Chapter 109

Episode 109:

Zhuge Huan let out a hollow laugh as if he was enjoying my reaction.

I asked, handing him a cup filled with hot tea.

“What happened?”

“An incident before where you were attacked by a group of black swordsmen. “I was concerned, so I used Meng’s information network to do some research.”

“As a result, it was revealed that Changin Dojo was behind it?”

“okay.”

“Why are you telling me that?”

“At the very least, as a party to the incident, shouldn’t you know the context?”

“Is that all?”

“Is there any other reason?”

Zhuge Huan sipped tea with a puzzled expression.

After staring at him in silence for a while, I suddenly spoke.

“Honestly, I was surprised.”

“What part surprised you? The part where I, as a soldier of the Maeng Dynasty, personally ordered the transport of Changin Dojang? Or the part where the unknown old man I met in a dirty alley turned out to be the leader of the Maeng Army?”

“I didn’t expect Maeng to risk conflict with the Jeomchang faction for the sake of a humble late index.”

“...That’s very straightforward.”

Zhuge Huan’s eyebrows rose slightly.

As the leader of the alliance, it was a remark that he could not help but feel uncomfortable about.

‘Maeng is tacitly condoning the misconduct committed by contestants. ‘Because this is based on the premise of that fact.’

But what can you do?

But the truth is.

As someone who was directly harmed by Changin Dojo, I had the right to say this.

‘If you’re going to punish me, I’ll punish you right away.’

This was not the first time that Changin Dojang committed fraud.

What is the reason that they stayed quiet when irregularities occurred in the first preliminary round and now come forward to punish them?

Thanks to this, it has become difficult to obtain personal revenge or pay for bets.

Naturally, there was bound to be dissatisfaction on this side.

“I think I know how you usually view the Murim Alliance.”

“At least we have no illusions that the Murim Alliance is a group that protects justice.”

“Hahaha!”

Zhuge Huan suddenly burst into laughter.

He laughed, shaking his shoulders, and relaxed his neck, perhaps conscious of the attention of those around him.

He said, putting the steaming glass down on the table.

“Well, it’s not unreasonable for you to be dissatisfied.”

“.......”

“Because it’s an open secret. There are loopholes in the rules of the competition and there are people who take advantage of those loopholes to commit fraud. “And that Maeng is tacitly condoning it.”

Does he want to say that this is not a reflection of his opinion?

Zhuge Huan had a bitter look on his face.

The changes in facial expressions were truly diverse.

“But Changin Dojo’s actions went too far. As the organizer of the event, it is something that cannot be overlooked or overlooked. This is beyond the acceptable limit that can be passed quietly, pretending not to notice. So, inevitably, I decided to punish him. “That’s just the story.”

“.......”

“It looks like there’s a lot you want to ask.”

“What punishment do you plan to impose on Changin Dojang?”

“I plan to detain him in prison for a while.”

“Is that all?”

“Why do you think this is too lenient?”

“yes.”

“I understand your dissatisfaction, but since we have to consider the reputation of the Jeomchang faction, any further formal punishment is impossible.”

I had some expectations.

It is said that Changin Dojang will be released in the near future and will return to his position as a monk.

The reason Zhuge Huan dispatched Meng’s warriors only after he was eliminated from the martial arts competition was probably because of the underlying thought that he did not want to escalate the situation.

When the rumor spread that Jisoo Hui, who was enjoying success in the competition, was detained for corruption, attention was bound to be focused.

It would be natural for the reputation of the Jeomchangpa, a recluse of cheaters, to be lost.

Zhuge Huan is the commander-in-chief of the Murim Alliance.

So to speak, he was the leader of the Maengju faction.

‘When we first met, I wanted to find out his identity, so I said that I wanted to return the favor and that I would like to see you again.’

Now that I found out his identity, I felt like he was a burden.

My honest feeling was that I didn’t want to get involved with him if possible.

‘I guess I’ll have to avoid it as much as possible.’

* * *

“Commander General.”

The way back to Meng.

One of the black warriors who were escorting Zhuge Huan cautiously opened his mouth.

“Why didn’t you offer to recruit that young man?”

“Were you that curious about that?”

“It would have been enough to send a letter just to tell the story of the Changin Dojo’s disposal.”

“So there must be some other purpose. “I guess that’s what you thought.”

“That’s right.”

“It is true that we are trying to attract him to our allies. But I don’t plan on rushing it.”

“Why?”

“Hyeah said that. He said he had ‘no intention of belonging to any faction of the Maeng’. Even if I had made an offer to recruit him on the spot, most likely it would have been rejected.”

“A person’s mind can change at any time. If he changed his mind and joined the elder faction...” “

That is why he took the step himself. “To have a conversation and judge for yourself what type of person you are.”

“.......”

The black uniformed man frowned slightly.

Even though I had been my boss for a long time, I still couldn’t guess his principles of action.

“For now, it’s just good for him to remain neutral and not belong to a particular faction. No, I would say it is better because it is neutral.”

“......?”

“We just need to provide behind-the-scenes support. “So that he can achieve his achievements smoothly.”

“.......”

“First, I plan to get to know each other and build friendships step by step. “Today’s meeting can be said to be the first step toward that goal.”

Zhuge Huan yawned, rubbing under his dark-shaded eyes.

He glanced back in the direction where Cheonho Gaekjan was and muttered.

“I hope you grow up quickly.”

* * *

The opponent he faced in the eight martial arts competition was Namgung Seong-hun, a direct descendant of the Namgung family.

It was a name that felt familiar to me, who had memories of my past life.

The next sword dragon.

A genius who learned martial arts from King Geom, an elder of the Namgung family and an absolute master who held the first rank of the Ten Heavenly Emperors.

Excellent military talent, a brilliant mind, and even good looks.

He was a person who never missed anything.

He and I were scheduled to meet on stage tomorrow afternoon.

“So, why did you take the step to Ye?”

“I’ll tell you straight.”

Late at night.

A middle-aged man covered in a black robe visited Cheonho Gaekjan and looked for me.

I couldn’t help but be surprised when I heard the other person’s identity.

He was an elder of the Meng clan.

Direct descendant of the Namgung family.

Former White Tiger Lord.

A big man who has occupied the top spot among the hundred great masters.

Namgung Jonghyeon, the sword of great strength.

This was the reason why he came to me late at night and asked me to stay alone.

“Couldn’t you intentionally lose the match tomorrow?”

“......?”

“If you do me a favor, I will definitely repay you. Not on a personal level, but on a sega level. “It is definitely not an offer that you will lose money on.”

Out of nowhere, I was asked to participate in an illegal match.