Chapter 150
Translator: penny
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Affiliation Decision
After informing Cheon Woojin of the trial's outcome, he reacted with genuine surprise.
"A month of confinement?"
"Yeah. Not bad for a win, right?"
"And how much more crap did you pull there..."
Normally, I'd have given his sword sheath a loving pat, but I was in too good a mood today to bother. I pretended not to hear.
It absolutely wasn't because of the confinement period or because we were in front of the Enforcement Hall.
'He came to visit this morning, after all.'
Though his help hadn't amounted to much.
"By the way, what about Hui-ah?"
"Didn't your lord tell her not to come? So Lady Moyong is waiting anxiously at home."
The "home" in question was the modest manor we'd recently acquired.
The Murim Alliance provided lodging for Moyong Hui and me, but Cheon Woojin and Baek Rihyeon needed a place to stay too.
We couldn't have them crashing at inns forever.
So we'd looked for a residence in Jeongju, and luckily, a decent manor came up for sale cheap. After some deliberation, we bought it.
Of course, "cheap" was relative—it was a proper manor complete with an inner garden, so the expenditure was massive.
We'd blown through most of the wealth we'd gotten from the Red Serpent Sect.
Truth be told, we wouldn't have spent this much just for Cheon Woojin and Baek Rihyeon. But when we heard the Alliance lodging didn't allow cohabitation, we stretched a bit.
Anyway, hearing Moyong Hui was waiting, I moved to head straight home.
If someone hadn't stopped me.
"Got a moment?"
It was Murim Alliance Leader Heo Euncheong.
He'd followed me right after the trial ended and was already upon us.
I turned to ask what was up, only to see his gaze fixed on Cheon Woojin.
'Oh great, this could get annoying.'
And sure enough, Cheon Woojin seized the chance, clasping his hands in a formal salute.
"It's an honor to meet the Alliance Leader!"
How had he memorized the Alliance Leader's face so quickly...?
I cut in before Heo Euncheong could respond.
"Hey, Hui-ah's worried, so go tell her the news first. I need to talk with the Alliance Leader."
"But..."
"Tch, you gonna scram or not?"
Feeling my genuine killing intent, Cheon Woojin nodded despite his displeased expression.
"Understood. I'll head back first. And Alliance Leader, it was an honor to meet you, even if briefly."
The guy stamped his impression right up to the end before turning away.
Heo Euncheong watched him with keen interest.
"Alliance Leader, you had something to say? What is it?"
"Ah, right. Come with me for a bit."
Heo Euncheong led me back inside the Enforcement Hall.
It felt odd re-entering the building we'd just left, but it was convenient being so close.
In a reception room tucked in the corner of the Enforcement Hall, Heo Euncheong got to the point.
"Who was that kid just now?"
No, it wasn't the point—it was something annoying.
I debated how to handle it, then opted for honesty.
"One of my subordinates."
"Your subordinate? He looks like he's already reached the transcendent realm..."
As expected, I couldn't fool a Fusion Realm master's eyes.
Moreover, Heo Euncheong had reached the pinnacle of the Fusion Realm, so he'd accurately gauged Cheon Woojin's level in that brief glimpse.
But what could I do?
Cheon Woojin was indeed my subordinate.
"Transcendent realm's still transcendent. Compared to me or Hui-ah, he's a drop in the bucket."
"Hmm..."
Heo Euncheong let out a small groan at my brazen response, stroking his long beard.
"Talking with you makes me feel like all my common sense is shattering. Leaving you and Sword Phoenix aside, transcendent at that age means he's even beyond Sword Dragon..."
Truth be told, the Orthodox Factions' top younger disciple had been Namgung Chan.
He'd later ascend to Sword King among the Ten Strongest Under Heaven.
'Though that was an empty title too.'
Anyway, Namgung Chan, the finest of the younger generation, had been at the late Peak Realm.
Cheon Woojin was at the transcendent realm—the absolute peak of Peak Realm.
So it wasn't strange for Heo Euncheong to be startled by this sudden prodigy.
However...
"That's why I made him my subordinate. You think I'd take just anyone?"
This wasn't my concern either.
Heo Euncheong chuckled heartily at my attitude.
"Fair enough. In three years, you'll surpass even me, after all."
He dragged up something from the trial, still sore about it.
I considered teasing him more for fun, but remembered Moyong Hui waiting.
"More importantly, what brings this on? Calling me right after the trial."
"Ah, just wanted a quick chat. Got something to pass along too."
Something to pass along.
Too many possibilities—I was worried.
'Did I go too far earlier?'
But it was necessary.
I had to survive too.
Thanks to that, it ended with mere confinement, so I could take some scolding with a smile.
"Go ahead."
"Hmm, first, about your status."
"...My status?"
The unexpected words filled me with doubt.
'The manor? Is living outside an issue?'
But that wasn't it.
"More precisely, your affiliation. You're currently with White Tiger Unit's First Squad, right?"
"Ah, yes."
"This morning, White Tiger Unit Leader Hyeok Jongdae came by. We talked about your trial, but he whined even more about that. 'What do I do with a warrior stronger than me as a mere squad member? And why keep it secret?' He griped endlessly. Ha ha ha."
Honestly, hard to picture.
The guy who'd boldly called me a 'brat' despite knowing my strength, whining to Heo Euncheong.
"Anyway, because of that, staying in White Tiger Unit looks tough. Normally, we'd send an official document, but I wanted your input first."
"Hmm..."
I hadn't considered this.
Or rather, no time to.
In a situation where I didn't even know how beating Namgung Chan would play out, who had time to think about White Tiger Unit?
But really, it was inevitable.
I'd decked the squad leader and half the unit—staying on was the weird part.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts before responding.
'Can't stay in White Tiger Unit...'
Why had I joined in the first place?
Back to basics.
'To seduce Red Peak Baek Iryeong.'
Sure, scouting Blood Cult, gaining fame—miscellaneous reasons too. But none strong enough to keep me there.
And this incident had boosted my fame plenty.
'Better to investigate Blood Cult independently.'
No need to sneak around under someone else's orders.
That left only seducing Baek Iryeong...
'No time for chats anyway. Different units.'
So no reason to stay in White Tiger Unit.
Decision made.
"Got it. So what happens to me now?"
"Nothing set yet. Need opinions from other elders and the Chief Strategist."
"...Pardon?"
At my baffled look, Heo Euncheong grinned sheepishly.
"I mentioned earlier—I only heard this morning. With your trial, no time to think on it. And finalizing your placement before the verdict? Absurd."
Made sense when put that way.
And why he'd called me.
"So you want me to decide?"
"Not exactly follow your word, but it'd help as reference."
Problem was, I had no particular desire.
An elder position at my age? Unlikely.
'Not like they'd offer anyway.'
After brief thought, I deferred.
"Handle it as you see fit, Alliance Leader. You know why I came here. If not, I'm considering leaving the Alliance and wandering independently."
The last bit was a veiled threat—'Dissatisfied, I'll quit'—but sincere.
Nothing left for me in the Alliance.
Sensing my resolve, Heo Euncheong frowned.
"Leave the Murim Alliance?"
"Since when was the Alliance compulsory? People leave for reasons. Not defecting to unorthodox or Demonic Cult—just operating solo. At my level, I have the strength for it, don't I?"
I nearly slipped into Red Serpent Sect slang, correcting myself.
In case he missed it.
Heo Euncheong looked like he was pondering how to handle me.
Would take time for a decision.
Business done, I stood.
"Someone's waiting, so I'll take my leave. Please make the right choice."
Wonder what he'd offer.
Whoever proposes first loses leverage.
'If I don't like it, I walk.'
Whatever worked for me.