Chapter 254: The Time of the Freezing Wind (4)
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Crunch. Crunch.
A man climbing the mountain path looked up at the sky.
“Is it snow?”
When exposed to the mountain wind, one would often feel a chill even in summer.
It went without saying if it was winter. The winding, blowing wind would make even the world’s greatest masters shiver.
However, for today at least, even that rough mountain wind was calm.
Instead, snow was falling.
The snowflakes falling one by one resembled fluttering petals. Fairly thick snowflakes were dyeing the entire mountain white.
“It has a nice atmosphere.”
It was a scenery he had seen last year as well, but today the scenery of the Dabie Mountains was exceptionally beautiful.
Even looking at it piece by piece, there was nothing particularly different, yet it was strangely novel. That was probably not because the mountain had changed, but because he himself had changed.
The man closed his eyes.
Pajik!
A streak of lightning flashed in the quiet mountains.
Hwooooooong.
The snow covering the ground splattered in all directions.
Pararararak!
His stylishly dressed collar fluttered in the wind. It was an exceptionally calm day, but the air was fluctuating due to the man’s rapid movement speed.
And a moment later.
Swish.
The man who landed smoothly, Murong Jun, looked up at the massive fortress.
It was a fortress whose scale was tremendous even when seen from up close. If one looked down from high up in the sky, it would be wide enough to truly be reminiscent of the city walls of a small nation.
Murong Jun suddenly felt his eyes being dazzled.
‘Yes, the Murim Alliance is now no different from a single nation.’
Since when had it been?
Due to the treaty of Non-Interference between the Government and the Murim, the Imperial government and the Murim did not invade each other’s territories.
It was a difficult thing to understand that they shared the same world yet did not invade each other’s territories. In truth, he had heard that for over a decade after that treaty was signed, all sorts of disputes never ceased.
However, as time flowed, the government and the Murim eventually reached a relationship where they didn’t pay attention to each other. The two groups, which seemed absolutely incompatible, had finally achieved coexistence.
‘The Jianghu Murim seems plausible on the outside, but it has no clear control organization.’
Murong Jun’s eyes turned cold.
‘The Murim Alliance was established in such a Jianghu. The Murim Alliance will soon become the holy land of the entire Murim beyond just the Orthodox Murim, which means the Murim Alliance Leader can become the ruler of the free-spirited Jianghu as the Emperor of the Murim.’
Murong Jun tried to imagine himself having become the Alliance Leader.
Himself ascending the massive Grandmaster’s Chair while receiving the blessings of tens of thousands. Himself having grasped the power to cause a cataclysm with a single gesture.
‘…It is good.’
It was being drawn out. His own image.
And the myriad of processes to ascend to that place.
“Heuk! Y-you couldn’t be?”
Murong Jun opened his eyes.
The face of the Gate Guard Officer guarding the city gate turned pale.
“Clan Head Murong?”
That’s right for now.
Murong Jun said with a smile.
“Open the gate.”
“Ah! I apologize, but… could you please show your plaque?”
It likely meant that although he already knew his identity, he couldn’t ignore the procedures.
Murong Jun obediently handed over his plaque.
“Confirmation complete! Congratulations on your return!”
“Thank you.”
Kugugugugung!
The massive city gate, the Black Tortoise Main Gate, opened.
Before entering through the opened city gate, Murong Jun looked at the Gate Guard Officer.
The highly tense Gate Guard Officer carefully opened his mouth.
“By any chance, do you have any separate orders to give?”
Murong Jun shook his head.
“You, what is your name?”
“I am called Jeon Gang.”
The Clan Head of Murong in heaven asked his name. Although he didn’t show it outwardly, Jeon Gang didn’t know what to do with himself.
Murong Jun smiled.
“You people are truly the face of the Murim Alliance. Even though it may be exhausting, please continue to make an effort to adhere to the principles and rules like you do now so that the dignity of the Murim Alliance is not damaged.”
“Th-thank you!”
There was no way to know if this was a compliment or sarcasm. Jeon Gang’s face flushed deeply.
Murong Jun took out a small money pouch from his bosom.
“Take it.”
“Wh-what is this?”
“You suffer a lot in the cold winter. When your shift is over, have some delicious alcohol with your colleagues.”
“Heuk! I-it’s fine!”
Murong Jun burst into hearty laughter.
“My good man, even though I look like this, I am the Clan Head of the Murong Clan, so do you really think this is money given as a bribe?”
“Keok! N-no, it’s not that…”
“Don’t mind it and take it. The higher-ups are already discussing welfare for the Guard Unit and Gate Guard Officers anyway. We should have paid attention to it earlier, so I’m just sorry it was delayed so much.”
A look of deep emotion settled on Jeon Gang’s face.
That wasn’t all. Not only inside the gate, but all the warriors standing on the left and right felt a surge of emotion.
Jeon Gang deeply bowed his head.
“If so… I will receive it with gratitude.”
“There’s no need to thank me. Rather, we should be thanking you. Isn’t the fact that we can comfortably discuss the important affairs of the Alliance all thanks to you people?”
Murong Jun’s eyes turned serious.
“Do not forget. It is a world where there are high and low statuses, and noble and humble professions, but at the very least, the work you do is just as difficult and hard as the work we do.”
“…”
“Please keep up the good work in the future as well.”
Not only Jeon Gang but all the gate guards bowed their heads.
“We are all ready to lay down our lives for the Alliance at any time.”
“Hahaha, good.”
Murong Jun, who patted Jeon Gang’s shoulder, finally entered the Alliance.
A gait overflowing with dignity, yet his retreating figure was filled with an imposing majesty contrary to his lofty dignity.
Envy arose on Jeon Gang’s face.
“How overflowing with chivalry and righteousness must the warriors of the Murong Clan operating under such a leader be? If it’s a lord like that, he is truly worth following.”
“I hear Clan Head Murong has returned to the Alliance!”
“Clan Head Murong has returned!”
“I heard that son of a bitch came back?”
“Hmm, his return was faster than expected.”
The news of Murong Jun’s return spread throughout every corner of the Alliance in an instant.
Murong Jun, who entered with imposing strides, headed straight to the meeting hall without stopping by his residence. It was to report on the events that had occurred.
Half a shichen later, the Honored Guests gathered in the meeting hall.
“Hoho, you truly worked hard.”
At Master Kong-kong’s plain praise, Murong Jun smiled.
“What hardship could there be? I didn’t do anything. The ones who actually worked hard were the members of the Operations Group.”
“Hohoho.”
“Furthermore, because the Operations Group Leader’s abilities were originally so outstanding, there was nothing else to do when I actually arrived in Hunan. Excluding a few adjustments, that is.”
“Is that so.”
“The mission is one thing, but isn’t the most important fact that everyone returned safely without anyone getting hurt? It’s extremely fortunate.”
Master Kong-kong smiled brightly.
“It truly makes me feel good for you, Honored Guest Murong, to say so. Indeed. Human lives are more precious than missions, so it is fortunate that there were no casualties.”
“Hahaha.”
Murong Jun looked around at the Honored Guests and spoke.
“Anyway, all of the Honored Guests must be busy, so I shall briefly report on the events that occurred.”
He briefly and logically explained the series of events that had occurred in Hunan.
Naturally, the contents of the deceitful tricks he himself had committed were completely left out. Even the war of nerves with Yeon Ho-jeong, and the meeting with Yang Cheon.
“Hoh.”
Immortal Yong-hwa let out an exclamation of admiration.
“He is truly amazing. Honestly speaking, I thought the fame of being the Tiger General of Green Mountain at that young age was somewhat excessive, but he is a truly amazing talent.”
Murong Jun smiled.
“Isn’t he a rising star who contends for number one under heaven? His martial arts are one thing, but his quick-witted resourcefulness and the boldness with which he targeted Yang Cheon are fully deserving of praise.”
“Hoho, indeed.”
“A genius who freely utilizes martial arts and strategy in actual combat. Honestly, who could have imagined that such a ridiculous genius would exist in the world?”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes deepened.
‘What is this?’
Murong Jun continuously laid out praises for Yeon Ho-jeong as if he were genuinely impressed.
‘Although they are enemies, Clan Head Murong acknowledges the Evil-Annihilating Army Commander more than anyone else. However, his praises feel somewhat excessive.’
Of course, he was a talent who lacked even if one piled praise upon praise.
It was just that it was suspicious because Murong Jun was the one praising him. If others heard it, they wouldn’t feel anything particularly strange, but for Zhuge Wen-hu, who knew the relationship between Murong Jun and Yeon Ho-jeong, it was hard to believe that his intentions were pure.
Zhuge Wen-hu looked at Yeon Wi.
Yeon Wi was expressionless, but Zhuge Wen-hu, who had built a deep friendship with him, could read the doubt and uneasiness cast in Yeon Wi’s eyes.
‘Clan Head Yeon also feels something is strange. What on earth is it?’
Thus, a bit of time passed.
‘…?’
Zhuge Wen-hu noticed that the complexions of some Honored Guests were gradually becoming subtle.
‘Could it be…’
Zhuge Wen-hu’s expression stiffened unnoticeably.
‘So that was it.’
To a person with severe thirst, a cup of water is incredibly moving. However, if water is continuously given even after the thirst has been quenched, it becomes tormenting from then on.
‘The small number of Honored Guests who do not belong to any faction are feeling uncomfortable.’
A hollow laugh leaked out.
‘Slandering is not the only form of attack. He is inducing internal conflict by creating anxiety with excessive praise…’
Even without this, Yeon Ho-jeong’s fame had already spread throughout the entire Orthodox Murim.
And it was understandable. Not only had he broken through the Wall of the Martial Arts´ End in his early twenties, but he was also appointed as the captain of the Murim Alliance’s first mobile unit, and before that, he had even stood in the vanguard to bring down the Nine States Myeong Clan.
Age, martial arts, strategy, clan, and even his broad-minded personality, there was nothing lacking.
It was an ability and background that anyone would be jealous of.
‘Clan Head Murong. How long has it been since you returned, yet you are already resorting to such trickery?’
It was the moment Zhuge Wen-hu was about to jump in right away.
“Demon-Sweeping Army Commander is also amazing.”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Yeon Wi.
Yeon Wi, who moistened his throat with a sip of tea, continued speaking.
“Didn’t Demon-Sweeping Army Commander Murong Yu also break through the Wall of the Martial Arts´ End a while ago? To reach such a realm at an age before turning thirty, he is truly a genius who does not fall behind the Evil-Annihilating Army Commander.”
A look of surprise arose on Murong Jun’s face. Even the great Murong Jun couldn’t hide his emotions this time around.
“Yu, no, the Demon-Sweeping Army Commander broke through the Wall of the Martial Arts´ End, you say?”
“That is correct.”
“Hoh!”
The Honored Guests who had been feeling uncomfortable finally relaxed their expressions.
“Congratulations, Honored Guest Murong.”
“The talent of the Demon-Sweeping Army Commander is also a great blessing for the Murim.”
“They are truly worthy of being called the two pillars of the Murim Alliance’s combat units. Just like the name Sweeping Demons and Annihilating Evil, they are talents worthy of becoming the suns that brightly illuminate the Orthodox Murim in the future.”
The Honored Guests each said a word and praised Murong Yu.
Murong Jun’s face, which had stiffened with surprise and joy, momentarily became relaxed.
He looked at Yeon Wi.
Yeon Wi was quietly sipping his tea.
‘…Indeed.’
Murong Jun smiled.
‘Tigers beget tigers. Is it that he doesn’t fall behind his son?’
Yeon Wi looked at Murong Jun.
“Is there something on this person’s face?”
“Of course not. I just suddenly thought that Honored Guest Yeon’s complexion is very bright.”
“Thank you.”
At that moment, Zhuge Wen-hu stepped forward.
“I have received all the top-secret information from the Black Dragon Manor. Although there are many characters that are difficult to decipher among them, it seems all of it can be deciphered within half a month.”
“Oho!”
“It would be best to hold the Honored Guest Meeting again at that time. Since Honored Guest Murong must also be tired, how about we end the meeting here for today?”
“That sounds good.”
Murong Jun’s surprise return.
Winter, the time of the freezing wind had arrived.