Chapter 773: Star Dragon Team (Star Dragon Team)

Sssaaah.

My words caused the surrounding atmosphere to cool down considerably.

Especially the reaction of the old man in front of me, Mook-yeon, was unusual.

“You mean the conditions?”

I could feel the answer in his eyes.

Mook-yeon was telling me with his eyes that it was ridiculous.

Seeing those eyes, I smiled slightly and said.

“Yes.”

Yep, that’s right.

I confirmed that what he heard was correct.

Then, Mook-yeon’s eyes narrowed further.

“Star King.”

“Yes. Elder.”

“Perhaps, were there any conditions you didn’t like?”

The conditions the Murim Alliance offered in exchange for me becoming the leader.

Did any of them displease you? Mook-yeon asked.

“No. There were no conditions I disliked.”

How could I dislike them?

The conditions offered by the Murim Alliance were truly unprecedented.

I recalled the contents of the letter Mook-yeon had given me yesterday.

The first condition.

• Belonging to the Murim Alliance, but with freedom of action without restriction by orders, except for the Alliance Leader.

It was an unprecedented condition right from the start.

The Sword Squads within the Murim Alliance.

Among them, the Eight Sword Squads are like pillars of the Alliance.

They are beings of a higher rank, but ultimately, they are no different in that they follow orders.

The five leaders existing in the Alliance.

Excluding the Alliance Leader and Mook-yeon here, there were those who sat in positions to maintain the Murim Alliance, equivalent to elders in a clan.

Yet, the Sword Squad members inevitably had to follow their orders.

The ability to act autonomously without following orders here means…

‘They’re giving me the authority to ignore them.’

It meant I could do as I pleased without needing to listen to their orders, no matter what they said.

And the second condition.

• During the contract period as a leader, the Sanxiu Guild will be exempt from the sponsorship fees paid to righteous sects and transaction contract fees.

Honestly, this was of little use to me.

The sponsorship fees forcibly levied to belong to the righteous sects.

Those fees were priced in proportion to the size of the clan.

Since Gu Clan is also a prominent family, they would be paying a considerable amount.

Additionally, when operating a separate merchant guild or conducting transactions for trade, they skim some money in the name of the Alliance.

It meant they would exempt Gu Clan from such money-skimming practices.

It’s a great thing from the perspective of a family head, but…

‘In the end, if I work as a leader, they won’t act like thugs anymore.’

This part didn’t resonate much with me.

Following that, the third condition.

• Upon assuming the role of leader, command authority over branches, along with command authority over one other squad besides the Azure Dragon Squad, will be granted.

This would be the part that tempted me the most, if anything.

As a leader of the main Alliance, one receives the authority to mobilize regional branches, and along with that authority…

‘Command of another Sword Squad.’

One can command one of the other eight Sword Squads, excluding the Azure Dragon Squad.

This was truly a significant advantage.

Just by becoming a leader, the money owed to the Alliance disappears, orders are not received except from the Alliance Leader, and command of a Sword Squad is gained.

There are many things to consider, such as the contract period and the amount received from the Alliance, but…

This was also measured quite favorably.

I could gain all of this simply by becoming a leader.

It meant it wasn’t a losing deal.

The other side surely knew that too, which is why they showed that reaction when I said I would add more conditions.

I understand.

If it were me, I would have also seen it as me saying I wouldn’t ask for more after being given so much.

But you see.

‘What are they going to do if they don’t comply?’

It’s unfortunate for the Alliance, but I knew my own worth very well.

In my past life, around the time the Divine Sword was first called So-geomseong.

I knew to some extent about the conditions she received when joining the Alliance.

I found it absurd after hearing them.

‘She knew absolutely nothing about the ways of the world.’

At that time, So-geomseong was someone who didn’t care about such things at all.

Regardless of the conditions, she was eager to join the Alliance and save people, thanks to which the Alliance could bring So-geomseong in under very trivial conditions.

How would So-geomseong then compare to me now?

Although it would be difficult to compare to So-geomseong when she displayed the power of Pama during the war.

My current position would be several times higher than So-geomseong’s back then, and knowing this, I…

‘I must receive conditions a hundred times better than So-geomseong’s.’

At least a hundred times better.

It was a value worth demanding, even if it meant tearing down the pillars of the Murim Alliance.

Perhaps sensing my intentions, Mook-yeon’s expression didn’t look very good.

“Elder.”

But what can you do?

“If you don’t like it, quit. I don’t care if I don’t do it.”

“…”

It was a bold gamble. ‘If you’re pissed off, quit. I don’t have to do it.’ That was the literal attitude.

In reality, this could lead to conflict with the Alliance and troublesome disadvantages.

I knew that perfectly well, but… as I said earlier.

“But, do you have a better way than this?”

The Alliance must also know that utilizing me now is the best method.

The problem is, they probably didn’t realize that I knew that clearly.

“The conditions are quite good. It’s rare for someone to ask me to become a leader with such unprecedented terms, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. However, Star King, knowing this, are you still mentioning additional conditions?”

“Yes. Just because it’s rare doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. It doesn’t meet my satisfaction.”

“…”

“If you don’t like it, please say so comfortably.”

I said with a bright smile.

After finishing my words, Mook-yeon stared at me intently with furrowed brows.

His eyes were on me, but I could tell he was fiercely contemplating within them. A few seconds passed.

“Star King.”

“Yes.”

“Even the conditions I’ve offered now faced considerable opposition, but this old man obtained them through significant effort.”

I grasped the meaning hidden within his calmly spoken words.

• So, come on, just accept this much.

That seemed to be the gist of it.

‘Hmm.’

Is that how they’re going to play it? As soon as I thought that, I used the same tactic.

“I see. You must have gone through a lot of trouble.”

• That’s none of my business. Try saying something else.

“If the conditions aren’t to your satisfaction… it’s possible to change them to other conditions. How about that?”

• That’s impossible. I’d rather change them to what you want.

“Haha. I appreciate the offer, but… what I want isn’t a change.

• Is that a dog barking somewhere? I don’t accept pathetic tricks.

“…”

“…”

Conversations with different underlying meanings were exchanged countless times.

The conversation wasn’t progressing.

Perhaps, if it continued like this, there would be no end in sight.

Knowing that, I moved immediately.

Creak.

I pulled out my chair and stood up.

“It seems the conversation won’t be able to progress further.”

I have no time for stalling.

Going back and forth, the starting point was always the same.

“Thank you for the generous offer. I look forward to meeting you again under better circumstances.”

If you don’t like it, fine. My attitude remained the same, and since the conversation seemed endless, I turned to leave without hesitation.

As my steps carried me forward and I reached for the doorknob.

“…Alright.”

I stopped short.

Hearing Mook-yeon’s words, I turned my head slightly.

“…First, could you hear me out?”

The old man clutched his head as if it ached.

As soon as I saw him, I could smirk.

“Of course. I can talk as much as you want.”

I won.

---

Ssssk.

I wrote a line of text onto the letter.

After finishing, I handed it to Mook-yeon, who was sitting opposite me.

“I’ve finished writing.”

Three sheets of letter, numerically speaking.

I wrote my name on those letters.

Although the title was ‘contract’, it was currently written verbally.

Since I needed to discuss it with Gu Clan properly, I just wrote down my intentions for now.

Convincing the clan can be done later.

‘There are many things hindering this timing, but it will probably be possible.’

The contract as a leader is for five years.

Whether to renew the contract after that would depend on the circumstances then, but…

‘Five years, my foot.’

I have no intention of keeping that duration in the first place.

Even if I take on the role of leader, I’ll finish it in less than a year.

‘Yes, about that much should be enough.’

I should be able to gain everything I want within a year.

Anything more was unnecessary.

No, even trying to do more would be a problem.

For me, it wasn’t just the clan, but ‘time’ itself that was the issue.

“Well then. Please take good care of me from now on.”

After handing over the letters, I truly turned my back this time.

There was no reason to stay here any longer, and no one tried to stop me as I left.

Thump-!

And so the door closed.

“…Hmm…”

Mook-yeon exhaled the breath he had been holding.

He had to press his brow as if his head was throbbing, and exert considerable effort to suppress a rising cough.

After catching his breath for a moment, Mook-yeon…

“…Hoho…”

Soon burst into a hollow laugh.

“What an extraordinary child…”

How long had it been since he exerted so much mental energy?

It was probably on a level that could be counted on one hand since his retirement.

Recalling the fierce conversation, Mook-yeon took a sip of tea. His throat was parched.

“It’s not easy.”

It was truly difficult.

It wouldn’t have been this difficult normally, but unfortunately, both the situation and the opponent were unfavorable.

The person who absolutely had to be brought in happened to know their own value far too well.

The more we talked, the more I could tell.

No matter what I say, you have to accept it.

Their reactions showed a deep conviction of that.

Of course, even with that conviction, these are not things that can be easily done.

“…They did it so casually.”

Far from being burdened, they seemed to be enjoying it.

Even while continuing the conversation, they showed no sign of yielding, as if they had no intention of giving up the initiative.

‘They seemed to know well that they could lose it if they weren’t careful.’

A point where they had no choice but to yield somehow.

Even knowing that, the opponent didn’t let their guard down even for a moment during the conversation.

In short.

“Hmm.”

It was a situation where there was no other choice.

“It’s truly regrettable.”

Mook-yeon has no children.

However, even if he had grandchildren, they would likely be older than Star King.

Although he felt completely fleeced by such a young child, Mook-yeon didn’t feel bad.

How many people could converse with him without being intimidated and still get what they wanted?

Throughout the Central Plains, Mook-yeon recalled only three such individuals.

One was the Sword Master in his youth, another was the God of Medicine, and the last was the first head of the Hundred Flowers Merchant Guild.

And.

Now, another person had been added to Mook-yeon’s mind.

However, it probably wouldn’t be a pleasant memory.

“…I never imagined they would extort so much.”

He was completely stripped bare. Most of the conditions he proposed were absurd.

Even when trying to pare down a few of them, Mook-yeon had to put in considerable effort.

‘In the end, two conditions had to be accepted.’

Not all of them could be rejected; two conditions, along with a modification to one of the original conditions, had to be accepted.

He couldn’t possibly have brought that person here otherwise.

“Hmm…”

“Was this truly the right thing to do?”

His contemplation deepened.

It had been seven days since he returned as the interim strategist.

During that time, Mook-yeon had been assigned numerous tasks.

To be precise, it would be more accurate to say that Mook-yeon had increased the workload himself.

He couldn’t have endured it otherwise.

A mess.

That perfectly described the current state of the Alliance.

After the Sword Master left, he had stepped down, seemingly exhausted. What had happened during his absence?

He wouldn’t have left his post if he had known it would become this disastrous.

That was the extent of his regret.

Therefore, he should have endured bringing Star King in as a leader, no matter what.

If these were the conditions, other leaders would likely protest, and it would be difficult to consider him truly under their control.

Instead of bringing Star King in under the title of leader, it would have been better to devise another strategy.

‘I’m getting old too.’

Mook-yeon admitted his mistake.

It was an irrational decision, driven by pride.

A choice made by instinct, feeling the need to acquire that person at all costs.

What certainty drove him, having only met the person twice at most?

As soon as he pondered this, Mook-yeon found the answer.

‘It’s because I don’t know.’

Not because I don’t know the reason.

Mook-yeon couldn’t grasp who Star King was.

It usually took at most two meetings to understand a person.

Mook-yeon’s eyes had always been like that, and they remained so.

The Sword Master himself used to call this insight (혜안).

Surprisingly, even to Mook-yeon…

‘Star King is invisible.’

It was difficult to ascertain everything about Star King. What was their character, their nature, what beliefs did they hold?

They couldn’t be seen clearly.

Was it because they were too deep and profound?

Or perhaps…

‘Is it because too much is hidden above, obscuring their true intentions?’

Whatever the case, he knew Star King was unusual.

That made things even more arduous.

‘If only that child weren’t a martial artist.’

At this point, he even felt like taking them in and teaching them many things, as if they were a beggar.

They seemed like an enraged bull, yet used that bulk to conceal a serpentine cunning.

Like a venomous snake ready to strike at any moment.

Despite their apparent age, they exuded an uncanny level of skill.

Mook-yeon, who had never pursued martial arts, couldn’t fully comprehend it, but he could gauge how absurdly powerful Star King was.

‘Therefore, please…’

Mook-yeon placed the wine glass he was holding on the table with a click.

Simultaneously, he looked out the window at the sky, his eyes chilling.

‘I hope not.’

He hoped Star King was different from his expectations.

And that they were not connected to the Heavenly Demon of the Demonic Cult (마교의 천마).

Thus, hoping they would become the hope for the declining righteous sects.

The primary reason Mook-yeon went to such lengths to bring Star King in as a leader was ultimately to confirm this.

Thus, a few days later.

The Murim Alliance announced its stance on the Sword Squads through the Kaebang.

It was announced that the Sword Squads would be replenished, given that three leaders had died.

The newly appointed leader was none other than Star King (星王).

Star King, who had recently saved Hanam and ranked seventh, was appointed as the leader of a newly established Sword Squad, though its name was yet undecided.

And the Divine Dragon Squad (神龍隊), the Murim Alliance’s finest Sword Squad that had faded into history, would also be revived.