While I desperately shook Tang Seo-hee to wake her up, Ak Byeongbi went on to recount what had happened in the Underworld Alliance in detail, yet very plainly.

As the story progressed, doubt swirled in Zhuge Somyeong's eyes.

"Is that true?"

"Of course."

Ak Byeongbi answered calmly and moved on, but at the continuing story, Zhuge Somyeong was rendered speechless once again.

"... That was real?"

"Yes. That is correct."

"..."

Ak Byeongbi answered with an expressionless face.

There was not a single trace of falsehood on his face, but Zhuge Somyeong had an expression of sheer disbelief.

"Ilmyeong, is what the Delegation Head just said true?"

Finally, skipping over the reporter Ak Byeongbi, he asked Ilmyeong.

Ilmyeong also nodded.

"It is."

"... Just what exactly happened?"

Zhuge Somyeong furrowed his brow heavily.

"Did you fall victim to sorcery at the Underworld Alliance? Or..."

He ultimately shot me a suspicious glare.

"Did that punk Jin Sowoon cast sorcery on you two?"

Ehey, sorcery? Isn't that going a bit too far?

Why are the sparks suddenly flying to me in the first place...

At that moment, Tang Seo-hee's sleep-talking could be heard from behind my back.

"Mumble, mumble, this is all your karma."

Excuse me? You're actually not sleeping, are you?

As I put on an absurd expression, Ak Byeongbi emphasized once again.

"I reiterate that there is not an inch of exaggeration or omission in the story I have reported."

Despite Ak Byeongbi's solemn attitude as he bowed his head, Zhuge Somyeong's expression remained incredibly crooked.

No, if he's the Third Hall Leader of the Inspection Pavilion, he should be a verified person within the Murim Alliance. Is he really that untrustworthy?

"So, unknown entities infiltrated the Underworld Alliance and instigated a war between the Murim Alliance and the Underworld Alliance... The delegation was even framed as murderers, but Jin Sowoon, a disciple of a Daoist sect, drew upon his Buddhist heart... and used mind-reading to find the culprits?"

Hmm...

Hearing it summarized like that, it does sound a bit weird.

It kind of sounds like the ramblings of a drunkard...

"Are you absolutely certain... this isn't an incorrect report?"

To Zhuge Somyeong, who seemed thirsty for some kind of excuse, Ak Byeongbi spoke in his characteristically calm tone.

"Of course, the 'mind-reading' Jin Sowoon spoke of was likely nothing more than a 'device' to frighten the Underworld figures of the Underworld Alliance."

"So..."

"But even so, I humbly submit that his outstanding achievements during this delegation mission to the Underworld Alliance will not lose their luster."

"Huh?"

Just like Zhuge Somyeong's surprised expression, I was also quite surprised by Ak Byeongbi's words.

"The delegation was in the worst possible situation. As the Delegation Head, I had been rendered helpless by a surprise attack, and there was no one within the Underworld Alliance we could ask for help."

There were no fluctuations in his voice.

"It was the absolute worst situation we could imagine. Neither I nor the Underworld Alliance doubted that the delegation would become the scapegoat of this incident, and the only thing I could do was dishonorably pass on the order to run away."

Even as his deep voice echoed through the grand hall, there was not a hint of hesitation.

A sense of trust could be felt, as if he were calmly stating the truth.

"Everyone had given up on everything. Except for one person."

Ak Byeongbi slowly raised his head.

"Except for Jin Sowoon."

Unlike his expressionless face, his eyes alone flashed brightly.

"Even in the worst situation where nothing could be done, Jin Sowoon did not give up on anything. He took risks, sacrificed himself, and there was not a single moment where he did not try his hardest."

He continued speaking endlessly, as if determined to pour out everything he knew.

"Cool-headed reason, a passionate heart, a bond with his comrades, and unwavering conviction. Integrity that cannot be swayed by trivial, petty gains."

Soon, his gaze turned to me.

"Because he possesses all of these traits, he was able to overcome that hardship with indomitable will."

Listening to Ak Byeongbi's words, I even felt like I wanted to be close friends with the person he was describing.

"I believe that taking issue with merely a 'word' revealed on the surface is no different from taking issue with a handful of mud scattered in a clear lake. Jin Sowoon is the best member of this delegation, and the greatest contributor who prevented a great war that could have erupted between the Underworld Alliance and the Murim Alliance."

Of course, the moment I realized he was talking about me, my cheeks burned so hot I couldn't even lift my head.

"Hmm..."

Hyuk Mugang, who had been silently listening to the story from the side, opened his mouth.

"I heard there was a small issue between the Ak Clan and Jin Sowoon recently."

"... Shamefully, the fault largely lies with the Ak Clan."

"No, I'm not trying to assign blame... I'm asking if something else happened between the two of you in the meantime."

Makes sense why he would think that.

He probably thought about what and how much I must have bribed him with for him to speak so highly of me.

If it had been a third party's affair, I would have definitely been suspicious too.

However, Ak Byeongbi firmly shook his head.

"There was nothing."

Doubt colored the Alliance Leader's face.

"And yet you rate him this highly?"

"As soon as I was assigned to the Inspection Pavilion, I was taught that I must report only the facts as accurately as possible."

"..."

Hyuk Mugang tilted his head.

Even without hearing it, it was obvious he was questioning whether the word 'accurately' was appropriate here.

Because even I have absolutely no idea what this guy Ak Byeongbi is thinking right now.

"... Ahem, Jin Sowoon."

This time, Zhuge Somyeong called me. But for some reason, his gaze seemed directed at Tang Seo-hee, who was piggybacked on my back.

"Yes."

"Is what the Third Hall Leader... no, the Delegation Head just said true?"

After pondering for a moment, I answered carefully.

"Yes."

"..."

"Just as the Delegation Head said, it seems to be an incredibly 'accurate' report."

"..."

Why? What?

It's not like I said anything wrong, right?

I might be playing nanny to Tang Seo-hee, but that's not because I want to, but because Senior Seo-hee wants it.

And just because I'm playing nanny doesn't mean the things I did disappear or get devalued, right?

That's exactly how it should be.

I lifted my arm to correct Tang Seo-hee's posture, then bowed my head toward Ak Byeongbi.

"As expected of the Third Hall Leader, renowned for being fair and just."

"..."

Zhuge Somyeong looked at me with an utterly dumbfounded expression.

At that moment.

"Mumble, mumble, so shameless."

Tang Seo-hee's sleep-talking could be heard once again.

You woke up a while ago, didn't you?

"Zzz..."

After a brief silence, Hyuk Mugang opened his mouth.

"I-In any case, it is true that the delegation handled the matter excellently, is it not?"

"Indeed."

"Then we should be praising them, not interrogating them."

"..."

Zhuge Somyeong, who had been staring fixedly at me, eventually let out a small sigh.

"Indeed. ... At any rate, you did well. It is a bit of a shame, but you accomplished it excellently."

The Alliance Leader lightly nudged Zhuge Somyeong's shoulder.

"Come now, Chief Strategist. Speak honestly. Didn't they handle it so excellently that it far exceeded your expectations?"

"Ahem, a delegation of the Murim Alliance should at least do this much."

"Hehe. Are you that pleased?"

When Hyuk Mugang spoke teasingly, Zhuge Somyeong put on a serious face.

"Were you not disappointed about failing to form an alliance, Alliance Leader?"

Hyuk Mugang was startled and hurriedly checked our reactions.

"Ahem, t-that was just a personal regret. Why bring that up here..."

It seems Hyuk Mugang was left with a great deal of regret.

In addition, since he clearly understood the realistic limitations, it seemed he had already gotten an earful from Zhuge Somyeong about this.

In any case, having won the argument, Zhuge Somyeong turned his head again and asked about the identity of the boxes in front of us.

"By the way, what are those things that you brought them all the way here?"

Ak Byeongbi glanced at me once before reporting.

"They are gifts sent by the leader of the Underworld Alliance through Dam-ak when we left the Underworld Alliance."

"Huh? The leader of the Underworld Alliance did?"

Soon after, Ilmyeong and I stood up and moved near the boxes.

The gazes of Zhuge Somyeong and Hyuk Mugang naturally turned toward us.

CLACK.

CLACK.

The boxes opened, and the items inside began to reveal themselves one by one.

Precious treasures that had disappeared or been stolen from the Orthodox Murim in the past.

At the appearance of these items that held absolute historical value that could not be replaced by anything, regardless of their monetary worth, even the great Hyuk Mugang's jaw dropped wide open.

"W-What is all this?"

Of course, the one who was most surprised was Zhuge Somyeong.

This time, I answered.

"He conveyed a message saying that although we cannot be together right now, he hopes we can gradually narrow the distance between us."

He was staring at me with a look of utter disbelief.

* * *

After the delegation members left, a long silence hung inside the grand hall.

The silence continued for a long time, and the first of the two to speak was Hyuk Mugang.

"Is this even possible?"

Having sat in the position of Murim Alliance Leader for the past twenty years, he had experienced many things.

Through that, he had gained the most crucial realization.

Namely, that things do not always flow according to one's ideals.

Because of that, he came to know the limits of humanity, and knowing the limits of humanity, he let go of greed.

This delegation mission was the same.

He had dispatched the delegation according to Zhuge Somyeong's will, but he hadn't imagined that the delegation would actually accomplish something.

After all, Zhuge Somyeong had said he didn't expect much from it either.

"I feel like I'm dreaming right now."

But the delegation, which had left with an absurd mission, had brought back results that exceeded their expectations.

"I feel the same way."

Zhuge Somyeong's eyes were filled with complexity as he looked at the items inside the boxes.

"Whether I should accept this as them doing what was naturally expected, or consider it a miracle of achieving the impossible... I am incredibly confused."

"Haha. It is truly an astonishing feat."

Soon, the Chief Strategist let out a hollow laugh as he looked at the door Jin Sowoon and the delegation had exited through.

"Furthermore, isn't that punk just a mere academy student? How could someone who is virtually a newcomer to Jianghu accomplish such things..."

Hyuk Mugang nodded blankly in agreement.

He spoke cautiously.

"You saw it earlier too, Chief Strategist, didn't you?"

"... Yes."

"That child, Tang Seo-hee, was on his back."

"... She was even sleep-talking."

"It was already surprising enough that the child, Ilmyeong, couldn't exude his own presence, but..."

Little Buddha Ilmyeong was an elite among elites who would lead Jianghu in the future.

It was already surprising enough that such a child couldn't say a word, as if his presence had vanished.

"Seo-hee... even that child."

The two men thought that if the Poison King heard this fact, they would have been able to see him faint with shock on his normally stoic face.

"Should we consider that punk to be just that special?"

At Zhuge Somyeong's question, Hyuk Mugang slowly shook his head.

"I don't know either."

The previous class of the Murim Academy.

That is to say, the lineup of children who had enrolled in the academy four years ago was also at a thoroughly surprising level.

Including New Plum Blossom Sword Hwa Jeongsan, Jungchang True Man Mount Akbuk, and Genesis Divine Sword Namgung San.

It was already surprising enough that geniuses who only appear once in a hundred years had entered in droves.

How shocking was it to see even those children eclipsed by the light of the Little Buddha, the White-Handed Divine Maiden, and Yong So-ah.

... But now, it felt as though even those children's lights were fading.

Because of that single punk, Jin Sowoon.

Zhuge Somyeong looked down at the boxes with eyes full of disbelief.

"Seeing that the leader of the Underworld Alliance sent such burdensome items... that punk Jin Sowoon definitely pulled some bizarre stunt."

"Hmm, likely so."

"That's why it's even more surprising. What rising star in this world... could act as a bridge between the Murim Alliance and the Underworld Alliance?"

Merely having outstanding martial arts and a brilliant mind wasn't enough.

He was effortlessly accomplishing things that would be nearly impossible even if one read the world, understood human nature, and stacked countless experiences deep within their heart.

"I'm honestly quite afraid as well."

"Pardon?"

Zhuge Somyeong tilted his head at Hyuk Mugang's sudden remark.

Likewise, a light mixing worry and pity surfaced on the Alliance Leader's face as he inspected the boxes again.

"... Sometimes, doesn't a star that shines too brightly fade away too soon?"

"..."

"Perhaps we might have to intentionally hide his light."

How shallow and petty were human emotions.

However.

What struck down great heroes and twisted history was always that shallow emotion known as jealousy.

Nodding in agreement, Zhuge Somyeong let out a sigh.

"Hmm... I am afraid of something else."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

A light mixing terror and fear surfaced on the Chief Strategist's face.

"I am afraid... of the receipt that punk will present."

"Pardon?"

What was this suddenly all about?

The agitated Zhuge Somyeong's face flushed red.

"Did you perhaps not see it, Alliance Leader? That brat Jin Sowoon smiled meaningfully when he left...! He's definitely going to squeeze something massive out of us for this..."

"... Tsk. Well, it isn't something we can just gloss over."

Zhuge Somyeong shivered as if he had seen a ghost.

"I don't have the confidence. So, Alliance Leader, you handle it yourself."

"Chief Strategist, how could you be so irresponsible..."

"I will do what I can. But haven't the merits that punk established far surpassed the level I can reward?"

The gifts the delegation received held significant value even from the Murim Alliance's standpoint.

The original owners of the treasures were the Nine Sects and One Gang, and the Five Great Noble Clans, who moved the Murim Alliance.

Even if they were the owners, it wasn't right to just return the treasures for free.

This meant the Murim Alliance could use these treasures to extract a price from them as much as they wanted.

'It's practically a massive weapon from our perspective.'

Exactly what price would they have to pay the one who brought back such items?

Even with his brilliant mind, Zhuge Somyeong found it hard to calculate.

"Sigh..."

But that was the same for Hyuk Mugang.

"Hmm..."

After a long deliberation, Hyuk Mugang stammered as he opened his mouth.

"Shall we open the Silver Jade Treasurehouse?"

"..."

Normally, Zhuge Somyeong would have yelled at him, asking if he was out of his mind, but today, he just kept his mouth tightly shut and stared at Hyuk Mugang.

Checking his reaction, Hyuk Mugang asked again.

"... Can we really open the Silver Jade Treasurehouse?"

"..."

However, Zhuge Somyeong remained silent to the very end, as if refusing to take responsibility.