Chapter 58: A Team Is Better Than One
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 58: A Team Is Better Than One
“Set the stage?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Ki Mu-hyeok slowly explained the plan that had formed in his mind to the two curious men.
“Right now, Gu Ja-seung, an elder of the Great Heaven Sect, mistakes me for an Ice Art master. He’ll report that to his Sect Master too. But you said the Sun Moon Sect Leader is from the Yang-Dominant Faction, right?”
At his question, confirming the information once more, the two men nodded. Ki Mu-hyeok continued.
“In other words, from the Sun Moon Sect Leader’s perspective, it might look like a rival faction intervened. We’re going to use that misunderstanding. For example…”
As he spoke, it seemed the plan was becoming more concrete in his mind. Life sparked in Ki Mu-hyeok’s eyes as he gave example after example, and a confident smile played on his lips.
A plan to sow discord between the Great Heaven Sect and the Sun Moon Sect, and between the two factions within the Sun Moon Sect, flowed smoothly from him.
“…If we do this, won’t we be able to really pit them against each other? In the meantime, we’ll reap the benefits and easily gather the information we need from behind the scenes.”
“Hoh!”
“……”
Choi Geon and No Gu-cheon, who had been listening silently, had expressions colored with admiration and bewilderment, respectively.
Choi Geon gave his disciple a thumbs-up.
“My disciple. You are truly insane. Utterly insane!”
“That’s a compliment, right?”
“Of course! The highest compliment!”
Choi Geon burst into hearty laughter and turned to No Gu-cheon. His expression asked, ‘What do you think?’
“…Isn’t it too dangerous?”
As an elder of the Korean Martial Alliance and a senior martial artist dealing with a much younger Rising Star, No Gu-cheon couldn’t help but feel worried.
This was because the plan could only succeed if Ki Mu-hyeok took on all the risks and acted.
But Ki Mu-hyeok, on the contrary, looked like he welcomed it.
“I like it, though? And opportunities to gain so much practical experience like this aren’t common either.”
“……”
Choi Geon poked No Gu-cheon’s side, who was silently contemplating with his arms crossed. Then he said in a subtle voice.
“My disciple. Don’t you see the potential for him to become a great hero?”
“…A hero?”
Not a schemer or a trickster?
When No Gu-cheon looked at him with such an expression, Choi Geon snorted and said.
“What makes a hero? If you beat up bad guys and uphold justice, that’s a hero. They’ll stop at nothing, so why should we bother being refined when dealing with them?”
“Well, I’ll be…”
No Gu-cheon looked back and forth between the strikingly similar master and disciple, then let out a deep sigh. And he asked Ki Mu-hyeok.
“Let me ask you one thing. What is the real reason you want to go this far? You know how dangerous this is, so simply wanting to gain practical experience isn’t a convincing enough answer.”
No Gu-cheon paused, then asked in a serious voice.
“Are you perhaps seeking revenge for your master, who has a bitter history with the Eight Great Sects?”
“…You. What are you talking about?”
Choi Geon’s expression hardened, but No Gu-cheon didn’t stop what he was saying.
“I commend your spirit, but the Eight Great Sects are not opponents to be taken on lightly. You and those around you could easily be put in danger.”
“Do you think I’d let that happen?”
“You stay out of this. I am asking Ki Mu-hyeok, the martial artist, about his resolve!”
“……”
No Gu-cheon, an elder of the Korean Martial Alliance.
He had seen too many heroes of the Korean Martial Alliance who had vowed to change the world despair, flee, or even betray their ideals.
‘If this is just youthful recklessness, I must stop him. There’s no need to force a Rising Star with a brilliant future down a path of hardship…’
Regardless of the golden opportunity to sow discord among the Eight Great Sects, No Gu-cheon was worried about the future of this Rising Star.
Because Ki Mu-hyeok was a raw talent who could one day compete in the World’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament.
“To be honest.”
Ki Mu-hyeok met No Gu-cheon’s gaze directly. It was a serious question, so his answer was serious too.
“I know that both my master and I are considered oddities by the standards of the Orthodox Martial World. But I don’t believe actions or words should be the sole criteria for judging what is orthodox.”
“……”
When the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult dominated the world.
When all sorts of crimes ran rampant in the chaotic nation, and the world was stained with people’s screams and tears because of it.
So many people waited for help from the martial artists of the Eight Great Sects.
“The Eight Great Sects are symbols of the Orthodox Faction. Of course, there’s the Korean Martial Alliance, but Rising Stars admire the martial artists of the Eight Great Sects more, thinking of them as splendid Orthodox Faction members. I used to think that too.”
But most of the Eight Great Sects succumbed to the overwhelming power of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and some even bowed their heads and became their pawns.
“I don’t like the current standards that judge based only on appearances. So I intend to change them.”
The Vagrant, slowly dying with a broken body, could only scoff at the hypocrites wearing the mask of orthodoxy, but the current Ki Mu-hyeok was different.
“If the standards are wrong, I’ll break them and create new ones. I’ll show them that to claim to be orthodox, it’s not about words or actions, but about having the true Martial Path in one’s heart.”
“……”
“……”
A smile simultaneously formed on the lips of the two old masters, who had been silent for a moment.
“He’s my disciple, but isn’t he truly admirable?”
“Alright, alright, stop bragging. You’re making me green with envy.”
No Gu-cheon grumbled, glaring at Choi Geon, and asked one last time.
“You really didn’t brainwash him, did you?”
“What do you take me for?!”
“…It was a joke. Though seeing you get so defensive, I’m a little suspicious.”
“This scoundrel, seriously?”
Choi Geon, who had glared at his friend’s mischief, soon let out a small laugh and asked.
“So, what are you going to do? An opportunity to sow discord among the Eight Great Sects has come after decades. Are you just going to let it slip away?”
Choi Geon was radical and hot-headed, but he wasn’t ignorant of propriety.
The fact that he came to No Gu-cheon to discuss it meant he intended to seek cooperation from the Korean Martial Alliance. And if the Alliance opposed it, he planned to put all plans on hold for now.
Because meddling with the Eight Great Sects could have a significant impact on the Korean Martial Alliance as well.
“…It would certainly be satisfying.”
No Gu-cheon, who had briefly imagined the situation unfolding according to Ki Mu-hyeok’s plan, unconsciously twitched the corners of his mouth.
It was an opportunity to significantly weaken one of the pillars of the Eight Great Sects.
Just thinking about it made his fatigue vanish.
“As soon as I return to the Korean Martial Alliance, I’ll report it directly to the Alliance Leader.”
In the end, No Gu-cheon was also a member of the Korean Martial Alliance who had endured the Eight Great Sects’ overreach for years, accumulating much frustration.
He rose from his seat and continued.
“The Alliance Leader will undoubtedly want to actively expand this scheme. We’ll also look into further measures on our end.”
Choi Geon and Ki Mu-hyeok exchanged glances and grinned simultaneously.
No Gu-cheon asked Ki Mu-hyeok.
“Do you perhaps need any support? Sending personnel openly would be difficult, but equipment or financial support should be somewhat possible.”
“Right now, not particularly…”
Ki Mu-hyeok was about to refuse, but then he seemed to think of something and changed his mind.
“What’s the scope of the funding, if I may ask? And could you write me a document?”
Because a more reliable supporter than any ordinary help from the Korean Martial Alliance had come to mind.
*
There were still about ten days left until the First-Rate License Exam.
Ki Mu-hyeok planned to stir up the Great Heaven Sect as much as possible before then.
‘For something like this, a team is better than one.’
So the next day, the first place he went was Kim Bok-ja’s workshop.
When Ki Mu-hyeok explained the plan, he got the reaction he expected.
“…So you want me to help you screw over one of the country’s top Mid-Sized Sects and even the Eight Great Sects? Are you seriously a crazy bastard?”
At the realization that the culprit behind the Great Heaven Sect building terror incident, which she’d seen on the news, was right in front of her, Kim Bok-ja pressed her back against the chair and said.
“Do you know how much the bounty on your head is right now? It’s enough to slightly improve my miserable fate, you know?”
“You’re going to sell out your friend to improve your fate? After eating the meal my mom and dad made for you just a few days ago, is that really what you should be saying?”
“Ugh, damn it…!”
Kim Bok-ja, who had made a joke only to lose out, soon let out a deep sigh.
“The scale is too big. No matter how much you ask, I can’t do this. I’m sorry, but…”
As Kim Bok-ja lowered her head in apology, a thick envelope entered her vision.
Ki Mu-hyeok placed the envelope on the table and slid it towards her, saying.
“This is the down payment. I’ve secured plenty of funding. And it’s all in cash.”
“…Can I look?”
After opening the envelope and checking the amount inside, Kim Bok-ja’s fiercely narrowed eyes softened considerably.
“So, what should we start with?”
Now that a Spellcaster was secured, it was time to find agents who could operate in the field.
Ki Mu-hyeok headed to the Training Hall where Shin Kang-heon was training, accompanied by Kim Bok-ja.
“Crazy bastard. Long time no see? Can you properly handle that strange Internal Energy of yours now?”
Choi Geon, who had coincidentally come to oversee Shin Kang-heon’s training, was also there.
Master and disciple exchanged glances in an instant, but Shin Kang-heon didn’t see it.
Instead of warming up or immediately challenging him to a fight as usual, Ki Mu-hyeok spoke in a hushed voice.
“Shin Kang-heon. Don’t you want to do something meaningful as a Rising Star of the Orthodox Martial World?”
“What crazy talk are you trying to pull now?”
Shin Kang-heon narrowed his eyes, highly wary of Ki Mu-hyeok.
Because he knew from experience that when Ki Mu-hyeok laid such groundwork, something unusual was usually about to happen.
But Ki Mu-hyeok had a perfect grasp of his opponent’s personality.
This time, instead of a money envelope, he pulled out an order stamped with the Korean Martial Alliance Leader’s seal.
“…Korean Martial Alliance Grade 1 Classified Order?”
“Shh. Just read it quietly.”
While Shin Kang-heon swallowed hard and read the document, Ki Mu-hyeok added explanations beside him.
“As you know, the Alliance Leader has many enemies. Besides the Eight Great Sects’ interference, recently some unknown bastards even messed up the exam. We found the culprits.”
“What? Who is it?!”
“…Can you swear that you won’t reveal what I’m about to say to anyone?”
Nod, nod!
Ki Mu-hyeok, seeing Shin Kang-heon nod vigorously, slowly explained the current situation and the plan, setting the mood.
“That’s why the Alliance Leader needs hands that can move without the Eight Great Sects knowing. And that’s you and me.”
“It seems the Alliance Leader has taken notice of your skills.”
The Sword Demon, who had been listening alongside them, subtly added a remark.
“The Alliance Leader… noticed me?”
At the thought of being recognized by none other than the Korean Martial Alliance Leader, Shin Kang-heon’s lips began to tremble.
From then on, it was smooth sailing.
A secret operation personally requested by the Korean Martial Alliance Leader.
A desperate struggle against villains in the darkness, known to no one.
For a young man whose adolescence hadn’t ended even at twenty, it was an overly stimulating fantasy.
And then.
“Old memories come to mind. I’ve stained my hands with the blood of countless villains… but no one ever knew. However, this old man finds enough reward in having brought a little peace to the world.”
The Sword Demon, with his hands clasped behind his back, delivered the final blow in a wistful voice.
“What the… That’s so damn cool…”
Shin Kang-heon, muttering to himself as if possessed, pounded his chest and declared.
“I’ll do it too! Who cares who sees it? I’ll burn this body for the justice of the Martial!”
At his bold declaration, Choi Geon smiled contentedly and patted Shin Kang-heon’s shoulder.
And Ki Mu-hyeok reconfirmed Shin Kang-heon’s words.
“You’re really prepared to burn yourself up, right?”
“Of course!”
Shin Kang-heon, not realizing the true meaning of the question, nodded enthusiastically.
“If this happens… will this be the Azure Wolf’s first official mission?”
From behind him, Kim Bok-ja stroked her chin and muttered meaningfully.