The God of Death and the God of War - Chapter 81
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Evil Hegemon Martial God
Chapter 81
Originally, after the triumph ceremony, the event to be held should have been a merit evaluation and reward ceremony for Jeok-un’s achievements.
“Truly, magnificent!”
“So splendid! To accomplish such a great undertaking!”
The path from the main gate of the Bon-dan to the Grand Assembly Hall.
Though it was a distance that could be considered long or short, during the walk along that path, the officials of Sadocheon were desperately trying to get even a word in with Jeok-un.
“Who would have thought you’d solve a black-level mission!”
“The mission itself is one thing, but solving it alone is even more remarkable, isn’t it?”
“Truly, Daeju Jeok is Sadocheon’s blessing!”
Without exception, they were openly displaying their desire to build connections with Jeok-un.
A notable point was that all of them were individuals who held positions equivalent to department heads within their respective organizations.
In other words, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that all executive-level members of Sadocheon were desperately trying to build relationships with Jeok-un.
“Hmph! It’s like backing into a mouse while stepping backward from a cow.”
“Exactly. What’s all this fuss about!”
Of course, not everyone felt this way.
Notably, the followers of Doyecheon, who could be called the anti-Cheonju faction, kept their distance from Jeok-un and wore disapproving expressions.
But excluding them.
The fact that not only the pro-Cheonju faction but also most of the forces that had maintained neutrality were showing favor toward Jeok-un was quite significant.
It meant that Sadocheon’s long-standing power structure was clearly shifting toward Jeok-un’s side.
‘Ho, all the heavy-bottomed fellows have gathered.’
A gleam appeared in Jeok-un’s eyes as he confirmed the attendees at the Grand Assembly Hall.
The Grand Assembly Hall was filled with most of the Daeju of the Ten Heavenly Commanders, the Danzu of the Five Clans, and officials from various large and small halls and organizations.
This could be seen as evidence of how Sadocheon regarded Jeok-un’s achievements.
“Daeju Do couldn’t attend due to a high fever.”
“I heard he’s hovering between life and death from a sudden high fever…”
“Suddenly?”
“From what I heard, he was beaten by Daeju Jeok in the past, so maybe his pride is hurt and he couldn’t come?”
“Hehe, that sounds more credible.”
The absence of Dojuman, who was related to Bucheonju, raised eyebrows.
The officials in the hall were chattering about his absence due to illness, but.
‘Not my concern.’
Jeok-un didn’t care whether Dojuman was genuinely sick or stayed away because his pride was hurt.
He wasn’t worth worrying about anyway.
Swoosh.
‘Hmm?’
At that moment, a long shadow suddenly fell over Jeok-un’s head.
The owner was none other than Maeng-po, the Chief Military Strategist and Iron Fist Phoenix Chick, a Danzu-level official.
Upon confirming Maeng-po’s approach, the others scattered like flies.
Maeng-po was one of Sadocheonju’s right-hand men along with Jip-beop Dan-ju Hu Seong, and someone who had clashed with Jeok-un before his mission.
Everyone remembered this, so they were concerned about getting caught in the crossfire between the two.
“Hahahaha!”
Suddenly, Maeng-po burst into loud laughter that echoed throughout the Grand Assembly Hall.
There was no trace of the previous hostility toward Jeok-un.
“Isn’t this Daeju Jeok! I didn’t realize what a remarkable person you were! Truly magnificent! Magnificent!”
“Ugh!”
Moreover, he didn’t just laugh.
Maeng-po suddenly embraced Jeok-un tightly, patting his back while showering him with praise and greeting him with tremendous joy.
“Indeed, we need young blood! I believed in you from the beginning! You’re a hero among heroes of Sadocheon!”
Maeng-po seemed genuinely delighted.
And for good reason, as Sadocheon’s reputation had resounded throughout the Central Plains.
The source of that achievement was attributed to Dokgo Cheon’s orders, greatly enhancing the honor of his lord, Dokgo Cheon.
“Thank you for your kind regard, Danzu.”
Though Maeng-po’s palm was truly like a pot lid and made his back hot, Jeok-un still smiled and replied.
“Hey now, treat me casually! Casually!”
“Very well, then.”
“Hahaha, did you see that. He’s a hero, a hero.”
Maeng-po, already considering Jeok-un as one of their allies, told him he could visit anytime.
“Whenever you’re thirsty for alcohol, feel free to visit me anytime. I have plenty of good liquor prepared.”
“How could we immediately give alcohol to someone who just returned from difficult battles?”
At that moment, a voice came from behind.
Maeng-po slightly frowned, wondering who dared to contradict him, but soon smiled brightly upon seeing the person.
“Who is this? Isn’t this the Jaegyeongdan-ju!”
Jeung Yubeom, the Danzu of the Jaegyeongdan that managed Sadocheon’s finances.
Jeung Yubeom’s characteristic thin body and glass-like eyes gleamed coldly.
“You’ve truly worked hard, Daeju Jeok.”
Jeung Yubeom was the Danzu of the Jaegyeongdan and the Grand Administrator, always maintaining a cool attitude and rarely showing emotions, but.
…Why is this gentleman acting like this too?
Even such a Jeung Yubeom was showing a bright smile while looking at Jeok-un.
“Not at all. I merely did what needed to be done.”
“Your modesty is excessive. What Daeju Jeok accomplished is truly remarkable.”
“…?”
“There aren’t many people in Sadocheon who understand how important funding is.”
So there should be more people like Daeju Jeok who understand the importance of funding…
This was the reason Jeung Yubeom held Jeok-un in high regard.
Why? Because Jeok-un had brought ‘money’ to Sadocheon.
And quite a lot of it.
The primary factor was that tribute payments increased several-fold when Jeok-un took control of all of Tongseong County.
Secondarily, the influence gained from controlling the Tongseong County area had turned the flow of funds toward Sadocheon.
Sadocheon was already struggling financially after expelling the No Hwang-mun and Noh Hwang-gu brothers.
In such a situation, Jeok-un’s activities had relieved the financial strain and provided much-needed breathing room.
To the eyes of the Jaegyeongdan-ju, who had been troubled by tight finances, Jeok-un appeared as a blessing.
Watching the two men who seemed ready to carry him on their backs and dance with joy, Jeok-un almost let out a hollow laugh.
‘Well, I never imagined I’d become close with these two so easily.’
Both Maeng-po and Jeung Yubeom were people who would break needles if pricked with one.
So he had thought he’d need to take time to gradually get closer to them.
This way, his choices and range of movement would expand significantly.
‘A pleasant gain.’
Creak!
As Jeok-un was making this assessment, Jip-beop Dan-ju Hu Seong entered the assembly hall.
The moment everyone’s attention turned to him.
Hu Seong raised his voice.
“Cheon-ju enters!”
Creak!
At the same time, Sadocheonju Dokgo Cheon entered the assembly hall.
* * *
The meeting proceeded under the supervision of Grand Administrator Jeung Yubeom.
Naturally, the first item was the merit evaluation and reward ceremony for Jeok-un, who was the cause of all these events.
“Daeju Jeok, please come forward.”
“Yes.”
Jeok-un stepped forward.
Everyone around held their breath.
The gazes looking at Jeok-un were divided into two groups.
Those who held expectations about what kind of magnificent reward Jeok-un, who had solved a mission that seemed nearly impossible, would receive.
And those who feared how great an aftermath would sweep over them after Jeok-un received his reward.
Jeung Yubeom announced Jeok-un’s performance evaluation before everyone.
“Baek-ya Daeju, Jeok-un has successfully carried out the recovery of the supernatural entity from Tongseong County, which had been classified as an impossible mission…”
Every time Jeok-un’s achievements were recited, exclamations burst out from various places.
Even thinking about it again, they were absurd achievements.
“…Finally, as proof that you succeeded in the mission, return the Snow Soul Beast Head.”
At Jeung Yubeom’s words, Jeok-un turned his gaze toward Dokgo Cheon.
“Baek-ya Daeju, Jeok-un. As proof of completing the mission, I will return the supernatural entity.”
At Jeok-un’s words, Dokgo Cheon nodded as if to say he had worked hard.
Jeok-un placed the wooden box he was holding onto the tray.
The wooden box placed on the tray not only emanated a chilling cold air, but even had frost forming on it.
“Ooh…!”
“That is!”
Creak-!
When the box opened and the Snow Soul Beast Head was revealed, everyone without exception burst into admiration.
“He really brought the Snow Soul Beast Head!”
“That’s what he obtained by killing Seo Do-yeom? And before that, he even killed Tang Meng…!”
They whispered quietly since they were in front of Dokgo Cheon, but the content was all similar.
But that was only for a moment, as the hall was once again enveloped in silence.
Now all that remained was Dokgo Cheon’s reward.
Just as everyone held their breath.
Dokgo Cheon slowly opened his mouth.
“Baek-ya Daeju has annihilated a branch of the Martial Arts Alliance that was hostile to our alliance, and destroyed a faction of Heukpaesong that dared to plant spies, spread drugs, and provoke our alliance’s displeasure. The name of Sadocheon now flies throughout the Central Plains. How could I not commend this? Therefore, as Cheon-ju, I will bestow the following ‘rewards.'”
“!!”
Everyone in the hall’s eyes widened as if they would burst.
It was because of the word “rewards.”
It meant that the rewards to be poured out would not be just one, but several.
“First, I will open the Sachenbo Treasure Vault to Baek-ya Daeju Jeok-un. Allow the Daeju to take up to two items of whatever he desires from the treasure vault.”
Everyone’s jaws dropped at Dokgo Cheon’s declaration.
The first reward already exceeded imagination.
The Sachenbo Treasure Vault.
It was a treasure warehouse built solely with blood from various places since Sadocheon’s birth until now.
A place filled with priceless elixirs, divine weapons, and martial arts manuals.
Even amid financial difficulties, hadn’t Dokgo Cheon refused to easily open or leak the treasures sleeping in the Sachenbo Treasure Vault, calling them Sadocheon’s future?
“The Sachenbo Treasure Vault, how many divine weapons are sleeping there…! And he can take two of them?”
“And there’s no restriction on the grade of items he can choose!”
“Just taking that Snow Soul Beast Head right before his eyes would be…”
While people buzzed noisily about this, Jeok-un thought calmly to himself.
‘The Sachenbo Treasure Vault. That works out well, I had things I needed to take from there anyway.’
Just as a gleam appeared in Jeok-un’s eyes.
Dokgo Cheon began speaking about the second reward.
“Second, I will elevate Baekya Unit and include it in the Ten Heavenly Commanders. Let the Jaegyeongdan chief set up monthly salary and authority befitting the position.”
“Yes!”
Dokgo Cheon elevated Baekya Unit not to Oecheon Unit, but to the Ten Heavenly Commanders.
It was truly exceptional.
Although Jeok-un had not even been in Sadocheon for a full year, he had risen to the position of one of the Ten Heavenly Lords, who could be called core executives.
Seeing this shocking rise in position, the personnel in the conference room rolled their eyes busily.
-El-elevating Baekya Unit to the Ten Heavenly Commanders? But then who gets demoted?
-The Black Heaven Mad Dragon has officially entered Sadocheon’s power structure!
-He’s really making it big…! That guy is the future! I absolutely must get on his side!
Treasures from the Sachenbo Treasure Vault, and even a position among the Ten Heavenly Lords.
These were jaw-dropping rewards, but Jeok-un himself showed no change in expression.
Because the reward Jeok-un wanted was what came after this.
“Finally, I will accept the investigation authority for the case that Daeju Jeok requested before departing on the mission.”
“…!”
Everyone flinched at Dokgo Cheon’s words.
Everyone had forgotten, but Jeok-un had requested one thing before the mission.
Bucheonju Doyecheon’s expression turned coldly rigid.
And Jeok-un grinned.
A sneer aimed at Doyecheon, far too blatant.
“Execution Squad Leader Hu Seong, have the Execution Squad transfer all information and documents regarding Ya-ju Ji-jung-yeong’s case to Baek-ya Daeju as quickly as possible.”
“I obey!”
Precisely, the authority to investigate the truth regarding Ya-ju Ji-jung-yeong’s embezzlement of Sadocheon’s funds.
In other words, Jeok-un had obtained legitimate authority to investigate the slush funds that Doyecheon had siphoned off.
“With this, I conclude today’s meeting.”
“Loyalty!!”
At Dokgo Cheon’s words ending the meeting, everyone clasped their fists and showed utmost respect.
Though their actions were all the same, their inner thoughts were each different.
Just as some hoped for a new future while others feared the storm that would sweep in.
In Jeok-un’s ears.
[Let us meet again in three days.]
Dokgo Cheon’s voice transmission was heard.
Jeok-un responded silently with his eyes.
In fact, if Dokgo Cheon hadn’t suggested it, it was what Jeok-un had intended to say.
Others might not know, but there was one fact Jeok-un had realized the moment he saw Dokgo Cheon.
‘I wasn’t the only one who broke through the wall.’
That was right.
Saja Dohuang Dokgo Cheon had finally surpassed the peak of Hyeon-gyeong and entered the Life-Death Realm.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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