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**

Unexpected Allies.

I recalled the sensation of my hand touching Su-ryeon. Ilma said there are many things contained within the hand.

There was no smell of blood. What was immersed within was simply effort.

The level was also high. At least peak extraordinary, perhaps.

There are many hidden masters in the righteous sect. No, she might be the special one.

“…Where have you been wandering so late at night?”

In front of the lodging I returned to, Myochoa was standing there. Opposite her, Geumpyeong was also leaning against the wall.

Did they return without finding me when I suddenly disappeared during their pursuit?

“I was just looking around, wondering if there was anything to gain.”

“……”

Myochoa clicked her tongue softly. She turned her foot and headed inside.

Geumpyeong stared at me intently. Then he silently turned around.

Having two eyes feels quite strange.

“…….”

Geumpyeong. He seems to be thinking that I should eradicate corruption as a member of the Martial Alliance.

In contrast, Myochoa is only full of thoughts to obstruct me.

I could perhaps make one of them my ally. But I didn’t want to use either. While it might be convenient, it would be akin to taking a side in the power struggle.

I came here just to do my own work. I wasn’t interested in politics or power. I didn’t want to get involved.

As I looked at the two walking away, I glanced down the street.

Shaolin and the missing persons.

The Sapa and the still-alive Great Master Cheonil.

To confirm all those causal relationships…

I needed to find out if the words of the Sapa were true.

Su-ryeon.

I felt that what that woman said might be true. But didn’t my Master say several times?

This isn’t my hometown. It’s enemy territory.

There is nothing more foolish than being careless in enemy territory. I should at least go through minimal verification.

Being used without knowing anything…

Once is enough.

…

Myochoa’s eyes narrowed.

The sudden shift in events.

It flowed towards the past story of Shaolin rather than the missing persons. Jeok-un, who was gathering information on foot, was chasing the remnants of Sapa.

“So…”

It’s laughable how a few drinks have those fools bragging about past stories as if they were heroic tales.

Could it be… that she thinks of them as potential suspects?

Myochoa scoffed. Nonsense. They don’t have the capability for such things, nor would they.

The real culprit is likely someone related to Shaolin. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense that they haven’t been caught until now.

If I were to be meticulous…

It would be wise to investigate the surrounding businesses first. Money is a flow. If you follow the money trail, there will always be those who spend more than they earn.

Tracking them down should reveal the overall outline. Of course, examining the businesses would be difficult…

But that would be the fastest way to uncover the truth.

In other words, listening to past events has no significance. What we should focus on is the present. The dead from the past don’t come back to kidnap people.

Of course, this is good.

The more Jeok-un becomes an incompetent fool, the more the status of the current Martial Alliance Leader who appointed him as Inspector will decline.

But…

“……..”

Myochoa glanced sideways.

She looked at Geumpyeong, who was quietly following at a distance.

He’s a person of the Martial Alliance. That’s for sure. Gu Yangdo Geumpyeong. He’s like the arms and legs of the Martial Alliance Military.

But for some reason, he didn’t help Jeok-un. I wonder why.

Is he not an ally…? Or is he just someone to be discarded?

A mere show of action? Is it that he feels like he has used up the title of Muk Geom just by being dispatched to Shaolin?

If that’s not the case…

Keeping a vague distance… as if he might dispose of him if things go awry…

“…Ah.”

Bait.

Myochoa belatedly realized her misunderstanding.

From the perspective of the Martial Alliance Leader, any choice they made could benefit him.

If Jeok-un solves the problem, then it’s good. The moment he exposes the corruption of Shaolin, the faction that threatened his position will be severely suppressed.

If Jeok-un fails to solve it, it’s also fine. If he keeps digging into Shaolin’s affairs, they will eventually plan to kill him, and the current Martial Alliance Leader can use that issue to pressurize Shaolin.

“…….”

If he resolves the issue, it won’t stop at just one matter concerning Shaolin. The Martial Alliance Leader will send him to other factions to solidify his own position.

Then what? After incessantly resolving issues?

If that absurdity succeeds… then eventually, the fame of the one being used will become greater than the honor of those who used him…

He will be discarded right away.

These are all things that one could infer immediately if they had a brain. I hadn’t considered the possibility of Jeok-un being a person of the Martial Alliance Leader.

Does he know?

…If he did, he wouldn’t be acting like this!

The bait has already been taken. Surely he was drawn in by the position of Inspector.

The only way to resolve the current situation without sacrifices is for that Muk Geom, known for his lack of ability, to admit his shortcomings and relinquish his position as Inspector.

He will have to bear all the dishonor, but he may save his life. Myochoa took a step forward.

She grabbed Jeok-un’s arm.

“Let’s talk later.”

“…….?”

“It’s about your life.”

Myochoa lowered her voice. Soft enough not to be heard by Geumpyeong.

“I’ll visit you tonight.”

…

In the middle of the night, Myochoa came to see me.

Although her attitude remained the same, the look in her eyes had changed. After she shut the door with a bang, she pulled down the curtain by the window.

“Shh.”

She closed her eyes. Along with that, I could see an invisible thread-like sensation spreading outwards.

This is…

It’s impressive control.

Quite splendid.

After looking around for a while, Myochoa opened her eyes.

“…Geumpyeong is already asleep. I checked before coming out, so there’s no need to worry.”

“…….”

“Muk Geom. Do you know what position you’re currently in?”

I leaned against the wall. Quietly watching the flickering lantern.

“What are you trying to say?”

“You’re trapped in a net from which you cannot escape. There’s only one exit, but to get through that exit, you have to shed your scales.”

“……..”

“Before Shaolin kills you. Or before the Martial Alliance kills you… leave this place. Step down from the position of Inspector.”

“Please explain.”

“The current Martial Alliance Leader is a vicious person. He wears a mask of good intentions, but his true nature is twisted. It’s already a well-known story that the Namgung family is embroiled in corruption. Everyone keeps their mouths shut, but there’s hardly anyone in the Central Plains who doesn’t know about that darkness.”

“…….”

“Don’t look at me with that expression. Do you think I’m lying right now? It’s not just the Namgung family. The Five Great Families. Gu Five Alliance. Most of the sects in existence are like this. They all accumulate wealth and power through all kinds of absurdities, as if competing with each other. My Master and I are at least trying to resolve the situation in a correct direction.”

Myochoa frowned.

“To correct everything, we need to change the head first. At the very least, we need to bring down the current Martial Alliance Leader. Only by removing a person who wields power recklessly can we truly begin.”

“Then who will take his place?”

“A person of integrity. Someone who won’t be corrupted even if they hold power. There’s only one such person in the world—someone with both talent and experience…”

“Are you talking about Elder Dan Ri Jin Su?”

“…It’s strange when you put it that way. I have no ulterior motives. My Master and I are not interested in wealth or glory. We are only trying to stand there for the greater good.”

A struggle for power to seize control.

Two sides divided over the position of Martial Alliance Leader.

One side is the corrupt current Martial Alliance Leader, Namgung Hyuk…

The other claims to be the uncorrupted, Elder Dan Ri Jin Su of the Martial Alliance.

I summarized this simply in my mind and gazed at Myochoa.

“Myochoa.”

“Yes.”

“I know that the Martial Alliance Leader is trying to use me.”

“…….?!”

“And I know that you are trying to stop that. You’re using various sects to create a force that can face off against the Martial Alliance Leader, right? To ensure he isn’t reappointed. Naturally, that force would include Shaolin as well.”

“…That’s impressive. I thought you were just someone who lived without thinking, but you’re not.”

“I have my own brain and ears. If I had heard a lot but didn’t even organize it, I wouldn’t have been appointed as Inspector.”

Myochoa clicked her tongue.

Now that I see it, it seems like a habit. The way she clicks her tongue seems to be a habit when something unexpected happens.

We can’t suppress the Martial Alliance Leader with just us. We need to align with several factions of the same level, at least, to maintain the balance. This is already a story that has been negotiated behind the scenes. Half of the Gu Five Alliance agreed to work with us, and one of them is this Shaolin too.

“…….”

“They are necessary to maintain the balance, and you are trying to break that with your own hands right now. If this opportunity passes, there will never be another chance. The moment the Martial Alliance Leader is re-elected, the alliance will be shattered, and we will be purged.”

“…….”

“And this is also related to your life. Muk Geom. Think about it. If you keep poking around Shaolin, you will die. Whether by Shaolin or a third force. An outsider interfering in the affairs of another sect is no different than smashing the face of that sect. The Martial Alliance Leader used your hands to declare war on Shaolin.”

“Go on.”

“Even if by some chance you survive and resolve the issue, you’ll keep being assigned similar tasks like this. Then, it’ll be fine… let’s say you’ve resolved every matter given to you. Let’s just assume you’re incredibly talented and have thwarted numerous assassination attempts and uprooted all corruption. But do you think that would be the end?”

Myochoa put a cigarette holder in her mouth.

With a demeanor that didn’t match her elegant and beautiful appearance, she exhaled smoke.

“Muk Geom. Your reputation will also rise immensely. And the current Martial Alliance Leader, Namgung Hyuk, will not sit idly by. Because it signifies the emergence of another person who threatens him.”

“…….”

“In the end, no matter how well you act, you will die by the hands of the Martial Alliance. So please take my advice. Before someone kills you, admit your lack of ability and step down from the position of Inspector. You will have to bear various shameful rumors for a while, but it’s the best way to save your life.”

The lantern flickered.

I turned my head.

I looked at the sword leaned against the wall.

“Myochoa.”

“Yes.”

“I have a question.”

“Ask away.”

“I understand your intentions, Myochoa. The greater good. That is important. I agree as well. A world where no one dies of hunger. A world where lives are not threatened. A world where the weak do not suffer helplessly… I think that is very important. I am more than willing to wield my sword for such a cause.”

“…….”

“But let me ask separately. This current alliance. Even if you sit on the power center of that faction that fights against the Martial Alliance Leader… do you think you can change the world?”

“The plan is already laid out.”

“I don’t know what kind of person Elder Dan Ri Jin Su is. But let’s assume you both harbor the same greater good. That he is benevolent and excellent… and let’s also assume he truly implements reforms for the sake of civilians.”

I stood up.

I positioned myself in front of Myochoa.

“But the foundation of that power is built on the strength of the corrupt. Even if you and your Master draw your swords for justice, will the rest truly support you?”

“…….”

“I think you are faintly aware of it. But despite that, you still push forward, thinking this is the relatively better evil.”

“…….”

“I do not resent your decisions. Myochoa. You have your grounds, and your own strategy. Since I do not know all of it, I have no intention of saying you are wrong. But…”

I reached out for the sword.

“I confirmed just how rotten the current Martial Alliance is since I came here.”

“…….”

“The Four Great Factions have attempted to expand their territories by directly breaking out prisoners, and Kunlun is taking money as hush money for colluding with bandits and thugs.”

“…….”

“Is it right to change our heads for the sake of the Martial Alliance? I think that’s correct. Is it necessary to have a force to restrain the corrupt current Martial Alliance Leader? That’s true as well.”

I strapped the Blood Sword to my waist.

“But in the meantime, the powerless will be trampled on.”

I strapped the Ear Sword Bai Ya to my waist.

“Those who were used will be discarded.”

I strapped the Ear Sword Black Pearl to my waist.

“Those who had dreams will lose even their strength to dream.”

I strapped the Ear Sword Gumang to my waist.

“Your Master called it a necessary sacrifice for me.”

I donned the Blood Wind Clothing. Myochoa’s eyes widened. The ash from the fallen cigarette burned the floor.

I stomped it out.

“Years ago, I was abandoned by the Demon Cult. Myochoa. They dressed it up as for the greater good, but in truth, I was used from start to finish.”

“…That…”

“I am not a hound of the Martial Alliance Leader. But that doesn’t mean I will act according to your will either.”

I took a step.

“Myochoa. You and the Martial Alliance Leader don’t look all that different to me.”

“…….”

“You turn a blind eye to the sacrifices of the few for a brilliant future?”

I walked past her.

I opened the door and stepped outside.

To meet with Su-ryeon.

To gather the information I had obtained until now and be able to trust her.

“Can you really call that… ‘brilliant’?”

 

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