As I stepped into the operations office building, I could feel it. There was definitely a supreme expert here. My standard for a true expert is Gwak Jindo. He radiated the strongest energy I’d ever seen.
But inside this building, there was an overwhelming presence that even Gwak Jindo couldn’t compare to.
Myung Jaehee, who is as sensitive as I am, just furrowed her brows a little, and Seong Yubeom didn’t seem affected at all. Only I, the most sensitive, felt uneasy.
The reason I couldn’t help but recognize the Alliance Leader. Someone who can move around incognito in the Murim Alliance’s operational area, and someone stronger than Gwak Jindo. The only person I know who meets both of these is the Alliance Leader.
No matter how ignorant I am about Kangho, there was no way I wouldn’t know this person.
One of the Chiljon. Known as the Yongsanggeom, or the Geomjon—Jong Ri Un.
“An interesting fellow, aren’t you.”
Jong Ri Un took off his human-skin mask. The unnatural stillness on his face all this time had been because of that mask.
Beneath the mask, his face looked so young, just past adolescence. Yet, by now, the Geomjon was surely over a thousand years old.
“I greet you, Geomjon Senior. I am Gold-necked Hwan of the Hwanggeum Family.”
I rose from my seat and offered a polite bow. If there’s one thing I’m good at, both in my previous life and this one, it’s etiquette and formalities. After all, I was forced to endure nothing but such education every single day.
Even as I bowed, Myung Jaehee and Seong Yubeom remained in a daze, as if unable to process the situation.
“Sss…”
The Cheongmu Commander had to give them a direct hint. Myung Jaehee and Seong Yubeom shot up from their seats.
“I am Seong Yubeom, Vice-Captain of the Cheongmu Unit.”
“Good. Why are you so flustered? I’m sure I saw you back when I went to cheer on the Cheongmu Unit.”
“…T-that’s because your visit was so unexpected… No, it’s nothing. My apologies!”
Jong Ri Un just laughed heartily. Even the always composed Myung Jaehee’s eyes trembled uncontrollably. I’d never seen her so shaken except when I gave her a coin.
“Alliance Leader, it’s an honor. I am Myung Jaehee of Biyeon-gak.”
“I’ve heard about you from the Gakju. Quite the talent, they say.”
“…N-not at all.”
Seeing Myung Jaehee blush and bow her head was quite a sight.
I was starting to understand the standards for beauty here, and Myung Jaehee definitely leaned toward the “pretty” side. Though, she still looked more cute than beautiful, given her age.
Jong Ri Un laughed, then even straightened his previously bent back. Even the stoop he’d been using, which made him seem barely five feet, was now gone, and he stood tall at nearly seven feet.
“I have subordinates here, but there are also new faces and outsiders present. I should introduce myself. I am Jong Ri Un, the head of this group called the Murim Alliance.”
“…That’s too much of a joke. To call yourself the ‘head of a gang.’”
The Cheongmu Commander objected, but Jong Ri Un ignored him. After that, the Cheongmu Commander introduced himself as Cheon Jiak, and the Vice-Captain reintroduced himself.
Of course, my attention was still subtly on Jong Ri Un.
One of the revered Chiljon of Jungwon. Depending on this person’s disposition, the path I’d take in the future could change drastically.
Jong Ri Un smiled slyly and began to speak.
“By the way, I hear that Jinbeop is not easy to break through, yet you made it out very quickly. I was told the average is two shichen. Isn’t that so, Vice-Captain?”
Suddenly, rather than addressing the Captain, he turned to the Vice-Captain, catching Seong Yubeom off guard.
“Y-yes, that’s correct.”
“What are the chances there was something wrong with the Jinbeop?”
“To all appearances, none. Also, since it’s the Jinbeop the Cheongmu Unit uses the most, the chances of a mistake are extremely low.”
“So you just got through on skill alone?”
“It would be hard for just anyone, but since Biyeon-gak is skilled at Jinbeop and escape, it’s understandable…”
Seong Yubeom trailed off. Jong Ri Un seemed satisfied with that answer.
As I half-listened to their conversation, I studied Jong Ri Un. Understanding him was more important than anything else.
Meeting him like this was no simple matter. Every idle gesture, the angle of his feet, the movement of his eyes—even the smallest details, I refused to miss a single thing.
Just then, Jong Ri Un turned his gaze directly to me. Rather than avoid it, I looked right back at him. A slight smile appeared on his lips.
“Well then, Gold-necked Hwan Gongja. How did you know it was me?”
“I won’t say, Alliance Leader. The less you know about me, the more curious you’ll be.”
Jong Ri Un let out a laugh at my answer, but the others—especially Myung Jaehee—looked alarmed.
If you want to truly understand what kind of person this is, you must be honest with them. To be precise, their reaction when I am not honest means nothing.
Even if I bowed my head here, it would do nothing to help me understand the person called the Murim Alliance Leader. And there was no need to talk about the bizarrely opened Sangdanjeon.
“Well, everyone in Kangho should have their own secret weapon. That’s something you must never reveal to anyone. These days, adults teach strange things instead of that. Not following someone just because they offer you sweets isn’t as important as this cardinal rule of Kangho.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. Ah, you haven’t had much time to learn, have you? The head of your family has been missing for a while, right? Still no word?”
Jong Ri Un looked at me steadily. He was right. My father is not at the family estate right now. He’s been missing for five years.
As the head of the Hwanggeum Family, he was always in the spotlight, so when he disappeared, rumors spread like wildfire across Jungwon. Some said he was assassinated, others claimed he fell to an accident—there were all sorts of conspiracy theories.
Of course, in my previous life, I had the chance to see my father after his disappearance. I even know where he is now. It’s just not the time to meet him yet.
But I doubted that was what Jong Ri Un wanted to talk about. So I was bold.
“When a disappearance lasts this long, it’s about time for a new family head.”
“Kuk…”
Jong Ri Un couldn’t hold back a laugh, a wide grin spreading across his face. Apparently, my answer suited his tastes.
Of course, I had hit upon the heart of the question behind his words.
Before I realized it, Jong Ri Un had taken the Cheongmu Commander’s seat. From the center, I had to turn my head at an angle to see him now.
“I see what the Biyeongakju meant.”
“May I ask what he said about me?”
“I won’t tell you. So you’ll stay curious about me, too.”
Jong Ri Un chuckled. With that alone, it felt like I’d peeled back another layer of his persona.
Jong Ri Un, still smiling, changed the subject.
“Now, about increasing your forces. I’ll send a few spare Elders. They’ll be quite useful.”
“…Alliance Leader? Are there really any Elders with nothing to do…”
“Quiet.”
The Cheongmu Commander tried to object, but was immediately silenced.
I know this well. The Murim Alliance is seen as a bothersome watchdog by the Gupailbang, and as little more than servants by the lesser sects.
If the Geomjon weren’t the Alliance Leader, they’d be treated even worse. The Alliance scrambles to keep the peace among the orthodox factions, all while suffering from chronic manpower shortages.
So, to have Elders from the Murim Alliance sent to me was an unexpected windfall.
But this was just a bonus. I couldn’t forget my real reason for coming. Yet, before I could bring it up, Jong Ri Un brought it up first.
“But that’s just a little gift from me. The real reason the Gongja came was to request the transfer of command authority, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
I nodded, but Jong Ri Un shook his head.
“That, I cannot do.”
“Why not?”
“They’re our forces, for one. But more importantly, imagine what would happen if I handed over command to you right here. How much mockery would the Cheongmu Commander face back at the Alliance? ‘He lost command authority to a twelve-year-old. Can he even protect his own woman? Is he going to get bested by a twelve-year-old?’ That sort of ridicule. And if I arbitrarily replace the current commander, some might suspect something is amiss, especially if you lose, Gongja.”
“…Alliance Leader.”
The Cheongmu Commander closed his eyes. So this is the kind of person the Geomjon is. I was getting a pretty clear sense. His ability to feign just the right amount of dramatics was no accident.
Doing my best to act like I hadn’t heard the joke, I gave a dry cough.
Just as I was about to speak, Jong Ri Un beat me to it again.
“That was the logical answer, up to now.”
He looked at me with a broad smile. Up until now, his smiles had seemed a bit forced, but this one was genuine.
“But if there’s a merit great enough to overcome all those shortcomings, I could consider it. In war, victory is all that matters.”
“Then I just have to show you here, don’t I?”
“Is it the end of the month? Do you have something prepared?”
Jong Ri Un said it almost expectantly. I answered calmly.
“No. I haven’t prepared anything. Wars never go as planned, after all.”
This time, I took the initiative. I looked at Seong Yubeom.
“You have the Hwanggeum Family operations map here, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then could you bring that, and a Bok as well?”
Without a hint of hesitation, Seong Yubeom left the room. I thought he might resent the request, but instead, he seemed almost glad to escape this stifling atmosphere for a moment.
Before long, Seong Yubeom returned carrying the map and a Bok.
“Thank you.”
I helped Seong Yubeom spread the map fully across the desk, then had a fresh realization. Myung Jaehee voiced it for me.
“It’s disgustingly huge.”
Sss.
The Cheongmu Commander inhaled sharply. Myung Jaehee flinched and lowered her head. The words had just slipped out. Jong Ri Un simply laughed.
“So, what will you show us?”
“I’ll explain what I would do if I became commander.”
“Ho.”
Jong Ri Un’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. Not the tense kind, but the kind of gaze an adult gives a child’s game of war—amused, indulgent. That would soon change.
I soaked the Bok in the ink, then drew a line down the center of the map. That was where the main battle would be. Now it was time to begin.
***
Jong Ri Un rested his chin in his hand and watched Gold-necked Hwan. His Bok darted freely across north, south, east, and west. To anyone else, it would look like random scribbles, the speed so quick. Yet within the map, boundaries were drawn neatly and with precision.
He barely suppressed a laugh. He’d come because the Biyeongakju had praised this child, but he was even more interesting than expected.
A twelve-year-old casually discussing the deployment of an army five hundred strong, right in front of him. Adorable, but also brazen.
“It’s done. Now, I’ll explain this map.”
Gold-necked Hwan spoke. What he said next was enough to change Jong Ri Un’s attitude. Adorable? Once he divided the troops into major, middle, and minor formations and discussed their maneuvers—what kind of “adorable” could you find in a twelve-year-old talking like that?
“Did Gwak Jindo teach you all this?”
It wasn’t unreasonable for Jong Ri Un to wonder. The words coming from a twelve-year-old’s mouth were far too complex and advanced.
“…So, at the main gate, I’ll set up a Jinbeop that twists and winds like a sheep’s intestines. With this, one person can hold off ten. If there’s no advantageous terrain, you make your own.”
From there, he went on to explain every aspect—terrain, Samse, Ikweon, the utilization of every military formation. The tightness of the deployments was like a tranquil lake, not a single gap.
Everyone except Jong Ri Un was watching Gold-necked Hwan in near shock.
“Wait, what would you do if the enemy came in from here?”
Jong Ri Un pointed to the north. Now it became a Q&A session. Jong Ri Un kept attacking from the enemy’s perspective, and Gold-necked Hwan countered. It wasn’t a debate about swords, but about strategy.
It was a fierce back-and-forth. Jong Ri Un used a variety of strategies and tactics, and Gold-necked Hwan countered each with military principles and formations.
Their fingers moved constantly across the map, the ink smudges spreading as if the brush itself possessed a will.
After about a shichen of this strategic debate, the map was so smudged with ink it was unrecognizable. The original image was nowhere to be seen.
Yet, Jong Ri Un kept sitting there, chin in hand, his finger pressing into his cheek. A long moment passed in silence.
Then, Gold-necked Hwan spoke first.
“Where else do you intend to enter?”
As he said this with a smile, Jong Ri Un finally placed his restless fingers atop the desk.
“This is just out of curiosity, but—do you really have a reason to insist on holding military authority?”
“This is the first step for our family to step out into the world. The victory must belong to the family, not the Murim Alliance.”
“And what do we get out of that?”
“That, I’ll let you answer from now on.”
At Gold-necked Hwan’s final reply, Jong Ri Un let out a hearty laugh and said,
“You win.”