Chapter 96: Who Says It's a Disqualification (1)
Chapter 95 – Who Says It’s a Disqualification (1)
“Jin So-hong is dead?”
The Alliance Leader’s eyelids twitched.
Murong Sin bowed his head deeply.
“I am sorry.”
“To think Jin So-hong is dead… the Gold King’s daughter…”
At the unexpected news, the Alliance Leader only repeated the same words. However, no anger could be felt. There was only a clear look of fluster at the unexpected outcome.
The Alliance Leader did not get excited easily and rarely lost his temper. He knew well that in times like this, he had to control his emotions and quickly establish an alternative.
He had taken the risk to seize the Gold King’s financial power. And he had thought that the risk was well within a manageable range.
But things had gone awry.
Where did it start to go wrong?
Although it was certainly risky, it was not a difficult task.
The bastards only had to kidnap Jin So-hong and flee, and the Blue Wave Corps would pretend to pursue them before bringing her back.
A very simple and easy task.
As long as the fact of colluding with the enemy was not discovered, it was a mission easier than eating cold porridge.
In the unlikely event that there was a risk of the collusion being exposed, a backup plan of silencing them through murder was also prepared.
To seize the Gold King’s financial power, this level of adventure was a very cheap price to pay. Was he not the Gold King whom even the Emperor would welcome barefoot?
But… but why did it fail?
Where did it go wrong?
Suddenly, a face crossed his mind.
A child who resembled his mother with decent looks and had a confident personality like his father.
A child who had recently been in the spotlight as a rising dragon, but in the Alliance Leader’s eyes, he was nothing more than a protruding stone.
‘Namgung Cheon…!’
Yes, after that child rose rapidly in the Joint Conference, everything began to fall apart.
Was it a great relief, at least, that Namgung Cheon was dead?
The Alliance Leader broke the silence after a long time and asked.
“What do you think is the cause?”
“We cannot know for sure, but seeing that Namgung Cheon and Jin So-hong are dead…”
“Namgung Cheon provoked them?”
“Yes. They should have only eliminated Namgung Cheon, but in the process, they accidentally killed Jin So-hong as well…”
“Since things went wrong, they knew we would silence them, so they chose mutual destruction.”
“That is correct.”
“Sending Namgung Cheon as a negotiator must have been your choice.”
“I am sorry.”
“No. That was an excellent method. Your choice was not wrong. It was just that the child was more troublesome than expected.”
“…”
“So this entire situation is because of Namgung Cheon. Since the cause has been determined, we must now think of a countermeasure.”
“Just give the order…”
Cutting Murong Sin off, the Alliance Leader shook his head.
“No. Your job is done. Not being able to save Jin So-hong is painful, but it is already in the past. We must take care of the casualties first and clean up.”
“…”
Even if Murong Sin had ten mouths, he would have nothing to say.
He would have preferred it if the Alliance Leader shouted and got angry instead.
However, the Alliance Leader remained calm and composed throughout.
This made it even more uncomfortable, but at the same time, it forced him to revere the Alliance Leader even more.
Standing in silence for a moment, the Alliance Leader narrowed his eyes and turned around.
In the backyard where darkness had fallen, only the Alliance Leader’s gaze gleamed like a snake’s.
“Namgung Cheon’s competitiveness was the problem. Namgung Cheon wanted to be a hero, so he disobeyed your instructions and tried to save Jin So-hong by himself. In that clumsy process, the bastards had no choice but to kill both cadets. Having lost any room for negotiation, they must have prepared to die along with you all. Because of that, about thirty percent of the entire Blue Wave Corps suffered casualties. Is that not so?”
Those were crafty words.
A mixture of facts and lies.
However, the lies were so faint that they were difficult to distinguish. Therefore, everything sounded like the truth.
And his status as the Alliance Leader possessed the power to enforce this as the truth.
The quick-witted Murong Sin bowed his head deeply.
“That is correct.”
“This Alliance cannot help but be outraged by the behavior of these bastards. Although Namgung Cheon made the mistake of showing a competitive spirit in his young mind, the root of all evil lay with the enemies in the first place. This Alliance has suddenly been placed in a disastrous situation, having lost both the Rising Dragon and the daughter of the Gold King. Therefore, this Alliance has no choice but to declare before all people. I speak of avenging the two rising stars. Will we not have to sharpen our swords once again to eradicate the unorthodox and evil paths?”
“You are correct.”
Although losing Jin So-hong was different from the plan, if things went according to this picture, the Martial Alliance would be able to grasp everything it wanted.
Since it was by no means an odd picture for a father blinded by revenge to support the Alliance. No, rather, it was a natural picture.
Murong Sin admired this in his heart.
‘As expected of the Alliance Leader. He probably calculated even the worst-case scenario where we might not be able to save Jin So-hong.’
It was so.
Perhaps there had been no risk in this secret plan from the very beginning.
Either way, only success was guaranteed.
That was why silencing them was important.
That must have been why the Alliance Leader went out of his way to confirm the silencing of the targets before he left the Alliance.
Assuredly, the Alliance Leader was a terrifying person.
He did not hesitate to use any means to achieve his goals.
However, those goals were always focused on defending justice.
The sacrifice of a few for the greater good!
That wickedness could only be suppressed by greater wickedness.
That must have been the Alliance Leader’s philosophy.
The Alliance Leader’s eyes were red, as if he genuinely felt resentment. Not only that, but even his cheeks trembled as he spoke.
“In the martial tournament to be held tomorrow, I will announce to everyone. That we have lost both the Rising Dragon named Namgung Cheon and the daughter of the Gold King. In addition, we have lost many excellent members of the Blue Wave Corps. Therefore, this Alliance will thoroughly uncover those behind them and pledge a bloody revenge. We will sharpen our swords to restore fallen justice! We will clearly imprint the reason this Alliance exists and the dreadfulness of this Alliance! That is what I will say!”
The Alliance Leader put strength into his voice as if he were giving a speech on the spot.
It was a tremendous resonance.
It literally had the power to tug at one’s heartstrings.
Even Murong Sin felt his chest burn hot, as if all of this were true.
The ability to set fire to people’s hearts!
That was one of the Alliance Leader’s greatest strengths.
Before he knew it, Murong Sin also accepted the Alliance Leader’s words like a faith and clasped his hands in respect.
“I will take the lead in that bloody revenge!”
The Alliance Leader smiled gently and looked at Murong Sin.
“Thank you. Let us make sure to achieve revenge and create an environment where young rising stars can grow with peace of mind.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Do not tell the Gold King yet.”
“Understood.”
“I will wait for Namgung Cheon until the very end.”
“…?”
“Should we not show the people that this Alliance believed and waited until the last moment for the Rising Dragon who will not return?”
“Ah…”
Murong Sin gasped in low admiration.
To put it negatively, it was indeed incredibly devious, but it was an acting performance absolutely necessary for the greater good.
The Alliance Leader smiled gently and continued.
“Do you understand? People do not have much interest in the truth. They only pay attention to actions that look like the truth.”
A faint smile hung at the corner of the Alliance Leader’s mouth.
* * *
The varied tit, which was pecking at larvae in the gravel field beside the valley, suddenly fluttered and flew up.
Then, two people whose entire bodies were completely soaked walked onto the gravel field, stumbling. To be precise, a man was supporting a woman as they walked.
Thud!
The two, who collapsed onto the ground as if falling, lay motionless for a long time, looking up at the sky where the east was brightening.
“Pant, pant, pant…!”
“Whew, whew…!”
Finally, as if she had recovered her strength, the woman abruptly sat up. She was none other than Jin So-hong.
“Was that really the only way?”
“No. I told you there were other exits.”
When Namgung Cheon replied indifferently, Jin So-hong asked, seemingly unable to understand.
“Then we could have gone out that way. Why on earth did we have to…”
Ah, she did not even want to think about it again.
The moment of falling from that cliff down into the deep valley was truly…
Shuddering, Jin So-hong took a deep breath and asked.
“Was it because you feared the mastermind behind them might be at the emergency exit?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“The Gale Squad must have been waiting there. A group like the Gale Squad would have found the emergency exit.”
“Then of course we should have gone there! Why did we have to… Ah, I don’t even want to say it.”
“Like I said, I didn’t want to make porridge only to give it to a dog.”
“What on earth does that mean?”
“There is no time to explain in detail. Since you seem to have recovered your strength, let us go.”
“Where?”
“Where else? We have to return to the Alliance. Today is the day of the tournament.”
“You are going straight to fight in a tournament after going through this?”
“Why? Can I not?”
“Well…”
What should she say? Because it was tiring?
But looking at Namgung Cheon, he did not seem tired at all.
Ah, she did not know.
When she was with Namgung Cheon, it was as if she knew the whole world, yet at the same time, she suddenly felt like a fool.
Namgung Cheon stood up and walked away with long strides.
“Hey, wait for me.”
“Hurry up. If we are late, we will be disqualified.”
“I just want to forfeit.”
“Good decision. You went through a major ordeal, so you should rest. If you overexert yourself at your age, you will get sick.”
‘You are the exact same age, you know?’
Speechless, Jin So-hong started to say something but closed her mouth.
In truth, there were times when Namgung Cheon somehow felt like a much older adult.
“But can we really make it in time? The sun is already rising.”
“We must. By any means necessary.”
“If it really seems impossible, you go first. I will follow slowly behind.”
“That won’t do. If it’s too hard for you, I will carry you on my back. Otherwise, it might become another situation of making porridge and giving it to a dog.”
“So, since yesterday, you keep… making what and giving it to whom?”
“There is such a thing.”
When Namgung Cheon answered half-heartedly, Jin So-hong pouted with a sullen expression.
* * *
“Is everything ready?”
Entering the VIP seats of the Grand Martial Arena, the Alliance Leader looked at the chief administrator and asked.
The chief administrator replied with a polite bow.
“Yes, Alliance Leader. Today is also a full house.”
“Good. Let us begin then.”
As the Alliance Leader sat down, the chief administrator signaled Murong Sin, who had ascended the stage. When Murong Sin announced the start of the match, cheers erupted throughout the Grand Martial Arena.
“Whoooo!”
“Finally, the semifinals! I’m looking forward to it!”
“Go Dragon Heaven!”
“What do you mean! Valiant Martial must win!”
Although fiery cheers erupted from the spectator stands, the Gold King’s expression was not bright.
‘Hong-ah…’
Still, there was no news of his daughter.
There was no news from the Alliance either, and Namgung Cheon had not returned.
In the midst of all this, since they said they would hold the tournament as scheduled, he had come hoping that he might learn some news here.
However, his daughter was still nowhere to be seen.
The same went for Namgung Cheon.
Were they still tracking? Or…
‘No. Let’s not even think of ominous thoughts.’
Namgung Geom, who sat beside him, maintained a cold expression the entire time, making it difficult to start a conversation. No, at this moment, he did not even have the energy to start a conversation.
In the meantime, Yun Gyeong, a disciple of the Jongnam Sect, ascended the stage.
Even after the cheers subsided and eyes remained fixed on the stage for a long time, Namgung Cheon, the opponent he had to face, was nowhere to be seen.
Only then did the crowd begin to buzz.
“What’s going on? Why isn’t Cadet Namgung Cheon showing up?”
“Is something wrong?”
“Come to think of it, I heard a female cadet was kidnapped recently. Did they get her back?”
“I thought they did since they went ahead with the tournament as scheduled…”
The buzzing grew louder.
Watching this, the Alliance Leader narrowed his eyes.
‘It is time to step forward.’
Hanging a faint smile on his lips for a brief moment, he rose from his seat.
Soon after, a Lion’s Roar burst out.
“It seems I must convey heartbreaking news to all of you gathered here today. Cadet Namgung Cheon will not be able to come today.”
“…?”
Looking at the Alliance Leader with questioning eyes, the crowd began to murmur.
“He can’t come? What does that mean?”
“Did something happen?”
By the time the murmuring subsided, the Alliance Leader spoke again.
“Although I already knew that fact… I still wanted to hope that our Rising Dragon would perform a miracle until the very end. So, I waited without giving up hope… but indeed, no miracle occurred.”
Pausing again, the Alliance Leader took a deep breath as if to control his surging emotions.
He slowly scanned the spectator stands. His eyes were red, as if bloody tears would pour down at any moment.
At the Alliance Leader’s unusual appearance, the spectators involuntarily tensed and swallowed hard.
Finally, a shocking statement escaped the Alliance Leader’s mouth.
“Our Rising Dragon, the hope of this Alliance, and the rising star of the orthodox factions. I have received news that Cadet Namgung Cheon has passed away while fighting against injustice.”
In an instant, an icy silence settled over the vast Grand Martial Arena.