Chapter 783: Come up one by one.

Past life.

Roughly speaking, it was around an age not much different from now.

Perhaps if there was a difference, it would be a year or two older.

Originally, leaving the clan grounds, let alone joining, would have been a problem. For some reason, my father, the clan head, had thrown me into the Murim Alliance.

It was quite a strange thing.

Because in a situation where I wasn’t even allowed out of the clan much, he specifically threw me all the way to Henan.

Even thinking about it now, I can’t quite understand it…

Back then, it didn’t really matter.

Or perhaps, I thought it was good?

Because I felt like I could run away from that damn house and rest, even for a little while.

And.

Because the child I sometimes thought of was there.

It probably wasn’t the entire reason, but perhaps for me, I thought that was enough.

However, if I could make a different choice now… I probably wouldn’t make the same one.

The things I experienced at the Alliance were far more numerous and uncomfortable than I expected…

And the reason my faith in the Orthodox sects hit rock bottom was also due to the events back then.

Whether it was joining the Flying Dragon Unit and receiving all sorts of contempt and disregard.

Or experiencing the bloodbath caused by the Heavenly Demon, moving units multiple times.

Or losing people, and losing more, forcing me to abandon myself.

Having gone through things I didn’t need to, I became who I am now.

They weren’t exactly good experiences.

Perhaps that’s why.

“Hmm.”

As I walked further inside the Alliance, memories from back then surfaced.

Even though quite some time has passed, and these things should have ceased to exist by now.

For some reason, the things I feel are incredibly vivid.

‘Did that tree look like that?’

A single tree in the open garden visible to my side.

As far as I know, it was said to be an ancient tree that existed since the Alliance’s founding. It’s been there for a very long time, and the Alliance considered it a symbol, managing it with considerable effort.

Of course.

‘The Heavenly Demon appeared and burned it down, though.’

When she first appeared, she burned it down along with annihilating several Unit Leaders and martial experts.

They call it a symbol, but it wasn’t a tree I saw very often.

‘In the first place, to see that tree… you had to have a certain rank.’

The location I’m walking through is quite deep inside the Alliance.

Meaning, it wasn’t a tree that someone like me, a mere subordinate in the Alliance during my past life, could just look at casually.

Ah, sometimes I did see it when I was passing by to deliver something.

Back then, I just thought, ‘What a pointlessly large tree.’

‘Seeing it now, it feels strange.’

The ancient tree I’m facing again gives off a strange aura.

Literally, an ancient tree (古木).

A tree rooted in the earth for many years, enduring the passage of time.

It was called one of the Alliance’s symbols and treated with reverence.

Now that I see it, I understand the reason.

‘Energy is permeated within.’

A particularly dense energy can be glimpsed within the ancient tree.

They say that sometimes, energy permeates old objects or living beings like this.

It seems that ancient tree is exactly like that.

‘How peculiar.’

Energy that wasn’t visible before. Feeling it, I looked at the tree with interest.

It doesn’t seem like that much energy is just there…

There seems to be something more.

‘Should I try using my Mystic Eyes?’

Wouldn’t I be able to see more deeply if I used them?

Just as I was about to focus my eyes thinking that…

“The Azure Dragon Unit Leader and the Holy King are entering.”

Hearing the voice from ahead, I had to stop, licking my lips.

Unfortunately, it seems I’ve reached my destination.

Kkiiik.

The massive gate opened, and I stepped inside.

Inside was one of the largest spaces in the Alliance, with about a dozen tables and chairs, and several people were already occupying seats.

Hoo-woook-!

‘Hmm.’

As soon as I entered the room, a peculiar air brushed against my nose.

‘…It’s really stuffy.’

A heavy and unpleasant sensation.

The air was thoroughly permeated with internal energy (negi).

Certainly, the room wasn’t small, but the energy emanating from the people inside was the cause.

‘My, my.’

I turned my eyes to assess the number of people.

There were four people.

With me and Ilcheonggeom added, that makes six.

The total number of people is six.

‘And five of them have surpassed the Hwagyeong realm.’

Well over half the people had reached the Hwagyeong realm.

Given that situation, it’s only natural the air would be like this, isn’t it?

So, while I was repeatedly clicking my tongue due to the somewhat unpleasant feeling.

“Welcome.”

The person in the center spoke.

He was the only one present who wasn’t in the Hwagyeong realm.

He wasn’t even a martial artist.

“Yes. Elder. Good to see you again.”

I said, smiling as I looked at the person, Mukyeon, the Alliance’s strategist.

Hearing that, Mukyeon also offered a faint smile.

“I haven’t kept you waiting, have I? I don’t believe I have, but since everyone is gathered, I was wondering if I might be late.”

“You are not late. You’ve arrived right on time.”

“That’s a relief.”

As I spoke, I scanned the individuals one by one.

Mukyeon the strategist.

The others…

‘Including the Divine Archer, the Twin Crescent Swords, and the Silver Wolf Sword, I see.’

They are the Red Dragon Unit Leader, the Gold Dragon Unit Leader, and the Iron Dragon Unit Leader.

That means, including Ilcheonggeom, there are four Unit Leaders present.

After looking around briefly, I pointed to a chair and asked.

“May I sit anywhere?”

“Please, sit comfortably.”

Kkeugeuk.

As I found a chair and sat down, Ilcheonggeom also took a seat.

Naturally, he sat a little distance away from me.

Seeing that, Mukyeon looked at me with his characteristic gaze and said.

“I heard there was a bit of commotion before you arrived. Were you alright?”

It seems he had already heard about the incident with Ilcheonggeom.

It didn’t matter. It was only natural that Mukyeon would already know.

“Ah, well… it wasn’t quite a commotion. Just a minor difference of opinion.”

I replied, waving my hand dismissively as if it were nothing, and simultaneously added while looking at Ilcheonggeom.

“Isn’t that right? Senior Ilcheonggeom?”

“…”

When I pointed him out, Ilcheonggeom’s brow furrowed slightly.

For a moment, I thought he couldn’t control his expression, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“It wasn’t anything to worry about. My subordinate made a significant mistake, but the Holy King graciously overlooked it.”

‘Wow.’

His words flowed so smoothly, I almost let out a hollow laugh.

Ilcheonggeom, who had been burning with rage just moments ago, seemed to have collected his thoughts.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to speak so fluently.

Hearing Ilcheonggeom’s explanation, Mukyeon nodded slightly.

“I see. Understood.”

Does this mean this topic is closed?

After all, dragging it out further would be pointless.

There were more important matters to discuss now.

“Well then… it seems all personnel are present. Let’s begin the discussion.”

Let’s get down to business.

As those words were spoken, the atmosphere shifted slightly.

Tuk tuk.

Mukyeon had already taken out a scroll, placed it on the table, picked up a small brush, and then began to speak.

“The Flying Dragon Unit Leader is absent due to a recently assigned mission. The Guardian Unit Leader has a prior engagement with the Alliance Leader. Furthermore.”

Seuuk.

The brush lightly touched down on the scroll.

“The Divine Dragon Unit Leader is accompanying an engagement, thus also absent.”

Divine Dragon Unit Leader. Hearing that, my ears perked up.

‘Does that mean they aren’t here now?’

I had come with half-expectations, hoping to see them, but it seems they are currently away.

Just then.

Kkeugeuk.

A subtle sound came from not far away.

The direction was none other than where Ilcheonggeom was seated.

I looked to see what the sound was, but there was no particular change in his appearance.

“Therefore, we shall commence today’s Unit Leader meeting with the current attendees.”

I nodded at Mukyeon’s words.

This was the reason I came to the Murim Alliance today.

‘A Unit Leader meeting…’

It literally means the Unit Leaders gather to talk, and the reason I’m attending is, naturally…

“The reason for proceeding with today’s meeting is that before the Holy King begins activities as a Unit Leader, there are matters to convey to the other Unit Leaders.”

It’s because, starting today, I had to step in as a Unit Leader of the Alliance.

There were no pleasantries. The atmosphere wasn’t leisurely either, and I preferred getting straight to the point, so honestly, this was better.

For reference, the name was probably the Rising Dragon Unit, wasn’t it?

‘Ah… I already feel like I’m going to puke.’

His sobriquet was crap, and the unit’s name is dog-crap too. What’s more.

‘The reactions of everyone else are also a mess.’

The situation of the Unit Leaders listening is not great either.

Ilcheonggeom maintained a neutral expression, but as I saw earlier, he definitely wasn’t feeling good.

The other Unit Leaders were the same.

The Red Dragon Unit Leader showed no particular emotion, but the others clearly displayed discomfort.

While wondering why they were reacting like that, I roughly knew the reason.

‘It must be because some clueless brat suddenly became a Unit Leader, hence these reactions.’

The Unit Leaders of the Alliance are like pillars responsible for the Murim Alliance.

As such, the position of Unit Leader is typically granted to those who have shown strength and loyalty to the Alliance through long service within the Murim Alliance.

At least ten years.

Perhaps even longer, enduring hardships and activities just to barely attain such a position.

So, it’s understandable that the Unit Leaders would find it uncomfortable for a young brat like me to suddenly occupy such a position.

However.

‘It also means they were desperate enough to push this through despite knowing that.’

It was a situation where they couldn’t help but anticipate the Unit Leaders’ backlash.

Even knowing that clearly, the Murim Alliance decided to appoint me as a Unit Leader.

This means, in other words.

‘I was more important than the Unit Leaders’ opposition.’

It’s something that could be seen that way by the Unit Leaders.

No, they definitely felt that way, which is why they’re showing their discomfort so openly.

“Firstly, the unit the Holy King will be in charge of has been named the Rising Dragon Unit.”

I had already heard this, so I didn’t react.

Observing the Unit Leaders’ reactions was more important than Mukyeon’s words.

“Furthermore, as previously communicated, the Rising Dragon Unit will serve as the vanguard responsible for the Unorthodox factions, carrying out combat-focused missions.”

This was information I received just yesterday.

Meaning, the unit I would lead would play a significant role in dealing with the Unorthodox factions mentioned earlier.

‘A unit dedicated to the Unorthodox factions.’

Not responsible for demonic beasts and humans.

A unit created solely to handle the Unorthodox factions.

As the Alliance Leader said, it was also prepared as a showpiece for the upcoming war against the Unorthodox factions.

“And….”

Seuuk. Seuk.

Even while speaking, Mukyeon kept looking at the scroll.

It seemed he was writing something down, but I didn’t look closely.

Is this how smart people operate?

Madam Mi and Moyong Hi-ah often seemed like this too.

They always seemed to be doing multiple things at once.

Do they think that’s efficient?

I don’t particularly understand it, but it’s not something I need to comprehend anyway.

Anyway.

Everything up to this point is fine.

It wouldn’t particularly matter either way.

“Unlike previous units, whose members were drawn from within…”

The important thing is.

“The members of the Rising Dragon Unit will be selected through a separate examination held externally, not internally, within five days.”

This means the Unit Leaders’ dissatisfaction is about to explode right from the start of the discussion.