The Holy King ascends as the Commander of the Main Alliance.
It was news that suddenly spread throughout Henan. Since they even released an official stance through the Beggar's Sect, it was highly credible.
Perhaps they put in considerable effort, but it spread throughout all of Henan in less than a day. All sorts of talks were being exchanged regarding this.
-The Holy King is becoming a Commander...?
-A King-tier martial artist serving as a Commander, I've never heard of such a thing.
Six Seats. No, the seven kings who had now become Seven Seats.
Since the creation of the Murim Alliance, there had never been a case where a King-tier martial artist entered as a Commander.
While there were past instances of them ascending as the Alliance Lord, there had never been one entering as a Commander, so there was much talk about it.
-What does it matter? Didn't the late King Dao come to the Martial Arts Tournament to become the Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad?
Mentioning that King Dao had participated in the martial arts tournament helped them calm down a little.
Seeing how the qualification for Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad was included as the winning prize in this Divine Dragon Martial Arts Tournament, it meant that if King Dao had won, the position of Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad would have gone to him.
Looking at it that way, it wasn't entirely strange for the Holy King to become a Commander, but...
-Even so, the Holy King hasn't even passed twenty yet.
The Holy King, who had barely become an adult.
Setting aside what he had shown in Henan, a few pointed out that his age was too young.
However.
-What does age matter? Rather, if it's the Holy King, we can be relieved.
-The Holy King is sacrificing himself for the ruined Alliance, and you're fussing about his age now?
They were instantly trampled by those who were full of anger.
Public sentiment toward the Alliance was currently quite poor.
To be exact, it was holding up for now, but it would crumble before long.
Given the situation.
-If it's the Holy King, we can be relieved.
-He's the only reliable aspect.
-It's bothersome that it's the Murim Alliance of all things, but if it's the Holy King....
The angry public sentiment was slowly being quelled at the news that the hero who saved Henan had chosen the Alliance.
Though the anger toward the Alliance remained, they now had a reason to temporarily endure it.
This was the effect brought about simply by the Holy King belonging to the Alliance.
When things to say arise, united solidarity is bound to fall apart.
The soaring anger toward the Alliance was slightly shaken by such news, and...
On top of that.
-Did you hear that story too?
There was one more piece of news equal to the Holy King's. The confusion was growing even deeper.
-They say the Divine Dragon Squad will also reappear this time.
-The Divine Dragon Squad...?
Divine Dragon Squad.
Not only was every single member a tremendous expert, but the Commander who led the contemporary Divine Dragon Squad would often become a figure counted in history thereafter.
It was a sword squad with immense influence, called the representative sword squad of the Murim Alliance and the Alliance Lord's direct unit.
Although the Azure Dragon Squad was currently taking its place, it was said to be impossible to even compare when considering its past influence.
Since such a symbolic Divine Dragon Squad announced its revival, countless talks were being exchanged about it.
However.
-No, didn't they say they would select them through the martial arts tournament?
-I heard the winner is supposed to take the Commander position... Then what happens now?
They had already foreseen the revival of the Divine Dragon Squad through the Divine Dragon Martial Arts Tournament.
Everyone who heard the news first expressed bewilderment.
The martial arts tournament had already been interrupted due to the attack, and the winner hadn't been decided either.
No, the problem started from when they said they would select the Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad through a martial arts tournament.
Anyone who knew even a little about the Divine Dragon Squad would have harbored doubts.
That was because the Divine Dragon Squad had one peculiar aspect.
It was that the members of the Divine Dragon Squad might be known, but the identity of the Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad was unknown.
That was the characteristic of the Divine Dragon Squad.
What this meant was that it was a rule for the Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad, after ascending to the position, to wear a mask and act without revealing their identity until their activities ended.
Of course.
‘It's just turning a blind eye.’
Anyway, a martial artist's martial arts inherently reveal their individuality, and if one reached the level of becoming the Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad, the pool of candidates naturally became even smaller.
Because of that, aside from not revealing their identity, there was a culture of implicitly keeping silent even if one found out.
For example, the 11th Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad, the Sword Venerable.
Before he was called the Alliance Lord and the Sword Venerable.
When he was active as the Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad, he wore a golden fox mask and carried out his duties as Commander.
Since the martial art called Moon Flash Divine Sword itself had such strong characteristics, it was said that the majority of people knew that the Sword Venerable was the Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad.
Not only that, most of the past Commanders were like that. If there were any who weren't caught...
‘The last Commander of the Divine Dragon Squad.’
The 16th Commander who held the position before the Divine Dragon Squad disappeared.
Nothing was known about him.
Originally, they would reveal their identity when stepping down from the Commander position.
In the last case, since it resulted in the disbandment of the Divine Dragon Squad, it seemed they didn't bother to speak about the Commander's identity.
That was already almost twenty years ago.
Given that stance, there must have been a lot of talk when they said they would select the Commander and the sword squad members through a martial arts tournament along with the rebirth of the Divine Dragon Squad this time.
If the winner becomes the Commander, wouldn't that mean there was no longer any hiding of their identity?
Had one of the Divine Dragon Squad's unique characteristics disappeared?
Such various talks were going back and forth, but then they suddenly announced the revival of the Divine Dragon Squad even though the martial arts tournament was suspended.
While opinions were divided on how this part would turn out...
"...Haa."
Around the time the sunset slowly began to approach.
The Murong Family's young lady, who heard these words, let out a shallow sigh.
Seeing that, I also swallowed a short, dry gulp.
It was a habit she showed when she didn't like something or was holding back anger.
I had to be as careful as possible here.
At that time.
"Whatever happens..."
The Murong Family's young lady. Murong Huia brought up her words.
"Divine Dragon Squad this, whatever that. In the end, you're going to take the Commander position. Isn't that right, Young Master?"
"Tha...t's right. Somehow."
"Whatever do you mean, somehow? I heard you already stamped the contract."
"I just... verbally, roughly..."
"Then, you didn't stamp it?"
"...Not a stamp. It's a thumbprint."
"..."
"I'm sorry."
I apologized immediately at her glaring gaze.
It seemed no excuses would work.
"Is that something you should be saying right now?"
"If I say, 'But the words are correct here.' you'll get mad... Sorry."
When Murong Huia lightly picked up the water bottle next to her, I grabbed her hand and repeated my apology.
"Aren't you going to let go?"
"If I let go, you'll smash my head with that."
"This won't even crack it. What's your realm, Young Master? It won't even leave a scratch, so just take it."
"Just because I won't get hurt doesn't mean it won't hurt..."
"Then I'll hit you so it hurts. Why would I hit you if it won't hurt? I'll explode and die from frustration if I don't even do this, so just take it."
"Calm down. Let's solve this with conversation. Violence is bad."
"You know that really doesn't suit you, Young Master?"
I know it well.
But I had to say it even like this right now.
"...No, the conditions were really good, okay? I even got more added to it."
I said, still not letting go of her arm.
The strength in Murong Huia's hand slightly relaxed upon hearing my words.
Without her expression softening at all, she continued speaking.
"Of course they were good. If they weren't, you wouldn't have accepted, Young Master."
"Yeah, so just..."
"But did you forget that you promised to tell me first if anything happened?"
"..."
My mouth snapped shut at the point. I certainly had made such a promise.
Anything important. Especially regarding contracts or deals, she asked me to go through her at least once.
I had nodded at the request Murong Huia had spat out.
Honestly, I'm not one to do foolish things, and even though there were smart guys like Cheol Jiseon and Zhuge Hyeok, for matters like this, Murong Huia was much better. Slipping a word to her did help, but...
This was also a means I chose to do suspicious things behind the scenes.
On top of that.
"...You looked busy, so I did that."
"..."
It was also because I was concerned about Murong Huia, who had so much more work lately.
In fact, she was living buried in letters all day long.
The originally large amount of work had doubled due to the attack. And in the midst of this, even before Madam Mi brought up supporting the refugees, it was Murong Huia who had sought them out first and prepared support.
I couldn't imagine how much work she had.
Was she even eating? Was she sleeping? She was overworking that thin body of hers to the extreme. Bringing up such useless stories in the middle of all that was too much.
"That's why I stayed quiet. Besides, things seem to have worked out well. First, calm down a lit..."
"Who do you think I'm busy for?"
"Huh?"
Just as I was trying hard to explain the situation, my body flinched at the incredibly cold voice.
Was it an illusion?
Right now, not only did the temperature around Murong Huia drop, but it seemed like snow was falling.
There was no way snow could fall in a space with a perfectly fine roof.
Then what was that?
"I'm busy all because of you...!"
"Wait...!"
"I'm working myself to death, cutting back on sleep just to get a little affection from you! What? You couldn't tell me because I looked busy!? Is that even an excuse!!"
"Calm down! Try to calm down...!"
"Calm down my ass! Are you even human!? Even if you traded your sense for martial arts, it shouldn't be this bad!"
Well, I'm not human anymore.
Funnily enough, that thought crossed my mind the moment I heard the words.
Was that why?
I accidentally let go of the arm I was holding.
As the pressure released, the water bottle soared high into the sky.
I'm fucked.
I should just take the beating. I thought so, slightly furrowing my eyes, but...
"...You son of a..."
Unable to bring herself to hit me, Murong Huia just held the water bottle with a flushed face.
"Huh?"
Then, Murong Huia's eyes turned red and moisture seeped into them.
The tearful eyes began to well up.
It was my first time seeing such a sight in my life, and my eyes widened.
Was she really going to cry?
Murong Huia of all people crying...?
It was a sight I had never seen in my past life, let alone this one.
Seeing that, I panicked so much that my body froze solid.
At that moment.
Murong Huia put down the water bottle she was holding and whipped around.
"...Whatever. I have so much work to do, so I'll leave first."
"...Uh... Huh?"
Like that, Murong Huia left, and I could only stare at her back without being able to say a word.
Uh, this seems like a really big problem.
I looked to the side with creaking eyes.
Then, countless gazes were waiting for me.
Among them, the women's gazes were especially fierce.
Right now was a mealtime where we had gathered for the first time in a while.
I brought it up since we gathered anyway as there were things to say about the Commander matter, but I didn't know Murong Huia would explode like that upon hearing it.
"..."
A heavy silence with no words flowed.
As the uncomfortable quiet continued.
"...It's a bit hard for me to say this, but."
The first to speak was Wi Seol-a, who was finishing her third bowl of rice.
"Young Master, you were in the wrong this time."
"..."
At Wi Seol-a's words, Nangong Bi-a and Dang So-yeol nodded their heads.
Only then did I truly realize that I was more screwed than ever.
******************
After finishing the meal, I moved immediately.
If it were up to my heart, I wanted to go find Murong Huia, but I had a prior appointment, so I couldn't.
"Did you fight?"
Those were the words that came as soon as I entered the appointment location.
"...How did you know?"
"Hearing your answer, it seems you really did fight."
"No. Rather than saying we fought..."
It was closer to me being unilaterally beaten up.
I couldn't say a word and kept getting hit, but the one hitting me just cried and ran out.
"Anyway, how did you know?"
When I asked in a flustered tone, the owner of this room. Madam Mi, the Head of the Baekhwa Merchant Group, looked at me.
"The Branch Head's expression looks exactly like someone, so I couldn't not know."
"Who?"
"There is. A foolish and very stupid woman."
Madam Mi smiled slightly as she spoke.
That was surprising, but I had to say what I had to say.
"Then she must not look much like her."
"...?"
"She isn't stupid. She's actually quite smart."
"..."
To call Murong Huia stupid. I couldn't stand that.
So when I blurted it out as if refuting, Madam Mi's smile deepened a little more.
"In this regard, you are twice as good as your father."
"...Suddenly?"
Why was my father popping up here?
Rustle.
Madam Mi, who finished speaking, began looking through the letters one by one again.
The amount of letters had increased from last time.
"I heard the story. That you're going in as a Commander?"
Words heard while she was looking through the letters. I gulped at that.
"...Yes."
Am I going to get an earful here too? Tension crept up slowly, but...
"They say you're the youngest Commander?"
Madam Mi asked a somewhat sudden question.
"...Yes? Ah, yes."
"They call you the Holy King. And also the youngest King."
"Yes. That's right."
"Do you know the meaning of 'youngest'?"
"I, I know."
"It means you reached it at the youngest age."
"Yes. I know."
Didn't I clearly answer that I knew? Why was she continuing to explain?
"It means you are so talented and outstanding that you defeated all your senior predecessors despite your young age."
"So... I know..."
"The youngest King and the youngest Commander.... What a great deed. Truly a great. Hem. Deed."
What, it looked like she just laughed.
Madam Mi, who was about to smile, suddenly lowered the corners of her mouth as if trying to hide her laughter.
What was it. What was this situation right now. Not only Murong Huia's tears earlier, but this current situation was even harder to understand.
"Ah, do you have a copy of the contract with you?"
"I do."
Of course, I received it on the spot as soon as I got it.
When I asked for paper and a brush, Mok-yeon took them out of his bosom; looking at his face, it seemed he wouldn't have given it if I hadn't said anything.
He's as sly as an old man. Anyway, I can't let my guard down.
"I'd like you to show it to me later. Would that be alright?"
"...If you wish, I'll call someone to deliver it to you."
"Alright."
Madam Mi nodded as if satisfied with the answer.
Was this the end of the conversation?
‘Why I did it. Or if I really had to do it, she doesn't ask?’
It was a much simpler conversation than expected.
Did she call me for this? I came fully tense because Madam Mi called me.
"..."
"..."
No more words followed. It seemed the conversation was over.
So, I was thinking of carefully bowing and leaving, but...
"...And."
Madam Mi hesitated and spat out her words.
At that voice, I stiffened my body that was about to leave.
"Yes?"
"That..."
"Yes."
"That um..."
"...?"
She must have called me because she had business, but Madam Mi couldn't easily spit out the words and was hesitating.
Did she forget what she was saying? That couldn't be. The great Madam Mi wouldn't do that.
Then, why on earth was she acting like that? Just as I was slowly growing curious.
"...You did... well."
Madam Mi said that to me.
"...Uh..."
Hearing that, my mind went blank for a moment.
"...Thank you."
I barely spat out an answer. I struggled because no words came to mind.
It was just a simple compliment, but it felt bizarre.
"...Right, you may go back now."
"...Yes. Then, I will see you next time."
After hesitating and bowing, I stepped out of the room.
"..."
Right after Gu Yangcheon left like that.
Madam Mi, left alone, looked at the letters again.
Rustle.
Rustle.
The sound of fiddling with the letters could be heard for a while.
"They said youngest."
Madam Mi suddenly spat out a word.
It looked like an empty room, but there was definitely someone listening.
-Yes.
An answer came from the ceiling.
"Holy King.... The Alliance may have added some machinations, but he rose to the position, of course. They even say he became the youngest Commander."
-I heard it as well.
"...Isn't he truly remarkable. He's great and proud."
-...
"I should probably have the Branch Head send him something. Since he'll be active as a Commander now, he'll need some money in his hands, so starting with what's at the branch..."
-Why didn't you say that when the Young Master was here?
"..."
Madam Mi, who was speaking joyfully as if in a good mood, stopped at her guard's words.
Her eyes shook. The guard, having seen his master's opening, added.
-If you had said it, the Young Master would have been happy too.
Surely he would have been.
The guard tried saying that to his master, but...
"I cannot do that."
Madam Mi said to the guard in a quiet voice, unlike before.
"To do that, I am still afraid."
-Afraid of what, may I ask?
A woman who feared nothing in the world.
It was too weak a remark for a woman who seemed like she would lose to no one, despite not having learned martial arts.
"It feels like I'd be burdening that child. So, not yet."
-...
It wouldn't. Tell him even now.
The guard wanted to say that, but had to endure it.
Anything more than this would be crossing the line.
Knowing that, the guard decided to bring up another topic first.
-Then, will you also not speak of that?
"What are you talking about?"
-That...
Madam Mi looked as if she didn't know what it was. Seeing that, the guard spoke in an incredulous voice.
-The fact that the First Elder of the Gu Family is coming to Henan with the former Head.
The main point she originally called Gu Yangcheon to tell.
Because she didn't bring up that topic, the guard was asking for the reason.
The moment he spat out those words.
-...Head?
"..."
The guard could see it.
That a crack had formed in the expression of the Head of the Baekhwa Group, the greatest under heaven.
In an unbelievable situation, the guard asked carefully.
-...Did you perhaps forget?
"..."
That's right.
Madam Mi, in her excitement, forgot what she had to say.
This was one of the few mistakes in her life.