"What in the world is the meaning of this!"
Twin Righteous Swords' shout echoed in all directions.
Crack—!
The desk he struck split in half and collapsed. Those nearby looked at him in surprise.
This was the same for me as well.
Why the sudden tantrum.
His face had turned beet red, and anyone could see he was seething with anger.
At that, I looked at him as if finding it curious and asked.
'Senior, what's the matter?'
"Why the tantrum?"
Oops.
I had blurted the words out and covered my mouth with widened eyes.
My inner thoughts and the words that came out had swapped.
Because of that, Twin Righteous Swords' expression crumpled even further.
"Seongwang, what did you just say."
"Hahaha... I apologize. I made a slip of the tongue."
But it was too big a slip of the tongue. So I added with an awkward expression.
"So. Why the tantrum?"
"..."
Since it's come to this, it's better to just push through. That was the intention behind it.
Hearing this, a rough fighting spirit began to ripple from Twin Righteous Swords' shoulders.
"...Are you asking because you don't know?"
"Yes. I'm asking because I don't know. If I knew, why would I ask?"
Creak.
I rose from the chair I was sitting in.
Standing up, Twin Righteous Swords was slightly taller, but there was no problem making eye contact.
"I told you clearly. If you don't like it, then leave. But why the sudden tantrum?"
Crunch—! A rough sound came from Twin Righteous Swords' fist as he heard the words.
"...Seongwang."
"Yes, Commander."
"Do you think this is all just a joke to you?"
His voice vividly contained seething emotions.
"A joke?"
"The world supports you and praises you as a hero, so does this situation all seem like a joke to you?"
"Hmm."
I tilted my head after hearing the words.
Even showing a gesture as if I didn't understand what he was saying.
"I think I need a more detailed explanation."
"Explanation or whatever. If this isn't tomfoolery, then what is it?"
"Why? I'm working hard."
"Ha, how amusing. Is this what you call working hard?"
Twin Righteous Swords pointed somewhere with his hand. The location was where the applicants had gathered.
Among them, it was the direction where those I had failed were clustered together.
"This is no trivial matter—it's an exam to select the Alliance's sword unit members."
"That's correct."
"Someone who knows that is selecting members in such a nonsensical way?"
At Twin Righteous Swords' statement, the failed applicants nodded as if in agreement.
"The notice posted just the day before having this many participants means it's that significant of an exam. No matter how favorably the Alliance views Seongwang. You are touching their pride and the Murim Alliance's pride, that remains the same."
As he continued speaking, the murmuring grew louder.
Those dissatisfied with my exam method.
To be precise, the failed applicants were like that. They certainly could be.
They must have prepared things. To fail them right at first sight, from their perspective, it was only natural to harbor resentment.
However.
'What am I supposed to do about what I can see?'
What am I supposed to do when it's so clearly visible?
Why did I set Fierce Battle Sword as the standard in the first place?
It wasn't wordplay—it was truly because that person was my standard.
'The passing standard.'
Early Perfected Peak.
Fierce Battle Sword's realm was exactly at that level, and that was my minimum standard.
To be honest, the standard was too high.
From the moment one's realm reaches the Peak, they're already called a master in the Central Plains.
Moreover, the Alliance's elite warriors are mostly at the Peak, and being at Perfected Peak meant they were at the vice-commander level.
In this situation, if someone asks why the standard is Fierce Battle Sword.
'It's my preference, what else.'
To put it bluntly, it was just my preference.
They didn't suit my taste so I failed them, that was all. Finding detailed meaning in this was unreasonable.
"Why. Are you also planning to say to quit if this doesn't please you?"
A sneer appeared on Twin Righteous Swords' face.
"If you wish, I will do so. As Seongwang says, this is your domain. However."
Stopping mid-sentence, Twin Righteous Swords looked at the failed applicants and added.
"With such management from the start, it's doubtful whether you'll receive support as a commander, let alone as a warrior."
"Hmm."
Hearing the words, I also looked at the applicants.
Glimpses of reactions showing they sympathized could be seen.
'I see.'
Only after seeing this could I understand why Twin Righteous Swords was throwing this tantrum.
'Political maneuvering from the start.'
An approach using the applicants and the situation.
Picking at my actions to instill doubt about my qualifications. It seemed he was trying to sway public opinion and create a reaction.
I think it's not a bad method.
Actually, my actions were easy to grab and shake.
There were times I acted excessively. And I was somewhat reckless, so for Twin Righteous Swords who viewed me unfavorably to step forward in great anger like this was not a bad choice.
However.
"Ah. So what Senior is saying is ultimately..."
If there's a problem here.
"I went through the trouble of hiding informants, but you failed them all so you're pissed. Is that what you're saying?"
This was when I didn't have a just cause from my side.
"...What...?"
The sneer on Twin Righteous Swords' face, who was smiling until just now, disappears.
What remained was bewilderment.
This disappeared quickly, but I didn't miss it.
"What are you talking about right now. Informants!"
What nonsense is this. Twin Righteous Swords was about to get angry again as if unjustly accused, but.
"Third, fourth. And ninth."
"...!"
At the numbers I spat out without pause, Twin Righteous Swords' expression crumbled.
"Right?"
The numbers I uttered were none other than the spies Twin Righteous Swords had planted.
"Besides that... where..."
Quickly looking at the remaining applicants, I was about to look for more when.
"What bullshit are you spouting!"
Bang—! Twin Righteous Swords cut off my words and flipped the desk in front of me.
"Not only did you tamper with the examination, now you're trying to pin false charges on me!?"
"False charges?"
"That's right. With words without evidence, you're...!"
"Why do you think there's no evidence?"
"...!"
Twin Righteous Swords' pupils shook greatly.
Honestly, I had no evidence to show, but with that reaction, I could confirm it.
"Seeing your eyes trembling, it seems I'm right."
"Nonsense...!"
Belatedly, Twin Righteous Swords realized his mistake, but this too was already late.
'To be honest, it was already late since it was a part I was already certain about.'
The reason I was certain they were spies when I looked at them.
That was none other than...
'Several of them had similar auras.'
The aura felt from their bodies. My heightened qi perception and mind's eye had caught this.
The fact that they were using similar martial arts.
Of course, that alone was insufficient to judge them as spies. They might have come from the same sect or family.
Moreover, their realms weren't bad either, so if I wanted to select them, I could.
The similar aura I mentioned.
That wasn't just for those three.
'Twin Righteous Swords also has a similar aura.'
It was also similar to the Golden Dragon Commander's aura.
This meant there was a high possibility they were from the martial house Twin Righteous Swords belonged to.
Why would people with that level of realm apply to the Sacred Dragon Brigade instead of the Golden Dragon Brigade?
This was something impossible to explain unless they were spies.
Since I pulled out the spies he had planted, it seemed Twin Righteous Swords was seething with anger.
"So who's the one tampering with the exam?"
It was absurd to me.
"It certainly doesn't seem like it's me."
As I continued with a slight smile, Twin Righteous Swords' expression gradually crumpled further.
"Wh-What nonsensical words...! I mentioned that Seongwang is disrespecting this exam and the Murim Alliance. Don't change the subject!"
Hurriedly, Twin Righteous Swords tried to change the topic.
Just as I was about to explain about this too.
"That's right, Seongwang."
Another voice interjected.
It was Silver Wolf Sword, who had been quietly listening from the side.
"I agree with the Golden Dragon Commander that this exam is wrong."
'What's with this old man.'
Silver Wolf Sword suddenly interjecting, perhaps because Twin Righteous Swords was being pushed back.
'He was staying quiet and now butts in?'
Looking at him, it seemed this man was also involved.
He looks so mild-mannered too.
"Does the Iron Dragon Commander also share the same thought?"
"...Since this exam is entirely under Seongwang's jurisdiction, I cannot intervene in that regard. However, I do think the partiality is clearly a problem."
"Partiality?"
I frowned, wondering what he meant. What was this about now.
"What partiality are you referring to?"
"Upon checking, I understand there are several applicants who are acquainted with Seongwang."
Continuing his explanation, Silver Wolf Sword looked at the sparring arena.
"Not only Fierce Battle Sword standing there now. The woman beside him is..."
He paused as he looked at Namgung Bia's face.
She wasn't even looking at Silver Wolf Sword and was still only looking at me.
"...I understand she is someone who has a betrothal agreement with Seongwang."
"Huh?"
"What does-!"
At Silver Wolf Sword's words, the guys who were looking at Namgung Bia all turned to look at me.
Incredibly, there was hostility in their gazes.
'These bastards?'
What right did they have to express hostility? I was dumbfounded.
"Seongwang's fiancée...?"
"Is that woman really Seongwang's woman?"
"...N-Now that you mention it, I've heard of it. They say Seongwang's fiancée is the Sword Dancer of the Namgung family."
"What? If she's the Sword Dancer... you don't mean the Number One Beauty of Anhui?"
"I only heard rumors... I didn't expect her to be this stunning."
Reactions changed. Confirming this, Silver Wolf Sword immediately added to me.
"Besides that..."
Rustle.
His eyes glanced around at the various letters.
"The warriors who participated in the battle against the Grade-Hundred demonic beast previously. It seems the majority of them have applied as well."
"..."
I nodded at Silver Wolf Sword's words.
He was right. The warriors who attended the previous battle. For some reason, several of them had participated in this recruitment.
"So, what the Iron Dragon Commander is saying is that I'm conducting a biased examination for the sake of my connections. Is that it?"
"It's hard to definitively say otherwise. The circumstances point that way, don't they?"
"Ah..."
Now he's coming at it like that?
Haha. I let out a hollow laugh and said to him.
"So that's how it looks to you."
"If not, I wouldn't be able to understand the reason why you'd fail capable people without even examining them."
"Hmm."
The Iron Dragon Commander's words now seemed to suggest that the reason I was failing them without even looking was because of my connections.
Honestly, I didn't really care about such things being said.
Actually, one of the conditions I set for Mukyeon.
'The five people I want will be brought into my brigade no matter what happens.'
I had set that condition.
So when I think of the people I'll bring in later, such words wouldn't matter, but.
'It's getting a bit annoying that he keeps picking at it now.'
Holding back a sigh, I said to Silver Wolf Sword.
"I'm sorry, but the reason I failed them is simply because they didn't meet my standards. It has nothing to do with connections. And. Even without that, I was at the point of failing that woman because she's my fiancée."
"Because she's weak... What did you see to make such a judgment. Also."
Silver Wolf Sword's eyes turned toward Namgung Bia.
"The fact that Miss Namgung meets the passing standard compared to other failed applicants. That's also something I can't understand. It's not different from a hastily made-up excuse."
"...What?"
"Isn't that right?"
Oh boy.
This is a big problem.
'...Seriously annoying.'
I tried to let it slide appropriately, but he's scraping at my nerves.
I don't know about other things. But Namgung Bia being looked down on really pissed me off.
'What should I do.'
Should I flip him over so he can't get back up, pull out something?
Such a thought crossed my mind, and then.
'...'
An idea suddenly came to me, and I looked at Namgung Bia.
—Hey.
I immediately sent a voice transmission. Namgung Bia, who received it, tilted her head.
—How's your body?
—...What...?
—I'm asking how it is.
—...It's fine.
—Tell me honestly.
—...
The voice transmission didn't come for a moment.
She seemed to be pondering something. After a few seconds passed like that.
—How... fine does it need to be...?
Namgung Bia's answer came. Hearing this, I looked at Silver Wolf Sword next to me and asked.
—This old man next to me. Can you beat him?
—...
Namgung Bia, who heard my words, examined Silver Wolf Sword, and before long, an answer came.
Hearing the answer, I immediately said to Silver Wolf Sword.
"Iron Dragon Commander."
"Yes. Do you have something more to say..."
"Want to make a bet with me?"
"...Yes?"
At the sudden mention of a bet, Silver Wolf Sword's eyebrows twitched.
It was a remark that came completely out of nowhere.
But.
"What strange talk all of a sudden..."
"If I lose the bet, I'll give you my Sacred Dragon Brigade. If you want, I'll even get on my knees and lick your instep."
"..."
"How about it?"
At my question, Silver Wolf Sword made a peculiar expression and asked.
"...What bet are you talking about?"
Hooked.