Chapter 115 - Night March of the Underworld (5)

"What kind of bullshit is that?"

Daoist Myeonghyeon spoke like that, forgetting that this place was the Elder's Hall.

"..."

Just the number of elders attending the regular legislative meeting was 28. Considering that in this meeting, which far exceeded the quorum, there were 11 Alliance laws to be passed, 4 budget reviews, and 2 grand plans for the coming year, it would be normal not to spare a glance at other reports, but at the urgently delivered report, Daoist Myeonghyeon couldn't help but unknowingly spit out a curse.

"You mean... Jin Sowoon is moving together with the people of the Underworld?"

"... Yes, that is correct."

At the attitude of the Alliance member who spoke as if he had committed a sin, Daoist Myeonghyeon responded as if it were a trivial matter.

"Then, you can just disqualify him. You may leave now. Do you know what kind of gathering this is right now?"

Even though he gave the order for the guest to leave, the Alliance member remained on pins and needles.

"That is, it's not as easy as it sounds."

"Hey now. Are you continuing to speak without knowing how important the regular legislative meeting is right now?"

"Ahem..."

The Alliance member was restless as if his very neck was on the line for this matter. In the midst of that, Moyong Cheong spoke up.

"Let's hear him out first. Daoist Myeonghyeon."

"It is nothing much. No matter how important the Murim's standard exam is, would it be more important than the legislative meeting?"

"There must be a good reason why he interrupted this important meeting."

Once Moyong Cheong's words and Daoist Myeonghyeon's reluctant permission fell like that, the Alliance member spoke cautiously.

"Jin Sowoon's group is heading toward the Murim Academy, but large numbers of personnel from the Four Emperors Peak, the Demonic Path sects, and the Black Death Gang are surrounding them. It is a situation where other examinees are unable to approach."

"Setting aside the Four Emperors Peak, why the Demonic Path sects and the Black Death Gang? No, to begin with, how dare they interfere with the Murim Alliance's event?"

"Well, according to them, they are not protecting Jin Sowoon's group."

"..."

Daoist Myeonghyeon frowned heavily, unable to fully understand the events taking place in the current situation.

"They claim they are currently holding a non-violent protest to honor the warriors who unjustly died in the Demonic Spirit Plateau."

"A-A non-violent protest?"

A group from the Underworld is doing not just a protest, but a non-violent protest? What kind of bullshit is this?

"Yes. So all of them have disarmed themselves, dressed in black martial robes, and are marching south carrying a massive funeral bier."

"No, it's not like anyone pushed them in the back to enter the Demonic Spirit Plateau, so who exactly are they protesting to?"

"That is... they are saying that the damage grew larger because the Murim Alliance, which is responsible for the peace of Jianghu, did not act on time..."

Not only Daoist Myeonghyeon, but most of the people in the Elder's Hall felt utterly dumbfounded and speechless.

In the first place, hadn't the Underworld groups been the main enemies of the Murim Alliance ever since the Demonic Cult disappeared?

"A-Anyway, what about Jin Sowoon's group?"

"They are moving together at the exact center of the group, so they say the examinees cannot approach."

"..."

"They say they have already crossed Henan Province and entered Hubei Province. The examiners are having difficulty figuring out how to handle this incident."

"What do you mean how to handle it, they naturally fail!"

"My thoughts are a bit different."

Daoist Myeonghyeon's head snapped around. It was Moyong Cheong, who had interrupted the meeting earlier.

"Did he ask for help from the Underworld group?"

"The Four Emperors Peak side claims it has absolutely nothing to do with Jin Sowoon's group..."

"Then did he pay money to hire the people of the Underworld?"

"The Four Emperors Peak stated that this is purely an event of the Underworld Murim."

"Then... there is no problem at all. Isn't it just that Jin Sowoon's group happened to be there by coincidence?"

At Moyong Cheong's words, Daoist Myeonghyeon put on a dumbfounded expression.

"Are you out of your mind right now?"

"What do you mean? Has the child named Jin Sowoon broken any rules?"

"Are you really saying that..."

"Anyway, if the Four Emperors Peak, Demonic Path sects, and Black Death Gang have moved, what about the movements of the other Underworld sects?"

"People are gradually flocking in."

"This is going to become quite a big deal."

Moyong Cheong stood up from his seat.

"Let us cancel this regular meeting. It seems something that needs to be handled immediately has come up."

With those words, ten people, including Moyong Cheong, left the Elder's Hall, and only the personnel belonging to the Orthodox Council and the personnel who came as representatives of the 108 Peaks were left in the Elder's Hall.

* * *

The funeral march, which had first started with eight hundred personnel from Mount Daebyeol, had swollen to three times that number by the time it crossed Mount Yungjung and entered Yicheng.

Not only the sects that moved after receiving the nameplate, but also those who were directly or indirectly involved in the Demonic Spirit Plateau incident and those who normally harbored hostility toward the Murim Alliance.

With the addition of half-wits who tagged along claiming they would make a name for themselves this time, and the personnel following them around trying to do some business through the movement of thousands of people, this was no longer a memorial procession but a complete mess.

"Hey! You! Can you fight?! Do you know who I am?"

"Delicious Bamboo Leaf Green! Selling Bamboo Leaf Green!"

"You bastards! Don't you know that only black clothing is allowed in this procession? Where do you get off showing up to a funeral procession wearing yellow? You're a completely hopeless bastard, aren't you?"

That wasn't all.

The examinees, who had originally targeted me but had now been reduced to dogs staring helplessly at me after I climbed onto the roof, were growing sick of the ever-increasing number of Underworld members and becoming increasingly anxious.

"No, I'm saying I'll just pass by for a moment! There's a guy in there who has our stuff. He's an actual thief, a thief!"

"If you want to catch a thief, you should go to the government office, you can't pass!"

"No, goddammit! Why is some Underworld trash throwing a fit and bringing up the government office!"

"This guy? If we weren't in the middle of a non-violent protest, I would have struck your neck off in a single blow!"

"Does a non-violent protest even make sense for you Underworld bastards in the first place!"

Like that, big and small scuffles continued, and there were times when they almost escalated into major fights, but each time, the supreme experts of the Underworld Murim blocked their way and prevented them from turning into major fights.

In the first place, aren't martial artists beings for whom 'non-violence' isn't established just because they lack weapons?

Moreover, since there was no one in the Underworld Murim who didn't possess despicable tricks, not only the examinees of the standard exam but also the warriors moving with them could not carelessly make a rash move.

"Those ignorant bastards are truly seeking us out on their own two feet."

Beside me, the Four Emperors Peak Master could not hide the smile revealed all over his face.

A venue had been created where his greatest, long-cherished wish, the Underworld Alliance, could become a subject of public discussion.

Because of this matter, the Four Emperors Peak, the Demonic Path sects, and the Black Death Gang gained the justification to become the center of the Underworld Alliance, and along with it, the opportunity to lead the Underworld Alliance in the future, so he could not help but be satisfied.

"Isn't all of this them following after hearing of your usual magnanimity, Four Emperors Peak Master?"

I mixed in appropriate flattery, desperately hoping that this Underworld titan wouldn't get offended midway and throw us to that pack of Orthodox faction wolves.

"No. No. This is all thanks to the Black Flame Dragon."

"No! Peak Master, people will misunderstand if you say such things."

Did this gentleman already resolve to throw a wet blanket over the promising future of the Orthodox faction's Divine Star?

"Right, right, I will keep it a secret until you enter the Murim Alliance, rise to a high position, and hand the entire Murim Alliance over to us."

"..."

What is this crazy Underworld titan saying?

"I recognized it from the moment you spoke of the Underworld Alliance's hundred-year grand plan. A place where one is evaluated solely by their abilities, regardless of their status. Ultimately, what you wish to build is something like a paradise on earth in Murim, isn't it? I have deeply understood just how great the sorrow of the Taiyi Sect, which has been persecuted by Murim and Jianghu all this time, truly is."

This gentleman is spewing increasingly dangerous words.

"Excuse me. Please tone it down a bit. Do you know how many misunderstandings I live with because of the alias you gave me, Peak Master?"

"Kuhahahaha."

Cha Seokdu, who had been laughing magnanimously for a long time, suddenly erased his smile and spoke.

"It will get worse in the future."

"Pardon?"

"The story I just told. I am saying there will be people who will directly spit that out of their mouths."

"..."

I know.

It is clear that the place where the story Cha Seokdu told will first begin in the near future is not the Underworld Murim, but the Orthodox Murim. Specifically, inside the Murim Alliance.

To the administrators of the Murim Alliance, whose experience points are solidly built on slander, schemes, and framing, someone like me would be nothing more than a savory and delicious prey.

"So it would be best for you to brace yourself. In the worst-case scenario, you might be branded as a spy for the Underworld Alliance."

"..."

This is my second encounter with Cha Seokdu.

Both times were in a way I had not intended, and in a way he had not desired.

Even so, the advice he gave me was on a completely different level from the figures of the Murim Alliance I had met numerous times in my past life.

Even without him saying it, I could well understand that he was worried about me, transcending ideology and beliefs.

"I will keep that in mind."

"Yes, if you ever get branded as a spy, don't mind it and throw yourself into the Underworld Alliance. I will leave a good position open for you and your sect."

"..."

"Oh right, when we found the Underworld Alliance, I'll put you on the invitation list for the founding celebration, so we might see you then as a representative of the Murim Alliance."

I take back the part about him being worried.

This man is a human full of nothing but black-hearted intentions to corrupt the Orthodox faction's Divine Star however he can, true to his status as a titan of the Underworld.

* * *

RING. RING. RING.

The men in black martial robes were walking slowly as the sound of bells rang out.

At their center was a massive funeral bier symbolizing that several coffins were contained within, and behind it, the personnel in black martial robes followed endlessly.

"Just whose funeral is it for it to be this grand?"

"I hear they are honoring the personnel who died after entering somewhere called the Demonic Spirit Plateau?"

"Didn't they say all the personnel who died there were Underworld bastards who did bad things?"

While people took an interest in this peculiar procession passing before their eyes, they could not hide their surprise that most of them were Underworld personnel.

The stereotype of an Underworld member in their minds was, ultimately, uneducated thieves like mountain bandits or pirates who habitually engaged in pillaging.

However, this was because they couldn't picture the appearance of thieves from their figures moving reverently while observing formalities and wearing matching attire.

The procession that started from Mount Daebyeol passed through Yicheng and Tianmen, and reached Wuhan.

When the end of this massive procession reached the Murim Academy, the personnel in black martial robes briefly began to encircle the entrance of the Murim Academy.

The examiners, who had been waiting at the entrance of the Academy to greet the final successful candidates on the last day of the standard exam, could not hide their panic at the sudden visit from the Underworld group.

"We finally made it here, I see."

"..."

"..."

Not only the group members, but the Geum-eun-dong Brothers were also left speechless, perhaps feeling deeply moved.

Come to think of it, it seemed they didn't talk much the entire way from Mount Daebyeol to the Academy.

"... Haa, I wonder what my grandfather will say."

"Will they even let us in to begin with?"

"Rather than being humiliated at the entrance like this, it seems better to just return to the noble clan."

Around us, the examinees and warriors of the Nine Sects and One Gang who had followed the procession were watching us with hostile glares.

While various discontented remarks were popping out. Seong Moran stepped forward.

"It's better to take the beating first."

Seong Moran dropped the Admission Tokens she had obtained before the examiner with a clatter.

The examiner sorted through the Admission Tokens this way and that, and then spoke.

"Iron Sword Sect, Seong Moran. Passed!"

"Ooh!"

"Waah!"

While the warriors of the Iron Sword Sect gave three cheers of hurrah simultaneously, the Geum-eun-dong Brothers handed over their Admission Tokens to the examiner at the same time.

"Taiyi Sect, Geumpyo. Passed!"

"Taiyi Sect, Eunho. Passed!"

"Taiyi Sect, Dongryong. Passed!"

The three brothers were overcome with emotion and began to cry as they hugged one another, and in the meantime, Namgung Seonhwa received her notification of passing.

Now it was the moment where only Moyong Jaehwa and I needed to enter.

"Brother, I will always support you."

"... Huh?"

Moyong Jaehwa was preparing to return with the warriors of his noble clan.

"It is a shame that I cannot join you in the Academy, Brother, but still, thanks to the journey with you, I have realized the path I must take."

Moyong Jaehwa showed off his bow and smiled proudly, while Baek Wongak clutched his head as if worried.

"Are you okay with this?"

"With what?"

"Will your grandfather forgive you for taking up a bow?"

"... Ahem, so actually, I was thinking of wandering around for a bit instead of returning straight to the noble clan..."

"Wandering at a young age when every moment is precious, you really are carefree. Don't do that and let's enter the Academy with me."

"Pardon? No. What does that..."

I tossed him the Admission Token I had received from Zhuge Somyeong from my inner pocket.

Moyong Jaehwa, who had first looked at the Admission Token with a puzzled expression, went wide-eyed.

"B-Brother, this is..."

"Even without the token for the Third Gate, wouldn't that let you pass?"

"Ah... Ah..."

Moyong Jaehwa was in such a state of panic that he had absolutely no idea how to react.

And understandably so, since the Admission Token he was holding was akin to a precious treasure that couldn't be bought even with money.

"..."

Baek Wongak, who had been watching with a frustrated heart as Moyong Jaehwa hesitated to do one thing or another even though I had readily handed it over, immediately spoke up.

"Young Master Jin, thank you for bestowing such grace."

"N-No, Captain Baek, to just say that, this is too big of a..."

"Young Master, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Young Master Jin has given you. Are you going to miss this chance just like this?"

At Baek Wongak's desperate expression, Moyong Jaehwa, who had been wavering, clamped his mouth shut.

"Understood. Captain, Brother, I, Jaehwa of the Moyong Noble Clan, will declare right here and now that I will definitely establish a legacy with the bow."

"... No, Young Master, deciding your future path so hastily..."

Out of worry that the lineage of the Moyong Noble Clan might be cut off like this, I also tried to stop him.

"Right, that is something to take your time with after entering..."

"No. Brother has illuminated the path for me and even guided me on it. How could I betray that? Definitely! I will definitely become someone who makes a name for himself with the way of the bow."

Saying that, Moyong Jaehwa handed the Admission Token to the examiner.

"Moyong Noble Clan, Moyong Jaehwa. Passed!"

And it was my turn.

"You have all worked hard during this time."

I gave a round of greetings to the warriors who had been with me all this while, and they also responded by clasping their fists.

"We wish you good fortune in your future endeavors, Young Master Jin."

I tipped my bundle upside down in front of the examiner.

CLATTER.

As the admission tokens fell in a stream from the small bundle, the eyes of the Nine Sects and One Gang's disciples watching from the surroundings were flashing brightly.

Two examiners stuck together to start counting the number of admission tokens, and after verifying them against the names on the list, they called out my name.

"Taiyi Sect, Jin Sowoon... Failed!"