Chapter 74: The Martial Alliance's Heroes
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 74: The Martial Alliance's Heroes
At the same time.
The Azure Wolf Crew members were confronting the secrets hidden in the Sun Moon Sect's building basement.
“I expected it, but… it’s utterly disgusting.”
Choi Geon muttered, swallowing his rage.
In his hand were documents detailing Jang Jin-myeong's provision of martial artists' organs to the Great Heaven Sect's illegal operations, and records of his plan to infiltrate Assassins into the License Exam to kidnap Yang Ha-yun.
Furthermore, numerous instances of dealings with the Unorthodox Faction's magnates who controlled the Underworld were also discovered.
“Whoa, I knew it would be messy, but I never imagined they’d be this corrupt. If this gets out, the Sun Moon Sect will be facing a string of funerals, won't they?”
Hwang Suk-su exclaimed in admiration as he examined the secured documents.
The basement contained not only paper documents but also a considerable amount of encrypted data, most of which Hwang Suk-su, who handled and managed confidential information, could easily decrypt.
“Elder. This has an explosive device attached, what should we do?”
Hwang Suk-su, who had discovered an iron chest, asked Choi Geon.
On the surface of the iron chest, too heavy for even a martial artist to lift easily, only the character ‘敎’ was engraved. A check with the sensor they brought confirmed an explosive device was installed inside.
The presence of such a dangerous device, capable of exploding if tampered with carelessly, implied that its contents were evidence potentially fatal to Sun Moon Sect Leader Jang Jin-myeong.
“Cult? Don't tell me…”
A past incident flashed through Choi Geon's mind, and he stared at the iron chest with wide eyes.
About twenty years ago, there was a cult that expanded its influence incredibly quickly, throwing the world into chaos.
Choi Geon led the elite martial artists organized to eradicate them, attacking their main base, but fell into an enemy trap and lost most of his comrades.
Someone had undoubtedly leaked information, yet he ultimately bore all the responsibility and was forced to leave the Martial Alliance.
“If… if you’re involved in this…”
Hwang Suk-su trembled violently under the terrifying Killing Intent.
Choi Geon, who had been glaring at the iron chest as if to cleave it in two with a single strike, let out a low sigh and instructed him.
“We’re taking it. Carry it.”
“Huh? Me?”
“Or should I carry it?”
Hwang Suk-su obediently lifted the iron chest and placed it on his shoulder.
The weight was far heavier than he expected, and he barely managed to swallow the curse that almost escaped his lips.
‘Damn it, I hope only one more person tries to boss me around.’
Besides the evidence related to Jang Jin-myeong's misdeeds, the basement also contained weaknesses that could deal a severe blow to the Sun Moon Sect's continued existence.
However, Choi Geon did not touch those.
It was because of his promise with the Glacier Goddess.
‘It’s enough if Sun Moon Sect Leader Jang Jin-myeong pays for his crimes and the Sun Moon Sect is forced into Seclusion for a while.’
Without such a negotiation, the Glacier Goddess would never have been persuaded.
“What? You’re really just going to leave it? We could blackmail them for life and keep milking them dry…”
“Do you think I’m like you?”
Hwang Suk-su wore a bewildered expression, but Choi Geon shook his head resolutely.
Knowing that the Sword Demon was such a stubborn martial artist, the Glacier Goddess had entrusted this place to Choi Geon and left.
Of course, there were practical reasons too.
‘I must be satisfied with this and stop here.’
If the Martial Alliance were to destroy one of the Eight Great Sects, there would be an unbearable backlash.
In the worst case, they might have to wage an all-out war with the other Eight Great Sects.
It was only because they currently had justification and public opinion on their side that such bold actions were possible; if they crossed a certain line, the others wouldn't stand idly by.
“Let’s head back now.”
All the documents found in the basement had been reported to the Martial Alliance in real-time, so by now, preparations to drop the bombshell must have been complete.
However, at Choi Geon's words, Hwang Suk-su hesitated, glancing around nervously, and spoke.
“Uh, Elder. Still, since we came all this way, shouldn't we take a little something for ourselves?”
Hwang Suk-su feared Choi Geon, but he wasn't so timid that he couldn't speak his mind at all.
Since Hwang Suk-su had put in no small amount of effort to get here, Choi Geon nodded.
“Don’t get greedy; just take what fits in your pockets.”
“Hehehe. Of course!”
Hwang Suk-su excitedly stuffed the things he had eyed into his pockets.
On one side of the basement, there were also quite a few precious Spiritual Medicines and expensive items.
Just then, Kim Bok-ja, who had been using a spell to check if anything had been missed, tilted her head with a subtle expression.
“Something feels off…”
Though her Qi Sensing Domain couldn't compare to Choi Geon's, her senses for spells and spiritual matters were more acute than even a Peak Master's.
“Teacher. Just a moment.”
Kim Bok-ja walked to a wall, then turned to Choi Geon and asked.
“Please cut this here. I think there’s something beyond it.”
“Hey, Rerae! Do you think slicing through a thick iron door is as easy as cutting a radish? Even for the Elder, it’s a needless strain…”
Choi Geon walked forward and, without a word, swung his sword.
Shhhk!
The thick iron door split open like paper.
He kicked it, and with a thud, the iron door fell backward, revealing a new space beyond.
Hwang Suk-su blinked a few times, then set the iron chest on the floor and clapped like a seal.
“Y-yes, truly our Azure Wolf’s Peak Master! I respect you, Elder!”
“Just carry that iron chest properly. Before I make you.”
“Yessir! Just leave it to me!”
Leaving the two behind, Kim Bok-ja stepped inside.
And soon, she discovered a small animal trapped in a cage.
Whimper…
A weak, faint cry.
It was a small bird, no bigger than a palm.
It was tightly bound with straw rope adorned with talismans, and it lay weakly, as if it hadn't eaten or drunk properly.
Whimper, whimper.
Its reddish-orange feathers, presumably once bright red, were discolored black only where the straw rope touched.
The small bird struggled to lift its head and looked up at Kim Bok-ja.
Kim Bok-ja instinctively reached out to free the pitiful bird from its cage, but then paused, sensing a subtle energy.
“Huh?”
As if realizing something belatedly, her eyes widened, and she instinctively took a step back.
“No way? It can’t be…?”
Just then, Choi Geon came up beside Kim Bok-ja and asked.
“The energy I’m sensing doesn’t seem to belong to an ordinary beast. Is it perhaps a Spiritual Being?”
Kim Bok-ja, who had been cautiously examining the small bird, shook her head with an uncertain expression.
While Spiritual Beings and Monstrous Beings were difficult to distinguish clearly, the entity before them was categorized separately due to its inherent danger.
“No, this is a Monstrous Being. And not just an ordinary one, it feels like a Great Aberration. I’ve only ever seen these in ancient texts…”
“What did you say?”
Choi Geon turned his head to look at Kim Bok-ja, wondering if she was joking.
Her expression was far too serious to be a joke.
Among the countless Spellcasters Choi Geon had met, Kim Bok-ja's talent was exceptional, one of the very best.
There was no way she could have misidentified the energy of a Monstrous Being.
“It looks like a newborn, but I’m certain. This… this is a Golden-Winged Roc.”
“Jang Jin-myeong, that madman!”
Choi Geon roared.
A Great Aberration was a cataclysmic entity, capable of wiping out an entire city overnight.
Of course, a small creature, merely a hatchling, wouldn't possess such power, but…
“He’s truly lost his mind. To hide a Great Aberration’s hatchling. Surely he didn’t steal it from its mother?”
Whimper, whimper.
The Golden-Winged Roc whimpered and struggled, as if begging to be freed.
It was then that they understood why talismans imbued with Sealing Spells were plastered all over its tiny body, binding it with straw rope.
“Step back. Don’t touch it carelessly. If you do, it might…”
Great Aberrations were known to be untamable, but if one were to succeed, they would gain unimaginable power and prestige.
Even if most attempts ended in horrific consequences.
“Teacher.”
However, at that moment, something Choi Geon hadn't anticipated occurred.
In Kim Bok-ja's eyes, as she gazed at the Golden-Winged Roc, a warm flame, different from her usual eerie blue ghost fire, ignited.
Fwoosh!
Simultaneously, flames erupted from the Golden-Winged Roc's body, instantly incinerating the straw rope and talismans that bound it.
“Ugh! It’s free! Elder! W-what do we do about that?!”
Hwang Suk-su, who had been watching nervously, yelped in alarm and fell on his backside, and at the moment Choi Geon, flustered, placed his hand on his sword hilt.
Screech!
The Golden-Winged Roc hatchling spread its tiny wings, let out a mighty screech, then waddled over and perched on Kim Bok-ja's palm.
Kim Bok-ja lifted the small Monstrous Being with both hands, showed it to the two men, and said.
“Can’t we take him with us?”
“Cough…”
It was such an innocent question that even Choi Geon, the Sword Demon of all people, choked.
*
The License Award Ceremony was conducted concisely.
As there weren't many successful candidates, the Martial Alliance Leader personally called out each name.
“Oh Jung-min of the Pine Moon Sect!”
“Song Jun-ho of the Taiji Sword Sect!”
“Pi Seung-hwa of the Golden Glory Sect!”
“Yang Ha-yun of the Sun Moon Sect!”
Each martial artist ascended the dueling stage, which had been transformed into a podium, as their name was called.
The Martial Alliance Leader, now in a suit, personally handed over the license certificates and offered words of encouragement.
“Martial Artist Shin Kang-heon. If you temper your hasty nature just a little, you will surely achieve great success. In about ten years, you might even be able to compete on the world stage.”
“Then I’ll be recognized as Korea’s Greatest Swordsman within five years and go out into the world!”
“Hahahaha! Did you not just hear me say you have a hasty nature?!”
Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, congratulations, cheers, and applause continued.
The martial artists who had received their licenses first took seats arranged behind the Alliance Leader.
One by one, the empty seats were filled.
“Martial Artist Bu Yeon-ha of the Changcheon Sword Sect. It’s been a long time since I’ve witnessed such excellent swordsmanship. I now understand why the Changcheon Sword Elder waited so long before stepping down from his Sect Leader position.”
“You flatter me. Thanks to the Alliance Leader’s guidance, I was able to realize many of my shortcomings.”
With Bu Yeon-ha of the Changcheon Sword Sect also seated, only one chair remained.
Yeo Pil-geuk looked around broadly and smiled.
“It’s already the last one. Everyone must be expecting it, so I won’t keep you in suspense and will announce it.”
This year, unusually, the rankings of the successful candidates were not announced separately.
However, everyone knew who had displayed the most outstanding performance.
A twenty-year-old Rising Star who, in his very first License Exam, had surpassed the First-Rate Martial Artist level to acquire a Peak Master License.
“Peak Master Ki Mu-hyeok, please come up!”
Naturally, the loudest cheers and a standing ovation followed.
Ki Mu-hyeok, who had ascended the dueling stage, delivered a brief speech with a calm expression.
“Thank you. I will not become complacent and will strive even harder.”
“Nothing else you want to say? Everyone’s watching you as if you’re the winner of a Martial Arts Tournament.”
“I expect to have many opportunities in the future, so I’ll restrain myself today. Besides, those who have waited a long time must be getting bored.”
The confident and witty reply made the onlookers burst into laughter.
Ki Mu-hyeok grinned and added one more thing.
“I hope for a more just world.”
With Ki Mu-hyeok's meaningful remarks, the Orthodox Martial World's celebration concluded.
But no one left their seats.
It was because the Martial Alliance Leader's promised bombshell announcement was still to come.
“Recently, there have been a series of unfortunate incidents in the Martial.”
Leaving the new stars of the Orthodox Martial World, who had just acquired their licenses, behind him, Yeo Pil-geuk stood before the cameras with a bitter expression.
“Unidentified Assassins infiltrated the Martial Alliance, and the Great Heaven Sect, a pillar of the Orthodox Martial World, suffered a horrific terrorist attack. The Great Heaven Sect Master is currently missing, his fate unknown.”
The heavy atmosphere silenced the audience.
The Martial Alliance Leader's voice resonated calmly, without fluctuation.
“Shamefully, the Martial Alliance was unable to respond quickly to these incidents. While sects and martial artists registered with the Alliance are obligated to report incidents to us, such reports always pass through other channels first.”
The atmosphere was subtly shifting.
Those who noticed this first were the Sect Leaders of the Eight Great Sects.
‘No way…’
‘What is he trying to say right now?’
‘He called us here just to say something like that?’
The expressions of the Eight Great Sect Leaders, who had been listening quietly, hardened.
However, in this situation, they couldn't silence the Martial Alliance Leader.
“The martial artists of the Martial Alliance, who should always be proud, have begun to watch others’ reactions. The Rising Stars, who should be upholding justice and practicing chivalry, are now, somehow, only clinging to fame and fortune. I’m not saying that’s bad. Everyone wants to grasp wealth and honor. But if the methods are not righteous, how are we any different from mere beasts with strength?”
Tension mounted in the Martial Alliance Leader's voice as it grew stronger.
Those who were quick-witted realized what he was about to do, and even those who weren't instinctively knew that something big was about to happen.
[Alliance Leader. What are you trying to say right now?]
[Stop. Unless you intend to wage war against us…]
[Can you handle this?]
The Sect Leaders of the Eight Great Sects sent Sound Transmissions, but Yeo Pil-geuk continued with his prepared speech as if he hadn't heard them.
The current situation of the Mid-Sized and smaller sects, subservient to the Great Sects like subcontractors.
The practice of preemptively signing contracts with talented children before they even reached their teens, then breaking those contracts or passing them off as subcontractors if their growth wasn't satisfactory.
The reason why the Martial Alliance couldn't impose sanctions and instead had to tread carefully.
How these chronic ailments were negatively impacting the Korean Martial.
After pouring out decades of accumulated resentment, he finally dropped the bombshell he had prepared.
“Therefore, the Martial Alliance will propose legislation to strengthen the oversight of corruption within the Great Sects. This Alliance will directly assume the role of a supervisory body, dispersing excessively concentrated power and authority, and creating an environment where martial arts can be cultivated equally!”
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, the Sect Leaders of the Taiji Sword Sect and the Golden Glory Sect, both from the Eight Great Sects, sprang to their feet.
“Alliance Leader. Are you blaming us for your incompetence?!”
“Are you making such preposterous accusations?! The world will know this is a ploy to strengthen the Martial Alliance’s own power!”
Although the Alliance Leader used the term 'Great Sects,' it was clear to everyone that the proposed legislation was targeting the Eight Great Sects.
The anger and opposition of the Eight Great Sect Leaders were natural.
“Hehehe…”
Sun Moon Sect Leader Jang Jin-myeong didn't rise from his seat, but he let out a scoff, his shoulders shaking as if in disbelief.
“Alliance Leader.”
The Changcheon Sword Elder, who had been quietly observing the situation, didn't openly denounce him like the others, but his eyes, too, gleamed coldly.
“The Alliance Leader’s words are merely one-sided assertions. To propose such legislation, there must be more valid reasons and evidence.”
As he dropped the smile that had always graced his lips, an aura as sharp as a honed blade surged forth.
However, Martial Alliance Leader Yeo Pil-geuk, generating a mountain-like aura that refused to be outdone, spoke.
“The true culprit who dared to infiltrate Assassins into the Martial Alliance and instigate harm against the Rising Stars. We shall ask the rest from him.”
“…What is this suddenly? Does that have anything to do with this matter?”
“Of course. Because the culprit is right here.”
“What…?”
A flicker of bewilderment crossed the eyes of the enraged Eight Great Sect Leaders.
They exchanged quick glances, their eyes darting around with the thought, ‘No way?’
‘It can’t be, right? Something so absurd…’
‘Even if it were true, there’s no way he would have left evidence.’
‘What idiot would do such a thing!’
Distrust and suspicion began to creep up among them, and an unknown unease started to transform into fear.
“Heroes of the Martial Alliance, arrest Sun Moon Sect Leader Jang Jin-myeong!”
Simultaneously with the Martial Alliance Leader's resounding cry, martial artists of the Martial Alliance appeared from all directions.
“The charges are multiple murders and incitement to murder! Illegal drug distribution and organ trafficking, and also, it is suspected, the cultivation of forbidden Demonic Arts!”
Yeo Pil-geuk glared at Jang Jin-myeong with the eyes of a judge condemning a criminal.
“I declare Jang Jin-myeong a Martial World Public Enemy!”