Murim Alliance Zhejiang Branch
Murim Alliance Zhejiang Branch.
Just as branch manager Wang Josam was finishing up postponed tasks to rest after providing information to Go Dongjun, a message arrived from Go Dongjun, requesting that members be dispatched to surveil the Black Sand Gang.
“…”
No sooner had his work ended than new work appeared. Wang Josam’s expression darkened rapidly.
But what could he do?
Orders were orders.
He re-affirmed his resignation to his fate.
After sorting out even the dispatch request, Wang Josam intended to enjoy a brief rest.
“Branch Manager Wang, it’s me, Go Dongjun of the Thousand Sword Unit.”
He had returned. Beside him stood a finely-featured youth.
‘Ah.’
In that moment, Wang Josam’s face twisted bitterly.
Was this fate?
To be tormented by Go Dongjun and die from overwork, becoming a ghost of the Zhejiang branch of the Murim Alliance in Hangzhou?
But Wang Josam was also a martial artist.
He quickly controlled his facial muscles with reflexes akin to a martial skill.
His ability to compose his expression bordered on the supernatural.
“You’re here, great hero Go. I received your message. Is there a reason you’ve visited the branch in person?”
“Yes, thanks to you. I appreciate it. But your expression doesn’t look too good. I can’t blame you—the workload must’ve piled up because of me.”
Go Dongjun paused briefly before speaking again.
“But remember, branch manager, the root of all this isn’t me, but the Heaven Piercing Cult.”
It was most unfortunate for Wang Josam that Go Dongjun’s perceptiveness surpassed his own reaction speed.
Go Dongjun never missed even a flicker of expression from Wang Josam.
As he spoke with veiled meaning, silence fell over the room.
In that awkward air, Seo Yeonwoo, who had been standing next to Go Dongjun, nodded his head.
‘He’s right.’
To all appearances, Wang Josam, the branch manager of the Murim Alliance’s Zhejiang branch, respected Go Dongjun as a superior.
And yet, he did not welcome Go Dongjun’s persistent pursuit of the Heaven Piercing Cult.
It was proof of how lightly the Murim Alliance was now regarding the threat of the Heaven Piercing Cult.
Perhaps it was inevitable after so many years spent keeping their heads down.
It was understandable, but also laughable.
This was also a perception that Seo Yeonwoo would have to change from now on.
No matter how arduous, he had to do it.
But aside from that—
‘So, the Sword Fiend was foul-tempered even before he was injured.’
To berate a subordinate so severely for showing discomfort for a mere moment.
Seo Yeonwoo had thought Go Dongjun became sensitive and harsh because he wandered countless battlefields with one arm, but it seemed it was just his nature.
What an old crank.
Seo Yeonwoo cursed Go Dongjun inwardly, though he himself had been no different before he regressed.
“Haha, just a joke, don’t take it to heart.”
Go Dongjun’s voice, trying to comfort the flustered Wang Josam, snapped Seo Yeonwoo out of his thoughts.
“No, not at all. My apologies, great hero. I should have been more careful.”
Wang Josam bowed his head hurriedly, as if merely showing his discomfort was itself rude.
“I mean it. No need to apologize.”
Go Dongjun clicked his tongue and stopped Wang Josam. He seemed to think he’d gone a bit overboard.
He, being one who had clashed with the Heaven Piercing Cult often, knew— their power was unfathomably deep, like an abyss.
But some things can only be understood by direct experience.
“In any case, the reason I’ve come to the branch today is to borrow two horses. I’m planning to go to headquarters, with this companion.”
Go Dongjun glanced at Seo Yeonwoo as he spoke.
The Murim Alliance headquarters was located near Luoyang, in Kaifeng.
As Seo Yeonwoo’s internal power was shallow and he moved slowly, it was faster to ride horseback together.
Knowing this, Seo Yeonwoo felt a pang in his heart.
He, who’d been called the Sword Sovereign and sat as number two in Black Heretical Union, now needed such consideration.
The thought that he had to become stronger dominated his mind.
His martial pride raged within him—no less than his grudge against the Heaven Piercing Cult.
“Oh, then this young hero is…?”
Wang Josam looked at Seo Yeonwoo upon hearing Go Dongjun’s words.
“Yes, this is the vagrant who wiped out the Black Sand Gang.”
Hearing this, Wang Josam looked Seo Yeonwoo up and down.
“Ho.”
At the same time, a glint appeared in Wang Josam’s eyes.
He noticed the sharply honed aura ill-befitting Seo Yeonwoo’s years.
Because peaceful times had continued for so long, even the rising stars of great sects often lacked that edge.
“A vagrant, huh. Far more interesting than the reports claimed.”
As Wang Josam marveled aloud—
‘Interesting?’
Seo Yeonwoo’s brow subtly furrowed. The tone of appraisal stung his already bruised pride once more.
His expression returned to normal almost instantly; even Go Dongjun didn’t notice.
But deep in Seo Yeonwoo’s eyes, a trace of madness swirled.
Wang Josam alone sensed it. Enough that, for a moment, even he—an esteemed branch manager—flinched.
It was not a matter of skill, but a unique madness possessed only by those who had survived countless scenes of slaughter.
Shock flashed in Wang Josam’s eyes.
He had felt this aura before.
Of course, it was far heavier and stronger than what came from Seo Yeonwoo, but just feeling something similar was remarkable.
The one who’d shown such madness—
He had been none other than the Mad Sword Demon, number two of the Black Heretical Union and a swordsman reputed to be at the very peak beneath the heavens.
He’d only glimpsed the Mad Sword Demon, but Wang Josam could never forget him.
“It comes with working in this post. I’ve gotten used to assessing people, is all. I hope you’ll understand.”
A man who could read the realm with a single glance, Wang Josam quickly changed the subject.
Despite the intense aura, his rapport with Go Dongjun remained intact.
Moreover, there was even rumor that this young vagrant had annihilated the Black Sand Gang.
Since Go Dongjun had requested a horse for the vagrant, he clearly wasn’t being taken for questioning.
Considering the Thousand Sword Unit’s needs, it was more likely he wanted to recruit Seo Yeonwoo.
If he became a member of the Alliance, they might meet again from wholly different standings.
Who knows, Seo Yeonwoo could even end up his superior.
Best to leave a favorable impression. That was Wang Josam’s way as branch manager.
“Well then, I’ll show you both to the stables. Please follow me.”
Wang Josam gave a cheerful smile, bowing at the waist.
The next day.
Just as Seo Yeonwoo and Go Dongjun prepared to leave the branch—
“Oh dear, leaving already?”
Wang Josam came to see them off with a broad smile.
“Yes, branch manager. I didn’t trouble you for a farewell, knowing how busy you must be.”
Go Dongjun replied blandly.
Though Go Dongjun was partly the reason for his busy workload, he didn’t seem especially concerned.
“Haha, but I always have time for a word, especially because there’s something I wished to give this young hero.”
Wang Josam gave another kindly smile, then turned to Seo Yeonwoo.
“I know I spoke yesterday, but my mind was still uneasy, so I came.”
His voice was sincere. Perhaps because of that, even Seo Yeonwoo’s chilly face softened a little.
The position of branch manager was never a trivial one—far from it, usually considered an important post.
For Wang Josam to bow twice to a mere vagrant was thus no trivial thing.
And Seo Yeonwoo understood that well.
“It’s alright. I didn’t take it to heart.”
So, in a slightly gentler tone, he replied to Wang Josam.
“I’m glad to hear it, but the heart rarely unburdens itself so quickly.”
Saying so, Wang Josam extended his hand.
What he held was a small box.
When Wang Josam opened it, several pills wrapped in white paper came into view.
“It’s nothing much—just some high-quality restorative pills, finer than the usual supplies.”
“Oh, these are quite a find!”
It was Go Dongjun who reacted.
He too had seen these pills before: a reward given to members who accomplished notable results.
Go Dongjun himself had received them several times.
“Ahem.”
Wang Josam did not deny it and cleared his throat.
Seo Yeonwoo smiled faintly at his desire to have his goodwill known.
“Thank you. I’ll use them well.”
“Yes, yes, take care on the long road, and you as well, deputy-unit leader.”
Seeing Seo Yeonwoo, Wang Josam broke into a broad smile and bid them farewell.
Go Dongjun and Seo Yeonwoo left Hangzhou, where the branch was located, and were riding horses toward Murim Alliance headquarters.
“You handle a horse quite well, don’t you?”
Go Dongjun called out to Seo Yeonwoo, who was riding skillfully.
“My master taught me.”
Seo Yeonwoo answered concisely.
It wasn’t a lie.
It was his master—the Mad Sword Demon—who had formally taught him horsemanship.
Though he was one of the world’s greatest swordsmen, plagued as he was by chronic energy deviation, his master had tried all manner of things to calm his mind—riding horses among them.
So Seo Yeonwoo learned horsemanship from his master.
Before his regression.
“I see, a young man of many talents.”
Go Dongjun said with a satisfied smile.
What was important to him was not Seo Yeonwoo’s origin, but simply: could he trust him, or not?
Though he hadn’t yet decided, he felt certain he would, before arriving at headquarters.
It was, somehow, a conviction.
“Thank you for the compliment, great hero.”
“It’s not praise, just a statement of fact.”
“…”
“I’m joking, joking. Was that not funny?”
“No.”
What a cheeky one.
Yet, for some reason, Go Dongjun didn’t dislike him.
Scratching his head sheepishly, he pressed on.
They rode for a time, their banter eventually falling silent as Go Dongjun raised a finger to his lips: quiet.
[There’s a commotion nearby; looks like bandits are causing trouble.]
Go Dongjun’s sound transmission pierced Seo Yeonwoo’s mind.
As befitted a top expert, Go Dongjun’s ki sense reached an impressive range.
Using Go Dongjun’s guidance, Seo Yeonwoo expanded his senses.
The process was like a spider spinning its web for prey. Though his internal power wasn’t deep, his technique was exquisite—hence such a feat.
Before long, the same disturbance was caught by Seo Yeonwoo’s ki sense.
[Yes, they’re not far off.]
Seo Yeonwoo replied by sound transmission.
Go Dongjun was briefly impressed by just how sensitive Seo Yeonwoo’s sense was, but soon straightened his face.
[Mind if I go ahead?]
Dismounting from his horse, Go Dongjun sent this message.
He was likely worried the villagers might be harmed by the bandits.
Though an old crank, his deep-seated goodness was well known to Seo Yeonwoo, so he consented.
Go Dongjun leaped down.
The instant his feet touched the ground, he shot forward with the speed of a lightning bolt.
Faster than riding—his lightfoot technique was at a level rivaling the best of experts.
In the blink of an eye, Go Dongjun’s figure shrank from view.
Only then did Seo Yeonwoo speak.
“Come on out, rat. Don’t you think it’s time?”
He looked straight at the spot where Heaven Piercing Cult Dark Moon Unit member Gwon Humyung stood.
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