Chapter 404

Episode 404

“Meet the Lord.”

Sitting at the head table, as always, was the Murim lord Joo Hwabaek.

Contrary to the worries of the world, it seemed like things had been corrected.

The spirit radiating from him was still heavy, and a sparkle of concentration was shining in his eyes.

‘Did they just make a prosthetic leg and put it on?’

There was a prosthetic leg of the perfect size for the torn ankle.

It was a special order product whose surface was covered with cold steel.

‘At least Joo Hwa-baek will not have to give up his position as leader and retire before the end of the Great War.’

It is true that he became disabled and his skills as a warrior deteriorated.

Even with a prosthetic leg, it would be impossible to show the same inaction as before.

I’m just saying that’s true when compared to the heyday.

‘Mujon (Mujon) is not Mujon for nothing. Artist Joo will be able to overcome any number of physical defects.’

Even though he lost one leg, Joo Hwa-baek was still the strongest among all true demons.

Except for me or Master, no one in Meng dared to compare to him.

‘Right now, there are rumors floating around about replacing the leader, but it will soon quiet down.’

Even if Joo Baek wanted to retire, now was not the time.

Common sense tells us that if the leader is replaced now that the political war is in full swing, who will take care of it?

‘That can never be said.’

I was confident because I had seen him struggle against the Cheonak Army even in his worst physical condition.

There will be no major changes to the Murim Alliance system.

That is why he was able to spend time leisurely staying at Zhuge Family House.

If Joo Hwa-baek was no longer able to fulfill his role as a leader and a cataclysm was expected to occur as a result, he would have jumped into the flow somehow in order to protect his position.

“Come and sit down.”

Once the leader sat down in his seat of authority, the full-fledged meeting began.

The main question is how to prepare for the future fight.

Many people raised their hands and proposed, but there was not much substance.

If it was natural, it was natural.

It was rather strange that a good opinion was suddenly presented now that the matter had not been concluded even while I was away.

“First of all, one thing is clear: there are currently only two strong people in the entire central plains who can stand up to the Demon Cult Lord alone.”

Sohyeongeom, a senior member of the Hwasan faction who had been quietly observing the atmosphere, opened his mouth.

The eyes of the middle school people were focused on him as if he had made a promise.

I narrowed my eyes and muttered to myself.

‘I knew it would be like this.’

As soon as I returned from my mission, the reason why the high-ranking members of the Maeng had called me to the conference room was revealed.

The discussion so far has merely been a courtesy of throwing in a word or two.

I could tell.

I guess this was the real purpose from the beginning.

“In the future, the people who will quickly emerge as central figures in the fight against the Demon Cult will be the Cheonan Inspector and the Torpedo Commander. “If you are trying to reorganize an organization, you should keep this in mind first.”

As soon as Sohyeongeom finished speaking, the air in the conference room heated up.

As if they had been waiting for this moment, everyone praised me by listing the accomplishments of the Dragon King.

I was shocked to see Taeyeongeom spitting and listing the achievements I had made so far.

I didn’t know when he started acting like that because he thought of me so highly.

‘It’s ridiculous.’

The reason why those with vested interests who are extremely stingy with the contributions of others came together with one mind and poured out words of praise for me was simple.

It was to lay the groundwork to force the members of Cheonan Gambu into battle.

‘Normally, they’re busy biting and fighting each other, but at times like this, their hands and feet get hit hard.’

It was safe to say that Woo Ga-jin and Meng Kyeong’s marriage had now become a fait accompli.

The power of Cheonan Gambu had become so powerful that no other department of the Maeng could compete with it anymore.

Concede what you have to yield and what you gain. get it

The reason I delayed my return using vacation as an excuse was not to refuse their request.

I want to accept the request, but keep the initiative in my own hands.

I had no intention of sucking my finger behind the scenes, waiting for the war between political and demonic powers to end thanks to someone’s actions.

Since the cult leader was targeting my life and the lives of those around me, I had to see the end in the end.

From the beginning, this was an unstoppable trend.

I knew from a long time that as the size and influence of Cheonan Gambu grew, the probability of being driven into battle also increased.

‘The current situation is also within the expected range.’

I didn’t know anything else, but I had to keep the decision-making power in my hands.

Otherwise, you will end up playing like a hunting dog and being boiled in a pot.

“.......”

No one in the conference room could raise a problem, saying, ‘What is the meaning of a verbal agreement without any binding force?’

In fact, I have a record of volunteering to stop the demon cultists who invaded Hubei.

‘It’s a shame it stops here.’

Since I voluntarily took on responsibility, I had to receive a commensurate reward.

I wasn’t kind enough to just take the loss and walk away.

“Speaking of which, I would like to ask you something.”

“Tell me.”

“I would like to live up to the rising expectations, but as you know, Cheonangambu made quite a few sacrifices in the last battle.”

“I know. “It is also because of that that you are so heartbroken.”

“That’s why I dare to ask.”

To be honest, there wasn’t much I could ask for from the Murim Alliance at this point.

Elixir?

There was still some extra left over from when Muyeongsintu’s secret treasure was taken out.

Riches?

No one here would be wealthier than me.

promotion?

Although his nominal status was less than that of a leader or an elder, he could confidently say that his authority was not inferior to them at all.

In the end, there was only one thing I could ask of the leader in this situation.

“Please acknowledge the joining of Wu Ji-jin and Meng Gyeong, as promised before the expedition.”

“Of course, I will keep my promise.”

“Also, please allow us to increase the number of personnel in the department to prepare for the fight ahead.”

“Don’t you already have personnel rights? “You don’t need to get my approval separately.”

“It is not simply about making up for the reduced number of people. “I plan to increase the size of Cheonan Gambu even larger than it is now.”

“...!”

Hwabaek Joo’s eyes widened.

Taeyeon Geom couldn’t stand it anymore and jumped up from her seat.

The others also looked at me with puzzled expressions.

“There’s one more thing. Please allow anyone to be accepted, regardless of origin, background, entry process, or level of martial arts.”

I hate to say it myself, but I had a very shitty personality.

If someone set fire to my house, instead of trying to extinguish it, I was the one who started the fire back.

‘How is it. Respected seniors.’

As I looked around at the stiffened high-ranking officials, I chuckled to myself.

It’s a bad situation where you can’t easily express an opposing opinion because of what you said earlier.

The expression ‘self-confidence’ is probably used in times like these.

“Big!”

“Mmm.”

The elders exchanged glances with each other while drooling.

The air inside the conference room became heavy.