crap piling up?
Ah! Should've asked Hyeongsanpa to hold a big ritual for me.
“But what do you mean 'help build an alliance with Saheukryeon'?”
Saheukryeon was the Black Dao Alliance, formed as a counter to the Murim Alliance from the start. Planning an alliance right out the gate would spark massive backlash. No way they'd accept the Murim Alliance's proposal. And the Alliance had no reason to offer one first.
Their main enemy wasn't the supposedly vanished Blood Cult or Demonic Cult. It was the Black Dao. Why reach out to them now?
“The war with the Blood Cult is dragging on. We can't let Saheukryeon see this as their chance.”
“...”
I calmed myself and spoke evenly.
“I don't think I can do it.”
“Why not?”
“They're a group to check the Murim Alliance. No way they'll accept me.”
Jegal Somyeong nodded oddly.
“We don't expect them to accept an alliance either. A smooth one is probably far off. But at minimum, no war until the Sichuan business ends.”
“...”
“Or we'll cross a river of no return.”
Are the Blood Cult and Black Dao even full enemies? The Murim Alliance crushing the Blood Cult wouldn't look good to the Black Dao. And for Saheukryeon, this was prime time to hit the Alliance.
They might even chop off the delegation's heads as a declaration of war...
Succeed, and I'd be suspected as a Black Dao spy. Fail, and war between Saheukryeon and the Alliance. No matter how I sliced it, I didn't want to go.
But with the order stamped, logic wouldn't work. Time to appeal to emotion.
I bowed politely.
“Even so, can someone like me really forge a big pact with the Black Dao Alliance? You're overestimating me.”
“Don't worry. Your role is just 'help.'”
“...I'm scared of what might happen in the heart of the Black Dao.”
“You know your internal energy hits three jia, right? What's to worry? The guy who beheaded the Blood Cult's young lord is whining? Tch.”
Ugh. Bragging about merits to build a rep, and now it's chaining my own feet. And this old man is no pushover.
Jegal Somyeong patted my shoulder.
“Relax. A peak-level martial artist will accompany the delegation.”
Final desperation.
“P-Poison! What about poison? Black Dao scum might slip it in the food...”
Tae-eul Divine Canon and my massive internal energy made me resistant to most poisons, but not immune.
Jegal Somyeong nodded, oblivious or not to my fear.
“Knew you'd say that. Already prepared.”
“...”
What? Prepared?
Shit, why so thorough?
“Academy student Jin Sowoon, not a single slip-up on this mission.”
He switched to a stern tone, cleared his throat with a hem, and left.
Maeng Ju-won clapped my shoulder encouragingly, but it did nothing.
I just don't get it. Whether I rise or not, why is my fate all suffering?
The formation of the Black Dao Alliance, Saheukryeon, shook the entire jianghu.
Black Dao sects buzzed with excitement, seeing a chance to pay back the Murim Alliance for past grievances. Orthodox sects, meanwhile, bristled at the Black Dao's rising power.
Tension rippled through the Murim Alliance too. Hardliners demanded immediate assassins to wipe out Saheukryeon entirely. Moderates argued there was no need to overreact to a mere group's founding.
Public opinion was split, but leadership couldn't take a firm stance. Saheukryeon was unforgivable, but they hadn't done anything wrong yet. You couldn't smash a friendly gathering just because. That'd make the Alliance no better than thugs.
And with the brutal daily battles in Sichuan? Victory was in sight, but rooting out the desperate Blood Cult from their stronghold would take time.
In the end, they settled on modest gifts, a friendly letter in the Chief Strategist's name, and a small delegation.
Protests flew from both hardliners and moderates, but invoking the Sichuan front shut them down like scolded pups.
Hyeok Mu-gang lifted his teacup.
“What did the kid say?”
“Made it clear he didn't want to go. But what can a punk like him do?”
Jegal Somyeong looked satisfied, but a shadow crossed Hyeok Mu-gang's face.
“I wonder if we're burdening that child too much.”
“No choice. No one else we can trust with this.”
It was a doomed mission no matter who went. Jin Sowoon had influenced the Black Dao Alliance's formation and had faces with Lord of the Four Desolate Peaks and other bigshots from Ma-ryeong Plateau, so they were gambling on him.
Jegal Somyeong's expression hardened.
“We have to bet on his unpredictability again.”
He hated these high-risk, high-casualty gambles. But this time, he hoped for luck.
“Failure means... war.”
The Black Dao's grudge against the Murim Alliance ran deep. Newly united, they'd need to lash out externally to consolidate internally.
The Alliance couldn't easily extend a hand now. Their growth crushing the Black Dao was their whole justification for maintaining jianghu order.
Maybe war was inevitable.
“I hope we don't see more blood spilled.”
Hyeok Mu-gang's voice sank heavier than ever.
“Big brother, stick out your arm. Gotta carry that bundle, right?”
“...”
Eunho looped the strap over my unmoving arm and hefted the heavy pack.
“Oh, and don't forget souvenirs on the way back.”
“...You think I'm off on some pleasure trip?”
Eunho ignored me, barreling on.
“They say some Black Dao folks make weird gadgets. When else would you get to see 'em?”
“...Hey, Geum Pyo, what's with your getup?”
Geum Pyo grinned through rags and bruises everywhere.
“Training external arts lately...”
“...Yeah. Good work.”
“Senior brother. Be careful.”
Hong Saryeon, who worried most, stepped forward.
“You're the only—”
“Don't smash heads if someone picks a fight. It's the heart of the Black Dao world. Like with Iron Sword Sect—don't do that.”
“...”
Amid my juniors' affectionate(?) send-off, I bid the others goodbye and headed straight for the Murim Alliance.
Delegation... alliance...
Saheukryeon ties were necessary. Expanding fronts meant rivers of blood across jianghu.
Problem: No one in the Alliance had good Black Dao connections.
So who was on this delegation? To forge an alliance, they'd need bridge-builders even within the Alliance.
If it succeeded, these members would likely liaison between Alliance and Saheukryeon against the Demonic Cult later.
Gotta memorize them well.
At the rendezvous, a small caravan waited. Escorts checked wagons; grooms inspected horses—they'd prepped early.
“Are you... the academy student joining the delegation?”
A groom bowed halfway.
I nodded lightly.
“Yes.”
“This way, please.”
He moved like escorting royalty. I glanced around.
“...Are the delegates already here?”
“Yes, young master. You're the last.”
I'd arrived twenty minutes early, yet they beat me.
The groom led me past wagons to the horses—and there they were.
The moment I saw them.
“Fuck...”
I spat the curse and froze.
A woman turned at my voice.
“...Cursing is bad.”
Tiny stature. Ink-black long hair. Blank face, weird speech—Dang Seohui.
“...”
“Welcome, benefactor Jin. Long time.”
Beside her, Little Buddha Ilgak clasped hands in greeting.
“A mere squad member dares arrive after the captain.”
And finally, Ak Byeongbi, who tried torturing me recently over smashing Ak Jupyeong's leg.
I'm losing it.
This lineup floored me.
Dang family's poison princess, deadlier than Black Dao.
Shaolin's next abbot candidate, grand disciple.
Ideology inquisitor who turns even clean Orthodox into Black Dao if suspicious.
What kind of delegation is this?! It's a purge squad!!!
Even cherry-picking Black Dao-hated figures wouldn't assemble this easily.
“Nice to see you again.”
Dang Seohui waved blankly.
No way in hell! Fuck this!
I'd hated going already. Now I hated it even more.