The next day.

“Ugh…”

“Mmm, mmm…”

“Ugh!”

Due to the severe overdrinking at the banquet the previous day, the Martial Alliance headquarters was filled with sick people groaning from hangovers.

Martial artists who had learned martial arts rarely suffered from hangovers.

Because it was common to drive out the alcohol poison with internal energy before going to sleep after overdrinking.

But the young men and women, intoxicated with victory, seemed to have thrown themselves into the alcohol without even thinking about it, and had drunk themselves to death until they fainted.

“Hey! Circulate your ki, circulate your ki.”

“I want to… but my head is so dizzy that I can’t even sit properly.”

“You should have drunk in moderation. You were drinking like a madman. Tsk!”

Even in the midst of such a noisy scene.

The highest-ranking officials belonging to the leadership of the Alliance had gathered in the Alliance Leader’s room for a meeting since early in the morning.

To discuss the complete subjugation of the White Lotus Cult, which had taken root throughout the Central Plains, the courtesy and compensation for the fallen warriors and their bereaved families who had died during the operation.

And also, the appropriate promotion for those who had made meritorious contributions.

“We must pay special attention to the compensation for the Alliance members and guest martial artists who died during the subjugation of Gansu.”

“That’s right. They are noble people who gave their lives for the great cause. Alliance Leader! If possible, let’s honor the souls of the fallen warriors with the highest courtesy.”

“I agree!”

As the people spoke in one voice, Abbess Hongryeon smiled and nodded.

As it was, she had already set her own rules regarding the compensation for the fallen warriors.

Not to mention the financial part, she was thinking of giving a one-rank promotion to the fallen warriors, and also doing her best to ensure that the bereaved families could lead a quality life.

“I’m glad that everyone thinks the same. Then let’s settle the courtesy for the fallen warriors and the injured. This time, let’s discuss the promotion of the Alliance members who have made meritorious contributions.”

The people agreed with Abbess Hongryeon’s words.

After the subjugation of the White Lotus Cult.

It was an important moment that would form the newly reorganized organizational structure of the Martial Alliance and the political landscape of the Orthodox Path martial world.

“First, the treatment of the person who made the greatest contribution to the subjugation. It is about the treatment of Young Hero Jin, the great disciple of the Moyong family and the former head instructor of the Baekmu Academy.”

As So-ah’s name was mentioned from Abbess Hongryeon’s mouth, the people’s eyes gleamed with complex emotions.

“Ah…!”

Someone even let out a sigh.

It was inevitable.

“How on earth should we decide on the treatment of Young Hero Jin?”

“It’s extremely difficult.”

“He didn’t just make one or two contributions. Isn’t it a situation where it’s not enough to immediately recommend him as the Vice Alliance Leader?”

It was because So-ah’s contribution was so great.

“The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Green Forest, the Waterway, and even the North Sea. It was Young Hero Jin who recruited all the external helpers. Is that all? In the subjugation of Gansu, because Young Hero Jin and the young leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult dealt with the Blood Demon, Tae-ho-gong, countless lives were saved. Also, he even cleaned up Potala Palace by himself…”

“It is unprecedented for an individual’s ability to have such an influence on the entire martial world.”

“Frankly, I have been dissatisfied with Young Hero Jin’s actions more than once or twice in the past few years. Isn’t he a person who often acts as he pleases, and does not hesitate to show a rash appearance beyond audacity? But even I have no choice but to admit it this time. Whatever Young Hero Jin wants. I think we should grant him everything.”

The people gathered in the Alliance Leader’s room were all leaders of famous groups.

When such people praised So-ah in one voice, a smile bloomed on the faces of So-ah’s eternal allies, Abbess Hongryeon and the Beggars’ Sect Leader, Hong In-geol.

‘Kehkehkeh! That brat So-ah. Now he’s really recognized by everyone!’

‘Hohoho! So-ah. What should I do with you?’

But the two soon hid their smiles and put on a dignified expression.

If you show that you like it too much, it will be obvious, right?

As it was, the two had been favoring So-ah since long ago.

But.

“Since your opinions are consistent with mine this time, I, the Alliance Leader, will also set the compensation for Young Hero Jin to the maximum in the future. That would be fair, you know. Hohoho!”

As expected, Abbess Hongryeon could not hide the smile that kept leaking out.

‘You brat So-ah! This time, it’s this old woman’s turn to give you a present!!’

Whatever it was.

Abbess Hongryeon was planning to give So-ah a legendary reward this time.

***

“At that time, bam! The Blood Demon transformed into a monster… Wow! It was really terrible! Probably, if it had been someone else, their legs would have frozen just by looking at the appearance of the Blood Demon who had turned into a monster, right?”

“Hehehe, So-ah!”

“You’re something else, you’re something else. Ah! I’m not being sarcastic. I’m serious, you brat! Hahahahahaha!”

So-ah had a meal with Jeon Woo-chi at Baek In-hwa’s residence.

In the meantime, from the story of infiltrating Potala Palace alone and administering the constipation medicine from the Manchu Pharmacopoeia in Qinghai to the remnants of the Blood Cult, to the desperate struggle with the Blood Demon.

He told them everything that had happened.

…and in detail.

He had started to unfold his chattering skills for the first time in a while.

But today, both Baek In-hwa and Jeon Woo-chi were so engrossed in So-ah’s words that they didn’t even have time to be bored.

Especially,

“So-ah. Is it true that Dokgo Yeong-tan, a hermit of the Zhou Dynasty, designed and built the Ghost Valley Mountain Manor?”

Baek In-hwa, who seemed to be interested in the part about the <Ghost Valley Mountain Manor Map>, asked with his intelligent eyes shining.

“Yes, yes! As it was, while overcoming the trials of the first and second rooms, I was wondering who had made such a great device. But I heard from Brother Woo-chi that Dokgo Yeong-tan was such a great cultivator. I heard he was as famous to sorcerers as the great hero Jang Sam-bong, the founder of the Wudang Sect, was to martial artists?”

“Hehehe! That’s a very appropriate analogy! Yes, yes. To cultivators who polish their sorcery, Master Dokgo is a legendary figure with the same authority as the founder Jang Sam-bong to martial artists.”

At Baek In-hwa’s words, So-ah clapped his hands and clicked his tongue.

“Wow! So I’ve basically sucked up the legacy of such a great person. As expected, Elder Baek and Brother Woo-chi were right. There’s no one in the world as lucky as me!!”

“Kehkeh! So-ah…”

“Yes, elder.”

“From now on, won’t the descendants probably call out the name Jin So-ah instead of the name Jang Sam-bong?”

“Yes?”

“So-ah, you have walked an unprecedented path. You are probably the first person in the history of the martial world to reach the rank of the number one in the world at the young age of 20.”

“Ah…! Elder.”

If it were the usual So-ah, he would have joked, “Aww! What do you mean I’m the number one in the world? Let’s just say I’m the number two in the world, elder!” But he couldn’t do that now.

Because Baek In-hwa’s expression and voice felt extremely dignified.

“Your master, the God of War, the great hero Moyong. And the Heavenly Demon, the great hero Wi-ji, who gave you the <Ghost Valley Mountain Manor Map>. They did not achieve your level, your study, at your age. The great hero Jang Sam-bong, the founder of the Wudang Sect, whom you praise so much, was also just a half-breed who had just been expelled from Shaolin at your age.”

“Elder Baek…”

That was Baek In-hwa’s true feeling.

He hadn’t said it until now because he was afraid that So-ah would become arrogant, but in fact, to be revered as the number one in the world, surpassing the top 10 masters of the Orthodox Path, at the age of 20 was an unprecedented event that had never existed in the long history of the martial world.

“There are many who have outstanding talent in martial arts. The legendary ‘Heavenly Martial Body’, which is said to be able to learn in a single day what others have to learn for 10 years, also appears two or three times in a generation. But the insight and perseverance to truly enjoy the painful training. And the courage to overcome the hellish fear. Finally, the owner of a soul who can walk the right path without abusing that power, even though he has strong power, is only one person in this generation. You will be the only one.”

“Elder…”

“Please maintain that mindset until the end and become a hegemon who has compassion for the weak. You will be able to do that.”

Judging by the fact that he was even mentioning a hegemon, Baek In-hwa seemed to be determined to gild So-ah’s face.

But So-ah did not show any signs of being awkward or embarrassed.

However,

‘Why is he suddenly saying such things? It’s as if he’s about to leave…’

He just felt a question about Baek In-hwa’s behavior, which was quite different from usual.

As expected.

“So-ah.”

“Yes, elder.”

“I wanted to do many things for you, but this old man has done nothing for you. I am truly sorry to leave like this.”

As expected, Baek In-hwa began to bid farewell.

“Elder! What are you talking about? You’ve done nothing? Could I have come this far without you? No! That’s not what’s important… you’re leaving. What do you mean by that?!”

At the sudden notice, So-ah stuttered with a bewildered expression.

…from meeting by chance in the North Sea to now.

So-ah had grown up with the help of Baek In-hwa countless times.

Moreover, Baek In-hwa was the only strong person So-ah could rely on, and his spiritual pillar.

In his life, Baek In-hwa was the person who had the greatest influence after the God of War, Moyong Cheon, and his uncle, Moyong Baek.

“So-ah… I am a person of Goryeo. Not only my birth, but also my spirit and mind are of Goryeo. I set foot in a foreign country to chase the Evil King Star that had risen in the Central Plains. But now that I have defeated the Evil King Star and have seen you stand tall as the number one in the martial world, I have no regrets here. Also, am I not the leader of the Udo-bang? I don’t know how much of my natural life is left, but I plan to devote the rest of my life to finding a successor for the Udo-bang.”

“Elder!”

It had been a long time.

No!

Perhaps it was the first time since his grandfather had passed away.

So-ah felt a lump in his throat, and something welling up from the depths of his chest was tightening his heart.

“So-ah. Please help me to set off on my journey with a peaceful mind.”

But seeing Baek In-hwa, who was saying that, So-ah could not throw a tantrum.

‘Elder…’

In a situation where he couldn’t even hold him back, tears welled up in So-ah’s eyes.

“Elder Baek. You were like a master to me. I will live without forgetting your teachings.”

At the same time, So-ah began to perform the nine prostrations to Baek In-hwa.

“So-ah…”

Baek In-hwa did not stop So-ah’s nine prostrations.

Because in his heart, So-ah was also like a disciple.

“Elder! I will visit Goryeo someday. At that time, you must keep your promise, okay?”

After paying his respects, So-ah, as if nothing had happened, completely erased his gloomy expression and opened his mouth with a bright voice.

At that, Baek In-hwa’s eyes widened.

“Promise? What promise?”

“Ah! Are you really going to do this? You promised to give me the best magical tool of the Goryeo Udo-bang. You also said you would teach me sorcery! Haha.”

“Hehehe! You brat. You remember that even in this situation? Now that you have become a God of War and have no rival in the world, what are you going to use that magical tool and sorcery for?”

“Elder. As they say, the more the merrier. I also want to fly in the sky on a carpet like Brother Woo-chi.”

“Kehkehkeh! I understand. Visit Goryeo anytime. I will definitely give you a wonderful magical tool!”

Thus, the two of them ended the sadness of parting and the impressions of the past in a pleasant and bright way.

‘Yes. Once or twice a year. I can just go to Goryeo to see the elder, right?’

To the God of War, Jin So-ah, who could run a thousand li in a single breath, a long distance was no longer an obstacle.

In that moment.

“My younger brother, So-ah!”

“…Yes?”

“You must live happily.”

“No way… are you going too, brother?”

“Yes. Because I have a goal now.”

“Brother Woo-chi…”

“I will definitely! return as the number one Taoist in the world.”

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep