Chapter 784: Come up one by one

*

Kung-!

As soon as Mookyeon’s words were spoken, movement was felt from one side.

“What is that…!”

“Mook Booksir-nim! What are you saying-!!”

Two figures. Precisely, the Golden Dragon Brigade Leader and the Iron Dragon Brigade Leader kicked off the table and rose to their feet.

Their expressions were filled with intense resentment.

“Instead of selecting from within, you’re bringing them from the outside.”

“That doesn’t align with the Alliance’s rules…! How can you do that-!!”

An unyielding intent, as if it absolutely couldn’t be tolerated, was apparent.

Or perhaps, it was because they couldn’t believe it.

“What in the world are you talking about-!”

A man with bulging muscles.

Dongcheon, the Twin-Swords user and leader of the Golden Dragon Brigade, let out a roar.

His emotions were clearly visible on his face.

But.

“Mook Booksir-!”

“Golden Dragon Brigade Leader.”

“…!”

As Mookyeon looked at him and called him softly, the Twin-Swords user, who had been shouting incessantly, soon shut his mouth tightly.

‘Oh.’

At that sight, my eyes widened slightly.

Clearly, Mookyeon was an ordinary person without any internal energy. Whereas the Twin-Swords user had reached the Hwagyeong realm.

And not just that, but a martial artist who had reached a considerable level, yet he immediately shut his mouth as if subdued by the old man’s call.

While wondering if that scene was truly possible.

‘His presence is no joke.’

The presence Mookyeon displayed for a moment made me think it was entirely possible.

In the broad daylight, a frail and thin. Furthermore, the body of a sickly old man.

With just a light tap, one could probably shatter his body into pieces.

It should have been a matchup that wasn’t worth fearing at all.

“Calm yourselves. The same goes for you too, Iron Dragon Brigade Leader.”

The presence Mookyeon exuded prevented any such thoughts.

I know nothing about that old man.

From what I’ve heard of his records or history, I only know he is great.

Even though I haven’t properly grasped Mookyeon’s capabilities, even I could sense that the old man was extraordinary.

What about those who had watched him even a little bit nearby?

“…Grrr…”

In reality, not only the Golden Dragon Brigade Leader who was raging just moments ago, but the Iron Dragon Brigade Leader too, sat back down, biting his lip.

‘Amazing.’

How could he make them act like that?

Cheonyurang-a from my past life was like that too. How many of the renowned demonic cultivators didn’t just fall head over heels for his words?

However, Cheonyurang-a had the Demonic Master behind him, so the demonic cultivators listened, even if reluctantly.

They would have known too. According to Cheonyurang-a’s words, the probability of winning was high.

There were even those who bet their lives on that one thing, and Mookyeon would be no different.

Of course.

‘If you don’t have power, you can’t achieve anything.’

It was a form I couldn’t quite understand.

If you call that a kind of power, then it is power, but…

‘In the end. You need actual power.’

No matter how smart and brilliant your brain is.

In the face of power that can ignore it, it ultimately means nothing.

That was always my conclusion.

Mookyeon’s words momentarily calmed the atmosphere, but it was merely suppressed; nothing was resolved.

“However… Mook Booksir-nim. What you’re saying right now is, no matter how I look at it, nonsensical.”

“That’s right. Even for you, Booksir-nim, those words are difficult to accept.”

Reactions of absolute refusal.

It couldn’t be helped.

‘Bringing them in through direct trials, it would be hard to accept.’

The Alliance had eight brigades. Although several have collapsed and the numbers are no longer maintained, even if there were eight sword brigades, not all belonged to them.

Official sword brigades could only be entered by the elite of the elite.

Other martial artists had to join the Alliance and build up their skills and standing to enter a sword brigade.

In such a situation, the Brigade Leader suddenly brings in some young kid from outside and sets them up.

And brings in the members from the outside too?

“Isn’t this… excessive special treatment?”

In their eyes, it was an unreasonable matter.

And it actually was.

“Yes. That’s right. It’s special treatment.”

“…Booksir-nim…?”

Everyone wore stunned expressions at the bold statement. Only Mookyeon and I maintained indifferent faces.

“The matter of the Holy Dragon Brigade is indeed special treatment.”

“Are you saying you admit to this…?”

“There’s nothing to admit or deny. Iron Dragon Brigade Leader. It was necessary during the process of admitting Star King as the Brigade Leader.”

“How could that-!”

“That is the Alliance’s will.”

“…!”

The Murim Alliance’s will. Hearing those words, the Iron Dragon Brigade Leader’s expression crumpled.

“It was the Alliance Leader-nim’s will, and a matter confirmed by the internal elders’ meeting.”

“So…”

“I shall ask. Then, are there any personnel left in the other sword brigades to be drawn to form the Holy Dragon Brigade?”

“…”

No one answered.

What that meant was, whether there was anyone who could pull personnel from their own sword brigade to place into the Holy Dragon Brigade.

“More precisely… I am asking if there are any Brigade Leaders who can dispatch personnel of the Fourth Class or higher.”

“F-Fourth Class!”

The Golden Dragon Brigade Leader shouted urgently.

Fourth Class (四級). It’s the rank received upon joining the Murim Alliance.

The lower the number, the higher the value; Brigade Leaders were designated Class One. Unit Leaders were Class Three to Two.

Therefore, Class Four signifies the elite among the elite.

At the very least, it must significantly exceed the Peak level.

“Asking to send Fourth Class personnel elsewhere is nonsensical.”

“Yes. I know it’s nonsensical. That’s why it was decided that the Holy Dragon Brigade would be formed with external personnel.”

“Couldn’t you, perhaps, form it by sending those who are still unaffiliated?”

“Iron Dragon Brigade Leader. Have you forgotten the reason the Holy Dragon Brigade was created?”

A dedicated unit for the demonic factions.

As a cleanup disguised as war was declared, even if it was just for show, the Holy Dragon Brigade couldn’t be filled with mere weaklings.

Fourth Class members were Peak level; such individuals were precious assets, few even within the sword brigades.

And yet, sending them to me?

‘How could they bear to do that, it’s too precious.’

No one would send them unless forced.

Ah. For the record. Saying I would bring them from the outside was my condition.

It was one of the few conditions I added among those Mookyeon mentioned to bring me here.

‘If I were to take on the role of Brigade Leader, allow me to select the members myself.’

That was what I desired.

I could accept that under the guise of a trial, with the condition that all members couldn’t be external, and a few members would be from the Alliance.

Given this, their opposition is only natural.

‘Those guys aren’t arguing about the Alliance’s tradition? History? That sort of thing.’

‘I’ll form the brigade to my liking, so don’t interfere.’

This is the meaning behind that intention.

If that happens.

‘My brigade might become quite large.’

Regardless of the outcome, it’s proof that a small brigade would definitely not be born.

They are opposing so fervently because they anticipate that…

‘If they react like this already, what will they do later?’

Thinking thus, I quietly observed the situation.

“This matter has already been confirmed and passed. I will not hear any further discussion.”

“Booksir-nim…!”

“One more thing.”

The attitude of not listening even if the Brigade Leaders protest vehemently. Seeing that, a sense of bewilderment struck me.

‘Is it okay to go this far?’

Even if Mookyeon’s position is quite high, isn’t acting like this, ‘I don’t care,’ a bit dangerous?

Just as such worries suddenly crossed my mind.

“Excluding the Azure Dragon Brigade, one of the currently maintained sword brigades will support the Holy Dragon Brigade and carry out missions.”

Mookyeon added the following words.

At that moment, the heat within the room dissipated.

Everyone stiffened as if frozen solid.

The previously hot atmosphere chilled the room as if a cold front had swept through.

Did I hear wrong?

Everyone was just pondering in doubt.

“…Booksir-nim.”

From within the gap, the Twin-Swords user spoke with a stiff expression.

“What… what does that mean right now?”

A heaviness incomparable to moments ago.

It was a voice filled with anger or trembling.

The Twin-Swords user was barely continuing his words, looking as if he would explode at any moment.

“Are you telling us now to fall under the Holy Dragon Brigade?”

“Not under, but to assist-“

“Isn’t that what you mean!”

Kwaang-!

Letting out a roar, he slammed the table forcefully.

Kukukung-! The table, broken by the force, shattered. The Twin-Swords user began glaring at Mookyeon with burning eyes.

This is correct, what the Twin-Swords user said.

Calling it ‘support’ was just a euphemism for telling them to act as the Holy Dragon Brigade’s servants.

That’s why it’s surprising.

‘Has that old geezer gone mad…?’

How is he saying this so openly? I thought he’d phrase it more indirectly. Mookyeon just blurted it out to the Brigade Leaders.

The Holy Dragon Brigade’s support.

This was also a part I added to the conditions.

Normally, a Brigade Leader of the main Alliance receives several command authorities upon ascending to the position.

Naturally, their own brigade is included.

A representative example would be…

‘The authority to mobilize branch offices.’

There was also the transfer of command authority over branch offices in specific regions.

Although a Branch Chief manages that office, they must comply when a Brigade Leader of the main Alliance issues an order.

There were several others, but none were particularly more important.

I had requested the power to mobilize one brigade if I were to become a Brigade Leader.

The result was, naturally, a rejection.

They must have judged that they couldn’t withstand the backlash from other Brigade Leaders.

I thought so.

However, I did not accept the rejection either.

I stated that I wouldn’t go if this wasn’t accepted.

Mookyeon had said he would try to resolve it under the name of ‘support’ rather than command authority.

But.

‘He’s saying it so openly?’

Isn’t this just saying the same thing, essentially ordering them to become subordinates?

“That someone clueless like me becomes a Brigade Leader, and receives special treatment, I understand. However, how can you treat us like this-!”

Someone clueless.

Hearing this, I let out a hollow laugh.

‘As expected.’

As expected, it seems my arrival was quite displeasing.

The Twin-Swords user, unable to contain his anger, was grinding his teeth incessantly.

The Iron Dragon Brigade Leader also had an expression as if he would kick the door down and leave immediately.

‘How is he planning to resolve this.’

I wonder how Mookyeon will respond.

If he handles even this, he truly is an outstanding individual.

So, out of curiosity, I looked at him.

‘Huh?’

As I turned my gaze, Mookyeon was looking at me too.

The Twin-Swords user and the Silver Wolf Sword are reacting like that, so why is he looking at me?

With what intention is he looking at me?

As I quietly stared into Mookyeon’s eyes.

‘Oh.’

No way.

A thought flashed through my mind. Just as I wondered if it was related to that.

Tuk…! Tuk.tuk.

Mookyeon lightly tapped the table three times.

“Hah.”

Seeing that, I concluded my thought was correct.

‘That old geezer?’

If my thought is correct, then starting from the argument with Ilcheong Sword earlier until this very moment, it’s all that old geezer’s plan.

If I were to find a connection, the third condition I laid out would be the reason.

“…Haha.”

Realizing that, laughter kept spilling out.

“…?”

As I burst out laughing, the surrounding gazes were drawn towards me.

I tried not to laugh, but I couldn’t help it.

“Wow. Truly amazing.”

“…What?”

At my reaction, the Twin-Swords user scowled fiercely.

“…What’s so funny.”

“No, it’s funny.”

I chuckled and slightly pushed myself up. Part of me felt annoyed at being wronged and didn’t want to, but…

It felt okay to play along a little.

After standing up, I spoke to the Twin-Swords user in front of me.

“When truly worthless bastards are so busy guarding their own bowls… how can I not laugh?”

“…What did you say?”

“No, it’s funny.”

“What are you saying-!”

“You should be grateful even if you’re just assigned as support. You don’t know your place.”

Kkik.

Pushing the table in front of me aside, I looked at the Twin-Swords user and the Silver Wolf Sword. And the other Brigade Leaders, including him.

“You seem to think something’s strange. You aren’t coming under me.”

I nodded my head and looked forward.

“It’s me accepting useless trash like you. Why don’t you get that?”

Kuuung-!!

As soon as I spoke, killing intent surged.

It came from the Twin-Swords user right in front of me.

“This bastard.”

Along with rough curses, his killing intent began to deepen.

“Are you acting like the world is yours just because we’re supporting you? Watch your words.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Tukbeok.

Ignoring the killing intent, I advanced.

I didn’t set a particularly fast pace.

“Is it because you’ve always been indulged as a Brigade Leader? You don’t understand the ways of the world.”

“This young brat is trul-!”

Tung-!

“…!!”

The Twin-Swords user, who had moved his hand to draw his sword, widened his eyes.

His hand couldn’t reach the hilt and was knocked away.

It was because I swung my arm and struck it away.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. Someone like you wouldn’t have been accepted even if you knelt and begged.”

Cheolgyeok-!

At that sight, the Silver Wolf Sword next to him drew his sword.

Seeing that, I took a few more steps.

My position was the center of the room.

There was a table slightly in the way, but I didn’t mind.

After reaching the center, those who glared at me, burning with hostility.

“It seems many of you are displeased that someone like me becomes a Brigade Leader.”

Looking at them, I beckoned with my finger and opened my mouth.

“One by one, step up. I’ll make sure you have no complaints.”

I said that with a bright smile.

Immediately.

Gugugugeuk.

Killing intent erupted from all directions.