Chapter 219
Shiwoo and Yerang asked Jin Hwaryung for two favors.
The first was revenge.
No matter how remarkable the Blue Zone guild was, if they could get Jin Hwaryung’s help, revenge wouldn’t be that difficult.
However, Jin Hwaryung refused.
He had no intention of killing Kim Ilsoo. It was Jin Hwaryung who had even spared Kim Ilsoo, who had attacked him with Jin Doha.
There was no way he would now grant the request of Shiwoo and Yerang.
The second request was.
“Yes, those two still care about Hyomin…”
They asked him to rescue Hyomin who was being held captive by Kim Ilsoo.
He had anticipated this.
There was no way Shiwoo or Yerang would leave Hyomin in captivity indefinitely. In fact, it was strange they had allowed time to pass without taking action.
The reason they hadn’t done anything until now was evident.
If they moved recklessly, she would be in danger.
Their decision to take action now meant…
“Have they finally found her?”
They had found the location where Hyomin was hidden.
If not, their long silence couldn’t be explained.
“So it seems.”
“Of all people, they came to you.”
“Thanks to them, you now know where they’re heading.”
Suhyuk nodded.
Indeed, the two’s decision might have been foolish, but its outcome was not.
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“And you?”
“Me?”
“Won’t you ask for help?”
At Jin Hwaryung’s question, Suhyuk shook his head.
“Coming to you in the first place was a foolish move. Considering just getting refused would be fortunate.”
“You understand well.”
“That’s why I’m even more worried. Those two probably understood that too.”
If Yerang might not have known, Shiwoo certainly knew what kind of person Jin Hwaryung was. Despite that, he had gone to Jin Hwaryung with Yerang.
They had sought him out, knowing full well it wouldn’t work.
‘It means they’re that desperate.’
It would be difficult for them alone. If things continued this way, they wouldn’t be able to save Hyomin; Shiwoo and Yerang themselves would be in danger.
Knowing them, they wouldn’t abandon her regardless of what happened to them.
“Thanks for the information.”
Unexpectedly, he had received valuable information from him.
“If we’re done talking, hurry and go. And don’t go causing any more trouble somewhere.”
“I can’t promise.”
Suhyuk and Jin Hwaryung went their separate ways. Suhyuk headed back to the mansion, while Jin Hwaryung walked outside.
All the while, Jin Hwaryung’s words circled in his mind.
He was now fully awake.
* * *
At the headquarters of the Murim Alliance.
In the heart of Murim, Namgung Hwayung walked briskly.
Sensing the anger in her gait, Murim Alliance’s military officer, Jaegal Dancheon, spoke up.
“Please calm down for now.”
“How can I stay calm right now?”
Heading towards the reception room, her voice was somewhat louder than usual.
“You didn’t even come to see me, and who is supposed to be in the reception room?”
“The leader of the Namgung family and the master of the Divine Dragon Group are here.”
“This is outrageous. A guest visiting another guest.”
The leader of the Murim Alliance was the owner of the Murim Alliance. In addition, Divine Dragon Group was a guild that had been part of the Murim Alliance since its establishment.
However, the Divine Dragon Group’s master, who had visited the Murim Alliance, sought out the leader of the Namgung family, not her.
It was clearly inappropriate behavior. Nevertheless, Jaegal Dancheon found her reaction odd.
“This is unlike you.”
The Namgung Hwayung he knew wouldn’t show her anger so visibly.
“Is it because of the leader of the Namgung family?”
Startled, Namgung Hwayung answered in a softer voice.
“… Maybe.”
“If you even think it might be, then it probably is. But, Lord.”
Jaegal Dancheon began to gently extinguish the flames of anger burning within Namgung Hwayung with a soothing voice.
“The issues between parents and children are often not due to any one party’s fault.”
“Yes.”
Namgung Hwayung nodded.
“I will keep the Lord’s words in mind.”
“Then shall we proceed?”
Namgung Hwayung’s steps slowed a bit, indicating she had calmed down somewhat. Upon arriving at the reception room, she took a deep breath and said, “Announce me.”
“Yes. The Murim Alliance Leader has arrived.”
A maid waiting outside the reception room announced Namgung Hwayung’s arrival.
And after a brief moment, “Come in.”
It was the head of the Namgung family.
Namgung Gahui’s response came.
*Creak-.*
When the maid opened the door, the scene inside the reception room was fully revealed.
Two men sitting opposite each other with two glasses of liquor on the table. Namgung Gahui and Un Cheon-guk.
The first thing that caught attention was Namgung Gahui.
“It’s been a long time, father.”
“I didn’t even see your nose when I came. Were you glad to see the Divine Dragon Group leader?”
“The Murim Alliance is my home. If you wanted to see me, you should have come.”
“In what world does law precede natural order? What kind of parent goes to find their child?”
It was difficult to say who was right.
Either one of them could have gone to see the other. Neither Namgung Hwayung nor Namgung Gahui were foolish enough not to know this.
This was merely a matter of pride between a father and daughter who disliked each other.
Namgung Hwayung’s gaze, which had been glaring at Namgung Gahui, shifted to Un Cheon-guk.
‘He doesn’t care.’
Her earlier words were also directed at Un Cheon-guk. He too had visited the Murim Alliance and sought out other guests first.
What exactly were the two planning here?
Was she just making a fuss over a simple drink?
‘No.’
Just a simple drink.
But in this Murim world, especially between someone like the Divine Dragon Group leader and the head of the Namgung family, nothing was ever simple.
So she asked, “What brings the Lord here?”
It sounded somewhat reprimanding.
Both Namgung Gahui and Un Cheon-guk hadn’t sought the Murim Alliance Leader, but Namgung Gahui had a clear reason based on natural order, while Un Cheon-guk had none.
The Divine Dragon Group was part of the Murim Alliance. By rank and as a guest to a host, he should have sought her first.
However, Namgung Hwayung didn’t show any indication of this.
“I heard bad news and wanted to check if you were alright.”
The Divine Dragon Group leader was a difficult opponent.
Even by ranking alone, he was above herself. His skills were undoubtedly superior too.
One had to be cautious.
Dealing with him could mean getting devoured.
“I am fine. Though the vice-leader has died.”
It was unclear if he was really fine or not.
Namgung Hwayung, unsure how to respond, hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
“I’m relieved to hear that. But… what brings you to the Murim Alliance to speak with the head of the Namgung family about such important matters?”
She hadn’t asked because she wanted an answer.
It was just to warn them.
To tell them to know their limits, no matter what they were planning.
However, “The Alliance Leader should be aware of this matter as well.”
Un Cheon-guk nodded and gestured for her to sit. Indicating she shouldn’t just stand there.
Curious about what he intended to talk about, Namgung Hwayung took a seat. Un Cheon-guk then spoke.
“It’s related to the recent inquiry you just made.”
“My inquiry?”
Seeing Namgung Hwayung’s puzzled reaction, Namgung Gahui chimed in.
“We were discussing what to do with that man, Lee Suhyuk.”
Lee Suhyuk.
A name she had been hearing often lately.
The man who had confidently told her that he might end up fighting against the Murim.
“How do you intend to handle him?”
“Divine Dragon Group is affiliated with the Murim Alliance.”
“Are you suggesting that the Murim Alliance should punish him?”
“What do you think?”
At Namgung Gahui’s question, Namgung Hwayung shook her head.
“It can’t be done.”
This was not an impulsive answer. It was a conclusion reached after careful deliberation and discussions with the strategist, Jaegal Dancheon. The Murim Alliance had decided not to intervene in this matter.
“This incident happened solely because of the Lord’s daughter. And she is Lee Suhyuk’s manager.”
“Is that really important?”
“It is. Protecting a comrade is only natural.”
Namgung Hwayung asked Un Cheon-guk, “Don’t you think so?”
Her question, which seemingly implied she already knew the whole story, did not prompt Un Cheon-guk to disagree. The Murim Alliance was never careless. They had understood the relationship between the leader of Divine Dragon Group and his daughter long ago.
“Lee Suhyuk is not at fault. As he did, if you intend to bring your daughter back, we won’t stop you, but the Murim Alliance will not lend a sword for a family quarrel.”
This was a fight grounded in the pretext of family and comrades.
The Murim Alliance could not intervene in such a fight.
More importantly, “It would be wise not to become an enemy of Lee Suhyuk.”
Jaegal Dancheon, the strategist of the Murim Alliance, spoke.
“If he is indeed the sword to slay the Heavenly Demon as the leader expects, we must avoid making him an enemy, even if he cannot be an ally.”
It was the same thought. When the ideas of the strategist and the leader aligned, it was a matter that must be pursued unrelentingly.
“I understand what the leader is trying to say.”
Fortunately, Un Cheon-guk did not get too upset. Rather, he seemed to have been waiting for Namgung Hwayung to state this.
“We’ll handle this matter ourselves. That seems to be the correct approach.”
A subtle glint of madness appeared in Un Cheon-guk’s eyes. Although Namgung Hwayung opposed punishing Lee Suhyuk, his eyes made it appear as if he had received permission to kill Lee Suhyuk.
Meanwhile, Namgung Gahui showed his dissatisfaction with Namgung Hwayung’s decision.
“Neutrality… You believe that person can kill the Heavenly Demon, don’t you?”
As if to say, “I’m above you!”
Namgung Gahui sneered.
“Dream on. That’s something not even the real one could achieve.”
“Lee Suhyuk didn’t fail to kill the Heavenly Demon; he chose not to.”
“You know it well. He had no intention of fulfilling our wishes.”
“That was the Lee Suhyuk of that time.”
Namgung Hwayung, feeling there was nothing more to discuss, stood up. This wasn’t a matter worth debating further.
“If we’re done talking, I’ll take my leave. Please continue your conversation in peace.”
However, “There’s one more thing.”
For some reason, Namgung Gahui stopped Namgung Hwayung, who was about to leave. Normally, he would have urged her to go first.
“One more thing?”
“Do you think we came this far because we had nothing better to do?”
“Are you saying you came looking for me?”
“Yes. This is something you need to hear. After all, you’re the Murim Alliance leader.”
Namgung Gahui’s expression twisted as he mentioned ‘Murim Alliance leader’, as if it was something he didn’t approve of.
Namgung Gahui was not pleased that his daughter had become the leader of the Murim Alliance. Originally, the next leader was expected to be either Namgung Gahui or Un Cheon-guk, who were both present. Most people believed one of them would become the next leader.
But Jin Doha overturned that expectation at the last moment.
“This issue requires your decision. The decision of the Murim Alliance leader.”
An issue requiring the leader’s decision meant that it was something for which the Murim Alliance needed to mobilize.
And if such an issue were to arise at this time, there could only be one reason.
As expected, Namgung Gahui eventually uttered the name.
“We plan to challenge the Guardian.”
The Guardian, the most formidable entity currently blocking the path to the next floor in this tower.
For over 20 years, the tower had been unable to overcome the Guardian, leaving everyone at a standstill.
“It’s time for the halted clock to start ticking again.”