Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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Chapter 342: How can someone make “admirable” sound so long?
The moment when surprise exerted its power was when it was completely unexpected.
And that was exactly the case with Bih Sa-in’s surprise right now.
―What the hell are you saying?
His sound transmission, spoken with both eyes wide open, was trembling.
―Just as I said. The children brought by the Black Snake Gang were being sent to the Unorthodox Alliance. I’m merely an intermediary.
Taejo truly hadn’t intended to reveal even this secret. However, in an atmosphere where they were even talking about summoning the Black Snake Gang Leader, he couldn’t just stay quiet. He couldn’t afford to be dragged off to the Martial Alliance or the Demonic Cult to pay for his crimes.
―I merely did what I was told.
―Who told you to do it?
―I cannot say.
As far as Bih Sa-in knew, there was no known organization within the Unorthodox Alliance that bought children. That could only mean someone was conducting this operation in secret.
―Tell me who it is.
Despite the chill in Bih Sa-in’s tone, Taejo still refused to say who it was.
―If you don’t speak, you’ll die by my hand.
Even with a threat to his life, Taejo didn’t yield to intimidation.
―Still, I cannot tell you.
Taejo was certain. He knew that Bih Sa-in couldn’t kill him over this. After all, buying and sending the children had ultimately been for the sake of the Unorthodox Alliance. You can’t kill me.
―Can you take responsibility for what you just said?
―Under what guarantee would I dare to lie? First, you should send those two people back.
Even at Taejo’s sound transmission, Bih Sa-in gave no reply.
―Young Leader, if this truth gets out, it’s going to be a headache.
Bih Sa-in fell into thought.
As their sound transmission conversation deepened, Geom Mugeuk began to suspect that the children were being sent to the Unorthodox Alliance. After all, what else could cause Bih Sa-in such hesitation in this situation?
He didn’t offer any advice. This was a moment where one martial artist named Bih Sa-in was deciding his own fate. Depending on his choice, not just Bih Sa-in’s personal fate but that of the Unorthodox Alliance—and even the fate of the entire martial world—would be affected.
Bih Sa-in, please make the right choice! 1
After a long moment of deliberation, Bih Sa-in finally opened his mouth.
“A moment ago, Leader Tae confessed of his own accord. He said he knew that the children were being regularly purchased.”
Taejo was horrified. He never imagined Bih Sa-in would say it like that. And this unexpected behavior was only the beginning.
“Young Leader! What are you doing? Didn’t you understand what I told you?”
“I understood. You said those children were sent to the Unorthodox Alliance, didn’t you?”
Silence suddenly fell over.
Taejo was appalled. He never thought such an important matter would be revealed in front of everyone. And not just anyone—members of the Demon-Slaying Brigade and the Thirteen Wolves were all present.
Are you insane? The words reached up to his throat. He nearly blurted them out.
What Geom Mugeuk had already guessed came as a complete surprise to Jin Hagun.
What was shocking wasn’t that the children had been sent to the Unorthodox Alliance—it was that the truth had been revealed. The Unorthodox Alliance he knew was always in a hurry to cover up and hide every incident.
Their very existence was villainous. Honestly, he’d expected the sound transmission conversation to go like this:
―They’re making such a big deal over a few kidnapped children.
Would Bih Sa-in’s thoughts really have been that different? At most, he was likely only hesitating because of his connection to Geom Mugeuk.
But now, Bih Sa-in’s response had completely exceeded his expectations. To admit it so readily? Even for him, that would have been no easy thing. 2
Bih Sa-in then explained the reason he revealed the truth.
“To hide one secret, it often takes ten lies. I have no intention of concealing this matter in secrecy.”
He saw Geom Mugeuk smiling at him. Seeing that smile, he felt certain that his choice hadn’t been a mistake.
Yes, perhaps he was being swayed by Geom Mugeuk. But while his mind worried, his heart answered like this:
That’s fine.
Geom Mugeuk felt good. Time would eventually reduce this moment to a fleeting piece of the past, but this decision would have a lasting impact on Bih Sa-in’s life. Well done, Bih Sa-in. Living like this is how you’ll establish your own way of the Unorthodox.
Jin Hagun sent a sound transmission to Geom Mugeuk.
―Young Cult Leader, did you know things would turn out like this?
―I didn’t know the children had been sold to the Unorthodox Alliance. But I believed the Young Leader wouldn’t stay silent about it.
Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk. Geom Mugeuk’s deep gaze was fixed on Bih Sa-in.
―We might be witnessing the rise of a future Unorthodox Alliance Leader who will be remembered in the history of the martial world. 3
And Bih Sa-in was responding to the situation with wisdom.
Bih Sa-in asked Taejo,
“When the Alliance requested children, did they tell you to kidnap them?”
“That wasn’t the case.”
“Then the Alliance isn’t at fault. Why did you entrust the task to the Black Snake Gang?”
Taejo couldn’t offer a single answer.
The one who saw through his true intent was none other than Geom Mugeuk.
“Because it cost less, didn’t it? The hard part of this job isn’t finding talent—it’s persuading the families. And even if you spend a long time persuading them, you have to compensate them properly afterward. But once you joined hands with the Black Snake Gang, the work became too easy. Just kidnap them and be done with it. You could sit back and earn big money without doing anything, couldn’t you?”
Taejo couldn’t refute a single word. It was as if Geom Mugeuk had spoken straight from within his heart.
Bih Sa-in didn’t miss the opportunity.
“You have disgraced the honor of the Alliance out of selfish greed.”
He guided the incident to be seen as not the fault of the Unorthodox Alliance. He confined the blame to Taejo and the Black Snake Gang.
“I cannot understand why the Young Leader is acting this way.”
Bih Sa-in acknowledged his words.
Yes, if he hadn’t met Geom Mugeuk, an incident like this might have passed as nothing. He would’ve lived an entirely different life.
But after meeting Geom Mugeuk, he had been deeply influenced. The moment Geom Mugeuk asked him, “What is your way of the Unorthodox?”—his life had changed.
“Up until now, perhaps it was taken for granted. But from now on, it won’t be.”
Bih Sa-in gave an order to the Thirteen Wolves.
“Send a letter immediately to the Black Snake Gang Leader and arrange a meeting.”
He was showing a clear intent to resolve the issue of child abductions once and for all.
“If they don’t show up at the meeting place, tell them the name of the Black Snake Gang will disappear from the martial world.”
A martial artist belonging to the Thirteen Wolves ran off to deliver the letter.
Taejo realized he had never truly known what kind of person the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance was.
‘Was the Young Leader always like this?’
With a trembling heart, Taejo asked,
“Then… what will happen to me?”
Bih Sa-in pressured him with a calm tone.
“Leader Tae. I’m not a man with a generous heart. I don’t have the tolerance to overlook someone who challenges my authority.”
Bih Sa-in glanced briefly at Geom Mugeuk. Quick-witted as ever, Geom Mugeuk understood exactly what he needed to do from that one look.
“We’ll compassionately take Leader Tae with us.” 4
At Geom Mugeuk’s words, Taejo’s heart pounded like mad. Surely they wouldn’t actually send him to the Demonic Cult, right? But Bih Sa-in gave a slight nod. Before Bih Sa-in could even give his consent, Taejo shouted first.
“No! Not the Demonic Cult! Please, not that!”
Geom Mugeuk smiled kindly.
“We’ll treat you well.”
Taejo knew well enough that that was a lie. If he was taken, his energy core would be destroyed, he’d be tortured, and eventually thrown into the underground prison. Death would be a great mercy in comparison.
“Young Leader, I beg you, please!”
He pleaded, but Bih Sa-in remained cold. What mattered now was extracting who had been behind this operation.
“If you must send me, then at least let it be to the Martial Alliance.”
Jin Hagun also joined the duo’s operation.
“Denied.”
“Why are you doing this? Just take me with you!” 5
“No. Your crimes are far too vile for that.”
In other words, he was telling him to go to the Demonic Cult and suffer something even more horrific.
Geom Mugeuk spoke with an exaggerated expression of innocence.
“You're all being too harsh. Anyone would think our cult is some kind of monster den. Our cult’s prison is a place where people live too, you know. Once you get used to it, it’s not so bad.”
It was more terrifying than an outright threat. In the end, Taejo couldn’t endure any longer. Whatever else he might have been able to accept, being dragged to the Demonic Cult was something he absolutely couldn’t.
―It was Branch Leader Pyo who arranged all of this.
An unexpected name was mentioned.
―Branch Leader Pyo? Which Branch Leader Pyo?
There wasn’t a single Branch Leader with the surname Pyo. Then one particular individual came to mind.
―No way. The former Black Dragon Branch Leader?
―That’s right.
Pyo Gigwang.
He had once been the Branch Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance’s Black Dragon Branch, but had stepped down over a decade ago after suffering a major injury. It was said that ever since, he’d been living like a ruin of a man, drinking at banquets just to get by. A man long forgotten in memory.
―Why him?
―He came to me a few years ago. He said the Unorthodox Alliance was secretly forming a hidden organization. For that, they needed children with exceptional talent. He warned me strictly that it was a top secret matter and revealing anything meant death.
―But he’s someone who stepped down from his position. You believed him?
―He told me the upper ranks had entrusted him with the task. Said the fate of the Alliance rested on the secret organization he was going to form. He even gave me a large sum as an advance. It couldn’t have been money he raised alone. He also said I’d receive various benefits from the Alliance afterward. 6
―And did he keep his promises?
―He did.
Thanks to that, Flowing Sword Gate was able to expand its influence, and even the Twin Swords of Blue and White were welcomed as guests.
Bih Sa-in could tell. This incident wasn’t just a matter of child abductions. Something shady was happening inside the Unorthodox Alliance—something even he, as the Young Leader, knew nothing about.
“We’ll take responsibility for this man’s punishment.”
Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun readily accepted Bih Sa-in’s decision.
“Escort Leader Tae to the Alliance.”
At Bih Sa-in’s command, the Thirteen Wolves sealed Taejo’s pressure points and led him away. Taejo didn’t dare resist.
As he was dragged out, he looked at Bih Sa-in with desperate eyes. At the very least, he was thankful that he wasn’t being sent to the Demonic Cult.
―If you want to live, start helping me from now on. 7
Since they’d likely need Taejo’s help to dig deeper into this matter, Bih Sa-in had made sure to keep him under control.
Bih Sa-in spoke to the Thirteen Wolves.
“We’re going to meet the Black Snake Gang Leader immediately.”
Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun naturally moved with him. Geom Mugeuk had something to say to Bih Sa-in, and Jin Hagun wanted to see this situation through to the end.
The three of them—Geom Mugeuk, Bih Sa-in, and Jin Hagun—rode in a single carriage. The Thirteen Wolves and the Demon-Slaying Brigade rode on horseback, escorting the carriage.
The martial artists of Flowing Sword Gate, including the Twin Swords of Blue and White, simply watched in silence as the storm that had swept away their Gate Master slowly passed.
The Twin Swords of Blue and White finally relaxed and spoke.
“Jung Sama, it’s the first time I’ve seen all three successors traveling together.”
“It’s probably the first time in the history of the martial world.”
“Will the Gate Master be able to return alive?”
Even the Twin Swords of Blue and White couldn’t answer that.
But there was one thing he did know. The reason they’d survived until now was because they’d followed one unchanging rule. When storms come, bolt the doors and stay inside.
As the two turned to go back inside, they spoke.
“Close the doors.”
* * *
Wind blew in through the carriage window.
Bih Sa-in silently watched as it fluttered the hem of Geom Mugeuk’s robe.
Even this morning, he hadn’t imagined he’d be riding in the same carriage with these people to go meet the Black Snake Gang Leader. Even more, he hadn’t imagined he would be the one issuing a warning to the Black Snake Gang.
He couldn’t know whether this incident would bring fortune or disaster to him, the future Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance. And because of that, he felt a quiet unease.
Just then, Geom Mugeuk said to Bih Sa-in,
“I’ve witnessed your way of the Unorthodox.”
Yes, that was why. That was the reason he’d made this decision. To show that his way of the Unorthodox was, at the very least, one that protected children.
“How was my way?”
“It was admirable.”
“You’re such a smooth liar that I can’t trust you.”
He must have wanted to hear the word ‘admirable’ again.
Geom Mugeuk laughed and said,
“It truly was admirable.”
He even brought Jin Hagun into the conversation.
“What about you? Wasn’t the Young Leader truly admirable?”
“I’m not someone who says things like ‘admirable’ to people’s faces as easily as you.”
Jin Hagun turned his head to look out the window.
“But at the very least, I think today’s decision and going to meet the Black Snake Gang Leader were the right things to do.”
Geom Mugeuk laughed and said,
“You sure do know how to drag out the word ‘admirable’.” 8
* * *
That night, beneath a star-strewn sky on the open plains, only three people stood side by side—Geom Mugeuk, Bih Sa-in, and Jin Hagun.
The Thirteen Wolves and the Demon-Slaying Brigade had been left back at camp. Just the three of them stood here now.
It was time to tell Bih Sa-in.
“There is a secret faction plotting to seize control of the martial world.”
“!”
Even more shocking words followed from Geom Mugeuk’s mouth.
“They’ve infiltrated our Cult, and they’ve infiltrated the Martial Alliance. Even the Heavenly Wind Cult of the Wilderness wasn’t spared.”
Bih Sa-in was stunned. Judging by Jin Hagun’s serious expression, this wasn’t a joke.
“They targeted the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme in our Cult, aimed Commander Jin here in the Martial Alliance, and in the Heavenly Wind Cult, they gaslighted the young new Cult Leader into starting a war.”
“No way…”
“It’s true. And I believe someone sent by them is hiding within the Unorthodox Alliance as well.”
It was hard to believe. If it hadn’t come from Geom Mugeuk’s mouth, he wouldn’t have believed it.
“I don’t want to fall victim to these kinds of people, even if I die. They sneak in quietly, search for our weaknesses, slowly poison our hearts and stab us in the back. The moment we start doubting each other, they’ll break us apart one by one. At the very least, let’s join forces when dealing with these snakes. Let’s show them that this martial world isn’t theirs to take. For the sake of the martial world we’ll be leading from now on.”
After a brief pause, Bih Sa-in suddenly asked,
“That’s really the only reason? Are you sure you’re not the mastermind behind all of this?” 9
“You think I’d admit to being the mastermind if you asked me like that?”
“Well, if that’s the case, we’re doomed anyway. So at least give me a heads-up. I’ll start eating whatever I want and stop worrying about nutrition.”
Geom Mugeuk could feel just how much Bih Sa-in had grown. The fact that he could make such jokes comfortably meant he’d gained some room in his heart.
“There’s another reason too.”
Geom Mugeuk looked up first at the night sky, and the eyes of the other two followed, drifting among the scattered stars. They wondered which star might be theirs, gazing as Geom Mugeuk calmly revealed what lay in his heart.
“We may be enemies… but we’re also friends.” 10
1 : Not interfering in his choice right now shows how much trust and expectations Mugeuk has for Bih Sa-in. Friendship +1 ^^
2 : Hatred often grows from misunderstandings, lack of communication and wariness of the unknown. Let’s create a better martial world for those who come after us.
3 : You do realize that all the major figures of power have all been influenced by you, right ? You even dipped into the Wilderness politics XDXDXD
4 : Welcome to Hell. Take a seat, have a snack ; you’ll never have to worry about hospitality ever again *evil smirk* ^^
5 : Lol, that Nope. He’s even begging XDXDXD
6 : Reeks Hwa Moogi’s organization. He didn’t even have to search for them, they foolishly appeared to get slapped around, how convenient XDXDXD
7 : I doubt he’ll stay alive for long. The other side will probably erase him as soon as he arrives to cut off their tail.
8 : Truly a tsundere ^^
9 : Nah, he’s the guy who went back in time to completely overturn the board on its head. The man who cheated to rebalance the odds of a rigged game. The person who spent his entire life proving to old man Heavens he was worthy. Basically, a hero ^^
10 : *Hugs for everyone* Friendship +10