Chapter 349: I Never Gave My Permission

TL: FoodieMonster007

Bi Sayin entered the long corridor.

Steel wolves flanked the path to the Chairman's Hall, poised to pounce at any moment. A distinct, stifling killing intent suffocated anyone who passed through the corridor.

He often wondered if the old rumor was true. The rumor claimed the steel wolves would animate if an intruder entered, tearing at the person's throat until their body was ripped to shreds.

Bi Sayin passed through the corridor and opened a large door. A man with his back turned stood at the end of the Chairman's Hall. His build was ordinary, neither thin nor fat. He had a back one might see anywhere on the streets.

But Bi Sayin knew this was the back of a man who could not be found anywhere else in the murim.

He was the Evil Alliance Chairman, Baek Jagang. He was the greatest master of the evil path and the absolute ruler of the unorthodox sects murim.

Bi Sayin was Baek Jagang's disciple. Baek Jagang had no blood relatives because he believed family would weaken his heart. In other words, his own heart would not be weakened.

Bi Sayin walked nervously to the bottom of the stairs. Standing before the Chairman always intimidated and tensed him.

"It looks like it's going to rain."

Baek Jagang's deep, resonant voice echoed throughout the Chairman's Hall.

"It will be the first rain of this winter."

Normally, Bi Sayin would have given a stiff greeting and reported his return. Today, however, he responded to the Chairman's words.

Though he didn't want to admit it, this was Geom Mugeuk's influence. He had taken Geom Mugeuk's advice to see people for who they were and decided to see the Chairman differently.

This different response elicited another.

"Come up."

Bi Sayin climbed the stairs and walked to where the Evil Alliance Chairman stood. This was the first time he had been summoned to this place, which overlooked the entire Headquarters.

Only after standing side-by-side with Baek Jagang did he finally offer a polite greeting.

"I have returned, Chairman."

Baek Jagang slowly turned his head to look at Bi Sayin.

His two eyes were as small as buttonholes, like mere dots. Bi Sayin sometimes thought those eyes might one day widen in surprise, as if Baek Jagang was hiding his real eyes. They were that small.

It was not easy to read Baek Jagang's emotions from his eyes. Conversely, the Chairman could see into the depths of a person's heart with those same small eyes.

"You've taken care of the Black Snake Society?"

His voice, however, was better than anyone's. Every time Bi Sayin heard it, he wished for a voice like that.

"Yes, I have eliminated the head of the Black Snake Society and some of its leadership."

"The reason?"

What should I say? If he answered honestly, he would say, 'I did it because the Black Snake Society was kidnapping children and committing evil deeds.'

That was not the correct answer. Bi Sayin thought he didn't know the Evil Alliance Chairman well, but he knew that much.

Bi Sayin gave the answer he thought was correct.

"The bastard acted arrogantly."

When Baek Jagang laughed loudly, his already small eyes disappeared. His eyes were small, but his mouth was unusually large. His guffaw truly sounded hearty.

Even if the Chairman knew the real reason he had dealt with them, this was the required answer. This was the kind of person his master was.

"Since it has come to this, I plan to gradually absorb the Black Snake Society while monitoring our external reputation."

Baek Jagang wore a satisfied expression. He was a man who would do anything to make the Evil Alliance stronger, and the root of that reason was the Demonic Cult.

"That man, Geom Woojin, will definitely start a war to unify the murim. We must prepare for that day."

He was convinced that the current Heavenly Demon would start a war.

"If he starts a war, he'll strike us first."

"Why us and not the Murim Alliance?"

"Because the Murim Alliance won't get involved in that fight."

Baek Jagang predicted the Murim Alliance's reaction.

"They will never intervene. They'll hope that we and the Demonic Cult will fight each other to ruin. Even if they had the mind to help, would they join hands with us?"

Countless orthodox sects elders would oppose helping the unorthodox sects. It was a matter the Murim Alliance Chairman would find difficult to push through, even if he wanted to.

"Even knowing their teeth will grow cold if their lips are gone, they will never help us. They are the type to mumble about righteousness with their bare gums even after their teeth are all pulled out."

Despite his hatred, Baek Jagang's judgment was cold and clear.

"If by some chance a war breaks out between the Demonic Cult and the Murim Alliance, we must help the Murim Alliance. The Demonic Cult will surely try to monopolize the murim. The same goes for when you become the Chairman."

That was how dangerous Baek Jagang considered the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and Geom Woojin.

Bi Sayin believed the Chairman's strength lay in his lack of useless pride. The Chairman never overestimated the Evil Alliance's power. Instead, he proceeded with everything assuming they were a step below the Demonic Cult and the Murim Alliance. Bi Sayin believed the Evil Alliance's current strength stemmed from the Chairman's thorough grasp of reality.

"I will keep that in mind."

You don't have to worry about when I become Chairman. A war won't happen in our generation. The problem is this current era.

He knew that, separate from his grasp of reality, Baek Jagang also dreamed of unifying the murim. He had never spoken of it, but Bi Sayin could feel it.

With those small eyes, Baek Jagang wanted to look down not just on the Evil Alliance, but on the entire murim. He was enduring and enduring for that one decisive blow.

"I have something to ask."

Bi Sayin chose direct confrontation to handle this matter.

"Is there a secret organization being nurtured within the main alliance that I am unaware of?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"I discovered that the Black Snake Society was providing kidnapped children to the main alliance through the Flowing Sword Sect. If it's not an organization authorized by the main alliance, then I believe someone is raising a private organization."

It was a serious matter, but Baek Jagang showed no particular reaction. He simply stared at Bi Sayin in silence.

"If that is the case, this matter cannot be overlooked."

Bi Sayin did not avoid the intense killing intent flowing from the Chairman's small eyes. There was no need to be afraid. He was the Chairman, and Bi Sayin was his successor. He calmly accepted the gaze he would not have dared to meet in the past.

"You've changed recently."

Bi Sayin did not hide his change. Only two people in the world could see through his heart, and he was not confident he could hide it from them. One was Geom Mugeuk, and the other was the Chairman before him.

"On this trip, I met the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult and the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade. They too were growing stronger by the day. If I don't want to lose, I must also strive harder."

Was the Chairman pleased with his confident attitude? A wide smile spread across Baek Jagang's large mouth.

Baek Jagang's gaze turned back to the window. He looked at the gathering storm clouds and finally answered the first question.

"I have never authorized such an organization."

SHWAAAAAAA!

Geom Mugeuk and Pyo Jigwang hid in the bushes, watching the downpour. They were taking a short breather after running frantically from the assassins.

"Your skills are more outstanding than I thought."

"Didn't I tell you? That I would protect you."

Pyo Jigwang had thought his confidence was incredible, but it seemed it was not just confidence.

"I am the one who protects the Young Alliance Chairman. I won't be easily taken down by assassins."

At the word 'assassin', Pyo Jigwang suddenly remembered what Geom Mugeuk had said earlier.

"What kind of alliance in the world sends hired assassins after a subordinate they've given a job to? Where is there any room for loyalty in this messy situation?"

Sensing Pyo Jigwang's wavering heart, Geom Mugeuk seized the moment.

"Did that man warn you that he would kill you if you didn't keep the secret?"

Pyo Jigwang slowly shook his head. That was what upset him the most. He was being treated like dog droppings on the side of the road.

"It may be presumptuous of me to say, but I have an idea why that man chose you, Commander."

"Why is that?"

"A normal person would jump up and be furious, but you're accepting this attempt to kill you and destroy evidence as a matter of course, aren't you? That man knew. He knew how a person deep in despair would react in a situation like this."

What if that was why he had chosen him?

Pyo Jigwang's face flushed hot. It was an incredibly humiliating thought.

Suddenly, Geom Mugeuk made a shushing motion. He thrust his sword into the dense grass behind Pyo Jigwang. A single scream cut through the air as a body fell forward.

"An entire assassin organization has come. It's probably because they realized you made contact with the Young Alliance Chairman, Commander. No matter how many bodyguards the Young Alliance Chairman assigned, it shows their determination to eliminate you at all costs."

In other words, they were that desperate. The man behind it likely didn't act himself to avoid exposing his identity. No matter how much they tortured this assassin organization, no trace of him would be found.

"Even though an entire organization has been mobilized, they still can't kill me while you're protecting me alone."

"That's about right. Let's go, we need to move."

The two of them ran along the mountain path again.

More assassins attacked. Pyo Jigwang didn't realize they weren't running away. Geom Mugeuk was intentionally hunting the assassins down and eliminating them.

Trained only to kill, the assassins knew no fear.

However, no amount of courage could overcome a skill gap as vast as the one between heaven and earth. No surprise attack worked.

Geom Mugeuk dispatched the assassins with such ordinary movements that Pyo Jigwang almost believed they were unskilled.

Geom Mugeuk swung so lightly, yet they couldn't dodge. Pyo Jigwang couldn't understand how an assassin would let a simple kick twist his jaw.

But the terrifying momentum of their attacks always brought forth the same cry.

This time, I'm really going to die!

Those words, which he had screamed in his mind countless times, burst out again.

PUUK!

A sword point appeared right before Pyo Jigwang's eyes. Blood dripped from its tip.

The sword was not the assassin's. It was Geom Mugeuk's sword, which had pierced through the back of the assassin's head.

It looked like a hasty throw meant to kill the assassin, but the move demonstrated a flying sword technique superior to any other.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

"It seems all the assassins have been dealt with now."

Pyo Jigwang was startled. When told to run, he ran. When told to duck, he ducked. He was dragged along when pulled and fell over when pushed. Just like that, the fight was over.

It's over? Does that mean I survived?

With a disbelieving face, Pyo Jigwang looked at Geom Mugeuk.

SHWAAAAAAA!

Geom Mugeuk washed the blood from his face and body in the falling rain.

Suddenly, his appearance felt unfamiliar. This was not the young martial artist who had excitedly agreed with and listened to his words.

The sight of him calmly washing off the blood made him seem like a true martial artist who had navigated the perilous realm and endured all sorts of hardships. Was that why? For some reason, he looked lonely.

"Let's go."

"Where to?"

Where do we go now?

However, Geom Mugeuk knew exactly where they had to go.

"To that bastard. We have to go and confront him. Ask him why he handled things this way. If he wanted to finish the job, he should have come and finished it himself. Why send assassins? We have to demand to know why he looks down on me so much."

Geom Mugeuk was saying the words that Pyo Jigwang wanted to say.

"I believe this matter was not authorized by the alliance."

Pyo Jigwang flinched for a moment but then shook his head.

"That can't be."

Since the time was right, Geom Mugeuk delivered the decisive words he had been saving.

"If the Evil Alliance Chairman had authorized this, he would never have sent hired assassins. I've heard it before. That the people the Evil Alliance Chairman hates the most are hired assassins."

"!"

In that moment, a memory surfaced in Pyo Jigwang's mind.

During his time as the Black Dragon Commander, he had discussed this with his subordinates. The Chairman truly hated assassins, so no one with an assassin background ever succeeded in the current Evil Alliance. He had even said it himself.

Goosebumps erupted all over Pyo Jigwang's body. He had forgotten. After his injury, his demotion, and living like a wreck, he had completely forgotten that detail.

If that person was someone who followed the Chairman's will, wouldn't he have not mobilized assassins?

The powerful question naturally brought to mind his past conversation with that person.

"Is this an operation that the Chairman also knows about?"

"Of course. That is also why the secret must be kept at all costs."

At the time, he had naturally thought the Chairman knew. He figured that was why this person had stepped forward. That was why he thought the Young Alliance Chairman shouldn't get involved either. It was a secret operation that even the Young Alliance Chairman had not been told about.

Why had he never once doubted it?

He already knew the answer to the question that arose in his mind.

He had just wanted to escape that situation. He had wanted to escape and boast to those who had ignored him, 'I'm doing something this great, you idiots!'

"If this was carried out without the Chairman's knowledge, then this is treason."

Pyo Jigwang's heart sank. If those words were true, the bastard had dragged him into an act of treason. Pyo Jigwang was utterly confused.

"Let's find out what the truth is together."

Just yesterday, Pyo Jigwang had believed that he alone knew the truth. He was a man who would not have listened to anyone. Now, however, he was asking this.

"Can we do it?"

"You were prepared for death anyway, weren't you?"

Yes, that was right. He didn't know how many times he had closed his eyes today, thinking, 'I'm going to die now.' He would just have to close them one more time.

Pyo Jigwang looked at Geom Mugeuk and nodded.

Now, the situation had changed.

"From now on, we aren't the fish. Let's become the fishermen. Cast the net with me. Then we'll hear what that fish, who's been pretending to be a fisherman, has to say."