I Shouldn't Have Joined the Martial Arts Alliance - Chapter 83

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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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Rashly Entering the Murim Alliance — Episode 83
Sa U-rin answered Hyun-wi’s question.
“I don’t know how to lie.”
It was far too obvious and tired an answer for Hyun-wi.
“Everyone speaks that way in front of others. But in the end, lies are woven into those words, schemes melted into them—you learn that only after you’ve been burned. No matter that you’re Cheol-gang-i’s son, you’re also a part of this Gangho, are you not?”
“Gangho may be that way, but I am not. And I don’t believe all those who belong to Gangho are the same either.”
“Not all are the same?”
“Then, Murim Alliance Leader, tell me—what was my father like? And what were you like?”
“Consider Cheol-gang-i and me.”
Cheol-gang-i was certainly different.
Then what of Hyun-wi himself?
He hadn’t lived to be different. He’d grown close to Cheol-gang-i because their thoughts and hearts aligned.
“Heh.”
A hollow laugh escaped unbidden.
He’d known it—yet hadn’t truly grasped it all this time. He’d surrendered everything to his helplessness.
Sa U-rin’s words shattered that thought.
“That’s right. That’s how it was.”
“If you still don’t believe me, ask my fellow seniors or Deputy Leader Jang.”
There was no need. His mind felt clear now.
Yet Hyun-wi still turned to ask Deputy Leader Jang Hye-in.
“Is it truly so?”
“Rather than call it true, that man is simply… that sort of man. He has no flexibility whatsoever, and whatever he wants to do, he must do it… anyway, that’s how he is.”
At that, a sharp cry burst from the witch Jang Ryeo’s lips.
“What?! That?! You want to die?! Huh?!”
“Ah, no, that’s not it. I was just speaking the truth, and—”
“What truth is that?! This happened because you all are inferior to our son!”
Wasn’t that the same thing?
Yet Jang Hye-in couldn’t rebut. If he did—
He’d surely die.
Still, Jang Ryeo’s mouth didn’t rest.
“You! I’ve had a good opinion of you because you’re handsome. But if you’re like this, you and our U-rin will absolutely never share the same room, got it?!”
Jang Hye-in’s eyes widened like lanterns. Would he be alone? The team members beside him were equally flabbergasted.
Hyun-wi, however, was subtly amused.
“…I’m sorry?”
“Did you think I didn’t know? Huh?!”
“That is… well…”
“…Mother?”
“U-rin, you be careful with that girl. Understood? She’s got her eye on you, didn’t you know?”
Sa U-rin was aware of it. So he refused what needed refusing, was careful about what required caution, and avoided what had to be avoided.
That’s why it had ended at this level.
“Mother, please.”
“Fine. Anyway! You watch out for that girl.”
Jang Hye-in bowed his head deeply.
“…Yes.”
Then.
“Ahahaha!”
Hyun-wi finally burst into laughter.
All eyes turned toward him.
It was strange—just moments before, Hyun-wi had tried to end his own life, and now he was laughing with such happiness.
After laughing for a long while, Hyun-wi wiped his tears, aware of the harsh gazes upon him.
“My apologies. But that was far too amusing. Does it happen every day like this?”
If so, life might truly be worth living.
“We can’t be together every day, so it’s not daily.”
“A pity, then.”
For Jang Hye-in and the team members, it was a relief. Not a pity at all.
If a person faced the terror of death every single day, what would become of their mind?
They couldn’t live in their right mind.
Hyun-wi brushed himself off and stood.
“Well, this is our first day—what do you all say to a celebration dinner? I’ve come back from death itself. Let’s make it a memorial.”
How strange.
I never imagined that the former Murim Alliance Leader Hyun-wi could be such a person.
This time, Sa U-rin asks Hyun-wi a question.
“Do you happen to know who drew their blade against my father’s name carved into this stone?”
He wanted to take proper revenge on whoever had wielded a sword against his father’s name.
“…I’m sorry. It was me.”
It was unexpected, and it made no sense.
Hadn’t he called himself Father’s friend?
“Why did you do it?”
“…I resented him. I was bitter. Why did he leave me with such a heavy burden? Though now I see it was my own inadequacy that was to blame.”
“I see.”
I understand, in a way.
Not completely, though.
How desperate must he have been to decide on his own death?
Just then, from behind the eldest daughter, Chu-yeop—who had remained quiet until now—scratched his head and approached Hyun-wi’s side.
“Brother, that’s a wonderful idea. I’ll serve you. Let’s go.”
“Brother? Haha. I like it, little one. Lead the way then. Haha!”
I really wish there were at least one person who was genuinely sane.
Really.
* * *
The Murim Alliance Council Chamber is in chaos.
The elders representing the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Clans have gathered to state their respective positions, so the council chamber is in an uproar.
Jegal Su-yeon, the military strategist of the Jegal Family, is also present at this gathering. She currently holds the highest position in the Murim Alliance.
The agenda is the next Murim Alliance Leader.
Since Hyun-wi has left the Murim Alliance, the vacant seat needs to be filled.
But the opinions cannot be narrowed down.
No.
This time, the representatives of each sect and clan are shouting loudly, each declaring that their own should take the Murim Alliance Leader position.
“I believe it is only fitting that our Huashan First Sword takes the seat of Murim Alliance Leader.”
“Hehe. Isn’t our Huashan First Sword not the First Sword under Heaven? Our Wudang First Sword would also be more than adequate to take the seat of Murim Alliance Leader.”
“If we’re going by that logic, surely our Nangong’s Changcheon Sword should take the seat.”
“We of Kunlun also have the Taeyang Sword, who has mastered the Four Swords.”
“Our Hwangbo clan has the Fist King.”
“Don’t underestimate us from the southern seas either. The King of the Sea will certainly not back down.”
“This time, I think it would be good if our Amicheon’s Sword Empress takes the seat of Murim Alliance Leader, representing the women of Baekdo Martial World.”
“I believe the Ice Palace Master of our Beihai Ice Palace is the true representative of the women. Therefore, I think our Beihai should be given this opportunity as well.”
Thus, the council chamber could not remain quiet.
And Jegal Su-yeon watched all of them with genuine dismay.
Bang, bang, bang!
Jegal Su-yeon struck the huge circular table in the council chamber hard.
Only then did everyone fall silent.
“How will anything be resolved if you all insist only on your own opinions? All of you are people of considerable standing, gathered here like this—must we see such a display? Hmm?!”
Everyone grumbled under their breath.
“Since none of you will yield your opinion, I will propose one solution. Will you hear it?”
“Hmm. At least let’s hear it first.”
“Ahem. There’s no harm in listening.”
“I’ll follow along if it sounds reasonable. Nothing better seems to be coming up anyway. Hmm.”
“Let’s do that.”
“Then I’ll listen too.”
They all wanted to hear what Jegal Su-yeon had to say first.
“Very well. Then I will propose a solution. As you all know, one year from now, the Azure Dragon Martial Arts Tournament will be held.”
The Azure Dragon Martial Arts Tournament is held every five years for the rising talents of the martial world.
Only martial artists under the age of twenty-nine are permitted to participate.
It could be called a festival of Baekdo Martial World held every five years. And there’s also the enjoyment of seeing the talented individuals who will lead Baekdo Martial World in the future.
“So here’s my proposal: what if the sect that wins the Azure Dragon Martial Arts Tournament takes the seat of Murim Alliance Leader? Or, even if not the leader position itself, we could grant them the qualification to recommend someone. What do you think?”
The council chamber stirred with murmurs.
“But what if, by some chance, none of the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Five Great Clans wins the championship?”
“As I said, the victorious sect will take the Murim Alliance Leader position, or they may recommend someone. And, might I ask—does that question mean the Zhongnan Sect lacks confidence?”
“Tsk. When did I ever say such a thing? I’m merely asking what would happen in that case. And the martial prowess of our Zhongnan Sect is the peak of perfection.”
“Hehe. If anyone heard that, they’d think it was the truth.”
“What did you say?!”
“Am I mistaken?”
“No, this gentleman is currently…….”
“Please, let’s leave it at that.”
“Ahem.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“There is merit in what the Zhongnan Sect elder says. The Alliance Leader’s tenure lasts a full ten years. If that were the case, could the Murim Alliance even be administered?”
If by chance neither the Nine Sects and One Gang nor the Five Great Clans produced the next Murim Alliance Leader, they would raise objections to every decision and undermine the position at every turn.
It was roundabout phrasing, but a military strategist worth his salt would never fail to grasp the meaning.
Outwardly, Jegal Su-yeon maintained her composure, but inwardly she was thoroughly amused.
“Well then, changing the tenure to five years might also be an option, wouldn’t it? Honestly, the previous Alliance Leader who was dismissed didn’t even serve out half his term. What is there to worry about?”
“Ahem.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Hmph.”
Jegal Su-yeon studied the elders’ expressions for a moment. They were all busy gauging each other’s reactions.
“Then perhaps we should decide that the winning sect at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts Tournament will either take the Alliance Leader position or nominate someone for it.”
“Ahem. That doesn’t sound unreasonable.”
“Mm-hmm. I think so too.”
“Since there doesn’t seem to be any other option, I’m inclined to favor it.”
All of them spoke in agreement.
Each thinking their own sect would be the one to triumph.
Jegal Su-yeon spoke again.
“There is one more matter I wish to propose.”
“Go ahead.”
“I am considering having the Murim Alliance select five Rising Talents to compete in the Azure Dragon Martial Arts Tournament as well. This would serve to boost morale within the Alliance, and that is why I make this proposal.”
“There’s no objection in principle……. But what if one of the Alliance’s martial artists wins the tournament?”
“Since there is currently no Alliance Leader, I would make the nomination in that case.”
“Mm-hmm. Then wouldn’t that give the Jegal Family two opportunities instead of one?”
“Do you perhaps suspect that our Jegal Family will win the Azure Dragon Martial Arts Tournament?”
It was common consensus that the Jegal Family’s martial might was a notch below that of the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Five Great Clans.
And the facts bore this out as well.
“Ahem. Well, that’s true, but…….”
“When you put it so bluntly, I’m at a loss for words.”
“Still, however you look at it, the Jegal Family gains two opportunities. That remains unchanged.”
“Very well. In that case, let us have the Jegal Family abstain from participating in the Azure Dragon Martial Arts Tournament this time. Will that suffice?”
“Ahem.”
“If that’s the case…….”
“Instead, no one can object if the winning sect at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts Tournament produces the next Murim Alliance Leader or nominates one. Do you all consent?”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Excellent. Then I shall document this proposal and have each of you confirm it.”
She was determined to ensure they couldn’t back out later. Such reversals had happened before.
The elders were not entirely pleased, but with no other option available, they all signed their names to the document.
Thus, the meeting regarding the selection of the next Murim Alliance Leader came to a close.
* * *
Once the elder meeting had concluded, Jegal Su-yeon and Bi-ryeong, the keeper of the Luminous Pavilion, made their way directly to where Jang Hye-in and his companions were gathered.
Or rather, to where Sa U-rin was. She needed to inform him that he would be competing in the Azure Dragon Martial Arts Tournament.
Jang Hye-in and his companions looked slightly startled as Jegal Su-yeon approached.
“Wow.”
“They say speak of the devil and he appears. How did you know to find us here like some sort of ghost?”
“Kid. It’s not a ghost—it’s a tiger.”
“Of course, older brother. I certainly wouldn’t have made such a remark if I didn’t understand that.”
“Right.”
“……Yes? Wow. How exactly do you see people?”
“How would I see you?”
“You’re really going to do this?”
Jang Hye-in narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
“Now that the military strategist is here, everyone drop the jokes.”
“……Yes, sir.”
“……Understood.”
Jegal Su-yeon and Bi-ryeong arrived before Jang Hye-in and his companions.
“I see you were all gathered here.”
Jang Hye-in answered.
“Yes. We were just preparing to seek you out, sir.”
“Me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“But where’s Sa U-rin? I haven’t seen him around lately.”
“Sa U-rin has been living practically at that person’s residence these days.”
“……That person?”
He meant Jang Ryeo, Sa U-rin’s mother and the Supreme Witch of the Evil Sect.
Without warning, a chill ran down Jegal Su-yeon’s spine.

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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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