Episode 112:


    The leader of the Murim Alliance.


    After checking the contents of the report brought by Commander-in-Chief Zhuge Huan, Joo Hwa-baek burst intoughter.


    “This is a much better friend than I thought.”


    “It is not a matter to be taken lightly.”


    “Why do you care about the rtionship between Sohyeongeom and Yeonsun?”


    “That’s right.”


    “I guess it’s good anyway. “That kind of thing.”


    “He is a talent who will grow into one of Meng’s main fighters in the near future. That such a person is friendly with Sohyeongeom, who is famous for his conservative tendencies…” “


    Didn’t you say that? “He said he had no intention of belonging to any faction.”


    “That’s the problem. In front of those who belonged to the Maengju faction, he imed to be neutral, but behind his back, he was plotting matters in collusion with the elders. “Don’t you know what this means?”


    “They say too much is just as bad as not enough, and I think that’s exactly what they’re saying about you.”


    “yes?”


    “The military may seem smart, but there are times when it looks clumsy. “I would say there is a tendency to over-interpret the situation.”


    “What are you talking about?”


    “It is not important which faction you are close to. What’s really important is what kind of personality he has and what he’s done.”


    “…….”


    “High chivalry and outstanding skills to back it up. From his experience working as a member of the Homyeonhyup, to his achievements in subduing the assassination army. He is truly a person who can be called a chatan. “Don’t you think so?”


    “But…”


    “This person is close to a representative of the conservative faction, so this person is our enemy. Is that really what you want to say? “I think it’s overly dichotomous thinking.”


    “…….”


    “If you follow that logic in the first ce, it would be strange for Yeon Yeon-yun to be friendly with Zhuge Hye. “Just as this side finds the rtionship between him and Xiao Xuan Jian difficult, wouldn’t the elders also find the rtionship between him and Zhuge Hui ufortable?”


    “Of course.”


    “Faction and politics. Should we put pressure on a young friend using the circumstances of adults? Just watch for now. “Even if you make decisions slowly, it won’t be toote.”


    “……All right.”


    Zhuge Huan nodded with a nervous expression.


    Juhwabaek put down the report on the desk with a pleasant smile and muttered in a low voice.


    “It’s a homyeonhyeop….”


    * * *


    Same time.


    Sohyeongeom’s residence located in the Senate.


    “So, what brought you all the way to Ye?”


    Sohyeongeom asked, handing tea he had personally prepared to the two giants who had barged into his residence without even apanying an escort.


    “You’re not asking because you don’t know, right?”


    “Is it true that you defeated the Assassination Army?”


    The two giants opened their mouths one after another.


    Hwang Bo-gwang of Manryekwon.


    Manjunggeom Namgung Jonghyun.


    They were elders of the n who held the position of elders of the Hwangbo family and the Namgung family, respectively.


    Sohyeongeom answered while fiddling with his teacup as if he was enjoying the two elders’ reactions.


    “I see.”


    “Huh… … .”


    “You did a good job of hiding it until now.”


    “It was quite a struggle. In particr, it was a bit of a headache when a military officer was dispatched from Meng to investigate the disturbance that urred in Changsha. “I was able to get through it somehow.”


    “I heard that Yeon-Woon, who found out about the assassination army’s plot, asked for your help. “How much is truth and how much is lies?”


    “I don’t think there’s any reason to even tell you that.”


    “…….”


    “Well, it is clear that Yeonsaun yed a decisive role in subduing the rebels.”


    Manjunggeom, who was watching the conversation between Mannekkwon and Sohyeongeom, let out a low exmation.


    What Yeonsun said a while ago passed through my mind.


    [Is there anyone in the world who would want to be in conflict with the Namgung family? However, I have a prior agreement with senior Sohyeongeom. I must protect it.]


    ‘Was this what you were talking about?’


    It was an unexpected reason.


    The subjugation of the assassin army.


    It was not an achievement that could be achieved by a single review index.


    If an issue of this magnitude were to coincide with winning a secret martial artspetition, it would definitely have a big impact.


    “by the way.”


    Sohyeongeom, who was looking at Manjunggeom with narrowed eyes, suddenly asked.


    “I didn’t know you had a connection with Soun.”


    “…I decided to get a little help.”


    “help? Instead of giving something to Yeonsun, you decided to receive help?”


    “yes.”


    “That’s really surprising. “Can I hear the details?”


    “I’ll tell youter when I get the chance.”


    Manjunggeom slowly turned his gaze and tilted his teacup.


    Man Lik-kwon, who was ring at Manjung-geom with a scary gaze, thrust his head towards So-hyeon-geom and asked.


    “So what is his rtionship with you?”


    “Are you curious?”


    “If you weren’t curious, you wouldn’t have even taken a step forward.”


    “A rtionship of mutual help. That’s exactly it. “For now.”


    “It means that you haven’t yet been able to attract Yeonsun to your faction.”


    “I tried the suggestion. Unfortunately, I was rejected.”


    “That’s a good thing. “Does this mean I still have a chance?”


    “I understand that you don’t have a very good rtionship with Soun.”


    “It’s been a long time since we shook off the resentment between us. “The work of improving rtionships and building friendships can be done step by step from now on.”


    “…I don’t want to say this, but you are not a vessel capable of embracing such a talented person.”


    “There’s nothing I can’t say to your face. “Are you going to fight me now?”


    “I’m just telling the truth.”


    “Let’s go to the training hall right away. “I’ll punch you in that unlucky face.”


    “Do you think I am a barbarian like you? I have no intention of falling for such cheap provocation. “Anyway, it’s as simple as it looks and gets lost.”


    “This old man said he wanted to hear it!”


    A childish argument between two old people started suddenly.


    Manjunggeom, who had been quietly watching, shook his head excitedly.


    It’s like old people who are old enough to fight over a postcard that they haven’t even read yet.


    ‘Actually, the person concerned probably has no interest in this topic.’


    There was a faint smile on his lips.


    On the one hand, I found this situation amusing.


    At the center of all of this was Yeonsun.


    ‘I guess I’ll have to visit again once thepetition is over.’


    * * *


    Various prizes are awarded to participants who ce in the top ranks of the dancepetition.


    From first to sixteenth.


    Depending on the rank, prizes such as gold coins or silk were awarded differently, but the prizes given to participants who ranked in the top three were special among them all.


    A famous sword for third ce.


    Thank you for your support.


    An elixir for work, etc.


    For reference, the prize given to third ce was supposed to vary depending on who the winner was.


    If the winner is a swordsman, a sword is given instead of a sword.


    Of course, as I already had Damro and Cheonjamboui, I didn’t need any other products other than elixirs.


    ‘The day has finally arrived.’


    I grabbed my trembling heart and climbed onto the non-stage.


    Cheers erupted from the audience.


    Homyeonhyeop! Homyeonhyeop! Homyeonhyeop!


    Unlike the semi-finals, the audience chanted nicknames instead of names.


    The young Taoist monk standing on the other side looked very intimidated.


    The Kunlun Sect’s Hakkyung Seal.


    The future Seonryong (仙龍) was him.


    “Two yers forward!”


    As the referee standing in the middle gave an exnation about the Hakkyung Dojang, boos erupted from all over.


    The reason was simple.


    This was because the opponent he met in the previous match was Paeng Yeon-ji.


    The sword of the future.


    A heroine who captivated the hearts of audiences with her outstanding skills and stunning beauty.


    From what I heard, it seemed like the fighting became more intense and Peng Yeon-ji suffered quite a few injuries.


    Because he defeated her and advanced to the finals, Hak-kyung Dojang became a viin rather than a viin.


    He couldn’t help but feel aggrieved.


    This is a situation where you get criticized even if you win fairly.


    ‘In a way, it’s pitiful.’


    Right now, I had a simr experience during the first match of the finals.


    At the time when I faced Seonhye Dojang.


    Since I defeated my opponent without causing any major injuries, I didn’t hear any boos, but no one in the audience seemed happy about my victory.


    ‘But for me, it’s not a bad situation.’


    Thanks to Hak-kyung Dojang taking on the viin role, it seemed like a more dramatic production would be possible.


    I put my hand on the sword with a smile on my face.


    ‘Be a sacrifice for my fame. ‘Seonryong.’


    * * *


    Waaaaaa!


    A shout that shook the heavens and earth filled the stadium.


    Hakgyeong Dojang could not hold on for more than 50 seconds and knelt down in front of me.


    Absolutely! Quick!


    I swung the sword engulfed in brain energy and brushed off the blood on the tip.


    “victor! Yeonsun!”


    The referee’s voice, mixed with energy, shook the entire stadium.


    “Whoa… … .”


    Finally, he became the winner of the dancepetition.


    It was a moment I didn’t expect, but I didn’t feel particrly passionate about it.


    It was the opposite of what I thought.


    I felt calm, as if I had achieved something that I took for granted.


    With a calm expression, I looked back at the podium located behind the non-stage.


    Key figures of the Murim League were sitting in special seats with awnings and watching.


    Of course, the leader, Joo Hwabaek, was included among them.


    Hwabaek Joo slowly got up from his seat and dered the end of thepetition in a voice full of energy.


    The end of thepetition meant the end of the Yongbong branch.


    The audience pped and was happy, but at the same time they seemed disappointed.


    I politely raised my arms in the direction of Joo Hwa-baek, then left the match venue and headed to the waiting room.


    After the final match, a performance by Maeng’s dancers was scheduled, and a closing ceremony was scheduled after the performance.


    ording to the regtions, participants who ced at the top of thepetition must participate in the closing ceremony.


    Me, who yed the final match today, and Chunwoo Dojang, who yed the third ce match earlier, were no exception.


    When I entered the waiting room, I copsed on the chair and muttered.


    “It’s time to leave Honam.”


    * * *


    After a long wait, the closing ceremony finally began.


    “Yeon Yeon-woon, the winner of thepetition, pleasee forward.”


    The call of the contemporary Murim lord Juhwabaek.


    After getting up on the podium, I took a deep breath and made eye contact with him.


    Delivery of goods following a long congrattory speech.


    The identity of the elixir that everyone was curious about was Plum Blossom Goddan.


    A treasure of treasures that allows you to gain half a pound of stamina in an instant by taking it.


    Hwabaek Joo continued by saying that he would like to take this opportunity to express his gratitude to the Hwasan Sect for providing the elixir.


    After all the procedures werepleted, Hwabaek Joo asked in a low voice.


    “The winner of thepetition will be given the privilege of applying to the department of his/her choice. Have you decided which department to apply to?”


    “yes.”


    Everyone looked at me with bated breath.


    Curiosity arose.


    Which department will the winner of thepetition apply to?


    Without any hesitation, I gave an answer that no one would have thought of.


    “I want to be assigned to the Sacheon branch of the Murim League.”