Chapter 770: Not a Proposal, but a Request.

What’s your relationship with the Heavenly Demon?

Hearing that, only one thought came to mind.

‘What do I look like right now?’

How do I appear to Mook-yeon right now?

Did my eyes widen? Or did I narrow my gaze? If not, did I swallow dryly?

Or was I sweating cold sweat?

There couldn’t be the slightest hint of disturbance. I checked each and every one.

Just like that, one second passed.

“What do you mean by that?”

My answer wasn’t late.

Since I got cursed out for being terrible at acting, my best option was a blank expression.

Hearing my words, Mook-yeon spoke.

“It means exactly what it sounds like.”

“Then I understand it even less.”

I narrowed my eyes slightly. It was meant to show that I was uncomfortable.

“What is the reason you seniors ask me such things?”

Is he suspicious?

If he is suspicious, where exactly did the problem start?

While showing my irritation, I repeated my thoughts inwardly.

Just as I was thinking up all sorts of things.

“Hoho. Oh dear, it seems this old man has greatly displeased the Saint King.”

“If I hadn’t, it would be nonsensical.”

“Then I shall offer my apologies first.”

Even as he spoke, Mook-yeon’s face held a smile.

Seeing that made my stomach feel somewhat uneasy.

‘I knew this day would come, but meeting him in person makes him an even more bothersome fellow.’

When laying the groundwork for the recent attack, the most important thing I considered was none other than…

…the existence of that old man, ‘Mook-yeon’.

A gentleman who retired over a decade ago.

It seems he likely returned to the Alliance only a few days ago.

I predict he arrived immediately after the attack.

If that gentleman had remained in the Alliance, it wouldn’t make sense.

‘If he had been, they wouldn’t have been defeated so easily.’

No matter how I twisted the situation endlessly or threw a thousand fits, if that gentleman had been there, things would have proceeded differently.

The combined martial prowess of those gathered in the Alliance?

The power of the factions they possess?

None of that scares me.

I feared people like him more than those kinds of fellows.

‘Especially since I’ve seen it firsthand.’

A human who can read the flow of events is far more terrifying than a hundred superhuman beings running wild.

Having witnessed how Cheon Yu-rang-a manipulated the Central Plains in my past life, I couldn’t help but know.

That’s why it was explicitly stated when planning the operation.

That Mook-yeon, the strategist, would not be in the Murim Alliance.

That was the most crucial part, and indeed, that’s why the plan succeeded.

Public sentiment was shaken, causing the Alliance’s foundation to tremble.

That tremor would soon become a great vibration.

It would grow uncontrollably large.

Although that situation was certain, I didn’t let my guard down.

Only one plan had worked; what came next was more important.

In that sense.

‘I need to keep a close eye on that old man.’

I needed to know more definitively about Mook-yeon.

“I heard that before the Heavenly Demon disappeared, he had a brief conversation with the Saint King. Is that correct?”

“It wasn’t quite a conversation. He simply asked my name, and I answered. Is that perhaps a problem?”

“Hoho. No, it’s not. What problem could there be… Please just consider it the ramblings of an old man.”

“Ramblings?”

“Saint King, you are truly an anomalous existence.”

He suddenly brought up words akin to slander.

“The level of mastery you have achieved, Saint King, is likely unprecedented in the history of the Central Plains. According to records, the fastest to reach the ‘Hwa-gyeong’ realm previously was the Golden Heaven Fist King.”

Golden Heaven Fist King Yeon Il-cheon. The greatest martial artist of his time, who stopped the Blood Demon.

He reached the Hwa-gyeong realm at the age of twenty-five, which was the youngest entry into the Hwa-gyeong realm in previous history.

He broke a record that no one had managed to surpass since.

Hearing this, I nodded.

“Aren’t you the youngest to reach Hwa-gyeong anyway, the Divine Dragon?”

Isn’t the one the Alliance certified someone else? I said that with that meaning in mind.

“Well… the Murim Alliance says so, but I believe otherwise. And… it seems the Saint King is also aware of this.”

“…”

At Mook-yeon’s words, I immediately clicked my tongue inwardly.

That old man already knows.

The Alliance’s official stance is one thing, but he’s certain I reached it before that.

Mook-yeon’s eyes held that meaning.

Of course, frankly, this part doesn’t matter either way, so I could overlook it.

“So, what does that have to do with why you think I’m related to the Heavenly Demon?”

“It has no relation whatsoever. I don’t know much about a martial artist’s enlightenment or effort, but I am simply amazed by the potential the Saint King possesses.”

“Then…”

“Even possessing such potential, you refrained from showing it outwardly, enduring through the past days. Despite enduring for so long, when Hanam faced crisis, you finally unleashed the power you held back and became a hero who saved people.”

“…”

As the conversation went back and forth, I could feel my eyes narrowing slightly.

“From repelling the attack, defeating the demonic beasts, and finally severing the dark arts to save the Alliance Leader and others… everything the Saint King did that day was truly enough to be called a hero. Yes… truly.”

A brief silence followed, and Mook-yeon continued speaking, looking at me.

“It makes one wonder if someone didn’t intend to make the Saint King a hero… you know.”

Hearing that, I was convinced.

So that’s how it is.

‘That old geezer.’

He’s suspicious of me.

This is because the achievements I made fit together too perfectly. It was clearly contained in the eyes hidden behind his smile and the tone he revealed while pretending to hide it.

Doesn’t the unfolding situation seem strange even to you?

Were the achievements accomplished truly made by coincidence?

Or were they achievements fabricated by someone else?

It’s too anomalous to be called a coincidence.

Therefore, I am suspicious of you.

His words were filled with that meaning.

‘This is really…’

It’s really not easy.

As expected, situations like this don’t suit me.

Look at this right now.

My hands were itching to snap the old man’s neck right in front of me.

Using my brain is always bothersome.

It would be so much easier if I could just use brute force.

It’s a pity I can’t live like that.

So, what should I do?

What else can I do? I have to do it, even if I hate it.

“…Haha.”

It started with a hollow laugh.

I didn’t show any signs of being flustered.

Right now, it was best to do what I did best.

“Elder.”

“Yes, Saint King.”

“I have just one question.”

“I am listening.”

“In your view, Elder, how long must I endure this disrespect?”

“…”

As I spoke, I immediately contorted my expression.

Even if I’m bad at acting, I’m confident in showing anger, so I expressed my emotions filled with irritation.

“After going through so much trouble to save everyone, only to be treated like this in return, how am I supposed to accept this?”

“Saint King.”

“If you intend to continue speaking, I have no intention of staying here any longer.”

“…”

“If you’re going to proceed regardless, then go ahead.”

I glared at Mook-yeon with my eyes narrowed sharply.

Mook-yeon was now looking back at me with his smile gone, and we locked eyes for quite some time.

As time passed.

“I apologize.”

Mook-yeon was the first to bow his head.

“It was the foolishness of an old man burdened by excessive worry. I apologize once again for offending you.”

Although I heard his words, I continued to show my displeasure due to his suspicion and didn’t relax my frown.

However, I had to sit back down after having stood up in that state.

I was summoned here in the first place under the premise of an interrogation.

Although Il-cheong-geom uttered useless words about proposals and such.

This is a place to summon and verify those involved in the attack.

I know that not just me, but many others are scheduled to come and go.

In a situation like this, merely getting angry upon being suspected would only fuel further suspicion and wouldn’t be helpful.

“Given the circumstances, I will accept your apology.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

In my heart, I wanted to flip the table and storm out, but I couldn’t.

‘Not yet.’

It seemed the conversation was over, but I knew.

That the old man’s gaze remained the same.

‘I’m probably not the only one he suspects.’

There must be several others he thought of.

And I know he’ll show them that same look.

‘Tsk.’

Just looking at him made me feel suffocated.

It felt similar to the sensation I got when I was alone with Cheon Yu-rang-a in my past life.

It was similar to that faint, fishy sensation I felt back then.

I had to heighten my senses to the extreme, lest I get swept up in his words and say something wrong unintentionally.

I even felt suffocated by his inexplicable presence.

It means that even though I barely felt any pressure, I felt like I was being crushed by his presence.

It was absurd, but that was the reality.

‘What should I do?’

I pondered and pondered.

‘Should I kill him now?’

Mook-yeon, right in front of me.

Even with the Sword Master beside me, at this distance, it’s possible to kill the old man.

So, should I reach out and snap his neck?

‘If I could do that and evade the Sword Master’s grasp…’

I’d surely be caught.

If I succeeded, all future plans would change.

I still had more plans within the Murim Alliance.

There were things to do with Bong-sun and countless other things to handle, but…

‘Even considering all that, killing that old man might be beneficial.’

Since I could deal with such a bothersome existence right now, maybe this really would be better.

Should I try it? After seriously contemplating…

‘No… not yet.’

In the end, my choice was to endure.

I have too much to lose.

Even if I wanted to kill him, it’s not now.

Judging so, I relaxed the grip in my hand.

At that moment.

“Saint King.”

“Yes.”

As if he had been waiting, Mook-yeon spoke to me.

“Though I have no shame, there is one thing I wish to say to you, Saint King.”

“…So suddenly?”

I asked back, seemingly flustered by his words.

“Is the interrogation concluded?”

“Ah, that was sufficiently covered in our earlier conversation.”

It’s already over?

It doesn’t feel like we exchanged more than a few words?

As I wondered what was going on, showing a strange expression.

Mook-yeon carefully took something out from his robes.

Sssuk.

It was a letter bearing the Alliance’s insignia.

“Do you perhaps recall what the Azure Dragon Brigade Leader said just before?”

“Yes. I remember.”

A new brigade the Alliance was planning to establish.

He had proposed that I come as the leader of that place.

“This is also similar to that.”

At Mook-yeon’s words, I narrowed my eyes slightly.

“I already answered that earlier.”

I said I wouldn’t do it.

I definitely said that, and Mook-yeon must have heard it too.

Yet he brings it up again?

Even in this situation?

This is after I got thoroughly annoyed by his baseless suspicion.

To make such a proposal again in this situation.

What could be his intention?

It was something I couldn’t understand.

“I apologize again for my previous rudeness. However, please remember that what I am about to say is similar to what the Azure Dragon Brigade Leader said, yet significantly different.”

“What does that…”

“This is… not a proposal, but a humble request from the Murim Alliance to the Saint King.”

“Ha.”

At the old man’s words, I immediately smirked.

A request, not a proposal.

It reminded me of what I had said earlier.

“The Murim Alliance needs the Saint King right now. Therefore, please lend us your hand.”

It’s unnecessarily bold and shameless.

I never expected him to say it so openly.

Actually, because of that, there’s a sense of relief.

‘Yeah, that’s better.’

It’s a hundred times better attitude than Il-cheong-geom’s.

The Murim Alliance needs me right now.

That’s something I’ve known for a long time.

To be precise, it’s not that they need me, but rather the reputation the Murim Alliance built for me.

‘The Murim Alliance is currently shaking significantly.’

Although I haven’t had time to grasp the full situation, they must be going through quite a ordeal.

Public sentiment aside, the most practical problem here is…

‘The withdrawal of the guild leaders.’

It’s likely that the guilds that have been sponsoring the Murim Alliance until now have started pulling out.

It’s only natural.

Why would anyone sponsor the Murim Alliance, which has lost public favor?

Guilds are people who move solely for money.

The reason they repeatedly sponsored the Alliance was for safety, but ultimately, their goal is money.

Guilds that directly sponsor the Murim Alliance.

The stability and reputation that come from that.

Just those alone would have provided significant advantages, but…

Since the Murim Alliance had lost public favor and was faltering, sponsoring them further was a risky choice.

As a result, guilds would be pulling out one by one.

If the sponsorships cease, problems will arise even in the core that forms the Alliance.

It meant they would be in trouble in various ways.

Therefore, the Murim Alliance currently needed to resolve this matter quickly.

They had to regain public sentiment quickly before it was too late.

That’s why.

The reason they are establishing a new brigade and trying to place me there.

The deaths of three brigade leaders are a problem, but the biggest reason is precisely…

‘Because it’s the fastest means to regain public sentiment.’

The reputation of the Saint King.

The praise and public response that come from it.

The Murim Alliance needed that.

‘The fact that the hero who saved Hanam takes charge as an Alliance brigade leader.’

It was also a means to capture the trust of those who distrusted the Alliance.

It was also a ploy to make the guild leaders return.

Some might call it arrogant, thinking that placing me there will win back public sentiment, but…

‘Objectively, yes.’

I had roughly expected this originally, and I could sense it from the people in the province just before.

That my standing right now is quite high.

Knowing that full well, I told Il-cheong-geom.

How dare you presume to make proposals to me.

Your heads are held too high for your station.

Those were the words I spoke with that meaning.

‘To think he’d mention it like this.’

Mook-yeon, knowing that, brought it up to me so openly.

“I request it.”

I let out a hollow laugh at the old man’s words.

“You do realize this is a very strange situation for making a request, don’t you?”

If you were going to do it, you should have done it before our conversation, but making a request now after such a fierce battle of wills is strange, isn’t it?

At my words, Mook-yeon replied with a slight smile.

“What I said earlier was my personal stance. What I say now is the Alliance’s position.”

“You mean they are different?”

“That’s correct.”

So, in the end, that old geezer is suspicious of me, but from the Murim Alliance’s perspective, they need me?

It was truly absurd.

‘What is this… Should I say it’s better than trying to deceive me? Or should I say it’s dog-like?’

I was at a loss as to how to react.

Just then.

“These are the conditions prepared in the hope that the Saint King will accept our request.”

Leaving me utterly dumbfounded, Mook-yeon presented the letter to me.

“Even if you intend to refuse, I implore you to read it first.”

“…”

Should I show my displeasure and tear it up?

While thinking that might be better, I reached out and examined the letter.

As he said, I decided to read it before tearing it up.

But.

“Hmm?”

At most five lines.

The text wasn’t very long, but as I read, my eyes widened.

“…”

After reading all the words, I did not tear the letter.

I simply raised my gaze and looked at Mook-yeon.

My gaze held a look asking if this was truly correct.

“If there is anything more you desire, we are willing to add it.”

“Wow.”

A laugh escaped me naturally.

However, it felt different from the hollow laugh earlier.

Does this mean that the Azure Dragon Brigade Leader acted that way despite bringing such conditions?

‘Or perhaps, this was the old man’s plan?’

Doubts kept arising, but it didn’t matter now.

The conditions were so great that anything else didn’t matter.

Conditions so significant they erased the irritation and unease I felt moments before.

With that, I folded the letter I was holding and put it in my pocket.

“May I think about it for a bit before giving you my answer?”

“By all means.”

The decision was postponed.

And so, the conversation concluded.

---

Immediately after the conversation ended. Inside the room where Gu Yangcheon had left.

Mook-yeon, who had not yet left, was carefully pouring tea placed before him.

Behind him, the Sword Master stood silently, guarding his position.

“Cough-!”

Suddenly, Mook-yeon coughed violently.

He quickly covered his mouth with a cloth.

Yet, as if unable to hold it back, he continued to cough repeatedly.

“Hoo…”

As he finally stopped, he removed the cloth.

The cloth that had covered his mouth was stained with abundant red blood.

“Are you alright?”

Seeing that, the Sword Master asked calmly, and Mook-yeon nodded briefly.

“I’m fine. It’s better today than yesterday, at least.”

“…”

He didn’t ask anything further.

Because asking wouldn’t change anything.

The Sword Master simply watched silently as Mook-yeon drank his tea.

As that quiet atmosphere continued, the Sword Master opened his mouth.

“How was it?”

A question without a subject.

But Mook-yeon knew what he was asking.

“How did it seem to you, Sword Master?”

“…”

Mook-yeon asked the question back.

Hearing the question, the Sword Master thought for a moment before answering.

“To the eye, there seemed to be no problem.”

To the eye. Mook-yeon focused on those words.

As if knowing that, the Sword Master added further words.

“However, something feels subtle.”

Only after hearing those words did Mook-yeon take a sip of tea.

Is it instinct?

The Sword Master is always a person with keen intuition in aspects like this.

Mook-yeon’s thoughts were no different from his answer.

The person I was just conversing with.

The young man called the Saint King, who became the youngest King-level expert.

Gu Yangcheon of Shanxi.

Mook-yeon spoke, recalling that young man.

“Sword Master.”

“Yes.”

“Are you curious about my answer?”

“Yes.”

Gu Yangcheon. Mook-yeon smiled as he thought of him.

The conversation with him was different.

If I had grandchildren, he would be younger than them.

Despite being young even among the Meteor generation, Mook-yeon had a peculiar impression while talking with him.

‘Different.’

He is special, not only among the later generation disciples but also among the martial artists he had faced.

I feel no trace of the belligerence or passion that young martial artists possess.

Instead, his eyes were cold and chilling.

At the same time, his tone and manner of speech are extremely violent for someone from a righteous sect.

He seemed wild, as if he would destroy anything if provoked.

While filled with arrogance.

‘He may seem reckless, but he is sharper than anyone.’

Within those words, there was thoroughness, trying not to reveal any tricks.

The displayed wildness seemed like a means to hide that.

His situational judgment was swift, and while looking me in the eye, he continuously scanned his surroundings.

It means he was observing the forest while pretending to look at the trees.

This means that everything about him was based on thorough calculation.

‘Interesting.’

Thus, Mook-yeon felt enjoyment for the first time in a long while.

It was a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a very long time.

Just a few words of conversation. That was enough to know.

That the young man, despite appearing completely different from me, was a similar person.

‘Perhaps.’

If he hadn’t awakened to the path of martial arts, I would have taken him as a disciple under any circumstances.

He was a character I liked that much, but…

‘What a shame.’

Unfortunately, that’s not possible.

After all, it seemed he had other intentions.

“Do you know this, Sword Master?”

He recalled the previous conversation in detail.

-What is your relationship with the Heavenly Demon?

The Heavenly Demon who attacked Hanam.

An unknown entity said to be unharmed even by the surprise attack of the Heavenly Venerable.

How much strength does he possess? How large is his influence?

For what purpose does he move? A situation with absolutely no information.

In such a situation, Mook-yeon asked Gu Yangcheon about his relationship with the Heavenly Demon.

He responded negatively to Mook-yeon’s words, showing discomfort.

Gu Yangcheon’s reaction seemed to have no issues on the surface, but…

“The Saint King never uttered a denial.”

Mook-yeon detected an anomaly even within those words.

Through several questions, he never once said he had no relation to the Heavenly Demon until the very end.

Perhaps, it’s something that could simply be dismissed as coincidence. However.

“It seems…”

Mook-yeon became convinced that there was something about him.

“I think I need to keep an eye on him.”

I must keep him close by and watch him, no matter what it takes. He resolved.

And.

“Hmm. As expected.”

Gu Yangcheon, who had left the Alliance and was walking slowly, also turned back, looked towards the Alliance, and thought.

“I must kill him.”

He thought that he needed to kill Mook-yeon in the near future.