◈ Episode 99. Farewell Gift
Chopyeongcheon tilted his head and asked.
“I… … have to come back? Are you telling me to break my seclusion and go to the front lines?”
“Yes.”
Chopyeongcheon’s face hardened and the wrinkles on his forehead became deeper.
After handing over the position of Rimju, the son never asked for his help under any circumstances.
He was the one who did not come to the forefront even in the fight against the Grand Inspectorate.
There was no reason to say something like that unless something big happened.
Chopyeongcheon put down his fishing rod and got up.
“Tell me more.”
Cho Moo-gang told him what was happening in Sacheonmaeng and what Jin Mu-rip had sent in a letter.
“As the corruption of the Bi-Gak-Ju is revealed, the reputation of the Sa-Cheon-Maeng is falling day by day. Now that he has won the hearts of the small and medium-sized factions, Murip is planning to create a new alliance centered around Bon-Rim.”
Chopyeongcheon’s eyes opened wide.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. The head of the household is locked up in the prison and the court is investigating the corruption. Since the leader himself is involved, there will be no results, but even that is being criticized.”
Besides, it is a widely known fact that Bigukju Dangmun-gyeong is the right-hand man of the leader Han Cheon-wol.
There was a rumor secretly spreading that there was a leader behind Tang Moon-gyeong’s attempt to disparage Jin Mu-rip’s achievements.
Cho Moo-gang said with the aforementioned face.
“Father, it is time for the main body to return to the center of Sacheon. Please become the leader of the new alliance that will be created. This is not only the will of Mu-rip, but also the will of So-ja.”
Although Chopyeongcheon is one of the greatest martial artists of all time, no one will have any issues with his return.
There are also older masters like the court master Muk Cha-kwang who are actively working, so there is no reason why Chopyeong-cheon cannot return.
If it was Cho Pyeong-cheon, who was once considered the best in Sacheon, he would have been a person who was completely worthy of becoming the leader.
‘This is a chance to get back on my feet again.’
Madorim lost his former status and fell due to the attack of the Palhwangmun.
The years of holding on and holding on, waiting for an opportunity for a rebound that may or may not come, will soon be thirty years.
He believed that he would never regain his former power while he was alive.
But if what the grandson said is true, this may be an opportunity that will never come again.
I thought I had let everything go, but before I knew it, a strong desire in my heart began to boil like lava.
The moment he opened his eyes again, the old eyes of the retired master were transformed into the eyes of a man with big dreams.
“How far has the plan progressed?”
Cho Moo-gang smiled happily.
“I decided to contact you again. Secretly, I was told to be ready to move whenever the letter arrives.”
Chopyeongcheon nodded heavily.
“Okay. I’ll do as you wish. Get ready.”
“yes.”
* * *
Ten days have passed since the last pastoral meeting.
Amidst the atmosphere that something might happen at any moment, a meeting of the Four Great Factions was held at Misan, located two days south of Seongdo.
The border between winter and spring.
Dozens of unmanned people gathered on the mountainside where coolness and warmth coexist.
A curtain was drawn around a small open space surrounded by trees, and four chairs and a round table were placed there.
The first person to enter the room was a middle-aged man with a cold expression.
The head of the Tang family and one of the top ten masters produced by Sacheon.
He was none other than the Dokwang Dangjo.
Next, an old woman with a wrinkled head, Jaso, the eldest son of the Amipa, and Go Jung-seon, the eldest son of the Cheongseongpa, entered in succession.
After the brief greeting, Go Joong-seon, who looked like a god who had left the secular world, smiled and stroked his white beard.
“Is the little one in the shop still there?”
Jaso glared at him kindly.
“Your speech is still the same. It’s already been twenty years since Kyojin became a Jangmunin. Let’s try to speak carefully.”
“It’s been ten years since we last met, is this what’s going to happen?”
“If it weren’t for your priest, I wouldn’t have had to see that disgusting face.”
“Why are you trying to blame that guy’s mistake on me?”
“Since the younger brother did something wrong, shouldn’t the older brother get scolded?”
“Haha. Even though I can’t forgive you with the heart of Buddha, you’re thinking of scolding me first. You lack the faith.”
“You’d better shut up before I sew that mouth shut.”
Dangjo, who had kept his mouth shut the whole time, stood up from his seat.
After a while, the curtain parted and a middle-aged Taoist priest with a neat appearance entered.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
Jaso said while offering a seat to Kyo-Hyeon, the long-suffering apology from the Jeomchangpa.
“The store is far away, so there’s nothing we can do. Okay, enough greetings. Please take a seat.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
As soon as he sat down, Dangjo was the first to explain what had happened in Sacheonmaeng.
When the story ended, Go Joong-seon clicked his tongue.
“We have been too indifferent to Maeng’s work all this time.”
Jaso nodded as if in agreement.
“It seemed like everything was going well on the surface, so I couldn’t help but pay less attention. It seems like there was quite a bit of accumulated pus.”
“It may be that we just stood by and watched because we didn’t want to lose face as the leader if we got involved too often.”
“Your priest told you not to come.”
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“Is now the time for us to fight among ourselves?”
Dangjo said, frowning.
“This incident has caused Meng’s reputation to fall to the ground. I have asked to see you to discuss countermeasures.”
Then, Kyo-Hyeon, the eldest member of the judging panel, cautiously expressed his opinion.
“As the Blood Cult’s invasion approaches, I think we should first comfort the wounded hearts of Madorim and the Small and Medium Fire Faction.”
Starting with Kyo-Hyeon’s words, they began to exchange opinions to solve the problem.
* * *
The top floor of the arboretum.
When Han Cheon-wol heard the news, he jumped up from his seat.
“Are you saying that the leaders of the Four Great Factions had a meeting?”
These are the leaders who have never intervened in the affairs of the alliance since becoming the leader.
I couldn’t hide my bewilderment at the news that they had gathered.
“I’m a little late in getting back to you because I was figuring out the business. A letter from them arrived a little while ago.”
The man who was setting an example in front of my eyes was Jeong Woon-chang, who became a secretary at the recommendation of Dang Mun-gyeong.
“Give it to me.”
“yes.”
Han Cheon-wol, who received the letter, looked at the black letters with his narrowed eyes.
There were three main things the leaders demanded.
First, all of Seo Jang-haeng’s achievements will be recognized and officially announced, and he will be appropriately compensated.
Second, Tang Wenjing and Tang Zhonghu, who attempted to undermine Jinmu Rip, will be severely punished. Even if they are executed according to their crimes, the Tang family will not raise an issue.
Third, if we find evidence of the court’s intervention, we will dismiss Wonju.
Phagectic.
The paper in his clenched hands was badly crumpled.
‘The Four Heavenly Alliance is mine. It’s not your place to meddle in it.’
Han Cheon-wol, who was shaking his fist, took a deep breath to suppress his anger.
Jeong Woon-chang bowed his head and spoke carefully.
“Your Majesty, may I say something?”
“Try it.”
“The conditions presented by the leaders are no different from what the leader had in mind. The first condition was something I had already thought about, and the second and third conditions can also be carried out as the leader wishes.”
Han Cheon-wol’s head spun around strangely.
‘Yes. The punishment of Moonkyung and the investigation by the court are both my job to decide anyway.’
The priority now is to appease the anger of Madorim and the small and medium-sized firefighters.
As the thought crossed his mind, Han Cheon-wol smiled bitterly.
“You are right. Have you ever thought about punishment?”
Jeong Woon-chang said what he had thought about in advance.
“Sentence Tang Dae-hyeop and Tang Jung-ho to the severe punishment of fifty years in prison.”
Han Cheon-wol’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
“Fifty years? Isn’t that too much?”
“The Blood Cult’s invasion will happen in a few months anyway. The Tang Dynasty’s ability is acknowledged by everyone, so if we take him out of prison when the situation changes urgently, there won’t be much dissatisfaction.”
“What if the dissatisfaction grows bigger than expected, like in this situation?”
“If there is anyone who raises a grievance in a wartime situation, kill them with the help of the enemy or execute them summarily for the crime of insubordination to maintain discipline.”
Han Cheon-wol burst into laughter at the remark that was more poisonous than expected.
“Hahaha. Now I understand why Moonkyung recommended you as her successor. That’s a really good idea.”
I felt like I had lost my Tangmunkyung and my limbs were torn off, but this is beyond my expectations.
“After honestly admitting the court’s irregularities, it would be better to leave the original seat vacant for a while.”
“Does that mean that if war breaks out, I can just fill it up again as I wish?”
“Yes.”
Han Cheon-wol felt her heart become much lighter.
“Good. Then, do you have any plan in mind to appease Madorim and the Small and Medium Fire Department?”
“As the leaders request, grant appropriate rewards to Jinmu Rip and all the military personnel who have made meritorious achievements. Then, announce the results to the Alliance and the Holy Land in the name of the Alliance Leader and congratulate them.”
“lack.”
Hancheonwol shook his head.
“Jinmu Rip will be granted the position of Bu-gak-ju of Unryong-gak and the Jaho-yeongdan (滋護靈團). Those who have made great and small contributions will also be granted stipends and allowances according to their achievements. All the heads of the small and medium-sized factions will be promoted to the rank of Gak-ju.”
Jahoyeongdan is an elixir of time that is hard to obtain even for a billion dollars, as it is an elixir that has excellent efficacy in protecting the heart and veins, although it only slightly increases stamina.
Jeong Woon-chang spoke cautiously.
“Isn’t that too much?”
“First, we need to capture their hearts. Then, we can use them in the war against the Blood Cult, right?”
I know what that means.
Jeong Woon-chang nodded slightly.
“We will implement it immediately.”
* * *
Unryonggak, bathed in the languid afternoon sunlight.
The smokescreen was filled with cold air, and even the cheers that were always heard suddenly disappeared.
Although they were people who trained according to the set schedule, they had no motivation in this atmosphere.
Jo Young-seong, who had been making a promise with Kookcheolyeong, stepped back and lowered his sword.
“Let’s take a rest.”
“Okay.”
The two walked under the wall and sat down with their butts together.
Then, one by one, the other drones also found a place to rest.
Guk Cheol-yeong, who was staring at the empty training ground, spoke cautiously.
“The major shareholders haven’t been seen for several days… … What will happen in the future?”
“How do I not know that?”
Kook Chul Young frowned at Jo Young Sung’s irritated tone.
“If you don’t know, then that’s fine. Why are you annoyed?”
“I feel frustrated too, so I do that.”
I’ve never felt so guilty about being from the Four Great Factions.
“Surely your lord won’t leave the alliance?”
“I can’t blame you for leaving after going through something like that.”
“Yeah. Even if I were you, I would have lost interest.”
At that moment, urgent footsteps were heard at the entrance, and Dang-woo, who had gone to check the situation outside, appeared.
“A poster has been put up in the name of the leader!”
The area in front of the fence of the arboretum was crowded with people who had gathered there.
It was the first time since the recent pastoral meeting that the atmosphere was this boisterous.
“Who keeps pushing?”
“Let’s go ahead!”
The reviewers, who had run in one stride, pushed their way through the crowd and walked forward.
On a large poster that covered one side of the wall, the details of rewards and punishments were written under Han Cheon-wol’s name.
“Former Bigakju Dang Moon-kyung and Dang Jung-ho, who incited internal strife by undermining Gwangmu Daeju, are sentenced to fifty years in prison.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Muk Cha-kwang, who has abused his power for personal gain, is hereby dismissed from office.
The next chief justice will be elected fairly over time, and representatives of all factions, not just the four major factions, will participate in the process.
After that, the soldiers who had confirmed the rewards for Seo Jang-haeng’s achievements could not believe their eyes at the rewards which were more generous than they had expected.
“Is this true?”
* * *
Ugasan’s office.
Jin Mu-rip, who was drinking tea with his colleagues, burst into laughter when he heard the news.
“It’s so obvious what’s on your mind. Fools are easily fooled.”
The army commander said.
“We can’t lose the arrow catcher here, right? If we can just get through the war safely, we can start over.”
Yudaeha tilted her head and asked.
“What does it have to do with war?”
The answer came out of Danryeonhwa’s mouth.
“Even if we give them the rewards and elevate the clans to the footnotes, the power structure won’t change. If we drive all the disobedient people into a corner in the war and win, the alliance will go back to how it was before.”
Jinmu-rip, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.
“Anyway, if you give me an award, I should gratefully accept it.”
Ugasan asked.
“Are you saying you will accept the position of the head of the relief as it is?”
“They’re giving you the English translation too.”
Jinmu-rip said with a grin.
“I’m ready to leave… … Wouldn’t it be nice to think of this as a farewell gift?”
