Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 436

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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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Chapter 436
I felt it even when I brought him along as time passed.
Above all, he possessed ability, and now he had followers as well.
Compared to Ma Chong-ryeong of Pungbyeok, there was nothing significantly lacking. If anything, it would be experience.
That much could be compensated for through experience.
Han Seok-hyeon’s pupils gleamed. His resolve was complete.
“It is burdensome, but if the Supreme Commander speaks thus, then yes. I shall attempt it.”
“Good. I have already informed the Palace Lord, and soon the Snow Heaven Guard and White Command Guard will send you a list of people to protect you and assist with your duties. They will be different from before, so choose according to your preference.”
“Thank you.”
The formal conversation had ended. Han Seok-hyeon poured tea into Seol Woon-hwi’s cup. Then he poured tea into his own cup as well.
Han Seok-hyeon spoke first.
“I heard the news.”
“News?”
“The Nan Cheon Ji Mun has disappeared, and you are leaving the Snow Palace now, they say.”
“That is how it has come to pass.”
“…It is remarkable. And… I feel much regret.”
“You are too kind.”
Seol Woon-hwi drank his tea.
One sip.
“Han Seok-hyeon.”
“Yes, Supreme Commander.”
“I will not return in the short term. Moreover, even if I do return, by then I will no longer be the master of Yang Ryeong.”
Han Seok-hyeon’s eyes widened.
A brief silence.
Then he opened his mouth.
“…Where are you going?”
“To the Central Plains.”
“What business is it?”
“There is something I must do.”
Seol Woon-hwi gazed out the window.
“It is a personal matter.”
“….”
“It is a personal matter and a debt I must settle. And it is also a problem upon which the fate of the entire Murim depends.”
“….”
“I am concerned about what comes after, but the Main Palace presents no problems, and you will take charge of Yang Ryeong… so it seems I can set my worries aside.”
“But I….”
“Do you lack confidence now?”
Han Seok-hyeon shook his head.
“That is absolutely not the case. I have confidence. But.”
“But?”
“I’m still somewhat uncertain whether this place can be run as stably as before without the Supreme Commander.”
Seol Woon-hwi looked directly at Han Seok-hyeon.
“I have watched you. Your abilities. Your sincerity. Your loyalty.”
“….”
“Do you think the residents of Yang-ryeong here don’t know that?”
Han Seok-hyeon swallowed hard.
“There is no one like you. So have confidence.”
Han Seok-hyeon bit his lip.
“…Thank you.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. It’s simply the truth.”
Seol Woon-hwi rose from his seat and walked toward the window.
Yang-ryeong came into view.
Snow-covered ground.
A peaceful sight.
“This was the second place I ever governed.”
Seol Woon-hwi spoke quietly.
“When I first became Supreme Commander, it was more daunting than I expected.”
“….”
“There were inherent problems, friction with the Yang Empire, and so much work to be done.”
“….”
“But I handled it, one step at a time.”
Seol Woon-hwi turned back to Han Seok-hyeon.
“You are better prepared than I was.”
“….”
“And you will do better than I did.”
“…Those are too generous words.”
“They are not generous.”
Seol Woon-hwi smiled.
“I believe in you.”
Han Seok-hyeon rose from his seat.
He performed the Embracing Fist salute.
Deeply.
“…I shall accept your mandate.”
Han Seok-hyeon spoke to Seol Woon-hwi, who nodded.
“And. All the martial artists belonging to Yang-ryeong are currently inside the residence.”
“All of them?”
“Yes.”
Martial artists belonging to Yang-ryeong meant Lee Ja-gyeom of Jeok An, Song Ui-gyeong of Bong Rae, and the sect leaders of Sa Ryang.
“Upon hearing that the Supreme Commander would depart, they have been coming and waiting here for the past two days.”
Though Seol Woon-hwi was not particularly fond of tedious formalities, he had no intention of treating the bonds he had forged carelessly.
Han Seok-hyeon rose from his seat.
“Without fail. When the Supreme Commander returns, I will show you a Young Palace Lord who has grown even stronger.”
Seol Woon-hwi nodded.
“I look forward to it.”
The two men regarded each other for a moment.
Then.
Han Seok-hyeon opened the door and spoke.
“Allow me to guide you. To the chamber where the Masters of Yang-ryeong are gathered.”
Having waited two days, Han Seok-hyeon knew well that given Seol Woon-hwi’s nature, he would go himself rather than summon them—and from this understanding, Seol Woon-hwi grew even more certain.
The Young Palace Lord would become safer still.
* * *
Bingseol Hakdang.
The Headmaster’s office.
No Cheon-myeong gazed out the window.
Students were training below.
With dedication.
The door opened.
No Cheon-myeong turned his head.
Seol Woon-hwi was entering.
No Cheon-myeong let out a soft chuckle.
“Ah, you’ve come.”
“Yes. I have.”
“I heard the news. You destroyed the Nantian Gate and now you’re leaving Yang-ryeong, they say.”
“That’s correct.”
“You’re really going through with it.”
“Yes.”
No Cheon-myeong regarded Seol Woon-hwi with a peculiar gaze. He was one of the few who knew that Seol Woon-hwi had regressed.
Whatever choice such a man had made would surely be the right one.
Indeed, he had made only correct choices thus far. The results proved it.
“But you’re a bit late. How disappointing.”
“The Sect Masters and Gate Masters of Yang-ryeong came to see me.”
“Hmm?”
“I spent about one tea time in conversation with them before coming here.”
“Ah, I see.”
“And since you are an important person to me, Senior, and someone I wish to remain close to personally, I thought you should be visited ‘last of all.'”
“Hmm…? Does that work that way?”
“It should make you all the more important.”
No Cheon-myeong burst into genuine laughter.
“You smooth-talking devil. Will you keep that up even when you go to the Origin Blood Sect?”
“You already know where I’m going.”
“It’s obvious. Where else would I go?”
That was true enough.
“If I return to the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, Hwa Mu-nyeom’s position as Alliance Leader becomes precarious. If I go to the Four Heaven Alliance, the followers of the previous Vice Alliance Leader won’t look kindly upon me. And there’s absolutely no reason to go to the Martial Alliance. So really, there’s only one option.”
No Cheon-myeong turned his chair.
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
Seol Woon-hwi sat down.
No Cheon-myeong retrieved a bottle of liquor.
“Will you have a drink?”
“Just one cup, if you don’t mind.”
No Cheon-myeong poured liquor into both Seol Woon-hwi’s cup and his own.
Then they drank simultaneously.
A single sip.
“Ahh, that’s good.”
No Cheon-myeong set down his cup with a small laugh.
“So then, let’s get to the real matter. It doesn’t seem like you came here just to say goodbye.”
“You’re as perceptive as always, Senior. As you said, there is something I need to tell you.”
No Cheon-myeong fingered his cup.
His expression grew serious.
“What is it?”
“If I go to the Origin Blood Sect, I will have much to do there.”
“That much is certain.”
“I have a debt of gratitude and grudges with Yu Cheong that must be settled.”
“I’ve heard as much.”
“That debt can only be settled if one of us dies. And I have no intention of being that one.”
“Yu Cheong likely feels the same way.”
“He is intelligent.”
No Cheon-myeong smiled faintly.
“More than you?”
“About the same, I’d say.”
“Then that bastard’s a monster too.”
Seol Woon-hwi let out a hollow laugh.
“Are you going to keep spoiling the mood?”
No Cheon-myeong chuckled softly.
“Enough. Let’s get straight to the point. Have I ever refused a request of yours?”
That was true.
Beyond merely repaying a debt of gratitude, No Cheon-myeong was unquestionably my man.
Though it didn’t appear that way on the surface, if I gave an “order,” No Cheon-myeong would follow. That was the measure of the trust between us.
“Yu Cheong will make his move.”
“For instance?”
“I’ve already made moves at Pungbyeok under the name of the Buk Pung Trading Company.”
“Will you approach it similarly?”
“We could do it differently. If Han Seok-hyeon, who captured the Hwan-myeong Group, senses something amiss, he’ll surely ask Noh Senior for help.”
“So you’ll go help him?”
“Yes. And there’s certainly a spy of Yu Cheong’s embedded within the academy.”
No Cheon-myeong let out a sigh.
“That’s all he’s capable of?”
“Yes. Regardless, he’s a man who knows how to prepare extensively for the ‘moment’ he desires. Even if one or two of his schemes are exposed, he ensures the overall operation proceeds without disruption. We must remain vigilant.”
“…This will be difficult.”
“It will be. That’s why I’m asking.”
No Cheon-myeong scratched his head.
“Fine, I’ll do it.”
His answer was straightforward, and Seol Woon-hwi smiled.
“Besides, the Origin Blood Sect… well, if there’s work to be done, you have to go. When else would you do it if not while you’re young?”
“…”
“I wandered around quite a bit when I was young too.”
No Cheon-myeong spoke with nostalgia.
“Traveled through the Murim, met people, fought… it was truly enjoyable.”
No Cheon-myeong gazed out the window.
“Thanks to you, I’ve resolved a long-held wish and found purpose. Yu Cheong… he’s probably not someone at my level, but still, I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Seol Woon-hwi nodded.
“Noh Senior is a truly impressive person.”
“Out of nowhere?”
“Someone worth emulating.”
At the sudden praise, No Cheon-myeong let out a hollow laugh.
“Why are you suddenly like this?”
“I’m speaking from the heart.”
“Is that so? Then let’s leave it at that.”
No Cheon-myeong poured more wine into Seol Woon-hwi’s cup.
“This is the last one.”
“I only intended to have one cup.”
“Have one more.”
“Very well.”
Seol Woon-hwi picked up the cup.
He drank.
A bitter taste.
Yet as it descended his throat, warmth spread through him.
“And Noh Senior.”
“Hmm?”
“If you ever grow weary of your duties as headmaster, please tell me then.”
“…What?”
“I will find someone else to take your place.”
No Cheon-myeong blinked.
“What are you suddenly saying? Do I look like someone who would abandon this position out of boredom?”
“That is not what I mean. However.”
“However?”
“You are a martial artist, Senior.”
Seol Woon-hwi spoke with gravity.
“A martial artist must be free.”
“….”
“There is no need for you to be bound to this place.”
No Cheon-myeong regarded Seol Woon-hwi.
For a long time.
Then.
He let out a soft chuckle.
“…You’re a good one.”
“….”
“Don’t worry. I’m quite satisfied with this position.”
No Cheon-myeong took a drink.
“This is my choice. Being here, teaching the students—I do it because I want to.”
No Cheon-myeong’s voice grew serious.
“True freedom means being able to choose what you desire.”
“….”
“I chose this. You will make different choices. So we’re both fine, aren’t we?”
Seol Woon-hwi nodded.
“You speak truly.”
No Cheon-myeong lifted the bottle.
“Another cup?”
“Yes.”
The two drank together.
Without words.
A comfortable silence.
After a moment.
Seol Woon-hwi rose to his feet.
“I will take my leave.”
“Go.”
No Cheon-myeong also stood.
“Travel safely and return well.”
“Yes.”
“And.”
No Cheon-myeong tapped Seol Woon-hwi’s shoulder.
“Come back alive.”
“….”
“If you die, I’ll go there myself and beat your spirit to a pulp.”
Seol Woon-hwi laughed.
“I will ensure that does not happen.”
“Good thinking.”
No Cheon-myeong opened the door.
“Go well.”
“Thank you, Noh Senior.”
Seol Woon-hwi performed the Embracing Fist salute.

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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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