Chapter 806: Where is my son?

The child of Eul-yeong Geomhu.

Mook Yeon’s pupils tremble at the letter written thus.

Watching his reaction, I lowered my gaze.

I was curious.

I wondered how Mook Yeon, the man who was in the Murim Alliance back then, would react regarding Eul-yeong Geomhu.

Did he also know about what happened during the ‘war’ back then?

And.

‘Are you also involved?’

What connection does the old man named Mook Yeon have with that incident?

That was something I was curious about, and it was also the reason I wrote words that didn’t necessarily need to be written.

So, show me.

If you know something, show me your impressions of the world you saw back then.

Show me even a little bit of that.

As I watched Mook Yeon with that thought in mind.

“…Eul-yeong Geomhu…. she….”

“…”

Mook Yeon spoke with a slightly trembling voice.

Seeing that, I thought to myself.

‘On hold.’

The reaction is subtle. It’s hard to call it shock, and equally hard to call it affection.

If it’s affection, what would be affectionate?

A reaction that is far from enough to recall something.

So, I was disappointed.

‘There’s no way you didn’t know.’

The possibility that Mook Yeon didn’t know about Eul-yeong Geomhu?

It’s not non-existent, but it converges almost to zero (無).

He’s the old man who took charge of most of the affairs of the Murim Alliance, which was called the golden age back then.

It’s the same even now.

It seems like it hasn’t even been half a month since he returned. Already, the Alliance was systematically changing.

He started taking measures to win back the public sentiment that was being destroyed. He began removing stagnant elements and fixing the broken system.

I was astonished by the speed and effectiveness.

There were so many things that couldn’t be handled without knowing the internal and external affairs of the Alliance.

If an old man who took a break for a while is like this, what must Mook Yeon have been like back then?

‘I don’t know for sure, but he must have been incredible.’

No matter how I look at it, there’s no way this old man didn’t know the situation.

Then it was one of two things.

He either planned it together depending on the situation.

Or else.

‘He knew but tolerated it.’

I was curious which of these two Mook Yeon belonged to.

Of course.

‘Even if it’s either of the two, the outcome doesn’t change.’

Regardless of Mook Yeon’s choice between the two, the option to eliminate him doesn’t change.

Only the process leading to the outcome changes.

In that sense, Mook Yeon’s current reaction…

‘There’s still a need to probe further.’

As I thought that and looked at Mook Yeon, he added words to me.

“How did you, the Seong-ryong Leader, come to know this woman…?”

Asking about the relationship between me and Eul-yeong Geomhu’s child, Bong-sun, I composed my expression and spoke.

“Do I have to tell you that much? This seems like a question not covered by the contract.”

“…”

Regardless of any circumstances, I accept the five I want as sword attendants.

That was the text written in the conditions.

As such, Mook Yeon cannot question me.

He would know that too.

“Seong-ryong Leader.”

“Yes.”

“…Do you know who Eul-yeong Geomhu is?”

“Of course. I know, naturally.”

I answered Mook Yeon as if asking why he’d ask something so obvious.

“Isn’t she a criminal who was preparing for the Jeongsa Great War?”

“…”

At the nonchalant answer, Mook Yeon’s eyebrows twitched faintly.

Yes, Eul-yeong Geomhu is a traitor and a criminal.

That was the history the Murim Alliance had created.

“Does that mean you brought this woman here even knowing that?”

A tone that seemed displeased somewhere.

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Haha. Why are you acting like this, Mook Advisor-nim?”

“…What did you say?”

“Isn’t the fact that the mother is a criminal and this woman being a criminal slightly different issues? Besides, they say she’s illegitimate.”

“…”

“Moreover.”

I reached out and pointed to a phrase written on the letter.

“Most importantly, the Ami Sect is vouching for the woman. What’s there to be anxious about?”

Pi Yeon-yeon.

The daughter of the Pi family, and the one supporting her, is the Ami Sect. Specifically, its Sect Leader, Kwon Seon.

It’s one of the Nine Great Sects proving her identity, not just any other place.

Thanks to that, the justification was already sufficient.

However.

‘The fact that it’s the Ami Sect must be the issue.’

Not just any place, but the Ami Sect.

From my perspective, Eul-yeong Geomhu, the Ami Sect, and the Alliance must have been entangled in something, and because of that, even with the vouching of identity, doubts must be erupting within Mook Yeon.

“So, it doesn’t seem like there’s a problem… Is there perhaps something bothering you?”

“…Even if there’s no problem, there’s public perception.”

“Well, I suppose so.”

“This is something that could cause problems even within the Alliance. Even if you, the Seong-ryong Leader, mentioned the conditions.”

“A problem… You mean bringing a criminal’s child into the Murim Alliance?”

And also.

“The child of a woman who, if successful, would have become the spark for the Jeongsa Great War?”

“…That’s right.”

At Mook Yeon’s words, I nodded.

As if I understood what you were saying.

“Hmm.”

Of course, I was just pretending.

“Mook Advisor-nim. Then what should we do? Should I remove her and put someone else in? It doesn’t really matter much to me either way.”

If it causes problems, I’ll remove her.

It was a casually spoken sentence.

“I haven’t known this fact for long either… I thought it might cause problems, but I included her just in case, so if it’s bothersome, I’ll remove her.”

“…That…”

“As you said, it seems like there might be issues.”

“…”

As I spoke, I reached out. My intention was to take only the letter related to Bong-sun.

Pluck.

“Hm?”

For some reason, the letter seemed fixed and wouldn’t move.

Upon checking, Mook Yeon was holding the letter and not letting go.

“Mook Advisor-nim?”

“Since you mentioned the conditions, it wasn’t an opinion to just exclude her outright.”

Hearing that, I narrowed my eyes.

“Then?”

“I will erase the last line. If you just pay attention to this part, I think it will be fine.”

The last line…

‘Is it the part about Eul-yeong Geomhu?’

Pi Yeon-yeon. The information that Bong-sun is of Eul-yeong Geomhu’s bloodline.

The opinion was that it would be fine as long as that was kept secret.

This means…

‘You know, but you’ll let it slide quietly, so put her in.’

The fact that Mook Yeon showed this much reaction here…

‘This old geezer is also involved somehow.’

It was evidence that there was some relationship with Eul-yeong Geomhu.

‘This seems like a bit of a stretch.’

Not my stretch, but Mook Yeon’s stretch.

Mook Yeon is wary of me.

Separate from the intention to use me to filter the Murim Alliance, I know he harbors some suspicion towards me.

Moreover, Mook Yeon probably knows that I’m not just an idiot. He knows I’ll notice something strange about this.

Mook Yeon is concerned about Eul-yeong Geomhu’s child.

He’s telling me to include her, even going so far as to treat important matters as secrets.

I recognized that.

Mook Yeon must also know this process…

‘But he’s still going to do this?’

It was surprising to me.

I expected him to tell me to remove her, naturally. That’s why I had planned the next course of action keeping this in mind.

‘If it becomes like this, I’ll have to go for the third option.’

The first and second options are scrapped.

I had to immediately proceed to the third.

“Since you, Mook Advisor-nim, already know, what difference will keeping it a secret make?”

“I will prepare a solution. I will speak with the Ami Sect separately.”

“Hmm.”

Does this mean he has no intention of hiding his concern?

At this point, I couldn’t help but ask.

“Why?”

At my question, Mook Yeon frowned.

“…”

“Is Eul-yeong Geomhu herself the problem? Or is it the fact that she’s her daughter? I don’t understand why you, Mook Advisor-nim, are acting like this.”

Recalling the other party’s stretch, I also asked somewhat directly.

Then, a slight sharpness appeared in Mook Yeon’s eyes.

“I will answer your question with what you just said to me, Leader.”

“…”

I shut my mouth at those words.

It meant, ‘I’ve created a situation where I can’t ask, so you shouldn’t ask either.’

‘Tsk.’

It was disappointing, but as he said, there was nothing more to gain by digging deeper.

Even this much is a big harvest.

‘I learned that Mook Yeon is excessively concerned, and I also found out he knows something.’

All that’s left is to find out.

“Yes, well. I’ll take that as confirmation that it’s okay. I’ll be going now.”

“…I won’t see you out.”

Hearing that, I turned my back immediately.

At the same time, I raised my hand and wiped the slight sweat on my cheek.

I gained a lot of information, but there was one thing I regretted.

‘He must have figured this out.’

Just as I learned one more thing about Mook Yeon.

Mook Yeon probably noticed it too.

‘That I seem to know something about Eul-yeong Geomhu.’

I don’t know if he fully realized it, or just got a feeling that it might be the case, but…

It seemed like he caught some whiff of it.

So, I wanted to turn back right now and see Mook Yeon’s face.

I wanted to check what expression he was making…

‘…That would be a checkmate.’

I held back because this action might give him certainty.

Creak.

I pulled the doorknob, swallowing a groan.

I recalled the words obtained at the end of the conversation.

Do not reveal that Bong-sun is Eul-yeong Geomhu’s child.

That’s what Mook Yeon said.

‘I should listen.’

I decided to listen to his words.

It was still okay. Because…

‘I just have to not reveal it, right?’

Because my mouth isn’t the only mouth that exists.

---

After leaving Mook Yeon, I headed back towards Seong-ryong Dae.

I didn’t head straight there. I stopped by Cheol-ryong Dae briefly on my way out.

I went because I had something to ask Eun-rang Geom, but unfortunately, he was out of his seat.

Thanks to that, I left only seeing the frowning gazes of the Cheol-ryong Dae members.

Those bastards… I didn’t beat up Eun-rang Geom, so why are they looking at me with such spite?

I considered flipping them over but held back.

‘I’m letting it slide for Eun-rang Geom’s sake.’

Eun-rang Geom, who was more sane than I expected. I decided to let it go moderately for that guy’s sake.

If it had been Ssang-ui Hwan Geom, I would have left after making sure they couldn’t walk properly.

‘Tsk.’

Anyway.

Clicking my tongue briefly, I headed towards the main hall.

There was still some time left until the promised one shi-jin (hour), but the rest would be watching when I get there.

‘I wonder how it turned out.’

I had ordered it before leaving, but I don’t know how things turned out.

After all, even if I told them to fight, who knows if they resolved it amicably through conversation?

‘I suspect the ones who came to support probably didn’t go overboard, even if the Alliance folks did.’

Not a single one is below the peak level (Jeol-jeong).

It’s a group gathered with excessively strong power, but because of that, it could actually be easier.

The difference in power is so vast, it can be known without needing a fight.

So, maybe only the Alliance folks fought like hell, and the other side was relatively peaceful?

As I headed towards Seong-ryong Dae with such expectations.

Whooong-!

“Hm?”

While walking, I suddenly felt an energy.

It was a thick, dense wind of internal energy (Nae-gi).

‘Huh….’

Feeling this, I frowned. It was a familiar sensation.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one feeling it; the martial artists vaguely visible around were also staring at one spot.

The location was in the direction of Seong-ryong Dae.

As soon as I felt this, I quickened my pace.

Grrr-!

Kuuung-!! Kiiigig-!!

As I got closer, not only the energy but also the sounds grew louder.

“…”

Feeling it up to this point, I put strength into my toes and leaped.

I had a gut feeling. Something had exploded.

Whoosh-!

In an instant, the scenery changed, and I arrived inside the main hall.

At that moment.

“Crazy.”

I had to curse at the scene that unfolded.

Kiiigig—!!! Kkwang-!!

“Aargh!”

“G-get back!”

An immense energy was swirling wildly inside.

The wind pressure from blades, terrifyingly fierce.

A feast of internal energy (Nae-gi) whose intensity was baffling.

Amidst the violent gusts formed by sword energy (Geom-gang), I surveyed the surroundings.

“D-don’t come any closer!”

“You’ll die if you get caught!”

The martial artists from the Alliance, as well as those who came to support, were all busy dodging the sword energy (Geom-gang).

Some were deflecting the energy mid-way, letting it flow past.

There were also those who desperately blocked it, fearing the energy might cause damage.

Just then.

Hwaaak-!!

A sword energy (Geom-gang) flew towards me.

I immediately swung my hand and struck the energy away.

Pagang-!

The sword energy (Geom-gang) shattered, scattering fragments. My fingertips tingled.

It was not only quite strong energy, but…

‘…This energy.’

The energy was so familiar that I couldn’t help but furrow my brow.

“L-Leader-nim! Are you alright?”

I turned my head at the voice.

Someone was approaching me. A familiar face.

It was Yeol-tu Jeon Geom, who had helped me during the assessment.

As soon as I saw him, I asked.

“Explain.”

“Y-yes?”

Back then, it was polite speech, but now it was different.

Yeol-tu Jeon Geom showed momentary confusion at the changed tone, but…

“This situation right now. Explain it to me.”

I didn’t care about that and asked him again.

I couldn’t help it.

The owner of that vortex visible before my eyes.

A golden sword and violent thunderous gusts.

The owner of the sword energy (Geom-gang) that made my legs tremble just by looking at it was none other than…

“Why are they doing that?”

Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah.

The two were fighting as if they wanted to kill each other.