Episode 186
“I’ll just leave now.”
“Please be careful.”
I sighed and saw Seo Ho-seon out of the office, then leaned against the back of the chair.
So far, Seo Ho-seon has completely mastered his situation.
The mission of assassinating Mo Yong Hyowon would have been completed without any problems.
“after······.”
I scanned the documents on the desk with my eyes.
A directory compiled and brought by Damun.
The thin document concisely contained the names of martial artists from all over the world and their personal information.
Howe, the head of the Shaolin Temple’s Eight Great Lakes.
The elders of the Shinchang Yang family, Yang Ho-gon and Yang Yu-hyeon.
Dojang, an elder of the Shaman sect, and Shaman Seven Swords.
Hwangbo-gyeong, an elder of the Hwangbo-sega family, and four members of Hwangjangdae (皇掌隊).
Geomryong (劍龍), the head of the small household of the Namgung family, and five members of the Changgung Sword Team (蒼穹劍隊) led by him.
The leader of the Huagondae, a military unit representing the Guangdong Jin family, and three members under his command.
Yeo Hwa-yeon, head of the Biryonggak (飛龍閣), who protects Botaam.
Each person was a person with a background and influence that could not be ignored.
Some of the dogs even got to know me.
A large number of people, up to twenty-two people.
‘It’s scary.’
There were two Hwagyeongs, seven Chojeoljeongs, and the rest were all masters who had reached the peak level.
Power that can wipe out most small and medium-sized factions overnight.
Is it realistically possible to control them without noise?
‘······.’
I shook my head and got up from my seat.
They were distinguished guests who walked a long way at the request of the leader.
Now that everyone has arrived, we need to prepare a formal welcome.
Although it was literally vulgar and ostentatious, it was a necessary procedure.
‘If you neglect treatment, there will definitely be someone who expresses dissatisfaction.’
For reference, the personnel dispatched from the Party and Qingcheng factions were scheduled to join the group when they left for Yunnan later.
I got up from my seat, looked out the window, and stretched.
The banquet was decided to be held outdoors rather than indoors.
The current branch did not have a large space that could be used as a banquet hall.
There was also the option of paying a reasonable fee to a winery and renting a place, but since there were a mix of Taoists and monks in the group, I had no choice but to avoid that method.
‘The weather has improved somewhat, and talented musicians and musicians have been invited. At this level, I can at least show some condescension.’
Through the banquet, one had to build rapport with the guests and make it clear to them who the leader of the party was.
‘If only I could somehow gain the support of martial artists.’
Getting full cooperation from the Yunnan branch would not have been a task.
It was a time when I was spending time worrying about various things.
“Branch manager.”
The door was opened, and a young man appeared in the branch manager’s office.
A monk from Hyeonsamun (賢士門).
Seonghyun Hong.
When I turned around with a puzzled expression, he looked at me with determined eyes and said.
“Please accompany me on this business trip.”
I narrowed my eyebrows slightly and made eye contact with him.
Why is this person suddenly acting like this again?
* * *
After offering Hong Seong-hyeon a seat, I took the tea set from the corner of the office and placed it on the table.
Hong Seong-hyun took a cup of hot tea, took a breath, and opened his mouth.
“I think it’s unfair.”
“What do you mean?”
“I heard that you are accompanying two new men on this mission.”
It was a statement with many implications.
I felt like I knew what Hong Seong-hyun was dissatisfied with and came to see me.
“Branch manager.”
“Please speak.”
“I followed in the footsteps of the branch manager and applied to the Sacheon branch.”
“······.”
“I have been working hard to prove my worth under the direction of the branch manager. “Won’t you please give me a chance now?”
I put down my glass with an embarrassed expression.
Hong Seong-hyeon’s words also had a point.
Hwa Dae-rang and Hwang Ho-jin were new recruits who had just been assigned to the Sacheon branch.
It was only fair that senior Hong Seong-hyeon should have the opportunity to make a contribution first.
‘Yes, but.’
The problem was that if I had Hong Seong-hyeon accompany me on a mission, there would be no one to look after the branch while I was away.
In addition, Hwang Ho-jin had to be taken to Namman, even if only to resolve his personal favor.
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‘I’m still worried about what the Kunlun Sect’s disciples might do while I’m away. At least one person who will become the focal point of the group’s members must remain.’
As I scratched the back of my neck and pondered, I quickly nodded.
I wanted to use my authority as the branch manager to forcefully take over the work, but the person I was dealing with was none other than Hong Seong-hyeon.
Since he was a person who worked hard for me all this time, I shouldn’t have shown him to be neglectful.
“All right. “Let’s take Hong Xiaohyeop with us.”
“Are you sure?”
“yes.”
Seonghyun Hong made a puzzled expression.
I guess I didn’t expect it to be accepted so easily.
“Instead, please complete the handover completely before departure.”
“What do you mean by handover?”
“Now that Hong Soo-hyup is away, shouldn’t the role of acting branch manager be left to someone else?”
“ah······.”
“Originally, it would have been right for me to hand over it myself, but since I have to deal with VIPs coming from all over, I don’t have time.”
“All right. “If so, who can I hand over to?”
* * *
“So, are you saying that you would like me to take charge of the branch’s work while you are on a business trip?”
The new recruits, Maengdo and Hwadaerang, who were sitting across from me across the table, asked back with calm expressions.
Since Hong Seong-hyeon was taken to Namman, he had no choice but to leave Hwa Dae-rang at the branch.
Because we can’t leave Hwang Ho-jin behind.
His personal benefactor was also a benefactor, but fundamentally he was not worthy of being able to stand above others.
Perhaps because he lived in confinement for so many years, he showed a very clumsy attitude towards others.
“yes.”
“I’m a little embarrassed. “I never thought I would be removed from the mission so suddenly.”
“I’m sorry. “I didn’t intend to give notice so suddenly, but…”
It would not have been a very pleasant situation for Hwadae-rang.
What if I had said from the beginning that I would be in charge of the branch?
There was a sense of disappointment as I was forced to take on a task that was originally supposed to be done by someone else.
However, other than him, there was no one else he could ask to act as acting branch manager.
Isn’t it impossible to leave Damun behind at the branch?
“it’s okay. The branch manager must have his own circumstances. “I also know that group affairs are not decided solely by individual decisions.”
“I’m just grateful that you said that.”
Fortunately, Hwa Dae-rang did not appear very displeased.
I would like to build a track record as quickly as possible in order to become independent from Hwayang Sangdan, and I felt grateful to see them understand and consider my situation.
‘It certainly seems like I have good luck in this life.’
I could entrust the branch to Hwadaerang with peace of mind.
Although he was interested in martial arts, he was basically the son of a Danzhu leader who led a large clan.
Naturally, he received an education commensurate with his status and background, and was good at administrative work.
“There is no reason to say thank you. “The branch leader didn’t do anything wrong to me, nor did I do anything special for him.”
“······.”
“As I said before, I have no intention of taking advantage of my status or background. We will build up our results by taking steps, step by step. Only then can we be recognized by everyone.”
“······.”
“So, branch leader, please treat me comfortably as you treat other monks.”
“All right.”
I smiled and nodded.
Once again, I was able to see what kind of determination Hwadaerang had in joining the alliance.
“Then, please ask for the branch while I am away.”
“Please leave it to me.”
“You can receive the handover from Hong Sohyeop.”
* * *
A banquet was held.
A dozen tables set in a well-maintained garden.
Delicious food from the mountains and seas on the table.
Employees diligently bringing food and alcohol and musicians sitting in the pavilion and playing.
It wasn’t anything compared to the banquet held at Namgung House, but it still had some variety.
Most of the participants seemed satisfied.
I walked around the banquet hall and greeted people.
“I never thought I would see you again like this.”
“How have you been?”
A faint smile appeared on the lips of the female priest who was sitting on a chair and leisurely drinking a drink.
An elder of the Shaman faction, a Jain seal.
His nickname is Yuhwageom (柳花劍).
She was the teacher of Damun’s lover, Seonhye Dojang.
“I am hectic because I have been given an unexpectedly large task.”
“It looks like that.”
“Please take care of me for a while.”
“I guess I should do the favor. “Then, let’s say goodbye to the old man…”
Yuhwageom sent a signal with his eyes to the two men behind him.
Two men of similar build took turns and introduced themselves.
“The third of Shaman Seven Swords, Honyoung.”
“The fifth of the Shaman Seven Swords, I am Hon Gang.”
Both of them seemed to be past the age of two.
One person had an eye-poppingly handsome appearance, while the other person had a contrasting rugged appearance.
Shaman’s seven swords.
It was a group of skilled people comparable to the Plum Blossom Swordsmen of the Hwasan Sect.
Each person was known to have reached the pinnacle of skill.
One hundred great masters and two supreme masters.
The shaman faction made a decision and sent powerful people.
“I have heard of Shaman Chilgeom’s reputation. Thank you for taking this long step.”
“I also heard so much about the branch leader’s activities that it stung my ears. Please take care of me in the future.”
“i look forward to.”
I hope to build friendships with the shamanist gurus in a warm atmosphere.
In response to the sight of a sign approaching from behind, I glanced back.
“Long time no see. “Small cooperative.”
“We’ll see each other again sooner than you think. “I never thought that the Namgung family would send Sohyup.”
“They told me to come after gaining experience.”
The head of the Namgung family, Namgung Seong-hun.
It was a face I had seen before when I participated in the 80th birthday party hosted by the Namgung family.
Among the members of the Changgung Sword Team standing in the back, there were some who were familiar with me.
I pretended to have a bright expression and spoke with them.
Time passed quickly.
The world began to take on a twilight glow.
As the atmosphere matures and the alcohol level rises.
“Would you like to talk for a moment?”
Hwang Bo-gyeong, the elder of the Hwang Bo-sega family, approached me, wiping his beard.
About a dozen people were gathered behind him.
‘Let’s say that for the Hwangjangdaewon (皇掌隊員), but also the figures of the Shinchang Yang family and the Guangdong Jin family?’
I knew it intuitively.
That they never called me for a good purpose.
“Before I leave for Yunnan, there is one thing I want to point out.”
A voice full of energy resonated throughout the area.
Naturally, the attention of the middle school students was focused on me and Hwang Bo-kyung.
“Are you saying this is something you want to address?”
“I heard that the Lord himself gave you a mission. According to the principle, you should be the one leading those gathered here. but······.”
It felt like what was coming was coming.
I narrowed my eyes and made eye contact with Hwang Bo-kyung.
“Out of all the people here, there is not a single one who has worse distribution than you.”
“What do you want to say?”
“I’m asking your opinion. “Is it right for a very young junior to lead prominent seniors?”
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