I Shouldn't Have Joined the Martial Arts Alliance - Chapter 50

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Foolishly Entering the Murim Alliance — Episode 050
The Patrol Unit Master resigned of his own accord, as promised to Je Gal Gunsa.
What else could he do?
There was no reason to be dragged into the Law Enforcement Division and suffer pointless agony. Even if he could endure all manner of torture, the damage would be considerable.
He would crawl out half-crippled from the brutal interrogation, and how could a disabled man continue his duties as a Unit Master? In the end, the torture would render his position as good as lost.
Quietly departing proved to be the most advantageous course for Patrol Unit Master Jo In Jun—and it was sound thinking for his health as well.
Thus the Patrol Unit Master position fell vacant for the time being, though it would surely be filled again eventually.
And Jang Hye In was promoted to Deputy Commander. The eleventh unit would assist the Deputy Commander while simultaneously serving as his guard unit.
Jang Hye In became Deputy Commander, commanding one hundred members from the eleventh through twentieth units.
But with the eleventh unit now absent to support him, that squad also became vacant. It too would be filled in due course, so for now he commanded ninety subordinates rather than a hundred.
As Jang Hye In ascended to Deputy Commander, an onslaught of activity began among the members under his command.
It was entirely foreseeable.
Waves of bribes and flattery—requests to look kindly upon them going forward. They called them words of congratulation, but in truth these were all gifts hoping for something in return.
Yet sadly enough…….
Truly, most regrettably…….
“Ugh. All castles in the air.”
Indeed.
Jang Hye In could not accept those many congratulatory offerings. The unit members—no, now the Deputy Commander’s guards—shared his regret equally.
It was because of Sa U Rin.
Hadn’t he spoken before the strategist about corruption and misconduct?
How then could Jang Hye In possibly accept gifts with strong overtones of bribery the moment he became Deputy Commander?
“What a shame…….”
His honest sentiment. Yet he had resolved to let it go, to steel his resolve.
He had endured his entire time in the Murim Alliance clinging to a single wish, and now that wish was becoming reality.
Because of Sa U Rin.
Had he been the old Jang Hye In, he would have swallowed all of this, but now he could not—and must not.
Because Sa U Rin was watching with eyes wide open—no, wide awake.
So he let go of his lingering attachments entirely. Instead, Jang Hye In and his subordinates resolved to become true martial artists as Sa U Rin had urged.
Thus resolved, Jang Hye In decided to transform all his unit members into true martial artists.
To prepare for contingencies. For the greatest of contingencies. One never knows what might happen.
A great war might sweep across the Gangho. The possibility was slim. War was best avoided, but preparation could do no harm.
Of course, he did not expect much. Still, if even a handful responded to his call, he would count it a success.
“Everyone’s assembled.”
Ninety members stood scattered about the Training Ground in ragged formation. The lines were a complete mess.
‘What a disaster.’
It was as good as contempt for Jang Hye In.
‘These wretches…….’
No. These men shuffling before him with their crooked ranks had no choice but to obey him. There was no reason to lose his temper from the start.
“From now on, you must listen carefully to what I have to say.”
They muttered and seemed not to heed his words. Yet they were listening, even if they pretended otherwise.
Their livelihoods depended on his hands.
“Starting tomorrow, you must devote a minimum of three double hours—six hours—daily to training. And of course, you must do so with earnest intention. Any who fail to maintain this schedule have no place in my unit!”
In other words, they would be dismissed.
At that, complaints erupted from various quarters.
“Isn’t this overly coercive?”
“When did such a rule come about?”
“Deputy Commander or not, I believe it excessive to interfere in our personal training!”
So Jang Hye In spoke.
“If you’re dissatisfied, if you dislike it, you may leave now.”
The unit members grumbled, but none stepped forward of their own accord to depart.
“If no one will leave on their own, then fix your ranks this instant. Basics must be observed.”
They shuffled about with sour faces, realigning themselves into proper formation.
‘Now this is worthwhile.’
And he felt it then—the true allure of power. It sent a thrill of satisfaction through him.
Jang Hye In spoke again.
“You all wish to stand where I stand, do you not?”
Affirmations came from here and there. Likely everyone gathered here felt the same way. Jang Hye In himself had stood in their position only yesterday.
“That is why I wish to give you that opportunity.”
At that, cries burst forth.
“Speak sense!”
“Is that even possible?!”
Everyone muttered much the same thing.
Of course, some among them were genuinely eyeing Jang Hye In’s position. But for most, it was a dream they’d never dared entertain.
No strength, no money, no powerful backing—half of them didn’t even have a ship to speak of, let alone one that wasn’t sinking.
Jang Hye In raised his hand, silencing the crowd. Then he spoke again.
“Opportunity is seized by those who prepare and possess the ability. That’s why I’m demanding you all dedicate at least three double hours a day to training. And I keep my word. So I’m telling you this now: twice a year, once every six months, I will hold a Squad Leader Tournament. Whoever defeats their squad’s leader will assume the leadership position.”
“You’re serious?”
“How can we trust that?!”
“Stop doubting before you’ve even heard me out. It’s only six months. In six months, you can verify whether my words are true or false.”
Fierce competition would erupt.
Unit Members would strain with every sinew to defeat their leaders, and the leaders would do the same to avoid falling to their subordinates.
Certainly, this could shatter the trust between squad leaders and their members. But through such struggle, truly capable individuals would emerge as leaders worthy of commanding their squads.
And beyond that.
Even those crawling at the bottom, convinced they couldn’t succeed, would grasp at a rotting rope if it meant any chance at escape.
That was hope itself.
And that’s precisely why certain despicable sorts existed to exploit such people.
Jang Hye In had not finished speaking.
“Furthermore! Once a year, I will stake my position as Deputy Commander and hold a Deputy Commander Tournament. After the Squad Leader Tournament concludes in six months, you’ll know whether my words were lies or truth.”
Then the Squad Leader of Unit 17 stepped forward.
“Why wait? How about we settle the Deputy Commander position right now, here and now? Unless you’re too scared, of course.”
Laughter erupted from those around him.
Just as expected.
Yesterday, after confirming the Deputy Commander promotion, he’d held a meeting with the unit members. Every word Jang Hye In spoke now was the fruit of that discussion.
And he’d anticipated this very behavior from his subordinates.
So Jang Hye In opened his mouth.
“Very well.”
Those who had been sneering alongside the Squad Leader of Unit 17 froze in confusion.
“…Are you serious? You’re saying you’ll do this right now?”
“I am. But not against me—defeat our youngest here, and we’ll talk.”
The corners of the Squad Leader of Unit 17’s mouth turned upward.
“Ah, so that’s it. You drain his strength first, then you face me as Deputy Commander, is that the trick? In that case—”
“No. If you defeat our youngest, I will step down from this position immediately.”
“…Y-you’re serious? How can we trust that?”
“If I deceive you all with false words here, how could any of you possibly trust and follow me?”
That’s all you’d be then—a Deputy Commander in name only. No different from a scarecrow.
“And why not test it at once, here and now?”
“…Very well. I, Squad Leader of Unit 17 Son Seok Hu, accept the challenge.”
“Understood. Everyone, make space.”
The unit members who had been standing in formation at the center of the Training Ground scattered to the outer edges, clearing the arena.
Sa U Rin faced off against Son Seok Hu, the Squad Leader of Unit 17, who now stood alone in the center of the Training Ground.
Both were given wooden swords.
Jang Hye In’s word fell.
“Begin.”
The moment it started, Sa U Rin gave everything he had. The result was that Son Seok Hu was driven back completely one-sided.
If anything, it bordered on a one-sided thrashing.
“S-stop! Please, stop!”
But Sa U Rin did not cease. He took his orders from the Deputy Commander, not from the Squad Leader of Unit 17.
Sa U Rin’s assault continued for roughly three to four minutes.
Finally.
Thud.
Squad Leader of Unit 17 Son Seok Hu collapsed ignominiously and lost consciousness.
Silence filled the Training Ground. Yet each person’s mind churned with thoughts of their own.
‘I see… that won’t work for me.’
‘…That position would be difficult.’
‘…Who the hell is that guy?’
‘…Where did such a monster even come from?’
‘…And he can’t be more than a handful of years old.’
‘Still, he looks old enough to be my uncle… couldn’t he let us win just once…?’
What on earth was that? What was that?
Yet Jang Hye In and his escorts wore smiles that curled at the corners of their mouths.
Initiative control successful!
* * *
Despite having firmly established discipline among his unit members, Jang Hye In found himself drowning in work day after day.
“Good grief.”
He was buried under documents he’d never anticipated, laboring as if death itself nipped at his heels.
Personal files on each unit member, the reports they submitted one after another, and directives flowing down from above—all of it.
In truth, there wasn’t that much, but for someone like Jang Hye In who’d never dealt with paperwork before, it all felt impossibly heavy.
The worst part, though…….
……was fielding requests from various quarters asking him to arrange a meeting with Sa U Rin.
“Insane.”
Most such requests were easy enough for someone in Jang Hye In’s position to refuse, but there were still a few he found difficult to turn down.
He’d spent considerable time wrestling with how to break this to his youngest member.
Seven weeks slipped past in that manner, and Jang Hye In arrived at an inn with his direct subordinates to celebrate their promotions.
The Cheolgang Inn, specifically.
For the gathering, he’d had to cover a distance that normally took a full day’s walk by deploying the Divine Footwork and running hard enough to make his brows stream with sweat.
All because of the youngest member, Sa U Rin’s stubbornness.
And Sa U Rin had even made it clear to Deputy Commander Jang Hye In and his comrades that from now on, any drinking had to happen at the Cheolgang Inn.
What choice did they have? They had to comply.
So they’d arrived at the Cheolgang Inn and had been enjoying themselves over drinks.
Then suddenly a child came through the door, weeping.
Jong Chul, who’d been working, quickly approached the crying boy.
“Min Seo, what’s wrong?”
He was a child from a nearby village whom Jong Chul had grown close to. Min Seo’s older sister was remarkably beautiful, which was partly why they’d become so familiar.
“Uncle. Wah-wah.”
“What is it? Did something happen? Min Seo?”
“People wearing masks took my sister away!”
Jong Chul’s eyes went wide as lanterns.
“……What? Really?”
“Yes, uncle. Uncle, please find our sister. Wah-wah!”
“All right, all right, just wait a moment. You understand, yes?”
Min Seo nodded, fat teardrops rolling down his cheeks.
Jong Chul hurried frantically into the kitchen to call his eldest brother, Jang Chun.
“Big brother! Big brother! There’s trouble! Please come out here!”
At Jong Chul’s cry of trouble, the Cheolgang Inn brothers all converged, and Jang Chun came rushing out from the kitchen as well.
“What kind of trouble?”
“Min Seo’s sister, Seo Hui, has been kidnapped, brother. Surely you must know something about this?”
Jang Chun had once made a name for himself in his youth, and since the younger brothers had let slip how capable he was, they habitually turned to him whenever they needed to know about the ways of the Gangho.
“……Kidnapped? Seo Hui?”
“Yes, brother.”
Jang Chun’s gaze drifted sadly toward where Min Seo stood sobbing in the center of the inn.
“Brother, why aren’t you speaking? Well?”
Jang Chun squeezed his eyes shut.
“Jong Chul.”
“Yes, brother.”
“The thing is…….”
Just then Sa U Rin, who’d been drinking, suddenly interjected. Jang Hye In and the others came along with him.
“Uncle, you know something about this.”
Jang Chun had lived alongside Sa U Rin for many years. Just from seeing his expression now, it was clear he knew something.
Jang Chun turned to look at Sa U Rin.
“The thing is…….”
But Jang Hye In and the others who’d followed Sa U Rin began shaking their heads vigorously at Jang Chun.
Frantically.
Signaling that nothing more must be said, no matter what.
Jang Chun felt the same way.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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