"What are you saying right now..."

The Branch Chief looked at me with an expression as if dirty water from a dung bucket had splashed onto his new clothes.

Well, I can understand that kind of reaction.

To those loyal to the Murim Alliance, the cause of Jianghu's safety and peace must be a value worth protecting even if it means selling their undergarments.

I, too, was like them in the past.

But isn't it enough to have played the fool like that once in my past life?

A subtle mix of contempt and disgust lingered on the Branch Chief's face, who had been maintaining a forced smile until now.

Since my inner thoughts had already been exposed anyway, I looked at the Branch Chief with a brazen face.

"Of course, I also want to protect the safety and peace of Jianghu more than anyone else."

"Then why do your words and actions differ?"

"Of course, my heart wants to do so, but sending a missive to Great Warrior Bang is not exactly an easy task, is it?"

"For that, you can just use the branch's warriors."

Why is this man so clueless?

Unless he won the Branch Chief position through gambling, he should clearly know what I am trying to say.

"Because Great Warrior Bang does not particularly like the Murim Alliance's warriors. I have to send the missive using a s-p-e-c-i-a-l method. And that is not something that can be resolved with just a few pennies."

"What do you..."

"Ah! You probably wouldn't understand even if I told you. It is a special method used only by the Green Woods bandits."

Having said this much, the Branch Chief seemed to have finally caught on, as he rolled his eyes back and forth.

"... I am disappointed in you. With the rumors praising you as a rising star full of chivalry, I thought you were more sincere about realizing justice than anyone else."

However, perhaps he felt it was a waste to just give in, as he started launching personal attacks.

It was the easiest method to provoke an opponent when the situation was disadvantageous.

He definitely hadn't won the Branch Chief position through gambling.

But there was something he was mistaken about.

From the very beginning, as a former member of the Minor Orthodox Unit, I am a person who has no 'character' left to be personally attacked.

"I am also more sincere about realizing justice than anyone else. If not, what reason would I have to come all the way to this distant Sichuan just to save the academy students of the Mount Cangshan Sect, who have been at odds with me until now?"

"..."

Moreover, given the exploits I had shown, it would be difficult for the Branch Chief to dare condemn me.

His face soon turned darkly pale, like a sucker who realized the gambling table he sat at was rigged.

Now, the momentum had tilted back in my favor.

"I also want to help with a heart willing to sacrifice myself. But what can I do when it's not easy to send the missive?"

"Hah... You have to send the missive through a special method?"

"That's right. Because it is a very, very special method, it requires quite a bit of effort and resources."

"..."

When I put on an expression of helplessness, the Branch Chief asked with a murderous glare.

"What do you want?"

Good, he took the bait.

I said with perfect composure.

"Please provide one thousand taels of gold and charter a carriage for my group to ride in."

"Eek?!"

The Branch Chief let out an astounded shriek.

"One thousand taels of gold... That is already utter nonsense. But setting that aside, why on earth do you need a carriage?"

"I have to ask Great Warrior Bang for a difficult favor. If my mind and body are unsettled, wouldn't that anxiousness seep into the missive as well?"

"..."

The Branch Chief now openly looked at me as if I were a con artist.

I feel a bit hurt. Between people who both wish for the peace of Jianghu.

"... Are you certain you can persuade Bang Duchil?"

"Please ask the Hall Leader about the relationship between Great Warrior Bang and me."

The Seungho Hall Leader, who had been watching the situation with his mouth hanging wide open, shook off his dumbfounded expression and spoke seriously.

"... He said he originally had no plans to come to Sichuan. That he stopped by here purely because of Jin Sowoon's request..."

"..."

Despite the Seungho Hall Leader's testimony, the Branch Chief still could not erase the suspicious look from his face.

In times like these, there is no need to actively try to earn their trust.

In times like these...

CREAK!

I stood up from my seat without lingering attachment.

"Why are you standing up all of a sudden?"

"Isn't this matter making you uncomfortable as well, Branch Chief? Asking a favor of Great Warrior Bang is quite burdensome for me, too. If you are not in such a hurry, it would actually be better for me if you found another way."

I just had to make him develop trust on his own.

"W-Wait a moment!"

The Branch Chief grabbed my sleeve like a man trying to buy the last remaining spring picture.

"Could you give me some time? The branch's funds..."

"Aha! How could you say such a thing. Are you telling me to take the Murim Alliance's money and give it to a Green Woods bandit? I absolutely refuse."

"T-Then...?"

I looked at the Branch Chief and smiled refreshingly.

"Why, of course, a Branch Chief as deeply sincere about Jianghu's safety and peace as yourself should empty your own personal wealth."

"..."

"... Then I will be on my way..."

"Eheet! You there! Why are you so impatient? Wait just a moment! I will go check my bank notes right away and return."

As the Branch Chief fled out of the inner room like a frightened bird, only silence filled the space.

One thousand taels... What should I do with this? Should I build a massive smithy for Jang Dowon?

Would that make the Red Light Sword come out faster?

As I was enjoying the fragrance of the Junshan Yinzhen tea, Gu Jeongryong asked me.

"... What are you doing right now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you know how hard I... no, we worked to hide your weakness? Yet you dare to provoke the Branch Chief's temper like this!"

To Gu Jeongryong's eyes, it must have looked like I was thrusting my neck in and out of a guillotine.

"Hall Leader, how many times have you failed your promotion to Great Hall Leader?"

"What?"

Gu Jeongryong flinched in surprise at the out-of-the-blue question.

"At your age, Hall Leader, isn't it about time you became a Great Hall Leader? Could it be because your attachment to Seungho Hall is just too strong?"

"..."

Gu Jeongryong frowned, as if suddenly stabbed in a sore spot.

"If not, why does the Hall Leader of Seungho Hall, the greatest combat unit in the Azure Dragon Pavilion, keep slipping up in his promotions?"

"Does that have anything to do with what we are talking about now?"

It does, absolutely.

All of these things would ultimately boil down to human relationships.

The reason the Branch Chief, who is from the Mount Cangshan Sect, is currently addressing me as 'young hero' this and 'young hero' that while treating me with the utmost respect, is because the favor he needs from me is important.

If the Sichuan Blood Massacre hadn't happened, he would have instantly thrown a fit and tried to lock me up in the Golden Jade Prison the moment he heard I had connections with the Green Woods.

The same applies even at this moment when he needs something from me.

Even if I were to use Bang Duchil to help him now, would he actually feel any gratitude toward me?

Once the Sichuan Blood Massacre was over, he would gladly grind me up and drink me if it meant getting a promotion for himself.

Because a high position in the Murim Alliance is a tree that grows using the blood and flesh of that many people as nourishment.

Therefore, I shouldn't just help him for free.

Even if I do help, I have to make the other party dip a foot in as well.

The preposterous sum of one(一) thousand taels for a single missive would prevent him from feigning ignorance in the future.

In the eyes of the Inspection Pavilion personnel, would I look more suspicious for sending a missive to Bang Duchil?

Or would the Branch Chief look more suspicious for handing over one thousand taels for such a favor?

"... Hah, i-isn't that taking it too far? Even so, one thousand taels is not a small amount of money..."

"Of course, it's not a small amount of money."

"It is an amount that cannot be covered by the Branch Chief's monthly salary."

I tilted my head.

"Monthly salary?"

"Then, where would a disciple of the Mount Cangshan Sect get that kind of money?"

Wow, this man is truly naive.

Does he not know that a resourceful Branch Chief can build a fifty-room mansion-like estate in his very first year of office?

Explaining this a hundred times wouldn't do any good.

"Well... just watch."

Right around the time I tossed back the rest of the Junshan Yinzhen tea, the Branch Chief returned in a flurry.

In his hand was a thick stack of crisp bank notes.

"Fortunately, I happened to have some exchanged bank notes. You have no idea what a relief it is. With this, there shouldn't be any issues with you sending the missive, right?"

I shrugged while looking at Gu Jeongryong and then answered the Branch Chief.

"I know it sounds a bit strange to say this, but you can basically consider the Green Woods strongholds to have already dug a tunnel and disappeared."

Bang Duchil must have beaten the Stronghold Masters to a pulp. Once I sent a single missive, they would voluntarily stop collecting their usual tolls.

"Eek! I-Is that so? Then I suppose I won't have to worry."

"If you just stretch your legs out and sleep comfortably from now on, the problems in Sichuan will resolve themselves."

"What a relief! It's truly a relief that we have someone like you!"

The Branch Chief, having paid the enormous sum of one thousand taels of gold, was overjoyed as if he had hit the jackpot.

Gu Jeongryong had a look in his eyes showing he could not understand the man's attitude at all.

He really is a naive person.

I called out to the Branch Chief again, who was smiling broadly like a child.

"Ah, right, could I ask you for one personal favor?"

The Branch Chief abruptly cut off his laughter and looked at me with suspicious eyes.

"You're not going to say you're short on money now or something, are you?"

"Of course not."

I spoke while looking at Gu Jeongryong, who was sitting there like a borrowed sack of barley.

"It's just that I received so much help from the Seungho Hall Leader during this incident in Sichuan. But from what I've heard in passing, a Hall Leader as excellent as him keeps failing his promotion evaluations, isn't that so?"

Since the situation was already set up, I should probably show the Seungho Hall Leader a bit of 'reality.' Besides, I had received a lot of help from him this time.

"In my eyes, as someone who must join the Murim Alliance and protect the safety and peace of Jianghu in the future, this seems incredibly unjust. Is there nothing you could do to help, Branch Chief?"

"Hmm..."

The Branch Chief stroked his chin and then smacked his palm with his fist.

"Right! Such a thing absolutely must not happen! Seungho Hall Leader. How about I write a letter of recommendation in my name?"

"Excuse me? Ah, I, I would be honored, of course..."

"Ahey, Branch Chief! Why is a person who will become a Regional Branch Chief in the future acting so modest?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you not going to become a Regional Branch Chief?"

The Branch Chief swallowed hard.

"H-How could I..."

"When I return this time, won't I at least get to meet someone on the level of a Manager of the Mantong Bureau?"

"... You might even meet the Chief Strategist."

"Exactly. And wouldn't I tell them that the accident was prevented beforehand thanks to the Branch Chief's contributions during this incident in Sichuan?"

"Eek?"

"I never forget those who know chivalry and justice."

The Branch Chief's eyes turned hazy and unfocused, as if he had been struck by sorcery.

Even if he were caught in the Blood Cult's Illusion-something Bewitching Array right now, his mind would stay sharper than that.

"Please contact the Branch Chiefs you're close with and gather up a whole bunch of recommendation letters."

Gu Jeongryong's eyes widened in shock.

The Branch Chief nodded repeatedly, thinking it made sense.

"Yes! Then his evaluation scores will definitely increase. I will send missives right away and collect recommendation letters for him."

The Branch Chief had now gone beyond just preserving his own neck and was brimming with hope of being promoted to a Regional Branch Chief.

"I will also send a missive as quickly as possible to ensure the Green Woods strongholds in Sichuan cannot even move an inch."

"Things are sailing along smoothly thanks to you."

"You flatter me. This is all thanks to your earnest desire for the safety and peace of Jianghu, Branch Chief."

"This man! The words just flow so effortlessly out of your mouth, hahahahaha!"

"How could I compare to you, Branch Chief! Hahahahaha!"

Everyone had become happy, but Gu Jeongryong seemed entirely unable to adapt to the situation.

That man is going to have a really hard time getting promoted, too.

* * *

The academy students' return journey proceeded swiftly.

However, they were faced with several problems.

The first of which was how to transport the wounded from each sect all the way back to the academy.

Although it was an event hosted by the Council of Elders, because the elders had already returned to the Murim Alliance on their own first, the academy students were left helplessly staring after them like dogs that had lost the chickens they were chasing, completely stuck until Jin Sowoon resolved the issue for them.

"The patients in the Medical Hall? They are scheduled to be transported by carriage. Those in critical condition need to receive treatment before moving."

"Money? Why would we need money? The Branch Chief agreed to pay for it."

"Ah! The Branch Chief and I have already talked everything out, so you don't need to worry."

Even within the same Orthodox Council, it was inevitable for internal competition to occur over who would rise and who would fall.

They had expected everyone other than the Mount Cangshan Sect's disciples to be naturally neglected, but disciples of all sects received equal treatment.

The second problem was the severe shortage of supplies for the journey.

When they had come to Sichuan, the Council of Elders had freely emptied their coin pouches, allowing everyone to sleep in fine guest houses and travel comfortably as if on a pleasure boat ride.

But on the way back to Wuhan, their financier had vanished, and there was no one left to act as a guide.

Once again, it was Jin Sowoon who alleviated their worries of ending up abandoned like duck eggs on the Yangtze River.

"All academy students will return on horseback. The Mugyeop Escort Agency has agreed to act as our guides, so you don't need to worry."

"Of course, we won't have the luxury of stopping at guest houses. Will you get three meals a day? Naturally, you will. We will distribute them fairly, so do not worry."

"The Branch Chief has agreed to pay for the cost of the horses and the escort agency, so you don't need to worry. No, really, the Branch Chief and I are on those kinds of terms. You don't need to worry! Hahahahaha!"

Thanks to him, the burden of the return journey had been noticeably reduced.

Seungho Hall also bore an immense burden, having suddenly been saddled with the responsibility of looking after the academy students due to the vanishing Council of Elders.

However, with that burden lightened significantly thanks to Jin Sowoon, some members began joking around again and pulling out stashed liquor to drink.

"... Why did the Chengdu Branch Chief suddenly show such favor?"

Gam Cheon-ak asked Gu Jeongryong about the problem that he absolutely could not figure out on his own.

"..."

"Hall Leader!"

"H-Hmm?"

Gu Jeongryong snapped back to reality and looked around.

He's doing it again.

For the past few days since they left Chengdu, Gu Jeongryong's condition had been completely off.

Spacing out on his horse was a common occurrence, and even while lifting his spoon to eat, he would suddenly burst into silly laughter like a madman.

His condition was so strange that Gam Cheon-ak had asked Jin Sowoon if he was perhaps under some sort of sorcery, but Jin Sowoon merely chuckled and repeatedly told him it was nothing and not to worry.

'What in the world happened?'

Since he had maintained this state ever since the day he left at the Branch Chief's summons, it seemed something definitely had happened that day...

"I asked if you knew anything about the Chengdu Branch Chief's excessive favor."

"Ah... That's nothing much. The Chengdu Branch Chief owes Jin Sowoon a debt."

"A debt...?"

The position of a Murim Alliance Branch Chief is sometimes compared to that of a county magistrate.

The amount of wealth that rolls in just by sitting in that position is beyond imagination, yet he owed a debt to a mere academy student?

"He delivered a request to the Stronghold Masters of the Seventy-Two Strongholds of the Green Woods in Sichuan, asking them to restrain their actions during the Murim Alliance's event."

"..."

"According to Jin Sowoon's story, depending on how this Blood Cult incident is wrapped up, the Branch Chief's neck might end up like this, or it might not."

When Gu Jeongryong spoke while making a throat-slitting motion with the edge of his hand, Gam Cheon-ak's face hardened stiffly.

"... Did Jin Sowoon accept that?"

"Hmm? He accepted it."

"... We're fucked."

"... Hmm? Who's what?"

Gam Cheon-ak lowered his voice.

"Shouldn't we visit the Inspection Pavilion the moment we return?"

"... What are you talking about?"

"Get a hold of yourself, Hall Leader. The other party is the Murim Alliance's Chengdu Branch Chief. Do you think that man will just let it slide after learning of the connection between Jin Sowoon and the Green Dragon?"

Gam Cheon-ak looked around before continuing in a hushed tone.

"... You probably don't realize this, but the moment the matters in Sichuan are settled, Jin Sowoon will be dragged to the Inspection Pavilion."

Gu Jeongryong's face crumpled into a heavy frown.

However, Gam Cheon-ak remained wearing a serious expression, completely oblivious to the mood.

"I naturally assumed Jin Sowoon would hide it thoroughly... Why would he do something so foolish..."

"..."

"Hall Leader, if we don't want to get tangled up in this as well, we must go to the Inspection Pavilion first."

Whether he understood the urgency of the situation or not, Gu Jeongryong smacked his lips as if he had chewed on a gall bladder and stared straight ahead.

"Hall Leader!"

As Gam Cheon-ak pressed him, Gu Jeongryong finally snapped and yelled.

"This guy is a total son of a bitch!"

"... Excuse me?"

"Hey, you little shit, you want to go to the Inspection Pavilion over some absurd 'rumor' that he's the 'Master of the Black Dragon Stronghold'? And you still think you have the right to be Seungho Hall's Vice Hall Leader after that?"

"..."

What is this man saying again?

Hadn't he heard it right from the side?

That the Master of the Black Dragon Stronghold, Jin Sowoon, had also seized command over the Hwaeom Stronghold.

But why was he suddenly calling it a 'rumor'?

Besides, hadn't Bang Duchil's voice been extremely loud that day?

Surely, a few people in Sichuan must have heard it too.

But why was the Hall Leader suddenly bending over backward to protect Jin Sowoon?

Above Gam Cheon-ak's bewildered head, the sound of someone clicking their tongue rang out.

"Wow... So you're saying that for your own safety, you couldn't care less whether it's a comrade you shared life and death with or not, huh? You'll just stab me in the back someday too, won't you? Hmm?"

Fuck, what the hell is he talking about?

While Gam Cheon-ak was still struggling to grasp the situation, Gu Jeongryong whipped his head around and shouted to the Seungho Hall members.

"Boys, this guy says he wants to report Jin Sowoon to the Inspection Pavilion."

As soon as his voice rang out, the ones who had gone with Jin Sowoon to eat 'Subjugating Evil and Subduing Spirits' lunged at Gam Cheon-ak like a pack of wolves.

"You son of a bitch Vice Hall Leader, I knew it!"

"That bastard has the exact face of a traitor. Don't form any sword arrays with him from now on."

"No wonder my mom told me not to hang out with that bastard."

"Let's all impeach the Vice Hall Leader and elect Jin Sowoon as the Vice Hall Leader!"

"Let's elect him! Let's elect him!"

Facing the crisis of impeachment like a bolt of lightning from a clear blue sky, Gam Cheon-ak absolutely could not comprehend what the hell was going on right now.