“Guess what? I got a letter from Lady So!”

The Head of the Former Society, Gu Hwa-rin, hurriedly checked the letter. However, the contents written inside were completely different from what he expected.

It was filled with fervent handwriting affirming that the real master was indeed real. Not a fake—like it was broadcasting the message with their entire body.

But…

The destination once again snagged at his heels.

“…Did you say you turned toward the Martial Alliance?”

If only he’d bothered to come to the Former Society, he could have at least set aside a handful of doubt.

The one who called himself ‘Jeok-un’ raised yet another suspicion about his true intentions.

“…Is he really connected to the Martial Alliance Leader?”

“I’ve heard that it was the current Martial Alliance Leader who sent the great warrior Jeok-un to the slaughter…”

“This is… so…”

The leadership of the Former Society fell silent. They held their tongues, wary of Gu Society’s perception.

Gu Hwa-rin also couldn’t speak a word.

He didn’t want to suspect. If he had the luxury, he would want to confirm with his own eyes.

But at such a time. At this very moment.

Everything seems to be working in favor of the former Martial Alliance?

The rumors he heard were also strange. To side with the Former Society, the Blood Lord was heading toward the Martial Alliance.

It felt like watching a scripted drama unfold before his eyes.

It felt as if a choreographed play was happening right before him.

The Blood Lord. He heard the current rules call him that. If he has truly grown stronger than before, it’s not entirely impossible to be called that.

However…

Is there truly a warrior strong enough to single-handedly seek out the Martial Alliance Leader within the Martial Alliance?

If one were to ask if Jeok-un possessed such strength, Gu Hwa-rin would shake his head.

Two years.

A long time, but also a short two years.

An absurdly brief period to attain something. The higher the level, the more so.

The land of Huaxing. Jeok-un himself had previously proclaimed he was standing at its edge. Even if he were to reach Hyun-kyung’s realm by some chance…

He didn’t think it possible to defeat the Martial Alliance Leader from within the Martial Alliance. Even at the same Hyun-kyung level, the discrepancies in experience would hold him back. The number of people would also differ, and even if he possessed great strength, he wouldn’t be able to easily overcome all those circumstances.

Yet he failed to think of such simple things?

He was an upright individual. Not someone who turns a blind eye to evil.

Trying to side with the Former Society. That could be genuine, but…

There’s no way he would recklessly proceed like this. It wasn’t an urgent matter demanding such a timeline.

He’s not someone with a short-sighted approach. If he truly sought to support the Former Society, he would understand that joining us and moving together would be the right course of action.

But… that he would go to meet those who sent him to slaughter without any preparation, along with his two disciples?

“…Fake.”

Gu Hwa-rin hardened his resolve. The wavering doubts only strengthened the notion that the present Jeok-un was a fake.

All the half-baked occurrences thus far have now crystallized into the sudden shift of destination.

He had no reason to insist on heading to the Martial Alliance first.

Even if it were for revenge, within the Martial Alliance, there would be nothing but those sworn to the Martial Alliance Leader; did he truly envision charging recklessly at that person after piercing through it all?

As expected.

He’s clearly a fake.

Deceiving the entire Former Society, the one who claims to be Jeok-un plans to infiltrate the Former Society later.

“…Ugh.”

Gu Hwa-rin gritted his teeth. The expectations he’d held onto crumbled entirely, leaving him in darkness, but…

An even greater anger swelled. A fake capable of deceiving even Gwangyang and Narin.

He must’ve certainly been well prepared. Martial Alliance Leader.

But you won’t fool me.

“…Send someone to Narin and Gwangyang separately.”

“They are already entering the territory of the Martial Alliance.”

“The defenses of the former Martial Alliance are incredibly strong…”

“It is nearly impossible to recklessly thrust our people into current external forces.”

“Even if they are a bit slow, that’s fine. We must absolutely convey the message to Gwangyang and Narin.”

Gu Hwa-rin ordered coldly.

“Hide yourselves by any means. I absolutely cannot overlook the malignant deeds committed by the former Martial Alliance. They mock the name of the deceased and now seek to exploit that legacy… Spread the word to everyone in the Former Society. Prepare for war.”

. . .

The carriage moved. A massive city gradually came into view, welcoming us.

Countless buildings sprawled even beyond the castle. The well-maintained path starting from outside the castle still demonstrated the grandeur of the Martial Alliance itself.

The envoy from the Martial Alliance beside me casually kept trying to engage me in conversation, but I ignored it all. Listening to tales that praised the very achievements of the Martial Alliance was giving me a slight headache.

“…Sigh.”

“Oh! Are you tired, Great Warrior Jeok-un? That’s understandable. To shake off travel fatigue, our Alliance’s accommodations are truly exceptional…”

“Knock it off!”

“Stop bothering the Master! Damn it!”

“I merely wanted to show my concern…”

As Gwangyang and Narin bellowed angrily, the envoy finally closed his jabbering mouth. I patted the heads of the two sitting next to me.

“Thank you.”

“We could totally let it get out of hand. Master.”

“Just give the word, and I’ll bury him.”

“Thanks, but let’s not take it that far.”

The slow-moving carriage finally entered the gate of the castle. Despite being split into the old Martial Alliance and the new one…

The haven of the old Martial Alliance, which still claimed to be one, still boasted its splendor.

Familiar buildings. The street I’d seen before.

The envoy from the Martial Alliance rubbed his hands.

“Now then, Great Warrior Jeok-un. Isn’t it right to greet the Alliance Leader first?”

“I’ll go later.”

“…Hm? Why’s that?”

“Isn’t it proper to wash up and put on clean clothes before meeting someone? We can visit the Alliance later, so let’s part ways here for now.”

“Staying in our top-tier accommodation…”

“A general inn would be better.”

He smacked his lips. He nodded as if to say he had no choice in the matter.

He insisted in a tone of quiet confirmation that I should come tomorrow. Still, I dryly reiterated the same answer.

“We’ll determine the time for our visit to the Alliance ourselves.”

“…Cough! Very well then.”

The envoy’s carriage sped quickly through the streets. Perhaps he was hurrying to report that we had arrived at the Alliance.

For now, I settled in with the Jinju Family. The reason for not entering the internal structure of the Martial Alliance was not just to wipe away my accumulated fatigue but…

Before entering the Martial Alliance, I wanted to assess their movements.

“Su-ryeon. I’d like to know the current situation within the Martial Alliance in detail. Starting from danger points to current trends.”

“Leave it to me.”

The assassins swiftly dispersed. After unpacking my luggage, I waited for them until late at night.

Su-ryeon returned at midnight. She perched herself by the window with Il-ho and reached out to me.

“It was tough.”

“Thank you as always, Su-ryeon.”

After pulling her into my embrace, I heard about everything that had taken place. She chattered about the information she had gathered while nestled in my arms.

“The old Martial Alliance is still based here. However, the new Martial Alliance has set up camp a bit away from the Mudaeng. Everyone already knows this part of the information, but…”

“Information, but?”

“There’s a group called the Divine Army, newly established by the Martial Alliance Leader. It’s best to describe it as the elite direct unit of the Martial Alliance Leader. They were once renowned throughout the martial realm, but now they’ve officially joined the Martial Alliance’s forces. They’re also the ones who laid the groundwork for the current leader.”

Su-ryeon leaned her head against my chest.

“But they’ve recently been moving towards the Martial Alliance. Originally, they were scattered around as interim managers in each region, but now some have come up.”

“…….”

“The Divine Army acted like managers in each regional Martial Alliance branch, but the specifics of their tasks aren’t known. However, judging by their movements, it’s safe to see them as a sword that the Martial Alliance Leader wields at will…”

“The reason they gathered might be due to me, right?”

“Perhaps so. But it’s not definitive. The important thing is that the Divine Army is not a weak organization. They are the elite that the Martial Alliance Leader has gathered secretly, and they primarily consist of those who’ve boasted of their fame in the martial world… They can be viewed as the finest swords of the current Martial Alliance.”

The Divine Army.

The divine army.

I repeated the unfamiliar name of this organization silently to myself.

“…It’s almost a foregone conclusion that they are dangerous. Judging by the current reactions of the Martial Alliance Leader, perhaps…”

“If they can’t take you, they’ll likely try to eliminate you. The task they couldn’t complete before, they’ll now attempt personally. Jeok-un, the Martial Alliance Leader is not one to tolerate those who threaten his position. However, if he can use the fame you have brought once again to solidify the current basis of the Martial Alliance… he’ll likely aim to exploit you yet again. Like before, you’ll be tossed aside once you’ve served your purpose.”

“I understand.”

“I do not recommend entering the Martial Alliance. Since it’s the territory of the former Martial Alliance, anything could happen. However… if you wish to publicly acknowledge your allegiance to the Former Society, this would indeed be the stage to do so. What you’re trying to do for them is akin to creating a fence, isn’t it?”

“Su-ryeon sees it clearly.”

“While displaying your strength, simultaneously proving that you’re firmly on the side of the Former Society seems to require entering the Martial Alliance. It would be fitting to appear threatening to deliver a warning through strength. As the gap between you and them grows, their actions will become increasingly cautious. They won’t engage in childish antics like the Jegeal Family did.”

Su-ryeon looked up at me.

“I’ve decided. This time, the girl shall accompany you as well.”

“……? I thought that would be obvious…”

“No, it would be better to elaborate a bit more. To display a show of force. To show that the forces excluding Jeok-un are also present to perform the role of a fence efficiently.”

Su-ryeon snapped her fingers.

“Every assassin from Sapa will also enter the Martial Alliance. There’s a sense of intimidation that comes with the number of people. The girl will support that.”

“…But then, Sapa gets entangled in this matter… Will that be okay?”

“It’s alright. We’re planning to defect anyway.”

Su-ryeon looked pleased.

“I’m also asking you to take responsibility. We’re leaving together, you got it?”

“…….”

I scratched Su-ryeon’s chin. Although her body was that of a child, her plans flowed naturally like a serpent.

Su-ryeon’s age suddenly came to mind. She was no longer just a child. She was a woman.

“Su-ryeon is indeed… mature.”

“…….?”

Su-ryeon smiled knowingly.

“Please continue to see me that way.”

 

---