Chapter 539

Special Side Story Episode 13

‘Come to think of it.’

In front of the main gate of Wolhwajang.

I stopped walking outside, looked back, and rubbed my chin with my hand.

‘Is it time to replace the signboard?’

It was an idea I had for quite some time.

I was planning to change it when the time was right, but I was so busy for one reason or another that I missed the timing.

Wolhwajang.

It was a name I made up partly for fun.

Of course, to some extent, I hoped that the people around me would misunderstand me.

‘There’s not much use for it now.’

The time to have fun pretending to be a follower of Wolhwajang has long since passed.

It was a past incident that I do not need now that I am a senior.

Above all, there was no longer a need to eat or sleep here at the manor.

Because he usually stays in his private residence located in the Senate.

‘I don’t really have any intention of selling the manor.’

Sometimes when going outside or greeting guests.

There was nothing wrong with having a base that could be used when needed.

The maintenance cost is quite high, but it is not a burden to me.

Of course, there were several elders other than me who had set up personal residences outside the village.

‘The problem is the symbolism of the name Wolhwajang.’

A person who has stopped going to Wolhwajang since becoming an elder.

If we were not careful, it could have led to unnecessary misunderstandings.

‘It doesn’t really matter whether I’m misunderstood or not.’

Still, isn’t this the root of the martial arts I learned?

At the very least, I did not want to see Wolhwajang becoming a snack that was easy to chew and tear and being talked about by the world.

‘I also thought that we needed to invest in preparation for the distant future.’

Each of the men’s elders had troops under their command.

For example, the Baengrangdae (白狼隊), the personal guard of Nam Hak-geom (嵐虐劍), an elder from the communal faction.

Kunryeongdae (坤靈隊), the personal guard of senior Ho Jeong-kwon (豪正拳) from the Kunlun faction.

Taegeukdae (太極隊), the personal guard of Taeyeongeom (太延劍), an elder from the Shaman faction.

And there was Seolmaedae, the personal guard of Sohyeongeom, a senior member of the Hwasan faction.

‘They are all officially members of the Murim Alliance’s strike force.’

In fact, it was safe to say that it was a private army of seniors.

What more can I say about these people, who do not move without orders from their elders, even when the Great War of Righteous Demons breaks out and the entire central plain suffers from measles.

‘What an ideal organizational structure. Especially considering that the unit’s operating funds are covered by public funds.’

I also had a military group under my command.

The reign of the Dragon King.

The strongest unit of the Murim Alliance, both in name and reality, led by Woo Ga-jin.

All members were members of Cheonan Gambu in the past.

It was natural that the level of each individual was so high that it could not be compared to other units.

‘Right now, just the Dragon King’s Dae is enough. But...’

What will it be like twenty or thirty years in the future?

The power of the elders is based on their clan and family from which they originate.

In other words, it meant that as long as the Old Daemun faction and the Five Great Families did not decline, their status was unlikely to be shaken.

On the other hand, what about me?

Compared to his brilliant past achievements, his background was poor.

Therefore, we had to prepare for the future rather than become complacent with our immediate power.

‘There is a bond between me and the members of the Dragon King’s Army that was built up while traveling through battlefields and crossing the line of death together. If I don’t make them feel bad about how I treat them, they won’t turn their backs on me.’

However, regardless of loyalty, not all of them would protect their positions for a thousand years or ten thousand years.

Everyone has their own life, and above all, human lifespan is limited.

Isn’t it impossible to forcefully hold back those who want to retire as they get older?

‘If you’re talking about timing, now is the right time.’

* * *

“I don’t know how long it’s been since I last saw you.”

“Long time no see.”

Late at night.

I greeted the two guests who came to Wolhwajang with a happy expression.

The reason I had been going in and out of the manor since the day before was to prepare for their visit.

“The hospitality of the Geomje, the hero of the martial arts world and the pillar of its strength. “I don’t know what to do with this?”

“How can I stay quiet when two people come to visit?”

“The person who failed all the construction work like this... no. “Isn’t the expression ‘gongsadamang’ very suitable for an elder of the Murim Alliance?”

“Is that what you want me to hear now?”

The woman, who was very full, had a mischievous smile on her face.

I had heard the news through letters, but seeing it with my own eyes really felt it.

Hyehwageom (血華劍), a renowned female expert, will become a mother in the near future.

Judging from the auspicious news coming from all over, it certainly seemed like a period of peace had arrived in the Jungwon martial arts world.

“Please come this way. “I will show you to the room you two will stay in.”

“Thank you.”

Changmyeonggung Bangcheoksam wrapped around Yeo So-ok’s waist as if to support her.

I couldn’t stop laughing bitterly at the sight of the two people showing affection without hesitation even in front of other people.

They were still a couple with a lot of sesame seeds.

“Here we go.”

The two people were let into the neatly organized room.

Bang Cheok-sam carefully sat Yeo So-ok against the head of the bed.

There was no such thing as overprotection.

Yeo So-ok complained that she was fine, but he didn’t even listen.

I sat across from him across the table and gave him a quick hello.

“Did you enjoy the river cruise?”

“It was fun. “A lot has happened so far.”

“It sure looks like that. “A lot has happened...”

I smiled and looked towards the bed.

Yeo So-ok, who was eavesdropping on this conversation, nodded with a meaningful expression.

Bangcheoksam, who was scratching the back of his neck with a shy expression, cleared his throat loudly.

‘by the way.’

When he was a member of Cheonan Gambu, he used honorifics toward me, but now he was comfortable speaking to me.

Currently, he was an individual who did not belong to any martial arts faction.

There was no need to defer to me like before.

‘The mood has changed a bit.’

In the past, he had a strong, sharp look, but the prayer he exuded while we were not seeing him has softened slightly.

Is it because I no longer have to worry about the threat of the Demonic Cult?

Or is it because Yeo So-ok’s marriage to his wife changed his mind?

Either way, it was nice to see that people seemed to be more relaxed than before.

We chatted for a while while sipping tea brewed with samadhijinhwa (三昧眞fire).

Bangcheoksam, who placed his clasped hands on the table, suddenly spoke with a serious expression.

“I have some news to tell you.”

“What is.”

“Unfortunately, it won’t be a very pleasant story.”

I narrowed my eyes.

I knew this because I had Bangcheoksam as my subordinate for a long time.

He was far from the type of person who enjoyed farming.

“Now that you say that, I’m even more curious.”

“Do you know that my wife and I were in Yunnan until recently?”

“yes.”

“I heard the atmosphere in the Beast Palace is unusual. Jang Mun-in of the Jeomchang Sect said that something will happen soon.”

“...!”