Chapter 783: Past Life.
Roughly speaking, it was a time not too different from now.
If there was a difference, it would be about a year more.
Originally, even leaving the household would have been a problem, let alone joining the Sega. Yet, for some reason, my father, the head of the family, thrust me into the Murim Alliance.
That was quite strange.
In a situation where they wouldn’t even let me outside the family, they carelessly tossed me all the way to Hanam.
Even thinking back on it now, it’s hard to comprehend…
But back then, it didn’t really matter.
Should I say it was better?
I thought I could escape this damn house and get a brief respite.
And.
Because there was a child there who occasionally crossed my mind.
That might not have been the whole reason, but perhaps I was okay with it.
However, if I could change my choice now… I probably wouldn’t make the same decision.
What I experienced in the Alliance was far beyond what I had expected, not to mention uncomfortable…
It was likely the reason my faith in the righteous sect plummeted as well.
Whether it was enduring all kinds of contempt in Biryongdae or moving repeatedly during the bloodshed unleashed by Cheonma.
Or the experience of losing someone, gradually losing myself and having to abandon my own self.
I became the person I am today by going through things I never had to encounter.
Those certainly weren’t good experiences.
So perhaps that’s why.
Hmm.
As I walk further into the Alliance, memories of that time resurface.
Considering how much time has passed, it might now feel like a mere illusion.
Yet, for some reason, everything feels jarringly vivid.
“Did that tree look like that?”
A single tree stands in the open garden to my side.
I remember it as an ancient tree that had been there since the Alliance’s establishment. It has indeed been there for quite some time, and the Alliance regarded it as a symbol, taking good care of it.
Of course.
“Even though Cheonma appeared and burned it down.”
When she made her first appearance, she annihilated several high-ranking officials together with it.
They call it a symbol, but it’s not a tree I saw very often.
“To see that tree, you had to be of a relatively high rank.”
The places I am now walking through are quite deep within the Alliance.
This means that I, who was at the bottom of the hierarchy in my past life, couldn’t simply glance at it or talk about it casually.
Ah, occasionally, I would walk by when asked to deliver something.
Back then, I thought it was just an unnecessarily large tree.
“It feels strange looking at it now.”
The ancient tree I encounter again now seems to emanate a peculiar aura.
Literally an old tree.
A tree that has anchored itself in the ground for a long time, enduring the passage of time.
It was called one of the Alliance’s symbols and treated with reverence.
Now that I look at it, I understand why.
“There’s energy seeping from it.”
A particularly dense aura is visible within the ancient tree.
They say that sometimes such energy emanates from old things or creatures.
It appears that this old tree is precisely one such case.
“That’s odd.”
I feel an energy I’ve never perceived before. I gazed at the tree, intrigued.
It doesn’t seem like such energy just exists…
It feels like there’s something more.
“Should I try using my spiritual eyes?”
Perhaps I could see deeper using that.
Just as I was thinking and tried to focus my eyes…
“The Blue Dragon Lord and the Holy King are entering.”
I had to stop and lick my lips at the announcement I heard ahead.
Unfortunately, it looks like we have arrived at our destination.
Creek.
The massive gate opens, and I step through.
Inside, there is a space among the largest in the Alliance. There are about a dozen tables and chairs set up, and several people have already taken their seats.
Phew!
“Hmm.”
As soon as I enter the room, the unique atmosphere brushes against my nostrils.
“… It’s quite stuffy.”
A heavy and sticky sensation.
The air was saturated with tension.
While the room isn’t small, the energy emanating from the individuals inside is the cause.
“Well then.”
I glance around and count the number of people.
There are four individuals.
Including me and Ilcheonggeom, that makes six.
A total of six people.
“Five of them have crossed the threshold of Hwagyeong.”
More than half are already members of the Hwagyeong.
Given the circumstances, isn’t it natural for the air to feel like this?
As I click my tongue in slight discomfort,
“Welcome.”
The person in the center speaks up.
He is the only one here who isn’t at Hwagyeong.
He isn’t even a martial artist.
“Yes, sir. It’s good to see you again.”
I respond with a smile, looking at the person, Mukyeon, the strategist of the Alliance.
Upon hearing that, Mukyeon also offers a faint smile.
“I hope I’m not late. I thought I was, but everyone is here, so I was worried.”
“You’re not late. You arrived just on time.”
“Thank goodness.”
As I speak, I scan each person.
The strategist Mukyeon.
On the other side…
“Including the famous archer, the Twin Swords, and the Silver Wand.”
There’s Jeokryongdae, Geumryongdae, and Cheollyongdae.
That means four Grand Lords including Ilcheonggeom are present.
After a quick look around, I pointed to a chair and asked.
“Can I sit anywhere?”
“Make yourself comfortable.”
Clunk.
I find a chair and sit, with Ilcheonggeom joining me.
Naturally, he sits a little farther away from me.
Seeing that, Mukyeon gives me a particular glance and speaks.
“I heard there was some noise before you arrived. Are you okay?”
I heard that there had been an incident with Ilcheonggeom.
It doesn’t matter. It was expected that Mukyeon would already be aware.
“Oh, it wasn’t a big deal. Just a minor difference of opinion.”
I waved my hand dismissively as if it were nothing and simultaneously glanced at Ilcheonggeom, adding.
“Right, Senior Ilcheonggeom?”
“… ”
As I called him out, a slight crease formed on Ilcheonggeom’s forehead.
For a moment, I wondered if he couldn’t manage his facial expressions. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
“There was nothing to worry about. My subordinate made a significant mistake, but His Majesty was quite understanding.”
“Wow.”
Hearing that made me want to laugh out loud.
Just a moment ago, Ilcheonggeom seemed on the brink of an explosion, but now he seemed to have collected his thoughts.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be speaking so smoothly.
Upon hearing Ilcheonggeom’s words, Mukyeon nodded slightly.
“I see. Understood.”
Does that mean the matter ends there?
After all, it would have been pointless to prolong it any further.
Currently, there were more significant matters to discuss.
“Well… It seems everyone is gathered, so I’ll start the conversation.”
Let’s get to the essence of the matter.
As those words left my mouth, the atmosphere shifted slightly.
Tick, tick.
Mukyeon took out a letter and placed it on the table, then picked up a small brush and spoke.
“Biryongdae is currently engaged in a specific mission, so they won’t be present. Guardian Lord is tied up with the leader’s schedule. Also…”
Swish.
A brush stroke delicately settles down on the letter.
“Shinryongdae is accompanying the schedule, so they are also absent.”
I perked up my ears at the mention of Shinryongdae.
“Are you saying there’s none right now?”
I had come half-expecting to see them, but it seems they are out at the moment.
At that instant.
Clunk.
A subtle sound was heard from not too far away.
The source of the sound was none other than Ilcheonggeom.
Curious about what it could be, I looked over, but there were no visible changes.
“Thus, we will commence today’s Grand Lord meeting with the current participants.”
I nod in agreement with Mukyeon’s statement.
This is why I came to the Murim Alliance today.
“The Grand Lord meeting…”
It literally means the Grand Lords gather to converse, and the reason I’m here is, of course,…
“The reason we are holding today’s meeting is that before His Majesty the King begins duties as Grand Lord, there are things to convey to the other Grand Lords.”
Because I was to formally step into the position of Grand Lord today.
There would be no formal greeting. It wasn’t such a laid-back atmosphere, and I preferred to get straight to the point. Honestly, I appreciated that more.
As for the name, I think it was Seongryongdae.
“Ah… I feel like I’m going to throw up already.”
The title itself was terrible enough, but the name of the battalion was nonsense too. Not to mention.
“The responses are a complete mess.”
The situation of the Grand Lords listening to this news wasn’t great either.
While Ilcheonggeom maintains a neutral expression, it’s clear he can’t be happy about it.
The same applies to the other Grand Lords.
Although Jeokryongdae didn’t show any overt emotions, the others wore obvious looks of discomfort.
While I was puzzled by their reactions, I somewhat understood their reasoning.
“If a clueless kid suddenly becomes a Grand Lord, everyone will react like this.”
The Grand Lords of the Alliance are the pillars responsible for the Murim Alliance.
Therefore, the title of Grand Lord is traditionally granted to those who have spent years in the Alliance demonstrating their strength and loyalty.
At the very least, ten years.
Often much longer, with no guarantee they would even reach such a position without facing significant obstacles.
That’s why the Grand Lords may find it uncomfortable to see such a position suddenly filled by a kid like me.
However.
“But it also means they were desperate enough to push through despite knowing that.”
A scenario where the opposition from the Grand Lords was all but guaranteed.
Despite realizing that, the Murim Alliance decided to make me a Grand Lord.
In other words,
“I was prioritized over the Grand Lords’ discontent.”
This is likely how the Grand Lords perceived the situation.
No, considering the circumstances, that perception was likely accurate, which is why they’re displaying their discomfort so openly.
“To preface, the battalion name for which His Majesty will take charge has been decided to be Seongryongdae.”
Having already heard this, there was no visible reaction from me.
Rather than focusing on Mukyeon’s words, I prioritized observing the Grand Lords’ responses.
“Furthermore, as previously communicated, Seongryongdae will handle combat-oriented missions as the designated force for dealing with the Sapa.”
This was information I had only received yesterday.
I was to lead a unit that would play an essential role in the upcoming efforts to address the Sapa issue.
“The unit tasked with handling the Sapa.”
Not demons or humans. But strictly one formed to manage the Sapa.
As the leader said, it was also a preparatory show for an anticipated conflict with the Sapa.
“And…”
Swish, swish.
While continuing to speak, Mukyeon was still looking at the letter.
It appeared he was jotting something down, though I didn’t pay it any mind.
“Are all clever folks like that?”
I recalled how Mrs. Mi and Mo Yong-hee often operated that way too.
It always feels like they juggled multiple tasks simultaneously.
“Is this what they consider efficient?”
I didn’t quite understand it, but it seemed irrelevant for me to attempt to grasp it anyway.
“In any case.”
So far, everything felt acceptable.
It didn’t particularly seem to matter at this point.
“Unlike before, the members of the battalion were drawn from within…”
The crucial part is.
“The members of Seongryongdae will be selected through an external examination rather than an internal one within five days.”
This means the discontent of the Grand Lords is expected to explode at the very outset of this meeting.
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