Chapter 15
At the Murim Alliance (3)
The next morning.
It was the final day of the three-day Heroes’ Tournament. While the semifinals were being fought one after another in the arena, the halls of the Military Bureau were calm and quiet.
There was only a single examination to judge—
and only its results needed to be reviewed.
Inside the office of the Grand Strategist.
Zhuge Sunhuo had stacked all the answer sheets neatly on his desk when he asked his deputy, Zhuge Hyeryeong, in a low voice:
“So then, what do you think? Among all these answers, did any catch your eye?”
The piles were high.
But both Sunhuo and Hyeryeong, having read through them all, found only one name lingering in their minds.
Kang Yongun.
That was the name.
“No matter how I look at it, he deserves first place.”
“You think so as well?”
“Yes. A hidden pearl in the sea—or perhaps a true pearl buried in the mud.”
“Well, well! How unexpected.”
At Hyeryeong’s rare words of praise, Zhuge Sunhuo let out a hearty laugh.
“To think I’d hear such words from you.”
“…”
Hyeryeong pressed her lips together and said no more.
So, she acknowledges his talent—but still feels him as a rival.
It was only natural: the more she recognized his ability, the less she wished to lose.
Sunhuo watched her for a moment, then picked up Kang Yongun’s answer sheet.
“The more I read it, the more brilliant it becomes. The handwriting is refined and clear, yet also carries a firm strength.”
He began reading aloud, slowly:
“After the enemy’s scorched-earth tactics, fire attacks and an all-out advance are the only way to survive. Divide both forces into four, open a path, and use the flames of the fire attack as our own strength—advance with the north wind at our backs. Then retreat toward the Five Rivers, and survival is assured.”
To use the enemy’s fire not as an obstacle but as a weapon for one’s own advance—
it was a stroke of genius.
With only a few men, who would ever think of turning a counterattack into a full assault?
“There is real vigor in this. Don’t you think?”
“Compared to those who wrote nonsense like, ‘If one employs the Taoist Plum Blossom Evasion, then life is assured, blah blah’, this is in a league of its own.”
“Hahaha. Yes, there was even one answer flattering Wu Hou’s Eight Formations, claiming that guaranteed survival.”
Indeed, there had been all sorts of answers.
“And the second best was that ridiculous one about securing retreat through the principles of the Five Elements—‘one becomes two, two becomes four, four becomes five.’”
“True enough. This one is clearly exceptional.”
Sunhuo nodded deeply.
“But… his origins are troublesome.”
His voice trailed off as he fixed his gaze on his niece and deputy.
“He’s not from the Central Plains, but from a fallen old kingdom, isn’t he?”
It was a question laced with personal intent.
“Even so, his ability is outstanding.”
Hyeryeong’s answer was sharp and unwavering. His origin mattered nothing to her.
Hah. Still as upright as ever.
By raising the matter of birth, Sunhuo had offered her a chance—
a chance to dismiss a potential rival before he grew.
But alas… she has already made up her mind. If I block him now, I’ll only wound her pride further.
Sunhuo himself had already decided.
If it’s purely about talent, then of course we must choose Kang Yongun.
But a Grand Strategist could not help but look further ahead.
If we take him in, it won’t be long before he outshines our Hyeryeong.
The genius in his answer sheet proved as much.
Yet to ignore it outright… my conscience balks.
In the end, Sunhuo resolved to meet Kang Yongun in person and judge his character.
A conversation will tell me: is he consumed with ambition for fame and power, or is he pure of heart?
He had already given orders:
Find the examinee named Kang Yongun and bring him to the bureau.
“Grand Strategist—! It’s me, Aseong.”
As if on cue, a subordinate’s voice called from outside.
Hm?
Sunhuo frowned slightly.
Why is he alone?
He could sense only one presence beyond the door.
“Why have you come alone?!”
“Well, that is…”
The door opened, and the subordinate entered, bowing low in shame.
“We searched the Alliance grounds and even the surrounding area, but the examinee Kang Yongun is nowhere to be found.”
“Hah—!”
With a short exclamation and a moment’s silence, Sunhuo waved him away. The subordinate slipped out like flowing water.
All that deliberation… wasted.
He had never imagined Yongun would quit of his own accord.
Hyeryeong, puzzled, asked:
“If he intended to disappear without even seeing the results, why did he sit for the exam at all?”
“Indeed. From his attitude as he left, he seemed full of confidence in his answer.”
“Something feels wrong. I’ll look into it.”
“Do so.”
Watching Hyeryeong rise at once, Sunhuo brought his own worries to an end.
“In that case, we’ll leave the Strategist’s post vacant.”
“That’s best. The rest of the answers are simply too poor.”
Hyeryeong departed.
From the distant arena, the cheers of the crowd thundered—celebrating the ten final victors of the tournament.
At the same time.
Kang Yongun was sailing south on a merchant ship down a tributary of the Yangtze.
A pleasant breeze swelled the sails, carrying the vessel swiftly downstream. White spray frothed along its sides.
Passengers lounged idly on the deck, dozing. But Yongun murmured under his breath, as if reciting a sutra in the rain.
“I regret it too.”
“Yes, yes, but it couldn’t be helped!”
“Ah, really—! What’s with old men and their obsession with brawling?!”
“Right now, the most important thing for me is to get to Hunan’s capital as quickly as possible!”
Glances. Tilts of the head.
Though no one was pestering him, Yongun was muttering to the empty air. The other passengers looked on and made a little circle at their temples with a finger.
“Tsk, tsk. Looks normal enough, but…”
“Poor thing, must be seeing ghosts.”
“What a shame. So young, and already mad.”
They whispered among themselves.
This is ridiculous.
He felt wronged.
It’s not like I can ignore them either…
The constant voices resounding in his mind were the cause—
the presences of the Heavenly Firmament.
[Since you went all the way to the Murim Alliance, boy, you should’ve stayed to see the finals!]
[How could you skip out? Watching those kids scuffle is half the fun!]
Not all were like that, of course.
[Heheh. The wise delight in rivers, the kind delight in mountains. Surrounded by blue peaks and drifting on the river—it’s sheer bliss.]
[Don’t mind the old men’s nagging, child. They only tease you because you’re so endearing.]
[As for that bickering, what concern is it of ours? Just let it in one ear and out the other.]
Some consoled him gently. Others offered advice for the future.
[Still, the more high-level duels you watch, the better. Remember that.]
[The more you see, the more you learn. Especially since your spiritual sight is open, you’ll gain even more.]
[The higher their martial skill, the more it will one day become your flesh and blood. Opportunities like that are precious.]
[Only then will you understand more quickly the knowledge we pass down to you.]
“Yes. I understand well.”
Only after Yongun’s respectful answer did the voices quiet.
At last, he could enjoy the river journey.
[Hahaha! What a rare luxury, to stand at a ship’s prow, watch the sails billow, and feel the boat cleave the waves!]
[So wondrous. It’s completely different from viewing it from the Firmament.]
Thanks to his connection with the Divine Resonance, they could experience it through his eyes.
Didn’t expect them to enjoy it this much.
Soon his thoughts turned south, to Hunan’s capital.
There lived Jin Yeong-hwi, the former Chief of the Left Inspectorate, who had retired two years prior. Yongun wondered how he could possibly meet him.
Sigh… what should I do?
He couldn’t see a way forward.
If only he truly were my grandfather’s friend…
But even if he visited the man’s estate, would he be granted an audience? Would his petition even reach Jin’s hands?
And if, by some stroke of fortune, the man read his letter but chose to ignore it?
Even if he is Grandfather’s old friend, he might pretend not to know me—perhaps for his own reasons.
The only way to know would be to meet him in person and read his eyes, his tone, his expression.
But how? How do I get to him?
He sighed. His lowly status gave him no leverage.
Should I ask the elders?
He thought of the presences who shared their wisdom with him.
“Honored sirs!” he called inwardly.
“As I said before, I must urgently meet the former Chief of the Left Inspectorate in Hunan!”
[Yes, you did.]
[You said he retired for health reasons two years ago—so you must meet him quickly in case something happens. Correct?]
Two heads were better than one.
“Exactly. But the more I think of it, the less likely it seems he’d meet me if I simply appear at his gate. Isn’t there some clever way?”
He hoped for a brilliant solution.
[Simple enough.]
[Hahaha! You only need to meet him and ask your question, don’t you?]
Yongun’s heart quickened.
[First, find out where he lives. Then at night, when he’s asleep, use Shrinking Earth to slip into his chambers.]
[What shrinking earth? Just sneak in and wake him up.]
His heart promptly sank again.
They were suggesting outrageous, impossible things—methods only they could use.
[Bah! Why sneak? Are you a thief? Just walk in boldly. If anyone blocks you, trample them.]
[Oh, you old fool. He can’t even use Sword Aura yet.]
[Ah, that’s right.]
[If he only mastered the Three Talents Sword properly, it’d be easy—but that silly boy still only scratches the surface.]
Yongun regretted asking at all.
Sigh. You’re only making my life harder.
In annoyance, he cut off the Divine Resonance. Outraged cries rose all around, but he heartlessly shut them out.
“Phew—finally, some peace. Now let me think.”
But no answer came easily.
How can I get the former Chief to meet me willingly?
The wind blew gently, indifferent to his worries, filling the sails as the ship glided southward.
