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Chapter 7: The Clash of the Great Lords

Thud!

As soon as Muk Yeon spoke, movement was felt from one side.

“What do you mean…!”

“Muk the Strategist—! What on earth are you saying—!!”

Two figures—the Gold Dragon Master and the Iron Dragon Lord—slammed their hands on the table and stood up.

Their expressions were filled with intense resentment.

“You’re saying we’re bringing people in from the outside instead of recruiting from within?”

“That’s against the Alliance’s rules…! How can you even say that—!!”

Their faces reflected a resolute refusal to tolerate such a notion, or perhaps disbelief.

“What exactly do you mean by that—!”

The muscled man, the Gold Dragon’s Great Lord, Double Blade Dongcheon, raised his voice.

His emotions were written all over his face.

But.

“Muk—!”

“Gold Dragon Master.”

“…!”

As Muk Yeon called out softly while looking at him, the previously yelling Double Blade immediately shut his mouth.

‘Oh.’

My eyes widened a bit at the sight.

Muk Yeon was just an ordinary person without any inner strength, while Double Blade was a Martial Artist of Transformation Realm, substantial in skill, yet he was silenced by the call of an old man.

It made me wonder if such a thing was really possible.

‘His presence is no joke.’

The way Muk Yeon presented himself made me think that it was entirely plausible.

He looked frail and thin during the day, an ill old man.

With just a light tap, one could shatter his body into fragments.

He shouldn’t be worth fearing at all.

“Please calm down. The Iron Dragon Lord feels the same way.”

The presence exuding from Muk Yeon made it hard to entertain such thoughts.

I knew nothing about that old man.

Except that his reputation and history marked him as great.

Even without having properly assessed Muk Yeon, I could sense that there was something extraordinary about him.

What about those who had observed him even a little longer?

“…Kuh…”

Indeed, the Gold Dragon Master, who had been furious just moments ago, and the Iron Dragon Lord both returned to their seats, biting their lips.

‘Impressive.’

How could he create such an atmosphere?

In my previous life as Cheon Yu-rang, so many demons had succumbed to his words.

However, Cheon Yu-rang had the Heavenly Demon behind him, so the demons listened to him out of sheer fear.

They must have known, of course, that if they followed him, the chances of survival were far greater.

Some might have staked their lives on that alone, and Muk Yeon was no different.

Of course.

‘Without power, nothing can be achieved.’

From my perspective, it was a form I couldn’t quite understand.

It could count as a kind of power, but ultimately—

‘You need genuine strength.’

No matter how smart or skilled someone might be,

in the face of overwhelming power, it becomes meaningless.

That had always been my conclusion.

Though Muk Yeon’s words momentarily calmed the atmosphere, it didn’t resolve anything.

“However… Muk the Strategist. That statement, no matter how I look at it, sounds absurd.”

“That’s right. No matter how much of a strategist you are, we can’t accept those words.”

The responses were ones of utter refusal.

Given the circumstances, it was understandable.

‘Bringing in outsiders for direct testing is hard to accept.’

There were eight Great Troops in the Alliance.

Now, while a few have crumbled leaving the numbers unsteady, not all eight were affiliated with them.

Only the elite could be part of the formal Sword Team.

Others had to build their skills and positions within the Alliance before entering the ranks.

In such a scenario, the Great Lords suddenly wanted to recruit a young one from outside.

“Aren’t you giving way too much privilege?”

To them, it seemed outright ludicrous.

And it was indeed the case.

“Yes. It’s privilege.”

It was definitely privilege.

“…Strategist…?”

Everyone was left dumbfounded by this bold statement. Only Muk Yeon and I remained expressionless.

“Regarding the Star Dragon’s formation, yes, it is privilege.”

“Are you acknowledging that…?”

“I don’t have to acknowledge anything. Iron Dragon Lord. It was necessary to bring in the Star King as a Great Lord during the induction process.”

“How could that be—!”

“That is the will of the Alliance.”

“…!”

The will of the Martial Alliance.

Hearing those words caused the Iron Dragon Lord’s expression to darken.

“It was as the leader desired, and confirmed by the internal elders’ meeting.”

“Such…”

“I’ll ask. Do you have personnel left in your Sword Team to pull over to form the Star Dragon Team?”

“…”

No one replied.

What that meant was, was there anyone who could be taken from their Sword Team to join the Star Dragon Team?

“More specifically… Is there a Great Lord who can pull out Level 4 personnel?”

“Level 4?!”

The Gold Dragon Master yelled out in haste.

Level 4—it’s the rank received upon entering the Martial Alliance.

The lower the number, the greater the value, with Great Lord level being 1. The sub-captain rank was assigned as 3 to 2.

Level 4 marked the elite among the best.

That meant cannon fodder would need to greatly surpass that level.

“It’s nonsense to request sending Level 4 personnel elsewhere.”

“Yes. I know it’s nonsense. Thus, the Star Dragon Team will be formed using personnel from outside.”

“Instead… Can’t we send those who are still independent?”

“Iron Dragon Lord, have you forgotten the reasons behind forming the Star Dragon Team?”

A dedicated force of the Demonic Faction.

Having declared a cleansing masquerading as a war, one couldn’t simply stuff the Star Dragon Team with mediocre fighters, regardless of appearances.

Level 4 members were at the peak and rare valuable assets even within the Sword Teams.

And yet, are they really going to send such people to me?

‘No way they would.’

No one would send them unless compelled.

Oh, and just to clarify, the idea of bringing outsiders was my condition.

It was part of a few conditions Muk Yeon suggested when trying to bring me along.

‘If I’m to take on the role of Great Lord, I want to have the power to select the Sword Team members myself.’

That was what I desired.

I couldn’t accept a condition that would dictate that all but a few would be members of the Alliance.

It was only natural for them to oppose.

‘Those guys aren’t concerned with the Alliance’s traditions? History? They don’t care about any of that.’

I was going to build my Sword Team to my liking, so don’t meddle in it.

That was the intent behind it.

And if that happened—

‘My Sword Team would likely grow considerably.’

Whatever the outcome, it would undoubtedly not result in a tiny Sword Team.

They objected fiercely, foreseeing that…

‘What are they planning with such reactions this early on.’

If they were already reacting this way to just this, I wondered how they would cope with the next story.

While I pondered over it, keeping an eye on the situation,

“This matter has already been decided. I won’t hear any further discussions on it.”

“Strategist…!”

“One more thing.”

No matter how much the Great Lord protested, Muk Yeon showed a posture of not listening. I felt a mix of curiosity and doubt.

‘Is it really okay for him to be this brazen?’

Even if Muk Yeon’s position was quite high, making such a challenge seemed a bit risky.

Just as that worry flitted through my mind,

“Except for the Blue Dragon Team, one of the currently existing Sword Teams will assist the Star Dragon Team in carrying out its tasks.”

Muk Yeon added that last bit.

At that moment, the heat in the room extinguished.

Everyone froze, as if their bodies had turned to stone.

The once heated atmosphere turned cold as a chill swept over the room.

Had I misheard?

Everyone was lost in their thoughts, questioning what was uttered.

“…Strategist.”

In the midst of that, Double Blade spoke up with a rigid expression.

“What… what do you mean by that?”

The weight in his tone was far beyond before.

Filled with fury and tremors.

Double Blade seemed ready to explode at any moment as he struggled to continue speaking.

“Are you telling us to come under the Star Dragon Team?”

“Not under, but to assist—”

“Isn’t that the same thing!”

Bang!

He slammed his fist down on the table with a resounding crash.

Crack! The table shattered under the force, and Double Blade began glaring at Muk Yeon with fiery eyes.

He was right.

While they called it assistance, it was essentially telling them to be servants of the Star Dragon Team.

It’s shocking.

‘Is that old man insane…?’

How could he say such a thing openly? I had expected something more nuanced from Muk Yeon, but he just bluntly threw it at the Great Lords.

Assisting the Star Dragon Team.

That was also a part of the conditions I had added.

The leaders of the Main Sect, upon assuming the position, received several orders.

Naturally, this includes being able to command one’s own Sword Team.

A significant power was—

‘The authority to mobilize branches.’

Though the branch leaders managed their respective branches, should a command be given from the Great Lord of the Main Sect, it was obliged to be followed.

There were various other matters, but none were as crucial.

If I were to succeed as Great Lord, I had requested the ability to mobilize a Great Troop.

Naturally, that would be rejected.

They deemed it impossible to withstand the backlash from the other Great Lords.

I thought that was expected.

However, I had also refused to accept that.

I made it clear I wouldn’t take the position unless that was included.

Muk Yeon’s response was that he would provide aid under that name instead of direct command.

But why was he so openly declaring it now?

Isn’t that just putting me under someone else’s command?

“I know that my being made a Great Lord is a privilege, but how can you treat us this way—!”

Being called “someone who doesn’t know anything.”

I couldn’t help but let out a slight chuckle.

‘As expected.’

It seemed my presence wasn’t well-received.

Double Blade was gritting his teeth in barely contained rage, while the Iron Dragon Lord looked like he could burst through the door at any moment.

‘How’s Muk Yeon planning to handle this?’

If he managed to deal with this, he would truly be an exceptional figure.

With curiosity, I turned to see him, but—

‘Huh?’

Muk Yeon was looking at me too.

Why were they both staring at me, especially in the midst of Double Blade and Eunranggeom’s reactions?

What could that gaze indicate?

I held Muk Yeon’s gaze, pondering,

‘Oh.’

Was it possible—

A sudden thought crossed my mind. Could this be related?

Tap…! Tap. Tap.

Muk Yeon gently tapped the table three times.

“Ha.”

Seeing that made me conclude that my suspicion was indeed correct.

‘That old man?’

If I was right, every move since that first conflict with Il Cheonggeom up until this moment was part of Muk Yeon’s grand plan.

Connecting the dots, it likely had to do with the third condition I had set forth.

“…Haha.”

Realizing that, a laugh escaped me uncontrollably.

“…?”

As I let out a laugh, all eyes turned to me.

I didn’t want to laugh, but it was involuntary.

“Wow. This is really impressive.”

“…What?”

Double Blade frowned deeply at my reaction.

“What’s so funny?”

“No, it’s funny, you know?”

I chuckled lightly, rising slightly from my seat. Honestly, I was irritated at the predicament, but this felt like a moment to indulge a little.

After standing, I addressed Double Blade.

“Seriously, it’s hilarious how those insignificant figures are so busy guarding their own bowls—couldn’t help laughing at that, right?”

“…What?”

“What are you saying—!”

“If you’re here as an aide, you should be thankful. Know your place.”

Screech.

I cleared the table with a swipe and looked at Double Blade, Eunranggeom, and the other Great Lords.

“Seems like you’re misunderstanding something. It’s not about you coming under me.”

I nodded lightly, gazing forward.

“I’m the one graciously accepting you useless folks. Why don’t you get that?”

Boom!

As soon as I finished my statement, energy surged forth.

Right in front of Double Blade.

“This brat.”

With a nasty curse, his energy began to deepen.

“Acting like the world belongs to you just because you’re being supported? Watch your tongue.”

“That’s exactly my point.”

Thud.

Ignoring the rising aura, I strode closer.

I didn’t pick up speed.

“Is it because everyone has pampered you as Great Lords that you’ve lost touch with reality?”

“This brat dares—!”

Smack—!

“…!!”

Double Blade’s hand, which had been reaching for his sword, widened in shock.

He couldn’t even grab the hilt, as it got deflected away.

That was because I had swung my arm, knocking it aside.

“Don’t get it twisted. Even if you were the original, I wouldn’t have given you a second chance on your knees.”

Clang!

As that scene unfolded, Eunranggeom next to him drew his sword.

Seeing that, I continued to advance.

Center stage.

There were a couple of tables around, but I brushed them aside.

Standing at the center, I faced those glaring with hostility.

“Seems like many of you have complaints about why a guy like me is becoming a Great Lord.”

Waggling my fingers, I spoke up.

“Why don’t you come up one by one? I’ll make those complaints disappear.”

I flashed a bright smile as I said this.

And immediately—

Grrrghhh.

Killing intent rose from all directions.

 

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