Chapter 170: The Body Knows First

TL: FoodieMonster007

"How did the Young Lady get here?" Seo Daeryong asked, his voice trembling. He never imagined he would see her here.

"I was invited too."

"How is that possible?"

Only those connected to the Young Dragon Tournament were invited to the banquet.

Then, the woman revealed a surprising fact.

"I made it to the quarterfinals in the Young Dragon Tournament three years ago."

Not only Seo Daeryong, but also the prodigies around them were startled.

Since the Young Dragon Tournament was held every three years, the woman was a quarterfinalist from the previous competition. The Murim Alliance customarily sent invitations to past main tournament participants who were current members.

"Let me introduce myself formally. I'm So Ok, the First Division Leader of the Third Squad in the White Dragon Brigade."

"Ah, so you were a martial artist from the Murim Alliance."

She was even a Division Leader in the White Dragon Brigade. When So Ok had shyly approached to cheer for him, she wasn't wearing a uniform, so he never dreamed she was a Murim Alliance martial artist.

"I didn't know."

"Of course you didn't. I never told you."

"Why did you cheer for me?"

Their gazes locked. Seo Daeryong's excitement was palpable, even from the side. It was the thrill of meeting a first love again.

In contrast, So Ok was much calmer.

"Seeing martial artist Seo reminded me of my old self when I participated in the Young Dragon Tournament. I also came up from the countryside and didn't know anything. I didn't know anyone, and no one knew me. I even ran out of money for an inn, so I camped in the mountains and came down just to compete."

So Ok spoke of such things without any shame. That quality appealed to Seo Daeryong even more. A pleasant fragrance wafted from her.

"I watched every single one of Master Seo's duels. Your dao techniques were truly magnificent. The final duel was especially amazing. My heart was pounding so hard I wanted to jump onto the duel stage."

To others, it might have sounded like she was so moved by the wonderful duel that she wanted to compete again. However, to Seo Daeryong, her words could be misunderstood as her wanting to approach him because she liked him.

"To think you beat Miss Jin. It was truly the best duel in the history of the Young Dragon Tournament."

Seo Daeryong felt like he could fly. He had received many compliments after his victory, but hearing them from her was the best. A smile naturally formed on his lips.

"You'll be going to the Demon Slaying Brigade now, won't you?"

The Demon Slaying Brigade was the Murim Alliance's most elite unit, composed of young masters. Traditionally, the winners of the Young Dragon Tournament joined the Demon Slaying Brigade.

"I could also apply to the White Dragon Brigade, where the Young Lady is."

At that, So Ok's face turned slightly red.

"Thank you for the offer, but please don't. Starting in the Demon Slaying Brigade is the royal road to success in the Murim Alliance."

"Thanks to your support, I was able to win. So, I'd like to treat you to a meal separately."

It was a proposal that took great courage.

Having lived a life of more rejections than acceptances, Seo Daeryong was inwardly anxious. Fortunately, So Ok readily accepted his offer.

"The honor is all mine. The winner of the Young Dragon Tournament is buying me a meal, after all."

Seo Daeryong was truly ecstatic.

Geom Mugeuk and Jin Haryong watched this scene from a window.

Geom Mugeuk knew. He knew the Heavenly Enlightenment Society had recruited her during the Young Dragon Tournament three years ago. In other words, the society had been active in the murim even back then.

These people are more deeply rooted in the Murim Alliance than I thought.

The moment the woman's identity was revealed, an unexpected truth came to light.

He asked Jin Haryong, who was beside him.

"Do you know that woman?"

"Division Leader So? We're on nodding terms."

"What kind of person is she?"

"She's easygoing, has a good personality, and is popular with people, but this is surprising. I didn't know she was cheering for your young master like that. Why? Are you worried a fox will bewitch him and he'll hand over all his prize money?"

"Of course I have to worry. I'm his attendant."

At that moment, Jin Haryong's true feelings slipped out.

"Can't you quit being an attendant?"

The moment she said it, she thought, oops. She had blurted out something she had resolved not to say. Thinking she might as well go all the way, she said what she wanted to say.

"Can't you just live as a regular martial artist? Since you've learned martial arts, you could take the entrance exam, right? I can help you if you need it."

When Geom Mugeuk said nothing, Jin Haryong quickly added, "Don't misunderstand! It's not because I'm ashamed that you're an attendant. I just meant that there's a new life for you."

Her face was slightly flushed. She worried she might have hurt Geom Mugeuk's pride.

Finally, Geom Mugeuk opened his mouth.

"That's something I used to say to someone often. To try living a new life."

"To whom?"

"Someone. A stubborn person who hates change."

"Like you?"

Geom Mugeuk smiled and looked back toward Seo Daeryong. He was still surrounded by people, but Seo Daeryong's gaze kept drifting to one place.

The next day, Seo Daeryong went out to meet So Ok.

He had woken at the crack of dawn, bathed, combed his hair, and made a huge mess trying on outfits, yet he still said, "It's not that I like her. It's a meeting with someone who cheered for me. My intentions are pure."

"If you're pure twice more, your mouth will rip from smiling so much. Stop smiling."

I was worried because Seo Daeryong liked her so much. He would be heartbroken when he learned the truth.

Seo Daeryong had left with the spirit of a man heading into battle. When he returned, however, he seemed dejected.

"Why? Did it not go well?"

"No. We had a good time. She said she prefers tea over alcohol and enjoys taking walks. So we ate, drank tea, and went for a walk."

"Then why the long face?"

After a brief pause, Seo Daeryong sighed and explained.

"We were sitting there in a great atmosphere, but suddenly a thought crossed my mind. This isn't right. There's no way my life could be going this well. It was as if someone was whispering in my ear. 'When something this good happens, you should prepare for something bad, right?'"

His dormant instincts seemed to have awakened. When fate begins to move, it has a way of shaking a person awake.

"Did you say that to her?"

"Of course not. I tried my best not to show it and we parted with smiles."

"Detective Seo. I told you. The path you've chosen is like climbing onto a duel stage with an injured arm bound up."

"You said it's a path where I'll have to walk even while bleeding all over, limping, and with one eye blind."

"Yes. It's also a path where you must be suspicious of everyone you meet. That's why it's a path where making friends and truly loving someone is not easy."

After a moment of silent contemplation, Seo Daeryong uttered words he never wanted to say.

"In that sense, I must say this. I think this woman is suspicious. I feel like she approached me intentionally. Could she be someone sent by the Heavenly Enlightenment Society?"

I gave no answer. Seo Daeryong stared intently at me, then flinched in surprise.

"Am I right?"

"……"

"Am I really right?"

Seo Daeryong's voice trembled. He must have had a feeling something was off, but he still hoped he was wrong.

"You are. She is a member of the Heavenly Enlightenment Society."

"!"

Seo Daeryong's eyes widened. I expected his world to crumble, but unexpectedly, he was calm.

"So my gut feeling was right. Of course. Who am I to deserve this? It was strange from the beginning. With all the handsome prodigies around, I should have known when she came to cheer for me specifically. I wonder how pathetic she must have thought I was?"

"Instead of such self-pity, how about we celebrate that you figured out her identity?"

"How did you know, Director?"

"During the final duel."

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"I was afraid you'd act awkwardly and give yourself away."

"Then why are you telling me now? You could have just let me remain ignorant."

"Because a more important issue has arisen than whether you can act well or not."

"What is that?"

"Your survival instincts seem to have fully awakened."

Seo Daeryong was startled by my words.

"Everyone has survival instincts, but a martial artist's are different, and they become even more different the stronger you get. The body knows first. No matter how much the other person smiles and says nice things, the body rejects them. The fine hairs on your body stand on end, your heart pounds. Or, like you today, your mood could just sink."

"So my survival instincts were at work."

"Yes. Remember well how these survival instincts manifested and what it felt like."

Seo Daeryong was touched. I was prioritizing his survival instincts over catching the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman.

"Thank you, Director."

"You have to act well from now on."

"You worry for nothing. I'm a better actor than you think. I'm a cunning bastard, you know."

"We'll see about that."

"What's your plan now?"

"You're the one who has to do it. You must induce her to lead you to the Heavenly Enlightenment Society, and as quickly as possible."

There was no time. If she decided to get close to him slowly, it could take months or even over a year. We needed to resolve this quickly and go back.

After a moment of thought, Seo Daeryong came up with a method.

"Do you remember what she said at the President's banquet? That she was in the same situation as me when she came for the Young Dragon Tournament three years ago. I don't think that part was a lie. I'll dig into that."

"You're going to use a sense of kinship? Because it's an emotion she has experienced herself?"

"……"

"One more thing. You must ensure I accompany you to the meeting where you're introduced to her backer."

Seo Daeryong nodded.

"Leave it to me."

Two days later, Seo Daeryong and So Ok stood on a hill with a panoramic view of the Murim Alliance.

"The view here is nice."

"This is where I come when I feel frustrated."

"It's a wonderful place."

Seo Daeryong was inwardly amazed by the endless expanse of the Murim Alliance. He had thought no place could be larger than the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but the scale of the Murim Alliance was comparable.

"Actually, I was moved by what Division Leader So said that day. About how you knew nothing and had no money, so you slept in the mountains when you came for the tournament. I'm in a similar situation. I will definitely succeed here at the Murim Alliance."

"It won't be easy."

"Pardon?"

"I hesitate to say this to someone who hasn't even officially joined yet, but I'm telling you this for your own good, martial artist Seo. You can't succeed in the Murim Alliance without a backer. You might become a Division Leader, but you can't become a Captain. Even if you work like crazy and somehow become a Captain, you can never become a Commander. The limits are clear."

Her acting was as impressive as Seo Daeryong's. If one didn't know the truth, her words would have sounded like genuine concern.

"You'll probably be even more disappointed, martial artist Seo. Because you're a former champion. You might start as a Division Leader and end as a Division Leader for life. Overcome it with skill? How? It's impossible in these peaceful times. The success story of starting from nothing is only possible in storybooks."

Seo Daeryong asked with a serious expression, "Then what should I do?"

Right now, Seo Daeryong was expressing his current emotions without any awkwardness.

"Make connections. Throw away your pride and be loyal to someone who will support you. That's what I did."

"Please let me grasp the same line that Captain So held. I have no such thing as a martial artist's pride. Please help me."

She was silent for a moment. As she hesitated, Seo Daeryong pressed her.

"I'm begging you."

"Alright, meeting you like this must be fate. I'll try talking to them for you."

"Thank you."

"Don't get your hopes up. The Elder might say no."

"Ah, and I'd like to ask one more favor."

"What is it?"

"Please introduce my attendant as well."

"Your attendant?"

"If the Murim Alliance is that kind of place, don't I need to build my own power? I plan to have my attendant join and raise him as my right-hand man. In the Murim Alliance where I know no one, I need at least one person I can trust. I can trust his loyalty, if nothing else."

Seo Daeryong pushed ahead, acting like a stubborn country bumpkin.

"I don't know if that's possible."

Seo Daeryong bowed his head with an earnest face.

"I beg of you."

Three days later, So Ok contacted them again.

She took Seo Daeryong and me to a manor located far from the Murim Alliance.

Though not numerous, the masked figures guarding the surroundings were extraordinarily skilled. This meant the person she was introducing us to was no ordinary individual.

"Elder, it is Ok."

"Come in."

We followed So Ok into the room.

A screen was drawn in the middle of the large room, making it impossible to see the other person's face.

I activated the Divine Eye Technique. Focusing my eyes, I pierced through the screen to see who was there. The moment I identified the person, I was shocked. It was someone I knew.

The True Dragon Manor Master Jo Yibaek.

He was Cho Sin's father.

Either this Jo Yibaek had recruited Cho Sin, or the Heavenly Enlightenment Society had recruited the father and son separately. If it was the latter, it was possible that neither knew the other had been recruited. Both scenarios were shocking.

Jo Yibaek spoke softly from behind the screen.

"You want to succeed in the Murim Alliance?"

His aura was completely different from when he was beside the Murim Alliance Chairman. The father trying to marry his son into the Chairman's family and the intimidating presence behind the screen were completely different. This must be his true self.

Seo Daeryong bowed his head and spoke politely.

"Yes! I desperately want to succeed."

I could now see. I could see how the Rising Dragon Family became a pillar of the orthodox sects after Hwa Mugi's rampage. They had been plotting like this since then.

So, is Jo Yibaek the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman? Or is there another Chairman?

One thing was certain. The Heavenly Enlightenment Society, gradually revealing its main body, was a much larger monster than I had thought.

"If I help you, you will surely succeed. In return, you……"

Jo Yibaek added in a low voice, "What can you do for me?"