Chapter 163
Translator: penny
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Forming the Harmony Unit
Convincing Peng Deokjo was a breeze.
Plenty of groundwork had already been laid, and the fact that the Harmony Unit was a secret group trusted by the Murim Alliance Leader and Chief Strategist helped seal the deal.
"So, when do we start?"
"Once my confinement ends. Until then, just stick around the Azure Dragon Unit like you have been."
"Got it."
After sending Peng Deokjo on his way, I hit my second roadblock.
Persuading Moyong Hui.
I gave Cheon Woojin and Moyong Hui a rough rundown of the Harmony Unit and our plans going forward.
When I brought up the Five Dragons and Five Phoenixes along with the Four Divine Beasts Units, Moyong Hui—against all expectations—nodded right away.
"So, I just need to keep an eye on the Vermilion Bird Unit?"
"Yeah. And if anyone seems suspicious, tell Cheon Woojin right away. He'll chat with Wayong."
Cheon Woojin blinked in surprise at my words.
"Does that mean I'm done guarding the warehouse?"
"Yep. Good work all this time."
"My lord, what kind of pay do we get in this Harmony Unit?"
His eyes sparkled with anticipation.
But I crushed it immediately.
"Pay? It's an honorary position. Purely honorary."
"Ugh, who does that?"
"Don't want to? Fine, guard the warehouse forever then."
"..."
Seemed he valued honor over cash. Cheon Woojin shut his mouth.
With that, the golden key was mine.
"Brother, we've got the inside of the Murim Alliance covered, but where are you and Brother Oryong headed?"
"First, we'll swing by the White Tiger Unit to link up with Jeokbong, then head to Jenam Province."
The reason Jenam Province was our first stop? Information.
The Shadow Gate Sect Leader was there.
'Might as well drop by the Baek Ri Clan while I'm at it.'
For the record, the Baek Ri Clan visit was just to check for spies.
Absolutely not to see Baek Eunjeong.
But Moyong Hui tilted her head, clearly confused.
"Link up with Sister Jeokbong? You three are going to Jenam Province?"
"Yeah. I explained that earlier."
I had no idea what the issue was.
But her next words poked a hole in my logic.
"Didn't you say we're leaving one person behind in each Four Divine Beasts Unit? Then shouldn't Sister Jeokbong stay with the White Tiger Unit instead of joining?"
Good point. Pull Baek Ilyeong out, and there'd be no one left for the White Tiger Unit.
I blurted out the first name that came to mind.
"Uh... Ah! Baek Ri Jiun. Yeah, Baek Ri Jiun. I was planning to slot him into the Harmony Unit and leave him with the White Tiger Unit. He was in my squad—solid guy."
"Baek Ri...?"
Damn. The only name I could think of for the White Tiger Unit was another Baek.
I'd just gotten chewed out by Baek Rihyeon for calling him 'brother-in-law' the other day, and now I'd dragged in another Baek clansman.
'Can't exactly say Wang Jeom.'
I couldn't even remember Wang Jeom's full name.
Before I could say anything, Moyong Hui pressed on.
"Fine, whatever. It's your call who joins the Harmony Unit. But then you just link up with this Baek Ri Jiun guy, right? The Baek Clan is in Jenam Province anyway—why drag Sister Jeokbong along?"
"Well..."
She had me figured out.
No way was I admitting it straight up.
I racked my brain and barely scraped together a plausible excuse.
"The Nine Great Sects! I don't know much about them. That's why I'm bringing Jeokbong from the Mount Hua Sect."
Conveniently, among the people I named for the Harmony Unit, Jeokbong was the only one from the Nine Great Sects.
The rest were all from martial clans.
Moyong Hui puffed her cheeks, clearly unimpressed by my desperate justification.
"If the Nine Great Sects are the issue, why not travel with the beggar uncle instead?"
"Showing up with a beggar at other places would be awkward. Oh yeah, Huiya, what were you and Hugae talking about earlier?"
I desperately tried to change the subject.
Cheon Woojin, listening from the side, shook his head.
"Sigh, you really have it rough."
I ignored him and stared shamelessly at Moyong Hui.
I somehow managed to convince Moyong Hui.
She looked unhappy but eventually gave in with a shrug.
'Sorry, Huiya.'
I wasn't doing this for fun.
Blissful Creation Art left me no choice.
Anyway, the immediate fires were out.
I still had to convince Nangong Sua, Baek Ilyeong, and—somehow—Baek Ri Jiun, but I wasn't too worried.
The next day, I took Cheon Woojin—who'd quit his regular warrior duties—and headed to the Black Tortoise Unit.
To meet Wayong, my future mission partner.
'Just like I remember.'
He hadn't changed much from my past life as the Murim Alliance Chief Strategist.
His looks were different, of course, but that punchable face and those eyes were spot on.
I introduced Cheon Woojin to Zhuge Wei and told him to hand over all duties to Cheon from now on.
With Alliance business wrapped up, I dragged Cheon Woojin to the brothel.
"What brings you here, my lord?"
"Special treat for doing good work. Oh, and if you tell Huiya..."
"Come on, who do you think I am? My lips are sealed."
That first day was the only one we hit the brothel together.
From the next day, it was solo trips for me.
'Not enough cash to bring someone along.'
Days at the brothel, evenings cozy with Moyong Hui.
Occasionally taught Baek Rihyeon and Cheon Woojin some martial arts.
Time flew by productively until the day Baek Rihyeon took his White Dragon Examination.
Nothing better to do, so I brought Cheon Woojin to watch.
Moyong Hui wanted to come but couldn't—the Vermilion Bird Unit was swamped with Jeongju security for the entry exams.
'Packed like sardines.'
The Murim Alliance main gate screamed "door-to-door business."
"Nervous?"
"I'm good, big bro."
Baek Rihyeon's face told a different story—exhausted. Probably hadn't slept.
The White Dragon Examination had two parts: private interviews with examiners and public spars.
Couldn't tell what went down in the interviews since only examinees went in.
Baek Rihyeon said it was mostly about martial arts learned, training time, teachers—probing backgrounds.
For the record, this sly fox sold me out as his teacher.
He beamed about the examiners' shock. Crafty little punk.
Once interviews wrapped, public spars kicked off.
Alliance reps said upfront that wins/losses didn't guarantee pass/fail, but from what I saw, interviews had already decided most.
'You can spot talent right away.'
They held spars anyway to avoid complaints. Wouldn't do to drop folks after a quick chat.
Especially out-of-towners—who made up most examinees. Short interview and bye-bye? Outrage city.
Passing the White Dragon Exam was huge for small sects or clans.
Examiners picked sparring opponents.
Varied ages, so they matched roughly by age, but Baek Rihyeon got someone way older.
Made perfect sense.
His level was mid-to-late first-rate.
Guy meant for Yellow Dragon Exam slumming it here—examiners matched accordingly.
His opponent underestimated based on looks. Spar ended in three exchanges.
"Winner: Baek Rihyeon!"
Baek Rihyeon looked stunned, clueless about his own strength.
Loser begged for another shot, all indignant.
'Tch, you'd have made it anyway.'
Scanned the crowd for familiar past-life faces. This guy's skill was second-best among examinees.
Just that Baek Rihyeon was a freak.
No familiar faces, though. Too young to recognize, maybe. Nothing memorable anyway.
Baek Rihyeon passed and proudly became a Murim Alliance White Dragon.
My routine didn't change.
Brothels by day, occasional "lessons" tormenting Cheon Woojin.
Cozy evenings with Moyong Hui.
And so time passed...
'Time to move.'
My confinement sentence was up.